Tell me it's possible without any special diet? :(

sullivann
sullivann Posts: 199 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I am feeling a little discouraged; it seems everywhere there are new and "amazing" diets that help others lose weight so quickly:

- Atkins
- Keto (pretty much the same)
- Paleo (Okay, another similar one)
- South Beach
- Jenny Craig

yada yada....

Please tell me there are people out there who have lost their weigh by just watching their foods, eating a little less, and exercising??! *sigh*

I don't know if I can keep up with technical diet rules. :/
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Replies

  • BohemianCoast
    BohemianCoast Posts: 349 Member
    Lots of people on here are doing just that. I've only lost 24 lbs so far, but 'eat a little less, exercise a little more, lose a little lard' is my entire strategy and it's working fine so far.
  • SARgirl
    SARgirl Posts: 572 Member
    Me! I've lost 34 pounds without cutting anything out of my diet and using portion control! I also go to the gym 4-5 days a week.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    I have as well as many others. You don't need any special diet. Just a reasonable calorie deficit.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    You don't need a diet, just a healthy lifestyle with portion control and regular exercise!
  • chicpower1
    chicpower1 Posts: 169 Member
    I've lost weight following the PINK Method "diet"/lifestyle change but I use it more as a guide. It provides me with a comprehensive list of veggies, proteins, fruits, etc that keep you feeling fuller. I'm not supposed to be eating processed foods on it, but I find that unrealistic, especially since I'm often out of the house for a full day and forget to pack myself healthy food. LOL! So I eat "off the diet" but making wise choices such as a wheat turkey sandwich at Subway instead of going to DQ next door. I find I'm still losing weight but I'm not really dieting. I'm not hungry, and I don't feel I'm doing without. If I want a cookie, I have a cookie so long as my calorie count allows that little indulgence. It CAN be done and there are a ton of people on MFP who have lost weight by simply tracking calories and becoming aware of what they are putting in their mouths. For me having a list in front of me saying "eat this, don't eat that" works, but most MFP'rs are smarter than me. LOL!
  • FlaxMilk
    FlaxMilk Posts: 3,452 Member
    No special diet needed. Just follow MFP's guidelines.
  • dhencel
    dhencel Posts: 244 Member
    once you get into the habit of logging on your food, it will get easier....You will see what wrong things you are eating and then make better choices....
  • BigGuy47
    BigGuy47 Posts: 1,768 Member
    Both my wife and I have had success from making healthy food choices and a moderate level of exercise - no special diet required. For long term success you will need to arm yourself with commitment and self discipline.
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    No special diet here. I've logged my food, watched my macros, and tried to be more active. I eat the same things my family eats, just sometimes with an extra helping of vegetables, a bit more protein, less of the bread. I cut out soda and drink water. I still have treats from time to time. Nothing special. The key ingredients for success are dedication and patience. You won't get anywhere without them.
  • AnninStPaul
    AnninStPaul Posts: 1,372 Member
    Eat Less, Move More. 5 servings of fruit/veg every day.
  • holly1283
    holly1283 Posts: 741 Member
    I've lost 60 lbs. with no special diet. Exercise and portion control are the key. I use tis site as my accountability. You can do it. Along the way I have changed from just staying in my calorie alottment and eating much healthier. Make a decision and keep logging and get some good friends to help. There are plenty on here.
  • InnerFatGirl
    InnerFatGirl Posts: 2,687 Member
    No special diet here, just stuck to my calories and eat whatever I want. The only food I refuse to eat is meat, and that's for ethical reasons.

    Oh, and I love carbs!

    P.S - I've lost 42lbs/3 stones/20kg with no exercise in 7 months. It can be done :)
  • Greg3705
    Greg3705 Posts: 122 Member
    Portion control, wise choices, nutrient dense foods, cutting nothing out and moderation in the bad stuff. You can do it.
  • BigMech
    BigMech Posts: 472 Member
    I didn't follow any fancy diet, and I lost 260 pounds. I kept decent macros (30% protein, 40% carbs, 30% fat), watched my total calorie intake, and worked out to up my calorie burn. There was nothing the I cut out completely from my diet in the 2 years I was losing the weight. I certainly had less of things like ice cream, beer, and other junk food, but I still indulged now and then if it fit in my calorie goal.

    The key is you want to make a lifestyle change you can stick with forever, not go on a quick fix diet that is unsustainable.
  • prairiedawg2014
    prairiedawg2014 Posts: 367
    i have lost 40 lbs so far and not on any "fad" diet. yes, all i do is stay within the guidelines that MFP sets for me.
    the only other thing i do that iam sure has aided my weightloss is i take 1 B6 pill everyday cuz they say it helps the body metabolize food. i also drink anywhere from 2-5 cups of mint or pomegrant green tea, which they also says helps weightloss. i count the tea as my water intake too. so yes, it is possible to lose weight without those expensive diets. try it, you have nothing to lose but pounds!!
    good luck on your journey!! :flowerforyou:
  • Greg3705
    Greg3705 Posts: 122 Member
    I forgot tracking what you eat is the biggest and best step
  • mogletdeluxe
    mogletdeluxe Posts: 623 Member
    Smaller portions and plain ol' 'sensible' eating helped me. Cut down, rather than cut out, carbs and watched my sugar intake. Exercised the weight off, largely. This is a lifestyle choice, it has to be sustainable - fad diets are called exactly that for a reason!
  • zigeuner62
    zigeuner62 Posts: 88 Member
    No special diet here, just watching portion size and logging everything I eat plus I walk 3 to 4 mi at a very brisk pace before breakfast 6 to 7 days a week.
  • peachNpunkin
    peachNpunkin Posts: 1,010 Member
    I've lose 65 pounds. I still eat what I want, when I want. You don't need a fad diet to get it done.
  • Actuate16
    Actuate16 Posts: 20 Member
    I think the bottom line is if you expend more calories than you take in, you are going to loose the weight. That is the formula for success. This site helps you track it but it is up to you to make it happen.
  • MichelleLaree13
    MichelleLaree13 Posts: 865 Member
    i count calories to make sure I dont eat to much but also so I know I can eat more calories.
    I eat lots of fruits, veggies, whole grains and then whatever I want to fill up my calorie limit I set for myself.
  • connectedcats
    connectedcats Posts: 17 Member
    I've decided to just watch what I eat, log everything and set a realistic weight loss. I found as I'm short my calorie requirement a day, without extra exercise is set at 1200. At that level I can only expect to loose 1.5 lbs a week. That in itself is worth knowing, I've often got disallusioned when I haven't lost at least 2lb per week (and I rarely managed that).
    This time I'm looking at lifestyle changes and healthy eating with sensible portions and the occasional treat. I'm not 'on a diet', because that is not something I can sustain (I know, I've tried enough times!).
    When (note the when, not if), I get down to a healthy weight I'll increase calories carefully so I know what I can eat without gaining weight (rather than using the 'average' level - I'm sure I'm not an average woman :) ).
  • Graceious1
    Graceious1 Posts: 716 Member
    Eat Less, Move More. 5 servings of fruit/veg every day.

    My philosophy exactly
  • angieleighbyrd
    angieleighbyrd Posts: 989 Member
    I did cut a lot out of my diet. I mostly just cut out red meat (for the most part) added a lot of turkey and chicken, more veggies, and more fruit. I have good days and bad, but I generally eat what I want and just stay within calorie range. There are a lot of things I avoid just because they are so high in calories that it's not worth losing half my calories for the day. I had a candy bar yesterday. I made it fit in my range. You don't have to cut everything out. Fad diets don't work.
  • waskier
    waskier Posts: 254 Member
    I accomplished my weight loss by watching what I eat and exercising regularly, but no special diet. I use the daily and weekly nutritional content part of MFP to alter things such as the brands of bread I purchase, using dijon mustard instead of mayo, etc. I also bought a small electric scale to measure portion sizes. You can do it you just have to be stubborn and meticulous. I went from a complete couch potato 1 year ago to my second half marathon a week from today and my first full marathon this December.

    Log every day, exercise moderately 6 days a week and make sure you look for NSVs!
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    I am losing through exercising, watching my protein, and keeping my calories under my TDEE. Yes, it works. You don't have to eat special foods.
  • vjrose
    vjrose Posts: 809 Member
    Absolutely, eating healthy and working out, that's all you need. Oh and don't entirely deny yourself your favorite goodies. Restrictive diets just don't work. Moderation, portion size, and sensible food will get the job done.
  • tjphelps73
    tjphelps73 Posts: 171 Member
    Yep - no fad dieter here. Every pound loss was done the old fashion way...through hard work and determination.
  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
    No special diet for me either. Just small changes to how I eat, and some exercise. Making sure I get more veggies though, because I know I was lacking in those before.

    I want to be able to sustain this eating pattern - I don't want to have to re-adjust after I hit my goal weight.
  • survivor1952
    survivor1952 Posts: 250 Member
    I did Nutri-System - lost 35 lbs. Gained it abck within 2 years. I did South Beach - lost 25 gained it back within a year...see a pattern here??? Only way to lose & keep it off is cut calories, eat sensibly & exercise more. Period! Never deprive yourself of any foods (unless dr. tells you to for health reasons). Just learn PORTION CONTROL and move more. Took me years & years & years to learn this. I did & now I am happy. There are no quick fixes. You Can Do It !!! Best of luck, you are in good company here. :flowerforyou:

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