TheNewGirl wrote:OP, I recommend therapy. I was overweight for most of my adult life- gained 30# as a college freshman and yo-yo'd until 3 years ago. In that time I've lost 50+ Lbs and transformed my body and my life. For me , it was about changing what I ate but even more so, reprogramming my internal messaging so that emotional eating is no longer a part of my life. As I have worked through many of my self esteem issues I no longer struggle with feeling like I "deserve" certain things , I need them or that it's so unfair. It has been hard but absolutely 100% worth all the effort and then some. I can just tell from the tenor of your posts, it's about so much more than food. Hugs.

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Anonymous wrote:If you're like me, you can't handle sugar at all - one bite brings on the craving/binges. The Whole 30 might work for you if you can stick it out -and then you lose the cravings.

http://whole9life.com/2010/12/whole30-2011/

Gimmicky.

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Anonymous wrote:I started out about 30 pounds over my ideal weight. Started getting serious about exercising about 2 months ago and I work out for 40 minutes, 5 days a week at my office gym. I stopped making excuses and just started going. Now, it's my routine and I enjoy taking that break in my day. Even with the new plan and cutting back (but not as much as I probably should've), I lost about 4 pounds in 1.5 months. It was SLOW going.

I decided to start juicing during the weekday. Yesterday marked me entering my third week of my new plan and I've lost an additional 8 pounds. I love the flexibility of sticking to this plan during the week and relaxing a bit on the weekends (without overdoing it). Going to continue with this method until I reach my goal weight loss and switch to juicing for breakfast only because I enjoy getting tons of veggies/fruits in a quick way. And my skin has never been clearer!

Great job! When you do your juicing do you get any other food or just juice?

Thanks! I should also note that while I've lost 12 lbs, I *really* see the difference in the way I look. My face and thighs are much slimmer. I haven't taken my measurements, but I can feel/see the difference.

What I usually eat during the week:

Juice consisting of some mixture of the following: kale, spinach, cucumbers, carrots, broccoli, strawberries, grapes, watermelon, pineapple, mango. I don't use all in one juice blend. I use various combinations, but the goal is to use more veggies than fruit.

I drink my juices 3 times a day and also have:

Breakfast: 2 hard boiled eggs
Lunch: 1 piece of baked chicken or fish, 1 slice of wheat bread
Dinner: 1 piece of baked chicken or fish, 1 slice of wheat bread. Lately, I've really been craving something sweeter so instead of chicken/fish, I'll have: yogurt, peanuts and apples. It's really good and filling.

While it may not seem like a lot, the juices REALLY fill you up and you won't be hungry after the first 2 days or so. I enjoy the taste of the juices (and the knowledge that I'm taking in veggies/fruits) so much that I even do it on the weekends for breakfast.

This looks miserable. I could never sustain this long term.

I did WW for 3 months and then switched to MFP. I did both religiously and steadily lost weight. Now I can eyeball my food and know how much I need to maintain. I eat whatever I want, just now how ever much I want.

The above diet is simply a reduction in calories, just looking at it a different way.

This is what I do too. It's really the only thing sustainable long-term.

How much weight have you lost and over what time frame?

40lbs, took me 8 months and it has been 3 years now.

Studies show that rapid weight loss leads to long term failure. If you are using some sort of gimmick, then you are not training your brain for the "real world". Great article about the fat cell and even a note on calorie counting and chewing. The chewing aspect really makes sense because for a while I tried meal replacement shakes and found that no matter what, I still was never feeling full. Chewing sends your hormones signals.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kristin-kirkpatrick-ms-rd-ld/maintaining-weight-loss_b_942701.html

calorie counting also helped me gravitate low carb foods. This is because high sugar foods are very "expensive" in terms of calories or points. If I can eat high fiber or high protein foods, I can eat more to fill up my stomach, vs. a bag of chips that hardly made a dent in my hunger, but cost a ton in calories or points.

However, at this point, I pretty much know how much and what I can eat. I only go on MFP if my weight creeps up by 5lbs. And even then, it takes me about 3 weeks to take it back off.

Sounds great, but what I will caution against is criticizing what works for others. ANY weight loss method (including low calorie diets) have the potential for failure. The goal is to find what works for you and then work hard at maintaining the weight loss after you've reached your goal.

Anonymous wrote:
This may be true. I fought with my weight for years but had it under relative control until I got pregnant with #1. I gained 75lbs, partially due to eating and also due to swelling. I have been nursing or pregnant (with the exception of 2 years) for the past 7 years and although I have lost 60 lbs from the height of my last pregnancy, I have been stuck with 30 lbs to lose for the past few months with the scale not budging.

I dont emotionally eat when I am stressed or upset, just bc I want to and become consumed with my cravings. I do have the "its not fairs!!" though b I see so many of my friends eating that piece of cake or cookie and I think why shouldnt I be able to eat it too. I know very few people who eat a rigid diet and dont treat themselves, so I think I can do the same but it just doesnt work for me..

Anonymous wrote:I eat too many treats and I dont exercise enough.

Yes, I had 4 kids.
Yes, I am getting older.
Yes, I work full time.

But these are all excuses and I really need to stop making them. I want to cut down my sugar and carb intake but dont even know where to start. I have done WW and MFP in the past but I "cheat" and then dont lose and I give up. I wish I could eat whatever I want and not be fat but its not working. I have read all the books and understand the science, I just lack simple will power. I have been struggling with my weight since I was 13 and it never gets any easier. I am just so tired of trying and failing. I have approx 30 lbs to lose and it just seems insurmountable.

Anonymous wrote:OP,

I understand how you feel. I am routinely bashed on DCUM when I share my experience of not being able to lose weight no matter what I do. I now have MFP and a fitbit and use them religiously. Scale still not budging. I am eating between 1300 and 1450 calories per day. I swim laps for 45 mins to an hour 2 times per week. I walk a minimum of 5 miles per day -- usually 7. I go to 2 yoga classes per week. Haven't lost a pound and I have probably 70 to lose.

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Anonymous wrote:I eat too many treats and I dont exercise enough.

Yes, I had 4 kids.
Yes, I am getting older.
Yes, I work full time.

But these are all excuses and I really need to stop making them. I want to cut down my sugar and carb intake but dont even know where to start. I have done WW and MFP in the past but I "cheat" and then dont lose and I give up. I wish I could eat whatever I want and not be fat but its not working. I have read all the books and understand the science, I just lack simple will power. I have been struggling with my weight since I was 13 and it never gets any easier. I am just so tired of trying and failing. I have approx 30 lbs to lose and it just seems insurmountable.

Also overweight, and irrationally annoyed at you for this post. It just reinforces the stereotypes people have about all of us just lacking "simple willpower," and that is so much bullshit.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I eat too many treats and I dont exercise enough.

Yes, I had 4 kids.
Yes, I am getting older.
Yes, I work full time.

But these are all excuses and I really need to stop making them. I want to cut down my sugar and carb intake but dont even know where to start. I have done WW and MFP in the past but I "cheat" and then dont lose and I give up. I wish I could eat whatever I want and not be fat but its not working. I have read all the books and understand the science, I just lack simple will power. I have been struggling with my weight since I was 13 and it never gets any easier. I am just so tired of trying and failing. I have approx 30 lbs to lose and it just seems insurmountable.

Also overweight, and irrationally annoyed at you for this post. It just reinforces the stereotypes people have about all of us just lacking "simple willpower," and that is so much bullshit.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I eat too many treats and I dont exercise enough.

Yes, I had 4 kids.
Yes, I am getting older.
Yes, I work full time.

But these are all excuses and I really need to stop making them. I want to cut down my sugar and carb intake but dont even know where to start. I have done WW and MFP in the past but I "cheat" and then dont lose and I give up. I wish I could eat whatever I want and not be fat but its not working. I have read all the books and understand the science, I just lack simple will power. I have been struggling with my weight since I was 13 and it never gets any easier. I am just so tired of trying and failing. I have approx 30 lbs to lose and it just seems insurmountable.

Also overweight, and irrationally annoyed at you for this post. It just reinforces the stereotypes people have about all of us just lacking "simple willpower," and that is so much bullshit.

I honestly feel like it is about simple willpower for me. I started WW and was doing Great, lost 2 lbs one week and 1 lb week 2. Then I went off track due to poor willpower and had too much ice cream and onion rings and bread and cookies and pit 4 lbs back on. I have spent the past 2 weeks trying to drop those. Its my own fault and its mot due to anything but my inability to control myself.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I eat too many treats and I dont exercise enough.

Yes, I had 4 kids.
Yes, I am getting older.
Yes, I work full time.

But these are all excuses and I really need to stop making them. I want to cut down my sugar and carb intake but dont even know where to start. I have done WW and MFP in the past but I "cheat" and then dont lose and I give up. I wish I could eat whatever I want and not be fat but its not working. I have read all the books and understand the science, I just lack simple will power. I have been struggling with my weight since I was 13 and it never gets any easier. I am just so tired of trying and failing. I have approx 30 lbs to lose and it just seems insurmountable.

Also overweight, and irrationally annoyed at you for this post. It just reinforces the stereotypes people have about all of us just lacking "simple willpower," and that is so much bullshit.

I honestly feel like it is about simple willpower for me. I started WW and was doing Great, lost 2 lbs one week and 1 lb week 2. Then I went off track due to poor willpower and had too much ice cream and onion rings and bread and cookies and pit 4 lbs back on. I have spent the past 2 weeks trying to drop those. Its my own fault and its mot due to anything but my inability to control myself.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I eat too many treats and I dont exercise enough.

Yes, I had 4 kids.
Yes, I am getting older.
Yes, I work full time.

But these are all excuses and I really need to stop making them. I want to cut down my sugar and carb intake but dont even know where to start. I have done WW and MFP in the past but I "cheat" and then dont lose and I give up. I wish I could eat whatever I want and not be fat but its not working. I have read all the books and understand the science, I just lack simple will power. I have been struggling with my weight since I was 13 and it never gets any easier. I am just so tired of trying and failing. I have approx 30 lbs to lose and it just seems insurmountable.

Also overweight, and irrationally annoyed at you for this post. It just reinforces the stereotypes people have about all of us just lacking "simple willpower," and that is so much bullshit.

I honestly feel like it is about simple willpower for me. I started WW and was doing Great, lost 2 lbs one week and 1 lb week 2. Then I went off track due to poor willpower and had too much ice cream and onion rings and bread and cookies and pit 4 lbs back on. I have spent the past 2 weeks trying to drop those. Its my own fault and its mot due to anything but my inability to control myself.

"Simple willpower" is a mirage. Why are you slipping? Because in my experience you are literally a) hungry b) stuffing an emotion or c) both.

Anonymous wrote: I do a modified crossfit 30 day plan - it literally takes 15 mins in the morning - nothing crazy but enough to get some calories burned and for me to start feeling better and wanting to eat better.

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Anonymous wrote:Carbs are not evil.
Sugar is not evil.


To lose weight, you need to cut down your calories, period. It doesn't matter if it's from meat, dairy, veggies, sugar, etc.

MEASURE what you are eating. EVERYTHING. If you put jelly on your toast, take out measuring spoons and measure how much jelly you are using. If you are going to eat a chicken breast, get out a kitchen scale and know how much it weighs.

RECORD what you are eating. Now that you know you ate 2 tablespoons of jelly or 5 oz. of chicken breast, write it down. Or find an online system you can enter it in.
At the end of the day you will know how many calories you ate total.

EXERCISE. Cardio is great, but don't forget about strength training. Don't try to go "all out" at once. Do what you can and have goals to increase it over time.

You don't need weight watchers or surgery (yes, I know OP didn't mention that, I'm just speaking generally) or a personal trainer.

FALSE!!!!!!!!!! A calorie is not just a calorie.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/18/opinion/sunday/always-hungry-heres-why.html?src=rechp&_r=0

Carbs and Sugar are evil for me. I've been on reduced calorie diet (with tracking) for nearly a year and only lost a couple of pounds. As soon as I reduced carbs and nearly eliminated sugar, the pounds started dropping off. I am maintaining my lean mass. 1500 calories of a "everything in moderation diet" didn't do it, but 1500 calories of a moderate protein, low sugar, low carb diet is working. Once I'm at my goal size, I plan on continuing a higher protein, lower carb diet. Potatoes, breads and sugars will have to be an occasional treat, rather than a daily part of my diet.

And to answer the question - I am fat because I sit at a desk all day, working out only made me hungrier and I ate too many carbs & sugars.

If you do low carbs and low sugar - what do you eat? Can you post a sample menu? Do you allow x number of carbs per week? Or just dont eat them in your regular meals but allow an occasional treat?

I try to have at least 15-20g of protein at every meal, with four meals per day: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Snack (either after lunch or after dinner)

Breakfast Choices:
- EAS Advantage Vanilla Shake (you can get this at Walmart or Target)
- 3 egg omelet (two eggs, 1 egg white)
- 1 cup of coffee with 1 tbsp of creamer (I can't seem to give this up. 5g of sugar/35 calories/0 protein)

Lunch and Dinner Choices
-6-8 oz of protein (chicken, fish, lean beef, turkey)
-2 cups of veggies (I don't count lettuce) Veggies have to be low carb/low sugar for now, just while I'm losing. Examples - roasted cabbage, kale chips, cucumbers, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini (you can shred this and it's really good. It's my new "pasta".

Snack:
Protein shake
Quest Protein Bars - find net carbs by subtracting fiber from total carbs (this is a simple way, there are more complex methods of calculation). Try to keep net carbs under 8.

No breads, pasta, sugar, alcohol
At least 80oz of water per day
Non sweetened tea is okay
No soda, not even diet

Again this is just while I lose. Once I'm at my goal, I'll add in fruit and dairy. After three days I didn't miss the sugar or carbs, but once I have a little, I want more. I'm working on controlling that craving.

Everytime I try to follow this type of diet I end up binging Big time. How do you do it without binging? Would love to know what I am doing wrong.

As long as I don't wait too long between meals, I don't have the urge to binge. The second I am hungry I have to hurry and find something to eat. I keep a protein bar in my purse and extra veggies or a hard boiled egg at work. For salad I only use a sprinkle of olive oil, sea salt & pepper. I've lost an average of 1.5 pounds per week, which keeps me motivated. I'm half way to my goal weight, with 14 pounds left to lose. A dill pickle seems to help sugar cravings and a large glass of water before I eat also seems to help. Plus I really like vegetables, so that helps.

OP here -

I have tried this and I barely make it through a day without cheating. I dont like raw veggies (although I will eat cooked ones), protein bars or pickles. There are simply not enough healthy snacks that I like, so I end up eating nothing and then obsessing about what I cant eat and then pretending like I will just email a little and then saying screw it and eating all of it. I do it to myself and its just bc I suck.

I am fat bc I am pathetic.