Obesity Discussion Forums

[mosambi]

Hi everyone,
My name is Meera and here I am looking for some advice and support on this wonderful forum.

I am 5'6" and weight 167 pounds. I am trying to get to 136 pounds.

I've been trying to start the Oprah Bootcamp but am having trouble sticking to the no carbs in the first month rule. I am a vegetarian - I don't eat meat, fish or eggs. I find that eating a salad or a soup for lunch and dinner leaves me STARVING.
The carbs I do eat are whole grain - typically oatmeal (for breakfast) or wholegrain bread or pasta.
Is this the way to go? Or should I continue to eat carbs but keep the daily caloric intake to 1200 calories? I can give up cakes and sweets and all the "white" stuff, but is ELIMINATING ALL carbs (even wholegrain) really necessary?
I would love some advice because I am feeling really low with all the failure so far.
Maybe I just need to be told to take it slowly!

Meera

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by mosambi

Hi everyone,
My name is Meera and here I am looking for some advice and support on this wonderful forum.

I am 5'6" and weight 167 pounds. I am trying to get to 136 pounds.

I've been trying to start the Oprah Bootcamp but am having trouble sticking to the no carbs in the first month rule. I am a vegetarian - I don't eat meat, fish or eggs. I find that eating a salad or a soup for lunch and dinner leaves me STARVING.
The carbs I do eat are whole grain - typically oatmeal (for breakfast) or wholegrain bread or pasta.
Is this the way to go? Or should I continue to eat carbs but keep the daily caloric intake to 1200 calories? I can give up cakes and sweets and all the "white" stuff, but is ELIMINATING ALL carbs (even wholegrain) really necessary?
I would love some advice because I am feeling really low with all the failure so far.
Maybe I just need to be told to take it slowly!

Meera

No carbs at all?!?!?! I don't think that's very healthy. I say forget the bootcamp, but also would like to add that 1200 calories is not some magic number either. We can help you figure out exactly how many calories you should be eating a day in order to achieve your weight loss goals.

All of us who are losing weight at a good pace are still eating carbs. This diet sounds more like a crash diet which scares the crap out of me; these are the types of diets that cause people to never want to try to lose weight ever again.

[mosambi]

"these are the types of diets that cause people to never want to try to lose weight ever again "

You're so right! Thanks! I guess I really needed to hear that from someone objective!
Well, I am female, 30, 5'6" and want to get from 167 pounds to 136 pounds.
How do I figure out daily caloric intake?
Thanks for the reality check!
Meera

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by mosambi

"these are the types of diets that cause people to never want to try to lose weight ever again "

You're so right! Thanks! I guess I really needed to hear that from someone objective!
Well, I am female, 30, 5'6" and want to get from 167 pounds to 136 pounds.
How do I figure out daily caloric intake?
Thanks for the reality check!
Meera

Also need to know how many pounds you want to lose and in what time period, and your physical activity level on a weekly basis. I'm tied up the rest of the day but I'll have all this calculated for you by the end of the day!

[mosambi]

Originally Posted by Obesity Discussion

Also need to know how many pounds you want to lose and in what time period, and your physical activity level on a weekly basis. I'm tied up the rest of the day but I'll have all this calculated for you by the end of the day!

Thats so very kind! Thank you!
I would love to loose 31 pounds in 6-8 months - I am committing myself to 6 days of exercise per week - 45 minutes of Cardio. 3 days of strength training.
Do you think that's realistic?
Thank you so much for your help!

Meera

[MikeB]

Don't forget you need protein from something or your body will EAT your MUSCLES looking for protein, in the end you'll have less muscle so you have to lose more weight...

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by mosambi

Thats so very kind! Thank you!
I would love to loose 31 pounds in 6-8 months - I am committing myself to 6 days of exercise per week - 45 minutes of Cardio. 3 days of strength training.
Do you think that's realistic?
Thank you so much for your help!

Meera

I think that's a relistic exercise schedule if you're really committed.

Based on that workout schedule, your body will burn (including what it burns naturally each day) roughly 2392 calories a day.

Now, if you're going to want to lose 1lb a week, you'll want to eat about 1892 calories a day with that exercise schedule. If you want to lose 2lbs a week, you'll want to eat 1392 calories a day. If you want to lose 1.5lbs a week you'll want to eat 1642 calories a day.

Since you're looking to lose this over 6-8months, that's about 1lb. a week.

If you're OK doing 1lb a week, I can show you a macronutrient breakdown of how much protein/carbs/fat you should shoot for each day.

[Audrey]

Originally Posted by mosambi

"these are the types of diets that cause people to never want to try to lose weight ever again "

You're so right! Thanks! I guess I really needed to hear that from someone objective!
Well, I am female, 30, 5'6" and want to get from 167 pounds to 136 pounds.
How do I figure out daily caloric intake?
Thanks for the reality check!
Meera

You sound exactly like me when I started (except I had 13 lbs on you).

Welcome and good luck with your weight loss goals! OD really knows his stuff!

[mosambi]

Originally Posted by Obesity Discussion

I think that's a relistic exercise schedule if you're really committed.

Based on that workout schedule, your body will burn (including what it burns naturally each day) roughly 2392 calories a day.

Now, if you're going to want to lose 1lb a week, you'll want to eat about 1892 calories a day with that exercise schedule. If you want to lose 2lbs a week, you'll want to eat 1392 calories a day. If you want to lose 1.5lbs a week you'll want to eat 1642 calories a day.

Since you're looking to lose this over 6-8months, that's about 1lb. a week.

If you're OK doing 1lb a week, I can show you a macronutrient breakdown of how much protein/carbs/fat you should shoot for each day.

Thanks OD! Thats a great help! And yes I would love to get a Macronutrient breakdown! How do you do that?! It sounds complicated!
I was going to try and shoot for 2 lbs a week.

Thanks again OD!

[mosambi]

Thanks MikeB - yes I am trying to pay attention to protein -My protein comes from skim milk, cheese, yoghurt, tofu, beans and pulses. I know it isn't as good as animal protein, but I've never eaten meat and that's one thing I don't think I cab begin doing. Though I've always wondered what sushi tastes like! it looks so pretty!

And thanks Audrey, it's so good to know that you're doing so well with your goal! You will be my inspiration!

I'm so glad I got on this forum, I feel now I can do this!

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by mosambi

Thanks OD! Thats a great help! And yes I would love to get a Macronutrient breakdown! How do you do that?! It sounds complicated!
I was going to try and shoot for 2 lbs a week.

Thanks again OD!

Sure no problem! As far as protein you're going to need to up your protein intake a lot, and I suggest using protein shakes to help you.

Since we're shooting for about 1395 calories a day, you're going try to keep your macronutrient intake to roughly this much each day (remember, this is a ballpark):

110g protein= 440 calories
70g carbs = 280 calories
75g fat = 675 calories


Don't get too hung up on nailing this on the head, but try to shoot for this give or take a few in each direction.

[mosambi]

Originally Posted by Obesity Discussion

Sure no problem! As far as protein you're going to need to up your protein intake a lot, and I suggest using protein shakes to help you.

Since we're shooting for about 1395 calories a day, you're going try to keep your macronutrient intake to roughly this much each day (remember, this is a ballpark):

110g protein= 440 calories
70g carbs = 280 calories
75g fat = 675 calories


Don't get too hung up on nailing this on the head, but try to shoot for this give or take a few in each direction.

Thanks OD! I'm off to GNC!

[mosambi]

Originally Posted by Ball

L
Fat people like to overly complicate weight loss. It is only difficult because they make it difficult and they won't commit to changing their behavior. Diets don't fail. Fat people fail to diet properly.

I don't mean to be harsh but sweetness doesn't work.

Ball,

You don't mean to be harsh?! Why do I find that hard to believe?! I think you rather enjoy the "tough love" approach.
But, allow me to disagree, what you call "sweetness" DOES work.
I CHOSE to be on this forum to find support and that's what I am getting here, support, advice and inspiration. All the proof you need is in the spectacular success of many of the members here.
I'm sorry, but if you don't like it, don't access the forum.
The sum total of your post is of much use to me as a double mac.

[mosambi]

Originally Posted by Ball

Be as harsh as you want. Just be honest.

Answer this simple question. Why do you need support to stay under 2000 calories a day and exercise 3 times a week?

You and you alone are responsible for the condition of your body. Don't lose sight of that.

I don't think I am in danger of losing sight of the fact that I am responsible for myself. It's just your assumption that all overweight/obese people tend to "blame" everyone else but themselves...maybe some do, but it really isn't always a question of blame, is it? Sometimes it may be a medical condition.
Don't tar everyone with the same brush. We are not a homogenous group, but all of here are taking responsibility for ourselves.

Look, we all have various ways of dealing with weight, just don't thrust your approach where it isn't solicited or welcome.

As for why I need support....its called being human. I am happy to be here and really neither I nor anyone else owes you any explanation.
and that is being honest

[Audrey]

Originally Posted by mosambi

As for why I need support....its called being human. I am happy to be here and really neither I nor anyone else owes you any explanation.
and that is being honest

Well said

Why would this forum be here if people didn't need support and the free exchange of ideas and knowledge?

[Obesity Discussion]

Sorry for that thread hijacking. Back to our regularly scheduled program!

That was our first troll ever. I'm surprised it hasn't happened sooner.

[William Wallace]

Originally Posted by mosambi

Hi everyone,
My name is Meera and here I am looking for some advice and support on this wonderful forum.

I am 5'6" and weight 167 pounds. I am trying to get to 136 pounds.

I've been trying to start the Oprah Bootcamp but am having trouble sticking to the no carbs in the first month rule. I am a vegetarian - I don't eat meat, fish or eggs. I find that eating a salad or a soup for lunch and dinner leaves me STARVING.
The carbs I do eat are whole grain - typically oatmeal (for breakfast) or wholegrain bread or pasta.
Is this the way to go? Or should I continue to eat carbs but keep the daily caloric intake to 1200 calories? I can give up cakes and sweets and all the "white" stuff, but is ELIMINATING ALL carbs (even wholegrain) really necessary?
I would love some advice because I am feeling really low with all the failure so far.
Maybe I just need to be told to take it slowly!

Meera

I wouldn't trust anything diet related coming out of Oprah's mouth, she's been up and down like a yo-yo her whole life.

Welcome Meera!

[mosambi]

Originally Posted by William Wallace

I wouldn't trust anything diet related coming out of Oprah's mouth, she's been up and down like a yo-yo her whole life.

Welcome Meera!

Thank you! So far, I have been pretty good at sticking to my average calorie limit. I still need to work on the macro-nutrient breakdown that OD worked out for me...But I am so much more positive about this process now! Thanks everyone!

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by mosambi

Thank you! So far, I have been pretty good at sticking to my average calorie limit. I still need to work on the macro-nutrient breakdown that OD worked out for me...But I am so much more positive about this process now! Thanks everyone!

The calorie limit is most important by a long shot. Definitely work on getting that down....but if anything do try to increase you're protein intake. That will help prevent muscle loss while you lose weight.

I look forward to hearing results from the first weigh in!!! Keep up the good work!

[Merle]

Originally Posted by mosambi

Hi everyone,
My name is Meera and here I am looking for some advice and support on this wonderful forum.

I am 5'6" and weight 167 pounds. I am trying to get to 136 pounds.

I've been trying to start the Oprah Bootcamp but am having trouble sticking to the no carbs in the first month rule. I am a vegetarian - I don't eat meat, fish or eggs. I find that eating a salad or a soup for lunch and dinner leaves me STARVING.
The carbs I do eat are whole grain - typically oatmeal (for breakfast) or wholegrain bread or pasta.
Is this the way to go? Or should I continue to eat carbs but keep the daily caloric intake to 1200 calories? I can give up cakes and sweets and all the "white" stuff, but is ELIMINATING ALL carbs (even wholegrain) really necessary?
I would love some advice because I am feeling really low with all the failure so far.
Maybe I just need to be told to take it slowly!

Meera

A soup and salad does not have much protein if any and I think that might be part of your problem. I think if you start eating more protein and more high glycemic carbohydrates you may not feel as starving all the time.