Shadesofgray Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 OK so I am 26. I'm 5.2 and 174 pounds. My weight has been very up and down over the years (obviously I'm on the up right now). I've especially had a hard time losing weight since I had my daughter a little over a year ago. The problem about trying to diet is that for me to do well..I end up obsessing over it. I usually count calories and eat pretty much close to perfect..the first couple of weeks I will lose 10-15 lbs and then I won't lose anything for several weeks. I just recently started trying to diet again and I was SO miserable. I tried eating a different variety of things that still were within my calories range..but to stick to that I was planning out my entire day of meals. Basically I wouldn't allow myself anything I wanted...and if I DID give in and eat something not on my plan for the day I would feel so guilty I would be even more depressed. My thoughts lately are...I was eating really bad before..if I just made an effort to make better choices...and watch my portion size..while adding in work outs...overall would I gradually lose weight? or is the only way to lose weight for good...to stick to a strict diet? I hope I am making sense...this has been something I have struggled with for a long time and I am at the point where I just want to give up and stop trying....even though that would mean not being happy with the way I look. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Link to post Share on other sites
tman666 Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Here's a good read from JC Deen on his thoughts concerning clean eating:http://jcdfitness.com/2010/09/clean-eating-is-a-scam-and-why-you-should-abandon-it/ The thing about 'clean eating' is that it can be superior for satiety (feeling full) and nutrient density per the caloric load. "Clean" eating has its benefits, but completely abandoning the foods that you love is a surefire way to guarantee that you won't be able to stick to your diet long term. Link to post Share on other sites
temporaryvisa Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Weight watchers. Use it. Use it. Use it. Use it! Best thing ever. Ever ever ever Link to post Share on other sites
Author Shadesofgray Posted May 19, 2011 Author Share Posted May 19, 2011 Here's a good read from JC Deen on his thoughts concerning clean eating:http://jcdfitness.com/2010/09/clean-eating-is-a-scam-and-why-you-should-abandon-it/ The thing about 'clean eating' is that it can be superior for satiety (feeling full) and nutrient density per the caloric load. "Clean" eating has its benefits, but completely abandoning the foods that you love is a surefire way to guarantee that you won't be able to stick to your diet long term. That makes a lot of sense. Good article. Thanks! Link to post Share on other sites
2sure Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 For me (and for my daughter) the only thing that has worked with long term effects via a changed lifestyle...was a personal trainer. Quite an investment but now I'm not just thinner, I'm stronger, I'm healthier, and I'm happier. The routine I built from using the trainer put me on track . Link to post Share on other sites
Lauriebell82 Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 OK so I am 26. I'm 5.2 and 174 pounds. My weight has been very up and down over the years (obviously I'm on the up right now). I've especially had a hard time losing weight since I had my daughter a little over a year ago. The problem about trying to diet is that for me to do well..I end up obsessing over it. I usually count calories and eat pretty much close to perfect..the first couple of weeks I will lose 10-15 lbs and then I won't lose anything for several weeks. I just recently started trying to diet again and I was SO miserable. I tried eating a different variety of things that still were within my calories range..but to stick to that I was planning out my entire day of meals. Basically I wouldn't allow myself anything I wanted...and if I DID give in and eat something not on my plan for the day I would feel so guilty I would be even more depressed. My thoughts lately are...I was eating really bad before..if I just made an effort to make better choices...and watch my portion size..while adding in work outs...overall would I gradually lose weight? or is the only way to lose weight for good...to stick to a strict diet? I hope I am making sense...this has been something I have struggled with for a long time and I am at the point where I just want to give up and stop trying....even though that would mean not being happy with the way I look. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I could give you a bunch of diet/weight loss/exercise tips, but I really feel that everyone is different and not all programs work for everyone. It's very individualized. So, let's break it down. You lose 10-15 pounds the first few weeks and then can't lose after that. It's what is called hitting a weight loss plateau. If you continue to restrict and not eat anything you "like" then you will not only put the weight back on, but maybe even gain more! I know this because I've done it. That brings me to my next question: do you work out at all? I really really advice you to. Not only will you NOT have to stick to a "strick diet" but your health will improve and you will be able to have those days where you can "splurge" and not feel guilty because you go to the gym and burn it off. Have you worked out in the past? Link to post Share on other sites
Author Shadesofgray Posted May 21, 2011 Author Share Posted May 21, 2011 I could give you a bunch of diet/weight loss/exercise tips, but I really feel that everyone is different and not all programs work for everyone. It's very individualized. So, let's break it down. You lose 10-15 pounds the first few weeks and then can't lose after that. It's what is called hitting a weight loss plateau. If you continue to restrict and not eat anything you "like" then you will not only put the weight back on, but maybe even gain more! I know this because I've done it. That brings me to my next question: do you work out at all? I really really advice you to. Not only will you NOT have to stick to a "strick diet" but your health will improve and you will be able to have those days where you can "splurge" and not feel guilty because you go to the gym and burn it off. Have you worked out in the past? I try to go for walks a few times a week but last time I was seriously dieting I was running. I was doing a program that builds up your endurance. I felt great when I was doing that...my problem is that if I eat anything bad during the day..I just feel like it pointless to work out..like will it really even make a difference? Link to post Share on other sites
anne1707 Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 I also recommend weightwatchers. It is affordable, sensible eating (and no, you do not have to eat processed meals - you can eat fresh fruit, veg, meat, etc). Link to post Share on other sites
Lauriebell82 Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 I try to go for walks a few times a week but last time I was seriously dieting I was running. I was doing a program that builds up your endurance. I felt great when I was doing that...my problem is that if I eat anything bad during the day..I just feel like it pointless to work out..like will it really even make a difference? Yeah, I used to think that way also. But if you think about it, when you eat fattening food and DON'T work out, then you gain weight. But if you work out, you'll at the very least maintain, and then the next day you can watch what you eat and start losing again. There are lots of addictive thoughts when it comes to food/eating/dieting, you basically have to counteract those thoughts. Running is what I do to lose weight also, it's pretty much the only way I can. So I try to have a day here and there where I don't restrict quite as much, and make sure I work out on the day to prevent weight gain. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Shadesofgray Posted May 22, 2011 Author Share Posted May 22, 2011 I also recommend weightwatchers. It is affordable, sensible eating (and no, you do not have to eat processed meals - you can eat fresh fruit, veg, meat, etc). I have had several people recommend that to me. I did some research on it and I think I might try it. Thanks! Link to post Share on other sites
Author Shadesofgray Posted May 22, 2011 Author Share Posted May 22, 2011 Yeah, I used to think that way also. But if you think about it, when you eat fattening food and DON'T work out, then you gain weight. But if you work out, you'll at the very least maintain, and then the next day you can watch what you eat and start losing again. There are lots of addictive thoughts when it comes to food/eating/dieting, you basically have to counteract those thoughts. Running is what I do to lose weight also, it's pretty much the only way I can. So I try to have a day here and there where I don't restrict quite as much, and make sure I work out on the day to prevent weight gain. That's a really good way to think about it actually. I'm pretty sure working out can never hurt anything lol. I Just have to work on my self control and actually get off my butt and do something! Link to post Share on other sites
eerie_reverie Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 I think the best changes are ones you can stick to permanently - incorporating exercise you love into your life, substituting some unhealthy foods you eat regularly for healthy ones, cutting out soda and beer. Everything makes a difference. I am a runner, but I always lose the most weight when I'm lifting. Link to post Share on other sites
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