Does anyone have any diet success stories to share? I really need to lose some weight but if I go on a diet, I want to eat like crazy. I really need some inspiration and good ideas for weight loss.

My MIL was at least 30 lbs overweight. She knew it was bad and getting worse so she started doing something about it.

She and my FIL each had a cardio machine. He used the rower and she used the stationary bike. They each used it for an hour each day.

On top of that, to improve their eating habits, she read the SOUTH BEACH DIET BOOK and did the full diet! The first two weeks are like detox for your body (the toughest part of the diet) and then the following weeks allow you to add some carbs back into your life little at a time. She lost that thirty pounds and then some and has used that diet as her LIFESTYLE now. She still sticks to it and has maintained her weight that was lost!

I myself didn't have thirty pounds to lose, but read the book and incorporated some of its philosophies. I lost about fifteen pounds in a few months. I felt GREAT and was so happy to know how my body processed food and how to speed up my matabolism!

I lost 50 lbs this past year, PP weight after being on hospital bedrest with baby #4, by just tracking my calories and exercising. I used Fitday to track my calories, weighed my food and ate what I wanted as long as it fit into my calories and macros (protein, fat & carbs). I used bodyweight * 12 for my calories, eating about .8 grams per bodyweight protein, .4 grams bodyweight fat, and the rest carbs.

Example:
140 lb woman would need 1680 calories
Protein .8 grams * 140 = 112 grams * 4 (4 calories per gram) = 448 calories of protein
Fat .4 grams * 140 = 56 grams * 9 (9 calories per gram) = 504 calories of fat
1680-448-504=728
Carbs calories 728/4 (4 calories per gram) = 182 grams of carbs

Of course you can tweak things if needed, but this pretty much how I eat. Fats are healthy fats like nuts and olive oil, they are good for you and will help you feel full longer.

As far as exercise, find something you enjoy . I started taking spinning, fell in love with it and now I'm certified to teach (don't teach right now because we're moving in 2 weeks). I don't do well with long stretches on cardio machines because I get bored, so if I want to do additonal cardio besides walking/running or spinning I'll do intervals of 20 minutes. I also enjoy lifting weights and do that 3 times a week (I'm also a PT but again not training because of our upcoming move).

Good luck!

I've been on weight watchers since September and have lost 15 lbs. I think it's great because it's not so much a diet but helps you make healthy choices and nothing's off limits. Good luck!

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I lost around 45 lbs this past year using Motivated Mommies on this board! I did so many things- doozer posts all the time and it's true- it's a lifestyle change, not a diet! Diet has so many negative thoughts and feelings- go with a diet changed. Throughout the year I broke a lot of bad habits and incorporated many good habits! I try to fit in at least 30 mins of exercise 3x's a week (from nothing!), I quit drinking pop (a HUGE mountain Dew junky!), I quit smoking (that is still tough to this day- but it's worth it!). So many different things!

One thing to keep in mind that it takes 6 weeks to make new habits- so don't get frustrated! The key is to do this for yourself- not for others- your body will thank you for it!