I calorie count, and keep track in FitDay. I cook almost all my meals and mostly eat "real food". Once in a while I eat a Lean Cuisine and augment it with a pile of veggies. I have cut way back on beef and wheat containing foods, especially bread. The reason for the wheat restriction is that think I may have some kind of wheat sensitivity or allergy. I have also cut back on my milk drinking just because I don't seem to be desiring it as much as I used to. I am pretty successful at staying under 1500 calories, but wish I would stay nearer 1200.
I am walking an hour three times a week, and doing the "chair exercises" that I invented myself for when I am at work. I am also doing the exercises that the CDC recommends for strength training for senior citizens.
I don't actually count calories, but remain "calorie aware." Meaning that I get way too anxious and anal if I try to track every little thing, which eventually makes me throw up my hands and give up. Instead, I just watch portions and write down what I eat in a day planner. I try to stay around 500 calories per meal (once again, I don't actually count, but I read labels off the shelf and check out nutrition info when I eat out so I don't accidentally eat like 1000+ in one meal, lol).
I focus on having lots of fresh veggies and some fruit, then small portions of "other" food. I avoid most simple carbs, especially added sugar. This allows me a lot of flexibility, so if the hubby wants pizza I can have a slice or two with my salad, or if he wants In-N-Out he'll share some of his fries with me and I'll get a hamburger.
I've been consistently losing since starting this new approach back in March so it seems to be working well for me.
I am currently doing WW etools. Etools is meant to be the internet online companion to meetings but I think that the online portion is working out best for me. I get support from these awesome bulletin board and other sites. My family, friends and therapist is supportive too, which definitely helps.
As for exercise, I like to walk and I plan to get back into water aerobics once my asthma calms down. I also hope to talk to my back/neck doctor about other exercises, perhaps the bike so I can get more cardio without aggravating my joints or asthma.
I feel better much better when I exercise and eat healthier!
Same here! I only count calories and I also use myfitnesspal . Not a fan of meat (anymore); however, I will eat fish, crab cakes and shrimps. When it comes to working-out. I go to the gym 7 days a week and work-out for 2 hours for 6 days and 3hours for 1 day. All my time is spent on the elliptical and on the 3 hour day I do treadmill and elliptical.
Calorie-counting has worked most consistently for me. It's pretty easy to see when I count calories (carefully and accurately), I lose weight.
To be honest, I don't exercise at all. I should, but part of what led to me failing in the past is thinking I had to exercise and diet, all or nothing. Which just led to nothing. So, for now I just calorie count.
I dont eat out anymore and try to fit in small workouts a day even if its doing 100 sit ups. I also try to plan ahead meals for school and work. My Fitness Pal is a must because my biggest thing is portion control. However, I’ve noticed I feel a lot better mentally, have more energy, and my acne stays at bay when I exercise. I need to find the time though.
Last edited by beth sebring; 10-14-2012 at 01:11 PM.
I don't really track anything per se. I am usually aware of calories, but don't have any particular daily goal. I aim for non-processed foods that I mainly cook at home. Little to no starchy carbs, small portions of lean meats and proteins (dairy included), and unlimited fruits and veggies. I pair this with exercise (as much as I can convince myself to do - usually about 4xweek. I also try to do social activities that aren't based around food. I live in Orlando, so visiting theme parks is a fun way to get in a bunch of walking.
An example of a typical dinner I would cook is what I call 'unstuffed peppers'. It's similar to how my dad makes stuffed peppers, but everything is just mixed together instead of in the pepper. I like hot, so I will cook up some lean hot italian turkey sausage or venison sausage in crumbles. Then add onions, peppers (what ever is nice at the veggie market - poblanos, hungarian, wax, etc) a can or two of undrained diced tomatoes (I like fire roasted with garlic), corn, zuccini, squash, green beans, and any other fresh veggies that look good. Then let it slowly simmer until all the veggies are cooked. I usually will sprinkle some cheese on top at the end. The only things I count in the dish as not being 'free' are the meat and cheese.
If I go out, I would typically order a simple salad with grilled chicken (cajuned if possible) and dressing on the side.
Knowing that I have certain foods that I like and am allowed to eat makes it easy to not have to think too much about dieting. I am really trying to change my relationship with food and the lifestyle choices I make.
Calorie counting during the loss, using myPyramid.gov to track. That has been replaced by choosemyplate.gov but I had already stopped tracking at that point (I was maintaining without tracking so got out of the habit).
I'm calorie counting combined with the No S 'Diet' (currently eating 1,500, I've been aiming more towards 1,400). I don't snack, have seconds, or sweets during the week, and during the weekend I'll work them into my calorie count if I want them. I use caloriecount.about.com.
I don't cut out any food groups, but I am trying to eat a lot more veggies and fruits; at least one at every meal. I'm learning how to balance, like instead of just eating 3 slices of pizza, I'll have one or two with a salad. If I'm already having mashed potatoes, then I'll skip the bread. I'm also learning to cook and make healthier versions of what I like, as well as trying a lot of vegetables I never have before.
I haven't started exercising yet. I wanted time to focus solely on how I eat for a while first, but I'm going to start alternating work-out videos next week (giving myself one more week to prepare for exercise :O) until I can get my treadmill set up!
I count calories when I can, but mainly I am just being super aware of the amount of food I eat. I am walking 2 miles a day right now but plan to increase to 3 miles every other day next week and have stopped drinking diet soda. So far so good but I am sure I will change my routine at some point.
I don't actually count calories, but remain "calorie aware." Meaning that I get way too anxious and anal if I try to track every little thing, which eventually makes me throw up my hands and give up. Instead, I just watch portions and write down what I eat in a day planner. I try to stay around 500 calories per meal (once again, I don't actually count, but I read labels off the shelf and check out nutrition info when I eat out so I don't accidentally eat like 1000+ in one meal, lol).
This, except I don't log my intake other than in my head, and I generally have two big meals and a post-dinner snack of some sort (I hate the word "snack" but it's not a meal).
I also focus on getting lots of protein and veggies. I go to the gym or run/hike 6 days a week on average and it all seems kinda pointless if I'm not eating enough protein to build any muscle.
Hi
