Weight Loss/Maintenance

one of these more sensible plans will be like heaven! You might lose more slowly, but you can make permanent changes so that the weight won't go up again.

My top weight was 230, then lost 30 just by cutting down portions. Then got more serious about quality of food too, and got down to about 175. By this time I'd given up red meat. Then went vegan for a few years, but that really didn't take much weight off. Went back to vegetarian about a year ago and now I'm down to 168. I think that because I added back dairy (especially yogurt) and eggs I was eating fewer carbs.

That seems to make a difference: the carbs, especially sugars. I can maintain this weight eating some sugar, and got through the whole holiday season without gaining, but if I want to lose more, and I do, I know I've got to cut way down on sugar and refined starches.

One other thing I've started since November, which I think helps: I read about fasting and even tried the 5:2 plan for a week or so and it was brutal! So instead, I started just not eating for 12 hours between evening and breakfast, just to get my blood sugar and insulin levels down. Who knows but maybe that's why I could maintain this weight without much effort. It's really easy to do. Just eat your last thing and remember the time. For me, usually around 8 p.m. Then don't have breakfast until at least 12 hours later. I have my coffee and wait to eat until later. Tonight we had some popcorn in front of the TV, so tomorrow my breakfast won't be until 9:45 a.m. But that's not too difficult. Women do best on a fast between 12 and 14 hours, and men can go a little longer, like 15 hours.

Just a little trick that seems to help control my appetite.