Diet and Exercise Accountability Thread

[TnTWalter]

The south beach disucsion got me thinking of a book I readl called the Ultimate New York Body Plan. I don't remember all the details but basically there's an initial 14 days where you have very limited food choices [no dairy, bread, etc.] and then you slowly add stuff back. There's also a workout plan included.

I loosely followed the diet plan before my trip to Ixtapa when I had the knee issue so I wasn't able to be as cardio-intensive as I like. And it worked. My abs were more cut than ever for that trip.

Like Heather said, we can do anything for 14 days. Put your mind to it...count it up or down....when you reach the end, you realize how easy it was and how great you feel and keep going....on to the next 14 days...

Every day is a new day and a new chance to be whatever it is you want to be....a fit person, a healthy person, a good friend, a great spouse, whatever. Every day we wake up to opportunity. Every day we have a choice...who are you going to be today?

[jamesblonde]

Originally Posted by TnTWalter

Every day is a new day and a new chance to be whatever it is you want to be....a fit person, a healthy person, a good friend, a great spouse, whatever. Every day we wake up with to opportunity. Every day we have a choice...who are you going to be today?

That just makes me want to stand up and clap Very nice post

[Shammy]

Originally Posted by TnTWalter

who are you going to be today?

Can I be someone who is independently wealthy and doesn't have to work - please?

Oh, and skinnier.

[bizzokiki]

Originally Posted by Shammy

Can I be someone who is independently wealthy and doesn't have to work - please?

Oh, and skinnier.

Ohhh, me too, me too!

[roni]

Originally Posted by jamesblonde

Very great Roni You too Heather

I love South Beach. My biggest thing during the first two weeks is the no alcohol. I love my wine. But, I noticed the difference around my waist immediately.

Kevin and I are going to start back with a trainer next week. Very reasonable rates and you get trained 4 times per week. Considering I'll be in a bikini in 11 weeks, I've got to do something. Right now, my fat has fat.

I cheat a little bit by adopting sctx's weekend only method - and we are kinda sorta off phase 1, but phase 1 is pretty similar to my carbohydrate intake on most days.

As of this morning I can report that I have lost 17 pounds since Jan 4th and Kathy has lost 13. It is going to be nice and sunny, so we'll take a bunch of walks this weekend, and do yard work.

I am going to start some light dumbell work, just to keep what little muscle I have from sliding off. Kathy does a more dedicated weight routine 3 times weekly

[Susie Q Roo]

I can't believe I'm even considering this, but... has anyone here ever done a "fat fast?" I've gotten to the point that if I eat anything other than my very strict diet, I react horribly with swelling, etc. And I'm TOTALLY sick of my very strict diet, even though I feel best when I'm following it. I'm just ready to do something drastic for a few days: this fat fast thing, or all fruits and veggies, or 100% protein (though I blame a previous long run of that for my lowered metabolism) or the damn cabbage soup diet for heaven's sake!

Also starting to think I need to have my thyroid evaluated again. My numbers have always been in the normal "range" but, when I read the symptoms of thyroid issues, I've got a lot of 'em.

ARGGHHHH!!!! Can anyone talk some sense into me?

[roni]

Originally Posted by Susie Q Roo

I can't believe I'm even considering this, but... has anyone here ever done a "fat fast?" I've gotten to the point that if I eat anything other than my very strict diet, I react horribly with swelling, etc. And I'm TOTALLY sick of my very strict diet, even though I feel best when I'm following it. I'm just ready to do something drastic for a few days: this fat fast thing, or all fruits and veggies, or 100% protein (though I blame a previous long run of that for my lowered metabolism) or the damn cabbage soup diet for heaven's sake!

Also starting to think I need to have my thyroid evaluated again. My numbers have always been in the normal "range" but, when I read the symptoms of thyroid issues, I've got a lot of 'em.

ARGGHHHH!!!! Can anyone talk some sense into me?

Kathy came up with a very sensible plan for you:

Consult with Dr. BonnyW.

Your questions are above our knowledge level.

*hugs*

Ron and Kathy (the idea woman)

[bizzokiki]

Originally Posted by Susie Q Roo

I can't believe I'm even considering this, but... has anyone here ever done a "fat fast?" I've gotten to the point that if I eat anything other than my very strict diet, I react horribly with swelling, etc. And I'm TOTALLY sick of my very strict diet, even though I feel best when I'm following it. I'm just ready to do something drastic for a few days: this fat fast thing, or all fruits and veggies, or 100% protein

Is this like Dr Ian Smiths Fat Smash diet? It sounds very similar. A friend of mine tried it, the beginning is detox, I think all fruits and veggies, not sure if there was even meat in the beginning. I think it was supposed to be detox for 2 weeks, she made it 1 and dropped 4 lbs and said she felt less bloated.

[Heather]

My problem with these types of diets (fasts, Adkins, cabbage soup, grapefruit, etc.) is that these are not sustainable, so what is the point? Seems like a waste of time and energy to me.

[Susie Q Roo]

Originally Posted by bizzokiki

Is this like Dr Ian Smiths Fat Smash diet? It sounds very similar. A friend of mine tried it, the beginning is detox, I think all fruits and veggies, not sure if there was even meat in the beginning. I think it was supposed to be detox for 2 weeks, she made it 1 and dropped 4 lbs and said she felt less bloated.

Nope, it's 4-5 days of 5 200-calorie meals which are 90% fat content for a total 1000-calories a day of almost total fat. Lots of cream cheese, macadamias, and avocados. It's supposed to force your body into lipolysis and break a plateau.

Originally Posted by Heather

My problem with these types of diets (fasts, Adkins, cabbage soup, grapefruit, etc.) is that these are not sustainable, so what is the point? Seems like a waste of time and energy to me.

They're not supposed to be sustainable, mostly (Atkins, excluded), just a jump-start and a "system-cleanse" or a system shock. For whatever any of that is worth.

In all honesty, I doubt they're all that healthy either. I just need a shake-up.

[Shammy]

Everyone is different in their beliefs, and it's most important to do what you think will work for you. It's of course wonderful to see a weight change right away, it gives one the motivation to continue on the right path. But I personally am just not a believer in any kind of "deprivation" diet plan, I don't think it teaches you to live in the "real" world, with real foods and sustain your weight loss. Many people follow some specific plan and remove essential foods from their diets. As soon as they start adding them back in, no matter how slowly, the weight usually creeps back on. Even South Beach, where you spend a limited time cutting out carbs and whatnot - your body needs carbs to fuel itself, especially when adding in exercise. You just have to know when and what kind of carbs to eat, there are good ones out there! If you want to sustain a weight loss, you have to change your eating habits permanently, and add exercise. Weight loss isn't a quick fix, it takes time and it's often a slow process. The slower you lose, the more permanent it will be. Learning to eat right, learning what foods you can have and when the best time to eat them is, is one of the major keys to changing the lifestyle that brought you to where you are before you made the decision to do something about it.

I can only speak from two years of experience on this, and as I said, what works for me may not work for everyone. What I believe to be true may not be what someone else believes, and that's OK. But what I do know is that the weight I've lost is not coming back, because over the past two years, I have learned so much about how to change my eating habits, pick the right foods, and eat them at the right time of day to maximize fat burning and weight loss. I would have loved to see the scale go down faster, it's very frustrating to see it go down slowly - but to know that I've made changes for the better, permanent changes, without having to deprive myself of much (ok, so I can't have Oreo's and milk anymore ) is what keeps me knowing that I'm not going to see the weight creep back on.

All just my 10 cents, to spend or save.

No matter what, applause to anyone who is doing something to change their life!

[Heather]

Originally Posted by Susie Q Roo

They're not supposed to be sustainable, mostly (Atkins, excluded), just a jump-start and a "system-cleanse" or a system shock. For whatever any of that is worth.

In all honesty, I doubt they're all that healthy either. I just need a shake-up.

Ah, gotcha...that is what the Phase 1 of South Beach is, to shock the body and kickstart your metabolism. But since you're already doing a strict diet and have been, now you need something else to "shock" your system. Now I understand. I thought you were looking for some way to change your diet permanently.

A friend I know does a detox fast every so often, maybe once a year or so and swears by them, but what does she know? She is a skinny Minnie to begin with.

[Heather]

Originally Posted by Shammy

Even South Beach, where you spend a limited time cutting out carbs and whatnot - your body needs carbs to fuel itself, especially when adding in exercise. You just have to know when and what kind of carbs to eat, there are good ones out there! If you want to sustain a weight loss, you have to change your eating habits permanently, and add exercise.

Exactly right, Shammy. That is why I am liking South Beach so much, because it isn't a quick fix, and even in its strictest phase you are eating carbs, just the "good" ones. And in the later stages, you reintroduce other carbs, but eat whole grain/whole wheat versions of pasta, bread, or rice. It's a healthy eating plan, really: a diet in the original sense of the word and not the "losing weight" sense of the word that it has come to mean.

[Shammy]

Originally Posted by Heather

Exactly right, Shammy. That is why I am liking South Beach so much, because it isn't a quick fix, and even in its strictest phase you are eating carbs, just the "good" ones. And in the later stages, you reintroduce other carbs, but eat whole grain/whole wheat versions of pasta, bread, or rice. It's a healthy eating plan, really: a diet in the original sense of the word and not the "losing weight" sense of the word that it has come to mean.

I will admit I don't know too much about it, I've never looked at it closely enough. But if you are eating some carbs, then that's a good thing. Getting rid of the bad ones - the "white" ones mostly, and eating the "brown" ones, then that's exactly what you should be doing - permanently. The earlier in the day you eat them the better too, you have more time to burn them off before they convert into sugar and deposit their nasty selves as fat. Again, just starting out, shocking your body isn't a bad thing, it kick starts the metabolism and starts the process of getting it used to what it won't be getting any more!

Stick with it Heather, once you add back in the good stuff, and are able to make healthy food choices long term,, no doubt you'll see results!

[Shammy]

Heather - it's the beginning of another Cheeto-free week! How's it going chica?