[Trixie14]

I cannot find the right diet for me, exercising isn't too much of a problem, that I can do, but when it comes to eating I'm screwed!

I tried Weight Watchers but I find it hard to journal, especially when I know I'm going to be over my points, and I find it hard to decide what to eat every day and keep it healthy...

I tried Slim Fast in the past but I didn't stick to it and didn't exercise so I saw no results...

I don't want to do something like Atkins or South Beach that restricts what you can eat..

See I usually go over to my boyfriends house on Tuesday and Thursday nights and I usually spend Friday and Saturday night at his house, and he still lives with his mom sooo I eat whatever she cooks for supper, and they are junk food addicts...his mom tries to watch her weight but yet she knows nothing about eating healthy...plus I still live at home so it wouldn't be fair for my mom to have to cook me seperate meals and buy special foods for me, she buys healthy food though, but also some junk food (for my stepdad and brother) so it is easier for me at home, but like I mentioned it is hard for me to come up with healthy breakfast and lunch meals everyday without eating the same thing...

I would like to try slim fast again now that I should have a job within the next week, (bonus: exercise b/c I will most likely walk to or from work once in a while) but has anyone had success with it? Should I try slim fast or a protein shake? What is worth my money and more beneficial to help me lose weight?? I know the slim fast shakes have about 15 servings or so to one container (so it would last around a week at 2 a day) and they are $8.98 a container, the meal bars are the same price (5 in a box) and the snack bars are $3.98 (5 in a box), protein shakes are more pricey, the one my mom has is a whey protein, was $30 and has 30 servings, which would last 2 weeks...

I read sooo many things telling me to eat this and not eat this and it is so confusing...that is why I like the idea of a meal replacement that I can just drink and have some fruit or veggies with, or a small salad or sandwich...and then a sensible supper and when I'm at my bf's house, take it along with me, take some fruits or veggies as well, and when supper comes try to eat more of what is healthy and less of what is not...and RESIST temptation...but slim fast or protein shake?!! Any suggestions? comments? successes??

[Suzanne 3FC]

Keeping track of your points or foods with Weight Watchers gets easier with a little practice. Whether you do WW or another program, I highly suggested you get in the habit of keeping a food log. Get a cheap, blank notebook and write down everything you eat, including portion sizes. You may find that you can lose weight without following a specific diet. Cut back your portion sizes, eliminate unhealthy snacks, and just make more conscious choices when you fill your plate. You can still eat with your boyfriend's family, but put small portions on your plate. They will understand. For eating at home, you might try frozen dinners such as Lean Cuisine. SlimFast is just a liquid meal, which does not satisfy most people. They have a very high failure rate. It might be fine for the occasional breakfast on the run, for example, but if you have a few minutes to spare, you will be happier with something you can chew and enjoy, that sticks with you for a little while. We do have a few people here that are currently following SlimFast, that you might find some support from if you choose that route. We also have a lot of people here that have tried it in the past, and found it wasn't for them. Don't be afraid to experiment until you find what is good for you. But I still suggest that you keep a food log, because that can be one of the most important and helpful steps in gaining control over your food intake

[aphil]

I agree with Suzanne. Whether you are calorie counting, doing Slim-Fast, WW, or whatever you are doing-I believe that it is of the utmost importance to keep a journal of what you eat and drink every day.

It does a few things-it helps you realize exactly what you are eating each day. Even if I am over my calories for the day-I still write down whatever it was that put me over. It helps me realize later in the day-"you know I haven't had that much water/enough fruit and vegetables" or whatever during the day...it keeps me on track.

After doing it for a few years-it is second nature to me-just like writing a check or sweeping the floor. I don't think about it-I just do it.

Most successful losers and maintainers (of weight loss) keep track of their diets and exercise in some sort of journal.
I use a simple tiny sized notebook-and use a page for each day.

I have also found that staying on plan can be as difficult of as easy as you make it. It is all in the attitude. If you tell yourself that it is too difficult to stay on a plan, or too difficult to keep a journal-then it will be. A positive attitude helps so much.

My husband is the bacon/soda loving KING. His family has no fresh fruit in house EVER and everything is deep fried or loaded with sugar. It's like a fried chicken and cherry pie bomb went off in their house. We have to go over there for family functions-and even spend the night during the holiday seasons-and I have had to work my way around it. I bring a veggie or fruit tray to a family dinner...they have a separate fridge in their garage for the 80 cases of Pepsi and Mountain Dew they have-and I nagged them to get some bottled H2O and Diet Coke in there for me.

If we spend the night-I take a little soft sided cooler with a couple pieces of fruit, a meal replacement bar (not Slim Fast-but higher quality bars like Clif, Myoplex, etc.) and a few other small portable food items with me. If they make something for dinner that is too unhealthy for me even in small portions-I have my own food to fall back on.

Planning and journaling-in my personal experience-is a huge part of succeeding.

[lottie63]

www.fitday.com !!!

[Trixie14]

Thanks everyone, that does make sense, and I have read everywhere that keeping a journal is important...I guess I just have to get used to it! I think I will continue using weight watchers and exercise daily to see how that goes then!

[kykaree]

I hate keeping a journal, and am on a program that demands it. And I hate to admit it, but it really works. And you have something to feel proud of, especially on "boy this is tough days" you can read back and realise that you CAN do this.

My downfall is my workplace. I have a stash of healthy snacks in my desk drawer, and herb teas, and try to ignore all the slim girls who are eating biscuits and chocolates. They have stopped offering me any now, which is good, and are being really supportive.