I've tried many different diets to achieve my ideal physique and it all essentially came down to calories in versus calories out. I was able to eat whatever I wanted and would lose weight or gain weight depending on my goals. The main thing that I realized is that you must keep your protein high and continue to lift heavy while cutting. You can lose weight eating donuts as long as you're in a calorie deficit, but you will look and feel terrible. When I decided to cut I reduced my macros across the board and started to lose strength and overall energy to lift heavy. I should have stuck with my macros because everyone loses a little strength when cutting, but instead I reduced protein and increased carbohydrates to give me a boost during my workout. I also lowered the weight because I couldn't reach my normal reps. By the end of my cut I looked very soft and unaesthetic. I did some research and realized my mistakes and another bulk/cut cycle. It took me about 18 months and the results were great. This time around I reduced carbohydrates only and continued to lift heavy despite losing a couple of reps in certain exercises.

kingoftheink

Westchester, IL

I spent years trying diet after diet, hoping to find the magic bullet to lose weight quickly and easily. Generally, I would see great results the first week or two, and then the weight loss would stall. By then, I was so hungry and sick of the restrictive diet that I would pig out, gaining back all the weight I had lost, and then some. Finally, after changing my eating habits in a sustainable way, the weight all came off and stayed off. Looking back, I now realize that the majority of diets will show amazing weight loss the first couple of days or weeks. Unfortunately, almost all of that weight is water weight lost because the person is eating much less sodium and processed junk food. After a week or so, the scale stops dropping so quickly, causing motivation to decline. If the dieter manages to make it past that point, they generally don't last more than a couple weeks after that as the diets are too restrictive, causing extreme hunger. The physical and mental response to extreme hunger is to eat, and the average person will completely rebound, bingeing on high calorie foods. If a person can manage to stick with a diet for more than a month, the metabolism will slow to compensate for the highly restrictive diet, causing their weight loss to stop. The only way to safely and permanently lose weight is to eat a healthy and balanced diet with calories slightly below the number of daily calories burned. It takes a long time to lose weight properly, but it is worth it because the weight stays off! If you can't do it permanently, you shouldn't do it temporarily in the name of weight loss. Diets don't work, lifestyle changes do!

Poofs

Voorhees, NJ

I love learning new ways to be healthier. I would suggest anyone looking to lose weight to go on a comfortable diet. This includes eating healthier options and eating regularly. This does NOT mean starving yourself of valuable calories. The best way to diet is to exercise regularly and eat small meals every few hours. With every meal, you should have a balanced plate full of color that is rich in nutrients and proteins. However, this doesn't mean you have to give up your favorite foods. Instead, I found it easier to reinvent my favorite foods with healthier ingredients- more greens to my salad instead of dressing, for example. I have tried cutting back on calories before, and although I did lose a few pounds, I quickly regained it the next week. I would find a diet that works for you that you can commit to for the rest of your life so you don't end up bouncing back from your weight loss. Good luck to all! Effectiveness Being on a diet will make you happier and healthier. Although the struggle is hard, the results are worth it. With a little bit of perseverance, it is possible to get the results you want. Side Effects I would be careful of the "yo-yo" effect: losing weight and gaining it back. I would warn people ahead of time of extreme diets. While you do lose weight, the extreme diets will not have long lasting effects. Ease of Use Diets are hard- I know. However, with a plan must come the effort. With the right amount of motivation and commitment, it is possible. I would recommend for everyone to start living a healthier lifestyle, while still being able to eat your favorite foods.

MerpDerMerp

Undisclosed

I am 5'7" and used to weigh 200 pounds. I was so miserable at that weight. I have tried everything to lose weight including diet pills, gym memberships and restricting my daily food intake. I finally realized my approach to dieting and losing weight wasn't working for me.I would lose ten pounds then gain 20 pounds. I continued this from the ages of 13 to 29. I had three kids in my 20's, which only made my self image worse than it already was. Then I started getting sick a lot. It was my body's way of telling me to change my ways. I eliminated all white bread and noodles from my diet and replaced them with 100-percent whole-wheat products. It took me a while to get used to the switch, but after a while I didn't crave the white bread anymore and actually preferred the whole-wheat products. I also cut out all sugary drinks and soda and only drink my morning cup of coffee and water. I drink water all day long to keep my system flushed out and to stay hydrated so I won't mistake thirst for hunger. I eat lean proteins, such as boneless-skinless chicken breasts and turkey, and a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. If I get hungry during the day between meals I grab an apple, banana or pear. I am now down to 135 pounds and have been at this weight for almost a year now. Eating healthy is now a way of life for me. After I started losing the weight I got motivated to start working out. I ride an exercise bike at home for 20 minutes a day. I feel like a new woman. I now have a total of five kids, and I feel better than ever. I was able to lose the pregnancy weight easily by eating healthy and exercising! I don't need expensive diet pills or protein shakes to lose weight, just a little self control and determination.

lonnieb

Undisclosed

If you have ever talked to another person, ever, in your life, the odds are you have gotten some amazing diet advice or tip about a weight loss trick from someone who just started a new plan. Talk to that same person a few months or a year later and see if they have lost, or kept off any of that weight, or if they are even still using the very advice they gave you when they started. As someone who has tried every gimmick, trick, plan and new theory on weight loss and weight management, my opinion is that it really comes down to is making the best healthy food choices possible, portion control and exercise. Boring, right? Effectiveness If you follow the basic rules of reasonable amounts of healthy whole foods, you will definitely lose weight. the weight loss may be slow compared to fad diets, but you are more likely to keep the weight off if your diet is something you can continue doing for the rest of your life, even once the extra weight is gone. Side Effects The side effects of trying all the different fad diets is that you can really do a number on your metabolism, and your overall health in general. This means that for every fad diet you try, the next diet has to work that much harder to lose the weight in a body whose metabolism has likely gone way out of balance due to starvation responses and malnutrition. Ease of Use Let's face the facts here - Diets are hard! If they were not difficult we wouldn't be bombarded daily with one brand new diet plan after another as well as reports of obesity on the rise and an ample amounts of fat jokes on late night television. Nobody would choose to be obese in a culture that sees fit to mock, ridicule and degrade anyone carrying extra pounds. If there was an easy fix to weight loss and dieting, there wouldn't be any 'new' diets because the one that finally worked would have cured everyone, and that has simply not happened.

jennyheart

USA

Although I absolutely hate diet plans, I must say that I would rather change up my plans instead of sticking with one for a long period of time. After a few months, I get tired of food products that some products offer or start to feel that my body may grow a dependency to certain diet pills. I believe that old fashion healthy eating and exercise is the best way to lose weight. So far, I have not been satisfied with any diet products that come in the shape of a pill, there is no miracle pill available though. I prefer plans that allow me to change up my diet and try different meals. Everyone is different but for people like myself that are trying to lose baby weight, you must think about this point. It took nine months to gradually gain the weight so don't think that you must lose it all in one or two. Give your body time and learn to take care of yourself and lose the weight the natural way.

LeslieJ1

USA

A lot of Weight Loss Diet are based on the quick and easy approach, that promises the dieter will lose weight fast without putting in any real effort. These "fad" diets are not the kinds of diets that are effective, most of the weight lost due to these diets are water weight and once the diet is over the weight is quickly put back one. Not only do these diets hurt your self esteem, they are very unhealthy. I have been one a number of fad diets and felt awful doing them, it is not worth it to starve yourself and regain the weight once the diet is over. The key is to eat a balanced diet AND exercise. It is true that some people have a fast metabolism and may be skinny no matter what, and then there are some of us who have a slower metabolism that have a hard time losing weight, but this does not mean it is impossible. "Cookie cut" diets do not work for everyone because every one is different. I have, under advisement of my nutritionist/doctor, been abe to create a healthy diet for myself. The best resource I have found on the internet is myplate.gov website, it will help you understand food and the healthy diet options. Diets today also put a lot of pressure on you, I feel like going in baby steps and slowly cutting out things and modifying things is the best way to go to a lasting diet. I first started cutting out soda and other sugary drinks and then went onto portion control. The best advice I can give is eat healthy, watch your calories, be consistent and most importantly don't give up!

Girly777

USA

Almost everyone has gone on some sort of a diet at one time or another and has their likes, dislikes and advice. I, myself, am always happy to see others wanting to fight obesity and take control of their health. Just don't get 100% focused on losing the weight, make sure you consider the health effects of your chosen diet. Effectiveness There are so many weight loss diets out there, it's easy to learn about one and start trying it. Many different diets can achieve the same results, but some are easier, others faster, and still others healthier. It's best to research the diet BEFORE you start so that you can see both the short term and the long term effects of that particular diet. Side Effects If the concentration is solely on losing weight it's almost guaranteed that you will end up following an unhealthy diet. Be sure to research the nutritional aspects of the diet you choose. Ease of Use Some diets are easier than others. I think the key is to find a diet that you know you can stick with for a good period of time.

forks

USA

I've tried dozens of weight loss diets over the years. I started gaining weight when I was nineteen and just got married. I gained 100 pounds in 3 years. I was devastated when I realized I had gained so much weight. I would try a diet program and loose a few pounds but gain them right back. So in 2010 I decided to diet the old fashioned way. I changed my diet and ate healthier. I exercised daily and worked out at least five days a week. In 8 months I lost 97 pounds and I have kept it off for the last 3 years. I don't try these Weight Loss Diets anymore. They were not effective. None of them. They only made it more difficult to loose. I would starve most of the time trying to keep up with some of the weight loss plans. These Weight Loss diets are expensive as well. They are over priced and over rated. I was unsuccessful with any of these diets. The best results were from a well balanced diet and plenty of exercise.

Momintx

USA

Years ago I used to purchase this diet kit from Fred Myers called Cybergenics. It is a month long diet consisting of proteins and carbohydrates. Primarily I ate boiled chicken, fish and vegetables. They also provide a kit of vitamins. The pills are defiantly the worst part but it was said to be all herbal and natural. The water intake requirements were crazy but again this diet really worked. I went on it and lost 40 pounds. It just melts off of you and your energy soars. I would love to find this diet again but really it's quite simple. Eating healthy, taking vitamins, excise and drinking enough water is how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and weight. I am like a lot of Americans who need structure which is why I loved this diet. Meals are already laid out in a book and all you do is purchase the healthy foods and prepare. Ease of Use It is a commitment you have to make for at least 30 days. The results will be amazing though!

CandiceDakota

USA