Healthy Weight Loss

[JustJo]

Originally Posted by *Anya*

I am sitting in Nordie's Bistro and was just beating myself up because the "Not your daughter's jeans", dress slacks and blouse that I just bought, are not size 10 but are 12 petite ( I am a shorty: 5"3).

I had to give myself a stern talking to.

In 2009, I was in size 22's. Yep, not only short but short and fat.

I hope that does not offend anyone but for me, there are no euphuisms. It is exactly what I was.

I am not thin, maybe if I had larger breasts, I could be considered voluptuous. I don't know exactly what I am, other than hypercritical of myself.

I am back where I was after I lost 50 pounds. My cholesterol is staying at 170, from the high of 270, even after stopping the Lipitor.

Self-acceptance.

Even more difficult than losing weight.

((((( Anya )))))

I'm so glad that you posted this.

I think it's so easy to get caught up in berating ourselves because we aren't where we want to be instead of patting ourselves on the back for what we've accomplished.

Your cholesterol count alone equals a big improvement health-wise.

I know that I sometimes go a bit sideways and grumble about the world's slowest weight loss. I see others losing 1, 2, 5 or more pounds each week....and I'm averaging 2 a month. I know it's partly genetic, partly diabetes medications, partly because I'm exercising and being more active but not doing serious "training" and, in largest part, because I'm not dieting. I've just been making small life changes that I can live with forever.

So....when I really want a cheeseburger, I go get one. But I don't drive thru McDonald's multiple times in a week anymore. If I really want some ice cream I have it, but I don't drown my sorrows in a pint of Ben & Jerry's every night.

At the end of the day, here's what I have to look at. I've been in Florida a little over 2 years. Since I've been here, my highest weight was 229, but I'm not sure exactly when that was. I struggled mightily to break the 200 barrier, and now I'm running a pretty consistent 193 - 195, with a gradual trending downward slope. This morning was 193.

That's the lowest weight I've been in so long that I can't remember the last time.

That's a loss of 36 pounds....and slightly more than 15% of my starting body weight. I KNOW that positively impacts my health, not to mention how I look and feel....and that's where I need to focus, not on how far I still have to go.

Hugs to you all

[JoSchmooze]

Thanks to both of you for posting!
I went for my weigh in on Friday....
I have been on maintenance for 6 weeks and only
lost 2 pounds. ONLY!!
Forget the fact that I have a stress fracture in my left
foot that has prevented me from being in the gym...
Forget the fact that I have gone from 500 calories a day
to 1200 calories........I STILL was able to lose something!

As long as we are able to focus on achievement and HEALTH,
and not be hypercritical of ourselves and not focus on what
what others achieve......that's a win in my book.
It takes all of us to be able to look at our own
acheivements and celebrate the healthy!

Keep on trucking y'all.....I know I will be......

[Cowboi]

OMG!!! Today was leg day. I had to crawl out of the gym. Im thinking tomorrow, im gonna be walkin like Fred Sanford.

75 pushups
75 wallballs(12lb ball) with box squats
75 squats
and that was just to warm up.
then on to Leg press 4x10
leg raises 4x10
seated hamstring curls 4x10
calfs(on leg press machine) 4x15

[*Anya*]

I had a very interesting discussion yesterday with

<<<<<<Occupied.

She is average weight, proportioned for her height, has no food issues or addictions.

She texted me from my house while I was at work asking me: "Where are your sweets? I can't find any cookies, candy, ice cream or cake. How can you live like this"?

She was only half-kidding.

When I got home from work, there was a Mounds bar in the frig. She actually went to the store to buy candy.

I tried to think from a non-food addiction person how strange it would be.

The only analogy I could give her was an acoholic and how one drink sends them down the path of hell.

Sweets seem so harmless but for me, they set up a craving so intense, such an obsession, it feels like an addiction to me.

I think she got it and was apologetic as she ate the candy bar and asked if I wanted her to go outside to eat it. Just like an alcoholic in recovery, I could watch her eat it because I had no craving.

I don't miss the insanity of eating a bag of cookies in one sitting or a box of Thin Mints or even the last time I fell off the wagon with Graham crackers.

I can never eat just one or have one bite. Period.

[Gráinne]

Last night at the gym, I noticed that my 25 minute mile was becoming easy. I wasn't sweating as hard, nor straining to finish. I told myself that it was because I was watching the debate on one screen, and football on the other, and thus wasn't working as hard as I do if it's just me.

Then this morning I noticed that my pants didn't work; they were way too loose. I told myself that these were old pants (true) and probably just worn out. My top was also too baggy, but I told myself the same, that it was just wearing out.

So it looks like I have to buy new pants and new bras, and kick up my pace to the next level that's difficult but doable. But what I've been thinking is, why do we ascribe outside things for success, like 'the clothes are worn out', but castigate ourselves for our "failures"? It's not only about weight.

[Andrea]

A medical procedure has kept me from working out for the last few days and I am missing it.

Wow!!! When did that happen? LOL

How is everyone else doing?

[*Anya*]

I finally lost 1/2 of a pound that had been hanging on for weeks.

I simply must get more walking in.

It was easy at my former job to just get up and go outside to walk twice a day, this job-not so much. Today, for example, 5 meetings scheduled and 2 of them are 1.5 hours each.

I just have to do it.

Make the time for me.

Have a great day fellow healthies!

[girl_dee]

i gotta get on track... just gotta.....

[Gráinne]

Good morning!

Last night at the gym-21.10 minute mile. I shaved off about 4 minutes in a couple of days, and 10 minutes since last week. 18 minutes, or even 15, doesn't seem so undoable now .

I also got my pace up to 20 minutes for about half of the mile, before my calves hurt and I had to slow down. But it's coming!

Then, because I was feeling so badass to the core, I went over to the free weight section and did my arm routine with 10 pound weights. I'd not done that before. I couldn't do as much, but that's sort of the point-to push it a little. Otherwise, you're not building your muscle.

My goal isn't to be a musclebody-I know you have to have a certain body type for that, and put in serious weightlifting even then, but nicely toned would be great . My gym offers a "women's side", but I actually prefer to work out with the football players and serious bodybuilders, as if that motivates me. I got a thumbs-up yesterday from one.

Andrea's right, when I miss a day, I don't feel as good. I also know I can mix it up a little with swimming and Zumba, but I also want to focus on that pace thing, which is easier to measure on a treadmill.

When the rest of my life feels like it's falling down around me (literally), it's nice to have something to look forward to and to actually go right.

[Sachita]

I was working out and walking everyday. had some funky problem with the top of my feet. That healed. I'm back walking. I'm not so sure about the gym any more but I did join the YMCA to swim.

I finally broke down and seriously cut back on all grains. I still might have a bit of rice soba or very small amount of rice now and then. I'm mostly juicing, which I always do but now all greens. I am amazed how I feel after one week of not eating wheat or grains. I'm eating chicken, lamb, beef and even eggs. I've increased my veggie intake quite a bit. So instead of have rice or a potato with meals I just eat more veggies or mushrooms. In a week i lost 5 pound just by not eating grains and I totally stopped sugar. Of course there is sugar in carbs and I stopped table sugars/sweets. I actually went through a bit of withdrawal over the sugar thing.

I also notice that when I do eat grains or any sugars it sets the pace for the rest of the day. I'm amazed that in a week my blood pressure and blood sugar lowered.

[Dance-with-me]

I've been using the massive chaos in my life, the fact that I'm feeling limited to just my bedroom in my home until my ex and family are finally out of there, and the fact that I'm trying to stay away from home as much as possible, as my reason to not exercise. I need to be called on that b.s. and stop using my baby-elliptical as just a place to hang bras and dry panties!

[JustJo]

Hello healthies

Well....I've been struggling a bit. It's not reflecting in the scale, but it's operating in my head for sure.

I've been under intense stress....both work and personal...and the emotional eating triggers are all kicked over to "Chow Down!" Thankfully, my good eating of the last year-ish means that my capacity is wayyyyy down. So, when I grab the chips and dip I manage a couple spoonsfull of dip and a couple handfuls of chips....and then I feel stuffed and mildly ill. At least that's better than the full bag and full tub action of 2 years ago.

Still, I know it's not good.

I also had such a crazy schedule of unplanned "stuff"...car issues, kids that needed to be watched because moms had crises to deal with, school schedule changes...that I missed over a week of Curves.

I was back today, and it felt fine....so I know I'm not too far off.

I guess it's just frustrating to see (and feel) how quickly those negative patterns are ready to jump back to the forefront when things get rocky. So far, the worst thing is my diet soda addiction....which has returned with a vengenance...and which I really need to stop, because I know it leads to worse eating habits pretty quickly.

Hugs to you all.

[ruffryder]

SO i read somewhere that fat is targeted mostly in the morning so one shouldn't eat breakfast.. I know I've heard conflicting stories on this and you should eat breakfast cause it's the most important meal of the day. I've also heard to load up on protein and healthy fats at this time throughout the day and save the carbs for later in the day after a workout cause that's when the carbs will be targeted by the body and they leave you feeling fuller longer. Anyone hear this also or live by any such philosophy?

I also wanted to share a list of 20 fittest foods in no particular order..

Broccoli (eat a cup per week)
Tomatoes (eat 3-4 serv. per week)
Oatmeal (eat 3-4 serv. per week)
Blueberries (eat 1 cup per week)
Salmon (eat 3 serv. per week)
Beef (eat 3 serv. per week)
Whole Wheat Bread (eat 4-6 slices per week)
Almonds (eat 3 serv. per week)
Yogurt (get 3 serv. dairy per week)
Spinach (eat 2-3 serv. per week)
Eggs (eat up to 7 eggs per week)
Milk (get 3 serv. dairy per week)
Water (drink 8-8oz glasses per day)
Sweet Potato (eat 1 per week)
Soy (eat 2 serv. per week)
Turkey Breast (eat 3 serv. per week)
Olive Oil (eat 2 tbsp per day)
Quinoa (eat up to 3 serv. per week)
Black Beans (eat 2 serv. per week)
Green Tea (drink up to 3 serv. per day)

you really are what you eat..
I'm wondering about this Quinoa stuff. What is it? How do you eat it, make it? etc..

[Gemme]

Originally Posted by ruffryder

SO i read somewhere that fat is targeted mostly in the morning so one shouldn't eat breakfast.. I know I've heard conflicting stories on this and you should eat breakfast cause it's the most important meal of the day. I've also heard to load up on protein and healthy fats at this time throughout the day and save the carbs for later in the day after a workout cause that's when the carbs will be targeted by the body and they leave you feeling fuller longer. Anyone hear this also or live by any such philosophy?

I also wanted to share a list of 20 fittest foods in no particular order..

Broccoli (eat a cup per week)
Tomatoes (eat 3-4 serv. per week)
Oatmeal (eat 3-4 serv. per week)
Blueberries (eat 1 cup per week)
Salmon (eat 3 serv. per week)
Beef (eat 3 serv. per week)
Whole Wheat Bread (eat 4-6 slices per week)
Almonds (eat 3 serv. per week)
Yogurt (get 3 serv. dairy per week)
Spinach (eat 2-3 serv. per week)
Eggs (eat up to 7 eggs per week)
Milk (get 3 serv. dairy per week)
Water (drink 8-8oz glasses per day)
Sweet Potato (eat 1 per week)
Soy (eat 2 serv. per week)
Turkey Breast (eat 3 serv. per week)
Olive Oil (eat 2 tbsp per day)
Quinoa (eat up to 3 serv. per week)
Black Beans (eat 2 serv. per week)
Green Tea (drink up to 3 serv. per day)

you really are what you eat..
I'm wondering about this Quinoa stuff. What is it? How do you eat it, make it? etc..

ruff,

ALWAYS eat something in the morning (your morning, that is, since I know you have a weird schedule sometimes). By eating something....preferrably good for you....it sets your metabolism for the day.

If you wake and don't eat anything at all, within a couple of hours your body starts hording calories, just like in starvation mode.

I can't tell you about the carbs and what time is best to eat them, but they can be harder to burn off, so if I'm not working out, I will not eat a lot of them towards the end of the day.

I've heard that it's best to eat the largest meal first, then a smaller meal and your smallest meal in the evening in an effort to prevent consuming more calories than you will expend through the day/night.

I'm not a fan of green tea, but everything else on the list looks yummy.