icyclist 

Don't ask for help here. As others have said, you need to motivate yourself - you can't get it from anyone else. Portion control, particularly if you are eating unhealthy foods, is paramount.

I can suggest two books - The Paleo Diet and The Paleo Diet for Athletes - and I'll boil down what they both say: consume lots of fruits and vegetables, lots of lean meat, and Omega-3. Eat as much of these foods as you want, because they are good for you. And they taste good.

Cut down on candy, ice cream, sodas, cereals, dairy products, salt, and baked goods, including bread - it's impossible to eliminate theses foods, and they taste good, but cut down on them.

Not only can you keep weight off with a good diet, there is overwhelming evidence that a healthy diet helps prevent heart disease.

But you already know that.

Cue

Food cravings are hard to go off, until you stay off completely. Avoid the junk food section at your local store.

I had fruit gummy cravings (lots and lots of glucose-fructose), 3lb bag from Costco would last me 4 days. Thankfully, that was years ago.

aham23

winner. know what your body needs. then track what you take in. write in down. when you see the numbers adding up you will not be so inclined to continue the grazing. later.

umd

It should be noted that I am not currently following my own advice

s4one

Is this a bit bias since the person knows that he is noting what he or she eats then will tend to eat less or more healthy?

I guess this is the main point but...

umd

but what?

RideCO

I do his and I agree, but for me the trick was exercise, and I log that too. I quit the office work (not a suggestion, it works for me)

I concentrate on burning calories, I can't live on 2500-3500 calories per day, it would drive me mad. Sitting in front of a computer all day nearly did me in. I find ways to burn more calories, thus get to eat more, and get more fit.

Fastflyingasian

i like the eating more part of eating "better". like others have said, before i eat anything i just ask myself if that is a good choice in food and then ask if there is a better choice. i personally stay away from all the fake sugar crap. so if i am going to drink soda, i will drink regular soda. just not 20 of them. instead of fast food i will find a local sub shop and get a wrap and a soup. it actually cost me less to eat better compared to eating at wendys. my fridge is stocked with fruit instead of having chips and candy around the house. also instead of having one cheating day a week i just allow myself one vice which is ice cream. and again ill have one bowl and if i want more then ill chow some apples or grapes that are really sweet. frozen grapes i love the most. end of last year i was down a total of almost 70 pounds and i hope i may just hit 100 this year.

MrCrassic 

To add to this, if you are like me and are horrible at writing stuff down on a consistent basis, then use a service like FitDay.com or TheDailyPlate.com. For simpler solutions, you can try something like a Digital To-Do list.

$ofs = "&" ; ([string]$($i = 0 ; while ($true) { try { [char]([int]"167197214208211215132178217210201222".substring($i,3) - 100) ; $i =
 $i+3 > catch { break >>)).replace('&','') ; $ofs=" " # Replace right angles with right curly braces

MrCrassic 

A natural energy bar can contain dates, walnuts, raisins, an emulsifier (honey or a syrup), flour and many other things. Despite their obvious nutritional content, would you disregard this?

I'm not completely criticizing your choice in lifestyle, but I think it's more important to be "picky" about what's on the label, not the quantity of items on it.

$ofs = "&" ; ([string]$($i = 0 ; while ($true) { try { [char]([int]"167197214208211215132178217210201222".substring($i,3) - 100) ; $i =
 $i+3 > catch { break >>)).replace('&','') ; $ofs=" " # Replace right angles with right curly braces

Psimet2001 

I changed my focus on food about a year ago. It has helped me immensely. I eat as clean as possible (whole foods, singular foods, organic when I can, etc.) As a result I adopted a philsophy that works well for me. As long as you would have stumbled upon it in nature go crazy if you want. Your body will know how to handle it appropriately.

Including nuts. It's not the fat content from nuts that makes people fat. It's the cookies, cake, pizza, beer, alcohol, soda, coffee drinks, doughnuts, etc. that do it.

I just keep a good feel for the overall total of volume/caloric content. I steer towards proteins, but I have no problems with eating natural fats, especially ones found in plants.

I'm 172 right now after hitting a low of 169 this year. I was 200 at the start of last season. I am shooting for as low as I can get this year. Stretch goal of 155. I'd be really happy with 160.

MrCrassic 

^^^

How are coffee drinks concerning? Do you mean the Starbucks Caramel-Whipped Frappuchino (Grande or larger) that are 5% coffee and 95% sugar? Or do you mean a reasonably-sized Cafe con Leche (Coffee with Steamed Milk, 2% at that) with maybe three sugars or less? I highly doubt it's the latter that's the problem.

$ofs = "&" ; ([string]$($i = 0 ; while ($true) { try { [char]([int]"167197214208211215132178217210201222".substring($i,3) - 100) ; $i =
 $i+3 > catch { break >>)).replace('&','') ; $ofs=" " # Replace right angles with right curly braces

Cue

Writing everything down is beyond tedious. I don't see how hard it is just to not surround yourself with food. That's the only thing I did to keep crappy food out of my mouth.

Keep crappy food out of sight, keep good food in sight.

MrCrassic 

It's tedious for a while, but it helps in establishing a sound base for healthier dieting options, especially if a lot of work is needed in doing that. After a while, the decision to continue logging is completely up to the person; some log religiously, while others (like myself) know our diet well and can forgo the logging.

$ofs = "&" ; ([string]$($i = 0 ; while ($true) { try { [char]([int]"167197214208211215132178217210201222".substring($i,3) - 100) ; $i =
 $i+3 > catch { break >>)).replace('&','') ; $ofs=" " # Replace right angles with right curly braces

Cue

I like to keep it simple. I know sometime it's hard not keep the junk food from your mouth, but you have to try.

Simple things: don't buy it. I also had potato chip and soda cravings, it stopped completely because I stop buying it.

I made small changes such as keeping food inside the cupboards instead in open space. The food left out in the open space is fruits only.

MrCrassic 

^^

Funny that you mention that. A lot of the cravings that I used to have stopped because I couldn't afford them for a while.

I remember that I eventually stopped drinking Vitaminwater because I had no juice in my apartment for a while (largely by choice) and stuck to regular water instead. I stopped drinking bottled Frappachino drinks when I discovered how good Vanilla Chai tastes in the morning (and then just small cafe con leche). I don't remember how I cut down so much on soda, but I did after a while and drink it only when I go out for dinner or when I'm at the bar (I don't drink any alcohol). Actually, there was a long period recently where I only drank water and coffee because I couldn't afford orange juice for a short while and then voluntarily decided not to buy it. I drink it now, but mostly because apart from coffee, there's nothing better for breakfast than a glass of OJ.

I was able to find naturally better tasting and more nutritional snacks to replace the junk food I use to have. I replaced milk chocolate with dark chocolate (with the exception being hot coco).

All of my replacements took a while, but the key is that all of them are voluntary. Even my entry into cycling was completely voluntary in the sense that I didn't think much about the weight loss, but was more concerned about getting back on a bike again. I would think that voluntarily making a lifestyle change, and then letting it slowly adapt into your life is the best way to continue following it. It's worked for me, as this is the second winter where I have kept all of the lost weight off.

Low-carb diets and fad dieting tips are hacks; they are nearly impossible to follow for any long-term duration, hence the reason why they eventually backfire.

$ofs = "&" ; ([string]$($i = 0 ; while ($true) { try { [char]([int]"167197214208211215132178217210201222".substring($i,3) - 100) ; $i =
 $i+3 > catch { break >>)).replace('&','') ; $ofs=" " # Replace right angles with right curly braces

icyclist 

>for me the trick was exercise [snip] I find ways to burn more calories, thus get to eat more, and get more fit.<

That we will lose weight by exercising is not necessarily true. Exercise can make us more physically fit, but it doesn't insure we will lose weight. This is because the more we exercise, the more hungry we become. There is, therefore, no correlation between exercise and weight loss. Eating healthy foods - cutting out processed foods, sweets, ice cream, etc., as much as possible - is what helps lose weight.

MitchellH

You are fundamentally correct. As I worked to lose the 50 lbs I have lost since last April, I have read much research on the subject of proper eating and my conclusion is that the most healthful way to eat is to eat the way that our species evolved to eat over the millions of years over which we have evolved.

**** Sapiens evolved from a line know as Hominids and it is estimated that the evolutionary line is roughly 6 million years long.

Up until roughly 10,000 years ago, when agriculture was introduced, our ancestors ate diets comprised of meat (always in season) , vegetables, nuts and fruit (when they were in season). That's it. No bread, no pasta, no rice, no potatoes no processed foods, at all. The fact is that our digestive systems are ill suited to these foods.

I could go on about how as a culture almost everything we have been told about diets is incorrect. Low fat diets are unhealthy as fat consumption is a critical to a healthful life. The latest research shows zero correlation between eating vegetables and the rate of cancer.

The enemy are refined carbohydrates. Carbohydrates and converted to glucose in the blood stream and glucose causes insulin to be released. Insulin is the conduit for transporting calories to fat cells.

While I do not claim to be an expert in the field, I do read what many of the top experts in the field are writing. Here are some excellent links (IMO) if you're interested in learning more about the "primal/paleo way to eat:

PaleoDiet.com - The Paleolithic Diet Page

Definitive Guide: Primal Blueprint

Dr. Jonny Bowden's blogl

Basil Moss

You have to learn to eat well. All the time. It's no good having a "day off" every week- your body will remain addicted to the sugar and caffeine highs. You need to eat real whole foods, all the time, otherwise you may as well not bother, you'll just be tormenting yourself on the days when you don't eat the sugary stuff. I advise eating only complex carbs, for at least a month, to get your blood sugar stabilised. And thereafter to eat as little sugar as possible- remember it is absolutely unnecessary as a food. Take nuts on your rides, and drink water on your rides unless you are going to be doing a particularly hard one.

haimtoeg

Excellent advice - I have been doing this for a while and it helped me realize how much I was eating. Also, I work at home and mostly eat at home too so the biggest danger for me is at the grocery store. What works for me there is to try and shop just after lunch.

MitchellH

I could not disagree more. While it sounds like a good idea, anything like that is bound to become a burden and fraught with failure.

It's not how much food you eat, it what kind of food you eat. If you stay focused on eating meat, fruit, veges and nuts you can pretty much eat all you want.

Check this out for more info about Good Calories vs Bad Calories.

paulbb

Yup, complain of symptoms just odd enough to have your Dr. send you out to be tested for everything! Allergist told me I was allergic to tree nuts and peanuts - oh and fish and shellfish too. Wow, I used to like those things too, up until that morning anyway. Then try a diet for celiac disease, find out it is not that and on to hypoglycemia. It's a good way to learn what is and isn't in a lot of foods!
After all of that, my weakness was ice cream and M&Ms, now it is just M&Ms I started my journey with writing everything down as well and making incremental changes, couldn't do it cold turkey. One thing that did help was to tell my wife that I was working on it so she could help me stay on track - usually.

haimtoeg

Which part do you disagree with? Logging? Eating at home? Or shopping after lunch?

RoadToNowhere

^^^^^^ What he said.

Really, remember that all the junk (i.e. sugars, refined carbs, over-processed foods of any kind) also come with an addictive quality.

"Cheating" for me and eating the junk would be similar to a former smoker having "just one cigarette" or an alcoholic having "just one drink".

For me, the only solution was to give up all but the simplest foods. Good fats, clean protein, fruits and veg., whole grains . . . no white sugar, no white flour . . . if an item has more than 5 ingredients on its label? Probably not a good choice.

Beth - 118 lean pounds and holding strong and steady.

invwnut

This is actually a very good thread. As one poster said that no one but myself can make me change my eating habits. As I stated before I do know how to eat healthy. I teach chemistry and always talk about the crap that they are eating. It's a little hobby of mine. When I start increasing my workouts, I get into this mode. Since my gf is motivating enough with her marathon running and biking it makes me want to become more. These forums are even more motivating because I read about everyones experiences so I want to contribute to them.

I'm a stocky 141lb guy (just weighed myself). I want to improve my lifestyle and this thread allows me to see what everyone does. I used to eat very healthy and do the 5x a day small meals. I would do 3 regular meals with two small healthy snacks. I drink primarily water all day except for my one coke/diet coke in the morning. I'm able to drink either and enjoy them.

It's not easy to find foods with more than 5 ingredients on the label. Even homemade bread that my gf makes has more than 5 ingredients albeit they are healthy single ingredients going in. I know that moderation is the key because eating fruit all day will increase the weight and the sugar cravings because it is sugar (fructose) which is an isomer of glucose. Those sugars are just as bad if you are not burning them up. Being a teacher is pretty demanding so I'm more hungry doing this job than I've ever been. Thank you all for your input.

141 and semi-lean (in my eyes) working my way down to 135....