learning to be human, since 1984
Effective Longterm Weightloss Solutions
When finding out a friend of mine used to be overweight, I instantly fall into disbelief. “Really?!” “How’d you lose the weight?” “What did you do with all your clothes?”
The questions are endless. Maybe it’s because, I too used to be overweight – obese, technically. At my peak I tipped the scales at 270 pounds. Now I’m a pithy 185-190, condensed and ready to spring into action. I am always intrigued as to how people lose weight, not out of mere curiosity or sympathy but rather so that I can pick up any tricks they have to losing and keeping it off.
It’s a struggle sometimes. I know. But please know that quick weight loss is unhealthy. Be realistic and expect your efforts to be longterm and sustainable. Small changes are best, and will accumulate over the course of your efforts. Here are some ideas, both my own and from others, to help you along the way.
- only drink water (no booze, juice, soda, energy drinks, sports drinks, water with sweeteners even if they are zero calories, etc.)
- drink water more often
- eat foods high in dietary fiber – you will feel full faster. Leafy greens and vegetables are perfect candidates
- don’t omit fats and carbs – they are essential to health, and to feeling full.
- walk
- ride a bike
- park your car farther away than necessary and walk
- take the stairs
- only eat vegetarian when you go out
- cook your own meals – you’ll have better control over what you eat – and will probably save some money!
- eat Greek/Middle Eastern style yogurt – or at least make sure the yogurt you buy isn’t packed with carbohydrates. If your yogurt has corn syrup, it’s not yogurt, it’s pudding.
- avoid corn syrup in general. If a product has it, I’ll look for an alternative
- limit meat consumption to chicken and fish
- limit television time
- do chores regularly! See above. Handwashing clothes saves water and detergent, and is quite a fulfilling workout!
- limit dairy consumption. I stick to hard aged cheeses and yogurt. You’ll catch me chowing on ice cream though … but only as a reward!
- keep a journal of your food consumption and energy exertion
- find an exercise partner, preferably a friend who is more fit than you and who has the time and energy to slow down and help you make progress
Hopefully these ideas will get you started. Let me know of any tricks or tips you have to losing weight!
| Print article | This entry was posted by sarandi on Monday 25 August 2008 at 15:35, and is filed under Biking, goals, inspiration, weight loss. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
about 1 year ago
Two things that are ultra important, are eating a good breakfast every morning, and not eating right before bed.
about 1 year ago
Great tips! I try my best to follow just about every one of those.
It’s also worth noting if you eat vegetarian while out, it’s often cheaper than eating meat.
If you are going to be hardcore about losing weight. Food combining might me something you, or a reader, would want to look into. There are food combining charts all over the interwebs. I got way into food combining for about a month, before I fell off the wagon. I tried to stick to it about 80% of the time. I definitely lost the weight and found my digestion was MUCH better.
I agree with Chris, it’s important to eat a good breakfast and not to eat late. I try to make a rule not to eat after 6pm. But I think a good rule is not to eat within 3 hours of your bedtime.