NBR: Post your DIET tips, tricks, advice, anything....

lwoods422

Just  a couple of weeks ago I found out I won a contest through school and I won a trip to Vegas! I have 75 days and counting before my DH and I leave for Vegas.  Soooooo it 's time to drop some major POUNDS and INCHES.

 So anything that ever worked for you in the past please post. Types of food or exercises I want to hear about it.  Also, I want to do INSANITY. Anyone have any experience? Or anyone want to lend it out or sell used?? It's a 60 day program and both DH and I want to do it together.

Thanks everyone!! 

mlf625

DH loved p90X when he was on a workout kick.  He ate really clean and felt great.

I had good luck getting back to pre-baby (before getting knocked up again, haha) doing the Shred.  The results are great if you stick to it.

libbyann

I firmly believe that weight loss is about 90% diet. You need to exercise to look toned, but I attribute a lot of my weight loss has come from changes I've made with my eating. I count calories [I love the Lose It ap for iPhone] and eat only clean, non-processed foods, in their raw state as much as possible. I try to stay within the 40% carbs, 30% protein, 30% fat ratio. I eat every three hours and have completely cut out sugar, added salt, and sodas from my diet, aside from the occasional cheat meal. I usually eat the same thing every day for about a week just b/c it's much easier for me to stay on track that way! I typically will do one cheat meal a week, in which I still try to stay within reason. I just allow myself to enjoy a meal at a restaurant. For an example, here's what I'm eating this week:

4:30am - [pre-workout] Pear, hard boiled egg
7:30am - [post workout] 1/4 c. oatmeal, banana, 4 oz. ground turkey breast
10:30am - 4 oz. low sodium Boar's Head turkey lunch meat, 1 c. strawberries
1:30pm - 1 cup Turkey & Black Bean Chili, 2 c. cauliflower, 1 medium grapefruit
4:30pm - 1 slice 100% whole wheat bread [I eat Rudi's Organic], 1 packet Justin's Natural Almond Butter
7:30pm - 4 oz. baked mahi mahi, big salad w/ 2 cups spinach, 1/4 avocado, 1/2 c. red pepper, chopped, 1/4 c. red onion, 1/3 cucumber, 2 T. balsamic vinaigrette

I do workout a lot too - I'm in the gym every day during the week and then take a rest day on either Saturday or Sunday. I do full body weight workouts on MWF. I lift heavy weights and do as many combined exercises as possible - so squat and press, squat to high raise, etc. I used to have a phobia about lifting free weights, but I've gotten a lot more comfortable as I've spent more time in the gym! I do cardio the remaining days of the week. I try to mix it up - some days I swim, some days I'll take a spinning class, and others I'll run. I love a good long distance run, but interval training is really great for you.

I don't know much about Insanity. I hate workout videos though - I get bored and am not likely to actually follow through with a program. It took me a good 2-3 months to start losing weight, but I was losing inches during that time like crazy. So I'd try to make sure you look at both the scale and take measurements and/or progress pictures. I might have to be committed if I was relying on the scale alone But combining that figure with body fat % & measurements has really helped me see progress from all my hard work.

I guess my bottom line is to make changes you can keep up for a long period of time. I don't believe in dieting, especially fad diets. I honestly don't even like Weight Watchers - I think it teaches you that you can eat whatever the heck you want, as long as you stay under your points for the day...it doesn't teach you to see food as a fuel source and learn how to eat clean, healthy, REAL food. Good luck!!

Mrs.Froggianna

Bob Harper and Spark People did it for me.  I started with Bob's Biggest Loser workout DVDs and moved up to his Inside Out DVDs.  You can order them from that site or buy them at Target. 

Honestly, exercise is key, key, key.  You can eat a very strict diet, but if you're not moving you're not going to transform your shape.  Moreover, if you're not pushing yourself beyond your physical boundaries you won't change your shape.  Good luck!!!

JayandJack

I have been eating low grain (not low carb) and I've noticed a huge difference in how I feel and my stomach problems are almost gone. I'm suspecting I can't tolerate wheat or grain well. It's not as hard as I thought it would be but I do miss lasagna.My appetite has drastically gone down and I no longer crave the sweets like I use to. It's weird and this has never happened before. The eating is called Paleo and it's not for everybody. I do a modified version because I'm simply not giving up caffeine or wine.

I've been doing crossfit for about 3 months and while I've only lost about 5lbs I've dropped 2 sizes. I'm not so much counting on the scale anymore. I've toned my arms and back and I have a waist again. 

Mrs.Froggianna

libbyann:

I guess my bottom line is to make changes you can keep up for a long period of time. I don't believe in dieting, especially fad diets.

Agreed.  And while I totally respect how you've gone about your weight loss, it would never work for me.  How you eat would end up being a "fad" for me.  I just enjoy cooking and food way too much to eat that cleanly 24/7. Anyway, my point is, take a look at all the suggestions and see what works for you.  And like Libbyann said, do something you can keep up for the rest of your life.  Weight loss & maintenance is a lifestyle change, not a crash diet.

thethomps

I agree with PP.  Diet and exercise are key.  I hated the new WW at first but I've lost 20 lbs. since the beginning of January doing it and working out with a trainer 2x a week.  I also try to get in cardio 2-3 additional days during the week.  I'm trying to eat a lot of "whole" foods (grains, low-fat meat, veggies, fruits) and cut out bad fats and processed stuff (but, let's be honest, I'll still have wine or chips and salsa every now and again b/c I love them!).  It's made a difference I how I feel - going out and eating a fatty fast food meal really affects my energy level.  Also, my trainer did mention that anything that causes you to lose more than 1-2 lbs. a week is probably not sustainable weight loss.  I have definitely found this to be true.  There were a couple weeks where I'd lose 3 or 4 lbs. and then wouldn't lose anything for 2 weeks after that.  GL and I hope you find something that works for you! 

smb29

If you are looking for something fast, just to help you before your trip, I always do well cutting out carbs.  Not as crazy low as Atkins, but definitely limiting bread, pasta, rice, potatoes etc and getting most of my carbs from fruit/salad (I'm not much of a veggie eater).  I keep a calendar in my bathroom, weigh every day, write down my exercise everyday (then there is no cheating on counting my Sunday workout for last week and this week) and I used to do measurements once a month.  Then you know even if you didn't lose weight, you might have lost inches.  I've also done Weight Watchers, the accountability of the weigh in and writing down everything you eat helped keep me on track.  Hated the meetings, so usually just weighed in and left.

AustinMimi

I like Weight Watchers. I don't know how the old program was, but I feel like the new program actually does emphasize healthy choices (lean protein, fruits and veggies, whole grains). Then again, my problem before was not what I was eating, but portion sizes.

OrangeFelt

smb29:

If you are looking for something fast, just to help you before your trip, I always do well cutting out carbs.  Not as crazy low as Atkins, but definitely limiting bread, pasta, rice, potatoes etc and getting most of my carbs from fruit/salad (I'm not much of a veggie eater).  I keep a calendar in my bathroom, weigh every day, write down my exercise everyday (then there is no cheating on counting my Sunday workout for last week and this week) and I used to do measurements once a month.  Then you know even if you didn't lose weight, you might have lost inches.  I've also done Weight Watchers, the accountability of the weigh in and writing down everything you eat helped keep me on track.  Hated the meetings, so usually just weighed in and left.

The bolded piece above really helped me out as well.  I am a HUGE nerd, and would make an excel spreadsheet and make a graph back when I was totally obsessed with it. How much I weighed each day actually helped me determine what I was going to eat that day.

My recommendation is to join a training group and do a triathlon.   The combination of aerobic and anaerobic exercise really made a huge difference with dropping weight for me. I seriously dropped a good 12% of my post-divorce-depression weight (and met my husband, hah!) doing those awesome Austin races!  Of course, that's not for everyone, but I do love telling that story.  

Over the off season this year, I did try out Insanity - and it got old really fast. Its super hard to stick to it for the full 60 days, because there WILL be a workout or two of shaun t's that you despise.. and you see it on the calendar. They are really good workouts, though, but did nothing for me weight wise. I did gain muscle, but didn't lose any inches.  But, I've got a good fitness baseline.  I went back to tri training, and my winter weight is shedding like crazy.

Same with the pp's on eating well and portion control - Libby's ratios are what I try to follow as well.

libbyann

Mrs.Froggianna:

libbyann:

I guess my bottom line is to make changes you can keep up for a long period of time. I don't believe in dieting, especially fad diets.

Agreed.  And while I totally respect how you've gone about your weight loss, it would never work for me.  How you eat would end up being a "fad" for me.  I just enjoy cooking and food way too much to eat that cleanly 24/7. Anyway, my point is, take a look at all the suggestions and see what works for you.  And like Libbyann said, do something you can keep up for the rest of your life.  Weight loss & maintenance is a lifestyle change, not a crash diet.

I respect that If you'd have told me even 3 months ago that I'd have cut sugar almost completely out of my diet, I would have called you a big fat liar! I didn't realize that I could do it...but once I took those foods out, I stopped craving them. Now I'm to the point where if I do eat them, it upsets my stomach and I feel bloated for a few days afterward - my body doesn't give me the choice to eat crap anymore, haha!! I love food too, but the way I see it has changed - I can still enjoy a great meal, but at the end of the day it's a meal. It's a fuel source for my body. And I want my body to run on the best possible fuel I can give it. 

I totally agree with you though, Froggi - find what works for you and stick with it. Because after this trip is over, you don't want to fall "off the wagon," and gain back the weight you lost. I've been there before and that just sucks! Make changes that you can live with for life and I think you'll feel so much better about it!

mrssnflwr

I second the "Lose It" app mentioned by pp. You can also do it online if you don't have an iPhone. Tracking calories in/calories out and being aware of what I put in my mouth has really helped me. I go try to go to the gym 4-5 times a week. I do a lot of interval training mixing weights with cardio. I get bored VERY easily, so I have to keep it moving.

I have lost 30 lbs of baby weight in the last 8 months. 10 lbs to go! I met with a nutritionist at my gym, and I made a whole "diet" for myself and a friend who is trying to lose some weight. If you're interested in seeing it, I can email it to you. mrssnflwr at gmail

ssinca

I will ditto libby word.for.word. - yes, it's a combo of both eating well and exercising, but for me, what I put in my mouth counts more than how much I exercise.  something that was key for me is to write everything down - you'll be surprised at how many calories are in things!  and I also stuck to the % libby mentioned, it was easy to put it in excel and have it calculate everything for me. 

GL!  

angelaggie

I do a lot what Libby does. I've lost 13 pounds and have about 15 to go. I do weights three times a week and cardio 3-5 times a week. One thing that has helped me is not letting myself starve. If I realize I'm starving before a meal I grab an apple or carrots first and eat that. I then wait 10-20 minutes to eat my meal. I get fuller faster and on healthy calories instead of the higher calorie stuff

lwoods422

Thanks EVERYONE!! 

 Libby- you are definitely self disciplined!  To be honest with you I have already cut out out a lot of my sugar intake.  I realized not too long ago how much sugar packs on the weight.  I don't have it all cut out, it is so hard, everything has sugar practically.  Have you heard of Belly Fat Cure by Jorge Cruise?  He is all about very low to no sugar.  He has some great recipes in there, you should definitely look it up.

I am definitely looking for a kick start to get ready for my trip. I have really changed my eating but have a lot more to still change about it.  I think what I might do is make an exercise schedule that way I know what I am doing and be able to hold myself accountable for it.  And look at the Lose It app for the iPhone.

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions.  The countdown begins now......