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| Weight Loss | please tell me about going from starving to eating more calories | Apr 13 2007 03:36 (UTC) |
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| Nice work! We really shouldn't go below 1200 for the long haul, though. If you're afraid to raise your calories try zig-zagging - going up and down. It works. And you won't stop losing at some point because your body thinks you're trying to starve it and starts hoarding the fat instead of letting it go.
To find out how you can do a search on it or check out some of the other posts that mention it. I don't get too scientific with it and it works just fine for me. |
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| Weight Loss | Carb Cutting yes or no? | Apr 12 2007 04:20 (UTC) |
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| I'm a vegetarian and eat 70% carbs, 20% protein, and 10% fats (I'm on a plan for reversing heart disease, so it's very low fat). I found out quickly that, if I slipped and ate even a little bit of the simple carbs, hunger overwhelmed me.
Eating complex carbs is one of the most important things we should do. Whole grains are so overlooked as a tool for reducing hunger, not to mention their nutrient value. I've lost almost sixty pounds. It took a while for my tastes to change, but the longer I stay with it the less I miss the simple carbs, meat, and satfats. |
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| Weight Loss | is whey protein bad for losing weight? | Apr 12 2007 04:07 (UTC) |
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| This is a place where common sense and restraint should rule. I use (Life Extension) whey protein, but only when I've run really short on protein by the end of the day. I'm on a low fat vegetarian diet, so when I'm on the run, I can't just grab some protein at the nearest fast food place.
It is dehydrating, but all we have to do is drink extra water (assuming you aren't using too much). If I remember correctly the biggest problem with "overdosing" on extra protein is that it can damage kidneys. When I was young I went on an extremely high protein diet for several months. Even though I drank a gallon of water a day I was rewarded with a kidney stone. Not fun! My trainer recommended I try the supplement. He's also a registered nurse and is actually a "whole person" fitness expert. I do trust his judgement. |
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| Weight Loss | What is your daily fat intake? | Apr 11 2007 18:55 (UTC) |
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| Some things defy explanation. If you're a guy (or a gal) who exercises a lot the principal is probably still the same for the zig-zagging and "Curves" theory, though - just higher calories.
If you haven't already tried it, "pig out" on some healthy foods for a couple of days, return to what you think your weight loss calorie level should be, and then see what happens after a week. You can be our guinea pig for the Curves theory. Are you a vegetarian? It shouldn't be that hard to get the extra fats you want, if you eat meat. I'm a vegetarian and have to try much harder (even on my very low fat program). |
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| Weight Loss | Zig-Zag Method | Apr 11 2007 18:32 (UTC) |
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| I have had great success with this. My weight loss was fifty pounds in six months and I experienced less problem with hunger when I zig-zagged. My trainer recommended it. After this initial loss I stopped zig-zagging for a couple of months and stopped losing. When I went back to zig-zagging I began losing again.
On the days that I drop weight (usually once a week for me) I would eat more that day and the next, then drop down again, and so on. It's so helpful, also, to not have to worry about being exact about the calorie level. "Curves" recommends eating 2000 calories (one day?) and then dropping down again, if you are stalled. Your weight might go up just a little, but then it starts going up again. We really do need to eat - not starve! More attention needs to be paid to what we eat. Lots of whole grains, vegetables and fruits are the first consideration (complex carbs - not simple carbs). There is also too much emphasis on low fat vs. high fat. The kind of fat is most important. You can't go too far wrong with fats from most plant sources. Good luck - and don't forget to stay active! |
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| Weight Loss | What is your daily fat intake? | Apr 11 2007 04:41 (UTC) |
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| ayeguy - Many people on the 10% fat program I'm on lose weight efficiently and quickly, so it seems doubtful that low fat alone could stall your metabolism. (Again, I'm not pushing 10%. I'm just making a comparison.)
Weight loss is usually a calories in/calories out thing. Your health is what's affected if your nutrients (protein, fat, etc.) are insufficient. Is your calorie level low and does it stay about the same level all the time? That often stalls weight loss. These three techniques are well accepted and seem to do a good job of breaking plateaus. 1)Baylor University is studying the "Curves" program. One of the techniques they've found that breaks plateaus is to eat 2000 calories (one day?) and then go back to a lower level of calories. Your weight might go up just a little, but then it starts going down again. (This is assuming you're eating less than 2000 calories routinely.) 2)Another proven technique is to zig-zag. Eat, say, 1200 calories for two days, then 1400 (or 1600, etc.) for two days - zig-zagging back and forth. Use the calorie levels that are appropriate for you, though. 1200 is the minimum recommended calorie for adults - not good to go lower. My trainer swears by zig-zagging and it's worked well for me. 3)Another technique none of us really like (or have much time for) is to get in some exercise three times a day. Good luck! I'm sure you'll do well. |
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| Weight Loss | What is your daily fat intake? | Apr 10 2007 05:12 (UTC) |
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| Sorry, I meant to say this - I think the younger we are the more fat we need. While I would monitor the kinds of fats my grandchildren eat, I certainly wouldn't restrict their fat intake. Young adults may fall in this category.
There is so much controversy surrounding the fat issue. It's easier for me to concentrate on eating plenty of whole grains, vegetables, fruits and good solid plant sources of protein (like beans). When I do that the rest seems to fall into place. I'll hush now. I'm talking too much. |
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| Weight Loss | What is your daily fat intake? | Apr 10 2007 04:50 (UTC) |
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| lizzy 2 - There is a lot of evidence that fish oil supplements are a good choice for everyone, possibly even children. Though I haven't researched that little news flash yet. I guess if we got enough from our diets we wouldn't need them, but Americans certainly don't lean that way.
It isn't necessary for me to add the supplements in when I tally my fat grams. That element is already considered and still keeps me averaging 10% since I bounce around between 6 and 10. What I do is part of a very well defined and heavily studied program and under the guidance of my endocrinologist, cardiologist and dietitian. Please don't worry about me. I'm in good hands. I just wanted to share that 1) It's dangerous to go below 6%, and, 2) An appropriately done (very) low fat diet can be very healthy and even therapeutic, if it includes plenty of the right plant based foods. By the way, Ornish and Pritikin recently collaborated and proved that their very low fat approaches are effective with cancer as well as heart disease. Certainly a lot of it has to do with the whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. Both allow nuts, etc. on their prevention plans. I would love to ramble on and on about the good things that have been happening to me, but most of you are probably much younger and trying to lose weight and prevent disease rather than reverse it. I have to restrict further. It's certainly been worth it, though. I feel wonderful and my energy level has increased greatly. My cholesterol dropped from 209 to 153 and my c-reactive protein (a predictor of heart disease) dropped from 4.8 to 1.1. Stay with it and you'll never have to backtrack like I did. |
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| Weight Loss | 1200 calories/vegetarian? | Apr 09 2007 22:46 (UTC) |
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| I've found good success with eating plans like Ornish and Pritikin. Dean Ornish's work can be found online for free or you can purchase second hand books for practically nothing. Pritikin is outlined online also. They are good preventive vegetarian plans. I've lost fifty pounds so far and much improved my health and energy level.
I eat lots of whole grains in various forms, lots of fresh fruit and vegetables (cooked and fresh), beans, and I've learned to enjoy soy foods. I try to stick with the fermented - tofu, etc., but I also use soy milk. I do eat a little fat free dairy and use egg beaters or egg whites some. If you're still young and healthy, using nuts, avocados, (good fats) judiciously adds variety. |
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| Weight Loss | What is your daily fat intake? | Apr 09 2007 22:28 (UTC) |
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| I've been studying this carefully over the past ten months because I'm using the Ornish plan to reverse heart disease. I'm certainly no expert. This is just what I've decided for myself.
6% total fats is the very minimum I should eat (I stay between 6% and 10%. 10% is the maximum I should eat if I'm serious about trying to reverse heart disease.) After checking out the various studies I personally don't believe eating fat over 15% is beneficial. 20-30% is better than 40-50%, but not really preventive. Whole grains and other plant foods like blueberries have naturally occurring fat which is much safer for me than added fats. The good fats are still fats. They contain satfats and must be used with great care. I'm not having any ill effects from not using them while I try to reverse my heart disease. I take fish oil and use flaxseed to supplement. I feel better than I have in thirty years. |
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| The Lounge | The Senior Corner - Are You Over 50? | Mar 19 2007 22:58 (UTC) |
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| rosebeau - Zig-zagging really helps my weight loss. I eat 1200 calories for two days then 1600 for two days (or 1800 or 2000, whatever your highest recommended level is) and so on. The best part was that it kept my hunger from getting the best of me. I was able to lose almost fifty pounds in six months. I don't lose as well if I stay at 1200 all the time. Good luck!
Grandparenting is the most wonderful experience. I miss being able to be a grandma full time. Mine live too far away (military). |
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| The Lounge | The Senior Corner - Are You Over 50? | Mar 19 2007 22:51 (UTC) |
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| Re arthritis - I was having serious arthritis issues and had fibromyalgia as a result of a long undiagnosed bout with Hashimoto's. The four things I did that brought me back into the land of the "living" were 1)switching to the Ornish plan for reversing heart disease (vegetarian), 2)fish oil, 3) exercise (walking and a trainer), and 4)Aleve.
All of this worked together to reduce inflammation, help me lose weight, build muscle, and regain flexibility. I'm worried about the Aleve, though. I only take one OTC a day (220), but it was implicated in the trials that showed NSAIDS caused heart problems (with long term use). Does anyone have any new information on this? There was to have been a new study, but I can't find it. |
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| The Lounge | The Senior Corner - Are You Over 50? | Mar 19 2007 03:28 (UTC) |
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| I'm totally without motivation when it comes to physical activity. So last year I decided to spend some of my hard earned money on a personal trainer. My rheumatologist recommended a guy who was a registered nurse and physician's assistant and decided to follow his passion by opening a fitness guidance business. He specializes in working with people who have health problems or disabilities.
He is incredible. I love to exercise now because he makes it so much fun. I never know what he's going to come up with next. He is a cutting edge trainer, a wonderful dancer, and does hysterical physical comedy. He is also an eloquent spiritual and emotional guide. One minute he is teaching me a better way to pray and the next he's teaching me to mambo. I will never let go of him and my husband agrees. He is well worth the money (and it really isn't nearly as expensive as we thought it would be). |
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| Weight Loss | deleted thread | Mar 18 2007 04:35 (UTC) |
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| I found out I had heart disease last spring, so I switched to a vegetarian eating plan. I've always been a yo-yo dieter and had previously had a really bad time with all kinds of diets. This one is heavy on the whole grains, vegetables, fruits, has a little soy, a little fat free dairy, and a little egg whites. I take a multi and prescription fish oil supplements.
I was thrilled to find that, not only was my weight loss quick, steady, and consistent, but I felt wonderful. I had an incredible increase in energy. I lost forty-eight pounds from July through December. I did "cheat" a little (Thanksgiving, Christmas, an occasional bite of something I had to cook for my husband). The more weight you have to lose the easier it is to take it off in the beginning. My second fifty pounds are going a little slower and I'm having to increase the intensity of my workouts. This is what I did. Hope it helps. I highly recommend the zig-zagging and the three quick walks a day (or something similar). And remember, everyone is different. 1) I set calorie and nutrient goals and logged my food, so I could track my nutrients carefully and make certain I got enough protein, fiber, etc. I tried to keep my BMR balance at around 1000 calories, so that I would lose 1.5 to 2 pounds a week. 2) I exercised often. I took three 30 minute walks (1 mile each) each day (5 days a week) and saw my trainer twice a week. The 3 times a day was important to keep my metabolism up. 3)Tried hard not to go below 1200 calories, though sometimes I did. 4)Zig-zagged my calories. Ate 1200 for two days and then increased to a higher level for two days (based on the recommended intake for normal weight loss for me). 5)Didn't "go hungry", but stayed just a tiny bit hungry, eating often. Divided my meals into mini meals that I ate five or six times a day. If I was just starving, I went ahead and ate something healthy. I probably needed it. 6)Kept refined foods (sugars, flours) at the very lowest level I could. Used Splenda in moderation. Every time I ate extra refined carbs I became ravenously hungry. Stay away from them! Natural sugars in fruit, etc. are fine. A little dried fruit is usually OK. 7)I was on an extremely low fat diet because I have heart disease. "Normal" people should use good fats in moderation, though. 8)I learned to cook again. It's amazing how simply and quickly you can pull together a good meal from scratch, and this really cuts down on the sodium, fat, and refined products. I freeze portion sizes of foods I prepare to make it fast and easy. |
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| The Lounge | The Senior Corner - Are You Over 50? | Mar 17 2007 03:46 (UTC) |
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| Finally found you. I'm almost 62 and have been spending the first three years of my retirement fighting to get my health back.
I was diagnosed with heart disease (plaque) last spring and started using the Ornish program for reversing heart disease in July. I've made great progress. I've lost almost fifty pounds and greatly improved my test results. I still need to lose a lot of weight (currently 216). I see a wonderful personal trainer two or three times a week. He's a registered nurse and works with people who have health problems. I walk and recently started going to "Curves" in between. I'd like to share ideas with people who are using the Ornish program or a similar one (Pritikin, Esselstyn, McDougal). |
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| Vegetarian | why vegetarians should not eat eggs!!! | Mar 15 2007 22:39 (UTC) |
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| Thanks for the suggestions. I use all of those including tempeh, sietan (seitan?), etc. Thought there might have been something I missed. Guess I'll have to raise my own chickens again, so I'll know they're loved. | |||
| Vegetarian | help please! i need fat and protein | Mar 15 2007 04:29 (UTC) |
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| Forgot to mention MorningStar and Boca. Those that fit into my program are the Boca original burger. The roasted onion slips in fairly well. Boca has a chili that works well for my plan, also, but some of the products go over 3 grams of fat which is my limit per serving.
I like the Morningstar meal starters - steak strips and chicken. When I really want a meat fajita they take the edge off. |
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| Vegetarian | help please! i need fat and protein | Mar 15 2007 04:24 (UTC) |
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| I'm on the Ornish reversal program. They recommend that you don't fall below 6% total fats. 4% is too low. I stay between 6 to 8%, sometimes going up to the maximum 10%. 12% sounds good.
I'm usually able to keep my protein at a minimum of 50 to 60 grams on a 1200 to 1500 calorie diet. I use Life Extension protein powder (whey) when I need it. Protein is everywhere in smaller amounts. Is tempeh what you're looking for? TVP, seitan, tempeh, and tofu are good protein sources along with all of the above mentioned. I do have to use egg whites to keep up, but that is mostly because I haven't yet learned to use the soy products efficiently. Ezekiel cereal claims to be an almost complete protein mix of grains. |
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| Vegetarian | whey or soy protein powder? | Mar 15 2007 04:08 (UTC) |
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| My fitness trainer (a registered nurse) explained that whey protein has more usable protein and also has all of the amino acids. I use the Life Extension product. | |||
| Vegetarian | why vegetarians should not eat eggs!!! | Mar 15 2007 04:01 (UTC) |
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| A little hard to give up a reasonable source of protein, however, what alternatives do you suggest? I find it hard to get enough protein without some egg whites and would love to hear some suggestions. | |||
| Vegetarian | What do you eat for breakfast? | Mar 15 2007 03:58 (UTC) |
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| Alternate between eggbeaters with tortilla or Ezekiel toast/oatmeal/cheerios or Ezekiel cereal with fat free milk/yogurt and wasa if on the run
Occasionally a little juice oj/pomegranate/unsweetened cranberry |
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