How to get back in shape...

[KiaraNightshadow]

Okay, so there are several weight-loss threads on here that I've browsed over, but nothing seems to fit me so far. I just hope you guys understand.

So here's my story. My fiance and I have been together for 3 years now, during which time we tried to have a baby. Unfortunately, she didn't make it. I had a miscarriage several months into the pregnancy, and since then I haven't been able to lose the weight that I gained from it. It was very hard for me, physically and emotionally, and it took a while to get passed it. A low metabolism runs in the females in my family, which hasn't been helping me lose it, either.

Not too long ago, my fiance and I were discussing the lack of sex we've had lately, which is odd for us. While we were talking, he admitted that he doesn't find me as attractive anymore because of the weight I've gained while we've been together. It hurt, but I understand that he cares about my health and he wants me to get back into shape.

Here's my situation: I'm a full-time student and part-time employee. It's now winter with the usual deathly Chicago cold, and the nearest gym is too far of a drive. I do all of the shopping for my household (5 roommates, including myself and my fiance), and I make a note to buy as many fruits and veggies to snack on as I can afford in my budget.

The dieting and exercise won't be a problem, but I fear it won't be enough because of my family's health history. What I'm looking for is a dietary supplement or daily injection that isn't just a rip off.

Any suggestions?

-KN

 

[KiaraNightshadow]

Update:

I've heard a lot about the HCG injections or drops. Does anyone have any experience with them?

-KN

 

[Dribble]

When Master Oogway chose Po to be the Dragon Warrior, everyone was surprised to say the least. How could a fat panda with no Kung Fu experience battle Ti Lung? But he had the "secret" ingredient...the Dragon Scroll...so all would be well in the Valley of Peace.

Only problem...the Dragon Scroll had no "words of wisdom". There was no spell making Po magically a Kung Fu Master.

Who could have imagined that Po's father held the understanding of the Dragon's Scroll in the recipe of his Secret Ingredient Soup? For those that do not understand...there was no secret ingredient...it was just a name...but because the customers "believed" there must be a "secret ingredient", it was better than the normal noodle soup.

There is no "secret" ingredient to getting back in shape. Sorry. But it can happen easier if you work as a team (believing in each other).

 

[akatrex]

IMHO: All dietary supplements or injections are just a rip off.

 

[muskokan]

My secret ingredient was DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) - I lost a good 50lbs after having my last child playing DDR..

For me, it was finding something I enjoy, doing something because I wanted to do it (or because I wanted to unlock the next level) because it was fun and because it made me feel good. I tried the workout game for the PS as well and although it was interesting, and not boring, I couldn't keep going.. DDR was much more fun and motivating.

find something you enjoy doing for the sake of doing it, and that is healthy for you.

 

[SpecialKay62]

First

let me say how sorry I am for your loss.

Regarding the drops...I don't have experience personally, but a few friends have tried it. In addition to the drops, you're allowed about 400 calories! They had an initial weight loss of about 20 pounds and then...as they added in food...they gained it back. As difficult as it sounds, the secret to weight loss and maintenance is exercise and a sensible diet. Restricting calories is a great way to initiate weight loss but when your body becomes used to it, the weight loss stops. The other side of the equation is exercise. Try to find something that you like and will stick with. Stairs in your building? Walk 'em! Love music? Try an hour of dancing in your bedroom. I also like the DDR idea a lot! Good luck to you on your quest for health!

 

[Cattypuss]

You might find that sea kelp tablets could help boost your metabolism (by supporting thyroid function - low- functioning thyroid is often to blame for a sluggish metabolism). They're ridiculously cheap (here in the UK at least). Like I got six months' supply from my local health food shop for about 4 of your American dollars

 

[IronyMaster]

You can only lose 2 pounds of fat a week, unfortunately. There is no "secret pill" or quick-fix remedy - if any of them actually worked, then why do companies release a new one every few weeks? None of them ever work, just a marketing ploy.

Losing weight requires consistent exercise and diet. It usually takes a deficit of around 3500 calories to lose one pound of fat. Thus, if you cheat more than one slightly larger meal a week, you aren't going to lose much, if at all.
Even a small 200 calories snack that brings you over your deficit per day will make it almost impossible to lose weight.
In fact, it's not really a diet, but a lifestyle change - if you wanna get the weight off AND keep it off.

I highly suggest picking up the book, The Body Fat Advantage, by Tom Venuto, if you are serious about losing weight. It helped me drop 35 lbs, only 25 to go, yaya!

I wish you luck in this endeavor!

 

[KiaraNightshadow]

I'm not sure everyone is getting the right impression. I know very well that there is no "magic pill" to losing weight. I tried to make that clear that something like that isn't what I'm looking for.

What I'm looking for is something that could possibly boost my metabolism or help curb cravings that I can use IN ADDITION TO diet and exercise.

-KN

 

[EsotericSub]

I've never tried any supplements, but there are other tricks you can use as far as just modifying your habits. To curb cravings, it helps to have variety in your diet. You're way more likely to break down and go back to your unhealthy ways if you're eating the same stuff all the time and denying yourself all the foods you love. Replace chips and other crunchy snacks with air-popped popcorn, for instance (just don't slather it in butter!). I find that replacing bad habits with healthier ones that are still satisfying is a great way to make it easier to stay on track.

As for metabolism-boosting, try eating 5 smaller meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two snacks) rather than 3 larger ones, and drink plenty of water. Spreading your meals out throughout the day helps keep your metabolism up, and just plain moving more helps too.

Also, someone mentioned hypothyroidism... have you talked to your doctor about your metabolism? If you haven't had a blood test to check your thyroid levels, it could be a good idea. It's a fairly common problem, and maybe it's why you and your family tend to have that sluggish metabolism. It's also an easy fix, your doctor will just prescribe synthetic thyroid hormone. Worth looking into!

Good for you for taking charge of your health, I hope you have success!

 

[Cattypuss]

I'm not sure everyone is getting the right impression. I know very well that there is no "magic pill" to losing weight. I tried to make that clear that something like that isn't what I'm looking for.

What I'm looking for is something that could possibly boost my metabolism or help curb cravings that I can use IN ADDITION TO diet and exercise.

-KN

Did you somehow miss my post??

 

[IronyMaster]

I'm not sure everyone is getting the right impression. I know very well that there is no "magic pill" to losing weight. I tried to make that clear that something like that isn't what I'm looking for.

What I'm looking for is something that could possibly boost my metabolism or help curb cravings that I can use IN ADDITION TO diet and exercise.

-KN

Curb cravings? It helps to eat lots of stuff that is low in calories but high in fillingness (yes, that is a word ) Vegetables are the best for this.
Boost your metabolism? Green tea.

Keep in mind that none of this will work unless the diet and exercise is there. Boosting your metabolism is maybe 10% of the equation, diet and exercise is 90%.

 

[viper2000]

Celery uses more energy to be digested then it burns and is low gi and high fibre filling you up (no dips or peanut butter).

You need to set yourself some goals and keep a diary of the foods you eat this will keep you honest and you can look back and see what you have eaten.

www.acsm.org (the american college of sports)

www.tnation.com

www.crossfit.com

Get a work out buddy maybe a friend try to put in 30 mins a day of activity resistance and aerobic training.
Try working out with your partner. You only get out what you put in. Put a photo up of someone you would like to look similar to and work towards it take a photo of yourself before you start your program and one at the end to see a difference.
Eating frequent small healthy meals can boast metabolism as does having more muscle as it uses more energy. Health is a lifestyle and saying no to friends asking to have junk food and snacks and to much alcohol is apart of that. Discipline keep a diary of your workouts e.g what you did for how long and intensity. Keep a diary of the food you eat and you can review both and if you achieve your goals have a reward for it not junk food based please.

 

[qrayze]

Did you somehow miss my post??

lol, I did....oops

 

[march_manness]

Great Thread. I have found the free LiveStrong website to be a big help to me in tracking my calories and exercise.

 

[storyreader84]

As a doc, I tell all my patients first, it is a LOT of hard work. Commitment on your part with good support is almost always a must.

So some other random things to not forget... eat healthy... obviously, but also don't start skipping breakfast, it is very important for your metabolism. Also, don't forget about good sleeping habits (consistent hours, >7.5 hours/night), you need sleep to keep metabolism going and motivation for exercise up. Aerobic exercise is amazing, find a way to push yourself with it, don't become complacent (sex is a great motivator in your case) with a specific pace or time. Also, people always state '30 minutes' but in actuality benefits (decreased overall appetite (depending on intensity), increased metabolism) keep increasing significantly until you hit a golden 50-60 min/day according to many recent studies (may need to multitask to get here, I read or listen to pod-casts depending on my workout). Some weights are good to add in occasionally in ADDITION to aerobic because growing muscle continues to burn calories when not exercising.

Another key, it is hard to maintain all the changes, slow and steady with continual incorporation of new/progressed techniques/habits.

Finally... CONGRATS!!! I love hearing people interested in changing their lifestyle to a healthier one!

 

[ArchLady03]

I found that (and this is IMO) interval training is the best way to lose fat. That way you keep your heart working and your body moving, but it's never the same thing twice. So you could have a core day, or an arms and legs day, and then just throw in a day of running. The best part of this is that you don't need a gym membership or anything fancy to do this. All you need is a set of free weights and a list of workouts (you can find these anywhere online) and you're good to go.

You already have the motivation, now you just need to apply it. Good luck on your endeavor!!

 

[Elaya]

I don't have experience, but I've heard of Wu-long green tea, and cayene pepper supplement pills help.

 

[newmikeman]

Well, I never expected to post about such a serious topic here. But I happened to catch your thread.

First, I'd like to say I am sorry for your loss. My wife and I have/had fertility issues. There were a lot of losses for us. And it's terrible, even if it happens just once.

Ok.

Weight/Fitness:
There are no magic bullets/diets or supplements for weight loss. (Well, except FDA-approved Alli...) Get a complete physical with a full screening. That may show any hormonal/enzyme imbalances that can cause the issues you describe. A simple balanced diet based on 20% less calories you need. You figure this out by getting your Basal Metabolic Rate and your Caloric Burn Rate. Alternately, you can use sites like:
http://www.dailyburn.com
http://www.livestrong.com

My fave is the first, but use what works for you. That also goes for exercise. Try to do something you actually enjoy or something that you may have an affinity for or simply you don't find boring.

Fertility:
I'd urge you just to be a little proactive and get checked out by your GYN. Unless there's a history of it (infertility) in your family; you'll be told your loss can happen a lot and it means nothing. Which is probably the case, but if having a family is in yours and future hubs plan- it's ok to be prudent. Especially if you try for a child for a year (or several, or many) you'll be better equipped to deal with the issue.

Everything Else: (Sex, Relationship...)
It sounds like you and him are simply stressed out. Getting married, working, being a student, and being pregnant all take a lot out you and him. Just be open, honest and keep talking (and doing). Don't be afraid to seek professional help, if you need someone with a clear eye/ear to help tease thing things out.


I hope I've helped.

 

[tgnytg]

Don't confuse weight loss and getting in shape

If you want to lose weight, consume less food/fewer calories.

If you want to get into shape, exercise.

Trying to lose weight by exercising is not a very efficient or effective way to do it.

 

[Sidney_1]

I've been in shape my entire life except for the past 4 months.

Getting back on the wagon tomorrow, despite the snow. I just find that it bores me senseless, now. I wish I had a good pilates studio and it was affordable nearby.

And pool. Oh well, gotta work with what you have, right?

 

[Felix_Jones]

Powders, pills, supplements, fad diets, programs, etc. are pretty well all a scam.
It's simple, to get into shape you need to expend more energy. That way all the food that you eat goes into repairing and building your muscles rather than being stored as fat.
Eat healthy, non-processed food, get off your bum and you'll be fine.
I try to think of doing something active daily. Even if it's going for an extended walk. Also, I've played on various sports teams pretty well since starting high school (I'm 33 now), it helps to have others doing similar things around you.
For me it's rugby in the summer and fall, and hockey in the winter and spring, but there's loads of things out there that can occupy you. Note: Beer league baseball does NOT count as exercise. Neither does golf if you rent a cart. Bowling is another one that'll most likely make you fatter.

 

[fire_breeze]

I was in the same boat. Because of heredity of slow metabolism, an under-functioning thyroid plus border-line hypoglycaemia (the opposite of diabetes, which means I HAVE to eat frequently, or else it ain't pretty), as well as a full time grad student and working full time, it was difficult to lose weight. But I did it.

First, ask your doctor to rule out any underlying physical contributions to a slow metabolism. Ask her/him to do a full blood-test, including a thyroid spectrum (most just do a T4. Make sure that a T3 is included). It may contribute to your slow weight loss. If you do have hypothyroidism, you'll probably be on hormone supplements, which means a little pill every single day. If that's the case, wait until your thyroid is stabilised before you start losing weight.

Second, take a multivitamin. Many people are Vit. D deficient, as well as vit. C. If you cannot ensure that you get an adequate diet rich with vitamins and minerals, take a multivitamin everyday.

Third, you have to understand that you do have to moderate your food intake and also realise that lasting weight loss will not happen overnight. Depending on the amount you want to lose (which should be determined by your doctor, health professional or even a dietician, not you), it can take a year or more. However, those slow weight loss usually means that you won't gain it back. I used sparkspeople.com - and still do, and lost an incredible amount of weight. It's easy, and it's free, and it's about tracking your caloric intake.

I'm not a fan of eliminating food from my diet. As an avowed chocolaholic, if I had to give up sweets, I would never had been able to do it. But those 100 calories chocolate, or keeping it truly one portion, helped me indulge while keeping my cravings at bay. If you truly are moderate in your intake, then you can eat everything without overdoing it.

Also, please make sure that you truly want to lose weight. One of these days, some PhD student will write a thesis about it and validate what I'm about to say, but in my trials and tribulations in my weight loss quest, I realised that unless I wanted to - not because I was told to - I just couldn't lose a single milligram. It was that day when I decided I was sick of being like this that I was able to get on the metaphorical horse, and dedicate myself to the endeavour - and being able to climb back on the wagon when I fell off. Before, I just wasn't into it. I had to do it for ME, and when I did, my metabolism kicked up a notch.

The best metabolism booster? Exercise. Try to get in 30 minutes of solid aerobic activity everyday (min. 3 times a week). You say that the nearest gym is a far drive. Do you have a gym that falls in between work and home? Or school and home? If so, go before class or work. Or better yet, most schools have a gym that is either free or cheap for its students. You pay the fees, use the facilities.

I hate to say this, but no over the counter pills or shakes will help you lose weight, unless it's the weight of your wallet. Furthermore, many of those supplements are dangerous for your heart and liver. Unfortunately, a sensible moderate diet, and regular exercise is the safe and proven way to lose weight, and to keep it off.

Good luck.

 

[silverwhisper]

kiara, i'm so sorry to learn of your loss. this just happened to a dear friend & his wife.

i believe that in addition to good diet & exercise, you cited a low metabolism as a challenge. you can theoretically increase your metabolism through increasing your consumption of stimulants, but of course, those carry with them their own risks.

i don't know how often you guys eat out or otherwise don't eat a home cooked meal, but that's a step you might find that helps make it easier to control what's going into your body, too.

a trick models use to increase their metabolism: they drink only cold beverages. supposedly, this elevates their metabolism because when they drink something cold, the body expends energy to bring it up in temperature, which in turn burns more calories. i don't know if it makes a measurable difference but since at least 2 person in this thread actually has formal medical training, i figured it couldn't hurt to throw it out.

storyreader emphasized the importance of a consistent schedule. i think that's very often an under-recognized element in health management.

ed

 

[KiaraNightshadow]

I would just like to say thank you to everyone who responded here. Your support is much appreciated. You have no idea.