hello!
I'm starting on the way to lose some much needed weight. I have some questions.

Are pretzels, chex mix/train mix, and popcorn healthy snacks?

Where can I find yummy but healthy recipes for an EXTREMELY picky eater (i really dont like anything)

I will have free range of a gym at my new school whenever I want, what are some good things to do to aid in my healthy eating? I dont usually exercise but Im not opposed to walking on a treadmill or stair stepping.

how much exercise per week/day is good? my schedule for school is pretty open (with blocks of about 3 hours free every day between classes) so i was hoping on maybe a 1 hour exercise routine to do 3-4 days a week is that too much? too little?


im determined to do this for myself and my health. my family has a history of high blood pressure and heart attacks i dont want to be another candidate.


thanks in advance!

Hi Meg...I copied and pasted from Bizi's post...be sure and click on snacks


Include them often when planning your meals and snacks.

Vegetables
asparagus
artichokes
avocados
Red, yellow, and orange peppers
Mushrooms
Romaine Lettuce
Carrots, baby and regular
Kale and other greens
Garlic
Onions
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Sweet potatoes
Spinach
Green onions
Winter squash
Cabbage
Beets
Tomatoes

Fruits
Apples
Red grapefruit
Melons, any kind
Dried apricots
Red grapes
Prunes
Oranges
Berries, any kind

Dairy
Skim or 1% milk
Low fat yogurt with active cultures
Low fat cottage cheese
Meats and Seafood
Fresh fish, unbreaded
Salmon, canned or fresh
Tuna, canned or fresh
Lean, fresh beef, poultry or pork
Eggs
Soup beans, caned or dried
Veggie burgers
Nuts and seeds

Grains
100% whole wheat bread, bagels, pitas
Whole wheat pasta
Cornmeal
Millet
Bulgur
Brown rice
Whole wheat pancake mix
Oatmeal
Shredded Wheat
Dry cereal with >3 grams fiber
Low fat Triscuit crackers
Wasa fiber rye crackers

Miscellaneous
Extra virgin olive oil
Black olives
Dark (not milk) chocolate
Green tea
Salsa
Calcium-fortified juice
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Last edited by bizi; 04-12-2008 at 09:55 PM.

What about whole grain bread? I find it much more filling and satisfying to eat than whole wheat.

i'm not an expert but it sounds like you have a good exercise plan forming.
i call my treadmill the "dreadmill". i have mobility issues and can manage 8 min's/day at a slow pace. but, it's what my body allows so that's what i do.

i think it's important to find something doable. then make a plan and follow thru. i put stickers up on my wall calendar each day i walk as a little reward, and as a reminder that i need to walk that day.

i believe it's recommended that one do 30 min's of a cardio (where you raise your heart rate) 3-4x's/wk. HOWEVER, you must listen to your body. know your limits. find something that's doable. that way you'll be successful.

as to the eating i would suggest you start to read labels. watch the sodium (salt), carbs and sugars. fresh veggies and fruits are good choices.

when i first started i saw a RD; registered dietician. she helped me come up with a reasonable but healthy plan. her advice was invaluable. well worth the $$$.

i understand your struggle. i lost 40lbs over a yr and put 20 back on. now i'm fighting again.

you CAN do this. i commend you for starting. that's often the hardest part.

meg, i forgot.

i also suggest that you get a small notebook and journal what you eat.
you don't have to calorie count.
just be aware and accountable.

good luck.

check out our sticky threads and there are other good topics - books, foods, exercise - as you go thru the list of thread titles.
our useful sticky thread -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread1619.html
exercises-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread44082.html

It's hard for us to suggest a firm plan for you at the gym, it really depends on what level of fitness you are at now and what your health level is.

Just going and being active there with a variety of things should be a good place to start.
Be sure to do a warm up before and a cool down after and stretches - start slowly so you don't get sore right off the bat.
Drink lots of water.
If you do lift weights ask for help with proper form & breathing.

You can do this, Meg. It's a lifestyle change and when you're committed to the change, the weight will come off and stay off. I know this from experience.

i feel like i have more determination now then ive ever had before in my life and not just to lose weight but in everything. like ive seen how my life has been and i havent done anyhing about how things turn out but im like 'wait a second this is MY life i can fix this if i want to' so im deteremined to do all i can to make my life how i want it

kudos to you meg.
you're going to do great.

you know you can do this and so do we.
we're here for you.

Hi,
I lost close to 150 lbs doing low carb and but for my new condition would still be doing it, it took me off all my meds, B/P insulin, and all my labs were normal living that lifestyle, and the exercise program that worked best for me at that time was a treadmill, I started out at 5 minutes once a day at about .5 mph and increased very slowly each day, letting my body tell me when to stop and before the killer fusion I was up to 2 hours at 4 mph and it took me close to 2 years to get there but it worked for me, I took my pain meds each day an hour before beginning! You of course must chose what works for you but I had done it all and did not want gastric bypass or even a lapband and I never felt better in my life, being on a natural high, and I exercised 6 days a week 90 % of the time!
I wish you well, now i don't diet because I never get hungry and forget to eat and exercise is out of the question, I do well to walk across the room without falling!