I think the major problem here is that once you go "on a diet" you must stay with it of go "off" the diet.
For some people, they can "stick with it" which in fact means they have changed their lives. Other people see it as a challenge, a task, a burden, and eventually they will "fail" and go back to their old ways.
I believe the "trick" or rather the no-trick is to change your life. Easier said than done? Of course. But I did not lose 40 pounds and keep it off for three years but quick fixes. I did it by changing some basic things about my life. My "diet" as in the food I eat every day changed, my exercise changed, and my medical attention changed (the thyroid treatment).
I still want to change more things and I am doing so slowly. I deserve to be healthy and happier and changing my eating habits and exercise habits will change all of that.
Every diet has it's dangers - mental and physical. Any type of restrictive diet has the potential to deprive you of things you need. Now yes, smart people are careful and balance everything, but really, you know and I know that the majority of very nice, perfectly intelligent people will mess things up - especially if they are emotionally involved - and being overweight and your reaction to it is invariably emotional.
In any case. I *have* taken inspiration from popular diet trends. The "low-carb" and Atkins ideas have reminded me to be choosy about the carbs I eat. Not eliminate them, but we aware of what I am eating. If I really want that muffin I shall have it - but if it's just a "nibbly thing" then I'll have an apple, a couple slices of tomato, or nothing instead.
I have lost a little more weight over the last few months and I plan on losing a still more, *and* getting stronger and more fit at the same time.
So, there are my "two bits" on the subject. Do with them what you will.
Entirely agreed. Diets that you go on for 2 weeks to lose a few pounds are pretty much never a good idea. People need to find a mixture of foods that work for them, not eat what they like half the time and eat nothing at all the rest of the time.
A waitress at a restaurant (also on South Beach) was frustrated at my endless grilling on what was in what..... and kept trying to convince me to just go ahead and cheat. (This, after she admitted she'd been in phase one for FIVE WEEKS because she'd cheat and have to start over again.....)
Thursday night is when I can start eating fruit and bread again.
Why on earth would I want to make myself miserable for another two weeks, when I'm so close to being able to eat all manner of goodness within reason?
I think you're (both) absolutely right: you have to be willing to change your life to lose weight and keep it off. Most people want to lose weight, as long as it doesn't inconvenience them.
(btw, I'm almost at the ten pounds mark, at 11 days of dieting.)
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andrewducker) wrote2004-03-07 10:10 am
My thoughts
For some people, they can "stick with it" which in fact means they have changed their lives. Other people see it as a challenge, a task, a burden, and eventually they will "fail" and go back to their old ways.
I believe the "trick" or rather the no-trick is to change your life. Easier said than done? Of course. But I did not lose 40 pounds and keep it off for three years but quick fixes. I did it by changing some basic things about my life. My "diet" as in the food I eat every day changed, my exercise changed, and my medical attention changed (the thyroid treatment).
I still want to change more things and I am doing so slowly. I deserve to be healthy and happier and changing my eating habits and exercise habits will change all of that.
Every diet has it's dangers - mental and physical. Any type of restrictive diet has the potential to deprive you of things you need. Now yes, smart people are careful and balance everything, but really, you know and I know that the majority of very nice, perfectly intelligent people will mess things up - especially if they are emotionally involved - and being overweight and your reaction to it is invariably emotional.
In any case. I *have* taken inspiration from popular diet trends. The "low-carb" and Atkins ideas have reminded me to be choosy about the carbs I eat. Not eliminate them, but we aware of what I am eating. If I really want that muffin I shall have it - but if it's just a "nibbly thing" then I'll have an apple, a couple slices of tomato, or nothing instead.
I have lost a little more weight over the last few months and I plan on losing a still more, *and* getting stronger and more fit at the same time.
So, there are my "two bits" on the subject. Do with them what you will.
Ekatarina
Re: My thoughts
Re: My thoughts
Thursday night is when I can start eating fruit and bread again.
Why on earth would I want to make myself miserable for another two weeks, when I'm so close to being able to eat all manner of goodness within reason?
I think you're (both) absolutely right: you have to be willing to change your life to lose weight and keep it off. Most people want to lose weight, as long as it doesn't inconvenience them.
(btw, I'm almost at the ten pounds mark, at 11 days of dieting.)
Re: My thoughts