Medifast vs Nutrisystem vs....?

• 49erfan

  Ask yourself this..."Can I stay on medifast or nutrisystem for the rest of my life" The answer is most likely 'no!' or even 'hell no!' Diets (most of the time) don't work because there is ultimately and end to a diet. When you stop you gain the weight right back. You need to learn how to eat right (and while on the road) so that you create a lifestyle change. You need to 'learn' how to eat so that you can do it for the rest of your life. You can go on a diet and lose 10-20-30-40 pounds or more, but 1. did you learn anything about nutrition, and 2. can you keep that up forever? Most people end up bigger after dieting than they were before they went on these diets. Just remember this...people selling you a diet that works do not care about your weight and are just trying to make money off you.
• like_that

  

  49erfan;738424 wrote:Ask yourself this..."Can I stay on medifast or nutrisystem for the rest of my life" The answer is most likely 'no!' or even 'hell no!' Diets (most of the time) don't work because there is ultimately and end to a diet. When you stop you gain the weight right back. You need to learn how to eat right (and while on the road) so that you create a lifestyle change. You need to 'learn' how to eat so that you can do it for the rest of your life. You can go on a diet and lose 10-20-30-40 pounds or more, but 1. did you learn anything about nutrition, and 2. can you keep that up forever? Most people end up bigger after dieting than they were before they went on these diets. Just remember this...people selling you a diet that works do not care about your weight and are just trying to make money off you.

  
  This.
• bases_loaded

  

  Not that.
  
  What if after using one of the systems for the first time in my life I get on a schedule and know what ___ grams or a serving is like...they say it takes 21 days to break or create a habit...30 days should be well enough to learn how to eat right.
  
  Not sure what Im going to do yet, just saying
• sleeper

  

  bases_loaded;738797 wrote:Not that.
  
  What if after using one of the systems for the first time in my life I get on a schedule and know what ___ grams or a serving is like...they say it takes 21 days to break or create a habit...30 days should be well enough to learn how to eat right.
  
  Not sure what Im going to do yet, just saying

  You don't know how to eat right? How old are you?
• UA5straightin2008

  

  i have lost 20 pounds since january, going from 195 to 175 (im 5' 10"). Because i am studying for the mcat i have given up drinking until i take the test. I do 30 minutes of cardio a day and lift 6 days a week (3 high weight low reps, 3 low weight high reps, different muscle groups each time). I eat 4 eggs for breakfast, a piece of fruit between breakfast and lunch, a sandwich with roast beef and wheat bread with no cheese for lunch, protein shake after i lift in mid afternoon, and a salad with balsamic vinagrette and chicken for dinner with other veggies (no cheese/no bacon)..avoid dairy if trying to lose weight and definitely cut back on the carbs. the only weigh to lose weight is to ingest fewer calories than you burn in a given time period. you have to burn 3500 calories to burn a pound of fat. also when doing cardio, you have to do it for more than 20 minutes, otherwise you are just breaking down your carbohydrates for energy and never have to reach to those fat stores for energy...avoid those munchies/sweets at all cost, but if you have to indulge once in a while (ie once a week) then do so to keep sane
• OneBuckeye

  

  Zoltan;738364 wrote:I have been seeing alot of people getting on the paleo/primal diets recently. What is the difference between these and Atkins? Seems like they both are all about cutting carbs.

  
  
  
  
  http://www.marksdailyapple.com/whats-the-difference-between-primal-and-paleo/
• OneBuckeye

  

  http://www.marksdailyapple.com/the-book/references/questions-and-answers/
  

  Atkins Diet
  Dr. Robert Atkins is the pioneer of low-carb diets, having first published his material in 1972 with great popularity, and controversy. Flying in the face of the government-promoted Conventional Wisdom of low fat, high carb diets, Atkins weathered the criticism and developed a brand that thrived for decades. The Atkins diet has serious flaws but his central premise of low carb eating deserves credit as being revolutionary. It has only been since his death in 2003 that the Atkins diet has enjoyed increasing medical acceptance and as an effective weight-loss technique.
  
  While Atkins laudably restricts processed carbs like sugar, breads, pasta, cereal and starchy vegetables, the plan stumbles with its sometimes draconian restriction on total carbohydrate intake. The Atkins recommendation to consume only twenty net grams (i.e. digestible grams, so you exclude fiber and sugar alcohol) of carbohydrates per day (this is for the first two weeks of the diet, with allowances to gradually increase daily intake for long-term maintenance – but still advocating well under one hundred grams per day) greatly compromises the participant’s intake of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet: fruits and vegetables.
  
  Weight loss success on the Atkins diet is well chronicled, but experts believe that the diet can lead to nutritional deficiencies, likely from inadequate fruit and vegetable intake and perhaps also from the indiscriminate intake and lack of quality distinction among protein and fat foods (including the license to enjoy fried foods and other offensive dietary choices). For example, consider the anecdote in Chapter 4 that the potential carcinogens in cooked meat can be effectively countered by sufficient consumption of antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetables (that are unwisely limited in the Atkins plan).
  

  http://www.marksdailyapple.com/the-book/references/questions-and-answers/
  

  Paleo Diet
  Loren Cordain’s Paleo diet is perhaps the most closely related to the Primal Blueprint and based on the similar evolutionary science, but there are still some interpretational differences. We both like higher protein and a fairly copious amount of green leafy vegetables as a base, but Cordain continues to harbor a fear of saturated fats. He still adheres to the failed Conventional Wisdom that saturated fats raise cholesterol and may cause heart disease, so he eschews butter and coconut oil (two of my favorites whose health benefits are supported by extensive research) as well as some of the most tasty forms of meat.
  
  In addition, one of my (and Grok’s) favorite foods – eggs – are on Cordain’s limit list because he believes they, too, can raise cholesterol. Of course, we know that foods that contain cholesterol have been shown not to have an effect on raising blood cholesterol levels. On the other hand, he recommends canola as a good form of Omega 3’s when most canolas are deodorized – a process that actually removes Omega 3’s. Oddly, in an apparent attempt to appeal to the masses, he allows diet sodas to be consumed, whereas I believe them to be as harmful – or even more so – than the common sugary variety.
  
  Backing up a step further, I’ll assert that the most significant difference between the Paleo Diet and the Primal Blueprint is that one is a diet and the other is a way of life. Aside from the minor objections listed previously, the science and the recommendations of the Paleo Diet are generally sound. However, I believe it’s far more effective to adopt a holistic approach to pursuing a healthy, fit, happy lifestyle instead of isolate your focus on a specific issue – even one as important as diet. As I’ve mentioned previously, a disregard for even a single Primal Blueprint lifestyle law (say, getting adequate sleep or avoiding stupid mistakes) can render your devoted eating or exercise efforts virtually worthless.
  

• bases_loaded

  

  So eat Vegtables, Meat, and Fish and you will have the perfect diet.
• OneBuckeye

  

  bases_loaded;739061 wrote:So eat Vegtables, Meat, and Fish and you will have the perfect diet.

  
  Not all veggies are created equal. Also what do you consider veggies? Green beans, peas, corn any legume is a no no. How are you preparing your meat/fish ? It isn't quite that simple, but it isn't that difficult. You will have to do more reading.
  
  Edit: The chart is also deciving because dairy is only to be consumed occasionally by the primal diet user. Also all nuts are not created equal and not reccomended by all diets. Each one of the groups listed on the chart has things that are excluded or perferred.
• 49erfan

  bases_loaded;738797 wrote:Not that.
  
  What if after using one of the systems for the first time in my life I get on a schedule and know what ___ grams or a serving is like...they say it takes 21 days to break or create a habit...30 days should be well enough to learn how to eat right.
  
  Not sure what Im going to do yet, just saying

  
  I'm not saying you cannot do this, however these diets are designed to get you to keep buying their food. They probably will teach you less about eating than what you can read on a site like Men's Health for free.
• Fred Flintstone

  Like someone else previously mentioned, I think it has to be a lifestyle change. I have lost around 60 lbs since mid-January of last year. I quit eating every meal like it was my last meal I was ever going to eat, I got creative in my cooking, I now exercise 4-5 times a week, and cut back on alcohol. I substitute whole grain pasta and bread for the regular stuff, I eat 6-7 small meals each day rather than 2-3 huge meals, I set a caloric goal using Livestong.com and track everything I eat.
• 49erfan

  Fred Flintstone;739349 wrote:Like someone else previously mentioned, I think it has to be a lifestyle change. I have lost around 60 lbs since mid-January of last year. I quit eating every meal like it was my last meal I was ever going to eat, I got creative in my cooking, I now exercise 4-5 times a week, and cut back on alcohol. I substitute whole grain pasta and bread for the regular stuff, I eat 6-7 small meals each day rather than 2-3 huge meals, I set a caloric goal using Livestong.com and track everything I eat.

  
  This is how you do it. Nice work Fred. It was a long learning process for me to do this as well. January 2010 I made it a goal to not eat fast food or drink pop for a year. Still going strong today. Don't miss it one bit. Getting creative in cooking can be hard, but is very rewarding too. I exercise 6-7 days a week, most of the time twice a day. I love it and will hopefully be getting my personal trainers license soon. I also eat about 6-7 times a day. People can't believe how much food I actually eat and still lose weight. Nutrition and exercise can be fun when you completely immerse yourself in that world. It takes dedication and knowledge.
• UA5straightin2008

  

  49erfan;739445 wrote:Nutrition and exercise can be fun when you completely immerse yourself in that world. It takes dedication and knowledge.

  
  I dont think it could be said any better... and I have definitely learned this and have become very knowledgeable
  
  but the number one rule that has helped me out the most when it comes to working out/lifting:
  
  LEAVE YOUR PRIDE AT THE DOOR
• tigerballonline

  I am a believer in Advocare. I can lose weight without it, but taking these supplements has given me more energy than i have had in years while cutting back on my food intake. I also have energy to actually exercise instead of making excuses.
• Witchermen

  I started on the piano and a bit '. At least a workable plan that the work to come, more long-term. The first major step was to go to the grocery store, in fact, cooking with food storage, so I have no reason to leave, according to Fast Food illegal or something. Whether for reasons of public health and the size of the pieces. I can cook a hamburger at home when I want and I will add lots of calories from both parties is required, such as French fries.
  
  The main thing with what the calendar of non-cooperative groups of a few days on the road. Would it be possible, with a small cooler in your car, for example, a sandwich and a few pieces of fruit have? Because if you're trying to lose weight, and simple "I'm hungry, time to Mickey DSL-hit" to "me hungry, time for a sandwich and apple, which I cut out to be related to the cold I should have the results.
• OneBuckeye

  

  Witchermen;753985 wrote:I started on the piano and a bit '. At least a workable plan that the work to come, more long-term. The first major step was to go to the grocery store, in fact, cooking with food storage, so I have no reason to leave, according to Fast Food illegal or something. Whether for reasons of public health and the size of the pieces. I can cook a hamburger at home when I want and I will add lots of calories from both parties is required, such as French fries.
  
  The main thing with what the calendar of non-cooperative groups of a few days on the road. Would it be possible, with a small cooler in your car, for example, a sandwich and a few pieces of fruit have? Because if you're trying to lose weight, and simple "I'm hungry, time to Mickey DSL-hit" to "me hungry, time for a sandwich and apple, which I cut out to be related to the cold I should have the results.

  Best first post ever?
  
  
  
• Witchermen

  Here's how. Good job Fred. It 'been a long learning process for me to do well. January 2010 I had a target for fast food do not eat or drink pop a year. Still going strong today. Do not miss at all. Creative in the kitchen can be difficult, but also very rewarding. I train 6-7 days a week, usually twice a day. I love her and I hope to get my personal trainers license in the near future. I eat about 6-7 times a day. We can not believe the amount of food I eat and still lose weight. Diet and exercise can be fun when you are completely immersed in the world. It takes dedication and knowledge.