Sorta Alli spin off... "Casual" Dieters

Has anyone found anything out there that helps when you want to lose 10 or 15 lbs?

I drink green tea religiously, work out regularly and watch what I eat-- and eat every 2 to 3 hours, I drink a glass of water first thing in the AM to stimulate my metabolism...

What else can I do to stimulate weight loss??

Message edited 6/15/2007 10:06:13 AM.

Re: Sorta Alli spin off... "Casual" Dieters

for me it's cutting back on unhealthy carbs and sugars- if I do that- I drop the weight right away

Re: Sorta Alli spin off... "Casual" Dieters

Track the calories of everything that you put into your mouth! I've been dong this for a month now and I am very surprised at how quickly calories add up, even when you think you are eating healthy! I use 1 of 2 sites:

CalorieKing

Spark People

ETA: I lost 10 lbs in 1 month. I wasn't very good for 1 of those weeks, I could have lost more, but lost my focus!

Message edited 6/18/2007 3:38:11 PM.

Re: Sorta Alli spin off... "Casual" Dieters

heres what works for me:
definitely calorie count, make every calorie count nutritionally & measure servings

add a lemon wedge to your morning water

in addition to eating high fiber foods, get a fiber mix (citrucel makes a chocolate one that is very good, even mixed with water and ice in the blender)...its sold in the stomach remedy/medicine isle (like metamucil) but it helps keep you full for like only 50 calories. All fiber!! A delcious snack would be 1 scoop of that, 1 banana, ice and water all in the blender. YUM for 150 calories..and very filling.

eliminate caffeine (caffeine makes me thirsty which can add to hunger/thirst confusion). I also come down in weight when I stop drinking any kind of tea or coffee with milk and sugar ... (obviously!) hard to estimate calories at 7-11!

I choose to eliminate artificial sweetners b/c I feel it tricks my body into wanting more sugar...I'd rather limit my real sugar intake.

High fiber, protien & low sugar breakfast. Try plain yogurt with a 1/2 serving of high fiber & protien cereal mixed in (like trader joes high fiber Oh's)...that keeps me very full.

I also play mind tricks on myself for not being lazy...if someone asks me to do something I ordinarily wouldn't do ... I think "well, this could only help me burn calories!"

and some other, maybe obvoius tips:
no alcohol
no sugar (meaning, no foods w/added sugar except high fiber fruits (fruits that take the longest to digest like apples)
the glycemic index can help you measure what is affecting your blood sugar...low glycemic index foods are best for preventing the storage of excess fat!!
don't eat after 6pm or 7pm

well those are some of my tips!!

Message edited 6/18/2007 8:31:26 PM.

Re: Sorta Alli spin off... "Casual" Dieters

thanks girls...

I have a hard time cutting out carbs since I am a vegetarian-- but I eat all lite carbs and have only three servings a day, with each serving not only being low in calories, but also high in fiber and protein.

I also count calories religiously. If I ate any less calories-- I would probably be malnourished!

I keep a food diary and don't stray from my meals, etc. Or try my best not to.

Anyway-- I will just keep it up for a couple of weeks. I am down a pound and a half for the week-- I guess I will see how the next few weeks go.

That laziness trick-- gotta try that!

No eating after 6 or 7-- not possible. I am usually not home from work yet, and then I still have to hit the gym. If I work later than 7-- I skip the gym, but i still do cardio in the AM.

Re: Sorta Alli spin off... "Casual" Dieters

maybe you aren't eating enough calories and your body is in starvation mode

and what about your protein intake - since you a veg

maybe you should see a nutritionist (spelling)

Re: Sorta Alli spin off... "Casual" Dieters

Re: Sorta Alli spin off... "Casual" Dieters

Do you eat chicken? Or is it strictly red meat you cut out?

Sometimes its not so much the calorie count as it is the fat content. Low calorie foods can still be high in fat. Check that as well.

Lots of salads w/ grilled chicken and/or tuna is great w/ minimal dressing; unless its some sort of balsamic.

I found having that for lunch and dinner --- made me drop a few pounds. And lots of protein. Egg whites.........also the Fage or any 0% Greek yogurt, you can mix any fruit in it and have that as a meal as well.

Re: Sorta Alli spin off... "Casual" Dieters

Message edited 6/19/2007 7:11:03 PM.

Re: Sorta Alli spin off... "Casual" Dieters

QUOTE]

Well, I actually follow a diet that I got from a nutritionist... and basically, on average, I eat about 1000 to 1200 calories a day. ETA-- I have been following this diet for the past years-- some times more strict than other times.

I eat very balanced meals, with the proper servings as well as snacks.




but it's no longer working- right?
that sound like very little carolie intake- you metoblism needs to be jump started

I would go see another nutrionist if I were you

Re: Sorta Alli spin off... "Casual" Dieters

You are working out and only eating 1200 calories...that is really too few calories in my opinon.

Re: Sorta Alli spin off... "Casual" Dieters

Message edited 6/19/2007 9:17:24 PM.

Re: Sorta Alli spin off... "Casual" Dieters

I do think that I have been dieting for too long-- but I id try eating more-- and I just gained weight.

I just recently started working out again-- so, I hope that that is the one part of the equation that was missing-- although, with the way I eat, I should not have gained the weight I did.

I'll keep up the working out-- and go from there.

Re: Sorta Alli spin off... "Casual" Dieters

Re: Sorta Alli spin off... "Casual" Dieters

I am definitely going to reach out to a nutritionist again-- but was just going to hold off to see where my new efforts get me.

While I don't sit around on my arse all day-- I walk 2 miles a day as part of my commute, etc., I have not really exercised regularly for two years-- been to the gym off and on-- but I always fall off the wagon. I am making a commitment to myself to just stick to it this time. Enough is enough.

But on the other side-- I am always watching what I eat and my indulgences are kept to a minimum. I am not totally strict-- but, I eat pretty healthy on a regular basis. I don't know where the ten pounds came on-- cause it's not like I am eating fast food every day, etc. So-- there has to be something up with what I am doing.

Re: Sorta Alli spin off... "Casual" Dieters

I honestly think you metabolism is at a stand still

you are getting too few calories and your body is storing everything it can

even when I diet hardcore- I still let myself cheat on sunday- this has always worked for me in terms of keeping my metabolism from slowing down

Re: Sorta Alli spin off... "Casual" Dieters

I agree-- which is why I started weight training again also.

I also just reached out to a nutrionist-- cause, I guess why wait...

I really don't eat enough to not be skinny!

Anyway-- thanks for the insight!

Re: Sorta Alli spin off... "Casual" Dieters

good luck! I hope you can get back to where you want to be!

working out will help- I am starting to work out again - but for me it's always been the eating part that is more important

Re: Sorta Alli spin off... "Casual" Dieters

thanks-- I have already lost a pound or two after a week or so of being back on track.

Hopefully I can be put on a meal plan that still stimulate my metabolism... Right now-- I do all the tricks to keep it working.

Re: Sorta Alli spin off... "Casual" Dieters

If you’re doing just cardio, you should try to add some weight training.

I agree with everyone here that you’re eating too little. Also, as you’ve cut out meat, are you getting sufficient amounts of protein? Cottage cheese is an excellent source.

You should definitely check out Body For Life. It really works so well. And the programme gives lots of guidelines about what you should eat and how much, as well as the frequency and types of exercise you should be doing in order to see results (I was actually surprised by how little you need to do!). It also tells you why – ie what’s going on in your body based on what you’re eating and how you’re exercising – and I think that’s what helped me understand and stick with it more than anything else.