The Healthiest Way to Lose Weight

Losing weight is very difficult. Trust me I know. There are so many plans, diets, and schemes you don't know which one to follow. Most people would not say that I am very big to begin with, but I needed to lose weight after my second pregnancy. And trust me; I know what diet methods work and which ones don't.

After my daughter was born, I seemed to be stuck at 140 forever. I couldn't fit in any pre-pregnancy clothes, and I was very depressed. So I started with the ever popular Atkins Diet to help lose weight. For those of you who live on planet Mars and don't know what the Atkins Diet is, it is basically eating lots of protein, and giving up carbs. Let me save some of you some time. If you are addicted to carbs like I am, don't bother. You will waste a lot of time and money on buying up every piece of live stock from the grocery store. I tried it two separate times, and couldn't handle it. I kept thinking that I would have the will power. But if you truly do not like to eat more than two pieces of meat a day, seriously, move on

Next I tried Trimspa. I just knew I was going to lose the weight and look like Anna Nicole Smith (May she rest in peace). I bought it, followed the directions, and after two weeks, maybe had lost a pound. Now mind you all the while my parents are telling me that if I want to lose weight, I just need to eat right, and exercise. But you see, that would take to long and I, like all of you, want a quick fix.

So then I moved on to Slender Weigh. I bought it in the mall and paid a little over a hundred dollars for it. I had to take a couple different pills at various times through out the day and drink tons of water. After a week of taking it, I was very depressed. I also became incredibly exhausted, to the point of sleeping at my desk in the middle of the day. I mean literally, sleeping at my desk. I remember calling my dad and telling him how tired I was and that I had to take a nap every day in the afternoon on my break. I couldn't keep my eyes open. I ended up calling a Slender Weigh rep after a few days. She asked me what I weighed. At this point I was 137 lbs. She almost fell out of her chair. She was shocked that they sold it to me and did not tell me to decrease the amount that I was taking. The dose was for those that were extremely over weight and trying to lose at least 30 - 60 lbs. I was trying to lose ten. She told me that I was sleepy and depressed because I was dehydrated. She told me to cut the dosage in half and see if I felt any better. If not she would give me a refund. I told my Dad, at which point he said to not take another pill. I drank like a camel for the next few days, got off the pills, and after four days felt like my old self. I was no longer napping at my desk, or feeling depressed.

So guess what? I caved and decided to follow my parent's advice. I had always walked a few nights a week, but really didn't have a set schedule. My aunt in West Virginia was following a diet plan. It was really supposed to just be a better way of eating, permanently. It involves some pretty scary things: fruit, vegetables, protein, and salads. Oh my. So I started exercising regularly, at least four days a week. I bought a used treadmill and walked at least 30 minutes each time. Can you believe it? I lost weight, just like they had said all along. I am currently 123 lbs and really working on toning now.

Here is the plan I followed, and still do. WORK OUT!!!!! Yes, you have to move to burn calories. Quit all the quick methods. My weight has stayed off because I have burned it off. Eat healthy. My aunt's plan was pretty neat. I have incorporated some of my own things in it, but basically you eat a healthy breakfast, and then a snack at least two hours after your breakfast (it gives your body time to digest the food). Your snack should be something like a fruit and some almonds, or fruit and a piece of protein. Eat a healthy lunch that includes protein, a small salad, and a piece of fruit. Eat a snack two hours later, and then have your meal. It also should include a small salad, protein, fruit (grapes are the best) and even some carbs. But what I have learned about carbs is, is that you can have them, just don't eat a tub of Mac and Cheese in one sitting. I have gone to the whole grain pasta sides and whole grain spaghetti. I even switched to whole grain bread. You get used to it and then you are not denying yourself what you like. At night I have a small bowl of fat free ice cream.

But the trick is - you have to move to lose. Watch what you eat in the beginning but don't kill yourself. I bought a pack of M&Ms and would eat three each night before bed. Drink lots of water. Yes, sometimes when you are hungry, your body is really craving water. So eat, drink, and get moving. I promise you it works. I know because I have lost 14 pounds in the past 10 months. So work hard, eat right, and follow mom and dad's advice. They really do know what is best.