Dieting

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I went to the woman doctor yesterday for my yearly, and even she agreed that I needed to lose weight, based on my BMI. I've put on 20 pounds in the past year, apparently.

So I'm trying the Carbohydrate's Addict Diet (because I snagged the book for free) next week. I don't think it will be fun. I know Gwen's on the Atkins diet- anyone else with me here?

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2000

Answers

I bought that book last night-along with the Atkins book. I've been playing around with the idea for a few weeks now, but today I'm sitting at my desk with water instead of my beloved Dr. Pepper-and it is really killing me.

You're right-the whole thing equals hell for me. I dislike meat, despise eggs, and only enjoy cheese on bread. But I'm with you.

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2000


I like meat. And eggs. And cheese. It's giving up the Dr. Pepper, and french fries, and alcohol that worries me. I like the reward meal concept, but only an hour to drink every night? (Not that I drink every night, but only an hour of drinking on Fridays etc. is going to be weird). We'll see. I am trying it for December and if it bugs quitting in January.

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2000

I cannot stress how unhealthy I think the Atkins' diet is. I've had friends lose a ton of weight on it (from eating around 16 eggs a week and lots of sausage), and then the first time that they re-introduce a bagel into their lives...all hell breaks loose. They usually gain back the weight easily, and feel wildly discouraged and like crap about themselves, even though it is really easy to gain weight back once you begin eating carbs again. I hate how it makes people feel.

In tubby solidarity, I too have packed on a bit this past year (it seems like it happened all of a sudden, though I know that's impossible) and am trying to shed a few pounds. I am trying the additional exercise route and am uncharacterisically optimistic (say that five times fast) about things at the moment.

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2000


GIVE UP ALCOHOL!! Jesus, scrnwrt, I'd shit-can that diet book as fast as possible. Who was it written by? Some dried-up prune of a toady with a Phd in bullshit? It should be against the law to even publish such evident fuckin' rubbish, much less actuall sell it!

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2000

The drinking thing threw me for a loop too. That's one of the reasons I'm planning to read the Atkins book, but probably not follow his plan. Too restrictive, I like my beer and I like my Cheez-its.

The Addicts book looks a little more my speed-although I haven't really read much.

So far as the health aspects are concerned, I have watched a lot of people do the same thing: lose tons of weight (in between those weird ass plateaus they are always talking about) and then gain it back as soon as they reintroduce carbs. Honestly, I'm more concerned with finding the eating style that works best with my health problems, because I'm betting that once I find that happy medium, my body will function normally again.

I'm going to hypnosis next week to quit smoking, maybe I can get the guy to slip a little no-carb suggestion in with the rest. Right now, I'm wondering what a life with no Dr. P and no cigarettes is worth...I would gladly sacrifice the good Dr. if I could keep smoking. I would gladly sacrifice small children if I could keep smoking.

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2000



You can drink, but only during your reward meal, which can't run over an hour. The thing I like about the CA is that you do get carbs during your reward meal, and they seem to phase carbs back in as soon as you start losing weight.

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2000

I joined Weight Watchers in June, and as of yesterday, I've lost 25 pounds. My boss lost 67 lbs over a period of 10 months, this year, which is what inspired me to join. The program works. It's sensible, it's very easy, and it's not a financial ripoff. I can't recommend it highly enough. The thing I like best about it is that it's a program you can realistically integrate into your daily life. There are no foods you "can't" eat-- you just learn portion control, and balance (in your diet). The support at meetings is fab-- not sappy, just positive and encouraging-- and there is no hard-sell, no pushiness or chastising or guilt. It's your life, and your responsibility to stick to the program; they just give you the mental tools and support you need to be successful. I'm eating well, feeling good, and fitting into lots of clothes I'd given up on. It's great. Good luck to you, scrnwrt.

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2000

Elena's right, the Atkins diet is extremely unhealthy. ANY diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates is very bad for you. These diets aren't new, their popularity rises and falls periodically. Low-carb high-protein diets lead to chronic dehydration and the loss of muscle tissue. I have detailed explanations of how this occurs, but I didn't want to bore anyone. If you want to know more, email me.

I had been putting on weight last year and entered this year 20 pounds over where I wanted to be. So I took a look at my diet and lifestyle. Sedentary - there's a problem right there, I had no aerobic activity in my life. So I started walking every day, just 30 minutes at a brisk pace. Diet-wise, I was not eating enough protein or complex carbs, and I wasn't drinking enough water. I made it through most days on simple sugars and fat (candy and pizza) and usually didn't even eat enough calories so I was hungry all the time. So now I drink a lot more water, I eat adequate amounts of protein and I eat a lot more complex carbs. I eat a lot less fat and sugar and try to never let myself get hungry. The weight just fell off once I made these changes, and it's stayed off. I can eat a large meal (overeat, really, on just horrendously fatty but delicious foods) once or twice a week and not gain any weight, and I never worry about when I'm drinking or how much. I have wine and/or margaritas a couple of times a week and it doesn't affect my weight at all. Anyone can do it, and it's really not that hard or restrictive.

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2000


I tried the CA diet, too, and, within a week, was so sick that I could barely get to school. I've got a dr.'s appointment this month to see what's what and what she recommends.

The thing that sucks most to me about all these CA and Sugar Busters diets is that I don't even know what's healthy eating anymore. Eat lots of fruit and veggies! No -- fruits are too high in sugar and some veggies are too starchy so don't eat artichokes or asparagus or- Eat meat, because you need protein. No! Don't eat meat! It's bad for you! Pastas are lo-fat and healthy. No! Pastas are carbs and are very bad for you! But wait, you NEED carbs! No! Carbs are bad! Don't use butter! No, use butter... it's better than those chemically lo-fat spreads-

So I just get frustrated and have a PB&J sandwich instead.

Good luck, scrnwrt!

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2000


I'm begging you...please do not diet! Make an appt. with a nutritionist (if your doc refers you, your insurance may pay). Go see a trainer at your gym or at the Y. It's not a matter of eating less or eating restrictively, it's a matter of eating better plus moving your body regularly.

My nutritionist also told me that if I was hell bent on "dieting" that Weight Watchers is the only program he'll recommend because it's about learning to eat healthy, rather than following all sorts of weird rules that might work short term but do NOT work long term.

I am currently in infertility treatments. Part of the problem is my metabolism and the effect that has on my bodies ability to produce hormones. Every doctor I've seen believes that part of the problem is that I spent from age 16-21 on one restrictive diet after another.

Any diet that is "not fun" or feels like you are depriving yourself of foods you love will only further screw up your relationship with food. That in turns makes it much MORE likely that you will spend your adult years overweight. Learn how to make long term changes you can live with, it's really the only way.

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2000



See, I started out 25 pounds overweight, and in the past year have gained an additional 20 'depression' pounds (I really, really, need to get back to work) I'm pretty bummed. I'm going to try the Opus the Penguin, 'Bloom County' method. Eat less, excercise more. A fictional penguin must have SOME insight.

If I just got off my duff and walked the dog every night like I'm supposed to (for the dog's sake, if not mine) all would be good, but man, I'm a sedentary bitch.

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2000


Absolutely, dieting is no way to live. Your diet should be balanced and sensible. The single biggest factor of all, and I can't stress this enough, is being active. It doesn't take much, but it has to be aerobic. You can start with as little as 12 minutes a day.

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2000

isaty slim cuz i only eat 1once a day! it works fro me!!!! and guyz liooove skinny gilrz!

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2000

I revamped my whole health perspective over a year ago and started following (generally speaking) the diet promoted by Suzanne Somers in her two books: Eat Great, Lose Weight and Get Skinny on Fabulous Food. I, too, had friends who did the Atkins thing and it kinda seemed unbalanced to me, so I went looking for something that made sense, but which didn't cut any food group out or restrict it too severely. With Somers' plan, you still have carbs -- lots of fruits and veggies, whole grains, etc. You have fats, but she recommends getting them from good sources, EFA's. You eat meat, if you want, but she recommends organic, hormone-free. You eat whole dairy products and fat free, depends on what you're eating it with.

The biggest discovery I made with this change was how much sugar and starches are in prepared foods. MAN! They take the oils out of a product but replace it with high fructose corn syrup and corn starch. Corn is one of the highest veggies in natural sugars, too. Corn-fed cattle, anyone? No wonder we, as a nation, are gaining weight on all our fat free products!

On this plan I lost 30 pounds in 3 months, but then plateaued out (plus I went off the diet a bit to enjoy the holiday goodies). Then in February of this year I embarked on weight training and have lost a bit more and whittled my body down another clothing size. Muscle is denser, so the scale didn't really reflect the change as much as the mirror and my clothes. I also learned that when I did restrict carbs too much and didn't get my whole grains in not only did my weight loss stall, but when I'd eat something high in carbs, even something good and healthy and whole grain, I'd gain weight back entirely too quickly. I've learned you really do have to incorporate the grains and fruits and lots of veggies. The weight comes off a little slower, but more consistently. It's more likely to stay off, too.

Sugar really is a bitch. I thought I would absolutely die without my cookies and chips and stuff, but once that first week was over, I didn't crave them. Oh, and sugar's the reason why beer and alcohol are restricted on these diets. Beer is higher on the glycemic index (table of how much sugar (glucose) is released into your blood stream) than pure sugar. Wine is lower, but still high on the list. Drier wines are better. I cook with wine all the time, though, and that's ok.

The thing about this "diet" that's so great is there's no counting of any grams of anything -- no points, no fat grams, no carbs, nothing. You do look at labels and ingredients to make sure to avoid hidden sugars and starches and to make sure when it says whole grain it really is, but there's no counting. And on Level 1, there's no portion control either. You can eat until you are satisfied. I really like this eating plan and it has helped me lose the weight I gained with having my babies.

And it does make your hair and nails all healthy and shiny and stuff.

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2000


I only eat one meal a day, dinner. I take a multi-vitamin in the morning, and drink water all day long. As far as excercise goes, I ride horses 3 to 4 times a week, and I do 150 crunches every night. Yes, I know, my habits suck, but unless my bones start bending or my teeth start falling out, this "diet" is working for me and I'm sticking with it.

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2000


everyones body is different. Different diets work for different folks. I did the Protien Power thang and have lost 50 pounds. I lost most that weight from May to November last year and since then have lost about 15 more pounds in the past year. I have not been strictly following the diet since xmas last year (ie: french fries, beer, bread) and freely eat carbs in moderation. The thing is, I just don't crave the sugar and carbs anymore...except on halloween, and Valentines day...

I don't feel it has fucked up my body...I KNOW I am loads healthier that I was at 200 pounds...I have energy, I eat better, drink tons of water each day and feel so much better about my body. I know I am taking better care of my body now...

It's not a struggle everyday to stay on the diet, it's my lifestyle now and one I enjoy...now if I could only start exercising...I'd be set.

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2000


My nutritionalist just has me eating healthy stuff, drinking lots of water and exercising. It helps to keep a food journal at first, 'cause then it is there in print how much crap you actually eat. I hate water and drinking enough of it is hard for me. I need to lose 30 pounds. It sucks, this is the most I've ever weighed and I'm uncomfortable, it's all in my tummy. I have a vicious cycle going. I have severe apnea, which I think (know) is exacerbated by weight gain, which also screws up my blood pressure. Which all makes me more fatigued and I fall asleep more on the couch (without the flow generator I need to keep me breathing when I'm asleep), which makes me more fatigued and gain weight more, etc. My nutritionalist calls me obese, but she's anorexic. My roommate, who is also anorexic disagrees with her, but anyway, the weight has to come off. I'm trying to eat well and I am getting quite a lot of exercise. I think my biggest hurdles are getting enough H2O and sleeping properly. I really feel that the sleep thing is my biggest issue. Seems like you absolutely require (I say that 'cause I consider chocolate a vitamin) water, good food and proper rest.

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2000

Stick with it Vicki, sounds like you're on the right track. Just starting is probably the hardest thing to do.

And sometimes even bad diets have a silver lining if they make you pay more attention to your habits and lifestyle and start making positive changes in both.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2000


Part of my problem is that, when I was doing sports and working out ALL the tine, I could eat whatever the hell I wanted, and huge quantites of it, and it made no difference. Now I work out, uhhhh, never, and my metabolism is so slow in comparison to the old days, I just pack it on in no time. I have this habit of eating large amounts and that ain't helpin'.

As for the alcohol thing, I would rather drink than eat. Blasphemers! Away with your poxy tricks! I'm a Canadian livin' on the prairie, man. I'm booooooored. ;-)

-- Anonymous, December 01, 2000


I've got to second the Weight Watchers person. I joined at the beginning of August and I've lost thirty pounds. I've not had to "give up" anything. It is all about moderation, a balanced diet, reasonable exercise and portion control. The great thing about it is, I've created healthier habits for myself that I should not have much trouble maintaining once I hit my goal. Like I said, I haven't had to give anything up, so there's nothing that I've been missing that I'm going to pig out on when the diet's "over".

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2000

Weight watchers is the ONLY thing that worked for me and yes ...it was easy...Ive lost 58 lbs in about 9 months and it was easy...I was fat for 10 years....I feel like a new woman!!(even though i still have 15 to go)

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

What is it with you women anyway. We men know the secret to good health and fitness. It's sex and lots of it. It's been proven that women lose fantastic amounts of weight when they have lots of good vigorous sex often. See, Atkins and those guys were all gay or old or something so they didn't know the truth. Sex is the best way to lose weight and keep it off. Brings a healthy glow to the skin too.

(How's that Bubba and Paul. Think I convinced them? I hope so.) Hopefully yours, James

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000


That's an old husband's tale, James. I tried that exercise plan and I'm still, um...overly curvacious. But my SO is fit as a fiddle.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

oh jims i fell sorry for yur wife.!!11!! yuour a durty old man grow up!!

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

James, somehow I think these and most other women don't need that kind of "convincing." :-) (In other words, good sex is its own reward.) And losing weight through sex may be an "old husband's tale" but I've heard from lots of women that their aching backs are always relieved with a steady dose of sex...

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2000

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