losing weight

[tigerlilly01]

I need to loose some weight !!!!! I have tried walking every day, cutting back on calories but nothing is working for me.  I don't drink pop or eat chips etc.... I don't eat fried foods.  I would like to try weight watchers but don't want a big expense..... is there a way to get the weight watchers plan without making a commitment to monthly payments?  I need a little help.

[dkanofsky]

Hey tigerlilly,

I think loosing weight should really be thought of in terms of eating/behavior modification, not giving up foods you like to eat.  I don't think the brand/famous name "diets" help at all because you have to stick to it and depending on the program, you have to buy the food.  Once you've attained your goal, if you go off, the weight goes back on.  So try this, but get your doctor's opinion first. 1) Watch what, how much, and when you eat.  Eat 5 smaller meals a day not 3 bigger ones.  Eating more frequently with less portions will increase your metabolism.  That's a good thing since you'll burn off calories faster.  Forget the processed foods and eat more fruits and veggies. 2) Get out and exercise.  Yup, unfortunately it does take some work.  But it can be done, again, ask your doctor what type of exercise he/she recommends. I've been following these steps since April and I've lost 32 lbs in the first 3 months, probably more by now.  My exercise is walking one-half hour a day 6 days a week but I built up to that. Oh,, and I still enjoy the pizza, fried chicken, pork steaks, etc., but in moderation.  Good luck.
 

 

[jfremont]

I could not loose weight. I tried everything I quit drinking soda, and alcohol, watched what I ate (watched it go right in my mouth )

I could not control my apetite, I racked up 290 Lbs. I finaly went to doctor about why i was always so hungry. after I took some blood test and glucose test, we found out their was nothing wrong with me but i was a Super Fat @$$. my doc prescribed me adipex. (an apetite supressant). this worked it cut down on my cravings, I lost 50 lbs. in under 6 months.  and now i have been able to keep it off even after being off the adipex. the 6 months i was on the medicine i learned how much food to eat.   

[cloudsoup]

don't think of it as a "diet" ...infact, i no longer
call it that because it changes my frame of mind
about the food i'm eating. diets have always
seemed temporary to me - as if i eat enough
good things and lose weight, i can eventually go
back to the bad stuff and everything will be okay.
(which i know is silly, but that's how i perceive
the idea of a diet)...

i've lost about 12 pounds since april, but i've
kept my goals really small. i mean, we're talking
like 5 pounds a month, which i haven't met
completely, but i've gotten close. i figure that 5
pounds a month is definitely reasonable, and with
four weeks ahead of me, it gives me time to get
back on track if i veer from the path a little... which
is inevitable!

fruits and vegetables. i can't tell you how much
these have helped (i always got tired of hearing
people give me fruit&vegetable advice) but honestly,
it has worked. i feel CLEAN   haha.

[Osmara13]

I’m one that doesn’t believe in diets the first three letters is DIE… You have to make a life style change. As someone mentioned above you can eat things in moderation. Making sure that your heavier starches you eat during the day before 6 pm. It’s great that you are not eating fried food, unless you do it at home with olive oil. You want to be able to enjoy all that you do and not indulge and go overboard. Losing weight is the hardest thing to do while gaining weight is the easiest, sad to say. My mom was just like you… but she increased her miles that she walks and she has lost 40 pounds. But you have to keep at it. You can follow different life changing eating habits. Just go to google and look up 1,200 calorie diet: but don’t of it as a diet but as a life style change.  If you want to have a cheat day or hour you’re more than are welcome to.   Drink plenty of water and continue at what you’re doing. Weight watchers is a only follow points but if you don’t continue in that hamster wheel of point counting  you will come back to where you are.

[shernajwine]

i have lost significant weight taking Herbalife meal replacement shakes and supplements. i tried alot of different things in the past including exercising  regularly, switching to only whole grains and drinking more water. i would lose weight but very slowly and it would frustrate me that i was working so hard and barely getting anywhere. but in 2 months i have lost 20 pounds and i feel really great. i am also a distributor for herbalife but i don't want to advertise so if you are interested let me know and i can give you my website info. but whatever you decide to do water is a HUGE factor in weight loss. the general formula for the right amount is half your weight in oz.
for ex: if you weigh 180lbs you need to drink 90oz of water daily.

Here is what a section of a Health Report on water consumption had to say"
Incredible as it may seem, water is quite possibly the single most important catalyst in losing weight and keeping it off.  Although most of us take it for granted, water may be the only true “magic potion” for permanent weight loss. Water suppresses the appetite and helps the body metabolize stored fat.  Studies have shown that a decrease in water intake will cause fat deposits to increase while an increase in water intake can actually reduce fat deposits.

Here’s why.  The kidneys cannot function properly without enough water.  When they do not work to capacity, some of the load is dumped onto the liver.  One of the liver’s primary functions is to metabolize stored fat into usable energy for the body.  But if the liver has to do some of the kidney’s work, it cannot work at full throttle.  As a result, it metabolizes less fat; more fat remains stored in the body and weight loss stops.

[tigerlilly01]

Thanks for all the advice.  I agree that it has to be a lifestyle change and I have really tried this.  I eat healthier than anyone I know.  I eat fruit, lots of veggies, very rarely do i eat anything that has been fried.  I watch my portions ... I have been doing the spark thing which has really helped me keep track of my calories.  The only thing I really OVER did was eating too many almonds.  I know they are healthy but didn't realize how many calories that I was consuming with them.  I walk 30 minutes 5 days a week and now trying to all other exercise as well. I have 2 herniated discs in my back so I am limited as to what I can do.  The problem with my back is how I got this weight on to start with because I couldn't do anything that didn't cause pain.  After physical therapy I am now able to do most anything except lift heavy things and bend forward very much.  I have lost alot of my flexibility and strength in my legs and back which makes it hard to do much.  I am trying to work at getting the strength back but I am getting very discouraged.  I am 52 and getting a little too tired of all this.  I will try eating small meals 5 times a day and see if that will help.... I still have to make good healthy meals for my husband and he is always trying to get me to eat something I shouldn't .... before I would give in and have a small portion but lately I have had great will power and resist the ice cream, pie or what ever it is He wants to eat. 

[tantricia44]

Don't go for those diet scams they never work. Cutting out everything will only make you end up cheating & loosing the battle. When you suddenly cut out everything your body reserves will kick in. Thus, making your body store MORE FAT instead of burning it. It's an survival mechanism during the lean years of the pre-cavemen days. So, you don't loose the weight. When you deprive yourself of food good or bad your body will rebel as well as your mind. Yes, eat healthier but don't cut out all favorite or junk food. Eat food in smaller portions but frequently during the day will help you loose those pounds.

My 2 nieces are example of different eaters. The 6 yr. is a grazer, she eats small portions all through out the day & drives her parents crazy asking for a snack  1 in the morning though she stays slim no matter how much she eats. The 1yr old is a 1 time eater. She eats in 1 setting. She's on the chubby side like her AUNT.  So, I predict that if she continues to eat this way, without exercise, she will be a heavy set teen.

Losing weight takes along time. So don't expect too much in the beginning because it won't happen. Don't waste time counting calories it'll only give you grief & more frustrated in yourself. Don't even look for weight loss. You know you're going in the right direction when you start feel energy & strength. Instead of counting calories start focusing on what positive happen during the day.
Like, I walked a mile today, or I was able to keep up with the kids today, etc.... Note the positive.

Also, Don't cut out all junk food just the portions. The other half of you should also try to be supportive to your plight & be more sensitive in what he eat in front of you.

Also, You need sleep. Research found that having enough sleep helps you loose weight.

Hope, this helps & don't be too hard on yourself; trying to lose weight is hard. Good Luck!

[MandieMc]

Okay, everyone hates the dreaded term diet, but really everything we consume is part of our daily diet.  It might be high in fat, msg, etc however if you ALTER your diet and switch to healthier options that helps too.  I just started working out again, after about a two year hiatus (mom was dying of cancer and taking care of her took priority over me lol).  I do 45mins of cardio every other day and on the alternate days I work my legs one day, then arms, then core/stomach/back.  It seems to be working well, i'm definitely toning up a lot.  I take Saturday's off though, who wants to work out on a Saturday???

[Valerie1979]

find a REGISTERED DIETITIAN.... evaluate if you are eating enough
by drastically cutting calories your body can go into a type of shock and resist weight change

[MandieMc]

Yuppers, and anorexic people can sometimes be labeled as obese because their bodies get food so little that when they do get food the instantly try to convert it to fat to store it.  It's weird but, true, or at least it was according to discovery health when I watched a program on anorexia and bulemia.

[ancmetro]

        It all amounts to: "Watch what you drink and eat". Count your calories: Avoid high-calories drinks and foods. Use olive oil when possible. Do not eat fried foods: Steam or baked your veggies and other foods. Reduce your carbohydrates intake. Low salt and fat foods are a good choice. Drink plenty of water. Exercise in moderation. Do not use microwave ovens. Do not forget to take some vitamins and minerals supplement.

[karenkpc]

any amount of movement counts.  it's not all about banging a solid hour of cardio, especially when you are dealing with injuries.  along with consulting with a dietician, I would also revisit your old physical therapist and see if he/she can create a strength program that you can use daily and then start building to that 1/2 hr of walking as dkanofsky suggested. 
youtube through leslie sansone's walking videos.  you can find 10 minute segments and start there, relatively lower impact and can be modified. 
keeping an honest food journal will help you tremendously.  I mean tracking EVERYTHING that crosses your lips, from a tic tac to a beverage.  do it for a couple weeks.  you may find other places that are increasing your calories without realizing...and it's helpful for the dietician to have that kind of tracking and honesty.  I send you good thoughts.  it can be done.  I've never used a diet program in my life, just honesty, exercise, lifestyle changes, and healthy chow.   

[rrechy225]

When I lost weight I cut out soda and deserts first...since you already do that you're on a good track.  I also make sure to eat veggies with every meal and swapped my regular pasta and rice for whole grain and wheat rice and pasta.  Lay off on the high sugar sauces and just use herbs and spices.

the one thing you can't avoid is cardio!  Walking is fine but must be done at a brisk pace.  If you are just strolling around, it aint going to cut it.  You have to get your heart pumping!  The other thing I did was start lifting weight to tone up.  It's been a life saver.

This is what I did to lose 50lbs so good luck!

[abont001]

I guess with each person, different methods vary. One lady told me she just cut out the sweets and only eats one meal a day that has some starch. Don't know if this will help