What Diet Worked For You?

[kbmoo]

It's getting closer to summer and I really need to think about losing some weight. Anyone have really good luck with a particular diet? any advice or motivation would be great

 

[RunningLilo]

Hey Kathy

Congrats on getting ready to take the step to take care of yourself! I've found HUGE success with the South Beach Diet. I've lost over 50lbs since last July. I was a bread person before that never passed up a sweet snack and now I don't even want them! Ick! I also like this diet because it is cheap! You don't have to pay for monthly meetings. I just bought the book from Wal-mart and keep a folder of ideas & tips I print off the free South Beach internet websites. I've been able to stay on this diet through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even numerous trips to Disney! I'm amazed myself.

If you don't want to go the full South Beach direction, you could always try just cutting out foods with sugar, white flour, or high fructose corn syrup in them. This alone would greatly improve most American diets!

I know that a lot of people on here like how flexible Weight Watchers is so you may want to try that one. You'll have a lot of great support. I had tried WW twice before and had no success. I'd use all my points for a Whopper and then starve the rest of the day!

HTH. Best WISHes on whichever one you choose!

 

[kbmoo]

I thoght about that but I love sweets and starches. How were you ever able to give them up. That is 99% of my diet now.

 

[mikamah]

Hi Kathy,
I have always had success with weight watchers. I am still going, but have not been following very well, and just this week started writing all that I eat down and have been doing better. I found that if I follow the program, I consistently lose weight. It's also a great program because you can work any foods in to your weekly plan. I'm down 17 pounds this time, and am hoping to continue. This board has really given me more motivation. Good luck in what you try.

 

[kbmoo]

Hi Kathy,
I have always had success with weight watchers. I am still going, but have not been following very well, and just this week started writing all that I eat down and have been doing better. I found that if I follow the program, I consistently lose weight. It's also a great program because you can work any foods in to your weekly plan. I'm down 17 pounds this time, and am hoping to continue. This board has really given me more motivation. Good luck in what you try.

Good for you. I did weight watchers 3 years ago and lost alot, but I have gained it all back.

 

[bubba73]

kbmoo - the best diet I have found, and believe me I have tried them all, is eating smart and sensible. All of the diets out there can work and will work for a lot of people but there is a catch. Once you go off of the fad diets, you always will put the weight back on. But if you make a lifestyle change and do it with normal foods that you can eat everyday, then you won't put the weight back on. So my suggestion is to be smart. Eat 5 or 6 small meals a day. Try to make sure you have a lot of protein and vegetables in your diet and limit the breads and sugar. Also, drink a lot of water. That will make a big difference.

 

[norma1223]

You can go on a diet and lose weight temporarily or you can change your lifestyle and lose weight permanently. I lost 30 pounds, going from 150 to 120 pounds, by drastically reducing (but not completely eliminating) refined flour, processed sugar, and starches. I've kept the weight off for more than a year because I continue to eat a healthy diet. But I'm not perfect. I sometimes eat chocolate or other "bad" foods, just not very often. Tonight I had yummy turtle cheesecake, but I probably won't have any more sweets for at least a week. I don't feel deprived because 1) my taste buds have changed and I generally prefer fruit to most sweets and 2) I love the compliments I get.

Try making small changes at first, such as drinking more water, eating X number of vegetables per day, or substituting a healthy food for an unhealthy one. Making gradual changes will increase the liklihood that the changes will stick. The extra weight didn't appear in a couple of months and it probably won't disappear in a couple months.

At some point you will also have to add exercise if you are not currently exercising. Again, start slow, make gradual changes and you will be more likely to make it part of your lifestyle.

Although we all want to look good, IMO the most important reason to lose weight and exercise regularly is for the health benefits. You DESERVE to be fit and healthy!!

I have one last thought to add to my already rambling post. Think positive thoughts. It may be hard to stay motivated during times when you don't see the scale moving in the right direction, but remember that you are on a journey to health and you can't always measure progress by the number on the scale.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[newholidayx2]

Ive been on the fitday.com diet for at least three years now. It got me to goal and helps me maintain.
Honestly I had to cut back on the fat and sodium and fitday helps me keep a visual eye

 

[kbmoo]

You can go on a diet and lose weight temporarily or you can change your lifestyle and lose weight permanently. I lost 30 pounds, going from 150 to 120 pounds, by drastically reducing (but not completely eliminating) refined flour, processed sugar, and starches. I've kept the weight off for more than a year because I continue to eat a healthy diet. But I'm not perfect. I sometimes eat chocolate or other "bad" foods, just not very often. Tonight I had yummy turtle cheesecake, but I probably won't have any more sweets for at least a week. I don't feel deprived because 1) my taste buds have changed and I generally prefer fruit to most sweets and 2) I love the compliments I get.

Try making small changes at first, such as drinking more water, eating X number of vegetables per day, or substituting a healthy food for an unhealthy one. Making gradual changes will increase the liklihood that the changes will stick. The extra weight didn't appear in a couple of months and it probably won't disappear in a couple months.

At some point you will also have to add exercise if you are not currently exercising. Again, start slow, make gradual changes and you will be more likely to make it part of your lifestyle.

Although we all want to look good, IMO the most important reason to lose weight and exercise regularly is for the health benefits. You DESERVE to be fit and healthy!!

I have one last thought to add to my already rambling post. Think positive thoughts. It may be hard to stay motivated during times when you don't see the scale moving in the right direction, but remember that you are on a journey to health and you can't always measure progress by the number on the scale.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Thanks, I appreciate everyones input and help, but yours make the most sense to me right now. I really do know alot about diets, I've tried them all but when it really comes down to it you need to make a lifestyle change. But I am always hoping for that miracle diet. I am sure I am not alone in this. Thanks again everyone. Now I just have to get off my butt and do something about it. I can tell I will be able to get alot of help from this board. Thanks again.

 

[MelanieC]

I do Weight Watchers and like you Kathy, I have gained the weight back too several times. The problem is that we must learn to get healthier and maintain our weight by not looking at it as a diet but a tool to a healthier way of life.

The key is that this is a way of life, not a diet. It's a journey and not a destination. It's easy to loose the weight. It's harder to keep it off. For me, I'm desperately trying to re-learn the all or nothing attitude I have. I seem to think if I veer off for one meal, it means I can eat with reckless abandon for that day or longer. It's about learning that deprivation is not the key.

I love avacado's, peanut butter, nuts, chocolate and cheese. I just learned to fit them into my program. I eat 3-5 avacado's per week. I have learned to eat that in place of my meat, or if I'm having meat with it to make it chicken or turkey and only eat 1 or 2 oz of the meat at that time. I learned in the very beginning that my love for peanut butter was too strong to resist. I thought about it every day till I dug my spoon into the jar and ate spoonfuls because I was craving it. Now I have 1 tablespoon (2 WW points) whenever I want it. I also went to all natural peanut butter that has just peanuts and salt in it. I also keep bags of various raw unsalted nuts in my refrigerator and I will have a half serving (14g) of nuts whenever the mood hits me. I often take 14g to work as a snack. Its high in protein and good fats. In moderation its a healthy snack. I love cheese and I buy fat free for quesadillas that I eat often using whole wheat all natural tortillas. I buy low fat cheese for when I want cheese and crackers. I keep low fat feta in my refrigerator and use that on salads, wraps, etc. Chocolate is my newest thing I've learned to work into my program. I found a very high cocoa content chocolate that even has cocoa nibs inside the dark chocolate. I seperate it into 15 chunks that are 6 grams each. Each chunk is .5 points. It's heavenly to have a chunk or two each day. It also doesn't break my points bank and I really think the good chocolate makes me happy. I try to really savor and enjoy each piece.

So what I am trying to teach my self, and it's been a slow process is that this is about a life change. It's not about something I do till I loose the weight and then quit and go back to eating the way I do forever. It's about eating right 90% of the time and the other 10% can be indulgences that make you happy. This is something I must learn this time. I'm tired of loosing the same weight over and over.

I also thinkg that consistant exercise is a huge key. You eat healthier and want to full your body with healthy things when you exercise.

Good luck in your decision. Choose a program you can live with forever and enjoy the changes you make to leading a healthier life forever.

 

[polly p]

You name it, I've done it. Diet Center, LA weight loss, weight watchers, slim fast, south beach, atkins and then some. I can usually lose weight with all of them, but some are harder to stay on than others.

The best one for me to stay on after dieting is weight watchers because you can be more flexible. LA weight loss is where I lost the weight the fastest because they weigh you every other day so you stick to it.

Now it takes me longer to take weight off so I weigh myself every day or every other day and I have a magic number, when I hit it I diet, that way I only get up about 8 lbs. It's much easier to take off than 25!

Good Luck, pick a diet with the foods on it you know you'll be able to stick with.

 

[kbmoo]

The key is that this is a way of life, not a diet. It's a journey and not a destination. It's easy to loose the weight. It's harder to keep it off. For me, I'm desperately trying to re-learn the all or nothing attitude I have. I seem to think if I veer off for one meal, it means I can eat with reckless abandon for that day or longer. It's about learning that deprivation is not the key.

So what I am trying to teach my self, and it's been a slow process is that this is about a life change. It's not about something I do till I loose the weight and then quit and go back to eating the way I do forever. It's about eating right 90% of the time and the other 10% can be indulgences that make you happy. This is something I must learn this time. I'm tired of loosing the same weight over and over.

You are so right. I am the same way. I have a really hard time of being on a diet. If I screw up I'm doomed for the rest of the day. I just figure I"ll start tomorrow. There is a Weight watchers program in my area on Tuesday. I think I'll go join to get a jump start. But knowing me, I will be pigging out on everything I like til then. Thanks

 

[dvcgirl]

You can go on a diet and lose weight temporarily or you can change your lifestyle and lose weight permanently. I lost 30 pounds, going from 150 to 120 pounds, by drastically reducing (but not completely eliminating) refined flour, processed sugar, and starches. I've kept the weight off for more than a year because I continue to eat a healthy diet. But I'm not perfect. I sometimes eat chocolate or other "bad" foods, just not very often. Tonight I had yummy turtle cheesecake, but I probably won't have any more sweets for at least a week. I don't feel deprived because 1) my taste buds have changed and I generally prefer fruit to most sweets and 2) I love the compliments I get.

Try making small changes at first, such as drinking more water, eating X number of vegetables per day, or substituting a healthy food for an unhealthy one. Making gradual changes will increase the liklihood that the changes will stick. The extra weight didn't appear in a couple of months and it probably won't disappear in a couple months.

At some point you will also have to add exercise if you are not currently exercising. Again, start slow, make gradual changes and you will be more likely to make it part of your lifestyle.

Although we all want to look good, IMO the most important reason to lose weight and exercise regularly is for the health benefits. You DESERVE to be fit and healthy!!

I have one last thought to add to my already rambling post. Think positive thoughts. It may be hard to stay motivated during times when you don't see the scale moving in the right direction, but remember that you are on a journey to health and you can't always measure progress by the number on the scale.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

This is a great post. I'm new to reading the WISH board. I really thought it was exclusively a dieting board but didn't realize that it was also a "stay healthy" board. I see a lot of "want to lose weight for Disney" and "need to lose weight for wedding" posts here and I just wanted to say....this doesn't work. BTDT and finally after years of gaining and losing the same 20+ pounds over and over (usually on WW) for this affair or that affair....I have finally found the answer. Eating wisely and exercising regularly. No duh right?

For me the answer has been cutting out all refined carbs...no white flour, no high fructose corn syrup, no trans fats (but good fats are a regular part of my diet). I do eat lots of carbs, but they are all in the form of whole grain products, fruits and veggies. The other answer....keeping the three main meal portions smaller and adding three decent-sized snacks per day. So we almost eat six small meals per day. This has been *huge* for me. I no longer have that tired feeling in the afternoon like I used to get. I attribute this to eating really healthy foods and eating at least every three hours. A typical day for me....

Breakfast: small bowl of Nature's path cereal with skim milk.

Mid-morning snack: smoothie with skim milk, FF yogurt, banana, strawberries, flax seed, vanilla whey protein powder and ice.

Lunch: 1/2 whole wheat pita with turkey, FF cheese, mixed greens, tomato, onion, red pepper with balsamic vinegar and olive oil

Mid afternoon snack: one apple with 2 tbspoons natural peanut butter

Dinner: three bean chili with ground turkey breast

evening snack: either a smoothie or a piece of fruit and some almonds.

This is about 1,600 calories per day. Some days a little more, some a little less. But I don't count calories.

The other big change for me was taking the focus off of cardio and onto weight training and core strengthening exercises. I strength-train 3 days per week for one hour each session....and do high intensity interval training on the bike or treadmill 2 days a week. The HIIT work-outs are only 1/2 hour but they are intense getting my HR up in the 80-90% range during the intense intervals.

Remember, for every pound of muscle you add to your frame you burn an additional 50 calories per day. One pound of fat burns 2 calories per day. So by adding just 10 pounds of muscle to your body it becomes much more efficient and burns an additional 500 calories per day.

WW definitely works as it is essentially a calorie restricted diet. While WW encourages its clients to fit certain servings of food groups in per day, many people use it as a strict calorie counting diet. Therein lies the problem with it, well for me anyway. It simply wasn't enough food....and you are getting a lot of empty calories. I'd lose weight, but as I lost, I'd get less points and my body would go into starvation mode, making it more difficult for me to lose. WW also really punishes you for having any good fat in your diet. Good fats make up about 25% of my calories on any given day. I imagine that on WW, with my current way of eating that I'd be around 38+ points per day. When I was on the WW plan I was always allowed 25 points or less....and yet, I don't gain weight on the eqivalent of 38+ WW points because the food I put in my body is all healthy and essential for my body. And because I've added muscle to my frame, my body *needs* those calories that WW would never let me have.

You really have to look at your body as a machine. Put the right fuel in and keep all of the moving parts working properly and the machine runs most efficiently. Does this mean that I never "cheat"? Of course not, we have at least one "cheat" meal per week, but when we find that we're even making better choices. A really good diet has to be something that encourages healthy food choices and something you can live with forever. Anything less than that and it won't work, or you'll fall off the wagon.