Anybody Trying To Lose Weight?

[MBASS]

I stumbled across this website and I find it very easy to use and a great program to lose weight and keep it off. It promotes healthy eating, exercise, etc. not just a fad! Only 9.00 per month to use the website, much better than weight watchers! Also has a forum to talk to members..and we all know how much we love message boards!!!! Anyway its www.myfooddiary.com. Im posting under knmbass, maybe I'll c-ya there! I lost three pounds this week! Only 12 more baby pounds to go(he's 4 months), then the long haul to get a few more off! Oh to be as small as I was in college!

[DisRuptive1]

It's probably cheaper to join a gym.

[MBASS]

A gym around here costs about 40 bucks a month, so its not cheaper. This is a diet plan that includes exercise. You dont have to go to a gym to get exercise.

[pushka]

Thanks for the website recommend, MBASS...I don't subscribe to any websites on which you have to pay a fee...most likely because I don't have the facilities to pay! However I know that you can still read some of the message boards on some of these sites, which I find very helpful.

I do agree with you, Disruptive1, that it might be cheaper to join a gym, and that would be an ideal situation for most people, depending on their general health. Unfortunately, some people have additional problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes etc. and the gym might not be the first option for them, until those problems have become more controlled. I have a high blood pressure problem, and it is slowly getting better with the help of medication, I am waiting for my doctor to give me the 'okay' to go to a gym on a prescription! so won't have to pay the full fee...

I wish you luck MBASS, wish I only had a few pounds to lose...lol...will let you know how I get on with my 'healthier' diet now... :)

[MBASS]

Thanks pushka! I made my self afford it because Im the type of person who cant keep track of what I eat and stuff by myself. I am a very choatic person! I just quit eating out at work and that freed up my nine dollars! Good luck eating healthier and with that blood pressure too!

[pushka]

Thank you MBASS, much appreciated!

[DisRuptive1]

I'm just saying that it's hard to be able to find good ways to strengthen your muscles without going to a gym. Sure, you can buy your own equipment but it's much affordable to go to a gym.

You seem so concerned with losing "weight" but I'm pretty sure you're more concerned over losing "fat." The simplest and most long term way is by gaining muscle which increases the rate that your body burns calories each day (meaning you can eat more to maintain your current state of weight or eat the same and slowly lose weight, weight meaning fat).

Or maybe you want to look like what the models in the magazines and the women on TV look like. You don't actually have to lose fat in order to reach that state. But you do need to gain muscle. Muscle gives your body curves, feminine curves, and helps make the presence of fat on your body not look as bad than if you were to not have the muscle.

Running is also important to for a variety of reasons. Plus it helps with any calories that you might have eaten that day and helps increase the amount of calories you burned that day.

But the most important thing is muscles. You can diet and run all you want, but you'll never really look "good" until you start building your frame through strength training/weight lifting.

I, personally, know what it takes to lose weight and become more fit and athletic. Two years ago I attempted to join the Marines but they told me my height to weight ratio wasn't right and I'd have to lose weight. So for the past 2 years (2 years this May, actually) I've been working my butt off, trying to eat right, follow my hunger, and build muscle in order to lose weight. And right now, I look pretty freakin' good. And because I've lost enough weight, they accepted me into the Marines and I'll be leaving for bootcamp April 4th. There, I'll basically spend 3 months constantly working out and running.

Now imagine an obese guy and a Marine. That's what two years of effort brought me.

I say go to the gym since you can do everything you need to do there even if the weather is bad outside (which might keep you from running). Also, one of the problems with people being obese is that they don't listen to their hunger, that little feeling in their stomach that makes their stomach hurt when they are hungry. Obese people are afraid of this pain and so they eat before they have a chance to feel it. Don't!

Your hunger is the best help you'll ever get as to losing weight. Try something. Do not eat or drink anything except water until you feel your stomach start to hurt. Wait until it starts grumbling (it will always grumble). Then go eat and just eat enough to make that hunger go away. That's what the thin people do.

[MBASS]

Well I am definately not even close to being obese. I am only slightly overweight. I attribute that to having just had a baby. I gained 45 pounds while I was pregnant and lost 30 within a month. I have the last stubborn 15 in which I lost 3 this week, by eating healthy, not snacking, and drinking lots and lots of water. As a former weight-lifter, I agree that a gym is beneficial and the best way to burn fat and gain lean muscle. However as a full time working mother I cant afford gym memberships so I do what I can. But looking like the girls on tv is not my goal....being healthy is. I enjoy lifting weights, its an awesome feeling, but unless my financial situation improves its handweights, step aerobics, walking, and running for me! I do listen to my hunger and I only eat when hungry....you sure read a lot into a few little posts. You assumed I was obese, lazy, and an overeater! I am none of the afore mentioned!!!! I was a size 4 for the majority of my life and a 8 as a became older and grew out of my teens. I know wear a 12 or 14. According to the healthy range for my height and frame I am about 24 pounds overweight and again 12 of that is baby weight. Most experts say it should take you a year to lose weight after childbirth. I have done the majority in 4 months! Pretty good if you ask me!

[DisRuptive1]

Im the type of person who cant keep track of what I eat

Sounds like you watch TV when you eat. Or do stuff on the computer. Or don't eat at a dining table in silence.

[MBASS]

I meant I cant carry a notebook and keep up with calories and fat grams, etc. I am not a binge eater or anything! But I do eat at the kitchen table...no silence cause I have a baby remember!

[DisRuptive1]

Don't worry about calories and fat grams. It's not important. Your hunger will take care of all the calories and fat grams. It will signal to you (always since it's very consistent) when you need more calories. If your stomach isn't grumbling, you don't need more food. I'm not calling you overweight by saying this. I'm only saying this, because this is what will cause you to lose the weight on your body that your body doesn't need.

[MBASS]

Thanks for the advice! I havent eaten dinner tonight cuz I wasnt hungry and its 830 pm here and too late to eat anyway!

[pushka]

Some good points/comments from both of you...MBASS I still wish you luck in removing those remaining post pregnancy pounds...I was fortunate following the birth of my 2 children, that I lost the excess pounds very quickly...a combination of nerves (due to fretful babies syndrome! lol) and exercising ie. lots of walking, pram pushing.

I gained my weight as my heart problems, which I was born with, made me more sedentary...however, following heart surgery I did manage a good gym routine for 2 1/2 years, and lost all the weight I had gained at that time. Well recommended as you say Disruptive1.

This time I have no excuse for gaining excess weight, apart from severe depression which has seen me bed bound for days on end in the past, and which made me stoop into an almost alcoholic state...that is why I have the extra problems of high blood pressure and diabetes...certainly paying for my sins! Anyway, I have started to eat regularly, 3 times a day, lowish carb. intake and increased fruit and veg. intake, and have attempted to start walking again...and as I said earlier, am likely to be at least fit enough to start the gym soon...so keeping my fingers crossed again!

[begood2]

Besides weight lifting, group aerobics, karate, sparring and sports are great ways to lose a few extra pounds and have a good time as well.

Very low cost outdoor activities like walking/running, bicycling, hiking and canoeing in God's great outdoors can be exhilarating ... especially with friends!

[MBASS]

Originally posted by begood2@Mar 25 2005, 10:38 AM

Very low cost outdoor activities like walking/running, bicycling, hiking and canoeing in God's great outdoors can be exhilarating ... especially with friends!

I agree nothing like pushing my baby in a stroller on a sunny day...Its been 75 all week here in SC!

[DisRuptive1]

Anything active will help more than just sitting around at home in front of your computer or television.

[alpha_female]

Another thing to do is when you think you may be hungry, drink a glass of water instead, sometimes thirst can seem like hunger. Plus, drinking a lot of water also flushes out the system and when you don't drink enough, your body retains water from the food, which causes you to also gain weight.

Both cardiovascular excercize and weight training, especially free weights helps to boost metabolism while you burn fat. Plus, for women, weights help to prevent osteoporosis by increasing bone density. I know I've lost at least 30lbs since I cut back on the high fat, high sugary foods, and joined a gym. I work out a minimum of an hour 3 times a week, often more because I'm into martial arts and want to build my strength so I can improve in this sport. I also have a family history of diabetes and osteoporosis, so I'm taking steps now in my late 20's to prevent these diseases.

[begood2]

Alpha,

Sounds like you have a well thought out physical fitness program.

Congratulations on the 30 plus pounds that you have lost. I'm sure it has given you a boast in energy and stamina as well!

[Ray]

Somebody lost 30 lbs?

I think I know where it is.

My "friend" has been keeping it for many years, now.

And you can have it back now. For free.

[shanstress70]

I have recently lost 20 - then came the holidays. In addition to Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, my family has birthdays in those three months. Three of those pounds have found their way back to me. And probably all of them would have, had I not been working out 5 days a week for the last month!

I'm working on it, but this is a tough time of year to try to eat well!

[Ray]

... this is a tough time of year to try to eat well!

Heh, so tough that I'd rather not try that... instead trying to keep the damage to a minimum.

If I tried to eat "well" there'd be a whole lot of foods that I.. and my wife.. wouldn't eat.

My wife is diabetic... and shouldn't have sugar... but there are times when we want to fudge a little.

[shanstress70]

I'm a 'foodie' too, meaning that I enjoy eating good food. I just try to balance that with working out. After the first of the year I need to lose another 20.

My birthday is coming up and I am trying to decide where to go with my hubby!

Hey, that reminds me. Remember (I think it was myself, Ray, and someone else) when we were talking about good restaurants and I mentioned Angus Barn in Raleigh and what an awesome steakhouse it is? Not sure if you watch Iron Chef on Food Network, but the chef from that restaurant was on that show the other night... Walter Royal. The ingredient was ostrich and he won! I thought that was kinda cool. Usually the challenger does not win on that show.

[Dr T]

I once switched to diet soda (I used to drink a lot of Coke) and cut out cheese. I stopped for about a month and lost 20 lbs. Now I usually drink Gatorade or iced tea. :) That was my very first "diet." I love to eat food over dessert though-that will catch up to me some day...

[prisonchaplain]

Like most Americans (and probably Canadians, and perhaps many Europeans), I could stand to lose some weight. Ideally, I'm suppose to lose about 30lbs--though I'm convinced I'd be fine losing 20.

On the other hand, I really like food. I especially like sweets and fatty meats (like sausage). So, I try to balance my desire for food with my desire for health. I over-shot a little, and, if it becomes a notable health issue, I'll likely change to a healthier way of eating.

All this to say, most people want to lose weight, but we really don't want to change our eating habits, or get on a treadmill. When the doc says, "Do it or else!" most of us will discover the willpower we need.

[pushka]

Eeeekkk...the return of the dreaded Diet thread!!!

Well folks, I'm still struggling...don't know if it's a combination of hormone tablets I take...synthetic progesterone, as well as the meds I take for depression and mood swings...cipralex and epilim, in addition to too many carbs from potatoes mainly...I just love crisps!!

In general you don't see me eating very often...in fact I can go till late afternoon without eating or drinking anything, but once I get started I tend to nibble on the wrong stuff...including crackers. I've cut back tons on alcohol and cheese (partly due to having high cholestrol levels now!) but I can't keep up whenever I try to eat healthier, by increasing fruit and veg. I just keep falling off track all the time.

I keep promising myself that the return to the gym is just around the corner, then when I'm ready to do it some health problem or other rears its ugly head...such as my recent leg injuries...

Life just aint fair sometimes

See you at the gym or the slimming clubs folks...

MERRY LOW-CARB CHRISTMAS TO Y'ALL!!! :)