Weekly Weigh-In For 3/6/09

Michelle - posted on 03/13/2009

Hello Ladies!  I'm new here, but I'm in bad need of some weight loss.  I have two boys, 14 and 3, and I lost the "baby" weight after each birth, but for me it was quitting smoking, twice.  The first time I quit for 3 years and put on 30 lbs.  Then I started smoking again for nine years, and now I quit again 2 years ago and put on another 30 lbs.  I feel healthier but heavier!  I'm going to try the Cool Running's Couch-to-5K Running Plan and, while I will weigh myself weekly, my GOAL is to be able to run a 5K by late summer/early fall.  Unfortunately I live in Minnesota and the ground is covered with snow right now and I live in a small town, very rural, and the nearest indoor running track is 20 minutes away and would require a gym membership which I am not prepared to pay.  Hopefully the weather will turn soon and I can get started!!! Can't wait!  And I think the support of the group and reading and remembering I am not alone in the struggle will help tremendously!  You are all BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE and I hope you all have a GREAT DAY!

Salma - posted on 03/11/2009

Hi Missy,

Don't worry if you can't resist the less healthy choices - a little bit of what you like won't do you any harm. The reason I have failed in the past as I've followed the "diet mantra" and have denied myself things as they were "not allowed". This time round - I am not denying myself anything - I just have the less of it!

I eat my meals from a small plate to ensure that I have smaller portions and then load up on salads, veg, fruit, etc.

I know how you feel as I have had a cross trainer in my conservatory that has been gathering dust for at least 18 months! I managed to get on it the other day and lasted about 10 minutes! That's how out of shape I am! So I have to fit in excercise in any shape that I can e.g taking the baby out in his buggy, making sure that all the diaper changing stuff is upstairs so that I have to run up and down the stairs alot more often than I would normally do and rushing around doing the housework as soon as the baby is asleep - it's amazing how many calories you burn!

Good luck this week and don't give up..

Missy - posted on 03/11/2009

Thank you! It really does help to have someone supportive :) I've been staying on top of what I eat the past few days, and am picking up the water intake also, I just got a cool 1 Liter pop top jug, that is cute, I'm trying to empty it twice at work every day this week :) Tonight will be hard, we all typically get together on Wedensday and eat before church, for January and most of February we made a healthy dinner, the past 2 weeks we've been going out and it's been harder to make the good food choices :( I'll keep trying and keep trying to support everyone as much as you all have been supporting me. Now to just find time to get back on the treadmill...

Missy

Salma - posted on 03/11/2009

Quoting Missy:

Hi ladies :) I haven't been doing great checking up on this board, and not great on weight loss :( I started the year at 191, got down to 179 and have bounced back up to 184... feeling a little down this week. I'm trying to eat sensible healthy foods, and spend at least 45 mins on the treadmill 3-4 days a week, but it's been super hard with the kids' schedules. I had a friend working on losing weight too, but she's quit recently so it's gotten even harder!

 

Hi Missy - I know how you feel but keep it up as it will so be worth it! Every time that you think about quitting think about your reasons for wanting to lose the weight - you don't want to be stuck in that cycle of depression and self loathing.

I had a few bad weeks and gained some weight back but then I reminded myself that I wanted to be happy in myself and that I wanted to look in the mirror and like what was reflected back.

I have to lose the weight as I am sick of starting to lose weight and never finishing every attempt. I want to be able to go shopping and buy the clothes that I like instead of living in baggy tops and jeans.

I know it's hard to carry on when your friend has given up but don't let her giving up sabotage your weight loss goal. Just keep on going.

I know it's hard but you have to make the time to do this for yourself as you will be happier in the long run.

Take care

Salma

Missy - posted on 03/10/2009

Hi ladies :) I haven't been doing great checking up on this board, and not great on weight loss :( I started the year at 191, got down to 179 and have bounced back up to 184... feeling a little down this week. I'm trying to eat sensible healthy foods, and spend at least 45 mins on the treadmill 3-4 days a week, but it's been super hard with the kids' schedules. I had a friend working on losing weight too, but she's quit recently so it's gotten even harder!

Salma - posted on 03/10/2009

I had a pretty good week last week - I managed to lose 3ibs and that was a great motivator to keep me on track! I haven't been able to log on much lately as I have been pretty busy but it's great to hear that you girlies are doing so well.

For those of you that are ready to give up or lack motivation - take a leaf out of my book and keep at it. If you have let things slide lately - don't beat yourself up about it - just get back to making the healthy choices and trying to fit in any form of movement that you can.

I've been taking the baby out in his buggy for an hour each day - if I can and it helps I'm sure. I'd love to be able to hit a gym several times a week but that is something that I haven't been able to do - so I fit in excercise in any shape or form!  It does not have to be hard core to do you some good and I am living proof!

Christina - posted on 03/09/2009

Well as of Monday ( I was gone this weekend) I lost one pound but will push harder to lose more this week.

Jenni - posted on 03/09/2009

Welcome Crystal. I hope you find this group helpful. Please look around at the numerous threads that have been started. As you will find we check in every Friday with our weight just to have someplace that will hold us accountable. We don't hold anything against you and are here to support you in your efforts. Many of us are doing different things to loose the weight but I think it may be safe to say that many of us AREN'T dieting - this is a lifestyle change that we are making and that seems to help the mindset with the weight loss. Good luck with whatever plan you choose and know that you can do this. Again welcome to the group and feel free to ask any questions and even "befriend" us on Facebook.
~ Jenni

Crystal - posted on 03/09/2009

i just joined the group. any suggestions would be great. I had a baby back in october and am just now getting time to figuring out a work-out schedule. i have a hard time sticking to a diet or what have you so any tips and suggestions would be really awesome. thanks.

Alyson - posted on 03/09/2009

Thanks for the support and encouragement everyone. I just looked at the scale and it went up again:( I am continually encouraged by everyone else's successes though. Keep it up everyone:)
I just wanted to follow up on the whole food thing. I don't believe in dieting, by this I mean true caloric deprevation! It doesn't work, and I know that it drives your metabolism into the ground. I do eat every meal, and I eat protein with each meal, and I snack, usually fruit or veggies with a few almonds. And there is always a raw veggie plate at supper. I don't feel that I am under eating, and definitely not over eating. We don't eat a lot of red meat - mostly chicken (I had a really hard time with pork and red meat when I was preggo, and even 5 years later it is somewhat of an issue). I also went to one of those calorie calculator sites, and it told me that to maintain I need almost 3000 calories!? And to lose I need to eat between 2300 and 2400 calories. 3000 calories seems VERY high to me (I am sure I don't eat that much food), and yet here I am, stuck on this very high plateau. I can't be plateauing! I haven't lost anything!!!!

Sonya - posted on 03/08/2009

Well, no weight loss this week, but no gain either so thats one plus side to it. I did miss two afternoon workouts this week so I think this coming week I will step up my workouts a bit, its time. I feel so great though now that I am active every day!!! My back and hips feel better, and my nerve in my leg that used to hurt every day is only about once a week. I feel like I am bouncing back finally from my rough pregnancy.



As for my hopes of weighing less than my husband, it has eluded me on how he is losing weight at the same rate I am, but not working out. We are both eating the same healthier diet!!!

Also, I am so happy that daylight savings made it here finally!!! My girls had been getting up so early that it wasnt giving me much time to work out, but now I have another hour in the mornings to work with!!! YAY!

Good job ladies and I love reading about everyones progress!!!

Shannon - posted on 03/07/2009

Quoting Alyson:

I just don't get it. I work out like a dog and the scale isn't going anywhere. Needless to say I'm frustrated, pissed, and sad all at the same time. I mean, I don't eat crap for food (sure I could do better) but we don't eat out, and there are fruits and veggies during the day...*sigh* BUT, regardless of my ire, I'm not giving up. 5 days at the gym next week again...have a great week ladies!

Hi Alyson, I just wanted to leave you a quick message... I love your motivation for working out (that is such a great step), you will start feeling so wonderful, working out releases endorphins which will surely make you feel great soon! And in time, you will start seeing a difference.. EVEN if your scale is not moving much, you should know that you are losing in inches, and you are also gaining muscle which replaces fat. I think you should measure yourself, and continue your work out regimen and then check your measurements the next week, and you will be pleasantly surprised.

Also, your comment about food-- you do need to eat, and eating crappy sometimes is not a big deal. When people begin to deprive themselves, that is when things start to go downhill. Of course, people can go on a diet of 1000 calories for 6 months, but once the diet stops, it most commonly yo-yo's you right back to your start weight.

I highly recommend filling your diet with a lot of protein. I eat 3 or 4 eggs, every morning, and have 2 snacks a day, lunch, and a light dinner. The great thing about eating the eggs in the morning, is that I am not that hungry during the day so I eat quite light and don't feel the need to graze. Also, I'm sure you know that breakfast helps to boost your metabolism, which makes fat-loss a lot easier.

I think you're doing a great job, and you should be so proud of yourself for being so motivated.

Another great tip- Interval training at the gym is the best for fat loss. My husband used to road race on a bicycle and to lose weight for weigh-in's they would do lots and lots of intervals. Bikes at the gym are great for this, you can do a pre-set interval, or you can custom-set them. I generally do 1 and 1/2 hours a night, 60 seconds on level 20, and 60 seconds on level 10. I weighed 160 when I found out I was pregnant, weighed 200 when I delivered, weighed 186 after delivering, and now weigh 172. (I just started this work out regimen, a little over 3 weeks ago and have lost 14 pounds) I don't diet. I eat well, but I don't deprive myself of the things I love. Like the occassional bag of chips, or glass (or two) of wine. :)

I truly believe you are track for weight loss, hang in there, and you will succeed!

Jamie - posted on 03/07/2009

Quoting Alyson:
 I don't eat crap for food (sure I could do better) but we don't eat out, and there are fruits and veggies during the day..

I read somewhere else on this that you need to make sure you are eating ENOUGH.  If you dont give your body enough calories to function, it will store fat because it thinks it needs to store it up for say...the next time you skip a meal.  But Fat will burn much slower that food will, in fact, its the last thing to go!  Find an online calorie calculator where you can enter your height/weight/sex/nurinsg information.  You may be surprised!  Just a thought:)  Good luck this week!

Alyson - posted on 03/07/2009

I just don't get it. I work out like a dog and the scale isn't going anywhere. Needless to say I'm frustrated, pissed, and sad all at the same time. I mean, I don't eat crap for food (sure I could do better) but we don't eat out, and there are fruits and veggies during the day...*sigh* BUT, regardless of my ire, I'm not giving up. 5 days at the gym next week again...have a great week ladies!

Jenni - posted on 03/07/2009

Good luck. That's pretty much what I did for the first week when I started out and I really haven't changed much since then. I'll have some iced tea but my tea is very watered down, and I rarely have diet soda any more. Typically my drink of choice is water.

Irene - posted on 03/07/2009

Eh, that's supposed to read no iced tea, milk, or diet soda. Nothing but water.

Jenni - posted on 03/07/2009

That's wonderful to hear Sarah - you'll have to let us/me know how you are doing with it. I love the plan and so many people comment on how good I'm looking so something is working for me. I credit the life plan.

Jamie - I am so jealous that your husband is a personal trainer and is willing to push you like that. Can we rent him out? LOL

Sarah - posted on 03/06/2009

I have not lost any over all weight since the begining of Feb.  Some weeks I will lose a pound or two, but then I gain it back the next week.  However, today I went out and bought the Joy's Life Diet book.  I talked my husband into doing (when he is home at least) and we are starting tomorrow.  Hopefully I will have better news to share next week.

Jamie - posted on 03/06/2009

Beginning: 244

Last Week: 239

This Week: 238

So one pound this week, but that is after a three day weekend vacation on Oahu!  I think I did good.  My husband is my trainer, and he says I am getting stronger.  I also lost a few inches in my waist and hips!  I am happy as long as I am losing.  I am doing a lot of weight training, which is great cause I do it in circuits and I get cardio and weight training all in one.  Its great to get pushed so hard.  I have cried almost three times now, but at the end of the workouts I am so amazed at what I can do, and I know I am getting stronger and in better shape.

Jenni - posted on 03/06/2009

Well ladies I weighed in at 173 this morning which is a 1.5 pound loss from last week. I'm working on accepting that my weight loss will slow down more and more and that as long as there is either some weight loss or minimal weight gain I'm alright. I just really want to hit that 165 mark this month and show my husband that I can get to his weight. = )
Today I actually wore my size 10 jeans to work and you wouldn't believe the comments I got. People pulled me out of meetings and called me on the phone just to say WOW and how they can't believe how much I've lost. I continue to work out each day, though some days more than others. I keep trying to push myself to take it up even a little step each time I work out outside of the group classes.

Keep up the good work everyone and do what is right and best for you. Each one of us has our own plans and yet everything we do seems to be working for us. THIS WILL BE OUR YEAR!!!!!

Angel - posted on 03/06/2009

I weighed in this week at 185lbs. but I would have to say that my scale is messed up. I was at the Dr. 2 different times and their said 192. I like mine better but guess the Dr.'s are right. I haven't really done any exercise and haven't tracked my food intake. I will start a food log on Sunday and see how that goes.



Irene, No water for a week isn't good, I'm guessing that is a typo.

Irene - posted on 03/06/2009

Weigh-In

This week was kind of off. I didn't log my food. In addition, I only worked out 3 days this week. And in the end, that equaled Mr. Tanita saying I weigh 183.6 pounds. That's a .6 pound weight gain. Figures. Anytime I am near a milestone, I screw it up. Well, its not a major gain so I'm not upset. Was just hoping for that 1 pound loss. Next week I will be there for sure.



Next Week

WORKOUT SCHEDULE



* Sunday - Running Speed Intervals (20 minutes) , Elliptical (20 minutes)

* Monday - Hill Walking (30 minutes), Strength Training (30 minutes)

* Tuesday - Step Class (40 minutes), Running Speed Intervals (20 minutes)

* Wednesday - Hill Walking (30 minutes), Strength Training (30 minutes)

* Thursday - Elliptical (20 minutes), Boot Camp (40 minutes)



CHALLENGE

I am planning my own personal water drinking challenge. That means no water, no milk, no diet soda for one full week.