Anyone else fed up with constant dieting?

I started with the original 5:2 six years ago when I saw Michael Mosely’s documentary, 500 cals on fast days, up to TDEE on the others, and have stuck with that ever since. It suits me down to the ground, don’t really mind fasting days at all I’m so used to them, and I feel fitter and healthier (and 3 stone slimmer!) than I ever have. I’m lucky in that it’s never made me feel light-headed or ill, and am able to do my usual gym workout and classes fasting with no problem. It really is about finding a way to restrict calories that doesn’t feel too restrictive- I’d rather be super-strict 2 days and relaxed on the others than strict every day. But it certainly doesn’t suit everyone...It also helps that my husband does it with me.

I don't diet, am about a stone overweight, but couldn't live as my friends do, eating very little, in the gym every morning they definitely look better in their clothes than me, can shop anywhere and from a distance look better thin, I feel enormous beside them and indulgent, but I am not morbidly obese just slightly overweight and without high chloresterol or blood pressure and on no tablets I will stay as I am, there are no scales in my house so I don't know exactly how much I weigh.

I’ve never been on a diet whatever my weight. I think the biggest thing I ever did to stop weight piling on is not learning to drive. Never have and never miss it. Walking...cycling and swimming thrown in just because I like it ,and it pays to be weightless in water for an hour when you have arthritis , as I do. I’ve been pregnant four times...have two grandkids to run around after and weigh 10 stone. That’s one whole stone over what I was after my kids were born. Shrug it over and put it down to old age as I’m 69.... don’t worry about your weight, it’s not important unless it’s a health issue. Enjoy your life instead of worrying about what your putting in your mouth.

I too have yoyo'd between a size 18 and 12 (at slimmest!) all my life. At the age of 62 a very bad attack of Plantar Faciliitis in my right foot stopped me doing the thing I love the most. Walking my two dogs twice a day. I went to the docs and he said "if you lose 10 percent of your body weight; it takes 50 percent of the pressure off your feet" It was the trigger I needed. I went on a low fat, reasonably high protein regime for six months and lost 1 and a half stone.and blow me down, my feet got better!!. I still enjoy my Wine and my food and although I occasionally over-indulge and put on a few pounds; it eventually goes off again. I have gone from 13st to 1 1and a half stone. It is enough as my skin is now wrinkly instead. however I feel much better in myself and have more energy. I can squeeze into a 12 or be comfortable in a 14. If I can do it anyone can. I LOVE food!

I'm a little bit dispirited. I got my weight down but as I took my foot off the brake and indulged myself with a few hot cross buns, cake, etc I've put 2lbs back on.
It's battle with boredom as well as everything else.

dont diet just have smaller portions and dont pick off the childrens left overs and drink plenty water or herbal teas....eat plenty fruit in the evenings if you peckish.the yummy chocolate rice cakes in sainsburys are filling...(£1)

Think MOnica has hit the nail on the head and I'm never reverting to the weight I was pre 8:16 adoption. That is, of course, barring any unforeseen illnesses. More benefits in the feel good arena than I ever imagined. However, in my case it was motivation that replaced complacency. I was told at a ripe old age that I was going to be a G for the first time. Best stab at natural longevity became my aim and slowly but surely was the method. A little loss daily with 1lb a week being my target. Worked beautifully and without pain. I think many of us are too ambitious and become frustrated and 'diet' obsessed. Go easier on yourselves would be my suggestion.

I have been doing intermittent fasting.It works on the basis that you fast every day minimum 16hrs fast and 8 hrs eating(16/8)
Many do different hours 18/6, 19/5, 20/4 etc. or OMAD (one meal a day)Some extend fasts longer.Also 5/2 ...You can choose when to stop and start your hours,choose what you want to eat and when.
I have changed my hours several times,break my fast at 10am or 11 or 12noon and just eat what i want for whatever length of fast i choose to do on that day. I never go below 16hrs fast as I incorporate sleeping time into the fast. (As recommended)Although others may eat healthily,low carb,no sugar,do Keto..I have done none of that..still eat chocolate biscuits,bread pasta etc since October last year.I have still managed to drop from size 18 to 16..Cant do excercise (health issues) and it is slow but that suits me as I am not dieting in any way.Theres lots more info online should anyone be curious.

gagsville, nice one! And I think that is a realistic time frame to lose that amount of weight.

At five foot one my life is one long diet. I loosen up a bit at the weekend and have some alcohol and a very small dole of chocolate.

Otherwise, it's short commons. And, yes, it's grim and dispiriting.

I love good food and previously indulged in comfort eating and gained weight. I say previously because now I've trained myself to recognize emotional hunger from real physical hunger.
I learned to follow the guidelines in Susie Orbach's little handbook "Susie Orbach on eating".
(5.75 on amazon) and lost the flab. I enjoy food now. I don't support the diet industry because I don't think diets work long term.

I'm going to try the keto diet. The idea is that eating fat and protein helps you feel fuller for longer. Might be worth looking into. Low carbs hi fat as it is the processed food and carbs that give you diabetes, obesity, and subsequent problems.
Carbs = sugar.

I absolutely do get tired of constant dieting and I think, in large part, the women's health and weightless industry thrives on negative feelings rather than positive feelings.

Remember to take care of yourself in every way possible.

I've been losing weight and practicing self care and self love with Stella Ralfini (dot co dot uk) , she talks a lot about wellness and beauty and health as well as weightloss and it's definitely helping me feel more positive and confident (rather than guilty and greedy!)

Highly recommend. Anyone else here going to her workshop this summer?

I read this somewhere recently that has stayed with me: "being fat is hard, being careful what you eat is hard ..... choose your hard!". It has helped me put my constant worry about my weight into perspective. Basically I'm thinking it's difficult and I need to get over it

That's a great saying JacquiEJ - 'choose your hard'- will remember that next time I'm nosing about in the fridge for no good reason! I'm a stone overweight and feel v uncomfortable and struggling to find anything in my wardrobe that looks ok. I'm 61 this year and find that I can only eat 1.5 carbs (eg muesli for breakfast then either 1 slice of bread (not 2) at lunch or I potato (not 2) at dinner) as well as low sugar/low fat/small portions etc etc. Now I find I need 2 lots of exercise a day as well to gradually lose weight (ie 2 kilos a month!!) This is baffling to me as i used to be able to lose 4 pounds in a day in my twenties: it can only be metabolism. My sympathies to all who are struggling with their weight.

If you looked at the amount of exercise I do along with what I dont eat or drink I should be slim but I'm not. I put on 3 stone after menopause and nothing shifts it. I have never eaten crisps, detest fizzy drinks, dont like sweet cakes, rarely drink alcohol and cant stand fried food. I do share a block of cadburys chocolate once a week with oh. I exercise every day along with walking dog but never lose weight only gain. The lady at SW was flummoxed after looking at my weekly menu and said if all my ladies ate drank and exercised the same as you I wouldn't have a group. I just accept it now but it would be lovely to be a size 12/14 again.

Hi Kissngate SW is very encouraging but have you consider it isnt the right diet for you?
Being stressed I'm a chocolate addicted so I've put on weight but I know I need to change my habits for my health as well as wieght.
I will be having apple cider vinegar in morning then exercise and then breakfast. Both these things speed your metalobolism up as I'm menopausal and often hormones stop the weight loss. Im eating plant based foods where posdible as it's my preference as well as I will be taking a look at the keto diet as well which my daughter is doing.
You are doing all the right things just wondering if you have enough fat in your diet? And drink enough water?

Hi jishere - the SW lady thought the same as you that I wasnt drinking enough water although I get fats from other sources ie nuts. I am not 3 stone overweight but 1.5 over my bmi for my height. I did SW for 3 months a few years ago with 8lbs loss and 8lbs gain over that time = 0. You are probably right it's not the diet for me. Since then I've been diagnosed with gallstones which doesn't help matters.

@Jessity

Following eating plans is never really a good idea i find. The problem for me is that we never find something that truly fits into our lifestyle and when we do...its based on a calorie deficit plan. Reality is that the only way we ever succeed is to adapt your nutritional plan to YOUR lifestyle. At the end of the day its pretty straight forward...consider creating a positive mindset, learn how to breath efficiently, eat good quality whole foods,drink water,sleep enough, manage your stress levels and follow a exercise routine tailored to you specifically.

It does sound quite complicated but addressing these points gradually will bring you to a point where you're in control of your eating habits and create a healthy and positive environment for you and your family.

In short what we need to take note of is that whenever we try force change upon ourselves, very often we fail as there no real fundamental truth behind the reason why we want/need to change.

Once we put some thought behind our reasoning, we're taking the first step to making a mindset shift to creating real positive change.

Hope that makes sense!

I can't seem to start a diet or keep to anything for more than a few days. I tell myself that this or that diet plan is going to be the one, but I don't stick to it and end up feeling a failure - someone who can't stick at anything I try to eat a healthy diet. In my head I know that diets don’t work but I can’t shift my excess weight. I wish it would go by osmosis
I have put on two stone in the past year
I really hate that I'm overweight
I'm fat,matronly, my clothes don't fit and feel unhealthy and I’m probably reducing my life expectancy

OP here, I never thought when starting the thread that it would produce so many heartfelt posts.

Alas I've now put on even more weight during lockdown, despite walking a lot more than previously. To me it does make sense that I won't succeed in losing the weight and, almost more important, keep it off unless I find something that fits with my lifestyle and what I believe constitutes the foods I should be eating.

I've found it so interesting and useful to read all the different posts on here and to discover how many of us have spent so much time trying to lose weight and keep it off.

Low carb worked for me in terms of losing weight but I found it hard because I like fruit (apples, grapefruit, oranges, berries in season etc) and believe it should form part of a healthy diet but low carb restricts fruit. I'm now trying low carb but with fruit in hopes it works in weight loss terms and enables me to contemplate eating that way in future.

As they say on the "I'm a pear" thread, onward and downward.

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So as yet another diet fails after three days and heavier than ever. How do I diet? I’ve done everything. So heavy e everything is a struggle.
Any help will be taken please?

I find this beef skillet video recipe on ytube.. and i think its quiet easy to made..
but i'm on a diet, do you think i should make this recipe for dinner?
this a link for the ytube video BTW

shrinke.me/q2qdR

thank you

Why has eating become such an important part of our lives? As a child it was something the adults made us do at certain times of the day and often was an interruption to our lives.

Now the day seems to revolve around mealtimes. Also we seem very focused on what we ‘fancy’ for tea/supper/dinner rather that what we have available that will ‘do’ eg, that half eaten cabbage in the veg rack, some left overs, etc.