Anyone get confused?

Lynn5707

Hi,
Anyone ever get confused about all the different programs out there? Keto, WW, low fat? Keto/low carb makes most sense to me scientifically- but I am not sure I could stick to it long term? I am lifetime member of WW, but am always so hungry on it. So, in effect I am not really sticking to anything - I just keep going back and forth. I have started IF and like that.

I am 60and have about 30-40pounds to lose.

Thanks!

Machka9

The following seemed pretty straightforward to me ...

Enter my information into MFP
Select sedentary as my activity level
Select to lose 0.5 kg
MFP gave me a number of calories to eat

Check out the grocery store to find low calorie, good tasting food
Weigh my food to ensure that I eat that number of calories

Exercise
Log my exercise with the light/low/slow options, eat approx 1/2 to 3/4 of my exercise calories back

Lose weight.

kommodevaran

I was confused, but not anymore. It boils down to CICO and adherance to calorie deficit. Any diet that provides a calorie deficit will result in weightloss if you stick to it. A diet that provides you with enough of all you need, in a rythm that fits your schedule, and filled with foods you like, makes adherance to calorie deficit over time, possible. It still takes commitment and some discipline to stick to it day in, day out, year after year.

rikkejohnsenrij

I have given up in learning all the diets. At last in Denmark a New "lose 8 pounds in a week " appear each month.
I think I have found my method and i will Stick to that

wizzybeth

It most definitely can be confusing. And unnecessary. All you need, to lose weight, Is a calorie deficit.

Meet your Macros ( fat, fiber, protein) to feel your best... It really is that simple. Believe it or not.

1houndgal

Lynn5707 wrote: »

Hi,
Anyone ever get confused about all the different programs out there? Keto, WW, low fat? Keto/low carb makes most sense to me scientifically- but I am not sure I could stick to it long term? I am lifetime member of WW, but am always so hungry on it. So, in effect I am not really sticking to anything - I just keep going back and forth. I have started IF and like that.

I am 60and have about 30-40pounds to lose.

Thanks!

I count calories by doing MFP, and I excercise to burn more calories and eat many of the excercise calories back.To me that makes the most sense, and it is working.

Lynn5707

Thanks everyone! I think I am making it harder than it should be, going from one “therory” to another. I am going to update my macros today, and start CICO and increase my walking and see how it goes. I need something that works, but is also something I can live with. Thanks again!

kommodevaran

CICO is "calories in - calories out", the process that regulates weight up and down or keeps it stable; it's always at play. Do you mean calorie counting? Calorie counting works if you do it correctly, but always keep in mind that your goal is to eat less; counting correctly, and tracking macros if you do that, are just tools you use to eat less.

Lynn5707

Yes sorry I mean calorie counting.

MegaMooseEsq

Lynn5707 wrote: »

Thanks everyone! I think I am making it harder than it should be, going from one “therory” to another. I am going to update my macros today, and start CICO and increase my walking and see how it goes. I need something that works, but is also something I can live with. Thanks again!

I think you hit the nail on your head with that last comment. It’s possible that one diet is hypothetically more effective than the others, but three things we know for sure about losing weight are 1) any diet that puts you in a calorie deficit will lead to weight loss, but 2) the weight will only come off and stay off if you stick with your deficit and make long-term dietary changes, and 3) sticking with it is hard! I was paralyzed for a long time by all the options until I decided to really focus on the sticking to it part by making it as easy on myself as possible. Good luck - you can do this!

kommodevaran

MFP makes calorie counting easy - just make sure you double check every item with the label, and weigh it out, before you log. You can prelog your whole day, part of the day, or several days, to make it easier.

Lynn5707

MegaMooseEsq wrote: »

Lynn5707 wrote: »

Thanks everyone! I think I am making it harder than it should be, going from one “therory” to another. I am going to update my macros today, and start CICO and increase my walking and see how it goes. I need something that works, but is also something I can live with. Thanks again!

I think you hit the nail on your head with that last comment. It’s possible that one diet is hypothetically more effective than the others, but three things we know for sure about losing weight are 1) any diet that puts you in a calorie deficit will lead to weight loss, but 2) the weight will only come off and stay off if you stick with your deficit and make long-term dietary changes, and 3) sticking with it is hard! I was paralyzed for a long time by all the options until I decided to really focus on the sticking to it part by making it as easy on myself as possible. Good luck - you can do this!

A light bulb went off for me when you said your were paralyzed with options - I think that is me. Like I said I go from one to another and do nothing. I do know eating junk doesn’t help, so am going to start with that and begin cutting out processed. So I am going to count calories, be reasonable with choices. This is something I haven’t done forever, I have always used a “diet”, points, carbs, low fat.

Thank you!

cheryldumais

I'm 61 and lost successfully just counting calories and walking daily. I find I feel better if I get a good balance of Protein, carb and fat. I have found if my carbs climb up too high I am hungrier but I eat a balance of all things. I tried all the "Magic diets" and nothing worked as well as just eating less and moving more. As long as you eat a balanced diet there is no need to be miserable.

elisa123gal

it is confusing because when you're overweight you get desperate and desire some kind of fix. This past year... i finally caved and boy did i do them all. mmm let me see.. the cabbage soup diet... then adkins...then intermittent fasting..and i've counted calories on here for 8 years.

This past 8 weeks.. i went back to an old healthy eating plan that worked for me years ago..i think i abandoned it because i liked the idea of counting calories..eating what i wanted blah blah.. I basically eat an incredible healthy diet of whole foods no salt,sugar, or alcohol. So.. i'm losing weight and feeling fantastic. But , it is too much of change for many -- who would rather have a pop tart..count the calories and wonder why they never get to goal. Or someone who wants to eat pounds of meat all day and lose weight loving fat.

i've come to realize that many people on here have eating issues..and problems with food. some of them have to do intermittent fasting because they're bingers.. .so if they can only eat 4 or two hours a day..they can handle that restriction...but can't control their free eating all day long. Some do adkins because it kills their appetite and it is freeing for them..even though they'r not getting any healthy vegetables and fruits in their diets.

dieting that restricts eating any healthy food group is a form of an eating disorder in my opinion.

kommodevaran

Lynn5707 wrote: »

MegaMooseEsq wrote: »

Lynn5707 wrote: »

Thanks everyone! I think I am making it harder than it should be, going from one “therory” to another. I am going to update my macros today, and start CICO and increase my walking and see how it goes. I need something that works, but is also something I can live with. Thanks again!

I think you hit the nail on your head with that last comment. It’s possible that one diet is hypothetically more effective than the others, but three things we know for sure about losing weight are 1) any diet that puts you in a calorie deficit will lead to weight loss, but 2) the weight will only come off and stay off if you stick with your deficit and make long-term dietary changes, and 3) sticking with it is hard! I was paralyzed for a long time by all the options until I decided to really focus on the sticking to it part by making it as easy on myself as possible. Good luck - you can do this!

A light bulb went off for me when you said your were paralyzed with options - I think that is me. Like I said I go from one to another and do nothing. I do know eating junk doesn’t help, so am going to start with that and begin cutting out processed. So I am going to count calories, be reasonable with choices. This is something I haven’t done forever, I have always used a “diet”, points, carbs, low fat.

Thank you!

Just be careful with what you cut out. You don't eat things because you want to be fat (I assume) but because you like them. You know yourself best. How do you feel/act when you tell yourself you can't have something you like? No foods are "fattening", it's eating too much over time that makes us gain weight. All diets work by reducing your total calorie intake, but they sell by demonizing one or more foods or nutrients, or telling you to time intake in a special way, or combine/not combine certain foods, or take a pill, or do special exercises, or sleep hanging by your toes. The selling of these various concepts, is what makes you go "oh, that makes sense!" and then "oh, i'm confused!".

jjpptt2

Whenever I get confused, it's usually because I'm lost in details that don't really matter to the point where I lose sight of the big picture. Once I realize that, I get back to basics...

1) Diet to control my weight: Cals In -vs- Cals Out
2) Macros for satiety: reasonably balanced carbs, fats and protein
3) Exercise for endorphins, endurance, strength, and general health benefits.


Beyond those 3 things, nothing else really matters.

ladyhusker39

Lynn5707 wrote: »

MegaMooseEsq wrote: »

Lynn5707 wrote: »

Thanks everyone! I think I am making it harder than it should be, going from one “therory” to another. I am going to update my macros today, and start CICO and increase my walking and see how it goes. I need something that works, but is also something I can live with. Thanks again!

I think you hit the nail on your head with that last comment. It’s possible that one diet is hypothetically more effective than the others, but three things we know for sure about losing weight are 1) any diet that puts you in a calorie deficit will lead to weight loss, but 2) the weight will only come off and stay off if you stick with your deficit and make long-term dietary changes, and 3) sticking with it is hard! I was paralyzed for a long time by all the options until I decided to really focus on the sticking to it part by making it as easy on myself as possible. Good luck - you can do this!

A light bulb went off for me when you said your were paralyzed with options - I think that is me. Like I said I go from one to another and do nothing. I do know eating junk doesn’t help, so am going to start with that and begin cutting out processed. So I am going to count calories, be reasonable with choices. This is something I haven’t done forever, I have always used a “diet”, points, carbs, low fat.

Thank you!

I encourage you to challenge this thought as it's a result of all the marketing that's been thrown at you about "diets". For one thing "junk" isn't really a clearly defined concept, but the idea will cause you to feel guilty when you eat something you identify as junk or deprived when you don't eat something you enjoy because your perceive it as "junk".

quiksylver296

missysippy930

You have to find what works for you and is sustainable.
No matter how they package it, or what they name it, it is all eating less calories than you are burning for weight loss. It works. MFP gives the control to each of us to choose the foods we are going to eat and find out what works best for each of us. Barring any medical condition, it is all about eating less calories than we are burning for weight loss.

amusedmonkey

I don't get confused because I know how I like to eat. I've been at it for a while, though, and had enough time to tweak my diet to my liking. All the different programs do one thing: help you reduce calories. Some people do better on one program, others on another, and yet others like me would rather make up their own program. Just pick any diet that feels like it would be easier and tastier, or log whatever foods you eat without an official program, count your calories in any case, and you are guaranteed to lose weight if you're counting correctly no matter what diet you choose.

Tacklewasher

Lynn5707 wrote: »

Hi,
Anyone ever get confused about all the different programs out there? Keto, WW, low fat? Keto/low carb makes most sense to me scientifically- but I am not sure I could stick to it long term? I am lifetime member of WW, but am always so hungry on it. So, in effect I am not really sticking to anything - I just keep going back and forth. I have started IF and like that.

I am 60and have about 30-40pounds to lose.

Thanks!

See, I'm the opposite. Keto (as I usually see it explained) seems like voodoo to me. And not based on good science at all.

Now if eating KETO helps someone with sticking to their "diet" and helps them lose weight, I've no issue. But too much of what I read about KETO makes no sense to me and any of the science I see points to it being no better or worse for weight loss than any other calorie restriction when adhered to.

Anyway, I'm using MFP more or less as designed and it's working for me.