Taking Action

[Ravhyn]

I hope this doesnt come out the wrong way...but when I found out that I had Aids.  I was hoping amongst all the crumminess that maybe at least I'd loose a few pounds...

a year later, I'm the heaviest I've ever been (Yikes!)

It got me to really thinking. Tonight my husband leaves for Afghanistan for a year long tour, and for this next year. I really really want to make a lot of changes. Weight, being the biggest one.  So Instead of investing in a gym with income tax I am buying some equipment (treadmill, bike, etc) and also will be getting out more and doing some real running.  I'm going for a complete life change. (Hair, Clothes, Weight) and I'm even giving up smoking (that one I think will be the hardest)

So I was just curious with losing weight what helped you guys a lot?  or what would you recommend from others experience (please note with PCOS, I can't have a lot of carbs because of that syndrome) 

and Just two quick questions, instead of making two different threads with Rayatez, Norvir and Truvada can I go to a tanning bed? and can I eat grapefruits? I've heard different stories. and I just want to clarify because I do plan on hopefully visiting a tanning bed for the second time ever in my life lol. 

I just didnt want to bother my doctor with these questions, because she always seems like she's in a hurry and I hate bugging people. 

and I will try to respond, I know I have a bad habbit of not responding a lot of times because I multi task and get caught up in other things but I do promise I read everything =).

[Gio]

Ravyn congrats on the new choices...  i changed the way i cooked my meals and less frying more broiling reduced my sugar intake actually replaced it with a healthier sugar...  it started slowly and before i knew it i pretty much had cut alot of unhealthy stuff..  Dont frett if you fall off the wagon just get back on... one more thing avoid avoid fad diets they dont work the in the long term...

[mdh26]

gluten intolerance is common in women with PCOS. and eliminating wheat is a great way to lose weight. So if I were you, I'd go gluten free for a few months to see if the PCOS improves (and any other gluten related symptoms, of which there can be many). You can get a blood test for celiacs, and a positive would be useful in letting you know you have it, but the test has a very high false negative rate (i tested negative as did my mother who had been having chronic daily migraines for 30 years - my body started working again after going gluten free and she is migraine free for the first time since her 20s) so the only real way to find out is by eliminating it from your diet and seeing what happens.

As far as losing weight in general, eat less processed food, less carbs, cut out sugars/sodas/juice. Eat more meat and fish, eggs, veggies and nuts. Fruit in moderation. When you do eat carb heavy sources, assuming you don't mostly get rid of them, it's best to say have them with one meal a day (not spread out), since spreading them out throughout the day can lead to you having elevated insulin levels throughout the day, which prevents fat loss.

And for exercise, I would recommend that you start doing resistance training. The reason exercise is useful for weight loss is not primarily because of calories burned, but because it increases insulin sensitivity in your muscles and liver, which decreases the amount of time that insulin levels are elevated after meals. So lifting weights/doing pushups/pullups etc. is significantly more beneficial than walking or jogging for a few miles a day (although that's still very good as well).

Obviously start with something your comfortable with and work your way up. The key to long term success tends to be taking it a step at a time, and this applies both to exercise and diet changes.

Those are the basics. I found out I had celiacs a couple years ago, I'm a nutrition geek, and I'm a big proponent of the paleo diet, so if you have questions on any of those topics or want anything more in depth for weight loss just ask.

[Hellraiser]

The most effective way to cut calories out of your diet is to eliminate soda or any sugary beverage.  I don't know if you partake but I know a lot of people ingest upwards of 500 calories a day from drinks alone.  If you can handle only water I would do that, for some added flavor coffee (no sugar) or diet coke are also options.  Once I'd been drinking water and only water for a while I began to crave it often.  That's my number one tip for anyone who wants to lose weight.  If you can do that (because some people who claim they are serious about it cannot) then you move onto the harder stuff:  watching the content and portions of what you're eating at mealtimes, exercising regularly and with increasing difficulty.  No matter how difficult it is for you to lose weight if you cut calories and increase exercise you will.

[Hoover]

After a lifetime of working out, my best advice is to find a workout partner.
The days when one of you doesn't feel like working out, the other will force them to participate.
We have all seen people who buy the machines and bikes then only use them to hang clothes on.
Joining a gym and going with a friend makes exercise a more social event that has meaning.
Walking or running with a friend (or dog) is also great. It is hard to turn down your dog (or friend) when they get so excited about going out with you.
Don't think of the change of lifestyle as a bad thing, it can be great.

Good luck,
Hoover and ......