Healthy Weight Loss - Page 165

Novelafemme · 02-28-2012, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemme

Hey, Jo, and congrats on your road to better health!

I have one question and maybe I'm reading it wrong, but did you say you are only consuming 500 calories a day? Or do you mean that you're taking in 500 calories LESS per day?

Thanks!

I'm not Jo, Gemme, but, yes, the HCG diet works so well because you only consume 500 calories a day. Most of that is super high protein foods (100 grams a day) so you build muscle at the same time you shed the weight. There is a new form of it with the sublingual drops and 1,000 calories a day that I have also heard good things about.

I have never been an advocate of pill diets, or even "diets" in general, but this one has worked miracles for people who have struggled their whole lives. And, it seems VERY safe...which I can't say for many diets out there. If you are too large to manage a work out regimen, then this diet helps you lose enough initial weight so that you can begin exercising effectively.

Gemme · 02-28-2012, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deborah

Gemme I have known a few people on the Hcg diet and it is 500 calories a day....which to me isnt healthy or realistic to keep up.

Okay, thanks. I wanted to make sure I was reading it right before I got too concerned.

Now, I can safely begin my concern.

Be safe, Jo, and if you feel lightheaded, EAT.

Novelafemme · 02-28-2012, 10:41 AM

I'll admit that I was TOTALLY freaked out when my best friend started it. In fact, I got really upset until I did some research on my own. The thing you have to remember is this is NOT a diet for someone who wants to shed a couple of unwanted pounds. The target audience is the morbidly obese. My BF can spend two hours + on the elliptical a day, jog 5 miles, and eat healthy and not lose a single pound. He is just a big guy. But, he also has an enlarged heart so it is detrimental to his health that he lose 30-50lbs. And now he is actually making progress AND he isn't starving. The key is all the protein you are consuming. No dairy, No sugar, and very few carbs. Once you wean off the carbs your body starts to consume all the extra fat you have stored.

Gemme · 02-28-2012, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Novelafemme

I'm not Jo, Gemme, but, yes, the HCG diet works so well because you only consume 500 calories a day. Most of that is super high protein foods (100 grams a day) so you build muscle at the same time you shed the weight. There is a new form of it with the sublingual drops and 1,000 calories a day that I have also heard good things about.

I have never been an advocate of pill diets, or even "diets" in general, but this one has worked miracles for people who have struggled their whole lives. And, it seems VERY safe...which I can't say for many diets out there. If you are too large to manage a work out regimen, then this diet helps you lose enough initial weight so that you can begin exercising effectively.

I don't know if there will ever be a time when I might say that a calorie consumption of 500 is safe. Our bodies need a certain amount of caloric intake to process. Not for anything other than just being the organs they are and doing what each organ does. I'm a little over 5 feet tall and I have a moderate amount of movement per day. I know that, in order for my body to function....not to lose weight or gain weight or anything other than to keep chugging along....that I need to consume about 900-1000 calories per day. On days that I perform more physical output I need more. Besides the physical part of it, I could imagine that that strict of a caloric diet could trigger some folks.

So, I see the benefits of it on a short term basis, strictly physically speaking. Like you mentioned, it could be a very good kickstart for really stubborn bodies.

I'd be more interested in reading more about the 1000 calorie diet. That is something that I might consider for a short term kick or if I get to a plateau.

Thanks for the info!

Gemme · 02-28-2012, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Novelafemme

I'll admit that I was TOTALLY freaked out when my best friend started it. In fact, I got really upset until I did some research on my own. The thing you have to remember is this is NOT a diet for someone who wants to shed a couple of unwanted pounds. The target audience is the morbidly obese. My BF can spend two hours + on the elliptical a day, jog 5 miles, and eat healthy and not lose a single pound. He is just a big guy. But, he also has an enlarged heart so it is detrimental to his health that he lose 30-50lbs. And now he is actually making progress AND he isn't starving. The key is all the protein you are consuming. No dairy, No sugar, and very few carbs. Once you wean off the carbs your body starts to consume all the extra fat you have stored.

I agree that we all could do with less dairy and sugar and simple carbs.

I'm glad your friend has had success with it, but I still can't see it as something more than a temporary thing. On the long term, I'd totally go postal.

Novelafemme · 02-28-2012, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemme

I agree that we all could do with less dairy and sugar and simple carbs.

I'm glad your friend has had success with it, but I still can't see it as something more than a temporary thing. On the long term, I'd totally go postal.

Right...me too. Once you lose 30-50lbs and begin incorporating more exercise you can up your calories. Again, I am so NOT recommending this to anyone. I have just seen first hand that it is working really well for my BF.

Gemme · 02-28-2012, 10:51 AM

I get occasional emails from LiveStrong and I got this one a few minutes ago. For those who use trainers or are considering getting one and/or go to a gym, I think this might be helpful.

Does the Gym Make You Fail?

When I was 13 years old I had my first experience with a personal trainer. Some might think I was too young for one-on-one training and what I needed was to spend more time running outside and less time grabbing seconds (and thirds) of my mom’s Rice Krispie treats. At the time, I was a playing a lot of tennis and my body was routinely failing me. I wanted to improve, so naturally a trainer seemed like a good solution.

It was one the best decisions I ever made as a young athlete. That summer I became faster, stronger, and a better tennis player. Unfortunately, I was also terribly lazy, quit working out, and abandoned non-sports activity for several years.

Despite my early success and many other great experiences, today’s training situation is in need of a complete overhaul if people are to become healthier.

I’ve said many times that I don’t believe in excuses. At the end of the day, it’s up to you to take care of your health, eat better, and make your way to the gym. That has not changed. Hold yourself accountable, look in the mirror, and ask yourself, “Do I care about myself?” And then follow up with, “Am I doing all I can to make myself healthy?”

If you start there every day, you’ll probably do a better job of motivating yourself to stay active and eat well.

But I also know that finding the will to exercise is not innate to most people. And eating bad foods is something that is programmed into the social fabric of our society. Those are not excuses; it’s reality. And in order to overcome those hurdles, we need help and support. Some of that can come from family and friends, but the gym is supposed to be one of the arms of support, and for the most part, it is failing miserably.

I travel and visit gyms in every state and while it genuinely hurts to say this, most facilities are bad. That’s not to say all trainers are bad. There are some incredible facilities with great staffs. And there are some bad facilities with talented trainers. But on the whole, the training business needs to change their model and become better at what they do. I’m optimistic that change can occur because many of the failures are due to a lack of effort. Take these three examples:

Distracted Trainers
If I see one more trainer playing on an iPod or talking to other people while a client is training I might have to take action. When you are training a client—especially when they are paying you good money—all of your attention should be on them. You should be watching their form, keeping them mentally focused, and letting them know that you care about their success.

Lack of Personalization
Let’s be honest: Diet is extremely important to any results you’ll see. And it’s true that many people sabotage their hard work in the gym with poor eating habits. But there is a method and madness behind training as well. A fat loss program and a muscle-building program are not the same. And yet, many trainers will design their workouts that way. It shows a fundamental misunderstanding of how to program a workout.

Listen—I am not the training expert. I am a translator who has worked with some of the smartest minds in the industry and learn from their rules, mistakes, and lessons. There is a very specific science to creating a workout and the design is determined by your goals, your strengths, and your weaknesses. Anyone who tells you otherwise—and that is many trainers—is giving you the wrong idea and is someone you can’t trust.

No Fundamental System
While personalization is important, it can go too far. Consider this the bootcamp paradox—where every workout is different and creates the "feeling" that what you're doing is correct. As I mentioned before, good workouts have a design. And great trainers have a belief system that influences how they create programs. That’s what allows you to build success; you find a plan and strategic approach that works and then adjust based on the needs on the client. Those trainers who don’t understand why they are picking exercises and don’t know why they are structured a certain way are just as dangerous as those who prescribe the exact same program for everyone, regardless of goals. When looking for a good trainer, you should ask questions about the design. Even if you don’t know much about fitness, you can usually tell if someone is talking confidently about a topic or just spewing BS.

Lack of Continuing Education
This is one of the biggest problems in the industry. Many trainers will earn their certification and then just focus on training clients. The training part is good—great trainers are born in the trenches, working day in and day out with clients. But just like any other business, nothing in the fitness and health industry is static. Every day a trainer should be working to become smarter and better. And the way to do that is to learn from other experts, read books, and attends seminars. If I’m a client, I’m asking trainers how many seminars they attend per year or how many books they read. If they’re not trying to get better at their job, why should you put your faith in them?

The Real Issue
Those problems can be solved easily. But the biggest change has to come from an overall approach to the gym experience. Fitness and health facilities have forgotten one simple factor: That their clients are real people. These people—YOU—are coming to them out of need. You want to get back in shape, feel healthier, and see results. And yet, there’s a lack of customer service that is the fundamental attribute of any good business. Fitness is a huge industry, but it’s poorly run because it’s not designed to take care of the consumer.

Just think about how many people switch gyms. Or never work with trainers because of lack of results or steep prices or inflexibility. Most gyms—not all—have one goal: Get you in and sign you up at a “reduced” rate. After that, most gyms forget about you. They’ve roped you in to a long-term deal and now your results and happiness are secondary. Inevitably, this is why many people don’t like the gym—because there is a lack of attention to the consumer beyond the point of payment.

Alwyn Cosgrove, a very talented trainer and owner of Results Fitness—one of the most successful gyms in the country—built his facility the right way. He realized that training was a business that started with clients. I've heard Cosgrove mention the book Peak (by Chip Conley) as a good read on how to build a successful business. The book addresses the three tiers of customer service. The first is your fundamental needs. In gym speak, this means having a space, equipment, and the option to receive personal training. Maybe there are more bells and whistles, but that’s just the foundation of a good gym. And yet that’s where most facilities stop.

The second tier is meeting desires. That is, what do you want to achieve? And what are the barriers that stand in your way? A good facility will cater to those preferences.

The final step: Address unrecognized needs. This last step is what defines the cream of the crop.

Let’s be honest: Few gyms take this approach to creating an experience that considers you. And while I don’t blame gyms for the country’s health struggles, they don’t do enough to reverse the trend. To prove the point, I reached out on Twitter and asked users if they are happy with their gym.

The results: 87% of respondents said they were unhappy.

Think about that. That’s a bad sign when the majority of people who are responding are probably those who enjoy activity and will go to the gym regardless of the experience.

What about the rest of the people? What about those who struggle every day to pull themselves out of bed or drive themselves to work out after a long day of work?

These people need the gym to become a place of fun. A place they can trust. A place that is worth their money.

At any favorite hangout—whether restaurants, bars, coffee shops—people attend because of the experience. Fitness should be no different. And yet the business routinely drops the ball.

There isn’t a quick fix to this. I’m calling out all the fitness facilities to make a stand and improve their customer service. Get back to focusing on the client and providing services that will make them comfortable; Hiring a staff that cares about their own success as trainers and the success of their clients.

There is a fight going on for improved health, and we need everyone in the industry on board and helping the cause.

We’ll do our part at LIVESTRONG.COM to provide the information and guidance that will help you build confidence and knowledge. It should enable you to eat healthier and even take exercise into your own hands.

But at the end of the day, we still need gyms to play their part. It’s time for them to acknowledge their faults and step up to the challenge.

- Adam Bornstein

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/blog/blog/...#ixzz1nhDGAkq7

PinkieLee · 02-28-2012, 10:57 AM

Welcome Jo and we are so glad that you are here sharing your healthy living journey with us. It's awesome that you are seeing such great results right now.... and that you've found something that works for you. Good luck to you my friend!

As for me, I done the HCG diet I can't tell you how many times. Like Gemme said, it ended up being a trigger for me. Yes, I lost a lot of weight very quickly ~ almost 65 pounds. Only to end up gaining it all back, plus another 15 pounds. When I am limited that kind of an eating program, I always end up on the downward spirial of a binge. FOR ME, it didn't help me work on the reasons why I overeat or help me with how I relate to food... it just left me feeling deprived.

Luckily here, we are all on a program and/or making modifications that fit with our individual lifestyles. We all have one goal in mind... healthy living.

JustJo · 02-28-2012, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PinkieLee

Welcome Jo and we are so glad that you are here sharing your healthy living journey with us. It's awesome that you are seeing such great results right now.... and that you've found something that works for you. Good luck to you my friend!

As for me, I done the HCG diet I can't tell you how many times. Like Gemme said, it ended up being a trigger for me. Yes, I lost a lot of weight very quickly ~ almost 65 pounds. Only to end up gaining it all back, plus another 15 pounds. When I am limited that kind of an eating program, I always end up on the downward spirial of a binge. FOR ME, it didn't help me work on the reasons why I overeat or help me with how I relate to food... it just left me feeling deprived.

Luckily here, we are all on a program and/or making modifications that fit with our individual lifestyles. We all have one goal in mind... healthy living.

Thank you Pinkie for the lovely segue into what I wanted to say

Jo, I am soooooo glad you're here, and also so glad that you're taking the steps you need to in order to be healthier.

The HCG diet, like most of those kinds of things, scares me a little....because of what Pinkie said above....it doesn't address the underlying reasons why we are heavier than is healthy for us now. That usually boils down to our relationship with food, and the amount of movement we put into our daily lives.

Having said that, I remember reading in a different thread that this was a jumpstart for you, and that you were looking forward to being able to get into the gym and be more active....and that is an awesome goal.

I'm glad you're doing this under medical supervision....just please be super careful. We want you to stick around and be healthier!

I know that, for me, the biggest changes had to be how I approached food....that it's fuel for my body....not a salve for my hurt feelings or loneliness or a distraction from my stress. The other biggie for me, that I'm finally addressing successfully, is simply being more active and adding exercise in as a regular part of my life. My 3 times a week trips to Curves may not make me a super athlete, but they are changing how I feel and how I look.....and I'm sure they'll be impacting my next set of lab results too!

Anyway....hugs to you all. I LOVE this thread, and the support we all give each other here. And I LOVE that more and more of the community is saying "hey, I want to be healthier" and is coming to join us. Awesome stuff!

OH...and BRAVO KELT!!! I know that we have all struggled with maintaining the weight we have lost....and you are rocking it. I am SO proud of you and the steps you've taken to change your life.

Kelt · 02-28-2012, 03:40 PM

Hey Jo

Thanks for the shout out, I appreciate it.

I think we all owe you a debt of gratitude for not only creating and maintaining this thread, but also for keeping the focus on healthy.

I know I had more than a few dark days during the loss phase, and that coming in here was the bright spot that kept me on track and accountable.

Thank you

foxyshaman · 02-28-2012, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PinkieLee

Welcome Jo and we are so glad that you are here sharing your healthy living journey with us. It's awesome that you are seeing such great results right now.... and that you've found something that works for you. Good luck to you my friend!

As for me, I done the HCG diet I can't tell you how many times. Like Gemme said, it ended up being a trigger for me. Yes, I lost a lot of weight very quickly ~ almost 65 pounds. Only to end up gaining it all back, plus another 15 pounds. When I am limited that kind of an eating program, I always end up on the downward spirial of a binge. FOR ME, it didn't help me work on the reasons why I overeat or help me with how I relate to food... it just left me feeling deprived.

Luckily here, we are all on a program and/or making modifications that fit with our individual lifestyles. We all have one goal in mind... healthy living.

I put my call out of "Welcome Jo"!! Congrats on taking your health as seriously as you are. Pain was one of the reasons I started on my journey.

I wanted to chime in a bit with regard to PinkieLee's post, as it touched what I have been working through lately on my own weight loss journey. I have, like many of us here, tried unsuccessfully to lose weight before. I always focused on 'the food'. The reason this time is successful is because I focused on "myself". I had a CRUSHING week last week. I thought for sure I had broken my last freaking plateau. Not only did I not break through it... I gained weight. How the hell was that possible?? I still do not know. But, I went back to square one of my behaviour modification therapy manual and rechecked all of the triggers. It was an eye opener for me to realize I had been emotionally triggered and apparently went blind to my own behaviours.

I was sssssssoooo mad and upset with myself. I just cried. But, doing the above helped me tremendously. So, in order to test myself, I walked right back into my emotional trigger situation and voila.... no trigger. No "forgot" to write that down - behaviour. No, twisting of my own thoughts. No.. all the others things I did to myself. Get my brain involved. If my brain is not involved, my emotional eating runs amok.

It isn't that I am fat, it is however that I am changing (apparently never ending changing) my unhealthy thinking. Each day is another day to exercise my healthy thinking. Six months ago I would not even have picked up on this whisper of a trigger. Six weeks ago I knew something was up, but was unable to really grasp it. Today, I feel empowered again.

So, wish me luck for weigh in on Friday. I don't think I will have broken my plateau this week, but by next Friday... I will be past my last plateau. I will not be beat anymore. I know we have all said this to ourselves, but this time, I really mean it. I am not going to be beat by my past anymore. I live here. In the present. With all my scars.

Just sending out love and compassion. Wishing all my fellow weight walkers a week without the internal critical voice.

Leigh · 02-28-2012, 04:34 PM

I'm glad your all here, because I am more motivated to do well with the support that everyone here gives to me

JoSchmooze · 02-28-2012, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemme

Okay, thanks. I wanted to make sure I was reading it right before I got too concerned.

Now, I can safely begin my concern.

Be safe, Jo, and if you feel lightheaded, EAT.

The food specified is at specific times
and specific foods....
I have the diet printed out if anyone would like to
take a look at it.
You eat certain fruits and certain veggies but the protein
is limited to lean beef, chicken and seafood
(lobster tails,crab, shrimp and "white" fish)...
Now, I am not a big fan of cauliflower or broccoli
(take that shit and throw itout the window!) but I can eat
steamed spinach, asparagus and some of the other veggies
that I would consider "extras" in a salad.
And the other important thing is to drink at least 2 litres of water
per day. Two litres!! No worries, that's just 4 regular size bottles
of water. Piece of cake for me!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemme

I don't know if there will ever be a time when I might say that a calorie consumption of 500 is safe. Our bodies need a certain amount of caloric intake to process. Not for anything other than just being the organs they are and doing what each organ does. I'm a little over 5 feet tall and I have a moderate amount of movement per day. I know that, in order for my body to function....not to lose weight or gain weight or anything other than to keep chugging along....that I need to consume about 900-1000 calories per day. On days that I perform more physical output I need more. Besides the physical part of it, I could imagine that that strict of a caloric diet could trigger some folks.

So, I see the benefits of it on a short term basis, strictly physically speaking. Like you mentioned, it could be a very good kickstart for really stubborn bodies.

I'd be more interested in reading more about the 1000 calorie diet. That is something that I might consider for a short term kick or if I get to a plateau.

Thanks for the info!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemme

I agree that we all could do with less dairy and sugar and simple carbs.

I'm glad your friend has had success with it, but I still can't see it as something more than a temporary thing. On the long term, I'd totally go postal.

I have not had any bread, sugar or dairy
in the past 24 days, but I do miss bread and butter....
I am also told that with the hCG diet, once you reach your goal weight they give you like a "maintenance" type diet.

Here's the deal with me.....
In the past 5 years I have had a total knee replacement,
arthroscopic surgery on the other knee,
broke my ankle trying to get my fat ass up over a 4 ft. wall
diagnosed with a bulging disc at L4-L5,
had blood clots in both lungs 2 years ago
and changed my working conditions.
I spend more time at this laptop or in my recliner
than anywhere else.
I have not eaten healthily (is that a word??) for a long,
long time. I have been used to traveling about 80%
of the time so I ate out a LOT! I have done this for the last 15
years. In less than a month I will be 60 yrs old.

Stress may be one of my triggers, but I know I used to
drink way too much. I have smoked for 40 of those 60 years and it's time to put a stop to that too!

Every one of the doctors I have seen in the past 2 years
(pulmonologist, orthopedic surgeon, neurologist,and my primary)
have all told me that 90% of my physical issues could be resolved if I lost all this extra weight. I agree with them as I am physically uncomfortable. Three weeks ago I could not even bend over to
tie my own damned shoes! But I have been caught in a kind of "Catch-22" situation....I need exercise to lose the weight,
but I can't exercise because everything hurts so much, but I need to exercise......see?? This initial weight loss will help me able to get my weight down so that I can exercise every day and will also help me modify the behavior of eating for flavor and not for substenance...

And........
now that I have someone I care about, who I truly enjoy being
with, I want to be able to spend a helluva lot more time with her.
And quite frankly, I am spending way too much money NOT
to succeed. I'm kinda stubborn that way.....

Sorry about the long post, just needed to get it out there.
Oh! BTW.....I have not taken any pain meds (I was on maintenance Vicodin) for the past 2 weeks! That's the longest I have been off
of that for probably the last 5 years.....
Finally, I wanted to share a website. For those of you who may be going sugarless, no calories, no fat and no glutens -
WaldenFarms.com has all kinds of salad dressings and veggie dips.
They even have some chocolate syrup!
I like their peanut spread slathered on celery sticks - I have done that for a veggie for lunch time....

Thank you Jo, Gemme, Novela, PinkieLee, Sylvie
and all the rest of you for your support....
If I had not seen this thread the other day, I would be boring Abby with all my triumphs or tragedies!

Hang in there all of you and keep strong!!

Gemme · 02-28-2012, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoSchmooze