losing weight without being on a "plan"

For health reasons, I really need to lose some weight. But, I hate going on those plan things. I did Weight Watchers for a while, and while I lost weight, I got sick of the regulations and meetings. I haven't gained all of the weight I lost with that back, but I have gained some. I was wondering if you guys had any advice to what should I do. I know that I need to eat moderatley, and exercise, but I am not sure what to eat, how to exercise (especially since gyms are both creepy and expensive), and all that. I need to change my lifestyle, and I need to be able to stick with it!
Thank you for your help.

 

There are many things you can do. Heck just brisk waling for 30min 3times a week is good exercise. As for eating eat small portions and have snacks through out the day. Don't eat large meals. Make sure you have breakfast. Eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies. It is about being responsible in the decisions that you make when it comes to what you put in your mouth. If you have a craving for something sweet eat a piece of fruit. If you still have the craving have a bit or 2 of what you want. Part of weight loss is allowing your self small amounts of things that you really like. If you don't let yourself have things on occasion you will give up on everything really quick because it isn't enjoyable.

 

The best way to lose weight is to start doing some walking regularly, like umm...ya suggested. Also make sure to eat stuff that's good for your body. Drink milk, eat fruit, eat veggies, eat protein, eat carbs. Just find a balance. A lot of time food cravings are caused by your body not having certain nutrients that it needs, which is why you will sometimes crave random weird things and why sometimes even when you eat you still feel hungry. By eating a nice balance of everything you will be hungry less.

If you cut out soda and other stuff that you know isn't good for you, you will lose A LOT of weight. If you drink soda or other corn syrupy drinks, I know it sounds hard but I've done it and feel AMAZING. Though, being 17 it might be harder, for me I just don't buy the stuff and then it's not in my house so it's not even an option.

But yeah, you KNOW what's healthy food and what isn't, learn to enjoy the healthy stuff and eat less of the crap and you'll be fine. AND DRINK MILK. There is a lot of new studies that show how proper dairy intake healthily increases weightloss, read up on it!

 

I say it all the time... For real, lasting success at long-term weight loss you don't need a "diet" but a "live-it". It takes some serious time, but I've found it helps to study different foods, the content of those foods, and how they make you feel. After you know better what you're after and what you need it's just a matter of setting out ground rules for yourself that you can be happy and fulfilled with.

Me - I found that I had major sensitivities to dairy. When I switched to vegan from vegetarian I felt a lot better, all the way around, than I had in years. From there it's a matter of moderation on the things I like that aren't as good for me. I find that I feel the best, physically, when I stick toward eating a more raw-food type of diet (For instance a platter of cut fresh veggies with hummus, and maybe bread or a bagel, is a favorite). But things like stir-fries and pasta are a great comfort food to me, so I do eat those sorts of food about as often. I keep some vegan sweets around when I want them - gingersnaps and dark chocolate especially. And I'm a big fan of anything really flavorful - pickles, vinegar, spicy stuff, really gets me hungry.

The biggest thing is to recognize where your emptiest calories are. For almost everyone I know who "wants to lose weight" the biggest problem with their diet is in beverages. It's something people often don't think of. Drinking soda, juice, etc. is adding a lot of extra calories to your intake, not to mention boosting you blood sugar/insulin levels way beyond healthy. Even if you're drinking the "diet" versions of these drinks, it's enough to slow your system down bigtime. Plus, think of it this way: for every soda or whatever you drink, that's one more glass of water you're probably AVOIDING. Water is what your body needs to run properly. Drink up, it's the stuff of life!

 

Plug in your food into fitday.com It's free and it gives you a great sense of approximate calories and where your calories are coming from (carbs, fats, or protein).

Although I know you said you don't like plans, maybe look into the South Beach diet- especially if you have diabetes in your family or if you have PCOS. I look at it as just a healthy way of eating in general and the first phase has no fruits or starches to wean you off of cravings. If that's too tough for you, you can go straight into phase 2 which limits fruits (because of the high sugar level... I know fruit makes me gain like nothing else) and grains and emphasizes lots of veggies- 6 to 9 servings a day. You can do all of this without buying a book... there's plenty of online alternatives.

Personally, I find having a plan where there's plenty of support of people doing just what I'm doing (like on forums.. no creepy weigh ins or anything) keeps me eating well than just calorie counting alone. But everyone is different and everyone responds differently to different diets. Because I have some insulin issues, a low GI diet is the ONLY thing that works for me.

Also, make sure you're eating enough. Depending on your weight, you probably need to eat at LEAST 1400 calories a day. More if you are obese. Anything below that and your body stops loosing weight and goes into starvation mode.

 

Eat raw organic food

http://www.sunfood.com/cgi-bin/order/index.cgi?id=222945725667&sp=why_raw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_gT8iUzIJg

 

Also - There is a weight loss inspiration program here...not so much a program that you follow, more of a lot of ideas that you can incorporate if they make sense to you or not, and some education on natural nutrition that will automatically take the weight off with a little time - http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=650623

 

Hey good stuff, if you've caught on to the ineffectiveness of "dieting" at 17 you're doing well. Extra weight is only a symptom and so should not be treated directly, you need to fix whatever is wrong with your health and then the pounds will just go away like a runny nose does after your body has rid itself of a cold virus.

Usually (in the western world at least) extra pounds are the result of a psychological issue coupled with nutrient deficiency so you'll need to treat them both. IMO the easiest way to get your missing nutrients is to throw a bunch of raw fruits and veggies in a blender and drink them. It's even become a trend as of late so you can find alot of combination ideas by searching for "green smoothies" on the web. A $60 Magic Bullet will do so you don't need one of those overpriced super blenders. A few health nuts will tell you to live off them...I guess it might have some merrits but I'm not an advocate myself. If you just replace one meal a day with raw fruits and veggies, blended or not, you'll see a steady improvement over time. This should be a permanent habit that'll eventually get you where you should be and keep you there, if you need a quicker loss then vegetablize more meals.

Keep in mind that you're human and humans sometimes overeat, like during the holidays. It doesn't mean you've "blown your diet", it just means that today you didn't eat so well. The rest of your psych stuff has to be figured out on your own or with a therapist if you're having touble. If you eat junk food out of boredom or sadness or whatever, figure out why and what to do about it, then do it.

Sorry this is getting so long, I just get the feeling that you're someone who's actually listening and I don't get that too often. I'll just comment quickly on exercise. I think the gym culture tends to appeal only to certain people, and that working out for the sake of working out is pointless if it doesn't appeal to you. Find an activity or activities that you actually enjoy, and you'll exercise in a way that's beneficial to you on more than one level. Some less common activities as suggestions to get you started:

Dance (belly dancing is becomming popular)
Hula Hooping w/tricks
Juggling (when you're starting out you'll be running around after dropped balls alot)
Martial Arts
Medieval Weapons Training
Poi
Frisbee
Anyone who wants to add please feel free.

 

Yeah try dancing.. get a bellydancing DVD or something or take a class! Its fun and helps you lose weight.
Also just watch what you eat. Like someone else said, don't drink soda, that adds on a LOT of calories. Drinking a lot of water will help. Don't eat fast food or junk food, there are a lot of alternatives to those things. Like instead of McDonalds... go to Panera! Or instead of Doritos, get some multigrain chips or crackers. Use veggies and grains to fill you up instead of cheese or dairy products.

And walking 3 times a week and doing some dance I think would be a great thing to do!

 

Maybe try yoga... its a great exercise and very relaxing... check out http://www.findyourdetour.com/ for some great tips on getting started

 

do what i do - Skate! seriously - no plans, keeps you in shape. makes you feel good. whaddya got to lose?

 

Thank you all! I appreciate you taking the time to answer me.