Started a "Fitness Challenge" this week with coworkers - I know why I cannot 'diet'

M

music-city-missy

Well-known member
the food list and recipes were absolutely horrible. Can someone not come up with a diet for people that like GOOD food? I mean dry flavorless chicken and slices of raw peppers and carrots in a low carb wrap? Is that food or cardboard?

I asked the fitness guru for more specifics on the dietary requirements and all I really got was to eat 1500 calories a day at 5 times - 3 meals and 2 snacks. Use lots of healthy carbs. I looked at her meal plans and basically there were not enough servings of fruits and vegetables.

I've done research on what percentages of calories from each group but it takes time to figure out how to do it - balance the food pyramid with healthy options and flavor.

Seriously, does anyone know of a reasonable dietary plan or recipes or anything. I need to loose some of this weight but I am not going to subscribe to the theory that self deprivation is good for you - and actually - the lady has that as part of the plan.

 
I've tried tons of diets and the one that worked best for me was high protein/low carb

I think everyone is so different that not you have to know what works for you. Low fat, macrobiotic, liquid, fasting.... none of it worked for me but I know people who swear by each method.

 
Check out...

"Eating for Life" by Bill Phillips at your library. Or you can view inside the book at Amazon (do a search on dinner when you click "See Inside", then you can click in the results to actually view recipe pages.)

I got this out of the library last week and it seemed filled with sensible meal plans involving 6 meals/day of normal food. For instance, a dinner of baked sweet potato and grilled salmon on a bed of baby lettuce with lemon dressing. I thought there were some good ideas in this book to use.

 
it doesn't need to be difficult at all, and the word diet should be banned as it sets up anybody ..

for unhappiness.
what has worked for me, and i have been too heavy and too thin, is variety and common sense. nothing is off limits, but if i am craving guacamole and chips, i make a meal of it with other veggies and fruit etc. it is not a snack. stay away from all of that low-fat, no-fat junk, it is just filled with sugars and starch, doesn't taste good and leaves you feeling deprived. low fat yougurt is an exception that i have found, breakfast is usually yougurt with museli, filling and delicious. we always share entrees at a restaurant for the 5 of us, 2 entrees, an appetizer and a dessert to share is more than enough. try different ethnic foods, japanese is a wonderful cuisine and how many overweight asians were there before western fast food got the best of everyone? i don't mean to sound preachy, i have been on about every diet out there and the only thing that has worked, long term, is eating what i like, and realizing why i am eating, and enjoying every bite without guilt. good luck, and don't put too much thought into it, eat in good health and good company, even if you are alone. :>}

 
Here are my ideas:

I've been really amazed at the good recipes & nutrition info in Prevention Magazine. I've been using some of their recipes from this "Defy Your Age" eating/exercise program. I want the book this woman wrote. It might have some ideas for you.

Also, I lost 67 pounds on Weight Watchers and kept it off for 10 years. It works if you go to the meetings and especially if you use the online tools/tracker they have now. -It is a lot less structured than it used to be. I just went back and lost 4.6 pounds my first week. I still try to keep it most days to what the old program was because I think it is a healthy regimen: 6-8 oz. lean protein and 2 servings lowfat dairy, at least 2 fruits, at least 3 vegetables, 2-4 servings bread/starchy carbs and 3 tsp fat, preferably healthy ones.

http://www.prevention.com/health/health/defy-your-age

 
I've kept off 90 of the 100 lbs I lost for 4 years. The "secret" is not to diet at all

...but to change the way you eat and exercise so it becomes your normal routine and food.

I used the South Beach Diet then created my own eating lifestyle based on it. I am happy as a clam, never went hungry, never wished I had some sinfully decadent anything.

Each person is different and needs to find what works for them. I know Weight Watchers is more than excellent- but the trick is not to go on and off a diet if you want to keep weight off once you lose it.

Good luck- you can do it!!

 
I agree with Cathy....it has to be a lifestyle change...not a diet.

Good healthy foods, exercise, and this is easier than you think. Walk the dog everyday, then park as far away from the store you are going into...way back in the parking lot. Walk to the neighbors instead of driving. Play ball with the kids, dance with your husband or ? at night or go for a night time walk...magical.

 
Missy, Weight Watchers Program is excellent...you will learn food science, loose the weight

and make new friends. Truely, it is a great probram..not dieting.

 
I joined Weight Watchers online this spring and lost 12 pounds. I haven't been following it lately

but at least I haven't gained back what I've lost. It's made me much more aware of where my worst habits are and I plan to get at it again. A good friend has lost 45 pounds on it since the first of the year and he doesn't follow it to the letter--he says he splurges on weekends sometimes.

I like that you can eat whatever you want, you just have to account for it in their point system, which is easier than counting calories and takes into account fiber and nutritional value. It's all about portion control. You also track your exercise--the best motivation I've found for going to the gym is I get to reward myself 5 points when I get home.

For me, I could never stay on a strict diet which forbids certain foods entirely, and I could never live on pre-packaged food like Jenny Craig. I just love cooking and eating too much.

In the meantime, fruits and vegetables, lots of them, are really important. It can be as simple as oooking an extra vegetable for dinner and cutting the starch portion in half.

 
I've always followed these general rules:

Don't really count calories - concentrate more on the types of food you eat

Eat as many vegetables and fruit (and whole grains) as your body will tolerate

Drink water even when you aren't thirsty

Steam, grill, and saute when you'd rather fry. If you really want fried food, have it a few times a month. Don't restrict foods, just the number of times you eat it! :eek:) Good luck!

And as Dr. Oz says, "Walk your dog a half-hour every day, even if you don't have one"

 
Cheezz says to get there early. Can you time your drive down to arrive at dawn so we can have donuts

with the cops?

 
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