Cutting out red meat....

[Mermaid02]

any recipes, meal plans, suggestions, whatever appreciated. I need to lose 30 pounds before I can have surgery and I'm using my elliptical at least 6 times per week- using weight watchers online and I am really struggling. Someone suggested adopting a vegetarian lifestyle and I'm starting by cutting out red meat. Most of our meals revolve around meat so I need help!

 

[acejka]

Just wanted to wish you good luck! I can't cut out red meat! I lovvveee a good steak, a good burger and roast beef too much. I am however limiting my intake of it.

As for taking the vegetarian lifestyle, be careful to get the protein you need from other sources and be mindful of your eating, I know several people who changed to vegetarian and gained weight.

How long have you been at weightwatchers and the elliptical if you don't mind me asking?


I've tried ww sseveral times and I have an initial large drop but then I can't loose any more, and after tracking with sparkpeole I found out I wasn't eating enough calories. Sparkpeople has always worked well for me becaues its a place where i can track everything(calories, fat, carbs, protein and many more) and there are tons of articles, and little things that I can earn "points" for and it keeps me going.

 

[Mermaid02]

Just wanted to wish you good luck! I can't cut out red meat! I lovvveee a good steak, a good burger and roast beef too much. I am however limiting my intake of it.

As for taking the vegetarian lifestyle, be careful to get the protein you need from other sources and be mindful of your eating, I know several people who changed to vegetarian and gained weight.

How long have you been at weightwatchers and the elliptical if you don't mind me asking?


I've tried ww sseveral times and I have an initial large drop but then I can't loose any more, and after tracking with sparkpeole I found out I wasn't eating enough calories. Sparkpeople has always worked well for me becaues its a place where i can track everything(calories, fat, carbs, protein and many more) and there are tons of articles, and little things that I can earn "points" for and it keeps me going.

It's been a month. Yes, I have to be careful to not get caught in a "junk food" trap- it's pretty easy to have a crappy vegetarian diet. I made a delicious lentil stew yesterday- having some for lunch later and we are having thai turkey burgers for dinner.

 

[Planogirl]

Keep on eye on the fat content of the poultry too. Some dark meat poultry is higher fat than lean cuts of beef.

Good luck with your new lifestyle!

 

[acejka]

I'd try mixing up your workout some too... after a while, your body gets used to the rotuine.


Good luck with it!! Hope your surgery goes well when it comes time.

 

[Mermaid02]

I'd try mixing up your workout some too... after a while, your body gets used to the rotuine.


Good luck with it!! Hope your surgery goes well when it comes time.

Thanks. It's nothing major- a 'reduction' and the surgeon won't even see you unless you are of "normal" body weight.

 

[bjgrazi]

Cut out sugary drinks and DIET drinks. Drink water with lemon. Cut out all sugar. Watch your labels. There is a great book, This is why your fat. by Jackie Werner (Warner). It was a great help to my husband and I.

She really explains food traps and it's an eye opener. Another good book is The Skinny Girl Diet.

Good luck!!!!

 

[Mermaid02]

Cut out sugary drinks and DIET drinks. Drink water with lemon. Cut out all sugar. Watch your labels. There is a great book, This is why your fat. by Jackie Werner (Warner). It was a great help to my husband and I.

She really explains food traps and it's an eye opener. Another good book is The Skinny Girl Diet.

Good luck!!!!

I like plain water- is the lemon just for taste/looks? Do you mind telling me what a day of typical meals is for you?

 

[Keli]

I am not vegetarian by any means but right now I have very little to no pork or beef in my diet. I eat a high protein diet but the protein comes mostly from fish and poultry. I also get some protein from dairy and then I supplement with protein powder when I'm not getting enough protein.
I found the high protein/lower fat and carbs diet works best for me.
I eat ground turkey versions of many meals that used to contain beef, i.e., chili, spaghetti, burgers.

 

[bjgrazi]

For me...

lemon helps burn calories, so she says I'm glad I love the way it tastes.

I will have a bowl of oatmeal with raisins and a piece of fruit. Or eggs with whole wheat toast.

Sometimes I'll make a berry smoothie (lo-fat plain Greek yogurt with fresh fruit)

Lunch is usually whatever is left over in the fridge.

I stick with whole grain pasta's, portion control is everything. You'll be amazed how much a portion is. I eat 5 small meals a day. More than I've ever ate before, but I just eat differently. I've changed the way I cook and no longer buy prepared foods.

Dinner Saturday night was spinach ravioli with shrimp in a light tomato sauce. Easiest dinner I've ever made. We had a salad with it. Our salads are loaded. Watch out for your dressing. I just use balsamic vinegar and evoo. Last night I made a turkey breast, baked sweet potato and asparagus, again with salad. (I love salad)

i've completely cut out sweets. After a couple of weeks when you taste a bite of it, you actually will have a dislike for it. I have anyway.

She says on the weekends you can cheat. I really don't

When I food shop I shop the outside ring of the store. I only go down aisles for some staples. I buy all fresh.

 

[perdidochas]

any recipes, meal plans, suggestions, whatever appreciated. I need to lose 30 pounds before I can have surgery and I'm using my elliptical at least 6 times per week- using weight watchers online and I am really struggling. Someone suggested adopting a vegetarian lifestyle and I'm starting by cutting out red meat. Most of our meals revolve around meat so I need help!

I've lost 12 lbs since New Years primarily by getting rid of, not red meat, but grains and starches. I don't eat pasta, bread, rice, or potatoes. I haven't been 100%, but do it 6 days a week, and take it easy on those the day a week I splurge on refined carbs.

 

[rwdavis2]

(Having not read all responses)

High protein/low carbs. The theory being that proteins take longer to digest and thus leave you feeling fuller. Try portion control. I found out I was eating up to 2x too much at dinner and lunch. The advice to cut out sodas is excellent. I eat all kinds of meat but mainly chicken. I've lost and kept off 50lbs the last year. My nutritionist advised me to eat the densest food possible. Atkins protein bars are good for a snack and a pretty good source of chocolate. The protein drinks work for me for breakfast, all about 160 calories.

Keep a food diary and write down everything you eat. Even a single bite of something. It all comes down to calories in vs. calories expended regardless of where the calories come from. Avoid feeling hungry (high protein) and to never go hungry as that may cause an over indulgence.

BD

 

[shortbun]

Why not just replace one meat meal with fish or chicken? Also, the eliptical will build lots of muscle that weighs more(higher density) than fat so the weight won't come off as fast. Treadmill and stretching or long walks/running should be in there too. Does the eliptical workout take your heart rate up for 20 minutes? You need a cardio workout/aerobic for weight loss too. Join a dance class or pilates. Use lemon in your water. Drop the salt intake, some asian seasoning is really high in salt which keeps fluids stagnant in your body. You want to flush the silt and impurities so really hydrate. About a gallon a day is good. I make pots of herb tea.

 

[Mermaid02]

Why not just replace one meat meal with fish or chicken? Also, the eliptical will build lots of muscle that weighs more(higher density) than fat so the weight won't come off as fast. Treadmill and stretching or long walks/running should be in there too. Does the eliptical workout take your heart rate up for 20 minutes? You need a cardio workout/aerobic for weight loss too. Join a dance class or pilates. Use lemon in your water. Drop the salt intake.

That's a good idea- I rarely look at sodium content.

I can't walk outside until the warm weather comes (I get hives) I do yoga in addition to the elliptical- and I've been pretty sedentary so most everything gets my heart rate up. Again with the lemon in the water.... I'll have to look into that closer.

 

[smb6]

I make the same meals as always; I just use ground chicken and ground turkey instead... I switched over several years ago... My kids eat it just fine also. And then of course there is all sorts of meals you can make with chicken breast and seafood too....

Unfortunately, this switch did not really help me loose weight; so if that is your priority definately develop a good exersize plan like you mentioned...

 

[rwdavis2]

Why not just replace one meat meal with fish or chicken? Also, the eliptical will build lots of muscle that weighs more(higher density) than fat so the weight won't come off as fast. Treadmill and stretching or long walks/running should be in there too. Does the eliptical workout take your heart rate up for 20 minutes? You need a cardio workout/aerobic for weight loss too. Join a dance class or pilates. Use lemon in your water. Drop the salt intake.

Great advice. Made me realize that when I started losing weight last year I started out just walking and then moved to a treadmill and the weight was just falling off, 1-3 lbs per week (I started pretty high). I've added in some weight training in the last 3 months and the weight loss has slowed down.
BD

 

[bettymae1121]

drink more liquids (I don't care for water so I drink home-brewed ice tea with a splash of low-cal lemonade). I don't get as hungry and it helps me from retaining water (it flushes the salt out so you don't need to retain as much). I also try and watch my salt/sodium intake. Also, try to add more fiber in your diet, just be sure to add it slowly to avoid tummy troubles!

Weight Watchers is great (I lost 30 pounds with them and it helped teach me how to manage portion control), but just like with being a vegitarian, you do have to be careful not to load your diet with junk. A bowl of steel cut oatmeal is better for you than a bowl of packaged cereal, even if the point count is about the same (not sure if the point count is the same, just using that as an example).

 

[mhsjax]

Why not just replace one meat meal with fish or chicken? Also, the eliptical will build lots of muscle that weighs more(higher density) than fat so the weight won't come off as fast. Treadmill and stretching or long walks/running should be in there too. Does the eliptical workout take your heart rate up for 20 minutes? You need a cardio workout/aerobic for weight loss too. Join a dance class or pilates. Use lemon in your water. Drop the salt intake, some asian seasoning is really high in salt which keeps fluids stagnant in your body. You want to flush the silt and impurities so really hydrate. About a gallon a day is good. I make pots of herb tea.

The elliptical is a cardio workout. Yes it can build muscle but it is also used for aerobic exercise. I don't what type of machine that you may have used but trust me, mine will take your heart rate up as high as you want it to go for as long as you want it to go.

 

[Mermaid02]

The elliptical is a cardio workout. Yes it can build muscle but it is also used for aerobic exercise. I don't what type of machine that you may have used but trust me, mine will take your heart rate up as high as you want it to go for as long as you want it to go.

It is a great workout- it's good for me because I need something "gentle on the joints" due to arthritis.

 

[mhsjax]

It is a great workout- it's good for me because I need something "gentle on the joints" due to arthritis.

Same with DH and his knees. He is only 47 and needs at least one knee replacement. Those sports injuries, just keep giving. ANyway, his ortho told him he could elliptical but not run, and really doesn't even want him walking on the treadmill because of the pounding, so the cycle or elliptical for him.