What Did You Do to Lose Weight That Worked.

Updated on September 29, 2008
C.G. asks from Fort Worth, TX
7 answers

I'm a SAHM to four beautiful girls ranging in 18 to 3 years old. I go to school full-time (mostly online) and have just recently begun struggling with my weight. Ideally I should weigh about 30 pounds less than I do, but at this point a 10 pound loss would even be good.
Before the birth of my last daughter I never had an issue with my weight. I would gain weight only after a pregnancy and then lose the weight completely within 6 months to a year. After three years I'm still struggling and to no avail. Not only am I overweight but I'm extremely tired. I've been treated for post-pardum depression and after taking the drug for over a year decided I liked the way I felt before I took them. I exercise about three times a week but have no endurance. I can honestly say I don't feel depressed rather extremely tired. I would like to focus on my fatigue rather than try to assign it to depression. As anyone knows when you are exhausted you find it hard to exercise for long periods of time, so I normally only walk on treadmil for about 20 to 25 minutes.
I'm at the point where I know there are no easy fixes. I've tried the weight clinic where I took phentermine and lost about 15 pounds but during that time I didn't sleep. I would have bouts of insomnia where I wouldn't sleep for over 36 hours. The doctors solultion to that was to put me on ambien. Finally my bodys resistance to the drug stopped me from losing any weight at all and I was back in the same position I started in.
Like I said earlier I've never had a weight issue so I'm not sure what I should do. My husband and I have started eating much healthier and I do try to workout whenever I feel like it. I plan on seeing a doctor for the fatigue but my family doctor really just wants me to take the anti-depression medication, stating that fatigue is a common symptom to chronic fatigue syndrom.
I would like to just live a healthy active lifestyle and in the process lose some weight! I'm not obese and my husband thinks I look great but I know I would feel better if I lost some of this excess baby weight. I also think I would have more energy.
I would like to know of things you tried (drug free) that have worked for you and continue to work. I know that it will take time and I'm no longer looking for quick fixes but more a lifestyle change.

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M.G.

answers from Dallas on

DO NOT DIET!! That's what I did to lose the weight I had gained. I gained 45 (and stopped counting there), and I lost almost all of it and am now at a healthy weight. Honestly don't diet because all that means is that you lose the weight (maybe) while you're on it and just gain it back. Here's what I did:

Little things like taking the stairs instead of elevator and parking a little farther from the door. I cook almost 100% of the meals we eat. I get low fat or no fat everything, and it tastes the same. I use fresh/frozen and never ever does canned food come into my home except for cream of chicken or mushroom soups to cook with, and I just found a recipe to make that home made. Also, if you don't take your food to the table and have you and your family make the plates in the kitchen and then take to the table, you'll find that you eat less. Don't watch tv while you eat because you tend to eat more. In my home, we only drink water (this is what I have almost all the time), 1% organic milk, and 100% juice (for my son, and it's the Honest Kids brand that doesn't have extra colors or sugars). You can do it. It is really a lifestyle change and not a diet. We had to stop going for fast food and out to eat all the time. That was our biggest. Good luck to you!!!

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A.L.

answers from Dallas on

Have you thought of Weight Watchers? I have used this program after both of my girls were born and have had a lot success with it. Every food has a point value, depending on your weight and how much you excersise, you are able to use a certain amount of points each day. It is so easy to keep track of, as long as you are staying within your points you will lose weight. I have found that sometimes the meetings are hard to get to, and have been using the online program. I have lost all the weight I gained during my pregnancy and then some with this program. I feel weight loss is all about making little lifestyle changes. If you decide to go this route a couple websites to save in your favorites are www.weightwatchers.com and www.dwlz.com - Dottie's weight loss zone is a great resource. Dottie has been a weight watchers member and has lots of recipes with the points value and has hundreds of restaurants with the points value of certain foods that are ww's friendly. Good luck!

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P.H.

answers from Dallas on

smartest thing to do is to watch our calorie intake and just watch what you eat without depriving yourself. Those are the worst kinds of diets. I am not good at diets but I was able to loose weight by working out 3 times a week and watching my calorie intake. Check out www.sparkpeople.com it helped me find amazing recipes and help me calculate my calories.. feel free to email me for more info. oh and the site is free. just put in ____@____.com referred ya

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N.T.

answers from Dallas on

Hi C.,

I congratulate you for taking steps to eat healthier and get off meds! For help with your weight loss, fatigue, stress, endurance, and better sleep, check out www.VitalHealth.TunguskaMist.com

Read all the info on adaptogens, and the new fast acting oral adaptogen sprays called Tunguska Mist. Adaptogens are a category of herbs that help the body deal with stress, restore balance, and support normal metabolic processes. Often times stress causes us to overeat as well as produce excess cortisol (causes the body to store fat). Adaptogens support weight management by regulating blood sugar, insulin metabolism, and cortisol levels; aid in digestion; and increase energy. In fact, adaptogens have the ability to shift the body's metabolism to a greater use of fat for energy.

The rapid release delivery system of the adaptogens in Tunguska Mist Pure and Tunguska Mist Slim will help bring your body into balance, reduce stress at the cellular level, and suppress your appetite to quash cravings. They are convenient to carry with you and take whenever you feel stress coming on, or need the extra willpower to support your weight loss program.

You'll have more energy and endurance to work out with adaptogens. Are you also weight training? Lean muscle mass will help speed up your metabolism, thus you will burn more calories. Avoid fast food, processed foods, and especially all types of soft drinks, if you are not already. Eating 5-6 small healthy meals throughout the day, while drinking plenty of water helps keep your engine burning!

2 great books that I recommend are: Living Lean, by Larry North and Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief by Winston and Maimes.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions, or need further advice/encouragement. I've studied health, wellness, and Kinesiology for many years and have a passion for helping people change their life.

Believe in yourself and focus on your goals! You can do it!!!

Best regards,
N.

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E.P.

answers from Dallas on

Atkins diet works well! I've been on it 4 wks now and was 180 now 169. Good luck to you!

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J.D.

answers from Dallas on

I did Weight Watchers before I had my daughter and lost 40 pounds, I back on it to lose the last 15 of my pregnancy and within the first 2 weeks have lost 7. I swear by it, and think it is very simple, IT IS NOT A DIET!! The program just teaches you how to change your eating habits. The first week is challenging, but once you get use to it, it is a piece of cake :) (no pun intended) Also, I saw in an earlier post recomendations for resources and I use dwlz.com ALL the time to look up the points value on take out or restraunt food. GOOD LUCK

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S.W.

answers from Dallas on

I don't know if you drink soda's but I never used to drink water. I would drink dr. pepper ALL day. I am still not a water fan but I do Crystal Light and it has helped a ton. I was exercising and was not seeing any of the weight come off but as soon as I quit the soda's I dropped a lot, well about 8 lbs.
If this is not your case I have heard great things about weight watchers. Also, you didn't mention if you or on any birth control either since the baby but weight gain can be a side effect from that.
Good Luck!

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