I think ive pretty much tried everything. Ive been reading about all types of diets and am completely confused. As much as Id like to lose weight quick, its just not a realistic goal. I dont want to diet. I want to change my life. So sounds easy do weight watchers or calorie count, right? Wrong. Ive done both. I get sick of counting pts, cals, and whatever else. About a year ago I did a 1200 cal diet and lost 30 lbs rather quick and was never hungry, or so I thought. but one day i just binged and never went back on. Well now im fatter and more miserable than ever. My health is on the line. Someone Helppppp

You've recognised the most important bit already: you don't need a diet, you need a lifestyle change. That's a good first step!

I'd start by analysing what made you fat. Deep down I believe most of us know what did it: fast food? sweets? snacking? portion size? all of those? And then concentrate on combating those. Substitute unhealthy snacks with healthy ones, leave out the softdrinks, cut down your portions, eat more vegetables... things like that.

And don't forget moderate exercise, at least some walking or whatever you feel comfortable doing.

Having said that, I'm not the best advisor on how to stick with such a plan, because that's where I failed again and again...

That's a good idea if you're not interested in the counting and keeping track. If you can identify where your problem is and correct it, then you're on your way.

Really, honestly, weight loss is work. You have to find something, and that something is probably going to take some kind of effort. I started counting calories and it's not hard at all with all of these on line tools. I didn't realize how much I was over eating!! For me, I can't just decide to eat healthy because I will still overeat healthy. I can't decide to exercise because I'll still take in too many calories. I have to have a way to keep track and that includes weighing and measuring my portions and keeping track of what I eat and how many calories.

We are all different, though. Many people don't diet, but just make lifestyle changes, and they lose weight. Some may lose slower than others, but they're losing by creating new habits. It's possible! Just pick one thing at a time to change and see what happens!

I can't do fad diets, I can't even be bothered with counting calories. I've got a good idea about nutrition because I trained as a chef and I'm pretty good at knowing what's a good idea to eat.

My thing was eating too much.. of junk or good food. So now I eat enough to not be hungry. That's it. I feed my body good food when it needs it with the occasional treat (very small portion).

Also I love exercising so that helps too.

I am a calorie counter, I have done many diets and found calorie counting works best for me. It has already been said, dieting is work,but as far as I am concerned I would rather do what it takes than go back to being over 200 pounds agains.It is ok to experiment with different diets until you find one that you will do.

Thanks Ladies. I guess I just gotta stop being so darn lazy and stick to something.

I suggest you give Clean Eating a try. I follow their menu plans, eat tons, lose weight and don't have to count anything! All it is, is eating foods with no preservatives and you make everything fresh. It's easy and tasty.

Instead of worrying about losing weight quickly, start thinking about this whole thing much, much more long-term.

If you lose one lb a week, that's 52 lbs a year. In 5 years, if you keep the weight off, will it matter if you lost it in 1 year or 3? Nope. What matters is the long-term plan, the long-term goal. Anything is better than nothing. Do what you can; make small changes, think of it in terms of health and what various choices you make may be doing to your body. It's more difficult to think this way, but will help you achieve long-term success better.

1200 calories is probably too low for you. Try starting out at 2,000 per day. Just try to track your food and allow yourself up to 2,000 calories. If you eat less, great, but the goal is learning to be consistent about food and control binges and funk food urges. After you've been consistent for a while, you can start dropping it by a hundred calories a week or so until you're creating a deficit that produces the loss you'd like to see every week.

"About a year ago I did a 1200 cal diet and lost 30 lbs rather quick and was never hungry, or so I thought. but one day i just binged and never went back on. Well now im fatter and more miserable than ever. "
Hm this is all very individual - I count cals but it doesn't work for others. I know that points didn't work for me, nor did a 5 meal a day type plan-it just doesn't go with who I "am". So I would explore what made you "snap" one day - was it hunger? Was it emotional? etc and try to take care of "root of the cause" and then pick a method to lose the weight from there.

I think this might warrant more thought. Calorie counting worked for you - for awhile. Why did you stop? Were the amount of calories you were eating just unsustainable for you? Maybe something higher - like 1800 would work better for you.

The most important thing to figure out there is the reason behind why you never went back after binging. That's going to help you no matter what method you use.

Weight loss is work - and more work when you are on maintenance. It sounds like you might not be ready to do the work necessary to lose weight. There is no easy way. If you want success, keep a food diary, exercise at least 30 minutes every day and change what you are eating. Portion control is essential.

It's just about finding what works for you. You might have to try a few different things...for example, calorie counting on its own did not work for me, however, calorie counting in conjuntion with Weight Watchers has been working great for some reason.
I too did not like having to count points, calories, carbs, etc...but after trying different plans where there was less counting involved, I learned that unfortunately, I need the structure of counting.
It's pretty much just a trial and error thing. It's easy to get swept up in something that seems to work fast (crash diets), but it's all about finding a system that you can stick to for the rest of your life.
Sorry I can't be of more help! Best of luck.

There are a lot of different and healthy diets out there. The point of a healthy diet/lifestyle is to limit your caloric intake while increasing your activity level. A caloric deficit of approximately 3500 calories will result in a loss of 1 lb.

Keep trying until you find what works for YOU!

I personally lost weight using the Richard Simmons Foodmover, which is essentially an exchange program. But any good plan can work if you make it work for you.

Best of luck to you.

I wish I could tell you exactly what to do, but I can't, no one can.

If you calorie count you don't have to do 1200 a day, that is low, many people can't do that long term. There a tons of websites and apps that make calorie counting a breeze, but it's a personal thing. You have to find something that works for you.

An easy way to start is to cut out things like calorie filled drinks, or to cut portions. But you have to be ready, that's really the only thing you need to be able to start a change like this. If you aren't ready to fully commit, no diet will work.

I feel the same way... I get tired of calorie counting. Even though it works, and it worked for you too since you lost 30 pounds doing it. You found something that works for you, so I think you should get back to what was working- you'll have to find a way to count calories. Even though some posters say find something else, it'll still be the same in the end calories in - calories out, smaller portions and restricting food and I'd rather just count calories instead of wasting time hoping I'm (not) eating enough to lose weight.

if 1200 is too low for you can go higher or calorie cycle.