markm109

I've joined the biggest loser thread and thought we could discuss various diet plans in use.

I'm following Dr McDougall & Dr Barnard plans - which is basically No Fat Vegan. When I followed it closely the summer of 2008 I lost 50 pounds. Stayed vegan but starting eating items with more fat and really didn't ride much in 2009 and regained 25 pounds of it. Now I'm carefully watching fat content of items and have lost 6.5 pounds in three weeks.

I'm a diabetic (Type II) and found this diet will also control sugar levels which I was skeptical of at first but it did work. I was taught potatos, rice, pasta - carbs in general - should be avoided by diabetics. But in Barnard's book, he explains that your cells are filled with fat and that is why your body can't burn sugar - it basically can't get into the cells because they are plugged up. Avoid the fat, lose the weight and my sugar dropped.

Basically you can eat anything that has less than 10% fat in it - no animal products contain less than 10% fat, and for one reason or another avoid all other animal related products and go strickly vegan (no eggs, milk either).

I've been following the Vegan diet for almost 2 years now. If you can get past the 'no meat or animal products" it really is easy to follow.

gigemags1155

I am on a diet plan that is from the P90X program that I am starting back up again starting today. Thsi diet program is Protein - 60% Carb - 20% Fat - 20% I believe... I am at the office right now and don't have it in front of me but that is the program that I am following presently. When we get back in season and I am riding more my carb intake % will be higher. But that is what it is for now.

ericsday

my diet plan consist of working out, Riding LOTS, and eating well! I just count calories, i keep it under 1000 and i keep losing weight. I do not feel hungry because i eat lots but just count that the calories are low. Lunch is usually an nice soup from jasons deli, or any other deli type restaranuts or grilled chicken sandwiches and i just eat one bread. I eat one cup of cereal for breakfast and in dinner i usually eat a grilled fish

gigemags1155

Is that a typo or do you eat under 1,000 calories a day Eric?? Seems no matter how much you weigh that if you are working out that is WAY WAY too low...

RedWhiteandRed

Have basically anything I want and enjoy life while biking to the coffee shop and errands.

cyclokitty 

I use Sparkpeople to keep track of my food intake and exercise. I'm self absorbed and lazy by nature so my diet is mostly about cutting back on the obvious calories (cookies, chips, pop) and replacing them with fruit, veggies, non fat yogurt. But at the same time
not driving myself up the wall following a strict diet or hating every exercise I do. Instead I'm gonna kick back, climb the stairs in my apartment building for cardio until the spring thaw, and avoid ice cream. Oh, I also ordered a balance ball kit from Gaiam. Hopefully I won't hurt myself on it!

ericsday

it has worked for me, not hungry well some times i go up to 1600 but im in that area.

Cyclist0084

I'm not following any specific plan...yet. I'm trying to use a smaller plate so my portions aren't as big. So far I've done a pretty good job in fooling my brain thinking since the plate is empty I've had all I want / need. It's helped me lose four pounds already this month. Well that, and quite a bit of time on the trainer.

If I give into temptation, I'll look into a couple of different plans, just not sure which ones yet.

iqbal624

I just started Nutrisystems. It's working pretty well. It's been a week and i've lost about 7 pounds. Still need to increase my water intake and be more careful on the weekends!

Having preportioned meals really helps me

Sayre Kulp 

I've just been lowering my calorie intake from somewhere around 4000 to around 2000-2500 and started exercising again. I walk an average of 2-3 miles a day and try to get at least one good ride in. Sometimes I only get time to ride 5-6 miles, but last night was a great exception and I was able to do almost 34.

So far, the trick has been finding a diet/exercise plan that I enjoy and can stick with. Cutting out caloric beverages was an easy first step. Then, by counting calories and keeping a food journal, I've realized that I don't necessarily have to feel like I'm starving or eat like a rabbit to keep the calories down. Just make smarter decisions. Hell... I've had Five Guys twice already this week! But I get 2 veggie sandwiches and share an order of fries with my wife. And believe it or not, I can balance that with what I eat the rest of the day to achieve my calorie goals.

velocycling

Sayre your goals and progress look really good. I think you have the real key to success, consistence. If you have a really good/bad day it in the end does not mean much. What is important is that daily weekly "doin' the right thing" Keep it up!

Jtgyk

I'm just setting the goal of cutting back on eating out. We eat healthy stuff at home, but have been eating out more as the workload and the perceived need for comfort food has increased.

So that and making sure I ride while doing errands should start whittling the pounds away again.

5kdad

I'm a meat-and-potato country boy from Arkansas, but on November 8 of last year, I decided to do a 28 day vegan diet. That came about after seeing a Dr Oz show, where he had a guy do that diet. After just 28 days, he seen remarkable progress. After 28 days, I'd lost 10 pounds, but more importantly, I felt so much better, just an over-all better feeling of well being, calmer. And strangely, I don't have huge hunger cravings any more. I certainly don't understand all this diet stuff, but wondering if the hunger reduction might be because I've cut out sugar and processed food.
After 2 months on the vegan diet, I decided to not be quiet so strict, and started eating some fish. Found out that's called being a "pescetarian". I now have lost 16 pounds.
Never thought I would enjoy eating so many fruits and veggies, as I really don't like salad. But as I've found out, you don't have to eat salad.
I was 221 pounds the first of November, now at 205.

Missbumble 

What do you eat daily - or how can I try this plan?

markm109

I'm been following Dr McDougall since December 21st and have lost 9.5 pounds as of this morning. It is a Vegan program like Dr Oz. The key is not to eat anything with more than 10% fat calories. Total calories per serving is 100, then calories from fat must be 10 or less. No meat or dairy has less than 10% calories from fat so you don't have those items.

Here is a link to his free summary program: https://www.drmcdougall.com/free.html

I followed the program back in 2008 and lost 50 pounds, then started easing up and eating items with more fat and slowly gained back 25 of it. So I'm back on it again to get the weight off.

5kdad

I'm just trying to keep things as easy and simple as possible. I just try and eat fruit and veggies: no meat, processed food, dairy, eggs, fried foods, or sweets.
Breakfast is usually oatmeal or whole grain cereal with soy milk, banana and green tea.
I snack on too many nuts, but better for me that my old M&M fix.
I googled "vegan recipes" and just looked for things that sounded good.
I like avocados. A couple times a week I'll have a pita sandwich with avocado, tomato, alfalfa sprouts, and grey poupon mustard. Really like this one.
Also snack on peanut butter on 100% whole wheat bread. Occasionally make it an "Elvis"....add a banana.
I drink 3 or 4 cups of caffeine-free hot tea....green tea mostly, but also peppermint or other herbal teas. I even carry a little tin that Altoids came in, but mine has 2 or 3 tea bags for when I'm out and need something to drink. Just run in a convenience store and get a cup of hot water.
Found some recipes using quinoa (from any health food store). One recipe the whole family likes is quinoa with winter vegetables (butternut squash, sweet potatoes).
I eat sweet potatoes, once or twice a week.
We have a juicer, so about once a week for dinner I have a big class of juice.
Couple times a week have a smoothie. One of my favs has a banana, frozen blue berries, apple cider, and a handful of hemp nuts (from health food store). Dr Oz says this one good for your brain.
Occasionally sautee some veggies in olive oil.
I made a good soup with sweet potatoes and peanut butter.
Before long, I do want to have a check up with my dr, just make sure I'm not missing any essential nutrient I need. Anxious to do a long bike ride, see how my stamina holds up. But has been "unseasonable cold" here in Arkansas for past 2 or 3 weeks.
About the only exercise I've been getting is riding my Schwinn Airdyne indoor trainer.
Oh, and when a Subway shop is handy, I'll grab a veggie sandwich, loaded. A 1' will make a good meal, and a snack a few hours later.

obiwan kenobi

I don't follow a diet, I exercise and keep track of the foods I eat using the tools here; https://www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate

On ride days I get to eat more but typically end up being calorie negative as the burned calories are greater than the intake.

Eating smaller meals 6 times a day has proven to be very helpful rather than being famished at dinner time and having huge portions.

Nothing is perfect and what works for me may not work for you but, to lose weight you need less in and more out, how you get and stay there is key.

bobfromwaco

I'm just killing the Cokes. Everything I've read about it says they are terrible even if your only having one or two a day. I'm an day 4 and I really want a Coke while sitting at my desk.

10 Wheels

Learn to drink Black coffee. I did.

Rhodabike

I'm on the moving-to-another-city-to-take-a-job weight loss plan. The idea is to get so stressed out preparing the house for sale and packing to move that I don't have time to eat. Seems to be working. So far I've lost 4 pounds since December 30th.

youcoming

My plan is to ride lots, weight traing and being more carefull of what I eat. That means lower portions and no junk food.

TechKnowGN

No specific diet, just watching calories via the Weight Watchers point system and working out like a madman.

Today I did 1200 yards in the pool and tonight will be an hour on the track (probably about 4 miles).

Eating about 40-44 points per day (2000-2200) and working out quite a bit, even with a trip to las vegas in the middle, I am down 10 lbs since the morning of 1/1.

Jynx

I have been just counting calories and trying to balance dieting with a lot of riding on the bike.

very nice. my brother did nutrisystem and lost 70+ pounds and has kept it off for 2 years now. if you have any questions feel free to pm me as i helped him out a lot with it.

Sayre Kulp 

I like the idea of a vegan diet except that for me, in it's purist form, I have a hard time getting enough protein. Besides, I like fish and chicken and well, meat! However I will admit that since I became more calorie conscious, I did cut out processed foods (i.e. - burgers, sausage, cold cuts, anything pre-packaged) and started making much more fresh food. I like salads, but not all the time. I like chicken breast but not all the time. This has given me the inspiration to try new seafood dishes that I ordinarily would have ignored. I like fish, but not overly "fishy" tasting fish. I found out this past week that I like Mahi-Mahi. I never knew! It gives me another healthy alternative when dining out with friends and family. I guess what I'm getting at, is you don't really need to go on any special "diet" per se, just count your calories and be cognizant of what you are putting into yourself. Make smarter choices. That's all I'm really doing.