What did you do just to lose weight?

I want some ideas from you guys just to have an effective ways to lose weight.

Welcome to PC, Melcah!

I had to start paying attention to what I was eating, how much (which it turns out in my case out was the primary culprit as it was too much), and starting to move more by exercising daily. The weight is coming off.

I can't specifically start counting every calorie or it will drive me nuts, but with a general idea to start, it helped to learn what portion sizes are supposed to be then sticking to that has helped. Then substituting some foods for less calorie ones, making healthier choices for snacks, and eating less of things so I can have some if it but yet don't deprive myself of something I really want.

Don't know if this helps but this is what I changed to help start making a difference with my weight.

-Use a calorie tracker website, there are plenty of free ones out there that'll calculate approximatly how much you need and then tell you how much you need to take in to loose weight.

-Measure out servings with scales- its suprizing how much you can over/under estimate how much you're eating.

-Use minimal ready made foods.

-Have healthier snack and dessert options available. You can still have something sweet after your evening meal, if its the right choices and quantities.

-Have a small amount of what you fancy, even if it means buying less economically and buying smaller amounts of things so you don't have it around in the house. Don't get into the habit of it's a treat so I'll have as much of it as I like often.

-On that note, try and make treats non food related, especially if you reach goals to do with weight loss.

-Get active, make sure you incorperate exercise into your lifestyle.

-Learn new recipes that use less fat, calories and salt.

-Drink plenty, and have a drink before assuming you're hungry.

-Try and be around people who have the same goals as you, to encourage each other- if you know people who exercise, ask if you can go with them.

-Take lower fat options if available for things like milk in coffee.

-Personally decreasing intake of dairy products made a big difference.

My experience with a lifelong weight problem has been that counting calories just doesn't work. No to say you should anything and everything you want but your food intake is just part of the problem. I started and kept off my weight by buying a treadmill and walking for an hour everyday. Starting with half an hour you must make sure you are not walking to fast to go into an aerobic workout. Fat burning happens when your heart rate is at 60-70% of maximum while 80% and over is aerobic. To find your maximum heart rate just subtract your age from 210 and then multiply that number by 60% and that is your target heart rate. It may not be fun but it works. I even installed a tv in front of the treadmill to help me pass the time. Try it and see. Hope you find the success that I did! Good luck.

Decide what you want to weigh, then add a zero to the end of that. That's the amount of calories you can consume each day to successfully reach your goal.

For example... If you want to weigh 150 lbs., then consume no more than 1500 calories a day.

This works great, especially for people who cannot exercise due to physical limitations or disabilities.

Good Luck & Best Wishes!

I saw a dietician on Monday, Jan 23. I already have been walking but due to weather conditions it has not been everyday. I was trying to eat healthy on my own but needed a little help. The dietician gave me the Canada Food Guide, told of some thing I could have that I didn't know I could. Then, she told me of what I could not eat, even in healthy food categories.

Today, being only the fourth day of my guidelines diet, I have lost two pounds. At the same time, I am actually eating more food than I was allowing myself before. Instead of four servings of protein and three of vegetables and 6 or so servings of fruit, through juices as well as food, I have changed ot 2 protein servings, no fruit juices anymore, two servings of fruit, 7 to 8 of vegetables, 6 - 7 servings of grain, and 2 of dairy. I am doing much better. I panicked at first when I saw 7 to 8 servings of vegetables, because of the cost of fressh produce. However, the servings are small and you can easily have two servings of frozen mixed vegetables in one meal. The servings of protein encouraged beef but small portions and only a couple per week are needed to get the b12 and iron. Because of this, I can now drop the cost of supplements, and with the protein portions being small, I am not spending so much on meat.

As for exercise...I talked to my doctor first. Due to joint pain, I had to be cautious on the type of exercise I do. I only have to do it 3 to 4 times a week for 20 minutes of cardio to keep my heart healthy and I am already doing 1 hour walks. Walking does not cost money, and many exercises can be done at home without paying out for equipment. I bought a $15.00 yoga mat to do my exercises on at home and I am doing well.

This is what I would recommend.

I'm 5' 0" tall. From ages 41ish to 57ish I gained approximately 50 lbs.

My p-doc put me on Zyprexa in November of 2010 to August of 2011, I gained about 45 pounds putting me over 200 pounds... I didn't go to my 40th high school reunion because of how I looked.

So, I gained as much in 10 months time as much as I did in 16 years! I'll spare you the expletives here.

So, from late August 2011 to now (late January), I've lost approximately 45 pounds which puts me back at pre-Zyprexa weight. I think I should lose more for for health reasons/BMI, etc. I am truly happy about this weight loss! Actually, I'm ecstatic!!!

It is only fair to say that these have been very trying times for me, that I'm sure have played a huge roll: no jobs, facing foreclosure, selling home of 22 years at below market value, new place to live, etc.

But, I'm here to tell you, coming off Zyprexa is the main catalyst. I'm NOT starving all the time! I'm NOT looking for food late at night. I'm NOT savoring food like a long lost lover. I'm NOT planning my next mouthful as I'm swallowing my last. I'm NOT eating food as if I'm in a Zen-like state. I'm NOT doing those things.

What I am doing is looking at food as a product. It's what I eat when I'm hungry. It's variety is what I NEED rather than what I WANT. I'm evaluating what GOOD it does for me rather than ignoring what HARM it's probably causing. I'm slowly changing my perspective and it's HEALTHIER.

A whole new attitude.

One great tip I've learned, but don't always follow - plan plan plan.

Find out how many calories you need, what foods are within those calories and be sure to have those foods in your house. Cooking and eatting fresh foods is usually far healtier than prepared foods.

Fats are the most dense calories, 11 grams
alcolhol is the next dense calories 9 grams all booze!
carbohydrates the lowest density 7 grams vegetables, fruits, grains

Fiber fills you up (whole grains like oatmeal, fresh produce) and keep you feeling full longer.

Having a homemade soup where you control things like the fat content, (clear soups not cream of ---- soup) salt content, amount of meat is a great way to get plenty of different veggies.

Hope those ideas help.

Also eatting 3 meals a day at regular times and having 2 snacks!

i love sweets. so instead of buying them and having them in my home, i decided to only eat them if they are being served at a get together.
haven't had them since CHRISTMAS.

I drink lots of water and i stay away from sugar. Walking everyday and sleep for eight hours.