Posts by valcatraz

Rikaj,

I think you made some really good points and I totally agree. I've also found that drinking hot tea helps to stifle my appetite, but I just put splenda in mine. Also, I've recently found that eating pineapple can really satisfy a sweet tooth. Not the stuff in the can though, it's gotta be the real thing. I just bought one the other day and cut it up into bite size pieces and stored whatever I didn't eat to snack on later. I can't tell you how sweet it is and so much less fattening than snacking on cookies or cupcakes (my weakness, lol)! I got the idea from a friend and it totally works for me!

Original Post by rikaj:

truthfully, its totally a pain. i'm like 5'2 and probably between 110-112 right now, started out last year aroudn 118 (gained from college) and it took me awhile to actually lose the weight and keep it off. i am/was a binger, so i started with trying to make my binges smaller and smaller, and binge on healthier things, like graham crackers rather than cookies, etc. im pretty active, runner and i lift weights and play soccer from time to time. anyway, i was recently able to get to my goal weight in japan of around 105, but as soon as i came home i felt deprived and ate my way back to the 110-112 range. when i was really low though i was constantly calculated calories and worrying about it, which isn't fun either. i'm debating with myself right now if its really worth trying to lose the extra few lbs, or if i should just focus on maintaining a muscular 110-115 frame...idk its all how bad you want it i think. when i really want to be skinny, before i eat something that i "shouldn't" i think about it and think i'd rather be thin than enjoy this. when im getting a little loose on my diet, i eat it haha. those extra 10-15 are hard work though, i dont think 110 is unmanageable though depending on your frame and such. i can maintain 110 pretty easily once i get there. another trick is i substiture hot tea for a nighttime snack if im feeling hungry. i put a splash of skim milk in it and fake creamer, it takes away my sweet tooth and fills me up...just did it tonight actually.

Original Post by tumanator:

The Meaning in the advice is good, but I just don't have any relationships to work on, due to many changes in my life in the last couple years I don't have any social networks in my local area, friends or otherwise. 

And to anyone that glances at this, don't try to diet for any reason other than just for your personal health, cause no other reason will get you anywhere.

I have to disagree with not feeling better after losing the weight because I feel much better about myself now than I did when I was fat (sorry to be so blunt but I was). I'm more confident and I feel less insecure than I did back then. However, everyone is different and I suppose that not everyone will react the same to losing weight.

As far as the social thing goes...I can relate because I am a military spouse far away from home and have been for the past three years. I have had a hard time making friends as well because I don't work and friends come and go when you're in the military. I would suggest social networking sites like myspace or facebook because in a way they've helped me out with meeting others in similar situations. Maybe you could even try finding a local group on here that you could possibly meet up with every once in a while. And don't feel bad, I'm still having a hard time making friends because I only have 2 here and both of them will be gone for the summer so then I won't have any.   So don't feel bad, you're not the only one.

Yes, I also do this most of the time but I do it more with alcohol rather than food. I usually try to keep track of my calories and on the weekends I'll allow myself a glass of wine (or a few) or maybe a few beers (MGD 64 is great for staying within my calorie limit). Although it sounds great in theory, this method of doing it with food doesn't really work for me because I usually can't wait for the weekend to roll around so instead I allow myself a few bites of something that I'm craving and that usually satisfies me without me having to go overboard. I've also noticed that on the weekends as long as I don't go overboard with the alcohol my weight is not affected because I work out enough during the week to maintain. It sounds like this plan is working very well for you so if it ain't broke don't fix it and keep up the good work!

Well, as far as I know the whole point of fasting is to not eat a lot in order to lose weight or, in some cases, grow spiritually (depends on what your purpose it). Anyway, I don't think you'd really be fasting if you added all that other stuff in like the beans, tofu, fish, and eggs. I'm no expert and I've personally never fasted myself. On the other hand, the closest I've ever come was last week when I came down with a cold/allergies and everything tasted so bland that I didn't even want to eat. I did end up eating soup on those days though and altogether I lost 5 lbs.

So, in a nutshell, I don't think it would hurt you to fast for no longer than 2 or three days. I think that you'd be ok healthwise during that time too as long as you slowly go back to eating a well balanced diet afterwards. During my accidental fast, I felt fine (other than having a cold, lol) and I don't think I hurt myself at all. Of course, I'm also no health professional, but those are my 2 cents. 

I usually just guestimate. You're not always going to get your calorie intake for the day exactly right, unless you are super anal about it and have a food scale and count out exact portions. In my opinion, that is way too time consuming and I would rather enjoy my food than worry about every teensy weensy amount of calories that I may be eating.

Calorie count's recipe calculator doesn't help me out much, but I found one that seems to work better for me. It's always worth a try and if all else fails, just make sure that you're consuming healthy calories instead of the super fattening ones. Hope this helps somewhat.

http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-calcula tor.asp

From what I can tell, most of the other posters have already covered anything I would've said and I think they've given great advice. I just wanted to add that if at this cafe or restaurant where you decide to eat, they do not have many fruit choices or healthy vegetables to offer that aren't slathered in butter or oil, you could always try ordering soup as well. Tomato and broth based soups are usually the best way to go and if you're not sure about the sodium content of a broth based soup you could always refrain from adding extra salt and try to drink lots of water to flush out all the extra sodium just in case (and maybe limit the use of saltine crackers if you use them). In my own experiences though, I have never had a hard time trying to find at least one healthy item on the menu, even if I go to a restaurant that doesn't offer much in the way of healthy alternatives. Sometimes you just have to get creative and find ways to minimize your caloric content, but it's well worth doing so in the end. Btw, I'm adding you as a friend too. =)

Oh and btw, all of the other suggestions here are awesome as well. Lots of songs I never would have thought of or have never heard of so thanks for all the great recommendations everyone!!!

In response to juicysmo's post, I agree. I try to stretch my low cal meals out through the day, but I have to workout at night so by the time I'm done I start feeling hungry again. However, instead of raiding the fridge I usually try to reserve a 100 cal or less snack or I drink a hot cup of oolong tea. Usually, the tea does it for me and helps stifle my hunger so I usually don't even need the snack, but I keep it reserved just in case. And instead of using sugar to sweeten the tea I just use 3 packets of splenda so that I'm not ingesting any extra calories.

Sorry guys, I'm a bit late too. I thought we weren't going to start til the 11th. On Wed my weight was at 143.  I went up 2 lbs! I've been going to the gym and running on the treadmill like crazy this week though so hopefully I'll be at 140 by the next weigh-in. Good luck to everyone!

Original Post by laughingspirit:

Just an FYI to clarify. It is UNFERMENTED and processed soy (tofu/soy milk/soy cheese) that causes these and other estrogen related problems. It may also be linked to reduded thyroid function.

Fermented soy, such as miso and tempeh are perfectly harmless and excellent sources of protein.

Isn't that what auresvita has already said?