Weight loss methods... which has been the best for you?

[Doodlebug]

Hi, I'm strugling with about 15kg of weight to lose. I get all motivated for different things, last 2 days then fall off the wagon spectacularly!

So far I've done:
weight watchers
jenny craig
easyslim
sureslim
optislim (I'm seeing a 'slim' pattern here! )
water aerobics
gym membership
curves membership
walking in the am
Bigges Loser online
Calorie King
Online personal trainer

I've stuck to nothing! Why can't I stick to something? I REALLY want to lose this weight but I keep losing any willpower I had!

What's worked for you? What's been the trigger that made you stick to it? Do I need to stick things up around the house to remind me? I've even gotten hubby to take gross underwear pics of me so I can be reminded anytime I want to eat crap.... still hasn't worked!

I don't have the money to throw away for expensive things anymore, nor do I have the time to regularly go to the gym in the evenings.

Help!!!!!

[Catherine]

Read "the don't go Hungry Diet" It explains alot!

It is not a diet or a program...the book is written by an Australian woman, she used herself as her experiement when doing her PhD on weight loss. She speaks of Famine reactions and fat brakes, how the metabolism works and why some people can eat anything, whilst others just have to look at food!

This book helped me alot. I had great success with easy slim, but then failed to maintain it (put it all back on, then some)...this book really helped me to understand why that had happened.

I am now starting again. I am trying to follow the easyslim philoposhy, doing some exersise, but have to balance with my life (which now has children in it). Slowly but surely I will get there again.

[BekZ]

Motivation is not my down fall. But I do need a plan. Calorie controlled diets haven't worked for me, neither has intense exercise. Last year I did 12 solid weeks of running 5 days per week, yoga and body toning and was on a restricted calorie diet. I lost 1 kg. I was really disappointed. So I remember that I lost 12kg before my wedding some years ago on a protein based diet. Recently I found bodytrim and wow I've lost 3.5kgs in 4 weeks and my husband has lost 6kgs. Their method is to eat protein based meals, you must eat every 3 hours, you need to build up to walking 10,000 steps per day (about 30 min walk), you have one free day per week. The first 3 days are a sugar and carb detox. I found these days hard and to be honest the first 2 weeks were harder, but now I have not cravings, heaps of energy and I am happy with my progress.

I hope you find what you are looking for. I found not focusing on what I missing out on really helped. A can do attitude goes along way!!!

[Doodlebug]

Thanks for the quick replys girls!

Catherine - I'll have a look for that book.

BekZ - just googled Bodytrim, not suitable for breastfeeding.... if I up the calories or food would it be ok do you think?

[BekZ]

ok I didn't realise you were bfing hun, sorry. YOu know you could just start with omitting sugar, and white carbs (potato, white bread, pasta). Eat grainy bread for breakfast with an egg or cottage cheese, then have a protein (chicken drum stick, meat patty, chickpea salad, crustless quiche) plus a serve of carb for lunch, and dinner meat with veg or salad (no carbs at dinner at all). Then for snacks a skim milk based protein shake, tinned tuna, sugarfree yoghurt, piece of fruit. If you are going to eat any dairy based foods (apart from cottage cheese) keep them to the morning.

BTW - I am not expert, so check with your doctor. Any diet with heaps of veg and low processed foods have to good for you and bub

[JPie]

I found the michelle bridges 12 week challenge awesome ans good to stick to the recipes where really family friendly and you don't need a gym becuase the training can be done at home or anywhere, she will tell you what exercise and cardio to do everyday and its all things you can do at home with no expesive weights, you take a photo before and measurement and weigh in everyweek online, its $199 and that gives you everything, I am still sticking to the diet now that i am pregnant and have just upped my calorie intake to 1500 a day. You can do it while you are breast feeding also.
Have a look online - good luck hope you find the motivation.
The only thing that actually motivates me is actually seeing a number on the scales that is lower - nothing else will motivate me!!!

[ladybird11]

I just exercised (vigorously) each evening for 45 - 60 mins, and stuck to a calorie limit on calorie king.

I wanted to lose the weight bad...36kgs in 5 mths after my second baby!

I think you need to find the motivation in all honesty - that seems to be most peoples downfall (I'm a personal trainer / fitness leader). You've already listed heaps of methods (I'd veer from 'diets' due to the negative connotation they could have on your view of food).

[AnyDream]

Doodlebug, read the book, Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth. It will help you to understand what it is that you are really hungering for. xxx

[Doodlebug]

Thanks girls,

Jpie - you and a bunch of other people have inspired me, I've just signed up to the Michelle Bridges 12week challenge. I'm following the steps now for the pre-start.

MD - I'll have a look out for that book too! Thanks!

[Cherished]

The gabriel method is great and is just about being healthy! It validates all my beliefs about what health is too and it focuses on why you have bad habits and where they come from etc and there is a hypnosis recording that you can listen to daily too which really does make you feel good! I'm going to start listening to it again actually, I've been meaning to put it onto my MP3 player for a few weeks now. The best thing is you can use the gabriel method with any other weight loss program like Jenny craig or Weight watcher. My sister lost loads of weight on Cohens but that's essentially low carb and my Dr said Sure Slim is what he reccomends and it helps you stay feeling full and stops your blood sugar swinging. Both of those cost lots of money. I've lost weight calorie counting in the past and got pretty addicted and I've just finished Jenny Craig to loose some baby weight. That is mega easy and the lazy way so to speak but was fantastic in the early days when I was getting the knack of being a mummy and couldn't be bothered thinking of what to eat or bothered cooking. I was going to calorie count again but have lost motivation so I might join WW online or do the Gabriel method again... hmmm might to Gabirel method for the next 2 weeks and see how I go or do both a the same time I'd recommend checking out their website as there's info on there.

[Laranna]

Once you get through the 12wbt pre season tasks especially the first three, you'll understand yourself and the 'why' a whole lot more. For me, I found that restricted calories and exercise worked and what helped me stick to it was non weight loss goals and more fitness based and sizing goals.