Weight Loss

[dfw2sfo]

Just wondering if others can't understand their lack of will power over either diet or exercise. I've been with my totally hot boyfriend for 5 years and have gained 100 pounds in that time. I belong to a gym but can't seem to motivate myself at all. My boyfriend is very sweet and is nothing but supportive.

 

It's not just an aesthetic thing either. I sweat and get hot so easily that it is uncomfortable. The weight contributes to not wanting to be active and it's an awful cycle. I also get winded very easily.

 

I don't understand what makes others so accepting that exercise and diet control are part of their lives and I have such trouble.

 

My parents are both overweight with my father being especially heavy. I've been in therapy recently with one trying to delve deeply into my past and how I might be injured as a child and the other not understanding a lack of motivation. I was let go by that therapist.

 

I know, "wah, wah wah wah wah." Can't seem to shake it.

[+ LIguy]

DFW,

I totally understand what you are feeling.I am overweight(6ft1,265)and have been that way since a baby.I am the only very overweight person in my family.I could be wealthy if I saved all the money that I spent on exercise equipment,diet plans etc.I have no motivation whatsoever to exercise.I get on the treadmill and 5 minutes later I'm like "get me outa here!".Every day I see joggers whizzing by and I say to myself why can't I do that too.I get myself all worked up and motivated but it just doesn't happen.About 10 years ago after getting a heart valve replaced I started to have more motivation but it was shortlived.Now I sit here in my den staring at the Power Gazelle that Tony Little advertises on infomercials and hoping that having to stare at it everyday I will get on it.Actually did 10 minutes yesterday....its not as easy as it looks.Really....

[woodlawn]

I'd like to be able to tell you guys that there is some magic formula you can learn that works for everyone, but so far as I know there is not. If there was, whoever had it would soon be the wealthiest person on earth -- people who sell diet plans that actually work for only a small percentage of the people who try them make tons of money as it is. Different people have different reasons for encountering this problem and there is no one solution that will work for each and every one of them. If this has been a long term problem for you and if it is serious enough that it is affecting your health, you'd be well advised to see a psychiatrist about it. If you try one therapist and it doesn't work out, keep trying until you find one who can help you. There is no guarantee of success, but if you stop trying that will guarantee that you will NOT succeed.

[Guest msclonly]

Why are 50% of Americans overweight?

 

As we age, the thyroid function decreases and after 25 to 40 years gets too low to support the necessary enzymatic reactions in the body to metabolize, as well, as it did before the age of 25 years.

 

Unfortunately, it is not being addressed correctly by most Physicians, since the tests are misleading and the use of synthetic thyroid has a narrow range between side-effects and desired-effects. So it scares many patients when they get nervousness or insomnia or worse, irregular heart rate.

Then, there are more hormonal deficiencies as we grow older.

DHEA and Testosterone are two of the main hormones in men, that must be replaced.

All of the hormones are important for sugar metabolism as well as protein in maintaining the body weight. The LOW Carbo diet is a desperate attempt at controlling the deficiences of the hormones in controlling weight gain.

 

I have taken Natural Thyroid for 2/3's of my life and have no plans to stop. Also take DHEA, and testosterone daily with other leading edge supplements. Happy to be able to say I pass for 15 younger then my age. But then I don't have to depend on other less knowledgeable Drs.

 

:+ :+ :+

[Guest Merlin]

The Atkins diet is without question the best diet for people seriously overweight. Cutting out carbohydrates eliminates the cumpulsion to eat. The first 48 hours are likely to involve some hunger and compulsion, but after that the body starts to burn fat rapidly and produce ketones which are the waste products of rapid fat burning, and can be detected and measured with Ketostix, purchased at any drug store. At that point you stop being compulsive or hungry.One big advantage of the diet is that you do not measure or limit the amount you can eat of protein (meat, chicken, fish, eggs), but you do not have the cumpulsion to eat a lot. Dr Atkins explains that some people develop hyperinsulinemia, that is, when they eat carbs, their body produces insulin to deal with it but produces too much insulin, which causes the body to crave more food. This explains why some fat people say they do not need breakfast, but later in the day, eating is compulsive. During the night, the body eliminates excess insulin, so in the morning the same compulsion does not exist until eating starts. As for exercise, you will probably find working out with weights to be a much more satisfying exercise than something more active. I am myself on the Atkins diet and working out to lose weight, and would be glad to communicate with others about my experience.

[Spida]

I have found in my opinion that doing it alone doesn't work for me and many others. One weight loss program that works better than others is Weight Watchers due to the format I believe. I have never tried it just researched it. In the past year and a half I have lost quite a bit of weight. I take all the help I can get, and talk about it with way too many people!

 

It started because I was young and had high blood pressure and was about to go on pills for diabetes! So I got a bit scared one motivation, the other is that my Dr. Sent me to a Nutritionist. She was and is awesome, most overwieght people could explain to any all skinny people how they are supposed to eat, could probably be nutritionists ourselves. But she had a very good no-nonsense way of working. Building blocks, one month we would work on one thing then keep adding it worked out very well. She would start by seeing what I did the for the past whatever the time was and then telling me what I did right and what I did wrong and had awesome suggestions.

 

Another thing that helped is at the same hospital there are support groups like (but not) overeaters anonymous, I go to them once a month. Things are much easier now, but still hard. I have stopped beating myself up for almost anything I do. I just say oh well I ate the Limited Edition Big Cup Reeses (oh they are good1) and the next time I eat I eat well as I am supposed to. I miss the gym I go the next day or sometimes I even make it up.

 

I think one of the biggest reasons people don't succeed is they are too hard on themselves mentally. And in my case also wanted everything to happen tomorrow! Well patience and forgiving ourselves go along way. I remember stepping on the scale saying I can't wait till I get under 300 pounds I don't think it will ever happen. It seemed like yesterday, today I am 215 pounds. Another really neat trick that worked for me is when I loose weight say 10+ pounds I buy new clothes that fit very well. It is the best way to know that you are gaining, and for me the best way to stop it. If the pants start getting tight then you are doing something wrong. I gave all my larger sizes away! (seems expensive but you don't have to buy a ton of clothes and you can get good stuff cheap I always dressed fairly well on a budget no matter what size).

 

Well I have to say I wish anyone trying success! Loosing weight is and was the hardest thing I have ever done or tried in my life!

 

As Woodlawn said Just don't give up. Keep trying! And get an attitude that it will happen! I still see myself as the same body\size\person that I was when I started this so that is what I am working on now. I say to people oh I am fat, or my fat ass ... And they look at me like I am crazy cause now I am wearing a 36 pant (from a 54) and look much thinner than I actually am!

 

Talk to your Dr, see if there is anything he can do to help. Find things that help you stay on your diet. I have found things like Soy chips bbq instead of potato chips they are actually good. And sooner or later you don't miss things so much. I haven't eaten at Mikey D's since I was in Montreal last fall and before that was a good 6 months.

 

Sorry the post was so long, just one other thing I have found helps me is a small amount of very good food! Instead of a larger amount of so-so food. It seems to satisfy me and leave me not wanting more.

 

Good luck to all!

[Guest Mikel]

RE: Why are 50% of Americans overweight?

 

Can you be more specific on the brands and amounts of the supplements you referred to, please. Does DHEA increase chances of prostate cancer?

[Doc]

I have battled weight problems for years. Not being physically hungry, but mentally hungry, and all I would do is eat, eat, eat, and really for no reason that I consciously knew about. Finally when the scale tipped 400, I decided to look into the options for gastric bypass. Being scared by all of the negative publicity, I did a lot of research and decided to consult a surgeon. He asked me many questions and determined that he would indeed perform the surgery. My next option was to decide if I wanted the lap method of surgery or the "open" method. Open is where they actually cut you open.

 

Through my research I had found that the "open" surgeries have lesser complication rate, the only drawback is that it has a little longer recovery time and is a little more painful. I opted for open method.

 

I had the surgery almost one year ago, and I am happy to report that I am now down to 235, which is a loss of 165 pounds. I want to loose 35 more and it is coming off. The thing I like most about doing the surgery is I finally feel good about myself. I exercise regularly and eat correctly, with out feeling hungry. It has truly changed my life, and in fact saved my life.

 

Another plus is going clothes shopping, now it is fun! Size 38 jeans are easier to find than size 56!

 

http://www.wlscenter.com/ is a great information source.

[OneFinger]

I can really identify with your weight problems. I've added 100 lbs since my days in the Navy when I was at my ideal weight and fitness. But even then I had "lumps" of fat that I couldn't get rid of no matter how hard I'd diet or exercise. There are a couple of places on me where the weight never comes off.

 

Having your thyroid checked is a very good suggestion. That has been a problem with me and it affects more than just my weight.

 

But I also think obesity also has a genetic component. My grandmother's side of the family has real problems with obesity and many of them make me look like a midget. This carried over to my Mother and now seems to be part of my genetics.

 

Having spent extensive time (24/7) with some of my full-figured relatives, I can honestly say that I don't think they've overeating or eating the wrong foods. Some of them religiously follow the popular diets and the weight decreases some but never gets them down to "normal" size.

 

My best shot at significant weight loss was when I was doing an FDA drug study on a weight loss medication. I lost almost 50 lbs and then the study ended. I continued on with the same diet, exercise, and routine but the weight came back on over several weeks.

 

I haven't given up hope since most of my relatives dropped significant weight as they got older (60+).

[Guest zipperzone]

>I have found in my opinion that doing it alone doesn't work

>for me and many others. One weight loss program that works

>better than others is Weight Watchers due to the format I

>believe.

 

Right on! Weight Watchers is in my opinion, the best way to loose those extra pounds, whether it is 250 you want to loose or only 25.

 

It is based on their point system. Every conceivabel food is given a number of points (some are zero, meaning you can eat as much of them as you want). You determine the number of points you are allowed daily according to your current weight from a chart they supply. As your weight drops, the number of points you are allowed per day also is lowered.

 

You are also allowed 35 "flex" points per week - read as "cheating" points, which enables you to splurge occasionally on restaurants that would normally be a no no on a diet.

 

The weekly weigh-ins which I initially thought were hokey, are a great way to keep you on track and they also provide nutrationally trained speakers that are very helpful.

 

The only "problem" I had with the program was that at the meetings, most of those in attendance were women who seemed to resent the presense of men at what thought was "their" meetings. Ignoring them became easier and easier the closer I got to my goal.

 

It worked for me - I recommend it for anyone who is serious about dropping the pounds.

[+ deej]

You GO, Doc!

 

For many, gastric bypass can truly be a lifesaver. One of my bosses had it done after trying every diet/exercise regimen known. He was determined to drop the weight, mostly because of his kids. He wanted to be around for them.

 

He's dropped 200 pounds. He has more energy. He feels better. He's happier. People who haven't seen him since "before" are truly astounded.

 

It's a tough decision, but one I wouldn't hesitate to make. I've seen the difference it can make in someone's life.

[Guest]

RE: Why are 50% of Americans overweight?

 

>I have taken Natural Thyroid for 2/3's of my life and have no

>plans to stop. Also take DHEA, and testosterone daily with

>other leading edge supplements. Happy to be able to say I

>pass for 15 younger then my age. But then I don't have to

>depend on other less knowledgeable Drs.

>

 

I hope you'll tell your ignorant doctors how to treat your prostate cancer, heart failiure, atrial fibrillation, liver tumors, and shrunken testicles.

[FrancoDiSantisxxx]

Hormones

 

>

>>I have taken Natural Thyroid for 2/3's of my life and have

>no

>>plans to stop. Also take DHEA, and testosterone daily with

>>other leading edge supplements. >>

>

>I hope you'll tell your ignorant doctors how to treat your

>prostate cancer, heart failiure, atrial fibrillation, liver

>tumors, and shrunken testicles.

 

I have two clients, one an MD in his mid to late 40ss, and another who just turned 52. Both take testosterone daily as the gel/cream which you rub on your low back, if I recall correctly. There is also a patch, but from friends who have taken it, it has all the annoyances of the nicotine patch: sweat is a problem, etc. My MD client gave me a few of the cream packages to try, my big complaint was that due to the alcohol content (akin to rubbing alcohol), it felt like it dried out my skin and there is also the smell of alcohol to contend with. However, and this is speaking anecdotally, the 52 year old who has been using the cream for years, has none of these problems, particular the shrunken testicles.

 

Obviously, this is something which one should be tested for and should be monitored while on, including blood work to test liver function and PSA tests and prostate exams (which everyone should have in any event after age 40).

 

DHEA can be obtained at health food stores. Thus, quality can vary. It is a testosterone precursor and, as a hormone, your DHEA levels can also be checked by an MD; not every one would be familiar with the test and now how to read it, but it definitely is worth looking into.

[Guest]

RE: Hormones

 

I'm not quite sure how you can be certain his testicles haven't shrunken unless you've been measuring their size over the years. If someone is taking testosterone for legal reasons (i.e. his testosterone levels are low for whatever reason), then replacing the testosterone levels with a gel or patch to normal levels will not cause the testicles to shrink. If someone is violating federal law by taking testosterone to go above normal levels (testosterone is, after all, a controlled substance just like Valium or morphine), then the brain will stop producing the hormone (LH) which stimulates the testicles, and the testicles will eventually shrink. It is possible, of course, to take both testosterone and a hormone which stimulates the testicles (one would have to use something like hCG instead of LH, because LH must be given in a pulsed manner to work), which would go around the problem. This is extremely expensive, however (and certainly not covered by any insurance for obvious reasons).

The heart-related problems I referred to in my earlier post concerned the thyroid hormone. If someone takes thyroid hormone in excess of normal levels, it damages the heart muscle (in addition to a general speeding up of the aging process), often leading to an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation, or to frank heart failiure. Although I didn't mention coronary artery disease in my previous post, high levels of testosterone do also worsen cholesterol ratios, leading to premature hardening of the arteries (coronary artery disease, strokes, and the like). But the guy I was responding to knows so much more medicine than his ignorant doctors, that I'm sure he already knew all of that.

I hope your doctor friend is taking testosterone for legal reasons. Testosterone is a Schedule III controlled substance, and he risks losing his license if he's taking it recreationally (i.e. to help with bodybuilding). God forbid if he's self-prescribing it...

[Guest]

>I belong to a gym but can't seem to motivate myself at

>all.

 

You have to ask yourself what you need to motivate you. Undoubtedly, nothing will change unless you have the motivation. Once you have the motivation (perhaps a talk with your doctor?), set reasonable goals and reward yourself (not with food).

[+ Lucky]

RE: Hormones

 

"If someone is violating federal law by taking testosterone to go above normal levels (testosterone is, after all, a controlled substance just like Valium or morphine), then the brain will stop producing the hormone (LH) which stimulates the testicles, and the testicles will eventually shrink."

And how does the brain know you are violating federal law? Does only one testicle shrink if you are violating state law?

[Guest msclonly]

Thyroid prevents the chronic disease of aging, and

 

To the contrary, all of those diseases are decreased with proper metabolism.

 

Thyroid and vitamins reverses and prevents Blindness in Diabetes, as well as, the atherosclorosis and heart disease. This was published over 30 years ago.

 

So I don't understand your mistaken criticism.

[FrancoDiSantisxxx]

Daily

 

>I'm not quite sure how you can be certain his testicles

>haven't shrunken unless you've been measuring their size over

>the years. If someone is taking testosterone for legal

>reasons (i.e. his testosterone levels are low for whatever

>reason), then replacing the testosterone levels with a gel or

>patch to normal levels will not cause the testicles to shrink.

 

This was precisely my point. Your post, in response to someone who indicated he was taking testosterone daily, was to impute that he (or someone similarly situated) could only possibly be engaging in anabolic steroid suggest. I wanted to provide an example of someone using testosterone on a daily basis without in being either abusive or sufficient to cause testicle shrinkage.

 

In the case of my 52 year old client, we first were intimate when he was 50 and he was not yet on the gel. He also has exceedingly large testicles. Two years later, after some months of using the gel (under a prescription as I have seen the box), his testicles are certainly still subtantial and, at least to my eyes, appear to be of similar size as when we first met.

 

>I hope your doctor friend is taking testosterone for legal

>reasons. Testosterone is a Schedule III controlled substance,

>and he risks losing his license if he's taking it

>recreationally (i.e. to help with bodybuilding). God forbid

>if he's self-prescribing it...

 

My doctor client is a very nice guy and he has engage in a weight training program to help him both lose weight and improve his general self-image. He also has a doctor he sees regularly and this doctor prescribed the gel for him. While, as I mentioned, he is a very nice guy, he is no body builder nor does he have any illusions to the contrary.

 

Nonetheless, I would agree with you that many individuals, especially those who repeatedly abuse anabolics, particularly on a frequent basis, run the risk of health problems, including significant long term health issues. Not everyone apparently suffers from testicle shrinkage, as I know of an escort in his thirties who has been taking injection steroids in quantities far greater than could possibly be prescribed, and on a daily basis, and while his skin is frequently red and warm, and he has suffered liver damage severe enough to be hospitalized, he still has a full head of hair and his testicles, while I am not as intimately acquainted with them as with my client, appear not to have been impacted after several years of this type of abuse.

[woodlawn]

>>I have found in my opinion that doing it alone doesn't work

>>for me and many others. One weight loss program that works

>>better than others is Weight Watchers due to the format I

>>believe.

>

>Right on! Weight Watchers is in my opinion, the best way to

>loose those extra pounds, whether it is 250 you want to loose

>or only 25.

 

 

I don't want to discourage anyone from trying anything (legal) to improve their health. But in last week's Science section The Times published an article on popular weight loss programs explaining that there is no program for which published studies show that most participants are successful in the long term.

 

The article specifically mentioned a study of Weight Watchers participants showing that over the life of their participation the average weight loss is less than 7 pounds. I suspect most people who join the program want to lose more than that. The average loss figure probably includes a number of people who have failed to lose, a number who have lost and gained it back and a number of others who have lost a lot of weight and kept it off, so it doesn't mean no one is ever successful. It simply means that there are plenty of people for whom the program doesn't work.

 

The approach described by Spida sounds the most balanced of any I have heard described, but it obviously requires a lot of thought and a lot of dedication. So does anything worthwhile.

[+ Charlie]

A former colleague of mine was seriously overweight for many years. She tried all sorts of diets and support programs, but they rarely did much good, and the results didn't last long. Finally she tried gastric bypass surgery: she lost over 100 lbs and she looked fabulous. The last time I saw her, a few years after the surgery, she had gained it all back. Getting it off surgically was the easy part; keeping it off was something else.

[Vincent_Michael]

I think this is an awesome post! I used to be very cubby and I know were your coming from...I used to be 222lbs and have a 42inch ws.

 

Now I have lost the weight and it was hard as hell and honestly it is a total bitch to keep it off right now! In fact I am going to the gym in a few hours as I write this...so pray that the gym Nazi is nice to me lol. I sympathize about how you hate working out in front of others...

 

I have a solution to that, I found a small private gym were I could go and work out at ease now mind you the gym was out of my way but it helped in getting me there to work out and what not.

 

Working out are not the only key, rember how you eat and what vitamins you take not to mention sleep.

[Guest zipperzone]

>The article specifically mentioned a study of Weight Watchers

>participants showing that over the life of their participation

>the average weight loss is less than 7 pounds. I suspect most

>people who join the program want to lose more than that. The

>average loss figure probably includes a number of people who

>have failed to lose, a number who have lost and gained it back

>and a number of others who have lost a lot of weight and kept

>it off, so it doesn't mean no one is ever successful. It

>simply means that there are plenty of people for whom the

>program doesn't work.

 

I lost 40 lbs on WW and have kept it off. The reason some people can't keep it off is because they don't realise that they have to modify their eating habits for a lifetime. If they go back to their old eating habits after they loose the weight then they pack the bounds back on.

 

It sure ain't rocket science!

[LovesYng]

Yo VM, we can both work on losing all those calories when we are in bed together next weekend :9 :* You can also show me the best vitamin to take }(

 

When in doubt I whip it out :+

[woodlawn]

>The reason some

>people can't keep it off is because they don't realise that

>they have to modify their eating habits for a lifetime.

 

If the program makes that rather important fact clear to them, then how is that they don't realize it? That doesn't make any sense.

[Guest rohale]

A really good friend of mine suggested to me to read a book titled " The Abs Diet ". I bought the book late last year. I have to say I'm really impressed with the details, the day to day operations of maintaining a well balanced diet. How to keep the pounds off and maintain a healthy positive outlook. The last two chapters are devoted to attain that healthy 2-pack or ever so increasingly 6-pack abs. The book constantly reminds the reader that it's not easy, but discipline is required. I'm following the instructions very carefully.

 

I must say it's an awful lot of hardwork. Fear is the best motivation for me. The reason I say this is due to one simple

the reasoning, I dont want to cut my life short anymore by knocking off the amount of years left to my life. I've got so much that I want to accomplish in my life before the exit sign tells me it's time to go. We're all the masters of our own destiny. If you wanna live longer, go do something about it. The choice is very simple.

 

Rohale