Weight Gain
Natural Remedies

Ten Diet Tweaks to Lose Weight for Life!

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Dietary Changes, Exercise, Supplements
Posted by Rick (University Place, WA) on 12/11/2008
★★★★★

History - 244 pounds, 302 on last test, A1C=10
Today - 4 months later - 198 pounds, 95 today's fast measure, A1C=7

How?:
1- Life style not diet. Don't go on diet for cure. Diet means short term measure or solutions. Must change life style meaning FOREVER.

2- Medications - We love easy solutions. Diabetic meds are not to cure you. They are business solutions to keep you stable for a while, at a profit with possible side effects. Nothing wrong with that if you want easy solution and eat what you like, at least for a while before kidney failure and other complications.

3- Smart Eating - How about no starch, no grains, no beans or peas, no corn, no green peas, no sugar, no sweeteners, no coffee, no soda, no potatoes, no fried food, no fast food, no buffets, no red meat, no milk, no oats, no breakfast cereals, no chocolate or candies, no pop corn or chips, no sweet fruits, no fats and oils, or very small portion. Brush your meat or vegetables with oil if you want to use your Foreman style broiler or toaster broiler. Boil you vegetable and meat, or use high heath steam.

Do not eat out of a bag or package. Get a small cup. Fill the cup with what you want to eat. Use that as a measure. You need to see visually the portions that you are eating. The measuring will help you reduce portion and cut on your excess weight.

4- What to eat - Meat can not exceed 20% of your meal. Eat berries, any berries, vegetables, Fish, other sea foods, skinless chicken, and spices. Some not so common items to eat include pomegranate with white meat portions included. Fresh or rehydrated walnuts with the soft dividers between the meat included. Artichokes, green beans, zucchini, avocado, and green tea seems to be very effective. Use Sunflower oil and Fresh Squeezed lemon Juice for salad dressing or meat marinade. Eat garlic, watercress, radish along with its few youngest leaves on.

I can hear voice of opposition wanting to have some fruits, oils and starches. They call it having balanced diet. You are a diabetic, most likely overweight. It was those little sugars, oils, starches and grains that got you here. Your obesity is testimonial that you can not eat just a little of soda and pasta without going back for more. Drastic measures are required until you are in much better shape.

5- Supplements - Vitamin C, Flex Seed, Milk Thistle, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Fenugreek, Garlic, B complex, Magnesium. Don't overkill. Take 1 tablet of 1 supplement a day and change to the next supplement next day, rotate and arrange to your liking.

6- Exercise body and mind - Start easy with 30 minutes walk on your lunch period. After work, do another 15-30 minutes of tread mill or walking. Some warm up an cool down easier exercised as well as few minutes of small weigh, around 5 pounds, exercises.
Use meditation or biofeed back. An alternative way would be when in bed ready to sleep, use the quiet time to tell yourself you want to be cured. Ask your brain to find out what the problem is and to have it corrected. What you believe is what can happen.

7- Education - Try to read one article a day about Diabetic or your digestive system. First, it educates you about your conditions. Second, it reminds you of the risk if you continue. Third, it keeps you on course. As you read, question all suggestions to see if they have commercial implications for the writer.

Here is what happens. No salt, no oil, no starch, no sugar makes you lose water that your kidney storing some in the puffed up ankles. You start to lose weight. Loss of weight equals to more energy and better fasting levels. The extra energy gives you mobility to lose more weight for better control over your diabetes and the healing cycle continues. As a side effect, your other diabetic complications like shrinking kidneys improves.

These suggestions are not for every one. It takes a very determined person to make this work. I am sharing with you what worked for me. For all others, take medications as your doctor suggest. I refused medications because every chemical action oriented drug that goes into your body eventually has reaction(s), some I hope to avoid. Plus, pill gives me the latitude to not drastically change my life until it is too late.

Dietary Changes, Exercise, Supplements
Posted by Matt (Indianapolis, Indiana) on 05/19/2009

Judy, EVERYTHING gets converted to sugar (glycogen) if your body is going to use it for energy, not just sugars and starches. Sugar does not 'cause' anything and is not 'bad', what causes the ailments you describe is a combination of unhealthy lifestyle habits and genetics. Weight loss is simple: calories in vs. calories out. There are no magic cures. Eat healthy, exercise, and don't be afraid to work hard.


Dietary Changes, Exercise, Supplements
Posted by Cat (Austin, Tx) on 01/28/2010

Matt you are sooooooo wrong. Do the historical research on sugar; it is as deadly as heroin. Start with its history as a refined substance. A good book to start with is SUGAR BLUES by Duffy. Diabetes was once accurately called SUGAR DIABETES. I remember, as a child, seeing an old gentleman from my neighborhood with both legs missing and asking my grandmother what had happened to him. She said, "He got the sugar diabetes." The sugar industry hated this saying; which is why sugar was dropped as a prefix to the word diabetes in literature and advertising. Read Duffy's book and you will get the message that sugar is killing us from the womb (where type 1 diabetes is set up) to blind, toothless, legless old age. Sugar is an enemy to man. The first time my daughter tasted sugar (age 2)in the form of a hard candy, she fanned her mouth, saying it burns. We have all lost this sensitivity to a very deadly, addictive poison. Do the research!


ACV and Baking Soda
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 11/23/2008 490 posts

Hi Kathy, are you drinking plenty of water? At least 8 - 10 glasses a day? Also are you getting any activity, especially walking? If the answer to both of these is yes, then my suggestion is to increase your intake of the dark, leafy green vegetables for a better type of fiber.

I remember one patient who had a fecal impaction, which consisted mostly of popcorn husks (the outer covering of the popcorn kernels). He was somewhat upset because he had been snacking on popcorn quite often to combat his constipation. From the looks of what was removed, he never ate anything but popcorn! Even indigestible fiber can create problems if you don't drink enough water or have a little activity.

I find that when I have a slight problem with constipation, a glass or two of apple juice works like a purgative for me, much quicker and more thorough than prunes or prune juice.

Your dietary changes sound great though. One other thing I just thought of is that many in the medical field say that
magnesium is one of our biggest nutrient deficiencies today, so unless you eat a lot of magnesium rich foods, you might want to consider a magnesium supplement or even an epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) bath a few times a week..


Exercise and Diet
Posted by Jen (Milkw, WI) on 07/02/2008
★★★★★

I wish I had learned years ago that once you gain a fat cell, you have it forever. Had I known this, I would have been far more careful in my twenties with what I ate. I probably also would have opted out of 2 years of anti-anxiety meds and forgone the 15 lb weight gain side effects. Now in my late thirties I have to be extremely careful to eat simply at every meal or the pounds start piling on. The good news is that with the right diet (lots of vegetables and chicken) and exercising 4-5times a week, I can maintain a steady weight. The bad news is that it only takes one rich meal or a chocolate-laden dessert to see the effect -- bloated face and stomach, jowls under my cheeks. Yes, only one meal! My advice all the young folk out there -- start your healthy eating and exercise habits now. Once you gain the weight, you may be able to lose it, but it takes a lot lot lot of work to keep it off!!

Apple Cider Vinegar, Cranberry, Lemon
Posted by Michelle (Houston, TX) on 06/24/2008
★★★★★

I take a daily concoction of 1 tsp ACV, 4 ounces of unsweetened cranberry juice, 12 ounces of water, and half of a squeezed lemon. It's part of an eating plan and it's said to help cleanse the liver. All I know about it after seven days is that I feel generally better. I am prone to UTI's so the cranberry is definitely helping, and I've lost 4 pounds in eight days. (Of course, I'm following a prescribed plan of eating all natural foods and eating every three hours). It's a bitter drink, but I'm still drinking it!

Exercise and Diet
Posted by SuhaAnand (Chennai, India) on 03/25/2008
★★★★★

I had to lose weight in three months. i started working out in the mornings after a cup of hot coffee (South Indian version) and hit the gymn for 30 mins burning nothing less than 400 Cal. Being in India means lot of rice and pulses and veggies in diet. I had to carefully wean away from them. I had only two chapathis ( Indian Bread) for Lunch with lots of steamed carrots and cabbages ( avaoid potatoes) with onions. Dinner again consisted of two chapathis with lots of pulses and veggies. I had Lemenade with mint or ginger juice in it after my lunch.. i noticed visible changes in my skin tone ..it became more clearer.. Weekends i used to indulge in rice and regular south indian food(high caloried).


Fenugreek
Posted by Maliaka (Detroit, Michigan) on 02/26/2008
★★★★★

Fenugreek tea helped me lose weight. HI all, I was introduced to fenugreek seeds by a physician that does colonics. He gave it to me for weight loss. Apparently fenugreek lowers blook pressure because it cuts fat cells. He informed me that we have fat on every cell in our bodies and that when you take fenugreek as a tea it cuts the fat on your cells, which is all of them, thus causing you to lose weight as well. The way I take it is to put 1 teaspoon to a teaspoon and a half in a mug and microwave it or you can boil it in a pot and make a larger amount. The best way to take it is as a tea but if you can't stand the taste you can do as I do. I add a tea bag after I have brought the tea to a boil and add suger and lemon juice or u can do honey. It is best if done at least three times a day. However, I was trying to test it out and was only drinking one cup a day. I tried it last year and lost 25 pounds (at one cup a day). I stopped for a while and recently picked it back up and in one week lost an additional ten pounds. All of the weight loss I am speaking of was done just drinking the tea once a day and with no excercise. So imagine what it would do with excercise and a proper diet. I highly recommend it for both high blood pressure and weight loss. Do try it, it works. Good luck and definately give your feed back of how it does for you.

Fenugreek
Posted by Haras (San Jose, Ca) on 01/21/2012

As many others have written on this website- it is in your best interest to never microwave anything you drink or eat!


Bentonite Clay
Posted by Sara (Westport, OR) on 02/11/2008
★★★★★

Dear Earthclinic, I have tried many remedies over the years to remove the belly fat on my stomach and hips. I have been drinking one tablespoon of liquid bentonite clay which I purchased at the local health food store about six weeks ago. I have lost about 3" on my belly and 2" on my hips. The other reason I'm drinking this is that it detoxes metal from the body. The taste is mild and I take it only at night with a glass of water. To date, I have more energy, eat less as I feel full, and my body feels lighter. There are more benefits to ingesting clay but too numerous to mention. A 16oz. fluid bottle cost about $8.00 and has about two months worth of bentonite liquid clay.

Water Remedy With ACV and Salt
Posted by Andreina (Roma, Italy) on 12/27/2007
★★★★★

In the morning, I mix 1Tbl ACV with a pint of water, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. I put it in a bottle and drink it throughout the day. I repeat the prosedure in the afternooon, so I drink 2 pints a day. It cures everything (my acne, sore throat, stomach ache, dry skin, sore joints...etc) I've been doing this for 3 months, and have dropped 7.5 kilograms! I <3 water! Be sure to mix it with salt and vinegar, so you don't lose vital nutrients, and sodium!


Honey and Cinnamon
Posted by T.Srikantharajah (Wimbledon, England) on 12/04/2007
★★★★★

Daily in the morning, 1/2 hour before breakfast on an empty stomach and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup water. If taken regularly it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also drinking of this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.


ACV and Coconut Oil
Posted by Plumhappy (Eugene, Oregon) on 07/23/2012

Be careful with coconut oil. Start out with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon at a time since it can cause diarrhea if too much is taken at once. Work your way up to a Tablespoon.


ACV and Baking Soda
Posted by Kimberly (Mineral, VA, USA) on 10/08/2007
★★★★★

Hello, I've been using the ACV & Baking Soda since June and have been very please with the results. I went from having NO energy, chronic general joint pain all over, excessive weight and acid reflux to feeling about 75% better with a lot more energy, NO chronic general pain and I have lost 20lbs to date and although my acid reflux isn't gone, at least when it flairs up even with meds, I can now get it under control. I have about 60lbs I would like to still loose. I would like to stop taking my medication for acid reflux, but I think I need to loose some more weight to. I think that in conjunction with the ACV and baking soda would do the trick. I am also on blood pressure medication and would like to see what happens with that to. I have seen a decrease in my blood pressure since starting the ACV. It will be interesting to see if my dr removes me for this medication to. The one thing I was really hoping for with the ACV and baking soda that I haven't seen an improvement in yet is a reduction in my chronic back pain and pinched nerve. I still have to take something for these two when they flair up. I have scoliosis and I guess this will be something I will have to address differently. However, if anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to post or e-mail me. Over all I am very very please with the results I've had with the ACV and baking soda. Thanks!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lisa (Providenciales, Turks) on 05/22/2007
★★★★★

Thanks for your site- I was browsing on sites to lose weight. I came upon yours. I tried the apple cider vinegar for one week and i can see results. My result is showing on the stomach area and it gives me energy, more relaxed, peace of mind My last weight is 133- my gold is 115-120 Thank you


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Darian (Springfield, MO) on 05/02/2007
★★★★★

This is update #1. I've been taking ______ ACV religiously 3 times daily (1/8 - 1/4 cup). Since I've started taking the vinegar, I've noticed a lot of other benefits besides helping to heal my sinus problem. My energy level has greatly increased. This has allowed me to start exercising more. I started walking about an hour a day (at least 3 days a week) for a few weeks, and now I'm even jogging on occasion. So far in the past 2 weeks, I've lost a few pounds, which of course is related to the exercise, but I still maintain it wouldn't be possible without the ACV and the energy I've gotten from not being sick all the time. God bless this site and for the information you provide. I'll give another update in a month or so. As I like to say as a toast when I take the ACV... Here's to your health


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Queen Nylah (Manhattan) on 01/22/2016

Thank you so much for sharing. I just started taking the royal jelly and honey mixture together at night. It has done wonders for my sleep, and my abdominal. Is not as inflated, ive noticed a change in my eating habits as well, and I dont feel brain fatigued. I am happy that you found this remedy that works, like you had suffered, I am tired of suffering from obesity and I truly want my body back, I have alot of living to do. Your testimony definitely give me drive and inspiration. I will also include your remedy as well. I cant wait to try it.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ryan (Ottawa, Ontario) on 12/03/2006
★★★★★

I have been experiencing recurrent chest pain for almost the last year, all tests (ECG's, Halter Monitor and lots of blood work) indicated that there was nothing wrong with my heart so the doctors put me on one of those fancy (and expensive) proton pump inhibitors as they assumed everything was related to GERD (acid reflux). I am not sure if it was GERD that I had but the chest pain has gone away. As a bonus I have been shedding pounds like never before. However I do think that the weight loss is mostly water due to the fact that ACV acts as a mild diuretic. Interestingly enough unlike other natural diuretics ACV doesn't affect your salts/electrolytes because it contains potassium. Really happy to have found this website!


Inositol
Posted by HisJewel (New York) on 08/09/2023
★★★★★

I have mentioned something about Inositol in a post or two.

In four months, it took 20 pounds off me, it is still off. It helped my daughter's excess heavy bleeding from a fibroid to regulate.

Here is some basic information on this supplement. You will learn the different types of Inositol and take your pick for your health and situation.

https://www.intimaterose.com/blogs/womens-health/types-of-inositol-a-complete-list

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33755975/

https://www.centerforhumanreprod.com/blog/who-is-myo-inositol-for-and-who-should-stay-away-from-it


Biotin
Posted by Health Now (Murfreesboro, TN) on 05/28/2023
★★★★★

I've been taking biotin supplements and have had and unusual side effect, weight loss. Not much but just a couple of pounds and my cellulite is less noticeable.


Vitamin C
Posted by Anon (Anon) on 06/07/2020
★★★★★

PCOS and EXERCISE RESISTANT WEIGHT GAIN:

I have been overweight since gradeschool. Nobody pointed out that eating icecream every night before bed would cause weight gain... PCOS began in my 20s, from coffee? Chocolate? Birth control pills? Don't really know.

BUT!! High dose vitamin C has been *excellent* for exercise resistant weight problems!!!!, which was aparently a detox/edema issue.

I mix a couple grams of vitamin C with baking soda and water, let it fizz, and drink it. I don't even need to exercise.

I realized it was reducing my weight when I mixed it up one day (maybe with fresh lemon juice added) and for the first time kept adding baking soda until it didn't fizz any more. A few days after I noticed my thighs were much slimmer and firmer. I suspect it gave me kidney stones, though, so I use less now.

The vit c is making the weight come off in all the hard to lose places - belly, hips, thighs, face. Not sure if the baking soda is necessary. It might be. I like to mix in fresh lemon or lime juice.

Lasix and Slimfast (w/ hunger control) were also very effective for weight loss, but less healthy. Regular Slimfast always left me hungry, but the hunger control kind I would drink and not be hungry or tired or even want food all day. I used it for about two years, went from an 18 to a 14. I quit because of the sucralose in it.

If you are *very* desperate to lose weight though I would recommend it. Just make SURE you eat some fresh fruit or veggies every day to keep your bowels clean. And drink water.

I also recommend lots of garlic, cilantro, parsley, and turmeric for their detox properties.

When I was in gradeschool someone gave me diet soda ( Diet Rite if I recall) for the first time and I have a vived memory of how fuzzy and foggy my head was after. It was like just like static on a tv screen but in my head. I was formerly very energetic and cheerful but ever since have struggled. My grandmother drank a lot of the same diet soda and died of Alzhiemer's.


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Teresa (WA) on 04/20/2022

Check out the book "The Iodine Crisis". By Lynne Farrow.
Lots of information.


5:2 Diet
Posted by Wendy (Columbus, Oh) on 07/20/2018

I googled it, and found this link that describes it, among others: https://dailyhealthalerts.com/top-5-trending-diets-hit-or-miss/


5:2 Diet
Posted by Frances (Cabarlah, Qld.) on 07/20/2018

Here is a link to the 5:2 Fast diet. Healthy protein and low-carb side dishes recommended on fast days. Best not to weigh oneself until on this for 4 weeks. Most people lose approx. a kilogram a week.

https://thefastdiet.co.uk/



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