Whats the best diet?

[elizabethann]

Has anybody read You on a Diet?

Just curious what you think of it.

Good luck on your diet.

[catland]

Even if you don't want to join weightwatchers themselves, some of their principals will go a long way.

As already mentioned - drink the water
Keep a log of what you eat. This can be a real eye opener - expecially if you tend to snack between meals.
Choose whole grains.
Eat fruits and vegetables.
Cut back on fried foods.
Have the occasional treat so that you don't feel deprived - just keep the portion size more under control.
Learn about portion size - we've become so "supersized" that we forget what a real meal should look like.

Don't try to lose a bunch of weight in a short time. 1-2 pounds a week is more than enough.

[Uabassoon]

I also love weight watchers, I lost 50 lbs on the program about 2 years ago. I've gained a small about back (7 lbs) but mostly I've done a great job of keeping the majority of it off because it helped me to understand how much I eat and how to limit myself. My partner just started so I've been doing it as well to support her and make it easier. In a week and a half I'm already down 4 lbs, so I'm almost back to my lightest weight.

[Flatcoatluver]

I did weight watchers four years ago, but I didn't stick with the plan. I am starting weight watchers again. I am tired of feeling fat and lazy.

[mruffruff]

I've been doing what Catland suggests and I've lost 30 lbs since July 4th.

I've always done the menu thing like Joycenalex, mostly so I'd know what to buy at the grocery store. Now I know how many calories I'm eating for lunch and dinner, so I also know when I can have a treat.

The big eye opener for me was how small a 'portion' of something looked. Now I can have a large portion, but I have to double the calorie count. Sometimes I'd rather have a smaller portion and use the calories for a treat instead. I keep my daily calories to 1200. Drink a lot of water, but I don't believe there should be a set amount. Some days you need more than others. And all liquids count. When I eat out, I guess at the count and adjust somewhere during that day or the next. I don't need to cheat, because I'm not depriving myself of foods I like, just limiting the quantities.

The hard part is planning. I have several meals that I always cook, so I have the calorie count for the entire meal on my menu.

[Catlady711]

Actually a DIET is only a short term solution to a weight problem. The best and long term solution is a LIFESTYLE change.

What has worked for me in the past (although it's alot of work)...

Find out how many calories you are supposed to have for your height/build/health, check with your doctor if you're not sure.

Write down EVERYTHING you eat or drink that has calories in it, from that 5 calorie piece of gum, to the 20 calorie bottle of propel water. It's amazing how simple little things add up in a day. Keep your total at or just under your target calorie level.

Don't cut calories too low, it's counter productive, your metabolism will just slow down to accomodate the lack of calories, and in the end you can't eat little enough to continue losing or even to maintain your weight.

Drink PLENTY of water, get your rest, and keep active. Hunger/cravings are often signs of lack of water, being tired, or bored.

It's not so much what you eat, but how much. Although you can sure eat alot more if you're eating healthy things like a whole bowl ful of veggies vs. those 5 hershey kisses. lol When you deny yourself your fav foods you are setting yourself up for failure/cravings. Moderation is the key.

These are things a person can do for life, not just to lose those 10 lbs, or to look good in a swimsuit, and then go right back to eating as before.

Good luck

[Giselle]

Agreed with CatLady. I don't like diets very much because if you want to keep the weight off, you're going to need to change your lifestyle. You're going to stop going to certain restaurants. You're going to venture into new sections in the supermarket. You're going to start cooking different recipes.

As was mentioned before, the key to losing weight is watching your calorie intake. Calories = energy = what you need to live. Figure out your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and work from there. If you live a VERY sedentive lifestyle, you take your weight, add a 0 to the end and add your original weight. For example, if you're 135 pounds: 1350+135= 1485 calories/day. This is only the bare requirement for living. However, your age and weight will be a factor, so I would suggest using the USDA's website's calculator as a *guideline*.

Keep in mind, 3500 calories = 1 pound of fat. That's a lot of calories to lose. However, if you're suggested to consume 2500 calories a day, you can cut back to 2000 calories (either by eating 2000 calories or by burning off 500 calories) each day. By the end of the week, you will have lost 1 pound (500 calories lost each day will = 3500). Sounds simple enough, right? The hard part is sticking with it. All I can say is, everything in moderation and EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE!