Anonymous wrote:I recently lost 25 pounds, a big part of it was drinking water and cutting out soft drinks. I had a bottle of water with me at all times and probably drank well-over 120 ounces a day. I'd add the water flavor drops to help with soft drink cravings and to avoid eating sweets. Of course I burned a lot of calories walking to the bathroom 15 times a day Also chewing gum, but had to stop because having trouble finding aspartame free gum.

What is your current weight? Congrats on the 25 poounds lost!

Anonymous wrote:I love pasta, could never give it up. So I make pasta with tons of veggies- broccoli, peas, roasted peppers, asparagus tips, tomatoes etc.... But only put 1/2 of pasta, which isn't very much. My plate looks like there is a ton of food bc of all the veggies & I enjoy my carb fix. Plus my kids love it too.

If the cost is manageable for you, check into Fiber Gourmet pasta. Tastes just like regular pasta, but a lot lower in calories.



I lost more than half my body weight, and have a lot of "tricks" I use to keep my calorie intake at a level that allows me to lose or maintain. But, I don't necessarily think they're all healthy... nor necessarily things that would work for others. Some are:

-Love Starbucks, and my drink of choice is a skinny vanilla latte. Venti iced in warm weather, grande hot in cold weather. One Sweet n' Low. I drink one for breakfast most weekdays.

-I sometimes kind of practice a modified version of intermittent fasting. I find that if I have my latte in the morning, I often don't feel hungry until 1 or 2pm. I have a much tougher time controlling my food intake at night, so if I can keep it to those 120-130 cals in the latte before early afternoon, I'm in a better position to have an overall lower total daily intake even if I overindulge later in the day.

-Whenever possible I try to eat either high fiber, or high protein. Lean protein and lots of vegetables is my go-to for meals both at home and in restaurants. The protein satisfies me (emotionally as much as anything) and the vegetables help to fill me. A lower calorie turkey/chicken sausage and grilled vegetables are a very common meal - I make a lot and eat the leftovers for lunch all week. I also make pasta with turkey Italian sausage and spinach about once per week for dinner; like a PP, either I use a half serving of pasta for myself, or I make the Fiber Gourmet pasta (when I have it).

-When choosing between restaurants (for a regular, everyday-type meal), I will always choose the one for which I can find nutritional info online. I look ahead of time and find the lowest calorie meal that appeals to me.

-My fast food of choice is Subway. 6 inch turkey on wheat (with some of the bread scooped from the middle, and sometimes extra turkey) with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, green peppers, and red wine vinegar.

-I almost always want something sweet after dinner, and trying to cut out dessert altogether is kinda disastrous for me, so I keep reasonable sweets that I'm unlikely to overeat on hand. Individually portioned things work best. Favorites are the Heathy Choice Greek frozen yogurt cups (chocolate fudge or blueberry), Yasso Greek frozen yogurt bars (mango), or a chocolate vita muffin with macerated raspberries.

-As other mentioned, I generally don't drink my calories. Exceptions are my daily latte, and occasionally some wine (once or twice/month). I drink lots of water, one diet coke per day, and vitamin water zero or life water zero when I want something different

-The only oil/fat I use for routine cooking or to add to my food is olive oil. Never butter or anything else unless baking.

-PB2 instead of peanut butter

Don't do what I just did and eat anything out for grabs in your office. No mini candies from the admin assistant's desk. No leftover cake from the office party.

If you're at a restaurant, eat half and take the rest home. "Water is fine for me" is a great new mantra.

Anonymous wrote:I recently lost 25 pounds, a big part of it was drinking water and cutting out soft drinks. I had a bottle of water with me at all times and probably drank well-over 120 ounces a day. I'd add the water flavor drops to help with soft drink cravings and to avoid eating sweets. Of course I burned a lot of calories walking to the bathroom 15 times a day Also chewing gum, but had to stop because having trouble finding aspartame free gum.

I need to lose 25 pounds but I don't drink soft drinks or eat dessert. No easy fixes for me

I drink black coffee I make at home. Saves me calories and money.

Anonymous wrote:Pour water on your food when you are halfway through the dish. That way you don't eat need more than you need.

I understand what this poster means. Once I felt I'd eaten enough, at a restaurant I'd toss my napkin or sprinkle extra salt on the remaining food to stop from just nibbling on it. At home, I'd immediately take the plate off the table.

(I'm also the drink water poster)

I recently lost 25 pounds, a big part of it was drinking water and cutting out soft drinks. I had a bottle of water with me at all times and probably drank well-over 120 ounces a day. I'd add the water flavor drops to help with soft drink cravings and to avoid eating sweets. Of course I burned a lot of calories walking to the bathroom 15 times a day Also chewing gum, but had to stop because having trouble finding aspartame free gum.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just had to post about breakfast. I know all the experts say it's the most important meal and not to skip, but I truly am seldom hungry before 10:30 or 11 am. I find it easiest to skip breakfast and just pack something small like fruit to nibble on to get me through lunch. If I can keep this snack to 150 calories I find it helps, because I enjoy having a bigger lunch.

Fruit counts as breakfast ya know

Sounds more like a mid morning snack.

I plan my meals, so I only eat what is on the "menu".

I love pasta, could never give it up. So I make pasta with tons of veggies- broccoli, peas, roasted peppers, asparagus tips, tomatoes etc.... But only put 1/2 of pasta, which isn't very much. My plate looks like there is a ton of food bc of all the veggies & I enjoy my carb fix. Plus my kids love it too.

Anonymous wrote:Just had to post about breakfast. I know all the experts say it's the most important meal and not to skip, but I truly am seldom hungry before 10:30 or 11 am. I find it easiest to skip breakfast and just pack something small like fruit to nibble on to get me through lunch. If I can keep this snack to 150 calories I find it helps, because I enjoy having a bigger lunch.

Fruit counts as breakfast ya know

Just had to post about breakfast. I know all the experts say it's the most important meal and not to skip, but I truly am seldom hungry before 10:30 or 11 am. I find it easiest to skip breakfast and just pack something small like fruit to nibble on to get me through lunch. If I can keep this snack to 150 calories I find it helps, because I enjoy having a bigger lunch.

Disagree re: breakfast. It keeps me full.

Not drinking your calories is awesome advice, though.

I eat on a set schedule, which helps me when I'm hungry b/c I know exactly when I'm gonna eat next.

no snacking

no breakfast

no sugar until dessert after dinner

no drinking calories