weightloss: what works?

LOTS of healthy eating and LOTS of excersise - oldest tricks in the book but they work.

I've lost 73 lbs. following a balanced carbohydrate diet (not the same as atkins, the zone or any diet following the glycemic index), and will eat this way for the rest of my life as I am prediabetic and this has helped me not progress.
When I do reach my goal weight, I will increase the carbs I have at one meal during the day until my weight starts to go up again.

Depends on the person, weight watchers for instance does not work for me.

I try to eat right and exercise diligently, and I never see results. But, I spoke to a nutritionist about my particular body type and weight loss possibilities, and she told me that sugar is the most important thing for me to watch. She said my body type (larger lower body) stores sugar as fat, so I am trying to eat no or little sugar, this includes sugar in bread, orange juice, yogurt, sweets, etc. But I make sure I still eat balanced and nutritious. I just started this anti-sugar expedenture, so I don't know how it will work but Ive got my fingers crossed! If you have a similar body type, you might want to give it a shot.

I am glad that you brought this up....I started a new healthy lifestyle in Jan and I have lost 25 pounds. I also don't believe in "diets", instead a whole new lifestyle. First of all a great site and weight loss forum is 3fatchicks.com...i post there everyday just like here and there is a great support system and they have a way to track your weight in your siggy.

As far as my weight loss here are a few things that I have done:

Eating:

I changed everything to the healthier option. I started off counting calories and keeping track of them, I now have a great hang of it that I just know what to eat and not to eat. I also switched to diet sodas, and I don't eat red meat anymore.


Exercise:

I started off walking and now I am to running 5 times a week.


I am 5'8 and when I started 1/1/06 I weighed 175 I now weigh 150 and I am still losing.



If you go to the 3fatchicks.com forum there are a lot of great tips!! Good Luck!!

Oh yea! Another thing my boyfriend taught me too...if you go out to a restaraunt, choose a vegatarian type of dish (one with a lot of veggies in it). You get most of the nutrients your body requires without all the sodium, fat, cals and carbs.

SolarityBengals - Pilates is like riding a bike. It'll feel weird at first, but before you know it, you'll be right back into it. I had to give it up for a few months due to crazy schedule, and within 3 -4 sessions I was right back in.
I also want to try the Windsor Pilates Bun & Thigh! I need that!

Veganism.

Seriously. GO see a nutrtionist or doctor, tell them you're interested in a vegan whole foods diet as a means to weight loss and have them help you outline an appropriate vegan diet that works for your body. Veganism isn't for everyone, although I'm sure that everyone COULD be a lacto- ovo- or even pesco- vegetarian. THe best thing you can do for your body at any point in time is to cut out enriched flour, enriched sugars and excess protein and dairy. Contrary to popular belief, having too much protein and calcium can actually CAUSE more problems than it can fix.

And also, move. Move a lot. Take the stairs comulsively. Take the scenic route on foot when going to run errands. Ride a bike to work or to the store.

Originally Posted by maddensmom

I don't know a whole lot about ways of losing the weight besides move, move move!!

I do however, know a great ab workout, but you need another person to help you. You lie on the floor flat on your back and have your partner stand with your head between thier feet (one foot above each shoulder). raise your legs straight up until they are parallell with your partners body. Then your partner should grab your ankles and push your legs toward the ground. Your job is to keep your legs straight, and don't let them touch the ground, then bring them back up so your partner can push them again. This really works!
You can have your partner push as hard as you want when you get used to the pressure that they are already pushing you at.
I love this exercise, and strangely enough, my hubby LOVES helping me do it! LOL I think he likes to watch me struggle toward the end!!
Good luck!

Click to expand...

I've loved this excercise for years! I first learned it in grade school.

Originally Posted by lunasmom

A great ab workout? Try Gaiam's Pilates Beginning Mat Workout with Ana Caban. This is an AWESOME ab workout. Believe me, I would do a hundred crunches a night and never came close to the the abs this DVD has given me. If you're new to pilates, start off with this. Then get the Intermediate Workout of hers because she does a full 30 minute program instead of breaking.
I really like the way this video is set up. I did the Denise Austin one which is good, but she was too cheesy for me. Ana Caban talks about the movements like you're an intelligent human being.

Click to expand...

I have a copy of the Winsor Pilates, which was recomended to me by one of my healthier friends who loves it...I think I'm doing it wrong though, because my abs rarely hurt, even afterwards...where I feel it is in my legs, and something tells me my thighs aren't my "powerhouse" I tried to do a full sit up last night and just sat there making noises, so I'm pretty sure that it's not because my abs are too strong. My sister thinks it's because I'm not breathing right (more like my sister is assuming I'm not breathing right). Any hints for the beginner?

I love pilates, I go to classes at the gym. It can be a great workout if you do it right. Keep your lower back pressed to the floor at all times you are on your back, and dont use momentum to pull your self up or to do any movements with your legs. Tighten your abs while your doing the motions. Breath in your nose and out your mouth with a forced 'choo' sound (that's what the pilates trainer says is best), or if that annoys you, just breath through your nose.

I'll add another vote for Weight Watchers. It really teaches you about food so you can make lifestyle changes.

Originally Posted by Sylorna

I have a copy of the Winsor Pilates, which was recomended to me by one of my healthier friends who loves it...I think I'm doing it wrong though, because my abs rarely hurt, even afterwards...where I feel it is in my legs, and something tells me my thighs aren't my "powerhouse"

I tried to do a full sit up last night and just sat there making noises, so I'm pretty sure that it's not because my abs are too strong. My sister thinks it's because I'm not breathing right (more like my sister is assuming I'm not breathing right). Any hints for the beginner?

Click to expand...

The full sit ups ARE HARD at first. I remember having tears in my eyes the first week AFTER I was able to do a full sit up.

One thing that I've seen for beginners with the full sit up is to lay on your back with your legs bent (knees towards the ceiling) slightly. Then slowly lift your arms off the floor along with your head and shoulders. This is a modified version of the full sit up. Once you've mastered that, then go onto the full sit up.

An idea for breathing would be to go through the DVD and practise the breathing exercises without doing any of the exercises. This will give you a good idea of how things should feel and flow.

Another thing would be to check your abs during exercises. Such as if you're doing a double leg stretch, take the time to feel your abs...make sure they're tight. If not, consentrate.