diet plan

[Nellius]

I am an 18 year old female and 20lbs over weight, what do you suggest is a good diet to help me lose weight? I know exercise is important and I would like to implement both a good exercise program and diet into my daily routine. Any information would be helpful.

 

[mtnmom99]

I'm not Cathe, and I'm not a nutritionist, but I take the approach of "everything in moderation". I don't believe in cutting out a particular food. But educate yourself to know where the empty calories come from. You need to have an eating plan you can stick to for LIFE. For me, counting every gram of every component of every food that enters my mouth - I just can't be that obsessive! And if you forbid yourself to eat something tasty, you'll crave it all the more. Limit fast food (although some of the chains are adding healthier items lately). And find healthy snack options.

You are young, and recognizing that you need to change your eating habits now is admirable. Please don't think of it as a diet plan, but a life plan.

Diane

 

[futurefitnessdyanmo]

Hi! One of the popular threads on the forums is 'clean eating' and there have been a few threads about the book Eat for Life by Dr. Fuhrman, which supposedly describes this well. Its a nice place to start - I have read it, and although I find the 6-week phase too restrictive, particularly if you're going to exercise intensely, but you could easily modify it a little to fit a more moderate lifestyle (and I agree with the first poster that not getting too restrictive is key).

Good luck!

 

[Venus]

I'd like to recommend the book Volumetrics. It's a great simple way to make life changes that will help you lose and stay satisfied. Most librarys have it and my nutritionist recommended it to me. I've lost 71 lbs. using it's principles in combination with at first WW and now just simply counting calories. Every person is different so arm yourself with good tools you can use a lifetime and congratulate yourself for addressing this early in your life. I don't believe on dwelling in the past but I spent my 20s more than 100 lbs. overweight and I wish I would have lost weight sooner. I'm so much healthier and happier now at 33 than I was at 20. Ah well, live and learn...good for you starting early!