Aa
Special K Challenge
So just wanted to update everyone so far on my success with the Kellogg's Special K 2 week weight loss challenge.. I started Tuesday, so today was my 3rd day.. my total calorie intake for today was only 1075.. I've had over 80 oz of water though.. Within the past 3 days I've lost a total of 5 lbs, and decreased my BMI from 28.6 to 28.2.. My start weight was 196 and now it is 191.. I'm also kinda tall for a girl.. about 5'8'' or 5'9''.... My BMI needs to get below 28 to be considered normal. Right now I'm just borderline normal and over weight. It's a GREAT feeling to be that close.. I've been border line obese for years!! So this is pretty exciting!! I would recommend this challenge to anyone who wants a quick and easy way to start their weight loss goals.. It's only a 2 week challenge.. But I'm thinking of continuing it.. if the results keep up.. I LOVE it! Just drink lots n lots of water to keep yourself feeling full. I will update again in a couple days with new results. :)
COMMUNITY LEADER
Like OytheGreat, I don't like to rain on your parade, but I have to agree with everything she said.
Crash/fad diets are not something sustainable - meaning you can't keep it up indefinitely; therefore, they are never a good idea. Don't get me wrong - I like Special K, but would not depend on it as my "path to thinness". It's true that most people who undertake such "diets", ultimately gain back all the weight they lost, and some gain back MORE than they lost.
You need to pick a diet and exercise plan that you can stick with over the years.
For a person who is 5'8" and 190 lbs, 1075 calories is basically starvation; I'm only 5' tall, but even when I weighed only 110 pounds, I couldn't sustain a 1000 calorie/day diet. Your body requires a certain number of calories/day, just to function; if you don't provide those calories, you will make yourself ill, and it's not necessarily the kind of ill that you feel right now; it's the kind of ill that creeps up on you, over the years. You must also provide you body with a good balance of nutrients. Trust me, I've been down that road.
Crash/fad diets are not something sustainable - meaning you can't keep it up indefinitely; therefore, they are never a good idea. Don't get me wrong - I like Special K, but would not depend on it as my "path to thinness". It's true that most people who undertake such "diets", ultimately gain back all the weight they lost, and some gain back MORE than they lost.
You need to pick a diet and exercise plan that you can stick with over the years.
For a person who is 5'8" and 190 lbs, 1075 calories is basically starvation; I'm only 5' tall, but even when I weighed only 110 pounds, I couldn't sustain a 1000 calorie/day diet. Your body requires a certain number of calories/day, just to function; if you don't provide those calories, you will make yourself ill, and it's not necessarily the kind of ill that you feel right now; it's the kind of ill that creeps up on you, over the years. You must also provide you body with a good balance of nutrients. Trust me, I've been down that road.
I tried something similar to this, only I was eating 1100 calories instead. On day 4, I was so weak I could hardly climb a flight of stairs, which is not normal for me.
Losing more than 2 lbs a week isn't safe. Eating 1075 calories a day isn't safe either. In fact, drastic calorie restriction has the potential to lead to some very serious health issues.
I don't like raining on your parade, but every time I see a Special K challenge ad or any advertisement promising more than 2 lbs a week of weight loss, I chalk it up to false advertising. Any diet plan/pill/supplement/exercise program that starts off by promising so much loses all credibility with me. You can lose more than 2 lbs of weight a week, but it won't be fat that you're losing.
However, if you're careful, you can turn this into something positive, a good jump start into healthy eating.
My advice would be to gradually increase your calorie intake, but add the good stuff: lean protein, whole wheat, vegetables, fruit. Try researching the glycemic index. Low glycemic index foods seem to be universally beneficial when it comes to weight loss.
And if you haven't already, you can add some light exercise, like walking, as well as some light strength-training.
Since eating well will always be a way of life, not merely 2 weeks of dieting, you'll have to adapt some healthy habits beyond 14 days in order to maintain the loss.
Sorry if I'm coming off too harsh. I've spent most of my adult life battling obesity. I've talked to doctors, nutritionists, and have tried just about everything there is to try. I've also been involved in 6 years of team weight loss challenges. So far, there's a 100% failure rate amongst those who start off by sharply restricting their calorie intake.
Weight loss is a bit like the tortoise and the hare story, a slow steady march to the finish is what will win the day. :)
Losing more than 2 lbs a week isn't safe. Eating 1075 calories a day isn't safe either. In fact, drastic calorie restriction has the potential to lead to some very serious health issues.
I don't like raining on your parade, but every time I see a Special K challenge ad or any advertisement promising more than 2 lbs a week of weight loss, I chalk it up to false advertising. Any diet plan/pill/supplement/exercise program that starts off by promising so much loses all credibility with me. You can lose more than 2 lbs of weight a week, but it won't be fat that you're losing.
However, if you're careful, you can turn this into something positive, a good jump start into healthy eating.
My advice would be to gradually increase your calorie intake, but add the good stuff: lean protein, whole wheat, vegetables, fruit. Try researching the glycemic index. Low glycemic index foods seem to be universally beneficial when it comes to weight loss.
And if you haven't already, you can add some light exercise, like walking, as well as some light strength-training.
Since eating well will always be a way of life, not merely 2 weeks of dieting, you'll have to adapt some healthy habits beyond 14 days in order to maintain the loss.
Sorry if I'm coming off too harsh. I've spent most of my adult life battling obesity. I've talked to doctors, nutritionists, and have tried just about everything there is to try. I've also been involved in 6 years of team weight loss challenges. So far, there's a 100% failure rate amongst those who start off by sharply restricting their calorie intake.
Weight loss is a bit like the tortoise and the hare story, a slow steady march to the finish is what will win the day. :)
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Weight Loss and Fitness Community
14 super-healthy foods that are worth the hype
Small changes make a big impact with these easy ways to cut hundreds of calories a day.
Forget the fountain of youth – try flossing instead! Here are 11 surprising ways to live longer.
From STD tests to mammograms, find out which screening tests you need - and when to get them.
Tips and moves to ease backaches
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
