"Diet" vs "Lifestyle?"

I am looking for a more permant loss this time.  7 years ago I lost 100 lbs over the course of a year and a half on a 'diet'.  With a switch to a more time consuming and more seditary position, I've gained back 80 of it in the last two years.  I started back on my own about a week ago and have lost 4 lbs.

Now I am looking long-term over speed of loss and want to know what the long-term folks know that they are willing to share.     The little things that change thinking.  The things that take away the word 'diet'.    Any suggestions?

Hi...I am also a repeat offender...I loste a lot of weight and then gain it back...I think I am in control this time which makes all the difference in the world...I don't know how you feel about sweets but I love them so I trick myself by drinking ovaltine...I make shakes out of them...I just recently learned that drinking 8 oz of milk a day will actually help you lose weight...Of course, I drink the skim milk...There are sooooo many things to tell you that it would take up too much of your time...Good Luck!!!

the lifestyle is what this site is all about....

welcome to cc!

This post might get you started.  this community is very supportive!

I was remarking to my boyfriend that the hardest part, it seemed, in trying to lose/gain weight was getting over the psychological part.

People think of the word "diet" and they think that they can't eat a lot or that they will always feel hungry. I think that's why people are slowly starting to move towards "lifestyle change." It certainly doesn't seem as daunting when you phrase it like that.

Whenever I mention "diet", it's always in the context of "a healthy diet"  or "my diet consists of"...more in reference to how I eat rather than "being on a diet".

I mean, really, who wants to be on a diet for the rest of their lives? I think that's where it hits hardest. People try "dieting" and they might struggle and think, "how can I do this for the rest of my life?" So they give up.

It's surprising how much of an effect semantics has on our psychology.

Anyway, you have to change your way of thinking and your way of eating in order to be successful. You're definitely on the right track.

Best of luck!

It's so nice to hear from somebody who gets it!  I had a similar epiphany about 18 months ago.  Here's what has worked for me.

I started by making changes I can live with forever - sharply reduced the amount of sugar in my diet and nearly eliminated refined sugars.  Eliminated refined grains and switched to whole grains where ever possible.  Switched from butter to olive oil and greatly reduced the amount of fats I add to my food.  Reduced portion size - a serious issue for me since I always had a big appetite and used to love huge portions.  Learned (and am still learning) about what foods are healthy.  Got rid of prepared, packaged foods in my diet.  Learned to read nutrition labels and ingredients lists carefully.

I still have many changes to make.  I'd like to have a steadier exercise routine for one thing.  I know I have a long way to go, but I'm in this for the long haul and I don't care how long it takes.

Good luck to you!

Try to consume 30g of fiber everyday. For example for breakfast you can have All Bran/Fiber One with skim milk.

Even if you are not a vegetarian, try to have lean meat only once a week

Eat a huge serving of salad(just the simple stuff like lettuce, cucumber, spinach and tomato with fat free vinaigrette(sp)) before every meal

Dont even go near junk snacks etc.

You should also read "French women dont get fat" for some great pointers.

Good luck

A diet is something you do for a period of time.

A lifestyle change are changes you do for yourself that you can live with forever.

Just remember this is for life... No one wants to be healthy for a period of time.  They want to be healty forever......

Best of luck,

Roy

just out of curiosity, what 'diet' was it?