Welcome to Weight Loss and Dieting 2010

[Barb135]

Well, we are officially ending a year and beginning another.  Wishing everyone the best New Year ever.  

As we know a new year seems like the time to make new commitments, because we are making a "fresh start" or new beginning.  Now is the time to rethink options and make our resolutions  It's time to decide what we are going to do for the next year, regarding our weight loss efforts.  

I know there are a lot who are having health issues and of course, LIFE takes over sometimes and we don't seem to be able to follow through with our commitments.  

There are many different methods of losing weight -- a new diet comes along almost every day; new articles are printed in magazines with suggestions of all kinds, from diets to exercise routines and of course, they all profess to be the best.  

I still find that making small changes and taking baby steps is the safest way to go.  Lifestyle changes that we will stick to are by far the best........

If you want something badly enough, you can achieve it, whether it's for health reasons, self esteem or any other reason.

What are your plans?  Are you following a program that's working -- if so, maybe you'd be willing to tell us about it - whether it's a diet or exercise plan?  Are you looking for a program that will work for YOU?  Are you an emotional eater?  Do you have a body "image" problem (think you're fat, when the numbers say you aren't).  Have you lost the desired amount of weight and are now "maintaining"?  Whatever your issues or situation, we'd like to hear them.  

Whatever weight loss issues you might have, I'm challenging all our members (both old timers  and new comers) to make a commitment for their weight loss and to make every effort to follow through.  

HAPPIEST OF NEW YEARS.................
barb

[Barb135]

I'm not familiar with that diet; is there a reason why you chose that particular diet?  A quick "google" search tells me that it's used mostly for those with ADHD and it seems that there's controversy over its effectiveness.  

Maybe you could start a separate post about it.

[shoshee]

I'm trying to refocus on taking charge of my health and to loose weight.  Does anyone know if there's any discussion anywhere about the Feingold diet?

[Barb135]

Wow -- I'm sorry I didn't respond to your message sooner.

Can  you tell us how you lost the 140 pounds and what did you change that caused you to gain it all back?  That would be a start, then we can help you get back into another "losing streak"........

[savvyanne]

Hello all! I am back in the game after a lengthy hiatus (5 years). I managed to loose 140 pounds and then in a 5 year period gained every pound back. I am not looking for a quick fix but I am in search of some motivation and support. Is there anyone out there who can offer me some advice?


cheers :)

[Barb135]

Hi chapina106; welcome to the forum.  Sorry I'm a bit late in responding here, but we have been addressing your issues in the post you started a couple of days ago.

I'm hoping that you will be able to get on a program that you will be able to stick with from now on.

[chapina106]

I have recently done the HCG diet and lost 38 pounds and I have about 40 more to go but I don't want to keep doing the HCG.  I have started exercising everyday, mainly doing 45 min walking/running intervals.  I am a bit frustrated because I have gained like 4 pounds since I starting working out... What can I do, I am really determined to keep loosing weight not gain it back.. I have done that strenuous HCG and I know I can be discipline to continue but at this point I don't know where to go from here, can you help?

[Barb135]

Welcome to the community.  Sorry I've been slow to respond.  

We have a post each Sunday in which we list our current weight and whether we are up or down.  Actually, we have 2 of them.  One is the "Challenge Post"; the other is the Sunday Weigh in.  Watch for them both; feel free to add your weight tracker to either or both.

[suzie1975]

I signed up for the challenge :)  Do I need to share my weight tracker or do I just share info here?

[Barb135]

Hi there -- welcome aboard.  As marryjane said, just post your questions, frustrations or whatever it is and we will do what we can to help you.

Would like to point out that we have a challenge going on right now that you are welcome to join. You can find it at the following link -- look forward to seeing you there......

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Weight-Loss--Dieting/THE-CHALLENGE-RAISING-THE-STAKES-/show/1294159

[marrygane]

No matter what the amount you need to lose, they are all here, prepared to help. feel free to post together with your particulars and they will do what they can to help, whether it is motivation, support, advice or whatever you need.
hgh

[suzie1975]

I was researching something for an online class I'm taking when I found medhelp. I've struggled with my weight on and off since the birth of my children. I look forward to any tips I can recieve.

[Barb135]

Hi Greg -- Welcome aboard.......

25 lbs in 8 weeks is a pretty hefty goal.  Usually the recommended weight loss is 1.5 - 2 lbs, but we can see what we do to help you get off as much as possible.

Maybe it would be good if you start a separate thread and give us an idea of your food intake and exercise habits.  We can then help you decide which foods you might need to but back on or increase, along with ideas for getting exercise to help burn calories.

Again, welcome aboard.  

[Greg_P]

I am a guy who is about to turn 37 and whose sister is having a wedding in eight weeks. I need to lose 25 pounds because I am giving her away and have to fit back into my suite.

[Barb135]

I'm sorry I haven't responded to your post -- unfortunately, I have an elderly aunt who has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and I seem to stay pretty busy getting her back and forth to doctor appts, treatments, etc, on top of holding down a full time job and trying to keep my own home livable............

Reading you latest post -- I have to say: I was not obese as a younger woman either; in fact, I was usually under or right at my ideal weight, right up till early 2007, when I began gaining like there was no tomorrow.  I talked to my doctor and his answer was "eat less, move more"...........in a matter of 3 months, I had gained 30 pounds without eating more or moving less than I had been.  I began truly eating less and moving more in an effort to lose (after all, that's what my doctor told me to do) - to no avail.......

A year later, in 2008, I insisted on getting my thyroid tested; and lo and behold, my doctor had previously been wrong -- eating less and moving more would do me no good whatsoever because I was hypothyroid.  As it turned out, I have an autoimmune disease (Hashimoto's Thyroiditis) in which antibodies attack and destroy the thyroid.  

It took a long time to get my levels back to something resembling normal, but we finally did that - oh, by the way, THAT doctor got kicked to the curb.  My levels are still not quite right, but at least I *can* lose weight if I work hard at it........

All of that said -- I'm wondering if you need to get tested for hypothyroidism.  While you are at it, you might want to get tested for insulin resistance/type II diabetes, which also causes weight gain/inability to lose.  

We started a "challenge" a couple of weeks ago and we've just put up a couple of new posts to make it all more interesting.  Please feel free to join us............

[DianeCA]

Thanks Barb. Well, I had 200 to lose, quite honestly, and 12 are gone so far. I am finding that "journaling" everything I eat in the food diary is crucial -- and that being dishonest in the food diary is very counterproductive LOL. I am 50years old and was not obese as a younger woman, but I always did struggle with 5-20 pounds I wanted to lose. As the years went by the 20 grew (obviously) and now I am not fit to do much of anything for anyone, which makes me very sad. I am very motivated to change this situation and contribute something to the world for the rest of my life (I mean, rather than contributing to the financial wellbeing of fast food restaurants and other makers of food-crap.  :)   I am keeping it 1500-1800 calories a day for now. So I am also getting up early every morning to follow along with a video workout. I am sure if anyone saw my attempts to follow it they would fall down laughing, but I know I am moving and that's a start. At my office, they supply bountiful amounts of bottled water, so I am also attempting to get 4 of those into me every day (along with other liquids I drink). And I am trying to get the right amount of sleep, although I don't sleep that great right now. ANYWAY. Those are all the physical things I am trying to do, and like I said 12 pounds is gone so that's a start. I could use a little emotional support however, so here I am.  :)

[Barb135]

Hi Diane -- I think we have some who have pretty close to that to lose; I, personally, am trying to lose about 40, which seems like a lot.

We do have one member who has already lost well over 100 pounds and is still losing.  

No matter what the amount you have to lose, we are all here, ready to help.  Please feel free to post with your particulars and we will do what we can to help, whether it's motivation, support, advice or whatever you need.

Welcome

[DianeCA]

Hi, I am brand new here, and I am wondering if there is anyone here who has a LOT of weight to lose. I mean like 100-200 pounds to lose. ??

[mrs5077]

Hello all, I am new to the weight loss forum. I have been on a few of the pregnancy forums, but never ventured away from there. I had my baby 21months ago and had a lot of weight to lose. I finanlly got serious about my weight loss in January 2010, but also had some other issues going on. Long story short, I have lost a lot of weight (approx. 45lbs) the wrong way. I am 5'4" and started out at 238lbs. I am now 193lbs and still have a long way too go. I know that what I have done was not safe, and want to be healthy, I just don't know where or how to start. I have been trying to make better food choices, but have not seen any results. I don't want to get discouraged, but it's hard not to. I am ready to take charge and get fit and would like any advice to help me get started. The weight that I have already lost is nice, but if I don't change anything, i know it won't be long before it and a few more lbs come back. Please help me!!

[Barb135]

Welcome to the forum; happy to have you aboard.  

We try to provide support and ideas for our members.  Feel free to post questions whenever you have them; in addition, sometimes there are challenges, etc to participate in.

Is there something we can do to help you get started?

[mariposa700]

I'm ready to start doing something about my weight as well.  I joined the Better U program by the American Heart Association.  They help you set reasonable goals towards loosing weight and being more healthy.  Here is a link to the website.
http://www.goredforwomen.org/BetterU/index.aspx

[Barb135]

Welcome.  30 lbs by June is a pretty tall wish - that's only one month.  The safest weight loss is approx 1-2 lbs/week.  

Feel free to join our discussions and get ideas to help -- there's always next year's anniversary to shoot for.............lol

[marrygane]

I'm  wanting  to have 30 pounds off by the time my  anniversary  rolls  round  in June -- not  certain  if that will  occur  or not, but I'm going to give it my best shot; and if I don't  do well  -- I'll just  extend  trying.  
hgh

[gokuangel]

TY! I know i dont have to but i am so busy working 7 a days week leaves me hardly any time and when i actually get a moment i am so tired!!

[Barb135]

hey there -- welcome back........sorry to hear about your 10 pound gain, but so good to see you back.  It's good if you can hit the gym again, but you don't have to wait for that -- don't forget that walking is an excellent way to move some of those pounds; not to mention that you can go online and download all types of exercises.........