NON-WW people

Hi,
I am fairly new to this board, but I just don't know what to do anymore. I went from a size 2 (125lbs) to a size 14(160 lbs) in 6 years. I know I have eaten crappy and havent exercised enough. What can I do to drop the weight? I have tried WW countless number of times, but it just doesn't work for me. I can't be bothered to count points or only eat the select food on the other plan. What has helped you lose weight successfully?

TIA!!!

Re: NON-WW people

Re: NON-WW people

I got a personal trainer right before my wedding. It can be alot of money, but he def. kicked my butt into shape! And he helped me out with what to eat and when to eat it.

Re: NON-WW people

Are you active or do you go to a gym?

Portion control is key! Cut back on the portions you eat of food and you will definitely see a difference.

Re: NON-WW people

The South Beach Diet. I started a thread a few days ago with a couple people who aer trying it.

It is the only diet I have been successful with. I usually loose 10-12 lbs the first 2 weeks, followed by more weight loss in the following weeks.

I have completed 2 days so far on this and have already lost 3 lbs.

Good luck in whatever you choose. I also gained over 30 lbs( 130-169) in the past couple years and I know how hard that can be to loose.

Re: NON-WW people

It may be easiest to start with really small changes. Tackle one thing at a time and establish new healthy habits. You said that you gained the weight over a period of 6 years - it's ok to not change all of your eating habits overnight.

For example for one week, if you drink soda, juice, etc, start swapping high calorie drinks in favor of water or flavored 0 calorie seltzer.

In the next week, once you've cut out excess liquid calories and if you're a snacker, take a look at the snack choices you've been making. Choose fruit (whole fruit, not dried), vegetables with hummus, nuts, etc instead of chips or sweets.

From there, tackle your breakfast, then lunch, then dinner choices.

Read about nutrition, real labels - I don't think you NEED to be on WW or count calories to lose weight but you do need to control portions and make healthy choices.

Do you work out at all? That will help, too.

Message edited 9/1/2010 7:50:40 PM.

Re: NON-WW people

I am a ww member but I do have some suggestions that may help you. I would write down what you are eating for about a week to see how much food and what kind of food you are putting in your mouth. From there look to see where you can make substitutes. Are you drinking too many calories? Are you not eating enough fruits and veggies? Are you eating too many fried foods or too many carbs? Make choices of low fat foods when you have the option. Switch to low fat cheese, low fat milk. Find low calorie and filling snacks to have, not the 100 calorie packs. Those are good occasionally, but they will not fill you up. An apple, banana, carrots, celery, yogurt, string cheese are some examples of low cal snacks that will fill you up.

I would focus on your diet first and then add exercise in. Too many changes at once is difficult and I feel sets people up for failure. So get your eating under control for the first month and then gradually add exercise in. That being said, I would try to keep as active as you can until you get an exercise routine set up.

I understand if ww is not for you but if you're not willing to watch calories (points) then losing weight is going to be very difficult. Losing weight through any diet is not easy and no matter which plan you go with there's some form of tracking and counting calories. I've had success with the body for life plan before but you have to be willing to work out 6 days a week for that plan.

Good luck with it!

Re: NON-WW people

what about a nutritionist? i struggle with WW as well but i lost 20 lbs when i went to a nutritionist 4 years ago. they really help you determine how to eat. the first thing they will tell you is to write down everything you eat, and they'll give you a suggested meal plan. it's awesome.

if you say you have IBS, it might even be covered by insurance or at least an FSA.

Re: NON-WW people

How about just simple portion control?

Cut out one thing. Simple little changes can make the WORLD of difference.

If you're a snacker (like I am) try cutting out chips and/or cookies.

Have you limited your sugar intake? If you can go without something for about 2 weeks the craving will subside.

Make a few changes.... like instead of white flour products, switch to whole wheat and grains, especially where pasta is concerned.

Re: NON-WW people

I follow a low glycemic index / glycemic load diet. Lean Protiens, Good Carbs, lots of vegetables.

I don't eat white starches and stay away from certain fruits (anything dried, watermelon, pineapple, bananas).

I eat 6 times a day
Breakfast
Snack
Lunch
Snack
Dinner
Snack

Meals & Snacks always include protien and either a fruit or 'good' carb (whole grain crackers, yogurt, whole grain cereal. etc...)

If you need some ideas, I can FM you.

THe key to it is to eat smaller meals and small snacks. If you are still hungry, eat more protien or vegetables.

The idea behind it is that a low carb diet will keep your sugars level so that you won't get 'high' then crash and be starving.

For the most part, it's so ingrained in my brain that I cannot bring myself to buy or eat that high carb food without feeling guilty.