MINDFULL's wasting away to nothing...

[flowmom]

Ok - love to hear how people do it. I am one of those that eats for comfort----and gained 10 lbs (on top of 30 too many) after H moved out. I've lost that 10 or maybe 12 lbs.....and have had mini successes----losing another 10, but keep gaining it back. I've recently started exercising faithfully - 6 days a week, but no luck on weight loss!

TCBTE, I can't take credit for my weight loss...stress and pneumonia got the ball rolling. And I think my stomach shrunk too, and that really helps because I feel "full" more easily. What has worked for me in the past and I'm doing now is to figure out my caloric requirements on the Mayo Clinic web site, then subtract 500 calories a day to lose roughly 1 lb per week, which is a good sustainable rate. You can track your calories at FitDay.com. I think for me, I just have no idea about appropriate portion sizes, and have no clue that something that to me is a "snack" is actually enough calories for an entire dinner (for example carrots and some dip that I had the other day). I find it pretty easy to slowly lose weight if

1. I stay within the caloric guidelines above
2. I eat tons of fruits and veggies (raw and cooked)
3. I eat enough high protein foods including meat
4. I eat regularly throughout the day

For me, counting calories means that I can eat whatever I want as long as a control portion sizes, and psychologically that is easier for me than following complicated diets or having some foods be OK and others forbidden. If I feel like having chocolate or cream in my coffee or a big hunk of cheese, then I do. But I also eat and enjoy huge salads, lots of fruit, etc. I often add a can of sardines (packed in water) -- lots of protein, not too high calories, cheap, and super good for you.

Exercise is great for your body, and makes it look great. But I've found that it hugely increases my appetite, so that makes it all the more helpful to count calories.