Suggestions anyone?
By carpenter5
@carpenter5 (6782)
United States
May 11, 2011 6:28pm CST
Two weeks ago, hubby and I started a journey to try and lose 20 pounds each. We are going to the fitness center in our apartment complex three-four times a week. We either walk on the treadmill or ride the stationery bikes.
We've adjusted our diets. I'm doing the Special K plan that I modified just a little. Breakfast and lunch, I eat either a bowl of Special K cereal, a Special K or Slimfast meal bar, a protein bar, some fruit, two hard boiled eggs and a piece of bacon, a Slimfast shake (I take it out of the can and blend it with a little bit of ice and make it frozen. It is much better than straight from the metal can). I mix it up so that I'm not eating the same thing both meals, or even two days in a row.
Then for dinner, we eat a normal meal...whatever we want...even dessert. So far, Mike has lost 3 pounds. I haven't lost any weight on the scales, but a pair of denim shorts that two weeks ago wouldn't snap, now will snap, zip and I can breathe in them! LOL
I've also cut way down on the amount of soda that I drink, and how many products with caffiene I consume. I wish I could cut out both the sugar and the caffiene all at once, but I'm finding that I can't deal with the headaches that I get if I try for more than 24 hours. So I'm trying to alternate. Drinking caffiene free hot herbal tea with sugar, or getting a frozen rootbeer instead of a frozen Coca Cola. Drinking one Dr. pepper every other day. I've tried switching it out with the Walmart or Kroger sparkling waters which give me the fizzy drink without the sugar and the caffiene.
Does anyone have suggestions on how to make the transition easier? Have you ever quit drinking Soda's and/or tea and had to deal with the caffiene headaches? I'd love to know how you did it.
3 people like this
13 responses
@AmbiePam (85469)
• United States
11 May 11
My sister drinks about a gallon of water a day. A person can drink too much water, but she read that it helps. It makes her feel full so she eats less. And water of course keeps things "moving" if you will. She's lost 160 pounds, so I guess she's doing something right. Granted, she exercises and set a calorie limit per day, but not one day since she started this has she NOT drank a gallon of water a day. I wish I had a picture of her before and after. She's now a hottie!
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
12 May 11
I drink a lot of water, but probably no where near that much. I read on a site that you should drink three liters of purified water before you do anything else in the morning. Even get dressed. I did it for three days and it nearly killed me. That is about a quart and a half of water just straight down. Your sister probably is careful to get enough nutrients throughout the day so that she does not give herself water toxicity.
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
12 May 11
The advice that the doctor gave me was just to keep myself hydrated. I try to drink at least 1 liter of water a day. No way could I make myself drink a gallon! I unfortunately do not like water that much!
I try to drink a couple of glasses of regular water but what I drink more than anything of is the sparkling water. Same nutrients, but I prefer the flavoring
1 person likes this
@kawalnarang (1095)
• Trinidad And Tobago
12 May 11
Just keep it up,,I have done a good for myself,, NO soda,,the most i will take is one 7 up or a sprite in three weeks,really works for me.
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
21 May 11
I've not done so well this week. It's been kind of stressful, and I've been fighting a headache, so I've drunk more caffiene, which seemed to help unfortunately. I am back to drinking more water today. People are beginning to notice that I'm losing weight, so I guess it actually is working.
I absolutely cannot drink Sprite. There is something about the taste that just turns me way off.
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
12 May 11
I've cut down on sweets and all but eliminated junk food. We had bacon sandwiches for dinner last night with Ruffles Potato Chips. I couldn't eat many chips. They were way too salty! I think it's because I've gotten used to NOT eating them! I preferred the grapes that I washed and chilled instead.
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
12 May 11
I'm excited that I've gone from a 12 to an 8 in clothing size in the last year. But I would give just about anything to tip the scales below 150 pounds. I haven't been there in so long I don't remember what it's like. I can't figure out where the weight is! I don't know anyone else that weighs as much as I do that can wear a size 8 jeans!!!!
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
12 May 11
I have given up Dr. Pepper for a period time but not all together and not for long. I think that when we go on a diet we think we have to change our eating habits for a period of time until the weight is gone and then we go back to the same ole habits we had before. Not so! We have to make an effort to change it forever. I eat several snack type meals through out the day. I was told by my trainer to wait about an hour or so after eating a substancial meal before exercising. I think it takes awhile for your system to get used to eating less. I also think that drinking alot of water is very important. And one trick is to drink a full glass of water before you eat so that your stomache is somewhat filled to begin with and you won't eat as much. I always drink tea in the Summer cold and in the Winter hot. Green tea is good for you! The transition is never totally easy. If you have a problem with eating too much or not being able to stay on the program you have set for yourself keeping a diary of your eating is a good idea because then you can look back over it and see what time during the day you have the worst problem and can address it.
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
12 May 11
The water trick works well. I only exercise once and that's first thing in the morning. Another thing that has helped me is to force myself to eat more slowly. The doctor told me that it helps make you feel full faster. The faster you put food into your stomach, the more you eat before you begin to feel full. I love hot tea year round. Especially Peppermint tea, which is also great for the digestive system.
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
21 May 11
The obstetrician told my daughter to drink hot peppermint tea to settle her stomach. She is having horrible morning sickness. Very hot and sweetened with honey. Kristen says she has a new favorite drink and it's helped with the nausea. Of course, we've searched and found the herbal kind without caffiene.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
12 May 11
Yes, it does. I used to be told just the opposite by my aunt because I would feel up on water and then not eat my meal. My gran used to make me peppermint tea(from scratch) when I was young and had a belly ache.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130066)
• India
12 May 11
Try skipping your dinner and have some snacks instead say around 6 in the evening. Wind up with a clear soup and a hot cup of milk in the night. Carry on with your exercise and drink plenty of water too. Have a heavy breakfast and go light in the afternoon too. Try this for a month and I am sure you will get good results.
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
13 May 11
I can't skip dinner because of some medications that I have to take at bedtime. If I don't eat well before taking it, I am always sick at my stomach for several hours. This is no fun at all and then i don't sleep well, which leads me to being irritable the next day.
I make sure that I drink at least a liter and a half of water each day
@allknowing (130066)
• India
13 May 11
The dinner that one eats in the night gets no exercise and so all that is converted into calories imho. You could discuss your medication schedule with your doctor and see what he/she says.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130066)
• India
13 May 11
May be you could go for vegetables and fruits in the night.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
12 May 11
Tea is good for you and actually will increase your metabolism, the same goes for a moderate amount of caffeine. I am not one to talk as I have a lot to lose, but I am working on it. Instead of sugar or artificial sweetener, use Stevia-sold as drops or in packets. It is a sweetener that has been shown to stabilize blood sugar. Get 30 gr. fiber daily. If you buy Stevia under the brand name SweetLeaf, the packets have fiber.
In addition to your cardio work on the treadmill or bike, add some resistance training. I am, of course telling you basically what I was told by a personal trainer yesterday. If you add muscle and do resistance you are strengthening your bones and you are burning more calories even while you rest. I had to take a timed walk yesterday and it really made the arthritis in one of my legs hurt. Then I got my orientation to the resistance machines. It actually made the pain go away. Do not cut your calories back too far, or your body will panic and your metabolism will slow down to conserve calories. Hooray for shorts that fit and button. Hurray for being able to breathe. Most sodas contribute to a loss of bones, and you do not want that, so the fizzy water is a treat. I like tonic water with fruit juice.
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
12 May 11
Some great ideas but the doctor vetoed the resistance training. With all my back problems, that is going to continue to be a big no no. I can't even set the treadmill on a resistance level workout. The only ones she agreed to were a straight, no hill, route and one that I can't think of the name of. But you start out straight. Go up a small hill, level off for a while, then down a hill and level off before going back up and following this trek.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
12 May 11
hi carpenter oh do ditch those sugary sodas before you find yourself one day running to the bathroom sixteen times and being so thirsty you chug down one glass of water after another. also losing weight would be a lot easier is you cut way back on the sugar. overweight combined with too many carbs can lead straight to diabetes and who wants it if they do not have to get it?I would not cut out coffee completely.a lot of studies have shown drinking coffed can prevent diabetes along with loss of weight so keep some coffee.but nix the sugar in your drinks or just use equal or splenda instead. i hope you are getting enough fruits and veggies
in your diet , do not cut them out as they are not fattenig and do give you the viatmins and minerals your body needs. better to eat more of them a nd cut out the diet slimfast stuff or Special K you need veggies and fruits to stay healthy and they are not fattening.if it were me I would ditch those special k diets and slim fasts and see a nutritionist for a health plan you can lose weight with and be healthy at the same time.
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
13 May 11
Actually, the diet that I'm on my nurse practitioner told me is very healthy. The Special K has the same vitamins and mineral that youget from veggies, plus lots of fiber as well.
For dinner, I always make sure that I have at least two different veggies and that one of them is green. Tonight I had steamed zucchini and a sweet potato. (Along with Baked Parmesan Crusted Tilapia!!!) everything baked or steamed. Very low fat and good for you...and quite tasty.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
12 May 11
im not sure about the caffiene headaches or even why you are cutting caffiene as many people have used caffiene to loose weight
but yes, the soda needs cut as my son has lost a lot of weight lately from cutting out soda. but he drinks coffee and sometimes tea with caffiene in it. 
sounds like you are doing all the right things except maybe drink coffee.
but yes, the soda needs cut as my son has lost a lot of weight lately from cutting out soda. but he drinks coffee and sometimes tea with caffiene in it. sounds like you are doing all the right things except maybe drink coffee. @carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
13 May 11
Can't do the coffee while it's hot, unless it's iced. I had not heard of caffiene making you lose weight. I just keep hearing of those who got off caffiene who feel better. So I was going to see if I could manage it.
My husband has not had a soda in two years. I'm so proud of him.
@renxcez (21)
• Philippines
12 May 11
Actually, if you could REMOVE intake of sugar, etc etc, that would be better i tell you, and a tip in reducing weight before eating lunch or dinner, eat a bunch of BOILED peanuts, a lot of it or drink lets say 5 glass of water, then by the time lunch or dinner comes you will loose appetite, also remove bacon in your diet, you could substitute oatmeals instead and it works i tell you, and lastly if you want some medicines or sliming capsules try reductil, search for it then ask a prescription to your doctor trust me I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL. :)
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
13 May 11
I have tried the slimming capusules before and didn't like the way they made me feel. Several of them I see on the box are high in Caffiene and I am trying to cut out caffiene to some degree. I was drinking way too much coffee, tea and soda.
I don't eat much bacon anyway.
What I was really looking for was a way to cut down on the caffiene with a headache.
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
21 May 11
I'm down to one 20 oz soda a day that has caffiene in it. No coffee and only caffiene free herbal tea. I've just tried to gradually cut down. The rest of the day I drink water and caffiene free drinks.
Monday, I will cut down to 16 oz a day for a week. then 12 oz a day for a week, and then 12 ounces every other day for a week. then I go back to the doctor and we'll go from there if I've been able to stick to it!
I get horrible migraine headaches if I don't take care of a normal headache right away so I really have to be careful.
@renxcez (21)
• Philippines
12 May 11
I forgot... just don't mind the flavoring while your at it, water is the best solution for that, and if you can't control your craving for something, try peanut butter sandwich. it is not easily digested and would make you most of the time full. :)
1 person likes this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
21 May 11
Thanks for the advice. I'm trying. It isn't the being full part that I'm having trouble with. It's the headaches from cutting out caffiene. that is what I was looking for an answer to. I guess it somehow got lost in the translation for most.
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
13 May 11
I have not ever heard of the hot water with lemon. It sounds like a hot lemonade drink and quite lovely. I will definately have to try that. I love hot drinks but in a month or so, it will be too hot here for me to drink many. The temperatures will be rising upwards to 110-115* so I will be searching for something cold to drink. lots of water to keep hydrated
@Kimimaro666 (14)
• United States
12 May 11
Yea, those headaches suck. But me personally, I ended up just stomaching my way through the headaches. If you still have to drink soda though, just go for something caffeine free and not drink too many of them. But, now, you've got a good plan there. Just with anything you've got to give it time to take a noticeable effect.
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