I'm tired of trying to eat according to specific diet guidelines, example Atkins, South Beach Diet, and would like to try to do my own thing. I know quite a few of you never follow a diet persay. My question is what do you focus on when you make food choices? For example do you try to stick primarily with whole grain breads, fruits and veggies and eliminate things such as soft drinks and candy or do you focus on protein/carb/fat ratios or count calories? Or do you just eat anything you crave in moderation? How has your own personalized diet been working for you in terms of weight loss? Sorry for all the questions but I am sure I can lose weight and be healthy by not following a specific diet.
? for those who don't diet
- Thread starter kristi
- Start date
Aquajock
Cathlete
I don't count calories, fat grams, carb grams, protein grams, telegrams or anything else. I do not drink carbonated beverages because I've lost the taste for them over the years; my main beverages are fully-leaded coffee in the a.m. (two cups and I'm sailing), water and Crystal Light drinks. No alcohol (Doctor's and Bill Wilson's Orders).
I've found over the years that as my exercise program has become more complete, balancing focused slow heavy strength training with high intensity cardio (both land AND water), and a discreet amount of flexibility at the end of each session, what I crave at the time tends to be what I need for macronutrients. I seldom crave high-fat red meats when I'm wanting protein, although DH does a killer steak-and veggie kebab thing on the grill in the summertime. I seldom crave sweets anymore, although I do enjoy a little toothful a few days a week. I do love my salty chippies and snackies, but I find the amounts to be dwindling over time. I really need to have fresh fruit every day, really need to have whole grain stuff every day, really need to have light easily-digestible proteins every day, and really need to have a discreet treat every day.
That's it. FWIW. I'm not interested in getting any leaner than I am right now; I'm pretty satisfied with that.
A-Jock
I've found over the years that as my exercise program has become more complete, balancing focused slow heavy strength training with high intensity cardio (both land AND water), and a discreet amount of flexibility at the end of each session, what I crave at the time tends to be what I need for macronutrients. I seldom crave high-fat red meats when I'm wanting protein, although DH does a killer steak-and veggie kebab thing on the grill in the summertime. I seldom crave sweets anymore, although I do enjoy a little toothful a few days a week. I do love my salty chippies and snackies, but I find the amounts to be dwindling over time. I really need to have fresh fruit every day, really need to have whole grain stuff every day, really need to have light easily-digestible proteins every day, and really need to have a discreet treat every day.
That's it. FWIW. I'm not interested in getting any leaner than I am right now; I'm pretty satisfied with that.
A-Jock
Like Annette, i do not follow any diet at all, nor do I obsess about food type ratios, etc. I suffered from anorexia as a teenager and into my twenties, so I am not about to start surrounding myself with more limitations regarding the foods I can eat and can't. I refuse to do so. I also have two young girls, aged 7 and 10, and so it is vital that I maintain healthy eating habits, with no obsessions regarding certain food items so that they will not develop any ideas about restricting their own calorie intake and fall down the abyss of anorexia or bulimia. Should they ever do so, I will have failed as their mother.
I am vegetarian, and am raising my kids as vegetarians also. I just don't buy chips of any kind, nor do I buy sodas, principally because these items were not part of my diet when I was growing up, so I was trained very early not to see them as regular and acceptable foods, and I do not have a taste for them. I do not crave them and am not tempted to buy them as I go round the supermarket. So, the pattern continues: these items are never in my house, so my kids don't eat them either and do not beg me for them.
What do I concentrate on? Well, I try to include a protein at every meal, since it is easy to include carbs, I don't have to worry about them! I don't count protein grams or anything, I just think, "OK, a yoghurt for breakfast, protein covered, or cheese sandwich at lunch, protein covered, lentil stew for dinner, protein covered." It's prety easy to do, requires virtually no planning or thought. What I have to work on daily is making sure that we achieve our 6 helpings of fruits and vegetables, and that they include a variety of different ones to maximize the antioxidants supply.
I stick with whole grain breads all the time because I have been doing so for twenty years now: it is habit and I prefer the taste. I never buy white bread, although I do buy a French baguette for picnics or to make garlic bread sometimes, etc.
I do have protein bars in the house and usually have one per day, either as part of my breakfast when I am dashing downtown to go teach, or as a late afternoon snack when I have to take the kids to a sports class and get hungry waiting for them, or in the evening, as a healthier substitute for a candy bar I may crave. I usually keep one in my handbag along with two pieces of fruit at all times. Doing so ensures that any snacking is healthy snacking.
I eat candy and cookies. I like something sweet in the evenings. I never make deserts, so desert is always fruit and yoghurt, but later in the evening, I like to have either some cookies or a candy bar, maybe subbing with a protein bar, depending on the strength of the craving. Since i eat healthily the rest of the time, I don't have any heart ache or guilt at all as I eat my GInger and lemon creams! A little of what you fancy does you good.
I think that to have a list of restricted or verboten foods simply sets you up to binge on those foods the minute boredom and stress hit town. So, I rarely sit and eat a whole packet of cookies as a result. If I am suffering severe PMS and feel totally yucky, I may eat a whole packet. But, usually at such times I cannot control this and I rationalize it because I know what caused it and I know that it does not lead to weight gain because women's calorie needs increase at this time anyway. So, I may feeel groggy the next day, but a good seaty workout will usually take care of it.
I say, relax and eat good, healthy foods in the amounts your body needs to be healthy and to fuel your Cathe workouts. Stop seing food as the enemy and start to enjoy it.
I have maintained the same weight effortlessly for the last 5 years. I rarely think about it and do not own scales. I only ever know what I weight from the doctor's office.
Clare
I am vegetarian, and am raising my kids as vegetarians also. I just don't buy chips of any kind, nor do I buy sodas, principally because these items were not part of my diet when I was growing up, so I was trained very early not to see them as regular and acceptable foods, and I do not have a taste for them. I do not crave them and am not tempted to buy them as I go round the supermarket. So, the pattern continues: these items are never in my house, so my kids don't eat them either and do not beg me for them.
What do I concentrate on? Well, I try to include a protein at every meal, since it is easy to include carbs, I don't have to worry about them! I don't count protein grams or anything, I just think, "OK, a yoghurt for breakfast, protein covered, or cheese sandwich at lunch, protein covered, lentil stew for dinner, protein covered." It's prety easy to do, requires virtually no planning or thought. What I have to work on daily is making sure that we achieve our 6 helpings of fruits and vegetables, and that they include a variety of different ones to maximize the antioxidants supply.
I stick with whole grain breads all the time because I have been doing so for twenty years now: it is habit and I prefer the taste. I never buy white bread, although I do buy a French baguette for picnics or to make garlic bread sometimes, etc.
I do have protein bars in the house and usually have one per day, either as part of my breakfast when I am dashing downtown to go teach, or as a late afternoon snack when I have to take the kids to a sports class and get hungry waiting for them, or in the evening, as a healthier substitute for a candy bar I may crave. I usually keep one in my handbag along with two pieces of fruit at all times. Doing so ensures that any snacking is healthy snacking.
I eat candy and cookies. I like something sweet in the evenings. I never make deserts, so desert is always fruit and yoghurt, but later in the evening, I like to have either some cookies or a candy bar, maybe subbing with a protein bar, depending on the strength of the craving. Since i eat healthily the rest of the time, I don't have any heart ache or guilt at all as I eat my GInger and lemon creams! A little of what you fancy does you good.
I think that to have a list of restricted or verboten foods simply sets you up to binge on those foods the minute boredom and stress hit town. So, I rarely sit and eat a whole packet of cookies as a result. If I am suffering severe PMS and feel totally yucky, I may eat a whole packet. But, usually at such times I cannot control this and I rationalize it because I know what caused it and I know that it does not lead to weight gain because women's calorie needs increase at this time anyway. So, I may feeel groggy the next day, but a good seaty workout will usually take care of it.
I say, relax and eat good, healthy foods in the amounts your body needs to be healthy and to fuel your Cathe workouts. Stop seing food as the enemy and start to enjoy it.
I have maintained the same weight effortlessly for the last 5 years. I rarely think about it and do not own scales. I only ever know what I weight from the doctor's office.
Clare
mogambo
Cathlete
I just choose from all vegetables, fruits, whole grains, soy, beans, nuts, and occasional dairy, very occasional meat. I eat small portions of food, but lots of vegetables, drink water, tea, some coffee. No junk food, no sodas, no candy, etc. But I find that if I eat the crappy stuff, I start to crave it so it isn't worth it.
I could lose 5 vanity pounds, but basically, I am at maintenance weight.
I could lose 5 vanity pounds, but basically, I am at maintenance weight.
Hi Kristi,
A-Jock and Clare have both given you a lot of good advice here.
I don’t follow diets for several reasons, but mostly because they all suck the joy out of food. Food should always be enjoyed – you’ll never find anyone waxing poetic over a meal of dry chicken breast and steamed broccoli. ;-);-);-)
If your goal is to be healthy and fit, my recommendation is to lay your primary focus on your workouts. As A-Jock said, your body will start telling you what it needs for food and you’ll start craving healthier things.
That being said, if you’re someone who’s coming off a long relationship with restrictive/regimented eating plans, the idea of “undieting” can be very hard at first, maybe even a bit of a culture shock. So, here are a few key eating concepts that may help you out. I tried to keep them short, but since food and cooking are big hobbies of mine, there’s no way I can keep them un-opinionated:
1. Don’t let yourself get too hungry.
2. Don’t eat until your too full.
3. Drink lots of water – your workouts will be the better for it.
4. Eat a variety of foods – there’s so much good stuff out there!
5. Eat quality foods (okay, here’s where I get really opinionated). IMO, highly processed, pre-packaged foods are not quality, as I believe that most taste like crap. I want my food to taste like food, not crap. Try to eat meals that have been made from real ingredients…your body and taste buds will thank you for it.
6. Related to #5, don’t deny yourself treats, but make darn sure that they’re quality treats. A homemade double-dark chocolate brownie that’s been made real ingredients and lotsa love will be lot more enjoyable than it’s Little Debbie counterpart…and you’ll be much more satisfied with smaller amounts of it.
I hope this helps. I think your decision to get away from diets is a good one. Exercise hard, eat well, and get good rest.
"To me, an airplane is a great place to diet." - Wolfgang Puck
A-Jock and Clare have both given you a lot of good advice here.
I don’t follow diets for several reasons, but mostly because they all suck the joy out of food. Food should always be enjoyed – you’ll never find anyone waxing poetic over a meal of dry chicken breast and steamed broccoli. ;-);-);-)
If your goal is to be healthy and fit, my recommendation is to lay your primary focus on your workouts. As A-Jock said, your body will start telling you what it needs for food and you’ll start craving healthier things.
That being said, if you’re someone who’s coming off a long relationship with restrictive/regimented eating plans, the idea of “undieting” can be very hard at first, maybe even a bit of a culture shock. So, here are a few key eating concepts that may help you out. I tried to keep them short, but since food and cooking are big hobbies of mine, there’s no way I can keep them un-opinionated:
1. Don’t let yourself get too hungry.
2. Don’t eat until your too full.
3. Drink lots of water – your workouts will be the better for it.
4. Eat a variety of foods – there’s so much good stuff out there!
5. Eat quality foods (okay, here’s where I get really opinionated). IMO, highly processed, pre-packaged foods are not quality, as I believe that most taste like crap. I want my food to taste like food, not crap. Try to eat meals that have been made from real ingredients…your body and taste buds will thank you for it.
6. Related to #5, don’t deny yourself treats, but make darn sure that they’re quality treats. A homemade double-dark chocolate brownie that’s been made real ingredients and lotsa love will be lot more enjoyable than it’s Little Debbie counterpart…and you’ll be much more satisfied with smaller amounts of it.
I hope this helps. I think your decision to get away from diets is a good one. Exercise hard, eat well, and get good rest.
"To me, an airplane is a great place to diet." - Wolfgang Puck
Thanks everyone! I'm just so tired of trying to eat according to certain diets and worrying about every little thing that goes into my mouth, when in reality I don't eat all that bad. My family eats the leanest meats and I never fry anything always opting for grilling, broiling, or baking. I don't add additional fat when I cook either. We do need to up our veggie and fruit intake, mainly veggies, and cut back on some of the sweets. Thank goodness we are not a household that buys chips, candy, or soft drinks on a consistent basis, but I do need to cut back on my daily soft drink consumption until I am in maintaining mode. I think that extra sugar makes me crave even more sweets instead of satisfying my craving. I'm really glad to hear that others have been able to lose and maintain without counting every calorie and fat gram. That is getting to be too much work for me and I can't help but feel overwhelmed.
It would drive me crazy if I had to moniter every mouthful I ate. I'd be obsessing about food all day. So I just try to keep healthy stuff around the house so I always have options for the quick fix grab-and-go, like fruit or pretzles.
I don't have a taste for sodas but my kids like them. I try to curb their intake of them by keeping the sodas in the garage, not the refridgerator. If they want one, they have to trudge out there and then get a glass of ice to chill it. Half the time they don't want to go through the trouble and get a glass of OJ from the fridge instead.
I kind of do the same for me if I'm craving a cookie late at night. I won't deny myself the cookie, but I'll go to the cabinet and get only ONE, reseal the bag and put it back on the top shelf. If I left the bag out, my hand would be in there a dozen times before I even realized it. Yes, sometimes I go back for a second cookie, but I don't make it easy for myself by doing it this way.
And we only fast-food it maybe once every six weeks or so! I think that stuff is the worst!
Diane
I don't have a taste for sodas but my kids like them. I try to curb their intake of them by keeping the sodas in the garage, not the refridgerator. If they want one, they have to trudge out there and then get a glass of ice to chill it. Half the time they don't want to go through the trouble and get a glass of OJ from the fridge instead.
I kind of do the same for me if I'm craving a cookie late at night. I won't deny myself the cookie, but I'll go to the cabinet and get only ONE, reseal the bag and put it back on the top shelf. If I left the bag out, my hand would be in there a dozen times before I even realized it. Yes, sometimes I go back for a second cookie, but I don't make it easy for myself by doing it this way.
And we only fast-food it maybe once every six weeks or so! I think that stuff is the worst!
Diane
kathryn
Cathlete
I don't count calories, or fat grams, or go for "low carb" (HATE the fad) foods, but I focus on whole foods (I haven't had white bread...yuk...for years, and the last time I did, it almost made me sick to my stomach: so pasty and doughy). I'm a vegan because I consider dead animals to be corpses rather than food.
I avoid white flour and white sugar, and I actually prefer the taste of, say, a ripe mango to a piece of cake (which I will have on occasion, but usually made with more healthy ingredients). '
Don't get me wrong, food should be nourishment, but it should also taste great and you should enjoy eating it. I just happen to enjoy the taste of whole foods, beans, fruits, veggies rather than sugary stuff and don't feel deprived when I don't eat it. ( And I do get into chocolate, strawberry soy "ice cream" and other indulgences from time to time!)
I avoid white flour and white sugar, and I actually prefer the taste of, say, a ripe mango to a piece of cake (which I will have on occasion, but usually made with more healthy ingredients). '
Don't get me wrong, food should be nourishment, but it should also taste great and you should enjoy eating it. I just happen to enjoy the taste of whole foods, beans, fruits, veggies rather than sugary stuff and don't feel deprived when I don't eat it. ( And I do get into chocolate, strawberry soy "ice cream" and other indulgences from time to time!)
Chronic overeater here! Love to eat "large"!
So, I make sure I have humongous helpings of veggies, moderate amounts of fruit (apples being the most satisfying for me), and at least one full cup of high fibre (Fibre 1st, Fibre 1 plus a dollop of cereals like Kashi Good Friends) cereal a day.
Like to have either a large salad at lunch -- lately I've been adding a couple of egg-whites to it -- or a bowl of black bean or Veggie Chili bean soup.
For protein, I eat a small Veggie hotdog (no bun) after my early a.m. workout, and for supper a chicken breast or a half-can of tuna after I've dined sumptuously on steamed mushrooms, brocoli, cauliflower, baby carrots and bean sprouts smothered in salsa, ketchup, and Sante Fe sauce.
I tend to eat basically the same things every day. I live alone and am too lazy to make anything that requires a recipe or takes much effort. I'm satisfied if I feel satisfied, which means I almost never have cravings.
Cookies, cakes, chips do not cross my door. If I want these, I have to go out of my apartment to get them. Which means I have to wear eye concealer, pencilled-in eyebrows and lipstick in order to get them. Too much work - can't be bothered! Plus, I only get these cravings at night, but I crave sleep more than treats.
For my chocolate cravings, I make hot cocoa from scratch (no package mixes). Thick as mud but much better tasting!
Lost over 40 lbs nine years ago at WW and have maintained. So, I do allow myself a couple of corn muffins and black & red licorice bites on Saturday and Sunday nights. I used to be extremely strict (no treats) but was "whiney" and said to myself "I work out hard six days per week. I get up at 4 a.m. weekdays to do it. I have to go to bed at 8:30 pm, even in the summer when it's still light. I cover all the bases in terms of cardio and weight work. I also take gym classes. . Something is missing. Oh ya, that's it - JOY!!" You can only reward yourself with clothes and jewellery for so long then it becomes a burden and takes up way too much closet space! I am a huge fan of delayed gratification. I love looking forward to the weekend when I can relax, stay up later and enjoy my treats.
I can't stand it when someone gives me a set eating plan (like the Scarsdale diet, for example). That's giving my power away. Plus you feel if you eat even one ounce more than the set plan tells you to, you feel like a failure. Many years ago, WW said you had to eat liver once or twice a week. I loathe liver, even smothered in ketchup but I forced myself to eat it. Afterall, if you didn't eat liver you'd fail, right? I could only go for so long and then I'd rebel and binge.
Sorry to be so long. In essence, I don't diet. I just like to eat a lot and I like it guilt-free.
A "PS" to Aquajock: I am your number one fan. I don't know how you do it! Writing such beautiful, well-written and wise posts. I'm exhausted just writing this one!
Have a nice evening!
Patricia
So, I make sure I have humongous helpings of veggies, moderate amounts of fruit (apples being the most satisfying for me), and at least one full cup of high fibre (Fibre 1st, Fibre 1 plus a dollop of cereals like Kashi Good Friends) cereal a day.
Like to have either a large salad at lunch -- lately I've been adding a couple of egg-whites to it -- or a bowl of black bean or Veggie Chili bean soup.
For protein, I eat a small Veggie hotdog (no bun) after my early a.m. workout, and for supper a chicken breast or a half-can of tuna after I've dined sumptuously on steamed mushrooms, brocoli, cauliflower, baby carrots and bean sprouts smothered in salsa, ketchup, and Sante Fe sauce.
I tend to eat basically the same things every day. I live alone and am too lazy to make anything that requires a recipe or takes much effort. I'm satisfied if I feel satisfied, which means I almost never have cravings.
Cookies, cakes, chips do not cross my door. If I want these, I have to go out of my apartment to get them. Which means I have to wear eye concealer, pencilled-in eyebrows and lipstick in order to get them. Too much work - can't be bothered! Plus, I only get these cravings at night, but I crave sleep more than treats.
For my chocolate cravings, I make hot cocoa from scratch (no package mixes). Thick as mud but much better tasting!
Lost over 40 lbs nine years ago at WW and have maintained. So, I do allow myself a couple of corn muffins and black & red licorice bites on Saturday and Sunday nights. I used to be extremely strict (no treats) but was "whiney" and said to myself "I work out hard six days per week. I get up at 4 a.m. weekdays to do it. I have to go to bed at 8:30 pm, even in the summer when it's still light. I cover all the bases in terms of cardio and weight work. I also take gym classes. . Something is missing. Oh ya, that's it - JOY!!" You can only reward yourself with clothes and jewellery for so long then it becomes a burden and takes up way too much closet space! I am a huge fan of delayed gratification. I love looking forward to the weekend when I can relax, stay up later and enjoy my treats.
I can't stand it when someone gives me a set eating plan (like the Scarsdale diet, for example). That's giving my power away. Plus you feel if you eat even one ounce more than the set plan tells you to, you feel like a failure. Many years ago, WW said you had to eat liver once or twice a week. I loathe liver, even smothered in ketchup but I forced myself to eat it. Afterall, if you didn't eat liver you'd fail, right? I could only go for so long and then I'd rebel and binge.
Sorry to be so long. In essence, I don't diet. I just like to eat a lot and I like it guilt-free.
A "PS" to Aquajock: I am your number one fan. I don't know how you do it! Writing such beautiful, well-written and wise posts. I'm exhausted just writing this one!
Have a nice evening!
Patricia
C
Carol_is_fit
Guest
I don't follow anything anymore either. It got to the point where I was counting those darn WW points in my sleep - LOL!! I try to eat "clean", but when I want a candy bar, I eat the candy bar. The trick for me is not to go nuts and start eating every candy bar in sight. I stop at one. I still drink 3 quarts of water a day, I keep working out, and when I go out to eat, I make healthy choices. If I have dessert (which I don't do very often - seem to have lost my taste for a lot of things I used to eat all the time!!), I don't obsess over it. I drink extra water, and eat completely clean the next day. It's all about self-control, sensible choices, and moderation. At least for me. Everyone is different, and I'm sure you'll get plenty of varied answers on here!
Carol
Carol
I dring lots of water - filling my Brita pitcher 2 times a day
Eat lots of fiber - especially in the morning - Fiber one and Kashi
Lots of veggies, berries and chicken, beans.
I avoid sugar because I feel like crap after I eat it. I listen to how my body feels before and after I eat something. A student gave me some great chocolate goodies and I couldn't stop eating! It's addicting but it's ok once in a while.
I don't believe in depriving myself - if I REALLY want something, I have it.
I get really ticked off seeing all this carb stuff all over the place such as TV and the grocery store. I gained 14 pounds during the fat free phase 10 years ago (which I lost). The same thing will happen with the Carb free or low carb phase.
Eat lots of fiber - especially in the morning - Fiber one and Kashi
Lots of veggies, berries and chicken, beans.
I avoid sugar because I feel like crap after I eat it. I listen to how my body feels before and after I eat something. A student gave me some great chocolate goodies and I couldn't stop eating! It's addicting but it's ok once in a while.
I don't believe in depriving myself - if I REALLY want something, I have it.
I get really ticked off seeing all this carb stuff all over the place such as TV and the grocery store. I gained 14 pounds during the fat free phase 10 years ago (which I lost). The same thing will happen with the Carb free or low carb phase.
dsa3
Ya, I've had it up to the gazoo with this low carb crap!
I can't even go out the door without hearing passersby talking about how many grams of carbs are in their (high-priced) protein bars. And all those commercials, even for Jello!
I just want to wring their necks and scream "It's CALORIES, folks, it's CALORIES!!!" Ya, I know, I'm sounding like Charleston Heston in "Soylent Green".
Found the funniest thing in the newspaper a few weeks ago -- wish I'd saved it. The article said that low-carb, hi-protein diets have come and gone over the last 50 or so years, and here's the quote that hit my funny bone: "And all that happened was a lot of fat people got excited and a lot of animals died".
Patricia
Ya, I've had it up to the gazoo with this low carb crap!
I can't even go out the door without hearing passersby talking about how many grams of carbs are in their (high-priced) protein bars. And all those commercials, even for Jello!
I just want to wring their necks and scream "It's CALORIES, folks, it's CALORIES!!!" Ya, I know, I'm sounding like Charleston Heston in "Soylent Green".
Found the funniest thing in the newspaper a few weeks ago -- wish I'd saved it. The article said that low-carb, hi-protein diets have come and gone over the last 50 or so years, and here's the quote that hit my funny bone: "And all that happened was a lot of fat people got excited and a lot of animals died".
Patricia
C
Carol_is_fit
Guest
LOL!! The "Soylent Green" remark was TOO funny, Patricia!!
Carol
Carol