Well I had downloaded the plan off the internet from 2007 and I've lost almost 10lbs (5 of which are not recordedas I lost that just before I started officially weighing myself). So as far as I am concerned if it worked in 2007 it still works now even with the slight changes in recipes etc for food products. I'm very happy with what I've lost so I'm going to keep using what I have at the moment.
I say start with what you have and if you aren't losing anything then you know you need an upgrade in material, but like I said, if it worked then why wouldn't it work now?
As long as you base your eating plan on SW priniples then you are on the right track and it does not matter which books you have. Last year this time, when I started the plan, my books were about 10-12 years old. I refer them from time to time but normally, eat what I fancy during the day and then converting to SW when writing my diary.
What I believe is we need to come to terms with our food ideas. I used to eat junk because I could not be bothered with cooking and bought easy conveient things like cakes, bread and sometimes ready meals. gradually, over the past year, I have made realised that food is not my main priority and have changed my eating habits. Also this is a lifestyle change and the plan is here to stay for good. SW is about teaching us how to eat properly and corporate treats into our every day life (syns we are allowed). If we look at the plan in a logical manner, we good wholesome food (fruits, veg, meat, dairy products, carbs and some treats). If you follow this sensible lifestyle then after losing the excess weight, one can maintain it. However, after losing the desired amount, one goes back to old habits then surely the weight problem come back.
This is something that I have done for me and may not work for others but here it goes:
- Make all meals from scratch (certain things I can't like bread, cereals, etc)
- Eat what I fancy, most days follow EE as I can have a balance meal (not worried about too much carb, protien, etc)
- Eat plenty of fresh fruits & veg
- Drink at least 4-5 glasses of water plus tea, coffee
- Avoid sweetners and processed food as much as possible (occasionally have muller light, option or processed food). These have additives and hold on to food and water
- Avoid artificial meat (Know everyone rave about them and think cheaper than meat but in reality they workout fairly expensive and after all they are man made)
- I eat big portion of food (now try to fill my plate with veg & salad). One of the reasons I lov this eating plan
- Eat WM pitta brea, bread, muffins, wraps, etc (never like white bread that much except french stick)
- Taken up gentle exercise (walking & sometimes exercise bike 10-15 minutes). Heavy exercise is as bad as a fad diet - one gets in shape whilst exercising but when stopped out of shape again
- Christmas, Easter and other festive times eat perhaps a little bit more but not stuffing myself. Additional calories will not be kind to me and make me miserable later which leads to more overeating and plan out of the window
- Happy with my losses and will not compare to others of same height and weight. Each person losses at a different rate due to a number of factors
- My losses are slow but the way I look at the slower the longer I can maintain
- Used to expect a miracle but have learnt that this game is hard and needs to be worked at. I had to work at it (mainly my relation with food) and let it happens gradually. Yes I am a human being too and from time to time I fall off the wagon, get depressed about not losing, tempted by goodies out there but when I fall down, I go back on plan staright away otherwise is going to be hard.
- Plans and allowances can change but as long as I am following the main principles then I can work around them and continue to enjoy eating what I want - For the rest of my life, I can't avoid eating pitta, cerals, corn beef, etc because the plan tells me not too (just have to corporate them in my daily plan in a way that will not jepordise my losses)
- Keep a diary on the forum. Main reason is for me to refer back to it on occasions that I am not losing or run out of recipes. However, if others come and look at it then it is fine by me as either they are giving me good advice or learning from what I am doing. After all, my friends on the forum have supported me all this time and helped me to lose the weight I have.
- Not worried what the charts or doctors think is the right weight for me. Those charts were developed a few years after the war when people were still under nourished and had certain foods to eat. I look in the mirror on a regular basis and go by how I feel about my weight. Have set up my own target and when I get there and even before I can review it to suit me and nobody else
- Do not attend group for several reasons - The main reason being that this is is something I need to do on my own (learn & maintain and find my relationship with food). Went to groups years ago and was doing fine as long as I attended and as soon as I stopped went back to my old habits and gained. I put the group money aside and when I achieve a mini goal trat myself to something non-food related (kindle, set of dishes, pair of boots, etc)
So far have lost over 4 stone (average of 1.1 lbs per week) and very happy with myself as got my confidence back, am very healthy, full of energy, positivity, eating more than ever of the food that I love. By no means I am slender (loads of lumps and bumps) and never to be a model but as long as I can fit into size 14 comfortably without the bulges shown I am happy.
Sorry to have gone on a bit but I thought, my story might be helpful to new starters. I would invite you to look at my diary to see my eating routines (I put actual portion size of my meals on there) but as I am in Silver member section, which means you need to have 500 posts to be able to access. However, I am here if you need any help and will support you to get to your target.
Good luck and please let me know if I can be of any help - I am on here most evenings for a couple of hours and some weekends.
