Are You Derailing Your Diet Without Knowing It?

Posted Mon, Apr 07, 2008, 1:31 pm PDT

268 Comments

1. Posted by silancedogz on Mon, Apr 07, 2008, 6:55 pm PDT

This is one of her better blogs to date, particularly the point regarding exercise and snacking. There's working out to eat, and there's eating to work out. A tip: studies have shown that drinking 8 ounces of coffee prior to cardiovascular workouts does help to amp metabolism and increase calorie burn. Needless to say, we're talking black coffe here, not a super mocha-chip extravaganza with a Mount Everest of whipped cream on top.
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2. Posted by ronjayrich57 on Mon, Apr 07, 2008, 8:38 pm PDT

I never heard that about coffee before workout, thanks for the tip
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3. Posted by elizoria on Tue, Apr 08, 2008, 11:20 am PDT

My doctor told me NOT to drink coffee before a workout. Watch that the coffee doesnt cause heart palpatations!
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4. Posted by jdamn13 on Tue, Apr 08, 2008, 6:04 pm PDT

People work out without drinking coffee beforehand? I also think that a lot of people use low-cal diets as an excuse to eat a bunch of refined carbs, which will still stick to your waist. If you get ample fiber and protein (which is way possible if you're a vegetarian like me, btw) you can eat more calories and more fat and ultimately be more satisfied while getting down to your ideal wieght.
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5. Posted by allmightyjaz on Tue, Apr 08, 2008, 6:57 pm PDT

I'd be careful drinking coffee befor pumping your heart to hard unless you sure you can handle it!
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6. Posted by tipsy on Wed, Apr 09, 2008, 9:09 am PDT

whats up
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7. Posted by lolawash44 on Thu, Apr 10, 2008, 11:57 am PDT

healthy snacking between meals is good. It keeps your body metabolizing and burning fats.
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8. Posted by Stacy R on Thu, Apr 10, 2008, 12:28 pm PDT

lolawash44: What do you consider healthy snacking? Would love some food suggestions
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9. Posted by babehmf@verizon.net on Fri, Apr 11, 2008, 11:01 am PDT

Hi..this isn't about last comment..i am new to this site..just had a question and wanted feed back.. i work 11-7 shift and im having a hard time losing weight as well getting the right amount of sleep..anyone got any sujestions for me.sign HELP
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10. Posted by muddylotus79 on Sun, Apr 13, 2008, 9:44 am PDT

you know what jim, we cant all be superior human beings like you....people make mistakes, and this site is a great public service. Go spew your anger somewhere else. I was wondering if anyone had ideas about controlling hunger at the end of the day? Water only works so much..
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11. Posted by T-Bone on Thu, Apr 10, 2008, 2:02 pm PDT

I think the last two posters have missed the whole point of the blog. And exactly what does girls taking drugs have to do with reasons why your diet might not be working? Or is this complaining and criticizing for the sake of?
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12. Posted by PJ on Mon, Apr 14, 2008, 10:42 am PDT

babehmf - Make sure that you are sleeping in a dark room because the quality of your sleep will be better. Perhaps discuss with your doctor taking a supplement called Melatonin which helps your body repair better. It's only produced by the body when sleeping in the dark and if you don't have enough of it, you still feel very tired. It also helps with stress relief which can contribute to weight gain. muddylotus - I find eating Wasa crackers with water and holding out for about 15 minutes makes my hunger go away, as long as I'm really hungry. Many times, especially if I've already eaten dinner, it's just "mouth hunger" which stems from my being too tired or stressed out. Stop and think about what kind of hunger you are really having and perhaps write in a journal to de-stress or spend the time you would have eating getting ready for bed a little earlier! Good luck both of you.
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13. Posted by kiki on Tue, Apr 15, 2008, 2:40 pm PDT

I really want to shed about 10 lbs but am having a hard time doing it though I eat reasonably well and take walks when the weather is nice. I was thinking about investing in diet pills to help with cravings and jumpstart my metabolism. Any suggestions? Has anyone had any luck with diet pills or are they worthless?
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14. Posted by kiki on Tue, Apr 15, 2008, 2:56 pm PDT

I really want to shed about 10 lbs but am having a hard time doing it though I eat reasonably well and take walks when the weather is nice. I was thinking about investing in diet pills to help with cravings and jumpstart my metabolism. Any suggestions? Has anyone had any luck with diet pills or are they a waste of money?
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15. Posted by mobileloansigner@sbcglobal.net on Thu, Apr 17, 2008, 10:21 am PDT

This is the first blog, I have read of yours that has some correct and great nutritional advice in it. I hope that you can continue on this and stop encouraging us to eat sugar, so we dont eat fat.
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16. Posted by singleoid on Thu, Apr 17, 2008, 10:22 am PDT

My doctor told me to eat a Big Mac and a large order of fries before a workout. He said it would "AMP-UP" my metabolism and help me burn extra calories!
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17. Posted by sportsfuncollege on Thu, Apr 17, 2008, 10:24 am PDT

I was under the impression that the caffeine was what would really amp you up before a workout. but to take it in a pill or energy drink because the other ingredients in coffee might actually reduce the effectiveness of the workout.
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18. Posted by ginger1 on Thu, Apr 17, 2008, 10:24 am PDT

Does this woman think we are all dumb? Of course liquid calories count! Dang,people stop reading all this junk and just eat healthy and get off the freaking couch and do some exercise!!
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19. Posted by wendykate99 on Thu, Apr 17, 2008, 10:27 am PDT

Whole foods and lots and lots of veggies.
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20. Posted by Sara C on Thu, Apr 17, 2008, 10:27 am PDT

Well hungry girl is a great website - there are lots of great tips, recipes, and ideas on there. I love it. As far as those of you who want to loose weight - weight watchers is the way to go. I've been doing it for 15 years now and it has always worked for me. Eating right, exercise, and a good night's sleep is all you need. I do not suggest diet pills - they do not work. There is no easy way out - its a lot of hard work and you need to want to do it, or you won't. But also - see your doctor and find out if you really need to loose weight. A lot of people think they are overweight or unhealthy when they are really not - just because of America's thin imagine. Just being healthy is the way to go.
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21. Posted by kane on Thu, Apr 17, 2008, 10:27 am PDT

Diet pills are worthless if you dont hit the gym. Most contain large amounts of caffeine that helps rev up your metabolism(which is why coffee also works)
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22. Posted by ashreec on Thu, Apr 17, 2008, 10:27 am PDT

this is concerning drinking coffee before a workout, i always exercise in the morning after i eat breakfast which consists of coffee and some type of cereal. anyway, i have had no problems with it. If anything I feel a little more energetic before the workout which leads me to give more intensity and a longer workout.
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23. Posted by amykins0711 on Thu, Apr 17, 2008, 10:27 am PDT

Kiki, the pulls are such a waste of money- I have tried all the tricks and shortcuts and finally came to the realization of what works and what doesnt and lost 40 lbs. Here is the simple truth, calories in, calories out. Depending on your size and height you need a daily deficit of 500 calories less than you are currentley consuming. I ate 1500 cals per day and walked an hour 5/6 days per week, also add some resistance training 2 days (weights, lunges etc). My only tips are keep a journal every day write every calorie down, coffee, ketchup, bites, drinks- included. Stop at 1500. It works at about 1-2 lbs per week weight loss. (Green tea is awesome and salsa in place of butter/mayo/creamy dressings) Good luck.
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24. Posted by daman16176 on Thu, Apr 17, 2008, 10:28 am PDT

The simple thing is to count calories, yeah its an older diet not on the fab 5 , but its effective and you know what your taking in in a day. I also recommend working out before you go to sleep, such as a mile jog. When jogging you have to change it up all the time to get maximum results, what i do is time my regular run and try to beat it as often as possible, even by a couple of seconds makes a huge difference!! Also make sure to add more distance if you find yourself making the run too fast!
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25. Posted by hola on Thu, Apr 17, 2008, 10:28 am PDT

Do you really think that buying diet pills will help jumpstart your weight loss? Think about it...would 60% of Americans be obese if diet pills actually worked?? Probably not! Just be cautious of what your putting in your mouth and how much...and exercise!! The weight will come off!!
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26. Posted by on Thu, Apr 17, 2008, 10:30 am PDT

To Jim (Post #9), I'd be more impressed with your post about the "'Dumming' down of America" if you knew how to spell dumbing...
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27. Posted by musclehead on Thu, Apr 17, 2008, 10:30 am PDT

the main thing to remember is burn more than you take in. Watch the ingredients and keep the protein high.works well for me as an avid bodybuilder.
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28. Posted by lailaxrajabi on Thu, Apr 17, 2008, 10:30 am PDT

Green tea before a workout does fantastic!
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29. Posted by kgbrecordz on Thu, Apr 17, 2008, 10:30 am PDT

really? this is news to people nowadays? i rated the article a one star cuz you need at least a star to rate it. it saddens me that people don't know at least that much about nutrition
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30. Posted by shummer229 on Thu, Apr 17, 2008, 10:30 am PDT

muddylotus79-- i would recommend special K's protein water mix. It tastes great and only has 30 calories but 5 grams of protein to take the edge off hunger [and it actually works!!}. The suggested water to mix ratio is 1 packet for about 16 ounces of water but its super flavorful in a liter bottle. It's also free of sugars. I like the pink lemonade one and the strawberry kiwi is pretty good too! Hope this helped =]
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