About a week ago I discovered Intuitive Eating. It is basically eating when you're hungry and eating until your satisfied (not full). You don't eliminate anything, but you pay attention to your bodies need. I was a Low Carb-er for a lot of years, but with not alot of success FOR ME. A
This week I bought 2 IE books, but the one I haven't been able to pick up yet with the best recommendations is The OverFed Head.
The ten habits of Naturally Slim People and How to Make them Part of Your Life
and
Inituitive Eating- A Revolutionary Program that Works
They both advance the idea of eating when you're hungry, paying attention to nutrition, excercise, building self esteem and fighting the dieting mentality, and being ok with your "natural body weight".
Anyway in the IE book there is an appendix of the guidlines.
1 Reject the Diet Mentality
2 Honor Your Hunger
3 Make Peace with Food
4 Challenge the Food Police
5 Feel Your Fullness
6 Discover the Satisfaction Factor
7 Cope with Your Emotions Without Using Food
8 Respect Your Body
9 Excercise-Feel the Difference
10 Honor your Health
I had to accept I had terrible, unhealthy eating habits. I had to give up the idea that I could eat salad for 3 months, lose 10 lbs and then go back to eating nachos and pizza every day of the week. I quit eating junk, made it a priority to eat as much healthy food as possible. Lost 70+ lbs, nearly 19 months of maintenance.
And I don't miss junk/fast food/processed foods/sugary soda AT ALL. I feel completely fabulous.
I also just quit eating junk and most processed foods... eat a lot of fresh fruits and veggies along with protein from lean meat, etc. I dont' write down calories or what I eat... but try to stick at around 1800 per day. I also do a lot of exercise... mostly aerobic walking and water aerobics but starting to hit the gym some also. I've lost 61 pounds in 6-1/2 months and feeling great and got great lab reports too!
I tried a million and one diets over the years. Jenny Craig, Nutri System, Weight Watchers, Slim Fast, Fat Smash, Atkins, South Beach, all fruit and veggies....
I finally found what works for me... the plain ole' cutting calories and dragging my butt to the gym. I keep my calories to 1500 calories and work out 6-7 days a week doing cardio.
I think every plan is different for everyone. What works for some may not be the best plan for you. Unfortunately, you may have to go through a few to find the one that is the best fit.
Good luck!
Good question. The answer is- I don't even know anymore! I don't count calories- but I am aware of them. Basically I eat moderate amounts of healthy fat, very few refined grains, lots of fruits and veggies- but more importantly, I eat things that I like, don't overeat, and try not to think about it too much. I try to exercise 3 times a week, and I walk a lot. I spent a long time being obsessed with food and weight, and the way I'm living now is the best for ME.
This is the result of intuitive eating, that I've been doing for about 5 years. At first you have to think about it, practice it. But eventually, your body and your mind relax around food. I still have a tendency to snack at night, but I'm ten times better off than I was 6-7 years ago.
I'm sure you'll find a path that works for you! Just never stop looking.
For me it comes down to two things: exercising and counting calories. Counting calories is the most important thing for me in terms of weight loss, but exercise has been critical to helping stay disciplined about my diet and also really made a difference in my appearance.
I work with a personal trainer three days a week and that has been a huge factor in my success. In fact, I would say that it is the single most important factor. Everything else--the diet, the exercise I do on my own--would not have happened if I hadn't started with the training sessions.
But I would not have lost the weight that I have (just over 30 pounds) if I hadn't also started keeping track of every calorie I eat, planning all my meals in advance, and restricting my calories. I started at 1200 caloried per day and, by increasing my level of exercise, have been able to increase my calorie intake to 1400 per day.
A combination of Body for Life eating and exercise program and intuitive eating. The two go together pretty well. I also quit eating fast food (which thankfully hasn't proven hard at all), am drinking more water and cooking alot more. Eating out was becoming a real problem and I gained weight from it. I don't count anything but portion sizes either except when I eat out, then I'll count calories before I even go to be sure I won't overeat. I'm still weaning myself off restaurants, so I eat out twice a week at most. Which is better than 4-6 days a week, sometimes for more than one meal a day. About half the stuff I buy is organic too, especially meats, fruits and vegetables. To me, it has a much better taste even and I don't have to salt them to death (or at all). I never knew veggies even had a flavor until I went organic!
There's really not much more to it. Just healthy organic eating with regular proportioned meals and exercise.
we have been doing South Beach Diet in our house since May 1. granted we did not give up coffee or the creamer (did move to sf creamer) and we don't count portion sizes... so basically we eat only whole foods, no sugar, no white rice bread or potatoes, drink water... lots of veggies....
i've lost 34 pounds since May 1 hubby has lost double.
I tried a million and one diets over the years. Jenny Craig, Nutri System, Weight Watchers, Slim Fast, Fat Smash, Atkins, South Beach, all fruit and veggies....
I finally found what works for me... the plain ole' cutting calories and dragging my butt to the gym. I keep my calories to 1500 calories and work out 6-7 days a week doing cardio.
I think every plan is different for everyone. What works for some may not be the best plan for you. Unfortunately, you may have to go through a few to find the one that is the best fit.
Good luck!
YES, THIS is whats working for me......common sense, ive also tried em all, now its just portion control and gym.....and the biggest loser show motivates me!!
You know whats helping me alot??? those little WW cakes......i like to have a "goodie" after supper with my coffee....and these are perfect!! they are basically 3 bites...but i works for me..
Location: NW New Jersey But, My Heart's In Pittsburgh!! GO STEELERS & PENGUINS!!!
Posts: 3,060
S/C/G: 245/143/145
My lifestyle is Atkins. 20-25 carbs a day from salad, veggies, lean meat, chicken & fish. Drinking plenty of water (128 oz a day) taking my vitamins & walking. I've never felt better!!
What diet/lifestyle is currently working for you?
I don't count calories- but I am aware of them. Basically I eat moderate amounts of healthy fat, very few refined grains, lots of fruits and veggies- but more importantly, I eat things that I like, don't overeat, and try not to think about it too much. I try to exercise 3 times a week, and I walk a lot. I spent a long time being obsessed with food and weight, and the way I'm living now is the best for ME. 
