I eat what I consider to be a balanced diet, I don't consider any food to be 'bad' and eat what I want when I want but in (almost) moderation, including butter, cream, chocolate etc. My weight has been constant for a number of years bar a small variation between summer and winter.
In contrast I have friends who are always on diets. They go to incredible lengths to avoid 'fatty' foods, yet their weight varies quite considerably.
Judging by the meals that have been served to me Slimming World is one of the worst weight loss programmes for giving convoluted alternatives to 'unhealthy' foods, but I have rarely seen a sustained loss of weight in its followers.
In your opinion what is best a little 'bit of what you fancy' or nimble bread and reduced fat spread?
I eat when I'm hungry and stop when I'm full. You find a lot of overweight people simply eat too much on a regular basis.
Saying that, I don't eat pies, I don't eat pastry, I don't eat sausages or such like and I don't have a sweet tooth. So maybe it's easier for me than others...
I do wonder if my lack of sweet tooth is part of it for me. Cakes, biscuits etc hold no great interest for me.
I also wonder if the substitute foods lack flavour then people are inclined to eat more to get satisfaction from their meal.
It frustrates me that people who I consider to be intelligent can demonstrate such a shocking lack of common sense when they announce they can't have butter but will happily tuck into honey nut shreddies because they are 'allowed'!
I'm no paragon of virtue, I could do with losing some weight but I can't be bothered, dropping a dress size just means replacing my entire wardrobe - why do I want to do that?
I just find it frustrating to see people seemingly chasing an impossible dream on their current path.
i can;t be bothered with dieting, as soon as i tell myself i can;t have something i want it! I don;t have a particulary bad diet, might eat a little to much choc but what the hell!
I think a little of what you want is the best way to go.If you are happy with the way you are and how you eat why make yourself sad by missing out?
A bit of exercise and portion control is all thats needed,oh and a deaf ear when people moan about you yourself being fat/unhealthy etc :)
Aya B
(whos weight has fluctuated over the years but cannot be bothered 'dieting'
The replies so far leave me wondering if it all comes down to personal insecurities and how much responsibility an individual is prepared to take for themselves.
I really do not think it is healthy, mentally or physically, to believe that having gravy with your dinner is 'bad' but snacking on high sugar cereal bars is 'good'.
My sister is really fat. She's a pig, lazy cook, and loves her takeaways. She goes to the gym 3 or 4 times a week, books her daughter into the crèche and sits on the internet. But hey, at least she goes....
I think I gave up my gym membership when I realised that all I was doing was swimming two lengths of the pool and then sitting in the steam room and sauna for 30 minutes. I took up speed reading instead, turning those pages quickly really gets the heart rate going!