Weight Loss Gets Harder

[klewlis]

The reason I said 30 pounds is because I looked on the weightwatchers website and they have a calculator that shows your healthy weight range for your height, and for me that was about 30 pounds from where I am at (the highest weight shown as being healthy for my height).

Those are NOT accurate! You can't just plug your height (and whatever else they ask for) into a computer and get your ideal weight. If you want an accurate Body Mass Index then you need to get it measured (you can do this at any local gym). But even then, what they say is the "ideal" BMI is unreasonable for most people. Check out this article: http://clubfit.fitdv.com/new/articles/article.html?artid=387

I just find it frustrating with all these diets out there and having to stop and get fast food. I have tried to figure out what I can eat that is fast food that is not going to cause me to gain weight, but most places really don't have very healthy selections.

Most fast food restaurants these days have what they call healthy choices (salads, etc) but you have to be careful because often they are really no better than the regular menu... so be sure to check out the nutrition info. With that said, you can always to to places like Subway and get a healthy sandwich! But part of the solution is also to have your own foods prepared so that you don't have to go get fast food as often. I buy those bags of precut carrots... stick some in a container and you have an instant, healthy snack. Little things like that can make all the difference.

I think I will start doing some weight training though...I have access to weights at the activities building at school, so I guess I should utilize that. I've also thought of jogging, but I haven't gone to try it yet (we have an indoor track) because the last time I tried to jog I was so out of shape I could barely make just one lap.

Start with walking then. Work your way up to jogging.
Try pilates, too, if you can.
And I've always wanted to check out Dr Phil's book on weight loss... has anyone tried it?

 

[Tenorvoice]

Hey Living.....

It can and is harder to loose the weight when you get older. That is a proven fact.

Now that that is out of the way, From your last post you stated that you went to the weight-watchers web site and got info on what size you should be. Well I personaly have never been there but I can tell you from my experiance that most of those "tests" do not take into concideration the "build" of the frame that a person has. For instance according to the "experts" by my height I should only weight about 180-190. But because of my broad shoulders and muscular build if I weighed less than 225 I would start to look kind of funny. Yeah I am a little over weight as we speak, but the best way to loose the weight is to do it gradually. You have less of a chance of gaining it back then. Make changes in your diet, exersize regularly and get plenty of sleep. It also helps if you can no longer eat just 3 meals a day. Instead eat 6-7 small meals in a day. Most dieticians (sp) will tell you that.

 

[Living4Him03]

Thanks for the tips everyone! I went to jog today! I was just going to do one lap and see how I did, but I kept my pace and did 2 1/2 laps which is really good for me. I kept a steady pace and I tried to make sure I was breathing right. It felt really good to jog. It's kind of stress relieving and boy did I need that! I've been wanting to get Dr. Phil's book as well...from what I hear it's practical and deals with all the reasons we eat and why we don't lose weight. I wish there was a way I could see how I would look after I lose 10 pounds so that I would know about what that looks like, then I would know better if 30 pounds is really waht I need to lose. i think they can do your BMI at my school gym, so I will have to check that out to see what they say.

 

[Fatolia]

L4Him, before the big Atkins rage started, I cut out all sweets and white flour from my diet...that includes orange juice and most boxed products. I lost a TON of weight and now I'm like 170 pounds at 5'11". I consumed more protein and vegetables, and now I drink about 1/2 gallon of water a day. I'd recommend doing a search online for "Glycemic Index," and you'll find some fascinating biological information about how your body responds to things like breads, pasta, and chocoloate. Pick up books like 'Atkins Revolution' or even better 'What would Jesus Eat?' and you'll find a ton of shocking and useful information. Most of it concentrates on eliminating sweets and to not use food as a feel-good substance, as in a temporary curb for depression, but instead to lean on Jesus for comfort. I know it's hard to totally eliminate sweet things and starchy carbs from the diet (I did it in steps), but once you do, you feel a ton healthier, and you'll slim up lickety split. After a while you start to enjoy things like onions, sauerkraut, and apples. Sugary products eventually don't taste very good anymore. There's a myth that Atkins is all meat and that's not true...it's meat and vegetables, and it requires a permanent change of lifestyle, not a quick fix. To be blunt, the sweets have got to go.

Find the biological reason for your weight. Do you eat sugary things (ie anything with a smiley face on the package), cereal or toast for breakfast, rolls, chocolate cakes? If so, you WILL have to give them up if you want to slim up because of your system (obsesity runs in my family, but girls describe me often as 'skinny'...I don't know about that). It's a sacrifice and a choice in many instances: the sweets or your body. It's tough but doable. God certainly helped me through it!

 

[Living4Him03]

I saw What Would Jesus Eat? in the Christian bookstore awhile back. It sounded interesting. It actually had all these middle eastern recipes and stuff in it, unleavened bread (hehe) and such. It sounded practical though. I mean, since Jesus was a carpenter (well He still is in a sense) he was probably in fairly good shape and fast food didn't exist around then. Plus it seems He did a lot of walking.

I've been working on the sweets thing, but it's been gradual. I started buying stuff that's made with splenda. I love splenda. Instead of ice cream at McDonald's I get a fruit and yogurt parfait thing or instead of a frosty at Wendy's I get tea and put in splenda. I haven't had a soda in several weeks. It's still hard though. I made an angel food peach cobbler type thing this past weekend and it definitely has sugar in it, but is probably better than making brownies. I used to make cookies, brownies, cake, or some type of sweet every weekend, or I'd get a pint of ben and jerry's...now I don't even go down the isle with the ben and jerry's lol.

 

[Fatolia]

Be careful about the Splenda...please.

This chemical has caused a lot of temporary axial nerve damage in my family, resulting in carpel tunnel syndrome (goes away after no more use). Much safer (and tastier!) sugar substitutes to try out are Xylitol(they say it can cause stinky gas in some people since it's a natural sugar alcohol...never for me....the really gas-inducing stuff is Lactitol or Maltitol) , Stevia(a little bitter...excellent when used with cocoa powder), and fructose(sweeter than regular sugar, but same calories so use in moderation). Most of them are available at the health food store...usually not at a supermarket, and it's about the same cost as Splenda.

Don't worry Melissa, you'll get there. Just keep going and don't give up. My prayers are with you in your perserverance.

 

[Living4Him03]

Thanks!

 

[gjeste]

I think now that I am getting a little older it's much harder for me to lose weight.

When I was a teenager I could just cut calories and work out a few times a week and lose 10-15 pounds. Now, it seems like I have to eat next to no calories, but eat several times a day, never treat myself to "good" food, and work out every day to lose weight.

Anyone have tips for losing weight as your metabolism slows or myths of weight loss to dispell? I know looks aren't everything, but most guys want a girl who really takes care of her body (or at least appears to). I think my weight is one reason that guys are reluctant to approach me or to make an effort to get to know me...it deters them before any sort of friendship or anything starts.

I've heard that stoking the metabolism by eating often helps pretty well actually. You dont want to starve yourself, as that will slow your bodies metabolism down. But at the same time, it is good to make sure that your meals are small, and that you are not eating more than you need to (more than u are hungry for)

And eating healthy is a huge thing too. Like if you can totally manage to restrict yourself from any kind of junk food it will do you wonders. (this is an area that I struggle with, and that I think most people do, because we all have a limited amount of willpower)

running and weightlifting are good ways to sculpt the body.


Now I know that some Christians will say that focusing on your body or your beauty is dumb and that you shouldnt do it, and that "The Lord provideth" and stuff like that,
and I believe that is true.
But at the same time I know how hard it can be to put these types of things out of your mind. And honestly, I dont see anything wrong with coming up with a weightloss regimen that is "healthy" in the mean time, if this is one of those things that you cant get off your mind, and if you really want to look better.

BTW, do you really think your weight is limiting you that much? A lot of times women are over paranoid about how skinny they need to be in order to attract a man.

BTW, you could still get a man if you were fat, its just that he'd probably be fat or pimply or something like that as well,

 

[KeilCoppes]

L4H - just a chuckle - now that you're getting older?! All those really, really old 22 year olds?!!! j/k. :^)

congrats on your laps. I will tell you, though - the hardest thing about training is making it regular. It's worlds better to start with something simple and keep at it. What you really want is a lifestyle change. I can say this because I was lifting strong for about four months and then I met a girl, was calling every night, and lost it. My challenge isn't staying thin, it's keeping weight on. I lost ten pounds on this girl. I really do need to get back, but now I'm working 11 and 12 hour days.... Keep at it and don't overdo it - slow and steady is the way.