losing weight

[RachLaura]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 3:31pm

i went on south beach this summer and lost 10 lb, but it really messed up my whole digestive system and i don't think it's very healthy, at least for my specific circumstance

does anyone recomend any diets or ways to lose weight that worked for them, that are both healthy and effective?, i'd like to lose another 10 lb.

i'm not talking low-carb here

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 3:33pm

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=860516&boardname=off&dt=122105110246

[Elphaba]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 3:33pm

my first question would be do you REALLY need to lose weight? How much over your optimum weight are you? So many people, especially younger ones feel they need to lose weight when they really do not.

[RachLaura]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 3:35pm

believe me i know, especially in my town thin is definately in, everyone is basically 20 lb. less than they should be

in my case i'm not really overweight, but not underweight, i guess i'm average but the heavier average, if i lost 10 lb it would just make me feel healthier and i'd be in the 50% average for my height, that's waht i'm going for...i'm definately not trying to look like a toothpick

[theatreboi11]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 3:39pm

Well I know you said no low cark diets, but my family is the king of Atkins. I love the diet because you can eat as much of you want! It is just really hard for the first two weeks when there are very specific foods you can eat. Also, an interesting fact that would help is that you burn 160 more calories just by drinking cold water:)

[Elphaba]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 3:47pm

rach just be careful......and get your doctors opinion. (my God I've become my mother....SHOOT ME!)

[peach]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 3:49pm

RachLaura - do you exercise? I've found the best way to lose 10 pounds (and still enjoy my carbs) is to add 30 minutes of exercise to your agenda 5 times a week. If you do nothing else differently, it still helps! For me a brisk walk or power yoga class is fine.

Also - eat a hi-fiber breakfast (I like oatmeal - but I use the real oats which are healthier, not the processed instant kind). And someone suggested this to me once - have a salad or veggie (broth-based) soup before lunch and before dinner. Fills you up and you get your five a day.

I hate diets - don't believe in 'em. Just eat healthy and exercise (especially if you only want to lose 10 lbs.) and you won't even notice you're trying to lose weight.

EDIT: And yes - always check with your doctor before starting a diet or exercise program.


Updated On: 12/21/05 at 03:49 PM

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 3:49pm

South Beach is actually very healthy if you do it correctly--and it is an eat as much as you want diet. It's actually healthier than Atkins as it is NOT a no carb or even low carb diet (aside from those first 2 weeks). It is a good carb diet.

But the most successful diet from studies and from my experience is Weight Watchers--because it gives you structure. Because no matter what diet you are on--"eating as much as you want" only gets you so far.

You can do South Beach or Atkins or vegetarian or vegan or whatever on Weight Watchers.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 3:51pm

peach--those ideas are all well and good, but most of us that need to lose weight NEED structure. NEED guidelines. We can't follow moderation and such. WW has taught me moderation, but if I wasn't on it, it would be so easy for an inch to be a mile.

[peach]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 3:55pm

Fair enough jrb.

I personally didn't have much success with WW. I was trying to lose only 10 pounds. I found WW had me (and this is just me) obsessing about every little thing I put in my mouth. How many points? How many points? Write it down! Write it down!

I also hated that girls in my group would eat a bag of those chemical-laden WOW chips before indulging in a banana (which is a good source of nutrition - and is a food in its most natural state!) because the chips had "less points." I hated that part of it. Although I understand WW now has a new option that is not about counting points. That would probably be better for me.

But I can appreciate the need for structure. WW has tremendously helped many people I know and is a solid, structured program that works very well for a LOT of people!
Updated On: 12/21/05 at 03:55 PM

[Marquise]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 4:00pm

i eat 5 meals and drink 3 protein shakes a day. but i lift weights so i always burn calories. the south beach diet is a good diet so is atkins. i always find when i'm feeling a little "out of shape" i start cutting back on the carbs. dieting and exercise should always go hand in hand as you always see quicker results from both combined as opposed to doing one and not the other.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 4:01pm

Well, while I count points--I don't ever feel like it runs my life. And, I haven't had to give up alcohol, desserts, or any of my favorite foods. I've lost 25 pounds so far.

But, it might just be easier for me because I haven't eaten fast food in over a year. I naturally eat low point foods. Exercise gives me additional points. But, yes, you do learn to make better choices--but isn't that what you were saying in your post? It's just a different way of thinking about it.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 4:01pm

Start shooting up heroin - go a good year or so. Then try and stop. You'll lose all sorts of weight!

[peach]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 4:03pm

Indeed jrb - it's just a different way of looking at it (making healthy choices, etc.) And a big congrats to you for losing 25 lbs.!

[RobbO]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 4:05pm

i tried johnpopa's crystal meth diet and it totally works!

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 4:05pm

Thank you--and I understand that different people need different systems to lose weight. So, I understand if WW doesn't work for some.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 4:50pm

jrb, you are in the majority.

In fact, as far as long-term weight loss goes, the major studies have consistently found that weight watchers (and no other program) helps keep the weight off.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 4:58pm

RachLaura....also be sure you're not caving into pressure. You said everyone in your town is 10 lbs underweight. Find out your Body Mass Index (you can easily find a calculator online) and shoot for maybe 5-10 lbs less than that.

Posted: 12/21/05 at 5:03pm

EAT LESS, MOVE MORE.....It's that painfully easy and extremely difficult, especially in the winter.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 5:19pm

Yeah--really helpful advice, singing. Too bad that doesn't actually HELP people.

[RachLaura]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 5:33pm

thanks for your advice everyone

i was thinking about doing weight watchers, and i think i'm going to go ahead and do it, it's a good way to start off the new year

and i'm going to try to go to the gym more frequently...i acutally just got back, gotta love those endorphins

this was all decided after seriously contemplating the heroine idea

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 2:12pm

Tater tots and white rice. Wow. You should write a book on that.

I'm sorry to sound snarky, but I know that I and most people I know need structure to succeed. Aimlessly avoiding foods is a recipe for disaster.

It's awesome that you have lost 40 pounds with an abstract game plan, but it's not likely that most people can do that--simply eat less, move more. I need to know what kinds of exercises will help me--and for how long, etc. I need to know how much of what foods in balance with each other over the course of a day and a week I can eat.

And WW is the only way I have ever gotten "All of the Above" in this matter.

Your comment about tater tots and white rice is the basis of most diets. And those diets will smartly tell you to choose sweet potatoes and brown rice instead. But how much? Moderation? What's moderation? 1/2 cup of brown rice? 1 cup of brown rice? 2 cups? 1/4 cup?

What do I do if my ONLY option is white rice?? Do I freak out? Do I abstain and be hungry? Do I eat some and feel guilty? What if tater tots are my favorite food of all time? I don't eat ANY tater tots for 3 months. But then, I break down and eat the whole bag and well I've already screwed that up so tomorrow I might as well eat some tater tots and maybe Friday nite I'll eat another bag of tater tots and oh well I'm fat again.....

Do you get a hint of what I mean here?

WW allows you to eat ANYTHING and lets you figure out how much you can afford to eat and to take responsibility for what you eat. Therefore, if I have plenty of weekly points, I can eat piece of cake and not feel one ounce of guilt--because I know "it's all good"---it's budgeted. I can go have a few beers and not feel guilty. I prefer to eat brown rice, cuz it's tastier, healthier, and less points, but if I run into a white rice situation--"it's all good"--I can budget it.

Posted: 12/22/05 at 2:31pm

First of all, YIKES!

Second, I don't think it "abstract" at all, and forgive me if my initial suggestion might have sounded a bit flippant. My questions have always been, what happens after you lose the weight on WW or other "counting" programs. Unless you stick to it the rest of your life, which, sadly, many do not, they are "allowing" you to eat things that you can be addicted to (Bad Carbs, Sugar, etc.)

And there is NOTHING aimless about avoiding foods that are bad for you. STAY OUT OF McDONALDS, etc. There are so many alternatives to grabbing a quick meal on the go (most supermarkets have premade sandwiches and deli's at the ready).
"structure" your life to include buying brown rice instead of white, wheat pasta instead of white, etc.

Your notion of "Most people need structure to succeed" frankly is a) B.S. and b) exactly what I am suggesting. "Structure" your life to include buying brown rice instead of white, wheat pasta instead of white, etc. People on this board, for example, will go way out of their way to read and post on here day and night, see every theater production/Broadway show they can, get every recording they can afford,etc. There's no plan for that somewhere they need to follow to achieve their goal, passion or interest. This takes time and lots of $$$ (we all know theater ain't cheap.) Maybe people are just lazy and want an excuse to fail. I don't know. I have battled weight all my life, and bottom line... I need to stop putting crap in my body (especially when I am emotional, and as a Cancer, that's ALL THE TIME :)

I wish everyone well on one of the hardest struggles anyone can go through.

EAT LESS= Simply that....smaller portions and healthier choices. In the age of SUPER SIZING and Hometown Buffets, we as a society (U.S.) eat vulgar amounts of food. The mere concept of simple, small meals, especially in the restaurant industry is crazy. And many a person will eat everything put in front of them, simply to get "their monies worth." Take half of it home right from the start.

If white rice is all you have, don't eat so much of it, same with tater tots.

MOVE MORE= Even simplier

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 2:49pm

"what happens after you lose the weight on WW or other "counting" programs. Unless you stick to it the rest of your life, which, sadly, many do not, they are "allowing" you to eat things that you can be addicted to (Bad Carbs, Sugar, etc.) "

WW and most diets aim to teach you new habits. Hence, whether or not I am paying for WW the rest of my life, I will be doing WW the rest of my life---if I want to stay thin. And by doing WW I mean--eating smaller portions, etc. If people can't stick to the new habits, they will gain weight and that's their foolishness.

"Your notion of "Most people need structure to succeed" frankly is a) B.S. and b) exactly what I am suggesting."

LMAO! It's BS, but it's what you are suggesting?? HUH? It is a fact that people need to learn new habits to break the old ones. Habits are made by structural routines. Structure.

All I'm saying is that having the guidance and structure of WW has been the eureka of finally being able to lose and keep weight off. Simply trying to order healthy, small portions and saying no to naughty things is too abstract and a mess for most people.

In some ways, you and I are saying the same thing. But the abstract "eat less, move more" is NOT helpful. It's not a doable action for people. What kind of movement? A lot of "exercise" is a waste of time for people. A lot of "dieting tips" are a waste of time for people.

Updated On: 12/22/05 at 02:49 PM