Don't Overdo It

[Teresita 0]

July 6, 2006

(Biggest Loser Club)

Don't Overdo it!

BLC members set goals they can stick with and reap the rewards.

Most of us dieters tend to go to extremes about the latest diet plan. We eat right, work out, and drink Water by the gallon for the first week or two. Then we fall off the bandwagon just as quickly. Part of the problem may be that we get a little obsessive about our new lifestyle, too obsessive to reasonably sustain what we're doing.

Here are some tips from our BLC members about how to control "overdoing it" behavior that may end up causing us to quit dieting all together.

Do you weigh yourself over and over, then find that the number on the scale depresses you?

Over-weighing can make you feel hopeless! Instead weigh yourself once a week.

"In the closet is where the scales should always be," says one BLC member who only takes her scale out on weigh-in day. "Most of all, remember to only weigh first thing in the morning, and never after exercise. You lose 2 to 3 lbs. overnight and can gain up to 5 right after exercise."

Do you cut out Snacks or meals in an effort to speed up your weight loss?

Under-eating can leave you listless and slow down your metabolism. Instead, eat everything on your meal plan and drink plenty of water.

"I grew up with coal furnaces," says one BLC member. "If you don't keep them stoked, the fire burns out. It's the same with our bodies...we need to eat tiny portions all day long. If we don't, the fire that burns our calories goes out. Your body goes into survival mode when you don't get some type of food. It doesn't have to be very much. If your inner furnace thinks the fire is going out, it quits burning calories and your metabolism slows way down."

[NaturalBeauty 2]

Hi Teresita,

That's a wealth of knowledge you've just given us.

Not that we don't already know but sometimes it's just hard to follow the rules. For me, I do get obsesed with the scale and everything I put in my mouth. I normally weigh everyday except during TOM because of the Water weight and I monitor every bite that goes into my mouth.

I guess its because I've been heavy most of my child and adulthood life that I feel like I must stay on top of this thing. It's been a year and 2 months since being banded and I am proud of my progress but I just want to reach my goal and start toning my body. I also want to have surgery on my arms. They have come from a size 18 to a 12 but it's all skin and I just hate it.

Anyway, I will try to follow these rules because they are right and I know it. Even when I follow them I see such a great lost but my mind is telling me don't eat and get on the scale everyday. It's still a battle and I am still on the wheel trying to be moded!!

Thanks for the info!

[Teresita 0]

Thank you for sharing Natural Beauty. I agree we all could be experts on the weigh loss subject but if we could just apply what we know to our everyday lives, that would win the battle. Since we can't or choose not to the band has become a very handy tool to have to remind us of what we are eating and scale to remind us to exercise.

Congratulations on your lost. I hope your stuggles will fade and the lifestyle changes that you have made become second nature. Stay positive and motivated. I look forward to meeting you at the next meeting.