One year to feel and look better...where do I start?

[Anonymous]

Condition yourself to not eat anything after a certain time. For me, with my schedule, 5 pm works. I basically eat whatever I want during my eating window which is whenever I wake up to about 8-10 hours later. This is 5 on days I work but varies on weekends and holidays.

When I started I did not try to change what I eat very much, I just ate what I wanted or what I was used to. The main thing I did differently was follow the no eating after 5 rule religiously. It was hard at first because like you I was used to snacking a bit in the evening. And sometimes I used to eat dinner late, like 8-9 pm. I don't do either of those at all anymore.

I've been doing this for about two months and lost 9 lbs without much trouble. I have not added exercise at all. As I got used to the new eating schedule I began eating a relatively light dinner (between 4 and 5 pm) like for instance a salad and a lean cuisine. (I also sometimes just cooked something that was relatively light.) That helped accelerate the weight loss a bit and was not difficult because although I would get hungry again around 8 or 9 I would then only have an hour or two to use my will power until I went to bed.

This is similar to intermittent fasting and I find I feel better physically from not eating after 5, giving my body a chance to digest the day's food without adding more on top, and waking up hungry.

So, it's a relatively easy and painless way to lose some weight, you might want to give it a try. I think it's also something I can sustain indefinitely. I do occasionally make exceptions, like if I want to go out to dinner with others at a later time, but that doesn't seem to derail my weight loss if it's only occasionally.

[Anonymous]

Could you try weight lifting? It has been a life changer for me. I am not someone who enjoys cardio but I am good at slowly increasing weights. After 4 years I can now deadlift 210 pounds and squat 140 pounds. I weigh 130 at 5'8. I no longer have any cellulite and have a six pack. I think it is good for someone who likes a slower pace but really wants to maximise impact.

[Anonymous]

I lost about 25 lbs in a year. Went from 128 lbs to 103 lbs at 5’ tall. Didn’t realize how much I had gained until one day just woke up to it. I had always been skinny my whole life and then had been diagnosed with Graves’ disease and hashimotos.

What worked for me was eating less carbs and exercising. I started out walking a lot and then eventually jogging and now run about 5k 3-4 times a week. I feel so much better. I’ve gone down from size 6 to size 0. Also make sure not to snack after dinner and get plenty of sleep.

[Anonymous]

In addition to the sustainable diet changes - as in what you will eat for the rest of your life - weight lifting is key to looking smoking hot by next year.

The weight lifting won't necessarily help you with the weight loss but will help your body appearance immensely. Free weights and make them heavy. Get a personal trainer for help. The best I ever looked what when I dropped long distance running and focused on weight lifting. My personal body mechanics makes me susceptible to injury from too much running.

[Anonymous]

If you have Hashimotos, I strongly encourage you to start a paleo diet! I have an autoimmune disorder and my JHU doctor put me on a paleo diet; it has been amazing! Weight dropped off and all other issues have dramatically decreased.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you have Hashimotos, I strongly encourage you to start a paleo diet! I have an autoimmune disorder and my JHU doctor put me on a paleo diet; it has been amazing! Weight dropped off and all other issues have dramatically decreased.

Yes, op, you could be me.... I first, i sogned up for weight lifting at the gym. Asked mely trainer to focus on slower exercises with heavy weights, not a ton of reps to aid in recovery. High rep and HIIT type exercises are not recommended for hypo / hashimotos due to difficulty reapiring muscles and recovery.

Next I adopted a paleo diet, which is similar to a lot of the anti inflammatory recommendations as well, without obsessing over every single little detail of the diet plan. I used Noom fitness to track eating, and it was so hard, you really do have to learn to measure and count each little thing you eat and drink. I found glaring weak spots (wine and cheese , crackers, etc before dinner) in my diet and slowly worked to eliminate or seriously cut down. I am not someo e who can be really really strict but I made big strides. Super painful overall but a needed step. I loved the program because they coach you through set backs and gave a lot of content.

A few months ago I came across the research on hashimotos and keto....so the last change was adding the keto angle. this resulted In the biggest shift on how I feel. Addicted to the bulletproof coffee. I literally feel like myself again. Lots of energy.

I am almost one year later. Weirdest thing is that I havent lost that much weight on the scale, maybe eight lbs total. But my entire body and life have been transformed! I fit into totally different clothes and my body looks nothing like it did. I have amazing muscle tone, my skin is soft, and luxurious glossy hair. My thyroid symptoms have disappeared. My husband tells me I look 10 yrs younger. Really happy.

As I have built strength, I am starting to try to work back higher reps and more cardio to address that weakness. It is a long process, enjoy finding your way! And good luck!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the deal with Kayla Itsines

Her site is paid it looks like.

She looks amazing - I think her secret is work out, eat well, and be 26 - her age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you have Hashimotos, I strongly encourage you to start a paleo diet! I have an autoimmune disorder and my JHU doctor put me on a paleo diet; it has been amazing! Weight dropped off and all other issues have dramatically decreased.

Yes, op, you could be me.... I first, i sogned up for weight lifting at the gym. Asked mely trainer to focus on slower exercises with heavy weights, not a ton of reps to aid in recovery. High rep and HIIT type exercises are not recommended for hypo / hashimotos due to difficulty reapiring muscles and recovery.

Next I adopted a paleo diet, which is similar to a lot of the anti inflammatory recommendations as well, without obsessing over every single little detail of the diet plan. I used Noom fitness to track eating, and it was so hard, you really do have to learn to measure and count each little thing you eat and drink. I found glaring weak spots (wine and cheese , crackers, etc before dinner) in my diet and slowly worked to eliminate or seriously cut down. I am not someo e who can be really really strict but I made big strides. Super painful overall but a needed step. I loved the program because they coach you through set backs and gave a lot of content.

A few months ago I came across the research on hashimotos and keto....so the last change was adding the keto angle. this resulted In the biggest shift on how I feel. Addicted to the bulletproof coffee. I literally feel like myself again. Lots of energy.

I am almost one year later. Weirdest thing is that I havent lost that much weight on the scale, maybe eight lbs total. But my entire body and life have been transformed! I fit into totally different clothes and my body looks nothing like it did. I have amazing muscle tone, my skin is soft, and luxurious glossy hair. My thyroid symptoms have disappeared. My husband tells me I look 10 yrs younger. Really happy.

As I have built strength, I am starting to try to work back higher reps and more cardio to address that weakness. It is a long process, enjoy finding your way! And good luck!!!

NP. Great story, thanks for sharing! Can I ask, how old are you and do you have children?

[Anonymous]

I would join weight watchers--you can do it online rather than the meetings if you prefer but I liked the accountability of weekly weigh-ins. It's focused on protein and fiber with low sugar and saturated fat--I found it difficult as a vegetarian carb-lover but if you're gluten-free and eat fish it might be easier.

Drink lots of water and tea. Go to sleep early, before your after-dinner snacking starts. Just eat dinner, do whatever chores you need, have one relatively healthy treat (I do jello with fruit, a small cup of pudding, ice cream bar, cup of cocoa--something measured out), brush your teeth, and go to bed.

Yes to weight training (hiring a trainer works better for me than going to classes--but anything is better than nothing, and I figure that every hour I'm at the gym is an hour I'm not eating!), running (or cycling or swimming but even though I hate running it really works for me--but especially intervals) and just adding more walking to your life. Get off the metro one stop early. Park far away from the store.

Even if you don't lose 20 lbs, you'll feel stronger and better a year from now! Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you have Hashimotos, I strongly encourage you to start a paleo diet! I have an autoimmune disorder and my JHU doctor put me on a paleo diet; it has been amazing! Weight dropped off and all other issues have dramatically decreased.

Yes, op, you could be me.... I first, i sogned up for weight lifting at the gym. Asked mely trainer to focus on slower exercises with heavy weights, not a ton of reps to aid in recovery. High rep and HIIT type exercises are not recommended for hypo / hashimotos due to difficulty reapiring muscles and recovery.

Next I adopted a paleo diet, which is similar to a lot of the anti inflammatory recommendations as well, without obsessing over every single little detail of the diet plan. I used Noom fitness to track eating, and it was so hard, you really do have to learn to measure and count each little thing you eat and drink. I found glaring weak spots (wine and cheese , crackers, etc before dinner) in my diet and slowly worked to eliminate or seriously cut down. I am not someo e who can be really really strict but I made big strides. Super painful overall but a needed step. I loved the program because they coach you through set backs and gave a lot of content.

A few months ago I came across the research on hashimotos and keto....so the last change was adding the keto angle. this resulted In the biggest shift on how I feel. Addicted to the bulletproof coffee. I literally feel like myself again. Lots of energy.

I am almost one year later. Weirdest thing is that I havent lost that much weight on the scale, maybe eight lbs total. But my entire body and life have been transformed! I fit into totally different clothes and my body looks nothing like it did. I have amazing muscle tone, my skin is soft, and luxurious glossy hair. My thyroid symptoms have disappeared. My husband tells me I look 10 yrs younger. Really happy.

As I have built strength, I am starting to try to work back higher reps and more cardio to address that weakness. It is a long process, enjoy finding your way! And good luck!!!

OP here. Thanks for the info! Can you tell me a little more about Noom fitness? Is it worth the cost and how is it different from MFP or cronometer?

I think paleo and keto would be hard as a mostly vegetarian who sometimes eats dish. I am also allergic to nuts. Do you think it would be doable?

I agree that weights would be the best way to change my body composition.

[Anonymous]

My advice:

Intermittent fasting (don’t eat from you last nightly snack until 14 hrs later - I’m a big late snacker and this worked for me and it was much easier to skip breakfast than give up on my “bedtime snack”. Ps. I always had coffee with a splash of milk in Am without problem).

Weight training 1x a week with a PT. Yes -
You will see results with 1x a week as long as you use heavy weights.

Bar classes - much better / safer IMO than orange theory. And great toning.

Running - do you hate it? If you can run 2x a week 3 miles at a time that will definitely help with calorie burn.

Ps. In my experience, cutting out entire groups of food (ie carbs) does nada and it is better to up the calorie but. And track colonies in / out. IM helped me feel fuller during the periods when I had less control and that is ultimat my what helped me loose weight and keep it off (5’2 and lost 15 lbs 4 years ago)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Condition yourself to not eat anything after a certain time. For me, with my schedule, 5 pm works. I basically eat whatever I want during my eating window which is whenever I wake up to about 8-10 hours later. This is 5 on days I work but varies on weekends and holidays.

When I started I did not try to change what I eat very much, I just ate what I wanted or what I was used to. The main thing I did differently was follow the no eating after 5 rule religiously. It was hard at first because like you I was used to snacking a bit in the evening. And sometimes I used to eat dinner late, like 8-9 pm. I don't do either of those at all anymore.

I've been doing this for about two months and lost 9 lbs without much trouble. I have not added exercise at all. As I got used to the new eating schedule I began eating a relatively light dinner (between 4 and 5 pm) like for instance a salad and a lean cuisine. (I also sometimes just cooked something that was relatively light.) That helped accelerate the weight loss a bit and was not difficult because although I would get hungry again around 8 or 9 I would then only have an hour or two to use my will power until I went to bed.

This is similar to intermittent fasting and I find I feel better physically from not eating after 5, giving my body a chance to digest the day's food without adding more on top, and waking up hungry.

So, it's a relatively easy and painless way to lose some weight, you might want to give it a try. I think it's also something I can sustain indefinitely. I do occasionally make exceptions, like if I want to go out to dinner with others at a later time, but that doesn't seem to derail my weight loss if it's only occasionally.

I just posted about IM and want to point out that if you prefer to eat late you can do so!! Simply wait 14 hours from last snack to next meal. I am MUCH happier drinking coffee at breakfast and then eating my calories from lunch until after my dinner snacks. No I am not eating disordered for skipping breakfast - I would just rather eat at night!

[Anonymous]

look into 21 day fix from beach body. Work out at home and follow the meal plan. Worked great for DW

[Anonymous]

Watch "What the health?" on Netflix. I don't know about looking better, but I have drastically reduced animal product intake over the last two weeks and I feel a lot less sluggish.

[Anonymous]

I love yoga, but it's very time consuming, and given your goals, I think I would do:

1 yoga class per week
1 or 2 weight sessions per week

And bump up your walks to 3x per week.

You can also integrate some of these things ... for example, go for a 30-minute walk, and stop at 10 minutes and do 10 pushups; stop at 20 minutes and do triceps dips off a bench; do abs when you stop.