What Has Worked For Me

I think I have tried just about everything to lose weight in my life. Some have worked, some have not. But the one thing I discovered for myself is that to KEEP the weight off requires a change in LIFESTLYE. Without it becoming a natural part of your life you will never stick with it. That means taking SMALL steps. A dramatic change doesn’t last because it’s just too much, too soon. For myself, whenever I start getting those thoughts in my mind that say, “Oh no, not THIS again. This stinks. This tastes terrible. Who needs this?” And on and on… When I start getting those thoughts, I know the fad I’m currently on is not going to last much longer. What has worked for me over the years and continues to work are the small tips that I have discovered that are not hard, boring, or tasteless. Only the things that don’t cause my mind to revolt are the ones that seem to last.

I have spent years trying to figure out what really works when it comes to LASTING weight loss. I have compiled a pretty large number of tips that have worked for me. Maybe they’ll work for you too. Contact me if you’re interested.

I find that what works for me is to take it one day at a time. If I think only about today and what I need to do today to keep my weight loss momentum going, then I do better than if I start projecting into the future. By focusing on today, it’s like stringing beads on a thread. Pretty soon you have a necklace.  If I do the right thing today, then repeat tomorrow, and again, pretty soon the weight comes off.

I agree with both of you. Lifestyle changes are definitely important. Eating more fruit and veggies while eating less junk, exercising more, drinking more water… those are all important.

Jeanne, some days I can’t even think ahead to the next meal—I have to take it one bite at a time! If I start thinking, “I have ____ more weeks/months before I reach goal,” it seems insurmountable and I’m tempted to cheat. If I just look at one meal, one bite at a time, I can stick to it.

I think the most important thing when it comes to dieting is vitamins and lots of water.  I’ve noticed that sometimes when I’m dehydrated (but don’t realize it), I feel hungry.  So I eat something, but I still feel hungry.  Then I drink a big glass of water, and then I feel fine, but too full.  So my point is:  if you feel hungry, try drinking water FIRST.  You may just be dehydrated. 

And about the vitamins:  If you’re eating less calories, then you’re most likely not getting all the vitamins your body needs.  I’m currently taking Centrum multi-vitamins.  I try to take one at least every other day.  I know that for some people taking a huge pill can be bothersome, or make the stomach feel achy, so I recommend taking your multi-vitamin with a large glass of non-fat milk, or in the middle of a meal.  If that doesn’t help your stomach feel any better, then try to take half the pill in the morning with a meal, then the other half maybe 3-6 hours later with another meal.  Or, if you just hate swallowing pills, you could always grind up the pill into a powder and mix it into some orange juice or some other fruit juice (to help avoid tasting the powder). 

Also, if you’re taking Calcium tablets, BE SURE to drink lots of water, as no one wants kidney or gall bladder stones!