What are you doing to stay healthy while losing weight?

[KathyTX]

I know our W.I.S.H.ers are on lots of different plans: Atkins, Weight Watchers, and several others. I'm curious what the philosophies of the different plans are to be sure we still get what our bodies need.

I'm on Weight Watchers. Some of the plan requirements are that you have to eat at least to your minimum point range each day- no fasting or skipping meals. You must have at least 2 Milk servings (3 for teens), 6 glasses of water, and 5 fruits and vegetables. I take a multi-vitamin each day. I try to vary the types of grains, fruits and vegetables I eat to be sure I get a variety of nutrients.

I know when I skip meals or don't get in all the nutrients the program recommends, my weightloss stalls and I feel tired.

How do you make sure you're still getting the proper nutrition and fuel for your body while you're losing weight, on your plan?

 

[tlgoblue]

You must have at least 2 Milk servings (3 for teens), 6 glasses of water, and 5 fruits and vegetables. I take a multi-vitamin each day. I try to vary the types of grains, fruits and vegetables I eat to be sure I get a variety of nutrients.

Have you ever noticed, if you eat all the recommended food, you are too full to cheat? That is what I love about these types of lifestyle changes. They are pretty easy changes to make, and once you practice them long enough, they do become good habits, and old habits tend, to me, at least, to become disgusting.

To answer your question, I do try to put only what is beneficial to my body into my body, and let the rest take care of itself. It is what works for me. I've also noticed an added benefit:My grocery bill has been cut virtually in half, from not purchasing convenience foods. If we want something sweet, we eat fruit. Salty, popcorn, where we can control the amt of fat and salt. Portion control is also key. I never make more that 4 servings of anything. If someone is still hungry, we have fruit or popcorn or a salad. The added bene there is our stomachs appear to be fuller on less. That's always good!

Good luck to you all!

Tracy

 

[John In Illinois]

This may sound overly simplistic, but while following the Atkins Plan, I am for the first time in my life taking a mega-multivitamin. It seems to be working for me, as I have never felt better & more energetic in my life!!

 

[believe]

I am on a program my nutritionist designed. I eat 6 times a day, 13 carbs, 6 protein and 2 fat....even though I usually go over on the fat since it is only 10grams. I take a calcuim vitamin, fish oil vitamin and a multi-vitamin. I exercise 4-5 times a week.

 

[nativetxn]

I follow Atkins and make sure to eat my 2 cups of salad and 1 cup of low glycemic index veggies everyday.

I also take a lot of supplements. Multivitamin, calcium and vitamin C and B complex.

I also try to make sure I eat enough everyday. It's hard to accept that you <b>have to eat to lose</b> but it is true.

Excellent post, Kathy, this is something we need to be careful about. Losing weight in a healthy manner is <b>so</b> important for all of us.

 

[KathyTX]

Originally posted by tlgoblue
Have you ever noticed, if you eat all the recommended food, you are too full to cheat?

Isn't that the truth! This was probably the happiest surprise I had when starting WW. There have been days (okay, not a LOT of them) when it's been a challenge to eat as much as I have to!!

I can't remember *ever* going to bed hungry when following the plan correctly.

 

[Rhonda]

I'm on Atkins too, and I make sure to eat a MINIMUM of 20 carbs per day (mostly with vegetables). Usually I'm around 25-30. I also take a good multi-vitamin and extra calcium.

 

[faith]

No specific diet here, but trying to cut portions, no fried food and no eating after 7 p.m. I take calcium, multivitamin/mineral supplement and Ester C.

 

[TigH]

Good question! I am just following WW so I am eating more veggies and fruits. Unless it's a planned cheat meal, I am not eating anything fried! I measure everything faithfully. And I'm eating mostly unprocessed foods.

I could probably start taking a multivitamin though.

 

[tlgoblue]

I could probably start taking a multivitamin though.

Just a thought inspired by TigH: Ladies, don't forget about calcium. Many "DIETS", by their nature, restrict certain calcium rich foods. As a person quickly approaching 40, I have been instructed to begin calcium supplements. 1200mg/day over and above any I get "naturally". Osteoperosis does run in my family, but even aside from that, any time you are on a restricted plan, it is so important to remember your vitamines and minerals. Take care!

Keep the Faith!
Tracy

 

[anniet]

I follow WW too, so I try to check off my little fruits/veggies and milk boxes and take a supplement, but I need a new one because the one I have has iron in it, which I have problems with!

tlgoblue and KathyTX- The last time I did weight watchers meetings I lost 12 pounds and I was living at home with my parents. I packed my food to bring to work one day and my mother looked at the bag and said "You're going to eat all THAT? I thought you were on a diet!"

 

[Lynn CC]

I walk on the treadmill and use our Bowflex on a light weight just to try to keep everything in place

 

[Debbie]

Keeping track at fitday.com is really helping to keep me focused on the task at hand (or maybe that's the food in hand). I try to remember to take a cal-mag tablet every day for the calcium and magnesium to-heck, there's that word again-focus. Also my stress (B) vitamins. But that one isn't to stay healthy....that's to stay sane when dealing with the teenagers at home, and the needy six year olds at school!

 

[elisebutt]

I'm on the Atkins too and i've started taking a multivitamin and mneral, with extra zinc and copper, also garlic, evening primrose and glucosamine for my joints.
Unluckily for the kids I don't drive and have stopped taking the bus so now we all walk a minimum of 4 mile on school days and 1 a day at the weekends.

 

[SnackyStacky]

I'm a Weight Watcher, and the way that I stay focused is to remember that I'm not changing my habits to lose weight and then eat the way I ate before. As corny and cliched as it sounds, this isn't a diet, it's a lifestyle change.

When I go out to eat, I look at poultry, vegetable, and seafood items instead of pasta with cream sauces, and fried items.

When I get that boredom hunger, I eat a can of green beans instead of a bag of chips.

Small changes make all the difference. At least for me they have!

 

[lmhall2000]

I have got to get daily exercise- something where I'm moving non-stop for 30 minutes or more- this helps change my appetite and cravings- I only snack on fruits or raw veggies- I have all but cut out crackers, chips, pretzels, (quick packaged foods)- I also may snack on a sliver of cheese or olives. The only bread I eat right now (Slim-Fasting) is maybe a half roll with my meal- I try to eat a veggie dinner and meat 4x a week. I have low iron so I try to eat iron rich veggies and beef.
I don't take a multivitamin- I might need to start now that I'm losing steadily. Hope it keeps coming off- but when I get those sinking spells I try and squeeze an afternoon nap- the kids watch Adventures in Virtues and I get a power nap while they lay on top of me! It really energizes me!
Tara