Has anyone lost weight and actually kept it off?

[Greatfun]

And if so, how?

I am so fed up of being 2 stone overweight. I am sick of SW/WW etc and just need to get on with it without a club or fad diet. Anyone?

Yes, went from a size 16 to a 12 on top 10 bottom about 3 years ago. For me the key was cutting out all white carbs for a period of about 6 months - after which I found I had lost my addiction to them and was able to eat them in moderation without craving them.

I also started running - initially for 1 minute at a time, and only undercover of darkness. About a year after my 1 minute start I ran a 10k.

You can do it. How much do you want to?

I think you need a real real incentive, something more drastic than just 'i want to lose wight' . Also, once you get the buzz for exercise and you see results, it'll be so natural as a way of life. Having said that... dont eat any shit at all, dont eat after 8pm, exercise every day none of this once or twice a week crap, reassess your portion sizes, etc etc.

Oh thanks so much for replying.

Well done. I am so impressed with the running. I was thinking of taking up running but feel too right now.

I REALLY want to. I joined SW recently but have had to stop as I was struggling to follow it and couldnt make classes due to DHs work. I can see how the clubs and all that work but I want to do this myself. Could you give me an idea of what you did? Did you cut out chocolate etc or did you allow yourself some. I am thinking of cutting out all the rubbish as I do struggle with controlling portions etc.

Cross posts mustrunmore. So I assume you have done this? Do you mind telling me how much you lost and how long it took and how long you have kept it off. Do you both find it easier now?

mustrunmore - re: incentives. Its rather vain but I am 35 and I just want to look good. I feel rather sad that I have spent my youth (to date) being overweight and self conscious. I also had a bit of a shock as when I went to the GPS last wek for the pill my blood pressure was a little high. Not sao much that he commented but I knew it was a little high.

I lost 2 stone last year and have kept it off. I don't know if that counts as I'm still trying to lose another stone.

I agree with mustrunmore about not eating shit fullstop and not eating late. I'm a snacker, I love cake, chocs, crisps, cheese etc which is the reason I'm fat.
I look at my sister who has always been naturally slim and she hardly ever eats junk food and hardly ever snacks. Her meals are normal size, she has a take away now and then, eats a small bit of cake or choc now and then. She claims that she eats whatever she wants which is true. She just doesn't want to eat crap.
I think the key is to think and behave like a slim person.

Thanks singinglark and well done on your achievement. If you have cut out the crap food completely how have you coped with cravings? Do you do any exercise?

Another thing about motivation. I really don't like the way my eating habits are impacting on my kids. They are only 1 and 3 but I am obvioulsy doing something wrong to be 2 stone overweigt so suely thats spreading to them.

Greatfun I have no will and something of an all or nothing personality, so I cut the crap entirely - didn't have it in the house. No eating out or take aways until the weight started coming off - at that point I knew I could do those things without going mad because I didn't want to undo the good work.

I also (in the early days) weighed in once a week with a girlfriend. We wrote our weight down and put £5 in a kitty (the weight we would have spent going to a club) When we reached our goal we blew the money on new clothes!

I like the kitty idea. I will do that. CLothes are a big motivator for me as everything I own is tatty and old but I cant bring myself to go shopping right now.

Not sure whats going on but only half of my posts are appearing. I will change to the lap top and come back later.

Where do you live Greatfun?

London.

Yes i lost 20 kg (45ish pounds) in 2 years, did weight watchers and it made me realise the calories in things! I could have a full meal for the same as 3 choc biscuits!
And exercised as well, just walking but everything counts

Its just the STARTING that sux, the transition to unhealthy eating to healthy eating. After a week or so its great and you feel so much better for it!

Sorry, I went off mn and watched a film.

I'm like angrypixie and have nothing.
I am just getting back into a 'diet' after 4 weeks of eating crap. I know I shouldn't do it and don't want to do it but I couldn't help it.
With me, if I'm tired and lack sleep after a bad night, like you may do Greatfun as my children are the same age as yours, I find I can't stick to a diet. I also find if I don't exercise regularly, I can't stick to a diet either.

When I need to change my mindset I go for a prescribed diet for a week or so so I know exactly what I can eat and don't have anything else. When I get back into it, I can do the healthy eating routine.

I am starting that couch to 5km podcast programme next week and am following
www.feelingok.co.uk/diet03.asp

Morning, sorry, only just seen this to reply. Yes, I've lost a fair bit, but finding the end really really hard.

Pre kids I was 9st 8 and ran 50-60km a week.
Ds's are 5 and 3, I went up to 13st 4 after ds1.
In 18months (didnt do anythnig whilst bfeeding) I've dropped to 10st 6. I did go to 10 3, but stopped exercise through illness for 2 weeks and put 7lbs back on
I know do 6 or 7 hours of aerobics a week and about 20km running, which I'm trying to increase again.

I'm a born snacker, and very habitual. I need to keep busy, to not have junk in the house to tempt me, and even now I cant get back to my perfect diet of prekid days bu I do enough exercise to break even.
I think sometimes its the case that snacks are easier and look more attractive, whereas actually you forget how incredibly good things like fruit and nuts and salad actually taste!
Also its vital to keep a food diary to shock you into realising what you're eating.

I now do.. oops!

I lost 54lbs & I have kept 49lbs off for more than 5 years

I changed my life; where I lived, my job, my "diet" (I didn't diet I just changed what I ate), how I socialised

I maintain my weight, 10st 7lbs, without any controls/exercise at all

I go up to 11st over Christmas/on holiday and within 2-4 weeks after I am back to the wieght I am now

I really agree with you Mustrunmore about forgetting how nice fruit, nuts and salad taste. SOmetimes having an apple or whatever fruit seems such a boring thing to do but once you start eating it, you realise how tasty it actually is.

I also try to remember that when I eat healthily, I actually feel better and have more energy. Its pretty awful feeling sluggish and lethargic continuously because you're over eating all the time.

I am fed up of permanently being 'on' a diet that never works as I have no willpower either. Since dd3 who is now 3 I just haven't been able to succeed, I've dabbled in WW, SW & countless others but I really can't face another summer of being unhappy with what I look like & what I'm wearing. I've just started running again which has worked for me in the past, I try to go 3 times a week. I like the sound of not eating after 8 but there are days when we don't even sit down to eat until gone 8!!

'we' meanig you and your dp, or the kids too? If family meal, I can understand it for the social aspects. But there's no reason why you and your dp have to eat together, or eat thee same thing. You have diff bodies, which require diff fuel. It really helps to get out of the mindset that food is a social activity; we all too often use food as a back drop for conversation, a way to fill an evening. Sit on the doorstep with a warm drink instead; it romantic, its condusive to talking, its beautiful

Singinglark; you know that thing that realy suprised me he most... I had a juiced brocolli stem, and it was seriously good!!! Really full of flavour!

I've tried juicing too. I can't say I've had brocolli on its own but mixed with carrots, apples etc and its really, really tasty and instantly perks me up.

One more thing I've remembered that ensures that the weight stays off is that I get back to 'dieting' as soon as my jeans get a bit tight if I've been overindulging (like recently!).

I was a size 14/16 last year and as soon as I hit 12, I got rid of my big jeans. Now, as I have no choice, I have to ensure that my jeans don't ever get uncomfortable. It only takes a few days of being strict and they're comfy again.

Yeah, thats true about jeans. Strangely, I also know if I've gained weight because it hurts just above my left knee! Honestly! And my exercise goes instantly downhill.

thanks everyone. i am going to take all your advice and report back in a month.