Posted: 08 June 2003 at 9:51pm | IP Logged

Hi everyone!! 

I thought a good way to encourage everyone with their eating plans would be to post your favourite diet tips.  Anything that helps you stay on track.

My tip is:  Allow some small treats in your diet, after all it is a lifetime plan.  If you deprive yourself then you will lose motivation. 

Get Posting!!  I can't wait to hear everyones tips!!

Posted: 10 June 2003 at 9:27am | IP Logged

I try not to eat after 7 or 8 pm, since the reason I'm usually chowing down is because I am bored or tired from a long day, not because I'm hungry.  I have also read that your metabolism is a lot slower the few hours before you go to sleep and it is harder to burn the calories you intake during that time.

Posted: 11 June 2003 at 6:27am | IP Logged

Late night snacks were my downfall - I would chomp on anything available, till I was so full I couldn't eat anymore - that's how I got to be so huge!

So, I have trained myself to NOT snack after dinner at night.  Sometimes I fail, and have something, but I find that more and more often, I catch myself before I get something to eat, so it is working.

I find it best not to deprive yourself totally of something you really like.  If you really love Mars Bars, for instance, perhaps one bitesize one each 5kg loss as suggested by lilacbear, but you have to discipline yourself to leave it at 1, and not keep going!  Maybe you have someone who will support you in this, by keeping the packet and just giving you the one, if you feel you can't trust yourself. (I had to do that with chippies, but now I don't eat them much at all.) I find that it is better to reward yourself with a non-food pressie, such as a hairdo, or that new top you saw in the shop the other week.

Two ways I cut down on are by using an entree plate instead of a dinner plate at mealtimes, and by drinking a full glass of water before each meal.  It really makes a big difference.  I also keep a fresh fruit salad of whatever fruit I happen to have on hand in the fridge, and just have a bit when I feel lie a snack.  It is yummy and good for you.

Yellowroses

Posted: 12 June 2003 at 5:26am | IP Logged

 i cut up a whole watermelon and leave it in the fridge to snack on over a few days. it is sweet, juicy, yummy and filling. it really has helped me because when i go to the fridge looking for something when i see the watermelon it stops me having something more calorie laden. having it handy so that it is just as easy to eat as a biscuit or whatever makes the world of difference. eating at night time is my downfall too. i cant just not eat at night so i allow for it in my daily eating. i have those 97%fat free rice crackers and/or fruit or air popped popcorn. for me i just cant not eat at night time. i find i dont sleep very well if i go from dinner time to breakfast without anything. although we do eat dinner very early (around 5.30) because we like to eat with the kids. i think it is best to know your weaknesses and try to work around them. also, i dont think it can be said too many times - drinking water makes all the difference.

Posted: 12 June 2003 at 5:27am | IP Logged

 p.s. what a great idea this thread is!

Posted: 17 June 2003 at 9:17pm | IP Logged

When you get the munchies, much on a carrot, they are low in calories and packed with vitamins

Admin

Posted: 18 June 2003 at 5:48am | IP Logged

Quote: Originally posted by Bob Carrick on 18 June 2003

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Done only a week or 2 ago.
http://www.healthyweightforum.org/eng/forum/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=2&TopicID=1071&PagePosition=1

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Thanks Bob :)

Admin

Posted: 18 June 2003 at 9:11pm | IP Logged

I find that I know what I SHOULD be doing and what I SHOULD be eating and what I SHOULDNT be eating, but it all comes down to motivation and persistence and determination to get to a goal you want to achieve.

I have been having one of those periods of "down time" lately (for the last couple of months actually) where I havent been bothered looking after myself. But I recommend coming in here to remind and encourgae your spirit to continue being "good".

I would also use techniques similar to the above especially coming up to a meal time where I may be a bit hungry. I would for instance have a glass of water/tea and then decide in another half an hour whether I was still hungry enough to want to gorge myself on biscuits before making dinner etc.

A cup of tea without sugar is enough to get me homw from work on the train and home to make dinner without going to a get a snack onthe way home.

Jess

Posted: 19 June 2003 at 4:40am | IP Logged

I love that watermelon idea - mmmmmmm watermelon

Yelowroses

Posted: 22 June 2003 at 9:51pm | IP Logged

 i'm with you yellowroses. it can be a bit of a pain to cut up but well worth it. i think i'll have some now!

Posted: 30 July 2003 at 3:53pm | IP Logged

tip #1: I get bored often and my mind says it wants food now! So if you can't stop your self try drink a fruit flavored tea with sweet & low sugar substitute.

tip #2: if you know your tempted by something just throw it away!

tip #3: When you get hungry instead of seeing it as an enemy, think of it as a reminder that your losing weight by being hungry so before you go get something to snack on to stop the hunger remember that the hunger is a good sign that might make you think twice about those cookies you have in your kitchen.

tip#4: I NEVER eat after 2pm. This has really helped me lose weight! I've lost so far 41 pounds!

Posted: 16 December 2003 at 8:55am | IP Logged

This is going to sound strange but here goes...

Whenever I get a sugar craving bad I walk to the restroom and brush my teeth.  I don't know if it's the mint or the effect of the paste on my taste buds, but it helps to "cancel" out my craving at times (not all the times I can assure you) but it has saved me from quite a few small binges. 

Posted: 16 March 2004 at 1:05pm | IP Logged

For my diet tip: I like to cook whole low fat recipes just for me on the weekend. Then I pack them up in 1 serving size container and freeze. I label what the item is and how many calories it is. Then, during the week, when I don't have time to cook. I have a low fat home cooked meal waiting for me, just minutes in the microwave! Most recipes are for 4 or more servings. So, 2 or 3 recipes gives you a week of meals. I also like to do this for my low fat muffins, cause they are hard to buy, and the home baked ones have a limited shelf life.

Posted: 19 March 2004 at 11:25am | IP Logged

If I get tired of plain drinking water I add a little KoolAid to give it a different taste.

Posted: 22 March 2004 at 1:22pm | IP Logged

its a little embarassing to admit this but when i am on the edge of giving up and "cheating" as we call it....i strip down to the birthday suit and go do 5 jumping jacks in front of the mirror.  talk about motivation! lol  usually i put on my shorts and tshirt, get on the treadmill and go to town...  lol

or if i am craving something that i know i shouldnt eat, i drink a huge glass of water...gulp it down .   then i dont want anything.

Posted: 22 March 2004 at 5:09pm | IP Logged

Holly... that's great!

I think we all have those "naked inspiration motivational moments" of some sort or another. From your other post, it sounds like you've kept VERY motivated over the last year or so w/your 30+ lb loss!! that's awesome. I'm just starting out...

Finding the snacking throughout the day thing is working well, as is prepping a lot of healthy snack foods in the morning (cutting up veggies, making some tuna salad, etc).

Dan O

Posted: 23 March 2004 at 6:06am | IP Logged

-          Bump up your protein intake: it will curb your appetite and limit the muscle loss caused by the drop in weight.

-         Limit your alcohol consumption: No only alcohol makes you eat and drink more, it is a form of energy that is very easily absorbed by the body therefore, while alcohol is present in your metabolism, your body will use it as fuel rather than breaking down fat storage or using the food you have eaten. However, you drink a small glass wine at the end of a meal the alcohol will be metabolised slowly and not interfere with the breaking down of fat reserves in your body.

Posted: 25 March 2004 at 5:55pm | IP Logged

 My tip is: Have only one serving of carb in every meal.

Example: Chicken breast, salad, corn or steak, spinach (low-carb), and sweet potato, etc..

Not: Chicken breast, salad, corn and a slice of bread (you get the idea)

Happy dieting!

Posted: 22 August 2004 at 5:20pm | IP Logged

I always carry around extra strong mint tic-tacs. If I get a not-so-healthy food craving or if I smell something delicious i eat a tic-tac. Its just like brushing your teeth. I know that anything I eat after that will taste awful, and the mint takes your mind off any yummy smells floating around!!!

Works for me!!

Posted: 22 August 2004 at 5:53pm | IP Logged

Goals and rewards are an important part of staying consistent.

Not eating late seems to help me; I usually hit the sack about 2am, so no food after 10:30 or so. If I get hungry, a big glass of icy water hits the spot.

Another important point is to watch what you drink; lates, coffee drinks with milk/cream, etc, sweet tea; these can have hundreds of calories in them so be aware.

If you like to consume the bubbly, check your drinks; some mixed drinks and wine are loaded down with sugar. Whenever I have the urge, I'll usually go with vodka + free & clear (a calorie free flavored carbonated water).

Posted: 23 August 2004 at 12:26am | IP Logged

HHmm... I don't know what mine would be. I would have to say the biggest thing that helped me was buying a scale. I used to think that I didn't need one because I would go by how I felt and how my clothes fit, but its a real motivator to see the numbers go down.

Also, to not give in. Just because you cheat or have something you think you should not have in the morning doesn't mean the whole day is blown. Just eat right the rest of the day.

Posted: 24 August 2004 at 10:22pm | IP Logged

My tip is to give up caffeine and drink herbal tea or a substitute such as dandelion tea or caro. It's worked wonders for me!

Posted: 28 August 2004 at 1:04am | IP Logged

That has helped me also.. I don't even drink diet unless I am craving it.. Then I will buy one can when I go grocery shopping and thats all I will get for the week. I do drink herbal tea with  splenda in it, but thats it..

angelia