Christian/Catholic Weight Loss?

[mercygate]

I am studying Health Science in college and I have studied weight loss and gain for the past few years so here are a few tips for those that would like to lose weight.

First of all everything in moderation. When you get a craving for something EAT IT because if you repress your cravings you will end up giving in and eating more than you should of whatever it is you want to eat. The thing is you need to realize how much you are eating and only eat only a little bit of it.

The next thing is that you have to get into an exercise routine and diversity is key. You can’t always do the same exercises otherwise you will get bored and stop exercising. A great workout for losing weight is a bodyweight exercise routine. It builds strength and endurance in muscles instead of adding bulk. Keep reps from 12 to 15. Also, please don’t so static stretching. It’s engrained in people’s heads that static stretching is the correct stretching technique but it’s wrong. You will increase chance of injury if you use static stretched. Instead use dynamic stretches which ease muscles to relax after a workout.

Drink lots of water and slowlys ease out of carbonated beverages. For me I only have coke’s when I go out to eat and that’s my limit. If I go out to eat a little more than usual I always bring a bottle of water or ask for water at the restaurant.

Try to add some fruits to your diet instead of candy or snacks.

Remember to have fun with this, don’t make it a job. If you stop losing for a bit don’t worry just keep perservering.

If anyone has any questions you can always pm me and I will answer them asap. I can help put workouts together and help with diets.

Super advice. I’ll add one more tip. NEVER use the “D” word.

 

[Brenda_V]

Just clidk on the “Profile” link at the top of the screen (below the banner line). That pops up all threads you are subscribed to that have fresh posts on them. To search for a thread that hasn’t had new posts, go to the “List all subscriptions” link in the left hand column.

Actually I was thinking Sticky because then it would always be “on top” for those who are new and haven’t figured some of this out yet but thanks for the lesson, I have never used that feature.

Brenda V.

 

[Jefferson7]

Super advice. I’ll add one more tip. NEVER use the “D” word.

Yeah using the “D” word makes you feel like you have to do something. Instead it’s more of a lifestyle change, it’s easier to get through a lifestyle change than a diet.

 

[mercygate]

Yeah using the “D” word makes you feel like you have to do something. Instead it’s more of a lifestyle change, it’s easier to get through a lifestyle change than a diet.

I dunno, if “lifestyle change” means never eating peach ice cream, then I’m not so sure I would be .

My motto: I can eat anything I want.

Once in a while.

On another thread, I posted a favorite “do-the-right-thing” reminder, that I learned from a friend who has spent years in AA:

"Maybe I’ll have a drink (cheeseburger, milkshake, double-Dutch-chocolate-nut-fudge brownie) . . . . Tomorrow.

 

[Jefferson7]

Mercygate you have the right idea. You can have whatever you want but you have to control how much you have. That’s the change. Many people just eat and eat and eat, what you have to do is eat and then stop.

 

[mercygate]

Mercygate you have the right idea. You can have whatever you want but you have to control how much you have. That’s the change. Many people just eat and eat and eat, what you have to do is eat and then stop.

I think one of the “problems” in the US is that we have a highly inflated idea of “portion”. We seem to think we “need” a lot more food than we do. Ever see what competition gymnasts eat? You would think they would starve, but they have more energy than anybody!

 

[Jefferson7]

It all depends on how much exercise a person is doing. If you have ever seen cyclists after a race or especially after a day in the Tour de France you will see how much they eat and yet they still have to get IV fluids with nutrients so they can stay healthy. After this they still lose an average of 10 pounds after the 21 days of riding.

Without exercise you should eat a piece of meat about the size of your fist. Twice that with carbs and a handful of vegetables per meal.(This is for a three times a day meal plan) Carbs also include the bread if you have bread. I know this seems like very little but that is why you are supposed to eat every few hours. When you go to work take along an apple, a banana, and some nuts(no salt). You can obviously change the fruits for others but that’s what I like.

When eating eat until you are full. Take the rest home(if at a restaurant) or if at home just put the rest away. Don’t put a lot on your plate. It’s okay to get seconds if you only had a little bit to start. It’s not okay if you pile on the spaghetti on your plate and then get seconds.

Have a smoothie for breakfast. This is one of the best things for people to have in the morning. Get some whey or soy protein, honey, wheat germ, ice, yoghurt, and fruits of choice. This will give you some energy for the day as well as carbs from the fruit.

 

[nfpworks]

I joined WW online at the end of January and lost almost 30 pounds. But. . .I am having a hard time getting back on track.

I had 4 babies (beautiful kids now ages. . .10, 8, 6, and 4) in 5 1/2 years. Then, after my youngest was born, I started to have anxiety issues and gained even more weight.

So, I have more like 80 -100 pounds to lose. But, I am taking baby steps. . .10 pounds at a time.

Anyway. . .I would really like to support each other. My husband is awesome, but after almost 12 years of marriage and ( for him) a bag of potato chips almost every night. . . no kidding. . he is still a 34 waist.

sigh

 

[mercygate]

I joined WW online at the end of January and lost almost 30 pounds. But. . .I am having a hard time getting back on track.

I had 4 babies (beautiful kids now ages. . .10, 8, 6, and 4) in 5 1/2 years. Then, after my youngest was born, I started to have anxiety issues and gained even more weight.

So, I have more like 80 -100 pounds to lose. But, I am taking baby steps. . .10 pounds at a time.

Anyway. . .I would really like to support each other. My husband is awesome, but after almost 12 years of marriage and ( for him) a bag of potato chips almost every night. . . no kidding. . he is still a 34 waist.

sigh

WOW! Four children in 5 1/2 years! Hey! I’d be happy just to be standing up. You’re good to go for this one. It’s not one DAY at a time, it’s one MINUTE at a time.

 

[nfpworks]

Thanks. It’s a constant struggle. . .After my youngest was born (by emergency C-section) - he had some health issues and with that stress, I put more weight on.

Now, I feel pretty good - able to focus on weight loss. But, I have had a few days where I didn’t follow my program (better than the D word???) And, it’s so hard to get back “on.” I don’t want to fall into old habits.

So, here I go. I will get back on track.

Thanks again

 

[Jefferson7]

Good job I think you are on the right track. Making small goals is a great thing to do but remember to reward yourself.

 

[mercygate]

Good job I think you are on the right track. Making small goals is a great thing to do but remember to reward yourself.

Tea is a good reward. Better than chocolate brownies!

 

[KathyA]

Anyway. . .I would really like to support each other. My husband is awesome, but after almost 12 years of marriage and ( for him) a bag of potato chips almost every night. . . no kidding. . he is still a 34 waist.

sigh

I hear you! My husband of 21 years still weighs what he did when we got married and you should see the “junk” he eats! I have noticed, however, that his weight has 're-arranged" over the years. I’ve been after him to change his ways for his HEALTH, which is why I really want to get it together myself.

Kathy

 

[Gwyn]

Count me in, I am joining, need to loose weight.

2 years ago I decided I had to loose some and started eating healthy and working out daily and lost 40 lbs in a year, however somewhere along the line… fell off track and put on 10 lbs.

Well now I am determined to loose what I gained plus some more…

Some of the rules I followed

Work out daily aerobics and some weights
Do 100 crunches on AbRoller
Drink at least 8 glasses of H20 (no juice or pop…too many calories)
No cream only skim milk in decaf coffee
Avoid Junk (occassionally chips, cookies, candy is OK) do not totally cut off
5-6 smaller meals instead of 3 large ones…
Lots of salad, fruits and veggies and yogurt
Drink green tea after lunch (speeds up metabolism)
Write down everything that goes past my lips (really helps)
Plate should be filled with quarter carbs, quarter protein and half veggies…
Use smaller plates
Opt for wholegrains

OK, my target…to loose 30 lbs

 

[Annika]

I need to lose about 40lbs. Half is from medication, and half is stress eating, no willpower, and laziness.

I’m the type of person who is always starting a new diet - and so always eating “my last meal”. I crave high fat foods - creamy, fried, etc because they instantly relieve my stress. When it’s really bad you could give me a spoon and a jar of mayonnaise and I’d be happy

I lost 15lbs on WW last year, and have put it all back on. I wasn’t using all my points and started getting obsessive about using less and less points. It was a little scary.

I have Lyme disease and it’s difficult to exercise, but I don’t want to use that as an excuse. I have to do SOMETHING, every day, even if it’s only for a minute or two. I have a feeling my metabolism is practically dead.

I don’t drink sodas (or juices) and rarely go to restaurants, so I can’t cut that out. I drink lots of water and consume many vegetables and fruits and little salt. My biggest obstacle will be portion control and eating on a regular schedule.

I sometimes pray to St. Catherine of Siena for help against the temptations. That works until I’m so stressed I can’t pray

I feel as though I’m damaging my body and making God angry. I wasn’t meant to be this heavy. It’s unnatural.

 

[Gwyn]

Count me in, I am joining, need to loose weight.

2 years ago I decided I had to loose some and started eating healthy and working out daily and lost 40 lbs in a year, however somewhere along the line… fell off track and put on 10 lbs.

Well now I am determined to loose what I gained plus some more…

Some of the rules I followed

Work out daily aerobics and some weights
Do 100 crunches on AbRoller
Drink at least 8 glasses of H20 (no juice or pop…too many calories)
No cream only skim milk in decaf coffee
Avoid Junk (occassionally chips, cookies, candy is OK) do not totally cut off
5-6 smaller meals instead of 3 large ones…
Lots of salad, fruits and veggies and yogurt
Drink green tea after lunch (speeds up metabolism)
Write down everything that goes past my lips (really helps)
Plate should be filled with quarter carbs, quarter protein and half veggies…
Use smaller plates
Opt for wholegrains

OK, my target…to loose 30 lbs

Another thing to mention, previously I tried all sorts of diets - Cabbage soup, Atkins, Scarsdale, … and noticed that after I came off the diet I put the weight back on… so decided no more diets…JUST HEALTHY EATING AND EXERCISE AND WILL POWER

 

[Jefferson7]

Annika don’t despair. Diets that are on the news and advertised every where do very little for anyone. Most of the time people lose a lot of wieght and then decide they are going to go off the diet because they are healthier and end up gaining more weight then they lost. Diets don’t work because they are quick fixes to problems that are long term.

Trust me I know what you mean about being unable to exercise much. I have Crohn’s Disease and with the stomach cramps and immense pain and constant uncomfortable feeling while flaring I know it’s hard to exercise but you have to perservere and do the best you can. Start with doing 10 stair pushups and see how you do. Make tiny goals that you can meet.

If you are finding stress and anxiety in your life talk to a therapist or a priest because talking about your problems can do wonders for you. Keep up the prayer as that will give you strength. God bless

 

[Annika]

Thank you so much for the kind words, Jefferson. They’ve brought me a little peace.

I do have a very nice priest that I am comfortable talking with. He has type I diabetes, so he would probably also understand about health contraints.

I am taking mercygate’s advice about “tomorrow” - my husband is sitting here eating an eclair, and I’m thinking “I can have one tomorrow” and I don’t feel like I’m missing out

 

[mercygate]

Thank you so much for the kind words, Jefferson. They’ve brought me a little peace.

I do have a very nice priest that I am comfortable talking with. He has type I diabetes, so he would probably also understand about health contraints.

I am taking mercygate’s advice about “tomorrow” - my husband is sitting here eating an eclair, and I’m thinking “I can have one tomorrow” and I don’t feel like I’m missing out

You bet! That one really does work. Thank you, AA.

 

[Annika]

You bet! That one really does work. Thank you, AA.

It seems like such a simple thing, but it never occured to me before. I’m always thinking this is the LAST time I’ll be eating this, so might as well stuff it in. It’s not logical, since obviously the food is still going to be there tomorrow.

I think it might have something to do with my childhood. There was often not enough food, even when my mother skipped meals to give them to us. And our father would eat our food off our plates if we weren’t quick enough (he “worked hard”). You’d think I could look down at my big flabby body and realize I’m getting enough now!