NWR: Mom and unhealthy diets. Help.

doeie04 · January 2012

For the past few years my Mom has been trying to lose weight. (Longer than that, but it has been unhealthy recently.) She was doing the Atkins diet for a couple years and I finally she promised she wouldn't do it again. She would lose weight and then gain it back, plus some, when she got off of it. I was super excited that she wasn't going to do those fad diets anymore.
Well, now she has moved on to the HCG diet. (And it makes me wish she would go back to the Atkins.) She spends rediculous money on these drops (that are derived from urine, I believe) and can only eat 500 calories a day for the cycle (I think that is what it is called, and I am not sure how long it is) She has done three cycles of this that I know of. Yeah, she lost about 50 pounds, but starving yourself will do that. She has gained it back, in the 6 months since I saw her last.

It worries me a lot. I need advice on what to do. I want her to start counting calories or something that is healthy. (She claims she doesn't have time to exercise, which is pretty much true, since she works two jobs.) How do I get this across to her? I know I should leave her alone and let her do her own thing, but she can't keep doing this. I know she is going to start dieting hard for our wedding, and she can't get down to the weight she would like by then if she does it in a healthy way. I was wanting to talk to her about it after the wedding because I don't think she would listen right now.

Kfudge0714 · January 2012

I believe my mom is doing that same diet with only 500 calories. She has lost a lot of weight but when she stopped she started gaining it back rapidly. She is now back on it and I think that eating only 500 calories a day is practically starving yourself.

Has your mom tried weight watchers? I have heard nothing but good things about their program. It is work but it teaches you to eat the proper way without over eating or straving yourself. Its a lifestyle change instead of a fad diet.

Melissa603 · January 2012

Wow those are not good at all. I've been doing Weight Watchers and have been seeing consistent weight loss. Is that something your mom would do? Maybe you could join as well and kind of swap recipes and check in with each other? Does she have a friend that would go with her??

doeie04 · January 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_nwr-mom-unhealthy-diets?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:84b0d749-46b4-43cf-aa2a-eb7bde9a1a17Post:8ed2cf09-e202-4c32-b796-241f24d3a4ea">Re: NWR: Mom and unhealthy diets. Help.</a>:
[QUOTE]I believe my mom is doing that same diet with only 500 calories. She has lost a lot of weight but when she stopped she started gaining it back rapidly. She is now back on it and I think that eating only 500 calories a day is practically starving yourself. Has your mom tried weight watchers? I have heard nothing but good things about their program. It is work but it teaches you to eat the proper way without over eating or straving yourself. Its a lifestyle change instead of a fad diet.
Posted by Kfudge0714[/QUOTE]

I don't think she would have the patience to do the points since she would have to look it up. I think she would do better with just writing down the calories she eats. She works from home for 12 hours so it wouldn't be too hard. She could even pack her dinner for her second job and know where she stands for the day. She probably works 16-20 hours a day.

doeie04 · January 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_nwr-mom-unhealthy-diets?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:84b0d749-46b4-43cf-aa2a-eb7bde9a1a17Post:145437f3-972d-408d-9c52-ddd9e9189f49">Re: NWR: Mom and unhealthy diets. Help.</a>:
[QUOTE]Wow those are not good at all. I've been doing Weight Watchers and have been seeing consistent weight loss. Is that something your mom would do? Maybe you could join as well and kind of swap recipes and check in with each other? Does she have a friend that would go with her??
Posted by Melissa603[/QUOTE]

Great job on the weight loss! :)
I am counting calories right now. (That isn't why I suggest it for her though. I think it is something easy that she could do and not make too many excuses.) So she could do it with me, but she wants the loss quickly. Maybe after the wedding she will switch to counting calories and maybe she wouldn't gain so much back?
A few ladies she works with are doing the HCG, that is how she got started on it. :(

Melissa603 · January 2012

I don't have the time to look up a lot of points either. When I go grocery shopping I bring the points calculator with me - you can even get one on your phone, and then when I get home I write the points value on all the boxes, jars, etc. so I don't have to figure it out every day. I have already done it.

Melissa603 · January 2012

With WW you can lose half a pound to 3 pounds per week and I've learned some really helpful stuff to keep it off. It really is a lifestyle change and it works. The crash fad diets that your mom keeps doing are going to reek havoc on her and she isn't going to look as healthy. Let me see if I can get some more info for you.

browner3 · January 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_nwr-mom-unhealthy-diets?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:84b0d749-46b4-43cf-aa2a-eb7bde9a1a17Post:c24a9b20-f8c4-46f1-81e8-9772dd88a362">Re: NWR: Mom and unhealthy diets. Help.</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: NWR: Mom and unhealthy diets. Help. : Great job on the weight loss! :) I am counting calories right now. (That isn't why I suggest it for her though. I think it is something easy that she could do and not make too many excuses.) So she could do it with me, <strong>but she wants the loss quickly</strong>. Maybe after the wedding she will switch to counting calories and maybe she wouldn't gain so much back? A few ladies she works with are doing the HCG, that is how she got started on it. :(
Posted by doeie04[/QUOTE]

Unfortunately, there is no healthy way to lose weight quickly; otherwise, everyone would be able to do it. Even losing weight quickly is not good physically for anyones body.

CvilleClaire · January 2012

So it sounds like she's disciplined enough to do strict program. Would she spend the money on the plans that deliver meals to you? Nutri-System and Biggest Loser are the ones that come to mind, but there are tons and tons of them.

doeie04 · January 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_nwr-mom-unhealthy-diets?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:84b0d749-46b4-43cf-aa2a-eb7bde9a1a17Post:68c3c94e-ce8e-4c6c-8260-63567ec29d3c">Re: NWR: Mom and unhealthy diets. Help.</a>:
[QUOTE]So it sounds like she's disciplined enough to do strict program. Would she spend the money on the plans that deliver meals to you? Nutri-System and Biggest Loser are the ones that come to mind, but there are tons and tons of them.
Posted by CvilleClaire[/QUOTE]

She can't afford a system like that. She already works two jobs just to make her bills. :(

She is able to stick to a diet, I think she is just interested in a quick fix which is the problem. That is why I think she would do well with watching her calories. She also doesn't have the "lifestyle change" mentality that she needs to stick with it. She doesn't eat enough calories some days and then will eat out and eat too much, so she is in starvation mode (like I was) and when she over eats it all gets stored. She doesn't understand that either. I think I will wait until after our wedding to talk to her about it. She won't listen now that she is short on time and wants to get thinner for our wedding.

Melissa603 · January 2012

Here's some info about that diet - might get her to listen to some healthier options http://health.usnews.com/health-news/diet-fitness/diet/articles/2011/03/14/hcg-diet-dangers-is-fast-weight-loss-worth-the-risk

doeie04 · January 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_nwr-mom-unhealthy-diets?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:84b0d749-46b4-43cf-aa2a-eb7bde9a1a17Post:8e6af4c0-1300-494b-83a5-fc97532ca908">Re: NWR: Mom and unhealthy diets. Help.</a>:
[QUOTE]Here's some info about that diet - might get her to listen to some healthier options <a href="http://health.usnews.com/health-news/diet-fitness/diet/articles/2011/03/14/hcg-diet-dangers-is-fast-weight-loss-worth-the-risk" rel="nofollow">http://health.usnews.com/health-news/diet-fitness/diet/articles/2011/03/14/hcg-diet-dangers-is-fast-weight-loss-worth-the-risk</a>
Posted by Melissa603[/QUOTE]

Thank you so much for the link!!

Melissa603 · January 2012

You are very welcome! I hope you can get your mom to choose a healthier route

Zimsgirl26 · January 2012

I would do some sort of intervention and try to get her to a therapist. Sounds like she has some major body issues

doeie04 · January 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_nwr-mom-unhealthy-diets?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:84b0d749-46b4-43cf-aa2a-eb7bde9a1a17Post:7fb3321b-4e5d-4e10-9ae3-b9467dd159eb">Re: NWR: Mom and unhealthy diets. Help.</a>:
[QUOTE]I would do some sort of intervention and try to get her to a therapist. Sounds like she has some major body issues
Posted by Zimsgirl26[/QUOTE]

I don't think it is a mental thing. She is like any other person that wants to lose weight and wants it now. I'm pretty sure all of us have been there before or knows someone who has.

cmg317 · January 2012

I too am a Weight Watchers member. I lost 65lbs and have kept all but 10 lbs of it off for almost a year now. (I got a little lazy, but I'm back on track). They teach you how to eat with what you can buy in a grocery store. I highly recommend it to anyone. Would she be able to do Weight Watchers online?

NWR: Mom and unhealthy diets. Help.

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