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My experience: CICO vs. P90x vs. Whole30 vs. Keto vs. OMAD
Hypsibius
Posts: 207 Member
Happy to say I've hit my target weight and I'm doing great! After realizing I was a solid 60-70+ pounds overweight, I tried a lot of different things the last few years to get back on track, with more yoyo-ing than I would like. But I've finally hit a balance the last year.
Here's what I've discovered. For real weight loss, a mixture of low-carb and intermittent fasting is the best long-term solution.
CICO + American Diet: Nobody is denying there is a basic scientific truth to CICO, but humans are not bomb calorimeters. The phrase "IIFYM" is mostly garbage (or was for me) and builds obsession around food/counting and guilt around food. You may lose weight, but if you're like me -- and you're forced into a sedentary lifestyle for months due to injury -- you'll just be hungry and tired all the time if there's too many carbs and processed foods in the diet.
p90x diet: Shed a ton of pounds on this diet and workout program. Couldn't eat enough whole foods to satiate myself. Ate three square meals a day with snacks and still lost weight. This was great for building a lot of foundation muscle, but was largely unsustainable in the long term.
Whole30: An excellent place to start if you're on a SAD/American diet and eating a lot of processed foods and carbohydrates. It'll help you to build a new experience around food and cooking, to always check labels for added sugar, to learn what's in your food. A very good starter diet if you're considering keto.
Mediterranian: A fun/delicious diet... but didn't help me to lose weight. Worked for maintenance and while training for a half-marathon where the added carbs were beneficial.
Keto: It's a magic diet. After trying IIFYM, workout programs, etc. -- after I had a disc injury in my back, it was clear I'd be stuck with limited movement for a few months, keto kept me on track. It's a lot of work, cooking/planning -- but very little tracking (I only counted carbs). The biggest thing on keto? Satiety. On every other diet I've tried I've experienced ravenous hunger.
OMAD/Intermittent fasting: Now that I'm at target weight, I've been doing this with a low-carb paleo diet with some allowances for maintenance. Keeping low carb helps to quell hunger, and intermittent fasting provides a great deal of control and health benefits. I highly recommend this paired with keto!
How has your experience been? Particularly others who are forced sedentary for long stretches?
Here's what I've discovered. For real weight loss, a mixture of low-carb and intermittent fasting is the best long-term solution.
CICO + American Diet: Nobody is denying there is a basic scientific truth to CICO, but humans are not bomb calorimeters. The phrase "IIFYM" is mostly garbage (or was for me) and builds obsession around food/counting and guilt around food. You may lose weight, but if you're like me -- and you're forced into a sedentary lifestyle for months due to injury -- you'll just be hungry and tired all the time if there's too many carbs and processed foods in the diet.
p90x diet: Shed a ton of pounds on this diet and workout program. Couldn't eat enough whole foods to satiate myself. Ate three square meals a day with snacks and still lost weight. This was great for building a lot of foundation muscle, but was largely unsustainable in the long term.
Whole30: An excellent place to start if you're on a SAD/American diet and eating a lot of processed foods and carbohydrates. It'll help you to build a new experience around food and cooking, to always check labels for added sugar, to learn what's in your food. A very good starter diet if you're considering keto.
Mediterranian: A fun/delicious diet... but didn't help me to lose weight. Worked for maintenance and while training for a half-marathon where the added carbs were beneficial.
Keto: It's a magic diet. After trying IIFYM, workout programs, etc. -- after I had a disc injury in my back, it was clear I'd be stuck with limited movement for a few months, keto kept me on track. It's a lot of work, cooking/planning -- but very little tracking (I only counted carbs). The biggest thing on keto? Satiety. On every other diet I've tried I've experienced ravenous hunger.
OMAD/Intermittent fasting: Now that I'm at target weight, I've been doing this with a low-carb paleo diet with some allowances for maintenance. Keeping low carb helps to quell hunger, and intermittent fasting provides a great deal of control and health benefits. I highly recommend this paired with keto!
How has your experience been? Particularly others who are forced sedentary for long stretches?
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Replies
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Pretty sweeping statements based on n=1.
Could yoiu define "magic" in relation to Keto? If there's a magic diet out there that lets people lose weight while eating surplus calories, or ways of eating that don't result in weight loss when eating in a deficit, I imagine the people who have conducted repeated controlled metobolic studies would be anxious to know where they've gone wrong.
eta: If we're going to make sweeping statements based on n=1, I've lost 50 pounds and been in maintenance for a year, and the way I eat is similar to @GottaBurnEmAll below.28 -
Keeping track of my food and eating foods that I personally find filling works for me, even during periods when I have to be sedentary.
I don't do intermittent fasting.
I don't eat low carb.
I know it's all about energy balance.
My personal food preferences run towards things like veggies, fruit, beans, tubers, yogurt, cottage cheese, and whole grains.33 -
I lost weight and improved my health markers, including correcting a medical condition, by continuing to eat SAD, but by reducing my calorie intake via ADF.
Transitioned into maintenance still eating SAD and continued to do IF for calorie management (switched from ADF to 5:2 and then 16:8IF).
After I got settled into maintenance I then I started playing around with different ways of eating-everything from paleo/primal, to WFPB/Nutritarian. Continued to do 16:8IF on and off during this time. Continued to keep my weight in my maintenance range by being mindful of my calorie intake. My twice a year blood work/health exams showed me that it didn't matter what way of eating I was doing, my health markers are influenced the most by my weight.
Now 6 years into maintenance I've ditched IF (got bored with it after a few years), and have settled on a DASH/BlueZones style way of eating. Experimenting with different ways of eating has taught me that I do better with a higher carb, more plant focused diet. I anticipate sticking with this way of eating long term now.
Exercise wise-during my active weight loss phase I didn't exercise at all/very sedentary. The summer that I transitioned into maintenance I did a few months of body-weight strength training (my BMI was down to around a 19 at that point so I was rocking some abs definition etc). But, I got bored with that pretty quickly. Switched over to regular old walking and I've done that ever since, as weather allows. During the winter months I only get out 1-3 times a week, usually 1 mile per time (that's when my face starts going numb lol). Summer months I aim for 5 days a week/2 miles per walk.
eta edit7 -
I would not conclude that my personal experience gave me the universally superior weight management plan. What you have discovered, through personal testing, is the best weight management plan for you.
For me, IF doesn't fit how I prefer to eat and I'd be miserable on a low carbohydrate diet.
I count calories on a diet that has plenty of carbohydrates and it does not cause issues with obsession or guilt. In fact, understanding how my body processes calories has actually freed me from feeling like I am "bad" if I don't arbitrarily limit types of food.
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All you need to lose weight is a calorie deficit. Period. There is nothing magical about keto, IF, or any other WOE. If you found something that works for you, fantastic, but everybody is going to be different.
Whenever I have tried a low carb diet, I failed miserably. The minute you tell me I can’t eat something, I want it that much more.
In terms of IF, there are some days when I skip breakfast, but other days when I’m ravenous at 8:30am. Your body doesn’t care what time it is.25 -
I think it's great you've finally found a balanced way of eating that works for you. Personally for me, counting calories has worked just fine and I've had zero issues since I began my weight loss journey and into maintenance. CICO, just happens to be sustainable for me.
Everyone is going to have a different preference. There isn't one "magic" diet. It's all about eating less than you burn, and however you find that way of eating to be sustainable over the long term, whether it be OMAD, IF, Keto, is great.12 -
Man, this could have been a cool thread is OP didn't try presenting his experience as factual "this is what will work for you" rather than "this is what worked for me".37
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Pretty sweeping statements based on n=1.
Could yoiu define "magic" in relation to Keto? If there's a magic diet out there that lets people lose weight while eating surplus calories, or ways of eating that don't result in weight loss when eating in a deficit, I imagine the people who have conducted repeated controlled metobolic studies would be anxious to know where they've gone wrong.
eta: If we're going to make sweeping statements based on n=1, I've lost 50 pounds and been in maintenance for a year, and the way I eat is similar to @GottaBurnEmAll below.
Satiety, mostly. Keto worked really well for me in limiting hunger and cravings.
Definitely different diets will work for different people, but I wanted to lay out my personal experience -- and limiting carbs has just overall been transformative in multiple ways compared with the other plans I tried.
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What worked for me:
CICO + American Diet: This is where it's at for me! I'm gonna make ice cream and chocolate fit in my day, dammit, because otherwise I freak out and binge.
p90x diet: Never tried it.
Whole30: No, thank you. See CICO.
Mediterranian: I don't like fish.
Keto: Oh, hell no. After 3 days (it's was actually Atkins, back in the 90's) hubby threw a cookie at me and told me to eat it because I was so bitchy.
OMAD/Intermittent fasting: I slightly IF, as I push breakfast as late as possible. I like more calories in the evening.
29 -
the same goes for all other diets
cico works for me. KISS33 -
Congrats on finding a way to burn more calories than you eat.22
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Pretty sweeping statements based on n=1.
Could yoiu define "magic" in relation to Keto? If there's a magic diet out there that lets people lose weight while eating surplus calories, or ways of eating that don't result in weight loss when eating in a deficit, I imagine the people who have conducted repeated controlled metobolic studies would be anxious to know where they've gone wrong.
eta: If we're going to make sweeping statements based on n=1, I've lost 50 pounds and been in maintenance for a year, and the way I eat is similar to @GottaBurnEmAll below.
Satiety, mostly. Keto worked really well for me in limiting hunger and cravings.
Definitely different diets will work for different people, but I wanted to lay out my personal experience -- and limiting carbs has just overall been transformative in multiple ways compared with the other plans I tried.
You didn't lay out a personal experience. You used your personal experience make sweeping generalizations and tell people the "magic bullet" to lose weight.
I don't understand why you claim CICO and IIFYM leads to frequent injury and a sedentary lifestyle, or even the constant hunger and tiredness you claim. IF would have me passing out with hunger while suffering severe headaches and nausea. A lack of carbs and sweets would make me a very unpleasant person to be around and cause me to very quickly fail at my diet, and subsequently long-term weight loss. I'm glad you found what works for you but please don't turn it into a sales pitch.17 -
Low carb would never work well for me as I find carbs help boost my mood, workout performance and aesthetics (I find I personally look like a raisin with little carbs in my system). IF is not for me as I love eating right before bed and my breakfast in the morning. I also don't like eating too high fat at all. What works best for me, higher protein at regular intervals during the day, weekly carb/calorie cycling, eating the same foods most days, regular diet breaks, I also don't track my intake but use my trend weight to gauge my next steps. Would what I do work for everyone? No way. But for me it couldn't be easier.11
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quiksylver296 wrote: »What worked for me:
CICO + American Diet: This is where it's at for me! I'm gonna make ice cream and chocolate fit in my day, dammit, because otherwise I freak out and binge.
p90x diet: Never tried it.
Whole30: No, thank you. See CICO.
Mediterranian: I don't like fish.
Keto: Oh, hell no. After 3 days (it's was actually Atkins, back in the 90's) hubby threw a cookie at me and told me to eat it because I was so bitchy.
OMAD/Intermittent fasting: I slightly IF, as I push breakfast as late as possible. I like more calories in the evening.
I like this.
CICO + American Diet: I like candy.
p90x diet: I didn't know this was a diet.
Whole30: No, I like candy too much.
Mediterranian: No, I like candy too much.
Keto: No, I like candy too much.
OMAD/Intermittent fasting: I guess I do this a little on mornings I'm not hungry, but if I am, I eat. And sometimes it's candy.38 -
RelCanonical wrote: »quiksylver296 wrote: »What worked for me:
CICO + American Diet: This is where it's at for me! I'm gonna make ice cream and chocolate fit in my day, dammit, because otherwise I freak out and binge.
p90x diet: Never tried it.
Whole30: No, thank you. See CICO.
Mediterranian: I don't like fish.
Keto: Oh, hell no. After 3 days (it's was actually Atkins, back in the 90's) hubby threw a cookie at me and told me to eat it because I was so bitchy.
OMAD/Intermittent fasting: I slightly IF, as I push breakfast as late as possible. I like more calories in the evening.
I like this.
CICO + American Diet: I like candy.
p90x diet: I didn't know this was a diet.
Whole30: No, I like candy too much.
Mediterranian: No, I like candy too much.
Keto: No, I like candy too much.
OMAD/Intermittent fasting: I guess I do this a little on mornings I'm not hungry, but if I am, I eat. And sometimes it's candy.
I'm starting to see a common theme . . .
17 -
You found what works for you. Congrats!
But what works for you would definitely not work for me.
I find starchy carbs (potatoes, rice, pasta, oats) really filling. I find fatty foods like chicken thighs, avocados, cheese, and nuts are a double threat to me - they are very easy for me to overeat and when I get too much fat at once I feel heavy and sluggish. Low carb would be a disaster for me.
I did 16:8 for awhile and it worked really well, but I started waking up really hungry, and after a couple of weeks I decided to listen to my body and went back to a more spread out eating schedule.
I'm currently starting to slowly tweak my diet towards a Mediterranean/Blue Zones/MIND diet way of eating, based on what I've learned about myself over the years and my own research. Well, I mean one of those diets plus Oreos, ice cream, and Coke Zero
You say you just wanted to relay your personal experience, but your OP doesn't sound like that at all, it sounds like you are suggesting what's best for everyone. Based on my years of reading hundreds of posters' personal experience here, it seems pretty clear to me that there is no one right macro balance, eating schedule, food restriction, exercise level etc for everyone. Each individual will have a different "best" way to get into a calorie deficit and then eat comfortably at the right calorie level for the rest of their lives.
Edited to add: And as to the thread title, P90X, Whole30, Keto, and OMAD are also CICO.21 -
I initially had 67 pounds to lose, half-way there today. During this journey I tried a lot of diets:
Keto: lost weight because CICO. Nothing magical happened. Wasn't sustainable long-term and then I ate all the carbs for 3 months and regained.
IF: worked well at the time because I was not a morning eater. Lost weight because CICO. Nothing magical happened. Stopped using IF because I started needing morning fuel.
Calorie counting: used to not work well because I was too lazy to be accurate enough for weight loss. Now I'm accurate enough to lose steadily. I like that I'm learning real portion control.
High carb diet: about one month ago I decided to eat a pescatarian diet comprised of mainly plants. Losing weight as predicted because CICO.
I've also done a myriad of other diets in my life, too many to name really.
Point is, I have also experimented and found that calorie counting is the best for ME. I think it's great to share our experiences, but claiming that one WOE is the best long term solution for everyone is just not accurate.13 -
janejellyroll wrote: »RelCanonical wrote: »quiksylver296 wrote: »What worked for me:
CICO + American Diet: This is where it's at for me! I'm gonna make ice cream and chocolate fit in my day, dammit, because otherwise I freak out and binge.
p90x diet: Never tried it.
Whole30: No, thank you. See CICO.
Mediterranian: I don't like fish.
Keto: Oh, hell no. After 3 days (it's was actually Atkins, back in the 90's) hubby threw a cookie at me and told me to eat it because I was so bitchy.
OMAD/Intermittent fasting: I slightly IF, as I push breakfast as late as possible. I like more calories in the evening.
I like this.
CICO + American Diet: I like candy.
p90x diet: I didn't know this was a diet.
Whole30: No, I like candy too much.
Mediterranian: No, I like candy too much.
Keto: No, I like candy too much.
OMAD/Intermittent fasting: I guess I do this a little on mornings I'm not hungry, but if I am, I eat. And sometimes it's candy.
I'm starting to see a common theme . . .
In all seriousness, I eat candy everyday and find that doing that has significantly reduced my cravings. I have like 100 calories or so a day in like, chocolate minis, or starburst or something. Doesn't crowd out necessary protein, but makes me feel satisfied. I think it's a good example of the theme of this thread - there's not one perfect diet, things are never going to work for everyone. I can moderate like crazy, but not everyone can, so I can see the above diets working well for others, but def not for me.19 -
RelCanonical wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »RelCanonical wrote: »quiksylver296 wrote: »What worked for me:
CICO + American Diet: This is where it's at for me! I'm gonna make ice cream and chocolate fit in my day, dammit, because otherwise I freak out and binge.
p90x diet: Never tried it.
Whole30: No, thank you. See CICO.
Mediterranian: I don't like fish.
Keto: Oh, hell no. After 3 days (it's was actually Atkins, back in the 90's) hubby threw a cookie at me and told me to eat it because I was so bitchy.
OMAD/Intermittent fasting: I slightly IF, as I push breakfast as late as possible. I like more calories in the evening.
I like this.
CICO + American Diet: I like candy.
p90x diet: I didn't know this was a diet.
Whole30: No, I like candy too much.
Mediterranian: No, I like candy too much.
Keto: No, I like candy too much.
OMAD/Intermittent fasting: I guess I do this a little on mornings I'm not hungry, but if I am, I eat. And sometimes it's candy.
I'm starting to see a common theme . . .
In all seriousness, I eat candy everyday and find that doing that has significantly reduced my cravings. I have like 100 calories or so a day in like, chocolate minis, or starburst or something. Doesn't crowd out necessary protein, but makes me feel satisfied. I think it's a good example of the theme of this thread - there's not one perfect diet, things are never going to work for everyone. I can moderate like crazy, but not everyone can, so I can see the above diets working well for others, but def not for me.
This is me, but with french fries. I don't have them daily, but usually about once a week. Any way of eating that expected me to eliminate these would not be a good fit for me. Since I can fit them into my calories, I don't have to worry about it!9 -
RelCanonical wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »RelCanonical wrote: »quiksylver296 wrote: »What worked for me:
CICO + American Diet: This is where it's at for me! I'm gonna make ice cream and chocolate fit in my day, dammit, because otherwise I freak out and binge.
p90x diet: Never tried it.
Whole30: No, thank you. See CICO.
Mediterranian: I don't like fish.
Keto: Oh, hell no. After 3 days (it's was actually Atkins, back in the 90's) hubby threw a cookie at me and told me to eat it because I was so bitchy.
OMAD/Intermittent fasting: I slightly IF, as I push breakfast as late as possible. I like more calories in the evening.
I like this.
CICO + American Diet: I like candy.
p90x diet: I didn't know this was a diet.
Whole30: No, I like candy too much.
Mediterranian: No, I like candy too much.
Keto: No, I like candy too much.
OMAD/Intermittent fasting: I guess I do this a little on mornings I'm not hungry, but if I am, I eat. And sometimes it's candy.
I'm starting to see a common theme . . .
In all seriousness, I eat candy everyday and find that doing that has significantly reduced my cravings. I have like 100 calories or so a day in like, chocolate minis, or starburst or something. Doesn't crowd out necessary protein, but makes me feel satisfied. I think it's a good example of the theme of this thread - there's not one perfect diet, things are never going to work for everyone. I can moderate like crazy, but not everyone can, so I can see the above diets working well for others, but def not for me.
I like candy, but I can't moderate it well. What I did do was find something that scratches that candy itch that I can moderate. It's not the same as candy, but it will do (Lara Bar Truffles).
I'm saying this to point out the beauty of not being beholden to any particular named or rigid way of dieting. The fact that I have a calorie goal and that within the parameters of that goal, I can customize my food selection precisely to my tastes, needs, and idiosyncrasies is something I find liberating.12 -
CICO + American Diet: I'm Canadian not American so i'll call this the CICO + ME Diet: I tried this one first. it worked. it worked great. so...yay me! lost all the weight this way, no major snags.
p90x diet: no clue what this is
Whole30: I mean I try to eat whole foods/healthy, lots of stuff I make at home. but no I don't do this.
Mediterranian: so many foods I don't like in this one
Keto: OMG no. I eat low fat, in fact I've recently been working to ensure I eat a MINIMUM healthy amount of fat. I eat volumetrics. so this sounds like a nightmare. I also have zero interest in diets that demonize food groups.
OMAD/Intermittent fasting: this is my idea of hell. I eat like every 3hrs.RelCanonical wrote: »In all seriousness, I eat candy everyday and find that doing that has significantly reduced my cravings. I have like 100 calories or so a day in like, chocolate minis, or starburst or something. Doesn't crowd out necessary protein, but makes me feel satisfied. I think it's a good example of the theme of this thread - there's not one perfect diet, things are never going to work for everyone. I can moderate like crazy, but not everyone can, so I can see the above diets working well for others, but def not for me.
Hahah I eat all the chocolate. I have cocoa nibs in my oatmeal, a home made chocolate protein bar with lunch and some kind of chocolate dessert after dinner. I try to make the chocolate work for me in both taste, calories and extras (protein rich "healthy" options are great, like the home made protein bars).13 -
CICO + American Diet: I'm Canadian not American so i'll call this the CICO + ME Diet: I tried this one first. it worked. it worked great. so...yay me! lost all the weight this way, no major snags.
p90x diet: no clue what this is
Whole30: I mean I try to eat whole foods/healthy, lots of stuff I make at home. but no I don't do this.
Mediterranian: so many foods I don't like in this one
Keto: OMG no. I eat low fat, in fact I've recently been working to ensure I eat a MINIMUM healthy amount of fat. I eat volumetrics. so this sounds like a nightmare. I also have zero interest in diets that demonize food groups.
OMAD/Intermittent fasting: this is my idea of hell. I eat like every 3hrs.RelCanonical wrote: »In all seriousness, I eat candy everyday and find that doing that has significantly reduced my cravings. I have like 100 calories or so a day in like, chocolate minis, or starburst or something. Doesn't crowd out necessary protein, but makes me feel satisfied. I think it's a good example of the theme of this thread - there's not one perfect diet, things are never going to work for everyone. I can moderate like crazy, but not everyone can, so I can see the above diets working well for others, but def not for me.
Hahah I eat all the chocolate. I have cocoa nibs in my oatmeal, a home made chocolate protein bar with lunch and some kind of chocolate dessert after dinner. I try to make the chocolate work for me in both taste, calories and extras (protein rich "healthy" options are great, like the home made protein bars).
Oh man, I love a good protein bar, I usually only reach for them if they're on sale, though. More of a cost thing. The candy I get is free at work, otherwise I would probably choose something with a little more fiber. Those 90 calorie fiber one bars are to die for. I have learned my lesson about eating too many in a day, though!7 -
I'm glad the OP found what worked for them. I love produce too much to ever do keto.
I love eating in moderation. Counting calories keeps me accountable and allows for eating out and special events/treats. I cant eat intuitively. I love the Meditteranean diet principles.11 -
RelCanonical wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »RelCanonical wrote: »quiksylver296 wrote: »What worked for me:
CICO + American Diet: This is where it's at for me! I'm gonna make ice cream and chocolate fit in my day, dammit, because otherwise I freak out and binge.
p90x diet: Never tried it.
Whole30: No, thank you. See CICO.
Mediterranian: I don't like fish.
Keto: Oh, hell no. After 3 days (it's was actually Atkins, back in the 90's) hubby threw a cookie at me and told me to eat it because I was so bitchy.
OMAD/Intermittent fasting: I slightly IF, as I push breakfast as late as possible. I like more calories in the evening.
I like this.
CICO + American Diet: I like candy.
p90x diet: I didn't know this was a diet.
Whole30: No, I like candy too much.
Mediterranian: No, I like candy too much.
Keto: No, I like candy too much.
OMAD/Intermittent fasting: I guess I do this a little on mornings I'm not hungry, but if I am, I eat. And sometimes it's candy.
I'm starting to see a common theme . . .
In all seriousness, I eat candy everyday and find that doing that has significantly reduced my cravings. I have like 100 calories or so a day in like, chocolate minis, or starburst or something. Doesn't crowd out necessary protein, but makes me feel satisfied. I think it's a good example of the theme of this thread - there's not one perfect diet, things are never going to work for everyone. I can moderate like crazy, but not everyone can, so I can see the above diets working well for others, but def not for me.
So true! I'm a natural moderator - in fact, even when I was 20 lbs heavier I never really over-ate any one particular food. A just ate a bit too much and was a lazy *kitten* every damn day. When I first came here, I thought it was ridiculous for anyone to think that moderating wasn't the best way. But I've seen enough people here do better with some kind of guidelines that I don't insist my way is best anymore (Well, I mean publicly, I still think it in my head
) 8 -
I've lost 240 pounds by counting calories. A large part of that was by following a pescatarian diet but today I am also eating meat.
I had my gall bladder removed so a high fat diet like Keto wasn't really an option for me. I also am a volume eater so I don't think I'd have been successful with it since 1 gram of fat is 9 calories compared to 1 gram of carbs/protein being 4 calories. Also, I don't find it appealing.
P.S.: CICO ≠ calorie counting24 -
RelCanonical wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »RelCanonical wrote: »quiksylver296 wrote: »What worked for me:
CICO + American Diet: This is where it's at for me! I'm gonna make ice cream and chocolate fit in my day, dammit, because otherwise I freak out and binge.
p90x diet: Never tried it.
Whole30: No, thank you. See CICO.
Mediterranian: I don't like fish.
Keto: Oh, hell no. After 3 days (it's was actually Atkins, back in the 90's) hubby threw a cookie at me and told me to eat it because I was so bitchy.
OMAD/Intermittent fasting: I slightly IF, as I push breakfast as late as possible. I like more calories in the evening.
I like this.
CICO + American Diet: I like candy.
p90x diet: I didn't know this was a diet.
Whole30: No, I like candy too much.
Mediterranian: No, I like candy too much.
Keto: No, I like candy too much.
OMAD/Intermittent fasting: I guess I do this a little on mornings I'm not hungry, but if I am, I eat. And sometimes it's candy.
I'm starting to see a common theme . . .
In all seriousness, I eat candy everyday and find that doing that has significantly reduced my cravings. I have like 100 calories or so a day in like, chocolate minis, or starburst or something. Doesn't crowd out necessary protein, but makes me feel satisfied. I think it's a good example of the theme of this thread - there's not one perfect diet, things are never going to work for everyone. I can moderate like crazy, but not everyone can, so I can see the above diets working well for others, but def not for me.
So true! I'm a natural moderator - in fact, even when I was 20 lbs heavier I never really over-ate any one particular food. A just ate a bit too much and was a lazy *kitten* every damn day. When I first came here, I thought it was ridiculous for anyone to think that moderating wasn't the best way. But I've seen enough people here do better with some kind of guidelines that I don't insist my way is best anymore (Well, I mean publicly, I still think it in my head )
There was an article floating around here about moderators vs. abstainers and it really opened my eyes and made me more open to other types of diets as well, lol. I'm so judge-y but I try to keep my mouth shut.7 -
I lost 50 lbs by counting calories and making an effort to increase my activity. I've been maintaining for almost 7 years now. At this point I'm able to fairly accurately eyeball what an appropriate portion is, so I no longer log or measure. I weight myself regularly so I can catch a backslide early and adjust.
I guess I also technically do 16:8 IF. It's just my natural eating pattern and I've been eating that way since before I knew it had a name.
I personally couldn't stick with a diet that restricted certain foods. I like to fit in a treat just about everyday and I think I'd be crabby if I had to eliminate them. But like everyone is pointing out, to each their own. Their is no universal WOE that's going to work for everyone- we all just have to find what works for us individually.4 -
Thanks for sharing. I'm an IF practitioner currently on a short-term OMAD assignment and am a firm believer it helps keep unbridled discipline in peak condition which is necessary for success. I have no Keto experience and know myself well enough that I couldn't do it. Anecdotal experiences are great to share with an open-minded audience and I am part of that small audience here. Thanks again and best wishes for your continued success.18
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Thanks for the comments!
No I should've prefaced better, this is what worked for me. If others can eat whatever they want within restriction and not feel terrible/hungry all the time, more power. When I was eating pastas, breads, cookies -- I consistently overate and/or was starving. I needed something different, and keto worked tremendously well. Overall, I just feel better eating low-carb (even if it's not purely keto).
I would just highly recommend it to folks here who are having trouble with IIFYM like I was.4 -
pierinifitness wrote: »Thanks for sharing. I'm an IF practitioner currently on a short-term OMAD assignment and am a firm believer it helps keep unbridled discipline in peak condition which is necessary for success. I have no Keto experience and know myself well enough that I couldn't do it. Anecdotal experiences are great to share with an open-minded audience and I am part of that small audience here. Thanks again and best wishes for your continued success.
Thanks I appreciate it! You too0
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