Newbie Needs Advice on How to Begin

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-25-2003
Newbie Needs Advice on How to Begin
11
Fri, 09-12-2003 - 2:32pm
Hi Everyone,

May I join you here? I'm one of those people who has avoided physical activity all my life but I'm 44 now and having developed a mild heart arrythmia, I realized that it's time I had better look after myself, if I want to live to see retirement and see any future grandchildren I might be blessed with. I have a minimum of 70 lbs. to lose, having gained 40 of them, when I quit smoking a year ago. (Groan, I know, I know, -- I have a steep hill to climb, no pun intended).

I recently joined a gym and walk the treadmill for 20 min. every weekday morning before work. I plan to incorporate weight training 2-3x/wk. at night, in front of the television as soon as I read up on my Bob Greene book "Get With The Program" and was wondering if this plan sounds reasonable?

Now for the diet -- probably the most exasperating of all -- I just want a nutritionally sound, satisfying and permanent way of eating, allowing for the occasional treat, to lose weight. Is it too much to ask? Can anyone recommend a plan they can stick with?

I would every be so grateful for the input.

Debbie

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2000
Sun, 09-14-2003 - 9:13am
Hi Deb! You took a tremendous first step by giving up the sticks. Despite your weight gain from giving it up (nicotine is an appetite supressant), you've given your body the chance to pursue a healthier lifestyle that can offset that weight gain. I too have a mild heart arrythmia (it began two years ago at age 39), and after having a thorough checkup with a cardiologist, have cut out all but a 1/2 cup of regular coffee during the day, and more recently restarted exercising and took up running. I'm prone to sweet, sugary snacks, especially of the chocolate variety, and have not shown much willpower lately. We all falter, but we've made the choice to pursue health.

The eating advice Donna (imthebigsister) gave holds true no matter what "diet" plan you use. I don't follow a particular diet plan - I only needed to lose 6 pounds, and I seem to have a love affair with them since 3 or 4 of them keep coming back - but I believe in moderation and switching to less processed foods, more natural state foods where possible. Kat mentioned Weight Watchers, and it sounds easier than ever to keep up with these days. Readers' Digest "ChangeOne" plan changes one thing at a time, as Donna suggested, and in 4 weeks you're into better eating habits, http://www.changeone.com/ (I had a 1-year gift subscription to RD and kept reading about it, and the approach made sense). Both WW and ChangeOne allow for the occasional treat so that you don't end up binging from denying yourself those treats.

Hope to see you post here often! Cussette

C

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