New and Unsure! But wanting to give it a go!!

[brigadoonbob]

I think that about says it all. I want/need to get fitter, lighter and healthier but I'm not sure where to start. There are so many diets/fads/pills etc out there I really don't know where to start. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Dx

[Sailsalot]

That makes interesting reading, thanks Hidden .

[brigadoonbob]

This is really encouraging, I need to cook from scratch more. I'm going to plan some meals for the rest of the week, shop for them tomorrow and do some cooking and see where that takes me. Thanks for your help. Dx

[IndigoBlue61]

Hello and welcome

Cooking from scratch is helpful, but Rome wasn't built in a day! Start with getting a good balance of nutrients in your diet, a wide variety of foods and lots of colours. Portion size is key to weight loss. And regular exercise, start gentle and build on it. Good luck and best wishes

[happydodderer]

You are exactly right when you say "There are so many diets/fads/pills etc out there." and so many people accept and lock onto one or more of them. In my opinion the thing you should look at most is NATURE. You just cannot go wrong then. When considering putting anything into your body ask yourself if is natural. Does it grow? and if so are you eating it in it's natural form ? Nothing at all grows in tins or bottles or ready-meal packs or sachets, etc. Make the majority of your meals from fresh produce. Enjoy a nice steak and kidney pie or T bone steak with all the trimmings from time to time by all means, you don't have to deny something that gives you great pleasure. But do make sure the big majority of what you put into your body is alive and fresh.

[brigadoonbob in reply to happydodderer]

I have now shopped, and today I shall be turning it all into healthy family meals, freezing some portions and planning suppers for the rest of the week!!! Here we go 🌽🍆🌶🍲🍽Dx

[Helenoir]

Reduce the amount of refined sugar in your diet! Check nutritional labels on everything, you'll be surprised to see that sugar (sometimes called fructose, galactose) is added even to pasta sauce. By not eating these foods you'll realise there's not a lot of foods to eat that are processed and you'll start to cook more from scratch. Also another tip, don't drink fruit juices or smoothies as the natural sugar found in the fruits have lost their fibre due to blending, and the sugar then acts the same as the sugar in a coke. Try drinking herbal teas if flavoured drinks at a must or even add fresh fruit to water.

[albinohedgehog]

Thanks for link,i have downloaded and i will read later. 👍

[brigadoonbob]

I must try harder with food labels but to be honest most might as well be in a foreign language!!! The ones I can decifer then still leave me confused as I'm not sure what level is high/low etc!!! It's really confusing. On the bright side - I've swapped milky sugary teas for green and I love it!! Dx

[happydodderer]

I think you have to be very careful about fructose. In my own personal experience the fructose (often high) in raw fresh fruit has little or no effect in my blood sugar tests. Non-fresh fructose in prepared products can however have a significant effect. Obviously cooking the fruit intensifies or changes or concentrates it. Or maybe all three. Why drink prepared juices when it is usually just as cheap and far more enjoyable to eat the fresh fruit ?