Dieting - Share Your Experience

Curious asked:


If your child or if you are a child and you want to get thinner without dieting and totally changing your eating, how do you get thinner? I want to learn how a child can slowly but tastefully can change their eating habbits.

Dillon

lookinforexcitement asked:


I’m dieting & exercising. I’ve read that detoxing or even getting your colon cleaned can help you lose 8+ pounds. How expensive is this? Which would you recommend a supplement or the colon cleanse procedure?

Erik

W. Darren - asked:


There has been a many number of fad diets out there and it can be daunting if you need to consider one that will work best for you. You have to consider the purpose as well as the practicability of the diet. The Cabbage Soup Diet can be aptly term a fad diet because in terms of longevity, it has no long term applicability and in fact, it can only be undertaken for a week at most.

The Cabbage Soup Diet is a very low-calorie diet consisting mostly of fruits and vegetables with the slow introduction of meat (in the form of beef) on the sixth day. A vegetable soup diet may sound very healthy and it can appeal to vegetarians but the fact that the vegetables have very low calorie makes it unhealthy. It can affect the physical well-being and psyche of the individual. It is also restrictive limiting the food intake to cabbage soup and some fruits and vegetables only. Here is the recipe for the soup:

- 6 large green onions

- 2 green peppers

- 1 or 2 cans of tomatoes (diced or whole)

- 3 Carrots

- 1 Container (10 oz. or so) Mushrooms

- 1 bunch of celery

- half a head of cabbage

- 1 package Lipton soup mix

- 1 or 2 cubes of bouillon (optional)

- 1 48oz can V8 juice (optional)

Although the diet tries to assimilate as much healthy vegetables rich in iron, Vitamins A and C, fiber, vitamin K, phosphorous and other nutrients, it is still very much lacking in all other important nutrients for the body to function properly. You have to be aware also that no matter how well you relish having the life of a simple peasant, cabbage soup day in and day out is not at all appetizing. Also, there are so many considerations to determine that you have to take precautions to be able stick to the diet.

If you are serious about the diet and plan to pursue it, you must consider the following tips.

1) Since the diet calls for a strict adherence to the program to work, you need to print a copy of the recipe as well as the diet program. Put it in a place where you can see it everyday and be reminded of the diet.

2) Get a white board and use it as a daily progress chart. Make sure that you have followed the food allowed on the certain day. Constantly place reminders around the house and in the office.

3) Always carry your trusty cabbage soup with you whether in the office or during travels. Eating the same thing can be pretty difficult that’s why a certain amount of commitment is needed to stick to this diet plan.

4) Keep a ready and steady supply of fruits and vegetables in your fridge. During the workweek, peel and cut into strips and pieces vegetables like carrots and radish which you can nibble on as snacks.

5) During the week, refuse any offers of lunches or dinners with friends or any form of celebrations. This can result to temptations. The diet, during its undertaking will also restrict your social life so be aware of this.



Ebony

Nishanth Reddy asked:


Are you gaining weight? Does this make you worry about your cholesterol level? Do you feel like you need to do something about your eating habits particularly your cholesterol diet?

What is the first thing to consider in a low cholesterol diet? Knowing the purpose of a low cholesterol diet will make you adhere to it more sincerely. Then before indulging in any strict diet, low cholesterol diet included, you have to know why some foods are safe to eat and why some are not. However, a lifestyle change that would include a good cholesterol diet as a first step would work best.

The basic of cholesterol lowering diet is the decrease in the total intake of saturated fat, calories, and cholesterol in the body to decrease weight. These types of foods are mainly fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables have very high fiber content; this soaks cholesterol like sponge and disposes it out of the body. Apples, oranges and pears are high fiber foods. This includes oats and carrots. Pasta, whole grains and potatoes are samples of complex carbohydrates.

If you want to go on a cholesterol diet you should minimize your intake of the day’s total saturated fat calorie by 7% and fat by 25-35 percent. Limit your sodium intake by 2400 milligrams daily.

Remember, cholesterol lowering diet and maintaining a daily exercise are major factors in lowering the cholesterol level.

Here are some tips on cholesterol diet approaches:

Taking fiber-rich foods such as whole grains as your primary source of carbohydrates. This should go hand in hand with an increase intake of fresh fruits and vegetables such as berries, oranges, apples, pears, grapes, bell peppers, broccoli, kale, cauliflower, tomatoes, dark leafy greens celery, squash and eggplant among others.

Staying away from saturated fats which are mostly found in animal foods such as meat, poultry and dairy products is a good cholesterol diet. Opt for unsaturated fats instead, specifically omega-3 fatty. Good sources of these would be the vegetable and fish oils.

Source out protein from soy protein, poultry, and fish instead of meat.

Major lifestyle change as a part of cholesterol diet would mean weight control, exercise, and quitting smoking.

If you want to dine out and still stick on your cholesterol diet, here are some tips for you to follow so that you will be able to maintain your cholesterol diet.

Find out which restaurants have low saturated fat and have a low cholesterol menu.

Sharing your dish with your companion or taking some home is advisable, better yet, you can also ask for appetizer-size servings or a side dish.

Ask to separate the gravy, butter, rich sauces and dressings. You can control your cholesterol and saturated fat much easier that way.

Ask the extras (salad, fries, baked potato) to be left off or substitute them.

If you are craving for pizza, order the one that has vegetable toppings (green pepper, onions, and mushrooms) instead of meat or extra cheese. Or to make it easier for you, order it with half of the cheese or no cheese at all.

If your dining on a fast-food restaurant, order salads, grilled skinless chicken sandwiches (fried and breaded are a no no), regular-sized hamburgers or roast beef sandwiches. Avoid large burgers, sandwiches and french-fries.

Choose the dishes that are cooked on a low cholesterol method (broiled, steamed, au jus, garden fresh, baked, roasted, poached, tomato juice, dry boiled and lightly saturated)

Be mindful of dishes that are high in saturated fat and cholesterol. (butter sauce, fried, crispy, creamed, au gratin, au fromage, escalloped, parmesan, hollandaise, béarnaise, marinated, stewed, basted, sautéed, casserole and pastry crust)

Take note that if you lose weight, your calorie needs will also be lowered. It will decrease the amount of saturated fat and the fat that you will be able to consume on the cholesterol diet.

If you are having a hard time of making changes with cholesterol lowering diet, consult a nutritionist or dietitian so that you can work up some sample diets.



Jessica

Craig Ballantyne asked:


Sticking to your diet and exercise program is tough when you travel. From airports to airplanes, hotel meals to inadequate hotel gyms, you might just want to skip fat burning altogether.

But here are 3 diet tips taken from my recent trip to Vancouver for a seminar that will help you stay motivated and stop you from cheating on your diet.

1) Make NO Excuses at the Buffet Dinners…

On Tuesday evening, there was a seminar reception buffet dinner at my hotel in Vancouver. It featured pasta, beef tenderloin, lots of breads and cheeses, seafood, vegetables, and fruit. Lots and lots of food. Plenty of opportunity to overeat…or eat well.

And it was easy for me to stick to the raw vegetables, smoked salmon, crab, shrimp, and fruit. A free meal should not be a free for all meal.

2) Do not eat dessert for breakfast.

Somehow, it became socially acceptable, recommended even, to eat dessert for breakfast. Muffins are just cake without icing. Poptarts are just pie slices you can stick in a toaster. Cereals are just pieces of crackers you drowned in milk. None of these have many redeeming qualities. Stick to real food instead.

3) Eat more fruit and less pizza

Today on my way to Stanley Park where I walked about 10 miles, I knew I needed to pick up a snack. My earlier lunch of salmon and vegetables was light, and I knew the walk was going to be long.

I thought briefly about getting a slice of pizza, but I take my position as a nutrition role model to you quite seriously. And even though I could have “snuck” the pizza in and not mentioned it here, I don’t like to be hypocritical. So I found a grocery store/fruit stand and grabbed two bananas and a bag of local blueberries. Much better.

This is a choice that you can make too. Believe it or not, you’ll actually like it. And you’ll feel 10x’s better choosing fruit over grease. Both physically and mentally.

Here’s the Bottom line on dieting for fat loss. The REALITY of the situation is this…Eating takes about 5 minutes per snack, maybe 15 minutes for a meal.

That’s it. And often even when we “give in” to a craving, it doesn’t take us long to have that craving again. It’s not like eating ice cream today takes our mind off ice cream for the next 151 days. Nope. Ice cream is right back in our heads tomorrow. Or even later today.

The old saying, “A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips” is pretty accurate. It really is ONLY a moment on the lips. Eating is not a 3 hour orgy of the senses. It’s really over in a few short minutes. But your body and belly fat are there with you 168 hours per week, week-in and week-out.

Keep this reality in perspective, and it will help you make better nutrition choices. A moment vs. a lifetime, which will you choose? A little reward is fine when it fits the plan, a lot of cheating is

only going to ruin all your other hard work.



Bailey

SAND·n·SUN asked:


I know a girl who has been dieting since she was 13 and still is (she’s probably around 15 now). What are the chances of her getting an eating disorder? I’ve heard that like 86% of girls who diet at that age end up with one, is that true? What statistics do you have/know? I really would like to warn her parents, especially since they see nothing wrong with her behavior. I’m not sure if she’s throwing up in a bathroom or anything like that, but she definately is watching what she is eating, eating foods marked “low carb”, keeping track of how many pounds she has lost, and exercises for the benefit of weight loss. Also looks like she could use a vitamin if you know what I mean..
Thanks to all who help.

Cortney

The Diet Guy asked:


Jennifer, a middle-aged single mother with one six-year-old daughter, has been skipping sweets for a few weeks now. She’s also become a stickler for portion control. She feels as if she’s eating less than ever, and she’s been diligently exercising for an hour at a time at least four days a week. Yet, she hasn’t lost a single pound. The question is, “Why?”

This is a dilemma which affects dieters the world over. They think they are taking the steps necessary to lose weight, but nothing seems to be happening. In essence, they are trapped in a dieting rut and they don’t know how to free themselves. As a result, they become frustrated and depressed and may then engage in binge eating.

One of the problems with diets is that they are often standardized. As a result, they don’t take into consideration your individual physiology and metabolism. They provide a cookie-cutter approach to weight loss—an approach which may not work in your individual case. As a result, an increasing number of people are turning to dieticians to formulate a person weight loss strategy for them. This process has been made easier through the Internet, where you can correspond with a dietician any time of the day or night via e-mail. The dietician can also act as your personal coach, helping you through your dieting dilemmas.

Another reason that you may be failing at your diet is because of a lack of support. You may have family members who can eat whatever they want and seemingly not gain a pound. As a result, they may fill your refrigerator with junk food, leading you into temptation. Also, you may feel as if you have no one to turn to in order to discuss your weight problems. In order to solve this problem, many individuals look to psychotherapists to help them with their food-related issues. This can be particularly important if an individual has turned to purging in an effort to combat their weight problems. Bulimia is a serious disease which must be treated in order to ensure the good health of the patient. Thankfully, there are a number of treatment programs throughout the U.S. specifically focusing on bulimia.

Yet another reason for diet failure is hidden calories. You may literally be consuming calories and not even realize it. For instance, the frappucinos that are so popular today are loaded with calories—as many as 600 in a single serving! You may also be indulging in sugary sodas—another source of extra calories. By taking a few simple steps, such as eliminating the exotic coffee drinks from your diet and substituting skim milk for whole milk, you may be able to eliminate the hidden calories that are denying you dieting success.

Lack of consistency can also be a diet-killer. You might go on a diet for a while, then quit before you’ve made any measurable progress. It’s only natural to want to see quick results. The problem is that healthy weight lose involves loseing only a couple of pounds a week. That means you’ll have to stay on your diet for months before you see appreciable weight loss. Discouraging? It can be, but if you keep a positive attitude you can achieve your ideal weight.

You may also be more successful in your dieting if you consider it to be a lifestyle change. Therefore, your diet becomes a meal plan for life. This means that you must change the way you look at food. It is designed to be fuel for your body, and nothing more. As a result, you should not turn to food to make you feel better or to provide you with a sense of comfort. A lifestyle change implies commitment; it means that you are prepared to follow the plan for the long haul. If you feel as if you cannot be on your diet for any appreciable length of time, perhaps it’s time to consider a different diet. Your aim ultimately should be not simply to lose weight, but to become healthier. A fad diet will not allow you to reach that milestone. Therefore, you must choose your diet carefully.



Isabelle