Trying to lose weight--what do you eat and how often throughout the day?

[clovergirl5]

I am trying to lose weight....I ride my upright stationary bike 5 miles everyday but I end up eating the same things everyday. I don't know what else to eat that will still keep me on the right track.

My weakness is carbs--bread, etc. Comfort foods basically.

Really the only thing I have been eating are eggs, chicken, salads. For those who are losing and making lifestyle changes, what do you eat and how often?
TIA

 

[Angelhalo]

DH and I are on a low carb change right now. I don't want to say Diet because we really have no issue with the lifestyle so we plan to keep it. I make Lots of different things from many low carb cookbooks. For snacks we have a fair amount of nuts, celery, pepperoni, parmesan chips etc

 

[Wall-E1]

I am trying to lose weight....I ride my upright stationary bike 5 miles everyday but I end up eating the same things everyday. I don't know what else to eat that will still keep me on the right track.

My weakness is carbs--bread, etc. Comfort foods basically.

Really the only thing I have been eating are eggs, chicken, salads. For those who are losing and making lifestyle changes, what do you eat and how often?
TIA

For snacking, I try to stick with Fiber One products. They make cereals, yogurts, breakfast bars; etc. They are high in fiber, so you feel filled up, even though the calories are not real high with their products. Fruits are also good for snacking, as well as the Hostess 100 calorie packs(they're great when you get that sugar craving). For breakfast, try to take in a lot of fiber. Other than that, make sure you become a water drinker, as that helps fill you up and has no calories. For meals, I don't restrict myself from any foods. I just make sure that I know how many calories I am taking in. Don't try restricting yourself to only a few foods or you will fail. It's okay to "cheat" as long as you know what your daily calorie intake should be, and stay in that limit.

 

[Angelhalo]

Don't try restricting yourself to only a few foods or you will fail.

This is not necessarily true. We restrict carbs and we haven't failed. We've been eating this way for going on two years now, with no "failures" Losing weight is all about finding a way that works for you, and that is different for everyone.

 

[Darsa]

Come visit the WISH boards!! There's tons of information and support over there, I only recently started visiting there and it's an awesome source of information.

Carbs were always my weakness as well, I can totally relate. There are SO many options available nowadays that can make you feel like you're cheating, when you're not.

I have been told that it is a good idea to eat several small meals throughout the day, rather than three regular meals. This allows your body a regular source of fuel throughout the day, rather than going into "starvation" mode and trying to "save" you by storing fat up! This is what I've been doing, and it's been a LOT easier to stick to it since I never really feel those hunger pangs anymore.

 

[Deb in IA]

I start the day by running 2 - 3 miles, either on the treadmill or outside, weather permitting.

I eat a banana and maybe an egg, with calcium-fortified OJ afterwards.

When I get to work, a couple our hours later, I eat a packet of instant oatmeal with Equal, with a cup of green tea.

At lunch, I have a Lean Cuisine - I only buy the one that are less than 300 calories.

For the munchies, I have a stash of roasted almonds, rice cakes, dry roasted peanuts, sometimes a 100 calorie pack.

For dinner, usually a salad and a main dish. If I eat dessert, it is usually some fruit.

Oh, and I drink a lot of water throughout the day.

 

[Wall-E1]

This is not necessarily true. We restrict carbs and we haven't failed. We've been eating this way for going on two years now, with no "failures" Losing weight is all about finding a way that works for you, and that is different for everyone.

What I was saying in that statement was not to restrict your diet to only a few food choices. I wasn't talking about restricting carbs, fats, etc. Some people try to cut so many different foods entirely out of their diet, that they make themselves miserable. Restricting the amount of carbs is good, but restricting the varieties of food choices down to a select few generally is not. Also, for the OP, if you are exercising, don't restrict your carbs too much. They give you the energy that you need to exercise. It is good to cut down on carbs, like Angelhalo suggested, but don't cut them out entirely. Some people go overboard and make themselves sick.

 

[Angelhalo]

What I was saying in that statement was not to restrict your diet to only a few food choices. I wasn't talking about restricting carbs, fats, etc. Some people try to cut so many different foods entirely out of their diet, that they make themselves miserable. Restricting the amount of carbs is good, but restricting the varieties of food choices down to a select few generally is not. Also, for the OP, if you are exercising, don't restrict your carbs too much. They give you the energy that you need to exercise. It is good to cut down on carbs, like Angelhalo suggested, but don't cut them out entirely. Some people go overboard and make themselves sick.

Very true. You have to have variety or you'll go nuts!

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

well, for starters, move to a 5 times a day meal plan. the worst thing to do is to starve yourself, for you body will go into starvation mode, and then you will not lose weight! I have lost over 110 pounds now, without trying! I eat anything I want(within my low ash diet) and have sat down and ate Godiva candy! lol
I used to maintain a higher protein low carb diet. but due to medical reasons I had to intake carbs much more! the key is to balancing your body with all the nutrients needed. I always do a yogurt daily, usually mornings, unless craving sweet at night.
And the above is correct, if you go down to very low or no carbs your body can go into keytotis.(sp) I had depleted my body when I was a body builder.... made me sick. so just remember that protein builds muscle, first and foremost carbs burn energy, then go to proteins, so you need some carbs if you are toning and trying to build muscle. you do not want to burn it while trying to build it!

 

[happygirl]

I'm really bad I try to only eat one meal during the day. If I get really hugry I will eat crackers

 

[ckay87]

I'm really bad I try to only eat one meal during the day. If I get really hugry I will eat crackers

OMG, why??? Don't do that to yourself.

 

[rwdavis2]

Low carbs is the way to go. I have gotten this same information from my doctor and a nutritionist. The reason being is that protein is better for keeping you from feeling hungry. You don't have to actually give up anything but don't eat as much and/or as often. For snacks: Fiber One bars and South Beach Diet protein bars are good. Hard boiled eggs, the little cheese snacks (50 calories) you can get in bag from Costco, an ounce or 2 of nuts per serving. Crunchy vegatables. No limits on sugar-free drinks (soda, coffee, etc).

 

[GothTink]

I aim for between 80-100 grams of protein a day, low fat, low carbs.

 

[clovergirl5]

Thank you everyone for all the great tips and info. I know a lot of info is commen sense--eating right and exercising, but sticking to it is the hardest. Carbs are calling my name constantly!

Thanks Darsa for the WISH idea...I haven't checked out that board yet, I think I will. Sounds like a lot of support cause everyone has the same goal in the end.

 

[Angelhalo]

Thank you everyone for all the great tips and info. I know a lot of info is commen sense--eating right and exercising, but sticking to it is the hardest. Carbs are calling my name constantly!

Thanks Darsa for the WISH idea...I haven't checked out that board yet, I think I will. Sounds like a lot of support cause everyone has the same goal in the end.

My hubby and I are carb lovers too but if you work at it, you can still have a lot of the things you love. We now use Dreamfields low carb pasta as recommended by our Doctor and it is approved for our lifestyle plan so we can still have mac and cheese, spaghetti, etc. There are low carb wraps out there too so we can still have sandwiches, they just have to be in a wrap form. You can cut them up and bake them or fry them and have nachos, quesadillas, etc. There are also recipes for lots of yummy low carb desserts out there. Just this week I made a low carb peanut butter pie that is to die for. It has a crust and everything! Yummo!!!

If you decide to go down this route, I highly recommend the George Stella cookbooks. When we started this journey, I found that without cookbooks we floundered. We ended up eating the same things all of the time because we didn't really understand the variety of things we could make. Its not all just burgers with no buns like many restaurants seem to believe.

 

[Angelhalo]

I'm really bad I try to only eat one meal during the day. If I get really hugry I will eat crackers

this is a recipe for disaster

 

[bettymae1121]

Eating breakfast helps, I find I'm not starving by lunch time and I'm not as tempted to hit the McD's drive-thru, I'll eat a salad instead! So every morning I have a bowl of oatmeal made from stealcut oats, I just make it in my mini-crock pot the night before so it's ready when I wake up.

I try to eat whole grains, like brown rice and whole grain bread. It sticks with you longer, and the extra fiber is good for you anyway.

I also snack on nuts. Yes, they do have fat but it's the healthy fat and as long as you don't go overboard, it's a healthy snack.

I try not to eat past 7 PM. I go to bed at 10 so there isn't any reason to eat then. I'm not always successful, but I do try!

I let myself eat one "bad" meal a week. No guilt, no counting calories. If you don't let yourself go now and again, you'll go crazy and eventually snap, eating everything in sight.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

This is how I did it:

-Drink plenty of water

-Eat small amounts every few hours

-Alot of vegetables

-EXCERCISE! This was the biggest improvement from the diets I've gone on before. I bought a treadmill and went on it about 60 minutes a day. It was boring but I watched TV so the time went by a little faster. I lost more inches this time with the same weight loss.


-I'm not a cook and ate Lean Cuisines paninis or flatbread sandwiches for dinners.

-For snacks I eat cantelope, grapes or a cup of Life cereal.

I also didn't deny myself of anything. Every Saturday I would have my ham and cheese omelotte with a small amout of home fries.
And Fridays I still I had my pizza. Just not 4-5 slices I use to eat.

Good luck!

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

I also snack on nuts. Yes, they do have fat but it's the healthy fat and as long as you don't go overboard, it's a healthy snack.

When I was trying to break my 'carb habit', I let myself eat a small bowl of cocktail mix - peanuts, almonds, and raisins - whenever I felt like it. I'd often eat 3-4 small bowls (1/3 cup) over the course of a day. I think the protein made me feel satisfied over the long term, while the dried fruit satisfied sweet cravings and gave instant energy.

My breakfast consisted of a bowl of cocktail mix, a yogurt, and a piece of fruit. If I got hungry in the morning, I'd have another bowl of nuts. Lunch would usually be my big meal of the day, where I'd let myself have a reasonable serving of pasta or bread along with veggies and protein. Dinner consisted of a salad or steamed veggies with some sort of meat. After a couple of days, I really seemed to get past my carb cravings (and now can barely stomach fried foods...and I NEVER thought that would happen!).

I've lost 18 lbs since last June (From 156 to 138). My original goal was 145, then 140. I was 135 when I started university (22 years ago)...that is now my new (and likely final) goal.

 

[clovergirl5]

My hubby and I are carb lovers too but if you work at it, you can still have a lot of the things you love. We now use Dreamfields low carb pasta as recommended by our Doctor and it is approved for our lifestyle plan so we can still have mac and cheese, spaghetti, etc. There are low carb wraps out there too so we can still have sandwiches, they just have to be in a wrap form. You can cut them up and bake them or fry them and have nachos, quesadillas, etc. There are also recipes for lots of yummy low carb desserts out there. Just this week I made a low carb peanut butter pie that is to die for. It has a crust and everything! Yummo!!!

If you decide to go down this route, I highly recommend the George Stella cookbooks. When we started this journey, I found that without cookbooks we floundered. We ended up eating the same things all of the time because we didn't really understand the variety of things we could make. Its not all just burgers with no buns like many restaurants seem to believe.

Yes, this is how I am feeling. I will check out that cookbook. Thank you