Re: Dieting Disasters ~ please help me!

I used to be 40 lbs heavier and have learned alot about diet and exercise through the experience. I would be happy to help with any specific questions. How much are your exercising? What do you do per week and how much strength training are you doing? A big tip I picked up from a personal trainer is that the weight training along with cardio is really what blasts off the weight- strength training gets your metabolism up for the rest of the day so you are burning more calories all day. For example, I would not have thought about doing back exercises as much, until this trainer said to me that the back is 30% of your body's muscle mass and you want that 30% to be helping burn off calories all day. Stuff like that. I didnt follow any set diet or cut out specific foods- just lots of fresh fruit, veggies, protein and tons of water. Hope that helps- good luck- you can do it!!!

Re: Dieting Disasters ~ please help me!

I agree...Do Body for Life... but also check out this website, it ties in with Body for Life but focuses on Woman.
http://www.easresults.com/

Good Luck

Re: Dieting Disasters ~ please help me!

I posted this early this morning - and now it is late afternoon - and I want to thank you all for all of your tips and motivation - I will keep you posted! Thanks again!

Les

Xenadrine

Hi Guys!!

I work for the company that makes Xenadrine and I have to tell you, its really bad for you!!! The warnings on the labels for these diet pills are no joke, or they wouldnt be there. GOOD LUCK ALL!!! :)

Re: Dieting Disasters ~ please help me!

My family has been using a diet called the Rotation Diet for years. I don't know if the book is still around, but if so, it is written by Martin Katahn (I think I spelled that right). It is a three week diet. The first three days, you eat 600 calories, the next four, you eat 900 calories. The second week is 1200 calories all week long and the third week goes back to the 600 for three days and 900 for four days. The whole theory behind the diet is that by switching around your calorie intake, you metabolism doesn't slow down at all. The book has menus to follow and also lists a bunch of foods such as celery, lettuce etc that you can eat as much of as you want if you are really hungry. The 600 calories for first three days is pretty shocking to the system and you may feel pretty listless but the 900 isn't bad at all. During the second week, you don't even feel like you are dieting because if you follow the menus, there is so much food to eat I usually don't end up eating it all. I usually loose about 10 pounds during the three weeks, but I am sure a couple of it is water. Once you finish the three weeks, you can start all over again or take a little break. Good luck!!!

P.S. I also agree with KC about the weight training and exercise. I once lost 45 pounds in about three months. I started with the diet mentioned above but had the summer off and spent it in the gym so I ended up eating more, but working out like mad.

Re: Dieting Disasters ~ please help me!

The Zone is also a good, educational book to read. I had 'planned' on following the diet, but my attention span is limited! I did read four books on the diet and found them to be highly educational. It changed my concept of what was 'really' a carb - like veggies are truly carbs - and since then I have switched my eating habits. It's a great program that focuses on eating healthy balances of protein, fat and carbs, so it's not as extremem as Atkins. ONce again, it IS complicated. I am actually following a loose version of WW POINTS program. I find it much easier. You should check it out.

Re: Dieting Disasters ~ please help me!

I agree Xenadrine does work but it is not good for you and if you do take ityou must use it properly. First, NEVER take any products that contain ephedrine or ma huang for more than a month straight.... you HAVE to go off it for two weeks after every month or else it can harm you and also your body gets used to it and is no longer as productive. Secondly, you must eat at least alittle something (fruit, power bar, etc.) every couple of hours on it. Never start out on full dosage with it, do the first week half dosage only. Also monitor yourself on it. There could be some serious health concerns from it and if you begin getting dizzy or heart palipitations get off of it. I am not a fan of diet drugs but you sound like your gonna use something so please at least do it right.

HOnestly, work out with weights and skip the cardio... cardio is great for you but you won't burn fat that much. However, for every pound of muscle you put on instead of fat you burn 50 extra calories a day. THat adds up in burning the calories and you ar eleft with lean muscle and tone, believe me i know, i lost over 40 pounds now since end of march and i didn't even start with the gym and weights until about 2 1/2 months ago. Plus, if you time your reps and in between exercises right and breath properly you get an awesome anaerobic work out at the same time. I work out 4 days a week with weights and machines for about 1 1/2 hours and at the end i am sweating and breathing hard. Also, don't restrict your carbs so much... its fuel for your body and you need it especially while working out and during a crazy wedding planning time. Do however INCREASE your protein as that builds muscle. YOU CAN DO IT!!! Feel free to email me if you wanna talk more and good luck! I know it's hard but you can do it! PS - If you don't belong to a good gym already with good machines, switch... the right equipment makes a big difference and is worth it if you have to pay more... i go to NYSC in Great Neck and really like it there as it is pretty quiet.

Re: Dieting Disasters ~ please help me!

I wouldn't want to take any pills for weight loss - even if they're 'safe' (who knows in 10 years!) the weight will just come right back after you stop.

I just lost 15 pounds from good ol' diet and excerise! I stopped eating all the fattening foods, carbs, and crap that I had been, starting working out at least 3-4 times per week, with 50 minutes of cardio and 20 minutes with weights, and the weight started to melt off. I don't starve myself, I just eat healthier - fruits, veggies, tons of water. I also still treat myself once in a while - I just remember to go back to the good foods :)

Good luck to you!

Re: Dieting Disasters ~ please help me!

Teri, I totally agree! Believe me, I wish there WAS a short cut or a magic pill that would do it! But it seems to me that to lose weight healthfully and KEEP IT OFF, you just have to do it the old fashioned way.

Re: Dieting Disasters ~ please help me!

We may have wondered off the 'Atkins' topic a little, but I can attest- IT WORKS! I went on it, and lost 35 pounds in 3 months-went from a size 12 to a size 6!!!! I have been on it to maintain (allowing me more carbs) and I have maintained for almost a year. I started working out a few months ago, and it only added to my goal...I look and feel awesome! Yes, people may say it's 'harmful' or it's 'bad for you' but how come my cholesterol is the lowest it's ever been? Why was I borderline diabetic, and now have a stable blood sugar? Why do I have so much more energy? Try Atkins. Follow it the right way. You WILL see results, I promise you! Oh- and I want to clarify what people have said about 'blowing up like a balloon , when you start eating 'normal' again.' This is not a quick fix, it is a LIFESTYLE. You can't just go on a pasta and cookie binge when your scale hits goal. You have to gradually, little by little bring carbs back into your diet. There is no reason why anyone should gain a pound back, if they follow the plan-- I didn't.
Read Atkins book and try it ladies, you will be amazed at your results.

Re: Dieting Disasters ~ please help me!

I USED HYDROXYCUT FOR A LITTLE OVER A MONTH
and lost seven lbs
it didnt do anything bad to me
its just a pain to remember to take it twice a day
and with food
even though is says an hr before food, you will get nauseaus w/out food

Re: Dieting Disasters ~ please help me!

KC - What type of strength training are you doing. I have heard that the two combined are the way to go, but am not sure what types of strength training exercises are good to do and more important how to do them correctly.