I need weight loss ideas...

Thanks for all the info! I am just not sure now if I should do the weight watchers or the low carb diet. I think I will try weight watchers first, then if that isn't working well for me, I can try the low carb.

Debby, do not try the Atkins low carb while breast feeding. In fact, its not a healthy way to lose weight at all. With WW you can eat whatever you want, just in smaller portions. So you won't be robbing yourself of any nutrients or fats or protein.

I'm having a crazy day and havent' time to respond to emails, but I haven't forgotten you!! I'll try to send you more info later on today, or at the latest tomorrow.

I have to agree with Daniela. I am suspicious of any diet which greatly restricts one type of food. What do you do when you start eating carbs again? That is the problem with diets. You eat the "program" and then when you go back to regular eating, you gain back the weight.

I lost over 20 pounds on Weight Watchers, then I lost my motivation and did not continue, although I wanted to lose 10 more. I maintained that weight loss for 2 years. I am back on WW now since I gained back 15 pounds (new job last year), I am determined to stay until I reach my goal.

Weight Watchers does offer their program online, for those of you who can't make meetings or who live too far from one. It really does work, you learn how to eat more healthfully, and I learned that exercise is actually fun, not torture. Count me in on the weight loss support thread, I need the motivation.

I think I better just stick to the weight watchers diet and not the low carb....I am having a hard enough time keeping my milk supply up now that I have returned to work...I am producing much less than I was and fear I may stop altogether. I do pump on lunch break, but that is all I have time for (we only get two 7 min. breaks other than lunch, which is only 20 min.) I am still trying to breastfeed her in the evenings, nights, mornings and weekends, but it is hard since I don't have as much. Sometimes I have to finish her with the bottle because she didn't get enough. So.....I don't want to do anything to make it any worse. I may even wait a bit to try the weight watchers, just until I see if I can get my milk supply back up, because the lactation consultant said I need as many calories as I can get right now. But I will try it very very soon!!!! I received the points calculator from you, Daniela, and have saved it! I can't wait to try it!!! Thanks soooooo much!!!!

Forget the low/no carb diet Debby - I bought the book and tried it recently and was very disappointed. Maybe it works for some people but didn't do anything for me. It just doesn't feel right - not normal. Anyway, it's seems that it would be out of the question for you at the moment anyway after reading that article.

Good luck guys - this thread should help keep you on track!

Hi Debby -

Ewwww! I really feel terrible that my Atkins post has turned into a health warning . I truly meant no harm to anyone by posting something so controversial.

I know that this diet is not for everybody; hence; my doctor is working closely with me, monitoring my blood work, etc… Honestly, I don't feel I could do this without my Doctor's guidance.

This thread originally started off with Whisker's asking us if anyone had any good advice or weight loss support sites to help her capture the motivation she's looking for. So, I posted my opinion based on that question.

Most important, I don't want you or anyone to think that I would recommend anything unhealthy to you, especially since I know you are a breast feeding mommy.

Even though I haven't been a member for as long as the most of your friends, I want you to know that I think the world of you!! I had a ball trying to come up with baby names and was on pins and needles when you gave birth to your beautiful baby, Amber Danielle.

I sincerely apologize if I have stirred up anything negative. I LOVE the catsite too much to upset any of you! I will go delete both of my threads on Atkins.

I'm sticking to "Cat Topics" only from now on...:eye&mouth

Kim

Hey Kimward, I'm not Debby but I had to say no apologies needed!! You were just contributing a weight loss idea, you did nothing wrong!!

And I'm not sure if you have kids or not, but I know that sometimes people who don't have children may not be aware of some of the risks for a breastfeeding mom. I know before I had my kids I was completely clueless!!

Anyway, don't just stick to cat topics, jump in on EVERYTHING!!!!!

LOL! Thanks Daniela.......

I just wanted to make sure that the wrong message wasn't being sent out. I still have a lot to learn about this diet and I didn't want to come off as a "Low-Carb-Know-It-All" and pass on bad advise to anyone...

Actually, I do have an 11 year son. I remember, while breast feeding, the anxiety I felt, wondering how on earth I was going lose my "Post Pregnancy Weight" .

Needless to say, Jenny Craig became my good-ole' buddy. She's one seriously expensive buddy, LOL! I also recall how much I adored my counselor on that diet...she really saved my sanity by "just being there" for support.

I think the WW is great too, because it offers local support, not to mention, they have a very informative web site.

I truly believe that having a positive support system while trying to shed a few unwanted pounds, is majority of one's success.

>^,,^<
Kim

Ack!!!!!!!!! I'm soooooo depressed!!!!!! Pete got some photos developed (I hate having my photo taken) and there are pictures of me in them!!!!!! I look huge! Obese!!! I am so upset, Since Mum died and health problems etc I haven't really been noticing the weight creep on, I was feeling self consious and that but had no idea I was this big!!!!! I am in tears, I hate myself!!!!

Oh Bundylee Bundylee Bundylee - <-----Sending Hug Your Way!!
I know that shocked feeling! However, it breaks my heart that you are beating yourself up so badly. I know you said that you hate yourself today...but you must find a way to NOT hate yourself or changing what's wrong will be depressing and difficult. (Don't force me to send you my before pictures...coz' I will, mate!! <Grin>)

You know, I just started my diet 1 week ago....I am now on week 2. I don't know how much you need to lose, but I need to lose 45 lbs. That should be enough weight off of my body for people to quit telling me I look just like Rosie O'Donnell...(Rosie with the longer hair, not her new short doo)...We can do this together, you know!!! HEY! I just got started and I don't have a buddy to bat things around with if I needed to!!!

We must make lemonade out of lemons...I look at it this way, it may take a while to lose, but look how long took me to gain it? My first goal is to simply be healthy...my heart needs exercise after the many years sitting in front of this computer. I think my butt is shaped like my office chair because I spend so many hours designing on the computer...LOL!! By focusing on Getting HEALTHY first, you'll reap the benefits of weight loss as a major bonus!!

We can make this an interesting journey!! You have me and a pile of other catsite friends that will support you! We can support each other! Look how well we did with Amy's pregnancy - Gosh I feel like she's my GodCat, I got so involved!! (Loved every minute of it)

Here's a thought, with your humor and my bad puns...we can twist this journey into something positive and fun together....not to mention, there are folks already in here wanting to do the same thing.

If you want to e-mail me, here's my address: [email protected]

I'm here for ya Bundylee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hugs!!
Kim

P.S. How the heck did you get so many posts!!LOL! You sailed right passed me..wasn't it just recently that we both celebrating our 200 mark!! <grin>

I think I better join in on this, too. I've been losing weight since I started my new job a year ago without changing anything. Just the lesser amount of stress in my life from being miserable at my job was enough to get it started, but I need a boost now.

Leslie, depression and stress will pile on the pounds over time. I know that you lost your Mum earlier this year, and your gaining weight since then is completely normal. I don't even want to think about how much I gained when I lost my Mom, and my Dad did the same thing. We're here for you, sweetie.

I know about the WW point system because a friend of mine got that "diet" from her Dr. years before WW got it. It is great, but I haven't been on it for years and years. (Daniela, I just sent an email, too. Thank you!)

One thing about the Atkins Diet - a friend of mine is on it, along with excersize and she has lost 85 pounds!!! It is working out great for her. She was faced with a horrible choice, though. Her Dr. said that her only option was the stomach stapling, which may work for some but once she found out what was really involved (you can only drink about 2 tablespoons of liquid at a time for about 3 months after the surgery ) she decided to try this. She's very dedicated, and is changing her whole way of eating, not just being on the diet until she loses the weight she wanted. It worked wonders for her, but it isn't for everyone.

I have to agree that I think a support group here would be great. I can't think of anyone else who I would rather share my triumphs and setbacks with than you guys!

Whew! I think I've been gone too long. Alot has happened since I last checked in.

Kim, please don't feel bad about talking about the Atkins diet. I know many who have tried it and 2 that are actually on it. The last two are on the no carb one. Personally, I don't think that's quite for me. I'm looking to make a complete lifestyle change.I don't think I could do that one. And please.....don't just stick to Cat topics. You are soooo much fun!!!!

Daniela, Thanks so much for your help. You are a doll!!!! I haven't had a chance yet to look into anything. I did fiddle around the website you gave us on friday. It's very neat. I've signed up but haven't figured it out yet I'll take the time to do that hopefully very soon.

Debby, Could we really have a weight support thread???? I would love it! I was afraid people would think I was ridiculous requesting help for my weight issues on the Catsite. So far....I haven't been fireballed!!! :LOL: I think that with such a great group, we would do wonders for one another.

On that note: I had a "bad Girl" week-end. I really had waaaay too many treats. I am aiming for a better start tomorrow. Send some "be good" vibes my way.

Bundylee, I am sending you a big (((HUG))). Please don't hate yourself, just join in with us gals and we'll have you feeling better about yourself pretty soon. Remember, we are always much harder about ourselves than others are of us. What you think you see in the mirror is not necessarily what others see you as. I'm sure Pete loves the pictures! And I'm sure you looked great.

Have a great evening everyone.

P.S. Let me know when the Weight support thread had been started. I haven't has time to play catch up with all the threads yet.

Kim, Don't feel bad. The Atkins diet really does work for some people. It is a health concern for others though. For me, it would be too difficult to give up my favorite foods--bread, pasta, etc. so I wouldn't even try it. Having tried some of the other fads, I know how they work for awhile, but then the weight comes back. Since I haven't attended Weight Watchers for a while, a lot of the weight I lost on that program has come back, too. It just took longer, so I am trying again, this time planning to reach lifetime membership.

Leslie, I had one of those OMG moments a few years ago, too. Combined with looking at my older female relatives at a family picnic, it helped motivate me to lose weight. You seem like such a nice person, try not to be depressed about your weight. Believe me, there are plenty of us right there along with you. I found out that when I started keeping track of what I ate, I was really surprised by my former, not so healthy habits. It is the only way I lose, and I have to exercise. Is there someplace you can walk a mile or so each day? You would be surprised how much just 20 minutes of working out can change your body. As long as you are getting your heart rate up.

My boyfriend used to work at ediets.com and he says that it is good for Canadians also. They have hundreds of support groups there. I actually use ediets for low-fat recipes and to watch my weight. The food is really tasty too.

Ginger

Ginger, I went on to ediet.com and tried to sign up to the support group. It said for US residents only. That's what made me frustrated because I have heard good things about it and I read up on it in Woman's World. It seemed like a great support group. Being Canadian, I just couldn't find out where I was supposed to go.

I'll talk to my boyfriend and see if he can tell me exactly how someone from Canada can sign up.

Kim....Please, PLEASE don't feel badly for posting about the Aitkins diet!!! Like Daniela said, you did nothing wrong at all! I am sure it is a good diet, and will work for others, just not if they are pregnant or breastfeeding. I hope you never feel like you should stick to cat related threads, like you said, because I would enjoy your input on many different subjects!! You are a great person and I value and respect what you have to say! On any thread, cat related or not.

Ghyslaine, we could either use this thread as a weight support thread, and to discuss all matters related to weight control, and support for it, or if you like you could start a seperate thread just for a weight control support group.

Leslie...please don't feel bad about the way you looked in the pictures. I am sure they weren't that bad. I think we see ourselves totally different than others do...I know when I got back my pictures from Amber's christening, I had been feeling rather proud of myself for the weight I had managed to lose so far, UNTIL I saw those pictures!!! I wanted to cry, too! I thought I looked so fat! I told my step-daughter that, and she looked at the pictures (she is 17) and she said, "you look just fine! It's just the way your dress is hanging that makes you look bigger" (isn't she just a sweetie?) I think we are maybe just too hard on ourselves. I think my face looks huge these days, not thin like it used to be, but other people say it is all in my head (no pun intended)