MENA diet/exercise thread

[Aymerlu 3]

Ok I give it up entirely except on very rare special occasions. Where I would only have a glass but never more than two.

Actually, remember the French drink wine with their meals and they aren't traditionally fat. Also, my in-laws in Argentina drink wine with every meal and they are slim, as are most Argentines. It all depends on how much you exercise, calories in - out so to speak...also, there are less calories in a glass of champagne or wine than in a can of coke.

I have European blood but the fat, white, pasty, pudgy, bloated kind. I'm also giving up soda except for the very rare occasional treat! You know like if I reach a goal weight. But mostly because of the sugar and sodium content in them.

Diet soda can do you in too. I had a doctor tell me that the diet soda was preventing me from losing weight. No way, I thought.....but.....I did stop drinking the 88 ounces of diet coke a day and I lost 10 pounds in a month!

[Tunisia216 2]

You are right! I had a doc tell me the exact same thing and like you I did not believe him at all.

I had been trying to lose weight and lost a lot but hit a stand still and nothing was coming off.. So I did what he said and cut out the diet coke (I'm a diet coke ADDICT ) First thing I needed to know how to say in Tunisia was COCA LIGHT!! But anyway I cut it out and lost 6 pounds or so that month without changing anything and more in the months that followed.

I am not crazy about drinking water all the time but I found those "Wyler's Light Singles to Go" That you just dump in the bottled water. They have 5 calories per packet- No sugar, no caffeine, and 20% daily Vitamin C - So I got some and they were great - I put them in my desk at work and drop them in - You are supposed to add one pack to a 16 oz bottle of water, but I add one pack to a 33 oz bottle (2 quart ) container of water and get the same affect... I was joking with a coworker that the effort to shake it up probably burns the 5 calories that I'm taking in by drinking it - and this way I'm drinking 6 quarts (yup ) of water every day !!! So no more diet coke (the killer being the sodium and carbonation) and on a side note a great article I read about water and how much it affects weight loss :

****************************

Source : http://www.inch-aweigh.com/water.html

Why Drinking Water Really is the Key to Weight Loss

by Maia Appleby

Don't roll your eyes! The potion for losing that excess body fat is all around you. It covers two thirds of the planet. If you eat right and exercise at the intensity, frequency and duration proper for you, but still can't get rid of a little paunch here and there, you're probably just not drinking enough water.

No need to get defensive. You're actually quite normal. Most people don't drink enough water. Most people are also carrying around a few more pounds than they would be if they did drink enough water. If you can't seem to get that weight off, try drowning your sorrows in nature's magical weight-loss mineral. It works, and here's why:

"What on Earth is 'metabolism', anyway?" People use the term all the time, but ask them what it means and you'll get all kinds of answers. Merriam Webster defines it as, "The process by which a substance is handled in the body." A little vague, but that's really all it means.

There are many forms of metabolism going on in your body right now, but the one everyone is talking about it the metabolism of fat. This is actually something that the liver does when it converts stored fat to energy. The liver has other functions, but this is one of its main jobs.

Unfortunately, another of the liver's duties is to pick up the slack for the kidneys, which need plenty of water to work properly. If the kidneys are water-deprived, the liver has to do their work along with its own, lowering its total productivity. It then can't metabolize fat as quickly or efficiently as it could when the kidneys were pulling their own weight. If you allow this to happen, not only are you being unfair to your liver, but you're also setting yourself up to store fat.

"I've tried it and I couldn't stand it!" The problem is that, though many decide to increase their water intake, very few stick with it. It's understandable. During the first few days of drinking more water than your body is accustomed to, you're running to the bathroom constantly. This can be very discouraging, and it can certainly interfere with an otherwise normal day at work. It seems that the water is coming out just as fast as it's going in, and many people decide that their new hydration habit is fruitless.

Do take heed , though. What is really happening is that your body is flushing itself of the water it has been storing throughout all those years of "survival mode". It takes a while, but this is a beautiful thing happening to you. As you continue to give your body all the water it could ask for, it gets rid of what it doesn't need. It gets rid of the water it was holding onto in your ankles and your hips and thighs, maybe even around your belly. You are excreting much more than you realize. Your body figures it doesn't need to save these stores anymore; it's trusting that the water will keep coming, and if it does, eventually, the flushing (of both the body and the potty) will cease, allowing the human to return to a normal life. It's true. This is called the "breakthrough point."

One recent finding, as irresponsible as it may be, that caffeine increases the body's fat-burning potential has many people loading up on coffee before going to the gym. This finding may hold some degree of truth in it, but caffeine is, in essence, a diuretic, and diuretics dehydrate. Caffeine may increase the heart rate, causing a few more calories to be burned, but this is at the expense of the muscles, which need water to function properly. This isn't doing your heart any favors, either. It's already working hard enough during your workout. Never mix caffeine and exercise. In fact, your best bet is to stay away from caffeine all together. It's a big bully that pushes your friend water out of your system.

Water is the best beauty treatment. You've heard this since high school, and it's true. Water will do wonders for your looks! It flushes out impurities in your skin, leaving you with a clear, glowing complexion. It also makes your skin look younger. Skin that is becoming saggy, either due to aging or weight loss, plumps up very nicely when the skin cells are hydrated.

In addition, it improves muscle tone. You can lift weights until you're blue in the face, but if your muscles are suffering from a drought, you won't notice a pleasant difference in your appearance. Muscles that have all the water they need contract more easily, making your workout more effective, and you'll look much nicer than if you had flabby muscles under sagging skin.

"Eight glasses a day? Are you kidding?!" It's really not that much. Eight 8-ounce glasses amount to about two quarts of water. This is okay for the average person, but if you're overweight, you should drink another eight ounces for every 25 pounds of excess weight you carry. You should also up this if you live in a hot climate or exercise very intensely.

This water consumption should be spread out throughout the day. It's not healthy at all to drink too much water at one time. Try to pick three or four times a day when you can have a big glass of water, and then sip in between. Don't let yourself get thirsty. If you feel thirsty, you're already becoming dehydrated. Drink when you're not thirsty yet.

Do you think water is yucky? Drinking other fluids will certainly help hydrate your body, but the extra calories, sugar, additives and whatever else aren't what you need. Try a slice of lemon or lime in the glass, or if you really think you hate water, try a flavored water. Just make sure you read the labels. Remember that you're going to be consuming a lot of this fluid.

It's probably a good idea to stop drinking water a good three hours before you go to bed. You know why.

"How cold should it be?" This is debatable. Most experts lean toward cold water, because the stomach absorbs it more quickly. There is also some evidence that cold water might enhance fat burning.

On the other hand, warmer water is easier to drink in large quantities, and you might drink more of it without even realizing it. Do whatever suits you, here. Just drink it!

When you drink all the water you need, you will very quickly notice a decrease in your appetite, possibly even on the first day! If you're serious about becoming leaner and healthier, drinking water is an absolute must. If you're doing everything else right and still not seeing results, this might just what's missing.

Diet soda can do you in too. I had a doctor tell me that the diet soda was preventing me from losing weight. No way, I thought.....but.....I did stop drinking the 88 ounces of diet coke a day and I lost 10 pounds in a month!

[Martiniolive 0]

I've always been athletic playing basket ball, volleyball, running cross country. I remember at 22 my happy weight was 125 and I was running a mile to a mile and a half 5-6 times a week in addition to weight training at the gym 4-5 times a week. I like the toned athletic look on me. My 56 year old Mom always says I was a beautiful twig with T & A. I'd just be happy to get in shape again and be around 135lbs so Waleed has something to grab onto.

I wish Icould post a pic of myself at 100lbs. I look waaaay heavier than the girls in those pics on teh site Jenn posted who are 110 even... but.... i wasn't working out at all. I did notice this time 2 years ago when i got thin and was running that I think I *looked* like I did when I was 100lbs but I was 122 or so. I figured, logically, that if I was working out to be thin I would probably way more than if I was just thin in general.

ETA: oh yeah! Progress! this last Wednesday I found out last week I lost 2 inches on my thighs and 1/2" everywhere else... but only 1lb total.

Muscle weight is heavier than fat weight. Look how much chicken fat is in LB compared to 1lb lean beef

[Nasturtium 500]

Muscle weight is heavier than fat weight. Look how much chicken fat is in LB compared to 1lb lean beef

Yep! that's why I said that

You are right! I had a doc tell me the exact same thing and like you I did not believe him at all.

I had been trying to lose weight and lost a lot but hit a stand still and nothing was coming off.. So I did what he said and cut out the diet coke (I'm a diet coke ADDICT ) First thing I needed to know how to say in Tunisia was COCA LIGHT!! But anyway I cut it out and lost 6 pounds or so that month without changing anything and more in the months that followed.

I am not crazy about drinking water all the time but I found those "Wyler's Light Singles to Go" That you just dump in the bottled water. They have 5 calories per packet- No sugar, no caffeine, and 20% daily Vitamin C - So I got some and they were great - I put them in my desk at work and drop them in - You are supposed to add one pack to a 16 oz bottle of water, but I add one pack to a 33 oz bottle (2 quart ) container of water and get the same affect... I was joking with a coworker that the effort to shake it up probably burns the 5 calories that I'm taking in by drinking it - and this way I'm drinking 6 quarts (yup ) of water every day !!! So no more diet coke (the killer being the sodium and carbonation) and on a side note a great article I read about water and how much it affects weight loss :

I have to use flavor packets at certain times as well. IO hate water, I hate everything about it's taste.. but at certain times of the month it gets to where I can barely force it down.. so... I use flavor packets.

Well, I bought a new pair of work pants! Size 8s. My other work pants were 10s and that was not good. Now, I already own black pants in 6 and 4... so.... I just need to keep dropping!

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Muscle weight is heavier than fat weight. Look how much chicken fat is in LB compared to 1lb lean beef

Yep! that's why I said that

You are right! I had a doc tell me the exact same thing and like you I did not believe him at all.

I had been trying to lose weight and lost a lot but hit a stand still and nothing was coming off.. So I did what he said and cut out the diet coke (I'm a diet coke ADDICT ) First thing I needed to know how to say in Tunisia was COCA LIGHT!! But anyway I cut it out and lost 6 pounds or so that month without changing anything and more in the months that followed.

I am not crazy about drinking water all the time but I found those "Wyler's Light Singles to Go" That you just dump in the bottled water. They have 5 calories per packet- No sugar, no caffeine, and 20% daily Vitamin C - So I got some and they were great - I put them in my desk at work and drop them in - You are supposed to add one pack to a 16 oz bottle of water, but I add one pack to a 33 oz bottle (2 quart ) container of water and get the same affect... I was joking with a coworker that the effort to shake it up probably burns the 5 calories that I'm taking in by drinking it - and this way I'm drinking 6 quarts (yup ) of water every day !!! So no more diet coke (the killer being the sodium and carbonation) and on a side note a great article I read about water and how much it affects weight loss :

I have to use flavor packets at certain times as well. IO hate water, I hate everything about it's taste.. but at certain times of the month it gets to where I can barely force it down.. so... I use flavor packets.

Well, I bought a new pair of work pants! Size 8s. My other work pants were 10s and that was not good. Now, I already own black pants in 6 and 4... so.... I just need to keep dropping!

[Nasturtium 500]

Thanks! buying new pants can be a scary experience though!

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Thanks! buying new pants can be a scary experience though!

Tell me about it. I've been shopping for 2 days for a special 30th birthday party outfit and it's been rough.

[Jenn! 918]

Well, I bought a new pair of work pants! Size 8s. My other work pants were 10s and that was not good. Now, I already own black pants in 6 and 4... so.... I just need to keep dropping!

Yay! Keep it up!

About water...I don't understand you guys! How horrible it must be to think that water tastes bad! My grandma says the same thing...

[Nasturtium 500]

Well, I bought a new pair of work pants! Size 8s. My other work pants were 10s and that was not good. Now, I already own black pants in 6 and 4... so.... I just need to keep dropping!

Yay! Keep it up!

About water...I don't understand you guys! How horrible it must be to think that water tastes bad! My grandma says the same thing...

No matter where it comes from, water tastes like a zipper to me-- really metalic. The more "purified" it is, the worse that gets. There are certain times of the month where it is overpowering, so I figure it must somehow be related to my chemicals/hormones.

I just weighed in for the week and i gained 2lbs and went back to my old measurements.. except on my hips where I lost some. I'm going to measure tomorrow... because I didn't sleep much just now (4 hours) and I think that may be my problem (denial in action.)

[Jenn! 918]

Wow, this thread is really dead now!

I'm gonna do a long run today (5 mi.). I hope I can get through it! I'm feeling a little tired...

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Sorry Jenn I'll keep it alive! Although I don't think people want to hear about my toxin cleanse stuff in preparation for the big "Olivia gets Healthy" movement!

I got to talk to Waleed today and his family is excited for me to come next summer and they want to plan a big celebration. I asked Waleed is this a wedding and he said he wants it to be. So now I have another motivation to get in shape and lose the weight! Oh man someone help me! I've really got to do this now and have some discipline. Eeeks!

Also I got an email from my Yoga instructor and he said, "If you're getting this you're in my Yoga class. Be there the first day or you'll be dropped!"

[Staashi 371]

Sorry Jenn I'll keep it alive! Although I don't think people want to hear about my toxin cleanse stuff in preparation for the big "Olivia gets Healthy" movement!

Also I got an email from my Yoga instructor and he said, "If you're getting this you're in my Yoga class. Be there the first day or you'll be dropped!"

LOL that sounds like a threat. hehe

How's the cleanse going?

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Sorry Jenn I'll keep it alive! Although I don't think people want to hear about my toxin cleanse stuff in preparation for the big "Olivia gets Healthy" movement!

Also I got an email from my Yoga instructor and he said, "If you're getting this you're in my Yoga class. Be there the first day or you'll be dropped!"

LOL that sounds like a threat. hehe

How's the cleanse going?

I really don't think people want to know about my bowel movements and what's coming out these days. Curiosity killed the cat remember!

But if you're a curious cat see: http://www.drnatura.com For what I am using.

[Staashi 371]

Sorry Jenn I'll keep it alive! Although I don't think people want to hear about my toxin cleanse stuff in preparation for the big "Olivia gets Healthy" movement!

Also I got an email from my Yoga instructor and he said, "If you're getting this you're in my Yoga class. Be there the first day or you'll be dropped!"

LOL that sounds like a threat. hehe

How's the cleanse going?

I really don't think people want to know about my bowel movements and what's coming out these days. Curiosity killed the cat remember!

But if you're a curious cat see: http://www.drnatura.com For what I am using.

I don't need to know what's coming out, but are you feeling better?

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Sorry Jenn I'll keep it alive! Although I don't think people want to hear about my toxin cleanse stuff in preparation for the big "Olivia gets Healthy" movement!

Also I got an email from my Yoga instructor and he said, "If you're getting this you're in my Yoga class. Be there the first day or you'll be dropped!"

LOL that sounds like a threat. hehe

How's the cleanse going?

I really don't think people want to know about my bowel movements and what's coming out these days. Curiosity killed the cat remember!

But if you're a curious cat see: http://www.drnatura.com For what I am using.

I don't need to know what's coming out, but are you feeling better?

Well it takes about a month to feel the effects but I already feel like it's working on detoxing me. I'll let ya know in 1-3 months were I am with all this.