Davina....

I tried 5:2 but didn't suit me at all. I like the m&s count on us/ balanced for you meals when I'm on a long day and I usually steam greens to add as they do lack in fresh veg. Also to bulk up....

I love my Davinia DVD workouts.

I lost weight on the 5:2 diet quite easily. Some of my Advent fast weight loss (mentioned in a post recently) has gone back on . Today's Times has started a Scandi diet - how to get a flat stomach in 12 weeks - any Grans trying it? The Norway has one of the lowest obesity rates in Europe.

I have tried diet plans but always lapse and regain and there is no way I would stick to 5:2.
9 months ago I decided I needed to lose about 1.5 stone (for health reasons). I knew I needed to change my mindset as far as food is concerned .I would add I was nowhere near obese, just a bit too 'cuddly'for my small frame and not a healthy BMI.I lost 20lbs before Christmas. Have probably put on about 4 through overindulgence but I gave myself a year and have an upcoming holiday in late March to aim for .
I -
Stopped buying cheese which I love. Have now started cooking again with it occasionally. I freeze any not needed for the recipe .
Stopped eating more than one biscuit,cake etc at meetings (I rarely eat them at home anyway)
Stopped snacking late at night when bored/depressed (I am a comfort eater and the last year has been difficult)
Stopped eating sweets in the car (the only place I ever ate them)
Persuaded DH not to buy me chocolate on his forays to 'post a letter'.
As I knew, it was not my meals which are the issue It's the eating in between .
I have tried giving up alcohol in the past -I drink about 14 units a week over Fri-Sun -but really 'minded'so that doesnt work for me
I think I have re-educated myself and will manage to get back to sensible eating now the holiday is over .I have probably been (even)more active than usual this year as I have been helping DD1 renovate her flat ,which helps, but have always done a lot of walking,gardening etc.
My weight crept on over about 18very difficult months .I find it very frustrating that it can take me two weeks (on a recent very active holiday with lots of healthy food and virtually no alcohol)to lose 4lbs and week to put it back !But onward and upward.....

I lost over 6st in 6 months eating M&S calorie counted ready meals and desserts, they don't contain any bad extras like too much salt etc and are really just based on portion control, I did 1000 calories a day easily, (never counted fresh fruit in my calculations though) it was fairly pain free, and tasted good and wasn't as expensive as people think (3 meals for £10). The choice is really wide and as for desserts, lovely chocolate, lemon or raspberry mousse! Not being in the kitchen helped as well. Reverting to normal eating afterwards wasn't a problem either because you're eating normal foods all the time. I'd rather diet by portion control than 'star' dieting with all those different foods.

Probably because there's so few people who want to put weight on.Hannah ...
I ve lost 1.3/4 stone with Slimming World don't really follow all their ways but need the discipline of weighing in each week Now going to keep it off with 5:2

I think protein is good for building up muscle and healthy fats would add calories without too much bulk HLL so I am not sure why you are not gaining any weight, perhaps you have just 'levelled out'. You say you don't have a big appetite, can you increase your calorie intake gradually?
Do you have a lot of energy, some people cannot seem to relax and must keep moving?

Can anyone give me a healthy diet for GAINING weight. I'm 5'10" and weigh 8 stone. I'd love to put on about a stone and a half but there seems no healthy way to do it.
I've searched websites but all seem to be for body building. I don't have a big appetite so need to consume high calorie stuff and that means carbs and sweets. Not good. I eat butter, cheese, not ,uch meat but high fat everything. I add high protein powder to smoothies which I make from fruit and veg. It seems that healthy eating is not going to add any pounds.
There's a definite gap in the market for people like me.

Does she include mince pies in her diet advice? Only I've still 5 more to get through - only 1 a day I might add.

I am type 2 Diabetic & find a lot of these diets are contrary to the advice given for a healthy diet. I eat lots of veg, couple of portions of fruit, try to avoid sugar (nothing like a coffee with 2 sugars to perk me up though), eat small portions of meat & fish & limit carbohydrates but they are essential for good Diabetes control. Portion control is also very important - so no Davina for me

I thought that her 'Who do You Think You Are?' was one of the most interesting. She had one grandfather who was the policeman who helped Dreyfus and another one who built Upton Park. (possibly great grandfathers).
I should really have another go at exercise DVDs but I don't have much energy nowadays.

5:2 suits me!

Downloaded myfitness pal....you input details..height weight etc..how much you want to lose and it tells you how many calories to eat a day.you input what you've eaten and drank and it keeps track...it's free and useful too...Oh yes and it tells you if you've not eaten enough!!

Slimming world worked for me

I try to eat healthily - with the odd lapse from time to time - and my weight is gradually decreasing. I've tried the 'odd' diet - 'odd' being the key word - but weight goes back on again. Slow and steady that's me

Davina is a bit hard core for me - she is like a lot of recovering addicts (drugs and alcohol in her case) over zealous I'll stick to the NHS Choices plan - healthy eating (1400 calories) and some exercise daily

Yes true night owl, I did think that but I suppose it's getting out the habit of eating refined white sugars.

Davina is not sugar free. She is good at self publicity, but since when are honey, maple syrup, agave, etc not sugars?

Sorry no. I find the 5:2 much easier to stick to.