What Weight Loss Program works for you?
By jennybianca
@jennybianca (12912)
Australia
September 5, 2011 7:55pm CST
I have tried various weight loss programs, ever since my daughter was born, 18 years ago.
The no carb diet was a total failure, only lasted two days.
For a while I tried the CSIRO diet, which is high protein, low carbs and that was a little successful.
I have tried appetite suppressants, which never work for me.
I never use those shakes type diets as I hate the taste of milk.
I did attend SA weight watchers for years, and that at least kept my weight under control. I had to stop going to them when I started fulltime work.
I now use zenical, a weight loss tablet. It is very expensive, but it does work, very slowly.
I did see at my local chemist this diet program using bars, which replace breakfast and lunch. I can't see how that would fill me up and stop me from having hunger pains though.
What I want to know is what weight loss progrmas have my lotters found succesful?
I am 53 and most of my excess weight is in my face and stomach.
5 people like this
16 responses
@marguicha (223010)
• Chile
6 Sep 11
Check at the Mediterranean Diet. You can learn a lot about it in links to Med line and the Mayo Clinic. I think that diets should be backed by good institutions and not by a magazine. Zenical is not for everyone and the good thing about the Mediterranean diet is that you eat almost anything except for some forbiden food. You don´t have to skip meals either. Our body does not like to be treated that way, feels threatened and starts storing more fat.
@GardenGerty (160665)
• United States
6 Sep 11
Use the olive oil in place of butter and other fats like margarine. It is supposed to make you feel full longer. I just need to stop as soon as I feel full. I forgot, I did lose weight doing Weigh Down Workshop. You eat anything, just cut it in half. Try to feed your spiritual hunger rather than a physical hunger. I think, at the time, I did not lose weight fast but I changed how I ate enough that it continued to work even when I did not work on it.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
8 Sep 11
If anyone can recommend an australian fish, white and very mild in taste, I would try it.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (223010)
• Chile
6 Sep 11
In any diet, there´s nothing that you HAVE to eat even if you hate it. I would skip yogurt, although You can use ithalf and half with mayonaise on potato salads and put less dressing. As for fish, see if you can make friends with some fish, cooked in a special way. GG is right about olive oil. I am using in in bread instead of butter, add a bit of salt and oregano. Sometimes I place some light fresh cheese or a bit of an avocado.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160665)
• United States
6 Sep 11
I am not disciplined enough to really follow a program. Any weight loss program benefits by exercise and that is all that really works for me. My son's girlfriend is on phentermine, and is following a 1600 calorie per day diet. She has had good success, I believe. I know she has lost about thirty pounds. She is short and it shows up fast.Phentermine is a prescription medicine, you have to monitor for heart problems. It was half of fen-phen, the half that did not kill people. I have taken it. The real problem is educating your appetite so that you do not put the weight back on. Lifting weights or doing resistance exercise tones you down, and builds more muscle so that you burn more calories. Sensible portions work as well as anything else. Lots of fruits and veggies, less processed carbs, lean sources of protein.
2 people like this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
6 Sep 11
I have not heard of phentermine here. I have tried 1600 cals per day, and sometimes I can do it.
When my daughter had two horses , and I was working part time, I would feed them about 5 times each week. This would involve quite al ot of walking and I believe it helped.
Now she only has one horse, and I only feed him 2 or 3 times each week.
I find it incredibly hard to exerecise for exercise alone. I much prefer walking for a reason, if that makes sense.
I did once use a pedometer, as it was motivating to see how many steps I could walk each day.When it broke down, I was never able to find another one that I could use all the time.
2 people like this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
6 Sep 11
jenny when I was still wo rking in the library shelving books I was on the t en thousand step plan and kept my weight level until unfortunately I was retired. but walking is a wonderful way to get that 45 minutes the life plan suggests for exercise a day. try to get another pedometer and watch for ten thousand steps it works.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
6 Sep 11
Years ago I was on the 9000 steps, and I found it worked. Okay, I'm going to look for another pedometer, one that I can wear all the time.
1 person likes this
@jazel_juan (15746)
• Philippines
6 Sep 11
I am also into loosing weight. I am using one now that made me loose i lost 5 kl:))I am drinking this nutrimeal :) with essentials. It is helping me speed up my metabolism and it helps me remove stress.plus the products are also anti cancer so it is good for the body too. It also available in your place:) It wont make you weak, plus it is low-glycemic. http://shop.usana.com/shop/cart/Categories?parentCat=1 ( this is not a referral link) you can find it here my friend.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
6 Sep 11
I tried to look at your link, but because the work computer has an outdated browser, I cant really get to it properly.
Is this drink mixed with milk or water? You may have read in my discussion that I hate the mealeplacement drinks. Glad it's working for you though.
@jazel_juan (15746)
• Philippines
7 Sep 11
Yes you get to mix it with cold water, its like a shake..its powder and i can really guarantee you its worth replacing your meal with. you wont feel nauseated because you are hungry, nor worry you will have ulcer. Plus it helps me especially if i have my period because i tend to get so bloated, it removes gas as well. oh just try http://www.usana.com/ ( not a referral link my dear admin) well hope you get to see something that will work for you but so far for me and my friends, it work :)
1 person likes this
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
6 Sep 11
I don't actually believe that weight loss programs are good value myself. Most seem to be fads that cost money due to subscriptions or over priced products. Some may be beneficial to people, but I just do not have faith in them myself and do not believe that they offer optimal health.
The best way to lose weight in my opinion is to give up eating animal products and chemicals, living on a vegan diet which is high in raw organic foods. Replacing processed toxic foods with little nutritional content with fresh, nutritionally dense produce means that the body will detox, allowing stored fluids to leave the body giving great initial weight loss. If this way of eating is then continued, the body will continue to lose weight, heal itself and will maintain a weight that is natural for the particular body.
The other benefit to eating foods with loads of nutrition is that (after the initial detox) the body will feel great, will be keen to get active and all that exercise will help keep weight off or to tone the weight that is there. Eat lots of fresh fruit, vegetables and especially greens and your body will thank you. There is no need to be paying out for bars from a chemist to replace meals. Just eat really well!
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
9 Sep 11
Yes, I am Jenny. That is a very good link and I have recorded it for my daughter. She needs 33mg of iron, being age 18. We would have quite alot of the foods required for the iron level, but I still think not quite enough some days.
As she is a swimming instructor, she needs a lot of energy. We are always loking up new recipes.
One of our favourites are lentil patties, using chickpeas and red lentils, and curry, etc.. they are so yummy.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
8 Sep 11
This is interesting Bill (is that your name?). My 18 year old daughter is a vegan. I am becoming quite experienced at cooking vegan meals. She was a vegetarian from the age of 8, but went vegan about one year ago. Her health has improved dramatically. I do eat some vegan meals. What I find with some of them is that I am hungry later. Not all of my daughters vegan meals are low in fat, eg, the use of olive oil, and nuttlex.
With my daughter, I have to encourage her to take iron tablets and VitB12.
Many of the veagn meals I have tried are beautiful, we have at least to two good cook books.
Even tough I still eat meat nd chicken, I only use small quantities, and make a big effort to have lots of veges and sald.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
8 Sep 11
Yes, Bill is what most people call me....I won't even tell you what the rest call me!
So, you are a Jenny I am guessing?
I also found that my health improved dramatically when I started eating a vegan diet. I eat a mainly raw vegan diet though which is full of live foods and not too much heavy foods that weigh me down. There are still lots of high fat foods in the vegan world, such as nuts, avocados, etc, but they are good fats that we need. Still they should be eaten in moderation.
I have B12 supplements but rarely take them. They are a precaution, but I have not really found that I need them. I have not had any blood tests to test iron levels, but I am eating a good variety of leafy greens regularly which is where I get lots of my minerals from. There are plenty of greens that are high in iron, so I do not feel that I need to supplement this.
You might find this page interesting. http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/iron.htm
I love vegan meals too. When I first started eating them, I immediately felt no need to be eating meat or dairy. I certainly do not miss out on tasty foods!
1 person likes this
@allknowing (136434)
• India
6 Sep 11
When I was bed resting it was at that time that I had gained weight. I tried various methods to shed those extra pounds when I was up and about but to no avail. Finally I decided to skip my dinner and ended up the day with snacks around 7 with a cup of milk in the night. This along with brisk walks etc did help me.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
6 Sep 11
Did having snack sat 7.0pm, rather than a prpeor tea, fill you up? You didn't get hungry? What kind of snacks did you eat?
@allknowing (136434)
• India
6 Sep 11
I do have plain tea at the usual time. My snacks include all the usual goodies some of which are home made - biscuits, cake, chocolates, cheese sandwiches, boiled eggs sandwiches, etc. That sustains me as I have early and full breakfast.
1 person likes this
@koperty3 (1876)
•
6 Sep 11
My own program works the best. I eat healthy, exercise every single day. I eat more proteins than carbs and I drink two glasses of water with 1 table spoon of apple cider vinegar( every day). It speeds my6 metabolism. Simple but works. I don't use any miracle diets because most of them are harmful for your body and when you stop them quickly you can return to your previous weight ( yoyo effect)
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
8 Sep 11
I have heard about the apple cider vinegar helping with metabolisam, not sure if I would like the taste though.
Ypur exercise routine would be very beneficial, and somehow I have to get more into walking. I did take the dog for a walk yesterday.
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
8 Sep 11
I have lost a lot of weight over the years, but keep gaining it back again. The only one that worked was going to the gym and now I may have to sign up again to lose weight. Working out was easier with a partner, as I would burn a lot of calories.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
9 Sep 11
Yes, I can see how gym would work, for em too if I tried it. There is no dought, regardless of what I eat, that exercise is essential.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
11 Sep 11
Diets don't work. If they did, no-one would be overweight. Diets are a con. Even if a diet "works" you would have to mauintain the diet to maintain the weight loss.
Weight loss means eating less and exercising more. This has to become your lifestyle.
I tried Zenical and Herbalife. The shakes were supposed to replace meals and leave me feeling full. I became more hungry than ever...I gained weight on the program and my weight gain escalated even when I gave up the Herbalife. The Zenical had no effect.
I'm now on medication for high blood pressure, reflux, pre diabetes and finally antidepressants. My doctor is trying to get my metabolism and therefore my system in the right balance so everything is working properly. The weight is finally coming off. I'm finally able to eat less, the sometime constant snacking or grazing has also stopped. I'm also walking for half an hour most days or doing other exercise most other days. I seem to be constantly uncomfortable or in pain but I still try my hardest to be active for at least half an hour at a stretch and for other periods in the day.
There is no magic pill that makes us lose weight. It's simply eating less and exercising more.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
12 Sep 11
Yes, you have it exactly... eating less I try to do, but there is no point in feeling hungry, so I need to eat low GI foods I guess. Im tryinhg to walk amore, especially with the dog, but the ewather hasn't been great.
You have done a great job with your effots towards weight loss.
I have never tried herbalife, and dont want to, as all those shakes etc I hate the taste of, and like you, they wont stop me being hungry.
Zenical does work for me, but very, very slowly, and it is expensive and Im not using it at the moment.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
6 Sep 11
I am at my ideal weight now which I have been lucky to have maintained most of my life although last year for some unknown reason I found myself gaining a stone in weight. I am not a believer of dieting so when I decided to lose the excess weight I simply made the decision to cut down portion sizes and never ever eat anything unless I was hungry and before I knew it I lost the weight which I have been able to maintain at a low level. I think that if one has to ‘whitenuckle ‘their way through the day in order to stick to a weight loos diet plan, it’s not worth the trouble. Walking is a great form of exercise...
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
8 Sep 11
I have tried cutting down portion sizes, and to a certain extent that worked, but I have to be very careful with, if I don't have enough food, I will be hungry and snack later.
That is the problem I have seen with a lot of these diets, the servings are too small.
1 person likes this
@chrystaltears (3392)
• United States
9 Sep 11
About the only diet I do is cutting down on sweets and exercising for about 30 minutes about 4 times out of the week. That usually helps me. I love to dance and always have, so I like to turn upbeat oldies on and dance until a hip or something goes out. Most days tho, I go walking with my grandson. Sometimes instead of him walking with me, I use the stroller. That way I can go at the speed I want and not worry about him trying to keep up or my slowing down or stopping several times.
I always lose a few inches and pounds this way, but I don't do it on a continuous basis, so I gain it back in a very few weeks.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
9 Sep 11
It appeals to me to do exercise that is for a reason. So walking with your grandson is a very good reason. I will try and walk my dog as soon as weathe rpeints and time permits.
@cerebellum (3863)
• United States
6 Sep 11
I have found nothing that really works! I am not really overweight, but I could be very easily. I can gain a lot in just a few days. I can't afford to buy new clothes so I have to watch what I eat. I also have to pull myself around with my arms a lot, and the less I weigh the better! I count calories and that seems to help. Also after dinner I brush my teeth and I don't want to do it again before bed, so I don't eat. My friend lost a lot of weight with Weight Watchers, but she gained it all back when she went off it. I try and exercise everyday, but there are a lot of exercises I can't do. It gets harder the older you get to stay slim. I never had a stomach before, but I do now. I hate getting old!
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
8 Sep 11
I have heard that a lot with diets. My friend had a drastic weight loss about 3 years ago when she was on a very strict diet. When she stopped the actual diet, she regained a lot of the weight. Now she si trying the Jenny Craig diet, which also is causning her to loose weight quikcly. The Jenny Craig diet is expensive.
I find it much harder as i get older too, especially with menapause being an issue.
@lalitshukla_69 (40)
• India
6 Sep 11
use boil water drink so hot. take it minimum five to six times daily. this method is very simple and no acconomic loss. please try it.
1 person likes this
@tutulch (86)
• Australia
6 Sep 11
Indeed there are so many programs but in reality they are hard enough to follow and also expensive. The best program in my opinion is a choosing a balanced diet and the if possible to manage some time for exercise, jogging and waling. Nothing works so well for weight loss if we cannot burn the excess calories.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
6 Sep 11
Yes, I am sure you are quite right. It's just getting the motivation to exercise!
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
6 Sep 11
yes, Im sure a balanced diet would be helpful provided i dont get hungry and dont get cravings.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
6 Sep 11
that is a pity. It sounds a bnit like me. I gather you do loose weight sometimes, but it comes back easily.
When I go to just one function, such as fathers day on sunday, I gain up to 0.5 kilo. There was so much good food, and it is very hard to try a bit of everything.
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• Alachua, Florida
20 Oct 14
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