I need to lose 35lbs before I can be eligible to donate my kidney to my brother and really need help with a diet or eating plan. Can anyone direct me or have a plan you've used? I've tried everything but refuse to give up!
I'm 51 yrs old, 5'4, 198lbs.
Thank you for you help.
Shelly Green
I'm sure I'm going to get push back from the meat eaters, but the most effective and healthy way to lose weight is to get moving and lose all the animal proteins and oils in your diet. Lots of vegetables and whole grain starches including potatoes should do it for you. Check out John Mcdougall for lots of free information and nutritionfacts.org. There are plenty of other doctors providing useful information on plant based eating. And I have to say that being vegan for many years hasn't killed me contrary to popular belief.
Thank you for replying. I eat veggies majority of the time with very little meat and dairy in my diet. That's what's frustrating. I also workout at gym Mon-Wed-Fri and Yoga Tues & Thurs every week. The scale doesn't reflect my hard work ☹. And when it does, it's very little.Maybe I need to go all in on veggies.
Thanks again.....🥰
Sounds like you're at a plateau which can be frustrating but I think going all plant base minimizing the cooking oil (if you're using any) should start your trend downward. Mcdougall has a nice video on losing weight for people already vegan that he came out with recently.
I only use olive, coconut and/or avocado oil when cooking. Is that ok?Going to look at Mcdougall. Never heard of him. Thank you sooo much for your reply. You're the only one that has🙏
Hi…My wife donated to me — actually it was a swap with another family. She needed to loose weight due to a pre diabetic A1C. It took her 5-6 months to loose 35 lbs and lower her A1C to perfectly normal. How did she do it?
Portion control, lowering bad carbohydrates from diet, and lots of exercise on Peloton. She did cardio, strength and yoga.
Voila! I have a new kidney about a month after she was approved at the university of Illinois hospitals.
Giving you bro a kidney is cool!
Thank you & Congratulations! I can't wait to get there and donate to my brother. 🙏🙏🙏
Hi Shelley, I am a 60-year-old woman and I recently lost 50 pounds. I worked with a Nurse Practitioner, so had someone to be accountable to. I use intermittent fasting with an 8-hour eating window - I find eating from 12:00 pm to approximately 8:00 pm very doable. I also restricted calories to 1200. Calorie restriction was very important to my success. I am vegetarian and would have a protein shake at 12:00, an apple at 3:00, and then a bowl of quinoa, beans, greens, steamed veggies and tahini for dinner between 5 and 6. I had soy milk warmed up if I needed something after dinner. I tracked my weight and food intake on My Fitness Pal, which is a great app!I struggled with my weight throughout my 50's and feel like I have a handle on it now. I continue with my intermittent fasting and keeping an eye on my nutrition. I am now ready to donate my kidney! Surgery is set for August 3rd.
Good luck! You can do this!
Jan
What an inspiration you are! I'm going to follow your meal that you described in your reply. Can you suggest anymore meals you eat during your 8 hrs window. I'm super simple with my meals and honestly don't know what's going on. I get very discouraged when my efforts do not reflect progress on the scale. I am very determined though...will not give up.Thank you❤❤
I will sometimes have a potato with my veggies and greens instead of the quinoa. I will also have a Beyond Burger once in awhile. I think my plan works for me because I pretty much eat the same thing every day, so I don't have to think about it. I make a batch of quinoa in my rice cooker once or twice per week and vary my veggies. I love broccoli and asparagus, so tend to eat them most often. Sometimes I add feta cheese to my dinner bowl or some avocado. I also use different canned beans - black-eyed peas are my favorite, followed by black beans. My Fitness Pal and measuring everything were key for me. Good luck!!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you🙏🥰
[Donated at 42] I've always believed that every individual is unique in their approach to wellness. With that being said, you can perhaps take some nuggets of advice and info from many, and then apply that to your eating/fitness plan. So, my personal opinion is to recognize your eating issues, and address them in baby steps. The weight didn't come on overnight and it's not going to leave overnight. I also believe that stress, sleep, water, and most of all, fitness, play a critical role in one's ability to be healthy. There is no magic answer and, I'm not gonna lie, it never gets easier. If you do lose the weight and are approved to donate, the real challenge will be post-donation and how you choose to live your life then. Maintaining an optimal lifestyle that includes a very well-balanced diet and fitness program are going to be SO very important for the rest of your life because you have to give lots of TLC to that one kidney you have left. I would hire a professional nutritionist if you are really serious about dropping the weight, and join as many fitness support groups on social media that you can find. YOU CAN DO THIS, but approach it with realistic expectations. Good luck!
Thank you for your reply and will be embracing your advice and approaching my diet in that way. 🥰
Hi there. I too had to lose weight before donating. I worked out and started tracking my food and eating cleaner.
Clean eating fir sure! Lots of fresh veggies, small protein (chicken) and no dairy is what I've been trying. Plus the gym & walking❤
Oh yes you got this for sure!
I too had to lose weight prior to donating. My way was portion control, cutting out alcohol and lots of aerobic exercise. It was also not quick, some weeks I'd lose 3lbs, then nothing for two weeks. Then start to lose again. Good luck
Thank you for replying. Your share is like my progress....super slow & unpredictable. I'm sure my age and that I've had a hysterectomy has some play in my struggles....Uggh, but NOT giving up!
I don't drink alcohol anymore. Sober 3 years this August 1st !! Yay
😎
The program I'm considering has a nutritionist who will support donors. Maybe your program does too? Otherwise, 30 lbs sounds pretty arbitrary if that target isn't accompanied by other health markers. I'm sure it's difficult and I truly don't meant to minimize your experience, but have you pushed back on that at all?
Hi! Just checking in to see how it’s going???
Sorry for delay in response, and to Answer your question, its very slow. I will not give up though...just remind myself that I have an end goal. Thank you so much for checking in on me. Hope your doing well. 💜
I am giving my kidney, soon.
Side effects after donation?
Go Ask Lori!
Living Donor
Blessed to be a living donor! 
