How to lose weight. - Weight Loss Message Board

eddycraig · 07-22-2004, 08:21 AM

Hi, I'm 6'0" 220lbs and would like to lose a little weight. I've noticed here that a lot of people have chosen the pill route as they feel nothing else works. I don't think these pills are healthy at all. Is there anyone who has lost some weight in a manner different from this? What kind of foods did you eat? What did you not eat?

Infidel · 07-22-2004, 09:36 AM

eddy, I was originally about 225 lbs and lost about 60 lbs over the course of a year. To be able to give reccomendations I would need to know what you eat exactly, but this is what worked for me: cut all sodas, jucies, etc and drink only water; cut back on simple carbohydrates such as white bread and pasta; avoid unhealthy choices like fast food, fried stuff, etc; snack on vegatables and fruit instead of the other less healthy choices;get into a regular exercise routine, start out slow if you need to and gradually work your way up: both cardio and strength training are important.

I guess that is the best I can give without knowing more about your diet, but I would also stress to take things slowly, dont try to change your lifestyle overnight. Incremental changes worked for me, it helped me avoid relapses and mantain my weight loss for over 7 months now.

LV40 · 07-22-2004, 11:31 AM

That's almost exactly what I've done, except I'll admit I'm a little lazy on the exercise part. But 80% of weight loss is diet. A friend of mine works out religiously believing that since she exercises she doesn't have to watch what she eats and then wonders why she never loses any weight. She'll go to the gym and burn off a ton of calories, then stop at McDonald's on her way home and put back on everything she just burned.

You have to eat sensibly and watch your portions. This doesn't mean you have to give up all of the foods you love, it just means you have to eat way less of them. Make them rare treats rather than everyday meals. If you eat large portions, try cutting them a little at a time until your body gets used to eating less food. I used to eat one big plate at meals then go back for a 2nd big plate. Now I eat only ONE plate that isn't piled with food and I never go back for 2nds. My body has adjusted to less food, therefore it takes less to fill me up. Plus I drink water or skim milk with my meals, it helps to fill me up faster so I eat less.

I don't eat fried food, fast food, candy or sugar, bread (unless it's whole wheat), I limit how much pasta and rice I eat, I've switched to the fat free margarines, the lowfat salad dressings (which I still can't get used to, they're all disgusting in my opinion), and I'm eating more fish and leaner cuts of meat, trimming off the fat and peeling the skin off of chicken.

There's lots of things you can change. Your body will eventually get used to it and you'll lose weight

LV40 · 07-22-2004, 11:37 AM

Oh, and about the pills, I never use them for anything. I don't think they're healthy either, I don't believe in 'magical' cures to weight loss. It's nothing but a bunch of false promises, giving dieters false hope that sends them on yet another rollercoaster ride. And I don't like the idea of appetite suppressants either. YOU are your appetite suppressant, it's a matter of willpower and willpower only. You have to have a talk with yourself and finally decide to make a committment. A committment to eat healthy for the rest of your life. That's the ONLY long-term plan. These pills, over time, will do more harm than good. If you can come to terms with yourself and make the committments you need to make and do it and stick with it, then honey you've got it licked

Infidel · 07-22-2004, 01:02 PM

I disagree, changing your lifestyle is hard but by no means impossible. The reason why most diets fail is because they are fad diets that are impossible to mantain in the long run. Most people dont want to change their lifestyle, they want to take a magic pill or stop eating a certain group of foods in hope they can loose weight without really sacrificing anything, which simply dosent work.

The best carb/fat blocker is a healthy diet, I have been on many prescription drugs over the past couple of years and I have a very hard time believing that these so called diet pills are good for your health even if they do help you loose weight.