Lost 19 lbs since Dec 1 tracking macros and calories in deficit. Took up strength training. 4 x week. Doubled my walking to 10k per day. Drink only when going out - 1-2 per month max. I’m about to enter maintenance calories and not sure how diligent I’ll be besides making sure I get enough protein and or course, not over eating. At 59 I have to accept that I can’t eat as much as I would like.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nope. Just counting calories. Lost 90 lbs.

This. Down over 50lbs and done. Still counting to maintain though.

Yes unfortunately the counting is basically a lifelong commitment in my experience. Especially if you aren’t going to eat the exact same 3 meals every day.

This is also consistent with data for long term weight loss maintainers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did not cut anything but tracked calories and tried to eat the Michael Pollan way - real food, mostly plants, not too much. I cut down on alcohol, processed foods. And the experience really changed my eating habits. I pretty much eat whatever I want, but find I like eating Whole Foods much more than processed. I eat plenty of carbs and sweets, I just make them from scratch. Have kept the weight off for 5 years.

How much weight? I tried for years to make this work but my natural hunger level just didn't work with it.

Different PP who follows similar plan than previous poster, very influenced by Pollan with huge emphasis on real food. The difference is that I also pay a lot of attention to carbs. I find that carb trigger my hunger and make me overeat. When my meals are mainly good proteins, fats and veggies I am not hungry. I still eat carbs but usually only at dinner as it helps me sleep. And I often fast (black coffee) until 10 am at least. I find that if I eat carbs at breakfast I am hungry earlier.

So, to the real food, cooked from scratch, very little processed food mantra, I also add low carb and some level of intermittent fasting. 42 yo woman, 5”5 stable 118 pounds (while I am naturally chubby if I eat “normally”). I am never hungry and I know what being hungry means

The only thing that works for me is counting calories. That forces me to make better choices, so fewer carbs and sweets and more vegetables. I was already vegetarian. I allow 1-2 days per week when I don't track calories and I sometimes those end up being "cheat" days, but I still try to be sensible.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I restrict carbs. Lost 35 pounds, have kept it off for 2 years. I’m still shocked when I look in the mirror and see a flat stomach!

Carbs from any source or just processed/simple carbs (white rice, bread, potatoes)?

I restrict all carbs. Obviously not zero carb, but I aim for keto level.

Anonymous wrote:Nope. Just counting calories. Lost 90 lbs.

This. Down over 50lbs and done. Still counting to maintain though.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nope. Just counting calories. Lost 90 lbs.

. 90? What did you weigh before??

Kicking off a weekend being a A$$hole i see.

I eliminated sweets and high glycemic vegetables. But really it was I focus on vegetables and protein. Supplement with fruit. Getting enough protein at each meal is extremely helpful when you’re over 50.

I have celiac disease so I already have enough limits on my diet. Gluten free versions of things aren’t very good so I don’t like them (bread, pasta, bagels). Gluten free Oreos, however, are better than the originals. But I rarely eat them and leave them for the kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nope. Just counting calories. Lost 90 lbs.

. 90? What did you weigh before??

235 at 5’9” why do you ask?

52F. Went from 161.5 to 140.5 over a year and a half (very slowly). IF 16:8 (start eating around 2pm). Cut way back on all carbs (including fruit, alas), increased protein, limited dairy, lots and lots of vegetables, healthy fats. Frequently have sweets but very small amount.

If I want to keep it off for the long term, this is my new normal. It's hard to lose weight during menopause but it is possible, it just takes a long time!

Anonymous wrote:Nope. Just counting calories. Lost 90 lbs.

. 90? What did you weigh before??

No. I cut down on some, but didn't eliminate anything.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve done every diet under the sun and lost weight. I like to mix it up.

No carb/Atkins lost weight felt the best and my stomach was flat this was my best diet

Weight watchers lost weight but plateau a lot, takes longer, feel healthy, sleep well but get hungry a lot

3 day Juice cleanse, I usually do this to start a diet it’s hard but then the diet seems like a piece of cake

Whole 30… this was great, I broke some bad habits like sweetener in my coffee … I only lost 10 lbs and then plateau but I never went back to sweetener

Noom… terrible didn’t lose weight

Intermittent fasting … sucks can’t work out in an without food, lost weight but I couldn’t do the window

So basically nothing works, because of any of the approaches you used to lose weight actually owrked you would have been able to stick to them and kept the weight off.

Well that’s definitely what the data says at a population level. But anyway!

I was not looking to lose weight. I was hoping to cut my body fat and increase muscle mass. Didn't really care for the number on the scale.

I started a caloric deficit/fat cutting diet in March. I paid very close attention to my macros and was on a diet of 1500 calories per day. This is what I ate usually:

Pre-workout- handful of raisins
Post-work out- protein shake (I like Fairlife shakes)
Breakfast- 5 egg whites, 25g of oatmeal with some blueberries
Morning snack- 100g pineapple and some almonds
Lunch- 150g of protein (chicken, fish, turkey chili, etc) plus 60g rice, salad with any vegetables with only lemon juice as dressing
Afternoon snack- 60g frosted flakes and an apple
Dinner- 150g protein (chicken, fish, turkey, beef) plus 150g of any vegetable


I have gone from 124 lbs to 118 lbs so far. My body fat has gone from 22% to 20%. I am going to continue this diet until the end of May and then I'm going to alter it and go into "maintenance" mode. That doesn't mean I am going to go crazy. It just means I will increase my calories and still eat healthy.

I am weight training 4-5 days/week. I am not doing any cardio exercises, but I do walk a lot (live in DC) for my errands, picking kids up from school, etc.

No i have never cutout food groups. I am a firm believer in losing weight the same way you plan on keeping it off and I do not plan to live my life without carbs, sugar..

I do cut back in certain areas and try to focus more on food that keep me full and satisfied. high volume meals consisting of vegetables, protein and carbs.