There are so many ways to lose weight. Whatever gimmicks you may try, the outcome is the same: You lose a little, and then you lose nothing at all.

Even though the present trend is to be thin, it is more important to be healthy. If you are at a time in your life where you are having trouble with weight loss, you are not alone.

“Your metabolism slows down as you age,” said Traci Sipperly, Bariatric dietitian at Sacred Heart Hospital. “For women, your body composition changes, and your lean muscle decreases while your fat intake increases.”

Sipperly said losing weight will be different for everyone.

“It helps to have somebody individualize your weight-loss program and take into account medication, comorbidity and age as well as activity level,” she said.

Slim Concepts Weight Control Center on Davis Highway is such a weight-loss program.

“It is individualized, and everyone works at their own pace,” said Margaret Thornton, hematologist and owner.

The program focuses on the weight-loser counting calories, realizing what she eats and developing ways to lose it.

Open for 20 years, the weight-loss center takes a blood sample, then has the weight-loser see a doctor, and finally, a menu is discussed.

She said everyone loses weight at different rates, but they see all ages and sizes at the center.
But the Slim Concepts only encourages an exercise regiment.

WORK AT YOUR OWN PACE
To get in your weekly exercise and motivation, Curves may be a good fit.

“We specialize in one-and-a-half-hour workouts that only take 30 minutes,” said Rhonda Nelson, owner and manager of Curves.

Curves uses hydraulic pumps on their machines instead of weight stacks, and because the machine is fluid resistant, the exerciser never outgrows it.

“The program is for anyone who has never exercised, to anyone who exercises on a regular basis,” she said. “You can work at your own pace.”

The cost for the program is $34 a month, and you get unlimited use of the equipment during open hours and access to other Curves locations.

However, Curves is not just a place to exercise. The experts there take measurements every month so you can track your loss and gain amounts, they even call you to motivate you to come in to exercise, and they offer weight-loss classes and diet programs.

“In our weight-loss program, we watch caloric and carbohydrate intake, and it happens in three phases,” Nelson said. Phase one gets you started and takes your measurements. Phase two increases food intake. At phase three, they boost metabolism after the weight-loser has started to plateau.

Curves’ diet program is simply food they suggest.

“We have a member guidebook that has a shopping list,” Nelson said. “You have the support of a group, since we weigh and measure weekly.”

Bonnie Eppert said she loves exercising at Curves because the program is fun. She started coming when she became depressed about her weight gain.

“I have lost what I wanted to lose, and it is a happy part of my day,” Eppert said. “The girls here are terrific. They always have a fun activity.’’

Curves has this motivator tool called the Survivor challenge. You start off on the island, and as you lose you get to stay on the island, but if you don’t achieve your goals, you get put into “exile.”

“The creative game play really holds your attention,” Eppert said.

YOU STILL HAVE TO EAT
Another way to lose would be to change your diet and lifestyle. Sipperly suggests recording caloric food intake.

“Sometimes you think you are getting in less calories than what you are actually taking in,” Sipperly said. “You need to know how much calories you need and how much calories you need to lose weight.”

To help you map your food intake for free, Sipperly said you can go to www.fitday.com and click on food.

“It is user friendly, and it gives you a food chart, and you can record your exercise,” she said.

“Stay away from simple sugars, high-in-fat foods or empty calorie foods that won’t get you satisfied,” she suggested.

“Getting enough fiber in the diet will help to keep you full and give your body enough nutrients.”

Add complex carbohydrates to your diet. So if you want to stay healthy and lose weight, you have to eat.

“Make sure you don’t skip any meals,” Sipperly said. “That is one of the worst things to do because it will lower your metabolism.”

Do not substitute salads for meals, and avoid supplements if you can.

“Ultimately, you need to make a lifestyle change, if you do the supplement and not the lifestyle change, then you will gain it back,” Sipperly said. “A lot of the supplements are not healthy or good for you.”

If you eat meals throughout the day, you won’t feel deprived or hungry, and that will decrease binge eating.

Her last piece of advice: Eat well, exercise and be healthy, and losing weight may be easier than you think.

List of Simple Sugars

Table sugar, cakes, jam, Chocolate, fudge, candy, toffee, gums, boiled sweets, mint sweets, licorice, soft drinks, tinned fruits, chutney, puddings

Fruits low in simple sugars

Apples, strawberries, blackberries, cherries, cranberries, grapefruits, kiwi,
lemon, melon, oranges, peaches,  pears, plum, raspberries

Complex Carbohydrate suggestions

All Bran foods
Anything with Barley

Corn,
Buckwheat
Oatmeal,
Brown rice
Root vegetables,
Potatoes
Whole meal bread,
Pita bread
Wholegrain cereals,
High fiber breakfast cereals,
Beans, Lentils, Pasta

Tips from Sipperly
1. get in regular meals—Do not deprive yourself or eat only salads
2. drink plenty of fluids
3. be active—do something several times a week. You do not have to exercise every day
4. get rid of caffeine
5. Eat Well but space out meals so you don’t get heartburn