# I found the secret to losing weight! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 19, 2021, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-the-secret-to-losing-weight/949153 "2021-08-19T14:09:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-the-secret-to-losing-weight/949153/21 "2021-08-20T13:57:21Z")
The diet that worked best for me (which I don’t follow any more. So take that for what it’s worth) was to eat the food pyramid. My rule was, after I eat the food pyramid, I could treat myself to whatever I want. The thing was, I never WANTED anything else after eating the food pyramid. The cravings just weren’t there. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-the-secret-to-losing-weight/949153/22 "2021-08-20T14:00:07Z")
> [@FlikTheBlue](#): > > It’s not easy, but it’s very simple. Eat a diet consisting of vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats When you do this it’s amazing how much the calorie count goes down in meals. They go hand-in-hand very well. It’s evident when searching for my weekly supply of frozen entrees to take to work each week. A Healthy Choice Simply Chicken & Vegetable Stir Fry comes in at 190 calories. compare that to a Stouffer’s Mac & Cheese at 500 calories or a Banquet Bacon MacNCheese pot pie at 1000 calories. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-the-secret-to-losing-weight/949153/23 "2021-08-20T14:02:08Z")
As a guy who lost more than ⅓ of his body weight once (from 320 to 183), I can tell y’all that the secret to my weight loss was indeed taking in fewer calories every day than I expended. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-the-secret-to-losing-weight/949153/24 "2021-08-20T14:02:35Z")
> [@glee](#): > > Many, many people have claimed to have the ‘secret’ to losing weight. > They usually retract after some months have gone by. > > Here’s my suggestions: > > - eat less > - replace processed foods with healthy foods > - take more exercise > - aim to lose weight slowly (it’s hard to stick to a diet, let alone a dramatic one) > - get help and encouragement from family, friends and reliable organisations And portion control. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-the-secret-to-losing-weight/949153/25 "2021-08-20T14:05:42Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > The diet that worked best for me (which I don’t follow any more. So take that for what it’s worth) was to eat the food pyramid. So it’s a matter of stacking food in a specific way on a plate… interesting. > [@Jackmannii](#): > > And portion control. Damn. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-the-secret-to-losing-weight/949153/26 "2021-08-20T16:12:31Z")
> [@Melbourne](#): > > > [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > > > I lost over 50 pounds by breaking a femur and being subjected to execrable hospital food. T > > I lost 30+ by having my jaw broken and my jaw wired. If only I’d known earlier how easy it was! > > … I got cancer, and the pounds _melted_ away! During treatment I went from pushing 180 to close to 130. Funny, just before diagnosis I was going up and considering buying new pants. Nowadays I just skip meals, usually breakfast. It’s not for everyone; it’s not foolproof. But it’s simple. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-the-secret-to-losing-weight/949153/27 "2021-08-20T18:02:27Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > So what you’re saying is: If it wasn’t for your horse… I owe a lot to my horse. ---
**Author:** ![shh1313](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shh1313/32/8020_2.png) [@shh1313](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shh1313)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-the-secret-to-losing-weight/949153/28 "2021-08-20T18:53:30Z")
This is what I did, I was always 85-102 lbs til I was 53-54 years old. I was very, stressed ongoing for a little over 6- 7 years. My coping skills were 2-3 dark milky ways a day, chocolate cake, chocolate pie, large Nutella. If it was chocolate I ate it. One day I went shopping for clothes that would fit my 18th century womanly figure. No size 1, or 3. NOPE I was a size 16 and 167. lbs. I was mad, mad at me! I bought 1 size 8, 2 size 6 AND 1 size 3 matching outfits. I went home if it was in a box, bag, processed, instant, I threw it away. The only white thing in my kitchen was 1/2 & 1/2 for my coffee. Skinless, chicken, fresh fish, fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, chia seeds, whole raw nuts, fresh brewed tea and coffee. Lots of water. No potatoes no bread, no rice, no pasta, milk, or cheese. Steamed, boiled, raw, baked or sauteed with a minisquile amount of olive oil. I did eat eggs and all natural plain yogurt for smoothies. I used a much smaller plate for my meals. 3 or 4 times a day 1 walked around my driveway. It’s very long. …driveway I rode my bicycle. I took a vitamin c time release, d, fish oil, bcomplex and b12. I was losing 5 lbs a day easily, by the end of July I was in a size 6. Today, I need to go back on my diet I’m up to 130. I love chocolate! The first 3 days was the toughest. I was withdrawing from sugar. It was easy after that. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-the-secret-to-losing-weight/949153/29 "2021-08-20T19:07:42Z")
> [@shh1313](#): > > was losing 5 lbs a day easily It is categorically impossible to lose 5 lbs a day in body weight (with the exception of water weight due to cardiac or kidney issues). Braggadocio is not becoming. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-the-secret-to-losing-weight/949153/30 "2021-08-20T19:11:13Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > > [@shh1313](#): > > > > was losing 5 lbs a day easily > > It is categorically impossible to lose 5 lbs a day in body weight (with the exception of water weight due to cardiac or kidney issues). Maybe she meant week, not day. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-the-secret-to-losing-weight/949153/31 "2021-08-20T19:18:52Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > > [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > > > > [@shh1313](#): > > > > > > was losing 5 lbs a day easily > > > > It is categorically impossible to lose 5 lbs a day in body weight (with the exception of water weight due to cardiac or kidney issues). > > **Maybe she meant week, not day.** - That’s still a caloric deficit of appx. 2200-2300 calories a day. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-the-secret-to-losing-weight/949153/32 "2021-08-20T19:26:29Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > That’s still a caloric deficit of appx. 2200-2300 calories a day. What if you walk rather vigorously? “It’s a very long… driveway.” ---
**Author:** ![shh1313](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shh1313/32/8020_2.png) [@shh1313](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shh1313)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-the-secret-to-losing-weight/949153/33 "2021-08-20T20:21:06Z")
A lot of it was water. I didn’t mean 5 lbs a day, 5 lbs a week is correct. You do reach a plateau point. I live in Texas it was Summer. I have 12 acres and livestock. I also have a high metabolism rate. My driveway is an oval about a 1/4 mi. The a straight driveway attached from oval that goes to the road… do that 3, 4, or more if your pissed/ then riding your bicycle. You want to get your heart rate up. ---
**Author:** ![InfraBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infrablue/32/6366_2.png) [@InfraBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InfraBlue)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-the-secret-to-losing-weight/949153/34 "2021-08-20T21:11:14Z")
Whoa, from 180 to 130! Where do I get this cancer? ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-the-secret-to-losing-weight/949153/35 "2021-08-20T22:07:02Z")
Ok, here are my diet secrets. Don’t tell a soul! Craving something sweet? Cantaloupe! Something salty? Popcorn. It’s really helpful to like fish. You can pretty much eat as much as you want. This might not be for everyone, but I love a big heaping plate of shredded lettuce topped with grated carrots and a tin of anchovies. Top off with a bit of balsamic vinegar. I also recommend “Outshine” brand popsicles. They’re really good and only 60-70 calories apiece. ---
**Author:** ![shh1313](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shh1313/32/8020_2.png) [@shh1313](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shh1313)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-the-secret-to-losing-weight/949153/36 "2021-08-20T23:11:36Z")
I did not have a daily caloric goal. Eat when you’re hungry and as much as you like. I drink 5- 6 cups of really strong coffee a day, sometimes more. Protein, fiber, complex carbs. Also when you reduce your portion size, your stomach shrinks. Add major stress, your body is running on adrenaline and cortisol. Plus you spent too much money on clothes, there your goal to succeed. That same year my husband passed away. I lost my appetite completely. Very hard time in my life. ---
**Author:** ![shh1313](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shh1313/32/8020_2.png) [@shh1313](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shh1313)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-the-secret-to-losing-weight/949153/37 "2021-08-20T23:19:41Z")
1. pounds start diet > **Summary** > > NOT 280 POUNDS Finish diet 132. pounds 3 months after husband died got in the size 3, 96 pounds. I didn’t plan on my husband dying from a heart attack. ---
**Author:** ![PozhanPop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pozhanpop/32/8022_2.png) [@PozhanPop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PozhanPop)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2021, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-the-secret-to-losing-weight/949153/38 "2021-08-21T13:28:28Z")
A friend of mine once talked about some major weight loss he was able to achieve by a simple change in his diet. He only ate the frozen cut vegetables that come in bags. One bag per meal. He would either steam or microwave them and add a dash of salt and a little bit of dressing. I don’t know if everyone can stomach that but his results were nothing short of amazing. ---
**Author:** ![DaveRaver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daveraver/32/1078_2.png) [@DaveRaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveRaver)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2021, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-the-secret-to-losing-weight/949153/39 "2021-08-21T15:34:13Z")
What did they do for protein? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2021, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-the-secret-to-losing-weight/949153/40 "2021-08-21T15:36:26Z")
> [@DaveRaver](#): > > What did they do for protein? - Losing muscle mass counts as weight loss. Not a great idea… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-the-secret-to-losing-weight/949153.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-found-the-secret-to-losing-weight/949153.md?page=3)