Obesity Discussion Forums

[mia thornburg]

Hello all I am new here and just looking for any info or tips on how I can get some of this weight off. It is really a problem now with my health and all.

[the_bear99]

Hi Mia,
Welcome to the forum. I have tried many different types of diets, and I have a lot of weight to lose. About 15 months ago I was 350 and am now 281 and losing steadily.
What works for me is the following:
1. ) try to get 7 hours sleep a night
2.) drink 2 litres (hmm 2 quarts for U.S.)
3. Found my target # of calories to maintain my weight (there's plenty of online calculators to do this if you google it).
4. Subtract 500 from target amount.
5. Write down every calorie that goes in your body (this seems tedious but takes about 2 minutes after a meal.
6. Eat from all food groups and lots of veggies.

That's what works for me, so far losing me 2 to 3 pounds a week since starting that.
You have to write everything down, even if you're bad! I think that helps bring you awareness to what's going into your body.

Prior to the above, my weight loss was hit and miss.
Also = the best part is, no denial. I have even had two chocolate bars in one day (early dieting) and wrote down the 480 calories. usually if i want chocolate I'll have a 100 calorie bar, but even if you go nuts .... write it down.

For years, I would have bad cravings when dieting, but these are few and far between with the above. I always take a cup of raw vegetables to work with me to have as a snack along with some fruit.

If you look up how many calories you should have each day (according to height, weight, age, activity level), you can eat a LOT!

I do not even consider myself to be dieting, just staying under my magic calorie number and making choices to do that.

For the first time in years, I see my goal weight as attainable and just a matter of time away.

Anyway, that's what works for me. I am sure others have different stories, different methods and different opinions.

Try not to think about the end result. I am just thinking 10 pounds ahead at a time.

Good luck and I am sure you will get much better advice then mine on here.

Tom

[the_bear99]

Oh yes - forgot exercise - so far, I am walking, about 4 miles a day, 2 miles in the morning and 2 miles a night. If it hurts to walk that far, then just walks as far as you can comfortably. you will find that as you lose weight, you will be able to walk further and you will want to.

There is a good exercise program (at least for me) Walk Away the Pounds. You can get it on dVD Leslie Sansone (I think). There is an easy 15 minute walk then 30 minute than more. you also use a stretch band to increase your flexibility and it works very well.

[mia thornburg]

Thanks for the advice, My husband wanted to wait until new year to start dieting, but I know I need to go ahead and work hard during the holidays are I will be adding afew extra pounds. It sound like you have found something that works for you. Mia