I was just wondering if there was anyone lese that wasn't following a specific diet? I have tried WW and just can't count the points right now. I did read the post about the no S diet and that may be an idea. But really, I am just trying to eat high fiber foods and healthier foods, salads, fruit, etc., exercising and getting plenty of water. I want to learn how to change my eating habits and lose weight that way and not do a diet because if I do then when I go off the diet I always end up putting weight on plus some.

Overit - I don't follow a specific diet at all. They have never worked for me as I think I just love certain foods too much In any case...I track my calories, sodium, protein, and fiber...I eat high fiber and work out 5 days/week. I call it the "Amanda Diet" and it works for me. I have found lots of different foods along the way that replace old foods....it's a learning experience, but listen to your body and you will find your way. Good Luck!

I think that I do best with my own plan. I try various things and incorporate what works for me.
Currently, my plan is:

• Prayer and devotion daily (first thing if possible0
• Exercise daily (mix it up as much as possible)
• Log everything in Fitday
• Count calories - try to stay between 1100-1400
• 6 small meals
• Whole foods if possible (limit "white foods")
• 40/30/30 carb/protein/fat
• Water, water, water
• Incorporate fiber in every meal
• Incorporate protein in every meal
• Vegetables daily
• All foods are permissible - but some foods are better than others for me

I follow my own diet too. I tracked calories for the first couple of weeks to get a rough idea of how much I should be eating, then I went to more of an intuitive eating plan. I ONLY eat healthy, non processed foods like whole grains, fruit, veggies, lean meats and beans. I don't eat any sugar and I only eat bread a couple of times a month. I try to eat low glycemic foods to keep my blood sugar even and to help keep me feeling satisfied. Of course I eat at least ONE of my beloved sweet potatoes a day, because they are my all time favorite thing to carry around in my purse! I've just increased my exercise time to at least one hour and I try to do some form of exercise on a daily basis. Now that the weather is getting nicer, I try to do about an hour at the gym and then walk outside in the evening. I've never been a follow the rules kind of person so this works for me. I like knowing what works for MY body and through trial and error I'm figuring it out along the way.

I count calories , plan all meals ahead of time and log every bite. I eat about every 3 hours.Breakfast , snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack.

I count calories, eating what I want within whatever calorie level I've decided upon. I usually plan everything the night before (if only to know what I'm cooking for dinner that night). Although I've lightened up some usual favourites, I'm eating the same types of meals that I always have. Just watching the portions really. The only thing I watch specifically is protein levels (to support a strength building routine I'm doing). I aim for 30% protein every day and don't worry about anything else.

I use FitDay PC to log everything. And have recently added a heart rate monitor to get a better feel for how much benefit I'm getting out of my exercises. I do walk (and now swim) up to 90 minutes 5 days a week, and add 30 mins of lifting weights to three of those. Now that summer is here I suspect that there will be some leisure swimming on the weekends, and garden work as well.

I'm not, I just eat less and drink more water.

I know that I'm to the point now that I follow guidelines - but I've tried "plans" for so long that mentally I just can NOT do it anymore. When I was faithful to counting points on WW - I did very well - lost 60 pounds...but after a while - I felt that if I counted one more point, I'd go INSANE!!! Plus, now (after gaining 40 pounds back even though i live a very healthy lifestyle, eating right, exercising, etc......) I found out the reason is Insulin Resistance (pre-diabetes)...SO after all the research I've done on this condition - I basically do the "basics" of what the Insulin Resistance diet teaches.

* I try not to have more than 30 carbs per meal (15 per snack) - so I'm 'basically' living "low-carb"...so I basically live a high protein/low carb lifestyle.

* I gave up drinking soda pop over a year ago and now I only drink water, very low-carb/low-sugar apple juice, skim milk, and the occasional low-carb/light beer. lol

* I RARELY eat fried foods or fast food (I allow myself the occasional splurge, but I'm talking maybe once a month if not every two).

* I honestly don't eat that much sugar - which is mainly cuz of the medication I'm on for IR

* I work out 4 - 5 times / week - about 1.25 - 1.5 hours each time - this includes about 45 minutes of weight training and then 30 - 45 minutes of cardio.

It works for me. I'm losing and I feel great! Mainly the carb thing is the biggest for me - because of having IR carbs turn almost straight into fat :-( Plus I have a desk job all day long and don't get a lot of exercise except for AT the gym.

I don't follow a specific diet at all. I count calories keeping the following two things in mind: eat in moderation and avoid processed food as much as possible.

Within those two sort of philosophies, I try to stick in the 1600 range for calories, more when I'm working out and lifting weights.

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I kinda made up my own plan also. I have lost large amounts of weight before on diet plans only to gain it back. I am now counting calories1400-1500 per day. I try to eat lots of veggies. I try to watch process foods as well. I will grab an occasional slimfast if i have eaten alot of calories in a day or if im in a big hurry and no time for a real meal. I try to spead my calories out during the day....i use to do most of my calories at the evening meal. I try not to eat after 6 oclock if possible.I am also being careful to watch my fiber and make sure i get enough dairy and protien. I try to exercise daily except for the weekends. I lift weights 3x a week and walk or jog on a minitramp. I will eat out but only if I plan ahead to figure out what i can eat so i can stay within my calories. I almost forgot...WATER WATER WATER

I am counting calories and carbs. I have not committed to any particular locarb plan but I am finding just counting cals keeps me accountable. Now I am tweaking a bit.
Good luck in finding your plan!

I never had stick with specific diets. I just count calories..try not to go over 1500..it's worked for me in the past but I have to admit I'm struggling these days. I normally eat pretty healthy but I do have trouble limiting my snacks.

I hang out in the "Volumetrics" thread. I try to follow their principles of "eating big", but no specific diet.

I could not face counting/looking up ONE-MORE-CALORIE in anything. I could not face writing down one more tsp of something I tasted while cooking. I HAD to learn some way of doing this without such continual vigilance. So, I have spent the last year and three months learning to eat fresh, additive-free, portion controled, well prepared, tasty food. Ninety percent of the time I am happy and satisfied. I probably wasn't satisfied and happy any more than that while I was eating cheap cookies, a ton of butter on my bread, too much meat etc. I have lost 40lbs. Slowly, but it's gone!

I make lots of soup, meatloaf, chili. poached chicken and freeze it in portion sizes. I think this has been key to keeping on track.

I think it's totally important to find/create YOUR OWN plan. You listen to your body. You make adjustments. You keep it within reason so that you can actually stay on it.
My plan is mostly counting calories, trying to stay at about 1500 per day. One day a week I let myself go over. I eat some SlimFast products, as they are easy to grab on the go and they actually taste good. My goal is to exercise 280 minutes a week, which is an average of about 45 minutes, 6 days a week. And my goal is to lose 5 pounds each month until I have lost 50. So far I have lost 30 pounds in about 5 months.
Beth