What to do next?

MaryBBMary

Hi everyone - Im new to MFP and would appreciate all help!

Basically, 20 years ago, I lost 3 stone in ten weeks. I did it with Weightwatchers, although I don't believe I had a single day of actually sticking to the points/whatever...I met a friend there, walked 10 miles 5 nights a week, and the weight fell off me no bother...

Now, 20 years later, despite still walking a lot and also playing tennis, the weight creeps up again, and I was about 7 lbs overweight last year. Without dieting - just eating alone a lot, and only when hungry, I lost almost a stone. I felt so good with that that I have decided to lose another stone, which would bring me to the lower end of my recommended weight for my height/age. But I am finding the going very, very tough. I already exercise a couple of hours 5 days a week; I'm getting old and have arthritis. I feel being thinner would really benefit me - less stress on the joints, easier to exercise, fit into clothes, etc and of course I would have a little leeway to have an odd treat. I"m battle weary with this weight issue. I love a glass of wine, chocolate, home-baking, all the pleasures of life. It is just so hard to be on a diet...

I remember the tips in Weightwatchers - go for tomato sauces not cream ones ( but I HATE tomato sauces and LOVE cream ones); occasional treats ( what - does that mean - one an hour? One after every healthy meal? ) Life would not be worth living without an ould treat most days...

Has anyone tried a 3 day on / 4 day off diet? How did you get on? Tbh, I dont like the idea of drastically reducing my intake, to find it great week one - 5-7 lbs down, and the same frigging intake resulting in 1-2 lbs each week after that. Do on/off diets work better? Lose a few lbs, stabilize for a few weeks, then go at it again ( to get value for my efforts with a first week weight loss each time??) ? All experience well appreciated....

callsitlikeiseeit

the only plan you need is to restrict your calories.

eat less, move more.

I eat what I want but stay within my calories (or close, I dont worry when i go over occasionally). I also workout, though we just moved and need to settle into a new routine, but that helps earn more calories to play with.

We eat out all the time, drink beer all the time, eat sweets all the time.... just be mindful about how much you are eating. Learn to weigh and log your food- ALL of it- even if you are over! its okay, its a learning process and being over isn't always a bad thing.