Needing some help

[Cricky4]

I always thought of myself as a very fit person... I played tennis all through high school and went to the gym on a daily basis up until three years ago. I do not want to be that tiny 5' 8" 120 lbs girl I was five years ago, but I'm looking at a 30 lbs wait gain here folks! I'm not quite sure why no one told me, but I've put on quite the poundage since then! We're getting married at the end of July and I'm a little scared now... I was going to try the HCG diet until I actually did some research on it. I have a very hard time telling myself "no" with eating, and I've never actually tried a diet for this reason. Are there any secrets someone has that could help me? I really need to target my arms the most... Also, love to cook... how do you cut your calories back and still have some flavor to your food?

[WebLady]

I think cooking healthier versions of your fav foods and trying to eat smaller portions is a good way to start; then try to exercise more.

That is what I am doing; it may not be fast, but it will better. This way you have less of a chance of gaining weight back after getting off a strict crash diet type thing.

But if you want a quick fix you might try to cut back on carbs as well as fat and calories ... and of course exercise.

:goodluck:

[bright_eyes]

try P90X workout or Slim in 6. They are both excellent.

also, like @Weblay suggested eat smaller portions. Eat more often (every 3 hours) but small portions. That way all the food you are putting in will get processed instead of going to the fat reserves.
Cut all soda and junk food as well

[jennybaby]

It's all about balance!

At the beginning of the month I took a good, long look at my diet and exercise and realized I was done playing around- time to take it seriously.

Since then, I became an active member on Spark People and started educating myself. The key is to not deprive yourself. Eat anything you want within reason and moderation. Try counting your calories for a few days and just see what you're actually eating. That's how it hit me! I wasn't eating a lot, but I was eating too many high calorie, low nutrient, processed foods. On top of that, too much sodium (even though I never add salt to anything!), and high cholesterol more days than not.

To cut back on calories and eat the right things, this is my program:

I eat whole grains. Very rarely do I eat anything white!
Low fat dairy.
Lots more veggies and fruits (low on calories, big on taste and good carbs!)
I eat 5-6 small meals a day.
I try to stick to around 1500-1600 calories (because I exercise well!)
8 cups of water
Drinks are limited to 1% or skim milk, coffee with splenda and milk or fat free creamer, 100% fruit juice (no more than 2-3 cups a week), diet soda (no more than 2-3 cans a week) and herbal teas.

Just basically "clean" eating. I try to cook from raw ingredients (fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean meats, natural cheese, etc) and not eat a lot of processed junk (junk food, pre-mixed pasta dishes, frozen dinners, convenience foods).

As for exercise... I try to do something active every day. 5 days a week I do a good cardio workout (treadmill, elliptical, bike riding, etc for at least 20 minutes) followed by strength training (weight machines and targeted exercises). On the two "off" days, I get in some tennis, light swimming, yoga or pilates. I am also starting a Couch to 5k running program. I plan to run a mile by the end of summer.

I lost about 6 pounds the first week (mostly water weight) and 2 the second! My next weigh in is Saturday and I'm feeling good!

If you are serious about weight loss, checkout sparkpeople.com. It really has all the right tools! You can also check out my page (linked in my signature) and click on my "Nutrition Tracker" to see the kinds of food I eat during the day!

[brideshawna]

It has worked for me!

[Cricky4]

Thanks everyone! I will be sure to check out sparkpeople.com, I've heard so many great things about it. I've been very good since I started, and I think I'm actually going to be able to do this. I've cut my calories way back and I'm eating more vegetables than ever before... I'm even buying as many "fat free" ingredients than I thought they made! My fiance made cookies the other day... I will admitt to having one, but I put them out of sight as soon as he went to work! haha

I know that it has not been long enough to see results, but I am defently feeling them! I do not want to go by the scale, because it's so back and forth... does anyone use another method for keeping track of their weight loss? I heard measuring was a good way, has anyone use this?

[jennybaby]

Thanks everyone! I will be sure to check out sparkpeople.com, I've heard so many great things about it. I've been very good since I started, and I think I'm actually going to be able to do this. I've cut my calories way back and I'm eating more vegetables than ever before... I'm even buying as many "fat free" ingredients than I thought they made! My fiance made cookies the other day... I will admitt to having one, but I put them out of sight as soon as he went to work! haha

I know that it has not been long enough to see results, but I am defently feeling them! I do not want to go by the scale, because it's so back and forth... does anyone use another method for keeping track of their weight loss? I heard measuring was a good way, has anyone use this?

Measuring is a great way! You can use a tape measure, or just a piece of string to gauge the inches lost.

Also, just your physical feeling is another good way. How long you can go on the treadmill, how well your pants fit, etc etc. Generally, the first week or two you can drop as much as 10 pounds in just water weight. After that, it's harder because you're burning fat. The scale is a great tool, but it can't measure your muscles being built and muscle weighs more than fat!

[ngreen]

I always thought of myself as a very fit person... I played tennis all through high school and went to the gym on a daily basis up until three years ago. I do not want to be that tiny 5' 8" 120 lbs girl I was five years ago, but I'm looking at a 30 lbs wait gain here folks! I'm not quite sure why no one told me, but I've put on quite the poundage since then! We're getting married at the end of July and I'm a little scared now... I was going to try the HCG diet until I actually did some research on it. I have a very hard time telling myself "no" with eating, and I've never actually tried a diet for this reason. Are there any secrets someone has that could help me? I really need to target my arms the most... Also, love to cook... how do you cut your calories back and still have some flavor to your food?

Have you ever hear of calorie shifting? I read something about it; don't remember it well, but there was something like keeping eating what you normally do, only some otherway. You may want to check that out.

Good luck,
Nila

[brandonleigh]

Here are some of the "secrets" that I tell a lot of brides that I work with.
Drink water like it is going out of style. Stay away from soda whether it is diet or not.
Cut calories down to 1500-1600 a day, this is actually a lot easier then it sounds.
Try to eat 5-6 times per day and make 3 of those times all veggies. (this will help get the calories down to 1500-1600)
One of the biggest things was keeping a food journal, when you are honest on that you will see what is going into your mouth and you will be encouraged to keep eating healthy.
Exercise at least 3 times per week, whether it is a walk or weights or anything, get out and move.
Use the support of those who love you, if you get discouraged, get them to help you get encouraged.

[anirow]

I think you should join your gym again if you want to cut flab from the specific part of the body. no body is stopping you from eating but eat healthy and low fat dishes.

[janetts]

i think you should at least pick back an exercise and do it for at least 1 hour a day. then, control on your diet. good luck!

[rakhi]

it worked for me, COME ON