Hellobee Boards

Get only 'approved' groceries, no junk. Don't eat out unless it is a salad or primarily vegetarian. Workout at 7am or 7pm, do or die. Read a book on health and fitness. Plan/prepare the day's meals at least one day in advance. Use My Fitness Pal (free app) to track meals if you like....

@SweetCaroline: The last one I read was How Not to Die
https://www.amazon.com/How-Not-Die-Discover-Scientifically/dp/1250066115
http://nutritionfacts.org/book/
I recommend going to the library, ebooks or even finding a website to read if you don't want to spend the money. Yes, the unhealthy carbs are junk food. Hidden sugar in many carbs should be identified as a treat and eaten as such. When I learned about sugar's impact on my health, I realized where I could make additional changes.
I've always like Nutrition Data to check out food content and there are some interesting articles on the home page.... I searched hamburger with bun http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fast-foods-generic/9924/2
Notice the 'sugar' line is mysteriously blank.

@SweetCaroline: For me, for some reason, it always helps me to jumpstart my eating with a really rigid diet plan at first, and then slowly transition to just good old healthy eating. About a month ago, I did 4 weeks of a no sugars/no processed carbs thing. And while it was restrictive and not something I would do long term, seeing 8 lbs drop off in those 4 weeks sure gave me motivation to continue working on my health.

I am in this right now. I am 8 mos PP with my last baby so I am trying to really take my body back. I am currently 10 lbs over pre baby #2 weight, 20lbs over pre baby #1 weight and 30 lbs over my ideal weight. I feel like I made excuses while pregnant and while in between babies. So now I am trying to really reset my eating habits. Here is what I personally am/have done.

I read "It starts with food". I did a 5 day cleanse (Purium) because I have done it in the past and it does a good job of breaking me of my vices (caffeine, carbs and sugar) and really resetting my food habits. I finished my cleanse last Friday and vowed to eat strictly clean/whole (along with dairy and gluten free) until Thanksgiving without weighing myself. (I will allow my self some splurges on Thanksgiving)

After Thanksgiving I plan to start working on my fitness...but first I need to nail down eating.

Like @erinbaderin: said, some weekend prep has been huge for me. This past weekend I chopped onions to have on hand for sauteing veggies. I also roasted broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts and butternut squash. I made a batch of quinoa. This makes throwing together easy meals for lunches/breakfasts - and making easy dinners.

I've been using myfitnesspal daily for the last 6 weeks. I also got a fitbit and aim for 10-12,000 steps a day. I've also just started to try the intermittent fasting approach. It's essentially skipping breakfast. I'm trying to eat healthy for lunch and dinner but not beating my self up for occasional treats. I start my day with one decaf coffee with milk. It's the only thing that's really started to shift the lbs post baby. I've lost 8lbs in the last two months. So slow and steady but I think it's more maintainable for me since it isn't crazy restrictive.

Yes, fill up on lots of vegetables!! Make that the centerpiece! So when you go grocery shopping look at your cart to see the proportions of produce etc.

@Mrs D: The only vegetables that I portion out are corn and peas. Everything else is fair game. I agree with you about fruit..eating too much stalls my weight loss.

Right now I'm trying to find protein rich meals that work for me on the go. I am trying out new ideas and then starting a "diet". I'm trying muffins (oatmeal pumpkin right now) and burritos for breakfast. Chicken salad for lunch. Ham and pesto roll up.

I'm not so worried about calories or carbs. Just focusing on high protein and cutting unnecessary sugars.

For me, it is all about portion control. I eat a balanced but not obsessively healthy diet and just eat smaller portions if I am eating something not as healthy. As others have said, my Monday-Friday breakfast and lunches day to day are pretty boring - oatmeal, yogurt, salads, etc. but it works for me. I tend to eat the same things over and over again.

I just started tackling this 4 days ago, so I'm by no means an expert, but I decided to start by using MFP to track everything going in. That has really opened my eyes as to the sheer amounts I've been eating, as well as what it all really adds up to on a given day. I'd much rather spend my calories on something filling and nitritious, so that has curbed my reaching for unhealthy carbs. I also go to an exercise class per week and walk when I can. I already feel so much better.

@Mrs D: HOw did you like the book "It starts with food"? I have been thinking about getting it...

For fitness, I recommend just starting with trying to do *something* everyday. Even if it's just a 10min powerwalk at lunch or after the kids go to bed. Bonus points if it's something longer/more intense. But just getting in that habit helps so much.

For eating, I recommend figuring out whether you are a "moderate" (you do better if you don't deprive yourself and allow treats/unhealthy foods in small portions or at specific times) or an "abstainer" (you do better if you don't allow yourself to have something at all). It can really make a difference, knowing which approach works better for you.
(h/t Gretchen Rubin's book for this categorization!)