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Conference rocks::weight_control

Title: Weight Loss and Maintenance
Notice:**PLEASE** enter notes in mixed case (CAPS ARE SHOUTING)!
Moderator:ASICS::LESLIE
Created:Tue Jul 10 1990
Last Modified:Tue Jun 03 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:933
Total number of notes:9931

761.0. "Sugar questions" by JUPITR::KAGNO (Mom to the Wrecking Crew) Mon Aug 24 1992 19:59

    I have a question regarding sugar (simple carbs).  Over the last 10
    months I have successfully lost 35 lbs. through sensible diet and
    exercise.  Now I'm trying to take off the last 10-15, and am finding it
    more difficult than ever.
    
    While reading through the FLEX notesfile, I notice that the Body
    Builders stay away from sugar.  Although I eat well, I don't go to
    extremes.  I love the new fat free cakes by Entenmanns and always pick
    one up at the grocery store.  All contain 0 fat grams, and I eat them
    in moderation (meaning one slice a day, about 1-2 ounces, so the cake
    lasts a week, not eaten all in one sitting).  I switched to "All Fruit"
    on my morning bagel instead of a pat of butter, and eat nonfat frozen
    yogurt or popsicles instead of ice cream.
    
    All of these things contain sugar, and I'm wondering if this might be
    slowing down my weight loss.  Exercise consists of 45 minutes of
    jogging on a mini trampoline at least 6 nights/week, and lifting free
    weights (dumbbells) 3X a week.  Will this burn it off, or should I
    eliminate the sugar altogether?
    
    The rest of my diet consists of lots of complex carbs... almost always
    pasta for dinner, fruits and veggies.  Is sugar really bad for you if
    eaten in moderation?
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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761.1ASICS::LESLIEAndy LeslieMon Aug 24 1992 20:4115
    There are very few things 'bad' for you when taken in moderation. It
    all boils down to what you consider moderation to be.
    
    Remember that for your weightloss to be permanent, you must unlearn bad
    habits and learn good ones.
    
    Bad habits include eating sugary cakes, chocolate and stuff with high
    levels of saturated fats.
    
    When losing weight a couple of years ago, I found I hit several
    plateaux on the way down, persevered and lost in the end.
    
    Try some additional exercise!
    
    /a
761.2Covert BailyESCROW::ROBERTSMon Aug 24 1992 21:229
    If you want information on how carbohydrates, fats, and sugars are used
    when you exercise, you might want to check out the Covert Baily "Fit
    or Fat for the 90's" TV special.  It's being run by several PBS
    stations in the Mass/N.H. area and is an extremely funny and
    informative show by someone who actually knows what he's talking about.
    
    I mean, he's a biochemist, and Cher's a movie star, OK?
    
    -ellie
761.3HDLITE::ZARLENGAdo you have any grey poop on?Mon Aug 24 1992 21:2421
    
.0> All of these things contain sugar, and I'm wondering if this might be
.0> slowing down my weight loss.
    
    Carbohydrates all contain the same caloric value per gram.
    
    Sugar won't slow your weight loss down any more than pasta will.
    
    Most people reduce their sugar intake simply because the calories
    aren't accompanied by any nutrients, so they're "empty calories."
    
    Sounds like you hit a plateau.  That's no a big deal, it will pass,
    they always pass.  Just give it time and be patient.  When it breaks,
    you'll see a big weight drop, sometimes a week's worth in one day.
    
    A plateau does NOT mean you're putting on fat, you're just retaining
    fluids and waste.  As soon as it breaks, you'll see what I mean.
    
    Keep un informed.  How long it took, how big the drop was when it
    finally happened.  It should be within 2 weeks if you stick to the
    regimen.
761.4JUPITR::KAGNOMom to the Wrecking CrewMon Aug 24 1992 21:5314
    Thanks for all the info so far.  I forgot to mention that I have been
    drinking plenty of water to flush out excess waste, about 64 oz. + per
    day.
    
    If this is a plateau, it is VERY stubborn!  :^)  I am trying to step up
    my aerobic exercise to burn more calories.  I have been at this weight
    for over a month now, and it really is depressing!!  And I hate it when
    people say, "You look fine; 10 or 15 pounds won't make a difference",
    but I know it will.
    
    Mike, your input in this file is very valuable.  I have learned a lot
    from reading your entries.
    
    -Roberta
761.5HDLITE::ZARLENGAMichael Zarlenga, Alpha P/PEGWed Sep 02 1992 07:111
    Thank you very much ... I'm glad I could be of some help.
761.6HDLITE::ZARLENGAMichael Zarlenga, Alpha P/PEGWed Sep 02 1992 07:135
    One thing you can try to help break the plateua is to change your
    exercise intensity and duration. Lower the intensity and lengthen the
    time.  If nothing else, it'll help break the monotony and maybe keep
    your mind off the plateau for a week while you adjust to the new
    exercise routine.
761.7Lower intensityPLDMV2::GILSONWed Sep 02 1992 22:424
    What is the theory behind lowering the intensity and lengthening the 
    time? It would seem logical to me that you would increase the intensity.
    Time is such a problem that I'm having a very difficult time sandwiching 
    in my current 45 minutes of exercise.  
761.8ASICS::LESLIEMy family values.... moneyThu Sep 03 1992 03:1710
    Actually you don't burn much more by trying harder. What actually
    counts for consumption of calories and enhancement of your
    cardio-vascular system is regular exercise of at least 30-45 minutes
    duration, from 3 times a week up.
    
    Running burns 12 calories a minute, roughly, no matter how fast you run
    it doesn't go much over 12 and you get too tired to continue for long
    enough to do you good!
    
    /a
761.9HDLITE::ZARLENGAMichael Zarlenga, Alpha P/PEGThu Sep 03 1992 05:5510
.7> What is the theory behind lowering the intensity and lengthening the 
.7> time? It would seem logical to me that you would increase the intensity.
    
    If you lower the intensity, you increase the body's ability to
    metabolize fat for energy (fat is notoriously slow to metabolize,
    while sugars - glucose and glycogen - are fast).
    
    And you can burn the same total number of calories by reducing the
    intensity and increasing the time ... eg: walking 1 mile instead of
    jogging 1 mile.
761.10Dr Hay says "No" to refined sugarKERNEL::ROSETue Mar 22 1994 23:4314
    
    Hi,
    
    I'm following the Hay diet (see note 849.) and Dr Hay's theory was that
    refined sugar in any form clogs up our body's natural processes for
    getting rid of toxins. Fruits (which contain sugar) are allowed as it's
    only refined sugar which causes problems. 
    
    I've found that it's really difficult to stop eating cakes and biscuits
    but after the first three days I was fine.
    
    Bye
    
    Trevor
761.11sugar is more places than sweetsGOLLY::CARROLLthe courage of my contradictionsFri Mar 25 1994 19:3712
    The hard part about not eating sugar for me was not avoiding sweets
    such as cakes and candies, it was avoiding the "hidden" sugars in such
    things as ketchup, Chinese food, packaged soups, etc etc.  You have to
    read labels carefully if you really want to avoid sugar.
    
    I have worked out for myself the level of processed sugar that doesn't
    trigger my sugar-problems.  It was a definite trial and error process. 
    At first, I avoided it all - now I can eat small amounts of things like
    ketchup or salad dressing with sugar, but still never eat sweets, or
    even heavily sweetened entrees, etc.
    
    Diana