need advice on loosing weight please

bweber91

Im 23 years old. Im 5ft 11in. Over the past 5 years after graduating high school ive gained around 115 pounds. I now want to lose that 115 pounds. I was hoping I could lose it by the end of next summer or mayb by thanksgiving next year. Maybe 80 pounds by next summer? not sure if that is do-able or not. So far ive started counting calories on myfitnesspal app. And I plan on starting 30 day shred by jillian michaels tomorrow morning. Any other suggestions on what to do to help lose the weight would be great. Ive already tried weight watchers and that never worked for me.
Thanks:)

thavoice

It is pretty simple actually.

Calories in vs calories out.

You dont have to subscribe to some special eating plan or workout plan to lose it. Just eat less than what you need to keep at the same weight, and move more. Exercise. Walk. Run. Walk away from the TV and computer and cell phone and just be active.


People want to make it harder than it really it. Sure, we all got to this point and we think that losing weight takes alot of money and time and eqt, etc etc etc, but in reality you dont.

You want to lose over 110 lbs. Eating at a small deficit should still be a pretty good amount of food each day so you shouldnt reallly feel depleted or deprived.

Branstin

Here is a thread that will help you get on track properly:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants?page=1#posts-16625920

Archerychickge

Yes, that's do-able, but you're going to have to be committed to the process. I have lost 64 pounds since Januray 8th of this year, but it hasn't always been easy. The first 40 pounds came off easy, but the last 20+ have been slower. Don't get discouraged if the scales don't show the same rate of loss as you go, that's natural.

Invest in three things NOW. A good kitchen scale (I got mine from Amazon.com for $15), a set of measuring cups, and a set of measuring spoons. weigh and measure EVERYTHING you eat unless it come prepackaged in serving sizes and you plan to eat the whole serving. Before I started I had no idea how much food I was eating. Just cutting back to an actual recommended portion was a big shock to me, but I stuck with it and now a single serving is enough, or even too much sometimes.

Read labels. I didn't cut anything other than sodas and white bread out of my diet, but I started looking for alternatives that gave me the most bang for the calories. Instead of two slices of white bread (about 120 calories) for a sandwich, I now use a 50 calorie lavash wrap or a 60 calorie pita. still gives you some carbs that your body needs but they are healthier carbs.

Eat lots of veggies. Then eat more veggies. Fiber is your friend. It will help you feel full faster than sugars or carbs. Look for veggies that have a high vitamin content, like spinach, or broccoli. and eat only small portions or sugary starchy veggies like corn and peas.

If you get a craving for chocolate, Indulge it... to an extent. Get a snack size chocolate bar and just nibble at it SLOWLY. Try to take as long asyou can to eat it. savor every tiny crumb You'd be surprised at how much craving satisfying flavor is in a tiny snack size chocolate bar.

Set easily attainable mini-goals. Like 5 pounds, then 10, then 15. By taking your journey in smaller more acheivable bites, you'll find that you set yourself up for success rathern than failure. 115 pounds is a lot of weight to try to lose, but 10 or 15 isn't that much. Remember, you didn't put it on overnight and you won't take it off that way either.

Last, reward yourself for your successes. when you acheive one of your mini goals, reward yourself with something special. It can even be a food item that you save for special occcassions... Or a new peice of clothing, or whatever. Just make sure that it is something that makes you feel good about yourself.

Remember it's a process and if you keep at it, you can do it. If I can help, feel free to send me a friend request.

abear007

The latest research is showing that it's not a simple "calories in calories out" scheme. Sugar and refined grains are metabolized much differently and many people, if not most people, don't interact well to these foods. They leave the brain still thinking it's hungry for more which is very hard to resist over the long term.

For me sugar free, wheat free is working out great. This basically cuts out all processed foods. I don't feel hungry and the weight is coming off, even without killing myself on the treadmill - no calorie counting necessary.

LifeWithPie

The latest research is showing that it's not a simple "calories in calories out" scheme. Sugar and refined grains are metabolized much differently and many people, if not most people, don't interact well to these foods. They leave the brain still thinking it's hungry for more which is very hard to resist over the long term.

For me sugar free, wheat free is working out great. This basically cuts out all processed foods. I don't feel hungry and the weight is coming off, even without killing myself on the treadmill - no calorie counting necessary.

Yeah ok, for YOU. The vast majority of the population do just fine with calorie counting. And CICO is not a 'scheme'.

crissy976

This is really great advice that you posted. I even got something out of your post that i wasn't even trying to. Thanks!

sjaplo

The latest research is showing that it's not a simple "calories in calories out" scheme. Sugar and refined grains are metabolized much differently and many people, if not most people, don't interact well to these foods. They leave the brain still thinking it's hungry for more which is very hard to resist over the long term.

For me sugar free, wheat free is working out great. This basically cuts out all processed foods. I don't feel hungry and the weight is coming off, even without killing myself on the treadmill - no calorie counting necessary.

Yeah ok, for YOU. The vast majority of the population do just fine with calorie counting. And CICO is not a 'scheme'.

Beat me to it. What works is watching your intake, being aware of what you put in your gob. Which is why all the fad diets work at first because they force you to be "aware" of your intake. However, restrictive diets are not sustainable because they have to end sometime and then people return to the original habits because they haven't learned anything about how their bodies work and how much fuel they actually need.

You've taken a good first step and it's cool to see your goals are reasonable from a time line point of view. Add some exercise, perhaps resistance training to maintain muscles and bone composition and take the time to learn what works for your body.

cheers

bweber91

Thanks for everyones input. I also have another issue. I very much dislike any and all veggies. I will eat lettuce and spinach if on a sandwhich or in a salad and at times I will eat corn on the cob. But thats about it. I do however love fruit.

thavoice

Thanks for everyones input. I also have another issue. I very much dislike any and all veggies. I will eat lettuce and spinach if on a sandwhich or in a salad and at times I will eat corn on the cob. But thats about it. I do however love fruit.

Doesnt matter if you like veggies or not. Eat less calories than you need to sustain and you will lose weight.

Some want to say it is not that simple and that new studies released preach it isnt that simple, but in reality a vast, vast vast majority of people will lose weight by simply taking in less calories than their bodies need to sustain the weight.


For the person who said sugar free/grain free is working for them.

Great.

but I bet it also has lowered your calorie intake hasnt it?

For thousands of years people have lost weight by eating less calories than they need. They have stayed the same weight by eating around the calories they need, and have gained weight by eating more than they need.

1princesswarrior

Hi there, I had about the same amount of weight to lose. I lost 80 lbs in a year with becoming very active and eating the same foods as before, just less of them. The only thing I cut out was diet soda but that is because of a migraine issue. I've learned (with the exception of this weekend) to control my emotional eating and replaced eat with exercise. I still have 27 lbs to go but I don't have a timeline set for that because I'm going to focus on strength training at this point.

Here are my thoughts:

Don't be in a hurry, set reasonable goals of 1-2 lbs a week. Drop it to 1 lb a week after the first 50-60 lbs are gone.

Find an exercise that you absolutely love so you don't dread working out. For me it is horseback riding and running. I respect lifting but I do it mostly to strengthen my riding. I started running at 215 lbs last summer using the C25K app.

And like another poster said, weigh and measure all of your food. Weigh all of your solid food and measure all of your liquids. Here is another link to help log it correctly: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide

Good luck, you've got this.

thavoice

The latest research is showing that it's not a simple "calories in calories out" scheme. Sugar and refined grains are metabolized much differently and many people, if not most people, don't interact well to these foods. They leave the brain still thinking it's hungry for more which is very hard to resist over the long term.

For me sugar free, wheat free is working out great. This basically cuts out all processed foods. I don't feel hungry and the weight is coming off, even without killing myself on the treadmill - no calorie counting necessary.

Yeah ok, for YOU. The vast majority of the population do just fine with calorie counting. And CICO is not a 'scheme'.

Beat me to it. What works is watching your intake, being aware of what you put in your gob. Which is why all the fad diets work at first because they force you to be "aware" of your intake. However, restrictive diets are not sustainable because they have to end sometime and then people return to the original habits because they haven't learned anything about how their bodies work and how much fuel they actually need.

You've taken a good first step and it's cool to see your goals are reasonable from a time line point of view. Add some exercise, perhaps resistance training to maintain muscles and bone composition and take the time to learn what works for your body.

cheers

"restrictive diets" can be explained in diff ways. Restrictive in just calories or restrictive in they dont eat the foods they always have liked and enjoyed?

Both can be said to be restrictive.

The fact of the matter is that many people gain back weight because they go back to the old habits. It is so easy to do. It isnt the fault of calories in vs calories out. It is the fault of the individual person who cannot contain themselves.

So, OP, it really is as simple as CICO for pretty much everyone. If you want to believe in the other excuses, so be it. Eat the foods you enjoy. I lose by eating steaks, wings, pizza, subs, etc. If you truly learn that you can eat pretty much anything you want,. but in moderation, then you are going to have a successful journey.

juggernaut1974

The latest research is showing that it's not a simple "calories in calories out" scheme. Sugar and refined grains are metabolized much differently and many people, if not most people, don't interact well to these foods. They leave the brain still thinking it's hungry for more which is very hard to resist over the long term.

For me sugar free, wheat free is working out great. This basically cuts out all processed foods. I don't feel hungry and the weight is coming off, even without killing myself on the treadmill - no calorie counting necessary.

What latest research would that be?

RHachicho

Well I've lost this much weight in just under 6 months. So ... yeah it's doable. But I think that without a commitment to both diet and exercise it's going to be difficult for you.

Branstin

Thanks for everyones input. I also have another issue. I very much dislike any and all veggies. I will eat lettuce and spinach if on a sandwhich or in a salad and at times I will eat corn on the cob. But thats about it. I do however love fruit.

The key is to meet your macros (carbs, fat, protein) for good health and eat enough to properly fuel your workouts. There are certain foods that I will not eat under any circumstances. Figure out the nutritional values of the foods that you don't like and find substitutions with foods you do like to eat.

thavoice

The latest research is showing that it's not a simple "calories in calories out" scheme. Sugar and refined grains are metabolized much differently and many people, if not most people, don't interact well to these foods. They leave the brain still thinking it's hungry for more which is very hard to resist over the long term.

For me sugar free, wheat free is working out great. This basically cuts out all processed foods. I don't feel hungry and the weight is coming off, even without killing myself on the treadmill - no calorie counting necessary.

What latest research would that be?

There have been some recent studies trying to rebunk what has worked for millions and millions of people. It basically puts a skew on things to apologize to all those people who just arent successful in losing weight. Do a search on it and it will bring up alot of info of which most of it, to me, is just apologetic and excuse ridden for those who cannot do it the traditional way.

The things I have read just muddy the water trying to say why it isnt that simple, but in reality for pretty much everyone it is.

Aero1dynamic

The latest research is showing that it's not a simple "calories in calories out" scheme. Sugar and refined grains are metabolized much differently and many people, if not most people, don't interact well to these foods. They leave the brain still thinking it's hungry for more which is very hard to resist over the long term.

For me sugar free, wheat free is working out great. This basically cuts out all processed foods. I don't feel hungry and the weight is coming off, even without killing myself on the treadmill - no calorie counting necessary.

Yeah ok, for YOU. The vast majority of the population do just fine with calorie counting. And CICO is not a 'scheme'.

Beat me to it. What works is watching your intake, being aware of what you put in your gob. Which is why all the fad diets work at first because they force you to be "aware" of your intake. However, restrictive diets are not sustainable because they have to end sometime and then people return to the original habits because they haven't learned anything about how their bodies work and how much fuel they actually need.

You've taken a good first step and it's cool to see your goals are reasonable from a time line point of view. Add some exercise, perhaps resistance training to maintain muscles and bone composition and take the time to learn what works for your body.

cheers

"restrictive diets" can be explained in diff ways. Restrictive in just calories or restrictive in they dont eat the foods they always have liked and enjoyed?

Both can be said to be restrictive.

The fact of the matter is that many people gain back weight because they go back to the old habits. It is so easy to do. It isnt the fault of calories in vs calories out. It is the fault of the individual person who cannot contain themselves.

So, OP, it really is as simple as CICO for pretty much everyone. If you want to believe in the other excuses, so be it. Eat the foods you enjoy. I lose by eating steaks, wings, pizza, subs, etc. If you truly learn that you can eat pretty much anything you want,. but in moderation, then you are going to have a successful journey.

I love this simply because it's THIS. You do not have to turn yourself into a rabbit to be successful. I've cut nothing from my diet. I simply eat LESS of the foods I love. I did buy a Nutribullet just so I could juice all those hated veggies into something drinkable and have found I crave sugar/salt a lot LESS than I ever did. Im not saying you should go out and do this, just saying I believe getting more of the vitamins my body NEEDS has led to an easier time avoiding munching on the crap my body DOESN'T need.

EvanKeel

Weigh and measure your food.

thavoice

The latest research is showing that it's not a simple "calories in calories out" scheme. Sugar and refined grains are metabolized much differently and many people, if not most people, don't interact well to these foods. They leave the brain still thinking it's hungry for more which is very hard to resist over the long term.

For me sugar free, wheat free is working out great. This basically cuts out all processed foods. I don't feel hungry and the weight is coming off, even without killing myself on the treadmill - no calorie counting necessary.

Yeah ok, for YOU. The vast majority of the population do just fine with calorie counting. And CICO is not a 'scheme'.

Beat me to it. What works is watching your intake, being aware of what you put in your gob. Which is why all the fad diets work at first because they force you to be "aware" of your intake. However, restrictive diets are not sustainable because they have to end sometime and then people return to the original habits because they haven't learned anything about how their bodies work and how much fuel they actually need.

You've taken a good first step and it's cool to see your goals are reasonable from a time line point of view. Add some exercise, perhaps resistance training to maintain muscles and bone composition and take the time to learn what works for your body.

cheers

"restrictive diets" can be explained in diff ways. Restrictive in just calories or restrictive in they dont eat the foods they always have liked and enjoyed?

Both can be said to be restrictive.

The fact of the matter is that many people gain back weight because they go back to the old habits. It is so easy to do. It isnt the fault of calories in vs calories out. It is the fault of the individual person who cannot contain themselves.

So, OP, it really is as simple as CICO for pretty much everyone. If you want to believe in the other excuses, so be it. Eat the foods you enjoy. I lose by eating steaks, wings, pizza, subs, etc. If you truly learn that you can eat pretty much anything you want,. but in moderation, then you are going to have a successful journey.

I love this simply because it's THIS. You do not have to turn yourself into a rabbit to be successful. I've cut nothing from my diet. I simply eat LESS of the foods I love. I did buy a Nutribullet just so I could juice all those hated veggies into something drinkable and have found I crave sugar/salt a lot LESS than I ever did. Im not saying you should go out and do this, just saying I believe getting more of the vitamins my body NEEDS has led to an easier time avoiding munching on the crap my body DOESN'T need.

Most times people fail because they try to make themselves into a rabbit. The apologists all harp how the CICO model if flawed, not becuase it doesnt get results, but because it isnt sustainable.

Well, for most overweight people who would eat a full pizza for dinner and try to eat nothing but "healthy" stuff then yeah, they most likely are gonna fall off.

I used to eat a full pizza. Love it. Now when I do I have 2-3 slices. Love wings. Instead of eating them 2-3 times a week it is maybe every 10 days.
Love ice cream.
INstead of a trip every night to the DQ, is is 1-2 a week and getting a smaller item.

Some can be successful in going all healthy all the time, but m any it is impossible. Love it? Great, eat it, IN MODERATION. That is how you make things sustainable.

All those skinny people out there eat that garbage. Just not as often or in the quantities as many of us did.

juggernaut1974

The latest research is showing that it's not a simple "calories in calories out" scheme. Sugar and refined grains are metabolized much differently and many people, if not most people, don't interact well to these foods. They leave the brain still thinking it's hungry for more which is very hard to resist over the long term.

For me sugar free, wheat free is working out great. This basically cuts out all processed foods. I don't feel hungry and the weight is coming off, even without killing myself on the treadmill - no calorie counting necessary.

What latest research would that be?

There have been some recent studies trying to rebunk what has worked for millions and millions of people. It basically puts a skew on things to apologize to all those people who just arent successful in losing weight. Do a search on it and it will bring up alot of info of which most of it, to me, is just apologetic and excuse ridden for those who cannot do it the traditional way.

The things I have read just muddy the water trying to say why it isnt that simple, but in reality for pretty much everyone it is.

Yeah - that's what I expected...which is why I wanted to see the actual 'research' and not some regurgitated Facebook meme

9 times out of 10 (no research linked...just my personal estimation!) people that like to cite "the latest research" have never read "the latest research"

abear007

Except it"s not working because obesity is getting much worse, even becoming an epidemic. The U.S. isn't getting slimmer with the "calorie in, calorie out" message, it's getting fatter. Diabetes rates aren't coming down - they are going up.

In any case, I was offering what has worked for me and what I've learned, I wasn't looking for a debate. The research on sugar and grains and how they are processed differently, how they spike insulin levels, is out there if anyone is interested in learning more about it.

You are free to do what works for you and other people are free to do what works for them - and this has been working fantastically for me while the other way never did - so I'll stick with what works for me, thanks.

juggernaut1974

Except it"s not working because obesity is getting much worse, even becoming an epidemic. The U.S. isn't getting slimmer with the "calorie in, calorie out" message, it's getting fatter. Diabetes rates aren't coming down - they are going up.

People actually have to ACT on the message, not just hear it.

The research on sugar and grains and how they are processed differently, how they spike insulin levels, is out there if anyone is interested in learning more about it.

Yes, again I'd love a link to said scientifically peer-reviewed research

ETA: Since I see you posted on another thread - youtube videos =/= "the latest research"

abear007

I didn't say "you tube = the latest research", I said someone could find some information there if a person is interested in learning more about it which is a very different thing. If you're just interested in being asshat and looking for a fight, I'm not. You do what works for you, offer that advice if you want, and I'll do what works for me, offering it as an option. That sounds fair to me. Sheesh.

EvanKeel

I didn't say "you tube = the latest research", I said someone could find some information there if a person is interested in learning more about it which is a very different thing. If you're just interested in being asshat and looking for a fight, I'm not. You do what works for you, offer that advice if you want, and I'll do what works for me, offering it as an option. That sounds fair to me. Sheesh.

If you're going to present information, asking you to provide a link (or some other access) to it is a reasonable request. Making a statement that akin to "studies are out there that show [whatever]" isn't really helpful. If you're going to take a stance, it's generally considered appropriate to be able to support it directly. The onus is on you to support your position.

thavoice

Except it"s not working because obesity is getting much worse, even becoming an epidemic. The U.S. isn't getting slimmer with the "calorie in, calorie out" message, it's getting fatter. Diabetes rates aren't coming down - they are going up.

In any case, I was offering what has worked for me and what I've learned, I wasn't looking for a debate. The research on sugar and grains and how they are processed differently, how they spike insulin levels, is out there if anyone is interested in learning more about it.

You are free to do what works for you and other people are free to do what works for them - and this has been working fantastically for me while the other way never did - so I'll stick with what works for me, thanks.

yes.
CICO does work.
Obesity is on hte rise because people eat too much, and move too little.

bweber91

So all of this would be safe while ttc? I forgot to add that. My husband and I have been ttc and been wanting a baby for a while now.

juggernaut1974

I didn't say "you tube = the latest research", I said someone could find some information there if a person is interested in learning more about it which is a very different thing. If you're just interested in being asshat and looking for a fight, I'm not. You do what works for you, offer that advice if you want, and I'll do what works for me, offering it as an option. That sounds fair to me. Sheesh.

I have no problem with anyone sharing what has or has not worked for them. However I would respectfully suggest beginning such a post with statements such as "what worked for me was... " or "I have found that..." Not "the latest research shows that..." Especially if they are on willing or unable to provide said research.

abear007

And you are free to spread that message, even if you haven't posted any research on it. I strictly monitored my diet and did P90X religiously for months and saw very little improvement. With cutting out sugar and wheat, I've seen more progress in 3 weeks than I did in 4 months on the other. If counting calories works for you - great. It didn't work for me and I was very meticulous with it, logging every little thing. I won't bash what works for you if you won't bash what is working for me. Sound good?

juggernaut1974

And you are free to spread that message, even if you haven't posted any research on it. I strictly monitored my diet and did P90X religiously for months and saw very little improvement. With cutting out sugar and wheat, I've seen more progress in 3 weeks than I did in 4 months on the other. If counting calories works for you - great. It didn't work for me and I was very meticulous with it, logging every little thing. I won't bash what works for you if you won't bash what is working for me. Sound good?

Sorry no deal. I'm going to retain my right to point out and call out BS info when I see it posted.

That being said I challenge you to point to anything I said where I doubted your method worked for you or for that matter that it wouldn't work for anyone. The only thing I've asked for all along was the research you claimed existed so I could read the info for myself instead of relying on anonymous Internet forum postings.

sjaplo

And you are free to spread that message, even if you haven't posted any research on it. I strictly monitored my diet and did P90X religiously for months and saw very little improvement. With cutting out sugar and wheat, I've seen more progress in 3 weeks than I did in 4 months on the other. If counting calories works for you - great. It didn't work for me and I was very meticulous with it, logging every little thing. I won't bash what works for you if you won't bash what is working for me. Sound good?

Not bashing Just wanted to point out that this is the sort of "restrictive" diet to which I referred in my earlier post. I'm curious are you still recording your calories and with the removal of sugar and wheat is there a further calorie defecit or are you eating the same amount of calories?

Among other things, I have tried the low glycemic way - lost 25lbs in six months, put it right back on again. Low fat - high carb - no joy. I did mfp and reduced sugar (evil! evil! kidding!) lost 15lbs and stopped because I figured I had it under control. Put it back on again in 6 months. If you look up yoyo dieting in the dictionary - there's probably a picture of me :laugh:

What will you do when you achieve your goal weight? Are you planning on avoiding sugar and wheat forever?

I stand by my assertion - fad diets work because they cause us to micro-manage our diets - when we stop - well you know. But I believe (emphasis on the "I") that managing your diet is necessary in this society of plenty. Some do it effortlessly - the rest of us need tools. And that's where CICO comes in.

I'm glad you are achieving results - and I'm hoping maintenance for you is as successful.

cheers

abear007

With the restriction of sugar and wheat, basically eating only real foods and little or no processed foods, any calorie restriction is happening naturally. Basically I'm not hungry, even feeling full, so I don't eat. With sugar and wheat in the diet I was often hungry as if my brain wasn't registering what I was eating. It took a lot to be really full but even then, when my body came down off the sugar high, I'd be hungry again. That just didn't work long term.

My current thought when I reach my goal is that I could have the occasional birthday cake or apple pie at Thanksgiving at the very least. It would be nice if I could eventually have a "treat day" once a week that would allow anything - pizza, ice cream, pancakes, etc. but it will be a matter of experimentation to see how frequently that could happen.

I don't consider this a fad diet in any way - in fact I think the real fad diet is the high carb, high sugar diet that's been pushed for the last 30-40 years and which has correlated with the obesity/diabetes/heart disease epidemic. It's the way our our parents and grandparents used to eat before sugar was added to everything and before wheat was modified to increase it's yield. Hec, I was looking for a can of peas and carrots the other day and they added sugar to that!

This is the way humans ate up until very recently, real food instead of sugar-ladened, processed grain foods.(which are processed by our bodies just like sugar or worse). We can't get away from all of it of course, but we can go back as much as is feasible.

Thanks for the encouragement. I just think it's important to note that one size does not fit all when it comes to getting healthier.