[Lissemo]

Ok, I'll be honest, I am great part-time dieter! I do so well M-F and blow it at 5 pm on Friday and continue through the weekend. Whats my deal? I have struggled with weight my whole life. In my mid-twenties I got down to a healthy 150 (low/no carb) to only gain it back plus. I was in a car accident and it all sort of went down from there. I would like to blame my weight on my pregnancies, but the truth is, I gained the weight before I got pregnant and hardly gained anything during my pregnancies (probably because I was very strict with my diet/gestational diabetes).
Anyway, about 9 months ago I decided "its time". And I really got to it, and lost 20 lbs within 3 months.. BUT, here I am still at that only weight loss. Again, I am sure its me and my part time dieting. However, I do exercise and have great blood pressure. I work out at least 4 times a week Zumba and Spin or eliptical trainer.
I guess I joined this site for some support; tricks of the trade.. My head is spinning between low carb/high fat and low fat moderate carb that I don't know what to do.. Honestly not eating carbs forever seems out of bounds; you know not reality.. Is it? Can it happen?
I am motivated and need to stay that way. I was recently diagnosed with pre-diabetes and I need to lose it and keep it off.. I MUST!
Anyway, that is where I am now. Being new to this forum or any honestly, where do I go from here? What forums are the best? Any help would be great!

[sistah phat]

Hello and welcome.

I know the Friday night syndrome well and the issues following a car accident. Congratulations on keeping up a good exercise program! That's a big plus. As for what program you should follow: it just doesn't work to "be good" for awhile and then lose control, whether it lasts a week or for the duration of the "diet." I've found that counting calories works the best for me. I've been doing this for over 6 months and lost 60 lbs. so far. It is by far the easiest plan I've tried. I don't feel deprived since I can eat anything I want, as long as I account for the calories within a day or two. However, if you are pre-diabetic I would try to choose mostly low-glycemic foods. The South Beach diet is an example.

Whatever method you choose, keep changes to your diet small, gradual and manageable and think of it as a lifelong program, not a "diet" to be endured until you reach your target.

Good luck!

[meandu]

Welcome to the group. I too suffer from the Friday night syndrome. The week is at an end and the weekend is supposed to be about having fun and not worrying about diet and other stuff, I guess that is what my problem is at times.

[Lissemo]

So tell me, what diets do you follow? Again, I am always "dieting", just not sure what diet I am following anymore.. I am trying to stay low carb, but with low carb comes high fat, which is so contradictory to most things I used to know about dieting. Is there a happy middle? Maybe I should count calories.. I do know how to follow a low carb diet, but I am worried about staying on that diet. I love carbs.. Does anyone have some secrets for getting past the carb need?

[Mozzy]

Welcome and good luck on your journey!