Is anyone doing the ‘New You’ diet?

I did Lighter Life for around 13 months once and I did lose weight.
Pros - you only have limited choice so no faffing about, “meals” are quick and easy, no worries about eating the correct balance of vitamins, minerals etc for health, good if you have will power but no self control.
Cons - pretty expensive, can make some people feel excluded (eg if not drinking/eating normally at social events), effectiveness reduces over time.
Of course, like all calorie restricted diets, it doesn't necessarily change the way you feel, think and use food, so unless the psychological reasons for the original weight gain are addressed, the weight starts to return once normal eating recommences. Suppose for some people it is a useful “jump start” to making longer lasting diet and lifestyle changes, which is what the majority of people struggle with - hence the everlasting £multi million diet industry.

I’m giving Diet Chef a third and final go at present.
On my own, ready meals are no problem and as they are calorie counted I can also see how much fresh fruit and veg I can factor in without going over my daily limit.
It has highlighted portion control for me- I was clearly eating too much- bigger portions and too many evening snacks!
I’ve lost 5 lb this week and while I have been hungry at times I suspect snacking had become a habit. No alcohol either which is no hardship but I have resolved to take the occasional day off for family events or special occasions.

Of course this diet is very appealing…..

If you really want to lose weight then faddy diets won't work in the long term. If you really want to lose weight it's hard work and their are no short cuts . You control what you put in your mouth . Only way I lost 7st was weighting and measuring everything I ate and drink and counting cals. Been doing it since 2017 last 2-3 years still trying to lose the last stone I want off but I wouldn't give up.

If you want to lose weight it's a marathon not a sprint and you need to change your way of eating . And don't buy the foods you have no control over . If it's not in the home then you can't eat it. Plus you need to include exercise. I don't mean join a gym walking will help or if there is an exercise you fancy trying to for it. I go to sit fit classes because of disability but it's not a soft option try sitting on the front a dinning room chair and match using arms and legs full pelt to a song you will be surprised how much you work out.

Make sure you measure yourself before your start on your journey . On the pears thread NanKate has name dieting eating less for life and that's what it is. And if you have a bad day and over eat don't give up . Each day is a new start. And if you have been obese like I was for decades your skin will never tighten up . I was a 32 and over 19st at now a 16 . I am baggy and saggy but don't care . But I feel better and wear bright colours and trousers which I never did when I when a 32.

Weight loss is in the mind not in the body. You need first put yourself in the mind set that your overweight is caused by over-eating, not stuffing yourself, just eating more than your body consumes.

I think losing weight starts with changing your everyday diet to something akin to the mediterranean diet. Reduce snacking, stop consuming lots of sweet or fat and savoury snacks, eat lots of fruit and veg and unrefined carbs. Once you have changed your diet and accepted that it is permanent. Then start thinking about consciously losing weight.

Personally, I think diets like the one you mention and, I think, the Cambridge diet, which are food substitutes, are not a brilliant idea, as they make losing weight as something other, rather than just part of healthy eating.

But diets ar personal, what woks for one will not work for another. I have found the 5:2 fasting diet works for me. others join Slimming World, or do Atkins or whatever.

But to start you have got to change your eating patterns for life and stop yourself yearning to get back to non-stop chocolate eating, or only eating potatoes as chips, or reduce your portion sizes, whatever - once that is established, think about losing weight.

I think it’s a big old money making opportunity We don’t need to drink shakes to lose weight We all know how to it’s just a question of sticking to the food we know we should be eating and avoiding the ones we know we shouldn’t and we all know what they are there is no need for expensive substitutes

I know what to do I don’t always want to do it No one but me can change that, there is no easy answer.
Do your homework find out what foods ‘you like’ and can eat without putting on weight and stick to it

There are no easy answers

I’d agree with M0nica and BlueBelle that changing your everyday eating pattern is the key for most people.

I’d recommend trying the 5:2 diet too, if you haven’t already. It’s not too difficult to be strict with yourself on 2 days a week if you know you can eat as normal on the others. You can choose your fast days so there’s no impact on your social life. Nothing’s forbidden, and you enjoy and appreciate your food more on the non-fast days.

It doesn’t suit everyone, of course, but it has no side effects, and costs nothing.

My weight loss was achieved by simply eating a little less of everything I consumed without tabooing any single item. My target was to go long term and lose only 1lb each week. Took me a year but I lost 4 stones and never put any of it back on. That was twelve years ago and I am still one very happy bunny.

I agree with Kim19- don't waste your money and find ways of eating that are healthier and get some exercise.

For years I've been looking on-line for a losing weight buddy but have never found one.

I'd be happy to pair up and see how we get on.

I have mixed feelings
First of all I think that while there are cheaper ways to lose weight, if it was just a case of eat less, move more, there would not be an obesity problem
Shakes are coming in for some abuse yet DrMichael Mosley, whom most of us rated and respected, marketed his own version
www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=DChcSEwj3idWTr66IAxUym1AGHe77F8UYABAAGgJkZw&co=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0Oq2BhCCARIsAA5hubUasX7M762M-8Hjd4chAWRcayW1n8T_pGJjmpB_mH37JqAfSmQ4l2oaAj3lEALw_wcB&ei=LfzaZtnqOK6ohbIPoNuk4A4&sig=AOD64_3yyvUhfBMEwrCFbuLE4PYrLZsqtQ&q&sqi=2&adurl&ved=2ahUKEwiZtc-Tr66IAxUuVEEAHaAtCewQ0Qx6BAgbEAE
Weight Watchers, Slimming World, Lighter Life, Cambridge Diet etc are admittedly businesses but so are gyms while walking your dog is free.
There’s no saying what will or will not work for some people, and if following a commercial diet plan supports OP and those undertaking similar plans who is to dismiss them out of hand.
The psychological support of an organised plan may be what we need to take that plunge- not the answer but the first step.
So OP, to recap, there are cheaper ways, portion control, calorie counting, or personal training but if it works FOR YOU go with it.

Good advice Whiff we have been on a long journey and Eating Less for Life is our mantra on the Pears thread. 👍

RosieMaw that’s just the diet I follow! Need to work on self control…..

True enough, RosiesMaw, what works for one might just not work for others.

I once lost a fair bit by using the Weight Loss Resources spreadsheet, where you put in what you’ve eaten and it works out the calorie count, feed in your exercise minutes and it works out how many extra calories you’ve burnt off. I actually enjoyed feeding in the information and finding out how many calories I had left, to treat myself or roll over to the next day, which probably says a lot about me. Seeing the figures gave me the incentive to say no to the crisps or go for a run to “earn” them. I can’t remember having to pay for WLR back then though, but I may have done - you definitely have to subscribe now.

Good luck whatever you decide, Lillybelle.

My brother swears by the 5/2 diet - he does it every now and then when he’s feeling a bit porky. 500 calories on the ‘2’ days, but I gather that they don’t have to be consecutive.

I keep telling myself I ought to make a massive pot of cabbage soup and give it a go…

It doesn't need 'cabbage soup, Witzend. Over the years, I have built up a reciped book of 50 or more recipes, meat, fish and veg based. that provide 500 calories, enough for one meal for two. Lots are more general recipes cur down to size calirifically by replacing ingredients or reducing some and increasing others.

Actually I quite like cabbage soup! Maybe with some leeks and onions added…
Dh would not be doing it with me, so he’d be eating separately. Either ready meals or I’d cook him something. He doesn’t cook, but he invariably clears up the kitchen, loads the dishwasher and unloads it in the morning. 🙂

Well I went with a friend today to a local restaurant had a big veggie roast with Quorn slices six veg stuffing and yorkie followed by profiteroles and a coffee for £12,95 so I ll start tomorrow 🤣🤣🤣

And I’m out at a Folk Music night where several alcoholic drinks have been imbibed. I’ll start tomorrow as well.