I'm 400 pounds, is this healthy?

This will probably get downvoted to oblivion, but I am posting anyway.

You don't have to count calories. Yes, a lot of people do, and they swear by it. For some people, the chore of doing that is such a nuisance, they just give up their diet altogether. I eat a whole lot better when I am not writing down every single thing that passes my lips.

To get to 400 pounds, your diet did not primarily consist of vegetables. There's a pretty good chance it included a lot of red meat and unhealthy fats. By changing those habits, you have already changed your caloric intake quite drastically. Those changes alone will have you losing weight.

Do you have a specific goal in mind? Do you need to lose 50 pounds in 6 months for your wedding? That's a strong motivator for people to go on crash diets and spend an ungodly amount of time in the gym. Sure, you lose all the weight, and you get a nice sense of accomplishment from that. But you also don't really learn habits that you can maintain for the rest of your life. As a person who reached 400 pounds, it's a pretty safe bet that you do not enjoy spending 2 hours a day at the gym.

No, your plan is a lot healthier and more sustainable in the long run. Adding regular exercise to your day is a fantastic way to get and stay heart healthy. Filling up on vegetables is a good way to lose weight. You're already eating organically, but I would recommend also shopping locally. You can find farmer's markets in or near pretty much any city. Better still if you live in a more rural area. Talk to the farmers. They eat what they grow, and can tell you how to make it delicious.

I would also recommend investing in a high quality olive oil. I swear by Bramasole Olive Oil. It's cold pressed, so it is full of flavor and healthy fat. I buy a case every winter, and use it in just about everything I make. There is nothing on the grocery store shelf that comes close. Add to that some flavorful vinegars, a small herb garden, and a well stocked spice rack. The sauce is the key to almost any dish.

If you enjoy breads and sweets, there is no reason to cut them out completely. Just switch to whole grains. If you like rice, try farro. It's got a meaty mouthfeel, cooks much the same way, and holds flavor well. Have a little Greek yogurt with fruit, toasted oatmeal, and honey.

Another good thing to have on hand is some high quality chocolate. I recommend these. It's $30 for a bag of 100 teeny, tiny little pieces. Sounds like a huge rip off, but it's organic and fair trade, and happens to be the best chocolate I have ever tasted. I can eat just one and be happy. Considering how much I used to spend on chocolate alone, it is well worth the price.

It's all about choices. Which choices you can maintain for the rest of your life. If you need to lose it fast, then try the crash diets and spend a few months in the gym. But if it's really about changing your health, all you need to do is make better choices one day at a time.

/r/HealthyFood Thread Parent