The Official TWeb Diet Support Group Thread

[JardinPrayer]

This thread was started in response to this thread (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?p=986502) . It is intended for all TWebbers who are trying to control their weight to support each other in that effort. There are only a few rules and here they are:

1) Your do not have to be in a weight loss process to post here if you have something constructive and/or supportive to contribute, but spamming the thread or degrading posters in any way will result in your post being reported and your continued participation in the thread being strongly discouraged.

2) If you are in a weight loss process, your initial post should state what method you are planning to use or are already using (or if you haven't decided, asking for suggestions if you want them), how much weight you want to lose and whether you have determined the reasonability of that goal by some means other than your own personal desire. If you want to post before and after pics, go right ahead.

3) Regular participants are encouraged to check in here at least once per week with a status report. This report should include any weight lost or gained, pertinent information on foods, supplements, or other substances used toward that end, and any requests for support you may have.

4) Significant milestones should be rewarded with a hearty round of congratulations with many custom smilies...this is the only time anything resembling :smilespam: will be permitted.

That said, I'll go first. I was told by doctors 2 years ago that I needed to lose 60 pounds to help with widespread joint pain that no one could diagnose (maybe fibromyalgia, who knows). I lost 35 over the next 10 months on the Atkins diet and was thrilled. I swore I would never let the scale tip over the 200 lb mark ever again. I have put half that back on again over the last year, since I went through all the tragedy most of you know about, which made dieting next to impossible, so the scale isn't making me very happy right now. My current goal is to lose 25 - 30 pounds and my plan is to do it with portion control. Calorie counting has never worked for me, low carb is something I simply could not face again (especially since I'm metabolically resistant, so it took forever), and I can do better with low fat than cutting out sugar. Also, my appetite isn't really that huge. I don't buy snack foods, so they aren't in the house.

For breakfast/lunch today, I had a bowl of oatmeal (whole grain plus a cholesterol reducer) with brown sugar, cinnamon and a bit of low fat milk. I will not eat again until dinner, which will be chili with basmati rice tonight. It will be topped with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkling of Mexican cheese. I've been on a kick of drinking soda for the last 6 months. That's about to stop in favor of what I was drinking before that: herbal iced tea (unsweetened) and bottled water. Next?

[RumTumTugger]

Wonderful Idea :jardin: I shall be looking in from time to time.

[JardinPrayer]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I take fish oil supplements...they are wonderful for 4 reasons:


they help with join comfort
they are marvellous anti-oxidants (omega 3s)
they facilitate weight loss (fat movement through the body)
they help people who struggle with depression

Every doctor, nutritionist, psychiatrist, I've ever spoken two leaps to their feet and highly recommends 2 grams of fish oil per day (one big gel cap in the morning and one at night). I don't have this problem, but if you find you get a fishy smell on your breath or are getting fishy burps, flax seed oil is a perfectly acceptible alternative.

[RumTumTugger]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I take fish oil supplements...they are wonderful for 4 reasons:


they help with join comfort
they are marvellous anti-oxidants (omega 3s)
they facilitate weight loss (fat movement through the body)
they help people who struggle with depression

Every doctor, nutritionist, psychiatrist, I've ever spoken two leaps to their feet and highly recommends 2 grams of fish oil per day (one big gel cap in the morning and one at night). I don't have this problem, but if you find you get a fishy smell on your breath or are getting fishy burps, flax seed oil is a perfectly acceptible alternative.


Sounds wonderful will see if it is something I can get. Jardin

in the meantime here's what I had for breafast today. 2 slices of toast with a thin layer of Peanut butter an Orange and coffee.

not sure what I'm going to do for Lunch yet.

and I am going to try Dr. Phil's book for myself.

[mossrose]

Just a word of caution: be careful about the sodium levels in bottled water. I was shocked to see that some brands contain sodium, which is why I bought a Brita filter system and drink only that instead of bottled water.

This is a great thread, btw, and a terrific idea, JP!

:thumb:

[Teallaura]

I had a gastric bypass a couple of years ago, but some med I was on prevented me from fully losing all the weight I wanted.
Current goal: 30 lbs
Progress: 6 lbs
Means: Switched from regular coke to C2; increased exercise (walking)
Setbacks: Really sick for a week, stopped C2 in favor of Mountain Dew (could keep it down) and haven't switched back yet.
Intended Action: Switch back to C2 when current 12 pack runs out (likely tomorrow).
Other Action Goals: Switch to diet drinks, use of Splenda, starting with 1/2n1/2 Splenda/sugar; increase exercise.

Questions: Anyone use Splenda in Kool-aid? How about Graham Kerr's book with Splenda recipes?

[Piebald]

Starting today, I am keeping track of my weight. I don't want to post my starting weight, but I will post how much I have lost when I've lost a fair amount (say, every 5-10 pounds).... or maybe I'm being too optimistic.

[RumTumTugger]

Starting today, I am keeping track of my weight. I don't want to post my starting weight, but I will post how much I have lost when I've lost a fair amount (say, every 5-10 pounds).... or maybe I'm being too optimistic.

Hamster don't be discourged if after the initial loss of 5 or more pounds in a week if you slow down to maybe 1 pound per week or so. Infact you might not want to wheigh yourself more then once a month so you don't get discourged. At least that was what I was told in Overeaters Anonomous {sp}. just eat right and also make sure your doctor knows you are doing this so he can help you.

[Undomiel]

Errm, some other things I read that were good for dieting:

Water with lemon twist (or lime if you prefer).

Tomato juice with lemon twist (or lime if you prefer)

Fresh squeezed (meaning do it yourself) Lemonade.

Don't eat meals after three in the afternoon if you sleep during the evening hours. If you're a day sleeper, no meals after three in the morning.

Eat celery if you can. It takes more calories of energy to burn the calories in celery than is contained in celery, due to the celluous bonds and so forth.

Homemade vegetable soup. *buy the veggies, organically grown if possible, and make it yourself*

Hot peppers if you can stand them.

Use a vegetable brush or loofa on your skin before, during or after showering or bathing to help slough off old skin and clean pores so you can continue the detoxifying process of weight loss. If your skin is sensitive, best to do the scrub during so the water can act as a lubricant.

Dance. Easy exercise with your favorite music.

[Rubia Warren]

*r00bz runs off to mark "celery" and "loofah" on her grocery list*

[Piebald]

Is there any way to make cellery taste better without adding too many calories?

Also, I screwed up on my first day . . . browny and vanilla ice cream

[Teallaura]

Is there any way to make cellery taste better without adding too many calories?

Also, I screwed up on my first day . . . browny and vanilla ice cream
That isn't a biggie - just keep plugging. Diets are marathons, not sprints.

Celery Helper:
Low cal salad dressing - I like Bleu Cheese best.
Tuna fish or chicken salad (as part of your meal)
Also, couple it with carrots (the peeled baby carrots are awesome for this), radishes, califlower, broccoli - anything you might find on a veggie plate at a party - rather than just celery. I love celery, but anything gets boring after a while - variety will help stave it off longer.
Some folks like salsa - not my thing but you might like it.
Low cal cheese - just don't go crazy with it.

[Cello]

This thread was started in response to this thread (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?p=986502) . It is intended for all TWebbers who are trying to control their weight to support each other in that effort. There are only a few rules and here they are:

1) Your do not have to be in a weight loss process to post here if you have something constructive and/or supportive to contribute, but spamming the thread or degrading posters in any way will result in your post being reported and your continued participation in the thread being strongly discouraged.

2) If you are in a weight loss process, your initial post should state what method you are planning to use or are already using (or if you haven't decided, asking for suggestions if you want them), how much weight you want to lose and whether you have determined the reasonability of that goal by some means other than your own personal desire. If you want to post before and after pics, go right ahead.

3) Regular participants are encouraged to check in here at least once per week with a status report. This report should include any weight lost or gained, pertinent information on foods, supplements, or other substances used toward that end, and any requests for support you may have.

4) Significant milestones should be rewarded with a hearty round of congratulations with many custom smilies...this is the only time anything resembling :smilespam: will be permitted.

That said, I'll go first. I was told by doctors 2 years ago that I needed to lose 60 pounds to help with widespread joint pain that no one could diagnose (maybe fibromyalgia, who knows). I lost 35 over the next 10 months on the Atkins diet and was thrilled. I swore I would never let the scale tip over the 200 lb mark ever again. I have put half that back on again over the last year, since I went through all the tragedy most of you know about, which made dieting next to impossible, so the scale isn't making me very happy right now. My current goal is to lose 25 - 30 pounds and my plan is to do it with portion control. Calorie counting has never worked for me, low carb is something I simply could not face again (especially since I'm metabolically resistant, so it took forever), and I can do better with low fat than cutting out sugar. Also, my appetite isn't really that huge. I don't buy snack foods, so they aren't in the house.

For breakfast/lunch today, I had a bowl of oatmeal (whole grain plus a cholesterol reducer) with brown sugar, cinnamon and a bit of low fat milk. I will not eat again until dinner, which will be chili with basmati rice tonight. It will be topped with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkling of Mexican cheese. I've been on a kick of drinking soda for the last 6 months. That's about to stop in favor of what I was drinking before that: herbal iced tea (unsweetened) and bottled water. Next?

Oh geesh - an accountabilty thread? GRRRR!

OK.

Goal - weight loss of 55 lbs
- increase muscle tone and respiratory capacity

Method - portion control and cut some carbs
- walk 2x week (30 min?)
- work out at gym 3x week (joining one soon...*grin*)

Measures - weigh-ins weekly
- journal weight lifting routine and vital signs during exercise, should see gradual increase in amount of weights and a decrease in vital signs

I think this is feasible if I stick to the program and realize this is a lifelong change. Its not just about weight - its about health , to me. And I think really that is a better way of looking at it.

Today I had a cup of coffee, a large cinamon and br sugar bagel (no butter or sour cream) and I've drank almost a bottle water. (so much for low carb...hmmm)

[Gabby]

Okie, I'm in. Maybe if I put my goals down here I'll have a better resolve to get it done.

Goal -- To be healthier, fitter and firmer. As far a weight goes, I'd like to lose 20-25lbs

Method-- Portion control and choosing healthier, close to the earth foods
-- lots of water, no caffeine except for green tea and Chocolate :blush:
-- Supplement with multi vit. Calcium, B-complex and vit. C
-- Attend Hapkido 3 times a week
-- Restart and maintain my jogging and muscle isolation routine 5 days a week.

I hate scales!! because everytime I start a program I gain weight. :tongue: But I will start weighing in. As of this morning, I am 150.5 at 5' 4 1/2"

This morning I had for beakfast -- a cup of tea, (decaffeinated), A slice of toast with peanut butter and apricot jam, 4 left over slices of apple from the kids, glass of water, and a cereal bowl of salt and pepper chips. (yikes, it's frightning writing all that down!)

[JardinPrayer]

Most diet gurus today are telling people to forget about the scale...though I think it can be a useful tool if used correctly. The significant measure, they say, is the way your clothing is fitting. The scale can fool you, especially if you are exercising, because fat can be exchanged for muscle, which is heavy. Also, dieters tend to get on the scale daily....sometimes several times a day...and the number goes up and down and will drive you crazy. I can attest to that personally!

So, if you're going to use a scale...get on it no more than once a week and don't use it as an oracle...just one of several measures.

And, don't forget the fish oil with the loofah and the sodium free bottled water and the celery, Rubia!

[mossrose]

Okay, I am going to give a very short lecture here. You can all listen or not, but take my word as an old person that I know what I am talking about.

I love pop, or soda, or whatever you want to call it. I used to drink the equivelent of a can of Diet Coke every day......sometimes more if we bought it in 2 litre bottles. I stopped drinking it almost completely a year ago when I learned that the sodium contained in ALL pop, diet or not, was helping to raise my BP to dangerous level.

Please, have a little as a special treat, once in a while, but do not drink it on a daily basis! Not only is does the sodium have a detremental affect on your BP, is also sucks the calcium out of your bones! If you are prone to osteoporosis, or even if you aren't, soda is NOT good for you!

Stick with water, juice if you must have something sweet, and pop only rarely.

There. Lecture over.

{{{{{{{{{{Group Hug}}}}}}}}}}

[JardinPrayer]

I stopped into the supermarket today to pick up some veggies for a chicken pot pie I'm making for dinner tonight. At the checkout, there was a Splenda cookbook...mostly baking ideas to be made with that Splenda half and half. If I find anything interesting in it, I'll post some recipes.

Hamster, I like my celery with that 1/3 less fat Philadelphia cream cheese...just fill the hollow part with it...but be sure to eat only 1 or 2 stalks. If you're hungry, drink a cup of hot tea or broth...it gives you a full feeling. And, QUIT BUYING BROWNIES...just don't have them in the house. Try getting rice or popcorn cakes and putting a THIN coating of peanut butter on them for an afternoon snack...ONE, not six.

As for me, I had a morning full of doctors' appointments and tests, so I had to rush between offices...I had time for a quick stop and the Burger King drive through where I got an order of fries and a Sprite, which I wolfed down while driving between appointments. I will have nothing else until chicken pot pie which will be served with mashed potatoes on the side...not exactly low fat today...but not so much in volume.

I hear ya loud and clear on the soda, Mossrose. As soon as the Sierra Mist and the Slice orange in my pantry are gone, that's it for me. Back to herbal iced tea (you can buy a nice iced tea maker for about $20) and water. Brita is a great idea...been meaning to look into that since I've loved it every time I've tasted Brita water at someone else's house.

[anthrogirl]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I take fish oil supplements...they are wonderful for 4 reasons:

they help with join comfort
they are marvellous anti-oxidants (omega 3s)
they facilitate weight loss (fat movement through the body)
they help people who struggle with depression
Every doctor, nutritionist, psychiatrist, I've ever spoken two leaps to their feet and highly recommends 2 grams of fish oil per day (one big gel cap in the morning and one at night). I don't have this problem, but if you find you get a fishy smell on your breath or are getting fishy burps, flax seed oil is a perfectly acceptible alternative.

May I suggest flax oil instead? Several yrs. ago, I did some research on fish oils (with a lab at Kaiser Permenete)--and they were not as rich in omegas as they could be. This is because the fish oil is extracted from factory-farmed fish, whose diet is composed primarily of rendered animal protein. In the wild, fish obtain their essential fatty acids (EFAs) from phytoplankton. Phytoplankton is not a part of the farmed fish diet.

Flax oil should be refrigerated, because heat can cause it to denature, or become rancid. Also, you can grind a few tablespoons/day of flax seeds in the coffee grinder and sprinkle it on cereal--it has a wonderful nutty flavor, and is significantly cheaper than flax oil.

in good health,
ag

[Gabby]

Well, I'm up 1 1/2lbs today. I believe it may just be timing. Anyways, I've been having a hard time eating healthy, I just want to eat everything in sight. Should pass in the next day or two. I hope.

I haven't been able to make it to my hapkido classes much this week. Hubby has been busy in the evenings and I can't leave the kids on their own yet. Plus I don't feel well enough to get out tonight. Still stalled on my home workout. :frown:

anyways, that's my update.

[JardinPrayer]

I'm not doing so great either...I think we're going to have to build some momentum. Here are my confessed sins.

First of all, my husband works for a baking company...the parent company that owns Entenmann's, Arnold, Strohmann, Thomas', etc. The Entenmann's bakery is right next door to his building and he's allowed to bring two boxes of anything he wants home every day...that is he's allowed by THEM! So, last weekend, he brings home these Ultimate Cinnamon Buns...you know, like Cinnabons. You heat 'em up so the frosting melts and they're about the size of a grapefruit. Thanks, dear. I gently mentioned that maybe it would be a good idea if he cut that crap out! Right after the box was empty.

Then, I made a nice tuna salad and a cucumber salad and we did a few excellent meals, and then he went out of town and I had two girlfriends over I haven't seen in over a year. We agreed to get pizza to make it convenient and cheap. But, Pam decided we needed dessert, so while we were out picking up the pizza, she said, "Hey, let's stop in to the supermarket and get some ice cream." We ended up spending more money on ice cream and cheesecake than on the pizza! We chalked it up to "girl's night out."

The next morning, I got an email from her in response to a conversation we were having about me starting menopause and having joint problems and she casually mentioned how she had lost some weight and it had helped her tremendously and maybe I should consider that. She hadn't seen me in a year, remember, so she must have noticed a difference. It took all I had not to write her back and say, "HEY! You were the one who wanted ice cream and cheesecake!" But that's what love and girlfriends are all about!"

Anyway, I think it would be a great idea for us to post some recipes, if we have some good ones. We should, perhaps, categorize them as either:

Low Calorie
Low Fat
Low Carb
Combination of: (etc...)

Here's my tuna salad recipe (which, Hamster, goes great in the crevice of celery!). My husband is crazy about it.

Low Carb, Low Calorie, Low Fat
I use the foil envelopes of tuna packed in water - 2 7-oz ones or this recipe
Juice of 1 fresh lemon
Half a medium onion, minced
Half a cup of mayonnaise
1 tsp dried dill weed
Half tsp ground black pepper

I like this best when it's chilled, but hubby usually can't wait, so our first sandwich is usually room temperature. To keep the carbs down, make a tuna melt on half an english muffin with a slice of the cheese of your choice...put the toaster oven on top brown or keep a close eye on the broiler! This is also good scooped onto a bed of lettuce, in the crevice of celery, or with some low-carb crackers. Sometimes, I have a scoop with my favorite cucumber salad on the side and that's lunch:

Low Everything
2 cucumbers
2 or 3 thin slices of Bermuda (red) onion
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1 packet Splenda
2 tsp coriander seeds, ground in a mortar & pestle (or 1 tsp already ground)
pinch of cayenne pepper

Cut the cucumbers lengthwise (leave the skin on) and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Then, slice into crescent shapes, about 1/4 inch thick. Cut the thin slices of bermuda onion in quarters and sprinkle in with cucumbers (leave out the little white centers). Make a dressing with the remaining ingredients (the coriader seeds you grind yourself are really best), and pour over vegetables. Stir well or seal in a plastic container and shake/toss. Chill for at least 1 hour.

Just posting the recipes makes me feel a little better...too bad it doesn't influence the scale!

[Dee Dee Warren]

you guys do not even want to know how much Diet Mountain I consume

[mossrose]

you guys do not even want to know how much Diet Mountain I consume
Dee Dee! Didn't you read about how bad pop is for you?????


:mossrose:

[Teallaura]

Update:
After (several) starts and stops, I've been drinking C2 exclusively while at home for three weeks now. I'm on the road a lot during the day, so C2 (which isn't available in a lot of convenience stores) isn't practical then, but my plan is to switch to the new Pepsi One (if it's as good as I suspect it will be - I love Splendatm! during the day and stay on C2 at night next month.
My exercise regime needs work... but I'm getting there!
Oh, yeah, lost a pound four weeks ago (I won't weigh again until the end of the month) and maybe some since....:blush:

Later!

[Rubia Warren]

I finally, after a year of being a member, have gotten the courage to see the trainer at the YMCA for their 12 week program. I was embarrassed and felt like a dork at first but now it's all good. They give you a personalized routine and check in with you..... even calling you at home if they see you aren't showing up. :uhoh:
I've never worked out in a gym before, but it always looked very boring. Now that I've begun, I am addicted. Especially to the treadmills. I literally feel high when I am running, it's awesome. No more yardwork and working hard for me. The gym is much more fun. I'm growing chesthairs as I type. :ddw:
I haven't really changed what I eat yet. I'm losing some weight- not really fast but I'm looking differently. I'm just enjoying the gym at this point. If any of you has thought about joining one but didn't because you felt like a dork, get up and go do it anyway. You'll only feel like a dork for a little while. The only time now when I feel like a dork is like yesterday, I worked out with my friend, and I went to use a machine right after this super old man (he had to have been like 85, but he was in great shape), and I couldn't lift the settings he had on the machine. :blush: My friend said, "Dang, r00bz, you can't even do what an old dude can do. HAHAHAH!" :lol: That was an embarrassing little kick in the crotch.

[Teallaura]

Sa my doctor today (sinus' are bad things) and I think I've lost five pounds! I'm a little hesitant because it's not the same scale, but then again....
:woohoo:

[Teallaura]

It's official! I lost seven pounds!!!!! :yipee::woohoo:




Okay, how are the rest of you doing? Come on, I know you're out there....:noid:

[Faramir]

It's official! I lost seven pounds!!!!! :yipee::woohoo:




Okay, how are the rest of you doing? Come on, I know you're out there....:noid:

Dang. Didn't see this thread until today.

About two years ago I went on Atkins and lost 55 pounds (and have since gained about 50 back then without dieting lost about 20 for a net gain of about 35).

About 3 weeks ago Mrs. Faramir made me I started weight watchers with Mrs. Faramir. I have lost about 9 pounds.

I will try to remember to keep updating this thread.

[Gabby]

Congratulations Teal!

I've lost about a lb. Nothing to celebrate. I talked to my sensai about whether or not he would be interested in being my personal trainer. He said he was, but I haven't heard back from him yet. :shrug: I'm still struggling to get into my home routine.

I've been good at staying away from coke and caffiene, except for tea. Now, just to eat healthier.

[Teallaura]

Congrats, guys! :smile:

Good going, Faramir! :thumb: Look forward to your updates...

Every pound counts - don't be discouraged! Sometimes you have to make progress in getting prepared first - and it sounds like you're doing a great job of that, Gabby! :thumb:

[Paul]

Most diet gurus today are telling people to forget about the scale...though I think it can be a useful tool if used correctly. The significant measure, they say, is the way your clothing is fitting. The scale can fool you, especially if you are exercising, because fat can be exchanged for muscle, which is heavy. Also, dieters tend to get on the scale daily....sometimes several times a day...and the number goes up and down and will drive you crazy. I can attest to that personally!

So, if you're going to use a scale...get on it no more than once a week and don't use it as an oracle...just one of several measures.

Do you graph your measurements? Graphing or charting them in a visual way through a program like Excel may help alleviate the anxiety over normal weight fluctuations because if you are successful with your diet you could see the general trend towards a better weight and be encouraged by that and could also see that the day-to-day fluctuations are nothing to worry about as long as the general trend is right. You could also graph any other type of measurement. Just an idea.

[Teallaura]

Well, things are still going along.

I have fluctuated a few pounds either way for the last few months, but still within two of where I was! Still on C2, but I'm having a horrible time finding Pepsi One. I have tried it though and my only complaint is that it tastes too much like Pepsi! (So I'm not a Pepsi fan...). Still, when I can find it consistently I'll make the switch (rumor has it Coke is coming out with something Splenda sweetened but I haven't seen anything on it... hope so though!).

On a brighter note, I've got my walking started again. I've been real sporadic, but I've walked a mile every night since Sunday! I'm planning to up it to two next week... Oh, and I walked all over a small town square yesterday (at least six tenths of a mile all told) and then came home and walked my regular mile!!! Hey, it's a start!

Okay, how's everybody else doing?

[PrometheusX303]

My wife and I have recently started Weight Watchers Points program, in which we get a set amount of points (based on specific dietary numbers such as fiber and fat) each day and 35 flex points.

I am 6' 1" 340 lbs. My problem has been almost life-long. Not as much over-eating than laziness.

My goal is to lose 80 pounds by Thanksgiving '06. I read that the average safe loss is 2 lbs\week. But, I also plan on going to the gym and working out, and muscle adds weight.

Already we've heard some mis-information about Weight Watchers. Two women where my wife works told her that the flex points were points that you did not use each day that could be saved for splurging. However, flex points are 35 weekly points in addition to your regular daily points. These can be used as a few extra each day, or as a weekend treat, however you like.

Any information about this program would be helpful. Recipes would also be appreciated. I absolutely HATE that soup they have in the booklet.

I love being outdoors. My favorite job was part of the greenskeeping crew at our local golf course. The job wasn't very physically demanding, but I still began to loose weight. The job didn't last long, though. My friends and I have mae plans to begin hiking. That's always fun, I also love photography, so it'll be that much better.

[luv1another]

well guys how is everyone doing...

I am going to lose 20kg but need to loose about 35kgs to be an average weight Im not sure what that is in pounds.

I started walking 1 time a week about 10 weeks ago and since I hadnt done any excercise I started by just doing about 5 minutes... I went by streets, I started off walking one street away then two the next week etc.

I am now walking 4kms twice a week and hope to increase this as my muscles build up more.

at the moment I am doing a two week juice and water only fast for spiritual reasons and to allow my body to recouperate and hopefully improve my down moods I have been having I have been taking evening primrose and fish oil tablets in the mornings as well.

when I complete my two week fast (I may extend it to 3 weeks yet I shall see) I intend to come back on to raw vegies for a few days and then into a more healthy diet... I am going to be having more fruit in the house (since it's coming up to summer that will be easy :smile: I love summer fruits).

I also am going to sart buying only wholgrain stuff like brown rice over white, wholemeal bread over white etc and am going to cut chips out of the kids diets :hehe: they are going to hate that... but I hope to find something else maybe rice crackers or something :shrug: havnt looked into this part much yet.

at starting walking I was 115kgs
before fasting I was 110.5kgs
and today I am 107kgs ( this is due mainly to intestinal loss etc from fasting though)

not sure I will update weekly maybe fortnightly :shrug: or even monthly.

[{Tim}]

Hey Kaz...
Yeah, those thick rice crackers, with vegemite... :hehe: ... though I always have it with margarine, which isn't so healthy.

You can get 98% fat free flavoured small rice crackers. I often have a pack of those for lunch on my days off. :wink:


As for me... I could probably stand to lose 5-10kg, though I would hardly say I am overweight. But I am naturally fairly thin, and the extra weight is due to fat rather than body weight.

Goals? Well, get some scales for one thing... :hehe: at the moment I only know what I weigh when I donate at the blood bank. :ahem:

Mostly I'm trying to keep an eye on what I'm eating, and avoid too much fat... my dinner/lunch (depending what shift I'm working) is 3 slices of (large) pita bread and 6 each of low fat cheese and ham. For dinners, lately I've been getting those pre-packaged "healthy meals"... like Lite'n'easy or McCain's etc... yeah I'm lazy, but I *so* don't feel like cooking most days when I get home from work.

At the moment I'm only semi-serious, but if I get serious enough I will probably take up a bit of exercise and pay more attention to what other stuff I eat... the occasional chocolate biscuit, that sort of thing...
At any rate, my weight was certainly a bit lower last year when I was playing a half-hour or so of soccer most days. Oh, and I was a fair bit fitter, too... :hehe:

Edit: Oh, I do get some exercise as it is... I walk about 1.5-2km (about a mile maybe) from the carpark to the hangar, and then back again, on average 4-5 days a week. But I was referring to, you know, running around kind of exercise...

[Gabby]

Well I've stepped up my running this past week. 40 minutes on the tread mill at the highest intensity program. I've also tried to step up my martial arts training from 3 days a week to 4. I still struggle to eat as healthy as I should and now that we have a bunch of halloween candy sitting around the temptation will be all the stronger. However, I am slowly eating closer to the earth in that I am buying and eating less and less processed foods.

[luv1another]

very good gabby :hug: you sound like your going great and if you take things slowly its more likely you will stick with the changes :smile: :hug:

[luv1another]

ok update even though it is only a week...

I have been juice fasting and started at 110kg (242pounds) and after 10 days of fasting am down to 105kgs (231 pounds)

I am also walking 4kms (2.49 miles) twice a week and intend to increase that and maybe add some strength training later :wink:

[Gabby]

ok update even though it is only a week...

I have been juice fasting and started at 110kg (242pounds) and after 10 days of fasting am down to 105kgs (231 pounds)

I am also walking 4kms (2.49 miles) twice a week and intend to increase that and maybe add some strength training later :wink:

Way to go Luv! :thumb: Strength training is great, the more muscle you build the more calories you burn, even at rest.

[luv1another]

well after a week of being off my fast mainly sticking to low fat and low GI type foods and walking twice a week I have only put on about 1 kg... which I think is excellent since I expect to put back on 2kg or higher due to food being in the stomache and intestinews and stuff once I started eating again. I have also dropped jean sizes by 1 and a half sizes and tops by about 1 size :woohoo: and people keep asking me if I am losing weight :hehe:

I just tell them I have started walking twice a week :lol:

[furay]

Beep beep. Just weighed myself because I thought I put on a few, but it turns out I lost a little more. July 15th 2005 I weighed a little over 300... it was 303 or 304 I can't remember which. Today, November 22, 2005 I weigh 234. Wheee.... seventy lbs off of me. Yippee. I guess my ideal weight would be around 200 lbs, but I'm not in a rush to get there. Btw, I'm 6 feet 3 inches. :smile:

[Gabby]

Beep beep. Just weighed myself because I thought I put on a few, but it turns out I lost a little more. July 15th 2005 I weighed a little over 300... it was 303 or 304 I can't remember which. Today, November 22, 2005 I weigh 234. Wheee.... seventy lbs off of me. Yippee. I guess my ideal weight would be around 200 lbs, but I'm not in a rush to get there. Btw, I'm 6 feet 3 inches. :smile:

Way to go Furay!! :woohoo:

[furay]

Way to go Furay!! :woohoo:
Thank you kindly! :hug:

[luv1another]

:woohoo: Furay congratulations :hug:

[furay]

:woohoo: Furay congratulations :hug:
Thanks.

I ran 8 miles straight today... plus 1/2 mile of walking bookending the run. Soooo... 9 miles total. I've never done that much running all at once. Also it was like 25 degrees Farenheit out there (for you non-Americans that's mighty cold) and very windy. I am pooped right now.

[luv1another]

thats great furay :hug: maybe you need that treadmill after all or a gym membership :hug:

for me I have been mostly healthier meals and less of... I have been having take aways sometimes :eek: but like from McDonalds instead of getting normal burger and fries I go for their lean beef burger and no fries and a diet coke :shrug: thats enough I find although I did take a couple of chips from the kids :hehe:

I lost another KG (2.2 pounds) and I am now down to 104kg ( 228.8 pounds aprox)

I bought a tread mill but havnt used it yet I much prefer to be outside :sigh: I did hget on it for like 10 minutes when I first got it and thought :eek: this is going to bore me :lol: maybe I could drag it into the other room and walk and watch TV or something :shrug:

I am a visual person so when I walk outside I notice things like carrs and uh guys and signs and stuff ... If I try and pray while walking it just doesnt work LOL my eyes distract my mind :doh: so treadmilling is going to be hard for me :sigh:

anyway the next month or more is going to be hard... first we have all our end of year stuff and Christmas partys then Christmas then we will be on holidays for 3 weeks :sigh: I am going to have to try really hard to keep weight off let alone lose it :bawl: maybe I should just not eat :lol: although that wont even work :doh: not with hubbys mother around and my sis being a chef :lol: oh well I will just have to try and walk or run on the spot or something :sigh:

meh oh well

[Gabby]

Thanks.

I ran 8 miles straight today... plus 1/2 mile of walking bookending the run. Soooo... 9 miles total. I've never done that much running all at once. Also it was like 25 degrees Farenheit out there (for you non-Americans that's mighty cold) and very windy. I am pooped right now.

Wow! That's great furay!

I'd love to run outside, but it's too cold out right now. -20C this morning. Also I have some anxiety about runnning outside, so I'm quite attached to my treadmill.

[Cello]

OK, so wow, I'm back....been a while, I posted in this thread in April, back around the time that it began.....shortly thereafter I quit posting on any forums for a while, life got busy -- too much going on. Happened back in here the other day and sooooo, here we go!

I didn't do ANYthing back in April when I posted - didn't end up changing my eating habits or anything, with all the crud going on that was the least of my worries.

In January, my mother and I decided to take on the Discovery Health Channel National Body Challenge. So around the 16th I guess we began changing how we eat, when we eat, what we eat. I have to tell you - its been AWESOME! I have more energy than I have had in a long time....wow. And we are NOT hungry...no starvation here! We are eating a lot more whole grains, no white bread, no white potatoes....using beans more (and no my fav-o mung beans....but rather kidney beans, black beans...) eating b-fast for the first time in AGES!

So since we began I'm down about 12 pounds.

Now my next hurdle to overcome is exercise. I've been parking further away, walking abit more...but nothing substantial. We joined the Y not too long ago - mainly for my son to swim. So I'm swimming twice a week, but not steady lapping as I need to watch my son (age 4). I getin about 3 laps then play with him for a few minutes then do 3 laps - which is really ok since my respiratory is next to nil. I can do multiple laps of everything but B-fly. I am going to see the trainer soon -- really I am! We also have at home a high tech treadmill and a low-budget weight bench. I also have 2 work out videos that I really like - so my plan is to get with the e program here soon.

:)

[luv1another]

OK, so wow, I'm back....been a while, I posted in this thread in April, back around the time that it began.....shortly thereafter I quit posting on any forums for a while, life got busy -- too much going on. Happened back in here the other day and sooooo, here we go!

I didn't do ANYthing back in April when I posted - didn't end up changing my eating habits or anything, with all the crud going on that was the least of my worries.

In January, my mother and I decided to take on the Discovery Health Channel National Body Challenge. So around the 16th I guess we began changing how we eat, when we eat, what we eat. I have to tell you - its been AWESOME! I have more energy than I have had in a long time....wow. And we are NOT hungry...no starvation here! We are eating a lot more whole grains, no white bread, no white potatoes....using beans more (and no my fav-o mung beans....but rather kidney beans, black beans...) eating b-fast for the first time in AGES!

So since we began I'm down about 12 pounds.

Now my next hurdle to overcome is exercise. I've been parking further away, walking abit more...but nothing substantial. We joined the Y not too long ago - mainly for my son to swim. So I'm swimming twice a week, but not steady lapping as I need to watch my son (age 4). I getin about 3 laps then play with him for a few minutes then do 3 laps - which is really ok since my respiratory is next to nil. I can do multiple laps of everything but B-fly. I am going to see the trainer soon -- really I am! We also have at home a high tech treadmill and a low-budget weight bench. I also have 2 work out videos that I really like - so my plan is to get with the e program here soon.

:)

cool cello :thumb: oh and do keep a close eye on your son... I was under the water when my son was 3 or 4 for only like less than a minute and I found him floating half way between the top and the bottom of the pool... when I threw him up on the pool edge he came around but it just happens so quick :hug:

[Cello]

cool cello :thumb: oh and do keep a close eye on your son... I was under the water when my son was 3 or 4 for only like less than a minute and I found him floating half way between the top and the bottom of the pool... when I threw him up on the pool edge he came around but it just happens so quick :hug:

Oh that it does!!! And OMW about your son!!! That must have scared you half to death!!

My son wears a flotation device (a back belt with 'pads') in the pool area and in the water - he doesn't know how to swim yet. Plus there is a lifeguard....not foolproof, I know so as I swim I glance over every 3 or 4 strokes.

Our water story - last summer though we were in the pool (no lifegaurd) and he had gotten out for a few minutes and we had taken off his arm "floaties" and he picked up a raft and got in on the steps..we saw him, but were oblivious to the fact that his floaties were off - he was sort of half laying on the raft and then drifted off the steps and promptly flipped the raft! And it didn't ocur to us that he didn't have the bloomin floaties on! He went straight down (in 3 feet of water) til his feet landed on the bottom and there he was head JUST under the surface, arms stretched straight up for all he was worth...and still as a stick. Not thrashing, not anything, just standing there. Well I was off my seat and in the water by the time his feet hit the bottom....but it was scarey! His little face...but that is how kids drown - because they silently (so often) slip to the bottom. *shivers*

[Little Shepherd]

Oh, yay! What a wonderful thread. I'll join in on all the fun.

I am 5'6", and currently weight 280 lbs. My goal is to reach 155 lbs. I was down to 150 lbs. a few years ago when I was having gallbladder problems and literally couldn't eat, and was still a little chunky, so I might need to lose a little more weight than that, but we'll see when I get to 155 if that's the case now. I like being on the short side, and it would be wonderful to be tiny as well. But not if that would be unhealthy.

I am currently enrolled in a gym. Right now my dad and I go to the gym 3 or 4 times a week to exercise on the ellipticals for 30 minutes or so. I am quitting my job soon(I work lunch shift), and I plan on going to the morning pilates classes after that. When I get down to around 220 lbs. I will begin playing Dance Dance Revolution again. I can't currently play it because of my weight, but last time I was 220 lbs. and lower, I was able to play for hours without any problems whatsoever.

My current diet is horrible, but we recently went to the store and I've formulated a simple diet plan and procured the items necessary to fulfill it. I will eat fresh fruit w/ yogurt in the morning, a can of soup or a salad for lunch, and a small portion of meat(especially salmon) with some veggies for dinner. For drinks I will drink water and tea(unsweetened or with natural sweetener like organic honey).

I do have a few things I will never do to lose weight.
-I will never drink diet soda, or use any artificial sweeteners even though I am also cutting the table sugar in my diet way down, because no sweetener > artificial sweetener any day, especially consdering all of the problems associated with them(even the beloved Splenda).
-I will never eat anything that can't technically be classified as food. I'm looking at you, rice and corn cakes! No snacks > fake snacks.
-I won't skip meals, especially breakfast because that's a surefire way to sabotage any weight-loss attempt. I know. I've tried it before.

Here I go!

[Bill the Cat]

I was at 250 lbs in September. After visiting my doc and sticking to his prescribed plan (1500-1700 calories a day), I have lost 32 lbs. I want to get down to 180-185 lbs, so I have a way to go. It hasn't been all that difficult either. I eat a package of wheat crackers for breakfast ~250 calories (never been a breakfast guy before) 6 in. Tuna sub on Wheat from Subway and a bag of sun chips for lunch ~750 calories, and a grilled chicken sandwich on wheat for dinner ~500 calories. Sometimes I treat myself to a reeses peanut butter cup ~200 calories. It took some getting used to, but after 2-3 weeks, it has become a habit.

Lots more to do though.

[Cello]

Oh, yay! What a wonderful thread. I'll join in on all the fun.

I am 5'6", and currently weight 280 lbs. My goal is to reach 155 lbs. I was down to 150 lbs. a few years ago when I was having gallbladder problems and literally couldn't eat, and was still a little chunky, so I might need to lose a little more weight than that, but we'll see when I get to 155 if that's the case now. I like being on the short side, and it would be wonderful to be tiny as well. But not if that would be unhealthy.

I am currently enrolled in a gym. Right now my dad and I go to the gym 3 or 4 times a week to exercise on the ellipticals for 30 minutes or so. I am quitting my job soon(I work lunch shift), and I plan on going to the morning pilates classes after that. When I get down to around 220 lbs. I will begin playing Dance Dance Revolution again. I can't currently play it because of my weight, but last time I was 220 lbs. and lower, I was able to play for hours without any problems whatsoever.

My current diet is horrible, but we recently went to the store and I've formulated a simple diet plan and procured the items necessary to fulfill it. I will eat fresh fruit w/ yogurt in the morning, a can of soup or a salad for lunch, and a small portion of meat(especially salmon) with some veggies for dinner. For drinks I will drink water and tea(unsweetened or with natural sweetener like organic honey).

I do have a few things I will never do to lose weight.
-I will never drink diet soda, or use any artificial sweeteners even though I am also cutting the table sugar in my diet way down, because no sweetener > artificial sweetener any day, especially consdering all of the problems associated with them(even the beloved Splenda).
-I will never eat anything that can't technically be classified as food. I'm looking at you, rice and corn cakes! No snacks > fake snacks.
-I won't skip meals, especially breakfast because that's a surefire way to sabotage any weight-loss attempt. I know. I've tried it before.

Here I go!

WELCOME ABOARD Little Shepherd!!!

I have a total of about 40 - 50 pounds more to lose....like you I am not going to be a meal skipper and I'm done with anything even remotely resembling a rice cake!! lol. I have switched over by and large to very basic unporcessed foods - more 'natural'. And we cut almost all the sugar out...so far, so good.

I went to the Y last night to sign up for a free personal trainer assessment - its scheduled for this Sat. So next week I will begin using the exercise room htere at the Y in addition to swimming 2 times a week. I've heard great things about that Dance Revolution thing...have fun!!

[Teallaura]

I'm on day 22 of a low carb diet. As of last thursday, I'd lost 14 lbs.

:smile:

[Jnthn]

I'm going to restart my weight loss plan from today.

I suffered from frequent persistent migraine headaches during the second half of the 2005, with all the attendant symptoms of insomnial, apathy, sluggishness, depression, fast food comfort eating and an aversion to exercise.

As a result, my weight ballooned to (deep breath) about 270 lbs. I estimate that I need to be at about 196 lbs, based on body fat ratios and my heavy-built frame. Thankfully, my blood pressure is textbook and as I don't smoke and drink moderately, my overall health is not bad.

My goal is to shift about 36lbs by summer with the remainder by the Autumn. I've calculated this as achievable based on 4 hours exercise per week plus a calorie controlled diet. I am already a member of a gym, so I'm going to use it more often and try and take up playing squash again.

Jnthn's diet - Day Zero :teeth:

J

[Teallaura]

Now into the fifth week - 22 lbs as of last Friday! :woohoo:

(Possibly more - I'm sure you ladies can guess why I think that. :wink:)


I'm not hungry and have had little trouble with cravings. I've cheated only three times: Easter (1 tiny cup cake, a really tiny square of brownie, 4 cheese straws and half a cup of punch - but then I went straight back on the diet!), my study club's end-of-the-year meeting (two captain's crackers - loaded with butter! I actually only wanted the butter) and the weekend before last (I was sick and craving chicken noodle soup. I had two big bowls of Healthy Choice's version - but I didn't eat the noodles so I'm not sure it really counts).

Ya know, any other diet I'd been on this long and it wouldn't have been so easy to recount all my cheats. This is really working for me! :smile:

[Little Shepherd]

Awesome, Teal! :woohoo:

Me, I'm not doing so good. I'm actually up to 285. I want to get down to...well, numbers aren't important, but if I could wear an XL shirt comfortably by July I'll be quite happy. I'm desperate, so I'm going to take up DDR again. I pray I don't hurt myself.

[Teallaura]

:hug: I'm sorry you're having trouble.

You might want to consider a low carb diet - at least as a jump start (I did that a number of years ago and it went pretty well). On induction you'd be limited to pretty much water and unsweetened tea or coffee since you don't do diet drinks, but it's otherwise an easy diet to follow and once your body adjusts, you really don't feel hungry and you get a lot of energy back (I'm just starting to notice that now).

Whatever you decide, I wish you the best.

[Piebald]

I haven't lost any weight for the last couple months, but I'm getting back on the ball today! I've also started training with weights!

[Teallaura]

:thumb:

I love weight training - but I hate doing it alone....

[Teallaura]

Lost 6 more lbs! :yipee:


I get so nervous between weighings thinking I haven't lost anything. Nevermind that my clothes are looser - I just keep having this feeling that I'm not losing. I guess because I've failed so many times before.... :sigh:

But I've never had such an easy time staying on my diet before, either. My cheats have been few, far between and small. Heck, I don't think yesterday's actually did go over my carb limit. :shrug:

Been dragging the last couple of days - can't decide if I'm not getting enough sleep (wonder why? :whistles:) or too few carbs (did that the first two weeks - highly recommend against it!). But it hasn't been too bad.

Well, that's my update! :woohoo:

[Teallaura]

4 more pounds... :smile:


Pork rinds are carb free! :yummy:

[Little Shepherd]

Wow, awesome job, Teal! :joy:

It's so funny you posted just now because I was thinking about posting myself with something I'm going to start right now. I just checked the scale, and I'm 286. Another pound gained. But I'm strangely determined today, and I'm not going to "get started tomorrow," as I like to tell myself. I'm going to get in my car and go to the gym as soon as my iPod's recharged for a good hour of cardio. While I'm waiting on my iPod, I'm going to try to find a big water bottle.

And I'm off! :outtie:

[Teallaura]

:thumb: Good for you! You go, guy!!!!! :woohoo:

[Dee Dee Warren]

4 more pounds... :smile:


Pork rinds are carb free! :yummy:

As is....

[Teallaura]

:brood: This is the encouragement thread!

[Dee Dee Warren]

Just giving hints. Sheesh.

I have ballooned up like a moose so I likely will join this thread.

[Teallaura]

Well, let us know how that ... particular ... diet works out for you...

[Teallaura]

:noid: Am I the only one still here?



Oh well.... :shrug:










:banana:
:b_dance:I came down a size!!!!!!!:b_hop:
:b_woot:





The bananas express it better - but these guys are the ones that helped! (can't have bananas - yet! :grin:

:leek::broccoli::cucumber:

[Gabby]

:noid: Am I the only one still here?



Oh well.... :shrug:










:banana:
:b_dance:I came down a size!!!!!!!:b_hop:
:b_woot:





The bananas express it better - but these guys are the ones that helped! (can't have bananas - yet! :grin:

:leek::broccoli::cucumber:


Way to go Teal!! :woohoo:


I'm tryin' but I don't seem to be getting anywhere. :sad:

[Teallaura]

Way to go Teal!! :woohoo:


I'm tryin' but I don't seem to be getting anywhere. :sad:


:hug:

You hang in there!

[Dee Dee Warren]

I am now officially on a diet. I am somewhat reluctant to share in this thread as I don't want to be lectured on do this, don't do this. I am stubborn, have dieted before, and know what works for me.

So, here it goes. I am going to go the Jenny Craig route. I haven't signed up yet, that is something I need to do this weekend. I am joining the gym again this afternoon. And (no lectures!) I am doing the Hydroxycut thing.

I have a goal of thirty pounds to lose. In measurements this comes down to 3 inches off the waist and 2 inches off the hips. I have these measurements from my pre-fat measurements.

[Trout]

I am going to go the Jenny Craig route.

Sounds like fun.

How does the JC system track progress?

[Teallaura]

No one's gonna lecture you (JP did all that in Pal-talk :teeth:). The best diet is one that will work for you (sans anything drastically stupid - which you aren't doing).

You go, girl! :thumb:

[Dee Dee Warren]

Sounds like fun.

How does the JC system track progress?

I am the type of person that thinks long about what I want, and once I make my mind up, that is all I really need. I don't know how they are going to track it, the fat counselor is going to call me next Saturday, my food gets here Thursday, but I have my own goal of 30 pounds and three inches off the waist. I actually decided to do the lifetime membership option because the food discounts were so good, and that way if I need a maintenance month or so in the future, I am already a member. My boss is a lifetime member and has found it very helpful.

I was funny on the phone with the guy, I was like, "Listen I ain't huge or anything and not as bad as Kirstie Alley"

It was expensive, but I think worth it as my partner in these goals. It really isn't that much more than going and buying the diet meals at the store (I don't cook), the membership fee was a bit high but you get 30% off the food after a few months or so and then permanently have that 30%. I choose Jenny over Nutrisystem because you can get actual frozen meals with Jenny instead of that freeze-dried dog barf.

[Dee Dee Warren]

I am off to join the gym. I would say which one but one of my Internet stalker freaks may camp outside to try to get my picture.

[Teallaura]

:thumb: As soon as I get my check, I'm off to join the new Y in ***** (no, I don't live in ***** so nyahh!).

They have an indoor pool!!!!!!!!!! :yipee:




Oh, and one thing that's helped me - I make myself walk when I go to town or the store. No parking by the door and no driving a couple blocks instead of hoofing it. Just get a good deodorant - it's been hovering around 100 here lately and ya get a little sweaty doin' that....

I get a real workout when I go to the Walmart in **********. Since it's so far away, I stock up on the Diet Dew (They are the only one that sells the 17oz 12 packs! :sad:) - and pushing that heavy cart up a slight grade out to the end of the parking lot in 100 degree heat is hard! For some reason, 8 of those twelve packs are heavy!

Loading and unloading the car is no picnic either.... :sigh:


But next week or the week after it's pool time!!!!!! :yipee:

[Trout]

I am the type of person that thinks long about what I want, and once I make my mind up, that is all I really need. I don't know how they are going to track it, the fat counselor is going to call me next Saturday,

The counselor thing sounds really good. Acountability is very helpful.

I lost a bunch of weight and would weigh myself on a scale at work every day and hung my chart on the wall for all to see, it was a good motivator, it got several others on the road to skinnydom too. We had a daily weigh-in. We even had some of our clients charting their success.

[Dee Dee Warren]

I just got back from joining the gym. Body fat was 32%. Eeek! That sucks! Oh well I have all my fat measurements down now, it is only "downhill" figuratively speaking, from here.

I gotta go have my Weight Watchers pizza now (the Jenny food is getting here next Thursday)

[Dee Dee Warren]

Did my first work out and ended up horridly ill the next day.

But I am doing good on my diet. My Jenny food comes tomorrow.

[Teallaura]

Sorry about the illness - but congrats on doing well! :thumb:

[Glenn P]

I'm fat. Much fatter than any of the photos you've seen might suggest. I hide it well.

I have just resolved to eat less, because really that's my problem. I enjoy eating, so I do it oo much. I know enough about what's good food and what's not, but I don't follow the rules at all! So this is a start - no excessive eating between meals. As soon as I get this PhD submitted by the 1st of Sept, I'm going to the Gym.

[Dee Dee Warren]

That is exactly my problem.

[Trout]

That is exactly my problem.

:huh: You have fat pictures of Theonomy you're hiding?

[Dee Dee Warren]

It is an ugly secret. He is running around NZ covered in peanut butter.

[Trout]

It is an ugly secret. He is running around NZ covered in peanut butter.

Well, at least he's getting some excercise.

[Telleriab2]

Hm. I did not know that such a thread existed.


Great! I will gladly join to tell you about my progress!
I guess it will be appropriate to start by saying how I came to the conclusion of making the decision to lose weight. It really was by a number of different factors.

I had always been fairly chubby as a kid but became obese shortly I had commenced kindergarten (yeah, that far back). My weight only continued to increase over the years and skyrocketed when I began high school.

Throughout all of this time, my parents encouraged me as well as sabotaged me in my many attempts to lose weight: diets from the magazines my mother read (there was a particularily memorable horrid one that consisted of a week of being vegetarian and eating oatmeal three times a day; I cracked by the third day and ate ham), Jenny Craig (became boring after a while, but don't listen to me, Dee Dee), Atkins (not really healthy), and even some brief lapses into pseudo-anorexia (nothing serious).

I think that the particular triggering factor for me was my father. He, more than anyone else, always told me that he wanted me to be healthy. The weekend before he died, he spoke with me quite seriously about what I was going to do with myself. I made a promise to him that I was indeed going to lose weight. He died the following Monday.

Other triggering factors for me were the sense of realisation that, really, gluttony is a sin. Obviously, if you are harming your body in such a way that you are slowly killing yourself (I consider obesity to be a way of suicide that consists of eating too much food and combining too little exercise), it must not be good for you. And God knows best. There was also an issue of vanity involved. I just became sick of not being able to find clothes that looked nice. All of the "plus-size" clothes are just these horrible tents of loud colours that do not look pleasant at all.

In the end, it just got to a point where I decided that enough was enough. That was it. After nearly a lifetime of harming myself, I got on track and decided to achieve the life I needed to have. I would like to say that the decision itself was spontaneous (and, in a sense, it was), but it took me a long time to notice what was wrong with me. A friend of the family said to me last year in mid-October, "You know, you really should consider losing weight." And that was that. I just decided it like that.

So far, I have been doing it on my own. I have slowly educating myself with what I should and should not eat and how much I should eat. I drink water constantly and have learned to enjoy pure foods a lot more than the chemically-enriched process junk that litter our food stores.

I am quite reluctant to reveal exactly how much I weighed when I started my diet, but I can tell you that I have been quite successful! For the past two months, I have been fluctuating between sixty-nine and seventy-one pound weight loss, and it drives me up the wall!

Still, I do not get discouraged. It would be foolish of me to just quit now and gain back all that I have lost. I have simply come too far to just fall back to my old ways.

Besides, I have to keep my promise to my Dad. I know that it is what he would want me to do.

I will continue to post occassionally in this thread, when I remember to do so. In the meantime, I wish you all good luck and, please, remember to never give up on yourselves. Weight loss is a life-long process that should be fought for.

Telleriab2

(Sorry for being a bit long-winded, but I am just so excited about this thread!)

[Dee Dee Warren]

My Jenny food is coming today!

[Dee Dee Warren]

Well it got here. It looks pretty darned good for the most part, but the portions are so small! I have never seen a desert cake that small :bawl:

I need prayer stat!

[Teallaura]

:pray:

[Trout]

Well it got here. It looks pretty darned good for the most part, but the portions are so small! I have never seen a desert cake that small :bawl:

I need prayer stat!

You want me to order you a pizza?

[Teallaura]

You want me to order you a pizza?:brood: That's mean! (Which is why I didn't tell her I was having a big steak for lunch...:whistle:)





Juet remember, Dee Dee - we're your friends! :yes:






:grin:

[Dee Dee Warren]

I had somewhat of a pre-Jenny binge. :bawl:

Oh well it wasn't too bad. A couple of wine coolers, two pieces of cheese, and two reduced calorie Pringles snack packs.

[Teallaura]

:hug:

[Dee Dee Warren]

well I binged some more, but I am over it now....

had to get a good binge in before starting the Jenny

[Teallaura]

Been there - I lasted fifteen minutes on Nutri-system.

You've gotten your binge out of your system - take a deep breath and go get 'em, gal! :yes:

:hug:

[Dee Dee Warren]

It was the jalepeno salsa. It should not have been in the same house with the tortilla chips.

Plus Aunt Irma is coming for a visit, and well, you know.

[Teallaura]

By the way, didn't mean to ignore you, Tell. Congrats! :thumb:



Well, my hair is still falling out...:frown: That doesn't really worry me (it happened after my GB, too) but I'm afraid it'll all come back in grey. I'll have to dye it to donate it if that happens and I've never dyed before - I'm afraid it'll never come back the same and I like my hair color! :bawl:

Otherwise, I'm not having trouble sticking to the diet but I'm afraid I've begun to plateau (however you spell it! :hmph:). I'm gonna join the Y as soon as my travel check comes (should be a few days) and hopefully that'll jump start the weight loss again.

Swimming pool, here I come!!!! :woohoo:

Still, I was just at the forty pound mark at my last weigh in - oh, and I've gone down a full size!!!!!:b_dance:


Well, that's it for now.


-T

[Dee Dee Warren]

I am angry.

I gained a half a pount, and it wasn't from the minor binge last night since I have been eating low fat crap all week.

I am angry.

Anyways, started Jenny today. The breakfast was French Toast and fruit thimble. Of course they called it a fruit cup. It was actually pretty tasty. They supplied the low fat syrup which I only used a bit of as I am not a syrup person to begin with. I was allowed a cup of nonfat milk which I would rather eat my own puke first so I skipped that. I sprayed I can't believe its not butter on the French toast, that was good.

I will report on the snack.

I am very angry about that half a pound though. I mean spitting fire, peeved, angry. I hope it's just Irma.

[Dee Dee Warren]

Okay, snack was BBQ pita puffs. They were good and actually quite a few of them if you eat them slowly. I am not a big fan of BBQ but they were good for that.

Lunch was pesto pizza. It looked absolutely hideous with green spewage. However, it was very tasty. It even got crisp in the microwave. I have to close my eyes to eat it but it was filling and tasty.

[Dee Dee Warren]

Okay last night's dinner was good. Chicken fajitas, fell asleep. Got up for Paltalk, fell asleep again. Didn't even get to have my snack last night.

This morning was this go graze in a wheat field cereal. I had to put some sugar on it. And it called for nonfat milk, which is about the grossest thing on the planet so I substitud for 1% which is about all I can tolerate. And a tangerine. I had the tiny clementines, so I had three of those. Two for the tangerine, and one to make up for last night's snack which was supposed to be a whole orange.

I think I get a praline bar in a bit for a snack. My fat counselor is supposed to call today. I bought a scale and the stupid thing doesn't work so I got to return it. It just says zero, and while I am flattered, that is obviously not correct. Stupid thing. I am so crankly that I should not have to deal with a return. Stupid thing.

[Teallaura]

:hug:

I wouldn't worry too much about the 1/2 lb - your weight fluctuates a bit and that probably isn't anything. Had I realized you were doing the low fat thing, I'd have warned you - most processed 'low fat' foods are actually higher in calories than their regular counterparts. Ya gotta read those label - bummer, huh?

[Dee Dee Warren]

Okay.... I had the praline bar. It was okay, but I am not a fan of praline. My menu is set for the month, but next month I am going to stick with the peanut butter and chocolate and ditch the praline. It wasn't horrible, I just don't like praline all that much.

Good news, I had to have nonfat yogurt. I thought I would puke. It was actually pretty good, but I made a mistake and bought the smallest ones possible (because I thought I would puke) and I can actually have 2oz more! I have to go buy the 6oz ones now. I'll eat the 4oz ones for now.

My fat counselor called, I think she found me quite unusual. I told her no more barfy cheese and broccolli stuff.... she is sending me a few free meals, and told me to give the sandwiches I won't eat to someone else. My boss does Jenny and she likes broccolli so I am going to give them to her.

I start late so I haven't even eaten lunch yet which will be before the gym and errands. Lunch is chicken strips with rice medely and a salad (I am substituting a cucumber salad, I don't like lettuce very much and cukes are one of the "free" foods) and the Jenny's dressing which is good. I will report back.

Dinner is Salisbury steak and a peanut butter and chocolate bar!!!

Snack for later is double chocolate cake. Kirstie says that is the bomb. She should know eh? Well we shall see.

[Dee Dee Warren]

Where are the rest of my fellow fatties???

Go vote for me in Trout's poll.

[Teallaura]

:brood: What am I, choppped liver!?

I even answered your posts! :glare:



:hmph:

[Dee Dee Warren]

The rest meant everyone else who isn't here. Where is GoBa? Is he done beating himself up for failing to meeting his dry toast and tofu unrealistic goal?

[Trout]

All this talk of Jenny Craig makes me feel bad for Mr. Xena.

[Dee Dee Warren]

when I couldn't find my menu planner this morning it was really miserable for him

and he started rooting around in the freezer and I was like HANDS OFF JENNY!!!!!

[Trout]

when I couldn't find my menu planner this morning it was really miserable for him

and he started rooting around in the freezer and I was like HANDS OFF JENNY!!!!!

It's like the tribulation for him; isn't it? He's probably at Burger King as we speak.

[Dee Dee Warren]

Lunch was good. Yes, I am having lunch at dinnertime since I started late. I am going to be out running errands and going to the Gym. I get an apple for a break. I will bring an apple with me and eat it at the gym most likely.

[Teallaura]

Had two slices of cheese for breakfast - didn't want anything more. 4 carb. Several pieces of sugar free candy - 1 carb total. Half bag of BBQ pork rinds.

Had a late lunch - a big hamburger steak with worcestershire sauce for lunch - Well, half anyway. Couldn't finish it. 1 carb.

Too full to eat anything else for a while - although I did have a York peppermint pattie for dessert. :thumb:

6 carbs to date...

[Dee Dee Warren]

today went well, a bit hungry though

I have some snacks for later

I want to go itno the hot tub at the gym but there were too many fat hair men

[JardinPrayer]

Well, since I started this thread, perhaps I should start participating in it again!

Hubby and I talked about Jenny Craig in the car today on the way home from our mini-vacation in St. Pete's Beach. We stayed in a hotel room that had more mirrored wall space than any beach resort ought to have! I mean, you're there to spend most of the time in your bathing suit...why should you have to look at your reflection every time you turn around so you can see how mortified you should be to actually go OUT of the hotel room in a bathing suit?!?!?!?!

I'd lost a little over 30 lbs on the Atkins diet a few years ago. I'd never do that diet again (it really is waaaaay unhealthy), but since I've put 20 of those pounds back on, it is seriously time to do something. I just got disgusted with myself over the weekend.

Jenny Craig won't work for me for the very same reasons it does work for DeeDee...the structure. I'm an excellent cook and love food too much to let someone send me packages and tell me what to eat...and I cannot imagine the food will taste good enough for me. So, Craig and I decided to simply cut out the fat products as much as possible, watch the calories, and eat tons of veggies. It has worked for him in the past (he just has a little paunch to lose but is otherwise trim). I'm throwing away the ice cream, looking into butter-products that are "heart smart," using 1% milk in my coffee instead of half & half, and stuff like that. Starting tomorrow.

And...something I have never done while dieting before: I intend to begin some kind of exercise program. Since I'm battling Fibromyalgia, just about anything I can think to try will hurt, but I'm going to actually start the Pilates program I bought on DVD last week and I may take the free yoga class at a nearby church twice a week.

I'm rooting for both of you sistas...add me to the pack!

[Teallaura]

:cool:

My doctor disagrees with you, by the way... :tongue:


Wasn't very hungry today. Didn't eat much - only 11 carbs thus far - almost all cheese.

As soon as I can get to ***** I'm going to join the Y - my check came!

:joy: Swimming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dee Dee Warren]

Back when I was really fit and had a nutrionist and all, she spoke of the Atkins plan and carbs and all that, and it isn't one size fits all. Contrary to claim on both sides, carbs do not make all persons fat. Some persons' bodies crave them and it is dismal failure to cut them out. I am one of them. I could never do a low carb diet, but for others it is perfect. One of the bosses where I work did very well on one.

The Jenny food tastes pretty good by the way.

[Teallaura]

Actually, no diet is one size fits all - you need to find one that fits your own eating habits. For me, it's not going hungry. I'd never make it on the Jenny thing you're doing. But I've been doing fine with Atkins.

I do think the fact that I had a GB 3 1/2 years ago helps now, but I could have probably stuck to this better before then (I tried the Mayo clinic version before and didn't last so long).

[JardinPrayer]

Actually, it was a doctor who first put me on the Atkins diet. And again, I did extremely well on it, though I have a resistent metabolism, so it took FOREVER, but I did lose the weight. The thing about Atkins is that you can't really view it as a diet...it is more a lifestyle choice, like vegetarianism. And, I simply could not continue packing that much meat and fat into my system...particularly because my body really wanted to resist the process. My current doctor calls Atkins a "fad diet." I don't think it is, but I'm unsure about the long term health effects of eating that way for the rest of one's life. Teal, if you go off that diet, you WILL regain the weight unless you replace the lifestyle choice with another - like calorie counting or low fat chocies.

DeeDee, I'm glad you're enjoying the Jenny food, but I'm guessing I am far pickier than you on this front. I have never met a prepared food product I preferred to my own cooking. Since I love to cook, I think I can do well here by simply restocking my pantry with the right stuff. The only real problem here will be not knowing what the calorie count and total fat count will be on homemade stuff (no handy nutritional information box), but I know that sugar, butter, cream, and cheese need to be kept to a minimum.

So, we have a Jenny, an Atkins, and an old-school dieter going on at once. I think this is cool. Forgive me for not reading back far enough in the thread, but would you two mind telling me the dates you started and your loss to date?

I started today with a cup of coffee (sweetened with honey rather than refined sugar...better for fibromyalgia sufferers) and lightened with 1% milk (the half and half went down the drain). I ate the heel of a loaf of honey wheat bread we made while I was making Craig's lunch (nothing on it). I am nursing a bottle of water now (it will be my first of many). Lunch will be grazing on things like baby carrots, sunflower seeds and almonds. I may sneak in a banana chip or two, but they are coated in sugar. Not sure about dinner yet.

Edited to add: Teal, have you looked in the South Beach diet, versus Atkins? It is a little more forgiving and also has wonderful results. I have the cook book handy if you don't.

[Teallaura]

JP, any diet you go off of without maintenence of some kind will have you regaining weight. Heck, I regained weight after a GB - and no, I didn't stretch my stomach.

Since cholestrol numbers tend to drop on Atkins, I doubt seriously that those health concerns are all that valid. Kidneys and liver are the most likely to be adversely affected organs - not the heart. (Any diet has that potential, by the way.)

Like I said, it's finding what works for you - and works with you. Low cal was extremely frustrating for me - in 17 months I lost only 35 lb - and I worked very hard at it, too!

South Beach and Protein Power were both more complicated than I could deal with. I need simple in order to fit it into my hectic work day. Maybe something to look at again when I'm on maintenence, but not now.

[JardinPrayer]

JP, any diet you go off of without maintenence of some kind will have you regaining weight. Heck, I regained weight after a GB - and no, I didn't stretch my stomach.
Yup. Maintenance seems to be what defeats everyone. Most of us are either on or off of a diet. And, I believe many people regain weight after a GB...what's her name from Wilson Phillips is speaking out on that now.


Since cholestrol numbers tend to drop on Atkins, I doubt seriously that those health concerns are all that valid. Kidneys and liver are the most likely to be adversely affected organs - not the heart. (Any diet has that potential, by the way.)
Yes, I did a lot of reading when I did Atkins. My cholesterol level did go down (it is now a bit high). I had to be SURE to use Benefiber regularly on Atkins...the potential for constipation always loomed! And, in the long haul, I just got tired of that much meat!


Like I said, it's finding what works for you - and works with you. Low cal was extremely frustrating for me - in 17 months I lost only 35 lb - and I worked very hard at it, too!
It took me 14 months to lose 30 lbs on Atkins. That was a LONG time to stick with the first phase and I was diligent in my effort. So, I'm chalking it up to "not working with me." I'm rooting for you, though!


South Beach and Protein Power were both more complicated than I could deal with. I need simple in order to fit it into my hectic work day. Maybe something to look at again when I'm on maintenence, but not now.
Hmmm...I seem to remember South Beach simply allowing more low-glycemic carbs.

When on Atkins, I had a milkshake every morning with HEAVY cream, almond extract, Splenda (which I will not use any longer, having discovered some undesireable things about how it is made), and ice. It made Craig gag just to watch me down it! Then, I would eat some cold slices of BBQed London Broil...and voila! Breakfast! One can only do that so many mornings! :lol:

[Gabby]

Edited to add: Teal, have you looked in the South Beach diet, versus Atkins? It is a little more forgiving and also has wonderful results. I have the cook book handy if you don't.

I'm planning on starting the South Beach Diet uuummmmmmm .............soon. :hehe: No really. I'm hoping for next week when hopefully we will be done traveling. This summer has been really hard on the scale as I haven't been able to keep a consistant excersise program. Next week I should also be able to start excersising consisitantly again.

[Dee Dee Warren]

DeeDee, I'm glad you're enjoying the Jenny food, but I'm guessing I am far pickier than you on this front. I have never met a prepared food product I preferred to my own cooking.

I am very very fussy. And we can't expect too much, like for it to be as good as our own cooking. But it is very good food surprisingly.



So, we have a Jenny, an Atkins, and an old-school dieter going on at once. I think this is cool. Forgive me for not reading back far enough in the thread, but would you two mind telling me the dates you started and your loss to date?

I just started basically so no loss yet. I have my goals firmly set.

[Teallaura]

Sorry, I missed your last question, JP. March 28, '06; 40 lbs as of a week ago (I don't weigh more than every two weeks)

[Dee Dee Warren]

cheated a bit yesterday but not much. I have lost a bit, mostly because Irma's bloating has gone.

I weigh in on Friday's.... I think I will have a substantial loss this Friday due to the bloating issue being gone

[JardinPrayer]

Well, I'm cooking dinner for Day 2 rignt now. Such a clever multi-tasker am I!

Cheated on Day 1 because I hadn't made the complete emotional leap yet and because I had leftover almond cookies from our vacation. I ate 2, then went back for 2 more and threw the rest away! Later, I went grocery shopping and spent about $150 on new things to have in stock to make this easier. Dinner was a store-bought rotisserie chicken (with skin removed), shared with hubby, and a very large salad of romaine lettuce, baby spinach, baby carrots, bermuda onion, lightly-salted edamame (soy beans), toasted pine nuts and sesame seeds, and Newman's balsamic dressing (the light version). No carb for this meal. Bottled water to drink. It was very satisfying and tasty. I will be experimenting with salad a lot now. We usually do a standard greek, but I am bored with that.

Today, a bowl of Total with a sliced banana and 1% milk for breakfast, a few Triscuit crackers with 2 slices of baby swiss cheese, 3 bottles of water. Dinner is baked pork chops in a plum sauce marinade, brown rice which I will brilliantly season later on, and collared greens sauteed in extra virgin olive oil with garlic and slivered onion. I may toss some chopped apple into that when it is cooked...maybe. More bottled water.

Then, off to admin the PalTalk room streaming DeeDee's Gene Cook appearance. I hereby proclaim that she will not suck!

[Teallaura]

Joined the Y today!!!!!! :woohoo:

Water aroebics in a week!!!!!!!!

[Gabby]

Joined the Y today!!!!!! :woohoo:

Water aroebics in a week!!!!!!!!

Way to go! Water aroebics is fun. :yes:

[JardinPrayer]

I should look into water aerobics. I'm thinking about yoga and Pilates, but with my fibromyalgia, I'm not sure I can handle either. Good thought...I'll keep it in mind!

[Teallaura]

I've done it before - it's fun. And my orthopedist says it's good for my knee (bad knee!).

:sad: I am soooo stressing - I keep thinking I'm not losing weight anymore. I can't weigh now (bloating kinda does skew the result :ahem:) and it's really bugging me.

[JardinPrayer]

I've done it before - it's fun. And my orthopedist says it's good for my knee (bad knee!).
I've got bad knees, too. Bursitis.


:sad: I am soooo stressing - I keep thinking I'm not losing weight anymore. I can't weigh now (bloating kinda does skew the result :ahem:) and it's really bugging me.
You probably know this already, but plateaus are not uncommon on the Atkins plan. I believe the official advice is to go back to the induction diet for a week until you begin to lose again. Don't stress...that doesn't do anyone any good at all...least of all, you!

[Dee Dee Warren]

I have lost a few pounds!

And I didn't suck!

[Gabby]

I've done it before - it's fun. And my orthopedist says it's good for my knee (bad knee!).

:sad: I am soooo stressing - I keep thinking I'm not losing weight anymore. I can't weigh now (bloating kinda does skew the result :ahem:) and it's really bugging me.

Don't worry about whether or not you've plateaued until after you've started your excersise, then make adjustments if you need. Your body is just getting comfortable the excersise should kick start things again.

[Teallaura]

Don't worry about whether or not you've plateaued until after you've started your excersise, then make adjustments if you need. Your body is just getting comfortable the excersise should kick start things again.:hug: I know - but I've been paranoid about it since the beginning. I'm gonna see how the exercise works out. I can't go on induction - I never got off it. But I read one recommendation to drop off entirely for a few days and start over - I'll try that if it seriously plateaus.

Funny thing is, I don't want to drop off at all. I wonder if I could get by by using the low carb stuff I'm avoiding now because it's too high for me right now (low carb ice cream! :woohoo: Man, I wish they made that in single serve!) and maybe some pasta... I just don't want to go back to what was normal... Weird, huh?

I'm gonna pick up some ketosis strips and check myself. Water aerobics starts next week I think! :joy:

[Trout]

Where have all the dieters gone . . . long time passing

[Gabby]

:sigh:

[Teallaura]

I got several complements this last week. I'm hoping that means I'm still losing. :uneasy:

[Dee Dee Warren]

I do my weight tomorrow. I have been doing well on keeping to the food which for the most part is pretty good. I am going to start customizing more to only get hte food I really like now that I have tried it all.

[Trout]

Shouldn't you get the food you don't like?

[JardinPrayer]

Well, not quite 2 weeks and I've lost about 5 pounds. I'm not counting calories, but just trying to do portion control. I'm walking around with a bottle of water in my hand constantly and that is helping with the hunger pangs from eating small meals. I have very little during the day and save all the calories for dinner, where I can feel satisfied that I had a somewhat "big" meal.

I've cheated twice, which is crazy for less than 2 weeks!!!! Once was out to dinner in a nice restaurant with friends. Had to have the creme brulee...it was dinner OUT, after all! The other was last night, when I made sugared strawberries and cream for dinner guests. Couldn't help having a small portion.

Craig says he loves me no matter what I weigh. I may be a lost cause!

But, I'm just about ready to start some kind of exercise program...something I've never done before. Pray for me!

[Teallaura]

:pray: Sure thing.





:woohoo: I'm wearing my skinny (relative term :ahem:) pants!!!!!!!!!!

Actually, pray for me too - there's gonna be funnel cake and snow cones at today's event.... :uhoh:

[JardinPrayer]

:pray: I will! I know if it were me, I'd be thinking "This is a cheat day!"

[Teallaura]

Well, I'm right at 20 carbs for the day - but I will probably make it 24 tonight - is that enough cheating for you? :teeth:


Neither the funnel cakes nor the snow cones were there this year - but the pork kabobs were delicious! Four followed me home! :yummy:

I'm in my skinny pants!!!!!! :yipee:

[JardinPrayer]

Awesome news about the skinny pants, Teal! :yipee:

I'm just getting started, so I'm not on the scale much, but I am pounding down the bottled water and trying to avoid high fat/high calorie items. Today was Saturday, so I gave myself a break. Both the cole slaw and the baked beans were high-calorie, but I loved them!

And, about the pork kebobs following you home: I've heard they do that. Still, that should be fine for your diet, right?

[Teallaura]

Yup, meat I can have all I want! :yes:

I only weigh every two to four weeks. I won't (okay, probably won't) weigh again for a couple weeks yet (I wait for my doctor's appointment, but we had to schedule it a couple weeks late this time). I'm really hoping to have met or be really close to my first goal by then. I'm gonna celebrate with low carb Rocky road!

Cole slaw and baked beans are staples - I don't think they should count at all! :yummy:


I miss baked beans...:sad:

[Teallaura]

Two more pounds... :sigh: I think I'm retaining water, so maybe it was really more...



I saw my doc today and he thinks I have an ulcer.... :sad: I can live with that, but he wants me to shift to a 1200 cal diet! :bawl: I can't! Those diets have never worked for me - not ever! I haven't even reached my first goal yet (11 lbs to go) - I don't wanna change diets!!!!!!!! :bawl:

I don't know what I'm gonna do. :sad:

[Teallaura]

:bawl:


Nobody loves me!!!!


:argh: I don' wanna stop! I start water aerobics tomorrow (I was sick yesterday... :sad:) and I think I see where the 'carb creep' problem may have started....


I wanna lose more weight - I don' wanna try the stupid 1200 cal thingie!!!!!

:bawl:

[JardinPrayer]

Is your doctor one of those who does not approve of low carb diets? It was my doc who put me ON Atkins back then. But, they all have personal philosophies.

Just because your doc suggests something doesn't mean you have to do it. I'm a firm believer in doing your own research and making your own decisions unless you have a serious illness. I have very little confidence in the doctors I have seen since moving to Jacksonville. They just generally annoy me with their 15 minute visits and their cookie cutter advice. So, do a google search on ulcers and low carb diets and see what comes up.

Then, how about going off the diet for a few days - have some cole slaw and baked beans! - and then going back on induction. I think that will help.

As for me, I'm trying to do the low calorie thing, and I don't really think I'm losing. I'm just HUNGRY all the time!

[Gabby]

Teal, when do you find out for sure if you have an ulcer or not? Is the 1200 calories to help take care of that? If you actually don't have an ulcer you then wouldn't have to do the 1200 calorie thing right!?

[Teallaura]

He didn't test for it - but since the acid reducer is working I think it's a fair bet. It's NSAID related so it should heal pretty easily now (as long as I don't do anything else stupid... like forgetting and taking ibuprophen and aspirin... :blush:).

I'm thinking about dropping off for a few days like Jardin suggested, but, weird as this sounds, it's not that easy. I've gotten used to eating this way and actually am beginning to prefer it. I could try the carb loading... but I don't have the slightest desire to really do it. I'll probably have to...

I can't do low cal - I just can't. It doesn't work and I absolutely will not follow a diet that makes me hungry. And no, JP, my doc isn't one of the philosophically opposed, he just thinks it is hard on my stomach and kidneys right now... and he's probably right.... :uneasy:

I'm kinda leaning on the veggies and weaning a bit off the protein and hoping that helps. I really just don't want the carbs - not scared of them, I don't want them.

Maybe low carb ice cream would help? :shrug:

Thanks, guys! :hug:

[JardinPrayer]

See? Somebody loves you!

[Teallaura]

:hug: Thanks....

[Dee Dee Warren]

I have been pretty freakin' hungry

[Teallaura]

:hug: Hang in there!

[Teallaura]

Well, I finally made it to the Y!

Unfortunately, both Thur and Sat, the water aerobics class I wanted didn't meet. Thru the pool was icy (heater broke) and it wasn't much better Sat. Sat I braved the cold and swam laps... This didn't go well.

It's olympic sized, so I'm not unhappy that I only managed five laps (not pretty ones) for a first time. But I became really dizzy. I thought it was because I didn't have my glasses on, but even in the locker room it wasn't much of an improvement. I had to wait until I wasn't as sick before I could get it together and leave. I stopped for food, thinking maybe that would help - and it did, a bit. But it was not a fun drive home (40 miles). I slept it off but still felt bad most of yesterday. Not sure why - but I'd felt bad the day before so maybe that was it... :shrug:

But the water aerobics class I wanted has been suspended - it seems the instructor thinks that having her baby is somehow an excuse... :hmph:


(:teeth:)

Come to think of it, I'm not feeling great now... :sad:

[JardinPrayer]

Could it be that bodies don't much like being shoved out of their comfort zones? I know I usually respond to any new kind of therapy or (Heaven forbid) exercise with a migraine or some other lovely symptom. Massage therapists are always talking about the importance of drinking LOTS of water after their work in order to flush the toxins out of your system. I've personally experienced the difference in drinking water and not, post-massage. It's good advice.

Congrats big time on 5 laps...pretty or not. I'm sure I would not have made 5 Olympic laps.

[Teallaura]

Well, two plusses today! :smile:

I always weigh at my monthly doctor's appointment (not like I have a choice! :ahem:) and usually just then. Well, I'd been weighed at that doctor's visit (different doc) last week and I'd only lost two pounds! :sad: Well, today I had lost seven!!!! :yipee: Guess I'd been retaining water or something... :shrug:

But anyway, that puts me within 6 lbs of my first goal! :woohoo: And my skinny pants are just a tad looser - really!

The other plus is that I went in to the Y (more convenient after the doc appointment) and finally got to attend a water aerobics class!!!! :joy:



:smug: It's been a good day!

[Gabby]

I went to the Y today and paid for a trainer to help me customize an excersise program. Now if only I could get my running jump started again. :sigh:

[Dee Dee Warren]

Just got off the phone with my Jenny fat counselor. I only lost a 1/2 lb this week but it is pre-Irma time so I am glad I lost anything. Official tally 10 pounds

[Teallaura]

:yipee: Congrats!


Come on, Gabby - you can do it! :yes:

[Teallaura]

I'm noticing that I can feel bones (easily) again... Weird how that is something you don't miss until you can do it again. :shrug:


They got that pool fixed - it's cooler than the other one (s'posed to be) but warm enough that its comfortable... :yipee:


Now, real prob - should I take off for an hour or so after I do my interview this morning for my WA class or drive back (not a short drive!) this afternoon?... :cs:

[JardinPrayer]

Well, it seems I'm off the wagon. I'm finding I'm really hungry during the day and saving dinner for the big meal of the day. I know it should be lunch, but this is when I cook for my husband. I'm also not exercising yet, so I'm sure that's contributing to the slow metabolism. I lost 5 lbs of water weight the first week and have stayed there ever since. So, I decided to celebrate over the weekend with ice cream.

Granted, it's LITE ice cream...but I make up for that by topping it with lots of whipped cream. I keep the dish small so I can't eat too much...just a hefty scoop. How that ice cream got into my freezer is a mystery. I think an evil gnome snuck in while we slept and put it there.

I also allowed Craig to make Dutch babies for Saturday breakfast. If you've never had those, they're like Yorkshire pudding, but without the gravy. Flour and egg baked to fluffy goodness. You top them with melted butter and lemon juice and heaping tablespoons (yes, that's plural) of powdered sugar. Wonderful for the waistline.

If anyone ever needed support, apparently I do.

[Teallaura]

:hug:

[Gabby]

Way to go Teal! Sounds like things are still coming along well for you!

Hey Jardin, are you drinking enough water? I know it helps me to not feel so hungry through out the day. If I do happen to get hungry and don't give myself a bit of a snack my eating control seems to go right out the window. Anyways, keep trying, it'll come!


I've started back into my M, W, F, cardio class, plus my martial arts from M-Th. nights. I still haven't gotten on track with my running. :sigh: I did sign up for a personal trainer at the Y, but I haven't heard from them yet. :sigh: Guess I should call the Y and see what's happening. As far as my eating has gone, I haven't started South Beach. I just don't seem to have any gumption to do it. I'd rather excersise all day than not get to eat what I want. :sigh:

oh, and I've gained 3 lbs. since I've started back excersising. :bawl: It gets so discouraging sometimes.

chris

[JardinPrayer]

Gumption. Excellent word. Yes, I drink plenty of water...doesn't seem to help. Interestingly, I drink more water when I'm actively dieting than when I fall off the wagon. I guess all those extra carbs take away the need to refresh! Still, I try to get 3 to 4 17-oz bottles of purified water into me per day. On a bad day, I get 2 down. Never less. My chiropractor and massage therapist say that's adequate. I was given the formula of your body weight divided by 2 being the number of ounces of water you need.

I ate half a sleeve of Lorna Doone's for lunch. With a bottle of water.

[Gabby]

Gumption. Excellent word. Yes, I drink plenty of water...doesn't seem to help. Interestingly, I drink more water when I'm actively dieting than when I fall off the wagon. I guess all those extra carbs take away the need to refresh! Still, I try to get 3 to 4 17-oz bottles of purified water into me per day. On a bad day, I get 2 down. Never less. My chiropractor and massage therapist say that's adequate. I was given the formula of your body weight divided by 2 being the number of ounces of water you need.

I ate half a sleeve of Lorna Doone's for lunch. With a bottle of water.

Lorna Doone??

[Teallaura]

Don't feel bad, Gabby - that's normal! Muscle weighs more than fat so unless you are losing fat very fast you will seem to gain some weight while your muscles are building up. You're doing great! :woohoo:

[JardinPrayer]

Lorna Doone's are very tasty shortbread cookies I have been eating since I was a kid. Well, not non-stop. They go down easy, so it's easy to eat half a sleeve, which is about 10 cookies, without even knowing what you've done. It's when the crumbs start to cake up in your mouth and you have to wash them down with that good old bottled water that you even think about taking a count. Then, in my case, you eat a few more before twisting the plastic wrapper and stuffing the sleeve back in the box.

[Teallaura]

:joy:

Okay, you know those 'maybe' clothes you buy? They're really inexpensive or just a bit too small and you think 'maybe I can wear this...'? Well, I got into one of my 'maybes' today!!!!!!!



:woohoo:

[Gabby]

:joy:

Okay, you know those 'maybe' clothes you buy? They're really inexpensive or just a bit too small and you think 'maybe I can wear this...'? Well, I got into one of my 'maybes' today!!!!!!!



:woohoo:

Way to go!! :toast:

[Dee Dee Warren]

I love Lorna Doone's

[JardinPrayer]

I love Lorna Doone's


Uh-oh. Have I stumbled my brother?







Congrats in a really big way, Teal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :bravo:

[Teallaura]

:blush: Thanks JP!


I can feel bones! I haven't felt my hip bones in a very long time (ya don't miss it until you can do it again). And my collar bones - and shoulders!

Yeah, I still got a long way to go - but this is soooo cool!

[Dee Dee Warren]

I am with Jardin. Lorna Doones are present. 'Nuff said

[Teallaura]

I am with Jardin. Lorna Doones are present. 'Nuff saidLet us know how things go Monday when you restart your diet....




:teeth:

[JardinPrayer]

Let us know how things go Monday when you restart your diet....




:teeth:

I'm sure you were talking to DeeDee, since I am officially off the wagon. I think I will simply embrace my porkitude.

[Kelp]

:blush: Thanks JP!


I can feel bones! I haven't felt my hip bones in a very long time (ya don't miss it until you can do it again). And my collar bones - and shoulders!

Yeah, I still got a long way to go - but this is soooo cool!

Just for that, you are my new hero Teal! Keep going, believe me I know what's it like to struggle.

[JardinPrayer]

Just for that, you are my new hero Teal! Keep going, believe me I know what's it like to struggle.

No one knows what it's like to struggle until they have tried to tame Johnny Nazarene!

[Teallaura]

:hug: Thanks, Kelp!



No one knows what it's like to struggle until they have tried to tame Johnny Nazarene!

:brood: You leave my cheering section alone and get back on that diet!

Come on, you can do this! :yes:

[Dee Dee Warren]

I am going back on my diet today unless hubby wants to go out to eat or something. I think I gained a few pounds...

[Teallaura]

Atta girl!!! :woohoo:

[JardinPrayer]

Yep...she did. I watched those pounds accumulate before my very eyes.




Actually, I'm lying. I didn't see any evidence of over-eating. We had a very healthy hibachi Japanese dinner Friday, she drank only diet soda, and was not tempted to join me when I stopped for ice cream outside the Tiki Hut attraction Saturday. The most obvious un-Jenny thing I saw was french fries at lunch.

I was the one eating the Lorna Doones and ice cream!





I'm sort of half-heartedly dieting. I'm not completely undisciplined like I was, but I'm also not as steadfast as I was for the first 2 weeks when I saw only a 4 lb. water weight loss. My metabolism is just ridiculously resistent to losing unless I'm exercising...at least I'm guessing exercise will help...I've never really tried it.

Soon Teal. Soon.

[Teallaura]

:happymoss: Oh good....

[Teallaura]

:yipee: Touchdown!!!!!!! :yipee:





:joy: I made my first goal!!!!!!! :joy:



:woohoo:

[Gabby]

:yipee: Touchdown!!!!!!! :yipee:


:joy: I made my first goal!!!!!!! :joy:

:woohoo:


:yes2: :toast:

:yougo:

Way to go Laura!!

:woohoo:

[JardinPrayer]

:yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee: :yipee:

[Teallaura]

:blush: Thanks.....

[Dee Dee Warren]

Now at 13.5 pounds lost

[Gabby]

Now at 13.5 pounds lost

Way to go!! :yahoo:

[Teallaura]

Now at 13.5 pounds lost:woohoo:

[JardinPrayer]

I had the pecan pie for dessert last night at dinner with Mossy. And, the Monte Cristo sandwich (batter dipped and fried) for brunch with Mossy and Faramir.

I am just so off the wagon.

[Teallaura]

:hug: Okay, so now get back on....

[LGM]

I'm sort of half-heartedly dieting. I'm not completely undisciplined like I was, but I'm also not as steadfast as I was for the first 2 weeks when I saw only a 4 lb. water weight loss. My metabolism is just ridiculously resistent to losing unless I'm exercising...at least I'm guessing exercise will help...I've never really tried it.


Exercise is the key in any serious effort to burn fat. You are destined to fail if you try dieting alone.

If you truly want to burn fat and change your metabolism, you must combine aerobic and resistance training, preferably alternating between the two, 30 - 60 minutes a day, 5 days a week.

Interval training is best, and also varying your aerobic and resistance training regimens is best.

As far as diet, several smaller meals of lean protien and complex, unrefined carbohydrates are best. Whole grain cereals and breads, egg whites, lean chicken, fish and pork, skim milk, fresh fruits and vegetables. Limit refined sugars, fried foods, junk carbohydrates, and whole dairy. If you do have an indulging meal, just do an extra mile, or an extra 3 sets of bench presses, squats or crunches.

If you've never exercised, you obviously must start slowly. Brisk walking for 30 minutes could be used for aerobic conditioning. As long as you raise your heart rate to an aerobic conditioning zone. For resistance training, you could use any number of exercises that use your own body weight, you can also exercise with dumbells. It obviously would also help to participate in some kind of regular athletic activity, hiking, biking, swimming, skiing on a regular basis.

There is a difference between losing weight and losing fat. There is a difference between weighing little less, and being in good physical condition.

Jenny Craig is not the place to improve fitness. The YMCA, Bally's or your home treadmill and gym are.

[Telleriab2]

It has been a while since I have been in here.


First of all, mucho congrats to Teal and DeeDee! Keep up the very good work!

I feel great today. For the past two months or so, I have been struggling to get past the seventy-two pound point that I have been stuck on. Today, I weighed myself and saw that I indeed surpassed the 72 mark by one pound. I wish it could have been more, but I am quite pleased nonetheless.

My one-year anniversary of my change in lifestyle is coming up, about mid-month of October. It is my goal (perhaps a little extreme) to hit eighty pounds by the 15th. If anything, I shall be glad that at whatever point I may reach, I am in a much better shape than I was a year ago. And that is something.

[Telleriab2]

Exercise is the key in any serious effort to burn fat. You are destined to fail if you try dieting alone.

If you truly want to burn fat and change your metabolism, you must combine aerobic and resistance training, preferably alternating between the two, 30 - 60 minutes a day, 5 days a week.

Interval training is best, and also varying your aerobic and resistance training regimens is best.

As far as diet, several smaller meals of lean protien and complex, unrefined carbohydrates are best. Whole grain cereals and breads, egg whites, lean chicken, fish and pork, skim milk, fresh fruits and vegetables. Limit refined sugars, fried foods, junk carbohydrates, and whole dairy. If you do have an indulging meal, just do an extra mile, or an extra 3 sets of bench presses, squats or crunches.

If you've never exercised, you obviously must start slowly. Brisk walking for 30 minutes could be used for aerobic conditioning. As long as you raise your heart rate to an aerobic conditioning zone. For resistance training, you could use any number of exercises that use your own body weight, you can also exercise with dumbells. It obviously would also help to participate in some kind of regular athletic activity, hiking, biking, swimming, skiing on a regular basis.

There is a difference between losing weight and losing fat. There is a difference between weighing little less, and being in good physical condition.

Jenny Craig is not the place to improve fitness. The YMCA, Bally's or your home treadmill and gym are.

Ditto to that. It is important to not get discouraged about this. At all. Finding the time to schedule in exercise sessions is a bit of a challenge. But, remember: Even some exercise is better than no exercise at all.

And exercise, combined with a good, steady diet, is the winning combo to a healthy lifestyle.

[Teallaura]

:woohoo: Congrats, Tell! Ya know, just maintaining after a loss can be a milestone itself.

:thumb: Great job!

[Jade]

Over the last few months, I kept seeing this thread pop up and I kept telling myself I was going to starting dieting again. Today, I was pleasently surprised to see that the thread had reached 13 pages (that might be off as I'm not sure if my posts per page is set at default or not). :smile:

Good job everybody on your sucesses so far. :thumb:

As for me, last Friday I started my 3 serious lifetime attempt at dieting.

Goal:

90-100 pounds
eating heathier

Method:

low-carb
stop eating before I get full
cut out all "unclean" foods (not a theological choice, but have been convinced it's a healthier way to eat)
increase activity level by increasing household work
For a whole month (I got a freebie month at the local gym), work out at the gym 3 times per week for 1/2 hour each time. <--starting this next Monday

I've got to go pick up my youngest from Head Start School. I'll continue this post then.

[Jade]

Ok, I'm back. Now, where was I. Oh yes...

I am also taking a women's multivitamin, fiber tablets, and fish oil.

I'm going to beg/borrow/or...buy a measuring tape by the 13th of this month.

My weight this past friday was 240-even. I'll report on my weight (and measurements after I get the measuring tape) each friday beginning on the 6th of this month.

I really want to make being overweight a thing of the past. I'm so tired of not liking the skin I'm in and my feet have begun to cronically hurt.

[Trout]

Jade, I'm proud of you, I know you can make it happen.

[Jade]

Jade, I'm proud of you, I know you can make it happen.

Thanks trout. :smile:

BTW, I'm using this website to record all my foods.
http://fitday.com/WebFit/Index.html
First off, it's free. :teeth: And it calculates calories, fiber, fat, vitamins, and other good things for you, and even graphs them. (Of course, unless it is fresh produce or meat, you'll want to enter custom items, because I've seen a big difference in their standard nutrition facts for an item and the label off the item I eat.) Plus you can record your activity, and it'll display how many calories you've burned. Maybe someone else will find it helpful. :shrug:

[Gabby]

Ok, I'm back. Now, where was I. Oh yes...

I am also taking a women's multivitamin, fiber tablets, and fish oil.

I'm going to beg/borrow/or...buy a measuring tape by the 13th of this month.

My weight this past friday was 240-even. I'll report on my weight (and measurements after I get the measuring tape) each friday beginning on the 6th of this month.

I really want to make being overweight a thing of the past. I'm so tired of not liking the skin I'm in and my feet have begun to cronically hurt.

:yougo: :thumb:

[Dee Dee Warren]

Jenny Craig is not the place to improve fitness. The YMCA, Bally's or your home treadmill and gym are.

Umm you do know they don't claim to do so? And for most people, it's a website, so I doubt anyone thinks going to www.jennycraig.com is going to improve fitness.

One thing with my Jenny experience, my fat counselor is pretty strict, and constantly encourages fitness.

But other than the Jenny Craig comment, which I think was unnecessary, no one in this thread has avdocated a diet plan alone, your post was spot on. Exercise is the key, both times I have been on weight loss plans, exercise was the vital ingredient. And I found as I got more fit, I could eat a lot of carbs and they didn't stick on me at all. I love carbs. My last physical trainer also didn't discourage me from carbs, and my diet was pretty heavy on carbs. I forgot the name of the program they used, Apex or something like that, and she basically said if I crave it, that is my body needs, and some people are simply carb people. It worked for me, and I got to each a good deal of carbs, but I worked out very strictly.

[Teallaura]

Attagirl, DJ!!!!!! :woohoo:

One thing - if you do go low carb, don't try the stop before I'm full thing. It's counterproductive on that particular type of diet (works well with low calorie, though). The first few days are rough - I was ravenous. But once past that point you find that over time it takes less (volume) to satisfy you. You can eat until you are full (not overeat) and as often as you feel you need to, so long as it's within your carb limit.

I had a taco salad yesterday that I would have normally finished easily - but only ate two thirds - could not eat the rest. That varies some, but for the most part I really literally do not eat as much food as I used to. Had I set out to do it that way, I never would have lasted the first two weeks.


:smile: You go, Girl!

[Telleriab2]

:woohoo: Congrats, Tell! Ya know, just maintaining after a loss can be a milestone itself.

:thumb: Great job!

Thanks, Teal. :smile:

[LGM]

Umm you do know they don't claim to do so? And for most people, it's a website, so I doubt anyone thinks going to www.jennycraig.com is going to improve fitness.

One thing with my Jenny experience, my fat counselor is pretty strict, and constantly encourages fitness.

Sorry...didn't mean to pick on Jenny specifically. I'm sure her program and counselors are very good. It just seems that people get so caught up in all these diet fads and elaborate systems, fretting over and denying themselves carbs, etc., And they lose sight of the fact that the more important component to fat loss is a consistent exercise program that includes both varied aerobic and resistance training.



But other than the Jenny Craig comment, which I think was unnecessary, no one in this thread has avdocated a diet plan alone, your post was spot on. Exercise is the key, both times I have been on weight loss plans, exercise was the vital ingredient. And I found as I got more fit, I could eat a lot of carbs and they didn't stick on me at all. I love carbs. My last physical trainer also didn't discourage me from carbs, and my diet was pretty heavy on carbs. I forgot the name of the program they used, Apex or something like that, and she basically said if I crave it, that is my body needs, and some people are simply carb people. It worked for me, and I got to each a good deal of carbs, but I worked out very strictly.

Well obviously there are good carbs and there are bad carbs. Clearly the modern Western diet is typically way too ladened with empty, highly processed carbs and fats. High fructose corn syrup permeates so much of our processed foods, it really is a crime. I compare the soft drink and candy industries to the tobacco industry as far as health is concerned.

The other thing I've noticed is whenever I'm into a good, consistent exercise routine, my body just naturally craves better quality foods.

I love bagels and bread...but I just make sure to try to eat whole grains and not to lather them with any butter or cream cheese.

I think sometimes its just easier for people who want to lose weight to attack it from the diet side, and not the exercise side. Where in my opinion and experience it should be just the opposite. However, a regular exercise program requires discipline, time, technique and typically access to some equipment. People who are older, and haven't exercised for a long time, don't know where to start, and may be self conscious and nervous about going to a gym or joining a program. Others tend to over do it, and get injured or discouraged. There's a huge market for lightly used home exercise equipment if you want to start cheap... :grin:

The key is finding something that works for you, that's convienent, that you can afford, and that you can stick with, and that you can progress with to higher levels. I'm fortunate in that I have everything I need in my finished basement, but it really doesn't take much. A treadmill or elliptical, a bench and a set of dumbells and an exercise ball are all you need.

The Body-for-Life system is the program I have been most impressed with as far as really educating people on a combined diet, aerobic and resistance training regimen. They like to promote their EAS supplements, but you can follow the program with no use of supplements, beyond perhaps the occasional protien bar or shake if you're on the road.

Again, the key to fat loss and muscle development is sweat. It's consistently raising your target heart rate for 30 minutes or more, it's pumping weights, it's interval training, it's taking up activities and hobbies that make you sweat. Once you're doing those things, you won't have to worry how many carbs are in that baked potato.

[LGM]

Ok, I'm back. Now, where was I. Oh yes...

I am also taking a women's multivitamin, fiber tablets, and fish oil.

I'm going to beg/borrow/or...buy a measuring tape by the 13th of this month.

My weight this past friday was 240-even. I'll report on my weight (and measurements after I get the measuring tape) each friday beginning on the 6th of this month.

I really want to make being overweight a thing of the past. I'm so tired of not liking the skin I'm in and my feet have begun to cronically hurt.

Jade,

Good for you, and good luck with your new program. As I mentioned in my previous post, I think the key will be finding an exercise program you can stick with, and fits your schedule, and that you can enjoy. Depending on your fitness level, you may want to just try walking on a treadmill for 30 minutes as part of your early aerobic exercise, and then work your way into some interval training where you go through a circuit of adding more speed or incline, and then then fall back again to lower levels and recover. You may want to also invest in a heart rate monitor, so you can keep an eye on your heart rate while you're exercising and track your fitness levels as you progress.

As far as resistance training, you can pick up any women's fitness magazine that will provide you a variety of resistance training routines that include light dumbells or your own body weight. Perhaps the gym has a trainer who can suggest a circuit routine for you. Again, the key is interval training, and to try and resistance train for at least 30 minutes.

Don't get too hung up on your weight loss, what's more important is fat loss and inch loss and how you feel as you start to improve fitness. You may have some significant weight loss early on, and then plateua for awhile, don't get discouraged, this is just your body adjusting. Make sure and not to over do the exercising early on, as many people starting exercise routines after a long lay off, and end up injuring themselves and then have to quit.

The key is slow and steady progress towards specific goals.

Remember when it comes to diet and exercise, the rush you get from endorphins and enkephalins produced during long periods of strenuous aerobic exercise, feels far better than the cravings you'll get by denying yourself carbs.

Another tip, stay hydrated. Whenever you feel hungry, or are going to eat a meal, try and drink a big glass of water before hand.

Good luck!

[Teallaura]

It's now official - 3 lbs under goal! :woohoo:


That puts me 18 lbs from my next goal!!!!

[Jade]

It's now official - 3 lbs under goal! :woohoo:


That puts me 18 lbs from my next goal!!!!

Congrats!! :b_dance:

[Jade]

Okay, I've made it one full week on the diet.

I am now 232 lbs (yeah, I know the first pounds you loose are water weight, so I expect it to drop to 2-3 pounds per week)

I found string and a ruler (still trying to get a real measuring tape from my mom).

Hips 41 inches
Waist 50 inches

:blush:

[JardinPrayer]

You should be able to get a measuring tape in the sewing notions section of your local supermarket for, like, really cheap.

[Teallaura]

Dollar stores have them. They're real cheap. :yes:


Thanks, DJ! :blush:

[Jade]

Okay, I've made it one full week on the diet.

I am now 232 lbs (yeah, I know the first pounds you loose are water weight, so I expect it to drop to 2-3 pounds per week)

I found string and a ruler (still trying to get a real measuring tape from my mom).

Hips 41 inches
Waist 50 inches

:blush:

Uh, I got those backwards. :doh:

Plus they weren't very accurate.

I now have a measuring tape. Here are my accurate measurements:

Waist = 41.5 inches

Hips = 51 inches

I'll go ahead and post my weight this Friday morning, but I'll wait until next Friday to post my measurements again.

[Trout]

I'm proud of you Jade, you're doing great.

[Teallaura]

:thumb:

[Teallaura]

:sad: My hair is still falling out... the stuff I read said it could go on for six months... It's been three...


:bawl:

[Jade]

:sad: My hair is still falling out... the stuff I read said it could go on for six months... It's been three...


:bawl:

Sorry to hear that. :hug:

I've got a thinning patch just above my bangs....Haven't figured out what to do about it.

[Jade]

Okay, This morning's weight is 227. :demure:

[Trout]

Okay, This morning's weight is 227. :demure:

Great work, Jade!

[Jade]

Great work, Jade!

Thank you Trout. :smile:

[Gabby]

:sad: My hair is still falling out... the stuff I read said it could go on for six months... It's been three...


:bawl:

Are there any suppliments or vitamins that you can take that might help?

[Gabby]

Okay, This morning's weight is 227. :demure:

:thumb: Keep up the good work!

[Bill the Cat]

:sad: My hair is still falling out... the stuff I read said it could go on for six months... It's been three...


:bawl:

Hey,

My wife had weight loss surgery and was losing her hair in clumps. Now 6 months later, she is on women's rogaine and it is helping her regrow her hair. You may want to check w/ your doctor about that possibility.

[Teallaura]

After my GB my surgeon had me take a ton of Biotin - which I started doing again. I'm already taking vitamins, Gabby - but thanks. From what I read it's a temporary - if horribly annoying - thing.

:flowers: Thanks!

[Trout]

After my GB my surgeon had me take a ton of Biotin - which I started doing again. I'm already taking vitamins, Gabby - but thanks. From what I read it's a temporary - if horribly annoying - thing.

:flowers: Thanks!

Biotin is for horse's hooves.

[Teallaura]

Biotin is for horse's hooves.So it should work for hair and nails! Thanks! :thumb:


Oh, and I meant to say this earlier - congrats, Jade! :woohoo:

[Telleriab2]

All right. Tomorrow, October 17, will mark a significant milestone for me. It will be one year since I have been on my diet and exercise regimen. In that year, I have gone down from 254.5 pounds to 179.5 pounds (for a total loss of 75 pounds). I may not have reached my original goal of reaching to 80 pounds, but I am satisfied nonetheless.

My next goal is to indeed reach a loss of 80 pounds. I guess taking my weight loss in five pound increments is more tolerable than the whole ten pounds.

However, I do wish to reach, at least, ninety pounds before my Christmas trip to Colombia. I can't wait to show my relatives how much weight I have lost!

-----------------------By the way-----------------------

I would like to thank all of the wonderful people in this thread. You all show to me that I am not alone in this. I encourage to please, please, please continue all that you are doing to make a difference in your lives. It truly is for your benefit.

Telleriab2

[Gabby]

All right. Tomorrow, October 17, will mark a significant milestone for me. It will be one year since I have been on my diet and exercise regimen. In that year, I have gone down from 254.5 pounds to 179.5 pounds (for a total loss of 75 pounds). I may not have reached my original goal of reaching to 80 pounds, but I am satisfied nonetheless.

My next goal is to indeed reach a loss of 80 pounds. I guess taking my weight loss in five pound increments is more tolerable than the whole ten pounds.

However, I do wish to reach, at least, ninety pounds before my Christmas trip to Colombia. I can't wait to show my relatives how much weight I have lost!

-----------------------By the way-----------------------

I would like to thank all of the wonderful people in this thread. You all show to me that I am not alone in this. I encourage to please, please, please continue all that you are doing to make a difference in your lives. It truly is for your benefit.

Telleriab2


:yougo: Way to go Telleria!! Your gonna knock their socks off in Colombia! :yes:

[Little Shepherd]

It's been a while since I checked in here. Well, today I had to go to the garage, which I almost never do. Anyway, we have one of those really good scales that you find in medical facilities, but it's too big to keep in one of our bathrooms so it's out in the garage.

So I checked my weight today, and I'm down 9 pounds. I don't know how I did it, or where the weight went, but it's not on me so I'm not going to question it. 9 down. 126 to go.

[Jade]

It's been a while since I checked in here. Well, today I had to go to the garage, which I almost never do. Anyway, we have one of those really good scales that you find in medical facilities, but it's too big to keep in one of our bathrooms so it's out in the garage.

So I checked my weight today, and I'm down 9 pounds. I don't know how I did it, or where the weight went, but it's not on me so I'm not going to question it. 9 down. 126 to go.

You lost weight without trying?! :shocked: If you ever learn the secret let me in on it. :smile:

Oh! and Congratulations! :highfive:

[Teallaura]

:thumb: Great news, LS!

[Gabby]

You lost weight without trying?! :shocked: If you ever learn the secret let me in on it. :smile:


Yeah, me too!

Way to go LS! :toast:

[JardinPrayer]

I continue to be in a fallen state. With Thanksgiving coming, I think this is best.

[Gabby]

I'm still limping along. :sigh: Maybe lost a pound or two. :sigh: I've been really struggling to get to the Y. :sigh: Going to my cardio class this morning though. That should help me feel a bit better.

[Gabby]

I continue to be in a fallen state. With Thanksgiving coming, I think this is best.

:hug: Jardin There's always the fresh start of Jan 1st!

[JardinPrayer]

:hug: Jardin There's always the fresh start of Jan 1st!

Yeah, that's what I'm thinkin'.

[Teallaura]

Come on - start small and start now. You know how long New Years Resolutions last - 2 weeks, four if you're really determined. It's okay to go off the diet for T'day and Christmas - but don't use them as excuses to do nothing for two and a half whole months!

Add a walk in for 15 - 30 minutes each day. Go to the Y. Watch your calories, but allow yourself 1000 more than you were. Switch to diet soda and/or treats. You don't have to do them all at once - just pick something small and go for it!

You can do this! :yes:

[Little Shepherd]

I just bought Dance Dance Revolution: Supernova -- the latest DDR game to hit the market. My dad tells me I'm getting a new twin bed soon. I currently have a queen size, and I hate it. Too big, and I have so little floor space. Once I get it, I should have plenty of room for my DDR mat, so I can start playing it like I've wanted to for a while.

DDR = best, most fun exercise EVAR!!! Seriously.

[JardinPrayer]

Perhaps what I really need is an "anti-diet support thread."

Teal, I'm being sorta good...but not super good like I was the first couple of weeks. I need to roll in exercise in order to get any real progress out of this. And, my life is way out of control to start something like that. We're going on our 1-year anniversary in Jacksonville and I'm still in boxes. We're emptying 3 rooms into a self-storage place this week to paint, then bring in a faux finisher. My parents are coming to stay for 2 weeks. We're hosting Thanksgiving and it will be a BIG crowd this year. I'm president of the homeowner's association. I'm writing a cantata for the church. I care for my elderly mother-in-law. I'm throwing a secret shindig in December. Girl, I am busy! I can't even wear sandals in Florida right now because I need a pedicure so badly I won't show my chipped-polish tootsies! Can't find an hour to get to the salon and am too fat to reach my feet! :lol:

So, cut me some slack, will ya? :hug1:

[Little Shepherd]

So, cut me some slack, will ya? :hug1:
*strikes the Superstar pose* JardinPrayer!

That being said, if you're just starting out, don't worry too much about being super good. Take a good inventory of your diet and exercise routine and find out where you stand, then make small changes every few weeks.

Let's assume you eat 5,000 calories per day(you probably don't, but this is an example). If you cut back to the 1500-2000 calories needed to maintain your ideal body weight, you're just going to make yourself hungry and cranky, and you'll probably fail your diet pretty fast. Instead, cut back just a little. Say to 4500 calories, and stick with that for 2 to 4 weeks. Let yourself adjust, then cut back another 500 calories.

Do this by switching out good food for bad foods first. That way you still feel full, and as you add fruits and veggies and whole grains into the mix, you get much needed vitamins. Not only are they good for you, but they really help with energy. When you get closer to your ideal calorie level, then start scaling back your portions, again allowing plenty of time to adjust. Making many smaller changes over a longer period of time will make you less hungry, less cranky, and less likely to fail on your new eating habits.

Oh, and as if it needed to be said -- don't think of it as a diet. Think of every change you make as a lifestyle change. Once you finally get accustomed to your ideal eating habits, they'll be with you forever. Your new diet isn't just a diet. It's the way things are going to be from then on.

Same with exercise. Don't kill yourself at the gym. Start out with maybe 15-20 minutes of cardio a few times a week. And after a few weeks of doing good at that, increase by 10 minutes a day, or add another day. And eventually you'll want to work in some resistance training(WEIGHTS!) a little at a time. Oh, and remember that when you start or increase weight training, your weight loss will slow down!!! That's normal. Very important advice -- You might want to have a professional take your measurements and monitor your body fat % regularly at this point. That way you'll still be able to measure your progress even when it's not showing up in your weight.

So yeah, little changes over a longer period of time = a much easier way to build good habits that turn into total lifestyle changes. Don't try to be perfect starting out. Just become better than you were a little at a time. :pray:

[Teallaura]

:yt:

Ya know I love ya, JP. I understand being busy - I don't sympathize on the boxes - I still have unopened boxes from my last move - ten years ago... :blush:

It's okay to admit that you just don't wanna - deciding that you aren't ready to diet doesn't mean you can't decide to later. But you're giving mixed signals - "I wanna do this" "Argh!" "I'm gonna do this" "Argh! Later..." I don't know if I should encourage you, leave you alone or club you with a 2x4... :huh:

:hug: Love ya, no matter what you decide.

[Telleriab2]

Wow. I need some catching up to do.


*AHEM*

To LS: Congratulations! Celebration! Celebration! Celebration! :joy: :yipee: :joy: :woohoo: :joy: :cheers:





And to JP: I have gone periods like that myself. During this whole summer, I was just too involved with other things. I considered myself lucky if I managed to even drag my butt to the gym at least once a week. For me, it was conflict with what I wanted and did not want to do. I often would leave work so late at night that I was not willing at all to go to the gym. There were times when I felt so discouraged that I almost went back to my old ways.

Now, I realize that my health is also my priority. It is very difficult for one to manage everything, but it is important to take care of the one body we get in this life.

All I ask is that you do not get discouraged by all of this. Please know that weight loss is a life-long process and that it does not come easy.

When I first began, I had to tell myself a bit of reality: "I am not going to change an entire lifestyle in just two weeks." It takes time for these things to happen.

So, be patient. And pray.

Telleriab2

[Teallaura]

:yipee:

I just realized something - for the first time literally in over a decade I am not eligible for a GB!

That includes the greatest weightloss I had after my GB!!!!





:joy:

[Telleriab2]

:yipee:

I just realized something - for the first time literally in over a decade I am not eligible for a GB!

That includes the greatest weightloss I had after my GB!!!!





:joy:

Congratulations! Celebration! :thumb:


P.S. Sorry that I keep calling you Archena on PT. I shall eventually break that bad habit!

[Telleriab2]

Something to report on my part: I went clothes-shopping today. I now have a new wardrobe in a new size! I have not been able to fit into clothes this size in years!

[Teallaura]

Congratulations! Celebration! :thumb:


P.S. Sorry that I keep calling you Archena on PT. I shall eventually break that bad habit!Thanks!

Nothing to apologize for - I mentioned it only because I wasn't sure you knew who I was. Actually, if it weren't for a whim the day I signed up, Archena would be my Tweb name, too.



Something to report on my part: I went clothes-shopping today. I now have a new wardrobe in a new size! I have not been able to fit into clothes this size in years!

You go girl!!!!!! :woohoo:

[Telleriab2]

I am just making sure that this thread does not die off (like most diet attempts).


Right. I now report to y'all that I have lost 77 and a half pounds. Only 2 and half more until I reach a loss of eighty pounds.

[Dee Dee Warren]

I got off-track, I knew it would happen because of food events inthe way, and gained back up to four pounds. I am back on the wagon now.

[Teallaura]

:woohoo: Way to go, Tell!!!!

:yes: You can do it, Dee Dee!!!!




I'm down an additional 5. I've been off a bit this last week (higher carb than I would ordinarily, but not ridiculously high) while I had a sinus infection (and stress? :hrm:, but that's another story).

It's still possible to make my goal by Christmas - and as long as I at least get close, I'm happy. :joy:


Time to buy some new pants though.... :teeth:

[Little Shepherd]

I'll chime in again also. I found out yesterday I'm down another 4 pounds. That's 13 total. Another 122 to go.

[Telleriab2]

I got off-track, I knew it would happen because of food events inthe way, and gained back up to four pounds. I am back on the wagon now.

That is wonderful, Dee Dee! :joy:


(Believe me, I have had my moments, too.)

[Telleriab2]

:woohoo: Way to go, Tell!!!!

Thanks!


:yes: You can do it, Dee Dee!!!!

She definetely can.





I'm down an additional 5. I've been off a bit this last week (higher carb than I would ordinarily, but not ridiculously high) while I had a sinus infection (and stress? :hrm:, but that's another story).

I predict that I shall be in a similar dietary predicament. I have three tests next week, and I have the tendency to always have something in my mouth as I cram for my exams (and my snacks usually end up being sweets, too).

But I know what could go wrong. All have to do is ignore the fact that my body is screaming for anything chocolate and I shall be fine. If I am lucky, I shall lose half a pound or so.


It's still possible to make my goal by Christmas - and as long as I at least get close, I'm happy. :joy:

:yes: That is the spirit!


Time to buy some new pants though.... :teeth:

Make sure that they are nice ones!

[Telleriab2]

I'll chime in again also. I found out yesterday I'm down another 4 pounds. That's 13 total. Another 122 to go.

Nice going, LS! :broccoli:

(I felt like using a happy vegetable this time)

[Dee Dee Warren]

I am closing in on twenty pounds lost. I was able to fit into one of the size 8's!! I am almost at my goal. I just want to fit back into the clothes I was wearing at the beginning of the year. The end of last year I was too skinny (6 is a bit too small for me, I am nearly 5'8" so a size 6 is a bit too skinny, but size 8 is perfect). I started out at 162 pounds and am done to about 143 right now. Under 140 (between 135-140) is my goal. 130 was my goal, but now that I am getting older, I just think that is a bit too unrealistic.