In your lifetime of Diets, Which were you most successful with?

In your lifetime of Diets, Which were you most successful with? For me it was: Richard Simmons "Deal-A-Meal" and "Food Mover".  I still think very highly of those two ideas.  I think it is even better than the Weigh****chers Flex Plan.  I got down to my lowest weight of 179 and maintained for 3 years.  I was exercising like a lunatic then too.  I felt incredibly healthy and strong.  This was in my early twenties. I still have 2 food movers .  Maybe I can get a few of you over to ebay or craigslist or something to get some of these Richard Simmons antiques and we can form a group.  Currently on in Weigh****chers with 5 more meeting coupons - maybe after that I will really  use my "Food Mover".  So what diet were you most successful with? and can it work again for you now?

Depends how you define success.   I lost the most on LAWL, but gained half of it back w/in 2 months due to yo-yo theory. I consider now my most successful period--Atkins and exercise.  Atkins because I'm never hungry, always satisfied, rarely tempted to go off plan.  It's just satisfying and easy.  And exercise because I'm healthier than I've ever been. I've lost ~45 so far and believe I'll lose at least another 60.

It is great that NOW is your most successful period as now is what we've got.  What phase Atkins are you on?  I used to perfect the induction phase - probably done it a dozen times but never moved onto phase 2.  I used to lose like 15lbs and then when I did eat a carb (especially bread)  "POOF" the gig was up and so was my weight - like immediate deflate/inflate, it was always an amazing transformation.  You are doing great!!!!  I think if I had allowed myself to go onto phase 2  I could have been really successful.  People get this idea that you have to eat fat back etc., but you don't.  You can eat good healthy foods on the Atkins.  It can be a good way of life healthy diet. all the very best to you, Leila

"Now" is because I feel I've got it all together.  I understand my insulin resistance, know how to counter that, have the tools and the commitment. I'm doing extended induction because a) I have over 100lbs to lose and b) my insulin resistance, but I don't do 20g like on induction (just the choices).  Reason--I work out so much, I need the calories to fuel my workouts.  (That was another huge lesson, learning to eat enough and no longer calorie restrict.  Caloric restriction helped cause my obesity, IMO.)   I average 25-40g and give myself a rare cheat, but make that cheat sorta worth it.  Such as chocolate covered nuts (lower carbs but still not on plan).   I have been dreaming of an everything bagel for a while now, but know it's not worth it. I figure I'll do one meal every few months.  Pay for it, but that I'll be 99.7% on target which isn't bad....

Atkins IMO is healthy, even as a high fat diet.  I've come to learn that for me and many others, fat moves the fat.  If I eat too lean, I don't lose.  I think part of it is that we've come to think fat is bad.  I don't agree.  Bad fats are bad, but healthy fats are necessary.  In fact, Atkins is often misrepresented as a high protein diet when it's actually a high fat/moderate protein/low carb diet.  Most have a 65-75% intake of fat.

When I get to goal, my insulin resistance should be gone and I should better manage to incorporate grains and fruits, but just not yet.

Mine has been this time around with WW. Years ago I did WW but they didn't have internet in homes yet LOL, my sister sent me the booklets and we worked together on it. I think I lost maybe 20 pounds that time. I've never actually lost more than 20- but for this time!  But I only had about that much to loose back then to FEEL comfortable. I also did well with Atkins once- I lost 20 that time as well. I like WW. I'm not sticking to it perfectly right now but what I am learning is- I have LEARNED what I should and should not eat- and I've learned PORTION CONTROL. Cause I find myself doing the program- even if I'm NOT doing it :)  So it has TAUGHT me a better way to eat. Which is why I guess, they say they are NOT a diet :)

I'm enjoying WW so much this time around too.  My Friday eve ningand my Saturday morning leaders are truly awesome.  Both meetings are big and so different - which is great because I get what I need.   I am excited about doing program this time around and like you I am not perfect and that is good enough to me - it is "progress and not perfection" and a way of life "NOT a diet". May you reach your goals "Healthy Chunky Mama!!! Much Love, Peace, & Harmony, Leila

hi, For me it is South Beach - low carb/low fat.  I really never had a whole lot of success on diets before.  30 pounds and all was done.  This time 140 and I have kept it off what will be 2 full years in July. I did Richard Simmons too!!!!!  I still do his tapes.

That is amazing Donna.  I hope you have your story written down somewhere because that is amazing.  I'm going to look at your profile now.  Congratulations on your healthy lifestyle, weight -loss and maintanence.  what an inspiration you are. Gotta love Richard! Much Love, Peace, & Harmony, Leila   Well Done!

I have always exercised, so for my body, that is assumed as part of any successful equation. This current one is my best success  = higher lean proteins including dairy, moderate fats (35%), lots of veggies/fruits, less whole grains.  I can adapt this plan to most all situations.  WW is a close second.  I will do that one again if need be. It was on WW that I learned that I did not have to beat myself to death exercising - what went into my mouth is what matters. Third and honorable mention was the Hollywood Diet. Nothing but fresh fruit before noon, then after that, only combinations of foods could be eaten:  grains + any  veggies or protein foods + high water veggies.  Dairy had to be consumed alone! Combinations had to be 3 hours apart. No science whatsoever behind it - because I now know that digestion is is the accomplished no matter what foods are eaten with what - but I tell ya, it worked for me.  I did it for a year. lost 20# - and I had lots less weight to lose.  Went from about 190 - 170 ish. I would eat nothing but fruit in the morning stuff like eggs + tomatoes for lunches or meat + salad with full fat dressing snacks were ice cream (not kidding) or yogurts or milkshakes supper was when I chose to eat grains and all other veggies.  I had baked potatoes, bread and veggies most nights. Or noodles, bread and veggies. I'd do that again, too.  I got a balanced meal before the day was out, lots of veggies/fruits and suffered no cravings.

Hey Neecee! Glad your current diet (way of eating) is your best success and that WW is a close second.  That hollywood diet seems really complicated.  You are so right about exercise being part of any successful equation. All the best to you and here's to reaching our healthy goals . Much Love, Peace, & Harmony, Leila