Decisions, decisions which DIEt do I choose?

Ok, so now that I know I am not going to be able to get ANY help through insurance for anything weight loss related (hopefully I don't have diabetes or anything, they may just let me die since it's because of my weight!) I need to decide what kind of a plan I want to follow.  I've known for a while that I needed to do this, it's just that I've reluctantly decided that it is time for a legal separation with my beloved partner-FOOD. Originally, I was so overwhelmed by the amount of weight I would like to lose that even with focusing on small goals I knew that I would just have a rough time.  So, I thought about doing a program that would initially take the thought process out of it for a while such as Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem or Medifast.  I liked the idea of Medifast because it has quicker results even though I know I will never keep it off unless I very slowly transition to a healthy way of eating on my own.  The one problem with that is I will not have insurance until November 1st and the insurance will not cover anything weight loss related so I would have to find a doctor that would be willing to say they were monitoring me for my co-morbid symptom I think.  Choice number 2 was Jenny Craig b/c I found out that Aetna, which is who will be insuring my husband and I through his job, gives a discount on the membership cost and a rewards program that gives an escalating discount on the food.  I've got to lose about 150 pounds so it will probably be helpful but I just kept thinking to myself that Aetna must be getting a kickback for that or something since they don't cover anything related to weight loss on the insurance plan.  Who knows. Choice number 3 is Weigh****chers.  I got out all of my old materials and started going through them.  The benefits are that nothing is really off limits and it's the way I really need to eat for life anyway-making good choices most of the time and having treats as treats-not a daily event.  The other thing is that I would be able to go out to dinner and also eat what my family is eating sometimes.  Then with this choice I would have to decide if I just want to try to do it on my own, go to meetings or do the online thing.  In person meetings are $13/week. Reading these boards I really am reminded of how I got this way.  Often we forget what we have gone through.  Throughout my life I have pretty much replaced one addiction with another, the only problem is you can't really quit food. Well, I've tried Nutrisystem and Weigh****chers before (among many others, LOL) and was moderately and temporarily successful with both but I've never tried Jenny Craig.  Any opinions?  Wait, that's a silly question.  I already know there are LOTS of opinions.  (very much appreciated, I might add) Thanks, Beth

Well, silly...choose the BEST one! ;) Seriously, you can lose weight with any of the above-- the bigger issue is how you maintain it for life. Like you, Bert and I both had a big chunk to lose, and did pretty well eating regular food in smaller amounts-- in my case, 1300 cals a day-- more protein than fat, 50% carbs. My fear about the big plans is that I couldn't afford to maintain them for life, or that they couldn't be personalized to fit my weird dietary hang ups (stuff i really don't like, etc.) By making my own plan, I was satisfied in belly and in mind, most of the time.

Good luck to you!

Shari, Who is Bert?  I asked this once and someone told me to look it up.  Well, do you know how many Berts there are on this forum?  A lot!  Does he ever post?  I never see his name. Just wondering..... Bren

Click on Shari's name, in her profile you will find friends.  Bert's userid name is alevans4.  That's our Bert!  He doesn't hang out with us as much as he use to..... He posted about the gyms a couple of days ago.

I thought that guy's name was al evans (alevans4)? I'm so confused, and I'm not even a blonde! No matter!

kRiZ = Chris

Bert = Albert 

 I think Shari started the whole "Bert" thing.. :) GET HER!

 

(He and his dad are both named Albert-- he's bert, dad's Al. Like anyone needs to know his lineage! ;) But he's a font of dietary wisdom, an' stuff. Shoots straight. Has bad taste in women, but you can't have everything.

Sounds like the same thoughts I had when I realized surgery wasn't going to happen.. including feeling overwhelmed with the amount of weight I needed to lose. I'm on Nutrisystem now.. .but I have done medifast and procal in the past.  At one time, medifast was like procal, a liquid fast.  Yes, it's quick, and if you stick to it you will lose everything... unfortunately, I must partially credit those diets for me weighing this much now.  Everytime I did one of those, I lost all the weight, but gained it all back and then some. I've known many people on Jenny Craig and they swear by it.  They were satisfied and successful.  I think choosing would be easier if you run down their menu, their available foods, the foods you have to add, and see if it looks like something that would be a good fit for your likes, dislikes, schedule...etc. What I like about the nutrisystem is that I can mix it up.  I'm learning to force breakfast in so knowing I can switch breakfast and lunch to something I find more palatabe in the morning helps me to get it down.  Ie:  Pasta Fagioli for breakfast .. blueberry muffins for lunch.  Also, lol, my eyes don't start working until I've had at least one cup of coffee.. so popping something in the microwave is easier than reading the directions.   Fellowship is so important.. and the Lord has led me here for strength.  It sounds like you've got a lot out of this place already.. now for practical application!  You C A N do this! Praying for the Lord to guide your decision and give you strength and courage! Be Blessed! L

You know I just recently read about a diet where you switched your meals around (there is a book on the market--i think it kinda follows SB and is low carb/high protein)......basically dinner is breakfast, lunch is lunch and dinner is breakfast.   I often eat dinner things for breakfast I find it more filling and tastier.  Also, I love breakfast for dinner so.......hmmmmmm 

You know what I read that in a magazine way back in March this lady had dropped over 100 pounds doing that...she would eat her dinner at breakfast..lunch is lunch...and breakfast at dinner. Since dinner foods are heavier so to say and you would burn those off throught the day. And like at dinner you would have what a bowl of oatmeal some fruit ya know. And supposedly it worked for her.