Need suggestions on eating healthy

I think it's good to keep the healthy eating but allow yourself to have treats sporadically. Otherwise, if you eat an "off limits" food, you might get discouraged and even give up. My downfall at my "healthiest" was swedish fish. OMG I could eat a whole big bag. I had to allow myself to have a small package of swedish fish once a week so that I didn't constantly crave it.

I'm just starting over my diet so that's the only advice I have coming from someone with 64 pounds to lose!!

Hi ladylaycee,

I didn't plan on eating healthy when I started this program. I just planned to cut calories. A few days into it, I just started eating healthy without even thinking about it. It is a wonderful side effect of doing this program. You start to reach for food that you know will satstain you and this food is what your body craves. I was a big sweet eater and I have cut that down considerably without even trying.

Just take it one meal at a time, one day at a time and pretty soon you will not even miss the junk food.
You will crave the healthy stuff. The key is to realize you can still have it and never deprive yourself of the good stuff, just adjust the portion so if fits in your caloire plan for the day.

I am now enjoying food and I am never bored because each meal tastes so good.

Take it slow. It took me 3 weeks before I really got the hang of things. I am still learning every day.

Welcome to the site and blessings to you,

Connie Lynn

Here are the two number one tips.

I always think of weight loss/maintenance success as the two "Ps": portions and patience.

I still eat just about everything. But, I've educated myself about portions. For example, an entire pie is not a portion. (I'm speaking from my own past life there. I used to seriously eat a whole pie.) If I want a lot of food, I reach for fruit, veggies, popcorn, etc. I still have all my favorite treats, but I only buy a portion that I can "afford" calorie-wise. (ie: one piece of pie, not an entire pie.) For me, if it walks in my door, I'll eat it. So if I want chips, I buy a tiny bag. (Even this blows my cal.s for the day). Also, even in treats, I only eat what I can pronounce. If there's something on the ingredients list that I don't recognize as food, I put that bag right back on the shelf.

Patience is harder, but the most necessary ingredient in any lifestyle change. I've lost my weight super-slowly (over three years) and it was hard! You just have to keep going.

You can change your life. :flowerforyou:

From watching certain shows, I've learned you can sometimes substitute things you like for the healthier versions of themselves. For instance, pizza. Well, if you used a wheat crust, and cheese with less calories, and sauce with less calories, you can pile on some veggies and you're on your way. If it is something that can't really be substituted, I'd say (and you're gonna think I'm nuts), but make a list about the positives and negatives of eating said food. If you do, you'll probably see that the benefits of not eating it are far more attractive. Its all about state of mind. If you need a small package of (say swedish fish!) then have a little, but by thinking it out, sometimes the process can make it so you don't need it anymore.

"I have to tell you that avoiding the junk has been the hardest part for me. Hot Tamales, gummy bears, Oreos, and a root beer float have been a daily occurance for me for a long time. A couple of things that have helped me: "

If you like Root beer floats, you've gotta get some A&W diet rootbeer, and some no sugar added, lowfat vanilla ice cream. I'm telling you, for less than 150 calories, you CAN have a great rootbeer float! (Okay it isn't Henry's rootbeer and Ben & Jerry's French Vanilla...but then it isn't 567 calories either!)
Cowboy