Diets

I don't call what I am doing a "diet." Basically, MFP has become the best plan for me. Keeping track of what goes in my mouth. It doesn't matter what I eat, but keeping track of calories makes me a LOT more conscious of what I am eating, and combined together it is really making a difference.

I understand the need to have structure, and it can be hard to attain self-discipline. I'm sorry I don't have a structured plan for you, none of them ever worked for me, and I'm not sure any of them work for anyone unless and until they are ready for it to work, if you know what I mean..

Good luck! :flowerforyou:

Sorry i even asked..i know eat less workout more..i just do better with a plan is that so hard to understand.

That's the thing...there is no 'plan', just a lifestyle. I'm not trying to be an a##, that's really just what it comes down to. MFP is there to help you keep track of what you do, but if you are going to follow a 'plan', eventually you will want to stop that plan. That doesn't spell long term success, at least not in my mind anyway...

I completely understand using a plan being easier than just "everything in moderation". The plan that works best for me are the relatively low carb plans like Atkins and Paleo. I don't go for extremely low carb, but aim for under 100 grams most days. I've also found that for myself I do better with short term periods of very strict diet and restricted calorie intake to drop 7 to 10 pounds, and then maintain that for awhile, then do it again.

just simple "eating clean" and exercise... I don't much believe in diets, do not believe that they work for long term.... Just make a lifestyle change to make good choices.... yeah it is fine to have cake or cookies every now and then.. PERECTLY fine to have a not to healthy meal once in a while but keep it at a minimum... then you can afford to do that every now and then

I am HORRIBLE with food vs exercise. Just go look at my update pics. Granted I was out of commission for 1.5 months, but good lord.

I suppose that's why I am loving the Body Media. Once I had 7 days in, I started looking at averages and just adjusted accordingly. For example, I only had a ~200 calorie deficit one week, so I cut out the snacks for a day or two, and I am near ~500 within two or three days. Does that make any sense? That little thing is my program.

If I do a lot of work (like loading firewood, clean house, hike), then I am allowed an extra treat.

I hope that helps. I totally agree that there needs to be structure for me I thought I was eating less and working out more. Nope. Boy was I lying to myself.

Anyway (((((Vanessa)))))). You and I are going to get through this!

It doesn't have a fancy name and isn't sold online anywhere, but here's what works for me: Eat at a reasonable caloric deficit and get a reasonable amount of exercise. Silly, I know, but it seems to work.

It really is as simple as this. Plus, once I started tracking what I put in my mouth, I naturally started eating healthier food. Two cups of broccoli is a lot more filling than an ice cream cone. Add exercise to that and I'm pretty much stuck eating right. No one wants to workout for an hour and then eat all their calories back in two cookies.