You are probably wondering who I am.

To satisfy your natural curiosity, I thought I should tell you a little bit about myself. I am 34 years old. I'm now living in Arizona with my husband, his four Bulldogs and my cat, Boo. I have been on one diet or another since high school, most of them unsuccessful, and I hope that this plan, which actually works, can be of help to some of you.

Some of the diets I have tried have had bad consequences to my health, and I would recommend that you try to avoid anything too extreme. I once tried this diet where I could eat normally every other day and take fiber vitamin tablet on the other days. What happened? I had a fiber overload and ended up with diahrrea so bad that I had to go to the doctor. She put me on broth and jello until my system could get a grip. Anytime you start messing with the way your body works it can be dangerous. Try doing things the natural way and you will have longer lasting results and feel much better.

Reader Comments




Good for you! I am so tired of all the gimics and lose weight quick schemes! Finally someone who does not want my money and yet gives me sound advise on how this weight loss thing is actually done. I am starting today!!!

Thanks, Robin



You are right on the mark about this. I exercised, watched what I ate faithfully and lost 60#. I have kept this weight off for 8 yrs. now. I consider it a lifestyle not a diet and agree you have to want to do this or it will not work for you. Once you have made up your mind you can do anything.

Karen



Losing Weight

I think you have hit the nail on the head, missing your thumb altogether!!!! Yes, the mind must take over. Once we trust in the perfection of our bodies, ponder the desire to lose extra weight and stick with the belief in achieving those goals, it will work. The key here is to keep the faith, believe in the future loss, because it WILL happen so slowly that it is easy to get discouraged.

I like your webpage. Trying to create my own, and feel humbled when I read something good like yours...

patra_69



Great page...

I like your honesty and directness. This is a good page for people that are just tired of the same old up and down, fly- by- night type diet programs. You are an inspiration to many people I am sure.

Have a healthy day:)

ConnieM
WHP1



Thanks so much for your inspiring self-image section. Although I am not obese or even that overweight, I have struggled with having a low self-esteem and self-image all my life, it seems. As a recovering anorexic, my fear of fat and gaining weight is a daily struggle. I have most recently been struggling with feelings of depression and social anxiety that I feel I can only express so much of to those I love. I am on my way home to start my journal! Thank you so much.

Suzy

Reader Questions




I am 14. School is just about to start and I am not that heavy,but I would like to lose about 10 pounds. I am also really active. Do you have any suggestions? Sandra

You could start by eliminating any kind of junk food from your diet. If you already avoid things like cake, potato chips and ice cream, you might temporarily stop eating foods that are healthy but high in calories, like cheese and bananas. If you are already very active, and are watching what you eat, you may not actually need to lose weight. Make sure that you consume enough calories to keep your energy up, and remember to drink eight glasses of water each day. If you are having problems with particular parts of your body, like your thighs or stomach, you might want to try some isometric or spot exercises designed just for that area.

I need to lose 23lbs because of health reasons. Both my brothers have had heart attacks and they're under 65yrs. My problem is I can't seem to get motivated or have will power. I will eat sweets till I can't move. Then of course I feel terrible. I do go to a dietitan. Do you have a way I can get going? I know I am the one who has tomake the move, but it's real hard. I am over 50yrs. Terri

I don't know all the details of your dilema, but here are a few suggestions that may help you out.

You might try telling yourself and everyone around you that you don't like sweets. Your mind is a very powerful weapon. Say it again and again and don't eat anything with sugar for awhile. Don't keep sweets in the house, and if you start having cravings, try eating a sweet fruit like a mango or a pear. I did that and now when I eat things that I used to love, like a snickers bar or chocolate cake, I really don't like them like I used too. If you eat a balanced diet, your body will let you know what it needs. Our craving for sweets is our body's way of telling us it wants vitamin C, not cookies. Try walking too. If you start to feel a craving coming on, take a walk. After your walk, drink a couple of glasses of water. It may help.


Thank you for your site, KanakaA. Your ideas about keeping a journal, and creating a positive self image are helpful and inspiring. I am a middle-aged male from Vermont -- a lifelong yo-yo dieter for many years. I either exercise compulsively, when I'm "good" or not at all (like now). My wife has the same problem. I've tried to get us to do the same exercise and diet program -any program!-togehter,but she wants to "do her own thing.". Guess I have to do it just for myself. The trouble is, we have become binge-buddies over the years. My main problem is, I have terrible craving for sweets, ice cream above all. It just won't quit. Have you ever had this problem, or do you have any suggestions to overcome a sweet craving? Will it ever go away? Anyway, thanks for the tips and good luck in maintaining your weight loss. Scott S.

Thank you for the encouragement Scott. Your question is very similar to the question above. Many of us have a problem with craving sweets. I think it has a lot to do with our culture. Every where you go you are tempted by ads and pictures of goey, dripping sweets, and when you get used to eating them, you want them all the time. I had that problem with chocolate. Take a look at the question above, and try to follow that same advice. Remember, it is helpful if you don't keep sweets in the house, don't go shopping when you are hungry, and try to eat enough at dinner that you don't want dessert.


My friends at school tell me I'm not fat but i know i am . Ihave fat on my stomach and i naver go to swimming days and they always ask me why and I always have to make up some excuse But I really love swimming chicko-88

My advice is to find a flattering swim suit and join your friends. All of us feel self-conscious and imperfect, even supermodels secretly hate things about themselves. Your friends will probably be so busy worrying about their own imperfections, that they won't even notice yours. Another thing to keep in mind is that swimming is very good exercise, and by going often with your friends, you may just lose those extra pounds.


hallo I have read what you have written. I don't understand why my weight went down but my body frame is quite big so I hope you can solve my problem. thanks Michi

Well, I'm not a doctor, and I don't know anything about your lifestyle or what might have caused your weightloss, so it is very difficult to offer advice. I would suggest that you visit your doctor, as it could be a medical problem. Other than that, you might try exercise. There are all kinds of exercise programs, not only for weightloss, but for weight gain as well.


I am 11 years old.I weigh 140 pounds I have 3 layers of fat.I hate being this way I've tried everything to lose this fat but I can't . I've been having celuilite in my legs and My legs are very huge for a girl my age.I have tried to do what I can but I can't keep this off.I would like your honest help. I've tried everything is there a medicine or anything that can help me???I understand sports help me and moving and I do move alot the point is I would like to know how do I burn what's here already?? Thank you AnnA

Well, sports do help, but if you are very heavy in one particular area, you might try some exercise aimed at that part of your body. For example, when I was in high school I bought a book called "Slim and Trim your Hips and Thighs" which worked for me. If you are extremely overweight and have honestly tried eating sensibly and exercising, you might want to discuss your problem with a doctor. There are medicines that can help in certain circumstances, but they are prescription and are not given to people who do not really need them.


You said caffeine makes you retain water. I thought it was a diuretic and made you lose water. Have you ever given any thought to updating incorrect information? I looked it up in a nutrition book as well. However, sodium does make you retain water. Buggy Dale

Oh dear. I have heard both theories as well. I am not entirely certain on this point, but every diet program that I have come across has recommended that you stop drinking caffeinated products. When I asked why, I was told that it retained water, but perhaps there is some other reason. In any case, you will feel better and be able to better read the signals your body is giving you if you do not drink things with caffeine in them.


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