[krissy89]

Hey everybody! I really, really want to get into better shape so that I can be the healthiest mum ever!

But there's one problem...

I HATE most diet-friendly foods like green vegetables, salads, tofu, seafood, etc. I've always been a meat and potatoes girl, and that's not exaggerating. My favorite food that I really crave at least once every few days is steak, and I get sick if I don't eat meat at least once a day. I've always been a picky eater, so I find dieting to be really, REALLY hard.

Right now I'm probably about 156 pounds (haven't weighed myself in a while, so I added 5 lbs to what I last weighed, since I feel and look a little heavier), and I'm only 5'4'' with a medium-large bone structure. Using that info, the charts say that I should only weigh about 123 lbs. But I only need to lose about 20 lbs to start with. The last few pounds can come off gradually, since I know they're the hardest to lose.

But I also know that how much you weigh isn't exactly the most important factor in judging how much to lose to look good and be healthy. I mean, I'm naturally pretty muscular and very curvacious, and muscle weighs more than fat. I seriously can't imagine weighing anything less than 130 lbs. I would probably look like a skeleton.

As for exercising, running is out of the question because I have bad knees that become easily inflamed. I live around miles of nature trails, so I'm lucky there. I can at least brisk walk and bikeride, but I can't get to a gym, so I need an exercise routine at home to target my abs and thighs--without using any gym equipment.

So, any suggestions for a good diet and exercise routine to lose 20 lbs? Thanks!!

P.S. If nobody can think of anything for me, don't feel bad, 'cause I'll probably end up finding my own answers anyways! lol. I guess this is kinda like my own diet-and-exercise journal. But suggestions and feedback are still appreciated!

[midnight_starr]

I use to do weight watchers and it worked for me! I was on it for 3-4 months and I lost close to 10lbs! A few other girls here also used it and it really works wonders!!! With weight watchers you don't have to cut out your favorite foods, you count points and it really teaches you proportion control! You should go to weightwatchers.com and get an overview of it! You can do it online or go to meetings in your area!

Just in general to lose weight you just have to watch how much you eat.. Its all about your proportions! You also have to exercise and drink lots of water!!

[krissy89]

Thanks for all the suggestions! You've been really helpful.

[freesiangel]

I've lost 50 lbs on Atkins and it's the perfect way of eating for me. I've tried WW and was starving all the time, so it just didn't work for my particular body - though I know it works great for others. Since you love meat, Atkins would probably work better for you than WW, since meat (esp beef) uses up your points really quickly. I do recommend getting the book and reading it, though. (I recommend the older 2002 version - after Dr. Atkins died they put out a new version of the book that pimps out all their stupid products and low-carb products, which in my experience only cause you to stall). I'm a member of a low-carb forum (lowcarber.org) and so many people don't read the book and "do" Atkins, only to not lose weight (or even gain!) and then they blame the diet. There are so many misconceptions about Atkins that drive me batty... It does require you to eat quite a few veggies, though. Are there any you do like? No, potatoes don't count. There are lots of ways to sneak in veggies, like mixing thawed, frozen spinach into your hamburger patties (seriously, you can't tell it's there). Let me know if you want any other suggestions and/or ideas. I have zillions.

A little info on me...

Height: 5'8"
Bone Frame: Large
Starting weight: 190+ (once I hit 190 I stopped weighing, I think I was more like 200-210)
Current weight: 144
Goal weight: 135

My blood profile has also improved tremendously (though it wasn't even "bad" to start with). Lowered my cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar, etc. and increased my "good" cholesterol.

I also take a good quality multivitamin (no one-a-days here, I have to take FOUR pills a day - ugh) and I take fish oil capsules (3 a day, following the recommendations on the bottle). If I'm on Induction (the first phase of Atkins) I also take calcium and potassium to help with leg cramps (when you're losing fast, you lose a lot of water as well as fat and it depletes your electrolytes).

I have bad hips and knees, too, but I still make myself walk/jog. I'm currently saving up for an elliptical to help on that front. I also do a lot of dvd's - Kathy Smith, Denise Austin, etc. If you want any suggestions, let me know. I own a lot and some are way better than others...

Whatever path you choose, best of luck to you!!

[krissy89]

Thanks so much! I've reposted this in the Weight Loss section that's down in the Health forums, so if you want to move down there, that'd be great! Just to keep things organized (because I'm a freak like that, LoL), I'm going to copy and paste your post into my thread there, and then reply.

[bittersweet]

Hi Krissy!


I don't really diet, but I am careful about what I eat. If I need to lose weight, I just cut calories. I can still eat what I want I want, just less. Weight loss is really simple. Eat less than what you burn. Now they amount of calories you burn from day to day is questionable. There are websites where you can plug in your height, weight, and activity level and it will give you an estimate. If you start by eating around 1,200 calories, you'll most likely burn more than that and you'll lose weight. If that number makes you famished and exhausted, eat a little more.

And about the vegetables and fruits.....try experimenting with things. Buy types you've never had. They are so full of good stuff for your body it is such a shame to leave them out of your diet.

[jensma]

by counting calories you can eat what you want, and have to figure out for yourself what you can and can't have in terms of budgeting calories. If you want something rich you have to eat lighter...its kinda like money, which i like!! I have lost 30 lbs this year and I love calorie counting.