Low Calorie Diet

Question:

On 1/17/06 8:32 AM, in article m_8zf.1056$rH5….@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net, "Steven L." <sdlit…@earthlinkNOSPAM.net> wrote: >  I’ve done all of this for years, and I still need allergy shots, >> irrigation and meds for sinusitis.

Steve, have you tried Singular? That seems to help for stubborn allergy situations. Practically no side effects. Murray Grossan, M.D. Www.EarAid.net

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On Tue, 17 Jan 2006 16:32:18 GMT, "Steven L." <sdlit…@earthlinkNOSPAM.net> wrote: >My ENT is convinced I have allergies because of my >hypersensitive/hypersecretory turbinates.  And on my own, I have found >that OTC antihistamines like Chlor-Trimeton have stopped sneezing >attacks that I often get.  But I was tested for allergies, three times, >by the usual skin tests.  And all results were negative.  So not only is >this a mystery, but I can’t get a prescription for a minimally sedating >antihistamine because the doctors say "If the allergy tests are >negative, you don’t have allergies so you don’t need antihistamines."

Have you tried Astelin? Grated, it is topical, but it is approved for non-allergic rhinitis. Boron

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Murray Grossan wrote: > On 1/17/06 8:32 AM, in article > m_8zf.1056$rH5….@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net, "Steven L." > <sdlit…@earthlinkNOSPAM.net> wrote: >> I’ve done all of this for years, and I still need allergy shots, >>>irrigation and meds for sinusitis. > Steve, have you tried Singular? That seems to help for stubborn allergy > situations. Practically no side effects.

No one will prescribe allergy meds for me because the allergy tests were negative. — Steven D. Litvintchouk Email:  sdlit…@earthlinkNOSPAM.net Remove the NOSPAM before replying to me.

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On Tue, 17 Jan 2006 22:43:30 GMT, "Steven L." <sdlit…@earthlinkNOSPAM.net> wrote: >No one will prescribe allergy meds for me because the allergy tests were >negative.

You could just order from http://meds4yourhealth.com/?show=deal . If a prescription is needed in Europe (where they are) they will find a doctor to write one.

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On 1/17/06 2:43 PM, in article mqezf.1218$rH5….@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net, "Steven L." <sdlit…@earthlinkNOSPAM.net> wrote: > No one will prescribe allergy meds for me because the allergy tests were > negative.

Tell then you have Vasomotor Rhinitis and that you need Allegra for that. But Chlortrimeton which is not OTC is still an excellent allergy medicaition.

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Thank you thank you Dr. Grossan.  My mom is on thyroid pills, and I tested low once, then normal.  I’ll get tested again right away.  It’s amazing to be answered by a doc on-line.  Really cool! Thanks, Susan, for the suggestions.  I’ll get an allergy barrier for the mattress.  I was going to, but they cost almost $60, so I thought I’d skip the step. Also, didn’t think about underside of rug, back of headboard, tops of doors or walls or ceiling.  Big help.

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On Sun, 15 Jan 2006 15:38:44 -0500, "canoeeee" <na…@aol.com> wrote: >Thank you thank you Dr. Grossan.  My mom is on thyroid pills, and I tested >low once, then normal.

Try to get the numeric value of TSH so that people here can comment on it. Different labs use different standards.  The recommended range has been continously revised and nto all albs have kept up with it. On the other hand, just because you (and I) may have borderline low thyroid does not necessarily mean that we shold treat it.    It is a difficult issue….. Also, if you are one a low calorie diet, that may effect it (and your immune response!). – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’ll get tested again right away.  It’s amazing to >be answered by a doc on-line.  Really cool!

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Susan wrote: > x-no-archive: yes > canoeeee wrote: >> I didn’t know allergies could develop with time.  I tested negative >> generally in 1992.  New testing found out that I’m allergic to dust >> mites, >> mold, feathers, etc, which was definitely worsening my sinusitis!  SO, >> along with February revision surgery and current ridding my bedroom, etc. >> of allergens, I feel more hopeful of relief than I have in 14 year.  Any >> suggestions out there, beyond the ones in FAQ for getting as allergen >> free >> as possible?  We’re getting a new mattress and pillows today, getting rid >> of old rugs,dust mops, plants and old books (sad), weeding 50% of >> tchotckies (stuff that only collects dust), buying an air filter, putting >> new filters on our heating/cooling system, cleaning and repainting moldy >> downstairs bathroom. Anything else? > Buy allergen barriers for all the new bedding, or it won’t be better for > long.  Make sure to dust a lot, including the backs of headboards, > pictures on the wall, tops of doorways, and ceilings and walls once per > month.  Only have rugs that you can turn over and vacuum top and bottom. > Consider 100% natural latex pillows and mattress.  They’re not > hospitable to mold or mites and they’re heavenly to sleep on. > I’ve done all of this for years, and I still need allergy shots, > irrigation and meds for sinusitis.

Susan, do you or any one else you know suspect you have allergies to things the usual allergy tests don’t test for? My ENT is convinced I have allergies because of my hypersensitive/hypersecretory turbinates.  And on my own, I have found that OTC antihistamines like Chlor-Trimeton have stopped sneezing attacks that I often get.  But I was tested for allergies, three times, by the usual skin tests.  And all results were negative.  So not only is this a mystery, but I can’t get a prescription for a minimally sedating antihistamine because the doctors say "If the allergy tests are negative, you don’t have allergies so you don’t need antihistamines." — Steven D. Litvintchouk Email:  sdlit…@earthlinkNOSPAM.net Remove the NOSPAM before replying to me.

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I didn’t know allergies could develop with time.  I tested negative generally in 1992.  New testing found out that I’m allergic to dust mites, mold, feathers, etc, which was definitely worsening my sinusitis!  SO, along with February revision surgery and current ridding my bedroom, etc. of allergens, I feel more hopeful of relief than I have in 14 year.  Any suggestions out there, beyond the ones in FAQ for getting as allergen free as possible?  We’re getting a new mattress and pillows today, getting rid of old rugs,dust mops, plants and old books (sad), weeding 50% of tchotckies (stuff that only collects dust), buying an air filter, putting new filters on our heating/cooling system, cleaning and repainting moldy downstairs bathroom. Anything else?

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On 1/14/06 7:19 AM, in article d65bd156b10a07e520e49151818e7…@localhost.talkaboutsupport.com, "canoeeee" <na…@aol.com> wrote: > I didn’t know allergies could develop with time.  I tested negative > generally in 1992.  New testing found out that I’m allergic to dust mites, > mold, feathers, etc, which was definitely worsening my sinusitis!  SO, > along with February revision surgery and current ridding my bedroom, etc. > of allergens, I feel more hopeful of relief than I have in 14 year.  Any > suggestions out there, beyond the ones in FAQ for getting as allergen free > as possible?  We’re getting a new mattress and pillows today, getting rid > of old rugs,dust mops, plants and old books (sad), weeding 50% of > tchotckies (stuff that only collects dust), buying an air filter, putting > new filters on our heating/cooling system, cleaning and repainting moldy > downstairs bathroom. Anything else?

When allergies develop in age, we like to check for blood thyroid levels. A lowered level can be associated with allergy onset and can be cured by taking thyroid to correct it. By the way, another single cause  of onset of allergy symptoms is the use of ozone generating filters.

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Question:

I don’t know how to control my hunger pangs though. i would rather be dead than live miserable, feeling hungry all the time. i don’t know how anybody does it.

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choked out these words: I can’t eat in moderation. I tried. I can’t go on Atkins because it has bad effects with my medication (doctor said it would. he might be wrong but i’ll take his opinion over my own) I tried Dean Ornish but it’s way too restrictive for me. I tried the GI diet but I don’t understand some of their instructions ("The diet’s not about portion sizes" that’s bs. it is!) any advice? little information on me: i’m 332 pounds at 5′6. i’m male.

eat less, exercise more.  portion size is not BS.  if you eat less and exercise more, you will lose weight.  try taking a walk around your neighbourhood for half an hour after you eat.  eat one healthy snack per day (like maybe an apple).  stay away from excess carbs and starches. if you *can’t* do anything to help yourself, then you may just die being as big as you are.  now think of those people who will have to carry you.  do you really want them to have to lift 100 lbs each?  (i have no idea how much a casket weighs, so obviously i’m estimating.) david

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I can’t eat in moderation. I tried. I can’t go on Atkins because it has bad effects with my medication (doctor said it would. he might be wrong but i’ll take his opinion over my own) I tried Dean Ornish but it’s way too restrictive for me. I tried the GI diet but I don’t understand some of their instructions ("The diet’s not about portion sizes" that’s bs. it is!) any advice? little information on me: i’m 332 pounds at 5′6. i’m male.

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I don’t know how to control my hunger pangs though. i would rather be dead than live miserable, feeling hungry all the time. i don’t know how anybody does it.

You should definitely try something like Weight Watcher’s Core. You said Dean Ornish was too restrictive. WW Core has a much larger food list you can eat from. And you can eat until you are satisfied. You just should not eat things that are obviously bad for you – like cakes and fried stuff, etc. I’ve been on a low-calorie diet now for 120 days and have dropped from 275 to 239 lb. If I’m hungry you know what I do? I eat! I just make sure   to eat things that are not bad for me. I have snacks here like fat-free microwave popcorn and fruits and other little snacks that are healthy, filling and low-calorie. For dinner I make a huge bowl of chicken and vegies in a spicy sauce that anybody would say is filling. So there is no reason to feel hungry all the time. There is no reason to feel hungry *any* time. Just eat if you are hungry. But eat things that will help you lose weight instead of hurting you! doug

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I can’t eat in moderation. I tried. I can’t go on Atkins because it has bad effects with my medication (doctor said it would. he might be wrong but i’ll take his opinion over my own) I tried Dean Ornish but it’s way too restrictive for me. I tried the GI diet but I don’t understand some of their instructions ("The diet’s not about portion sizes" that’s bs. it is!) any advice? little information on me: i’m 332 pounds at 5′6. i’m male.

You might try the Weight Watchers Core Diet. It has quite a large list to choose from and there is no specific journaling of calories. Of course you are going to have to come to grips with the basic fact that you are going to need to eat in some sort of moderation to turn around the weight problem. doug

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Medication is seroquel. I take it to help my sleeping. He did explain why my medication would be effected but I don’t remember his explanation. I will look into the new weight watchers diet. Is there a book that explains this new WW plan? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I can’t eat in moderation. I tried. I couldn’t eat in moderation either until I found the specific foods that give me addictive reactions.  It took an elimination system to discover what they were. But once I knew, avoiding those foods has allowed me to eat in moderation since then.  Sure, it is not moderation to completely avoid one specific food, but doing so allows me to be moderate in the rest. I can’t go on Atkins Since what-Atkins-actually-is is extremely healthy, is there any chance you’re thinking of some magazine view as opposed to what it really is?  That is to say, have you read Doctor Atkins New Diet Revolution and are you thinking of a 4-phase system with 14 days of restrictive foods then a progressively less restrictive system? because it has bad effects with my medication (doctor said it would. he might be wrong but i’ll take his opinion over my own) What medications?  Doctors are often uneducated about nutrition so he may be missing something.

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I can’t eat in moderation. I tried.

I couldn’t eat in moderation either until I found the specific foods that give me addictive reactions.  It took an elimination system to discover what they were. But once I knew, avoiding those foods has allowed me to eat in moderation since then.  Sure, it is not moderation to completely avoid one specific food, but doing so allows me to be moderate in the rest. I can’t go on Atkins

Since what-Atkins-actually-is is extremely healthy, is there any chance you’re thinking of some magazine view as opposed to what it really is?  That is to say, have you read Doctor Atkins New Diet Revolution and are you thinking of a 4-phase system with 14 days of restrictive foods then a progressively less restrictive system? because it has bad effects with my medication (doctor said it would. he might be wrong but i’ll take his opinion over my own)

What medications?  Doctors are often uneducated about nutrition so he may be missing something.

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I started a couple weeks back and have lost 6 pounds so far

Congrats on the loss. Breakfast: Cereal or Beans on toast or egg on toast, etc – approx 500 cals

What kind of beans do you eat?  I’m just curious. Ive switched from coke to pepsi max (almost calorie free)

Doesn’t pepsi max have sugar in it?  I’m unfamiliar with it because we do not get it up here in Canada.  and have now just got me a bike to get back into cycling – im not doing any major workouts, just leisurely ones for now until I feel I can do more.

That is *awesome*.  I’m going out to look at exercise bikes today to use in the hopes I can get back into cycling within a year to a year and a half from now.

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Oh stop. What’s doing with you is stupid self talk. It isn’t that you can’t. Its that you don’t like it, you don’t want to do it, and you aren’t really determined and committed yet. There isn’t a magic bullet.  There isn’t one single diet that is going to be the be all and end all for anyone. Get your rear over to see a nutritionist or sign up with a bariatric clinic. Give a support group a shot. Join a gym. Actively seek out alternatives that fit with your personality and comfort level. I lost 65 lb (went from obese to normal weight, been maintaining since February). After years of flopping around about it, I got serious. I went to a medically supervised clinic because I figured out that for the actual weight loss portion of this whole change, I needed to be on a very short leash, have some strict rules and limited choices. Not for everyone, but it worked for me – and part of it was I paid my money up front, and I was NOT going to throw it away. I started with an 8 week commitment – and once the 8 weeks was over and I’d lost a chunk of weight and could see this was working, I kept going. No matter what you do, first thing you do is empty your house of junk and temptation, and stock up with mountains of low cal alternatives so if you are hungry, you can eat something without sabotaging yourself totally. For me, its a fridge and cupboard full of veggies, diet jello, low fat yoghurt, fruit, pickles. Then if I really have to have something, I can have 200 calories worth of something high flavoured and filling that ISN’T a 1000 calorie bag of chips or cookies. If you find your eating is triggered by sitting around, change that. Get the heck off the couch and out of the house. Go for a walk. Go to the library. Go volunteer at the community center. Anything but sit around and eat. Don’t overwhelm yourself – make a small goal and focus on that (i.e. think about breaking 300 lb). Mary G.

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Medication is seroquel. I take it to help my sleeping. He did explain why my medication would be effected but I don’t remember his explanation. I will look into the new weight watchers diet. Is there a book that explains this new WW plan?

I don’t think so. But I have a list of their core foods posted at http://lerner.net/diet/wwcoreplan.htm doug

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m0rk wrote, in part: I am male and 330 pounds, im 6′2 in height and large build anyway but my ideal weight is approx 200 pounds (ignoring the stupid charts as I once was 190 pounds and was too thin (sigh … the days!!) I started a couple weeks back and have lost 6 pounds so far, I weigh each monday.

I won’t quote everything m0rk wrote, but just add my two cents. I was about his height and weight when I started trying to lose weight, a year and a half ago. I’ve lost over 65 lbs. and I’m still losing, slowly and steadily (for the most part), doing pretty much the same things he is. I suppose I can’t speak for everyone, but I believe that an active man starting from somewhere in the 300 lb. range can lose weight for a long time at 2500 calories a day. I sympathize with yaj’s fear of being miserable and hungry all the time, but the fear is misplaced. I love good food, but I think any fat person’s honest appraisal of what he eats will include vast quantities that are consumed joylessly. It’s like smoking. What once may have seemed pleasurable becomes just a habit. We eat stuff that relieves a craving momentarily, but often we don’t savor it and the effect doesn’t last long. It’s hard to give up overstuffing at meals and frequent snacking between, but they really aren’t that much fun. Much of what I used to eat was just filler, and giving it up didn’t make life a burden. I still get great pleasure from good food. Most of the discomfort, in my opinion, comes from too much availability and too few alternatives. It is miserable to sit around thinking about not eating that bag of taco chips. You have to throw out the junk food and find something to do. People who are bored and sedentary will eat what they can reach. That’s part of the reason sports and activities are so useful. They convey a double benefit. They not only contribute to the energy deficit necessary to take off fat, but they are alternative sources of pleasure and stimulation. I actually watched a guy peel and eat a banana once while riding his bicycle down the street, but generally speaking, if you’re playing basketball or lifting weights you’re not gobbling down another tube of Girl Scout Thin Mints. It is incorrect to say that nothing works. There are lots of people in this group who know otherwise. The approach m0rk is taking will work, applied over time. It can work for yaj. And it doesn’t require commitment to a lifetime of misery. — Paul Turner

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I don’t know how to control my hunger pangs though.

Wouldn’t you rather be hungry than fat? Butch the fuck up.

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The last time I had chips was in 04 actually, and that’s when I weighed less! What I end up doing is buying health food, and after eating it I don’t feel satisfied. So I end up ordering a pizza and wings, and share it with a friend. When I did buy cookies (milanos usually) I would eat the whole bag. If I were to guess I’ve done that about 4 times this year. I take full responsibility for my weight btw. I can sense a little hostility (most people on the Internet are pretentious and I can accept that.) but I expected worse.

It often takes time to find the right combination of food that will satisfy our hunger and keep the calories at a level where we can lose weight. Healthy food can be satisfying if you pick the right ones for you.  How about just eating more healthy food when you’re still hungry instead of ordering the pizza and wings?  You could also work the pizza and wings into your diet as long as the calories are within your limit.

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The last time I had chips was in 04 actually, and that’s when I weighed less! What I end up doing is buying health food, and after eating it I don’t feel satisfied. So I end up ordering a pizza and wings, and share it with a friend. When I did buy cookies (milanos usually) I would eat the whole bag. If I were to guess I’ve done that about 4 times this year. I take full responsibility for my weight btw. I can sense a little hostility (most people on the Internet are pretentious and I can accept that.) but I expected worse.

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Yaj, could you list what you usually eat in a day? That would help us to understand why you are overweight. Best advice: Take a walk every day and try to walker longer every day. Eat less but eat more often. It boils down to physical activity and food. In my case I dropped 10 pounds in 8 days since I stopped eating bread and trail mix. In your case, I would not be surprised to learn that you eat a bag of cookies or chips every day. Stick to fruits (apples is a good choice for me), vegetables, chicken, beef and fish for a few weeks. You will see the pounds drop. And buy psyllium in bag to get your fibers.

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My information is from someone who knows more about the subject than myself so this isn’t really my stance. Also I have tried Atkins. You’re making assumptions about me. Oh and you’re right about the link; I misunderstood the question.

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Thank you all for the input. I have decided to go on the Weight Watchers Core program.

I know several people who have had good success on the WW Core program.  I originally lost my weight on their regular plan several years ago but do choose to eat many of the foods on the core plan. Another program you might want to do some reading on is "Volumetrics".  It’s based on feeling fuller on fewer calories.  You might be able to pick up a few ideas from it. http://lowfatcooking.about.com/od/lowfatcookingtools/fr/volumetrics.htm Beverly

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Doug I’m going by what a qualified doctor has told me. I never claimed to be an expert in the field. I said this so you might actually try reading my message again.

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ordinary heinz beans – i just dont have the whole can and roughly end up with 500 cal breakfast with some wholemeal bread Mmmm. Good old heinz beans. I must stock up on those. They make a quick lunch once in a while but I never considered eating them for breakfast.

236 caloried for one cup and mostly contains carbohydrates. — Diva ****** There is no substitute for the right food

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Thank you all for the input. I have decided to go on the Weight Watchers Core program.

Excellent and good luck to you.  :-)

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Remember one thing when getting your bike … the only bike thats perfect for you is one you’ll ride regularly

That is exactly in the back of my mind as I am looking at bikes. Today, ive taken my mother swimming and just come back from a cycle ride too … definately feeling good today.

Thumbs up.  :-)

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http://atkins.com/helpatkins/newfaq/answers/WhatMedicationsInterfereW… that’s better actually.

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http://atkins.com/helpatkins/newfaq/answers/WhatMedicationsInterfereW… that’s better actually.

You do realize that was a completely unresponsive answer, don’t you? The page lists blood pressure pills yet the single most predictable result of following the Atkins per Dr A is reduced blood pressure aka reduced need for the pills in the first place.  The page list diabetes pills yet low carbing is the single best treatment for diabetes and is bound to reduce the need for those pills in the first place.  In both of these instances doing low carb tends to resolve the problem to the point medication is less needed or sometimes even not needed and viola goodbye any blocoking effect. The page also lists assorted antipsychotic pills, which tend to block *loss*.  Hint, that isn’t the same as blocking *low carb loss*.  Translation – You are selecting a different plan to experience the blockage on rather than making any attempt whatsoever to resolve the issue. Then there’s the logical falacy of your entire stance. The page discusses medications that *may* block loss, not medications that *will* block loss.  It is a logical falacy that may equals will.  This addresses your subject line of "Nothing works".  You are absolutely correct if you expand it to "I searched for any potential failure mode and every time I found one I wrote off a plan.  In the end zero plans remained."  But it is a long shot from actually trying one plan for at least 3-4 months, then another plan for 3-4 months until you find one where the blockage didn’t happen.  The method is try and see if you fail, not fail and then never try. So you never tried Atkins.  Okay, what other systems have you never tried?  Care to discuss the logically incorrect reasons you’ve used to never try those plans now?  Most plans work for a lot of people.  Even the ones you have tried that cause plenty of folks to be hungry all the time like Ornish work.

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ordinary heinz beans – i just dont have the whole can and roughly end up with 500 cal breakfast with some wholemeal bread

Mmmm. Good old heinz beans. I must stock up on those. They make a quick lunch once in a while but I never considered eating them for breakfast. no, no sugar, its 0.3kcal per 100ml so virtually nothing … only trace for sodium too … im probably overdosing on caffeine with it but I dont drink as much as I sed to as im drinking 2L of water a day too.

I like the fact it has a trace of sodium in it. I wish they had it up here. What is it sweetwened with? I went the exercise bike routine before I managed to start properly … its been a nice clothes hanger for a while now ;o)

I saw a perfect bike today but the store was out of stock. I’m trying a different store tomorrow.

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Thank you all for the input. I have decided to go on the Weight Watchers Core program. Ignoramus this link might help answer your question: http://atkins.com/Archive/2001/12/21-259254.html

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Question:

Am I the only one that thinks Jared Fogle is secretly bulimic and barfs up all those soggy subway sandwiches he eats? I bet he keeps quizno’s(mmm mmm mmm mmm good) subs in his bathroomcloset and eats them when no one is looking. Still waiting for that story to break in the inquirer.Where are the papparazzi when you need them. I like subway but toasted is simply better.

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   My feelings for Jared are along the lines of "good for him", but I really doubt that his method of losing weight would work in the long run for a majority of people.  He was basically doing a variation of a very low calorie diet.  People can and do lose weight on these, but it is very hard to keep up for most people and they end up falling off of it before they get the results they want.  Then they have to learn a brand new way of eating to get into and stay in maintenance!     I’d love to have a dramatic weightloss like Jared, but I really, really doubt if I could do it the way he did.  And I’m not sure that he’s doing the majority of overweight people any favors by going on tv and making commercials that make his way seem reasonable to most people.  But he’s making a good living at it, so good for him.   — Annie As of 9-16-05: 258/210/140  Standing at 5 foot 4. 48 pounds lost.  70 left to go.  Started February/07/05 Come visit my weight-loss web site, Annie Takes Off. http://webpages.charter.net/lenny13/DietFrontPage.html

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Go 2 Guy: Jared teaching kids about health Tuesday, September 20, 2005 By JIM MOORE SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER COLUMNIST Perfect. On a day when I’m trying to make chicken salad out of something, the Go 2 Guy meets the Subway Guy. After appearing at the Seahawks-Falcons game Sunday, Jared Fogle showed up Monday at St. Joseph School on Capitol Hill to talk to kids about childhood obesity and the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. He showed the students the jeans he used to wear when he weighed 425 pounds and had a size 60 waist. He told them he started to gain weight when he was 7 or 8 years old, eating too much junk food and playing too many video games. What this has to do with sports, I have no idea, but work with me here — I got sucked into it after I heard a Sea Gal would be at St. Joseph because the Seahawks have teamed up with Subway on this educational campaign. I spoke to Fogle before he took the microphone. You know the story, but I wasn’t completely familiar with it until I Googled his name and found 23,600 links. As a student at Indiana, he lost 245 pounds — or 20 more than my entire existence — by having a 6-inch turkey sub and Baked Lays for lunch, and a 12-inch veggie sub for dinner, topped with spicy mustard. He then became a marketing monster for Subway, paraded on commercials that we’ve seen for nearly six years now. I pursued the dubious sports angle by asking him if he was a fan. Fogle said he is, and a huge one at that, in terms of passion now. Back in the super-sized days, he couldn’t go to Assembly Hall to watch the Hoosiers because he was too big to fit in the seats. Fogle loves the Indianapolis Colts and plans to return to Seattle when Peyton Manning and Co. play the Seahawks on Christmas Eve. "I get recognized more in Seattle than in any other part of the country," he said. "There’s something about Seattle. I think it’s because people are so health conscious here." (He said this 12 hours after the health-conscious Go 2 Guy slathered a pint of H

Question:

Yes, Gloria, something did just "click" for me. What happened was I was gaining weight and then my 49th birthday came around. I started my diet *on* my birthday – no excuses about "starting tomorrow" and said to myself, "this is my last chance to make this work while I’m still in my 40s". Of course age doesn’t matter, but it did help me to have this psychological trigger. Now, before this, I had enumerable starts and stops. I know exactly what you mean about feeling miserable and not being able to stay on a diet. In fact, during the times I fail and go off a diet I can usually tell by 3 or 4pm on any given day that "I know I’m going to go off today. I can’t face the emptiness of the limits all night. I just need the feeling of being able to eat *anything* I want just today." You know it is a very very fleeting satisfaction. And that it makes you feel miserable, but you can’t face the day without the satisfaction of (fill in your thing here – for me it is fried foods!). And it doesn’t even make you feel good physically! Here are the elements that are helping me stay on my diet this time: (1) Psychologically, facing a strict calorie limit with no room for extras or errors *forever* is just too daunting. It’s too sad. It’s too much pressure. That is why I created my "bonus calorie" system (based on something I once tried and Weight Watcher’s free points idea). I can go into this in more details if you like, but the presence of the bonus calories makes *all* the difference in the world to me. With a calorie bonus, I know there is a buffer and it removes the overwhelming sad pressure of feeling "I can’t eat any more today – which is just an endless trial – I can’t stick with this forever". With a carefully planned liberal bonus system you *can* stick with it forever, I think. Also, you should not be in too much of a rush. So it takes a year. So it takes two. The fact that you *are* dieting makes all the diference in the world. I’m sure I’m not the only person who has started off at 275 lb, lost 3 pounds and *felt lighter*, felt better about yourself knowing that you are moving in the right direction. In many senses a large part of this *is* the journey, not only the destination. (2) I finally bit the exercise bullet. I always *knew* all the reasons exercise was important. But I never could really get myself around to actually *doing* any in a consistent manner. But this time around I went and bought an exercise bicycle that shows calories used and set the thing *in front of my TV*! I’m still not doing a *lot* of exercise, but I do 20-40 minutes per day.   At my weight, going at a reasonable speed, 20 minutes of cycling uses up about 220 calories. What I do then is put the following into my journal:         ex 20" -220 and *deduct* those calories from what I’ve eaten that day. Which makes a huge difference! It makes me feel like I have even less pressure from the day’s calorie limits. Sometimes I even get on the bike and do another 20 minutes because I don’t want to get close to my nominal daily limit and go into the bonus calories. In other words, there becomes an incentive to do exercise – even beyond the fact that you are generally doing your body good and feel better afterwards. So what is the bottom line here? What is the executive summary of my advise so far? 1. Control calories – but in a way that you can live with *forever* by designing your calorie control in a way that doesn’t *feel* limiting. 2. Exercise – and deduct those calories from what you ate, which is a great incentive! Finally, Gloria, and I mean this – no matter how many times you have started, given up, started again and given up again. No matter what you weigh. No matter how old you are. No matter how depressed you have gotten over it. No matter how *long* the struggle ahead looks – I *know* you can start and stick with it. How do I know? Because – I mean this – if *I* can *anybody* can! Honestly! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey Doug, I’m TRYING to get motivation AFTER a good loss but just CAN’T get started again. Now I’m TOO HIGH on the scale but HOW to turn around to be losing as you ARE doing now:) Did something just "CLICK" for you and thus you begun to lose? I NEED to get myself turned around NOW! I’m miserable! YOU are doing VERY WELL CONGRATS! glo

Response:

Hi, Doug, Nice Work! Take Care Catherine

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -A good week altogether, losing 1.4 kg = 3.1 lb and reaching the major milestone for me of getting below 110 kg! That means I have less than 10 kg to go before I am in double-digits. I hope I can get there before year’s end! Historically speaking, I’m now at my lowest weight in almost 5 years, below what I was in November of 2000 when I visited New York for some business. At that time I was gaining weight, but now I’m moving in the opposite direction. My method: Low-cal plus exercise – 1700 calories/day limit plus 1000 weekly bonus calories (avoids frustration of strict daily limit); can carryover leftover calories to next day (add to bonus); can subtract logged exercise calories from daily calorie intake (an incentive to exercise); bonus is reset each Friday to 1000 + anything leftover from 1700×7 calories from the week before. Latest numbers: Days on diet: 98 Weight (kg): 125.0 – 109.6 (15.4 kg lost!) MILESTONE! Under 110 kg! Weight (lb): 275.0 – 241.1 (33.9 lb lost!) Weight loss this week: 1.4 kg = 3.1 lb Lb/Week average loss: 2.42 BMI: 41.3 – 36.2 Percent body mass lost: 12.3% Percent done to goal of 79 kg: 33% doug

Response:

Hey Doug, I’m TRYING to get motivation AFTER a good loss but just CAN’T get started again. Now I’m TOO HIGH on the scale but HOW to turn around to be losing as you ARE doing now:) Did something just "CLICK" for you and thus you begun to lose? I NEED to get myself turned around NOW! I’m miserable! YOU are doing VERY WELL CONGRATS! glo

Response:

Congratulations on another milestone!  It must feel great to be back at your lowest weight of a few years ago. Beverly

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A good week altogether, losing 1.4 kg = 3.1 lb and reaching the major milestone for me of getting below 110 kg! That means I have less than 10 kg to go before I am in double-digits. I hope I can get there before year’s end! Historically speaking, I’m now at my lowest weight in almost 5 years, below what I was in November of 2000 when I visited New York for some business. At that time I was gaining weight, but now I’m moving in the opposite direction. My method: Low-cal plus exercise – 1700 calories/day limit plus 1000 weekly bonus calories (avoids frustration of strict daily limit); can carryover leftover calories to next day (add to bonus); can subtract logged exercise calories from daily calorie intake (an incentive to exercise); bonus is reset each Friday to 1000 + anything leftover from 1700×7 calories from the week before. Latest numbers: Days on diet: 98 Weight (kg): 125.0 – 109.6 (15.4 kg lost!) MILESTONE! Under 110 kg! Weight (lb): 275.0 – 241.1 (33.9 lb lost!) Weight loss this week: 1.4 kg = 3.1 lb Lb/Week average loss: 2.42 BMI: 41.3 – 36.2 Percent body mass lost: 12.3% Percent done to goal of 79 kg: 33% doug

Response:

A great loss, Doug! Congratulations. Keep up the great work. Elaine – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A good week altogether, losing 1.4 kg = 3.1 lb and reaching the major milestone for me of getting below 110 kg! That means I have less than 10 kg to go before I am in double-digits. I hope I can get there before year’s end! Historically speaking, I’m now at my lowest weight in almost 5 years, below what I was in November of 2000 when I visited New York for some business. At that time I was gaining weight, but now I’m moving in the opposite direction. My method: Low-cal plus exercise – 1700 calories/day limit plus 1000 weekly bonus calories (avoids frustration of strict daily limit); can carryover leftover calories to next day (add to bonus); can subtract logged exercise calories from daily calorie intake (an incentive to exercise); bonus is reset each Friday to 1000 + anything leftover from 1700×7 calories from the week before. Latest numbers: Days on diet: 98 Weight (kg): 125.0 – 109.6 (15.4 kg lost!) MILESTONE! Under 110 kg! Weight (lb): 275.0 – 241.1 (33.9 lb lost!) Weight loss this week: 1.4 kg = 3.1 lb Lb/Week average loss: 2.42 BMI: 41.3 – 36.2 Percent body mass lost: 12.3% Percent done to goal of 79 kg: 33% doug

Response:

A good week altogether, losing 1.4 kg = 3.1 lb and reaching the major milestone for me of getting below 110 kg! That means I have less than 10 kg to go before I am in double-digits. I hope I can get there before year’s end!

Great progress Doug – well done. janice

Response:

Doug — EXCELLENT!!! Don’t change a thing! Super! Yours, Caleb

Thanks everybody! I won’t! doug

Response:

Doug — EXCELLENT!!! Don’t change a thing! Super! Yours, Caleb

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -A good week altogether, losing 1.4 kg = 3.1 lb and reaching the major milestone for me of getting below 110 kg! That means I have less than 10 kg to go before I am in double-digits. I hope I can get there before year’s end! Historically speaking, I’m now at my lowest weight in almost 5 years, below what I was in November of 2000 when I visited New York for some business. At that time I was gaining weight, but now I’m moving in the opposite direction. My method: Low-cal plus exercise – 1700 calories/day limit plus 1000 weekly bonus calories (avoids frustration of strict daily limit); can carryover leftover calories to next day (add to bonus); can subtract logged exercise calories from daily calorie intake (an incentive to exercise); bonus is reset each Friday to 1000 + anything leftover from 1700×7 calories from the week before. Latest numbers: Days on diet: 98 Weight (kg): 125.0 – 109.6 (15.4 kg lost!) MILESTONE! Under 110 kg! Weight (lb): 275.0 – 241.1 (33.9 lb lost!) Weight loss this week: 1.4 kg = 3.1 lb Lb/Week average loss: 2.42 BMI: 41.3 – 36.2 Percent body mass lost: 12.3% Percent done to goal of 79 kg: 33% doug

You’re doing great, Doug — congratulations on your latest milestone! Chris 262/130s/130s started dieting July 2002, maintaining since June 2004

Response:

Good going Doug. Keep on that plan of yours . — Lesanne

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -A good week altogether, losing 1.4 kg = 3.1 lb and reaching the major milestone for me of getting below 110 kg! That means I have less than 10 kg to go before I am in double-digits. I hope I can get there before year’s end! Historically speaking, I’m now at my lowest weight in almost 5 years, below what I was in November of 2000 when I visited New York for some business. At that time I was gaining weight, but now I’m moving in the opposite direction. My method: Low-cal plus exercise – 1700 calories/day limit plus 1000 weekly bonus calories (avoids frustration of strict daily limit); can carryover leftover calories to next day (add to bonus); can subtract logged exercise calories from daily calorie intake (an incentive to exercise); bonus is reset each Friday to 1000 + anything leftover from 1700×7 calories from the week before. Latest numbers: Days on diet: 98 Weight (kg): 125.0 – 109.6 (15.4 kg lost!) MILESTONE! Under 110 kg! Weight (lb): 275.0 – 241.1 (33.9 lb lost!) Weight loss this week: 1.4 kg = 3.1 lb Lb/Week average loss: 2.42 BMI: 41.3 – 36.2 Percent body mass lost: 12.3% Percent done to goal of 79 kg: 33% doug

Response:

A good week altogether, losing 1.4 kg = 3.1 lb and reaching the major milestone for me of getting below 110 kg! That means I have less than 10 kg to go before I am in double-digits. I hope I can get there before year’s end! Historically speaking, I’m now at my lowest weight in almost 5 years, below what I was in November of 2000 when I visited New York for some business. At that time I was gaining weight, but now I’m moving in the opposite direction. My method: Low-cal plus exercise – 1700 calories/day limit plus 1000 weekly bonus calories (avoids frustration of strict daily limit); can carryover leftover calories to next day (add to bonus); can subtract logged exercise calories from daily calorie intake (an incentive to exercise); bonus is reset each Friday to 1000 + anything leftover from 1700×7 calories from the week before. Latest numbers: Days on diet: 98 Weight (kg): 125.0 – 109.6 (15.4 kg lost!) MILESTONE! Under 110 kg! Weight (lb): 275.0 – 241.1 (33.9 lb lost!) Weight loss this week: 1.4 kg = 3.1 lb Lb/Week average loss: 2.42 BMI: 41.3 – 36.2 Percent body mass lost: 12.3% Percent done to goal of 79 kg: 33% doug

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yes, Gloria, something did just "click" for me. What happened was I was gaining weight and then my 49th birthday came around. I started my diet *on* my birthday – no excuses about "starting tomorrow" and said to myself, "this is my last chance to make this work while I’m still in my 40s". Of course age doesn’t matter, but it did help me to have this psychological trigger. Now, before this, I had enumerable starts and stops. I know exactly what you mean about feeling miserable and not being able to stay on a diet. In fact, during the times I fail and go off a diet I can usually tell by 3 or 4pm on any given day that "I know I’m going to go off today. I can’t face the emptiness of the limits all night. I just need the feeling of being able to eat *anything* I want just today." You know it is a very very fleeting satisfaction. And that it makes you feel miserable, but you can’t face the day without the satisfaction of (fill in your thing here – for me it is fried foods!). And it doesn’t even make you feel good physically! Here are the elements that are helping me stay on my diet this time: (1) Psychologically, facing a strict calorie limit with no room for extras or errors *forever* is just too daunting. It’s too sad. It’s too much pressure. That is why I created my "bonus calorie" system (based on something I once tried and Weight Watcher’s free points idea). I can go into this in more details if you like, but the presence of the bonus calories makes *all* the difference in the world to me. With a calorie bonus, I know there is a buffer and it removes the overwhelming sad pressure of feeling "I can’t eat any more today – which is just an endless trial – I can’t stick with this forever". With a carefully planned liberal bonus system you *can* stick with it forever, I think. Also, you should not be in too much of a rush. So it takes a year. So it takes two. The fact that you *are* dieting makes all the diference in the world. I’m sure I’m not the only person who has started off at 275 lb, lost 3 pounds and *felt lighter*, felt better about yourself knowing that you are moving in the right direction. In many senses a large part of this *is* the journey, not only the destination. (2) I finally bit the exercise bullet. I always *knew* all the reasons exercise was important. But I never could really get myself around to actually *doing* any in a consistent manner. But this time around I went and bought an exercise bicycle that shows calories used and set the thing *in front of my TV*! I’m still not doing a *lot* of exercise, but I do 20-40 minutes per day.   At my weight, going at a reasonable speed, 20 minutes of cycling uses up about 220 calories. What I do then is put the following into my journal: ex 20" -220 and *deduct* those calories from what I’ve eaten that day. Which makes a huge difference! It makes me feel like I have even less pressure from the day’s calorie limits. Sometimes I even get on the bike and do another 20 minutes because I don’t want to get close to my nominal daily limit and go into the bonus calories. In other words, there becomes an incentive to do exercise – even beyond the fact that you are generally doing your body good and feel better afterwards. So what is the bottom line here? What is the executive summary of my advise so far? 1. Control calories – but in a way that you can live with *forever* by designing your calorie control in a way that doesn’t *feel* limiting. 2. Exercise – and deduct those calories from what you ate, which is a great incentive! Finally, Gloria, and I mean this – no matter how many times you have started, given up, started again and given up again. No matter what you weigh. No matter how old you are. No matter how depressed you have gotten over it. No matter how *long* the struggle ahead looks – I *know* you can start and stick with it. How do I know? Because – I mean this – if *I* can *anybody* can! Honestly! Nice post, Doug.  As I was reading I couldn’t help but notice the similarities between your approach to weightloss and the methods of successful dieters in "Thin for Life". Beverly

Espcecially not letting past failure deter you from trying again. — the volleyballchick

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yes, Gloria, something did just "click" for me. What happened was I was gaining weight and then my 49th birthday came around. I started my diet *on* my birthday – no excuses about "starting tomorrow" and said to myself, "this is my last chance to make this work while I’m still in my 40s". Of course age doesn’t matter, but it did help me to have this psychological trigger. Now, before this, I had enumerable starts and stops. I know exactly what you mean about feeling miserable and not being able to stay on a diet. In fact, during the times I fail and go off a diet I can usually tell by 3 or 4pm on any given day that "I know I’m going to go off today. I can’t face the emptiness of the limits all night. I just need the feeling of being able to eat *anything* I want just today." You know it is a very very fleeting satisfaction. And that it makes you feel miserable, but you can’t face the day without the satisfaction of (fill in your thing here – for me it is fried foods!). And it doesn’t even make you feel good physically! Here are the elements that are helping me stay on my diet this time: (1) Psychologically, facing a strict calorie limit with no room for extras or errors *forever* is just too daunting. It’s too sad. It’s too much pressure. That is why I created my "bonus calorie" system (based on something I once tried and Weight Watcher’s free points idea). I can go into this in more details if you like, but the presence of the bonus calories makes *all* the difference in the world to me. With a calorie bonus, I know there is a buffer and it removes the overwhelming sad pressure of feeling "I can’t eat any more today – which is just an endless trial – I can’t stick with this forever". With a carefully planned liberal bonus system you *can* stick with it forever, I think. Also, you should not be in too much of a rush. So it takes a year. So it takes two. The fact that you *are* dieting makes all the diference in the world. I’m sure I’m not the only person who has started off at 275 lb, lost 3 pounds and *felt lighter*, felt better about yourself knowing that you are moving in the right direction. In many senses a large part of this *is* the journey, not only the destination. (2) I finally bit the exercise bullet. I always *knew* all the reasons exercise was important. But I never could really get myself around to actually *doing* any in a consistent manner. But this time around I went and bought an exercise bicycle that shows calories used and set the thing *in front of my TV*! I’m still not doing a *lot* of exercise, but I do 20-40 minutes per day.   At my weight, going at a reasonable speed, 20 minutes of cycling uses up about 220 calories. What I do then is put the following into my journal: ex 20" -220 and *deduct* those calories from what I’ve eaten that day. Which makes a huge difference! It makes me feel like I have even less pressure from the day’s calorie limits. Sometimes I even get on the bike and do another 20 minutes because I don’t want to get close to my nominal daily limit and go into the bonus calories. In other words, there becomes an incentive to do exercise – even beyond the fact that you are generally doing your body good and feel better afterwards. So what is the bottom line here? What is the executive summary of my advise so far? 1. Control calories – but in a way that you can live with *forever* by designing your calorie control in a way that doesn’t *feel* limiting. 2. Exercise – and deduct those calories from what you ate, which is a great incentive! Finally, Gloria, and I mean this – no matter how many times you have started, given up, started again and given up again. No matter what you weigh. No matter how old you are. No matter how depressed you have gotten over it. No matter how *long* the struggle ahead looks – I *know* you can start and stick with it. How do I know? Because – I mean this – if *I* can *anybody* can! Honestly!

Nice post, Doug.  As I was reading I couldn’t help but notice the similarities between your approach to weightloss and the methods of successful dieters in "Thin for Life". Beverly

Response:

Nice post, Doug.  As I was reading I couldn’t help but notice the similarities between your approach to weightloss and the methods of successful dieters in "Thin for Life". Beverly Espcecially not letting past failure deter you from trying again.

Oh, absolutely. This is my 15th week of successful dieting, having started on June 3rd. Before that I started and went off my diet within a matter of days (sometimes the same day!) – and rebounded weight – no less than 10 times this year. This is by far the longest I’ve managed to stay on the diet and, fortunately, I am not feeling tempted to go off yet. I’m sure that the feedback in this group helps. If you fail you have two choices: 1. Give up and get so fat you can’t move any more and you are depressed and eventually die young or 2. Try again (and again and again if necessary), hopefully learning from the past failed attempts and tweaking things until you find a way that works for you, that you can live with forever. There are no limits to the number of times you should keep trying. Each time you learn something new and each time you try it means you are bringing out the very best in yourself and attempting to improve your health and life. There are no limits to doing that! doug

Response:

Doug, THANKS very much! I AM trying again! I KEEP trying. I do agree with EVERYTHING that you have  said here but…… Here is the but I can not exercize for now but I do SOME while in remission with ms. I gained weight recently while OUT of remission  . It was saddness like you mention about not eating ETC and the saddness that goes with this. I APPRECIATE your post!!!!!!!

Good luck, Gloria. And keep trying. As for exercise – do what you can, if you can. I don’t know what the issues are with MS, but I hear that even fidgeting in your chair uses up calories! We overweight people seem to be very good at being efficiently motionless, naturally conserving every calorie of energy. Try to be as wasteful as possible. doug

Response:

I can NOT count my cals OR I STOP completely !! It has been like this FOREVER but I just stopped eating after a small amount of my meals! This worked for 100 LB loss which was off for 20 years (I gained about 15 but now it’s more) So I know I CAN! Rats, I just can’t get on the band wagon again. But I’m TRYING AGAIN! AND AGAIN! I WILL do ths as I HATED the OVER 250’s I HAVE NOT GONE to 200’s though close! I was wondering if LowCarb  has been either Doug’s plan or Cris’ plan? I KIND of try to keep a bit Low Carb. Thanks for the HELP glo

Response:

Chris, thank you! I HOPE that I do not repeat myself but do you count cals? I pretty-muchKNOW how many I am getting! I’m on day 2 of TRYING to get on my WOE !!! glo  

Response:

Great report, Chris. You are an ideal model because you not only went from obese to slender, you have kept it off too. Great! doug – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <really good advice snipped, because I’m sure Gloria already read it I just wanted to say I agree with everything Doug said here.  I also had a time when things just sort of "clicked" and I felt like I needed to do something.  And, like Doug, I designed an approach (albeit less structured than his) that allowed me to splurge periodically.  For me, it would be hard to face life knowing I could never have some foods, but knowing I can have them occasionally makes it possible for me to resist them most of the time.  (My approach is more to allow myself to splurge on some — not all — of the occasions when I dine out or go to parties, rather than in a more structured way like Doug does.) Also, like Doug, I didn’t worry much about how long it took to lose weight.  Every pound down was a change for the good, wherever it took me in the long run.  Also, like Doug, I made exercise a part of my life. What was and has been important for me is always **knowing** that, even if I allow myself to get off track for a few days, I will always go back to my chosen way of life.  In fact, after I was about 3 months into my new eating plan — and down about 20 pounds — I went on to Germany for a week-long wine education course, with all meals included.  I chose to enjoy everything that was offered — not pigging out and eating extra desserts and such, but not denying myself anything.  I came home about 2 pounds heavier but immediately got back to my WOL and was down 5 pounds by the next week.  (That was the only time in the past 3+ years that I didn’t keep my food log up — it was just too complicated with all the wine tastings and accompanying snacks — I just picked it up when I got back home.) Chris 262/130s/130s started dieting July 2002, maintaining since June 2004

Response:

Doug, THANKS very much! I AM trying again! I KEEP trying. I do agree with EVERYTHING that you have  said here but…… Here is the but I can not exercize for now but I do SOME while in remission with ms. I gained weight recently while OUT of remission  . It was saddness like you mention about not eating ETC and the saddness that goes with this. I APPRECIATE your post!!!!!!! glo

Response:

I can NOT count my cals OR I STOP completely !! It has been like this FOREVER but I just stopped eating after a small amount of my meals! This worked for 100 LB loss which was off for 20 years (I gained about 15 but now it’s more) So I know I CAN! Rats, I just can’t get on the band wagon again. But I’m TRYING AGAIN! AND AGAIN! I WILL do ths as I HATED the OVER 250’s I HAVE NOT GONE to 200’s though close! I was wondering if LowCarb  has been either Doug’s plan or Cris’ plan? I KIND of try to keep a bit Low Carb.

My approach isn’t particularly low carb.  I try to keep protein fairly high and to eat mostly "good" carbs (whole grains, veggies, fruit) and "good" fats (nuts, good oils), but I’m not too strict about limiting any particular thing.         Chris 262/130s/130s started dieting July 2002, maintaining since June 2004

Response:

<really good advice snipped, because I’m sure Gloria already read it I just wanted to say I agree with everything Doug said here.  I also had a time when things just sort of "clicked" and I felt like I needed to do something.  And, like Doug, I designed an approach (albeit less structured than his) that allowed me to splurge periodically.  For me, it would be hard to face life knowing I could never have some foods, but knowing I can have them occasionally makes it possible for me to resist them most of the time.  (My approach is more to allow myself to splurge on some — not all — of the occasions when I dine out or go to parties, rather than in a more structured way like Doug does.) Also, like Doug, I didn’t worry much about how long it took to lose weight.  Every pound down was a change for the good, wherever it took me in the long run.  Also, like Doug, I made exercise a part of my life. What was and has been important for me is always **knowing** that, even if I allow myself to get off track for a few days, I will always go back to my chosen way of life.  In fact, after I was about 3 months into my new eating plan — and down about 20 pounds — I went on to Germany for a week-long wine education course, with all meals included.  I chose to enjoy everything that was offered — not pigging out and eating extra desserts and such, but not denying myself anything.  I came home about 2 pounds heavier but immediately got back to my WOL and was down 5 pounds by the next week.  (That was the only time in the past 3+ years that I didn’t keep my food log up — it was just too complicated with all the wine tastings and accompanying snacks — I just picked it up when I got back home.) Chris 262/130s/130s started dieting July 2002, maintaining since June 2004

Response:

Duh, Chris, SORRY!! I DO see your daily reports:) I look OFTEN at these! I’m on day 3 I’m down 3 lbs which is WONDERFUL! I KNOW I KNOW that it is WATER! I DO NOT CARE:) I’m ROLLING NOW!! glo

Way to go, Glo!  Keep posting, and keep up your enthusiasm!  You can do it! Chris 262/130s/130s started dieting July 2002, maintaining since June 2004

Response:

Duh, Chris, SORRY!!  I DO see your daily reports:) I look OFTEN at these! I’m on day 3 I’m down 3 lbs which is WONDERFUL! I KNOW I KNOW that it is WATER! I DO NOT CARE:) I’m ROLLING NOW!! glo

Response:

Before you even consider low-carb, let me fill you in on my own diet history since 1998. Been there, done that. In 1998 I started a low-calorie diet similar to what I am doing now, but more restrictive, and knowing a lot less than I do now. I stayed on in 700 days and lost over 100 lb and then completely lost my will power and gained almost all of it back – getting back up to 131 kg! It was very depressing and I am constantly worrying in the back of my mind that something like that will happen again. A couple of years ago I tried strict vegan ultra low fat – the Dean Ornish diet. I did lose some weight, but it was too restrictive for me to be a diet forever. As some people have said, "Does the Ornish diet really help you live longer, or does it just SEEM longer?" Then I discovered Atkins and thought I found Valhalla! I went on it and the first 3-6 months were wonderful, I dropped a lot of weight and became a real low-carb convert – practically a missionary. But after dropping about 30 lbs I, like so many people, began running into those endless stalls and plateaus. And the advice you get from other low-carbers is bewilderingly confusing: eat more, eat less, eat more protein, eat less protein, lower your carb intake, increase your carb intake. There is even the suggestion of the 1,000 calorie/day "fat fast" to break stalls. I realized, as so many other people do, that Atkins is basically "smoke and mirrors". The main advantage of reducing carbs is that it *does* reduce your appetite. That is why I was able to painlessly drop my initial weight. I naturally ate less. Unfortunately for me – and for most very overweight people – the natural reduction in appetite you get from low-carbing is not enough to bring you down to your goal weight. The bottom line is this – conservation of energy *is* true. If you eat less than your body uses up you will lose weight. If you eat more, you will gain weight. Even over at the Atkins support group most people admit that. Low-fat, low-carb, weight watchers – all of these diets are ways to get at the same thing: reducing the number of calories you intake. That is why calorie counting is the most *reliable* way of consistently losing weight. Calorie counting also gives you the most variety. With Atkins you end up craving all the foods you cannot eat – the breads, the pastas, the fruits, etc. I’ve been there and done that and I can assure you that with Atkins you basically end up not being able to eat 99% of things sold in the supermarket. It is, despite the propoganda, extremely limiting. Dull as dishwater. Did you know that there are almost 2 net carbs (carbs minus fiber) in one teaspoon of garlic powder? If you really follow Atkins to the letter you even have to be highly restrictive of how you spice what little variety of food you CAN eat! Now I realize that not everybody can stay on every diet. I need "journaling" to make sure that I stay on my diet. But if you feel more comfortable with not counting calories and like the "open and free" feel of low-carbing, how about trying the Weight Watchers "Core Foods" diet. It’s simple and a LOT less restrictive than Atkins. And while it is not low carb it does seem to be more carb balanced, emphasizing low glycemic index foods. Just eat *until you are satisfied* from the Core Foods:         http://lerner.net/diet/wwcoreplan.htm You can also eat a certain amount of bonus "points" (comes to about 1500 calories) from foods not on the list per week. How about trying something like that if counting calories is too hard? Just a thought, doug – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I can NOT count my cals OR I STOP completely !! It has been like this FOREVER but I just stopped eating after a small amount of my meals! This worked for 100 LB loss which was off for 20 years (I gained about 15 but now it’s more) So I know I CAN! Rats, I just can’t get on the band wagon again. But I’m TRYING AGAIN! AND AGAIN! I WILL do ths as I HATED the OVER 250’s I HAVE NOT GONE to 200’s though close! I was wondering if LowCarb  has been either Doug’s plan or Cris’ plan? I KIND of try to keep a bit Low Carb. Thanks for the HELP glo

Response:

Chris, thank you! I HOPE that I do not repeat myself but do you count cals? I pretty-muchKNOW how many I am getting! I’m on day 2 of TRYING to get on my WOE !!! glo  

Yes, I count calories.  I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed my "Food & Exercise" messages that I post each day, but in each of those I give my calorie count for the day the breakdown into fats, carbs, & protein.  I try to average around 1600 calories per day.  (I do get a fair bit of exercise.  Since you’re not able to get much exercise, I expect that might be a bit high for you.  But a calorie-counting approach can work very well if you are willing to take the time to do it.) Chris 262/130s/130s started dieting July 2002, maintaining since June 2004

Response:

Question:

I never heard of vitamins impeding weight loss, but most likely you do not need vitamins. You can use fitday and enter your eating for one week, to see if you are meeting RDA for various nutrients from just food.

Interesting…I’m following the opposite logic:  if you are restricting calories, it can be a bit harder to ensure you get at least 100% RDA for all necessary vitamins.  Taking a multivitamin is good insurance, and can’t really hurt. The above stricting IMO, of course. jP

Response:

Looking at my weight loss performance from when I do not take the supplement, verses the weeks when I do take the supplement, I notice a dramatic reduction in the amount of weight I lose when I take the one-a-day.

Do you eat exactly the same amount of food and do exactly the same amount of exercise when you take the vitamin vs. when you don’t? Or are you thinking there is something in the vitamin that makes you eat more or move less?

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, I am working on loosing weight (and making good progress), and I have started taking the "one-a-day" multi-vitamin to supplement my normal low calorie diet. Looking at my weight loss performance from when I do not take the supplement, verses the weeks when I do take the supplement, I notice a dramatic reduction in the amount of weight I loose when I take the one-a-day. Could the supplement be impeding my weight loss, and does anyone have any recommendations on supplement that might not have this effect? I need the nutrients, but I also need every pound I can get. Thanks!

Vitamins don’t work as well as what they want you to believe.  With anti-oxidants in particular, getting them naturally is better.  If you take synthetic anti-oxidants, you have to take more, and it puts you closer to the DRI upper limit.  In fact, if you take even 25% of the upper limit, the anti-oxidant could start behaving like a pro-oxidant.  Vitamin C in particular causes cell damage at levels much higher than the DRI. Any eating program that puts you at risk for poor nutrition is wrong.  Stop it. If you’re not exercising start.  Exercise has a better ROI than anything you do for your health, except possibly avoiding tobacco.  Exercise enough to burn all the calories you take in, and shape your eating program around proper nutrition, not sheer calories.

Response:

Hello, I am working on loosing weight (and making good progress), and I have started taking the "one-a-day" multi-vitamin to supplement my normal low calorie diet. Looking at my weight loss performance from when I do not take the supplement, verses the weeks when I do take the supplement, I notice a dramatic reduction in the amount of weight I loose when I take the one-a-day. Could the supplement be impeding my weight loss, and does anyone have any recommendations on supplement that might not have this effect? I need the nutrients, but I also need every pound I can get. Thanks!

Response:

Question:

<snip I had no real trouble sticking to my low-calorie diet this past week. A couple of days I got the munchies around 3-4 pm (my most dangerous time). So what I did was eat until I was full! But what I ate were low-calorie things: a cup of watermelon, a banana, some low-calorie yogurt, hanpen (Japanese low-calorie processed fish), etc. So I never had to go over my calorie limit.

That’s a good plan.  :)  I use baby carrots to hold me over. Angela

Response:

Great job Doug! Brenda

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Loss this week: 1.0 kg = 2.2 lb Total loss in 3 weeks: 5.0 kg = 11.0 lb Milestone: losing more than 10 lb Notes: I had no real trouble sticking to my low-calorie diet this past week. A couple of days I got the munchies around 3-4 pm (my most dangerous time). So what I did was eat until I was full! But what I ate were low-calorie things: a cup of watermelon, a banana, some low-calorie yogurt, hanpen (Japanese low-calorie processed fish), etc. So I never had to go over my calorie limit. doug kg: 126.5 / 121.5 / 69? lb: 278.3 / 267.3

Response:

When you were a child did you get home from school about 3-4 and then have an after school snack?  Sometimes, that is what your body is used to.  It is conditioning from when you were a child and is very hard to break. Debbie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Loss this week: 1.0 kg = 2.2 lb Total loss in 3 weeks: 5.0 kg = 11.0 lb Milestone: losing more than 10 lb Notes: I had no real trouble sticking to my low-calorie diet this past week. A couple of days I got the munchies around 3-4 pm (my most dangerous time). So what I did was eat until I was full! But what I ate were low-calorie things: a cup of watermelon, a banana, some low-calorie yogurt, hanpen (Japanese low-calorie processed fish), etc. So I never had to go over my calorie limit. doug kg: 126.5 / 121.5 / 69? lb: 278.3 / 267.3

Response:

We have bars here with those equivalent calories, but I think I prefer something that seems more filling. Last week though I found myself on a train in the afternoon not having had lunch yet at 1pm and I was getting real hungry. Some fruit/grain crackers (160 calories) from a train kiosk really helped me stay on my diet until my next meal! doug – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Doug, I get hungry every day between 2 and 3. Lately my snack has been one of those high protein, high fiber Luna bars (around 170 calories). They taste something like candy. I learned to keep the points (calories) for something at that time every day.

Response:

While I was losing I ate more bulk, because I was that hungry all the time. One of my favorites was a whole wheat high fiber tortilla, with a little fat free cheese and then a bunch of salad stuff in it. I really get hungry every day around 2, and if I don’t have something I eat too much in the evening. — Lesanne

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We have bars here with those equivalent calories, but I think I prefer something that seems more filling. Last week though I found myself on a train in the afternoon not having had lunch yet at 1pm and I was getting real hungry. Some fruit/grain crackers (160 calories) from a train kiosk really helped me stay on my diet until my next meal! doug Doug, I get hungry every day between 2 and 3. Lately my snack has been one of those high protein, high fiber Luna bars (around 170 calories). They taste something like candy. I learned to keep the points (calories) for something at that time every day.

Response:

wonderful report, Lee

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Loss this week: 1.0 kg = 2.2 lb Total loss in 3 weeks: 5.0 kg = 11.0 lb Milestone: losing more than 10 lb Notes: I had no real trouble sticking to my low-calorie diet this past week. A couple of days I got the munchies around 3-4 pm (my most dangerous time). So what I did was eat until I was full! But what I ate were low-calorie things: a cup of watermelon, a banana, some low-calorie yogurt, hanpen (Japanese low-calorie processed fish), etc. So I never had to go over my calorie limit. doug kg: 126.5 / 121.5 / 69? lb: 278.3 / 267.3

Response:

learning things like this is what makes you a success, is it always the best choice, well, yeah since you did what you needed to not starve and not go over calories, take this one as an NSV, Lee

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We have bars here with those equivalent calories, but I think I prefer something that seems more filling. Last week though I found myself on a train in the afternoon not having had lunch yet at 1pm and I was getting real hungry. Some fruit/grain crackers (160 calories) from a train kiosk really helped me stay on my diet until my next meal! doug Doug, I get hungry every day between 2 and 3. Lately my snack has been one of those high protein, high fiber Luna bars (around 170 calories). They taste something like candy. I learned to keep the points (calories) for something at that time every day.

Response:

Hi, Doug, Congratulations on your loss. Take Care Catherine

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Loss this week: 1.0 kg = 2.2 lb Total loss in 3 weeks: 5.0 kg = 11.0 lb Milestone: losing more than 10 lb Notes: I had no real trouble sticking to my low-calorie diet this past week. A couple of days I got the munchies around 3-4 pm (my most dangerous time). So what I did was eat until I was full! But what I ate were low-calorie things: a cup of watermelon, a banana, some low-calorie yogurt, hanpen (Japanese low-calorie processed fish), etc. So I never had to go over my calorie limit. doug kg: 126.5 / 121.5 / 69? lb: 278.3 / 267.3

Response:

While I was losing I ate more bulk, because I was that hungry all the time. One of my favorites was a whole wheat high fiber tortilla, with a little fat free cheese and then a bunch of salad stuff in it. I really get hungry every day around 2, and if I don’t have something I eat too much in the evening.

I really wish they sold those kind of tortillas or wraps here! When I was in the U.S I found very filling whole wheat, high fiber wraps that were about 60 calories each. Very delicious! doug

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We have bars here with those equivalent calories, but I think I prefer something that seems more filling. Last week though I found myself on a train in the afternoon not having had lunch yet at 1pm and I was getting real hungry. Some fruit/grain crackers (160 calories) from a train kiosk really helped me stay on my diet until my next meal! It’s worth experimenting with high protein snacks. Protein reduced appetite a lot better than carbs and fat. The problem is that it’s counter intuitive and most people don’t realize this. I have problems snacking in the morning. Someone at work suggested having a whey protein shake for breakfats every day. They taste awful, but they do work. I rarely feel hungry till lunch, and if I’m busy it’s 2-3 before I need to take a break.

There’s this woman in my neighborhood who swears by high protein drinks. She keeps trying to get me to try them. She said she felt like she was slowing down a bit when she got to be 75 and started drinking them. Now she is 93 and I often meet her taking her afternoon walk along the river, or working in her garden. doug

Response:

I spread my meals out too, I typically will not even eat breakfast until 9 or 10, then lunch is between 1-3, dinner between 7-9 and then maybe an evening snack about 10 before bed at about midnight.  I know that if I put off my lunch until later in the day, I don’t have the munchies in the afternoons as much.  I just cant roll out of bed and eat in the morning though.  I have to be up at least an hour or two before eating.  I do start drinking my water right away though and normally have at least half of it drank before noon. Debbie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It also has to do with the time between the lunch and dinner meals.  If I ate dinner at 5 p.m I could go without a snack but then I couldn’t stay up until midnight.  So many dieticians stress the six small meals a day so I purposely save points from lunch for the afternoon snacks. I’ve pretty much trained my body to crave no food between breakfast and lunch, but that is usually four to five hours. If I am ravenous I try to make or buy another cup of tea or coffee and have a one point snack with it. Audrey Interesting question. It was a while ago, but it seems maybe I did. I seem to remember being able to buy two peanut butter cups and a Superman comic book for 25 cents. doug When you were a child did you get home from school about 3-4 and then have an after school snack?  Sometimes, that is what your body is used to.  It is conditioning from when you were a child and is very hard to break. Debbie Loss this week: 1.0 kg = 2.2 lb Total loss in 3 weeks: 5.0 kg = 11.0 lb Milestone: losing more than 10 lb Notes: I had no real trouble sticking to my low-calorie diet this past week. A couple of days I got the munchies around 3-4 pm (my most dangerous time). So what I did was eat until I was full! But what I ate were low-calorie things: a cup of watermelon, a banana, some low-calorie yogurt, hanpen (Japanese low-calorie processed fish), etc. So I never had to go over my calorie limit. doug kg: 126.5 / 121.5 / 69? lb: 278.3 / 267.3

Response:

We have bars here with those equivalent calories, but I think I prefer something that seems more filling. Last week though I found myself on a train in the afternoon not having had lunch yet at 1pm and I was getting real hungry. Some fruit/grain crackers (160 calories) from a train kiosk really helped me stay on my diet until my next meal!

It’s worth experimenting with high protein snacks. Protein reduced appetite a lot better than carbs and fat. The problem is that it’s counter intuitive and most people don’t realize this. I have problems snacking in the morning. Someone at work suggested having a whey protein shake for breakfats every day. They taste awful, but they do work. I rarely feel hungry till lunch, and if I’m busy it’s 2-3 before I need to take a break. Ray

Response:

Interesting question. It was a while ago, but it seems maybe I did. I seem to remember being able to buy two peanut butter cups and a Superman comic book for 25 cents. doug – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – When you were a child did you get home from school about 3-4 and then have an after school snack?  Sometimes, that is what your body is used to.  It is conditioning from when you were a child and is very hard to break. Debbie Loss this week: 1.0 kg = 2.2 lb Total loss in 3 weeks: 5.0 kg = 11.0 lb Milestone: losing more than 10 lb Notes: I had no real trouble sticking to my low-calorie diet this past week. A couple of days I got the munchies around 3-4 pm (my most dangerous time). So what I did was eat until I was full! But what I ate were low-calorie things: a cup of watermelon, a banana, some low-calorie yogurt, hanpen (Japanese low-calorie processed fish), etc. So I never had to go over my calorie limit. doug kg: 126.5 / 121.5 / 69? lb: 278.3 / 267.3

Response:

It also has to do with the time between the lunch and dinner meals.  If I ate dinner at 5 p.m I could go without a snack but then I couldn’t stay up until midnight.  So many dieticians stress the six small meals a day so I purposely save points from lunch for the afternoon snacks. I’ve pretty much trained my body to crave no food between breakfast and lunch, but that is usually four to five hours. If I am ravenous I try to make or buy another cup of tea or coffee and have a one point snack with it. Audrey

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Interesting question. It was a while ago, but it seems maybe I did. I seem to remember being able to buy two peanut butter cups and a Superman comic book for 25 cents. doug When you were a child did you get home from school about 3-4 and then have an after school snack?  Sometimes, that is what your body is used to.  It is conditioning from when you were a child and is very hard to break. Debbie Loss this week: 1.0 kg = 2.2 lb Total loss in 3 weeks: 5.0 kg = 11.0 lb Milestone: losing more than 10 lb Notes: I had no real trouble sticking to my low-calorie diet this past week. A couple of days I got the munchies around 3-4 pm (my most dangerous time). So what I did was eat until I was full! But what I ate were low-calorie things: a cup of watermelon, a banana, some low-calorie yogurt, hanpen (Japanese low-calorie processed fish), etc. So I never had to go over my calorie limit. doug kg: 126.5 / 121.5 / 69? lb: 278.3 / 267.3

Response:

Loss this week: 1.0 kg = 2.2 lb Total loss in 3 weeks: 5.0 kg = 11.0 lb Milestone: losing more than 10 lb Notes:         I had no real trouble sticking to my low-calorie diet this past week. A couple of days I got the munchies around 3-4 pm (my most dangerous time). So what I did was eat until I was full! But what I ate were low-calorie things: a cup of watermelon, a banana, some low-calorie yogurt, hanpen (Japanese low-calorie processed fish), etc. So I never had to go over my calorie limit. doug kg: 126.5 / 121.5 / 69? lb: 278.3 / 267.3

Response:

Great job!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Loss this week: 1.0 kg = 2.2 lb Total loss in 3 weeks: 5.0 kg = 11.0 lb Milestone: losing more than 10 lb Notes: I had no real trouble sticking to my low-calorie diet this past week. A couple of days I got the munchies around 3-4 pm (my most dangerous time). So what I did was eat until I was full! But what I ate were low-calorie things: a cup of watermelon, a banana, some low-calorie yogurt, hanpen (Japanese low-calorie processed fish), etc. So I never had to go over my calorie limit. doug kg: 126.5 / 121.5 / 69? lb: 278.3 / 267.3

Response:

Doug, I get hungry every day between 2 and 3. Lately my snack has been one of those high protein, high fiber Luna bars (around 170 calories). They taste something like candy. I learned to keep the points (calories) for something at that time every day. — Lesanne 365/162.2/164

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Loss this week: 1.0 kg = 2.2 lb Total loss in 3 weeks: 5.0 kg = 11.0 lb Milestone: losing more than 10 lb Notes: I had no real trouble sticking to my low-calorie diet this past week. A couple of days I got the munchies around 3-4 pm (my most dangerous time). So what I did was eat until I was full! But what I ate were low-calorie things: a cup of watermelon, a banana, some low-calorie yogurt, hanpen (Japanese low-calorie processed fish), etc. So I never had to go over my calorie limit. doug kg: 126.5 / 121.5 / 69? lb: 278.3 / 267.3

Response:

Question:

Slim-Fast is choke full of sugar, almost like a soft drink. I wonder how it could have ever been called a diet product.

Slim-fast Optima is advertised on the container as having 45% less sugar. It appears the product has been improved.  The amount to make a serving contains 6g of sugar.  The Ultra Powder Mix contains 1 g or sugar. A person should be careful to read the labels if one wishes to use Slim-Fast but avoid the extra sugar.

Response:

—–BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE—– Hash: SHA1 Weight Watchers and Slim-Fast top diet ratings Consumer Reports ranks leading plans accordingto long-term weight loss   Sonny, we don’t want this drek in SSFA. Please do not be an embarrassment to your family when you have to explain why you have two assholes.

Lose weight, you fat bull dyke. Yours in Christ, Marty

Response:

Weight Watchers and Slim-Fast top diet ratings Consumer Reports ranks leading plans accordingto long-term weight loss The Associated Press Updated: 7:19 p.m. ET May 10, 2005

  Comsumer Reports simply cannot say that Atkins is healthy because although we know it is, there is still no imperical long term data. Being conservative, they of course would take a traditional approach. How can you go wrong saying eat less, exercise more? Now you’ll really see the flood of advertising for the winners. — *7 years & 50 lbs low carb lifestyler — JK Sinrod Sinrod Stained Glass Studios www.sinrodstudios.com Coney Island Memories www.sinrodstudios.com/coneymemories

Response:

Weight Watchers and Slim-Fast top diet ratings Consumer Reports ranks leading plans accordingto long-term weight loss The Associated Press Updated: 7:19 p.m. ET May 10, 2005 Too much fat in Atkins diet Atkins, which has led the low-carb charge, got good scores for short-term weight loss, but landed at the bottom of the ratings because of poor marks on retention and nutrition. The report, released in the magazine

Question:

Weight Watchers and Slim-Fast top diet ratings Consumer Reports ranks leading plans accordingto long-term weight loss The Associated Press Updated: 7:19 p.m. ET May 10, 2005 Too much fat in Atkins diet Atkins, which has led the low-carb charge, got good scores for short-term weight loss, but landed at the bottom of the ratings because of poor marks on retention and nutrition. The report, released in the magazine

Question:

says… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It is very tempting to try that fad diet that you have found in the latest magazine that promises the world with fantastic fat losses without doing a thing.  Just take a couple of fat burning pills follow the diet and then bang! A brand new you in a couple of weeks. The sad fact is they do not work, they just provide more suffering in your efforts to lose weight, the only thing you lose is your hard earned money. Firstly we will look at the latest fad diets on the scene at the moment, their pros and cons and then you will be shown how to save your time, money and unnecessary suffering by pointing you in the right direction for permanent weight loss. The latest studies show that 90 per cent of fad dieters regained everything they had lost and even gained more within eighteen months. The Atkins Diet. The body burns carbohydrates and then fat for energy. This diet recommends limiting the intake of starchy,

I’ve seen this before. It is a couple years old. There are many approaches to weight loss. Mine is Atkins. Read more, live it, learn it, love it. — 370/273/270 Meatatarian: One who consumes primarily flesh and supplements with some leafy or cruciferous vegetation. Graino/Nuto Meatatarian: One who consumes primarily flesh foods and follows the strictures of the standard meatatarian but relaxes the strictures a bit to include occasional supplements of whole grain/nut products. Meatan: One who consumes flesh food products exclusively. Email: Actually my feet are big not medium.

Response:

It is very tempting to try that fad diet that you have found in the latest magazine that promises the world with fantastic fat losses without doing a thing.  Just take a couple of fat burning pills follow the diet and then bang! A brand new you in a couple of weeks. The sad fact is they do not work, they just provide more suffering in your efforts to lose weight, the only thing you lose is your hard earned money. Firstly we will look at the latest fad diets on the scene at the moment, their pros and cons and then you will be shown how to save your time, money and unnecessary suffering by pointing you in the right direction for permanent weight loss. The latest studies show that 90 per cent of fad dieters regained everything they had lost and even gained more within eighteen months. The Atkins Diet. The body burns carbohydrates and then fat for energy. This diet recommends limiting the intake of starchy, high carb foods so that the fat is burned first. So by eating meat, cheese and eggs and keeping bread and potatoes to a minimum, fat is lost. Pros:  Steak with cheese topping, Chocolate mocha ice cream and pork scratchings. Cons:  Studies show high protein diets lead to increased risk of heart disease, colon cancer, bad breath (halitosis) and constipation. Consuming more carbohydrate that can be used by the body will store this excess in fat cells. The Zone Diet. This diet claims to decrease hunger and boost energy by keeping your bodies eating habits in the zone or at its peak. This is done by keeping all your meals and snacks in the ratio of 40% carbohydrates, 30% protein, 30% fats. Pros:  Being a low calorie diet, you can’t help but lose weight. Cons:  Very difficult to adhere to the strict regime the diet requires. Will experience metabolism slow down because of low calories and will lead to starvation response which will eat away at the muscle tissue while retaining the fat. The Blood Group Diet. By having a blood test and determining your blood group, this then tells you how you can absorb nutrients, thus you can plan your diet accordingly. Different blood groups can eat different food groups. Pros:  Another calorie restricting diet so weight will be lost. Cons:  There appears to be little clinical and scientific evidence behind this diet and by the elimination of whole food groups important nutritional deficiencies are likely with long term health problems encountered. The Ashram Diet. This diet is basically a very low calorie diet (near starvation) which is coupled with a very high intensity exercise regime. A sample of this diet would include: One boiled egg for breakfast, a green salad for lunch and a baked potato with salsa for dinner. Pros:  A very quick weight loss, 10 – 15 lbs in a week (Mostly muscle tissue and water). Cons:  Fast weight loss leads to many unpleasant side effects such as bad breath, bone loss, constipation, deprivation of nutrients (vitamins and minerals), muscle loss, metabolism slow down, headaches and poor sleep. Who would want all these problems for the sake of quick weight loss where the weight will eventually be put back on and more in a couple of months? The Hay Diet. The main rule to follow for this diet is to not eat protein and carbohydrates together. Combination of these two foods together appears to prevent protein from being digested in the gut and can lead to an accumulation of toxins. Vegetables and fruit form the bulk of the diet with very small portions of protein and carbs. Pros:  Plenty of fruit and veggies in the diet means plenty of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Cons:  There doesn’t appear to be too much scientific evidence about food combinations and by limiting yourself to certain food groups you will miss out on important nutrients. All these diets work because of a drastic cut in calories, when this happens our metabolic rate can be brought down in a matter of 36 hours by as much as 50% which means your body is now burning only half of your calories. To compound matters further, hunger kicks in after a period of inadequate eating setting you up for over eating and binging. Everyone is an individual so you have to be careful of diets that require you to set out what types of foods and quantities you have to eat at every meal. Just because a movie star lost weight on a fad diet doesn’t mean that you will. Before starting a weight loss program take into account your age, fitness levels, activity levels and medical history. A real weight loss program includes all the food groups, strength training, low level aerobics, a slight decrease in your daily calorie levels and a program that can be followed for life.  http://www.maximumfitness.com/news.php

Response:

Question:

Hi. I’m wondering how you’re supposed to maintain your weight after you’ve reached your target goal on a Very Low Calorie Diet. I’m not part of a programme, this is entirely makeshift for me, so I would appreciate any advice which might be forthcoming. Would I be right in thinking that it is simply a case of maintaining *good habits*, such as a (slightly increased) low-calorie diet which you gently ease into, and keeping up with regular exercise? My obvious concern is that a VLCD somehow screws with your body, making it inevitable that the weight will come back on. But surely if it’s simply a case of numbers (calories in vs calories out), a lifestyle transition is ‘all’ it requires? Would I be right in assuming that most weight regain cases are due to people heading straight back to the junk food and abandoning the exercise? My priority in exercise is to do serious resistance training while on the VLCD. Ideally, if I can build even a few pounds of muscle then I’ll be more liable to keep the weight off when I do transfer to a more reasonably calorific diet. Any advice/stories/pointers/criticism is welcome

Response:

This is a good question.  The percentage of dieters who regain is around 95%.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi. I’m wondering how you’re supposed to maintain your weight after you’ve reached your target goal on a Very Low Calorie Diet. I’m not part of a programme, this is entirely makeshift for me, so I would appreciate any advice which might be forthcoming. Would I be right in thinking that it is simply a case of maintaining *good habits*, such as a (slightly increased) low-calorie diet which you gently ease into, and keeping up with regular exercise? My obvious concern is that a VLCD somehow screws with your body, making it inevitable that the weight will come back on. But surely if it’s simply a case of numbers (calories in vs calories out), a lifestyle transition is ‘all’ it requires? Would I be right in assuming that most weight regain cases are due to people heading straight back to the junk food and abandoning the exercise? My priority in exercise is to do serious resistance training while on the VLCD. Ideally, if I can build even a few pounds of muscle then I’ll be more liable to keep the weight off when I do transfer to a more reasonably calorific diet. Any advice/stories/pointers/criticism is welcome

Response:

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