Tips for losing 10-15 pounds when I'm already active and eat pretty healthy...

Re: Tips for losing 10-15 pounds when I'm already active and eat pretty healthy...

• msange727

  

  August 2010

  i'm trying to get the last ten pounds off myself - the closer you are to your target weight, the more difficult it is, so that sucks. what are you doing now? and what's your diet like? good off-the-cuff suggestions would be increasing your water intake (to decrease water retention) as well as upping your protein intake to support your muscle activity and to keep you fuller, longer. also, i would say that if you're doing a workout "routine," to switch it up a lot. change the time of day, what you're doing, how long, etc. and if you're not already doing them, adding strenght-training activities will also help the cause. good luck! :]

  

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• AdeleDazeem member

  

  August 2010

  I would like to lose about ten pounds, as well.  The weight snuck up on me over the past two or three years.
  
  I would have said that I ate pretty healthy, too, before I started to take this seriously.  I admitted to drinking one or two glasses of wine at night (oh yum), but thought I did pretty well otherwise.  That was until I started tracking my calories that I took in for a day and was, well, *shocked*. 
  
  I'd take some time to really look at what you're eating, portion size, and (if necessary) calorie count a little.  You seem to have the whole exercise thing under control so really the rest is just diet.
  

  
  

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• aplatanada member

  

  August 2010

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_tips-losing-10-15-pounds-im-already-active-eat-pretty-healthy?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:fcc28a9b-752e-45e8-9d49-0c50556a9d85Post:f047b2b2-94f8-40e5-8b5c-6a79fb6cca68">Re: Tips for losing 10-15 pounds when I'm already active and eat pretty healthy...</a>:
  [QUOTE]I would like to lose about ten pounds, as well.  The weight snuck up on me over the past two or three years. I would have said that I ate pretty healthy, too, before I started to take this seriously.  I admitted to drinking one or two glasses of wine at night (oh yum), but thought I did pretty well otherwise.  That was until I started tracking my calories that I took in for a day and was, well, *shocked*.  I'd take some time to really look at what you're eating, portion size, and (if necessary) calorie count a little.  You seem to have the whole exercise thing under control so really the rest is just diet.
  Posted by Joy2611[/QUOTE]
  
  This.
  
  I *thought* I ate pretty healthy and have always been active and was genuinely confused as to why I was overweight. It wasn't until I joined WW and actually learned about what I was putting in my body and how much that I realized I wasn't eating healthy at all. Now I look back and can't believe I ever thought my lifestyle was healthy.
  
  If you aren't already tracking, do it. It can help you pick up on patterns. If you go to a gym, start seeing a personal trainer to get you on a weight training routine. That was what really sped up the weight loss for me. (40 lbs and counting. Hopefully.)

  

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• Alliance214

  

  August 2010

  I am with sange on this one... every time I hit a plateau increasing muscle strength helps. It increases your resting metabolism. So although cardio will burn calories, so will more muscle. Maybe rather than looking at the 10-15 pounds drop the weight loss goal and go for toning the areas in your body you are wanting to shape up!

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• Ginabean2011

  

  August 2010

  I'm in the same position. Fortunately, small changes can easily get you the results you are to achieve in that time period. For example, I am cutting out out alcohol for a few weeks to see how that helps me. Other easy options could be to cut out fast food/takeout for awhile, eating one vegetarian meal a day, having a glass of water before each meal, adding one evening walk a day to your normal routine, ect..
  And yes, if you aren'y already tracking calorie you should definitely try it!

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• lharri12 member

  

  August 2010

  I recently heard a weight loss expert say something that really stood out to me: It's a lot easier to cut 500 calories out of your daily diet than it is to burn 500 calories a day with exercise.  If you have a sweet tooth, paying closer attention to carbs might be all you need.  I try to make sure I always have a can of raw almonds in my desk so I'm less tempted by unhealthy snacks that coworkers often bring into the office.  Remember, protein keeps you feeling full longer.  You've got plenty of time, but it's a lot easier to make gradual changes, and these changes are more likely to last beyond the wedding.
  Also, as pp said, make sure to vary your workout routine because your muscles can get used to a routine, which makes it less effective for weight loss.
  Good luck!

  

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• davenia7 member

  

  August 2010

  Cut the carbs, and continue to work out.

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• slcpnb

  

  August 2010

  I ate a lot of frozen meals for lunches at work that are low in calories, but packed with sugar and sodium.  When I hit a plateau my WW leader suggested I stop eating them every day, so I did, and that definitely got me over the hump. So for me it just wasn't eating "healthy" as far as calories go, but also watching the other items like the sodium level. As others have mentioned I would take a closer look at what you are eating. 

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• [Deleted User] member

  

  August 2010

  Water, water, water!
  
  Try a Cleanse. There are lots of them out there too. Your body may need a little detox to keep loosing the rest of the weight.

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• LPontes

  

  August 2010

  DO NOT CUT CARBS! You're fiance will find you turning crazy and it will leave you without energy. Your stress levels are already increasing at this point and by cutting your carbs it will leave you more on edge. Start managing the type of carbs you are intaking. whole grains & wheat vs white breads, brown & wild rices as opposed to white rice. etc...

  
  

  Increase your source of fiber ie: veges veges veges!! It will help detox your body and 

  keep you regular!

   

  DEFINITELY eat more protien- protein for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

  
  

  
  

   but remember: Eat in moderation- anything over your daily required caloric intake will lead to gaining weight, not matter what time you eat it.

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• SarahM90 member

  

  August 2010

  Say no to fad diets and cleanses. They will only damage your metabolism making it harder to loose weight and also making the weight come back with a vengeance once you start eating normally. Moderation is the key.

  
  

  Also, losing the last 10 is a very different animal than losing 50 pounds. If you cut your calories too low or over train your body will react by slowing down your metabolism because your body wants to keep that extra weight in case of famine.

  
  

  Don't cut carbs either! We need carbs, it's just about choosing the right ones. Veggies, fruit, and whole grains are all great for you and can help you loose weight. Cakes, cookies, and refined grains and sugars on the other hard are not. Try to plan each meal to have some healthy carbs, fat, and protein to keep you balanced.

  
  

  Calories counting can be a great tool as well. First, figure out your BMR (basal metabolic rate). You can find a BMR calculator online. This is roughly the number of calories you burn each day doing nothing. You need to eat at least this number of calories each day in order to prevent your body going into starvation mode.

  
  

  To help get rid of any water weight, drink 80-100 ounces of water a day and bring your sodium down to 1500 mg a day. 

  
  

  Lastly, eat real food! Fake foods may be low in calories, but your body has no idea what to do with all of the chemicals in them and this can damage your metabolism. Losing weight will be much easier if you eat foods as close to their natural state as possible. This means cutting out frozen dinners, artificial sweeteners, and buttery spreads. Just because these things are low in calories, does not make them health foods. 

  
  

  Lastly, avoid the following food additives at all costs: high fructose corn syrup, MSG, and trans fats. Also, just because something says it has 0 grams of trans fat, doesn't mean there are no trans fats in the product. If a food has less than 0.5g of trans fat per serving, it can be labeled as trans fat free. You need to look in the ingredients list for hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. Those are trans fats.

  
  

  Do all that and keep working out hard and you should see the results you want! It worked for me. : )

  
  

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• kdane16

  

  August 2010

  I recently shed 61 pounds by increasing my H2O intake to at least 64 oz daily and making sure that I eat 70 grams of protein. I also make sure that I eat the protein of my meal first and stop as soon as I feel full, even if it means I haven't eaten any veggies or carbs.
  Of course I also increased my activity level. I am hoping to shed another 60 before my wedding next year.
  
  Good Luck.

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• kdane16

  

  August 2010

  I should have also included that I write EVERYTHING down that goes into my stomach. It is a way to stay accountable for what you are eating.

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• ajmarimba

  

  August 2010

  I'm doing the WW thing and writing everything down.  It's been working for me 35 and counting (fingers crossed).  Sounds like you are exercising, but what you may want to do is change things up.  Foods, types of exercise...everything.  Still eat healthy, but flip around the foods you eat or recipes.  I just hit the plateau, and that's how I was able to push past it.  Good luck to you!

  

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• lharri12 member

  

  August 2010

  I don't think anyone suggested getting rid of carbs altogether.  If OP has a sweet tooth, that is probably her biggest barrier to weight loss, so she needs to curb her carbs!

  

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