Weight loss/staying thin advice- Page 2

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 9:46am

The entire diet industry is huge and a multi billion dollar one at that. There will always be a new method of losing weight, and a new method for someone to make money.

I believe it really is so simple. If you eat the same kind of food you always eat, but eat less of it, you will lose weight. Or, as was mentioned, if you eat the same amount of food but increase the amount of calories you burn, you will also lose weight. It's basic science.

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 10:01am

To illustrate my point, as I sometimes am misunderstood, let me state this example:

Bob eats two omelets for breakfast, two hamburgers for lunch, and two lobsters (yum) for dinner.

If he cuts it down to one omelet for breakfast, one hamburger for lunch, and one lobster for dinner, he will lose weight. He won't lose weight if he increases to three omelets, three hamburgers, and three lobsters.

However, Bob will also lose weight if he keeps eating two omelets, two hamburgers and two lobsters if he starts a new workout regimen and burns more calories than he used to.

[Craig]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 10:49am

I lost 30 pounds in about 6 months in a very healthy way.

I cut out most beverages except water. I drink a lot more water. Occasionally I'll have something else - but no soda (I also gave up caffeine about 8 years ago anyway)

I work out 45-60 minutes 4-5 times a week. Nothing crazy. The treadmill (fast walking, not running), elliptical, row machine. And mix that up with some weight lifting - again - nothing intense. It's important to mix up your workouts or your muscles get too "used" to the same reptitions and won't burn the same calories as they will in the beginning

I cut down portions. Instead of 2 slices of pizza, I'll have one. If I snack, it's more carrots or a granola bar. I cut out 90 percent of fried foods.

I still eat most of what I would want - just in smaller portions and not as often.

I do NOT eliminate (entirely) things I enjoy. I just eat them less or just on weekends.

It really is amazing how much you can accomplish if you change just small things in your regular eating and exercise habits. I was never "fat" - but I was overweight (even the WII told me so LOL). I'm 5'-10" and prior to changing my habits in May of last year I was 206. I'm now 175.

I feel a lot better - dropped 2 pant sizes, have more energy and I don't feel I've really sacrificed much.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 10:55am

Yes- I should have added, YOU need to find what works for YOU. I am a BIG guy. I NEED FOOD! The one time I tried Jenny Craig, I felt like I was STARVING and I thought about food ALL THE TIME.

But I also love to cook- so my method was to capitalize on that food obsession. I obsess over finding the healthiest things to eat. I hunt for food that I can eat A LOT of when I'm hungry and not blow my diet. I eat a LOT of salads and veggies. Broccoli, Zucchini, cabbage, peppers, tomatoes, celery- they are almost "Free" food. I keep them around (raw or cooked) so I can snack on them when hungry. I could never survive with a half cup of pasta- but I can eat spaghetti squash with a dusting of parmesan to my hearts content. I can eat sugar free jello and Popsicles till I bust.

And the other key: WHEN you blow your diet, shrug it off and begin again. It seems like most people think "Ugh, I blew it, I might as well have a hot fudge sundae" and the diet is over. It's never over- get back to it as soon as possible and go on.

[danmag]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 11:00am

I also think you can't even look at your eating as a "diet" - it just has to become the way you eat from now on. Anyone can lose weight on Atkins, or something like that, but you can't eat that way for the rest of your life. The minute you go off it, you gain back weight even faster. And it only gets worse the older you get....

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 11:21am

"And the other key: WHEN you blow your diet, shrug it off and begin again. It seems like most people think "Ugh, I blew it, I might as well have a hot fudge sundae" and the diet is over. It's never over- get back to it as soon as possible and go on."

You're so right. I used to be in the habit of going hogwild if I overate.I'd use it as an excuse. It's so counterproductive. Now I learned that if I blow it, and stop right there, I won't suddenly be huge the next day, and I go right back on my regime.

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 11:40am

Radiana-I like artichokes too. I wanted to suggest another way of preparing them, just in case you're interested. For this recipe, I used to buy them canned (around 7 hearts per can) but they were very expensive for me that way.

Now I discovered frozen ones in Trader Joe's-yay! Here's what I do:

Of course, I wait for them to defrost, lol. Then I mix them together with the following-olive oil, chopped garlic, lemon juice, oregano, salt and pepper. All to taste. Put in refrigerator and let marinate a few hours. Serve at room temperature.

I eat them as a side dish with a meal, or as a snack anytime.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 12:11pm

Jane, I do a similar thing- get one jar of marinated artichokes (110 calories a half cup) and mix with two cans (or three if you can) regular artichoke hearts. (30 calories a half cup) Keep them in a jar in the fridge and pig out to my heart's content!

[HamletWasBipolar]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 12:12pm

gee....this is turning into a HEALTHY Paula Dean show...lol

[Marianne2]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 1:39pm

Another thing you should always do, is eat something in the morning. It helps your metabolism go up, to give you energy. Plus, then you are probably less likely to eat too much at lunch because you are starving from not eating. Even eating just a little bit like some toast or crackers helps. If I didn't start doing this with my current job, I'd probably be sick from the physical activity within an hour or so.

Actually, if you really don't have time for lunch during the day either, just eat a snack. Eating something is better than eating nothing, especially if you are busy.

[nygrl232]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 2:34pm

I'm loving the snack suggestions.

I like baby carrots and garlic hummus, and crisp bread with yogurt cheese.

Wonder what artscallion would suggest--he/she is a total foodie/cook.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 2:37pm

Watch out for Hummus- check the calorie count. Some brands are loaded with calories. I was eating one brand and noticed that the serving size was ONE TEASPOON- about as much as I was putting on each carrot!

[madbrian]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 2:51pm

I will add another suggestion - make sure you get enough rest. If you are not getting enough sleep, your body will slow its metabolism, and it will be very difficult to lose weight.

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 2:52pm

I'm not advocating anyone do what I do, but I don't pay attention to calories or portion size. If I see I'm not losing weight any more, I know to cut down in general. The problem with that method is that I don't have any specifics. Sometimes it's necessary to know exactly what and how much you can eat every day.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 7:16pm

Join Jenny Craig. As a obese teen, I have lost 29.5 lbs since April and hope to get to 50 by July!

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 7:31pm

Watch your sodium intake. it doesn't go into my cart if it has more than 25% of my daily sodium intake per serving. (Same with saturated fat and cholesterol.) (That would be based on what I consider a serving, not what the label necessarily says.) The more sodium you consume, the more water you retain.

[Shannon Bo Dannon]

Posted: 1/5/09 at 7:34pm

I'm joining a gym this week so I can do some kickboxing and Tae Bo classes. I have every intention of looking great in that bikini I have my eye on at Target.