What diet should I try?

shellyeahx

I am wondering if I should try a preprescribed diet beyond my ever effective guideline of "just eat better"!!!

What are you guys trying and how does it work for you? Are you seeing results? Do you feel hungry?

I tried South Beach once and I felt like I was PMSing 3 weeks straight. No thanks!

I am considering the zone diet because it seems to make sense to me... But I never met anyone who tried it

Part of me is also thinking all I need to do is focus on eating whole, healthy foods, avoid processed stuff and try to only do rich grains like quinoa and barley over rice and pastas. Just keeping that in mind while meeting MFP goals might be enough!!

Any input or experiences are appreciated!,

crazy4fids

I am not dieting. I am changing the way I eat. Less sugar, less sodium, more whole foods, fish, turkey, more legumes. Fewer processed foods. It takes more time than just grabbing a box of stuff and making it, but it is better for me in the long run.

SideSteel

I am wondering if I should try a preprescribed diet beyond my ever effective guideline of "just eat better"!!!

What are you guys trying and how does it work for you? Are you seeing results? Do you feel hungry?

I tried South Beach once and I felt like I was PMSing 3 weeks straight. No thanks!

I am considering the zone diet because it seems to make sense to me... But I never met anyone who tried it

Part of me is also thinking all I need to do is focus on eating whole, healthy foods, avoid processed stuff and try to only do rich grains like quinoa and barley over rice and pastas. Just keeping that in mind while meeting MFP goals might be enough!!

Any input or experiences are appreciated!,

My opinion is that you should set up reasonably intelligent calorie and nutrient goals and hit them using foods you enjoy. Within that framework I would also:

a) Try to eat "mostly" whole and nutrient dense foods.
b) Exercise a few times per week.


And I would not complicate it beyond that.

MouseTmom

Diets don't work. Just change your eating habits, eat healthier foods - not a bunch of junk and fast food. Slow and steady is best.

leighann881

If you have yo-yo'd on again then off again then my suggestion is IIFYM. (If it fits your macros). It basically allows you to eat whatever (no low carb, clean only, etc. restrictions) as long as you stay in your macros.

The below thread gives you all you need to know to be successful. It's not a "quick fix." Its just a reasonable philosophy regarding losing weight. As you see more and more success you can choose to "clean" up your diet or not.... it all depends on your goals.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/912920-in-place-of-a-road-map-3-2013

holothuroidea

Set a reasonable and safe calorie goal (best method I've found for that so far is here:http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/937712-in-place-of-a-road-map-ver-3-0) , then start tracking your calories carefully.

You'll find healthy whole foods start to creep in and crowd out the junk over time, simply because they will help you stay satisfied and reach your goals.

leighann881

If you have yo-yo'd on again then off again then my suggestion is IIFYM. (If it fits your macros). It basically allows you to eat whatever (no low carb, clean only, etc. restrictions) as long as you stay in your macros.

The below thread gives you all you need to know to be successful. It's not a "quick fix." Its just a reasonable philosophy regarding losing weight. As you see more and more success you can choose to "clean" up your diet or not.... it all depends on your goals.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/912920-in-place-of-a-road-map-3-2013

That's the old one, i updated the new one.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/937712-in-place-of-a-road-map-ver-3-0

Sorry I grabbed it off my history. thanks.

elfo

you can check out these two blogs for my diet journeys
The first is the Dukan Diet (lost 40 lbs) www.me-on-dukan.blogspot.com
The second is my current diet blog and the truth on health www.tobecrude.wordpress.com/

Whatever you do, try to cut out all processed food, refined sugars and gluten
Good luck!

crystalflame

The "eat less, move more" diet. Eat at a deficit, but get sufficient calories. Meet your macros. Protein, veggies, and water will keep you full, so incorporate a lot of those things. Work out. You'll lose weight on a diet plan, but what happens when you go off of it? What healthy living habits have you learned from it?

Markguns

Everyone is on a diet... your diet is what you eat..:laugh: Change your diet to something you and your body can live with the rest of your life!

LavenderBouquet

Part of me is also thinking all I need to do is focus on eating whole, healthy foods, avoid processed stuff and try to only do rich grains like quinoa and barley over rice and pastas. Just keeping that in mind while meeting MFP goals might be enough!!

^ This exactly! It's not about "dieting," since most people think of a "diet" as something you eventually stop doing. I think it's best to change your eating habits for the better in a more permanent way, something you can sustain long-term which will allow you to be healthy and maintain your desired weight. I have been down the diet road before and seen the experiences of others many times and believe it can be much easier and much more effective to change your overall lifestyle instead.

airangel59

No diet here. Just counting my calories/carbs etc since I started here in June. Most days no, I'm not hungry.

triggsta

Nutrisystem helped me simply by giving me tools to eat healthy. Eventually I weaned off of it and now I eat clean on my own. Nobody created my diet. Through a lot of trial and error, I found macros that work for me, for what I am trying to achieve.

It's all about a healthy lifestyle. There will not be on diet that is best for everyone, but there is one (or maybe a few) that are best for you. And like everyone said before, you can't think of it like a diet. You have to think consciously about what you are putting in your mouth. Do you really want to consume that food? Look at the nutrition. Does that fit your goals? If not, why do you want it? What is it about that food that makes you crave it? Most likely it's psychological. Food shouldn't be psychological. It should be biological. Sustaining, enriching, and enjoyable both while you are eating it and after consuming it (though I guess that's pretty psychological right there).

vanderlogt17

you can check out these two blogs for my diet journeys
The first is the Dukan Diet (lost 40 lbs) www.me-on-dukan.blogspot.com
The second is my current diet blog and the truth on health www.tobecrude.wordpress.com/

Whatever you do, try to cut out all processed food, refined sugars and gluten
Good luck!

You don't need to remove gluten, unless you are gluten-intolerant or have celiac disease. A lot of celebrities endorse this, but sometimes gluten free foods have even more calories than their "normal" counterparts. Whole wheat is GOOD for you, as well! In my opinion, the best way to do it is just simply follow your calorie needs on mfp. You don't have to even stop eating chocolate! Just fit it in if its your treat, like mine!

AmyRhubarb

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Eats gluten, some processed foods and refined sugars. :bigsmile:

And follows the advice for setting calorie and macro goals found here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/937712-in-place-of-a-road-map-ver-3-0

Good stuff - been working great for me for over a year, losing fat, inches and pounds and feeling fantastic.

ShrinkingShona

My 2 cents - Start off with simply creating a caloric deficit but eating better and moving more. Once the pounds start coming off and you are rolling along, there will be time to change up what you are doing and work out what feels best for you and your body. Just start and stick to it and you will be you'll be working towards your goal in no time.

Onaughmae

For me it isnt a diet. It is a new relationship with food. I am learning to enjoy healthier choices, and developing a more normal eating pattern. Food is no longer a reward or something to be used for comfort. I simply eat at a deficit, make sure I am getting a good amount of protein (at least around 100 gms a day if I can) and I exercise. Pretty simple, but effective And as a plus...aerobics are good fat burners and all...but you might consider lifting weight...as heavy as you can work up to. You are not going o bulk up but building strong, lean muscle actually allows your body to burn fat more effectively.

Debbe2

As long as you eat less and move more the weight will come off. It will stay off it you make it part of your lifestyle. Good luck!

elyelyse

i also vote for "eat at a caloric deficit, move your body more" plan.

for me, lots and lots of veggies, and cutting out excess carbs helps me stay under my goal. (im not saying low carb necessarily, but high calorie/low nutrient stuff like bagels and fluffy breads aren't worth the space in my daily caloric budget, so I save that for special days, or when I'm hiking up a mountain)

eggsmilkbread

The calorie deficit one...

BaconMD

Hi, I don't know you but thank you for putting your trust in my opinion with something so important as what diet you should choose! I have no idea what foods you like to eat, or how much of them you want to eat, but despite that, I think you should be... *rolls 2D10* ... Vegan! They seem like a friendly bunch, and you seem like you'd fit in there. I don't think I could ever be a vegan myself, but you never know, right? Give it a shot, and see how it goes! Good luck!

TheVimFuego

I did the low carb/keto thing for a while, it helped me control cravings and learn what real hunger is.

I'm back on the eat everything but less of it and move a bit more plan now.

I don't need a lot of 'food rules' in my life so just concentrating on that deficit is working well.

I try to hit my protein target and let the rest fall where it may.

DawnEH612

How about trying NO diet but a lifestyle change and mindful eating approach?plan ahed... Eat more FRESH fruits and veggies, lean proteins, less crap disguised as "healthy" or "diet" foods... Like snack-wells or some other such garbage... Limit or eliminate all soda (sugar and diet) replace with unsweetened iced tea or flavored sparkling water like Ayala's flavored water. Exercise at least 30 minutes 5 times a week. Calculate your BMR and eat more than those amount of calories on a day. Calculate your TDEE and eat LESS of those in a day...
There you have it.

Cait_Sidhe

I do the "Eat less, move more" diet. It's working pretty well.

melaniecheeks

I think the only thing you should change is your attitude to food. Stop thinking in terms of specific "diets".

Eat food. Eat enough of it - quantity and quality - to give your body the nutrition it needs. But not too much of it.

Simples.

jeslaughter

I have chosen not to be on a diet, I am changing my life instead.
I joined MFP to help me find out what calories I should eat, how many I do eat and I changed that. I walk more, and feel better for it, I eat less calories and am losing weight!! I feel so much better and excited to see how I am going to look in a year when all the weight I gained over the last 15 years is gone.
Stick to it, take your time and eat your allotted daily calories with good non processed foods as much as possible......oh yeah, we all tell you to stay away from processed food but I do have processed now and again..but limit it to occasions and treat your self now and again so you are not thinking you are on a diet. just make sure you get back on track and not run yourself off track very often.
Good luck and I wish you success!!!

Pimpmonkey

I am not dieting. I am changing the way I eat. Less sugar, less sodium, more whole foods, fish, turkey, more legumes. Fewer processed foods. It takes more time than just grabbing a box of stuff and making it, but it is better for me in the long run.

This

CCusedtodance

I am wondering if I should try a preprescribed diet beyond my ever effective guideline of "just eat better"!!!

What are you guys trying and how does it work for you? Are you seeing results? Do you feel hungry?

I tried South Beach once and I felt like I was PMSing 3 weeks straight. No thanks!

I am considering the zone diet because it seems to make sense to me... But I never met anyone who tried it

Part of me is also thinking all I need to do is focus on eating whole, healthy foods, avoid processed stuff and try to only do rich grains like quinoa and barley over rice and pastas. Just keeping that in mind while meeting MFP goals might be enough!!

Any input or experiences are appreciated!,

I so hope you will listen to me. I have spent most of my life overweight, I am now 48 years old and I have tried every diet out there or so it seems. Only to yo yo on the weight. Lose, gain, lose, gain and with each passing year more frustration, anger, and depression over how I looked. I have now found this site and I have learned that eating healthier, consuming less calories, and exercise is the only way to do it. Had I known this at your age, I would have saved myself a lot of misery. Change your habits now and save yourself that same misery.

pinkraynedropjacki

Diets always fail. Hence the reason I'm never on a diet & I've lost all my required weight an then more.

Workout hard daily, eat better daily, no cheat days, no days off. That works for me.

emergencytennis

Received wisdom from this site is that all prescribed diets fail, because eventually you lose the weight, go off the diet and then regain all the weight; that the only way to stay slim is to retrain yourself to a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Generally, I would agree with this.

I have a friend, though, who has just lost 10kg doing a shake diet designed for middle-aged people. She plays hockey twice a week as well as tennis once a week in our team, eats healthy food anyway and drinks moderately. She is now my build but she is fitter and more muscley than I am, since she was before she lost the weight, one just couldn't see it. I would lay good odds that she won't regain the weight.

I think for some people a prescribed diet can work well.

JanisAtki

In my first few days I used this site to record what I ate, not to restrict it in any way but to give myself an honest look at what I was eating compared to what I needed to be eating. It didn't take long for my brain to get around what I was doing to myself and it just clicked from there. Eat what you need to eat and start moving. Even if that moving is 10 mins marching on the spot in front of the TV to start with. You can do it.