Amitsa - I too am on a weight loss journey. It is a journey and not a race. It also is better to make lifestyle changes over going on a diet. It is easier to make a lifestyle change too. I personally have gone on Weight Watchers and I know that they are available world wide, at least online. They are proven a solid program and it does work for most people, especially those with food issues. I also have found a workout regimen that works for me and it is water aerobics. It is easy on the joints, the sweat is unnoticeable, and it is highly effective. By making these 2 changes, I have lost almost 30 lbs over the past few months.

I know that this is a difficult journey but to make gradual changes and make better choices always brings about some positive result. Also, you might consider if there is an underlying reason why you are the way that you are. Sometimes there is situations of abuse, self loathing, or other negative forces that lay under the problems you have with food.

Kanna,

You said it right - it is a journey.

Because it is not something you can do for a few months and stop.In order to maintain the weight,you have to continue with your protocol of 'EATING RIGHT' life long.If you give it up and start eating everything again,you are bound to gain weight.

'EATING RIGHT' should be a part of your daily life just as we brush our teeth and take a shower daily.

Kanna said it's a journey and you hit the nail right on! Once my tooth comes out I want to try a small apple tart....but I want to cut back on the sugar I already consume before I even try it....because like you said eating right should be like brushing teeth.....

It is my belief that stevia is the safest sweetener.
I thought it is made from a plant. None of the other sweeteners come from something natural....
I definitely could be wrong.
I use a lot of stevia and it is helping me to lose weight.
bizi

No, I have a friend who grows the stevia plant....thanks....I use raw honey but thanks for the reminder...

PS....I just learned something....for years due to my height and thinnest I was a small frame....but since I first gained weight people thought I looked better....today after measuring my sm wrist I found out I am actually a large frame and now am one pound over weight!?!!!!....I want to lose 8 more (not really a choice jaw issues). Any input on frame size appreciated.....

I have a question here that has been bothering my mind since long. When you lose weight by dieting , reducing it to portions to reduce the calories,do you lose just the fat or the bone and muscle too ?

Because when you cut down on your food,you are taking less of calcium and other nutrients for your bone health. Does the body leech out bone to keep Calcium in the blood constant ? Any idea ? eg RDA for Indians is 600 mg of calcium daily.I suppose it is 1000 in the US. Indians and Asians are physically smaller than Europeans and Americans and their RDAs are also smaller. My height is 5 ft 5 inches i.e. 165 cms .The ideal weight for an Indian this height is 65-67 kgs. I am currently 92.7 kgs.

This is of particular importance if a person is susceptible to bone problems say Osteoporosis. Is it necessary to take Calcium,Vitamin D3 and Vit K2 MK7 supplements during the dieting phase. Or is skimmed milk okay ? Can you name a few less calorie calcium food sources ?

I read on some sites that if you dont take the right amount of calcium daily,the body takes it from the bones to maintain blood pH. Is this true ?

Also is it possible to increase the bone mass (not the bone mineral density) ?

Also which is the best type of protein for muscles ? I have heard Whey protein is the best but it is used by body builders. Is it good for a normal person ?Again there are different types of Whey proteins - concentrate,isolate ,hydrolysate.

Also I just came across this drug called Orlistat . It is used to reduce fat and obesity.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlistat

Anybody ever tried it ? Most importantly is it safe ?

There is a downside that it inhibits absorption of fat soluble vitamins.So need to take a fat soluble multivitamin daily.

Responding to the issues that you have raised in Q&A format:

"When you lose weight by dieting , reducing it to portions to reduce the calories,do you lose just the fat or the bone and muscle too ?"
If your daily calorie intake is less than your BMR then your body responds by first using glycogen (a storage form of glucose, found in the liver and muscle), then fat, then by breaking down muscle protein. A long-term daily calorie intake less than your BMR is not sustainable - it is called starvation. I strongly suggest that you see a dietitian about this.

"Does the body leech out bone to keep Calcium in the blood constant ?"
Yes, this is controlled by parathyroid hormone.

"Can you name a few less calorie calcium food sources ? "
A dietitian, taking into account that you are a vegan, will be able to advise about this.

"I read on some sites that if you dont take the right amount of calcium daily,the body takes it from the bones to maintain blood pH. Is this true ?"
No - blood pH is controlled in a way which is essentially independent of blood calcium levels.

"Also which is the best type of protein for muscles ?"
There is nothing special about the amino acid content of the many muscle proteins. As long as you eat a range of protein-rich foods there is no need to eat any supplements. At risk of repeating myself, a dietitian can advise you about this.

"drug called Orlistat"
This drug works by inhibiting gastric and pancreatic lipases, the enzymes that break down triglycerides in the intestine. When lipase activity is blocked, triglycerides from the diet are not hydrolyzed into absorbable free fatty acids.

What this means is the fatty acids from the fats in your diet are not absorbed. A far simpler solution to this issue is to reduce the fat content of what you eat - a dietitian can advise you about this.

Thank you kiwi for answering her questions.
you are great!
bizi

bizi,

I am a male. My name is Amit. You wrote 'her questions'.
LOL.