Trying to Lose Weight

I've been wanting to lose 10-15 pounds for a couple of years now. I find the more I focus on what I'm eating, the more I cave in to bad food choices. I've been sort of an on-again, off-again exerciser. A couple of months ago I signed up for a half marathon and printed out a 10 week training schedule. If it's on paper, I follow it to the letter... I'm not so focused on what I'm eating, and I'm actually eating less (or at least better... maybe I'm crazy, but I feel like I'm craving things that are better for me). I haven't weighed myself, but definitely feel a difference in my clothes. I guess I'm saying, try to set a fitness goal and take some of the main focus off the food... It could be a 5K... something like that. Just a thought!

Hip Hop Abs is the absolutely fun way to see the inches go. In just 2 30 minutes I lost a couple inches. so did my friend......and you can learn to dance at the same time. I am not a dancer, but doing what I can moving, I actually lost with my modification of the moves.

There is a great program called Body For Life. The book is written by a guy named Bill Phillips and then Dr. Pamela Peake wrote a follow-up just for women. It has always worked for me and I know several others who have had results. Good Luck!

The easiest thing that I have found is to A.) not call it a "diet"- that implies restriction. B.) the heathiest thing you could do would be to cut out all sugar, carbs, caffiene, dairy, and alcohol. (sounds like cut out pretty much everything right?) I do this every few months as a sort of "detox" for my body. Of course make sure you get plenty of exercise (the walking and maybe some strength training will do)- but really, just eat plenty of proteins (lean meats, nuts, etc..) and fruits and veggies. The cool thing is, you can eat as much of all of those good things as you want! If you have to choose something to cut out of your diet, it would be processed sugars and complex carbs (breads, pastas, etc.). Good luck!

A sane diet includes the foods you like in moderation and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. I'm glad to hear you're walking, but it's not going to provide results in two weeks, nor is it likely to transform your body. I have had some success doing weight training in addition to doing cardio exercises at the gym 2-3 times a week. I supplement that with walking in the evening with my family. There's no "magic pill" that will take off the weight. It takes determination to assess whether or not what you're eating is healthful, and to limit your intake. If your snack of choice is cheesy-poofs, it isn't going to work. I have at one point, consulted a nutritionist because of some reflux. She had very helpful advice, and if you have an opportunity to have a consultation with one, it may help as well. Good luck. It's a lifestyle, not a diet.

Walking isn't going to take it off. You need to raise your heart rate at least 3 times per week; 5 if you can squeeze more into your schedule. There are gyms in the are with child care. You would need to do cardio, such as the stairmaster or eliptical machine for 20 - 30 minutes a day.
You can also jog while you push the baby in a stroller, but the machines I mentioned are easier of your knees.

Good luck!

Hi M.! I'm going to be 40 in October and decided a few weeks ago that I didn't want to be 40 and fat! I started substituting SlimFast drinks for my breakfast and lunch (lunch always includes either a 1/2 turkey sandwich or salad in addition to the drink). I'm also cutting my dinner portion size, eliminating sweet deserts (gosh I love chocolate though!), and walking with my daughter in the evening. I've lost 10 lbs in 3 weeks! Good luck and hope this helps. D. H.

Hi, M.. Congratulations on starting your walking program! Walking is a perfect exercise to help you lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle! Do you have a group to walk with or is a friend or your husband doing it with you? Having a peer and someone to help keep you accountable is so helpful! Your dogs are great walking partners so be sure to walk them too. But there is something powerful and positive about peer pressure. Someone who will miss you when you sleep in or cancel....and hold you accountable. And make it fun too. Walking is a perfect time to catch up on girl talk!

Weight goes on quickly but comes off slowly. So review your progress monthly rather than daily. The good news is with healthy eating and increased exercise you CAN lose this weight! Set reasonable mini-goals to you can set yourself up to succeed. Say 5 lbs. And then when you reach that goal, treat yourself. And train yourself to think of other things beside food as treats. Take yourself and your walking buddy to a movie. Or a spa. Or buy the cute handbag you have been eyeing. And then set the next goal.

Unfortunately there is no magic pill. But healthy eating- lots of fruits, veggies, whole grains and healthy potions - along with a daily exercise routine will help you shed pounds and stay healthy. You can do it!

I'm 37 (will be 38 soon) and I had my last child 2 yrs ago. Right after my doctor cleared me for exercise, I went to work. I lost a 30lbs., over 21 inches! How? Two major things...(it sounds so common and so simple, but yet, it is) I watched all carbs & I worked out 4 to 5 times per week for at least an hour using various DVD workouts. Exactly... The Firm's Transfirmer for my workouts, and the "concept" of South Beach Diet. I nursed until my daughter was 14 months, so I did not take out all carbs. But I did however, watch the time in which I ate carbs, and the amount I would eat. I would eat half of the turkey burger bun, skip the fries and replace with veggies, and share dessert with three people. The key...DISCIPLINE! Sorry...but it's the truth...it works! Simple and deliberate eating and consistent exercising! (excuse any typos!)

Oh Boy, Tell me about it. Same here. I started the atkins diet a couple of days ago, it is always a quick way to drop some pounds. For me it's a quick fix and it works, but it takes incredible will power to give up the carbs. I honestly loose about 10 lbs over the course of a month or so and I'm 34 years old. http://www.atkins.com or http://www.findurdiet.com

Hang in there,
C.

try the low GI lifestyle.It works.

You may want to take a look at www.SlimAndHealthyMoms.com Perhaps that'll help you out!

I have lost 15 lbs. using Herbalife. The products are *very* safe and *very* easy to use. I liked them so much I started selling them. If you would like to contact me privately, ____@____.com , I would be happy to tell you more about the program.

Curves!!!!! Great people, great inspiration and encouragement. Understanding and very attentive and helpful!!! Check them out at www. curves.com and you can locate one near you. Good luck!
W.

I have found that weight watchers is the only thing that's worked for me. I've lost 41 pounds since Jan. It teaches you that you can eat things that you like but in moderation. AND it's healthy and not a "quick fix". Good luck!

Hi M.. I have been there and back and I know the struggle you face. It was especially hard after my second child to lose it. You have to get back to basics...calories in vs. calories out. You can do it without supplements, I really think it is an unnecessary expense. I own a small women's fitness center and would be happy to help you any way I could. Weight Watchers is a GREAT program for losing weight. The program will teach you proper portions. A good way to start on your own is to keep you walking, but you have to make sure your heart rate is staying up. If you are 41, you need to keep your heart rate up between 108 bpm and 143 bpm to burn calories. Pick one thing to try to avoid. Sugar, soft drinks, fried foods, etc. Cut your portions, you may be hungry the first week, but your body will adjust. I put a pic of my goals, a number I want to weigh, a size I want to wear, or a fit person up where I have to look at it every time I go into the kitchen! Good Luck!
J. Grondahl

Hi M.,

The best way to lose weight is through diet and exercise, not supplements. Watch your portion sizes, get to the gym or work out at home, have more protein and less refined carbohydrates. Find stuff you enjoy to keep you busy, take your dogs for a walk. I do not know how old your girls are, but involve them in activities. Weight Watchers has a great program. It is not how fast you lose the weight but being able to keep it off. Losing more than 2 pounds a week can be unhealthy.

Good luck,
S. W.

M.,
I have lost 25 punds in the last four months thanks to South Beach Diet. It is more of a life style change than a diet. It has really worked for me. Good luck.

Dear M.,
I can tell you that the best thing that has worked for me is just watching my portion sizes of my food and just really getting into a good exercise program. Weight training is so important to women and I think that you should join your local Y or gym and see what they have to offer, I am sure you will succeed if you find some support with others that have the same issues.

The key is to increase your metabolism. To do this, your body must have fuel (food) to burn. Eat a lot of small "meals" throughout the day. I have always been thin,(now 5'8" and 125 lbs) am 51 years old and have birthed two children. Here's a sampling of what I eat--breakfast--around 7:30 a.m.--bowl of cereal (usually some kind of grain flakes with fruit in it), then about 10:00 a.m., I eat yogurt, about 12:00 noon, I eat either a sandwich or a salad, about 2-3 p.m., I eat something--usually something sweet--dinner in the summer is around 8:00--regular meals but I eat small portions--around 10:00 p.m.--I usually have a bowl of ice cream, cookies or brownies--this has worked for other people that I have told. It's all in the quantity of food that you eat and spreading it out over the entire day rather than eating three big meals (just my opinion). Good luck!

I find that supplements don't work. I even saw a program on tv that said they don't work. They are basically vitamins. The best way to lose weight is to burn more than you consume. Watch your portion sizes, cut out junk food and things like that. I have tried many diets and found that I put the weight back on. I know alot of people use weight watchers but it is exactly what I just said. They watch your portions for you. Not every method works for every body. I like to use the special K method but I also eat healthy items. I don't use the regular size plates for adults. My kids have the little plates with the diego and things on it and that is my plate. That way I don't overload it and eat too much. Another way to help is The biggest loser on Discovery health. I don't follow their plan because I don't shop every day and it is expensive but I do use some of their recipes and they have alot of helpful tips. I noticed that a portion is about the size of an ice cream scoop for most things. Check it out and I hope it helps you.

The book that worked for our family was/is Diet Cure...it focuses on finding out why you may be having a difficult time losing weight and gets you on a good eating plan. We really like the approach because it really isn't a "diet"...it focuses on having you change the way you eat so that you don't yo-yo. It was very easy to follow and we had great results!

Good Luck,

W.

Start with your food intake...How much water do you drink? Plain water that is, not in tea or other drinks? If its not much, make it at least 60 oz. a day and that will give you a few pounds off right away. If your drinking soda, stop. Esp. if its diet!! The thing about diet soda is that it has a chemical in it that 'tricks' your brain into holding onto fat cells. This makes it impossible to shed the unwanted pounds. If you HAVE to have a soda to get you through, try bringing it down to one a day, but let it be a regular one, not diet. The chemical i'm refering to is what the artifical sweetners are made up as. Do not use ANY artifical sweetners as they all have the same effect. Google 'dangers of aspartame' if you want more on this subject. Taking the sodas out will also give you a few more pounds off right away! You will be amazed! Do you eat breakfast?? If no, start right away! The key to losing weight is not skipping meals but eating less at more frequent times during the day. Have something for breakfast, even if its small... Your body goes into a 'cycle' at night that holds onto sugar, almost like using it for reserve, just encase it doesnt get more in a few hours. Once you eat breakfast, you take in glucose and the cycle unleashes so to say b/c it knows its getting more. If you skip breakfast, your body holds on to the reserved sugar and stores it as fat... Making it simple, you have to eat small meals to help your body burn more calories. Yogurt with fruit and granola would be a great start if you cant have an egg and toast. You can snack on fruit, pretezels, popcorn, walnuts. The key is the portion size. Make yourself little baggies with a handful in each one. Give yourself variey throughout the day. Make sure you have protein and fiber with each meal. All of these things with increase your metabolism and do it rather quickly. Exercise is very important but wont make a difference if you dont change whats going in your body. To get a few more steps in without effort, park farther away from the store when shopping, walk to get your mail instead of picking it up in the car? Little steps is where you have to begin but will make a world of difference. Just know your NOT alone, we have all been unhappy with our size at one point or another! Anoher thing that would help is getting a really good multivitamin. You can find this at your local healthfood store. Nature's Source is great, and it is from whole food concentrates which is what our bodys need and absorbs. I know this is long but I sure hope it helps you:)

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Hi M.,

I too wanted to lose weight, and starting January 12th 2008, I started eating natural, whole, unprocessed foods in 6 small meals a day along with walking / running 3.5 - 4 miles a day. I've lost 53 pounds to date. I credit most of the weight loss to the running.

I started with walking... and gradually added jogging. As I felt more comfortable, I added more jogging. Then, as time went on, I increased the jogging speed and began running. I run the full 3.5 - 4 miles, 5x per week.

One note is that I don't eat any fast foods or junk foods... the rest is okay in the portions recommended as a "serving size". I really advocate running as an answer to losing weight. You can still have a treat or two and still lose pounds quickly and healthy.

I hope this helps :)

Take care,
D.

sorry to say but it's 80% of what you eat and only 20% exercise. diets and supplements may take the weight off at 1st but it's a healthy lifestyle that will carry you through. walking is great. each day try to go 5 or 10 steps farther. anything that gets you moving that you enjoy. the food...keep it as natural and fresh as you can. carbs - nothing white, go brown...brown rice, wheat bread, wheat pasta. sweet or red potatoes. low sugar is key also. take a regular dinner plate. imagine a line down the middle. fill one side with salad or vegs. another line down the middle of the other half. fill one side with your healthy carb and the other side with your protein. eat your salad or vegs 1st. your protein 2nd and your carb last. stop when you are no longer hungry, not when you are stuffed. it's ok not to clean your plate. a good size of meat is the size of your palm. snack on fresh fruit and vegies. drink as much water as you can. eat 3 good meals and 2 good snacks a day. keep healthy snacks in the car and the office if you work outside of the home. get your family to support you by cleaning out the foods you don't need to eat. you can't eat it if it's not in house. if you cheat - walk more that day then get back on track . a lot of people allow themselves one cheat day a week so they don't feel so deprived. it's a constant battle and the older we get the harder it gets. but it can get done.

good luck.

the south beach diet has always been sure-fire for me. it's very healthy, and even though the first two weeks are difficult, it gets easier and easier. if you do it, though, make sure you get the book AND the cookbook - the cookbook just offers a lot more variety, especially in those first 2 to 4 weeks when it is easy to get bored and give up. PLEASE do not take supplements. they are not safe, the results will not last, and they take a toll on your organs. even if someone says they know of one that works, i truly caution you to stay away. "too good to be true" is a great mantra to stick with for weight loss. keep up the walking, too!

South Beach Diet!!!! It works like a charm if you are diligent and follow it very closely, especially portion size. I lost 15 lbs and my husband lost 20lbs in 1 month. Then we kept it off for 3 years now! Good Luck it is very hard but you are obviously moving in the right direction.

The only true and healthy way to lose weight is through diet and exercise. I know it may not be the easiest thing to do, but it's the only way to ensure that the weight really does stay off. All fad diets do is give instant gratification, but as soon as you come off of them, you will gain the weight back and then some. You don't have to completely cut out the foods you love, otherwise you will crave them so much you might binge and lose all your hard work. The key is to eat those foods only in moderation. Add fiber to your diet because foods high in fiber make you feel fuller longer. Drinking lots of water also helps in making you feel full. Continue your walking program, you are on the right track with that. It may not be working right now because you have to burn more calories than you consume per day and it will take longer than 2 weeks to see any results. A good way to keep track of your daily caloric input is to join this free website called sparkpeople.com. It helps you keep a log of your diet and calculates how many calories you consume. The website also records your daily activity. It offers support and advice and I found it to be very helpful. As for diet supplements, those only work in accordance with diet and exercise, however, I would not advise them. If anything, take a good multi-vitamin. If you wish to include any supplements I would suggest calcium, (you could also just include milk and yogurt in your diet) it supports good bone health as well as weight loss, B vitamins, green tea extract... you can go to a vitamin store, and an associate can guide you in the right direction. These are healthier alternatives to your "get thin quick pills." Other things to know... typical weight loss on a proper diet is 2-3 lbs per week; smaller meals 5 times a day, like 3 meals and 2 snacks, helps keep you from feeling hungry; eating green leafy vegetables, black beans, good proteins... the list goes on. Anyway, I feel as if I have written a book. I really hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any more questions! I would love to help you.