Over complicating weight loss...what worked for you?

justwanderful

I think the most simple way to look at it is:

A calorie deficit is needed to lose weight.

What those calories are comprised of determines how you are going to feel everyday.

For me at least, I feel much better when I eat healthy and keep my alcohol to a minimum. I have a hard time feeling like working out when I feel like crap.

Some people stay fuller longer when they increase their protein and eat a little less carbs, this isn't a fad or low carb diet, it's just a way to make maintaining a calorie deficit easier.

When you consume a lot of refined sugar, it's not only high in calories and generally low in nutrition but it can cause a blood sugar spike and crash causing you to feel hungry quickly as well as crave even more sugar. So this is why most people tend to stay away from it.

Eating Healthy is relative also, I've been called "one of those healthy eaters" because I was eating instant oatmeal, which wasn't all that healthy in my opinion. Do what works for you, the most important thing is that you are meeting your calorie goal.

This is a start.

The key is you have to find what type of program sounds appealing to you, food wise. Because, to successfully keep the weight off, you want a program where you can enjoy eating foods you like.

For me, I tried weight watchers years ago. At the time it was low fat and high carbs. I lost weight but could not keep it off because I like protein and fat. Then, a few years later I went on Atkins and lost weight, but again, it was too restrictive for me and did not allow much of the foods I like, so I stopped and gained weight Now, I designed my own program; a bit lower in carbs but still allowing a sufficient mix of macros to keep me satisfied while losing weight. The macros I shoot for are 30c/35p/35f. Sticking to eating these macros at a calorie deficit, I've lost almost 70 pounds and feel great.