This is what's worked (over a stone in fat loss) for me - your thoughts?

[NonStop]

Before I begin, I'd be interested to hear what diets people have used that have worked for them; by worked I mean cut off unnecessary weight, helped with exercise, made them feel generally better etc. Also like to hear how this compares to what I do, and what your thoughts are.

I only just discovered recently that I've been in the best shape of my life since I've been alive, and thought I'd share what I've done to get there. For me, I've never really followed a set diet, I currently eat very healthy and am precise as to what goes in my body, and I try to eat every 3 hours.

Initially, I just eat healthy, cutting out fats and sugars as much as possible. Now, if I want to lose weight, I first cut the majority of my alcohol consumption, and then cut down the calorie level by cutting down on carb-rich food, I keep the veg, fruit, protein and exercise level (ETK) the same. However, I've found cutting out carb-rich food levels completely screws up my energy levels, so I always have some (and find that I still lose weight rapidly).

Once I am comfortable, I keep my calorie level at about the level my body needs to stay the same (I calculate how many calories I burn approx and BMR as to how many I need normally and add the two), once again through playing with carb-rich food. If I put weight back on, I repeat above.

I'm currently at about 14% body fat, 19 years old (less than a month away from turning 20), am 6 foot 4 in height, weigh 82kgs, and through this diet approach have lost over a stone in fat (probably much more considering the increase in muscle mass - I never used to exercise before dieting) and am feeling great. As I said above, I've honed down my approach a lot more since I started dieting 2 years ago, and I now that had I known what I know now, I would have lost the weight a lot quicker.

Here's on average what I eat (pasta/rice/potato amounts (carb-rich) vary as to whether I want to cut back or not):

9am - Porridge/Shredded Wheat (100% wheat nothing added), 300ml skimmed milk with banana and raisins/sultanas and teaspoon cinnamon

12pm - Half can of tomatoes, 40g spinach, half onion, half clove garlic, 60g lean turkey/equivalent fat and protein of almonds (5 days turkey, 2 days almonds/mixed nuts) with various spices, and wholegrain rice/pasta or potatoes and 100ml skimmed milk

3pm - 20g Almonds/mixed nuts with an apple and 100ml skimmed milk

6pm - Half can of tomatoes, 40g spinach, half onion, half clove garlic, 60g lean turkey/equivalent fat/protein almonds (5 days turkey, 2 days almonds/mixed nuts) with various spices, and wholegrain rice/pasta or potatoes and 100ml skimmed milk

9pm - Cottage Cheese/Fish (rotated every other day - fish being tuna once a week, other portion being sardines, mackerel etc), tomato, tabasco sauce, with wholegrain rice/pasta or potatoes and 100ml skimmed milk

12pm - 20g Almonds/mixed nuts and 100ml skimmed milk

Would be great to hear from people.

[Matthew Green UK]

Good stuff NS. Only thing I would say is this- skimmed milk is truly the work of the devil. Be a man and drink some real milk! (Read Nourishing Tradaitions if you want to know why)

[NonStop]

Is that a site or a book? I personally love skimmed milk, gives me the majority of the calcium that I and everyone else needs, gives me some protein, is very low in fat, and my sugar levels don't go too mad as I'm drinking it throughout the day,

[avilezj]

Mike Geary's book called Truth about Abs gave me a very good introduction to the fitness world. Nutrition and training is included. A good book to read. 5 Tips to Lose Belly Fat, Get Flat Six Pack Abs, Ab Workouts, Abdominal Exercises

[Matthew Green UK]

Originally Posted by NonStop

Is that a site or a book? I personally love skimmed milk, gives me the majority of the calcium that I and everyone else needs, gives me some protein, is very low in fat, and my sugar levels don't go too mad as I'm drinking it throughout the day,

Its a book, by Sally Fallon.

You need the fat in dairy to assimilate the calcium and other nutrients.

[Chiggers]

Originally Posted by Matthew Green UK

Its a book, by Sally Fallon.

You need the fat in dairy to assimilate the calcium and other nutrients.

What if your lactose intolerant?

[Matthew Green UK]

Hmmm, you could try this... not eating dairy??

[NonStop]

Originally Posted by Matthew Green UK

Its a book, by Sally Fallon.

You need the fat in dairy to assimilate the calcium and other nutrients.

Hmmm. I've never heard anyone say this before. In addition, full fat, is well, high in fat!

[xafier]

Fat is good, pecan nuts are 70% fat, but they're not bad for you :P

The real enemy is sugar! By which I mean from fruit juices and chocolate and other crap foods, eating fruit whole isn't all that bad though because you get the fibre etc too that stop the insulin spikes that sugar causes

[avilezj]

Originally Posted by Chiggers

What if your lactose intolerant?

...Yoghurt