Weight Loss Journey....

abbycats, the quitting smoking may be a big part of the issue. Smoking not only burns calories, it increases your metabolism. Another thing to consider - muscle weighs more than fat! One thing you can do to offset the smoking is drink 8 oz of water every time you would have had a cigarette. The water in large quanities really revs up your metabolism!

Chris - you GO girl!

Good job girls! I didn't know that Biggest Loser was on again. I really like that show. Hard to sit and eat during it, LOL!

Okay I am back on board!! I better be!!!
I ate terribly today and yesterday. Before then it wasn't THAT bad...I mean it was still pretty bad cuz I ate candy
I feel like I'm starting to gain weight but I'm scared of getting on the scale. I'll do that friday morning...And I'm going to work out on Friday...
That makes me feel better ...not all is lost...

Originally Posted by abbycats

My husband and I have been doing bicycle riding for over 2 months now nearly everyday. Today we did a total of 18 miles!!!

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I have noticed that the older I get the harder it is to take off! I do have to say even though my weight isn't dropping my pants do feel better and not so tight.

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Great job on 18miles..... wow.... The weight gain could easily be due to an increase of muscle mass.

Your last statement hits home for me.... Age is part of the reason I need to get my weight on track. I'm 32 and its difficult, I can just imagine what it will be like in a yr from now.

Originally Posted by kluchetta

Good job girls! I didn't know that Biggest Loser was on again. I really like that show. Hard to sit and eat during it, LOL!

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Yup, exactly. I don't eat, and usually do some form of exercise during that show.

Originally Posted by ut0pia

Okay I am back on board!! I better be!!!
I ate terribly today and yesterday. Before then it wasn't THAT bad...I mean it was still pretty bad cuz I ate candy

I feel like I'm starting to gain weight but I'm scared of getting on the scale. I'll do that friday morning...And I'm going to work out on Friday...
That makes me feel better ...not all is lost...

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Mariyah, one thing I have learned during my years of battling is that you have to allow yourself treats every once in a while.... If your treat is candy, so be it.... Have it in moderation and infrequently. Just because you eat candy doesn't mean its bad. It's only bad if you eat a ton of it, and overdo it.

If you don't allow yourself the treats, I can tell you what will happen, cuz I've been there..... its called a HUGE binge.

Healthy eating does not mean depriving yourself of the things you enjoy. It means finding a balance that you can have that candy bar and still feel good bout yourself.

Me: I generally try to eat well M-F.....then on Sat. I can eat whatever I want. (during the week I limit cheese.... I love cheese.... I also don't eat chips..... so on the weekend, I'll have nacho chips with cheese for a meal.... or have a bowl of ice cream for dessert...etc.)

Originally Posted by Snake_Lady

Mariyah, one thing I have learned during my years of battling is that you have to allow yourself treats every once in a while.... If your treat is candy, so be it.... Have it in moderation and infrequently. Just because you eat candy doesn't mean its bad. It's only bad if you eat a ton of it, and overdo it.

If you don't allow yourself the treats, I can tell you what will happen, cuz I've been there..... its called a HUGE binge.

Healthy eating does not mean depriving yourself of the things you enjoy. It means finding a balance that you can have that candy bar and still feel good bout yourself.

Me: I generally try to eat well M-F.....then on Sat. I can eat whatever I want. (during the week I limit cheese.... I love cheese.... I also don't eat chips..... so on the weekend, I'll have nacho chips with cheese

for a meal.... or have a bowl of ice cream for dessert...etc.)

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thanks..that made me feel better. I had kitt katt bars throughout the week and I had quite a lot of them but it wasn't a real binge like I used to do. It all sort of started last Friday, when I spent the day eating just oreos with milk since there was drama going on with my ex boyfriend during the day, and then during the night some other stuff happened that made it even worse..But you are right, as long as I am in control treats shouldn't be that bad!! Today of course I had to eat cake because I couldn't use the excuse of being on a diet on my birthday, everyone i know will think I'm crazy
I will update tomorrow!! My goal is 700 calories, I know that's kind of low but it's only to detox a little from all that sugar lol..after tomorrow my goal will be 1000 calories per day.

Originally Posted by ut0pia

But you are right, as long as I am in control treats shouldn't be that bad!! Today of course I had to eat cake because I couldn't use the excuse of being on a diet on my birthday, everyone i know will think I'm crazy

I will update tomorrow!! My goal is 700 calories, I know that's kind of low but it's only to detox a little from all that sugar lol..after tomorrow my goal will be 1000 calories per day.

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Yup, its just gaining that control back that is difficult... I find with me, it is soooo hard to get back on the wagon if I've fallen off.... but once I do get my feet firmly planted, then I feel so much better and tend to stay on the wagon.

Have you ever calculated your BMR (the amount of calories you need to stay at the weight you are at if all you did was sleep all day)? If not, let me know and I'll shoot you the formula. That's what I use as a baseline.... If all I did was rest, to maintain my current weight, I'd need 1553 cals. Knowing that, plus having a booklet with the calories of every food you can imagine, helps keep me on track.

Yea I've calculated my BMR but I don't always trust that number, because it could vary depending on how fast your metabolism is...So I try to go below that just in case I know my metabolism is slow because I did some terrible yo yo dieting that made it that way. I just woke up and ate french bread with cheese, classic Bulgarian breakfast but a lot of calories, around 400. So that sux But time will go quick today since it's Friday I should be able to keep my mind off of food.

Yah, any of the guidelines can vary.... but its a good tool to use as a baseline IMO.... for me I find it is quite accurate.... If I stay 500 below the target, I will lose weight that week.

I had a really good day on Wed. up untill the evening when PMS cravings took over

Time to pull it back together..... My tummy feels yucky because I haven't made the wisest choices..... so today its back on track, lots of liquid to flush out my system cuz I really do feel yucky inside today.

Staying 500 below is good, but for me if I were to eat exactly according to my BMR I'd be gaining weight...
I hate the days after eating badly Today is like that for me.. There is almost something telling me to just keep eating badly because it's the only way to make my stomach feel better, but it actually ends up making it worse if I do....

I so tried the calorie-counting thing, and it just didn't work for me.

Can I join the thread even if the goal isn't weight loss per se (though I wouldn't mind losing 10 pounds) ?

We were at the cardio today and one of the many things we covered were the results of Gary's lipid panel. His cholesterol is much better than it was a number of years ago (when he didn't eat vegetables) - but it's still terrible. In fact, he's going on a statin (don't remember which one).

But we have GOT to improve what we eat. We're pretty good about fruit - but we're very bad about veges and salad, and we both eat a fair amount of junk.

So having to put what we eat out there publicly may really help me keep an eye on what we're eating.

For instance... today we had green tea for "breakfast." We ate nothing at all - until we stopped after the cardio to pick up chicken wings - no sauce - and deep fried zucchini and mushrooms. *clearing my throat*

I think I need to make MUCH more of an effort to feed us meals on a regular schedule!

...and with his handicap, we don't get much exercise at all, and we really need to address that too. He goes through bouts of wanting to make sure we get out every day - but our favorite form of exercise is walking, and we haven't been getting out to do that either.

Originally Posted by LDG

We were at the cardio today and one of the many things we covered were the results of Gary's lipid panel. His cholesterol is much better than it was a number of years ago (when he didn't eat vegetables) - but it's still terrible. In fact, he's going on a statin (don't remember which one).

But we have GOT to improve what we eat. We're pretty good about fruit - but we're very bad about veges and salad, and we both eat a fair amount of junk.

So having to put what we eat out there publicly may really help me keep an eye on what we're eating.

For instance... today we had green tea for "breakfast." We ate nothing at all - until we stopped after the cardio to pick up chicken wings - no sauce - and deep fried zucchini and mushrooms.

*clearing my throat*

I think I need to make MUCH more of an effort to feed us meals on a regular schedule!

...and with his handicap, we don't get much exercise at all, and we really need to address that too. He goes through bouts of wanting to make sure we get out every day - but our favorite form of exercise is walking, and we haven't been getting out to do that either.

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I understand about the cholesterol! I was called on the carpet by my Dr a couple months ago. My cholesterol was 324, with 254 bad cholesterol. It was really bad and we have heart disease in my family genes. We have quit smoking(I was a heavy smoker 2-3 packs a day), changed our diets and exercising. I'm taking crestor for my cholesterol and had my liver checked after a month of the meds. I don't know if anything is working yet, but i have been working my tail off!

Dr says lots of fruits and veges!!! Oatmeal for breakfast is good! No soda pop, no deep fried food, low fat dairy products, and excercise 30 minutes a day min. We have been bicycle riding every day 5-18 miles per day. I am still really sore from the 18 mile journey. Dr told me he didn't care if I walked, rode a bicycle etc... just give him 30 min a day. My husband has lost 23 pounds and I gained 2 from my initial weight loss of 8 pounds.

Welcome to the weight loss group!!!!!!!!

Yeah - we traditionally eat a really high fat diet. Of course Gary HATES oatmeal (and I mean the smell of it makes him gag) and LOVES cheese. We've really improved on the fruit front - but not so much on the veggie front yet. We do eat a lot more salad than we used to, but his favorite form of vegetable is cucumbers in cottage cheese (with a tablespoon of mayo and a tablespoon of sour cream mixed in ).

A big problem he has is that exercise is a major trigger for intense, horrible, mind-boggling, debilitating pain - and that includes vigorous walking. Cardio Doc would have let him try the diet/exercise routine for a while before putting him on the statin, but he knows his other medical problems, and doesn't figure he'll be able to do much about the exercise thing. But we'll try to get back to the walking and see how it goes.

We are looking into Tai Chi instruction - but that's not a lot of exercise, really - it's more for relaxation, breathing training, and joints.

But thanks for the welcome!

Originally Posted by LDG

Yeah - we traditionally eat a really high fat diet.

Of course Gary HATES oatmeal (and I mean the smell of it makes him gag) and LOVES cheese.

We've really improved on the fruit front - but not so much on the veggie front yet. We do eat a lot more salad than we used to, but his favorite form of vegetable is cucumbers in cottage cheese (with a tablespoon of mayo and a tablespoon of sour cream mixed in

).

A big problem he has is that exercise is a major trigger for intense, horrible, mind-boggling, debilitating pain - and that includes vigorous walking. Cardio Doc would have let him try the diet/exercise routine for a while before putting him on the statin, but he knows his other medical problems, and doesn't figure he'll be able to do much about the exercise thing. But we'll try to get back to the walking and see how it goes.

We are looking into Tai Chi instruction - but that's not a lot of exercise, really - it's more for relaxation, breathing training, and joints.

But thanks for the welcome!

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I took Tai Chi when I lived in Denver. I really liked it and wish I would have continued on with it.

As far as my Dr and the high cholesterol, he put me on Statins(crestor) and basically told me I would have to be on them the rest of my life. The diet and excercise are going to help, but in conjunction with the meds. **sigh**

I'm pretty disappointed with today, but at least I am still sane mentally lol. I had lunch- steak with italian bread. Then I went to my friends house and stayed there until 5 pm.. I was going to skip dinner but I ended up making a sandwich around 5 pm because going over to my friends made me feel like it had been forever since I last ate I didn't even count calories...I did skip official dinner though. Tomorrow should be better. I go to volunteer at the humane society in the morning, and then I'll go to the gym.

*drag carcass out of lurk-dom*

I'm still here - just bad about posting lately...and I havent been able to jump on a scale for 2 weeks because the regular change room at the gym is closed for repairs and I refuse to buy one for the house.

I did fit very comfortably into several of my 'small pants' this past week, though, so I figure I can't be doing too bad.

The pants are my one really bad point - I takes me forever to admit my actual weight so I'll actually buy clothes that don't really fit, but that I think should fit...of course when I do actually manage to get my weight down and fit into them though, damn that feels good.

Last check I'm down to about 170 lbs, from about 205 in January. My doctor was thrilled with me when I went for my physical about a month ago, so I'm taking that as incentive even if I didn't quite make my original goal of under 170 by September.

I have to keep an eye on the cholestrol as well, not mine but DH's. On his last check he was on the slightly higher end of okay, but has a family history of high cholesterol, so got the warning...since then we've gotten a bit better at adding the veggies. We found we had to do a few less common ones, since we both seemed to have a mental block against the regular ones we don't like.

Chris - I know what you mean about worring about weight loss and age. I'm turning 30 in a few months and absolutely kicking myself when I think of how much easier this might have if I'd been serious about losing even 5 years ago. Live and learn, I suppose.

Well, we're not off to such a great start, to put it mildly. We had frozen sausages in the freezer, and we figured we'd better use them up (good excuse, right?).

So we had sausages and pancakes for brunch - and I made Gary eggs over easy to go with it.

So much for the low-fat low-cholesterol.... But now all that's left in the freezer are some Lean Cuisine frozen things and lamb chops!

Ooops - edited to add - there is raspberry chocolate crunch ice cream in there too....

Originally Posted by LDG

Well, we're not off to such a great start, to put it mildly.

We had frozen sausages in the freezer, and we figured we'd better use them up (good excuse, right?).

So we had sausages and pancakes for brunch - and I made Gary eggs over easy to go with it.

So much for the low-fat low-cholesterol.... But now all that's left in the freezer are some Lean Cuisine frozen things and lamb chops!

Ooops - edited to add - there is raspberry chocolate crunch ice cream in there too....

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lol sausages and pancakes sound so yummy!!!
don't beat yourself up over it, high cholesterol is 80% influenced by your genes- how much cholesterol your body produces, and 20% what you eat. My dad always reminds himself this fact when he eats fatty foods But eating sausage and eggs is terrible more so because of the extreme protein content and what that does to your liver. If you just go easy on proteins and fat for the next few days you will bring that good balance back though.

I gotta tell ya - Gary has an AMAZING liver. He went through several bouts of alcoholism at varying points in life - and TOTALLY abused aspirin for 10 years while in the army - and has been through a host of meds given the health issues the last three+ years... and Docs are constantly amazed at how his liver holds up. !!!

I guess he didn't inherit his paternal grandfather's genes... that allowed him to eat "a pound of bacon every day" (OK, I'm sure that's an exaggeration) and smoke filterless cigarettes - and die of a rare blood disease in his 90s.

Even if it is mostly genes... we still have to do better. We're both 46, and we've got enough time to help improve how we age. I don't think healthy living choices can extend our lives so much as help improve the quality of life as we age.

That said... we ate salad and berries mid-afternoon. Dressing was ranch - but I thinned it out, so between the two of us it was probably the equivalent of about two tablespoons.

Dinner was popcorn (no butter) and pears.

Laurie, the rest of your day sounds really great

So I didnt' go to the gym It was raining so much this morning that I just wasn't up for it. I had no breakfast, some peanut butter with crackers before lunch, then I made a ham and cheese sandwich for lunch and for dinner, I had pork ribs, wine, avocado and shrimp salad...Lol dinner was BAD. But I had dinner with my parents and they always make so much food and it was hard to resist. Another day of not counting calories Let's hope for more will power tomorrow.

Originally Posted by ut0pia

So I didnt' go to the gym

It was raining so much this morning that I just wasn't up for it. I had no breakfast, some peanut butter with crackers before lunch, then I made a ham and cheese sandwich for lunch and for dinner, I had pork ribs, wine, avocado and shrimp salad...Lol dinner was BAD. But I had dinner with my parents and they always make so much food and it was hard to resist. Another day of not counting calories

Let's hope for more will power tomorrow.

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Mariyah, my gosh you sound like me...... maybe you and I need to take some of this to pm or email...

Honestly the only good day I had was Wed. my goodness I felt so good.... and its just been downhill since.

I overdid it bigtime, and hurt from the 2+ hrs playing on Wii for exercise.... I couldn't do much at all on Thurs/Friday... which of course left me eating "emotionally" and "convenience food". Sat. my back went..... I ate some leftover noodles and 4 toasts, then pizza (not bad, 800 cals for the WHOLE pizza that I buy) and sunflower seeds...so I prolly did stay under my BMR but....not healthy eating either. Haven't eaten today yet, and am an emotional basket case currently.