how can I lose weight?

Question

I have been drinking 2 7.5 oz. bottles of water a day, I used to drink all soda and no water. I'm trying to eliminate soda from my diet, I don't usually drink it for the caffeine, I just like soda. I will drink soda for the caffeine about once a week. I'm trying to eat more vegetables. I don't want to go full-out vegetarian because I wouldn't stick with that and I dont believe in diets that feel like diets because they just fail anyways. I love bike riding, is there a free way to do this in the winter? I have a regular bike for outdoors and can ride that in nice weather but its snowy winter in Wisconsin right now.

Answer 1

Stop eating...

No, just kidding.

Seriously, your switching from soda to water was a good start. Your body burns fat when the brains says it needs sugar, and when you drink soda, you never need sugar...

If you want a drink for the caffeine, try coffee. It has many health benefits.

Good plan on the veggies. And don't deny yourself that treat, that chocolate bar or piece of cake, because if you do, you'll find yourself in the fridge an hour later, eating a pint of ice cream and half a roast chicken...

Don't hold back on carbs either, this is a grand misconception in trying to lose weight...while you shouldn't overdo the carbs, they are a necessary part of your diet to keep your long term energy up, and cutting them out will just make you crave sugar for the energy fix later.

Exercise is a vital part of losing weight. You could get an indoor stationary bike, or if you're going a little cheaper, grab a jump rope...they get your heart rate going and you burn calories like >snap<. If you are in an apartment, or just want something extra, try laying on your back, moving your legs like you are riding a bicycle, and with your shoulders lifted slightly from the floor and your hands under your head, touch your elbow to the opposite knee as it comes towards you. It does wonders for toning various parts of your body, and isn't very hard to do. Brisk walking is also very good for you...gets your heart rate up, burns calories and strengthens muscles...and you can do it in crummy weather so long as you bundle up.

Keep drinking that water, especially when you feel the need for a snack but know you can wait until dinner or snack time, and get that exercise done as often as you can. I do the stomache bicycle bit as soon as I get up in the morning, it only takes a few minutes.

Hope this helps! Good Luck!

Okay, I just went back and read some of the other answers...first of all...make sure you still eat three meals a day...otherwise it screws with your metabolism, and you will just be hungry and still gaining weight...secondly, don't cut burgers and whatnot out of your diet...just don't eat them every day, and limit how many you have...thirdly, I don't advise counting calories...it is a huge pain in the butt and not necessary...you know whether or not you have eaten anything incredibly fattening or "unhealthy" that day...so you just eat healthy for the rest of the day...simple as that...I have friends who count their calories and it drives me (as well as other friends of mine) absolutely crazy.

Answer 2

Drinking more water definitly helps but dont think about eating twice or once a day. If you do that, you'll more than likely gain weight rather than lose weight.

Just proportion your meals out so that you have small frequent meals. Snack on yogurt and nuts when you're hungry and eat lots of chicken for the protein. Try to minimize your red meat intake and go easy on fruit because they have a lot of natural sugars in them. You can eat cake or have pasta, but once again just remember the proportions.

Do some crunches and stretching. Start off by doing 3 sets of 20 crunches and just increase it by one more set each day. In the mornings, there are some great excercise programs you can follow. I love the pilates ones. You may feel beat the next day, but the only way to shake that off is to just do it all over again.

I lost a ton of weight that way. Give it at least two weeks before you start to see results, and then the weight loss may some to you at like 5 pounds every week or so. After the initial 10-15 pounds, weight loss will slow down, but you'll get to your goal.

Good Luck!!

Answer 3

Well drinking water is a good way to lose weight but you have to exercise too.You dont have to stop eating all the foods that you love just eat less of it. This should help you lose weight this is a daily calorie intake to lose 1 pound per week first add zero to your body weight for example150+0=1500, add 20%for extra daily activites+300 your daily calorie weight would then be1800 then subtract 500 calories by eating 500 calories less or exercising the total would then be =1300 and that should be the amount of calories you intake a day. Also try Taeboe it works good.

Answer 4

I found the book to be very informative and easy to read.

I've lost 17 pounds in 12 days, I'm just concerned that I'm losing too much weight, too quickly. I will admit I haven't followed the guide exactly. I'm not sticking perfectly to the listed foods and meal plans (but mostly) and doing very little exercise, but the weight keeps flying off.

It clearly works and if I'd followed it exactly I think it would scare the living daylights out of me because of the amount that I'd lose. So thanks again for the information. I've never purchased anything like this before because they are usually full of trash, but 3WD has been a pleasant surprise.

Get started today!

Answer 5

I lost 75lbs about 2 years ago, went from a huge 205 to 130. It was great! (Now I'm 40 weeks pregnant and I've gained 40lbs so it doesn't feel the same haha but I'm sure I'll get back down there)
I actually did a popular diet called the South Beach Diet.

I just eliminated most of the sugar from my diet, or used sweeteners like splenda instead of sugar (because the sweeteners don't stick to your body, they just pass through it). I drink water instead of sugary drinks like pop and juice... or drink juice like apple juice or orange juice that doesn't have added sugar.

I switched all my grains from white flour to whole wheat or whole grain. That includes bread, rice and pastas. The whole wheat flour is much healthier for you, without all the added crap.

Instead of reaching for cookies or chips for a snack, I usually grab an apple, or crackers and cheese, vegetables and dip, or if I'm working I cut up some cucumbers or bring some baby carrots for a snack in the middle of the day.

Another good rule is don't eat anything after 3 hours before you go to bed.

Anyway! Here's a website you can look at if you are interested. My bf's parents lost 25 and 30lbs on the diet and I lost 75lbs (in about... 7 months!) I lost 15lbs in the first 2 weeks!

Answer 6

count calories from morning to nite for 2 weeks and then it'll come easy. buy a good calorie book and look up everything you ingest. After you've trained yourself to eat small amounts of food thru calorie counting you won't need to keep counting calories religiously. Good luck! Oh, find out how much you need to lose and then figure out the number of calories you should be taking in to lose weight. I usually take in no more than 1200 calories a day when I need to lose weight and it always works. That's how I lost 15 lbs. recently.

Answer 7

1. Sleep - Ensure you get at least 8-hours everyday
2. Never miss breakfast
3. Diet - Be disciplined about what you eat, how much you eat & when you eat.
4. Ensure you get sufficient calcium & other supplements
5. Exercise, exercise, exercise
6. Water - lots of water
7. De-stress
8. Don’t expect results overnight, you have to have patience & stick with the regimen
9. Keep altering your diet & exercise routine every 6 weeks
10. If you see a weight loss plateau, just be patient & vary your routine. A plateau is the body’s way of adjusting to the weight loss. It can take as long as two/three months to break a plateau.

And here are some great websites:
http://www.ediets.com/
http://www.prevention.com/
http://www.foodfit.com/
http://www.ivillage.com/
http://www.heartcenteronline.com/
http://www.drweil.com/
http://www.everydayhealth.com/
http://health.discovery.com/
http://www.sparkpeople.com/

Answer 8

I have found two things that really help.

One is to have a weight loss blog. Many blog sites (I personally use Xanga) have TONS of people with weight loss blogs, and it creates a great support system. Record your daily intake (food, etc.) and output (exercise). This will help you to make better choices. Also, you can write about your frustrations and successes...this will make you feel less stressed!

Another great resource is www.sparkpeople.com. They have recipes, weight loss tips, support groups, food trackers...just about anything a dieter could want! And it's FREE!

Answer 9

Calulate your caloric intake, make sure it is not too high. Make sure you eat enough or you will lose no weight & look for a fun workout aerobic dvd to do inside during the cold months, it is cheap & a good way to lose some extra pounds. Good Luck

Answer 10

To lose weight successfully,you should know the food that you eat can either make you THIN or FAT!!!

The weight loss site listed below will teach you to lose weight by eating Chicken,Fish Filet,Cottage Cheese,sandwich..