[BIGMAN131307]

I'd like to begin a decent weight loss program, but I need some info. My overall weight loss goals are the following:

Loose at least 75-100lbs
Build up my mid-section (abs + back) & upper body.

1. Has anyone tried or is currently using one of those weight loss meal programs? ex. NutriSystem, WeightWatchers, etc.

How well do they work? Are they worth the cost?

2. What about those diet pills being advertised all over? Has anyone tried them? Do they work, or are they garbage?

3. How about those exercise machines, any favorites? Does anyone own one, which? Does it help you keep in shape? What about those Total Gyms, are they any good? Which would be worth the money:
Total GymŪ 14000 or Total GymŪ 26000 ?


4. Does anyone know if there is any funding to help people get in shape?

[mrsD]

The ONLY ones that have medical studies are those with Hydroxycut in them.

J Med. 2004;35(1-6):33-48.Links
An overview of the safety and efficacy of a novel, natural(-)-hydroxycitric acid extract (HCA-SX) for weight management.
Preuss HG, Rao CV, Garis R, Bramble JD, Ohia SE, Bagchi M, Bagchi D.

Department of Physiology, Medicine and Pathology Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA.

Garcinia cambogia-derived (-)-hydroxycitric acid (HCA) is a safe, natural supplement for weight management. HCA is a competitive inhibitor of ATP citrate lyase, a key enzyme which facilitates the synthesis of fatty acids, cholesterol and triglycerides. Previous studies in our laboratories have demonstrated the superior bioavailability of a novel calcium-potassium salt of HCA derived from Garcinia cambogia (HCA-SX, Super CitriMax). Greater bioavailability of HCA-SX was observed when taken on an empty stomach. HCA-SX was also shown to exhibit concentration-dependent release of serotonin in isolated rat brain cortex, which may explain its appetite suppressive action. Acute oral, acute dermal, primary dermal irritation, primary eye irritation and 90-day chronic toxicity studies, as well as Ames bacterial reverse mutation and mouse lymphoma tests, were assessed to determine the safety of HCA-SX. In the 90-day toxicity study, dose- and time-dependent effects of HCA-SX were assessed on body weight, selected organ weights, hepatic and testicular lipid peroxidation and DNA fragmentation, hematology and clinical chemistry, and histopathology in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. No remarkable toxicity results were detected, demonstrating the safety of HCA-SX. Furthermore, clinical studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of HCA-SX over a period of eight weeks were conducted in 60 human volunteers. Subjects were given a 2,000 kcal diet/day, participated in a 30 min walking exercise program 5 days/week and given an oral dose of placebo or 4666.7 mg HCA-SX (providing 2,800 mg HCA) in three equally divided doses 30-60 min before meals, Body weight, BMI, lipid profiles, serum leptin, serotonin and excretion of urinary fat metabolites were determined at 0, 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. At the end of 8 weeks, body weight and BMI decreased by 5.4% and 5.2%, respectively. Food intake, total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides and serum leptin levels were significantly reduced, while HDL and serotonin levels, and excretion of urinary fat metabolites (a biomarker of fat oxidation) significantly increased. No significant adverse effects were reported. These results demonstrate the safety, bioavailability and efficacy of HCA-SX in weight management.

PMID: 18084863 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

There have been few papers however since 2004.
Most combination products have this ingredient, but also in lower doses. They also have EXTRA stuff which may be harmful added.
So I don't recommend anything other than the pure extract mentioned in this paper. The effect is not huge either.

Other things that help you burn carbohydrates, are:
Chromium picolinate 200-400mcg/day
and green tea extract. (use decaff if you drink alot of this)

The best exercise machine is low impact...like ellipticals IMO.
(for aerobic results).

[Pamster]

We have a total gym, the XLS and it's pretty good. Works you out hard, my hubby has lost about fifty five pounds using the total gym and he's looking awesome. It's a hard work out though, and I think the only difference in machines is the weight limits. So check into that and make sure you get one that can support well over what you weight currently because the rails can get bent. I wish it was easier for me to use the Total Gym, but I just can't, I have bad balance because of losing my left leg and all, and it's just difficult for me. Bow flexes are a rip off i hear, because they charge ungodly interest, now I don't know about Total Gym financing, because our was private pay.

[Curious]

My husband and I own a gym. I don't post my credentials, but have plenty.

Some insurance companies pay part now. They don't always advertise it. It pays to check.

If you have a problem with portion control, then having meals delivered helps. You still have to eat only what they have on the menu for that day. You also have to purchase your fresh foods. It can be pretty costly.

I'm a fan of the old Weight Watchers, but not the new point system.

If you are looking at home equipment, try used. The majority of people buy and don't use it.

Take a look at your local gyms. Not the big name chain ones. A smaller gym is more likely to work with you to help lose the weight. Also more flexable on membership pricing. We tend to go to appointments. Make appointments with yourself to workout. We have members who have a sign a calendar when they come in.

Welcome to the Weight Loss & Healthy Living forum. Post with us. We can help.

[Vowel Lady]

My husband and I have had much success with Weight Watchers.
We both became "Lifetime Members" a few years back. We like the support and other things.

We've gone up a few pounds now and then...
but then always go back for the weigh ins to get the support we need and accountability. It steadily comes off.

I personally, tweaked the program ever so slightly. This is very easy to do and there really isn't a problem to do this. There is a lot of leeway in the program. You just have to count your points and healthy wholesome food is encouraged as well as regular exercise. They have modified their program a tad very recently Dec/Jan and are encouraging more low glycemic/filling foods.

My doctor has encouraged me to also take Chromium picolinate 200-400mcg/day (just like Mrs. D suggested!). However, recently he said that he prefers chromium polypicolinate...which he feels might be a slightly better version of this.

I have also heard that Green Tea has thermogenic properties. I can only have it in small amounts...it gives me a headache. I have heard rumors that drinking it in large quantities is hard on the liver???? Do not know how accurate this is. I suppose...just like anything else...moderation is best.

It's not easy...but very generally...what works for me is the following:
1. Writing down what I eat each day
2. Weighing regularly/accountability
3. Small portions
4. Healthy foods...especially vegetables, lean meat
5. Reduction of sweets and junk food
6. Regular exercise (I like treadmill and ellipitical machines)
7. Consistency

For me, I like to eat low fat and high fiber. After I turned 4o, I noticed that I had to reduce my sugar intake. I still have sweets, but I try not to eat them daily and eat them in smaller portions.

[BIGMAN131307]

Anymore insight on any of my questions? Does anyone have anything to add to the replies so far?

As for gym memberships, that's out because of the cost. I don't have reliable transportation to get to the gyms in my area anyway. As for those diet programs, that's another story. I have other medical concerns that also need to be addressed. Based on what I read about them, I don't think they could help me much. If they could, it would cost me too much to use them. It looks like my best choice is my own customized diet plan and a Total GymŪ 26000.

Does anyone else have anything to add?

[Curious]

Sorry, without more input from you, nope.

I really wouldn't know what type of equipment to reccomend without knowing more about what you can do physiclly.

[BIGMAN131307]

Originally Posted by Curious

Sorry, without more input from you, nope.

I really wouldn't know what type of equipment to recommend without knowing more about what you can do physically.

Well physically I'm not really limited per-say. The main issues are space, price, and comfort.

Ex. I can ride a bike fine, but my other health problems makes it uncomfortable. The bouncing of the bike will cause me pain. I can switch to a stationary bike. But that would be too boring for me. That's way I'm working on buying a tadpole recumbent bicycle.

If I get exercise equipment, it needs to be compact. It can't be a pile of metal that sits in the corner. I would need it to be able fold away under a bed or in a closet.

The price is a biggest issue. I'm not M$, so I don't have $$$$ to spend on the biggest and best equipment, plans, and what not.

[Curious]

BowFlex takes up a room. So nix that.

Total Gym is easy to fold away. Multi use. It's very quiet. Cardio can be done and you can still watch TV.

Have you looked for used online? Or at places like Goodwill?

I have found some great bargains on equipment. Commercial use and home use. We buy some pieces that our members want to use, but don't have the space. Like inversian tables.

*added...one peice of home cardio equipment that I had used daily, was the Tony Little Gazzelle. The one with the tension. I think it was called the elite. It was easy to move and store. I have a chronic back condition. It never bothered me a bit.

[BIGMAN131307]

Originally Posted by Curious

BowFlex takes up a room. So nix that.

Total Gym is easy to fold away. Multi use. It's very quiet. Cardio can be done and you can still watch TV.

Have you looked for used online? Or at places like Goodwill?

I have found some great bargains on equipment. Commercial use and home use. We buy some pieces that our members want to use, but don't have the space. Like inversian tables.

*added...one peice of home cardio equipment that I had used daily, was the Tony Little Gazzelle. The one with the tension. I think it was called the elite. It was easy to move and store. I have a chronic back condition. It never bothered me a bit.

That's why I like the Total Gym. It seems like my best option.

Yes/no. I know about finding them online. I'm mainly interested in finding out what other people have tried first. What has/hasn't worked for them, etc. As for the Tony Little Gazzelle, I tried that in a store already. It was the biggest piece of junk out there. It was a workout just trying to stand on it without it shaking apart.