Foods, diet, and weight loss

**Hamish** · 15th August 07, 05:51 PM

I have a very guilty feeling that this thread has been aimed at me, following a posting I made a day or two ago. Your very detailed comments and explanations are so very much appreciated. However, as in so many aspects of life, these things are much more easily achieved if you are able to share them, or are able to be challenged by someone else in the process. Living alone, as I do, makes this very difficult, but I have printed off your post and will try to motivate myself more effectively by following your advice. Thank you.

**ChromeScholar** · 15th August 07, 06:05 PM

Never mind...

**Clockwork John** · 15th August 07, 07:20 PM

I went vegetarian and lost 35 pounds in 3 months, and I DID NOT START EXERCISING. I haven't changed much about my lifestyle, except for cutting out meat. A year and a half later, I've only gained 5 pounds of that back, and in that time, I've gone from not drinking at all to drinking regularly (booze= extra calories). I have more energy and stamina, I'm sleeping better, my moods are more stable. All in all, it's been good for me.

Done right a vegetarian diest is high protein and low fat, and your carbs can be adjusted to suit your individual needs. If you limit your dairy and egg intake, it is also low cholesterol.

Now, I know this intense lifestyle change is not for everyone, and it can lead to serious nutritional deficiencies if you are careless, but it is a viable option for weight loss, especially if you want to reduce your fat and cholesterol intake.

**ChromeScholar** · 15th August 07, 10:02 PM

Measured my waist this evening. I've lost 4" off my waist since I started my weight loss program!

Woo-hoo!

That means the Stillwater kilt I order on Friday will be ordered one size smaller than I had intended.

**emolas** · 16th August 07, 03:18 AM

Methinks there are many people here this thread COULD be aimed at but I think it's just someone who has improved their life and wants to share his success in hopes that someone else may benefit.

**the kilted dutchman** · 16th August 07, 06:17 AM

Thanks ardchoille,
I think we all can learn something from this.
I also gained 40 pounds since I became an american resident 11 months ago, in my country they have smaller portions and we cycle everywhere.....now I do use the car and have a hard time to ask for a doggy bag.
I drink less beer though just because I don't really enjoy the American beer and international beer is so expensive.
Thanks for this thread...I know for sure that some of the people on this forum can learn something of it.

**Weasel Mender** · 16th August 07, 08:45 AM

Thanks for the:buttkick:my wife and I have goal wieghts of 160 and 210 respectivly whitch will result in a loss of 230 pounds = 1 "fat person" it is not easy but having that"Fat Person" in our lives is much worse

However, on the bright side Kathy Lare et al will love me as I will have to buy mutiple kilts to keep up my decreasing displacement

Weasel

**davedove** · 16th August 07, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by ardchoille

Spicy foods - I see advertisements all over the television about products to alleviate gas and heartburn. How about not eating the foods that cause gas and heartburn? That will save you money on those products as well as wear and tear on your body.

Originally Posted by MysticMead

one thing though... spicy foods... don't cut back on those...they're GOOD for you..

Spicy foods can cause heartburn, but they are certainly not the only cause. For some people it can be triggered by acidic foods, fatty foods, even chocolate. Now, if there is already a problem, the spicy foods will certainly make it worse. And, of course, some people just go overboard with the heat.

I have also read studies where spicy foods can increase metabolism, a good thing if you're trying to burn calories. But then, I've also read that they can spark appetite, so maybe these two effects balance out.

Everything else you said though is right on the mark. Unfortunately, some of us know all the facts, but just can't seem to put it into practice.

**MysticMead** · 17th August 07, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by davedove

Spicy foods can cause heartburn, but they are certainly not the only cause. For some people it can be triggered by acidic foods, fatty foods, even chocolate. Now, if there is already a problem, the spicy foods will certainly make it worse. And, of course, some people just go overboard with the heat.

I have also read studies where spicy foods can increase metabolism, a good thing if you're trying to burn calories. But then, I've also read that they can spark appetite, so maybe these two effects balance out.

Everything else you said though is right on the mark. Unfortunately, some of us know all the facts, but just can't seem to put it into practice.

well... while some will say that spicy foods cause heartburn... and some say it doesn't.... one thing I have seen is that if you have heartburn... adding more food of ANY type will increase it.. that's because you're already producing to much stomach acid and adding food makes your body think it needs to produce more.

Capsaicin (the spicy chemical in peppers) has even been shown to help fight ulcers and repair damage to the stomach..

They also raise the metabolism and help burn calories... as far as increasing appetite.. maybe it's because foods taste so much better with a nice spicy kick

The main thing to all of this is... anything in excess can be bad for you... moderation is the key to life..