Slimmers' Thread, Anyone interested in starting a slimmers cafe in 2012? Options

[Dugazon]

It's really hard to stay in control when people say to me "you've not got to worry about your weight any more, go on have that cake/chocolate/drink etc".
Good luck everyone.

This I understand so well - it is really hard to understand for some people that, from obvious health risks aside, there is also such a thing as the weight that makes you feel best about yourself.

I used to have the opposite problem. Because of the unreasonable pressure on performers, and also the immensely exhausting work, I was roundabout 130lbs (I am 5'10) at my skinniest. And I was really unhappy with it and at some point blatantly refused to keep playing along...

The weight I feel best at is between 140 and 145lbs - since I stopped performing and just teach, I put on 10lbs (155lbs). That's still slim in most people's books, but I didn't feel great with it - it's not about the weight as such, it's more about not being toned. So I started exercising again, and I lost 5lbs straightaway (more initially, but I guess that was just water). I still eat absolutely everything I like - in moderation. I eat cake and chocolate, because I think cutting out things you like just makes you feel deprived, and you end up binging at some point.

I'd still like to lose another 5lbs, but not over Christmas. It might well be that it is 10lbs again in January (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Since I always had to look after my weight for stupid professional reasons, I would say one thing though:
Don't eat that low fat labelled stuff. It is usually full of sugar instead (or chemical nasties like sweeteners). Did you ever look at the label of a low fat yoghurt? Some of them have a third of your daily sugar allowance, so you are really just replacing one evil with another. It is not just about the fat if you want to lose weight (although you obviously don't want to have more than a certain amount for health reasons - some slim people are quite "fat inside" because of having too much sat fat). It's about the overall calories you consume and burn off. Your body needs dietary fat, and quite a reasonable amount of it, to function properly. Maybe up your protein a bit, and replace simple carbs with more complex ones, because both keep hunger pangs at bay, but don't cut out the fat completely (or almost). Basing your diet mainly on carbs, especially simple ones like white bread, wreaks havoc with your metabolism, and you'll feel hungry much quicker.

You can virtually eat and drink everything you like (some things in moderation of course), but you need to exercise/be more active if you want to lose weight, and you also need to know your calorie allowances - they can vary wildly! A woman who is obese can still lose weight having more than the ominous 2000 calories a day, whilst a 5'2 woman who is slim but sedentary will definitely put on weight having 2000 calories a day. Get away from the averages you are being forcefed by the media and the food industry every day, and find out your own allowances, if need be with help of your GP.

Also know WHAT you eat. Some things are considered healthy, but they are nutritionally very, er, "dense". I am not a fan of calorie counting in general, but I think some people need to get a better idea of the nutritional values of the stuff they eat and drink (the idea that e.g. alcohol has no part in putting on weight being a prime example). Someone in my closer circle of friends was constantly surprised she wouldn't lose weight, because she would only eat "healthy stuff". Looking at it, she sort of did, but still too much of it, and some of it also very calorific - nuts and unsweetened mueslis e.g. are considered "good foods", but if you have quite generous portions of it, they have a lot of calories.

If you need to lose a lot of weight, maybe really ask your GP for a plan, I am sure they can help.

Best of luck to everyone!

[Seer_Green]

I need to lose weight, and indeed, I have lost weight, but it's a gradual process (I'm fine with that). I've lost just over a stone in the last year. It hasn't come from special dieting or exercise regimes, but just from being sensible. I haven't given anything up, and I have really taken anything up. I try for a brisk walk of at least a mile most days, and I just eat sensibly.

Now, no doubt if I suddenly started going to a gym or cutting things out of my diet, I'd lose more weight faster. But to me, that's a short term solution. I would personally rather make small and manageable changes over a longer period as I think it's more sustainable long term.

The thing I've learnt above all is to keep a regular check on things (I weigh myself every morning and have an app to record it) and don't beat yourself up when it's not going well. I'm trying to be extra sensible over the next week, so that I don't have to worry about it over Christmas when I might not want to keep such an eye on it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) It seems to me, all about balance and moderation.

[Dugazon]

Now, no doubt if I suddenly started going to a gym or cutting things out of my diet, I'd lose more weight faster. But to me, that's a short term solution. I would personally rather make small and manageable changes over a longer period as I think it's more sustainable long term.

Very sensible, and inho the only thing that works - being more active (which doesn't need to be the gym), and making longterm, manageable changes. And also actually allowing yourself the occasional treat (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Halka]

Maybe now that I've had so many replies we could all bite the bullet and list what our current weights are and how many pounds/kg we need to lose to be at our ideal weight (ie. healthy and feeling good)

I'm about 5'6". Just got on the scales and discovered I was 11 stone 12lb. Pleasantly surprised as this is the lowest I've been for ages. No idea why though. I put on weight with consummate ease so could quite well be 12 stone 7lb by the New Year...

Would like to be about 10st 7lb, or a bit less, but could live with 11stone if I could manage to keep it there and not slither gradually back up.

[Ayshah]

It's really hard to stay in control when people say to me "you've not got to worry about your weight any more, go on have that cake/chocolate/drink etc".
Good luck everyone.

... Don't eat that low fat labelled stuff. It is usually full of sugar instead (or chemical nasties like sweeteners). Did you ever look at the label of a low fat yoghurt? Some of them have a third of your daily sugar allowance, so you are really just replacing one evil with another. It is not just about the fat if you want to lose weight (although you obviously don't want to have more than a certain amount for health reasons - some slim people are quite "fat inside" because of having too much sat fat). It's about the overall calories you consume and burn off. Your body needs dietary fat, and quite a reasonable amount of it, to function properly. Maybe up your protein a bit, and replace simple carbs with more complex ones, because both keep hunger pangs at bay, but don't cut out the fat completely (or almost). Basing your diet mainly on carbs, especially simple ones like white bread, wreaks havoc with your metabolism, and you'll feel hungry much quicker...

...Also know WHAT you eat. Some things are considered healthy, but they are nutritionally very, er, "dense". I am not a fan of calorie counting in general, but I think some people need to get a better idea of the nutritional values of the stuff they eat and drink (the idea that e.g. alcohol has no part in putting on weight being a prime example). Someone in my closer circle of friends was constantly surprised she wouldn't lose weight, because she would only eat "healthy stuff". Looking at it, she sort of did, but still too much of it, and some of it also very calorific - nuts and unsweetened mueslis e.g. are considered "good foods", but if you have quite generous portions of it, they have a lot of calories.

If you need to lose a lot of weight, maybe really ask your GP for a plan, I am sure they can help.

Best of luck to everyone!

I totally second this! Even after 3 children I was 8 stone ( I am 5'5") but the pounds came on with a vengence after the 4th child. I hit the gym and exercised like fury and lost a stone but didnt change my eating habits - it all came back - until I was about 14 stone for ever. I tried weightwatcher - no joy!

However this summer I came back from Holiday and found I had lost a stone. I have since lost more and am now 12 stone. It was unexpected and unplanned, but with my GP I kept a daily food diary for a month to look at the changes in my diet.

Two key things were picked up - I had (for no reason at all!) reduced my massive intake of Toast and butter and more importantly I had practically cut out SUGAR from my diet. Its in everything. Fruit included. Read the product labels. I dont touch biscuits and similiar snacks simply because of the dreaded sugar. With the loss of weight I regained my energy and started walking more instead of hanging desperately at the bus stop refusing to walk (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) To ease the hunger I uped my protein and reduced my carbs. It has been a surprise as the body fat has vanished from my back, arms and legs very quickly. Incidently my GP is not enthusiastic about Low Fat diets at all because of the added suger in the products. I still want to loose another 2 stone but intend to take my time. So I will be joining the club in the new year. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[willobie]

I was chronically underweight all my life until I had whooping-cough aged about 35. Since then, I have gained weight steadily until I'm now about 4 stone overweight. I don't eat a huge amount but I do like cream/butter and usually have sugar in coffee etc - also, I do NO exercise whatsoever! Is there any hope...?

W (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[jod]

There is a photo that was taken at my inlaw's ruby wedding that was just the catylist I needed to join weight-watchers. I swear I was barrel shaped. Now I have a waist-line and weigh around 9 stone, which is about right given I'm 4'11" tall, and wear clothes in a size 10-12.

Good luck for those on the weight loss plan.

It's the keep off that's the hard bit. Yes I enjoy a drink or two, but I don't binge. I like cakes and chocolate, but I could not eat a family sized box of choccies anymore or a whole Victoria Sandwich.

Vegetables are my friends, but I don't say know to a juicy bit of steak or a nice bit of fish.

A little of what you fancy does you good on the food front.

[Dugazon]

I was chronically underweight all my life until I had whooping-cough aged about 35. Since then, I have gained weight steadily until I'm now about 4 stone overweight. I don't eat a huge amount but I do like cream/butter and usually have sugar in coffee etc - also, I do NO exercise whatsoever! Is there any hope...?

Of course there is (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

One thing I found immensely helpful when I've been a bit naughty for a while is to just log into "My Fitness Pal" again, even if it is just for a few weeks.

Here's the link: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/

It is free, they have a great community, and above all: It tidies up with the idea that "I haven't eaten THAT much, have I?" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)
You will be surprised how much one can actually clock up in one day without even noticing. It is not about excessive calorie counting, it's about getting a feeling for what you actually eat and being honest with yourself, and very often it will be a lot more than we actually think. Maybe we don't eat massive amounts, but very calorific stuff, or we drink too much fizzy pop.

You actually only need to do it for a short time to get a feeling for how much you should (or shouldn't) eat, but I think a food diary is a very good idea for people to get started.

Their databases are really excellent (not a single food, whether natural or packaged, I haven't found on it yet). They also give you recommendations as to how many calories would be reasonable regarding your current weight, height and lifestyle if you want to either lose, maintain, or put on weight. You can also log your activities.

It is really balanced as well - they for instance waive a red flag if you don't eat enough (low calorie diets are very unhealthy as we all know).

Maybe an idea?

[jod]

Of course the one thing Dugazon did not mention about a low fat diet is how miserable it can make you feel, and what do miserable people often do they EAT and all the wrong things!

Far better to eat that avocado salad, full of all the right sort of fats, and grab a handful of almonds or other foods that are not loaded with cholesterol but do contain fats.

Oily fish three times a week is good for you and tastes delicious. (yum, yum)

Her eating plan ideas, however are brilliant ( I would expect no less) and I would try to call things a long term eating plan, as the 'D' for Diet word tends to lead to people yo-yoing as they do something radical rather than adapt their lifestyle into something they can sustain long term.

If you look at pictures of Dugazon she is stunning, slim, with clear skin and a testament to the eating and fitness plan she recommends.

She is perfectly right about how nutritionally dense people overall are: something I became only too aware of when weaning Matthew and trying to protect him from hidden salt.

Best comment: "I haven't put any salt in it!"
"But what about the OXO cube?"
"Oh yes, I've put an OXO cube in it!"

[Dugazon]

If you look at pictures of Dugazon she is stunning, slim, with clear skin and a testament to the eating and fitness plan she recommends.

Thanks, not so sure about the clear skin though: I suffer from Rosacea quite badly, has nothing to do with my diet though, but simply with the fact that I inherited my redhead-dad's skin.
Certain foods trigger my Rosacea though, so it's not great if you love Chillies as much as I do and then need to suffer the consequences. I do it anyway, that's what good make-up is for (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

She is perfectly right about how nutritionally dense people overall are:

Certainly true, although I was mainly referring to nutritionally dense foods with that comment (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Czerny]

It is not just about the fat if you want to lose weight (although you obviously don't want to have more than a certain amount for health reasons - some slim people are quite "fat inside" because of having too much sat fat)...

This rang a few alarm bells for me (although I did have my cholesterol tested not that long ago and it was fine). I'd be grateful for any tips on how to muster the willpower to eat more healthily and avoid junk.

She is perfectly right about how nutritionally dense people overall are:

Certainly true, although I was mainly referring to nutritionally dense foods with that comment (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[jod]

She is perfectly right about how nutritionally dense people overall are:

Certainly true, although I was mainly referring to nutritionally dense foods with that comment (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

I love the English Language! Even as a native I a can miss double-entendres!

You are right about Chillies and Rosacea though, you just hide it extremely well in all the photos I've seen.

You are referring to foods like Salmon that have a high vitamin and mineral content in addition to their protein contents, and things like various beans and pulses, things like quinoa, which along with being a good source of carbs is a protein source and has trace elements of various minerals.

When I found I had an intolerance to potatoes, I looked at the other sources of carbs and which ones I actually liked. I found I lost weight and had very little restriction on my diet as I like pasta, rice, couscous and quinoa and can cook around them. Couscous is my main potato substitute on the days the rest of the family have spuds. We already ate quite a lot of pasta and rice anyway, and home cooking was not a new idea. The quinoa was the new thing, and everyone liked it.

[katemorrisviolin]

Agree about not going for diet foods. Better to have a small portion of what you really fancy, eat it slowly and enjoy it, then do some exercise! Protein, good fats and carbohydrates are essential nutrients, but I don't think that refined sugar is. But I don't think you should worry about fructose in fruit, fruit is very good for you for the soluble fibre, and even experts on diabetes recommend diabetics eat alot of fruit, as the health benefits outweigh the sugar content. Alot of fruit is surprisingly low GI, for example cherries are low GI, whch is counter-intuitive as they taste so sweet. Fat and protein plays an important role in satiety too, which is vital if you're cutting back on your intake. Who wants to be hungry, eh?

[katica]

I'm not sure I want to confess my weight on a public forum ( (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) ) but I need to lose somewhere around 10-12kg, which is an awful lot. I have the good and bad fortune that any extra weight gets very well spread around, so I can put on quite a lot of weight without it showing too much.

Unfortunately, taking up the oboe didn't help my weight situation at all. Yoga and some of my other exercise time went out the window in order to make time for practice. At first I was thrilled at how well my abdominal muscles were toning up with all the oboe practice and failed to pay proper attention to the detrimental effects of less exercise. Now I have to find a better balance.

I'm quite pleased that I haven't put on more weight in the last two months following surgery. I've walked - important for recovery - but not enough to be deemed proper exercise and I've been pretty sensible about my diet.

Hanging out with musicians has also been my downfall. Far too much booze! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[jod]

The declaration of weight thing: far easier when you weigh the right amount for your height.