It all starts with baby steps. Try watching documentaries for inspiration. It really does work. When I watched "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" it put me in high gear. It really inspired me. I watch it at least once a week and I follow the site foodmatters.tv to learn what others are doing.

You know what taste good and more healthy, no chemicals is agave and lemon in water. Agave is better then processed sugar or even raw natural sugar. I buy large bottle from Marshalls on sale in the gourmet section. Or even maple syrup.

Another thing I have been doing, which is hard but drinking at least 24 oz of water first thing in the morning. You can add lemon and maple. It kick starts your metabolism and helps detox your body. Be forewarned that you will eliminate a lot.

On another note....

I have been juicing daily for quite a few weeks now and I've lost 10 pounds without really trying. My energy has increased. I didn not diet while doing this btw and was eating pasta and steak once a week. But I'm really ready to take it to the next level and do a 10 day green juice fast. I'm planning it with Wanton Sex Toy Boi to help me during this time. The first few days will be hard because I'll detox and won't have coffee, no sugar, nadda, just juice. I'm thinking about doing this the first week in Sept and have two art classes lined up at the artisan center to keep me busy.

That's cool, Sachita (about the juicing). What is your routine?
I know Yellow Band is also an expert in juicing.
I hear it gives you tons of energy!

I debated posting this morning because: 1.Everyone's doing so great and I, well, ate like I was going to the electric chair yesterday and 2. I am new and don't know anyone and I hate my introduction to a thread to be whining.

But, alas, whine I shall. :whine:

I rejoined WW for the 10,000th time about 7 weeks ago. I have struggled with my weight for my entire life (my first foray into diet programs was Nutrisystem that my parents enrolled me in as a present for my 17 th birthday. Nothing says, "Happy Birthday" like "Hey, Fatass, clearly you need help." but I digress...)

I had lost 9.6 pounds total (I say 'had' because after the last couple of binge eating days I am sure I will be up on Monday). I am tired of the diet yo yo and the inevitable self-flagellation that follows the upticks on the scale. I have adopted a very active lifestyle that has made me much healthier than in the past. It is time to get the food part of this equation.

This time I wanted to do a realistic plan that changed the way I look at food, not as my best friend, not as a magic elixir that will wash away pain or stress, but as nutrition to keep me healthy.

I do not want to work toward some mythical number on the scale that will make everything in my life perfect, nor try to attain some bikini model level of perfection, just eat in a way that reflects my other healthy life choices.

Granted, if I ever have sex again, I would like my partner to 'growl in approval' rather than 'gasp in horror' when I take off my clothes, so a little less junk in the trunk would not hurt my feelings.

*end whining*

Today, I vow to not let a 'Fuck it' day turn into a 'Fuck it' week.

Welcome Anastasia! :)

Glad you're here....and I hear you! No yo-yo, no beating yourself up....just sensible steps towards better health because you're worth it. :rrose:

We're looking at juicers. To you......and others......what should we be looking for (we're beginners)? Brands you recommend?


Welcome to the thread!!! You're in the right place, and we're all happy you are here. :)

Lizzy!!!

This is one of my all-time favorite posts! I have quoted your reference to iron chef to my friends, and we have all laughed so hard with total understanding (my best friend Anna said, "two words: sugar burritos"). thanks for sharing your fantastic wit and stories!

I have become a big fan of the "giant salad lunch" :)

Today's salad (up to the 2 quart line) includes lettuce, half a cucumber, a big handful of raw cauliflower, a carrot, about 1/2 cup canellini beans (again, straight out of the can...just rinsed...such an easy way to eat more legumes), handful of black olives and my homemade olive oil/apple cider vinegar dressing.

It's crunchy, it's filling, it's yummy and I just feel so good after I eat it!

I too love big salads. What is your dressing recipe?

Anyone else have any really simple, healthy salad dressing recipes?

And don't just tell me lemon juice cuz I aint there yet :)

I actually have one of those "Good Seasons" salad dressing cruets that you use with the packets of seasoning to make it at home.

It has lines on it for vinegar, water and oil....so I'm not sure of the measurements because I just fill up to the line. :)

So, I pour in apple cider vinegar up to the line (because it's supposed to be a healthy vinegar that helps you lose weight....and I like the taste), water to the next line, then...instead of the seasoning packet I put in a little chopped garlic that I buy in the jar, a little salt and pepper, a little parsley, a little dried onion flakes, a little italian seasoning mix that has oregano and basil and probably more parsley :)...just whatever looks right. Then extra virgin olive oil to the oil line on the cruet and shake it up.

It literally only takes a few minutes to make.

When this one runs out I'm planning on trying a mexican-ish one with a little chili pepper, some cilantro, maybe a blob of salsa lol....and use black beans and avocado in my salad instead of the white beans/chick peas I've been using.

That's great Scorp! I just bought one by GE from Walmart. Less than $20. It's a blender and food processor in one. Has different sizes of cups and shakers for juice. I used it this morning to make a fresh orange juice smoothie with a dash of stevia and ice! saved some aside to drizzle on my spinach I'm going to have for lunch with cod. The other day I used it to puree some tomatoes and jalapeno for a spicy tomato sauce I used on my chicken breast. Good investment indeed!

**ACT NOW ** AND GET YOUR FREE DVD TO EAT THIS NOT THAT!...SO CALL OUR OPERATORS TO CHAT! :raspberry:

Thanks Jo for the ideas! I will have to try that.. Any other ideas for no fat, no sugar, low sodium dressings anyone?

some one sent me to this website.. http://www.waldenfarms.com/products/dressings.html not sure if they sell it in any supermarkets though.

Sounds good! All beef is actually a good thing! I wouldn't go too crazy about what we eat in so much as the portions and variety of more fresh fruits and vegetables. If anyone veers off, it's okay. No one is perfect. Get back on track and get right with the next meal or next day! The goal - less sugar, less fat, low sodium. Thanks for the post!

I use Waldenfarms dressings all the time and think they are pretty good. My favorite is the Honey Dijon, and I also like the Rasberry Vinaigrette. Of course, the negative, imo, is that they are artificially sweetened (with sucralose, which is hundreds of times sweeter than a lot of other artificial sweeteners, like Splenda, so - on a positive note- a tiny bit will do the trick as an ingredient in the dressing). I am generally keen on avoiding artificial sweeteners, but I do like that it has 0 calories with a decent taste :)

Adding: Waldenfarms is found in mainstream grocery stores, a big plus! It comes in a glass bottle.

Glad to see everyone is doing well in here! Thanks for all the information and ideas provided. Last night before bed I ended my day with an ab workout I found as an app on my phone. It allows me to work my abs in a few different ways and feels good! This morning I weighed and I was down 2 lbs from yesterday so it's good to see my diet is working! Have a great day everybody! :tea:

The garlic Good Seasons dressing has become a favorite at our house, and we don't have the special cruet with the lines marked on it, (years ago, I had several, but they never seemed to move with me...) and repurposed an empty jam jar with a leak proof cap. The measurements for the different liquids are on the back of the package, and it even tells you how to make it low-cal, by decreasing the oil and increasing the water. Good Seasons means good savings!

I toyed with it for years and then started having some health problems and decided it was worth giving it a shot. I believe that we can heal with vitamins and food. Its proven. Watch "Food Matters". Within a few months, probably sooner I balanced my blood sugar, lower my blood pressure and my cholesterol. I made a few diet changes and started juicing then added mega doses of vitamin c, fish oil and lots others. It changed my life truly.

My routine

you must use a good juicer or you'll waste produce

kale, spinach, romaine, any greens juiced. Each week I go through roughly 5 of those organic baby spinach and spring greens from sam's club. Total cost maybe 25.00

Then I buy bags of organic carrots, celery and organic brocolli at Walmart its cheaper. I use a bag of each per day. Organic romaine lettuce is very good.

I buy organic apples and pears. I juice green tomatoes now because I have a lot. I even juice sweet potatoes.

I make close to 30 oz of juice in the morning. I drink about 20 oz, at least, glass in the morning and again later in the afternoon. Wanton sex toy boy is drinking 10 oz and getting addicted to it. In fact i'll need to make more.

obviously the fresher the better. to make a simple inexpensive green drink almost like the one on "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead"

Romaine whole head
celery - 6 stalks
apple
baby spinach

you can add some carrots. But watch the film and or check out the reboot programs

http://jointhereboot.com/reboot-program/

easy to follow. Once you start to feel great you just want to do more and more.

Wanton sex toy boy started juicing, taking 3000 mg of vitamin c and 2000 mg of niacin. Within a few days hy felt more balanced and suffers from depression and diabetes. Just a few days, then a week, major improvement. We have started eating 50% of our meals are raw. This means lots of various salads etc but we both love rice and beans, pasta, shrimp, a steak once a week. Just instead of a loaded potato with steak I make us a huge salad with lots of chopped veggies, crumbled blue cheese. Also eat lots of mushrooms. you get full faster.

I've watched a few documentaries over the last few years and plus I watch The Biggest Loser alot and I was also watching that show called Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition to see the transformations that people have made goiing from extremely obese to much healthier. Obviously I'm not gonna do it that radically but to see how people can change after some of the unhealthiest of lifestyles and eating habits, I know that I can do it. I'm going to begin the water thing tomorrow morning ~ what is 24 oz equal to, like glass size wise? With lemon can it be lemon juice from a bottle or should it be fresh? How much lemon should be put in? Figure I'll ask this stuff now :-)

I've been wanting to get a juicer for awhile now, think I'll have to look into that soon. I've seen those things in the store called a Magic Bullet; I've seen its website and you can make smoothies as well as use it as a juicer which I think is very cool (plus it does lots more stuff too). I won't be able to afford to get anything until next month but guaranteed I plan on buying one plus investing in a book or two on juicing. Not sure if anyone has seen any informercials on the Magic Bullet but I'll leave the website incase anyone wants to look at it ~ its a neat gadget and replaces ALOT of appliances in the kitchen, very handy and cute too!!!

http://www.buythebullet.com/index.php

Hi Anastasia,

We all have the right to whine sometimes, and I don't feel this post was so much whining as it was just a good way of getting your feelings out about a crappy situation. All of us in this thread at one time or another have gone through our own struggles in life and anything to do with food is a serious struggle, especially when your overweight. I can't imagine how any parent could sit there for their child's birthday (no matter what age) and hand them an enrollment in a weight loss program. Perhaps if it was very serious and they made it clear that it was with the best of intentions I can sort of understand it, however I don't agree with doing it on your birthday and yes that would certainly seem like a slap in the face.

I think its very smart to not necessarily be obsessed ith the numbers on the scale, but rather just worry about making lifestyle choices that will benefit you in the long run ~ heating better, getting more exercise and just overall being more aware of things like triggers, emotions and such (I'm learning alot of that Myself, its this threads fault too LOL). But its true I am learning about triggers and how to keep My emotions from making Me pull food out and just eat (which is what I always did). Today for example, My dad comes home from work today and starts yapping at Me for leaving a light on (I was using it and told him it was needed but he shut it off on Me) then proceeded to cut Me off when I tried to explain to him why I needed the light. He is all about blaming everyone else for things, and when he starts on Me its triggers My depression and I eat ~ but today I recognized the trigger and I did NOT grab food, instead I had water and did some house cleaning.

It certainly isn't easy, as we all know, but little changes will lead to bigger things and a much healthier lifestyle which is really what its all about ~ not necessarily numbers on a scale. And whoever is lucky enough to be your partner in the future will not see your weight as a bad thing, rather they will growl and appreciate every inch of you no matter what :rrose:

Damn operators were busy!!!! :seeingstars:

I wanted to share a free website dedicated to helping folks achieve a healthier life. SparkPeople is an incredible resource for diet, lifestyle, exercise and fitness, and even special health issues such as GERD or diabetes. It allows you to track your diet, exercise routine, weight and inches, and even makes suggestions regarding your diet and cardio/exercise. It provides weekly feedback in the form of a report, and offers lots encouragement, and gives you a way to measure your progress. For those with questions, and those wanting to have a little more structure and or help, check out SparkPeople.

Staying on any diet isnt easy,if it were we all would be at the weight we want to be.Over the last couple of months I have lost weight,gained a fue ounces or a pound then lost it and more again...sort of yoyo hear and there but mostly for the good.My biggest prob with loseing weight is some of the stress I deal with that comes out of no where or at least it looks that way to me.Recently I have had probs with my shoulder cause of the extra load of work ive been haveing to do at work so ive missed some days going to the doc or resting it.I have worked at the center for a year and never had a prob with anything,now the center has a new owner so we have less folks to care for 35 people a day ..this is an adult day care with folks with varying ablities.Over the time I have had shoulder probs,wich they knew about but kept adding more work on me that effective work was becomeing harder to do.So last week they ask the agency for a replacement for me..and becaues the agency is on a freeze because of the goverment cut backs im now job less...for the time being anyway.I have a fair income just the same but work for the extra jingle we all like to have.Now that being said,I know something will come along so im not to worried about it...just being at home gives me to much idle time.Atleast I can spend more time at the gym daily insted of three times a week.All this came out of the blue but sence it changed owners its just not the same place..

Please Read
 

When you speak about HCG? Is that pregnant women's urine? I know my mom did this in the late 60's?
I have the opposite issue -- I do not get hunger pains and even without eating, I am almost always full. Which is why I do not lose weight easily - my body is almost starving itself and it is not intentional. It is a condition I have - I don't get hungry. I have to set alarms and force myself to eat most days.

And congrats on the weight loss - you must be feeling awesome.

Julie

I love the organic olive oil based raspberry vinegarette that I can pick up at the grocery store. Usually, when I eat a salad, I have the cook put it on the side and I dip my fork into it. The name of the company is BoltHouse farms. I am including a link to their recipe page.

Enjoy!

http://bolthouse.com/our-recipes/dressings

Zimmy

Matthew
 

I know I havent said much lately about to much,gess im going thrue a quiet spell or something..you know how life goes.Id like you to know that ive been readiing how things have been going for you and wish it hadnt been that way.Onething I do know is that you have made some very possitive changes as well as good desisions in your life.Changes are hard at first but once you get to makeing them it becomes less hard to do,just takeing one step at the time has been said by many, but is so true.In one post you said u were thinking of geting a place of your own,wich is a great idea,I did the same many years ago and have never regreted doing so..the freedom and peace of mind was worth haveing done the move,I still stayed intouch with family but haveing a place to call my own was and is priceless.
As for changeing your eating habbits and getting more exersise is one of the best things you can do for yourself.I know how you feel about cokes I use to drink a 12 pack a day then got to three a day and now I still he 8 canns in a 24 pack to the third case that my son bought tonight,I doubt I will totaly quit sodas but now and again its ok to have a bit of it,water and chrystle light is my fix how.I also as of next monday will be smoke free for a year...that was harder than droping the soda habbit.Even tho I eat something I shouldnt hear and there wich I think is ok I have changed my diet 180 degrees around.I wish we lived closer We could be weigh loss buddies and hit the gym also.Being we can only suport each other and others on this issue on line, it will have to do.But together we can and do help eachother by what we post.Good luck my friend in your journey,keep those post comeing its good to read them.

When I stepped on the scales this morning, and I have reached my 1st personal goal !!!!! So now I am sitting here having my oatmeal pancake. YaY its friday!!!

Hcg and 500 calories per day
 

I appreciate this site, not only for the encouragement, support and tips but to receive information on both sides of diet and eating possibilities.

This is not at all to be critical of anyone type of eating plan to achieve their goal but to ensure I always critically evaluate what would be best for me personally. It is just how I was taught in nursing school.

In that vein, the Mayo Clinic website had a Registered Dietitian address the issue of Hcg:

HCG diet: Is it safe and effective?
Does the HCG diet work — and is it safe?

Answer
from Jennifer K. Nelson, R.D., L.D.

Because the HCG diet combines injections or supplements of the HCG hormone along with severe calorie restriction, you may lose weight — at least for the short term. But it's the calorie restriction that causes the weight loss, not the HCG. In addition, the safety of HCG for weight loss is uncertain, and the hormone hasn't been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for obesity or weight control.

HCG is human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone produced during pregnancy. As a prescription medication, HCG is used mainly to treat fertility issues.

Proponents of the HCG diet say that HCG can help you lose weight, burn fat and redistribute fat away from your buttocks and stomach. On the HCG diet, you either receive injections of HCG or take HCG supplements. The HCG diet also requires you to drastically cut your calorie intake, typically consuming just 500 to 800 calories a day — about one-fourth to one-half of the standard calorie recommendations. The HCG diet is typically offered through weight-loss clinics that say they will provide medical supervision.

Although researchers have studied the HCG diet for years, no high-quality studies have shown that the hormone itself helps weight loss. Following any very low calorie diet is likely to result in weight loss, regardless of taking HCG. And the HCG diet can have drawbacks. Severe calorie restriction can make it hard to meet all of your nutritional needs. And rapid weight loss can lead to gallstones. Also, HCG can cause side effects, including headache, fatigue, irritability and male breast enlargement. And be careful about buying HCG products on the Internet — they might not be what they say they are.

Woooo Hoooooo! Fantastic! :cheer:
Congratulations on reaching that milestone!

Anya....I'm so glad you posted this. :)

I read Starbuck's post and, as happy as I am that you achieved the results you want, it frankly scares the crap out of me to hear about people injecting themselves with stuff and living on severe calorie restriction just to lose weight.

My dearest friend has been on a lifetime of yo-yo dieting...often with very severe calorie restrictions. She's lost dramatic amounts of weight many times, only to regain it and then some.

After her last wildly calorie restricted diet (of about 500 calories a day) she ended up having to have her gall bladder removed, and suddenly started having thyroid problems....something she had never experienced before. In addition, her metabolism is destroyed, she's flirting with diabetes...and she is now bigger than she's ever been.

She's working with a nutritionist now (thank goodness) who is helping her learn to eat sensibly, and working with a counselor to try to sort through some of her issues with food....but her body is (probably) permanently damaged, according to her doctor, because of these kinds of diets. The doctor equated it to living through several famines...and the damage that does. She's left wishing that she had never done the diets, but it's not something she can take back.

There's no way you can get all of the nutrition you need each day in 500 calories. And starving and injecting yourself doesn't change your relationship to what you eat...it just forces your body to comply (temporarily). For me, this is like the lap band and stomach stapling....yes, it works....temporarily.

I don't want to sound like I'm coming down on anyone or criticizing their choices....I'm not. But I actually started this thread in response to a post about HCG and the 500 calorie diet....and, with respect, I'd prefer that that kind of advice stayed in that thread rather than this one.

This one is about healthy weight loss.

Thanks everyone for understanding. :rrose: