Needin Some Advice for Losing Weight

K....I don't know about weight watchers, because I've never tried it. However, I do know that Nutrisystem is amazing...If you follow it closely with the supplemental foods (veggies, dairy, protiens) the way you are supposed to, it WILL WORK. And, you will never feel deprived. My husband and I are on it right now and it is actually more food than I normally eat. We have both gone down a pant size already and we've only been on it for 2 1/2 weeks. Sugar cravings? Me too, until this. Dessert every day. If you decide to try it, contact me and I'll give you some tips. Good luck! L.

I do have my issues, but my weight isn't one of them. In fact, I could stand to gain a pound or two. But everywhere I've read, everything I've seen, plenty of water is absolutely necessary for not just maintaining a good weight, but just about everything else health-wise. Good luck!

K.,

I started Medifast Program in September. Starting then, I weighed 210 lbs.

I am now 170 lbs and clothes are fitting much looser!!

I can certainly help with giving more info, email me off here at ____@____.com

congratulations on starting your weight loss! that is such an admirable thing, because it is so difficult. especially when you have other people to feed.

my mom is overweight too, and it is always a battle for her. some of the great things ive found over the years are: one bowl - whatever you eat, try to only fill one bowl - even if its a bagel, put it in the bowl. its actually a book and the philosophy is deeper than that, but it works.

my mom did ww too. i like the idea of points. my only added advice is to not eat anything processed or packaged. i know that sounds insane in a busy world - but i just avoid the middle aisles at the supermarket - only get fresh veggies, fruits, bread w/o preservatives, organic dairy, organic eggs, fresh fish. you wouldnt believe how great steamed veggies tastes with a little olive oil, garlic and salt (takes 5 minutes). (or some natural salad dressing). beware of fat-free foods! they are converted into fat in the body - they are a joke. only natural foods will heal our bodies. i think its so much better to eat one pat of butter than a whole bunch of yucky margarine. or to have fresh blue cheese on a salad instead of fat free garbage. once you feed your body these natural foods, eventually your cravings will increase for things that are better for you. i am actually ADDICTED to KALE! :)

AVOID fast food restaurants like the plague! they are garbage! if you have a hard time giving them up, just watch the movie fast food nation ;)

another thing that my mom struggles with is carbs.she loves pasta. with cream sauces. i just end up making her a huge pot of veggie soup with a grain in it (rice, barley or quinoa)...she puts it into containers, freezes it, and eats one a day. beans are suprisingly so filling! bean soups are amazing! also, buy a rice cooker and all you have to do is pop in rice and maybe lentils, and some water, and hit the button - 30 min later you have dinner!

sweets - i know this is a tough one. i love this: for a sweet/chocolate craving, i just make a cup of hot chocolate instead of eating something. or cut up fruit with a little honey on top. i think though, if you begin to eat more whole grains (rice, quinoa, etc) you will crave the sweet sweets less and less. all i say about that is stick it out! the cravings will just go away if you fight them for a little while.

i never struggled with too much weight, but i definitely had the "freshman 15" in high school. i found this great diet in a teen magazine - it was basically figuring out #1 - what your desired weight was #2 - determining calories needed for that weight and #3 - in the book, you could convert calories into portions of each food group - milk, fruit, veggie, bread, protein, fat. in my opinion, a lot easier than ww. once you know what size a meat portion is (about the size of a fist), or fat (1 T of butter), then you can just write a little checklist of each and X it off when you eat something from that food group. unfortunately i cannot tell you what your portions would be, but im sure you can set goals for yourself based on what you already know. (BTW, the diet gave UNLIMITED veggie portions!)

i could ramble on about this for days - food is my passion...but i will stop here. i hope this helps!

P.S. dark chocolate is actually good for you!! (in small doses)

P.P.S. THE MOST IMPORTANT thing is WATER!! drink it all the time and it will change your life!

Hello K.,
I started ww over a year ago. I'm currently a lifetime member. I had the hardest time with it because I only wanted to lose 40 lbs. That may not sound like much, but it was a lot for me. I'm currently pregnant w/ my second child so have to go away from the program. What I did to "kick start" myself when I lost confidence was pilates. I went out and purchased a pilates workout video. It's easy on your body but REALLY helps. I'm against the diet pills!! I've tried every single "miracle" drug you can think of. NONE of them worked for me. I'm not sure where you live, but my suggestion would be to find someone to diet with. My dad and I are both lifetime members. I couldn't have done it w/o him. Also, I did the points...my dad did the core plan. They both seemed to work. I also found EVERYTHING that was either 0-1 points. You have to eat a few times a day. Keep eating and track everything. It really starts to work!
Let me know if you need any support!!!!

L.

Hi K. -
One of the things that Weight Watchers and even doctors NEVER talk about, but is so VITAL to losing weight and feeling better, is Candida Albicans. Candida naturally grows in the intestine, but things like trauma, childbirth, antibiotics and sugar all cause it to flourish way out of control. If you are craving sweets, feeling sluggish, not losing weight, etc. it is a clear sign that you have too much candida (yeast) in your body. There are several natural anti-candida (non-harmful) treatments that you can buy at places like Whole Foods market that can kick out the excess candida. I've done this myself, so I know. You also must stop eating sugar for a time...the candida thrives on sugar. The first week of taking anti-candida supplements can cause you to feel a bit sick but this is from the candida dying off in your body. You will feel much better when it finally is eliminated...a fast way to do this is to get professional colonics (like at Healing Waters)which I found to be very effective. But colonics are not necessary.

Also, when you give up sugar, don't replace it with Nutrasweet or anything damaging like that. Instead, I recommend Stevia sweetener, which is a naturally sweet herb (even sweeter than sugar) and has no harmful side effects at all. I use it every day and you can get it in flavors (Whole Foods, Sunflower Market). Vanilla Stevia in the liquid form is my favorite.

I hope this helps...it could really turn things around for you and the Weight Watchers will work so much faster.

Good luck! - L.

Hi,
I'm not in the fitness industry just a mother of 3.
It sounds like you're working out for long enough and enough days. Sounds like you may not be getting your heart rate up?

You may need to change up your routine. Work different muscles. Do you lift weights at all? This may help to mix in weights with cardio. If may be worth hiring a personal trainer for a couple of weeks to show you what kind of workout and exercises you should be doing to get your best outcome.
Good Luck.
Aloha,
C.

I was just a little over weight when I started working out and eating right. I am getting married soon so I have been super focused on it. I eat chicken, fruits and veggies (mainly salads) and do my at home work out videos. I walk 2-4 miles per day and take my son for long walks in his stroller. I only lost 1 pound in 2 months, which was very frusterating but dont give up. Dont give into sweets. I have a huge sweet tooth, and it is very hard, but you can beat it. Clean up your cupboards and fridge. Get rid of the sweets and only eat healthy. GOod luck, let me know how you do!!!

Whew! Stay at home mom with three kids... I hear ya... Im there (only now my are getting older). So, you are busy and are probably have a hard time finding time for yourself.

One thing that helped me crave the sweets - and believe me, it was a huge problem - was eating more whole grains, because what you are really struggling with is the energy your body is craving. Here is something a nutritionist shared with me:
mix equal amounts of Basmati brown rice, Rye and Barley. Place 1 cup of water and 1/2 cup of rice mix in a pan. Bring to a boil. Turn to low and when it begins to simmer, place a lid on it and let it cook for 20 minutes. You can add your favorite vegetables with it for a variation. It will fill you up and give you energy.

If, however, you are looking for a "plan", Arbonne is having great success with their weight loss products. There is a menu plan that comes with it and a support system. Some of the before and after pictures are very inspiring. You can check it out at www.rlovelyskin.myarbonne.com and I can show you how to get them at a 35% discount.

R.

K. ~
I joined an online community called SparkPeople. It's amazing!! They have such a wealth of information and resources, a nutrition tracker, an exercise tracker, and so many different ways to connect to people to get support, find a weight-loss buddy, find a group you can exercise with...you name it, they've probably got it! Best of all IT'S FREE!! It doesn't cost a thing, and they don't send you all these annoying emails. You can sign up for optional emails if you wish, and they aren't full of useless information, they actually send you quality information and great resources! I joined back in August last year and lost 6 pounds in one month! Hope this Helps. :) By the way, their website is www.sparkpeople.com
Another good resource is www.slimfast.com It's free also. And they've got licensed dieticians and nutritionists that you can get advice from.
~ S.
mom to Larabelle (3 in May)
and Desirae, my miracle baby (7 months)

Hi K.,
If you are faithfully sticking to WW, working out 4-5x a week, the weight should be falling off of you. Go see your Dr and have a blood work up, and if your insurance covers it, see a nutritionist. Something isn't right. It could be something as easy as the possibility that WW (low fat) isn't the right diet for you. Or it could have something to do with your hormones (that is why you aren't having your periods). I have a good friend of mine that has always done high protein, she got tired of it, and joined Jenny Craig. She lost 8 lbs in 6 months. Yep, she paid $2000+ to lose 8 lbs. The diet just wasn't right for her......go see your Dr and let us know how it goes!
J.

Are you measuring howmany inchs youve lost? You might be surprized! Muscle mass weights much more than fat but sometimes you dont see the results at first. Good luck andkeep up the hard work:)

talk to a dietician, either with your health care or ww.
I love sweets and choc.. and its alot ALOT of discipline but try to drink ALOT of water (so they say) I know if I did that I would lose..
Keep a journal for one week of EVERY LITTLE THING you eat and drink then see the people at WW..

good luck.

Hi K.,

Here is a copy of my response to this question back in October from someone else:

I would like to suggest that you start out kick-starting your metabolism by doing a liver cleanse. The book I would recommend is called "The Liver-Cleansing Diet" by Sandra Cabot. You body CANNOT get rid of fat if you have an unhealthy liver, and if you are 100 lbs overweight then there is no question that your liver could use some assistance.

But if you would just like some tips - here goes...
1) Listen to your body. Eat only when you are hungry and only until you start to feel full.

2) Drink at least 8-12 glasses of water a day.

3) Avoid excessive sugars and COMPLETELY avoid refined sugars. This means anything with sugar or hugh fructose corn syrup on the label.

4) Don't be obsessed with measuring calories. Although it is important to control your portion sizes, calories are not the most important thing when trying to get and maintain a healthy system.

5) Avoid foods that you may be allergic to and maybe try a digestive enzyme before meals to aid with digestion. It also helps to start meals with a small salad of fresh veggies.

6)Be aware of good intesinal hygiene - avoid processed, pre-packaged foods and "preservatives".

7)DO NOT EAT WHEN YOU FEEL STRESSED OR ANXIOUS

8)Try to buy free-range and organic as much as humanly possible.

9) Try to get your protein from other sources besides just meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. Did you know that you can get all necessary protein by combinig any grain with any legume.

10) Choose your breads and spreads wisely. Most supermarket brands are terrible for someone trying to lose weight. Your best bets are either sprouted grain breads from the health food store or fresh bread from a local bakery. Margarine and butter will make it very difficult for you to lose weight. There are lots of tasty alternatives to these.

11) Avoid constipation by eating a very high fiber diet. Lots of raw fruits and veggies, whole grain cereals, etc.

12) Avoid saturated fats and ELIMINATE hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils completely. This is very important.

**Also, I do not know about that medication, but I think that if you improved your diet, it would help to bring you back into balance and may fix your problem without meds.**

Good Luck!
--L

Well, first off I'd look at health issues. with what you described I'd say you might have a thyroid problem. If you've faithfully cut your diet and are working out with no results also having a menstral problem...I'd definately fin a doctor who'll listen and get tested. Find someone who'll follow it through to the end and help you find a solution. I think a doctor's your best bet.

OK, You'll laugh cause if you knew me, you'd know i work for a competing company. But Herbalife is the bomb..... I lost 60 lbs in 2 1/2 months and I did it while nursing a baby, I checked it out with my doctor and it did not efect my milk or my baby. I felt awsome not shakey. I didn't loose any weight the first week and after that I was averaging a lb every 2 days. Its hard to stay motivaed cause it is very strict, but when I saw those results every day, I stayed motivated..... It can be expensive but really no more then a lot of those other diet plans out there.
Good luck, I am preg with my 3rd and toteing about 40 extra lb already,and I plan on doing this diet again next year..
You should be able to find a vendor online ANYWHERE, it's every where. The product is good and safe...
Lots of luck
H.

If you are talking about Depo Provera (aka the shot,) that is your problem... It makes you gain weight all by itself. I was on Depo for 4 years and in the first 3 months gained 40lbs.

Have you had your thyroid checked? There are many health reasons that keep people from getting the weight off, this is one of them. I strongly suggest that you have the doc run some of the more common tests for you and seek advice there. Diet and exercise are great even if you don't shed the pounds so don't give that up. Stay positive girl!

You know what I did.. I joined a gym and took Aerobic Kickboxing.. Its really fast and makes u sweat.. Keeps your heart rate up too.. Working out and getting your heart rate up alittle and then sweating off those calories really works.. I just moved here to San Diego and Im gettin ready to start more classes next week..
Do u live close to Miramar Air Station the Marine Base.. If so u can go to that gym on base with me..
And its free if you have a military or dependent military id.

First of all....DO NOT GET FRUSTRATED! DO NOT EXPECT IMMEDIATE RESULTS!! You are going for a life change, not just a temporary diet that will help you lose weight only once just to have your body gain it all back later...and then some.

I have 6 kids and love my sweets as well as my fried foods. I also got stuck in a rut eating for convenience instead of hunger. McDonald's Teriyaki Bowl, etc...

I have a New Year's Resolution to lose weight as well. I have done it before on the South Beach Diet. It works way better than Weight Watchers (for me), which I tried and failed at. I have to say that I am working myself into a slower dieting phase. I am just lowering my portions of what I eat for now. That way, I am not trying to deprive myself right off the bat and fail immediately.

Do not go by weight. Go by measurements and pant sizes. You also need to not just do cardio. You should alternate cardio one day with weight training the next. Your body becomes immune to exercises that are done repetitively. That is why you need to change it up.

Do not go by your friend's success either. Every body is different and our metabolisms are different. Don't get on the scale daily. Just check once a week...first thing in the morning, each time. Take measurements once a week or even less often. Tell yourself that you are not even going to worry about your progress until one month has passed by and then check. It keeps you less focused on the daily struggles of it all.

Good luck!!!!

Hi K.,

You've gotten some great responses...I couldn't read through them all...but everyone seems to have tried something that has worked...

I was in the same boat as you...I talked with my Dr. after having my first child, and felt hopeless. I began by starting the Southbeach Diet. It really worked for me. I wasn't depriving myself of any nutrients, and the pounds were litterally dropping off. I lost about 75 pounds in a year. In addition, I changed my entire families diet as well...my daughter was (and still is) eating very healthy, and my husband even has lost quite a bit of weight just from dinners at home.

In addition to diet and lifestyle change, I began walking daily, if I couldn't get my walk in, I'd do floor exercises at home or HEAVY DUTY house cleaning...

I had tried weight watchers before, and didn't have much luck...I would definately start by talking to a dietician...foods affect everyone so differently...you just have to find the right ones for you to get your body turned in the different direction...

Good luck to you....it sounds like you're already on the road to a healthier life!

I have to agree with the others that say to get your thyroid checked! If you do in fact have an underactive thyroid (which it sounds like you do) then you could actually be doing more damage to your body by limiting the food intake and increasing the exercise... PLEASE see a doctor as soon as possible and make sure they listen and make sure to get tested for thyroid!!

What I have been using that I've actually lost 8lbs in the last two weeks, is natural and organic, no side effects and the Spokespearson for the product is Heather Hansen from the Biggest Loser is O3World.
Check it out, I love it!
http://myO3worldproducts.com

S.

Hello K.~
I recently joined a gym and hired a personal trainer. He recommended that I use a calorie monitoring arm band to track how many calories I use per day. There's also a website I use to input foods I eat to see the differences between in going calories to out going. In order to loose weight, you must burn more than you take in. Try it, it's amazing!
Good luck:)

Hello there and Congrats on your efforts of weight loss. As someone who has fought this very battle my entire life, I can really feel for you. There was about 6 years there where my Dr had me on so many different diets. I keep journal to show him what I was eating and how much I was exercising but even after all my best efforts I would lose maybe 6 lbs in 6 months. I defiantly feel your frustration. He did a full work up on me and found that I have ZERO metabolisms. It doesn’t move forward or backwards, it is as if I didn’t have one. I was borderline so many diseases because of the excess weight. My thyroid was fine. (which you should have checked) This of course is not an excuse to be heavy or continue to gain weight. For me my only choice was surgery. I debated for about a year because I was so sure I could do it the old fashion way, I was going to show my dr. those years in school were a waist and he didn’t know what he was talking about. I just continued to fail. I was more motivated than ever, but yet I still failed. I had the lap band done about a year and half ago and lost 100 lbs before getting preg. With out 2nd child. (Currently 8 months) In addition, I have about 100 to go. I don’t recommend surgery to anyone unless it is LAST hope. It has been anything but easy since the surgery. A lot people say this is the short cut or the quick fix it, let me reassure you it is anything but. If I would have known the road was going to be so complicated after surgery I probably would have not done it, but I have to admit I am happy with the weight loss. Even then, it is coming off very slowly, typically, I should have lost 175+ but I have only lost the 100. I was heart broken when my dr told me that nothing I will or have done would ever work for me. We tried so many things to kick-start my metabolism but it just never worked I kept adding weight, slowly but still it was adding. Every diet failed, I did it with my Dr Supervision. I had nowhere else to turn.

Ok so enough about me I just wanted you to know I understand, now to answer your question. I would most certainly recommend going to your dr and asking for a work up. It could be a thyroid issue, (which my mom has and for years kept her on the heavy side of life) it could be something else. It could be that the diet plan your on is not best suited for how your body breaks down fat and sugars and so on. It could be that even tho you are working out it is not enough for your body to kick it up a notch. Best advice at this point is to talk to your dr.

I wish you so much success and luck. If only chasing our kids could keep us in shape.

Have you checked if you were pregnant. I got pregnant both times after starting weight loss programs. If thats not it you may not be doing what's best for you. Not every diet works for everyone. You will also gain weight as you gain muscle working out, there are many factors you mentioned that could be causing. I would check in with a DR. Make sure evrything is in check including Thyroid and other things that may prohibit weight loss! Good luck

Hey Kerri!!! I feel your pain, believe me. I weighed 270 lbs when I had my daughter Taylor, then after losing 70 lbs, I regained 40!!!! It took me a year to lose 60lbs. What finally worked for me was cutting WAY back on ALL carbs, good or bad!! I also WALKED 1 hr a day, 5 days a week. GOOD LUCK!!!

If the "provera" that you are taking is "depo-provera". THAT is your problem. I would let your body do the work with your period. I GAINED 75 lbs on Depo provera... it works great for some people, and aweful for others (I must have been one of those awefuls). After my first daughter, I stopped taking depo provera and it took me about 6 months after I stopped to see any improvement in my weight. Good luck.

I weigh 233 and am 5'2". So we are in the same boat (and it's sinking...j/k) I joined weight watchers and found it really worked for me. Which plan are you on... the counting of points or the flex-plan? I was on the flex-plan and found that one to work well for me. Also, I'm not too sure if the Provera is affecting your ability to lose weight because you mentioned that you are following the program AND you are getting a good cardio work out every week. My suggestions would be:
1) don't get frustrated because stress can contribute to your inability to lose weight,
2) add a strength training program to what your already doing. Studies show that muscle burns more calories and using weights builds muscle...even when you are at rest,
3) find out if the Provera is causing you to hold on to your weight,
4) keep up the hard work... I would love for you to be an inspiration for me (and get me off my fat a$$)!!!

Hey...I'm not certified yet,but I'm working on becoming a personal trainer. Therefore, try try and try again. Sounds like you need to get rid of all the toxic buildup in your body. No worries... Go to a healthfood store and purchase a cleansing agent. Find a clerk who knows about herbs and ask away. If you start w/ this critical factor you should be able to purify your body and be on your way to a healthier you. Make sure if you are taking any meds to check with your pharmacist: you'll need approval to see if herbs are compatible with your prescriptions. A check up with your dr to test for an overactive thyroid couldn't hurt as well.