How bout biking? Is that good? (okay well obviously it is but what parts of the body does it work on?)
What's a good way to lose weight?
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Walking. No joke - biking exercises legs, but walking and running exercise the abdominal muscles as well (plus, when I was using biking, my calves got seriously ripped before my torso did, and that's not so great looking on a female...). When you go for you a walk, you get endurance + toning. Running is probably faster, but if you're like me and dislocate joints like crazy, you need something low impact.Quiet Stranger said:
The best way as far as I'm concerned: Swim a lot and drink a lot of water.
Also, change your diet permanently (the food pyramid is slightly incorrect, by the way). Lots of fruits and vegetables, a fair amount of whole grains (processed wheat and white rice don't count), and a smallish amount of meat.
Sources: personal experience and Eat to Live, by Dr. Joel Fuhrman.
Also, change your diet permanently (the food pyramid is slightly incorrect, by the way). Lots of fruits and vegetables, a fair amount of whole grains (processed wheat and white rice don't count), and a smallish amount of meat.
Sources: personal experience and Eat to Live, by Dr. Joel Fuhrman.
for me its just doing little things like walking instead of getting the bus
it adds up pretty quickly
it adds up pretty quickly
It is true. I am a junk food addict. All the stuff they tell you not to eat is my diet. And I wiegh a whopping 130lbs. Although I have noticed that if I do spend a few weeks eating healthier food I do pack on a few extra pounds as opposed to losing them.Ephraim J. Witchwood said:
Don't shove hamburgers pizza and chips down your throat and yust eat healthy food. also get runningQuiet Stranger said:
Don't exceed 500 calories in a single meal. Ever. (3 meals a day = 1500 calories, slightly below average, but still functional, and allows for "wiggle room" should your willpower give out on you once a day or so.)
30 minutes of cardio a day. I would recommend an eliptical machine for the biggest bang for your buck, and get to crunches when you're able to. This is crucial. Take two days off for bodily recuperation. Weekends work nicely.
Drink two glasses of water with every meal. It'll help you feel full, and it will help keep your metabolism at its peak. Also important.
Lastly, and probably most importantly, make sure you have a good reason for doing it. These aren't going to be "behave until I'm skinny" changes. These are going to be thing that you're going to have to do for the rest of your life if you want the benefits to be long term at all. So you're going to need to be comfortable with them at some point, or you'll have a high chance of "relapsing".
Don't do it for girls. Don't do it for friends. Don't do it to fit in. Do it for you. It's the only way that you're going to stick with the changes, and ultimately make a very positive decision in your life.
30 minutes of cardio a day. I would recommend an eliptical machine for the biggest bang for your buck, and get to crunches when you're able to. This is crucial. Take two days off for bodily recuperation. Weekends work nicely.
Drink two glasses of water with every meal. It'll help you feel full, and it will help keep your metabolism at its peak. Also important.
Lastly, and probably most importantly, make sure you have a good reason for doing it. These aren't going to be "behave until I'm skinny" changes. These are going to be thing that you're going to have to do for the rest of your life if you want the benefits to be long term at all. So you're going to need to be comfortable with them at some point, or you'll have a high chance of "relapsing".
Don't do it for girls. Don't do it for friends. Don't do it to fit in. Do it for you. It's the only way that you're going to stick with the changes, and ultimately make a very positive decision in your life.
Depending on your mass/body type... 1500 calories can technically be a starvation diet. 2000 is average (and 25% isn't exactly a 'slight' adjustment).Murais said:
But you really don't need to count calories to be healthy... and counting calories often encourages people to eat nothing but the nutrient-deficient, processed foods they love and wonder why they feel so hungry all the time.
Hunger is your body's way of telling you that it's low on essential nutrients... which can happen even when your belly is full.
I'm aware that 2000 is normal, but the bigger advantage to a 1500 goal, is the wiggle room I was talking about. For most people with weight problem, food is an addiction. It's really no different than heroine or cocaine, except in the simple fact that you *need* food to live. You can never be "clean" like you can with the others.loc978 said:
You're going to make mistakes. You're going to miscount. You're going to indulge. But if you have a lower goal to begin with, you're not doing as much damage if you do fall off the wagon. I recommend normalizing to a 2000 calorie diet after you've learned to control your hunger and urges, but when you first start, there's no way.
And hunger isn't solely a nutrient deficiency. It is often times a psychological impulse, like an oral fixation. It's not so much a "I'm eating because I'm hungry" or nutrient deficient, as it is a "I'm eating because I'm bored" situation. You eat because it's white noise, and it occupies your time, and your mind. And the taste tantalizes your pleasure senses-- like a drug.
You have to learn control first. And as a man who has battled weight problems in the past, I'm offering up suggestions that have worked/helped me in the past.
Alright,
Here's a method I've used to successfully lose weight before:
1) The 'quick fix' method. I lost 3 stone in 3 months using "Lighter Life", an all out exlusion diet. The results were good, quick and effective. However getting off of those types of diets is hard, exausting and for me ultimately pointless.
2) A healthier life style. One, an effective one again, is the Paul Mekenna (Probably misspelt) diet. It goes like this:
a) Eat what you want.
b) Stop when you're full.
c) Eat when you're hungry.
d) Slow down.
Now, there are those of you who will jump the shark will shout "BULL!" but it, like everything in life, requires a little explanation.
a) Your body tells you what it wants, you just have to listen. A study was done recently whereby, I think, two year olds were allowed to eat what ever they wanted the first week went pretty much how you'd expect. The following two months were an incredibly balanced diet. The kids picked thier own options, nothing was pressured by parents.
b) You are better of listening to your stomach, if you watch TV, or play a game, or some such entertainment it can be a real shocker as to just how much food you can tuck away. Thats right, people, stop taking goddamn picnics to the goddamn cinema (ESPECIALLY NACHOS!). Even if the food is nice, you should stop when you're full. Food in the bin is better than food on the waist. Failing that, fridge it for another day. It's also a real eye opener when you at some point come to realise how little food the human body actually needs, compared to how much many people eat.
c) When you're hungry, right now this one is hard. For this, I know I suffer from this, there are several different hungers. Did you know that until you're actually beginning to suffer dehydration the thirst alert is the same as hunger? I sure didn't. Then there's boredom. You gotta think of it like this. Boredom hunger comes on suddenly, frequently when you're not enjoying what you're doing, or when you've just finished a task/game. If you're seriously considering eating, ask yourself, did the hunger come on suddenly or gradually, over the course of an hour or two? If it's sudden, put the chocolate/cake back, and either get a drink, or do something entertaining.
d) There is an extended delay between stomach and brain in regards to feeling full. Slowing down means you put less down before you realise you're full.
So, wall of text over. The latter method works and is solid, however, it's easy to forget when you're in a time of crisis, or if you've got tremendous temptation. This I will admit. But do your best to follow those tips I'm copy-pasting from my memory of watching that dude's live show, and you should lose weight.
Just as aheads up, the audience was urged to undergo the same routine and by the end the average weight was about 8lbs less over a month.
Here's a method I've used to successfully lose weight before:
1) The 'quick fix' method. I lost 3 stone in 3 months using "Lighter Life", an all out exlusion diet. The results were good, quick and effective. However getting off of those types of diets is hard, exausting and for me ultimately pointless.
2) A healthier life style. One, an effective one again, is the Paul Mekenna (Probably misspelt) diet. It goes like this:
a) Eat what you want.
b) Stop when you're full.
c) Eat when you're hungry.
d) Slow down.
Now, there are those of you who will jump the shark will shout "BULL!" but it, like everything in life, requires a little explanation.
a) Your body tells you what it wants, you just have to listen. A study was done recently whereby, I think, two year olds were allowed to eat what ever they wanted the first week went pretty much how you'd expect. The following two months were an incredibly balanced diet. The kids picked thier own options, nothing was pressured by parents.
b) You are better of listening to your stomach, if you watch TV, or play a game, or some such entertainment it can be a real shocker as to just how much food you can tuck away. Thats right, people, stop taking goddamn picnics to the goddamn cinema (ESPECIALLY NACHOS!). Even if the food is nice, you should stop when you're full. Food in the bin is better than food on the waist. Failing that, fridge it for another day. It's also a real eye opener when you at some point come to realise how little food the human body actually needs, compared to how much many people eat.
c) When you're hungry, right now this one is hard. For this, I know I suffer from this, there are several different hungers. Did you know that until you're actually beginning to suffer dehydration the thirst alert is the same as hunger? I sure didn't. Then there's boredom. You gotta think of it like this. Boredom hunger comes on suddenly, frequently when you're not enjoying what you're doing, or when you've just finished a task/game. If you're seriously considering eating, ask yourself, did the hunger come on suddenly or gradually, over the course of an hour or two? If it's sudden, put the chocolate/cake back, and either get a drink, or do something entertaining.
d) There is an extended delay between stomach and brain in regards to feeling full. Slowing down means you put less down before you realise you're full.
So, wall of text over. The latter method works and is solid, however, it's easy to forget when you're in a time of crisis, or if you've got tremendous temptation. This I will admit. But do your best to follow those tips I'm copy-pasting from my memory of watching that dude's live show, and you should lose weight.
Just as aheads up, the audience was urged to undergo the same routine and by the end the average weight was about 8lbs less over a month.
Here's my proven guide to losing weight:
First you need to start drinking water. You'd be amazed at what just drinking water can do. I know it sounds silly, but drinking water will cut out the calories you normally consume when you drink sodas or other beverages.
Cut calories. Try to consume 1600 a day. When you feel hungry, snack on things like carots and apples. For meals, try eating chicken breasts cooked in the oven with steamed carots and broccoli. For breakfast, cook egg whites without butter or any cheese. Sprinkle a little pepper over the eggs for taste if you so desire. If I were you, I'd throw a little broccoli in with my egg whites, it's very yummy. Eat 3 square meals a day and snack in between. This will help keep your metabolism up. If you don't feel like snacking, substitute a juice drink made from REAL FRUIT with no added sugars and you'll be fine.
Honestly, losing weight and keeping it off means you need a balance between diet AND exercise. Simple things like doing 5 mins of jumping jacks and 50 pushups/situps will do wonders for you. And you also need to stretch some. Do 10 minutes of stretching each day and not only will you feel better, but you will also lose weight.
****Do not weigh yourself. When I was at the peak of losing body fat, I noticed I actually GAINED weight. When you gained muscle, your weight will go up, but you're not getting fatter. I've stopped looking at scales and instead look the amount of fat on my body. Scales are lame.
First you need to start drinking water. You'd be amazed at what just drinking water can do. I know it sounds silly, but drinking water will cut out the calories you normally consume when you drink sodas or other beverages.
Cut calories. Try to consume 1600 a day. When you feel hungry, snack on things like carots and apples. For meals, try eating chicken breasts cooked in the oven with steamed carots and broccoli. For breakfast, cook egg whites without butter or any cheese. Sprinkle a little pepper over the eggs for taste if you so desire. If I were you, I'd throw a little broccoli in with my egg whites, it's very yummy. Eat 3 square meals a day and snack in between. This will help keep your metabolism up. If you don't feel like snacking, substitute a juice drink made from REAL FRUIT with no added sugars and you'll be fine.
Honestly, losing weight and keeping it off means you need a balance between diet AND exercise. Simple things like doing 5 mins of jumping jacks and 50 pushups/situps will do wonders for you. And you also need to stretch some. Do 10 minutes of stretching each day and not only will you feel better, but you will also lose weight.
****Do not weigh yourself. When I was at the peak of losing body fat, I noticed I actually GAINED weight. When you gained muscle, your weight will go up, but you're not getting fatter. I've stopped looking at scales and instead look the amount of fat on my body. Scales are lame.
High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is a good way to quickly increase your cardiovascular fitness - which in turn helps you lose body fat:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-intensity_interval_training
But note: if you are not used to rigorous exercise, you should start carefully.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-intensity_interval_training
But note: if you are not used to rigorous exercise, you should start carefully.
Currently on my New Year's diet now 
In 2007 I lost ~3 stone by simply following my GP's advice: per day, eat no more than 1,500 calories (based on the fact that a woman ought to consume 1,750 per day) and take at least one 15 minute brisk walk. Also steer clear of beers, energy drinks, etc.
In 2007 I lost ~3 stone by simply following my GP's advice: per day, eat no more than 1,500 calories (based on the fact that a woman ought to consume 1,750 per day) and take at least one 15 minute brisk walk. Also steer clear of beers, energy drinks, etc.
Ok, this is coming from someone who has been overweight for years! I have tried the numerous life style changes that the only way to really lose weight and keep it off (the correct way as approved by doctors and nutritionists). However, my attraction to food won out every time eventually. I finally found the answer though, having ADD.
No, really, having ADD has helped me lose weight. More specifically, I recently started taking medication for my ADD for the first time. This particular drug (and most ADD drugs) reduces appetite. I mean it totally eliminates a desire to eat.
No, really, having ADD has helped me lose weight. More specifically, I recently started taking medication for my ADD for the first time. This particular drug (and most ADD drugs) reduces appetite. I mean it totally eliminates a desire to eat.
I lost 30kg (and gained a whole lot of muscle) by just starting working manual labor.. + side was it payed really good money, that i will be living of going to college
Wow, can't believe I forgot this.thylasos said:
Cardio is the ONLY way to burn/catabolise fat and carbohydrates.
It doesn't have to be a "Cardio workout" at the gym in the sense that it's called "Cardio hour" or whatever but if you're not using your cardiovascular energy systems then you're not using fats and carbs. Basically, if you're working up a sweat and at a point where you can talk, but you'd rather save your breath, it's pretty much perfect for weight loss. But almost any prolonged exercise beyond running 10 metres for the bus will use your cardiovascular energy systems.
Sit ups will not flatten your belly. They'll do the opposite by building up your stomach muscles....
true story.