Permanent weight loss...advice from ladies!

[Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)]

I am on Herbal Life - shakes for breakfast and lunch - I love them - just like smoothies and they give me so much energy - for my main meal at night I eat anything I like - in moderation. My food tastes better and as time goes by my eating does get healthier. I am not a great fan of fruit - will eat bananas, but I will put tinned peaches, or fruit salad into my shakes.

I never weigh myself, just go by my clothes. I measured myself at the beginning and will do so maybe in a month's time. But I find if I weighed myself or took my measurements too often I would either get discouraged or euphoric and think mmm maybe I could have a day off. I know me too well. This time it is coming off slowly but on a daily basis I praise myself that at least I am taking action. I am introducing more walking into my regime.

I do try and be organised with planning my food, ensure I have the ingredients or have it pre-prepared. Then I don't have to think so less chance of not eating right.

I found a skirt I had made and wore 8 years ago - I couldn't believe it was so small (or so short!!) and yet I thought I was fat when I wore it. I called it my dancing skirt! Actually most of my skirts were what I termed "regulation length" that I was taught at an all girls private catholic school - that being the hem to be at the end of your fingertips - what I didn't realise for a very long time I might add, was that was for netball skirts only!! While I wasn't aware of being stared at - I got told about it.

I do not intend to go back to my "thin" state but to get into a healthy range for my build and just feel more comfortable.

At least my leathers fit me again (the smaller ones) which are the more protective ones. I am not making this "lose weight" thing the be all and end all of my life.

Keep at it one day at a time.

[Jimmy B]

Sorry havent time to read the rest of the post.

Stay away from Carbs: spuds, rice, pasta, alcohol, bread etc or at least cut them down. Plenty of veg, fruit, nuts and protein is fine. Keep up the excercise.


Good luck

[SDU]

If you're a large build naturally don't be unrealistic, accept who you are & work on being healthy & fit & happy in yourself.
Try to eat well balanced meals. People say weight watchers is useful even if it is just for awhile to get you in the habit eating a balanced diet.
Vary the type of exercise you do. What do you like. Pilates/ yoga will help give you flexibility & tone. Do you like dancing, go party (without the booze & junk food) try belly dancing, try push biking, hiking ( build up to the hills) try trail/dirt riding, skating... You don't have to go to a gym all of the time & have fun with it. Whatever you do be realistic & start gentle to give your body a chance to safely work the muscles.
My brother has lost lots of weight since xmas as he developed diabetes. He is eating a well balanced healthy diet (- not a diet as such -they have failed him in the past) & just does more exercise such as cycling , walking & just a job change where he is moving more have all contributed.
Gosh I now feel hypocritical as I am a lazy cook & don't exercise as often as I should. But then like you I finish work at 7pm & by the time I cook tea & eat it it is after 8pm. Makes it hard for the metabolism to work effectively. Remember every little thing you do helps.

[sunhuntin]

woah..heaps of replies!!

ive just got home from work [was meant to be my day off!!] started at 11, and was meant to stay till 6, but i was exhausted, so left 15 mins early. luckily i got some nashis and a tub of diced fruit before i started. ive just had a bowl of rice with some bread, and im starving. is crap food night tonight at home, and again tomorrow.
im pissed off with my coworker making me stay on longer cos his wife went to a funeral, and somehow he couldnt come to work. when a coworker died, the minute the funeral finished i was back at work. pisses me off royally. why the fuck should he get time off??

got a box of complan [crap thats expensive] so might mix one up to have as part of tea.

did 10 mins on the strider...actually running! legs are a little sore, but not major.

[Ixion]

Sorry havent time to read the rest of the post.

Stay away from Carbs:

I'm in two minds on that question. On the one hand, FI does not need the constant adjustment and fettling that carbs do. On the other hand when FI *does* go wrong, you are in big trouble and expense.

On the whole I think a *single* carb is better than FI. But FI is better than a 4 carb setup. Twins, it's much of a muchness.

(Eh? what? well, it *is* a motorbike site ? )

[Draco]

if you starve yourself your body goes survival mode and will try to store fat. you may get slim but it is muscle mass that you will lose before fat. you need protein to keep your muscle
the eating habits i seen that work best is eat 6 smaller meals a day.
limit the fat that you eat but not the protein, or carbs.
lift some weights as the more muscle mass you have the higer your metabolisim gets and the more fat you burn.
dont weigh yourself because as you lose fat you'l gain muscle and since its heavier than fat you may wiegh more and get demoralised.
But you will be getting a toned body.
use fat calipersif you want to keep an eye on your progress.
dont make your eating habits a chore, prepare your meals in advance and leave them in a container so when you get home from work on somedays and cant be bothered cooking you've got a meal already, just nuke it.
your mind is your most powerful tool for losing fat.
keep commited and you will do it and once you are happy with your progress you wont fall back into shit eating routines as you'll enjoy eating good nutritious foods.
on one program ive seen and i think it is a pretty good idea is that one day a week you can eat shit food if you want so it can help cravings for something you really want eat like burgers and stuff.
dont be hard on yourself if your progress falls behind where you want to be.
just forget it and carry on back on track.

and remember only you can make it happen.
how bad do you want it ?
Focus.

This is fantastic advice. Combine this with SDU's advice of finding activity you ENJOY and you'll be a winner!

I was a size 16 and miserable, I'm now a size 7-8 and love my body. I discovered bodybuilding, karate and riding motorcycles. I don't bodybuild anymore and can maintain my weight (at well over 30yrs of age and having had babies) just by eating 6-7 SMALL fat free meals a day and moving my body. As well as your exercise, make it your mindset to move. Take the stairs not the lift, park your car at the back of the carpark and walk etc etc. When that becomes your lifestyle youll feel fantastic about yourself.

Get yourself a full health checkup with your doc to rule out thyroid problems or diabetes etc. I'd recommend an assessment for depression. I'd also recommend some time in the sun each day to help lift your mood.

Most of all LOVE YOURSELF.
Good luck and feel free to PM me for any pep talks or advice

[sunhuntin]

This is fantastic advice. Combine this with SDU's advice of finding activity you ENJOY and you'll be a winner!

I was a size 16 and miserable, I'm now a size 7-8 and love my body. I discovered bodybuilding, karate and riding motorcycles. I don't bodybuild anymore and can maintain my weight (at well over 30yrs of age and having had babies) just by eating 6-7 SMALL fat free meals a day and moving my body. As well as your exercise, make it your mindset to move. Take the stairs not the lift, park your car at the back of the carpark and walk etc etc. When that becomes your lifestyle youll feel fantastic about yourself.

Get yourself a full health checkup with your doc to rule out thyroid problems or diabetes etc. I'd recommend an assessment for depression. I'd also recommend some time in the sun each day to help lift your mood.

Most of all LOVE YOURSELF.
Good luck and feel free to PM me for any pep talks or advice

im certain i dont have diabetes etc. ive been big all my life. [when i decided since mum was fat, all fat people must be lovely.]

size 7 crap...i thought a 12 was neat. lol.

i love the weights....leg press and squat machine were my favourites, followed by the butterfly arm one. had rippin arms for ages...just sitting natually, and they be all curvey. lol.

yep...motorbike parks tend to be miles from where i want to be, so i park at the same one when im in town, and walk to wherever im going. fridays i usually go into mums work and walk all over town from there. spend a fair bit of time outside, due to work, but not necessarily in the sun.

one of my senior staff does weight watchers...hasnt changed her weight a drop. [and shes twice my size] lovely lady though, and a great worker.

[chanceyy]

Hi sun

I understand your frustration .. I am not lil .. although I am fortunate to have height on my side as well

i have always been big but active with it .. I ride two horses & take care of them daily .. a hours solid exercise every day, was going to the gym 5-6 days a week for a yr & did not lose alot of weight .. just toned up somewhat.

for the last 5 months i have seriously modified my diet- to no avail .. went do the doc & he was floored with what i was eating & amount of activity i do that i am not losing more

currently my days are made up of up eat apple on way to my horses full hour mucking out & feeding brushing etc .. home shower fruit for breakie (seeing if i have an intolerance for wheat/gluten at present) of to work .. fruit smoothie & water all morning
off to gym at lunchtime 20 mins on the walker & stretching on the machines
lunch is yogurt nuts fruit

afternoon i try to drink about a litre of water

after work well its either hairdressing or trimming horses feet dinner is salad & protein or carb (like potato)


I am trying to get into shape for me .. no one else .. but I get incredibly frustrated when the results are not forthcoming but will i stop no

btw went to a dietician ... never again blardy skinny upstart, she pissed me off royally with her manner & pretentious attitude

[Silverfern]

Hey sunhunter, my 5 cents worth: No 1. you have to get to the point in your head you really want to lose those extra kilo's, no use trying unless you are ready mentally. I'm a weightwatchers life member, but trying to maintain a weight within their range was too hard so I am now about 5 kilos over but OMG I think I look so sexy on my bike when I look sidewards in the window reflections as I ride by!!! Now hands up who hasn't sneaked a peek at themselves? You have control over your eating, no-one else, but it is so hard to remember that when you are stressed, unhappy or plain mad at someone. Stick with it, we'll help you through, PM me if you like.

[sunhuntin]

thanks for all the support. didnt expect this! LOL.

my diet officially starts on monday...but im a couple of days ahead. lol. had subway for tea as opposed to pizza.
pushed the tension [?] up a bit on the strider and just went all out [btw...what makes the front pole with the lcd stop squeaking? it wont shut up!] sitting here now cooling with a bottle of mizone.

chanceyy...thats unusual that your not losing much with that diet! *puzzles*

silver...i admit to sneaking a look in the window...but at the bike, not me!! LOL. i remember my partner and i going past some tinted windows after id polished the shovel, just to see how good she looked. lmfao.

i have replied to those who pm'd....funny, i only just noticed. normally a box will appear as they arrive.

have attached a pic of 2 pairs of jeans: the ones in the front i knicked off my partner, and i had to wear a belt with them. the ones at the back are what im wearing now. my aim is for the back pair to no longer stay up alone, and to fit into the front pair again.

got my coworker loaning me a set of scales...gonna weigh myself tomorrow, and again in 2 weeks. the results will be posted on here. hes also writing the afore mentioned diet. prunes, prunes and more prunes by the sounds of things. so if i dont post, im glued to the toilet and need help. lol.

thanks again everyone!!!

[Colapop]

Forget the scales! Weight is BS. Base your fitness programme on fitness targets not weight. If you want to lose bodyfat then get it measured and change your bodyfat percentage. Losing wieght too quickly can cost you muscle that helps to burn fat.

[chanceyy]

chanceyy...thats unusual that your not losing much with that diet! *puzzles*

yeah its real strange .. no one has any answers ..

but my motto is if ppl only see the weight & not the personality behind it then sorry they are not ppl i can be bothered with ..

I am wot I am .. & been working hard to try to get fit .. for me no one else .. & shrugs I am a lot fitter than some skinny ppl ..

accept me or not ... no skin off my nose .. fortunately thoses who can be bothered to look past skin deep find something special

[sunhuntin]

Forget the scales! Weight is BS. Base your fitness programme on fitness targets not weight. If you want to lose bodyfat then get it measured and change your bodyfat percentage. Losing wieght too quickly can cost you muscle that helps to burn fat.

itll take ages for me to loose any. i know muscle weighs more than fat. need to get a pincher thingy.... will look on monday i think. i think i may take up your offer on the cd book, col.

chanceyy...i agree. its the inside that counts, not the outside [to a certain degree at least].

[KATWYN]

yeah its real strange .. no one has any answers ..

Thats right no one has the answer for a long term weight loss quick fix - I doubt there will ever be an answer for that

But there is an answer to long term weight loss - it just takes a lot of darn hard work to get there and maintain it (although chancey it sounds like you are really active??!) . The answers are still in this thread...

[_Gina_]

Get yourself a full health checkup with your doc to rule out thyroid problems or diabetes etc. I'd recommend an assessment for depression. I'd also recommend some time in the sun each day to help lift your mood.

Most of all LOVE YOURSELF

I'm with Draco on this.

I have lost and loosely maintained substatial weight loss, at my peak I was 120kgs (I am 173cms) and while I didn't have thyroid or diabetes issues I was clinically depressed and didn't love myself at all.

I still have 15 odd kgs to go to be a healthy weight and I start this next phase on Wednesday morning using a system that works if you follow it and don't deviate: Jenny Craig.
It teaches portion size and uses the cal in vs cal used priciple and allows for eating normal foods. It gives you six small (ish) meals to eat each day.
It's also great for people like me who are busy and lazy in terms of organising food to eat each day.

I will commit to 30 minutes movement each day for the first two weeks (movement being something that I am not already doing) and then I start back at boxing training twice a week.

As Fish said earlier, you need to have a reason to make this sucessful, I do, it's being ready to race F3, I need to be healthy and fit to be able to be the best I can and I want it more than anything else.

The last piece of advise I will impart is:

DON'T OVER COMPLICATE IT AND LOVE YOURSELF!