Comments on: The Truth About How To Lose Weight http://www.happinessinthisworld.com/2009/03/29/the-truth-about-how-to-lose-weight/ Reflections of a Buddhist Physician Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:49:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Deborah http://www.happinessinthisworld.com/2009/03/29/the-truth-about-how-to-lose-weight/#comment-64095 Deborah Fri, 04 Nov 2011 22:00:47 +0000 http://happinessinthisworld.com/?p=177#comment-64095 @Valerie 5 foot 6, 148lbs - BMI 23.9 5 foot 6, 165lbs - BMI 26.6 Both weights seem healthy to me. Latest research re:relationship between BMI and risk show body mass index has "U-shaped" curve that has its lowest risk at BMI 27.3. Source: http://www.halls.md/bmi/mort.htm Your doctor is out of line, and I'm surprised that Alex didn't pick this up. Sounds to me like you need to get a new doctor, and learn to appreciate yourself the way you are. I would guess that your obsession with your weight, when you are in fact normal and healthy is the biggest danger to your overall health. @Valerie
5 foot 6, 148lbs – BMI 23.9
5 foot 6, 165lbs – BMI 26.6

Both weights seem healthy to me. Latest research re:relationship between BMI and risk show body mass index has “U-shaped” curve that has its lowest risk at BMI 27.3.

Source: http://www.halls.md/bmi/mort.htm

Your doctor is out of line, and I’m surprised that Alex didn’t pick this up.

Sounds to me like you need to get a new doctor, and learn to appreciate yourself the way you are. I would guess that your obsession with your weight, when you are in fact normal and healthy is the biggest danger to your overall health.

]]> By: Valerie http://www.happinessinthisworld.com/2009/03/29/the-truth-about-how-to-lose-weight/#comment-64070 Valerie Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:00:27 +0000 http://happinessinthisworld.com/?p=177#comment-64070 Hi, I've been trying to lose weight off and on since I was 17 (I'm 27 now). I'm 5'6" and currently weigh about 165. The lowest I've ever weighed at my adult height was 148 and the highest was 183. I've tried so many different things to lose weight (even phentermine, ugh) but the only thing I've found that works is running 6-8 miles a day and eating no more than 1200-1400 calories. I've found that the only way I can consistently lose weight is if I "net" no more than 400-500 calories per day. What I've found is that I can't sustain that level of exercise/diet for more than a few months, but nothing else has worked for me. Every time I go to my doctor for a physical she tells me I need to lose at least 20 lbs, but I can't seem to get it off. The last time she told me that I was at 148. I've avoided going back because my weight has gone up even more since then. What can I do to get the weight off that I can actually sustain? <blockquote><em><strong>Valerie</strong>: If you haven't already, you might try focusing on a lower carbohydrate diet. Though I'm not a fan of the "science" he presents, the weight-loss strategy that Tim Ferriss describes in his book <strong>The 4-Hour Body</strong> has been helpful to many of my patients. Alex</em></blockquote> Hi,
I’ve been trying to lose weight off and on since I was 17 (I’m 27 now). I’m 5’6″ and currently weigh about 165. The lowest I’ve ever weighed at my adult height was 148 and the highest was 183. I’ve tried so many different things to lose weight (even phentermine, ugh) but the only thing I’ve found that works is running 6-8 miles a day and eating no more than 1200-1400 calories. I’ve found that the only way I can consistently lose weight is if I “net” no more than 400-500 calories per day. What I’ve found is that I can’t sustain that level of exercise/diet for more than a few months, but nothing else has worked for me. Every time I go to my doctor for a physical she tells me I need to lose at least 20 lbs, but I can’t seem to get it off. The last time she told me that I was at 148. I’ve avoided going back because my weight has gone up even more since then. What can I do to get the weight off that I can actually sustain?

Valerie: If you haven’t already, you might try focusing on a lower carbohydrate diet. Though I’m not a fan of the “science” he presents, the weight-loss strategy that Tim Ferriss describes in his book The 4-Hour Body has been helpful to many of my patients.

Alex

]]> By: Charlene http://www.happinessinthisworld.com/2009/03/29/the-truth-about-how-to-lose-weight/#comment-61698 Charlene Thu, 14 Jul 2011 11:38:27 +0000 http://happinessinthisworld.com/?p=177#comment-61698 Hi Alex....hope you have been well! I found your blog and wrote to you for the first time on 4/1/2009. At that time, was 145 lbs and had just begun to try and drop some weight. Because I was so impressed by your blog, I bookmarked it for inspiration. Long story short, instead of losing weight I actually ballooned to 163 lbs; I say ballooned because on my 5'2" frame it felt and looked like I ballooned!! On April 10, 2011 I made a conscience decision to honestly change my life and the result has been a loss of 25 lbs in 93 days. To lose the weight I had to change my mind about the reasons I wanted to lose weight. Next I had to get out of my way! By that I mean I had to check my ego because there is nothing pretty about the work that's needed to make being physically fit a way of life. In terms of exercise I do a solid hour every single day....no excuses! I started by walking, gradually I moved to power walking, next level was to power walk with small hand weights. I then moved to running which is a test of my will every single day! When weather doesn't allow me to be outdoors, I'm on my Stairmaster or treadmill. I have small free weights at home as well. I warm up and cool down; stretching is a must and I'm now up to 150 crunches every day. The sweating, huffing & puffing, and too tight exercise clothes in the beginning was awful to endure! People older than me would run past me so fast that I couldn't believe my eyes. My clothes were uncomfortable and I felt embarrassed every time my shorts rode up or my bulges stuck out. But I didn't give up I just kept (and keep) trotting along. I got out of my head and got out of my way! Also key to note, I gave up alcohol. Not that it was a problem or that I won't ever have a glass of wine again but I felt like I needed clarity and so I just stopped. I also gave up sugar and I didn't drastically change my diet but I found myself with less time to focus on food because I spend more time focusing on my workout. Are there days when I want to quit and not run another mile? Absolutely! Are there days when I make every excuse under the sun not to exercise? Absolutely! Are there days when I don't want to give it my all when I'm working out? Absolutely! But I haven't given in to those temptations. I think of the hour I've committed to being physical as sacred. It's my time and if I choose to put other things first that's ok but before I go to bed I have to get in 60 minutes of physical activity. I get up at 4am every day for work and I don't stop working until after 6pm or 7pm everyday. If I choose to put work first and not quit at a reasonable time too bad so sad because I still have to get in that hour every day! The last thing I did was give up even looking at a scale for the first 90 days. I did that because you suggested it and it worked. I weighed myself this morning so I could drop you this note and wanted to say I feel absolutely no pressure or anxiety about loosing weight. There is no pressure because this isn't a one time hit...this is a choice to change and if you're sincere and clear about why you want or need to make a change it can be done. By the way, I'm going shopping for some new athletic wear since what I own is now too big for me. I just wanted to thank you for your sound advice and your blog has now become one of the first or last things that I look at every day because it and you are an inspiration to me....THANK YOU! Charlene <blockquote><em><strong>Charlene</strong>: You're an inspiration! Thank you so much for sharing your story. I can't tell you how happy I am to hear about your success. Alex</em></blockquote> Hi Alex….hope you have been well! I found your blog and wrote to you for the first time on 4/1/2009. At that time, was 145 lbs and had just begun to try and drop some weight. Because I was so impressed by your blog, I bookmarked it for inspiration. Long story short, instead of losing weight I actually ballooned to 163 lbs; I say ballooned because on my 5’2″ frame it felt and looked like I ballooned!!

On April 10, 2011 I made a conscience decision to honestly change my life and the result has been a loss of 25 lbs in 93 days. To lose the weight I had to change my mind about the reasons I wanted to lose weight. Next I had to get out of my way! By that I mean I had to check my ego because there is nothing pretty about the work that’s needed to make being physically fit a way of life.

In terms of exercise I do a solid hour every single day….no excuses! I started by walking, gradually I moved to power walking, next level was to power walk with small hand weights. I then moved to running which is a test of my will every single day! When weather doesn’t allow me to be outdoors, I’m on my Stairmaster or treadmill. I have small free weights at home as well. I warm up and cool down; stretching is a must and I’m now up to 150 crunches every day. The sweating, huffing & puffing, and too tight exercise clothes in the beginning was awful to endure! People older than me would run past me so fast that I couldn’t believe my eyes. My clothes were uncomfortable and I felt embarrassed every time my shorts rode up or my bulges stuck out. But I didn’t give up I just kept (and keep) trotting along. I got out of my head and got out of my way!

Also key to note, I gave up alcohol. Not that it was a problem or that I won’t ever have a glass of wine again but I felt like I needed clarity and so I just stopped. I also gave up sugar and I didn’t drastically change my diet but I found myself with less time to focus on food because I spend more time focusing on my workout.

Are there days when I want to quit and not run another mile? Absolutely! Are there days when I make every excuse under the sun not to exercise? Absolutely! Are there days when I don’t want to give it my all when I’m working out? Absolutely! But I haven’t given in to those temptations. I think of the hour I’ve committed to being physical as sacred. It’s my time and if I choose to put other things first that’s ok but before I go to bed I have to get in 60 minutes of physical activity.

I get up at 4am every day for work and I don’t stop working until after 6pm or 7pm everyday. If I choose to put work first and not quit at a reasonable time too bad so sad because I still have to get in that hour every day!

The last thing I did was give up even looking at a scale for the first 90 days. I did that because you suggested it and it worked. I weighed myself this morning so I could drop you this note and wanted to say I feel absolutely no pressure or anxiety about loosing weight. There is no pressure because this isn’t a one time hit…this is a choice to change and if you’re sincere and clear about why you want or need to make a change it can be done.

By the way, I’m going shopping for some new athletic wear since what I own is now too big for me. I just wanted to thank you for your sound advice and your blog has now become one of the first or last things that I look at every day because it and you are an inspiration to me….THANK YOU!

Charlene

Charlene: You’re an inspiration! Thank you so much for sharing your story. I can’t tell you how happy I am to hear about your success.

Alex

]]> By: Tansy http://www.happinessinthisworld.com/2009/03/29/the-truth-about-how-to-lose-weight/#comment-61683 Tansy Tue, 12 Jul 2011 18:15:27 +0000 http://happinessinthisworld.com/?p=177#comment-61683 Just to share my journey—after a lifetime of struggle to lose weight, I finally reached BMI of 41, and coming from a family of extremely obese and diabetic people I decided to get myself a lap band earlier this year. The operation took less than an hour, and I was home the following day. Five months later I am 16 kg lighter and have confidence I will be able to get to a very healthy weight for me in time. The key issue in weight regulation, which is why some of the commenters have been unable to control their weight despite all their efforts after taking a drug regimen for an illness. Willpower can hardly ever overcome an overset appetite, which is why 90-95% of people who lose weight put it back on. Now that I have a volume control on my appetite, and without the din of a too-loud appetite in my ear constantly, I can make much healthier food choices. Just to share my journey—after a lifetime of struggle to lose weight, I finally reached BMI of 41, and coming from a family of extremely obese and diabetic people I decided to get myself a lap band earlier this year. The operation took less than an hour, and I was home the following day. Five months later I am 16 kg lighter and have confidence I will be able to get to a very healthy weight for me in time. The key issue in weight regulation, which is why some of the commenters have been unable to control their weight despite all their efforts after taking a drug regimen for an illness. Willpower can hardly ever overcome an overset appetite, which is why 90-95% of people who lose weight put it back on. Now that I have a volume control on my appetite, and without the din of a too-loud appetite in my ear constantly, I can make much healthier food choices.

]]> By: Sheridan http://www.happinessinthisworld.com/2009/03/29/the-truth-about-how-to-lose-weight/#comment-61107 Sheridan Mon, 06 Jun 2011 00:58:47 +0000 http://happinessinthisworld.com/?p=177#comment-61107 I never had too much to loose but at age 50, 5'8", 145 lbs and 35% body fat (as measured on my bathroom scale my abdominal girth is 35") all my weight goes to my ever increasing abdomen. I try to eat healthy 6 days/week and allow myself only 1 "free food" but I hate my gut! I started running marathons but I actually think that amount of endurance training has caused an elevation in cortisol levels for the stress of the 5 hours running! So now I am mixing it up in an all out battle of the gut. I lift weights 2 days/week and am trying high intensity intervals in place of long distance running and I am learning yoga for the stretching and connection of my body to my mind. Thanks for your blog! I never had too much to loose but at age 50, 5’8″, 145 lbs and 35% body fat (as measured on my bathroom scale my abdominal girth is 35″) all my weight goes to my ever increasing abdomen. I try to eat healthy 6 days/week and allow myself only 1 “free food” but I hate my gut! I started running marathons but I actually think that amount of endurance training has caused an elevation in cortisol levels for the stress of the 5 hours running! So now I am mixing it up in an all out battle of the gut. I lift weights 2 days/week and am trying high intensity intervals in place of long distance running and I am learning yoga for the stretching and connection of my body to my mind. Thanks for your blog!

]]>