What are you doing?

Fani2003

I get this question a lot after people see the weight loss. And I am at a loss to tell them honestly. I have done Atkins, Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, all with varying levels of success, and all to weight gain after. Here's the deal. I am not "doing" anything really except logging my food and staying within my calories. I tell them MFP or calorie restriction but I can never truly explain it.

This is the first "diet" I am not hungry on, don't feel deprived on, don't wonder what I am going to do when it is "over."

Are you guys just following the parameters set by MFP or something else or ??? For those just doing the MFP plan, are you feeling the same way?

Random, I know. Just wondering after the doctor's visit yesterday where they wanted to hear what I was doing with success.

mibrewer413

I just tell people that I am counting calories and basically just eating right. I follow MFP calories but I'm not doing anything crazy or weird, just taking in less and not eating junk. I still have a bit of a free day on Saturdays but I don't go hog wild and I have no problem going back to it on Sunday. I think it's good to explain MFP as a way of life as as eating healthy and portion control and just being aware of everything we put on our mouth. I think that's what's wrong with a lot of people, they're just stuffing their faces with no idea about nutrition, eating out all the time and way too much junk-empty calorie type food. by the way congrats on your weight loss, good job!!!

strongnotskinny121

I tell people that it's not a diet, you have to look at it as a lifestyle change. I briefly explain "clean eating" and the benefits of it, and stress that both cardio and strength training are important.

IamJacksColdSweat

I am just simply eating less, changing WHAT I eat to a certain degree (way more salads and lean meats than before) but still eating not-so-healthy things, just less often. Almost everyday, I have some type of junk food,but I try to keep the majority of my meals vegetable-and-chicken-based.

Doesn't always happen this way, but as someone who used to BINGE on fast food regularly (and when I say "binge", I'm talking 3 or 4 value sandwiches, large fries and sometimes nuggets ) and consumed at least 3,000-4,000 calories on a regular day, I'm doing pretty damn well

I've tried weight watchers before, and I'm not dissing it at all, as I know its been successful for many people and I like that it gets you to incorporate more fruits and veggies. However, I didn't like the fact that fruits and veggies were "free" items, because although they generally are low calorie and "healthy" calories, they still add up. Not a fan of any "Jenny Craig" or "Nutrisystem" diets because quite frankly, the food looks disgusting and its not sustainable for my life. Plus, its waaaaay too expensive and I rather eat real, natural food.

I'd like to get to a point where I don't count calories but just eat when I'm truly hungry and eat 90% healthy, 10% not-so-healthy all the time, but I think I will be tracking my calories until I reach my goal weight, and then try to see if I can intuitively eat healthy

Good luck on your journey!

EricNCSU

I've changed my eating habits a little bit.. I'm slowly introducing more vegetables in my diet (always loved fruit, no problem there) but honestly I eat a lot of the same stuff I did. I just eat LESS. Before MFP I was probably eating 2500-3000 calories a day without realizing it and for all the bad reasons.. mindlessly snacking on potato chips at the TV with the open bag in your lap etc. A cookie jar full of cookies and grab one each time you walk by. So even with my attempts at running back then, I still wasnt losing weight.

Now I eat less, and work out 6 times a week. It works. And it really is that simple. All those who are looking for pills and shakes and powders and surgeries really should just listen to the doctors.. "Eat right and exercise!"....

mslack01

I don't do the MFP-set 1200 calories anymore, but yes, I do what you do. I set my calories a little higher now, but I just try to stay under and I basically eat what I want. I do try to keep any eye on my fat/protein intake because of my issues with cholesterol so I am trying to eat a lot more chicken than red meat. And I am exercising almost daily now. I never used to exercise as much as I do now. But I love it now! And it doesn't feel like I am working. It just feels like its a part of my life now. Oh yeah...and the water intake. I never even drank water before. I was a diet soda junkee. Now I rarely drink a soda.