Sooo the topic below about exercise and healthy eating, got me thinking about all the different diets people use. I am hoping to lose body fat while preserving the little muscle I have, and I do plan on doing my research about this.  
But since many here are in shape (I think it’s mostly the ladies lol) I thought I should ask, is there a special diet that worked for you? Is it the Atkins, Paleo, South Beach, Weight Watchers or is it the Cookie diet? lol there are so many.
Counting calories and macros? Is this important or is it the type of food that matters

"Diets" don't work. Ever. They lower your caloric intake to a point that you'll lose weight, but diets arent maintainable long term. You lose weight, but then what? You can't sustain a 1k calorie intake the rest of your life. It isn't realistic, and it's not healthy.  

Better idea is a realistic, long term change in your lifestyle. Something that will help to lose weight but is also maintainable long term. Cut out certain things- soda, fast food, rich coffee drinks, etc. Eat real food- lean meats, veggies, healthier options for carbs- sweet potato, brown rice, black beans.  

The Paleo diet certainly has a point. Eat the way cavemen ate. Only foods in their natural state. Meats. Veggies, fruits, (dairy certainly existed, and still exists- but today it's extremely processed.) But the human today isn't the human of the caveman days either.  

The best thing you can do for yourself as far as nutrition is to eat whole foods. Foods unprocessed. Lean meats- chicken, turkey. (Sometimes lean beef). Lots of Veggies. Limit the fruit. Eat sweet potatoes, brown rice, sprout breads, black beans etc. It's tough but worth it. And exercise helps a lot!  

I personally eat in a way that benefits me gaining/maintaining muscle, and I also weight lift 5 days a week. I eat a shit ton of chicken, some turkey, occasionally a Filet, a lot of vegetables. No fruit. No dairy. A lot of sweet potatoes. Fish oil every day, a probiotic, and calcium

but want to be fit,  small amount of healthy carbs is great at night to help a person feel sleepy! And protein for breakfast helps release dopamine which makes a person feel awake. Everyone is different and has different fitness goals. Hot yoga is great and so is aerobic exercise for being healthy and fit. Exercising earlier in the day also helps release dopamine which creates a wakeful feeling.

Figure what works best for you and your fitness goals and general well being!

Steph xoxo

 

-- Modified on 5/21/2016 5:55:59 AM

I like your suggestions! I think eating unprocessed foods is a good first step for me.  
But cutting out soda is going to be very difficult The good news is I love Sweet Potatoes :

LOL just kidding, I love croutons.

Thank you for the thorough response Ms. Julia

Where do you stand on eating before working out? do you exercise on an empty stomach?

I know I get tired sooner if I go run without eating at least one Chips Ahoy before lol.

The cleanse portion you can take or leave but I liked their protein shakes - they left me feeling fuller longer.  It was a good for a kick start to my weight loss, for taking in vitamins, and shrinking my appetite.  Each canister is a week of meals and they are about $50 each.  You can order them off of Amazon rather than joining the cult, er, ... pyramid scheme, er, ...buying a membership.

I've modified my eating to something more in tune with real life - monitor food using an app (MyFitnessPal), include exercise and try to keep sweets/complex carbs to a minimum.  Some days I win that battle.  Some days, not so much.

My enthusiasm for sticking to diet and exercise waxes and wanes. Years ago I read that running is the fastest way to lose weight.  I started walking/running again some time in the last 6 months.  I just bought a 5K app to push myself.  After three years, I'm less than 10 pounds from goal and I want to meet it by end of summer.  

I have intentionally lost weight slowly because I wanted to try to let my skin bounce back.  I will have lost about 30 lbs when this is done. During my transition, I've used skin firming lotions in my trouble spots and the results are good.  Target carries their own version that doesn't cost a mint.

Best of luck to you.

Thanks for sharing your journey. It's truly inspiring!

Steph xoxo