I agree with the others, weight loss is actually quite simple in theory and diets just make it seem complicated.

If you are currently overweight you essentially have a few choices. If you're currently eating fairly healthy stuff then reduce the portion size. If you're eating the wrong stuff, then change to healthy stuff. If you can't change/reduce what you're eating, then you'll need to exercise more. Also watch what you're drinking - soft drinks and alcohol are full of calories.

I can't exercise much at the moment because I've got a dodgy back. I've always eaten reasonably healthily but my portion sizes were way too big given that I'm not exercising so I've cut back on those as well as wine. I don't skip meals - that's counter-productive because it slows the metabolism - but I don't have huge serves any more and I only have a few glasses of wine a week.

It's usually recommended that you weigh yourself once a week rather than every day. But weighing every day is really useful for me because I can see the results of the day before. For instance, if I have over-indulged the day before, it shows immediately on the scales. If I have been sensible then my weight stays the same or a little comes off.

Really what I'm doing is a bit like Weight Watchers. I just kind of do it in my head. If I want a glass of wine with dinner, then I don't have the chocolate as well. If I have a big lunch then I'll have something small for dinner.

So even though I haven't been able to exercise for a year and without going on a 'diet' but making long-term sustainable changes, I'm about 5kg less than when I got pregnant. Would still like to lose a few more kilos mind you.