Alright my loyal readers, I've got a very pressing question regarding diets. There are so many different "diets", programs and pills out there right now, I wanted your opinion on some/all of them. A little background first. I'm not a large person. I am 5'2 on a good day, and can weigh anywhere from 115lbs on my wedding day to 140 after Annika. The top of that isn't all that bad, but considering my frame, height and stature, it gets mighty pudgy, more so than I would prefer. The bottom of that is borderline too thin. I'd say a good goal for me is 125 to 130, I'm a mom now, I know I'll never be 115lbs ever again!
Ok, so back to the diets. I've only tried a few of them and have experienced different levels of success with each. A while back I did weight watchers, the points version, for a couple of months. My success level was, oh, medium I suppose. Meaning I did lose some weight, not a lot though. I found that program to be to loose in guidelines. If you give me a cookie, I'll take 4, really I will.
Before my wedding, I did Atkins. I experienced a very high level of success with this. I cut out all refined sugars white flours (breads, cookies, pastas, potatoes, etc.) I lost a significant amount of weight in a short period of time. My body was burning fat and not carbohydrates. I have never felt better in my life, than I did at that point. I had energy, my metabolism was high, I never got sick, my cholesterol was the best it's been and my blood pressure was fantastic. Now, some of you may have doubts about this particular diet, but I've experienced it first hand and I only have good things to say about it. My mother in law has been living a low carb lifestyle for 4 years now, and she is in perfect health. The concept is smart, if you do it right.
Ok, so I've seen tons of commercials for Jenny Craig, La Weight Loss, Nutrasystem, Seattle Suttons, the new Alli weight loss pill and of course many more. But, I don't know much about them. How do they work, do they work, etc.
I know that having a good exercise regime is critical to any of these things, so don't worry, that's been taken into account. I know how to exercise and such, so that's not what I'm asking about. What I really want to know is do you have experience with any of these "diets"? What are your opinions about them in general and is there anything I should know? I prefer to make an educated choice on such a dramatic "lifestyle" change. This will not only affect me, but my whole family and it needs to be healthy and reasonable. This will go into effect 3 weeks from today, so please give me your thoughts! Thanks peeps.
I know that WW has worked for a number of people (my mom and dad,Jenna). Personally, I agree with most of these people that just maintaining a healthy diet is the key. I know that if I do not exercise, I will gain weight. So basically, I exercise 6 days a week and try to eat fairly healthy. I think WW is the best out of it all b/c it is something that you can maintain. I know so many that did SOuth Beach and Atkins but I think you can only do that for so long. more power to Fran for her maintaining it though. Basically, you just have to expend more calories than you take in. I have started working with a trainer too and I think that helps a lot of people to get motivated.
Posted by: Kris | March 03, 2008 at 01:45 PM
Since August I've lost over 30 pounds. I just took up walking. I walk like 5-7 miles a day and I try not to eat things that are fried and cut back on the desserts. I never had any luck sticking to book diets. I really think exercise is more important than anything that you eat.
Posted by: April (Mrs. Velvet Cak) | February 29, 2008 at 12:02 AM
I did WW after having Porter... I think I started it when he was 6 or 8 weeks old. This time, I plan to start it ASAP. I've ballooned up and its disgusting. I can't wait to get back to a semi normal shape. (Mainly meaning my boobs and my ass!).
I've never tried other diets, really. WW worked for me, although Ryan always jokes that I do a one week on one week off deal... I slip a lot LOL! This time though I'm trying it hard core from the beginning, and hopefully I'll be able to stick with it with a newborn and 2 year old. We'll have to keep in touch and motivate eachother! (if you do WW).
Adkins... I had a friend do it and lost a ton of weight (got way too skinny, actually) and then she gained some back after stopping the diet. She was still a great weight though. Me, I love my carbs and I don't think I could ever stick with a low carb diet.
Posted by: Nicole Barczak | February 28, 2008 at 05:15 PM
Ugh, the D word!
Okay, did weight watchers after I gained the freshman 15 plus 25 after my freshman year of college. Lost a lot of weight from just being away from the college scene and then lost about 12-15 on ww.
Did the south beach too. Lost about 8. I gave up too quickly.
Right now I'm sort of dieting. I'm trying to watch the sugar content of things. I'm detoxing this week. Hopefully it gets easier. A coworker of mine was diagnosed with pre-diabetes last year and she lost a ton of weight sticking to a low glycemic diet. She doesn't cut every thing out, just has every thing in moderation. That's what I'm shooting for :) I've got my husband on board too.
Good Luck :)
Posted by: Mary | February 28, 2008 at 01:21 PM
I do the Dr Oz you on a diet, thing. I cut out bleached enriched flour, when I possible can, so whole wheat pasta, multi grain bread, and corn syrup, where it be high fructose or dextrose, I try not to eat it, If I know it is there is almost makes me sick now. I cut out a lot of processed food and tried to add more veggies and fruits. I try to walk 20-30 min a day, but I've been slacking here. So far I lost about 60 pounds since having my baby, It was about a year, I've been at a plateau for a few months now. probably because I've been slacking in the walking dept.
Posted by: Robyn | February 27, 2008 at 09:46 PM
I just count calories. I used to do WW after I had Hailey, and lost the pregancy weight very easily and quickly. I started "dieting" again when Ryan left this last time cuz I was getting into some really bad eating habits...cut my calorie intake by about 300 calories (taking me to right around 1000-1200 per day) and started back to the gym. When I can't get to the gym, I do an exercise video or a really long walk in the evening. I lost ten pounds in 2.5 months, and it didn't really feel like "dieting", it was actually pretty easy! Just having a half a sandwich and an apple instead of a whole sandwich and chips. I'm not a good stick-to-a-diet person...so I have to convince myself I'm "healty-eating", not "dieting"...LOL! :-)
My personal trainer at the gym always says that the people that "healthy-eat" instead of "diet" always lose more weight and keep it off!
Self magazine is getting ready to do their challenge, and alot of people I know swear by it for getting back into shape!
Posted by: Jessica | February 27, 2008 at 06:55 PM
i've never been on a "diet" but the hubs is trying to lose weight all the time. in my opinion, whatever you do, it really needs to be a whole lifestyle change. which is hard. starting at the meal planning, then the grocery store. otherwise it will just be a short-term thing. and activity. i know with 3 kids you will have no shortage, ha! my husband is also in a weight-loss challenge program at work with some of his coworkers. you can bet he hits that treadmill religiously because he's competitive that way. just a couple thoughts. i'm no expert!
Posted by: jessica | February 27, 2008 at 05:14 PM
That's great that you are trying to get your body in shape!! (me too) Unfortunately I know nothing about any of those "diets" except for WW (which I'm doing right now for like the 8th time...it works for me so I do it. LOL).
GOOD luck with whatever you decide on!!
Posted by: April | February 27, 2008 at 04:25 PM
I have done South Beach and am starting again here soon. I had pretty good success with that. I am afraid to try Alli due to all of the poo issues!
Posted by: zoe | February 27, 2008 at 03:22 PM
I did WW 2.5 years ago after having DD and lost tons of weight. I was BFing and I did not add the BFing points. However as soon as I stopped BFing the WW stopped working.
I know personally 2 people who use Alli and are amazed by it. They both have never been able to lose weight before and are losing 2-6 lbs a week with JUST alli and little diet changes and little exercise. However some people are put off by the possible side effects and of course how their BMs change.
I am cutting calories and using low fat and low/no sugar whenever possible. It is slow going but I feel better all the time. I am built alot like you and am not "fat" but not "thin". I am between 150 and 160 and I look PG because I carry all my weight there. I know if I dedicated myself to a strict exercise regime the weight would come off with the fresher food choices I am making.
I think that if Atkins worked for you in the past, try it again. Just remember to do it the smart way and not binging on lard and steak 3 meals a day.
Good luck with #3!!! And with the weight loss afterwards.
Posted by: christy | February 27, 2008 at 03:18 PM