It will probably not work for you (or for most people), and I was not even married when I did it, but when I hurt my foot some 5 years ago and could only walk to a nearby farmer's market, I lived almost all summer on veggies/fruits (fruits mostly). Lost about 30+ lbs - don't even know how many (definitely 30+ ; that I know), as I never even knew how heavy I got. Kept it all off till I got pg
As for exercise - find something you really like, even love to do. For me, it must be something I do outside home - I'd never have enough self-discipline to exercise at home. Taking a group class might be fun.
I returned back to ice - started figure skating lessons again. It's something I really like, and did not have a chance to do in the last 13 years (ever since I quit figure skating in my childhood). I think that's the best chance for me to actually continue exercising regularly. I'm not even bothering with any special diets, and not concentrating on actual #'s that I loose, as how I feel and what size dress I wear is more important (muscles are heavier than fat, thus I expect not to loose much till I build up good muscles).
Ok Josie - I'm down 110 lbs - is that significant enough, hee hee! (but I had surgery, so I don't think that counts, lol.) FWIW, diet, exercise, pills, etc. NOTHING worked for me! But then again, I had a thyroid problem and genetics working against me. When you only have about 45 lbs. to lose, it's really not that impossible a task, ya know? YOU CAN DO IT
Just wanna add that I have had a lot of friends who have lost 30-40 lbs of their excess weight by simply reducing the portions of their meals and increasing their exercise - like parking further away in parking lots and walking up stairs instead of taking the elevator.
Just by walking. I spent a summer in KY and had to walk into town and back a lot. Just by walking maybe 5 days a week and doing the occasional workout tape I lost over 30 pounds. I kept it off until after I got pg with Chloe. So it makes it even sillier than I am overweight now when I know I could lose the weight fairly easily.
I didn't change my diet a whole lot. I found that when I was exercising like that I could pretty much eat what I wanted. I'm going to start walking again before the weather heats up. I figure by the time it's getting hot again and I don't want to walk, I will have lost enough weight to stay motivated to do tapes until the fall.
I agree with Renta, it really helps to find something you enjoy doing. Good luck Josie.
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~*~Amber~*~
Mom to Chloe and Lily, and a brand new BOY born 8/23/08
52 lbs back in 1994/95 and I've kept it off ever since.
I was a chubby bride and was 160 lbs on my wedding day. I cry over my wedding photos.
After I saw those I bought Tony Little's workout tapes off the home shopping network and I did the routines (20 min. per tape-each tape was alternated so I did 2 a day) every day. I did very little dieting-mostly I stopped going to fast food places but otherwise I still ate chocolate several times a day (it's my think OK? lol) and very slowly, after 5 months I started to see a difference and went from a 14 to a 2 in about a year.
frankly, I just wanted it THAT BAD and so I did it every single day whether I felt like it or not. Some days I screamed at Tony to F*off and leave me alone but I kept doing the workouts always. It paid off for me.
Anyhow, based on my own adventures I will usually reccommend an exercise program over dieting. But I'm just me...
1.) The weight started coming off after one year of breastfeeding.
2.) Exercise. I started doing pilates and it really does reshape your body and I only do it once a week. I also try to walk 30 minutes a couple times a week. A friend of mine told me that the only way she can stay skinny is if she exercises so that is what motivated me to at least do something sometimes.
3. I don't do the grocery shopping! I seriously think since I'm not picking out all sorts of things that I like then I'm not snacking as much.
I've lost all my pregnancy weight, and now I'm trying to lose 20 more. I went on the L.A. weight loss plan which I do not recommend to anyone anymore. The reduction in calories & fat helped me lose weight fast, but I stopped at this plateau for the rest of the program. I am now seeing a nutriotionist who says the LA weight loss plan was a starvation plan and it made my metabolism slow way down. It was great in the beginning because my body needed that change in calories, but once I incorporated exercise and my body needed more. I was only eating a little bit with L.A., and it really messed up my metabolism. My body hung onto whatever I ate.. ughh.
I realized I was only taking in 1200 calories a day, and she said that was wrong! I've increased my calories to 1500, and increased my exercise. Burning calories helps you lose weight/fat. I believe the dieting helped me lose just weight, and not want I really want to get rid of which is fat.
I am a firm believer of high protein, low sugar, and low refined carbs. I do eat carbs but I try my best to make sure they are unrefined carbs. I will splurge now and then, because if I don't, I lose track.
Good luck! It's a rough battle, but once you are focused, you can do it!
My sister has taken off 45 lbs. and my BIL has lost ~65 lbs. They read this book called "Body for Life" and have followed the recommended diet (mostly healthy eating, lots of small meals during the day, and portion control) and developed an exercise routine that's worked for them. My MIL started it just recently and lost 2 lbs. in the first week. She only took the diet recommendations and hasn't begun to exercise yet. Anyway, I've never read the book, but they all look wonderful and their kids actually like the new diet . They only did the regimen for 6 months... took off for the holiday's and just started up again in hopes of reaching their goal.
Best wishes!
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Tammy
SAHM to my sweet Anna Joy (5.5), handsome Davy James (3.5), and speedy Ryan Patrick (1)
These pictures are SOOOO out of date! http://hallihan.us - much more recent
I have lost 60 pounds so far, not counting my pregnancy weight. I was overweight when I got pregnant. Then once I had Gila, I lost all the baby weight then gained some back because I got depressed.
Anyhow over the summer, I decided that enough was enough. I didn't feel healthy anymore. I started to learn portion control and learn my own body signals of when I was hungry and when I wasn't. It wasn't easy. But it has worked, and I am still losing and feel so much better! I weigh less than I did when I got married! I don't have a scale at home, so I only weigh myself like once every couple months, so I don't get number crazy, which is also important.
I've lost 22lbs so far and still have about the same amount left to go. I started losing when Maddy weaning at 9mths (she's 15 mths old now). I think my body holds onto everything when I'm breastfeeding! Just without breastfeeding and with a little exercise (I started Cindy Crawfords New Dimension post-partum workout video when Maddy was about 5 mths old), I lost about 5-7 lbs.
Starting last October, I switched to a vegan diet with no sugar. Only occasionally maple syrup or honey in extreme moderation. (I did take some time off of this over the holidays, but have regretted it). I also don't eat anything after supper. I've been losing about 1.5 lbs a week on this diet with the exception of the holidays. I'm also trying to do some excercise everyday. Either a video (I've got several) or a walk outside with the kids.
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Cheryl single mama to
Melissa (9), Michael (8), Madeleine (7)
twins Megan & Maribeth (4)
doing Mauri Winsor Pilates (yeah the one that Daisy Fuentes advertises); I only do the 20 minute tape (to me 20 mins is doable everyday AND its not hard impact, you just lay on the floor). It has made a complete difference in how I carry myself. I have lost 5 inches around my abs and butt. I have gotten more compliments IRL and just by seeing my results, 3 people I know have started it.
I *try* to walk 30 minutes at least 3x a week.
And I gave up soda, otherwise I have not really changed my diet. But I feel so much better b/c of the pilates that I don't *want* to eat as much as before. I have even left food on a plate when eating out (and we all know if you pay $$ for it, you have to eat it all, right
I have about 50 more lbs to lose, but this is once that feel that I could do this forever; not just until the weight is off. It is doable, I have been losing 1-2 lbs a week, which the experts say is the way to lose it and keep it off. I have been doing this for a little over 3 months -- the first time I kept at it more than a couple of weeks. Quick weight loss always comes back + more for me. So I am feeling very positive.
and was 160 lbs on my wedding day. I cry over my wedding photos. 
IF YOU WANT IT BAD ENOUGH, you can do it!!!!
. They only did the regimen for 6 months... took off for the holiday's and just started up again in hopes of reaching their goal. 
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