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Answers to your questions.

Dr. Ian repsonds to questions that relate to what's on all of our minds.

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Comments (45)

levan davis:

does lifting weights sometimes caues u to gain weight.

Teres:

I signed up 20 days ago and have been religously working out 5 times a week for at least an hour. I do weights, treadmill, elliptical, and stationary bicycle. I have followed your meal plans, though during the first week I messed up a few times. I have since been following the meal plans correctly. I am not expecting overnight results, but I've only lost 4 lbs. Is this normal? Should I step up my workout time? I'm feeling kinda frustrated. Help!!

E Matthews:

What can I do about emotional eating and sleepliness?

Stacie:

Are you going to have a calorie counter on this website? I want to make sure I'm able to record each of my meals and snacks, and to calculate how many calories for each meal. I saw a free one on www.sparkpeople.com and was wondering if you could incorporate it here so I don't have to go back and forth between two sites. I'd prefer a one-stop-shop. Thanks!

Marco Aultman:

Dr Ian,
Because of certain health conditions, I can't eat certain things on the plan, what can I do for substitutions? (ie:tomato paste), the health condition is a bleeding ulcer. Also, I'm allergic to bananas, can you sub for strawberries,or honey dew? The reason for the fruit question is because I'm aware that certain fruits contain more pure sugar than others.

Claudia:

Can I do weight bearing exercises everyday like cardio or do I have to limit them?

Danielle:

Hello. I have been working out for two weeks now. I do 1 hour of cardio, five days a week. I have also been eating very healthy meals. I feel a change in my body but when I get on the weight scale there is no change. I know this may sound cliche but I feel disappointment in myself. I am not the type of person who expects immediate results but at the same time...even one pound lost would have been nice. I am not going to give up on this challenge but I want to know what a better workout routine for me might be. People keep telling me to run but I can not afford a treadmill and my neighborhood is not safe enough for me to go running alone. Do you have any suggestions?

Patricia:

I just signed up today but don't think I can eat based on the meal plan. That is entirely too much food. How can I get in four meals a day and why is there so much food? I don't eat this much food now. How is it possible to lose weight when you are eating more? Is there some place where I can understand the rationale of the meal plan? It is illogical

Barbara Magistro:

I have just started the Diet plan and have purchased your book. The meal plans that get emailed me to me have different food selections than is in the text. What should I do about this? Follow one or the other or combine? Thank you Barbara

teresa:

If i work out at 7pm is it good to eat before or after?

Nancy Kempf:

Please tell me if any changes should be made for a hypoglycemic person. Not sure if I can handle the amount of carbs in some of the meals. Many thanks!

Trish:

I am VERY nervous about the amount of food it says to eat each day. Having done Weight Watchers for many years, I was never able to eat so much food AND lose weight! I signed up to start a week ago, yet am just so hesitant to start. The lastthing I need is to gain weight! Please help!!!

forftyoneandfine:

Dr Ian,
I am attempting to lose weight but everytime I start to exercise,(walking,running,bodypump classes)after a couple of weeks I have knee pain. I have been to three doctors and all have said that it is arthritis. What I am curious about is why does my knee not bother me until I start to exercise? If it is arthiritis why does my knee not bother me until I exercise. I love exerciseing but I end up stopping when my knee bothers me. What can I do to stay on a program?

Shondale Pagano:

I just spent 3 months in another country, walking everyday, climbing, swimming, and eating right. And what do I get???? Only 2 pounds lost! Why bother anymore?

Dessie:

Can I mix and match the meals, for example put the breakfast for day 1 with the dinner for day 4, or do I have to follow the plan exactly? If so, is there a reason why? I would like to pick several breakfast meals, several snacks, and several lunch and dinner meals and pretty much choose any one I want. I don't know if this will work or if I have to really follow the meal choices exactly.

Kathy Amick:

I am 52 and as one of your members said, I also have hypothyroidism and am taking also 75 mcg of the same medicine, it is so hard to lose weight, I cut out all the sweet snacks, all starches and ate only turkey and chicken products for meat, I lost 3 lbs each week for 2 weeks, 6 lbs. However, I walked every day for an hour. I fell off the wagon for 2 or 3 days. But I intend to start back walking tonight, and my question is will I be able to lose weight on this system also? And what do you do the other 3 days of the week? After all it is a 4 day diet, please advise.

Tamara :

Dr.Ian

Hello, I have found this site to very helpful. When I first join the site I didn't start doing right. I started at 190 and went up 9 more pounds before I got serious about losing the weight. I am now at 168 and looking good, but I am have a problem with my stomach not shrink and I was wondering if you may be able to give me some tips.

Bernadette :

I work 6:00 am - 2:30 and I normally eat breakfast at 0700 and lunch at 11:30 - what is a good time to eat meal 2?

antionette:

i have hypothyroidism. i have had it over 10 years . i take .75 levothyroxine. i have went from 155 to 234. my metabolism is very slow. will this diet plan work for me and how much more exercise do i have to do to achieve my goal weight. i am tired most of the time. can anyone help?????????????????????????????????????????
PLEASE thank you

Will:

Ok here's my issue. I really want to lose weight and get in shape. It has been going ok so far but now at work I am going to be working a 12 hr shift 7p-7a about 4 days a week and i dont have any idea of how to maintain my meal plan, exercise, etc to have successful weight loss. Please Help. I really want to get in shape but I dont know how to maintain my eating and exercise on a schedule like this.

Tomeka:

Hi, I really like the meals but there are a few things that I don't eat like eggs yellow or white, I don't drink milk, I don't like cold cereal. What can I do to replace things I don't eat on the menu.

In need of help:

I eat when I'm nervous and or depressed,I really need help ,I'm also on depression medication,and high blood pressure meds as well please help me lose this weight I weigh 240lbs.

Princess Nelson:

Dr. Smith,

This is my first day on the meal plan, and I am having many mixed emotions. It seems as if I am eating more food now than I did before. It kind of makes me feel guilty as if I were overeating. Will you please help me understand the concept of having several meals throughout the day? Also, what advice would you give to someone like me who tends to give up easily because the results don't come as fast as I would like them?

Ok so I just started this today and was already running late. so I missed meal 1. I just had meal 2 and it's 1:30pm. My question is do I have to eat everything listed for each day in order for it to have the best results. Is it ok if I miss a meal occassionally?

Kari:

I am breastfeeding right now and understand that I am to be eating between 300 and 500 more calories a day. What is the best way to do this while also following the meal plan?

Khalia:

Dr. Smith,

I've had a muscle and joint disease since birth so my physical activity is limited. Actually, I go back and forth between a wheelchair scooter and crutches. Despite this I'm extremely active but I'm not sure it's helping. Iam especially limited now that I am the mother of a 8 month old son. It has taken almost 9 months for me to feel somewhat like myself again. How can I get some more physical activity end with out dying lol! Also, I have to admit I signed up in may, but never really started until I got your message "We miss you." For me, the perfect weight was 178 and I'm 5'3". I know that sounds like a lot but I used to be so sexy! Now, I'm 203 post baby and dying with every min...any advice?

Janice Smothers:

Hello Dr. Ian

I am a 40 yo female who needs to lose about 30lbs but I am getting discourage because I have being going to the gym faithfully about 2 1/2 mos and try to eat right but to no avail I am gaining weight. I have gained about 5lbs since I started working out and eating right. Please help me figure out what is wrong or what I am doing wrong. Although the scales say I am 5lbs larger my clothes still fit the same. Please give me any advice you can offer to help me overcome this struggle and get this weight issue under control.

Hope to hear from you on any suggestions to help me out of this weight cycle.

Thanks,
Janice

I work the 3rd shift and it's difficult for me to stay on track with my meals...I changed my eating schedule to having my first meal for the day at 3:00pm and every 3 hours there after.

Sometimes I nearly gag trying to eat because I just don't feel hungry, I know how important it is that I refuel the body, so can you suggest something to help me get my meals.

Ann:

Dr. Ian I want to lose weight but have two issues. 1)I have severe back pain. I had surgery on my lower back last year for pain radiating down the left. Now I am having problems with the right side lower back pain. Secondly, I am finding it expensive to buy healthier foods. What do you do when funds are very limited? I think that is one reason why we tend to be overweight. It is cheap to buy fast or junk food than something that is healthier and more expensive.

jenny roopnarine:

Hi Dr,

I dont drink milk.I would like to know what i can use in place of the milk.
Thank you

Sweetie with a Rose:

I do not like cold cereal, what can I substitute for this

Rebecca:

I am a vegetarian. Can you give me suggestions for replacing the meat and fish portions of the 30-day meal plan. Additionally, the portions do seem to be large. I am full half way through a meal.

Thanks.

Rebecca

Lynn:

Peace and blessings to you Dr. Smith,

First, I would like to thank you for being a true Doctor: a healer to those around you.

Second, my question deals with quite to opposite of the challenge. I am underweight, and have read information that being underweight can have adverse affects on my heart and other body functions.

I have not been trying to lose weight, I just do without thinking( i know a lot of it has to to with stress.) What can I do to gain weight in a healthy way?

sherri:

I just joined the 50 million challenge I am a diabetic. Atre these meals diabetic friendly?

Cookie Freek:

I started on the 30-day meal plan. Day 1 has alot of food and the portions are larger than what is recommended on "A Healthy Nutrition Plan".

Tara:

Hi Dr
I am writing you because I have alot of weight to lose and I want to but ever since I started working out it's been one thing after another. I am scared things is happening to my body. I weight 352lbs and now I weight 325lbs. I am 38 yrs old I was just told no health issues thank God. No High Blood and no diabeties and I want to keep it that way so thats why the weight is so very serious with me. I feel into depression and I was still going to the gym and still am but not eating right and getting dizzy. My body is changing and I don't know what it's from the doctor thinks I am crazy. I been not eating and drinking right for about 3 weeks so how long does it take your body to get better. I have been diizzy for about a week. Is there anything you can tell me also at what point do I put weights into my routine workout. It's just been cardio for the last couple of months.

David Hunter:

Dr. Ian I didn't see options for people with certain dietary restrictions due to allergies. I'm allergic to all non shellfish and nuts. What should i do to substitute those items on your diet plan?

lindsey sewell:

i am 26 years old i have been working at UPS for five years i am acitve there i lift boxes at a fast pace. but i am so hungry i work the 5- 10 shift and do to being starving at night i eat when i get home i gained alot of weight i used to be pretty and feel pretty now i just feel like a tub of lard and am afraid my husband has lost interest in me i want help and need help but dont know where to start .


lindsey sewell

Zelanda:

How far should meals be apart?

Brenda Kachadoorian:

HI Dr. Ian,

I have been doing your 50 Million Pound Challenge and am on my last two days of the nutrition part. I've only lost a total of 5.5 pounds. I don't feel this is a good as one would seem. I feel I should have lost alot more weight than what I have. I am aware that slow weight loss is best but I'm not feeling like I've accomplished much. Any advise?

Thank you.
Brenda (a.k.a. Fat Cougar)

A. Jones:

If you shouldn't eat at least 2hours before bed, then what effects does a midday nap have on the metabolism? Does it slow down as if you were going to bed or does that depend the lenght of time spend sleeping? If it does, what is that length of time between eating and napping? Thanks in advance.

Regina:

Hope you can help me out with this. My struggle is me eating dinner around 6:30-7:00 p.m. I am ususally in bed around 7:30 p.m. Lights out around 8:30 p.m. Do I have to get moving (like cardio or something) after dinner and does it matter what I eat makes a difference me resting after eating.

apuya spruill:

Of course,it matters what you eat. Just because you are staying within your calorie intake means nothing. If your not eating the right foods. You can eat a Whooper,fries and milkshake. Okay, you ate aleast 1200 horrible calories.And please,dont't get me started on the percentage of saturated fat. Or, you can eat roasted chicken breast,veggies,wheat roll and salad(light dressing).I'm just estimating here,let's say that is 400 calories.That's healthy and you are still under your calorie intake. Meaning you can eat more healthier foods,for that day.And you will see the pounds fall off.Of course, with excerise.

Well, that's my two cents...I hope it helped.

Apuya

lucy:

I have a question i just sign on to 50million pound program and already im worry. when i sign up for the meal plan i realize it will be hard due to the fact i really or dont eat some of the item that on the menu plz what can i do

Angela:

IF I AM ON A 1542 CALORIE DIET. DOES IT MATTERWHAT FOODS I EAT AS LONG AS I DO NOT OVER EAT MY DAILY CALORIC INTAKE?

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