Kathy - I would faint if I only ate 1500 calories let alone 1200! Anyway if the fat won't budge it may have to do with microflora in your bowels. Studies have shown that obese people have different strains of bacteria in their bowels than people with a healthy weight. So people like "How" who commented after you can get off their high horse. You, Kathy also excercise regulary and in addition are more careful than "How" about the way you eat. "How" should thank her mother for the inheritance of a healthy bowel. Babies get their initial 'innoculation' of bacteria in the bowel from their mothers during birth. It sets the stage for their digestive health for life. However more is being learned so that if your mom didn't pass on the best microflora or if other things interfered with that balance (hormone therapy, antibiotics, vaccinations) then you can do things now to try to get the balance right. Please look up information from Donna Gates the author of Body Ecology.

I am very enjoy your blog, your blog is very true of the bar, hoping to see you more exciting content! I wish you have a happy day!

Please post the answers to the comments/questions. I feel I fall into the categories mentioned, and, "where do we go from here"? Thanks!

I am 56 years young-weight has been constant at 151 for the past year- i carry belly fat- i too just cant seem to lose the weight- i seem to lose my motivation when the scales dont move-and fall back into poor eating habits which is really over eating- i know the solution -just cant seem to stay with it when i dont see results fast enough- i am walking 5 days aweek and have starting running/walking too- i have never been yoyo - my weight slowing went on over the last 15 years so it really snuck up on me- any new suggestions?

I love the suggestion of the bowl of soup. Here is what I do at dinner: I open up 2 cans of french style green beans and measure off two cups. Then pour beef or chicken broth over them and heat it up. I add lean protein like chicken to it and I have a complete, low fat, high complex carb dinner which keeps me full and satisfied. Yummy.

My husband (61) is about 20 lbs overweight and I am about 8! We overindulge if it is in the house so we don't buy the icecream, chips, etc. We usually don't even bring nuts home because we eat too much. Main thing which is really an issue is he overindulges in wine several times a week. I guess it's an addiction. I hate it and it is full of calories. Any suggestions, I'll take em. Thanks.

I was wondering does hypnosis work with helping to lose weight

I am a 52 year old woman I in full blown menopause have been going to weight watchers for over a year. I started Jan 29 2007 by Oct of 2007 I had lost 54 lb it is now July of 2008 and I and I have gained 14 lbs back I feel hungry all the time I seem to keep eating even when I am not hungry and can't seem to get back on track I don't have any will power it seems, I don't want to go backwards.... Please help

How to avoid overindulgence!

A while back I read about a women who was having bad headaches after eating sugar.
Many years ago, (1970's) when I worked at the U of M Hospital, the Dr. who was the head of the dept. I worked in told me not to eat sugar. (By the way, this man was brillant and befor his time.) In the many years since then, I have kept on top of information as it has become available.
Physical happening:
The reason why you receive headaches after eating sugar is due to a chemical imbalance in your brain. Somewhere along the line your body, like mine, has been unable to break down sugar the way it is supposed to and dumps way to much insulin into your system. This is what causes the headaches and I know they can be real, real bad i.e., migrain intensity.
Preventative measures:
1. Every once in a while I cheat and eat sugar. When I do this Advil is always at hand. For some reason, Advil not only stops any immediate reaction from starting, but if taken prior to going to bed, will prevent the morning after headaches.
2. If you eat meat prior to eating sugar it has the ability to prevent the reaction from begining. The protein changes the way in which the body processes the sugar. It slows the digesting process down.

When I first went off sugar I went through withdrawel. Back then there were not any of the products that are available today.
Terminology:
When I use the term sugar I am refering to cane and/or beat sugar. This form of sugar is not only found in food but also alcohol.
Alcohol:
You will find that staying away from many wines, wine coolers, brandy, rum and other alcoholic beverages that have a fermenting process that produces sugar in the processing is best stayed away from. Vodka is made from potatoes and will not cause the problems that other alcoholic beverages will.
Label reading:
You will find yourself reading labels. If you don't already, it will become a way of life. When reading lables look for products that have fructose, corn syrup or any combination of the two.
Fructose:
Fructose is made from corn and has the same molecular structure as our bodies so when we consume it our bodies do not know the difference. You can find fructose in granular form in the health food section of most grocery stores. However, I would recommend going to a coop and having them order it for you in bulk form. Of the two ways to purchase fructose this is the cheapest. It is more expensive than cane / beat sugar, but isn't your well being worth it? To me it sure is! The down side with fructose is that it metabolises a lot faster than other forms of sugar. I will live with this any day of the week compaired to what sugar does to my system.
Bodily changes:
As you get into making the changes in the way you shop for food and the things you purchase you will begin to notice a difference in how you feel. The sluggishness that was always present (you will probably not realize that it was present until after you no longer have it) will no longer be their. You will feel more alive and less blah. It is amazing the change you will notice not only physically but also emtionally and mentally. You will be less stessed and find that you will be loosing your temper less because of the decrease in your stress level.
Sugar History:
Sugar is very addicting so expect some form of withdrawel when you quite. With Advil it may not be as noticable as it was for me back in the preAdvil days. Prior to the industrial revolution sugar was teated as a poision and as a medicine. After the industrial revolution and with the influx of people to the city, honey could not be harvested in large enough quantities or fast enough to deal with the growing demand for a sweatner. Hence the turn to the sugar plant. As our society has changed from an industrial to an information society our type of work has become less physically intense and more brain intense and the increase in the level of physical, as well as, emotional stress has increased dramatically. Combine all of these factors and you have a situation that is ripe for our systems to have a MAJOR problem being able to digest sugar.
Splenda:
Be care of the product called Splenda. It is a derivitive of cane / beat sugar and is very popular. However, you may find that it can still cause your system problems since the molecular structure of the food item itself has not changed.
Personal History:
I was in my mid twenties when I gave up sugar for the first time. I had one relaps approximately ten years later but have not really had many problems since then.
Changes due to decreased sugar:
As there is less and less sugar in your system, you will find your emotions become calmer and your ability to handle stress increases. Sugar puts you on a short fuse because it increases the stress on your system both physically as well as emotionally. There is not an area of your life that the results of sugar does not touch, especially if your body is having trouble digesting it.
Medical Professional knowledge:
A doctor will not be able to help much with this problem simply because they receive way to little education on nutrition. A nutionalist, depending upon their experience, may or may not have this information. To my knowledge this is not taught anywhere.
Hospitalization:
When, or if you ever end up in a hospital DO NOT have a regular IV as it is nothing but sugar water. You will need to make sure you have an IV that is sodium based otherwise it can add many problems to your current medical situation.
Closing:
This has been a way of life for me for almost forty years (I am currently in my mid fifties). I know just how deadly sugar can truly be.
For those who do not have any trouble digesting sugar, consider yourself fortunate. File this information away and use it to help someone else.
For those who are having this difficulty and have no idea what is causing the problem or why, I hope this answers some of your questions and is able to help you live a much healthier and happier life.
All the information I have given you I have gained from experience and from continually staying on top of information as it becomes available. So if you want verification of what I have said you will have to do your own research in order to obtain it. I do not know of any professional who can give it to you.
I hope this information helps answer many questions for many differsent people. I truly wish you all an enriched life.

I am 41 years old weighing in at 150 lbs, and 25 lbs to go to reach my goal.
I recently had the same problem...i dieted and exercised with no loss. I finally joined weight watchers, at the suggestion of a co-worker, last year and lost 20 lbs. I ate more than ever, but healthier and within my allotted point range. Plenty of carbs, but complex carbs is the key. I never thought in a million years I could eat carbs and still lose weight.

To Kathy | May 25, 2008 at 10:45 AM
I don't know if this will help or not but my roommate had a similar problem. She was working out 5 days a week and watching her calories but not losing any weight. So she went to see a nutritionist and they suggested that she was eating too much saturated fat and this was keeping her from losing weight. In her case it was cheese (cream cheese, cottage cheese, pizza with cheese, cheese sprinkled on to of pasta, etc) So they told her to limit herself to no more that one cheese portion a day and pizza once a month. I don't know your diet but you may be getting sat. fat in this way or in another way so that's something to watch out for. And if you're really having trouble you should see a nutritionist. It really does help. Good luck

Hi I too am 5'7" 53 years old and have a low thyroid and on medication. Ever since I was treated for the thryoid I have been 50 lbs overweight. I workout often both aerobically and weight training and watch my diet only consuming around 1500 cal and can not seem to lose the weight. Sometimes I restrict myself to 1200.I must be doing something wrong. Any one else with this problem who has had success? Kat

So many rules & excuses (sorry, REASONS). I am 55 yo, & eat what I want, when I want. I've had good weight management success by following 1 single, simple principle: you have to lose weight if you burn more than you consume. Budget yourself 1500 calories per day. Record your intake (labels & the internet provide the info). I also exercise almost daily, but that's a separate issue. The primary principle remains the same. Good luck.

Elisa, your comments of 5/23/08 to Tom about his son were not only thoughtful but lovely and I thank you for being so caring Evie

Elisa, your comments of 5/23/08 to Tom about his son were not only thoughtful but lovely and I thank you for being so caring Evie

Hi Deb,

I have quite a sweet tooth too, and am learning tricks to cut back on sugar. Here are a few:

Drink water with lemon or tea instead of juice.

The juice you do buy should be organic and unpasteurized for the most health benefits (Trader Joe's has an awesome OJ and now I can't go back to Tropicana- it tastes too fake!)

Make OJ popsicles out of that juice for a frozen treat other than ice cream.

Freeze ripe bananas (after you peel them) for an awesome alternative to ice cream that tastes just as good as banana ice cream (I just learned this from a RealAger last week and LOVE it!)

Completely replace the typical ice cream you buy with healthier ice cream. I try to avoid dairy and am vegetarian, and I am in love with So Delicious brand of soy ice "cream". A small fraction of the fat of regular. Also, Trader Joe's does an awesome soy chocolate ice "cream" sandwich- this is great because it keeps me from overindulging- one is all I allow myself, rather than sitting with a spoon and a tub of ice cream in my lap!

Hope some of these can help...! Good luck, everyone! =)

eat mcdonalds 3 times a daty

Asha,
I too suffered from problems with peri-menopause a few years back, and found that eating more soy, like soymilk, to be very helpful with the symptoms. Also consider the herbal supplement black cohosh, which quelled my hotflashes dramatically. (You can usually find this supplement in the vitamin aisle) Also, keep sugar, especially white sugar, to a minimum if not eliminating it completely from your diet. That helps a lot with the mood swings.

It is important to get plenty of sleep to b/c when I am tired I make bad decisions about food

Hi Tom,

I can empathize with your problem -- my husband often models terrible health behavior for our daughter too, and refuses to listen to reason or change. I've found that the best ways to combat this (for me at least) are the following. 1. Don't argue with your spouse about this, either in front of your kid or behind closed doors. People often try to get the kids to take sides between parents, and since it seems your wife is home more than you are, it's easy to see which side your son is going to take. 2. Model good behavior yourself, and talk about how good you feel after eating that salad or whatever. Make no comparisons with your wife and kid's food -- just voice your satisfaction with yours. If your wife offers you something fatty, say, "No thanks, but can I have a piece of fruit?" And then enjoy it completely. 3. Make sure that whatever rewards you're giving your son are non-food-related, and hopefully activity-related. Even if you're tired after work, make the effort to get your son out of the house for half an hour. Go to the park and get him to push you on the swing after you've pushed him. Toss a frisbee or a ball, or hit a badminton birdie back and forth. Or just walk and look at nature. Talk to him about whatever he wants to talk about, even if it's video games. Let him be heard, and let him hear you too. Keep your comments positive. Don't criticize, even if he's terrible at whatever activity you're doing -- make it pure fun. Laugh at your own mistakes so he knows that playing sports doesn't mean you have to be perfect. Hug him as you're walking home and tell him what a good time you had with him, and that you hope he'll do something like that with you tomorrow. Keep it short at first, so it doesn't feel like punishment, and always bring water and a small healthy snack with you so there's no discomfort from low blood sugar or dehydration. 4. Make more of a point to get out of the house with your son on weekends too -- have a healthy picnic, or a trip to the zoo or the aquarium, or a trek through the woods or the desert, or a swim. Tell your wife she's getting the afternoon off and give her a gift certificate for a pedicure if you can afford it (a lot of the less expensive manicure/pedicure places will give you a combo deal with hand and foot massage for about $30), or something similar that you know she'd like, so that you and your son can be free of her influence without making her feel like she's left out. Make this a tradition. The key to influencing your kid when you have an aggressive, controlling spouse with weird beliefs is to make it fun for your kid to be with you while doing healthy things, not to be heavy-handed, moralistic, or critical, and to appease the spouse, who, as we both know, is not going to change at their age. It takes a lot of energy and creativity, but it's worth it. Your kid will love the attention from you and form good associations with eating healthy things and being active. It works for me. Hope this helps, and good luck.

to those of you looking to lose weight I recomend checking out sparkpeople.com. It was recommended to me by my nutritionist. It is a free site that helps you track calories in and calories burned. They also have a lot of great tips and inspirational stories. I started back in Nov. at 284 pounds and am now down to 255.5 and still dropping. You have to work for it, but they show you how to do it in a healthy way. My doctor and nutritionist want to make me their poster child, they are so pleased with my results. Good Luck!

Carol, are you eating refined grains and white sugar? That could be a big part of it. I'm a vegetarian, I avoid white flour and sugar (including alchohol except a little wine), as well as fried foods. Otherwise, I eat whatever I want. I actually get a pretty good amount of fat in my diet, but when it's combined with protein and fiber from beans, nuts, veggies, and fruits, it doesn't stick to me. Try getting enough protein and fiber to curb cravings, and ditch the white flour and sugar. Beans are your friends, because they're full of fiber and protein and are filling. Just rinse the canned ones off really well in order to avoid gas and get rid of that slimy stuff they come packed in.

Hey Robin -
I understand your frustration. I've been in the weight mamagement business for 14 years. You're doing some great things. Don't give up on your food diary or your exercise. It's time to shake things up a bit though. Your body is very accustomed to your routine. Change up or add to your exercise - do something new for your body and your mind. Try some new foods. Check out some lower calorie cookbooks. Don't leave any food groups out of your daily diet. They are all important - even the fat and the starches. Make sure that you are getting 7 hours of sleep. It does matter! Of course you're drinking lots of fluids. Keep them sugar free and limit your juices ( the whole fruit is better anyway) Most of all don't be hard on yourself. I invite you to take a look at all the good things that you are doing and what you have accomplished.

Mindwalk

hi
i'm 48 years old and i weigh 117 and i'm 5 ft. i just want to lose about 7 pounds. i gained 7 pounds since winter and have a lot of cellulite on my legs. i just want to have a flatter stomache and loose some of my thighs. i am going through menapause also. can you please help me?i only eat yogart or a breakfast bar in the morning and sometimes lunch but i eat supper around 8 at night due to my schedule and i do work out on my bike and lift dumbells for my arms. i don't ride my bike everyday. thanks,
robin

My 11 year old son is overwieght, and it really bothers him. Plus, I understand that the weight he carries into puberty may mean a lifetime struggle. I don't ever talk about his weight, but do encourage him to stay healthy.
The big problem is my wife, him mom. She insists his weight gain is from an energy healer from far away who we have never met who reversed his energy flow somehow so his metabolism is somehow also reversed, and the only thing that matters is correcting it with vitamins and suppliments. I very strongly disagree. I buy into none of that. She home schools him, and he lives a very sedentary lifestyle. Plus, she feeds him things I never would, models very poor eating and lifestyle habits, and is a total dictator in our home. I'm frustrated, and very concerned about our son's physical and emotional health. Any suggestions out there that might help keep our family intact?

cravings are your body's way of telling you you aren't eating right or are under stress. Try ACUPUNCTURE if you are really having problems with cutting out salts (which make you retain water), sweets (empty calories) and fats (have twice as many calories as carbs or protein). Sounds crazy, but it works.

The other thing that works - SLEEP. That's right. If you are sleeping in on the weekends, you aren't eating, this works as a weekend plateau buster for me, I sleep in and then wake up in time for a snack, applesauce, then I have lunch and dinner as usual.

I eat 1200 to 1500 calories per day am 5'5" and weigh 189 lbs. The calories are low in cholesterol, high in vegi's and fruit, grains, and proteins, following the food pyramid profile. I am 60 years old had a full hysterectomy 15 years ago. Then I was diagnosed with a low thyroid and am taking levothroid 88 MCG daily. Lab tests now show normal Thyroid level with meds. I exercise at a gym and take classes 3 times a week, cardio 1 hr, yoga 1 hr, and water aerobics 1 hr. I fell better but I still have not lost weight. Please help me get those pounds off thanks Carol

Robin,
1200-1400 calories is too low if you are working out 5 days a week. Your body is in starvation mode, that is why you are not losing any weight. Add some fruits and whole grains to your diet. Good luck!

I am 54 and had the same problem - 50 lbs overweight and unable to loose - no thyroid problem I'm told tho.

I went on the Prevention Magazine's Flat Belly Diet the first week of April and lost 7 pounds in one month. I suggest checking it out. It is easy and it works.

Also - WomantoWoman.com sells vitamins and I got a book with my order - Dr. Schwarzbien's Principle (or something like that) and have been reading that. It is similar instructions to the Flat Belly Diet and spends the first part of the book talking about some of her patient's health issues and how her health plan helped them be more healthy and loose weight (when needed). I'd recommend that book to any and all, too.

hi i want to know how in the world do you curb a sweet tooth mainly ice cream, i just love the stuff. Have high cholestoral Too!!! Help

I love the article & it is very good advise. Teh bottom line is weddings, BBQ's, & splurge happens & you should have a plan. Don't beat yourself up.

A comment to Shaorn's post. I just want to give you a big hug and tell you its okay. I think it is great you are trying to get healthy and take care of yourself. It is unfortunate that your husband is not more supportive. You could kick him to the curb or take his negativity and turn it into fuel to help you reach your goal. Don't give up! Keep it up!! Good for you!!

Pig-Out Weekends:
Do people really think the advice in this article will work???? The ONLY way to lose weight is to intake less calories AND output (burn with exercises) more calories than you put in.
How much? That is where you have to use your mind and not believe in miracle diets.

To reduce weight follow a set of simple rules, which are very easy to follow.

1. Eat early - Breakfast Lunch Evening Snack and Dinner. This will give your body all the time to burn off the calories.

2. Avoid Sugar & eat less salt.

3. Drink plenty of water.

4. Eat a heavy breakfast, containing cereal, nuts, fruit and milk. Avoid white bread.
Breakfast cereal should have plenty of fiber.

5. Eat a light lunch of salad and fruits or a light sandwich. Avoid potato chips.

6. Eat a late afternoon snack. Nuts are a great thing to munch on, esp. walnuts & almonds.

7. Have a early dinner. Include a soup, plenty of veggies, and brown bread.

8. Avoid animal fat at all cost, as it is extremely rich in saturated fat - the worst kind of fats.

9. Work out a bit.

I've lost almost 10-15 pounds over the last few months, andI'm more healthy than ever.

Help. I'm 51, about 40 lbs overweight. I keep a food diary and have been on 1200-1400 calorie diet since June 2006.(low fat, high protein, high fiber). I exercise 5 days a week, (walk and eliptical 60 min a day). Low Thyroid and take Synthroid. Haven't last a lb in over 3 years. HELP!!!!!!

I am fifty years old and still getting my periods though not regular.

Kindly give advise on foods to eat and how to manage menopause.

I have gained alot of knowledge and information from your articles on health.

Keep up the good work and by the way before I forget I love the new look Realage. Kindly let me hv the article on hair health as I seem to hv missed out on it.

The Article about Thyroid was more than beneficial and educative to me as I am a hypothyroidism. Tks and May good God give u the energy to continue educating us.

I am fifty years old and quit smoking 9 months ago. I have gained 18 pounds. I hve changed my eating habits and eat healthy. excercise 3 to 4 time a week. I can not lose any weight. In fact it continues to rise. What can I do. It is so tempting to start smoking again so I can go back to being thin.

Please help!

Leslie

I am fifty years old and quit smoking 9 months ago. I have gained 18 pounds. I hve changed my eating habits and eat healthy. excercise 3 to 4 time a week. I can not lose any weight. In fact it continues to rise. What can I do. It is so tempting to start smoking again so I can go back to being thin.

Please help!

Leslie

been on this plan for five days feel better already

I am so miserable, I want to loose weight so bad. I have a husband who is a diabetic who eats cookies pies, candy ,fried foods. If I cook healthy he makes fun of me. If we "go out to eat and he has a coupon he gets made at me if I don't want that whopper. He is very over weight also. He has neuropathy of the feet. I am fat and just had knee surgery. They said besides the torn menicus I have osteo necrosis and I am in lots of pain, now getting Hyalgan shots in my knee. My body does not want to carry this weight any more. I am 5.2 and weigh 186. I try to eat healthy and I know I am in charge of lmy own body, but I end up giving up because I can't fight this anymore. Did I also say that my husband does most of the cooking now and bakes all those items I mentioned above and bakes tons of bread. I am an RN and I have a brain,but I find if you can't fight him join him it's easier. I tell my husband we raised 7 children and have 16 grandchildren, so we have alot to live for. he feel that since he has all this medical problems, why fight it anymore. Dr. Oz I just love you and have your book. If I read it over and over will it finally sink in. Thank you so much and keep up the great shows with Oprah. sincerly Sharon P.

This is the first time I have seen the new format. I Love it. I have been getting the healthy and beneficial information from RealAge for some years now and I have to say it has helped me, and many in my family to live a healthier life.
Thank you, God Bless and keep up the good and important work you are doing for us all.
LuAnn

I love this new format! I so enjoy your articles and great advice! Keep up this wonderful work. Thank you.

I have read the articles you have on hair health. Do you have any information on thinning hair/scalp irritations, such as nutrition/meditation. What foods to avoid, etc.

Thank you,

Karen