Counting Calories Works

[amber]

I just remembered another good thing to do is to make sure you take time throughout the day to breathe deeply. Sometimes I forget to breathe, if you know what I mean. Deeply. The whole diaphragm thing and all.
And/ do a calming stretching exercise.

Something about Cortisol levels in your body and the relationship between DHEA - as you get older you have less DHEA, and more cortisol (cortisol is released when you are stressed, it's part of the "fight or flight" chemical process.)

"DHEA can improve glucose tolerance, convert excess body fat to lean muscle mass, alleviate depression, increase energy and decrease pain in chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia patients, decrease joint pain and fatigue in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, improve mental clarity and enhance overall immune function."


There is info online, but basically you want to really keep your cortisol (stress) levels down because it causes a chemical reaction in your body that is not ideal - harmful.
Here is one short snippet of something I found. I'm not saying this is the be all, end all, but it is a contributing factor, and every little bit helps.

"The destructive effect of high cortisol levels

What is cortisol? In its normal function, cortisol helps us meet these challenges by converting proteins into energy, releasing glycogen and counteracting inflammation. For a short time, that’s okay. But at sustained high levels, cortisol gradually tears your body down.

Sustained high cortisol levels destroy healthy muscle and bone, slow down healing and normal cell regeneration, co-opt biochemicals needed to make other vital hormones, impair digestion, metabolism and mental function, interfere with healthy endocrine function; and weaken your immune system.

Adrenal fatigue may be a factor in many related conditions, including fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, premature menopause and others. It may also produce a host of other unpleasant symptoms, from acne to hair loss. (Please click here to see a list of adrenal fatigue symptoms and related conditions.)

The loss of DHEA production
When the adrenals are chronically overworked and straining to maintain high cortisol levels, they lose the capacity to produce DHEA in sufficient amounts. DHEA (the full name is dehydroepiandrosterone) is a precursor hormone to estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, and is necessary to moderate the balance of hormones in your body. Insufficient DHEA contributes to fatigue, bone loss, loss of muscle mass, depression, aching joints, decreased sex drive, and impaired immune function. (For more information, read our article on DHEA.)"
http://www.womentowomen.com/adrenalf...l#cortisoldhea

[macfanken]

I just take TrimSpa.

[sparky]

Originally Posted by macfanken

I just take TrimSpa.

Admit it, you are really Anna Nicole.

Seriously, does that **** do anything ?

[macfanken]

Originally Posted by sparky

Admit it, you are really Anna Nicole.

Seriously, does that **** do anything ?

No, I'm still fat.

[David]

Originally Posted by macfanken

No, I'm still fat.

But your sig banner pic rocks, fatso!!

[Janet]

My mom lost a lot of weight counting calories. I know she went from 170 down to 135. She's like 5'6 and looked great. I was really proud of her.

I used to do it back in school. But I did 800 calories a day.I know I went from like 140 to 128 very quickly. Of course now if I was 128 I'd do a dance. I haven't seen even 140 in a long time.
SIGH.

But that's the best way. You see just how many calories you consume. Every drink, every bite!

I want to do that again and I will. Very soon.

It WORKS.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by sparky

Admit it, you are really Anna Nicole.

Seriously, does that **** do anything ?

Ummmmmmmmmm -- I usually get that

Now where are my half of those ashes

[SuzeQuze]

Also get enough sleep and watch less TV. People who do those things weigh less.

[skcin]

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

Also get enough sleep and watch less TV. People who do those things weigh less.

Screw you Suze, I ain't giving up my rich & full life of TV watching!

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by skcin

Screw you Suze, I ain't giving up my rich & full life of TV watching!

Tell me about it!

PS, screw you too!

[DavidMn]

I should probably start doing this too.

[sara1998]

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

Also get enough sleep and watch less TV. People who do those things weigh less.

You have a valid point. I don't watch TV hardly ever, and I get between 6-8 hours sleep every night. I watch what I eat, and the only meal I'm weak with is dinner. I do a moderate amount of exercise, and damn if I still don't lose weight.

[DavidMn]

Originally Posted by sara1998

You have a valid point. I don't watch TV hardly ever, and I get between 6-8 hours sleep every night. I watch what I eat, and the only meal I'm weak with is dinner. I do a moderate amount of exercise, and damn if I still don't lose weight.

Sometimes its that whole metabolism thing.

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by DavidMn

Sometimes its that whole metabolism thing.

Yep, some have a high one, some don't. I almost killed my roommate last night due to the size of the bowl of ice cream she was eating. Sesly!

I lost another pound so I am now 154. I decided to "come out" with my weight to reduce the shame of it and it has honestly made me feel better. Isn't that weird?

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

Yep, some have a high one, some don't. I almost killed my roommate last night due to the size of the bowl of ice cream she was eating. Sesly!

I lost another pound so I am now 154. I decided to "come out" with my weight to reduce the shame of it and it has honestly made me feel better. Isn't that weird?

You can fool your metabolism into being high by eating six small meals a day and lots of protein overall. Then, when you want to eat the whole box of ice cream, you furnace will already be burning!