OT: talk me out of dieting! - YouLookFab Forum

A good friend has just lost 4 kilos in a couple of weeks on a new diet. Suddenly I am very tempted to try it myself!

I have never been much of a dieter. Have always wanted to preserve my metabolism, which is pretty fast, so when I have wanted to lose weight have done it slowly, with small changes (I have only lost small amounts apart from after 3 pregnancies).
Currently I am at the top of what I consider my range of about 2 kilos (5 pounds?) If I could lose 4 kilos I would be way below it! I was that thin for a while when I was 24 (and 17) and I did like it.

I run 3 times a week and swim at least once a week and will be ramping my distance up to train for some races in both at the end of Jan/ beginning of Feb, and also wouldn't want to cut down my energy intake too much.

BTW I am 63 inches tall and about 124 when I weigh my self naked first thing in the morning. I don't look too bad naked - but some of my waistbands are a bit tight.

I don't think I am being sensible, so please talk me out of it.

Edit - actually I am 64 inches too. Not a big deal, but in the interests of accuracy...

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Anne, being healthy comes first and being thin comes last. It sounds like you're very healthy. You exercise a lot and I can't imagine you eat poorly. If you're running and swimming and eating decently, then it means you are the healthiest weight you can possibly be. If you were lazing about, eating junk, and not feeling healthy, I could see your point (that's why I think I could lose a few pounds despite being thin and weighing very little--I'm SUCH a slob since losing my job).

You can't expect to be the same weight as you were when you were 17 after growing up and having 3 kids! I haven't even had kids but I know I'm never going to get back to 95 pounds again, which is what I was at 17 (at least not the healthy way).

You look lovely as you are!

chewyspaghetti

If you go on some fad diet, you will just gain the weight back as soon as you stop.

Michelle

(website)

Anne, it sounds like you're perfectly healthy at the moment, and I suspect going on a diet like the one you describe, i.e. a quicky one, may compromise your healthy state. Plus, do you *really* want the aggrivation of adopting some totally foreign new regime when you truly don't have to? As long as you're still feeling good about yourself, stay the course! If you do want to lose a few pounds, go back to your previous method; slow and steady wins the race.

Christie

Active Member

Anne, I have always resisted dieting having seen the damaged metabolisms of others. Ugh. I never want to go there. However, in the past year, sugar has wreaked havoc on my system, so recently I have completely taken sugar out and have not only felt the best I have in 10 years, but also look the best. I'm not as thin as I was before babies, or even after my 2nd baby, but I am healthier and loving the curves I do have. My food focus lately is to eat no sugar and more veggies. I'm not counting carbs, not counting calories, etc. I am following the recommendations of Dr. Schwarzbein (she has some books) to eat a carb (like rice) with a protein, veggies and fat (like butter or olive oil). She emphasizes in her book that food builds us up, and is not an enemy in the least, and that to heal a damaged metabolism, one must eat properly and not restrict calories or nutrients. But, it sounds like you already know these things, right?

You are right not to diet! You are 124 lbs and 5'3"! You have birthed 3 beautiful babies and are not 24 (or 17) ... so no longer a girl, but a woman! You have a lovely shape with pretty curves, thin arms and legs. You are in shape with your exercise routine.

anne

Thanks everyone - ooh just realised I am actually 5"4, not 5"3.

karlie

anne, I'm sure you already know this, but going on some quick weight-loss diet will wreck havoc on whatever race training plan you've mapped out for yourself. Those fad diets don't offer the kind of balanced, nutritious foods that your body needs to run/swim. You may (or may not) lose the pounds, but you'll be lacking energy, and that's not a good thing if you're in training for a race.

If you seriously think you need to lose weight (and I'm doubltful that you do), there are ways to do it and still train at the same time! Good luck!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I am absolutely talking you out of it!

You have to be able to maintain your desired weight while enjoying life with good food and regular movement. If you can maintain that weight now with little effort and a comfortable existence – STAY there.

RoseandJoan

You do not need talking out of this. You know it is a crazy thing to do.

Julie - and everyone. Of course you are right. I just suddenly felt this strong urge to do what I have resisted all my life! And I knew I could count on you guys to help me see sense.

Maya, my diet could do with some improvement - I have a tendency to overeat and Cricket - yes eat too much sugar and not enough veggies. I am quite a picky eater and really need to work at eating healthily.
So there is plenty to work on.

I think one reason my current weight annoys me is that when I weighed this much on " the way down" a year ago, I had a fuller bust. Now, though my toddler is still breastfeeding constantly, my bust is very small (less than A cup) so the weight must be somewhere else on me!

Anyway will let you know how it all goes. I don't plan to start anything until the new year. I am up in the city til then and plan to enjoy the food that isn't available in my regional town. Dim Sum and decent Indian - here I come

Queen Mum

Hi Anne, I've wondered where you have been! You've been missed.
Now....niix the fad diet idea. If you are wanting to drop a few pounds try mixing up your workout. I have found that doing the same type of exercise every day can keep you in a weight plateau. Your body knows what to expect and doesn't work as hard. You can add some strength training into your run (run a mile, do some pushups, run another mile, do some dips off a bench, and so on. Keep your body wondering what is coming next.- I forget the percent but for every pound of muscle you gain you burn ?% more calories all day long. Just some thoughts.....

Laura

Hi Anne, I agree with all of the above, and had to add that simply by cutting some "bad" carbs (cookies and chips, for example) and replacing with healthy carbs from fruits and veggies, you might notice a big difference. That's a simple change and really effective. When I want to lose a couple of pounds, I cut carbs, and it works fast.

Sarah

You can always perfect your diet (as in, nutrition) a little more or add more hard core workouts if you want to be lean and chiseled.
Fad diets won't do that for you, and it sounds like you already know that.
I can understand the appeal though. I have been around people who have lost twice as much weight as I have in half the time. It's tempting because it's quick, but it doesn't mean it's effective. Health involves SO much more than what we put in our mouths or how many calories we burn per day. Stay balanced!

Aren't you exercising more now than you did a year ago? So your weight (in numbers) reflects more muscle?

medusa

Anne, it sounds like you've gotten some good advice already but I'll chime in as well. You are a perfectly healthy weight and you have a beautiful figure. So you don't need a fad diet!

Just wanted to say thanks for the comments since I last wrote (especially the welcome from Queenie - I have been off the forum a while).
Sarah - thanks for the empathy!
Laura - those are exactly the sort of (sensible) changes I can make.
Medusa - thanks
Cricket - not sure about the muscle thing - I was exercising this time last year too.

better get off since I am at my inlaws place using their computer.
thanks again everyone

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