Need a diet plan!

FarmgrrlRN · May 20, 2004

Hmm...have you thought about WW online? You don't have to attend meetings and you get all the info online and on your own time...its also about half the price of going to meetings....

Energizer Bunny · May 20, 2004

I use plain old healthy eating and exercise and have lost 29 pounds since Jan. 1st. This is the best, healthiest, most proven to work way to go! you can find all kinds of free info. on the net! Good Luck!

purplemania, BSN, RN · May 20, 2004

The ADA diet plus exercise is healthy and effective.

JoniL&DRN · May 20, 2004

I too needed to drop a few and was not interested in spending $40-50 a month on WW meetings. I made my own food journal, figured out how to calulate point values and basically did the plan w/o going. I lost 40 lbs. in 4 months

The plan is basically this:

1. You have a set point target for the day depending on your weight. In my case at 178 lbs. my point target was 24

2. You have a point "bank" of 35 points per week to use however you like (a little each day or save them up for a night out)

3. You follow the plan and lose about 1-2 pounds per week.

I will say that the meetings are a necessary component for some people but I had a good friend who helped me along and that was good enough for me. If you'd like to chat more about it email me [email protected] . Also the website www.dwlz.com has GREAT stuff. I can tell you how to calculate point values if you'd like (but it is illegal to post it here....patented you know). Good luck :)

suzanne4, RN · May 20, 2004

Simple answer. ......cut out sugar.....there was even an article posted here yesterday about a woman who lost 100 lbs in one year by cutting out the soft drinks that she was consuming on a daily basis.

I have cut out all sugar and it has made a significant difference in the amt of energy that I have. Also in my students who are following my eating plan. Also have several friends over here trying the same thing and they all state that they have much more energy and are rarely tired.

You have nothing to lose by trying...........you also have to find what works the best for you. WW never worked me because there was too much food for me, though I haven't tried it in years. I have cut out white rice, but eat brown everyday, since I live in Bangkok, minimal amt of pasta per month, and no white bread. I do eat a special whole grain bread that is made for me just occasionally. The biggest difference was in cutting out sugar, especially since I was able to have friends bring Splenda over. I just love the stuff, could easily make a commercial for them.................

Good luck, let us know how you do................... :balloons:

sandylpn04 · May 20, 2004

I second WW online. I did it last year and it was great. It was around $14 a month with some change and you could journal what you ate that day and it would tell you how many points that was. They also have a message board, recipes, plus all kinds of other interesting things on the site. I'm planning on joining again at the end of this month. Good luck to you.

Sandy

lisamc1RN, LPN · May 20, 2004

I lost 70 lbs by eating low carb ( cut out sugar, flour, white rice, potatoes). I still have about 20 lbs to go. I have made this a life change, and it has made such a difference in how much energy I have and how healthy I feel. :)

studentnurse74, LPN, LVN · May 20, 2004

Count calories. There are several websites to figure out how many you should have, then cut out 500 a day. Write down everything you eat. http://www.caloriesperhour.com gives the calories of nearly everything. Exercise if you don't already. Ebay has a lot of cheap used workout videos.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · May 20, 2004

I've lost 44 lbs. since Christmas by cutting out sugar and other "refined whites". I started out with Atkins but have gradually brought back some carbs, such as fruit, veggies and whole-grain products, into my diet. I also exercise regularly (that was one of the biggest hurdles to overcome, but now I don't know how I lived without it for so long).

What it all boils down to is, no one program is right for everyone, and to be effective it has to be a complete and PERMANENT lifestyle change. I think ninety percent of that has to do with your mindset, and only ten percent with the actual diet/exercise program you choose. Don't do this because your doctor or your family or society says you need to lose weight.......do it because you can't stand to be like this for another single day, because you want it more than you want that Krispy Kreme donut (or whatever foods seem to call your name), because you want to be healthy and strong and fit.

Just my $.02 worth. :)

MandyInMS · May 20, 2004

I've been doing the low carb thingie since May 1st..I refuse to call it a "DIET"..I refuse to weigh myself..I call it instead "eating to feel better"..and within the first week I could really tell the diff. in my energy level..I actually FEEL like going for a walk now..I hateeeeee the word diet...it sets you up for failure cuz you feel like you are missing out on something..just try diff. ways of eating until you find the one that suits you..I'm tellin ya, I feel like a new person compaired to less than a month ago..I don't care if I loose 20 pds or 50..I'm just enjoying FEELING BETTER...best of luck to ya hun on whatever plan works for you (((hugzzzzz)))

Energizer Bunny · May 20, 2004

Another great site for counting calories, fat, carbs. etc is http://www.fitday.com and it is completely free. You can also keep track of your activities and how much they burn.