I don't think restrictive dieting can work long term. It works, but only for the time period in which you are committed to it. I like the Weight Watchers phrase, "lifestyle change," rather than "diet," which has the connotation of deprivation.

I lost 53 lbs seven years ago doing the Weight Watchers POINT system. I have kept it off ever since. I still keep a food journal, measure my food and use CC for additional support. I do not place any restrictions on what I can eat.

With weight cycling, I definitely think it takes a toll emotionally. I put a 5 lb gain limit on my weight. If I go up 5 lbs, it's time to get back to basics. I think this has also helped me maintain my weight loss long-term.

Most important though, is attitude. Change your attidue and the rest will follow.

I fully agree, I too went to Jenny Craig and I lost some weight, I've also been on Herbalife where I lost a lot of weight. Now I make better food choices, and I have found that using the calorie counter helps. I read labels and drink water or other low/non-caloric beverages. I exercise several days a week. I'm 59 years old, too,  so I need to make lifestyle changes.  I too am a big boned women, who carries most of my weight around my waist and hips. I want to retire in a few years and be healthy so that I can enjoy my children and grandchildren.

Eating the wrong food is a habit.  I think we all enjoy eating the foods that we are used to, the ones that comfort us and taste so good to us.  The trick is to substitute the bad-habit foods with new good ones.  New products come out on the market constantly so we have to make ourselves go and search for the good replacements.  This is time consuming and goes against our nature (and habit) to just make do with the old bad foods.  There are so many other factors involved in eating too - social and family occasions, including office gatherings and even just going out as a couple to get out of the house to a nice restaurant means you have to decide to eat "good" instead of spending your precious time and money (and enjoying your nite out) choosing between the yum yum food and the "should eat" food.  Who hasn't looked at a menu and said "I would love to get the spicy chicken quesadillas or mozzarella sticks" as opposed to getting no appetizer at all.  You've spent all week working so hard at work and looking forward to going out somewhere and now you have to choose to "be good" again.  I know that you could use that one time to splurge as most of us do already, but the point is that realistically these occasions come up alot.  Even at home, kids want certain foods and you would have to make your own separately - another hassle added to your already frazzled day.  I am sorry this is turning out to be a long comment, but I am so certain that this is the cause for so many diet failures.  I am from the south and grew up eating anything I wanted and when I got married I really did have a small can of bacon grease for cooking with - we didn't use olive oil.  Most of my family has lived active lives all through their nineties and even into 102.  I have never had a weight problem and my whole family has been slender - without having to work out.  In my case, genetics plays a big role too.  Also, we were active - walking on the beach, riding bikes, etc.  I believe that has helped maintain our health.  But, I do know that I would feel better inside and have more energy if I did eat more vegetables and fruit.  I want crunchy, salty, sweet, gooey, spicy - and chocolate.  The products out there are still not satisfying or way too expensive for me.  Good luck to all in trying to break our habits.

I think most people who are not blessed with a high metabolism have been through what Kirstie is going through. We become so angry at ourselves because of our weight loss/maintain failures we become very restrictive of all food intake ... going from one extreme to another; an "all or nothing" attitude, and feeling the need to inflict self-punishment through depravation.  "If I don't eat ANYTHING, I won't gain weight!"   I know I've done it.  We become resentful of the "skinny people" who can eat and drink anything they want, whenever they want.  As a large boned, low metabolism, 53 year old woman, I have to fight to keep every pound off.  I am going through that process now, and yes, again! This website can serve as a great support group.  There are many of us who totally understand what each is going through.  Let's continue the support.  Every body is different and responds differently to weight loss strategies.  Healthy eating is important, along with exercise.  Restrictive diets do not work in the long run.  Count calories.  Honestly TRACK what you eat during the day.  Exercise.  Just walk if that's all you have the energy for and increase the length of the walk every day, even if it's only a few more steps from the previous day.  That's what we have to do.  One day at a time, just a few more steps.  I feel badly for Kirstie ... I totally understand, as do many of us, what she's going through. It's a personal battle for each individual.        

I think it is more important to change your lifestyle than to go on some crash diet.  They don't tend to work long term and they don't seem to prepare you for living & EATING in the "real world" where you are in control of your choices. 

I truly believe that my decision in changing my life has helped me drop more than 35 lbs in the last three months (approximately) and the decision to incorporate an exercise program that varies from day to day has worked wonderfully. I have also realized that this will be neccessary for the rest of my life to maintain my weight once I finally hit my goal weight.  More importantly I am ok with that because I realize that if I don't at least 20 minutes of some type of cardio along with 20 minutes of strength training of some kind I will gain weight and that is not what I want in my life.

I have tried and failed with the yo-yo diets and realized that it was all because while I was basically starving myself my mindset hadn't changed one bit so as soon as I was done with the crash dieting it was right back to Oreos, cakes, fried this and that that had got me to 220lbs in the first place!

I have such a new found appreciate not only for how I look now but for how I FEEL! I am more alive and energetic then I have been in years and that is the best feeling in the world!

Good luck you guys!

I saw Kirstie on Oprah and I was so dissapointed.  She is a beautiful woman, but like you mentioned; it has to be a long term thing and you can not deprive yourself and stay in a regimin for too long.  I also was on Nutri System, Jenny Craig, Opti Fast, Weight Watchers, you name it I was on it.  But it wasn't until I accepted a "new way of life" and got healthy on the "inside"  that I began this journey to success, one day at a time.  I am down 216 lbs as of today, one pound at a time.  And the difference is...I am doing it for me and I am doing it for the long term. 

I also identified with the part of the article that mentions regaining weight after a big loss.  I had lost 100 lbs and when I put 80 back on I was very soft and jiggly.  It was horrible!!  Now I understand why...

I totally agree with this article! I have tried almost every diet out there. I lost 60 pounds after my 2nd child and regained all of it back and then some because I was too restrictive! Today is the thinest I have been in years. I FINALLY understand that it's calories consumed vs. calories burned. If I want that piece of pizza or cheesecake then I have it. I just make sure I burn it off by exercising a little harder that day! It has to be a lifestyle change! Something that you can live with! I make exercise a part of my day everyday and eat what I want in MODERATION! I Finally got it. I have lost 80 pounds in 13 months and I am keeping it off for good!

Goodluck everyone! If I can do it, so can you!!!

Well said!

I highly discourage that kind of dieting. Eat a decent amount of calories a day and make it healthy. Treat yourself, but within reason.

The first time I tried to lose weight was a horrible experience. I had no idea what I was doing. I felt hungry all the time and I was eating things I didn't like. This time I make sure I eat when I'm hungry and I don't eat anything I don't like.

Kirstie Alley cares more about what other people think than how she feels about herself. Her lust for attention will probably always affect her weight. She needs not just education about proper nutrition and weight loss, but perhaps also to solve her emotional problems. The latter needs to come first.

Especially when we have a busy lifestyle it is easy to forget the most important thing to maintain weight levels is exercise. To get into the habit of exercise everyday will help a lot even if we eat some unhealthy foods or have a lapse in the good food choices for a few weeks even. Cycling or walking home from work (fast) can be the most convienient way if you are busy.

This was really good to read. I posted a topic about a week ago, asking about the "All or Nothing" approach, and being a serial yo-yo dieter who has taken that approach one too many times, I am an advocate that it rarely if ever works. I finally see, as the adage saying---it's a combination of exercise and a balanced diet. There are no short-cuts. And the more I have ACCEPTED that, the easier it has been for me to make progress and stay more positive instead of having such unrealistic outlooks on what it takes to lose weight and getting discouraged when results aren't achieved or don't stay. It's so much BIGGER than weight loss. (Pun intended) It's really about lifestyle change and making the choice to live a healthier life all the way around. Not just getting your body ready for bikini wear.

This is the kind of article I wish I could laminate and pass out to everyone I meet!  For years my mom was a calorie counter for weight loss and as I grew older and started to have weight issues myself I refused to follow suit (I guess I didn't want to admit she was right?)  After a few attempts with other diets (mainly South Beach) I decided to get serious and I've had some success, 12lbs to date.  I work with a lot of women and they are forever talking about being overweight and unhappy and trying the different diets like the Acai Juice, Jenny, etc.  I wish more  people would educate themselves and realize that there is NO QUICK FIX when it comes to weightloss.  It's taken me 10 years to realize that this is the ONLY way the weight is going to come off.  Slowly but surely...

Great article!

Kirtie Did more than go a little  over board.  She a  ate alot all the time . She didn't change her thinking about the food she eating.  I lost 67 lbs on weight watcher and keep it off for six years, I always think about food and what I put in my mouth . You can't eat every thing you want  Weight lost is constant battle.  the minute you don't pay attention you will gain weight

I saw Kirstie at what claims to be her fattest weight in a recent magazine interview, and she was all dressed up with her hair and makeup fixed and I thought she was absolutely beautiful. If that is her at her worst, then dang what is she complaining about?

I was disturbed at the way she belittles herself and calls herself disgusting, and there was a picture of her at a very healthy normal weight and she commented that it was just okay. And she thought her picture at 145 pounds was fat.

I think she was pushing herself too hard, and maybe could settle on a weight that is somewhere between the two extremes and just work on maintaining that with counting calories. I know she is a busy woman and the packaged foods probably made it easier on her, but it doesn't help in real life when you are off of those plans.

I think she is absolutely georgeous no matter what weight she is at. I wish she could see how beautiful she is and she is a very funny talented woman....maybe accept herself at the heavier weight and love herself without degrading herself with words, and then if she loses the weight she would have found that loving herself does not depend on her weight?

And the papparatzi pictures that were taken of her looking like she just got out of bed in sloppy clothes....LOOK, no matter what weight you are at, those pictures they take are NOT flattering to anyone of any weight. I've seen skinny attresses looking terrible in papparatzi pictures. No one looks good in shirts and pants hat just hang there with no shape. She looked really good in the pretty fitted dresses that were fitted well around her breasts accentuating her femininity, and then flowing around her body like a flower. Very pretty! NOT disgusting!

I for one am upset with both Kirstie Alley and Oprah.  To me they both act like losing weight is the most important thing in their lives, that their happiness and identity relies on how much they weigh!  I have watched both of these beautiful women through the years and it breaks my heart to see that they still haven't "got it".  I am overweight, I have weighed the same for years, I exercise and try to watch what I eat.  Now at 52, I'm learning that it's the small changes that give me the greatest success.  Changing from soda to water, parking further away from the store, shopping on the "outside" at the supermarker, (where the fresh fruit & vegtables are).  We are now living in a society where a size 12 is considered plus size, if you are overweight people believe your not intelligent, and it's ok to be prejudiced against us. I want to lose weight not only to look good but most of all to be healthy, at my pace, at what works for me, not a plan that I will not be able to live with.  I believe that is the secret, to be able to "live" with, for the rest of my life.

Just commenting on Kirstie's being big boned. I just watched an old Star Trek Movie and she is so NOT big boned, she was nothing but a bag of bones!! I think she is beautiful no matter what weight she is at. I just wish her good health and happiness. I am the first one to say, if God would let me be healthy at 200+ pounds, I wouldn't worry about my weight at all. For me as soon as I get over 170 the blood pressure, blood sugar etc... problems set in. Good luck everyone

I did Jenny Craig too, and it sucked!  I lost a lot of weight my first few weeks, then plateaued off and even with upping my elliptical times I still wasnt losing.  My consultant didnt really care about my struggle, it was all about sales.  I quit and gained back that 15 lbs I had lost...and havent gotten it off again but at least I am happy and not crazy-depressed because I have to eat cardboard mini meals!

sandimc

Yeah! Oprah and Kirstie are both sexy women no matter what their weight is! Maybe they are focused TOO much on their looks! And I'm a size 12 too. Why is that plus sized when I'm considered NORMAL and HEALTHY weight for my height. So, if I was underweight THEN the fashion magazines would celebrate my size? I was a size 7 in high school and my hip bones where sticking out I was so thin. How would that have been humanly possible for me to be a size 2 without them chipping away at the bone?

Original Post by: helenwilliams

I fully agree, I too went to Jenny Craig and I lost some weight, I've also been on Herbalife where I lost a lot of weight. Now I make better food choices, and I have found that using the calorie counter helps. I read labels and drink water or other low/non-caloric beverages. I exercise several days a week. I'm 59 years old, too,  so I need to make lifestyle changes.  I too am a big boned women, who carries most of my weight around my waist and hips. I want to retire in a few years and be healthy so that I can enjoy my children and grandchildren.

AGree.. it is about self motivation and knowing what to eat.

Personally, I would never do a restrictive diet.  I know myself and I am a rebel.  As soon as someone tells me "I can't", I do!  That would be a total set-up for me.

I know I need to exercise more, but when I get tired so quickly I get embarrassed and would rather starve myself into weight loss than to be embarrassed in front of anyone for not being able to keep up with the exercise.  I know it's not right, but that's how I feel and deep down I know it's not the right way to think about this. 

Losing weight is hard work and if you are serious about it, it's a real commitment.

The word diet in it self tells everyone you are restricting what you eat.  Change the word, change the mindset--Eating is what you need to do.  However, as my mother told me--everything in moderation!

Stay true to yourself, don't make excuses for why you need to eat something.  Just be aware of what you are doing--and write it down!

Keep on believing in yourself--after all, you are the one in control of what are putting in your mouth.

This article brings up another issue I have been wrestling with lately - I want to lose weight quickly!  Kirstie lost 75 lbs in 15 months.  If she had changed her lifestyle and habits and the weight came of slowly and steadily, I think she would have been able to keep it off.  I always get real serious about losing weight when a milestone or event is coming up and I want to lose the weight by a certain time - which I can't - so I get discouraged.  Today is my 49th birthday and of course I wanted to lose 10 lbs. by today.  I lost 5.  Thanks to the sensible people posting on this website I have decided to be very happy that I lost 5 lbs. instead of upset that I did not lose 10 lbs!  As very smartly stated above several times - its about changing our habits, and that does not happen overnight.

Thank you for sharing.  Everyone who posts provides a lot of encouragement.

I agree with dharma_bum about restrictive dieting not working!  I have been doing the Weight Watchers POINT system since February 2008 and have lost 94.4 pounds and a total of 36-inches off my body.  When I started, I was wearing a 24W and am now down to a size 10-12.  My exercise has increased dramatically from when I began . . . and this is a forever lifestyle change.  My mother was considering NutriSystem a short time ago, and I convinced her to do Weight Watchers (she used to be a lifetime member).  She has done both in the past and has lost a great amount of weight to only gain it all back.  I told her that NutriSystem is the "easy" way and it does not teach you how to prepare more nutritious meals or how to shop more nutritiously; when you reach your desired weight and stop eating "their" food, you are lost as to what you should eat or how to cook it.  I am happy to say that my mom joined WW again in April 2009 and to date has lost 16 pounds.  I am her motivator and inspiration . . . she was concerned for a long time about my weight and convinced me to join and now it's her turn.  Even though we are on the opposite side of the US, we are now in this together FOREVER!  I have 5.4 pounds until I reach my goal weight at which time I will then become a Lifetime Member of WW - and I will continue to attend meetings and weigh in for the accountability.  Because I DO NOT WANT to become one of the "weight cyclers" - everyone now knows that I CAN lose the weight and if I gain it all back, then they'll know that it's because of the choices I make - and I don't want anyone to think that I CHOSE to be overweight!

I think there should be an online support group for all the people who have tried and failed on the Jenny Craig farce (spending hundreds of dollars)

And then have them ALL go on Oprah...they'd have to rent a stadium...maybe two.

I am a certified addictions counselor, and there are 6 Stages of Change.  One of these is "Relapse", or yo-yo dieting.  This is actually part of the journey and nothing to be ashamed about.  With each attempt, you learn something about what works for you, what your triggers are, how to cope with life in healthy ways, how to change your thinking.  One day at a time.  And mutual support, like this website, it extremely important for long term success.  Just as an drug addict is always in recovery for the rest of their lives, so too are we food "addicts" in recovery and must always be mindful that we are only one bag of chips, one piece of chocolate cake, one slab of ribs away from relapse.  Just as a drug addict needs to learn to have "fun" without mood-altering substances, we must learn to enjoy eating healthy food and not feel it's a deprivation.  It's all in your thinking and attitude.

I have been on Jenny Craig for 2 years and have lost 86 lbs.  The cost cheap compared to what I have lost and learned and compared to what I spent each week on fast food it's cheap.  When you have been fat for may years and yes I have tried all the diets, it comes down to this you have to change your eating habits and what you eat.  Only eating JC food I ate 5 times a day 3 meals and 2 snacks total calories 1200.  I didn't think I would lose a pound eating that may calories.  Plus each day I got my Chocolate so I was happy.  They say do anything for 6 weeks and it becomes a habit, well maybe for some people but not for me.  It has taken me this long for my body to want the health foods and not long for the bad foods.  I know there are no bad foods, yea right have you read the some of the labels.  By eat JC I was full and satisfied.  In the last 5 months I have started cooking more, which I never did before.  At this point I eat about half JC and half my own food.  I eat out but I find I make better choices.  Do I gain when I over eat, Yes, do I beat my self up, No, that is part of life.  So for me Jenny Craig has saved my life.  I'm a breast cancer survivor, and my HDL,LDL etc were high, high.  Now they are all normal, my doctors are thrilled.

Everyone is looking for the magic pill that will rid the body of fat. Take the money we spend on diets and buy good healthy fresh vegetables. Eat the way we all know we should. Yes, it probably costs more to buy the fresh greens and hearty grains but look how much bad eating is costing us. Jenny Craig costs $75 a week for the packaged crap plus any fresh ingrediants you need to supplement the menu whereas I just bought a weeks worth of fresh, wild caught fish, organic chicken breasts, and fresh organic vegetable and grains for 4 people for $125 at my local supermarket. Portion size and the food we put in our mouths is the key. There is no magic pill. Kirstie is caught in the same mind game we all have in that skinny is healthy and a failed magic pill is a personal failure. We need to learn to eat healthy, what a portion size really is, and move our butts. Once we learn this and teach our children then we can stop the media witch trials like Kirstie's.

I felt sad for Kirstie Alley when I saw her on Oprah. It must really be terrible to have your weight gain on such public display. Oprah is and always has been obessesed about her weight. There is much more to life than being thin, but for me it's about keeping my blood sugar levels in the normal range and maintaining a normal blood pressure.

I have never been really big, but when I gained back the 13 pounds I lost on Weight Watchers in 2007, I knew I had to reel myself in. I also started to do a morning finger stick with a glucose kit to check my blood sugar and realized I was in the prediabetic range, which alarmed me. I'm 52 and watched both parents suffer through the effects of diabetics in their older years. I exercise a lot which helps promote my weight loss. I run regularly and also do triathlons and I find that signing up for races motivates me to train well.

Since running and swimming are high intensity workouts, I have been walking everyday lately to burn some calories on the days I'm not training hard. I find this helps to keep my metabolism working more steadily. I can burn probably 3,000 calories on training days and then probably as few as 1,650 on the other days, so I learned that even though I am a fitness person, you can still pick up extra pounds by eating too much and not keeping active enough on the non training days.

This time of year makes it so great to be outdoors. A walk in the wooded park, a walk on a quiet path or around the city are really nice for my mind, body and soul..........I highly recommend it to those who aren't active type people. I notice how my thoughts turn inward and also how the beauty of the outdoors is so different and distracting as opposed to the temptations of being indoors too much and wondering if I should eat a snack because I'm bored.

I'm always just gobsmacked at:

A) how when you are on a restrictive diet you loose alot quickly and then none at all and then whoops its all back and then some.

B) and that when you starve yourself, you loose some quickly but then also quickly reach a stalemate and loose nothing. And just get plain depressed.

And how when you DO actually eat! How the pounds just come melting off!!!
(We discussed this somewhere else on the forum before I'm sure)

I love all the comments everyone has made here! :)

I too, have expererienced a "restricted diet" plan offered by a well known diet plan organization. The strict restriction, buying their organization foods, including "special bars" (which are expense not to mention the membership cost) do help you to loose weight quickly, without a doubt, and even seem to curb the appetite. However, just just one taste of peanut brittle at Christmas time after a 30 pound weight loss, I literally went "crazy" eating all the things I denied by self over the past months that year, two years ago.

 Upon the advise of my physician I have found that by not denying myself, plus, eating in moderation, increased exercise, and merely keeping track of my calorie intake, is all it takes to have results in weight loss, as with restrictive diets.

I tell myself if is simply actually a matter of "fuel in and fuel out (used)", calorie wise with any food ate in the course of a day.

You can spend all the money you want, but is simply a matter of discipline in intake in my opinion.

I went through the same thing on Jenny Craig -- twice, no less! then with Nutrisystem. I have struggled so much with my weight that evry time I was feeling downa dn out, i'd see one of their ads and cave to the "easy out" they seemed to provide with their packaged foods. Not only are they restrictive and very expensive, but the food usually tastes horrible or is boring. The minute you stop their programs, the weight comes flooding back on. I also feel that way about South Beach and some of the other programs out there, even if they do not have you eating "their" food. Even Weight Watchers has its issues for me. I think I've been on everything out there. At this point, Calorie Count has helped me more than anything else in 40 years!

Having said all this, I agree with sandimc about Kirstie and Oprah sending the wrong message to our young women. I wish we could impress them with the health issues most of all and get away from the image issue based on how thin one is, especially when it impacts your self-esteem.

I had a taste of this recently where I "stopped watching" what I was eating and gained 5 lbs or more over one weekend.  (A two day, on site event.)  Shocked by what I saw when I stepped on the scale Monday morning I decided to be more careful the following weekend.  (Second half of the event)  On that second weekend I may have gained a pound but did not really feel I was depriving myself of anything.  (Watch out for Costco / Sam's Club muffins - they are over 700 calories EACH)

I think it took me over 2 weeks to get back to where I was before that first weekend.  I THOUGHT I had it under control BECAUSE I chose a "self-planned" diet where nothing is off-limits to me unless I CHOOSE to make it so (like High Fructose Corn Syrup)  I have lost about 20 lbs so far and want to lose close to 50 more...

I might be a "fake" calorie counter...  I used to analyze a bunch of my favorite meals and stuff for calorie content (which is how I first stumbled across calorie counter)  After the first month or so certain patterns became evident and I kind of started following those patterns for "healthy choices" instead of adding up calories for every meal...

For example; I have almost dropped soda completely.  I used to get a soda (with several refills)  When I did the math and discovered that I might have to WALK TWO HOURS to burn off the calories of that soda it really didn't seem that important anymore and was a lot easier to "give up"...  (Now when I do drink a soda I tend to skip the refills)  If you choose water (zero calories) instead of soda it makes it really easy to do the math...

Wonderbird

I think people who criticize Kristie and Oprah for being "obsessed" with their weight don't get it. The weight is the symptom, these are smart women who get that. We all have something that is our trigger. Mine is also food/weight.

I really feel for Kristie, living those challenges in such a public way. I don't criticize her for what she has done, or even says about herself, she is doing the best she can and the important thing is that she is being genuine.

I really like the nutritionist who said that yo-yo dieting is part of the process. At 41, I have come to that conclusion. I do learn every time. I have become kinder to myself, and have explored many avenues due to my addiction to food. I've come to see my weight as my gadge, telling me when to dig a little deeper in an area. I've found new friends, new foods, read a ton of articles, and found support groups like this one because of it.

I am not OK with my 215 lbs but I'm OK with me, my looks, my values. This is my thing, my trigger to help me grow. The plan is still to get to a healthy weight while exercising regularly and making the right food choices. I just have a few more rocks to turn to get there and that's OK.

The word "diet", in itself, indcates a beginning and an end. You "go on" a diet, and then you "go off" a diet.  I am a compulsive overeater and I consider it a "disease" just as is alcoholism.  A lifestyle change is what is necessary. We need a "food plan" (not a diet) which teaches us how to be able to eat at home and in a restaurant, on vacation or even, yes, on a cruise.  A naturally thin person can take a slice of cake, have a bite or two and push the plate away because she/ he doesn't need an more. A compulsive overeater cannot do that; therefore, we must NOT take that first bite. Any diet you "go on" will work as long as you work it.  It's very difficult to maintain your weight loss when you "go off".  In fact, you will probably gain back what you lost and then some...your body wants to be sure there is enough to take off when you "go on" a new "diet". It's constant vigilance and learning how t make the right choices. Good luck to all of us who have been yo-yoing all our lives. It's not easy, but the end result can be a life-saver (no, not the kind you put in your mouth!)

Dieting shouldn't be just about looking good, nor should it be about fitting in with the rest of society. The love for yourself has to come first. I was on weight watchers for 2 years and quit and have been able to keep most of the weight off. Even at my lowest weight I still thought I was fat. You have to gain that self confidence through positive self talk. Choose a few good things about yourself and focus on them. Over time the positivity can become contagious! It's a beautiful thing! Now that I have that confidence the weight & dieting comes that much easier because I know I'm worth it.

I've never been one to starve myself so things like the Atkins diet just didn't work for me. Restrictive diets definately don't work! I also struggled with weight watchers over a period of time because I wasn't eatting the right foods to fit a high intensive work out program. Now that I've learned that I think my go at it this time with a less invasive approach will be more successful, and if it's not I'm still worth it and still amazing in other ways.

To me, any diet one can stick to and lose weight is succeeding... however, when the diet "ends," signified by reaching goal, and one reverts to old habits, the weight will come back. No matter what plan or how one lost the weight.

Thank you to all who posted on this topic.  I have long believed in the "calorie in-calorie out" diet and exercise approach and this really verified it for me.  I think will power and being honest with yourself play such an important roll in weight loss also.  I try to be really honest with my "counting" and love the feature of having personal recipies evaluated, which I can then add to my count so easily. 

I have been on Jenny Craig since December and have lost 32 pounds (I have about 10 more to go).  Having been through the program, here is what I have discovered:  The hardest thing to do is making the transition from the program to regular healthy eating habits.  Currently, I am working with my consultant to make meals on my own.  This has driven me to look at numerous cookbooks and get really creative with my meals.  I am working on recipes that I can prepare ahead of time for the busier times in my life, as well as recipes that take time to prepare for the times when I want to savor and enjoy the cooking process.  I feel that the transition period in this program depends on how well you work with your consultant.  At this time my consultant has suggested that I order the JC food only when I need it and she is actually pushing me to come up with meals on my own.  When we talk every week, I provide her with some of the recipes I have come up with.  It is this transition phase that has brought me to this wonderful website.  Through this site I can monitor what I am putting into my body, and get an idea of the nutrition content of the recipes I create.  

I can only say good things about the Jenny Craig program.  For me, it was a good decision.  I went into the program knowing that I would eventually have to be held fully responsible for what I would put into my body for the rest of my life.  I chose to start this program when I did because I knew that I would be close to my goal by the summer time.  Since I am a working doctoral student, my summers afford me a little more time to research and prepare meals for myself, as well as to establish a good exercise program.  By the time my busier schedule hits in the fall, I will be equipped with a large recipe database and will be more likely to depend on my exercise program as stress relief.

I can totally relate with this article. I have tried almost every diet imaginable over the last 15 years. i would lose 20 lbs here and then gain back double and then try another one and lose 20 lbs and then gain back double....it was a viscious cycle for me. But 14 weeks ago I went for a check up with my Dr and I had gained 40 lbs in 6 months and my blood pressure was sky high and I was so upset with myself for being so blind of what I was doing to myself because that is what happens when we deprive ourselves then when we get it back we binge and it's like giving an alcoholic a beer...they can't drink just one....same goes for me who had to have more than just one cookie. Well after 2 weeks passed of being hard on myself I decided to try out weight watchers. I had heard good things from my friend who was doing it and I thought what do I have to lose besides weight. So I asked my husband to do it with me because I needed the support and he needed to lose a few lbs also since he had put on weight from quitting smoking. Well I have to say weight watchers is saving my life. I have never felt so good doing any diet before like I do now. It has been 12 weeks and I have lost 29lbs and my husband has lost 32. I actually feel motivated to do this now. I never feel deprived ever. I mean with the points system you eat your daily points and if you feel like snacking you can and not feel guilty about it. I've never been happier and I think if weight watchers was introduced to Kristie she would be able to get her weight under control and keep it that way. you can keep track of my weight loss on facebook and myspace....tonya reilly

I know several who were on WW... lost to goal, reverted to old habits, gained back all plus some. Every one of them. (Also, three of them had gall bladder surgery.)

It's not the diet, because I could say the same thing about several plans and people I know... The diets work when you work the diets, no matter what the diet is, it's what you do when you decide you are finished "dieting." It's those old, hard to let go of, even if you've been good for a long time, habits.

Everyone has their own Kirstie story.  I do.   It appears we've all been there.  The bottom line is that we need to good choices.  Huh - that's the story of my life.  It's about the relationships we're in - be it with other people or with food.  We need to choose healthy relationships.  Whether you decide to eat clean, whole foods, and drink lots of water, or you go for Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig or NutriSystem, just make sure you do it with a healthy attitude.  Good choices.

I have yo-yo'd for years, doing that exact thing.  I was very successful with Atkins, but it did not help me address my key issue which was how I view food and my tendency to over eat at every chance.

Even when I was experiencing great success (40-60 lb losses), there was still the cycle of binging, then feeling guilty, beating myself up emotionally and swearing I would "never do that again", then feeling like such a weak failure when I did.

I LOVE Calorie Count!!  It addresses all of my concerns and I love that the whole site is so much more about HEALTH than WEIGHT.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

It is great to see that just about everyone agrees on a few key points:

1. We have to start loving ourselves as we are in order to make life changes that will be better and healthier for us.

2. Restrictive "dieting" in not a good idea in the long run--you have to live in the real world and enjoy the pleasures of eating foods we love.

3. A long term plan must include making better choices MOST of the time and moving our bodies in some way.

4. Accepting that there is no quick fix.  This is a forever plan and a slow process for most of us , especially in the over-50 category.

I love how this is a supportive group, full of ideas, personal successess, common problems and issues, and hopeful plans.

I, personally, am two years into my lifestyle change, and find that being patient is the hardest thing, but I have stuck to my exercise and workouts--a very big deal for me since I hate exercise...I still have some more diet changes to make, but I am doing it slowly so that it is much more natural for me...it still is frustrating, but people like you guys keep me motivated and hopeful! 

Kirstie Alley should know that we are all supportive of her beauty and talent and only want her to be happy with herself no matter what she defines as her ideal weight!

Thanks, all!

I think being more self-aware of who I am, what are my emotions, and what roles fat serves helps to keep it off.  I have a small build (5'0") with small bones and a hypothyroid condition that despite medication, is still symptomatic.  Therefore, my metabolism really is slow, I naturally feel lethargic, and losing weight and keeping it off is a tough battle.  I had to look at self-esteem / perfectionism issues -- I think my fat was saying to the world:  "Don't expect too much of me.  I don't want to be forced to live up to social standards for females. F!*% all the pressure to be perfect, to be "good", etc.!"

Fat was an expression of anger (paradoxically, stuffing down food was often stuffing down anger or emotions that "nice girls" aren't supposed to have); thinness was associated with perfection and fitting into rigid social norms.  I had to look at all these issues and re-evaluate as well as catch my attitudes.  I had to get comfortable with and accept my emotions and my body.  Then I had to choose a weight that I could comfortably maintain, knowing and accepting that my body fat percentage might be easier to maintain at 22% than at the 18%.  I had to accept my imperfect self and get counseling to deal with body / shame issues.  I also became more self-disciplined, but with a kinder, more caring voice in my head.  I exercised and ran because I enjoyed it, not because I had to in order to not beat myself up with guilt.  I ate veggies and fruit, along with whole grains and fish.  Luckily, I love those foods.  I also made room for occasional desserts, but left out the guilt.

What was the outcome?  I went from 153 lbs. to 115 lbs.  I was on my way to my goal weight (with increased muscle mass) of 110 lbs.  However, I was hungry for love, and had been for multiple years.  (Eating food has also served as a temporary fix for love hunger.)  My love for myself and improved self-esteem had less than a year to form and strengthen into a lifestyle.  I met a guy, lived with him, and allowed him to shame me and talk to me once again like I wasn't worth much.  It was what I knew and what I had grown up with; I had no skills at boundaries with men -- one of the root causes of weight gain for me.  I fell back into unexpressed anger; I went up to 132 lbs.!

I've learned that not taking care of oneself is costly, not only to the body in terms of weight gain, but to the soul, in terms of comprimising the gift that we really are, and the power that we really have.  I've learned that setting boundaries doesn't have to be done with fat, it can be done in many other ways.  Respecting myself and my body is of utmost importance to functioning well and living a meaningful life. 

hello to everyone I believe that weight loss is truly a lifestyle change and should not be looked at as a diet. In order to lose weight and keep it off I think  you should enjoy what you eat (most important) eat what you want but in moderation. CC has inspired me to continue on my journey I started at 256 lbs in 12/09 and I am now 225 lbs. I am doing it slow and easy setting realistic goals for myself  I log everything I eat even mayo on a sandwich I don't cheat. When I go grocery shopping I take my time and read labels there is a huge amount of food out there just for us  who want to lose weight. Sunday I cook for my family and I eat what I cook  but in moderation. I bought a scale for food and for my weight and I use them both. The key  I've found to the weight scale is use it maybe once a week (not daily)If you stay focused and aware of what you are eating and if you are truly in it to win it I believe you can succeed.

Jenny Craig...Been there done that lol...but I didn't lose any weight. Why? I only did Jenny Craig for a week. I followed everything and didn't lose anything but I gained a lot of hunger in between. So, being that Jenny Craig was too expensive, I stopped that automatically.

Restrictive diets DO NOT work - Jenny Craig, NutriSystem, Lean Cuisine, Atkins, etc...they just strip you from real food and then you get the hunger pain several hours in between. I've tried them all and I agree, just making changes in what you love to eat, instead of stripping it away from your life is not the way to go.

I did Herbalife for a year and I successfully lost 11lbs, but it didn't have varieties and there was too much restrictions that I just couldn't handle, plus it was getting boring - Shake, meal, shake...shake, meal, shake - Every single day, MY GOD you get tired of it after a while...and if you go outside of it you gain 5lbs.

So, all these diet companies that provide foods and drinks for you to lose weight, most of the time it's short term goals...not long term. Because believe it or not once you do lose the weight now you have to keep the weight and that's where they keep you buying, because if you try to eat regular meals you're gonna gain it all back.

But I've found my diet that I don't have to deprive myself, I don't have to feel like I'm on a diet. I got on The Biggest Loser diet and OMG it's working wonders for me and all it does it gives you daily recipes to have for the day and all you gotta do is cook them...it's like a daily meal menu...

Deprivation, restrictions all it's doing is setting you up for disaster. If you love bread, switch to wheat bread. If you love pancakes, switch the whole wheat pancakes, if you love chicken, switch to lean chicken and cook them stir-fry or oven. If you love beef, get lean beef...pretty much just make all your meats lean. If you love eggs, switch to organic eggs. There's so many things you can substitute and still eat what you love...there's no need to cut them out, just make the better

I have tried all kinds of diets for decades and the only one that worked for me is Weight Watchers; it is sensible, easy to follow and the best thing is you can eat anything you want.  I am amazed because it has always been hard for me to resist food and they have a website with weekly advice and recipes, which is free.  There is also the Hungry Girl website that sends daily emails on new products and WW points values.  I have gotten to the point now that I don't need the WW meetings since Hungry Girl provides all the information.  I'm sure WW won't  work for everyone but it's worth a try.  I'm glad I did.

Restrictive diets are not a way of eating that you can easily follow the rest of your life.  They create yo-yo dieters. 

If you have never been on the dieting roller coaster, then you don't understand that yo-yo dieters know how to lose weight, we've done it many times before.  Losing weight permanently has more to do with loving and forgiving yourself than with eating.

I recently joined a doctor monitored weight loss program. They also have the ability to buy specialized foods, pre packaged and many people find that the easy way out. However, I do not purchase them! I need to learn to prepare my own meals within a reasonable calororic and fat content. I buy NO pre packaged foods nor do I eat fast foods. I was at a restaurant the day after I started my diet and they had one salad only and they called it a light lunch... I ordered it but was very careful... their low calorie diet salad included the usual spinach, lettuce, a couple of cherry tomatoes, a slice or two of chopped apple, and viniagarette. However, it also included deep fried chicken strips and bacon! Anyone can purchase an entree from Jenny ... but when there are no more of these already prepared meals waiting in the pantry, what do they fix for a meal? Simple! Learn to cook! It ain't difficult! Stay away from the frozen food aisle... the delicatessen already prepared meals... because lazy is what got us into this weight problem in the first place! Besides those meals being way overpriced, they are not complete... you still need to supplement them with fresh salads, etc. I figure this is my last attempt at losing 142 pounds... and it is not an attempt... I am succeeding... I have lost 13 pounds this month alone... and it is not water weight... it is easier than I thought. It just requires some forward thinking, a little meal planning, and not a lot of work!

Wow! These are some of the longest posts I have read on this site since I joined in mid-April.

I did NutriSystems years ago (I was about 30 and am now 59) when they still had offices and you met with real people like Weight Watchers. At that time they had an offer that let you get back 1/2 of your enrollment fee if you hit your goal weight and maintained it for 3 months. Of course, they let you set a goal weight that might be too hard to obtain and stay with. I set my goal for 145. I am large framed and 5'7". Broad shoulders, slim hips. I didn't know at that time I had an under active thyroid. I think I was about 170 at the time. Well I hit 150 and stayed there for a few weeks. They suggested I do their 900 calories liquid diet for a week! Even I  knew 900 calories was absurd. No amount of money back was worth my health. Metabolic set-point theory was just coming into light at that time. I knew if I under ate my body would consider it a starvation mode and try to adjust itself. Our bodies can be very efficient. If you suddenly give it less food it adapts and when you go back to stoking the fire with richer fuel it stores it as fat in case you become starved again. Thus the yo-yo is born.

Kirstie and others might not believe that they are beautiful. Loving yourself is hard to do sometimes. Money doesn't buy love. Affirmation from others doesn't guarantee self esteem. Weight problems carry across generations whether those problems are genetic, cultural, psychological or economic.

I am not a "religious" person per se but I do believe in a higher power. That power is not food, alcohol, illicit drugs, gambling, over shopping or any other modern addictions. I believe that we all need to find something greater than ourselves to believe in and work towards. The world would be a better place too.

To all my friends at Caloriecount- You are beautiful because you care about yourself. Embrace your strengths and work on your "weaknesses." We are worth it!

I'm 49 years old and have tried every diet available since I was a teenager.  I lost weight and always gained it back.  In my 30's I taught aerobics, plus had a physically demanding full time job & lost weight, but could eat anything I wanted.  That included cake and ice cream every day if I wished.  I learned nothing about proper nutrition, but didn't care because I was thin...for me. 

Lifestyles change, I got an office job where I sit most of the day.  2 years ago this July I decided I was going to start eating correctly and get back to exercising.  I weighed 230 lbs. (at 5'11") the most I'd ever weighed.  I knew I had to do it for my health.  My cholesterol and blood sugar while not at dangerous levels were headed that direction.   I have a heart arrythmia and was finding myself in urgent care every 3 mos. with an episode. 

I started to exercise.  I dusted off my step & put it on the lowest level.  Couldn't do it for more than 5 minutes, so I found slower music.  Still couldn't do it.  I found 2 2" high pavers, put them side by side on my patio & used those as my step for the first 3 mos.  I also did some low impact aerobics and lifted 5 lb. wts.

I changed my eating habits, slowly.  I know me.  If I go cold turkey I feel deprived, throw a pity party & eat cake.  I hated most vegetables, but started incorporating them into my diet anyway.  I tried veggies I hadn't eaten before and found new ways to prep them (ways that didn't include cheese or butter).  I found if I start with onion and garlic I can eat anything!  Most nights we have a veggie AND a salad with dinner.  I added fruit.  I'd go for days without fruit before.  I threw out more than I ate.  I still had an occasional cookie.  I still went for ice cream once in a while.  I researched on this site and found out I could go to McDonald's or Golden Spoon and add less than 100 calories for a treat (no cone).  Then I'd go for a walk.  That's still my philosophy, if I'm going to eat pizza or ice cream then I'm going to take a walk.  We eat red meat about 1 time a week.  The rest of the time it turkey, chicken or fish.  I've completely revamped my recipe box.  I can still make deserts, they're just healthier versions. 

As I went along I found I craved sweets or things like potato chips less frequently.  Things I treated myself to when I started my journey to health I found I didn't care if I ate them any more.  The big chocolate chip cookies in the plastic boxes from the bakery, you know the ones - one day I turned that package over and looked at the calories.  180 per cookie!  I decided I didn't need those any more.  I bought a box of graham crackers instead & found that 2 sheets spread with a tiny bit of peanut butter satisfied most any craving.  At about the 6 mos. mark I was eating a really healthy diet.  I could go out to eat w/o being tempted by fried foods or the dessert menu.  I made sure to drink lots of water to try to counter the sodium somewhat.   

13 mos. after I started at 230 lbs. I weighed 165 lbs.  I had muscle definition & could hike, play tennis, swim w/o being out of breath and feeling like I was going to die.  My bloodwork came back very much improved.  About 8 mos. later I'm maintaining.  My weight fluctuates between that 165 & 169, which I'm good with.  The difference this time is that I broke old habits and adopted new ones.  I don't deprive myself, I just know I need to plan for it.  And by planning I don't mean skipping meals all day if we're going out for dinner that night.  I just eat lighter, salads and protein that day.  I don't want to walk into a restaurant ravenous.  Bad idea. 

Working out has become a habit.  I try to take a day off once a week, but if I skip 2 I get antsy and I'm ready to take a long walk. 

This is just how I eat & exercise now.  I plan to do this the rest of my life.  If I'd ever waiver from that feeling all I have to do is remind myself how lousy I felt before & how I couldn't even use the 4" step for 5 minutes when I started.