Slim Down Now

So last weekend I read The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite. If you have been following nutrition and diet books, perhaps it doesn’t say much new. On the other hand, it reminds us that there really are foods that once you take one bite of, it will be very difficult to stop.

What seems to be the result of reading the book for me, is that I am being aware of how much I eat at a sitting and how fast I eat it. If I’m tempted to simply gulp my food down, I need to ask myself why am I eating so fast and try to slow down. Then, I need to decide if that is a food I want to continue having as part of my diet as I don’t seem to be eating it wisely.

So I found the book helpful even though it didn’t really tell me much of what I didn’t already know. The key is in applying what I’ve learned.

So starting today, Honey & I are trying a new exercise book: Synergetics: Your Whole Life Fitness Plan that claims to make you look younger, more slender and more fit with 24 minutes of exercise a day (12 minutes in morning; 12 in evening). Exercises are meant for all ages and seem pretty easy.

Beginning stats

Me: F: 123.4 36.5 body fat

Honey: M: 195.2 (wore socks so no body fat index, sorry!)

So the next trial begins

One of the programs I’ve been following Strip That Fat has a very nice bonus offer that I find wonderful – dieting support. Often we don’t lose weight because we really need a support group. For one week, they are offering their support group FREE. Normally this costs $19/month. With purchase, this will be free for life!

We know you want to lose weight – and we know having a place to go for support can really help. With a 60 day money back guarantee – this may be the program you’ve been looking for! It’s at least worth checking out

So try something new … and get dieting support to meet your goals.

[Bonus requires a $57 purchase. A portion of that purchase will go to supporting this site. Thank you.]

Well, I admit.  I tried the magic bullet — Alli (60mg), a weight loss diet pill that claims that you won’t metabolize fat.  I tried 1 pill along with 1/2 a bag of yummy chips — basically 2.5 ounces of Kettle Style Chips.   Not a huge portion, but this was a test.  I ate the chips around 4 in the afternoon.

Well, I went to work.  The next day, I found I had gas.  Embarrassing, but life goes on.  I went to the bathroom often – but how much can you go for gas, right?  You are paid to be working after all.  So towards the end of the day (4pm), well, I farted and found out it wasn’t just gas   Very embarrassing – and not controllable.  Yup.  oil stain on back of pants.

So, 24 hours later I found that – yes, the oil goes through you.  Yes, it may not be how you want it going through you.  So, yes, Alli (60mg) works.  Yet, beware – know how it works in your body before being out in public.

Often people have weight issues due to how they interact with food.  That is they eat for comfort, boredom, or shame.  Rather than having ones body guide you when to eat, you just eat.

Many of us have done (or still do!) this.

Yet, these habits and patterns can be changed!

One simple way to do this is to start a food diary.  This is where you write down everything you eat.  It’s even better if you write it down when you eat.  This way you can begin to change your patterns.  You can the choose to eat half the portions, only eat when at the dinner table, or even skip desserts.

Knowing why and when you eat is a great way to change your life and change how you feel.

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Many people struggle with diets. It is a real challenge. Here are 2 success stories! These 2 methods of dieting have helped friends lose weight. Hopefully, they can help you reach your goal too!

Diet Method 1 – Eating Half

One friend lost about 5 sizes in ~ 6 months by just cutting her original portions in half. She basically eats the same things – just half of it. Now, she was eating *a lot* originally. And she was (and is) going to a doctor to monitor her health. Yet, that is the easiest diet.

If she goes out to eat, expect her to take food home .. because half the meal ends up in a to go container. She doesn’t order desert often – but she still has it. I’ve been really impressed and excited over her progress!

Diet Method 2 – Being Aware of What You Are Eating

One friend lost over 40 pounds in 2 months by simply being aware of how her body reacted to food, only eating when hungry and moderating portions. She says she asks her body about every food before she eats it.

Her method is to use a method chiropractors sometimes use before eating anything.   It’s called muscle testing.  This is how she does it:

Become as neutral as you can be.  Hold a food in your hand.  (It can help if your eyes are closed and a friend hand random foods to you in the beginning.)   See if your body likes it by leaning forward – or doesn’t like it by leaning back.

It sounds kind of funky — but it worked for her — and it is free to try.

I assume part of this technique works just because you need to be aware of what you are eating and how much.  Also, you consciously “know” at least to what extent what foods are good for you.  If you feel bad after eating something, eating it less often seems really reasonable.  She just tries to get her body to tell her that.

So, try these methods at your own risk.  Yet, know they worked for 2 friends who are delighted at their results!

See diets that worked for me for more diet ideas

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The most ideal solution for weight loss programs is doing exercise and eating a controlled diet. Yet sometimes, one goes for the easy weight loss methods like the diet pills. Now the question is, “Will diet pills work in reducing weight?”.

Well, most diet pills are used as a substitute for exercise. When used that way, they are a temporary solution for losing weight. The main purpose of diet pill is one or more of: controlling the appetite, blocking the absorption of fat and increasing the metabolism rate. It is only for people who are having a hectic work styles are overweight and also don’t have the time to do the exercise. Alternately, they are for people who have so much weight to lose that taking a pill in conjunction with diet and exercise will really make a difference.

Diet pills are not an instant solution but one has to keep taking them for a certain period of time. Also should make sure that they do not give any side effects later.  Some pills cause depression in some people which simply compounds the issue. Make sure to consult your doctor before using diet pills as they may recommend which type would  work for you.

Most of the diet pill manufacturers will only print testimonials of people who had success – not stories from people who used their products and failed.  As such,  do not always believe their slogans or ads that frequently come in the television or other print media. Experts have stated that though diet pills have worked for some, they most likely won’t work for every person.  It depends on the weight and the metabolism of the person. Health experts however suggest to do some exercise along with these diet pills.

Diet Pills Available

Fat Blockers: These pills remove some fat from the body by the method of bowel movement.

Prescription pills: These diet pills are prescribed by the doctor himself after monitoring the health condition.

Over the Counter Diet Pills: These are available at all medicine stores and approved by the FDA.They boost the metabolism and increase energy.

Appetite Suppressants: These diet pills control the appetite, preventing overeating. It is done due the chemical serotonin that is present in the brain. The Pills increase this chemical which in turn affects the appetite.

Herbal Diet Pills: It is found in all nutrition and health food stores. The ingredients present in these pills work on reducing the appetite and increasing the body metabolism.

If you decide that diet pills are really what you want and you have talked to your doctor,  research the diet pills available in the market and then decide which the best one for you is. Pills don’t always do what you want and often have side effects.   You may end up getting side effects or disappointing results.

See Which diets work? for a summary of our personal findings.