nathalie_
New member
Hey there,
I'm posting here because my goal is to lose the pounds I gained back after losing 15 lbs on a detox diet, without counting calories.
Two years ago I went on a New Year's Resolution regimen that caused me to lose 15 lbs almost instantly and almost effortlessly. I cut out bread and pasta, then gluten, then almost all whole grains and processed foods, and severely monitored my sugar and fat intake. I maintained my energy levels with breakfast smoothies, blending plenty of spinach and kale with fruit and lemon water every morning. This kept me full until around 3 pm, when I'd have a coffee. If I was eating lunch, I'd have a huge salad in the middle of the day and no dinner. If I was having dinner, I'd have a 6oz cappuccino for lunch.
In terms of fats, I limited myself to only a few portions of nuts and a bit of avocado every few days, eschewing olive oil for lemon juice in salads, and having the occasional hard-boiled egg or slice of smoked salmon for protein. By this point I weighed 120 lbs at 5'7. Testing my limits, I decided to cut dairy out of my every-day diet. I drank black coffee and green tea and gallons of water. In terms of animal protein I started only to like raw fish and raw meats, and dictated my parents over how they weren't ever supposed to have carbs for dinner, not even whole grains like brown rice or quinoa. I still drank alcohol, sometimes enjoying a glass of wine for dinner, because it cut my appetite and helped me relax.
If I was ever going to have a cheat meal like a burger or a croissant, it had to be planned. I would ensure I was with friends I respected so I wouldn't lose control over my portions, that it was my biggest meal of the day, that it was made from quality ingredients from a reputed restaurant or bakery, and that I would eat salads for the days leading up to it and the days following. I felt like I burned all my energy from these carbs during the day, just from walking around.
My every-day diet was eventually comprised of smoothies, soups and salads, and over about 6 months of flirting with a more or less raw vegan diet, I lost muscle in my bum, thighs and arms which made me look skinny and frail in a way I found cute and fashionable. I didn't look too unhealthy at 115 lbs, because it seemed like I was consuming an adequate amount of vitamins, but I noticed my hair become thinner and my eyes look sleepier.
Then I plateaued during my first semester at college, and I stressed out immensely. I gained back the 15 lbs when I was writing papers, not sleeping and finding myself late-night snacking on nuts, dried fruit, black chocolate, oats and yogurt more often than was appropriate. I was hungrier than ever and binged on "health foods" all night, because I refused to eat at regular times.
I started running every day when the semester was over and eating more protein, and my body weight stabilized around 130 lbs, which I assume came partially from muscle. Even though I look leaner and fitter and wear smaller sizes than ever (XS-S, 2-4) my overall shape is fuller than it was and I cannot get back to the skinny look that I liked. I maintained my eating habits, but as of three months I don't exercise consistently and it's starting to show.
My plan is to limit my calories to the 800-1000 bracket, do some light exercise like walking so that I don't need to refuel too often, and eat veggies for breakfast and protein for dinner. Small snacks like coffee or fruit or nibbles of a rice cake or two during the day will keep me from getting hungry. Today I had a salad for breakfast and a salad for dinner. I ate fruit, two spoonfuls of fat free greek yogurt and a rice cake to stave off the hunger. I tracked my calories to about 800 and I feel like I've eaten more than usual. I'd rather weigh 115 lbs and look smaller, like Kate Bosworth does now, than weigh 130 and look like a muscular Kate circa Blue Crush.
To me, wheat, sugar and dairy that isn't yogurt is the enemy. I've cut my ties with them and cheating would betray me.
Have you ever lost the weight you gained back after you lost it? What are your strategies for keeping it off and avoiding that horrible yoyo-dieting pattern?
I'm posting here because my goal is to lose the pounds I gained back after losing 15 lbs on a detox diet, without counting calories.
Two years ago I went on a New Year's Resolution regimen that caused me to lose 15 lbs almost instantly and almost effortlessly. I cut out bread and pasta, then gluten, then almost all whole grains and processed foods, and severely monitored my sugar and fat intake. I maintained my energy levels with breakfast smoothies, blending plenty of spinach and kale with fruit and lemon water every morning. This kept me full until around 3 pm, when I'd have a coffee. If I was eating lunch, I'd have a huge salad in the middle of the day and no dinner. If I was having dinner, I'd have a 6oz cappuccino for lunch.
In terms of fats, I limited myself to only a few portions of nuts and a bit of avocado every few days, eschewing olive oil for lemon juice in salads, and having the occasional hard-boiled egg or slice of smoked salmon for protein. By this point I weighed 120 lbs at 5'7. Testing my limits, I decided to cut dairy out of my every-day diet. I drank black coffee and green tea and gallons of water. In terms of animal protein I started only to like raw fish and raw meats, and dictated my parents over how they weren't ever supposed to have carbs for dinner, not even whole grains like brown rice or quinoa. I still drank alcohol, sometimes enjoying a glass of wine for dinner, because it cut my appetite and helped me relax.
If I was ever going to have a cheat meal like a burger or a croissant, it had to be planned. I would ensure I was with friends I respected so I wouldn't lose control over my portions, that it was my biggest meal of the day, that it was made from quality ingredients from a reputed restaurant or bakery, and that I would eat salads for the days leading up to it and the days following. I felt like I burned all my energy from these carbs during the day, just from walking around.
My every-day diet was eventually comprised of smoothies, soups and salads, and over about 6 months of flirting with a more or less raw vegan diet, I lost muscle in my bum, thighs and arms which made me look skinny and frail in a way I found cute and fashionable. I didn't look too unhealthy at 115 lbs, because it seemed like I was consuming an adequate amount of vitamins, but I noticed my hair become thinner and my eyes look sleepier.
Then I plateaued during my first semester at college, and I stressed out immensely. I gained back the 15 lbs when I was writing papers, not sleeping and finding myself late-night snacking on nuts, dried fruit, black chocolate, oats and yogurt more often than was appropriate. I was hungrier than ever and binged on "health foods" all night, because I refused to eat at regular times.
I started running every day when the semester was over and eating more protein, and my body weight stabilized around 130 lbs, which I assume came partially from muscle. Even though I look leaner and fitter and wear smaller sizes than ever (XS-S, 2-4) my overall shape is fuller than it was and I cannot get back to the skinny look that I liked. I maintained my eating habits, but as of three months I don't exercise consistently and it's starting to show.
My plan is to limit my calories to the 800-1000 bracket, do some light exercise like walking so that I don't need to refuel too often, and eat veggies for breakfast and protein for dinner. Small snacks like coffee or fruit or nibbles of a rice cake or two during the day will keep me from getting hungry. Today I had a salad for breakfast and a salad for dinner. I ate fruit, two spoonfuls of fat free greek yogurt and a rice cake to stave off the hunger. I tracked my calories to about 800 and I feel like I've eaten more than usual. I'd rather weigh 115 lbs and look smaller, like Kate Bosworth does now, than weigh 130 and look like a muscular Kate circa Blue Crush.
To me, wheat, sugar and dairy that isn't yogurt is the enemy. I've cut my ties with them and cheating would betray me.
Have you ever lost the weight you gained back after you lost it? What are your strategies for keeping it off and avoiding that horrible yoyo-dieting pattern?