There have been a couple of occasions in my life when I have been what I consider to be fat and have gone on a Did-I-Eat-That? diet. The three diets I have included here are, in my opinion, amongst the best.
In the days of my foolish youth (you remember those don’t you?!) my idea of weight loss was trying diets like “The Israeli Army Diet”; if you tried it, you will remember it was 10 days of torture! But the weight fell off.
Losing weight as a woman over 55 isn’t that easy … right? A diet is a diet and they all seem to consist of cutting back the calories and exercising like a gym bunny. They mostly ban red wine and dark chocolate. Yes, even dark chocolate is a No-No.
There have always been diets that promise, and may even deliver quick results. You know the type … Drop 2 dress sizes in 2 weeks … Really?
My question is always, what happens when you stop the diet? How quickly do you put the weight back on? What was your result? Have you dieted since turning 55? How did you go?
The Bad Side-Effects of A Diet
Personally, I have come to loathe diets of all description. Especially those that feel as though you’re experiencing the tortures of hell … common to most of us are …
Why we Diet
Why do we put ourselves through this torment? Why do so many women, especially over 50, want to lose weight? 7 of the best reasons I have heard are …
- to have no restrictions or limitations in life
- to be a good role model
- to avoid any possible future health concerns
- to increase self-confidence
- to feel strong and fit
- pride in self
- to buy clothes simply because you like them and not because they make you look slimmer (you hope!)
So now I’m going to share with you the top 3 three diets I have tried this year and also tell you MY results. If you have done any of these, we would love you to share and let us know how you went.
The 5-2 Diet or the Fast Diet
Based on the idea of intermittent fasting, I love this diet, but it isn’t for everybody.
How it works
It involves restricting your calorie consumption to 25% of your calorie (energy) needs, for two days a week, and eating normally the rest of the time.
- 2 x 800 calorie days and 5 normal days
- 2 Days are not consecutive; it works better this way.
- 5 days are calorie-controlled; for the average woman, about 1200 calories/day
What to eat on the 5-2 Diet
The usual suspects! Green veg, good protein, fruit … it’s kind of the low-carb Mediterranean Diet with 2 days of semi-fasting
The outcome
People definitely lose weight! I lost 4 KG (8.8 lbs) in 4 weeks and I loved the fasting days. Not so keen on the ordinary days because I really find counting calories to be very boring!
I like Dr Michael Moseley and I know 5-2 and the Fast 800 are very successful as a weight loss plan. The books are both fascinating … click here and here to get either or both.
The BS Diet or The Blood Sugar Diet
Based on low-carb Mediterranean style eating again, the BSD is designed to lose abdominal fat, which is the key to controlling blood sugar levels and reversing Type 2 Diabetes.
How does the Blood Sugar Diet work?
There are 4 stages to choose from, which speak for themselves:
What to Eat
Low-carb, Mediterranean style food.
Did it Work?
I lost weight and having been pre-diabetic off and on for a long, long time, my blood sugars improved … a lot!
Overall I felt better and health risks were reversed.
These are common results for most, and the big takeaway is the reversal of diabetes Type II.
If you have health issues readh the book (You can get it here) and you can get a recipe book too! The recipes are fabulous.
The Ketogenic Diet
Based on the idea that Low-Fat diets don’t work (and we have at least 20 years proof of that!), it reverses the way you think and what you believe about the way you eat and the way you live. For some it’s like a miracle … for others, not so much.
And your health!
How it works
The plan puts your body into a metabolic state of ketosis which means your body uses fat and not sugar to generate energy. Eat a diet low in carbohydrates, high in fats, and moderate in proteins; there is a ton of literature available on the internet.
A keto diet includes:
The Results
These are the results experienced by almost everybody when they go on a keto diet:
● Your Energy is through the roof.
● You Sleep less, wake up earlier and and get rid of the Nanna Nap
● Your Arthritis is less painful
● Your Knees are less swollen
● You Don’t feel hungry
● You Feel fabulous
● Your waist puts in an appearance again and your overall measurements shrink
● Your Abdominal fat shrinks
● Some less than firm bits are firmer!
This will go against everything you have ever been told, but I have yet to meet or talk to anyone who has not had tremendous success on this eating plan. In a way, it’s a low-carb Med-style diet … again!
A Warning about Keto Diet Flu!
You may feel dreadful for a day or two when you start. DRINK WATER. You should drink a minimum of 2 litres a day anyway …
You can read all about Keto here … you have nothing to lose!
It is slightly more complex than saying “It’s like Atkins” (More protein!) Or “It’s like Dukan” (High protein moderate fat). Try the Coffee Booster … it really does help and speeds the ketosis process. Which is what you want!
And get a starter recipe book … there are plenty around. Eating keto follows a logical plan and, thankfully, there are no recipes requiring strange ingredients.
Well, that’s it … 3 of the best diets around and three I have tried. I think you can tell which is the outright winner!
We would love to hear which diets you have tried.
What worked?
What didn’t?
Are you an emotional eater?
What are your favourite types of foods?
