Program Advice/Suggestions

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2004
Program Advice/Suggestions
10
Fri, 10-01-2004 - 6:48pm
Hello,

This is my first post here at iVillage and I'm hoping some other people 40 and over can give me some suggestions about weight loss.

I'm ready to tackle the weight that I have gained over the last 20 years (geesh!) and the additional weight I gained when pregnant with my son (who will be 4 this month) and never lost. I've been checking the various sites around the great wide web and have come across South Beach, eDiets, iShape, SparkPeople and some others and am trying to get a general feel/opinion from some actual people who have tried these programs, or other programs I didn't mention above. By going to each site it sure seems that every site "Is the ONE!", but that's a lot of hype, in my opinion, because what works for some doesn't always work for someone else.

So, if anyone here has tried these programs, let me know what your experiences were, good and bad.

Thank you for your time!

Macuser64 :)

Avatar for imthebigsister
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 10-01-2004 - 10:10pm
Glad you dropped into our great board - it really is! We all do different exercises, or are working ourselves up to getting active again. We've all found you have to find something you like that you're likely to stick with, and tweak and manipulate it along the way to keep yourself challenged.

Diet programs? Call them eating programs - "diet" talk is all about restriction and denying yourself. Diets don't work, because they're temporary actions that don't really address the need for making lifestyle changes that so many of us have to make after age 40. Lots of people on this board are doing Weight Watchers and most are succeeding with it. Ladyirish is having incredible success and is inspired (and inspiring) by her weekly progress. I did it and hated it - always felt hungry, and I lost and regained the same 6 pounds for the 9 months or so I was on it. I did the SBD last year around this time and stuck pretty faithfully to it through this past spring and part of summer. I lost 18 lbs - found it easy to follow because I never felt hungry and was able to deal with the early 2-week restrictive phase easily because it didn't last long and I saw results on the scale quickly. I've slipped, but still am within 2 pounds of my lowest weight on the program - I've started eating more of the wrong kinds of carbs when I should - and do - know better. I also know I can go back to it when I choose and not feel deprived.

Bottom line - you won't lose unless you eat less and move more; as long as you've picked a healthy eating and consistent exercise program, you'll progress. Jazzerdeb is the board's most vociferous fan of Jazzercise. Several people use Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds tapes. Some do Pilates, some do yoga. Some run. I'm a walker (treadmill and outdoor), as is Susan/bnl and Shar/i've got five. Most include weight training in their programs; I used to laugh at the idea, but now I love it.

So take your pick. And stay with us. We've got several newbies who joined the board lately and there's room for as many more as want to join! Plenty of encouragement and support to go around.

Donna

Avatar for dmm11730
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2003
Fri, 10-01-2004 - 10:23pm
Hi there and welcome to the board. I guess there is not much left to say after reading Donna's post.........lol. She is right and hit the nail on the head. I am doing WW Core plan and my weight loss is about 4.8 in 4 weeks. Its slow but I also need to get my butt into gear and get exercising again. Stick around, explore the other sites and try different things. I am sure you will find what works best for you, but remember to come back here and let us know how you are doing. This is by far the best, and friendliest board on ivillage and you will get tons of support and ideas from a bunch of wonderful ladies.

Debbie

Debbie

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-27-2004
Fri, 10-01-2004 - 10:30pm

(((((Macuser))))), welcome!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-18-2003
Sat, 10-02-2004 - 3:44am

Hey Macuser-


Welcome to Fit Over 40.


 








 
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2001
Sat, 10-02-2004 - 6:14am
Hi welcome to the board.Congratulations on the birth of your son.You've been given great advice so I just wanted to say hi and welcome you. Hope you'll post again with us.Sometimes the most important thing is support from others and you'll find that here.

Miss P




 

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2000
Sat, 10-02-2004 - 9:09am
Welcome, Macuser! You sound like you're in about the same stage of life as I am. Early 40s here, with one kiddo, a daughter who's 5-1/2 (November birthday). Donna's right in the eating healthier and less of the junkie foods and getting more physical activity. I'm only dealing with 5-7 pounds that keep reappearing, so I watch portions as Phyllis does - eating until I'm satisfied but not stuffed - and substitute high-cal non-nutritious foods with better stuff. I still eat carbs, but instead of a Pop Tart for breakfast, I'll have an English muffin with fruit. This morning we had homemade biscuits and Egg Beaters. I snack on fruit, yogurt, or a measured serving of baked cheese crackers during the day.

One more thing: have realistic expectations! We're no longer in our 20s. The weight I was when I got married is not the weight my body wants to be, and it'd be downright unhealthy for my new lifestyle of running and weights. Also, you can't expect to lose a pound a day like we did back then. While there are exceptions, especially when you have a lot of weight to lose, for most people a healthy weight loss pace is 1-2 pounds a week. I found that when I've gained a few from improper eating, I'm likely to lose a pound a week by resuming healtheir eating and keeping up exercise. Slower going, but the benefit is learning how to eat properly.

Hope you decide to stick around! This is a great board.












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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-08-2001
Sat, 10-02-2004 - 10:22am
I couldn't possibly offer anything more than what everyone else has already said! Just wanted to say Hello and Welcome to the Board!

Susan

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2004
Sat, 10-02-2004 - 12:17pm

Hi and welcome to the board!


You've been given some wonderful advice so far.

Lori

"Remember, I'm pullin' for ya.  We're all in this together." --Red Green

cl for Ask the

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2004
Sat, 10-02-2004 - 12:26pm
Hi Everyone! Thank you for the warm welcome and the advice. I think I'm going to try www.iShape.com, as they do the food plan, workout, etc. I'll see how it goes for 12 weeks and if that doesn't seem to be working, I won't renew the membership. :)

The problem I'm having is eating. I don't eat a lot, but what I do eat isn't good. My husband is an executive chef, but he NEVER cooks for me. He says it's because he does it all day, which I can understand. He also is very supportive of my desire to get rid of my "wide-load" butt and get into shape again. I am lucky that he's on my side and supportive of my endeavors!

I'm hoping that by getting a meal plan going I'll be able to provide nutrious meals for my husband and our son, Ian...as well as for myself.

Thanks again for the ideas, suggestions and the welcome. I appreciate it and will keep you all updated on what's going on with me and iShape.

Mary

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-27-2001
Sat, 10-02-2004 - 1:21pm

I'll add my welcome to the others...lots of great advice above!

Nancy

"Make Choices that bring you joy"  cl-Patty