I dont know what to think. For years, everything and anything you read will tell you eat less and work out more and you will lose weight. Now there are studies that are proving because your brain is wired to think that once you have your 60 mins of exercise, you think nothing of eating another roti. Or because you climbed the Stairmaster, you are entitled to sit on the park bench instead of kicking a ball with your child.
Did you know Rats have something called brown fat which makes rat practically impossible to become obese even if they are force-fed.Humans dont have enough of this” brown fat” . (The guy who can bottle brown fat will instantly become a gazillionaire)We have white fat which takes any extra calorie and stores it. Who knew there was such a science to losing weight? I sure didnt. Now should I go to the gym or will it make me extra hungry? Will it make lose weight or gain weight?
One of the things which I did early on when I was starting to lose weight, was to journal everything that passed through my mouth. I used sparkspeople.com and then later used an app on my G1. I did it for 2-3 weeks,stopped and started again late last year. It was one of the best things to do while on a weightloss mission. You will realize how much crap you are eating mindlessly. (of course the key is to be honest) I was eating too much of my kids’ leftovers. That brought my calorie intake over on alot of days. I also did of alot mindless grazing while cooking. And I didnt drink enough water. I figured all this out just by writing down my food. Then I stopped, I was successful at my weightloss. My clothes were loose. The compliments were coming in. People were asking what is my secret. I grew cocky. I havent gained weight since I stopped. But thats because I work out and do alot with the kids all day long. We never stay home. A park, a playdate, the swimming pool all apparently just as good as the gym. But I am still about 20 lbs over what I want to be. And I think its time to start the writing down my daily meals again.Writing down each BLT(bite,lick and taste)
I havent done it since last Dec. I need to start again to see what I am doing again. Its boring work to write everything down. Maybe I will post my food intake on the sidebar? Because you dont know nearly enough about me. I feel the need to share more.
hello,
long long time lurker- can i just say you are my hero? Sometimes when Iam not motivated to workout, I read your blog and I feel so guilty for not going to the gym when clearly I dont have half as much going on as you.. I have a lot of weight to lose, even though I work out quite a bit, the eating is still out of whack. so Iam hoping seeing your food journal will motivate me to eat less and all that- since you are my gold standard for weight loss!
Me: YAY A lurker to combat the troll. Sure, it will give motivation to note down my food and make sure I am not eating the kid’s crap.
I try so hard to do that – but then on the days I KNOW I’ve eaten really badly I won;t just so I don;t see the actual calorie figures and promise I’ll start again the next day.
I need tough love. Time for a trainer perhaps?
Me: Did you read the article? I took out this chunk for you. I have read-re-read that article and still am unsure about the whole science of losing weight.
” Because you dont know nearly enough about me. I feel the need to share more.” That cracked me up. Who cares, if you want to put it up here, do it lady. But that is a good plan, you are working on. 20lbs to go? It will work off soon, the way you are at it, I am sure. And I don’t believe that article, because it works the exact opposite way for me, I eat like a glutton when I am not working out, has a lot to do with endorphins and stuff I believe!
The key is to eat right like you said.. protein before and after workout.. going easy on the carbs and fat and eating loads of protein and fiber helps! And ofcourse laods of water.. cold water is very good! But running and thinking you have license to that cheese cake now doesnt help
sigh!! Sometimes I think might as well be over weight and happy rather than slim and starving.. what say 
hehe!! Sorry.. you are doing great girl.. keep it up!!
Me: Sometimes, I think why am I killing myself. Be happy with the slight muffin top and the slight flab when I wave..:)Are you back or still in India?
Just being motivated to work out when you have four kids to run after is amazing!
It must be burning off all your calories – just read your post about the aquarium trip – can’t imagine how tiring it must be – I find it hard enough to keep track of two kids in those kind of places!
Me:Its is mentally exhausting to keep track of all 4 of them. We split into 2 groups to keep our sanity intact.
Like GM, it works the other way for me. The days I work out, I am far more in control, rather than when I don’t.
One reason might be that I graze when I am not active.. and I have noticed that when I do wake up early to exercise, I end up with a more productive day
Have to try what you did – about writing down everything you eat. I eat a lot of my daughter’s leftovers too…
You are doing so well! Am sure those 20lbs will drop off soon!
I know! I saw this and was really thinking if I should workout at all..hehe.
But jokes aside, I do eat well and exercise, and as a consequence neither do I out on weight nor lose it. Maybe this theory is right then? But on the flip side, I KNOW I will not stop eating, so I WILL put on weight if I stopped working out!
But like all commentators are saying, Do I want to be slightly fat and happy than kill myself and still be slightly fat?
oh yes I read it too…weird but I agree that exercise does make one feel hungry and the key is to eat sensibly after that
and me maintains that dairy as well, I trick I learnt long ago from someone and really really helps , u just when u are going wrong
Exercise kills… at least it give you a lot of unnecessary pain. Ask me… a childhood game injury has snowballed into a surgery for me!
Me: Oh no! That sucks. My kids recently started skateboarding(for the 5 and 7 yr old) and roller blading(the 10 yr old) and I close my eyes whenever they are practicing.
I subscribe to the philosophy of “eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die”!
Me:
so need to have a chat with you on this whole diet weight loss effort. I so want to get into it seriously.
I’d be interested too in the food list too. Do it! I find it helpful too. I used an app on my iPhone called LoseIt! It worked in the sense that I lost weight, but then, like you, I got cocky and lazy about entering in everything I ate.
Me: I got lazy. I use an app called FatLossSecret.(its free one who wants to pay $2.99) and it worked well but it was such a pain to look up stuff. Not to mention sometimes I wouldnt know how many calories an Indian dish would have.
Also, just wanted to say how great you look! In your pics, you’ve clearly lost weight, but I was not prepared for how skinny you are in person! You looked fabulous. Even AJ said so. Keep it up! =)
Me: Anita, me and skinny have never been used in the same sentence but thanks!
This is really confusing now!!! Is there any article that says to eat carbs to lose weight? I think I will wait patiently for that one
Arey, one more of those contradictory Research findings. Phew! What all we poor people are subjected to.
Anyways, you already know what technique works best for you, so all’s still good.
Yes, a list of your BLT on the sidebar would be interesting. Bring ‘em on!
Only problem I see is reading them and drooling at the thought and grabbing my own bite every time
S,
there has been significant research on the fact that keeping a food diary doubles your chances of weight loss – so writing down what you ate is an excellent habit. Also, up your chances for success by having a menu for the week written down. If you have a plan and know what you are going to eat, then those unhealthy foods don’t beckon *after* hunger hits.
Me: I dont know whether I have it in me to plan a entire week’s menu. And those unhealthy food are always going to tempt one. Plan or No Plan
Other than that – honestly, I follow the following mantra “eat in moderation, excersice in moderation and stop obsessing about the weight”.
I put on so much weight during the pregnancy that now the fat is just not going away. I’m living your weight loss journey vicariously
Priya.
Me: You just had a baby. Mine is turning 3.
Interesting! When I do go to the gym – i do the classes as I know they are more structured and force me to exercise for at least 60 minutes rather than me sweating it out on the treadmill where I get tired after 10 mins lol.
I’ve gained back a kilo and a bit :’( Which sucks totally – I KNOW why and I am slowly changing it again but it still sucks.