Bill LeslieBill Leslie's Carolina Conversations
People are always asking me where to take vacation. What's a cool place? What's the most scenic drive? Carolina Conversations attempts to answer those questions and others.

Ten Pounds Down

Could I ask a favor? Would you help me lose 10 pounds? I’ve been carrying an extra 10 lbs. for about two years. I’d like to get down to a certain weight where I not only feel better but my blood chemistry is healthier.

Maybe you would like to join me in what we will call the Ten Pounds Down campaign. We can help make each participant accountable. We’ll check in once a week and share our individual results. Unless you want to, you don’t have to state your specific weight but rather how much you’ve lost or gained over the week. We’ll keep the campaign going for at least ten weeks. This will give everyone plenty of time to achieve a net loss of at least ten pounds.

Here’s my situation. My job has become more sedentary in nature over the years. I sit on the anchor desk for five hours a day now. I do go to the gym at least five times each week and run on four of those days. But I tend to overeat when I get home following a workout. Also, I probably eat too many hamburgers and too much pizza. Plus, I’d like to increase my intake of fruits and vegetables. What about you?

What diet tips have worked for you? What is the best way to move Ten Pounds Down from where you are right now? What about your successes and setbacks? Please share your ideas. I will take your advice and some of my own and craft a Ten Pounds Down plan of action. After checking with medical and dietary experts to make sure the plan is sound, I will post it next week when we begin the campaign.

In the meantime, let me ask you a few questions:

(1) What is the best day of the week to weigh? I’m thinking Tuesday or Wednesday.

(2) What are some ways we can help encourage each other?

(3) What incentives can we build into the campaign?

(4) What recreational activities across NC could we incorporate into the campaign?


Thanks for your input! Stay tuned for the official launch of Ten Pounds Down!

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While I'm not a weight expert, here are a few tips that work: -Pizza once /mo. Reduce portions and add a big salad w/low fat dressing on the side. -Weight train for sure. Use a heart rate monitor to make sure you are working out in your fat burning zone. -Vegs/Fruits w/each meal. -Limit alcohol intake (assuming you have a few here and there) -Eat home more often -Don't weigh yourself often. Weigh in the a.m. after you're up and have walked around the house a bit.

Its harder to lose as you age- there is no doubt about it!

Best wishes.

Hey Bill, I started 10 days ago trying to lose 40 lbs. is my first goal.I have lost 5 so far. I have been eating tossed salads, grilled chicken, cold boiled shrimp,fresh strawberries with a little sweet-n-low,cantaloupe, low fat orange pineapple salad supreme, snackwells devils food cookies( for the sweet tooth) and walking 2 miles a day at least 5 times per week. I would love to join you on the 10lbs. down!

Weighing in on a Mon or Tues helps keep you honest on weekends!

Veggies, veggies, fruits, beans. Did I mention veggies (low carb ones)? No meat, poultry, dairy-all loaded with FAT, not to mention pesticides, herbicides, growth hormones & other toxic substances! No sugar or processed foods. No alcohol (lots of sugar in there). Very little carbs or whites (rice, bread, potatoes). Exercise LOTS.

I was surprised by some of the "ideas" noted on here for weight loss-some are dangerous. Making up for too much sodium? No awareness of the toxicity of grilling? No awareness of the danger of microwaving those veggies in PLASTIC bags-imparting all that high temp toxicity into those innocent veggies AND your body? OMG. Burgers...bison-both still are MEAT. Snackwells cookies-do you know about the garbage they put in those things-mostly taste enhancements so you'll eat & buy more!! Works too...doesn't it?

Lose weight..AND prevent CANCER, heart disease, strokes, diabetes.

teddybear: swimming.

Hi, Bill...looking forward to hearing more about Ten Pounds Down and joining the effort! I suggest Mondays as weigh-in day. Might as well start the week facing the weight truth and working towards losing some pounds. And, cutting out the sugar drinks will help us all drop a few pounds.

Stantheman'smom

Doing squats/leg exercises generate the most amount of natural human growth hormone - a key to building muscle. Don't forget those legs (with proper form!!)!!

Everything in moderation is crucial. "Animal Lover's ideas about no meat, dairy or poultry is a little extreme to me. I love fruits and vegetables as well, but I have to have a good steak every now and then. My weight is ideal and my triglycerides and LDL and HDL are all very much where they should be and I still get to enjoy life by eating what I want to.

ksjones: You are in the RARE minority to be so blessed. But, I hope you're humble about this, because:

MOST people are overweight with high cholesterol, triglycerides,& sugar levels, and with high blood pressure to boot. This is due MOSTLY to the SAD diet (standard american diet). Thus, while cutting meat, poultry & dairy SEEMS extreme, I guess you pay now, or you pay later. Continue to eat this stuff now, and you pay later with cancer, heart disease, stroke & diabetes, to mention a few. It's proven, but NO ONE wants to know. It's easier to keep eating the old garbage.

Yes, I agree with the person who suggested non-sugar beverages. If you can do it, NO sweet tea. I make my own brewed unsweetened iced tea in 2 quart pitchers to keep cold in the refrigerator. It keeps me from reaching for Pepsi-Cola, my weakness beverage of choice! Stay away from diet drinks also.

I'm gain for at least 10 pounds. Probably need to lose 20 but I will settle for 10 right now. Just had my complete physical last week and I an 56 and the doctor told me most athlete's would kill to have my heart rate although my bad cholesterol needs to improve and 10 pounds would surely help that I think. Good luck and I look forward to the weight in. Tuesday are good for me. langleync@bellsouth.net

Swats - bring 'em on! I will add them to my regimen. Typically, I don't do a lot of leg exercises because of my running. I appreciate the insight.

Bill - I'd love to join you! We recently started a new program here at work and I seem to be losing inches but the weight isn't coming off. I have A LOT to lose but ten pounds is a start.

I have no specific suggestions regarding menu ideas but I am also an overeater and portion control has always been my problem. I have seen suggestions including visually dividing your plate in quarters. Fill one half with fruit and veggies, one quarter with protein and one quarter with starch.

I keep healthy finger food available including grapes, tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, any fruit - just so I don't go for the chips and other snack-y food.

Excuse me - Squats not swats!

Hi Bill,

I am one of those overweight, high chloesterol, high blood pressure folks that one of the earlier posts mentioned. I work with kids during the day as I work a split shift I have started walking at Lake Benson park four days a week. I have cut down on sweets, sugar in my diet. My weakness is Coke. I just cannot give up the good stuff. I have limited to one a day! I try to eat more smaller meals during the day. My husband works with computers all day. I try to give him several healthy snacks thrughout the day. He only goes out to eat once a week for lunch. We eat meals with 3/4 vegetables and lean protein. When we get ground beef, we grind it at home so we know it is the lesser fat content. We also plan our meals by the week and make dinners that make good linch the next day! I am willing to hang in there. I think Monday is a good day to report.

I have lost 20 lbs. since the middle of December, simply by cutting out all sugar, white potatoes (my weakness), pasta, junk food and no between-meal snacks. I eat more fruit and vegetables, tuna salad and green salads. The first month was the hardest, now I don't even mind my new diet.

Guaranteed to succeed diet. If it tastes good, spit it out.

Really cut down on foods and drinks laden with sugar (soft drinks, white potatoes, white bread, and yes, cookies, cakes and pies, etc.) and the pounds will fall off. Sounds like you're exercising enough.

Try eating a light dinner before you work out. Take an hourlong break after your meal, then do your cardio/strength training. As soon as you get done, brush your teeth so the icky toothpaste flavor discourages late-night foraging.... Works for me!

(1) What is the best day of the week to weigh? I say Monday mornings. Right off the bat- so you know how to plan your week. (2) What are some ways we can help encourage each other? We don't want to list out weight- but everyone wants to be part of the "PLC!" (Pounds Lost Club!) You only have to lose one pound to join and have to maintain to continue to be a part of this honorary club. All about incentive!! (3) What incentives can we build into the campaign? Bragging rights. You could offer a Fall "fan" concert to participants. I know I'd love to see you in concert. It could be a fall afternoon at a park where you strum a few notes and we enjoy the fruits of our labor (skinnier bodies) (4) What recreational activities across NC could we incorporate into the campaign? How many NC Counties will YOU take a walk in this summer? How many NC Parks will you take a hike in this summer?

I am on board Bill!

wcumom - so you've found the perfect diet have you?

Because of a spike in cholesterol ten months ago, I have lost 30 pounds. The 2 1/2 miles a day that I walk and the omission of mucho fat and carbs have combined to make me two sizes smaller and much healthier. The best part was that my cholesterol came down so much that I am now doing a trial run without my cholesterol med. Good luck to you, Bill.

This is really a cool idea.

Regarding some ideas I have already heard.

2 can regular sodas a day for a year = 3l lbs

Limit carbohydrates to one-fourth of each meal

Go to the Eat Smart Move More website for some more ideas

Chew sugar free gum when hungry and drink ice cold water - your body has to heat it up to use it and this will increase your metabolism for a short time.

Bill, I have had good success doing Weight Watchers. The key to weight loss is you have to take in fewer calories than you burn. I know that may seem obvious, but it is true. Portion control is another biggie. Exercise is another key to success with weight loss-not just cardio, but using weights/machines to help build lean muscle. I, too began adding on extra weight in my 40's and now at almost 51, I knew it was time to do something. I have lost around 15 pounds since August and dropped my cholesterol from 237 in Sep.2007 to 192 the following Sept. I miss Bojangles dearly, but it has been worth it. Also-tracking or keeping a food diary is another helpful strategy-you can see what you are taking in. The motto is "if you bite it, write it!" Best wishes on this endeavor! You will do great.

My husband and I joined TOPS 2 years ago. He has had a heart attack, Lung cancer, Diabetic , breathing problems, having to use a breathing machine along with enhalers. He was in a motorized wheel chair when we joined TOPS. He has lost 130 pounds and is no longer on insulin, enhalers, breathing machine and is now walking 5 miles a day. It is a great support group. We teach portion control and exercise and how food is cooked. No frying and using different seasoning than grease. My husband was NC State King this year after losing all the weight. I lost 56 pounds to my goal. We are new people and we owe all of our success to TOPS. So join TOPS in your town and control your portions and exercise. Even if you want to lose just a few pounds you can do it with the support from TOPS.

what is TOPS?

Bill, what I've read so far sounds pretty good but I have a little bit of inspiration for you. I've been on Weight Watchers since the last week of July & have lost 69 pounds thusfar - I've 11 pounds to reach my first Goal. I realized financially how much my weight would cost me in medications (high blood pressure, cholesterol, heart attack risk, four bone spurs in my heels, etc.) & frankly, my weight caught me at my wallet! I saw a special on a health channel about tremendously obese people & the nutritionist noted that ALL the foods they ate were beige - no color in the foods they ate at all! So when I made my life change (it isn't a diet, it's now a way of life), my first rule of thumb is, "how colorful is it?" Bright veggies, colorful fruits, rich brown breads, etc.! WW has taught me 1) what FULL is because as an obese woman, I'd never known what hunger & full meant, 2) accountability for my choices & 3) patience & forgiveness with myself. Good luck & I'm on board!

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