Losing Weight - What Works For You?

[Bubbe012]

I can definitely gain weight much faster than lose: I think that's the norm for most. My eating has been a struggle most of my life. I always say about myself: "I do not know how to eat intuitively. I am either being mindful - losing weight or maintaining OR I am overeating. There is no in between for me."

With all the different ways of adjusting our eating to lose or maintain weight (and I've tried a bunch over the years) I have found that watching my calories works best for me. It has been the best way for me to lose and maintain my loss. Here are my reasons why:

Flexibility - I can't be locked out of certain (or any) foods. I like potatoes and pasta and rice and bread and I don't want to deny myself. It is not realistic for me. I am careful about my portion size and will usually add a lot of veggies to this smaller portion to "expand" the experience. I like to have a treat every so often and I can generally fit that into my daily calories if I plan.

Free - WW is definitely a great plan and I was first on it 50 years ago in my youth when it was entirely different than it is now. But I can download a calorie counting app for no charge in comparison to the big expense that WW is and get support on my app and on a site such as this.

Easy - I try to focus on a lot of vegetables and lean protein. I love salmon. But I like not having to think too much about food. I tried veganism for a couple of months. I personally found it too much effort and I was thinking about and preparing food all the time. Same with low carb. I was searching for substitutes and did not often feel satisfied. If my husband and I go on a hike or car trip - I want to be able to take a PB&J sandwich and not think too much about it. I don't like having to count "points" or convert foods into points. That's my biggest issue with WW now. I like to keep things simple.

I am curious what you are doing and what has worked for you? It's always a good thing to be learning from each other. 😀

[Etriker67 7lbs]

I'm a lot like you in my eating. I do try to eat a moderate amount of carbs as I get older. I'd like to avoid the family propensity for type 2 diabetes!

[PippiRuns 6kg Restart Nov 2023]

I’ve also tried WW, calorie counting, lchf, keto, 5:2 and intermittent fasting. I’m pescetarian and don’t want to eat meat (never have).

All these programmes (except 5:2) have worked for me. But they only work, of course, for as long as I can keep it up, so I have to choose an approach that works for me long term. Or I have to switch between approaches when I get tired of one. Right now I’m combining liberal lchf with IF and it works like a charm.

When I go home for Christmas, I will probably guestimate calories and combine that with IF.

[Bubbe012 2023 November in reply to PippiRuns]

So true about longevity. That's another reason I like the flexibility of calorie counting. Because there are no food restrictions, it's easier to maintain. But it's true, like all programs - it's sticking with it. They actually all work if you just stick with them.

[Jan-welly Visitor]

book by Jason Fung obesity code intermittent fasting is the only thing that works for me ,2 stone loss since end of April slow and steady wins the game

[Bubbe012 2023 November in reply to Jan-welly]

I think intermittent fasting is good too. I often naturally fast and don't have my first meal until after noon time. Still, I just can't eat anything in the eating window, I still need to watch my calories in the end...

[GosportNancy29 Restart Dec 2023 in reply to Jan-welly]

I have The Obesity Code and The Diabetes Code on audio books and both have helped me a lot with healthy food choices and weight loss. I have no idea what I weigh as I have given away my scales, but I have rediscovered my waist through intermittant fasting.

[Jan-welly Visitor in reply to GosportNancy29]

Yes I have both books and cookbook

And able to walk again extra weight=bad knee

My own Dr thinks everyone should read his books it is a life changer