I am curious what diets have worked for members and basically your weight-loss stories. I wonder what sort of exercise/activities, diet, where you were at the start of your journey and where you are at present.
My success has been through calorie counting as well. In my case, I relied on Lean Cuisine meals quite heavily because I needed to have meals that were limited (that is, no possibility of seconds) and because I don't like to cook very much. I think of it as the "poor chick's Jenny Craig." I was careful to supplement the LCs with additional vegetables, salads, etc. But calorie counting using FitDay was the basis for my program.
When I started at the YMCA, my trainer there told me that 4 days a week was the minimum to support weight loss, and 5-6 was better. So that's what I did--5 or 6 days a week I was at the gym. I did cardio machines and used the weight machines and free weights. Of course, I had to build up to this--I didn't just jump in all at once on full steam! I also started walking just about every morning for half an hour. This was easy--I went at a pace that felt comfortable. I figured I could spend an hour and a half a day on exercise, and that's what I did. (Less on the days I didn't go to the gym--I tried to have a day off every 3 or 4 days.)
And that's how I did it.
P.S. Now that I've learned portion sizes, I don't rely as much on the LCs. In the past I would just eat "as much as I wanted" without thinking about how much that really was...
Another calorie counter here. It's the only thing that provides me with much needed, built-in "portion control". Like Amanda, I combine that with healthy eating/wholesome foods, wanting to get the most "bang for my buck".
I also make sure that I plan, plan and plan some more. Eating healthy does not happen by chance and therefore MUST be mapped out in ADVANCE. All meals and snacks. I make sure my home is mostly junk free (I do have 3 kids and a hubby who are not quite as strict as I am, unfortunately) and loaded, simply loaded with healthy fruits, veggies and low fat proteins. Having delicious healthy foods always available makes it much, MUCH easier to stay on plan.
My exercise consists of walking and strength training as well, built up slowly over time. When I first started out, I was barely able to walk 15 minutes at a stretch.
another calorie counter here to. I too try to eat as much whole foods also, fresh fruit/veggies, limit my processed foods. And of course lots of exercise..a combo of cardio with weight training and high interval training.
At the beginning, I just cut back on carbs, cut out the junk food, and emphasized lean proteins, veggies and whole grains. I didn't follow any specific diet plan, but it was essentially a high protein, moderate carb, low fat kind of plan. I also started working out consistently at least 4 or 5 days per week for an hour, a combination of cardio and strength training. I had to start easy, because I was so out of shape but was able to keep increasing the exercise intensity over time, as I gained strength and endurance. It took me a year to lose 40 pounds.
Now, in maintenance, I'm counting calories because I'm trying to figure out how much I can eat to stay where I'm at. I very rarely eat any kind of "junk food". I still emphasize lean proteins, veggies, whole grains and nonfat dairy. Actually, I eat pretty much the same way I did while "dieting", just slightly more of it. I also work out pretty aggressively, almost every day for an average of an hour. That includes 4 days of running, for an average of 25 miles per week. So far, I've maintained for 5 months.
For me the exercise and diet have to go together. I wasn't successful losing weight with diet alone, or with exercise alone. It takes both and sometimes it gets tricky to eat enough to fuel all of the activity appropriately, while not overdoing the fueling and regaining the weight! It takes continuing conscious effort and planning. Maybe some day it will all become "automatic", but that day is not yet come for me ...
I've lost weight before, so I know what to do...it's just a matter of doing it! Anyway, I cut down on my calories, but I'm not really counting them, since I find it difficult to figure out how many calories things are....but I do know approx. that I'm not going over 1500 a day. I also have cut down on breads and pasta, which I very rarely eat, though I do have some white rice if I'm having sushi. I work out about 6 or 7 days a week. Most of those days are very high intensity, but one of the days will be fairly easy...just to keep moving. I do some weight training as well, but not a ton. Majority if my diet is veggies and lean protein like turkey and chicken and some fish (only in sushi form!).
I also count calories and watch my carb intake. Carbs tend to stick with me (even the whole grain kind) a lot more readily than anything else, so I limit my intake, especially at night. In the beginning I just counted calories and swam and I dropped 30 pounds pretty easily, but after that it got harder and now I'm eating more 'cleanly', if you will.
I also work out seven days a week for about an hour (or so) each session. I started out swimming, then moved on to running and strength training. Walking has never helped me lose weight, so running it is, even though I'm not crazy about it.
I guess I'll add to the calorie counter pile . I too went the simpilest route (calories in= calories out). Not that the changes aren't tough but it makes the most sense to me. This way I never deny myself but make sure I follow the food group 50% carbs/ 25 protein/25% fat and keep my portions in check. I used Fitday to figure out how I was eating and used it as a tool to tweak my eating into the correct %s. Then I exercised...not a lot at first, a little jogging, a little walking, a tape here and there but tried to stay more active. I've never felt I've gone hungry either. My average calories is about 1600. And I know if I run I can eat more when I choose to maintain. To me I see that is a liveable number for the rest of my life.
It took about @57 weeks to lose 34 lbs, @1/2 lb per week...but looking back on it, it was worth it, I feel like I belong in this skin, that my mind and body are in sync. I don't feel like I need to get used to this body like I've done in the past when I've lost in a short period of time.
It also really depends on your reasons for getting into a healthy place. Why you are doing this. My Mom announced last Easter she was diabetic and I knew that I needed to do something NOW. The higher self-esteem, the higher energy is all bonus but keeping myself off of insulin (at least as long as possible) is the goal. I like the new commercials with Queen Latifa for Jenny Craig. I like her "motto" of a size healthier, not a number. It's true. Pick the best way for YOU to get there. Stick around and post.
Heck - I have done a lot of plans. The only one I haven't done is low carb LOL!
I started with WW, then stalled out for months on end, switched from flex to core and back. Gained some of the weight back. Then started Nutrisystem last fall to get myself back on track. That worked really well, and I have been transitioning off those foods back to my own.
I now do calorie counting, with 4 days of strength training and 6-7 days of cardio. It's taken me 4 years to get to this point. Longer than most, I would say - but I am okay with that, and where I am. For me, the fitness is the goal I am striving for now.
im a calorie counter, ive set my goal to 1600 a day BUT i also believe in eating back the calories burned through exercise, if you are already creating a defecit by reducing your daily allowances, stuff ive read says you need to eat back some if not all cals burned during exercise... so i tend to eat around half back most days.
ive been using pilates, wii fit, walking, yoga and just abotu to start kick boxing to.
i find this is the best thing for me as it means NOTHING is off limits, if im dying for some chocolate i have it, if i need to grab fast food once in a while, no biggy, i just include it into my daily cals and try to make the best choices. i think this method is the best long term solution.
After 20 years of yo yo dieting, 20 years of wanting to "diet" for a short time, endure the unpleasantness and then stop dieting and eat "normally" I finally clued in that my "normal" eating made me fat.
Basically my plan is a combination of:
1. Calorie counting - this included food journaling, careful portion control (using measuring cups, spoons)
2. Whole Foods - avoiding processed foods, becoming more educated about food, eating a mostly plant based diet, learning to read labels. Concentrating on eating 5+ servings of vegetables a day, fruit, lean protein, low fat dairy, whole grains (and other healthy carbohydrates like sweet potatoes and beans) and healthy fat (olive oil, salmon, avocado, nuts, etc).
3. Volumetrics - I don't like to be hungry, so eating high volume of low calorie/healthy foods to stay satisfied
I started in July 2004 and I lost weight eating 1400-1600 calories a day. I now maintain my weight loss at 1800-2000 calories a day. I lost over 70 lbs, I went from a tight size 18 to a slim size 6. I lost 10 inches off my hips and 2 cup sizes, I feel so much more energy!
Most importantly - I keep the weight off exactly the way I lost it. I still food journal, plan meals, use my measuring cups, weigh once a week, estimate calories, eat whole foods etc.
I'm a Weight Watchers member using the Flex Plan (counting points). Food wise I'm careful to stay within my points to control portion, and have been working on building up to more & more whole foods. (They're usually more bang for the buck as others have mentioned.)
As far as activities... Walking. Lots and lots of walking. About 50 minutes a day of walking purposefully. I also practice a little yoga. An occassional Richard Simmons workout DVD to mix things up.
What I'm doing now: Again, continuing to slowly build up my whole foods shopping list. Also, I've begun to look more at the percentages of carbs/fat/protein I'm eating. Not really changing anything (that'd be a future project) but just being aware. I'm looking into getting a personal trainer to help me start lifting free weights. (I want some muscle gosh darn it!) But it's a constant process, isn't it?
What has worked for you
I was careful to supplement the LCs with additional vegetables, salads, etc. But calorie counting using FitDay was the basis for my program.
. I too went the simpilest route (calories in= calories out). Not that the changes aren't tough but it makes the most sense to me. This way I never deny myself but make sure I follow the food group 50% carbs/ 25 protein/25% fat and keep my portions in check. I used Fitday to figure out how I was eating and used it as a tool to tweak my eating into the correct %s. Then I exercised...not a lot at first, a little jogging, a little walking, a tape here and there but tried to stay more active. I've never felt I've gone hungry either. My average calories is about 1600. And I know if I run I can eat more when I choose to maintain. To me I see that is a liveable number for the rest of my life. 
