Dieting doesn't work. We know this. But we want to lose some weight and need a kick start. Years ago I was on NutriSystem--three times. I figured out which of their appalling foods I could eat on a regular basis and lost 40 lbs. Of course the minute I came off the diet I gained it all back and then some.
Bottom line: My friend lasted a week and then all the very expensive food was tossed out. It was inedible. When I was on the diet, I ate the hamburger five out of seven nights and never got tired of it and lost weight.
Everything seems to have pasta in it these days. Neither my friend nor I particularly like pasta.
Yup, no typo there. We were going to start yesterday, but the fridge is full of all the wrong foods, so we're going to ease into it.
We did try Atkins a few years back and were so sick of meat after a week that we gave it up. (Mr. L lost 8 lbs. I lost nothing. But I didn't gain anything, either. So, we're game to try it or a version of it again.)
First up, an omelet for breakfast--with cheese. Alas, no bread. In fact, nothing "white" to eat except cauliflower--but we like cauliflower (especially with cheese).
Meanwhile, I'm going to be looking at menu plans and exploring the South Beach version of the diet. (My friend Jenn said Atkins only works for men; South Beach works for women. We'll see.)
So, what was your most successful diet? And are you a yo-yo dieter?
The most weight I ever lost was 50 lbs on L.A. Weight Lost Center. As soon as I did, crap happened and I gained most of it back. Of course L.A. Weight Lost is now defunct.
ReplyDeleteI'm an emotional eater.
I was on Weight Watcher, gained and lost a few. Then I tried South Beach Diet but I don't think I gave it a fair chance.
Jennie Craig and Nutrisystem won't work for me as I don't like frozen meals.
Good luck on your eating healthy plan. I'm on my third week and lost 3 lbs so far.
I lost 70+ pounds on Atkins, the bulk of that over 3 months. I kept the weight off for several years (until after I had a baby and stopped trying so hard). So - I have to say, whoever said Atkins doesn't work for women isn't quite correct. However, I think I also hit the perfect combination to lose weight at the time (was able to swim 3-4 times a week, had no real stressors other than school, and had a fabulous partner).
ReplyDeleteLA Weight Loss helped get 30+ off, but I gained it back...again b/c I stopped actively trying.
I'll have to find the right combination that works again b/c after the twins are born, I gotta do something.
LOL--I'm at the "gotta do something" state, too.
ReplyDeleteI really think Weight Watchers is the best diet, but I'm too stressed right now to count points, etc. The idea of chicken salad and tuna salad on lettuce is pretty seductive to me right now. And eggs for breakfast everyday? (Even if they're only hard boiled.)
Yum!
I'm a Weight Watchers girl, but for me the best weight loss method is LOTS of exercise, no second servings, and very low-fat eating. Right now I'm cross-country skiing for an hour a day when schedule and weather permit. Can't run anymore, but when I did, the weight stayed off great. Atkins and South Park are just not good for my cholesterol, so I don't go there, although lean protein is, as you said, important for not getting hungry again in an hour!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the new regime.
Edith
http://edithmaxwell.blogspot.com/
Edith: two words that will help you with your cholesterol ... "Eat Almonds." Not the roasted kind, but the unroasted "raw" ones. (I buy them at Sam's Club in a 4 lb bag.)
ReplyDeleteWe eat 9 of them every morning (and have for years) and have don't worry about cholesterol at all. (And they're a lot cheaper than Lipitor.)
Have you looked into the Zone diet? It's really based on what diabetics SHOULD be eating--a percentage of your daily calorie intake divided up between carbs, fats and protein. You need all of those things to be healthy. It really is a lifestyle diet that makes sense. Check it out. Calorie counting works and can be sustained if you learn about food. 9 calories per gram of fat, 4 calories per gram of protein and 4 calories per gram of carb. All the information you need is on packaged food.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I have been doing Weight Watchers since September and have both done well with it. They started a new program after Thanksgiving and I highly recommend it. They now focus on the quality of the food, so things with lots of carbs tend to have a higher points value than lean proteins and fruits no longer have any points. Best of luck with whatever diet you choose.
ReplyDeleteYes, almonds! I eat 13 most mornings. Yum.
ReplyDeleteWeight Watchers, definitely. I rejoined in October and was absolutely DREADING the new program. But...it's sooooo easy! And I am not hungry!!! I am eating healthier (more fruit) but still eat ice cream, cookies, cheese... :) I've lost 20 pounds in 3 months and I'm loving it!!
ReplyDeleteThere's a very simple way to lose waight. Eat ONLY when your body tells you you are physically hungery. STOP eating when your body tells you are comfortable. Eat what ever you are hungery for. Just do not eat outside these bounderies. Was 250# am now 155#!!!
ReplyDeleteLOL--Rita, I'm hungry ALL the time! Malice Domestic is coming up at the end of April and I'd like to be wearing my skinnier jeans when the time comes. That's not my only incentive, but it's a big one.
ReplyDeleteI've lost 26 pounds in the past year. I could never stick to a real diet so I changed my whole way of eating. I cut out sweets almost entirely, but in the course of the year I had 2 small soft serve ice cream cones, maybe 2 Dunkin Donuts muffins and 2 donuts, and that's it. I don't eat much meat to begin with, so I fill up on veggies, fruit, and cereal which I love, and I still eat whole grain breads. Soups are good too.
ReplyDeleteI am a Lifetime Weight Watcher, at goal weight now for over three years after losing 50+ pounds. I don't consider Weight Watchers a diet. It is a plan for eating that I am able to consider for a total lifestyle change. We eat 100% whole wheat pasta and breads, lean meats, and lots of vegetables and fruit. I even enjoy some bites of special desserts! Incidentally, youth is not on my side as I will celebrate my 71st birthday in three months.
ReplyDeleteWeight watchers! I've lost 15 pounds so far, and my husband has lost 10. I still have a bit to go, but it's nice to be making changes!
ReplyDelete