Incredible Shrinking Reaper-ites

[Kheprera]

Rastl has said it. Everything in moderation. Only eat until you're no longer hungry. Don't keep eating until you're stuffed.

 

And exercise. Getting up and moving will help. The problem I've experienced, though, is if you stop moving again, the pain is worse. Much worse.

 

I'd get on a rant of how it really is more expensive to eat healthier foods (seriously, the store brand yogurt is WAY cheaper than that "digestion helping" stuff that is not really proven to be any more beneficial), but this isn't a thread for beekeepers.

[paintminion]

So would you people be up for the separate thread that gets used as a checkpoint...as in posting your triumphs and problems on a daily basis? Leave this for more thoprough discussion of stuff? Then I'd post...

 

Put twice as many veggies in my homemade fried rice. Less oil, no butter...but um, yes, SALT.

[Star Drifter]

I really didn't see where it's more expensive to eat healthier -- but it's time consuming to make it work on the same budget.

[PaintByNumbers]

I've gotten my % bodyfat down to 18% from 24%. Still want to go back to my youthful zero...

 

The fastest loss occurred when I stopped eating carbs for about 6 weeks. Limited myself to no more than 60 grams/day of carbs/sugars. Should have lifted weights at the same time, I'd be pretty buff. But I lost weight with NO EXERCISE. 3/4 was fat, 1/4 was muscle.

 

I've always had a fast metabolism, and eat every 2-3 hours or so... anything. But being older my insulin metabolism is not working so good, and I get very sleepy after eating a carb meal. I get hungry too soon; -- as soon as my insulin starts dropping (2-3 hours). Its unhealthy to be in a constant state of high insulin level.

 

Going to the all protein/fat diet was GREAT -- I didn't want to eat for 4-5 hours after a meal. And I didn't have to "count calories" because my body told me when to eat & how much.

 

If I can convince myself to exercise I should be OK on a "regular" diet.

 

It takes 3-4 days to switch to a ketogenic metabolism, and during the process I felt like my nose was stuffy/runny; histamine tickle, grouchy.

 

There are lots of nutrients that help stimulate fat metabolism:

3-4 grams/day of CLA (conjugated linoleic acid);

coenzyme Q-10 (Co-Q10) is used in the mitochondria;

7.5mg every other day of vanadyl sulfate;

fucoxanthin is a seaweed extract;

cinnulin (cinnamon extract) with a coffeeberry extract - controls insulin levels;

chromium picolinate with HCA (hydroxycitric acid);

pinolenic acid (from korean pine nuts) - a non stimulant so you can take it in the evening; stimulates the "full feeling" hormone CCK and GLP-1 to reduce appetite -- works for me to prevent snacking at night.

 

In the morning, L-phenylalanine and choline are metabolic & mental stimulants without the caffeine letdown.

 

But the no-carb diet was what really made things happen for me.

 

Since about 1985, I have bought all my vitamins & nutrients from LEF.org. The guy who founded it got raided & prosecuted by the FDA but he fought it for 10 years and finally won.

[wyrmgear]

Believe it or not eating healthy can be almost as quick (or even quicker sometimes) than eating pre-processed food. I mean, how long does it take to prepare a banana?

 

Seriously though, I get into this debate with a friend and co-worker all the time. I will bring in my Mr. Bento, overflowing with good food (seriously, I can fit three meals into it) and he says "I would love to do that but I don't have time to prepare all that food."

 

Well, lets see, I throw some rice in the cooker and then hit the shower (prep time: 45 secs), when I jump out of the shower I put a skillet full of water on the stove and my steamer on top of that (40 seconds) and get dressed and such. I pull some broccoli and carrots out of the fridge, throw them on the cutting board, chopped and in the steamer (two minutes).

 

Disclaimer: usually when I bring the veggies home I actually cut them up, wash them, and put them in containers in the fridge- takes about 8 to 10 minutes, but then I just have to throw them in in the steamer in the mornings- so it balances out nicely.

 

I then grab a few ounces of sliced chicken (I cheat and buy the pre-sliced), again, the night prior I put thus in a container and mix it with fire oil and seasoning so it marinates over night. Toss it in a skillet and cook till done (maybe five minutes?) While the chicken is cooking I grab the rice and veggies, throw them in the bento. When the chicken is done I throw it in the bento. I put a couple of rolls in the top (the food in the bento warms them nicely) and I am out the door with healthy meals for the whole of my work day (again, I eat six meals a day - four of those at work; one is the smoothie I drink on the way in) in less than ten minutes total prep time (to include the smoothie, it takes less than two minutes to make). The ingredients probably (I never counted) average out to a buck or so a meal? (the rice I buy alone will get me two weeks easily- that's 30 meals [3 meals a day for 10 work days]).

 

When cooking the chicken I will usually make extra, so for variety in lunch the next day I will take the cold chicken, iceberg lettuce, baby spinach, swiss cheese, and a semi-healthy dressing and throw it on a wrap. Less than five minutes to make and cheap too.

[wyrmgear]

So would you people be up for the separate thread that gets used as a checkpoint...as in posting your triumphs and problems on a daily basis? Leave this for more thoprough discussion of stuff? Then I'd post...

 

 

I am up for this - I think it would help to keep me motivated

[Sergeant_Crunch]

Last September my wife decided to lose the weight that came with having four kids and I've been helping her. If you're going to exercise, start slow with walking or some other moderate low impact activity so you build your body back into it. I realize that doctor visits are expensive, but go see your doc before starting an exercise routine or considering some type of "extreme weight loss" diet, especially if you're starting out from a less than good state of general health.

 

One of the main things I told her and have been reinforcing all along is that you don't need to necessarily stop eating things you like, but eat them in moderation. Restaurants have seriously warped what we considered a proper sized meal. Remember, you can always ask for a to-go box if you go out. It's hard when you're at home though to keep the portions reasonable.

 

Also realize that if you exercise you'll be building muscle. Muscle weighs more than fat. So don't get discouraged if you don't see the weight flying off. This has been what she's struggled most with, but what she didn't notice until she when shopping the other day was that she's gone from almost needing size 16 pants to size 8 being slightly loose. Oh, and for Pete's sake, don't weigh yourself everyday. You'll just discourage yourself early on.

[Jubilee]

Well, I could have used this thread last year! =)

 

That said, I've got about 1.5 pounds left to go (although "vacation" mode last weekend may have put me up to 2 or 2.5 pounds to go) for my weight watchers "healthy goal." My husband has promised me a new radio for my car (that will have an audio-input, so no more listenning to my mp3 player over the radio waves, yay!). It's getting harder and harder, though, and my motivation begins to wane. I've been thinking about getting a Wii and the Wii Fit though..

 

I have to disagree that eating healthy is more expensive. Even paying $40 a month for weight watchers, we're still saving tons of money in snacks, vending machines, and eating out. Grocery trips may be more expensive per week (and it's been rising in the last 6 months), but it's still far cheaper overall than the money we were throwing away on junk food every day.

 

/ali

[nytflyr]

Ive been working off and on for the last 6 months... and now that summer is here I should start seeing some rel results... Im not going to "officially" join up as I only have about 20lbs to go but I just want to offer up my best encouragement to the rest of you...

 

[ Rob Schneider ] You can do it! [ /Rob Schneider ]

[Star Drifter]

I'd get on a rant of how it really is more expensive to eat healthier foods (seriously, the store brand yogurt is WAY cheaper than that "digestion helping" stuff that is not really proven to be any more beneficial), but this isn't a thread for beekeepers.

Well, the past few months have been unhealthy eating time, at about $170-$200 per grocery bill

 

Healthy eating time? $153. Plus we got a new shirt for Thomas.

 

It just takes planning.

 

Seriously though, I get into this debate with a friend and co-worker all the time. I will bring in my Mr. Bento, overflowing with good food (seriously, I can fit three meals into it) and he says "I would love to do that but I don't have time to prepare all that food."

I don't even have that much time in the mornings. Lunch has been my healthiest meal over the last couple of years, however. Low-fat meat on whole wheat bread, with a slice of cheese. Sometimes vinegar and black pepper. Some canned oranges. ONE square of chocolate made from 85% cocoa (it's good for you). Water or powdered ice tea. The entire meal is easy to put together (the bread is the only thing that can't be thrown in a lunchbox as-is), hits around 500 calories and is very filling. If I replace the cheese with vinegar, it will take a huge piece out.

 

So would you people be up for the separate thread that gets used as a checkpoint...

I would be all about that. Last time I tried any collaboration like this was at the getupmove forums, which did have some good ideas. Weekly weigh-ins, progress photos, stuff like that.

[yani]

Less oil, no butter...but um, yes, SALT

 

Have a look at your local Whole Foods or other type joint for an item called Celery Salt, or something similar. It's not actually salt, but the flavours taken from a variety of vegetables, like onion and garlic and celery. It tastes just like a slightly flavoured salt, but without the sodium and bad stuff. It's really really good.

[rgtriplec]

Oddly enough, I started walking two weeks ago. I bought one of those gallon-ish containers that are supposed to be your required water intake per day. You drink that whole thing... there's not much room left for anything else. I also quit using tobacco Tuesday, no patches or anything, just cold turkey. I've smoked and/or dipped and/or chewed since 1984. I consistently have dipped at least a can a day for ten years and smoked two packs a day for the fifteen before that.

 

I think I'm going to join a weight loss club, guilt works well on me and having to go to weigh in will be great motivation.

 

I need to make changes because I already have congestive heart failure, hypertension, narcalepsy and cataplexy. All of which came about between ages 21-26. So, my metabolism dropped rapidly after initially getting sick and never sprung back. I'm literally twice as heavy as I was at 21. I'd like to at least 100 pounds, but could probably lose 150.

[Versutus Vulpes]

Hmmm... Maybe I'll sign up as well.

 

(Not that I will get to R-con - but losing weight is good).

 

First off - I am currently running 240. About a 2 years ago I was running 270. When the picture in my profile was taken last summer - I was edging under 220. I am also 6' 1" or so...

 

So... How did I get up so high, down and back up again?

 

First off - Office work is slow murder - the lack of activity just kills me. But taking the kids for a walk every night - makes them happy - and makes me lighter . I got away from this for a little while - and hence the floating back up again.

 

As for eating - I never ate breaky - and had a light lunch then gorged for dinner.

 

Now - I eat breakfast everyday - and all week it is the same - 2 packs of instant oatmeal. FIBER IS YOUR FRIEND. Transfats are your deadly enemy.

 

For lunch, I try and do veggies, whole wheat crackers, a bit of cheese and an apple.

Another apple on the way home from work - and then a sensible dinner (as in I try and eat sensibly).

 

So - read labels, increase your fiber intake, cut out all or most of the transfats, and get out for a brisk walk if possible.

 

In the meantime - I will be doing the same. Cheers!

[Nanite]

Since I didn't have any incriminating pictures taken, I'll tell on myself. Sort of:

 

 

On the left, what I look like now, on the right, what I want to look like.

 

I just had a physical, I'm 5' 5" and 173 lbs. I need to get off 20 lbs. Or replace the blubber with muscle. I'd also like to get my waist back down to 32" or therabouts from 36"

[vutpakdi]

If you want to pack a healthy lunch but don't have a (safe) fridge and microwave at work, you might want to look into getting a Mr. Bento from Zojirushi. Mr. Bento is a large thermos like container with 4 stacking bowls. The container is designed to keep hot or cold foods (hot or cold, not both) at the appropriate temperature in the lower two bowls and condiments or sides at room temperature in the upper two bowls.

 

Here is a picture:

 

There is even a Flickr site devoted to pictures of stuff that people put in their Mr. Bentos: Mr. Bento Porn (yes, it's work safe).

 

I picked up one to bring in oatmeal to work for the mornings that I come in early (rather than buying oatmeal and coffee in one of the cafes at work). Works quite well.

 

Ron