From Michelle, Age 15 - 12/16/02 - IP#: 63.168.31.xxx  Click here to reply  
Ht. 5'2", Start: 175 lb, Today: 132 lb - Hey, guys, I've been on here for almost 2 years. Yup, from almost the beginning. Over the past two years I've gone from 175 to 138 and i'm 5'2". Mostly I've lost weight through counting calories (trying to average around 1550 a day) and through exercising. I know a lot of you don't want to go to the hassle of writing down every single thing you eat and finding out how many calories everything is, and then adding it up. These are my TIPS FOR LOSING WEIGHT THAT I HAVE USED SO FAR. First, eat normally, if your just starting your diet, have not yet started, or are wondering why you are fat, and write down everything you eat for 3 days. This means how many glasses of water, that piece of gum you had after lunch, that candy cane you had after dinner. Next LOOK at your eating habits. Are you eating more that what you think you did. Probably. Trust me, I was. Next, ban three things that will make you a much healthier person. First, Pop (soda), even diet ones. They are empty calories and they have acid in them (especially diet pop) which can really hurt you. And it contributes to bone loss, which in later age can make you more likely to break a hip or arm. Second- Ban frozen foods. This will be hard for many of you, and I admit, I haven't fully been able to do this. This means things like t.v dinners, pizza rolls, and baked pizza. None of that is healthy for you and is full of perservatives and tons of calories. Third- Ban fast food. This means burgers, french fries, mozzerella sticks. Burgers are commonly refered to as "heart attack on a bun". I know, my brother works at a fast food restaruant. Remember a few other things, drink a lot of water, it will keep you full. To keep from eating less chew each fork-full of food 20 times and put your fork down in between bites. Then, before you go for seconds, wait 5 minutes and ask yourself, am I really full? I bet you probably will be. Good luck to all of you, and I wish you great success! ~Michelle