Healthy Weight Loss

[JoSchmooze]

I too, have not posted in a while....
I am fighting internally with this journey...
On Thursday I posted a pic on my FB status showing
the 50 lbs I have lost since Feb 3, 2012.....
I am in a bit of a slump and have doubts about the hCG diet.
Al the Russian tells me I am "starving myself"....I listen to
the voice in my head (oh, did I tell you that I am
feeling slightly nutz right about now?) that muscle
weighs more than fat....I see how my body is
reshaping itself but for some damned reason I am angry.....

Angry at not getting anywhere as quickly as promised....
Angry at giving in, telling myself that my body needs more to
eat to maintain muscle and tone.

Angry that I feel like I am, all of a sudden
feeling like I am binging (really? binging?? A handful of
walnuts to replace protein used up in training??)
and then purging by using fiber supplements
so that I can shed pounds......
And frustrated that when I see the doc on Friday it
will appear that no weight has been lost this month
even though I have lost and gained the same freakin
five pounds over and over again this past month.....

Angry and frustrated enough to chuck it all, stop this madness
and eat a pint of B&J...or go over to that BBQ place I pass
every time I go to the gym and order a rack of ribs and just sit there
and wolf them down!

Done, done, done with the rant.....
Sorry......

[Lady_Di]

Originally Posted by JoSchmooze

I too, have not posted in a while....
I am fighting internally with this journey...
On Thursday I posted a pic on my FB status showing
the 50 lbs I have lost since Feb 3, 2012.....
I am in a bit of a slump and have doubts about the hCG diet.
Al the Russian tells me I am "starving myself"....I listen to
the voice in my head (oh, did I tell you that I am
feeling slightly nutz right about now?) that muscle
weighs more than fat....I see how my body is
reshaping itself but for some damned reason I am angry.....

Angry at not getting anywhere as quickly as promised....
Angry at giving in, telling myself that my body needs more to
eat to maintain muscle and tone.

Angry that I feel like I am, all of a sudden
feeling like I am binging (really? binging?? A handful of
walnuts to replace protein used up in training??)
and then purging by using fiber supplements
so that I can shed pounds......
And frustrated that when I see the doc on Friday it
will appear that no weight has been lost this month
even though I have lost and gained the same freakin
five pounds over and over again this past month.....

Angry and frustrated enough to chuck it all, stop this madness
and eat a pint of B&J...or go over to that BBQ place I pass
every time I go to the gym and order a rack of ribs and just sit there
and wolf them down!

Done, done, done with the rant.....
Sorry......

as I was driving back to Colorado, one of the radio newscaster said something about a recent study of how facebook is upping eating disorders and lowering people's self esteem, yadda yadda ya

welp, it don't have to be that way

we all have ups and downs and beat ourselves up from time to time. You know you doing it to yourself, too. We do take responsibility for our lot in life, at least most of us do here, no?

I have faith in you. If you feel you have stumbled or are not exactly where you want to be at right now... well....

there is a sign at my home group which I simply adore -

If you do not like where you are at...

Do Not Stop.





Keeping coming back and never ever give up, no matter what you may be feeling, experiencing at this moment. Like a soldier I saw at the VA yesterday said to me. Reminding me of this -

Today is a good day to die!
AND a good day to fight.

wooooah!!!

the question is... what are you fighting for, who are you fighting for... or shall ye surrender and give up.

Never!

woooooah!!

One day, one hour, somedays... one second at a time. Each moment can be and truly is a new beginning.
d'who loves her veterans~

[Talon]

Originally Posted by JoSchmooze

I too, have not posted in a while....
I am fighting internally with this journey...
On Thursday I posted a pic on my FB status showing
the 50 lbs I have lost since Feb 3, 2012.....
I am in a bit of a slump and have doubts about the hCG diet.
Al the Russian tells me I am "starving myself"....I listen to
the voice in my head (oh, did I tell you that I am
feeling slightly nutz right about now?) that muscle
weighs more than fat....I see how my body is
reshaping itself but for some damned reason I am angry.....

Angry at not getting anywhere as quickly as promised....
Angry at giving in, telling myself that my body needs more to
eat to maintain muscle and tone.

Angry that I feel like I am, all of a sudden
feeling like I am binging (really? binging?? A handful of
walnuts to replace protein used up in training??)
and then purging by using fiber supplements
so that I can shed pounds......
And frustrated that when I see the doc on Friday it
will appear that no weight has been lost this month
even though I have lost and gained the same freakin
five pounds over and over again this past month.....

Angry and frustrated enough to chuck it all, stop this madness
and eat a pint of B&J...or go over to that BBQ place I pass
every time I go to the gym and order a rack of ribs and just sit there
and wolf them down!

Done, done, done with the rant.....
Sorry......

I was told that I was "starving" myself too, from a professional bodybuilder that I had hired as a personal trainer a couple years ago. The idea (he said) was to keep the body burning like a furnace throughout the day, with 6-8 small meals based primarily w/lean protein and low in simple carbs. I did it, but it wasn't easy eating that much (sounds weird, I know)...I mean I was CONSTANTLY eating by the alarm on my watch. One thing I will say, though..is I was rarely hungry eating that way.

[thedivahrrrself]

[Zimmeh]

This has been a hard week for me. Monday was the ten year anniversary of my dad passing away, so I have been depressed all week. Work is killing me and my soon to be ex roommate is calling me, some not so nice names since I got my braces. As a result, I broke down on Monday and cried for 20 minutes in my boss' office and went to Baskin and Robbins for ice cream. The only person who has supported me this week is Ruff and I'm thankful for hys love and friendship . Once we move this weekend, I will pick my self esteem up and put one foot in front of the other and get back to my happy life!

I found the Carnation instant breakfast shakes are good since I still cannot eat any meat. I have been eating potatoes, soup, Greek yogurt, apple sauce and jell-o for the last nine days.

Hugs to all of you!

Zimmeh

[*Anya*]

Just posting in here helps a great deal.

Yesterday morning, I rose like Lazarus, off of the couch and did 15 sit-ups plus other exercises.

I am still totally unable to do leg-lifts yet but it is a start and was far less painful than I feared.

Next, is to tackle walking.

Have a good weekend everyone

[deedarino]

Originally Posted by Zimmeh

This has been a hard week for me. Monday was the ten year anniversary of my dad passing away, so I have been depressed all week. Work is killing me and my soon to be ex roommate is calling me, some not so nice names since I got my braces. As a result, I broke down on Monday and cried for 20 minutes in my boss' office and went to Baskin and Robbins for ice cream. The only person who has supported me this week is Ruff and I'm thankful for hys love and friendship . Once we move this weekend, I will pick my self esteem up and put one foot in front of the other and get back to my happy life!

I found the Carnation instant breakfast shakes are good since I still cannot eat any meat. I have been eating potatoes, soup, Greek yogurt, apple sauce and jell-o for the last nine days.

Hugs to all of you!

Zimmeh

I believe carnation instant breakfast is one of the keys to my success. It help me to never feel deprived...

[Lady_Di]

Instant breakfast... I remember the sugar free version did help, though without milk now, it is not high enough protein for me. But blended with ice it can fool me into thinking it is a shake. And after my surgery, I could literally not tolerate artificial sweetners at all, they hurt my tummy. Which in my opinion was a total G.d thing, as I think that stuff is so bad for us. Today I can tolerate a bit of them, but not much. I usually end up watering them down big time. Or just bypassing anything artificial, in general and on principle. Nice to have principles today, no?

Personally I found a nutritional drink I can simply mix with water and still gives me like 28 grams of protein. Very satiating.

ilikechike.com

http://www.chikenutrition.com/

Those that can still tolerate lactose even get a bigger bang for the buck I suppose. Bottom line I like it, which for me is rare for me, I do not like most of these sweet things. I do not have much of a sweet tooth.

Try the Strawberry. It is my favourite. Sometimes I even add frozen organic strawberries, as I really really love em and they are guilt free indulgences.

Though my mentor, whom I have mentioned several times here, swears by the Orange Creme flavour. I also had a bumper crop of peaches this year, so have frozen peaches, which when I add them to the Very Vanilla makes a killer peach ice cream, I swear. It is amazingly like peach ice cream. Yes, I add a lot of peaches and ice, too. It is good, try it. I hear some folks add greek yogurt, too. And even cook brownies and what not with this stuff. I have not, but I have read those that do. Very cool, imo.

Low glycemic frozen wild blueberries are also great additions. Though I prefer them all by themselves, best thing on earth to me. And totally guilt free, a rare thing these days.


My splurges lately, because of packing up everything and what not... watermelon and clearing out everything in my freezer, which is actually only full of healthy whole foods, mostly organic or free range, grass fed. Expensive but I am worth it

I did buy some junk for my road trip, but I am not all that into it. A tiny bit of naughty is not such a big deal, today. The watermelon is a much preferred treat to me these days. I simply know I feel so much better when I eat healthy. It reinforces itself. And it is better to lose slowly but surely, even back slide a bit and get back on track, than to do it super quickly and then see saw back up. I think that sort of thing is very hard on our bodies. We have all done so much damage, totally our own doing. But it does not consign us to doing this or anything the rest of our lives.

I love the fact that we as human beings have Free Agency. We have choices all along the way and it feels good to take responsibility for my choices today, good, bad or indifferent.

Welcome to the new folks here and to the lurkers and thread stalkers. I have had more than one phone call in the past few months that have mentioned they did that, lol. For those that are too shy to post or whatever reasons you may have, that is okay too. As many have said before here... whatever works for you.

Just do it.

and...

Never give up! Each and everyone here is worth it. I love you all, and if no one told you today that they love you. I do, whether you like it or not.

(I hear that everyday at a 12 step group I go to, and the guy that always says it, really means it. And I can honestly say I do as well.)


WWJD?
I really do ask myself this...

the answer is easy.


Love

[Ginger]

So I've lost between six and nine pounds (it varies day-to-day but even with the one-step-forward-one-step-back effect, the plateaus are consistently moving in the right direction).

I think six to nine more and I'd be thrilled.

A body is a terrible thing to waste. So is a life. I'm being more careful about what I admit into my realm of existence.

Even though I'm confused most days about the things I'm weighing (no pun intended), I'm certain that it all starts right here, with me.

[Ginger]

Originally Posted by JoSchmooze

I too, have not posted in a while....
I am fighting internally with this journey...
On Thursday I posted a pic on my FB status showing
the 50 lbs I have lost since Feb 3, 2012.....
I am in a bit of a slump and have doubts about the hCG diet.
Al the Russian tells me I am "starving myself"....I listen to
the voice in my head (oh, did I tell you that I am
feeling slightly nutz right about now?) that muscle
weighs more than fat....I see how my body is
reshaping itself but for some damned reason I am angry.....

Angry at not getting anywhere as quickly as promised....
Angry at giving in, telling myself that my body needs more to
eat to maintain muscle and tone.

Angry that I feel like I am, all of a sudden
feeling like I am binging (really? binging?? A handful of
walnuts to replace protein used up in training??)
and then purging by using fiber supplements
so that I can shed pounds......
And frustrated that when I see the doc on Friday it
will appear that no weight has been lost this month
even though I have lost and gained the same freakin
five pounds over and over again this past month.....

Angry and frustrated enough to chuck it all, stop this madness
and eat a pint of B&J...or go over to that BBQ place I pass
every time I go to the gym and order a rack of ribs and just sit there
and wolf them down!

Done, done, done with the rant.....
Sorry......

Jo I don't hear this as a rant, I hear it as a glimpse of the battle you're having with things that hold you back, and I think you're winning.

Also, please don't be sorry; everything you said was completely valid and there are probably others who read it and thought, Yeah, I've felt that way too! And somehow that spreads a little resilience around.

Scout

[Lady_Di]

MileHighMama posted this over on Spark People and I thought it was worth sharing... she has completely blown away her doctor with what she has done with her out of control diabetes and cholesterol numbers. Quite literally she is saving her life, via excellent research and nutritional choices, amoung other things. I am very proud of her and her empowering wise choices along the way on this road less traveled.


"Wednesday, May 23, 2012


"I'd like a side of bacon, please. I'm on a diet"

I said those words today at lunch. They amused the heck out of me because they were so ridiculous sounding... and yet absolutely the truth!! Hah!

Delicious
Ideas
Everywhere
Thankfully

I think I mentioned before that I'm a Realtor. When people ask me what I do for a living, I sometimes tell them I eat. Sometimes it seems like it's true! A busy week with multiple clients can result in multiple coffee dates, 2-3 lunches 'out' and at least one (if not more) dinners on the run! "I eat." That's what I do for a living

I thought today how lucky I am to live right now, right here in northern Colorado. I'm not sure about other areas because I haven't traveled since changing my 'diet' for the better, but I have to say that the restaurants (even fast food!) are mighty accomodating to my needs: "Please cook it in butter." - no problem. "I'd like that without a bun and with extra tomato." - no problem. "I'd like to have no english muffin and 2 extra slices of bacon because I'm on a diet." again.. today... "no problem"

Between Wendy's wising up and adding sweet potatoes to their menu, and Carl's Junior's willingness to sell me side orders of a couple of scrambled eggs with bacon and a sprinkle of cheese, and Olive Garden's GF menu and ability to swap in steamed broccoli and grilled veggies for pasta/potatoes/etc... I have it made in the shade!!

At McDonald's just a few days ago, I paused while ordering and then finally said "No, I think the tea will do it for me" and when I pulled around to pay the really nice cashier asked conversationally "Did you have trouble figuring out if you were hungry or not?" I said "No, I'm on a low carb diet and I was trying to figure out if I could make anything work." She replied "Oh, well we can put scrambled eggs and cheese and sausage in a little side dish tray for you, no problem!" I will remember that next time

There are really no excuses for living high carb. There are certainly people who 'choose' to live high carb, along with people who choose to smoke and people who choose to bungee jump and drive race cars and ride bulls in the rodeo... and I say more power to them as mature adults. You have the info, you can make your choices any way that it works for you... but the 'excuse' that you eat out a lot or can't cook or don't have time or whatevertheheck you think is preventing you from NOT eating heart-disease producing sugars and grains... well, those excuses don't hold water. At least not here in northern Colorado where the nice folks at all the lovely restaurants and every fast food place I've gone are more than willing to accomodate my requests! "

[deedarino]

Living low carb is how I am doing mine as well, with gluten free (for me this was the key) added in...over time I have completely edited out fast food with a few exceptions in an emergency:

• McDonalds scrambled eggs and sausage sides (cool thing its about $2 when you order as sides!)
  
• Carls Junior has a low carb burger on lettuce
  
• Taco Bell two chicken tacos and a side of beans (or two) then scrape the insides of the tacos into the beans and voila! Get a spoon...
  
• Taco Bell tostadas, not the best but the corn doesn't seem to bother me. I would rathe make my own but in a pinch...
  
• Panda Expresss Mandarin Chicken with NO sauce and a side of steamed veggies
  
• I also keep nuts in my car...hehehe...for emergencies. Or will stop at a quickie mart for a bag of almonds or cashews.

I have heard many stories of diabetics who have gotten things under control by going low carb. My boss's husband was one of them. His dr was amazed.

[Lady_Di]

I hear many folks are having some difficulties and want to let you know we have all been there, done that and had our underwears stamped. You are not alone!

I like this blogger, his kindness and introspection I found to be particularly right on for me. Hope it can help another here along this path less traveled.

Remember, never give up. You are worth it. Your health matters.


"The Path To The Holy Grail- Regaining Emotional Balance Part 4 of 5 - Realistic Weightloss Goals
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Friday, May 25, 2012
Thanks for coming along on this rather long blog series. In case you are just tuning in, in short, I have been trying to organize and communicate the reasons I feel why I have been successful. This is not as if I had researched all of this and used my own knowledge to lead myself down this path. There is nothing special or unique about me but rather, like a poor beggar that found a treasure chest, so I now share with you. This treasure is of no value hoarded, it only gains interest when shared liberally. Links to the blog series at bottom.

These ideas are not mine, I just bumbled upon them. If they are not mine, then they cannot be bought or sold but can only be obtained when sought for with the whole heart. This is a price that everyone can afford but not all are willing to pay. I believe they are irrevokable principles that will lead you and I to a better journey. I may fail and totally wash out but these truths will live on. I believe that they are the key to success, the path to our Holy Grail.

What is it that made the difference? None of it involved eating a certain way or following any one particular exercise program or method. Those are all externals... Everything conclusion I have reached has all been internal.

After alot of deep thinking and reflection, it all boiled down to 4 things..

1) Seeking out the things that make for emotional stability (this section has 5 subsets)
2) Food Addiction Recovery ie...drying out
3)Reprogramming My Reward Center and Values
4) Mastering Response-Ability

Part 4 of 5 Seeking Emotional Stability- Being realistic about weight loss goals.

When I first started out, I fell into the trap of setting huge weight loss goals once i got the notion that I actually COULD do it. How true it is that when we start out, we struggle with the very notion that we will do it this time, unlike the other 99 false starts so there are huge mental blocks to be overcome JUST to reach the place where one is ready to step up and give it another tug. Once we experience some success, then the temptation is there to set lofty goals because we have a little faith now.

Does this sound familiar? " Im going to lose 50 pounds in 6 months, just in time for my _____ " (fill in blank) ie.. school reunion, beach vacation, shopping trip etc...

I submit that while it is noble to set such goals as a point of focus, you and I have little control as to the rate at which our bodies will shed fat. While it is true that a certain amount of loss can be forced through starvation, dehydration, or God forbid, laxatives. None of this is healthy and will lead to real problems down the road, all for a temporary number that brings a fleeting sense of accomplishment and approval from those around us when they hear of our "success". I learned quickly that my body works on its own clock.

It took a little while before I came to the realization that the goal of this journey is to lead my body and soul beside the still waters, not beat it into submission. All of the above "sins" I have committed and found that they are of no profit.
Yes, thats right, I have tried to force a number before. My self esteem was all tied up in getting just one more pound closer to happiness because I hated myself and what I looked like. This was further aggravated by weigh ins at the gym where I wanted to please my trainer so badly. It really became a problem when I started marathon training and my weight loss came to a dead stop. I was never pressured by the trainer but rather I wanted her to be proud of me. That I was her "star" client, that I was really a champion and was totally on top of it. We are typically desparate to attain some sort of affirmation that we are succeeding, that we have worth, and that we are just a good as anyone else. Maybe to prove that you are even better than others if you are coming from the angle of low self esteem. You want to prove yourself and earn respect so badly that you will go to extremes to get it...like me.

Yes, this is confession time. I wanted the approval so badly that I abused myself in some instances. Truth is good for the soul. It heals and cleanses.

Finally, I got some real insight that I wanted to share with you.

What would you think about someone who comes into a hospital badly injured, leg broken in 3 places and states that they will heal by such and such a date so they can make it to some long anticipated event. We would tell that person to put those plans on ice. They need to heal and tell them that it may not happen according to their preferred timeline. We would basically say within ourselves that that person seriously needs a reality check. That individual is NOT in control of the process. All the doctors can do is stabilize the patient and create the environment for healing to take place. Outside of that, all they can do is let nature take its course.

If this is so obvious in the physical then why do we try to beat our bodies into submission to meet some ''im gonna lose XXX pounds by XXX date'' goal then beat ourselves up because we couldnt make ourselves do it.

I had to let it all go and realize that the only thing I can do is create the environment through nutrition and exercise, work to sustain that environment, then step back and let it unfold. Let the body heal itself on its own time clock.

Remember, you are leading your body beside the still waters, not trying to beat it into unnatural submission with brute force methods.

If your body does not lose it on its schedule, there will most likely be a backlash of some sort. We create those crazy expectations because we believe that rigid adherence will beget success. We do that because deep down we cannot tolerate yet another failure to meet that expectation. We struggle enough as it is. I cannot think of one time I have ever looked in the mirror at 385 pounds and said to myself "wow dude, you are really a stud!" My viewed image was always met with a sick feeling or no feeling at all because we get to be really good at burying negative feelings. Our hearts and minds can only tolerate so much before some type of defensive mechanism kicks in for the sake of keeping us intact...sort of.

I had to love myself where I was at. Happiness and self love does not come at some magic moment when the number you are seeking for pops up on the screen. When I broke 100 pounds lost, there were no angel choirs singing, no pats on the back, no TV camera interviews wanting to know the secrets of my success. It was all a big non-event. In fact, no one in my world really cared.

Weight loss does not bring happiness. It is the BYPRODUCT of happiness. It is the result of a daily commitment to creating the environment for healing and sustaining it, then stepping back and allowing the magic to happen on its own timeline.

The only thing that you and I can control is the environment that we create. Outside of that, it is out of our hands.

Let it go and love yourself.

Just like the rose cannot be forced to bloom, you cant force your body. Water it with nutrition and exercise, seek to relieve the sources of anxiety that drive the bad habits.

Then, like the rose...Just let it unfold."


http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_pu...log_id=4897677

[Thinker]

Wow... Add me to the list of folks who have not posted lately and who have been feeling a loss of motivation.

I rejoined WW online a while back and decided I would "do it my own way" to see how it worked for me. My focus has been waist size and not weight. Well, in that regard I suppose you could say I've been successful because my weight hasn't really changed. I dropped two pounds but managed to reduce my belly measurement by two inches.

I realized, though, that I was giving myself "outs" and that I wasn't really changing anything.........not much anyway. I was doing "just enough". What a crock!

This past weekend, my wife and I totally re-committed to kickin' some ass and living in a way that makes us feel better about who we are and how we're taking care of ourselves. For us, that includes real exercise. Not excessive exercise but not merely stretching either.

I threw a foam exercise mat out on the back patio and now spend the morning out there doing my stretching and a good round of old-school calisthenics. After that a vigorous walk of anywhere from 2-6 miles...

I'm cutting out bread (which makes me sad), candy, and eating at any place that has a drive-thru. For now, my sweet tooth will be satisfied by eating frozen Greek yogurt w/berries.

I'm back to being completely anal about recording my food points and my activity points (even though I don't use them).

While we were in Vegas, we went to a show and took a picture with "Marilyn Monroe". At the end of the show, we looked at the picture to see if we wanted to purchase it. I think I laid my eyes on that picture for all of a nano-second and turned away. I did not like what I was seeing and vowed that THIS TIME I was going to do something about it. And I'm going to...