Any good suggestions?? :) - Diet & Nutrition Message Board

Luckyladi · 06-30-2003, 08:02 PM

Hello Everyone, I will start off by telling you about myself- I am a 24 yr old married mother of one. I am 5'5 and weight about 260. I would really like to lose some major weight (100 to 120 Lbs.)I have looked into the surgerys that are out there and relly find that maybe that really aint for me. I was wondering if you all out there could help me out with whats out there and whats working. I am open to work out programs, books that have great recipes and dieting info,pills, foods - ANYTHING YOU CAN LET ME KNOW ABOUT. And if you can will you tell me your story and how it has worked for you- like have you had to work out alot , not change your routine etc.

**** AND PLEASE DONT READ THIS AN LEAVE ME NO RESPONSE_ I CAN USE ~~~ALL~~~ THE HELP I CAN GET!!!

ramsemonius · 07-01-2003, 05:17 PM

Hey Lucky,

I think your best course of action would be to focus on applying some key principals to how you eat and your lifestyle rather than get wrapped up in a regimented "diet".

If I were you, the first rule I would apply, is to make a concerted effort to eat 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. A serving is about the size of your fist. Make at least 2-3 of these servings cooked vegetables, preferably steamed.

Secondly, you need to think about exercise. Do you have time to exercise? Are you able? Are you willing? If you answer YES to these questions, then decide on some types of exercise to do regularly, preferably every day. Walking is the simplest and is quite effective at burning off the body fat. Whatever works for you and gets your heart rate up. If you are going to exercise regularly, then you don't need to worry too much about how much protein or carbs you eat, just avoid refined and processed foods, hydrogenated oils, artificial colors, flavors. Try to eat mostly "whole" foods made with all natural stuff. You'll have to start really paying attention to labels.

If you answered NO to any of the above questions, then you are not going to be exercising much beyond your regulary daily activities. If this is the case, then avoid grain-based foods and starches, like bread, pasta, potatoes and other products with added sugar. This will enhance your fat-burning and weight loss.

In any case, I would also recommend taking cold showers, which will gradually increase your metabolism by enhancing your body's thermogenic capacity.

If you have a strong nervous system, then you might also consider taking a fat-burner dietary supplement. The best one is Thermogenics Plus by Silver Sage, which is patented and has well-documented benefits. If you take this, don't exercise while you are "feeling it". Wait til the evening.

If you have a less strong nervous system, or you can't afford the fat-burner supplement, then try drinking green tea with or after eating food. This will increase your metabolism and has other benefits.

I would also recommend taking a good multi-vitamin/mineral supplement every day.

If you can afford it and don't mind taking more pills, the supplement CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) can speed the loss of body fat. Take 4 capsules/day

Well thats my advice. Let me know if have any other ?s. Good luck!

-Ramsemonius

Froggie98 · 07-02-2003, 11:25 AM

My advice is to cut back your portions, eat lots of fruits and veggies (replace junk foods with these), drink lots of water, and do some form of exercise daily.

That's what worked for me. It's a simple plan that doesn't require you to spend money on pills.

If that doesn't work, I would see a doctor, dietician, or nutritionist.

CocaCola · 07-02-2003, 02:53 PM

I also agree about not giving into those 'fad diets'. While they may work for the duration that you are on them, they are not a long term solution. They are simply a short term weight loss. Once you go off the diet, the weight comes back on and then some.

Like the other said, stick to your veggies and fruits. Eat lean meats, like turkey, chicken, and fish. Eat your lean red meats occasionally. Make sure you are drinking lots of water and limiting your junk food intake. You can also try eating the 'low-fat' foods but remember that just because it's low fat it doesn't mean that you can eat twice as much.

I would also begin exercising. If you can, join a gym. Some gyms have specials where you join and they will give you a free personal training session. This will help you become familiar with the equipement and they will also make a workout plan for you. If you can't get to a gym, go for a run/walk. Slowly build yourself up...if you have any desire to run, start slowly. In the beginning I could only run an embarassing 5 minutes on the treadmill! Through a run 5 minute, walk three minutes, run 5 minutes, walk 3 minutes program I was able to work my self up to running 30 minutes straight. It took some time, so be patient. You can also do push-ups and crunches at home, and then add other stuff. How about swimming?

I have lost some weight and inches since I started working out in January. I kept my diet relatively the same, but ate my junk food in moderation. Instead of eating a chocolate bar every day, I now may only have one every two weeks or so. I actually find that I don't crave the 'bad' foods anymore.

The main thing for me was getting active again...and once I found that motivation, I just kept on going. I don't think I lost any scale weight during the first three months of working out which really discouraged me; but then one day I tried on a pair of pants I couldn't fit into and they fit! So remember a scale doesn't necessarily reflect your progress.

My gym closed down about a month ago, so until I find another one all I do is run 30 minutes 5 times a week, some ab work, and some push ups. But once I get a new membership I'll be going back to my 5 days a week workout routine. I usually spend about an hour and a half at the gym.

Good luck!

wildredtroll · 07-02-2003, 04:03 PM

Hello,

I am also 24 and am making the change to lose weight. My height weight was 265 and I am down to 229. I eat a lot of fruits and veggies, Eat chicken, turky, and fish. Make sure to take the skin off. Never fry your food, either bake, boil, or stream. I drink a lot of water. I read that you should drink you 8 8oz glasses a day. For every 25 pounds you are over weight you are to drink an extra 8oz of water. It is better to eat 5-6 small meals threw out the day. It keeps you from getting hungry. I dont drink pop and I have stayed away from sweets, junk food and fast food. I try to exercise everyday with my tread mill, arobics tapes I have and some light weights to help tone my musicals. Exercise first thing in the morning before you eat anything. By doing this your body burns more fat. If you exercise after you eat you body is tring to burn off what you just ate. Any exercise you can get in, in a day is good. I hope you have good luck with your weight loss.

------------------