Question for the Board

[BomberDawg95]

Anybody got any recommendations for how to diet properly? I've lost the first 25 lbs of my football weight, but I've got another 40 to go in order to get to the point I want. Just looking for any and all ideas if anybody knows. Thanks.

[Here'sLOCKEing at you,Kid]

Hi, Bomberdawg! I don't think you need to lose any, but Wt Watchers points system is very very good and they say not hard to follow. I've not used it myself, but everyone I've known who has actually has lost what they wanted to and were very satisfied with it! Good luck.

[stargazer]

Portion control and a little excersize. Keep up the good work!

[krakup]

when u train as much as i imagine u do, u have a big appetite. when u drop off the training your appetite still there, so like star says, portion control and be aware you wont be burning it off like u would if in full training

[spartygirl]

lower your carb intake (dont dismiss them completely, just lower)..watch your fat grams and keep up with some sort of exercise program and weight lifting...even a little bit can help... but exercise is the key..especially cuz you have been so active with your workouts in training..important to keep up some type of exercise...

[mahalo_dude]

Lose the booze.


Don't drink beer very often. Wine and liquor, as well, but beer is the biggest caloric culprit that adds to one's waistline.

[bunnydixon]

ive heard puking after every meal works......

:p

[Monkey-Hands]

Eat less. Walk alot.

[Here'sLOCKEing at you,Kid]

ive heard puking after every meal works......

:p

ROFLMAO!!!!!! THAT'S OUR BUNNY!!!!! lolololololol

[Turnip Queen]

Ugh God, I'm doing the diet myself at the moment - it's so tedious! I keep reminding myself of why I'm doing it - I want to look good for my birthday in April, but plan on being skinny before that - but it's good to have a goal in mind, like a set date to lose it by. Most of all it's about will power. Fast for at least three hours before bedtime - I've been doing that and it's really really good. You might be hungry but it's very good for you! And don't talk about it too much, cos sometimes I find when I do that I end up feeling sorry for myself and eat something bad - or think about it too much too for that matter!
Also, eat consciously. I saw this on tv and I'm trying this: Every time you take a bite out of your meal, put down your knife and fork, savour your food, and swallow, and then do it again and again, and you will feel fuller! It works! I hate not feeling full!

[butterflygardengirl]

Whatever you do... DON'T STARVE YOURSELF. If you eat less than say 1,000 calories a day your body may see it as "starvation mode" and actually work against you to keep the fat on.

Think of it like this, there was a time when we ate abundantly naturally but we also foraged and hunted for that food getting the exercise we need quite naturally in the spring, summer and fall and this would allow our body to be in feast mode where we could eat quite a bit and burn that fat/energy quickly and easily. However, in the winter, we would eat less because there would be less to eat and this eating less would tell our bodies it is in famine mode (where there is less food) and to store the fat/energy we needed to get through the famine.

Too many make the mistake of starving themselves and triggering the famine mode rather than eating nutritionally beneficial foods and allowing our body to burn that energy through feast mode. My advice is simply to eat an abundant of the proper nutritional foods and avoid things that are high in caloric value but low in nutritional value. Hope that helps.

Also, another important thing, if you are choosing things with very little nutritional value your body may continue to have cravings. So make sure to give your body what it needs rather than continually filling it with stuff it doesn't need.

One last thing, drink lots of water (half your body weight in ounces a day). Grab a glass of water when you start feeling hungry because often your body is signaling it is thirsty but it is interpreted that you are hungry so always drink a glass of water first before eating. It will kill the thirst cravings and will also make you feel fuller faster so you won't be tempted to fill up with crap you don't need.

[stargazer]

I agree with Butterfly...lots and lots of water. The pounds will melt off.

[Here'sLOCKEing at you,Kid]

I agree with Butterfly...lots and lots of water. The pounds will melt off.

**quickly does arithmatic...**
what's 60 oz of water equal??? that sounds like an awful lot of h2o!

[stargazer]

**quickly does arithmatic...**
what's 60 oz of water equal??? that sounds like an awful lot of h2o!

That is a lot of water! I try to drink 3 bottles a day, which probably isn't enuf. I just know that is it really good for you.

[Here'sLOCKEing at you,Kid]

3 bottles of 8 oz??? ok, I could live with that..
But there is such a thing as water poisoning... too MUCH water... But I don't know how much is too much...

[stargazer]

3 bottles of 8 oz??? ok, I could live with that..
But there is such a thing as water poisoning... too MUCH water... But I don't know how much is too much...

Is it water poisoning or drowning??:p
Whatever those average water bottles hold..is it 8 ozs? That sounds about right. I always have them close at hand so I don't pick up a coke or something.

[boutte]

60 oz of water over the course of a day isn't a lot. You could easily drink 20 oz at a meal. But 50% of my body weight in ounces would be......... well let's just say a lot more than 60 oz.

[gingergrant]

no wonder those Losties are all so slim! (except for Hurley) they are constantly chugging water.

[BomberDawg95]

Much appreciated all!

I've been on my own regimen to get the weight off. As of right now, the big thing for me has been eating a high-protein low(er)-carbolic intake, diet. I've been focusing on eating a lot of fruit, 5-7 servings a day or more, plus taking in roughly 128oz of water (a gallon). Daily desired intake of water is roughly 64oz, I'm taking in double that because I'm working out 6 days a week doing weight lifting and running.

I'm not 'huge' per se, but I'm 262 lbs. I'm down from my playing weight of 285, and I'm hoping to get down to 220 or so by the time its all said and done. I'm not doing it just to get in shape and try to look better, but also to take the strain off my ankles, hips, and knees, which are already beaten up from years of football. Since I don't need to carry the weight, I see little reason to keep it on. Anywho, I appreciate the suggestions, and also would like to pose one second question:

Anyone have any supplement recommendations? Like green tea extract, etc? I'm taking Whey protein right now, but not enough to really increase weight.

Thanks for the suggestions, and hope you're all excited!

[Lenae7]

You need to watch your fruit intake as well because you can gain weight eating too much fruit. If you do add fruit try eating at least 2-3 apples a day preferably before meals. Apples have a lot of fiber and will stick with you causing you to eat and crave less throughout the day. After my first baby I was able to lose 50+ lbs that I gained in less than 4 months just by adding apples to my diet, cutting out sodas completely (water and water w/lemon), and light exercise (walking for about 1-2 miles every other day) Snaking on apples throughout the day was the best weight loss advice I ever received!!

If you a big eater you can also try having a cup of soup (not cream based) light clear soup such as vegetable, bean, etc (watch the salt. Avoid canned soups. You can easily make your own using chicken/beef/vegetable broth, frozen mixed veggies and a can of diced tomatoes (I prefer the Italian diced with the peppers and garlic for more flavor). For more protein cube and boil a boneless skinless chicken breast in the broth, before adding the veggies. Eat a bowl before your meal. It will fill you up causing you to eat less.

Stay away from bottled fruit juices way too much sugar and can cause you to crash like a soda would. Same with soda including diet soda which can cause a false reaction in your body causing insulin to spike and hypoglycemic type symptoms (shaky, dizzy) resulting in cravings for sweet stuff.

If you like smoothies try starting the day with a green smoothie (sounds and looks worse than it taste) the taste is awesome actually and will fill you up and get your body going. They are a great way to be certain you are getting all the vital nutrients if you are into big on veggies and such. when you mix one you typically want a ratio of about 60% - ripe organic fruit mixed with about 40% - organic green vegetables (raw baby spinach is the typical green because you can not taste it at all, you taste the fruit.) add water and sweeten with honey or agave nectar (optional cinnamon and/or a scoop of green protein powder or liquid vitamin supplement. A lot of people like adding a half a cucumber as well because it lubricates the digestive system and is extremely hydrating if you struggle getting enough water) If you use frozen fruit you can get it quite slushy. One of my kids is disabled and very sensitive to food textures and tastes so vegetables and greens are impossible for him to consume. Green smoothies have been a savior for him because he can get vegetables in his diet and it become a treat.

I will try to get my hubby on here to give you some more advice. He used to train for strongman and I for fitness. Until his accident in 2001. We both trained very hard until 2001, I fell ill and had emergency surgery and a couple months later a motorcycle accident ended his dream for strongman. I used to know it all when it came to training hard and weight loss tips without risking losing muscle mass in the process but I have been out of it too long and just do not remember like I used to. Nowdays, my focus has drifted more on family nutrition and the benefits of adding more raw foods to the typical diet.

[butterflygardengirl]

3 bottles of 8 oz??? ok, I could live with that..
But there is such a thing as water poisoning... too MUCH water... But I don't know how much is too much...

Yes, you can kill yourself with too much water just as you can kill yourself with too little.

Here is a Hydration Calculator, for those interested in how much water they should be drinking (as it also depends on all sorts of different factors but the main factor is size and activity level).

http://nutrition.about.com/library/blwatercalculator.htm

Half one's body weight in ounces may seem like quite a bit (especially to someone who doesn't drink much water to begin with) but it is actually what the recommended daily intake averages out to according to the calculator above AND several nephrologists I have spoke to throughout the years. I have had a problem with my kidneys ever since I was a little girl which I fixed to the point of having very healthy kidneys currently. So, needless to say, I have done quite a bit of research on this. Most people don't get enough water, very few get too much. That is why I mentioned it. Water is a pretty important factor to a healthy life.

[rip-charlie]

what's up? what part of ohio?

[BomberDawg95]

what's up? what part of ohio?

Cincinnati.