Appetite out of control

[michellechgo]

Hello All,

 

In January I began an exercise program that consists of aerobic and weights. I am 5"5 and was 167lbs!! I have an enourmous appetite. I only focused on my workouts and did not change a thing about my food quality or intake. At that point my only goal was to form a habit of working out. I now weigh in at 147lbs and lost over 14inches. I am very happy with my progress and have incorporated some healthier changes, I drink tons of water, eliminated pop and eat more fiber. I now have 20 more pounds that I want to shed but I have an appetite that would put a man to shame. My biggest downfall is pizza i could eat it everyday (I practically do) and fast food.

 

Ok, confession time. With all that being said I am doing something right now that I am not proud of. I love my workouts and they are very effective despite my poor food control, but I am desperate to get to my goal so I am taking an appetite suppresent called Didrex. I just started this 2weeks ago so untill then all progress was through my own efforts. I am to young to be overweight and after losing 20lbs (soooo slowly) my self esteem has shot through the roof, I am getting loads of attention and it feels so good. If i were to continue the way i was doing it I would prob have to wait another year for the last twenty to go away. I feel like I am selling myself out by taking the Didrex, almost like i am voiding out my authentic progress.

 

I quit smoking a year ago and eat no red meat. I have maintained an consistent workout since January. Why can't i get my FOOD under control?? How many calories should I be eating anyway I here anywhere from 1200-2200.

 

My workout is 6days a week I do the FIRM tapes which are very effective. Help ?

 

Michelle

[Ryan]

How many calories should I be eating anyway I here anywhere from 1200-2200.

 

Depends on what your baseline is.

You have to stop taking those goofy pills and eat normally for a couple of weeks. Count every calorie. Did you gain weight? Then you're eating over baseline. Did you lose weight? Then you're eating under baseline.

 

My workout is 6days a week I do the FIRM tapes which are very effective.

 

No they aren't.

You say you do "aerobics and weights." Nothing on a tape is going to be weight training. "Aerobics" is a misnomer for a set of activities that are largely useless.

 

I'm still working on content for the "Fitness and Exercise Explained" thread in this forum. Check back regularly to see the content therein.

[longlegzs80]

I have seen results in my mother and a friend of mine and seriously it works if you are the kind of person who dedicates themselves.

 

(1). Get slimfast. Drink it everyday for breakfast.

(2). Keep up the arobics workout, and maybe sign up for the gym.

(3). Pig out until your heart desires.

 

Now, as I said, my mother and a friend of mine. They both were overweight and always eatting, but they took control of themselves. They both bought slimfast and drank it everyday and they have a workout regime that helps them slim down the pounds. My mother who walks everyday does not do a stroll, she walks at a park where she moves at a fast pace for an hour and a half. A friend of mine, does the slimfast thing, and worksout at the gym. Both look great. But while you are doing the slimfast thing and working out, make sure you are eatting properly. That is the only way this will help you.

 

Get active, drink slim fast, eat healthy, see results. Take care and hope this helps.

[michellechgo]

Originally posted by Ryan

Depends on what your baseline is.

You have to stop taking those goofy pills and eat normally for a couple of weeks. Count every calorie. Did you gain weight? Then you're eating over baseline. Did you lose weight? Then you're eating under baseline.

 

 

 

No they aren't.

You say you do "aerobics and weights." Nothing on a tape is going to be weight training. "Aerobics" is a misnomer for a set of activities that are largely useless.

http://www.loveshack.org/forums/t23605?goto=newpost

 

I'm still working on content for the "Fitness and Exercise Explained" thread in this forum. Check back regularly to see the content therein.

 

THe FIRM tapes have been the reason I have lost 20lbs and

14 inches. I use anywhere from 3-15lbs free weights, with squats and lunges, if they are useless then why have I gotten the results I have? I have muscle definintion all over. Of course I still have the 20lbs but thank goodness they are spread evenly throughout my body. I do not consider myself out of shape. I have tried going to the gym but I find these tapes much more effective for me. I just don't understand why i can't control my appetite. I have and still display control in many other areas of my life (quitting smoking, consistent workouts, ect) I tried going to the gym to use the machines and I can't do the machines for quads due to my knee problems. I also know many women who have seen good results from these tapes. The onloy complaint I have about my level of fitness is I can't seem to get good definition or strength in my biceps. My triceps are more defined, and I am not able to do more than 5 good form man pushups, other than that my fitness level i am satisfied with.

 

As far as the weight goes i did eat "normally" for 7 months and all I managed to lose was 20lbs. The problem is my appetite is huge. I can eat a whole pizza and go for more!!

[clia]

The problem is my appetite is huge. I can eat a whole pizza and go for more!!

 

I assume you've gone to the doctor and ruled out any medical problems?

[jalexy]

did you ever think it is emotional eating? i think most people in this world get fat because they emotional eat and do not listen to their body.

i would go out and buy Overcoming Overeating today....its a great book.

stop worrying so much about weightloss. you are a person and human and so much more than someone who should obsess over weight.

[km82794]

I have found that drinking ATLEAST one glass of water or milk just before I sit down and eat helps me eat less. After time your stomache will shrink and thus, you eat less.

[michellechgo]

Thank You for all the replys,

 

To answer some questions:

 

1) Yes, i did have my Dr. rule out medical problems, my thyroid is fine.

 

2) My eating has always been poor but it really went into high gear when i quit smoking (hence the reason I weighed 167lbs)

 

3) I also think a part of it is emotional eating

 

I guess it is just frustrating when this is a constant struggle for me. Don't get me wrong this isn't just me having a distorted body image, I DO want to drop these last 20lbs. The reason is more for a mental challange and wanting to be FIT rather than wanting to be "skinny". I hold my weight well and have a lot of muscle, I have plenty of confidence in my apperance. I wanted to quit smoking because i don't want their to be anything in my life that dictates what I do and how I act. It took me many failed attempts at quitting smoking before I actually did (I smoked for 12yrs,pack a day) and perhaps it will take the same amount of knee scrapes to get my eating under control. One thing I do have is tenacity.

[longlegzs80]

I can relate to you. It sounds like what you might have is depression and you are using food as a friend kind of thing. The only thing is, you can still do that, but make sure you are doing it with the right foods and make sure you are active as far as like going to the gym, house cleaning. Whatever it might be. Just be active and make sure you take control over yourself.

 

I think it was last week or 2 weeks ago on the Oprah show there were these people who all were incredibly heavy. They all had the before pictures, and some of them were clearly 400 or more pounds where some were bed ridden. Anyways, they came on the Oprah show to show off how much they lost. They all looked fantastic. But each one of them spoke and mentioned that they had to take control of themselves and that if they keep it up, they would not be here today to speak about it.

 

It would seriously help you out a great deal to get the slimfast shakes, have an excersize plan you do everyday of the week and an eatting plan where you eat healthy foods. That is the only way you will loose weight unless you get those surguries that are out there that shrink up the stomach. Anywho, I hope this has helped you out. You seem to be on your last thread and you want to make changes. That is your first step to success. Take care and let us know how you do. Good Luck.

[Ryan]

THe FIRM tapes have been the reason I have lost 20lbs and

14 inches.

 

I suppose you haven't asked yourself...20lbs of what? Water? Bodyfat? Muscle tissue? Not all pounds are created equal.

 

I have tried going to the gym but I find these tapes much more effective for me.

 

You probably did some ineffective things at the gym, so these tapes seemed better. That doesn't make them particularly great.

 

I do not consider myself out of shape.

 

You're doing lunges (a great way to injure your knees), squats with 15lbs (a trivial weight), and can only perform 5 push-ups. On top of that, your overall weight loss is not astounding for a 7 month period. I would not call these results satisfactory for someone I was training. You can achieve more.

 

Keep an eye on the sticky thread in this forum. I'm going to be addressing things like this over time.

 

 

 

Now for Miss Legz:

 

It would seriously help you out a great deal to get the slimfast shakes, have an excersize plan you do everyday of the week and an eatting plan where you eat healthy foods.

 

Wrong....wrong....right.

 

That is the only way you will loose weight unless you get those surguries that are out there that shrink up the stomach.

 

You are in no position to make this kind of statement. It is fallacious and misleading. Your fitness advice, although stemming from good intentions, is misinformed and highly inaccurate. Please refrain from continuously posting this same advice, as it may be potentially harmful.

[turtle]

Have you tried Taebo? Those workouts are great and get your energy up.

 

Here's my advice on the eating issues:

1) When you eat out, try to stick to healthier alternatives. For instance, if you must have fast food, go to subway or get a baked potato and salad at Wendy's.

 

2) Keep lots of fruit and veggies around to snack on when you get the munchies - they are healthier alternatives to junk food and will curb cravings (hopefully)

 

3) This is the most important thing: find more hobbies and things to do. Being more busy may help you think less about food. I know it won't entirely eliminate the emotional eating thing, but it should help.

 

Best of luck to you!

[turtle]

By the way, for a change I actually agree with Ryan on something.

 

Slimfast is a WRONG approach to weight loss. It is not an appropriate meal substitute and long term use of it causes kidney stones.

[Ryan]

Have you tried Taebo? Those workouts are great and get your energy up.

 

Sheer waste of time.

[Bonzai007]

I agree with Ryan!

NO PILL OR POWDER should be your last resort. I tried the Atkins diet and lost 12 pounds in a week. I felt like a whole new person because I am normal weigh but dropping the twelve pounds was great! Your doing good with normal workouts. !!!!But try this, get off the pill for about two weeks, and everyday eat 6 small high protien, low carb. low calorie meals aday. This will help your appetite and will make you feel good about yourself, like you werent some barbie doll being modified by some Major Corp. (that probably sounds weird) Just avoid the junk and small snacks....(cheese curls, pretzels, etc.)

 

 

BoNzAi

p.s.0 in most diets with 6 small meals aday fat content shouldnt matter because as long as the carbs and and calories are done your good to go......try cardio

[turtle]

Ryan:

 

I never told you to try Taebo....the advice was for michellechgo. Lighten up...some people do work out videos and enjoy them. If done properly and regularly, like anything else, you can lose weight...which is what michellechgo is trying to do.

[Bonzai007]

Sorry turtle man

[michellechgo]

Hello all,

 

Again, thanks for the feedback. I would like to address a few things. My 20lbs weight loss was inspite of my poor eating habits and due to my fittness routine. Ryan are you familiar with the FIRM tapes? I have seen inches come off, improved muscle definition, increace in strength, energy, and capabilities. As far as only doing 5 pushups those are man pushups, I can do far more perfect form women ones. I will agree with you on the lunges, unless they are done with absolute perfect form they are and can be damaging to the knee joint. Women can beniit greatly from lighter free weights and more repetitions. If all I lost was muscle tissue and water weight, then how do explain my increase in definition, and size in my muscles. My muscles are not shrinking, if all I lost was water I would loos muscle mass and would be, for lack of a better word (soft), my body would not be as toned.

 

To simply say what I am doing is ineffective and trivial or useless, is not only wrong, but very arrogant. I work my muscles to the point of muscle failure, I alternate weights and repetitions according to the muscle groups being worked. I have increased my weights as I need to. Is my workout perfect? Probablly not, but the fact is it works and more importantly it works for me and many others that I personally know. You seem to have a lot of information regarding fittness, but you don't have all the answers and the only way. By the way my slow progress really isn't so slow after all. The body is able to lose up to 2lbs of fat a week anything more than that is most likely fluids or worse muscle. I began in January so that is 28weeks out of those 28weeks I took a combined break of 4 weeks off of excersing (not in a row, intermittinglt, not including my 1 rest day a week) so now that leaves 24weeks subtract my rest days that leaves me with 23 weeks and a 20lbd weight loss. Looking at it that way it seems my progress isn't so bad. Now that is WITHOUT modifying my eating. So I am having a bout of impatience, I am human. Sorry if I am "ranting" but it was a bit offensive for you to flippantly discount my program as worthless.

 

Michelle

[Ryan]

My 20lbs weight loss was inspite of my poor eating habits and due to my fittness routine.

 

Not to mention that hour or so a day you're not eating.

 

Ryan are you familiar with the FIRM tapes?

 

Oh yes...with ridiculous names like:

Maximum Body Shaping

Cardio Split

Fat Blaster

Cardio Sculpt Blaster

 

That's all marketing hype and zero science right there.

 

I have seen inches come off, improved muscle definition, increace in strength, energy, and capabilities.

 

I say you are capable of far more with a more scientific approach.

 

As far as only doing 5 pushups those are man pushups, I can do far more perfect form women ones.

 

I do not train people in a gender-specific fashion, because there are no gender-specific movements.

 

I will agree with you on the lunges, unless they are done with absolute perfect form they are and can be damaging to the knee joint.

 

There is no such thing as good lunge form. If done with a step, the movement cannot be done in a slow, controlled fashion. Without the step, it is still an unstable position for the knee due to the uneven loading of the body.

 

Women can beniit greatly from lighter free weights and more repetitions.

 

Let's assume you're right. Please explain, from a physiological perspective, what improvements are made in the various systems of the body and how they are specific to the female gender by such a style of training.

 

If all I lost was muscle tissue and water weight

 

I never said you did. I asked if you understood the breakdown of your weight loss.

 

You seem to have a lot of information regarding fittness, but you don't have all the answers and the only way.

 

I'm aware I do not have all of the answers. I do have the background to judge validity of approaches.

 

The body is able to lose up to 2lbs of fat a week anything more than that is most likely fluids or worse muscle.

 

Few people can consistently shed 2lbs of fat per week for a sustained period of time. That requires a deficit of 1000 calories per day, which would not be feasible by activity alone. Few people have the metabolic needs such that 1000 calories is not a huge chunk, which will quickly send the body into cannibalization of vital tissues. Fluid loss is inevitable in a period of caloric deficit. Glycogen stores are depleted, which necessarily releases water stores as well. 5-10lbs of water is typical for those who drop 10-50lbs of bodyfat.

 

Sorry if I am "ranting" but it was a bit offensive for you to flippantly discount my program as worthless.

 

No offense taken. I encourage debate. My statement is that your approach is incomplete and relatively ineffective. If you'd like to support your choice with factual argumentation, I would be happy to read it.

[michellechgo]

ahem...

 

I am not ver savvy when it comes to computers and have no inclination to try to be so i will paraphrase your comments as I address them.

 

You said it is difficult for the body to maintain a weight loss of 2lbs per week as it would require a calorie deficit of 1000 cans a day.... Why a 1000 a day without the body losing fluids and even cannabilizing its own tissues, organs ect.. In the begining of a fittness routine and calorie restricted diet it is very probably an out of shape, overweight person will see those types of results initiaLLY, as their body adapts to the increase in activity and muscle growth it does slow down. Thats why those last 10lbs are so hard to lose. SO we agree. Back to my weight loss which averaged 1lb 15oz a week, not only is that a realistic amount of weight to lose each week it is desirable. Now on to water...

 

I drink a MINIMUM of 96oz a day I know that it is a minimum because upon waking I drink 1 tall 32oz of cold H2O, I do my workout where I down another 32oz glass during and after and before dinner I enjoy another 32oz. This does not include the 12oz bottles I carry throughout the day and the water rich foods i eat. I drink no other beverage with the exception of 1 cup of coffee (caffinated). I maintain any fluids that is lost by persperation, evaporation and from my cup-o-joe. According to my body weight and activity level i am plenty hydrated and keeping fluids intact. As far as being a woman and I am sure you know women weight can fluctuate according to the time of day with water retention, time of month, ect. This is one reason I comsume so much so as to avoid those annoying ups and downs women get through water.

 

The reason women can and do benefit from lighter weights and more reps is because we simply do not have the same abilities to gain muscle and strenght like the boys. Men have this hormone called testosterone and that is why men can lift heavier weights and have more overall strength than women. Women have one-tenth the amount of testosterone than men do. That is why you have to shave your face and I don't (thank goodness).

 

The goal of weight training is to totally exhaust the targeted muscle gropups (at least at 60% capacity) and it is that exhaustion that stimulates it to grow back stronger during rest period. I do just that. If I am commiting a crime it isn't doing a program that isn't based on science (I am) it is prob not resting my muscle groups enough. I hope you would also agree that lifting free weights is much different than using a variable weight machine as far as range, intensity and strength required. For example i maxed out at the lat pull down machine when i went at 90lbs I felt it the next day. At home I use a 15lb free weight (I am readyto increase that) and I do more repetitions I and going to increase as those are getting easier to do.

 

I started this program using no weight and have increased size as I needed to. In weight training their IS a difference in women and men. Just as in body fat ratios, women will always have a higher body fat ratio than men because we are DIFFERENT, we have breasts, we have babies, we have less testosterone, we have less upper body strength. I am not trying to be a professional bodybuilder. I want a firm toned body and my goal is 18% body fat. If I am working my muscles to exhaustion and increasing my weights as necessary, what is so "unscientific" about my approach?

 

Michelle

[Ryan]

Back to my weight loss which averaged 1lb 15oz a week, not only is that a realistic amount of weight to lose each week it is desirable.

 

You're averaging total weight, not net bodyfat loss.

 

According to my body weight and activity level i am plenty hydrated and keeping fluids intact.

 

It doesn't matter. Any time a caloric deficit is maintained, there will be an initial loss of water stores because these stores are attached to energy stores (mostly glycogen). Water intake does not influence this.

 

The reason women can and do benefit from lighter weights and more reps is because we simply do not have the same abilities to gain muscle and strenght like the boys. Men have this hormone called testosterone and that is why men can lift heavier weights and have more overall strength than women.

 

Of course women do not have the same propensity for size/strength gains as men. However, testosterone does not make men stronger; a greater quantity of muscle mass makes men stronger. Men and women have the SAME types of muscle tissue in their bodies. Men just have more of it. The same training principles apply to men and women because both have the same basic bodily systems (muscular, cardiovascular, nervous).

 

Therefore, if light weight/high rep training is indeed beneficial for women, it will be equally beneficial for men. As I asked before, explain the benefit of such a style of training in terms of physiological changes.

 

The goal of weight training is to totally exhaust the targeted muscle gropups (at least at 60% capacity) and it is that exhaustion that stimulates it to grow back stronger during rest period. I do just that.

 

I can't imagine how long it would take you to reduce your hip/thigh musculature to 60% of normal output by squatting with 15lbs.

 

I hope you would also agree that lifting free weights is much different than using a variable weight machine as far as range, intensity and strength required.

 

I would certainly NOT agree. Range is determined by flexibility, not equipment (unless you use poor equipment). Intensity is determined by one's ability to push oneself, not equipment. Strength is determined by muscular size and neurological firing, not equipment. Free weights versus (well-designed) machines is purely a matter of preference. Muscle tissue has no knowledge of what's on the end of your hands or feet.

 

For example i maxed out at the lat pull down machine when i went at 90lbs I felt it the next day. At home I use a 15lb free weight (I am readyto increase that) and I do more repetitions I and going to increase as those are getting easier to do.

 

I don't even know what that means, since you can't do a pulldown with free weights. My guess would be that you are performing a dumbbell row at home.

 

In weight training their IS a difference in women and men.

 

That's what the world would have you believe....too bad it's not true.

 

Just as in body fat ratios, women will always have a higher body fat ratio than men because we are DIFFERENT

 

Sure. This doesn't have anything to do with training though.

 

I am not trying to be a professional bodybuilder.

 

Good, because I'm not trying to encourage anyone to do so. I doubt you could be one even if you wanted...you probably don't have the genetics.

 

If I am working my muscles to exhaustion and increasing my weights as necessary, what is so "unscientific" about my approach?

 

Read my thread about Fitness and Exercise Explained.

[michellechgo]

Squats:

When I do my squats I use 8lb freeweights for 16lbs and sometimes 10lbs for 20lbs. Squats are not the only exercise that i use to exhaust my hip/thighs, I do step ups with same weights on a 14ince step, hip abductors, dips, lunges and various other floor work.

 

Freeweights:

Machines are designed to move a weight along a prescribed track. In many ways they allow you to cheat by helping you keep the movement along a certain arc. With free weights, more weird little muscles are engaged just to help you keep the thing going the way it should. Thus your overall use of your muscles is optimized, since we know that exercises which use compound muscle groups are the best for overall strength building. I have found for me personally I feel more challenged by freeweights overall than when I use variable machines at the gym.

 

I did some more investigating after reading your post last night and while I still maintain my program IS effective and I have seen GOOD results I am open to try new things.

 

I have a membership to a gym and when I have gone it is diffucult for me to get a good workout. I am used to doing my 60min tapes and feeling challenged. I have knee problems and when i used the machines at the gym they aggravate my knees, I don't know that my knees can handle a much heavier weight. My quads and hamstrings are VERY developed I have large muscles in my legs but due to my having chondromalacia of my knees. My kneecap slips and rubs against the cartalidge, the only way I am even able to do my little "ineffective" workout now is with a brace.

 

As far as my pushup situation I don't understand, my shoulders are muscluar and developed as are my deltoids, and triceps but when I do standard pushups after the first couple my shoulder starts to hurt.

 

I think I have prob done some damage to my body as i am working total body 6days in a row so that is prob another reason my upperbody strength hasn't improved as much as it should.

 

The point is I am not making excuses far from it. I want to workout out, I want to reach my goals, I like feeling stronger and healthy. I don't know that i can engage in a different program with heavier weights.

 

I did read your threads regarding fitness. You said I could get better results. I am willing to put my tapes away and try another method.

 

I will workout at my gym. Any suggestions for starting out? My goals are I want 18-20% body fat, weight at 125lbs and I want to knock out 30 standard form pushups and eventually be able to do at least 3 pullups (which ARE way more difficult for women)Going in this is what I would probablly do.

 

Mondays:

Upperbody days I will work:

biceps, triceps, deltoids, upperback, lats, pecs and abs, I will do 3 sets of each muscle group

 

Tuesdays: Cardio 60 min

Wednesdays: Lowerbody/abs

Squats, quads, hamstrings, calves,

 

Thursday:Upperbody

Friday:Cardio 60min/abs

Sat: Lowerbody

 

Question. I would like to do cardio at least 3-5days a week, would it be ok to add extra cardio in throughout the week?

 

Exactly when do i increase weights? When I can do 1 complete set, 3 sets of 8-12? My biceps are not good can't curl 10lbs for 3 sets without a cheat. If I were to maintain this program, and eat an 1700cal diet, how quickly should I be able to reach my goals?

 

 

Michelle