IrisFlute Member

I lost almost all my baby weight from breastfeeding, and I was NOT limiting my food consumption. Congrats on nursing your baby - that's such a good way to start off your child's nutrition!

I drink when I'm thirsty and I don't keep track. I think the whole thing about trying to drink a certain large amount of water is just a fad. I don't drink anything with calories in it, and I don't like artificial sweeteners, so it's pretty much just tap water, unsweetened tea, and black coffee in the morning.

Big changes in diet are one of the known triggers of migraines -- sometimes because you're eating more of a specific food, and sometimes just because of change in routine. Your body is likely to adjust, if you take care to meet your nutritional needs. Exercise supposedly also eases the problem. Here's a great article with…

5'8" and 61 years old. Lightly active. 1200 calories per day, no more than half my exercise calories eaten back, on days when I do an uphill bike ride. I'm just doing a slight adjustment on my maintenance at the moment because I gained a few pounds during the winter. Since it's just a short period, I'm able to keep under…

Both. I cut out almost all refined carbs and desserts while I'm in weight-loss mode. Instead, I eat delicious high-quality proteins (organic farm-raised meats, handmade cheeses, walnuts) so those become my luxuries. I eat big servings of veggies like kale and broccoli. If I'm at a potluck or picnic, I eat everything but…

Like the first reply here said: I look at the protein and fat categories as minimums. I always go over on fat; that helps me feel less hungry. I also go over a bit on sugars, but as long as the excess is from sources like fruit or milk rather than added sweeteners I don't worry about it.

I always log my exercise the day after I actually do it, because that's always when I'm extra hungry.

Fresh vegetables and fruit gradually lose nutrients starting from the moment of harvesting. Some nutrients diminish faster than others. You can eat any produce that still looks pleasant -- when fruits and vegetables spoil, they grow mold or get slimy with a bad smell.

Yes to many of the suggestions above, especially the ones about making sure to use your calorie allowance for plenty of fat, protein and fiber. Also, for me, sometimes eating a plain stalk of celery distracts my body from hunger for a while. And plain hot tea helps me too. And sometimes just waiting it out helps, too. BUT:…

Fat is my friend when losing weight. Daily go-tos are almond butter and whole milk plain yogurt. The skin from a freshly roasted chicken, hot from the oven, is a huge treat.

Yes, I think so. I just finished a huge dish of spring mustards and kales, which counts as four servings.

Oh, I forgot ... I totally do this too, only while I'm maintaining -- not while I'm losing. But yeah, living alone, it's great. I have recipes for six teeny-tiny homemade donuts, and for a miniature pie, and for five cookies. That way I get the whole experience without having to rely on self-discipline. Those tiny…

In general, I handle people's hospitality by taking very small servings of everything, praising the food, and not mentioning anything about my eating habits. You'd be surprised at what people don't notice, if you don't call attention to what you're doing. If someone asks: "Don't you want a bigger piece than that?" you can…

Big congrats on losing 124 lbs! Maybe you're one of the people who (like me) has better success with just avoiding almost all sweeteners - of whatever type - completely while I'm losing weight. I have a personality where completely swearing off certain foods just works way better for me than trying to fit the treats I love…

Maintenance felt easier to me because I didn't have to spend as much time being hungry.

Cardiovascular disease can result from insufficient magnesium, potassium, calcium, vitamin D, or B vitamins. Just one example. Also, the research related to depression relates to poor quality food, not excess food.

None of us should fret about what we ate in the past --but going forward, remember that your body needs certain nutrients. You'll be healthier and feel better if your nutritional needs are met. If you don't get the protein, vitamins, minerals and micronutrients you need, you are at higher risk for diabetes, cardiovascular…

I set my goal weight as the weight I'd been for most of my adult life, before menopause. (135, for 5'8"). Then I set my maintenance zone at anywhere in the 130's. That works for me.

Used MFP in 2014 to drop 30 lbs of post-menopausal weight and got back down to goal weight of 135 (I'm 5'8"). It took me four months. The approach that worked for me was: A stringently disciplined 1200-per-day calorie intake, plus eating back half my exercise calories. No cheat days. No white sugar, almost no added…

niamhjruss, your post above is great. Thanks - it made some things clear to me that I hadn't thought out before.

I can relate to your situation. I also had a healthy relationship with food throughout my life, but at age 59 found that the combination of relationship stress and a sedentary job had caused me to gain 25 lbs over the weight I'd been throughout almost my whole my adult life. I lost those 25 lbs with the help of MFP over 4…

Hi, all. I'm 61. Lost 25 lbs in 2014, maintained my goal weight (in the 130's) pretty well but discovered last month that I was at 142. Now I'm dieting for the month of April, to reset my habits and drop back into the 130's.

I avoid drinking anything with calories in it. Also avoid anything made with white flour, as well as white rice. And almost anything with sugar added to it. I also don't eat much fruit or potatoes, because they're pretty high in carbs. My personal style is to seriously restrict calories and reduce carbs while I'm losing…

Like a couple of people above have mentioned, it's just a question of budgeting. It's like a financial budget, where you have certain requirements: You HAVE to pay rent / mortgage and utility bills and transportation expenses if you want to participate in society. The nutritional equivalent is that you HAVE to meet your…

Food related: Artisan cheeses Organic free-range meats And (when I'm not trying to lose weight): handmade chocolates from a local shop. Stupidly expensive, so I usually only buy two. Not-food-related: Travel! I've saved for a year and I'm going to Russia next month!

Sometimes in these "clean eating" conversations, the concept of nutrition seems to get lost. I see repeated statements that calorie deficit is THE ONLY THING that matters, and that food choices are an irrelevant personal preference. Sure, there's a certain physics involved in weight loss, and you could lose weight eating…

How about a 2-egg omelet, made in a non-stick pan with just half a teaspoon of oil? You can saute a few bits of fresh bell pepper and/or sweet onion before adding the eggs. You don't have to use milk or anything to make the omelet -- just beaten eggs. And then a bit of salsa or hots sauce. This is my favorite breakfast -…

I have no idea if my approach would be helpful to anyone else... but when I feel hungry, and I've done all the obvious things like eating plenty of fat and protein, I think about the fact that the sensation of hunger is a physical signal that my body is doing the right thing. Hunger (at a reasonable, not-famine level)…

Goal weight of 135, plus or minus 5. I reached my goal weight in Nov 2014, but this morning noticed that I was up to 141. Have embarked on a lean month to drop a few pounds before May and re-set my eating habits.

Thanks! Whatever your personal style of weight loss and maintenance, the MFP community makes all the difference!