The 2011 New Year Diet Resolution Thread

Claireack

I think, and it's just my opinion, everybody has their own way of doing it, weigh daily, weigh weekly, weigh monthly. Count calories, fat percentage or whatever. Each to their own. I probably moan an awful lot in here but that's just me, I moan about most things at some point or other, so I apologise if I piss anyone off.

Anyway, let's stop bitching and give each other a pat on the back for all doing well, whether it's 1/2 a pound off or 10 stone.

decides2dream

Claireack wrote:

I think, and it's just my opinion, everybody has their own way of doing it, weigh daily, weigh weekly, weigh monthly. Count calories, fat percentage or whatever. Each to their own. I probably moan an awful lot in here but that's just me, I moan about most things at some point or other, so I apologise if I piss anyone off.

Anyway, let's stop bitching and give each other a pat on the back for all doing well, whether it's 1/2 a pound off or 10 stone.

you just seem to have a guilty conscience over the 'naughty' - your words - things you eat. stop beating yourself up, that's life...and you're doing GREAT! :thumbup:



and your post just reminded me of...

Seems that needlessly it's getting harder
To find an approach and a way to live
Are we getting something out of this all-encompassing trip?


yea.....got to find our own ways......

decides2dream

reading some articles online from the NY Times, and came across this - so simple and straightforward, what we know we should do....but thought it good to share:

A Few Words to the Wise

FOCUS ON eating more vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Plan your meals around these most health-protective, naturally low-fat foods and use high-protein animal foods more as condiments than as the centerpiece of a meal.

SACRIFICE a little of your free time to prepare nutritious meals at home. The only way to be sure of the nutritional quality of your meals is to make them yourself. Cook in batches and freeze well-labeled individual or family portions for wholesome instant meals later on.

AVOID RIGIDITY. Any food, however caloric or fatty, is O.K. now and then. The secret to a successful, healthful diet is variety, not limitation; moderation, not elimination, and gradual, evolutionary change, not revolution. Consider changing one meal every week to something more nutritious. By year's end, you will have a new way of eating and be much less likely to miss your old, less wholesome habits.

USE EXERCISE, meditation, yoga and other reliable relaxation techniques to help reduce the stress in your life. Stress undermines the immune system and can increase susceptibility to infections, heart disease and cancer. There is nothing to gain and much to lose by countering stress with health-damaging habits like cigarette smoking, drug abuse or excessive alcohol drinking.

DEVOTE at least a half-hour a day to an activity you enjoy that makes you breathe harder and perhaps sweat a little. The benefits to your body -- your heart, bones, blood-sugar level, digestion and more -- are almost too numerous to mention. And recent studies indicate that regular exercise also protects against cancer. An equal dividend is the feeling of well-being you get after exercising. Even when mentally or physically drained from the day's demands, I head for a pool each evening to swim for a half-hour, then return home a renewed and more relaxed person. J. E. B.

Claireack

TravisTheSky

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

eating a strict, healthy diet. STICKING to that diet. Cutting your calories to 1,500-2,000 calories a day.

THEN, after 30 days, get on that scale..
You will have lost weight...
You havent made yourself crazy weighing yourself every day.....
You will have lost 10-20 lbs.....
You will see progress....
You will feel better about yourself.....
You will want to continue dieting and maybe start getting more exercise..........

Again, just my opinion....

Of course crash diets work in the short term. What happens if such a person on a "strict diet" wants to eat a normal amount of food again? His metabolism will be unable to handle it, and he will gain weight.

The theme of this thread seems to be, "He who eats the least, wins." That is a terrible message. It is the exact opposite of health. Whole food that is not GMO, pasteurized, irradiated, or sprayed with chemicals is full of living enzymes that work with our cells to manufacture vitamins, regulate blood sugar, and move toxins out of the body.

My advice: EAT! Love yourself, respect yourself enough to nourish your body with what it needs. Do the research. Good and bad information abounds, but it's not rocket science.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

TravisTheSky wrote:

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

eating a strict, healthy diet. STICKING to that diet. Cutting your calories to 1,500-2,000 calories a day.

THEN, after 30 days, get on that scale..
You will have lost weight...
You havent made yourself crazy weighing yourself every day.....
You will have lost 10-20 lbs.....
You will see progress....
You will feel better about yourself.....
You will want to continue dieting and maybe start getting more exercise..........

Again, just my opinion....

Of course crash diets work in the short term. What happens if such a person on a "strict diet" wants to eat a normal amount of food again? His metabolism will be unable to handle it, and he will gain weight.

The theme of this thread seems to be, "He who eats the least, wins." That is a terrible message. It is the exact opposite of health. Whole food that is not GMO, pasteurized, irradiated, or sprayed with chemicals is full of living enzymes that work with our cells to manufacture vitamins, regulate blood sugar, and move toxins out of the body.

My advice: EAT! Love yourself, respect yourself enough to nourish your body with what it needs. Do the research. Good and bad information abounds, but it's not rocket science.

I am not talking about a "crash diet"

I agree 100% with you......

Eat healthy.....
Use common sense.....
Stick to 2000 calories a day......
You will lose weight....

dunkman

norm wrote:

but then again, i don't know my ass from my elbow and am a fat bastard so my advice is pretty useless :P

I knew you were Scottish deep down

Sian-of-the-dead

My diet stops today...

For breakfast tomorrow I have black pudding, fried mushrooms, venison sausages, star wars pasta shapes and scrambled eggs... I don't think i'll lose any weight eating that or the Dominos pizza and wine i'm having for dinner!

I'll be back in here and back on track on 2nd Feb. Good luck over the next week all!

dunkman

hey lads, my wife lost 26 pounds by me persuading her to go on top every time.

we're both winners that way

:thumbup:

decides2dream

Sian-of-the-dead wrote:

My diet stops today...

For breakfast tomorrow I have black pudding, fried mushrooms, venison sausages, star wars pasta shapes and scrambled eggs... I don't think i'll lose any weight eating that or the Dominos pizza and wine i'm having for dinner!

I'll be back in here and back on track on 2nd Feb. Good luck over the next week all!

:thumbup:
enjoy your birthday celebration!!!



and hey, what timing, we were *just* discussing this here yesterday, and look what link was in one of my daily health & nutrition e-mails:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/weight/us ... scale.aspx


Love It, Hate It, Use It: Your Scale
You need a scale to track your weight-loss progress. You may be tempted to weigh in every day, and studies show that's not a bad idea. Whatever you do, be consistent about it.
By Madeline Vann, MPH
Medically reviewed by Christine Wilmsen Craig, MD
Print Article Print E-mail Article Email

Stepping on the scale for your regular weigh-in can be nerve-racking, thrilling, or motivating, depending on the outcome. Hardly anyone feels neutral about the numbers on the scale. Yet keeping a balanced perspective about the role of your scale in weight loss is key to your ultimate success.

The Scale: A Successful Tool

Data suggest that people who weigh themselves regularly do better with their weight-loss plan. A national survey of 4,345 adults found that those who weighed themselves daily were more likely to be successful with their weight-loss programs than those who were inconsistent.

Opinions vary about how often should you weigh yourself. “I don’t recommend it more than once a week,” says Liz Weinandy, RD, MPH, a dietitian for the non-surgical weight loss program at Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus.

However, some people, especially those who are motivated by the results of their weigh-ins, can weigh in more often. Says Weinandy, “If you look at the scale and see you’ve gained weight and it motivates you to exercise a bit more, that’s fine,” she says. Consistency is the rule of thumb for weighing in. Try to step on the scale:

* The same day of the week
* At the same time of day
* Wearing about the same amount of clothing every time

“Many people prefer first thing in the morning, without any clothes,” Weindandy says.

Make sure to write down your results so you can track your progress. Use a chart that shows several weeks at a time. This will help you identify any weight cycles that you may have. For example, many women find their weight goes up slightly as they retain fluid when their period is approaching.

The Scale: Keep a Balanced View

While it is important to know how your weight loss is progressing, you should use this tool in moderation, says Weinandy.

“What happens is a lot of people tend to get fixated on the scale,” she says. She recalls one patient whose clothes were fitting better and had a regular exercise program that she enjoyed, but she was so focused on the numbers on the scale that she couldn’t acknowledge those achievements.

“Your scale can definitely be a source of undeserved disappointment or euphoria,” says Weinandy. “If you are slightly dehydrated, for example, you will weigh less, but gain it back when you get hydrated again.”

One study examined the possible relationship between depression, being overweight, and an unhealthy concern with the bathroom scale — and found there wasn’t any. This study involving 4,660 dieting women showed that all women who weighed themselves regularly lost weight, regardless of whether they were depressed, and that depressed women were no more likely, or less likely, than their peers to use the scale.

The Scale: The Big Purchase

When you go shopping for a scale you will find there are many varieties to choose from. Weinandy says that you can get a good scale for about $30 — just make sure you can read the numbers easily. If you or someone in your house is very heavy, be sure the scale can accommodate that weight.

As you’re comparing the choices, remember that this is a piece of equipment with which you will have a long-term relationship. When tracking your weight, it is important to use the same scale every time, so be sure to select a model you are comfortable with.

Last Updated: 04/07/2009
This section created and produced exclusively by the editorial staff of EverydayHealth.com. © 2009 EverydayHealth.com; all rights reserved.


so yes, whatever works for you.
i gained back the pound i 'lost' yesterday, and so it goes! water fluctuations, etc. i just like to see the daily fluctuations, and then the tally of one week to the next progress. whatever works for ya!

TravisTheSky wrote:

Of course crash diets work in the short term. What happens if such a person on a "strict diet" wants to eat a normal amount of food again? His metabolism will be unable to handle it, and he will gain weight.

The theme of this thread seems to be, "He who eats the least, wins." That is a terrible message. It is the exact opposite of health. Whole food that is not GMO, pasteurized, irradiated, or sprayed with chemicals is full of living enzymes that work with our cells to manufacture vitamins, regulate blood sugar, and move toxins out of the body.

My advice: EAT! Love yourself, respect yourself enough to nourish your body with what it needs. Do the research. Good and bad information abounds, but it's not rocket science.

it really interests me how we all obviously read different things within the same words. me, i see the vast majority in this thread espousing HEALTHY lifestyle changes, not drastic crash diets or eating the least. not at all. now i will grant you that most of us are not eating a pristine, all-organic diet as you personally live/espouse, but that certainly doesn't mean we aren't going about our lifestyle changes in healthy ways.


as to your advice - i think that again, that's exactly what most here seem to be embracing. taking charge of their health and wanting to improve their overall health, their bodies....live a healthy, nourishing lifestyle.

SPEEDY MCCREADY

http://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutr ... diets.aspx

decides2dream

SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/scales-and-diets.aspx

exactly.
it can go both ways.
thus, what works for you, works for you...and what works for me may not work for you.
i find the first article i posted illustrates the 'whys' of daily weigh-ins working for me. i am not suggesting anyone follow my personal way going about it, said as much from the get-go.


besides, still suggests WEEKLY weigh-ins to keep on track, not monthly:

" How to Weigh Yourself Appropriately
"I recommend an individual weigh themselves once a week," Gans says. "Once a week is a good time to check in and see if the scale is moving in the desired direction." You should always weigh yourself at the same time on the same day so there's consistency in your measurements.

Stephanie Wiseman, 23, one of Gans's clients, finds that weighing herself regularly is a helpful tool in reaching a healthy weight. "It gives me a good gauge as to how I'm doing," says Wiseman. "If you're not losing, you need to switch something — like your diet or exercise."

also, most of the article focuses on HS girls and their unhealthy habits. as a grown woman, i think i am a bit more in tune and aware of what the daily fluctuations really mean, and thus i personally find it motivating, not sabotaging. i like to track overall patterns, which i only get by daily weigh-ins....but i focus on my weekly weigh fluctuations to truly track progress.

we all can find various articles and experts to 'back up' our own beliefs on just about anything.


again, whatever works for you.

decides2dream

since learning healthy portion sizes is so integral to eating well, and most especially for snacking...this is a kinda fun time-waster and also informative. altho they call it 'healthy snacks' you'll see some very unhealthy snacks are thrown in too for very illustrative examples:


http://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-l ... ories-quiz

Which Healthy Snack Adds up to 100 Calories?
If you think you're a calorie counting queen, take our pop quiz and test your dieting skills

WOW! YOU'RE A MASTER SNACKER
21 out of 24
You're awesome at eyeballing what 100 calories looks like. Here's the full list of 100-calorie snacks if you'd like an easy version to print out.

libragirl

I'm pretty on track with my diet for the most part but I would like to try to eliminate processed foods and sugars from my diet. Or the very least limit them.

decides2dream

ok, so it's a slow workday today :P...so some more readings, and just a few excerpts that caught my eye.

Harley Pasternak

5factordiet.com.

In Japan, they practice Hara hachi bunme — eating until they're 80 percent full. Then they wait 20 to 30 minutes to see if they're still hungry. In Sweden, they practice lagom, which means “just enough” — they eat until they are satisfied but not full.

The United States is far too efficient. We've lost the ceremony of eating. People don't eat at home and cook meals at home. More than 50 percent of Americans' annual food budget is spent on meals outside the home.

Fitness isn't about being extreme and hard-core. Healthy eating is not about counting calories, weighing food, or finding less tasteful ingredients. Life is about balance.

Claireack

Didn't eat much yesterday as stuff going on.

But today gone into the naughty zone, breakfast was a Crunchie, lunch salad sarnie and chips. I'll try and do better for tea :oops:

Black Diamond

Been good although it has been easy as I have been taking care of the Mrs. Bought some chicken for din din and have been eating veggies

decides2dream

Claireack wrote:

Didn't eat much yesterday as stuff going on.

But today gone into the naughty zone, breakfast was a Crunchie, lunch salad sarnie and chips. I'll try and do better for tea :oops:

outside of chips...i have no idea wtf you've eaten. :?
a crunchie?
salad sarnie?



and...eat!
it's worse for your metabolism when you don't eat. and again, stop beating yourself up about being human.
perhaps you need to refocus on your goals?


down 1.5 more pounds total this week,....yay.
of course, that can all change tomorrow .....hoping it doesn't tho. monday is a 'goal date'....and i really hope/plan to hit my goal! one more pound and i'm there! and if not, well...whatever....making good efforts, staying focused, being healthy - and really enjoying it! - so i know i am on the right track long-term. but you bet, it would be a great boost to hit that first mini-goal too.

hubby made ginger glazed salmon with a sesame-seed crust last night. he makes it often and i love it, but last night he steamed the fish and man, what a difference...sooooo delicious!



BD - well done you!
you've got a lot on your plate at the moment (hope your wife is doing well) so the fact that you are still focusing on your health goals....kudos.


*edited for incorrect arithmetic.... :oops:

Claireack

decides2dream wrote:

a crunchie?
salad sarnie?

A crunchie is gorgeous, it has a honeycomb centre and is covered with lovely chocolate. You know what a salad sarnie is! - a salad sandwhich. No I'm just having a blip, because of having a bad couple of days. Will be back on track soon

decides2dream

Claireack wrote:

decides2dream wrote:

a crunchie?
salad sarnie?

A crunchie is gorgeous, it has a honeycomb centre and is covered with lovely chocolate. You know what a salad sarnie is! - a salad sandwhich. No I'm just having a blip, because of having a bad couple of days. Will be back on track soon

oooooooo...that does sound yummy!
and dangerous!


oh so a sarnie is a sandwich?
well damn, i've never heard that before. well, a salad sandwich, even accompanied by chips, that's not bad at all really. and even the crunchie, cmon...it's just one fucking crunchie. it ain't gonna kill ya, nor derail your goals unless you choose to do so. so relax. sorry about your bad couple of days. :(

no matter how cold the winter, there's a springtime ahead...