- Hitting 1 1/2 stone - just 4lbs away
- Hitting next stone - just 5lbs away
- Club 10 - within 7 lbs
Showing posts with label losing weight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label losing weight. Show all posts
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
Weigh in - Week 6 - Success!
This week's Slimming World weigh in went much better than expected! Another 1.5lbs has left me FOREVER... officially bringing me to 18 st. 4.5 lbs. There are a lot of big goals in the next few weeks which will help keep me focused:
Monday, 4 July 2011
Shame leads 27 stone granny to lose 10 stone in one year
Making that break with food often begins with a disastrous weight-inspired event. For one British grandmother, breaking the sofa inspired her to get fitted with a gastric sleeve. And in just a year the woman, who weighed 27 stone, lost more than 10 stone!
While I haven't been involved in any breakages in recent years, I can safely say that I've noticed seats becoming tighter and more uncomfortable. On my last plane journey, for example, the seat belt was extended to its maximum. It's going to be a little while until I take my next flight, so I'm aiming to have at least a few inches spare on my next trip.
Closer to home, I've noticed that my white plastic garden chairs are such a tight fit that I have to sit on the edge. With this in mind my short-term goal is to be able to sit properly in one by the end of the summer!
Tonight is my third weigh-in with Slimming World. I'm not sure if I should feel relieved or worried, but I had no nightmares about gaining/overeating last night. I've been sticking to the plan and eating my syns - nothing more, nothing less. I'm also feeling more comfortable with making food choices. I have a few breakfasts, lunches and dinners to choose from... and I'm always on the prowl for more.
While I haven't been involved in any breakages in recent years, I can safely say that I've noticed seats becoming tighter and more uncomfortable. On my last plane journey, for example, the seat belt was extended to its maximum. It's going to be a little while until I take my next flight, so I'm aiming to have at least a few inches spare on my next trip.
Closer to home, I've noticed that my white plastic garden chairs are such a tight fit that I have to sit on the edge. With this in mind my short-term goal is to be able to sit properly in one by the end of the summer!
Tonight is my third weigh-in with Slimming World. I'm not sure if I should feel relieved or worried, but I had no nightmares about gaining/overeating last night. I've been sticking to the plan and eating my syns - nothing more, nothing less. I'm also feeling more comfortable with making food choices. I have a few breakfasts, lunches and dinners to choose from... and I'm always on the prowl for more.
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Can liposcution help you lose weight?
According to some people, seeing the fat removed from your body can be the kickstart to a healthy eating regime. I must admit, however, that this taking things a step too far! I have my own issues with bariatric surgery, but I'm aware that it can deliver quick and relatively safe results for the individuals involved. But relying on liposuction to help you lose weight is just insane! It's like relying on Botox to keep you wrinkle-free! One woman even started speaking to her doctor on the subject while still pregnant with her second child!! Call me old fashioned, but your body is holding those baby fat reserves for a reason - let your baby use them!
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Natural weight loss vs weight loss surgery
A one-year weight loss program based on lifestyle changes can help obese people shed almost as many pounds as surgery, according to the latest research from Germany.
In a study published in the International Journal of Obesity, they found women who stuck with the program lost 43 pounds, while men shed 57 pounds.
Before the year was up, however, more than 40 percent quit! Even among the completers, 75% of the weight loss was re-gained after just three years.
"Weight regain remains the Achilles' heel of all weight loss therapies," said Thomas Wadden, who runs the Center for Weight and Eating Disorders at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and was not involved in the new work.
Excess weight is one of the world's greatest health problems. It is tied to a host of chronic diseases, extra health care spending and early death. In the US, approximately a third of adults are obese.
While weight loss surgery effectively helps people slim down, complications and cost make the procedure less than ideal.
In the new study, Stephan Bischoff of the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart and colleagues used a number of lifestyle changes, including a low-calorie diet, behavioral therapy, group meetings, nutritional counseling and exercise -- a weight loss program franchised by Nestle as OPTIFAST52. There is also an OPTIFAST program in the US, but it is only half as long as the German program.
The researchers, all of whom work for OPTIFAST centers, signed up more than 8,000 obese participants at dozens of centers across the country.
At the start of the program, women weighed 247 pounds on average and men weighed 301 pounds. Combining all participants regardless of whether or not they finished the program, women lost an average of 33 pounds, with men shedding about 10 pounds more.
Six in 10 participants completed the programme - losing 53% of their excess weight on average. This is very close to the average weight loss achieved by surgery in the same timeframe (60%).
Completers also saw a number of other positive effects, such as lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels and an improved quality of life.
However researchers tracking a sample of 300 participants three years after completion found that they had regained most of their weight. This is less likely to happen after surgery, according to experts.
Still, Bischoff said, 20% of participants successfully kept their new weight without further assistance.
Potential side effects from the program were rare, with the most common ones -- hair loss and constipation -- reported by less than one percent of the participants.
Whether those problems are a real consequence of the Nestle program is still uncertain, because the study didn't include a control group. By the same token, it's hard to be sure exactly what benefits came from the program itself, as opposed to just being part of a scientific study.
And there are other problems with the program, said Stanley Heshka, a nutrition researcher at Columbia University in New York.
Although OPTIFAST52 appears to work in the short term, he told Reuters Health by email, it is not a practical solution to America's obesity problem. Obese Americans tend to be poor, while intensive programs like Nestle's tend to be "very costly."
University of Pennsylvania's Wadden does see promise in weight loss programs, but said they need to do a better job of helping participants keep the pounds off.
"For every month that you spend losing weight, you should spend another month learning how to keep the weight off," he said.
In a study published in the International Journal of Obesity, they found women who stuck with the program lost 43 pounds, while men shed 57 pounds.
Before the year was up, however, more than 40 percent quit! Even among the completers, 75% of the weight loss was re-gained after just three years.
"Weight regain remains the Achilles' heel of all weight loss therapies," said Thomas Wadden, who runs the Center for Weight and Eating Disorders at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and was not involved in the new work.
Excess weight is one of the world's greatest health problems. It is tied to a host of chronic diseases, extra health care spending and early death. In the US, approximately a third of adults are obese.
While weight loss surgery effectively helps people slim down, complications and cost make the procedure less than ideal.
In the new study, Stephan Bischoff of the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart and colleagues used a number of lifestyle changes, including a low-calorie diet, behavioral therapy, group meetings, nutritional counseling and exercise -- a weight loss program franchised by Nestle as OPTIFAST52. There is also an OPTIFAST program in the US, but it is only half as long as the German program.
The researchers, all of whom work for OPTIFAST centers, signed up more than 8,000 obese participants at dozens of centers across the country.
At the start of the program, women weighed 247 pounds on average and men weighed 301 pounds. Combining all participants regardless of whether or not they finished the program, women lost an average of 33 pounds, with men shedding about 10 pounds more.
Six in 10 participants completed the programme - losing 53% of their excess weight on average. This is very close to the average weight loss achieved by surgery in the same timeframe (60%).
Completers also saw a number of other positive effects, such as lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels and an improved quality of life.
However researchers tracking a sample of 300 participants three years after completion found that they had regained most of their weight. This is less likely to happen after surgery, according to experts.
Still, Bischoff said, 20% of participants successfully kept their new weight without further assistance.
Potential side effects from the program were rare, with the most common ones -- hair loss and constipation -- reported by less than one percent of the participants.
Whether those problems are a real consequence of the Nestle program is still uncertain, because the study didn't include a control group. By the same token, it's hard to be sure exactly what benefits came from the program itself, as opposed to just being part of a scientific study.
And there are other problems with the program, said Stanley Heshka, a nutrition researcher at Columbia University in New York.
Although OPTIFAST52 appears to work in the short term, he told Reuters Health by email, it is not a practical solution to America's obesity problem. Obese Americans tend to be poor, while intensive programs like Nestle's tend to be "very costly."
University of Pennsylvania's Wadden does see promise in weight loss programs, but said they need to do a better job of helping participants keep the pounds off.
"For every month that you spend losing weight, you should spend another month learning how to keep the weight off," he said.
Can the internet help you lose weight?
According to the lastest study from Japan, it can. As someone who has engaged in solely real world and entirely virtual programmes, I agree with the study's findings that the best weight losses can be had from a combination of face-to-face and virtual interactions.
At Slimming World, for example, I know I have a wealth of online information to refer to which reinforces or sheds more light on what's been discussed in a meeting. The recipes you can find online are so varied that it sometimes feels like you have an entire cookery library at your fingertips.
Studies, such as this one, highlight the real world need for face-to-face support during the struggle to lose weight. For me, this makes my weight loss more of a social event, than a duty or something on the 'to-do' list. It makes that commitment far more personal. You aren't just attending for you, you're attending for your leader, your weight loss comrades, etc.
It also makes your weight loss experience much richer with deep insights into dieting creativity. There are also 'tips' which may be useful or stories which 'touch a chord' with your own personal journey.
At Slimming World, for example, I know I have a wealth of online information to refer to which reinforces or sheds more light on what's been discussed in a meeting. The recipes you can find online are so varied that it sometimes feels like you have an entire cookery library at your fingertips.
Studies, such as this one, highlight the real world need for face-to-face support during the struggle to lose weight. For me, this makes my weight loss more of a social event, than a duty or something on the 'to-do' list. It makes that commitment far more personal. You aren't just attending for you, you're attending for your leader, your weight loss comrades, etc.
It also makes your weight loss experience much richer with deep insights into dieting creativity. There are also 'tips' which may be useful or stories which 'touch a chord' with your own personal journey.
Monday, 20 June 2011
Weigh in - Week 1 - Success!
After Twinkie-filled nightmares on Sunday night, I approached my 6:30pm weigh in with considerable trepidation. Let's face it - I wasn't really hungry all week, didn't really feel like I was on a diet and even had a slice of lemon cake! I couldn't have lost, could I?
The scales disagreed, registering a 6 lb loss! Secretly I hoped that I'd get results like this, but I never really believed I could. I know it's early days but this is a great outcome and gets me off to an excellent start.
I'm going into this week focused and aiming for the 1/2 stone mark next Monday. That's a 1 lb loss. Any more is a bonus.
To help me on my way, I'm thinking about trying out this syn-free lemon curd recipe this week:
Syn-free lemon curd
3 tbsp powdered sweetener (I prefer Splenda)
1 lemon, juiced with its rind grated
2 large eggs
2oz extra low fat fromage frais
Whisk together your lemon juice and eggs in a medium-sized bowl..
Mix in rind and sweetener.
Place bowl over saucepan of simmering water and stir until thickened.
Remove from heat.
Whisk in fromage frais until smooth.
Store this in the fridge in a jar to keep fresh. Since it has eggs in it, I'd recommend using within 3 days.
This also makes a great base for a cheesecake filling. When cooled, just add a whole tub of Quark and mix well.
The scales disagreed, registering a 6 lb loss! Secretly I hoped that I'd get results like this, but I never really believed I could. I know it's early days but this is a great outcome and gets me off to an excellent start.
I'm going into this week focused and aiming for the 1/2 stone mark next Monday. That's a 1 lb loss. Any more is a bonus.
To help me on my way, I'm thinking about trying out this syn-free lemon curd recipe this week:
Syn-free lemon curd
3 tbsp powdered sweetener (I prefer Splenda)
1 lemon, juiced with its rind grated
2 large eggs
2oz extra low fat fromage frais
Whisk together your lemon juice and eggs in a medium-sized bowl..
Mix in rind and sweetener.
Place bowl over saucepan of simmering water and stir until thickened.
Remove from heat.
Whisk in fromage frais until smooth.
Store this in the fridge in a jar to keep fresh. Since it has eggs in it, I'd recommend using within 3 days.
This also makes a great base for a cheesecake filling. When cooled, just add a whole tub of Quark and mix well.
Saturday, 11 June 2011
Can laser tag help you lose weight?
Well if last night is anything to go by, then the answer is a resounding "YES!".
Last night my son and I went to a parent and child session at the local laser tag centre. Over the course of an hour we played three 15 minute games and I can't remember the last time I felt so good (or so sweaty!). And judging by today's aches and pains, I can safely say that we definitely got a good work out.
So how many calories do you burn playing laser tag? That, I'm not sure of - but I'm guessing it's similar to a fast paced game of basketball - more than 700 calories for someone who is 14 stone. At 19 stone, I'm guessing it must be about 900 - 1000 calories.
While it isn't a traditional exercise regime, it's fun. I think the worst thing about the exercises we 'should' do is that they might not necesarily appeal to us. So doing them only sets you up for failure in the long term. Instead, explore a range of activities and find the ones you like!
I'm turning my back on fitness classes for now with regular sessions scheduled for laser tag (Fridays), indoor rock climbing (Saturdays), swimming (when I can) and walking (daily). There may be some more additions, but that will do for now. With just the laser tag (900 plus calories) and the rock climbing (approx 900 calories for me) and the walking (approx 2000 per week), that's a one pound loss per week.
How are you tackling the exercise aspect of losing weight? Any new or unusual activities? Let me know!
Last night my son and I went to a parent and child session at the local laser tag centre. Over the course of an hour we played three 15 minute games and I can't remember the last time I felt so good (or so sweaty!). And judging by today's aches and pains, I can safely say that we definitely got a good work out.
So how many calories do you burn playing laser tag? That, I'm not sure of - but I'm guessing it's similar to a fast paced game of basketball - more than 700 calories for someone who is 14 stone. At 19 stone, I'm guessing it must be about 900 - 1000 calories.
While it isn't a traditional exercise regime, it's fun. I think the worst thing about the exercises we 'should' do is that they might not necesarily appeal to us. So doing them only sets you up for failure in the long term. Instead, explore a range of activities and find the ones you like!
I'm turning my back on fitness classes for now with regular sessions scheduled for laser tag (Fridays), indoor rock climbing (Saturdays), swimming (when I can) and walking (daily). There may be some more additions, but that will do for now. With just the laser tag (900 plus calories) and the rock climbing (approx 900 calories for me) and the walking (approx 2000 per week), that's a one pound loss per week.
How are you tackling the exercise aspect of losing weight? Any new or unusual activities? Let me know!
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