Need help

[Martyna]

Hi there.

I'm new here. I try many diets. Nothing is helping. I do diet one week and then I stop. I don't know what to do. I'm so desperate

[mamascouse]

I'll you how I've done it, so far I've lost 3 stone and I'm still losing weight. Keep a food diary in the kitchen, and be honest with yourself and put everything that passes your lips in it.You have to start reading the labels, I stopped buying low fat meals, they won't fill you and that's when you will start snacking,pure fruit juices w(which if you want one, you can only have 1 small one a day) and also watched how much fruit I was eating, some of it is very high in calories like grapes, I used to eat by the bunch but you supposed to only have a handful. lastly portion control is a must. I don't feel like I am on a diet, I do have days where I pig out but they are now becoming less frequent and I don't beat myself up about them. It only becomes a problem if it carries on the next day and then the next. Only ever aim to lose 1lb a week, if you lose more then that's ok, most important of all don't let diets rule your life, if you do you will never win

[Yinxfed in reply to mamascouse]

Such great advice mamascouse! Particularly the part about picking yourself up after a trip.

All that I will add is that changing habits that you've spent years following is hard. But if you want a healthy present and future, there really is no other way.

I've lost 9lb in 12 weeks and my progress graph on Myfitnesspal looks like a bumpy staircase - but it's going down! I still have a way to go.

My biggest issue is eating all of the exercise calories that I earn. But I can do this, you can do this. We can all do this. Stay strong and get support wherever you can.

Good luck!

[Artsoru in reply to Yinxfed]

This too is excellent advise!

I have recently started the NHS 12 week weight loss plan and its so far so good!

In the last 5 weeks I've lost 3lbs. It was the first 2 weeks I didn't lose any but I'm getting used to it now!

I also use my Fitness Pal as o find it a good way to keep track of the calories I'm eating and the ones I lose during exercise.

I do have the same problem though of eating all the calories I've lost during the exercise! This is something I need to get out of.

We will all keep going though, we can do it!

[pinkymoo in reply to mamascouse]

Totally agree with this, I've lost 4st so far using the 12 week plan and beyond. I spent years trying to loose weight trying all sorts of diets but until now they haven't worked because like martyna I only ever stuck to them a week at max.

At the end if the day you have to be prepared to change your life forever. It'stnot a diet it's a new way of living. If I had a pound for every time I'd wanted to quit along this journey then I'd be rich but through it all my willpower as made me keep going and the further into it I go the easier it is to follow because it becomes a routine. Just like the one I had when I was making the not so healthy choices only this one is more well informed.

I log everything that passes my lips that way I know what I've eaten good or bad. I don't stop myself from eating any not so healty stuff I just have it in moderation occasionally or swap it for something healthier that has the same taste.

I didn't change everything all at once. I did it a little at a time and eased myself in until it became the norm. The first week I did no exercise just cut down my calories, then I added exercise, then I upped my exercise once I was used to exercising. I've been loosing weight now for 6 months and it feels like this is how I've always been. I've forgotten how to be unhealthy almost.

[Titchyfeet]

Hi Martyna, Mamascouse has given you great advise, I've lost over 2st in the last year and am currently maintaining this, I went down the Weightwatchers route and this has been so easy for me once I got my head around the points system, I was losing approx 1.5-2lb a week, but in a nutshell I eat what I want but much smaller portions, 1/2 pint of skimmed milk a day, no junk food and watch your sugar intake. Also if you can enrolled a friend on your weightloss journey this will give you support as well as this site, my friend has loss over 3st with me! Good luck you can do this

[Diana]

What can I say, as someone who gained too many pounds during a cruise, and now taking them off.

If for any reason you are getting menopasual cravings, these need dealing with seperately and bloating too.

Understand why you give up, maybe you do not enough variety or menus to make things less boring? I think this can be a issue, tackle one day at a time, plan your food and really enjoy it all, also distract yourself, when you are not eating. I break my day down into five parts, breakfast, mid morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner, if I really feel like I'm soo hungry I try to eat raw carrots or veg. I do find a simple powdered stock, I use low salt marigold stock, helps made into a drink.

Some of the others have said follow a 12 week plan, I find it easier to take one day at a time, and do what you need to do, often thirst and hunger are mixed up, drink eonough clear liquid, black coffee,tea , herbal tea or water, I hope this helps!! Take care xx

[marigolde]

I think it is always hardest in the beginning. Perhaps you could try taking a very long term view and being kind to yourself. Just make small adjustments to what you eat, maybe cutting down 200 calories a day rather than starving yourself? It takes faith and perseverance and most of us are in too much of a hurry!