My Weight Management Issues

My weight management issue has always been about losing weight.  During one intense weight management commitment that lasted almost 2 years, I managed to lose right at 100 pounds.  Afterwards, I felt and looked great.  I was even able to stop taking my blood pressure medications.  However, over some stressful personal times, I ate.  And my weight management challenges resurfaced.  I gained back 30 of those 100 lbs.

Honestly, that's been my weight management history.  Get fat.  Lose.  Get fatter.  Lose.  If you have a weight management issue that you've battled it is likely that you know this yo-yo routine well -- just like me.  The purpose of this post is NOT to just share all my weight management woes and leave it at that.  Actually, without all the minute gory details, that's already been done here in the first paragraph.  What I do hope to share is a bit of hope along with what has worked and what is working for me today in weight management.

But first, chances are you've got a few friends like me who have weight management struggles, too.  Do you know anyone who has gone on one of the many latest, greatest weight loss protocols and lost loads of weight?  Now they're trying to talk you into joining "their company" so you can buy at wholesale and make money off your friends when you sign them up, right?  Listen, there's nothing wrong with this.  I'm simply here to tell you that just because something worked for me and works for them, does NOT mean it will work for you!

Individualized Weight Management

Do an online search for the words weight management and you will find 11.6 million results.  Weight loss returns a whopping 132 million results.  Clearly, a lot of people are interested in losing weight or weight managements of some form.  I don't mind telling you that I'm middle aged and I've learned a few things over the years.  One of the BIGGEST things I've learned about weight management is that one size does NOT fit all!  This battle that those of  us face who want to keep our weight where it should be, while having some basic overall principals, is very individualized and personalized.

We are all unique in a variety of ways.  The way we think about ourselves, our body chemistry, age, background, current health, likes, dislikes....all of these things and more play a role in our weight management.  Some of us can do it on our own.  Some of us need others to stand with us and help encourage us along the way.  One person does great with a surgical procedure.  Another person has major problems with the same procedure.  One person can handle rigorous exercise.  Another hates it and won't do it.

When it comes to weight management, I'm convinced that every person has to search, and keep searching, until they find the mix of diet and exercise that works for them!

My Weight Management Successes

This is what works for me.  I like a no-white diet with portion control on everything else.  This means I cut out pasta, bread, sugar, salt, rice....everything white.  Cutting out most carbs for awhile is not a challenge for me.  Eggs are an exception.  They're fine.  On my weight management portion control, I use the deck-of-cards measuring method.  Meat portions are no bigger than a deck of cards.  I typically stick with fish and chicken during this regimen.

Eight glasses of cold water throughout the day is a must.  In between, I can have all the coffee and tea that I desire but these are not a substitute for water.  Plus, I allow myself 1 diet soda daily.  To get started, I fast with liquids the first 3 days and eat a banana or apple only if absolutely famished.  I also take a diet pill as prescribed for the first few weeks of this.  No alcohol beverages for the first few weeks.  Afterwards, I allow myself up to 2 glasses of wine daily.

Added to this, I do light aerobic exercise for 45 minutes at a time 5 or 6 days a week.  I hate exercising, but it makes the weight come off fast and I've used exercise as a good weight management tool to eat lots more yummy food and maintain.

Okay, that just me.  Let me encourage YOU to keep searching for your own magic potion.  It's out there.  Don't quit!

Weight-Management 101 - Part II

Wikipedia has a good article with lots of links if you want to explore more on the topic.  Just click on the link here at WEIGHT MANAGEMENT.