Lifestyle......Lifestyle......Lifestyle......There are no such things as magic pills powders or potions.....If there were, there would not be an obesity crisis in this country. Calories in........Calories out. If you do not burn what you take in, you will never maintain a healthy weight........Eat healthy whole foods low in fats, sodium, high in fiber and high in nutritional value.....and MOVE daily. It's not rocket science.

No offense, but I think thats why we are all here looking for support to help us, not a magic pill. And although I do take a prescription weight loss medication called meridia because I have a thyroid problem, I still work very very very hard to lose my weight. I eat well using south beach diet and my lifestyle and I do walk aerobics daily. Its a commitment and I think that most of the people here have made it!
Good luck in your endeavors.
Michelle

I am not trying to offend anyone here....I read the posts on here all the time and there are quite a few people on here that are seduced by fad diets and pills etc....trying to find something that works....Look around, you will see what I am talking about. I am just relaying to others what works for me. It wasn't that long ago I was a 2 pack a day smoker and raging alcoholic with the worst eating habits you could imagine. I basically lived on booze and ate once a day. My health was deteriorating every day...I was out of shape and unmotivated......I was about 15 lbs overweight (most of it around my belly), which was not easy to slim down......belive me It took about a year. I decided to dramatically change my lifestyle and just want to share with others.....I have never felt better physically or emotionally. I am 34 y/o and I am now in the best physical condition of my life. I am beginning college again and hope to become a dietician.....If I offended you or anyone else on here, I am sorry because that was not my intention.

DZ... you are so right,
I've read posts from people who even say they know there is no magic pill...then go on to ask how others have done with such and such.

Also any diet high in one thing while cutting out something else completly is not healthy in the long term.

I was on Atkins for about 3 months and felt so bad the whole time...lost 12 lbs in that time then gained back 4 in one day.
I couldn't poop, my pee smell would run you out of the house,and i not only felt fat, I felt greasy too.

I am a big reader so I went to the library and read tremendously on a healthy way of eating.
If you eat healthy at least at 19 of your 21 main meals a week you will start to lose weight.
This means cutting out the white stuff in food AND drink.
Eating a variety of foods to get proper nutrition.
Yes and as you say...MOVING every day, start out moving any amount over what you do right now.
Taking a good multi-vitamin every day.
Snacking smart.
And hanging in there for the duration.

When you finally lose the weight you need to...keep eating this way.

I give myself 2 free meals a week,by free I mean less restrictive, but don't gorge because you think you can.
We usually have pizza and beer on Sat. night and we go to brunch out on Sunday.
I eat 3 pieces of pizza and drink 4-5 beers.
At brunch I have 3 pieces of bacon,a nice waffle,syrup,and fruit,sometimes an egg with it and a piece of toast, I usually can't finish it all.

The rest of the week I eat only whole grains,vegtables,fruit,beans and no fat dairy,with chicken 2 times a week and fish 1-2 times also I also have olive oil 2-3x on something.
I use splenda to bake with,24 calories vs.770cal per cup of sugar.
I also use unsweetened applesauce for cakes and muffins instead of oil.
I buy a dozen eggs seperate them then add 2 yols back to the 12 whites and beat and put in a jar in the fridge for my own "egg beaters".

There are loads of great recipes on the web to make a healthier version of just about anything you want.

I'm too afraid to take any pills anyway as I worked as a pharmacy tech and have seen what can happen with some of these weight loss prescription meds.

Meridia seems to be one of the safer one's with fewer side effects although there are some.

I know you didn't mean to be harsh, it is exasperating when you just find something that does work and you contiuously see people not using their noggin.

Sounds like you have really turned your life around and i certainly applaude you on it.
RM

I didn't know if you were insinuating that we were looking for the easy way out. And you are right about some people being seduced by fad diets etc...but I think that a lot of people here are on the right track! Most of them work very hard to attain their goals. I think south beach diet is a great way of life with excellent eating habits! By no means a fad diet. It teaches you how to eat better and exercise of course is another key factor. I understand where you are coming for and there are a TON of people looking for the easy way out but on the flipside there are a TON of people that work really hard to achieve their goals
You didn't offend me at all I was just saying that most of the people I have come across on these boards are very dedicated to their weight loss and health, thats all that I was pointing out

Michelle

From what i have read the s. beach diet looks pretty good.
Alot of people aren't quite sure anymore about what a healthy way of eating is.
This diet incorporates all the food groups and tells you what good carbs are.
Its less restrictive than atkins and that is helpful to alot of people.

My way of eating has its basis in a book called 20/30 fat and fiber.
It has a shopping guide that helps me at the market.

And Michelle how right you are about most people on this board, they are committed to eating healthy,and how far most have come since their first posts when they were scared and felt all alone. The one's who showed up looking for a quick fix soon learned what its all about then went on to help others find their way.
This is such a great place.
RM

RalphMarie- You are sooo absolutely right!! I would have fallen off the wagon and not gotten back on had it not been for 3fc!! I love this group and everyone has helped me so much!! I already feel like a new person and I'm not even halfway to goal lol.
Thanks to everyone!!
Michelle