I asked this because I'm a member of another forum where they're big on working through "stages" one by one, and not advancing until you know what your triggers are, and such.

I know what my triggers are, and they've changed over the years. My problem is stopping the habit of emotional eating, and dealing with the enormous amount of weight I have on me, that I gained for various reasons, among them being hypothyroid with medication that hadn't been working for several years.

I don't think it really matters either. I think I will always eat for emotional reasons at times. I feel like I'm under stress right now with one dd getting married and one getting divorced. Tonight I had popcorn and grape juice for supper but I can't really eat popcorn unless I make it a meal. Otherwise, I get too full.

I've been wondering about cravings today....when you aren't hungry but just need SOME THING to eat, not knowing what that THING is. It's pretty easy to skip it or to quite it with 3 chips but I wonder where it comes from.

I sent for the free reports and a free issue of Prevention because the reports had something about IE. I got the free issue but not the reports which I wanted to read more than the magazine. I don't really know how to contact them to ask about it. I sent back the bill with cancel as I was not really interested in a subscription.

:wave:

6 Ways to Win the Weight Battle
By Alexandra Gekas, Woman's Day
Tue, May 10, 2011


Think the number-one roadblock to being fit is the number of calories you take in? Think again. The key to healthy, successful weight loss isn’t just about getting the right information—it's about knowing how to use that information. It’s why those extra pounds won’t budge, despite your understanding the importance of calories in versus calories out, knowing the difference between good and bad carbs, and being diligent about mixing cardio with strength training. If you’ve been feeling discouraged, rest assured that you’re not alone. We spoke with medical, nutrition and fitness experts and asked them one simple question: "What are we missing?" Read on to discover the six most important ways to use the mind-body connection to help your weight-loss efforts rather than hinder them.

Accept that diets don’t help you in the long run.

Every year you try to eat less and less, but gain more and more. Sure, some of this has to do with the biology of aging, but it also has to do with the damage all those fad diets have done to your metabolism. There’s no miracle pill or plan that can lead to easy weight loss. "People just cycle between these fads, these radical wacky diets, and they will lose weight, but then they get sick of it," says Timothy Harlan, MD, medical director at the Tulane University School of Medicine and author of Just Tell Me What to Eat! This leads to gaining back the weight, which puts you back at square one. "It's really important to know why women eat like birds and look like elephants as they get older," says Eric Braverman, MD, author of Younger (Thinner) You Diet. "They develop this horrific situation in which they eat 1,000 calories and gain weight…the metabolic starvation that these girls are doing [leads to] the destruction of their health." Instead of approaching food with a deprivation mindset, consider feasible, small changes that you can make over the long term. Braverman recommends increasing exercise and increasing "chew food"—highly nutritious and fibrous but low-calorie foods, such as an apple instead of apple juice.
Focus on fitness, not thinness.

In our body-obsessed culture with ultra-thin celebrities setting the trend, it’s hard to remember that your health and well-being are about more than being a particular pants size. “Do it for your health, do it to stimulate your mind and find passion,” says Ramona Braganza, celebrity trainer and fitness expert at Gold Gym. "It’s not about getting a Hollywood body.” Try focusing more on how you feel rather than what the scale says. "Women think they're sexier when they're thin, flabby Gumbys. They haven't incorporated a really liberating feminist model of nutrition, fitness and discipline into their lives," Dr. Braverman says. By focusing on being fit and feeling healthy—keeping your age in mind—you’ll be better equipped to hit your ideal weight. "There are happy people in all different shapes and sizes, so if you’re picking your model person, it has to be somebody realistic," says Braganza. "Your body changes, and I think it’s hard for women to accept that they won’t always have their 25-year-old body. So you have to look for a new role model. My role model is my 75-year-old mom, who teaches Zumba classes. You want to look ahead of you, not behind you."
Make friends with food.

Losing weight should not mean eating bland, flavorless food. And it definitely should not entail being hungry all the time. Think about food as nourishment, and make it as delicious as possible. In fact, if you do it right, you can eat just as much, if not more than before. "I'm a big believer in eating great food, but it's about caloric density. If you're going to take in fewer calories, those calories should be much larger portions," Dr. Harlan says. His example: beef stroganoff. Make it with the same ingredients, but use more mushrooms and less beef (the leaner the better). You’ll consume fewer overall calories, but more food, and still feel satisfied. "We respond to volume of food, and when the volume is high and we feel filled up, we'll stop eating," Dr. Harlan adds. "That's how I craft a recipe. I ask myself, 'How can I make this portion larger, preserve the flavor—or make it more even delicious—and keep it at the same number of calories?’"
Start small and build slowly.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to lose weight is going to extremes. Be mindful of where you are, and respect your limits. With this in mind, start small and build slowly. "People don't know how to get started. But I'd be happy if you just went out and walked three days a week," Dr. Harlan says. "But instead, people will go out and injure themselves and they'll get put off. So starting very low-impact, going slowly and building up very carefully is the number-one key with exercise." Braganza agrees: "When you’re starting, anything is better than nothing. Go for a regular walk and then include a hill. Then go at a faster pace, and then step into the gym," she says. "Lower impact to start with, and then go on to the higher-impact exercises once you’ve built up your strength."

Concentrate on commitment more than intensity.

You don’t have to log endless hours at the gym to become healthier, but a commitment to an exercise regimen is essential. "When I'm talking to patients, the first thing I do is work on time. We schedule everything in our lives, but we don't book exercise," Dr. Harlan says. "If I can just get them to start by penciling in that 30 minutes three times a week, that's enough to get them started." In fact, despite what we may think, celebrities aren't spending every waking second in the gym to get those beautiful bodies. What they are doing, however, is committing to a weekly routine, and giving it their all when they're there. "My people work out pretty conservatively about four days a week for an hour," says Braganza, who has trained such stars as Jessica Alba and Halle Berry.

Stop obsessing about your weight.

The fastest way to misery is to obsess over dieting and weight loss. It’s not only bad for your self-esteem, but it will sabotage your weight-loss efforts, too. "I was a cheerleader for the Oakland Raiders, and we had regular weigh-ins. The girls gained during the season because they were so concerned about it. Then during off-season, the weight just fell off. You store fat when you’re stressed. There is a huge correlation between [stress] and the body," says wellness coach Cassandra Corum. (Not to mention the natural fluctuations caused by hormones and age.) With this in mind, focus on long-term goals rather than micro-managing your life. "Health is not a 30-day thing, a 60- or a 90-day thing. Take the advice, use what you already know and do it every day,” Corum says.

Another interesting article.

8 Common Weight-Loss Myths—Debunked
Get the facts behind popular diet misconceptions
By Brynn Mannino Posted December 16, 2010 from WomansDay.com

Have you been loyal to the rules of weight loss, but the scale still won't budge? Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation out there that may be throwing a roadblock in front of your dieting efforts. Below, experts clarify eight of the most common weight-loss myths—like the notion that eating several small meals throughout the day will speed up your metabolism or that you have to hit the gym to lose weight—so you can get on the right track and lose those extra pounds.

Myth #1: You have to work out to lose weight.

While it’s true that a turn on the treadmill burns calories, exercising is not mandatory for shedding pounds. “Weight loss is a simple matter of calories in versus calories out,” says American Dietetic Association spokeswoman Karen Ansel, RD. In truth, if you already lack restraint when it comes to intake, exercising may actually contribute to overeating, since you’ll inevitably feel hungrier than usual. Understanding how much you really need to eat is much easier when your output remains consistent—at least when you first start out, she explains. But weight loss aside, all experts agree: Working out is good for you in so many ways that it's best not to avoid it. Here’s how to exercise and diet effectively: Consume filling foods like fiber-rich veggies, complex carbohydrates and lean proteins throughout the day to fend off excess hunger. Then bring a healthy, portion-controlled snack, like a banana, to eat right after your workout to prevent you from feeling "starved" when you’re done, so you can make better choices come mealtime.


Myth #2: Eating after 6 p.m. (or 7 p.m. or 8 p.m.) makes you gain weight.

“There’s no evidence that eating after a certain time promotes weight gain—nor is there evidence that not eating past a certain hour will help you lose or maintain weight,” says Elisa Zied, nutrition consultant and author of Nutrition at Your Fingertips. The truth: Eating oversize portions at night is often indicative of eating poorly during the day. Whether you skipped breakfast or didn't eat enough nutritious, satisfying foods throughout the day, it's likely that you'll be eating your biggest—and most caloric meal—at night, which is ultimately causing you to pack on the pounds. “The best way to manage late-night hunger is to have evenly spaced meals and snacks every few hours to stabilize blood sugar, which keeps hunger at bay,” says Zied.


Myth #3: Your metabolism gets slower with age.

Good news: Though most of us do tend to tip the scale a little more with each passing birthday, weight gain can’t be blamed on aging alone. Rather, most people gain weight as they get older due to loss of muscle, which is what determines their resting metabolic rate. “We need lean muscle tissue to keep our metabolism revved up, and as we age, we lose some muscle mass, which consequently means we gain some fat mass,” says Zied. But our metabolic rate is always adjustable, she adds. “As we get older, we need to make sure to incorporate regular strength training to help preserve muscle” while also refining our diet to compensate for lost muscle that we may not want to—or be able to—regain.

Myth #4: Carbohydrates make you fat.

With all the malarkey going around about the way carbohydrates affect how much you weigh, it's tough to know what to believe anymore. The confusion may be due to the fact that so many comfort foods high in carbohydrates are also high in calories. But now more than ever, research is popping up everywhere explaining why we actually should be eating carbs—every day. "According to the Institute of Medicine, cutting carbohydrates lower than 130 grams a day will negatively affect your brain function due to a lack of serotonin production,” says Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD, author of The Flexitarian Diet. Your best approach to maintaining a carbohydrate balance in your diet is to choose healthy versions, like fruits, veggies and whole grains. And make sure they only account for one-third or less of each meal.


Myth #5: Drinking water helps you lose weight.

“Water is essential for life, but it’s not a magic bullet for weight loss,” says Bonnie Taub-Dix, RD, media spokeswoman and owner of BTD (Better than Dieting) Nutrition Consultants. Even though it's commonly believed that drinking water will flush toxins and, consequently, fat from your body, “the toxin-fat connection does not have a scientific basis,” says Taub-Dix. Based on a study published in Nutrition Review, consuming water replaces other beverages, therefore reducing caloric intake. In other words, it’s not the water itself that leads to weight loss. Best diet tip: Swap sugary juices and sodas for a glass of H2O!


Myth #6: If you only eat healthy foods, you'll definitely lose weight.

You saw it in the news this year: "Man Eats Twinkies for 10 Weeks, Loses 27 Pounds." How’d he do it? By only eating 1,800 calories instead of his usual 2,600. Sure, he lost two-and-a-half months’ worth of nutrients—which couldn’t have done great things for his body and mind function—but he also proved that when it comes to weight loss, it’s the calories consumed that count. “Eating large quantities of high-quality foods such as olive oil, some fish, brown rice or nuts can do just as much damage to your weight as eating butter, pizza and cookies,” says Blatner. The lesson? Portion control is just as important to weight loss as food choice. Blatner suggests relying on a combination of visual and physical cues to control your intake. “Use a small (8-in.) plate and mentally divide your meal into three parts: 1/4 whole grains, 1/4 lean protein and 1/2 produce." Also pay attention to the immediate physical signals of fullness, at which point you’ve likely eaten enough, Blatner explains.

Myth #7: Fast food is forbidden if you’re trying to lose weight.

“Fast food—like any food—can fit into an otherwise healthful, nutritious diet,” says Zied. The problem, she explains, is that most people who consume fast food often don’t eat a healthful, nutritious diet in general. Ansel agrees: “Compared to [sit-down] restaurants, fast food can be a calorie bargain." For example: A cheeseburger slider entrée with fries at Applebee’s rings in at 1,250 calories, while a McDonald’s hamburger and small fries adds up to only 480 calories. Luckily, calorie counts are now available at many fast-food restaurants and on the company's website (or check out our guide to The Best and Worst Fast-Food Meals). If dieting, approach fast food with Zied’s tips in mind: Look for a meal with no more than 400 to 500 calories; non-breaded and non-fried foods; meals that feature at least three food groups including, but not limited to, lowfat dairy, veggies and a lean protein like grilled chicken; and order foods with condiments on the side so you can add small amounts yourself.


Myth #8: Eating small, frequent meals will boost your metabolism.

This regularly-tossed-around advice seems to make sense—you have to keep things moving to keep them working. However, according to Keri Gans, author of The Small Change Diet (available spring 2011), while the message is right, the reasoning is slightly off. Eating portion-controlled meals every three to four hours doesn’t actually boost your metabolism, she explains. Instead, it helps fend off the type of hunger cravings that make healthy food choices more difficult. “The longer you wait between meals to eat, the higher the chance that you will overeat at your next meal,” she says. But eating small meals often does have other payoffs: “Fueling your body in short intervals is ideal for keeping it awake, as food is our energy.” When it feels deprived even slightly, Gans says, we become sluggish and cranky.

Carolr You have been busy with things I need to read. I may have to copy and print so I can read them while traveling.

We are leaving Wednesday traveling to TX. I've tried to read and keep on top of the news on the flooding Mississippi River and hope we have chosen a good and safe route. We are stopping in AR first to see my daughter. We hope to be able to return on I-10 through LA and stay over in AL. Sure hope CC is doing okay since they say they may flood down there.

Any way, I just wanted to check in and let you know what is going on as I haven't left the thread or forgotten y'all. It seems it takes me longer to pack etc than it used to. I'm trying to plan enough clothes so I don't have to wash much of anything. I'll try to check in and catch up with y'all when I get to the motel next week end.

Have a good one.

Thanks, Trish. I just started doing walk away the pounds again. My dil has lost a lot of weight with it. I just need to get moving to feel good. ha! I did it years ago BAREFOOT and got plantar fasciitis. Yes, I am now wearing shoes. It is really easy to follow.

The thing that drives me nuts with the whole "carbs" issue is that people don't differentiate between a piece of bread, a bowl of spinach, and a cup of kidney beans. They are all carbs, but carbs like coffee cake, white bread, etc. are NOT the same thing as beans or vegetables.

I get annoyed by articles like this one because they seem to encourage the idea that it doesn't matter THAT much what you eat. Yes, you can lose weight eating Twinkies or Big Macs, but how healthy will you be? I think you could eat a Big Mac (or its equivalent) once or twice a year, but if you regularly eat food that doesn't do much to nourish your body, you aren't really eating intuitively or doing yourself any favors. Even "healthy" fast food has loads of sodium and artificial ingredients. I know intuitive eating is all about eating what your body wants, but I can't believe anyone's body wants Twinkies.

[QUOTE=carolr3639;3851818]Another interesting article.

Myth #4: Carbohydrates make you fat.

With all the malarkey going around about the way carbohydrates affect how much you weigh, it's tough to know what to believe anymore. The confusion may be due to the fact that so many comfort foods high in carbohydrates are also high in calories. But now more than ever, research is popping up everywhere explaining why we actually should be eating carbs—every day. "According to the Institute of Medicine, cutting carbohydrates lower than 130 grams a day will negatively affect your brain function due to a lack of serotonin production,” says Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD, author of The Flexitarian Diet. Your best approach to maintaining a carbohydrate balance in your diet is to choose healthy versions, like fruits, veggies and whole grains. And make sure they only account for one-third or less of each meal.


Myth #6: If you only eat healthy foods, you'll definitely lose weight.

You saw it in the news this year: "Man Eats Twinkies for 10 Weeks, Loses 27 Pounds." How’d he do it? By only eating 1,800 calories instead of his usual 2,600. Sure, he lost two-and-a-half months’ worth of nutrients—which couldn’t have done great things for his body and mind function—but he also proved that when it comes to weight loss, it’s the calories consumed that count. “Eating large quantities of high-quality foods such as olive oil, some fish, brown rice or nuts can do just as much damage to your weight as eating butter, pizza and cookies,” says Blatner. The lesson? Portion control is just as important to weight loss as food choice. Blatner suggests relying on a combination of visual and physical cues to control your intake. “Use a small (8-in.) plate and mentally divide your meal into three parts: 1/4 whole grains, 1/4 lean protein and 1/2 produce." Also pay attention to the immediate physical signals of fullness, at which point you’ve likely eaten enough, Blatner explains.

Myth #7: Fast food is forbidden if you’re trying to lose weight.

“Fast food—like any food—can fit into an otherwise healthful, nutritious diet,” says Zied. The problem, she explains, is that most people who consume fast food often don’t eat a healthful, nutritious diet in general. Ansel agrees: “Compared to [sit-down] restaurants, fast food can be a calorie bargain." For example: A cheeseburger slider entrée with fries at Applebee’s rings in at 1,250 calories, while a McDonald’s hamburger and small fries adds up to only 480 calories. Luckily, calorie counts are now available at many fast-food restaurants and on the company's website (or check out our guide to The Best and Worst Fast-Food Meals). If dieting, approach fast food with Zied’s tips in mind: Look for a meal with no more than 400 to 500 calories; non-breaded and non-fried foods; meals that feature at least three food groups including, but not limited to, lowfat dairy, veggies and a lean protein like grilled chicken; and order foods with condiments on the side so you can add small amounts yourself.

I actually threw away a bag of popcorn because I was satisfied a few days ago. Lately I haven't been too hungry for dinner but if I don't eat anything then I am starving in the morning. Gotta figure out a balance.

I love popcorn, too, Shay. I haven't eaten supper the last 2 nights. I sleep so much better because I don't wake to use the bathroom so much. My dh wants me to eat with him most of the time. He was busy the last 2 nights so I was able to feed him alone.

Third day of doing indoor walking to music. Hope I can keep at it.

Planting impatients today....so pretty....might do about 300 plants before I'm done. Garden all done. What a relief! Oh...not 300 today but by the end of next week.

So I am fully back to intuitive eating. Actually I was doing it while I was doing Herbalife because I didn't measure or count anything. My trainer wanted me to do something to kick start my weight loss. That it did. I lost 30 lbs in 12 weeks. Basically I did 2 shakes a day (breakfast & dinner), drank two cups of their tea a day, used their multivitamin, took a cell activator pill (supposed to make sure you are absorbing all the nutrients from your meals) with each shake, and added their protein to my shakes. So now that it is over I will go back to my one a day multivitamin, make shakes 1-2 times a day using their protein and not their shake mix, and I will continue to use their tea, and cell activator pills. It amazed me that although I was using the shake as a dinner meal replacement most nights I wasn't even hungry enough for it. I made lunch my largest meal and made sure I had satisfying snacks 3 times a day. I really think it helped with my intuitive eating.