I compared two weightloss methods to see which is easier/more effective. Topic

AnnaChristine 03/03/22
Hi Friends,
Even though a lot of the posts in here were from 2013-2015 I wanted people who joined to know we are still here. I have a great group of people in my group Weight Avengers as well if you want some extra love and support.
In comparison to the two methods, I have used to lose weight this new one is much easier, because of the things I have learned about our bodies.
The first is to talk to your doctor before starting any exercise or diet regimen as we are all different and they can help us customize one to our lifestyles.
Method 1: Spring to Early Summer I walked 2 to 6 miles a day. This is not as hard as you think because we all probably take at least half-mile steps a day anyways. Parents take much more than that. When you think about it you only have to walk 1 mile then turn around, 2 miles then turn around. You watch your heart rate for your age and slow down or stop when you need to and it still works. I also had a water pack (about 20.00 on Amazon) that kept me hydrated and cooler during the walks. My walks were adventures on Public Farm Parks, populated trails, around lakes, and in the woods with friends. It is important to know that even though it feels cooler in the woods it is just as easy to get dehydrated, so take plenty of water!
I ate better, had more salads, personal fruit, and veggie trays, and drank more water.
On rainy days I did 15 minutes to 30 minutes of beginner’s weight loss yoga.
In one month, I had lost around 10lbs using this method (yours may be less as your body is different than mine). I got my checkup and for the first time in years, the doctor said I was no longer in pre-diabetic level and all looked great! In total, I lost about 13lbs until it got too hot and I stopped walking. 220-207
It was at first hard and I did not push myself I did what I could do and then would go a little further each time.
My roommate then suddenly told me he was selling his house I had to move asap, so it was about work then not health. I gained it all back in a few months plus a couple of pounds.
Method 2
When I noticed I was not gaining or losing weight this year eating vegetarian and from the health section, I decided to try a site that had a free calorie counter and food journal to find out why.
I found mynetdiary which everyone said had a great free version and began using it. I noticed on the foods I was eating I was not going over calories but was going over in fat. I noticed those vegetarian foods were getting food grades of c. Who thought eating a plain salad would get a c?
I decided to scan everything at the store and was appalled at the foods that said they were healthy, charging you a lot more and getting c’s and b’s. I decided to only buy A-grade foods. This was stuff I wanted and liked and furthermore, the lesser expensive brands were getting better grades!
I am not walking often as it is very cold out still and I work from home so other than chores and errands I have been sedentary, yet still losing weight regularly!
I learned from a friend who went to a nutritionist and backed up by the doctor on thousand lb sisters that you do not have to exercise hours a day. Only 15 minutes daily of getting your heart rate up and eating right and you can lose weight and keep it off! Keep in mind they also do targeting15 minutes to tone the areas and build muscles. I just walk right now and it works.
Imagine that! All the myths created to sell athletic memberships and equipment were busted! It was hard for me to wrap my mind around 15 minutes a day of raising your heart rate exercise plus learning eating right doesn’t mean you can’t get stuff you enjoy, but it actually works! I am living proof. At this rate, I will be at my goal of 195 by May 22 (over a month early)
Please note that I mess up a couple of days a week, but still don’t go over 2000 calories. My perfect calorie intake is 1590.
The second method allows for weight loss even after it gets hot out or I am too busy. It is much easier and I am losing weight slightly faster. I will still go on my adventure walks, but I will be more relaxed, take my time and probably not go as far.
What helps me lose weight, reduce cravings, and gives me energy
1. Keeping meals under 400 calories and snacks under 200 calories
2. Small goals at a time like 10lbs and celebrate it. Easy to achieve and keeps you encouraged. Big numbers make at once make it frustrating.
3. Using the scanner on here to get mostly A grade foods
4. 10-15 minutes of moving a day
5. Meals and Snacks must be filling and have substance.
6. Don’t keep candy and bad foods in the house
7. Don’t eat out as often. I have been eating out once a month
8. Use crockpot often as it is easier and healthier
9. Dannon Greek Light and Fit Yogurt is filling and tastes good (other Greeks taste sour to me)
10. Turkey Burger (Better for you than red meat) with Mrs. Dash Seasonings In it.
11. Potato Bread or 647 bread are better for you if in moderation.
12. Equate 30G Protein, Low Carb, 1G Sugar Chocolate High-Performance Shakes
13. Health Choice Power or Zero Carb Bowls
14. Personal size Fruit and Veggie Trays
15. Fat-Free Milk
16. Mt Diet Dew (my weakness, but only 5 calories a bottle)
17. Plain Salads
18. Keto Chocolate Ice Cream (somehow a personal size lasts a week, I don’t get cravings for it)
19. Atkins personal pepperoni or three meat pizza (Sometimes I just crave pizza)
20. Russell Stover Sugar-Free Candy Bar (When I have the craving. It doesn’t wake the cravings monster)
21. Accepting and planning for stalls where you don’t gain or lose. Don’t give up as you will start losing again.
22. Adjust your diet and exercise with your doctor when weight loss stalls. Most of the time it is the same amount of exercise but different techniques or changing up your foods.

What made me gain weight and crave more food is
1. Protein Bars, Weight loss bars, and weight loss candy
2. Regular nutritional or meal replacement shakes with more than 1 g sugar in them
3. Health Food Section
4. Quite a few of the premade vegetarian foods.
5. Some of the low-calorie diet foods
6. Nutrisystem because it is not filling or satisfying enough.
7. Regular and Diet Yogurts as they are not filling, make me crave sugar and some have sugar in them!
8. The chocolate mouse yogurt was making me gain weight!
9. Foods that have low calories, but very small serving amounts. If you eat it and it won't fill you then it is causing you to eat more. Always compare serving sizes to calories.
My dad is an athlete, but I hate exercise and now I know I do not have to spend hours a day working out to lose weight I am much more active in my journey.
I really hope this gives you great encouragement because weight loss while challenging doesn’t have to be insane like some experts try to make it. Like everything keep it simple, make reasonable goals so you can feel proud of yourself, and use the tools given. Just remember each of our bodies are as individual as we are so customizing your diet and exercise with your doctor is important. You may even have to change it up several times when it stops working, but you can do it!
Even if for some reason you don’t lose much weight just the lifestyle change and moving makes your body healthier. There are big people, but they stay active and their doctors give them great checkups. It's when you stop moving and eat totally bad you have more issues!
Cheers and Wishes for a healthy lifestyle.
Anna
P.S. Parents out there it is harder when you have kids, but.. From experience with my own kids, it took a while but they finally got used to not having candy, bad foods in the house, and eating out on busy days. Today they are adults and they told me they appreciate it as they are living a lot healthier lives and I am too.

AnnaChristine 03/03/22
I am laughing because I said mouse, instead of mousse. Also, method 1 was 2021, method 2 is 2022

Anna

JessicaH 06/08/22
Great advice!

I compared two weightloss methods to see which is easier/more effective.