12 Tips for People who feel like they can't not losing weigh

ahinski
ahinski Posts: 200 Member
edited November 9 in Health and Weight Loss
Okay, I noticed a theme throughout the MFP message boards. This is NOT directed toward any person in particular, but it seems there are quite a lot of people who are struggling to lose weight even though they feel they are doing all the right things. I really wanted to help these people because I spent A LONG time feeling the same way--frustrated. I just felt that any thing short of starvation would never work to transform my body. Now, that I have had success, I have a health and fitness blog called "Life After Lazy," and this week's post is my humble attempt to try to help people who were once like me, feeling hopeless and ready to quit. Let me know if there are any other tips you know of! I hope I can make a difference for some people.

Here is the link: http://lifeafterlazy.blogspot.com/2012/02/11-tips-for-im-doing-everything-right.html

(you'll have to copy and paste it)
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Replies

  • Hummingbird82
    Hummingbird82 Posts: 79 Member
    some great tips:happy:
  • veniceit
    veniceit Posts: 112 Member
    Thanks, I'm one of those people in a funk right now, I'll check it out, thanks.

    Btw it's easier to just hi-light the link and right click 'open in new tab'. Works for me.


    Ven
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    That might be helpful, except I'm doing all those things and not losing.
  • noneya2010
    noneya2010 Posts: 446 Member
    Nice blog, thanks for the tips! Alot of them I am doing so it's good to see I'm not totally off base!! Some of them I need to fine tune a bit more!!
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    There are some helpful tips in there, though only a personal level. None of it is necessary. I'd be as big as a house if I the only way I could lose weight was to eat the same thing every day! Or if I had to stay within my calori goal every single day.

    She also contradicts herself. "Don't eat processed foods" and "No diet foods" but "I've calculated the non-dairy, sugarless ice cream into my day..." In what world is non-dairy sugarless ice cream not processed diet food, if indeed it is food at all?
  • ahinski
    ahinski Posts: 200 Member
    There are some helpful tips in there, though only a personal level. None of it is necessary. I'd be as big as a house if I the only way I could lose weight was to eat the same thing every day! Or if I had to stay within my calori goal every single day.

    She also contradicts herself. "Don't eat processed foods" and "No diet foods" but "I've calculated the non-dairy, sugarless ice cream into my day..." In what world is non-dairy sugarless ice cream not processed diet food, if indeed it is food at all?

    I specifically said not to eat the exact same thing every day and to have just a few staples meals and snacks you enjoy and to change it up once you are bored with them--it should be understood that I meant healthful meals and snacks that won't make you "big as a house." I didn't realize I had to spell that out...

    I make my own ice cream using either rice or almond milk, organic vanilla extract, and agave (but you can buy options like this that are just as healthy and processed-food-free in most grocery stores). I don't think you understood my definition of "diet" foods--foods that are advertised as "low fat" or "sugar-free" but still contain all kinds of junk that's not good for you. My rice milk ice cream has no processed ingredients or artificial sweeteners. It is a 100% plant-based, whole food snack.

    I never said you had to stay within your caloric limit every single day. I only shared what I do and what works for me.
  • ahinski
    ahinski Posts: 200 Member
    That might be helpful, except I'm doing all those things and not losing.

    You are either at a healthy weight or something is wrong--get your thyroid checked asap and ask your doctor about what else could be wrong.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    That might be helpful, except I'm doing all those things and not losing.

    You are either at a healthy weight or something is wrong--get your thyroid checked asap and ask your doctor about what else could be wrong.
    Not at a healthy weight. Had a full physical in October specifically because of my inability to lose. Everything's normal.
  • calliope_music
    calliope_music Posts: 1,242 Member
    That might be helpful, except I'm doing all those things and not losing.

    You are either at a healthy weight or something is wrong--get your thyroid checked asap and ask your doctor about what else could be wrong.
    Not at a healthy weight. Had a full physical in October specifically because of my inability to lose. Everything's normal.

    i would suggest having your insulin to glucose ratio checked by an endocrinologist. sounds just like me - nothing was showing up on normal tests (blood, TSH, thyroid ultrasound, glucose fasting) and turns out that my body is just not using insulin correctly. i don't have high blood sugar/diabetes at all, or any other health issues. my doc put me on metformin to balance the insulin and my weight is falling off.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Thanks, Calliope. I'll definitely look into that!
  • ahinski
    ahinski Posts: 200 Member
    Yes, something is definitely wrong. It's a shame that a doctor would send you away without answers. You might also want to consider seeing a nutritionist.
  • ahinski
    ahinski Posts: 200 Member
    rml_16, But your profile says that you are thin? I'm confused...
  • andrejjorje
    andrejjorje Posts: 497 Member
    Well, as much as I appreciate the effort put into writing this blog/article I have to disagree with 5,8 and 9.

    5. Meal timing and no. of meals/day is irrelevant. It's been scientifically proved for many years now. This is only a perpetual nutritional myth.
    8.Why is that? Variety of healthy food help people to go over a boring diet and getting sick of the same food every day. I have to mention that every person is unique. I can eat the same darn thing for a month without any problem but I'm one of the few.
    9.Personal preference in case of people that want to lose weight. A must for athletes or BBs. There are many many variables here (weight goal, fitness level, motivation, necessity, time availability and so on). As you said not always the more the better.

    Other than that intentions are great and the rest of the tips are really valuable.:smile:
  • Neize
    Neize Posts: 301 Member
    :flowerforyou: Thanks for the tips! :flowerforyou:
  • LesleeAH
    LesleeAH Posts: 64
    .

    5. Meal timing and no. of meals/day is irrelevant. It's been scientifically proved for many years now. This is only a perpetual nutritional myth.

    Agree there. Frequency of meals does not speed up your metabolism - the amount of muscle you have does. Frequency of meals only helps keep you satisfied.
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    I eat processed food, only eat twice per day (sometimes three times), eat white carbs almost daily, and I'm down 33 lbs total (25 on MFP), 3 pants sizes, am stronger and fitter than I've been in years, and my blood markers are perfect. Sorry, but not everyone has to do it your way to drop lbs.

    The only thing that makes you lose weight is a calorie deficit.

    You admitted that you didn't do much research into this, and I'm glad this worked for you, but not everyone needs such a stringent diet to lose weight nor want it.

    I appreciate that you're trying to help people, but part of that is to be open to the idea that not everyone wants or should do it your way.
  • ImSoPerfectlyFlawed
    ImSoPerfectlyFlawed Posts: 127 Member
    good advice
  • dodson169
    dodson169 Posts: 20
    :smile: bump
  • michaelthorsonjr
    michaelthorsonjr Posts: 80
    I have to say that although some of those tips are common knowledge that they are not all necessarily universally going to work for EVERYONE. Plus, the eat every 2-3 hours is not true based on A LOT of research I've read that says it doesn't matter if you eat three meals a day or smaller meals every few hours ... it does not speed up your metabolism that is a myth.

    I don't know this is just my opinion but I've lost 35 lbs. by eating what I normally eat just eating less of it and moderating it.

    I think what is most important is finding what works for YOU and YOUR BODY.
  • mcanavan05
    mcanavan05 Posts: 210 Member
    Real question.. NY/NJ or Phila Phan... following will read later..
  • evansproudmama
    evansproudmama Posts: 493 Member
    People! You dont need to attack the OP she was NOT saying that you have to follow her tips and thats the only way to lose. She was simply giving you her recommendation based on what has worked for her. SHe states that many times and we all know everyones body is different! Thanks for the tips Im going to use a few of them myself :-) The 21 days thing really hit home with me as I am now on a "buckle down" mode for the next 30days to get myself in a better regimin.

    Thanks again!
  • Seminolegirl97
    Seminolegirl97 Posts: 306 Member
    bump
  • tinattinat
    tinattinat Posts: 56 Member
    Well I thought your tips were great! And I agree with everything. If someone else, doesn't......keep in mind, she shared this because she just wanted to HELP, not push anyone into doing something HER way! These things worked for her and many others, I might add. Not to mention, a lot of times, the naysayers that don't agree with your tips and think they don't work and you are wrong are the same ones that "can't lose weight".
    Thanks for the tips!
  • Virginia90
    Virginia90 Posts: 317 Member
    I wanted to let you know you might want to look into the agave nectar a little more if you are aiming to limit processed foods (namingly HFCS). Agave nectar isn't make from the "succulent leaf of the agave plant" like the bottles claim - it's actually made from the root starches of the agave plant - it's processed very similarly to the way that high fructose corn syrup is processed except some brands are worse for you than HFCS. Depending on the brand, agave nectar contains anywhere from 55-97% of fructose. Most HFCS has about 55% fructose in it. Assuming you know why high-fructose corn syrup is bad for you, it's obvious what the issue is. Unfortunately, I learned this after I had switched my family to agave and ordered a bunch of it. I ended up giving it away and switching to raw sugar (which isn't much better, but at least it has a better balance of fructose and glucose). It sucks, but unfortunately, organic doesn't mean not-processed, it just means no pesticides were used when growing it.
  • ahinski
    ahinski Posts: 200 Member
    Well, as much as I appreciate the effort put into writing this blog/article I have to disagree with 5,8 and 9.

    5. Meal timing and no. of meals/day is irrelevant. It's been scientifically proved for many years now. This is only a perpetual nutritional myth.
    8.Why is that? Variety of healthy food help people to go over a boring diet and getting sick of the same food every day. I have to mention that every person is unique. I can eat the same darn thing for a month without any problem but I'm one of the few.
    9.Personal preference in case of people that want to lose weight. A must for athletes or BBs. There are many many variables here (weight goal, fitness level, motivation, necessity, time availability and so on). As you said not always the more the better.

    Other than that intentions are great and the rest of the tips are really valuable.:smile:

    This post is really about what works for me and what people should consider if they are having a hard time--it's not the be all, end all of how to lose weight. That's why they are "tips." This is not the only way to lose weight, because if it were, I'd sell the tips and not put them on the internet...but it's how I got healthy when I was feeling hopeless and frustrated with mediocre weight loss or none at all.

    Like I said at the end of the post, none of it was "scientifically researched," it was just my own, real-life experience as well as the experience of my healthy, fit friends and mentors. I find that to be the most helpful advice when I need it, so I thought others might too.

    You may be right; maybe there is no scientific research that says your body reacts differently when you don't eat every 2-3 hours, but that's not what I was saying. I was saying that doing so prevents cravings and over-eating. And there is plenty of research to suggest that it is definitely true that skipping meals slows down your metabolism.

    I never said to eat the exact same things every day! In fact, I specifically said that is NOT what I am saying. This is advice I got from health and fitness expert Chalene Johnson. According to her and her research (and my own experience), when you stick with what you know, you're less likely to get off track, unlike if you experiment with a lot of variety. I'm not saying eat the same things for the rest of your life! I love to experiment with new recipes and foods, but when I find something I like and I know is healthy, I stick with it for a while, and then change it up when I get bored with it. I'm not saying to eat foods you find boring, I'm saying eat healthy foods you enjoy!

    As for the exercise tips, I'll once again remind you that this advice was directed toward people who have hit plateaus or are not seeing results at all.
  • ahinski
    ahinski Posts: 200 Member
    I eat processed food, only eat twice per day (sometimes three times), eat white carbs almost daily, and I'm down 33 lbs total (25 on MFP), 3 pants sizes, am stronger and fitter than I've been in years, and my blood markers are perfect. Sorry, but not everyone has to do it your way to drop lbs.

    That's fantastic (and no, i'm not being sarcastic). But please look at the title of my blog post, and remember that it wasn't directed toward people who are satisfied with their weight loss.

    And your statement, "The only thing makes you lose weight is a calorie deficit" is simply not true. It is ONE thing that makes you lose weight and is necessary for weight loss, but it is not the ONLY thing, and I really think that's where many of the people to whom my post was directed have problems (which you thankfully do not have). If I eat 1500 calories worth of fast food and Oreos a day and you eat 1500 calories worth of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and lean proteins--you will lose more weight, more quickly than I do (not to mention feel a heck of a lot better than I do). Guarantee it.

    My question to the people who are so upset that I'm demanding you change your eating habits (now that is sarcasm, because I'm clearly not doing that)-- Don't you want the absolute best results possible? Even if your satisfied with your results, what if some of my tips could make you feel better and have more energy? Maybe you've lost weight, but still have high cholesterol. Maybe you want to tone up more. These tips are intended for people interested in those things, not for people who are content with what they are doing and the results they are achieving. I think that was pretty obvious by the title.

    I guess I'm just not satisfied with mediocrity.
  • ahinski
    ahinski Posts: 200 Member
    I wanted to let you know you might want to look into the agave nectar a little more if you are aiming to limit processed foods (namingly HFCS). Agave nectar isn't make from the "succulent leaf of the agave plant" like the bottles claim - it's actually made from the root starches of the agave plant - it's processed very similarly to the way that high fructose corn syrup is processed except some brands are worse for you than HFCS. Depending on the brand, agave nectar contains anywhere from 55-97% of fructose. Most HFCS has about 55% fructose in it. Assuming you know why high-fructose corn syrup is bad for you, it's obvious what the issue is. Unfortunately, I learned this after I had switched my family to agave and ordered a bunch of it. I ended up giving it away and switching to raw sugar (which isn't much better, but at least it has a better balance of fructose and glucose). It sucks, but unfortunately, organic doesn't mean not-processed, it just means no pesticides were used when growing it.

    Wow! I will definitely look into that! I love getting new information like this!! Thank you so much!!! I don't usually eat much agave (mainly because it's so darn expensive), but I will DEFINITELY keep your info in mind. If you don't mind my asking, where did you get this information? I'd like to know more about it.

    lol I do know what organic means... I never said that organic means it isn't processed.

    Keep in mind, when I referred to agave, I was talking about "treats" and not something I make my whole diet out of. I don't see anything wrong with eating sweets every once in a while--in fact, I strongly encourage it!!
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    Decent article-

    You get double points for the double negative in the thread title.
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    And your statement, "The only thing makes you lose weight is a calorie deficit" is simply not true. It is ONE thing that makes you lose weight and is necessary for weight loss, but it is not the ONLY thing, and I really think that's where many of the people to whom my post was directed have problems (which you thankfully do not have). If I eat 1500 calories worth of fast food and Oreos a day and you eat 1500 calories worth of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and lean proteins--you will lose more weight, more quickly than I do (not to mention feel a heck of a lot better than I do). Guarantee it.

    Sorry, but you are not correct on this.

    See below articles:

    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/junk-food-diet/MY01589
    http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/08/twinkie.diet.professor/index.html
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22067112
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19439458

    There are hundreds more of these available if you look.

    If you are talking about overall health, then you are right that a diet of better quality foods will make you feel better and live better, but for strict weight loss, it really does not matter where the calories come from. It's thermodynamics, and nothing else.

    Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying you should eat all junk. There are benefits to eating better quality food other than weight loss that are critical, but to say that eating a calorie deficit of junk will make you not lose weight eating the same number of calories in better food is just wrong. I would challenge you to find a scientific article (not an opinion or editorial) that says otherwise to prove your point.

    I'm not pointing this out to attack you, however, I do think that if you provide advice, it should be scientifically sound advice. Be careful with the assumption that your way is the only way that someone can do this. You're making the assumption that your way works for everyone, which is not true. Sometimes those who are stuck without a loss aren't eating as little as they think they are or overestimating their calorie burn. Not everyone wants to eat fresh foods all the time either. Food preference matters.

    I also don't think the comment about accepting mediocrity was appropriate or warranted. I do not accept myself as mediocre either (hence why I am here and working my *kitten* off, literally), and did not appreciate this comment. It really was unnecessary. My health is better than it's ever been and my blood markers are perfect. I'm in outstanding health, and I'm enjoying this journey I am on.

    To answer your questions about my energy level and such, my recommendation would be to incorporate more exercise and regular activity into one's daily routine. A good workout or day out hiking, biking, or being active does amazing things for one's energy levels.
  • ahinski
    ahinski Posts: 200 Member
    And your statement, "The only thing makes you lose weight is a calorie deficit" is simply not true. It is ONE thing that makes you lose weight and is necessary for weight loss, but it is not the ONLY thing, and I really think that's where many of the people to whom my post was directed have problems (which you thankfully do not have). If I eat 1500 calories worth of fast food and Oreos a day and you eat 1500 calories worth of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and lean proteins--you will lose more weight, more quickly than I do (not to mention feel a heck of a lot better than I do). Guarantee it.

    Sorry, but you are not correct on this.

    See below articles:

    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/junk-food-diet/MY01589
    http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/08/twinkie.diet.professor/index.html
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22067112
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19439458

    There are hundreds more of these available if you look.

    If you are talking about overall health, then you are right that a diet of better quality foods will make you feel better and live better, but for strict weight loss, it really does not matter where the calories come from. It's thermodynamics, and nothing else.

    Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying you should eat all junk. There are benefits to eating better quality food other than weight loss that are critical, but to say that eating a calorie deficit of junk will make you not lose weight eating the same number of calories in better food is just wrong. I would challenge you to find a scientific article (not an opinion or editorial) that says otherwise to prove your point.

    I'm not pointing this out to attack you, however, I do think that if you provide advice, it should be scientifically sound advice. Be careful with the assumption that your way is the only way that someone can do this. You're making the assumption that your way works for everyone, which is not true. Sometimes those who are stuck without a loss aren't eating as little as they think they are or overestimating their calorie burn. Not everyone wants to eat fresh foods all the time either. Food preference matters.

    I also don't think the comment about accepting mediocrity was appropriate or warranted. I do not accept myself as mediocre either (hence why I am here and working my *kitten* off, literally), and did not appreciate this comment. It really was unnecessary. My health is better than it's ever been and my blood markers are perfect. I'm in outstanding health, and I'm enjoying this journey I am on.

    To answer your questions about my energy level and such, my recommendation would be to incorporate more exercise and regular activity into one's daily routine. A good workout or day out hiking, biking, or being active does amazing things for one's energy levels.

    When did I ever say my way was the only way? Please show me where. Well, you can't. Because that's not what I think! On the contrary, YOU were the one who said that a calorie deficit WAS THE ONLY WAY, and I simply said it was one way. There are probably millions of ways to lose weight. In my post, I very clearly said that it is important to have a calorie deficit in order to lose weight. I'm not even disagreeing with you and you're trying to pick an argument!

    By the way, I'm will not be checking out those links, because I am not one bit interested in a junk food diet, regardless of how effective it is for weight loss. Junk food has its name for a reason.

    I also never said that eating a calorie deficit of junk wouldn't make you lose weight. I said that you'd lose more weight, faster (and feel a heck of a lot better) if you did it by eating health food. You need to read more carefully before you go into attack mode. You're assuming that I am here personally attacking you and your eating habits when I wasn't even directing any of it to you. The post was directed toward people who want help--you have all the answers, so you obviously don't need my help.

    Again, you're putting words in my mouth. I NEVER said that I think you accept mediocrity; I simply said that I don't. You seem to be taking it personally because of some insecurity that has nothing to do with me. I'm sure you're perfectly healthy as you say you are and I never intended to suggest otherwise.
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