So now that my colt is off to a trainer for 90 days I’m no longer riding until he comes back. Well I’ve let my eating habits get a bit out of control and have gained some weight...so I’m looking for advice on how to lose it. Not a huge fan of Fad diets as they don’t seem to last long term for me.

So far I’ve been watching my calorie intake along with only drinking water. I have also started working out a minimum of 30 minutes a day.

What does everyone else do to lose weight? Also What kind of foods do you eat? Any advice is appreciated!

Best thing we have ever done is intermittent fasting. And all of our friends that have done it too. I can do it because during open window I can have anything I want. We do the 18/6. The most popular is the 16/8.

It was really hard for me he first 6 months as I like to eat and I was starving at the 16th and 17th hour. But Now I don't even notice. I've been doing it for about 2 and a half years now. It's a way of life.

I try to eat or drink my last at 6 PM. So then it's nothing but water until noon the next day. You can have black coffee or black tea but I don't like either of those so it's just water for me. I can't always make the 6 pm so if it's 7 pm I don't have anything but water until 1 PM the next day.

We used to not fast on vacation but it's uncomfortble to have breakfast even on vacation now so we mostly don't. 

Weight loss is just one benefit. It's been a super healthy change for us. I've lost about 25 lbs and kept it off. I run 4 miles 3 times a week but that's the weight loss reason. I've alway run. I'm sure the combination of running and fasting is a plus but the weight never came off with just running. 

The best thing that's worked for me is keeping the carbs low and tracking calories.  This way,  you can eat at just about any restaurant and not feel like you are suffering.  You can download myfitnesspal or loseit apps and they help track your progress and keep you accountable. 

Portion size worked great for me and I'm in my early 50s. I try to walk or do some type of exercise 4-5 days a week. 

Eliminate sugar from your diet (including fruit), consume limited carbs early in your day, take in lots of fiber and water, and lastly, consume an adequate amount of protein based on your needs. By giving up sugar you might get headaches for a couple of weeks but the headaches and the craving will go away. An aerobic exercise routine will expedite weight loss and make you feel so much better. Over a period of 2 months, I have lost a solid 10 lbs. (weight I gained during the Covid lock-down). Look for Dr. Jo's YouTube video on stretching before exercising.

No quick fixes .... calories in vs calories out... you need a deficit in order to drop lbs. That being said... quality calories that nourish your body and the demands you put on it.. I like mediterrean/paleo type eating ... healthy fats,  fresh organic veggies and fruits natural sources of sugar... agave,  maple syrup and honey. Lots of water... limited dairy ... 

all good suggestions above! I quit eating breakfast, i know, i know, they say dont do it but i had a stressful time and couldn't eat in the morning and so i stopped. I would only drink coffee with homeade creamer... until about 11 or so and then i'd eat.

I also started cutting down the amount of food i ate. like I ate half of what i normally did. A handful of nuts for a snack.

I went grain free and dairy free long before but still couldn't get it off and this was I did and I managed to drop the last 15 lbs. Also I would drink a shake for lunch or dinner a few times a week. A good one not those nasty full of sugar and artificial ones. Also not much sugar, I used pure maple syrup, coconut sugar or honey. Its hard but it can be done.

For snack bars I'm really liking the munk pack bars i found! Also kind bars are good, simple mills has lots of mixes and snacks, or just grab sugar snap peas, baby carrots, a banana, apple. And I eat enjoy life chocolate chips. Sometimes a few handfulls LOL there are those days. lol. I think its better to just eat the chocolate straight sometimes than cookies or cake, then you dont get the carbs with it. 

no snacks after 7pm for me. 

Lots of walking! I dont have time to work out :(

I have tried the diets stuff, pills, foods, etc and it has never worked for me. 

Oh I love Lily's chocolate chips!!! So good for that sweet tooth fix! And one of my favorite things is Keto or Rebel ice cream... its pretty rich so just a few spoonfuls do the trick.

And another thing that helps is, Mowing the Yard and pens

                                                    weed eating the yard and pens

                                                        unloading hay & Feed

                                                       Chasing your new puppy that wont listen to you across the yard thats chasing the chickens.. LOL, yep thats what I do to keep weight down.

                                                         I do lots and lots of walking out here during feeding time, twice a day, along with all the other stuff that gos with it.

One thing that helped me to lose my Covid weight was to actually eat a set number of calories to keep me satsifed without starving, usually around 1500, ramping up my work outs and not put anything in my mouth after 6:00 PM.  I don't limit myself to types of foods because I find if I do I binge.  I just reduce portions. If I eat out at work I will buy a kids meal. I also eat Kodiak Cakes for breakfast which are high in protein.