For all the people thinking about crash/fad dieting

kenzietea · August 2011

I found this article useful and it makes sense. Occasional indulgences are good for your mental and physical health! http://www.livestrong.com/blog/blog/4-ways-cheat-your-diet/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=110816

I know for a fact, stress caused me to plateau. I went on vacation, took a week off from logging or counting calories, and lost weight because of the mental relaxation! If you are feeling overwhelmed, this article might help!

Good luck, everyone!

mrphil86 · August 2011

I know for a fact, stress caused me to plateau.

It's true that this happens more than most people think.

Panda86 · August 2011

I know for a fact, stress caused me to plateau.

It's true that this happens more than most people think.

Agreed! I took a week off MFP because it was just getting to where it took up so much of my thought process. I needed to take a break, regroup, and get my priorities in line. And I lost about half a pound in a week. This was a big deal to me, because I am on my last 3 lbs, and it is taking FOREVER to get them off me!

avsingleton · August 2011

oh wow...so cool...thanks for the tip!

Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Weight Loss Tools

queen_bea · August 2011

I know for a fact, stress caused me to plateau.

It's true that this happens more than most people think.

must be why i've been on the same big fat plateau for about 2 months.

shabydonner · August 2011

Very interesting read. I have learned that treats along the way are a must for me to stick with it. This is probably my third major diet attempt and I can already tell a difference.

The first time I was just too young to stick it out, my will power was low and I, being a kid (and sadly an adult) that hates most veggies found that part of it unbearable. I lost 5 pounds that time before giving up.

The second was just a couple of years ago, my father had started doing the Diabetic exchange diet and I decided to do it with him. We both did well and stuck with it for a little over a month, I lost 15 pounds and was enjoying finding little things that I could still eat without undoing a day, fresh strawberries with no sugar added chocolate pudding on top being one. But after about 6 weeks of forcing down 4 or 5 servings of veggies a day I was burning out. It didn't help that my Grandfather had just passed away and my Mom was gone for at least a couple of months trying to take care of and set up home health care for my Grandmother, who suffered from dementia and refused to move closer to us, putting me in charge of cooking, cleaning, and general housework.Talk about stress. Needless to say that did it, I went back to my old habits with a vengeance.

This time however, I don't know, things have just been more low stress, I'm enjoying finding healthy recipes (love skinnytaste.com). I am eating veggies but not as much, 2 to 3 servings a day which I can handle. I am loving this site, it takes so much of the guess work out of it. I put in what I plan to eat and if I don't have the counts for it I alter it to fit. I have been going strong for about a month now, lost almost 10 pounds, and don't feel like giving up most days. The biggest difference is this time I have had a cheat meal nearly every weekend, ok, and a cheat weekend once, but I still go back on Monday, and because of that I truly believe this time is going to be different. Its even the little things throughout the week that are different. Today was a very lean day for me so I splurged tonight and had a candy bar with a small glass of chocolate milk. Something I would have never imagined doing on a diet before but I was still 300 calories under my goal and I felt like I was getting a huge treat. It makes all the difference and I can't imagine doing it any other way now.

kenzietea · August 2011

Right?! It is great having a flexible plan that still allows you to LIVE and be realistic. My brother in law, an ex fatty-turned trainer/actor (He's actually made quite a name for himself!), does 6 days on, one day off. Although, for someone like me I prefer a small treat to fit in everyday or every other day, it really works for him.

And recently, before my vacation to Mexico, I was stressing myself out like crazy! I was logging every bite I ate, didn't go over my calories once, exercised everyday, didn't cheat and ate extremely healthy... and gained two pounds. I was sooo stressed out about looking good in a swimming suit that I made my body very confused. On my trip I tried to make healthy choices, but still ate nachos and french fries at the snack bar, and had a smart desert at almost every meal, and drank alcohol (never to the point where I dehydrated myself, I drank lots of club soda and bottled water too-- but still, alcohol daily!) and when I came home I weighed and had actually lost 4 lbs! I did work out and was swimming and snorkeling and going out dancing, but it really is amazing how much your stress levels factor into everything!

I am so glad you found your niche and 'found the light' so to speak. It makes a million times difference when you still feel 'normal' and not depriving yourself from certain foods completely. No one can live like that!

Today, I had a biscuit and a cookie, and they were delicious =P

Very interesting read. I have learned that treats along the way are a must for me to stick with it. This is probably my third major diet attempt and I can already tell a difference.

The first time I was just too young to stick it out, my will power was low and I, being a kid (and sadly an adult) that hates most veggies found that part of it unbearable. I lost 5 pounds that time before giving up.

The second was just a couple of years ago, my father had started doing the Diabetic exchange diet and I decided to do it with him. We both did well and stuck with it for a little over a month, I lost 15 pounds and was enjoying finding little things that I could still eat without undoing a day, fresh strawberries with no sugar added chocolate pudding on top being one. But after about 6 weeks of forcing down 4 or 5 servings of veggies a day I was burning out. It didn't help that my Grandfather had just passed away and my Mom was gone for at least a couple of months trying to take care of and set up home health care for my Grandmother, who suffered from dementia and refused to move closer to us, putting me in charge of cooking, cleaning, and general housework.Talk about stress. Needless to say that did it, I went back to my old habits with a vengeance.

This time however, I don't know, things have just been more low stress, I'm enjoying finding healthy recipes (love skinnytaste.com). I am eating veggies but not as much, 2 to 3 servings a day which I can handle. I am loving this site, it takes so much of the guess work out of it. I put in what I plan to eat and if I don't have the counts for it I alter it to fit. I have been going strong for about a month now, lost almost 10 pounds, and don't feel like giving up most days. The biggest difference is this time I have had a cheat meal nearly every weekend, ok, and a cheat weekend once, but I still go back on Monday, and because of that I truly believe this time is going to be different. Its even the little things throughout the week that are different. Today was a very lean day for me so I splurged tonight and had a candy bar with a small glass of chocolate milk. Something I would have never imagined doing on a diet before but I was still 300 calories under my goal and I felt like I was getting a huge treat. It makes all the difference and I can't imagine doing it any other way now.

kenzietea · August 2011

Maybe take a little break! Stress is definitely a factor!

I know for a fact, stress caused me to plateau.

It's true that this happens more than most people think.

must be why i've been on the same big fat plateau for about 2 months.

chrisdavey · August 2011

I swear by the post workout approach!

For all the people thinking about crash/fad dieting

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