Hi, have mentioned on a couple of threads that I have lost 4 stone and people have asked me how, but I haven't wanted to go into detail on someone elses thread.
I haven't followed an official diet and everything I have done has been to suit me and my lifestyle, but if any of it is of any use to anybody I'd love to share....
I was 14 1/2 stone, drinking 2 or 3 cans super strength lager a night, and a chronic comfort eater. My Grandad died and my world was rocked in a number of ways and I could feel myself slipping into depression. I decided to give up drinking for a week, but at the end of the week felt so much better and had lost a couple of pound so I decided to stick with it.
I started walking. Small distances at first at a pace I was comfortable with and then gradually picking up the pace until I started feeling 'slightly warm'.
I added extra walking at every opportunity...getting off the bus an extra stop early, or parking as far away from the supermarket doors instead of as close as we could, find a bit longer route to walk the children to school. I took up cycling when my youngest started school and gradually built that up as well. Again, I didn't punish myself, it had to be enjoyable. After christmas I added running to my exercise....started at about 1/4 mile and now I can run 8.
As far as exercise is concerned It was important to enjoy it and also to build it up so it fitted into my daily routine so it was never a chore. I am now completely hooked!
Food wise I changed my eating habits rather than going on a specific diet. I slowly cut down my food portions..taking off a desertspoon of potatoes/pasta every other week until my plate was 1/2 vegetables, 1/4 carbs, 1/4 protein. I didn't cut out gravy or sauces but reduced the quantity..and I always have pudding. When eating the meal I eat the vegetables first so that as I fill up I am left with the tasty satisfying bit at the end. I chew slowly and always have water with my meal.
I drink constantly, water, juices, tea. I don't like cold water at this time of year so I drink it lukewarm.
I also found healthy snack options that I loved..for me it is a glass of tomato juice and a small handfull of nuts. I have a small handfull of nuts at breakfast which seeems to sustain me for longer in the morning.
Where I could easily devour half a packet of bicuits with coffee, I'd now have two biscuits and a piece of fruit. I ask in cafes if they do skinny lattes. If I bought in my favourite cakes I would put them in the freezer so that I had to think about eating them and only defrost one.
I haven't stopped eating anything, but I cut down what I ate and I have found that my tastes have changed with time and I now can't eat a whole cream cake let alone devour two in one sitting. But if I want one I have it. I have a 'treat' everyday, I am addicted to kitkats, and icecream. But along with my life changes it isn't a big problem. I have days where I stuff myself but tend to find it makes me uncomfortable so I don't do it very often.
Motivation was hard at first but for me as the weight started to come off and I started buying smaller clothes it felt good and I was enjoying it. I would time how long I could stay hungry for as I figured hunger was my body burning up fat, not to the point that it made me ill, but just not eating the minute I was hungry.
This has all taken about 18mnths and the key was always to do it gradually so that I was comfortable and enjoying food and life.
It is obviously not an 'official' diet and the details are what have suited me, but I hope it helps in some small way for somebody. I actually stopped drinking (alcohol) altogether in the end, but that was just my choice.
Good luck to anybody trying to lose weight, I know how hard it is and never take for granted how difficult it was to achieve my goal weight...but it can be done.