Essential core principles of the EatingWell Diet

"I lost over 30 lbs in high school, and have kept it off (with minor fluctations) ever since (it's been over 10 years now). I think the most important thing to remember is that if you want to look different, you really do have to...

I lost over 30 lbs in high school, and have kept it off (with minor fluctations) ever since (it's been over 10 years now). I think the most important thing to remember is that if you want to look different, you really do have to incorporate different behavior. If you go on a "diet" to lose weight and then just immediately return to old habits, the weight will all come back. The changes I made were big, and many people would say, "I can't live like that." Well, sorry to say, but you have to decide which is more important to you: Looking and feeling good or eating without any guidelines whatsoever. Yeah, I don't keep junk in my house anymore and rarely ever bake, but I still indulge infrequently--and, more importantly, I look so much better than I did when I ate with abandon. To quote a favorite healthy lifestyle mantra that has helped me stick to it all these years, "Nothing tastes as good as confidence feels." I'll take fitting into the clothes that flatter my body best over any food on the planet.


05/09/2012 - 10:57am

I started walking to work. Even if I wanted to drive home, I didn't have a choice. I also would eat all my veggies first. So, if I did have leftovers, it was the meat. Pay attention to servings, you'd be surprised about the servings of some foods. Huge portions can really pack on the pounds. I lost 40lbs three years ago and I have managed to keep it off. Another thing I realized is that you need to expect that you'll be hungry. If you are used to eating huge portions and you start eating appropriate portions, you'll be eating a lot less. Pick foods that are high in fiber and will help you feel full longer. Its all about retraining your body and brain to want to eat good foods and sensible portions. Drinks count too! I mostly just drink water with lemon. It saves a ton of calories!


04/24/2010 - 1:52pm

I have fought a weight problem most of my life. A friend of mine said something one day that made sense. She commented that she wanted to lose 15 pounds. What she said was that setting a goal of trying to lose 50 pounds was too big. She can lose 15 pounds. Once she loses that 15, she can set another goal of losing 15. She only sets small goals and they add up to big results. It has worked for me. I set small, easily attainable goals (I want to lose 10 pounds in 3 months). I always achieve and exceed my goals, if I back slide a little, I have some room to wiggle and don't use the all or nothing dieting (I messed up today so I can just eat whatever I want the rest of the day). I lost 60 pounds.


01/08/2010 - 12:04pm

I lost 20 lbs last winter by closely adhearing to "if it is white don't eat it" also if it comes in a box or has more ingredients you do not recognize, same thing: do not eat it.
Cereals are a big one. The only one I now eat is steel cut oats; and I buy it in bulk from Sprouts.
If you think this involves cooking from scratch, yes. However there are so many recipes you can cook in 30 minutes, there is no excuse.


12/01/2009 - 3:22pm

I have the same 10-15 pounds I've been carrying around with me the last 2 years. I get down to a "good" weight and then I just blow it off, thinking, I have a few pounds to spare ... then I find myself back to square one. I'm 43 yrs, 5'2" and weigh 139. I think that's too much for my height. I feel it in my joints. How do I convince myself to stick with it and get rid of my Monday diets (you know, "I'll start on Monday!").
--- Maria


10/17/2009 - 1:21am

Don't let anyone tell you that losing weight is "easy"... It's a long-term commitment to change and to breaking old habits that die hard, one day at a time. I started my fitness and eating well journey exactly a year ago when my weight was getting dangerously close to the 200 lbs. mark! The change was slow coming, but the excercice and eating habits I have acquired are there for the long run. I lost 25 lbs. this year without starvation or crash diets - just sensible, balanced eating and exercising 4 times/week.


08/31/2009 - 5:45pm

It sounds like a lot of us have done this before. But the good news is if we keep trying, even a small amount of weight loss has health benefits. I have pre-diabetes and struggle to eat right every day. But I just keep plugging away at tweeking my diet to be healthier and add more walking and other activities little by little. I hope to see some loss this year.


08/31/2009 - 5:45pm

I just turned 40 and I am the heaviest I've ever been, I want to get back to a size 10, I am 5'10" and 260 lbs! I started eating less, more veggies and I took a brisk half hour walk this morning, it's not going to be easy but I want to loose 10 lbs a month and maintain when I get to about 150. Am I on the right track?


08/31/2009 - 5:44pm

My problem is keeping the weight off once you lose it. What is the method. Help!!!!


08/31/2009 - 5:43pm

I have Fibromyalgia and also find it difficult to exercise. I am single so I have no support. I try my best to eat the right foods. I have joined a gym and do water aerobics twice a week. Would love to know the medication Aran from South River, On got on that helped her lose weight. I keep trying.


08/31/2009 - 5:42pm

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