I know this topic isn't exactly "financial" in nature, but it could actually one's finances a great deal! A person of healthy weight can save on health care, chiropractic, etc. A person whose cravings aren't out of control doesn't buy junk food (at least not a lot of it). A person who is physically active uses less gasoline if he/she is able to bike or walk places instead of taking a vehicle.
So now that I've made a "financial" case for being at a healthy weight, how does one GET and STAY there?? I've struggled with weight my entire life, starting as a child all the way through until now. There were times that I was at a healthy weight, but that was usually after starving myself and exercising like crazy. Is that really what it takes? Or are there things that average-sized people do that I'm missing?
I am attempting to walk 2 miles FAST every day and have been staying away from grains and dairy (just to see if these things are affecting my body adversely). I feel pretty good when doing these things and maybe this is my answer.
I guess this is my question: Is there anyone who has struggled with weight and found a LIFESTYLE answer. Not a crash diet or a pharmacy pill that when you discontinue using them the weight piles on. I'm looking for tips that can be used for a LIFETIME and help attain and maintain a healthy weight.
Please share!
**Update to Entry**
Someone asked about why I'm limiting grains and dairy. The reason is because I don't feel good when I eat them. And this includes the good grains (home-ground, homemade wheat bread, etc). The dairy that I really do well with is the homemade kefir and yogurt. So I do have a smoothie sometimes in the morning. I am going to see how I do with the brown rice, as well.
Weight Management Tips??
May 25th, 2007 at 06:15 pm
May 25th, 2007 at 06:19 pm 1180117198
Seriously, I have some intense eating issues, but having a husband who cooks homecooked meals and refuses to buy junk, etc. REALLY helps. Plus it really takes no effort on my part. I think it is kind of the opposite of when spouses that aren't on diets sabotage the other spouse's diet just because they aren't on the same page.
Overall though I Recommend the principles of Weight Watchers. Not that you even have to join, but the point system is wonderful and the whole philosophy is on point - eat fewer calories and/or burn more. That is how you lose weight - and you have to work at it for the rest of your life. But it is a diet that you can cater to your needs and won't leae you feeling deprived either.
I also swear by walking, wonderful wonderful workout you can do almost any time, any where. The more you do these things and feel good the more you will want to do it.
My mother is obese and has been on every diet known to man but Weight Watchers is the only one I have seen that ever worked. You just can't abandon the whole thing when you lose the weight, but the nice thing is it takes less effort to maintain than lose.
May 25th, 2007 at 06:23 pm 1180117436
A free option is tracking your calories and/or exercise on a program called fitday.com.
Hope this helps, and good luck!
May 25th, 2007 at 06:28 pm 1180117682
with that said, my belief regarding food is to go for as much unprocessed as possible and get the biggest nutritional bang for your caloric buck. i still eat hamburgers and fries, but not as much as the general public.
a site you might want to check out: World's Healthiest Foods
May 25th, 2007 at 06:34 pm 1180118080
May 25th, 2007 at 07:36 pm 1180121809
And low or no fat dairy products are also important sources of nutrition, protein, calcium, vitamins A and D, etc.
So keep grains and dairy in your diet, but do it properly. Ice cream and Oreos aren't the way you want to get your dairy and grains.
May 26th, 2007 at 01:23 am 1180142637
Eat 6 meals a day, each 2-3 hours apart (I use a timer to let me know when it's okay to eat again.)
Breakfast:
1-2 oz protein (egg, cheese, meat, fish, cottage cheese, or peanut butter)
30 grams carbs (things like milk, bread, pasta, rice, vegetables, or fruit) (If nutrition label shows fiber grams, subtract those from your carb count.)
Snack:
1 oz protein
15 grams carbs
Lunch:
2-3 oz protein
45 grams carbs
Snack:
1 oz. protein
15 grams carbs
Dinner:
2-3 oz protein
45 grams carbs
Snack:
1 oz protein
30 grams carbs
It's very easy once you get used to it.
May 26th, 2007 at 01:42 am 1180143771
The only way to lose weight and keep it off to to take in less calories than you burn. It's also a good idea to get checked out to see if there are any medical issues for your weight - i.e. hypothyroidism, etc.
A wonderful site I'd like to suggest is Sparkpeople.com. I have been a member there for nearly a year now and just love it. Best of all it is totally free. In the time I've been there, I have so far managed to lose nearly 50 lbs. I have also made some wonderfully supportive internet friends and found great motivation on various teams. There also is a wealth of information on nutrition, exercise, and motivation.
I also am trying to limit my intake of dairy, and somewhat limit my intake of grains. I am trying to eat with the view in mind that 90% of everything I eat should be as nutrient dense as possible. Mostly I am eating a large amount of fruits and veggies, plus legumes and a handful of almonds everyday.
I've stumbled on my journey - which is partly why I'm not closer to my goal. But the most important thing is that when I stumble, I have been able to pick myself up and try again. The longer I keep at it, the more a part of my lifestyle it becomes.
My username is laneerg if you decide to check Spark out.
Laura