What have you all been successful with? I'd like to lose 20 pounds!!!!
I find myself wanting to eat all day long, and am not currently exercising, but plan on starting on my stationary bike TODAY!
Just wanted to know what was working for some of you out there.
KK

kk, The Zone and a solid exercise regime worked for me in the past, but I now weigh more than I have in ages. I'd love to join you in this pursuit of healthiness.

Perhaps an MB WW support group should be formed in honor of this plump time of year...

JustJ,
That would be cool! We could check in once a week or so and let everyone know how we're doin!
What is the zone?
KK

Find things you like to do more than eating. For me, I'd much rather read a book. Or be with friends. Shopping anyone?

Find things you like to eat MORE than fettucine alfredo. Fresh fruit, for example? That one can be hard. If you hate carrot sticks, don't plan a diet around them. You'll only be waiting for the diet to end.

Start thinking of things you can do to change your eating habits for the REST OF YOUR LIFE. For example, drinking your coffee without sugar. Too often, we go on a short-term "diet" for a short-term end, and psychologically we are setting ourselves up to binge later. Start thinking of ways to change your life forever.

Don't keep bad-for-you food around the house. If there's no chocolate around, you probably won't eat it.

Don't try completely cutting out foods that you will never do without. I couldn't live without cheese. If I try cutting out cheese, I'm setting myself up for failure.

Drink more water. Often I eat when I am only dehydrated.

Read a few health-food books on what's in the food you normally eat. It will gross you out.

If you took ten years to put on the weight, take ten years to take it off. Start reversing habits.

Fall in love. Great diet. And fun.


Not naturally skinny, but skinny now,
Annamaria

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by A.M.Martin:
<strong> Don't keep bad-for-you food around the house. If there's no chocolate around, you probably won't eat it.
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">This is really critical for me. If it's there, I will eat it. If it's not there, I will eat celery.

<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">
Don't try completely cutting out foods that you will never do without.
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Also critical for me - I don't do well completely denying myself anything. Leads to binging.

Although I have successfully lost weight on just about every fad diet in the world, what's working for me now is the tried and true "counting calories." My daughter and I log our food on www.fitday.com and keep our calories between 1,500 - 1,700 per day. So each day's food looks a little different. Today I had a protein shake for breakfast, catfish, green beans and bok choy for lunch (I eat out in the city at lunch time), and will be having salad and pot roast for dinner. I also just finished a little brownie, so I doubt I'll have enough calories for a snack tonight unless it's pickled okra!

I wholeheartedly agree with the water comment as well. When I find myself searching for juicy foods, I know I'm dehyrdrated, not really hungry.

K

I've lost 46 pounds on my own (Yikes! Scarey to think how big I was!!) and am still losing! What worked for me best was small steps. Don't think of it as dieting. Think of it as lifestyle changes!

I started by cutting out pop, kool-aid and juices and drinking as much water as possible every day. They say you should drink at least 1/2 an ounce for half of your weight. So if you weigh 150lbs, you should drink at least 38 oz of water per day. I try to drink at least 1 oz for half my weight. Then cut back on fast foods as much as possible. Switch to wheat or whole grain breads. Use cooking spray to cook instead of butter. If you do use butter, make sure the labels says " NO TRANS FATS", this is the bad kind of fat!

Also, educate yourself as much as possible on nutrition. You not only want to lose weight but keep it off and stay healthy. Read the book, " The Glycemic Revolution". This is an excellent source of info used by many diabetics to control their blood sugar. High levels of blood sugar is a major source of weight gain but you'd be surprised at what foods will raise your levels and which are considered safe! Good luck!

Oh yeah and no more salt! The foods we eat now already have enough sodium in them, more than we need. Instead use Mrs. Dash or pepper.

I was just talking to a woman today who has lost 40 lbs since May. She gave up all breads and pasta products. She eats one type of food in a day. Like all meats one day, all vegis another day. She doesn't eat very much red meat. She does eat potatoes a couple of times a week. She doesn't feel deprived. She stretches and exersises moderately. She feels great and has lots of energy. She takes vitamins and mineral supplements.

I've also heard good things about the Paleo diet. You can look it up on the web.

I personnally don't have a weight issue. When I do it is usually when I should gain some.

Personally, I have been on the "infidelity diet." Lost 45# in three months since D-Day #1. WOULDN'T RECOMMEND IT.

In the past I have chosen Weight Watchers because it emphasizes a healthy way of eating -- not a diet. You can get lots of information on Dotti's Weight Loss Zone -- I think the website is dwlz.com and there's no charge to use that website. They list points for almost any restaurant food you could think of in case you eat out a lot. Also menu plans, recipes, etc.. You could easily lose 20# on WW.

first, recognize there is a difference between losing weight and losing fat. which would you rather do?

second, eat better food in smaller, more frequent sittings (five or six per day). this lifts your metabolism which burns fat.

third, exercise daily and really push yourself. a workout without intensity is wasted effort.

fourth, don't skip meals. it shuts your metabolism down which tells your body to store fat.

there's no magic. and like mb it's simple but not easy.

if you want a good book that teaches you how to do all of this, click here.

I did the cabbage soup diet about 9 years ago and lost 20 pounds. Then I went to Slimfast and exercising and lost another 40 or so pounds.

However, I've since gained back over 25 and would also love to lose some.

I have several workout videos from collagevideo.com. They have a huge selection. I just got a new dvd of Christi Taylor and I really like it. It is very challenging and difficult but it will be a long time until I am bored with it.

My problem is finding a time to work out. It is my goal to get at least 4 times in next week. This week is out because of basketball games and Christmas events. I'm hoping to just not gain any weight over Christmas and then start losing come January 1.

I think a support group sounds awesome! I have 2 weddings, a trip to Vegas and a trip to Gulf Shores with a lot of skinny friends next year and I need help, too!

On NY Day I'm throwing all leftover Christmas cookies out the door!!!!

Toofargone:

Are you on WW online? I was thinking about joining that but wasn't sure if I would use it or not......
DB

kk - good advice from others so far. I can also endorse weight watchers, joined with a friend about 12 yrs ago, haven't been in years since goal weight has been achieved, but they offer a program that becomes a lifestyle. I also avoid "white" foods such as white bread, potatoes, and pasta. Instead we substitute whole wheat bread and pasta (check that whole wheat is first ingredient) and yams or sweet potatoes for white pots (luckily my kids love them so it works). Also, LOTS of water. Eat smaller meals throughout the day (as many as 5, think of it as "grazing") as this keeps your metabolism at optimum rate.

Also think about adding weight training to your workouts - increases fat burning and metabolism - and helps maintain bone mass (especially important if osteoporsis is a health issue). Note that with weight training, you may notice a higher than desired weight on the scale, but you'll notice a drastic change in clothes size - muscle weighs more - so don't be discouraged by the number on the scale. And you'll notice results in a shorter period of time.

Most importantly, over-eating is often an emotional response. Search for your answers if you think that contributes. And, finally, make exercise fun. I ping-pong between wanting to workout alone (running, weight workouts) and socially as a group (power cycling, classes at gym, etc). Variety works best for me.

I commend you for making a healthy lifestyle an important goal! GOOD LUCK and keep us posted on your progress. Oh, and I also worked out with a trainer for a while - accountability can be a good thing!

Thanks to everyone for these wonderful responses. I have been successful in the past with losing on diets like Atkins, or WW, but just have never stuck with anything. I teach school, and when I get home I'm SO tired. But, I know that regular exercise can help that, so I am looking forward to starting on my stationary bike. I am ordering a spinning video online, so I'm excited about that.
I will get back to all of you later. Thanks again.
When would you all like to start the accountability group. Should we wait until Jan. 1? What will we call ourselves?
KK

kk, I really love the Atkins diet and have been on it for almost 5 years. Its so nice having the freedom to not worry about my weight or health anymore. [cholesterol went from 318 to 208] I lost 40 pounds on it and have so much more energy in my 40's than I had in 20's. The thing that I love the most about it is that I am never hungry and have so many good foods to choose from.

I was never able to stick with diets where I had to limit calories or was hungry. Anyway, if you wanted to give Atkins another whirl, I could give you a hand!

Melody Lane,
That would be awesome. I have the Southbeach diet book, and it is somewhat like the Atkins, so I will probably go that route. I'm with you, it is too hard to count points, or calories, or fat grams to me. I also like the freedom of the Atkins diet, but I do love sweets, I just need to stick with it long enough to get over the cravings.
Do you ever crave anything? Will Christmas dinner be difficult for you?
Thanks for the help.
KK

kk, I haven't had cravings in years. They pretty much all went away after the first 8 weeks. I was a SERIOUS sugar addict and had to have sugar every day. Fortunately, when you don't have it you don't miss it anymore. [sometimes I get slight cravings at TOM]

For Christmas dinner I am having fried turkey, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie [crustless and sugar free - very good!] with whipping cream. I may whip up some bread stuffing made from low carb bread, too. I will make mashed taters and gravy for my DH and son.

I used to cheat on holidays and then I felt like hell for 3-4 days and always gained water weight. It was never worth it. It then occurred to me that there are so many wonderful legal foods that I didn't to cheat. So, I have stayed cheat free on holidays for the past 3-4 years.

There is now all manner of low carb sweets on the market, including chocolate bars, ice cream, etc. The bad thing about that crap is that it does nothing to stop cravings and often causes weight loss stalls. One thing that we eat alot of in the low carb world is sugar free cheesecake. It is WONDERFUL!

We low carbers have a very supportive forum at http://www.low-carb-friends.com/bbs/index.php The main low carb lobby is where most folks hang out. Come on over!

I did "Body for Life" and it worked like a charm.
A serving of protein and "good carbs" six times a day - yes - eat six times a day and of course follow the workout regime.

I think, tho, just cutting back on portions, cutting back on both fat and certain carbs - ie: choose brown rice instead of white, or whole wheat pasta instead of white...you can achieve the success you desire without putting yourself on a DIET. Have one day where it doesn't matter - enjoy what you want and then on the other six days - follow your plan.

I've lost almost twenty pounds in the last six months and I've been working out with weights and muscle weighs more than fat-- my body fat percentage has gone WAY down and I feel great. Lots more energy and just better about myself.

WAY WAY WAY better way to lose weight than the "infidelity diet"!!

I bought a book about a month ago called "Intuitive Eating". In it, it says that overeating for emotional reasons can be a signal to you that you need to change what you are doing. Let's see -- I've gained 30 pounds since Tom broke my arm two years ago today, 10 of them since starting the second attempt at MC in September.

We switched MC as of last week. This is the last try. I faced the fact that Tom is negotiating how much he can hurt or disregard me, and I don't want to live that way. The POJA doesn't make sense to him. He sees it as a limitation on him that is extreme. What I see it as is simple thoughtfulness...let's make what I do work for you.

I never thought I'd see some benefit to weight gain but now I do. It told me to stop MC that is more a negotiation for how much I'll tolerate to keep the trappings of M than it is an attempt to build a happy marriage.

I've lost 4 pounds since Thanksgiving. The only thing I am focusing on from the book is to savor my food. What the book says is, "If you don't love it, don't eat it. If you eat it, savor it." or something to that effect.

Melodielane,
I'm gonna try to start today on my Atkins. Wow! 8 weeks before the cravings went away? How did you stand it? I went 2 weeks once, but I was still craving stuff, then I gave in. Maybe if I can keep the whole picture in sight, i really do want to do it this time!!!! This time it's for me. Before, I always tried because my X was always bugging me about me weight.

Alberta,
You sound like you are doing great!!!! You must have a lot of willpower. I know it must be a great feeling to have met your goal. You sound like you are going to keep on the road to wellness, since you have made it a lifestyle change.

Broken H and A, That book sounds neat, I may have to see if i can find it. It makes a lot of sense.
Especially the part about savoring your food. Sometimes I just hurriedly eat everything on my plate without thinking about it...even stuff I don't like!
Thanks for your reply. Good luck!
KK