What works for you??

Hello everyone!!  I am a newbie & have been on the lap band message board b/c I am thinking about going that route. For those of you who have not had surgery - what have you done that has worked for you to lose weight? Also, has anyone taken any prescription medications for weight loss? Thanks for your help!!

Hi, welcome to the non-op board. I have been successful with low-carb/low-fat.  At my lowest I lost 140 pounds.   I don't do prescription medications because I can't afford them.

Welcome to the non-op board.   I count calories and try to stay between 1,300 - 1,500 / day.  I also make sure to eat more fruits and vegetables, so with the calories I eat I'm making healthier food choices.  I also try to put in some type of exercise 3 - 4 times per week.  So far I've lost 25 lbs in 2 months.  Of course, I do have a high BMI. As for medications for weight loss...I've never used any.

I started out in March with a semi-liquid (under a Doctor's careful watch of course!) for 12 weeks and moved into Phase I of South Beach (low-carb/right-carb, high protein), drink tons of water and walk 30 minutes a day.  To date I have lost about 50+/- pounds.   No prescriptions so far, but I think Doctor would have put me on them had I pushed the issue or not have been as successful in losing weight.....I kinda have an adversion to them.....they are for appetite suppression mainly (speed does just as good--JUST SAY NO) and does not educate or treat possible food addictions or bad dietary decisions.

Hi there! I started my journey three years ago.  I was so fed up that I just started working out and making smaller changes in the beginning.  It took me 9 months to lose 12 lbs (yes, I was exercising, but I was also eating several servings of chips after a workout, a slice of cheesecake a day over the holidays, etc.) Then I discovered Weigh****chers and I have not looked back.  I've discovered that I can still treat myself and lose!  I also exercise six days a week: a combination of exercise tape (Turbo Jam), Curves and walking now that it's summer. I was already taking Xenical (prescription strength version of Alli) on a hit-or-miss basis when I reached my highest weight and it did little for me.  So other than a few weeks prior to getting serious about losing, no, I haven't taken anything.

Hey kroth: Well I've been doing this for 7 years and I'm down 166lbs. What has worked for me. Low-carbing, green veggies, exercise, and an occasional splurge. A little bit of everything is ok in the long run. Fast food is the only thing that I don't do. If I do, it's a salad. I don't count calories, I just try to be reasonable in what I eat and portions. Only thing I eat excessively is chicken. Pork and ground beef are ok too.  Welcome to the board too!  -Bud

Atkin's worked for me, to lose weight pre-op.

I'm with Donna... I eat low-carb with a cap of 1200 calories a day.. sometimes as low as 800 because I am just not hungry!.. (no fruit, sugar, flour, bread, potatoes) and I don't mess with "sugar-free" packaged stuff either except for jello.. just lots of lean protein, non-starchy veggies, Carb Smart yogurt that I freeze for an hour and enjoy like dessert, and unbreaded hot wings. I eat those like they're going out of style.. ha ha.. I mostly eat chicken.. boneless, skinless breasts and sometimes thighs/drumsticks on the grill.. red meat I'll have once or twice a month just because they don't do well in my stomach.. too difficult for me to digest I suppouse.  I started at 308 June 16,2006 (the day my life changed.. lol) and today I am 156 so I swear by low-carb and have NO cravings for sugar. I was a "pint of ice-cream a day" person prior to this.. I can honestly say I am addicted to carbohydrates. I'd buy oreos and they'd be half eaten in the car on the way home.. same with "Dibs"-- those little ice cream treats.. Oh and Dunkin' Donuts Coffee Rolls.. I could go on and on.. It was bad..  All I can say is that if I can do this and be successful, anyone can.. anyone having trouble losing weight, PLEASE try low-carb before giving up on dieting because it WORKS.. Good luck to all! Marta

What I was told to try since losing my Lap Band due to complications from a severe Slippage was Weigh****chers. I have been a Lifetime Member since 1991 (gained alot of lbs over the years falling off program when I had the WLS) I have been doing WW since the beginning of last month with working out at the gym 5 days a week and have lost weight even those dreaded lbs from the IV fluids being in the hospital. I was even recruited to work for WW as a Leader and have filled out the paperwork. I have kept my carbs very low since when I had my Band 11/05 and protein levels on the higher end and never am I hungry other then the head stuff that get at times but not truely hungry.I thought it would be hard after having a restricted device in me but I was so ungodly sick since 11/05 with 6 hospitalizations and 4 emergency surgeries all due to the Band that since I have never been so healthy and happy. Guess there is a reason for everything.

Wow - you guys are awesome & inspiring!!  I am definetely addicted to carbs.  I have about 100 pounds to lose & it just seems so overwhelming.  I have an appointment next week with a dietician.  I have tried every diet plan under the sun - for some reason it's just hard for me to stick with it.  I start off doing good - then "fall of the wagon"!! Thanks for all of your great info!!