Official Weight Loss Club Thread

[Muffie's Mom]

Originally Posted by jbarile

I have some sad news for you!
Only a scalpel can make you loose weight in a specific place of your body. Most women wants to loose weight on their tummy!

I don't think a scalpel is the answer I was quite looking for? I figure it came by itself then it should leave the same way it came I just think Jaspers mom is right Im at a plateau, that I posted somewhere on this thread haha a lot to cover... SO I might just have to target that area and just do the exercising a little longer and maybe give up my coffee & baileys

We all hit plateaus every now and then. Make a slight change and eat something different but still healthy.

Didn't I do a post on here about that? I've done so many that I don't remember now.

Are you using the Diet Organizer? That would tell you perhaps what the problem is percentage wise for your fats, carb, etc. (how they are proportioned daily).

[teri88]

Well, this has been such a tough week. I found so little to eat at my meetings that was healthy. If I saw another piece of fruit I was going to barf! But, I did the best I could. Then when I cam home I decided to just be extra careful to make up for some of the things I had to eat when traveling. It paid off....I'm down 3 more pounds!!!! I weigh 207.5. Can I just gripe for a moment and say if someone had told me a year ago that I would be proud to weigh over 200 pounds I'd think they were nuts! This time last year I was around 160. But I feel better than I have in a long time and I'm eating MORE food than I did then. Now if I just don't have to go on steroids again I'll stand a chance of dropping all of this weight. I'm more interested in getting healthy and I guess that is what will make the long term differences in my life. I went to the Dr last week and she was realy thrilled with my blood work. Thanks to everyone for your support.

[Muffie's Mom]

Say "Goodbye" to the Dreaded Weight Loss Plateau

Dieters dread the plateau. You're on a roll, losing weight steadily and happily for weeks. Your confidence is high and your goal is in sight. Then suddenly your scale freezes. No matter how hard you try, those extra pounds just refuse to budge. You've hit a wall and you know the frustration of seeing no progress could easily lead you to gain back what you've lost. So how do you break through the plateau?

It's perfectly normal for a dieter to reach a plateau. The trick is to use it as an opportunity to double up your efforts and get really clear on your strategy to carry you through to the finish line. Below you'll find suggestions that can help you recommit to your program and re-ignite the weight-loss process when you feel challenged.

1. Get clear on your ultimate weight-loss goal.

Be sure that your weight-loss goal is realistic and that your expected rate of weight loss is reasonable. If you are on a heath enhancing, nutritionally rich weight loss program you can expect to loss one to two pounds a week. Each body has its own ideal weight and size. Don't compare yourself to anyone else, but listen to your body and notice what feels best for you. A simple way to approximate your ideal weight is by referring to a Body Mass Index chart.

2. Go high-protein, low carbs. Unless you are eating enough protein to maintain your lean muscle mass, you are likely to have lost weight already from both your fat stores and muscle. Women need to eat approximately 100grams of protein a day and men 150 grams in order to preserve their muscle tissue during a weight loss program. If you have lost some muscle during your weight loss program so far you will need to focus on protein so your body can build muscle, which requires more calories to sustain, which will in turn, kick start your weight loss again. Needless to say, any weight loss program you choose should be one that preserves your body's muscle and this does not happen!

3. Add resistance training to your program A wonderful way to boost your metabolism and break through to the next level of weight loss is by incorporating aerobic exercise into your program, such as 30 minutes of walking three to four times a week. (If you are 35 years or older, or haven't exercised regularly, begin with 10 to 15 minutes two to three times a week.) In addition, weight training with free weights or machines several times a week can help increase muscle mass, which in turn allows you to burn more calories faster. Studies show that weight training can increase your metabolism overnight by five to 10 percent. Working out can increase your metabolism for up to 21 hours after an intense workout.

4. Look out for hidden carbohydrates. If your weight loss progress seems slow, look out for carbohydrates that might be sneaking their way unnoticed into your diet. Sugar can lurk in the most unexpected places such as ketchup, salad dressings, teriyaki and barbecue sauces. Watch out too for cornstarch, sugar or milk solids in many processed foods such as gravies, or sauces on frozen vegetables. Be especially careful about "low-fat" foods where flavor is enhanced by sugar and other carbohydrates. Try keeping a diet journal for a couple of days of EVERYTHING you eat and drink. You may quickly discover the hidden carbs that are keeping your weight-loss progress stuck and be able to eliminate them and move past your plateau.

5. Take the "refinement" out of your diet. Try eliminating all refined sugar and refined grains from your diet. This includes white bread, pastries, pasta, white rice, white flour crackers, sugar-coated breakfast cereals, cookies and cake. This simple step can encourage a huge weight-loss breakthrough and leave you feeling more healthy and energized in the process.

6. Don't go hungry. Cutting back on how often you eat can have a negative impact on your diet plateau. Many studies show that small, frequent meals are more satisfying and produce better weight-loss results than the same number of calories consumed in three large meals. Take advantage of healthy snacking and crunch on fresh slices of raw vegetables like celery, peppers, cucumber and jicama when you're hungry.

7. Drink to burn up. It's vitally important to replenish your fluids by drinking plenty of water on your weight loss program. An inadequate supply of water in itself can slow down your weight-loss. Carry water with you wherever you go throughout the day. For additional weight-management benefits, add a high quality aloe concentrate to your water to help keep your digestion in top shape. Also, a probiotic supplement can help us maintain a healthy intestinal flora. Keeping well hydrated not only helps you burn fat efficiently, it also helps control hunger.

8. Keep your incentive strong. Remember the determination you felt when you first began your weight-loss program? Remember the excitement of watching the pounds drop one by one? Go back to whatever your initial motivation was and see whether it still works for you. It may have been the desire to lose weight for a particular event or to regain your figure after pregnancy. You may have been motivated by poor health or by the shock of just how much weight you had gained. See whether the same motivation still has juice for you. If not, choose a new one. Keep a picture of yourself looking great (or bad!) on your refrigerator as a daily reminder of where you are heading.

[Muffie's Mom]

Why Does Weight Loss Suddenly Stop?

A weight loss plateau usually occurs within about a month of starting a reduced-calorie diet, and may reoccur from time to time thereafter. During such a plateau, weight reduction stops completely or slows down to almost nothing.

Why Does a Weight Loss Plateau Occur?

A plateau may occur because :

(1) your body simply wants a "rest" to cope with your calorie-reduction; or

(2) your calorie-intake is in balance with your calorie expenditure; or

(3) you have reduced your calorie-intake too low. If your calorie-intake is too low, your body thinks there is a "famine" and slows down your metabolism (how fast you burn calories) in order to conserve calories.

The Healthy Weight Loss Program That Gives You REAL Personal Support

How Do You Start Losing Weight Again?

(1) Raise your metabolism (and calorie expenditure) by increasing your activity level. This boosts your metabolic rate and usually re-starts weight loss. For example, if you exercise for 20 minutes each day, increase this to 25-30 minutes each day, and weight loss should resume. If you are already exercising quite hard, try varying your workout routine. For example, if you do 20 minutes cardio and 30 minutes strength-training, switch them around.

(2) Avoid going too long without food. Going without food for long periods can also trigger a weight loss plateau. Ideally eat something (e.g. piece of fruit) every 3 hours (women) or about every 5 hours (men). This reassures your body that food is plentiful and facilitates calorie-burning.

(3) Try to be patient. Your weight loss plateau will disappear, I promise. But it typically takes anything between 1-4 weeks.

[Muffie's Mom]

Hey!!! Was That Fast Enough????? Lol

[Jaspermom]

Originally Posted by teri88

Well, this has been such a tough week. I found so little to eat at my meetings that was healthy. If I saw another piece of fruit I was going to barf! But, I did the best I could. Then when I cam home I decided to just be extra careful to make up for some of the things I had to eat when traveling. It paid off....I'm down 3 more pounds!!!! I weigh 207.5. Can I just gripe for a moment and say if someone had told me a year ago that I would be proud to weigh over 200 pounds I'd think they were nuts! This time last year I was around 160. But I feel better than I have in a long time and I'm eating MORE food than I did then. Now if I just don't have to go on steroids again I'll stand a chance of dropping all of this weight. I'm more interested in getting healthy and I guess that is what will make the long term differences in my life. I went to the Dr last week and she was realy thrilled with my blood work. Thanks to everyone for your support.

Do you have ANY idea how EXCITED your post makes me???? Girl, you ROCK!!!! Hooray, Teri, you are doing this and doing it RIGHT!!! I am so glad for you!!! People, please join me in congratulating our friend Teri, as there is no doubt in my mind: Teri is learning the Healthy Eating LIFESTYLE!!!

WOW WOW WOW!!! Teri, you are doing sooooo well!!! Wanna be our POSTER CHILD?? OK, Poster WOMAN then!!!

KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK, Darlin!!

[Muffie's Mom]

Originally Posted by teri88

Well, this has been such a tough week. I found so little to eat at my meetings that was healthy. If I saw another piece of fruit I was going to barf! But, I did the best I could. Then when I cam home I decided to just be extra careful to make up for some of the things I had to eat when traveling. It paid off....I'm down 3 more pounds!!!! I weigh 207.5. Can I just gripe for a moment and say if someone had told me a year ago that I would be proud to weigh over 200 pounds I'd think they were nuts! This time last year I was around 160. But I feel better than I have in a long time and I'm eating MORE food than I did then. Now if I just don't have to go on steroids again I'll stand a chance of dropping all of this weight. I'm more interested in getting healthy and I guess that is what will make the long term differences in my life. I went to the Dr last week and she was realy thrilled with my blood work. Thanks to everyone for your support.

Now, here's a girl after my own heart! Did you reread the last few sentences that she wrote....."I'm more interested in getting healthy and I guess that is what will make the long term differences in my life."

WOW! WAY TO GO, TERI! YOU'VE GOT IT, GIRL! I'M VERY PROUD OF YOU!

Just take it slow and easy. You don't want to lose quickly - just 1-2 lbs a week is enough.

Keep up the good work! We'll have you feeling better than you have in years. Are you walking or exercising any? That'll speed things up some.

[teri88]

Keep up the good work! We'll have you feeling better than you have in years. Are you walking or exercising any? That'll speed things up some

I used to love to walk. I use a cane now but I'm trying to walk a little bit. I'm not going to win any races but I try to at least get moving.

[Muffie's Mom]

The Healthy Eating Pyramid (NEW CHANGES!) (RIGHT UP OUR WAY!)

The Healthy Eating Pyramid sits on a foundation of daily exercise and weight control. Why? These two related elements strongly influence your chances of staying healthy. They also affect what and how you eat and how your food affects you.

The other bricks of the Healthy Eating Pyramid include:

Whole Grain Foods (at most meals). The body needs carbohydrates mainly for energy. The best sources of carbohydrates are whole grains such as oatmeal, whole-wheat bread, and brown rice. They deliver the outer (bran) and inner (germ) layers along with energy-rich starch. The body can't digest whole grains as quickly as it can highly processed carbohydrates such as white flour. This keeps blood sugar and insulin levels from rising, then falling, too quickly. Better control of blood sugar and insulin can keep hunger at bay and may prevent the development of type 2 diabetes.

Plant Oils. Surprised that the Healthy Eating Pyramid puts some fats near the base, indicating they are okay to eat? Although this recommenda-tion seems to go against conventional wisdom, it's exactly in line with the evidence and with common eating habits. The average American gets one third or more of his or her daily calories from fats, so placing them near the foundation of the pyramid makes sense.

Note, though, that it specifically mentions plant oils, not all types of fat.

Good sources of healthy unsaturated fats include olive, canola, soy, corn, sunflower, peanut, and other vegetable oils, as well as fatty fish such as salmon.

These healthy fats not only improve cholesterol levels (when eaten in place of highly processed carbohydrates) but can also protect the heart from sudden and potentially deadly rhythm problems.

Vegetables(3) (in abundance) and

Fruits (2 to 3 times). A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can decrease the chances of having a heart attack or stroke; protect against a variety of cancers; lower blood pressure; help you avoid the painful intestinal ailment called diverticulitis; guard against cataract and macular degeneration, the major cause of vision loss among people over age 65; and add variety to your diet and wake up your palate.

Fish, Poultry, and Eggs (0 to 2 times). These are important sources of protein. A wealth of research suggests that eating fish can reduce the risk of heart disease.

Chicken and turkey are also good sources of protein and can be low in saturated fat.

Eggs, which have long been demonized because they contain fairly high levels of cholesterol, aren't as bad as they're cracked up to be. In fact, an egg is a much better breakfast than a doughnut cooked in an oil rich in trans fats or a bagel made from refined flour.

Nuts and Legumes (1 to 3 times). Nuts and legumes are excellent sources of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Legumes include black beans, navy beans, garbanzos, and other beans that are usually sold dried.

Many kinds of nuts contain healthy fats, and packages of some varieties (almonds, walnuts, pecans, peanuts, hazelnuts, and pistachios) can now even carry a label saying they're good for your heart.

Dairy or Calcium Supplement (1 to 2 times). Building bone and keeping it strong takes calcium, vitamin D, exercise, and a whole lot more. Dairy products have traditionally been Americans' main source of calcium.

But there are other healthy ways to get calcium than from milk and cheese, which can contain a lot of saturated fat. Three glasses of whole milk, for example, contains as much saturated fat as 13 strips of cooked bacon.

If you enjoy dairy foods, try to stick with no-fat or low-fat products. If you don't like dairy products, calcium supplements offer an easy and inexpensive way to get your daily calcium.

Red Meat and Butter (Use Sparingly): These sit at the top of the Healthy Eating Pyramid because they contain lots of saturated fat.

If you eat red meat every day, switching to fish or chicken several times a week can improve cholesterol levels. So can switching from butter to olive oil.

White Rice, White Bread, Potatoes, White Pasta, Soda, and Sweets (Use Sparingly): Why are these all-American staples at the top, rather than the bottom, of the Healthy Eating Pyramid? They can cause fast and furious increases in blood sugar that can lead to weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic disorders.

Whole-grain carbohydrates cause slower, steadier increases in blood sugar that don't overwhelm the body's ability to handle this much needed but potentially dangerous nutrient.

Multiple Vitamin: A daily multivitamin, multimineral supplement offers a kind of nutritional backup. While it can't in any way replace healthy eating, or make up for unhealthy eating, it can fill in the nutrient holes that may sometimes affect even the most careful eaters. You don't need an expensive name-brand or designer vitamin. A standard, store-brand, RDA-level one is fine. Look for one that meets the requirements of the USP (U.S. Pharma-copeia), an organization that sets standards for drugs and supplements.

Alcohol (in moderation): Scores of studies suggest that having an alcoholic drink a day lowers the risk of heart disease. Moderation is clearly important, since alcohol has risks as well as benefits. For men, a good balance point is 1 to 2 drinks a day. For women, it's at most one drink a day.

I HOPE EVERYONE GETS A CHANGE TO READ THIS & PRINT IT OFF TO KEEP!

[Muffie's Mom]

Originally Posted by teri88

Keep up the good work! We'll have you feeling better than you have in years. Are you walking or exercising any? That'll speed things up some

I used to love to walk. I use a cane now but I'm trying to walk a little bit. I'm not going to win any races but I try to at least get moving.

Good for you - you have to start somewhere. You don't want to be losing weight if you aren't exercising - even walking helps! I'm so proud of you.

YOU ARE TRYING AND THAT'S ALL WE ASK OF EVERYONE HERE!

[Jaspermom]

Originally Posted by teri88

I used to love to walk. I use a cane now but I'm trying to walk a little bit. I'm not going to win any races but I try to at least get moving.

Movement is what matters, honey! Just shuffle along at your own pace, and it's less retained calories for you!

You GO girl!!! HUGS to you my friend, wish I could do it live in person!! What does Megan think of all this, by the way?

[jbarile]

Originally Posted by Jaspermom

Gee, Joann, I would hate to see you give up the Baileys!! Maybe increase the coffee, decrease the Baileys...??

There may be something else going on too. Are you feeling OK? Are you monitoring your food/drink intake? Let's take a closer look at your daily intake together. Email me or PM me and we can do a close-up look.

Hang in there, honey! We will get you past this!

how about I decrease the coffee....

[Muffie's Mom]

Originally Posted by jbarile

how about I decrease the coffee....

Honey, I haven't had a cup of coffee in almost 15 years - since the day before my heart attack. But you really didn't want to hear that, did you? lol

Caffeine really isn't good for the body.

That's one of the 1st things my cardiologist suggested that I stop!*!

[Jaspermom]

Originally Posted by jbarile

how about I decrease the coffee....

Joann, you completely crack me up!!!!!!!!!!

[Muffie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Jaspermom

Joann, you completely crack me up!!!!!!!!!!

Guess I missed the "funny" part! lol