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SpeakngEZ
04-02-2009, 01:56 PM
Who buys protein powder in a "packet"? The shake you suggest is full of calories, so if you're afraid of protein shakes making you gain weight, don't opt for the one with double the calories. Especially if you're adding a bunch of fruit or sweetener.

Definitely second that.



I wonder where they even found these "packets" of protein because it is not the way that protein is typically sold.

I actually have bought my protein powder in single-serving packets before, when I was just starting to use it and I didn't know what flavor to get or if I could even stomach it at all. Here's a link:

dance77
04-02-2009, 02:12 PM
I found that eating organic and avoiding porcessed veggie meats and soy products, and keeping mostly processed snacks like chocolate, chips etc. to a bare minimum during the week.
Its also very helpful to take fish or flax oil supplements so that your body can quickly digest food during the weight loss process.
Taking apple cider vinegar before evey meal and inlcuding spinach and cabbage in at least one meal a day can increase your metabolism throughout the day.

knp001
04-05-2009, 09:39 PM
ok, so I've totally revamped my eating habits. lots of greens, whole grains only (I accidently bought white bread crumpets, but other than that, all whole wheat), fruits, etc. I even bought chocolate (with almonds, dark, and wheat and gluten free) and made room in my diet for it. I've lost some weight. I did have a slip-up last night, because I was so hungry I couldn't sleep, but it was like 500 extra cals of fruit and almonds. not terrible. overall, I'm doing pretty well.
but ALL I think about it food. Constantly. Even if I'm not hungry, I'm planning my diet, thinking about what I'm eating next, etc. I KNOW that this is setting me up for a severe binge in the future. There have only been a few times in the last few weeks when I haven't been obsessively thinking of food.
How do I take my mind off of it/stop the obsession?:-\

miabella
04-06-2009, 03:37 AM
i have no idea what your exercise or water consumption levels are.

i found i wanted to eat less when i was properly hydrated, which is 60 or more ounces of water per day, at 8-20 ounce increments.

knp001
04-06-2009, 05:33 AM
miabella - my water consumption is around 3.5 liters per day, so I am very well hydrated. I walk maybe a mile or so per day. I'm trying more to concentrate on my diet right now, then exercise when I get a hang of my diet.

Lexi - I'm just worried that this obsession will set me up for a binge. and then that obsession will turn into me beating myself up, you know?

MarvelGirl
04-06-2009, 07:42 AM
When I'm hungry, I eat, I just don't let myself be hungry because I feel it sets me up for disaster. I eat every 3 hours or so, I just eat as clean as I can. I also find it helps to make food in advance so if I'm starving, there's already something healthy waiting for me in my fridge.

I got this from another website, but it's a list of "free" foods. (Not calorie free but low carb.) I don't worry about the calories in these because they're high in fiber and they're veggies and really good for you. I don't know what sort of diet you're on but I'd really be shocked if these interfered with your weight loss.

Alfalfa Sprouts
Artichoke Hearts
Arugula
Asparagus
Bamboo Shoots
Beet Greens
Bock Choy
Broccoli (already a staple for most of us)
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Celery
Chard
Chicory
Chives
Collard Greens
Cucumbers
Endive
Escarole
Fennel
Jicama (some carbs, not entirely "free")
Kale
Leeks
Lettuce
Mushrooms
Onion
Peppers (GREEN; red and yellow have carbs)
Radicchio
Radishes
Rhubarb
Sauerkraut
Scallions
Spinach
Water Chestnuts
Zucchini

Also, if you're dying for something sweet look for Walden Farms products. Most of their stuff is 0 calories. I get mine at Albertson's in the health food section where all the protein bars are. I think their ranch dressing blows but I've heard the honey dijon is good. The pancake syrup is very good, and you can mix up some protein pancakes by blending together a few eggs (or just the whites) and a scoop of protein powder and then baking it like a pancake. Some people like to add cottage cheese and some frozen blueberries or something.

I still can't get over the price of those packets of protein powder though! What a rip off! I can see buying one to try it out, that's not a bad idea, but good god, I'd go broke so fast.

knp001
04-06-2009, 07:33 PM
haha ^^^ I know, and the cals in it!!! thanks for setting me straight!!

wow I just looked up Walden Farms - that is nuts!!!! how do they do all that cal-free stuff?? not that I'm complaining...

and this should prolly go in the ed thread, but since it is part of my eat habits I suppose, I'll put it here. so last night I bp'd :(
dammit. I think my food obsession has less to do with being hungry, more to do with a past ed that is now resurfacing with this whole "healthy eating" thing. I obsessively think of food. I tried to eat a 1/4 chocolate bar last night, but I just can't leave it sitting. I went back and ate the whole thing. and then everything else!

I think my problem is:
a) I need to find distractions. what are yours?
b) I cannot keep a lot/big variety of food in the house
c) I really, really need to stick to this diet, and the proper times to eat

advice? I think these are really good ideas even for those who just struggle w/ overeating or trying to stick to a diet

ps I am so, so sorry if this triggers anyone!

knp001
04-06-2009, 08:03 PM
also, I found these websites that are AMAZING! (well, I think so, but obviously I'm easily fooled by the interwebz, hehe)

http://www.nowloss.com/

http://www.stumbleupon.com/toolbar/#topic=Weight%2520Loss&url=http%2525253A//www.welikeitraw.com/rawfood/raw-food-before-and-after-photos.html

I think there were more, but I cannot remember them right now.

greggy
04-07-2009, 10:55 AM
^^^ My sister allows herself a binge day if she's good all week long. God only knows what kind of damage she does in that one day (she lives in Scotland so I don't see it), but she resists for the rest of the week.

I allow myself to have treats, but for the most part, I say NO. It's hard to say NO at first... really hard. but after the first few times of doing it, it got much easier. And today, I allowed myself to pig out for lunch, but I couldn't finish it (italiano sammie from quiznos, a Sobe, and a cookie). I'll have to remainder for dinner.

My point: force yourself to say NO, but don't beat yourself up if you cave. Just have something small, say you'll be good for the rest of the day (and actually do that), maybe add 15min on the treadmill or whatever. It gets easier over time.

shy1
04-07-2009, 02:05 PM
A cheat day is a good idea, I think its the same idea as a binge day. If you never have a high calorie period your body thinks that you are in for a famine and lowers your metabolism so you can survive until food becomes plentiful again. I have one day a week when I can eat whatever I want, and it helps me get through the cravings during the rest of the week.

angelicat
04-07-2009, 02:17 PM
As far as coconut oil goes, it is a medium chain fatty acid which can actually help to remove the more harmful saturated fats from your body.

Fat is fat... but not all fats are created equal. :)

MarvelGirl
04-07-2009, 04:29 PM
I used to get obsessive about food (anorexic at eighteen) but now I just really try not to worry about it. I keep track of my protein to make sure I'm getting enough, and I avoid junk but I don't count calories. I really don't think you need to if you're eating healthy.

For me, I completely avoid candy and chips and all of that kind of stuff. To be honest, if I ate an ice cream cone or a candy bar right now, I'd be sick for the rest of the day. I've been eating clean for long enough that my body can't really handle junk food anymore.

I got really, really fed up with being just a little overweight. I had to get to the point where I was downright angry that my stomach wasn't flat, and I didn't look the way I did back in highschool. Once I got to that point, it was pretty easy. I remember driving past a jack in the box and screaming "fuck you!" at it while my husband laughed hysterically at me. I would go grocery shopping and see a huge back of m&m's and say to them "You are not even food, you are shit, and I don't eat shit anymore." I had to do those things because I did want to eat them, and that was my way of coping but after about a month of no junk, the cravings mostly just went away.

My mantras are "Shit is shit, whether you eat it by the bucket or the spoonful."
and
"Fuck Moderation"

People think I'm crazy, but I've never felt better in my life. My eating disorder was caused by a need to have some type of control and now I feel like I have that AND I'm healthier than I've ever been.

As for feeling like I'm missing out... I don't. I make peanut butter cups out of natural peanut butter and chocolate protein powder. I don't eat bread, but I cook pancakes and waffles made out of oatmeal, cottage cheese, eggs, etc. that even my kids like to eat. Fruit now tastes like candy to me. In fact, that was one of the best parts of cleaning up my diet. I got to taste things for the first time all over again.

I don't mean to get preachy, it's just something I'm passionate about. Becoming a health nut is the best thing I've ever done. I love this lifestyle, and I just feel so good all the time.

One website I use a lot is www.figureathlete.com They have a recipe forum with some really awesome healthy recipes in it.

knp001
04-07-2009, 04:47 PM
^^That is really really impressive, especially for someone who has struggled with an ed in the past! I hope I can be at that point one day :-\
thanks for the website, I will def check it out!


^^^ My sister allows herself a binge day if she's good all week long. God only knows what kind of damage she does in that one day (she lives in Scotland so I don't see it), but she resists for the rest of the week.

I allow myself to have treats, but for the most part, I say NO. It's hard to say NO at first... really hard. but after the first few times of doing it, it got much easier. And today, I allowed myself to pig out for lunch, but I couldn't finish it (italiano sammie from quiznos, a Sobe, and a cookie). I'll have to remainder for dinner.

My point: force yourself to say NO, but don't beat yourself up if you cave. Just have something small, say you'll be good for the rest of the day (and actually do that), maybe add 15min on the treadmill or whatever. It gets easier over time.


about how long did it take for the cravings to go away? do you (or anyone reading this!) have any distraction tips?

I am thinking that maybe a controlled binge day might be good for me, because I don't want to guilt myself into purging, but the cravings get so terrible!

MarvelGirl
04-07-2009, 05:19 PM
I think a controlled binge is a good idea. Figure out exactly what you're going to eat ahead of time, and then only buy enough for that. Then you're not cheating, you're making room in your diet for it.

For me the cravings took about a month to subside. Splenda was my best friend for awhile there. I don't use it anymore, but it's a process, nothing wrong with taking baby steps. I'd buy this caramel truffle flavored coffee from Walmart, and then I'd make a pot of coffee, and blend cups of it with skim milk, ice and splenda to make iced coffee drinks. You can even add those sugar free flavored syrups. I drank them all last summer. The only cals are in the milk, and you really don't even need very much.

Sugar free hard candies, they have baskin robbins ones that are sooo good.

Crunchy vegetables. A big plate of baby carrots and celery sticks can really slow you down, lol. Promise yourself a treat if you get through the whole plate.

I really recommend lifting weights too. A little bit of muscle can make a huge difference in how your body looks. Don't be afraid to lift heavy and really push yourself, you won't get bulky. Also, if you want to have a cheat of say, sugary cereal, or bread, or some other type of carb, right after a workout with weights is the time to do it.

I use a product called surge as my post workout drink, and it's like liquid coconut cake. I'm not even kidding, I winced at the sweetness of it the first time but now I love it, and I don't have to feel bad because my muscles actually need it after a workout.

My gym time is my big distraction, I've come to love it. The first time I did a pull up all by myself and a couple of strangers stopped their conversation to cheer me on was undescribably awesome. Gym rats are some of the greatest people, make a regular time to go to the gym and treat it like a job. You'll meet people on your same schedule who are all trying to improve themselves and be healthy and it's a great support system.

greggy
04-07-2009, 11:10 PM
I got really, really fed up with being just a little overweight. I had to get to the point where I was downright angry that my stomach wasn't flat, and I didn't look the way I did back in highschool. Once I got to that point, it was pretty easy. I remember driving past a jack in the box and screaming "fuck you!" at it while my husband laughed hysterically at me.
LMAO @ that. This is totally where I am now, just straight up angry.

KNP - it took about a week or two depending on what I was craving/avoiding. But I figure each little thing I avoid will eventually add up if I just stick with it. I keep snacks with me like trail mix and lost of water on hand. Fruits are always in my bag and when I have a chocolate craving (I think I have an addiction) I eat the fruit. At first it's a bit different, but eventually, the sugar satisfies you just the same. One of my girlfriends/coworkers is on patrol to slap things out of my hands if I'm about to put it in my mouth and I shouldn't (wasted a whole bag of fun size snickers that way). Seltzer water when I want soda.

And mentally, you start thinking to yourself "Gee, if I was able to avoid x-item that time I had that killer craving, then I can avoid this now." Or, "I was able to avoid this, so I can push myself a little further today at the gym, I can handle it." One thing carries over to the next, you just have to give it the chance to happen.

knp001
04-08-2009, 02:14 AM
do you guys count calories or do you practice mindful eating?

I wish I could eat mindfully, but I'm usually on a binge/purge cycle or a meal plan. Left to my own devices, I eat like a quarterback.
but I've been in treatment several times and a meal plan is the only thing that's really worked for me, but I was also under the care of like 4 doctors at the time, haha. I've lost weight on it every time. So maybe no more counting calories, go back to my meal plan? But I've heard counting calories is key to succeeding :/ but when I do, I spend sooo much time obsessing over what I'm going to eat, when, etc. maybe I should plan a week or so in advance so as to not think of it so much? then perhaps success?

sorry for all the questions, it is just UGH so confusing!!

knp001
04-08-2009, 02:16 AM
oh, one more thing! I really hate exercise! how should I integrate it into my life now? Has anyone gone from hating exercise to loving it?

I do love walking though. would that be good enough?

miabella
04-08-2009, 03:01 AM
walking is fine if you do enough of it, up hills and such.

if you get an idea of how many calories things have, you don't have to count. like, if i eat five apples in a day, that is around 400 calories, if they are large and maybe 300 if they are small. it's all about what your body 'needs'. some bodies need 4500 calories a day, and others need 1500 calories. if you exercise reasonably and are not a particularly tall or muscular lady, you probably can eat 1600-1800 calories per day, with one day of 2500-4000 calories on a week to week basis.

you don't have to count calories for that-- just get an idea of what each snack or meal should be like, and accept that eating out once a week is most likely to be your 'high' day. if you eat out less, you should eat double portions a couple of times a week, because your body needs a little shifting in caloric consumption to keep your metabolism active.

you should always have a little variation in your calorie consumption, whether you are just trying to eat healthier or whether you are dieting.

shy1
04-08-2009, 02:23 PM
I count calories, cause if I don't they add up too fast. I also work out everyday, but have been doing that forever, so the only change I see is from diet. I eat every 2-3 hours, usually about 200 cals at a time (1800 per day). I try to keep those calories as clean as possible with an emphasis on fruit and veggies, and nuts. I hardly ever eat bread, not intentionally, just don't ever seem to. Its true, after a while of not eating a certain type of food it stops being tempting, maybe 2 weeks? Personally, I love pole dancing for exercise. I lift because I get super saggy if I don't.

Cassandra39
04-08-2009, 10:55 PM
I think you will feel way better with even a little exercise. It really makes me more mindful about what I eat because lets be honest working out is a pain in the ass, uncomfortable, and time consuming. I don't wanna backtrack all that by eating a whole pizza until I'm in a stuffed paralysis. (You know that feeling... where you can't move a muscle yet still try to shove in more pizza?) lol

inThePine
04-09-2009, 10:38 AM
I used to get obsessive about food (anorexic at eighteen) but now I just really try not to worry about it. I keep track of my protein to make sure I'm getting enough, and I avoid junk but I don't count calories. I really don't think you need to if you're eating healthy.

For me, I completely avoid candy and chips and all of that kind of stuff. To be honest, if I ate an ice cream cone or a candy bar right now, I'd be sick for the rest of the day. I've been eating clean for long enough that my body can't really handle junk food anymore.

I got really, really fed up with being just a little overweight. I had to get to the point where I was downright angry that my stomach wasn't flat, and I didn't look the way I did back in highschool. Once I got to that point, it was pretty easy. I remember driving past a jack in the box and screaming "fuck you!" at it while my husband laughed hysterically at me. I would go grocery shopping and see a huge back of m&m's and say to them "You are not even food, you are shit, and I don't eat shit anymore." I had to do those things because I did want to eat them, and that was my way of coping but after about a month of no junk, the cravings mostly just went away.

My mantras are "Shit is shit, whether you eat it by the bucket or the spoonful."
and
"Fuck Moderation"

People think I'm crazy, but I've never felt better in my life. My eating disorder was caused by a need to have some type of control and now I feel like I have that AND I'm healthier than I've ever been.

As for feeling like I'm missing out... I don't. I make peanut butter cups out of natural peanut butter and chocolate protein powder. I don't eat bread, but I cook pancakes and waffles made out of oatmeal, cottage cheese, eggs, etc. that even my kids like to eat. Fruit now tastes like candy to me. In fact, that was one of the best parts of cleaning up my diet. I got to taste things for the first time all over again.

I don't mean to get preachy, it's just something I'm passionate about. Becoming a health nut is the best thing I've ever done. I love this lifestyle, and I just feel so good all the time.

One website I use a lot is www.figureathlete.com (http://www.figureathlete.com) They have a recipe forum with some really awesome healthy recipes in it.


Marvel, that made me laugh out loud about you screaming at J in the b! i've done that before too, it feels great! it's like letting go of that ex-boyfriend that you keep going back to, even though he's not good for you. also really good tips on substituting healthy stuff in pancakes, i will definitely try that once i'm off my fast!! (doctor appt coming up, gotta fast for bloodwork) this is a great thread, it's really helping to motivate me to stick with natural foods, because i feel better all around.

Oh and I guess my tip is to parrot what so many ladies have been saying about staying away from processed foods - i honestly don't eat food with any ingredients i can't pronounce. if it didn't come from the ground or the oven, i don't touch it! I read a study that the average person in a developed country (the US, the UK, etc) consumes 7 to 8 kilos of additives in a year! that's the extra stuff you didn't even know you were eating! so stay healthy, gals, so we can all grow up to be the sexiest grandmothers the world has ever seen!

knp001
04-10-2009, 03:26 AM
that's the extra stuff you didn't even know you were eating! so stay healthy, gals, so we can all grow up to be the sexiest grandmothers the world has ever seen!
haha I love you for that!!

and thanks for the additive info - I am really proud of myself actually, because this is the first time in my life when I do want to eat healthily simply for health's sake and not for weight loss (well, I do want to lose weight, but the fact that I am becoming interested in actual health is a big step for me in recovery!)

knp001
04-10-2009, 03:30 AM
oh, also - what should I start out with, exercise-wise? how did everyone do it?
I think my problem is I jump in with a hard regime instead of easing in.
I think I am going to start walking tomorrow to the beach. I calculated it, it is about 3.5 miles. I've done it before, no problem. I love walking.
but I did hear going uphill gives you big calves - anyone heard of this?

shy1
04-10-2009, 02:06 PM
Going uphill will work your calf muscles. Whether that will make them big or not is gonna depend on your body. Its hard for me to put on muscle on my lower body, so it wouldn't make mine big. I used to walk a mile one way to watch the sunset over the ocean, and it was so nice it didn't feel like exercise.

J.D.
04-10-2009, 04:13 PM
I don't think it's possible, because you are doing cardio at the same time. I think it would make you leaner and defined, IMO.

Gypsyeyes1230
04-10-2009, 08:23 PM
my body is being a jerk. I have been taking tonalin and other various all-natural weight-loss products for a week and a half or so, working out every other day (which is up from what i used to do - nothing!) and eating much, much better. i went to the doctor today and I GAINED two pounds!!! >:(>:(>:(
wtf??
so, I was wondering how all of you pretty ladies do it - post your #1, best of the best, absolutely foolproof diet tips here!



You can omit all the junk food in the world, but if you are drinking at work that can add alot of calories to your daily intake.

knp001
04-11-2009, 08:24 PM
so I bought some protein powder. it is specifically formulated for women. it's called "diva whey" I think, by the evolve company. does anyone know if it's any good? also, do you think I could freeze it and make like a shake or something?

to Gypsyeyes1230 - I know, when I started counting calories, it was ridiculous the amount I consumed in alcohol alone!! but I've stopped drinking as much, and the good thing is now, when I'm eating less, my tolerance is lowering.

in other news - went for a walk yesterday, it was grand! I think I'm just going to start every morning with a walk, because it sets me up for the day so much better and reduces my urge to binge&purge

dancersrights
04-14-2009, 12:08 PM
avoid added sugars!

inThePine
04-14-2009, 01:44 PM
oh, and just in case you guys wanted to read more about that additive stuff, here's the sources:

www.faia.org.uk/honey.htm

www.elc-eu.org/addit-d.htm

the book (ya know, those things with paper pages), The Atlas of Food

and www.cspinet.org/reports/chemcuisine.org

katerina29
04-14-2009, 02:17 PM
All bran in the morning with 4 tablespoons of hemp hearts with a glass of water, this is really filling and tides you over for a long time.
Also salads like tuna with light mayo and salmon salads.
As for weights I used to do 1 hour in the gym 3x/week. 25 mins cardio, 20 mins weight training, and 10 mins powerplate. And if you dont want to bulk up you use lighter weights and higher reps. ie 3 sets of 12.

miabella
04-17-2009, 02:27 AM
I count calories, cause if I don't they add up too fast. I also work out everyday, but have been doing that forever, so the only change I see is from diet. I eat every 2-3 hours, usually about 200 cals at a time (1800 per day). I try to keep those calories as clean as possible with an emphasis on fruit and veggies, and nuts. I hardly ever eat bread, not intentionally, just don't ever seem to. Its true, after a while of not eating a certain type of food it stops being tempting, maybe 2 weeks? Personally, I love pole dancing for exercise. I lift because I get super saggy if I don't.


bread is not evil! no carbs is a problem, albeit a different one than too many carbs.

whole grain bread of any kind is certainly better than fruit juice, at any rate, though again both can be fine in reasonable amounts.

i can't even eat whole grains regularly (i was very happy to be able to eat brown rice recently), but there are too many old people (70+) who eat whole grains for me to be all 'omg whole grain bread NOOOOO!'

clearly whole grains are not the sort of thing keeping you from living to be 120, but like all the rest in life, it's about what your specific body needs. i have known people who get sick eating any meat (including fish or shellfish) and i have known people who get sick unless they have a few servings of red meat each week.

i guess i am just bothered by this idea that there is a perfect diet and if you just listen to the right person you'll live forever. your body is your own and what it needs may not be what is in popular weight/health guides. or what it needs may be. but that is a decision you do have to make yourself, and not believe that any one person has a special secret to health or weight loss.

mediocrity
04-19-2009, 11:46 PM
I drink exclusively water. It really saves calories you can be eating. My mother lost 8lbs in water retention weight from giving up soda!

shy1
04-22-2009, 02:27 PM
I didn't mean to imply that carbs are bad. I eat whole grain cereals, just saying bread isn't a big part of my diet (uh, by diet I mean overall eating pattern, not weight - loss oriented eating). I think any kind of diet that cuts out a major food group is going to be bad in the long run.

Dixie_Vancouver
04-25-2009, 01:27 AM
I drink exclusively water. It really saves calories you can be eating. My mother lost 8lbs in water retention weight from giving up soda!

I completely agree! I didn't realize until I cut out diet soda how much of a bloat it was giving me. It may be calorie free, but it's still not good for you.

I do sometimes drink grapefruit, cranberry or orange juice, though. But mostly, I drink just water.

inThePine
04-25-2009, 06:54 PM
So Marvel gave me the idea to make cottage cheese and oatmeal pancakes, and gosh are they good! They taste amazing and wholesome, plus have no sugar, low fat, high fiber, you can't go wrong! They're a little thinner and more dense than normal pancakes, much like a crepe.
I use 1/4 cup cottage cheese, 1/2 cup oatmeal, 4 egg whites, cinnamon and nutmeg to taste, and I add some flaxseed fiber powder for a little extra nutrition. You can add pretty much whatever else you want, like nuts or fruit or vanilla extract to the batter, next time I might try sweet potato or pumpkin!
Anyway you grind the oatmeal up in the blender til it's a flour-like consistency, then add everything else and blend til smooth. Cook on a skillet like a normal pancake and voila! You're all done! Just go easy on the syrup! THought I'd share a good experience.

firemaiden04
04-25-2009, 08:48 PM
I never eat fast food. Ever. And I stay away from processed foods. Almost everything I eat is made from scratch, and the majority of the ingredients are organic. Never felt healthier in my life.

JayATee
04-25-2009, 09:28 PM
Eat natural, healthy, whole grained foods at regular intervals. Do not skip meals thinking you will get ahead this way. All that will happen is you will binge eat later.