www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall WHAT HELPS YOU LOOSE WEIGHT?

What works best for y'all?

I use green tea and black tea mixed with honey and lemon and that really reduces cravings for food. But, I am not able to be really active due to the RSD and Dystonic Spasms I have. I am totally frustrated!

Dear Pani Rose,

Ofcourse exercise together with dieting is the optimum...but not everyone, like you, can do that, but weight can still be lost--do not despair!!

Limiting your calories to 1200 max. is essential. I always calorie count, but within that calorie count, food should be healthful, lean, and for us women, starches should be limited to no more than four servings a day..two to three is best for losing weight. (one serving is: 1/2 cup pasta or rice; one slice bread or one ounce of bread; three ounces potato) Lots of veggies are good as their calories should not even be counted, and protein should be as lean as can be: chicken, legumes, low fat beef, turkey, egg, and lower fat and calorie cheeses such as mozarella and feta (no more than two ounces a day)...

Incase you're wondering, I learned the calories, suggestions and portions of everything many years ago at Weight Watcher's... before they started their newer point system. I still think that there portion/exchange system (the above is derived from it) was their best program and the best way to learn to eat nutritionally and balanced and when followed, weight loss was always a guarantee. I always fall back to it when I start gaining weight due to careless eating...and it is so easy to live on it because it really isn't a diet!

I like to add legumes or lean meat and/or and sauteed veggies with pasta for a satisfying meal. You can sautee veggies in a non-stick pan with a spray of Pam olive oil spray (another weight watcher's trick), and a teaspoon only of olive oil...if you need more liquid, canned chicken or vegetable broth is very low calorie and low fat. Weight Watcher's also taught that tomato sauce is the best type of sauce if you need or want some type of sauce on food/pasta/etc. It is also quick to make these one dish meals. Ofcourse, my husband thinks that I must have Italian blood in me because of my love for pasta (never more than one cup which equals two bread servings)...

Personally, for some reason, alot of my hunger is often psychological or 'mouth' hunger. Chewing gum always seems to help me stop the craving of feeling like putting food in my mouth.

Hope this helps! Remember that perseverence and commitment are essential...and after ten days of a well balanced lower calorie diet, you should see some weight loss...and thereafter, every 7-10 days again. It takes time.

Alice, who is always battling weight and is generally successful when doing the right thing.

I have found a wonderful remedy. A cup of boiling water with cinnamon and raw honey. I also add ginger and cloves. I've been drinking a cup every morning and see significant changes in the last couple of weeks. Prior to that, it seemed like nothing worked. Cinnamon and raw honey have many other health benefits as well...

Dear Anna,

Does this concoction help curb your appetite or does it actually help you lose weight? If it helps you lose weight, are you eating all the same amounts and types of food as before?

Thanks,
Alice

Thank you so much Alice. You always have a wonderful straight forward way of putting things Actually, I can use only 690 calories a day to loose weight. My cardiologist was a delight ( he recently died of an aneurism). Also, I have Balancelog on my computer, which I guess I need to pull out and use (I had put it in the unused desktop file). Your words were very convincing about that. I have always thought about Weight Watchers, but I think I am chicken

Anna that is an awesome idea. Ginger is actually an anti-spasmaitic. Cinnamon is the oldest spice known to man, it also balances out the sugars/carbs in your body. When you control your gylcemic balance, you can control your cravings. A lot of diabetics actually control their sugar with cinnamon. Cloves has eugenol which is a pain killer (we use to use in the dental clinic when I was in the Air Force). It makes since to to use cloves since it aids in digestion or getting rid of the gas that sometimes occurs in the stomach.

Alice, I have re-read your post several times. I THINK I AM LAZY!

Dear Pani Rose,

Weight Watcher's groups are always groups of really nice, supportive, understanding and loving men and women who are all in the same boat...they are almost like a nice church community without the church!

Infact, they are so nice, that they can become the highlight of the week (besides going to church) to look forward to!

I haven't gone to the meetings in years, though I remember them quite fondly and highly recommend them. Fortunately, I attended for enough years that everything I learned stuck with me...and the best thing about their diet is that it is real food that you prepare, balanced, no food is eliminated completely, you can eat out, and joining is extremely inexpensive compared to any other diet center or group.

And as for laziness about dieting and cooking, the meetings give you the kind of boost to want to do it. It is also something which you can do with your daughter, your friends, and even your husband, and even if they don't go with you, they can benefit from it at home!

Alice, (who is getting no payment for endorsing Weight Watchers!)

Pani,

I'm a young man, whereas I'm assuming you are not (;)), so we may have very different needs, but basically I just try to eat a good amount of fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, try to get greens in a meal at least once a day, etc. Drinking green tea is good. Drinking lots and lots of water is good, because your body won't hold as much water weight as it otherwise would because it's always expecting to be replenished.

Also, eating four or five smaller meals a day instead of, say, two really big meals is a good way to keep your metabolism going. Always try to have breakfast, because your first daily meal really kickstarts your metabolism.

I think even if you did really simple things like staying away from carbonated drinks, drinking lots of water and green tea, and eating many smaller meals instead of fewer larger meals would do a world of good.

Alice's advice of keeping your calorie count low is good advice, but you definitely don't have to starve yourself to lose weight. You just have to eat the right things in the right quantities.

Oh, and Pani, I'm lazy, too...that's why my advice to you is VERY general. I could never measure and do all that kind of stuff. I'm a college student, anyway...when I'm done with class I don't want more work to do in the kitchen or at a restaurant!

Alexis

I just have to work with my metabolism. Getting sick has helped me lose weight before, but under normal conditions two 15 minute brisk walks a day helps me. I don't jog or run because of my knees, the walking builds up my heart rate slowly and gets my blood pumping.

Terry

Alice, I am not eating differently and it doesn't curb my appetite per se, maybe only fill me up a bit more so I don't eat such a big meal. Sort of like when you take a tall glass of water before you eat-you feel a little fuller and thus eat less. I think it has more to do with metabolism and cleansing.

"Eat less...exercise more!"

When I travel to Japan, I eat smaller portions, more vegetables and walk everywhere.
Normally I come back healthier and 10-15 pounds lighter after a two week trip.

Fr. Deacon Daniel

Are we talking about shedding weight or wearing it bouncing flabby around our middles?

BOB

Fr. Deacon Daniel: I assume you are not a middle aged, overweight, hormonally challenged female?!

I have lost over 30Kg in a few months easily by doing the following:

1- Eat anything I desire
2- Eat Not even one bite when I am not hungry
2a- Recognize when I am hungry and when I want to eat just for the fun of it.
3- Make sure I am aware of what I am eating, and why I am eating while eating and before eating.
4- Never eat while watching TV!!!!!!!
5- Sleep well at night, do some physical work at day.

At my workplace, some teachers have started a Weight Watcher's group. A male teacher and I have decided that he will watch my weight, if I will watch his. Works for me! Pass the chocolate.