STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

atlgirl · Gucci

1 Month Weight Loss Tips?

bumblebee · Coach

well, it's not the most healthy, but anything low-carb really does help you drop some pounds quickly. i think south beach is a bit more healthy than atkins, but both are difficult and will give you results.

if you don't want to be that drastic, you could just do the "no starches" diet--just cut out things that are starchy from your diet (potatoes, corn, anything with white flour and white sugar). if you just need to lose a few pounds, this should do the trick and won't be that hard.

jj · Kate Spade

I saw some doctor on Oprah, and he said you could lose 10 pounds in a month if you:

- stop drinking coffee and substitute green tea

- don't eat 2 hours before you go to bed

- cut all sugar from your diet

I have no idea if it would work, but none of this stuff is bad for you, so it's worth a shot.

atlgirl · Gucci

ROFL JJ, it is SO hard to cut out sugar...it's in everything! But I could do with a bit less processed sugar / foods.

I don't drink coffee.

And yeah - I tend to eat when hubby gets home, which is often right before bed. Might have to change that for the next few weeks.

it's kind of along the lines of what bumblebee said. I think I can do w/out the breads, corn, etc. though, and I'll see if that makes a difference.

The problem I'm having is that though I'm relatively the same size, my muscle tone is mostly gone and the fat that's replaced it takes up more room, so clothes fit me differently (and the fat doesn't look as nice). ~sigh~

jj · Kate Spade

I know - the sugar thing is a killer. I have switched to a mostly organic, non-processed food diet, and I actually went through sugar withdrawal and got pounding headaches. It was THE WORST! But I have noticed a change in my body - I have only lost a few pounds, but my clothes fit better and are a little loose.

Another non-diet helpers are spanx - Gwyneth Paltrow said she wore 2 pairs at once while doing media after she had Apple (I guess breathing is optional).

atlgirl · Gucci

LOL well I could check out Spanx at Nordies, before we travel. That's a thought. Probably one will be plenty, I don't want to go nuts over this. I am assuming the same body / life changes have happened to nearly everyone else, so we'll be in the same boat. *s*

Over the last two years, I have been eating a lot of organic foods, and trying to have less sugar. But I still have more processed foods than I should. They're just so damn convenient...

sage · Dooney & Bourke

You know something atlgirl?? You will probably be one of few who still weigh almost the same as when you were in high school. I graduated 15 years ago and I know most of my peers have gained. And some of them were extremely concerned about their weight all through school to the point of eating disorders. You will look great. You have the perfect LBD, a career you love, a good marriage. You are a success story. Have a great time, I can't wait to hear all about it.

And if you really want to lose a few pounds I second the no white flour and sugar, and lots of water. And no alcohol. I did this and noticed a diff in two weeks. I was less "puffy". I try to stick to this. And it is hard!! You are right, there is sugar in EVERYTHING.

atlgirl · Gucci

Awww, thanks sage! My DH says I am too hard on myself. I suppose I should feel better about not gaining (too much)...it's just that I think I was at the "right" weight for my body in HS (which was 125-130), and now I'm a bit more than that. I am a large-framed girl, for my lack of height (I'm 5'5"), so I never was (or wanted to be) a size 2 or anything...I just don't feel quite right in my body now.

You're right - I have a good life, which I (mostly!) love, a good man, and great friends. And ST'ers to keep things in perspective. Thanks for the reminder to look at the positives. *s*

So, no starches, alcohol, or white flour for the next month...I will really be proud of myself if I can stick to that. The alcohol will probably be hardest (you notice I didn't say no sugar...haha...though I *will* try to limit that too).

Maven · BCBG

Hah! I remember my 20 year reunion. Some of the cute little formerly skinny gals came in looking like they were wearing fat-suits. It was quite strange, but you know what? They still had the smiles and spunk and great personalities. One or two came looking the same weight as they had in high school, but not more than one or two.

On the other hand, the guys had really changed. So many skinny guys were maybe 30-40 pounds heavier. Boys somehow turend into middle-aged men. Some I did not recognize until they said who they were.

As for quick weight loss, I've done just about every diet there is. If you are motivated, the South Beach diet is probably the best and quickest for short term loss. Do some weight-training too. Even as little as 4 weeks will make a difference.

Remember that posture and attitude count for a lot. Also, after 20 years people are a lot more relaxed about who they are.

Do what you can, pick a great outfit, and go and have a good time!

atlgirl · Gucci

Thanks Maven! It's interesting to hear from someone who's "been there". Now I'm quite curious to see how everyone turns out. This is a combined 1984-1985 reunion, so there may be many people I don't know well, considering that I wasn't close with a lot of people from the 1984 class.

I can't do any weight training because of my Fibro. Though I do miss it a lot. I am doing Yoga, but that's not exactly conducive to weight loss (and I don't do it for that).

I'm not really nervous about this, I guess - I am way, way, way more confident than I ever was in HS (I was super-shy then), so I am actually looking forward to chatting with folks I haven't seen in a long time. I suppose I just don't want them to think to themselves, "Boy, did atlgirl age badly!" ~wry smile~

NCshopper · Hermes

Hey atlgirl--I'm glad you're going to get to go to your reunion! You'll have a great time and it'll be so much fun to see everyone after 20 years. From someone who's met you in real life, I don't think you need to lose any weight--you look great! But I can certainly understand wanting to tone up in order to see people you haven't seen in awhile. I think laying off breads, starches, sugar, basically anything white, will help you tone up if you want. There is some doctor that has a book about how to lose weight (I'm such a help, I know!

) and it involves eating a lot of salad, salmon, almonds, green tea, and some other stuff for 30 days and you can drop a bunch of weight. I can't remember the guy's name though, so I'll see if I can look through Amazon and see if I find it. I'll let you know what I come up with.