Yes, Pattikins, men can be very irritating that way. Never have a guy as a diet buddy. They always lose faster! My favorite thought on the subject is that Mother Nature just doesn't really care if they survive or not so she doesn't make the pounds stick on them for any starvation emergencies that might be imminent. Well, it's a theory anyway!

Original Post by pattikins:

Here's a rant for me -

It takes lots of planning, thinking, and self-control for me to lose weight.  It's always been that way.  I make specific good choices, count everything, etc.  My DH, on the other hand, can simply eat a few less chips at night and lose almost as much as I do!  And then he tells me!!! (He could stand to lose 25# v. about 90 more for me)

Now, don't get me wrong, he's a great guy, very supportive, and never has made me feel lousy for being overweight, so I shouldn't complain.

BUT -- I had to actually tell him the other day that when I crow about some milestone in my weight loss, his first response should not be, "That's great - I lost ____!"

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest!

Awwwww... I feel your pain.

Lately, when I've been getting on the scale on Sunday morning, my wonderful DH has been getting on the scale.  And he's lost weight! WITHOUT dieting! He gets to eat pizza and icecream and candy and muffins and macaroni and cheese and fast food! AND REAL CHEESE! Aaaauuuggghhhh!

But, overall, he is eating much healthier. He is now eating cereal and multigrain english muffins and oatmeal for breakfast instead of a 450 calorie muffin or a greasy breakfast burrito.  And I even saw him eat broccoli last night. (Granted, it was covered in melted cheese, but it was still a vegetable!)  And he's stopped buying milk and is just drinking my unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze... in his cereal. If he drinks it on its own, he just adds 1/4 glass of chocolate syrup.

Sheesh.

I agree, NEVER have a male weight loss buddy or compete against a male ... generally speaking, their bodies/metabolisms give them a huge advantage.

=^..^= MOLLY

I still have not gotten even close to finishing this entire thread!  Over the next few days I fully intend to, though. :) I have been laughing like crazy the last 45 minutes or so while taking a peek into all of you all's dieting experiences so far. 

I'm just getting starting on this dieting journey and can already relate...the scales, ahhhhh the scales!!  I've held my breath, stood on one foot, took off every last ounce of clothing or jewelry, weighed myself then used the bathroom and then weighed again (hey it does work sometimes!), even weighed then ran around the block and came back to try again.  Glad to know I'm not the only one!

I've just completed day 2 of my transformation - haven't come up with a name for it yet - "Operation: [insert word(s) here]".  Everything I come up with involves a curse word or is negative so I'm holding out on the name of it. :)  But I'm off to a great start.  I'm tracking calorie/fat/carb/etc intake and calorie burning, I joined a gym with a friend (and actually plan to GO and have been) and I've made a promise to myself to maaaajorly cut back on the alcohol.  (I never realized how much I had begun to consume, especially in the most recent stressful times!). 

So thank you for sharing this. I will definitely be reading along b/c you guys are all so inspirational and give me extra motivation...plus it's perfect any time I need a laugh.  Take care!!

Original Post by chris1208:

Yes, Pattikins, men can be very irritating that way. Never have a guy as a diet buddy. They always lose faster! My favorite thought on the subject is that Mother Nature just doesn't really care if they survive or not so she doesn't make the pounds stick on them for any starvation emergencies that might be imminent. Well, it's a theory anyway!

It is basically true, though.  Nature hardwired the males to burn fat, to stay lean and quick in order to catch food, and hardwired the females to store fat, to stay supplied for protecting the unborn babies.  It really bites.  So never compare your weight loss progress to a man.  It is scientifically and anthropologically unfair.

I hope you don't mind but I wanted to share this email that was sent to me by a dear friend I'm sure you'll get a great laugh out of it. Enjoy~ Edit | Delete

Dear Diary,For my birthday this year, my daughter (the dear) purchased a week of personal training at the local health club for me.Although I am still in great shape since being a high school football cheerleader 43 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Belinda, who identified herself as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear.My daughter seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress.

MONDAY:Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Belinda waiting for me. She is something of a Greek goddess - with blonde hair, dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile. Woo-Hoo!!  Belinda gave me a tour and showed me the machines. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which she conducted her aerobics class after my workout today. Very inspiring!Belinda was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time she was around.  This is going to be a FANTASTIC week-!!

TUESDAY:I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door.Belinda made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air then she put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. Belinda's rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT-!! It's a whole new life for me.

WEDNESDAY:The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot.Belinda was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. Her voice is a little too perky for early in the morning and when she scolds, she gets this nasally whines that is VERY annoying. My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Belinda put me on the stair monster. Why the Hell would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Belinda told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. She said some other **** too.

THURSDAY:Belinda was waiting for me with her vampire-like teeth exposed as her thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late; it took me that long to tie my shoes. Belinda took me to work out with dumbbells. When she was not looking, I ran and hid in the restroom. She sent another skinny bitch to find me.Then, as punishment, she put me on the rowing machine -- which I sank.

FRIDAY:I hate that ***** Belinda more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic, anorexic little cheerleader. If there was a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat her with it. Belinda wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps!  And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the damned barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich. The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher.Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?

SATURDAY:Belinda left a message on my answering machine in her grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing her made me want to smash the machine with my planner. However, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel.

SUNDAY:I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my daughter (the little ****) will choose a gift for me that is fun -- like a root canal .

Original Post by brookh13:

I've just completed day 2 of my transformation - haven't come up with a name for it yet - "Operation: [insert word(s) here]".  Everything I come up with involves a curse word or is negative so I'm holding out on the name of it. :) 

Operation:Transformation

Operation: ThunderCloud  (Sounds like a native american weather report)

Operation:SuccessStory

Operation:Istanbul  (I have no idea what that means, but it sounds exotic)

Operation:Vegetation (Oh, that sounds like a landscape project)

Operation:Cheesecake (avoid cheesecake to take sexy cheesecake photos?)

Operation:NewWardrobe (oooh, I like this one!)

Operation:StartingFresh (Does this sound like laundry detergent?)

Operation:Farewell2Arms (as in flabby arms)

Operation:BigButt (Oh, sorry, that would be the name for my diet task force)

=^..^= MOLLY

Original Post by shrinking_caro:

Ostrich - the scoop!  I really liked it - it was more tender than steak (in my opinion) and a bit gamey/livery in taste.  It worked really well in stir fry.  Thanks for the idea Molly!

Caro

sarahdrip ... that was tooo funny!  (And too true!)

=^..^= MOLLY

Thanks Molly I liked it too. 

Operation:NewWardrobe (oooh, I like this one!) I Agree 100%

It looks lonely inside my refrigerator. 

Usually it's crammed-full of fresh veggies, but (like the dutiful dieter I've become), I've been nibbling my way through them like some sort of manic bunny on steroids. Artichokes? All gone. Asparagus? Long gone. Brussell Sprouts? Praise the Lord ... finally gone. (Why do I keep buying them and torturing myself, anyway?) Yellow onions? Fnished.  Fresh mushrooms? Eaten. Corn on the Cob? Nibbled. Shredded Cabbage? Coleslawed. Green beans? Grabbed up. Avocados? Guacamoled. Acorn Squash? Squandered (hee hee ... roasted, actually!) Spinach? Steamed, Saladed, Shredded and Devoured! Radishes? Ravaged.

All that remains is one package (4 servings) of broccoli, some red peppers and some orange peppers, plus a handful of cherry tomatoes and a pair of lonely cucumbers. And there are three small tomatoes on the counter, next to my husband's stock of apples and one very festive looking "Carnival Squash" (which looks like a polka-dotted dalmation-style acorn squash ... at least on the outside!)

Now, the REAL trick will be to purchase ENOUGH fresh veggies to last me through Sunday evening ... but which won't spoil when we are on vacation next Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday, ya know?  I may buy on the "light side" ... even if I need to go back on Sunday or (gasp! the horror!) use canned zucchini and canned oyster mushrooms or frozen green beans and frozen corn. (Insert dramatic organ music, here.)  We're also out of hardboiled eggs and have only 2 forlorn little slices left of turkey (and one package of grilled chicken), so I definitely either need to forage for lunch today (likely) and wait for my DH to come home to go shopping (probably), or venture out alone into the cold, the dark, the storm.

Actually, it's supposed to be 65 and sunny today, but didn't that sound dramatic? Let's face it ... "It was a dark and stormy night" sounds so much more literary than  "It was a crisp, sunny Autumn afternoon" ... right?

Veni, Vedi, Veggie! (I came, I saw, I had a salad!)

=^..^= MOLLY

ohhh yea, i like those!!! thanks!

Operation: Transformation is good

I like Operation: New Wardrobe :)

which made me think of ---- Operation: Skinny Jeans!!

yep....there's a whoole bunch of, well, everything in my closet that doesn't even maybe fit over 1/2 my butt! much less, zip up or button.  I won't even need to BUY a new wardrobe, just try my existing one on again hahaha.  see, it does help sometimes to be a packrat and to hold out hope that maaaybe these will fit one day. so that settles it, with your wonderful inspiration -

Operation: Skinny Jeans  .... what's more- this is my day three and my usual horrid, mean, vindictive scales told me that I've lost 1.6 lbs. whooo!  and boy does every muscle in my body tell that tale.  i can barely move!

Operation: Skinny Jeans!!!

Verrry nice (and we can all relate!)

=^..^= MOLLY

Original Post by danagrl372:

I am so glad that I have found this thread.  I only jump in on the conversation occasionally, but I read it every day, and have from Day 1.  Molly's post on vegetables made me think about some of the new things that I have tried since reading these posts,  Acorn squash (YUM), butternut squash (YUM), spaghetti squash (so so).  I also have a very festive looking carnival squash in my squash arsenal.  I have a thing for squash, huh.  While I can't quite stomach the idea of cauliflower or brussel sprouts just yet, I have ventured out of my typical vegetable rut and am trying new things.  Now, thanks to shrinking caro and Molly, I even have a hankering to try ostrich, which my DH loves.  I just need to find it.  I have found myself searching various markets to locate Walden Farms no calorie dressing, ground flax seed, multigrain light english muffins, and am debating venturing into one of the thousands of asian markets for those cellphane noodly things that Molly talks about.  Anyway, you all are very inspirational and motivational and have something to offer us "forum lurkers", from rants and funny stories to recipes and tricks for thinking out of the dieting rut box, so keep it up!

PS- Molly- I would like to see your "pumpkin dessert surprise" recipe.  Could you?  Would you?  Pretty please with a low cal, sugar free, high fiber cherry on top.

Awwwww..... thanks for the compliments. (I am blushing!) I am grateful, glad, and gratified that people enjoy my posts and rants .... I just think it helps to diet with friends and to keep our senses of humor. (Lose the flab, keep the fun!)  

SQUASH:  I agree with you on your squash comments ... spaghetti squash just didn't ring my doorbell. I tried Carnival Squash and it's a lot like acorn squash ... but I think I like acorn squash better. (I will, however, compare prices and see if one is a significantly better deal than the other.)  I also tried some banana squash last week and found it sweeter than I like my squash, but otherwise fine. If you like sweeter squashes, it's worth trying out.

CAULIFLOWER: Ick. Just say no. Who needs albino broccoli, anyway?

BRUSSELL SPROUTS: I am still committed (in a fit of dietary masochism) to eating brussell sprouts every other week or so. Somehow, I think this is a throwback to my Catholic Schoolgirl days and I'm doing penance for all my past vegetable-related sins (like hiding them in my shoes or feeding them to the dogs).  I still believe that the very best way to eat these teeny tiny cabbage-like wannabees is to halve them, spritz them with something (I use ICBINB spray), add some garlic salt and pepper, LIBERALLY sprinkle reduced fat parmesan cheese on 'em, and roast 'em.  Note: They improve proportionally to the amount of garlic, butter and cheese applied.

WALDEN FARMS STUFF: Oh, just go to LINK and order them ... the shipping is the same price for the first 8 or 9 bottles/jars, I believe.  Be sure and order the individual serving packets of dressing ... great to take with you to restaurants. Oh, and you MUST get the chocolate syrup and the caramel dip (drizzle it on apples). Do not get the alfredo sauce, trust me.  I like the bacon-ranch and balsamic vinaigrette dressing best, but the regular ranch is nice, too. I also like the cocktail sauce and I use the Scampi Sauce all the time for stir fry.

SHIRATAKI NOODLES ... yep, asian grocery stores. But if you want the TOFU-Shirataki noodles, go to Whole Foods or buy them online at LINK. Remember, the ones without tofu = 0 calories, the ones with tofu ... 20 calories for a small serving, 80 calories for 2 packages (more noodles than you could EVER want!)

PUMPKIN DESSERT SURPRISE ... Get one can of canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie mix). Taste it to see how you like it, plain.  Then add in either Sugar Free or Fat Free Cool Whip (depending on your dietary needs/preferences), and mix it together to make it lighter/fluffier/sweeter. Add cinnamon, allspice, pumpkin pie spice to taste.  Keep track of the calories in the can of pumpkin and the Cool Whip so you can determine calories per serving. Top with a sprinkling of your favorite crunchy healthy cereal, maybe even some roasted/toasted slivered almonds. I, of course, add even MORE Cool Whip on top! Depending on your serving size, you can really make this very diet-friendly AND it COUNTS AS A VEGGIE SERVING!

=^..^= MOLLY

Oh-oh, watch out for the Pumkin Dessert!!! It tastes sooooo good that one could too easily be tempted to eat nothing but for the day!!!

Now, the next time someone asks how you are and you reply, Just Fine!, consider the following :

F.I.N.E.
[I'm] Frustrated, Insecure, Neurotic, Emotional

(CAULIFLOWER: Ick. Just say no. Who needs albino broccoli, anyway?)

ooo me thats who I love it!!! yummo! lol I like it way better then broccoli