kriscattin's Journal, 21 April 2015

I'm having he same dilemma. I'm trying atkins but I can't stick to it like I should and I'm just making it worse. I'm thinking of cutting out fats and counting calories. But I fear my glucose levels are going to throw me into diabetes like all my sisters. 

I recently read a blog about a woman that has lost over 300 pounds. She said she started by walking to the mailbox. Then her next goal was to walk to the neighbor's mailbox and so forth. She's pretty inspiring! Exercise doesn't have to be an hour of PX90, just start by taking a walk! Best of luck to you!! 

I use an amazing system that totally keeps my on track! I've lost 18 lbs but I feel SO energized I started training to run a 5K and that was 3 years ago - I just completed my first 10K last month! :)  

Don't follow a diet. Seriously. Track your macros, cut out all sugar (slowly if you have to) and start with walking. I just turned 43, have lost over 50lbs in the last year or so and have never felt better in my entire adult life and I suffer from high blood pressure too. Take medicine for it everyday. Between this site and tracking my food and then walking and joining a local gym soon after, I have found there is no magic diet. Now I walk just about every day and go to the gym and lift heavy about 4 to 5 times a week. It's just the calories in vs. calories burnt. Believe me, if I can do this, anyone can!  

I'm following more of a formula than a diet. I figured out what my goal weight was and what my calorie intake should be for a person at my goal weight. Then I try to compose my calorie intake to 30% protein, 30% carbs and 40% healthy fats. I've lost 30 lbs since January, so it seems to work pretty well. Lots of chicken, shrimp, salmon, tilapia and veggies. :o)  

I am actually dealing with plantar fasciitis, I am a runner, but since I started with this problem (2 weeks ago) I am climbing steps, do not hurt my feet( I do not feel pain), and I am burning 1100 calories everyday. I was 220 pounds 5 years ago, but now I try to keep my weight on 140 just running and eating healthy. Look for healthy snacks, limit your junk and desserts ingest and that's all, you can do it, not just for a wedding for your health and self-esteem. It feels great to dress whatever your want, and you are gonna look young also, so Go for it!! 

No matter what diet or plan you follow, tracking is key. It keeps you honest with yourself. And you have to make a commitment to track EVERYTHING! Even if you pass by someone's desk and they have a bowl of jellybeans and you take a handful. If you do track everything, it makes you think twice before you take those little side excursions. That said I'm doing low fat, no specific diet, just started cutting out all the high-fat items my eating habits were full of - like fried food. I made a list of what things I like that I can still have and try to keep plenty around so if I think I'm hungry, I can have something. Everyone finds their own way, nobody has the right diet for everyone else. Using logic what is it that got you where you are today? Stop doing that. 

I don't follow a specification c diet because I probably couldn't stick to it. You need to find something you can stick to long term. First, see what FS says your RDI should be then cut 300 calories off. FS is too generous. Next, cut back your salt. Your blood pressure says 1300 mg per day max. Try French's No Salt sodium free salt substitute. Track it in your food log. Then watch your calories. Track everything in the foods you cook and every food that goes in your mouth. Try to eat more fruits and veggies, especially fresh ones. Eat more chicken breasts, less fatty beef. Cut back on pasta, bread, and rice. Drink at least 8 cups of water (4 bottles) of water a day. Cut out alcohol. Too many calories, no nutrition. You can eat McDonald's, just plan around it. I always plan my day's meals ahead of time. Walk. Walk. Walk. This sounds like a lot. But I've lost 125 pounds, most in the past year. When I started I couldn't walk 1/2 mile. Now I walk 13 miles a day when weather permits. I was on blood pressure meds. Gone. Make sure you're getting your thyroid checked. Low thyroid function leads to lethargy and weight gain. Mine was so low the Dr didn't know how I got out of bed. Fixed. Join a challenge. The support and competition is motivating. Get some buddies. They help. 

I follow the 30% protein, 25% carbs, 45% healthy fats (avocado, flax seed oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil - you get the idea). This helps my body use fat as fuel instead of carbs. That way the weight I do lose if all fat not lean muscle. Being 43, I want to keep all my lean muscle and stay tone. :) Good luck with finding what works for you! If you'd like to bounce some ideas off me, message me. I am currently working on my certification for a metabolic specialist.  

I find that recording EVERYTHING that I eat on FS works! A cookie here, some chips there...it adds up! Another commentor is right ~ take a few extra calories (200) off your daily allowance. Good luck! 

It is so hard to do in our fast-food society, but the "no-white" diet has worked in the past for me -- no sugar, no rice, and no mashed potatoes. Easy to try. Good luck! 

If you are capable of logging, and staying within a limit, I would recommend calorie counts. I find seeing what I am eating really helps me stay on track. 

I'll echo what others have said about logging everything you eat. That certainly opened my eyes and increased the attention I paid to where my calories were coming from. I started with no plan except to eat less than I burned each day. Along the way, I have cleared a lot of the unhealthy temptations out of my house (like potato chips and cookies), started drinking a lot more water and less alcohol, added more servings of fruits and veggies into my days, and have increased the amount of exercise I get. I have avoided getting on one diet or another because I am looking to be able to sustain a healthy lifestyle once I do reach my weight goal. Best of luck to you! 

Last time i dieted I lost 33 lbs using Body Media (which is the best) but my computer went belly up. I'm now just using my iPad. Currently I purchased a Fitbit HR & love, love, love it. I just wear it & eat 1,000 calories less than what I burn & I will lose 2 lbs a week. It has a free app where I keep track of everything I eat. It tells me how much cardio I'm doing (just working around the house & yard) & monitors my sleep & steps. Easiest diet device ever! I purchased mine at Fred Meyers with a $30 off $150 so it only cost $120. Body Media has a monthly charge of $6.95. I'm not weighing a home bit at my doctors once a month. Best of luck to all of you.  

Thanks everyone! I recorded all my food yesterday...YIKES! Today is a new day and I going to try and stay under my calories! My hubby and I talked about starting to walk after dinner.