Best dieting plan?

[Tasha+Scott]

Hey everyone! DH and I are planning to try a dieting plan or program. Thing is, we do not know which one we should try! There are so many of them. So, we are looking to those of you who have done it. Which diet plan or programs have you done? Which worked? Which didn't? What would you recommend? What is your success story from doing this program? Thanks!

 

[Minniespal]

I voted for Weight Watchers. I have tried Atkins and although I enjoyed some of the high fat foods available I just find that I always go back to Weight Watchers.

I suppose years of conditioning that when you are on a diet that you should only be eating low calorie food hasn't helped. WW for me, is a plan that I can stick with and lose weight on.

 

[Tasha+Scott]

Thanks for your input, Minniespal! I will look into that. I plan to look into all of them before deciding what will work best for DH and myself. Anyone else have any ideas?

 

[dizneegirl]

Any of them will work, if you work them.

What kinds of foods do you like to eat?

How large are your portion sizes now?

Are you looking for a lifestyle change? Or a "quick fix" kind of diet?

I'd recommend low carb to almost anyone - but not necessarily as a "diet". I think the idea of cutting out the nutritionally void foods, and focusing on low glycemic, nutritionally packed, whole foods is a sound one. I think managing your blood sugar through diet is good for anyone. But, there are changes that have to be made to follow a low-carb plan, and it has to be a lifestyle change. Some people are very happy with that, some just can't/won't do it.

It just really depends on what you're looking for.

 

[DoeWDW]

I have to second dizneegirl's thoughts.

Getting rid of most processed foods (especially anything made with white flour and/or sugar) can only be a good thing.

I've done well with low-carb (that's what I voted for) but it isn't for everyone. I think each person's body chemistry and food tastes are unique and it might take you time to figure out what works for you.

Best wishes in whatever you do!

 

[ZerasPride]

I have tried just about every diet is out there - WW, Jenny Craig, Slimfast, Nutrasystem, I've taken shots and done the cabbage soup and rice diets. I was so desperate that my next step was looking into stomach surgery. My sister in law lost 70 pounds on Atkins but I didn't think cutting out my beloved carbs was for me.

Having said all that, I completely agree with dizneegirl and Doe. Getting rid of the processed carbs has been the best thing DH and I could have ever done!!! I voted for South Beach because that's the program we decided on. Actually we do a combo of Atkins and South Beach and just love it!

We love the results we are having as well. We started our 8th month on July 1st and have lost a combined total of 140 pounds (approximately 70 pounds each). I've gone from a size 9 shoe to a 7-1/2 or 8; I lost approximately 60 inches off my body and gone from a tight size 26 jeans to a size 14 stretch jeans. We absolutely love this program and plan on eating this way for life. I don't think I could ever go back to the carbs that were making me so miserable. I just thought it was my weight causing my sleepless nights, acid reflux and horrible snoring but from day 1 of giving up the bad carbs, I haven't had one symptom.

You are so smart to examine all the programs that are available and then make your choice. I can definitely recommend a low carb lifestyle! It is working wonders for us!!

 

[Tasha+Scott]

Thanks everyone! We have been considering low-carb. It worked really well for my mom several yrs. ago. My grandmother has diabetes and she went on Atkins. Although she does it, she is not strict to the point of watching every little thing, but she does pretty well on it. As a matter-of-fact, when she went back to the doctor, he told her that b/c of her new eating habits, her diabetes was really under control and that she didn't even need the medication for it anymore.
I think DH and I are going to try to cut out carbs gradually. We are going to give up fast foods and processed foods definitely. I want to go all the way w/it, but I am really addicted to carbs. I figure once I get used to giving up some of the foods I love, the rest will come a lot easier.
Thanks again everyone, and feel free to give me any additional advice!

 

[ZerasPride]

I didn't think I'd be able to give up the carbs and frankly I didn't want to give them up! I was very resistant to this program when I heard about it. My family had a wicked 3 pizza a week habit that was hard to break. I was eating a quart of butter pecan ice cream every other night and for lunch I was going to McD's everyday for a 20 piece chicken mcnugget and a double cheeseburger with fries. DH had similar bad eating habits.

I absolutely didn't think this was the program for me. But doing the two week Phase 1 period where you detox your body from the carbs really helped. I didn't believe people or the SBD book when they said you actually lose your cravings for the carbs. It is so true!!!! I haven't had a french fry, donut or chicken mcnugget in about 8-1/2 months and I have no desire for any of those things. So if you do a structured plan like Atkins or South Beach, you won't have to worry about cravings if you do the induction or first phase, it will virtually get rid of all those cravings!

If you'd like more details on the program just give me a holler, either on this thread or a pm.

Whatever program you and your DH follow, I wish you both all the success in the world!

 

[webray]

the best one is the one that works for you..that you can stick with and live with.

None of them are easy..none are better than the other..all different..all work if you are faithful.

Good Luck!

 

[ZerasPride]

I'm always so wordy! webray said it perfectly!

 

[msteddom]

I agree that there is no "best" diet, there is only the one that works for you. I am on WW, and it really works for me, but my friend tried it and was starving all day. She stuck to it for about a week. So now she is on South Beach and is liking it. For me, I could never do low carb, I love bread way too much!



Melissa

 

[Tasha+Scott]

Well, I finally made a decision...I think I did my H.W. well enough to finally make it. DRUM ROLL PLEASE!
I decided to join WW online. I think all of them sound like good plans. WW just seems like something I might be able to stick w/more easily. I like that I get to decide what I can eat as long as I stick to my "points". Low-carb is a great alternative. I just don't think I can stick w/it. For me, it is too restrictive. But it has worked wonders w/many people I know. Plus, I was trying to find a plan that DH and I could do together. He said he is pretty sure he cannot do low-carb. It is a lot like the one we did at Physician's Weight Loss Center several years ago. We lost a good bit of weight on it. But initially were not satisfied w/the choices the way I am hoping we will be w/WW. Thanks again for all of the advice. I am glad to see that WW got enough votes on the poll. Makes me feel relieved w/my decision! I will post in my WISH journal sometime later today. I didn't get around to it yesterday, since I was still researching. Good luck to all.

 

[KathyTX]

You've gotten some great advice, and done some good soul-searching here!

I agree with so many others- to be truly successful, you're going to need to choose a plan you can live with for LIFE. If you adopt a "diet" just to get the weight off and then return to your old habits once you hit your goal, you've accomplished nothing. The weight comes back, and you've started a yo-yo of gaining and losing.

Thinking hard about what kind of healthy eating plan will fit into your lifestyle FOREVER is the most important step you can take to set yourself up for success. It sounds like you've done that well.

The best eating plan is the one that fits YOU!

(I'm a WW, and have had terrific success with it- it's a plan I am comfortable with, and that I can make work for me forever. Other friends have the same sort of success with Atkins or other low-carb plans- it's a very personal choice, and there's no one right answer.)

 

[sm4987]

I voted for South Beach. It is a great plan. However I must agree with everyone when they say youhave to find a plan that works for you. You have to find one where you won't feel deprived, hungry and can live with

 

[maciec]

I voted for WW.

I tried doing Atkins, but I just could not do without the carbs. I actually tried it twice and both times I ended up caving. With WW I can eat anything I want as long as it is within my points.

The one thing that has been key for me to lose weight is that this whole process is a lifestyle change. I use to get tired of hearing that until I realized how true they were. WW has been a total lifestyle change for me.

Another point I must bring up that also has been key is that when I have a craving I give into it other wise it might tear you up like it does to me. For example.....I just love, love, love chocolate cream filled donuts from Dunkin Donuts and when I get to thinking about them I have to get one. I eat it and then I feel totally guilty about it and I have satisfied my craving for another month. One time I got 2 and I about threw up I felt so guilty for eating them. Now I realize that I have totally changed my lifestyle and it feels good.

Good Luck!
Melissa