how does an obese person loose weight in a healthy way?

Question

My friend Melissa is obese ( about 110 kg) and she is sick of it and wants to excercise with me. Im trying to help her sort out a proper excercise routine that will suit her, because she tried little amounts of my workout routine and it was too hard for her.
any realisitic and helpfull suggestions?
Also any eating advice? (especially from those who have done it or are proffessionals)
For a while now shes been walking slowly for half an hour a day and using the stationary bike on the lowest setting at a slow pace for 20 mins a day. Will this help?
I really want to see her nail this!
Thanks.

Answer 1

Tell your friend CONGRATULATIONS for a great start to her new life.....

If she increases her exercises just a little every week... add a few minutes to her walking and or add a little tension to the bike these things will help her get stronger and fitter and will also help lose some weight... AND she needs to know that every litre of muscle weighs more than every litre of fat so as she gains muscles her weight will plateau for a little while but dont worry just keep doing what your doing and she will start to lose weight again soon enough...

It is not wise to really go hungry for long periods of time or to change the amount you eat suddenly this puts thehuman body into what is known as starvation mode.... in this mode the body will do what it can to preserve weight.... it will resist burning fat....

Sooooo the way to overcome that is to start by changing what she eats.... not how much... but what it is that she is eating..

if she begins to eat more raw fruit and vegetables and drink more water... lots of water is good..... and eat less of the things high in sugar and fats......

Also taking vitamin B helps give her more energy so that she will feel more like doing the exercises.....

Remind her that she did not get to be obese overnight... and undoing it will take a long time too....

and just allow her to do this at her pace and in a way that suits her... she has got to do this for herself and have control over the process too.....

Best of luck to you both...

Answer 2

Wow! She must have her mind set to do this if she's already walking & riding the bike! Bravo to her!!! You are a great friend to be concerned and offer your help. What advice I can give you is this - always in all circumstances try to keep in mind that Melissa is not at the same level you are. Be patient with her. Slow your pace down to accommodate her. Don't try to show her up or nag her to keep up with you. It's not encouraging, it's discouraging because it will make her feel like a failure. The best eating advice I can give and what absolutely helps me the most is to EAT AT HOME! Don't go to fast food and don't go to restaurants. Look up recipes on CookingLight.com and use them. I did that this past week and lost 8 lbs.! I'm not a cook at all but these are fast, easy recipes. If she doesn't want to cook at all Lean Cuisines, Healthy Choice & Weight Watcher meals take an average of 3 mins. in the microwave. Tell her to load up the fruit basket and enjoy from it several times a day. This will help with her sugar cravings and keep her full.

Thanks for being a great friend to Melissa and offering your help. I hope that some of what I've given will be of use. I want her to nail this too! She can DO IT and she's miles ahead of most because she has your SUPPORT!

Answer 3

I have had to fight my weight all my life and i feel for her. I take after my Dad's side of the family, they all are overweight and i am now myself but i have been on so many diets but really the best way to excercise is to walk but she needs to walk with her head straight as well as her back and with long strides and as far as for only half an hour a day she needs to increase the amount of kilometers. I'm from the US so i don't know what the difference is in miles she needs to get to at least 5 miles a day with a steady pace and as far as the bike i'm sure she knows she needs to change the settings every time or at least once a week. And as usual lots of fruits and vegetables no fried foods and no sweets and no starchy food also increase her grains as far as wheat and barley and u know. But I am at one of my high weights right now cause i quit drinking alcohol and smoking and it has increased my sweet tooth Tell her good luck!!!!! oh yea i forgot drink plenty of water!

Answer 4

Your friend needs to step up her game if she's serious about losing weight. I am now on a diet, I use a stationary bike, i have it set on the highest one and i make sure i sweat. she should try that at least 3 times a week for 20 mintues. thats good to walk it helps alot. She need to change her eating habits too, It's hard but it will pay off.Tell her to try the south beach diet and eat whole grains food. Eat in portions and NO JUNK FOOD! tell her if she really wants to she can do anything she sets her mind to.

Answer 5

I understand your concern, but, I am unaware of any lifestyle change that doesn't require some pain. If there is... Please let me know. The sign above the entrance where I work out says, "No Snivlers." At least having her as a workout partner is to your health benefit. As for food and routine, cookies, cakes and anything of the sort too tempting has got to get tossed. Just 3 squares a multiple V and lots of water. It's really that simple. Also, get her in beginners aerobics. Those guys are pros and they know how to make it hurt without making it dangerous.
Oh yeah, almost forgot, see the doc. hehe

Answer 6

Thats great, good on her. And im sure she is very very thankful to have you as a friend to support her. Well i think she should check out the website www.sparkpeople.com. It is a great way to help you lose weight as it tells you when you will lose the weight by and what to eat and what exercise to do to help you achieve your goal. Its all free and yeh it helped me so give it a go!
Good Luck!

Answer 7

If you can get her interested in walking,even 3 days a week,more is better obviously, and drink lots of water that will do wonders.Combine that with counting calories, 1,000 to 1,500 a day and it will drop off.

Answer 8

I was obese before - 276 lbs. Cut out carbs, sugar and fried foods. Don't drink liquids with your meals. dont frink carbonated drinks (even diet ones). Dont call it a diet just changing our eating habits.

Answer 9

Tell your friend to keep doing what she is doing. Tell her to ad just a little bit more time (3-5 minutes) to her walking and/or cycling every week. Tell her to watch what she eats.... Do NOT push her!!!

Most importantly... Tell her that it is ALL good!! Exercise is cumulative... Every little bit helps!!