Struggle to lose weight

[Shugamama]

I have just joined, really looking forward to reading all members stories, iv been a dieter for many years but seem to never lose weight easily but I'm hoping calorie counting will help me to achieve losing weight

[gingernut49]

I too struggled for years and tried many different diets, only to always put the weight back on again.

In August 2012 I watched an amazing BBC Horizon programme, "Eat, Fast and Live Longer" vimeo.com/54089463 and started to simply eat from smaller plates and stopped nibbling in the evenings. I lost a bit of weight that way, and then in that November Kate Harrison bought out her book, "The 5:2 Diet" based on the programme. I also joined her Facebook group and by April I had lost three stone and have kept it off ever since. My daughter is now also losing half a stone a month on this way of life. I would thoroughly recommend you watch the programme and also to get the free app and website MyFitnessPal to count calories. After you've watched the programme, if you have any questions I'd be very happy to answer them.

[Marguerite2013 in reply to gingernut49]

Hi G: Thank you for the 2 links you sent me in the past. I have commenced the 5:2 and am very pleased that it is starting to "kick in"... I mislaid the 2nd link you sent me about WHAT TO EAT ON NON-FAST DAYS? Pse could you send it to me again as cannot find it on the site? Thanks a stack - you are a star! Good to hear also that your progress has been ongoing!!!

[gingernut49 in reply to Marguerite2013]

Here you are: thefastdiet.co.uk/how-many-...

[Marguerite2013 in reply to gingernut49]

xx

[Shugamama in reply to gingernut49]

Hi gingernut49, iv read all about your success with the 5 2 plan, I'm going to give it a go, wondering if it would b okay to fast for 3 days a week so I can loose weight faster or would that be quite bad for me.

[gingernut49 in reply to Shugamama]

You can do that, but make sure it's on non-consecutive days. Why not start with two days a week and then move to three when you're used to it. Eat up to your TDEE on non-fasting days.

[Shugamama in reply to gingernut49]

Thanks for ur advice il give 2 days ago, should I excercise on the the fasting days x

[gingernut49 in reply to Shugamama]

Absolutely. It keeps you busy and takes your mind off food. I always run on my fasting days: I run to the cinema, watch a film, then run home, and I don't eat anything until my evening meal. It's better to do that as your body is using your fat reserves as fuel. Watch the YouTube video I posted - it's really good.

[Shugamama in reply to gingernut49]

I have and I saw the panorama programme about fasting, I'm also going to get the book u mentioned before, thanks for ur advice x

[Shugamama in reply to Shugamama]

Sorry I forgot to ask, on the clip I just watched it says have 2000 cals on non fasting days, what if I can't eat that much will that interfere with my weight loss as I'm not used to eating that much on a daily basis x

[gingernut49 in reply to Shugamama]

youtu.be/W9Aj6hRYg4A(Not working as expected?)

[Shugamama]

Even after years of dieting I think iv read so many different thing about dieting I just get confused, is it okay to feel hungry? Then just eat at next meal time?

[gingernut49 in reply to Shugamama]

Yes, it's perfectly okay to feel hungry. Hunger goes in waves and can be allayed by having a drink and keeping busy. I spend a lot of time walking or running on my fasting days - anything to keep away from the fridge! The longer you fast the better for your health. I generally don't eat breakfast and on fasting days I don't eat lunch either - it gets easier as you go along and the results are soooo worth it!

[gingernut49 in reply to Shugamama]

I'd advise you watch the programme and read Kate's book - here's another link for you youtu.be/W9Aj6hRYg4A(Not working as expected?)

It's only two non-consecutive days a week so you can eat foods that would normally be forbidden on the other days.

[Paula49]

If you have an iPhone or iPad try myfitnesspal app, makes calorie counting sooo much easier and it's a free app

[GRUMPYA]

Hi

i have done all the club's and groups in the past and find calorie counting works. The trouble with the slimming clubs is they market their diets by telling you that you can be a complete glutton and still lose weight or they teach you bad habits by selling crisps and sweets at the meeting! Don't forget they make their money from you going every week so the slower you lose it the more they make. Calorie counting is tedious because unlike the club's you have to count the apple, tomato and other items that may be "free" on other plans but that makes it more accurate (as long as you do record everything). There are some good apps out there to help I'm giving my meal mate a go, it has some things that are irritating but it's British while a lot of the others are American. Good luck and remember if you have a bad moment just write down everything and then get back onto your plan. I'm sure we can both do this!

[Shugamama]

Thanks for your reply, iv never joined any forums so never had anyone to talk with re weight loss I'm really going to give it my all, this time, I'm sticking to no more than 1400 cals per day even though I could prob manage on less, then I'm going to try 5 2 plan, would it be bad for me to have less than 1400 cals a day as this is what it says on nhs website

[GRUMPYA in reply to Shugamama]

On the nhs website there is a link to a bmi calculator, based on age, height weight and activity it suggests how many calories you should have a day. I am using this as I am tall and very overweight, it also works this figure out on "my meal mate" an android app set up by the nhs as a calorie counter. Based on my statistics I need 1800 calories a day to lose 2lb a week. My friend who is short and older than me when she does the same call is on 1200 a day. The nhs one size fits all is 1400 calories a day. There is nothing wrong with either method but smaller ladies esp post menopause may struggle to lose the last stone on 1400, someone with severe disabilities might too, and I would be hungry on that which makes me more likely to fail. As I lose weight I will get less calories allowed.

There is a lot of rubbish talked about starvation and eating too little on diets, and really it's about finding the level that works for you. If you are happy on 1400 and lose weight then it's right for you, if you are more likely to stick at it on a little more but lose weight a little slower then that's fine, it's about what you can stick at. If you check what the recommended calories are for you on the app or the BMI indicator then at least you know which way you might need to go. Better an informed decision I always think.

[Shugamama in reply to GRUMPYA]

Thanks for your reply

[AZTECCHIC]

I am new too and find it difficult to lose weight. Lost 11 pounds in six months. It should be two pounds a week! However, just started 5:2 diet and am hopeful.