Diet plans

[<annie>]

Ever followed a specific diet plan? My Mom lost 40 lbs counting points on Weight Watchers. She looks terrific. I'm lucky I've never had to lose more than a couple of pounds. Every once in a while I'll drink a chocolate Slim Fast for breakfast (I don't normally drink milk so this seems like a healthy breakfast with calcium and protein and little fat). I just saw Nutri System on QVC. Of course they go on and on about how good the food is, but I doubt it. Patti Riley was hosting and she announced that she was going to go on it.

[<Catsmeow>]

My aunt was on Nutri-System many years ago and did loose a lot of weight. As soon as she started eating regular food she gained all the weight back. I can also remember reading somewhere about people having gall bladder trouble linked back to Nutri-System. I've often wondered if NS is the same as eating Smart Ones (the Weight Watchers frozen meals) or Lean Cuisine dinners. Is there something special about NS than ordinary frozen dinners?

[<sunshine_a>]

The same way the hosts always use all the makeup being sold, wear the clothes and use the Dell computers, Patti Riley is going to go on this diet.

I wouldn't count on it being true, in other words.

[<Terry2>]

LOL!

[<annie>]

I've heard of a lot of people getting sick off of the Atkins diet. I know it works for people, but the idea does seem dangerous.

[<annie>]

I agree with you about the QVC hosts. I was sitting there watching Patti wondering if she had ever tried Nutri System before. They seem to have her hosting all of the shows. Then about half way through, after a whole bunch of callers called in excited about all of the weight they lost, Patti grinned and said, "That's it. I've just decided I'm going to do it". The next caller congratulated her and Patti said, "Maybe I'll have a story to tell you all!!!" It was kind of cute. If there is one person I'd believe, it's Patti. But that's about it. Mary Beth -- no way.

[<Angela>]

Patti looks like she has lost some weight since the first time I saw her.

I can't really say I stick to a diet. I don't eat a lot of junk food (cookies, chips, soda, etc.). I have a treadmill and have religiously walk/run 3 to 4 miles at the minimum of 4 days a week. That has done wonders for me. It took a while but eventually I lost my behind and legs. The scales only reflect a lose of 10 to 12 lbs. but muscle does weight more. I'm actually proud of myself, I begged my husband for this treadmill as a b-day gift. He never thought I'd use it. Now after 2 kids I'm only about 10 lbs. from my weight of high school. I'm 5'8 and hover between 160**63. Not super skinny by any means but I'm happier with myself than I've been in a long time.

[<barbm>]

I am currently on Weight Watchers. I have lost 15 pounds. I quit smoking and packed on some pounds and needed some motivation. To me, Weight Watchers is really a way of eating. Not necessarily a diet. You count points and I splurge every week. I just don't go too far overboard. As I get older, my metabolism is slower. I have never had a weight problem. Weight Watchers is healthy. I agree with the other post. As soon as you eat regular food you will gain with Nutri system. I know someone who was on that and lost a lot of weight and then gained it all back and then some when she ate regular food. Weight Watchers is all about portion control. We all THINK we know how much food we are eating, but until you write it down, you would be surprised. From what they say, all doctors recommend Weight Watchers.

[<MTS>]

I used Weight Watchers many years ago. I know they have changed the diet a lot since then -
I think the Richard Simmons plan is pretty similar. Its very healthy and it does become a lifestyle, and easy to follow. I tried the Atkins diet once, but couldnt stick to it - my mouth was so dry and I couldnt look at meat any more. Atkins supposedly had a heart attack a few weeks ago according to the papers, but he denies it. Not that it would prove anything one way or the other.

[<Shana>]

I wish i could gain weight. I'm 5ft5 95lbs since i was diagnosed with chrohns about 10 years ago i lost alot of weight and hate to eat knowing from my disease whats in store. I have to watch whats in my food what its seasoned with . I can't even remember anymore when i enjoyed food. I do when my chrohn's is really acting up and meds dont help drink shakes to at least get something in me but with the chrohns comes lactose so the drinks i get i use soy . Andrew Lessmans shakes are tasty nutritous and healthy . The best i've had so far and at least i get something in me.

[<Frenchi>]

I gained 4 lbs. with weight watchers.....I only stayed with them for 1 week, as I was afraid to go back. I followed their plan, but I told them I just didn't eat as much as the plan allowed. Also the points plan doesn't count fat grams, and I think that that matter's where Iam concerned. My husband was on Nutri-systems. He lost alot of weight, and his mouth cracked at the sides terribly.....and then gained it all back the second he went off the plan.

[<Ski Girl>]

Have celiac - no wheat - no gluten so eat meat, potatoes, vegetables and fruit...not much junk food which is healthy. Between walking, Pilates, and "thin genetics", this diet keeps the weight off - at 5' 3", even 5 pounds extra is alot. I can relate to wanting to gain weight Shana - before I was diagnosed, I had a hard time hitting 100 pounds. Now I'm more like 115, have tons of energy and feel great.

[<Shana>]

When I'm able to thats what i want to The pilates especially for my back. Sorry to hear but seems your making the best out of a rotten thing and are nice and healthy. Right now i just swim but as soon as i can i want The pilates to . =))))

[<sunshine_a>]

Shana, me too! I am 5.7 and 105 lbs. I wish they sold a system for fast weight gain, don't you?

[<Ski Girl>]

Shana, can you walk? Walking helps my abs and that in turn helps the back. I ski all winter but the other seasons, I try to do a couple of miles a day at least 3 or 4 days a week. Walking is also great for your bones - one reason I do it.

[<Shana>]

Oh yeah i can walk i do walking to but the swimming helps lots to and being a pisces LOL i love the water .Sitting long periods is what kills my back thats why after 20 years at a great job excellent money and benefits i left.

[<cynthia>]

I have always had a weigt problem. Never a huge one but enough to always wish for thinner days. When I tried WW for the first time I finally had lost 20 pounds.( I think this is a great plan) But since I had my daughter (gained 48 pounds with a bed bound pregnancy) I cannot lose. I lost 10 pounds and it took SIX MONTHS!! Six months of deprivation and only 10 pounds! I even went to the doctor to figure why. What-a-you-going-to- do!! Need to be motivated to start the "points"again! Hopefully soon. I guess no beach this year!!LOL

[<Surfer>]

Frenchi - Having your mouth crack in the corners is a sign of riboflavin deficiency. Wow - learned about it in school but never really heard of anyone experiencing it.

[<Queenie>]

I did the Adkins diet 2 yrs. ago and lost 40 lbs. Then I had my cholesterol checked and it was 301!! So my doctor made me stop it and go on lowfat. I am taking night classes since Jan. and I have gained almost 25 lbs. Boo Hoo! I just hate it!! I need to get serious about losing (again). In fact, the girl I ride with and I were talking about this tonight on the way home. We are thinking about that Metobolic Diet. Anyone familiar with it?

[<Frenchi>]

Surfer, What is riboflavin? A vitamine that's missing in your diet?
Queenie, I would love to have an answer for you, but I don't.....I can't believe I just typed this.....

[<jsp>]

i am on the weight watchers points ( when i stick to it ).i have a treadmill that i try to use between 3 and 5 times a week ( when i stick to it).my problem is eating at night.i always seem to have a snack and then go to sleep which is the worst because the food lays there and it can only go to fat.i have to get a diversion to eating at night.thats why i am on the bb at 1:30 in the morning.

[<Laura Lou>]

JSP, I'm a night time snacker too...but have gotten better. I drink water when I get hungry, sometimes that works good. Or I eat a piece of fruit. It's better than eating the big bowl of granola ceral right before bed - which packed a few pounds on me. Or if all else fails, a small glass of milk coats your stomach to make you think you're full. Make sure to eat breakfast - this helps cut down the tendancy to be very hungry through the day and grab anything and everything. Also, snacking between meals with fruit or one of those Slim Fast type shakes helps cut back the hunger and reduces binging later. My doctor has me eating 6x a day now...and I'm losing weight and feeling better.

[<Elsie>]

My favorite food is whatever I eat after supper. I don't find meals as interesting as snacks. So when my husband is working late, sometimes I skip supper and just have snacky food later. I know skipping meals is bad, but my snacks probably are more caloric than many meals! I lost thirty pounds five years ago and have kept it off. I exercise at least three times a week (I even ran and finished a marathon!)and eat a vegetarian diet. But put me near a bag of Reese's Peanut Butter cups, and all good intentions fly out the window!

[<Ragdoll>]

I lost a lot of weight on WEIGHT WATCHERS. However the weekly fees added up. I thought I could "do it on my own" and failed miserably.

I used REDUX a number of years ago, before they determined it was a health risk,
and it worked VERY VERY well.

[<Trixie>]

The reason that Atkins seems to work for some people is that, like all diets, it restricts calories. As far as his heart problem, it's supposed to have been cardiomyopathy, most cases of which are due to diseased arteries. And, yes, his having had a heart attack would probably prove that loading up on cheese, bacon, butter and heavy creams probably fills your arteries with clogging plaque. IMO, anyone in the medical profession who doesn't know the nutritional difference between a carrot and sugar is a quack.

[<Surfer>]

Frenchi - Yes, riboflavin is one of the B vitamins.
Has anyone read Bob Green's (Oprah's trainer) book "get with the program." I am a registered dietician, and thought his book was really inspirational. I've found that it's really difficult to diet when cooking for a family, so I try to exercise more and eat smaller portions.

Have any of you 70's high school grads found that the body is just not as cooperative as far as weight loss as it was 10 years ago?!

[<Frenchi>]

Surfer, Thanks, and in answer to your question, my body doesn't work hardly at all anymore, trying to lose weight is like pulling teeth...I guess as one gets older the metabolism slows down. I have epstein barr, and have been told by my doc. to not eat carbs. according to her its all sugar...but my daughter say's, "A calorie is a calorie!" Doesn't work that way for me, or else I wouldn't have gained 4 lbs on the weight watchers points diet like I did, fat, and carbs. play a big part of the losing game for me.....

[<Laura Lou>]

I found this really cool demo to try out that's helping me. I heard about it on Body Challenge on the Discovery channel. You can download a 15 day demo that you put in what you eat and your exercise. And you plan out how much you want to lose...and it tracks your fat, carbs, vitamins, calories and tells you where you need to be to lose the weight. It's kind of fun to do too! It's at dietpower . com

[<Frenchi>]

Hey this sounds neat, Iam going to check it out........thanks

[<Queenie>]

Surfer, you are soooo right. I have noticed a BIG difference in my metabolism after I hit 45! The weight just piles on VErY quickly! My hubby and I took a vacation to New Orleans last month and I noticed six pounds on the scale this month from out of the blue!! Too many beignets!! It is so frustrating at this point. I walk 2 miles everyday (my dog has diabetes and has to be excercised daily, rain or shine) but looks like I need to add something else.

[<Surfer>]

Queenie - I think my waistline is storing up for another great depression or something, but I'm not giving up without a good fight!
I LOVE New Orleans! What did you do there?

[<Queenie>]

Surfer, we go there quite often. It's only 3 hrs. drive and a great weekend get away. We went up to Baton Rouge and stayed at Oak Alley Plantation. So beautiful there. We actually stayed in what used to be the workers cabins. This plantation is over 200 yrs. old and has the great oaks that line the drive to the front, they are over 300 yrs. old. After that we came on into New Orleans and ate, ate and ate more! Lousiana Bristo, Petunias, Cafe Du Monde, Mother's are all great places to eat. Actually, we've never had a bad meal there. We like to just walk the streets, go to the French Market (great sterling silver prices), sometimes take in a couple of tours. They will take you around the town in a horse drawn carriage for $20.00 and the driver's are very good tour guides. You should plan a trip there. You won't be disappointed!