Help and advise for a newbie please? Thankyou!

[Dinkytinky]

Hi there! This is my first time trying to lose weight, Ive gained almost a stone which seems to have crept on over the past year or so, I know it doesn't sound like much but I'm only 5'1 so it shows!
my weakness is sweet things and I find I get mega grumpy and feel deprived without!
I've put it all on on my stomach and thighs and I've lost all my confidence wearing shorts and can't face short dresses, and I'm not enjoying the summer at all.

Does anyone have any advice/tips/sweeties replacements you can recommend?

Thanks so much x

Just start by increasing your exercise, and eating fruit instead of sweets?
It doesn't sound like you have too much of a weight problem if you haven't had to diet before, so some small changes should get you back on track.

The food focus website is really helping me - not just to calorie count but to stop the eating without thinking that's crept and kept my weight up. And it's free. The graphs are quite motivating too. So far I've lost half a stone in 6 weeks.

Also, and I'm not particularly proud of this, I've been using quite a few "fake" foods - sometimes - and for me its likely to be later in the evening I crave something that feels like an indulgence - options hot chocolates - double choc is the best of its type I've found 40kcal, Meringue nests (co-op are nicer than tescos) 50kcal crumbled over lots of strawberries and biq squirts of Anchor half fat squirty cream - also surprisingly low in calories. An occasional caffeine free diet cola of an evening - again not proud of it and I'm sure it's toxic long-term but it's certainly helping for now.

Good luck!

low carbing. see my profile for more info

For me low fat always works. I think sugar and choc are addictive - if I go cold turkey on those I can go for weeks without them, but give me just one choc and I want the whole box....

I also think the Paul MkKenna "diet" works. But in the end everyone is different and what is sauce for the goose won't necessaarily be sauce for the gander!!

Like treacle, I also use "fake foods".... merinuge nests being a favourite!!

exercise wise try the 30 Day Shred - only 25 mins long & fab - see thread on here.
there is a supplement that is meant to lower cravings for sweet things its called Chromium.
Fodd wise - can you try not to have sweet things in the house - if they're not there you can't eat them. Also plan your meals.