What's Your Secret for Losing Weight?

[jorgea]

This is a thread about sharing your "secret" for losing weight. So feel free in sharing what helps you lose weight so others can benefit and also lose weight.

I'll go first: I maintain my normal body weight by eating only 2 moderate meals a day(breakfast and dinner) and exercising for 15 minutes on a daily basis. This works for me.

[lmcconne]

If you are trying to lose weight, I believe committing to keeping a food diary (and doing it with integrity) will make a person face the truth about how much they are eating.

In general, portion control cannot be emphasized enough. Yes, I may have five sodas a week, but the portion size is 8-14 oz., not 64 oz. Big Gulp size.

[rheavon]

I found I lost weight -or just had a healthier lifestyle when I learned to love myself first. Having a positive outlook really helps you out when you encounter minor setbacks.

I am a firm believer in tracking & knowing what you're consuming. I've actually been a part of Weight Watchers for almost 2 years and have found it to be a completely liveable and forgiving lifestyle. I tried the new program for several months, but went back to the old program because I found it more to be in tune with my lifestyle while still allowing me to lose weight.

I also work out 6 days a week. All 6 days, I am doing 20-45 minutes of cardio & 3x a week I'm doing strength training. All workout videos.

In addition, doing little things throughout my day help, too. I have a sit-at-my-desk job, so sometimes I stand at my desk and do work. On my breaks I walk.

So it is just all about refocusing your lifestyle and truly decide if it is something you want to do for the rest of your life. Try not to set a timed goal- look at improving your health long term.

And my current results are: my lowest loss was at 36lbs on the old WW plan, gained several lbs on the new plan- but lost inches in that time frame.. I'm at a 20lb loss now recently switched back to the old plan with over 50 inches gone (8 inches off my waist, 10 off my hips alone). It is a lifelong journey and I still have a lot to lose, but I know I'll get there.

[motherofmolly]

there is a secret? i must not be part of that "club". lol


i just started treadmill daily again. my kids play in their play food and house and i walk the treadmill. 45 min is my minimum. i am trying to add in one glass a day water for now and then will up that to water with meals only. then some situps...and slowly increase.

i did a workout program of 1 hour "military burpee's" which is nothing more than situps, pushups, burpees, jumping jacks etc 2x a week and then running 3 x a week. 1.5 mile each run. in 8 weeks i was slim trim and tight! going to work my way back to that. 5 days a week, 3 meals a day and no snacks. drinking water. weekends were free for the most part but by week 3 i was keeping weekend food and drink the same as the week.

[shelleyf]

I pray and eat honey, 1 tablespoon every morning. I have lost 71 lbs and have not dieted. I am now a size 8 and used to be a 16. I drink water all day long, 6 water bottles a day at least, some juice and milk and decaf coffee. I don't drink sodas at all. They make me swell and are too sweet anyway. I eat whatever I want and don't exercise. I have to watch my exercise because of blood pressure but after I lose some more weight I am going to talk to the Dr. about it again. I have 30 more pounds to lose to be where I want to be.

[love2save]

shelleyf, What does the honey do for you? Does it satisfy your sweet craving? I have terrible sweets, and bread cravings.

[abond0017]

Started with tracking calories to see how much I ate and learned what the right amount of food was for me in a day.
Eat smaller meals and portions (we sometimes eat on salad plates) with at least one or two small, healthy snacks a day.
Eat meat only 2 out of every 3 or 4 meals.
Switched to whole grains in my carbs instead of refined pasta and white bread.
One soda a week limit....the rest of the time it is water.
Exercise at least 4 times a week.
Cut out sugar substitutes...things like aspartame dull your taste buds and can cause you to require even sweeter foods to satisfy your cravings.
I don't deny myself any food that I absolutely crave even if it is candy, cake, etc.....I just moderate how much I eat of it. If I deny my craving, I end up eating more.
Rarely eat fast food or anything fried.
Try to minimize processed foods.
Eat lots of veggies.

I am sure there is more that I have done that has allowed me to keep the 15 lbs I lost off, but that's all I can think of right now.
While it was hard to make some of the changes in the beginning, most of it is second nature to me now. I no longer over eat cause my body is used to the amount I put in it...I no longer crave sodas all the time...and I don't even notice a difference in my pasta, bread, or tortillas anymore. Also, since I cut out most fried food and really processed food...my body actually rebels and I don't feel good when I over do it on that stuff.

[JulieDB]

I can't seem to lose weight now. I did it years ago by only eating healthy foods but foods that I liked and a maximum of 1,000 calories per day. I also pushed myself hard and did at least 2 hours of exersice a day. I felt weak and exhausted and hungry and was miserable. But I lost 30 pounds. And I kept it off for about 3 years. Now I weigh more than I did when I started that diet.

[IntoTheMystic]

I can't seem to lose weight now. I did it years ago by only eating healthy foods but foods that I liked and a maximum of 1,000 calories per day. I also pushed myself hard and did at least 2 hours of exersice a day. I felt weak and exhausted and hungry and was miserable. But I lost 30 pounds. And I kept it off for about 3 years. Now I weigh more than I did when I started that diet.

OMGosh, Julie, This could be my post! We are in the same exact spot. I lost about 30 pounds by eating a breakfast bar, snack, lean cuisine, snack, and lean cuisine every day. MY snacks were apples, pretzels, etc. I decided I couldn't live that way anymore (the headaches and exhaustion and grumpiness are extreme), so I started a couch-to-5k program. Running helped me maintain my hard-earned weight loss and I kept it off by eating only healthy foods (no more dieting) in moderation and running 4x week. Anyway, since I am my own worst enemy, I stopped making good food choices, and stopped running, and I am almost back to where I started. I am so depressed over this, so please, if anyone can inspire me to climb this mountain AGAIN....post away!

[abond0017]

I can't seem to lose weight now. I did it years ago by only eating healthy foods but foods that I liked and a maximum of 1,000 calories per day. I also pushed myself hard and did at least 2 hours of exersice a day. I felt weak and exhausted and hungry and was miserable. But I lost 30 pounds. And I kept it off for about 3 years. Now I weigh more than I did when I started that diet.

OMGosh, Julie, This could be my post! We are in the same exact spot. I lost about 30 pounds by eating a breakfast bar, snack, lean cuisine, snack, and lean cuisine every day. MY snacks were apples, pretzels, etc. I decided I couldn't live that way anymore (the headaches and exhaustion and grumpiness are extreme), so I started a couch-to-5k program. Running helped me maintain my hard-earned weight loss and I kept it off by eating only healthy foods (no more dieting) in moderation and running 4x week. Anyway, since I am my own worst enemy, I stopped making good food choices, and stopped running, and I am almost back to where I started. I am so depressed over this, so please, if anyone can inspire me to climb this mountain AGAIN....post away!

Sounds like you guys probably messed your metabolisms up.

1,000 cals is not enough...especially when working out so much. You were starving yourselves...anyone would be miserable. Unfortunately, sometimes you can't get your metabolism all the way back, but I assure you if you eat enough (and healthily) and exercise regularly and hard, you can begin to get there. It will be slow going and take time though. Enough so that you will think it is not working.

Mystic - it sounds like you were on the right track with a healthy lifestyle. So you know you CAN do it! Willpower girl, willpower

You too Julie!