I think it is time I dropped a few pounds but I love my food .
I am a shade over 6' 4" and weigh about 228lb and think a drop of about 10lbs will be enough as otherwise I will blow away at the first gust of the autumn winds.
I eat a lot of crap...crisps (3 or 4 200g packets a week) and candy etc but hardly ever fries and burgers.
Would cutting out totally the crisps and candy do the trick of losing 10lbs say by Christmas or do I need to get more serious?
Ionly drnk wine at weekends and drink no alcohol in the week.

Eat less or exercise more - or do both

It's that simple

Except it's not that simple, if you know what I mean

If you only need to lose 10lbs I would imagine cutting out crap and doing a bit of exercise will do the trick since you can't be overeating by that much to begin with.

Use this online resource (free for a week) to get the idea of what you should be eating, taking into account exercise, to lose your required amount and then carry on from there!

http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk.

I eat no crisps, cakes, sweets or biscuits and am seriously overweight. I think it takes more than just cutting those out.

I know
It is simple but it's not

Looks a pretty good site.
Thanks cheryl

Thing is I'm not sure how long i could last without them although I have it on good authority It will not cause death to not have them.
I like cake
I quite like biscuits
I like sweets
I like crisps

I agree with Cheryl. I reckon that probably just cutting out the crap, as long as you don't replace it with extra calories elsewhere - i.e. no extra pasta, could probably drop you 1/2lb per week, so that would get you half-way there, and if you can do 2-3 bouts of 30-40mins cardiovascular per week - swimming, jogging or cycling, then that would probably do the other 5lbs, and a world of good in general. Good luck!

Crisps are actually one of the worst snack-foods. Try to buy whatever your favourite fruit is and carry that arounnd with your for when you get peckish - i am lucky in that respect as mine is the ready-packed banana.

even a brisk walk will suffice mate if Jogging doesn't appeal to you.

There are so many different factors when it comes to weight / losing it.

Metabolism, muscle mass, wheat intolerance to name just 3. It's something that I have been struggling with since my early twenties.

Bottom line is, all diets out there work even the faddy ones. However they aren't all simple to stick too. For me, I lost the most of my weight (5 stone or 60lbs for our American readers) by following a low carb diet, mixing that with exercise the weignt just melted away. At my peak I lost 12 inches from around my waist and stuck to the "plan" for about 6 years.

A line even nearer to the bottom is as follows "Eat less and exercise more" and you will always lose weight. The obvious trick is to find something (a diet if you wish) that you can work easily into your life.


Sorry for going off on one there....... @Surprised. To answer your question I don't think it will be that difficult for you to drop those 10lbs. Even easier if you can visit a gym, go for long walks, play squash or whatever against a friend.

(also, I apologise if my tone is that of a patrionising one)

Rich

Crisps are also empty calories really to be honest.

Surprised, I'll give you a few quick fire tips that should do the job..

- Tad more exercise, even if it just walking to the pub
- Small meals, whatever they may be, throughout the day..
- CUT OUT SUGAR those sugarry sweets are your downfall, the only sugar you want is natural.. if you have to have a bit of sugar, have it after a run/jog/workout/walk .

Do you have breakfast btw and drink alot of water but losing 10lbs is reasonable come christmas, although if you love your food.. perhaps more February time

Some good tips.
My aim is to drop 10lbs by christmas and i think i will do it.
Current weight as of today is 103.8 kilos or 228.8lbs
Aim is 99kg or 218.2lbs

I have lost 2 stone in the last 5 months, by being careful (but not dieting as such) with what i eat and doing some exercise 3 to 5 times per week. It has made a massive difference to my overall well being, so go for it and good luck!

Ok, here's what to do :-

Join a gym close to work. Go, on the way home, at least twice a week. Build yourself up gently.

Swap burgers etc for quorn and veggie burgers. The taste may be a bit odd to start off but you'll get use to it.

I was a massive crisp eater too. Your salt intake will be off the radar. Have one bag at lunch time, that's it. Cup a Soups are a pretty good filler and also come in a variety of flavours.

Have a decent breakfast. Mine is either Micro porridge in the winter or cornflakes in the summer.

I am not really overweight but a picture was taken of me over the summer in the red England top - all the bumps were in the wrong places

I've only lost three pounds in 3 months - mainly because I eat too many pizzas - but I've lost two inches off my waist and my definition is a lot better. Once I lose the excess flab, I'll move onto the weights.

My problem is work. I forever feel hungry so it's tea/soup all the way. If I have the week off I can get through one meal a day at home.

Good luck

I have high blood pressure so cutting out the crisps should also help a bit with that. I no longer add any salt to food.
I never tend to have breakfast and this is a big mistake as it leads to snacking on unhealthy foods. I don't drink soda (no more than a can a week at most)
i do like cup a soups but don't find them filling. Maybe it's because i don't eat breakfast

A gym I always find a bind to get too each week so if I do a brisk 40 min walk 3 times a week, some regular sit ups and press ups, cut out the junk foods, eat more fruit and drink more water I should easily lose 10lbs.

One thing rarerly mentioned is to eat smaller portions whether it is 'proper' food or 'crap'. I find that my key thing.

Also try and find some low fat type snacks that you like instead of typical chocolate / crisps etc. Water can even do the job at filling you up! I keep a filter/jug in the fridge.

I find it useful to be more controlled when shopping rather than when snacking. If it isn't in the house you can't eat it (unless you are in McDonalds etc...)

I'm about 6'1-6'2 and was 18 1/2 stone at my heaviest, and dropped 4 stone. Im back to just over 17 and planning to work down again. Believe me when I tell you that the most significant factor in determining weight loss is your diet. Regulate that and do a bit of exercise to 'assist'. I shouldn't imagine your wine intake at the weekend would be too much of a factor, regard it as a reward for your weeks work. Cut the Dorito's intake and switch to a packet of Snack a Jacks or baked crisps if thats your vice. I know when I was doing it 3-4lbs a week wasn't too difficult so with your size a month should have the 10lbs off if you are focused.

i started a diet 25th aug and after 1 month ive lost 15 pounds.starting at 210.No serious diet just cut out a few certain foods such as cheese,bread,chips(fries),any type of sauce like mayo or ketchup.I have cereal breakie,fruit mid mornin, light lunch such as soup or salad then evening meal eaten no later than 3 hours before bed time.15 pounds is alot in 4 weeks as i wasnt totaly over weight.Cut out some of they foods will surprise you how simple it can be

I switched to the oven baked crisps but still like a tube of Pringles with a few drinks on A Saturday night if I'm at home.
I guess it just take discipline and tonight I have no crisps in the house

15 lbs in a month is pretty impressive.
It will be embarrassing if I can't lose 10 by Christmas!

No issue with accomodating one's vices. Go for the coke can size pack rather than the footlong and remove the potato/rice portion of your tea to compensate. PS - Try setting fire to a pringles crisp. The only one I know with sufficent propellant in it to burn under its own steam...

Could you swap crisps for nuts? Though high in fats, they tend to be high in the "right" type of fats. I find them more filling, more full of protein and just as nice with a few well earned beers... I'd go as far as to say a bag of dry roasted would probably be better than a tube of pringles. Though Cashew and unsalted peanuts are the best bet if you are wanting to be very health conscious. You'd probably find you'd eat less of them too as they are more filling. This is just a small tip which would certainly not do it on its own!

Could also try Cranberry juice and vodka instead of beer , though that has led to a disaster for me on the odd occasion!

Diet is where it's at though.

I love cashew and pistachio nuts and will often have them.
I have seen pringles set alight as Beerfuelledman says above.....it should be enough to turn me off Pringles for life but it doesn't

Another fairly easy thing is to swap to diet drinks - i used to eschew them in my younger days, but now the only form of coke I drink by choice is diet pepsi. I am not 100% confident that the sweetner doesn't have some negative effects, but it will definitely help lower the calorie intake.

Smaller portions, as mentioned above, is a good idea - does assume you know how much of a portion you usually give yourself, but will help for sure - there isn't really that much difference between 7oz of spaghetti and 8oz of spaghetti. Also, beginning to take note of these things in itself can help - you will find some foods of whatever sort, that are just ridiculously high in calories - oreo cookies for example, are a good deal worse for you than most other biscuits - and certain types of crips are much worse than others - just looking at the no. of calories per 100g as stated on the pack will give you some good guidelines.

I would advise the odd treat, now and then - be it your one pack of crips on a Friday, or one piece of chocolate cake when you are out for dinner with the lady - you don't have to be mean to yourself, just a matter of moderation. Most diet guidelines say 2lbs a week maximum, so I think your 10lb by Christmas is an excellent, achievable target, and something that should be sustainable for a few months more should you decide you want to lose a little more. Bear in mind that if you start doing regular exercise you will actually put on some muscle weight as well, so in effect you will have lost more weight - in terms of excess fat - than actually shows on the scales.

Good luck again.

Just weighed myself and I seem to have gained almost 2lbs over the weekend

12 to go

Take a dump and have a wee, you might lose that 2

Perhaps make yourself post every time you eat some pringles/lots of crisps/sweets or a soda.. that way you might think twice about eating them..maybe

I haven't had anything bad since Friday night.....apart from finsihing of four jam tarts that I bought earlier in the week but I couldn't throw them away could I?

Perhaps not what you need, but a very interesting article none the less for any of you out there looking to lose a few lbs.

What to Eat

The following nutrition program is nothing new. It's my variation of a phase-shift diet that combines the protocols, research, and teachings of Dr. Mauro DePasquale, Gary Taubes, Loren Cordain, PhD, and the late Dan Duchaine; nutritional giants who's broad shoulders we have the luxury to stand upon.

My diet plan is based on the following principles:

1. Eliminate breads, flour, and gluten grains including wheat, barley, and rye.

2. Eliminate grain and vegetable extracted cooking oils; instead cook with butter, animal fats, and coconut oil.

3. Eat more healthy animal fats, butter, cream, and coconut milk to replace calories that formerly came from carbohydrates.

4. Eat more animal protein (beef, chicken, bison, eggs, fish, etc.).

5. Eat when hungry, don't graze. Livestock and prey eat constantly; the King of the jungle eats sporadically. Continually stuffing yourself with food is counterproductive to hormone function and digestive health. For athletes: eat no more than 4 meals, and 1-2 snacks (post-workout) depending on training schedule.

"Our ancestors consumed food much less frequently and often had to subsist on one large meal per day, and thus from an evolutionary perspective, human beings were adapted to intermittent feeding rather than to grazing." (Mattson, M.P., PhD, Lancet 2005; 365:1978-80)

6. Build muscle with a structured resistance-training program.

7. Ensure adequate Vitamin D intake through midday sun exposure or supplementing with Vitamin D3.

8. Ensure adequate intake of Omega-3 fats and oils from pharmaceutical grade fish oils.

9. Schedule your menu so there's a 2-hour fast before bedtime. Don't consume any food, supplements, calorie containing, alcoholic, or caffeinated beverages 2 hours before bed; water is okay. You want to get blood sugar levels down before going to sleep; this will facilitate GH release.

10. Only consume simple sugars, fruits, and carbohydrates at specific times to enhance muscle hypertrophy and thyroid function.

I haven't weighed myself again. I will do that Friday night and post it here.
What I have done.
1 Started having breakfast - muesli with 0% fat fruit yoghurt rather than milk, orange juice, black coffee no sugar
2 If I get peckish mid morning then I have a banana
3 Lunch - cupasoup and a banana
4 dinner - no change. I have a big dinner still
5 If peckish in evening I have some mixed, unsalted nuts

No crisps, cake or candy