Dear Q Friends,
Has anybody found any reasonably successful regimen for weight-loss --
particularly for the hip, waist and Q-gut area?
Since entering the hospital in August (2007) I've been on a relatively
high-protein diet that was recommended for better wound healing with regard to
deep muscle tissue. Most of the fats are good fats like those in nuts, fish,
etc. (But I also know a fat is a fat! So it's 9 cal/gram, where carbs and
proteins are 4 cal/gram.)
The reason I'm asking is I just tried wearing jeans for the first time since
August. I went into the hospital waiting 147 lbs. and I'd say I'm currently
160 lbs. The same jeans that fit well then, a 35" waist, are now so tight at
the hip and waist that I can only button them lying flat on my back. And then
I can sit because, as most of you know, the ole Q-gut gets bigger when we do
that.
I know I'm going to have to start working out more. That much is a no-brainer.
I don't do much "structured" exercise now but I know I do burn a fair bit just
trying to function from day to day in bed. Since the beginning, I don't "just
lay there." I'm always working on things, moving and lifting things like heavy
notebooks while I also work on lifting and balancing myself in a low air loss
bed. But FINALLY this week I'm just beginning to get out of bed for long
enough to start going to a gym where I can use weights.
I just got two new pairs of pants today. A 37" waist now... I haven't tried
them all and yet but I'm sure they will still be tight, but at least manageable
until I lose some of this excess.
So, if anybody has any ideas on diets and/or work out regimens that have worked
for losing weight in the gut, butt and hips, I'd love to hear your stories.
My diet is pretty consistent.
Breakfast: 8 oz. low-fat yogurt, a protein bar (22g protein), prunes, and dry
Grape Nuts cereal
Lunch: Lean ham sandwich with low-fat cheese and whole grain bread.
Occasionally, instead of the sandwich its the lowest fat "Lean Pocket" I can
find.
Dinner: Skinless boneless chicken (steamed) with plenty of "quality" vegetables
like legumes (black or pinto beans and peas), and home grown romaine lettuce,
spinach, broccoli or Swiss chard.
My drinks are a combination of a total 32 oz. mixtures of:
A. low-carb cranberry juice with Diet Mountain Dew or
B. cranberry with Minute Maid Light juice (5 cal., 0 fat).
(Usually one 16 oz. cup of each.)
I also drink 2 cups of weak coffee with no-fat creamer in the morning and 2
cups of weak tea with 1/2 tsp. sugar in the evening.
And finally, approximately 16-24 oz. plain old water.
So, with breakfast, lunch and all my drinks I have 1100 calories and 115% RDA
proteins (based on a 2000 cal diet -- my nutrition doc thought I still needed
more protein but I just couldn't pack it in.). But now that my wounds are
almost completely healed I can probably cut back on the high-protein "extras."
That should be enough to cut my calorie intake down below 2000 per day.
Finally, on a slightly separate note... I'm wondering does anybody here ever
watch NBC's "The Biggest Loser" ?? I'm not a big fan, in fact I only watch it
1-2 times per season. I wonder how those trainers would work with some of us?
Would they be as successful? How much should we teach them versus them
teaching us? Just things I was thinking about as I wrote this.
Looking forward to any suggestions!
Best regards, All,
--Tod
