Need advice on supplements/exercise

I am trying to start to eat a little better and try to start exercising, need to lost at least 50 lbs. I'm not expecting for it to happen overnight but gradually (but the quicker the better). Are there any supplements that anyone could recommend to suppress your appetite and help curb those cravings?

 I have exercise DVDs (just got Windsor Pilates but have yet to crack open) but can't really use any of them because we live in a second floor condo and the lady downstairs, who is very nice, says that it makes too much noise, which I can respect. And I don't have the money to start a gym until mid February. I have tried walking with my daughter after school before it gets too dark but when we have to stop and inspect every rock, flower and bug along the way it does not make for a long or productive walk exercise-wise, though I do enjoy the time watching her.  And it is still dark when I get up and go to work, and the hubs has asked that I don't walk in the dark for safety sake. So I'm kind of at a standstill. Any exercising I can do without taking down my neighbor's ceiling, I'm up for anything.

I have tried the Atkins diet for a while, did lose a few, but found to be too hard, just ended up eating a lsmall loaf of bread in one sitting (no lie).

I am doing pretty well on getting my food types under control, but the portions are the problem.

Any suggestions/advice would be great. Thanks for letting me go on.

Hi! Sorry things didn't work well for you with Atkins. I do a low carb way of eating and am able to stick to it pretty well. But I realize it is pretty restrictive and definitely not for everyone. Have you ever looked in to Weight Watchers? They even have where you can do it all on-line. I used to attend meetings for that and managed to lose weight and keep it off. You honestly can eat whatever you like, the big focus there is to learn portion control and to count the points for the food you eat. I got bored with the meetings and didn't like some of the boisterous women that attended. But it is a good program. There are also other diets with low carbs that are healthier and less restrictive than Atkins. I know a lot of people praise the South Beach Diet as a diet you can live with.

As for exercise, walking is great. It's convenient, free, and you can include your daughter. I guess if you are worried you are not walking enough though you may want to look in to other options. I have a pilates program I do, and it's not noisy at all. It's more like stretching and strenghtening though I don't have the Windsor Pilates, I think it would be similar? Have you considered a treadmill or would that be noisy? I think if you are not exercising at odd hours your neighbors should be considerate of what you are doing.

I can't help with the supplements. Maybe somebody else here could give more input on that. I think just the fact that you are looking for options for healthier eating and exercise habits means a lot. Best of luck to you.

I don't know of any supplements but I DO have Winsor Pilates and can assure you that you won't be making any noise. 99% of it  is done lying on a mat on the floor and it really gives great results if you stick to it. Some moves seem easier than the others, but overall you do start to notice a difference, especially in your posture.

I have never been able to stick with low carb diets, though The Zone worked for me for a few weeks. For me it is watching my calorie intake + exercise. I don't think there is a magic bullet, one size fits all approach. Every person has different needs and you need to find what works for your body and lifestyle.

Things that have helped me lose weight in the past:
eating on a small plate so that the portions appear larger
eating with chopsticks so I could not eat too fast
putting my fork/spoon down between every bite and chewing every bite 20-30 times
drinking a full glass of water before a meal
drinking a full glass of water whenever I thought I "needed" a snack

Good luck with your goals. It is very doable and even baby steps are steps!

I don't know of any supplements, either. Lots of water, vegetables, fruit and wholegrains will help suppress the appetite...too bad there's nothing that makes chocolate look unappealing!

I wonder if you and your neighbor could come to some sort of agreement about the exercise. If you did it at pretty much the same time of day each day so she'd know to expect it; maybe she could go do her shopping then or just turn up her stereo. You ought to be able to compromise rather than one of you getting something and the other nothing. She might be willing to do this. I guess I'm lucky. My flat block must be very sturdily built, because I do step aerobics with high impact intervals 5 or 6 days a week and I've never heard a word of complaint from the folks downstairs.

I can't really suggest any supplements, either.  I think the key is to maximize the nutritional value of what you're eating -- no junk, no sugar, no fried foods....lots of fruits and veggies, water, beans, lean meats and dairy, and whole grains. 

I started the South Beach diet last February and have lost over 70 pounds since I moved here.  I hate to recommend a "name brand" diet, but it's exactly what I've listed above in terms of what you should be eating.  The first two weeks are restrictive in that you can't have any fruit or grains, but it's not as bad as it seems and it serves to eliminate your cravings for unhealthy foods.

Courtney's suggestion of pilates is a good one...or how about yoga?  Can you get someone to watch your daughter while you walk a few times a week? Or is she young enough to sit in a stroller so you can just push her? 

Courtney's suggestion of pilates is a good one...or how about yoga?  

Yoga is great for toning and stretching and also for strength and relaxation, but unless you are doing very intense Ashtanga yoga or more aerobic Kundalini yoga, it isn't great for actually losing weight.

Just a thought...are there any community centers in your area that might have a low cost or free gym. YMCA is great, but I don't think there are very many here. As someone else said, Weight Watchers is really good, especially for learning portion sizes. Good luck. I think you have taken the biggest step already by making the decision to change!

Yoga is great for toning and stretching and also for strength and relaxation, but unless you are doing very intense Ashtanga yoga or more aerobic Kundalini yoga, it isn't great for actually losing weight.

I wasn't really suggesting yoga as a weight-loss tool...more as something quiet she could do to keep moving in the weeks before she starts going to the gym.

Thanks for the info guys. I have finally decided that basically what everyone said, portion control, watching the content of what I eat, calories, ect is the only approach that will really work. I'm looking to do sort of a lifestyle change in that aspect. Since I turned 30 my metabolism has really slowed down. But no, my neighbor is really nice but she does not like the noise because the only time I could exercise is at night after my daughter goes to bed or early in the morning. I'm looking into finding a cheap treadmill I could put somewhere like the dining room where it would not make too much noise, but have not found one I can afford yet. I'll figure something out to get my body moving.

I'm looking into finding a cheap treadmill I could put somewhere like the dining room where it would not make too much noise, but have not found one I can afford yet. I'll figure something out to get my body moving.

You could check the classified ads in your local papers. I see people selling their unwanted exercise equipment for cheap all the time. It's worth a look! 

You could check the classified ads in your local papers. I see people selling their unwanted exercise equipment for cheap all the time. It's worth a look! 

I have tried that too, but whenever one shows up I can afford, it has been sold already. Those go quick! My mother has one in her garage that does not get used and I'm trying to talk her into letting me buy it but she keeps saying (for the past two years that is) that she is going to start using it.

That's too bad, I had one but sold it to my sister  for cheap. Now she never uses the silly thing either. I get too bored on a treadmill. I have an aerobic exerciser I've had forever that I like and do pilates and floor exercises once in awhile. I'd love to have some kind of weight machine now for toning but no room for that! 

I need one that will fold up, like the one my mother has, because we have limited space as well. Maybe I'll get lucky and find one. I love the treadmill, would put near the television.