Weight loss programs

[buzz2400]

I am tired of being obese but fail at dieting on my own. I am thinking of nutrisystem or something like that were food is packaged. Just want to know if anyone was successful and under what program. I need to lose at least 50 pounds.

I won't eat mushrooms, blueberries and I don't like spicy food.

 

[mickeyschickie]

I've lost 60 pounds this year on a low carb Paleo diet. I don't know if I could eat any packaged food long enough to lose weight.

 

[kymom99]

The best method for me in all my years of struggling with weight was Weight Watchers. I tried a program with protein shakes and lost weight but gained it right back. Not worth all the money I spent. I can't make Weight Watchers work for me anymore so it isn't worth the money for me at this time. Have you tried myfitnesspal? It is a good, free resource.

 

[turkey1031]

I've done well on a low carb diet. Eating meat and veggies. It's the only diet I've stuck with for longer than a week. Once you stop eating all the carbs and starches you're not as hungry all of the time. You don't need to calculate points and keep track of them. You don't need to limit your calories. If you're hungry, eat. If you're not hungry, don't eat. Many of my family have also done great with this. My moms off her diabetes meds. It's just so simple to follow. The toughest part is giving up potatoes and pasta and anything with sugar or sugar substitute. Took me awhile to start taking my coffee black but now I prefer it. Good luck on your weight loss journey however you get there.

 

[wenrob]

What makes packaged programs work is that they are automatic portion control. The downside of that is when you finish the program, if you haven't learned to control portions with real food you will just gain the weight back.

The only real solution to losing weight and maintaining the loss is a permanent lifestyle change. This means eating less and moving more. In order to make it work you need to know what a real portion size is and that takes a little dedication and a little work in the beginning using a scale, measuring cups etc until you just know. A lot of people eyeball or guess and have no idea how many calories are in what then wonder why they aren't losing weight. While people who do Paleo, low carb etc are not counting calories by cutting out food groups they are effectively cutting calories, they just don't have to count them. The trick is to be able to maintain that lifestyle. You got to do what works for you because if you don't you'll be right back where you are.

What worked for me was using an app called LoseIt. I eat whatever I want, just less of it. I lost 69lbs and have maintained that within 10lbs for four years. I don't really use the app anymore because I know everything by the back of my hand now. The last year my dad has been very ill, in and out of the hospital I put on a few extra pounds. I KNEW I was doing it and for the time being I simply didn't care but when my jeans got tight I knew I had to get it in hand. I busted out the app, my trusty scale and dropped 6lbs in a little under 5wks. Weight loss is easy, maintaining it is the hard part. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

 

[barkley]

about 20 years ago I did jenny craig and was successful-until I got to the point where I stopped using the prepackaged food and then the weight started coming back. my db is currently on nutrisystem which he's had good success with-SEVERAL TIMES. the problem with both (imho) is neither educates the dieter on how to prepare their own meals with an eye to either continued weight loss or maintenance. I did weight watchers at one point (back when they had their very easy to follow 'fat and fiber' program)-and I did like that with the once per week meetings/weigh ins there was an educational component that helped educate members (the jenny craig's were a joke-because they had so many 'meetings' available in a given week it was the exception vs. the norm that there were any kind of structured meetings with more than one or two people at them).

I'm currently doing the south beach diet (along with dh)-it's the only one we can stick to and not feel deprived. the recipes are challenging to prepare at first, but once you get used to making them they become second nature (and since they are constructed to be 2-4 servings for most we can either half them OR we make the full amount and put them into individual serving containers in the freezer for other nights). we started on 10/1 and I've lost 20 pounds and a wealth of inches (i'll add-I'm menopausal so the weight isn't easy for me to lose, and I've got a knee injury so I haven't been able to do any extra physical activity since starting).


I think one of the packaged programs can be a good way to jump start a diet-but if you choose to do one take the time to start looking at some of the prepare your own ones. that way you could transition to it and start learning what can eventually become healthy eating habits (oh-and if you do nutrisystem check out their deals on Costco, db swears it's much less expensive to purchase through them).

 

[worm761]

I am low carb-ish but that is for health reasons. I am also prediabetic and don't wish to become diabetic.

I agree with the others that the prepackaged food programs only work while you are on them. If you need a program to follow many people have had success with Weight Watchers. I have not tried it so no personal experience. But if you wait until after New Year's to join, they will have nice sales/discounts at that time.

What has been working for me is we joined a gym. Now, I will be the first person to admit I have workout DVD's, YouTube workout videos bookmarked, used to have a weight machine, an elliptical, and a stationary bike and NONE of it was use. It sat there gathering dust. DH and I decided to try doing C25K and we did good for a week or two. Then it would be raining or whatever and we would skip a day. Which led to skipping more days and then just stopping all together. But paying for access to the gym motivates us to go. And oddly enough, I found that I love lifting weights. So we go in and do a 30 minute circuit training program.

 

[kristenrice]

The phrase that sticks in my mind is "Losing weight is easy....just burn off more calories than you take in."

Ok, yes, there is something to be said about carbs, proteins and fats, but like a PP said, when you cut out carbs, you are effective cutting calories. I also found that rapid weight loss is a BAD thing. You really need to focus on losing no more than 1 pound a week. If you consistently drop 3-4 pounds over a few days, you will gain back 6-8 in no time.

I started my path to weight loss in 2008. I weighed 188 pounds so I started counting calories. This led to more healthy choices. I learned to love salad, tomatoes and spinach, all of which I previously shunned. A key for me was to give myself one day each week where I didn't count calories at all. I didn't go on a bender, but I ate dessert if I wanted it. This kept me from feeling deprived. I also learned that I could still have that 220 calorie Snickers bar...but if I went hungry later, it was my own fault. I quickly learned to substitute an 80-calorie vanilla Greek yogurt with a 90-calorie Fiber One brownie as my morning snack. It was 50 fewer calories and far more filling.

Over the course of 5 years, I had lost 35 pounds and got down to 153. I even trained for and completed the Wine and Dine 1/2 marathon last year. Since then, I have let myself go...stress eating, foot injury and no motivation have all led me to pack on almost 20 pounds. So, I'm back on the weight loss train. I did it before and I can do it again. I know it will be slow and tough at times, but it is doable. I will be back to 155 by our trip in June 2016

 

[danygirl]

I have been around the block on this a few times, lost and gained a huge amount of weight

First, I think you could lose on any plan because 99.9% of weight loss is in your head - your commitment your vision your determination

whatever you do, exercise is important. It will make you feel better because you will get all the endorphins, it will give you something to do besides eat, you will meet other people who are also working towards health and fitness and you will find inspiration there. oh, and you can eat more if you exercise.

I find weight watchers works for me. Even when I am not 100% there mentally I can knock off 20 pounds in a few months with weight watchers. With my head in the game I can lose more. The commitment of the weekly weigh in, the encouragement at the meetings, and the plan itself and the online tools are all really good.

I hated nutrisystem. The food sucked it was too salty or too bland and it was really high fiber which messed up my digestion. Did not like a single thing on the plan. IT was outrageously priced, too. You couldn't eat out either

With weight watchers you can eat anything you want, as long as you stay in your points.

My son has lost over 60 pounds on low carb, high protein. Research indicates that this is better for you than was previously believed. For me, I like fruit and carbs too much to do this long term, but adding more protein and cutting down on carbs is a good idea.

 

[pkasbohm]

There is 21 day fix by beachbody. Google it! You use containers to potion out your food and you can choose what you eat. It tells you how much to eat of certain foods per day. I am not a coach, but have used the products. I did have success on it. The one I did also came with exercise videos. I haven't done them yet as I am still recovering from knee surgery.
You could try it. It is something you could benefit from for as long as you want to use it.

 

[GC&S]

I think losing weight is one of hardest things to do because it really is a lifestyle change. I started weight watchers about 7 weeks before our trip in Nov and lost 10 pounds. And I didn't starve myself. The simple start program is easy to follow and I love that they give you a list of what you can eat, not what you can't. I made simple changes - carrots instead of French fries, greek yogurt on my potato instead of butter and sour cream. I limited portions. I measured almonds and put them in baggies so I knew how much I was eating instead of grabbing a large handful out of the bag. Small changes that make a big difference.

When we were at Disney, I usually asked for apple slices instead of fries. Sometimes I got the fries but usually couldn't eat all of them.

I got a cupcake from starring rolls and ate half and saved the rest for later. I never denied myself, just limited how much I ate of it. I gained 1/2 lb on vacation.

I will never ever give up chocolate. But I know I can deal with a small amount. I still have 14 lbs to go but I know I can do it. Slowly and no gimmicks.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[jt'smom]

Because of a health issue from being on long term antibiotics, my doctor put me on the Anti-Candida Diet. It wasn't for weight loss, but because it is low carb, no added sugar, no processed food, no caffeine, basically just veggie, meat, and limited whole grains-dairy-fruit, weight just melts off. I mean steadily, and you have to eat a good bit to NOT lose weight.

I've always had low cholesterol and triglycerides (good genes, I guess), but my numbers dropped even lower on this diet. And since butter is allowed, I eat butter and have whole milk every day. I love butter

If you don't have the gut issues, you probably don't need to do the super rigid first phase, but it just boils down to healthy eating. And it's not a diet, really, because it's basically a lifestyle change. I do miss coffee though. And wine... I really miss wine!

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

I want to second MyFitnessPal as a great and free tool to eating healthy. Combined with good eating habits and an exercising routine, I dropped 12 pounds in 4 months. The Internet was great for figuring out how many calories certain foods were and this website, Skinnytaste, had a lot of good recipes to use. To really portion my meals, I also invested in a food scale.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I lost 50 pounds before by counting calories on My Fitness Pal and doing cardio 5 days a week.

I gained 20 pounds back. Counting every calorie just became time consuming. I've since lost those 20 plus 10. And kept it off over a year now.

Now I just eat clean and work out 5-6 days a week. I started with insanity then T25. I jog sometimes. It's all about staying active someway. I've added weights and just continuously eat clean. I make sure I eat lots of veggies and lean meat. I also make my lunches for the week on Sunday night.

It truly is a lifestyle change. Completely. Losing weight is 80% what you eat. You can't out train a bad diet. I've learned that the hard way.

 

[LJSquishy]

I've tried Nutrisystem, Paleo/Whole 30, My Fitness Pal calorie counting, and even did the Beach Body program Insanity following the nutrition guide and started on P90X3 briefly before making the best decision I've ever made which was to do Take Shape For Life.

I'm currently utilizing Take Shape for Life 5 & 1 plan. I've lost 27lbs in 12 weeks and am now at a healthy BMI (22.01). TSFL uses a personal health coach along with some prepackaged meals but you also prepare your own Lean & Green meal daily using fresh ingredients.

It works. And it's easy. Very easy.

My parents also started this program a few days after I did -- My dad started the program weighing over 300lbs and in 12 weeks has lost over 50! My mom has lost around 30lbs give or take. They both will be on the program longer than I will because they have more weight to lose, but I will be starting my transition (a 6-week detailed process that is part of the program) in a couple of weeks.

Take Shape For Life actually teaches you along the way how you should be eating, what you should be eating, and how to maintain your success long term.

 

[angierae]

My husband and I have been using a Fitbit Flex wristband in combination with tracking food on MyFitnessPal since September 29th. With a goal of losing a pound a week, he's lost 16 pounds and I've lost 13.

Everyone I know who has lost weight on prepackaged food has gained it back as soon as they stop, because you never learn to make better choices. Now I know that I have 1430 calories a day, plus any extra I earn by moving more (my Flex tells MyFitnessPal when I've walked more than the "sedentary" I'm set at, and gives me more calories) and if I eat at those numbers, I will lose weight. This has led to me making better choices because I know once I'm out of calories for the day, that's it.

I'm rarely hungry anymore, because I've learned what keeps me full and what's junk that will leave me hungry in an hour.