Please give me your advice

A

amandaSA

New Member
Hi

Do you use any diet/weight loss, etc. supplements? What would you regard as good add-ons to a healthy diet and exercise program? I'm following my own home version of Body for Life (have no gym in my hometown) and didn't find much info on any suggested supplements in the book (did I miss it?).

I need to lose as much weight as possible as soon as possible without damaging my health. My doctor suggested Body for Life.

All advice appreciated. Please ignore any and all language and grammar errors - English not my home language.

Thank you.
 
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>(have no gym in my hometown) and didn't find much info on any
>suggested supplements in the book (did I miss it?).

I think this is because most educated people would agree that most weight loss drugs/supplements are not worth your time. If you are truely eating a heathy diet and are exercising appropriately, you shouldn't need anything else. The only reason I could think of to take a supplement, is if you are deficient in some nutrient and in that case, I would take a multi vitamin or see a doctor. The problem with many weight loss pill/supplements are: 1 - they don't usually work, 2 - if they work, they are possibly dangerous, 3 - you usually gain all the weight back when you stop taking them, and 4 - they are outrageously expensive. It would serve you better to spend that money on something else IMO.

I know that some people use protein shakes after a workout and that is totally acceptable. It is not necessary by any means (you can get protein from many sources), but it is convenient. Just make sure you're not ingesting a lot of sugar with your drink.

Also, don't forget the importance of a balanced workout program as well as an eating plan. Weight training is essential to any exercise program and so are rest days. And don't be discourged by slow weight loss. It's really the best way to lose weight. The slower your body loses weight, the more likely it is to keep it off.

Carolyn
 
Amanda... Body For Life is a great way to start to learn to eat healthy. The cookbook is filled with terrific recipes that are really easy to make. When my eating was out of control about 2 years ago I just started making all my meals from the Body For Life books... within just a few months I had new eating habits and just started making other changes naturally. As far as supplement. Other than Vitamins / Minerals save your money!!! If there was a miracle pill out there to make us fit & thin without diet & exercise every person on the planet would take them! (I'd FIGHT YA FOR IT!)
Do it the right way... Slow & easy
 
I don't know much about BFL, but I recommend taking a calcium/magnesium/VitD/potassium supplement. I take GNC Calcimate Plus 800 everyday. It's the only supplement recommended by my nutritionist.

I also happen to believe in the studies that show that calcium helps you lose weight because since I've increased my calcium intake, I seem to be able to eat a lot more without gaining weight. My husband, who is the only one who truly knows how much I eat, keeps asking "where do you put it????" LOL!! I love it because I was a chubby teen and a chubby young adult and I used to be the one saying that to others!

Good luck!

Nancy
 
All the reading I've done says a good multi vitamin, calcium, and B complex vitamins are the standard requirements. If you are eating properly and exercising, these should be enough.

I believe that everyone's physiology is different and different people have different needs. Due to estrogen depletion, women need more calcium after the age of 40. I don't believe there is one magic supplement that helps people to lose weight and it's dangerous for people to suggest it!

Your age, health and activity level should dictate what your requirements are. You can find many things on the internet as a guide or ask your doctor. Better yet, find a nutritionist who takes your individual needs in to account :)
 
Other than a multivitamin, extra vitamin C & calcium, I'm supplement free.

IMO they're a complete waste of money. I guess they're OK if you compete, but why use them if you're into fitness as a lifestyle?
 
Nancy~
I totally agree with you about the weight loss/maintenance and calcium connection. I recently STOPPED taking my calcium and have gained a few pounds, without changing my daily intake of calories. I have started back up again as of a week ago!!
Jenn
 
I know, Jenn. I discovered it by accident. I was eating tons of (lowfat) ice cream and frozen yogurt every night and I wasn't gaining an ounce. Then I read an article in Prevention magazine that made the connection between the calcium in dairy products and weight loss. Since then, I've read many articles about it. I no longer eat tons of ice cream, but I still eat lots of yogurt and drink skim milk.

Nancy
 
The book, "You on a Diet", recommends a few supplements. The one that stands out to me right now is Chromium Picolinate, but I know the book referenced a few more. None will give you a miracle weight loss (for example, I think studies showed the average weight loss for Chromium Picolinate was 4 lbs), but they do help your body help you lose weight, if that makes sense.

My advice is to read:

You on a Diet
The Abs Diet
Health-related magazines (these always motivate me big time)

I also just got a couple of new books today that I haven't started reading, yet (I've just skimmed them). I'd hate to recommend them before reading them, but I do know that one contains a bunch of yummy recipes: "Preventions: The Sugar Solution". From what I've skimmed of the recipes in this one, I'd read "You on a Diet" and "Abs Diet" first, simply because I saw about 3 recipes that included sugar and enriched white flour, both ingredients that clean eaters should avoid.
 
>The book, "You on a Diet", recommends a few supplements. The
>one that stands out to me right now is Chromium Picolinate,
>but I know the book referenced a few more. None will give you
>a miracle weight loss (for example, I think studies showed the
>average weight loss for Chromium Picolinate was 4 lbs), but
>they do help your body help you lose weight, if that makes
>sense.
>

I took this when I was in college & had just started serious weight training. Used it for about a year & not only was it extremely expensive, as far as I can tell it did nothing for weight loss or building muscle.
 
I was eating lowfat frozen yogurt on the weekends and was gaining weight so I stopped. I've been eating a lot more yogurt to fight yeast infections and I haven't lost weight :)
 
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