Weight - San Antonio,TX

Updated on November 18, 2011
J.V. asks from San Antonio, TX
15 answers

Ok. I know we're all busy Mom's. I was wondering if anyone out had a good weight loss strategy. I would like to lose between 20 to 50 pds and am not sure where to start. I am a single parent, work full time. It feels like theres no time. So any advice....Thanks.

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So What Happened?

Thank you everyone for all your helpful insight. It all seems easy but at the same time challenging. I can't wait to see the progress I make when I start my journey.

Featured Answers

A.G.

answers from Houston on

No little tricks are advisable here. Get moving doing something you enjoy and eat healthy foods you like.

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J.K.

answers from Milwaukee on

I lost 30 pounds after my 2nd child was born by doing the couch-5K plan. It is a 9 week running program. You can literally start out by being a couch potato....and at the end of 8 weeks, you'll be able to run 3 miles at a crack!! :-) The plan only takes 3 days/week...30 minutes per session (completely doable!!!)

Also, NO EATING AFTER 7 pm!!!!! (NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!) (This works for me every time.) ;)

Only drink water--no soda, no artificially flavored/sweetened beverages.

You'll do great. All you need is self-determination. If you believe in yourself, you can do anything. :-)

Also, if you have Facebook, check out the couch-5K running page...it's full of advice and encouragement. You'll love it.

5 moms found this helpful

V.C.

answers from Dallas on

In addition to the other suggestions, I would add to always eat 5-9 fruits and veggies. A fast and easy way to get them is in a green smoothie.
And, never skip breakfast. Make sure it is one with fiber and protein. It could be a smoothie.

4 moms found this helpful
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M.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi Mama,

My husband lost 60 pounds by adding a specific, absorbable multivitamin to his diet. Turns out the nutrition that he was eating wasn't absorbing so his body was hoarding the extra weight. He didn't change his diet at all or his activity until he lost the 60 pounds, then he decided to add running to his routine and he cut sweets out completely. That dropped another 50 pounds. He's kept it off for six years now.

His best friend lost 50 and my sister in law lost 15 doing the same thing. They lost the weight they were not supposed to be carrying. It really is a matter of balancing.

Hope this helps.
M.

3 moms found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Exercise.
Drink water. It helps the metabolism.
Exercise, for what you can do. Walk around the neighborhood briskly.
Eat in rational serving sizes.
Graze... throughout the day. Don't starve yourself... that will only slow down your metabolism.
Even just do exercises while watching tv.
Just start.... and it will become a habit.
A healthier, habit.

2 moms found this helpful
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E.B.

answers from Beaumont on

My first and best tip would be to consume the majority of your calories before 5 p.m. The close second to that would be to eat a protein/fiber filled breakfast. Good luck! Remember, slow weight loss is really the best. P.S. Don't forget to drink TONS of water!

1 mom found this helpful
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R.L.

answers from Houston on

Weight Watchers online worked for me. No meetings and it's an easy plan to follow (sometimes hard to stick with!) The good thing about WW is that you do not have to deprive yourself you really can eat whatever you want as long as you stay within the plan, but it forces you to make healthier choices and portion control. I lost 37 lbs and ket most of it off for 4 years. Now even after having another baby, I haven't gain much of the weight back. I'm still a bit fluffy but I can live with the extra fluff I have now! :)

1 mom found this helpful

H.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

When I am having motivation, I use myfitnesspal.com It lays it all out for you and you can add your food and exercise, it will tell you what you have left for the day, so its a no brainer.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.T.

answers from Houston on

I have am a full time working mom of two. Also, my husband is out of town for the next year so I definitely have no time but....

I have been working with a nutritionist at Memorial Hermann. I have lost 15 lbs since August. I have never been a dieter but I have been a person who ate well (so I thought). When I was not losing my husband encouraged me to see a professional.

I have learned my metabolic rate and many other things. Also, I log all of my food thru my iPhone. She monitors what I eat and sends me emails. I meet with her once a month.

She has her PhD and has worked with professional athletes in Houston. The best thing is that she is affordable. If you are interested, message me and I will give you her contact info.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.G.

answers from Austin on

Hurray for you! Making the decision to be healthy is such a great gift and example for your kid!

It's a total mindset. Decide that healthier foods taste as good as the unhealthy ones. Look up the fat and sugar content of things like donuts. They don't even appeal to me anymore. Who knew THAT would ever happen.

I look at Dannon's strawberry Oikos yogurt as if it were a treat, like frosting. Any time you are in a hurry and want to just drive thru the fast food place, go to the grocery store instead. Pick up a yogurt and some fruit. Most stores have plastic spoons by the deli. There are a ton of ways to change bad habits.

Give yourself a break every once in a while. Maybe you can allow yourself a dessert or small bag of chips (whatever your temptation is) twice a week. Then go down to once a week. You will start to learn that there are healthier foods out there that really taste good. You can start using more seasonings instead of salt or sugar. Stay away from all processed and pre-packaged foods. Keep sliced chicken or turkey around for a quick sandwich when you are too tired to make a healthy meal. Google "easy healthy meals" to get good ideas.

Throw out a lot of the time and energy saving things you do. Do not find the closest parking place. Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator, get up to change the channel or volume on the TV, make several trips when putting laundry away, put the everyday things away in the lower cabinets and drawers. Make your lower dresser drawers, the ones you use the most. The idea is to add miles and bending to your day without having to find the time to exercise. Do find time to walk when you can. Take your kid(s) with you. Play games with your kids that require energy. Put some music on and dance with them while you are cleaning, doing laundry, etc. It will be so much more fun!

Drink a lot of water. Keep a glass/bottle around you all the time at work and at home. Have your kid remind you. He/she will love helping mommy remember something like that.

Tape shows like "Biggest Loser" and "Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition" to watch when you are folding laundry or paying bills, etc. You can get good ideas and motivation. Never watch TV while doing nothing. If you don't have school papers or mail to go through, bills to pay, laundry to fold, dusting or window washing to do then get up and walk in place or dance. Do exercises. Have your kid join you in sit ups. See who can do more. Don't worry if you child can do more. They have an endless supply of energy. Make it fun!

Keep track of your progress on a chart. If you don't have a scale, get a tape measure and keep track of measurements each week. Don't get discouraged if you have a bad week. Just make the next week a good one.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.M.

answers from Sacramento on

I have tried many diets and by far I succeeded the most and easiest with Nutrisystem. The principal of the diet is eating foods low on the glycemic index (to avoid blood sugar spikes) and eating foods high in protein, low in fat. Also a good emphasis on veggies, fruits and water.

The program is a bit expensive, but I think it is worth it. Once you eat their food for a month you'll have the hang of it ( and their cool booklet that tells you what kinds of food to eat at each meal)- then you can eat your own food but in their guidelines.

I tried WW before, but for me, I needed more structure to actually stay with it.
disclaimer: I do not work for nutrisystem, just liked the diet.

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E.M.

answers from Honolulu on

I am going to add, that whenever you a sitting, bounce your leg up and down. This tells you how many calories you burn just bouncing your legs when you sit!
http://caloriecount.about.com/calories-fidgeting-burn-q8737

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P.G.

answers from Dallas on

I didn't stick to it, but the gestational diabetes diet I was on was great in terms of weight control. I just got lazy (sigh). If there's anything you can do during your lunch hour (walk around the building, etc.), that might help. I take my bike and the bus to work and I dropped some weight (pants fit better, not much poundage gone, though). Good luck!

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J.R.

answers from Houston on

Weight Watchers on line is easy for me to do and with all the fruits and veggies being zero points I can fill up on them during the day and that makes it easier. Just keeping track of what you put in your mouth makes you accountable and makes their program work. They also have loads of recipes for different ideas. Good luck!

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P.K.

answers from New York on

I swear by the old Weight Watchers diet. It all boils down to calories. I lost
85 pounds on the old diet. It is amazing what you can eat if you get creative.

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