a healthier diet?

[Kel]

ok, i'm not really looking to lose weight or anything, but i was wondering how some of you eat.  meaning what types of diets you have.  

i generally do not eat fast food (except for the occasional gyro craving..sick, i know!), but i still feel like i could eat better.  i tend to eat a lot of potatoes, prepared any and every way that potatoes can be cooked.  i also think i take in too many salts and do not eat enough fruits or grains.  

so, basically, can anyone offer me suggestions to kind of clean up my diet?  i have iron deficiency anemia as well, so foods rich in iron help.

i know you aren't doctors, but i figured even if there was one person on here with suggestions it would help me.  just trying to get opinions from a couple of different places.  i should probably just see a nutritionist but i don't really have the money to do that.  

thanks in advance :)

[Kel]

also, i have just begun doing some pilates and yoga.  if you have any tips for me in regards to either of those as well, it would be greatly appreciated.  i'm doing both by video so i don't know if there might be small tips here and there that i would be missing.

[Ghosts_on_TV]

I actually eat really good. I'm not a vegan, but I eat like one most of the time...

[Jaimoe]

If you are going to eat potatoes like an Irishman, try baked. They are way healthier, but don't load them up with butter. Try no or low-fat sour cream.

Eat five fruits and vegi servings a day. Lay off the red meat and eat a balanced diet. Don't over-eat. Portion size is extremely important too. You can eat carbs, but complex carbs are the best - found in rice.

Exercise a lot. Walk during lunch breaks and buy a bike. Hit the gym three times a week and stick to a weight plan. I do all of the above and I'm in better shape than I was a decade ago... and stronger and tougher too.

[.Walt]

i guess this doesn't matter anymore, but i did this program: don't drink soda, not even diet/light soda. don't eat anything over 2.5g of fat. don't drink juice like soda. drink 10 glasses of water. exercise for an hour a day. no drinking booze, beer included, not even light beer. i lost 90 pounds in 6 months  my senior year in high school (5 years ago). i did gain it all back my first year of college, not really, but really close to.

[Jaimoe]

I went on weightwatchers two years ago and lost 30 pounds in six months. The great thing about weightwatchers is that it teaches you to eat a healty diet. Most of the other diets are quick-fixes that don't train you to eat properly. I'm about 10 pounds off my ideal post diet weight of a two years ago, but I'm lifting heavier weights and drink beer. Still, it's not hard to keep the weight off as long as you keep an eye on what you eat and exercise like crazy.

[.Walt]

I went on weightwatchers two years ago and lost 30 pounds in six months. The great thing about weightwatchers is that it teaches you to eat a healty diet. Most of the other diets are quick-fixes that don't train you to eat properly. I'm about 10 pounds off my ideal post diet weight of a two years ago, but I'm lifting heavier weights and drink beer. Still, it's not hard to keep the weight off as long as you keep an eye on what you eat and exercise like crazy.

so true, is all about keeping an eye on what you eat. of course i'm over weight though.  ::)



obviously i'm the bigger one outta the two...early 2006 (i don't smoke anymore) and you shouldn't either. even if you look cool, like i do  8-)

[Jenny]

also, i have just begun doing some pilates and yoga.  if you have any tips for me in regards to either of those as well, it would be greatly appreciated.  i'm doing both by video so i don't know if there might be small tips here and there that i would be missing.

yoga is so ill.
i take hot yoga three or four times a week.  in a 95 degree room. if there are any classes open that offer heated vinyasa near you, i think it's a much better alternative... perhaps just as effective, but i find myself feeling so much better afterwards.  i guess it's pretty pricey, though. but i think it'd be worth the money and time and everything else.  sweating like crazy in a controlled temperature for an hour and a half is the best way to go... but what do i know.

[Jaimoe]

If you join a good gym, the membership often includes free classes in pilates, yoga, boxing, spin-classes etc...

[red]

I've been on the hunt for a good weekly meal plan for a while now, but I can't find anything.

Otherwise, I'm in fairly decent shape.  I run about 10 km and play slo-pitch twice weekly.  Other than that I just do random exercises during the week to keep up my cardio in an effort to destroy my once-prominent asthma.

[The DARK]

I'm not one to change my diet. I'm pretty healthy, and I don't make a big deal out of what I eat. As long as I get enough excercise and don't eat a lot of fast food, I'm good.

[Jaimoe]

Hey red, the Canada Food Guide will put you on the right diet path. Also, try to get your hands on a weightwatchers point book. It will really help you with regards to what is high in points. Some foods and their subsequent ratings will surprise you.

[bug]

This is a free website that will give you a food plan and exercise plan as well as a grocery list. www.sparkpeople.com

They have message boards too where you can talk to other dieters.  It works about like weight watchers I think, it's just a healthy way to eat. and it helps you keep track of what you've eaten.  They also have a lot of good articles about weight loss and exercise, keeping healthy etc.  They ask you a lot of questions when you sign up and then you're given a diet and exercise plan according to your preferences.  I actually don't really follow their food plan because I'm kind of a picky eater, but there is an option for entering your own meals if you like and I use that.  I just try to keep things within the calorie, fat, carb and protien range they gave me.  Also, I'm eating organic foods and not consuming artificial sweeteners so that's been a bit of an obstacle for me.  The artificial sweetners make me ill though, I feel a lot better since not eating them.  

[dragonboy]

The secret to keeping fit & staying shape is staying single & having a stress free job.
2 years ago on my wedding day & one year into running my own school = 80kg
2 years later, still married & three years into running my own school = fast approaching 100kg
The way I'm going right now I'll have a heart attack before I'm 40  ;)

[Kel]

If you join a good gym, the membership often includes free classes in pilates, yoga, boxing, spin-classes etc...

I truly cannot afford it, that's why I got the videos.  Once I can, I will be joining, trust me!!

As for the "diet" thing, I'm not even really looking to lose weight.  If I lost any more than 5-10 lbs I would actually be underweight.  Well, I'd be underweight even if I lost the 5-10 lbs.  I'm pretty much at my healthy weight right now, I'd just like to get healthier overall.  I already portion my foods fairly well, and I eat slower so my body knows when it's full.

I guess I should have worded my question differently....I'm basically wondering how you guys that have a healthier diet stick to it.  Do you have a daily list of what you eat?  

I know two people on Weight Watchers right now and it seems wonderful because it does help you pick great foods and also portion.  It allows for you to go out to eat and also have a treat every now and then by watching your points.  

I guess I just need more of a regime.  I am not one to stick to those though :(  I guess I'll just have to try to!!

[Kel]

The secret to keeping fit & staying shape is staying single & having a stress free job.
2 years ago on my wedding day & one year into running my own school = 80kg
2 years later, still married & three years into running my own school = fast approaching 100kg
The way I'm going right now I'll have a heart attack before I'm 40  ;)

I am single and I do have a stress free job!!  Haha.  For real though, I think that living/working in the suburbs and having to drive everywhere is what makes me not-so-in-shape.  I can't wait to move to downtown Chicago because I'll then sell my car, walk/bike everywhere.  There are also a lot more farmers markets down there, so that means cheaper/more organic fruits and veggies will be more readily available.

Oh, I also want to get into kickboxing!  I can't wait until I have money to take all of these classes I want to take.  Kickboxing, Cooking Classes, Massage Classes.  Too bad it costs money to do almost anything in this world.

[Kel]

This is a free website that will give you a food plan and exercise plan as well as a grocery list. www.sparkpeople.com

They have message boards too where you can talk to other dieters.  It works about like weight watchers I think, it's just a healthy way to eat. and it helps you keep track of what you've eaten.  They also have a lot of good articles about weight loss and exercise, keeping healthy etc.  They ask you a lot of questions when you sign up and then you're given a diet and exercise plan according to your preferences.  I actually don't really follow their food plan because I'm kind of a picky eater, but there is an option for entering your own meals if you like and I use that.  I just try to keep things within the calorie, fat, carb and protien range they gave me.  Also, I'm eating organic foods and not consuming artificial sweeteners so that's been a bit of an obstacle for me.  The artificial sweetners make me ill though, I feel a lot better since not eating them.  

Oh my gosh, thank you!  This is exactly what I was looking for.

I have been buying pretty much all organic lately and have been eating 100 calorie popcorn or sesame pretzels for snacks.  the biggest obstacle for me has been soda.  i LOVE dr. pepper, it's sick.  It's actually been tasting kind of gross to me lately so I've been steering away.

Oh, and to whoever said stay away from alcohol, I try to!  However, I need my wine every once and a while.  As stated before, I'm a single woman living alone.  Gotta have my wine nights every once and a while!  Oh man, wait until I get a cat....I'll be the single cat lady sipping on pinot grigio  :-/

[bug]

 Gotta have my wine nights every once and a while!  Oh man, wait until I get a cat....I'll be the single cat lady sipping on pinot grigio  :-/

Um, I have two cats and a dog ... it ain't so bad  ;)  

[Kel]

Gotta have my wine nights every once and a while!  Oh man, wait until I get a cat....I'll be the single cat lady sipping on pinot grigio  :-/

Um, I have two cats and a dog ... it ain't so bad  ;)  

Oh trust me, I wouldn't mind at all!  I was kinda joking with that face :)

[colleen]

I'm about 90% vegan with a smidgen of dairy and fish. I do it for the critters and not so much for health/weight reasons, but it does have many health benefits (heart, weight, etc). Also, I think processed foods are the reason so many people are sick and tired and overweight. Who knows what's in most packaged/processed food as far as chemicals/dyes, etc. There's a great book called Healing With Whole Foods. I'm not saying I'm anywhere close to what the author recommends in terms of healthy eating, but it talks about how important it is to include more legumes, grains, etc. into your diet and why. I have found that very soon after starting to eat this way, I almost never crave junk food. Another that is amazing in terms of natural remedies for what ails you is Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing. Smoothies are a lifesaver for me. Every day I try to make one with: soy milk, soy protein powder, fruit, flax seed oil, psyllium husks and this stuff called Miracle Greens which provides the equivalent of 5 servings of raw vegetables. I figure if I eat badly later in the day I'm covered.

I can't afford a gym either. But, the pilates stretch bands and a balance ball are cheap as are hand weights. You can do so many exercises on a balance ball and it also serves as a good chair that improves posture.

Don't hold me to this lifestyle during the OBH camp, though!