I know dasani makes a flavoured water that uses Splenda instead of sugar and they actually taste pretty good. But yeah I agree with everything said above.
- You have to burn more calories than you consume. So in theory you could just diet.. or just exercise and do that but the best bet is to do a little bit of both.
- Portion size is the big killer, the majority of Americans eat way too large of portions.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/po...control/NU00267 I like the idea of using a smaller plate, but take smaller portions on the meats and carbs, bulk up on the veggies and fruits.
- Meat especially, you need protein but you should could back on the red meats if you eat them alot. Fish is good, but you need to be concerned about eating too much fish too because of mercury
http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/fish/advice/
- That being said as a supplement lots of people have good things to say about Fish Oil, you can get a low-smell no-taste pill so it's not as bad as it might sound.
- Drinking a glass of water before you eat can also help you feel full sooner. That being said, drink more water period many people are border line dehydrated
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/water/NU00283. Drinking more water actually burns calories too!
http://walking.about.com/cs/howtolo...water011204.htm no calories in, but you body expends calories using it.
- I think your on the right path with your book, and yes you should definitely start exercising now (though you may want to see your doctor before starting anything too intense if you've been pretty sedentary). Focuses exercises won't necessary help you shed your middle bulk any faster, people store their fat differently. So more working out on the abs isn't necessarily going to help you shed weight faster, the experts argue it both ways. Building up your core is important for all around fitness, most everything is helped by having a stronger mid-section.
- 3-5 times a week for at least 30 weeks of moderate or more cardio is good, you can start off with just walking now. Your options are more limited without a gym, jogging/running can be high impact on your joints if your overweight. I try to switch up my working out with swimming/exercise bike/elliptical trainer but my knees are big banged up from my Army days so I can't run as much as I'd like.
- Most importantly, you have to do something that you can stick with, make gradual but permanent lifestyle changes. Giving up everything you like (sweets, carbs) and going on some funky diet is doomed to failure. Don't expect to lose huge amounts of weight right away and don't get disappointed when you don't. You should lose 1-2 lbs a week with diet and exercise. Make goals for yourself, celebrate when you reach them. Keeping us posted on your status will be good motivation for yourself, and you can get support from those of us who may have already gone through it!
