Any Healthy Diet Systems Out There??

The best tool I've found is keeping a food log. You can either keep one yourself or with a friend. I did it with a friend and we would e-mail it to each other and do "weigh-in" on Weds. The food log first and foremost makes you realize what your patterns are and then, makes you accountable and if you know someone else is going to look at it, the effect is even more powerful! I know quite a bit about nutrition and "super foods" so if you need help, let me know, I can even review your food log if you'd like. According to Dr. Oz, start out initially with few food choices, for example, have oatmeal for breakfast every morning (to really nutrition it up, add some raisins (or fresh fruit), and a small sprinkle of both nuts and seeds). For mid-morning snack have a greek yogurt, if you've never tried greek yogurt, it's amazing! So creamy and good. It's now available at Shop Rite and Stop and Shop, etc. I buy the ChoBani brand and blueberry is my fav. Greek yogurt is better than regular yogurt because it has more live active cultures and it's high in protein and low in fat (and much more delicious! the consistency of sour cream). Then you can have another morning snack of fresh fruit. For lunch have a hummus sandwich with fresh NJ tomato, which is so amazing right now, add baby spinach, or sprouts to ramp up the nutrition. For afternoon snack you can something else and for dinner, have something like chicken, sweet potato (super food) and spinach or fish, brown rice and a veggie. The Bird's eye Steam Fresh veggies are wonderful, they are microwave in the bag and never taste freezer burned, old or overdone. Follow a eating for energy diet, here are some super foods: try to have some thing from this list every day:
spinach
sunflower seeds (walnuts, pumpkin seeds, almonds, also good)(nuts and seeds should be raw and w/o salt and not roasted)
greek yogurt (reg yogurt good too)
sweet potato
beans and lentils
onions
garlic
tea
dark chocolate (70% cocoa)
cinnamon (add to your baked sweet potato!)
eggs
whole wheat, whole grain (make sure they say 100% whole wheat)
fruits and veggies (all colors)
Take a gender specific multi-vitamin after a meal (preferably dinner, metabolism slows at night and you want to absorb it!)
Other things you can do is make small changes in your families favorite foods, for example if your family loves tacos, make turkey tacos and add more peppers (red and green). We actually have turkey tacos as a salad, over romaine lettuce tossed with low fat sour cream mixed with salsa, I thought it wouldn't be as good and it's actually better!! So yummy!! Also, cut back a little on chicken and throw in some beans, etc. Much better to make small real changes over time than a diet system, because what happens when you go back to real eating?? Make this your real eating and keep it going! Search the web for super foods and recipies that incorporate them! Good luck and exercise of course! Figure out what you like to do and then it will become a fun hobby that you will look forward to for your "play."

1 mom found this helpful

I know you've had a lot of responses - but I have a System that is NOT a diet - it is a LIFESTYLE. It is called Transitions. It even has a scientific study that was done to back up the fact that you actually do lose body fat, gain muscle mass and lose inches without starving yourself or cutting out entire foods groups.

They have snacks, shakes, packaged meals and a new partnership with a company called PURE FOODS that provides fresh prepared food right to your door. It is amazing. They have Lifestyle Coaches to help you through and to answer all your questions. Just go to www.transitionslifestyle.com and find coach in your area.

It is super healthy, it is based on Low-Glycemic eating. You don't have to count calories or points and you don't have to completely cut out carbs either. This way of eating actually helps lower cholesterol and is anti-inflammatory (my knees didn't ache when I walked after only 2 weeks)

I have issues with many other programs out there, weight watchers especially since they base their program on calorie restriction which only sends your body into thinking it is starving so it starts to shed muscle and hold onto fat. Take it from someone who actually did this. I lost 15 ounds on weight watchers, I only gained 10 back but I was FATTER than before. You need to retain and build muscle since muscle dictates metabolism.

shaklee has a natural weight loss plan called CINCH. Shaklee is the #1 natural nutritionals company in the country and have been around for over 50 years.
You can check out this website for more information.
www.cinchplan.com/areyougreenyet
If you have any questions, let me know.

It isn't a diet, but it helps me figure out what I'm eating:

http://thedailyplate.com

It allows me to put in the food I eat every day, and I can set goals for myself and it will tell me how many calories I have for the day. I try to have a high percentage of protein every day, and less carbs, and that's what helps with loosing the weight (at least for me). I have thought about doing a diet plan, but I don't think they'd work for me. I've heard of many people have success with Weight Watchers, but I usually see people quit at one time, and they gain it back, and then they go do it again. For me I think it has to be a manageable life change -- something you will continue to do...not some fad diet or one you have to pay for crappy food until you cannot afford it anymore.

I think I'm also going to start eating on a smaller plate, I love that idea!!! :)

Good luck with the diet. Its one of the hardest things to do and keep up with.

Hi,
I did nutrisystem back in 1990 but I ended up with gall bladder problems. I am a life time member of Jenny Craig. If you do what they tell you to you will lose weight. The cost of the food gets expensive so I haven't been able to do it anymore.

Good luck,
Kim

Do Weight Watchers. It works, I swear. I lost a little weight on Nutrisystem, but the food is gross and it's hard to stick to. Weight Watchers is awesome--totally manageable and you can still have a social life. I could go on, but I won't!

take a look at sparkpeople.com - it is not like nutrisystem or jenny craig, but -
IT IS FREE, started by someone who made a lot of money online and just wanted to help people. It is a huge site with tons of info that is overwhelming at first, but it is amazing.
I had done weight watchers online before and this site has SO MUCH more than that did, it is really amazing.

I do agree with many people that weight watchers is a great system, I loved it while I was going to the meetings. I personally like sparkpeople better, because it is free and they have so much more to offer.

Nicole,

I have done many different diets...Atkins and NutriSystem were the most successful for me, but here's the thing...I don't want to spend that much energy focusing on food...with those diets I was always thinking about what I was going to eat. Any "diet" that requires me to keep track of what I am eating, counting calories, cooking special altered recipes...just doesn't work...keeps the focus on the very thing I am battling...an addiction to food. So, here's what I do now, and I am overweight, so I'm not telling you that this has been my weight loss plan...I'm always either pregnant or nursing so it has been very hard to lose weight:

I don't eat sugar
I don't eat prepared foods
I don't eat baked goods (except for whole wheat bread)
I don't eat white bread or white rice or white pasta
I don't use sugar substitutes or butter substitutes or any substitutes in my recipes...I make everything that I do eat the real thing...just eat small portions.
I eat when I'm hungry, drink lots of water.

I exercise to Leslie Sansone's walking programs because with 5 kids it is the only thing I have found that #1 I don't have to leave the house #2 I'm not doing crazy kicks or moving all over the room, which has the risk of hurting a toddler or baby! #3 There are very clear mileage records, so if I want to walk one mile, I can...or I can go on to do 2, 3, or 4 miles, depending on the day, how much time I have, how fussy the kids are.

I just hate diets and don't want to live my life that way, so this is what I do. I am very hopeful that after I have this last baby (I keep saying it's the last) and then finish nursing, what I am doing will be what it takes to take the weight off for good.

The irony is that I love to exercise and wish I could do more, but with 5 kids and not a gym in sight that has childcare, it is really hard. We have a curves in our town...this is exercise for women...why don't they have childcare available? I think it is crazy...women have children. Don't get me started!!

Good luck with whatever you choose. It is very hard to lose weight, no matter how you go about it, I believe the formula is the same...eat less, exercise more.

D.

Hi Nicole,

I am a lifetime member of weight watchers; I joined two years ago. I lost 32 lbs and feel great. I found weight watchers to work very well. You can either join and attend meetings or you can join online. I attend the meetings because I don't have the will power to stick to the plan using the online tool. That's just me. You will have to find what works best for you. I believe I was successful because I started with the attitude that I was going to change the way I eat, and continue this way for the rest of my life. Don't look at loosing weight as a short term goal, look at changing your life for the better. I feel great and eat regular food. I have several ww cookbook and use them frequently. My family enjoys the meals - and they don't know they are ww until I tell them because I use ordinary ingredents. (I cook for my husband, daughter who is 9 and my in-laws). Weight watchers helped me to plan better meals that are well balanced. I found that I was not eating enough fruit/veggies, and lacked enough dairy. WW teaches us to eat the way we should be eating - less portions, more balanced. I still eat the occasional "junk food" but I now know how to fit it into my life without it taking over. (I love chocolate and ice cream - I allow myself two to four pieces of Dove chocolate daily and occasionally eat ice cream). Best of luck to you. The hardest part is finding what works best for you. Just remember, losing weight is more mental then anything else.

FYI - I am a 42 yr old wife & mother of one, who works full time.

Hi Nicole,
First you have be sure you are ready, and are willing to follow whichever program you choose. It sounds like you are. Honestly, I am a Weight Watcher girl. They do offer 2 programs, and it is essentially teaching you how to eat properly. It encourages you to log all of your food, which to me helps extremely. I also like to exercise now (Go Figure)! I have joined a gym, and do a lot of weight training. For every lb of muscle you gain, you burn 50 cals. extra a day. Which ever program you choose, you have a ton of choices, it has to be something you are comfortable doing for, pretty much, the rest of your life. That is why the high protein diets work, but don't last forever.
Good Luck!
Ps. on weight watchers, I lost over 70lbs in the past year.
*results not typical!!!!!!

Teri,
M. of 4, wife of 1

Hi Nicole, I think the best diet out there is weight watchers. I have been on it since January and lost about 34lbs. Of course with the summer I slacked off a bit but went back to the meeting last week. My gyn and primary doctor both feel that is the best diet going being it's just a healthy way of eating and teaches you to eat anything you want but in a healthy size portion. Go on www.weightwatchers.com and kick in your zip code and it will give you a list of local meetings. The weekly fee is just $12.00 they do run alot of free registrations also. Good luck if you want anymore info feel free to contact me. G.

Have you looked into Weight Watchers?
Their CORE program is great- based on healthy
foods you can eat from various food groups w/o
limitations.
Good Luck!

Try "Eat to Live" by Dr. Joel Furhman. He is a nationally known doctor who happens to be based out of Flemington. Explains what foods are healthy and as you attain health you lose weight as a byproduct. You can find him online - he has a two-book set that is excellent.

The only two things that I know about that won't cost a fortune buying "systems" or products. One is Simeons Pounds and Inches made famous by Kevin Trudeau in his book The Weight Loss Cure. It will reset your hypothalamus which is responsible for weight gain. It's relatively fast, effective and if you follow the protocol to a T, it will work forever. Along the way you will learn to eat better. Meat/dairy required.

If you prefer a more vegetarian diet then raw food is the way to go. I would suggest starting with reading www.rawfamily.com. There is loads of info on www.youtube.com about raw food dieting. No matter what you do, be sure to use a detoxifier when losing fat since fat is full of toxins that can potentially cause harm to your body as they are released into your bloodstream. Unless you are the exception, most people's livers are clogged up and will not process toxins and hormones correctly.

Feel free to call me or fill out the form on my website (after watching the video) to get a free detox/nutritional consultation.

S. Hoehner
www.sharethecause.com/detoxqueen

Hi Nicole ... This is my first time responding to a post, so bear with me! :-)

Forget the diet fads. I lost 170 pounds just cutting back. It seems silly at first, but my doctor gave me one really great piece of advice He said, "Fat people don't eat breakfast." At first I didn't know how to feel after he said that, but on reflection, I realized I skipped breakfast quite often. Start by scrambling yourself a couple of eggs or having a bowl of cereal. Then, eat something small every couple of hours during the day--a small baggie of almonds, dry cereal, a few cubes of cheese. And, again, you've probably heard this, but it really worked for me--start having your dinner on a smaller plate. It really does look like you're eating sooo much, but it's really a half portion.
I hope some of this advice helps. I found myself feeling full all day, and the weight started coming off. Once you lose a few pounds, it's easier to start exercising--just a lap around the block with the kids or a friend, etc. Then, before you know it, you're up to a couple miles a day in the same amount of time. Good luck! I know how hard it is--next to raising children, I think losing weight is the hardest thing to do! It's a mindset--sadly, there's no quick-fix, and I personally never had any luck in the long-term with fad diets.

Feel free to get in touch if you need any inspiration, or just want to vent! You can do it!!!!

I was a big fan of the South beach Diet. A year later I have kept off all the weight and we still eat the recipes most nights. If you enjoy cooking this is really the diet for you. The recipes have all been good and most are really easy. The first few weeks are are really hard since you are basically rettaining yourself how to eat, after that it is real easy. The only downside is that you need to buy the cookbooks (the best is the Quick and Easy cookbook).

Good Luck

Nicole,

I am a Shaklee distributor which is a 52 year old natural health and wellness co. They actually created the first multivitamin and the first biodegradable cleaner! I listed my website below. You should look at our Cinch Inch Loss Nutrition Plan. In addition to loosing fat inches, it lowers cholesterol, triglercides, levels blood sugars and lowers blood pressure. We have had a lot of diabetics get off their meds on this as well as people loosing lots of inches.

My kids love the bars and shakes too!

Let me know if you have any questions, or if you'd like you can call with questions, ###-###-####. I can explain how the program works.

T.
www.myfitlifestylestore.com

Try the core plan option of Weight Watchers. No prepackaged meals are going to be a really "healthy" option.

Hi Nicole,

Arbonne has a great weight loss system w/ yummy shakes, tea, energy vitamin fizzy tablets, before meal supplement and weight loss chews. My id # is ###-###-#### to shop online & the site is - www.theskinyourin.myarbonne.com.

Email me w/ any questions :)
A.

Have you thought about weight watchers? You can make your own food (not have to purchase the pre-made stuff). There are some great recipes, too. I am an awful dieter, but this one worked or me.
Good luck.

I have to agree, whenever I have lost any weight, it has been on Weight Watchers.

Hi Nicole,

A few months ago, I was looking for a diet plan to follow - and came up with the same problems. I purchased The Best Life Diet book by Bob Greene (featured on Oprah a while back). It's more or less calorie based & works similar to Weight Watchers. The plan has an online thing you can pay to follow which sets up menus & everything for you, but I found the book alone to be sufficient. It teaches you a few "rules" about healthy eating & living, and the reasons why the rules are important. I've lost almost 30 pounds since May by modifying my caloric intake, increasing my activity level, and cutting out PHO's & other processed foods.

Another great resource that is tons of fun and super yummy is the Hungry Girl cookbook. There are lots of great modified recipes for favorite foods, and the website (http://www.hungry-girl.com/) has weight watchers points conversions for all the recipes in the cookbook (and great pics of each recipe, too!). There's also a daily email available with tips & swaps from Hungry Girl.

I can't say enough about those two resources. Best of luck to you!

Nicole,
First of all, good luck, no matter what diet you try...make sure you have a strong support system! Have you looked into Weight Watchers? I tried it before I was pregnant and lost 23 lbs! It's great because it lets you eat what you want, it mostly about portion control. Then you could eat foods that you know are good for you. They have a points system and a core system. I needed the strict points system. You can actually join just online or you can go to the meetings. Some people need the meetings and contact with others to have that support system. Some companies even reimburse you for joining. Check it out. If you need any other information, please do not hesitate to contact me. Good luck!
J.

Nicole,

I've seen a lot of people have success with the Cinch Inch Loss program from Shaklee. In full disclosure I am a Shaklee INdependent Distributer. The science is based on leucine - no more yoyo dieting. Muscle burns fat, so you build & maintain the muscle mass and the weight & inches stay off. Visit http://www.cinchplan.com/healthmatters4u for more information and testimonials. If you decide to give it a try, know that it is 100% guaranteed. If you are unhappy with the results you get your money back.

Let me know if there is info you can't get on the site - I would be happy to locate it for you.

I did lose 7 inches off my waist with this program.

L.

hinicole, have you looked into weight watchers? the reason they work better is because they teach you how to eat your own everyday foods and still lose weight. There are also the chefs who cook and deliver healthy meals for you but they cost a fortune. good luck.

Hi Nicole

Try Isagenix. It is a cleansing and fat burning system.
It is an amazing product, natural ingredients with your vitamins, minerals and enzymes..

Go to www.luciedickenson.isagenix.com
click on the isavideo tab and look at the testimonials.

If you have any questions you can call me.
L. Dickenson ###-###-####

First things first! Diets don't work! Diets are something you go off of! 90% of those who "lose weight" find it again!
Just ask the many weight watchers "fans".....they've been going on an off weight watchers for years. Making loads of money for weight watchers but not truly empowering.

ALSO, you are a M. so this is not just about you, it's about creating a healthy food lifestyle for you and your family that is easy to do, tastes good and is sustainable for the long haul.

This is exactly the sort of work I do with busy moms: empower them to build their Food IQ and help support them to create meals that really work. Unnecessary weight drops off as a happy side effect.

visit my website at www.drsusanrubin.com and feel free to email me directly for more info.
Also check out my e-Books! Dump Your Diet, Winning the Picky Eater Wars and Winning the Junk Food Wars

I am involved with Isagenix, a nutritonal cleansing company that is of such high quality that it is being sold by chiropractors, doctors and other healthcare professionals. And unlike diets, there is no rebound effect. Let me know if you are interested.

Hi Nicole,

I use Melaleuca products and they have weight lose products that are all natural. It's pretty much drinks and bars. If you'd like to check it out you can go to www.melaleuca.com/attain-info or to look at the entire site just go to www.melaleuca.com.

M. D

I am a firm believer in Weight Watchers. You learn to eat regular food in moderation, which is a must if you want to keep the weight off. WW only stops working when you do - they key is planning ahead for meals. The program can be a little expensive, but going to the meetings is really supportive, as all the people there have the same problems with their relationship with food. (You would be spending the same, if not more on JC or Nutrisystem food, which won't taste nearly as good as the non-processed food you can prepare on your own.)

I lost a good amount of weight while following WW, gained it back when not following the program, got pregnant and then lost the weight again. It will always be a yo-yo for me, so it helps to not think of it as a "diet" but as a real lifestyle change and an education on how to eat.

If you don't have the money to join WW, you can just follow the program without going to meetings, which is what I am doing now. The "rules" can be found with a google search. Email me if you need help finding them!

Good luck. You're not alone!!

I did the same as you, and then I realized that there must be a book for nutrisystem and I found one. It is called nutrisystem nourish by Dr. James Rouse. It gives you healthy meal plans, portion controls, exercise ideas and a bunch of recipes that are pretty tasty and very healthy. (I eat the chocolate banana muffins every day for breakfast). I lost 20 pounds in 3 months using it. I found the book at Barnes and Noble.com (they didn't have it in the store, but I bet they could order it for you). A few of my friends have gotten it and have been as successful. The one warning I give everyone is that if you start following the portions exactly, at first you are STARVING!!! So, work your way gradually to the correct portions. I started with the men's plan for portions and worked to the female and it was really easy. I tried South Beach, lost some weight, but gained it back because it is pretty tough to stay on it for long. I also have tried Weight Watchers, but that didn't take either. I could never do the points and ended up borrowing points from the next day, and couldn't ever pay them back! I think this is a very healthy plan and if you find a buddy to do it with and exercise with (my sis in law and I walk together in the mornings for an hour and I walk my dog each afternoon for 45 m, so that helps) Good luck!

Hi M. D -
There are a lot of weight loss "programs" or "systems" out there that will cost you money and complicate your life! If you are interested in healthy, natural ingredients, you should start making the shift to a diet based on "whole" (unprocessed) foods and less reliance on animal products. For example, try two days a week with no meat, eggs or dairy and lots of fresh plant foods and whole grains. (This has been difficult for me because I have 4 kids, including a 16 year-old who is addicted to cheese steaks and junk food!)

If you need some tips on how to get started, I would recommend a website called www.lose-weight-for-life.com. There is nothing to buy and you don't have to sign up for anything. It's simply good advice for eating healthy, losing weight, and feeling great. Good luck!!
Nancy V

Take it from a veteran dieter- Weight Watchers Core program or South Beach Phase 2 are the healthiest ways to go!
Good luck!

Hi M. D,

I agree with you!!! There are no healthy diets out there! I have something for you to check out. Go to my website www.josie12866.isagenix.com Then Click on IsaVideos. In particular, watch the one titled Cleansed For Life. You'll like it.
This is an amazing wellness program, not a diet. The products are designed to give our bodies all the nutrients they need to operated as they were meant to. The side benefit is loss of weight and inches.
email me at ____@____.com or call me at ###-###-#### if you'd like to chat about it.

I have read through some of the responses and I am sure you will get a bunch more.

I just wanted to let you know I do a low glycemic (sugar) eating. I do not diet. I just watch the amount of sugars I have w/each meal. If our body is not burning sugar it will burn fat. If you look at a label you will prob be surprised at the amount of sugars in foods.

With Aitkins it was no carbs - but those foods seemed to be high in fat content. With a low fat diet - they were high in carbs. I tried Aitkins and Slimfast and neither worked for me.

I have noticed that weightwatchers foods have higher points for foods that are higher on the glycemic index. I have read their labels and do eat several of their meals that are lower sugar. I have also compared several frozen meals healthy choice, etc. and found they have a lot of sugars!!!

Diabetics follow the glycemic index to control their sugar and you can get a book of what is high/low at just about any book store. I do eat what my family eats with either portion control or some substitutes. For instance corn is high in sugar so I will also do a salad or beans for a veg for dinner. Regular white potatoes high in sugar so I am do a sweet potatoe for myself or if it's a quick night and it's fries in the stove - I do sweet potatoe fries for myself.

Honestly I am not big on cooking. It just isn't something I enjoy - but it's a necessity. Again portion control and some substitutes and we move right along!

I also get transitions meals. I like their snack bars and their low glycemic shake mix so I make all kinds of combinations in less than 5 minutes. The other nice thing about their meals is they don't need to be kept in a freezer so I can pop one in my purse and eat it whenever. They do have some supplements to move the pace along.

I was losing weight just on the low glycemic foods when I got preg - so I didn't really have an opportunity to attempt the supplements.

If you want additional information let me know. I would be happy to pass along anything that helps. Good luck!!!

What about Weight watchers. You eat regular food. This way it teaches you to eat in real life, rahter then pre-packaged. They work on a point system.

Hi Nicole!
I'm a certified Holistic Health Counselor and I work with people to find the right foods that will help them to reach their goals, whether it be weight loss, lowering cholesterol, helping ease conditions such as intestinal problems....truly whatever your goals are.
Take a look at my website and be in touch with any questions you have. I offer a free one hour consultation where you can learn more about what I offer and I can get familiar with what your goals are.
Speak soon!
All the best,
S.
_________________
S. Tate-Giordano
Holistic Health Counselor, member of the AADP
www.shannontategiordano.com
###-###-####
http://www.shannontategiordano.wordpress.com

I just lost over 25lbs on weight watchers. It's great because I can eat the same foods as the rest of family, I just need to protion and count my points (or you can do a Core program which has many whole grain healthy foods on it). The best part, I did not feel hungry or deprived. Good Luck!

Have you looked into Weight Watchers? You eat all the same foods you now eat, but in smaller quantities. My daughter tried it and lost over 100 pounds in a year. But even this can be expensive because you have to go to the meeting every week.

On the other hand....I lost 50 pounds on my own just by eating 3 meals a day. Before that I would skip breakfast, and sometimes lunch then eat a big dinner and snack the rest of the evening before going to bed. Then I started to eat a couple eggs and some toast and coffee for breakfast. A sandwich and cup of soup for lunch and half the food I used to eat for dinner. I gave up the soda and replaced it with water. And no snack foods in the evening. I must say I feel much better eating the 3 meals per day too. And of course, losing the weight makes me feel much better, too.

I've been doing weight watchers for the past month, and I'm so happy with it! This is the first diet I've ever felt really good about, and it's not even that hard! It's also helping me to finally lose the last of my baby weight.

You can join online, instead of going to meetings too.

Good luck!