I think the sweetener would be a good transition for those addicted to sugary drinks. For example, I used to drink maybe one or two soda's per day. Then I switched to juices instead of soda. Then I switched to lightly flavoured water instead of juice. Then I switched only to water. I haven't had a soda now in about 7 years. I don't drink juices either as they are a little too sweet for me. For those who are addicted to sweets, I also recommend tapering down instead of cutting down cold turkey. Sugar is addicting and brain science proves this. Like if you eat a candy bar or cookie/cake for desert, switch to a lower sugar based alternative like an Rice Krispie treat. Then later maybe some organic granola bar with natural sugars. After a while you won't have the same intense craving for high sugar foods.
For the majority of people, drinking a huge amount of plain water each and every day isn't practical. I drink a lot of plain water but also use different flavors of Crystal Light throughout the day. OP, when trying to lose weight, people are guaranteeing failure when they force themselves to do things they dislike that aren't really necessary. Another example I'll give are those who say not to put dressing on salad. That's a dumb idea that will cause most to stop eating salad. Just use restraint, especially with the creamy dressings. If you like Italian, that's a good thing. On the myth about eating late: I lost 40 lbs in 4 months by going light on breakfast and lunch and making dinner my primary meal. How often and what time of day you eat doesn't affect anything. Your body burns more calories during the day and less at night regardless of how often or when you consume food. The real problem with eating late is the calories are usually additional, unnecessary calories that will blow you up. This is easier said than done, but you have to figure out the major factors in weight control vs. the minors (and the nothings). Too many folks spin their wheels on stuff that doesn't help them much and get discouraged.
It really depends on where you're at. If you are 60+ lbs overweight and eat very unhealthy foods all day there are some easy things you can do to cut weight quick. First, research all the foods you normally eat. KNOW what's in them. Not just calories but vitamins, carbs, fat type, etc, know what you're eating. Then, the main thing to do would be completely drop soda and sugary foods, for at least 2 weeks. You will see significant weight loss, this will give you confidence. Then, begin to reintroduce them as treats. Anyone who tells you they don't have an unhealthy treat from time to time is lying to you. But, you probably don't have an ice cream sundae everyday, you shouldn't have a soda everyday either...so be sensible. The water is the biggest thing, though. Everyone can make that switch, I used to think water tasted foul until I conditioned my body to it. Now I can't go without drinking tons of it everyday. If you're trying to lose that last 15 or 20 lbs you MUST change your lifestyle.
The way got started is at church we started a 21 day Daniel fast at the beginning of 2011. No bread, sugar, dairy or meat. When I got done, I was 25 lbs lighter and I learned a new way to eat. I tried so many new foods, and I loved it. It taught me to eat smarter and still be satisfied. There are some ways to lose weight quickly, even the surgeries aren't permanent. If you go back to your old ways, you will gain it back, and then some. No diet, just a new lifestyle.
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I havent read the responses, but your meal plan is about the worst thing you can do. The purpose is to speed up your metabolism, not slow it down. Eat 5 small meals a day...with breakfast being the most important.
as i mentioned earlier, i have tried a couple of times in the past already trying to quit cold turkey and go strictly water. hasn't worked, was thinking maybe the sweetner might be a way to wane off.
One thing that worked for me is eating from a smaller plate. I went from a 10.5" plate to a 9" plate. It not really for quick results but did take away the over eating. I think there is something mental to it and seeing yourself eating a full plate even if its a smaller size that makes you full.
so think i'm going to try to go strictly water starting this week and get a gallon of water a day in. how do most of you go about it? are you spreading it out evenly across the day or do you get your gallon in by the end of work and just drink glasses of water throughout the day until bed. what have you found to be the best method? i happened to see this, this might help me in terms of a guide as to how to get the gallon across each day. http://www.livestrong.com/article/200955-how-to-drink-a-gallon-of-water-a-day-to-lose-weight/
not practical? What does that even mean? Since when is it harder to fill your glass with water instead of something else. As for using a sweetener as a stepping stone. Its certainly moving in the right direction which is good. I just dont see how moving from that to water is going to be different than straight to water. Its all mental and saying no to your body when it craves it.
Don't try to chug the water down at any point. You'll just piss it out quickly. Replace the other drinks you have throughout the day with water. Keep water at your desk while you work and sip it periodically. Drink a little more when you start to feel hungry. Often, that hunger feeling you think you feel is actually thirst. That should get you to a gallon.
It IS mental which is why many cannot do it. Drinking water with a sweetener is calorically equivalent to drinking pure water. The focus should be on moving away from high caloried liquids to low or no calorie. If a person does that and drinks most water of their water with a sweetener, they've accomplished 95% of what needs to be done. The remaining 5% (converting to pure water 100%) is minor and it's importance shouldn't be inflated. This is what I meant in the earlier post about majoring on majors instead of minors. If totally giving up sweeteners is hard for someone, they shouldn't waste their effort on it. Instead, they should focus on other areas of their diet where a where more is at stake.
Cut artificial sugar,flour,dough, and you straight. Losing weight is more about disciplining your diet. Weightlifting helps you and it doesn't have to be intense. Turn it into a habit. Eat better,look better, and perform better. It has a positive snowball effect.
I'm assuming the main motivation to losing weight for most is to be healthier. Artificial sweeteners are not a healthy option, you're body isn't made for that crap.
Some people are making this way too complicated. You can eat whatever you want as long as it's in moderation. I did weight watchers 2 years ago and lost 40 pounds. I've kept it off since then too. There are plenty of free phone apps to help you calculate and keep track of your points. Don't pay for the official one. There are also lots of websites out there dedicated to how many points foods have. Again, don't pay for the official one. Google is your friend. Now I keep track of my points 5 or 6 days a week then eat whatever I want on Saturdays and/or Sundays (without over doing it). That's how I've kept it off for so long. Simple.
