Hello Everyone!
This is my first post to this forum. I've lurked around a bit and it looks like a nice place to hang out. I'm a 42 year old sahm of 4. I'm not new to dieting. I've been yo yoing for the past 14 years or so. I did not have a weight problem before that. I'm having trouble getting started this time because I seem to be possessed with the actual HOW I want to do this. I want to lose in a healthy way and I want to be able to KEEP IT OFF this time!!!!! Weight Watchers has worked for me in the past.......well it's helped me to get weight off, but I've always gained it back. It's a great plan and I seem to gravitate in that direction because I know it well. I'm just not sure if I can go there again, but I know whatever I do will require great effort.....it aint easy!!!

So, I was wondering if everyone would be willing to share HOW they are attempting to lose weight and get healthy? What is your plan....are you doing your own "plan"...if so, can you share what that plan is?...weight watcher core, flex?? low carb? What cha doin'? After all, the plan is so very important. Please share! Thanks!

Thanks!

Zhai-Lynn,
I have tried weight watchers and have found that the points start driving my appetite instead of my stomach.... I am having success with a combination of calorie counting and the "I can make you thin" concept of eating when you're hungry and stopping when you're full.

I find this gives me the best sense of control over weight loss...

Good Luck

Calorie counting is definitely what works for me. Not only am I losing weight, I am eating a much healthier diet with a lot of vegtables because they are low-calorie and filling. So I feel thinner and healthier.

I use FitDay's dekstop version to track my calories.

I also exercise 45 minutes a day every day that I can, which is 6-7 days a week.

I'm doing the Weigh Down. I try to stick to lo-cal foods, but nothing is off-limits. I just pay attention to my body's hunger level and realize that when I want to binge, it means that my alignment with God is off and I need to go fix it.

I have tried many plans, but the only thing that has worked for me to count calories and in the process limited the starchy carbs. Seems you about have to do that to keep the calories down and really weight gain or loss is ultimately about calories....how many you take in, how many you burn etc.

Now that I am diabetic (type II) I am determined to not take medication as long as possible, so I asked my doctor for a dietary consult and classes. It was mainly the consult I wanted but the classes ended up being very helpful too. The dietician set me up with a plan and when I stick to it, I do lose and also my bs stays good. My problem is always my snacking, not my meals so much.

I weigh 164.5 currently. This is only a 4.5 lb loss since Feb but I just got this plan in June.and was doing well but then on the 4th of July, I got off track and didn't do well for about 3 weeks or so....am now getting back on track.

Here is the plan she put me on to lose weight and keep my bs stable.

Calorie Limit: 1400/day
9-10 carbohydrates (15 gm each)
4-6 non-starchy vegetables (no more than 5 gm carb each)
5-6 oz lean to moderate proteins
40-45 gms fat (this is the hardest for me to stick to)

I focus mostly on the carbs as long as I don't go over 1600 calories but to lose I really need to stay below 1500. I find that if I limit the carbs the calories don't usually get so high. She said to maintain my weight I could probably have up to 12 diabetic carbs so if my calories are low, I sometimes allow myself more carbs. Again, realize these are diabetic carbs so 15 gms of carbs = 1 carb. I can subtract 1/2 the fiber if it is over 5.

Another vote for calorie counting here. It is free, flexible, and works great! I have used Fitday online, Fitday PC version and Calorie King's Diet Diary for my Palm. All 3 have worked great for tracking my calories, exercise and weight - and most of all, holding me accountable.

I'm new to "3 fat chicks on a diet". I started the "You On A Diet" last Monday. It worked well until yesterday. We had a party to go to. I prayed and was determined to stay on track. Overate, had dessert, came home exhausted, fell asleep about 8 PM and now I'm wide awake at 2:39 AM.

One of the things my diet recommended was to find a diet partner. None of my friends seem interested. One wouldn't talk to me about it, and when I call the other, she eventually has to go. I'm a talker by the way.

I also tried to set up a blog. Did that but had all kinds of trouble. I'm new to all of this. So here I sit, feeling like a failure, frustrated and confused. So I'm realy hoping this forum will be a help.

In Christ, Becko

Becko, please don't feel like a failure. I know this is hard! But now you are surrounded by people that understand it's hard, and we're all here for you.

BECKO why don't you join us over here at Christian Encouragers JULY...we have a great group!

Welcome ~ Gary