[Nicol Mtz.]

In order to lose weight (besides exercising) what should or should I not eat? I dont know much about food.

[DMF]

Its amazing what cutting out all flour and sugar can do. I stopped eating it last year and lost twenty pounds in like three months. I had to start that again recently but havent cut out all the starches yet. Just not eating the white flour and sugar makes a world of a difference in your body. If only I could cut out alcohol. I drink a couple glasses of red wine almost every night. Its a bad habit I know but a hard one to kick.. Any suggestions anyone? I wonder if I would lose a ton of weight doing that? Its true about the turning 30 and the metabolism thing. Only mine happened at 28. Everything happened. High blood pressure, cholesterol. Had to get a hold of that shit quick. As for exercise, I only get a few days of week of cardio and weight training, but every little bit seems to help.

[DMF]

I have a red bull every damn morning. I have been addicted for a few years now. I just have one a day also. My nursing instructor says Im going to reek havoc on my kidneys and all of those huge amounts of vitamins are unnecessary but I disagree. I also am a huge fan of salmon. Especially sushi. I lived in Japan for six years and that was my staple. Salmon is excellent for your heart and skin. Keeps you young!

[Nicol Mtz.]

DMF, on Oct 23 2007, 09:18 PM, said:

Its amazing what cutting out all flour and sugar can do. I stopped eating it last year and lost twenty pounds in like three months. I had to start that again recently but havent cut out all the starches yet. Just not eating the white flour and sugar makes a world of a difference in your body. If only I could cut out alcohol. I drink a couple glasses of red wine almost every night. Its a bad habit I know but a hard one to kick.. Any suggestions anyone? I wonder if I would lose a ton of weight doing that? Its true about the turning 30 and the metabolism thing. Only mine happened at 28. Everything happened. High blood pressure, cholesterol. Had to get a hold of that shit quick. As for exercise, I only get a few days of week of cardio and weight training, but every little bit seems to help.

what sort of foods did you have to stop eating?

[stella diver x]

^ You're so young I can't imagine you have the same problem as say a middle aged person, but cutting back on carbs is a big one. Eat only lean proteins and "God" foods; fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, and things organically grown. If you must eat starch, it should be whole grain, never bleached white (rice, bread) and definitely no sugar whatsoever. No soda, fruit juices, and cut back on alcohol.

The best diets in the world (forget the fifties idea of red meat and fats being bad for you) is one rich in fatty acids, high in protein, and antioxidants. Berries, kale, spinach, asparagus, salads, all greens, garlic, onions, whole wheat pasta, brown rice <--those in moderation and only one meal a day, and not 3 hours before bedtime. Basically the more natural foods you digest, and lean meats, cheese, milk, and loads of water/herbal teas, the better you will look and feel. Starches, bleached flour (white bread, white rice) are lethal to keeping belly fat ever present. Breakfast should be a veggie omelet. If you do have carbs, it should be with veggies in the omelet (no potatoes) and no muffins, doughnuts, juices, etc...

Basically the way to losing weight is eating lots of veggies, fruits, nuts, meats (avoid sausage and fried, fatty meats) stay away from sugar, and keep carbs to a very low count each day. If you could that omelet for breakfast, drink some hot herbal tea instead of coffee, have a fruit for a snack, or yogurt (the real kind, not the processed sugary kind) and eat a lunch consisting of turkey, chicken, shrimp, or fish with some greens ~ salad, broccoli, etc.. and then have something similar for dinner, you're on your way to pounds dropping off. Insulin stores as fat on us. Insulin comes from sugar, starches/carbs (like white bread, candy, soda, all turn into insulin once in our bodies). Eat those in serious moderation... if you must eat them, eat whole wheat, whole grain! Take your vitamins daily, cause a body that can fight cellular degeneration (muscular tissue break down, and fatty storages in the belly) is one that intakes a ridiculous amount of vitamins a day. Especially starting off your day with omega 3 fatty acid supplements, or flax seed oils. Drink gobs of green tea and take green tea supplements.

Take a brisk walk or find someway to burn calories every other day. No inactive body can be fit if lethargic.

If you get an urge, everything in moderation. eat that slice of pizza if you must, but cut it in half, or give yourself one cheat day a week where you have alcohol, french fries, whatever, but be sure you really constrict calories the next day and work out more calories than you consume.

This seems to be the only way to successfully lose weight and keep it off.

[EyesLikeKnives]

Is diet soda all that bad for you? I can't remember the last time I had a regular soda of any kind, but I like Diet Coke and Sprite Zero. I have 1 or 2 a day. Is this hindering my diet? I've heard differing opinions....

[stella diver x]

^ I used to think I could get away with that too, but so many studies show that people tend to lose more weight if they cut out that stuff altogether. My beverages are pure water, herbal teas, and milk.. that's it. Occasionally I drink pure grapefruit juice.


Unfortunately, fitness means denying yourself any pleasurable foods, but you will feel amazing the less sugar your body intakes. Your digestive system has a mind all its own, and when you are consuming all these things they consider toxins, then your body can't do the real work needed to burn fat, and build muscle tissue , it's too busy doing maintenance.

[EyesLikeKnives]

^ Hmmm, good point. Thank you for the input. I never used to even buy diet soda at all, but ever since I cut out the alcohol, I've replaced it with a Sprite Zero at dinner. :rolleyes: I honestly feel so sluggish the past week as a result of that. Gross. I love to drink water and I'll definitely just stick with that like I used to.

[foxglove]

stella diver x, on Oct 23 2007, 08:49 AM, said:

Phew! I'm not the only one. I bought a bunch of wild alaskan salmon yesterday and some tuna steaks...now just have to figure the best way to prepare it. I'm doing no carb breakfasts and lunches, light carbs for dinner, and nothing carb-ish after that. So, salmon for breakfast ....*gulp*

My favorite way to cook tuna steaks is to marinade them. I love to use Newman's Own Sesame Ginger dressing. Just put the tuna steaks in a plastic bag, pour over the dressing, refrigerate for a few hours, and then grill 'em up. It's ok for them to still be pink in the middle as long as it's cooked throughout. Also, you can make a rub using olive oil and various herbs and such. I use olive oil, basil, garlic, salt and pepper. Very simple, but delicious. Grilled tuna is great on salads, too.

My favorite thing to do with tuna is to make a focaccia pizza. The only problem would be finding pre-made whole grain focaccia bread to do this with, so you'd have to make it yourself (which isn't too hard), but if you're on a cheat day, Boboli crusts work fine. You take the focaccia bread, put pesto on it, then layer on spinach, red onion, black olives, pine nuts, canned tuna (packed in olive oil, because it's just better than the water packed type), and feta cheese. Bake it in the oven at 350 until the spinach starts to wilt and the feta cheese turns golden brown. This is actually delicious with or without tuna.

I can't really help with the salmon. well, if you want salmon patties (which require bread crumbs) and salmon quiche (which requires pie crust). Both require creamed peas to be truly delicious.

EyesLikeKnives, on Oct 23 2007, 09:35 PM, said:

Is diet soda all that bad for you? I can't remember the last time I had a regular soda of any kind, but I like Diet Coke and Sprite Zero. I have 1 or 2 a day. Is this hindering my diet? I've heard differing opinions....

I've heard that the sweetness confuses your body into thinking it's getting sugar, meaning energy, so when it realizes that you are cheating, you get hungry.

[Mysterious Traveller]

Yes. I usually drink water 24/7. And milk, lately.

[threesomethoughts]

EyesLikeKnives, on Oct 23 2007, 09:35 PM, said:

Is diet soda all that bad for you? I can't remember the last time I had a regular soda of any kind, but I like Diet Coke and Sprite Zero.

stella diver x, on Oct 23 2007, 09:41 PM, said:

^ I used to think I could get away with that too, but so many studies show that people tend to lose more weight if they cut out that stuff altogether.

My motto is if it's not the real one, don't drink it, the"orange drinks" ( ;) Dave!), Coca Diet, 0 wahtever, I can always tell the difference, it doesn't taste the same.
I only drink water, orange juice and sometimes lemonade. There's also the occasional alcohol drink. But my motto is if it's not real sugar, don't! And since sugar is dangerous or like Doc Phil said "poison to the brain", I tend to cut it and keep it just for breakfast. I need my sugar dose for the morning.
What I 've noticed is how oversweetened all cookies and snacks for kids are; I bought a pack of chocolate chip cookie dough from the pillsbury man brand and it was so sweet it grossed me out :angry: but my 5 year old sis loves it, I really try to keep the sugar low for her cause it's her first year here in the US, she's not used to such a regimen and I don't want her to get bad habits and end up with all kinds of medical problems.

[the arid desert]

stella diver x, on Oct 23 2007, 05:49 AM, said:

Phew! I'm not the only one. I bought a bunch of wild alaskan salmon yesterday and some tuna steaks...now just have to figure the best way to prepare it. I'm doing no carb breakfasts and lunches, light carbs for dinner, and nothing carb-ish after that. So, salmon for breakfast ....*gulp*

Energy drinks, such as redbull must do something right. Look at Simon Gallup, he chugs those things in massive amounts and looks 20. Too bad Robert doesn't care for biking and redbull. :lol:

Salmon is one of my favourite fish ever. I can eat it everyday. And about that last part, too bad indeed sigh.

[Cosmopolitan Bloodloss]

DMF, on Oct 24 2007, 02:18 AM, said:

If only I could cut out alcohol. I drink a couple glasses of red wine almost every night. Its a bad habit I know but a hard one to kick.. Any suggestions anyone?

Don't buy any?

gladgirl, on Oct 24 2007, 02:25 AM, said:

I was surprised by how many people on here don't like seafood. I love it, especially salmon. And it is so good for you.

I think I'm addicted to Redbull. Seriously. I was just wondering if anyone else was too...I only drink one a day, but if I don't have it, I can really tell. It is definitely an aquired taste, but I love it.

Yeah, I have to have one at work just before I start. Been doing that for about 6 months now. I prefer the V energy drink though, the one in the green can. Can't seem to find it in many places though, shame. Tastes nicer than Red Bull.

[BedtimeStories]

LOTS OF SEX AND MIND GAMES.

[déjà nous]

stella diver x, on Oct 23 2007, 03:49 PM, said:

Also something about HGH (human growth hormone) the injections are hella expensive, but there are dietary and cheap ways to get the same results. It stunts the aging process through the pituitary gland or something like that. I'm so anxious to learn more.

the human body can actually procduce all the human growth hormone you need with the right amount of exercise - ideally you should combine strenght work with cardiovascular excersise four to five times a week and you're well on your way. besides being way less expensive, even taking gym memberships/personal trainers, what have you into account, the benefits of exercised are much further reaching than merely slowing down the rate at which you age. provided your following a healthy diet, your bones will be stronger even as you age, preventing osteoporosis for just one example. i've read it's very important for women to engage in some kind of strength-building exercise with time for this reason, and than generally speaking we tend to focus more on exercise that increases flexibility. whereas for men its important to build more on flexibility, while the majority tend to go more for strengh work.

and as for the idea that you have to cut out the pleasurable foods to keep fit or healthy. i've found that the more you get yourself used to healthy foods, your taste pallet also adjusts. i used to love lots of sugar in my tea but switched to herbal teas several years ago, and don't really eat processed or junk foods any more. when i do have them after a long time (believe me i still love chocolate) i find myself getting sick, headachey, heart palpitations or sudden energy spikes followed by a loss of energy so its not even really worth it any more. i can't enjoy junk food as much any more.

i've loved wheatgrass for smoothies for some time now, but get tired of always going to the fruit and veg shop to buy the trays they have of sprouted wheatgrass. i've decided i'll start growing my own soon. i already sprout my own beans so it can't be all that hard. besides, i love growing stuff, especially my own food.

[LadyVampire]

Great thread Stella ^_^ Well I don't eat meat,but it doesn't mean that I'm vegetarian. I eat lot of vegetables and fruits and tons of soya,brown rice,wholemeal bread,but this is not an ordinary bread,cuz my mom bake it specially for me and I also try to eat ecological food and food without any artifical preservatives. I have lot of school duties so it's pretty hard to find some time for work out,but at school I have 3 hours of P.E for week and we always do some aerobic,fitness and we have gym at school and when I have time I usually go for swimming pool and I'm a huge fan of yoga ^_^

[Nicol Mtz.]

thanks so much , Stella. I've been wanting to eat better but I just didnt know where to start.

[stella diver x]

^ You're welcome, sweety. I'm constantly reading and learning new things, so as I do, I'll keep us all informed.

I think loving our bodies and ourselves (ten points to me for gayness) the better lives we lead.

déja nous, on Oct 24 2007, 04:33 AM, said:

the human body can actually procduce all the human growth hormone you need with the right amount of exercise - ideally you should combine strenght work with cardiovascular excersise four to five times a week and you're well on your way. besides being way less expensive, even taking gym memberships/personal trainers, what have you into account, the benefits of exercised are much further reaching than merely slowing down the rate at which you age. provided your following a healthy diet, your bones will be stronger even as you age, preventing osteoporosis for just one example. i've read it's very important for women to engage in some kind of strength-building exercise with time for this reason, and than generally speaking we tend to focus more on exercise that increases flexibility. whereas for men its important to build more on flexibility, while the majority tend to go more for strengh work.

and as for the idea that you have to cut out the pleasurable foods to keep fit or healthy. i've found that the more you get yourself used to healthy foods, your taste pallet also adjusts. i used to love lots of sugar in my tea but switched to herbal teas several years ago, and don't really eat processed or junk foods any more. when i do have them after a long time (believe me i still love chocolate) i find myself getting sick, headachey, heart palpitations or sudden energy spikes followed by a loss of energy so its not even really worth it any more. i can't enjoy junk food as much any more.

i've loved wheatgrass for smoothies for some time now, but get tired of always going to the fruit and veg shop to buy the trays they have of sprouted wheatgrass. i've decided i'll start growing my own soon. i already sprout my own beans so it can't be all that hard. besides, i love growing stuff, especially my own food.

So, as far as women and strength training, would you say yoga is a good form to take up? I started doing it yesterday and LOVED it. Though, this will sound corny as fuck, but I felt the need to cry while doing it. I felt so weird! Then I read that is actually normal cause your detoxifying yourself not only physically but mentally as well. That years of stored up anxieties come out to the surface.

[23*]

With regards to exercise, I do the gym for 2 1/2 hours every other day to include weights and CV plus stretches etc etc I also go walking quite a bit at the weekends. I really could train harder but I do actually have to go to work and have some sort of life. I would love to just visit the gym every day but life does get in the way.

I have used the gym for the last 5 years whereas before I used to just starve myself and pray for the best. I think you definately get to an age where even if you don't eat you just look baggy and scrawny rather then thin. The amount of anorexic women I have seen in their 20's with skinny, baggy arms amazes me, they have no muscle tone at all and look terrible. They've probably conned themselves into thinking thin=attractive.

The calorie thing on here scares me to death. The person who said they eat 700 calories a day is either fibbing or spends all day in front of the telly. A documentary on the 500 cals a day diet said to one woman who was an English size 12, that her body needed 1700 calories a day to simply function normally, let alone exercise. If you aren't feeding your body, you can't train it.

Posh Spice doesn't do ANYTHING. How could she? Her body isn't being fed enough to walk about, let alone do a job. God knows I spent years kidding myself I could function normally on some noodles and a few fruit juices a day.

Diet sodas? Why? Surely fruit juice is better for you and water has no calories to speak of...herbal tea has 5 calories for God's sake. Urgh... and Cola and all that crap? You can eat a chocoate bar instead of drinking one of those things.

I don't eat meat but do eat lots of fish and soya/tofu etc. I don't really eat eggs unless they are in pasta or cake or something as they make me feel ill. I try not to eat too much cheese (although I love it) and only use semi-skimmed milk (sometimes goat's milk). Stuff like chocoltae is occasionally tempting but I tend to eat tons of savoury stuff like crackers and seeds and just hope the gym burns it off *fingers crossed*

[23*]

Quote

healthy and slim

It's the healthy that counts, the slim and toned should just fall into place....quite. :lol:

[Temptress]

I'm a bit of a health nut. I do at least one hour of low-impact exercise per day. This usually consists of brisk walks or jogging. I do resistance strength training 3x per week. I am a vegan, so I eat plenty of fruits, veggies, grains, nuts, beans, legumes, and take multi-vitamins and eat small amounts of fortified soy products to ensure adequate intake of calcium, B12, and vitamin D. I eat about 1700-1800 calories per day, which seems to be ideal for my 5'10" frame.
My weaknesses are sweets, so it's not unheard of for me to go on a total dark chocolate or cookie binge every now and again. It keeps me sane.
I feel like I'm healthy. I hope so - my hubby and I are actively trying to get knocked up!

[pazcal]

I laught my ass off 50 times a day... at least!