Still confused about the whole weight-loss world.. - Weight Loss Message Board

koden · 07-08-2003, 07:07 PM

Honestly, I don't know how I'll ever lose weight b/c I'm so confused on the different aspects of weight-loss.
I've never lost weight by anything besides starving myself but I don't really want to do that.
I just don't get it about low/high carbohydrates, protein, fiber, lean meats, what you should/shouldn't eat & in how many servings, sizes, portions, eating 5-6 meals, what exactly is a small meal, etc.
I need to understand all of this before I can lose weight, & I want to be skinnier by the end of December, so I can ride a bike again.
I still can but I don't have one yet & I'd prolly look like an escaped elephant on wheels.

I don't know how big I look or if I'm really considered fat, b/c I'm fairly tall & bony in some places, & not a total heifer. (I hope)
For some reason, I feel that I won't be overweight forever, it's strange but it's there.
Anyway, I've already asked questions like this before, but I'd still like more info, just to totally clear up my misconceptions & such.
Thanks for reading

[This message has been edited by koden (edited 07-08-2003).]

cuc2u · 07-08-2003, 07:48 PM

I think food is the wrong thing to think about, but you have to consider that what you eat needs to be healthy. In general, I would say refined sugar is bad. Definately, hydrogenated oils are very bad. And the rest is to just follow the FDA guidlines, the food pyramid.

Aside from that, the key to health is excersize. Rigorous, grueling, push to the limit excercize. I'm suggesting at the very least 30 min/day. Its the only way to be truely healthy.

Samantha_Michelle · 07-08-2003, 08:23 PM

Just watch how much fatty, sugary food you intake (that doesn't leave much to eat does it? lol) and stick with things like veggies, fruits, lean meats and basically just natural, whole stuff. Make sure your getting the calories that someone your age/height/ and activity range needs. If you eat too many calories or if you eat unhealthy, but you exercise, you aren't going to lose it. And vice versa. The two, healthy eating and exercise, must work in tandem with one another for weight loss to happen. Just be patient and persistent and you can do it!

koden · 07-08-2003, 08:41 PM

Isn't sugar in everything? (except water)
I try to eat healthy, but it's hard to get used to b/c the bad foods for you taste the best but I'll live.
But I still don't get it, how many calories should I be getting & how do I figure them out?
I asked my mom what are 5-6 small meals, & she said it could be like crackers & cheese, for ex. but that doesn't seem too healthy to me..

Today, I had some Cream of Wheat for breakfast & a couple hours ago, my dad let me try a mix of white rice, sugar & butter & it's so good but I'm sure it's very bad for me so that stinks.

Also, I do 2 15min. periods on my treadmill at an incline- for the 1st 5mins. I walk at 2.0mph/next 5mins.=2.4mph, then 2.0 for last 5mins.
However, I don't think I'm ever going to lose weight on those speeds so should I increase them?
It hurts for me to walk at 2.9-3.0mph though.
I also use my stationary bike for 10mins. 2x daily on resistance but will this & me working on the treadmill & eating healthier help me lose weight?
sorry for the length

nville1 · 07-09-2003, 06:01 AM

Koden,

A ROUGH rule of thumb is to take the weight you want to be, multiply by 10, and that is ROUGHLY the number of calories you want to take in each day.

For example, if you want to be 140 pounds, you would take in about 1400 cals a day.

If you are extremely overweight, there is a different formula to use, email me: nitenurse@3k1.com and I will give you a link. (moderator: it is not a link to a website, it is a formula for calculating the # of cals needed for maintenance or weight loss, so don't delete this post!)

Try to get a balance of fruits and veggies, DO NOT eliminate carbs completely, but try to cut down on white breads, sugars, white rice, etc. To be very basic, cut down on the "white carbs". Try to increase the amount of protein you take in, without going overboard on it. And lastly, cut down on the fat you take in.

Don't worry about percentages for now. If you follow the above advice, continue your exercise (I walk for exercise, about 4 times a week, at least 4 miles, but I had to work up to that--at first I could only do 1 mile!) you WILL start losing weight safely, and in a manner you can live with for life. No pills, no weird drinks, just safe, sane eating for life.

email me if you want advice/support. I didn't have that much to lose, was 163 at 5'7, now 142 goal 130-135.
Lost it all in the above manner.
Good luck!
PS--no more white rice, sugar, and butter breakfasts. EEEK! Try oatmeal, with 2% milk and Splenda (sugar substitute). Vast improvement.

[This message has been edited by nville1 (edited 07-09-2003).]