New Approach!! Advice Please!!

Tiffbot

Hello My name is Tiffany and I have had an account on here for a while and have never really used it. I want to start a new diet and workout regimen and hoping this time I will be successful. Ive gained about 27lbs since last summer and would like to lose it back again. Ive only ever lost weight by yo-yo dieting and this year was so stressful that I ended up going all out with my food all the time!! I want to get back on track and feeling better. Im looking to create a life style not a limited time sort of deal. If anyone has any ideas as to what worked for them I would love to here from someone real that really got somewhere. What did you eat, more protein less carbs, whole foods, just sticking in a calorie deficit?? How much did you exercise? What kinds of exercise did you do? How long did it take you to reach your goals or about how much did you lose each week? Im 5'21/2 and 137lbs wanting to get to 110-115 (not sure just wanting to look good) Thanks guys

Mindful_Trent

This is a great thread that summarizes a reasonable approach for a lifestyle change:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/233474-the-latest-diet

This one here helps you gauge what your goals and routine should be based on where you're at (morbidly obese, a little overweight, maintenance, etc.)
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/49690-the-banks-plan
Edited to add: in this post you'd probably be at "Stage 3" based on your current height/weight/goals

freerange

IMO the thing with diets is they all work, but you have to be willing to make the changes necessary. This will depend on many factors, your age, your willingness to do whatever it takes, and your motivation. Again IMO the best things you can do is start out slow, go with calorie restriction as laid out here on MFP for your goals. Start eliminating as much processed foods as you can, try to eat foods that have to be cooked, not opened. I personally like the lower carb lifestyle of Paloe/Primal eating, which cuts out grains, many people think they cannot do that, therefore it will not work for them. But if you can at least get your grains from whole grain sources and limit them as much as possible, it will help you lose weight. Try to limit or completely eliminate trans fats, anything with a hydrogenated prefix, and high fructose corn syrup. Those are some small and not so small changes you can make that will serve you well for the rest of your life.