finding the right diet

Question
-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
Hello,

I'm actually trying to find the right diet and exercise plan for my wife. She is 29yr, only 4'11" and 180lbs. Last year we went on a diet together where she went down to 165. We switch to wheat everything, rice, pasta, bread, flour. We also don't really eat red meat, just poultry and fish. We also picked up our daily intake of fruits and water. She was doing the Taebo exercise tapes 3 to 4 times a week. But after about 5 months she hit a plateau and lost interest. She is a full time student and has a bit of stress on her that also contributes to her health. When she was in her late teens she was bulimic and took laxatives. I really don't want her to revert to those ways. I'm trying to find a safe and healthy way to help her lose about 40lbs. what do you suggest?
Answer -
Well, you've (hopefully) learned that diets don't work. Never did. Never will. If something isn't a lifestyle, it's going to fail in nearly 100% of all cases AND result in an additional 20% weight gain.

 You've got the right idea with the switches you've made in products, but where's the FUN? If you're not allowing for occassional treats of what you really like, including fats and sugars, then you're just going to feel denied, depressed and crave them.
 If Tae Bo isn't something you look forward to, then it's not going to be anything but a chore. Knowing the basic moves, how about putting the headphones on with your favorite music and incorporating this into just plain, fun dancing?
 A regular power walk (walking briskly) is also an excellent exercise. If there's a pool available, swimming is the number ONE most beneficial overall exercise.
Even something as simple as putting in a few hours a week volunteering for a cause you LIKE (animal care, schools, environment, politics) - as long as it's not 'behind a desk' duties, will also contribute to a higher metabolism and less food intake.

 One of the most important things to do? GET RID OF THE SCALE!  It lies. It is the enemy! I'm completely serious.  Test it. Put a 5 lb weight/barbell on the scale and record what it says (5 lbs). Now, put 5 lbs of feathers on it (which may be a COUPLE of bed pillows). It says 5 lbs.
 There is an obvious difference in these masses, like there's a difference between muscle weight and fat/water weight, but the scale just says "5 lbs".

Take a look at my site for more about this and how to find easy ways to tweak lifestyle - NO diets, NO products, NO pills, NO plans.  It's just not that complicated.

 www.GetTheReal.info

(By the way, I understand first hand how frustrated and hopeless your wife must feel. She, and you, can email me anytime as you go through this, either here or thru my site)


Thank you for the info and quick response. Actually we were already doing most of the things you suggested. On sundays we would eat something sugary or whatever we ate before. On saturdays we would go swimming for about 1 1/2 hrs. We would also go walking, rollerblading and bike riding. My wife would walk about 20 city blocks a day with a 40lb backpack just going between classes. We love to dance and just as we walk passed each other we'll just start dancing for a couple of minutes. She's not the most athletic person but she'll try and sometimes we'll go play basketball or volleyball. Sometimes we'll pick up my 4yr nephew an take turns running after him.
You're absolutely right the scale does lie. I myself don't pay much attention to it. I'll weigh myself monthly or sometimes bimonthly. My wife on the other hand is another story. She'll see the scale at least once a week. She also uses a tape measure.
She wants to lose weight and keep it off. I want to help her and make sure she doesn't do anything that may cause her any damage. I guess I'm trying to find out what would work best for her?

Answer
It sounds like she might be gaining muscle with all that activity! Maybe breaking it down a bit will change things. Seriously, this often helps what looks like plateaus. Just 1/3 reduction should make a difference in a month. Once that happens you'll know for sure what's going on. Otherwise, a food diary might uncover some intake that often surprises us. We don't think that 'little spoon' of peanut butter matters, the handful of dry cereal, the string cheese, etc., but I've seen people who had an extra THOUSAND calories in a day (or even more) this way. I think the worst was the lady who didn't count her morning Krispy Kreme from the office kitchen, OR the little burger meal she had just before her Slim Fast and the couple of cereal bars before bed (I can't make this stuff up).
 Keep me informed. I'm interested in knowing what's going on.

1. Prev:vitamins & power juices
2. Next:WORKING OUT YET NO WEIGHT LOSS