Diet & Fitness Blog

Comment: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 6:54:00 AM -  Anonymous said...  

This is all fine and dandy, but aren't there other factors at play as well? I am 5' 5" and for YEARS I was "blessed" with being thin and around 110 to 120 - never more than 130 pounds. I did not watch what I ate. I could eat a whole batch of cookie dough. I did not exercise. I did not plan meals.

At the age of 46, in 2005, I quit smoking. I also experienced the death of a partner of 7 years and started taking Elavil. I ballooned up to 160 pounds.

Now it is 2007. For the past year, I have been trying to limit myself to no more than 1200 calories a day. I work 2 jobs - from 4:30 AM to 6:00 PM so time to exercise is very limited. In the past year I have only lost 5 pounds. I watch what I eat ALL the time. I plan my meals.

What can I do to overcome age, hormones and other factors and get back to being "thin" again?

Comment: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 9:57:00 AM -  Anonymous said...  

I can never understand it. I know people who don't do any of the things listed and still manage to be thin. I know it has to do with metabolism and partly due to genes...but gahhh...it's just not fair!

when I was younger I was super-skinny...then i hit my teenage years and i gained weight...not too much..i'm still average but I am not happy with how I look....

Comment: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 9:58:00 AM -  Anonymous said...  

I had the same problem- suddenly had 30 pounds on me that wouldn't go away. I decided to try e-diets, and stuck to the diet plan, as well as the exercise routine. The weekly weigh in was a real inspiration for me, as I couldn't wait to see my weight slowly decreasing each week. I lost 1-2 pounds per week, and changed my eating habits in the process. The diet was simple to follow and had the right combinations of food to provide energy and burn calories. I am now a happy healthy 135 pounds in my mid -fifties.

Comment: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 10:28:00 AM -  Anonymous said...  

1200 calories for a year seems like you should've lost more than 5 pounds. Maybe the calculations were not that accurate. Also, if you limit too much your body will go into starvation mode. I would also exercise to stimulate your metabolism. Keep up the fight..ediets can help with great advice!

Comment: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 10:40:00 AM -  Anonymous said...  

I'm 54 and was always thin as a young person and before babies. I'm now at 216 and so frustrated. 10 years ago I lost 72 pounds by just watching my fat intake and snacking when necessary on fruit. I did NOT exercise. The weight slowly came back even with good eating. I know I must exercise along with healthy and moderate eating. I've just started with a trainer who is kicking me into mental gear and giving me diet instruction. It will be my only way to re-think what I must do to be who I want to be....healthy!!!

Comment: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:17:00 AM -  Anonymous said...  

If your calorie count is correct...PLEASE make sure you also have your thyroid checked (note Normal TSH should be about 1-2...not the older wider range many doctors still accept as "normal"). If you have any other hypothyroid symptoms - such as depression (though that could solely be from the loss of partner)- or other hypothyroid symptoms (such as being cold, brittle hair and nails, pain, exhaustion and many more)- in addition to the weight not coming off- the thyroid is worth checking!!! Acute stress, hormonal factors can trigger off or exacerbate an underlying thyroid problem. Some medications can also interfere with proper thyroid function. Good luck with your journey.

Comment: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:23:00 PM -  Anonymous said...  

Elavil has been shown to actually slow down metabolism: stop blaming yourself...re-visit your medication of choice with your pharmacologist. I was on Elavil for 7 years after a health crisis in the family...put on 100 lbs. Got off it and lost all the weight...coincidence, I think not...in fact, I worked out more while I was on Elavil than after (kickboxing, etc.)...medications are a sneaky factor they often don't emphasize enough.
Good luck...things will change!

Comment: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 2:57:00 PM -  Anonymous said...  

I too was that person who could eat anything at any time and never have to worry about weight gain. Then when I reached my mid 30's and having two children changed all that. My biggest weight gain was 162lbs. on a 5'6" average frame. Before my 40th birthday, I decided to run a 5k and was really out of shape. I started training and that was the beginning of my journey. I dropped 10lbs. and was at that weight until June 2007. It was not until over the summer, I ran a 5k and saw a picture of myself and thought who is that person. That is when it hit home and it just clicked. It really has to come from within before you make the transformation from the outside. I made a comittment to myself that I would do it this time. I have lost 15 lbs. in 6 months. My birthday is mid November and I turn 46. I am so thankful I am approaching a new lifestyle going into my 50's. You have to change everything from your thought process... how you think about yourself/how you talk to yourself... to the way you look at food. Healthy food is fuel for a healthy body. I started reading the awesome daily info from ediets and purchased pubilications on health and fitness. You don't have to starve yourself. I began by eating 5 meals a day. At first I was really hungary and it took 2 months to detox my body from all the sugar. Eat clean and never eat process foods and stay away from foods with transfats. As aways...Drink H2O! The key is to exercise and to do weight resistance. The weights have made all the difference in the world. You have to carve out the time although you may not think you can find it...once you do...it's well worth it and you cannot do without it. I know it's difficult to find the time but if it's just 20 minutes...that is better than no exercise at all. Good luck and may you find the happiness you deserve by becoming a healthy and person from the inside out. I I have almost reached my goal but the biggest reward is I know I will never go back to my unhealthy self. The transformation is a physical, mental and spiritual one.
Go for it!

Comment: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 3:19:00 PM -  Anonymous said...  

You know, one thing most people don't realize when they say, "when I was young, I was thin", is that when they were in high school, they were required to take a PE (physical education) class which forced them to exercise for about one hour per day, five days per week. You didn't even realize back then that you were working out for an hour a day; it was just another thing you had to do in school. How many calories were you burning off? You didn't know or care. Then you graduated and stopped exercising, and didn't change your diet...and started gaining weight, and wondering why. Maybe high school PE classes should come with more information than just how to do a push-up!

Comment: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 4:55:00 PM -  Anonymous said...  

I have a friend who is middle-aged and is nearing 250 lbs. She doesn't eat terribly, but she goes through at least one bottle of white wine every evening. She is a hard worker and therefore does not find time to exercise. She has a hectic lifestyle, and has said in the past that drinking is her only solace. Is there any way to help her lose weight without making her give up her wine?

Comment: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 6:59:00 PM -  TC said...  

It's nice to know at 42 years young I have the habits of a "fit person" even though I weigh 20 lbs more than I believe I should.
You made my day with this one!

Comment: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 8:21:00 PM -  Supperswep said...  

No offense...but I am 200lbs on a 5'3" frame. Sorry, but if you are 5'6" and weigh 160, you don't know my pain. I am a size 18 if not 20 on a size 4 frame. I struggle everyday. And its not just food choices/portions. I pack on the pounds. i am a "real" woman. My thyroid is normal...but I can't run a marathon...I am looking for real people with the same problem...

Comment: Thursday, November 15, 2007 8:49:00 AM -  Anonymous said...  

I am 50 am 6 ft tall and weigh 215.
I joined WW about 2 years ago and have been gaining and losing the same 10 lbs. It is hard to choose good foods when eating out and resist temptation at work and parties.
Any ideas?

Comment: Thursday, November 15, 2007 10:02:00 PM -  Anonymous said...  

I know what you mean about it being difficult to resist but I have found that if I plan on what I am going to order before going into the restaurant and just stick with the plan - it works. Even if you can snack on something healthy before going to the restuaurant will eliminate the urge to indulge. Saying no is a powerful thing and once you do it several times than it becomes easier. Same with parties - try and eat before going. And another thought is I just don't go the restaurants anymore that I know have a poor selection of healthy choices on the menu.

Comment: Friday, November 16, 2007 9:43:00 AM -  Anonymous said...  

Lots of great stuff here. If the original poster is only consuming 1200 cals a day she is putting her body in starvation mode. Trust me I know what that does. Long term depression, no energy, no weight loss and lost muscle. Not a good thing. You have to boost the cals to 1500 (1300 minimum)and be certain that's where you are. And you MUST add some form of exercise even if just walking stairs and parking in last stall in parking lot. Add the water and you will slowly get a start. I believe in it .... good luck.

Comment: Friday, November 16, 2007 1:01:00 PM -  Anonymous said...  

I'd love to try the waking up naturally thing.. maybe i'll give it a try when i retire in about two weeks... but for now its alarms for me... as far as weight i've always struggled with it and most of my family has too One of my sisters exercised and does the whole thing and she still struggles... however she isn't on any medication and while still not small she's alot smaller than me.. so i guess its all in what you do to. I'm hoping with more time I too can "exercise in the am" cause while working i'm too pooped to do in in the am and don't wanna do it when i get home...

Comment: Saturday, November 17, 2007 10:44:00 PM -  Anonymous said...  

i'm 5 feet 10 inches, 138 lbs, i work out 5 times a week
(kickbox, weights, jump rope, & walking, step classes)..I'm 42, birthed 3 big babies, & lost the baby weight after each child due to drinking lots of water, no sugary drinks-ever, lots of protein, & constantly moving. there is no excuse not to work out in some way. i jump rope outside while i watch my kids play.
I refuse to be over-weight & say NO to junk foods. I take food wherever I go--MY kind of food--almonds, power bars, water..I am always prepared.
I love how it feels to be strong & fit. Hubby is my biggest fan!
I say: squeeze in work-out time where ever you can!!

Comment: Tuesday, November 20, 2007 2:28:00 PM -  Anonymous said...  

As a therapist, I spend my days focusing on the positive and what in our lives we CAN change. And the fact is, many of the things being complained about on this board CANNOT be changed. We may be able to improve our metabolism, but we will never have someone else's metabolism. We may be able to change our activity level; walk 5 miles a day; and fuel our bodies appropriately and we may only lose 3 pounds a month - or nothing at all. To be honest, sometimes we just want to complain. We want to talk about how unfair it is. I’m one of the ones who was skinny most of her life and now feels cheated. I’m one of the ones who can watch others walk around the block twice and lose 5 pounds, but who once ate chicken and brown rice and kick-boxed four times a week religiously and lost 3 pounds in 4 months and no inches. But I’ve found the answer. The answer is to focus on what you can change and do it CONSISTANTLY. It may take you years to lose 50 pounds, not six months like the girl on the cover story. But if you are consistent and refuse to go back to old habits, you will lose the weight. It is frustrating and feels unfair, but you can only work with what you have. So while we all like to whine about how unbelievably slow the weight loss is; you don’t earn the privilege until you’ve been consistent. I’m only 33 and it’s taken 11 months of exercise and constant food management to lose 25 pounds. I feel I’ve earned the right to complain.

Comment: Wednesday, November 21, 2007 6:51:00 AM -  Dr Dave Robinson said...  

As long as positive articles like this continue, and, great commentary from readers, perhaps we will see a "collective" change in the lifestyles of Americans. Healthier "habit-patterns" as I like to call them mayb take more time than "magic" drugs, rubs, lotions & potions, but unlike these gimmicks, the results last a lifetime. As a formerly very obese child until age 12, I am living proof that proper nutrition + daily exericse, consistantly, yields phenomenal results....at 47 Y.O.A., I remain trim, fit, active, healthy and happy...and so can anyone who acts on the desire to be like this and commits to it with conviction! All the best, Dr Dave @ fat2trim.com.

Comment: Thursday, November 22, 2007 5:54:00 PM -  Anonymous said...  

I was just getting into the fat loss interval training when i got a stress fracture in my heel and have been told to keep off my feet for the next 4 weeks at least - any ideas on a different fat burning routine i can do in the meantime?

Comment: Tuesday, November 27, 2007 9:20:00 AM -  Anonymous said...  

The Nutritional Tracker is a great tool to use. We think we are eating the right things and the right amounts, but when you input your meals in this tracker, you will see exactly how many carbs, fats and calories you are really eating.
Take my advise, after 50, you really need to watch both carbs and fats. We all need to eat fats, but it doesn't take much to get what you need. All the rest is added calories.
My problem is that I have such a strong sugar addiction that once I eat just a piece of cake of a piece of chocolate, I can't stop. The urge to eat just gets so strong, I can't stop. It's just better to stay away from sweets and bad carbs alltogether. Anyone have any ideas as to how to combat the addiction?