Tell me about how you've successfully lost weight.

[Philosoraptor]

Have you ever been helped by changing your diet? Were you ever overweight, or just unhealthy, and then changed your diet and had luck with it?

I'd like to know. I've given up all red meat, fish only, occasional chicken, more veggies, no junk etc.

Gimmee some ideas of your healthy diet, or health supplements you recommend.

What about supplements for promoting joint health? Vitamins, etc.

Hep me out here.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear Philosoraptor!

I have lost weight!

Here's what has worked for me: BTW, it does NOT come off quickly.......

I started by going to the gym, but not much happened in the weight loss department, until I began to cut my calories in a serious way....

I did not go on a diet!

I continue to eat what I always eat, just less.....I wanted to behave in a way that I could for the rest of my life....

And it is working!

I weighed nearly 200 pounds.......and that was more than 5 years ago. Probably closer to 10 years ago.

Now, I weigh 156........and I am so much happier!

Good luck!

:toast:

[Whoa_Nelly]

3. WTG, Peggy!

I did the same thing...minus the gym...am using ABS Lounger. Seems by cutting back on portions, and number of times "grazing" during the day, my appetite is smaller, I fill up more quickly, and seem to get so much more energy out of the food I do eat. This has also triggered my brain into recognizing when I'm really hungry over just eating because I "think" I'm hungry re: stress eating.

And I discovered a new favorite frozen dish by Lean Cuisine...The spinach and mushroom pizza...yum! (Am mostly ova-lacto-vegetarian)

So far have lost 20 pounds, and am feeling good! :bounce: Especially when I can go into my closet and pick out outfits that I couldn't wear earlier this year!

[LeftyMom]

2. I did the McDougall diet

To be perfectly honest I was never really strict about it, as I did use oil sometimes in food preparation, but I did do a lot of the recipes. I also walked a lot. I lost 25 lbs in about 6 mos.

[auntAgonist]

4. Weight loss is never easy ...

I have struggled terribly all my life. Losing and regaining, losing, regaining etc...

There is a great group here on DU if you're interested. You'd be most welcome to join in and get lots of helpful tips and support.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=337


aA
:hi:
edited to add. I have gone from 291 on March 15th 2005 to 135 as of this morning. I gave up dieting. I opted for weight loss surgery. You can read all about it on the Weightloss group I linked.

[begin_within]

5. Walk one hour per day. Cut the portions you eat down by 50%.

Eat frequently to avoide hunger attacks and the resultant over-eating. Eat tiny snacks frequently. Walk, walk, walk, and walk, at least 1 hour per day.

[L A Woman]

6. you are on the right track...

eat lots of green veggies
try to keep your fat grams to 20 a day (if you're a man, slightly more)
(but you can eat good fats like avocadoes!)
don't eat enriched white flour, switch to whole wheat.
don't eat after 6 or 7pm (depending on when you go to bed).
of course lots of water.

and most importantly, when you work out - SWEAT. I work at a fitness facility and it amazes me how many people come to the gym every day only to wander around and chat to people and walk slowly on the treadmill for 5 minutes. it SHOULD be hard. that's the whole point. if it's easy, you are not doing enough!

second most importantly, don't weigh yourself! you will only grow impatient and get disheartened. it matters not what you weigh. put the right foods in your body, exercise properly and your body will take the form it's meant to take. :-)

[RebelOne]

7. Years ago, the only way I could stay thin was with diet pills.

Now that I have been a vegetarian for the past 10 years, I don't have much of a weight problem. I take supplements. Vitamin B-12, folic acid. Omega-3, biotin, vitamin C, zinc and a few others that I can't think of right now.

[Guava Jelly]

8. I lost 53 lbs it was easy (get your heart broke)

just kidden ..don't do that.
Eat higher protien meals avoid carbs.
Walk, excercise (lift wieghts)
eat smaller high protien meals just more of them about 6 small ones a day.
here is one i've posted on several occasions. this from august of last year and 9 months later

[NewWaveChick1981]

10. That's the right way to do it, except for getting your heart broken...

:hug: I did it the same way except for that. When I turned 40, I came to a realization that I would probably be very unhealthy in just a few years if I continued the way I was going. I made a lot of changes, and I lost weight (not gonna tell you how much---but it was a lot!). I'm within five pounds of my original goal weight now, and I'm a much healthier person. I work out, walk, and eat like I should. I allow myself the occasional overindulgence, but not like I did.

:hi:

[Guava Jelly]

11. Yeah what nwc said

:hi:

[RetroLounge]

29. Ah, the total despair and depression diet (tm)

Yes, I went this route also and lost 40 pounds this year. I gained 10 back just by eating normalk again, and have held the rest off by changing my diet a bit.

1) Stop the 4th meal right before bedtime.
2) Cut back on the soda.
3) Cut back on the junk food
4) Cut back on the fried foods.
5) Smoke more...

RL

[NewWaveChick1981]

34. RL...

...you need one of these: :hug: and one of these: :* . :) Do I have to spank you for smoking more? Don't make me do it... :P

Seriously, cutting out the junk food helps a lot. :)

[RetroLounge]

37. Please do...

:spank:

RL

[NewWaveChick1981]

38. OK, then...

:spank: Right back at ya!

:loveya:

[RetroLounge]

39. Thank you...

I needed that...

:hi:

RL

[Sugar Smack]

46. OOH!~ I did the "depression & despair" for a month

But the "getting mad" program got me into swimming, walking and exercising. Endorphins will smash your melancholy to bits, I swear!



:*

[Pithlet]

9. Exercise can't be emphasized enough.

If you're physically able. I put on a ton of weight when I was pregnant, and had the worst time taking it off. It seems that in my case, diet alone just doesn't cut it. I got a treadmill and I walk on it at a brisk pace every night after the kids go to bed for at least a half hour. Sometimes I jog. I either walk/jog with my Ipod, or I watch a movie on TV. I'm now back to my pre-pregnancy weight, and plan on running my first 5k since having kids, in October. If you can swing it, exercise is the absolute best thing you can do, combined with a healthful diet. I also avoid sugar like the plague, which is hard because I love sweets. But the weight didn't really start coming off until I added regular exercise.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

58. I lost weight through running also.

I am a little more conscious of how much I eat, but what I eat has not changed dramatically. I try to drink only low calorie drinks. I try to eat more high fiber, high protein foods. That's about it for my diet.

I think the biggest factor in my weight loss was exercise. I decided to try running as a way to get in shape after having my son. I picked running as an activity because I could take my son with me in his jogging stroller. I figured it was good for him to get outside too. I lost about 35 pounds in all. I have kept the weight off (it has been about three years) because I still run a few times every week. I usually run at least three miles two times a week, but I will do more if I have more time.

I actually did my first 5k race about two weeks ago. I got first place for females age 19-29. Of course, there weren't that many people in the race, so there wasn't much competition. I kept about an 8 minute mile pace (7.5 mph), so I finished in about 24 minutes. My endurance is pretty good because I run for distance a lot, but my speed could be better. Of course, when I first started running I couldn't even keep up a 5 mph pace for a half a mile, so I have gotten a lot better. I like running because I can always challenge myself with it, which makes it fun for me.

[Pithlet]

62. I was big into running before kids.

So I'm really glad to be back in it again. I can't wait for my race in October.

That's a good pace. Congrats on your win!

[_testify_]

12. I did the Atkins diet

I lost 60lbs in about 9 months without exercising much. It's not for everyone, but it is the only diet that has ever worked for me. The problem is you have to stay in ketosis, which means you can't really have a cheat day or special occasion meal without starting over in phase one (the strictest phase).

I had been diagnosed with Acid Reflux disease and put on prescription meds. While I did Atkins, the reflux disappeared and I didn't need the meds anymore. Also, I stopped snoring, but that's as likely due to the weight loss in my mouth and neck.


Overall, I don't recommend it without speaking with your physician first.

[GalleryGod]

18. Atkins.

It got "hot" as a diet...now "Not Hot". For me...in my mid 50's..works like a charm...some time ago I wrote that I don't eat sugar,bread or starches of any kind and OF COURSE..here, at ever-lovin':puke: DU, I got jumped-on by some "DU Superstars" for being NUTS. I put all 11 of them on ignore. Exercise? Stationery bike...30 minutes X2 each day.

So..Atkins is my story, and I'm stickin' to it!:rofl:

[_testify_]

20. Awesome!

Thank goodness for Splenda, huh?!? :)

[GalleryGod]

26. Thank goodness the Splenda price dropped ! It was like buying coke !?!

:crazy:

[_testify_]

33. 5lbs of sugar is like $1-something

One pound of Splenda was like $11.00 when it hit the market! Much cheaper now - some larger grocery stores even have their own house brand of sucralose!

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

50. Wow...if coke was $11/lb...

there'd be a lot of happy people out there.

[nosillies]

13. I know it's not PC, but...

phentermine and B6 shots. I had loads of trouble taking off weight after having a baby. I was having major hormonal issues that good diet and exercise couldn't combat. These two things gave me the kick start that made me see some progress and helped me be more dedicated to diet and exercise.

But I readily admit that I like to eat crap. I am Southern. I am a cookie monster. There is no help for me. So I have just learned to love exercise. I just have to exercise enough to keep up with what I eat.

[_testify_]

15. My gf did that for a good while

as part of a physician administered diet. It was like 500 calories a day, plus injections and fistfuls of pills. She lost weight, but what the hell do you do when you've lost the weight? It's easy to overeat again. But that's the same as all diets I guess...

[nosillies]

23. I can see how it would be totally easy to go back to bad habits after that

I stayed around 1000 calories and only did it for like 4 months. It was always a thought in my mind that I didn't need to rely on phentermine to keep weight off.

[Sugar Smack]

14. Well, I lost 20 pounds this month.

I gained 5 in muscle weight. Before, it was red wine, skipping meals, no exercise. Then I spent 3 weeks in the Keys with Joani. There, I dropped fried food, cheese, bread, pasta, wine, sugar and sour cream- but that's ONLY after I really started exercising. I walked 2 miles a day and swam up to 90 laps in the pool. I drink 1 or 2 Coronas a night now. I wish you all the best of luck.

:hi:

[Sugar Smack]

16. I forgot

Take your vitamins & drink your water!!!

[GalleryGod]

21. Well..three weeks in the Keys (did you Rob a BANK!?) will do that!

Besides which...your "Dropped List" is my "Drop Dead List". At your tender age the pounds will fall off like leaves.

[Sugar Smack]

28. LOL! We shared a cheapie room,

and eating cheap salads, veggies and lean fish & chicken'll save you money. Plus I walked everywhere! Plus what are you talking about, I'm the tender age of 36!

:* :* :*

Hey, what's a "Drop Dead" list anyway? :hi:

[GalleryGod]

35. "Drop Dead List" ?

If you pass 50...and keep the food on that list in your diet...
Well...you'll "Drop Dead" sooner than later.


Princess Keira during haitus from Pirates 2.

[sarge43]

17. South Beach

I lost o/a 30, hubby o/a 35. More importantly we've kept it off for over a year now. It's tough the first couple of weeks breaking the crap food habit, but once over the hump it's a very easy diet to live with.

We also take multi-vitamins and fish oil caps; also stay away from anything with trans-fat.

Exercise is also essential.

[LSK]

19. thats where I am now

Its hard not getting fast food for lunch sometimes.

[sarge43]

32. Oh I know

There's a gut bomb out there with your name on it.

"One is too many; a million aren't enough"

[GalleryGod]

25. I admire South Beach,too. Oh! and the Diet,also. (lol)

Seriously...good plan. After 50..."Carb's will KILL ya'!":argh:

[jobycom]

22. Cut out all animal products, sugars, and flours, and ran 4 miles a day

Lost twenty pounds and got in the best shape of my life. Dropped my cholesterol from 243 to 159 in about two months.

It was a great diet while it lasted! :rofl:

[seemunkee]

24. Calorie counting

Has in the past and is again working for me. I'm pretty active so adding more exercise is hard.
I get injured a lot and have weak joints(mild genetic disorder). Taking Glucosamine Chondroitin helps.

[ileus]

27. From 200 to 162 last year...

I dropped from 200 to 162 in 3 months last year. I volunteered to have a few samples of blood taken while working in our hospitals lab (for control purposes) and my total cholesterol come back 312...So I made an appointment and after fasting it was 283. My best friend is a dietitian and with his help I completely changed my diet.
Low fat and high fiber was the rule of the day for those several months. I didn't exercise any just modified my eating habits. When I went back to the Dr. 3 months later my Cholesterol was 196 still elevated but I didn't need any Rx. Doc looked at me and asked how "diet and exercise?" I said "no mostly just diet" his reply was "So it can be done!" Those first 3 or 4 months I followed closely what I eat and didn't eat anything excessive, I no longer follow that strict of a diet but still watch my general intake.
I just had lab test me last month and was hovering at 185total cholesterol...So I'm somewhat happy considering.

I now hover around 163-165lbs I weigh every morning. Portion control, and follow your recommended calorie intake for your body and 25g of fiber a day. For years I'd said I was going to lose weight but never did...then I had a motivating factor.

[auntAgonist]

30. these are the vitamins and supplements I take.

Having had WLS (weight loss surgery). Specifically the Biliopancreatic Diversion w/a Duodenal Switch, I have to take vitamins and supplements to help maintain good health.
I'm curious to know if YOU take any 'extras' on your weight loss journey?

Whether or not you've had surgery, are thinking of surgery, or are striving to lose 5lbs or 100lbs, I thought it might be interesting to see what others are taking.

Here's my menu.

Vitamin D (prescription) 2x per day
A&D 400 IU 3x per day
D 400 IU 3x per day
1 B complex with C 3x per day
1 Solo Multi-Vit 3x per day
1 Calcium Citrate 1000 3x per day
Iron (prescription) 2x per day
Evening Primrose Oil capsule 2x day
Biotin 2x day
Cranberry capsule 2x day
N-Acetyl Cysteine 2x day (supposed to help w/hair loss)

I also take Creon which is an enzyme, 3x per day with a meal. This helps a LOT with the absorption issues.

I know this looks like a lot! But it's a small price to pay for the success I've gotten from my surgery.

IF I feel I'm not getting enough protein, I drink 1 or 2 Revival Soy shakes in a day, they are 20 grams of protein each.
I strive to eat at least 80 grams of protein per day, often times I can go way over that.

Carbs are still my downfall. I LOVE bread etc, but I pay for it when I do eat it, lots of gas. I don't worry too much about fats, I don't absorb them.


that's it in a nutshell for me.

aA

[RebelOne]

40. My daughter had bypass surgery and pretty much has to take

the same supplements as you.

[flvegan]

47. How do those Revival shakes taste?

Do you add anything else to them (addtl. sweetner, etc)?

[auntAgonist]

53. Revival Shakes are really good.

I tried SO many different kinds. I cannot stand the smell or taste of anything whey. Revival shakes are soy. I get the kind that is sweetened with splenda. I've gotten to where I only order the vanilla because I love to make smoothies with them. I add frozen fruit and water. They're quite delicious. I am sure they have a variety pack so that you can try many different flavours.

http://www.revivalsoy.com


:hi:
aA

[Deja Q]

31. stratera

:D

And a LOT LOT LOT of walking.

No diet pills, I'm afraid.

[mrbassman03]

36. Getting a more physical summer job...

Getting a summer job as a construction worker helps. Also, avoiding ALL of the center aisles at the grocery store. Stick with the produce section, getting fresh, good turkey or chicken from the deli, and always eating whole wheat products. Cutting out refined sugars and most processed food helped me a ton.

[MissMillie]

41. 105 lbs. - gastric bypass

I'm still overweight, but I look and feel better than I have in years.

The surgery was so drastic that I decided to give myself the best chance at success and I changed my life. I'm at the gym 5 days a week now, and training for a 10K race in October (this from someone who never did any exercise AT ALL!). I'm still a bit of a food addict, but the good news is that portion control is no longer a problem for me. :P Here's some before and after.

[auntAgonist]

42. lookin' good!

:hi:

aA
:hug:

[MissMillie]

43. Thanks!

I didn't lose as much as you did, but I'm still pretty happy w/ my results. I know for sure I've never been this healthy.

Are you back to work tomorrow?

[auntAgonist]

44. yes tomorrow. I feel so much better

than I did this time last week. I'm not looking forward to sitting at a desk for 8 hours, that's still a tad uncomfortable. I'll just have to get up and move around a bit more than usual.

:hug:
:loveya:

aA

[RebelOne]

64. My daughter also had bypass surgery and she dropped

over 200 pounds in a year's time. But watch it, you can stretch your stomach again. She is eating quite a bit more now than when she had the surgery.

[flvegan]

45. 80 pounds in 10 months

Diet and exercise. 260 to 180. I'm at 205 now and growing (muscle, not fat).

Lots of cardio, LOTS of weight training. Stopped eating red meat and other junk food in the beginning, then went vegetarian, then vegan.

I supplemented with the eca (ephedrine, caffiene, aspirin) stack, bitter orange extract and yohimbe. During my first phase of it, I drank whey shakes like it was free. Multivitamin is always a good idea.

You've got to make the decision to do it, and you've got to own it. Until you've got that down, all the advice in the world ain't gonna help. Keep a dietary journal of everything you eat, all the exercise you do, and be honest.

[HughBeaumont]

48. I didn't give up shit, just ate less of it.

I eat nothing but fruit and water before 11. I alternate days - when I have a light lunch, I have a big supper, vice-versa. Nothing I eat changed, I still eat ribs (I'd better, that's my hobby), pasta, chicken, fish and the occasional burger. I take Mega-Greens and Omega-3s from GNC and Colon Cleanse stuff.

Above all, and this is huge, is that I gave up soft drinks and drastically cut down my intake of High Fructose Corn Throwup. I don't miss them one bit and lost 30 pounds since 2004. I've been able to maintain the weight I'm at now consistently and would like to get down to 171 soon. Giving up HFCS makes a huge difference.

[Skittles]

51. that's the key, HB

it is foolish to cut out whole food groups - it's calories in, calories out

[HughBeaumont]

54. Yeah, I never bought into those "you need to give up this and that" diets.

For instance, I could NEVER be on any diet that requires me to give up pasta. Uh, NO. I'm part Italian. That's like asking me to give up water.

[Skittles]

55. people need to eat less of EVERYTHING

but you are correct, it is madness to give up your favorite foods.....and a sure way to sabotage your "diet". I dislike the word diet as it implies there is an end result - I believe in eating the way I need to eat ALWAYS - sure, I can have those "off" days when I indulge, but for the most part I try to avoid fatty foods and eat reasonable portions and always, always exercise.

[Rambis]

57. Eat what you want just not as much as you want

A friend on mine who is a physiology prof-
He made this arm motion with both arms and I said what is that? That is pushing yourself away from the table.
There are medical conditions of course but he knew I was just lazy.

[Skittles]

49. I exchanged my shovel for a fork

and started exercising and have continued to do so CONSISTENTLY...I got a handle on just how much I was chowing daily by using a food diary: www.fitday.com

[crim son]

52. Very moderate exercise, sugar only rarely,

and portions that are half what they once were. Within a few days my stomach shrinks and I'm full after one small piece of meat and a small side of vegetables. I cut nothing out and I'll butter my dinner roll, but almost never eat processed foods like crackers, boxed cookies, canned soups etc. Minimal, but not zero amounts of bread.

That does it. Slowly but very steadily, the pounds fall off. About ever six months I fall off the wagon and eat ice cream for three nights in a row. But because I almost never feel deprived, it's very easy to climb back on again.

[SeattleGirl]

56. Cut back a bit on what I ate, ate much less fast food, and exercised.

Lost 30 pounds that way. And I take vitamins, too.

[noonwitch]

59. I've lost over 20 pounds without trying a specific diet (inside)

I have a ways to go, but I have given up on "diets".

About a year ago, I gave up eating lunch out every day (when I picked up a car payment). I started packing a lunch and cooking all my own food from scratch (with a few exceptions).

I stopped eating out as much on the weekends, too. I figured that anything I could order in a restaurant I could make at home. Instead of using fatty oils, I use olive oil. I use things like Crystal Hot Sauce and spices to make things taste good instead of frying them. I stopped eating candy and started making my own cookies. I still eat plenty, but I'm not eating all those preservatives, salts and high-fructose syrups in my food anymore, and when I do eat them, it's once in a while, not daily.

I still eat ice cream. I refuse to give it up, it's my favorite food and always will be. Frozen yogurt just doesn't cut it for me, and ice milk is nasty.

On top of all those changes I made with no intention of losing weight, I asked for prayer at church for healing from a psychological issue right about the same time I made the dietary changes. If nothing else, knowing that someone was praying for me helped me make the changes I needed to. Plus, going to a big church and taking classes gives me more to do and less time being a couch potato.

I love to cook, too. I bake stuff all the time and bring it in to work or church and share. It's better than sitting around eating it myself.

I also recognize that my weight gain did not happen overnight, that I'm in my 40s and that it's not going to come off overnight, either. I am looking for a bicycle right now-I figured if I lost 20 pounds or so without intending to, maybe if I throw some exercise into it, I'll lose more.

[FILAM23]

60. I'm overweight

the only way I've ever had success is low carb high protien diet.

In 6 months I dropped 40 pounds, Cholesterol, Trigclycirides, heart rate, Blood pressure
Blood sugar all dropped..I used my own approach which is basically the following.

First 2 weeks, protein only with lots of water
Next 4 weeks slowly increased carbs until I got to 25 grams per day.
Then maintain 25 grams carbs per day for 1-2 months
Then continue 25 grams or less per day Monday thru Friday,
eat what you want on weekends and Holidays.

My problem is in about 18 months all the weight is back and then I have to do it again

[HEyHEY]

61. Anti - depressants!

SInce january 30 pounds have gone away... this shit makes you eat less.

[tjwmason]

63. Small changes.

It was kick started by being ill for a couple of weeks.

I didn't really try to loose-weight, never ate any foods which were reduced fat - still on whole-milk, still on butter, still drink in moderation. Moderate exercise, but nothing too bad at all.

My view is moderation in all things.

[yellowdogintexas]

65. Weight Watchers: I have lost 30 pounds since October

30 more to go
and I feel much better
I take joint supplements and vitamins
I have begun a walking program

I eat red meat whenever the hell I feel like it.

Whether you count points or use the Core Plan, if you follow WW, you will eat more veg and fruit and less fried stuff, unhealthy carbs and other not good for you stuff.