I need to drop 150 lbs.

Just the thought of eating before workout is enough to get my stomach churning, and not in a good way. I think this is highly variable from person to person. Eating before a workout doesn't generally bother me unless it's something really gassy.

Not if you plan to do early morning workouts. Unless you want to see 25% of your daily caloric intake in the pool gutter, on the side of the running trail, or in a gym restroom. I usually don't eat anything prior to morning workouts. I do drink plenty of water, from as soon as I get up, up to when I get in the pool (or out for a run), and have a water bottle on the pool deck. Just the thought of eating before workout is enough to get my stomach churning, and not in a good way. You still have to have SOMETHING for your body to burn. Your body is going 6-8 hours without any caloric input. Then you're gonna get up and burn more calories creating an even greater deficit that your body will perceive as starvation. Then when you do eat, your body will remember that starvation and store food as fat. So for someone who wants to lose such a significant amount of weight, skipping breakfast is NOT AN OPTION. Doing so will seriously impair one's ability to a) lose the weight and b) keep the weight off.

You still have to have SOMETHING for your body to burn. Your body is going 6-8 hours without any caloric input. Then you're gonna get up and burn more calories creating an even greater deficit that your body will perceive as starvation. Then when you do eat, your body will remember that starvation and store food as fat. So for someone who wants to lose such a significant amount of weight, skipping breakfast is NOT AN OPTION. Doing so will seriously impair one's ability to a) lose the weight and b) keep the weight off. I never said to skip breakfast, or that I do so. I simply eat after my morning workout. Probably not the perfect method, but it works for me (I've lost 25 lbs, and about 8% body fat, over the past year). I get up way too early as it is for my morning workouts, and there's no way I'm going to wake up even earlier to let food properly digest. I eat a late dinner (after my evening workouts, around 8pm) with plenty of protein to allow for my early morning workouts. I eat throughout the day, with at least a 2-hr break before a workout. As we've noted throughout this thread, there are many ways to do this, and we are all unique. I still stand by my advice above, to work closely with a doctor and/or a nutritionist.

BYU06 -- I also agree that you should check out a local masters swimming group. There are several in the area. Here's a diet trick that I've recently used -- get someone else to do the grocery shopping. Only allow fresh fruit and vegetables for the first couple of weeks. Be sure to get plenty of protein either with tofu or beans, lean chicken and fish (any kind so long as grilled, low fat methods, no fried). When you go on a diet, --- as someone else explained -- remember it is a lifestyle change that you are after NOT a temporary starvation deprivation lose then gain it back plan. I love 24 hour fitness because it takes away the excuse of inconvenient or restricted access to a pool. No excuses. I joined a masters swimming group (Houston swims -- H2O) this past year and really loved the early morning workout. Stopped going regularly because of the price of gas, but it really is a great thing to do several times per month to keep your motivation up when you do swim alone. Does your club have a personal trainer who can help you with stroke development? Be careful though ... you don't want to have to unlearn bad technique. If you can swim 25 yards without stopping, check out H2O or another group. The experience is really worth it. (H2O swims from 5:30 til 7 a.m. at UH; right now M, W, Th, Fr and from 8:30 or so on Sun). Keep us posted on your progress, Kathy

For a short/easy morning practice I swim on a Diet Coke; for something longer/harder I pop 3-6 dried apricots, half a banana, or half a bagel. After practice I get something a little more substantial. Late afternoon I try to get a light snack such as a few fig newtons, yogurt, or a piece of fruit 1.5-2 hours before practice. My activity level is pretty good but I am still working on losing 60# and I will always have to be very careful with what I eat. Read the labels, educate yourself. When I asked my doctor about what to eat, he gave the same advice he would give a diabetic (which I am not). Food is Fuel.

WATER WATER WATER Drink at least an 8oz glass of water before every meal. Split your meals up from the typical 2-3 per day to 5-6 smaller meals per day. Have at least 25% of your daily caloric intake within 30 minutes of waking up in the morning.

Have at least 25% of your daily caloric intake within 30 minutes of waking up in the morning. Not if you plan to do early morning workouts. Unless you want to see 25% of your daily caloric intake in the pool gutter, on the side of the running trail, or in a gym restroom. I usually don't eat anything prior to morning workouts. I do drink plenty of water, from as soon as I get up, up to when I get in the pool (or out for a run), and have a water bottle on the pool deck. Just the thought of eating before workout is enough to get my stomach churning, and not in a good way.

I actually eat no more than what I did in high school. My problem is skipping meals, because I hate cooking. I am struggling with weight too but slowly it's coming off. This is what my husband was like...he skipped meals all the time because he said that eating "slowed him down". Well, he learned the hard way and wound up with diabetes. When you don't eat consistently what happens is you flood your pancreas with sugar when you finally do eat. Your pancreas isn't designed for these onslaughts and it eventually starts to give out and you wind up with diabetes. When my husband started eating regularly throughout the day he lost the weight. He doesn't cook except for dinner. He drinks glucerna shakes, eats tuna, peanut butter, fruit, etc. I sympathize...diet is so key. I swim 3-4 days a week and also hit the gym for 30 minutes about 4-5 times a week and I still struggle because of my diet. I know better but it is harder the older you get. I'm coming off a bad two weeks so I am trying to be more focused with Thanksgiving coming up. It's amazing how the weight comes off when you eat well and exercise. Good luck to you!