Thread: Will I be able to lose weight/Need encoragement...

Hello everyone,

I was just wondering what do you guys think about the weight loss and what is the best way possible to lose it.

I work on an elliptical (vigourous workout, interval training with resistance, I mean by the time I am done I sweat profusely and have to shower immediately LOL) an hour a day sometimes 70 minutes, I have also put myself on 1500 calorie diet, although I eat less than that, maybe about 1300 or 1400.

I would like to lose about 30 pounds hopefully by next summer. Do you guys think I will be able to do it if I keep up with this routine?

Hugs,
Amani

I wouldn't restrict your diet that much. When you dip to low in your calorie intake your body thinks it is starving and starts storing fat. I would reccomend a healthy eating program, not how much you eat but what you eat. Making switches from calorie dense foods to foods with lots of fiber and water content. Portion your rations of protien and choose leaner sources of meats and dairy. Working out is a good supplement to a healthy diet but don't forget that in loosing fat while working out you are also gaining muscle (which may affect your target number.) It is better to go by inches lost then pounds.

Another thing I would reccomend is to not delay "living" until you hit your target weight goal. Many people say to themselves "I'll do that when I'm thinner" or "I'll save that as a reward." If you make weight loss your end all and be all you will not be happy, even if you reach your goal.

Originally Posted by _Tanya_

I wouldn't restrict your diet that much. When you dip to low in your calorie intake your body thinks it is starving and starts storing fat. I would reccomend a healthy eating program, not how much you eat but what you eat. Making switches from calorie dense foods to foods with lots of fiber and water content. Portion your rations of protien and choose leaner sources of meats and dairy. Working out is a good supplement to a healthy diet but don't forget that in loosing fat while working out you are also gaining muscle (which may affect your target number.) It is better to go by inches lost then pounds.

Another thing I would reccomend is to not delay "living" until you hit your target weight goal. Many people say to themselves "I'll do that when I'm thinner" or "I'll save that as a reward." If you make weight loss your end all and be all you will not be happy, even if you reach your goal.

Hi Tanya,

Thank you so much! I have been eating quite healthy and I definitely avoid high calories, anything fried. I have not been avoiding carbs such as baked potato, beans, whole grain bread, etc...

I have been practically slaving myself on the elliptical, but the good thing is that I feel so much better now. I feel like more energy and I can dance longer, I can also do other things and I see that my waist is getting smaller. I am on a roll LOOOOOOL By next summer I want to have a hot booty LOOOL

I agree as well when it comes to weight loss and "living" We should encourage and reward ourselves. I think weight loss is not only a temporary thing, but I plan to keep eating healthy and adopt it as a lifestyle.

Hugs,
Amani

Originally Posted by _Tanya_

I wouldn't restrict your diet that much. When you dip to low in your calorie intake your body thinks it is starving and starts storing fat...

ummm.... 15-1300 calories is not nearly a small enough amount to put your body into starvation mode. Most weight loss programs recommends you cut back to at least 1200 for the average female who gets an average amount of activity. Shes fine with this amount.

1500 cals is the recommended calorie intake to MAINTAIN your weight with normal activity. The 2000 calorie/day is pretty outdated and has been proven not to work for everyone. 2000 cal/day model is a rough estimate and most people need less than that (especially in our modern society where people get VERY LITTLE physical activity in their daily lives)

In order to loose the weight I lost I had to drop my cal intake down to somewhere between 10-1100 per day (more if I worked out more less if I did less) and I was still loosing safely and slowly enough that my body never went into "starvation mode" :/

Some of these calculators are off but they give you a good rough estimate of how many calls you should be eating on average per day.

Calorie Counter, Diet Tracking, Food Journal, Nutrition Facts at The Daily Plate has a great one that I really recommend using!

But I DO agree with you Tanya, what you eat is SOOOOO important. If you are trying to get healthy and loose some weight you really need to focus on making better choices in food. (maybe not getting that fried item and getting something fresh instead) Its SOOO important to watch what you put into your body. Besides restricting cals means restricting nutrition so the food you do eat needs to be packed with vitamins minerals and nutrition to help make up for the stuff you are cutting out.


p.s. Tanya your website is gorgeous.

ETA: Angelina, to answer your question I would say on principal yes that sounds good. but like anything you have to toy with different things and tinker your regimen until it works for you. if 13-1400 cals/day works for you then cool... if you find you are eating this much and still not loosing you should try upping your exercise and if it still doesnt work drop a few cals off that number. Its a numbers game... input vs output....

Originally Posted by Amber_moon

ummm.... 15-1300 calories is not nearly a small enough amount to put your body into starvation mode. Most weight loss programs recommends you cut back to at least 1200 for the average female who gets an average amount of activity. Shes fine with this amount.

1500 cals is the recommended calorie intake to MAINTAIN your weight with normal activity. The 2000 calorie/day is pretty outdated and has been proven not to work for everyone. 2000 cal/day model is a rough estimate and most people need less than that (especially in our modern society where people get VERY LITTLE physical activity in their daily lives)

In order to loose the weight I lost I had to drop my cal intake down to somewhere between 10-1100 per day (more if I worked out more less if I did less) and I was still loosing safely and slowly enough that my body never went into "starvation mode" :/

Some of these calculators are off but they give you a good rough estimate of how many calls you should be eating on average per day.

Calorie Counter, Diet Tracking, Food Journal, Nutrition Facts at The Daily Plate has a great one that I really recommend using!

But I DO agree with you Tanya, what you eat is SOOOOO important. If you are trying to get healthy and loose some weight you really need to focus on making better choices in food. (maybe not getting that fried item and getting something fresh instead) Its SOOO important to watch what you put into your body. Besides restricting cals means restricting nutrition so the food you do eat needs to be packed with vitamins minerals and nutrition to help make up for the stuff you are cutting out.


p.s. Tanya your website is gorgeous.

ETA: Angelina, to answer your question I would say on principal yes that sounds good. but like anything you have to toy with different things and tinker your regimen until it works for you. if 13-1400 cals/day works for you then cool... if you find you are eating this much and still not loosing you should try upping your exercise and if it still doesnt work drop a few cals off that number. Its a numbers game... input vs output....

Giirrrllll OMG I spend 60-70 minutes on that machine. I will pass out if I do anymore LOOOOOOOOOOOL. Well my next weigh in is on the 30th. Let's see how that goes. I am keeping my fingers crossed LOL.

Hugs,
Amani

Good luck! I'm in the same situation. Whatever you do, do not get discouraged with yourself. I got very upset with my progress last month and that just made me eat more and work out less, because I was so depressed about the whole thing. Just keep a good positive attitude and keep working at it every day! Don't let the mirror discourage you. And at the very least, if you don't look as good as you would like, at least you will feel good and healthy and fit which will improve your mood and your dancing. Again, good luck!

I'd add in strength training (muscle burns more calories that fat), and mix up your cardio with an alternate activity. The body will adapt very quickly to the same workout...we are designed to be efficient machines. So if you do the same exercise routine, your body will eventually adapt and STOP burning as many calories as it did initially. Also, don't overlook flexibility training, pilates and yoga are great for tightening/strengthening the core muscles as well as lengthening and toning the limbs.
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Originally Posted by Lesedi

Good luck! I'm in the same situation. Whatever you do, do not get discouraged with yourself. I got very upset with my progress last month and that just made me eat more and work out less, because I was so depressed about the whole thing. Just keep a good positive attitude and keep working at it every day! Don't let the mirror discourage you. And at the very least, if you don't look as good as you would like, at least you will feel good and healthy and fit which will improve your mood and your dancing. Again, good luck!

Hi Lesedi,

Thank you so much. I really feel like I would get my goal, I just need to be patient and persistent. I have read somewhere that if you commit consider the battle 1/2 way won. Same for you, do not get discouraged, keep going and you will achieve what you wish.

I have seen a guy on 20/20 that lost 401lb, I could not believe it, but he was so inspiring that I figured if he could lose so much weight so can I. The thing is that I have to accept it not just a challenge, but as a lifestyle.

Hugs,
Amani

Originally Posted by _Tanya_

I wouldn't restrict your diet that much. When you dip to low in your calorie intake your body thinks it is starving and starts storing fat. I would reccomend a healthy eating program, not how much you eat but what you eat. Making switches from calorie dense foods to foods with lots of fiber and water content. Portion your rations of protien and choose leaner sources of meats and dairy. Working out is a good supplement to a healthy diet but don't forget that in loosing fat while working out you are also gaining muscle (which may affect your target number.) It is better to go by inches lost then pounds.

Another thing I would reccomend is to not delay "living" until you hit your target weight goal. Many people say to themselves "I'll do that when I'm thinner" or "I'll save that as a reward." If you make weight loss your end all and be all you will not be happy, even if you reach your goal.

this^ im trying to get to the size i was 20lbs ago right now, but like Tanya said, gaining muscle weight can make it seem like you're not getting anywhere even thou u've lost fat.
you said you already feel like you've got more energy, hurray! that's the way to think about, not "oh god, i have to work out" or "oh i can't eat that im on a diet" but instead "it's time for me to go take care of myself on the eliptical" or "i deserve to have healthy food d@mn it!" (this last one esp. if you have to justify spending more for a salad than a cheese burger ^_~) the change in thought is what im working on most. i think it will be the key to long term sucess.
gambate! (good luck/keep trying/do your best!)

Originally Posted by raqFariha

this^ im trying to get to the size i was 20lbs ago right now, but like Tanya said, gaining muscle weight can make it seem like you're not getting anywhere even thou u've lost fat.
you said you already feel like you've got more energy, hurray! that's the way to think about, not "oh god, i have to work out" or "oh i can't eat that im on a diet" but instead "it's time for me to go take care of myself on the eliptical" or "i deserve to have healthy food d@mn it!" (this last one esp. if you have to justify spending more for a salad than a cheese burger ^_~) the change in thought is what im working on most. i think it will be the key to long term sucess.
gambate! (good luck/keep trying/do your best!)

Hi Fariha,

Thank you so much for your encouragement! That's what would keep me going. In fact I am going to get on my elliptical right now and spend an hour on it LOL I think it is better to see the measurements rather then weight, although I am sure the weight would come off as well if I keep going.

Hugs,
Angie

Originally Posted by zaynahcantara

I'd add in strength training (muscle burns more calories that fat), and mix up your cardio with an alternate activity. The body will adapt very quickly to the same workout...we are designed to be efficient machines. So if you do the same exercise routine, your body will eventually adapt and STOP burning as many calories as it did initially. Also, don't overlook flexibility training, pilates and yoga are great for tightening/strengthening the core muscles as well as lengthening and toning the limbs.
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

I second this suggestion. Look at some non-fluff fitness training magazines (not the ones that promise six pack abs in 3 weeks, lol) for good weight training exercises/routines and some uber healthy recipes. I like to choose a few different programs (say, different 6-week routines) and rotate them to keep things fresh and keep from getting bored. Mix that up with different types of cardio (elliptical one day, stadium stairs another, swimming or cycling another) and you will see much better results overall.

Good luck!!

Thank you so much for your suggestions everyone. Well, what I do now is elliptical since I exercise at home. I am also going to buy weights to start doing weight training. I have bumped up my workout on the elliptical from 60 minutes to 90 minutes a day. I am doing 45 minutes in the morning or daytime and 45 minutes at night. I have been watching my calories carefully and right now I am on 1400 calories a day. I really hope this would help me...

Hugs,
Amani

Hi Angelina -

Re including potatoes in the carbs you listed in an earlier post - just a heads-up that, unfortunately, potatoes aren't the best choice as they are very high on the glycemic index. You might want to steer clear of them for the most part while you are trying to lose weight. Sweet potatoes have a much lower sugar content, so you might want to enjoy some while they can still be found in stores during the holiday season (example, baked fries - cut to fry shapes, spray lightly with olive oil spray and bake).

-Devora

Originally Posted by Devora

Hi Angelina -

Re including potatoes in the carbs you listed in an earlier post - just a heads-up that, unfortunately, potatoes aren't the best choice as they are very high on the glycemic index. You might want to steer clear of them for the most part while you are trying to lose weight. Sweet potatoes have a much lower sugar content, so you might want to enjoy some while they can still be found in stores during the holiday season (example, baked fries - cut to fry shapes, spray lightly with olive oil spray and bake).

-Devora

Hi Devora,

I agree with you on that. Well I have been watching my carbs. When I make a soup I do put some potatoes and I bake one small in the over. No french fries or mashed, no butter on it. Mostly I go for beans (carbs with fiber) or 1 cup of boiled white long grain rice. Sometimes I also go for one small pita bread. The baked fries are much better and I think they would satisfy my cravings. The fun part is that I lost my cravings for sweets and I am happy about it, so I would not be getting a "sweet tooth."

I already have lost 8 pounds exercising and doing what I do one month, I have been losing 2 pounds a week. I think it is good for me, I do not want to lose more than that per week, because I heard it is unhealthy. I am doing cardio 45 minutes in the morning and 45 minutes at night. I keep an online diet journal. I am freaking out because we are having New Years party and there are going to be cakes. I think I will have one tiny slice and fill myself up with veggies and fruits LOOOOOL

I think when I lose all the weight I will reward myself with some Madame Abla or pick something out from Bellydance Store or Dahlal LOL Plus I think I will look MUCH better in my 2 piece Turkish bedleh.

Hugs,
Amani