What diet advice to give non WLS people?

Honestly? I give people the same basic advice I give people who have had WLS.

1. Prioritize protein and water
2. Deprioritize carbs, especially the refined and processed ones
3. Make the most of healthy fats
4. Eat three meals a day with no snacks
5. Avoid liquid calories (breakfast protein shake is the exception)
6. Weigh portions
7. Eat mindfully and with no distractions aside from real live people
8. Move as much as possible
9. Weigh yourself daily
10. Be kind to yourself

what Gwen said, combined with peach's comment about focusing on one new skill at a time. its the same things I focused on pre op. And read a lot about behaviour change, and worked with a behaviorist. Obviously the surgery was what made it possible, but without changing behaviour, none of those changes will last.

This is fantastic advice. I'm not having WLS because I lost too much during the lengthy referral process in Ontario and no longer qualify. I'm doing an Optifast program instead but plan to follow all of these guidelines as if I'd had WLS once I transition back to food.

I would tell him the ONLY advice I have is to have wls as it is the only thing that works long term.

I think the MFP was a great start.

Personally, I did best, was most successful at taking it off, and even keeping it off the longest, with the old fashioned Atkins diet. I say old fashioned, because you really need to read his original book to understand how he meant his eating plan to actually work... what they've done with the Atkins name since he died isn't what he first advocated.

However, I think the BIGGEST diet advice anyone can give anyone (WLS or not) is that it is LIFE CHANGING... like in FOREVER... so many diets will work, no matter what you choose, but you have to commit to something forever...

I'm still trying to figure that part out!

Don't eat your feelings.

Happy

Sad

Bored

Don't eat your feelings.

In addition to calories, track the other four macros. Fat, fiber, protein, and carbs.

Also track water intake. Weigh daily.

A good place to calculate your macros is iifym.com

Good for him for wanting to be healthier, too. How much more does your husband want to lose?

I made my SO stop drinking calories. No more soft drinks, fruit juice, etc. He was not happy with me but when I explained how many grams of sugar/calories he was consuming he agreed (he had a stroke 2 years ago and still needs to lose a few more pounds). Yes, I nag him on occasion. He knows I want a long healthy life with him and we both must do our part.

He's lost about 20 pounds since he's started which is great. I'm not sure what his end goal is though...I was so touchy about my weight before I tend to let him bring it up and I talk to him about it but I don't ask those kinds of questions. But the next time he brings it up I will ask.

He did stop drinking pop which was HUGE for him. He was drinking an excessive amount. He's working on other liquid calories now. I'm really happy about the pop though! He's good with juice - doesn't drink that really.

His area he struggles with seems to be sweets. I was the opposite. I like crunchy salty snacks. He likes chocolate. So hes struggling with sweet snacks. And he works nights and when he gets off works he's ravenous and tends to indulge a lot.

I understand!! My boyfriend is not allowed to ask about my weight even now unless I bring it up first. When he talks about his weight, I do ask him how much he wants to lose. He has lost around 40 since his stroke and wants to lose 20 more. I am bossy about some things (like the liquid calories) but I have never told him he has to lose "x" amount of weight or anything like that. I focus on both of our health- when I talk about things I am doing, we talk about things he is doing, too.

I am glad your husband is taking steps to improve his health, too. You both deserve a long healthy happy life together!!