Below the 200 lb mark
By suspenseful
@suspenseful (40193)
Canada
June 21, 2009 8:20am CST
I finally got below the 200 lb mark. Well when I went to the doctor, he said that I was 199 lb. and yesterday when I was in the basement, I stepped on the scale with my shoes on, and I was down to 195 lb. Now I have been eating normally and also walking normal, but I have lately taken chromium. It seems that it is in organic field fed beef but not in the kind we get at the supermarket, so I wonder if that has anything to do with it. I do take multi-vitamins and it has some in that, but not enough to make any difference.
So I was wondering for those who have had difficulty losing weight, whether it could be that they were lacking in something that our ancestors or forefathers had in abundance?
7 people like this
30 responses
@suzzy3 (8342)
•
21 Jun 09
You could be right after all everything our for fathers ate was organic no chemicals after all.I am so pleased for you to lose some weight,keep it up ,what you are doing is working well done you should feel very pleased with your self.If you think about it they did not have processed foods everything they ate was natural and organic.I do realise organic is expensive have you got some garden to plant a few vegetables in?you will lose weight quite quickly gardening.Gardening shifted my weight ,walking,dancing with the curtains closed.Walking up and down stair still you sweat which means you are burning calories.simple things that don't cost anything except half an hour a day,good luck and keep it up.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
7 Jul 09
I am also diabetic and I have taken some natural blood sugar reducer but I have to wait until September to see if it works. I wish I had a garden - we do have a berry garden - but we were in the motel while the house was getting upgraded and I figured it was too late to plant at the end of June or even to get some plants. Besides right now money is tight.
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
21 Jun 09
Well, good work suspensful, I wish when I lose weight that I could keep it off. My weight varies between 89 and 90 kgs, no matter what I do. I don't take anything related to weight loss.
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
22 Jun 09
I seem to go to a plateau, then I have to take drastic measures like taking pills, walking a lot, etc. to get to the next lower level. But I started to read up on why we do not lose weight as well when our ancestors ate more and my great grandparents were not heavy workers, in fact, on one side, my great grandfather was a landowner in that he had people working for him and the other side, they were city people so there was none of the chopping wood, just regular city work like a family in the 19th century city would do.
@Idlewild (6090)
• United States
21 Jun 09
What are forefathers had in abundance was regular physical activity! It was part of their lives... they had to walk, do farming, chop wood, wash clothes by hand, etc. There were no cars, TVs, remote controls, etc. And also no high-fat fast foods... if you wanted something to eat, you had to grow it, catch it, shoot it, etc, and then clean and cook it.
Walking is good, keep it up! And try to build more walking into your schedule... park at a parking spot further away from a store or building if you can; take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator, etc.
It's definitely not easy to lose weight. I could have a lot more success if I was more consistent about limiting my intake of food!
1 person likes this
@Idlewild (6090)
• United States
24 Jun 09
Even if someone had a sedentary job, though, they had more physical activity in their daily lives than people do today. The average person sits down watching TV for several hours a day, spends a lot of time on computers and video games, etc. And people drive everywhere, even if they're only going a few blocks away. People used to walk a lot more in past decades.
Even simple things like preparing food required more effort (and expenditure of energy).
1 person likes this
@Idlewild (6090)
• United States
12 Jul 09
" When you consider you get up all the time that counts for something."
It doesn't count for much. If a person is sitting at a desk doing mostly typing for 7 or 8 hours, that's not much physical activity. Most office workers don't get much more activity than walking to the bathroom, copy machine, etc. Maybe at most they walk a couple of blocks to a restaurant at lunch, if they're in an urban area.
' I think the main thing is that in the olden days, the houses were bigger and it took longer to get from one room to another."
I'm not sure which "olden days" you're talking about. The average home in the U.S. is about 75% bigger today than in the 1970s. It seems like you're talking about maybe wealthy people in 1800s or early 1900s like you see in the movies... nobody in my family or that of anyone I know ever lived in a huge mansion or had servants! Most of the people in the U.S. were (and are) NOT wealthy people with servants and mansions that require a lot of walking, I assure you! ;-)
Good luck with keeping the weight down! It takes constant effort and diligence. I'm trying to bring my own weight down this summer.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
7 Jul 09
Actually people assume that we are all on the computers all day and eat prepared food, and watch tv all the time. When you consider you get up all the time that counts for something. I think the main thing is that in the olden days, the houses were bigger and it took longer to get from one room to another. Now the houses are smaller and it is just a few steps from the kitchen to the dining room, or whether. You do not have to walk down a long hallway, or climb a steep step of stairs.
And much of the people now even sedentary prepare their own meals, take walks, etc.
And if you were sedentary, you usually had servants. Maybe in the American West, the wife had to do a lot of work, but in the Eastern cities if she was in money, the servants did the running around -she had a cook, and an upstairs and downstairs maid. My grandmother who lived in England was a nurse maid when she first went into service.
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
21 Jun 09
I am finally below that mark now too. It is a daily struggle to eat right and to exercise too though. I think it runs in our family also. Some are thin and some are plump. I have never weighed this much before and I hate it. I wish you luck in your weightloss also.
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
21 Jun 09
My father had diabetes and he had trouble getting below 250 lb. even though he went in the hospital for a supervised weight loss program where he was only allowed 500 calories a day. And last night, I was thinking of my grandmother who although she ate a lot of suet puddings, pies, etc. when she grew up (she was English and they were poor) she never got very fat. And she lived in the city, not in the country and I wondered whether there was something in the food that discouraged weight gain.
And me, I started to gain at 30 and I figure I have what is called metobolic syndrome , but what luck to take after your father!
1 person likes this
@di1159 (1580)
• United States
21 Jun 09
Congratulations! It's great when you get on the scale and see the numbers going down in a healthy direction. I think that a lot has to do with activity, as our ancestors certainly were a lot more active. We have too many conveniences which contribute to being overweight. By staying active, your metabolism is working harder and it helps keep you in shape. Good luck!
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
22 Jun 09
Actually it depends on your build. If you have small or medium bones and you are inactive, then the fat will show up but if you are large boned, you do not need to be as inactive to gain weight. And there is the survival gene and what is lacking in the food we eat now that makes the difference. If it were as simple a matter as inactivity, then all I would have needed to do was to eat the same amount, and walk two miles a day instead of one mile, but there was something else going on, something that I lacked in the mineral or vitamin department. Perhaps I needed whatever it was more then others.
I think it comes from where your ancestors were. If they had lived in a northern climate, then I would not have needed it, but if they lived in the Mediterranean or the temperate zones where much of the vegetation had it, and my ancestors were eating it almost everyday, my body would have required more of it.
That is why some people have high cholesterol even tbough they are eating healthy, a fault of their ancestors makes their system unable to adapt.
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
21 Jun 09
Suspense-
First of all congratulations on getting below the 200 mark!!!Well, let's see we've cut out sodas (for the most part only have them once in awhile now). We changed to free range meats a year ago and it's made a world of difference, not to mention they taste better. We also drink almost always water, but as a woman I do get in my three glass of milk per day and I've noticed that it has made all the world of difference for me, I'm slowing loosing a few pounds each week.
I bought a Wii Fit two months ago and have been doing it faithfully every day now. I just got to my 60th day yesterday without a missed day! It's nice because for me I don't have the monies for the gym, nor do I enjoy the public place of the gym so I can do everything in my own home. I vary my workout schedule and only do strength training three times a week for now, just until I build up my strength. I do otherthings outside the Wii such as martial arts, crosstraining, etc but I love the Wii for my day to day routines. It also tracks nicely so I can see my progress. I've lost 10 pounds in two months, so I'm pretty happy.
In terms of amount of food, I've found that lately I've been eating less and being more full. I drink a glass of water before each meal, then with my meal. I also have been working on taking a bite and while I'm chewing I put down the fork or spoon until I'm ready for the next bite. I recommend a book called One Bowl if you want to work on some really great exercises where food is concerned and learning how you relate to food.
One of the huge problems, which I've written on before and even have an article published on, is the use of HFCS in most processed foods. According to an article in Reuters not to long ago a study showed that HFCS affects the gene that allows the body to absorb insulin in the body, which can lead to diabetes. It makes you also feel hungry because it stops the nerve impulses that send the signal from your stomach to your brain that you're full. So the best thing you can do is get off HFCS all together, if possible. It really means just reading your labels. I used to buy a particular brand of yogurt for years, until I finally read the ingredients and in the first five ingredients was HFCS. So, I switched to a better yogurt.
You can also try adding in an extra 1000 steps per day to your workout. Walking is by far one of the best exercises you can do honestly. Walking meditation is something you could try as well.
Again, congratulations! And remember, muscle weighs more than fat and it's not uncommon to go up during the initial stages of weight loss while you pack on more muscle. Muscle will burn more fat and eventually you'll be at your ideal weight with a lean body.
Namaste-Anora
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
24 Jun 09
Could you tell me what HFCS stands for? I know you have to be wary about trans fats, and I have been checking food labels and just buying stuff that does not contain any - natural sources being the exception. I do not know if I would buy a Wi Fi, if they put a woman who is short and stocky and not the tall muscular long waisted type, I would feel more confident. I will look for that book One Bow? What type of yogurt do you use? I use the Astro kind or the store brand, that is the zero calorie kind.
1 person likes this
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
24 Jun 09
Champs-Thanks.
Suspensful- HFCS stands for High fructose corn syrup, and it's literally in everything processed these days. I now buy Archer Farms (the Target brand) of yogurt as it doesn't contain it, and it is about 90-100 calories per serving which isn't bad.
I love my Wii Fit and even though I'm now using the female trainer, I used the male trainer (sounds bad lol)for the first 30 days. You can switch between trainers as often as you like. The yoga and strength training are with the pre designed Wii Fit trainers, but the balance and cardio are your Mii character. Mine I feel best represents what I look like. Though, I did take the liberty of adding a cheek birthmark to mine. My son and husband both have Mii's as well and my son even does the Wii Fit and he's only turning 3 this August. He loves it! And I love that I don't have to go out to the gym, be in public, and that it's all from the privacy of my own home. Since I typed my original post I've lost another 4 pounds. It just keeps going down steadily, and I love that the Wii Fit keeps track of it. Oh, and way cool thing. Yesterday was my birthday and when I got on for my daily workout it had on a party hat and wished me a happy birthday with confetti.It was great! So there are little things like that to keep you motivated. And you can't cheat. It's easy to cheat by saying you did x number of lunges at the gym or so forth when you didn't. The Wii tracks it so you can't lie about how much of anything you do. Keeps you honest.
I wish you the best of luck as you continue your weight loss.
Namaste-Anora
1 person likes this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
21 Jun 09
I've wondered that myself. I try to eat grass finished beef, but it's expensive. Eating as much organic food as possible can really make a difference in our overall health, I've found. I'm such a cheapskate that it's hard for me to turn loose of the money, though.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
23 Jun 09
That is the whole trouble. We have a store that sells only organic meat and as well, in our Superstore and Safeway, there is a organic produce and grain fed section, but it is too expensive and like you, I am a cheapskate so I cannot go and buy the stuff unless it is a better sale then the regular food.
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
23 Jun 09
WAY TO GO! I'm still heading in the wrong direction and not sure why. I'm going to look at chronium and see if that might help me out a bit..
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
7 Jul 09
They say that if you eat meat that is from cattle that grazes out in the field, you will go all right, but it seems that the other kind the kind that most of us buy is lacking in something and that is the chronium and if you have already eaten healthy, lots of salads and veggies and fruits and exercising and you do not see results, the Chromium will help. Make sure you get it from a health food place or one of the brands that health food stores carry.
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
21 Jun 09
congrats on the weight lose! it's a tough thing to do. I had lost 17 lbs and five have snuck back on me......I don't know about what our ancestors ate that would be different..but it's interesting that you have taken chromiuim and lose while taking it!
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
22 Jun 09
It was not until the chromium that I started to lose weight steady. And you are talking to a lady who does a lot of walking as well. I used to think that my body adapted to the walking, but unfortunately I cannot run that fast. (yes, think of the old 6 Million Dollar Man or Woman) and the scene where they are running very slowly.) that's me. Then I read up on what our ancestors ate, and remembered that my own grandmother ate a lot of what is considered fattening and arterial blocking, suet puddings, pies, and cakes, and she did not gain weight. There had to be a reason and she was not small boned either.
@Aingealicia (1905)
• United States
27 Jun 09
Congratulations first off. I remember those days. Also be careful with the chromium. Check what kind you are taking and be mindful of how much you take. Some studies have shown with the wrong chromium it is dangerous.
Ainge
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
21 Jun 09
Hey, I just started chromium, too! It's supposed to control the urge to overeat and chocolate cravings, my son said. I'm also taking B12. Congrats on the weight loss!
I got a head start on my weight loss when I had my appendectomy a month ago, I've lost 15 pounds. It certainly broke a lot of my bad habits and eating isn't all that important to me anymore. I also cut way back on sodium--I used to love to buy the low calorie frozen dinners but they're loaded with sodium. I rarely use my microwave anymore, it's mostly vegetables and meat freshly prepared to avoid the sodium in prepared or frozen foods. I feel much better and I'm sure it has something to do with my weight loss.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
16 Jan 10
I suppose that means the urge to overeat on milk chocolate. I heard that dark chocolate is good for you. I am now to 195 lb. and am at a plateau, but really I also have to find something that will get rid of my belly fat. My hips are down but my waist is too big and exercise does not help nor diet. So I might need a medication that would help.
@taface412 (3175)
• United States
2 Jul 09
Congrats on the weight loss.
And I think you are on to something back in those days they didn't have all the convieninces we have now which actually leads to more fat buildup.
I take a mutli daily as well as a vitamin D 1000IU and Vitamin B-12....all that helps my fatigue.
Keep up the good work. It's well worth it the further you go.
1 person likes this
@mariposaman (2959)
• Canada
21 Jun 09
There is no magic one ingredient that will make you lose weight. Like a previous poster said, our ancestors had activity in abundance as part of their everyday life. They would walk everywhere.
I am of the firm belief, other than the availability of unlimited high calorie food and lack of activity, that hormones do tend to leak into our food supply. Plastics and the growth hormones, as well as antibiotics in the feed of animals are leaking into our bodies. If you have growth hormones to fatten the cattle, and eat the cattle, well duh! The antibiotics are there for fattening up the cattle too. Same with milk. USA has approved a growth hormone to stimulate milk production. It is injected into cows, but supposedly it magically disappears in the milk when the milk comes out.
If you do not believe we are not getting enough exercise, one has only to look at our kids. They are cloistered inside by paranoid parent afraid of them being snatched off the street by some pervert, they watch tv and play video games all day. They are driven by mamma to school or bussed. At school they sit all day, and most places have cancelled physical education courses. Then they are bussed home, loaded up with homework that they have again to sit at a desk for 3 or 4 hours in order to complete it. Meanwhile they are consuming junk food and soda pop, even in the school cafeterias as well as home.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
7 Jul 09
Sounds all right, but there is a problem. If you eat food that contains antibiotics, and that has fattening ingredients, you have to add something to your diet to overcome that fattening ingredient or find meat that is from cows and sheep and goats that live on the land and not in feed lots. Unfortunately the meat that comes from grass fed cattle is more expensive. And that meat you get from feed lots, you can do a lot of walking, exercising, and eating so called right, but you will not lose the fat. As I once asked someone, do I forgo sleep and walk all night to lose the weight?
So this chromium helps.
@momtrying2makeit (3270)
• United States
21 Jun 09
I am working my way to that myself. I have been carrying around a lot of weight so my hope is to get under 200 very soon. I know I am not eating right so I think it might take longer than I would like. I think I might go over to my neighbors and see what I weigh. Take care and congrats on the weight loss. 
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
23 Jun 09
I put my bathroom scale downstairs so I would not have to look at it, because it used to be so disappointing that I had not lost even that one or two lb a week they recommended and I had visions of not going to any special occasions or dos where it was the only time you got a treat. And I had stopped baking cookies, etc. at home because I did not want all that temptation.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
23 Jun 09
Thwey do add to many fillers in our meat and we dont know for sure what kinds of shots or other things that our meat gets that we buy in the stores.
I know some of it dont taste like it used to.
So we must lack alot of things
Way To Go!
1 person likes this
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
23 Jun 09
Good for you, I hope that you are taking it slow.
1 person likes this
@lagirl1966 (709)
• United States
24 Jun 09
congradulations on getting below 200!! I am trying despretly to get there. So far, I have lost 11 pounds, which puts me at 208 right now so I am getting close. What made this happen was exercise, and finding out I am diabetic. Also I have gastroparesis which means my stomach moves very very slow so I can only eat certain things and very small amounts. I cannot eat a regular size meal. So I am very happy about this. I have never heard of meat that can do that though. I take multivitamins to. But I have alot of health problems also. I hope that exercise and eating will change that.
1 person likes this
@eighternity (363)
• Philippines
22 Jun 09
You must maintain your good food diet and exercise. Eat something forbidden is possible. Just eat it when weekends and not too much.
1 person likes this
@gypsywoman344 (214)
• United States
22 Jun 09
CONGRATULATIONS! That's a really tough mark to Pass. Your doing a really fine job and keep it up. Tell us more about the camdium?
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