Hi everyone...

Just a quick question. How have you all found which diet works for you? I've been on a diet for about 12 years, and I am only 22. I feel like I have tried every single diet out there but everything has a downside or an obstacle that I obviously haven't been able to overcome!

I am ready to do this, I know that for sure, but how should I go about selecting which diet to follow? I am pretty sure I want something low-carb as, results wise, this has always been the best thing for me... but which diet?

How have you all settled into your current diet? Share your stories!

I may change my eating habits as time goes on. But, I don't do diets. I am doing a lifestyle change, diet sounds horrifying to me lol.

There are a lot of low carb options out there, I'm sure some people will give you ideas.

I just quit drinking sodas, have a junky treat once every two weeks if i want to. I eat less than i did before, until I just don't feel hungry anymore. I drink lemon water, water and a sweet tea sometimes two a day. And than I work out atleast 6 days a week. I feel prety happy with what I am doing.

To find out what works for you, try some things and what you can stick with and what helps- I say go with it!

Many count calories, it works for them. I just can't bring myself to do it. I guess- ball park figure-ish lol.

I only settled at mine, because it's easy for me, it's attainable, and I don't have to make myself stressed over calories. Dropping sweets, sodas, drinking a ton more water, watching carbs and calories kind of, and still enjoying my food while losing weight. I just kind of decided it's what I wanted to do. But not many do what I do, they are more strict or more organized. It's really what works for you.

Best of luck to you! I'm sure you'll find what makes you happy!

Ditto to buttercup85....samething works for me.

Right now I'm doing the Fat Smash Diet just to help kick start this weightloss after I'm done ill be maintaining on just working out 5-6x a week and cutting out sweets which is my weakness.

I agree with ButterCup85 - and I have just come to the conclusion, myself. We can't be on diets for the rest of our lives - who wants THAT? The idea is to make a real *lifestyle* change.
I recommend you read Dr. Eric Berg's "The 7 principles of fat burning" book - or look up his website. I just read it and it seems pretty good - informs you about what body type you have, what sort of exercise you should be doing, and what sort of foods you should be consuming - all so that your body works to YOUR advantage, rather than working against you. I have positive feelings about it, but can't tell you any results yet! Although it has really opened my eyes a bit, about what could be going on inside me that makes weight loss so difficult (and how to overcome it!). Good luck!
PS I think that you might need some good substitutes for the foods you realy enjoy right now - I got good at inventing new ways of eating old favorites. For instance, instead of eating Tortilla chips and salsa (one of my favorite snacks), I've found some low-carb tortillas (wraps), and all i do is cut them up into little triangles and bake them until they get toasty. Sprinkle some salt, and it's ready to go! I've also found a number of desserts I really like - like heating up some frozen berries (no sugar added) and putting it on top of Cool Whip. This is TONS less fattening/sugar packed than ice cream, and really yummy! Good luck!!

I made molasses-slow gradual changes to my routine. I claim to love change but really I'm bad at dealing with it when it's too sudden.

I started out by just ordering less rice with lunch. Eventually I switched up my lunch to a healthier, lower calorie option. I started Couch to 5K to try and learn to run. This was VERY HARD and it took me several months to really get used to the act of jogging, but it was key in making me see that I could do this thing that I thought I could never do.

It was all so gradual that it's hard to pinpoint when I changed certain habits. I do know that I started focusing on drinking a lot of water not long after I started learning to run. I saw results and felt great and this made me want to get healthier food in my body, so I started cooking at home instead of eating out all the time for dinner. I liked cooking; the process of buying fresh produce and making something tasty out of it made me feel purposeful.

I had lost a lot of weight by the time I joined 3FC. Reading the posts here made me think a lot about ways I could improve my nutrition, and since then it has been my mission to live as healthily as possible.

Joining this site is definitely a good step in the right direction, only been on here a few days and there is so much information on here that you are bound to find the right changes that will click for you. Good luck!

I understand the being on a diet for a very long time. I've been on a diet for 10 years and I'm only twenty! I was a chubby child, lost it all when i was 13 with dancing to the oldies (woot richard simmons lol) and slim fast, gained it back and more some, lost it all when i became anorexic after my high school graduation at 16, gained it back when I went to live with my mom at 18 and now trying to lose it all again at 20 in a healthy way so that I never go back. I'm trying slim fast with a normal diet and calorie counting. If I think of dieting as simple math it gets a little easier. This site is awesome, you get the opinions of a lot of people in the same situation and will be able to find the way to a healthy life. <3

I chose to count calories and in the first week I lost 4lbs so I said to myself well, that's enough to keep me going for another week...and many many weeks later here i am.

I count calories because it was logical. It was something I could control without having to worry about "rules" and stuff that I would obviously break. I personally prefer straight forward methods. I can plan what I am going to eat the day before and stick to it.

i think its a matter of trial and error. I've been on a diet for ten years, since I was 12.

I found what works for me is cutting back on the things I do like, and eating more of what is healthy. I eat a lot more chicken and veggies, and I drink loads more water now. but i do add propal drink mixes to them, as I know i wouldn't be able to drink as much without the added flavor.

as for exercise I hate working out such as work out dvd's and such, but i love walking, and running so I stick to that. JUst find what you like, like zumba, yoga, just dance, or the wii fitness and you'll like working out.

Calorie counting is what works for me. I use the My Fitness Pal app on my iphone and it's so simple. And cheap! All you need are some measuring cups/spoons and a food scale.

I've tried just eating healthier foods, but I suck at portion control and can overeat with cauliflower and dry chicken breast.

Right now I have no desire to try a low carb diet, maybe if my loss plateaus I'll think about it, but I like the freedom to eat whatever I want (within my calorie limits).

I still haven't. Low Carb worked the first time, but I tried doing that this time and lost nothing and even gained a pound! So I switched to eating once a day (breakfast) and so far that's working, I lost 3 pounds in 2 days. i want to go back to low carb because I like it, but I'm nervous about gaining again.

I'm currently doing weight watchers on my own. Calculating and tracking the points plus values of all the foods I eat has been working so far and I lost 20+ lbs in 3 months. For me, the plan seems really flexible, sustainable and effective.


The points plus values of different foods factor in carbs, protein, fat and fiber. Calories are not directly factored in, but the plan recognizes the difference between a 100 cal apple and a 100 cal cookie pack. Fruits and most vegetables are free. In addition to your daily points allowance, extra weekly points are available so you can enjoy a night out every now and then. Also, I love that activity is rewarded with extra points.


There aren't really any silver bullets when it comes to weight loss. Everybody has to find what works for them.

Good luck, starsapart!