over-weight people who eat healthy

I am one of those over weight people who eats relatively healthy. Don't eat white rice, regular pasta, or white bread. I don't drink soda, I don't stock my house with cakes or chips or frequent fast food restaruants. So it is frusterating for me to hear about a person who stopped drinking soda and lost weight without doing any other changes...

 I know that I part of the reason that I am overweight is because I love to eat: Granted the foods I love to eat are all healthy, but calories are calories. Wondering if there are any other good food lovers who find themselves in a similar situation.

I think the big thing in most peoples diets are

A) portion sizes

B) Unhealthy healthy foods! (these are foods that would normally be fine...but then all kinds of things are added to create something unhealthy. Like salad with lots of dressing on it...or lobster, dipped in tons of butter...or a snack of toast, with tons of penutbutter and jam on top!)

Beyond the most obvious cake and soda...are a huge range of other "bad habbits". Thats why counting calories at the start can really open some eyes as to where the problem areas are coming from (sometimes big suprises).

PS: whats wrong with white rice, pasta and bread?!

I agree with lorik2, you have to think about portions. skinless chicken breasts are healthy but if you eat 3 of them per meal it's not a good option. You have to weight you food for a few weeks. By checking the amount of calories and fat that each item has you'll get a better sense of how your eating.

You also have to check out the fat content of what you eat. I used to eat baguette with cheese AND butter every morning. It's way too much fat.

A love of eating is not a bad thing either. Keep it! Just make small changes in your daily habits. Go for quality instead of quantity. Use smaller plates, that way you won't have the impression you are eating too little.

I feel the same way. Only advice given to me was to kick it up a notch.

PS: whats wrong with white rice, pasta and bread?!

I choose not eat processed grains because of the way they affect blood sugar levels and the low fiber content.

I do do all of those things...now, but I haven't experienced any dramatic weight loss despite the fact that I now eat bulgur or quinoa instead of rice. Or that fact that I don't use butter only olive oil in moderate amounts. I know that I am much healthier than I was before...I can see it in my skin, hair and energy levels. It is just frusterating not see a significant amount of weight loss.

Have you thought about add exercise? If your eating healthy and the right amounts already then the excercise could make a big difference. 

My 2 cents based on my experience: I had always been overweight even if I ate healthy foods (no fast food, very few sweets, no starches in excess, never too much fat). I lost 40 lbs in the course of 10 months just by cutting out mindless snacking and playing with portions. It was amazing to see what a difference it made. I also found that eating a light dinner (salad and protein) and leaving 2-3 hours between dinner and bedtime helped. 

What do you mean "a significant amount of weight loss"? If you are doing it healthy, it should not be a fast dramatic, it should be 1-2lbs a week, and I have actually done less. I have been on this for about 15 months and have lost only 54lbs. That is less than 1lb per week. Sorry, but maybe you are getting impatient? I know I do.

I used to think that I was an overweight person who ate healthily and for years I was resigned to the idea that I would just be fat forever.  Until I started writing down everything I ate (and weighing it if it wasn't pre-portioned).  Boy was I shocked at what I was eating!!  Sure, it was healthy stuff, but I was eating WAY too much of it.  Plus, I would eat out and order things that I thought were healthy (like a salad) but as soon as I put that Ranch dressing all over it (not to mention the fried chicken pieces, bacon, and cheese in the salad), I might as well had just ordered the burger and fries.  Just try it for a week and I'll bet you'll be as shocked as I was at what you're consuming.  But, the trick is, you have to be vigilant and brutally honest.  Don't guess the portion of something if you're not quite sure.  When in doubt, round up, not down.  The only person you'll be cheating is yourself.

And, if you do this and you truly are eating a healthy amount, then you should visit your doctor to rule out health issues, like thyroid problems.  Take you food log with you to the doctor so he or she can evaluate what you're eating.

Jag, it's really worth going to see your doctor and having some tests run. Track your calories meticulously for at least a week, preferably more. Take this as evidence that you are eating healthy and modest portions. You could have a thyroid or other issue. It is not all that uncommon. Also, are you on any meds? Certain meds can change your metabolism and cause weight gain.

If all the tests turn out normal, then ask your doctor to refer you to a nutritionist you can work with.

Also, do you exercise?

Here to empathize.  While I'm happy for people when they cut out unhealthy foods & lose weight, I wish it was as easy for me as just cutting out the soda.  I also don't drink soda or eat lotsa fast food.

I do, however, have a cookie problem.

:)

Even if we can't just cut out that junk b/c we don't eat it, we should just be glad to know that we're that much healthier for never having included those foods in our diets to begin with.

Good luck!

 I also found that eating a light dinner (salad and protein) and leaving 2-3 hours between dinner and bedtime helped.   From irisica

I am now trying that. I used to think that it didn't matter what time I ate, but after months at staying at the same weight despite eating at a deficit and exercising I am now going to try it.

I think I might have a thyroid problem, I know I have PCOS but it can be difficult to find a doctor that listens.

And exercise...I exercise. Last week I biked 60 miles using my stationary bike...it is just stubborn.

I am not bitter and I am not dwelling on this issue. I love the changes I have made in my life. And while I did eat healthy (stayed away from red meat...probably ate once a month if that...nooo to beacon and fried foods) I know that I ate way too much of the good stuff. I don't deny it. But after reducing the good stuff I am not even losing 1 pound a week...or month.

The real question is, how much are you reducing your food intake?  did you calculate your calories expended vs your calories eaten to create a deficit?  Or did you just start to eat less of one thing you think may be fattening, but more of another.

Don't take this the wrong way, but you are a little more than vague here..

It's cool ravenlark. I know what my deficit should have been and I eat what the site reccomends. I wasn't on here trying to get advice...just thoughts. I am thankful for all the advice I do get though.