Diets? Help!!

[otakuskater]

By the way, if you haven't read "Bridget Jones' Diary," read it. But if you did, read it again. Checked how the character put up notes. Then, you may do as well take necessary notes during your progress. You may also watch the movie as well. My cousin read and watched before she went on her wedding and all of us there were surprised that she really did lose weight.  

[Dani Hyrosha]

There is one healty way, and only one way, to lose weight. You need to burn more calories than you take in. It's that simple. How you do it is the tricky part. Make sure you get what you need out of your food. You remember the food pyramid. It's not a bad idea.

Also, take a multi-vitamin to make sure you are getting everything your body needs. There are hundreds out there, my advise is One-A-Days, that's a good brand.

Exercise is key, you need to be eating about 2000 calories a day.

Last but not least, if you are serious about losing a lot of weight, talk to your doctor. A few pounds here and there isn't bad, but if we're talking more than about 10lbs here, you want to check with your doc before you start anything major. Trust me, I skipped this step, and after five years, I am STILL paying for it with my health.  

[Wixandrettas]

OK... Ive been in the healthcare industry for 12 plus years and worked in a multitude of different specialty-divisions..

First and foremost, what your dietary needs are will greatly depend on a few different factors:

1.) Family Medical History (on both sides of the family)
2.) Your current health and previous health history
3.) Are you currently being treated for anything requiring prescription medication?
4.) What is your current lifestyle like right now?
5.) What is your typical diet consist of?
6.) Have you any food allergies?
7.) Have you had a proper consultation with your Primary Care Physician yet?

You must ALWAYS start with your PCP. They know more about your health than anyone (no offense to the previous posters). If you arent sure of what your ideal weight is, you will definitely need to consider discussing this with your PCP.

If you are due for your physical, definitely bring with you a list of questions and concerns.

If you dont have an upcoming physical, then consider asking for an appointment to help get a referral to a Nutritionist if it is medically warranted.

Reason being is, with most insurances, you are required to get a referral in order for your medical insurance to cover it (unless you have a PPO which is beautiful!).

Your physician will take your height, weight, vitals, and health history into account. Explain to him/her that you have concerns and you would like to know if a Nutritionist would be a good idea.

Once given the referral, the Nutritionist will be given a copy of your medical history based on the needs of having nutritional intervention from your PCP. The Nutritionist can custom-tailor a plan that is right for your unique situation. They can help with proper daily calorie intake, amounts of proteins, Low GI carbohydrates, healthy fats, fiber/protein, and help by giving you all the necessary information that you need.

Keep in mind too, the only way any health plan can work is that the PCP/Nutritionist are 10% of this equation, you have to be the 90% in order for things to work in your favor.

Before considering any advice, I would STRONGLY suggest talking with your PCP before proceeding further. That is the safest and smartest way to go.  

[0Brutal-Beauty0]

Alexandretta is absolutly right. Before you consider exersicing or changing your diet....... please go see your doctor. It's very dangerous not to. Adults generally don't go to the doctor unless they're sick, (I'm guilty) but this is one of those times where you need to know what's going on with your body before you begin make changes to your lifestyle. Good luck!!  

[Wixandrettas]

Put it this way... over a year ago, I was referred to a Dermatologist and a Registered Dietician for male-pattern hair growth/hair loss, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Metabolic X Syndrome and a few other issues.

Thankfully the Derma-Doc knew exactly all about what I had, and, with a simple recommendation... I have dropped and kept off 41 pounds so far!

I no longer consume anything Dairy (I am now allergic), I got rid of all kinds of soda 7 years ago, I have a low-Glycemic Index plan in place and thanks to a Trainer at the hospital I work for, I have a customized workout plan that I absolutely love.

My PCP has no knowledge of this hence the reason for the referral to a specialist that did.

Your unique medical needs do need to be evaluated... I would never recommend mine because what is medically sound for me, could be detrimental for the next person...  

[Cyanna]

Taxi Mama

If you have some money to spend on this effort, you could join Curves; it's keeping me on track because it's fun, easy, and full of ladies who "get it". I was on Weight Watcher for a couple of years, but I hated their scale obsession. Curves is more about being strong and healthy; when you want to know your fat %, they'll calculate it for you, but it's private and never the focus.

GOOD LUCK!!!

I actually do both.

WW really helped me become more conscientious over what I eat. I understand the scale obsession. I'm having a hard time trying to figure out my ideal weight between my frame and my potential to add more muscle. But the gains don't bother me as much as they do some people and I like being able to chart my progress.

I can't deny the points system has helped me make better choices and I don't feel deprived. I'm not even talking about cutting fast food entirely and going veggie. I mean like...getting the happy meal from McD's instead of the value meal...I can live with it.

But I love Curves too. It's just what I needed in my life. 30 minutes a day at at my convenience. Don't have to worry about looking like an idiot. No gym bunnies hanging around. The exercises are so simple. Anyone of any strength level and do them and feel like they are being pushed. AND they're freaking everywhere. There's one near where I work, one near where I live, one right across the street from my fiance's place *no excuses!*

But if I had to drop one or the other, I'd drop WW first.  

[bakibakikya]

i totally understand where r coming from. weight watchers has a good program. and the kool thing is that u dont have to join to buy their books.
but this is what ive been told....
1lb=3500 calories. so u can do lots of different things to cut that off. like burn 250 a dayand eat 250 less. or work off 500.
my mom made me go with her to a fat camp. i lost weight but it came back a month later. its true what they say that if u lose it slowly it stays off better. as much as i hate mom for calling me fat all the time she did give me 1 good quote especially for a junk food junky like me.

"nothing tastes as good as being skinny feels"  

[Lup]

I've done this counting calories stuff...never worked for me...
I also did plenty of exercise... since I was part of the school's Basket Team, then in college part of the Volley Team, and did karate as well... also I love taking walks, mountain climbing and roller blading. And would you believe it, I still am at the same weight... 70kg, and I'm 1,75cm.
The things that have worked for me, as in to loose 5 kg - 7 kg in two weeks...was a diet called Mayo. It's said that it's based on a chemical reaction in the body... and it's pretty good since after I held this died ( I was 75kg) I lost 5, then it was my birthday...so you can imagine, pizza, cake, alcohol... and I didn't put anything back.
I'm quite well built, and I have large bones, even a wide back, so I have a boy like shape, no waist either. So in my case sports didn't help much either than make me muscular... but no sports is bad too... a bit of sport is healthy for burning calories...so you need it... take a stroll after a heavy meal, or try jogging once a week ...

Now my advice is, a bit of exercise ( walks or bikes) since they help burn calouries, mix that with a diet...and best, see a nutritionist, they can help tell you what your body digests faster...

Hope that helped out a tad...  

[Mayumi_Yuy]

I'm not one for dieting, but I can vouch for switching from soda to water. When I did this (I used to drink about 4 cans of Coke a day) without changing anything else in my diet I lost about 5 pounds in a month (and the water is so much healthier in general).

Eating healthy is also the best thing you could do, but you should definately discuss what's best for you with your doctor - a professional's opinion is much better than mine ever could be. Good luck!  

[peachsnapz]

I started seeing a dietician recently, and she gave me a few tips on how to lose wight.
1. you must eat the required amount from each food group on a daily basis.
2. portion your food out through out the day, eat 6 times a day and make sure they aren't big portions.
3.drink lots of water.
4.exercise daily, even if it's going out for a walk, at least 30 minutes a day
5.make sure you eat breakfast every day
6.eat an apple before a meal, they say it fills you up so you don't eat as much.
7.Keep to a regular eating schedule, she told me that this plays an important role in weight loss
8.Write down all the things you eat on a typical day, including what you drink
and last but not least
Be confident, never be discouraged no matter how hard it may be.