How I lost over 40 pounds - no diet, no exercise, and no gimmicks

In summary, I am not selling products or books, just sharing some common sense about eating habits that after 43 years of bad eating habits and an increasingly slower metabolism actually had me lose over 40 pounds in less than 3 months. It's amazing and you get to eat the same things you would have eaten before - with modifications. It's very similar to Weight Watchers, but it's just trial and error that my wife and I came up with and it works.
This is not a weight loss program or a diet - it's a way of thinking and doing.

We both talked to our doctor and got an estimate of what were should intake in calories per day. We both were told 1800 calories should cause a slow but steady weight loss when combined with exercise. My wife has hip and back trouble so we decreased the doctor's estimate (do so at your own risk) to about 1200 per day. Neither of us eat breakfast anyway so this was not seen initially as a problem. More on that later.

Step 1 Rules for adjusting your food habits

Rule #1 - NO SUGAR. This is a little flexible but the number one thing was to eliminate all sugar in the house. This means, as it did for us, adjusting our kids' habits as well (they needed it too).  No sugar means no granulated sugar, powdered sugar, or brown sugar in your coffee, tea, Kool-Aid, or recipes. It is poison and I never believed that until this past summer. Get it out.

We replaced it with Splenda. Before I get 1000 comments about artificial sweeteners, ask yourself if the rumored negatives outweigh (pun intended) the positives. We attribute our weight loss primarily to this step. We tried Truvia as well, but honestly, the taste difference is minimal and Splenda dissolves much faster in cold tea than Truvia.

Comments

[PapillonMechanique]

For the record, adjusting eating habits IS a diet.

[annula]

I am doing the same thing you are and its working. One big thing I did was to switch butter for olive oil. After about two weeks I like the olive oil better now. I also buy a really nice brand extra virgin because I am worth it. Also on my salad now its just olive oil and vinegar no other dressings to make variety I switch up the vegetables. I walk thirty minutes everyday too. Good luck with the new lifestyle.

[Sunflowergurl]

There's sugar in that bread you know.

[ygree001]

Please check with your doctor before cutting your caloric intake to 1200 calories. That is very low and you may not be getting all of your required nutrients.

[droler]

UPDATE: Since I posted this article I have lost another 2 inches in waist size. That's going from a 38 inch waist to a 34 inch, minus a half inch or more (I can almost wear a 32). I went from 218 pounds to 170. Some days, due to water retention and other minor issues I may weigh in at 173-175, but some days I tip the scales at 168. Remember that your weight can fluctuate up to 8-10 pounds if water is a factor.

[srohwer]

Good common sense. I have a few things to add.

Fluids - 64 oz a day. This can include, milk, juices, juicy fruits, and of course, water. I fill up an old juice jug each day.

Sleep - Get your 8 hours. Studies show it helps to lose weight.

Scales - invest in a scale that measures fat. You want to lose fat, not muscle.

Calorie counting - most people eat a limited number of dishes. Once you figure out the numbers, it's pretty easy. Also, you'll stop eating junk because your calories add up too fast and you've hit your calorie limit by noon.

If all of this is too much, start with 1 change each week, or each month. When it becomes part of your lifestyle, add another change.