Great idea starting this group! I'm in!! I have lots to look forward to in August/September/October so this will be great for keeping me on track.

My goals are:

- to calorie count at least 6 days a week (currently don't on the weekends)
- to limit eating out to once a week
- to exercise at least 4 days a week (currently do only sporadically)
- to increase water consumption from 64 ounces to 80 ounces

I think I will start with those. I've had sort of a cheating jump start to the summer dieting days. I had my tonsils out last Tuesday and have lost 11 pounds since then (8 days). It's still painful to swallow so hopefully I'll get to ride this one out a little longer! :-) Although I did eat solid food for the first time last night - best meal I ever had!!

Good luck to everyone!!

QUESTION OF THE DAY ....

What is your target breakdown of fats / proteins / carbs .... and WHY?

MOLLY

Original Post by digigirl:

My usual weigh-in days are Wednesdays, so I'll just copy my report here:

Starting weight:  170 lbs
Today's weight:   144.5 lbs
This week's loss:  2.5 lbs
Total loss:         & nbsp;   25.5 lbs

Weekly Analysis:

Fat - 27.2% (332 grams)
Protein - 15.3% (418 grams)
Carbohydrates - 57.5% (1,578 grams)

Daily Calorie Intake - 1,500 cals
Daily Sodium Intake - 2,186 mg
Daily Sugar Intake - 109 grams
Daily Cholesterol Intake - 112 mg
Daily Saturated Fat Intake - 14 grams
Daily Fiber Intake - 29 grams

So, I lost 2.5 pounds!  Wow! 

 YAY! That's a great loss for the week, rock-solid! You should be very proud of your accomplishment there!!!

MOLLY

Hello "Old People" and welcome aboard "New People!"   

(OK, maybe the term "old people" for a 4-day-old thread is a bit silly, hee hee hee!)  Sorry for the delay in posting the QOD ... I was distracted last night by the world's cutest fuzzy-wuzzy foster kittens (Walnut, Peanut and Pecan) ... and just completely forgot! (Think I will blame it on being old since, after all, I am in my -- gasp! -- forties!)

It's great seeing everyone's responses to the questions, their summertime goals, and to hear how check-ins are going.  And yay for those who have posted weight loss results already ... yippee!!!!!

I didn't get up this morning and go biking because I've been waiting for our new family room couch to get delivered. They said it could arrive anytime after 7am ... so I've been here, waiting. At 9am they said I could call and get a more precise time, and now they say between 10am and 1pm.  Fortunately, it just MAY be cool enough today to go biking this afternoon, we seem to have a "cold spell" (80 degrees) after 5 straight days over 100.  Anyway, grumbles for waiting for furniture, but happy sounds in anticipation of the new couch.  (I vacuumed madly where it will go ... hey! maybe I burned a calorie or two!)

On the scale side, I must say that Mr. Scale has been cooperating reasonably well the past few days as I've been busily un-retaining the water that I managed to hold on to earlier in May. (I refuse to believe it was all fat ... my theory is that it was mostly water. I can dream, right?)  Anyway, once I've re-lost my "May Acquisition" and am actually losing NEW weight, I may even post the gory details.... which are in my profile, anyway, LOL!

GO DRINK SOME WATER!!!!

MOLLY

Original Post by mollymouser:

QUESTION OF THE DAY ....

What is your target breakdown of fats / proteins / carbs .... and WHY?

MOLLY

 

My target is 55% carbs, 20% fat, and 25% protein.  The main reason is that's the ratio that makes me feel best.  I also think it encourages me to make really good choices, without feeling deprived.  It also looks pretty in the pie chart.

This week has been a little sucky.  I came down with some kind of stomach flu or something.  Yesterday I felt totally lethargic.  I still managed to walk to and from school, but I was totally dragging my feet.  I've been working really hard to avoid dehydration.  This morning I hit a new low weight (247), but who knows how permanent that will be.  (Especially since it's TTOM).  I've never lost weight at this point in my cycle before, so I'm sure it's illness related.  Oh, well, maybe the gods will humor me and let me keep it.  It is an exciting number, because now I"m only .8 pounds away from having lost 30 pounds. Whoo hoo!

Anyway, I hope everybody else is feeling better than I am.  Have a good Wednesday!

Since others are posting their progress here I'm gonna share with you my good(ish) news. I went this morning for a new body composition test. My gym has an affiiliated wellness center that has a bodpod. When I went there back in the beginning of March, I had already lost a good amount of weight. My starting weight was 208 (I'm 5'3.5") and I was down to 187.5.

As of today I am 171.1 pounds, which is a noteworthy weight because it means that I've lost 36.9 pounds and I have 36.1 pounds to go. Yes, that's right, I'm on the other side of the halfway mark!!!!! Not only that, but this last pound has finally pushed my BMI under 30 (29.8) which means I'm no longer officially obese!!!

All this is good, and the Dr. there was incredibly proud of me and very supportive and encouraging. I'm just frustrated because my body fat percentage is still 37.7%, down from 41.5 in March. I just really thought it would be lower. This is because I managed to lose about 3 pounds of muscle over the past 11 weeks, despite lifting weights 3 times a week. i though I was doing everything I was supposed to to keep from losing muscle, but I still lost a good amount. The Dr. suggested increasing my protein intake, so I'm going to make sure I take in 110-140 grams of protein per day, and hopefully that will help.

Also, I went and did my workout afterwards and I ran my fastest 4 miles yet, only 49:25, which yes, I know, is still pretty slow, but it used to kill me to run 15 minute miles, so 12 1/2 minute miles is pretty awesome for me.

So, I'm hoping that you guys will tell me that I'm silly to be beating myself up over the fact that I've only lost about 4% body fat in 11 weeks and 16.5 pounds of which only about 13 were actually fat. I know that I should focus on the positive, on how healthy and fit I am feeling, on how much weight I can lift, etc. But this is what i tend to do, find some reason to consider myself a failure.

Anyway, I am trying to pat myself on the back, but I could use a little encouragement from you all as well if you're feeling generous :)

Congrats to everyone else on their progress as well. I'm off to take a hot bath. I took today off of work to do a bunch of errands and I'm going to take a little time to enjoy it. Cheers!

Edited to add:

I haven't really been focusing on my percentages at all, just on my total calories and on general things like trying to eat more vegetables and fruits and minimizing empty calories.  However, now I will be aiming for around 25-30% protein, 45-50% carbs and about 25% fat.  This is due to my good Dr.s recommendations above.  Wish me luck!

Hi! People!

What is your target breakdown of Fats/ Proteins/ Carbs.... And WHY?

Fat's 30g
Protein 80-100grams
Carbs 170grams

I have not gotten this right yet. I'm either under my fat goal, or over it. I try to keep it this way, because what ever I am doing.. It's paying off. Carbs, sometimes it's hard to keep up with those things. So, I try to stay away from quick carbs.. JUNK FOOD... GRRRR! Protein, now that's a easy one. I get enough of it everyday. I always hit the target range. Never missing one when it comes down to getting enough protein.

I try to stay focus on eating right and working hard on my program- and at it. If I don't put in the work or the try.. I will never get any where. That's why I try to hit these numbers, with each try in time I know I will get better at it, but I got the protein down pat, and we can't forget water. So many of us has the hardest time getting 60oz in. I go for 80oz, and it's so easy for me. 20oz bottle 4 times a day, and it works. Sometimes I may even have over 100oz. As long as I stay focus.. The rest of the weight will go down hill- like the other pounds.....

:) 

Edited to add:

I've been working hard on losing my weight, and it's so hard not to think about the places I've been in my head with this weight gain, and now with this weight loss. This is the moment to live, and to breathe. I've been all kinds of weights, and this is the first time in my life for once.. I lasted a year on a diet. The first time I really went at this with all heart, and not my pain and hurt from the past. I can focus on those numbers. Protein, Fat, and carbs. But I wanted to share this one thing.

I have to.. My soul has to share it. Life is good- being on a diet and holding yourself to it- is another thing, but knowing when you won yourself back from the brinks of going too far.. Is the best thing I've ever known myself to do. I for once in my life has taken my place, and giving myself- this firm ground to stand on. This firm ground will not give unless I start to tamper with it, and I will not.. I shall not, because losing 62 pounds is a blessing in it's self. I didn't get this far alone. I had support, higher support, and support from family and friends.

Thank you all, for being that extra push when I was stuck at 177, you all got me past that, and I thank you. I'm now 164. 19 pounds away from the goal, but once I hit it.. I promise.... I'm not going anywhere. My goal is to be 145 standing tall and proud, but I stand tall and pround now at 164. :) More work has to be done, and I am going to do it. :)

My new couch is here!!! My new couch is here !!!! (It arrived about 3 minutes after I got out of the shower ... yikes!)

PHOTO #1

PHOTO #2

The color is oatmeal, and the fabric is corduroy, which (supposedly) holds up really well to cats. (We'll be testing that theory!)

* Happy "new furniture"  Dance *

melly991: Congratulations!  You're right, you do need to focus more on your achievements!  Getting out of the obese category is a huge milestone.  You should be doing an extremely exuberant, goofy happy dance right now, not focusing on what you haven't accomplished yet.  And to get your fastest running time ever in the same week?  And be halfway through your weight loss goals?  That's huge!  Congratulations!  I hereby command you to be happy and celebrate!

molly: Your new couch is beautiful.  (Mine's really similar, but dark brown.)  I've heard the same thing about corduroy being the best fabric for houses with kitties.  I love corduroy - it's so soft and comfy, but still looks really nice.  Enjoy your new lounging spot!

Molly! I love the couch... We may be getting a new couch this weekend.  Corduroy does hold up good.. It did good for 6 years here with 3 kids, and people coming over all the time.. Good buy. I love it. I'm sure the Cat's will enjoy it :)

Original Post by mollymouser:

QUESTION OF THE DAY ....

What is your target breakdown of fats / proteins / carbs .... and WHY?

MOLLY

 

Mine is a work in progress. Currently I shoot for 30/30/40 over the week, because I feel good at this level. That might change though.

Oh, and another good moment today - I fit into a pair of jeans I haven't worn in 2 years. Probably would have not tried them on if my fiance hadn't forgotten to do laundry.

Oh and edited to add AWESOME work everyone! I am so happy to see such awesome goals!

Oh I wanna play!! I absolutely adore summer, and getting outside and being more active in general.

My goals:

1. Get back on track with my eating. This is gonna mean logging everything I eat (not just until I leave work). And I think it's time to re-measure some portions. I've been eyeballing, and quite frankly, I think I've been lying to myself more over the past month or so.

2. Back to a more regular exercise schedule. This will include walks at work, jogs with the dog, jogs/runs on my own to train for 5K's. Bicycling because darn it, I have a bicycle, I should use it. Same thing for rollerblades. Gotta use 'em.

3. Weight lifting and resistance exercises. I slack here. Badly. I need to work my muscles. I feel much weaker than I used to be. That's not a good feeling.

4. Cook more, eat out less. We dont' eat out a ton, but we could do it less. And when we do I could make better choices more often. But really I want to make the time to cook more.

I try to get my percentages around 20-25% fats, 25-30% protein, and 50-60% carbs. And fiber over 25-30 grams (I love fiber)

I'm looking forward to this summer!!!

Melly991 .... you're not a failure, you are a success! And you've lost more than 1/2 the weight you wanted to lose, woo hoo!

I, for one, am very proud of you!!!

MOLLY

Original Post by mollymouser:

QUESTION OF THE DAY ....

What is your target breakdown of fats / proteins / carbs .... and WHY?

MOLLY

 

 I aim for 15-20% healthy fats. (I have high cholesterol and high triglycerides)

I aim for about 40% lean proteins.

I aim for about 40% carbs, which should include at least 60g of fiber (for me). Though this week I am average 80g of fiber.  I limit my carbs because I have diabetes which I try to control partially through what I eat.

I also aim for 10+ servings of veggies/fruit per day.

I seem to be right on target, for lunch and dinner I basically have 1/4 rice or noodles or tortilla or bread and then 1/4 protein and 1/2 veggies, it's an easy visual and seems to give me the right ratios and a handful of nuts here and there takes care of the fats.  I've started basically eating as many veggies as I feel like it, the protein powder in my morning smoothie helps to get my protein up and if I skip that then I have it in my coffee.

I'm aiming for anywhere from .5-2 grams of protein per body weight (preferrably 1-1.5) which means 155 grams for my current body weight.  This is supposed to help give my body enough protein to maintain and even build muscles.  Carbs I just try to limit the processed carbs and fats I try to get it from nuts and olive oil rather than other sources.

Yesterday ~2500 calories: Fat - 25.4% (72 grams), Protein - 25.2% (160 grams), Carbohydrates - 46.5% (295 grams)

Monday ~2000 calories: Fat - 29.5% (67 grams), Protein - 29.9% (152 grams), Carbohydrates - 40.5% (205 grams)

Note: I've done 3.5 hours of BJJ this week and plan to continue another 3.5 hours between tonight and tomorrow night and then maybe throw in some dancing.    I do need to drink just a few more glasses of water but I'm at least 3/4 of where I should be and I'm going to have to go with around a 500 calorie deficit since I just can't eat enough for 300.

Melly991~ you have done some great things. You should be doing the happy dance of a life time for what you have done for yourself. Just stand up and shake your hips and laugh out loud about what you have done for yourself. Getting out of that obese category is a wonderful thing that you have accomplished. Running faster than before. All of these things are wonderful.

You need to be happy and celebrate what you have done for yourself. I know why you don't want to be happy about it. You think if you get happy you will fall. Lose sight of what you are doing for yourself. Well you want. You can give yourself a moment a happy dance every once in a while. I do the happy dance all the time. You need to start giving yourself a round of applause.

I'm going to give you the first round of applause from me.
Congrats on your success, and be proud of yourself. Don't beat yourself up either. You are doing great, and you are half way there to the goal. Keep on doing the hard work you been doing, and do not feel like you can't step back and say. HEY! I DID THIS! I did this for me. Don't be afraid to do that for yourself from time to time.

You did this... You!

SO be proud of of yourself. 

( I hope I didn't say anything out of the way.)

Once again.......... CONGRATS 2 U