What's worked, what hasn't worked?

jstoddart261 · August 2018

I'd like to hear about your stories of challenges and successes, what's worked and what hasn't.

I'm in my mid sixties. My overall goal is to improve my general health as I age and in the face of a life-long autoimmune disease. I'd say I'm doing really well with it. I've learned that it has to be a way of life. I have a great medical support team and a great circle of support with family and friends. It took me a big part of my life to figure out that I definitely can't not do this alone.

If I had to choose one thing that has worked for me it would be diet, what I call eating clean. Along with yoga, a clean diet has allowed me to get out in front of illness. That's a real victory for me.

One thing that didn't work for me was conventional thinking and approaches to pain, including medications. I suppose these were all part of the learning process but I now manage what used to be overwhelming chronic pain with physical fitness and stress reduction. I'd call it integration of body, mind and spirit. That's another victory even though I still experience pain that I would prefer to reduce or eliminate rather than manage.

malibu927 · August 2018

What's worked for me has been eating the foods I enjoy within a calorie deficit. "Clean eating" has many definitions to many people, but it doesn't guarantee weight loss.

L1zardQueen · August 2018

First and foremost for me was finding a doctor that listened to me and got my autoimmune disease under control.

Step two was to get my weight back to normal. I ate what I love but ate less food. Instead of half of a pizza, I ate two slices with a salad.

Third was yoga. It is great for my head. Ahhhh

nvmomketo · August 2018

I found that eating processed and refined carbs are bad for my health, and not just because I'm a celiac.

almost every health condition I have seems to have been made worse by eating moderate or high carb with those refined and processed carbs: reactive hypoglycaemia and IR, postural hypotension, poor skin and hair, weight gain, arthritis,migraines, and even a slip in my cognitive abilities. I've found that eating ketogenic seems to improve if not fix my health issues, and that carnivore helps too.

Now I use food to improve my health and help with my autoimmune problems and arthritis while limiting medications as much as I can (thyroid meds and pain killers when required). I have learned to not rely on doctors 100% - they make mistakes - and take more responsibility for my health through diet. I find that when my diet is good for me, then most of my issues seem to naturally fall in line includi mg weight management.

I just wish I had discovered this sooner. Diet can help but it can't reverse some damage that was already done.

SusannO · August 2018

Keto changed my life with my autoimmune disorder. I had chronic pain, inflammation, and steady weight gain. My legs and feet are most affected. Around 3 weeks into keto, I noticed visible inflammation going dramatically down. I was able to adjust the straps on my slides and the laces on my sneakers over an inch. My joints stopped aching completely. I sleep through the night now without tossing and turning in pain. I no longer take my pain meds. For these reasons, I plan to stay keto for the rest of my life. I've also lost 34 pounds in 3 months. I still have weight to lose after 20 years of my thyroid-related autoimmune disorder causing me to constantly creep upward, but the effect on my pain and swelling is more valuable to me.

DebTavares · August 2018

Working out has been huge for me. I really enjoy it, especially the feeling of a shower after a really good workout. I do Les Mills classes 5-6 days per week.

I also don't count calories, but I am cognizant of them. I pretty much just practice portion control. So I still eat burgers, but I have one not 2. I still eat fries, but I have a small pile instead of a mountain of them. I also do try to make better and healthier choices for the most part. I eat 3 meals a day and one snack at night and do not allow myself to eat outside of those times. I know meal timing means nothing, but for me it's just a strategy to not eat the entire day like I used to.

Doing the above has led to me losing about just under a pound a week.

I am very happy that this is working for me. I think I've finally learned how to eat in a way that is sustainable and giving me results.

generallyme2 · August 2018

Prelogging really helps me stay on track. If I log my foods the night before, I'm ready for the next day, no questions asked. I still keep it flexible but it's reduced any guesswork and going overboard. I like knowing I've already set aside calories for my dessert

NovusDies · August 2018

I am not even sure I can remember all of the things that didn't work. At least 5 named diets in there, some homemade restrictive disasters, and some doctor prescribed medications. The last diet that I really thrived under was a low fat diet several years ago but I regained later and then some and then some more.

What has worked has been taking some good ideas from other diets and ignoring the rest. Then I experimented with how I eat, what keeps me full, what keeps me happy, and tailored a diet to fit me and my personality. I always underestimated how much being mentally satisfied factors into to the sustainability of a diet. I always thought willpower was the key and I just needed more of it. It turns out willpower doesn't work that well when I am fighting myself.

Leannep2201 · August 2018

Another vote for pre-logging. I do it in the morning (sometimes the night before, but usually in the morning) before I get out of bed. It makes me feel more in control, and takes the stress out of figuring out as I go what I can eat that fits within my calorie goal.

I ensure I stay in a deficit, and that I still eat the foods I enjoy, but just in sensible portions. I didn't cut out anything, as that's not what I want to do for the rest of my life. I looked to make sustainable changes, that I'm going to be happy with when I hit maintenance.

lynn_glenmont · August 2018

Eating at a calorie deficit and moving more have worked. Trying to follow "diets" that require you to eat specific foods or avoid specific foods or eat at specific times didn't work. Any movement that I enjoy -- walking, dancing, yoga, lifting, swimming, biking -- has worked. Focusing on positive things I could do -- getting enough protein and fiber, getting enough sleep, getting some movement -- was more helpful than focusing on the negatives -- things I shouldn't eat, things I shouldn't do.

CarvedTones · August 2018

Tracking carefully and having a calorie target has worked to help me lose 65 pounds and keep it off over 5 months so far. Extreme diets failed in the past; I got the weight off quick but gained it back. I haven't stayed close to target for more than a couple of months in decades. This is also the lightest I have been in that same amount of time and I am fit, not just lighter. Not so extreme diets that were restrictive failed the worst; I never even got to goal on those.

VUA21 · August 2018

What has worked for me: eating the foods I enjoy while sticking to my calorie budget. Basically I had to relearn how to eat and what "normal" portions are.

What has not worked for me: every "diet" on Earth, most of them worked while I was on them, it was as soon as I stopped the weight just piled right back on.

candicew70 · August 2018

Eating healthy foods most of the time. Drinking less alcohol (all those empty calories from just 1-2 drinks a few nights a week were adding up). Sticking to a consistent exercise schedule that prioritizes strength training. I can’t be “on a diet.” My diet is what I eat all the time.

HereToLose50 · August 2018

I found limiting my carbs early in the day keeps me from going overboard the rest of the day. Sticking with pretty much meat and/or eggs if I eat before noon works well for me. Sometimes I'll add in leafy greens if I'm extra hungry in the morning.

I eat lots of carbs but save them for afternoon or evening.

NatalieBurton7803 · August 2018

SusannO wrote: »

Keto changed my life with my autoimmune disorder. I had chronic pain, inflammation, and steady weight gain. My legs and feet are most affected. Around 3 weeks into keto, I noticed visible inflammation going dramatically down. I was able to adjust the straps on my slides and the laces on my sneakers over an inch. My joints stopped aching completely. I sleep through the night now without tossing and turning in pain. I no longer take my pain meds. For these reasons, I plan to stay keto for the rest of my life. I've also lost 34 pounds in 3 months. I still have weight to lose after 20 years of my thyroid-related autoimmune disorder causing me to constantly creep upward, but the effect on my pain and swelling is more valuable to me.

NatalieBurton7803 · August 2018

Good to hear! Just started this week - hoping it will help with my auto immune (Psoratic Arthritis) disorder too

Lillymoo01 · August 2018

There are a number of things that have worked for me with both weight loss and maintenance;
1. Working out what foods I enjoy and what is most satiating for me while meeting my nutritional needs. In doing this I have not restricted myself or gone without and I have not created a list of foods I can and can't eat. For me having a mindset of good food and bad food is not healthy while all things in moderation prevents cravings.
2. Pre-logging before I eat anything. From here I can determine whether the calories are worth it while balancing how many calories the food has against how much I will enjoy eating it.
3. Walking. This has helped not only with my fitness and giving me some extra wriggle room for treats but has been great for my mental health also.
4. Correctly measuring all foods with my digital kitchen scales. Accuracy is key.

Mandylou19912014 · August 2018

What I find works for me is weight training 3-4 times a week, cardio once a week (usually boxing) and then trying to stick to around 1200 calories a day. I can have treats etc but I choose them wisely and have a list of all my favourite foods! Saying no to office cakes and biscuits, trying to switch to herbal teas (finding that hard) trying to replace crisps and choc with healthier options like fruit and nuts etc

Deviette · August 2018

For me:

Didn't work:
- Named diets (I tried some, they didn't work for me)
- Eating too low calories (I was hungry, I didn't want to exercise, I wasn't happy)
- Cutting out added sugar (because I just ate loads of fruit and increased calories)
- Increasing exercise (because I didn't stick with it when I reached my goals)

Did work:
- Logging my food, no matter what (stops me from spiraling when I have a bad day, because normally it's not as bad as I think)
- Learning to say no (I'm good for office cake, or nibbles, or free food)
- Reducing portion sizes (Because they were huge)
- Eating slower (and enjoy it more)

fruitily · August 2018

Eating 1200 on weekdays so I can up to 1500 on the weekend and still lose weight.

I think. It haven't been that long.

RollTideHusker · August 2018

For me- just realizing that this is a long process. I am not patient so this has been a learning experience 😉 Slow and Steady is my motto.

What's worked, what hasn't worked?

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