Hello, my name is Tammy.... And I am a little confused on what to do... As my unchanged ticker reflects, in 08-09 I lost close to 100 pounds... But working 2 FT jobs, dealing w a teenage son who woke up one day and decided he hated me and his life and moved out on his 18th bday, and illness and death of a precious MIL has awarded me w almost half my weight back.

I like the allure of clean eating... But to do it by the book I am thinking is not a true lifestyle change for me.... I am on FitPal, but I don't stick to it like I should.... I have thought of doing WW again because it seems to be a good mix of clean eating and calorie counting.... But not sure I want to sink $ in again bc I have financed the diet industry for so long...

Anyway, I am here asking for suggestions bc the diversity of opinions is great on here.

Oh, I forgot to post.. I am turning 40 in July and I don't want to yo yo the rest of my life!!!!!

Thanks in advance for caring to post.....

So, I posted before breakfast.... and I have more thoughts.

Maybe it is not FitPal vs WW.... maybe it is just "healthier eating" and EATING at home. I rarely cook.... so maybe the issue is not the method in counting.... but controlling what I eat by eating at home.

I am a recent empty nester.... I only have one job now as opposted to two FT, so maybe just eating better at home is the issue?????

What did you do to lose the initial 100 lbs?

I think eating at home is a great start. Also, what did you do to lose the 100??

A mix of the old WW (about 50 calories per point), calorie counting.... And A LOT of exercise.

I would start by logging all my food every day. Its the hardest habit to start but now I do it almost without thinking about it. Logging everything and weighing every morning keeps me on track.

Hi! I'm 40 in July, too! Yay (not)! LOL. Anyway, what is working for me this time (I have lost fast and furious...80 +lbs and gained it all plus back) is eating regular and having NO rules. I use lose it app (online and iphone app) to count calories. Free. I eat what and when I want as long as it fits in my calorie budget. I have gotten rid of the shoulds in my life. I want to do this for life. So, I don't usually eat breakfast (gasp!....all the experts say I must). I never know what I'm eating from one day to the next, with the exception of dinner because we plan our dinner meals out for the week. If I'm hungry, I eat. If I'm not, I don't. I do know that fruits and veggies fill me up longer and I love them so I eat lots of them. I don't eat stuff I don't like because I should. I eat a lot of homemade soups (my hubby loves to cook for me and makes his own stock and fresh veggies with beans...yum). If I eat over calories one day, I eat less the next. I will eat very little during the day if i know I'm going to a function that I will be eating more than my usual stuff. I go out to eat once a week with my husband and I eat what I want...we go to Thai, fast food, pizza, gourmet, italian....whatever. And I enjoy every bite and never obsess over what is healthy. And then I usually just have fruit the rest of the day because I'm not hungry. And I have been doing this since mid August and have lost about 40 lbs. And for the first time, I KNOW I'll get to my goal weight and maintain it. I exercise because I love lifting weights. I do some cardio for heart health....again...I got rid of the shoulds. The second I start doing stuff that is like a rule, I start to fail. LOL....So, calorie counting is free. The real work is in your own head. Good luck!

I've been doing exactly the same, with the one difference that I do eat breakfast every day (because it's my favourite meal and I always wake up hungry). I lost 55 pounds in 2011 and have been maintaining since then. I think our approach attests to the fact that you don't have to give up all indulgence to be successful.

F.

Kmac1196,
Wow, another 40 in July!!!! I am turning on the 11th.
I have to tell you I was all set to get my CC card out and head for the WW site..... But again, I am rethinking things. Thank you!

Freelancemomma, thank you as well!!!

I'm the 20th. And you're welcome. And I will say that this forum is WAY more supportive and helpful than the WW boards or even the meetings. These chicks are the best of the best!!!

I was a yoyo dieter, tried every diet in the book and spent a lot of money on various programs, lost and regained over and over, more money spent on programs. One day I saw the light and decided I was not going to spend any more money for someone to tell me what to eat,I started counting calories, cost was free. Success ! I have just passed the five year mark at maintenance.

Thank you all for the wake up call.... At the end of the day..... If I don't work any "program".... No, program will work. So ladies..... I am gonna count calories and get off my rear.... And on July 11th... I am gonna be the hottest and healthiest 40 year old I can be!!!

That a girl!!! You sure will! And we'll have a skinny bday party for us hot 40 year olds! LOL

If you have done WW with past success, I think CC would be a good fit. You just have to keep doing it. Maintenance is gaining and loosing the same 4 pounds repeatedly. Good luck to you!

Kmac1196..... We sure do!!!!

Dstalksalot... Thank you!