[Amanda_1981]

I used to be skinny all my life until about 4 years ago when I was put on medications for my anxiety. Most people say they gain a lot from paxil, but it really was the zyprexa that did a number on me! I'm finally off of it and now that my sleep is under control and that I have my appetite back (thanks remeron for THAT), I'd like to start a new healthy lifestyle routine including exercising daily and eating the proper food groups.

I keep hearing that a good way to lose weight is to get a 'juicer' and drink lots of 'vegetable' juice each day. As a semi vegetarian (I don't eat red meat), that wouldn't be difficult because I do love vegetables, I just am not sure if you follow that diet, how much of the other foods you are to cut out? Obviously you can't cut other foods out entirely but vegetables would be the main food you eat each day right?

Also what is the standard exercise to do if you want to lose weight? I have a gizelle and now that I have my energy back I am going to try to start doing it again, about an hour each day (break on weekends). Is that enough though? Should I be doing more than just that? Should I also be doing small weights as well and ab crunches or something?

Does anyone have any suggestions on what worked for you or any tips you've learned? Any tips or shared experience would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[crystalrose]

yeah i want to know too. I also was skinny all my life til put on meds. I wouldn't call myself fat but i really need to lose weight around my tummy, some women look you up and down when your out and it makes me feel judged. What specific exercise can you do to lose weight around your tummy area. I did hear don't alter your diet too much. Get rid of sofa drinks altogether. Drink only water and watered down juices. Don't eat if your not hungry and eat slower.

[crystalrose]

yeah i want to know too. I also was skinny all my life til put on meds. I wouldn't call myself fat but i really need to lose weight around my tummy, some women look you up and down when your out and it makes me feel judged. What specific exercise can you do to lose weight around your tummy area. I did hear don't alter your diet too much. Get rid of sofa drinks altogether. Drink only water and watered down juices. Don't eat if your not hungry and eat slower.

[anna342]

Personally I'd rather eat the veg than juice them. I'm not sure about the exact science of it all, but I'm sure you would feel more satisfied after eating a plate of chopped up veg then a glass of weird looking juice that also takes some of the good parts out which is left in the pulp.

With exercise I would say at least 3-4 sessions of 45mins-1hr is a good start. The exercise should leave you a little breathless, but still able to speak. If the exercise does not raise your pulse enough then you won't get the benefits.

I'll probably add some more later, but I need to get back to work!

[Rhapsody]

The Weight Watchers Points System works GREAT for healthy weight loss. You do not have to attend meetings to loose the weight... just go to Ebay and buy the starter kit, then eat foods that fall within your daily points range (pt range is based on ur weight).

My sister lost 110 pounds in year and I lost 25 pounds in 3 months... it does WORK!!

[jerrymichele]

I'm not sure if this will help you or not, but it helped me. Matter of fact I have feel off the wagon, and starting all over. I ride a bicycle. So imo everyone needs a workout. I have heard that you need a hard workout for at least 45 minutes a day for 5 days out of the week. What I have done was cut a lot of carbs and sugars out of my diet. Well just starting all over again. Anyways I cut my calorie intake to 1,500 calories a day. Everything portioned out. Lots of protein and fruits and vegetables. Trust me this works. You can't eat any fried food, or like mac and cheese. Fried food doubles the calories. Any kind of red meat really needs to be portioned. Chicken is good as long as it isn't deep fried. If you do cook it use a healthy oil instead of butter, and cut the fat off the meat. Also, a lot of fiber. Fiber fills you up easy. Wheat is fiber. Oatmeal is fiber. Cereal (the healty kind) can have lots of fiber. If you need sugar use the sugar subitute. Equal and splendid are really good. Also drinking water while you are eating will help fill you up. You will also find out that you will eat more working out, and eating healthy, and still shed the pounds.

[VickiesPath]

I can tell you guys exactly what to do to lose your weight if you want me to. I'm serious. I will lay it out for you below and you can work in what you want and throw out what you don't like.

1. Don't juice your veggies or fruits. East them whole. Skins and all. Except, of course, the ones you would normally peel, like bananas, oranges, etc. The whole fruit and vegetable provides fiber and nutrients. Fiber is the most important as it helps keep you regular. Along that same line, avoid process bread and crackers.

2. East five to six servings of fruits and vegetables a day. This probably sounds like a lot. But, get in your mind what a serving is. We here in American have been brainwashed about what a serving is. A serving is about 4 ounces. It is not 8 ounces. Bone up on the size of "a serving" of all of the food groups.

3. Get most of your protiens from eggs, fish, milk, low fat cheese, beans, legumes, and grains. You can add low fat meats such as chicken, pork and lean beef once a week. Remember: find out what a serving is. A serving of lean beef is only 4 ounces.

4. Green leafy vegetables are good for you. They are loaded with vitamins. HOWEVER: they are deceiving. They make you believe that you are eating a lot of food when you are not because they are fluffy! Try this approach: Make a salad out of chopped vegetables and rice, organic rice, wild rice, barley, bulgar wheat, or any other grain. Serve cold or warm with dressing of choice. Dressings do not have to be low fat dressings if they are flavorful. You do need some fat in your diet. These types of salads are very filling and stay with you.

5. Treat yourself to something you love once in a while. It will help to keep you from feeling deprived.

6. This is the most important part: Eat six small meals (some will be simply mini-meals) a day. A piece of cheese (2 oz) and an apple, celery and low-fat peanut butter, etc. Real food. This will keep your metabolism up. Be sure you have breakfast and include protien for your breakfast. I like a hard boiled egg or oatmeal.

As for exercise, remember two things: resistance training builds strength. Tones muscles burn calories even at rest. Our legs are the longest muscles. So, therefore, building our leg muscles is a very smart thing to do. Of course, cardio is a no-brainer.

Hope this helps.

[VickiesPath]

I can tell you guys exactly what to do to lose your weight if you want me to. I'm serious. I will lay it out for you below and you can work in what you want and throw out what you don't like.

1. Don't juice your veggies or fruits. Eat them whole. Skins and all. Except, of course, the ones you would normally peel, like bananas, oranges, etc. The whole fruit and vegetable provides fiber and nutrients. Fiber is the most important as it helps keep you regular. Along that same line, avoid process bread and crackers.

2. Eat five to six servings of fruits and vegetables a day. This probably sounds like a lot. But, get in your mind what a serving is. We here in American have been brainwashed about what a serving is. A serving is about 4 ounces. It is not 8 ounces. Bone up on the size of "a serving" of all of the food groups.

3. Get most of your protiens from eggs, fish, milk, low fat cheese, beans, legumes, and grains. You can add low fat meats such as chicken, pork and lean beef once a week. Remember: find out what a serving is. A serving of lean beef is only 4 ounces.

4. Green leafy vegetables are good for you. They are loaded with vitamins. HOWEVER: they are deceiving. They make you believe that you are eating a lot of food when you are not because they are fluffy! Try this approach: Make a salad out of chopped vegetables and rice, organic rice, wild rice, barley, bulgar wheat, or any other grain. Serve cold or warm with dressing of choice. Dressings do not have to be low fat dressings if they are flavorful. You do need some fat in your diet. These types of salads are very filling and stay with you.

5. Treat yourself to something you love once in a while. It will help to keep you from feeling deprived.

6. This is the most important part: Eat six small meals (some will be simply mini-meals) a day. A piece of cheese (2 oz) and an apple, celery and low-fat peanut butter, etc. Real food. This will keep your metabolism up. Be sure you have breakfast and include protien for your breakfast. I like a hard boiled egg or oatmeal.

As for exercise, remember two things: resistance training builds strength. Toned muscles burn calories even at rest. Our legs are the longest muscles. So, therefore, building our leg muscles is a very smart thing to do. Of course, cardio is a no-brainer.

Hope this helps.