Quote:
Originally Posted by carolr3639
This is the key. IE takes longer but it is worth it not to obsess about your eating and exercise. I've read more diet books than most and tried many things but I'm sold on IE.
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First of all, I'm not even certain that the OP was interested in IE, just that that was a book that she read. I could be wrong.
And second of all, I don't think what I do is "obsessive" in any shape, manner or form. I am concerned about my health - therefore it makes perfect sense to track/monitor what I eat. Obsessive is a derogatory term that would suggest that one is thinking or doing something to an extent that makes it harmful and takes away from other areas of ones life. Well nothing could be further from the truth. The way that I eat produces a slim, trim, fit, healthy (mentally & physically) and HAPPY me.
IE might work for some, but it sure as heck doesn't work for ME. All right, I don't want to focus on that right now.
Back to the OP. I hate to sound like a broken record, but it's kind of hard to give you advice. I don't know that much about you. And of course we are not nutritionists, doctors or anything of that sort. Anyway, we don't know how old you are, how much you need to lose, and exactly what you've tried in the past.
Without knowing much about you and what your likes and dislikes are I'll just tell you what *I* do. And what works for *me*. We of course all have to find our own way.
Here's a post I've recycled many times, it's an insight into my plan. Again, this is my plan and what works for me:
I knew the only way this weight loss thing would *work*, permanently that is, would be if I could find something that I could stick with LONGTERM, forever in fact, because not only do I want to lose the weight, but I want to keep it off - forever. It simply won't *work* if you dont' stick with it. Consistiency, consistiency, consistiency. STICKING with it is of course the key. Lifestyle change. Creating a new normal. No going back to the old ways. Permanent, sustainable lifetime changes.
So of course finding something that I could stick with was essential.
Things I needed/still need to be on my plan:
- I could never, ever be hungry. Just not for me. I despise that feeling and need to AVOID it all costs. It would only set me up for failure.
- I need LOTS of food, volume that is.
- I love food, always will and need to get enjoyment from it. So eating delicious, very tasty, satisfying foods was a MUST.
- I am terrible with portion control. I have no boundaries. My intuitive eating button is totally broken or just missing completely. So I need to fake it. I need something that forces me to set limits.
- I want not only to be thin at this point, I want to be healthy. Strong bones & muscles, good vision, healthy hair and nails, low cholesterol, normal sugar levels, high vitamin count, lower my risk of cancers.
So therefore, let's see if I can do this with one breath - I eat frequently, every 2 hours or so, choosing low calorie/high volume items (veggies), lots of protein and fiber (to keep me full longer), I count calories (forced portion control/accountability), I eat foods with high nutritional values, I've found foods that I LOVE, not *diet* foods per se, food that any one and every one can eat.
I also set myself up for success. By ridding my home of the junk (very crucial in the beginning, and still is). I got rid of the sugar, the rice, pasta, bread, cookies, cakes, ice cream, etc... Sure I love the stuff, but I have no control with it. I figured I can not have it both ways. I simply can not have those foods in my life (very strict with it especially in the beginning, cold turkey in fact) and be that healthy, fit person I so longed to be. I have no control over them and realized I was just better off without them.
I keep my home fully stocked with tons and tons of veggies. I discovered fabulous ways to prepare them and now enjoy them more then the other garbage I was eating prior. Amazing how ones tastes change when you stop feeding it junk. Fruits and low fat proteins are my other main foods. I cook fabulous meals that my whole family enjoys. So finding yummy recipes that you like is essential. No reason to go off plan, when on plan is so good.
I also prepare ahead, as it is the ONLY way to succeed, IMO. Eating healthy does not happen by chance in our society. Therefore it MUST, MUST be planned out in advance. I know what I'm having for my meals and snacks days in advance. I pack food with me, taking it with me wherever I go, leaving nothing to chance. It's just THAT important.
I drink lots of water. It's something to do with my mouth, a delaying tactic and it keeps my tummy full.
And of course, there is the calorie counting. Would be no where without it. No where.. Since I don't know how to set limits for myself, counting calories is my answer. Counting and tracking my calories keeps me honest and keeps my food in check. Period.
We of course each have to find our own way and what works best for ech of us.
