Thought I'd share....

[Mrs.Brooks]

Since I'm a dietician I thought I'd post this after a meeting I had with a client the other day.

I know that most diets now focus on low fat, low carb, low whatever. The most important thing when you're dieting is calories, unfortunately. Just because you're eating fat free foods or no carbs, the amount of calories that you eat is the most important part of losing weight. Eating foods with fat, in moderation, is a must. Avocadoes and nuts for example are good sources of fat! These foods help you feel full and in turn you'll eat less. (Stick with monosaturated and omega-3 fats. They are good for you!)

If you cut calories, eat a wide range of foods, and exercise it's the best thing you can do. Don't get caught up in all the hype with a lot of these diets.

Anyway, lol, just a tip from me! Any questions, feel free to ask.

[MelBel]

I absolutely agree!! Plus it almost seems like when you eat the low fat/low carb foods that it isn't as satifying as eating "normal" food and you end up eating more in the long run.

I think the area I (and maybe a lot of people) struggle with is the amount of calories you need to eat to lose weight vs maintain weight. And how exercise plays into how many calories you need.

It seems like one place you read a diet plan that is for 1200 calories. The next article you read says you shouldn't go that low. It gets very VERY confusing to me. There's so many mixed signals out there. It makes my head spin!!

[carolinalady67]

I agree with Mel, that does get very confusing.

[Mrs.Brooks]

Okie dokie, I will do my best to lend some advice. I'd be more than happy to answer questions.

Maintaining your weight is a life style thing. You shouldn't be eating very fatty, unhealthy foods on a regular basis regardless if you're dieting or maintaining. It's a matter of your health over anything else.

In order to maintain your weight it is very important to inch off your diet SLOWLY and listen to your body. When you are hungry, drink a glass of water and weight about 15 minutes. Then eat something. I reccomend that my clients eat periodically throughout the day. If you avoid feeling super hungry, you generally won't overeat. When you are eating, eat until you don't feel hungry. Most people eat until they're stuff and then think that they're full. That feeling of being stuffed is not good. That means you ate too much. Once you stop feeling hungry, you're usually just about finished.

The first few weeks of maintaining your weight are tough. If you keep losing weight you need to eat more, if you start gaining you need to cut out some calories. It can be trial and error simply because everybody reacts differently.

The number of calories you eat should really depend on the individual. 1,200 calories for one person can be completely different to someone elses body. It's a good starting point. (again trial and error) I suggest eating 5 times a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner, plus 2 small snacks IF you're hungry). Don't eat anything about 4-5 hours before you go to bed. I know that's really tough when you're working.

If anyone has questions feel free to PM me so I can answer you individually. I get bored at home not being able to do this lol.

[Mimzy]

Heather - great thread! Thanks for your ideas. I hope you will post a tip everyday - or whenever you have time. I'm sure there are others that will benifit from your advice!

[*Ashley*]

Thank goodness, because I don't particuarly care for some things low fat, I just get the low cal :) And I'm OCD about keeping a running tally of how many calories I've eaten in any given day. I drive my friends crazy with it, but they know if they want to know the calorie count or an educated guess, that I know :)

[Amy]

This is great information! I'm really struggling with losing weight right now so hopefully these tips will help me out!

Got any easy, meal suggestions? :shuffle:

[johnsdeere]

:hiya: Thanks for the info and help Heather...it really is helpful. :glomp:

[Mrs.Brooks]

:lol: I've got lots of meal suggestions! What are you looking for??

I need to start one of those recipe collection things on here so I can just share them all with you guys. :lolroll:

[Mimzy]

Yeah - go for it! Anything easy, low fat, low carb, high fiber ect.

[Amy]

:agreesign:

[Mrs.Brooks]

Started a recipe collection! Go check it out. I haven't add much to it yet but its getting there!

[MelBel]

You are so awesome!! :hug:

[Mimzy]

Wondering if you have any suggestions for low potassium. I've been taken pills, eating bananas, and more greens. Any thought you also might have on reasons someone would keep dropping, without there being a reason like sickness or low nutrition. I have immune system issues, but that is a life long problem and basically ok right now.

[Mimzy]

Just giving this a bump - hope you have some answers! Thanks :)