How do you know which diet is right for you?? You do try them all out and see which one you can stick to..or do you just do all the research you can? I wish there was an accurate quiz or survey you can take that will tell you which diet is for you. LOL!!

I did lots of research to see what I wouldn't mind living with for the rest of my life Weight Watchers won out for me since I needed extra support and was a little intimidated by large number to track....after a while I reevaluated things and decided to go to calorie counting. Same thing just bigger numbers minus the extra support of meetings.

There are so many ways to approach losing weight....which is great since everyone is different So just research, try it out and then move on to the next one if the one you tried didn't fit.

I have always been a HUGE believer in wholistic health. It made perfect sense to me to make a shift towards whole foods myself and calorie count. I like the no-nonsense, non-consumerism, practical side of it. It appeals to the very core of me actually. I also choose running as my primary source of cardio for the same exact reasons. I got fat by myself and got fit by myself. (Plus through the powers of the Ladies at 3FC!!)

After years of losing and gaining, I feel I have FINALLY learned a few things that work for me.

1. Cooking with whole foods. Real potatoes, carrots, lean meats, beans, tofu, etc. MOST days (whenever possible).

2. Eating very (very) small meals every 2-3 hours. This gives me the feeling of ultimate control. After bouts of anorexia, bulimia, etc., I completely lost control and had no idea what "food" was ( a source of energy for the body). With many many small meals a day, I keep my body out of "famine mode", I feel SO much better with significantly more energy. I don't feel the need to take naps anymore. This approach also helps me with my self-esteem. I don't stuff myself anymore... so I don't feel like a fat pig. I also avoid the feeling of being SO full (which is good for someone with eating disorder tendencies).

3. I have attempted to create a lifestyle for myself where I must walk everywhere. I now live in a city in Europe, I have no car and I walk normally 2 hours throughout the day, 5 days a week. That helps- I have no choice but to walk..... but I could really help my fitness level with a bit of weight training!

And last but not least, I'm taking things very slowly. I simply cannot lose my last 20 lbs quickly AGAIN. I've done that SO many times.... It obviously doesn't work for me. I need to try it slowly this time.

Sometimes, I think the advice (good advice) to find a program you can stick with, assumes that you must start on that program.

I think finding the right diet is more like finding the right pair of jeans. There are as many types of jean shoppers as dieters. Some people try on all the jeans in the store. Some buy the first pair that has a decent fit. Some people will wear the same pair of jeans (or same style) for as long as it fits. Some people will have only one pair (or style) in their closet, and others will cycle through several styles.

The "sticking with" part of your weight loss strategy doesn't mean you have to be devoted to one plan forever - that is choose and keep only one pair or style of jeans forever. It just means that what will not work, is you deciding that you're so tired of wearing those jeans that you're going to go naked, instead.

It can take years to find the right diet, but id doesn't have to. It did for me - but not only because I was biased against the diet that does seem to work best (low-carb), but because between the plans that "didn't fit," I often decided to "go naked" (eat without a plan).

Having a plan, at least initially, is probably more important than having the right plan. You'll have plenty of time to find a better plan, or make alterations to the one you have. Just try not to go naked for very long.

Thank you all!! I have a lot to think about..

I will track my progress every week. So that I will know if I'm moving on the right track

Remember...

The right track IS YOUR TRACK

Cathy