Hi.Everyone. now that I introduced myself, I feel the need to "get started". I was currious, In your opinion, what diet/lifestyle changes have worked for you in the weight loss area?? i am still up in the air if i should spend the $ on ww or are there other things just as effective?? I dont have time for a ton of exercise as i am constantly on the run w/my kids..but i can do it moderatly.. I am not sure where to start....I just know i need something that WONT leave me feeling sick & hungry all day....t.i.a .....jami

Jami--to encourage you, I want you to know that I've lost around 70 lbs. without paying for any program! I've just modified my eating, cut down portion sizes, and reduced the sweets that I eat (my toughest area). For about the first 6 months or so of weight loss, I kept a food journal (wrote down everything I ate). I will say that exercise has been a key thing for me, so I'd say you might want to do as much as you can. You CAN do it!

I cut down on my soda intake (2Liters a day to 20oz a day) and began walking everyday for 30 minutes. The first 3 or 4 days I only walked 10 or 20 minutes but that's okay because in two weeks I've lost 7lbs!
Don't starve yourself! Eat smartly and slowly; enjoy your food and pay attention when your body tells you you're not hungry anymore. Don't feel pressured to clean your plate! I have two children myself and I take them with me on my walks. My four-year-old loves to point out all the flowers and birds and things. Not only are you getting your exercise but you're spending quality family time together!
Good Luck!!

Well, you've probably read what I wrote earlier...What's worked for me is really watching portions, by sizing them down, I realized how much I was overfeeding myself. Exercise has been a huge factor to. Just get active every little bit you can... park farther away, take the stairs, play actively with your kids, take them on walks, enjoy cleaning...(well, maybe )

Thank You for all who responded. I will Def. try all the suggestions out. I am b/f my 3 month old, so i am not sure the lowest cal. ammt. i can eat, but i will find out & then start keeping a log of what i eat & TRY my DARNDEST to lower my portion size.. I walked a little last night & have been waiting for Kodey to wake up so i can feed him & go out & walk some. .. i really have got to stay motivated b/c i cant stand myself this way. & it is soo hard doing it alone here as my hubby is noooo support..once again thank you for the responces!! i REALLY do appriciate them......

jami
c.w. 215
s.t. goal 205 by july
long term 135

I was reading about b/f women's calorie requirements the other day, and I believe it said something about AT LEAST 1800, and preferably about 2200. Ask your doctor for what YOU need.

What's work(ing) for me is reduced calories (well, most of the time) and lots of exercise. I have learned to love exercise. I love to run, swim, bike, walk. It's a wonderful feeling. I have even gotten used to weight training and I'm certainly noticing differences in my strength and body shape. I also aim for 3 litres (about 100 oz.) a day. I carry around a bit nalgene bottle around with me and that makes it much easier to get all that water in. I write down everything I eat and also my exercise.

Hi~

I've been on Jenny Craig for 3 weeks now and have lost 15 pounds. I still have 100 to go. It is pretty costly, but I definietly know it is worth it for me.
I love the support that I get with my one on one weekly consultations. The structure of the planned menus, and also the personalized menus are great!
I have never stuck to a diet this long before....I really believe that the only way you won't reach your goal is if you stop before you get there!!! I have never felt as good as I feel right now!

Jami-

I lost 40 lbs just eating better and excersising. I've lost 12 on South beach which is basically no sugar/little sugar. It is in no way like atkins as you can have "good" carbs -- just cutting the sugars down is all. And pasta and breads and potatoes but it's not like you can NEVER have those things.

Seems sensible to me!

monicajun11-
Hi and congradulations on losing 15 pounds in 3 weeks. I have never tried Jenny Craig but I am going to look into it. I really need to lose about 20 pounds in 2 months and its sounds like a good idea to get on Jenny Craig. I am the type of person who needs something strict or if not I just tend to slack off. How much does it run you a month? I wanted to try this acupunture diet but it costs $120 a month. So I am trying to find something at a reasonable price.
Thanks,
Carmen

You can see in my signature line how much I've lost and what I've done as far as eating goes. And actually, Atkins and South Beach are very similar in later stages. Unfortunately, Atkins is grossly misunderstood by most people, so it gets a bad rap. More than anything, research good nutrition. It will take time to figure out what exactly works for you and your lifestyle, but you never want to start something without a very good understanding of how to keep your body properly nourished and healthy.

As for exercise, I do Pilates, bellydancing, rollerblading, bike riding, walking, and weights all on a regular basis. I also find projects that require physical effort (I wanted to get some extra work for my arms in so I'm refinishing a cabinet). When time is short, multi-task. Take the stairs always, park further away from stores, do arm work or crunches while you're watching tv, bench press your baby You get the idea.....

You've lost so much weight StarPrincess!! Congratulations!!!! You're so close to your GW, must be a wonderful feeling!!

Thanks, Lori! It's actually a very strange feeling. I don't feel like I've lost 70 pounds. Did I ever really weigh that much?

I've lost about 40lbs and I have been following an 1800 cal a day diet, eating whatever I like as long as it sticks below that figure. To achieve this, I have started eating the "low fat" versions of everything (because everything does have a low fat version these days), weighing EVERYTHING and writing EVERYTHING in a food diary.

I'm quite an active person anyway so I have increased my gym visits from 2 to 6 per week but i'm not sure to how much effect that has (except when we see the cutey instructor in his shorts... does wonders for the metabolism...)

And the oldie, but goodie - drinking lots of water.

Jami, if you're breastfeeding, you probably shouldn't cut calories, but you CAN cut the crap (hehe) what I mean is, the very first thing I did was cut out fast food (previously a staple) then soda. Just that, and trying to eat non-processed foods helped a lot towards feeling better. Soup is also a great food for trying to lose weight, IMHO. As long at it has a clear broth that is--it's very low cal, keeps you full, and is satisfying! And you don't have to exercize a lot, either. I do half an hour a day on my exercize bike (my favorite ^_^) and that keeps me going. As long as you burn more calories than you take in, you lose weight. 3500k/cal=1 pound! Good luck!

Here's what's been working for me...

Between 1600-1800 Calories per Day (check out the Daily Calorie Needs Calculator, on the main page www.3fatchicks.com )

Lots of Water (at least 2L per day)

Lots of Exercise ( I met with a personal trainer at the gym, and 3 days per week I do cardio & weights, and 2 days per week, I only do cardio or take a class)

Hope this helps out.. You just need to be healthy and find what works for you!