Any suggestions on how to get started

I am new to the site and I am trying to lose weight the healthy way.  I had a baby 9 months ago and still have not lost any weight from that.  I have changed the way I eat.  More whole grains and fruit less red meat and yes I have occasional junk but cut out all soda.  I am staring to walk with the kids and am not sure what else I can do.  I thought of trying fish again but I don't like it is there and suggestions.  I will take all advice.  I am not quite at the surgery though process my aunt just went through it and I just don't see myself there. Megan

I suggest starting with portion control. This can be done by journaling, measuring or both. Plan your meals ahead of time if you can. It's much easier to following a "diet" if it is made as effortless as possible so plan ahead and even portion and refridgerate or freeze some meals for convenience on those days when you just don't have time or energy.  I have better results with hi pro lo carb BUT everyone is different so pay attention and find what works for you personally.  Exercise is also important so you are definitely going in the right direction. Most of all, take it one day at a time and before long you will be on your way. Best of luck and let us know if we can help. Beth

I had gastric bypass and don't think I will ever regret it. HOWEVER! The lady that they had talk to us pre op about establishing healthy eating habits had lost over 100 lbs withOUT surgery. And she told us the 70/30 rule. She ate 70% "good" food. Like protein and veggies, a little fruit and occasional whole grain carb, then 30% recreation food. I try to keep that ratio in mind. I'm 2.5 years post surgery and am tr ying to lose another 50 lbs. So I'm trying to do it the "healthy" way too.  good luck to us! Leslee

I second Beth's advice on portion control. I suggest Weigh****chers - it truly teaches you how to eat. Whatever you choose, make sure it is a lifestyle change that you can stick to. Good for you on cutting out soda! Good luck on your journey. We are all here to support you!

Hi Megan!  Just hang in there with what you are doing - small changes that don't seem difficult. My DD's did not drop much until the baby quit breastfeeding - I know they say differntly, but in some women, I swear the hormones work against you. I used to hate fish too, but gradually i would try it more and more.  Of course, the less fishy it tastes, the better! Sometimes changing the way we eat takes first the beleif that a certain food has benefits, and fish is at the top of the list for nutrients! For now, measure stuff out and know what one serving looks like in your dishes & bowls. That is an education right there - get a cup measure and actually measure out rice or pasta.  1 serving is 1/2 c, about as big as most women's fists. Um, I see lots bigger servings than that on many women's plates! Right?  I liked the 70-30 rule...for women my age, it's more like 90-10, but regardless, you get the pitcure. We all know what foods are deal-breakers but the real secret is to not indulge tooo often. To declare that you'll NEVER eat them again is a tall order, and frankly, not likely to happen. BTW, I cringe to hear people say they "cheated", or in other words, ate "bad foods" - it is completely diet-speak, and not an indicator of really doing a reasonable way of eating. If you want chocolate/booze/candy/sweet rolls, teach yourself to be able to eat it without going ape**** I say plan for foods "like that" and get back on track the next meal...to think that a "cheat" could really have the power to bring you away from your goals IS a cop-out, no more no less. Just another excuse to not do what you know works for you!  How long and far you wander from eating foods in the proper amounts is up to you and within your power of choice! One thing many of us here have found, the more high quality, nutrient dense foods you eat (lean proteins, good fats, veggies, fruits, whole grains), the less you want the lesser quality foods (anything high bad fat, high calorie).  Your taste buds really do change with knowledge of benefits, belief and planning. Welcome.

I forgot to mention a few things.  First I had a few problems last year , I got pregnant with our daughter ryley and she died at 5 months gestation, I only waited 4 months until I got pregnant agian with out other daughter so I am fighting both preganancys has anyone had to deal with that weight gain.  I am a bordome eater.  I am very appreciative of all the wonderfull advice.  I am trying to change the way the whole family eats for my daughter to learn the right things.

Hi Megan...oh yeah, stress hormones, pregnancy hormone imbalances, all that counts, maybe against  your efforts! Just don't give up, honey!  Keep on learning and trying new things. Also:  I had a correction to my advice:  1 svg rice or pasta is 1.2 c, which is HALF the size of your fist! I'm not saying it's not okay to eat a whole fist sized portion, but just know it is two servings!  It's all very confusing when packages say that their product is 1 cup servings.  This is where people get misled by the Food pyramid - the product serving size on the side of a box may be 1 cup, but one serving of bread/grain group in the pyramid  = 1/2 cup.  in other words, the box labeling portion size is actually two servings.  The makers of the box product do give the correct caloric value for the serving size listed, but just remember it is still two bread servings.  This matters when a person tries to figure out how many servings is consumed, kind of like how diabetics think of their food plan.  Sometimes you see this product = 1 Bread/Grain, or 1 Meat also on the label. It's also why people think the food pyramid is wrong and says we can eat waaay too much bread (6-11 servings a day) - if we were educated on it, we would see that current bread/grain products =  at least 2 servings by Food pyramid standards.  One piece of sliced bread is another good example - if one pyramid bread serving = 15 grams of bread, and the slice weighs 35 grams, then doing the math, there at over 2 servings of bread/grain group in ONE slice of bread! If you only care about calories, then just measure out what the side of the box/bag says!

Hi Megan

Sorry for the loss of your baby but also congrats with your second one being born healthy!

Now it is time to take care of yourself again. I suggest weigh****chers as well. They teach you good habits you could do for the rest of your life. They teach you a way of life that is good for your whole family, no seperate cooking and such,. They keep you accountable if you go to the weigh inns (and stay for the advice)

SUCCESS and GOOD LUCK to yuo!

Love from Holland

Carina