Community Chat

[JBKO]

It can be so hard to stay in shape. Doing the "diet and exercise" thing can really take a lot of devotion. The worst is when you feel like you've put in so much work only to find out that you've remained at the same weight or God forbid put on some more pounds. Here are a list of 8 or so habits that seem effortless but help you in the battle of the bulge. Please add any more that you feel will be helpful. Or provide your own experience when it com s to following these tips.

1.Eat breakfast
2.Eat a lot of protein
3.Drink water
4.Talk walks whenever possible
5.Weigh yourself daily
6.Keep a food journal
7.Eat an early dinner
8.Chew your food well
9. Sleep 6-8 hours

[Dash]

Great reminders. I have a couple more. 1. Drink more water. 2. Lots of fruits and veggies. 3. Limit starchy carbs. 4. No (or limited) refined sugar. 5. Avoid late night snacks. (This is my downfall.) 6. And drink more water. Water is huge. I have noticed that everything about my body works better when I am hydrated, sleep better, skin no as dry, better digestion, and so forth.

[gidgetgh]

So much for "seemingly effortless".....

[Mom2Dogs]

I have a tough time getting enough water.....I am rarely thirsty, I drink a glass in the morning with my vitamins but that's about it.

[brandiwine]

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@gidgetgh wrote:

So much for "seemingly effortless".....

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LOL!  I was thinking the same thing.

[wagirl]

Can I add portion control to the mix? Amazing how we tend to pile on the food.. I measure everthing in measuring cups now. I have been really watching my carbs these last few weeks and THAT has been a real eye opener--have lost 3 pounds doing that  very thing in as many weeks. Also dividing your plate, no matter what size it is, into 3 parts really works for me.---1/2 the plate is for veggies, 1/4 for carbs, 1/4 for protein. Sorry if I got carried away

I drink a pitcher of herbal/decaf ice tea every 2 days. Much better than plain water.

[deepwaterdotter]

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@wagirl wrote:

Can I add portion control to the mix? Amazing how we tend to pile on the food.. I measure everthing in measuring cups now. I have been really watching my carbs these last few weeks and THAT has been a real eye opener--have lost 3 pounds doing that  very thing in as many weeks. Also dividing your plate, no matter what size it is, into 3 parts really works for me.---1/2 the plate is for veggies, 1/4 for carbs, 1/4 for protein. Sorry if I got carried away

I drink a pitcher of herbal/decaf ice tea every 2 days. Much better than plain water.

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I follow this plan also, excellent advice!

[CatsyCline]

No Dairy except for 1/2 c Greek Yogurt for Breakfast.

Plain water all day 1 can seltzer after eve meal

watch sodium

rarely dine out

[phoenixbrd]

I like your list except for two items:  breakfast does not help you lose weight and too much protein leads to medical disease whereas there are not instances of protein deficiency.  Cut out the dairy, oil, and salt....which is easy once you are use to it.  Vegans tend to weigh less because they have banished these items from their food choices as well as meat in most cases. I would also like to add eat a lot of fruits and veggies (nutritionally dense food adding bulk without the calories) .  I could add IF will definitely help you lose weight, but it requires some effort in the beginning.  Each of us has our own opinions regarding this list, I respect everyone's opinion.

[Bridgegal]

Be very very careful about drinking TOO much water.  Both my sister and a bridge friend recently learned this the hard way.   Both ended up in ICU with life threatening low sodium counts.   The ER doctors told both of them that too much water intake can be just as dangerous as not enough.   Too much washes out good things that your body needs like sodium in their case.  Both were avid water drinkers and had been for decades.  It finally caught up with them.

Find a balance.