Best choices you've made

I've been dieting for 2 years now and slowly taking off weight, but I've really hit a plateau and I've been making all sorts of changes. Not only to a take in the right amount of calories that i should, I've cut out sugar, and I've stopped drinking diet coke. I've also been avoiding dairy. (All of this, with occational indulgences of course). I talked to my doctor the other day about how frustrated I was that I wasn't losing weight and described my diet to her, and she told me I was doing every thing right, an that maybe I was just meant to be this way genetically. I really don't want to accept this. Does anyone have any suggestions or changes that you've made in your diets that really helped. What were some of the best choices you've made as far as adding or eliminating things from your diets?

Ive started drinking lots of green tea, and eating lots of fruits and vegtables. I've also started working out and building a little muscle so that my body can burn the fat. I would say dont give up! If it has helped, then stick to it. As long as you're staying healthy you should be proud of yourself! :)

YOU CAN DO IT!!!

You didn't mention whether you were exercising or not. Try stepping up your exercise a bit to get your metabolism revved up.

i was having a rough time too, so i kept doing everything the same, but cut out cheese. I totally stopped eating it, and lost 6 pounds in 2 weeks. by only cutting out cheese. i had to read the ingredients in EVERYTHING!!!! and i was quite surprised at where cheese hid... in salad dressings... alphaghetti... the list goes on. but that worked for me!

I've been going this for almost 7 years now and I started by cutting out all the white stuff, fried and sugary stuff (cold cereals inculded) . Then I stopped adding sugar to tea, coffee, eating more fruits and vegetables, soups, basically went the volumetric diet way. But I upped my dairy intake, I started having 2 cups of nonfat milk a day and nonfat unsweetned yoghurt. I've heard that calcium helps in weightloss. And yes i cut out the cheese totally- too much fat and the fatfree is too processed.

Change up your workout routine- lift weights, eat  more lean protein, I always get off my plateau when i change things around.

Good luck!

I started drinking ice cold water instead of soda.  Best thing I could possibly have ever done for myself.

I started drinking water on a regular basis, that has seemed to help. For me I eat a lot of tomatoes!!! Find what works for you but don't give up. . .whatever!!! about the genetics!! You can loose more just be patient!!

I hope you're eating those tomatoes with low-fat cottage cheese, aishah1952.

I had been floating between 140 and 145 for about 2 years.  I stepped up my exercise routine and I found it only made me hungrier.  If I didn't eat more, I was cranky and not very fun to be around.  About 6 months ago I started doing two things that I have been very diligent about:

1. I take Organic apple cider vinegar before each meal.  Personally I prefer the taste of the Bragg brand better than the rest.  It doesn't work over night, but you'll find your body getting into balance after a few weeks.  What it does is it breaks down the acidic ash that is left in your intestine.  This has two effects.  First, it makes you feel fuller faster since it is breaking down the food left in your intestine, the signal gets to your brain quicker.  Second, it helps bring the pH level alkaline in the food that you are eating for more efficient digestion.
2. I never eat a whole portion of food when I go out.  That includes splitting cheeseburgers at fast food restaurants!  If I don't have anyone to split the meal with, I ask for a take out box to be served with my meal.  I don't touch the meal until I have put half of the food in the take away box.  Sometimes the waiters take a long time to get me the box, but if I start eating without doing that, I usually finish A LOT more than I intended to.  If I have someone to split the food with, we usually get an appetizer, meal & (dessert or drink)! I enjoy eating out more and I never feel guilty afterwards because I know that I made a responsible decision in my food choices!
   

I am now floating around the 125-130 range and loving it!  I still eat most anything I want, I just make sure I don't eat more than 1 portion of everything I want! 

nuts, they realy help supress appetite before each meal

The best choice I made: to stop dieting. I eat close to or at my target maintenance calories and have lost 50lbs since June. DOwn to 266lbs from 319lbs, plus exercise.

I cycle my calories, high to low and take a free day every 2 weeks:

Sun: 1800
Mon: 2000
Tue: 1400
Wed: 2800
Thu: 1200
Fri: 1500
Sat: 2100

I have so much freedom and I plan to do it this wway the rest of my life. I know the rate as which I lose will slow down when I get to a lower weight, but with increased exercise and continued weight training, I will have a higher burn rate compared to others at my lower weight and I'll still be creating a deficit; even if it's smaller. I'm taking my time and not depriving myself. This is for life and I LOVE my diet enough to keep up with it forever.

My doctor said the same thing to me at one point, and then offered to prescribe diet pills (which I refused).  Don't take that for an answer.  There are many different approaches.  Exercise is foremost, however. You didn't mention that, so the natural assumption is that you aren't doing it.  If that is the case, you need to start.  Diet alone won't do it.  If you are exercising...well, then there are an infinite number of options...

 - water
 - fruits and vegetables
 - cleansing
 - exercise in the AM and 2x more throughout day
 - 6 small meals instead of 3 large ones
 - monotonous eating (as opposed to 'balanced' meals)
 - calorie cycling (this works for some)
 - calorie restriction (this works for others)
 - no white food (flour, sugar, etc.)
 
There is more, of course.  And different things work for different people.  But whatever you do do not take no for an answer.  The 'genetic' response is bullsh*t.  You'll find the key.  Just be patient and don't give up.

The absolute bets thing I did to lose weight (aside from finding this site) was to buy a food scale. I had no success until I started weighing portions. It is mechanical (not digital) and it cost me less than $10.

I'm with ser25 - one of the best things I did was get a good food scale.  This is what really helped me estimate and control portion sizes.  Now I've even gotten good at estimating without it when I'm at restaurants.

That along with just getting up and exercising every day, even if only for 15-20 minutes, is what started me off with success.  Now there are certain strategies I used to break out of ruts and plateaus (zig zagging cals, temporarily reducing carbs, going vegetarian 2 days a week, etc.).  Increasing the amount of fiber I get in a day has not only made my intestines happy, but it keeps me full longer.

Oh, and the best thing I've discovered for controlling cravings: peppermint.  Gum, small sugar free mints, etc.  It's amazing how I think I'm going to break down and get some fries from McDs one moment, then I chew a piece of gum, and I have no interest in them.

this is a great post! I'm going to try a lot of these tricks myself. I love the peppermint one. :)

I've already asked for a foos scale for Christmas. Maybe I'll bust it out for Christmas dinner :)