I think I need to lose some weight and does anyone know the key to long, productive life?
551008
As a former health educator, I have the privilege of letting you know that the two questions you tied together are separately the two most misunderstood aspects of health facing the general public.  But relax, the answers are fairly simple.\n\n  Question #2:  in general the more you live like a healthy young animal, the longer and more exhuberantly you will live like a healthy young animal.  Let me explain!\n\n  The University of California at Berkeley did a study in 1976 that has often been imitated but never bested.  They found, I think, a thousand old people that they considered to be healthy, energetic and mentally sharp.  Then they extracted seven behaviors that they discovered these people tended to share.  Not a surprise in the bunch . . .  When I worked at Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kansas I created a little pamphlet about the "Seven Golden Rules of Health" and added "the eighth golden rule is to always buckle up when you drive or ride in an automobile,"  the special seven were:\n\n1. 7-8 hours sleep nightly\n2. eat a good breakfast every day\n3. maintain a normal weight\n4. eat 3-4 meals daily\n5. no tobacco or drugs\n6. light or no use use of alcohol\n7. regular vigorous exercise\n\n  This is only mildly interesting, but then UC Berkeley did a marvelous thing.  They took their seven golden rules and extrapolated them into the younger public over a very long study.  The result was powerful stuff!  A man of 55 who practiced 6-7 of the golden rules had the same actuarial age as a man of 20 who practiced only 0-1 of the rules.  In other words the two men might be expected to die on the same day!!!  From several separate studies, I can also respond to your "question #3" and say that unequivocably those oldsters who enjoy frequent sex always test out as more happy and healthy than those who get less or none.  OK, let's look at question #1, losing weight.\n\n  The main things you need to know are:  A.  Diets and diet foods don't work, and dieters tend to gain weight over time  B.  Eating healthy food and getting sufficient exercise is the key  C. Losing weight quickly tricks many people into making themselves very unhealthy (high protein- low carb diets in particular) by dehydration and loss of muscle mass). It is more important to get fit slowly and build muscle mass since each pound of muscle metabolizes six pounds of fat every year.  Lose weight by getting fit, looking better and building more muscles.\n\nA very recent study of successful weight losers came up with five main differences between those who lost a lot of weight and kept it off for over seven years; and those who failed to lose weight; and those lost but then regained it all back or more.  The successful weight losers did the following:   1.  Ate healthy:  more fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains/fewer heavily-processed foods; fewer calories; less fat  2.  Monitored their weight and waist at least once weekly  3.  Very physically active  and 4.  Ate a healthy breakfast every day  (typically whole grain cereals and a couple fruits like bananas and apples) 5.  The successful weight losers did NOT lose weight as fast as those who eventually failed to lose or as those who lost weight and then gained it back!!  Good luck, may you live ultra-long and prosper, you slender young animal, you!
499315
The only diet that really works and lasts forever, is one that is healthy and is supplemented by healthy exercise.\n\nMy suggestion would be to take up swimming, and to try to meet the suggested walking target of 10,000 steps a day, buy or get a free pedometer (step counter, some cereals are giving them away).  You can incorporate brisk walking into almost any daily routine.\n\nhttp://www.shapeup.org/10000steps.html\nhttp://www.thewalkingsite.com/10000steps.html\nhttp://www.ivillage.co.uk/dietandfitness/getfit/sportsacts/articles/0,,258_660123,00.html\n\nAs for diets, you should be aiming at a diet that you can sustain and enjoy, avoid fast food (burgers etc) ready meals (TV dinners) and sweets (once you hit your target weight learn to treat once a week only).  Try replacing sweets with cereal bars (watch these as they still have sugars in them) fruit salads, and fruit in general.\n\nAt meal time if you eat of a typical 10 inch plate it should NOT be full, a typical plate piled full of food will have more than double your daily calorie intake, which is why a lot of people have weight problems (one trick here is to eat off a smaller plate, it cons your brain into thinking it's your usual full meal).  Calorie counting  can become very laborious and off-putting, also don't weigh yourself every day, resist temptation until the end of each week.\n\nFinally here are a few sites with some healthy eating suggestions to make mealtimes healthy and enjoyable.\n\nTake a look at the recipes before you go 'yuck this sounds boring' there are loads of tasty stuff\n\nhttp://www.healthyliving.gov.uk/healthyeating/index.cfm?contentID=1401\nhttp://www.thatsmyhome.com/healthy/index.htm\nhttp://www.healthyliving.gov.uk/healthyeating/\nhttp://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/diet/healthy_eating/evening_meal.htm\n\nPS. It's all about conditioning your mind and your body, once you get used to eating healthily you will enjoy it, give the recipes time and don't give up after a few weeks. You have plenty of time to lose the weight, do it in a healthy and sensible way.\n\nOh and congrats on the wedding, have a great day in June/July 2007 :)
623686
You probably know that virtually hundreds of different fad diets, weight-loss programs and outright scams promise quick and easy weight loss. But the foundation of every successful weight-loss program still remains a healthy diet combined with exercise. You must make permanent changes in your lifestyle and health habits to lose significant weight and keep it off.\n\nHow do you make those permanent changes? Follow these six strategies.\n\n\n1. Make a commitment\n\nPermanent weight loss takes time and effort. It requires concentration and a lifelong commitment. Make sure that you're ready to make the necessary permanent changes and that you do so for the right reasons.\n\nNo one else can make you lose weight. In fact, external pressure — often from people closest to you — may make matters worse. You must undertake diet and exercise changes to please yourself.\n\nAs you're planning new weight-related lifestyle changes, try to resolve any other problems in your life. It takes considerable mental and physical energy to change your habits. So make sure you aren't distracted by other major life issues, such as marital or financial problems. Timing is key to success. Ask yourself if you're ready to take on the challenges of serious weight loss.\n\nKeep in mind that no matter how prepared you may be, you'll occasionally overeat or eat foods that you should avoid. Rather than let a setback derail your efforts, accept that it happened and get back on track. Don't expect perfection — and never give up.\n\nMotivate yourself by focusing on all of the benefits of losing weight, such as having more energy and improving your health. Then look at the negatives, such as finding the time to exercise, and come up with creative solutions.\n\n\nMore On This Topic\nWeight loss: Are you ready? \n2. Get emotional support\n\nUltimately, only you can help yourself lose weight by taking responsibility for your own behavior. But that doesn't mean that you have to do everything alone. Seek support from your partner, family and friends.\n\nPick people who you know want only the best for you and who will encourage you. They should be available to listen to your thoughts and feelings and encourage you, perhaps spend time exercising with you, and share the priority you've placed on developing a healthier lifestyle. An ideal support person might be someone who also is participating in a weight-loss program.\n\nSome people fare better with professional support, such as a dietitian or personal trainer. Others benefit from the group support they receive from organizations such as Weight Watchers or Overeaters Anonymous.\n\nIf you do join a group, keep in mind that what you get out of it will be in proportion to what you put into it. If you sit in a corner and just listen, you may hear some good suggestions. But if you actively participate, you're more likely to reap the potential rewards of the group, such as support, encouragement, feeling that you're not alone and helpful suggestions specific to your concerns.\n\n\n3. Set a realistic goal\n\nWhen you're considering what to expect from your new eating and exercise plan, be realistic. Healthy weight loss occurs slowly and steadily. Aim to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week. To do this, you need to burn 500 to 1,000 calories a day through a low-calorie diet and regular exercise. Losing weight more rapidly means losing water weight or muscle tissue, rather than fat.\n\nSet weekly or monthly goals, and then track your progress. Remember that you're in this for the long haul. Anything you undertake too intensely or too vigorously may quickly become too onerous, so you're more likely to give up.\n\nIn addition, make your goals "process goals," such as eating judiciously and exercising regularly, rather than "outcome goals," such as losing 50 pounds. Changing your process — your habits — is the key to weight loss. Make sure that your process goals a
201035
Exercise is great and necessary ... \nTrue weight loss depends on what you put in your mouth, and you're body's ability to change what you put into your mouth into energy.
564743
You are already off to a good start if you are eating healthfully and exercising. One of the best things you can do is stop focusing so much on the weight loss. The weight loss should only be secondary to being healthy and doing the best you can for your body and mind. You are bound to get frustrated when weight loss is your only focus. We then become "slaves" to the scale--obsessing about the number instead of realizing we feel better because we are getting moving and fueling our bodies with healthy food. Just keep variety in your diet, and in your exercising as well. That way you can always be excited about exercising. You won't get bored that way. You should be proud of yourself for taking care of your body! Good luck!
895871
Well my first suggestion would be to exercise.  Walking is an excellent way to start.  I would say to keep doing that.  I agree with one of the earlier answers to join the YMCA.  I belong there and have made many friends.  It helps to keep me motivated.  That being said, it sounds like you are an emotional eater.  ME TOO!!!  When I am upset, when I am happy, when I am depressed, when something good happens, when something bad happens etc.....  I use food to fix all issues and celebrate the good one.  \n\nSo I joined LA weight loss.  I love them.  I am only saying that as a suggestion.  But I will tell you what they taught me.  \n\nFirst and most important is journaling.  Write down everything you eat and be sure to include portion sizes.  \n\nNext I would concentrate on portion sizes.  Keep track of how much of each thing you eat.   Now you have a starting point to where you can start to make smaller portions and healthier choices.  \n\nIf you don't already, start eating more fruits, veggies and lean proteins.  Grill your chicken, steam your veggies and loose the fast foods.  I love chinese and have had my share of depressed chinese eating but if you find yourself there, just have a smaller portion and fill up on water.  \n\nThat is the next important point.  Drink water and pleanty of it.  At least, if not more, 8-10 8oz. glasses a day.  Stay away from soda as it is empty calories and makes you dehydrated.  \n\nAnd keep your chin up.  It will not happen over night but it will happen.  I have on my refridgerator a list of all the reasons I am trying to lose weight and what my reward will be.  I am 10 lbs from my goal and my reward is getting my belly button peirced.  I have lost over 50 lbs so far.  If I can do it, so can you.\n\nIf you would like to email me you can.  My personal email is ejniver@hotmail.com\n\nElicia
573245
Hey, I know you do not want to hear this, and it comes from someone who should know, but you have to work at it and neither of those last to options works well anyway.  Once again, I know.\n\nTry one thing before you start out on a sensible plan, of exercise, eating in moderation and lots of water and rest, try loving yourself the way you are.  Try looking at what got you where you are, and come from that point, I have started that journey.  It is hard work, try keeping a food journal, honestly.  It keeps you on track to be accountable, and try doing it with a partner.  Blessings.
235280
I know for myself, I am in the same situation... I want to lose weight, but I want to do it safely. What I have been doing:\n\nExercising at least 5-6 days a week. Make sure to incorporate both cardiovascular and weight training. The more you walk, bike, etc... the faster you will be able to trim down. \n\nEating better.. focus on vegetables and whole grain or wheat. Also make sure that you eat regularly but while doing that, watch your portion sizes. Eat slower so that your body and mind have time to catch up with one another. All too often we eat too quickly and then we overeat. \n\nDrink lots of water... with the water thing, I drink water based on my body weight to best maximize my metabolism. You can do this by taking your current weight and dividing it in half... this is the total ounces of water you should have in a day.
545484
I think one of the reasons of losing weight or fats is to lower calorie intake so aside from exercising, you need to go on a diet too.
513802
Well if you want to lose weight without health hazards, I suggest that you should drink lots and lots of water and  green leafy vegetables of your choice this will make you feel full and will help you to drop appetite and inturn, you'll not only lose weight but also your complexion and your skin would be benifited a lot. I also recommend yoga, aerobics or any light exercise you're comfortable with. But, you always have to remember that you'll not lose any any extra pounds because of any miracle, It's you who'll have to work hard.
163562
You just have to decide that you want to lose weight.  Will power comes from within.  You didn't say how old you are.  One step at a time might help and eating 6 small meals instead of 3 large ones.  Snack on healthy snacks, like raw veggies or fruits.  Remember, it took time to put extra weight on, and will take time to take it off.
134902
You need a weight loss coach. I have help alot of people lose weight. It sounds like you are serious but you have some challenges. Having personel support or a personal coach to help you achieve your goals.
1003582
hmm u need some weight loss tips
1169119
your body changes. its needs will change too. look as losing weight as eating healthy and along with excercise it does work just as well.
613859
Excercise and stay focused and you can lose those final pounds.. GOOD LUCK
998627
.The number one exercise ..Doesn't require a lot of expertise...Grab hold of the dinner table and push yourself away. If you  repeat  this exercise often enough I  guarantee you will lose weight
125993
self-control and excercise. determination and patience are key. you should not force yourself to lose loads of weight in a very short amount of time... it all depends on your body's metabolism, and it's usually activity that determines it.\n\nalso, i've learned that you lose more weight when you don't worry yourself about it much. remember that crash diets and eating disorders are not the best ways to go.\n\nlove yourself the way you are. try to improve, but never let yourself reach the point of compromising your well-being. when you're happy in your own skin, it will show through.