Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight is important to overall health and well being.  FatShack will bring you the experience, knowledge, tips and resources of those who have been successful in reaching this goal.  This is a site that endorses sensible eating and moderate exercise as a way of reaching and maintaining a healthy weight.  We do not endorse fad diets, crash diets, low carb diets or other less healthy approaches to weight control.  Starvation diets of any kind may result in a quick weight loss, but are hardly sustainable for any length of time.  Most just result in binge eating and the loss of muscle tissue.  In order to maintain overall health, you need to make choices from all food groups and develop a way of eating that is sustainable for the long term. Your first goal should be to eat better to feel better, the weight loss that comes with it is an added bonus.

You may question why we have wine (typically forbidden) pictured along with fruit in our logo.  It is there to represent that in our quest to maintain a healthy weight, we need to be able to peacefully coexist with challenging and less challenging foods and other temptations.  Moderation, not deprivation, is the key to a happy and healthy life on many levels.

It is interesting that there are now studies out there that indicate that the company you keep can influence your waistline.  If you typically socialize with an obese friend or family member, your weight rises with their weight gain.  We are not telling you to stop socializing with the obese - just be very aware of the change in mindset that they can bring.  Don't change your naturally good eating habits to conform to those who are heavier than you are.  Go green....eat veggies and more veggies!

What do we mean by sensible eating?      flat

Sensible eating means choosing foods that will improve your overall well being.  It takes about 3 weeks to firmly change your habits, but the benefits are significant.  It is not hard to figure out what you should be eating.  We all know what healthy food choices are and what are appropriate portion sizes. 

In developing a sensible eating plan, we need to design something with which you can live for the rest of your life.  It must be simple and sustainable. 

In the first week, eliminate all junk foods and choose only healthy foods.  Eat whatever quantity you want - but the foods must be truly healthy.  Sensible eating means choosing foods that are lower in fat and lower in sugar. Your diet should contain lots of fruit and vegetables, along with servings of beans, cereal, potatoes, wholegrain bread, rice & pasta, lower fat dairy foods, plus regular lean meat and fish (broiled or baked in lemon juice).  With all of these choices, you can formulate an eating plan that restores your body to a healthy weight without feeling deprived.

How many times have you reached for a bag of chips instead of a piece of fruit? 

Most experts agree that a safe and sustainable weight loss is 1 1/2  pounds per week.  Changing your eating habits and exercise goals to create this level of weight loss is ideal.

In the second week, start writing down everything that you consume.  You will be surprised by where the calories sneak in.  Try to reduce your portions slightly from the prior week.

In the third week, it is time to get moving.  Introduce your body to the joys of exercise.  Find something that you like to do that causes you to break into a sweat.  Do this activity 2-3 times per week to start.  Walking at a brisk pace is a great activity to start with - it requires no equipment and almost everyone can do it!  Are you losing weight - then keep your portions the same as week 2.  If the pounds aren't budging, try reducing the amount of healthy food that you consume.

By the fourth week, new habits have started to take root.  You have lost a few pounds and are starting to feel good about yourself.  Keep moving in the right direction!

What about exercise?

You know the answer to this one...there are all sorts of studies and evidence that moderate exercise can improve your health, prolong your life and fight diseases and illnesses.  Given those benefits, it is time to reconsider your sedentary lifestyle.  Move around whenever you have a chance.  Walk for life!

 

 

This site will be update daily with new information, different approaches, encouragement, facts and products.  We hope you will check back with us and contribute often, as this resource will be built with the help of all of you.

The following categories will be added over the upcoming weeks:

    • Recommended diets and approaches to sensible eating
    • Tips and techniques to staying on course
    • Exercises
    • Internet resources that are particularly helpful
    • Success stories from our visitors
    • Products and services

Please drop us a line if you have a success story or a sad story...we learn from both.  Tips, techniques, encouragement and kind thoughts are all welcome.  Please email me with Fatshack in the subject line.  We will respond to all serious comments.

Personal comments as of 7/16/07:

We have heard from several of you.  Please keep the emails coming.  We like to maintain contact with our friends that struggle with weight loss and maintenance.

The following comment was received from Lori T.:  "I have become used to being a big, beautiful woman.  Why is there not a site that supports this choice?"

The following comment was received from Robin P.:  "Thank you Fatshack for an upbeat site.  I have struggled with my weight for years and continue to do so.  It is nice to have a place to come, where others share a similar issue."

The following comment was received from Anne C.:  "How does one learn to eat smaller amounts normally?  Whenever I diet, I become obsessed with food and frequently binge as a result."

Tricia A sent us this comment:  "All my adult life, I have been slim.  How do I ensure that this pattern continues?"

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