What do you cut back on?

Hubby and I did a sort of Atkins diet back when we were engaged. I didn't mind it, I did miss all the carbs but I was too busy to even think about eating anyways as I was spending 20hrs at a gym + my full time job. I lost atleast 35lbs. However, as winter approached we didn't go to the gym as often and then just stopped. But now as a parent it's hard to do that as I think it takes alot more will power because you can't just cut out the carbs for the whole family. The kids do need that to grow ya know.... it's hard enough as it is when they eat most of the day and have the blessed ability to burn it all off with out trying. I try to watch the fat content and sugar content. As fat isn't the only thing filled with empty calories ;)

For me, I just cut back altogether. I eat things that are better for me, like fruits and veggies, fish, and yogurt. I try really hard to eliminate junk foods, but I let myself have a small treat once a week. I can't say that I really look at calories or fat content, because I really don't. I just eat what I know is better for me. In my case, the minute you call something a diet, I stop doing it. The word "diet" hurts me more than it helps me. I would rather make small changes, one by one than try to change everything at once. That way, it isn't a diet, it is more like a re-arrangement of my dietary intake.

I have been using portion control....not having seconds....just one helping and that is it. I have also been cutting back on the desserts....just have a little something to satisfy myself and if I want a big dessert I wait until I go out for dinner then treat myself.....but eating everything I want...just watching the portions has been working for me....

Well...there there are a lot of issues about diets. The big thing is that most aren't easy to maintain. The low carb diet is definitely one that is hard to maintain because we tend to crave carbs. So, I have cut back on portion size. Instead of having large meals I go for small ones and have more of them. The real thing is to eat less. I am also working on cutting back on things that are bad for me. Eating small portions of my favorite things. :-P

I just look out for the number of calories, because high calorie foods tend to be the ones with high amounts of fat and sugar in them. When dieting I also try and cut out snacking, because I am unhealthy snacker, snacking on biscuits rather than fruit. I could not do a low carb diet either as it is hard to make a meal without bread or pasta or rice. I did one once for a fortnight before my prom, because I no longer fitted into my dress that I had paid £130 for.

i eat what i want but in moderation because i know some are high in calories but to be crude 1 hole is bigger than the other but i eat about 5 hour's apart, i try and walk about 30 minutes to 1 hour a day, it burns off the calories, helps keep fit but everybody is diff, when im hungry between meals, have a drink of water, your body is'nt hungry yet, have what you want just don't over-do it on the thing's you like, now that's hard lolololo....

i lost 83 pounds a year and 1/2 ago and still haven't gained any weight, i go by portion size. i eat what i want just not as much, a little of this a little of that, moderation does it for me. my 1 downfall chocolate ice cream, and let me tell ya having just 1 cup at a time kills me omg i want the whole gallon and a soup spoon, but i suck it up and do the right thing. sometimes yogurt does it for me to fill the sugar void. and i try not to eat past 7 pm. once your stomach shrinks, a little at each meal fills me up. ya know this eating salad to lose weight sux i had enough so i moderate different foods and have em all. if by the way you like radishes their minus calories meaning you burn more calories digesting them that are in the radish. i live in florida and love oranges but the sugar of few are enough for a week so i pound down alot of water to flush it out. ive tryed everything to lose but portion size works for me. and i cant have bread in the house it just seem's to disapear overnite. i do doritoes, different style's and tastes and only do a few. just remember carb's turn to sugar, sugar turns to fat, same with starch, ya just cant win.

I think cutting back on fat is more important, not to mention much healthier, than cutting out carbs totally. Actually, we NEED some carbs for energy. Right now I'm struggling to lose weight for pretty much the first time in my life. I was always fairly active and then I worked as a letter carrier for 18 years and could basically eat anything I desired and I never gained an ounce. Now I'm unable to work due to back and joint problems and I've put on weight. I think the key to any diet is moderation. Fad diets don't work and denying yourself everything you love definitely doesn't work because there's going to come a time when you'll go crazy making up for lost time...lol! I say increase the amount of exercise you get, even if it's just taking a walk or dancing around the house to the radio, and eat lots of fruits and vegetables, drink lots of water and cut down on the sweets and high fat snacks. Have ONE cookie or ONE scoop of ice cream now and then or a couple potato chips not the whole package of any of them. Annie

Same here! I tried low carb with the help of the Atkins book, but apparently didn't add in enough veggies cause I always had carb cravings. I think some veggies are allowed. Anyway, I kept sneaking cookies everyday to satisfy the carb cravings. Sort of the same way I would sneak chocolate into my diet when I cut out caffeine. It gave me a caffeine boost when I needed it. As for cutting back on stuff, I cut out all sweets. You'll know if it's sweet cause it's usually in the processed foods isle and kids love that kind of stuff so I know it's something I should avoid. I cut out frozen dinners which have nothing but fillers and I cut down on beef. And, limit myself to chicken and fish but no pork. At times, I do put a teaspoon of sugar into my tea in the morning and that controls food cravings all day. Maybe it's just my metabolism. That works for me. Mostly I do the low fat thing with calorie counting while increasing physical activity. It's a simple equation. Eat fewer calories than you expend and you'll lose weight.

I tried the low carb thing several years ago. I lost a ton of weight the first week, but I felt like crap the whole time. I stopped doing it after the first week. When I am actually trying to watch what I eat I pay attention to the fat content of foods more than anything else.

I get so confused with all this stuff, fat content and calorie counting, and dieting makes me so hungry and miserable so I just gave up on the calorie counting diets and instead cut down on my fat intake. That worked for me and still does, I control my weight pretty well by just watching the amount of fat I eat in a day.

Hey kats! I have the same problem! I love carbs too! But, unfortunately that is where the problem is! I can also eat an entire loaf of bread! And I love pasta and potatoes! My godchild lost 50 pounds on Atkins! I could not do it either! But, then again I have never been good at any diet! I need to diet now! And for me that would mean cutting down on the breads, pastas, sweets and that would leave not eating at all! So I really don't know what to do because I really can't diet! I have no willpower whatsoever! And I have to find a way to try to do something quick!

Right now, I am watching both calories and carbs. I did cut down on food in general -- but basically, I am eating in moderation. I totally said goodbye to chocolates, soda, rice, potatoes, junk food, instant food, chicken, pork, and fast food. It was difficult the first two weeks, but eventually, I was able to adjust and it's not a problem for me now.

The thing that worked me was eating less plain and simple. Cut portions by half...It works. Then add exercise when you have gotten used to the smaler portions.

The best diet for myself is not really a diet. It's more of a change in how I eat. I tend to eat more natural things like fruit, veggies, nuts, grains, etc. The fresher the better. The best thing that I have cut back on is processed foods, period. I haven't completely cut them out, but I do keep them to a minimum. For example, I can make my own salsa without the preservatives and chemicals and dye. I couldn't possibly cut back on carbs. I love pasta too much. Plus, I remember in gradeschool---the food pyramid said 7-11 servings a day! lol. I really don't eat alot of bread, and would prefer handmade versus storebought. I do watch my servings because I do realize that even though it's just a salad, that doesn't mean make it in the biggest bowl I have. lol. If i eat more than my body needs, no matter how healthy it is, it will still be stored as fat.

The Atkins diet is very unhealthy, so it's probably a smart move to give that up. I just kind of watch calories all together rather than cutting out anything specific. Although, if you're not already a vegan I would recommend cutting out eggs and dairy, or at least dairy. Because that stuff is just designed to make you pack on the pounds, just look at how fast a calf grows!

katsmeow1213, IMHO, in order to be really health conscious we should be observant all round, so besides paying attention to the carbohydrates, we should be taking care of the sodium, saturated fats and artificial preservatives. Our bodies do need a well balanced diet to be healthy so, we could never be lacking in any of the other aspects of our diet. Take care.

Unfortunately for me I have a medical issue that causes me to do three times the work of a normal person to lose weight so I'm on meds and I just eat 5 small meals through out the day. It's better to eat small meals than large meals your body can break down the small meals better and you keep your glucose levels at an even kill. See I over produce insulin which in turn the extra insulin I produce causes weight gain. So for me I can eat nothing for a week and gain 10lbs because I'm still producing insulin.

What works best for me is portion control. Just having the serving sizes and nothing more. When making plates at home, I start with the approx 4 oz of chicken, half of cup of mashed potatoes and so on. My mother is a retired dietitian so she's always telling me which serving sizes are best. I recently started doing this again, and watching things more closely as it also helps cut back on the grocery bill, it's helped me lose some weight again.

Hey nice to read your discussion. But I am actually on a different pole. I am suffering form underweight condition. Two months ago I had this Jaundice and all my food was gone and all that I had to live upon was boiled veggies. So my diet is completely destroyed and I have lost a hell lot of weight. Before that I was a bit bulky and always wanted to lose some fat but I think God has his own way and he has given me so much weight loss that I don't yearn for more now. So whatever you did cut back probably would start when I am 100% fine and back to normal.