The trick is to not go on a diet -- you have to approach it as a life-long change. Whether that just means home-grown portion/calorie control, or a more structured program, you can't think about "a diet" in the sense that it's a temporary project. You can't just pick something that you hope will get you to a goal weight -- you have to view it as the way you'll eat for the rest of your life.

Some people get depressed by that idea, but if you give yourself over to it it's very freeing. The reason you got tired of SB and other name-brand diets is that foods are labeled good and bad and you're supposed to take magic supplements or eat magic bars or shakes or combine food in a certain way. But, when you have a life-style approach, you can't say you're tired of food, can you? You may get tired of, say, salads. Well, don't eat salads, eat vegetables another way.

So, even though I am following Jenny Craig right now, I finally realized that it's not a diet. It's teaching me a balanced, anything-is-ok-in-moderation approach that I will carry through to the end of my days. So, if I eat a brownie I don't hear the diet book author in my head chewing me out, and I don't think my day/week/life is ruined. It's just a brownie, and in the context of my entire life it's no big deal. I just pick up and move on, reminding myself that a brownie every day -- or a pan of brownies once a month -- isn't a good thing. But, I'm not tempted to throw in the towel or cry because I think I can never have a brownie again.

If you don't think you can go the food-pyramid-on-your-own route, I would encourage you to look at Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig. Both are based on sensible, balanced nutrition and have lots of tools to help you learn about feeding your body appropriately as well as understand and deal with your eating triggers.

And, vow to never use the word "diet" or "cheat" or any other negative, destructive language again.

I am basically a calorie counter-meaning like WW, there is no "off limits" foods. But-I am very strict and have set certain daily goals for myself that I journal each day.

I eat at least 5 fruits and/or veggies per day. I drink a minimum of 6 glasses of H2O-I aim for 8-10, but 6 is minimum. I eat a MINIMUM of 20 grams of fiber per day. I only eat whole grain breads and pastas. I started calorie counting over 2 years ago-and as time went by-my exercise slowly increased, and I required more of myself as far as my eating goes. I make it a goal to meet these requirements each day-and because of that and staying in my calorie limits-I am limited in my "treat" foods. No food is off limits-but to get everything in I require of myself daily then I must stop at 2 Hershey Kisses instead of a regular sized bar.

I try to eat whole foods-organic when possible. I limit red meat to twice a week-and rely more on poultry, fish, and soy. I am so used to eating this way now I don't even think about it. I avoid trans fats and saturated fats as well.

I exercise for AT LEAST one hour a day-belly dancing for about 3 hours per week (class and troupe rehearsals), about 3 hours of intense strength training each week (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays), and about 2-3 hours of other cardio-walking, step aerobics, or whatever I feel like doing. On days I have rehearsals I average 2 hours...the other days 1 hour.

I don't think of it as a diet either. I think of my strength training, and my dancing...and I think of my health and the benefits of the foods I choose to eat-and the potential dangers of the ones that I do not.

Aphil

a broad abroad--

I have a basket--it actually clips on the bike and comes off with handles to go into the store as a shopping basket. Love it! I used to go to do errands thsi way sporadically, but am trying to make a 'several times a week' habit out of it. I'm loving it so far! :smug:

No diet
 

Diets Diets Diets! Just eat right and exercise you'll be surprised how much weight you lose.

336 Starting weight
286 Current weight

;)

Lizzi, like you, I lost weight (about 16 pounds) on South Beach. That was last summer. Then my Dad had surgery, and I "lost it", and started back with the emotional eating. I gained back the weight, PLUS!
I haven't been able to focus enough to stay OP since then, but I'm starting Phase I again this morning with a buddy, and I'm hoping this will do it. I do like South Beach. It's healthy... it's all about eating "real foods" (no Frankenfoods, as Ruth says). Yes, that means I'm labeling some foods as bad, but they are bad! Bridge mixture and Doritos and other processed foods are crap, and I have to teach my body to stop craving them.
It's easy to say "just eat right", and that diets are foolish. We all know how to eat properly, and that exercise should be a part of our lifestyle. We KNOW that! But we're only human. We have food constantly shoved in our faces as though it's "the ultimate", and many of us need some guidelines to get us back on track with healthy eating. And if that's what it takes, and it works, then... whatever! :lol:

Good luck, Lizzi... I know you can do this! :hat:

:coffee: Caffeine helps too!
I'm not any particular plan, but I am on a 100 days free of alcohol which is the number one thing that drives my eating (binging).

Honestly I think I agree with the people who say it is a lifelong plan of eating well, being mindful of blanced choices, and getting some exercise. Even most people who have always been thin are that way because they eat in moderation. They aren't thin because they got lucky. Watch thin people, most of them don't eat alot (with the exception of men under 30, but it catches up with them in the end).

Good luck to all!

SAndi :)

I took what I thought made sense from a number of plans, and combined them to make my own. I had never seriously tried to lose weight before this first attempt, and I'm very, very happy with not only my progress thus far, but the process itself. I know that I'll live like this for the rest of my life.

I count calories (using some fabulous nutritional software calledDietPower; I started out at around 1600 calories/day and have made my way down to about 1200-1300. I stick almost exclusively to low glycemic carbs, and I restrict my sugar, sodium and fat -- especially saturated fat. I shoot for an overall ratio of 40% Protein/35% Carb/25% Fat. I eat 5-6 meals/day, and drink like 120-140 oz. water/day. I try not to eat carbs without protein, get as much fiber as I can, and stick to whole foods (except for my Designer Whey protein powder and All Bran Extra Fiber.)

I try to make sure I regularly eat plenty of dairy calcium (including yogurt,) blueberries, and salmon. I supplement with the aforementioned protein powder, and now more recently CLA and fish oil.

I walk, do weight training, and HIIT (high intensity interval training) biking, and I'm just about to start doing the Walk Away the Pounds power walking tapes in the mornings before work.

I let myself have a planned treat now and again, and either cut my calories beforehand or afterwards to compensate. But mostly, I'm just fine with my on plan eats.....I thank my lucky stars that I actually enjoy brown rice and tilapia, salads and fresh vegetables; that will make maintenance and beyond realistic and sustainable. I still get a hankering for that unhealthy splurgeski, but that's exactly what it is: a splurge. It's finite and noteworthy, not ongoing and not the norm. I just feel so great about the changes I've made, and so optimistic about my future in this healthy life. Exercise is still an effort, but I do it a few times a week....and that's progress. This is an ongoing process, and I'm evolving. I'm at the stage now where I need to kick it up a notch and push myself harder than I have been.

WW Core
 

Hi All,

Im new here. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Randi, 37, a true girly girl. Im originally from California, but am "stuck" in a small town near London, Ontario, Canada. I married my Canadian gf in June 2003, We've been together almost 3yrs.

We are both on WW core program. In the past we've done SB and were succesful, but we wanted a bit more flexibility. Im a chef so I do all the cooking. Im not sure how much I like the core program. I dont feel very satisfied even though you can have unlimited amounts. I also dont like all these ff products you can have. Id rather have low-fat( to me the flavor is a lot better), but then you have to use your flex points for that. I also dont understand why deli turkey isnt considered core when its low calorie and low fat( I know its high sodium though, but so are canned soups and those are allowed).

The jury is still out, I'll let you know. :)

Welcome, Randi! :wave: I love your nickname. :lol3:
My DH and I really liked the Fat and Fibre plan that WW had a few years ago. It felt really healthy, and we each lost about 25 pounds on it. (hmmm... I wonder if I should try it again...)
How much do you and your wife have to lose? (is using "wife" okay with you?)

Hi. I am new to these boards and new to WW. So far I like both. I can, however, see how WW would not be for everyone, but I am rather nerdy and like the playing with numbers/feeling like I am doing something aspect of it. I also feel that right now I need the very strict rules. Later when I am sufficiently trained maybe I will find something more flexible.

Hi SeeCat! Welcome to Alternachicks! :wave:

Hi,

Thanks!! The funny thing is, I cant stand Poutine, its just a nickname that my "wife" gave me before we ever met.

You've hit on one of my running dilema's. What to call Robin. Usually in board discussions I call her DH( dear heart or dear honey) or I just say Robin. If I speaking to a stranger on the phone or at a local business I'll say wife and I'll get really strange looks. Partner doesnt seem serious enough since we are legally married, and even though Robin doesnt look the wife type( she's very butch) Wife will have to do, since I refuse to call her by husband. I used to know a girl years ago that called her gf her "husbutch". I hated that too.

Since we married as soon as the law went into affect Robin is listed as the groom on the marriage license, thus I was legally able to change my last name in the States.

I'm starving and craving sugar likes nobody's business....... :devil:

Welcome Randi! I think dear heart of dear honey works pretty well :D

I don't like the word partner much - it sounds like you are talking about a business partner and I feel like it sounds impersonal :p It does seem hard to find an appropriate expression doesn't it? I know a gay couple who have been together for 25 years and they call each other husband but then that is when they are among family and friends, I'm not sure how they refer to each other to strangers? :shrug:

Welcome to you too SeeCat! :wave:

I'm not 100% sure of the core program yet but then I haven't really had time to try it out properly since I am packing to move and haven't had the time or inclination to plan menus or cook :(

I did however pick up the Turnaround Program Cookbook at my WW meeting on Monday and the recipes look yummy! They can be used for either plan. I am trying a shrimp recipe and a chicken recipe out this week. :chef:

Welcome Randi!
One of my favorite people (not that it really matters, but he is :D) calls his boy, his other half. I always liked that. :) They got married last year.

Welcome SeeCat!

I like the term partner, actually. :) My husband and I refer to each other as partners when talking to each other. We're partners in everything, 50/50. It is so nice to remind each other of that, it helps lighten the load to know I am not in things alone. I have a partner in life, which is so much more than my first marriage. I agree Mauvais that it can sound like a business arrangement, but it is very intimate to have Rob put his arms around me and greet me with 'Hello, partner' and a kiss. :love: