ATD: Nothing is Working – How Can I Lose Weight?

Question:

I am 54 years old and have always battled weight. I work 2nd shift and, and I’m genetically large boned. Nothing has worked including doctor prescribed diet pills and anti-depressants. I am tired of trying and spending money, what do you suggest. Ruth

Answer:

Dear Ruth,

In order to lose weight you simply have to eat less and exercise more, consistently. If you’ve been trying pills and programs you may have been looking for a quicker fix than is reasonable. Chances are, the eating habits you’ve had all your life including indulging in more calories than your body needs. Your exercise habits may lean towards inactivity. You have to come up with a way to eat healthier and get more activity into your day.

The simplest first step is to start keeping a journal. Write down everything you eat, and what exercise you do. Remember you do not have to go to the gym for a 60 minute workout. If you can fit a 20 minute walk into your day a few times, that will be increasing your metabolism. Aim for three to five small meals a day. It doesn’t matter if you eat breakfast when other people are having lunch or dinner! While you’re at your job it may be best to bring your own lunch, depending on the choices that are available at your worksite.

The food guide pyramid site (http://www.mypyramid.gov) has great guidelines to help you start planning healthy meals.

Expect the weight to come off at about three or four pounds a month and no faster. Concentrate on establishing a healthier lifestyle and the weight loss will follow!

Have a question about your diet? Ask the Dietician

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Written by Laurie Beebe

About The Author: Laurie Beebe has been a registered dietitian for 25 years and is certified in adult weight management. Laurie currently serves as a diet coach and life coach at www.mycoachlaurie.com

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One Comment

mike brown said on December 30th at 5:54 pm

It takes -3500 calories to loose a pound, which means you need to both burn calories by working out & take less calories in by eating in order to loose weight.

Eat fruits & veggies of course. It’s typical to eat a small breakfast and a big dinner, but my health teacher said you actually want to do the opposite. And never skip breakfast, it helps you loose weight. I stopped drinking pop and lost 50 pounds in 1 year!! Don’t drink juice. You’d think fruit juice is good for you, but its not. It has alot of sugar and extra calories. People say dont eat carbs’ not true, 60% of your diet is supposed to be from some type of carbs… just make sure you eat whole grain or whole wheat bread. And drink only skim milk, all others aren’t so great for you. Just watch what you eat and pay attention to nutrition labels!

Make sure you do some weight bearing activities along with cardio, it’ll help build muscle and burn fat! If you cant buy a gym membership try going for a walk or run outside, doing jumping jacks, jump rope, running up & down your stairs, lifting weights, doings situps & pushups.. those are just some ideas that’ll help! [hyperlink removed] Click Here to visit my blog Strategies You MUST Know if You Ever Want to Lose Weight.