Ok, all you weight-loss cheerleaders, I need your help!

United States
January 6, 2007 6:35pm CST
I'd like to lose a few pounds. When I say a few, I mean quite a bit. heh. Anyway, along with my lack of motivation and commitment, I also have a pretty short attention span. I need some tips and encouragement on getting started and actually sticking with this. I tend to get really intense on some things for a short period, almost to the point of obsession, and then within a couple weeks, I lose all interest. I'd like to NOT do this in this case. Help me out? Thanks!
9 responses
11 Jan 07
you wrote you only have one or two meals a day, that could be your problem. I have read in a lot of places that if you eat less times your body goes into starvation mode and tries to store energy. What I feel helps a lot is small frequent meals. Try and eat breakfast soon after you wake up, small snack, lunch, another snack and then dinner. you can obviously eat a fruit or two for the snacks. There are a lot of advocates for doing a cardio workout for atleast 20 minutes to have any fat loss, maybe try and introduce a 20 minute walk a day. The other option is to create that extra workout from small little things, like when you are driving somewhere park as far away from where you need to go as possible or if the destination isn't too far just walk rather than drive. It will help the environment too.
• United States
11 Jan 07
Yeah, I've read that, too. My problem is that I really don't get all that hungry, so it can be a little hard for me to make sure I eat the small frequent meals. But I will give it another try. I do try to park near the back of the parking lot sometimes, but with a toddler and a bad back, that can be a hassle. And I live in the country, so the only thing in walking distance is the mailbox! lol
@deedles88 (297)
• Australia
10 Jan 07
Ill be you buddy and we can do it together! :)
• United States
10 Jan 07
Thanks! I could always use a buddy!
• India
7 Jan 07
i better suggest u to better join a gym. thank u.
• United States
7 Jan 07
Thank you for your suggestion. I have considered that, but we simply don't have the extra money for me to join a gym right now, especially if I'm going to slack off and not utilize it. Also, I have a toddler, so I'd have to find one that could fit my schedule and be open when I can get someone to watch my son.
@classy56 (2880)
• United States
7 Jan 07
im also trying to lose weight.so i have found out if you dance while cleaning house you will burn up calories an have fun while your cleaning.an try to drink aglass full of water before you eat it will fill the stomach up so you wont eat so much.do situps while watching the news,put feet under the couch an try doing situps.but to me danceing gives the best results good luck
• United States
7 Jan 07
Thanks for your suggestions! I do dance while I clean. I hate cleaning, so that's pretty much the only way I can get motivated to really clean! Your other suggestions are good, too. I'll try really getting in gear and doing little things, like situps during the news and things like that. Eating too much isn't really my problem. I really only eat maybe once or twice a day, and I'm a really slow eater, so I tend to get full before I've finished my meal.
@babyjane (1390)
• Philippines
8 Mar 07
1. Drink water Water is quite possibly the single most important catalyst in losing weight and keeping it off longer term. Water acts as an appetite suppressant by keeping your stomach full and fending off dehydration which can lead to false cravings/hunger. Water also helps your body metabolize stored fat by helping the kidneys flush out waste. When you don't drink enough water the liver which works to provide stored fat for energy helps the kidneys eliminate waste and becomes less effective at metabolizing fat. Drinking water ice cold burns about 62 calories a day. Your body has to work to raise that waters temperature to your body's temperature. This equals around 430 calories per week. 2. Eat regularly This means eating 5 times a day and the most important meal is breakfast. Make sure you fuel your body first thing in the morning to avoid hunger pangs later in the day. When you eat 5 times a day you will never feel hungry, make sure the total calories consumed are sensible and don't over eat in any of the meals learn portion size control! 3. Eat lots of fibre Eating adequate fiber foods to help keep things moving through your bowel. And like water, fiber rich foods bulk you up and make you feel fuller for longer. Fibre is found only in plant foods our bodies cant digest it to so it simply goes through the body. During the elimination process it cuts calories consumed by attaching to protein and fat that you eat along with it removes that as well In addition, high fiber foods are typically low in calories and filling, so you are reducing your calorie intake overall. Good fibre foods include: strawberries, apples, figs, chickpeas, potatoes, (with skins) broccoli, brown rice, beans, bran and nuts. 4. Consume more good fats There are good fats and bad fats Good fats provide you with essential fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic acids) needed for normal reproduction and growth, as well as for production of prostoglandin, a hormone like compound that regulates blood pressure, prevents blood clotting and lowers the risk of heart disease. For example, the reason oily fish is a great food stems from the fact that the essential fatty acids which it contains can actually help your body burn fat more efficiently and protect against disease. Get at least three portions of oily fish a week with Salmon, mackerel, herrings and sardines being good choices. 5. Get plenty of quality protein Quality protein is an effective weight control tool because of the satiety factor and its ability to keep you full for longer periods. It also balances out carbohydrates by preventing insulin spikes that cause energy loss and sugar cravings Protein helps to maintain muscle mass which is important in the fat burning process. Good choices include: Fish, shrimps, Low fat cottage cheese, low fat yogurt, skimmed milk, egg whites, s Weight gain is caused by consuming too many calories, whether they are from carbohydrate, protein or fat. 6. Carbohydrates can help you lose weight Don't believe what you read about carbohydrates being bad for you, they can actually help you lose weight! A diet containing good carbohydrates such fruits and vegetables, wholegrains and moderate in fat and calories, will result in weight loss Good carbohydrates will also help you combat hunger pangs as they are slowly realized into the body. When eating carbohydrates eat them "from the earth" with no refining or processing. These include whole grains, vegetables; fruits and beans. Sensible weight loss If you have read the above you will see that it is not the food group, but the quality of the food in it that's important for fast weight loss.
• United States
7 Jan 07
Hi Reindeer paws! I just read your post and had to laugh because it sounds like I could have written. I too have a short attension span, and tend to obsess when i start a 'diet', driving myself nutz and fizzling out in a month. Like 'kelly' suggested I think the best thing to do is small changes here and there that you don't have to think too hard about. If you change everything at once it will get on your nerves and you'll too easily give up. Maybe replace some sodas a day with water. If you eat a lot of fast food try packing some stuff and quitting the fast food. On exercise, I think its very important to find something fun. If you start doing something because its fun and you enjoy it, you are more likely to do it often then if its a chore. I like DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) which is a game where you dance on a dancepad and move your feet to arrows on a screen. Salsa aerobics and kickboxing are also fun. LOL, for some reason exercise via kicking someone's butt is good for me. Stress relief too? :) Good luck!
• United States
11 Jan 07
:) I think kickboxing does sound fun... lol I have kinda looked into DDR. I've let myself get intimidated by all those little kids who go crazy with all that fast dancing, so I've been afraid I'd look like a fool. Then again, if it's just me and the baby....who really cares?? lol
• United States
10 Jan 07
Easy does it. Just drink more water, and cut out sugared sweets and salty snacks. That's it. You will see a difference.
• United States
7 Jan 07
Congratulations on making the decision to lose some weight! My advice is to start by making small changes. On the food side, an example would be to start eating more fruits and vegetables. Or depending on what you eat, you could try to reduce your daily calories by 200-300. On the exercise side, there are many at-home workouts on DVD or VHS that you can do. Working out this way is relatively inexpensive, and You would be able to watch your child. You could start with 30 minutes a few days a week. Then you can progress from there. By starting small and making little changes, you'll be getting into good habits and they won't be drastic changes. Good luck!
@Kalachia (230)
• United States
10 Jan 07
I've read quite a few posts on here about losing weight, and alot of them say that drinking water helps, and I'm inclined to agree, so that's really my advice. Plus, if I can stick to a diet and exercise, then I know you can, cause it's likely you're not as attention span lost as I am. Good luck on it by the way!