What actually works?

[surprised]

Hi all,

Am keen to hear from any of you ladies who have firsthand experience with really successful weightloss. What actually worked? There are so many systems, products and philosophies out there that it gets a bit overwhelming. I find it hard to commit and follow through with any because I'm not 100% convinced it will work.

Generally I'm really attracted to all things natural. So paleo / no sugar / vegetarianism & veganism tend to appeal to me rather than "eat this lump of chemicals for 26 weeks and you'll lose weight".

And how have you found exercise to relate to weight loss? I'm not convinced you need to go hard for 60 minutes a day to shift kilos. But then I'm not exactly skinny so what would I know!

[Amaunet]

I found diet alone wasn't enough. I have done weight watchers with reasonable success but lost most of my weight when I added in decent exercise. I had previously been walking everyday but started a Jazzercise class 2-3 times per week and the weight just fell off. I went from losing maybe 200g and yoyoing and not really getting far, to dropping 700g to 1kg a week and keeping it off. I really believe its a combination of diet (real, decent, nutritious food but watching/reducing overall calorie intake) and exercise that gets the heart rate up and is a combination of cardio and strength/weight/resistance training. The diet needs to retrain your eating habits and not be too restrictive - something you can live with everyday and not feel deprived.

[PumpkinZulu]

I've lost 26kg so far. The hugest thing for me has been portion and calorie controlling. That made a significant difference, and I'd say I could attribute 80% of my weightloss to it. Next has been exercise, but I find my body responds best to interval training, as opposed to going all out for say 45 minutes.

[Amaunet]

I also found exercise became more important the closer I got to my goal weight.

[PumpkinZulu]

I also found exercise became more important the closer I got to my goal weight.

Yep agreed 100%. My weightloss has slowed significantly and I'm really finding I need to work for results now.

[Sorka]

I joined a gym 2 months ago and have found weight based training has been great for changing my shape. I think I have only lost 3kg but around my hips I have lost 4cm and 3cm around my thighs. Having said that my diet is pretty good but the workout is definitely changing my body shape for the better. When I finish breastfeeding I will be trying kickboxing and step aerobics as I have been told by many trainers the results are amazing for just a few classes each week.

[fionas]

I can't exercise properly (dodgy body and physio will only let me join a rehab gym where you can only use the cardio equipment for max 5 mins at a time) ...

so, for me, portion size, portion size, portion size.

I've lost around 8-10kg just by reducing portion size and cutting down (drastically) on alcohol. I've always eaten quite healthily though, just my portions were too big.

I reckon sometimes I accidentally do the 5/2 diet. Eat whatever you like for 5 days, reduce calories to 500 for two days a week.

[Sorka]

I can't exercise properly (dodgy body and physio will only let me join a rehab gym where you can only use the cardio equipment for max 5 mins at a time) ...

You'd be surprised what 5 mins of cardio can achieve. I have had three different weight program's done for me and each have had only two lots of 5 minutes of cardio (x-trainer, bike or treadmill) amongst other weight and Pilates based exercises. So there isn't all that much huff and puff but you still get some results

[Duchess]

I've lost and kept off 30+kg
And I'm so sorry but there is no big secret
You have to serious stop thinking of diet as a weight loss solution but seriously a lifestyle change.
You likely know what you are eating that you shouldn't be.
You may even have an idea of something "good" that you are eating that doesn't agree with your body.

I found I had to listen to my body and that's a skill. It's like you need to flick a switch and not lie or cheat yourself.
Big changes for me were "eating when I'm hungry" "not eating til I'm full, just til I'm satisfied" "changing one thing that is bad from my diet at a time"

Then seriously reach for water over juice and soft drink etc
Reach for the healthy option
Reading a weight watchers point book is good as sometimes its surprising what is really bad for you some things are tricky.

If you want to do paleo you have to stick to it 100% perhaps you could not go exactly paleo and commit to "clean eating" instead, there are heaps of meal ideas and good and bad food lists online I think.

Don't rush it you will drop the weight by clean eating And some exercise, rushing it leads to disappointment and then comfort eating - vicious cycle

[Cass72]

I always found the weight watchers points plan to work (combined with exercise of course). It seems to be a sure-fire thing for me and for my mum.

Oh, that and giving up wine......

[meow]

Paleo. I eat like a pig and I eat so much fat and I never stop to think about not eating but I lost a heap of weight. Love real food

[nothing2lose]

High fat, low carb. Very similar to paleo. No sugar, no grains. Less than 50gm carbs a day.

It's like a dream come true for me.

[BOC]

There are no shortcuts or quick fixes. pure hard work is the only thing that will get you there and keep you there. Starving yourself or cutting out food groups is dangerous and will cause more harm than good so don't even try.

Last year I lost 30kg in 6mths. I did it all by myself, no shakes or plans or fad diets and no extra costs for gym membership or celebrity programs etc.

I went to a dietician and set a plan and worked out what daily calorie limit was best for me and my body and lifestyle specifically.

I then downloaded a well known calorie counting app (unsure if I can name it here but PM me if you want it) and recorded everything that passed my mouth. I also never missed out. If I had an event or outing or just had a junk food craving, I allowed myself a small amount. Cause I found if I denied myself, it would take over my mind until I gave in and binged.Even if I only had 2 jellybeans I still counted it. The only thing I completely stopped cold turkey was alcohol, but only for the first 10 weeks, and then I switched to a low cal wine when needed. There were a few big blowout days, but I just got up the next day and started again. No beating myself up, I'm only human.

But the most important thing I did was exercise. EVERY SINGLE DAY no excuses. Rain, hail or shine. Only ever 40-60min during the week, maybe longer on a weekend. 90% of this was walking with an odd interval of jogging here and there (i have dodgy knees so cant do much else). Mostly it was after dinner but if hubby couldn't help out with the night time routine then I would bundle my 2yo in the pram and take him through the day. My work was a 15 min walk so I began walking to & from every shift. I had an exercise tracking app too. One of my best ever workouts was the day of my dear friend's funeral. I got home with a few champers under my belt and bawled the entire time but did one of my best ever times! I only had 4 days off in the entire 27 weeks.

It really is achievable if you put your mind to it!

I wish you luck on your journey and feel free to contact me anytime if you want some support or a chat!

[beansbeans!]

80% diet (portion size, types of food etc) 20% exercise (an hour a day, 5 to 6 days a week, mix it up between cardio and toning). Commit to it, be clear about your goals, stick to them.
Everything is possible, nothng is impossible.

[peanutter]

Mixed honey and water stir it and take on regular basis
in the morning and get the result within 15 days ...


Thanks and Regards

I find this works *so* much more efficiently when I drink it with apple. Really thinly sliced apple.

It's awesome.

I'm on a horse.