How I lost 100 pounds cutting calories in favorite foods: recipes for weight loss

 You can see in the before and after pictures below that I was very overweight at one time. This blog explores how I lost 100 pounds to outrun obesity. One of  my favorite ways to lose weight is by cutting calories in favorite foods. I use the show "My 600-lb Life" to get ideas. The gastric bypass patients always mention cravings for certain trigger foods. Here are diet food swaps and recipe tips for weight loss. 

Weight loss doesn't require starvation. In fact, not eating enough can actually derail weight loss. But it does mean changing habits. Before gastric bypass, overweight folks on "My 600-lb Life" always eat huge portions. Dr. Now puts them on a 1200 calorie diet after bariatric surgery. You can get pretty full on 1200 calories and still lose weight. Because shedding obesity is about eating less but also eating smarter.  

I lost 100 pounds without gastric bypass. I didn't eat special diet food. I made the same meals I made my family only I made my portion lighter (and smaller).  That's another trick "My 600-lb Life" patients have to learn is portion control. On the 1200 calorie diet, I eat many of the same foods, just less and with diet food swaps.  

I use diet food swaps in favorite recipes. Ground chicken breast is great for weight loss. So I'll use that in my diet pasta and Mexican food recipes. I'd make my lil corner of a casserole without cheese, for example. I use black bean and edamame pasta. I make my own "obesity busting" lowfat soups and bone broth (more protein) using Bragg's Liquid Amino (for healthy sodium). 

None of these diet recipe food swaps is any great shake in and of themselves. But they added up to 100 pound weight loss! They took my from overweight to normal BMI, or fat to fit!