In need of a "diet" to help me get on the road to wellville

[chkpea]

I don't particularly like the word diet but here is what I am in need of - and I tend to like to follow a book or a plan of some sort. Issues that I need to deal with:
1. weight - about 40 lbs. And I know if I lost this I would feel like a new person
2. Mood - in a terrible, grumpy mood about 80% of the time. Not healthy for me or my family.
3. Energy - nil. Especially upon waking and in the afternoon.
4. Maybe too much info - loose bm's every second day
What my diet currently consists of - coffee, some sugar, not a lot of greens, meat but mostly chicken, more processed stuff than ever before - due to convenience.

Supplements that I take: B stress complex, st. john's wort, vitamin C - currently fighting a cold.

Excercise - currently Soccer for me once a week - and walks with kids.

If anyone can point me in the right direction that would be great. I would like to get to eating cleaner, simpler. Thank you for any help.

[splunky]

I don't know if a specific diet would be the best, just becuase of what the word "diet" implies. Meaning, you lose the weight, accomplish your goals and then go back to the same you wre doing before.
But, if you look at it as getting healthier and losing weight-for good- you won't really want to go back to the same old things when you have accomplished those goals.
Does that make sense?

As far as what you should change, definately more greens and fruits! Try having a green smoothie in the morning, they are so filling and sweet and energizing! A big handful of spinach, any fruit you want and water, can even add avocado or a protein mix if you feel the need.
Less carbs/sugar and more protein via plant or animal thats up to you. These things will boost your energy naturally and get rid of water weight rather quicky. Coffee is just an energy zapper imo. It depletes your adrenal glands which in turn depletes your energy! Green juices or smoothies will give your body the energy it needs!

Don't know if that helped at all. But there are several types of diets/books that use this theory to back thier diet claims. I also like Dr Mercola's health plan for your body type. I don't like what his website has become btw, but he does have good info on what types of food are good for each body type.

I hope you find what's right for you in losing the weight and regaining energy!!

[Chinese Pistache]

Originally Posted by chkpea

I don't particularly like the word diet but here is what I am in need of - and I tend to like to follow a book or a plan of some sort. Issues that I need to deal with:
1. weight - about 40 lbs. And I know if I lost this I would feel like a new person
2. Mood - in a terrible, grumpy mood about 80% of the time. Not healthy for me or my family.
3. Energy - nil. Especially upon waking and in the afternoon.
4. Maybe too much info - loose bm's every second day
What my diet currently consists of - coffee, some sugar, not a lot of greens, meat but mostly chicken, more processed stuff than ever before - due to convenience.

Supplements that I take: B stress complex, st. john's wort, vitamin C - currently fighting a cold.

Excercise - currently Soccer for me once a week - and walks with kids.

If anyone can point me in the right direction that would be great. I would like to get to eating cleaner, simpler. Thank you for any help.

I think that nutrition is the key to most of your issues. Like the pp said, more fruits and vegetables. Give them priority in every meal. Eat probiotic foods and/or take probiotics. The gut is a huge part of our immune system. Get enough sleep. I'd also lay off the caffeine. If you feel a slump in the afternoon, eat a snack with some protein. If convenience is causing you to reach for and eat unhealthy foods, get the junk out of your house and keep healthy stuff on hand: hummus, raw vegetables, fruit, cheese, yogurt, etc. Watch out for grains and too many carbs in general, because these can affect blood sugar, leading to feeling tired, grumpy and holding on to too much weight.

[deditus]

A pretty decent book on these issues is UltraMind Solution by Dr. Mark Hyman. Sounds totally cheesy, but he covers a pretty broad range of info and what to do to help. My library had the book and some dvds.

[chkpea]

how do you test for adrenal fatigue? I am seeing more and more of that, and I definately have been under a huge amount of stress for the last 4 months

[splunky]

The best test for Adrenal Fatigue is a saliva cortisol test. It tests your cortisol levels at 4 different times during the day. This is a very likely possibility if you are very stressed, relying on coffee for energy etc.
Most Drs don't really test for it, or sometimes they test the blood levels. that is an inferior test.
I was diagnosed with it 2+ yrs ago, and have felt much better since having them treated! Definately worth looking into.

[mamaUK]

in the last few months I have lost two stone in weight (28 pounds) by simple calorie counting. I was probably eating between about 2,000 or 2,300 calories per day. I strictly cut it down to 1,500 calories per day, cut out empty calories that i didn't really need like squash and juice and just ate everything in moderation. I cut out take outs as the calories were just horrific and started to cook eveything from scratch, using fresh, whole foods. I still ate chocolate, but it was in my 1,5000 cals per day, the same with icecream, homemade cakes, homemade pizza. I calorie counted and it has worked so well it is incredible. someone actually didn't recoginse me the other day (i got a haircut and got lenses instead of glasses aswell, so had a complete makeover and i feel great) I have dropped 3 dress sizes from a UK size 14 to a UK size eight/six................B/c I still allowed for treats daily (i have a sweet tooth, i love cake) I never felt like i was missing out or dieting and my appetite has now shrunk so i will not be putting it all back on. yes, it has changed my life. as far as excerise is concerned i was doing none before and now I walk for at least an hour twice a week.

[mlh]

I would highly recommend the Eat Clean Diet. It was mostly common sense for me, but I also do better if I am following a book or guideline. Check this book out at your library if you can or purchase it for cheap on Amazon. I think you would love it!