Diets that work

Which diets have you tried that work?

The one where you keep your mouth closed.

Consume less calories than you burn. Very simple.

Two ways to achieve this. Eat less. Exercise more.

None, I think diets rarely work long term

I would say rather than trying various diets it is better to adopt a sensible way of eating which becomes a permanent part of ones lifestyle . This option can be applied first to lose then to maintain a desired weight.

1. Eat a balanced diet with the correct PROPORTIONS of carbs/protein/fruit and veg/dairy and fats/sugars. Roughly 6 portions of carbs per day, 3 dairy (low fat), 5-12 fruit and veg (mainly veg), 2-3 protein. Restricted amounts of refined fats/sugars.

2. Within these correct proportions, ensure your PORTION SIZES are correct. One portion of carbs is about the size of one Weetabix. One portion of dairy is equivalent to a third of a pint of milk. One portion of protein is 2 eggs, 50-70g of meat, 100-125g of fish or 100g ish of pulses.

These are what your body needs to function. If you get the correct balance and amount, you do actually start craving the refined rubbish less. Believe me; I was sceptical but it really works!

3. Exercise.

As others have said, the only way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you consume. But cutting out major food groups or doing fad diets is never going to be healthy or sustainable. It needs to be a change in your approach to your lifestyle rather than "going on a diet".

Less Calories more excercise

The Billy Connely one
Eat less, move more

I've done Weight Watchers and found it great. It teaches you the good habits of eating, and it's very sustainable

Eat less, exercise more.

The principle is simple,

The reality is the hard part

Yes, I agree with all this and I think I eat a healthy diet. I don't eat any red meat and I have recently cut out nearly all dairy ( only have milk in my tea/coffee now). BUT the problem with me is I have such a sweet tooth and have a weakness for chocolate and cakes!
Luckily I do exercise walking the dogs, gardening etc. so probably burn it off. But the older you get the more difficult it seems to keep the weight down.