Losing weight. Tips/Advice

[sweetchica329]

Hey girls.

Im in serious need of losing some weight. I need to lose about 30 lbs.

If I cut out the goodies (ie: ice cream, candy, soda pop, sugary foods), keep up with my water intake, and exercise each day for about 1 hour, I will lose the weight I need to?

How long do you think it will take? Haha.

Thank you. Nikki

[Peaches715]

First of all, good luck with your weight loss it's difficult, but you can do it! Everyone is different, so it's hard to say how long it will take you to lose the weight, but it seems like you have the right idea on what to do.

One word of advice, do no cut out junk all together, it will never work and you will feel deprived and fall off the diet. Give yourself one day to eat, in moderation, junk food if you want it. I let myself do that on fridays and it's much easier to stay on track the rest of the week http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[FiestyFemme]

No advice from me, but I wanted to tell you good luck, Nikki!! You can do it, babe! http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[LU*]

I think it's all about eating healthy, and eating healthy is not always boring and tasteless. You can search the web for exquisite low fat and low cal recipes.
You can allow yourself a treat once in a while. The bad thing is when sugary caloric snacks rule your life. You don't get any of the vitamins and minerals your body needs, and you are getting tons of calories... the empty ones. There are tons of yummy treats that aren't really bad for you. Luna bars, for example. I love them. They are cereal bars and have lots of different tastes (Key lime pie and Lemon Zest are my faves). If you feel like eating something sweet, you can get one of those instead of a Snickers.

Eating lots of fruits and veggies is a good idea. Eating when you are hungry. Snacking on good stuff, like cereal, nuts, yoghurt will prevent your sugar levels to lower, so you won't suddenly feel the urge to binge.

I myself am trying to eat healthy. You really do get used to it.

And as far as exercising goes, you should check out some exercising web pages. You can get a good idea of what type of exercise you should do each day.

Anyways, good luck!!
http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[ck_nd]

Safe weight loss is no more than 0.5-1kg per week (approx 1-2 pounds a week). Don't try to make yourself lose weight faster than that b/c often you will just yo-yo straight back to where you started.

What can help is planning your meals. When I am trying to lose a bit of weight I really make sure I plan my dinner well and then make sure that I make enough so then I have a healthy lunch ready to go for the next day.

Make sure you eat a healthy breakfast too, this can help you avoid any "bad" take away type foods while you are on the run in the morning.

Cutting out most goodies as you mention in your post will definitely help your weight loss. However, allow yourself a little treat every now and again e.g. if you go to a party etc.

If you are worried that you might cheat then I suggest you write down everything that you eat and drink to see what foods are your weaknesses and at what times of the day you are most likely to eat sugary foods. Then make sure you have a healthy option easily available to you e.g. fresh fruit, yoghurt, raw nuts (about 5-10 nuts) b/c it is so easy to have good intentions of going out and buying a healthy snack but the lure of chocolate etc can be hard to resist when you are hungry.

Good luck with it Nikki.

[DarleneH]

You've got the right idea by just cutting down on junk and upping the exercise. If you can possibly not get in the frame of mind that you've got to lose it all right now (can anyone say "fad diet"?) I think you'll do better.

One thing I will never do again is a really strict diet like Atkins. I did that for awhile and did lose the weight I wanted to, but when I "relazed" afterward it all came right back. Allmy fault; not the diet's; the diet did what it was supposed to do. The problem was that I felt SOOOO deprived during it, that I mentally came undone about carbs and overdid them after it. I don't know if that makes sense to you reading it, but I bet tons of you have had the same experience!

I got a book from the library the other day called "French Women Don't Get Fat", and I'm enjoying it. I haven't gotten far in the book yet so I haven't put any ideas from it in action, but it seems to be a low-key, no deprivation approach to food. It emphasizes "mindful eating" too; sitting down for meals, eating slowly and savoring the food, really enjoying it, that kind of thing.

One thing I have been working on (and I saw this in the book too) is to eat better quality food. For example, if I'm going to eat chocolate, it's going to be good quality chocolate and not cheap crap. And I'll eat leas of it and take my time to enjoy it more. Macaroni and cheese is not going to be the 3 boxes for $1 kind; it's going to have real cheddar cheese and milk and stuff in it. Any bread I eat is hearty and flavorful and from a bakery or homemade (I have a bread machine); not bland white bread.

I have a hate/hate relationship with food and I'm trying to change that. Instead of enjoying food, I've always resented it. Resented having to stop what I'd rather be doing and eat, resented that my blood sugar crashes when I don't eat (I don't mind going hungry but I can't take the hypoglycemia problems I have), resented having to spend money on food I'd rather spend on makeup and clothes http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif, etc, So I REALLY need to feel better about something I'm stuck with doing the rest of my life. And I'm working on it. http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Dar

[LU*]

Oh, I have another little tip for you: don't buy any sugary triggering foods for storage in your food cabinet. If there's no chocolates/bars/icea cream/fries/etc near you when you feel like binging, and te only thing you can find is a piece of fruit/some nuts, etc. then you'll be most likely to eat those instead of running to your local market.
Plus, even if you are not hungry, it may be tempting to eat something when you catch a glimpse of it after opening the fridge.
So have better healthy options waiting for you in the kitchen.

[my analisa]

Ok, I've been seeing and reading about some books and such that are touted as being effective and reasonable. Check out a few books called Volumetrics and another called Body for Life For Women. In Women's World magazine they have been talking about this and the women using these have gotten easy and great results. They showed before and after pics and they were really good. Also I was watching HSN the other day and another good option I think would be to try Michael Thurmond's body type program. Go to http://www.hsn.com. He also has a book with something in the title about 6 days to looking better, which I guess is best for quick results, but yeah I would check in to those options, ok? I think I will get the Body for Life For Women in the future.

Other tips: Cut back on sugar as much as possible, that includes sodas and juice. If you want them then I'd suggest drinking them on the weekends a little. Try to eat clean, but not boring, as much as possible, and then cheat a little on the weekends. Don't completely cut out junk like someone else mentioned. You don't need to do that ever. Drink water with every meal and snack you eat. Also try to not eat sugary cereals. Oatmeal is good, and use Splenda for sweetening it and things like teas and other cereals that you feel need it. Also use it in your baking if you bake.

Try Molly McButter on your rice, steamed vegetables, and potatos. It tastes *just* like butter but without the fat and calories. You can find it in the seasong aisle. Trust me, it's good!! For salads try using Vinegritte (or however you spell it). It's tastes yummy and is super low in calories.

Try to stick to whole grains and fresh or frozen vegetables. The canned ones I think have too much sodium. If you eat lunch meat try and find the kind that has a picture of a boar's head on it, it's the healthiest of lunch meats. Make your meals colorful so you can get a good amount of vitamins and minerals and helps keep things interesting.

Eat lean meat, chicken, turkey, and fish. Stay away from trans fatty foods. Soft butter doesn't have that. Cook with those cooking sprays like Conola and Olive Oil and such.

Green tea is also touted as a weight loss aid, and gives you lots of antioxidants. If you want to drink green tea use Splenda in it to flavor and aim for 3-5 cups per day. That was a tip from Woman's World magazine. You should buy that magazine, they have the best tips for weightloss and other great remedies, plus beauty and fashion tips. http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

I hope this helps you!! Good luck! http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[my analisa]

If you're looking for new exercises I would recommed Cardio Strip Tease Volume 1 & 2, The Method Cardio Boot Camp (3 high energy, super-toning, fat-burning workouts), and The Bar Method Body Designer Sculpting. It uses light weights for the arm segment and the rest no equipment necessary except for a chair or stool for support. It also works the shoulders, stomach, butt and legs plus calves. It's quite the workout. It works all sides of your legs and butt. You can look it up on http://www.naturaljourneys.com

You can order it I think at Barnes & Noble if they don't already have it out on display. There is a Cardio Striptease Volume 3, but I haven't tried it yet. I checked them out at the library and I found them to be a good fun workout and wasn't so hard. The instructor is Jeff Costa. He's a fun instructor I have to say. http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif He's got a bunch of girls working out behind him in the video.

HTH! http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[denise12]

I love love love weight watchers. I just started that diet 2 months ago and I have lost 15 lbs already. I didn't actually join, I just went in and bought the books for $23.00 and I photocopied my friends instructions. It really teaches you how to eat better and I am never starving which is a huge problem with most diets.

[Anaisa]

if you want to loose that much, you should not just start eating healthy. It will be too slow of a process. - i mean years
I would eliminate bread, potatoes and cakes all together. Try skiping meals and take those weight loss drinks with lots of water. Basically i buy 1 big bottle o evian or vittel a day and drink it. I also take laxative chocholate bars, and just energy bars for weigt loss when i have low energy and need a perk. Well, sorry, but you should not excersise, it would make you more hungry and force to eat more.
The only solution is to eat less!
I also like those instant asian noodle soups. Remember if you cook, you would be tempted to eat more. I would not reall cook much and go major grosery shoping while dieting.
Well, i do drink fruit smoothies (without sugar) - they are great sourse of vitamins and fiber. Plus they combat sugar cravings. Try keep meals more liquid. What else, It is essential to clean your colon like very often. I lost 4 kg so far in a week. It is not fun, you should realise that , treat it like medical treatment. And good luck.

[Zannah]

I love, love ,love Bob Greene and Oprahs new book "Total Body Makeover" It has great tips, no real diet just better eatting and tons of cool exercise moves. I've read lot's of diet books and this is the first one that really makes sense.

[Jaime]

Originally posted by Anaisa:
if you want to loose that much, you should not just start eating healthy. It will be too slow of a process. - i mean years
I would eliminate bread, potatoes and cakes all together. Try skiping meals and take those weight loss drinks with lots of water. Basically i buy 1 big bottle o evian or vittel a day and drink it. I also take laxative chocholate bars, and just energy bars for weigt loss when i have low energy and need a perk. Well, sorry, but you should not excersise, it would make you more hungry and force to eat more.
The only solution is to eat less!
I also like those instant asian noodle soups. Remember if you cook, you would be tempted to eat more. I would not reall cook much and go major grosery shoping while dieting.
Well, i do drink fruit smoothies (without sugar) - they are great sourse of vitamins and fiber. Plus they combat sugar cravings. Try keep meals more liquid. What else, It is essential to clean your colon like very often. I lost 4 kg so far in a week. It is not fun, you should realise that , treat it like medical treatment. And good luck.


Im sorry if this sounds rude, but to me this sounds like terrbile advice !

Chocolate Laxitives? PLease do not use laxatives to lose weight! Skipping meals? Not excersizing because it makes you hungry? Not cooking or grocery shoppingmuch ?

In now way is any of this heathy advice! You could majorly damage your health trying to lose weight this way.

[Nina81]

ITA with Jaime! Anaisa I am sorry but like jaime said the tips you gave are terrible,unhealthy and guaranteed to make you feel sick instantly!

if you want to lose weight eat lots of fruits, vegetables, fish, chicken and use good oils such as olive oil in moderation(1 table spoon per day) to make salads or meat more tasty! Also drink lots of water and exercise! Allow yourself to eat something you like(like dessert or pizza) once a week so that you won't feel deprived!

[Anaisa]

sorry you do not like my advise.Perhpas you did not read it all. Well, if you want to loose 5 kg - then sure doing it healthy works. But not 15 kg (30 pounds), as it was posted.

They sell those laxative bars in the drug store here in Europe in the weight loss section.
They are also full of minerals and vitamis. And as you remember- i said i drink fruit smoothies and tons of water!
This is healthy - The juice of carrot, orange, full bananna, cherries, or other berries, or a mix of tropical fruits, butter milk- all together- how unhealthy could it be? Or a vagetable smoothie- with spinach, cellery avocado- you call that unhealthy?
Sorry, but the only solution to loose that much weight without spending years suffering the cravings is "not to eat a lot"!

[luv2dance]

You need to cut out 500 calories each day to lose 1 lb a week. Some recommend that you cut 250 calories and do exercise to burn 250 calories. Don't cut your total calories too low or your metabolism will slow down.

The 3 hour Diet sounds good. You eat every 3 hours but small portions. It's supposed to help your metabolism. I have a friend who is obsessed with controlling her weight and this is how she eats. She doesn't avoid sweets or dessert but limits it. Also Volumetrics (the book and plan) is supposed to be good. They recommend foods that are filling. My friend eats soups and cereal instead of meals when she wants to lose. The book recommends soups, salads, etc. If you're using this with the 3 hour plan, you could have soup for lunch and then have fruits, vegetables, or protein in between meals.

[bulletproof77]

Originally posted by Anaisa:
sorry you do not like my advise.Perhpas you did not read it all. Well, if you want to loose 5 kg - then sure doing it healthy works. But not 15 kg (30 pounds), as it was posted.

They sell those laxative bars in the drug store here in Europe in the weight loss section.


Sorry but this is terrible advice! I agree with Jaime. Starving yourself without exercise will either:
1. slow down your metabolism, so that once you start to feel deprived and start eating again, you'll gain weight even FASTER!
2. if it does work, you'll lose mostly water weight, some fat AND some muscle. You'll be a skinnier, but flabbier version of yourself.

Think about how some celebs look, like Jessica Simpson. She lost weight by exercising 3 hrs a day, 6 days a week, and by eating right. I wouldn't go overboard like that, but you can see how a "healthy" body looks like from exercising. Whereas someone like Kimberly Stewart looks skinny, but has absolutely no muscle tone!

Don't forget to add some weight training into your exercise program, and eat plenty of lean protein (chicken, egg whites, cottage cheese, etc). The more muscle you have, the more calories you can burn even while just sitting around!

Aim to lose no more than 1-2 pounds/week for healthy weight loss. Also, muscle weighs more than fat, so if the scale doesn't budge, don't get discouraged. HTH!

[Jaime]

Originally posted by Anaisa:
sorry you do not like my advise.Perhpas you did not read it all. Well, if you want to loose 5 kg - then sure doing it healthy works. But not 15 kg (30 pounds), as it was posted.

They sell those laxative bars in the drug store here in Europe in the weight loss section.
They are also full of minerals and vitamis. And as you remember- i said i drink fruit smoothies and tons of water!
This is healthy - The juice of carrot, orange, full bananna, cherries, or other berries, or a mix of tropical fruits, butter milk- all together- how unhealthy could it be? Or a vagetable smoothie- with spinach, cellery avocado- you call that unhealthy?
Sorry, but the only solution to loose that much weight without spending years suffering the cravings is "not to eat a lot"!

We can disagree, thats fine, but yes i DID read your post. Notice how i said nothing about eating fruit/veggies/smothies. My Post rather, was about abusing laxatives (which we all know what they are really for and that not to loose weight ) and forcing your self not to eat.

The answer is not to cook/shop/eat anymore. Its to cook *better*, shop for *better* choices, and eat *in moderation*

Like some of the other girls said, not eating will slow down your metabolism and could diminish your muscles.

Im not attacking anyone here, but i had a very good freind become deathly anorexic in our last year of highschool and this is the type of stuff she did. Abuse laxatives, never ate ( just smoked and drank diet coke )she would never join you on trips to the grocery store or out for lunch because she didnt want to be tempted by food. She went from a extrememly sporty active 5'8 135 pounds, to 90 pounds at her lowest. This happened in the course of a school year.

[syntheticsole]

Watch this! In one sentence!

Eat a balanced diet (3x/day or smaller portions 5 or 6/day) and do cardio and strength exercise.

Here's a tip: Exercise in a cold room. It burns more fat, not just calories.

Good luck! And please, no easy way out. In the end, you will only be sickly and weak, even if you don't feel like it.

[Anaisa]

YEA... AND LOOSE 30 POUNDS IN LIKE 3 YEARS!
good luck indeed. not to mention how mentally and emotionally strong you must be to maintain this lifestyle with all the job and family stress that i assume everyone encounts.

[syntheticsole]

Oh! So you suggest taking the easy way out and do more damage than good?

Anaisa, darling. If anything, healthy food improves the quality of life. Exercise? Relieves stress. And you don't have to go to a gym to do it.

[Anaisa]

of course you are right, but she has to loose 30 pounds! That is a lot.
It is impossible by just making "healthy" choise in food and do sports! Do you think actors, models and celebrities do it this way? You are wrong then. No matter what they say at the inteviews, all they do is they do not eat (or have surgery) One needs "not to eat" to loose weight. I am not saying nothing at all, but i have tried and tested my siggestions and they do work to shed some extra kilos without making me anorexic and damaging my health.

[syntheticsole]

I must agree with you as well. That is how the actors do it.

That's what's wrong with American society today, idolizing men and women who use extreme methods to look a cut above the rest of us. And you must be right in saying that your way works faster and easier than "mine". Way back when, curves and cellulose cells were golden. They were signs of fertility and femininity. It's too damn bad we don't think that anymore.

I can't assent with your arrangement. I still entertain that eating healthy and exercising will be a much better life-long plan. Eating healthy isn't just about losing weight, it's about being strong. There are more benefits to eating healthy than losing weight.

My closing note: If you exercise the right amount (most people don't), eat healthy, and don't lose your desired weight, you probably weren't meant to be that weight. There is a healthy weight range for people. When you are at your peak of best health, that is your ideal weight. Pushing nature won't work.

Volume XXI coming soon! http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif Soooorry guys.

[Oh*So*Pretty]

Volume XXI coming soon! http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif Soooorry guys.

*Lol, Karen!

[CoolJewlz]

Originally posted by Anaisa:
YEA... AND LOOSE 30 POUNDS IN LIKE 3 YEARS!
good luck indeed. not to mention how mentally and emotionally strong you must be to maintain this lifestyle with all the job and family stress that i assume everyone encounts.

Umm.. no. She won't lose it in a month like she might here, but that's not healthy. It'll take at least a few months to lose 30 lbs. in a healthy way.

[lilbrat]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Anaisa:
I have to go with Anaisa. You want to lose fast, eat far less, skip meals. Laxies work wonders, colonics are better.


But... but but but. This is coming from me, a person very open about her ED.

[Angel Baby]

LOL Laura!! http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

Anaisa, I know you mean well, but it's following those suggestions aren't healthy.

30 pounds is a lot to lose. But it shouldn't take three years! Even if it does, then it's highly likely that the 30 pounds will stay away permanently. 1-2 pounds a week is a good rate to keep the pounds away. Like CoolJewlz said, it would probably take a few months to lose the weight in a healthy way. If you lose the 30 pounds rapidly, it's most likely muscle mass, water weight, and maybe even bone loss. NOT body fat, which is what you are aiming for in the first place.

Exercising is very very important! It's good for your heart, your bone, health, brain activity, lots of good things! If you gain weight, then it's probably muscle mass. Which is a good thing. It adds definition to your body and make you look sleeker/sexier than just trying to lose weight by eating less.

Don't get me wrong, overeating is one of the main cause of weight gain (guilty right here!). So eating smaller portion is a good thing, but as long as you have your minimal caloric intake for your body to function normal. The *LEAST* you should have is 1200 calories. If you eat too little, it can affect your metabolism in a very bad way. Since your caloric intake is so little, you body will try to hold onto every single calorie as if it is a life or death situation. Kind of obvious since your body is trying to prevent you to starve to death. But as soon as you start eating normally, there is a rapid weight gain because your body isn't adjusted to this much calories. A lot of symptoms can occur too. Not right away, but it will happen.

1) tooth decay
2) blood and mineral imbalances, which can lead to loss of bone mass
3) bodily hair growth and gradual loss of temperature regulation ability
4) disturbed menstrual functioning
5) hypoglycemia - low blood sugar
6) internal organ damage - extreme, but will likely happen over extended time periods (yay! i get a new liver!!!)
7) neurological problems, such as anxiety, fainting and dizziness, insomnia and depression...etc... due to lack of essential vitamins.
8) loss of sexual drive - again another very common one.

from my knowledge anyways, the first symptoms are usualy problems with the reproductive system, as this is considered by your body to be the least critical of your body's systems.

sudden weight loss is practiced by many people, however, most of those people will suffer some sort of health repurcussion for their actions later in their lives. life-style change weight loss is much more permanent, healthier, and less likely to decrease your life expectancy by 20 years. and yes it is possible, if you're able to stick to your change.

[Anaisa]

Angel Baby, you are right!
That is all true. If one plans to get pregnant i would never on Earth recomend my "method". I also realise how important it is to get vitamins and minerals - so that is why i drink fruit and vegetable smoothies. Well, it is just my body it reacts to this extreme diet the best. I am not anorexic - i love to eat! Well, i do sufer from not eating as much now, but i have really gained extra kgs during the last half a year and now i am getting rid of them . And with good results- (for me). My mother, for example cannot do this, because she has heart problems and she need all the minerals in her system.
Ok, as i have said - the gym thing made me gain weight! I was so extremely hungry all the time and i eat a lot.
Ok i have buit muscles and felt great- but i prefer my body image without muscles, that is just me.
I would recomend some streching and gymnastics, but not BODY BUILDING!
So far i have lost like 6kg (12 pounds) and look and feel great. I plan to loose another 4 and then i am happy. Just to give you an idea- i am 1. 67 sm tall and my ideal weight is 60 kg- far from anorexia, as you can imagine.
Ok i prefer to do it fast , because i am just too stressed with my job and family (long story).
And i do break it when i go out for dinner or a party - but i just ---sorry-- take lax and do colonic afterwards and also do not eat much the next day. Ok, i hope i did not make everybody upset with my suggestions, but it "might" work for somebody and if it does- i am happy to share my experience, that is all.

[Mz LaLa]

<span class="ev_code_BROWN">I am in the process of trying to lose about 25-30 lbs right now. LOL@it taking 3 years. I'm only a couple weeks into it and I've already lost almost 10 lbs. Granted I think those first 10 lbs are the easiest to lose and yo-yo inbetween but I fully see myself achieving my goal within the next 3 months or so. Sure it's not instant gratification, but I don't instant gratification. I want to change my body and lifestyle forever!

If you do it the fast way..that's the way you are going to always have to do it b/c by that time you will have screwed up your body so much that it is going to have no idea how to lose weight properly.

If you don't have much muscle tone..yes going a gym and working out will make you gain weight. But you aren't gaining fat. Your gaining muscle. Muscle burns fat. No muscle? Nothing to burn fat. Heck yes it's going to be easy to gain weight then.

Thus an endless cycle and all of that.

Anaisa..I respect you but I don't respect the fact that you are suggesting very unhealthy things in order to lose weight. So many young women already suffer horrible self image and problems with their weight and to have somebody say to them.. using laxatives..not eating ect works for me, you should try it.

Just...no, no, no. Being somebody, that I myself, did try some unhealthy measures when I was younger..it just feels insensitive to hear somebody suggest it as an end all to their problems b/c many of us, myself included know that it's not and know the repurcussions of trying it. I am not attacking you, it's clear that you are convinced this is what you need to do and have justified it, but I hope you understand why others, myself included, see a problem with what you have suggested.

Sorry..I needed to say that

To the Original Poster:

I think you can fully achieve your goal. I highly recommend counting calories. It sucks...lol... but I know in my case it's always been the no fail way to lose and maintain my weight. I try to keep it at 1200 calories a day. Anything lower than that is considered unhealthy.

Cutting out sugar..fats..ect..always helpful! Don't beat yourself up though if you give in once in a while. If you deprive yourself sometimes you make it worse for yourself. Maybe give into a treat once a week or something if you're really craving it. But only eat a serving size. 1 serving size of anything won't do too much damage http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif and it can keep you from feeling deprived.

1 hr of exercise is good. Try to make it cardio. Throw some toning in there too so once you lose the weight if you have some strong muscles. If you don't have good muscle tone you can still look flabby even after all the weight loss.

It varies from person to person. I think though if you kept on your diet and fitness routine you could easily take off 30 lbs in 3-5 months depending on your metabolism.



Okay I'm done with my book http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif </span>