I have started well my first week and lost 5lb, but what I find most confusing is the conflicting advice given by the numerous diets out there. Is low carb best, GI the solution or low fat the only way. Book after book tell us theirs is the only way so can someone help me out here? I would like to hear from other chefs and cooks who manage to maintain a healthy weight while working with food. thanks Julie

Well done on your first weeks loss,have you found it really hard or not to bad any tips would be good.
I have just started today and have 5 stone to lose quite scary but there i got myself into this state and i now need to put lots of effort in to be normal!! again.

Well done from me too on your loss.

I think different diets will suit different people. I am on a low carb diet. I have tried different diets over the years and lost more weight on others but this is by far the best one because I feel so well on it. I tried the cabbage soup diet - dramatic weight loss but unfortunate side effects. Slimfast - boring, boring, boring. I could go on. Just do what fits in best with your lifestyle and tastes.

Well done on your loss, I agree that the no of diets/eating plans can be confusing. I have gone back to the old calorie counting method and trying to add as many low fat, high fibre choices as I can.

I agree you have to fit in with lifestyle, you have to have a diet that can fit in eating at work or on the go. My biggest downfall is Coca-cola, I can easily give up alcohol, chocolate and snacks but constantly crave full calorie cherry or normal coke.

I hope talking to other members will motivate me.

Does anyone else have a weakness?

yeah its confusing on how many diets are out there i am trying just to cut back on portion control as well as cutting out all the junk food i started eating again over xmas
its good to have this as motivation

as for weaknesses yeah i have many!!! but one of my main ones is galaxy chocolate

My weakness is red wine. I just so enjoy a glass in the evening to relax me. But once in a relaxed state, I fancy another glass and have no willpower.

Every time I see something advertising a fantastic new diet that promises amazing results, I get suckered in and hopeful that there is a magic formula that will be easier than just the slog of calorie counting, exercise, doing without foods that I really enjoy. *sigh*.

Weaknesses red wine,chocolate and bread with loads of butter no wonder i'm a porker!!
Going to restrict wine to 1 evening a week and try to ignore chocolate and butter.

Well Done!
Its a minefield out there isn't it? I can't tell you how many diet books I hav purchased over the years.
I have tried Atkins, Rosemary Conely and Weight Watchers along with Slimming World and this works best for me, as you can eat pretty much what you like but you don't have to count points all the time.

I have recently given up wheat and dairy as well as booze, and my tummy has definitly shrunk in a week - no more bloating.

Go with what you find easier and are more comfortable with, and also, mix it up a bit to make it suit you.

Keep it Up!

Yes, everyone has the diet that "works" for them. Sometimes the one that clicks is not the one that loses the most. But since it should really be a life change, then it's best to find that CLICK.

I am on Low GI or South Beach myself. I like the low/no sugar, reasonable protein portions, healthy fat and fibrous carb and vegetable combinations. If I have the right food in the house and eat all the meals and snacks they tell me to I am not hungry.

The problem with most diets are that as soon as you stop and go back to your 'normal' eating habits then you can pile the weight straight back on. Probably better just going for a healthy balanced diet and a reasonable amount of exercise than any specificly named diet.

Butter is my big craving - and don't anyone try telling me that any of the substitutes will do. They just won't! I try to give myself a tiny portion(about 10th of a pack) each day, and when it's gone it's gone. But it is very hard! Cherry Coke? Urrrgh!

I have been overweight for 10 years now and on any diet going but found even though lost lots of weight over the years, always put it back on and more and to boot been obsessed with food.

I am now not doing anything particular but Paul McKenna's "I will make you slim" TV series, CD and book is a must. It retrains your way of eating and thinking/state of mind. It is awesome. Especially if you don't want to give up any food, you just have to eat what you feel like but stop when you feel full, a few simple steps like that. It has changed my whole way of thinking about food and for someone who is a chocoholic this has been amazing for me. Give it a go - what have you got to loose apart from weight?

Having decided to calorie count and exercise : restrict diet by 3500 cals per week = loss of 1 llb + a few with the exercise ...doing ok slightly anal with a note pad totalling at the end of the day...when I read a book by Marisa Peel on the need to stop food that is refined, dairy and wheat.

Just got my head and stomach round that and yesterday visited a chinese herabalist to deal with horrible Psoriasis and Excema have been told to cut out coffee, alcohol, sugar, red meat, seafood other than white fish, chillis, curries, oranges, milk, ......now very hungry!!!