Crash diet misery!

[brigadier]

Ok I know they don't work long term but it really is the sort of diet that works for me- I can usually lose around 20 pounds- I really could do with losing 40 but usually struggle like hell after 20.

It takes me months to motivate myself to diet- usually self loathing spurs me- but this time its a combination of several things- my boy is a health freak and frequently (with the honesty of children) tells me I need to lose weight as he is worried I'm unhealthy.
I don't want to be given the cart horse on my upcoming riding holiday...you know that moment when they allocate horses and yours is the weight carrier?
I will get 'bum-rub' if I don't drop some excess baggage!
I want to get in the hot tub at our posh destination hotel, without trying to hide my thighs and suck in my tummy.

So Im on the slim fast- at least it satisfies the sweet tooth part of my usual crazy diet. Its working already as my mouth taste is awful (a side effect of ketosis) and my trumps are evil

At least if I do lose some in time for summer I can wear something more appropriate to the weather- last year I covered up and missed some glorious sunshine.

But Im missing my red wine and choccy fix last thing at night- although a small glass and a couple of squares is ok I have to really motivate myself not to polish off the bottle and the whole bar, so I best not start the trend! oh bum!

[solomon]

Good luck with slim fast. Never tried it but just know I would struggle. I am doing slimming world at the moment. Apart from when I have visitors. Forget the chocolate brownie dessert I had Sunday! Lost six pounds so far in about three weeks.

[pboy]

I really can't do diets. I have done weight watchers when I was really piling on the pounds and I think that worked best for me as I didn't have to deny myself anything plus it 'trained' me on where those naughty hidden calories are. I tried the 5:2 diet but I couldn't cope with the fasting days at all - I think it would have been easier if OH did it too but he's one of those lucky people who never puts on weight and can easily skip breakfast and lunch without noticing.

Red wine is my downfall, plus OH loves pringles and cheese and with my 'rubber arm' I can never say no when he starts on those! But we rarely have big portions of anything and I think that's what helps me the most. I also never weigh myself and just go on how clothes fit. I'd love to lose some off my thighs but I went through a (brief) period in my 20s of running half-marathons and having a BMI of 18-19 and I still had wobbly thighs so I know I just have to live with them.

Six pounds in three weeks sounds great Sol! Good luck with Slim Fast Brig, I admire your willpower

[racaille]

Too late Brig, I've already reserved the cart horse I am gutted: I have been doing aquagym twice a week since September and have drastically cut down the wine and apero (my massive downfall, can't just stop at a glass or two, I have hollow legs) and I don't think I've lost a milligram. What is worse is that I have the classic old bag jelly belly.

Can't do replacement meals as I don't have a sweet tooth. I could live on rosé, cheese and Marmite ....

[fleabitten]

Rac its depressing when you try so hard and you dont see results! I heard my pilates instructor saying the other day that your body gets used to doing a certain exercise so it doesnt actually make you lose the weight after a few weeks so she recommended doing little bursts, like interval training. She said walk fast to a marker or for 30secs then slow down and then keep repeating. Rather than doing a steady pace for a long period or the same exercise for the same amount of time all the time.

Have heard so many people getting results with slimming world too sol.

[Blonde Donkey]

I fell off the diet wagon recently but I was working 60 hour weeks and had no time to shop, was just raid the cupboard time and apparently the only thing in our cupboards is cake, chocolate and coffee. No wonder I felt ill. I had lost a stone in 4 months on healthy eating. The best thing I found was not cutting things out but cutting them down and bulking up meals with veg or salad and replacing white carbs with wholegrain ones and eating fruit rather than junk. Also work your butt off, I never get chance to stop on day shifts so that helps. I bought some gym stuff too - dumbells, a kettlebell, ab roller and a cross trainer but finding the time/energy/inclination to do it is a night mare atm. But I got Davinas 7 minute fit and that I do have time for and it is working, I just have to mute her!

Keep going though, it does work.

[brigadier]

Funnily enough years ago I did a diet called Dine Out and Lose Weight. It mostly cut out carbs so was similar to high protein plans now. The thing I liked was that cheese and red wine and chocolate were all ok- in fact encouraged, as was butter. But sugar and bread were a no no. I think that medical science is now realising that sugar has a huge effect on how your body metabolises other foods and weight gain is not simply about fat or calorie intake. When dieting I will still eat cheese in large-ish amounts and choccy(small amounts) and drink red wine and I still lose weight. I tend to gain weight when I eat bread and cakes and sweets and its these I must restrict, if I can do that I should stay slimmer- well that's the plan....but I love baking!