do you really have to think about it that much?

digmusic · 03-22-2006, 04:32 PM

What I mean is everyone here seems extremely knowledgeable about nutritional things, which is wonderful and helpful really, but I get lost sometimes when I read about folic acids and vitamin B12 and counting calories and are eggs good or bad, should I drink milk, etc. I am 5'3" and 130 pounds so I don't need to lose a drastic amount of weight or anything (more like 10-15 lbs.) If I just do simple things like drink water instead of soda and start exercising 3 times a week should that suffice or do I have to be counting calories and keeping a food journal of everything I eat etc.? Hope this makes sense

OutToLunch · 03-22-2006, 04:55 PM

Some people do get carried away. I personally don't worry too much about things like folic acid or Vitamin B. But I do pay attention to things like saturated vs. unsaturated fat and how many calories, how many grams of protein, how many grams of fiber a certain food has. I would drop the "weight loss" mindset and adopt a "healthy living" mindset instead. You should always be mind of what you're eating, what's in the food, and why certain foods should be avoided. By becoming more health-conscious and less weight-conscious, I think you'll find that you not only have more motivation, but you'll also weight a lot easier. I've reached the point where I don't even count calories. I just make sensible choices about what foods to eat, portion sizes, and when to eat them. The result is that I've lost weight without really trying.

bluejbirdie · 03-22-2006, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digmusic

What I mean is everyone here seems extremely knowledgeable about nutritional things, which is wonderful and helpful really, but I get lost sometimes when I read about folic acids and vitamin B12 and counting calories and are eggs good or bad, should I drink milk, etc. I am 5'3" and 130 pounds so I don't need to lose a drastic amount of weight or anything (more like 10-15 lbs.) If I just do simple things like drink water instead of soda and start exercising 3 times a week should that suffice or do I have to be counting calories and keeping a food journal of everything I eat etc.? Hope this makes sense

Yup..there is a good chance that is all you would have to do.

Many of the Topics here really come down to Micromanaging. Many are just tiny factors that can give you that lastg little Oomph.

Weight loss does not have to be as difficult as it is made out to be. Probably More the 90% of people will do just fine with something like what you would like to do.

But if you do what you are suggesting and you dont seem to be losing anything then you may want to look more carefully at things and see where you may be able to fine tune things.

Weight Loss really is not Rocket Science, 90% of it is just simply eating less calories.

shucky ducky · 03-22-2006, 05:44 PM

It can get to be a bit overwhelming at times but most of the info discussed here is actually vital to persons who are addicted and trying to lose or maintain weight. It's not as simple as drinking water and exercising a few hours a week. If it were, very few would have a weight problem.

If you are overweight and want to lose, bottom line is you MUST count calories. Specific vitamins are imperative for a number of reasons. Food journaling is also important because many of us who are overweight are not really aware of exactly how much or why we are eating. For those who are not overweight, I can see how they could find some of the discussions here a bit excessive.

bluejbirdie · 03-22-2006, 05:54 PM

Saying that Overweight people MUST do these things is Just not true.

For many people.....Yes it is something they should do.....but for many people All it may take is to start Excersizing. Everyone is different. And many things depend on the person's Goals. I f you are Happy with losing 2lbs a month then much less thought and effort will need to go into it compared to losing 8-10 lbs for month.

Its all an individual thing. as Outtolunch said...he No longer needs to count calories. If you Change your habits and the foods you eat very ofton Calorie counting is not needed.

Dont Get Me Wrong...I highly Recommend it. I think it is the best way to go. More ofton then now a Person wont even have to change what they eat they just have to eat less of it. But if you want to maximize the fat loss and over all be healthier then Changing your Habits and what you eat will be needed.