Has anyone here experienced a successful diet? I would like for you to share. I've started, since the holidays are over, on the cabbage soup diet and not finding it so pleasant. Any better ideas?

Thanks!

That is the one that worked for me. I did add some beef flavoring to mine.

I have, to date since March 1, 2009, lost over 100 pounds. The picture in my avatar was the end of May, about 40 lbs down from my starting weight of nearly 300 lbs.

You've probably heard it before, and for me, it's true. You can't diet and be successful, you have to make a lifestyle change.
I went to www.caloriecount.about.com and used the tools there, along with the forums, they even have a nutritionist that you can ask questions of...all for free. The tools available are awesome, the two I used the most were the burn meter and the calorie counter. By entering your height, weight, age, and activity level they will tell you how much you burn in a day, how many calories you should have to lose about a pound and a half per week, (1% of your current body weight is a safe amount)

The best advice I got while I was using the board? "Don't do ANYTHING to lose weight that you're not going to be happy doing for the rest of your life".

Let me know if I can do anything to help you!! Good luck, and toss that cabbage soup out! ;)

Charlee, Thanks for the link. I will look into that. And congrats on the weight loss. Maribeth

Lneal: First off, I gain 5lbs everytime I look at your avatar!!
Last year I used green tea and over 12 months lost 22 lbs. I drank 16 oz of green tea during the day and it seemed to suppress my appetite. It's healthy (so they say this year, who knows what they'll say next year) and you can get it decaffeinated. Since it's liquid, I felt full and didn't snack all day.
I put on some pounds over the holiday and plan to start again. I hope it works for me again.
Everyone's different-don't know if this will help or not. Good luck and keep us posted.

Yes, change your avatar to a carrot. LMAO! :lol:

Charlee...1st...CONGRATULATIONS! That is terrific. Keep up the good work :D
2nd. Thank you for the good advice. Yes, we fall into habits that are devistating to our bodies. A simple lifestyle change goes a long way toward weight loss. The older we get, the more difficult (but NOT impossible) it is to lose weight.
3rd. Only you can do what must be done to lose the weight. No one else can do it for you.
4th. Walking is the cheepest and easiest form of exercise. No $$ or equipment required. :D

You're so right Jan...everyone is different! :)

I've never seen anyone tho, lose weight with a "diet" (i.e., cabbage soup, Atkins, grapefruit, Nutrisystem, or Jenny Craig) that didn't gain it all back...because as soon as you quit eating the prescribed foods, you're back to where you were when you gained in the first place.

I still eat everything I want to eat, I'm just more aware... I read labels, and stick to one serving. That pizza is NOT the last pizza in the world...a large salad and one slice is enough. I can have more tomorrow if I really want it. Oh...and watch those salads! If you load them with bacon bits, cheese, and ranch salad dressing, skip the pizza! ;)

Oh Leota! I bet I've walked ten thousand miles since March of 09!! :lol:

, change your avatar to a carrot

Hope this helps!!! LOL!! I have lost 6lbs I need to lose 20!! I feel like I'm taking baby steps.

Good point! I get a craving for a banana split whenever I see it.

By the way, a great website and message board for weight loss info & support is http://www.3fatchicks.com

Any balanced weight-loss diet is fine for losing weight. The trick is getting yourself to stick to it, which is my biggest (no pun intended) problem.

The cabbage soup diet is meant to be a short jump-start to a diet, not something you stay on for more than a week. The cabbage soup itself is a very healthy dish, by the way, lots of veggies.

The diet I use when I'm being good works very well and keeps you well nourished, too. Here it is:

A. 5 - 9 servings of vegetables and fruits each day
--- At least 3 vegetables should be eaten for every 2 fruits.
--- Limit starchy vegetables, such as potatoes and corn, to 1 serving/day.
--- Use a wide range of veggies, not just the same few.

B. Limit protein to 25% of your calories per day, or to 2 - 3 4 oz. servings.
--- Meats should be 90% lean or better (lean ground beef, lean cuts of steak such as flank steak, lean ground turkey, white meat of the chicken or turkey, etc.)
--- Have fish at least twice a week.
--- Try to have beans, lentils and other plant-based proteins several times a week, or even better, most of the time.

C. Limit fat to 25% of your calories per day.

D. Limit carbs from grains, starches, sugars and processed foods to 50% of your calories. (Vegetables & fruits are carbs and must be counted with this, but you can go over this limit with veggies.)
--- At least one grain serving/day should be whole grain. (The experts would say they all should be, but we don't all eat that way and hey, weight-loss dieting is hard enough.)

E. Keep hydrated - water is best.

F. Limit the calories, but it has been found that super low is not good.

G. Nothing is forbidden, but plan for your treats and work them into your daily limits.

H. Physical activity is important. Even if you can't work out or don't want to, get in at least 20 minutes of some kind of moderate exercise or activity daily. It can be in 5 minute blocks if necessary. It can be walking, housecleaning, whatever. Of course, the more you do, the faster you'll lose weight. Ideally, you should break a sweat and get the heart rate up.

Congratulations! Can we get you to post before & after pictures?

I started my diet (again) yesterday. Actually, after lunch, since I had to have a last meal of fried food with a chocolate shake. Worked out at the so-called gym in my apartment complex and only made it through 10 minutes with a break almost every minute. I had no idea I'd gotten that out of shape. Can't walk much because of bad knees, but that should get eaiser once I'm carrying less weight.

Lots of good advice. I've struggled with weight most of my adult life. And it's starting to make my knees and feet fall apart. So, glad this thread is going. I'm starting my new diet now. I'm 5'2.5" and weigh 235 lbs.

Charlee, that is so wonderful. I am at where you were. I've taken off about 15 lbs since September, that's adding back the 1 lb I added on for Christmas.
My knees are hurting and I'm afraid that someday I will have to do a knee replacement. I can't walk very far because of the pain. Tho, I think I may have a torn meniscus in my right knee, I'll get it checked out when I closer to finishing up with my shoulder.
I need to lose over 130 lbs. Just having a tough time doing it!!

I have been on a diet for 40 years... I made changes in how I shopped and prepared food (low cholestrol) and slowly adapted into a diabetics diet.. (didn't know it at the time) and it has helped me to maintain a healthy weight.
IMHO you need carbs for energy...and the whole grains do help with that, it is what you put on the carbs that is calorie laden :wink: I can eat white rice, a little meat and veggies, and I am hungry a couple of hours later. If I eat brown basmati rice instead, it stays with me for atleast 4 hours. The same with white versus a heavier wheat bread. It took me a while to get used to the different tastes and textures, but it has really paid off.
Some of the light tomato sauces in Italian cookbooks are really good and healthy. Chopped tomatoes and herbs and it is not a heavy thick sauce, nor do you cover the noodles as heavily, but you get a good flavor and it fills you up.
I have tried all of the fad diets, and my weight would jump back up again... The cabbage soup diet can be a great way to start out, it can help shrink your stomach some so that you don't need to eat as much.
Also starting your meal with a cup of veggie soup will help fill you up, with very few calories. :D:D:D

Love the new avatar. (not really!!)

You guys are great. What helpful advice you give. My biggest problem is "picking"--all day and all evening. Boredom? Probably. I've been doing puzzles, sewing, etc., to keep my hands and mind busy but...
Amma, you're right about the whole grains filling you up but it's hard to get used to the taste; okay with bread but I can't do brown rice or pasta.
These are reallly great suggestions. If someone has ANY suggestions to help with the picking (or "grazing"-I feel like cow!!) please post.
Lneal-thanks for starting this thread.

Love the new avatar. (not really!!)

You guys are great. What helpful advice you give. My biggest problem is "picking"--all day and all evening. Boredom? Probably. I've been doing puzzles, sewing, etc., to keep my hands and mind busy but...
Amma, you're right about the whole grains filling you up but it's hard to get used to the taste; okay with bread but I can't do brown rice or pasta.
These are reallly great suggestions. If someone has ANY suggestions to help with the picking (or "grazing"-I feel like cow!!) please post.
Lneal-thanks for starting this thread.

I, too, have struggled with my weight most of my life. The diabetic diet is the easiest because it is a lifestyle change not really a diet. To keep from picking, I keep my hands busy EVERY TIME I sit down. Lost 52 pounds over the last year. I still have a long way to go, but at least I'm headed in the rite direction. I even lost over the holidays! This doesn't keep you from eathing things it just tells you how much of everything you can eat to keep a balance.

Thanks Charlee, I'm going to check it out. I only have about l5 lbs to lose and have been excercising for the last two weeks and need more help. Congrats on the weight loss. Keep up the good work.

I'm just cutting way down on carbs like bread and pasta and chips and, well, all the good stuff, and cutting down on my portion sizes. I need to lose 100 lbs. I also need to spend less time on my butt. That would help me a lot.

The summer before both my babies flew the coop for college, I decided to lose my baby weight--just 15 lbs, but it was time. I started Weight Watchers and lost 17 lbs that summer. I lost 0.5-2.0 lbs every week I went. I gained a little back--not too bad--but as soon as I count points, the weight goes right off. I need to lose just 4 right now for the holidays, but that can be tough too.

My son's fiancé joined WW online and loves it. She said there are many features that make it awesome.

I lost 40 lbs with ww 5yrs ago. I love their program, but didn't realize you could join online. I want to check it out. Unfortunatly I gained it back when I had to go to work setting down all day and eating out and vending machines at work. Not good choices. But now I'm unemployed and starting school in a couple of months. With the holidays behind it is a good time to lose some weight. I have a mini trampoline to use thru winter then back to walking when the weather gets nice!!

Charlee, thank you for the link. I signed up. You are an inspiration. :D :D :D

Hey plus sizers...don't it just make you sick when someone says they need to loose 15-20 pounds because they are fat! LMAO!

Hey I checked out the site link Charlee! It's free!! Thanks so much for the link. WW was a little more than I wanted to pay for an online offer. Let's get started girls!!

Don't get me wrong Marsye, I need to lose 40, but the first 20 seemed to be the hardest. Not sure why that is!! LOL!

Gayle, no matter how bad your knees are, they won't replace them until you to old to care about walking! lol! i have been trying to get my knee replaced for 2 years. i am not old enough! (52) what the heck.
i am 5'7" and 205.
they finally did an ultrasound, after going to the ER,in so much pain..in the middle of the night..they found i had a baker cyst...never heard of it before! it was the size of a small lemon. they drained it in a hospital surgery setting, i was wake though. And the next day..the pain was gone..he said it may come back..but for right now..i am pain free.
i need to change my lifestyle to..i am not mobile enough. Fibromyalgia is a bugger..hurt all the time, i need to move around, but to get the energy to move ..well, you know.
the only "diet" i was able to loose on was "susan powter" remember her..with the crazy short hair?!

At least you pick/graze. I think I just eat nonstop.

The obvious advice is, munch on veggies. Make a low-fat bean dip or salsa for them.
Or get up out of the chair and do something. You can't munch and wash floors at the same time. (Yeah, I know, really appealing advice, right?)
Or put a set amount of food nearby to pick at. Not a huge bag of chips, but one serving.

What can I say? I was good all day, just cheated with some jelly bellies. Which I'd bought thinking I could eat one when I had a craving for candy, hot buttered popcorn, etc - except I ate all of them. (Only 1.6 ounces, but still.)

I could really use a recipe for a light tomato sauce, if you have one (without mushrooms).

Ok, i just joined the group..
Tomorrow starts the life style change!
i am "Watterstide" there too..it will take me a while to learn my way around the board..but i will not give up..
60+ pounds to loose. yikees! wish me luck!

She's back, I saw her on tv a few weeks ago selling another weight loss plan, instead of "Stop the Insanity" it's something like "The Politics" about dumb choices versus insane choices or something.

I loved her workout videos in the early '90s, but this time I am going to try with a healthier live-t (instead of diet) and exercise. But, see there's a problem: I like the bad (tasty and enjoyable) food and I really really don't like vegetables or beans, and I don't like to move around to much (but I am not really fond of the dying thing either and I come from a long line of heart disease and diabetes) so my husband says we have to try. He said he wants me around because he doesn't know where any of the important papers are located. :-D

I'm a grazer too. I'm allowed by my height/weight/activity level to consume about 1600 calories per day. So I eat five or six SMALL meals a day...example:

1 slice 12 grain toast with 1 tbsp p'nut butter for breakfast. 208 calories
mid-morning snack of an apple, orange, granola bar, raisins... usually around 150 calories
Lunch is usually a large salad with 2 cups mixed lettuce, carrots, tomato, 1/2 ounce cheese. 1 slice extra lean ham and Newman's Own Vinagrette...total cals around 185 (Sometimes I add a couple of crackers...or I'll "splurge" and add crazins)
Snack in the afternoon, piece of fruit or yogurt...around 100 calories.
Dinner varies, a LOT! But by controling my daytime intake, i get to pretty much eat what I please for dinner, but I do try to limit it to about 600 to 800 calories, so that I can have a Skinny Cow ice cream for desert! ;)

I don't drink calories. I don't put sugar in my coffee anymore, I use Truvia. No creamer anymore either. I rarely drink a glass of milk, and any soda I consume is diet. About the only juice I drink is diet cranberry juice.

I don't deny myself anything that I really want. If I want chocolate, I have a package of dark chocolate, either the small Dove squares, or Hershey kisses on top of the fridge and I eat one or two of those. I've even been known to eat an entire candy bar...as an afternoon snack, or for desert after dinner.

The point being, it doesn't help to deny yourself something you really want...you're just going to binge on it later if you put it off long enough. Have it, but control it instead of letting it control you.

The Biggest Loser has several books I like almost all the recipes. I have the 30 day jumpstart and one of the cook books. I also follow the show.
Hungry girl also has some good recipes in her book. You can also sign up on her website and get emails w/ eatting hints.
As a detox you can do the soth Beach diet.

Eat healthy and natural. Organic and fresh is better :-D
Fruit veggies, fish and chicken, turken very little meat no more than 4 oz at one time. Portion control measure and weigh look at ingredients in the product.

You are all an inspiration. I also need to lose a bunch of weight, 5'5" 272 lb. Just got weighted at the doctors this morning.
I went to WW after a surgery, but the second I went back to work, the health eating seemed too much to deal with. Back to same old, same old.
A couple of years ago I went to a hospital nutrition program. Lost 25 lb in 3 months. Things in my personal life got very stressful and back to same old, same old.
I have really been considering another try at healty eating. Hope everyone keeps does well and keeps it up.
Congrats to those who have already seen the light!
Christine

I just try to cut out the junk food.

i go to bed ay 9pm to keep from eating...

I've lost a total of 50 pounds, still have 40 more to go. Did Weight Watchers but it's just too expensive right now. However, I have learned how to make a lifestyle change from Weight Watchers so I'm just continuing to do those things.
Make sure to eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day, 2 dairy, 2 tsp of healthy oil (choose from sunflower, oil, safflower, canola -- there's 2 more but I can't remember them), 6 glasses of water.
Weight loss is all about increasing your activity and making better food choices. Choose low or no fat whenever possible, trim visible fat from your meat. Choose less processed foods whenever possible (brown rice vs white).
Good luck and remember -- weight loss is a marathon, not a sprint. It didn't come on quickly, it won't come off quickly. Healthy weight loss is 1-2 pounds per week.

I too am on the road to being thinner. I am cutting out almost all sugar and I have already lost 11 pounds in the two weeks that I stopped eating or drinking anything with refined sugar, fructose, or the like. I have had more energy and less cravings for "bad" food. It is a start... still have about 50 pounds to go!

there is really no easy way to lose weight..and keep it off. That is the hard bit as we all have our weaknesses...
i find that by cutting your meal in half at meal times, eating slower and stopping when you are full all help. I dont use sauces or salad dressings. Eat wholegrain whenever you can. Have small healthy snacks between meals and drink at least 6 glasses of water a day.
You must exercise so find something you can do everyday that you enjoy.
I hate counting what goes in and avoiding sugar, fat and processed foods will automatically have you eating healthy foods!
Alcohol only in small amounts like a glass once or twice a week.
In winter I make a big pot of soup with a tomato base and throw in all sorts of vegies and lentils..very filling.

Thanks, everyone, for the encouragement. (You didn't realize you were reaching yet another, did you?)

I need to lose - too much to mention. And My DH has been diagnosed with diabetes. So we really need to make changes here. I'm going to check out the sites mentioned, and start!