John Hrusovszky <jayja...@wctc.net> wrote in message

> I've never tried weight - watchers .. from what I've read, it's one of
those
> diets that works, but people seem to gain back the weight once they've
went
> off that program.  I'd love to be able to eat "normal" meals instead of
> buying pre-packaged meals.  My concern is to know what I should be eating
in
> terms of calories, to lose fat, but not to lose lean muscle mass -- no one
> can seem to tell me this.  I realize that lean muscle mass helps raise
one's
> metabolism, thus I don't want to lose any more of this than I need to.
> Perhaps, I'm thinking wrong and should just forget about losing muscle and
> get my weight where I want it, and THEN go back and start to build muscle?

> "Elaine Kirkham" <ekirk...@rogers.com> wrote in message
> news:3FBFCC70.6D6D62D5@rogers.com...
> > Hi John, welcome aboard. Have you every tried Weigh Watchers? It does
> work.
> > Elaine K
> > 331.4/215.6/179

> > John wrote:

> > > I am very confused on the entire weight loss scheme -- nearly everyone
I
> > > talk to tells me something different.  Some say the old food pyramid
is
> > > proven a failure, others say the newer mediterranean diet is the way
to
> go,
> > > others say no carbs, still others say very low calorie diets, etc.

> > > The main thing that gets me is this:
> > > I am 295 pounds, 6'2", and 45 years old.  I am told by some that I
> should be
> > > eating around 3200 - 3500 calories per day just to maintain my weight
> with
> > > little or no exercise.  I have software where I log my meals, and I
> average
> > > around 2000 calories per day and unless I exercise vigorously (like
> > > volleyball, tennis, etc.), I cannot lose weight ... in fact, I'll
slowly
> > > gain at those calorie counts.  What would happen if I added another
1000
> > > calories per day?  I'm afraid I'd blow up like a balloon.  I did begin
> back
> > > in June of 2002 weighing 329.  I've lose 34 pounds in that year and a
> half
> > > now, but have been bouncing between 289 and 300 for the past month ...
> not
> > > able to take any more off.  I've tried getting down to around 1200
> calories
> > > per day, but I'm afraid I'm losing lean muscle mass along with the fat
> when
> > > I do that, and I've been told I'll train my body to only use 1200
> calories
> > > per day so I'll never be able to go back to normal eating once I get
> down to
> > > where I want.

> > > So, what is the key to nutritionally get the proper content for your
> body,
> > > yet lose a couple pounds a week (or even more if possible) so I can
get
> to
> > > that 175 range I'd like to be?  Should I be working out with weights
at
> the
> > > same time I'm attempting to lose weight, or does that fight somehow
> against
> > > the weight loss as that requires me to eat more protein and fats to
> attempt
> > > to build the muscle I need to increase my metabolism (a sort of
> catch-22)?

> > > I hope someone here has some really good advice that can help me get
to
> > > where I need to be with my weight.

> > > Thank you.