Ten Diet Tweaks to Lose Weight for Life!

This is both a weight loss and health issues question.
I REALLY need your help figuring this out.

Eight yrs ago I became very ill with an extreme flu for 3.5 mths, it seemed to mutate every mth. I was given 6 day antibiotic prescriptions 1 x mth for 1st 2 mths. No medication worked.

I had previously eaten a low-carb type lifestyle diet which does contain Healthy Carbs only for 4yrs (Somersizing) with no problems. Due to being ill for so long I gained 30lbs in the 3.5mths, not like me at all. I was barely eating anything each day, sometimes going 1-3days without food. After I got better (not well), & 4mths later, I still had "0" energy & felt sick most of the time. Almost every morning since.... immediately after waking I begin coughing violently (from my stomach not chest), as if I am about to vomit. If I do vomit, its more like spit and sometimes acid (haven't had any "food" at this point). I switched to water in the morning, found this didn't help much. This continues to this day, I've found recently if I drink 2 cups of sage tea before bed it does seem to settle this down.

My doc said "my body had taken a hell of a hit, and would just take time to get over it. About 5mths". I endured the 5mths, continuing my low-carb style WOE (eating only heathly carbs 1x per day). During that 5mths I gained another 10lbs & I really have no clue how. When I went back to the doc....he just shrugged his shoulders and told me to go home and rest that it may take up to another year. I believe this was a total copout on his part. 2 yrs later he finally tested my thyroid and sugar levels & said they were fine. Refuses to test my hormone levels because he doesn't beleive in HRT's (natural or chemical). I just wanted to know where my levels were at.

I've always been one of those people who found it easy to lose weight, then I hit a phase 11 yrs ago where I gained 25lbs and couldn't take it off. I then found my low-carb style WOE (Somersizing: note we DO eat healthy carbs) & lost all the weight over 3 mths & have stayed with it since with not one problem.

It's now 8 yrs later and I'm worse not better (more fatigued), and its a struggled just to do basics everyday. And have gained another 35lbs over time. I love my low-carb type lifestyle WOE (Somersizing) and won't change that. But over the past 3.5 yrs I've noticed something weird going on. I've tried to adjust my WOE to eliminate it, but this hasn't worked either. Instant, sometimes extreme heartburn. The only things that settle it down are homemade ginger tea.....and for instant relief until the ginger is ready, I've found sipping a small amount of cream really lessens the heartburn. I've tracked down some culprits. example: my decafe coffee. I thought it was the brand so I switched brands....nothing changed. So now I can only have 1 decafe coffee every 2nd morning. I do drinks Lots of water per day, and LOTS of veggies. I sometimes get the heartburn when drinking water too. I'm assuming I must be full of acid....any ideas what could be causing all of this? Acid or other.

I've have people suggest carb blockers (but I only eat healthy carb in the morning 4x per week), I can't see where they would help.

I've tried digestive enzymes, didn't seem to do anything. Although in fairness perhaps I didn't take them long enough.

I've been wondering if my body is having difficulty breaking down proteins/fats, and need something for that????

I've now tried sooooo many different "remedies" and am at a loss. And am not rich and tired of spending $$ on what doesn't work.

Various herbal & other supplements etc.

I also tried taking CLA & borage combo and drinking sage tea.

Yes, I've been back to the doc a few times.......but he has been NO help. The most he has said is that I need to lose the weight. Refuses to get down to business regarding the other symptoms.

I don't know whether all of this is connected to my being so ill so long ago or not. Or whether each issue is connect to others or not.

I only mentioned my WOE so you'll understand that I do not eat the regular standard Canada diet, no junk foods, no fast foods, no pop etc. Just healthy foods

If you have any ideas at all they would be welcome.
I'm sorry this is soooo long, but I'm afraid I could leave out a vital clue to figuring this out.

I am desperate now.... beginning to have physical problems due to overweight and fatigue.

Ted, any help you can give me in trying to figure this out would great be appreciated.

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.

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, 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 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 was just wondering if drinking distilled vinigar can hurt you or can help you loose weight..i like the taste and can drink it easly...So wanted to know if anyone has tried to diet with this?

I am glad that I found this site. I was away for about 10days and in those ten days I gain 4 lbs that was shocking. The jeans I wore while going to the trip it doesn't fit me anymore. I am going to start ACV with water from today. Last three days I have started drinking 1/2 lemon juice with warm water in the morning and in 3 days I started loosing some inches. If I continue with lemon juice and start ACV will this interfere with each other? I am 5' tall and weight 128. My ideal weigh is 108. I have to loose 20 lbs. Thanks!

About a year ago I went on a citrus Fast (Lemons/Limes) for approximately 10 - 12 days. I would use half a lemon and a whole lime since they were small in a 8oz water bottle about 4-5x a day. I didn't think I could last 2-3 days w/o eating a meal. Everything seemed to be going fine, I was feeling good, I wasn't tired or hungry and I saw some shrinkage in my belly area. On the last day of my fast I went to the bathroom and noticed that my urine color had changed from clear to almost brown. I did panic because I have never seen my urine become that dark. I drink lots of water on a daily basis (more than a gallon I know) but not exactly sure how much though.

Can anyone explain to me what they THINK or KNOW what happened? I need to know if that was a good thing or a bad thing that happened.

After 10-12 days, you were able to establish enough alkalinity to have zapped quite a few nasties and they were getting flushed out, sounds like. Candida and the like.

Olive Oil (remedy) Weight Loss (ailment)

I have searched this site and found nothing yet about the Shangri-La Diet created by Seth Roberts in 2005. The bottom line is that foods with a high flavor concentration raise the body's set point and cause rapid weight gain. His idea is to counter this effect by consuming calories with as little flavor as possible to convince your body it's time to shed the pounds.

To this end he recommends taking 2TBSP of olive oil first thing in the morning before consuming ANY calories and then waiting about an hour before eating. You can drink water but no other consumption until the calories have been absorbed.

He says you can repeat this a couple times a day and then only eat when you are hungry which will likely be never since your body no longer tells you to eat.

So here's the story: Two years ago I tried it and had impressive results. I noted a significant reduction in my appetite and lost about 15 pounds in a month. Often I could feel my stomach rumbling but I was in no way actually hungry. Like it had actually turned off my appetite completely. AWESOME.

Here's the rub: After a few weeks I found that the olive oil made me gag. Like my body simply did not want it. After a while I couldn't even think about taking it. Even when I forced it down I would throw it up. Obviously I still wasn't hungry, but I was also unable to continue the program.

Here's my question: Has anyone else A)heard of this diet, b)tried this diet, c)experienced this problem, d)overcome this problem, e)got any advice?

I look forward to other's feedback

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.

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.

Hi Ted, I was born with just one Kidney and half a Uterus and one tube and ovary on just my right side. I am overweight by about 45lbs and just started the ACV/BS and adding Cinnamon to help with the taste. Is adding cinnamon okay with a little apple juice? Also will this be hard on my one kidney? The only time I have a problem is when I was pregnant and losing some protein, no problems since and not on any medications.

Thank you,
Cindy

I would like to know if it is important to ingest fat daily (good fats such as coconut oil, etc.), or if the body can use stored fat to process the fat soluble vitamins. For those who have plenty of stored fat, would it be better to go on a fat free diet for a while, as long as one eats healthy foods and not the toxic processed diet foods? Thank you very much.

Never go on a fat free diet, or low fat. Use healthy cold pressed oils. Your body needs fats to work properly. Stored fat will not work the same way, as it has changed forms, and functions. Stored fat if used will be for energy, and only after muscle, and other tissues.

Hello, i'm just trying to ask about the use of the lemon juice,olive oil, grapefruit and epsom salt @ night. could you pls explain more on the measurement of each and what type of grapefuit did you use... the seedless one or the big one. pls explain more for me as i'm interested. thx.

The diet you are suggesting is low-carb and low fat. The exclusion of fruit seems questionable. I find it hard to believe anyone is overweight from eating too many apples and grapefruit.

This diet is not exactly like atkins, but it does seem like a good one. Veronica, Just a note to let you know that all fruits contain fructose, a high concentration of a form of sugar. Sugar, no matter what form is bad. Potatoes become sugar once they are ingested. The body should not live on this type of chemical as it causes diseases like diabetes, hypoglycemia, hypertension, etc. Anyway, good job Rick. I think I could do this...but not too crazy about giving up my coffee and diet soda...eek. sorry. :(

Answer to Matt from Indianapolis about Weight Loss Remedies

I disagree completely. Sugar as isolate is too concentrated. The secret too many calories too low nutritional values.

Just read about HFCS High Fructose Corn Syrup.

http://www.westonaprice.org/motherlinda/cornsyrup.html

and this: Surprise Ingredients in Fast Food
http://www.naturalnews.com/022194.html

Try to feed yourself just on sugar!

For anyone who is taking fiber supplements or eating food high in fiber be sure to drink lots of water or the added fiber can cause severe constipation. I take a fiber supplement and have unfortunately suffered with the constipation problem. I am also taking Chromium Picolate for minor depression and it has made me feel so much better i've heard that it is good for weight loss too but i havent seen any difference. Magnesium is also good for constipation, depression and other problems that have a tendency to pop up it pretty much can cure what ales you since most people do not receive enough magnesium in their diets.

This bread really does fill you up and keep you from snacking. this is the best tasting recipe for it that i've found. 2 cups nonbromated unbleached white flour--1 cup spelt flour--bought both at the healthfoodstore. 1/4 cup toasted wheat germ grocerystore brand in cereal ailse--1 pkg. rapid rise yeast--1-1/2 cups of warm water--1/4 cup brown sugar--1 tsp honey--1 tsp salt--1/4tsp ground ginger-- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon--2 tbsp canola oil--3/4 cup dried fruits, dark or golden raisins, apricots, or pineapple, or a mixture. also 2 handfuls of raw millet from health food store. i measure out all the different flours wheat germ and millet and dried fruits in separate bowls. i measure the brown sugar,honey, salt, cinnamon, ginger and oil together in another bowl. heat 1-1/2 cups water to 110 degrees, i use a thermometer.in a large bowl empty 1 pkg yeast and add the warm water, next the sugar, salt and oil mixture, add 2 cups of the white flour and beat to make a batter then gradually work the rest of the ingredients in, the dried fruits last. knead on lightly floured board 10 min, then let rise in greased bowl in warm place til double. i warm my oven slightly only few minutes and use a greased 4qt covered kettle, it conducts the heat. takes about 1 hr. punch down , divide in half and roll into loaves and place in greased loaf pans.let rise until double ( i use the oven method) remove from oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees. bake about 40 minutes. makes 2 small loaves. i doubled the recipe today, and made 2 large loaves, just realized i used 2 cups of water instead of 3, so that's why it didn't take so much flour, lol when cool, i slice it up and put it in freezer bags and freeze it. since i found this my desire to eat between meals has dropped to zero. my abdominal/ hip girth is going down. i feel so much better. i have more energy and better mental clarity. my mood is better too. i have a slice with each meal and i'm able to reduce portions without pangs and 1 slice around 8 or 9pm with a cup of green tea and then i don't snack at midnight when i get home from work. you must try for yourself, it's a miracle.

this is for TED, I heard on the news that if you eat half a grapefruit before every meal you loose weight, do you have any info about it, thanks a lot for checking.

Just be careful if you are on high blood pressure medicine, DO NOT eat or drink grapefruit. It interacts with the medicine. I did about a year ago and it dropped my blood pressure so low I passed out and ended up in the ER.

HOT WATER FOR OBESITY: Boil one glass[200ml.]water. Sip it just like you drink tea after each eating. Rember you should drink it boiled not hot. It control obesitty colostrol and b.p.without any diet control and exercise.

If you have eat a heavy, spicy, oily food and feel acidy in stomach, then drink a glass of boiled [not hot] water by sipping.YOU will get immediate relief from acidy.

Sadabahar: If we want to cure our obesity take five to seven white flower[not pink] in morning empty stomch for seven days then stop for seven days.again repeat same ways you will loose extra weight in few days and also feel good.

SADABAHAR
Comman Name: Sadabahar Sadaphul, Sadasuhagan
English Name: Tropical Periwinkle
It is a perennial herb, erect, much branched. 70-80 cm high. Leaves alliptic to obovate, rounded retuse or mucronulate at apex acute at base. Flowers in 1-4 flowered cymes. Calyx segments subulate. Corolla whitish or pinkish. Follicles 2-3 cm long, pubescnt.
Parts used : Leaves and roots

The plant contains very precious alkaloids ' vincristine' and 'vinblastine' which are used in allopathic medicine as anti-cancer injections. The herb leaves are very useful in controlling the diabetes. The herb leaves are mixed with other herbs to get good results.

My Mother in law has a book about herbs -- growing them and the different things that they do.

The book is called "The book of herbs" and is by Dorothy Hall. This book was published in the 1970s, so if you are seeking it you may only find it used.

In this book, the author suggests that you can improve your eye sight by "boiling fennel leaves in water until the water is reduced by half" and applying this to the eyes every day when it's cool. She lists no exact qualities because she says these aren't necessary. The body will use what it needs and discard the rest.

She also suggests drinking fennel tea to keep slim. Maybe people are confusing fennel with fenugreek which would explain several recent comments about people gaining weight while taking fenugreek.

My question is, has anyone tried these remedies? I know that fennel is good for digestion, but for weight loss and eye sight too?

WARNING!

Licorice (the herb not the candy) cannot be taken safely for very long. It causes high blood pressure. I have found licorice root in diet teas and women's remedy teas used as a dieretic. Taken any longer than 6 days or so can cause health issues. I made the mistake years ago of drinking a dieter's tea after my evening meal for over a year. I had never had a problem with high blood pressure before but after a year on that tea my blood pressure sky rocketed and I felt horrible. As soon as I stopped the tea my blood pressure went back down to normal.

Someone recently died from eating too much licorice over a week or so.... they changed from red to black lollies/ shoe laces and died!

True story.

WORKED TEMPORARILY

i had decided to try the master cleanse for weight loss, i need to loose on 5-10lbs,,,this cleanse is a difficult one to follow but i was able to go through the whole ten days, after the ten days were over i was able to loose those extra pounds i need to lose,,,however only after one week i gained it all back plus 10 extra pounds!!! so do this only if you want to gain weight.

Mint and green tea: one cup at night and in the morning after breakfast, complete balance for healthy overall feeling, i try and it help me to be able to loose any weight i want. You need to be relax to be able to commit yourself to any endeavor. Add to it yoga or extreching and if you are happy you will do it again and againg. the most important part is to have fun doing it. Since you want to be healthy and because you love yourself. In general once you balance your hormones then you can feel good to do anything and that is what mint tea and green tea do.

re: wild tea or tsaang gubatim.

i'm gerald, 23 y.o.. i used to drink wild tea and it was so effective in losing weight..whenever i got weight problems sometimes i used to take almost a litter of wild tea,, after a couple of weeks i can bearly lose 2 pounds..i take it as a alternative of water...try some for those who have weight problems...it has no side effects, very refreshing, and also it increases your metabolism..promise! because im a living evidence.

I am curious about your statement about having a fat cell forever. I'm not sure I understand. What would be the point of trying to loose weight if you will never loose the fat cells. I think somebody has given you some bad information. True, some fat cells are harder to get rid of than others but if the body has a choice of using / burning body fat or excessive calorie intake it it take the latter. Usually, under normal circumstances, reducing intake of calories and raising levels of excercize can help with removing body fat.