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Elena
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| Posted: March 24 2007 at 5:17pm | IP Logged
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I thought this would be a good topic now that spring as sprung and the clothing layers become less! I also know a few of you have been dieting and getting into shape so I just wanted to talk about it.
I want to lose at least 10 but maybe 15 pounds by June 1. I was reading a book by Covert Bailey (Of Fit or Fat fame) and he said that to do that he recommended two cardio sessions a day. So maybe a video in the morning and a brisk walk in the afternoon. I'm just wondering how to fit it in!!!
But maybe some of you have other "tips" for rapid but sensible weight loss. Care to share?!
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Elena
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ElizLeone
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| Posted: March 24 2007 at 5:23pm | IP Logged
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Oh, I am so right there with you, Elena!
I am trying to lose 15 pounds by the end of May. However, I'm having more trouble this time around. Maybe it's because I'm now 40!
After the other pregnancies, I used a low-carb approach, and I lost pretty quickly and painlessly. However, I am not having such great luck this time. I really seem to have stalled. (My baby is 13 months.) So, I don't have any tips, but I am all ears! 
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Elizabeth in Wisconsin
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8kids4me
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I need to lose close to 80 pounds. Once I hit 30 I could never lose the baby weight, and now it just won't come off. I did manage to lose about 20 when I was diagnosed with diabetes a year and a half ago, but had a lot of stress last year and put it back on. Walking around my neighborhood is right out, so I'm not really sure what to do about exercise.
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Cindy B, mama to 8 great kids, and 5 grandbabies!
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: March 25 2007 at 5:24am | IP Logged
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I started losing weight with a book my mom recommended called Fat Flush. It is pretty low carb, but seemed healthy and balanced at the same time. I lost ten pounds, then got pregnant! I was very happy about the pregnancy but very discouraged about the weight loss thing as I had about 30 more pounds to lose. Anyway, the Fat Flush book I read was from the library. It might be somthing to look into.
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Becky
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Elena
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| Posted: March 25 2007 at 10:19am | IP Logged
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I actually have that book Becky and I know Barb Curtis from MommyLife lost 70 pounds on it. It looks kind of work intensive though! I hesitate to use it because I need food to feed the family and I don't want to do two menus. It might be worth another look though - this time more in depth! Thanks for the reminder. 
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Elena
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8kids4me
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| Posted: March 25 2007 at 10:52am | IP Logged
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Elena wrote:
I don't want to do two menus.
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There's the rub! I just can't always afford to feed us all the way dh and I need to eat to lose weight. Very frustrating.
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Cindy B, mama to 8 great kids, and 5 grandbabies!
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stefoodie
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I don't know about you but I can't go on a low-carb diet. However, for 2 months last year I went 90% vegetarian (I'd eat 2-3 bites of meat some meals) and lost weight JUST LIKE THAT. I was very surprised as I had never gone veggie like that before, and always had those "last 10-15 pounds" after every baby. I finally lost it without even meaning too -- I mostly went on a diet because I thought what I was feeling was symptoms of stroke/heart disease (it turned out to be stress-related), but the weight loss definitely helped.
Books I would recommend:
Superfoods RX
8 Weeks to Optimum Health
Laurel's Kitchen
Dr. Ornish's guide to Reversing Heart Disease
Final advice would be not to get too rigid with these -- I always allowed myself some indulgence, just not too much and not all on the same day. e.g., a piece of dark chocolate one day, half a cup of ice cream on another day, cheese on my pasta the next day.
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margot helene
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When I was disgnosed with diabetes a year ago, I decided that I wanted to go without the medication. (I hate any kind of medication and already have to take synthroid for loss of thyroid after baby #5 that I had at 41 years old.) So I had to find a diet that I could manage and that my doctor would approve. I researched all around and found a book called The Schwartzbein Principle. It is written by Dr. Schwartzbein, a women MD who treats people like me (thyroid and diabetes). The diet calls for reduction of and/or elimination of all refined products. It all has to be something you theoretically could have hunted or gathered or grown, not manufactured. Carbs are OK, but have to come from plant sources. I can't live without bread, so I use bread every so often, (sometimes everyday when I'm stressed out) but try to stay within the carb count with it. I have lost almost 50 pounds since last May! Like Stef I allow myself a treat of dark chocolate or a cream based dessert on occasion.
I stopped exercising in the winter and have kind of stalled out, but at least I haven't gained any of it back. Basic breakdown: for those with mild activity like me: 15 carbs at a meal and 7 carbs at a snack twice a day. Adding the right kind of fats is really important (I eat a lot of nuts). I think it has really brought balance to my eating, which I really needed.
As for having to have a separate menu for the kids, we are really blessed to raise our own chicken and pork, so I make a main dish meat which I can have, a big salad, and then if they have rice, I have a carrot or something. When I make them pasta I have cottage cheese and pineapples or eggs. Sometimes I hate the hassle of having to make something different for myself, or not be able to simply grab a PB & J on the run. It's also hard to eat beans and keep within the carb count, so we haven't had many veggie dishes - we eat a lot of eggs!
I am always trying to sneak in a treat,  so I am in no way cured of my sweets addiction, just curbed.
Margot
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8kids4me
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I have diabetes also, and would love to be off the meds. When I was first diagnosed, I checked my bs every time I ate, so I would know what foods did to me. Natural carbs(potatoes, rice, etc) did not raise my bs the way pasta and bread do. Honey leaves me alone, though sugar doesn't. I need to get back on track. sigh 
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Cindy B, mama to 8 great kids, and 5 grandbabies!
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ElizLeone
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| Posted: March 25 2007 at 9:12pm | IP Logged
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This sounds a lot like what I do, Margot. When I'm really working to lose weight, I cut out all sugar and refined products. I eat lots of salads with blue cheese dressing. I load up on the veggies (lots of broccoli salad, cucumber & tomato salad, etc.), I eat plenty of eggs and lean meat, and I snack on nuts and cheeses.
I am only 5'1", and I've lost 25 pounds (a significant amount on my little frame) in three months using this approach. When I am nursing a child under a year, I modify it to incorporate more dairy, some low-carb fruits (berries, apples, grapes...), and some grains in the form of unsweetened granola.
Once I've lost the weight, I am very cautious with carbs, aiming to add back in only those with whole grains, etc. This worked really well after pregnancies #3 and #4. (I never did it after #1 and #2.) But I haven't been dropping so fast this time. I've had a couple cheats; maybe that's it. Or maybe it really is the age. But you ladies are inspiring me to really work at it.
Here is a neat website where you can track your weight loss progress.
Now, if anyone can tell me how to fit in exercising... I am so terrible about finding time in the day to exercise!
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Elizabeth in Wisconsin
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aussieannie
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I'm finally succeeding in getting the baby weight off me at present. It was delayed originally, due to a big thyroid collapse after my lastest baby born Dec '04 - low carb worked well with baby 4 and it is now working again. (Lent is a BIG help for strength of will to get to going..)
For me, just keeping away from my natural sweeteners I rely on and carbs, particularly in the morning, with a few walks where I can, is doing the job...
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Leonie
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For me, its been working out ( cardio and weights) and watching portions - eating mostly healthy but in general not eating too much! It's the amounts that make a difference for me - I think that is why programmes like WW works, they help us focus on the amount of food we eat, as well as the nutrition.Not that I do WW but i see the reasoning behind it...
But working out is key for me - seems to help my metabolism.
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Cleo
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| Posted: April 10 2007 at 8:36am | IP Logged
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In my case, I lost 23 pounds with Weight Watchers. Their point system really helped me make good decisions as to what I was eating. It was totally worth it.
A year later, I'm still in control of my weight, even though I put 5 pounds back. I'm doing the yo-yo with those 5 pounds which doesn't bother me. Five pounds is not a dangerous thing.
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Leonie
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| Posted: April 11 2007 at 5:47pm | IP Logged
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Good for you, Cleo! Keeping the weight off is the most important thing - and you've done it.
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Leonie in Sydney
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Karen T
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I'm currently reading Bob Greene (Oprah's trainer) newest book "The Best Life diet"
I had read his first book Make the connection years ago but apparently I never made the connection b/c with each pregnancy I've kept about 20 extra pounds, plus a few extras here and there (thanks, thyroid!)
I'm not an Oprah fan either so I was skeptical but picked up this book on the advice of a co-worker.
So far most of what I've read makes a lot of sense - namely that most diets start off with lots of restrictions which allow you to lose quickly, but often mostly water weight which comes back, and you get burned out by the severity quickly.
His idea is to start with small steps and gradually increase things.
He has 3 phases and in the first phase all you do is 1)no eating after 7:30 pm 2)drink more water 3)nudge up your activity level just a little, wherever you're at 4) take a multivitamin
You do this for a month (without weighing), without changing the rest of your eating habits or amounts. Then, if you feel you've made these habits stick, you move on to phase 2, where you cut out certain things which are empty calories and increase your activity level a little again. I haven't gotten to phase 3 in the reading yet.
He also focuses on figuring out *why* you overeat, saying if you lose weight without dealing with this, it's very likely to come back (like Oprah!) I have known for a couple years that I often reach for sweets when I feel frustrated by lack of communication between dh and I - neither of us had good examples from our parents on communicating - both my parents drank to avoid it, his mom overate and his dad was a workaholic!
so, I'm working on this and other issues (no quick fixes!) but feel much better just by getting in a 30 min walk 4 days/week and stopping eating after 7:30 pm, etc.
Another book I just finished is the FlyLady's weight loss book (Body Clutter) and it has a lot more about dealing with the "why" than actual diet advice - it helped me think about this so I was probably ready to hear it from the bob Greene book.
I got both books at our library, but had to wait a couple weeks for them.
karen T
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Paula in MN
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Thanks for the recommendations, Karen. I'm off to see if my library has them!
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 Paula
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mom2mpr
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Karen T wrote:
I'm currently reading Bob Greene (Oprah's trainer) newest book "The Best Life diet"
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I second this book. I got it out of the library in, oh, November, have been in Phase 1 since then I joined WW online but it was too much learning-points and all. I didn't have the time to do that! The book makes sense, is a gentle approach to changing your life and eating habits.
I ended up buying it at Sams Club for about $10.
Anne
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Leonie
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Gee, the Bob Green book sounds interesting - and sensible.
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Leonie in Sydney
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rose gardens
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I began dieting this week. I want to loose the twenty extra pounds that have steadily crept up on me over the years of pregnancy and nursing. (I'm still nursing, but the baby is 1 1/2 years so I'm not worried anymore that my dieting will harm her since she eats lots of other foods.)
As the key to any weight loss is portion control, I decided to start off using pre-portioned frozen foods from the grocery store for lunch and dinner to re-aquaint myself with proper portion size. I also have a modest breakfast, added fruit, salads,and a few other low calorie foods for snacks. (I know a couple people who did that through a popular $$$ weight loss center.)
It's a novelty to eat meals with the types of foods I like, rather than considering my family's preference. I still cook for my family, but since some of my kids are on the skinny side, I don't want to make the family eat low calorie foods. But now all the younger kids want to eat the rice cakes I bought for low cal snacking. Anyway, it's snack time now and I'm hungry. I hope they left me some rice cakes!
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Leonie
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rose gardens wrote:
As the key to any weight loss is portion control, |
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Yep - portion control, exercsing and working out why I eat are keys for me.
Good luck on your new fitness journey!
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Leonie in Sydney
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4Real Forums : St. Anne's Tearoom: Growing in Wisdom over 40
Topic: Losing weight over 40!
