I pretty much follow South Beach Diet. To me DIET means what I eat. My kid in college is on the Mac and Cheese and Ramen Diet.... it's just what he eats.... he's thin....

my philosophy however is that I eat whole foods, in large enough quantities to fuel me and satisfy me, I eat a variety of foods so i'm not bored. I exercise and I drink my water. This is now my life.

and yes on special occasions, I indulge. but i get right back on. to me that's the key...

eat healthy
drink your water
get some exercise
follow the plan you choose 80-90%

I don't count calories or weigh food. I talk about what I have done as a "Lifestyle Change". I basically changed what/when I eat and how much I move.

I eat three meals and three snacks a day, and that is basically the ONLY time I eat. If I tell myself that these are my 'eating' times, then I don't pick at food at other times. The only exception to this is perhaps when my hormones are messed up (ovulation and TOM) and then I may nibble on some nuts or something to stave off cravings.

I eat as 'clean' as possible, with as little processed food as possible. I had problems with my bladder a few years ago, which caffeine aggravated, so I stopped having coffee (I drank a LOT of iced coffee) and chocolate. I could probably go back to eating those now, but I choose not to, because I figure I have gone without them for so long (about 5 years or more) so why eat them now. Other foods I choose not to eat because they will upset my stomach, such as fatty takeaway foods.

All this said, I still eat a LOT of food, but it is mostly whole grains, vegetables and fruit, with smaller amounts (but still plenty) of protein than I used to eat. I certainly don't starve by any means.

I also exercise 5 or 6 days a week, for 40 to 80 minutes, depending on time allowance and energy. Hormone fluctuations seem to affect my energy levels as well, so I sometimes relax a little on the exercise a couple of times a month.

This has worked for me, but I know other people need something more structured. I have spent a LOT of time reading about our body and nutrition and I feel that this has made a huge difference in how I see food now.

Take care all,

Zelma

I essentially count calories and exercise as well. I don't document any of it, it's basically just being more aware of the calories I'm consuming. I haven't restricted anything (the only thing I consciously, deliberately had to turn my head away from at the store was Pringles cuz I used to eat those often). Some foods I just haven't had the yearning for (haven't set foot in McDonald's in over 6 months, probably longer). Other things I found lo-cal substitutes or alternatives for. Other things I use portion control. If I go over my preferred range of calories (usually if I have to go to some work-related thing), it's not by much so I keep it in perspective. I don't binge. And since my "main" meals are generally small anyway, that allows me some snacks throughout...sometimes it's fruit, sometimes it's salty snacks, depends what I'm in the mood for. I've basically come up with a plan, if you even want to call it that, that suits me and that I can live with and continue with.

I eat a plant-based diet (vegan) because this is a lifestyle choice and not related to my desire and efforts towards losing weight (although it IS related to health).

I eat really high fiber with lots of veggies and fruits (more veggies than fruits, really) because I know this is healthiest and keeps me satisfied.

I count (or at least monitor) calories because I intend to burn off at least 80 pounds of fat that does not serve me. I know it may take a year or two to get there. I am coming to terms with this and enjoying my life now, through the process.

I drink mostly water and allow myself an occasional coffee or tea or sparkling water and juice blend.

I exercise more and more and like how it makes me feel. I intend to keep it up!

That's my plan and I do my best to look at it as a life long way of being!

I count calories and try to get alot of fiber but other then that eat almost anything. I buy diet dinners and desserts for lunch and for snacks.

I would like to do intuitive eating, but I've actually had a hard time eating enough both times I've tried it. I'm going to try again when I reach goal, but if that doesn't work, then WW Core is what I'll do. You get basically unlimited whole foods (but eating only until satisfied, not stuffed) and 63 extra points to spend on other stuff (35 for non-maintenance). Don't ask me why, but it's a little easier to get my calories in that way.

Right now, though, I'm on WW Flex. I go back and forth between Flex and Core when I get bored, but usually flex is easier for me unless I'm having a lot of unnecessary cravings. I love WW because it taught me how to bulk up my meals for very little calories (...er... points) and I now know what is worth sacrificing extra points for and what isn't. Also, having done this for so long (just not continuously ), it's just easier for me to think in terms of points rather than calories.

my daughter and son-in-law are doing Weight Watchers. She has lost about 9 pounds and he 34. Back before hubby retired, I did Weight Watchers, but it is so expensive. Even then I counted calories cause that was what I was used to.

I participate in a formal program right now (first formal weight loss program I've ever done!) but I do not consider it a diet. There is so much flexibility with the foods I eat on it; I make my own informed choices; I do have treat meals occasionally and get right back to the healthier foods and the foods my body like s better..
I chose to do this formal plan at this stage for several reasons..basically I have tried to lost weight many times in the past on my own, and I was always missing something..so what I wanted was accountability, personal responsibility, ans some momentum so I can make this a good HABIT that I can stick to forever. When I first started , I was kind of preoccupied with the price (I am frugal) but the longer I am on it, the more I realized, this is not a race. If I need the accountability and the personal coach aspect right now, I DESERVE IT. my body deserves it. And, I need to stack things in my favor as much as possibile to make the plan successful for me. I have been eating the "other" way for 30 years so it's going to take more than 2 months for the "new way"- tho I love it , to firmly stick as a habit. It's now a routine, but not a habit yet.
I have learned so much and I thought I already knew it all, lol ..then why wasn't I losing weight? I believed what some of those diet books were telling me..well for me they were incorrect. I now know how important it is for me to eat 5 times a day, even if I am not hungry. My metabolism has gone up so much it is not even funny. I know now that carbs aren't eveil and fruits are nothing to fear. I have sometimes 4 servings of fruit a day and still lose weight! Its not all about the carb grams (for me).

I am so excited becasue this is the first time in my life where I am happy with myself, not trying to rush, enjoying the process..and most importnantly. not white knuckling it, or feeling deprived. and I know that I can do this for life..every day i eat foods I enjoy very much.

This is me exactly. I've tried Intuitive Eating at least twice in my life, and I always ended up treating it like a diet. I'd obsess with whether I was hungry or not, whether I'd had enough, etc. I've read all the IE books, but they just don't work for me. I finally had to face the fact that, as much as I would like it to be otherwise, I need some outside parameters to lose weight. The easiest parameter for me is calorie counting. If I don't have some sort of outside parameter to regulate my eating, I could easily gain 50-60 lbs. in a year (it's happened before).

With all that said, I'd recommend a book called French Women Don't Get Fat. It's a good balance between eating for enjoyment and eating intuitively. I ultimately couldn't make it work longterm, but I don't think I gave it enough of a chance. Anyway, it's a good book.[/B]

A lot of interesting responses here! It seems that "calorie counting" is the clear winner (in this particular section, anyway.) That's pretty much what I've been doing since I got off SouthBeach, and I lost 10 pounds that way. I lost 8 pounds on Phase I of SouthBeach, & 10 pounds counting calories, for a total of 18lb loss. But even tho I was "counting calories", I was still pretty much doing SouthBeach. And I still believe the reason I can't get off this blasted plateau is because I cannot exercise like my body is used to exercising. I've been swimming lately (a little; remember - I can't do any major movements because of my 2 herniated disks) and riding my bike a little. I'm also doing some stretches (yoga type; not too major) & I do FEEL BETTER, but the weight isn't budging. I've examined & re-examined my diet. I'm averaging 1200-1400 calories per day, which is right where I'm supposed to be. Most of my calories come from veggies (usually raw, because I love salads) and lean meats (fish, turkey, chicken.) I drink around 128 oz water a day, and I love water - so that's never a problem. Sometimes, tho, I feel like having tea, or a can of soda. But it's not every day - maybe 2-3 times per week. For snacks, I usually eat fruit or nuts (specifically almonds). Just every once in a while, I crave a little VM food (vending machine) - but it's most definitely not every day.

What I'm saying is that I know I'm not fooling myself about my intake of food. I enter everything into FitDay, except my weekend foods (that's because I rarely touch the computer on weekends, LOL) and I don't deviate much from my weekly calorie counting.

I've been stressed a lot lately (renovating the house, etc.).... and I've read so much about what stress can do to your body that I think I should have a disease named after me... e-gads!...... I'm actually surprised I haven't gained any weight, because all the time our kitchen has been torn up, we have had to eat out a lot. But I've been choosing good & yummy healthy meals (grilled salmon, salads, etc.)

I think I'm just in a "diet slump." Maybe I should re-start the SouthBeach diet at Phase I & just get on with it. (Rant/Vent over! Thanks for listening!)

Interesting discussion. There is an IE thread here now on its 5th section. Each has about 400 posts. After 30 yr of dieting I just try to eat less according to hunger and we just got an eliptical that I am really enjoying.

I am on the "You: On a Diet" eating plan. I need structure to succeed. One day I am sure I will be able to just eat without consulting the book, but since I am adding in new foods, I like to try out the recipes they have. Plus I exercise 30 mins everyday and do strength training every other day for 20 mins. It's working for me. I did SBD in '05 and I cheated so bad but still managed to lose 40 pounds. But I gained it all back because I hadn't made a lifestyle change. This diet is allowing me to change the way I eat and think about foods, so I am all for it!

That is the way to think shy moment.

My lifestyle change is to eat as many whole foods as I can eventually converting the family and everything in the house to whole foods. Eating out can be exempt mostly cause we eat half our eating out stuff as basically whole foods.

I plan on the whole foods, lots of natural fruits and veggies and count the calories but be relaxed on the veggies. Before the last few weeks I would eat veggies like 2 servings and one of those would be lettuce...not exactly healthy!

I am gonna try to get my calories between 1200 for a low (on a good day where I am not so hungry) to 1800 ( on the munchie munchie days). I figure the variance will keep my body guessing and fuel me on days I get lots of exercise (my other new lifestyle change )

I started out by reading Small Changes big results, by Ellie Krieger. She has lists of foods which she suggests you eat "usually", "sometimes" and "rarely". I am mostly choosing foods from her usually list because I have been on lots of diets and am sick to death of counting calories, although I know the calorie counts of most things.

I try to fill my smaller sized plate with 1/4 (or less)meat, 1/4 starch and 1/2(usually more) of veggies and salad. In fact the salad is in addition. I allow myself lots of lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, onion with a fresh fruit juice dressing. Again no counting anything.

I read some other book that I didn't like except for the suggestion to give up one thing that I had a problem with. I agreed with myself to give up butter/margerine, granola bars, and peanut butter. Butter is not a problem for me except I was using it mindlessly, so I decided to try not using it. Granola bars are a high calorie bad habit and sort of a trigger to eat more because they are "good for me". NOT. Peanut butter is also something I cannot stop eating, once I start. I believe I have had one tsp of butter, 2 or three granola bars and a few teaspoons of PB since January when I sarted this. I feel good about this.

I have been eating what I call "real food" or "eating clean" I think someone else mentioned. Lots of veggies, lots of fruit, potatoes, sweet potatoes - cooked, measured into 1/2 C portions and frozen. Just toss them in my lunch or nuke for supper.

I have been buying bagged lettuce, ready prepared baby carrots and celery. A bit more expensive, but worth it for nights when I get home tired and am tempted not to make a salad.

What I wish for myself is to improve my eating habits over time, so that I can eat intuitively. I won't be intuitively eating peanut butter and mayonnaise sandwiches, because I won't want it any more. Ya think?

I am not lovin' this routine yet, but I am not too hungry and am doing ok.

As a lifetime WW'er, I pretty much use that as my guideline for portion control. But other than that, I'm not really on a "diet" per se.

I know I like to eat clean, whole foods. I don't eat a lot of "treats" because frankly, if it doesn't have some sort of value for my body, I don't generally want it. I'm not perfect and I still enjoy a pizza now and then (oh and my wine ). BUT... you won't see me skimping out of things that are better for my body to fit in a bowl of ice cream! (I have found that with eating whole foods, eating "clean", I don't really crave that stuff anyway!).

Calorie Counting would drive me nuts. I have a lot of respect for you ladies who do it!