Weight Loss

I am interested in finding others who have been struggling for a long time with losing the "last 10 lbs". .  I've been battling to lose 10 lbs for many years.  Actually, I've lost 10 in the last year but I needed to lose 20 a year ago (not just 10). 

I run, bike and swim now and have been participating in running 5k's and triathlons.  I have firmed up but would like to wear a size 8 comfortably.  I may want to go on to a size 6 next.


I think that if I had some friends with the same goals, then I would stay motivated.  Maybe we can share ideas and recipes. 

Let me know if you are out there and interested.

happily down from 133 of yesterday am to 131 today. Sodium is a miserable thing.

Goals: Eat less salt. Drink more water. Exercise 6x a week, eat about 1400 calories.

Did well yesterday: 1327 calories for the day, I am impressed with myself! I stayed pretty much on target. I exercised this morning and so far am staying on track.

I don't want to slide back up again. I am dying to get to the 120's!

Rainhana,

You are asking yourself some great questions. 

 I think what will help you is to reconsider what you caloric needs are.  Every weight loss program comes down to Calories In/ Calories Out.  I believe not all calories are equal.  If I eat something high fiber, I am going to feel full.  If I drink a glass of wine with the same amount of calories as a slice of whole grain bread, the wine is going to cause me to want a slice of cheese, but I would probably be content with the high-fiber bread and not  need anything else.

What are your daily caloric needs without exercise?  You can find this information in the "expenditure" section of this site under "tools" I believe.  Now, add your daily exercise to your caloric needs.  Subtract 500 calories for a 1 lb per week loss, and 1000 calories for a 2 lb per week loss. Never go below 1200 calories from food consumption. 

If you are exercising a lot, like I do because of training for Triathlons, weight-loss might be a little slower than you desire because of the need to fuel the body to keep up with the strenuous workouts.  I've seen people who exercise moderately are usually able to take off the pounds easier.  Those who don't exercise at all are able to drop the lbs. but end up looking a little flabby and don't increase their metabolism which will in the end cause them to have to cut way back on calories to maintain the lower weight.

I hope you won't be too discouraged by the 1 lb. gain because that can be all water retention.  How often do you weigh?  If I look at this morning's weight, it would look as if I have gained 2 lbs. but I know I had a high sodium dinner. 

Simar: People like you are such an encouragement to me. You Go!   Keep up the great work!  We will be here for you.  There are so many great encouragers on this forum and they really keep me motivated to not get discouraged and to keep up the good work.

Elabar: Can you give us some tips on how you lost your weight.  I know what you mean about the Starburst.  I have some Apple Twistlers in the freezer right now that are a hugh temptation but I've been disciplined to not consume them. 

Trixi: New idea for a consequence... come vacuum under my couch! I finally got around to some tennis on Saturday and had a great time... I forgot how fun it was. 

Missybear25: What a fun reward.  I hope you get lots and lots of jewelry.

CC1170:   That 3 lbs. will fall off after you get back to your routine.  I'm glad you had a good time!

You all have encouraged me to do some weight training, I think I'll add a lower body workout to my goals today. 

Have a great day!

I just completely pigged out at lunch.  Nachos (with the works) and chicken quesidillas.  Then I got back to my desk and ate an entire pint of blueberries.  At least it's fruit.... but I just calculated my calories for the day and I'm already at...........3800.  I feel so gross right now.

Definitely hitting the gym, but unfortunately I can't go for the 4 hours it would take me to make up for lunch........

Hope everyone is having a better day then I am.  :(

Well I lost the 20 pounds in about  2 months, the weight loss was pretty steady. My motivation was really realizing that I was pushing the button on overweight and I felt uncomfortable in many clothes, constantly trying to put my hands around my waist to hide my stomach, wearing long tops to cover my thighs and my booty lol, it didn't make me feel confident. So, first I decreased my sugar intake. I would honestly eat  2 snicker bars, starburst and swedish fish in a day. I cut it to about one bar and realized that wasnt going to work.It was a hard thing to do but for the two months I just cut candy completely,i did slip up a few times but i had tiny bites of dark chocolate when i did.

I replaced candy with fruits. I love love love fresh fruit so I would have a fruit salads. I ate oatmel in the morning with 1/2 a grapefuit. Dinner I tried to broil a lot of the meat I had to reduce the oil.Salads. I just ate healthy, I actually wasn't counting calories but I ate to satisfaction in proportion.

For exercise, I ran ran ran.At first I did notice that I was getting bulky which a lot of ladies complain about but the thing is if you continue, you slim down if you combine it with stretches after ur runs, crunches(ab work), push ups, butt squeezes( I know I know, but they work! lol). I also did some Jane Fonda tapes I had lying around lol, they were a good mix.

I actually don't feel like I am that amazing of an advice giver on weight loss, it still stuns me that I lost the weight. I guess I'm sort of at a stand still now but coming to this site all of you gave me motivation to continue and reach me desired weight.

lets drop these last pounds together and support eachother on the journey =]

Hello everyone!

   It is a toasty 98 degrees in central PA with very high humidity.  I am very proud of myself though; I went to the gym this morning and did BodyAttack.  It was extremely challenging, but I felt great when I was done.  If the contracter finishes up with the work he is doing on the outside of my home before dark, I am going to mow the grass.  I think that will definitely count as two workouts.  Today I am going to try to keep my calories around 1400 and drink as much water as possible.  I feel like I am running to the bathroom every 45 minutes, but I am thirsty.

  It is great to see so many new people on this thread.  I think it is very motivating to think we are all in this together. Elabar, you are very motivating.  Not only did you lose weight; you did it in a very healthy way.  Congratulations!

Tonia, I have added more strength training the last two weeks and I feel very good.  I think because we love to compete in local competitions, we think we must focus on cardio.  Strength and flexibility are just as important.  Stretching is something that I have added 3 times a day.  I take 5-7 minutes and start at the top with my neck and work my way down.  It is a great addition.  I don't think I am burning many calories by stretching, but I feel taller. 

Well, gotta go!  Good luck everyone.

Di

I didn't do so well yesterday. It rained most of the day and I wanted to snack all day. I managed to eat about 1800 calories for the day. I did exercise pretty hard, good thing too. I was really trying to stay at about 1400, but I caved.

Let's move on...and have a better day.

Goal: 1400 calories. 300 calories burned with exercise.

Drink lots of water! Eat less salt!

Punishment-clean bathroom!

Good Morning!

I weighed in this morning and I am down a total of 5.2 pounds. Yeah.  This means I am slightly more than half way to my goal.  It is very tough going.  I just came back from Bodyattack and plan to keep the calories within 1350.

Ohio, I understand completely and I think it is great you are back on the wagon. Congratulations to you for only having a short slip up.

cc1170, I am with you on the drink more water and eat less salt.  With this humidity, I just puff out when I eat salt.

Mburns, hopefully you are having a better day today. Chin Up!

Not much else going on except I get to buy that cute dress and sweater set!

Di

Di- Great job on the 5 pounds!  You're almost there!!!!

Ohio- Sounds like you've been having the kind of days I had yesterday.  Let's put it all behind us and get ourselves back in gear!! 

Went to the gym last night and walked/ran (mostly walked) 5 miles.  Weighed myself and I'm UP 1.2 pounds since I started.  *sigh*

Starting off the day better then yesterday.... If I can just make it through lunch with a salad and some soup I think I'll be back on track.  No gym for me tonight though, the folks at my new job are going out for drinks after work so I'm going to go (need to meet people here!!!).  But luckily my ride home (my husband) will be leaving around 7:30, so I can't stay very long.  I'm going to limit myself to two drinks, and have a light supper.  Hopefully that way I can stay in my calorie range. 

Good luck today everyone!!!  Sounds like we all need it lately! :)

Di-Good for you! I wish I could just fit into what I already own. If I go shopping I just feel more down.

Ohio-I am with you. It is always a struggle. Plus I am self destructive and always seem to mess up my hard work. Keep exercising, it always helps me get back on track!

Staying motivated is a bit easier with this board, as is the computerized journal and food log. I hope this is just what i needed. I slip up, but realize I am more conscious while using these things.

Wednesday weigh-in:  down 1 pound from last week, so -5 total...huzzah! 

Report for yesterday:  stayed within goals; no consequence today.

Today's goal:  1400 calories, 2 workouts, 40 pushups.

Biggest challenge:  drinking enough water on such a hot summer day.

Weighed in today and im down two pounds since last wednesday, 136 and 4 to go!!

I've stayed within my goals so farrrr. Eating well annd going food shopping today for some fruits and veggies-- staying away from the sweets aisle! lol

Hoping it doesnt rain so I can go on my run! and doing some weight training when i get back.

Great job everyone on the weight loss!!

Every summer, I want to lose my "winter weight". I only achieve that at the end of the summer! Do any of you experience this?! I won't complain because atleast I lose it...but it sucks that it happens when I don't wear a bathing suit anymore!

I weigh myself almost every day, right before I shower--usually in the afternoons, right after I exercise.

I've tried three different calculators, and they all tell me I burn around 2000 calories a day, and one said my BMR was somewhere around 1450. Well, I don't think I've been eating 1450. :S
Although yesterday, I think I may have gotten there. Yay! Not counting exercise, though. lol.

I've been eating a lot of nuts--that's the best I seem to be able to do for high-cal snacks. And I don't exercise too strenuously... I don't run too hard, I'm just jogging, and yesterday I did some yoga and took a long, brisk walk with my dog... nothing too hard.

I've also started drinking green tea, and have decided that I'm going to cut back on diet soda, which I'd been drinking so religiously. Last night we went out for Thai, and instead of ordering a Diet Coke like I usually do, I ordered tea. That felt good, but then I couldn't get to sleep because of all the caffeine. :)

Anyway, I have high hopes for today... and congratulations to everyone. We're getting there! :D

Hi Everyone,

Weigh-in: 140.8 (same as last week) Third week in a row at this weight.  I need to figure out what to do to break this plateau.  I  had barbeque yesterday,  maybe I would have been down more if it were not for the nitrates.  Guess I don't get to book that facial at the spa next week :-(

Mburns: What would you do differently if you went back to the 3800 calorie restaurant? Was the food just too irresistable?  I had that problem on Friday night.  I ate eggplant parmessan and almost had a heart-attack when I got home and calculated the calories.    Good-luck on the evening with the office crew.

Dievans & elabar:  I am sooo happy for you guys.  Di, buying that new dress is going to be a blessing!! What an inspiration you are!! Your discipline has paid off.  Any suggestions???

Morning! 

Aw, Tonia.  You've been working really hard lately - chin up!

Report for Wednesday:  Met goals, no consequences.

Goals for Thursday:  1350 calories, 2 workouts, pushups.

Biggest challenge:  I've been craving chocolate lately....

Tonia-  The worst part about that 3800 lunch was that the place I went to had lots of healthier options.  It was purely my own fault.   As for breaking your plateau, maybe you should try a brand new type of exercise?  Give your body a little wake up call.  Don't worry, you'll get past it!

Drinks last night turned into four beers.  BUT they ordered "bar food" and I didn't eat a bite.  Waited until I got home to eat dinner.  So at least I controlled myself there.

My goal today is to have a healthy lunch and dinner.  I need to detox after my beers last night, and I can't get to the gym because I have to study (exam for work tomorrow).  So nothing but good stuff going into my body today.  Already have a plumb warming up on my desk.  I hate eating cold fruit.

Anyway, hope everyone has a healthy day.

Hey everyone,

Had a great Wednesday: Consumed 1650 calories and burned 1264 between Swimming, Biking and Pilates. 

This morning I was down on the scale by .4.  Wish that could have been yesterday so that I could have booked that facial.  I think I will give myself an incentive over the weekend to give myself a chance for the facial.  Let say if I break the 140 mark by Monday (that means I have to take 1/2 lb. off, then I can book the facial on Monday.)  It will be a challenge because I am always up on the scale on Monday.  Or, should I say if I am below last Monday's weight then I can book the facial?  What do you all think?  Opinions would be appreciated.

Thursday goal:  1400 Calories

Exercise: 3 mile run; lunges; maybe biking if it doesn't rain

Greatest challenge: not eating anymore the "Friendship Bread" if made this moring.  I am not sure why they call it Friendship Bread since it is loaded with fat, sugar and white flour. I will overcome the challenge by making a peice of wholegrain toast with jelly instead of the bread.

Mburns: good job on not eating the rich foods! 

Consequence: Weed yard beds.

Have a blessed day!!

Ohio-good getting back on the wagon. I am doing that myself after the weekend I had out of town. It is hard but well worth it. Good job getting the 2lbs off. You can do it!

I am doing well today. My calorie count is down under 1500 again. Can't seem to get under 1400. I don't have that much discipline yet. I never have. Would explain my inability to lose the last 10lbs.

I have upped my exercise amount a lot though so I guess that's good.

Goal: 1400 day. Used 300 in exercise. I need to get up early tomorrow to get my exercise in, so must not turn alarm clock off and go back to sleep.

It is TTOM and I have been feeling run ragged lately. I am ready for fall to come so kids go back to school. I know, awful huh? Unfortunately I go back to school too in the fall. I am a full-time student. I need to learn how not to munch while studying. That is really, really hard.