Well it is Thursday again and the end of 4 weeks of the weight loss plan. I have lost 5 SLOW pounds. Seems like it should be a little more! Well I have had some success, I have pretty much lost my taste for sweet drinks. I have weeded out most of the "bad" foods. I went on a stock up trip and bought a lot of healthy snacks, whole wheat products, and low fat products. I was amazed at the amount of items I foud when you really search for them! As I have mentioned this is mostly a life-style change that will be good for everyone in the house.

I hope many of you are having some success, keep us posted! Sign in if you are still with us!!!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), January 31, 2002

Answers

Melissa, five pounds in four weeks is excellent progress! You don't want to take it off to fast, because it will boomerang back on you. By making lifestyle changes, you are insuring that you will keep the weight off. Congradulations!

I don't have a scale, but, everyday for the last week, I have been able to get in some walking, thats helps me. I'm doing some streaghthening exercises for my back, I hope maybe next week I'll be able to start my yoga program. Unfortantly, I had a slip up last friday-my (hubands) Grandparents decided to take me out to lunch- thier choice??? MacDonalds!!!They were so nice I didn't want to say no, and I do love Big Macs! I know I rant about Fast Food- but I never said they didn't TASTE GREAT!!!!! alas......

-- Kelly (KY) (homearts2002@yahoo.com), January 31, 2002.

Melissa One good way to really lose weight is to drink at least 10 8oz glasses of water per day..If you don't like the taste of the water add lemon to it and the colder it is the better..When you go anywhere carry a jug of water with you and drink it.To keep it cold freeze the jugs and let them melt as the day progresses and you will always have cold water..The VA put me on a diet and it really works..And I'll guarentee you will lose more than five pounds a month....Lots of luck Kid..

-- Bob (snuffy@1st.net), January 31, 2002.

That is good Radar, I know you were having some health troubles and I am glad your diet is helping you.

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), January 31, 2002.

I just did some math, and realized that to lose 5 pounds I had to eat 17,500 less calories (or burn them off with exercise) That comes to about 600 calories a day less than I was eating. I don't think I want to go much lower than what I am eating now, so I will be content with 5 pounds a month!!!!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), January 31, 2002.

Remember, when you exercise you build muscle, muscle weight more than fat, inches are a better indication of loss. Drinking anything really cold isn't good for you. Same goes for hot drinks too. Drink half you weight in ounces. Example, if you weigh 100# you should drink 50 ounces.

Melissa, what healthy snacks did you find?

-- Cindy (SE. IN) (atilrthehony@hotmail.com), January 31, 2002.

Hi Cindy! I do want to build more muscle, but I have plenty of fat to lose also!!

Healthy snacks: things like baked tortillas, whole wheat, low fat crackers, cheese, lowfat yogurt, fat free sour cream for making dips, cheese, real juice, lots of fruits and vegetables, oat bran pretzels. I made the kids fruit roll ups from pureed strawberries and apples. I also bought soy nuts (very tasty!) and that is about all I can remember. I didn't buy any pop, chips, prepackaged cookies, snack cakes, sweet cereal, bakery items, cake mixes, muffin mixes, candy etc... Not that I always bought all of these things at once, but I would buy some of them!!

I also found turkey pepperoni with 70% less fat than regular. Haven't tried it, but it will be nice for pizza once in a while!

As I said, it is a slow process, and truthfully I am not really worrying as much about the weight, but more about the health aspect. I feel so much better already, not as weary and tired as I was. So that is great and I think it will just continue to improve as time goes by.

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), January 31, 2002.

Hi everone im also getting off the pop but i had just one this week im kinda useing them as a reward if i think ive lost some weight ill have a coke. will be glad if i ever lose the tast for them. still havent bought a scale think im scaired. good luck everone. Bob se,ks.

-- Bobco (bobco@kans.com), January 31, 2002.

I haven't posted on any of the diet threads as I was too discouraged to even try. I never had a weight problem until several years ago when I developed thyroid disease, then it didn't seem to make any difference what I did or didn't eat, I put on weight! Tried a lot of different diets, including nearly starving myself along with a LOT of exercise (in addition to normal ranch chores)---still put on weight! Over the last year I've had increasing health problems (due to car and horse wrecks) to the point where I even have trouble walking, so that really put a stop to the exercise. Finally I gave up and resigned myself to accepting what was, altho I've been able to avoid putting on more weight. I've been envious of the rest of you and have been praying about the diet thing.

Last week 2 friends of mine (sisters) invited me over for dinner, and shared that they have both been losing 3 pounds per week on weight watchers. I don't have the time, etc. to join, and am skeptical of the diet club stuff anyway, but I did buy their Food Companion book and PointsFinder (10 cents at the thrift store, LOL) and am on my 3rd day. Obviously I haven't lost weight this soon, but I have really changed my eating habits!

The first day I was really hungry, yesterday not so much so, and today not at all. I've lost almost all desire for snacks, bought healthy food, am drinking lots of water and juice, etc. This morning I made a cup of hot chocolate as a treat, and gagged on the first sip. Can't stand the sugar now. My one bad habit has been drinking colas. I decided if I was going to continue, it would be only diet pop. I had one yesterday, wasn't all that great, so I think I'll stick to my juice as a treat.

I don't know if I'll be lucky enough to lose weight, but I know I'm eating a lot healthier and already feel better. I'll let you all know if I actually lose any pounds!

-- Lenette (kigervixen@webtv.net), January 31, 2002.

I need to lose weight too(not just 10 pounds, believe me) so the Dr. told me I'd be surprised how much weight I'd lose if I'd give up pop. Well, I did and couldn't tell a bit of difference in my weight. I was so disgusted but not any longer as giving up the pop I switched to iced tea (which I didn't like) and now enjoy so much. It's so much cheaper and I know it's better for me than all the sugar. So Bob, if you can just force yourself to give pop up for a few months and switch to iced tea you might be pleasantly surprised at how good it is.

BTW, I lost 3/4 of a pound last month.

Good luck everyone!!!

-- Anna in Iowa (countryanna54@hotmail.com), January 31, 2002.

Well, I've lost a total of 3 pounds since we started. It's going to be slow going. I have started back on the exercise machine that's been collecting dust, not overdoing it, though. I was rather surprised how out of shape I was when I gave up the crutches a week or so ago--even climbing the stairs in the house was a chore at first.

Also, I discovered we didn't put out all the Christmas candy, and well, I've been depressed the last couple of days:( Anyone have suggestions for conquering on the low days?

-- mary (marylgarcia@aol.com), January 31, 2002.

Still staying exactly the same, no gain, no loss. My body is being stubborn, really likes this weight. But I'm not giving up and I do feel very very good.

-- Cat (catcrazy@somewhere.com), January 31, 2002.

My weight stayed the same this week too. That makes a grand total of 1# for the month. How I wish it were 5, Melissa! I have made several changes. I'm walking on my tread mill now almost every night and am finally up to 1 mile. I'm not eating as much and have cut out snacking. I do need to work on the water though. I don't drink hardly any and I KNOW I should! That's going to be my goal for this next week to drink more water!

-- Barb in Ky. (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), January 31, 2002.

Barb,I am keeping a bottle on the door of the frig and whenever I am close by I just take a big drink. It tastes much better since we started filtering it. Ad since I keep opening my new refrigerator to admire ti, I am drinking lots more water!!!!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), January 31, 2002.

I don't do scales/weight, but past experience and all that water and all those trips to the bathroom because of all that water, I'd say I've lost 5-7 # in 3 weeks. All my clothes are looser, not a lot, but I'll take what I can get (rid of).Now if could get a good night's sleep....I'm about 90% back into natural eating. Since the weather was nice, I walked instead regular Richard Simmons and Body Electric.

-- Cindy (SE. IN) (atilrthehony@hotmail.com), January 31, 2002.

Has anyone here tried to Suzanne Somer's "diet"? I need to lose 70 lbs and this one looked great. My mom went on it about a year ago and has lost a lot of weight! She lost so much that she was able to go off her high blood pressure medication and her migrain meds since she doesn't get them anymore. I have never been able to diet because I go INSANE if I cut down on my fat grams. (A screaming hysterical mother is not a pretty sight!) I also have trouble exercising because I have bad knees,hips and fibromyalgia. Apparently this diet is low carb. and no sugar but all the meat and fat you like. I am starting it today and wanted to know if anyone else had tried it. Also, Any exercise ideas that don't include walking or aerobics? Thanks:)

-- Buffy in Dallas (buffyannjones@hotmail.com), January 31, 2002.

Cat- Rhonda's (metabolism booster) been out sick all week, So I haven't heard. Keep feeling well.

Many of us are losing weight, and I don't hear anyone gaining. We are correcting bad habbits (now IS the time to be sure we don't revert!). I bought a bag of combos yesterday.

Ann is still the same, even after a 16 mile bike ride Tuesday!

I thought I would pick up 1 this week, but the scale said down 6 pounds (another pound). I really didn't think it was much, but it's 2.33 per cent of my weight.

To determine your per-centage, divide the amount lost by the original weight.

(I'm goin out on a limb here...Melissa I'm guessing yours is 2.5 percent and that's significant... I'm estimating you are about 5'9" .

-- Rick (WV) (Rick_122@hotmail.com), January 31, 2002.

No Rick only 5 ft 6 inches, and rather plump!!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), January 31, 2002.

I'm rounder than plump. That is why I felt guilty this week. I need to ride the bikes more and eat less. Nothin' to it right?

-- Rick (WV) (Rick_122@hotmail.com), January 31, 2002.

Buffy I have read that you shouldn't stay on this diet for more than 2 weeks at a time. I would make sure I ate LOTS of fruits and veggies,and drank lots of water. It can be very hard on your kidneys.

One of my neighbors went on it, she lost some weight, but her cholesterol went up and after one year of going back to a normal way of eating it is still high.

So just be careful with it.

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), January 31, 2002.

Thanks for the heads up on this. I am trying to increase my water intake as much as my stomach will let me. I get stomach cramps if I drink too much liquid at one time.

-- Buffy in Dallas (buffyannjones@hotmail.com), January 31, 2002.

I have had the Horrible Flu and haven't been eating but also do not have a scale. I think I can get dresed today to see how my jeans fit. My sis lost many #s over many yrs thru weight watchers [and keeps it off] - got this from her this morn.

Subject: EXERCISE

It is well documented that for every minute you exercise, you add a minute to your life. This enables you, at 85 years of age, to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing home at $5000 per month!

My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was 60. Now she's 97 years old and we don't know where she is!

The only reason I would take up exercising is so that I could hear heavy breathing again.

I joined a health club last year and spent about 400 bucks. Haven't lost a pound. Apparently you have to show up.

I have to exercise early in the morning before my brain figures out what I'm doing.

I like long walks... especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.

I have flabby thighs, but fortunately my stomach covers them.

The advantage of exercising every day is that you die healthier.

If you are going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country.

And last, but not least, I don't exercise because it makes the ice jump right out of my glass!

You could run this over to your friends but why not just e-mail it to them!

-- carol (kanogisdi@yahoo.com), February 01, 2002.

Jumped on the scales this morning and down another 2 pounds this week. That makes a total of 12 for the month. I have doubled my intake of veggies and fruit, lowered meat intake and bread, always am drinking water and if I want something sweet I will make me a sweet coffee or make some healthier homemade cookies. It is not a diet, but a life change. Be health and to be happy. I have also had the music on from when we get up to when we go to sleep(except during school). I am constantly dancing and goofing off with the kids. I have been walking more when I can and instead of setting will do some crunches or leg lifts. Anything to move. Good luck and god bless. Melissa, if you lose 5 pounds a month thats 60 pounds in a year! Slow and healthy is my choice, it will stay off easier!

-- Micheale from SE Kansas (mbfrye@totelcsi.net), February 01, 2002.

I feel sooo bad!!! I've had a bad week and I gained 4 pounds.It just seemed I was always hungery. I've hit the water again and started my exercises again. Hopefully next week will be better.

-- Sherry (Calfarm@msn.com), February 01, 2002.

Great news everyone! Keep up the good work. don't worry if you slipped a little, just start the next day over again.

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 02, 2002.

I have not checked in because I ain't lost nothing. I halved what I eat, drink water and exercise some but Sherry is to good of a cook and I really like to eat.

-- Tom (Calfarm@msn.com), February 04, 2002.