It's time to confess your deepest, darkest weight loss and diet secrets. I know you have some - we all do, whether it's secretly buying weird As-Seen-On-TV weight loss gadgets, trying crazy diets (cayenne pepper and lemonade anyone?) or skipping a few meals.
We know there are no shortcuts when it comes to losing weight, yet there are times we're taken in by the incredible marketing geniuses behind infomercials, advertising, books and magazines. It's hard to resist the promise of flat abs or firm glutes (in just minutes a day, of course), even when you know better.
Now is your chance to confess by voting in this week's poll, telling us what questionable things you've tried in order to lose weight. Is there a weird diet in your past? Is there a fitness gadget gathering dust in your broom closet? Leave a comment and tell us about it.
More About Weight Loss Shortcuts
You left out one. “All of the above.”
I have just opposite problem. What haven’t i tried to GAIN weight. I’m 45 5′9″ 135 lbs I eat 4 5 meals a day and work out…..nothing works for me to gain weight. Being under weight is just as much a problem as being over weight. People offten comment on how “skinny” I am…… and i think to myself would they make that same comment if i was over weight. “Gee your so fat” They both hurt. Maybe you should do a few stories on how to gain weight for us ppl at the opposite end of the spectrum. Just a thought.
I’ve done a type of skipping meals. When I started working out and eating healthy I would have 3-4 well balanced meals and then a few snacks full of protein, fruits, or veggies. Then life got in the way and 75% of what I eat during the day is cereal or meal bars, theoretically eating only 1-2 meals a day.
Other: exercising more and portion control. If it appears to be a fad, I won’t even try it.
To Mark: there was a really good article, a few months ago, on the LA Times website by someone who has the same problem.
What??? I can only check one????? Come on!!! Do you really want to know?
Thanks Scott I will try and find it
I also clicked “Other” because I needed an “All of the Above” option.
I tried everything until I finally figured out what works.
I also searched for the “all of the above” option but didn’t see it. Still searching for what will work for me.
Mmmm….just one person even came close to using regular daily (strength & cardio) exercise and proper nutrition (eh, like the New Food Pyramid?). Aw, but that takes too much time and effort….Continue on!….
I work out 4 days a week and eat whatever I want and have no problem with my weight.
I am actually trying to eat more. When I restrict, I tend to go to the extreme and put my body in a starvation mode. I seem to lose more weight (fat) eating regularly and a balanced.
Mark, get to an Endocrinologist (M.D. specializing in metoblism, hormone regulation an associated issues)!
All the best to you.
Weight watchers – tried and true. It’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle. Watch what goes in and it won’t settle somewhere on your body. Light activity helps too.
Two protein drinks and a prefab meal per day (in any order during the day, depending on my mood) is how I lost 60lbs! Also, an optional piece of fruit in the late evening if I got hungry. I work out at the gym 3-4x a week (cardio and weightlifting), plus a compilation of a daily vitamin regimen that I’ve experimented with over months and found the right combination for me. I still can’t believe it worked. Now I eat what I want but with moderation and I keep the weight off. It took 9 months total! By the way I feel great!
What has worked for me in my older years(now 42), is cutting out alcohol. For me, that means red wine. I have an extra disadvantage-I had to be put on Synthroid for life, after much stress in my personal life(caring for my little mama who was dying, and a new baby at the same time, in the same house). Unfortunately, it took a few years for me and my doc to find out that was the problem, and another couple of years to find the right dose. Alcohol seems to further impede this, and it all ends up on my waistline. I love red wine, but it adds up over time. I love food, but have and still do eat healthy, and watch the food calories. I don’t go overboard on the wine, but still it packs it on. I find only when I abstain, do I see results. I have always been super active, and still am-I do intense kettlebells, high intensity cardio, and had been lean and muscular all my life(even after having a baby, until my thyroid started failing).
Everything but infomercial stuff (I don’t have a TV) and I never took anything herbal or prescription.
The fad diets were mostly in my teens. I didn’t know any better! I tried Atkins then (vegetarian now) and my skin turned a weird color–kinda yellow. The lemonade-cayenne was better. I kinda like lemonade and cayenne!
I tried a Nutrisystem thing where you sprayed chocolate flavor into your mouth–uh…not sure how that was supposed to work. Ayds diet plan didn’t work! Mm. Candy.
Excessive exercise worked, until I wanted to spend some of the 3 hours doing something else, like sleeping!
What finally worked–Weight Watchers! The current system is great. The old system was a bit odd–liver once a week, ew! But these days it’s a lot better, with a focus on REAL food and “filling foods” which have more fiber and water. There is a lot of support for everyone, too. The only thing I wish they’d stop doing is pushing their horrible “food products.” Blech! But you don’t have to buy them–and the program is just awesome.
i belong to a weight loss clinic and have been eating their food for about 8 months i loss some and gain it back. i am not consistent with the diet. that is why i cannot lose weight.
Thank you Dr David Robinson
Podcasts are the way to go in terms of exercise music. Free, specific attention to BPM (beats per minute), and you don’t have to change songs. I have been using “Motion Traxx” (search for it on iTunes) and I couldn’t be happier. I’m sure there are a lot of great running podcast out there if you look, but I totally recommend Motion Traxx if you want some energizing tunes.
I have been gluten intolerant for 10 years now. not eating any white refined flour really helps keep my weight down. I used to be able to eat anything/anytime but now that I am old and on HRT I have to watch those calories. so I eat less, exercise moderately. sometimes I kick my own b–t by riding my bike for a few extra miles, or going skiing for the day. I take certain vitamins/ minerals/ deinflammitories every day. If I find myself gaining too much I kick the old protein-rich/low-carb thing in, seems to really work for me. I, too, drink no alcohol. on top of reducing calorie intake, if your thinking is clear, you don’t eat the wrong thing.
I have been on phentermine on and off since march and I’ve lost about 60 lbs. With the pills I excercise when I can and also noticed that lots of fiber foods help the scale move down….like I said it is off and on but what I love is when I am off of them even though I am not droppin the lbs like crazy I am not gaining them back at all!!! its great
I would just pretend to be doing something. But reality I wasn’t doing anything.
The other one I tried is attending a class about weight loss but it stressed me out so much I actually gained weight.
I would have needed an ALL OF THE ABOVE option too! I’ve tried everything! Something which i’ve started doing in the past year which i’ve found to really help is wearing calorie burning shoes… On days where i don’t have time to go to the gym i just slip into my Reebok EasyTones or Earth shoes and i know that i’m at least doing something to help me stay toned up and keep the fat dropping off!
All of the above then got a gastric band (lap band)
Has anyone else tried the podcast “motion traxx.” Its brilliant. Its music made specifically to run to, and frankly, its awesome. High beats per minute get me pumped and I end up running way harder than I expected. I just hope they keep pumping these free tracks out.