The Diet For Me?

[tarheelmjfan]

This is my 1st time on this board, but I'm motivated to try something different. I'm in search of the perfect diet for me. (I know, who isn't? ) I've been watching my fat intake for several years. Now, I don't really gain, but don't lose either. Realistically, there's some diets I know I won't stick to long term. I can take or leave meat (mostly leave), so low carb is out. I don't like fried foods, so there's a miniscule amount of oil & butter in my current diet. I use fat free spray butter & Pam spray, when I use anything. I drink diet drinks & sugar free tea. Unfortunately, I'm a carboholic! I could live on bread, pasta, & dessert. To be honest, I don't have the willpower to completely cut them out of my diet. I do like rice, fruit & veggies too. This is why watching my fat has worked in the past. I could eat low fat versions of my favs. Over the last couple years my arthritis & spine deterioration has gotten much worse, so I get little exercise. I realize that's a very important part of dieting & a healthy lifetstyle. At this point, my doctor says that stressing my back & joints does much more harm than good. Fatigue often causes irreversible damage. Am I hopeless? I would appreciate any suggestions for a diet that might work for me.

 

[disykat]

How about just basic calorie counting? You can count on your own or follow a preplanned menu. (I see menus in magazines periodically, but don't know off hand where to find one.)

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

It seems like you have a good handle on what is going on with you as far as what you should be eating versus what you do.

I often make choices that are not always in my best health interest. I am pleased to hear that you are still keeping at it despite your current inability to put much in the way of exercising at the moment.

Most basic is calories in must be less than calories out if you want to lose. I'd offer that perhaps you can seek to make healthy choices in smaller portions, perhaps even splitting those smaller portions in half and having them as half meals. That is breakfast 1, couple hours later breakfast 2 (remainder of portion) and so forth throughout the day.

Good luck with your effort and keep on keepin' on!

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I know that not every diet plan is for every individual, but I've tried many, and so far the only one I've had much success on (besides a diet/exercise plan I got through my gym many moons ago, which I couldn't maintain for long) has been Weight Watchers. I joined Feb. 1, and you can see by my ticker that I've had wonderful success with it. Check out the weightwatchers.com website to see what it entails, and to find a meeting near you. I joined both the meetings and the online tracking, and have been following the Core Plan (most follow the Flex plan, which involves more measuring and counting). I think that a carboholic would do better on Core, because it only restricts your carb intake slightly, allows you pasta (as long as you choose whole-grain), and encourages you to try other sorts of grains as well (like whole-wheat couscous, buckwheat, bulgur wheat, quinoa, etc.). I do best when I cut out processed sugars and starches altogether, though...my cravings are much less (which is the premise of both South Beach and Atkins as well). Good luck, whichever plan you choose, and we're here for you!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Thanks for the suggestions & encouragement. I'll check into the diet you mentioned. I've never heard of it. It sounds like it may work for me.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Oh, and check out this site as well...www.hungry-girl.com . It'll give you some great dessert and snacky things that are a much better bet than the ordinary cookies, chips, and ice cream.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Oh, and check out this site as well...www.hungry-girl.com . It'll give you some great dessert and snacky things that are a much better bet than the ordinary cookies, chips, and ice cream.

Thanks, I'll check it out. As you can see, any diet that has great desserts, is definitely the diet for me.

I'll report back to let you guys know what I decide to do, as soon as I've read all the info. Having a support group will be great. My DH & DS don't need to diet (they're both skinny minis ). I get no support from them. My DH would rather me be the size I am or even gain weight than him have to eat low fat or diet friendly food.

 

[Digital]

I tried one recently that has to be the easiest diet ever. It's called the shangri-la diet. It doesn't work for everyone, but I figured it was worth a shot and in a month in I've lost 15lbs. It's pretty strange how it works, you basically drink sugar mixed with water or drink 2 tablespoons of oil an hour after you eat or have something in your mouth you take one of those then wait another hour (no chewing gum, smoking or eating anything). Then you can eat whatever you want. It's not for everybody, but thought I might mention it. The website is sethroberts.net

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I tried one recently that has to be the easiest diet ever. It's called the shangri-la diet. It doesn't work for everyone, but I figured it was worth a shot and in a month in I've lost 15lbs. It's pretty strange how it works, you basically drink sugar mixed with water or drink 2 tablespoons of oil an hour after you eat or have something in your mouth you take one of those then wait another hour (no chewing gum, smoking or eating anything). Then you can eat whatever you want. It's not for everybody, but thought I might mention it. The website is sethroberts.net

That sounds very weird.

 

[kkevcamsmom]

I am on WW and the biggest thing they always talk about is portion control. I would try to cut back on how much you are eating in a meal. Use a smaller plate or bowl, it tricks your mind into thinking "Wow I ate all that". Make sure you are drinking plenty of water. What your eating now sounds good, might just be too much.

Good luck!

Lori

 

[kkevcamsmom]

Over the last couple years my arthritis & spine deterioration has gotten much worse, so I get little exercise. I realize that's a very important part of dieting & a healthy lifetstyle. At this point, my doctor says that stressing my back & joints does much more harm than good. Fatigue often causes irreversible damage. Am I hopeless? I would appreciate any suggestions for a diet that might work for me.

My MIL has movement issues and does a water exercise class. Less stress on her joints but gives her resistance too. It you have a YMCA in your area they may offer a class or check with your local hospital if they have a fitness program they may offer a program too.

Lori