After my daughter was born I took prescription diet pills for about 3 months and lost about 35 pounds. I no longer want to pay the expensive Dr. bill or take harmful drugs. But I despirately need to shed those last 15 pounds which have proven to be the hardest to get rid of. 15 pounds doesnt seem like a lot to lose so why cant i do it????? I try to eat healthy but im not sure that im going about it the right way. would someone please help me develop a regimen that a normal person can stick to. I read all these low fat diets in health mags and the grocery store where i live doesnt even sell half the stuff on the menus or ive never heard of them. Thanks in advance for any help.

HI THERE, YES DURING PREGNANCY MOST WOMAN WILL GAIN WEIGHT AT THE END OF IT ALL BUT THEY SAY IT SHOULD DROP OFF ONCE YOU GET BACK TO YOUR NORMAL EATING HABITS AND RUNNING AROUND AFTER A BABY, HOWEVER AFTER SIX MONTHS I STILL HAD MORE TO LOSE SO I GOT A STEPPER AND WATCHED TV WHILST EXERCISING. NOW MY DAUGHTER IS AT SCHOOL, I WALK HER HOME, PLUS I DONT DRIVE SO I WALK TO THE VEG SHOP, I FIND IF I NEED TO GET SOMETHING I AM MORE LIKELY TO WALK TO GET IT, RATHER THAN JUST GO FOR THE SAKE OF EXERCISE. AS FOR DIET, I USUALLY HAVE TOAST AND TEA FOR BREKKY, SALAD ROLL FOR LUNCH AND MOSTLY I EAT A VEGETARIAN MEAL FOR DINNER. I DONT EAT MEAT, HARDLY EVER FRY ANYTHING BUT GRILL IT. I AM NOT A SAINT THO, I LOVE TAKE-OUT AT LEAST EVERY WEEK, HAVE CRAVINGS FOR CHOC. BUT IF YOU EAT WISELY YOU DESERVE THE JUNK. GOOD LUCK TO YOU.

Get a copy of "Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution" or "Protein Power" by Dr. Eades. Both of these books are available at just about any bookstore for about $6.00 in paperback. I think Wal-Mart even carries them. Anyway, if you want to lose that unwanted fat, the best and most healthy way to do that is to go with a low carbohydrate diet like that recommended in either of those books. I don't recommend the low fat diet. Low fat diets typically mean low protein, since protein = meat, which also includes fat. You can lose WEIGHT on the low fat/protein diets, but you may be losing more muscle than fat. This shows up on the scales and makes you feel good, but you may actually be getting fatter, percentage wise, especially if the low fat foods you are eating are high in refined carbohydrates (sugars, bread, pasta, etc.). It's the hormone insulin that you have to get under control to lose bodyfat. And the best way to do that is to lower your carbohydrate intake. Remember, fat + carbohydrate intake will make you fat, but fat + protein + very low carbohydrate will not (low carbs mean low insulin which is the "fat storing hormone").

Alan S.

I'm surprised there are not 20 responses with 20 different answers - so you can get REALLY confused. Personally, I don't think there is one answer that works for everyone. Eat Right 4 Your Type is interesting in proposing one possible reason for this (and you can get the basic premise from their website). I started recently on the Carbohydrate Addict's Diet and am having success with that approach. I agree with arkie6 that the biggest problems are the refined carbohydrates that are in just about everything one eats. So, it may take a little fouling around to see what fits your needs.

I think that there are millions of ways to eat healthier and the real problem is finding out what works for you. I know for me, being vegan feels healthy and I naturally feel that I should promote this lifestyle to you. Cutting out meat, eggs, dairy, and all animal products and living off fruits, vegetables, and grains is very good for you, but you have to do it right. It's often hard for people to imagine living a life w/o the foods they grew up with, but it's so much healthier than clogging your arteries with saturated fats, cholesterol, and other carcinogens. I know arkie is going to have a problem with this, (we've had our talk in the past http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif) but I really think that this board is for giving people all the information we have to offer and then letting them choose what they want to do for themselves to feel better and fuction as best they can.

If you want anymore info on vegetarianism/vegansim, just post here. I'll be glad to help.

Good luck!

Hi Angeline, haven't seen you post here in a while. Glad to have you back. Anyway, we'll just have to agree to disagree on what is the proper diet for a human to eat. I'll leave it at that. :-)

Alan

I personally am having great success with the Body For Life program, which is a very sensible program of diet and exercise. You must eat nutritious foods AND exercise properly to get in truly great shape. It's an awesome program! I've lost 7 lbs and 1.5% of my body fat in the past 5 weeks that I've been doing it.

Just my .02. Can't keep my mouth shut. :-)

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lindsay :-)

[This message has been edited by moderator3 (edited 02-23-2001).]

Thanks everyone,
I have really slipped bad on my diet and my exercise this week. So, I have been reluctant to even come on the boards. But, when I got here, I founc the support that I have been needing. Tomorrow will be a better day in the world of dieting for me thanks to that little push in the a** from all of you. I am trying to just eat right and exercise, and as you all know, that doesn't produce lightening fast results, and I get discouraged sometimes. I appreciate the support.
Love D