who else isn't too worried about 'the rules'?

trudijoy

omg you guys - so many healthy, positive posts on here. Yesterday I had a few drinks and tacos for dinner and still woke up half a kg lighter than I weighed yesterday morning.

i LOVE my life atm. There is so much that could be weighing me down but I'm so happy at the moment - and for someone with a history of ED coming off a two year depression and supporting her parents through the inevitable fact of her fathers death being about to happen (terminal cancer, prognosis of less than two years, probably) that means everything. I hit rock bottom 2 years ago and now i'm on top of the world... and i think this kind of positivity and healthiness helps most.

I reckon, if you are happy, then you're living your life correctly.

GoffGirl1029

I try to stay close to my calorie goals - but if I'm hungry, I eat more - if I'm not - I don't try and find stuff to eat.

This! I kinda get irritated when people look at my net calories and are like "you need to eat more!" I eat and if I'm not hungry, but still have calories left, then so be it. Seems counter-productive to force yourself to eat if you aren't hungry, and a way to start back with bad habits. :noway:

trudijoy

I try to stay close to my calorie goals - but if I'm hungry, I eat more - if I'm not - I don't try and find stuff to eat.

This! I kinda get irritated when people look at my net calories and are like "you need to eat more!" I eat and if I'm not hungry, but still have calories left, then so be it. Seems counter-productive to force yourself to eat if you aren't hungry, and a way to start back with bad habits. :noway:

This is why my diary is shut

Ramberta

My philosophy is: It's great to KNOW "the rules". That's where the lifestyle changes start, when you start researching how to positively change your body. How many calories you should be netting, how many calories (at least ballparking) that certain activities and exercises burn, good exercises to work certain muscle groups, what foods you personally want to eat more of or avoid.

However, knowing the rules doesn't mean you have to follow them 100% of the time. Simply being conscious of everything you eat, without mindlessly gorging in front of the TV or computer or the buffet line, can be enough. Three years ago I dropped 40 pounds in less than two months that way, haha. Also I like food "swaps". Sugar free, reduced fat, low sodium, no sugar added. I don't go for "fat free" much, except with yogurt. But I see no problem with taste with 35% less fat. And even if it seems small it can make all the difference. I also, even though I practically salivate when I drive past them sometimes, have gotten used to saying "no" to fast food, when that used to comprise a huge part of my diet.

I also hated the thought of exercising daily. I still have trouble getting out the door sometimes. But once I come back from a long walk/run, I feel much better physically. Even after only a couple months of watching what I eat and exercising I have felt just about in the best physical shape of my life. I have even been VOLUNTARILY doing push-ups and arm curls! The more you get into it, the more you'll come to like the rules and will follow them without even thinking about it... but no one says you have to follow them every day.

mikey1976

i don't even log food. its depressing. i've learned portion sizes. if i'm hungry i'll eat but if not i don't i stay close to my limit

jmadams111

ITS NOT A DIET. Its a life style.

trudijoy

ITS NOT A DIET. Its a life style.

exactly. calling it a diet implies deprivation, and triggers (happens to me all the time) people telling you 'oh you better not have and cake/chips/wine etc because you're doing so well on your diet'. I thank them for their concern and tell them i'm not dieting at all, i merely corrected my lifestyle, then i eat the damn cake - IF i want to.

ticklepocket

I love this topic!

I admire you for being willing to think outside the box. Question authority, especially self-proclaimed authority.

Anyone who is promoting a "My Way or the Highway" plan is obviously lost.

Good luck in your journey! :happy:

ValerieMartini2Olives

Right here.

I try to follow a reasonable "diet". It's very difficult to do when you're very pregnant though. Everything just tastes so good. But apparently I'm doing something right. I lost 35 pounds before pregnancy and I haven't even gained 20 pounds during my pregnancy and I'm due next week.

Vercell

Same here just doing whats going to be a lifestyle change no rules no crazy diets I workout alot because I like working out.

Velum_cado

Yep, that's basically what I've been doing the whole time. Fewer calories in, more calories out... little changes that I can sustain. Seems to be working so far!

avababy05

This is ,without a doubt,the most positive post I've read in the six weeks I've been on MFP.

This is why I joined.All the comments have been inspiring.

CharityGC

There are way too many rules in life as it is! I'm going out tonight and I'm not going to log it (or any of the martinis I plan on partaking in!). Tomorrow is another day!

fiberartist219

I don't even count calories anymore. I think my whole mentality has changed, and because of it, I'm still losing weight. I think that people should count calories for at least a few weeks and really learn about their food, but after a while, you get the jist and know how much you should and should not eat.

I know that I shouldn't eat just because I'm tired, and I shouldn't eat until I'm uncomfortable. I eat just enough to feel nourished and I try to stay active rather than sitting at my computer all day. It's working, and I feel good about it.

I think everyone should learn as much as they can, figure out what works for them, and do that. Everyone is different. I can't do the workouts that my husband does, and he can't do the ones that I do, but we're both losing weight. We eat differently for most meals too. Even though we do different things, we're still both successful.

DaniH826

Rules for losing weight: eat at a deficit
Rules for health: meet or exceed your nutritional requirements and exercise

What else is there?

People trying to sell products and make money.

Admiral_Derp

because, like my grandmama used to say K.I.S.S.

Funny I always thought that was Prince...

kristy_n0831

I'm not. If I want something, I'll eat it. I'm in this for a lifestyle change, not just a short-term diet, so I'm not cutting anything completely out. I try to stay within my calories, but if I don't, I don't stress over it, I just work to improve it the next day.

trudijoy

have a great positive week following YOUR own rules, lovely people. I'm off to get ready for work in the morning and go to bed.

ldrosophila

me! f' the rules! No such thing either

marc_s_johnson

I've become obsessive with logging of calories/meals but not what is in those calories, if I want to have a Curry or take away than as long as its within I will have it and have lost 14lbs in 45 days so that's working for me, I have been doing Insanity though which helps.

As long as you are doing some sort of exercise than I really don't see the fuss with going over on the odd day, it all averages out at the end of the week (well that's what I tell myself)

Kerry_R

It took me 2 years to lose weight because I have tried to do it by making changes that I know I can keep up.

I have changed my diet to much healthier choices but if I fancy a curry at the weekend then I will have one. I exercise much more regularly but it's mostly swimming (I used to swim for a club years ago) and then the Wii Fit... I'm no gym bunny.

I always said I wanted to lose weight "normally" because I thought a diet would be a waste of time... as soon as I ate normally again all my weight would come back on.