Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Diets we used to be on, and why they didn't work



Recommended Posts

Let's face..... We were all DIET EXPERTS..... I think one big problem is, we were never MAINTENANCE EXPERTS!!!!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow!! Good topic. Lots of "diet" pills I've waisted money on throughout the years. I did ww with coworkers and was successful for a while. I changed jobs, moved, had no support system so stopped the program. Then I began quick weight loss centers and was successful with it. Stopped going because I couldn't afford to continuously buy the supplements and food which I did enjoy. Last but not least I tried one box of nutrasystem and wish I hadn't of wasted my money. That was some nasty tasting food.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Let's face..... We were all DIET EXPERTS..... I think one big problem is, we were never MAINTENANCE EXPERTS!!!!!!

. Oh my gosh truer words have never been said! I am a great dieter but lousy at maintaining. I wish I had a dollar for every pound I lost and then regained.......I would be so rich!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Let's face..... We were all DIET EXPERTS..... I think one big problem is, we were never MAINTENANCE EXPERTS!!!!!!

So true. I lost ALOT of weight on MANY of the diets I tried. I could lose, just not for long. And what I lost in 3 months could be gained back in a week, no joke!

Among those I've tried:

Jenny Craig ... Grew tired of the packaged food quickly, and was discouraged by the very slow losses.

New Direction and Optifast ... These worked great, as they were liquids only; gained it all back as soon as I went back to work.

The Diet Center ... I did this plan a couple of times. It worked extremely well the first time (back in the late 80's) and I thought I could stick with the new eating lifestyle forever; I couldn't.

Atkins ... Also worked well, but same issue as above.

Diet pills ... They were ok when I was younger; less tolerance for them and less results as I got older. Plus I would get too snappy.

Hcg ... Actually would work well, just could never stick with it long enough to get to goal.

Nutrisystem .... See Jenny Craig above,

The Beverly Hills Diet ... Does anyone remember that one? Or am I giving away my age? Lol. Anyway, I fainted and gave up on that.

Those are just my majors, lol. I had tried probably every diet out there before being saved by the band.

My biggest NSV with the band is the freedom of mind from the dieting mentality I lived with every day since my teens.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Let's face..... We were all DIET EXPERTS..... I think one big problem is, we were never MAINTENANCE EXPERTS!!!!!!

So true. I lost ALOT of weight on MANY of the diets I tried. I could lose, just not for long. And what I lost in 3 months could be gained back in a week, no joke!

Among those I've tried:

Jenny Craig ... Grew tired of the packaged food quickly, and was discouraged by the very slow losses.

New Direction and Optifast ... These worked great, as they were liquids only; gained it all back as soon as I went back to work.

The Diet Center ... I did this plan a couple of times. It worked extremely well the first time (back in the late 80's) and I thought I could stick with the new eating lifestyle forever; I couldn't.

Atkins ... Also worked well, but same issue as above.

Diet pills ... They were ok when I was younger; less tolerance for them and less results as I got older. Plus I would get too snappy.

Hcg ... Actually would work well, just could never stick with it long enough to get to goal.

Nutrisystem .... See Jenny Craig above,

The Beverly Hills Diet ... Does anyone remember that one? Or am I giving away my age? Lol. Anyway, I fainted and gave up on that.

Those are just my majors, lol. I had tried probably every diet out there before being saved by the band.

My biggest NSV with the band is the freedom of mind from the dieting mentality I lived with every day since my teens.

. Me too. I could never understand why I could gain the weight back so quickly. I forgot about Diet Center I did that one too. All the money involved with all these diets wow! I still find myself being drawn into any ad I see for weight loss. I think to my self maybe I should try that one. I have to stop myself and remember I have done something about it lap band surgery. Old habits are hard to break I guess.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Dmh, yes! And I forgot to mention that throughout all of those diets, I felt "deprived" in one way or another. I still look at other diets sometimes too, and then remember that I am at goal already with the lapband, lol.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Atkins- Started to lose close to 20 lbs then weight loss stalled... Found out I was pregnant with my angel baby. There went that! I'm actually getting back into the low carb high Protein and fat deal because that's kind of what my NUT recommends... So we will see.

Slime Water detox- I had to drink 5L of some nasty lake slime looking Water that tasted like baking soda... Um no thanx!

Take Shape for Life by Medifast- I lost 17 lbs on this and it was my last venture. Eat 5 of their small meals daily and 1 "lean and green" of your own and lose. I was always effing hungry and when I realized I could be spending the $400 a month on better things... I decided to do so and get the band!

Raspberry Ketones- $50 for a bunch of nothing. Thanx Dr. Oz!

Low cal- no more than 800 cal a day... Dropped 20 lbs then gave up because I was oh so hungry!!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I see a common theme of diets failing because of (1) hunger (2) inconvenience and (3) cost, about in that order. Do you guys feel full/satiated with the band? Like you are going out like you used to, but not feeling deprived?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I, personally, do not feel deprived with my band lifestyle. I'm not sure what it does, scientifically, but it certainly dims my appetite and I do feel satisfied now with what I eat. I do indulge every now and then on a cookie or cake, or whatever, so I don't feel like I am 'forbidden' from foods. It's really a sense of freedom from dieting!

Of course, every now and then I miss having a soda or a Corona or a double shot of espresso, none of which I partake in, but it's not the 'deprivation' feeling I used to have with 'diets.'

The other amazing thing I've noticed is that when I do eat a high sugar or 'fattening' item, I don't bound right in to eating everything in sight anymore, and the scale doesn't go up 10 pounds in a week!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am still trying to hit that magical green zone. I have always been a big eater so I love eating smaller portion. It is so cool to feel full with such a small amount of food. I am loving it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×