I am the Biggest Loser...Kinda.

[canmarielan]

Originally Posted by christie0918

I had a not so great weekend. Snow and baking cookies for Jess... Lil bastards called my name... they finally had to go to the trash...

The weather makes it harder for me... I want warm, comfort food and well, no carbs is hard to manage.

I'm hanging in... I did ask Jess to toss the lil sugar bastards... LOL

Hey Christie....I had a quick question. Do you feel like the low carb works better for you than low calorie? things is....if you did low calorie you wouldn't have to completely cut out anything. Makes you not have to sit around thinking about carbs b/c you just had some wheat pasta for dinner, ya know?

Just my .02. Of course I think you should totally do what you think is best for you

Originally Posted by Diva

Several things......

* 21 now

* That being said......I went to brunch (ate things SOOOOO bad!) and NO ONE could tell that I had lost 21 lbs.

This was me ~ ~ ~>

Ok, not really...but WTF!?!?! So I just joked (as we all do, don't we?) that I had lost it all in my spleen. Bummer. It was disheartening, because *I* can feel it. My face is thinner and my pants fit better.

* This past weekend, I ran out of the last of my CoffeeMate creamers (yes...I had just about every flavor). Those of You who know me, KNOW how I adore my coffee! But starting on Saturday, I began drinking my coffee without that creamer. It hasn't been too awful.....and I think what I'll do is use it as a treat...like dessert. But I'm not having it in this house...unless I have company.

So...some good stuff....and a thin spleen to boot! Keep up the good work everybody!

OH LICIOUS!!!!!!!!!! I love you!!!!!!! Congrats on 21 lbs!!!!!!!!!!! whoooottt whooootttt!!!!!!

PLUS, I completely KNOW how hard the creamer cut out was for you! CONGRATS on that P.S.- they have low calorie/low fat flavored creamers out there my love

Originally Posted by amiyesiam

in January I lost 5 lb and excercised 577 minutes

Great job Darling

that's a lot of workout tons more than me that's for sure

I really should get a game on wii but they're max out weight is usually 350. I have a lil to go before then

Originally Posted by Lady Jewel

As a reminder...we decided in our last meeting to alternate the meeting days and times between Wed and Thur evenings. Soooooo...this weeks meeting is Wednesday evening at 7:30 PM PST/10:30 PM EST. Also, due to some issues we had to change the password so please PM me and I will give you the new one. Also, the topic for this weeks meeting is, "Strategies that work for weight loss". So please think about strategies that have worked for you, and that you wish to share with others.

Awesome...I'll be there

Warmly,
Jewel

Originally Posted by Gemme

Okay, I get this. Getting there (gym) is the hardest thing. But once you are there, you don't have to kill yourself, okay? Take it easy. Or break things up. Dedicate at least half an hour to working out and make it ACTUAL work out time, not stretch time (you need that before and after) or change machines time. Working out time. If it makes the time fly to change machines, do it. But keep a record of what you've done.

Those machines are anywhere from 10-25% off of what we really burn. I ignore that part. I keep a record of my blood pressure and heart rate before I work out and after I'm totally done and have stretched and cooled down. I keep a record of what machine I used, how many calories it said I burned, the time it took me, and the distance. I keep all of this info in a small notebook that fits in my exercise pants pocket. I have a cute hot pink mini pen that I write the info down with. That notebook and pen are dedicated to my workout info ONLY. It's to the point where I panic if I think I've forgotten them. Now, that might be a bit much, but it shows me that I've done it enough to that it's an expectation on my part and that's a good thing. I got this way by not having any expectations for myself. What good has that done?

I bring my MP3 player also. It's been a Godsend, I tell you. I would get so bored, even with the machines with TVs on them, that I would never finish more than 15-20 minutes. Now, I go as long as the Y machines let me, which is 65 minutes each round. An hour for working out and 5 minutes for cool down.

I don't recommend going full blast or an hour every day. I work out hard half the time and give myself a break half the time. As long as I'm THERE, it's a victory to me.

Nice hints, thanks.

I totally know I can get manage things once I get there. I just need to go.

I need to shut up and go

Originally Posted by Just_G

So today I got on the scale at work as I was getting ready to weigh some packages I wrapped for UPS. I am down 12 pounds from about two weeks ago. I am very happy with that because I have not done a lot of exercising, but have been eating better. (and not eating as often as I should because of stress) I have a lot of grilled chicken breasts and steamed veggies with salt and pepper only.

I went to pick up dog biscuits at Target and they had a Jillian DVD on sale so I bought it for $10. I start working out to it on Wednesday...trying to get a couple of friends to join me for motivation to do it.

So, slowly I am motivating to do more....it is exciting!

ooohhhh G-Furr!!! yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so happy


So, I weighed in today since I am off until Thursday.

Current weight=




That's 19.2 lbs down in 4 weeks y'all whooo hoooooo!!!!!!!

I am so thankful for the accountability and friendship I have here!

Even when I wanna so bad I feel

I love you guys

I think it's all about the small changes. One small change at a time. For me it was substituting healthy ingredients in my meals. Then shrinking the sizes of my meals. Next will be changing my activity levels.

I'm so proud of each of you for making the small changes.

Let's keep up this journey

[christie]

Originally Posted by canmarielan

Hey Christie....I had a quick question. Do you feel like the low carb works better for you than low calorie? things is....if you did low calorie you wouldn't have to completely cut out anything. Makes you not have to sit around thinking about carbs b/c you just had some wheat pasta for dinner, ya know?

Just my .02. Of course I think you should totally do what you think is best for you

For me, the no/low carb works best. I have a health condition and predisposition for Type II diabetes. I was diagnosed with PCOS many years ago and have the associated insulin resistance with it. IR seems to be the precursor for Type II and low carb diets usually work best.

Additionally, there seems to be a relationship between carbs and increased fibromyalgia symptoms. When I am having a "carb-fest", I know that the following couple of days are just gonna be HELL when it comes to my pain levels. Since I am on no prescription meds now, and want to stay that way, its just best for me to do the no/low carbs.

I usually don't feel "deprived" (depraved maybe - but that is another thread entirely!) but when its time for my cycle, well, I crave carbs. I am pretty good at keeping the demon at bay, but this weekend wasn't one of those times.

Many years ago, I did Weight Watchers and it worked really well for me. This was pre-PCOS/IR/Fibro. I really enjoyed the meetings - we did an "at work" group and it was awesome to be a part of a group who supported, encouraged and helped one another self monitor.

Yesterday was a better day

[morningstar55]

applebees has a awsome weight watchers menu ..

http://www.applebees.com

[Arwen]

This is hard to write.

I weigh exactly what I weighed at the start. EXACTLY.

I am told my diet sodas are bad. I just do not know if I can ever give them up. I'm only drinkiing 2-3 a day usually. I will try to bring that down. I do not want things with aspartame in them. That stuff makes me really yucky all over.

I know where my problem lies. It's in the portion control. And in the lack of exercise. I have taken to parking farther away from anything I am going into (including work) when I can and when the weather isn't hideous.

I'm thinking about buying a bike but I do not know the FIRST thing about that. I just want a bike I can ride around on. I don't need a fancy-schmancy thing. Just an old ladies bike with a basket. The grocery store is close enough. I could bike there. I could even bike to work by taking the back roads.

All three of my jobs keep me at my computer a LOT. I swear I can feel my butt spreading out as I sit here.

And for the record, Diva, I could tell you'd lost weight. I'm sorry for not saying anything. I've had it ingrained into me that it's "bad" to mention as if I'd noticed your weight in the first place. So I do apologize.

[Just_G]

Another great book that is about lifestyle change, is The Abs Diet. It is not a "diet" book like it sounds. I had a lot of success when I read it and followed some of their advice. They have some great quick recipes for those that don't have a lot of time to cook.

Now, if I can just remember who I loaned that book to...I need to re-read it!

[PinkieLee]

I want to say CONGRATS to all the biggest losers right now! Y'all are doing AWESOME... keep up the amazing work of motivating yourself & your friends here!

A website that I like is called, www.3fatchicks.com.
They've got forums, recipes, BMI calculators, calorie counters, progress charts... everything that you can possible think of. Just another little tool if you like that sort of thing.

I still haven't gotten on the scale yet, and honestly I don't know why. Right now, I am trying to concentrate on just eating better and drinking as much water as humanly possible. Maybe I will bite the bullet and get on the scale tonight. No better time then now, huh?!

[Arwen]

Originally Posted by Diva

When we went to brunch, I felt totally stuffed and miserable after that meal. What was I THINKING???? (And thanks for noticing, btw!) And the GREASE.....I guess, because I was just more aware, I had never noticed how much salt and grease was in my 'store bought meal'.

And by the way.....we're going to have a nice salad and broiled fish this evening. Ok, ok....and 20 hush puppies.

Thank you! I was full but didn't eat again until 6 or so! I so appreciate that encouragement for the diet coke addiction. I'll drink tea tonight. But hush puppies will be eaten. No second bowls! lol But I picked that place because we could get fish and I knew you had good memories of it.

Originally Posted by PinkieLee

I still haven't gotten on the scale yet, and honestly I don't know why. Right now, I am trying to concentrate on just eating better and drinking as much water as humanly possible. Maybe I will bite the bullet and get on the scale tonight. No better time then now, huh?!

That scale is my worst enemy. I really shouldn't weigh myself because I really do get discouraged by it. I'm not unhappy with my weight or look. I think I'm a pretty sexy woman. But I don't FEEL GOOD and that's the key right there. I want to feel more energetic!

[Just_G]

I totally agree about the whole "it's how I feel" thing! I don't own a scale, but have one at work for our UPS packages. So, I really guage how I am doing by how my clothes fit...espcecially my fave jeans...which are getting a bit looser. (when they are back to hangin' off my hips and baggy, I will be one happy camper!) Granted, I am not losing a lot of weight, but I am working out and I am sure that the lifting that I am doing is making it seem like not much is changing.

I just keep doing what I know works even if it doesn't work for anyone else.

If I could just go out and not drink BEER! I love my happy hour one day a week though!

[Arwen]

I just did two pans of Lazy Lady Chicken. One has olive oil, tabasco, Tony's, garlic and a bit of honey. The other has olive oil, lemon juice, lemon-pepper seasoning and garlic

Tonight I'll buy some more letutce and it will be chicken and salad. I have to eat when I get home at 10 or later. So this will prevent me from eating something less healthy.

G, have you tried some of the low-carb/sugar beer? Is it nasty? Be a dear and drink one for the team so we know, okay?

[Diva]

Originally Posted by Arwen

This is hard to write.

I weigh exactly what I weighed at the start. EXACTLY.

I am told my diet sodas are bad. I just do not know if I can ever give them up. I'm only drinkiing 2-3 a day usually. I will try to bring that down. I do not want things with aspartame in them. That stuff makes me really yucky all over.

I know where my problem lies. It's in the portion control. And in the lack of exercise. I have taken to parking farther away from anything I am going into (including work) when I can and when the weather isn't hideous.

I'm thinking about buying a bike but I do not know the FIRST thing about that. I just want a bike I can ride around on. I don't need a fancy-schmancy thing. Just an old ladies bike with a basket. The grocery store is close enough. I could bike there. I could even bike to work by taking the back roads.

All three of my jobs keep me at my computer a LOT. I swear I can feel my butt spreading out as I sit here.

And for the record, Diva, I could tell you'd lost weight. I'm sorry for not saying anything. I've had it ingrained into me that it's "bad" to mention as if I'd noticed your weight in the first place. So I do apologize.

When I was teaching, I drank 3 cups of coffee before school...then, throughout the day, I drank 4-6 Diet Cokes. It became a joke to the kids if I didn't have a can on the piano. But then I kept hearing about all the negatives.....plus the caffeine withdrawals.....

But over the past years, I have gone to NO diet drinks and as of last week, I'm on 100% decaf. So it CAN be done, Arwen....You just have to set Your mind to doing it, and I know You can do that. Sometimes, I will splurge at a restaurant and have a diet coke....but that's not often.

When we went to brunch, I felt totally stuffed and miserable after that meal. What was I THINKING???? (And thanks for noticing, btw!) And the GREASE.....I guess, because I was just more aware, I had never noticed how much salt and grease was in my 'store bought meal'.

And by the way.....we're going to have a nice salad and broiled fish this evening. Ok, ok....and 20 hush puppies.