Weight Loss- Good Diets or Hints

[gonetildecember]

I'm post break-up and am looking for a diet to keep me motivated while I get back to the old me lol. I'm about 5"8, 157 lbs.. store most of my weight in my thighs, bum, love handles... I'm looking to lose ultimately 20lbs but don't mind working at it.

 

Anyone have anything they've tried recently thats worked and that you can suggest?

[Guest]

Diets don't work. There have been roughly 483,995,296,587,543 studies showing they don't.

 

You have to change your lifestyle - move your butt more and drop foods with high calories. Since fat has the most calories per weight, fatty foods are the ones to drop first - which includes things like fries and fried foods. You can eat a ton of vegetables and whole grains for as many calories as a little bit of a high-fat food.

 

And quit drinking pop - people who drink pop gain weight more than people who don't - and even more if it's diet pop.

[blind_otter]

Keep a food journal for a few weeks and tally up the daily caloric intake after a week or so. You'll get a better idea of what you're working with.

 

Slowly increase your activity level. Do some kind of dedicated activity that you enjoy - even if that's just going to the gym or taking a yoga class. Then work on increasing daily acitivty. Park farther away and walk. Walk to places that are nearby, don't just automatically get in the car.

 

Ditto the advice above, soda (which is what I call it) is SO BAD FOR YOU. Diet soda is EVEN WORSE.

 

The basic thing is -- be aware. Of what you put into your body and your activity level. Keep a log and keep track, having it written down is more motivating. Be aware and make the changes that you know you need to make.

[PWSX3]

I know everyone is different but for me I have lost 33 pounds in the last 3 months and it started with stress of coarse because of my separation, but then I started walking, then riding my bike and then going to the health club and working on the ellipticle machine.

But the biggest thing is like others have said, I don't eat out as much, haven't had French fries in three months, only two hamburgers but a lot more carrots, celery, no ice berg lettace anymore, changed it for Romane, and I just cut back on everything else I used to eat. I still eat what I did but instead of eating half a pizza or more I just eat two pieces.

 

Another thing is I eat 6 times a day but they are smaller meals and two of them are either apples or bannannas.

 

One thing I heard so I'm trying it is use a smaller plate when you eat. That way you don't put to much food on your plate because of old habits and just fill it once.

 

My boss bought one of those new Wendy's burgers and so I looked on line just for the fun of it and it had 750 some calories and then add a pop & fries and think what that added up????

 

Hope this helps some....

[Fun2BMe]

Start exercising. That will naturally suppress your appetite and motivate you to eat more healthy. Try something like running which will firm your butt and make your thighs smaller.

 

Also try eating one large meal a day instead of a million small ones like everyone seems to be recommending these days!

[Guest]

There's good science behind eating several small meals per day. Your body is meant to run on fuel like a car. It's not at all good to spike your blood sugar/insulin and then let it run down to nothing.

 

Among other things, studies have shown that people who eat a good breakfast - one that includes whole grains and some protein - eat less during the rest of the day and don't gain as much weight.

[gonetildecember]

What about in terms of tips.. little things that add up.

I know about cutting/reducing sugar..and drinking more water.

 

How much water should I be consuming daily.. and what about caffeine..some ppl say it promotes weight loss..some say to cut it.

any ideas?

[princessa]

Diet soda is EVEN WORSE.

 

I'm just curious here... how is 0-calorie diet soda BAD for minimizing your calorie intake?

 

Furthermore, how can it be WORSE than a regular soda packing 6 tablespoons of sugar?

[Guest]

I'm just curious here... how is 0-calorie diet soda BAD for minimizing your calorie intake?

 

Furthermore, how can it be WORSE than a regular soda packing 6 tablespoons of sugar?

 

Because the aspartame is horrible for your liver and organs

[Guest]

How much water should I be consuming daily.. and what about caffeine..some ppl say it promotes weight loss..some say to cut it.

any ideas?

 

They say it promotes weight loss because a well-hydrated body won't try to retain water and because if you drink water before you eat, you'll get full sooner. Don't go nuts - have a glass of water before each meal if you really want to. Otherwise it's recommended that people drink 5 - 8 8oz cups of water per day but water can be replaced by juices or other fluids.

 

I'm just curious here... how is 0-calorie diet soda BAD for minimizing your calorie intake?

 

Furthermore, how can it be WORSE than a regular soda packing 6 tablespoons of sugar?

 

I don't think they know. However several studies showed quite definitively that people gain more weight when they drink diet soda than they do when they drink regular and that more weight is gained by everyone drinking soda of both kinds than by people who don't drink soda.

 

There's much better stuff to drink than soda anyway. I never buy the stuff because a bottle will go bad in my fridge before I can finish it. I drink milk all the time (BTW, studies have also shown that people who drink milk don't gain weight around their bellies and don't gain as much weight as people who don't - they think it has something to do with the calcium but aren't sure) and some juices and green teas and a cup of coffee per day. But pop - ick!

[princessa]

There's much better stuff to drink than soda anyway. I never buy the stuff because a bottle will go bad in my fridge before I can finish it. I drink milk all the time (BTW, studies have also shown that people who drink milk don't gain weight around their bellies and don't gain as much weight as people who don't - they think it has something to do with the calcium but aren't sure) and some juices and green teas and a cup of coffee per day. But pop - ick!

 

I'm not a fan of soda really, but sometimes I need some variety from drinking just tea, coffee and water.... I've been reluctant to drinking milk because it has calories in it (as opposed to green tea or water).. especially drinking milk on a daily basis...

[Guest]

I drink at least 4 cups of milk (1%) per day and I'm not overweight. I've got 'perfect' BMI, am right in my weight range for my height and have excellent cholesterol and BP. Not only that but I drink chocolate milk most of the time. I think it's because of that that I rarely have desserts - so the small calorie gain by adding the chocolate is more than made up for by satisfying my sweet tooth.

 

Besides, milk contains protein which helps to fill you up and which takes longer emptying from your gut and it contains the aforementioned calcium which apparently prevents belly fat from being deposited. And I've never had a pot. And if you're female, it helps protect you from osteoporosis.

 

It's not about 'calories' but what makes up the calories. Calories from whole grains are way better for you than calories from fat (although a small amount of good fats is good for you). Your body needs food - it needs calories - it's what kind and how many that you have to worry about.

[Trialbyfire]

Yup, yup, exercise and a reduction of fat and excess calories. I recommend exercises that are higher in reps and less in resistance, if there's a specific area that you're trying to slim down in. You don't want to bulk that area up by doing resistance training of any kind. Yoga and pilates are good ones for longer, leaner, more flexible muscles.

[molimo140]

The only way to lose weight (sans surgery) is to eat healthy and exercise.

 

Period.

[gonetildecember]

The only way to lose weight (sans surgery) is to eat healthy and exercise.

 

Period.

 

That's obvious. I was looking for any healthy eating plans.. or good workouts anyone has tried.

 

I currently go to the gym a couple times a week and dance..but I'm looking to step it up.

 

What about workout videos... anyone used any good ones lately?

[Heavenseventeen]

I love Tae bo. It works you, and you REALLY sweat. Apparently Turbo jam is good. Just because it works wonders for others, doesn't mean it's the best for you, so you have to go out and try for yourself. Trust me. Some people love, while others hate. Just rent them first.

[gonetildecember]

I love Tae bo. It works you, and you REALLY sweat. Apparently Turbo jam is good. Just because it works wonders for others, doesn't mean it's the best for you, so you have to go out and try for yourself. Trust me. Some people love, while others hate. Just rent them first.

 

Thanks HS. I'll give those a try!

[funkify]

I'm starting this

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

[milvushina]

I recently cut out soda and beer and initially I think I saw some good results. Unfortunately I'm battling body fat for like the first time ever. I blame it on either quitting smoking, starting a job where I don't move hardly at all, or a combination of the two.

 

Anyway, when people say do "aerobic" exercise to burn fat, what exactly is that? Is it the same thing as "cardio"? Is jogging enough of an aerobic workout, or do you need expensive equipment/gym memberships? I wouldn't mind being more active but I have no idea where to start. I think my diet is pretty good. So it must be exercise I need.

[josie54]

I have never done better workouts that those provided by Cathe Friedrich (www.cathe.com). She does strength training and cardio. Her workouts are incredibly challenging, but she's not nearly as annoying as others who put out these tapes and DVDs. I LOVE these workouts.

 

Second to Cathe's workouts, are those in the "Firm" series. However, those are more spotty. Some I like, and some I hate. My favorite is an 80's workout called "Body Sculpting Basics" with Susan Harris. Music and outfits are cheesy, some moves are outdated. But the workout is a great balance between cardio and strength training and helped me kickstart my metabolism like crazy.

 

The book "Body for Life" has also been very helpful. Its six-week program is challenging, but definitely worthwhile. I lost 10 pounds in the six weeks on a version of that program.

 

Other than that, agree with all said here--ditch the soda, drink more low-/no-fat milk, tea, and water. Cut back on sugar.

 

Also, don't just do cardio. STRENGTH TRAINING at least 2x a week. Muscle burns more calories than fat, and it boosts your metabolism. Plus, you look better, even at a higher weight, when you tone with weights than when you do cardio alone.

[GreenEyedLady]

And quit drinking pop - people who drink pop gain weight more than people who don't - and even more if it's diet pop.

 

Have to disagree here...I consume ALOT of Diet Dr. Pepper daily and I am a size 0...

[femme]

GreenEyedLady, you might wanna be careful though. I used to drink a lot of soda myself, and I was a size 1. It wasn't until a few years later that I started putting on weight and realized I should've been careful to begin with.

 

I still drink soda (Coke Zero), and I can't seem to get rid of the habit. I'm addicted.

[Lowcountryman]

Well I too needed to drop some weight after my girlfriend broke up w/me. I'm 6'4 and weighed 295lbs. Needless to say I was a big boy. Well I quit eating fast food for one and quit drinking soda and drank more, much more water. I eat less and just eat better. I exercise about 3-4 days a week running or weight training. Since I was big I didn't need to do alot of free weights, just sticking mostly to machines. Well I started this back in mid Sept when I was at 295, I'm now about 247. So I've almost lost 50lbs. Losing the weight has dramitically increased my confidence level and happyness w/myself and way I treat others. My utlimate goal is to get to 225, a weight I haven't seen since 1999.

 

Basically you have to make lifestyle changes, whatever made you overweight, do the opposite. Don't eat after 8pm and walk after dinner.

[Tony T]

Well I too needed to drop some weight after my girlfriend broke up w/me. I'm 6'4 and weighed 295lbs. Needless to say I was a big boy. Well I quit eating fast food for one and quit drinking soda and drank more, much more water. I eat less and just eat better. I exercise about 3-4 days a week running or weight training. Since I was big I didn't need to do alot of free weights, just sticking mostly to machines. Well I started this back in mid Sept when I was at 295, I'm now about 247. So I've almost lost 50lbs. Losing the weight has dramitically increased my confidence level and happyness w/myself and way I treat others. My utlimate goal is to get to 225, a weight I haven't seen since 1999.

 

Basically you have to make lifestyle changes, whatever made you overweight, do the opposite. Don't eat after 8pm and walk after dinner.

 

You are doing absolutely terrific...congratulations! I think you should stay in touch with a doctor and not lose the weight too fast. Once you get down to your desired weight, keep up an exercise program and continue to eat wisely in order to maintain it.

[GreenEyedLady]

GreenEyedLady, you might wanna be careful though. I used to drink a lot of soda myself, and I was a size 1. It wasn't until a few years later that I started putting on weight and realized I should've been careful to begin with.

 

I still drink soda (Coke Zero), and I can't seem to get rid of the habit. I'm addicted.

 

Diet Dr. Pepper is my FAVORITE although coke zero is good too...don't worry, I am obsessive about my weight and weigh myself every day...I think that helps...and yes, I am addicted too:D ...