Diets?

[MareQ]

I am gearing up to try - yet again - to lose weight. What's your favorite Diet program? I have done WW online before - but I am always open to something new.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I've been on http://www.seattlesutton.com/home.asp for a couple of months now.

It has it's good and it's bad points, but overall I've been happy with it. I didn't lose much weight on the scale at first, but my clothes kept getting bigger and bigger on me. I've dropped 3 pants sizes now and I do feel much more energetic. It isn't really "diet food" it is just regular food prepared in a healthy way.

It's pretty expensive though. I don't like paying that bill.

 

[Tantor]

Lost 30 lbs with Weight Watchers years ago. I would like to lose 10 more.............

 

[Spoisal]

Oprah's boot camp. It is tough, but you have a whole new body after 12 weeks. I never felt more fit. I did this last year...so did my Mom. Both of us have a new outlook now still - a year later...

http://www.oprah.com/presents/2005/bootcamp/bootcamp_main.jhtml

 

[helenabear]

Calorie counting and portion control in general. Everything else was too hard for me and just didn't work in the end. This is the only one that was easy and I've had no trouble keeping it off.

 

[Poohbear123]

My DH is on the Quick Weight Loss Plan, and he has lost 35 pounds, very slowly, its noticable though. The "diet" is Fresh veggies, Chicken and Fish NO pasta, Rice, Bread, and no Desserts. Nothing in a can or box. Also, drink at lease 80 oz's of water a DAY! NO soda or carbonated drinks. If you have High Blood pressure, use the 1/2 salt brand by Morton. Eggs are also on the diet as is Skim Milk and Bran Flakes cereal. I have lost 12 Pounds, just following the diet alone, so I am thrilled.

 

[SandraVB79]

Weightwatchers is my favourite, because it's not really a diet.

Since Monday, I am following a real diet. I eat one Modifast pudding in the morning, a Modifast soup for lunch, a snack bar from some other diet brand around 4 pm and a high protein pasta meal for dinner (I always eat around 8 pm)

I drink at least three big bottles of water a day. And I have lost, up to now, about 8 pounds.

I don't think this is the healthiest diet ever, but it will give me a good kick-off. I'll do this for two weeks, and then continue with WW.

 

[chobie]

I did Atkins several years ago and lost 30 pounds and have kept most of it off (though I have to shed about 8 pounds as we speak). My MIL did WW at the same time and kept telling me how "unhealthy" atkins was. I mainly ate salads and grilled chicken and fish, whereas she would eat 20 or so or her WW points each day in jelly beans and fudge. But I was the unhealthy one.

Anyway, it owrked for me, but I don't want to do it again. I'm just cutting back on everything right now until I get rid of the extra pounds. I have to do that about 2 times a year for a few weeks to keep my weight down.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

The best diet is no diet. One has to make life-long healthy changes. This includes: watching calories, watching portions, making sure you have a good ratio of protein, fiber, carbs and fat, and exercsing regularly.

Nearly 7 years ago I went from a size 16/18 to a size 6 and I have maintened that weightloss through the above measures.

Good luck on your journey.

 

[KelNottAt]

The best diet is no diet. One has to make life-long healthy changes. This includes: watching calories, watching portions, making sure you have a good ratio of protein, fiber, carbs and fat, and exercsing regularly.

Nearly 7 years ago I went from a size 16/18 to a size 6 and I have maintened that weightloss through the above measures.

Good luck on your journey.

ITA!
Extra emphasis on protein, portion control, and fiber for me.

 

[SandraVB79]

In French they say that "BLM" is the best "diet", with BLM = Bouffe La Moitié.
Meaning: eat half of your regular portions.

It really works.

 

[ilovepcot]

I'm a CARB ADDICT! The only way I can keep my blood sugar levels from going haywire and causing food cravings is by getting on the carb addict plan.

I came across a book written by two PhD's who do research on eating disorders and their plan *works*! Blood sugar levels don't dip and dive and I no longer think about food constantly. You learn to eat sensibly and no longer feel the need to gorge till you puke. (Yes, I used to do that!) Only thing, this is ONLY for true carb addicts, but for people who are it's the only way I'm aware of to break that horrible cycle of binge eating you entire waking hours.

Book is called: THE CARBOHYDRATE ADDICTS DIET by Dr. Rachael Heller and Dr. Richard Heller. Friends have asked to borrow it and I always say, "Hmm, I can't seem to find it." No way will I chance losing this book!

 

[goingbackagain]

My husband and I have been at weight watchers since mid June. He's lost 25 and I've lost 20. We are both at our 10 percent and feel like we can stick with it. I'm feeling better and clothes are just getting a little big - yeah!

 

[ead79]

I attend Weight Watchers meetings in person. I'm a big fan of the plan because it is healthy, sensible and doesn't have "forbidden" foods. Plus, and this is hugely important, it is something that you can do for life. Since for almost everyone weight loss is a lifetime struggle, it's important to find something you can keep doing instead of a fad diet or something impractical for you.

As for the meetings, I find them to be EXTREMELY helpful. Fine one that has a leader that you like, and keep going. WW has done lots of studies, and those who attend meetings are much more likely to lose the weight.

Also, be sure you're ready to lose the weight. Several years ago I wasn't ready and yo-yo'ed a lot while only half-heartedly doing WW. If you're not truly ready (and only you know that), then nothing will work. Once you're ready to make the change, you can do it!

 

[LadyyRedd]

The best diet is no diet. One has to make life-long healthy changes. This includes: watching calories, watching portions, making sure you have a good ratio of protein, fiber, carbs and fat, and exercsing regularly.

Nearly 7 years ago I went from a size 16/18 to a size 6 and I have maintened that weightloss through the above measures.

Good luck on your journey.

This was what I was going to say. Of all the plans above, WW is the best. In my opinion, any food program that requires you to totally eliminate something from your diet is not a healthy program. Same thing for any program that requires you to eat special foods to be part of it. Portion control and exercise is the key.

Kimya

 

[ILUVMYBRIT]

I try to just limit my portions. I don't tend to feel hungry most of the time because of my meds but when I do eat, I make sure the portions are correct. I was at Longhorn Steakhouse the other day and ordered a burger. I cut it in half and only ate one half. I try to limit my sweets, but I don't deny myself anything...again portions are a big thing. I also drink LOTS of water throughout the day. I have lost about 50 pounds in the last 3 years and its been slow but hopefully that way it will stay off as well.

 

[ilovepcot]

I go along with WW as a great way of eating healthy for life. It's a great diet for people with low blood sugar as well as diabetics. Thing is, *some* people have issues with blood sugar that cause cravings the same way a drug addict has cravings. NO DIET or HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHANGES will work for them until they get these issues under control. That's why I suggested the Carb Addicts Diet for people here who *MAY* have this problem. It gets you on the right track to be able to do WW or some other equally healthy eating plan.

 

[inaminute]

You know, I've tried absolutely every program looking for the magic solution. I've even considered gastric bypass surgery.

I've watched my weight climb as each diet came to an end. I watched my health decline--it was so bad that just four weeks ago I couldn't walk around the house without having to rest my knee. Pathetic, I know.

A month ago I decided to just start moving a little more. I made it a point to do something every day--even if that meant just scrubbing the kitchen floor. That led walking on the treadmill every couple of days, which led to watching meal portions and making sure to eat three meals a day. That led to a commitment to walk on the treadmill every day, which led to trying to make better food choices and remembering to drink more water.

All of that has led to an almost 14 lb. weight loss. Most importantly--I can walk again! My knee still gets stiff if I sit for too long, but it feels better almost as soon as I start moving again. I'm really surprised at how much more energy I have.

I now walk 20 minutes every day (well, most every day) after dinner. I'm gearing up to add an additional 20 minutes of walking in the morning. I've discovered that because I've convinced myself that I hate to exercise, it's better for me to do short bursts of activity. I think I'm more likely to stick with it for the long term.

I agree with those who say that the best diet is no diet. It's finally beginning to sink in that I have to make real lifestyle changes in order to see any success. For me those changes are portion control, eating three meals a day, drinking lots of water, and exercise.

As far as diet plans are concerned, Weight Watchers is about the best out there. It has a sensible eating plan, and offers a lot of support. If I were going to follow a diet, that would be the one I'd choose.

 

[ohiominnie]

moderation and portion control
and more calories OUT than IN

nothing else has ever seemed to work for me.....at least not for long...once off plan the weight came back...and more.

must be a lifelong healthy eating/healthy moving plan

 

[grlpwrd]

Out of all the choices in the poll I remember reading that Weight Watchers and South Beach were one of the top eating plans that gave great overall long-term success.

That is key - that it is long-term and lifelong.

I do a fusion of a Asian/Mediterranean/vegetarian diet with working out because it works for me.