FORUMS - Fitness TV - Slimming and Weight Loss

I did ww for a while but didn't really get on with it. I moved onto sw and lost 4st in a yr. I walk 3-5 miles a day and ex for about half an hr every morning.

I decided to lose weight, and began on 21 June last year.  I have now lost 7st 5lb - 6lb of it prior to Xmas.   I still have a lot more to lose, which may account for the quick weight loss so far.   

I wouldn't necessarily recommend the way that i lost weight in those first six months but i will tell you how i did it. 

FOOD

WW/SW often tell us that we aren't losing weight because we aren't eating ENOUGH points/calories etc.  However, dieters who have had bariatric surgery are the ones that lost the weight quickest, and can only manage to eat a tiny amount.   Bearing this in mind i decided to use the point counting system, but allow myself no more than 20 points, rather than the 32 that i am permitted.  I made sure that i included my 5 a day in this, and some fibre.  I also took multi-vitamins.  I did not go hungry because the things i was eating were all low point, and so could eat quite a bit.  I also threw the 'don't eat after 6/7/8pm rule' out of the windown.  I ate less as the day went on, but i always had a small bowl of chopped fruit about an hour before bed.  This ensured that my metabolism kept ticking over rather than slowing right down.

EXERCISE

I have never attended the gym, and hate other kinds of exercise, but love to dance.  Every evening i would put my favourite music tv channel on, and just dance (obviously slow music is useless).  Due to my heavy weight, i could only manage about 5 minutes when i started, but now i could easily do an hour.  It seemed to get easier without me even realising. I was less breathless, could be more 'dramatic' with my dance moves, and even incorporate exercise type dancing.  As it was dancing to music that i loved, i wasn't clock watching or forcing myself to do it.  The time increased easily because i would want to dance to the next song, and the next etc.

I also did the Chairobics programme on fitness.tv, as the other programmes were too difficult for me at that time.  Apparently there is an optimum heart rate for fat burning, which is less than for an aerobic workout.  I found the Chairobics increased my muscle strength, and also contributed to a higher weightloss, probably because it doesn't send your heartrate as high.

Increased 'incidental exercise'.  They always tell you to get off the bus stop earlier etc, and these kind of things do help, if they are feasable for you.  Other things i did included -

parking at the far end of the car park, or at the end of the road when visiting friends.

doing 5 / 10 / 20 steps (increasing) every time i went up the stairs.

if visiting a neighbour, walking around the block the long way around, even if they only live a few door away

Sorting cupboards, wardrobes, sheds etc that really need it.  Killing two birds with one stone.

Walking to the end of the road for my lift/taxi rather than just standing outside.

Using all the add breaks to be productive: quick tidying, washing pots, dancing etc.

To DolceVita:

SW is Slimming World :) I started it in late September, and have lost 90lbs (6st 6lbs) so far....It's fantastic :)

Since January my weight has stayed roughly the same, fluctuating no more than half a stone either way.  I have Bipolar Disorder, and am aware that the previous weight loss occured whilst in a 'high' phase, and so approached with huge enthusiam.  Things have now entered a lower phase and i am struggling to maintain my weightloss until the next high comes around.   However, there are additional things that i have been doing, and others can do too, if they feel that it applies to them.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS

When people say that certain diets don't work for them it is usually that the person cannot stick to the 'diet'.   Many people are addicted to food, and with the best will in the world cannot resist the food they want.  OA is not a diet club, but certainly helps people to understand why they can't eat normal portion sizes, or why they have to have binges.  It also helps people abstain from compulsive eating.   There are meetings all over the UK, and they are free (though donations can be offered)

Try the quesions here to see if you fit the profile of a classic compulsive eater. www.oagb.org.uk/?page_id=46 

GET ACTIVE ON PRESCRIPTION (GAP)

GAP is a scheme offered by many local NHS/Councils.   You ask your GP/Practice Nurse to refer you, and then the GAP organisers will contact you.  It usually runs for 12 weeks.  It is for people that your GP feels will medically benefit from increased activity.  This can include for wieghtloss, stroke, depression, injury, disability.  My own sessions run twice a week, and include a gym session and a swimming session with other participants.  It is great, you don't have to do anythng you don't want to.  There are people of all ages and all needs. 

Just two more ideas for those struggling with fitness or weightloss.

Yes, you all are right, I too think that Exercise is the best work out, ever, I have watched that tv series named The Biggest Loser for this I just Watch HBO , Wow that was great, I think we all should have those kind of attempts to get slim.