Eating less means more attention to proper nutrition and exercise in a weight loss program

DietPower Nutrient History

In the now 5 part series on losing weight with a disability, I’ve covered why we want to lose the “30-lb-turkey” of extra weight and using software to get it off.

I was talking to my mother today on her 91st birthday (born 1919 wow!) and she weighs a slight 109 and has for decades. We should all be so lucky but many of us put the pounds on too easily. People with disabilities who are sedentary are especially susceptible to being overweight or obese.

During the past week, I’ve lost exactly nothing. But I did reduce my body fat percentage from 55% body fat to 44%. That wasn’t easy.

It’s the pre-Christmas panic with autumn yard work to finish and inside projects to get out of the way for your Christmas visit. Can’t have you seeing the power tools in the front hallway at Christmas. 

Last week was a blur of events like building a recording desk bridge and rack unit in the garage, covering the Ron Hynes concert, working on two videos (Ron Hynes and a studio monitor smackdown) and stories, always the stories. I was exhausted every night.

When things get busy, I’m exercising and need more food right?  My stomach said eat or I’ll quit working but my weight loss stopped. Instead, my body worked on building muscles which is how the body fat percentage goes down.

Exercise, or work as I call it, is important to ensure muscle tone and prevent muscle mass loss. Exercise does not reduce weight.

DietPower says that activity has banked almost 6,000 calories over my metabolism rate. Don’t believe it. If I ate those extra calories, which has happened in the past, the pounds go back on.

Eating right AKA nutrition

Health scientists have established the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of the usual calories, protein, fats, fibre and dozens of other nutrients in food.

When dieting, you don’t want to sacrifice the RDA for weight loss. One time, I tried an “all sauerkraut” diet, assuming it had few calories and lots of fiber.  A mono nutrient diet like that would result in malnutrition.

I like to watch the nutrients with DietPower. Have a look at the first screen shot which is one half of the nutrient report.

Potassium sources from DietPower

The chart told me I was a little short on potassium, fiber and calcium.

That’s easy – just right click on the bar and it shows you where to get the missing nutrients in your diet.

Potassium is easy – eat a banana a day.

Other nutrients are more difficult which is where the coach in DietPower shines. They have PowerFoods that are rich in what’s missing. You can pick from what you like or what’s seasonally available.

My doctor doesn’t believe in mega vitamins. However, when I’m short of one or two based on DietPower, I will add a vitamin supplement.

I don’t worry about nutrients each day but try to keep things in balance by the week and month.

Nutrient reporting is why I prefer DietPower to other software.

Dietpower – You can try it free for 15 days.

More stories in the series

Losing weight when you have a disability

Getting real with calories disability and the 30-lb-turkey

Measure twice eat once to lose that 30 lb turkey

Software is your personal coach in losing weight

In adopting any diet you should consult a professional dietitian for special medical conditions. That being said, I’ve never found anyone who knew how
to help someone lose weight when you can’t run around the block.