Category: Health and Wellness
We need a thread for us; women who just happen to be big, thick, fat, obese, overweight, chunky, chubby, whatever name My intention in creating this topic was not for us to sit and tease each other about our bodies or to bitch and moan about how fat we are. I want to discuss things like: where to shop for good-looking clothes that flatter our figureinstead of making us look like crap. What about finding accessible information on the different diets and 1programs that are out there. Any of you been told that because you're blind, you don't have a sense of how pretty or ugly you are or that you don't have any reason to be depressed about your body since you can't look in to a mirror? So, basically, here's a place to discuss issues related to visually impaired women and their weight. And to the gu)s, if you're put out 'cuz I didn't include you, I apologize inadvance for offending you. So, go ahead, enjoy, laugh, talk, give advice and be a friend. Please be kind to one another and by all means, have fun.
what an excellent idea. i'm so impressed. wish i'd thought of it first.
any of you ever heard the one that "blind people naturally are fat?" or "gee, you're blind you are supposed to be fat?" I'm large and in charge because my dad was. My mom was a teeney little weeny. Do to the luck of the draw, my brother got my dad's hight and mom's size. He is gorgeous. I got dad's big bone structure,and tendency to pack on the poundage, and mom's little chest. life ain't fair.
Some great websites to try are http/:www;fashionbug.com and http://www;newport-news.com. tthe latter is more for the lady in the ttwenties on up. the former is for anybody. both are accessible and easy to use.
I'd by no means say I'm, "fat," but I'm definitely carrying a bit more than I should be. God, Brandy and Turricane, who have you guys been talking to? I've actually never heard any of those things about blind people and weight or appearance. That's just ludicrous. I'm surprised I haven't heard it before, actually, but glad, because I'm not so sure my attitude would have stayed very nice. Most of the time I try to be good about educating sighted folks, and most of the time I do pretty well. But sometimes, the things they come up with about us are so crazy that it's hard to stay patient. The closest thing I've been told is that I don't look blind. I know they're trying to compliment me, but it's more of an insult, because it tells me that they've already got this preconceived notion. Sometimes it's great fun to make them stammer by asking exactly what being blind lookes like. But I digress. *Grin*
the best place I've found to buy nice clothes is a store called CJ Banks. They are a chain. I think the original store is Christopher Banks, but CJ Banks was created to carry the same exact clothing, only in plus sizes. I think they start at 16, and go up from there. i'm right on the cusp, as a 16 is generally where i am.
I've had a hell of a time finding an actual diet program who's materials are acessible. Most any diet program has an online way to do it, but most of the sites suck. Weight Watchers used to be pretty good, but as a blind person, you can't calculate points independently. Any other ideas you guys have heard of?
Hi my name is lelia and I am from Colorado.
I am very overweight. My in-laws have made me truly feel ashamed of my looks.
I am on the ediets program right now and there site is fairly accessible, there exercises are pretty detailed. Speaking of exercises, about the only accessible exercise videos I know of is the leslie Sansone walkaway the pounds tapes does any one else know of any more accessible work out or exercise videos?
lelia
Lelia, that's horrible about your in-laws making you feel ashamed of your looks. that's totally not right. My family has made me feel ashamed of mine sometimes, but thankfully none of my boyfriends's parents have tried to. I've heard of EDiets, but never really looked into it. You've made me curious.
almost 21 years ago, when I got pregnant with my first child, several women at my work who i did not know well, pulled me aside at different times in the ladies room and said "you may not be aware because you are blind but you are really packing on the poundds. I am concerned about you but want to make sure you know." AFter thanking theml for sharing their thoughts with me, I said that they didn't have to worry but the problem would resolve itself in approximately however many months it was until my baby came.
why americans are obsessed with weight is a mystery to me. it can be damaging and detrimental to us. i know teens who have become anorexic because of the overconcern about this.
what size we ware is not germaine to the size of our hearts which is the real important thing. Of course, when I was young I worried about it a lot and beat myself up inordinately. When asked what a sexy woman was to her, Raquel Welch (a bombshell of my generation_) said "it doesn't matter what she looks like. A woman who accepts herself flaws and all has a glow which no makeup or clothes can match."
Here is the diet plan I used which gave me the most success. If god made it, I'll eat it. He didn't manufacture pop and twinkies and candy and chips. He did create meat, veggies, fruits, and whole grains. dieting never works. we get a quick result but often we fall back in to old habits. the point is to remember there are no bad foods, watch serving sizes, and eat the good stuff. am i making sense?
I'm not female, but in to bodybuilding, and have done some personal training plus I believe in keeping fit. Now I've said this I am apalled at the misconception people have about bodies and how large, or small they should be. Bodies are so different, bones, height, build, so each person should go on these things, not the American or whatever countries rules for what is fat. I also know that heavy does not mean unhealthy, and that is another misconception. Most stores now carry clothes that are plus sized, so keeping neat looking is easier now and not as expensive as it once was. I don't much like the term diet, I like to think of this as a way of life, so if you would like to find some great and accessible advice try www.bodybuilding.com In the search box type in articles for women, and you'll find a wealth in information. Feel good about yourselves, because you are beautiful. Smile.
Peace.
I know there are so many weight loss programs out there but I dropped about 40 pounds just by walking 30 to 40 minutes a day and avoiding carbs, like bread, both diet and regular soda. Watch the portion control and I would fill up on foods like pickles, carrots, celery and sugarless Jello between meals. I would keep a bag of chocolate chip morsels in my freezer so if I had a craving for something sweet I would go for a few of them. I did not deprive my self at all and on weekends I would usually not follow my food allowances that well but I would try to move if just lifting some arm weights or stretching.
I also love Christopher Banks and when they have clerance sales they are awesome!
About the looking blind thing... I have not always been blind so I know what people mean. Some blind people have a glazed look when looking at them or there eyes just have a different look to them like drooping eyelids . I also have been told I don't look blind and I am ok with that. It is hard to make eye contact sometimes and all I know most people don't mean it in a bad way.
as far as I am aware, christopher banks isn't in maryland where i live. do they have a website?
Turricane, I think you put a lot of things very well in post 6. Your right about diet plans. I just need some help and accountability to stay disciplined, and usually, that's hard to find. Right now, for exercise, I go to a place called Curves. Have any of you guys heard of it, or go there? When I lived in Iowa, I went to a place called Inches-A-Weigh, which I liked even better, but they're not out here in Colorado.
Yes, I agree our society places far too much emphasis on weight. However, I also believe that America in general does have an obesity problem. We often eat like we're still an agricultural society, when work for most Americans now is sitting in front of a computer. Yes, losing weight would certainly be nice for my vanity, but the biggest reason I want to is to be healthy. It's hard on your body and it's organs when you carry extra pounds, especially around your hips as many women tend to do. It's what leads to diabetes and other such conditions. So, I think that while weight loss is sometimes negatively emphasized, there's a line. People who weigh more than they should need not feel bad about it, but I also think it can lead to medical complications that should not be ignored.
Um, I'm not sure if Christopher Banks has a website, but if it's plus sizes you're wanting, then it's CJ Banks that you want to look up. You could try googling it, that'd be my advice. However, being a clothing store, the site may not be very accessible.
QVC has plus sizes in all of their fashion lines. Their customer service reps are very helpful, and there are helpful sizing charts on qvc.com to help you figure out what size to order. I believe tomorrow, October 12, is one of their fashion days which means that starting at midnight tonight, there will be 24 hours of fashion. This will give you an idea of how many different types of fashions they have.
I am neither a girl nor terribly big (though I am in the process of trying to lose 20 to 30 pounds for next summer and that is noeasuper easy task though manageable).
I know precisely how to do it and I don't really need any diets, but following my own advice and putting it into practice is the hard part.
The problem is to adjust your diet to your every day needs and work outs. This is made more difficult for blind people by at least 3 things (in no way am I saying impossible, but it is more difficult):
Firstly there is the issue of transportation, finding a gym that you can get to fairly easily can be a challenge. If you spend 90 minutes getting to and from the gym apart from working out, it already becomes a very difficult and time consuming task to do, say 4 times a week, which really is the minimum one should work out if one is to expect any weight loss.
Secondly there is the wealth of visual information one could use, such as wegith watchers points, following online instruction videos on using the sit up / work out ball and other inexpensive but very useful work out at home things one can buy, for instance, at Wal-Mart.
Thirdly there is food, cooking and cost. Easy to cook food is even more temtping when getting to the grocery store is a major task. Vegetables go bad faster than frozen food or prepared meals, putting together a recipe that tastes good and is healthy requires, generally, fresh ingedients and is more expensive than your run off the mill cheese pizza or frozen chicken finger dinner. Thus itis very tempting to go for the easy option, cheap food tends to be unhealthy, the easier to cook the unhealthier, in many ways. Even a sald, in order to be remotely appetizing requires good dressing, chopped up vegies, some cooked meat such as spcied chicken, and it all takes time, leves a mess and can be so tempting to skip in favor of a quick meal that, let's face it, can be quite good. I've never found good microwavable frozen meats for instance, soups,rice, vegies and all sortsof fast food things are yummie in a microwave.
All taht being said, one needs to find 4 or 5 easy to cook, healthy recipes and keep enough engredients for 2 or 3 of them around. I love buritos, Foremanning the chicken breast *i.e. grilling it(, using salsa for flavor, I love mango or peach based salsa, tuna fish and microwvable rice, Spanish rice or similar, combined with a bit of hot sauce and baked in the oven is another good choice.
I think everyone should work out at least 4 times a week for at least 30 minutes, light jogging, swimming, running or whatever. I find 90 to 95% of the difficulty is to get myself to the bloody gym or treadmill, 70% of that is standing up from the computer chair. I need to predetermine the time I am going and avoid making excuses and going an hour later, because they I just won't go at all.
Limit food intake to one plate or think about quantity carefully before you cook. I always grew up having a cheating/candy day once a week and I still think it's a great idea, the Saturday ice cream or Friday potato chips give you something to look forward to during the week.
No eating after 9pm whatsoever works for me. If I am hungry after finishing plate at lunch or dinner, wait for 5 minutes and have a glass of water, if I am still hungry then I will have seconds, but often the body hasn't caught up with how much you've eaten right away, especially if you eat fast.
I like coffee and it also suppresses appetite, in reasonable quantities of course, but it really does help.
For evening snacks (before 9 obviously) orif you are absolutely starving at night I go for an apple, I find them amazingly good at killing craving.
I can't quit my diet soda but unsweetened icetea and the Glaxo vitamin water are two things I've managed to replace part of my cola intake.
Now if I followed all these things myself 20 pounds would be gone in no time, but I will start .. tomorrow, or may be next weekend, or after that, but then it's almost Thanksgiving so why not start in December .. no then it's Christmas, so I'll start right away in January, deal.
See, it isn't easy, lol.
But I hope someone finds some of this remotely helpful.
cheers
-B
Wildebrew, that's a wonderful breakdown of the issues most of us face. Couldnt have said it better. But you also provided solutions for most of the probems you brought up, and they are good ones, even if you don't follow your own advice to the lettter. Think how much different the world would be if we all just followed the advice we so easily dished out to help others. LOL! But your post gave me some food for thought, so to speak, so thank you.
another thing I have found helpful for weight loss is keeping a diet journal. If it goes in my mouth it is written in the file or on paper. i am very good at lying to myself. having a documented record of my indiscressions really helps.
i've heard of curves. there again, it's the transportation issue.there are two branches which are five minutes away from my house by car but 45 minutes and one hour respectively by bus.
a few years ago we got an eliptical trainer. when there is good music on or an interesting tv show, i have found it most helpful. Otherwise it bores me to death.
Right now though, I love walking. i have a clocked mile and time myself. Go every day and twice on the weekends/ holidays.
there are several books on nls which have three ingredient or less dishes. some are even vegetarian.
Oo, really? Which books are these, do you know? I'd be very interested to hear about them.
Food journals can help, but also really depress me. Yes, I know the idea is to change your eating habits so looking at your food journal makes you prouder, not depressed, but I've never gotten that far with them. Usually, I can judge if I'm doing well by how my body is feeling. When I don't feed it right, it tends to rebell in various ways. When I am eating things that are good for me, I feel so much better.
Omg! What a great topic! I too am struggling with my weight and I would like to share a little of what has helped me during the past two years. I have always been kind of a big girl but never extremely fat. For the past 5 years, I struggled with depression and anxiety. Food became one of my sources of comfort. Not only that, I just plain love food so that wasn't helpful in getting me to lose weight. In 2007, I was a size 28 and I realized that I really needed to do something about it. You have to understand that I jumped from a size 16 to a size 24 in a matter of months. It was really strange. I shot out like a huge balloon. *chuckles Two years passed and I hit was then a 28. I made a lot of life decisions in 2007. I wanted to go back to being a size 16 again. I wanted to stop being afraid of my own shadow and to be the woman my teenage self always dreamed I could be. It wasn't easy. I was always hungry. I had relationship problems which were out of my control. But gradually, I started losing weight and feeling more confident in myself. It was a little at a time but every five pounds I lost made me so happy. It was very hard also because being an Asian woman, everyone expects you to be some tiny mouse-sike chick who never has weight problems. I was always the brunt of every family fat joke. I really didn't mind because you get used to it after a while. I mean I learned to make my own fat jokes before anyone could start and somehow, it never hurts as much when you learn to laugh at yourself. I really don't have a poor self-image though. My fiance never made me feel fat or ugly and I was lucky not to be a part of the young dating pool. So a lot of pressure wasn't on me in that sense. Another thing that frustrated me was the thought of how much I lost compared to how much I still needed to lose. I mean, I have lost 58 pounds in the past 2 years and I've still got so much to lose. But I'm not putting down my accomplishment in the least. I am very proud of myself. I don't feel like I am the fattest girl in the world now. Yeah. I am still fat but I don't feel like losing weight is as hard as it was at the beginning. I am now down to a size 22 and so much more happier about how much I've accomplished.
In June, I volunteered at our local college's disabilities office and that helped me get over my anxiety. I think that after two years, I was finally ready to step out and be more active in helping fight my anxiety. I am now enrolled in our community college. I am still slowly losing weight and feel so happy about what direction I am taking in life. Thinking about it all brings tears of happiness to my eyes. I know it's so sappy but I wish so much that all of you men and women who have major struggles could feel the same joy I feel every time I get up and go to school without fearing I'll get lost or step on the scale and found that I've lost 3 pounds.
Thank you very much for reading and I hope I have helped you today to not give up, take it slow, and conquer your dreams!
Love,
Michelle
Here are a few ideas for not being able to get to a gym or having things to use at home.
As in many of these post walking will do a great deal. Finding a place with several floors of steps to walk up and down will do the treadmilling. If you like music and feel comfortable on the steps take your player and walk or if you are up to speed run up and down as quickly as possible for you. Jump roping is great and a rope is cheap. Use that extra weight and do some push ups, squat and stands, toe raising, leg lifts. Run in place, jumping jacks.
Believe it or not eating 5 or 6 meals a day is better the starving. The body goes in to starvation mode if you don't eat regularly, and offten, so eat, just choose healthy things to eat, or get some quality meal replacement shakes. These are easy to make up, so. Just a few ideas. Good luck.
Yeah, I do know that five or six small, healthy meals is far better than three big ones. You're right, the body goes into starvation mode, so when you do eat, it puts all that into reserve, thus you gain weight. I've thought about meal replacement shakes such as Slimfast before, but am not sure. Wouldn't a meal replacement shake, instead of actual food, put the body into starvation mode as much as not eating does?
omg michele, you are awesome. additionally it is so gratifying to know there are other women out there with these issues. your attitude is wonderful and your self image is fantastic. pat yourself on the back and have another apple.
Thanks for admitting your size. I'm a 16 but was a 18. if I can get to a 14, I'll be overjoyed, but it's the health that I'm looking for.
I get so sick and tired of these so called weight loss programs where the women are so upset because they are a 10 and want to be a four. maybe i was that tiny in the woomb but somehow I doubt it. they look at me like i'm a bloated slug and i feel most uncomfortable.
Personally I'm not a big fan of meal replacement anything. That goes for bars, shakes or whatever. I eat them, and 10 minutes later, I'm still hungry. then i grab something that is not a wise food choice. in order to have a diet work it has to become our life style. unless you really really love drinking chalky tasting crap, whoops that was an editorial, once you reach your goal weight and start back on maintenance no good food habits will have been established. guess what it's easier to walk on the road traveled before and you won't forge new paths toward helthfulness. just a thought. whatever works is wonderful, and I'm not being critical.
last night, my sister in law sent me a wonderful article called "why are middle aged women fat?" Well that's not its exact title, but close as I can come at 0 dark thirty. anyway, would anyone be interested in seeing it? it's kind of long and not sure of the age range of this population. if you are, drop me an email and I'll forward it to you.
I'm also overweight at about 5 feet tall and 170-something pounds. I'm not sure on my size, but I want to lose weight for health reasons, especially because diabetes runs in the family. Yeah, the 5-6 small meals a day seems to make more sense than just the 3; although I can sometimes go without eating for long periods in the day at times, I will more often get hungry and eat whatever's there. I do like healthy foods, but my thing is that the food we have at home is usually not the ones we should be eating, yet it makes up the majority of our meals. The main things we have are whole milk, eggs, butter, bread (usually white), corn and flower tortillas, rice, beans, and meats; those are what Mom would call the necessities. We do sometimes get things like canned/frozen vegies, bagged salad, oatmeal, cereals, fruit, and other things, but only when we can. The good thing is that we rarely buy things like chips, candies, and cookies, and we use that Crystal Lite/Whiler's stuff instead of Kool-Aid, so I think that does help some. Although I wish the food priorities were different, I do try to work with it by not eating as much usually a small plate or bowl for each meal and something equally small or healthier if I get hungry between those meals, by drinking mostly water, and by choosing healthy things when I do buy food for myself/the family.
Exercising is another thing. I don't do it as much as I should and I guess that mainly has to do with motivation. I can spend all day at the computer, but even if I don't, I don't stick to any sort of exercise routine. I do like to walk though, and we have a store nearby, so I'm happy when we go walking there to go shopping, and I also like taking the stairs rather than ramps/elevators. But I would like to try to get myself used to exercising more regularly. Not only does exercise help keep the muscles in shape and help on loosing inches, but I think it also helps with the sleep cycle. When we used to go to the YMCA, I notice I'd fall asleep more quickly that night and would usually stay asleep longer, which of course would illiminate another problem of being tired during the day.
The suggestions mentioned in other posts for exercising are a good idea; thanks. I will have to gather those suggestions and figure out a routine I can do with some of them. (It would be easier for me to do it that way rather than not scheduling it and just thinking I can do it whenever.) *smile*
Another thing that make sit really hard is the fact that healthy food costs so much more than all the not-so-good-for-you foods. I watch the TV show The Doctors, and the other day they were talking about this very thing. So many people out there want to eat healthy foods, but can't, because of the cost. Same goes for eating organic foods. Sometimes you can get some good deals on certain foods, but more often than not, they tend to cost more than the other foods.
It is true that we should eat eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. As for meal replacement shakes, some of them can actually be pretty tasty. I'll take some of the Slim Fast chocolate powder mix, milk (skim, of course), and fruits (a banana, some berries, etc.) and throw it in the blender for a really good smoothie. I like the Slim Fast because it gives you a pretty good amount of the minerals and vitamins we all need.
I think another really huge issue, especially for those who are blind, is the fact that a lot of us don't have the means to go to the gym, whether it be for financial reasons, transportation issues, etc. Yes, there are things you can do at home, but a lot of people get bored very quickly with a lot of those things.
About two years ago, I was fortunate enough to catch a really good sale on an elliptical, so I snatched it up. I love it. I do need to get more resistance training, though.
Being a small girl, maintaining my weight is very important to me. The one method that I strongly recommend as it has kept me at my desired weight for years is interval training. Losing weight with less exercise. I will paste a link for more information concerning this style of weight loss training.
Also, for those of you that are unable to get out, you can buy a step stool and participate in step-up-step-down training. It's easy, it's simple, and if you do it for at least 30 minutes a day, you will start seeing results. Put on a tv show, plug in your IPod if you want. Step stools are easy to find at WalMart and other retale stores.
Find out more information on interval training at
http://www.intervaltraining.net/
and for information on the step-up-step--down exercise go to . . .
http://www.acefitness.org/exerciselibrary/28/dumbbell-step-up
Oh, if you are in to walking, you can find helpful information on the many benefits of walking at . . .
http://www.aarp.org/health/fitness/walking/
Hope this helps.
My two cents
YBF
i'm a big girl. alot of you on here already know that. my biggest challange right now is being a mommy and a pritty much single one at that, my husband works 5 days a week and is out of the house for 14 hours out of each of those days, so it's just me and the little one, so i often find my self snatching what ever is easiest and fastest when i have a small brake. this behaivier is causing me to gain more and more wate, but I can't just put my kiddo on the back birner. it's hard. I have noticed that when i make dinner i tend to luze my appatight. I'm not really sure why that is, i don't really taist test often enough to ake me full, just wondering if any of you had felt that before.
some good stores are romins, woman within, lain briant, and fassion bug. some are a little pricy, but worth it.
I forgot to say in my previous post that although I'm not a "big girl", I think it's great to have a place where people can come to share their experiences, thoughts, opinions, feelings, etc. Kudos to you, Brandi, for starting it.
This is such an awesome topic, and I thought I wasn't going to post, but I've decided to share my story as well.
I myself have never been really small, always felt ashamed of how I look, and still struggling with the fact that I'm not size 8 or 7 like I want to be. I've never really felt comfortable in my own skin, and every time the topic of "how much do you weigh?” came up, I always tried to avoid it, or felt really embarrassed talking about it. I always felt like I was this huge lumbering animal that wasn't beautiful or anything, and it doesn't help that I'm shy and not very confident of myself. Last year was a really hard year for me, physically and emotionally. While I struggled with the changes of going from high school to college, and dealing with personal stuff, I gained about 30 to 35 pounds in just a year. One of the hardest things I remember doing was telling Quinten just how much I weighed. I felt that if he knew, he'd be revolted and disgusted by me, but amazingly enough, he doesn't make me feel weird about it. From time to time, I'm so scared that he still won't feel the same if when he comes over to America, and feels how big I really am, but I guess the only way I'll ever be reassured is for us to meet.
Anyway, I've digressed. One of my biggest problems is eating when I'm depressed to try and make me feel better, or eating just because I am bored. I've told myself time and time again that I would go on a diet, but it never happens. It's the starting that is the hardest part, I believe.
Right now, my life style is so not healthy. I don't eat when I should at all, sometimes a whole day can go by without me eating anything. Or if I do eat, I wait till I'm really hungry, then over eating, then I feel really sick afterwards. What also happens is that when I don't eat, I become really nauseous and I feel as if I'm going to throw up. It feels as if my stomach is so hungry that it's trying to eat itself out. Gross, I know, but that's what it feels like. I've seen how my sisters, who aren't small themselves, were able to lose weight, and I want to be able to feel good again, too. I want to be able to feel good about my body, feel good when I go out in public. I want to be able to shop for sexy clothing, to wear that sexy skirt, or that cute top.
After reading some posts on this board, I don't feel ashamed like I usually would of posting about my weight struggles. I really want a better life style, and could really use these tips!
Again, awesome topic!
Thanks
Kia
Okay I'd like to talk some about meal replacement shakes and why I suggest these. The type I am speaking about are ones that have all the things your body needs for a meal protein, carbohydrates, some fat, and vitamins. One of this type will not leave you hungry, and I do not suggest Slim fast, but they are easy to get. Smile. I just think that brand has to many add ons, and I've had people get sick using these, but that is a personal opinion.
EAS is a great company to use, but these are pricey, but great tasting, and good for you. I say pricey because I make my own using protein powder, skimmed milk, or no fat milk, aminos, and any fruit I have at hand. That mix gives you the samethings you need in one. CytoSport makes a great protein powder, and I'll post a listing of some I like next posting. If you are eating 5 or 6 small meals a day you are eating about every 2 hours, so you'll not be hungry at all. The worst thing to do while trying to loose is not eating offten enough. Girls like chocolate, and so you can get the protein powder in chocolate. Smile. Many have a host of flavors as well, so you'll find something you enjoy.
Last motivation, will, or drive are the keys to success. That is first, and I agree hard, so I'll post some articles on this as well. The ladies with little ones to keep up with should invest in one of these devices that strap on your body. That way you can get your walking in, get out of the house, and build some self esteem. Loss of wanting to eat is normal if you are depressed even a little. You cook because you must, but don't want it after, but you still eat, only the bad and easy things to hand. Smile. The girl that posted about beans and eggs and that sort of thing can do wonders with that stuff. It's not as bad as you think, and these beans are great. I'll give you some ideas on it, but understand you live with a family and doing what you want with the food is not easy. Smile.
Thanks for reading, and please tell me if I'm boring you all.
Peace.
as for beans, mix them with brown rice with some onions and peppers. this is a great meal and it isn't that bad for us. in fact it is a complete food. just don't add a ton of ham hocks or bacon grease.
the issue of good foods being expensive is a valid one but we can get around it. canned vegies are actually good for us. the earthy crunchy set can have a hissy fit and a cow too. according to my daughter's dietician if we nuke these and don't dump out the juice we get like 95% of the vitamins contained in the fresh counterpart. additionally, once or twice a year, most stores have great sales on these. we can get liketwo for a dollar or whatever. also warehouses like costco or sams have great case buys. the organic/fresh is best manufacturers don't want us to realize this because they are laughing all the way to the bank with our hard earned dinero.
Frozen although more expensive has comparable amounts of good stuff. Guess what? it doesn't rot in the fridge because i don't have the time or motivation to cook it.
Gosh, hope i haven't stirred up a hornet's nest here. Fresh is deffinitely the gold standard, but i'm a silver jewelry gal. it's just as pretty and a lot less pricey.
Boy Kia, there was a lot I could relate to in your post. Part of why I eat is depression and boredom as well. I am currently unemployed, and home all day, and that does not help matters in the least. When I've worked in the past, I find my eating habits are a lot better, because I eat at set times, and can't just sit and eat whenever I want to. I, too, started my weight gain in college. that's because it's when I became a lot less active, and spent a lot more time behind a computer. Also, some of the meds I've been on over the years have not helped that process, either. But mostly, it's my own discipline that's lacking. Kia is right, starting new eating habits is the hardest part. There are times I've been able to go for a pretty long period eating healthily, and I feel so much better. But then something knocks me off that pattern, and then I get lazy and don't pick it up again. I wonder why, even though we know we feel better when we eat healthy, it's so hard to do?
wow! fluffy wuffy!
I'm not ashamed of telling my height and weight here. I'm 5.7 and 185 pounds.
As I'm a fluffy man, I honestly like fluffy girls. but active ones.
Even though there are many many warnings about obesity, with this present fast food culture, it's really being hard to decrease weight.
I love fried things. such as fried chicken and fried fishes and etc etc. I'm trying to avoid those things. but my tongue isn't accepting baked meal over and over. lol.
here are some tips which some of my friends gave me for reducing weight.
1. walk walk.
2. eat, only if you're feeling hungry.
3. drink at least 2 glasses of water before your meal.
4. reduce salt in your cookings.
5. avoid sitting in a place for not more than half an hour.
6. avoid snacks.
8. exercise.
9. have regular sex.
Raaj.
Not putting anyone down or anything, but you should not eat only when you are hungry. Many dieticians doctors, etc., tell us to eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. It helps to keep our bodies from going into starvation mode. Once your body feels deprived, it automatically starts fighting to hold onto everything it gets.
As for meal replacement shakes/powders, I personally have never had a problem with the Slim Fast brand, but I totally understand that there are those who may have. What's good for one person, may not be for another, so it's good for each of us to experiment and find what is right for us as individuals.
The Biggest Loser now makes a protein powder, but I haven't tried it.
I've tasted the SlimFast shakes before, they're not too bad. I could probably use them if I needed to. And Raaj, snacks aren't bad, if they are healthy ones, like fruits or vegetables. And I particularly liked suggestion 9. I'm not entirely kidding. sex does burn a lot of calories.
I’d like to start off saying again I am not a woman, and I do not have a weight problem, issue, or whatever the correct term is for this. My stats are I am 5 foot 11 inches tall or 180.34
Centimeters. My weight is 200 LBS or about 90 Kilograms. I have about 5% body fat, and I am muscled, but not bulky. I’m posting because this subject is my passion. I’d like to give some ideas that might just help one of you, and that would be excellent. I have been successful helping others, but my record is not perfect, and I am not perfect in my habits, but I do walk the line mostly. Smile.
I’ll only post about 5 more times with my theory on “a way of life.” I am not trying to offend anyone, religion, sexually, financially, or other, but I fear some of my thoughts might, so I am trying to cover this now. I promise to stop if I get to much opposition okay? Smile.
In advance thanks for reading.
Peace
I don't drink the already made up shakes. I buy the powder mix and blend it in my smoothies.
Forereel, from what I've read, you haven't come across as offensive. I think it's great you're contributing your own thoughts and opinions.
I too wasn't going to post, but figure why not...Anyways, I'm not super overweight; about 30/40 lbs...5 ft 4 inches & 180 lbs...But that's still weight I want to lose; which I've been working on. My weight comes from not always excercising and eating like I should. I'll do it for a bit, lose 5/10 lbs and then quit for what ever reason...I also have been diagnosed as prediabetic (or insylin resistant); which weight issues and this seem to go hand and hand. But some things that I've found to work are getting rid of the soda, eating salad during the afternoon, eating healthy (or semi-healthy) snacks and walking. I've started working on it again, and we'll know if it's working when I go to the doctor's again. First, on the soda, I use to drink 3/5 12 ounce cans diet mountain dew a day. I've gotten it down to 1 and on occasions 2 a day by drinking instant sugar and caffeen free tea or flavored water. It's actually cheaper than all that soda too. The hardest part about eating salad is the time it takes to prepair it, but it's worth it, and there are ways to make it faster. IE, in my salad I put cabbage; (it taists lots better than strait letice), letice, chopped carrots, chopped onions, collaflower and shredded cheese. The way to make it easier; (and make your vegies last longer), is to chop it all when you bring it home from the store; (food processor, by hand, what ever), and store it in the fridge or freezer in air tight containers; (bowls or bags). My husband and I live in the country, so, walking is the easiest excercise; especially walking the hills with the slick muddy ground from all the rain lately. Not on the easiest...Anyways, for snacks I keep fruit, raw vegies and popcorn on hand. Though, I will eat the chocolate when I'm in the mood, just stop after that first handfull...LOL. I hope these ideas may help someone out there. Oh, and, on the expense, we go cheap, by on sale if at all possible, and keep it good as long as we can. :)
Hi all, ok so I've got a question for you maybe I can get some tips?
here's my schedule, I get up and eat breakfast, no problem, now we come to where I need some tips.
I go to work and get picked up between 6:30 and 7 a.m and I get to work between 7 and 8:30 so I try to have a snack some fruit a granola bar or something, then for lunch which is at 11 our fifteen minute break I have to litterally stuff my face because I for one am a very slow eater and so I have to heat my lunch up but sometimes have to wait for others, so don't have much time to eat. then I have another snack at 2 then i come home. Now here is the deal, I was on the ediets program but had to stop that for financial reasons. So, I'm wondering what in the world can a person who rides and works half her life have as some quick snacks and lunches?
the fruit I can definitely keep up with but I'm not sure granola bars are all that good. and things like rice and carrots are a bit hard to eat quickly. Any ideas?
I also wanted to say thanks for every ones posts here, this is a great topic.
lelia
Granola bars are actually good for you, since they have grain in them, which is obviously oats. I would say fruit snacks would help out a little, as well as perhaps cereal bars. They don't have very much sugar, and are pretty healthy for you. I'm not a girl myself, but I have a pretty good idea of what's healthy and what isn't, so I thought I'd put my two cents in.
Let’s feel good!
. Depression kills, and too much eating of the comfort foods is why we gain these extra pounds. Let’s exercise the most important part; our minds.
You are first a women and you must *know* you are a sexy desirable creature. Naked you look female, you feel female, and you smell female no matter how large you are. This is all you own period. Treat it well. Get your hands and feet done, about $30 for both. Bye some lotion and rub it all over yourself making your skins soft, and smell and feel nice. Have your hair done, or bye that special brush and brush it to a shine. Get the shampoo you want, not that cheap stuff you’ve been using. Take a long bath in bath oils or salts. Get some perfume, it really doesn’t have to cost $100 per ounce either there are great smelling ones for about $10 a bottle. Your bath shop will also have scented oils that come in many many fragrances, for about $5 a bottle. The oils work with your body temperature, so the more you sweat the better you smell. I am assuming you are blind, so instead of makeup get some lip gloss, or a foundation that can be rubbed on your face and doesn’t require lining up to look good. You know your face, so can cover it easy. Like the natural look, fine, wash your face well, and add some moisturizing cream to your skin. Brush your teeth with something that taste good, not the stuff you been using all your life. Don’t shave, if you shave, with last month’s razor keep a fresh one, so you don’t nick yourselves as much. These things are cheap, so spend a dime. Learn you body. Touch it, feel it, learn how it is. Get a massage. Call around there are places that will send a female, or male, if that’s what turns you on, to you if you are shy to go to a place, or have trouble traveling. Get yourself some lingerie that feels nice. Go in to your local shop and rely on the sales girls to help you find things that are on sale. I’ve found these girls to be some of the nicest people you want to meet. Ask her to show you where the sales rack is, and if you are a size 28 or 1 have her set you up with the proper size. Same goes for outer clothes. Ask questions, don’t be shy these girls love to help. Slipping in to a silk nightie, or day wear instead of this cotton PJ’s you got from the family dollar feels good and won’t break the bank. I’ve found outfits as gifts that were normally expensive for a few dollars over 10 dollars and some even for 8, so. Treat yourself special and you will feel special, and if you feel special you will find the determination to drop that extra weight you want. It feels good to be pampered, and pamper yourself, doesn’t it?
Now I don’t know if you are rich or not, but over paying for things seems wasteful to me, so when I speak I’ll talk about sales, cheap and such. Want to pay more I have PayPal, so send your savings to me. Smile.
Sex actually burns depressingly few calories, though defintiely more than sitting.
For snacks or meals at work I always turned to Subway, because I had one within walking distance. Or I brought a sandwich and had mustard in one of these restaurant sized pouches to put on it, not particularly exciting though, I must admit, but it is doable.
I like the bite sized cheddar cheeses you can get e.g. at Sam's Club, they are sort of like little candy bars packed in air tight plastic. They are, of course, fairly high in fat but, compared to chocolate, they're much better for you. I also found chewing gum does away wit the need for some snacks and having pop corn at work, provided the work place has mirowave, is something I often did as a snack.
As for supplements. www.affordablesupplements.com I find has very good prices and vast selection, though you sort of have to know what you want. They also sell all sort of semi legal steroids and super caffeinated brands so you have to do some research. I used hydroxicut with great success, no more than 3 pills a day with 3 days on and two days off for 4 weeks. It depends on your sensitivity to caffeine, some people feel bad taking it and then they shouldn't, but they really helped me stay focused. Also there were reported liver damage cases, but one must keep in mind these were 10 to 20 cases out of 9 million users, so that does not necessarily mean they are that dangerous for you at all. Still, they can help you get the boost to lose the initial weight and once you see results you can cut them out since you are encouraged and are making progress.
Since everyone is giving their stats and background. I spent 12 years in competitive swimming so was used to being in extremely good shape with between 8 and 105 body fat. Now I am somewhere between 225 and 235 pounds, 6 5, but very broad sholdrs and quite muscular, so the weight figure looks a lot worse than it is, but fat percentage is still around 20 which is way too high. I wnt to go down to 200 to 215 at the most by the spring.
I started the high intensity interval training and it feels good. The nearest swimming pool is sadly 15 mies away with no easy transportation so my favorite quick way of losing weight is not available to me now, so I must resort to running.
I've found, in general, being part of a club or signing up for a challenge, such as tri athlon or just big walk or bike club, can help one tremendously, since the goal is, after all, to make exercise natural and less boring. I don't have that luxury having two kids and having to stay at home a lot until they are a bit older, but I'd definitely suggest you check out outdoorsy clubs, biking clubs etc in yor area. I got to try out tandem biking with my friend and it was a lot of fun.
Cheers
-B
ok lunch ideas. I've been packing them for 35 years.
oatmeal is great. you don't have to buy the instant kind or the ones on the go that are in a cup already. you are paying for convenience only. get old fashioned oats. they do cook in the microwave. put them in one of those lgladware containers with a couple teaspoons of almonds and a couple teaspoons of your fave dried fruit, e.g. cranberries, cherries, dates, or raisins. then when it is lunch time, fill to the desired thinness. i like my oatmeal to feel like library paste but most people like it weaker. then nuke on high for a minute. make sure you use a container that is twice the size of your oats with water so it doesn't splash all over the microwave.
yoghurt. you can get the low fat plain or flavored kind. usually the store brands have much less sugar then dannon.i can't eat the low sugar ones because many have nutrasweet, aspartame, in them. i'm alergic to it.
good old variations of p b and j. use whole wheat bread only. get something like polliner fruit spread, which has bery little sugar besides that in the fruit. or you can add chopped banana, wheat germ, or chopped apple.
guess i've rambled enough for today.
Turricane, I don't consider that rambling. Those are good ideas. Thanks.
Honestly, I think all the posts here have been awesome.
As someone else said great topic.
Lelia
Turricane ramble to me anytime. Yes all posting is awesome here. Smile.
Are the fruit spreads healthier than things such as jams and jellies? Where in the store do you find the fruit spreads? I don't really use jams/jellies, and if these spreads are a healthier alternative, I'd like to try them. I eat whole grain bagels, so it'd be nice to use something like a fruit spread on them.
Thanks for your kind words of support. Since I've been fighting the battle of the buldge for many years, this is one of my fave topics.
As for where to find fruit spreads like polliner, well every store is organized differently. some times I think the person who arranges stuff is on acid, but I digress. usually they are right next to the jelly and jam. they come in a jar that is not cylindrical but has planes like an octagon or something like that. occasionally they are in the diet food aisle and sometimes, in this weird store I visit they have a special display next to the peanutbutter and bread. go figure.
Thanks. I'll definitely see if I can find some the next time I go shopping.
this is an awesome topic. I am not over weight by any means, but I did have some weight problems when I was younger, and even now with my height. Everyones always like u should way like 90 pounds, but i way 130 and I am losing weight so yeah
Hi girls (and guys) Great topic. About weight, I am overweight right now, but I'll work to change that!! I don't have self-esteme issues. I have a job, friends, my own apartment and I'm not wanting for anything. Honestly though, being fat to me, is just unattractive. I'm not saying there aren't overweight women who aren't beautiful. I also believe in being content with one's body. That being said, when I work out and eat right, I feel amazing. Even if I haven't lost a ton of weight, I feel better knowing that I'm making some progress. For the poster who wanted quick lunch ideas, I like wraps too. I love fresh vegetables and fruits. I'm trying to cut down on my soda by a lot. I'll let myself cheat on the weekends, because I believe in letting yourself splurge once in awhile. I drink tons of water. One good tip is to pack meals ahead of time. I bought a bunch of inexpensive Glad containers. I pack them with fruits, vegetables, and small snacks for throughout the day. I find that washing produce and storing it in containers allows easier access, and I'm less likely to forget about it. Fresh fruit and vegetables are pretty inexpensive. What gets expensive is diet food, which I don't really like that much anyway. I just read an article that listed the best foods to stock your pantry with. It suggested fresh produce, lean meats, light condiments, whole grain foods, frozen yogurt and nuts. A good snack food for chocolate lovers is Three Musketeers. These are lower fat than lots of other chocolate. The article can be found on About.com under the weightloss section. For cute clothes, Target and Old Navy have great plus sized lines. You can only buy Old Navy's plus sized line online. I also like JC Penney's plus sized clothing. They always seem very flattering for my figure. If it's possible, I'd suggest getting a piece of workout gear that you can use at home. I have a stationery bike. It was relatively inexpensive. I found mine online at target for about $100.00. Assembly is required, but if anyone knows someone who can assemble them, I really like mine. Mp3 players are your best friend during workouts, just load them with upbeat music and your workout time will fly by. HTH
The Medical!
Some of you have posted you have medical conditions that require meds. Some meds could be causing some of your weight gain or blocking your ability to lose weight. Ask your doctor or health provider if you’re a candidate for this issue, and if your medications can be changed to others that are less problematic in this area. Do some research to learn if your medical condition might be causing some problems with weight gain or slowing down your progress. I know that some diabetics, or people with hyper tension will carry more water than normal causing them to be bloated. I have no suggestions on how to lessen these issues. My medical license came from the quarter machine in my local drugstore, so. Smile.
Birth control methods are another cause of weight gain, or blocker of weight loss. The Depo shot can cause some women to gain as much as 20 LBS. It’s another med that causes water retention in some women. Birth control pills, arm patches and such also might cause weight gain. Some women have no adverse effects at all. My opinion on reducing this effect is to talk to your Planned Parenthood office if you have one in your city, or do research online to find an alternative method. The less body chemistry changing the better. Here are a few sites and articles.
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bbinfo.php?page=Diabetes http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/manage_chronic_fatigue.htm
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/sub7.htm
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control/birth-control-shot-depo-provera-4242.htm
As posted here before good health habits lead to good health and I believe will even prevent or lessen the complications of diseases, except pregnancy. Feel good, hopefully sexual activity will increase, so get rid of that rabbit’s foot on the night stand.
Your body is your temple! Love it and it will love you.
Peace.
Hello,
First of all, This is a great topic.
My weight has always been an issue since my early teens. Because of the weight I'm at now, I am at a serious risk for diabetes, high collesterol and other health problems. These health problems run in my family.
My biggest problems as far as losing weight goes are,
!. bordom. I can't count the number of times when I've just eaten out of bordom alone. When I was living with my mother, There were not very many fruits or vegetables in the house. Now that I live with my grandma there are more healthy things in the house to snack on if I get bored. I shop for myself now, so I try and buy as many fruits and good stuff as I can. Instead of the big 12 packs of pepises, I've been getting the smaller 8 packs of pepsi in the smaller bottles. I've started drinking skim milk which I've heard is healthier.
2. My second issue is excersize. I haven't had a good work out since before I graduated in June. Last school year, I was taking a class that required me to work out twice a week for a half an hour each. Those half hour workouts were the best thing for me. not only did I feel better physically, I felt better emotionally as well. My grandma bought me a manual treadmill a couple years ago for christmas. As soon as we get things rearranged in our new house, I'm gonna try and set it up so I can start working out again.
As far as clothes shopping for big girls goes, Walmart is a good store in my opinion. That is where I shop for all my clothes. I think I'd like to try those protein powder things that you guys are talking about. I'm open to try new things to lose weight. Take care,
Leslie
wildebrew mentioned diet suplements. while i am by no means condoning them, I think they have their place. They can help us shrink our stomach so that we will be able to eat a reasonable amount of food. The ones I found that worked for me are hoodia, spelling, and miracle burn. I don't use them any more as I now know what a reasonable serving size is and I just don't like putting out the cash to get something I can control myself for free.
I never knew that old navy had plus sizes. thanks for the great tip.
BLW1978, that's a really good idea about putting fruits, veggies, or other things in small containers. That way, you've got a serving size already lined up, and are less likely to forget about them, and also less likely to eat as much. I mean, fresh fruits and veggies are good for you, but if you eat too much in one sitting, that isn't. So, thanks for the tip. I'll have to try that. If I had room in my apartment for some kind of work-out gear, I'd seriously look into doing that, but as of now, I have neither the room nor the money. That, and I like being around the people at Curves, when I can get there.
I've never tried diet pills. For some reason, they make me nervous. I guess I've heard too many bad things about them, and they all try to claim to be miracle cures. No, thanks.
o please please don't go for any medicine for this purpose.
if you can, or you must go for regular exercise.
and don't ever underestimate yourself that you're looking ugly or something like that. your worries may lead you to some diseases or depression. I honestly like bigger girls but active ones specifically with mbbs. lol.
so keep in mind there are many like me who they are fond of bigger girls and be happy.
Try to reduce. but don't worry about it.
Raaj.
I use the half cup containers and the one cup sizes. For work, I'll take a half cup of grapes, berries or some other fruit, as a half cup is usually the recommended size for small fruits. I use the same ideas for vegtables. I will often combine two types of fruit such as pineapple and honeydew melon to equal one cup. Then that's two servings in one meal. I love yogurt, but find the low-fat kind kind of crappy. I use salad dressing as a vegetable dip, but if you do this, only allow yourself one serving of dressing per vegetable portion. I also love whole grain breads and crackers. Personally, I don't go for low carb, or low protein diets. I believe in eating a balanced diet and doing regular exercise. Not to mention drinking lots of water. Weightloss, no matter how hard it is to admit involves a total lifestyle change.
Hi there, I totally agree about losing weight being a total life change. I can't remember if I posted this on here, but others have said that there trying to cut out sweets and I am too, however, I do and have started eating dark chocolate but only one piece. or most of the time one piece.
thanks for the tips about the fruits.
Lelia
I absolutely adore dark chocolate. LOL. Eaten in moderation, it's been proven to be very beneficial for us, and they recommend that it be at least 70% cocoa.
I enjoy yogurt, too. I like the Yoplait light, but I now eat the Yo-Plus light. I like the Yo-Plus light because, not only is it low in calories, but it also has fiber, calcium, and vitamin D.
Dark chocolate is the best. One square a day will deffinitely be great for the body, mind, and spirit.
if you have one of those cravings for sugar that won't quit try the edies fruit and juice bars. They are flavorful and count as one fruit serving.
beware of those 100 calorie packs. most of the stuff in those is not that healthful. it's better to eat 100 calories of something that is nutritious, e.g. a slice of chese. pringles or whatever have little to recommend them.
I've never heard of those bars before. I'd like to try them. Do you get them at a regular grocery store?
in my part of the world they are in the ice cream novelty section of the store. they are either beside the sorbet or the popsicles depending on where i shop.
Yup working out is and should be treated like your job. You can even be like us tactile gifted and get hired for this one. It doesn’t matter if you live where the male lady delivers from her horse, or in a mecca city where the transport is just a block away, if not directly on your street.
In the beginning you’ll need to set a time for your sweat. 6:30 AM? 5:30 PM or whatever do it at this time and plan your day schedule so it matches your time. 45 minutes to one hours is all the time you’ll need, and to start 5 days a week. 6 days is ideal, but make that 6th day something really enjoyable such as shopping in the mall where you walk lots, or hiking with your loved ones, or biking, some type of activity that gets you moving. I also know that some of you are in wheelchairs, or not able to walk, and I’ll talk about that as well. Smile.
The work out for anyone is anything that causes you to sweat, exert yourself. Think about what you can do. Think about your motor abilities and what would be a movement that you did that caused sweating. A few ideas are pushups jumping jacks, squatting and standing many times, filled jugs of water you bend over and lift several times. Leg lifting. If you are in a chair you must at some point transfer right? Suppose you transferred for exercise reasons doing it over and over. From the bed to the chair, the floor. Any part of your body that you can move, move it in an exercise rhythm. If you can in a safe area use a manual chair you push instead of a powered one.
Adding weights or equipment can be done by simply filling these jugs with water. Get some weights that strap on that are filled with sand. There are many sizes and weight values in these. Any rope is a great jump rope device, doesn’t have to be fancy. Get some of these bands that stretch and hook them to your door, a tree or post and pull.
These have handles, so you can put your feet or hands inside and pull different directions. A set of adjustable dumbbells is great to use. If you want to move it up than you’ll need some sort of gym. Gyms can be in your home Bowflex makes great space saving ideas for you home, or if you have a spare room or floor space you can go to your local sporting goods store and get a multi purpose bench and weights. Call you local high school, university, or college and ask if you can sign up to use there equipment. Don’t be shy explain your blind and can not travel far if that is your case. If you decide to join a gym ask questions about help getting around until you know the place. Some even offer personal training with the membership fee. If you like the fancy than join fancy, but don’t forget there are plenty of low priced places run by one or 2 people that are just as good or better. You are buying a service, so be picky when deciding on the gym.
Also note that colleges and high schools have student programs where students receive credits for outside class work, so you can get a great trainer this way, or learn how to do the exercises on that video you can’t see. Ask your local fire department if some of the guys will give you some time. During the day when there is no fires they sit about, so they’d love to help somebody I’ll bet. Smile. Who knows you just might catch yourself a boy friend to take you to dinner than you’ll have the eating issue again. Smile.
Here are a few sites for gym equipment and national Gyms. Sorry I’m only refurring to American places, but some will ship internationally.
http://www.bowflex.com/global/content_basic.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302040118&bmUID=1256087328395
This one will work a payment plan if you need and has stuff you can use and store under a bed. If you’re in a chair you can roll up to it and use it easy.
http://www.totalgym.com/
http://www.24hourfitness.com/
Peace.
Hi all, from personal experience, if you order anything be sure you have sighted assistance to help you assemble things. Especially the totalgym, speaking from personal experience, we got the totalgym because the info mercial said it was already assembled, not true. We unpacked it, it wasn't assembled we watched the video, it was a joke. So we then had to pack it all back and send it back and since the only help we could get was to make the fedx lables we are now out $320 we are trying to get the $49.99 back.
so lesson I learned, don't order if you don't have any sighted assistance.
lelia
great article on working out. my caveat with it is start out with a half hour. then work up to the hour or whatever. at the beginning, If I had to know I'd have to do this stuff for 60 long painful minutes, at the beginning I'd have just thrown up my hands and gotten another dish of ice cream.
i have loved the walking that I do. fall has really not been a big favorite season of mine because it is right before the one I truly hate, which is winter. since I've been on my proactive perambulation program, I've really gotten to appreciate the beauty of nature. It's fun to race through my little neighborhood and meet the people who live near me. as I roar by, wwatching the kids play is great. scuffling through the leaves is amazing. i'm looking forward to winter now, as i can observe the world at sleep. one aedditional thing, where I live is blue collar. guys love working on their cars. having cute young and older men yell at me "you go girl and way to go turri" really makes the experience fun.
All the places I suggested ordering from will help you, and must things are easy to setup.
I've been wanting to get some of the resistance bands that you hook onto a door and use, but I haven't bought any yet. I'm really not sure what to look for, nor which brands to stick with. I've seen some that are made specifically for upper body strength, and then those that are for lower body strength, but do they make any that you can use for both? If not, I guess that's OK; I'd just have to buy two different sets.
Be creative. buy different strengths of the bands with large handles, then use your imagination to pull with an upper or lower body part. If the band is not stiff enough double it. You can do this with one until you can get more.
I found a set that clips to the top and bottom of a dorr. It comes with bands and handles for both the upper and lower body. It's made by Gold's Gym. I may get it and give it a go.
Make sure the door used is a solid one not a core door. You can learn this buy tapping on it or gently hitting it with your fist. Most outer doors are solid, or should be. Smile. Get that set! Get that set! Smile.
Cheat day!
I’m skipping a part, the food, and how and what type should be eaten because so much has been posted here and all are wonderful ideas. A cheat day is a valuable part of your weight loss program specially if you are a person that is heavier due to eating junk. Your weekend, Saturdays or Sundays or Fridays and Saturdays, depending on the country you live, are the best days to choose a cheat day simply because you are out visiting, shopping, and hanging out. Go ahead put on your “I’m a member of the BBW club” tee shirt! It will soon be 2 big, but wear it anyway. Grab that box of goodies from under the bed, or deep in the fridge you’ve been hiding and enjoy without guilt. Go in to your favorite ice cream place and order you a triple dip with extra butt widener! Yes girls, it’s okay to walk boldly in the that place that cooks with grease, and ask the counter man to super size it! Don’t even use a napkin, let the juice run down your chin, smack, lick your fingers! You deserve it. Even if your not heavier due to eating junk still relax on cheat day and eat what you like. This helps you with your control, plus you will mentally feel better because you are not depriving yourself completely. A word of caution! As you learn to eat better and start doing it completely your body will change, so on cheat day you’ll not be able to eat the things you use to enjoy easily without stomach upset. Let your body guide you. If the things taste odd to you, or you get full soon leave it, don’t eat it because you think you should, because it’s cheat day. Your system is now clean, so does not require this anymore. You’ll learn what is good and naturally get these things even on cheat day, just you’ll not have to worry about it at all. Last when starting to eat correct foods you will experience a week or 2 of frequent bathroom calls. This is natures way of cleaning your system.
Peace!
i have to brag to some people who will appreciate it. saturday, i went to the md renaissance fest. another way to say it is the md eat your self in to a coma experience. anyway, this is what i ate. one steak on a stick, one corn on the cob, and one cheesecake on a stick. i passed up the pirate peanutbutter pie, all the various permutations of fried bread, pickles, apple dumplings, and the other goodies with grease whipping cream or chocolate in them. by the way did you know that they make fried macaroni and cheese on a stick? thought I was going to puke when i saw that one.
then on the way home stopped at kfc and got the grilled chicken coleslaw and another corn. really felt great because i had fun and didn't get the post fest stomach distress i usually have.
Aww I am so happy for you. I too feel so good after going to a buffet and not eating myself into a stooper. Feels great! *smile* Yes. My weekends are my cheat days. haha I believe in those. :) Again, congrats Turricane!
Okay you back to the grind! Lol
you know it kiddo. had a meatless day yesterday and my breakfast of champions this orning. oatmeal with two teaspoons of slivered almosnds and two teaspoons of craisins in it. don't need sugar or anything. then a slice of 100% whole wheat bread.
Had me worried. I mean what if cheat day turned in to cheat week, then month, than... *sigh*
Wow. If I would've known this boardwould take off so fast, I'd have started it ages ago! Well, I am happy to say that since D day, (Delivery Day), I have lost 27 pounds. They're rightwhen they say you lose yourbaby weight faster when you breastfeed. At least for me. I am trying to get below 200 by Christmas. I'm 205right now, but I know how funky my body can be so I'm trying to take it slow. If I can at least be below 200 by Christmas, it will encouragemeto keep working at losing more. I have cerebral palsy, so exercise for me is kind of limited and all those things Wildebrew spoke of that make it difficult for blind people to lose weight are all the things I'm going through. One of the things I do is buy in bulk and freeze part of it;such asbread, lunch meat, hot dogs etc. I also buy frozen veggies which last longer than fresh and are better for you than canned. I also buy frozen fruit to put in smoothies or shakes or to thaw and eat later. I don't have soda in my house and I limit myself and my son to one glass of juice a day if not less becausejuiceis just as sugary as soda. It's funny because helping my son eat healthy hasencouraged me toeat better. We try to eat at home as much as possible and we tryto fix meals that use more than two food groups such as a meat a veggie and a starch. Crock pot cookinghas encouragedme to eat better because it'seasy andmost recipes incorporate lots of variety in their dishes. Ialso drink lotsof water which they say is the best at eliminating all those nasty toxins in your body that buildup over time. This topic is going remarkably well and thank you guys so muchfor your tips and tricks.
One thing I always tell people is to not lose weight so fast. Yes, losing weight is good, but if you lose it too fast, that could put strain on your heart as well as the rest of your body. So yes, lose weight, but do it slowly.
Good luck to everyone!
another great thing about losing more slowly is you don't get in to the yo yo syndrome. you know you lose a lot then gain it back and on and on. losing weight is a life style not a quick fix. you are doing all the right things.
Wow I was just going to start a topic on this very thing but thought I should look first to see if there was one. I am overweight severely weighing 240 and being 5/4. My problem is that I am depressed, bored, and always at home. Last night I joined weight watchers. It was the first diet I ever joined because I know I need to do something to make a change. Well I was quite upset when I found out that the site is not accessible at all. It is a weird flash format and so I am relying on my mom to assist me with a lot of it. Is that a good thing or do you guys think I should try for something I can be more involved in I guess you could say. The thing is I think I could lose if I could cut off soda but that is very very hard for me.
Well, I did visit the weightwatchers sight, and it is crappy. If you could find a support group in your area, that might be better for you. You mentioned that your depressed. It might be a good idea to tackle this first, or in conjunction with trying to lose weight. not knowing your situation, it's harder for me to make recommendations. But why are you bored all the time, and don't leave your house? You could be emotional eating, which we all do from time to time.
Hi, I had to end that last post abruptly. See a counselor if you need to, and get on medication (at least for the first part of your sessions), but only if your doc recommends it. if you're having mobility issues, work on those with a orientation and mobility specialist. it might sound really bisic, but try to tackle one issue at a time. Then you won't become overwhelmed. I will say that exercise and healthy eating do wonders for a person's self-esteme. Write me if you want to discuss the topic further. There's gotta be a more happier life than just being bored and in the house all the time.
Read this board as well. I agree with the poster before me. Sunshine you should get rid of drinking juice. It is good for your son, but to sugary for a person trying to lose.That sounds strange I know, but true. Eat fruit instead for your juice, but no juice. Smile.
Sorry, that should have been "basic" in my previous post. I was at work at the time, and my supervisor came in, so I had to type fast. If you want to drink fruit juice, you could always get a juicer. I would get one of these, but honestly, there's a lot of left over pulp, that I wouldn't know what to do with. Some fruits like oranges juice fine, but for apples, you gotta juice a lot of those to make one serving of juice (at least that's what I've heard).
Juicers are good, and there are some that will leave no pulp at all, and the fruit useage is low, so 2 oranges could make a decent amount. If it's bottled juice I still say just eat the fruit. It is better for you, and you don't get the aditives you get in bottled juices, even the ones that say 100%. If you just love a good glass of juice in the mornings, then make it a small one, say 4 Oz, but if you can do without while trying to shed weight, then do without.
So, what are some brands that make no, or low pulp juicers?
Vita mixer comes to mind off the top of my head. These are about $300, but also will chop veggies, and you can make soups as well. Oyster has one at around $200, Kitchen Aid has a blender, about $125. A kitchen supply house or a search online could probably produce better results then my musings. *smile.
Forereel, thanks for the juicer ideas. IF anyone else knows of specific brands or types of juicers, I'd be interested in hearing, as I've often considered one of these myself. But I absolutely hate pulp! I figured I'd just have to strain whatever juice I made, but if there are kinds that don't leave any, that'd be even better!
Accessibility is the big reason I did not stay with Weight Watchers. They used to be far better about that, supplying materials in Braille, having a website that was usable to us, etc. I had been impressed with them, years ago. No more, though. Right now I'm using a place called Curves, both for my work-out, and will be attempting to follow their nutrition recommendations after the holidays. Right now I'll just be honest and say I'd never stick to it. *Grin*
These are all accessible. Oyster's have 1 switch. Click it up it goes tell you click it down. The vita mixer will do fruit peels and all, veggies too, but it also makes hot as well as cold treats. No left overs if you so decide. You get use to how much you want to liquify something, and it comes with a cook book, not in braille, but.I'll post others, but these are off the top of my head, and I have actually touched and saw working, so.
Juicers are OK, and i've even thought about getting one myself, but on the other hand, they do take away a lot of health benefits that you find in the skin of certain foods. Are their juicers out there that will juice a whole item; not just extract the juice from the inside part of the food?
Yes as I have posted the Vita Mixer is a machine that you can simple drop a complete fruit or veggie in. Pineapples, banana, things like that, no, but mostly anything else can be done.
www.jlhufford.com/vitamix.aspTry this site.
this is the best time of the year for losing weight. this is true especially after next friday. the citrus fruits are just awesome. have you ever eaten clementines? they are definitely goed's candy!!!
Oh!! I love clementines. My dad buys them by the crate. I'm not a huge citrus fan, but I love these things. Clementines are actually a variety of citrus fruit. They're not a type of tangerien, as some people think. These are great immune system boosters. I used to eat several of these a day when I loved at home.
Well I'm not a girl and happen not to be big or whatever, but I have close relatives who struggle with this. Rather, they struggle with The fool ideas cowards foist upon them. One relative posted the following link on Facevook:
http://www.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2011/02/11/hello-i-am-fat
It talks about what you guys, and some of my relatives talk about.
When they take to terrorizing you guys, kinda makes me want to take to exercising me boots!
They know they aren't helping you guys, they're just getting off.
I'm not part of the big girls club but I have the complete opposite. I'm about 5 ft tall if that and only weigh about 90-95 pounds generally as an estimate. The most I weighed is 100 pounds at some points and everyone was like "you look very good at 100 lb.. but 3 weeks ago for some reason mom said " I don't know if you can tell or aware of it but you lost a bit of weight, what's wrong, even my uncle said that. I check on the scale and I lost around 6.5 pounds in like 2 weeks. So I went down to 93.4 pounds or close to that in like 2 weeks. Why? Because of the stress due to lots of preparation for the graduate record exam which I took 1 week ago. In addition to that, family issues that are directly inflicting all of us including me because of my parents separating, and a lot of internship applications and what not. How the heck did that weight come off, I have no idea. Probably i was eating less than normal without even knowing it. normal would be a good plate with about 1 cup of rice and some vegetables and 2 drumsticks or 1 moderate piece of meat. and 1 big glass of water or juice or whatever drink except soda because mom hasn't been buying that often. i generally get up late like around 10 or 11.00 and start by eating a granola bar if i have any or wait for my uncle to bring over some food since he normally comes to eat lunch during break at work. But my problem is that without even trying I do lose the weight from stress. I guess its part of who I am or maybe my metabolism is out of wack who knows. I don't really feel self conscious because at least i'm healthy. As long as I have good health and eat whatever I want in small portions then i'm ok. + I feel healthy and that's all that counts, though I do have vitamin D deficiency but that's not really a big deal. i just learned to accept that i'm the way that i am and that the inflictions are part of life including it's adverse effects. Whatever is doable is doable.
Stress is a great fat burner. It speeds your system up no matter what you do actually. It either goes "you are stressed, so you don't eat as you should, or you are stressed, so you eat confort foods, so you gain" Smile.
I think there has to be more to good looks and good health than size or weight or body mass index. I personally believe each individual has their own set point, for instance my 130 or so pounds that are perfectly normal to me may be too much or even underweight for another woman the same height, particularly if they are not average frame, but small or large frame, stocky types. One of the womens' mags some years ago compared an overweight black female with an underweight white female, and the former came out healthier than the latter, as the larger woman was making her best effort to eat healthy and didn't smoke, while the latter smoked and weighted until a serious glucose drop between meals. The larger woman also made effort to exercise, if nothing else to take walks on a regular basis, which is something I think is important for men and women of all sizes and body types. It doesn't have to make you a sweaty mess to be a good workout, for example forgoing the elevator for the stairs, or walking a dog several times a day. I just don't think the human body is naturally meant to be sedentary. Couldn't give advice on how to dress more flattering as I've forgotten how to do so myself, am really pretty casual in that regard, but I don't think extra weight or being naturally large necessarily puts a damper on one's intimate life. A man wrote an advice columnist complaining about his overweight wife, and the columnist, who spent a lifetime doing that kind of work, told him "Some men are crazy about their fat wives. There has to be something more to her than her weight that bothers you."
yeah you got it. because since I graduated University i seldomly get out the house because i'm still in the process of finding a job. I at least do somethings productive such as applying for jobs and sending out resumes and calling people. At least I do that, but I don't get out of the house as I used to because i'm alone all the time. + there's not much to do around where I live anyway. But i do need some exercise since i'm afraid my metabolism slows down at age 40. lol. + i'm having a lot of family things going on anyway. at least with dad i could make jokes and go out when i wanted. But when i'm alone i don't feel motivated to do anything.
SHU, I wouldn't worry about 40 for awhile. If anything I find my metabolism got a reboot at 40, I've lost maybe 5 lbs without even trying, but then if I can't say anything else nice about where I live, it is a very walkable area and I do take long walks when possible. I'm not sure why you're alone, but why not try long walks every day or when you can? You may feel better, relieve the tension of the job search. Is your dad OK?
big girls are ok to me. as long as they are active. I'm 5.7 and 192 pounds. I do wana reduce my weight but it's being tough to do so. I've reduced my quantity of food, though. I was told by a few as fat is also comes from our heriditory. guess I've spelled it right. lol.
Raaj
squidwardqtentacles, I'm alone because of the fact that mom works and my brother is at school and my uncle works too. So since everyone is working or out the house i'm all alone during the day. Well, Dad's Ok, but he decided to leave the house and not have any contact with us for some reason. I don't know why. But all i know is that all i've been doing is searching jobs online most of the day. + the area where i live is walkable but again i rather walk and talk to other people. It's so boring to walk alone. i don't feel motivated enough.
SHU I'm sorry to hear of the absence of your dad. It rots when fathers don't have contact with kids. All I can tell you is when i got depressed, my doctor at the time (probably retired now) told me daily exercise could help. Also, being online conducting a job search is one strategy, but do take advantage of all you can. If there is a state unemployment office in your area, they can refer you to up to two openings a day and you call to set up the interview. I found temporary agencies helpful, even got permanent work months after I worked for one company. Good luck and keep trying!