You need to be eating 1200 calories to lose weight, at least.
This is why you need to count your calories to see where you stand.
I wish you much luck in your journey toward better health and well being.
bizi

I have some very good ideas, I think, because they
work for me consistently. They include:

1. Drink a LOT of water in between meals. And make sure it is good quality water. My top two faves are Moutain Valley in the green glass bottle and Evian. You could google which waters seem to have good ratings. Perhaps buy a water filter. I try to always buy mine on sale.

If you are thirsty during a meal, just take a few sips of water.

I actually set a timer for 45 mins after eating a small meal and 60 mins. After a moderate meal (I don't eat any large meals because I'm in dieting mode again...I goofed off during the holidays. But I have it almost all off now

When the timer goes off, I drink one or two glasses of water. Then a little later, I'll drink another one or two, but never within 45 mins. of a meal.

Again, space out drinking your water so it is only clearly between meals helps with weight loss!

Additionally, reduce any other liquids. Let water be your only or primary liquid. Try not to drink any soda.

2. Also, I use my Fitness Pal App. Determine what cal. count you want to stick with. Perhaps have a doctor help you. Perhaps use google again to find a calculation based on your height, etc. for weight loss and then stick to that count. If in a week or two you don't lose weight being honest to that cal. count, lower it by 200-300 cals a day. Record your food intake daily and honestly. In other words, track your food intake, be honest, and be open to the idea you might have to go lower.

3. Give up sugar. Period.
Reduce intake of high glycemic fruits like bananas. Stick with apples, strawberries, pears, blueberries etc. in small portions. Greatly reduce in-take of flour or eliminate it. Try to eat lots of vegetables both cooked and raw.


I have found exercise to be a minor component in weight loss. Moderate walking around the block etc. is very helpful. It doesn't have to be hard core. For me, healthy foods, reduced calories, lots of water between meals and some (any at all) consistent movement spells definite weight loss.

PS consider taking at least a multi vitamin if you are not doing so already. If you do these things, within a day or two, it will be easier. Sugar is the devil it makes you crave more food AND it packs on the pounds. Additionally, all that water fills you up. Hence, more willpower.
Best of luck on this journey!

Thanks Vowel Lady,

Your step ONE is the one that I have been a bit lax on of late. I will definitely try to drink more water. I just don't think about it. The very few times I eat out during a year is usually a very special occasion and it is in a restaurant where the bus boy keeps filling your water glass throughout the entire seating. The more they fill it, the more I drink it. If it is in front of me, I drink the water because I like water.

Steps 2 and 3 are done daily. I record EVERYTHING I eat and drink. Been doing that for 9 years. As far as flour,.... haven't had that in my house in over 15 years. Sugar and sweets have been off my consumption for years. I even limit onion use due to the natural sugars they contain.

I don't even use bread crumbs IN anything or ON anything and definitely not flour.

I have never "fried" any food in my adult life. (Fear of popping grease.) When I was a teenager, I was going to fix my brother and I a big breakfast one day. He liked bacon, not me, so I attempted to fry some bacon. The grease popped on me and I never fried anything again.

As far as the "moderate" walking. I am lucky to walk from the bedroom to the bathroom with my ailments so that is not in the cards. Sure wish it were as I liked to walk.

I needed to go somewhere a few years ago that was just two blocks from my home. I did not want to go to the trouble of "driving" just two blocks so I set out walking. I did not even get to the corner when I was on the ground in so much pain I had no idea how I would get back home. I did not have a cell phone but if I had, I would have been in an ambulance on the way to the emergency room. Did I mention I also have a heart condition?

Thanks, bizi. I think I may not be eating enough calories on many days. My caloric intake usually ranges between 900 and 1000 when calculated.

This is why you need to add up the calories in the food that you are already tracking. go that extra step to figure out the calories.
Are you home bound? you may be eligible for meals on wheels if you are handicapped.
Their meals are rather bland and simple...and cost very little money.
Have you been thru physical therapy?
May I ask what you deal with? pain? back?
Do you think the medical people are doing all they can be doing to help you?
It sounds like you are dealing with a lot.
sorry it is so hard right now.
bizi

This does sounds like a tough case!

Regarding the med where it says you are "expected" to gain weight...can you talk with the doctor about lowering it or replacing it with something else?
On the positive side, you have many good habits already.
No sugar, no flour etc.
I do think the trick is to drink lots of water between meals. If you drink water with your meal, your digestion will not be ideal. Since you are struggling with weight loss, you want your digestion to be ideal.
You might consider using a timer. If I didn't use my timer, I wouldn't remember to drink the water. After a meal, I set the timer and drink two classes. Then I might set if for a half hour and put a little note "drink two more glasses of water". So, then I get in 4 glasses between one meal and the next.
If you stick with very healthy foods only and take a multi vitamin, you can probably stick with 900-950 calories daily. Don't let it go to 1000 until you are more active physically. Perhaps right now 900-950 calories is what you need to lose weight and that extra 50-100 calories keeps your weight on. Something to consider.
Since you are not moving your body much, you likely don't need the usual amount of calories.
It is something to consider.
Also, remember that veggies have lots of water and vitamins...ideal for weight loss and good health.
I agree with Bizi, you might want to ask the doc about physical therapy. Perhaps there is a chance you can get your body in a better place so that you can do a little more physical activity like walking.
I too hope you can feel better, it sounds difficult. Wishing you well.

Hi bizi,

I have some great docs working with me. I have 8 docs which I thought was a lot until Sunday someone told me they had 17.

I have enough trouble coordinating with 8 much less 17. I just can't imagine that. I hope I don't need to add any more specialists to my list.

As to physical therapy, ... been there, done that to no avail.

My pain mgt. doc has helped greatly with some pain issues. I am not totally housebound and I still drive (limited) but the only places I go are to the doctor(s), the pharmacy, and I try to get to the grocery once a month.

I tried to go to the movie theatre a few years ago and found that is no longer an option. That was not something I did much anyway so losing that option was no loss. I think I can name all the movies I have seen at the movie theatre in the last 20 years on one hand.

Thanks for your support. I hope to be able to tell you soon that my weight is going in the downward direction and not up or staying put.

PS I looked into meals on wheels about a year ago and don't remember the reason but I do remember it was not an option for me. Sorry, brain is gone, too.

Do you have someone help you with the groceries????
bizi