dgt3
member
Reged: 29/03/2008
Posts: 79
Loc: Cornwall
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You have all probably heard this familiar wail a hundred times before so I am going to make it a hundred and one, what is the best way to lose weight? I am 39, I weigh 13st and I am 5ft 1. I have been dieting on and off for the past 10 years and have had minor successes with weight watchers, Atkins and calorie counting but none of these seem to work for me long-term. I have quite a lot of weight to lose, 3 and a half stone at least, and I want to lose it by June next year as my husband and I will both be 40 and we want to be fabulous, not flabulous!!
My husband has double the weight to lose than I have and he has lost 2 stone already as opposed to my paultry half a stone. I am starting a lecturing course in a few weeks time and I had already hoped to lose at least a stone more than I have so I would feel a bit more confident but that is not going to happen now.
My husband does a very physical job and I am wondering if he has lost so much because he is quite active whereas I have been inactive for the best part of six months whilst I am waiting for this course to start.
I would really like to hear from people who have lost some weight so that they can tell me what has worked for them, I am so at a loss as to what to do as I hate counting calories or following a strict regime like Atkins. I have looked into Paul Mckenna and have read his book and listened to his cd which is all good stuff but doesn't seem to have that great effect on me, I also looked at the no diet diet book and altho what a lot of it says is good, I don't have the time to write lists every day of things I would never do which seems to be the book's message.
So, I would really like some advice from people out there who have tried and tested methods of dieting/losing weight as I am at my wits end. I don't want to be fat for the rest of my life and i have wasted my thirties being self conscious about my size and not being able to wear the clothes I want to wear.
Hope someone out there doesn't mind spending a few minutes of their time helping me out, I have no hair left!!
Cheers
dgt3 
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DeepBlue
member
Reged: 16/02/2008
Posts: 269
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I'll tell you what my nephew said when he lost weight - "It's simple, eat less, exercise more and drink lots of water". It worked for him and I'm now trying to do the same but it's hard work, not easy. For some of us (myself included)it's a lifetime's work. On and off and no activity is no good. To add to this is the inequity that men do lose faster. Good luck!
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mezzanine
member
Reged: 09/03/2008
Posts: 218
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Hi dgt3
I know exactly where you are coming from but I have good news, well maybe. Five weeks ago I joined a women only gym not far from where I live. I've been making myself go three times a week and go through a programme that lasts about an hour. It has worked for me. In five weeks I've lost 7lbs (nice and slow) but more importantly I've dropped from a size 16 to 14 which is the biggest plus. Chuck the scales - they weigh me at the gym - and get yourself a measuring tape instead as it's inches rather than lbs you should be looking at.
I follow the GI diet as I'm a diabetic and I'm seeing results with that too plus a lowering of my cholesterol which is good news.
The best thing is that I can slowly see my hourglass figure coming back and seeing contours form on various part of my body i.e. legs, arms shoulders etc. Nothing gives you more incentive than to see your body change shape before your eyes but.............it's a slow process.
If this is the path that suits you then don't allow pressure from family or other pressures put you off. I have elderly parents who are becoming more needy as they get older but finally realised that if I didn't do this I wouldn't be well enough to look after them and do a stressful full-time job! Perhaps you and your hub can join a gym near you together and motivate each other.
Good luck whatever you decide to do and take care.
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There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy - Robert Louis Stevenson
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle - Plato
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libby539
member
Reged: 04/01/2007
Posts: 181
Loc: Kent
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Hi dgt3, I know exactly where you are coming from, and I bet that lots of us in this forum would agree with me.. There is not a magic wand or a button to press that will allow us to lose weight and I guess that 'deep down' we all know the answers, but putting them into practise is another thing?!! Eat a low fat healthy diet, up the exercise and drink more water, stay positive and value yourself.... Hmm, as I said we know it but it is SOOOoooo hard to do.. Like you I have tried every diet, but we must not forget the diet starts in our 'head' unless we are totally focused, we have lost before we start. I wish I knew the answer to help you, but I'm at a loss as to what to say. But good luck and if you find the secret, please share it with us. 
Best wishes
Libby x
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AllyL
member
Reged: 23/07/2008
Posts: 1235
Loc: Cumbria, UK
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Hi dgt3, I posted a cry for help on this forum a couple of weeks ago. This was because I was unhappy with the weight that seemed to be creeping up and up but I didn't want to get involved in "dieting" - I had enough experience of that in my thirties, when I became really obsessive, verging on anorexia and I really did not want to get into that scenario again.
Some lovely ladies encouraged me to join the Flabuless Forumers, so I took the plunge and stepped on the scales for the first time in about 12 years! I ordered the PMK book and cd, and ok I've only been following his advice for a week, but I've already lost 2 lbs, I feel much better. I think the key is to change your relationship with food - be in control. When I was dieting all I could think about was food, since I've started this programme I feel totally different. I knew that I needed to eat less and this has given me the kick start to push me in the right direction.
The ladies on this forum are soooooooo supportive. We are all in the same boat and I can see how everyone helps each other.
So I would definitely encourage you to join.
Good luck!
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Ally XXX
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CXflicka
member
Reged: 20/08/2008
Posts: 2
Loc: Comox, BC, Canada
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I've had the best success losing weight and keeping it off by joining Curves gym. They seem to be everywhere here in Canada and I know they are in the UK as well. You can get travel passes for other clubs when you travel so you can keep up your workouts. It's women only, takes only 30+ mins, and they also have a diet component if you want to use it. I don't, I just keep track of what I eat each day and try to keep between 1400 and 1700 calories a day. They encourage you to weigh in and get measured once a month - since January I've lost 30 pounds and kept it off! I've tried lots of other ways to lose weight over my 62 years, but this is the best! And we leave for an Alaska cruise on Saturday, so I'll just have to walk the promenade deck and climb the stairs to keep up my exercising!
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Quicksilver
member
Reged: 19/07/2008
Posts: 97
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Cant' resist it. I am also overweight 5.7 12.5 st.
SELLOTAPE OVER THE MOUTH!!!!!
Well it would work for a day or two.
JOKE
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Kind Regards
Jan
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Verite
member
Reged: 19/08/2008
Posts: 394
Loc: HONG KONG
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Dear dgt3
You go Girl
You have made the first step so now is on with the next.
How ever you choose to loose weight it has to fit in with your life and family.
For me I did a 21 day detox to start with. Think it helped clean out years of toxins and gave me the engergy to carry on. It's hard for the first few days but if Gwyneth Paltrow can do it so could I. See how great she looks. It's called the DR JOSHI'S HOLISTIC DETOX. Fab book with all you need to know. You can also see his web site and if you really want to push the boat out go and see him... although i just used the book.
I had two weigh in's at the start and at the end. Each week just took my measurements which I kept on my fridge. I started at 80kg and I am now down to 62 kg and that is in five months and walking/hiking for an hour twice a day.
The hard part is the first week. If you can do it for 7 days your past the hurdle. Your body will miss the exercise.
I got myself a little ipod and then downloaded 3 walking cd's from shape magazine. These match your speeds, slow, medium, and fast. I started with 1 and worked my way up to 3. You walk out for 20-30 mins and then turn back and you have just done an hour of exercise.Also they are great tunes.
For me I couldn't afford to join a gym plus where I am they make you sign for at least 16 months. If that helps you and you have one near by the do it.
I hope that helps a little. Best of luck and you have something great to aim for turning 40 and looking Hot. So I say good luck and get going.
Ps if you need any bullying to keep going am happy to pm you.
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susieblue
member
Reged: 16/03/2008
Posts: 890
Loc: Devon
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I have an appointment at at Curves gym on 1 September. It's in Torquay which is my nearest. I would have thought a city like Exeter would have had one but they don't. I like the idea of women only and also just 30 mins. I joined a similar one and was beginning to feel the benefits when it closed down. Then of course came hols. The weather has been too foul to walk and the pounds have crept on. I have one month to lose 7 lbs, so I can get into the dresses I have bought for a cruise we are going on. I need to lose more but that first 7 lbs is imperative!
So I have the incentive. Just have to keep myself busy and try not to think of food. I'm a terrible nibbler and bread is my downfall.
I know all the things I should do but putting it into practice is soooo boring. Age definitely does not help, or else we wouldn't all be in the same situation.
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daffodil1
member
Reged: 20/08/2008
Posts: 3
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Hi there
just a quick reply
start liking yourself after that begin to love yourself after that you will want look nice for others. Throw away your scales, stop thinking of food all of the time, begin to walk a little ecah day untill you can and want to walk 5-10 miles a week. Change your hairstyle, apply fake tan on your legs and body, look at yourself more in the mirror. Dont stare too much at your worst bits but look at your smile and how your eyes sparkle. Think more about the good things in life. Over the months you will change from the inside out. I am sorry for not reading your posts first...just had to tell you what worked for me. Liberate yourself from all the negatives of your life and take on a positive approach. Do your best and keep your sense of humor....life is for living just keep doing a little change and in time your will look and feel better.
x
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ChrissiFi
member
Reged: 28/06/2006
Posts: 1265
Loc: Somerset
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A number of us are following the PMK guidance and it is working. Some of us are now up to day 143 but there are quite a few who've only joined us recently. It does seem to be working for us but, as with everything, takes time to get used to. I think for most of us the support we're getting from each other in the daily posts is making it far easier than it would be going it alone. Why not join us?
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Gilly_B
member
Reged: 10/04/2008
Posts: 12
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Blooomin weight!!! I recently did the Weight Watchers points plan ( but did it unofficially at home). What I realised is that if i just cut my portions of everything by one quarter I lose weight. I lost 13 lbs with little suffering and still managed to drink Baileys!!!! Don't do Atkins - really bad for you. Have you seen 'You are what you eat'? Its true when you think about it, so only eat the things that you want inside you ... and cut the portions. I am managing to maintain by eating slightly less than I used to. Still haven't broken through the 11 stone barrier though! Mind you I have gone down from a size 16 to a 14.
Gillybeeee
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Sella_Vee
member
Reged: 03/04/2008
Posts: 807
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The only way to lose weight is
EAT LESS, MOVE MORE.
If only it were that easy!
I'm one of the Flabuless Forummers following the PMK plan. In 20 weeks I've lost 15lb, which may not sound much, but I've done it without dieting or joining a gym.
Three and a half years ago I was about your height, but almost a stone heavier. I was ill with a chest infection and could hardly summon up the energy to do anything that involved getting off the sofa, but I started reading the "You are what you eat" books and also some low GI recipe books. I decided that I'd try to change my eating habits to see if my general health improved. Because I was too ill to go out, I was in total control of what I ate. I switched to a lower GI eating plan, and upped my fruit and vegetable intake. I also tried to drink more water. As my dodgy chest cleared up, I started doing some exercise videos at home and noticed a real change in my shape. Best of all, so did everyone else!
I lost almost three stone, and managed to keep most of it off, but earlier this year I realised that a stone and a bit had crept back on. Like you, I bought the PMK book and CD. However, reading the book and playing the CD isn't enough. You need to listen to the CD every day for at least a fortnight to really make it sink in IMO. It's made me look again at my portion sizes, and also think about eating only when I'm hungry.
As ChrissiFi and AllyL have said, the support from the other ladies, led by mjm, has been great. although the weight is coming off slowly, that's probably how we all put it on, and we're looking towards the long term.
Have a look at the threads. You can go right back to DAY 1 if you want to, and feel free to join us. I'm sure if you were able to go to a gym, like Curves, that would really help, but I've never had the nerve. Good Luck, Sella
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dgt3
member
Reged: 29/03/2008
Posts: 79
Loc: Cornwall
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Thanks so much for all of your encouraging and really helpful advice, I have PM'd most of you but a huuuuge thanks to everyone.
I will definitely join the flabulous forumers (when I know how) so will speak again to all the others who are already members.
You have all done so well, you are a real inspiration.
Take care,
dgt3
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camomile
member
Reged: 02/04/2008
Posts: 48
Loc: cheshire
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Sorry if this ends up in the wrong place, i have forgotten how to post! Alzheimer's.
I lost over 9 stone in one year, this was in 2000. I think the best way to loose weight is not to be on a diet and not to weigh things. Just eat healthy foods and exercise.Pile your plate with veg as it is practically zero calories and good for you. I never told myself i was on a diet just a healthy eating plan. I only ever expected to loose 1/2 a lb a week and didn't matter how long it would take as it was for life. Obviously i achieved much more then this and it was a boost, it kept me going! I had Kept the weight off for 7 years, however my mind hasn't been so healthy lately and i have put on 1 stone. Lazy eating to many holidays! I still have a bmi of 21 so only need to loose a little.
By putting pressure on your self to loose a certain amount of weight by a certain time just adds to the difficulty. Focus all your energy on eating and drinking healthily and exercising, this really should help. If it doesn't then watch your portion size.
If i can do it anyone can as i have no will power! I never touched alcohol or chocolate for a year as i thought abstinence was better the having that one bite then wanting more!
Good luck Camomile
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ange10
member
Reged: 22/08/2008
Posts: 1
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Hi girls, the best tip I have for achieving ideal weight is to try and eat as much as possible organic, don,t worry about low fat and counting calories, the worst thing to put in your body is chemicals, and it doesn,t have to be expensive if you like cooking fresh food. Also ofcourse some form of excercise, I like yoga and walking, and at 52 it seems to be keeping me in resonable shape!
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Foxie
member
Reged: 09/08/2007
Posts: 3936
Loc: South London
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I think the secret is to realise that you can't just go on a "diet" lose weight and then return to your previous eating habits. It has to be a complete life change.
This post is not meant to be preachy, but a genuine answer to a genuine post. In order to keep my weight stable I do the following:
Exercise
Never use the lift, always use the stairs, walk up escalators. Build some regular walking into your day. I walk to work (about 45 minutes away). Welcome Ange, I'm a yoga fan too and I think it helps as well.
Food
Always stop eating when you have a little bit more room inside.
Avoid that "stuffed" feeling.
Eat slowly, chew your food thoroughly.
Always leave a little bit on your plate which stops people asking if you want any more.
Only visit buffets once.
Fill your plate with salads and vegetables which really fill you up.
Accept that as you get older, you need less food and any excess you will end up wearing!
It may sound boring, but for me it works. I love fashion and it is wonderful to know that everything in my wardrobe fits me.
Good luck to everyone with their weight loss. If anyone wants to PM me, please do.
Foxie x. 
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Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told "I'm with you kid. Let's go." Maya Angelou
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issi
member
Reged: 30/09/2007
Posts: 3011
Loc: Surrey
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The simplest method I know really works but you have to be patient as the weight loss is little by little:
Eat breakfast
Eat lunch (sandwich or a salad)
Eat dinner (a normal meal, not too big not too small)
Use your stairs a lot.
As long as you eat sensible amounts of decent food, and do not at any time eat anything in between, it works. Really. That means even if you go out for a drink you cannot ever eat a peanut or crisps, no prawn crackers at the chinese restaurant, no biscuits with your tea and no bread before you eat a meal at a restaurant (you wouldn't do that at home anyway).
This sounds like a lot of "no's" but really you will get used to it and it becomes a way of life. The best thing is that you really look forward to your meals and people start to wonder how you keep the weight off when they see you eating and enjoying it. I fell off the wagon some time ago but I am now doing this again myself. x
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Hippychick
member
Reged: 26/08/2008
Posts: 3
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1. Throw the scales away - scales are for fish!
2. Change your habits.
The first is easy - the second not so, but it worked for me. I love food and am a big eater. I did six things - I became vegetarian, I cut out sugar. I only eat healthy fats, I started drinking loads of water, I swim or speed walk on a treadmill every day, I cut down on the wine. Within a month I had lost almost a stone, and had loads and loads of energy. And I eat well - typically, breakfast is homemade muesli with skimmed milk or a couple of rounds of grainy toast with honey; lunch is a bowl of pasta with a little grated low fat Edam or a large bowl of homemade lentil and veg soup, and dinner is a stir fry - a huge one with loads of veggies and noodles or rice. I snack on seeds, a few nuts and eat a lot of fruit.
I'm not saying this would work for you - but I think the key is to find what will work for you. If you like meat, then a lower carb/higher protein plan may work - if you can't bear to miss out on sweet stuff and treats, then a calorie counted diet may be better.
Diets as such don't work for me - because as soon as I have to count calories or fat or carbs - I obsess about food and just want to eat and eat! This works for me because I'm not dieting, just eating lots of healthy food.
Good luck with whatever you do.
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Verite
member
Reged: 19/08/2008
Posts: 394
Loc: HONG KONG
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Thanks for your PM. just wanted to check in and see how it is going. Have you made any plans yet.
Verite
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