i have been thinking about posting this for a while. i think the members here are compassionate people. after reading post after post about the hard times and good times people have, and the reactions of the members here, i know this place is like a family.:)

getting to the point, i have struggled with weight issues for a long time. i am not happy with my current weight. i am 6'1" and just hit 240 lbs. :mad:
it is getting uncomfortable to do anything. i have a 3 year old boy and i can only play for so long before i am just out of enegry. thats not fair to him. i also have another baby on the way due in august. i dont like being like this. i have lost the weight before, i got down to about 205. that is perfect for my build.

i guess what i am asking is if anyone has a success story about losing weight and how did you do it.

there are so many different professions that come together here, maybe there is a doctor or dietition or someone that can help me get skinny. :yes:

i dont think i am alone here either. surely there are members that are not happy with their current weight. think of it this way, the heavier you are, the slower your camaro will be!! :thumbsup:

I was always one of those people that never gained weight, no matter what I ate or how much, until I got into my 50's. The metabolism has slowed and I'm just not as active as I was. I don't consider myself obese, but could stand to lose about 15 lbs. (it's all in my gut). My wife and I went to Jamaica 3 yrs ago, so I decided I was going to lose the gut before I went. All I did was cut out desserts and snacks, and just didn't eat real fattening foods, having a salad now and then instead of a steak or a burger. I did go to the gym 4 times a week and walked on the treadmill. Just a fast paced walk on the treadmill for about 3 miles, 4 times a week. I lost 20 lbs. in about 8 weeks!! Went to Jamaica and have'nt been to the gym since. Over the past 3 yrs. I've gained the 15-20 lbs. back.....maybe I just need to take another vacation to get the inspiration back. It can be done with not much effort (for me anyway) you just have to be in the mindset that you are going to do it.

Best of luck with it. :thumbsup:

Hi Mark, I did the same thing I am 5' 6" and i weighed 175 and i started only eating meats & veggies, no milk or pop,lots of water, water, water, and walking no late nite food after 6:00. I lost 25 lbs. in 3 months. I could of kept it off but got lazy and gained it back.I just started my diet again maybe summer and my camaros will keep me busy enough to get back in shape.Lets do it.:thumbsup:

Anytime that I've needed to lose weight, I have eaten low carb. I'd like to eat low carb all of the time, but I get lazy. On low carb I have tons of energy, my eyesight improves, I have more stamina, I need less sleep (and sleep better), recover from muscle soreness from excertion quicker, cholesterol drops, heartrate drops, etc. Anyway, low carb works for me.


P.S. When I stop "low carbing" I don't gain all of the weight back as some of the rumors state....That is unless I eat a bunch of crap food which would make me gain weight regardless.

I've lost 40 lbs. since last May. My incentive was a high a cholesterol problem. I've changed what I eat more than how much. I didn't really eat all that much before I just didn't eat well. Now we use the grill to cook Salmon instead of hot wings (dang I miss those wings), only one Hamburger a week, not much cheese anymore etc. etc. I also had to start working out, lifting some weights, tread mill, sit ups, etc. I'm 53 and really surprised at how much better I feel and how much better I can get around. I can pop right up off the creeper where I used to roll off and grab hold of the car just to get up. And the once 40" waist (tight pants) are now comfortably 36".

I think the hardest part is just getting started. Once you've lost 10 lbs. you tend to get more motivation. And don't be disappointed if your friends and family don't notice the 10lbs. it will take about 20lbs. before they say anything.

Good luck.

I don't consider myself that overwieght - I'm just to short accourding to all those Height/Weight charts I read ...

My son was @20~30 Lbs overwieght a few years ago and was getting married the following summer, so he decided to go on a "Weight Watchers" program.
The support and program guidelines were an excellent way for him to achieve his goal - and he has been able to keep the weight off after he made his target by continued excercize and following the program eating guidelines.
He still goes to the meeting a few times a month to check up on other members and inspire them to achieve their goals.

You might want to check for a local WW chapter in your neighborhood - they are everywhere and meet different days of the week at different times to suit most everyones schedule.

You wife can help you achieve you goal by studing the guidelines information and then preparing meals to fit them - there are choices for everyone and the amount you eat is more important that what you eat in most cases.

Good luck in getting the extra weight off :yes:

Hope this helps;
John

I just got back from the Dr. for my quarterly blood work and he weighed me. I am also in shock, being the svelt person I like to think I am (not really). My weight loss trick (and it is always succesful) is:

Get a calorie book and identify those foods you like to eat and eat often. On a sheet of paper, list the foods and recommended serving size as well as the calories per serving. Make columns to keep track of daily intake. One for each, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. List each date. Now, pick a safe and comfortable maximum daily calorie intake. Don't adjust your foods, adjust the serving size. Each day, list the calories you consumed at each meal and total at the end of the day. Keep your intake to the daily max. It takes about a week to get used to the smaller portions but you will. Increase your excersise level (walk more, work out, whatever) a bit. As the time goes by, you will notice you are losing weight. NOW, don't weigh yourself every day or every week. Small losses only discourage you. Weigh in every two weeks or every four weeks. Pick a middle road weight loss (say at 25 lbs.). When you reach that day in your quest, eat what you want, however much you want. Reward yourself. One day only. The next day, back on the diet. You will find the one day "feast" did not increase your weight since you eat less and are full easily. Keep track of each day. I lost 60 lbs., in 1983 by doing this and it took 5 months. I now need to do it again. If you are honest in your intake and stick with it, you quickly become accustomed to the regiment. If you find somethings are just to calorie laden, substitute sugar free or fat free or diatetic if available. If you plan on going out to dinner for an event, save up calories the week before and use them at the event. My daily regiment consisted of 1) a soft boiled egg, one piece of toast (no butter/margarine, and diatetic orange drink. 2) Wendy's hamburger (I was working the street and could not carry a lunch). The burger was a single, mustard only (no calories in mustard). Throw away the top bun and fold the sandwich over. 3) Any dinner item, acording to the serving size. Many times, i could have 2 slices of my favorite pizza, cheese only. Believe me, it works and costs nothing.

all great advice. keep it coming.
last time i lost the weight was before my son was born. i used the south beach diet. cut out the carbs.
i was more active then. i had mobile detailing business.
now i have a retail store and do a lot of sitting around.
i know it is about lifestyle change, but it is hard.

Mark ,Hydrate(Water) water and more water ,thats what my ol high school pal (that is my family doctor tells me) we are to dehydrated as a
society,another words we don't drink enough water, ,he tells me that water is a cure all for most things ,example tired well you are probley dehydrated drink water ,feel hungry 2 to 3 hrs before dinner drink water ,can't go to the bathroom on a reg. schedule ,drink water and so on,people that drink over 8 to 10 glasses of water daily are 50 % less likely to get colon cancer than people that don't.all per my doctor ...Happy Motoring

I hate diets of any kind. Just a gimmick to suck money out of you. What I did was get a book that gave me specifics on what I was sticking in my mouth and tried to make sure I burned off more than I was shoving in. This came about after my heart attack 7 years ago. I still have a weekly splurge but most times it is veggies and some meat with little carbos. Don't rush it as it takes time to change a lifestyle but that is what you have to do. Keep us informed on how you do..we do care.......

5-6 small meals a day. Gallon of water a day. Start out with oatmeal in the morning with a banana, protein drink in the mid morning, fish and veggies for lunch, mid afternoon protein drink, fish for dinner or chicken breast with veggies. No pasta for dinner. Try to stop eating around 6pm. Maybe have afew carrots at night. 30-45 min on treadmill in the morning before food. 30 min. weight lifting in the evening.

I have no problem losing weight, I just always gain it back, and then put on another 10 lbs or so to boot! I'm 5'7" 270 lbs! :eek: I actually work out and play basketball 3 days a week, so my cardio is fine, I just eat like a pig. Water is the key to losing weight, lots of it, all day long, along with the many small meals instead of a couple big ones, keeps the inner fire burning! I hate to say this, but until either me or my wife has a heart attack, we will probably keep growing. Between the two of us, we're 1/4 ton! :angry:

well... I did the Atkins diet..I was 242bl and my size was 42w after. 3 months to the day I was 187bl and size 34w :) It works!!! Just dont't eat carbs.. Your cholesterol will go down, your blood pressure will be low, and no sugar problems..Just the other day @ the local news,they said that the Atkins Diet is the best thing you can do for your body.. Nick

Just the other day @ the local news,they said that the Atkins Diet is the best thing you can do for your body.. Nick

Reeaaallly? The media has been anti low carb for so long......

Low carb does work, but it's almost impossible to stay on it long term. I've lost over 30 lbs on it several times, but then gained back 50!

According to the news....They did a study on 1000 people and that was the results.... on the other hand, I'm the proof. :) :yes:

mark,
as you read thru all these great suggestions and with all that we are bombarded with thru the media on weight loss, every system works with one thing....excercise. every pill sold, every diet plan advertised has a disclaimer that states "when accompanied by a daily excercise routine". in its simplest form, burn off more then you take in. drink lots of water and excercise, excercise, excercise!

Eat smaller portions and forget about junk food and eating after 6:00pm.
Don't forget walking really helps to.
Good luck,
Schoon

Low carb does work, but it's almost impossible to stay on it long term. I've lost over 30 lbs on it several times, but then gained back 50!

You know I've never found a "diet" that I could stay on long term.....That's all me though, I just get lazy and want to eat whatever is around or some junk food. I usually do low carb stints of six to eight months and then fall off the wagon because it's hard to eat low carb when I'm surrounded by high carb crap. It would be no different on any other diet. When I fall off the wagon I usually try and keep my portions small and I don't put the weight back on, that is unless I start over eating junk.



According to the news....They did a study on 1000 people and that was the results.... on the other hand, I'm the proof. :) :yes:

I'm with you, I know it works and the health benefits are great!!!

I am 5' 8" and weigh 210 lbs now due to winter and lack of activity. I was at 230 lbs before I went in the hospital back in Sept. In there a few weeks, I went down to 200 lbs. To maintain that weight, I ate oatmeal w/fresh fruit for breakfast , a Special K snack bar at 10 am, a chicken wrap (wheat) sandwich w/lettuce and low cal ranch dressing for lunch. A salad for 3 pm snack and a Smart Ones meal for supper. Stir fry veggies with chicken is great too.

Remember;
No white bread only wheat
No pasta except wheat pasta
No sugar use splenda
No soda or pop drink flavored water or Crystal Lite
No cheeze ( don't try low fat :( )
No coffee or 1 to 2 cups a day.
No red meats use ground chicken for hamburg
No hot dogs use turkey dogs (wheat rolls)
No hamburgers use turkey burgers (wheat buns)

I maintained 200 lb level for 3 months and gained back 10 since after thanksgiving.

you have the best incentive in the world to lose the weight-a beautiful son and one soon on the way.your gonna want to live long and see those kids grow up-get a good education-marry-and possibly make you a grandpa!!(and restore and drive camaros to). everyone here has given you some excellent advice. I needed to lose some weight after a bout with high blood pressure. so i'll give you more advice-get rid of all the junk food in your house-potato chips-cookies-candy-sugar just turns to fat and you don't want that. your whole family will hate you for awhile but when they see the new you they won't. lots of fruit and vegetables.drink lots of water-as much as you can-and excercise-follow the no red meat rule-chicken,fish,turkey. I lost 15 lbs. in 3 months and you can too! sorry for the long post-keep us updated

Controlling your diet and exercising is the key to weight loss. Eat "whole" foods (vegetables, fruits, grains, lean meats- red meat is fine, just make sure it is lean) and drink plenty of water. Use olive oil for cooking and moderate your dairy intake (butter, cream, milk and cheese are ok in small quantities). Do not totally deprive yourself of fats, your body needs them! Stay away from fast foods- no McDolnalds etc. Pack your lunch from home. Try to eat many small meals throughout the day. Stay away from sugar (carbonated beverages, syrup, candy, some breakfast cereals, some juices, ice cream) and limit your caffeine intake. Moderate alcohol consumption- booze is ok when you consume it during a meal and in small doses (one or two servings).

Make sure to treat yourself once in a while- if you crave pizza, a hamburger or bacon- eat some! Just make sure not to over do it.

Drink plenty of water. Did I say drink plenty of water? Good, drink plenty of water.;) :D

My wife tried everything but this stuff here really works!
http://www.medifast1.com/faq/index.asp

If you are still young enough, join the Army Reserve or Guard. I did and it was highly motivational in my losing weight. They need people so badly right now they won't care if you overweight. AFPT will take the weight right off.

But after the Army, I was gaining it back.

I learned that food, can NOT be something I look forward to. I have accepted that food is not a fun thing anymore. I don't look forward to pizza or ice cream. I eat very bland stuff much anymore except for the holidays.
I don't eat anymore sweets either.
If I am feeling like I want a candy bar or some hot fudge sundae or a pizza, I replace that with something I like to do, like working on the Camaro, target shooting or something.
We used to sit down and put in a dvd and get out the food. Popcorn, soda, brownies whatever.
Now we just watch the movie and eat NOTHING for the whole movie. Dinner is a piece of chicken or fish with greens ONLY.
I'm still having a little trouble because I've allowed my exercise to drop off. The eating and exercise has to become a way of life or it will just be temporary weight loss.
My wife got up one day and decided she's had enough. She stopped all junk food, sweets, pizza the whole 9.
She eats only chicken or fish and greens at night and lunch.

She also walks about 5 miles, 4 days a week.
She also joined a group called TOPS. Take Off Pounds Sensibly.
She didn't complain and gripe for days and hours. She didn't say she was going to do this for 6 months before she started, she just got up one morning and was doing it.

She's lost 60+ pounds!!
Nobody is happier than I. Its like a second honeymoon. She wore the same old clothes and when she went and bought some new......I was like, WOW!! I haven't seen this babe since our honeymoon!!

It has become our way of life now.
I'm so proud of her.

Oh and the rest of these guys are right too, water is huge. I drink a minimum of 2 litres a day. When I was on Creatine, I was drinking 4! When it hit 5, I got light headed and had to supplement gatoraide or power aide.

Controlling your diet and exercising is the key to weight loss. Eat "whole" foods (vegetables, fruits, grains, lean meats- red meat is fine, just make sure it is lean) and drink plenty of water. Use olive oil for cooking and moderate your dairy intake (butter, cream, milk and cheese are ok in small quantities). Do not totally deprive yourself of fats, your body needs them! Stay away from fast foods- no McDolnalds etc. Pack your lunch from home. Try to eat many small meals throughout the day. Stay away from sugar (carbonated beverages, syrup, candy, some breakfast cereals, some juices, ice cream) and limit your caffeine intake. Moderate alcohol consumption- booze is ok when you consume it during a meal and in small doses (one or two servings).

Make sure to treat yourself once in a while- if you crave pizza, a hamburger or bacon- eat some! Just make sure not to over do it.

Drink plenty of water. Did I say drink plenty of water? Good, drink plenty of water.;) :D

I agree 100%. Spot on in my opinion.

The thing is that you need to think of this long term. Nobody wants to gain the weight right back. You aren't going on a diet you are changing your diet. You are really trying to make a lifestyle change. The things I'd stress are:

1.) Try to keep refined foods to a minimum

2.) Try to keep simple sugars to a minimum

3.) MAKE SURE THAT YOUR DIET CHANGE WON'T LEAD TO MUSCLE LOSS. You aren't really trying to "lose weight", you are trying to change your body composition. You want to keep your muscle but lose fat. Muscle is what gives you your calorie burning capacity. If most of the weight you lose is muscle, you will gain the weight back faster since your body can't burn as many calories as it used to. I know plenty of people that made this mistake.

4.) Make sure you stay active. Getting exercise should be part of your routine at least 3 times a week. Make time if you don't have any.

5.) If you are over 40 and plan on doing a lot of cardio, get a heart monitor. Polar makes nice ones and the basic ones are pretty affordable. They are like wearing a coach on your wrist- you will be able to tell when you are working too little and also when you are working too hard.

6.) At your current weight you should probably walk or take up cycling as cardio. If you have to run, run on a soft surface. Running on pavement is not good for your knees.

7.) Don't go firing out of the hole like a top fueler. Don't make too big of a change right off of the bat or you may not stick with it. Gradually ratchet up the intensity as you get used to your new routine.

I bike to keep fit , mostly mountain biking . Not only is it a good work out if done right but it's lots of fun . However running would produce faster resalts in weight loss .
you need proper diet and nutrition for energy for those rides and recovery .
I hate being stuck in a gym , so the great out doors are for me , there's nothing like hitting some bike paths or trails ,around lakes and near creeks through the woods and fields seeing wild life and hikers and some times female bikers or runners they always smile back at ya .
There's a really good magazine called Bicycling you may find it in any good book store . It has lots of great information on helping you get started and being fit . It talks about food, exercise ,types of bike and tips from pros and stories from everyday people , and now and then you see one about some one who turned there life around and whiped them selves back into shape doing something they once did as a kid and for got how much they loved it .
: )

Different things work for different people, but I firmly beleive that exercise and counting calories is the way to go. You don't need some fancy diet. I run 3.5 - 4 miles a day on the treadmill, I eat instant oatmeal for breakfast (good for your cholesterol), an apple for lunch (pectin in the apple suppresses your hunger for a longer period), then a regular meal for dinner. Stay away from large portions and unnecessary snacks like potato chips. Count your calories and be aware of everything you eat.

Here's one to ponder -- a 12 oz. glass of sweetened ice tea is around 100 calories. A 12 oz. can of Bud lite (my personal favorite) is 105 calories. Its a no brainer that I would rather have the extra 5 or 10 calories and enjoy a cold beer. And oh yea, I'm not gonna stop drinking beer until I'm in the box and there's dirt on top of me.

What worked for me (215->185lbs):
1) exercise.
2) exercise.
3) choose low/no fat foods (& no/low sodium too - amazing how good food tastes when you taste the food and not the salt).
4) eat moderate portions and eat more slowly - I didn't deprive myself of any of the foods that I like (including cheescake).
5) realize that it's a mindset as well. before I decide to have another slice of cake I think back over all that effort I expended in 1) & 2).

Different things work for different people, but I firmly beleive that exercise and counting calories is the way to go. You don't need some fancy diet. I run 3.5 - 4 miles a day on the treadmill, I eat instant oatmeal for breakfast (good for your cholesterol), an apple for lunch (pectin in the apple suppresses your hunger for a longer period), then a regular meal for dinner. Stay away from large portions and unnecessary snacks like potato chips. Count your calories and be aware of everything you eat.

Here's one to ponder -- a 12 oz. glass of sweetened ice tea is around 100 calories. A 12 oz. can of Bud lite (my personal favorite) is 105 calories. Its a no brainer that I would rather have the extra 5 or 10 calories and enjoy a cold beer. And oh yea, I'm not gonna stop drinking beer until I'm in the box and there's dirt on top of me.

We might be able to run some piping to you....

I have to tell you all how touched i am that so many of you would take the time to share your stories and help to inspire me. it is exactly what i had hoped for. i am taking your advice. walking in the evening, TRYING to watch what i eat (low calorie, low carb, low fat,etc...) and eat more times a day. i will also not weigh in for about 2 weeks. maybe i will see some progress by then.
please dont stop the posts, they are the best tools i have.

if i can drop 1-2 lbs per week i should be down to around 200 by the time the baby is born in august. i know the slower it comes off the better the chances are of keeping it off.

thanks again

Lots of great advise here, just adding my two cents..

A year ago I got into cycling, riding a bike for exercise and enjoyment. I've lost 20 lbs and have kept it off for months now. It all boils down to CALORIES IN CALORIES OUT! Even your low carb diets are actually just ways to reduce your calorie intake for the most part. Your body burns X number of calories given your weight, height, activity level. Check out http://www.stevenscreek.com/goodies/calories.shtml to compute approx how many calories your body needs to function, then you need to eat 500 calories less than this per day. Every 3500 calories you 'deprive' your body of you will lose 1 lb. At 500 calories a day you will lose 4 lbs a month without any exercise.
Weigh yourself today, go to www.fitday.com and put it into your profile. Input the # of calories your body uses to function. Now fitday will help you calculate your # of calories you eat. After a few weeks you will be able to actually look at food and say approx how many calories are in that item!
If you are 45 years old you probably burn about 3600 calories a day at your weight level. You need to eat around 3000 calories to lose weight. That is alot of food! Start looking at the side of the box. Example
Quaker Breakfast Cookie : 160 calories (eat two warmed up in the micro!)
Breakfast cereal + milk : 360 calories
8oz glass of Orange Juice : 100 calories
So your breakfast could be 420 to 460 calories, double up the OJ if you wish!

Now if you used 500 calories for breakfast, you have to snack between lunch and breakfast, their are 40-60 calorie yogurts you can get at the store but at your weight level you could eat more and still diet. Think about a 100 calorie snack, they make special packages of 100 calorie cracker snacks, or go with a 100 calorie yogurt or a banana.

Lunch time you now still have 2400 calories left from breakfast and snack! Frozen Lunches like SmartChoice are 350 calories, you could eat TWO of those, 700 calories, drink a DIET SODA (0 calories!!!)

Snack - 100 calories again

Dinner - You have 1600 calories left to eat, wow thats a huge amount of you are careful. You can eat anything you want at that level pretty much, big bowl of spaghetti, you name it. Start counting those calories and watch!!!!

Stop buying sugar sodas, go all DIET, your taste buds will like them after a week, this is VERY IMPORTANT because a sugar soda provides like 300-350 wasteful calories!!! Don't do it!! No beer either unless you are measuring your calories and have left enough to enjoy a beer.

Now that will lose weight without exercise. To increase your weight loss you can exercise which will increase your energy level as well. I recommend Cycling, there are going to be bicycling groups in your area that meet every weekend to ride bikes 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 60 miles. Start on the beginner 5 mile group, as you master that move up to the next level. In no time flat you will be riding the 30 mile rides and you'll LOVE IT!!!

I got in a Fight years ago and had my Jaw Broken .. I thaught he had knocked out one of my bottom teeth , but it was where the break was . I was wired shut for 8 weeks ......... Lost about 40 Lbs . But I dont suggest that ... I cried the first week cause I was so Hungry !!! Then I got creative with the blender ......... Blended .. Lucky Carms .. Ravioli's , spaggetti, you may say " Gross " .. but let me tell you ......... It was great to taste something you been craving for !!!

Just stay away from those drive thru windows and cut back on the Cokes ... easy 5-10 lbs there !!!

Rob.

So it has been awhile, so how is the weight loss going?

i havent weighed in yet, but it is sooo hard. it seems like the more i try, the hungrier i get. i know it is in my mind but my stomach is not too far away.
i am greatful for all the support here. i wish i had someone to do this with. work (retail store) has been slow, that means more time sitting on my ass, that means more wanting to eat out of boredum. truth be told, i am pretty down on myself for not doing a better job at this.
i am a little desprate. i even went so far as to order some stuff for speeding up my metabolism from a body building site. it is used to treat asmah (spelling) in horses. 1 drop on my tounge had my heart racing for about 18 hours. i threw that away the next day.
i read through the posts here for motovation. please keep the comments coming, good or bad.

Hey brother, we're here for you. Reading this thread has inspired me too - so I'm with you. I've tried to curb my cravings to eat and snack by just getting a glass of icewater, a carrot or a piece of celery. At work it's all water. If I can get past the initial craving and stay busy with other things I soon forget about it.

As your sig says, Don't stop now!!!

Hey man, I am down 30lbs since Jan 3, 2007. I am an Atkins subscriber. I never get hungry anymore, and more often than not, eat because I know if I don't, I'll get ill. It isn't for everyone, but almost everyone I know that does it, likes it.

It is normal to get down on yourself when you are trying to go through such a drastic change. Not eating what you like can cause symptoms of depression. I know. :) Now, there are also support groups out there which can be beneficial for some people. There are on-line forums (like TC, but for specific types of diets) that can also helpful.

It is also normal for the first, second or even a third attempt to fail. Do not give up. If you think you feel bad for not succeeding, the feeling of having quit is much worse (to me anyway).

FWIW, I have done the weight rollercoaster...lose/gain/lose/gain. a few times. I always reserve myself to the possibility that the weight can come back. When it does, I just get my butt back on task, and do it again. :)

Hang in there. We (many of us) havea very keen sense of what you are going through.

Here is a trick to try
Drink a full glass of water before, during and after each meal
Thats 10-12 oz of water before
10-12 oz during
and 10-12 oz after

This fills up your stomach, it also helps expand and digest the food in your stomach. You will be amazed how a small meal is now 'fulfilling' because of the water intake...

Seriously, it works. Just be sure to eat 500-750 calories less per day than your body burns, you don't want to deprive your body of too many calories or it will go into survival mode. 500 calories less a day = 3500 calories a week = 1 lb lost per week, 4 pounds per month.

Good for you Craig keep going and remember hydrate water water and more water....wish you all the best Happy Motoring,lite beer is ok too

yeah, thats great craig. is there something to follow or do you just go by rules. i am very interested. pm me if you want. thanks

Oh I just realized, I keep this posted in my office for reminders...

Top reasons your diet fails or isn't working;

1. You Inhale Food
If you were a rat, you'd chow down for about 15 minutes, feel full, and stop eating. But you aren't. You probably eat so fast that your stomach hardly has time to alert your brain to tell your mouth to quit chewing before your stomach explodes.
Solution: Try this drill during your next meal. On every bite, chew, swallow, put down your fork, and take a sip of water. See how long it takes you to eat. Now, during subsequent meals, take just as long to eat, only without the drill. Another meal-prolonging trick for men with regular dinner partners: Turn off the TV, put down the Daily Racing Form, and actually have a conversation.

2. You're Starving Yourself
Slashing too many calories, particularly protein calories, pushes the body to conserve calories rather than burn them. It also forces your body to break down muscle tissue to fuel its vital operations. But that muscle is the key to your metabolism, or the speed at which you burn calories. More muscle means a faster metabolism and less body fat.
Solution: You do need to cut calories to lose weight. (Cut 500 today by eliminating one can of beer, 30 chips, and one Oreo from your diet.) But you need to make sure you're eating at least 1,600 to 1,800 calories each day to keep your metabolism from shutting down. And never cut protein during a diet. If you're a sedentary 200-pounder, you need about 75 grams of protein (about two chicken breasts) a day for muscle preservation. If you're lifting weights, aim for twice that much. Doing aerobics? Pick a number in between.

3. You Don't Get Enough Sleep
Sleep deprivation decreases the odds of shedding blubber and keeping it off. Researchers found that healthy men who snoozed only 4 or 7 hours a night for 6 nights in a row had higher glucose and insulin levels in their blood. This is a terrible state of metabolism for a man who's trying to lose weight, because surplus insulin boosts body-fat storage.
Solution: Hit the sack for 8 hours each and every night. And try to hit it for the same 8 hours. That is, establish a regular bedtime and waking hour. Pick the time you have to wake up on most days, and make sure you're in bed at least 8 hours before. Company is optional.

4. You're Too Refined
Most processed breads and cereals contain little fiber, the calorie-free component of plant foods that fills you up, not out. Plus, foods rich in fiber help control blood glucose and insulin levels.
Solution: I never thought I'd say this, but it may be a good idea to cut back on potatoes in any form (especially the fries, fellas). Experts say potatoes raise blood-glucose concentration quickly, as do snack chips, white bread, low-fiber breakfast cereals, and breakfast bars. Whole-grain cereals, nuts, and beans are blame-free, if not calorie-free.

5. You're Dry
Have another one, bud. Another tall, ice-cold...glass of water. When you're trying to lose weight, water is your workout partner. You need it to flush the waste products your body makes when it breaks down fat for energy, or when it processes protein. You need it to transport nutrients to your muscles. You need it to help digest food and keep your metabolism clicking along. And water keeps you from overheating during intense exercise on hot days.
Solution: Start the day by filling up a half-gallon jug with water (or any combination of smaller bottles that equals 64 ounces). Your goal is to drain the lot by the end of the day. Clear or light yellow pee is the universally recognized sign of good hydration.

6. You Can't Cook
So you took wood shop instead of home ec. I understand—a man needs to master power tools to feel complete. But unless you find a way to make your bird feeder edible, you need to master weight-loss tools, too. A man whose only kitchen skill involves the speed dial to Domino's is condemned to a diet of grease, salt, white bread, and sugar.
Solution: Step into the kitchen. (That's the room with the oven, sink, and refrigerator.) Open your freezer. You should see frozen berries and vegetables, which are as good as fresh but last many times longer. Look in your cupboards. You should see some canned vegetables, hearty low-fat soups, dried fruit, and slow-cooking oats. These foods help you lose weight because they're filling but low in calories. Best of all, you don't need much more than a can opener and a microwave to make them edible. (Dishes are optional.) This leaves you more time for your power tools.

7. You Think Fitness Trumps Fatness
Exercise alone won't make you thin. A recent study of military personnel who increased their exercise during a 3-year period found that they gained weight despite their extra efforts. Why? Food, most likely. They simply ate more than they burned off.
Solution: The last thing you want to hear, especially from a female, is that size matters. But trust me on this: Controlling portion size is absolutely essential to weight loss. And the best way to control portion size is to limit how often you eat out.
According to the Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter, a single restaurant meal often could feed an entire family. A pasta dish at an Italian restaurant might include eight 1-cup servings. A rib dish might have a pound of meat—more than five servings. A side of fries might include 70 of the little devils, which is seven servings. And a nut-filled cinnamon bun in a mall food court could total 1,100 calories—more than half the calorie intake on a typical weight-loss diet.

If none of this advice does it for you, perhaps knowing you might be on Oprah someday might! How cool would it be if compassionate guys on "Team Camaro" saved you from a fate worse than death. Now start taking this great advice and make us all proud! Only you can make a change! It wasn't until I had a heart attack from clogged arteries that made me change, don't let it happen to you!!!!