A very confused newbie

C

cuckoo

Member
Hi All
Thank you for having me in your group. I really want to lose around 2 stone. I have tried all kinds of diets on and off this year.
What confuses me is 1 diet plan says you can eat this and that while another says you can not and visa versa. For instance clean eating advocates full fat and no white potatoes rice pasta etc. SW promotes low fat and potatoes etc are allowed. I have read so many articles recently that I feel like just giving up. Has anyone any advice please. Do I wipe the board clean and start on SW. I must add I have not tried SW.......
 
I am following SW, It's working well for me but it fits what I am aiming for which is to be cooking healthy food for my whole family from scratch. I think the key is to find a system that fits you, if SW appeals give it a go if it doesn't try something else but I would suggest sticking at whatever you start for a while rather than bouncing around plans, welcome to minimins :):)
 
Hiya

It's confusing isn't it!! So much conflicting information.

Basically there are loads of different plans out there and they are all suited to different people and different lifestyles, what plan you choose is up to you and you may have to try a few different plans until you find the right one for you, maybe have a read though some of the different plans and threads on here about the different ones and think about what would suit your lifestyle.

I've been doing Slimming world on and off for 7 years and I found was fantastic for socialising and family life but it's easy to over Indulge but it's a great plan for a healthy diet/lifestyle and even though at the moment I need something strict due to my binge eating getting out of hand I'll still advocate slimming world!

Good luck with whatever you choose. X
 
As the others have said, it really does depend on what will suit you. With more free eating plans like WW or SW you do need to watch portion sizes, just because something is 'free' doesn't mean that you can eat a mountain of it... I wouldn't personally be able to follow them as I like to know how much goes in, so I calorie count, but this is after years of VLCD's and learning about food and what it does. Calorie counting isn't for everyone though as it does mean taking control and actively keeping track - some people just don't like the fuss.
It also depends on how fast you'd like to lose and whether you'd like to just monitor and re-learn your approach to food over the long term, or whether you'd like quick results and figure it out step-by-step when you're at goal. Everyone is different.

Good luck with it! :)
 
Hi Cuckoo, and welcome.

Lots of systems work - so it's a question of choosing one that you feel you could work with. And then deciding and just doing it, day after day, week after week, and maybe month after month.

The two essential extras are require. One is finding a support network where you can be frank and truthful and get support - and using it.

The second is creating a vision of what you will look like when you are at goal - if you are lucky you will have photos of yourself and remember that feeling. If not, create it. Then do daily affirmations to support your journey.

Finally when you've got to your goal have a plan. Don't revert to the habits that created the overweight.

Good luck with Slimming World or whatever you choose.


Ali
 
Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply. All of your comments are very encouraging.
Minerva, I used to use My fitness Pal for calorie counting. Today I did day 1 of Slimming world and decided as an experiment to log what I had ate to see what the calories and nutrients were looking like. I must say I am a bit shocked to see I have had over 1300 calories and that is without any sins. This is what I have had up to now
Breakfast 2 soft boiled eggs with 2 slices wholemeal bread from a 400grm loaf (no butter)
Lunch small jacket potato with 1/2 tin baked beans and salad
Dinner SW Caribbean pepper pot with boiled rice.
This was from a plan I found online. However I am conscious I haven't had any fruit for snacks.
Has anyone got any comments please.
Thank you
 
I was surprised at the calorie intake of your menu, but I don't know what was in your evening meal and to be honest I never eat baked beans so I don't know their calorie value but 1300 calories is still below the recommended daily intake (1500 to 2500 depending on your current weight, height, muscle mass and activity level). It really depends on how many calories you expend in the day. Diets are that easy (she says self-mockingly) eat less calories than you expend. Unfortunately most of us are so messed up we have lost perspective and ability to be self controlled. I am speaking for myself here, I find counting calories to be an enormous stress, even counting WW points or SW Syns was too much and I always felt that I was punishing myself and did not enjoy the feeling. That's why there are so many diets. The truth is the best diet for you is to eat moderate amounts of all the food groups but who has the self control to do that.!!

I personally find the meal replacement very low calorie diet works best for me because it takes thinking about food out of the equation. As there is no choice I can't make the wrong choice. But that's me.
 
Slimming world works - if you are consistent with it, you'll have results. I've seen it at the meetings. For me, if I didnt plan and stopped going to meetings, I was compelled top eat things . so decided to go back to vlcd - as I found it easier when at target to stay that way.

So I recommend either doing SW or calorie counting or whatever - just pick a system and use it!

Good luck!
 
Hi Cuckoo, I am doing SW and find it has really re-educated me regarding food and preparation and cooking. I have lost two and a half stone, love the plan and highly recommend it to you. You will gets lots of support if you go to a group. Wishing you success
 
Ok. So I have been doing SW for 4 weeks. Albeit without joining a group. I was doing really well. First 2 weeks I lost 4lb. Then 3rd week me and my husband had a couple of nights away. I tried to keep my eating choices healthy, choosing mainly salads without dressing. I did have a couple of desserts and a few glasses of wine. Although we were doing 6-8 mile walks each day. I then find I have put 3 lbs back on. Anyhow I stuck with it for another week and have lost nothing. This is really disappointing. I know someone mentioned calorie counting. I am wondering if this is the way forward. I have a colleague who did this and was really successful although she was open about if she wanted to eat fish and chips she would and that would be her whole intake for the day, then all she would do would be drink water for the rest of the day. Obviously this is a bit extreme and I would hope to make better choices. Does anyone else just stick to calorie counting? Eating whatever they choose and stopping once you have eaten your calorie allowance for the day? Does it really work? I am not looking to lose great amounts. 1lb a week would be fine Thanks xx
 
Calorie counting does work :) With things like SW I find they advise on a lot of free foods - but all food is calories. Some calories are of course better than others (cake vs vegetables // High Gi vs Low Gi foods), but it all does still come down to energy in-energy out.
I calorie count and can have anything I want within reason. After a while I didn't have to weigh anything as I know the rough amounts in things. Some days I compensate with a lower day if the day before was slightly higher (i.e. more of a treat day). It all balances out in the end :)
 
Minerva said:
Calorie counting does work :) With things like SW I find they advise on a lot of free foods - but all food is calories. Some calories are of course better than others (cake vs vegetables // High Gi vs Low Gi foods), but it all does still come down to energy in-energy out.
I calorie count and can have anything I want within reason. After a while I didn't have to weigh anything as I know the rough amounts in things. Some days I compensate with a lower day if the day before was slightly higher (i.e. more of a treat day). It all balances out in the end :)
Click to expand...
Thank you Minerva, that is my thinking but no one ever tells you that. As you say SW free food still has calories. Likewise 'clean eating'. Say don't count calories just eat as much clean food as you want until you are full. Hmmmm I could probably eat all day! Lol. I think I am going to give calorie counting a go, while at the same time choosing healthy meals and foods. x
 
You could still continue with SW as their plan contains good meal ideas and a varied diet, but a little calorie counting on the side would help :) That way you won't have to overhaul everything too much x
 
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