My doctor and I have decided I need to lose some weight to help deal with a serious back problem. I have tried a bunch of "diets" over the years, with varying degrees of success; but thought I'd throw this out there to see if anyone has had some particular, real-life success with a given regimen, supplement, etc.

 

I know the keys to weight loss never change--Take in less calories and increase activity, but also know some methods seem to have better success than others; as well as are easier to stick to while traveling, or eating out. I've had some success with Adkin's type diets before, and these methods tend to be easier to find choices for when out; but miss the fruit & vegetables. Haven't tried any supplements for many, many years?

 

Anyone have something that REALLY has worked for them? Suggestions? Successful supplements?

First off, you are not going on a "diet", you need to change your lifestyle. Many people misconstrue the term "diet" as a temporary thing until a weight goal is met. That is the wrong way to look at it.

 

Treat your body as if it were a Mercedes. Would you put in bad oil and fuel in to the system? No. Treat your body the same. Like your car, you operate whether you are obese or skinny at a much more efficient level if you take in the right foods and nutrients.

 

Your body is like a fire place. It is always burning calories if you provide minimal amounts of food through the day. You do not put 10 logs on a fire at a time. You put one on every so often. Eat the same way. Trade out fried foods and red meat, for lean cuts of proteins and vegetables. Cook for yourself. Take in healthy carbs. Eliminate soft drinks and drink water. Constantly eat through the day, but in moderation... if you do this it will alter your metabolism so that you are burning calories even when you are not exercising.

I echo what bugatti said.

 

You need to figure out what your daily maintance calories are. In other words how many calories do you need to break even. Once you have that you adjust it up or down depending on your goals. If your maintance # is 2000 and you want to lose weight you obviously take in less then 2000. If you want to bulk you take in more then 2000. You have to be careful not to eat too little though. You will see much better results if you feed your body the correct way. You don't starve it and you don't gorge it. Once you come up with your calorie intake that number should be divided into a 40/40/20 split of Protien/Carbs/Fat.

 

Protien - 1gram = 4 calories

Carb - 1gram = 4 calories

Fat - 1 gram = 9 calories

 

Excerise is also important. Like bugatii said eating correctly will increase your metabolism as will exercise.

I agree with bugatti and woodsrider. There is no magic pill or special diet that works for everyone. Reduce calories taken in and increase calories expended.

I agree with bugatti and woodsrider. There is no magic pill or special diet that works for everyone. Reduce calories taken in and increase calories expended.

 

The problem with "Diets" is most are not a long term solution. It isn't something you can realistically continue with forever. People go on diets, they lose weight, then they go back to what they were doing before and put the weight back on. This was always my biggest complaint with the Adkins diet. I never knew anyone that didn't lose weight on it or that didn't gain the weight back. You can't go your entire life with out carbs.

1) Exercise 30-45 minutes per day--something that really gets your heart rate going.

 

2) Don't drink calories.

 

3) Don't eat after 6:00 pm.

1) Exercise 30-45 minutes per day--something that really gets your heart rate going.

 

2) Don't drink calories.

 

3) Don't eat after 6:00 pm.

Just curious but what's your reasoning behing the 3rd one?

1) Exercise 30-45 minutes per day--something that really gets your heart rate going.

 

2) Don't drink calories.

 

3) Don't eat after 6:00 pm.

 

That's impossible for a lot of people.

I lost 130 lbs. a year ago and have kept it off.

 

I did not have surgery.

 

I did not do any fad diets.

 

I did adjust my eating habits drasticly. I no longer eat fast food burgers or fries, I try to eat "smarter" and I quit drinking alcohol for the most part.

 

I started walking 10 minutes a day. I now walk 10 miles a day.

I lost 130 lbs. a year ago and have kept it off.

 

I did not have surgery.

 

I did not do any fad diets.

 

I did adjust my eating habits drasticly. I no longer eat fast food burgers or fries, I try to eat "smarter" and I quit drinking alcohol for the most part.

 

I started walking 10 minutes a day. I now walk 10 miles a day.

 

Can you give more specifics?

I lost 130 lbs. a year ago and have kept it off.

 

I did not have surgery.

 

I did not do any fad diets.

 

I did adjust my eating habits drasticly. I no longer eat fast food burgers or fries, I try to eat "smarter" and I quit drinking alcohol for the most part.

 

I started walking 10 minutes a day. I now walk 10 miles a day.

 

The bolded sentences simply floor me...you are to be commended, though I am sure no accolades mean as much to you as the loss of the weight and the healthier body that you now have.

 

Change of eating habits, walking (increasing the time) and moderate strength training are working for me, though I am worried about falling in all of my old traps when school starts for me. 1) Lack of time for exercise (after school meetings, sports activities/games) and 2) lack of time to prepare healthier foods. It's too tempting to hit the concession stand for supper or to eat fast food of the return.

 

I drink one Gatorade a day, and then the rest is water or tea (with Splenda).

That's impossible for a lot of people.

 

Not that I agree with any of them but why would they be impossible for anyone? For agruements sake change the 3rd one to don't eat upto 3 hours before going to bed.

I have lost 92 pounds since Jan. 1

 

I did not have surgery.

 

I run/walk and started entering local 5K races for excerise.

 

I watched my carbs and have not been hungry. I have had bloodwork done and everything came back normal. Blood pressure is great. I feel great and know I have added years on to my life.

That is awesome Rebel. Congrats no doubt. So forget about that RV stuff. You got a ton of positives. :thumb:

That is awesome Rebel. Congrats no doubt. So forget about that RV stuff. You got a ton of positives. :thumb:

 

Thanks jvdfc!