Lots to Lose Tribe - January - Page 2

[just_lily]

I think the criteria should be that the amount you have to lose is overwhelming to you.  I don't think the number matters so much.  For some, yeah, 50lbs is totally overwhelming.  Others maybe not so much.  I feel that what bonds us together is that "Oh my goodness, where do I even start?" feeling. 

I also think the timeline is important to consider.  Most of us are looking at 1year+, minimum, to reach goal weight.  We are all in it for the long haul. 

But I don't think this thread needs hard and fast rules or anything.  If you feel you have "a lot" to lose then you belong here. 

Also, I wanted to talk a bit with everyone about sustained low calorie dieting and weight loss expectations/timetable. I am NO expert but the older I get (40s), the more I see that moderation is the only way to sustain anything at all in life. I don't mean to sound discouraging, but I also am SO tired of beating myself up for failing when I set a standard for myself that is not attainable. I don't care if it takes me 5 years to lose just so long as I am losing and getting more fit. Anyone have any further thoughts?

I think the risk of very low calorie diets is that it is so hard to maintain.  As we walk this journey we need to take heed of those who have walked it before us - and they will all tell you that taking the weight off is the EASY part.  It is the maintaining that is hard.  So although This Diet, or That Diet will probably work in the short term, it is only through sustainable lifestyle changes that we will be able to succeed for the long term.  Some may use a special diet plan to kick start things and then move onto a more sustainable healthy eating plan going forward, and if that works for you, great.  Others just start with the healthy eating and are content with a slower loss.  I am in the second camp for now.

Realistically, the first thing I need to do is stop gaining weight.  Even just maintaining where I am at for a while will be a victory. 

[AtYourCervices]

Originally Posted by Motivated Mama 

Originally Posted by sosurreal09 

I have 50lbs to lose is that enough?

I don't know that I can answer for everybody, but sure! Maybe we should have criteria in the first post as well...

I figure if it will take approximately 6 months or longer for you to lose the weight, losing about 2 lbs a week, we can consider somebody as having "Lots to Lose", if that's how they feel. So, 50 lbs and up sounds like decent criteria.

[Motivated Mama]

I agree with prior poster on the 50# criteria. Sounds good to me!

I've been counting calories all day and I think I've spent way more time counting than eating. Maybe that's how it works

I'm not only focusing on calories, but also in meeting my daily requirements for proteins, fats, and carbs. I had 300 cals remaining, but that's because I worked off 800 today at the gym! And I was shy on my fat. 2tbsp of peanut butter and celery would do, but I am so stuffed from the chili that I can't even finish, and I won't eat after 8.

So, the first day of really paying attention was a success. Now I know to throw in a peanut butter snack or some olive oil on a salad. I have a thing or two to learn about pacing and the 8:00 criteria is really going to work for me, I think. I always did my worst eating and drinking (alcohol) at night. The two really go hand-in-hand and were the result of unregulated depression. I'm on Lamictal now and it seems to be working in terms of regulating my moods. I still have ups and downs, but nowhere near as bad as a few months ago.

[eurobin]

Originally Posted by Caroline529 

Also, I wanted to talk a bit with everyone about sustained low calorie dieting and weight loss expectations/timetable. I am NO expert but the older I get (40s), the more I see that moderation is the only way to sustain anything at all in life. I don't mean to sound discouraging, but I also am SO tired of beating myself up for failing when I set a standard for myself that is not attainable. I don't care if it takes me 5 years to lose just so long as I am losing and getting more fit. Anyone have any further thoughts?

I COMPLETELY agree with this. Rigid timelines are a recipe for failure for me. I don't really care how long it takes as long as it happens. In the past three months, I'm averaging less than a pound a week lost and I'm thrilled with that. It'd be lovely to lose it all superfast but if I'm not deprived, I'm able to treat myself, I learn healthier habits, etc, I'll take whatever pace it takes. One day at a time.

[sosurreal09]

my goal is to have lost it by my birthday in October...so I have quite a ways to go. I am also still BFing my 15 m/o so I can't lose the weight too drastically.

I just started eating healthy again 2 days ago. I cut out dairy again (DD was intolerant to it and still is directly) but I think I am too. I just gained 30lbs in 4 months from putting the things back into my diet that I had cut out for DD.

[Motivated Mama]

Kami, I gained my weight fast too. I put on 40 pounds in 5 months and have maintained for over a month once I realized the causes of the weight gain. I've been able to maintain by exercising and not drinking. Now, I've added the food monitoring so I can hopefully start losing!

Since I came in shy on my calories yesterday, I made a 2 egg cheese and garlic omelet this morning (more eggs, 1.5x cheese, and added garlic powder) along with my coffee with minimal cream and sugar. I'm gonna cook up some chicken to put on a salad for lunch. And I'll be biking on my stationary bike today. I actually started working out 5-6 days a week on 12/16/10. I was super-active (P90X) in October before that, so I just have to keep busting butt!

How's everyone else doing with their plans: WW, DVDs, South Beach, etc?

[sosurreal09]

i don't have a plan! I could probably use help...

so my back story is i have always had weight problems I was 120lbs in 6th grade...graduated at 210lbs. with calorie counting and working out like 2 hrs a day I got down to 175lbs...maintained it for a year. Then DP and I broke up for 8 months and I went on a drinking/partying/non-stop dancing binge and weighed 145lbs (thinnest I have ever been since I was 16!) I maintained that for almost another year after I drank minimally and DP and I (now DH) got back together. Then I got pregnant and gained 96lbs. (was 238) I was down to 161 with my limited diet, then DD got better and I went overboard and am up to 188.

[Motivated Mama]

Kami, I think you have to do what you love and not stop. Before all of my weight gain, I loved running. I loved exercise. And I love nutrition, cooking, making list, etc. A raw vegan diet did wonders for me, but was too heavy on the wallet. I've only begun to run again and have been counting calories for about 2 days Everything I'm doing now though plays into my strengths. Tracking calories is fun for me and helps me to learn a lot more about nutrition and myself. Running/Biking/Weight training gives me me-time and time to think. I'm now hopeful and no longer depressed. I'm running toward that horizon. What do you enjoy? Drinking/partying/dancing in my mind = a zumba-like workout or something like "The S-factor" (pole dancing to lose weight )

I learned today that I am eating waaay to much salt. Once I've depleted my freezer of flash-frozen, marinated chicken, I plann to lower that number.
Oh, and I did 10.2 miles on my home stationary bike today.

[sosurreal09]

zumba would be great but i have $0 we literally have $16 a month left over after bills and food...and I usually buy one pack of dipes a month for $10 to use at night...which leaves $6

I am having trouble with finding anything I love lol especially now that it's cold. I am lazy as hell that's my problem. I spend time with DD all day playing and cooking. there I go with excuses...

[abbylotus]

Hello, Mamas! I have been traking my calories and nutrition for the last two days. I'm back to vegan eating. I still haven't started exercising too much yet. I have started by getting down on the floor and stretching. Trying to reconnnect with my body. I know it will take while for me to work into daily excercise. I'm okay with that. I work tomorow and it will be like a four hour workout, but starting next week school starts back up for me and I will only be working one day a week. I will definately have to modivate to start moving more then. I am still smoke free! I feel great. I chew gum whenever the urge hits me. This is the longest I have gone without a cigarette (except during pregnancy and early infants) in years. I am very proud of myself.

[wendyland]

I'm glad to see so many posts.  I had work issues for a couple days, but I'm back.  I weighed myself a couple days ago & I was only 236.  I thought I was 242.  Woohoo!  Effortless weight loss.  I won't really feel like I've lost until I'm under 225.  That's the lowest I've made it in 3 1/2 years. 

Motivated mama - love the list!  You are motivated. That's great that you do yoga at 250. I haven't enjoyed yoga since I was under 200.  All that belly makes it hard.  I used to love classes, but felt like the hugest person there.

Caroline - I've done the videos on the demand.  they're a little plain, but gets the job done.  I use the myfitnesspal app on my droid.  I like it.  I do a better job now of tracking my calories now that I can do it on my phone. 

[wendyland]

Originally Posted by sosurreal09 

I have 50lbs to lose is that enough?

I think 50lb is enough.  I edited my first post to state that the tribe is for anyone with 50 lbs or more to lose.  I don't want to be too exclusive, but it IS the lots to lose tribe.  I think the main idea is to have a place where we feel comfortable talking big numbers.  I feel uncomfortable when my skinny friends talk about needing to lose weight.  It's my own poor self-esteem, but I wonder what they must think of me if they think they need to lose.  But, I know I felt fat at 150.

Edited by wendyland - 1/5/11 at 4:56pm

[Motivated Mama]

abbylotus - do you own any exercise DVDs? I also have a harder time in the winter. I used to play basketball or do indoor track running. Now I'm working at the gym or on my stationary bike or DVDs, sometimes. I signed up at Planet Fitness for $1 for the first month, then $10 monthly. Could you maybe save $10 in groceries or cut back somewhere to be able to go to the gym? Can you get out of the house without kids?

wendy - I'm 220! And the occasional yoga is done at home where I don't feel scrutinized I also have an app on my iphone where I am tracking calories and exercise. I really need to be dedicated to lose 3# a week!

[wendyland]

Congratulations to those of you who are also quitting smoking!!!  I'm so glad I never started.  My vice has always been food. 

Is anyone else a fan of marksdailyapple?  I was vegetarian for 8 years, but started eating meat about 5 years ago.  I strive now for a lower carb diet.  As long as I stay under 100 carbs a day, I don't get many food cravings or feel too hungry.  When I go over 100, I feel like I'm starving all the time.  I try not to eat processed foods or much grains.  I have a wheat allergy, but haven't been able to quit it yet.  

I had a good eating day and had the most wonderful steak fajitas for dinner.  

[Motivated Mama]

For daily intake, I'm aiming for at least 67g fat, 200g carbs, and 75g protein. I lead a moderately active lifestyle
I've done OK the last 2 days. 50/254/93 and 59/150/67 I'm thinking about having some frozen blueberries and yogurt, even though it's after 8pm...

[ButtonGirl]

I am in agreement with those talking about sustaining...I don't know how long I've wanted a quick fix...to be skinny by next week...this is definitely not an instant gratification thing and that doesn't make it easy!  I was recently speaking with a doctor who (in my opinion) had a great body; she mentioned to me that it took her 2 years to lose weight and get to the point she is now. I found that pretty encouraging! I think I have the Biggest Loser wish in my head...but real life sure isn't like that!

Anyway, I have been sick the past several days, and it doesn't seem to be getting any better. Visited the doc tonight who told me I just have to wait it out, then (shame!) we got dinner at a burger joint. I feel like it's very hard to be motivated right now that I feel totally out of sync with things...I am just hoping I'll get better soon and be able to get back into a normal, healthy routine!

[just_lily]

I am feeling pretty good today.  I have done well with my eating and controlling the out of control noshing.  My problem has always been snacking.  I could eat well all day and then snack non-stop all evening.  So I am trying to cut back on the amount of snacking I am doing, and replacing the bad stuff with good stuff.  So raw veggies with a carefully measured portion of low-cal dip instead of chips and an entire container of cream cheese dip. 

I need to start a knitting project or something.  Can't snack while you are knitting!

[Motivated Mama]

I am completely stressed out and over our financial situation right now. I did a budget this month and since DH and I are both picking up hours, we're going to lose health care and food benefits four our household. I imagine between the stress and lack of money for food, I won't have any problems losing the weight.

[abbylotus]

Originally Posted by Motivated Mama 

abbylotus - do you own any exercise DVDs? I also have a harder time in the winter. I used to play basketball or do indoor track running. Now I'm working at the gym or on my stationary bike or DVDs, sometimes. I signed up at Planet Fitness for $1 for the first month, then $10 monthly. Could you maybe save $10 in groceries or cut back somewhere to be able to go to the gym? Can you get out of the house without kids?

wendy - I'm 220! And the occasional yoga is done at home where I don't feel scrutinized I also have an app on my iphone where I am tracking calories and exercise. I really need to be dedicated to lose 3# a week!

We have a membership to the YMCA and I will start working out there once I take off a few pounds so I am more comfortable with shaking my groove thing on the treadmill. I have to find time to get there. I changed my school schedule so I will be able to pick my kids up at 4:00pm at my inlaw's when they get home from school and then go directly to the Y. No excuses. My IL live very near the Y. Also, my DH is switching his work schedule to be able to work out with me at that time, too. He'll keep me honest and motivated. HA! I did get up early today and do yoga on the wii fit plus and some floor stretches. Special K and soy milk for breakfast....this day is starting out well. I'm waitressing today so I will be carrying heavy trays up and down steps all day - that's something, right?!   
 

[abbylotus]

Originally Posted by Motivated Mama 

I am completely stressed out and over our financial situation right now. I did a budget this month and since DH and I are both picking up hours, we're going to lose health care and food benefits four our household. I imagine between the stress and lack of money for food, I won't have any problems losing the weight.