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| Weight Loss | Ideas for getting through Thanksgiving without gaining | Nov 12 2009 20:01 (UTC) |
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Personally, I'm going to the gym. When I'm hungry, I'll eat, and when I'm full, I'll stop.
Thanksgiving is not really any different than any other day. |
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| Weight Loss | Where do you lose fat from first? | Nov 12 2009 06:48 (UTC) |
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My face, stomach and arms usually go first. Whether If I've gained 10 pounds or only 2 pounds, I see clear differences there. It's a bit weird, but when I've lost said pounds, my middle and my arms look almost instantly toned somehow, whether or not I've been doing a lot of exercise to accomplish it. Of course, these parts look far more solid and toned when i have actually killed myself at the gym for it. Almost there again, I can tell because my shoulders and under the arms are downright cut at this point. Toned armpits are sexy, yeah? |
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| Weight Loss | Quitting smoking and weight lose/gain | Nov 11 2009 05:59 (UTC) |
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Just add some exercise if you can, or slightly up your current workout activities if you're doing it. Something as simple as a brisk 20 minute walk can make a real difference, and since your lungs are in the process of healing, a bit of aerobic exercise helps in that area, too. Congrats on your quit. |
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| Weight Loss | How much exercise do you do? | Nov 10 2009 20:41 (UTC) |
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4-5 days per week I do 60 minutes on the elliptical at the gym followed by weight machines. Legs, arms, etc.
I burn about 600 calories per cardio session which has helped take a lot of calorie counting off my back. I still watch what I eat, but taking a nice chunk out like that has done wonders. I'd already lost the weight I wanted to, but am so much more toned and firm now. I lost the weight through calorie counting alone with only minimal exercise, but I felt I wanted to target certain areas and generally improve my fitness, so it's been great. I rarely go to the gym on a weekend since I'm usually away doing something with my boyfriend or family, and on those days I don't keep such tight track of my diet.
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| Weight Loss | Hi guys. This is my first post but i have a question.... | Jun 08 2009 20:28 (UTC) |
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I think it takes trial and error, and eating different amounts to see what works best for you. The calculators are a good guideline and general range to shoot for, but ultimately you have to find your own balance. Consider also how filling the foods are that you're choosing. Something can be high in calories but not fill you up very much or for very long. Maybe you need to look into heavier, yet healthy items?
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| Weight Loss | I'm 19 and 260lbs and I'm frustraited because I have been over weight my whole life! I want to change and im not sure how! | Jun 04 2009 01:19 (UTC) |
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Congrats on your decision to get healthier! I know it can all seem very overwhelming, confusing and difficult, but it doesn't have to be Hell on Earth to work. That's the main thing you should know..changing your lifestyle shouldn't feel like a punishment, so don't go too hog wild all at once. If you over-restrict yourself right off the bat, you may end up falling off the plan, or just hating it and wanting to give up. Small changes are best at first. This site under 'tools' up top has some good stuff..to help you figure out how much to eat in a day, how many calories you naturally burn each day, etc. I would start with that. But in general, cut out the bad fats, get the good ones, nix sugary, junky stuff and start incorporating fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and definitely get enough water and fiber each day to keep you full and hydrated. If you can throw in 30 minutes of exercise each day, awesome! if not, working on diet will still go a long way in bringing you to your goals. Good luck! |
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| Weight Loss | A little frustrated | May 29 2009 18:10 (UTC) |
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I'm sure you burn a decent amount of calories in your work, and all the bending, lifting, scrubbing has to be using your major muscle groups. If you could possibly throw in a bit of aerobic exercise..even just one or two nice brisk walks a day to add up to 30 minutes total, you may see better results. Basically, your work amounts to stretching, and exercise like bending, squatting..in other words..more for toning than fat burn. Try to fit in some *brisk* walks...you may see some improvement. You're doing well though!
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| Weight Loss | Activity Levels | May 29 2009 18:03 (UTC) |
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I'm actually a bit lost on the same thing right now. I've been hitting the gym every day, doing 20-30 minutes of cardio on the eliptical, then circling the weight room and doing 2-3 sets on each machine in addition to free weights. Not sure how long that takes..probably 20-30 more minutes. But..the rest of the day, I'm typically at a desk, with the usual running around to feed the dogs, clean up a bit, etc. I used to use sedentary but now I'm not sure if I'm lightly or moderately active. Is 1 hour of actual exercise a day enough to count as moderate? No idea. It's a bit confusing, because it can be sort of vague..when it says under each activity level..such and such 2-3 times a week..how long are they talking each day? an hour? several? I just don't know. |
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| Weight Loss | My husband Loves to eat out.... | May 29 2009 05:56 (UTC) |
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I have a boyfriend who is constantly taking me out to eat, and away on trips, so I know it can be tough. Sometimes, I just eat the bad stuff, but I've found that if I ask ahead of time, or we decide where we're going in advance, I can look at the restaurant's website if they have one, and sometimes they have nutritional info there. I can at least look it over and give it some thought so I can walk in knowing what I should order, which saves time once we're there and cuts down on my temptation. Salads are always a safe bet if they're not covered in bacon and other fatty toppings, and with dressing on the side. Soups can also be good as a main course, and are sometimes not so bad calorie wise. Chain restaurants often have their nutrition facts on their sites, and sometimes even in a booklet at the restaurant. It never hurts to ask. You might also consider trying to order off the menu..request grilled chicken breast and a side of steamed vegetables for instance, or get your baked potato plain (I sometimes sneak in a bottle of my 0 calorie butter spray or my 1 calorie per spray salad dressing) There are ways around the fatty foods when you're out, and no, it's not as much fun, but if you've got a diet to stick to, these tricks do come in handy.
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| Weight Loss | A little frustrated | May 29 2009 00:33 (UTC) |
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When people see you, they have no idea what you weigh exactly, all they know is how you look. Since you're seeing a difference in your body shape, and have noticed progress...congrats! You already look better, and your work is paying off. I just started back at the gym about 2 weeks ago, and already my arms seem more toned and my legs/thighs seem firmer but I doubt I've lost a pound. I still feel better! You do too, right? That's what matters. |
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| Weight Loss | Master Cleanse anyone? | May 28 2009 22:13 (UTC) |
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I haven't, the cayenne pepper scares me a little. Also, I have to wonder..since maple syrup is used..isn't it sort of just a low calorie diet (like 800 a day once you add it all up) combined with a ton of water? I just wonder if one could have similar results by doing a different liquid diet with calorie control included in order to flush out the digestive system and drop a few pounds. Kind of like what doctors put people on prior to surgery or who are morbidly obese.
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| Weight Loss | Ice Cream-How Much, How Often? | May 28 2009 22:02 (UTC) |
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You can have it, just limit it to one serving size (read the label to see how much that is) or you can buy yourself the light version or have frozen yogurt instead. Sorbet and frozen yogurt are often less calories and fat, and both taste great so you feel like you've gotten your ice cream fix. I love frozen yogurt, and get a small size from the local shop topped with fresh fruit every so often. It's really good and they have lots of flavors that all fall in the low calorie range (sometimes as little as 25 calories per ounce)
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| Weight Loss | What am I doing wrong??? | May 28 2009 16:48 (UTC) |
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I'm not sure what calorie range you should shoot for, but you should probably make sure you used the right activity level when you punched in your info for the calculator. Working out does make an impact in daily needs. No matter what though, hang in there! exercise and proper diet WILL bring results, even if it takes a while. |
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| Weight Loss | Im so confused!! Advice Please? | May 27 2009 23:06 (UTC) |
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At your size and the fact that you're working out..nah, I think 1200-1500 is a better range. You can eat a bit less on the days you're not as active, and a bit more on your workout days.
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| Weight Loss | stomach growling...does this mean i should up my intake? | May 27 2009 20:22 (UTC) |
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Not sure calories matter when it comes to stomach growling. Could it be what you're eating? Maybe you need more filling foods..some heavier items like oatmeal or sweet potato for instance. I find I can eat a bowl of oatmeal and feel full for a long time, but something like a cookie for the same calories..not so full. Could be a matter of food density.
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| Weight Loss | Do I have to count the calories even if I'm having a fruit day? | May 27 2009 17:19 (UTC) |
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Fruit calories still count, so I'd count them. It might be hard to take in very many calories on just fruit, but yeah..those calories do still matter.
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| Weight Loss | Calorie confusion is 700 a day okay for me? | May 27 2009 17:16 (UTC) |
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Some of the calculators can be screwy. Livestrong.com had my calorie limit at 800 to lose weight (not the deficit, the actual calories I should eat) while others told me 1200 or 1235 (phord said 1235) It really can be confusing, and I actually did do 800 for a while...that's when I dropped the bulk of the 20 pounds I lost. Most sites will say at least 1200 though, and that's probably better than going with the low number, especially when you're working out. With your stats, 1300-1400 is probably a better number. |
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| Weight Loss | Smoking Weight Loss | May 27 2009 06:30 (UTC) |
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Nicotine is a stimulant, so it can act as an appetite suppressent. Also, it gives you the funky taste in your mouth so you might be less tempted around food in general. I smoked a long time before quitting this past Jan, and yeah..I wanted to eat a lot less when I was smoking. It also kept me more regular, so I felt thinner, and lighter due to that. But..it messes up your skin, teeth, nails etc and smells, and ruins your lungs..not worth it. I feel healthier since I stopped and my skin is a lot nicer. I've invested too much in laser resurfacing, facials and creams to go back now! |
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| Weight Loss | Did you lose weight the first week you counted calories? | May 27 2009 05:40 (UTC) |
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You could be clinging to some water, and I wouldn't worry about not seeing a loss the first week. Too, you're breastfeeding, and that can play a role. I did lose my first week, but I think it wasn't more than like 2 pounds? hard to say..I started before I came to this site, and lost around 20 pounds in about 3 months give or take. It's stayed off even though the bulk of it was dropped pretty quickly. I think you'll start to see results after a time...bodies can just be stubborn sometimes and need a few weeks to get with the program. Everyone's body is different, so hang in there, and you'll do well. Look at it this way..there is no chance you're *gaining* weight with what you're doing!
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| Weight Loss | Fasting.... | May 27 2009 05:27 (UTC) |
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Not for weight loss, but I have done short fasts..mostly just not eating for a day and drinking a lot of water and green tea, etc..as a way to ease IBS symptoms when they've been bad. Sometimes, my stomach really seems to need a rest, and I have pain, bloating, constipation etc..a day here or there seems to allow my GI tract to process what it's already dealing with, and gives me a lot of relief. I feel I need a day off from just digesting food sometimes, and the pain and discomfort can be pretty bad, so when that's the case, I don't want to eat much anyway = ( I see a Gastro specialist, and he's fine with me doing this on a very short term basis here and there. He says many of his patients do, actually. When you have a sluggish digestive system, sometimes things build up and when you don't put anything new in there you're more able to flush out the 'old'. But..for the average person, no..I don't think you 'need' to cleanse your system. If you're worried about toxins and build up of processed food and all that, maybe you could go organic for a while to see if you feel any different or better about things. Antioxidants are great if you're looking to minimize damage from diet and environmental factors, but even there..not sure how much proof there is that consuming large amounts of these offers cleansing benefits. It can't hurt though, and antioxidants are found in healthy foods, so why not?
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| Weight Loss | Slim Fast! | May 27 2009 02:24 (UTC) |
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Oh, I love it! the chocolate ones especially. I've used them before as a meal replacement or something to have after a trip to the gym, but their real value is only that they are low calorie while giving some nutrients. Sadly, they're also loaded with sugar and dairy, so that's not always what you're aiming for. If you're not worried about sugar and all that, then..awesome, they can be a great tool. Personally, I prefer Silk chocolate soy milk because it's got protein and calcium with actually fewer calories than slim fast per serving. I just like it, and also find it's a lot cheaper to buy 1 carton of Silk than to keep buying all those little six packs of Slim. At the end of the day, anything that makes it easier to track calories is probably a good thing.
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| Weight Loss | What if you don't have the desire to eat? | May 26 2009 21:31 (UTC) |
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I think it's fine to eat less some days..if you're not hungry, then you're not. If it's just that you're having a hard time cramming the recommended amount into your daily plan, you can do as others suggest by having something high in calories that isn't too big. A handful of almonds, a glass of milk..some peanut butter on your apples, etc. If you like avocados, I'd go for those..a couple of them in a day can give you some healthy fats and calories. I like to mash them up with garlic salt and dip vegetables into them instead of chips as a small meal sometimes.
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| Weight Loss | do any of your family members give you negative comments? | May 26 2009 21:27 (UTC) |
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Maybe she didn't mean it in a negative way..she knows you lost a good amount of weight, and that you worked hard to do it, so maybe if she thinks you're sliding off track, she just somehow wants to call your attention to it? I know, I know..no one ever needs to tell us we gained a few pounds, we're the first to know! but, sometimes people can be a little thoughtless. She's your mom, and I'm sure she would never intentionally hurt you. If her comments bother you, just tell her so, and I'm thinking she'd back off your buttocks.
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| Weight Loss | Alternate day fasting diet? | May 20 2009 23:44 (UTC) |
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I know you don't want to count calories, but that's really the only way to lose weight. If you eat too many calories, you will gain weight, or stay where you are, period. It doesn't matter when or how often you eat them..all the excess you consume will stay on your body in the form of weight. It honestly does not matter when or how often you eat..as long as you're taking in too much, you'll not lose. Use the calculators online (make sure it's for someone your age) to figure out your daily calorie level (I am going to guess 2,000 calories a day would be around your target) and then figure out how many to lose weight. Just eat healthy things, at least estimate your calories closely (read labels and do some simple math) And you will notice results.
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| Weight Loss | At what BMI level do you feel at ease? | May 20 2009 21:55 (UTC) |
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I think charts are just a guideline, and that each of us is so different, and built so differently, we cannot chain ourselves to 'ideal' weights. Maybe we look and feel better at less or more than that..we need to be our own judge of it. Obviously, health should be the main factor, but if you can be healthy at a slightly lower weight, I say what's wrong with that? I try to go more by how I look and feel than how much I weigh, but for me personally (and I am 5 ft 3) I think 110 is my ideal, best weight. I'm currently 114, and not looking to lose anymore, but at the same time, if a couple of pounds happened to come off, I wouldn't mind either. I'm down about 20 pounds from my first serious gain since reaching adulthood, and it's stayed off for a few months so far. I don't really know what the chart says I 'should' be..it can go pound sand anyway as far as I'm concerned.
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| Weight Loss | Am I missing something? | May 20 2009 21:50 (UTC) |
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I hate to be gross, but how are you doing stomach wise? Sometimes, I get constipated, and not only feel bloated..I see it on the scale. Also, you may be getting more sodium than you think you are..many packaged foods are loaded with the stuff, so it's worth a peek at the labels. Along with those two possible causes, I would make sure you're drinking plenty of water and that your blood pressure is at a healthy level (fluid retention *can* be a sign, and you have history of issues with that in your pregnancies. If all else fails, talk to your doctor about all this fluid retention and see what advice or even medication they may be able to offer.
Good luck! |
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| Weight Loss | Extremely frustrated | May 20 2009 21:39 (UTC) |
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No way..my close ones would never say anything like that to me. I'm already at a good weight (lost weight recently) and started back at the gym this week..went every day so far. I was sore, and went anyway, did weights and cardio, and of course..feeling more sore now, and my boyfriend said maybe I should give myself a day off..he wouldn't say I should go if I felt sore or didn't want to for some reason. Your weight doesn't matter..point is, they should know you're perfectly on top of things, and can decide for yourself what to do each day..you really don't need anyone telling you. Sounds like you're doing an excellent job to me, and working very hard toward your goals, so tell them to stuff it.
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| Weight Loss | he calls me dumpy n chunky....PART 2 (for all who responded first time round) | May 17 2009 19:51 (UTC) |
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Good.
Stay strong, girlie..I know it's hard, and he may try to get back together, but don't let that happen! Stick to your guns, and know you did the right thing. You will be SO much happier once you get through the healing stage of this break up. He is not good for you or for your life at ALL. |
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| Weight Loss | Overwhelmed by the many Changes needed to Lose weight | May 15 2009 17:13 (UTC) |
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Rather than worry over carbs, zig zagging, blah blah blah, you might try focusing ony on 1 change for now..limiting calories, and finding out your ideal range for weight loss, sticking to that. That's the hardest part, but it's also the main priority, so it works out. If you stay within your calorie range, sure..you can have the foods you like, you'll just be limited to much smaller portions of the higher calorie items. I just think of it like a bank account..I have x amount to spend for the day, so I have to decide how and where to do that. Sure, I could have, say..a slice of pizza, but is it worth 400 calories when I could eat a lot more of something else instead and feel more full? If you begin with just thinking about calories, you'll quickly learn a lot about nutrition and how to get the most for your buck, so to speak. In that process, you will probably drop processed foods and 'bad' carbs without even thinking about it in terms of low carb, high carb, bad carb good carb and all those other more complicated areas. Instead, it will be more like..no, I don't want to spend this much on that one item, I would rather eat these 4 items. Budget your calories, and I can almost guarantee you will end up eating healthier foods and dropping the stuff that hinders your efforts. Good luck!
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| Weight Loss | new to weight loss after 2 babies | May 07 2009 22:54 (UTC) |
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1200 is the minimum they recommend, yeah. Since you're exercising, you might need a bit more, though. Maybe 1400-1500 a day as your minimum. You're young and small, and probably pretty active with 2 kids to chase around plus your workout, so you can afford a few more calories a day. Just stick to the exercise, watch the sugars, bad fats and other junky stuff, and you should do well.
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