"Eat to Live" Diet Question

Updated on August 24, 2012
D.B. asks from Fargo, ND
5 answers

All these diet dquestions got me thinking . . . I have no answers as I sit here 30#s over weight. I saw the "Eat to Live" on Dr. Oz, I read the book and I tried it and I felt so much better . . . my IBS is virtually gone - I'm amazed. Plus I know if I saw it on Dr. Oz, it must be true (just kidding).

So I'm wondering if anyone else follows this program/way of eating/lifestyle?

I've been doing it for a month and feel awesome but have only lost 5 pounds and that was the first 2 days. If I go off for a weekend I gain 5 and then as soon as I start on Monday it's off again. But I can't lose anymore - wondering what I'm missing, what am I doing wrong? I read stories of people that have lost over 100 lbs. I feel so good it's worth staying on it, but can't figure out how to get off those 30 lbs - I do exercise (run a mile on my treadmill everyother day), walk the dog and kids for another mile or 2 everyday - I suppose I could step it up a bit though. I'm tempted to go back to WW, but I don't feel so good on it and have all my IBS problems.

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So What Happened?

Ephie: I understand where you are coming from. I do not plan on being "vegitarian". For weight loss, limiting animal protein helps. I'm also finding this may be what has been bothering me. I could not eat raw veggies before with out lots and lots of pain, I couldn't eat beans (which I love) so eliminating meat, and I can eat veggies and beans - I love it. The recipes in the book are very intimidating so I was hoping someone on here does the Eat to Live and had some ideas. I may just have to pick up a vegitarian cookbook. In the past before IBS I could have easily been a vegitarian, I ate little meat and lots of beans.

I've done WW so i get the whole calorie/portion thing - which is why I can't believe I'm not losing more. makes me think I'm not eating enough, I know if I don't eat all my points I don't lose.

Perspective - thanks mamas!! I have lost 5 pounds in 4 weeks, I needed that!! I'll just stick with it since I feel amazing and see what happens in the next 4 weeks. I'm just impatient and want this weight off :-)

More Answers

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B.J.

answers from Minneapolis on

Hi Luckymama-
I don't do Dr. Oz but he has some founded ideas!!
try working these techniques in.
eat to color
the only tan on your plate is protein.
Drink 80 oz of water a day on average or equivalent- coffee is half it's size.
5-7 servings of fruits or veggies
75 gm of protein for an average woman- 5'6"- more if taller. This is easier with protein shakes.
ONE serving of starchy food a day-- and be careful as starchy veggies can cross over ie corn.
1200 calories a day net for the average woman-- that is net- intake minus exercise.
If you're not eating- you won't lose.

If you'd like more info feel free to email bjarmoluk at yahoo

About me: 51 yo wellness coach, perfusionist, mom with 10 yo fraternal twin girls

B. J

J.S.

answers from Hartford on

Five pounds in a month is fantastic. Losing the weight slowly means that your body can get used to the weight loss better and you'll be more likely to keep it off. Losing 10+ pounds in a week like on The Biggest Loser isn't healthy or normal, no matter how many doctors and nutritionists they have on staff at that show. Plus those people there usually are in extreme situations... but losing weight too quickly puts as much stress on your heart as having too much weight on your body.

If what you're doing feels good and keeps your IBS under control and you ARE losing some weight, then keep at it. The key is if it's a lifestyle change you can live with. No one can live on a diet for life, and that's what people actually need.

E.D.

answers from Seattle on

My father and step mother vacillate between a strict "Eat to Live" diet and the complete opposite (red meat, sodium, alcohol, etc.).

It's hard to watch.

They originally adopted the diet to combat my step mother's heart condition and my father's stroke. It seemed great. They lost a lot of weight, blood pressure became normal, cholesterol counts healthy...almost a miracle.

My family has many talents but moderation is not one of them. They have become fundamentalist about their program, my father trying to convince me to not give my children any fats or animal proteins, saying that they can live off of greens alone. Meanwhile my step mother just doesn't eat. She'll take a few bites and then talk about how fat she is for the next few hours. My father is critical to the point of obsession. And yet, they will jump off the vegi train to board the high fat and toxin boat without transition. Back and forth back and forth, extreme diet to extreme diet. Meanwhile my dad drinking like a fish.

It simply doesn't work to shock the body like that. From near starvation (such few calories it's scary) to intensely rich foods.

I think I'm jaded because of all of this. I prefer to think of food as a means of fuel, a way to give my body what it needs - like a gift. Dieting for weight loss rather than health (which sometimes includes weight loss) can be a slippery path. I'm not at all trying to imply that that's how it is for you. I've just rambled haven't I ;-)

Slow and steady wins the race. When you hit a platitude it can mean your body is hitting the reset button. It is a good sign, I've heard. If you keep on keeping on, treating yourself with respect and love, you'll probably find you loose weight more slowly but that your body is healthier...and that you'll keep the pounds off. That's my understanding (and experience loosing my baby weight) at least.

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R.M.

answers from San Francisco on

I don't know about that specific book but if you feel good and your IBS is gone, then it sounds like a good diet.

If you've lost 5 lbs., that's over a pound a week, which is the right speed to lose weight and actually keep it off. Try weighing yourself once a week on the same day, because daily variations in water intake etc. can "add" pounds, and if you weigh yourself every day and see minimal change, it's discouraging.

Since you feel great, keep this diet up for a couple more months and see if there is additional weight loss. If not, maybe you can combine this diet with Weight Watchers, since you feel great eating this way.

I.X.

answers from Los Angeles on

a lot of people can and do loose weight simply by switching to healthier foods. When that fails or plateaus, you should continue with the healthy food and then do portion control. If simple methods of portion control don't work and you want a sure formula, you will need to count calories (which is a major pain in the rear, but you will learn so much about yourself and how easy it it to overeat).

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