Thread: Weight loss
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Old Sep 22, 2010, 07:23 PM
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mysecretname mysecretname is offline
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I do not and never have had an eating disorder (well not diagnosed), but I am big on nutrition and exercise. In the Army maintaining the correct BMI is not only important but mandatory and it is something I struggle with. I have a large body build (wide shoulders, think legs, dense back and chest) so I will never fit into the "correct" weight range. I have done body building and weight loss, dieting, starving myself, all kinds of things....

First off protein shakes are good, there are even what is called "weight gainers" which have more calories than regular protein shakes for the same amount. You may want to look on bsnonline.net for those. Not trying to advertise but from my experience they are the BEST tasting protein shakes ever... Really, cookies and cream tastes almost (really almost) as good as an ice cream shake...

Also I would recommend to immediately (and I mean immediately) stop weighing yourself every day. It puts a much higher emphasis on the numbers which are not important really. Instead I would say weigh yourself once a week, on the same day every week and first thing in the morning after you pee and all of that stuff. That is when it will be the most accurate. Here is the key, instead of concentrating on the numbers, concentrate on what your body actually looks like. You have said yourself that you looked bony, I take that to mean that you are not really happy with the way your body looks, but you obsess over the numbers. I would recommend (and all of this is from a body builder point of view, not necessarily a mental health professional) that you might want to take pictures once a month and see how your body has changed. This can help you actually see the differences you won't notice on a day to day basis, and can also help you build a positive body self image on how healthy you actually are and getting your "curves" back rather than constantly looking at the numbers....

Also you can do weight training instead of cardio (which I assume is what you do the most of). Weight training can help you add muscle, tone and look and feel healthier over all, compared to cardio that mainly only burns calories and doesn't build anything. Adding in or replacing your cardio with weight training will allow you to still feel good because you are working out and exercising, building muscle and a more healthy body, and not burning as many calories. Ofcourse, talk to your T about these ideas (if you choose to use any) and maybe also a nutritionist if you have access.... Hope that helps....

Ok, last thing... my girlfriend weighs right at 90lbs right now (she is small frame and 4'11") which is the limit on when we start getting on her about her weight. We would all rather she stay above 100, but she is happier at 90lbs and does not fight us to try and go below that. With her though we are thankful for her even being up that high since she had cancer and was down to 40-50lbs during that time.... The main thing is to have people in your life who care about you being healthy and will hold you accountable... as we do for her.

EDIT: The products for bsn that I was referring to is Syntha 6 (that is the regular protein powder) and True-Mass (that is the weight gainer...)
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Last edited by mysecretname; Sep 22, 2010 at 07:24 PM. Reason: Added Info
Thanks for this!
thinker22