weight loss

[country2]

i,m new here any ideas on losing weight?

[Zest]

Hi country2

I think that the NHS 12 week plan is good for losing weight, and there is an online community - called NHS weight loss - which you can link to within that - if you want to. The link to the information is here:

nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-we...

The Healthy eating forum might also be a beneficial place to stick around and enjoy our various Pinned posts and Topics - so I hope you'll enjoy having a look around.

Good luck with your goals.

Zest

[andyswarbs in reply to Zest]

I wish the NHS would go with the research. Telling people that exercise will help them lose weight is just plain wrong and sets these people up for inevitable failure. Yes, exercise is critical to good health but it has very little to do with weight loss.

[benwl in reply to andyswarbs]

The NHS does follow the research.

The webpage cited says:

"The plan is designed to help you lose weight at a safe rate of 0.5kg to 1kg (1lb to 2lb) each week by sticking to a daily calorie allowance"

Sure, they tell people to exercise as well, but the weightloss happens due to the calorie restriction. Nowhere do they suggest that all you need to do to lose weight is exercise.

[Zest in reply to benwl]

Hi andyswarbs ,

I'm glad that benwl clarified this - and I still think the NHS plan is really useful and I think it's great that it combines exercise as well - as afterall, it's all about health and well-being isn't it.

Zest

[andyswarbs in reply to Zest]

I have seen a lot of people, and I mean a lot, go say swimming, and then have a cappuccino and cake afterwards as a reward. I remember myself playing squash of a lunchtime many many years ago, and then have a lager afterwards. Such hard-work followed by food/drink reward that negates much of any calorific benefit is extremely common. This is just one reason why exercise is not associated with weight loss.

[Zest in reply to andyswarbs]

Of course, and I completely appreciate what you're saying there - having calorific foods as a 'reward' for exercise isn't a great strategy, but I don't think the NHS plan is advocating having rewards for exercising, it's recommending regular exercise to complement the person's calorie range (which is based on their activity levels and current weight and height etc). At least that was my understanding and how I tended to interpret it. I followed the plan for a significant period of time when I was losing weight, but it is a while ago now. I did however find it helpful.

Zest

[benwl in reply to Zest]

Zest has said pretty much what I would have said.

It's certainly true that some people erroneously believe that exercise is necessary for weight loss or that it's essential - and this view is certainly encouraged by some food companies as it absolves them from responsibility for people getting overweight but this is not the NHSs position and it's unfair to criticise them on the basis of a strawperson argument they do not make.

[Rosepetal60 Gluten Free]

Hi country2, I'm fond of the Fast diet also known as the 2/5 diet. I'm not rigid with the fast days but I have improved over time. I choose Monday's and Thursday's for my fast days. But one can choose two days together if you feel you can stick to 500 calories a day for women and 600 calories for men.The other tip I would recommend is to eat smaller portions. Which over time I've got used to and don't have to think about the size now. It is helpful to read some of the book to get your mind thinking along the way it will help you in the early stages of managing the fast days & planning meals etc.

I have heard that "The Blood sugar diet" ( written by same author) is also successful.

I did join the NHS 12 week plan on Healthunlocked but I personally found it too complicated, stressful and time consuming to manage. And gave up before starting. Wishing you luck with whichever diet you choose

[Skende]

Look up dr. Axe and weight loss

[Angiestar111]

I would recommend intermittent fasting. I've done it for years and stayed at a good weight despite being overweight when I was younger. Try having just 500 calories every other day and eating normally on the others. It'll be tough at first but you'll get used to it. Add in as much exercise as you can - even if it's just a 20 minute walk. When you're happy with your weight, you can just fast once or twice a week to maintain. It's worked for me.