Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with weightloss

How to lose weight when veggies are mostly off limits?

gilsonal — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:13:36 -0800

Looking for dieting help given several dietary restrictions. I have Crohn's disease and cannot comfortably eat most veggies and fruits. Also, does dieting automatically mean I need to be hungry all the time? I'm 25, female and approximately 75-100 pounds overweight. My weight gain happened over the course of about eight years, due in combination to antidepressant medication, a love of pepsi, low motivation to work out, extreme fatigue due to my illness and difficulty tolerating "healthy foods." Following a recent surgery I've lost about 20 pounds and feel much better, to the point that I have the energy to start working out again. So that's one tactic to get to weight loss. I'm also almost 100% soda and caffeine free, and drink way more than my 8 glasses of water a day. I've considered Meridia for weight loss but I'd like to do it without a pill and the accompanying risk of serotonin syndrome.

I'd also like to implement some diet changes, but I'm affected by residual digestive problems. I love tomatoes and broccoli but lots of veggies are hard to digest, even cooked. I'm not too excited about fruit, so I couldn't really say how well those fair with my gut. Safe bets are simple starches and carbs like pasta but that's not particularly healthy.

I'd love some recommendations for easily digestible healthy food, or perhaps foods that are good for you but not traditionally "diet" foods and perhaps I haven't considered them. I'm sure there are people out there with similar problems that might have some tips.

Also, am I naive to think that dieting has to mean being hungry all the time? I don't mind restricting myself from extra calories so long as I'm not constantly on the verge of starvation. I want to lose this weight responsibly, and in a sustainable manner. Bonus points for foods that are relatively easy to make, but I do enjoy cooking when I have the time.

How to lose weight when meds pack on weight

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:58:40 -0800

I want to lose weight, but the drugs I take to manage my bipolar disease actually add weight. Do you have ideas on how I can lose weight? Details inside. I have been diagnosed with, Bipolar I, moderate to severe Dissociative Identity Disorder, Fibromyalgia, bursitis in both hips, and other lesser problems, and currently trying to lose weight. I weigh 336 pounds and am 40 years old and female.

Three of the drugs I take to manage the bipolarity, Lexapro, Seroquel and Zyprexa are extremely weight positive i.e. they really pack on the pounds. I was obviously overweight before starting these drugs, but now I'm on a down hill slide toward gaining weight and these drugs are pushing me down the hill.

I've been on slightly more weight neutral drugs for the bipolar, but they didn't help as well. It's to the point where my physical doctor is calling the shrink to ask for a different combination of drugs, but the shrink is unwilling to change them, because this particular cocktail works really good for the bipolar and allows treatment for the Dissociative Identity Disorder and all of its peripheral issues.

It's hard for me to walk or go to the gym due to pain, but the pool really works and I enjoy doing that. However, doing exercises in the pool doesn't seem to be enough to slow the psych drugs from throwing on pounds.

My eating is ok, could be better, I've tracked my eating habits, shared them with my doctor and he agrees they aren't a major problem. He did suggest a Lap-Band, which ties off the stomach, but in order to qualify for that, you need to be mentally sound, and being did doesn't qualify one as mentally sound.

1. Do you have any suggestion that would help me maintain weight. ANYTHING, I'm pretty much at a loss on how to do this and still literally remain sane.

2. I've heard that once the body gets over 300lbs, it's harder to lose weight, like the body reaches a plateau of sorts. Is that so?

How can I get myself to stop rationalizing bad behavior?

dumbledore69 — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:05:50 -0800

There are a lot of goals that I am working towards, that are easily within my reach if I just stick to some simple routine tasks. However, I always wind up sabotaging myself by making excuses for or rationalizing getting off track, and ignoring the reminders and cues I have created for myself to stay on track. How can I knock it off so I can reach my goals? I have been doing a lot of work lately on some of my goals, mainly weight loss and getting my finances in order (paying off my credit cards and stop overdrawing my frigging bank account).

I know exactly what I have to do, I know exactly how to do it, and I have done both of these things with fantastic success before. My problem is that whenever I become sidetracked with something else that I consider urgent, or stressed out and cranky, I am really good at either ignoring my big picture goals, making rationalizations for not working towards those goals, or even lying to myself or others about my behavior towards reaching those goals.

I think this is one of my biggest issues, and I just do NOT know how to knock it off.

For example, let's use weight loss.

I have lost large chunks of weight before and kept it off for a good amount of time. I know exactly what to do so that I can do it in a way that is pleasant for me.

To lose weight, basically all I need to do is the following:
- Eat breakfast at home instead of on the run.
- Bring lunch & snacks to work instead of eating out or running to the caf.
- Take 10-15 minutes each evening or morning to plan out my meals for the day (and total the calories or WW points).
- Take 30 min - 1 hour most days of the week to do any workout I choose, whether it's a Wii workout or a video or the elliptical at the gym or a walk outside (and I enjoy all of these things!).
- Remember to face the music no matter how the week went and weigh myself & track my weight every week.

There are other things I try to do, sure, like looking at the balance of the types of foods I eat and taking vitamins and getting enough rest, and so on. But these are the basics.

However, I typically start slipping after a month or two. Usually it's little things at first, but then as other things start stressing me out, I turn to food (or excessive spending, on the financial end) to soothe me and cheer myself up.

And I will recognize this and set up ways to keep myself accountable, like setting up bets with friends (I'll pay them $5 a week if I don't exercise 3x) or websites to nag me daily to remember my goals, etc. I have tried SO MANY awesome tools, and had so much great support from my friends (who despite the fact that they would profit from my failure, always encouraged me).

But it doesn't work, because I will just ignore the email reminders or lie about my workout sessions. It's awful, and I really, truly hate myself for being like that. I even lie to myself sometimes about what I've eaten or readjusting my priorities.

But it always comes back down to the fact that I really do not like where I'm at ... I'm 100+ lbs overweight (though I am a bit down from my high weight), still in credit card debt (though I have paid off quite a large chunk of it so far), and I have like no faith in myself to really keep trying because nothing can keep me honest.

And I know the response is often that I must not want it badly enough or I would just do it and stop lying to myself. But it's NOT that I don't want to lose weight & pay off my credit cards badly...I do. I want it more than anything. Failure to do these things is preventing me from starting a family or to feel secure in my life. Not a day goes by when I don't hate those things about myself.

But it's like a different person takes over when I fall off the wagon and just want to be left alone to eat or spend. It's not me, that person has no goals except to get a little fix from food or spending. It's so stupid, but I seriously do not know what to do.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to deal with this?

Be alone for the next six month, or...?

paulg — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 23:11:38 -0800

Do I bear-up being alone for the next six months to a year, or...? So, tonight I've just finished hosting a wine and cheese party for three couples. I am not part of a couple. I haven't had a significant long-term relationship since college (significant being longer lasting that two months). This is mostly due to the fact that I gained a lot of weight after college. I've lost about 40 lbs in the last year, but I need to lose another 40-50 lbs before I'm close to my ideal body weight.

I'm sick of being the single person in the group. What can I do? I'm now in my early 30's, and feel like I've reached the point where I'm ready for a long-term, mature relationship. However, realistically, I'm still fairly overweight.

The ideal situation would be if I could find a (female) partner who could see me through the next 6-12 months of weight loss (someone who might want to lose weight with me?). I'm not looking for an international supermodel. Is this realistic? Where could I find someone who can go through this with me, or do I just need to hang in until I reach a desirable BMI before I begin to look for a date?

I feel like there must be other lonely people struggling with the same issues. Where do I find them?

I'm a nice guy. I have a lot of interesting hobbies. I care about my friends, and I'm looking for a long-term commitment. Perhaps I'm just a little discouraged tonight. Hope me, Metafilter.

What can today's fat man do for tomorrow's fit man?

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:59:37 -0800

Is it possible to ask someone out several months in advance? I've met someone great, but I've met them too soon! Timing is everything, and I've managed to meet someone fantastic several months prematurely. She's kind and curious and beautiful and there's some attraction and chemistry between us that I'm botching because I like her so much that I'm a complete nervous wreck. And the thing that's making me nervous, the thing that prevents me from just making a move and asking her out properly has an expiration date.

My anxiety-from-attraction problem is actually a weight problem, in that I'm just fat enough to not really be a genuinely viable dating option, and I'm so revolted by the current state of my body that, even if a woman is honestly telling me that I turn her on, I'm incapable of believing her. The solution, obviously, is to lose the weight and I've been working on it long enough to have my fatness on the run, to have it contained to a few final key areas. In about a year - perhaps as soon as midsummer, even - I should be down to my goal weight.

If I had a time machine, I'd fix so it so that I hadn't met this girl until then. Because while I love spending time with her, while there's always this gentle flirty undercurrent to our interactions, while there's reason upon reason to believe that she and I would be a good match, I'm just not ready to make a move. When we hang out, the embraces and little touches and lingering looks she gives me, which should be a thrill, make me tense instead because those are all excellent ways for her to gather more evidence of my flabbiness. I feel so strongly about this girl that I don't want to expose her to my anxiety-tainted affections and I don't want to make her contemplate embracing the flabby mess that I am today. I've got to lose the last of my fatness to be the kind of guy she deserves.

But midsummer or next year is a long way off, and having this secret is really messing me up around her. Just yesterday she was lobbing all these softballs and asking one leading question after another and I botched the whole interaction. The conflict between my attraction to her and the strength of this mental block I've got going leave me a nervous, stammering mess in her presence. I feel like I gotta get this off my chest or make some kind of move or something soon, but not with this body. But the time it'll take to escape this body is plenty of time for my awkwardness to torpedo this relationship or for her to meet someone else and get serious with him.

How should I navigate this situation? Is there any way to tell someone that you're dying to ask them out but can't do it until you've got your weight problem handled? Would it just be the weirdest thing in the world to tell someone that you like them so much you can hardly stand it, but you're not going to act on it for months? Is there any way to make her not think of dating me, but me minus this last fifty pounds? Would it be creepy or flattering to find out that taking you out was the goal driving a friend's last push to get into shape? I'm so glad we met, but now is the worst time! What should I do?

(in case it's needed for any reason, ensignaleksandr@gmail.com is my throwaway gmail for this question)

Such thing as a reverse calorie counter?

mdebruic — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:50:25 -0800

I'm keeping a food log. It's the middle of the day. I know I have W calories remaining, X grams of Fat, Y grams of protein, and Z grams of carbs left. I'm wondering what are some typical meals I can eat for dinner, and an afternoon snack. Is there an online service that provides this type of info? Thank you very much. Google didn't get me anywhere.

Are there any Muay Thai themed xmas presents?

Silentgoldfish — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:49:29 -0800

My brother is going to Thailand for a 3 month Muay Thai training camp and I want to get him a themed or appropriate Christmas present. Any thoughts? He's already doing the martial art here, but is fairly overweight so is using the training camp as a sort of extreme weightloss thing as well since he'll be removed from all temptation.

I've asked some Thai people I know for suggestions but all they could come up with was that everything so much cheaper in Thailand there's not much I could get him that he wouldn't find much cheaper when he gets there.

So, Muay Thai themed presents, or something that would come in handy in a training camp! All I can think of are Tony Jaa dvd's but he's already got those!

Is having "it" together an unrealistic goal?

dumbledore69 — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:44:47 -0800

As a 30-year old who is a part-time grad student and a full-time office worker, are my goals to get control over my life (weight loss, finances, home, work, etc) really unrealistic? Is there a way to just be NORMAL and balanced, or is it really just normal not to really have things together, even as an adult? I am a 30-year old woman, and while working through a number of issues (depression, anxiety, ADHD) I have come to realize that I am deeply unhappy with how I manage my life. I thought medication, which does help, was going to be a magic bullet somehow, but of course that was kind of a stupid assumption for me and I still have a lot of the same issues.

So...the things I am most unhappy about are:

1) My weight. I need to lose at least 80 lbs, but probably more like 100. My general physical health (blood pressure, cholesterol levels, etc) are fine, but I think I've got a genetic disposition towards diabetes and cancer, so I feel like my healthy days are numbered if I don't get things under control. Plus I'm endlessly depressed that I have to wear plus-sized clothing and get these awesome doses of extra low self esteem (to supplement my generally low self-esteem) every time I remember how fat I am because of pictures of me that suck or clothes that don't fit or things I can't do because of my weight. I know that I *can* lose weight, and I have (but regained most of it). Sometimes I get really into my weight, and when it's my top priority, I lose it. But then when I try to focus on something else important, I gain it back because I lose focus of whatever isn't my current pet project.

2) My house. Unless my obsession du jour is cleaning/organizing, I am a slob. When my house is clean, it's very very clean. And it makes me so happy to have it clean. I can't accept that I am a slob, because I feel so stressed when my house is messy, and I can't find things or have people over. I love being home when my house is clean, and I generally enjoy cleaning tasks, believe it or not.

3) My finances. I have also made good progress in paying off some of my credit card debt ... it was $17k, and now it's down to $11k. But I still feel like there are times when I'm really good about money and think before I purchase something and don't spend more than I have budgeted, and there are times when I am focused on other things and go crazy and spend what I want to (or feel that I need to) without regard for the big picture or the balance in my checking account. Some months I pay a large chunk of debt off, and some months I amass hundreds of dollars in overdraft fees because I was focused on something else (like losing weight ... in a weight-loss fueled time period, I'll spend a lot more on groceries and fitness gadgets and workout clothes and justify the spending because "I deserve whatever will help me lose this weight!"). I badly just want to pay off all this debt and be able to stick to my budget.

4) Work ... I get distracted at work, I am sure often because of my ADHD and some perfectionistic tendencies towards my larger projects (and resulting anxiety), but I also tend to get distracted by my current obsession (weight, organizing, cleaning, etc). I just want to be able to focus on WORK at work, all the time, or at least most of the time. And then when I leave work, I'd like to not think about it much anymore (within reason, at least). When I get into SUPER AWESOME WORKER ME mode, I tend to obsess, bringing work home, and just thinking about it all the time. And I might let other things slip because I'm so focused on making things as comfortable and easy as possible for me to do the best work I can.

5) Mood. Not sure if this belongs in this list, because I don't have a history of obsessing about this. But because of all the stress and frustration and all, I know I need to make taking care of my emotional health and mood a higher priority. My plans have been to set aside Sundays to do fun/relaxing things instead of errands / homework / chores, unless I absolutely have to. And making more time to just READ. And I know exercise and supplements will help, too, just like they will with weight.

In talking to both friends and a therapist, a common thread is that they think my expectations for myself are unrealistic and that I need to pick and choose priorities. My argument is that all of my expectations are vital and that I cannot drop any of them.

Also, it's not like I've never tried to focus on one or two goals at a time. I mean, I'm always trying to fix the things I am unhappy about, as I've mentioned above. At any given time, I feel obsessively focused on fixing one area of my life. And I do GREAT at it.

Like, last winter I was all about weight loss. I lost 40 lbs and 2 sizes in about 2-3 months by doing an hour of hard cardio a day, plus yoga twice a week, plus eating very regimented, pre-portioned Weight Watchers-pointed meals. I was a superstar, right until I simultaneously burned out on weight loss and panicked the hell out about something else I dropped the ball on, my finances.

I quickly got all psyched about fixing my budget, so I worked to correct the damage to my bank account caused during the weight loss bit (having spent a lot on assorted special diet foods and supplements, lots of workout clothes, etc), amassed and paid up any neglected bills, automated a lot of my bills, eliminating some expenses, and just doing a really good job there, and learning about finances a bit. It was great until it came time to maintain that. Then it was boring and I was off to the next thing.

It frustrates me so much, and the more I learn about ADHD the more it seems to make sense that I do this. I love the excitement of swooping in and making great plans and implementing them and getting stimulated over sparkling challenges and quick rewards.

But I can't live like this anymore. I just want to work on making some moderate changes to all of these parts of my life. Everyone keeps telling me to PICK something to focus on, and I'm scared of that. I think it's just going to land me right back where I always am ... obsessed with something until it's no fun anymore.

Can't I just be a NORMAL chick who is at a reasonable weight (I don't need to be really skinny, I just want to be in normal US Misses sizes!), who does work consistently, who keeps a reasonably neat house, and who can spend money and save money like a grown up? And who isn't a total basketcase all the time?

I just feel like what I want for myself isn't unrealistic, and that I just need to find a way to build moderate habits in all areas at once, building on them until I get close to my goals. But at the same time, it almost seems like having your shit together is an unreasonable expectation to everyone else.

So what do I do? Do I really have to drop some of my expectations? Or is there a way I can get closer to where I want to be?

Getting My Life On Track: Health and Fitness Edition

julie_of_the_jungle — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:49:49 -0800

Getting My Life On Track: Health and Fitness Edition! Can you recommend a weight loss (diet and exercise) plan for a 5'5" 175lbs female? So, after gaining about 40 lbs due to anxiety issues I got some help (yay help!) and now I'm well on my way to being mentally healthy, (yay mentally healthy!) but I need some help on the physical side. I know I need to exercise and eat healthy, but I don't know where to start. My insurance pays for the mental help but not a nutritionist, so that's out. So, do you have any tips? What does your workout look like? How do you keep from getting bored? Any diet/exercise advice would be appreciated.

(Hopefully) Relevant Details:
-Have access to KU Fitness Center (machines etc.)
-Walk about 30 min./day already (between classes)
-Own an mp3 player (downloadable workouts?)
-Have about 2hrs/day M-F to workout
-Take a multivitamin

Recommendations for a good personal trainer in RDU?!

luckyme793 — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:20:08 -0800

Recommendations for a personal trainer in the Raleigh/Durham area? I am 21 year old college female who is looking for a personal trainer for 3-5 sessions. I want to learn how to FINALLY get rid of the freshman 15 I gained 3 years ago, and also to build more lean muscle and tone specific parts of my body better. Does anyone have any recommendations for a knowledgeable and friendly PT in the RDU area?

Should I keep taking Adderall?

dumbledore69 — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:00:35 -0800

I was recently diagnosed with adult ADHD (inattentive type) and put on Adderall. I have very, very mixed feelings about this -- hopeful, because it seems to really be helping me in multiple areas of my life, but also anxious that it is a crutch that I can't use forever. Does anyone have any insight or anecdotes to help me either (1) feel better about being on Adderall, or (2) come up with an alternative plan to manage my issues? I am a 30 year old woman and I've struggled for most of my life with depression, severe anxiety/stress, and obesity. I've also, for as long as I can remember, suffered from the extreme inability to get my shit together, which often leads to the depression & anxiety that then lead to the emotional eating (pretty much eating for a fix) that I do.

I have always been smart enough to get by and do fairly well despite half-assing everything due to disorganization, inability to concentrate, and inability to get my shit together. For example, in 5th grade, my teacher wanted to put me in remedial math because I never did (or could find) my homework, despite my having been in the 98th percentile in the math portion of that year's standardized test. In high school, I never did my homework or studied, ever. I was in all honors and AP classes, and somehow managed to get a 4 on the AP Lit exam without having read a single one of the assigned books that year. I got into a good college and nearly flunked out both my freshman and sophomore years because I didn't study or attend class, but made it up junior and senior year by overloading classes to make up what I failed and switching majors to one that would better allow me to use common sense and BS to coast.

Now I have a good job and am a part-time grad student, but I struggle to keep my head above water. I know it isn't because I'm not smart enough or competent ... if I have a month to work on a project, I will struggle to do the research and planning at the beginning to do a good job. I will flounder for 2-3 weeks, and then panic for the fourth week, pulling together whatever I can to cobble together a passable result. Usually what I consider passable is plenty good to my employer or instructor, but the thing is that I can do so much better than what I am giving, and with so much less stress.

Not to mention that my home life is a mess. I am constantly forgetting to pay bills, losing important papers, leaving my house a mess (and not knowing where to start), starting exercise programs and then abandoning them because I am too overwhelmed with the rest of my life, budget, and work....

I've tried all kinds of methods for getting myself back on track. I am great at both implementing and making up my own systems for being organized -- schedules and charts and checklists. Oh God, I live for that stuff! But as soon as I create something and MAYBE follow it for a little while, I get distracted or overwhelmed and drop the ball and am back where I started.

And I'm miserable! I have so much to be grateful for, and yet I spend all my time being fat (100 lbs overweight), depressed, stressed, and overwhelmed. Antidepressants (celexa & trazodone) have helped, but only to an extent.

After talking with my psychiatric NP, she screened me for ADHD and found that both the results of the test and a family history (my dad & brother are ADHD) and my descriptions of my school life and adult life point to inattentive-type ADHD. She prescribed me ritalin, which I took for 3 weeks and simply felt sleepy on, and now Adderall, which truly seems to be making a difference. Suddenly I can concentrate and do alll the things I previously would think "ugh I need to do that", and then forget about or put off indefinitely.

AND. Suddenly I am losing weight.

I have been able to stick to my workout program and have felt no emotional triggers to eat over the past few weeks. I actually have almost no appetite at all during the day, which is a first, since snacks have always been the best interruption to getting anything done.

Which is great, right?

But I'm worried. I have a lot of weight to lose, and I have lost before and regained. I have read stories of people abusing Adderall to lose weight (which is NOT my purpose) and then regaining it once they go off almost immediately. I just do not want to lose weight "artificially" only to regain it when/if I go off Adderall. And I don't see myself being on Adderall forever. In a few years when I am done with school, I'd like to have a baby, and I certainly can't take it while pregnant or breastfeeding.

I am really just hoping that I can use Adderall as a tool to get me back on the right track in life. I never, ever learned to be organized, to keep my house neat, to keep my budget in check, to eat right, to do my work consistently instead of at the last minute. If I can focus now and get myself into a routine, and get my life in order, and keep it in order for awhile ... am I going to lose all that if I don't keep taking Adderall?

So, does it sound like I am doing the right thing by taking it? Am I going to have to pay later on for using this tool to get my life together now? Is there anything else I should be doing or plan to do to make the most out of this?

I'm sorry this was so long...I am just so stressed and anxious.

TV-Cycle please!

mittenbex — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 08:27:08 -0800

I want to exercise while watching TV. Help me pick out an exercise bike. I've been dieting full-time and exercising sporadically for the past six months.

Fall is almost here and I'm in NY so it will turn cold before two months is up. I want to start looking for an exercise bike so I can set it up and exercise while watching my lovely-cannot-be-given-up television programs. I know, pathetic. For exercise before, I was walking... lots. But cannot imagine going out for walks during the winter - EVER.

I don't know anything about exercise bikes. Do you have one? Love it? Hate it? Tell me about it. I'd like to keep it under $500.

Also, I've heard there's a way to finagle a regular outdoor bike into a stationary bike by some sort of contraption. Anyone have experience with one of these?

Thanks!

Shifting stbborn body fat...

deeper red — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:47:01 -0800

Lost about 70lb recently but my body fat figure remains stubbornly high. Read on for more info... I'm presently at 178lb (male) but my body fat figure is about 24% (according to my digital scales; yeah I know these aren't accurate but I can definitely pinch more than an inch and have much puppy fat).

Questions:

1) I hate gyms but is there a regime that will help me burn off this fat? Intense cardio? 10 mins on each machine?

2) Assuming I burn off the fat and keep to my diet, can I assume the fat will stay away? So I can maybe put in a few months at the gym and stay away? (Did I mention that I hate gyms?)

Help me enjoy life (if only for a week)

Anonymous — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 12:47:57 -0800

Help me stop dwelling on the negatives and be able to ENJOY my vacation. Beginning last year, I lost a significant amount of weight. It was a struggle, but it felt absolutely amazing to shed the pounds. Unfortunately, I have let some of the weight creep back on, and am very down in the dumps about this. I keep saying, "tomorrow I'll start all over again, I'll eat healthy and exercise." But countless times I have been unable to actually just f*&king DO it. I know exactly what I need to do to get back on course. I have the benefit of having done it before, so I have that advantage. Here's the problem:

I am leaving on vacation with a friend in a few days. This is something I have been looking forward to for a long time. It is going to be a great time for us to spend together and unwind. However, I have become totally hung up on my weight issues and am finding it hard to muster enthusiasm for this trip. I keep saying, "man, if I hadn't screwed up my weight loss routine I'd be so much thinner for this trip," or "I'm gonna look so fat in my vacation pictures with this double chin." I am going to an amazing place with my very best friend, and instead of putting effort into prepping for the trip all of my energy is focused on the negatives. How can I get over this enough to just enjoy the moment, and take advantage of this once in a lifetime trip? I understand what I need to do to get back on track health-wise. I'm just hoping you guys can give me some advice to help me put aside my neuroses and just enjoy this trip for a week? I want to kick myself for being hung up on my physical appearance. Thanks for reading this long explanation hive. Any help is appreciated.

Will I turn my fancy suit into a clown suit?

abkadefgee — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:01:13 -0800

I'd like to buy a new suit. I'd also like to lose a lot of weight. Will the suit still look alright if I lose 60 lbs and have it altered, or should I just wait until I lose the weight? I recently started a new job and have some extra money to spend on some upgraded clothing. The suit isn't a requirement of my job, but I'd like to look extra sharp now that I can afford a suit that fits properly.

On the other hand, I'd also like to lose a fair amount of weight. I'm currently about 5'9" and 220 and I'd like to gradually get down to about 160. Obviously, if I lose that much weight, my current suit will no longer fit.

So, if I have a suit altered to fit me after losing 60 lbs, will it still look decent? Would a jacket/blazer/sport coat be easier to alter than the slacks? Or will I look like a mess either way?

If the answer is yes to the latter question, I'll keep my suit money in the bank.

Food is nutrition, not entertainment

arniec — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:03:34 -0800

How can I change my mindset to think of food as sustinance and not food as entertainment/reward? I've searched and was shocked to not see this question come up before, but if I missed it, links?)

I am turning 35 in a hair over a month, and I'm trying to get my life in order. A big part of this for me is losing weight and getting fit. However I have a mindset that is ingrained from the past 34 years that I need a way to get around.

I am quite the foodie. I've traveled across the US and some other countries and love to try the culinary delights there. To me, food is entertainment. When traveling, the food is part of the tourism, and when home food is part of the entertainment. Special occasion in the family? Eat out! Going to a movie? More fun with popcorn!

Worse is after a hard day at work (long hours, stressful work environment) my wife and I turn to "comfort food". This is not emotional eating, it's just that after a hard day we can relax a bit better with a pitcher of margaritas and some hot wings (for example). The enjoyable eating experience is a good amount of the enjoyment, and the relief of not having to cook and do dishes, two more chores at the end of a long, hard day, are rewards to ourselves. Instant gratification is the downfall of many an American...including us.

So yes, like dogs, we are food motivated. But to achieve our fitness goals, we need to stop thinking in those terms. How can we do that?

(And hint: as part of "getting my life in order" I'm also cutting back a lot of spending in order to pay off credit cards, so the option to replace the food reward with some monetary reward won't work).

Good online workout plans?

internet!Hannah — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 06:20:09 -0800

I need some recommendations for free online workout programs I can work into my fitness plan! I've let myself go a bit the last year and I'm trying to get myself back in shape. However, I'm horrible at doing things without direction, so I was hoping for some recommendations for good workout plans that I can find online.

Right now I'm working on the 100 pushups program (as well as the 200 situps and 200 squats sister programs) as well as the couch-to-5k plan. These kinds of sites are absolutely perfect for me, all nice and laid out and easy to do without much preparation. Are there any other sites like these I should know about?

I'm mostly interested in finding some sort of mild weight training website, preferably something that could be done with minimal equipment (or, ideally, with a sandbag, since that's what I have on hand currently). I've got some pull-up bars handy, too, and a jumprope. I don't do well in the student gym, though.

For the record, I'm a college-age female, not horribly out of shape though slightly overweight, looking to lose 15 or so pounds and get my sixpack from two years ago back. I don't want to bulk up, though I do want to get toned.

I'd prefer only website recommendations, and free ones since I'm a starving college student, but I'm willing to take alternate suggestions if they are worth it. Thanks in advance!

Not-quite skinny bit*h.

mittenbex — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 06:10:43 -0800

Help me lose the last 15 lbs! Recommend your favorite secret low-calorie foods. I've been on a diet since the end of February and have lost 45 lbs so far. I'm super psyched about it and could keep going how I've been for longer I'm sure.

I've been eating about 1200 calories a day with my secret weapon being oatmeal, eating 100 calorie servings several times a day.

Other foods that have been a staple in this 'diet' are:

Fiber One bars and cereal.
Dannon Light and Fit yogurt.
Low-sodium turkey lunch meat.
String cheese.
Subway
Obviously fruits and vegetables and tons of water (and crystal light)

I never 'gave up' any particular foods, I just keep a food journal and count up to 1200 calories every day. So if I splurge it just counts against my days calories. Therefore, I generally don't eat splurge-y foods.

So I'm wondering, for the low-calorie diet followers out there... what do you suggest in order to make the most out of my 1200 calories a day. Any personal favorites or 'secret weapons'?

My mystifying metabolism, defying all logic

egeanin — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:35:58 -0800

Over the last 4 weeks, I've changed both my eating habits and my exercise habits pretty drastically. Yet I'm still at the exact same weight and body fat percentage. Why? At 150 lbs, 5'6, I'm about 20 pounds heavier than I'd like to be. Although I have a healthy BMI, my body fat percentage is stuck around 28%. Having done a ton of research, I set out to lose those 20 pounds four weeks ago by the following methods, and am completely flummoxed as to why there's been no change.

This is what I have done, FAITHFULLY, for 4 weeks:
--45 minutes of cardio, 3 days a week (hard enough to sweat)
--45 minutes of pilates/strength training, 1 or 2 days a week, hard enough to be sore for 2 days following each session
--Cut out most carbs, except berries, occasional whole grains and 1 glass red wine a day
--Restricted my diet to 1800 calories a day. Very strict about this, using measuring cups.
--Keeping a food diary and an exercise diary
--Seeing a personal trainer once a week (with whom I do my strength training)
--Never eating fast food, junk, ice cream, etc (I never did anyway.)
--Drinking 8 glasses of water a day, no matter what

And can you believe it, I've lost NO weight. Not even water weight. My body fat percentage has also not dropped. I HAVE lost some inches, in that I can fit into my clothes somewhat better-- but believe me, it's nothing spectacular. I've gone from a size 10 to an 8-- barely. But that's the only difference.

To put it in perspective, my boyfriend has just done the low carb part with me, and he's lost ten pounds in the last month. Without having gone to the gym once or counted calories.

What am I doing wrong? I don't want to cut my calories too far below 1800 or I know I won't be able to keep it up for long. This is a lifestyle change, not a get-thin-quick plan. But I want to at least see some numeric change after a month's worth of work.

Having calculated my basal metabolic rate, 1800 was supposed to yield a steady drop of 1-2 pounds a week. I know muscle weighs more than fat, but the fact that my bodyfat percentage has remained the same, has me discounting that. I have been very, very good about counting the calories.

Please help! I feel so discouraged. I'm proud of myself for being so disciplined, but this is getting ridiculous. Thanks for any advice or anecdotes about your own weight loss experiences.

Math is hard, let's go shopping.

Anonymous — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:29:21 -0800

I'm half way through my weight-loss goal but my clothes no longer fit. How does one bridge the half-way point to the "new you"? Likewise, does anyone have advice for what I assume will be the more difficult half of the process? I'm 21 years old and previously weighed in at 260 lbs. I've pegged a long-term goal for my weight-loss as being 100 pounds which would get me into what most would consider a 'healthy weight' for someone my age and height (not strictly from a BMI perspective). Thus far, I've lost 45 pounds and now weigh in at a less alarming 215. This is after a period of a little over two months through routine healthy eating and exercise.

Now, the problem lies in the fact that I'm about half-way to where i want to be, but clothes no longer fit (both casual and professional). For those who have been in this situation, how can I bridge my fat stage and my healthy stage? Is repurchasing everything I wear necessary or are there alternatives that'll make my current attire not look as baggy (and unprofessional)?

As for the second part of the question, I assume the easy stage is over. What are some best practices for tackling the second half of my weight-loss goal?

How can I succeed in my diet?

Anonymous — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:46:59 -0800

I've been trying to get under a certain weight for weeks. Whenever I know that if I do well on a certain day, I'll have reached my goal in the morning, I tend to subconsciously self sabotage (by over eating or eating something I know will make me gain weight the next day.) Then I'll end up gaining a few pounds and needing to start all over. I think it's because I told myself it was hard to get under that number, and now it's become this huge goal that I can't seem to attain. How do I get over the self-sabotage so I can continue on the weight loss journey?

(Note that I have binge eating disorder, so for me overeating automatically means +2 or more pounds.)

Wait for the weights?

Rykey — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:31:51 -0800

2/3 of the way to my target weight, thanks to cardio exercise and eating better. Start building muscle mass (via weight training) now, or wait until I hit my target weight? Started out about 80 lbs. overweight. For about 7 months now, I've been losing weight steadily by running and cycling, walking, and elliptical machine. Combined with a commitment to eating better (I don't starve myself, but eat good portions of nutritious food, cut out sugar, booze, grease, etc.), I've lost about 60 lbs. so far and feel great.

I've never lifted weights before, but I recently bought a weight machine. I want to continue my cardio exercises, and gradually add weight training into my exercise regimen. My question is, should I start weight training now, or wait til I've lost most or all of the weight I want to through cardio?

My goal is to have a trim, muscular physique, not bulging muscles (think dancer, not football player). I know that in addition to burning more calories, muscle weighs more than fat, so I don't know whether I should start lifting to burn more calories, or lose the last 20 lbs. via cardio and then not worry about what I weigh after starting weight training (i.e., as long as I look in shape and stay that way, it doesn't really matter what the scale says). I guess I'm trying to avoid looking too thin without muscle tone, but also avoid looking bulky with the un-lost fat "padding" my muscles.

I'm male, 35, and have a naturally stocky build (5'9", wide shoulders, big chest, short legs) if that matters.

I think food and me need some time apart...

SansPoint — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:39:21 -0800

I'm a chubby guy with a chronic sweet tooth, and a problem with overeating. Will fasting actually do anything for me? Okay, I've checked the previous questions on this sort of thing, but they don't quite address one of the main reasons I'm interested in trying a fast. I'm a bit of an overeater, and a fast eater, and I'm wondering if doing a fast will help my relationship to food. This way I can perhaps neutralize my chronic sweet tooth, train myself to eat less, and perhaps develop a healthier diet.

I realize that the whole detoxification thing from fasting is a load of bunk and hoo-ha. I'm not expecting or desiring any sort of spiritual benefit, and the like. I'm very devout in my non-spirituality. Thing is, my weight's gotten up to friggin' 230 pounds (and I'm 5'9"), and that's not good. Anything that can help me deal with how I eat and improve it has to be good for me, right?

And if I do this sort of thing, what's the *sanest* way to fast without killing myself?

I thought I was supposed to feel better as I lose weight!

JonnyRotten — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:06:35 -0800

I've lost nearly 90 LBS, but I feel like poo constantly. I've had increasing foot problems, and just generally tired, and sick all the time. Have any of you gone through a dramatic weight loss and felt horrible, or developed problems that didn't exist before the weight loss? Over the last 6-8 months I've lost somewhere near 90lbs. I'm still not at my goal, but I am getting there.

Before I started losing weight I would have occasional foot problems (like maybe 1-2 times a year) that would be diagnosed alternately as gout or "foot pain because I'm fat". Usually the Dr. would prescribe a course of pain medicine and then after a week or two it would go away and I would be good for a long while.
So now I'm doing everything I can to lose weight, and its coming off, but I have had nothing but problems since I hit about the 50lbs lost mark. The Dr. has since put me on allopurinol, along with blood pressure medicine, and I am also taking Straterra (which I credit most of my weight loss to, as I seem to "care" less if I am hungry).

The foot pain doesn't *seem* like the gout pain I have experienced before, but its extreme. If I keep off of it for a few days, it starts to feel better, but as soon I start walking again it gets really bad. It is super tender, and if someone bumps into it, or I bump it against something I feel like screaming. I have trouble sleeping some nights with this latest round of it, because it keeps waking me up when I toss and turn during the night.

To cover a few bases:
- I have new shoes, New Balances that I actually got fitted for, and they have a thing in them to correct my slight walking on the side of my feet problem
- I've seen multiple Drs, and gone through all the standard stuff a couple times.
- I know your not my Dr, and I'm trying to find a Dr. somewhere besides locally, because I feel that the local "Medical group" tends to push people out the door as fast as possible. I personally feel there may be some deeper issues with my weight and my constant struggle with it that need to be addressed. I guess I'm just asking if any other mefites have lost a bunch of weight and had more problems then when they had the weight on.

Help me, O Exercise Gurus.

canadia — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:26:01 -0800

Burning calories while exercising: how important is how much effort you put into it? Does difficulty enter the equation, or is it all time and distance? Here's an example of what I mean: I've been riding my single gear bike to and from work for the past month on a route that is rolling hills that go as high as a 7% incline. It takes me about 40 minutes to get 5 miles, and I'm huffing and puffing for most of the trek. A few hours later, after standing on my feet all day, I turn around and bike home, which takes me roughly an hour. As I get more used to the ride and it becomes easier, does the amount of calories I burn drop, since my heart rate is no longer skyrocketing, or does it go up, since I'm going faster?

What counts as "moderate" exercise? Does all my heart-pounding biking count as "leisure," since I'm only going a total of 10 miles? Do calorie calculators take effort into consideration, or is "difficultly" measured by how fast you go in a certain amount of time, regardless of your heart rate?