Hi K2C

"I'm just cutting back on carbs a bit, controlling my portion size, and increasing my fiber and water intake. Hopefully that, along with the exercise will do the trick!"

I've found all of those things effective for not only weight management, but general health improvement too.

Especially drinking enough water - I could write a few pages about how vital water is to health and weight loss. The most information on "how much" is half your body weight in ounces. For me, that translates to a little over 2 liters a day, which I'm still working on!

On the carbs, because I have diabetes, for the most part I eat very very low carb, virtually no breads, potatoes, pasta, primarily protein, fats and carbs in the form of veggies.

Carbohydrate is the nutrient that affects blood sugar and requires the hormone insulin to metabolize. I've learned that approx. 36% of the protein consumed converts to carbohydrate during metabolism too, so the body gets what it needs.

I personally have not experienced a lack of energy from low carb eating. I cut down gradually and still eat a doughnut or bread or potatoes occasionally. (Hey, let's be realistic!) I've found that my desire for carbs has decreased significantly.

The hormone insulin signals several things in the body, including hunger (after I eat more carbs than usual and take more insulin, I DO crave more carbs!) and also signals fat storage.

When we eat a high amount of carbs, those are used for energy production (one aspect of metabolism) instead of fat being used for energy production.

I learned this from reading Dr. Richard Bernstein's books "The Diabetes Solution" and "The Diabetes Diet." The enlightenment on just how the human body processes nutrients is awesome, not just applicable to people with diabetes.

Anyway, sounds like you're most definitely going in the right direction! What results (not just weight loss) have you experienced so far?

Have a great day,

Cheers,
BB

(P.S. Here's a basic article on the health benefits of water: https://www.improving-health-and-ener...-of-water.html)

Thanks so much for your very detailed and informative reply, it's much appreciated! Your article on water is excellent, and I must explore your wonderful website some more! The only results so far is feeling better about myself, better mental attitude. I haven't lost enough weight yet to even mention, my scale goes up and down too often still! I do feel some soreness in my arm and leg muscles from the workouts, which is a VERY good thing!

__________________
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." ~Immanual Kant~

Thought I would post an update here. I'm down to 145 lbs, so I've reached goal. It took awhile, but I wasn't as serious as I planned to be, and didn't deny myself much in the food dept. The only exercise I did was walking, and controlled my portions on fatty foods and sweets.

Haven't been very loyal to extra exercise, but I decided to increase my daily walking, above the 2 miles I take with my dogs. I did over 5 miles today, and posted a couple of pics of passing deer in my blog.

Congratulations, k2c . What you did is very good for your health, weight loss is a by-product, it's much better than big life style change for a weight loss program.

Good for you, Kind2C! No exercising for me these days in this horrible
heat and humidity. I'm lucky to get my garbage out to the cans at dawn
these days. Even our hallways are stifling when getting my mail.
Actually takes my breath away! Local heat alerts telling people to stay in A/C
if possible and Not to exercise outside. Lots of heat strokes, even of some dogs.

Thanks EarlyBird! I know what you mean! I've been taking my longer walks in the evening, when it's a bit cooler. We were happy to get some much needed rain two days ago, which made things a bit cooler. I've been working with my husband replacing fence posts, digging up old cement, etc. Drinking lots of water, and wiping down with wet washcloths.

Update...I took saved1986's advice, broke down and joined a gym last week. Only a one month trial membership for now to see how I like it.

I joined mostly for the fitness classes. So far I've been to Zumba, Yoga, Pilates, Step-aerobics. I've also been introducing myself to the machines, I especially like the treadmill, since I like to walk anyway. Wanting to do some weight work to strengthen the bones, etc.

Feels good to get back into exercising!

Kind2creatures,

I LOVE to exercise but have gotten so away from it my body and motivation is in inertia mode.

When you workout I would love to hear about it especially now that you have a gym membership. I have one that I haven't used in a LONG time.

I know what you mean, it's much easier for me to fall out of the groove than it is to get motivated. The one nice thing is it always feels good when you're into it, just have to have a good memory, for the times we stray.

It seems like they're not very organized with the class schedule where I'm going. Last night's Zumba turned into a cardio/step aerobics, which was really fine with me. Tonight a cycling/kickbox turned out to be a kickbox/step, great workout...not disappointed. I'm easy...just go with the flow.

NICE!!! You're making me miss the energy and fun I had when I worked out. I truly don't know if I could handle the loud music anymore. lol

The music isn't too too loud, they still have to talk over it with the microphone...of course there's always those foam earplugs.

Right now be careful. In jan everyone starts working out big time and gyms become packed for 2-3 months.

I joined a gym for the classes also - I usually go to spinning and body pump, I go almost every day and 3 times a week I combine a cardio class with a weights class on the same day...

I tried Zumba, but I seem to be very uncoordinated, and even though I am Latin, I don't have the dance-y gene I guess! It's still fun though and I definitely end up soaked in sweat!

I walk a lot also - I usually end up with 14-15,000 steps per day

The weight is definitely coming off, slowly, but surely!

Sounds like a great workout! I still haven't experienced a good Zumba class, just went to one so far, the regular instructor had injured her ankle, and the substitute I had seemed confused with her routine. But just keeping moving burns the calories for sure!

I have an Omron pedometer, I don't use it everyday like I used to, but I get in around 3-5 miles per day. The weight always comes off VERY slowly for me, but if my jeans fit more comfortable, I'm happy.