How are you losing weight?
 

Hello..I have been trying to lose weight for a while now. Lost 35 pounds when I got divorced but still wanting to lose another 50.

I was wondering are majority of you doing this by counting your calories or WW or another program?

What about working out, more than an hour a day or approx 30 mins a day of cardio and weight lifting after?

Thank you for you help in advance.

I started out counting calories. It was really working for me and then I just got stuck. I started WW online this week. so far I really like it!

I'm working out between 30 minutes to an hour typically every day if I can get to the gym (I'm working on being more consistent!) I stopped lifting weights but I plan to start again this week :)

Great Question!!!

Through years an years of experience, I have decided that as you change (age, cognitively, physically, lifestyle, etc.) you must also change how your diet/exercise.

When I first started dieting I was in high school and did Weight Watchers. Which in my opinion gave me a great foundation for the basics of eating healthy; this program helped me understand portion control, reading nutritional labels, the importance of fiber, exercising, and so forth. I lost 25pounds.

Later in life I wanted to become even more health conscious, especially when it came to food. Weight Watchers concentrated mostly on calories, fat, and fiber. I took this to another level for myself and started to look at other nutritional values such as carbs, sodium, etc. When I was doing WW religiously with all of their food products (like Lean Cuisine) I was always so shocked that most of those meals had tons of Sodium. Since then, I have really eliminated most frozen foods from my diet.

This then progressed into an unprocessed food plan for myself, which was sparked by the local farmers market near my house : ) Yummy. Now I am continuing to eat an unprocessed food lifestyle which has led me to be very creative in the kitchen when I am preparing food.

As far as exercise I try to go 3times a week for an hour. I have always gotten the best results in terms of losing weight when i hit the 500cal mark at the gym. I also think that being involved in group classes at the gym help me be more accountable (i hate the idea of leaving earlier and everyone watching...haha).

Hope this helps!

PS I was always under the impression that when you are at the gym you should do weights first then cardio. I am assuming the idea is that when your muscles are nice and warm after a few reps they will burn more fat during the cardio workout : ) Also, if you use small weights and high reps you will get tone, if you do the opposite you will get more buff. Just a tip that I have noticed with myself.

I'm eating between 1200-1500 calories a day, using an iphone calorie counting app on my phone.

I don't typically cook for myself (I've never been big on cooking), so I usually eat a combination of premade meals and out at restaurants - I'm just careful to keep track of the calories using their online nutrition information. For snacks I eat quick-grab things like small packages of Greek yogurt, protein shakes, and "100-calorie" packs.

I don't currently have an exercise regime - I bought some weights to lift at home but haven't started yet. In the past I would fail at my exercise first, then get discouraged, say 'what's the point' and give up on the diet/exercise entirely. I just find the diet a LOT easier personally than adding in daily exercise. So, this time I decided I would start with the diet till I saw significant success and then slowly try to work in some exercise that I find manageable.

So far this is working out well for me - it's only been a little over 3 months but this is the longest I've consistently stuck to a plan, and I'm still feeling good about it. I don't feel deprived of foods - I still go out and drink too much with friends every now and then, or share a dessert - but overall I keep track so I know it can slow my loss but I'm not going to be derailed long-term.

I know everyone says you "have" to exercise to make it work, but I say do what works for you. It's obviously better if you include exercise (for both vanity and health), but don't think it's impossible to do it without.

The Sonoma Diet, and I try to walk everyday for at least 30 minutes. I also do about 15 minutes with free weights for my upper body.

Calorie counting (1200-1500/day.) The rest for me is just being mindful of mealtimes and hunger. I always used to graze, and now I'm actually planning when I eat a little better. For hunger, I just limit carbs and sugars, and often snack on protein bars, fruit & veg. I'm still trying to eat healthier, but I've made a lot of progress.

I'm relatively active, but I don't really count it toward any weight loss effort. I just mind what I eat, and I only exercise to feel better. I'm vegan, but that hasn't had anything to do with my weight loss (or else why would I have gained? lol)

I eat a clean whole food vegetarian diet, I do intermittent fasting almost every day and I exercise (not too much lately :( )
No counting, planning, preparing..

I count calories (1200-1400 a day) and work out 60-90 minutes (mostly cardio... running, elliptical, zumba and also pilates) 5-6 days a week.

I'm starting WW this week, actually today was my first day!! I was already eating healthy, but I needed a plan that would allow me to eat what I wanted while still monitoring my intake...I was counting my calories, but I need that support since I'm not getting at home...I've seen people around me get great results from the program, my grandma lost about 100 lbs. I don't need to loose that much, but 20-35 lbs. would be nice.... I was wondering if anyone else has has done weight watchers and how long it took them to see results?? Thanks :D

I use a high protein diet. and it's been working for me. I've lost 10 pounds in a month and I had to give away some pants because I lost a bit of my gelly-belly ;). I don't have an exercise plan :(, can't seem to prioritise that with my schedule, but I try to include more exercise in my day to day life: I do park further at the grocery store and at school and I use the stairs.

Last time, I went from 288 to 160 in a little over a year with no exercise before 180. I counted calories, eating around 1400. Now I eat 1200 and use a bodybugg to estimate the value of my exercise, averaging 1250 calorie deficit/day. I've lost almost 30lbs in my first month and a half.

I calorie count and try to stay <1600 a day, but sometimes its <1800 a day if I worked out a lot. I just started juicing today! :)

I go to the gym everyday, doing a large amount of cardio and weight lifting and I do the Insanity workout DVDs. I usually work out about 90 minutes a day.

I take vitamin supplements and fiber supplements.

I also make a point to stay very well hydrated.

I count calories (1200 to 1500), drink water and have just started C25K (which I am loving!).
I've found that the more water I drink, the better. So I literally carry around a 1L bottle of water and aim to fill it up 3 times a day. Besides water, I squeeze half a lemon into warm water before breakfast (to help with digestion) and drink green tea! That and keeping a diary of my weight and what I've eaten really helps me with sticking to this diet.

Calorie counting :) It's the most intuitive, simple, and flexible method for me. Plus it's a lifestyle change, not something I can only participate in if I subscribe to it.

Also doing IF (intermittent fasting), eating lower carb (150 g a day), and lifting 2x a week, cardio 1-2x a week. These are for fitness and health reasons purposes, not weight loss purposes, though.

I eat whole foods, meal plan, calorie count and/or weight watchers (I go back and forth with how I feel like counting, but they end up the same), and exercise when I can - I'm single mom to a four year old, so we go for walks together, my friends and I like to hike, and I go to the gym for running/lifting - but I'm not really religious about the gym due to time constraints.

Good old calorie counting ( 1350-1700/day) usually the lower end though unless Ive done a lot of exercise or am particularly hungry. I started out low carbin' it with the south beach diet. It works very well but once I realized I could still have my carbs and lose I started eating mostly low GI fruit and brown/ wheat, clean carbs. (which is still the overall premise of the SB diet now that I think about it.)
I workout 6-7 days per week which may seem like a lot but I almost feel like my body is programmed to move almost everyday now...

I count calories 1200 sometimes less sometimes more, just depends on the day.

My husband and I have been walking at least 30 minutes 5-6 times a week for the last couple weeks.

I drink NOTHING but water, it's been over a month since I stopped everything else.

I've developed some kind of "allergic" reaction to anything with anything resembling bread [white or wheat doesn't matter] & caffeine & dairy [not butter for some reason] & cocoa & greasy, greasy foods. I get severe migraines, so I usually only eat things like meat, vegetables & fruits.

Counting calories... I usually end up with two 1300 calorie days, four 1500 calorie days, and one 1800 calorie day. I'd like to change that to five 1200-1300 calorie days per week and two 1800 calorie days (hint: weekends!!)

I've been working out 5 times a week, mostly cardio. I try to do three days for an hour, and 2 days for 30mins. I've only been doing strength training in my arms, as they're a problem area which I think I could improve. (Other problem area is stomach, but I sorta think that is a lost cause).

Counting calories, usually 1200-1400, although 90% of the time it's 1200.

I mean PURE counting calories. While I do eat healthy, if I want something considered unhealthy, I will eat it as long as it fits into that range. Yes, that includes fast food. I can't handle fast food more than once every two weeks though.

I love Wendy's chicken nuggets :(

Calorie counting but not too strict... whenever people ask how I've lost so much weight and what plan I'm on, I say "The Lisa Diet" because I'm really just doing my own thing here! I eat a lot of fruit, fresh veggies, yogurt, light cheeses, almonds, chicken, tuna... plus I prepare my own meals and don't rely too much on processed foods... which is hard with a 4 year old! :) I do eat Smart Ones at work sometimes- if I dont have time to make anything else. and TONS of water and working out at least an hour 4x or more a week. I used to use the excuse that I don't have time to go to the gym, but then I started to realize I would get home and sit down and watch TV for much more than an hour- that I could fit the gym in if I can fit TV in! So I usually do a class (because its more fun!) or I walk/run for an hour.

I decided that this time, I wasn't following any "plan". Plans didn't work for me- they never taught me how to live AFTER weight loss, and I ALWAYS gained it back plus some. I am making my own plan- learning new ways to cook for myself and my family, being more aware of the nutrition of things I eat, and having an attitude that it is about SO MUCH MORE than weight loss- this is my LIFE. And you know what? If I decide I REALLY want to go to Pizza Hut (My favorite! hehe) then we GO. Of course, I try not to make a habit of it, and I may work a little harder at the gym that night...but I will NOT deprive myself of life :) I still go to crab feasts, bull roasts, and other social events where food is the main event... but I am more concious now of portion sizes. So if I want to have a crabcake, I have one- just not 3...haha! I am loving it so far- I don't feel deprived at all! Be encouraged everyone- if I can do this, so can you!

I don't count calories or do a program. I eat more fruits and vegetables (most of the time I still eat junk food) than I do everything else and try to exercise 4 or 6+ hours a week. I started out not exercising so much but I realized it helps the weight loss accelerate for me. I eat until I'm full and snack a lot. It's a slower idea of losing weight (because it's trial and error) but it's worked out for me. I'm hoping because I used this way I'll keep the weight off because I'm forming habits and I like the foods I'm eating and I enjoy exercising (most of the time, I get sulky like everyone else from time to time).

I don't count calories, I learned portion control.. I prepare all of my meals. I've always been a clean eater( veggies, fruit, whole grains etc.) I'm not to much of a meat eater but I do eat it. I eat chicken, fish, lots of seafood & turkey. I drink tons of water & green tea. I workout out 5xs a week... I don't deprive myself from sweets because I'm not a big fan of snack cakes, candy bars, chips, cookies, etc. For example I may eat 3-4 oreo cookies in one day but will not want them anymore for the rest of the month. I really would have to crave something sweet in order for me to eat it.. I don't care for chocolate so I guess that's a big plus :)...

I'm down to 183.8 (12lbs) and I started at 196.5 in August.. I would have been down more if I exercised like I was supposed to lol

I have had success with calorie counting in the past. You can loss weight by diet alone without exercise. But I found that exercise helps me to control my diet that much better. Because I feel I worked really hard at burning off the calories and I don't want to screw it up with over eating. I use two iPhone apps, Loseit and MyFitnessPal. Either one will work.

I also calorie count and eat mostly whole foods. Although on days where I am craving other stuff, I allow myself to eat it, but I still stay within my predetermined calorie range.
I run 5 days a week, 1 day is cross training and 1 day is rest.
I lost 101 lbs. in 11.5 months. :)

Moderation really is key! And so is timing of what you eat. I eat all the fresh vegetables and fruits around. I eat plenty of chicken breast, turkey, and fish. I stay away from white carbs at all times and eat brown carbs ( whole grain pasta, brown rice, and bran cereal) in moderation before 5pm. I stop eating after 7pm ( unless its a fruit or fresh veggie snack). I drink loads of coffee and green tea and sweeten them with splenda ( once you aquire the taste its pretty good). I dont deprive myself. I know that my diet is very healthy because it consists of low sodium ( no frozen packaged food and no processed meats), I eat healthy fats like avocados and olive oil. If i want to drink a latte at Starbucks, or if I want to get that turkey sandwich fromt he deli thats made with cheese and mayo, Ill get it. A little bad fat or a little bad sugar each day is okay, as long as its a little and as long as you make up for it in the gym.

Eating 3 meals a day and training for a 10k and currently a half marathon has brought me success so far. The training includes 3 runs, 3 cross training and 3 strength training sessions a week.

I'm now following the Insanity Nutrition Guide. It's not a diet though - it's just a healthy way of eating. I eat 5 meals a day totalling in 2200 calories, but the food itself is all healthy. It's vegetables, fruits and whole grain carbs. Some of you might think 2200 is too much, but when you're exercising hard 6 days of the week your body needs the fuel!

weight watchers online and running.

i started first with running-- i bought cute running clothes and a good pair of shoes and sports bra. then, I set the goal of running a half marathon in a year. i finished couch to 5k and have fallen in love with running around the neighborhood. i'm shocked that I can now run 3 miles at a time and counting.

i was annoyed that my eating habits were keeping me from losing weight even though i was getting stronger and losing inches, so i decided to to try weight watchers online again. its been working now that i realized that weight watchers wants you to work out at least 18 points a week-- something i didn't realize the first time around. and also, i'm not afraid to use my points and am not cheating on my food log...

I guess I am going to step out of the box... I am doing Ideal Protien. Its pretty exspensive, but I am getting some AMAZING results.... So I can't/don't complain about the price.

For about 6 weeks I have been very low carb, and Atkins induction for three weeks or so before that. For my goals of losing fat and gaining muscle, Dirty Carnivore is the way to go! (BTW it's pretty much meat, cheese, and eggs with spices when I want them)

And I don't work out. I play with the kids or hula hoop but have not got the time or will to do anything more formal.

I work out about 3-5 days a week running and doing kettle bells. I recently added situps and pushups because I wanted to be able to actually do them. I eat anywhere from 1400-2000 calories a day, depending. I zig zag through the week, and this has brought be pretty great success.

Losing weight the ol' fashioned, true-blue way: eating healthy, small portioned foods and staying active.

You can see the link in my signature for a more detailed explanation but essentially I do the following:

1. Eat pretty much no sugar (just 1x/week, which constitutes of 1 serving of chocolate)
2. Eat no white flour (only whole wheat+lots of grains)
3. Cut out artificial sweeteners, so no pop :(
4. Moved around meal timings to help with hunger
5. Heavy weight lifting, cardio 3x/week
6. I've recently started seeing a nutritionist
7. Intuitive eating but being aware of portion sizes and calorie counts
8. Lots of fruits and veggies!