In search for a new body

[suezyd]

Hi,
Im new to your site, and need of friendly advice.
I want to loose about 6 kg, and need advice about diet and excercise.
I am a vegetarian and have been told that if you want to loose weight it is important to stay away from carbahydrates. Is this fact or ficton?
I am also looking for advice about an excercise plan, to taget my stomach, hips, buttom and theighs. (I am also an asthmatic)
Also i have bad cellulite. Is there anyway to reduce or prevent it through diet and excercise?
Thanks, Suezy

[This message has been edited by suezyd (edited 09-27-2000).]

[lindrusso]

Hi Suezyd and welcome!

I am not a professional, so I can only give you OPINIONS on what you have asked here.

I don't believe in the low-carb diets per se. They seem to be the hot new fad - and it seems that every fad that comes along falls by the wayside and is replaced by the common sense stuff that has been out there for years - eat a healthy diet and exercise! I'm not saying that people DON'T lose weight with these diest - apparently many do - I just can't be convinced that it's a healthy way to go. Again, just my unprofessional opinion!

I think that cutting anything completely out of your diet probably isn't a good idea - it's important to get a variety of foods. I also think that complete avoidances of whole food groups also dooms a diet to failure - there's no way I'm going to succeed on a diet that doesn't allow potatoes, pasta, etc - but that's just me. That said, I also think that eating tons of carbs DOES leave me hungry. So, I'm trying to eat more complex carbs and proteins to make my meals "last" and keep me feeling full.

I can't comment too much on how to do this as a vegetarian - when I didn't eat meat, I didn't do a very good job in the protein department.

As for your questions about exercise and asthma, I would recommend speaking to your doctor. I would guess it would greatly depend on how severe your asthma is, among other things. Again, I don't feel qualified to comment in this area.

Aerobics and weight training are what I rely on to get in shape. You can target areas in order to build certain muscle groups, but the best way to get rid of the fat in these areas is to get aerobic exercise - this could be walking, riding a bike, etc. If I were you, I'd hit my local library and start reading up on exercise - aerobic and weight training - and then follow up with your doctor to see what he/she recommends.

Best of luck to you!

[Laura]

Hello-

Lindrusso gave good advice. I can add one thing on weight loss however. The best way to burn fat aerobically is for long sustained periods at a moderate heartrate. Even though I love to run, for burning fat it is actually better exercise at 50-60% of your maximum heart rate for a minimum of 45 minutes(220 - your age gives you your maximum heart rate) then at a higher rate for a shorter period of time. (a heart rate monitor really helps you here.) Depending on your dr.'s advice, you could either walk more quickly or do light interval training (e.g. slow jog 1 minute, walk 5). I echo lindrusso's comments on seeing your doctor. Best of luck and stay with us, we will help each other get there.

[cookgirl]

I agree with lindrusso and Laura. I do have some questions though. According to what you said, you need to lose about 13-14 pounds (6 kg). If that's true, it sounds like you're within a healthy weight, and it may only take slight changes to help you. Of course, it is harder to lose weight, it seems, the closer you get to your ideal weight. I think you have to work a little harder.
You seem to be worried about the same areas I have problems with. It sounds like more than anything, you need to tone up your body. To firm? Is that right? Also, what are your daily eating habits? Do you eat tofu? What kind of vegetables? What kind of exercise are you currently doing?
The asthma problem probably keeps you from running, I would guess.
As for the carbohydrates...so you buy into that? I'm with lindrusso. I am way too wary of cutting back on a food group in such an extreme way (with the exception of vegetarianism).