Take 2.....or 3.....or is it 4???

[bep]

I joined this forum in 2006 and have been on and off as 'life' permited. It's been a while since I've been on here and I wanted to say "howdy" again to everyone.

I am now 33 yrs old....female. At my heaviest, I was 265 lbs (yeeks!) I am now about 230 (give or take a few oz when I pee - yeah....you know how that is lol). I have been sitting at 230 - 235 for about a year....which is nothing less than amazing for me since I always would gain back immediately when I went "off" a diet...so, yes....I've learned how to 'maintain'.

Previously, when I would work on weight-loss, I simply counted calories. A few weeks back, I totally turned my ideas upside down and went for an all-natural diet. This diet consists of all things natural and no things...um....'un-natural'. I've cut out all high fructose corn syrup, all artificial sweeteners, gluten, wheat products, etc etc etc. And I take in a bare minimum of sugar - preferably cane sugar with the exception of what occurs naturally in fruits and vegetables. Of course, this means no more quick Subway subs...but I found carrying a bag of raw nuts and some home-dehydrated fruits in my purse to be highly effective.

The first week was a little rough....I felt like I would have sold my birthright for something sweet or a diet Pepsi....but I survived and now I love how I feel!!!

The next step is the exercise part. I just purchased a 2-year gym membership at a brand new gym that will open in just a few more weeks. I'm pretty geeked about it! I have NEVER had a gym membership before! So....off I go to start a thread in another area to ask for ALL you experienced gym users to tell me what I need to know...

Technically, this is probably more like "Take 50" for me....but I have GOT to keep fighting this weight!

 

[BigLyn10]

Hi and welcome back. I'm just working at losing the weight slowly. I have decided not to cut things out of my diet that I love but instead to eat in moderation. I just don't eat the things I know are high in calories very often anymore. I count my calories as that helps me. One of the things I really love is my tea each morning with 1/2 &1/2. I don't like the fat free so I decided to limit it to 2 cups in the morning and started measuring the amount I put in so I wouldn't over do it and it becomes part of my calories for the day. It's been working out for me because then I'm starting my day with something I really enjoy. I don't want to feel deprived.
Good luck and just keep working at it.

 

[bluebuckeye]

I cut out high fructose corn syrup and most sugars a few years ago, not to lose weight, but simply because too much sugar gives me a headache and I wanted to feel better. I had hoped that I would lose weight cutting out all that junk, but I sadly didn't. :-( I think I justified larger portions of "healthy" foods because they didn't have all the junk in them, but instead ate more and gained weight. I think cutting out HFCS is a fantastic idea, but make sure to watch your calories too.

Good luck!

 

[bep]

I cut out high fructose corn syrup and most sugars a few years ago, not to lose weight, but simply because too much sugar gives me a headache and I wanted to feel better. I had hoped that I would lose weight cutting out all that junk, but I sadly didn't. :-( I think I justified larger portions of "healthy" foods because they didn't have all the junk in them, but instead ate more and gained weight. I think cutting out HFCS is a fantastic idea, but make sure to watch your calories too.

Good luck!

Yes...I noticed that too. At first, I was really excited because I dropped about 2 - 3 lbs in a few days...then the scale went right back up about 1.5 lbs after that. I really like how I feel while eating so very 'clean' though....that part of my plan is more about over-all health than it is about weight-loss. The gym membership that starts for me in a few more weeks (gym isn't open yet) will hopefully help me lose weight. The diet alone only keeps me at maintenance...which is better than gaining.