Weight Loss

Hi, I would like to get in shape for the summer...I am currently in college and have gained a bit more weight than I would have liked to:) I am 5'3 and weigh 143lbs...would love to go down to 125lbs or so over the course of the next few months and would love to hear from anyone else with the same situation? 

I could certainly do with some motivation...someone to chat to when Im contemplating a chocolate binge:) 

Oh man, I'm from Michigan too(grew up in Detroit then Walled Lake and lived in Kalamazoo for 17 years) and Smader, I just moved to MA from Madison, WI this past January.  Do you ever eat at Muramoto?  Holy fan-freaking-tastic fusion sushi.  I miss that place so much.

Gracelynn, I love Canada and Canadians.  Used to be married to one.  Was actually dating another Canadian last year.  Now that I'm in the east, I'm planning to do some traveling to Montreal and Quebec.  Can't hardly wait!

I utilize the 10,000 step program (have pedometer, will travel) as my baseline.  This is about 6 miles per day (about 90 minutes) and whatever I do besides (lifting, moving kayaks around, paddling) is bonus.  I try to get it in (weather permitting) prior to 8 am most days.  Due to my schedule and travel time, I pack a lot of movement in during the weekdays because my weekends can be sketchy.

I have a couple of things I've discovered that are important to me so I can stick to the deficit caloric intake.  I need about 30-40% of my daily calories to come from a good protein source. 40+ calories from carbohydrates and the rest healthy fats.  I also try to make sure my fiber count is up around 30+.   Shrimp cocktail (with salsa) makes a super high protein, low calorie snack and it's filling.  I also utilize kashi go lean chewy protein and fiber bars.  13g of protein and 6 g of fiber.  These and apples help a lot when I'm on the road. 

Anyone discovered any special tips that may help us all along?

Here are my special hurdles while on the road?  Requisite social time at restaraunts/bars... oy.  Another week long trip of this nature in a few weeks.  The upcoming event involves a lot of walking so it helps mitigate the "party calories".  I also have a thyroid disorder (my special little friend:).

Wow, I missed a lot here over the past couple of days.  Either monday or tues., I couldn't post ANYTHING.  kept getting db error that said to contact support.  Contacting support was not easy since it would not allow me to send an email to them through the system and they didn't display an actual email address where I could reach them outside the system.  I wound up using the actual about.com site "contact us" tab.  This is usually used for business relations, (partnerships, advertising etc.)  Any...hoo they did get my msg to right folks and confirmed that the server had been down. I'm going to have a  heck of a time recalling what I ate while it was down.  I tried to keep track on post it notes but they are scattered about by now.  Rant over.  Glad to be back. 

Smader - thanks for asking if things have settled down for me.  It's going to be ok.  I realize its not the end of the world and the sky isn't falling.

Austin, Texas is my home.  Software sales & marketing is my gig. I like a weight class at the gym called "body pump".  It's and hour.  Works every muscle and is set to music.  I also do an aerobics step class & jog about 3 miles on the weekends.  So that's 4 work out a week if I'm good (big IF).  Keeping up with 2 kids, 6&10, keeps me busy too.

Hey all - it's weigh in day today, and i'm at 129.2 - first time in 8 yrs that i'm below 130!!! so YAAAAYYYYY... happy and hoping to stay on track - I haven't been logging food since arriving in Jerusalem, but I seem to be doing okay with distributing my cals to allow for all the beer drinking that I'm doing (it is holiday after all)

i live in Denmark, but have also lived in Jerusalem, where my mother's family is from - this is where I met my (now ex) husband, and we moved back to Denmark together when I got pregnant - we were both in the humanitarian field, but after we divorced, I needed space and an identity of my own, so I'm now doing a bunch of different things: mostly working on movie sets ( I worked on a feature film called Go with Peace, Jamil, that will be airing in the States sometime later this year), and also getting another degree in psycho therapy, that I will be finishing next year, and then  that's what I want to work with afterwards... a turbulent time for me, but i'm slowly settling into life as it is :-)

I love checking in on you guys, I hope you're all well - you are all an inspiration to me...

Wow!  Congrats on your diligence snehvide.  I'm super happy for you and under all the pressure of socializing and beer!  I'll be using you as an example over the next few weeks of social events.

How the heck did you end up making films?  In what way are you involved?

BTW, my weight only fluctuated a little despite all of my efforts:) 

128.6 lbs (my goal is 127-ish for next week) I have a 10 lb bowling ball to lose as of yet and I'm determined to make this happen. 

I am up a little bit this week from the past weeks, 142, but down from the water weight after vacation.  I need to stay good about drinking and eating without thinking first (potlucks, mostly)

renekane-I have only been to Muramoto once, during restaurant week, so I was able to try many things and it was all very good!  MA must be quite a change from the midwest!

Hasta- Glad to hear things are going ok.  It is hard to find time to get to the gym.  I find I really have to schedule it and make it routine so it actually feels odd to not go to the gym.  Running after kids is a great workout!  Glad you are able to get back on the computer (or more specifically the site!)

snehvide-My brother just moved to Copenhagen!  What a small world.  I have never been to Denmark or Jerusalem, but they both sound great.  It sounds like you are busy working, traveling, and going to school.  Congrats on watching calories during holidays, I think that is the hardest thing. 

gracelynn-Canada is great, have loved my travels there.  Walking is a great exercise, something I try to do a lot (I walk to work)

bettyboop71-With Court, etc that is great that you still have time to workout.  That can be a very stressful job!

I hope everyone has a good weekend.  I am looking forward to doing some things outside and working on the house. 

Wow everyone lives such busy lives, my adrenaline was getting all pumped up just reading about your daily exercise and food routines! Lol.

It's weigh in day! Lol, I'm back on track -happy about that as weight fluctuating is so nerve raking! Today, 126.6 -yay! How did every one do?

TTOM kicked my butt.  142.2. Considering... I should be back on tract next week. Postive thinking goes a long way!

Grace, I just am dumbfounded by your progress, girl.  By the chart it looks like you've dropped over 13 lbs.  Your friends and family must hardly recognize you.  Just kidding. Congrats.  I'm jealous.

Goodmorning.  Well, its still morning for me.  My day did not start right.  Someone broke into my husband's car.  So, when I went to my car (on the way to the gym), I saw his window shield busted.  My husband is also a police officer and uses his personal vehicle for work.  I totally freaked!!!!  His computer, police gear!!!!  Fortunately nothing was taken.  Hopefully the idiots realized it was a police car and took off.  Kinda hard not to notice when you see the blue light in the back.....So, needless to say, I did not go to they gym this morning....

As of today, I am 136.  The same as last week.  Well, last night I did share a blizzard with my daughter....Ice Cream is my WEAKNESS.  I just have to work out harder.  Despite the stalled weight loss, my clothes feel loose and people have been commenting on my appearance.   So, I'm happy with that....Oh yeah, funny note, I went running yesterday.  I couldnt run very long because my shorts kept falling down!!!!!!  Had to buy a pair of size small shorts...yeah me!!!!

bettyboop, ice cream is my weakness too! 144.2 today despite a little ice cream indulgence this week but TOTM coming up next week...dunh da dunh da daaaa!!!

You know, I was 136 yesterday, as of this morning (Sat) I'm at 135.2.  What the hell.  I so hate the weight fluctuations.  I go between 135-136.  I really need to buckle down and hit below 135.  Then, that will make me feel better.

Lol, Hasta you're kidding, everyone is capable of doing what I did -nothing to be jealous of. Umm, for sure positive thinking really helps -totally agree with you on that one!

Lol, Bettyboop71 sounds like you're getting toned!

I like the sound of that gracelynn, "toned".  I hope that's the case.  And great job on your weightloss!!!

Lol, thanks Bettyboop71!

Hi all!  It is another Friday weigh in.  I am staying steady.  I am at 142.5.  I was PMS'ing this week and found it hard to not eat everything in sight.  I need to find a system that works better for me.  I think I am going to get a body assessment next week to get a better idea of a goal weight. 

We'll see how that goes!!

Hey Smader! That's great that you're staying steady during PMS as it's hard to control cravings during that time! A body assessment sounds interesting; where do you go for a body assessment and what is it like? This site provides free BMI (body mass index) for anyone interested in figuring out a healthy weight range.

Home Tool Bar>Tools>BMI Tool

So excited about weight in today! So how about I start off this Weigh-In with good news of steady weight loss, so happy! How about you, what's your progress this week?

I am going to have a body assessment at my local YMCA.  They find your body fat % and help you figure out a goal weight taking in all different factors.  I have used the information on this site as well and it has been helpful.  I would also like to know my body fat %  to look at another target. 

My goal this weekend is to watch what I eat and try to either maintain or even lose 1/2-1 pound over the weekend!  I have no plans for partying so it should be a little easier to eat healthy. 

Argh.  I'm the same... 128.6

Considering the socializing and consumption (including some serious ice cream and alcohol), I'm not complaining.  Methinks I'm not trying very hard.  Need to get back on it!

Totally understand rene.  I must admit that I could be doing a heck of a lot more to make true progress.  I was down a smidgen this wk (not even a full lb) but did have TTOM until Wed.   <----excuse.  As I mentioned to smader, I'm going to cut down on my wine or cut it out completely if possible.

Unfortunately I didn't do to well last nite.  Hubby and I had a date night and went to see the batman movie.  We have a theater here that serves food and drinks and it's brought to you while your watching the movie.  We worked through a bottle of wine and pizza.  Wrecked my calories big time but it was super fun.

We'll probably hit the pool this afternoon and then have friend over for dinner.  I'll need to be careful not to blow it 2 days in a row! 

The chart's updated.  Only 4 of us have reported in this wk.  Where have our buddies gone?

Hey Hasta,  I'd of totally blown it on pizza and wine too.  Frankly, I did:)

Thanks for updating our chart!