[AngieDee123]

I started using Bontril almost three weeks ago. I take 1 35 mg pill in the morning before breakfast. One pill before lunch and two before dinner. On a normal day I will eat about 800 calories(low-fat, low-carb). I take a cardio class 2 days a week and I do Tae-Bo bootcamp with resistance bands on three days. I can't understand why i am not seeing the same weight loss as other members? What am I doing wrong?

[Ladybug0872]

I just started 3 weeks ago, and this week, I did not lose one pound. I am still upset about it. I eat about 500 calories a day and the program is an Atkins-type, high protein/low-carb plan. I don't take my pills before dinner so that I can sleep. I also drink at least 1/2 a gallon-1 gallon of water a day. How much have you lost, and what are you wanting to lose? I want to lose about 40 pounds, and I've lost 8.4 in 3 weeks. (Grr)

[AngieDee123]

I want to lose 30lbs and I have lost 11 in the last 3 weeks. Actually the scale keeps on changing so I have no clue how much I have lost. I have no idea what to do next but keep on working and see what happens.

[Ladybug0872]

Well, I have my next weigh-in tomorrow, and I made sure to stick to this ridiculous diet religiously this week. If I don't lose weight, then I will know that my body has simply gone into starvation mode, and I will have to increase my calories and go back to WW or something along those lines. This program is too expensive to not lose the weight. (Besides, I don't see how it can be healthy to tell you the truth.)

Good luck to you, AngieDee.

[silkamatic]

Angie and Ladybug please don't be discouraged. I am not a specialist in this area and I am in the same boat but we cant get discouraged. 11 pounds in three weeks is actually good which means you are losing almost 4 lbs a week when in fact you should lose about 2.5 a week. I tend to go to this website bodybuilders.com which has helped me throughout the years. I found this for you guys and hope it helps.

Are you tired of all that fat that has accumulated around your belly? Are you sick of watching those Jenny Craig commercials and being able to do nothing about it? Well forget about the TV and read this article.

During the next few of months, thousands of people will attempt to get rid of that unwanted fat around their abs, but only few will succeed. That is because most of them do not know the right techniques to go around losing weight. By writing this article, I hope to familiarize you with the knowledge required to do so.

You do not have to starve your body to lose fat. Obviously, the body's main goal is survival. Starving your body will only result in your body shedding muscle and not fat. In order to lose fat, you have to use a two pronged approach. Think of it as waging a war on two fronts. On one side, you have to eat small meals frequently. And on the other side, you have to work out on a regular basis.


The Importance Of Setting Goals


Plan ahead. If you are leaving your program to chance, then you are bound for failure. Understand that eating foods high in fat and low in carbs and proteins will only contribute to weight gain. Allow no room for distraction. Be consistent with yourself. Make a simple outline of the foods (low or no-fat, obviously) that will contribute to your program and a list your workout routine for the next week.

Your goals should be evolving every couple of weeks. If you base your weight loss program on the same boring work out day after day, you will be making the same mistake that causes thousands of people to quit half-way through. Your body is a dynamic machine that adapts to change faster than you might expect. Therefore, the importance of modifying your goals is to keep your body from adapting.

If your goal is to lose 'x' amount of weight, think of that goal as a gradual process. You should strive to reach your personal best in every workout session. The ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius once said that "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step."

That is how you should think of your workouts. While on your way to the gym, think of a new goal. For example, if you normally bench 130 pounds, say to yourself that today you will bench 135. Or maybe your goal could be to take 5 seconds off your 1 mile best time.

The following steps will guide you to achieving that awesome physique you always wanted!

Aerobic Training

Setting the treadmill to full speed within the first couple of minutes of your aerobic workout will place unnecessary stress on your muscles and joints. Starting slow and gradually increasing the speed will prevent you from straining yourself.
And do not forget to cool down after an aerobic session. The goal is progress, not injury.

Lift Weights 3-4 Times A Week

You need to the train the major muscle groups (chest, biceps, etc.) only once a week using proper form. You should focus on contracting the muscle during the concentric movement and going slow during the lowering part. You do not have to lift 300 pounds to get a good workout.
You should go all-out for a new personal best with each workout. Your goal should be to knowingly stress your muscles, forcing them to gradually overcome greater intensities during each workout.

Drink Plenty Of Water

Try to drink at least a gallon of water, not soda, a day.
Nutritional Meals

Instead of 3 large meals a day, eat 5-6 smaller meals. If you are trying to cut, focus on a high protein, low carb and low fat diet. Try to get your protein from different sources - meat, eggs, soy, etc. Eat only until you are satisfied, not until you are full.
Skip the junk food and eat wholesome foods. Fibrous foods such as vegetables will also assist in digestion, especially if you drink lots of protein shakes.

Watch Your Calories

You can only lose weight if you eat fewer calories than you burn. A cheat day is often helpful in changing up the monotonous routine but that doesn't mean that you should gorge down massive amounts of food. When you feel tempted to have that midnight snack, realize that you may be destroying an entire day's hard work.
Using Supplements

Even though supplements are not 'necessary', they can certainly enhance your workout and make your program (weight loss/muscle gain) more effective. I usually take multivitamins, whey protein and glucosamine.
Multivitamins affect your metabolism and overall health, protein powder is good for packing muscle and glucosamine is useful in repairing cartilage (especially if you run a lot).

Sleep

Try to get around 8 hours of sleep a day. I know its not possible everyday but try your best. Muscles don't grow in the gym; they grow when you are resting. Repeated lack of sleep will also make you grumpy and entice you to miss workouts.

Be sure to also check out:
A Unified Theory On Nutrition!
Thanks,

Puneet Belani
puneet26@yahoo.com

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[shellshell]

that message was great.everyone should remember that you should not loose weight so fast, because you will just put it right back on just as fast, as it came off if you dont change the way you eat for life,meaning eat healthy for life.

[silkamatic]

Exactly! I have to keep reminding myself of that. I really think the losing 2.5 a week plan is great because when you think about it that is actually 10 pounds a month and over a 5 month period that is 50lbs!!! That is alot over 2.5 measley pounds a week. So if we stay focused on the small we will accomplish the BIG!!! or at least the loss!!

[Ladybug0872]

Well, at my 4 week weigh-in, I hit the 10 pound mark, so that's something. I have about 25-30 to go, but as you guys said, slow but sure wins the race. Good luck everyone.

[AngieDee123]

I go for my 4 week weigh in today. I will let you all know how I am doing

[Ladybug0872]

Just checking in. How did your weigh-in go, Angie?

[AngieDee123]

It was good a total loss of 13 lbs for this month. I guess I won't need the bontril for too much longer. I am very pleased I have really been working hard to lose this weight.

[Ladybug0872]

Congrats and good work, AngieDee. I have been so bad this week, but honestly, I feel better than I have in weeks. If I gained a pound, oh well. I just needed some down time. I plan on walking today after work, when it cools down a bit. I think once I start the exercise part, I will see better results.

Keep up the good work.

[AngieDee123]

Just checking in to see how everyone is doing?