Who Has Had Results With The Ultimate Weight Solution?

[Lucia-1]

Hi,

I have watched Dr. Phil's show since it first aired and have been inspired by the Weight Loss Challenge shows. I finally bought the book last week, am reading chapter one, and I am interested in other peoples experiences with the book. I know Dr. Phil does not believe dieting is the way to lose weight, and after many years of struggle with calorie counting/Weight Watchers, I have made 2004 my year to break out of my "comfort zone" and concentrate on healthy eating and regular exercise.

For me, keeping a food diary meant I was on a diet and in control, if I slipped up, I would not write it down, binge, feel guilty and give up. So far this year I have lost 8lbs with my new lifestyle, but sometimes lose confidence that I can keep it going, so I thought as well as using Dr. Phil's website, I would buy the book as encouragement and to keep me going when confidence or motivation desert me.

I would love to hear from anyone who has found the book has helped them in their weight-loss journey.

Lucia. :)

[diphthong]

Hi Lucia, and welcome! I hope as you read the book you will post your thoughts and comments n the threads for each chapter. We all learn from each other!

I would say that I have had success with the UWLS. Through self-education, mostly from the experience of successful people here at the 3FC forums, I was already doing keys 3-7 before the book came out. What clinched it for me were Keys 1 and 2, and getting my head work going. Before I attempted this journey, I had read Dr. Phil's SELF MATTERS, and told myself that I would try again, one last time giving it my all for 6 months just to see what would happen. When the UWLS came out, it was what I needed at just the right time to pull it all together and get straight with myself.

IMO, what makes it work is the way the keys are presented, and that you have to accept that this is not a "diet and exercise program," but a new way of life - for the rest of your life. Period.

Best wishes for your success!

dip

[Lucia-1]

Hi Dip,

Thanks for your reply. After so many years of "dieting" I am ready for a lifestyle, one which I can live with for the rest of my life. I will post my progress as I go through the book.

Lucia. :coffee:

[Mima]

I loved the book-I do eat pretty healthy and have kept off the weight I lost in TOPS by following WW. WE are in FL so it is so easy to walk every day-ride bikes etc. I do walk but ..........I could be better. I notice that my portion control is not what it should be. I also have changed my self image because of reading the book. Go for it. Mima

[Lucia-1]

Mima,

Thanks for your reply, congratulations on your success with losing your weight and keeping it off :cp: . I am only starting to read chapter one, but I really like Dr. Phil's style, and I feel this is a book I will continue to refer to for years to come. I have watched the Ultimate Weight Challenge programs, and I like that you are given assignments which make you face up to where you are in life, to "get real".

Thanks again Mima for your encouraging reply, much appreciated.

Lucia :flow1:

[comingdown]

Hi Lucia! I started on the Dr. Phil program six weeks ago, and I've lost 21 pounds! The great thing about this program is that the changes I've made are things I can live with. It's easy to make healthy choices if that's all we have in the house. Even my husband and son don't complain about eating fruit instead of potato chips! My whole attitude about food and exercise has changed. I exercise about one hour nearly every day, and I eat so many fruits and veggies now. And it really has become automatic when I go grocery shopping. It's as easy for me to buy broccoli as it was to buy junk before! We still eat out a couple of times a week, but I make healthier choices. And I haven't felt deprived at all! I still have over 100 pounds to lose to reach my goal, but with this lifestyle change, I'm sure I'll do it. It's made such a difference to me! I hope you get as much from the book as I did. Good Luck!~Tammy

[Lucia-1]

Hi Tammy,

Congratulations on your success so far! I have been wondering how quickly I would see results, and your post is encouraging. The first change I have made is cutting out margarine, I have read by doing this you will lose about 20lbs per year!

I don't have a sweet tooth, savoury things are my downfall, hot chips, crisps, in fact potatoes in any way, shape or form :lol: .

Have a great day, and let me know how things are going.

Lucia :flow1:

[comingdown]

Hi Lucia! I know what you mean! I had a hard time giving up potato chips and other salty fried snacks. Giving up sweets was easy, though. I had to cut down on all carbohydrates, they seem to stimulate my apetite! If I start the day eating a carb, I'm hungry all day.

It might seem overwhelming at first, but it's so worth it! You'll love the way you feel, more energetic, healthy! Dr. Phil's program is the only one that really made sense to me. It's more than just a list of foods, it really is a complete change. Getting to the reason I eat so much has helped me to make these changes. I hope you enjoy the book, when I read it I could almost hear Dr. Phil's voice reading it to me!

I wish you good luck!

Tammy

[Lucia-1]

Hi Tammy,

Thank you for your very encouraging reply. I know what you mean about hearing Dr. Phil's voice when you read the book, I feel like I'm sitting in the audience at one of his shows! What I like most about this is that it isn't about food, it goes so much deeper! I have just joined the Easter Challenge, and as one of my goals for April I have put that I will work on not taking people's careless comments to heart, so often I do, and I use food for comfort.

I will keep in touch with you and we can share our progress.

Lucia :flow1:

[comingdown]

Hi Lucia!

I just wanted to let you know I lost another four pounds! For a total of 25! I still have about 100 pounds to go, but the first 25 came off pretty easily. I've adapted to the changes easily, I don't even have to think about it much anymore. It's just become habit to eat healthier. I feel so much healthier and more active this spring than I did last year. I've even dug a nice, big garden so I can grow my own fresh veggies! I'm really excited and I'm so glad I finally read this book! I watched the challengers on the show for months and was afraid to try. I was afraid I couldn't do it. But I can! We all can if we give it a try! Have you had any success yet? I hope so! Keep up the hard work! ~ Tammy

[diphthong]

Tammy!

First of all, Congratulations! on your fantastic loss :bravo:

At what point did you realize that the new behaviour became habit and automatic? After I lost the first 20#, I realized that *it can be done.* And that was the incentive to persist. Have you been able to recognize emotional eating urges and turn your back on them?

I hope you'll join us on the Weekly Discussion and Support Thread. We'd love to hear about your experience as you go, your enthusiasm, and of course, feel free to reach out for support should you need it.

Best!

dip

[comingdown]

Hi Dip!

Thanks for your support! I've been at this for about 8 weeks now and I guess it started to get really easy at about week four or five. Suddenly, I just didn't have to think about it all that much. I buy healthier foods at the grocery store, I prepare my meals in a much healthier way, I eat more fresh veggies, and I eat smaller portions. And of course, I exercise almost every day. I don't belong to a gym yet, but I have lots of workout tapes and I'll just workout right in the living room. I haven't had to struggle with emotional eating all that much. I used to eat for every reason-to celebrate, to console, to cure boredom, out of habit. But something about Dr. Phil's book really hit home with me. I don't even want the foods I used to crave, the results are too important to me. When I do feel like I need a treat, I'm happy with sugar free/fat free treats like Jello or pudding. Or a few low-fat baked Doritos. But I know I've been lucky, it has all been much easier for me than I expected it to be. I've always been heavy, and in fact I haven't even "dieted" much through the years. I always thought it would be too hard! But with this book, it all made sense, and like Dr. Phil says, "six months is going to pass whether you do it or not." So, I just decided to do it. And now that it has become so easy, I know I can do this forever, I don't feel deprived of anything, I don't have to count calories or keep food diaries. I just make healthy choices. I will check out the weekly support thread, it sounds interesting! Thanks again! ~ Tammy

[Lucia-1]

Hi Tammy,

I haven't checked in lately, congratulations on your success :cp: I have decided I will only weigh myself at the end of each month, so April 30 will tell how I am going. I did fall off the wagon over easter :o , I attended a family lunch on Easter Sunday, really enjoyed it, and found it difficult to control my eating for the next few days. I'm headed back in the right direction now.

I have also started clearing ground for a vegie garden, vegies picked fresh from the garden can't be beaten!

I am still reading chapter 1, I find I keep going back over it. Did you? This is the first book I have read about weight loss which has really made me think about why and when I eat. I bought a loose-leaf folder and I am keeping my work from the book as well as my exercise log in there.

To lose so much weight, have you kept a food diary or measured out servings, or have you just trusted yourself to eat well. This is what I have been doing, but the weight loss has been slow.

That's it for now, keep up the good work!

Lucia :flow1: