Article: What no one tells you about losing lots weight

To be honest, I would have preferred my sons see nude women in National Geographic magazine rather than air-brushed porn.

I'd love to read a story about a mother, upon finding Playboy or whatever magazines in their kid's room, switched them out with National Geographic with your note:

REAL women come in all shapes and sizes.

Great idea!

Heeheehee thanks.
Actually, they're both grown up now and have dated girls of all shapes and sizes. Makes me a proud mom. :-)

***** TO ALL THOSE WHOSE PEOPLE WHO INSIRE ME BY LOSING THE WEIGHT AND GETTING HEALTHY *****


PLEASE leave yourself open to accept the love people have for you.

If you are having difficulty with confidence and self-love, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE find resources to help you build your confidence.

Remember that the people who love you don't want to see anyone being unkind to you... Even if that person is YOU!

Soooo many things... The glimmer in your eyes, the sound of your laughter and a million other things about you make you attractive!!! Sexy isn't just about the shape or condition of your body.

Much love!! :flowerforyou:

For later.

That said, I do find it dismaying that now, at a US size 8 and only 3 pounds overweight according to BMI, I am still being hit on by men who are fat fetishists on the dating site I'm on. I wonder what weight/size I need to be to no longer be objectified as a fatty. Isn't the average American woman a size 14? I'm way below that average. I wonder whether some of the men who think they're into fat chicks just have super unrealistic views of what regular women look like.

Whether a person is still overweight, or even obese, unfortunately has very little to do with BMI (which is just a very general notion), clothing size (especially since our sizes now are WILDLY inflated), or even the number on the scale.

How you visually look, the amount of actual fat on your frame, is the most reliable measuring tool. That's because body fat to lean mass ratio is what really determines how fat/lean a person looks, and is perceived by most.

In to read later

Maybe I'm naive...but I find it hard to believe that most of those pictures the person lost weight slowly and carefully with lots of exercise. How could they have bounced around doing areobics with massive hanging skin, or practically anything! Its great that the picture project that they have lost weight...but at least in my experience with exercise my stomach almost all but disappears...times I dieted without exercise HCG I was saggy. People do themselves a great disservice just going low cal instead of getting active and stronger through exercise.

I actually really did not like that site and the example its giving...we see on THIS site regularly people that have lost 100+ lbs and they don't have tons and tons of loose skin dangling. I'm sure it happens but I think its the exception.

I have lost 100lbs over the course of 2 years--1-2lbs/wk. I worked out and ate properly doing it, nothing drastic. In the beginning I just walked, then I started adding crunches and other ab work and 6lb weights for my arms. As my fitness level improved, I would "boost" my walking by increasing the speed. Then that became not enough so I started doing walking dvd's and would boost those. I do 4-5 miles/6 days a week and add ab, arm and leg work. I am 48 and had been fat my whole life. I have some loose skin. It's going to happen. I have loose skin on my upper arms, my lower abdomen and my thighs and neck. I don't like it, but I pretty much knew it would happen. My hope is, when I am at my final weight, that it will recover. I do know it will not recover immediately and may take a couple of years and I'm okay with that. I'm taking supplements on the chance they will help the skin recover also. To say it is the exception is absolutely naive. It happens even with exercise. I think the more important factor is the age of the person and how long the person has been morbidly obese (and how high that number is to be honest).

Here is some information I gleaned from my research about
tightening skin as one loses a great quantity of weight. I did not author this article.

" ELASTIN AND COLLAGEN are among a class of structural proteins in your body. These proteins work together to help build and maintain the integrity of your connective tissue, according to MayoClinic.com. Elastin can be found in your artery walls, intestines, skin and lungs and gives your skin flexibility and strength. Collagen comprises approximately 30 percent of your body's protein, according to the National Institutes of Health. Collagen contributes to the structure and strength of your bones, connective tissues and tendons. It also gives your skin elasticity, tone and firmness. Many foods may help boost the formation of both elastin and collagen in your body.

Foods Rich In Vitamin C
An important vitamin for the production of collagen is vitamin C. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, vitamin C aids in the formation of collagen in your body to keep your bones, skin, tendons and tissues healthy and strong. Vitamin C, in combination with copper, can also help form elastin in your body, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.Good sources of vitamin C include fruits such as oranges, strawberries and grapefruit. Other good sources of vitamin C include vegetables such as broccoli, sweet potatoes and red bell peppers.

Foods Rich In Lysine And Copper
Lysine is an essential amino acid in your body important for proper production of collagen. Eating foods rich in lysine can help you increase the formation and quantity of collagen in your body. Animal foods high in protein are very good sources of lysine. Good choices include meats and poultry, such as red meat, pork and chicken. Other good sources include dairy products, particularly Parmesan cheese, fish such as cod and sardines and eggs.

In addition to lysine, foods that contain copper help produce both collagen and elastin in your body. The Linus Pauling Institute reports that a copper enzyme called lysyl oxidase is essential for the cross-linking of collagen and elastin in your body. Both collagen and elastin are necessary for the production of strong, flexible connective tissue. This copper enzyme helps to strengthen the connective tissue in your heart, blood vessels and bones. Copper can be obtained from organ meats and shellfish, such as liver, crab meat, clams and oysters. Other sources include hazelnuts...

Protein-Rich Foods
Protein-rich food can help produce elastin and collagen in your body. Proteins are essential to build, strengthen and repair tissues and help build collagen and elastin. Good sources of animal protein include organ meats, poultry, turkey, eggs and dairy products. Good sources of plant protein include nuts..."

Something to consider as we make our journey to health and fitness...

ETA: I edited the original article to reflect my Paleo lifestyle. I eat no wheat products, corn, rice, or legumes.

In for the discussion and great links to check out later. Thank you!

bump for later read