The Weight Loss Game

Are you like most of us women who want that 20-year-old super body image? Remember when you were that thin young innocent adult that never thought you would ever have a weight or extra body fat problem? Then menopause hits and "how did that happen?" Well I am there. I have alway been a thin energetic adult that could loose 10 pounds in a week without even trying. But with the onset of menopause, my body decided it was time for a change.

I often see those before and after images of women who loose so many pounds and several layers of body fat just by taking this so-and-so pill, but have you noticed that they are never the older post menopausal women? They are the 20-something-year olds that, if they just ate correctly and walked a bit everyday, would loose the weight anyway.

I always ate mostly what I wanted, and (bless my Mom for this) I was raised with the teachings of nutritional eating for health. My mom was a firm believer of a preventative health style, and she taught me the benefits of eating fruits, vegetables and lean, high-quality meats. I hardly ever had twinkies but rather the home-made cupcakes made with the best ingredients, and only on those special occasions. And because I was such a skinny runt that only ate 1/2 of a half sandwich I had in my lunch, she decided that a strict regiment of vitamins was in order because I hardly ate much when I did eat. To this day I adhere to that strict regiment and take those vitamins daily.

I have gained weight at times and usually if I just went back to the eating habits I grew up with and exercised, I could loose the weight and body fat with no problem. Then menopause hit and I gained 30 pounds due to excruciating circumstances that were mostly out of my control--except the input part, over the past ten years. Even though I did not eat tons of junk, that bowl of ice cream, and home-made cookies did add the pounds faster than I could burn them off. The added stress of my right knee and ankle problems just kept the fat in place.
So to the diet lists I went. I tried many of the pills that promised the teenage figure in just a few short weeks. Of course the intake (eating) and output (exercising) is just as important with these pills as it is in loosing weight in general. And here the problem lies.

How many of us really know the perfect eating combination to maintain the proper weight for our height and age. Not me for sure. I do not believe that eating just whole grains is better than oatmeal, and I do not feel that tofu is better than a fillet minion steak. I firmly believe that all foods are important if eaten correctly and in small amounts. I am a firm believer of eating small several times a day than in three bigger meals morning, noon and night. Those diet pills do have their place, however, in boosting my slowed-down metabolism and I feel the difference in the fat burning after exercising when I take them according to the directions.

I have seen the adds for the pre-measured meals that some of the diet programs are now offering (for an arm and a leg). Sure, it is just great for those actresses and stars to endorse the diets because, after all they get the food for free, as well as a good paycheck for the endorsement. I checked into it and most cost hundreds a month. Besides I cannot eat mushrooms!!! They are small portions that are eaten throughout the day. And don't forget those personal trainers that set up the exercise routines designed specifically for these stars by highly-educated,physical training experts.

Now, I am medically disabled that , hopefully, will be resolved in 6 more months or so, but I have not worked for a full year, and have only a very tiny income at this time. I just cannot afford those frozen meals of the diet programs. Instead I follow my own regiment of trying to eat small amounts of the good stuff, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, drinking plenty of water and keeping the daily regiment of floor exercises that do not harm my mending right leg. I have managed to loose 12 pounds over a period of time ( much longer than if I were walking those two miles a night with one of my huskies) but I can see and feel the difference. So until I can get into heart-pounding cardio walks and an increase in the aerobics, I will have to maintain the careful eating habits to ensure I continuously loose weight and body fat. And this is a good thing.

I will never get into those size 6 jeans I once wore in my 40s, but feeling healthy and keeping a healthy weight and exercise program will help me to fit into the smaller-sized clothes I once wore. Never giving up and knowing I control the outcome is what keeps me motivated and moving toward my goal. I do not know if the grapefruit diet, or low-carb diet will work for anyone, but I do know that eating fruits, vegetables (fresh if possible) and drinking water instead of diet drinks, will help my body perform to its maximum, and I will continuously loose the weight and inches back to where I feel comfortable and healthy.

Basically, anyone can loose weight if their output (exercise) is greater than their input (eating). To be the most successful it is important to eat those vegetables and fruits (all fresh, if possible, but frozen is better than canned) and keep moving. Of course, the occasional goodies can be okay if kept under control. So if your are looking for that magic cure of loosing body fat and pounds, you do not have to look any farther than yourself. You can do it if it is important to you and are patient. Just remember it took a long time to gain the weight , and it will take a long time to loose. It is just that the gaining part was a lot more fun!

I hope this insight will help women and men understand the process of weight loss, and how to work with your body's metabolism to loose pounds and body fat will give everyone the mind set that loosing weight is not impossible even if you think you have a slow metabolism. Working with and not against the natural mechanisms of our bodies will help keep us healthy and strong and fit. And don't forget to keep moving!