Which Weight Loss Plan Works the Best?

I know, I know. But what I left out was that I'm having such terrible low back pain that I really can't do much exercise yet, until I actually loose some of the weight 1st! I'm not obese at all, but extra weight on a spine curvature, really kills you. I goota lose SOME wht. 1st, then do some power walking, cycling, etc.
(& I have been to chiro's. ortho's, p.t., the works...)
Thanks for the advice.

How long does the depression last? I am up 10 pounds after keeping 50 off for a year...south beach. I hate this weepy, weak feeling.

Well, my daughter went off to college two years ago. My husband and I were married 15 years when she was born. I had been to infertility specialists all over the Southeast, and they told me that it was impossible for me to get pregnant, but miraculously I did. At 26 weeks into the pregnancy, I went into labor. I was hospitalized on anti-contraction drugs for two months. Then for the next 10 years I underwent infertility treatments. We lost two babies.

So needless to say we doted on our only child. She's the most intelligent, gifted, fun, and cool person I've ever known, and we love doing the same things - beaching, shopping, cooking, traveling, dining at nice restaurants. She is my best friend. I miss the hell out of her. I'm glad she's having fun, and I know she needs to build her own life. But the void in my life is difficult for me to deal with. I profoundly miss having that ebullient creature bounce into the house every afternoon. It grieves me.

So, how long does it take to get used to the empty nest? I don't know yet.

One big girl whom I know once told me when we were talking about dietsand losing weight, "It aint rocket science -- you just need to eat less calories than you burn." I agree. Exercise, exercise, exercise.

This is true!!!

One big girl whom I know once told me when we were talking about dietsand losing weight, "It aint rocket science -- you just need to eat less calories than you burn." I agree. Exercise, exercise, exercise.

And that is all true. Until I hit late 40's, I was always thin. It really does change for women. It just dosen't come off as quickly. Seems to stay on, sort of that "hibernation" mode.

This is true!!!

Plantar fasciitis has stopped my running since January. And I have a bad knee from an accident from riding a bike with my hands and feet waving in the air when I was in grad school at UF (my brother was 12 and we were doing bike tricks). Before January I was running 25 miles a week. Now I can't do any exercise that doesn't hurt. I might just run the Buckhead Sizzler on Saturday and deal with the pain.

I know, I know. But what I left out was that I'm having such terrible low back pain that I really can't do much exercise yet, until I actually loose some of the weight 1st! I'm not obese at all, but extra weight on a spine curvature, really kills you. I goota lose SOME wht. 1st, then do some power walking, cycling, etc.
(& I have been to chiro's. ortho's, p.t., the works...)
Thanks for the advice.

Sounds like you need to work on the abdominals. If you are able to, try stomach crunches. It will strengthen your torso and should help you get started.

Sounds like you need to work on the abdominals. If you are able to, try stomach crunches. It will strengthen your torso and should help you get started.

Yep..that's what the specialists all say...strengthen that core!!! Problem is m muscles keep laughing at me...I am serious!!!

Sounds like you need to work on the abdominals. If you are able to, try stomach crunches. It will strengthen your torso and should help you get started.

Thanks. I know. I need to work on that "core," get the muscles back, etc. so I can do the walking along with losing some weight. I guess I have to "work" at it now.

Thanks. I know. I need to work on that "core," get the muscles back, etc. so I can do the walking along with losing some weight. I guess I have to "work" at it now.

Johnrudy, you can do it. First you have to make the decision to do it. You are in the same boat as most of us, knowing what we need to do, but too often, chosing to do differently. Sometimes, with so much opposition between the two, I wonder how my brain and stomach are in this same body. One says feed me now, and I don't care what it is, and the other, usually after the fact, says why did you do that? You know better than that. I am sure you can guess which organ said what.

Believe in yourself. Have friends encourage you along the way. You CAN do it. Baby steps. In one day, you wont see results. However, in one moment, you can create a habit that will change your world, as you know it, forever. Begin now!

I know, I know. But what I left out was that I'm having such terrible low back pain that I really can't do much exercise yet, until I actually loose some of the weight 1st! I'm not obese at all, but extra weight on a spine curvature, really kills you. I goota lose SOME wht. 1st, then do some power walking, cycling, etc.
(& I have been to chiro's. ortho's, p.t., the works...)
Thanks for the advice.

:arrow: Serious post by the Otter :!: For lower back pain try taking fish oil in the mornings. I MAY help (studies have shown, etc...) I take the liquid stuff because I hear the pills have a real bad after taste and the liquid is way eaiser to take. Have you tried swimming? Swimming (I know ... I'm an otter) is a NO impact sport and really burns calories.

Johnrudy, you can do it. First you have to make the decision to do it. You are in the same boat as most of us, knowing what we need to do, but too often, chosing to do differently. Sometimes, with so much opposition between the two, I wonder how my brain and stomach are in this same body. One says feed me now, and I don't care what it is, and the other, usually after the fact, says why did you do that? You know better than that. I am sure you can guess which organ said what.

Believe in yourself. Have friends encourage you along the way. You CAN do it. Baby steps. In one day, you wont see results. However, in one moment, you can create a habit that will change your world, as you know it, forever. Begin now!

Such truth spoken here! Jr...start a thread for encouraging each other in this quest! SJ's last pp would be a great starter! I will let you know about these "magical" sneakers I bought. Pilates is a supposedly good way to address the core...I FOUND IT VERY EXPENSIVE, but I imagine if I had stuck with it, my wallet and my step would be lighter now!!

Well, my daughter went off to college two years ago. My husband and I were married 15 years when she was born. I had been to infertility specialists all over the Southeast, and they told me that it was impossible for me to get pregnant, but miraculously I did. At 26 weeks into the pregnancy, I went into labor. I was hospitalized on anti-contraction drugs for two months. Then for the next 10 years I underwent infertility treatments. We lost two babies.

So needless to say we doted on our only child. She's the most intelligent, gifted, fun, and cool person I've ever known, and we love doing the same things - beaching, shopping, cooking, traveling, dining at nice restaurants. She is my best friend. I miss the hell out of her. I'm glad she's having fun, and I know she needs to build her own life. But the void in my life is difficult for me to deal with. I profoundly miss having that ebullient creature bounce into the house every afternoon. It grieves me.

So, how long does it take to get used to the empty nest? I don't know yet.

BR, this brought tears to my eyes this morning. I know one day I'll feel the same way. I enjoy my daughter so much and I know in a few years she'll be out of the house and on her own. I'll try not to think about that :::tears again::: and enjoy the years I have left with her. IF she lets me. I keep hearing how bad the teen years are going to be. I hope not...she's such a loving child, always giving me hugs and telling me she loves me. I hope that doesn't change too much. Hang in there, your daughter sounds like a really neat young lady...probably just like her Mom.

BR, this brought tears to my eyes this morning. I know one day I'll feel the same way. I enjoy my daughter so much and I know in a few years she'll be out of the house and on her own. I'll try not to think about that :::tears again::: and enjoy the years I have left with her. IF she lets me. I keep hearing how bad the teen years are going to be. I hope not...she's such a loving child, always giving me hugs and telling me she loves me. I hope that doesn't change too much. Hang in there, your daughter sounds like a really neat young lady...probably just like her Mom.

Just enjoy every precious minute with your children because, as I've said elsewhere on this board, time just flies by. One minute they're entering 8th grade, and the next minute you're packing them up for college.

Congratulations on having such a good relationship with your daughter. Not everyone can say that. You must be a very good Mom.

Thanks for the kind words.

This thread is very interesting - between being heavy anyway, quitting smoking, and three years of infertility treatments, I find myself about 70 over...and exercise has been limited due to some medical issues which culminated in major abdominal surgery (the big H) in February. I am feeling much better now, but fat. I am just now getting to where I can attempt abdominal exercises again. I do walk my dog, but that's not consistent exercise. Either she is dragging me, or I am dragging her.

My husband and I are looking at different options...we will let y'all know what/if we decide!

These are all great ideas and suggestions and it easier to do when you have sort of a buddy system, that's why WW is so effective. But don't forget ALWAYS check with your doctor before you put yourself on any kind of fad diet or start a new exercise program! Very important. Good luck to you. (I'd give advise, but I seem to yoyo every few years - so you don't want my tips )

These are all great ideas and suggestions and it easier to do when you have sort of a buddy system, that's why WW is so effective. But don't forget ALWAYS check with your doctor before you put yourself on any kind of fad diet or start a new exercise program! Very important. Good luck to you. (I'd give advise, but I seem to yoyo every few years - so you don't want my tips )

My doctor agrees with you! He believes whenever you deprive yourself, you set yourself up for a fall. Balance is the key...and that is the dilemma! I think my problem (and some moms will see this too!) is that as a young mom, I didn't take care of myself. My husband's job was/is very demanding and I had no family in town. I did the volunteer track until I learned to say NO! at 40...(except for school stuff). I wore myself out! Now, with the empty nest, my life is full of opportunities and I can get paralyzed with the choices. I am getting better at it everyday!

My doctor agrees with you! He believes whenever you deprive yourself, you set yourself up for a fall. Balance is the key...and that is the dilemma! I think my problem (and some moms will see this too!) is that as a young mom, I didn't take care of myself. My husband's job was/is very demanding and I had no family in town. I did the volunteer track until I learned to say NO! at 40...(except for school stuff). I wore myself out! Now, with the empty nest, my life is full of opportunities and I can get paralyzed with the choices. I am getting better at it everyday!

I can definitely relate to that? I?m in the wear myself out phase right now! Three kids in grade school, volunteering, sports, dance and more sports?.. well I hardly get a moment for ME! I?m trying though.. I bought some really good workout CD?s from Beachbody.com. I really like them and they seem to be working. I really like the Power 90 and the Slim in 6. I am trying to cut down on carbs too....But I really like my red wine! I started walking about a month ago. I try to walk 1 - 2 miles each day during the week (not on weekends).

Check out Wowy.com You can log in and virtually work out with people all over the country. It has calendars so you can track your success and your workout schedule. They also have a buddy system although I have never used it.

Just enjoy every precious minute with your children because, as I've said elsewhere on this board, time just flies by. One minute they're entering 8th grade, and the next minute you're packing them up for college.

Congratulations on having such a good relationship with your daughter. Not everyone can say that. You must be a very good Mom.

Thanks for the kind words.

BR and OL,

From a Mom that has now seen both children graduate from college. One is married(talk about tough!) and about to make me a first time Grana. Let me just say, to some degree you never stop having that empty nest sadness. i still leave my son's mail in the same spot on the stairs. I still have some of their stuff from birth to grown up packed away.

On the other hand. We are able to enjoy ourselves on so many more levels now. Mom's never let go of all those sweet memories. It will get better BR. Trust me. It will. My two are the best things I've ever done in my life. But, I'm so proud of the young adults they have become. It's awesome!

My daughter reminded me last week that I always told her, "give your babies roots and wings. The roots are easy. The wings are hard as hell. But in the end they'll be glad you did."

I know your daughter appreciates and respects the fact you are giving her wings. She will know one day at what price they came.

Gosh. If anyone wants to feel all the love and concern everyone on this board has for each other, all they need to do is read this post.

Feel the love & emotion is right!! I would never have tho't a weight thread would turn to this! But then again, weight is such an emotional thing, that it does make since after all. Thanks to everyone for all the excellent advice, links, etc. on weight loss.
Now on to the "maternal" issues which seems to be so powerful to most of us, whether our children are out of the house or have reached certain junctures. My son (an only child) will be 15 this month so we're not quite where some of you are but I can certainly relate and feel your pain. I think about losing that closeness and even some control. But the "give them roots & then give them their wings" really hit home just now! Wow!!!!! But it's just so hard.
He is going to his 1st real high school Homecoming game tonight, dance tomorrow and all the festivities. It's all so exciting for him but it really hits a soft spot for my husband and me. It's true how time flies. It seems like just yesterday we were taking him to see his first real movie at the movie theatre to see Snow White. That was 10, short years ago.

and not a dry eye in the place....

BR and OL,

From a Mom that has now seen both children graduate from college. One is married(talk about tough!) and about to make me a first time Grana. Let me just say, to some degree you never stop having that empty nest sadness. i still leave my son's mail in the same spot on the stairs. I still have some of their stuff from birth to grown up packed away.

On the other hand. We are able to enjoy ourselves on so many more levels now. Mom's never let go of all those sweet memories. It will get better BR. Trust me. It will. My two are the best things I've ever done in my life. But, I'm so proud of the young adults they have become. It's awesome!

My daughter reminded me last week that I always told her, "give your babies roots and wings. The roots are easy. The wings are hard as hell. But in the end they'll be glad you did."

I know your daughter appreciates and respects the fact you are giving her wings. She will know one day at what price they came.

Oh, gosh, that's SOOOOO sweet. I'm crying.

There are some awesome people on this board.

Don't worry too much...after going through all that you all have talked about, and I have ... sometimes they MOVE BACK HOME! (But that's OK too.)

Don't worry too much...after going through all that you all have talked about, and I have ... sometimes they MOVE BACK HOME! (But that's OK too.)

I hear ya. My brother didn't move out of Mom's house until he was in his early thirties (Mom thought he'd never leave). And I just got a text message saying that I paid for a dinner for 10 in Midtown Atlanta since my daughter didn't have cash and the restaurant doesn't split checks, so she put it all on her(=my) card. Oh, well. Glad she's enjoying herself. I certainly did as an undergrad at Tulane. It's the best time of your life, other than having your babies.

And did I say how much I love my husband? I am so proud of him. After enduring open-heart surgery, he just got a big promotion. I love my family!

OOPS! Guess this is a tangent, but actually it is very relevant to weight loss/gain.