losing weight

i went on south beach this summer and lost 10 lb, but it really messed up my whole digestive system and i don't think it's very healthy, at least for my specific circumstance

does anyone recomend any diets or ways to lose weight that worked for them, that are both healthy and effective?, i'd like to lose another 10 lb.

i'm not talking low-carb here

my first question would be do you REALLY need to lose weight? How much over your optimum weight are you? So many people, especially younger ones feel they need to lose weight when they really do not.

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Well I know you said no low cark diets, but my family is the king of Atkins. I love the diet because you can eat as much of you want! It is just really hard for the first two weeks when there are very specific foods you can eat. Also, an interesting fact that would help is that you burn 160 more calories just by drinking cold water:)

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RachLaura - do you exercise? I've found the best way to lose 10 pounds (and still enjoy my carbs) is to add 30 minutes of exercise to your agenda 5 times a week. If you do nothing else differently, it still helps! For me a brisk walk or power yoga class is fine.

Also - eat a hi-fiber breakfast (I like oatmeal - but I use the real oats which are healthier, not the processed instant kind). And someone suggested this to me once - have a salad or veggie (broth-based) soup before lunch and before dinner. Fills you up and you get your five a day.

I hate diets - don't believe in 'em. Just eat healthy and exercise (especially if you only want to lose 10 lbs.) and you won't even notice you're trying to lose weight.

EDIT: And yes - always check with your doctor before starting a diet or exercise program.

Updated On: 12/21/05 at 03:49 PM

peach--those ideas are all well and good, but most of us that need to lose weight NEED structure. NEED guidelines. We can't follow moderation and such. WW has taught me moderation, but if I wasn't on it, it would be so easy for an inch to be a mile.

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i eat 5 meals and drink 3 protein shakes a day. but i lift weights so i always burn calories. the south beach diet is a good diet so is atkins. i always find when i'm feeling a little "out of shape" i start cutting back on the carbs. dieting and exercise should always go hand in hand as you always see quicker results from both combined as opposed to doing one and not the other.

Start shooting up heroin - go a good year or so. Then try and stop. You'll lose all sorts of weight!

i tried johnpopa's crystal meth diet and it totally works!

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jrb, you are in the majority.

In fact, as far as long-term weight loss goes, the major studies have consistently found that weight watchers (and no other program) helps keep the weight off.

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EAT LESS, MOVE MORE.....It's that painfully easy and extremely difficult, especially in the winter.

thanks for your advice everyone

i was thinking about doing weight watchers, and i think i'm going to go ahead and do it, it's a good way to start off the new year

and i'm going to try to go to the gym more frequently...i acutally just got back, gotta love those endorphins

this was all decided after seriously contemplating the heroine idea

First of all, YIKES!

Second, I don't think it "abstract" at all, and forgive me if my initial suggestion might have sounded a bit flippant. My questions have always been, what happens after you lose the weight on WW or other "counting" programs. Unless you stick to it the rest of your life, which, sadly, many do not, they are "allowing" you to eat things that you can be addicted to (Bad Carbs, Sugar, etc.)

And there is NOTHING aimless about avoiding foods that are bad for you. STAY OUT OF McDONALDS, etc. There are so many alternatives to grabbing a quick meal on the go (most supermarkets have premade sandwiches and deli's at the ready).
"structure" your life to include buying brown rice instead of white, wheat pasta instead of white, etc.

Your notion of "Most people need structure to succeed" frankly is a) B.S. and b) exactly what I am suggesting. "Structure" your life to include buying brown rice instead of white, wheat pasta instead of white, etc. People on this board, for example, will go way out of their way to read and post on here day and night, see every theater production/Broadway show they can, get every recording they can afford,etc. There's no plan for that somewhere they need to follow to achieve their goal, passion or interest. This takes time and lots of $$$ (we all know theater ain't cheap.) Maybe people are just lazy and want an excuse to fail. I don't know. I have battled weight all my life, and bottom line... I need to stop putting crap in my body (especially when I am emotional, and as a Cancer, that's ALL THE TIME :)

I wish everyone well on one of the hardest struggles anyone can go through.

EAT LESS= Simply that....smaller portions and healthier choices. In the age of SUPER SIZING and Hometown Buffets, we as a society (U.S.) eat vulgar amounts of food. The mere concept of simple, small meals, especially in the restaurant industry is crazy. And many a person will eat everything put in front of them, simply to get "their monies worth." Take half of it home right from the start.

If white rice is all you have, don't eat so much of it, same with tater tots.

MOVE MORE= Even simplier