When to the doctor today and I need to loose some weight.  I got a list from him of how not to eat too much and have a healthier lifestyle.  I know 15lb is not alot but this is going to hurt! :'(  Mind you I keep thinking I fit my clothes better and be able to wear my kimono again!  Anyone got there tips they would like to share? 8-)

Congrats on deciding to make a change for the good.  Losing weight is not easy, but if you keep in mind, you lose weight when the calories going in are less than what you burn off in daily activity.  Decrease your food intake and increase your physical activity and you will lose.

Here are a few things that have helped me lose and keep off weight:
1.  Eat smaller portions.  Use a smaller plate so you don't "notice" the smaller amounts.

2.  Get a pedometer and monitor how many steps you take each day and over the course of the week.  Try to increase your steps each day until you get to 10,000 steps in a day.

3.  Fresh foods are better than packaged, processed foods.  Watch your sodium intake.

4.  Make sure you drink plenty of water to keep toxins from building up  in your system.

5.  You don't necessarily have to give up your favorite dessert or snacks - just make sure you only have them on occassion and in small amounts.  When you deny yourself your favorites, you are more prone to failing in your efforts to lose weight.

6.  If you eat the wrong thing or too much, just tell yourself you are going to do better tomorrow.  Allow yourself the occasional special meal - but don't over do it.

I'm sure others will jump in with more ideas.  Hang in there and good luck!

Hi Lisabelle.  I can totally relate to your situation, although for me it is alot more then fifteen pounds that I should lose.  I have been struggling with my weight for a while and I know how hard and stressful it can be.  Everything Bikerbraid said is right on.  These things have helped me in the past, and while I do not know your paticular situation I know for me it also goes beyond these things.  I am definitely an emotional eater.  I eat if I am happy, sad, scared, stressed.....you get the point.  It is not so much that I just eat all day, but more I make really bad choices when I eat because lets face it when you want to be comforted vegtables just don't cut it the way cookies do.  Also the things that are less time consuming to make tend to not be as good for you, and I hate to cook.  I love so many of the things that are good for me such as fruits and vegatbles and so on, but sometimes preparing these things are more time consuming so I tend to skip them(I know this is no excuse but for me this is part of the problem).  My point  in all this is that when I decide to change my eating habits I not only have to change what I physically eat, but also have to change myself emotionally. If I want to eat because I am stressed I have to find another healthier outlet for that stress.  I have to learn not to use food as my buffer because in doing this I am only avoiding dealing with how I am feeling at the time and eventually these feeling resurface.  It is true that you can never really hide from your feelings....they will always find you again.  I'm sorry if I am going on, but I guess this topic really holds a lot of isssues for me.   I just wanted to offer that not only are physical alterations important, but also emotional ones.  Any change you make in your life is going to affect you on some level and it is important to deal with how those changes make you feel so that way you have a better chance of staying on the right path, and not relapsing into hold habits.  Good luck and thanks for listening!!:)    

Good Morning Lisabelle.  I have lost 40 lbs so far.  :).  I gave up all soda pop, popcorn (I popped it in butter), eggs scrambled in butter (now it is only 3 eggs, once a week in butter), and bread.  I have been drinking more water, taking my vitamins, and soon as the weather improves, I will begin to walk.  So far that is about 4 dress sizes.  There is a shopping spree commin on  8-) 8-).  I know I have lost more cuz some of my even smaller clothes fit better.  Hope this is inspiring and helpful.

Debr

Debr - how inspiring!  congratulations and keep up the good work!

I can't give up my popcorn.  I MUST have my popcorn.  However, mine is popped in just a little oil and lightly salted (no butter added), so I don't think it too bad for me.  8-)

Thanks everyone!  I started my diet last night.  The only problem so far was late night tummy aches of which I took a TUMS.  I went for my walk at lunch time and almost fell over! :'(  Man am I out of shape!  But I pressed on, drank my water and made it. Boy will I sleep tonight!

Bikerbraid - I like the idea of a pedometer and will check my drugstore for one.

Again thanks everyone for the inspiration!! :) :) :)

Wow, Debr, you go, girl!

The most valuable tip that I can think to share is dedication. It doesn't matter so much what diet or exercise programs you begin. The imporant part is sticking to them! If you start and stop all the time, you will never see results. It's a permanent lifestyle change, not a quick fix.

Anyway, tomorrow, I also resume my power walking routine, so we'll be shedding the extra lbs. together. Best of luck!  ;)

Hi beautiful!

I just lost 5 kilos (!) just by using a weightlift barr after the morning shower (you don´t sweat doing this).I do like 5 squats and some turns to each side (for the stomach).I know that just by having muscles you burn a lot!!


Btw I first bought it for my boyfriend..who never uses it...


Swedish hugs

bikerbraid wrote on Feb 27^th, 2007 at 9:59pm:

2.  Get a pedometer and monitor how many steps you take each day and over the course of the week.  Try to increase your steps each day until you get to 10,000 steps in a day.

There was one of these things free in the cereal box this week. I might try using it.

I've got a couple of freebies from who knows where.  They aren't real fancy, but they give you a decent count of body movement.

Maybe we should start a "healthy steps thread" where we can report our progress?

I know this isn't always the popular opinion.  But as hubby and I have embraced this lifestyle and have had tremendous success, I feel I have to cast my opinion into the ring.  Low carb!  It's a healthy way of eating, despite what most people have been led to believe.  I have NEVER been hungry since we began our low carb life.  Hubby has lost 91 pounds and I've lost 27.  --And since today is the first of March I, too, will begin a walking regemine as I spoke of in my journal.   8-)
--I think a Healthy Steps area would be great!   :)

Quote:

Maybe we should start a "healthy steps thread" where we can report our progress?

Drat. Maybe I shouldn't have tossed my pedometer after all.  :-/

Yeah, a healthy thread  :).  Although it is still too wet and cold here to get out and walk,  getting differant opinions and ideas would be a good also  ;).  I probably would lose a few more lbs and some inches with the exercise, but I am a wimp when it comes to cold and wet weather.

Debr

A health thread would be great!  Dispite the blizzard I went for my 20 min walk.  I like walking when its snowing!