Hidden Reasons You Can't Lose Weight
Every day I hear from people who try really hard, and just can't seem to lose weight. There are a number of "hidden" reasons this might be happening to you. That's the topic of my Today Show segment.YOUR EATING
Confusing “heart-healthy fat” or “fat free” with low calorie. Switching to olive oil from butter is a heart healthy choice, but won't save you any calories. To lose weight, it's important to cut the amount (instead of a tablespoon at 120 calories, try a teaspoon at 40 calories, since it's so flavorful). Fiber rich, whole grains are a great choice, and fat-free, but the calories add up we don’t stop with ½ - 1 cup serving. The only solution to this is label reading for calories per serving; when you see that reduced-fat peanut butter has just about the same calories as regular peanut butter, you won't be fooled by clever ads.Poor calorie “eyeballing” (studies show 50% too low). We all feel we’re good at estimating portion size, but the cues to do so set us up for failure. Studies show we are at least 50% too LOW in our estimates – even when professionals do it.
Skipping Meals. Too busy, or choosing to skip a meal to save calories? The problem with meal skipping is you get over-hungry for the next meal – “I didn’t realize I was so hungry”, once you start eating.
YOUR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Too much exercise is a biological stimulant for hunger. This is very common for dieters who only want to focus on exercise as a way to cut calories.. Rigorous exercise stimulates appetite to “refuel” for metabolic balance. I'm talking 2 hours of more intense activity. Plus, like the poor "eyeballing" of food, most of us aren't skilled at estimating how many calories are used for activity. Just remember it can take 5 minutes to eat a 500 calorie piece of pie, and nearly 2 hours to exercise it away!
On the other end of things, no exercise is a diet disaster. Whether it's lack of time, or lack of interest - only 100 cal a day – a 20 minute walk – helps you lose 10 pounds in a year! Even a small drop in physical activity (that people ignore) packs on the pounds. Here's an example I recently heard from a patient of mine: “I used to park blocks away in a cheaper parking lot. I got promoted, and get the corporate lot. I’ve gained 5 pounds in 3 months.”
YOUR BEHAVIOR
Lack of sleep is a huge problem – when we're tired, we eat for energy. When we're tired, we lose our focus, and discipline, and lose the mental control needed to stay on track. Between-meal snacks to “wake up” are the solution when a power nap would be better. Our body's have 24-hour rhythms in many hormones and pathways - like body temperature - that don’t “reset” and get out of balance with lack of sleep.
Poor stress management - a lof of mindless eating comes from the lack of focus due to mental stress. We often confuse business with poor stress management. "I feel overwhelmed" say many patients. We eat to soothe, to reward ourselves, and to indulge in extra calories. Food DOES make us feel better, but we have to learn to self-soothe in other, non-food ways as well.
Lack of consistency (5 days on, 2 days off). “I’m trying but lifestyle isn’t working”. Some general awareness every day is needed to avoid what I call “weight creep”. It takes only 100 calories extra a day to gain 10 pounds in a year. Most often, people “relax” their lifestyle on the weekend, and can easily pack on a couple of pounds a month – 7000 calories (that’s 2 pounds) – over 8 weekend days – only about 850 calories more a day.
YOUR BIOLOGY (BODY):
Medications can cause weight gain as a side effect, when they are started. Some stimulate appetite, and others slow your metabolism. A range of medications from antidepressants; antipsychotics some antihistamines, as well as insulin and blood sugar drugs, some blood pressure medicines, and anti-inflammatory drugs can pack on the pounds. Check with your doctor when starting a new medication, and always ask if weight gain is a reported side effect - there may be another medication you can take without this side effect. This happens only at the beginning of a new medicine. If you’re started a new medicine, and gained 4 pounds or more in a month, check with your doctor…..It’s NOT the cause if you’ve been taking a medicine, and then find suddenly you’re gaining weight, months after you’ve started.
Undiagnosed Mood Disorders. Undiagnosed depression or anxiety is both behavioral and biological. While many think depressive symptoms are only the “classics”: loss of appetite, insomnia, and weight loss, a large subgroup sleeps more and eats more. Oftentimes thyroid gland problems are linked to mood disorders (see below), and can result in weight gain.
Thyroid Function – The thyroid gland is your body’s “furnace” and sets the thermostat. This is regulated by a signal from the brain to release thyroid hormone into the system. Either resting or stimulated thyroid gland activity can be a problem, and result in slow, steady weight gain.
Elevated fasting insulin. This is known as "insulin resistance" or " metabolic syndrome" and often found in people with an "apple" shape (weight accumulates in the middle). It's invisible unless you get a blood test. Blood insulin levels can be high, with blood sugar levels being normal (everyone knows that number). It does not mean diabetes (where blood sugar is high), but is a sign of pre-diabetes. This can greatly sabotage a solid weight loss effort - and correcting the problem (with medication for starters) makes that weight loss effort easier. A further plus - more weight loss alone can help lower your fasting insulin - getting you off the medication to correct the original problem!
What do you think? Leave a comment below!
Comments
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I keep saying to friends that I try hard to lose weight and I understand how but I don't lose.This information is reassuring and will help me persevere. The surprising part was that about elevated fasting insulin and that medications can help. I am seeing my MD this week and will ask about that.
I am taking Effexsor for depression and levolyx for thyroid - I had 3/4 of throid removed 1 1/2 year ago and I keep gaining. Also I stopped smoking and gained an additional 10 lbs.
I am currently on week 7 of of an intense 12-week eating and exercise plan called Body for Life. I have stuck to this program faithfully. I am the classic example of someone who has not seen the scales budge even a pound. Luckily, I had taken my measurements at the beginning and again at the 6 week mid-point, and I have lost an amazing total of 10 inches!!! My husband begs me not to look at the scale, but to look in the mirror instead! That's where it counts!!
I work out about 4 times a week and have talked to the trainers at the gym. My scale doesn't budge either, but EVERYONE emphasizes that you STOP weighing yourself and instead focus solely on your % of bodyfat vs. lean muscle mass. That is the ONLY indication of what your body is doing. You can have a woman who is 130 lbs and still 'overfat.' It's not about the number on the scale, it's about increasing your body's lean muscle mass and decreasing your body's % of fat. For a woman, if you have a bodyfat % between 17% - 24% you're doing great. Over 25% is overweight, and over 30% is considered clinically obese.
About a year ago I quit smoking and changed careers at the same time. I gained about 20 pounds. I always had an active lifestyle and ate healthy, but I joined a gym and increased my efforts to lose at least part of the weight I had gained. A year later and I haven't lost a pound. I would normally go to the gym 3 -4 times a week and take the weekend off to do chores around the house and take care of all my paperwork for the week. That included me sitting behind the desk for a good part of Saturday. The information in the article was helpful and I hope that by changing my schedule around a little bit I will see some better results. At least I haven't GAINED anymore weight! Thanks for small miracles!
This year i began riding my bike daily I started at 30 minutes and now i am up to an hour. My main goal was to tone up and loosen up some old clothes. However, I have gotten bigger, but not gained a pound. I eat really well, mostly fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. I had a baby a year ago and I had no problem losing my baby weight in about 6 to 9 months but I wonder why I have gotten bigger recently. Could it be that I am no longer breastfeeding or is it the biking.
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I am ellipticaling 30 min to 1 hour 5 days a week since January 15th. I have not lost any weight but I feel like when I hug my husband it feels better and I feel closer to him physically. I must have lost inches buy why not weight??? I am 215 and eat heathy good breakfast, salad for lunch with almonds and chicken & veggies for dinner. HELP!!!
Muscle does weigh more than fat. So look at overall leanness not weight. Try and do some weight lifting as well not just cycling or running etc. Muscle burns about 9 calories at rest! I did karate for many years, I had a flat stomach without ever doing any crunches and ran easily without ever jogging. I don't like jogging, it doesn't help my knee.
Try to do some other kind of exercise, change from time to time, if you continue doing the same thing, you fall into a rut, and don't exercise all your muscles. You have to give your body a challenge. I recommend boxing type exercise or even dancing! Also for those who are finding it hard, remember your body goes into fat storing mode after about 4 hours of non-eating. I try to snack throughout the day. Healthily! Not chips but carrots, celery etc. I go for crunchy foods cause I need my mouth to be occupied. Soup before a meal is also supposed to be good. I avoid sweetners because it screws up your body's fat storing system.
For the person who is getting bigger after doing exercise. Continue with it. This also happens to me after not doing exercise for a while, my limbs especially thighs get bigger. I believe it's the mixture of muscle and fat. But continue and take care of your diet, and you'll get leaner.
One thing this article failed to mention is avoiding sugar.
(To Ann:URL is Universal Resource Locator, or your www.)
I agree with Carissa, I am into week 6 of an intense diet and exercise regimen and only 4 pounds lost, a real bummer numerically, and likely most of it just water weight, but man, do I FEEL great. I have increased energy and sexual desire, my skin and hair are both improved, I feel greater confidence and resilience against stress. My clothes fit better, I feel alot stronger and fitter, many less aches and pains. Some days I do get frustrated, but I believe it's me against that evil scale and I am bound and determined to win!
I lost 26 pounds last year as Shape magazine's Weight-Loss Diary columnist and Dr. Fernstrom has made excellent points here. Now, I'm maintaining my weight through a flexible plan of healthy eating and exercise. What's worked for me is keeping up my fluid intake, focusing on veggies, fruits and lean protein, eating smaller meals more frequently, and getting 30 minutes of exercise at least five days a week. I do strength training workouts a couple of times a week, too.
I haven't been on a scale since my program ended in September; it'd be too easy to become obsessive about a number and that's not what living a healthy lifestyle is about for me. As long as my clothes fit me well and I feel good, it's all good with me.
Occasional treats are important, too!
i have tried and tried to lose weight but i can not seem to lose no weight i exersie every day and try to eat right but i just dont lose the weight please help i was in a size 22 pants but now i am in a size 18 and it is a little to big
I have had my problems with weight before, once I was a size 16, I used to run and weight train 5 times a week and it helped keep me at a size 6-8 for the past 8 years, but when I went to England for graduate school I gained weight from over eating, not due to stress, but friends who liked to have parties and pub nights all the time with loads of snack, alcohol, pub food, and sweets. Though I ran and worked-out daily I was stuck. When I came back I just gave up sweets, snacks and high starch foods and lost about 20 pounds. I also no longer snack but eat three full healthy meals with good fats, protein, and vegetables. I reduce my grain and starch intake and refuse to eat anything that is white, over-processed, fried and containing refined sugars. Recently due to a medical condition I can not exercise and have actually lost weight even with out exercise. Also, I do not snack, only meals except for fruit, a serving of nuts, greek yogurt only, or tea/coffee.
I have been drinking Mona-Vie as directed for about a year. My intentions were to attribute to my total health and possibly help to build my antibodies.
Recently a very knowledgeable person told me that Sodium Benzoate and vitamin C combined causes Cancer. Is this true?
I have been trying to lose weight for the past 2 years and it seems that nothing works . Even if that I am trying to watch what I eat eat I use too weigh 125 pounds now 176 pounds,I am on depression medcation & pain medcation what can I do I am very depress my clothes dont even fit me and I dont make much income so I dont have money too buy new clothes.I have Fibromyalagia so I am on pain meds and depression meds so I don't know what else too do.
After many years of being an athlete and still overweight I about gave up and decided to be fat and happy. Except I wasn't really all that happy. After I stopped breastfeeding my first born I dropped 20 lbs in a couple of months (the whole time I was breastfeeding I didn't lose, or gain, one single ounce) so I got encouraged. I tried watching what I ate but nothing, I tried exercise and nothing. Weight watchers is what finally did it for me (I don't work for them or anything, this is just my story). It tought me how to eat and once I reached my goal I was able to stop counting points and still maintained my weight. I got down to 150lbs (size 6-8), a weight I hadn't been since I was 14 yrs old. My body fat percentage went down from 24 to just under 18. Oh, I was exercising 3 times a week but I figured out that I had to do weights as well, just cardio didn't work!
Great to see other BFL people here! For those wondering what it is, visit www.Body-for-LIFE.com. It is a lifestyle program not a fad diet, it is also very easy to follow. There is also the book by Bill Phillips, check either of them out.
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muscle does not weigh more than fat...a pound is a pound, muscle takes up less space than fat.
im at 389lbs i do 1hour of cardio aday find it still hard to lose weight i want to the first man to be on your show
I've just given birth on January 31st of this year and by 2/10/08, I'd lost 23 lbs. Now I work my tail off and jog/walk 3 miles per day & watch what I'm eating...and lose nothing. My husband eats 10x more than I do, he eats greasey foods, drinks beer, doesn't exercise - NONE of which I do, and he loses 15 lbs. So losing weight all depends on your metabolism - mine was REALLY high prior to getting pregnant. Needless to say, I never want to be pregnant again for this reason.
i always thought i had thyroid problems,the weight gain, cold,etc.dr said no- then they check my neck for a pinch nerve because i was having arm problems. turned out i had a goiter. they removed both and now i am on synthroid and i was also very low on iron. i take prescription iron. still can't lose weight and i am on my feet untill i go to sleep which i get about 6 maybe 7 hrs. dont know what to do.
also i eat very little in fear of the weight gain. i am about 30lb over weight. any help would be great.
I have a lot of medical conditions (MS, Lupus, fibro) and I still work out a minimum of 11 hours per week (6 days). I do a combination of hill-climbing treadill, light jogging and elliptical plus I lift weights - I'm on week 3 of Body-for-Life-for-Women. The scale has only moved 4 pounds!! Grr! I have another 70 pounds to go!! My doctor told me not to go below 1,600 calories per day - I eat lots of lean protein, fruits/veggies and only whole grains (7-grain 'light' breads, brown rice, etc.). I eat fat-free dairy (fat-free milk, non-fat yogurt, fat-free cottage cheese). I sleep 8 to 9 hours nightly. There is NO reason for the scale to not be moving...unless it has to do with my medical issues. Any idea's?? Thanks!!
As a nutritional counselor and lifestyle coach, I counsel many woman who have had problems losing weight. First, muscle has more density that fat so the scale may not budge but you are losing the fat. Stop looking at the scale and look at how your clothes fit. Are they looser? Then you're doing great!
Second, processed foods confuse your body and metabolism. Remember, the best food doesn't have a label on it. :)
Lastly, love yourself - whatever your size. The more we stress about losing weight, the less weight we lose.
All the best to you,
Angela Molinini, CHHC, AADP
(646) 337-5069
what has worked for me is self conditioning. eg.I avoid elevators for starters since I work in a hospital and I've been doing it for years. Another is that I try not to stress all the above so much by just leveling my intake in a way that I'm mentally satisfied and that I do as a lifestyle not just for food but for living generally. Which is why so many of us smoke, eat, and take drugs excessively from young to old. It's also our vast society that keep us trying to keep up with it. Also the majority of us are full of the excuse of not having the time to prepare our own foods and become regulars at the corner deli or food carts (BAD!!). When all there is to it is condition-like take your own lunch/snacks to work with you. The upside to packing food is the money you're saving as well. Hey I'd rather dine at a nice restaurant for dinner every once in a while instead of giving my money to those horrible deli's or nasty food carts. I also go my nearest grocery store occasionally and just stock up on some fruits.
How many of you that have been unsuccessful even though you're careful and diligent on your "diets" consume diet sodas? Aspartame (NutraSweet, etc) causes weight GAIN among other negative things.
B complex deficiency also affects metabolism and weight loss to some extent.
i was getting very upset with the way i was looking and it came to a head when one day my dad told me he was really worryed about how much weight i had put on in such a short time so i told myself that i was going to loose it i started about a month ago and ive lost 2stn and 2pnd ive been told that this is to much to be loosing in that space of time but the weight just keeps coming off and i can not do any thing about it all ive done is started listening to by body i eat what i want but only when im hungry and i stop when im full even if ive still got half a plate of food i make sure i chew each mouth full at least 5times so it give my body time to know if its full or not and i all ways leave a little something on my plate even if its just a few peas i also have a 1year old to look after so i get all the physical activity i feel i need and this is working for me i hope it works for some of you to because if never felt so good in all my life even my partner has said that he can see the change in me
getting the correct combinations of food is important too. fiber, healthy oils, and calcium are important in our daily food selection. eating less and exercising is good. however, getting the right balance with food choices is important to overall losing weight and keeping it off. august 2005, i weighed 258, today i weigh about 155. i don't weigh on a regular basis. i rely on the fit of my clothes. i feel great too.
i m 22yrs old...offlate i have put on weight..i have put on 11kgs in 6months..i m very depressed..i feel over aged i went to gym,took yoga classes,,went for walk but it never helped..pleasee suggest me..
PLEASE HELP. I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING. I HAVE TAKING DIET PILLS, DID SIT-UPS, START EATING HEALTHY AND NOTHING IS WORKING. I CANT SEEM TO LOSE WEIGHT. IAM AT 150LBS AND CANT SEEM TO GET ANY LOWER. IAM GETTING MARRIED IN AUGUST AND I DONT WANT TO BE A FAT BRIDE. CAN U HELP ME
I had thyroid cancer and is on synthroid now. I have always been a runner, 4.5 miles, 5 days a week and lift weights 2-3 days. I have actually gained 20lbs. since the cancer and cannot get it off. I try to watch what I eat. It's very frustrating.
I am on clonazepam, gabapentin, morphine 15mg., abilify, clyclobenzapine, and 3-300mcgpatches every three days of Fentanyl, and buproprion. I have not eaten, I have eaten, I have sort of eaten! Nothing seems to work, I ride a bike 30minutes a day and do benderball exercises and some yoga. What else can I do?
I am on clonazepam, gabapentin, morphine 15mg., abilify, clyclobenzapine, and 3-300mcgpatches every three days of Fentanyl, and buproprion. I have not eaten, I have eaten, I have sort of eaten! Nothing seems to work, I ride a bike 30minutes a day and do benderball exercises and some yoga. What else can I do?
I used to be 85KG but now I lost about 17Kilos I just eat less rice and less bread with less food so now I feel that my stomach is smaller that when I eat more it hurt me so I am eating less than half of before I am happy with my body but I got a problem of paunch it give me a not nice look (shap), I do not know what to do?
but when I see chocolate I cant resist I eat but a small pice the same for any kind of sweet.
I play exercise but for maybe 15m aday not more is that ok? I dont know, but I am happy with my self now
thank you very much for this chance
This was a good article, but I have some questions.
1) How can I more efficently squeeze exercise into my busy schedule?
2) I may also have trouble with eyeballing food portions. Can someone give me examples of how much is good to eat with each meal? I'm about 170lbs. and 18 years old.
3) When exactly is it a good time to stop eating? I know people say to stop eating when you get full, but usually it only takes me a few bites of my food for me to feel full. But then I know that if I don't eat enough in my meals, I get hungry again really soon. Maybe I'm not good with recognizing my own hunger or fullness. What does everyone else do?
Oh one more thing...
I think I may have insomnia. I take me like 2 hours to fall asleep every night. What should I do? My dad told me the solution is to exercise. What do u guys think?
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION ABOUT MONA VIE. I'M READING ALL THE QUESTONS BUT DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ANSWERS ARE.WHERE DO YOU FIND THE ANSWERS
My weight has been up and down since the birth of my 2nd daughter in 2004. I've been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and synthroid worked for a while. It seems as though my body has since developed an immunity to it. A while ago when it was proving ineffective, I decided to go off of it and I lost weight. Not long after I lost the weight, I started gaining it back again and went back on the synthroid but it was still ineffective (even though we upped the strength to 150 mcgs!!!). I cannot seem to burn fat no matter what I do. I am going to have my doctor check my insulin level, maybe this will give me some explanation as to why I continue to gain weight no matter how healthy I eat and how much I excercise. I eat around 1200 calories (all healthy foods)per day and go to the Y and exercise for 1 1/2 hours 5 days a week, including both cardio and light weight training. I'm very frusterated but have no choice but to keep trying, praying I'll see results some day. Any insight would be welcome.
I have fibromyalgia and back in June when on the new medication Lyrica. It really helps with the pain, however, I have gained 50 lbs since then with no change in eating habits. Has anyone else had problems with Lyrica? I need help with dealing. My pain is so bad without the meds, however, now I am dealing with other health issues due to the weight gain. I need suggestions. HELP!
dear friends i m 22 years old male and my weight is 82 kg i want to lose my wait how can i do so pls tell me
my email id is
atul_agarwal2121@rediffmail.com
Having these kinds of columns/articles are very informative and indeed helpful to those who are seriously thinking of healthy diet.. thanks so much and looking forward for more like these.
Eating and behavorial patterns fit me to the "T". Wow. Most of it I knew but chose to ignore but reading it on black and white with the right reasonings will hopefully help me to start looking after myself. Thank you.
Eating and behavorial patterns fit me to the "T". Wow. Most of it I knew but chose to ignore but reading it on black and white with the right reasonings will hopefully help me to start looking after myself. Thank you.
To Cheryl who's tried everything from situps to diet pills. You haven't tried everything! For a start, your entire diet probably needs an overhaul. Cut out sugar, as your body stores it as fat. Don't try artificial sweetners either. They are toxic (aspartame is toxic). If you can, find a nutritionist. Eat lots of fruit and vegetables. No soda, or chocolate or chips, or pizzas, white bread or white sugar. A detox would probably be a good route for you to kick start your weight loss. I had one a couple of years ago. I did a fruit and vegetable fast while doing a worm out for one week (I got the herbal tincture from my local health shop). After the 1st week, I continued the fruit and vegetable fast and then did a liver cleanse. I lost about 10 lbs, had bags of energy. I stayed that way, swimming 4 times a week for an hour.I had bad asthma/allergies before & low lung capacity, but after the cleanse, I could exercise for longer without being affected. Remember mix up yr exercise routine! Include weights after a month.
Just to clarify - a worm out is a parasite cleanse... and believe you me, if you eat meat, you're guaranteed to have some parasites happily settled in your gut actually keeping you from losing weight cuz they keep you hungry and eating! I used a herbal mixture for a week at night time after fruit fasting through the day. And Cheryl, just to clarify... situps don't make you lose weight! You need a good combo of cardio and light weight training to help you do that... 3 - 4 hours of cardio a week. Have you every considered a spin class? They are a guaranteed fat burner (thigh and bum toner too!) If you spin 3 times a week, and eliminate sugar and fat from your diet, you'll be a whole new person in a few months!
If you want to lose weight, don't skip breakfast, and cut out eating late. It's bad news.Start off with fruit and yogurt and maybe an egg for breakfast, then have a substantial low fat lunch (with minimal refined carbs), and have dinner by latest 6pm... if you eat after 6pm (and don't exercise it off after that) you're doomed to pack on pounds. Your body's designed to slow down at night, so you don't need to eat as much at night time. Have your main big meal during the day, and cut out food after 6. Unless it's a small serving of Ryvita and low fat hummus.
I make a bit of a study of weightloss and keeping fit and think I can help with a key theme on this thread.
Why do I work out but not lose weight.
There are more reasons for this than I will detail here, but one of the most important is simply the question of what are you weighing? You I hear you say. But if you work out and replace 1lbs of fat with 1lbs of muscle, you still weigh the same! But you are very different. You're now carting around 1 pound less of dead-weight and 1 pound more of fat-burning muscle (which by the way burns 50cals by itself every day, even if you're sat on the couch!).
You can find a body fat scale here on amazon
Good luck!
How do you work off love handles?? My problem is is my lower abdomen, thighs, and love handles! Help?! Any ideas??
How do you work off love handles?? My problem is is my lower abdomen, thighs, and love handles! Help?! Any ideas??
How do you work off love handles?? My problem is is my lower abdomen, thighs, and love handles! Help?! Any ideas??
I take Wellbutrin for my depression. A side effect of this medication is weight LOSS. Imagine that. I find also that when I stop taking it I am ravenous and try to eat the house down.
Very practical analysis.
Although I knew parts of it, I had not realized it untill I went through this show. Thanks
I think that it's well-explained
Excellent analysis really!
I think you have the reasson in every thing you said, but is sometimes so hard to follow. I´m about to graduate and I somke to much, eat snaks all day, what could I do? One good thing I do is that I drink a lot of water.
I dont have vesicula, so my doctor says I cant eat to much fat, but I dont lose any wait, even when I avoid them, do you think you could help me? Thanks
silviamdcv@yahoo.com
Eat NOTHING that tastes sweet except fresh fruits, for the rest of your life. NO diet drinks or artificial sweeteners. Enjoy meat, fish, beans, nuts, milk and cheese. Whole grain cereals except "frosted."
I began riding in biking events 2 years ago. I've ridden 2 MS150's and 2 other rides of 90 - 125 miles. Each time, I gain about 10 lbs. I lose a couple within a week, but the rest remain and I have to strictly diet to get them off and this takes up to 3 months. It is not muscle as most of the weight seems to be in my stomach - my waist actually expands. Why is this happening? I talked to my Dr. about it and she said the same thing happened to her when she did a triathalon!
Ya'll are trying TOO hard to lose weight! It's really simple to lose weight if ya'll just cut down your portions of food, EAT SNACKS between meals, make LUNCH your biggest meal and exercise, even WALKING is something!!! Listen, for those of you with insurance, find out if it will pay for a nutritionist, for those of you without, call and find out how much each session is, in about 2 sessions you will pretty much know what you need to know in order to lose weight.
I have: A rare nerve disease called Paradoxic Parasympathetic Syndrome, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Type 2 diabetic with Diabetic Neuropathy, Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Insomnia for 11 years. Fibromyalgia, Restless Legs Syndrome, Bipolar with Manic Episodes, schizophrenia, ADD and Anxiety/Social Anxiety problems, meniscal tear in both knees requiring surgery next week. I can lose weight being this sick, so can you! Go see a nutritionist or measure out your portions to half your normal size. Try it.
I used to have a gastric Band I lost 175bls and I reached myideal weight 130lbs. I had the band for 5 years then I hd to remove it because I was still vomiting and I moved out of its place
After wards I gaind weight very quickly. My body started retaining alot of water. that's wah my Dr. said. Then He put me on a strict calorie counting diet 1000cal a day. he even gave me medication to lose the water. things are not working. i'M STILL gaining weight. I'm still retaining water. can you tell me why is happening. I had some tests done and my glands are working just fine. I would be thankful if you can give me some advse
I would like to know more about the affects of taking synthroid and lexapro and how it can affect weight loss. I currently am on both medications, exercise3-4 times per week, do strength training and eat fairly healthy foods. My weight won't budge and neither has my clothing size. Tell me what to look for so I can see some changes. I have been on this program since last November and it's pretty discouraging. I know age has a factor with my metabolism, but to see no improvments is dishearting. HELP!!!!
I am optimistic that eventually my weight loss will kick in. However, I realize that it will take a whole lot of effort...for example, cutting out the sugary snacks, drinking more water, eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, filling up on lean proteins for starters. Another important point is that one must excercise to the point where sweat is produced, in order to really get a burn on...Heck, I think I hear a nice salad calling my name for lunch right now!
Interval training would be the best way to lose weight. It's not enough to exercise with something like walking, if you are heavily overweight. You need as Miss Nix said, to get a burn on. An earlier post mentioned spinning... a great way to get your heart pumping. Also the times you eat are very important, as are the portions in relation to those times. Avoid refined sugars, salt, wheat and instead use brown sugar/stevia,sea salt, and wholegrains. Cut your portions in half is a good thing too. There's a great book called "Eat right for your Blood type". Lots of ppl have wheat intolerances which causes bloating, causing the weight around the stomach area... esp ppl training for triathlons and marathons cuz they tend to eat a lot of pasta! Work up a good sweat and be careful what you put in as fuel after. Mix up your work out as well! Swim, cycle, run, power walk, take the stairs. Try intervals of accelerating for 2 mins, slowing down for 1 min over a 45min cardio session, combined with light weights!
want to learn more about losing weight with lots of help.
want to learn more about losing weight with lots of help.
want to learn more about losing weight with lots of help.
"Don't hate me because I've been a size 0 the past 10 years." I struggled with anorexia from the age of 13 to 25. I have now been in recovery and maintained my clothing size for 10 years. I am between a 0-2, and if the jeans get tight, I know that I need to work out more, be more conscious of what I eat, etc...
Recovery did not come easy, but all I learned from the illness actually has helped many people I know to lose weight.
1. Calories! No matter if you are low carb, or low fat, or atkins, one must know their daily caloric intake. I eat 1400 calories a day. I have read food labels and calorie books for so long it is second nature to see food as numbers: calories, fat and fiber.
2. I approach each day like a "bank account". I have 1400 I must spend. If I go a little over, by 300, I eat 1100 the next day. If I don't get enough, I add the additional to the next day. When I start playing games with up and down rather than moderating the 1400 daily, I know something else, depression or stressis the issue
I take time to address the issue, such as a fight with a friend, and potentially losing that friendship, is scarier than focusing on how upset I am that I cant lose a pound, or eat less, "on recovery plan". Once I realize fat is not a "feeling" and that there are bigger issues to address, and address them, the "cravings" and "maddness" usually goes away too.
3.Fiber, fiber, fiber! The most important thing not talked about here. Make sure you get at least 25-30 grams a day. Not only does it take energy (calories) to process fiber, (thus kind of a "work out" in itself) but it keeps one full, and helps stabalize the blood sugar levels. Stick to complex carbs not simple. Learn what this means, if you do not. Adding fiber to each meal will keep you satiated longer. When I am most hungry, after a work out, I eat a huge salad with fat free balsamic vinegarette. A huge plate of organic veggies may have 200 calories. I throw on 2 servings of chick peas/garbanzo beans for fiber. Total meal is about 400 calories.
#3. (continued) Then if you were craving a bagel with cream cheese (fat free often has more protien and less calories), you could also add some lettuce and tomotoes on that. If you were craving pasta, then go for it, still watching the caloric "bank account". (whatever your doctor feels fit.)
4. Water and drinking, period. When you eat, try not to drink with the food. I live by a rule that I "eat my calories and don't drink them". I would rather have two giant apples, than one serving of apple juice. Not only will the fiber of the apples fill me up, but the apple juice has simple carbs that convert to sugar in the blood stream spiking the sugar levels and causing imbalance. If you are a "juice person", try to go for apple juice and half water. OR apple juice mixed with carrot, beets, wheat grass, celery sticks, ginger. Make it a "pick me up!" The other nutrients will keep it more "blood sugar" friendly and you will not "crash" craving sweets an hour later.
Don't drink while eating, or sip. Too many people
#4 (cont.) Too many people do not chew enough because they gulp down the food with what they are drinking rather than chewing enough. Then complain of acid indigestion. Lol. Chewing actually stimulates enzymes, and these enzymes are what effeciently break down one's food. Since processed or cooked foods do not have enzymes occuring in "live" foods, like fresh fruits and vegetables, just chewing helps activate the enzymes to break down fats, carbs, and process the food. Drinking afterward, you may enjoy having a small amount of juice, soda, or milk, where as you probably would have gone through a supersize glass or two adding calories and sugar to the meal. I favor having a 12 ounce glass of water after a meal, and sipping while I eat. My vice, and bad habit I have my own issues with is tons of diet soda! I'm far from perfect!
Also, social events, alcohol, etc..Each glass of wine is about 140 calories. Each shot, one measured ounce of hard alcohol like vodka or rum has 70 calories. And the sugary "girly" cosmos
it makes some since, my husband eats due to fustration, works late and eats late,we are trying to get it going sooner when we get home, less butter and thinner cuts of meat and lots of green vegies.
"forgettabout them"! Like many gourmet sugary Coffee drinks, they can hold up to as much fat and calories as a meal! (and not a very healthy one, to mention)
While I'm not saying "go for hard alcohol", for that would just be ridiculous, and make for more embarassing if not dangerous situations, if you go out once or twice a week with office memebers or the guys/girls, do pay attention to the additional calories in alcohol. I have personally found getting my first round as a "jack and diet coke", then following the rest with just diet coke makes everyone feel comfortable as though I am drinking with them. Just like stating "I am a vegetarian" or "I don't drink" seems to always put a wierd stigma or damper on the "party mode" for whatever social reasons there may be. Just holding a glass of "something", say wine, through the evening is usually good enough to ward off anyone ready to ask if you "need another drink?"
4. Exercise. Ugh. I was thrown out of gymnastics for being "too fat" at the age of 11, 4'11
OOPS! #5, EXERCISE, (cont.) Yes, the first time I realized my weight could come in the way of my dreams and goals was at the age of 11, 4 '11 and 145 maybe 150 pounds. I was a "healthy midwesterner" and vegetarian, who lived off Peanut butter (so high in fat and calories) for "protein".:) Thank God, I was embraced by the yoga community, in which I met many east indians who also did not eat meat and taught me other healthy ways to get my protein. Lol. I started doing yoga and eating a lot of beans and rice (it is not expensive to be healthy, it just takes being resourceful!). Also a lot of fresh vegetables and fruits. I remember around the age of 20 someone asking me if there was anything I absolutely "hated". (I had become very zen like to most things.) I confidently replied running!!! So began my quest to become a runner! I realized it was not the actual running I despized, it was being out of breath. Also the monotony!!! So I found a park that I never got time to spend at, and started just focusing on breath.
It took a while until I did not get winded and frustrated, but applying lessons of breathwork learned in yoga, and focusing on that alone, it allowed me to forget about the actual distance I was able or not able to run. Before I knew it, I was enjoying the scenery, and time in the park, my lungs were feeling stronger, and I as a person feeling stronger and a part of a community of "runners". I signed up for several marathons, and learned the differnce of running with a team. It was a bit of a challenge, but I got more confident and made more friends. I remember one of my most mememorable and happy times was running the San Francisco Marathon. So, with exercise, first get advice from a doctor, but don't feel discouraged. Find things you love. When I moved to LA, I loved Rodeo drive window displays. At night I would run through the shopping area looking at the windows and merging my passion for fashion with exercise. Take a love, if you have love for your children, take them to the park play catch, or hike. You
You may even forget you are exercising. Try to get into a gym, and work with a trainer. They study what is best for you, your age, weight range, etc...
6. Fat to Muscle Ratio. I read one person that said not to worry about their weight for muscle is compact, therefore it is true. I have been 10 pounds heavier than other girls and been a size smaller. Since fat takes up more space, one can not judge their size by weight alone. One may lose inches and several dress sizes, and not budge on the scale for they have lost fat, and gained muscle mass. But there is again something to take into consideration. Caloric intake. The objective is not just to be a stocky mass of muscle. In order to be svelte and have long lean muscles, one must still moderate calories, so that they do not get too bulky and remain feminine, or men remain toned but lean, rather than stocky. If you are going for the stocky look, then this is completely differnt, but most women and men I work with want long lean muscles.
7. STRETCHING. To achieve long lean muscles it is important to stretch. I always say that the "cool down" or the stretching to warm up the muscles and to cool down the muscles is just as important as the work out. I am sure that many people have seen people so "addicted" to body building that they have "handicapped" themselves in the sense that they are no longer able to straighten their arms! They would literally tear ligaments in doing so. I remember a kid in highschool like this who had dropped his books, and literally needed assistance to pick them up! There is always a balance in life between being strong and being flexible. I can do a backbend and walk my hands to my ankles nearly forming a perfect "O" shape with my body, but is that good? Not yet!!! I have not developed enough strength in my stomach, so my low back, lumbar, is compressed, and after time of doing this would wear down my lower spine. So, just because something looks impressive, does not mean it is healthy. Look at credentials of your trainer
8.DIET PILLS AND WEIGHT LOSS MEDICATIONS. In my quest, when I was actively anorexic to become thinner and thinner, I found out a lot about the natural "remedies" on the market. The most important thing I found, is that most people do not understand that it is healthy to "cleanse" the internal systems just as we do the external body and all of that what relates to our external bodies, our homes, cars, clothes, etc...Lol. There are products on the market that use good blends of psylium husks, bentonite clay, with herbal mixtures of burdock root, milk thistle, some cascara sagrada, etc...I would say to go into a store with a knowledgable staff, and ask them what a good cleanse would be. I have always favored the "Arise and Shine" cleanse for it addresses the whole body, lymphatic system, lungs, mucus membraines, blood, liver, kidneys, digestion, etc..Once can find it online, but it WILL USUALLY CUT INTO ONES ABILITY TO FUNCTION AND WORK. It is a very powerful and strict one month program. But if your schedule
if your schedule or vacation does not call for spending time breaking out, or having stomach cramping while releasing mucoid plaque and seriously detoxing, there are much lighter cleanse programs out there. And remember "a cleanse" does not mean "fasting/starving oneself". As soon as you stop eating, yes, it gives the digestive tract a rest, but too much of this behavior is a type of bulimia. It is purging through fasting/not eating, and will slow down the metabolic rate.
Ephedra, or Stimulant Herbal products, may feel a quick fix, and that they usually are. They are no long term fix and people with high blood pressure or any health condition really have to know that they can have dangerous, even fatal side effects. Using stimulant products long term is not the answer for it will end up depleting your adrenal glands, which...will result in weight gain. I like taking Jarrow L-Carnitine in the morning on an empty stomach. And again before my work out. It naturally helps "shred" the fat from my body and use it
for energy. Also, chromium picolinate or chromuim polynicitonate. sp? lol. It is a mineral that our soils are depleated of, and helps to balance the blood sugar levels. I have met many people that were diabetic, and monitoring their sugar intake with the use of chromium alone helped them get off insulin use, but do not take this as a doctor's advice or my recommendation. (don't sue me) :) Other than this, Enzymetica creates a great digestive enzyme that takes some of the energy from your body having to do all the work to break down the foods, and aids in the digestion and getting those nutrients. Having a good, meaning, a company that specializes in advancing in nutritional awareness..finding a multivitamin by companies like Jarrow, New Chapter, or if you can aquire the taste, Green Vibrance, founded in 1992 is an amazing formula that gives the body many nutrients to support the digestions, ciruculatory, immune system, and all others while being lightly cleansing with acidophilus and included enzymes.
If the body is receiving AND utilizing the nutrients it needs, if the sugar levels are kept balanced, this is what I call "working with the body rather than against it". And usually, when you work in harmony with something, things seem to naturally fall into their right place without much adversion.
9. GENETICS! Everyone in my family is "thick", heavy, they all have weight issues, high cholestorol, high blood pressure, are diabetic, have sight/vision problems needing glasses, and low immune systems always catching colds/flus twice or more annually. As of yet, I have battled my weight issues and feel a sense of peace in recovery, thus far. I stay away from sugar and simple carbohydrates, and have had no tendancies toward becoming diabetic. I do not take in animal flesh, eggs, or milk, therefore, I do not take in THE ANIMAL'S CHOLESTEROL. Our bodies produce our own levels, and as of yet, my cholesterol is perfect. I do take Udos oils with a seaweed based DHA for my good "fats" daily which should help longterm.
10. DON'T WAIT TO LIVE! I recently spoke with a family member whom I love and told them of an amazing sale I found on clothing that would look gorgeous on them. They told me that they were happy with what they had, and did not want to buy new clothing until they were down to their ideal weight again! It made me very sad, for this individual wears a lot of "slimming black" and I often see sweaters, or other items clipped from magazines in rich hues of red and green but never purchased. This sort of "punishing oneself" for not being the "ideal" is a way of living life in the moment! To really embrace "the skin your in", it means buying that colorful sweater, or treating yourself to something now, as who you are, and knowing you deserve it! Weight, is just a number, made into much more by our weight obsessed ironically consumer based, "get the most with the least commitment or investment", "bigger is better" (except when it's your body" society! We are living in a hard time for women and men! More office jobs, less
work that requires manual labor..and if it does, that is seen as work for a "lower class".
Basically, I have heard stories of women that lost weight, and the #1 reason they put it back on, was because they could not handle the "new life", the way men looked at them, the way they were noticed in a crowd, the social invites, the additional pressure! That is why I say, "get out there now and experience life", don't wait to buy something if you can afford it. I suffer from a similar way of thinking, I save my new clothes for an important event, or a photo shoot, so that from that point on, they can get dirty and scuffed up, but I will always remember that event and have pictures of the clothing article frozen in time, brand new. And in my closet, I have tons of beautiful clothes just waiting for those moments to come! If I will be the same size when they do? When hormones change, or if (God Forbid) I ever relapse in recovery? It is a lesson to myself to live now to, that each day is a celebration of Life.
My father recently sent me a qoute on this notion. It read, "We crucify ourselves between two theives-regret for yesterday and fear of tomorrow!" It was something my grandfather had passed onto him, and when he sent it via email, I made a note of this on the cover of my journal and daily calendar. It is not just the "yogini" in me that has had to learn to live in the moment, but anorexic, the anorexic in recovery, the woman who saw her life do a 180 degree turn after a divorce, and is struggling to regain that sense of self worth and self confidence that I am worthy of love, of a life I had before I met my ex, not somewhere down the way when I have spent 6 months firming up again after laying in bed depressed for months. But I deserve to create that life now. We all do, and it is sad that something is trivial as weight has the power to take away that self worth. When I found out my husband was leaving me the first thing I thought was "I must have put on weight!" It was that "old friend" helping me focus on number
focus on numbers on the scale;something I could control, rather than my life as it spun completely out of control! If I had not continued life "in recovery" I would not have been well enough or strong enough, or known I was a good woman, and did not deserve that which I was put through over two years! I would not have had the strength to hold onto my moral and ethical integrity, if I went back to focusing on life and the scale. The world is a huge, big, rat raced, fast paced, uncontrolled place, but it is also a beautiful place, with parks to run in, children to play with, friends to share nights out on the town, and it is all here for us TODAY. If no one else is there for us, then we need to find our inner personal cheerleader. (Mine is a hot italian 6'2 male!)LOL. Just before I left the ashram life as a yogini, my guru/teacher told me to remember "always work from the inside first, and all will fall into place on the levels outward". I guess these are my "TIPS ON WEIGHT LOSS FROM A RECOVERING ANOREXIC". peace!
Since Sept of 2007, I was 297lbs, now I am 242lbs a lose of 55lbs. I cut out two things. Stop eating junk food at Mcdonalds, Wendys, and Whataburger, and eat normal meals with meat, carb, and vegetables. I also stopped drinking sodas heavily. I swapped from Dr. Pepper to Diet 7-up which is basically carbinated water with lemon juice. I eat pizza, and mexican food, I dont look at calories to heavily.. I look at my intake. I wake up and eat something.. that keeps my metabolism up. I have 5 meals a day. If you eat less you starve your body and you start saving fat and gaining weight so your body keeps it in reserve instead of knows you are going to eat soon and releases it. Instead of Mr Gatti's or Pizza hut, I just get a frozen. They cost $2 instead of 20, and only have 900 calories if you eat the whole thing.. dont eat it all, leave like 3 pieces. that makes it 500 calories and thats a pretty good meal. If you go out to dinner and Chili's and get fries, dont eat em all.
-cont- Also get some free-weights and stay active. Make a little work out for yourself while you are watching tv or something and build some muscle. Muscle helps you burn fat faster and lets you eat more things you like without you having to eat rabbit food. Just be active, eat better but not less, and get a scale and weigh yourself and watch your weight fluctuate. Don't get discouraged if you plataeu, it just means you need to change something differently. I just lost another lb today when I weighed myself and I had a crap load of speggetti yesterday.
For Heidi: I'm on synthroid too, so I know what that's like. I work out 6 days: 3 days cardio, 3 days weights alternating.
When I find I'm not losing anymore, it's usually because I'm not eating enough for too long a period of time. Unless you are already really tiny, 1200 calories a day are simply not enough - you need to eat MORE. If you don't eat enough, your body doesn't have enough fuel to recover from your workouts - so your body tries to compensate. Your body will use your muscles as fuel & store what it can as fat for future non-use. If you start measuring your body fat % when you weigh-in, you'll find you lose muscle & gain fat when you don't eat enough. Try adding another 600 calories on your workout days. You can tinker with it later, but 1800 for women is a good baseline to start with.
That works for me, anyway. Not enough food - nothing good happens. Eat enough - my weight may stay the same, but I'll lose fat, gain muscle & lose inches - which is what you want you want to happen.
I am a recovering anorexic/bulimic and a person who has schizoaffective disorder. I have lost weight without trying. I have also lost weight by trying. I lost most of my weight by always keeping busy. after i binge and purge i exercise like mad for a bit. that works. then i starve myself and that don't work even if i exercise.
the main thing is to maintain a schedule for your body---exercise, eating, and sleeping.
this works even if you take lots of meds like i do.
if you are on a lot of meds, find ones that won't make you gain weight.
i'm 220lbs, 33, and size 16. confusing huh? my body has been through so much suffering that i think it's confused.
i recommend a schedule and finding meds if you take meds that won't make you gain weight
i suck at writing stuff so this post is rather scatterbrained but remember i'm mentally ill.
i m now living with my housemates and they cook for me as i go to gym alomst everyday..i would like to ask how long should i keep away from food after gym?and they always cook food like rice and pasta..should i stay away from them totally or i can have them?i would like to lose weight!
My daughter Clementhia trying to hide my FunYuns from me.
thanks for the info about the fasting insulin levels and thyroid function as I have been eating approx 1200 to 1500 calories a day for weeks, walk almost every day -- was going to the gym 3x a week but stopped that since my muscles got so big my arms couldn't fit in my blouses anymore! I chart everything I eat and drink and lose nothing!! I am turning 50 in a month and would love to just lose those 10lbs.......I'm going to an endocronology to get my thyroid checked and everything else.......still get my monthly but I know I'm pre-menopausal.......I look great and no one can believe I'm turning 50 but I want to lose those ten pounds.......I wish I could eat things other than veggies, chicken, fish and grains but ever since I've been in my mid 40's and quit smoking (6 yrs ago) my metab has gone into slow mode......how do we get it pumped up again????
Firs let me say ALWAYS EAT BREAKFAST! I am in my mid 40's and have no problem keeping weight off. I did however struggle with weight loss for years. Low fat 'diets' did not work for me. I had to go high protien. Not Atkins mind you, that made me dizzy and sick, but I had to reduce my carb intake and types of carbs I ate and increase protein. I rarely eat anything made with white flour. All my carbs have fiber. I do not touch pasta of any kind. Fruit, veggies, whole grain high fiber wraps and cereal, eggs, chicken, soy and low fat cheese are what I live on. I am 5ft 8" and weigh 123 at 44! I do a lot of stretching, moderate walking and weight training and I always walk for a half an hour after lunch. Denial is the root of all evil. You have to be honest with yourself about portion control and those little pieces of candy count. I have developed a mentality that says I value being healthy and looking nice more than I value eating the wrong foods to excess. This has everything to do with self-respect.
Lots of talk about fiber which is great. Consider where you're getting it. There's a lot of fiber in whole grains but there's also a lot of it in vegetables plus water. Beans and legumes are other great sources. Try not to use fiber supplements. Eating your veggies fills you up, gives you fiber and water leaving you feeling more satisfied. Adding wole grains and legumes in smaller quantities adds protein, iron and even more FIBER! Start slowly so you don't embarrass yourself. Lastly, consider giving up meat and dairy or at least cutting back to once a week. After going vegetarian I lost 6 pounds in as many days. I didn't expect that. I am 37 years old, have three children (9, 7 & 4), a wonderful husband, Multiple Sclerosis and hypothyriodism. Ten years ago I was a smoker, a drinker and a party girl who had no energy to exercise. If I could turn the clock back and eat healthy and exercise I might not be sick today. But one can only move forward. Read anything by Dr. Andrew Weil.
I amm older now but I lost 38 lbs in 3 months on low carb, lean protien diet . You have to be careful to eat enough carbs because protien really fills you up and you can have as much as you want. Exercise is a must an while i use to walk about 30 minutes twicwe a day I am really lazy now so I am going to try for 3o minutes once a day and the new malibu pilates chair not cheap but ..I hate this weight and I have seen what a good exercise machine it is plus space effective..I also have low thyroid which is in my family I stay on top of it as well as possible...I think the answer to all this is to stay focused as loreal says.. i'm worth it!!!I need to go from 156 to my normal weight of 115 to 120 a little daunting but I am committed!! Good luck to all.
I amm older now but I lost 38 lbs in 3 months on low carb, lean protien diet . You have to be careful to eat enough carbs because protien really fills you up and you can have as much as you want. Exercise is a must an while i use to walk about 30 minutes twicwe a day I am really lazy now so I am going to try for 3o minutes once a day and the new malibu pilates chair not cheap but ..I hate this weight and I have seen what a good exercise machine it is plus space effective..I also have low thyroid which is in my family I stay on top of it as well as possible...I think the answer to all this is to stay focused as loreal says.. i'm worth it!!!I need to go from 156 to my normal weight of 115 to 120 a little daunting but I am committed!! Good luck to all.
For those of you who say you have tried everything and are doing it right. (meals, food, exercise) Try this, Get a pencil and notebook(small spiral) write down everything you put in your mouth for the next 14 days. As soon as you put it in your mouth. We forget little things through out the day as busy as most people are. Thats why as soon as it goes in write it down. Then take a good look at what you are eating in a days time. The next 14 days are basicly the same but this time measure your portions. Still writing down what you eat as soon as you eat it. If you still don't see where you are having trouble with weight loss, take your notebook to your doctor and let him or her look it over. They will be able to help with the info you are providing. One note be honest with your notes. Write down everthing even that one bite of mashed potatoes and gravy or 3 small cookies. It really will make a change in how well you stick with healthy eating. It is a lifestyle change to lose weight and mantain the lose.
I hate the word diet. It means deprived to me. What you really need is to change your lifestyle. No more fast foods and high calorie junk food. Eat healthy (if you do not know what that is you can look up on internet) and exercise. There are no fast or easy ways to do it. Our society is geared for fast and easy, that is why we are at an all time high for heavy weight people. Even our kids are heavier than ever before. They sit in front of a computer moniter or TV instead of outside playing with their friends. So, how about back to basics? Like cooking healthy for our families and good old fashioned exercise? Leave the new fads for the fatties. (which I was one of) I have lost over 80 pounds since I went back to basics and do not feel one bit deprived. I do however get slack from people who don't like to cook or exercise. I didn't either but hated being fat more, much more. I did lose my hubby, he liked me fat instead of lean. I like me healthy. Good luck on finding what works for you.
I have always struggled with weight and the only time that I was able to loose was when I was pregnant. YES Pregnant! I am actually considering having another baby just for the weight loss plan I wasn't sick or miserable but something happened to me when I was pregnant I could eat whatever I wanted and still weighed less on the day of delivery than I weighed before I got Pregnant. Maybe someone could explain to me why weight loss was so easy when I was pregnant.
JaySue is so right. Giving up fast food was my first step in losing lots of weight. It forces you to learn how to cook and especially pay attention to what is going in to your meals. I get a great deal of satisfaction of having made my meals from scratch. I never imagined I'd learn to cook so well. When I'm not in the mood to cook I simply eat whole food...some fruit, nuts, glass of soy milk etc. Exercise doesn't come naturally to me either so on my laziest days if I just want to lay around watching TV, I lay on the floor and do leg lifts or sit in a chair and do bicep curls with some hand weights. Normally, I do an hour of high intensity aerobics three days per week. It's like "they" say there's no magic pill.
as of 01-01-08 i had a major breakdown, this is all new for me. i am on 300mg wellbutrinxl, 300 mg effexor er, synthroid 112mcg, xanax, .5mg, is this going to throw on the weight for me>
Ive always been chubby,am 47 yrs. old & was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis last June. Since then Ive been hospitalized 3 times with pneumonia & had lung surgery to remove a tumor. All the time,being bombarded with steroids & cortisones. I also have been getting epideral steroid injections in my spine for back pain for 9 yrs. I know all this has gotten me up to 220. I gained 25 of that since June. Any suggestions on a good diet? what kind of workout can I do with back & sciatica pain & also getting short of breath so easily?
I am a vegetarian, so I dont really eat bad at all. Any help will be appreciated. My family Dr. is really no help & I have to lose 70 lbs. to get on the lung transplant list.
i have been on a fruit diet for same time and my weight is not changing.drinking alot of water as well but still nothing.what should i do about my tummy and weight?
Well i was told i have high insulin, although i don't understand why? I exercise at least five times a week for an hour. I usually watch what i eat throughout the week, except i do sometimes beige eat on the weekend. Could that be the cause for the high insulin? Beige eating?
Dear Janie Prieto et al,
I am in a similar situation. Diagnosed w/ Fibromyalgia, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Anxiety/Depression, OCD, Phase III Bi polar disorder, I was forced to into retirement by by Superintendent. After several years of various anti-depressants, Lyrica, Methadone, etc., I gained 390 pounds in 3 years! I have been 150lbs for 30 years COMPLETELY regardless of dietary habits; although, I always worked out at the "Y".
Then, in 2005, MAN-O-Pause hit me like a ton of bricks; all around the mid section; none of my pants fits and I hate my new body. I still work out and now I ride the stationary bike 4x a week for 40-60+minutes.
Please write me if you want to compare notes:jmdiionno@yahoo.com
God Bless
John
Since January I've been on a healthy eating plan recommended by a doctor, and I've lost about 20 pounds. I exercise regularly, and control what I'm eating,but in the past 3 weeks or so, I seem to have reached some sort of plateau. I still have another 20 or so pounds to go, but I actually think I gained one or two pounds right back!
Any suggestions on how to deal with this? (By the way, I don't have any illness and obesity isn't genetic - since all my family members are skinny, I'm not taking medication, and I'm not pregnant either).
hi..around xmas i weighed 87kgs,after excessive eating and after realizing how i looked like and how many layers of stomach i had,i decided to go on diet..the only thing i can say is that up to date,i have lost 10kgs,weigh now 77 kgs..the main thing in my diet was no sugar,no bread,no eating after 6pm..are really stick to it.i never did to much of excercises but like to walk and do housework and running after my three year old..it`s worth of a sucrifise and i can say i feel much better now and more content of myself..the only disadvantage is that i had to change my whole wardrobe cause everything hangs on me!!!but i suppose that was the intention...
I am a 40 yr old mother of 3, I am a type 2 diebetic and my weight was 250lb and I lost 20lbs in 3 months and my problem is continued wt loss staying on track is one of my problems and doing it alone is so hard what would you do
Seems as though a lot of people benefited from this discussion, I very grateful for the "insulan resistance", did not know of this one. Just had my 2yearly medical checkup and my blood sugar was ok but now that I know this little tip I will be specific next time.
Help I had Gastric bypass 5 years ago lost 130 lbs and have gained 45lbs back. Help
For answers about Mona Vie, go to www.monavie.com - there is information about the product, but also if you look under the company tab, you will find distributor information that contains the answers to your question in their FAQs file.
I have mobility issues, bad knees, arthritis, shoulder spurs, syringomyelis and it seems that every form of exercise had been nixed by my Dr. At 340 pounds just changing my diet is not enough. Anyone have any ideas about how to exercise without putting a strain on knees, lifting my arms over my head. I use to swim but due to the bone spurs I can no longer do laps. I also take a lot of meds, one of which gives me intense food cravings. Since I take it at bedtime this has been a problem.
Doctor diagnosed me with Edema. Told me to lose weight. I am slowly figureing it out. The pain went away with PT. And now I have endurence exercises to do. And I can really tell when I haven't done them in a while. I still have the Edema, but my weight I am getting under control. Its taken some time to see some sucess. And totaly keep off the salt. Which was very difficult at first. And cook all my meals. No microwave. I am starting to fit better in my clothes. I have no scale to weight myself, but I can tell by my clothes how I am doing. The Edema will never go away. I am stuck with it. Have changed my eating habits to fresh anything I can buy. I make a lot of soup. I can't let food be my guide, I have to guide my food intake,salt,calories,excerises.
