Healthy Weight Loss

Andrea · 08-03-2013, 09:41 AM

I have written about the SparkPeople website before. The site offers support, articles, tracking, recipes, videos and more.

Recently, SparkPeople put out a book called Spark Solutions. About two months ago, my honey and I borrowed the book from the library and started the program. In those two months, in spite of multiple traveling and other things attempting to side track us, we have both lost weight, lost inches, and feel healthier. The majority of the recipes are delicious (once my honey added more spices) and we don’t feel like we are struggling to maintain the program.

The book offers two full weeks of detailed meals (including recipes) and exercise, with explanations and alternatives. You can even get the grocery shopping list for the meals on the website.

The book also offers directions for weeks three and four, or you can redo weeks one and two, as we have done.

I don’t know how you all are, but I am intimidated by food choices and cooking and tend to eat what I have always eaten with little thought to what is in it. Spark Solutions allows me to concentrate on learning portion sizes (my big downfall), while learning new ways to make dishes using healthy alternatives.

I am even more intimidated by working out or going to the gym and I don’t want to pay a trainer to torture me on their schedule. Spark Solutions takes the guesswork out of working out for me. I know how often to concentrate on cardio, when I should do strength training, and when I should rest.

Bottom line is we found something that works well for us and have purchased the book, now that we know it works.

Anyone else doing Spark Solutions?

Ranger Butch Force · 08-03-2013, 11:40 AM

I've been doing Paleo for about two months now and I've lost about 30 pounds. When I researched it I thought "I can do this because I can still have bacon and coffee", but then I saw you can't have peanut butter. That was a tough one, and still is. I do cheat every now and then and slap some peanut butter on a celery stick and some raisins, but that's about it.

I exercise on my days off because my job is physically demanding, so I need to keep moving.

The true test is when I head to Burning Man and keep on the diet, since it mostly consists of meats and veggies it will be a challenge to keep those items cold and/or frozen for two weeks (I don't do the RV thing out there). I may need to get more dry ice this time around.

Miss Scarlett · 08-09-2013, 03:15 PM

Had an interesting appointment this morning with my WL doctor...lost 8 lbs in the last month and he was not a happy camper. Since I've been having the problem of not eating the goal was to not lose anything over the last month and, in fact, he wanted me to gain a pound. I honestly did try to eat and while I did try, my calorie intake was minimal hence the loss.

So now, among other things, I have to add Ensure Plus at least twice daily for the next week and see him again on Friday...we're taking it a week at a time unless I lose anything over the coming week...

For the record, that stuff tastes nasty...

Gemme · 08-09-2013, 09:36 PM

I'm maintaining. I keep sliding back and forth between the same 2-3 lbs and that's okay. I'd like it to slide on the downward side a little faster but the longer it takes, the longer it will stick.

Hollylane · 08-09-2013, 10:18 PM

I'm up two pounds today, but I'm not discouraged. I have been doing all of the right things, and my body is feeling healthier, and that is the most important thing of all.

Miss Scarlett · 08-10-2013, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemme

I'm maintaining. I keep sliding back and forth between the same 2-3 lbs and that's okay. I'd like it to slide on the downward side a little faster but the longer it takes, the longer it will stick.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollylane

I'm up two pounds today, but I'm not discouraged. I have been doing all of the right things, and my body is feeling healthier, and that is the most important thing of all.

You ladies absolutely rock!

08-10-2013, 08:12 AM

Don't forget if you're building lean muscle mass then you could well remain the same weight or heavier.

08-03-2013, 09:41 AM	#1
Andrea Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Mature Femme Preferred Pronoun?: Her/She Relationship Status: I heart Rene Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: California Posts: 3,755 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 15,427 Thanked 14,925 Times in 3,022 Posts Rep Power: 21474849	I have written about the SparkPeople website before. The site offers support, articles, tracking, recipes, videos and more. Recently, SparkPeople put out a book called Spark Solutions. About two months ago, my honey and I borrowed the book from the library and started the program. In those two months, in spite of multiple traveling and other things attempting to side track us, we have both lost weight, lost inches, and feel healthier. The majority of the recipes are delicious (once my honey added more spices) and we don’t feel like we are struggling to maintain the program. The book offers two full weeks of detailed meals (including recipes) and exercise, with explanations and alternatives. You can even get the grocery shopping list for the meals on the website. The book also offers directions for weeks three and four, or you can redo weeks one and two, as we have done. I don’t know how you all are, but I am intimidated by food choices and cooking and tend to eat what I have always eaten with little thought to what is in it. Spark Solutions allows me to concentrate on learning portion sizes (my big downfall), while learning new ways to make dishes using healthy alternatives. I am even more intimidated by working out or going to the gym and I don’t want to pay a trainer to torture me on their schedule. Spark Solutions takes the guesswork out of working out for me. I know how often to concentrate on cardio, when I should do strength training, and when I should rest. Bottom line is we found something that works well for us and have purchased the book, now that we know it works. Anyone else doing Spark Solutions? __________________ I am very spoiled! What we think about and thank about, we bring about! Today I will treat my body with love and respect.

08-03-2013, 11:40 AM	#2
Ranger Butch Force Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Black Rock City, Nevada Posts: 182 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 40 Thanked 315 Times in 118 Posts Rep Power: 5084028	I've been doing Paleo for about two months now and I've lost about 30 pounds. When I researched it I thought "I can do this because I can still have bacon and coffee", but then I saw you can't have peanut butter. That was a tough one, and still is. I do cheat every now and then and slap some peanut butter on a celery stick and some raisins, but that's about it. I exercise on my days off because my job is physically demanding, so I need to keep moving. The true test is when I head to Burning Man and keep on the diet, since it mostly consists of meats and veggies it will be a challenge to keep those items cold and/or frozen for two weeks (I don't do the RV thing out there). I may need to get more dry ice this time around. __________________ THERE IS NO TEAM IN FUCK YOU

08-09-2013, 09:36 PM	#4
Gemme Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: Queer Stone Femme Girl of the Unicorn Variety Preferred Pronoun?: She, as in 'She's a GEM' Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: The roads are narrow here Posts: 36,631 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 182,498 Thanked 107,930 Times in 25,667 Posts Rep Power: 21474888	I'm maintaining. I keep sliding back and forth between the same 2-3 lbs and that's okay. I'd like it to slide on the downward side a little faster but the longer it takes, the longer it will stick. __________________ Gemme's Journal I'm misunderestimated.

08-09-2013, 03:15 PM	#3
Miss Scarlett Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Relationship Status: . Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: . Posts: 5,530 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,478 Thanked 12,947 Times in 3,419 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	Had an interesting appointment this morning with my WL doctor...lost 8 lbs in the last month and he was not a happy camper. Since I've been having the problem of not eating the goal was to not lose anything over the last month and, in fact, he wanted me to gain a pound. I honestly did try to eat and while I did try, my calorie intake was minimal hence the loss. So now, among other things, I have to add Ensure Plus at least twice daily for the next week and see him again on Friday...we're taking it a week at a time unless I lose anything over the coming week... For the record, that stuff tastes nasty...

08-09-2013, 10:18 PM	#5
Hollylane Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: . Preferred Pronoun?: . Relationship Status: . Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: . Posts: 11,495 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 34,694 Thanked 26,362 Times in 5,875 Posts Rep Power: 21474862	I'm up two pounds today, but I'm not discouraged. I have been doing all of the right things, and my body is feeling healthier, and that is the most important thing of all.

08-10-2013, 08:12 AM	#7
Daktari Guest Tournaments Won: 1 Posts: n/a My Photo Gallery	Don't forget if you're building lean muscle mass then you could well remain the same weight or heavier.