12 Diets in 12 Months - Crazy Idea?

[loveshak22]

Gosh, I hate both you and loveshak22, LOL!!

I was motivated by reading this thread so decided to give MFP a try. I've NEVER counted calories before - have always counted carbs instead, but decided I'd give it a try.

Well, after my first week and my official first weigh-in, I went backwards! Meaning, I GAINED weight instead of losing! Talk about depressing! I'm going to keep at it for a 2nd week and see what happens, but if I continue to gain, I'm going to switch to Atkins, lol.

Like Christine, I don't have that much to lose which makes weight loss extremely tough. Plus, I really don't think I'm eating all that differently ... except I'm skipping that small bowl of ice cream I would usually have in the evening. If I had to guess, I normally eat around 1500-2000 calories. But for weight loss, MFP recommended I eat 1200. I've been in the 1000-1200 range consistently every day, but I just don't think that's enough deficit to cause weight loss for me ? But yet, it won't record if I go lower than 1000, grrrr...and I REALLY don't want to eat that little anyways, lol! So I'm stumped.

Like loveshak22, my weigh-in day is Friday. I am SO anxious to step on the scale. However, if it goes up again, I might just throw it out the window.

I saw your post on the blog and thanks for commenting!! I could not imagine trying to stick to 1,000 - 1,200 calories. That seems difficult and unreasonable (but this said from a woman who was probably eating 3,000+ calories a day before January). Do you have your weight loss goal set at 1 pound or 2 pounds a week? Maybe when it's that low the goal of MFP is to try to get you to exercise to earn back calories and then eat more?? That's one thing I don't love about MFP - it's a great nutrition tracker but it does not teach you anything about nutrition. I do believe that not all calories are equal and that at some point when you have less weight to lose it is about maybe a different balance of calories?? Of course, all that is guessing! Let me know how your weigh-in goes Friday - hopefully all of your windows are intact after

Out of curiosity, when I responded did you get an email let you know I responded? I'm trying to figure out how to set that up!

This is the ONLY way I can hold myself accountable. I have to plan out my day ahead of time what I will allow myself to eat for meals and a snack. Somehow that gets me - I'm OCD enough that it will bother me IMMENSELY if I eat something that was not on my "list" lol. It absolutely does not work for me if I eat first, then record it - food's already swallowed so it doesn't matter to me that I now have to write it down, lol.

I do better when I put my food into MFP before I eat as well. It helps me stick to a plan!

That is quite disheartening. I can't imagine how you are eating so little and not going crazy but if you're already used to 1500-2000 then maybe it's not so bad.

I normally do not lose anything for 3 weeks when I start watching what I eat. My body holds on like crazy but then lets go if I keep it up.

That is difficult. I've already written a lot of posts about the worst things about dieting (and as @ThreeBoyMom pointed out - it's all the worst!), but the worst of the worst is working hard and then not seeing it on the scale!

Yeah, if you are only getting a 300-500 calorie deficit - math says you won't see big movement on the scale -you will need some patience. My normal weight fluctuates at least 2 lbs just from salt, time of the month etc. And I tend to weigh a little more when I up my exercise enough to be sore and am drinking more water too. You may be burning fat, but not see the scale difference for a couple weeks. Taking measurements might be a better indicator if you need visual confirmation.

Good point about measurements!! And I really notice it when I have a lot of salt or less water on days as well. I could imagine if you have less weight to lose those two things could have an even bigger impact on weight.

@threeboysmom Mom - be careful you don't go too low in calories-short term you may lose but longterm extreme low calorie will just sabotage metabolism. It's also why a couple days of higher intake then back to normal intake won't generally result in weight gain, just like a couple days/week of lower intake won't result in immediate permanent loss (that immediate loss of more than 4# is usually water loss). Metabolism is a tricky and stubborn thing! It is why I highly highly recommend weight training along with light cardio as calories are burned in muscle!

Stupid metabolisms!! LOL! That's the one thing that I wish we all had the same of - and that they all were super, magical fat-burning metabolisms!!

 

[loveshak22]

Nothing, and I mean, NOTHING takes the weight off of me without jogging. I can work my tush off every which way and lose next to nothing. I can eat clean and healthy and lose next to nothing. But throw in a half-effort jog, and the pounds come off. It's crazy. My point is you'll find the right exercise that your body likes. I know q bunch of people who swear by weight training. Doesn't work for me. Wish it would!

I feel like at the start of a diet, watching my food is enough to get the weight loss started. But, if I don't start exercising regularly my body gets used to the healthier eating and then my weight doesn't budge. And I'm slacking on the exercise right now so hopefully I can get a routine going soon!

 

[loveshak22]

(Disclaimer: I work for WW as a Leader.)

I'm interested in your take on the "free" fruit that WW offers. You are right, they are still CALORIES. But the way the SmartPoints system works, it kind of "figures in" a certain number of fruit/veggie calories every day. Not sure how to explain it. Just think of this.... a regular calorie counting system does not differentiate between 100 calories for a banana and a 100 calories of cheese doodles. But which would fill you more and which would be the (obviously) healthier option? Which would fuel your body and help with macronutrients and which would not? WW SmartPoints just makes that choice a little easier by allowing you eat the banana without taking anything from your daily SP budget.

I lost my original 86 pounds on an older WW system that had me counting fruit (1 Point per serving). Then the new system came along (PointsPlus) and I was leary of NOT counting fruit (heck, I could easily eat 2 bananas at once!)..... but I got on the new plan and it was GREAT! If I was hungry I could ALWAYS grab an apple or a handful of grapes or a grapefruit.... so much healthier than a 100 calorie Oreo pack.... which on the old system may have been the same number of Points as a whole mango. It just a way of encouraging you to make a HEALTHIER choice with your Points/calories.

Now I am on the SmartPoints system and loving it even more! I gained a bit during the holidays (just a bit) and it is coming off steadily with SmartPoints. The new system is pushing me toward more lean protein (I do admit I struggle to eat enough protein), but I still have enough SP in my day for the occasional treat. HTH......................P

I believe that most WW leader will tell you that if your weight loss plateaus/stalls to be sure you aren't consuming more than 5 servings of fruit a day (1 whole banana is considered 2 servings if my memory serves me right). And you are supposed to count any fruit that is pureed and/or blended..... so a smoothie that contains a whole banana, a cup of berries, and a peach would require you to count all of the calories for that fruit, in addition to any milk and protein additives. Just a thought.................P

Thanks for the comments about WWs. I've always been hesitant to give it a try because I feel like it's just a modified way of calorie counting. But, as I was looking into what plans I wanted to try this year I did realize the points have more to do than just count calories. So I'm excited to give it a try!

 

[loveshak22]

Question to the OP:

Just reading about your all-pescetarian May diet plan. May I suggest that you get a mercury test both BEFORE and AFTER that month? I will just say that personally I avoid ALL seafood for a variety of reasons (my health, planet/ocean health and other reasons) and mercury is one of the reasons. I think it would interesting to see the levels and any significant changes. It would make a great blog topic as well! ....................P

I'll ask my doctor about it and see what she says! It definitely could be interesting. I thought there were specific fish you were supposed to avoid for mercury but others were OK? I need to take a look at it some more. I have a feeling I'll be alternating a lot of vegetarian meals in the plan as well.

 

[loveshak22]

If muscle is what burns calories, then I guess that explains why I can eat such low calorie and not lose anything - I have ZIPPO muscle mass. I'm about as fluffy as a cream puff.

That made me laugh!!

 

[Monykalyn]

@loveshak22 - you go dance your tushie off at that concert! Have fun and not stress-Had an interesting journal club today about the importance of gut health and stress-each affects the other and if gut ain't healthy then nothing works right. Plus if you are on your feet dancing, walking etc you do burn calories. As for drinks-they can take a whopper bite out of the calorie allowance-have a cup of club soda nearby to help dilute cocktails (gives fizz, cuts calories and can make one drink last awhile- I do this at home when wanting a cosmo!). also alternate a cup of water with every alcoholic drink. Or find a "sipper" drink-I recently discovered good whiskey-but it is definitely something you "sip" vs "drink" so takes lot longer to get through-and less calories! Or a really good strong red wine-something to savor so slows me down LOL.

I am excited to walk around the mall area and tidal basin etc. I ended up losing 10# at Disney last year from all the walking-and believe me I never ever felt deprived of food (or special dessert parties! Star Wars weekends and specialty drinks etc) I thought it was mostly water weight but it ended up staying off til about November *sigh. I really need goals to work towards to stay motivated too

 

[writermommy6]

This sounds pretty fun. I'll be following your blog!

 

[pjlla]

I'll ask my doctor about it and see what she says! It definitely could be interesting. I thought there were specific fish you were supposed to avoid for mercury but others were OK? I need to take a look at it some more. I have a feeling I'll be alternating a lot of vegetarian meals in the plan as well.

Well, yes, the larger the fish, the more mercury (hence why tuna is an issue).... but any and ALL fish can contain mercury and microplastics. And think about shellfish.... they are scavengers/filter feeders. What are they scavenging/filtering? Trash, among other things! I stopped eating liver before I stopped eating seafood, but for similar reasons.... why would I want to eat waste?? Shellfish are GREAT for the ocean because they are filter feeders..... but that doesn't make them very good food for us at a time when our oceans are more and more mistreated and polluted.

I'll step off my soapbox now.....it's just a topic I am passionate about. ....................P

 

[loveshak22]

@loveshak22 - you go dance your tushie off at that concert! Have fun and not stress-Had an interesting journal club today about the importance of gut health and stress-each affects the other and if gut ain't healthy then nothing works right. Plus if you are on your feet dancing, walking etc you do burn calories. As for drinks-they can take a whopper bite out of the calorie allowance-have a cup of club soda nearby to help dilute cocktails (gives fizz, cuts calories and can make one drink last awhile- I do this at home when wanting a cosmo!). also alternate a cup of water with every alcoholic drink. Or find a "sipper" drink-I recently discovered good whiskey-but it is definitely something you "sip" vs "drink" so takes lot longer to get through-and less calories! Or a really good strong red wine-something to savor so slows me down LOL.

I am excited to walk around the mall area and tidal basin etc. I ended up losing 10# at Disney last year from all the walking-and believe me I never ever felt deprived of food (or special dessert parties! Star Wars weekends and specialty drinks etc) I thought it was mostly water weight but it ended up staying off til about November *sigh. I really need goals to work towards to stay motivated too

I'm hoping to dance my booty off - LOL!! And actually that's a great reminder about club soda! I do love club soda with lime, so a few of those thrown in will be good to slowing down. Ewww....whiskey! That's definitely a sipper!

I think I gained some weight at Disney in November - lots of walking, but I also did a lot of eating! So many good food options! I've never really set many exercise goals for myself but a friend and I are going to try to do a 10K in April...I was hoping to get into an exercise routine last week but being sick threw me off...but I'm hoping I can really get motivated the next couple of weeks to getting into a routine!

Let me know if you have any questions about DC - it sounds like you know you're way around, but just let me know!

 

[loveshak22]

This sounds pretty fun. I'll be following your blog!

Awesome - thanks so much!! I appreciate the support!!

 

[loveshak22]

Alright, so can folks tell what I was craving by tonight's blog??? http://whatdietnext.com/2016/01/29/dear-dessert-i-hate-you/

 

[Monykalyn]

This latest blog had me laughing! remember controlled indulgence. And I don't believe in making a dessert "healthy". We don't eat a cooky to be healthy! So the trick is small indulgences in real thing!

Girl Scout Cookies season is my downfall!!

 

[loveshak22]

This latest blog had me laughing! remember controlled indulgence. And I don't believe in making a dessert "healthy". We don't eat a cooky to be healthy! So the trick is small indulgences in real thing!

Girl Scout Cookies season is my downfall!!

Thanks!! I am trying to keep it entertaining - LOL!!!

The other night there was no desire to control anything - I was crazing a big, giant cupcake and had no calories left for the day! My biggest weakness is buttercream frosting - I mean even just a sheet cake from the grocery store is like the best thing ever for me

I have been having dark chocolate truffles here or there and have fit them into my eating plan and that really has helped a lot!

As for GS cookies - this is the first year I've ordered some since we moved to DC. Nobody has ever sold them in our neighborhood before and nobody at work brings in forms for their kids. Add to that they are never in front of the grocery so it's like a GS-free zone. But this year a new family moved into the neighborhood and came to my door. I ordered a couple of boxes thinking "I'll break them up into individual servings and freeze them..." I think I was being way too optimistic about my level of control!!!! I may have to take them into work and leave them in the break room!

 

[loveshak22]

Oh - and tomorrow ends month 1! I'll be posting a full review of my thoughts on MFP, total weight, and inches lost. I start Advocare tomorrow!

 

[loveshak22]

So for those still following, yesterday officially ended diet # 1 - MyFitnessPal, and today starts diet #2 - Advocare. How much did I make a dent in my goal of losing 100 pounds??? http://whatdietnext.com/2016/02/02/month-1-myfitnesspal-total-weight-loss/

I think it's a pretty awesome start! I hope I can keep getting good results in February.

 

[Christine]

So for those still following, yesterday officially ended diet # 1 - MyFitnessPal, and today starts diet #2 - Advocare. How much did I make a dent in my goal of losing 100 pounds??? http://whatdietnext.com/2016/02/02/month-1-myfitnesspal-total-weight-loss/

I think it's a pretty awesome start! I hope I can keep getting good results in February.

Congrats on your overall weight loss. Can't wait to read about the next diet!

I've just completed my 2nd week on MFP. I had no weight loss the 2nd week and I was REALLY, REALLY good. But that's not unusual for me. Really, it takes me at least 3 weeks to see even one pound go so it was bit unusual to see 3 lbs go on the first week. It's a little depressing but I'm going to hang in there!

 

[Riles_and_Gabe]

Your first month was awesome! I am looking forward to February and seeing where it takes you. I have decided to join you in the healthy eating and I am using my fitbit to track what I am eating.

 

[Monykalyn]

What a fabulous start!

 

[threeboysmom]

Ugh. I totally blew it. I flew down to FL to visit with my parents for 5 days and ate everything in sight. Worst part was I forgot to weigh myself before my trip so now I don't know what my 2nd week weigh-in was for watching calories. Grrrrr... And I don't dare step on the scale NOW! lol

 

[loveshak22]

Congrats on your overall weight loss. Can't wait to read about the next diet!

I've just completed my 2nd week on MFP. I had no weight loss the 2nd week and I was REALLY, REALLY good. But that's not unusual for me. Really, it takes me at least 3 weeks to see even one pound go so it was bit unusual to see 3 lbs go on the first week. It's a little depressing but I'm going to hang in there!

That is frustrating. My doctor always tries to tell me that even if the scale doesn't show any movement that I'm still making healthy choices for my body. Which is true, but it doesn't really make me feel any better! I mean seriously, even though I don't have any health problems now, I can't stay this weight and stay healthy as I get older

Good job sticking with it!!

Your first month was awesome! I am looking forward to February and seeing where it takes you. I have decided to join you in the healthy eating and I am using my fitbit to track what I am eating.

Awesome!! And thanks!!

Right now on Advocare I feel boated all the time because of all the fluids I drink. But, I don't feel hungry a lot, which is nice. But it makes me worry about what the scale will say in the morning. I'm out of town this week so my weight in will be Saturday instead of this morning.

Good luck with your fit it tracking!! Let us know how it goes!!

What a fabulous start!

Thanks!!!!!

Ugh. I totally blew it. I flew down to FL to visit with my parents for 5 days and ate everything in sight. Worst part was I forgot to weigh myself before my trip so now I don't know what my 2nd week weigh-in was for watching calories. Grrrrr... And I don't dare step on the scale NOW! lol

Traveling is hard!! Especially if you're places where you can get food you don't get at home, or you're just out and about having fun that you can't always make the healthiest choices!!

Hopefully when you step on the scale the trip didn't impact anything!! LOL!!

I actually weighed myself last Friday and then went out of town for the night with some girlfriends and we ate and drank quite a bit...but I did moderately ok on Saturday and really good on Sunday and the weight stayed the same when I weighed on Monday - thank goodness!!!!

Hope everyone's having a happy Friday!!