Vita-Mix or juicer / Weight loss.

[paulg]

My dear partner has to lose about 25 pounds per the doctor. Indeed his diet needs a bit of adjustment. Lots of business luncheons.
To fix this we've been considering vegetarianism and/or the values of juicing.
Comments welcome. In order to do this properly do I need the correct tools? Will a blender do? Or will buying a Vita-Mix or juicer help matters?
Although addressing his weight issue is paramount, I don't have to lose weight. I have been about 130 lbs my entire life and never gain weight but sometimes lose.
If any of y'all have been in this fix I would be interested in any direction. Or if your solution is outside of vegetarianism or Juicing, lay it on me!
Much obliged!

 

[foraloysius]

Why not consult a dietician? Your partner will get good advice on how to loose weight in a responsible and healthy way.

 

[maytagbear]

I agree with Louis!

Most insurances will cover one or two Registered Dietician visits a year. The ones I have seen over the years have been very helpful and kind, and have tried to shed the "food police" image.

Vegetarianism is fine, if a person knows what he or she is doing, and a Registered Dietician can be very helpful.

You want a Registered Dietician. They are highly educated medical professionals, who have to have continuing education to stay working.

ANYONE can call themselves a "nutritionist," it is a word without meaning.

However, it's mostly about balance. I am still overweight, but I am much lower than my highest weight, which was in my 20s.

Here is MY truth about weight: It is not too hard to lose weight, the challenge is KEEPING IT OFF.</U> If it was easy to maintain a weight loss, no one would be overweight!

Oh, and for the appliances, I'd go for a VitaMix over a juicer. The juicers I have seen are harder to clean than a VitaMix, and a person can do more with one, as well.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[ronhic]

I'm a firm believer...

....that moderation is the key to success.

I was once told something very useful at a weight watchers meeting:

'The longer you can hold the unpackaged food under hot running water without it changing, the more of it you can eat'

-Vegetables don't change much except salad ones (which are fine and there are exceptions to all rules!)
-Fruit does a little especially if ripe - high sugar content
-meat starts to brown off
-white bread goes straight down the drain/wholegrain is slower
-chocolate melts and goes down the sink
-...so does butter/spreads/mayo
-cookies/chips/fried foods all become inedible.....

...and don't forget to check the packaging. Many low fat products are actually high in sugar....

 

[peterh770]

Found a VitaMix at an estate sale over the weekend for $250 firm. I bypassed it, believing it to be overpriced, based on everything else at the sale being overpriced!

 

[petek]

There are two critical pieces in successful weight management, eating properly and exercise. Most folks can go with the eating properly for awhile but give up or never engage on the exercise portion which imho is even more beneficial.
I'd go on but I'll bore everyone or piss people off LOL
signed
Fitness Nazi

ps forget juicing and eat the whole food unless you just want a new toy to play with which can be fun. One can never have enough small appliances ever

 

[danmantn]

Most household blenders run less than 20 MPH, a Vitamix runs at over 200 MPH and 25,000 RPM. This is key if you want to make really good fruit and fruit/green smoothies as it will liquify just about anything--including seeds. I recently purchased the Vitamix 5200 and have used it more than any small appliance that I have ever owned--with the exception of the toaster. I keep trying new things. Go to Vitamix website for some sample recipes. The Vitamix replaced my KitchenAid that did a good job, but couldn't get the items down to true 'liquid' (or cellulose) form like the Vitamix can.

A lot of people are curious about raw food diets - fruit/green smoothies are a great way to introduce additional nutrients to your diet. One needs to rank quality fuel over quantity fuel. Most people agonize over the correct nutrients for their houseplants, fuel for the car, or quality of paint for their bedroom (and detergent of course!), but never give a second thought to what they fuel their own body with. Your body makes new cells everyday - the quality of those cells are based on the fuel that you supply your body. Give your builder straws to build with and you'll get a pretty flimsy straw house.

Just remember for every vegetable/fruit that you consume, that's keeping the junk food out. Make wise swaps and start with things that you like - such as an apple or carrot. Most people like at least one vegetable and/or fruit. Fiber is critical in slowing down the body's digestion of carbs, etc. Fiber is often overlooked when people turn to dieting. And of course the two master-addiction ingredients: salt and sugar. Once you get use to eating foods in their natural state...in essence resetting your pallet, you will be amazed at how salty commercial food is.

Michael Pollan's "Food Rules" book is a quick and small read that pretty much sums it up nicely with "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.".

I'm not a doctor or nutritionist, but thought I would put my 2 cents in. I wish you the best on your journey...it takes a lot of courage to start, finish and continue any weight loss endeavor.

Veggie soup! Made with uhm, REAL veggies and not 6,000 mg salt!

 

[foraloysius]

Dan, that is a lovely Vitamix. I really like that new 5200!

But for loosing weight I have to agree with Pete. My previous house doctor said it like this: "Loosing weight is actually very easy. You got to burn more calories than you take in!"

 

[danmantn]

Yep, budgeting your finances and losing weight have a lot in common! Don't spend more than you earn, don't eat more than you burn.

 

[paulg]

Great tips

Thanks for all the input. I didn't think of the Dietician. Fortunately both of us have great insurance plans so I'll have him check into this.
We're trying to get into the habit of walking around the neighborhood more.
I will still push him to explore professional consultation. One of the biggest hurdles is his diet habits at work - of which I have no control. The professional may have input though.
We don't eat junk food, buy pre-fab foods nor do we stock pop, ice cream etc. I have purged the fridges and freezer of creamy salad dressings and other aged crap and kept good basics. We do visit the farmers' market more.
We do enjoy our Martinis and Manhattans though. They DO HAVE calories! We have collected smaller glasses at estate sales and so we're trying to moderate downward.
Both of us gave up salt years ago and so we only use a dash as the recipe calls for it.
Again thanks for the great tips all of which I will reference as guidance as I move forward. Dearest just got home so I must sign off!