What works for you?

**aalexander** · #1 09-08-2009, 02:58 PM

What are your diet secrets? If any?
How do you keep trim as you age?
Do you exercise?
What kinds of exercise works best for you and why?
What diet if any do you see the most results with?
In the quickest time?

**fireladyst2** · #2 09-08-2009, 03:33 PM

I try to run about 3 times a week; I don’t worry about distance as much as time.
I also try to eat 4-5 small meals throughout the day. I stress small. This way my metabolism stays charge for the day.
I have tried several diets, and I am going through a list of all the popular diets and trying them. I am starting a blog with them; I only have a few so far. You can PM me if you want the link. Just keep in mind it is in the beginning.

**Healthy Momma** · #3 09-19-2009, 08:32 PM

I also run. I usually run every other day for about 20-25 minutes. I run uphill which is good for my butt!
I also go for 60-80 minute walks (uphill) almost every day. I try to take 1 day off but I always need to be moving so I usually end up exercising everyday (because I enjoy it so much)
As for food, I never deprive myself. I eat what I want. I just don't eat as much as I want. I limit myself which has worked fine. If I deprive myself, I end up overeating later.
I eat 3 meals a day with small snacks in between to keep my metabolism up.
I don't eat very much white flour. I used to and it wasn't good for me. I was tired all the time and there were a few pounds that wouldn't bulge. After I switched to whole grains, the extra pounds just melted away. I also don't each sugary cereals and I stay away from fruit drinks (they are full of sugar and calories).
I don't drink calories either unless it's a fruit smoothie (that I blend myself. that way I know it's fresh and not full of sugar and other junk).
I have managed to keep the weight off for 13 years. I feel great and love my body. Just make a few changes and you'll start to see a difference. Don't diet. Diets don't work. You need to change your lifestyle.

**Toddler Mom** · #4 09-19-2009, 08:54 PM

Hi,
Thanks for starting this thread.. I've jst started making lifestyle changes and was looking for more inspiration to get me going. Currently, I exercise/walk/do yoga pretty much 5 days a week. I've also started having 4 small meals instead of 3 big ones and have cut out sugar and white flour. Am really trying to lose weight so am hoping these changes will start to show effect sometime soon.. Oh and I don't drink sugary sodas, not even, the diet ones. Just plain water or freshly squeezed juices. Love'em!

**MyFitnessHut** · #5 09-19-2009, 09:51 PM

Find out your BMR which is the amount of daily calories your body needs to maintain itself. Said another way, it is the amount of calories your body would burn if you did nothing all day. Not everyone burns calories at the same rate. Some factors that influence the speed of your metabolism are:

1) Your age. Your metabolism may slow down about 5% per decade after age 40 if you are sedentary.
2) Gender. Men generally burn more calories at rest than women.
3) Your proportion of lean muscle mass to fat mass. The more lean muscle mass you have, the higher your metabolic rate will be.
4) Heredity also plays a part in your body's rate of metabolism.
5) Thyroid problems may also cause your metabolism to slow down.

Muscle mass can be maintained/increased (and body fat decreased) throughout your life through interval cardio and weight training. You only need 20 minutes of cardio per session. Thirty-five to 50 daily calories are burned by one pound of muscle. Weight training also helps to keep your bones strong (preventing osteoporosis).

Fat loss is more important than weight loss. Aim to burn fat, lose inches and speed up your metabolism. The weight loss will happen and it will stay off if you do it this way.

**wordygirl** · #6 09-21-2009, 01:34 PM

One thing I like to do it is a drink about 8 ounces of water before I sit down to a meal. Another thing I do is not keep junk in the house. If we want something we buy one serving size and that's it. That used to go against my frugal grocery shopping habits but it's worth it to keep my weight in check.