Super slimmer programme

[EllaMidlands]

I had to turn this off as I found it very depressing to see people regaining weight. Now I am asking... please can all successful maintainers step forward to tell me how they are doing it... and a huge massive congratulations to everyone who has got to their goal and then kept weight off. I need cheering up now.

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Don't be depressed, Ella, what the programme proved, was that diets don't work and we're not on diets, this time around, we are living permanent, sustainable, healthy lifestyles

[EllaMidlands in reply to moreless]

Thanks moreless i agree with you about permanent lifestyle change and I am totally committed to that. I have never really lost weight before but do want to keep it off. It was sad to watch though!

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to EllaMidlands]

I've had a lifetime of dieting and regaining and know that this time, is has to be different. We can and we will succeed

[Ceals]

Haven't seen it yet, not sure I am looking forward to it now?

Especially as I am one of those who lost years ago and has put weight on-but it will be different this time!

[George56]

Not seen yet but I will later. I also struggled today. I'm afraid to confess that I had a small chocolate flake ice cream.🍦🍫 Good luck to all. 🍀

[EllaMidlands in reply to George56]

Don't worry George, if that's all you have to confess to you will still lose this week!

[lucigret]

Ella, I was horrified by the way in which people lost their weight. It was way too fast, to loose a stone a month, every month is too much. I do understand that if you are bigger you will loose it faster to begin with but these people were encouraged to do that in some of the cases. I do feel if you loose it slowly and I know that means it takes longer, you can do it in a sustainable way and you will maintain it. It took a long time to put on, it's going to take time to get it off. Don't let that programme get to you, just learn what not to do. You put a post up earlier saying we can do this, that post helped me and I needed to hear it, now I'm telling you, we can do this. Chin up and carry on. 😄

[EllaMidlands in reply to lucigret]

Thanks lucigret the problem is I am losing weight fast - lost 4 1/2 stone since September - but I feel all the changes I have made are sustainable. X

[lucigret in reply to EllaMidlands]

But is it slowing down now, maybe you could eat a little more. I know your doing Paleo, (think that is right), I don't know much about it, the biggest lesson I have learned on this forum is to make sure you don't eat too little. Would it be worth checking how many calories you should eat and just for a couple of days follow your diet but count up the calories to see if it is enough. I have yo-yo dieted for years and I hope that I have learned that for me, it isn't sustainable to drop calories too low, or to deny myself anything and to be patient with the weight loss. (Not always easy I have to admit). When you are in the midst of changing your way of eating and it's working I sometimes think that makes you feel it is sustainable, but sometimes you need to step back and reassess. We are all different Ella, and I'm certainly not knocking anything you are doing, just putting my thoughts down. I'm sure somebody else that has lost a lot will post and reassure you. 😄

[Helenbach50 in reply to EllaMidlands]

What I noted from that programme was "slimmers" going back to their previous lifestyles after being on a diet for a period of time. Yes there were other factors, but if you take in more calories than your body needs , you store it as fat and put weight on.

I need less calories than a 6foot man, that feels "unfair" but that's how it is. It's about finding your own level and change your lifestyle on a permanent basis to eating healthily and exercising regularly.

[George56 in reply to lucigret]

Hi I had a ice cream cone with chocolate flake. So exercise for me tomorrow!🚶🚶🚶🚶🐒

[Newyork2017 1 stone]

Funny how the guy that works out two hours aday and is a personnal trainer was the only one to not gain weight. So eating healthy and exercise works. Fad diets dont

[EllaMidlands in reply to Newyork2017]

I didn't see him Newyork2017 i gave up as it was putting me off

[Newyork2017 1 stone in reply to EllaMidlands]

Crazy diets they were on ... The minute they went back to normal lifes ... Weight gain. Thats why im trying to eat morw healthy and walk my dog longer... Im no spring chicken and my love for chocolate and biscuits is a killer. Trying to be good six days and have one cheat day.

[joshua97 in reply to Newyork2017]

2 hours a day? OMG - who's got time for that? Maybe I need to become a personal trainer 😄

[Prin in reply to joshua97]

I walk to and from work 25 mins each way and try and do a class or two most days 2 hrs done p, mind I don't have kids to bother about😏

[ANewMe2022 1 stone in reply to Newyork2017]

This it the only thing that I took from the programme! Healthy eating and moving around is the way forward...xx

[George56]

Thank you. I will watch the Slimming programme. I'm going to Edinburgh this weekend. Unless something changes to the plan. I will take the scales with me. I mushrooms and scrambled eggs this morning. Up early 0530!!🐣 No milk used for the eggs scrambled. G🐮

[Hidden in reply to George56]

I find that adding a bit of water instead of the milk makes the scrambled eggs lighter and creamier somehow. It's like the milk hardens them. Don't put too much in though

[gemini76]

Hi Ella,

I too like you found this programme to be incredibly depressing but I did stick with it. I think they were trying to say that no diet will keep the weight off long term as you can't stay on a 'diet' forever. The more sustainable approach to weight loss is healthy eating and exercise. Its all about striking the right balance. If you restrict yourself too much you set yourself up to fail. It sounds like you have been doing fabulously so far. I started 2-3 weeks ago now. I am loosely counting calories on MFP but not being too rigid (allowing myself the odd treat). I am trying to focus more on getting myself moving more. I've joined a gym and started the C25K. I must say I get such a high after exercising and just in the last 3 weeks I have noticed my stress levels are lowered and I feel much more positive.

Good luck with your journey.

Nicky

[Claz]

I've done all the diets.. lost the weight & put it all back on again... it's like my body just likes being heavy..!

I had my measurements checked at the gym today and According to their scales I was 3lbs heavier this week.... but had lost 0.5% fat & gained 3lb muscle & lost 2cm from my waist and that's from eating proper food 3 times day...... so its definitely not about what the scales say it's how your body feels.. I'm exercising daily now and eating healthily and will never turn to quick fix diets again like the people on that program..For me slow & steady will win the race xx

[Gill3000 Visitor in reply to Claz]

I agree, you are doing really well at the moment, very focussed on the correct things 😀

[Tiggerr in reply to Claz]

I find the bit about fat, muscle and waist measurement really interesting Claz and enlightening. You sound like you're in a really good place. Well done!

[EllaMidlands]

I am sure I have enough calories as I am not hungry in between meals unless I have just been swimming in which case I am starving. I have eggs or fruit for breakfast. Soup or chicken/ tuna salad for lunch , egg around 5 if didn't have for breakfast then lots of veg with meat / fish around 7. I have small handful of nuts plus apple as snack. Think I am going to carry on and see how I go. Everybody is different. Thanks for all the replies, it's good to talk about it as people in my real life have never been overweight by much.

[Claz in reply to EllaMidlands]

my diet is very similar to yours but you lose a lot quicker than me... so our bodies are all different and lose at different times and no 1 diet will ever fits everyone. xxx

[Tiggerr in reply to EllaMidlands]

Seems to me that this is working for you so as long as it doesn't cause any problems then why not.

I'm really new to all this but my own take on this would be, not to carry on at the same speed as you get close to your goal. Maybe a bit like a car coming up to a junction, reducing the speed gradually so that one has complete control when you reach that point. Just throwing it out there.

[Sailsalot in reply to EllaMidlands]

That sounds like the sort of meals I had when losing and have slightly adjusted now maintaining. I always did and still have a filling breakfast, with either high fibre cereal, berries (frozen are good)on top and high protein yoghurt, or eggs. I eat more pulses which bulk up meals and add fibre and protein too now. The thing you mustn't do is go back to the way of eating that caused the weight gain in the first place, also to stop gradual creep of weight upwards, so unfortunately have to weigh yourself regularly and as programme said make keeping it off quite a high priority in your life which isn't always easy when you have other things in life to deal with. Good luck anyway EllaMidlands you are doing really well It is worth it!

[Sailsalot]

Yes the programme was a bit depressing, but have heard other research saying if you can maintain for a year you are then more likely to keep the weight off as your body gets used to your new weight. It's early days for me (8months) but I do think that may be true, saying that I have learnt a lot about food and have found a healthier way of eating that I enjoy and intend carrying on with.

[EllaMidlands in reply to Sailsalot]

Thanks Sailsalot It is great to here from a successful maintainer. I still have lots left to lose but needed to hear that it was possible to achieve long term success.

[Fran182716]

It was quite a depressing programme, but to make good TV they have chosen the more extreme of people's stories.

The "biggest loser" type diets were horrific no one could sustain that, they must have been missing out on important micronutrients and with such an aggressive calorie deficit they must have lost a lot of lean muscle despite the exercise so it's no wonder their metabolic rate dropped.

The lady who dieted more sensibly with Rosemary Conley regained some of her weight in the aftermath of a divorce, so this illustrates you have to learn how to deal emotions without using food as a crutch - something that's a big issue for many of us. The show didn't mention anything about psychology which I think is just as important for many as counting the calories.

What I took away from it is aggressive diets are ultimately damaging to most people and that it is better to make healthy changes both in what you eat and how you deal with life that you can stick to even if the weight loss is very slow or you don't get right down to a weight you want you have made positive changes.

[Hidden in reply to Fran182716]

So true!

[Diana]

I've maintained for ages, well had 4 stages of loss, after my 2nd stage loss, I did regain 4lbs. Every now and then I have mega sugar cravings, takes a few days for my weight to re settle back to my maintaining weight.

I also believe genetically we are 'set' at a fairly ok weight based on our parents etc, I don't believe I can be lighter than I am realistically too, post menopausal changed shape too ( much as I hate to admit it)

Long term change proves what we need to do, sonething I'm surprised thes folk didn't realise

[MrNiceGuy]

It certainly made for difficult and, at times, depressing viewing. It's not surprising you need cheering up, Ella.

However, it doesn't necessarily mean that you'll fall foul of same fate.

Regardless of the diet program followed, as goal weight approaches, since the level of fat possessed isn't as great, calorific intake needs to gradually increase closer towards TDEE, ensuring the body continues to be provided with sufficient energy. Doing so also ensures that it's better placed to maintain, once goal weight is achieved.

Equally, even when in deficit, if activity level increases from lightly to moderately active, for example, calorific intake will need to increase to support the rise in activity.

Upon reaching goal weight, or a point in which you're satisfied, to maintain in the longer term, it's important to ensure that exercise remains part of your lifestyle, in addition to appreciating how many calories are required to maintain level of activity.

Ultimately, much of the success rests upon choosing a way of eating that can be sustained. If you feel as though a Paleo lifestyle can be maintained in the longer term, continue to do so.

While I've never been overweight in the sense of possessing huge amounts of body fat, for many years, I embarked upon months of cutting, maintenance and then bulking (body building), needing to be aware of how many calories were required to achieve each of the above.

Nowadays, I simply prefer to maintain, continuing to exercise 4-5 times a week (both resistance and cardio), occasionally reducing daily intake by 500kcal for 4-8 weeks, in preparation for holidays.

Although I enjoy a wide range foods between the respective macronutrients, I'll still measure quantities of certain foods, to ensure that more calories aren't being consumed than is required, while ensuring that consumption of refined carbohydrate is minimal.

[EllaMidlands]

I have adapted paleo to suit me a bit - I have some natural yogurt and milk in my tea to give me calcium. I also use vegetable stock cubes in my soup. We also have occasional curries (once every 6 weeks or so ) where I do have rice. Thank you for your supportive replies. 😍

[MrNiceGuy in reply to EllaMidlands]

Given the array of dietary lifestyles available, there's certainly no reason why you can't adopt certain aspects from others to suit.

Provided TDEE isn't routinely exceeded and that calorific intake is adjusted accordingly when in deficit (based upon weight and level of activity, for example), the effect of dieting upon metabolism can be minimised.

Equally, dieting breaks of a 4-8 weeks, whereby intake increases to that of TDEE or maximum allowance allow metabolism the opportunity to settle, while also providing the body with sufficient energy to increase intensity/duration of exercise.

Granted, during maintenance, weight may not necessarily be lost, but the ability to increase level/frequency of exercise can reap its benefit in other ways, through improved fitness, muscle tone and reduction in inches, leading to improved composition and body confidence.

After a period of maintenance, a daily deficit is introduced once again, ensuring that the deficit doesn't exceed the difference between BMR and TDEE in order to keep metabolism firing.

[WinWeight]

EllaMidlands thank you for starting a very good thread. My GP done his PhD in weightloss. He found that the group he sent for therapy, exercises according to a plan, life coaching and a healthy eating programme either with weighless or a dietician maintained and even lose more after 3 years. The other group he injected medicine and restricted their intake severely. In the beginning their weightloss was better, but after 3 years most of them weighed more than at the beginning.

The moral of my story. If you are changing to a healthy lifestyle instead of following a quick diet it will help you to maintain and to get to your goal. It doesn't matter how quickly the weight is moving. The goal is to be healthy all over. I wish you, myself and all of us good luck. We are are doing the right thing.

[Hidden in reply to WinWeight]

Thats really interesting WinWeight it is helping the person all round to get a healthier and happier lyfestyle and that in turn will help you overcome the traumas in life by dealing with it with exercise companionship etc

itis mindset not totally dieting and I'm just realising that 😀

[Cavaco in reply to WinWeight]

I think you've nailed it on the head - there's no point in going on a crash diet and then reverting to your 'normal' eating habits. The only way is to change your eating patterns for good.

Take your time, don't rush, don't think that the reaching your goal weight is the end - it's just the beginning.

[weightshifter]

I have had problems with maintaining once I have reached my goal over the last 20 years, but I think I have cracked it. Lots of very useful advice in these threads. Make your diet work for your life style. Weigh weekly to make sure the lbs are not snearing back. Keep active, even if it is going for a mile walk every day. Say yes to fruit and veg and not to sweets, biscuits and cakes. Do not give up or beat yourself up, but keep doing your best.

[Prin]

I am sure someone must have maintained with lighter life but I am yet to hear of them!😬

[IndigoBlue61]

Really interesting thread 😊 And absolutely YES you can keep the weight off if you lose it sensibly and change your mindset 😊

18 months on plan, regular maintaining, occasional small gains that are always reversed. I am NEVER going back.

Keep the faith EllaMidlands 😊

[EllaMidlands]

The replies on here have really helped me, thanks everyone! X

[George56 in reply to EllaMidlands]

You are a star. Enjoy your week off⭐G

[Daisy1925]

The program confirms what we all know in our hearts, the diet industry has been making billions by promising us unrealistic weight loss. I have been recommending Overcoming Weight Problems, a book that has helped me approach my weight gain as a health problem. I am choosing a healthier lifestyle as a permanent change. Eat less, move more, slow and steady. My dog is my best fitness gadget! Daisy

[SlimmingEagle Restart March 2024]

Don't be so despondent. I am also having a bad week after several good weeks. I was thinking of weighing myself on the International Space Station! But no, reality says that I must persevere and so onward I go and you can too Ella. I am not going to compare myself with yesterday, it is what I do today, now, that counts. So come on me, come on Ella. We should be grateful that we are in a position to be able to complain about our weight - Many others are not.

I made a mistake yesterday of skipping breakfast and as a result, ate too much later on. Today, I am having breakfast - Porridge and berries.

Today is Wednesday morning. Have some brekky, go for a walk and tell me how you feel later. I will be doing exactly that.

[EllaMidlands in reply to SlimmingEagle]

Right SlimmingEagle i am up, I am ready. Going to buy a new bra. None of mine fit - it's like I have borrowed one from Pamela Anderson to fit... Emma Willis. A good bra will make all my other clothes fit better. Thanks for your rousing message!! We will show the programme makers people can sustain weight loss! X

[Ceals in reply to EllaMidlands]

There was a cracking thread about getting fitted for a bra a week or so ago. I made a mental note to do it next week before I go on holiday. A super non-food treat for us ladies.

[Hidden]

I can see how the programme gave everyone very negative thoughts about weight loss, but I have tried to focus more on a healthier way of eating and also inch loss, rather than jumping on the scales every five minutes. I want to feel healthier and my clothes to fit me more comfortably - not necessarily reach a target number.

I realise this is not always the case, but something I have noticed is that a lot of people shown last night have families who are also overweight. Surely if the rest of your family are eating unhealthily, then you have less chance of continuing with your weight loss. If you don't buy crisps or packets of biscuits, then they are not there to tempt you - and this goes for buying it for the rest of the family too. If you feel it is making you unhealthy and overweight, then the same goes for your husband/wife and especially your children.

I realise this is very easy for me to say all this as I am retired, and have no family and live alone - so no temptations from work colleagues, or other family members. This doesn't mean I don't hover over the box of chocolate eclairs in the supermarket, and know if I buy them I will have eaten the lot by the time I get home!

Good luck to us all and stay focussed x x

[ANewMe2022 1 stone]

My sister is doing the Cambridge diet. Fab that she lost 16lb in January, but I fear the worst. Not sure how much it costs, but it isn't free like this awesome site. Surely when she starts to reintroduce normal food it'll all go back on again. Can't tell her though - she wants a quick fix! I am in it for the long haul. Shedding weight is a bit like getting through the C25K, slow and steady...xx

[Fran182716 in reply to ANewMe2022]

I didn't know the Cambridge diet still existed. Back in the 1980s I worked with 2 people who did that diet and it was hell to be around them (and one was my boss!) it made them unbelievably mean and grumpy, that put me off the idea of weight loss shakes for life!

[Itsbab]

Just goes to show that a lifestyle change is the way to go 👍 changing your food intake by shakes, soups, pills etc doesn't work long term, it's a lifetime commitment for the better, we are all on the right track it might take an age to get where we want to be but we will get there and feel fitter for it. 😊

[Crimson85j]

I've just watched it. I think if you'd have watched it to the end you'd have felt a little better about it. Most of the people lost weight so quickly whatever they were doing was not a lifestyle but a diet and every single one (bar the guy who kept it off) was hung up on their weight and their image in the wrong way. I will always be the advocate of healthy vs happy. I'm a broad muscular busty woman. I'm never going to have a "healthy bmi" but I will get to my goal and lose alot of weight. These people don't love who they are, the quote from it that screamed it was "we'll make you beautiful again" I'm sorry but I was beautiful at a size 30 and I'm beautiful now. You don't become beautiful you accept and acknowledge that you are, that doesn't mean you're up yourself. It means you accept who and what you are. That is the key to being able to take care of your body! Stop dieting and start living with your body as a priority x x x x

[Hidden in reply to Crimson85j]

A Great Big Smile 😀 for a Beautiful Woman hear hear ! Thats is so lovely beauty is what shines from us and especially so when were happy and accept who we are, I wish others could see that too. Lose weight for health reasons not just to be beautuful xxx

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Crimson85j]

Hear hear !!! I agree totally, 😊 I'm getting smaller and healthier and fitter NOT more beautiful 😡😡😡

[Crimson85j in reply to IndigoBlue61]

Anna!! Lols what are you like! You are beautiful hun x x inside and out 😙

[Caz28]

I recorded this programme and have just watched it. Rather than finding it depressing, it just reinforced my opinion that fad diets are a waste of time and effort, once you start eating 'normally' again, you just put all the weight on, and often more beside! Moderation, portion control, regular activity are all sustainable and I believe maintenance is possible if that's the way you lost weight in the first place.

[EllaMidlands in reply to Caz28]

It's pleases me , Caz28 that a successful slimmer like you believes that as you inspire me. Thank you for replying

[Caz28 in reply to EllaMidlands]

What a lovely thing to say, thank you. My best advice is, believe you can, and then you will.

[Decaff 1 stone]

Hi EllaMidlands, can I ask what channel this was on and what day so I can look for it in catch up?

[Ottomummy Healthy BMI]

I just caught up with the programme last night and the comments this morning! I thought it was very interesting, at first depressing, but, no, now I don't feel negative about it. I am lucky that I only have a relatively small amount of weight to lose, I've lost 1st but could do with losing more. I now have a healthy BMI - that that is really my point I suppose. I was not obese when I decided to tackle my weight. I have never been obese, so I never had really poor eating habits. I don't have a sweet tooth, crisps are my downfall, but I would never, ever binge. What I'm saying is, I didn't have too much to change in my eating plan in order to lose weight. So I am confident I will keep my weight off.

I can see how this would be different - and so as not to offend anyone, I'll use my niece, bless her, as an example. She has a different attitude to food than me. She enjoys fast food (I hate it), she's got 2 toddlers so will bung a pizza in the oven as a quick meal (I always have cooked from scratch) and at an all you can eat buffet, she'll get her money's worth (I would be too embarrassed). Apart from running around after two toddlers, she doesn't really (have time for) exercise (I walk every day and get my 10k steps in, come rain or shine). So there's a major difference in her eating and lifestyle habits and mine. She is majorly overweight and has now embarked on a diet. She will lose weight, she's restricting her calories, but will she maintain this weight loss...... I think we can see the writing on the wall. The answer will be NO if she doesn't completely change her attitude to food and exercise and this is a way, way, WAY more complex thing to achieve.

Don't get me wrong, I too sometimes sit on my backside and think CRISPS.... WANT THEM. But this is no reward for good behaviour, it'll make me gain weight, so why do I want them? I, like everyone else, am programmed to feel fulfilled by a yummy mouthful of what makes me happy. So my brain is in constant battle mode, and it's exhausting. I have to make food the secondary issue in my life, by not eating a snack, I'm not going to die. I need to get on and do something else and distract myself, not give in.

I suppose what I am trying to say is that the programme was just a confirmation of what, deep down, we all know and don't want to accept. We can't just eat what we want - or we can, but then we won't be the weight we want to be. I don't believe it will every stop, this battle. I just have to believe that it will get easier, like the guy who is now a fitness instructor says - yes, he still craves the bags of Haribo, but he knows he's going to have to work out for a couple of hours in order to compensate for that lapse in his eating plan. Bummer.

[Hidden in reply to Ottomummy]

This is so true. I think many overweight people (not the ones on this site, of course) actually quite like the idea that there is nothing they can do about their weight, and they take on board anything that suggests it's genes, low metabolism, the wrong bacteria in their guts, past infections etc.etc. This then means they don't have to take any action themselves.

[Hidden]

Hello, I agree with the others on here who say it is really about lifestyle change. It seemed to me that the programme was overly discouraging because it focused on people who had lost a lot of weight very quickly and then returned to their old way of life, and somehow suggested that this was all outside their control.

But lo and behold, the hunky chap who had lost weight and kept it off did so because he continued to eat properly and be very active! Obviously his body's surivial mechanism could cope with him actually being the weight he ought to have been all along.

So I think the picture is actually quite encouraging that if you change your lifestyle, weight loss will be sustainable. If you "go on" and "come off diets, then, yes you are likely to put some or all of the weight back on.

So keep on keeping on, is my view.

[IndigoBlue61]

I've just watched this programme and think it was a terrible. 😈

Firstly, all the overweight people were portrayed as eating fast food/cakes/sweets, in other words they were to blame.

Secondly, they mostly went on quite extreme diets.

Thirdly, there was only a very brief scientific explanation for why "diets" don't work. (Grehlin/leptin/insulin disruption.)

And lastly, my major bug-bear, very little advice about to how to successfully lose fat, get fitter and maintain it!!

It mostly confirmed that (boring though it sounds) slow steady weight loss through eating properly, healthy food with occasional treats and regular, moderate exercise is the answer ☺ sound familiar? ??? Lol ☺

Onwards and downwards lovely people, we can and will do this ☺☺☺