Best diet for you?

UPDATE: Went back to WW today! On the bandwagon with many of you ladies. woo hoo!!

Which diet have you found to be most successful and easiest to maintain? I've done ww a few times with success but eventually get sick of counting and the scale moves up. I have been reading about the 17 day diet but am not crazy about cutting food groups. I know something has to give! Lol. So what works best for you?

We don't cook much. In our house it is a lot of shortcuts and frozen food (right now I am baking those Perdue already cooked chicken breasts for example)

Message edited 1/8/2012 10:44:59 PM.

Re: Best diet for you?

I do it the hard way, no named diet or tricks. I researched foods with certain criteria - low fat, low carb, high protein, high iron, high water content, low sugar. I learned about metabolism and the best way to capitalize on it, the range of calories I should be eating in a day to sustain it, as well as lose weight. Different types of exercise and what would benefit me, keeping in mind that muscles are *not* bad and cardio is *not* the only answer.

I switch it up, constantly, to keep interested. I don't deny myself anything completely, except for the worst of junk food and fast food. I don't really cook either so basically I'm buying healthy pre-packaged meals or food from Whole Foods or I'm just putting ingredients together like for a salad.

I lost 57 pounds this way. It's not easy, but who said it should be? Working this hard towards my goal makes me appreciate it more.

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The 17 day diet is best for me, I need structure because I'm a food addict - a taste of sugar or carbs will send me right over the edge of disaster...

Re: Best diet for you?

I have been very successful on Weight Watchers- mostly in part because I don't consider a diet so much as a lifestyle change.
I've kept 60lbs off for almost 4 years.

Re: Best diet for you?

for me and dh, its weight watchers. i loves over 50 lbs. kept it off a yr. dh has lost over 200 lbs. you don't have to give anything up. u just need to know how to track it

Re: Best diet for you?

I did WW in the past and was successful. But being a SAHM to 3 small kids I didn't have time to go to weekly weigh ins and meetings. Plus, I did feel like it was a little expensive.

Now, I just count calories and keep a very strict food journal. Last time I did it I lost 12lbs in just 2 weeks. I use www.myfitnesspal.com. Best part about it - it's free. They even have a free app for the iPhone. It is inevitable to start to learn and remember portion control and calorie per serving. So it get's easier as it goes.

I only weigh myself once a week. Typically on Mondays this way I remain strict on the weekends. I also make myself weigh in in front of DH. He doesn't look at the number on the scale, but he makes sure I check my weight!

In the week that I have been back on the bandwagon I have already lost 6lbs!

Re: Best diet for you?

I track calories and macronutrients. I use fitday.com to keep track of everything (it is free). My endocrinologist has measured my energy requirements by Indirect calorimetry so I know exactly what my energy needs are. I eat 6-7 small meals a day. If I am trying to lose weight I will cycle my carbs. I would try to cook more home made meals so you can track what is in your food. Try skinnytaste.com and clean Eating for heathy simple recipes.

Re: Best diet for you?

No diet at all.

I find that when I deny myself anything at all, I end up craving it more than ever. It's like I set myself up for failure.

So what I've been doing is sticking with portion control. I eat three small meals and snack whenever I am actually hungry. I typically crave cheese as snacks so I eat maybe two small pieces, untilmim not hungry anymore.

I also drink a ton of seltzer, maybe 2 liters a day.

The weight is coming off slowly but I'm not in a rush to lose weight so it works for me. I guarantee if I gave up wine it would come off faster but that's not a sacrifice I'm interested in

Re: Best diet for you?

Re: Best diet for you?

Message edited 1/8/2012 11:48:47 AM.

Re: Best diet for you?

Low carb works best for me. I eat 1-1.5 servings of whole grain or sweet potatoes, and lots of lean protein, nuts, and veggies. I eat cheese too.