I think we are all the weight we are because of a combination of too much of the wrong kinds of food. Weight gain didn't happen overnight, and these bad habits are difficult to change.
I don't know how anyone can lose weight without measuring or counting SOMETHING, be it weight watchers' points or carbs or calories or exercise minutes or, well, you get the idea.
If you are eathing healthily, this means that you are aware of what you are eating (counting food groups, per se) and how much you are eating (counting portion sizes). I don't see any way around it. The various methods for losing weight just boil down to different ways of counting something.
I don't know of anyone who "free form eats" without consequence. Anyone who is of a healthy weight is perpetually monitoring and adjusting their intake and exercise to stay in stasis -- they are continually "counting" to stay at the same weight.
So I think that one has to accept the inevitable -- how to account and monitor one's intake of food vs one's output of calories.
Kira

Eating too much and eating too much of the wrong foods contribute a lot to weight gain.

Portion control is needed. When you can control the amount of food you eat, you can start to enjoy the "bad" foods.

Exercise is in my opinion an essential part of losing weight too, as it'll increase you're resting metabolic rate.

Originally Posted by JulieJ08:
Oh gosh, since August or September. Vegetarian since about the same time too. I do still weigh daily. I don't think I subconsciously count calories except in a very general way. I mostly pay attention to making sure I eat veggies and beans and good stuff. I pay attention to quality. I pay attention to stopping before I get full and not eating when I'm not hungry. And I pay attention to things not directly related to weight loss that still make a big difference - great sleep, a clean kitchen, having fun, friends, being happy and busy (but still with relaxing alone time!) in the rest of my life. Those make a big difference to me, and I know you've mentioned that too.



Totally <-- in my best valley girl voice -- I do feel like your weight loss twin :)

But, I'm not sure what that last question means?

Julie,

I very much believe in Intuitive Eating and I am so excited to know you are doing this. I know it works from my own research when done correctly. Obviously, you know what you are doing since you have continued to drop all these many months now. As you know, I have been a calorie counter. I am introducing snippets of Intuitive Eating into my life and thus far, have done well. The daily weighing really helps me mentally to know I am still headed in the right direction.

I absolutely adore the end of your paragraph about the things you are focusing on, your balance and what effect that has on your own life. I very much feel I need all of those things as well to achieve my own balance--really the recipe for health in my book.

Oh, about my last question--I may be mistaken but you have adjusted your goal several times over these months as well, correct? I have several times now. My question is, is your idea to go lower than your current "goal" weight that shows on your ticker or are you waiting to for your "Intuition" to figure that number out. I hope this makes sense.

ETA: I am eating mostly fish, eggs, raw almonds and beans for my protein sources. I am not a vegetarian but do not eat any red meat. Rarely, I eat chicken. Is there a term for someone who eats seafood but not other meats? I think that's basically where I am.

:carrot::carrot: TOTALLY (best valley girl voice--I think we are near the same age too, LOL) weight loss sisters. See us dancing? LOL.

Originally Posted by Thighs Be Gone:
Oh, about my last question--I may be mistaken but you have adjusted your goal several times over these months as well, correct? I have several times now. My question is, is your idea to go lower than your current "goal" weight that shows on your ticker or are you waiting to for your "Intuition" to figure that number out. I hope this makes sense.

Ah, that's why I didn't get it - I've never changed my goal. It's always been 130, because that's what I weighed about 10 years ago, when I was working out but not too intensely, and only watching what I ate in a very general way. I do plan to let my final weight pick itself. Although, when I started out, I thought in my head that probably 140-145 was more realistic - but clearly I was underestimating myself ;)

Originally Posted by Thighs Be Gone:
ETA: I am eating mostly fish, eggs, raw almonds and beans for my protein sources. I am not a vegetarian but do not eat any red meat. Rarely, I eat chicken. Is there a term for someone who eats seafood but not other meats? I think that's basically where I am.

There is! Pescetarian :)

Originally Posted by Thighs Be Gone:
:carrot::carrot: TOTALLY (best valley girl voice--I think we are near the same age too, LOL) weight loss sisters. See us dancing? LOL.

:D

I went swimming and count out a load of rubbish last summer and did lose a bit of weight without even meaning to which was great. My problem is I dont eat salads or many vegetables so my options are really limited!

Originally Posted by :
I think we are all the weight we are because of a combination of too much of the wrong kinds of food. Weight gain didn't happen overnight, and these bad habits are difficult to change.

I agree kiramira! I am counting calories now so that I can form some good habits! I am hoping that one day it'll all kick in and I wont have to journal everything anymore. I don't think that it's too much of a chore though, if it's getting me to a better place.
So it's consciously counting calories and smaller portions for me until I've rid myself of bad old habits and made some positive new ones.

I have been eating whole foods. I am a lacto- vegeterian. So I eat whole wheat (everything), fruits, veggies, nuts, milk products (2% mostly). I dont feel like im struggling or anything like that. I actually feel like im not as obsessed with food these days. Only part im obsessed about is making sure I get enough of the "right nutrients" to keep going.

These days im so concerned about taking in enough water and eating properly I dont have enough time in the day to take in other junkie stuff I use too. Its really worth it in the long run. ;)