Are there any thin girls out there? How do you eat?

Ralitsa · Post by **Ralitsa** » Mon Aug 15, 2011 5:20 pm

If constant snacking is the problem, then I find that snacking on raw vegetables like carrots, broccolli, radishes, celery, etc. can fulfil that desire to be chomping on something without too many calories and while providing lots of other nutrients. I always have baby carrots or something around for my kids, who are always saying they are hungry mostly to try to get candy. I personally like green beans, peas, radishes, and broccolli the best, so that's what I usually eat. Of course if you use a generous dose of sour cream with them it sort of defeats the low-calorie objective.
The so-called nutrition bars or health snacks are a complete fraud. The vast majority of them are very high in calories and usually about 20% -30% sugar.
I am a big advocate of raw veggies, they are healthy, inexpensive, and taste as good as anything else. I don't like cooked veggies much, they are mushy and have no taste and also not very convenient for snacking on. I wouldn't say that I'm skinny, but I weigh less than any of my brother or sisters, but that's mostly because I eat fairly infrequently, not because I eat healthy foods.
Oddly enough, if you eat a small amount of food that is high in fat, like cheese, about 1/2 - 1 hour before meals, you will reduce the total amount of food that you eat. The reason is that the chemical which signals that you are hungry is deactivated by the fat, so your appetite is suppressed for a short time after. Jojoba meal also contains a chemical which suppresses appetite, but it's a bit hard to find.

Anne Bonny · Post by **Anne Bonny** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:37 am

Wow, alot of interest in this topic. I can give you an update. My top weight of all time was 205 pounds, I am 5'9" with a medium build I believe so my Ideal weight is supposed to be somewhere between 173 and 176, with the latter being more realistic so being 30 pounds overweight was Obese. That 205 has stayed in my mind as a hard limit which spurs weight loss. My current diet I started about two weeks ago, I found my elusive mind-set - or zone which is necessary for me to achieve weight loss. Anyway I started at 203.5, and this morning I am a hard (weighed nudex3) 193.5 (scales can fluctuate as weight shifts so standing still is important, as is giving it 3 weights) My goal is 173. I have not been at 193.5 in several years while still working, I am now retired - I was, and still hold an active license as an RN though I am retired retired to take care of my wife who had dementia. Tomorrow I will be less than 193.5 and on the way down to my target. It is not important what you eat, exercising is not necessary either - all that is needed is to keep a running tab of your caloric intake. If I consume more than 1450 calories I tend to gain weight, If I consume less I lose weight. It is easy If I eat the same breakfast, lunch, but I do vary dinner - my most difficult time is the will power between dinner and bed time but I know if I behave I will be rewarded in the morning as I was again this morning. I take a multiple vitamin and mineral pack, consume over 8 8oz glasses of water across the day, usually with meals, and am not starving just taking in less than it takes to maintain my weight.

Paula G · Post by **Paula G** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 1:28 pm

To lose weight use more calories than you take in, it is that simple, however to maintain a healthy balance is important, if you need dietary supplements of any type (vitamins etc.) I would suggest that there is an imbalance in your diet. When I had to lose weight I found it useful to only weigh myself once a week as daily variations are smoothed out.

Good luck and stick with it, we all know that the discipline required can be difficult.

April Rose · Post by **April Rose** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 10:56 pm

I agree with Paula on this one. Only weigh yourself once a week.

Anne Bonny · Post by **Anne Bonny** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 8:37 am

I have taken vitamins pretty much my entire life and do not believe them to be harmful, a waste of money? perhaps. I know the excess is simply passed out of our system I do not take mega doses. But Who eats 5 fruits and vegetables and 20% protein with 50% carbs?? I try but honestly I do not really believe my diet is balanced. I do have a cholesterol issue controlled with lipitor, I do avoid the 9cal per gram of fatty foods usually unless I have a plate of steak or ribs placed in front of me, or a burger and fries for an occasional treat, Pizza! but I do cut the pizza in half because my wife will only nibble at a 2nd piece and I do not want to eat an entire pizza by my self. I have cut chocolate and nuts and all but pringles from my daily diet by not buying them - I have no will power. At least the pringles come in cups and are premeasured for 1 serving so with a sandwich I figure that's fine. Appreciate the advice - wanting to look good in a dress or skirt or knit top really does motivate aside from the benefits for my health! When I reach my target and go on maintenance I will let you know. This is weight loss done right, no expensive purchasing of nutrasystem every month, no restriction of certain food groups, just a balanced portion and calorie controlled meal plan - it is truly remarkable how the weight just falls off without exercise even at age 54!!!!

Ralitsa · Post by **Ralitsa** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 11:17 am

Congratulations on the good progress you are making Anne

I agree with you that taking vitamins are probably not harmful, just a waste of money. The problem with them is that you only get what they put in it, and vegetables and fruits have a million other beneficial things that we don't even know about yet. I think that it's easy enough to get everything you need just be eating a variety of fruits and vegetables. You're right, it just doesn't make sense to eat 5 oranges a day.

As far as the cholesterol goes, I could give you my theory on lowering that by drinking more beer

It's not completely a joke, B complex vitamins are important in the digestion of lipids, and yeast is a major source of B complex vitamins. I don't think your doctor would agree that you can get rid of the lipitor and just drink a 6-pack though. Have you looked into using distillers dried grains? It's the stuff filtered out of beer, washed and dried. It is loaded with B vitamins, because it's mostly yeast, and has quite a bit of protein and pretty low carbohydrates (because the yeast digested them into alcohol).

Anyway, keep up the good work, we're happy to hear that it's going so well. Looking good in a dress or skirt is the motivation that we all have. And you will be rewarded by getting to go shopping for new skirts, dresses and tops, all 2 sizes smaller.

Post by **DonnaT** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 1:14 pm

Did you know that the Fed. Gov. permits our food labels to be off by 20%, at least calorie wise?

So 300 calories might be 360, or that daily allowance of 1750 calories might result in an intake of 2100?

Paula G · Post by **Paula G** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 8:24 am

I have heard it said with authority that for your five a day fruit and veg each portion should be a different colour, so one orange, one green, one white etc. etc. this should keep the balance going.

On that basis combined with Ralitsa's advise to have a nicely balanced diet I am adjusting my daily intake to include a pint of ale (live beer - brown) a pint of lager (golden) and a pint of Guinness (black and full of nutritional fiber) this should give me a sufficiently healthy diet that I can get away with a few glasses of whisky at night.

Ralitsa · Post by **Ralitsa** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 11:49 am

Excellent idea, Paula! I will take that same approach to a nicely balanced diet.

This topic has got me to thinking about my own diet, and while I am maybe only 10 lbs more than I'd like to be, I think I will try to get in better shape. Mostly I have too much bulge around the waist, so I can't wear the skirts that I'd like to. Now if the bulge were in my butt or breasts, it would be OK

So I'm doing leg lifts now to tighten my tummy, and eating more veggies. When I get into a size 8 skirt I will be thrilled.

Anne Bonny · Post by **Anne Bonny** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 12:38 pm

Ha! You gals are too funny! Sounds like that joke where you throw out the duck and drink the sauce which is all whiskey, burbon justl like beer is supposed to contain natural hormones (estrogen component compounds?) that will give you "MAN BOOBS!" Then we can all go out an purchase a "Bro" and be able to argue that we need it for support!!! Yesterday I purchased Flax Seed capsules, and Saw Palmetto and plan to take it as directed to see if I could see a modest increase in breast size after a year. I have been pricking the end of one of the capsules twice a day to massage the oil into my breasts - another waste of money and possibly dangerous - but will stop if I experience anything undesirable. My weight today is 192.5, true weight is under 195 per the weightloss model - I would like to hit the 180's by the weekend - That would be a real significant drop in my weight. Already my nightgown, and skirts are fitting better. Actually alcohol is not the thing to do, it adds weight and is loaded with calories, pretty much moves right to your belly which will ruin your figure! I am editing this morning I am 192. I always find maintenance difficult and unless I figure this out within two years I will be back where I started. That gets into the psychology of weight loss. I would say Health is the number one reason: Diabetes, Heart, Stroke, Blood Pressure, Breathing, Joint damage and arthritis, and a shortened lifespan all result from obesity so Health is a very real and valid reason for losing weight. I have found everything much more positive when I am at my weight - people notice, women give me a look, I feel better, better about myself, my clothes fit and are comfortable, I have more energy, and feel great! Why not keep that going I want to feel energetic as I did when I was younger - that is motivatin - these are all reasons to maintain once I arrive at my target weight. The question is who is stronger? Me or that linguini?? Is this what I really want, or is even my mindset genetic?? Food is comfort - The road to ruin is a highway that is easy to travel....

Anne Bonny · Post by **Anne Bonny** » Thu Aug 25, 2011 7:30 pm

Being at my ideal weight for my height and build is more about being healthy. I don't smoke or drink often because of the calories, about the last thing I could do was to lose weight to maximize my health at age 54. I may start a walking program, or jog a little when I start trying to maintain my 176 pounds or perhaps 174 pounds. Women are thin and slinder - If I am thin I will be as close as I can be to the many women around me who are also thin - but there are also many women who have allowed their weight to go up in middle age. Well, it all comes down to personal choice. We will see how I do once I am there....

Stephanie H · Post by **Stephanie H** » Thu Aug 25, 2011 8:16 pm

Anne Bonny:
Keep up the good work. The effort now will pay off. Do not be dismayed as to the duration of time to reach the goal. Effort + effort ++++ = success

Anne Bonny · Post by **Anne Bonny** » Fri Aug 26, 2011 8:35 am

Thank you Stephanie, Yesterday my weight went up to 193, but I believe it was due to sodium intake from red beans and rice, and just lounging even though my caloric intake was just 1369 calories. So yesterday I spent all day long mowing, edging and blowing our yard - It's an backside-kicker of a lawn to mow - before dinner I had lost 6 pounds of water weight from dehydration and weighed 187 pounds. My total intake for yesterday was 1220 calories, and I drank lots of cold water - the heat and humidity on the Gulf Coast placed the heat index probably past the 100 degree mark - I did stop and go inside to rest and rehydrate at lunch, and a little later in the afternoon. This morning I am 190.5 pounds!!!! but the weightcommander.com modle places my true weight at 193. I started at 203.5 - so not bad, and being retired theres not alot of stress to distract me from my goal - hooray!!!! I am so lucky that my wife understands. I am free to be who I am and here I am fully enfem wig, mascare, lipstick, jewlry, top, skirt, pumps, lingerie and all fully filling the traditional housewife role which I do not mind at all. My wife has dementia, but is doing wonderfully, I care for her as a wife/husband and RN, I am a caretaker - hiring a sitter licensed and bonded would cost around $16./hrx10hr or $160 per day, $800 per week, $3200 per month, $38,400 per year!!! As an RN I figured realistically this would leave me with an annual income of $6,600 per year or $550 per month, an extra $137 dollars a week - along with all the stress of trying to work, and take care of crises with a boss who would not understand... I figured it is just not worth it - so I am retired retired. Of course I might be able to be my own boss????? What is this - a flight of ideas? Perhaps I am mental?

Paula G · Post by **Paula G** » Fri Aug 26, 2011 9:20 am

Sounds like you need a gardener Anne, shame that you are so far away from Penge!

Anne Bonny · Post by **Anne Bonny** » Sat Aug 27, 2011 3:27 pm

Thanks Paula, actually I look at the yard as a form of needed exercise, It has also boosted my weight loss, this morning I was 189.5 pounds and hopefully I will weigh less tomorrow. I have shaved my legs, and will go ahead an change to red glossy toenails on monday while the boys are at school, because I can't walk around barefoot with red glossies with the boys here, once dry I can wear shoes when they are around. I would also like some modest breast enhancement - say an A or B cup so I am experimenting - think I already said this above....