Weight loss and dieting

Question
Hi

This is going to be long since I plan on giving some backround info. I am a 37yr old female. Around the age of 34 I started gaining weight. I was always btwn 115 and 120 and had to eat like a hog for months to get to 120. The weight began to come on gradually at first I am assuming because my lifestyle was so busy, I did alot of walking. Worked full time nights and went to school full time during the day. Overall I was getting around 27hrs of sleep a week. Last year I finally graduated and spent the next few months doing nothing but sleeping and eating. Mostly icecream ( it was easy no cooking involved) My body was so tired. So I slept pretty much most of the days and night away after laying in bed all day while eating. Mostly icecream ( a gallon a week)

So I would say that within 5 months I gained around 9lbs. Overall in the past three years I went from btwn 116-120 all the way to 140lbs with a noticable pooch in the stomach. That pooch is what spawned me to lose weight. I brought a treadmill and started on that working out five times a week for one hour. I did this for three months and lost no wieght but did lose inches. I changed my diet from regular normal food to vegies,fish and fruit. I cut out all sweets which were really my main diet even over regular food. Never did fast food or alot of fried stuff.

I lost not a pound so I decided to change up because it was getting depressing working so hard and not seeing a differnce on the scale. So stopped the treadmill because that was only causing me to gain muscle not lose the stomach or any pounds and changed my diet to the following.

Breakfast - 1 dannon yogurt 8:30 am
Lunch   -   Nothing
Dinner  -   Palm sized (not including fingers) piece of fish (salmon or catfish baked in the oven with plain fish seasoning salt) with a   handful of vegies ( either carrots,brocoli, spinach or cauliflower) 3:30 pm (still working nights after 3:30 I go to sleep before getting up for work 11pm-7am shift.

Dinner -(other option) no fish just salad with 1 can tuna or five small chicken strips.

I use to do a snack either an orange , apple or banana but I cut that out to.

I have been doing this since the middle of January and have since lost 10 lbs. (took 2wks for my body to start feeding off itself) I realize that I cannot continue this because I am sure it is not healthy to eat just yogurt and salad everyday. Even when I was eating the fish that probably wasn't so great either.

I want to lose yet another 15 lbs to bring me back down to 115lbs. I won't make it on this starvation diet. I would like to do something were I can eat normal healthy meal ( not into fatty stuff like fried foods etc any how) and work out on the treadmill again as well as do some other free wieght training for the arms and legs and situps for the pooch which has gotten smaller but still out there.( if you could recommend other types besides being on the floor I have scoliosis and that causes back pain )

Another question I have is is it true that you can eat certain foods that will speed up your metabolism. I know my age has a lot to do with it slowing down some. I do plan on getting more active so that should help. ( I never exercised when I was younger but I was very active.)

I hope this wasn't too confusing I sort of messed the questions in with the story. I basically need some meal nutrition tips and exercise tips to lose the remaining 15lbs by June. I am very disiplined when I put my mind to it but 2 1/2 months of nothing but yogurt and salad is getting to me. I won't do aerobics but will walk on the treadmill and use 30lb hand weights.

I have only cheated three times and had something like chocolate donuts, 1 large chocolate chip cookie, bag of potato chips ( not all the same day ) but when I did that was the only thing I ate that day. To make up for it I wouldn't eat any thing else till the next day which was back to the above mentioned meal plan. I don't drink soda only juice and icetea. I have a juicer as well and love carrot juice.

Thanks.  

Answer
No, there are NO foods that speed up metabolism.  The only thing that does that is exercise.  Make sure your goal weight is realistic.  Keep in mind that it is difficult if not impossible to weigh the same as you did when you were very young. You have to give some cushion for age.  It is NOT healthy to eat just yogurt and salad.  Eating too little will SLOW your metabolism down.  I suggest 5-6 SMALL meals a day and eating from ALL of the food groups.  Plan your meals and snacks ahead of time and keep a food journal for yourself.  Get that regular exercise in, watch your portion sizes and drink lots of water.  
IF you feel you need individual help, find a dietitian in your area that you can meet with personally!  
Keep in mind that you need to not just lose the weight BUT keep it off.  So you need a sensible diet that will help with BOTH!
Good Luck,
Kim Tessmer, RD LD
www.Nutrifocus.net

*Always check with your doctor before starting any weight loss and/or exercise program.

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