Posts: 106
1/17/09 2:32 P

Weight Watchers is a good program. I have lost weight on it. However, when I am the most successful with managing my weight is when I am doing it on my own. By that I mean, take responsibility for myself, Not pass it off to someone else. Make the commitment, hold myself accountable, and do it.

SparkPoints: (46,424)
Fitness Minutes: (25,363)
Posts: 4,392
1/17/09 10:02 A

I have had success with the South Beach Diet. The first two weeks are the hardest. The diet is a bit expensive for the groceries. South Beach worked for me when I followed it (no cheating)! Breaks the craving for sugar and carbs because it purges your system of them. Didn't like the ricotta cheese desserts so just substituted sugar free jello. South Beach is good for someone that wants to be told exactly what to eat and when to eat it - with the recipes included.

Having said all that, South Beach is still a diet and diets don't work. We need to have a plan we can stick with for life. I do still incorporate some of the nutritional tips I learned from South Beach into my eating plan.

The Spark People website provides a Nutrition Tracker. If you take the time to look at your Nutrition Tracker and print the grocery lists, you can be prepared to "stay on track". Setting goals, making a plan, tracking progress and having a support system helps us achieve our goals. Spark People has the best support system with thousands of members that are struggling with the same issues together and they have informative articles, awesome trackers, exercise instruction and tips, thousands of members, fun points, trophies, goodies, a store and sooo much more!

These are key principles that work for me when I'm mindful of . . . and trying to practice them: portion control, eating smaller meals more often, drinking a minimum of 8, 8 oz. glasses of water daily, exercising 30 to 60 minutes most days, getting a minimum of 7 (even better 8) hours of sleep most days, communicating with family and friends and trying to stay upbeat and positive.

With many entities collasping around us, it's easy to get caught up in the "doom and gloom". I'm speaking to myself as much as to you when I suggest we remember to be thankful for what we have. Building on anything postitive will do wonders for our spirits.

Believe in yourself and be consistent with practicing the specific healthier habits you set as your goals. One of my good friends told me he analyzes what he is about to do (good or not-so-good) and ask himself, "Is this going to help me reach my goals or NOT?" And if it's NOT, it helps him think about his action and stay focused on his goals to make the appropriate decision.

Posts: 26
1/15/09 12:33 P

Hi all,

I had a lot of success with the Body for Life program. It's very simple, yet effective. I think more than anything it made me more aware of my portion sizes, which seems to be the key. I think a program that still allows some "junk food", but in moderation, has the most lasting power.

Posts: 16
1/14/09 9:39 P

I have found that portion control is key. Also making healthier choices, it is all about a lifestyle change not a diet. I hate the word diet because it convays so much negativity, it means "depriving your self" to most people. So I say watch how much you eat, watch what you eat, and give yourself a lot of food choices because verity is the spice of life!!

good luck everyone!

Posts: 2,228
1/14/09 9:22 P

Right on, LaughterGirl and SQUEGEE: I love atkins and it works for me. The hardest part about it for me (which I am learning this time; I'm so proud of myself!) is that you have to get beyond the beginning stage and truely learn how to watch carbs (the high carb, sugar/white flour stuff) without relying on the powders and bars and "fake stuff." It really is about becoming addicted to fruits and veggies and grains, rather than sugar and ice cream, and sugar with cake and more sugar, and ...

Best wishes finding what works for you the first time!

current weight: 192.0

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182

Posts: 379
1/13/09 8:21 P

I agree with SQUEEGEE. Any plan will work for you if you follow it consistently. My suggestion is to find a plan that is healthy for you that you will stick to.

Just know that you can do it, and your SP family will be here to support you along the way.

Pounds lost: 2.0

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64

SparkPoints: (6,459)
Fitness Minutes: (9,350)
Posts: 559
1/13/09 6:45 P

sugar free works for me

Pounds lost: 53.0

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92

SparkPoints: (79,070)
Fitness Minutes: (77,652)
Posts: 3,851
1/11/09 8:00 A

Thanks Sparkhope.. I added the Sparkpeople Bootcamp challenge into my exercise routine this month to see if this will help break the plateau would really like to see my 150 by summer 10 lbs to go..

Posts: 662
1/11/09 7:06 A

Hang in there Babbler! I am sure you will get past your plateau. Your doing great!

Edited by: SPARKHOPE at: 1/11/2009 (07:09)

SparkPoints: (0)
Fitness Minutes: (75)
Posts: 74
1/10/09 6:53 P

hi ....when it comes to losing weight and keeping itoff we all have to find what works for us. no way is wrong if it works for you. after all, it has to be a life style change....hugs. betty.

Edited by: SWEETROSEBUD at: 1/14/2009 (21:45)

Posts: 2,478
1/10/09 12:42 P

Weight watchers worked for a while. Saprks is the only one I cant stick too.
connie

SparkPoints: (79,070)
Fitness Minutes: (77,652)
Posts: 3,851
1/10/09 12:37 P

Hi Everyone.. New to the group but not new to Sparkpeople.. I have been doing WW for the past 2 years first year great success 2nd year (last year) been sitting at a Plateau for 6 months, not much has changed with my eating but have really increased my exercise. Inches are moving but pounds are not, sometimes I'm wondering if I'm eating enough foods on the WW program. But its the best one I have found I did WW a few years back and lost 50lbs within a year and a half. Now that I'm older its a bit harder to lose over the 40 mark makes things more difficult I'm guessing.. But what I have learned during my Plateau is how to maintain so once I do get to goal I shouldn't have much of a problem have been tangling the same 2 lbs for 6 months, hoping that this will be a new year and break that Plateau. I have tried South Beach, Atkins, and just counting calories but WW has been the one that has shown me portion control and journling makes a world of difference, if you have a lot to lose writing all your foods down will make you more aware of where your extra calories are coming from.. Great success in no matter which plan you choose.. Oh yea, I go to weekly meetings it makes me more accountable to step on someone elses scale.. Good Luck in your weight loss..

Posts: 2,197
1/10/09 11:08 A

PORTION CONTROL!!! That's the name of the game!

Follow serving sizes on packages and you'll start to get an idea of what you SHOULD be eating, as opposed to what you HAVE been eating.

I have instant oatmeal for breakfast, a Lean Cuisine + a small can of vegetables for lunch, and then usually baked chicken, salad (or other veggies), applesauce, and a roll for dinner.

Odd note: Apparently Lima Beans are high in fiber and protein. I loved them as a kid... looks like I'm gonna try em again!

Posts: 19
1/10/09 7:58 A

I find that most programs I have been on work well when I stick with it. The key is to find one that we can maintain. For me I need a food plan that I can follow for the rest of m life.

Posts: 214
1/10/09 7:10 A

I have had good results in the past with both Weight Watchers and low-carb diets. At this time I believe that the Sparkpeople diet is going to be the best. I love all of the tools and the ability to easily eat what fits my familys menu.
Sparkpeople.com rocks!

Posts: 338
1/9/09 9:22 P

Weight watchers is the only thing that has helped me. I also journal and I watch the fiber, carb and protein intake. I try not to eat more than 33 grams of carbs or 35 grams of protein in a 90 minute period. When I eat like this I don't crave sugar. I got this idea from Peter Nielson's book. Also try and get 25-30 grams of fiber a day. Today I only got in 16. Also drink the 8 or more glasses of water and walk 10,000 steps a day.

Posts: 3,394
1/8/09 12:47 A

I have been having slow but consistant weight loss with a high fiber/low fat eating and increased activity.

SparkPoints: (118,540)
Fitness Minutes: (113,829)
Posts: 3,528
1/7/09 10:17 P

I have lost 55 lbs doing Weight Watchers, Spark People, and lots of exercise!!

Posts: 94,915
12/31/08 3:13 P

the regular old fashioned way, healthy eating and exercise.

Pounds lost: 7.0

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SparkPoints: (0)
Fitness Minutes: (75)
Posts: 74
12/31/08 9:49 A

I do the weight watchers flex plan. what you have to do is look at it as a "life style change." you need to find something that will not only help you loose weight but, keep it off...and looking at it as a diet puts a negative spin on it. with doing the flex plan I can eat what I want. when I first started doing it I was more strict on what I ate until I got to where I could exercise for at least 1/2 hr at a time. I started out doing curves for a yr and have been able to do exercise on my own at home. If I "allow" extra sweets etc then I exercise more to burn the calories off and so I can maintain my weight loss. keep working at your exercise times. add a little at a time till you can do 30 or more minutes each time. there are dvd's out there which offer 10 minute segments at a time. this can help you increase your time. and don't feel bad if you can't do it exactly as those in the dvd ...remember they have been doing it longer than you and have been able to get over the hump? you are trying to get over. keep working at it and don't give up. betty.

Edited by: SWEETROSEBUD at: 12/31/2008 (18:57)

Posts: 103
12/30/08 11:53 P

I have never really found a 'diet' that worked for me. I realized that I was consuming A LOT of carbs and sodium so I cut back on both and I was able to lose some weight. When I added cardio to the mix I lost more. If I were you I would try and evaluate your current diet and see if there's something out of balance and go from there.

Posts: 9,444
12/30/08 9:50 P

I tried it a long time ago. I'm sure if I would have actually used it more, it may have worked, however, I didn't like having to pay the monthly fee! I don't think I lost much... If you are going to do something online, this is the site to be on because it is free! At least that is my opinion! lol!

current weight: 185.6

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160

Posts: 681
12/30/08 9:44 P

Sounds like a lot of you are sold on WW. Has anyone tried it online? Is it doable that way? I find I can usually lose 20 lbs there, but that is it.

current weight: 210.0

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170

Posts: 7
12/30/08 9:20 A

Weight Watchers is the only 'diet' that works for me. It is about changing your eating habits and portion sizes. I lost 45 lbs on WW the first time, kept it off for 2 years, then after two pregnancies went back to lose 30. This time, it was only my laziness and old bad eating habits that got me there again. I don't plan on doing that anymore!

Posts: 10,113
12/30/08 7:11 A

I'm sold on Weight Watchers. I lost my weight and have kept it off for over a year and a half. I still attend meetings and weigh in weekly, even though I only have to monthly.

For me, it's been a change in lifestyle. I know I need to always journal my food and exercise daily. Portion control was the key.

~Nancy

current weight: 116.0

180 162.25 144.5 126.75

109

SparkPoints: (13,586)
Fitness Minutes: (1,100)
Posts: 811
12/27/08 5:14 P

I have been following the best life diet and doing pretty well.Slow but sure.

current weight: 297.0

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160

Posts: 7,528
12/27/08 1:26 P

Years ago I lost with WW, but over time put it all back on plus more, also tried the PRISM plan lost 30 lbs. and put it all back on, I felt it was to restrictive. I love sparkpeople, it's such a sensible program and one that you can do for the rest of your life. I lost 20 lbs.the first year and am now working on the next 30 and looking forward to seeing it disappear, I'll be a sparkperson forever.

Shirl

current weight: 172.0

173 164.75 156.5 148.25

140

SparkPoints: (121,198)
Fitness Minutes: (26,413)
Posts: 19,776
12/26/08 4:41 P

For me, portion control has been the biggest help. When I started with Spark, I weighed and measured everything, just to get in the habit of knowing what healthy portion sizes are for various foods. After doing that for about a year, now I can pretty much "eyeball" it, though I do keep the food scale handy and still use it sometimes just to keep myself in check.

And I never thought of it as being "on a diet", I focused on developing healthy eating habits I hope to stick to for life.

current weight: -2.2  under

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Posts: 681
12/26/08 3:04 P

Tell you what I think. ANY diet will work, IF YOU WORK IT. Of course, some you can't live on. And some aren't healthy. Some even kill you(liquid protein). But when I hear someone say they can't lose weight, I just believe they aren't really trying.

I've done WW, Liquid protein, Duke diet program, Grapefruit diet, LA Weight loss, Overeaters Anon, Some sort of gross thing you mix up and drink-no food. They all work. If you work them. But SP feels like it will last for me. Hope I can get down to a decent weight soon.

Wilma

current weight: 210.0

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170

Posts: 26,922
12/26/08 1:03 P

I love weight watchers! I love the meetings and the support everyone receives there.

SparkPoints: (155,345)
Fitness Minutes: (180,250)
Posts: 13,499
12/26/08 11:34 A

If I practice portion control I do great on my healthy eating. It's when I don't take the time things get out of hand.

May Minutes: 1,919

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1800

SparkPoints: (90,032)
Fitness Minutes: (114,887)
Posts: 4,421
12/25/08 12:09 A

not a diet, a lifestyle, especially portion control

current weight: 126.6

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119

Posts: 295
12/24/08 11:18 P

I lost weight back in '87 on WW and kept it off for about 13 years. After a lifestyle change (divorce) then a dishevelled lifestyle during home construction it all crept back plus some.
I am also a LT member and a former leader as well. However, when I moved out here to farmland going to meetings isn't easy so I tried WW online. That worked but I got tired of paying for it so I came here to Sparkpeople.
The main thing is to hold yourself accountable for what you eat and what you do and having a place such as SparkPeople is perfect for doing just that.

current weight: 131.4

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129

Posts: 6,389
12/24/08 9:33 P

No Diet, just lifestyle changes. Balance- and awareness of what we eat -and a active lifestyle.
Stick with Sparkpeople!

current weight: 146.0

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140

Posts: 18,669
12/24/08 9:18 P

I think WW is a great plan....lost on it and became a lifetime member.......now have backslid, and thinking about going back there!!!!!!

Pounds lost: 39.0

0 9.75 19.5 29.25

39

SparkPoints: (11,631)
Fitness Minutes: (9,384)
Posts: 38
12/24/08 9:16 P

I"ve dropped 53 pounds with Weight Watchers and have been maintaining my weight (actually I'm 6 pounds below ww goal!) for over 6 months now. I go to meetings and do the Core program. Honestly though, I think the real reason I"m keeping the weight off is because I got rid of ALL my clothing that doesn't fit anymore, only kept one pair of pants from my largest size. It would cost me a ton if I gained it back, plus it would kill me to have to buy bigger sizes.

current weight: 159.0

216 201.75 187.5 173.25

159

Posts: 171
12/24/08 5:40 P

I have done the Weight Watcher Core plan which I loved and I lost weight and kept it off for about 3 years before old habits started to creep back. I am now 10 pounds up, yikes!

I just learned about the 9th Law which can be found at www.secretloss.com. It is a free program that looks like it makes a lot of sense. It is considered one of the best programs (I hate the word diet) of 2008. You register and then download the plan, again, it is free.

Anyway, I want to start it after the new year and today I started a SparkTeam called 9th Law and am hoping that people who do and join and we hear lots of info.

Again, I do not have first hand knowledge but there is a buzz about this on the web and it is smart eating with splurging built in, more of a lifestyle than a diet.

Pounds lost: 12.9

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Posts: 7,594
12/24/08 5:17 P

Follow the Spark Stages and make changes gradually. Check out the Nutrition articles. Like this one:

www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_art
icles.asp?id=162

Edited by: 2008LYNN at: 12/24/2008 (17:24)

9.0 Inches Lost

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Posts: 9,444
12/24/08 5:15 P

I have to agree with Lisa. I've tried the Atkins and regained the lost weight. Tried the slim fast and various diet pills. I've even done weight watchers on line. This is the only thing that has worked for me! I know that by doing this it is about a life change and not just a quick fix. Sure, I'll fall off the wagon, but I'll get back up the next day. I'm changing habits and working out. That seems to work for me! I've lost 40 pounds this year and I feel great!
Rose

current weight: 185.6

210 197.5 185 172.5

160

SparkPoints: (23,030)
Fitness Minutes: (17,438)
Posts: 1,509
12/24/08 4:32 P

My advice, truthfully, is to do it the Spark way - a healthy lifestyle. I have done the Atkins thing. Always gained the weight back. If you think of it as a DIET, then when you lose the weight, you're done! Then you proceed to gain it all back.

I think how much healthier I am now. I've been here for 3 months & I haven't lost a lot pound-wise, but I know that I'm healthier. I'm eating better, exercising more, drinking water. Sure, I slip up sometimes, but I know that this is a lifelong process & I'm here for the long haul.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Lisa

current weight: 130.0

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115

Posts: 21
12/24/08 4:27 P

ok, I need and want to lose weight, but am not sure exactly how to do it! can you guys give me ideas/plans that have worked for you? and I need to lose about 100 lbs !!! thanks for any help you can give me.