i'm definately overweight for someone of my height and frame size. i'm a little less than 6 feet tall, and i weigh about 250 pounds by now, and i know that most of it is fat. i get confused about my weight sometimes. i see people who i think are about my size, but they weigh less than me. i feel so abnormally fat compared to others my age, and even people who are older than me. i really don't understand why i'm like this, and why i'm so heavy set. i've tried staying on a 2,000 calorie a day diet in the hopes that if i started keeping my calories the same each day, i would slowly lose weight, and i did, but for some reason it came back when i went on a certain medication. i have trouble with vigorous exercise, and i'm also very choosy about the kind of food i eat, and i also have a certain attachment to food, like it's one of my dependencies. i know i'm not the kind of person who could go down to 140 pounds, but if i could at least lose 20-40 pounds, i would like that. if there is a way i could lose weight from not changing the kinds of food i eat, and not having to do vigorous exercise, i would like to know.

Just walk

You shouldn't  be doing vigorous exercises when you're trying to lose weight anyway. Should be slow and long, like walking or biking. Swimming is also an excellent option, you're looking to do cardio when it comes to losing weight.

"just walk"

Should probably read "just walk A LOT"

Because I spent all summer walking 3 miles a day at a vigorous pace while not exactly dieting but also controlling my intake and not eating stupidly or excessively...and I stayed within 3 pounds more or less of 260 the whole time.

I know what all the advice is - and after the first of the year I'm going to take drastic action on the intake front - but I also read a lot of plans that say "walk an hour a day three times a week" as if it will do good and I was doing over twice that.

Quote from: Laura Hope on December 11, 2009, 07:16:01 PM
"just walk"

Should probably read "just walk A LOT"

Because I spent all summer walking 3 miles a day at a vigorous pace while not exactly dieting but also controlling my intake and not eating stupidly or excessively...and I stayed within 3 pounds more or less of 260 the whole time.

I know what all the advice is - and after the first of the year I'm going to take drastic action on the intake front - but I also read a lot of plans that say "walk an hour a day three times a week" as if it will do good and I was doing over twice that.

i guess some people are just heavier set, and have a slower metabolism, and if they wanted to be thin, they would have to follow a strict diet and exercise plan that could consume their life. i think i'm one of those people. i hear that estrogen thickens fat, so that probably isn't helping matters in your case, but oh well. i guess if you are healthy, you know you are making progress, and the number on the scale is just, well, a number.

If the calories out (exercise) is greater than the calories in, you will lose weight, simple as that.
It would be wise to discuss any exercise program with your doctor though, if you have not been doing anything much to date. If there is medication involved, this is important. Also the meds may be making you retain fluids.
I find ice skating, cycling and walking good.  Swimming is ok for a while, then you get too efficient and weight loss stops.

so, how much exercise a day is a good amount? i heard someone say 20 before.

It depends on what you are doing?  So, say your going to do a mile.  You could run it, walk it or bike it.  They each burn about the same amount of calories, the difference is in how much time it takes you to do it. 

However, the amount of weight you or Laura needs to lose is going to take more than a 20 minute walk, you'll have to work your way up to real hard-core exercise as part of a total lifestyle change.

I guess the best way to look at it is the food you have been eating and your current exercise got you to the weight you are at. So in order to reduce your weight by 20 - 40 lbs you will need to change both. SO no you can't do it without changing your diet.  And for that much weight loss it can not be a small change. You can start by walking and taking a close look at your diet, not just the amount of calories but what they are made up of (protein, carbs, and fat) then eventually work up to working out more and fine tuning your food even more. I would think you would need at least and hour a day in walking at a decent speed. You will have to work your way up to vigorous exercise as you just won't be able to at your current weight. You need to climb stairs figuratively and literally to get where you want to be.
Good Luck.
Myles/Andrew
for really counting your calories and what you are taking in I would suggest  a free program like fitday online.

Quote from: NicoleFoxFan on December 11, 2009, 08:26:33 PM
i guess some people are just heavier set, and have a slower metabolism, and if they wanted to be thin, they would have to follow a strict diet and exercise plan that could consume their life. i think i'm one of those people. i hear that estrogen thickens fat, so that probably isn't helping matters in your case, but oh well. i guess if you are healthy, you know you are making progress, and the number on the scale is just, well, a number.

I'm not on HRT yet though....

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Post Merge: December 11, 2009, 11:08:24 PM

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Quotenot just the amount of calories but what they are made up of (protein, carbs, and fat)

therein, I think, is my problem.

that which makes up a weight-loss friendly diet is pretty much all the stuff I'd pretty much just as soon go hungry as eat.

I wish I could be hypnotized to hate the donuts and love the broccoli (figuratively speaking)

Laura,

I started walking and could barely get around the block. I ate no differently but just gradually increased my walks. I lost 65 bs in one summer. I was up to 15 miles per day by the end of August, (start in May). It can be done, just needs consistancy. BTW, I hate sweets except for occasional chocolate and love broccoli, been vegetarian for 37 years.  Notice I gained as well as lost weight as vegetarian.

Anyway, good luck.

I could get a lot of people very close to an ideal weight by doing 3 things.  Blowing up their TV, killing their car and keeping them away from fast food.  Those three things cause more out of shape people than anything else.

Quote from: tekla on December 12, 2009, 12:30:01 AM
I could get a lot of people very close to an ideal weight by doing 3 things.  Blowing up their TV, killing their car and keeping them away from fast food.  Those three things cause more out of shape people than anything else.

You forgot limiting their internet experiences.

Quote from: LordKAT on December 12, 2009, 12:10:59 AM
Laura,

I started walking and could barely get around the block. I ate no differently but just gradually increased my walks. I lost 65 bs in one summer. I was up to 15 miles per day by the end of August, (start in May). It can be done, just needs consistancy. BTW, I hate sweets except for occasional chocolate and love broccoli, been vegetarian for 37 years.  Notice I gained as well as lost weight as vegetarian.

Anyway, good luck.

Well, here's my plan - after the first of the year the local paper always has a weight loss competition that runs until mid-May and has (usually) about a $500 pot to win and a 3 month gym membership

so I'm going to really dial up the dieting in January ( a few years ago I lost 22 pounds in 4 weeks on a pretty low-cal diet, and about 13 more in the next six weeks then plateaued) and as the weather warms I'm going to steadily increase the distance I walk (I usually go about 3 miles in an hour every day when the weather cooperates) as long as I'm not working and have the time...when I get down to around 210 or so I'll start integrating some running  and the lighter I get the more I'll run instead of walk...and if I win the contest then I can add some work that's not just walking

My hope is that a pretty decent kick start over the first six weeks of the year and then a steady 1.5 to 2 pounds a week thereafter can get me under 200 by next fall.

That's the daydream anyway.

Quote
killing their car

that's ok for city folk, but if I didn't have a car I'd soon have nothing else. us rural types live pretty far from most employment opportunities. I mean, I can walk anywhere in this town within an hour (or so) or less, but unless you work as a professional, or in retail/service, there's no job within that radius (and the ones that exist are not turning over right now)

Laura,

That sounds like a fairly good plan. I will tell you that when you hit a plateau, change your exercise regimen for a few days. My suggestion is instead of walking maybe do some floor exercises or dancing for a few days then go back to walk/running. Stick to your plan and you can do anything. the easy part is making the plan.

I do wish you the best of luck. Some people find it easier to stick with it if they have a 'partner in crime' so to speak. A running companion or continued contest between you and a friend. Just make sure that if you reward yourself, you do it with a movie night or snuggle bunny and not with a meal.

Well, I think I might do well this time because I'm getting to the point where I can see laura more in the mirror and less of...him.

That's - I think - going to be much more motivating.

Every time I see one of these threads I mention low carb and nobody listens to me, but I figured I would put it out there. It works and is sound science and is a great tool for breaking the food and sugar addiction.

Regular exercise is a must, but if you're in ketosis all the time it is going to be a lot more effective.

That's a very good motivator Laura.

My endo said quit smoking or no T.  Funny thing, I was finally able to quit after all these years. She did say it was usually motivation enough and that she will take it away if she finds out you start again.  bye bye smokes and hello T, (and hello cash.)

Quote from: Becca on December 12, 2009, 02:56:42 AM
Every time I see one of these threads I mention low carb and nobody listens to me, but I figured I would put it out there. It works and is sound science and is a great tool for breaking the food and sugar addiction.

Regular exercise is a must, but if you're in ketosis all the time it is going to be a lot more effective.

It worked for me, but different habits work for different people. Is it possible that low carb works better for people with certain genetic profiles? My body has trouble processing grains (especially wheat), dairy (except cheese), and fruit (but not nuts). I think it's the Northern European in me.

Years ago, I had a dietitian who didn't listen to me when I told her that the low-fat diet she had recommended was just about killing me. I told her about my symptoms, and she kept telling me that my body would adjust. It never did. But when I started messing around with Atkins years later, my digestive problems magically disappeared, my mood improved, and I lost weight. Although lately I've been stress eating and missing workouts, I'm lighter than I've been in years.

Don't obsess about the numbers.
Get exercise.
Eat "right".
Drink plenty of water.
And whatever you do..
.. Do Not Diet!