Ten Diet Tweaks to Lose Weight for Life!

I'm thinking hormones. or thyroid. My sister ate only lettuce & gained weight--it was her thyroid. My weight is due to lack of female hormones after menopause. I'm on vivelle dot, hope it helps w the weight and also for the insomnia. You can suffer from lack of hormones even tho you still get a period, it's slowly going down as you age.

You say you have tried every diet, but I have to ask, have you tried Dukan? I also found that I could not lose more than a few pounds at a time, and then gained it back. I am 55. I found success with Dukan. One of the main principals is daily oat bran. I have maintained with continued consumption of this.

Leanne: As a fun loving teen who played hard all the time I weighed 150, as a middle aged worker I weighed 180, and as an old man who did not work I weighed 230, even though I ate the same amount of food. From 16 to 36 I gained 30lbs. of muscle. From 50 to 60 I gained 50lbs. of fat. At the age of 61 I was back to 180 feeling and thinking better than in my entire life because I studied the way food affects cellular biology and went on a complete whole raw superfood program. The details are too long to explain here but the short version is that eating the best foods the right way simultaneously nourishes, detoxes, repairs, and enables the body to function at peak performance. Watch raw food and superfood videos and study the Andrew Kim Blogs why cells go bad, insulin revisited, and carbon dioxide for some enlightenment.

Leeanne from Australia, being around the same age myself, we're in the pre-menopausal or menopausal stage right now so weight loss is nigh on impossible for us during this time. At least that's the way it is for most women. However, weight loss for me is achieved by cutting right back on any processed foods - if it comes out of a box, or a bag, I avoid it. At this time of year for us in Aus and NZ, we've got access to loads of fresh fruit and veges so if it doesn't come off with the things you've done, then I have a feeling you'll have to get used to it until your body goes through it's phase.

Hi Cara.. I just wanted to ask if you are gluten free/dairy free yet? I have FMS, and supplements and everything else won't do me any good if I am eating foods that inflame the body. With FMS, gluten and dairy are super harmful and should be eliminated for life. Try it.. You will feel much better!

I would check the side effects of the antidepressants. I too, have been dealing with some of your health issues, including weight. For me, I had to be satisfied that I was taking a whole food diet. That means fresh perishable foods. Also, mostly just plain, loose green tea in the am, and then only water or lemon water. Recently, I've tried MMS and colodial silver, and the weight has been reducing, as well as an increase in energy. You should read up on the alkalising drink, because it's imperative to keep your PH at about 7, or 7.25. When people ask me for supplements, (I guess they see I've improved) I always tell them about raising the PH, before I tell them anything else. The body heals with a neutral (7) PH.

hi... Antidepressents r main cause of puttng on weight.. My friend was on antidepressent n she has 10 kgs. Nw she has stopped n switched 2 homeopatty medicine 4 her depression.

Hi Laure:

I do not usually give advice to people, but you did not give your age in the write up. I would think that your hormones are out of whack and need balancing, in order to lose weight. I myself had gained weight, but not as much as you. Since correcting my hormones, I have lost weight and feel way better.

AS for your illness or flu, a biofeedback session might help you. I know of someone who basically gave up. Went through all tests at the doctors and could not find anything wrong. She had Diarreha for six months and was down to 80 lbs. One session of Biofeedback kiled the virus or bacteria she had and she is 100 per cent now. I believe it can get rid of candida, which is a very common problem and causes many other dieases if you are filled with the yeast. Hope this helps.

Your story sounds similar to mine after I got double pneumonia several years ago. I was on very strong antibiotics for about three months and then, while I still had vestiges of the pneumonia, I began picking up other strange infections like pink eye, bronchitis and a skin condition. My doctor ran tests and said that due to the infection and the pneumonia, my immune system had been compromised. Then he suggested changing my antibiotic to a different one and he said he would have to start treating me like an organ transplant patient ... which meant limiting my contact with the outside world, eating and resting as much as possible, etc. The whole time he was telling me this, my brain was shouting, "You guys did this to me! You made me sicker! There is no way I'm going to let you do anything more. You had your chance." I left his office and made an appointment with my Chinese doctor. She practices acupuncture and Chinese herbs. When I went to see her, she gave me an exam, some Chinese herbs and about an hour of acupuncture and told me to come back the following week. That night, I slept better than I had in five months. By the end of the first week, I was feeling like my old self again. My energy was coming back and I was feeling healthier and stronger. I kicked everything within a month. I should have gone to her in the first place! My advice to you is to seek out an acupuncturist and herbalist. You gave traditional medicine a chance and it didn't do much good for you. Good luck!

Erin's suggestion is a great one. I did that years ago and it was a great help to me. Recently, I'm not having any results from it so I searched for other options. I have searched for answers to multiple issues. I too have acid reflux and struggled for a long time as I would not take the medicine that the doctor's said I had to take. Apple Cider Vinegar (with the mother on it) has allowed me to eat anything again and DRINK MY COFFEE! I started with 2 tsp with 1/8 tsp of baking soda, 3 or 4 times per day before eating. ACV is great for weight loss as well so you should take before eating. Adjust the dosage up or down. I'm a tea drinker and put it in my tea and I really like the taste. ACV can/will give you energy, weight loss, detox, and helps you digest your food properly. Also, read up on the oil pulling. On the main page to the left is a link for OP. I read everything I could on the subject and started about 4 months ago. 1 tbl every morning for 15 to 20 minutes. I change my oil to experiment but sesame, safflower is what I'm currently using. Cold pressed or expeller pressed, organic is best. These two remedies are inexpensive and can/will have excellent results. I read all the posts on these two subjects so that I could then do my own routine. I hope this helps you. Please provide an update to let us know how you are doing.

My heart goes out to you. Like so many of us you've had a hard time. At least you have end up at the right place with Earth Clinic. Take the time researching this site to find your answers. You will find this a journey as not everything works the same for everyone but don't give up - you will find your answers. First of all have you checked your PH balance as this is a key to wellness? You need to get ph test strips. I think I read you can buy them on amazon for a good price - otherwise your local health food store. Your ph balance is a must as disease cannot survive in the right balance. You need to check your PH balance every day. Second thing to consider is parasites as they can cause a lot of problems and are always the last thing doctors look for or never consider. Third thing is heavy metals and chemicals. I have learn this is the combination that disease needs to exist in a body. So if someone has been sick for a long time this is usually what is going on. MMS is remedy that you may want to research as it has help a lot of people. But there are so many other remedies to consider on your journey like H202, colloidal silver, Mini Beet Protocol to name a few. Some people have great with results with apple cider vinegar and baking soda. Most of us who have been where you are have had to do a combination of several things. Hope this helps.

Laure from Bellville, Have you tried any antifungal/parasite cleanses? Sounds like that could be a solution. I have learned a lot in regards to what happens when we are overloaded with parisites and fungus. Also you need to build up your immune system. You should be taking some wide spectrum pro biotics as well. There is a TV show called "Know The Cause" which you can see on the web. It features many aspects of health and the reasons for it's decline.Hope you can regain your health quickly Blessings Dianne

Hello Laure from Belleville, Ontario

I know that this suggestion may seem to be to easy to help, but it certainly is worth a shot. It is an old European remedy, but for some reason it was no longer working for me, UNTIL I DISCOVERED THE REASON WHY. Buttermilk, yep, buttermilk. BUT IT MUST BE ORGANIC OR IT WILL NOT HELP YOU AT ALL.

The health food stores only recently started to carry it.

I bought 3 quarts of it. Drank 1 quart per day. The 1st day it was a miracle for my acid reflux, burping, bloating, gas, cramps and IBS diarrhea . By the last quart, (only 3 days) even my Tinnitus settled down.

The ORGANIC Buttermilk contains B-12 as well as other vital nutrients for our body. (read the ingredients label). The industrial farming dairy business's have destroyed the natural healing properties in dairy by the way they confine and feed the cows. No wonder more & more people are having problems with dairy.

Organic cows are allowed to graze on clovers and grass. The entire planet was raised on health dairy before the brutal industrial farming techniques took over, and people were healthier back then than now. Including me.

I could not believe that something so simple would work so quickly.......And my weight has been coming off quickly without my dieting.

I guess my body is getting what it needs thru the Organic buttermilk AND AS A BONUS, I AM SLIMMING DOWN!!!

Believe me, I have been trying everything, incl. Omega 3's via cod liver oil, vitamins incl D, A etc, ACV (which made things worse for me) the list is endless to what I have tried. You name it, I've tried it.

I repeat, I only got these results because of the ORGANIC Buttermilk.......NOT THE ADULTERATED CONVENTIONAL BUTTERMILK.

I know that it sounds to simple.....but it really is working for me. I literally crave the stuff now, in lieu of food. Imagine that.

Btw: I now have been eating Organic dairy products only.....and they are working for me. Yeah! I missed my dairy products. If I eat conventional dairy products my problems come back.

I hope that it works for you as it is for me.

Laure, I hope you check back on your post, even though it's been quite awhile. Iodine drops got rid of my acid reflux. I guess iodine helps make digestive enzymes--but I'm not 100% sure. They also can help you lose weight because your thyroid, which controls your metabolism, uses iodine. I also tested "normal" on my thyroid test, but I don't believe it because my food journal tells me that anything that blocks iodine causes me to gain weight. These iodine blockers are called goitrogens. Soy, apple cider vinegar, mustard, cabbage (raw, and also cooked) all cause me to gain weight. Oddly enough, peanut butter does not. Also, selenium helps your thyroid, but make sure it is yeast-free. Cheap, yeast-based selenium caused me to get ovarian cysts, and they went away when I stopped taking it. Caution with the iodine: It will make Wilson's Syndrome worse. Check your body temp. Mine is always in the 96s and 97s and never gets up to 98 degrees. This is Wilson's syndrome, and too much iodine will make it worse. I am unable to lose weight and am cold all the time, and haven't been able to find a way to get better. I plan on getting a doctor's appointment and begging for prescription T-3, which is the thyroid hormone I am obviously not making. Also, I have been taking 1200 IUs daily of vit D3. Dr. Oz said on Oprah, that it heals the thyroid. Temp up, but also weight going up too. I get on the scales every morning and just curse, because nothing is keeping my weight from going up.

Note on my previous post: WOOHOO! I just took my temp and it is 98. 5! The 1200 IUs of vitamin D, and stopping the iodine did it. (Because of Wilson's Syndrome, I only take iodine drops if I get acid reflux, which is almost never, when it used to be daily. ) Now that my thyroid seems to be nearly healed, I feel so encouraged that I have thought of a new strategy for weight loss (also from reading other posts). I think what made Laure's thyroid and mine get bad, is a combination of adrenal fatigue (hers from ilness, mine from mercury poisoning), heavy metals getting into the thyroid, and candida (which mercury creates a hospitable environment for). Here's what I am already doing: No wheat (rice, potatoes and corn ok), and no goitrogens, and 1200 IUs vit D, yeast-free selenium, zinc, stress B vits, cod liver oil, and liquid calcium in the morning. At night (because I don't have coffee to block it at bedtime): 35 mg of iron, and 200 mg magnesium. The magnesium helps me sleep, and the iron is another mineral your thyroid needs but, very few people know this. New strategy: try jumping rope and moderate weights a few times a week (already walking a lot), 3 cayenne pills a day, cilantro to carry out the mercury, and olive leave, cat's claw, black walnut, and pau d'arco to get rid of the candida. Licorice herb will help heal your adrenals from your major illness, but only take it if your blood pressure is normal or below--and monitor, as licorice raises blood pressure. Also, I can't wait to try the suggestion on organic buttermilk. No doubt, if these things work--I will post again!

Here's an update on my post from July 14. I got on the scales and weighed more than I had all year. Last summer, I tried to do the Master Cleanse, but I've done it so many years (probably with leaky gut syndrome) that I just couldn't down the lemonade any more and it turned out to be a 21 day water and carrot fast. I lost 19 pounds and only 4 of them came back when I started eating again. Well, now the weight was climbing back up a year later. I got mad and just quite eating altogether. Then a plan formed in my mind: How about a juice fast, except eat the raw fruits and veggies, so the fiber keeps the waste moving out, and I wouldn't get sick (I always get extremely sick and weak on fasts unless I can afford a really good colon cleanse which I can't, right now). I'm also drinking lots of water and taking some black strap molasses, bentonite clay, and clear Metamucil. I have lost 8 1/2 pounds in the 9 days since I started. I'm going for 21 days again, which might get me to my ideal weight. I also found and am reading a great book on undiagnosed hypothyroidism (which could cost you your life because of heart disease and cancer) called "Solved: The Riddle of Illness. Your Amazing Thyroid and How You Can Work With It To Control Arthritis, etc. Etc. " Authors: Stephen E. Langer, M. D. , and James F. Scheer.

Here's what happened after my 21 day raw fruit and veggie fast. Mostly I ate watermelon, raw carrots, an occasional carrot juice, apples, avocado (in moderation), clover sprouts, lemon juice, and black strap molasses (for vitamins and minerals). One good recipe: grated carrot mixed with minced apple, with lemon squeezed on top. Towards the end, I found that clover sprouts have the same chemicals that soy has--and was hindering the working of my still-healing thyroid. This may be why I only lost 15 pounds in the 21 days, when I expected to lose a pound a day. As to be expected, 5 pounds came back on when I started eating a normal diet again. The first thing I ate was the veggie soup from the Vegetable Soup cure in this Weight Loss category (you have to be very careful how you break a fast). That soup is SO great! I am going to try going on that for a week--starting tomorrow. It made me more full than any other food ever--even peanut butter--and got rid of all cravings. I think a lot of my hunger comes from inflamed intestines--because I got extra hungry when I ate meat. When I made the soup, I used homemade chicken broth (all store-bought has MSG), and Creole seasonings: salt, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, oregano, basil, thyme, and lots of paprika. SO yummy! If I have any success--I will post under the Vegetable Soup suggestion. (I keep homemade broth in the freezer at all times. My recipe: Bake a whole chicken for dinner. If there's any meat left, take it from the bones and store that in the fridge. Put the bones in the crock pot with two quartered onions, 1 1/2 tsp. Of salt, and enough pure water to cover. Simmer on low for about 24 hours. Let cool till only warm, and pour through a colander which is sitting in a big-enough bowl. Then place the bowl of broth in the fridge until the fat solidifies on top, and skim the fat off (otherwise it is grossly greasy). Then freeze in smaller containers.

I forgot one very important ingredient for the veggie soup. One chopped green bell pepper! Creole has got to have green bell pepper and celery (already in original recipe) to taste really good.

I think I forgot to mention the cayenne pepper (either ground or flakes) in the Creole seasoning. Very important: cayenne heals thyroids, cuts appetite, and heals a lot of other things--and makes things taste good. Also, forgot to mention, on the fruit and veggie fast, I also had papaya (tastes better with lemon squeezed over it), and pineapple, which tastes great all by itself. I think the enzymes in these help to clean up the gunk in our digestive systems.

I noticed that the mention of the moody feeling I get when drinking the Neem tea was rated as Better but with side effects. So I thought perhaps someone may want to know if there were any other side effects.

After the first day of taking the Neem, I began to feel stings as if I were about to break out in a rash. it was similar to the feeling that I got when I took the borax for a month, so I concluded that it was die off because of my experience with the borax.

Mind you I drink a lot of water while taking Neem tea. After 12 days of taking the Neem I took a break from it. The stinging stopped, I never got a rash, perhaps because I cut down to a third cup of the Tea. Also when I started back taking the Neem no more stinging. The stings did not return.

The other side effect was a very light headache.

The many benefits I got from drinking the Neem tea out weight the side effects so I just take breaks from drinking the tea. Some suggest weeks. but I only drink a little bit, so I just skip a few days. and start again.

Not only have I lost weight (2 sizes Down), I don't have to depend solely on the baking soda any more to kill a UTI infection. The Neem has helped to regulate my blood sugar.

When you read up on Neem, you are advised to check with your doctor if you have diabetes, because Neem may lower your blood sugar.

I know Neem helped with my blood sugar, because usually when I eat sweets I have to run for the baking soda and Molasses.

I will have a confirmation soon, I do have a doctor's visit scheduled.

"Yes Neem tea tastes terrible! " But it works great!

Happy Mothers Day, Mothers! I decided to stop a moment here and update my update.

I got an good report from the doctor. I do not go to the doctor often, but I do go for my yearly check up and when it is absolutely necessary. Kidneys good, liver good, blood pressure bad, had a tendency of running high was 119/60. My blood sugar was still borderline and so was my cholesterol.

Now, what you want to know is that I lost 20 pounds from the middle of March to the present. Now trying to remember all the details right does not always happen with me. But I do know that I was doing a 21 day prayer consecration, during which I cut out basically bread, rice and flour, thought sometimes I had some wheat bread, but not daily. I cut down on how much sugar I use in my tea.

You want to know the truth right? I did eat french fries. Had to laugh there. But I did not eat the burger. My meat was either chicken or tuna.

Just to give you a line of of the supplements that I stuck to during this time. Cayenne Pepper and Ginger daily, which I was taking for my circulation and heart. Manganese which I was taking once a week get rid of hair balls, Stinging Nettle to grow my hair and found out it was good for circulation and weight lost too, and Neem which I actually give credit for maintaining the weight lost, because it regulates blood sugar etc.

There are a few other supplements I take but only as needed.

We can do this. Now to not go back to the Junk. You know today is Mother's Day so I did a lot of cheating. Which way to the GYM?

Good Morning Everyone, As I awoke this morning I remembered what I am sure is an important detail in the first 21 days of losing weight.

Most mornings I only had hot water for breakfast. Some morning's I had tea or coffee. That's it just the hot drink.

My first meal was lunch, I don't think I noted it, but with dinner, I had plenty of cooked greens. For evening settling a fruit snack or hot drink was the best I could do.

I expected to lose water weight, but did not really know I lost weight till my clothes got loose. I did not weight my self. I got weighted at the doctors office. That's why originally said two sizes down.

All these weight notes to you are because I usually gain my weight right back. But even though I have added a limited amount of the other foods back, one or two of the prior mentioned supplements or teas has been working to keep the weight off.

Hisjewel

Correction, I meant to say Neem has been said to lower blood sugar. This is one of the reason to read up on it before you start taking it. You do not want your blood sugar to drop too low.

Regarding Neem for Weight,

As I stated in an earlier post I am also taking Stinging Nettles interchanging with the Neem. The Neem gave me a little fit so I figure its doing most of the work. I give them a break here and there. Also a reminder is that when I first lost the weight I did make some eating changes. Now that being said, even though I have petty much slipped back to my old ways the weight has remained off. I am still two sizes down. I still plan to cut down on certain foods again to start losing weight again. A lot of stress going on around here so I have not gotten to diet changes yet, but walking slimmer than last year.

HisJewel

This may be due the quick rise in blood glucose levels shortly after eating. Mulberry leaf will help lessen the effects of sugar spikes. Good for diabetics, but let your doctor know...

I read about taking olive oil in a magazine and decided to try. Took daily in AM for a couple of weeks ( article had no resrictions for waiting until absorbed before consuming anything else). Found I grew increasingly uncomfortable w/taste & feel of swallowing oil - after just 2 weeks I couldn't stand to take it anymore and stopped.

You didn't say if you lost any weight with the olive oil; I'd be curious to know.

For a change of pace, you might try using extra virgin coconut oil-- You will know that it is EVCO because it will still smell like coconut, and may have a slight coconut taste as well.

I have been using it off and on for a few months, and have lost about 18# to date. The things I like about the coconut oil are it's effects and it's versatility. It's my breakfast and bedtime treat. You can get very creative with extra virgin coconut oil. If I don't feel like taking it straight, I can always mix it in with my breakfast oatmeal-- great with banana; or add a little cinnamon and make a spread for my toast; or make a hot chocolate, add e.v.c.o. and a little bit of almond extract to that creamy hot chocolate and have myself a "hot candy bar" breakfast/bedtime treat; or warm it and mix it with a tiny bit of honey and maple syrup to top a couple whole wheat & cottage cheese pancakes. Just a few possible suggestions for you.

My dose is low; just 2 Tablespoons a day, morning and evening---I'm taking it slow. Others use more. EVCO will definitely rev up a sluggish thyroid, and by making such yummy treats with it, you hardly miss the rest of the snacks that you no longer crave thanks to the coconut oil. It has also helped me greatly with such nagging problems as heartburn, constipation, joint aches, chapped lips, and completely rid me of those darn short, flaky fingernails besides!! I love this stuff.

The Shangri-La 'diet' does work for many people (myself included); what was not mentioned in the first post is that regular or extra-virgin olive oil will not work as well because they have strong flavors and the idea is to take oil that has little or no flavor. People have had success with extra-light olive oil, grape seed oil and walnut oil.

Hello Missy,
Today I bought from health store partially oxidized green tea that has qualities of both green and black tea. Hope it works for me. How long before you noticed the weight loss? Thanks.

Hi Mama to Many -

What great results for your husband after three months on a gluten-free vegan diet - losing 40 pounds, almost no snoring, lowered blood pressure, etc. That is very impressive!

It was interesting to hear how he was able to adapt so readily to this diet after being a meat-and-potatoes sort of guy. Maybe there's hope for me :)

I'm sure his doctor will be very pleased with the results when he gets tested again in January.

Kudos to both of you - you're a very good team!

Take care,

Tessa

Thanks for the tip. As an appetite suppressant chia seeds works wonders. A tablespoon first thing in the morning before breakfast with water.

Hi can anyone take the potassium iodide? Thanks

No. Only people who know how to use or administer it should use it. Educate yourself. :)