Biggest Loser Diet Questions

Good morning! So I have tried to lose weight the Atkins diet in the past, and the diabetic diet. They have been successful but pretty much don't work anymore. Especially the Atkins. I lost 40 lbs on it 10 years ago before I had my child and now since I' ve had my gal bladder removed 90% of the food amkes bad things happen :) So 2 years ago I did the diabetec diet (40-65 carbs a meal, 15-20 carbs for snack and no more than 40 fat a day) I have been in a plateu for longer than a year now. So I started the Biggest Loser diet and bought a couple of books. I have started that, but have some questions regarding protiens and stuff like that. If you can help me out I would greatly appreciate it. Any feed back if you are trying it or did try it would be great too.

What counts as protien? (Does my laughing cow chese count as protien? What about cheese? Are these proteins or extra's? )

I know it only says 2 red meats a week however we just got 1/2 of a cow and 1/2 of a pig. I don't want to spend money when I have crap tons of meat. Is it really going to hurt me having red meat 5 times a week? I know its higher in fat but will it affect me losing weight?

We have culligan water at home and our town water sucks bad. So to drown out the taste at work I have Mio or koolaid. All sugar free. Does that still count as a glass of water?

How long do you typically work out a day?
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Replies

  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Why not forget all the "diets" and just work on calorie reduction? Diets don't work because they aren't sustainable. Eating at a calorie deficit will always work and you don't have to worry about what you can or can't eat. Make it a lifestyle change instead of something you do just to lose weight.
  • ticiaelizabeth
    ticiaelizabeth Posts: 139 Member
    I don't know if the water with Mio and the beef necessarily follow the biggest loser guidelines, but I can assure you, through my own personal experience that you can still lose weight while consuming both of these. Red meat is my preferred choice of protein and I eat it at least 4 times a week, I just make sure to keep my other options low fat and have been quite sucessful in the weight loss department. I also consider mio infused water, water. It still quences my thirst and makes me pee like a mad woman... and it tastes great, thats a win win in my books. At the end of the day, you just need to do what will work best for you. If you try the red meat 5 nights a week and find your weight loss has stalled, adjust slightly to find something better suited to your wants and needs.
    Best of luck to you on this journey :)
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    Why not forget all the "diets" and just work on calorie reduction? Diets don't work because they aren't sustainable. Eating at a calorie deficit will always work and you don't have to worry about what you can or can't eat. Make it a lifestyle change instead of something you do just to lose weight.

    QFT!
  • RunHardBeStrong
    RunHardBeStrong Posts: 33,069 Member
    Why not forget all the "diets" and just work on calorie reduction? Diets don't work because they aren't sustainable. Eating at a calorie deficit will always work and you don't have to worry about what you can or can't eat. Make it a lifestyle change instead of something you do just to lose weight.

    QFT!

    Quoted again because it's true!
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Why not forget all the "diets" and just work on calorie reduction? Diets don't work because they aren't sustainable. Eating at a calorie deficit will always work and you don't have to worry about what you can or can't eat. Make it a lifestyle change instead of something you do just to lose weight.

    QFT!

    x2

    And also this

    And I'll also add this link as well -

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1105036-article-on-flexible-dieting-by-armi-legge?page=1#posts-17068746
  • beachlover317
    beachlover317 Posts: 2,848 Member
    Why not forget all the "diets" and just work on calorie reduction? Diets don't work because they aren't sustainable. Eating at a calorie deficit will always work and you don't have to worry about what you can or can't eat. Make it a lifestyle change instead of something you do just to lose weight.

    QFT!

    x2

    And also this

    And I'll also add this link as well -

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1105036-article-on-flexible-dieting-by-armi-legge?page=1#posts-17068746




    Heck, just quoting it all and wishing you good luck. If I can do it - anyone can. :wink:
  • nessjen
    nessjen Posts: 11 Member
    For me having Type 2 diabetes and my Gal bladder removed that doesn't necessarily work in my case. I wish it did.
  • skullshank
    skullshank Posts: 4,323 Member
    For me having Type 2 diabetes and my Gal bladder removed that doesn't necessarily work in my case. I wish it did.

    just curious...how does this make healthy caloric deficit not work?
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    For me having Type 2 diabetes and my Gal bladder removed that doesn't necessarily work in my case. I wish it did.

    I don't see how that's possible. Even with this diet, you'd still be at a calorie deficit.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    Why not forget all the "diets" and just work on calorie reduction? Diets don't work because they aren't sustainable. Eating at a calorie deficit will always work and you don't have to worry about what you can or can't eat. Make it a lifestyle change instead of something you do just to lose weight.

    QFT!

    x2

    And also this

    And I'll also add this link as well -

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1105036-article-on-flexible-dieting-by-armi-legge?page=1#posts-17068746

    OP go with these and you will be good to go..

    create a 500 per day calorie deficit + move more/exercise = lose weight...
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    In regards to your protein question- if you look at the nutrition labels it will tell you whether or not something has protein in it and how much. When you enter your foods in MFP, it will/should have the same info as can be found on the nutrition label and will also keep count of how much protein you eat daily - both in grams and percentages compared to your carb and fat intake for the day and week.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    For me having Type 2 diabetes and my Gal bladder removed that doesn't necessarily work in my case. I wish it did.

    Yes it does. You may need to avoid certain foods or limit your carbs but there isn't a person on this planet that calorie reduction doesn't work for. You don't need any special diet plan besides eating less and doing more to lose weight. Lots of people are diabetic and/or have had their gall bladder out and they still lose weight. Your lack of a gall bladder may mean eating less fatty foods (which won't be a bad thing) and being diabetic means somewhat limiting carbs (also not a bad thing). Most people following calorie restriction are doing those things anyway.
  • xxmarysmxx
    xxmarysmxx Posts: 199 Member
    For me having Type 2 diabetes and my Gal bladder removed that doesn't necessarily work in my case. I wish it did.


    Need to ask about the gal blabber? I had mine out 9 years ago and life is the same. It is affecting you differently? I've seen people talk about gal blabber but don't really understand.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    Everybody has already explained to you what a bad idea doing fad diets is, so I'll leave that part alone.
    What counts as protien? (Does my laughing cow chese count as protien? What about cheese? Are these proteins or extra's? )

    Laughing cow cheese and other cheeses have protein yes. I don't understand your question about whether they are proteins or extra's(sic). Cheese is pretty much fat and protein. It's mostly fat unless you get reduced or nonfat cheese. But it is still a halfway decent source of protein.
    I know it only says 2 red meats a week however we just got 1/2 of a cow and 1/2 of a pig. I don't want to spend money when I have crap tons of meat. Is it really going to hurt me having red meat 5 times a week? I know its higher in fat but will it affect me losing weight?

    Having red meat 5 times a week isn't going to hurt you, no. As you mentioned, it's higher in fat and therefore calories but as long as you account for this you will be fine.
    We have culligan water at home and our town water sucks bad. So to drown out the taste at work I have Mio or koolaid. All sugar free. Does that still count as a glass of water?
    Yes. Adding something to water does not turn it into something else. I have at least a gallon of water a day, and it all has some sort of mio or koolaid mix in it. All of it.
    How long do you typically work out a day?

    Personally I average 5-6 hours a week. 30-90 mins a day is pretty typical and common.
  • nessjen
    nessjen Posts: 11 Member
    Wow. Ask for advise on dieting and some people come after you....... If I'm asking about dieting it's obvious I don't fully understand certain aspects. Also I'm doing what my specialist had told me to do and the choices that she think would be best. I swear I'm not that much of a dumb***. I do Zumba or Turbo Jam 20-30 every morning. And walk 2 miles at work every day. And when I get home I walk another 4 miles or do another 30-45 min of Zumba or Turbo Jam. Counting calories doesn't work for me or I would of asked for advise on it.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Wow. Ask for advise on dieting and some people come after you....... If I'm asking about dieting it's obvious I don't fully understand certain aspects. Also I'm doing what my specialist had told me to do and the choices that she think would be best. I swear I'm not that much of a dumb***. I do Zumba or Turbo Jam 20-30 every morning. And walk 2 miles at work every day. And when I get home I walk another 4 miles or do another 30-45 min of Zumba or Turbo Jam. Counting calories doesn't work for me or I would of asked for advise on it.

    First - no one is coming "after you" or even "at you". Tone is hard to read so I would suggest just reading the info provided and reading what is written versus imagining how it is being said to/at you.

    Second - You are on a calorie counting website that uses a calorie counting tool and where people of various backgrounds, disabilities, etc have had success....why would you think it wouldn't be suggested/emphasized? :huh:

    If you only wanted advice on this diet thing, then isn't there a website they provide where you can ask questions? Or maybe direct these questions to your specialist rather than a bunch of strangers on the internet?
  • elyelyse
    elyelyse Posts: 1,454 Member

    What counts as protien? (Does my laughing cow chese count as protien? What about cheese? Are these proteins or extra's? )

    I know it only says 2 red meats a week however we just got 1/2 of a cow and 1/2 of a pig

    Laughing cow "cheese" has very little protein in it. In fact I think its more like a "cheese product" than real cheese. I happen to like it, but it provides very little nutrition, and is kinda high on sodium for the small serving size.

    You say you want to follow the biggest loser diet...but it says to limit red meat and you don't want to or cant do that....well, then that isn't a "diet" for you.

    You also mention that because of diabetes and your gall bladder that plain old counting calories doesn't work for you..yes, counting calories will work for you...you just might require stricter guidelines with what you can not eat. But for weight loss? Yup it's all about calories.
  • nessjen
    nessjen Posts: 11 Member
    Gal bladder questions - Yes me having it out affects me a lot. Any more than 1 oz of cheese, 1 egg, salad, anything greasy, butter, oil, craisens and others. They never affected me before, however now I will have to use the restroom in about 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Purplebunnysarah
    Purplebunnysarah Posts: 3,252 Member
    Wow. Ask for advise on dieting and some people come after you....... If I'm asking about dieting it's obvious I don't fully understand certain aspects. Also I'm doing what my specialist had told me to do and the choices that she think would be best. I swear I'm not that much of a dumb***. I do Zumba or Turbo Jam 20-30 every morning. And walk 2 miles at work every day. And when I get home I walk another 4 miles or do another 30-45 min of Zumba or Turbo Jam. Counting calories doesn't work for me or I would of asked for advise on it.

    Generally the only time calorie counting doesn't work is if you aren't recording them accurately.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Wow. Ask for advise on dieting and some people come after you....... If I'm asking about dieting it's obvious I don't fully understand certain aspects. Also I'm doing what my specialist had told me to do and the choices that she think would be best. I swear I'm not that much of a dumb***. I do Zumba or Turbo Jam 20-30 every morning. And walk 2 miles at work every day. And when I get home I walk another 4 miles or do another 30-45 min of Zumba or Turbo Jam. Counting calories doesn't work for me or I would of asked for advise on it.

    Denial isn't just a river in Egypt. You don't just count the calories, you have to be at a deficit, you have to weigh/measure all the food to be sure that you are at a deficit, you have to be very accurate with your calorie burns if you want to eat them back and even then only a portion of those. You seriously can't be as heavy as you are and not be able to lose weight but just plain old calorie counting. Think or do whatever you want but you've been here before and obviously whatever you're doing it isn't working so maybe take some of the advice offered and get on the right track.
  • nomeejerome
    nomeejerome Posts: 2,616 Member
    Wow. Ask for advise on dieting and some people come after you....... If I'm asking about dieting it's obvious I don't fully understand certain aspects. Also I'm doing what my specialist had told me to do and the choices that she think would be best. I swear I'm not that much of a dumb***. I do Zumba or Turbo Jam 20-30 every morning. And walk 2 miles at work every day. And when I get home I walk another 4 miles or do another 30-45 min of Zumba or Turbo Jam. Counting calories doesn't work for me or I would of asked for advise on it.

    Nobody is coming after you and you received some great responses.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    Wow. Ask for advise on dieting and some people come after you....... If I'm asking about dieting it's obvious I don't fully understand certain aspects. Also I'm doing what my specialist had told me to do and the choices that she think would be best. I swear I'm not that much of a dumb***. I do Zumba or Turbo Jam 20-30 every morning. And walk 2 miles at work every day. And when I get home I walk another 4 miles or do another 30-45 min of Zumba or Turbo Jam. Counting calories doesn't work for me or I would of asked for advise on it.

    counting calories does not work for you, but you are on a calorie counting website...I think my head just exploded....

    If you eat in a deficit, then you will lose weight; accordingly, if you eat more than you burn, then you will gain weight. Having an underlying medical issue does not change the laws of math or thermodynamics...
  • howardheilweil
    howardheilweil Posts: 604 Member
    Gal bladder questions - Yes me having it out affects me a lot. Any more than 1 oz of cheese, 1 egg, salad, anything greasy, butter, oil, craisens and others. They never affected me before, however now I will have to use the restroom in about 5 to 10 minutes.
    Wouldn't red meat effect you in a similar fashion?
  • ArroganceInStep
    ArroganceInStep Posts: 6,239 Member
    Counting calories doesn't work for me or I would of asked for advise on it.

    I'd suggest looking for advice on a forum not designed around counting calories then.
  • laserturkey
    laserturkey Posts: 1,680 Member
    I'd suggest giving MFP a good try. My brother-in-law came on this site when he was diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic and he lost more than 100 pounds in the first year. You really don't have to worry about some complicated list of foods if you use the MFP food log. You can set your goals for protein, fat, etc. and then use whatever foods you like to reach those numbers each day. No matter what food plan you use, you'll want to get a food scale so you can weigh out your portions for accuracy.

    Good luck to you!
  • BigGuy47
    BigGuy47 Posts: 1,768 Member
    Counting calories doesn't work for me or I would of asked for advise on it.
    I take this to mean you don't like to count calories. I don't care for counting myself, it's tedious and mundane. Currently I don't count calories.

    I did count calories for entire year. It allowed me to see how much I was overeating. More importantly it allowed me to see how many carbs I was consuming each day. As a T2 diabetic I try to keep my carbs under 150g/day. After a year of diligent tracking I was able to drop a bunch of weight and I no longer take medication to control my blood sugar.

    Counting calories works. The data (daily macros) accumulated from counting is valuable for those with metabolic conditions.
  • soupandcookies
    soupandcookies Posts: 212 Member
    I agree with the others, but just wanted to add, in answer to 1 of your questions, Laughing Cow has almost no protein, so no, it doesn't count as a protein. Real cheese is a protein, but LC is barely cheese. Good luck!
  • l911jnt
    l911jnt Posts: 164 Member
    the calorie counting will work, just be anal about weighing/ measuring food and looking up precise and correct calorie amounts. I am a short person so I have to be really careful about this because if I am off even a small amount each time it will mess up my cal deficit big time. Then it looks like I'm losing nothing for no reason when there is a reason. You can eat red meat.... its just normally higher in calories so you have to eat less. I eat it but not 5 times a week.
  • BeachIron
    BeachIron Posts: 6,490 Member
    Counting calories doesn't work for me or I would of asked for advise on it.

    Best of luck with your journey. :flowerforyou: