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musicfanatic2071
Senior Member
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Posted: 24 November 2008 11:05 pm |
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Hello my name is George and I'm 16. I currently weigh around 210 pounds and I am 6 feet. I want to get down around 185 or 180 by the time April comes around and I am stuck. I usually eat a healthy bowl of cereal for breakfast like smart start or total and some milk. I have the school lunch every day. My mom usually cooks food for me but sometimes I eat food that comes pre-packaged and unfortunately we do have to order out on occasion. I play tennis and want to lose weight to get into good shape for tennis season. I play tennis 2-3 times a week for at least an hour. I also walk home from school every day and I live about 30 minutes away from my school. Any tips on how to lose the 25 pounds especially with the holidays coming up?
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r_beau
New Member
| Joined: | 12 April 2008 |
| Location: | Oregon USA |
| Posts: | 117 |
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Posted: 25 November 2008 06:30 pm |
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Hi George,
My main question to you is what KIND of foods are you eating? McDonald's, Doritos, and ice cream? Or are you eating healthy?
I know that school lunches are hard to be healthy in many schools but my advice to you is to just watch what you eat and what the amount/portion.
I know it can be hard with school too but eating 5 or 6 small meals a day (rather than 3 big main meals) can help a lot of people to lose weight. So pack a healthy snack to eat in between classes and before tennis practice.
Fill most of your plate with fruits and veggies. They are super healthy and what your body needs to grow (vital for your age!). Also, if you have a choice between "white" bread and pastas or "whole wheat", ALWAYS go for the whole wheat. It's much healthier and fills you up more.
Ordering out can be okay; you just have to watch what you order. If there are healthier options (like a salad instead of french fries), take that instead.
I also would reccommend to you is to start lifting weights! If you truly do start putting on muscle, you may notice your weight going UP on the scales. But remember that muscle weighs more than fat. However, muscle also helps to burn fat so the more muscle you have around, the better! 3 times a week is a good routine for weight lifting and work each area of your body once a week.
It also wouldn't be a bad idea to throw in cardio a few times a week when you are not playing tennis. It's a good idea to have about 5 days of cardio a week.
And now you don't have to totally deprive yourself of those tasty fatty foods BUT you do need to control and limit your intake.
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musicfanatic2071
Senior Member
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Posted: 1 December 2008 02:30 am |
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No no not McDonalds or Doritos or ice cream. I have been avoiding those types of foods to attempt to lose weight. I am going to try and watch what I am eating at school...perhaps cut out the tator tots/fries. As for the whole 5-6 small meals thing I don't think that is possible...but I am diabetic so I have 5 meals a day anyways. Breakfast, Lunch, snack when I get home from school around 3:30, dinner, then a snack before I go to sleep. I have been trying to eat as many fruits and veggies as I can. I actually had some whole wheat toast for brunch today which was good. As for lifting weights I was thinking of doing that after I have lost most of my body fat. I am thinking once I lose my body fat I can start lifting weights and gain more muscle. Also cardio might not be a great idea because I don't have any time to do that sort of thing. Well anyways I am down to 209..I lost a pound over thanksgiving which is amazing. I am hoping to get back on track this week and will record my weight loss over the next few months.
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r_beau
New Member
| Joined: | 12 April 2008 |
| Location: | Oregon USA |
| Posts: | 117 |
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Posted: 1 December 2008 03:25 am |
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musicfanatic2071 wrote: As for lifting weights I was thinking of doing that after I have lost most of my body fat. I am thinking once I lose my body fat I can start lifting weights and gain more muscle. Also cardio might not be a great idea because I don't have any time to do that sort of thing.
Yea, just as long as you have a few healthy snacks throughout the day, that will help keep you metabolism "running" at a faster fat-burning pace. I never go longer than 4 hours without eating something. I usually try to eat something every 2 to 3 hours, even if I all have time for is a litle snack.
Why do you want to wait to lift weight until AFTER you've lost fat? That makes no sense whatsoever. Start lifting weights NOW.
Having body fat has absolutely nothing to do with your capability to put on muscle. And you must have missed what I told you: Muscle burns fat. So the more muscle you put on right away, the more it will HELP to get rid of fat.
And cardio IS a great idea. Diet AND exercise go hand in hand when trying to lose weight.
If you're not going to put the time and effort into doing cardio and lifting weights, then do not expect to lose weight. Your diet habits are only one piece of the puzzle.
And please do not make the excuse that you do no have time. You are only 16. You have no idea of the concept of not having time!!! I guarantee you have the most free time of your life while you are in high school so enjoy it.
I'm currently in medical school and I am taking 9 classes and 6 labs PLUS I have a workstudy job. I have two final exams this week, 4 more next week, and 3 more the following week. And you know what? I will be at the gym every single day for at least a half an hour to get in some cardio; usually an 1 1/2. How am I able to do this? I MAKE TIME AND I PUT IN THE EFFORT.
Losing weight is a challenge and a commitment. There's no magic pill (despite all those outrageous commercials) and there's no magic diet. Put the time and effort into it or forget it. That's your choice.
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musicfanatic2071
Senior Member
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Posted: 1 December 2008 11:36 pm |
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Well one I can not drive yet so getting around is a hassle. I have school from 8-2:30 every day then I walk home and don't get home till around 3:30. Then I end up having a snack and doing diabetes stuff which lasts till around 4. From 4-5 I have been doing work on a huge project due in January that requires a lot of work. At 5-5:30 I have dinner. After dinner I usually take a shower. Then around 6:30 I do homework until it is finished which in some cases isn't until 10 or maybe on some nights if I have a lab to do 11. In between I take a break to test my blood sugar and have a snack. So when I say I don't have any time I mean I don't have any time. As for lifting weights that is a possibility but I have yet to get a job with this failing economy so I could not afford to go to a gym nearby either. Once I can drive and get money I will lift weights but as for now it seems the weight loss dice are not rolling in my favor. But I have been losing weight...I am down a total of 13 pounds since the beginning of October. At this rate I will be at my goal weight of 180 by no time.
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r_beau
New Member
| Joined: | 12 April 2008 |
| Location: | Oregon USA |
| Posts: | 117 |
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Posted: 2 December 2008 12:30 am |
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musicfanatic2071 wrote: Well one I can not drive yet so getting around is a hassle. I have school from 8-2:30 every day then I walk home and don't get home till around 3:30. Then I end up having a snack and doing diabetes stuff which lasts till around 4. From 4-5 I have been doing work on a huge project due in January that requires a lot of work. At 5-5:30 I have dinner. After dinner I usually take a shower. Then around 6:30 I do homework until it is finished which in some cases isn't until 10 or maybe on some nights if I have a lab to do 11. In between I take a break to test my blood sugar and have a snack. So when I say I don't have any time I mean I don't have any time. As for lifting weights that is a possibility but I have yet to get a job with this failing economy so I could not afford to go to a gym nearby either. Once I can drive and get money I will lift weights but as for now it seems the weight loss dice are not rolling in my favor. But I have been losing weight...I am down a total of 13 pounds since the beginning of October. At this rate I will be at my goal weight of 180 by no time.
I'll say it again: You need to MAKE time. Take a study break after dinner for 20 minutes and go for a jog around your neighborhood (if it is decent) or something like that. If you are anything like I was in high school or any other normal teenager, you're not doing homework for 4-5 hours straight every single night of the week.  Let's be serious.
There are plenty of other muscle-building things you can do without weights. Pushups are a good one. You can also do what's called circuit training. Do a couple searches on YouTube for videos; you will find lots. Circuits basically are doing many different exercises (most without gym equipment, right in your own home) in rapid succession with little to no breaks in-between. Circuits can work great for cardio as well as help build muscle. The point is is that you are being active.
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musicfanatic2071
Senior Member
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Posted: 2 December 2008 02:47 am |
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Well jogging might not be so great seeing as I live 15 minutes North of Boston where it is quite cold. I have been running on my treadmill occasionally when I have nothing else to do. But do not be surprised about the homework thing though I am in all honors classes and get a ton of work. It might not take me that whole time but it does take me a long time. As for pushups I have tried doing that but I always for some reason felt sore after doing them which is weird because push-ups aren't that tiring..as for the circuit workout I will try to look some things up if I am having trouble losing weight. If I do try certain things out I will inform you and possibly ask for some other methods. Thank you so much though for all this great information. It's great to see people out there who care about other people than themselves and take pride in sharing information on a very serious worldwide issue.
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r_beau
New Member
| Joined: | 12 April 2008 |
| Location: | Oregon USA |
| Posts: | 117 |
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Posted: 2 December 2008 02:59 am |
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musicfanatic2071 wrote: As for pushups I have tried doing that but I always for some reason felt sore after doing them which is weird because push-ups aren't that tiring..
You have your own treadmil? Fabulous! I wish I did. Yea, just hop on there and get the heart pumping and get sweaty; whatever you have time for.
Well, my dear, if you are getting sore after doing pushups, that means your muscles aren't in shape.  And whether or not they are tiring depends on how many you do. I can do 10 and feel like I've done nothing (because I haven't) or I can do 5 sets of 10 and actually get somewhere.
Bodybuilders (and people looking to put on muscle too) often do sets of weight lifting (including PUSHUPS) to exhaustion -- meaning for the last set you do any many as you can until you physically can't lift yourself anymore (exhaustion!).
Expect to be sore when you try anything for the first time. Or when you do anything that you haven't done in a long time. What happens when you don't play tennis for 1 or 2 months? I bet your arm is sore for a couple days when you pick it up again!
I sure don't know everything and I am by no means an expert, but help is always here if you need it!!
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musicfanatic2071
Senior Member
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Posted: 2 December 2008 05:43 pm |
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Haha yes well like I said I will try certain things out and see how it goes. As for the whole tennis thing I try not to let that amount of time go by before i hit but when it does happen I am out of sync and I tend to use my arms more than my legs so my arms get very sore.
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sweet kisses
Senior Member
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Posted: 4 December 2008 08:49 pm |
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Although I don't agree with r_beau about 16 year olds not knowing what it's like to not have time--we've got more on our plate than adults give us credit for--, I do agree that its never to early to start weight training. And you don't need a gym to do it. Just save up to buy a pair of dumbbells and you've practically got a whole gym right there. I don't know how much they generally cost (lol, I stole mine from my mom) but I can't imagine they're all that expensive. And they're worth the investment. Or I suppose you could somehow get your parents to buy yours for you if you can... (maybe say you wanna try for a scholarship in tennis and need to step up your game with some strength training --more muscle = more power)
And if ten pushups make you really sore, then don't do 10 silly. Do like 7 or 8 instead and build up your stregnth.
Haha, and tennis is basically the greatest sport in the world! I wish we had some indoor courts around here so I could play all year round. I'm guessing either you do or you live somewhere warm cuz you sound like you do play all year round. So jealous. 
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r_beau
New Member
| Joined: | 12 April 2008 |
| Location: | Oregon USA |
| Posts: | 117 |
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Posted: 4 December 2008 10:42 pm |
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sweet kisses wrote: Although I don't agree with r_beau about 16 year olds not knowing what it's like to not have time--we've got more on our plate than adults give us credit for--,
Hey now, I'm only 22. I was 16 not too long ago!! And I so wish I had as much time as I did when I was 16.....
Regardless; he (or anyone else who is "too busy") needs to MAKE time.
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musicfanatic2071
Senior Member
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Posted: 6 December 2008 02:23 am |
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Oh tennis is the best sport ever of course. And quite the contrary I actually live right outside of Boston Massachusetts so its quite cold. I play indoors over the fall and winter and play for my school in the spring and play during the summer. As for dumbbells I need to find some because I think I may have some around the house somewhere. As for being sore after 10 push ups I might have been pushing that a little...I can do more than 10 haha I was just not thinking straight for some reason. Well I'm weighing in on Sunday so we shall see how much I weigh.
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sweet kisses
Senior Member
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Posted: 6 December 2008 08:11 pm |
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musicfanatic2071 wrote: As for being sore after 10 push ups I might have been pushing that a little...I can do more than 10 haha I was just not thinking straight for some reason. Well I'm weighing in on Sunday so we shall see how much I weigh.
Lol, don't we all have those moments? Good luck on your weigh-in!
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musicfanatic2071
Senior Member
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Posted: 8 December 2008 11:24 am |
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Haha yes we most certainly do...well this week I weighed in at 207.5 so I'm close to getting my goal of 200 by the end of the month.
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cportwine
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 10 December 2008 10:28 pm |
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Oh, you can lose weight without the exercise, but it is not recommended. It just makes it harder that way. If your cutting calories, then the exercise will help you keep your metabolism up and running.
Time is a hard thing, my house is usually a mess, cause I choose to do my exercising over cleaning. But, I am trying to find a happy balance, and I am sure you will find something that works for you.
Anyway, congrats on about almost getting to your goal weight.
Last edited on 10 December 2008 10:28 pm by cportwine
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BJD74
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 11 December 2008 09:03 pm |
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maybe try doing some more of those pushups and add in some crunches or sit ups and even things like jumping jacks, using 1 gallon milk jugs full of water or sand...and sand exists in boston, does it not? at 16 its hard to imagine having to integrate working out into a busy schedule like yours, but you need to put thos items that you can do between studying into your regime. Study for 20 minutes, then drop and do 20 sit ups, the full military kind. Back to study time, then again 20 push ups, back to 20 min study, then 20 jumping jacks...etcetcetc... you dont have to go outside and freeze your bottom off and you dont have to let anyone see you do it. You will tone without knowing it, and yes, if you do them all in full motion each one..you should feel some pain the next day. That is what is supposed to happen, when you stop feeling it, pump it up with adding 5 more to each set. You walk home you play tennis, you eat well...but dont be surprised that as a diabetic you may have trouble losing. Its all or nothing as a diabetic. do you take medication for that? i have a condition that requires me to take Metformin, which is what type 2 diabetics often take to assist in breaking the sugar down in your system. If you are type 2 the sugar may be a trouble. Sugar and anything that is processed or white are my enemies and i need to watch them carefully. Fresh fruit is excellent too, but watch that natural sugar because overeating it can hurt you too if you cant break it down fast enough.
you are doing well, just give yourself a chance with the sit ups, pushups etc...its what you can do without spending a dime or going anywhere and sometimes you have to think outside the box to see the change.
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musicfanatic2071
Senior Member
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Posted: 13 December 2008 03:16 pm |
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yes I'm a type one so I have an insulin pump on me all the time. I will try and take your tips thanks so much..tomorrow is my weigh in so we will see what my weight is
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musicfanatic2071
Senior Member
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Posted: 14 December 2008 04:06 pm |
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Well I weighed in today and I'm 205.5...5 1/2 pounds away from my goal weight by the end of the month
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sweet kisses
Senior Member
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Posted: 15 December 2008 09:55 pm |
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That's awesome! I'm sure you'll lose that last 5 1/2 in no time!
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musicfanatic2071
Senior Member
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Posted: 16 December 2008 10:37 pm |
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thanks a lot I'm gonna try!
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cportwine
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 16 December 2008 11:03 pm |
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Great Job! Musicfanatic! 
Keep up the great work... 
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BJD74
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 17 December 2008 04:46 pm |
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so musicfan what are you doing to be so successful? share with us! :)
congratulations!!!!
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musicfanatic2071
Senior Member
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Posted: 18 December 2008 12:57 am |
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Well if you really want to know I have just been eating healthy foods all the time. Make sure I get protein as often as I can. Eat a good healthy breakfast to start my dad, go to school, walk home whenever I can, eat small snacks so I don't eat as much at dinnertime, play tennis 3 times a week for at least an hour each time. Honestly thats all I have been doing and I have been losing 2 pounds a week consistently. I will easily be down to 180 by the time tennis season comes around.
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BJD74
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 18 December 2008 01:17 pm |
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that is fantastic musicfanatic! i am envious of your success and wish that i had the same! i am very proud of you, you are setting excellent examples for your family and friends and setting yourself up for a better future health wise.
WAY TOO GO!!!!!   
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musicfanatic2071
Senior Member
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Posted: 19 December 2008 01:25 am |
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Haha thanks so much. Well I hope you get on track on your weight loss so you no longer have to be envious of me. Good luck!
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BJD74
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 19 December 2008 03:50 pm |
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thanks! i came in today at 187, but i fell sickly yesterday...to say the least. Actually, I feel like i was hit by a semi. I tossed cookies, I took like 5 baths to stay warm cuz i had the chills..still do today...havent eaten since yesterday at lunch, of which i threw up. :(
i know i need to eat, but i feel tooo ickey to eat today, i just want to get comfy but i cant. :(
have a great weekend!
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cportwine
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 19 December 2008 04:35 pm |
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| Are you sick BJ? That sucks.... lots of fluids....
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Weightloser
New Member
| Joined: | 29 April 2008 |
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| Posts: | 71 |
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Posted: 19 December 2008 04:57 pm |
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| Wow, you look in a very bad shape! Who are and where do these body invaders come from? Your body is working hard to fight them off!
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musicfanatic2071
Senior Member
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Posted: 19 December 2008 05:59 pm |
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Hey get better just remember drink a lot of fluids like water or maybe even some orange juice. OJ is good because at least it gets some carbs into your system. Also I suggest small crackers which are good for your stomach.
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Weightloser
New Member
| Joined: | 29 April 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 71 |
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Posted: 19 December 2008 06:03 pm |
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| If you want OJ, then eat the whole fruit, not the pasteurized stuff. No thanks, I stay away from processed food. Crackers? No thanks, I stay away as well from grains.
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cportwine
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 19 December 2008 06:15 pm |
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| Why would you stay away from grains. Whole grains are very good for you and full of fiber which aids in weight loss.
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musicfanatic2071
Senior Member
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Posted: 22 December 2008 09:16 pm |
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eh no dice on this weeks weigh in...still at 205.5...tennis got cancelled twice cuz of the #%@&! snow...and I had a christmas party on saturday. I'm gonna try and control myself over the vacation and hopefully get down to somewhere within 2-3 pounds of my goal weight.
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Weightloser
New Member
| Joined: | 29 April 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 71 |
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Posted: 23 December 2008 04:49 am |
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cportwine wrote: Why would you stay away from grains. Whole grains are very good for you and full of fiber which aids in weight loss.
At this stage of my diet, I prefer to stay away from the grains. I don't exclude the possibility of re-introducing them in a later stage, though.
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cportwine
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 23 December 2008 01:10 pm |
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| Enough said, I understand. There are certain foods, that I tend to avoid as well.
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Weightloser
New Member
| Joined: | 29 April 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 71 |
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Posted: 24 December 2008 05:44 am |
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There are big no-nos for me: Wheat (bread, pasta, bakery, etc.) All my favorites!!  However, I will probably re-introduce grains like lentils and brown basmati rice at a later point. For now my diet consists in eggs, peanut butter, almonds, veggie soup (cauliflower, carrots, celery), chicken, meat, apples. I drink a lot of green tea and oolong tea. A few slim Chinese friends of mine drink oolong tea. Maybe it's their secret?
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cportwine
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 24 December 2008 10:50 am |
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| I love tea! I drink tons of it. I usually just drink the instant regular stuff. But, sometimes I will do the green tea, or hot tea. I don't know if it aids in weight loss, cause I have always been a tea person even when I was fat. But, it's worth a try.
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BJD74
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 26 December 2008 01:57 pm |
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weightloser, what is oolong tea?
hey musicfanatic! how was the holiday? get lots of cool gifts???
i am up 1 pd, but considering the strain i felt for the past week, I am very happy with that small gain. I will try to get back on track, but we are having a birthday party on saturday. I am making home made pizza, and not sure what else. I will do my best to behave, I make the pizza good!! Its got mushrooms, chili, pepperoni and cheese with fresh tomatoes. The friends lap it up! I would grill but its too cold to stand outside grilling!!!!
I hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday break!!!!
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musicfanatic2071
Senior Member
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Posted: 30 December 2008 06:48 pm |
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Hey there I did not post my weight on Sunday because I have been away but I will do it tomorrow on the last day of the holidays...or maybe January 1st would be fitting because its the end of 2008 and a whole new beginning. Hopefully I dropped down a bit and hopefully did not go up :(.
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musicfanatic2071
Senior Member
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Posted: 4 January 2009 01:01 pm |
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Ok good news...weighed in today at 204.5 so I lost a pound over the vacation which is surprising. Luckily I will get back on track to my normal routine and hopefully will get down again. I am hoping by the end of this month to get down below 197 or so.
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sweet kisses
Senior Member
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Posted: 6 January 2009 03:13 am |
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| That is absolutely fantastic musicfanatic!
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musicfanatic2071
Senior Member
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Posted: 9 January 2009 01:48 am |
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Well sunday is my big weigh-in day see if I went down. I expect to be down a bit because I've been eating healthy snacks playing tennis and even doing a little core/dumbbell workout occasionally.
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BJD74
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 9 January 2009 02:36 pm |
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good for you! core working out is excellent! good job! i am happy to annouce that i have lost 7 pounds since starting the new challenge, and i owe that effort to you and all the others who keep the spirits high when we get down!!! i trust you should have a successful weigh in sunday, but keep in mind muscle weighs more than fat..so you are doing a great thing working out and upping working out..but transition of fat to muscle...may not tip scales immediately...take your time! dont be down if it isnt a big change, cuz you are working out more!
Have a great weekend!
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Weightloser
New Member
| Joined: | 29 April 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 71 |
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Posted: 11 January 2009 12:00 am |
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BJD74 wrote: weightloser, what is oolong tea?
hey musicfanatic! how was the holiday? get lots of cool gifts???
i am up 1 pd, but considering the strain i felt for the past week, I am very happy with that small gain. I will try to get back on track, but we are having a birthday party on saturday. I am making home made pizza, and not sure what else. I will do my best to behave, I make the pizza good!! Its got mushrooms, chili, pepperoni and cheese with fresh tomatoes. The friends lap it up! I would grill but its too cold to stand outside grilling!!!!
I hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday break!!!!
Oolong tea is a Chinese tea. It seems it is good for digestion. Some say it's also good for weight loss.
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musicfanatic2071
Senior Member
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Posted: 11 January 2009 03:08 am |
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Well tomorrow is the big day. I have no idea what my weight is going to be. I played tennis 3 days in a row for a total of 4 hours. Ate healthy. Except tonight I had a hot dog and fries and the diabetes forced me to drink a lot of water, milk, and eat glucose tabs and a banana. So to be honest I don't know what my weight will be...I'm just hoping its down for my first weigh in of the new year.
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musicfanatic2071
Senior Member
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Posted: 11 January 2009 08:44 pm |
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Eh....weighed in at 205.5....up a pound
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musicfanatic2071
Senior Member
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Posted: 24 January 2009 04:18 pm |
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Sorry I haven't reported in so long but I was away last weekend in NYC and will post my weight tomorrow
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musicfanatic2071
Senior Member
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Posted: 25 January 2009 03:51 pm |
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Woohoo down 3.5 pounds over the past 2 weeks to 202! I'm getting close to below 200 which would be great.
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cportwine
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 25 January 2009 03:53 pm |
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| That's great! Keep it going...
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musicfanatic2071
Senior Member
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Posted: 29 January 2009 01:59 am |
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Thanks so much...I'm really hoping to drop down to 200 or lower this week so wish me luck!
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cportwine
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 29 January 2009 02:24 am |
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| Well, GOOD LUCK! I am sure you can. I will be cheering for you!!
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