Spill the beans... on cheap ways to get in shape this "summer"

Boot fairs are brilliant places to find bargains - so if you want some new cookery books - all low fat, low anything you can find them very cheaply and don't be afraid to bargain, takes courage I know but I've got some great bargains.

Walking around the boot fair can also be a great way to lose weight - I walk up and down each row, when I'm ok to do so as I had my knee and shin bone broken by a dog 3 years ago and sometimes I cannot walk at all - like the last 2 weeks I've been stuck in the house!

I have lost a stone in the last 8 weeks - nothing the last week, but I haven't put on which I am very happy about considering I can't move much at present!

I've cut all my meals right down in size, at least half or more and cut out a lot of the fattening stuff - but I still have some treats, when I want a packet of crisps I have them but I do try to cut down somewhere else or walk more if I eat more now. I love sweet stuff so I've bought some boiled sweets as it takes ages to suck one and I don't eat them continously - maybe 4 in an evening when I'm on my computer mostly.

I have found that sometimes when I'm not losing weight I need to eat a bit more and then I lose?!

Being diabetic (on insulin) is harder as sometimes I have to eat if my blood sugar falls too low - that's really annoying if I'm not hungry! So I also always have pasta, rice or potatoes with a meal - but it depends on how you cook and serve them as to whether you lose. I like chips, so I still have them but have cut down the portion size to less than half. I love new pototoes crushed with a fork - with the skins on is easier to cook and better for you.

Look up recipes online - cut out the oils - instead of frying in oil, dry fry - most things you can or use stock to cook things like onions etc. Just think how can I reduce the calories in that.

Watch the Hairy Bikers - they have a new series on losing weight and recipes - really good. Last week they used leeks instead of pasta to make lasagna - you can find it on BBC I believe.

Cut out sugar - sweetener in tea/coffee, diet drinks, don't drink fruit juices (full of sugar), grapes are full of sugar too! Just eat a little of what you fancy - I have 4-6 grapes, strawberries are very low in calories, black cherries, blueberries etc - just look up the calories first online to check out if they're high or low.

Good luck!

Hughjass wrote: »

Alternate day fasting, super easy, super healthy (not just for weight loss) and very :money:.

sorry but anything that cuts out food groups entirely is a fad diet. it might help you lose weight in the short term but won't re-educate your eating habits long-term.

i agree with earlier poster who said it's easier to do exercise if you find something you enjoy - i find it hard to get motivated and was bored to death at the gym but find running outside more enjoyable, especially with a goal like RfL to aim for. looking on the bright side (ahem) it's less knackering to run when it's not so hot (scraping the barrel i know, sorry!)