Losing weight

[nygrl232]

Posted: 9/6/10 at 10:28am

My weight goes up and down. I'm a bit tired of that. I don't eat a lot of crap, I cook at home most of the time (mostly lean protein/veggies/whole grains) and I try at the very least to get at least 30 minutes of cardio per day, even if it's just walking around the city to run errands. Never was much of an athlete. Was a slender kid but was never really all that spry. Always came in last in the 9-minute run in gym class, that sort of thing. Pretty much the case as an adult. I have something like a nerd level of physicality.

But I've always been a little bit chubby (15-30 lbs overweight in my case). If nothing else in my life, I'd like to control my weight.

Just curious about people's experiences with this topic in their lives. Frankly, I'm looking for suggestions, because I'm out of ideas! Thanks for sharing any thoughts, BWWers.

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/6/10 at 10:57am

Back in 2005 or 6 I wanted to lose some weight. I cut fast food and started eating salads. I put veggies and chicken on them. I would either eat my lunch at my desk or eat right at the beginning of my lunch hour and walk around town for the rest. I also started cooking at home more and eating more veggies. Cut out microwaveable stuff for the most part. I like pasta so I would add chicken to it. I was at 162 (or somewhere around there) and I am at 142 now. I went up a bit and then back down. I try to make sure to take a walk every day. I also cut out soda/pop. I have replaced it with water and Gatorade. I do treat myself from time to time with a Coke though. I love hot dogs also and this past year I have started getting turkey franks instead of all beef hot dogs. I am quite surprised at how easy it has been. Since I really love salads, that part was easier than I thought. Good luck!

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 9/6/10 at 12:10pm

Just out of curiousity how often do you weigh yourself? Back in my gymnast days we had a nutrionist on staff at my gym. He only allowed weigh-ins once a week and always at the same times, or as close to it as possible. This set a better record of our weights, since, according to him, weight can fluctuate by a few pounds from day to day based on all kinds of factors that you normally wouldn't consider, including our level of hydration, how long since we'd last eaten, and even when we'd gone to the bathroom last.

[nygrl232]

Posted: 9/6/10 at 12:29pm

Thanks, uncageg, and I love salads, too. You can put anything on 'em. Soda's never been on the menu, nor microwaveable stuff, alcohol or coffee. Ginger ale, maybe. Fast food--haven't touched the stuff since the early 90's.

Thyroid's low, I take meds for it. I avoid cheese, tofu, fluoridated water, etc. to try to help the situation.

Living in the city is a plus--you can get so much fresh produce and a wide variety of organic and just simpler foods, and you walk everywhere seeking it out.

AEA, I don't have a scale. Yeah, weight's relative to so many things. Can't seem to get that stupid number down past a certain level when I do weigh myself. It'd be nice to have a nutritionist around, though!

To paraphrase Ab Fab, I still remain two stone overweight. ("ONE stone!")

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/6/10 at 12:35pm

I also made sure to have something for breakfast. I noticed that pretty much stopped snacking before lunch and I wasn't as hungry at lunchtime.

[nygrl232]

Posted: 9/6/10 at 1:35pm

Breakfast kind of sets the tone for the day. Cereal doesn't really fill the tummy, but protein seems to. Guess it depends on your body chemistry.

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/6/10 at 1:41pm

Cereal never did it for me. I still do a bagel or breakfast burrito. I also cut out coffee back in 2002. I drink tea in the evening....and vodka! :)

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 9/6/10 at 1:56pm

When I had to lose weight really quickly (for health reasons), this is what I did:
Instead of eating 3 meals, I had 5 or 6 big snacks every day. I limited these snacks to only vegetables and lean proteins (chicken, turkey, egg whites, fish, seafood). Olives, beans, and a limited amount of nuts are good, too. Salads are fine, but don't use any dressing or cheese- just drizzle some lemon juice on the veggies. Fruits are not an ideal diet food since they're high in sugar. Try not to eat carbs too, because a whole grain is still a carb, even if it's better for you than a white carb.
I also made sure to drink AT LEAST 8 glasses of water and/or green tea a day and take multivitamins, fish oil pills, and calcium.
In addition to the cardio you get, add two extra hours of walking to your day- I walked an hour in the morning and an hour at night. Also do some simple weight training- pushups and heavy bag lifting (aka put cans in shopping bags and lift those if you don't have dumbells) for a few minutes a day.
By doing all that, I lost 15 pounds in three weeks, and have kept it off by simply eating more healthily and exercising more than I had before. By no means should you diet that strictly for the rest of your life. It was hard enough for three weeks, but luckily it worked for me.

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/6/10 at 2:45pm

I kind of did that in between. That definetly works also.

Posted: 9/6/10 at 3:22pm

You have to find what works for you. the best advice in the world is useless if you can't follow it.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 9/6/10 at 3:55pm

You appear to be eating the right foods, but no matter what you eat, there are two things you must consider. How much are you consuming, and how often? You need to eat smaller meals, more times a day. Try eating the exact same foods, but cut the portions way back, and increase your meals from 3 to 6 or 7. You increase the efficiency of your body's calorie-burning capability.

[nygrl232]

Posted: 9/6/10 at 4:44pm

That's a good idea, JohnBoy2. It's like taking certain supplements such as calcium--in increments instead of all at once to allow the body to process them.

The trick is feeling full with each meal, yet controlling portions. That's a bit elusive. One can add black beans to a salad, for example, but hm..what else..

[wexy]

Posted: 9/6/10 at 7:45pm

I love salads, I'll put in mandarin orange slices,cranberries and almonds or roasted red peppers and artichoke hearts.
Not only are they good but they look beautiful.

Have cranberry, mango and raspberry dressings to mix it up
Snack on baby carrots and hummus or salsa....

[singtopher]

Posted: 9/6/10 at 8:19pm

I would do something to shake up your exercise regimen. Take a yoga or dance class once a week, hop on a bicycle, find an exercise video on YouTube. By just taking walks you will eventually do the activity much more efficiently and therefore not experience the same results.

[nygrl232]

Posted: 9/6/10 at 9:05pm

Yeah, mixing things up is a good thing. Took a tap class and found that I like it a lot. Yoga is hard, but I try it. Hulu's got those videos, even though I find them kind of hilarious for some reason.

Updated On: 9/6/10 at 09:05 PM

[singtopher]

Posted: 9/6/10 at 9:48pm

It's intentional. That's the ab workout.

[nygrl232]

Posted: 9/7/10 at 11:55am

Gonna try a bit of what bwaylvsong did--sounds a bit military grade, but this whole thing is about discipline.

Kinda want to take stage combat. Seems to involve dynamic movement and mental calculation, which is far more interesting that repetitive weight curls, etc.

Thanks for the advice!!!

[Eris0303]

Posted: 9/7/10 at 12:25pm

Over the past several months I've lost ten/gained ten/lost ten/gained ten. Can't seem to lose more than ten pounds or keep it off.

I used to be a pretty big soda drinker but I've all but cut it out of my diet. I had a can of Pennsylvania Dutch over the weekend which was the first bit I've touched in weeks. I drink water all day at work and light apple juice at home.

I've never been a breakfast person. It was always a battle growing up because my parents wanted me to eat breakfast and I just couldn't seem to do it. Now I have breakfast shakes that hav fiber, protein, calcium, and anti-oxidants. Yes, the fact that it's chocolate can take away but it's better than having nothing at all.

Like many people I'm a grazer. I like my crackers but now I buy the reduced fat brands instead. You hand me a box of Cheez-It's and they'll be gone pretty fast. So to counteract my love of them I buy the individual packages instead of the full boxes. Yes, one could say that I could cheat and eat two or more packages. But I've been pretty good able only having one pack to hit that hunger.

My latest obsession is Pub Cheese and I literally have to make myself put it away. It's hard - so hard.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 9/7/10 at 12:37pm

Keep us posted!

[gotham girl]

Posted: 9/7/10 at 12:51pm

today is day one of my diet. i'm aiming to lose 10 lbs, and if that goes well, i'll try for another 5. biggest weaknesses have to be ice cream, soda and bread. if i can eliminate those to start, i'll be on my way. great suggestions here by the way. i will try a couple out. if i can add one myself...the Kind fruit & nut bars are to die for.

[nygrl232]

Posted: 9/7/10 at 2:25pm

Will try, luvsong, and would love to hear about other people's progress, too.

This article is mostly common sense, but never hurts to remind: http://health.yahoo.net/experts/eatthis/25-best-nutrition-secrets