What Have You Learned From Dieting

ThePhatMan

Hi,

My first diet consisted shakes (opti-fast), lost 100 lbs in 90 days. Gained it back and had gall bladder surgery because it screwed up my digestion.

My second diet was a 1000 calories a day and workout for 2 hours a day 6 days a week. Lost 130 lbs, Gained it all back.

My 3rd diet was 1200 calories a day and worked out 3 hours a day 6 days a week. Lost 120 lbs. Gained it all back.

I have had many more diets since, all resulting in one thing. I gained the weight back and then some.

After all of my diets, I was so relieved that it was over, I just slowly went off the diet and didn't exercise anymore.

This time I'm going to try 1500 calories, which seems to be pretty good, not craving that much. I'm also only exercising 5 days a week, 45 min. and hr max.

I think this may work, I'm not craving to much, not depriving myself too much and myexercise isn't so overwhelming that I say I just don't want to do it. I'm hoping this will work. WHAT WORKS FOR YOU

MariSama44

The more stress you put on your body, the more it resists change and tries to conserve. This is why doing it gradually and making it a lifestyle change really works. There has to be mental change. Leading a healthier life doesnt just come in a small amount of time...it comes gradually and builds essential wisdom in the process.

jerjan

Hello!!

Wow! you've gone through many ways of dieting. I guess we can all relate cause we've all done diets and once we stop all the weight comes back. : (

With the support of MFP I feel I've gotten the best results ever, my body is changing in ways I never thought it would ever. What works for me is knowing my calorie intake and calories burned. It all makes much more sense to me now. Not like before that I thought loosing weight was about starving myself and working out. :ohwell:

Good luck on your journey for a better lifestyle.

PJilly

Bump. I want to be able to find this to respond to it in the morning.

PJilly

I bumped this last night because I was convinced I'd have something brilliant to say about it this morning, but I'm still sadly lacking the ability to wrangle my thoughts and put them into words. I'll check back in if I have one of those "lightbulb" moments later.

ebert5150

I've learned that you need to eat in a way that you can live with for life. I don't deny myself a burger if I want it. I just count the calories and don't do it all the time. I work out 5-6 times a week but I'm not a slave to the gym. I do an hour of cardio and weight training. I eat the calories I get from exercise and I've lost weight in a steady way...about 45 pounds total since July. I don't really even feel like I'm on a diet, I'm just not eating in a way that's out of control.

TaneeisFitforLife

I have learned that losing weight and maintaining is a lifestyle....something that I just can't give up on or I'll wind up gaining the weight all back. You've proven you can lose the weight, you just have to find a way to balance everything.

paigeski

I agree with Ebert5150. I'm only trying to lose about 10 lbs, but it's hard to start a diet. It should be more of a "lifestyle change". Since I joined MyFitnessPal, I don't feel like I've been depriving or overworking myself, I'm just more in control of my portions and what I eat. It's not an extreme change, but one you can deal with. Also, I do eat my calories from exercise, as well ,and have slowly, but steadily been losing weight. I exercise for 40 min/4 days a week.-mostly cardio and a couple days of yoga or pilates. If you want to lose weight faster, I would recommend working out more/not eating all your calories from exercise. But, I find a slow and steady method the best for me so I can stay on track and not be overwhelmed by so many changes.

fitnewlife

I've learned that diets don't work for me. I eat what I want, just not too much of any bad thing at any given time. I've learned that eating late is my enemy. I've learned that I need to eat throughout my day so I don't go through the highs and lows. I've learned that I need to drink plenty of water. I've learned that junk food is my enemy. I've learned that if I cook a pot of greens on Sunday, I'll get my share of vegetables for most of the week. I've learned the more I plan, the better I eat. I've learned a heck of a lot and most of it is not because of dieting but changing my lifestyle.

selbyhutch

It's a lifestyle. I've also learned that you have to give yourself "cheat meals".