So which plan is best

[Pudwood16]

So what plans are everyone following. I want something normal, not too extreme and that can include the family. I don't have time for masses of planning, tend to take it a day at a time.

[IndigoBlue61]

Hello Pudwood16 and welcome to the weight loss forum ☺ The only way to lose weight is to eat less calories than you need. But doing that isn't quite so simple or we wouldn't all be here!! 😕

The first place to look is at the Pinned posts section to the right of your screen (bottom if you're using a mobile), read the Welcome Newbie thread first and move through to the challenges, where we hope you'll find at least one that will appeal to you ☺

Move down to the Topics, to find a variety of threads, collated into specific topics for ease of access and we ask that you also 'file' your own threads, so that others won't miss your important news ☺

Have a look at the NHS 12 week plan, as many people have had success with it. Also use the BMI checker to find your target calories, it's important to eat enough. This was a major turning point for me, realising I could eat anything I wanted as long as the calories are accounted for. This also means the plan can be incorporated into everyday normal living. In fact, for me, I will need to eat this way permanently to keep my weight off. ☺

Don't forget to take your starting measurements and a 'before' picture, as they can be very motivating on days that the scales refuse to co-operate ☺

The forum also have group weigh-ins every day if you wish to take part. The posts can always be found in the Events section on the 'home' page ☺

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We've found that to get the best out of this community, we need to be active on the forum, as it's where we exchange information, get motivation and inspiration and make friends. We hope that you'll join us here, regularly, too ☺

Best wishes

Anna

[JiminyCricket 7lbs]

There are so many options!

I have found the 12 week plan - which is basically calorie counting - has worked well for me. I have porridge for breakfast, simple lunch (rest of family have packed lunches usually, I work from home), and normal family dinners. We all eat the same - generally I have a smaller amount of carbs (we usually have pasta, rice or pots with dinner and I have no more than 100g), and the rest of the family have what they want. I have double veg instead. I cook meals which have all separate components where possible to make this easier, which my kids prefer anyway. The only thing I have differently is lo-cal sausages rather than normal ones.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll find something that works for you.

[mayaena]

DASH diet, but the version that cuts out fruit juice and any sugar and allows more fat. I don't count calories any more but I stick to the portion weights from when I was counting them. I used a spreadsheet for the first few weeks so I know what my favourite meals 'cost' now. I printed out a shopping list of allowed foods and keep in in front of the computer when ordering online. I am lazy about cooking but chuck healthy ingredients into a slow cooker or rice cooker to make lentils and stews. Seems to be working so far.

sciencedaily.com/releases/2...

[Hidden]

Anything worth having or worth doing requires a bit of effort, Pudwood! If that weren't the case, none of us would need to be thinking about losing weight! And unfortunately there are no quick fixes either.

It really is worth spending a bit of time planning. If you plan healthy, home cooked meals, you know exactly what is going into them and how much.

And yes, before I retired I did work full time teaching, and I had a family to cook for, so I know that making time is a huge effort. But it pays off!

But an easy way might be to buy yourself a smaller plate and only eat half what you used to eat. However I recommend good home cooked food from healthy ingredients. After all, one of the reasons we are all here is because we love our food.

Personally I do the 5:2 because it works for me, but it's not for everyone.

Good luck on your weight loss journey.

[AnnTandy]

Oh, there are a gazillion plans out there, there will be one to suit you! I basically follow SW, which restricts fat and carbs but allows lots of protein, fruit and veg - sensible eating, really. You probably know already what you need to do but until you start restricting calories it's unlikely that you'll get any results - so I'd read up on those first. Go to the NHS Weight Loss guide to see how many calories you should be consuming. Then try writing down a day's worth of food (today is as good a day as any) and work out the calories you've consumed that day, as a comparison with what you SHOULD be consuming - I suspect you might be slightly shocked...