OK I have a diet question???

[Alleycat]

I just started a diet today. It involves 2 days of eating unlimited amounts of protein and fresh green veggies and of course lots of water. After 2 days it basically becomes a balanced diet of 3 fruits, 3 veggies, 2 proteins, 2 starches 1 fat. Each serving in measured such as 1 med apple counts as 1 fruit serving, 1/2 cup of veggies counts as one serving. I have done it before and the weight comes off pretty steadily at about 2 pounds a week.

Today is my first day and I already feel lighter and less bloated. Is it just in my head or do you think the feelings are real. I am not going to get on the scale until Wed morning although I am really wanting to see lower numbers.

[seemunkee]

1. water weight can come off fast and usually comes off first

if your drinking more than normal your body will release fluids that it has stored on the assumption that the drought is over.

[Alleycat]

2. Well that makes sense...

I have been spending quite a bit of the day either in the bathroom or heading in that direction :0

[flvegan]

3. Okay, hold on...

Today is your first day, so it was unlimited protein and fresh green veggies, right? What exactly did you eat such that you feel lighter and less bloated?

Does this diet suggest when to eat what? Seems sort of non-specific to me.

[Alleycat]

5. Today

For breakfast I had 2 hard boiled eggs, 4 stems of celery, 1 cup of tea
Mid morning I had 6oz of tuna with lettuce (about 1 cup)
For lunch I had more tuna about the same amount with green peppers sliced up

I have been snacking on celery and bell peppers in the afternoon

I am just making dinner now. That will be a salad (oil and vinager)and a pretty big fillet of orange roughy with some lemon juice.

I have had about 7 glasses of water all day (8oz each)

I repeat again tommorrow but can substitute different veggies and protein.

Then I start with the regular diet of 3 fruits, 3 veggies, 2 starches, 2 proteins 1 fat.

[flvegan]

13. Uh huh...starvation diet.

Of course it works. The idea behind it is to take the initial desired weight off, and hope you can plateau at a healthy lifestyle change. Most folks put much of it back on (they "yo-yo" or "fall off the wagon") because they didn't change their lifestyle.

I don't trust a single "dietician" regardless of how many certificates are on the wall, if they're pushing/selling a catch-all diet.

I'm not going to tell you how to live and eat, but as a certified trainer and sports nutritionist, I'd run long/fast/hard away from this.

[trof]

4. Here's what I learned about "dieting".

Seriously.
I need to lose some weight for health reasons.
I did a LOT of research on the web.

1. There is no magic bullet. No magic grapefruit, or green tea, or low carb, or high protein, or vinegar bevs, or ANYTHING that will magically melt the pounds off.

2. It's a very simple equation.
If you burn more calories than you ingest, you lose weight.
Period.
If you ingest more than you burn, you will gain weight.
When intake matches outgo you maintain your present weight.
If you exercise more, guess what?
You get a treat.
You get to eat (or drink;-)) more.

I did find some websites that make it easier for you to measure intake and outgo.
That's what I'm doing now.
Since I retired in 1999, I've gained about 30 pounds at the hardly noticeable rate of about 4 pounds a year.
Now I'm losing it at a little faster rate.
If I live long enough I'll get back to my former weight in a few years.

Crash diets don't work.
As soon as you get off the diet, the weight comes back.

I now have a diet I can live with for the rest of my life.
I can eat everything, even fats, as long as I pay attention to the daily portions.
I AM eating less than I used to, but I don't feel deprived.
I just used to eat too damn much.

Best of luck.

[Left Is Write]

9. That's what I do.

I maintain my weight by exercising 6-7 days a week and being sensible about portions. I eat the good stuff most of the time, but I don't deprive myself of things I enjoy (wine, beer, bread, dessert). I just make sure my portions are reasonable. I also make sure I get enough dietary fiber (through whole grains, fruit, and vegetables) and lots of water.

I weighed and measured food for months until I was able to eyeball an appropriate portion size. The key for me really is good, vigorous exercise.

[trof]

12. Yep, exercise is your friend.

"Let's see, if I walk another mile this afternoon I can have another Scotch & soda tonight."
DEAL!
;-)

[MissMillie]

15. Agreed, but with one exception

If your calorie intake is dramatically low, your metabolism will shut down.

In order to keep your metabolism healthy:

1. eat (preferably things that make your metabolism work: protein, complex carbs, fruits and veggies)

2. exercise (some form of movement is needed every day)

3. get enough sleep

[khashka]

6. the only way to lose weight is

managing your calories and exercize. You can eat anything you want - in reasonable portions.

Your experience of feeling lighter is probably psychological - you can't have lost weight that quickly. But if it makes you feel good - good!

Uhm, don't weigh yourself more than once a week or so. Men and women alike - we go through an hormonal cycle that affects weight on a day to day basis. Rather than consider weight, consider how your clothes fit. That's the real test.


Also set reasonable goals - age, gender, etc all play into what is reasonable. And sometimes you just have to know where you're body feels good.


Good luck :)

Khash.

[Wapsie B]

7. I use the tape measure method

rather than doing the dreaded scale thing. Measure your waist and neck with a tape measure. Record those measurements. Several weeks later do the same thing and compare. Those #'s should be descreasing. If not adjust your eating/workout routine. To me scale-watching is a great way to beat myself upand I don't need that.

[Alleycat]

11. Measure my neck???

My neck is the least of my problems. Shouldn't I measure my fat ass instead? :)

[Divameow77]

8. That sounds like La Weight Loss

which I had some success on, but fell off the wagon. Haven't gained anything back but would still like to lose another 15 pounds, I need my motivation back.

Good Luck!

[Alleycat]

10. Yep

Didn't want to name names but I used it before but I also fell off the wagon. Since summer will soon be here I climbed back on hoping to fit in all those clothes I bought last summer!!! I have about 15 to lose, but would like to get down a total of 25.

[Divameow77]

14. Do you use the bars?

[Alleycat]

16. I will once I get on the program

They actually help me quite a bit. I can look forward to something chocolate and sweet so I am less likely to cheat. I can't wait until Wed so I can have one.