Hi I have tried various diets and failed . I am very obese and want to loose weight for medical reasons, don't know where to start, help!

[Sounthy]

[Penel]

Have you had any advice from a doctor or dietician? If you have a medical condition it might be a good idea to get professional advice.

Perhaps you could start by checking if you are eating healthy food? Cut down on foods with added sugar, if you can, watch out for sugar in low fat foods. Eat fresh food as much as possible, lots of vegetables and good quality protein. All the advice suggests that you need to be thinking about a permanent change in eating, rather than a 'diet'.

Good luck.

[Hidden]

If you would do better within a group, then do join a weight loss class. It does give you lots of support. I've done weight watchers and slimming world ...the latter works better for me, but I found both types of classes v supportive. A word of caution....they can only show you they way...YOU have to deliver by way of sticking to the healthier way of eating. Nobody says it's easy....some foods are addictive, you just have to find a way through the tough choices. So make the choice and go join a class...suggest you buy a slimming world magazine and have a look first at their plans, you'll be surprised how much variety there is....best of luck....

[gingernut49]

You certainly don't need to join any of the slimming clubs to lose weight: they just want your money. I lost the three stone I needed to on the 5:2 Diet after watching Michael Mosley's excellent Horizon programme in 2012, "Eat, Fast and Live Longer" (vimeo.com/54089463) and went from a size 16 to a size 10 by eating 500 calories two non-consecutive days a week. I've been maintaining my weight loss since May by just fasting one day a week - in the past I piled the weight back on as soon as I finished 'dieting'.

I'd heartily recommend you read Kate Harrison's book, "The 5:2 Diet" (tinyurl.com/qe6mz4u) - it really does work and it will save you a fortune (towards your smaller clothes!).

[Hidden in reply to gingernut49]

Hi gingernut49 ....I am NOT selling slimming clubs, but I speak from experience...most people are very good at losing weight to begin, but usually lapse and gain even more weight eventually. It takes me a few years to pile on a few pounds here and there, and with the pace of life when you work( especially for yourself) look after a family and lead a full life......need I say more. If the apps you download work for you , great. If the 12 week plan works wonderful. I know they'd work for me, but I don't have strong will power ALL the time. I do not buy in anything but fresh food, veg, fruit and some healthy dairy, all I'm saying re any class is

WHEN YOU HAVE MORE THAN A FEW POUNDS TO LOSE AND YOU NEED HELP, MAYBE.....JUST MAYBE THE CAMARADERIE OF A WEEKLY LIVE MEETING MAY BE HELPFUL. IT IS FOR ME.

[gingernut49 in reply to Hidden]

I didn't suggest you were selling slimming clubs - but as a pensioner on a very small budget I can't afford weekly membership fees and the 5:2 Diet is the first one that has worked for me when I've stopped the active dieting phase and am maintaining. I always preferred the Rosemary Conley classes because of the exercise, but put the weight back on again when I stopped counting calories. WeightWatchers definitely didn't work for me and was a waste of my money. I've never tried Slimming World, but my largest friends have their certificates all over their fridges and are still large!

If you watch the Horizon programme you'll see that the main advantage of the 5:2 Diet is of the health benefits. There are some excellent Facebook groups that offer support constantly, not just once a week.

[gingernut49]

I'd also very much recommend a free app for your phone called MyFitnessPal. Counting calories is very important so you can see how much you're eating and therefore eat mindfully rather than mindlessly. There are excellent videos in the Help section on the app that show you how it works - there's even a barcode reader to scan in branded foods.

It's important you don't eat more than your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) on non-fasting days. You can work that out here fitnessfrog.com/calculators....

[Hidden]

I can also recommend the 5:2 diet having followed it successfully since April and maintaining my new weight since August. Flexible, eating from all food groups and easy to follow with lots of on-line support and advice from fellow 5:2ers can be found on 52fastdiet.co.uk/

[Big-bird]

I also have a lot of weight to lose and find the main problem is staying focused. I have written a long list of the reasons why I want to be slim and I read it whenever I feel myself slipping.

There are loads of reasons why people eat when they aren't hungry. Recognising what your triggers are and planning around them can be really helpful. For example, I tend to eat when I am bored, or when I watch TV, so I have a list of things that need doing in the house and try to do one each evening when I get home from work. I also plan a 100 calorie snack to have in the evening.

[Smiler001]

Hi, after having my little girl, I have piled on the weight, I tried Slimming World had a great leader. He is very inspirational, however I didn't stick to it. I have now joined Weight watchers and its my first week and going well.I have lost 2 and a half pounds. I joined Slimming world myself but left. However the doctor did a referral and I decided to change a different approach. So I joined Weight watchers instead. You have to find what works best for you. I have found eating is not just hunger but emotional as well. My husband works away and as soon as he leaves I reach for the chocolate. So now I try and distract myself. I have healthier alternatives instead. I don't deprive myself, the classes have taught me how to eat and strategies to use when I'm feeling low. But I am enjoying it and feel healthy after just a week of joining. I hope you get sorted. x

[Penel]

My daughter did very well on WW, she needed to have that regular weigh in, but she never bought any of their products. I lost weight by cutting down on processed carbohydrates (bread, pasta, cereals etc). I also found that sugar makes me pile on the weight, so I have to avoid things like fruit juices. Low fat does not work for me.

If you want to know how food affects our hormones and our bodies, have a look for Dr. Robert Lustig. He has written a book called "Fat Chance" which explains how people become obese and what to do about it.

[runningmam]

I have tried many slimming clubs and have lost weight on all of them. However I've always regained the weight plus a little bit more.

I find clubs demoralising and have recently ( the past 18months) taken control of my own weight. I use " my fitness pal" to record everything I eat, drink and excercise. so far I've lost 4 stone. I am aiming to lose another three, but that isn't so important any more. I now have my eating and fitness in my own control for probably the first time in my life (I'm in my 50s) and I feel empowered. I answer to no-one but myself. If I eat something fattening it's no big deal, I'll just be more careful next time. The key is not to get strung up on the little things and consider your choice as a new life style.

Good luck.

[khanmq in reply to runningmam]

hi well done 2 u.pls can u pass some tips as me wants lose 1 stone 4 last 2 yrs but no luck ?

[khanmq]

hi I,m interested 2 lose 1 stone asap as its looks like to climb a huge mountain. main problem is when I want 2 lose I gain the wt pls help.

[TEMMEAlexa]

If you have a medical condition then it is always better to consult a doctor before starting any kind of exercise or take up dieting.If it is something very serious ten only your doctor will be to tell you the amount of exercise you can do. But I would also suggest that you consult a specialist who teaches yoga as yoga is one of the best ways to lose weight.Though the process is little slow but then the weight loss is for good and there are no side effects too.If you have no idea about yoga at all then try and do a little research on it before starting so as to put your mind at rest regarding yoga.

[khanmq]

thanks lol as I mantion I,m tring 4 last more then 2 yrs and tried almost every thing I also started some yoga steps too for last 2-3 month with no medical condition. main problem is no control on eating or no idea abt eating satisfaction.

[Trixieb50]

Well, we are all in this for the same reason, so why not try good old calorie counting + keep in touch with others on this site. I have to lose the weight equivalent to the weight of a small child!! So u are defo not alone. I'm in it for the long haul