Anyone know a good diet for losing a pot belly?

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Azure

Also, there is no reason you have to be intense about what you eat. I don't count every calorie, nor do I plan out my meals. I just try to make healthy choices. And not eat as much.

Exactly.

In the end whatever you do, make sure its something you can stick with. That's why I suggested weaning yourself down to 16 ounces of pop instead of cutting it out cold turkey.

As for the aspertame, I was told that by my doctor as well. Basically your body becomes less able to handle actual sugar when it does get it, and it ends up being worse for you in the end.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by ken0042

As for the aspertame, I was told that by my doctor as well. Basically your body becomes less able to handle actual sugar when it does get it, and it ends up being worse for you in the end.

I guess if switch over from drinking 10 cans normal pop per day, to 10 cans diet-pop per day, it isn't really healthy.

But if you only drink pop once in a while, diet is better.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Azure

I guess if switch over from drinking 10 cans normal pop per day, to 10 cans diet-pop per day, it isn't really healthy.

But if you only drink pop once in a while, diet is better.

nuh-uh...it tastes nasty!

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

nuh-uh...it tastes nasty!

That is very true.

Sad thing is, I once had a brand of diet root beer that was actually pretty good. Now I can't find the stuff anymore.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Azure

That is very true.

Sad thing is, I once had a brand of diet root beer that was actually pretty good. Now I can't find the stuff anymore.

I actually don't mind diet A & W. Not too shabby.

[FlamesAddiction]

I had quite a ponch growing and started going to the gym and doing 1 hour of cardio 5 days a week. My only advice would be to stick with it. It took me 8 weeks before I started to lose the weight (and I was also watching my calories), but once it started, it happenned quickly.

For some people, it just takes a while to change your metabolism.... especially if you're over 30.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

sign up for this:

weightwatchers.ca

I know a bunch of people who have done so with consistant success.

Like any diet, it won't work for everybody. But if it works for you it certainly is a good diet. It isn't really a diet, but it teaches you how to eat properly and encourages you to get some activity in too.

My mother-in-law does weight watchers so I borrowed her documentation. I followed the program it it works for me. My problem is we'll hit thanksgiving, Christmas or easter, where we feast and then I'm off the wagon again.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to justify drinking pop. I will make an effort to stop. I don't think my post read that way though.

It's tough to make time to exercise when you work 55 hours a week. Trust me.

Just takes 30 minutes a day.

Don't do the slow jog around the serene neighbourhood. Do that intense cardio (HIIT). I just basically run flat out for a few minutes at a time. While I'm catching my breath, I do some weights. Then run again. I know I get bored by most exercise so the only way to do it is to get on the treadmill and psyche myself into thinking I'm getting chased by a velociraptor and I have to run for my life for half a mile flat out...or that I'm the army in WWI and I'm running across no-man's land...

Boy I'm wierd!!!

[Rifleman]

If you really like the Pepsi, I'd say instead of going cold turkey (which is hard) start to water it down. I used to have a real crush on Orange pop, and I started watering it down. Eventually you get used to it if you do it little by little. Now, one can of pop makes me 4 cups of orange drink. Drinking it straight feels like I'm drinking syrup now.

[Caged Great]

As I mentioned in another thread Exercisetv.tv has some good beginner workouts.

I'm currently adding some muscle to my frame, and every pound of muscle you add, it burns 50 calories at rest. So if you combine some cardio and weights you'll double burn.
Also when you do some upper body weight lifting, it metabolizes some fat and it enters the blood stream as glucose. After you do weights, make sure that you do 10 minutes at least of cardio to burn off that glucose.

[Caged Great]

a few years ago I used to drink almost a full case of pop a day. It was not good and I decided to quit cold turkey. I had the most intense headaches for a week after that. I haven't gone back since then even though I have the occasional pop when I'm out.

I would recommend cutting back gradually say from 10 to 9 then 8 after a few days till you get down to the point that you'd be happy with. You could also do what Rifleman did with watering it down. If possible try to supplement what you would normally drink with water.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

Where the hell do you guys find the time for this exercise? Seriously.

I mean, I get some at work....low impact cardio most days for an hour or so. Once in a while it's a lot more. I drink pop like diss does. I once quit drinking pop for an entire year and I gained weight...so to say simply swearing off pop will result in weight loss is a fallacy IMO. BTW...diet pop is bad for you too. There was a study recently that theorizes that aspartame causes the body to store excess fat.

I don't have time for more exercise or to be too intense about what I eat. I'm almost resigned to being overweight permanently.

For the record, low cholesterol levels and blood pressure for me.

Not having time is an excuse. You have to make time. Working out and eating right isn't easy, especially with work and family commitments. For me I had to start going to the gym in the morning at 5:30am. With work and a young family, that was the only time that worked everyday for me. Believe me getting up at 5:30am to hit the gym is not very appealing, especially in the winter. Once you get into a routine it isn't that bad though.

PS. I'm not judging you for saying you don't have the time. Many people use the same argument. I'm sure they do feel that they don't have the time. If your not happy with the way you feel or look. You got to step up and make it happen. Somehow, someway. It isn't easy for anybody.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Buff

Like any diet, it won't work for everybody. But if it works for you it certainly is a good diet. It isn't really a diet, but it teaches you how to eat properly and encourages you to get some activity in too.

My mother-in-law does weight watchers so I borrowed her documentation. I followed the program it it works for me. My problem is we'll hit thanksgiving, Christmas or easter, where we feast and then I'm off the wagon again.

One meal won't screw you up that much....and one day where you constantly eat, won't completely throw you off the wagon.

Say you take in 6,000 calories each of those days...the rest of the week will be spent simply losing those extra calories, and if you plan accordingly, you can end up even after 7 days....having lost or gained nothing.

But, you feel bloated and stuffed.

Of course, if you have a strict routine where you HAVE to lose 1 lb per week, yes, holiday meals CAN throw you off.

[Azure]

Oh, lots of people say that if you quit drinking pop....cold turkey....drink coffee instead.

It helps with the cravings.

[Vedder]

Originally Posted by Azure

Oh, lots of people say that if you quit drinking pop....cold turkey....drink coffee instead.

It helps with the cravings.

It's true, it worked for me! I then tried to take the extra step and make the transition from coffee to tea. That didn't work as well.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Vedder

It's true, it worked for me! I then tried to take the extra step and make the transition from coffee to tea. That didn't work as well.

Lack of caffeine might be why.

Nothing wrong with drinking coffee, IMO.

[ernie]

The biggest problem with todays "normal" diet is that it is far too high in fats, protein and carbs.

But you don't need to go on some low carb diet or anything. You simply need to learn what serving size a carb you should be eating. It really isn't that complicated. We all have heard about the food pyramid and that is essentially all you have to do. If you want help with that, I found that the American Diabetes Association had a great site and you used to be able to get an example weekly menu from them to know what to eat. Believe me if you follow the serving suggestions you will not be hungry as the amount fruits and veg is large (especially if you eat most of it raw...something like 4 or 5 cups of raw veg a day and then 3 pieces of fruit).

The only other suggestion is that you want to eat the larger chunk of your calories earlier in the day. A few studies have shown that if you take two groups of people that eat the identical foods and caloric intake during the day have significant weight loss differences due to when they eat the food. Those that ate most of the calories by lunch (i.e. bigger breakfast or lunch) lost more weight than those that had supper as the big meal.

Not saying I'm an authority or anything given I am a bit overwieght and it fluctuates quite a bit (when travelling for business I have a lot of trouble eating properly due to company dinners, always being stuck at airports etc), but when I'm home I try to follow the ADA "diet". If you follow the weight loss serving suggestions you do continually lose weight in a good controlled manner.

You'll also want to cut out take out and really start cooking at home. You want to know exactly what you are putting in your mouth especially when you are first trying to lose that weight. Also cut out pop altogether including diet pop. Diet pop can trigger the same insulin releases. Really stay away from artificial sweeteners period.

Edit: one warning. Do yourself a favour and do not cut out all the "junk". Have a bacon cheesburger every couple of weeks or eve once a week. Have a few slices of pizza now and then. I stuck religiously to the diet for 3-4 months and after I had lost my 30 pounds I celebrated with a meal of nacho starter and pizza. I was sick as a dog and anytime I had anything remotely greasy was sick as a dog. I actually brought some of that stuff back into my diet every now and then because my body could no longer handle it...the last thing I wanted was not to be able to have some of those delicious things.

[Azure]

And absolutely learn how to read labels.

Find out what good carbs are, what the GI index is, and which fats are good(all except Transfats IMO). Find out which foods have more protein, and eat more of that - which foods have less sugar, and eat more of that.

Like yogurt for example. One brand will have 30g sugar per one serving, the other brand will have 6g sugar per one serving. And IMO, they taste exactly the same. Cost is identical too. But if you don't know what is 'good' and 'bad' for you, and even worse, you don't know how to read nutritional labels, it doesn't matter what each food contains.

[Vedder]

Originally Posted by Azure

Lack of caffeine might be why.

Nothing wrong with drinking coffee, IMO.

Yeah it was definitely the lack of caffeine. Plus coffee is much more convenient. I was trying to get away from it because I've heard it can increase your blood pressure and my family has a bit of a history. I try to drink it in moderation now.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Azure

And absolutely learn how to read labels.

Find out what good carbs are, what the GI index is, and which fats are good(all except Transfats IMO). Find out which foods have more protein, and eat more of that - which foods have less sugar, and eat more of that.

Like yogurt for example. One brand will have 30g sugar per one serving, the other brand will have 6g sugar per one serving. And IMO, they taste exactly the same. Cost is identical too. But if you don't know what is 'good' and 'bad' for you, and even worse, you don't know how to read nutritional labels, it doesn't matter what each food contains.

Good advice. Another reason to read food labels. You will see stuff such as yogurt that advertises no fat. Yet, like Azure mentioned, it could have 30 grams of sugar. Another thing to look for are foods such as an ice cream sandwich that advertises only 100 calories per serving. Yet has a bunch of sugar as well. You will find the same thing in breakfast cereals, the different varieties of Quaker Oatmeal, etc, etc.