Weight Loss

I'm looking for a 130/120 club, but I don't see any topics started.

If anyone knows of the proper topic, would you mind letting me know?

Thank you :)

Heather - I am so sorry to hear about your coworker.  That's awful.  I know it will also be difficult with all that good food around, I fall into the same category.  Last night my husband and I decided to experiment with making McDonald's - thin hamburgers and they were so good... plus I made cookies, and how can you not just gobble all of that up.  I'll work out hard today to make up for it :)

Yesterday was beautiful, Alabama weather, we opened the window in the kitchen (which is directly behind the stove) while we cooked, it was a perfect spring day, except I ate bunches :)  So today is my last day at work for the Doctor and I came in the office about 40 minutes ago to find my desk trashed, papers scattered all over it in no order what so ever. I'm not really a revenge person, but... do you guys have any ideas?  I am livid  to find my office in such a wreck.  Should I just leave?

Count me in! I'm 5'2" and currently 124 pounds. My maximum weight was 146 a couple of years ago. I got down to a low of 112, which was maybe a little too low, then came up to what I consider my perfect weight in the 115-119 range. Over the winter, due mostly to laziness, my weight climbed to 122. Then I started a new medication and gained 4 pounds in less than a month (I discontinued that very quickly with my doctors approval). That put me at 126!! By the time I found this site I had worked my way back down to 124. I haven't weighed since then but I have been counting calories and getting back to my walking routine of an average of 3 miles per day (which is how I lost the weight in the first place) so hopefully I will soon be back to my magic number of 119 (or less). I can't stand for my middle number to be a 2 or I get nuts! :-)

Best of luck to everyone! I think this is a great support system and believe it will help keep me motivated and on track.

Heather - I agree with Simi of course in giving condolences of your co-worker's passing...:( Wishing 'happier times' ahead for everyone involved...;D

As for your plans to sticking with your healthy eating choices with so much going on lately....way to go!! Having a plan in place so that you don't go too of track is great to hear! :D

Simi - Nice to hear the weather in AL is so nice and that you're able to enjoy it and make some new, healthier meals...;D

However, so sorry to hear that ppl. at your work are being awful to you w/ trashing your desk, etc.  I'm not the revenge type either.....though I'd say, if you really want to, voice your feelings to your co-workers and/or your supervisor in a tactful and respectful way. Kill them with kindness as the saying goes. :D I would hope that by you keeping your self respect and integrity that will do a lot more for your self esteem and such than stooping down to their level by trying to 'get revenge'. Not saying you'd do anything rash...I'm speaking generally as well.  Burning your bridges, I've found, is not really a good thing, since you never know when you will end up running into those ppl. again or maybe needing a recommendation from your supervisor, etc. :/  I wish you the best of luck in your last day...and hope you have immense success for your future job. :D Though on the other hand, if that sort of advice doesn't work for you, the only other thing I can say is, 'give em' hell' ;). :D

Welcome, jleelanders! Though I must say...wow....being in the low 120's range for your height sounds healthy to me...though that's just my opinion. :) Hope you can stay healthy just the same. :D Good to have you here!

Btw, I did the Pilates class last night.  It was a really good class, but I certainly felt like a truck had plowed me over this morning. haha. I was soo achy and tired. :/ I think it was b/c I haven't gotten a lot of exercise in this week.  That class is only once a week, but I think it's good for me. :D

Anyway, Happy Friday everyone! ;D Congrats again on everyone's continued success with their goals!

-Margo

Hi everyone, I'm kind of new in this site, but I think it's great to have so many people motivating each other. I think one of my main problems in this fight have been not having someone to count on when I'm eating just too much. My maximum weight was 180 about 6 years ago. I managed to get to 150 and stayed there about three years but I knew I was still overweight (I'm 5'2"). Then I got down to 128, that was my lowest, and after my dad died, I gained back to 158. About six month ago I determined myself to get to my ideal weight (122) no matter how much time it will take. When I got to this site, about a month ago or so, I was 140 and right now my weight is 132,  I have *only* 10 pounds left.   So, I hope with your help and CC help I'll reach my goal.

Hugs to everyone and good luck!

Welcome newbies!  It's so nice to hear such good things from people, like the progress that aidy has already made!  That in it's self is very encouraging.

Smiles As far as the work thing goes, I'm really trying to vent so I don't freak out :) so most of you can ignore it, but the facts are:

1.  I have no coworkers, just a boss who is a doctor, and later today the girl I'm supposed to be training.  My boss is the one who dumped all the papers on my desk.

2.  There is no supervisor, it is a private practice so there is no one to complain to unless I respectfully talked to my boss, in which case he will deny the whole thing.  Really, I'll be a much more pleasant simi as soon as I get out of here :)  i'm going to celebrate tonight!

But thank you anyway for voicing your opinion, I will try to keep my head on and be gracious and kind although my boss has verbalized to me several times that he thinks the opposite of me.  What a character building six months this job has been!  That's a good way to think of it. Anyway, thanks for your advice :)  It's very helpful, motivating me not only with my diet and weight.

On with diet and exercise news :)  I am having a hard time with  the whole... only weighing myself a few times a week, or, hopefully one time a week.  I weighed myself a little today, it wasn't exactly fair, it wasn't right when I woke up, and I think I had some clothes on, and the scale said 128 and it got me freaked out.  But that's normal right?  I really don't want to be a slave to the scale but I do want to keep doing progress.  I just told myself it was the hamburgers... and cookies... is that fair?  Besides I don't really ever eat stuff like that on a regular basis.

 

Welcome Aidy! Sooo great to hear about your progress and your determination, though sorry to hear about your dad. :/ *hugs!*

This is really a great group! Hope you feel at home here...;D Keep it up, you seem to have the right attitude! :D

Simi - Oh...I'm really even more sorry to hear about how things are at your job...err....though I hope you can get through the day anyway and yes, celebrate tonight! :D That's awful that there are such horrible ppl. out there that treat others with such....GRR! Okay, I will hush......

Venting is a good stress reliever. Anyway...I am glad you appreciated the advice and just hope things go well for you! :D

As for the scale thing.....yeah, I think it's normal to feel the way you are right now.  I suppose 'being a slave to the scale' can be just as detrimental to you as being a slave to food.  I think b/c we are all just soo wanting to lose this weight...that sometimes we do become a bit obsessed, for lack of a better term/word, with weighing ourselves, etc.

Just try to keep doing what your doing...monitoring what you eat and keeping up with the exercise.....and don't let the # on the scale bring you down! :D Fluctuations happen too often w/ women...so one day can be good, but depending on what you eat/drink that day, tomorrow could look bleak.  So....be proud that you are making progress. 

No, it's not fair to you to feel that you should beat yourself up for having some healthier type hamburgers or even some cookies just b/c the scale reads a certain #.  I am talking to myself as well. :D So...keep up your great attitude and progress.....don't let that doubt and negatively get to you...;D

We have to ease up on ourselves sometimes.....just revel in the fact that we're getting healthy...and it's a process....we'll have our good days and bad...just keep on pluggin' along....

Keep up that positive attitude, Simi! :D (hugs!) (Have I repeated myself enough? :/ hehe)

We are all here to do this for ourselves....(and others too I'm sure) and having the support here on CC/ the 130/120 Club forum is just an extra push to get us to continue this journey!

Okay, I'll really hush now..haha...sorry if all that sounded too 'hoity toity' or something, but I just am trying to help...hope I did...and not confuse the heck outta ya. :D

-Margo

Hi everybody!  Can I join too? I've been lurking on the forums for a while, and I'd really like to be part of a group here. I'm 22, 5'7, and I'm trying to get down to 125 (but I'll take anything in the 120s). I'm finishing grad school this May, and I'm trying to do things to boost my confidence in every area of my life before entering "the real world." While I've never had an ED per se, I do struggle a lot with body image. Last month I was at 144, now I'm about 137. The lowest my weight has ever been was about 120 three years ago. I feel like that was too low for my body and don't want to get under 125 from now on.

I really like this site, because it's helping me keep a healthy perspective. The advice to keep calorie intake ABOVE 1200 a day was very helpful. I'm aiming for something in between 1400 and 1500 now, and trying to get in some exercise. The great thing about college is all the walking to and from class! The downside is the paper-writing munchies... *sigh*

Welcome Wonderswhy! Yes, this site and forum are really great tools to help get your health on track, I think! This group is great! :D

Good luck with graduation coming up! Yeah, I agree with the walking/munchies senitments in college....I did that a lot my 1st couple years when I went to school too. :D

Again, welcome! :D

Wow...lots of new ppl. lately...awesome! :D

Hope to hear from you all, as well as those ladies that have been on here.  :D

-Margo     

Welcome to all the newbies!  Be sure to post your weight on Wednesdays.

Simi --  Venting is good, so vent away.  But I am with smiles on never burning bridges.  I have worked for some awful bosses.  One past boss was a fan of public humuliation and would actually cuss out employees (incl. the F-word followed by idiot and such) .  But I did my time, was polite, and left as soon as I did not "need" him anymore.  He subsequently gave me an awesome letter of recommendation.  Actually he was too lazy to write one, so made me write my own and he just signed it (So I made sure it was fantastic after putting up with his crap).  And my current boss ended up knowing this old boss and was impressed that I "survived" his lab and had such a nice letter from him.  (Ha!) I really think it helped me get into grad. school.  Just shows you that you never know.

Wonderwhy -- holy crud.  How are you done with graduate school and only 22 years old?  Did you mean undergraduate?  Glad to see you want to do a healthy aproach to dieting.  Keep us posted.

Interesting experience there, Jen....yes, you really do never know. :D

Wonderswhy....I also did wonder about the grad. school thing and only being 22 yrs. old....

Anyway....

-Margo

Jen and Margo - thanks for the welcome!!!

22 is a bit young to have an MA degree...the funny thing is, when I first posted, I wrote 23! Apparently I can't even remember my own age. Clearly I do not deserve an advanced degree.

When I was in middle school I skipped a grade, which took me from being six months older than most of my classmates to six months younger. Then I enrolled in a five-year combined degree program, so technically I don't have my BA yet (I'll get both diplomas in May). Some people call it the cheater's way to get an MA, but I prefer to call it EFFICIENCY.

Thank you everyone for the suggestions and support.  Have a great Friday and a good weekend!

:] thanks for the welcome.

Well, I'm still not sure if I'm doing this right. Would it be possible for someone to please critique my current plan?

Just in case, again I'm 24 years old, 5'2" and weighing in daily at around 126-127 lately. I am down from 129 two weeks ago.

Right now, I'm consuming an average of 1100 calories, though I am trying to get that number at least to 1200 after perusing this site. From another site, the BMR I'm using is 1394, with 1917 after factoring in my sedentary lifestyle (I sit at this desk all day).

I usually have one cup of Kashi cereal with milk for breakfast, or just toast if I'm in a rush, around 9 am. Around 12 pm, I have lunch, which is usually the equivalent of a Subway sandwich. Around 3 pm, I have a snack of vegetables and fruit. Then around 6 pm I have dinner, which has just been the other half of a Subway sandwich. That's it for the consistent eating, though I'm trying to add in more vegetable snacks or a Kashi bar or something to get my total intake to between 1200-1300.

I've exercised maybe 4 times these past two weeks, walking or stationary bicycling for an hour.

Does this sound okay? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I'm very open to suggestions or changes. Thanks :]

Wonderswhy - Ummm....Wow! :D That's awesome! Congrats!

I feel like I am not educated enough right now. haha. Well, I have a B.A. Degree and work full time as an Exec. Admin. Asst. for a major homegoods plastics company....but working on going back to school for a lil' bit to get a certificate in Med. Office Admin.  Figure it's at least a step in another direction.  It is still a program that entails 'office type' work, but in a totally other field than what I am in now or even what I got my degree in (general English degree).  So....we'll see how that goes.

Way to go, Wonderswhy!

Sure thing, Amyleewalker,  that's why we're here! I love having the support from this forum...it's soo great!

Sauciedj - Well, as one person's opinion/advice..... I have found, that weighing in everyday (or close to it) just brings about frustration and more fluctuations than I'd like to see.  Being a woman, body weight, for various reasons (i.e.: t.o.t.m., sodium intake, water intake, etc.) can fluctuate daily and it really isn't very accurate.  Also, from what I know, it really is better to weigh in once (or twice maybe) a week at the same time (whether a.m. or p.m.) so that your body can show the best results. 

Also, the calorie intake.....I have a hard time eating the right amount of 'good' calories each day too.  The 1100-1200 range seems pretty low.  Trying to avoid having your body go in to 'starvation mode' by eating too little' is something I have to work on too....it's really a bigger deal than some ppl. realize. :D I try to not forget this factor: Your body is like a furnance...you have to keep it fueled in order for your body to continue to run at it's most efficient (for burning extra calories and of course to keep your body functioning all together.  I've found eating several smaller meal *or watching your portions even* a day is better than 3 big meals. Also, breakfast is key too. :D

From what I can see....it seems you have a basis for a good start on your eating habits, though maybe just add to it. :D

You said (italics), I added in bold ;D

I usually have one cup of Kashi cereal with milk for breakfast, or just toast if I'm in a rush, around 9 am. Do you work full time or have a reason for eating breakfast each day around 9am? Sorry if I missed any info.  Just saying...to try and make time for yourself in the a.m. for breakfast. :D I've been trying to make myself breakfast this week and last *I have to try my hardest too not to let time get the best of me...haha..I'm bad at that*. Lately, I've made myself egg white, shredded mozz. cheese, turkey bacon, mushroom *and any other added veggies I have around like bell peppers and tomatoes* wrap or put the ingredients on an english muffin *like Thomas Light Multi-Grain* or something similar. :) Usually I have a cup of coffee or even some orange juice in the a.m. and if I have fruit, to add some fruit in my a.m. time. :D

Around 12 pm, I have lunch, which is usually the equivalent of a Subway sandwich. Subway sandwhich sounds good (as long as it's not loaded with extra condiments, like mayo and not a lot of cheese.  Try the wheat bread?  Have time to make a salad? Romaine lettuce, protein (like tuna, chicken, turkey, or chickpeas), with veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, green beans, corn, mushrooms, tomatoes, etc., some cheese even, cranberries *like Ocean Spray dried cranberries*, with a light or small amount of dressing? I have been experiementing with what I add to my salads...it can be fun. haha. Actually today....I didn't have a lot of fresh veggies *except for some bell peppers* and so I drained a bunch of canned things and added those to my salad..hehe....green beans, some whole potatoes *not too bad if just add a little*, mushrooms, with shredded mozz. cheese on romaine lettuce with some spray type Italian dressing. It wasn't too bad. haha. :D 

Maybe soup? Just be careful of the sodium...or have 1/2 a sandwhich and some soup.  Add some fruit to your lunch even. :D

Around 3 pm, I have a snack of vegetables and fruit. :D Great job!

Then around 6 pm I have dinner, which has just been the other half of a Subway sandwich. Sometimes I even make a big salad for dinner...as long as I'm not tired of it from lunch. haha. I am really not trying to push just salads or anything...but it's just what I've been eating lately. :D Also, not sure if you like it, but I found the recipe on the back of a tuna container at the store....and it's soooo good and easy to make. :D I eat this sandwhich (which I am going to mention) for dinner or lunch sometimes....like after I workout and don't have a lot of time to make or have a bigger meal.  Canned tuna (chunk light in water or solid albacore in water is what I've used), marinated artichoke hearts (from a jar), tomatoes *any type of course...even cherry or grape tomatoes are good*, and something like a wheat bun, english muffin, or wrap.  No need to put any extra seasoning (unless you want salt/pepper in the ingredients b/c the marinate fm. the artichoke is enough.) I really have found this a yummy food! I don't even feel I need any chips with it. :D

I'm sure there are tons of other ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner that I could mention (and I'm sure others have advice too), but those are just some ideas....

Also....edamamme beans in the pod (usually found in the Organic frozen section of a grocery store) are my new addiction. haha! I love to eat them as a snack or as part of a meal (like after the tuna/tomato/artichoke sandwhich or wrap). :D Yummy! Just pour the pods frozen in a microwaveable bowl, heat for 2-4 mins. (time varies..just check it in btwn) and either eat as is or sprinkle a little table salt on before eating. :D (Fun to eat b/c you get to suck the bean out of the pod....haha....they are sold already shelled too, but unless you are adding the beans to a dish, they are more fun to eat in the pod. :D)

That's it for the consistent eating, though I'm trying to add in more vegetable snacks or a Kashi bar or something to get my total intake to between 1200-1300.

Good luck with your goals of keeping track of your intake, etc.

* * * * * * * *

Btw, sooo sorry that my reply was a novel and a 1/2..... Just trying to add my experience and my opinons/advice to help you...and anyone else who may want to know. :D

Thanks again for reading.....hope I helped somehow.  Gulp..... hehe.

Well, everyone, have a great weekend! Ttyl.

-Margo

Wonderswhy – ahh ok then.  So what are your plans come May??? 

Sauciedj -- Yay! I love critiquing workout/diets.  I have gone through many incarnations myself, anorexic, cardio bunny, then gave up when I was not getting the results I wanted and became a mocha chugging grad. Student.  But I think I have finally figured out how to do it healthy and get results.  ie how to lose the fat but maintain the lean body mass. 

First what I think is good about your diet: More than three meals, very happy to see you eat breakfast and you are not cardio obsessed and you are looking to up your calories to netting 1200 a day (this means when you do cardio you need to eat even more though). 

Ok now for what is bad: Protein, where is it??  Subways is pathetic with their meat portions.  If you do decide to do subway order double turkey on wheat with no mayo (O and V is better or just mustard).  Just ask for the extra turkey.  But I would say that a foot long is too much bread for one day.  A half is alright for a day but a foot long is too many simple carbs (no fiber).  I would eat your lean body mass in grams of protein everyday.  (I eat at least 120 grams of protein a day, my husband does 240g or more a day).  If you do this a spread it out over 5-7 meals, your carbs and fats tend to fall very naturally in place (at 40% carbs, and 20% fat) if you keep your calories net at 1200.  And it is very important to have protein in your breakfast 20 grams or so.

Now for exercise: Cardio is good for the heart and burns calories helping so it can help you meet a deficit (but yours is too low anyways).  SO cardio is likely burning your muscles as much as your fat stores.  I am not telling you NOT to do cardio but make sure you eat protein both before and after (within a half hour).  What I think is most important though is weight lifting.  A heavy session of weight lifting can keep you metabolism up 24-36 hours AFTER the workout.  Cardio does not do that.  It is also very important to weight liftwhen eating a calorie deficit to prevent muscle loss, which is that last thing you want to do and will result in a decreased basal metabolism and result in you looking small but squishy.

Hope that helps.

P.S. to Sauciedj - Oh yeah..the exercise....  Do you belong to a gym? Do any classes there or elsewhere? Yes, cardio AND weight lifting I find are great for results. :D

Ahh, thank you so much for your replies! You guys don't know how much it means to me.

Margo, I do work full-time, but lol I don't really have a reason besides laziness for my morning rush. I guess it wouldn't kill me to wake up a half hour earlier... Thanks for all the great suggestions, I'm going to save them because I know I'll need them when I get sick of eating the same things every day.

jredig, that was also most helpful. I do realize I am lacking in protein, and I'll try to bring that up. And you're right, on second thought, that is a lot of bread. Would a good idea would be to have a grilled chicken breast and some veggies for dinner? Thanks also for the advice about the weightlifting. I just read the post at the top of the page about the c-c diet, because previously I had been under the impression that I was going to end up looking like a bodybuilder, but that seems unlikely after further consideration lol

Thanks again for all your support! =D

Edit: There is a gym at the apartment complex where I live that I go to. I also have a treadmill and some light weights at home. I guess while I'm lazily watching TV, I could get a workout done too :]

chicken and veggies the dinner of champions :)

If you want carbs instead of bread, try carrots, sweet potatos, oat bran, oatmeal and the like.  (complex cabs)

ok calorie buddies, I need snack ideas! I'm going to be trapped in the library for the entire weekend, and I can't think of anything to bring other than veggies and protein bars. There's nothing worse than writing essays for comprehensive exams and starving to death simultaneously....  

wonderswhy - I know this is coming a bit late :) but good snacks are always pretzles.  I love to snack on those because they have just a bit of salt (unless you get the unsalted kind) and are virually fat free... though I'm not really sure of the caloric intake.  And always.. a big fat bottle of water that you refill and refill over and over and over again.  Lot's of time's when I was studying in college (or even just bored in class) I would have the urge to snack and if I drank water it really curbed the craving.  Before I discovered water I actually used to keep a bag of dark chocolate chips in my bookbag.. how on earth did I stay so thin!?

sauciedj - I wanted to let you know that the advice jen gave to eat protein is so good.  I was frustrated several weeks back with losing hardly any weight, just stuck at one number on the scale over and over and over, and she said I wasn't eating enough protein, and I thought... as long as I don't eat fat I should be alright.. right?  Well, after that I started eating eggs and cheese and meat and guess what.. bam, the next week down one pound, and the next week again, down a pound.  It really worked for me.  Protein is your friend :)

Glad to see both of you joined!

Now the amazing news.  I wanted to announce with great pleasure.. that yesterday at the gym I jogged a whole mile without stopping, and it wasn't that difficult!!!!  Ok I know it doesnt' sound like much, BUT I have NEVER EVER EVER been able to do that.  I started running in Jan, and now I can run a mile!  My father the runner is coming into town next weekend (well both my parents are but..) and he wants to go running, so I know I'll be able to impress him!

I rounded my last lap at the gym and I was smiling so big and thinking the whole time, I can't want to tell all the girls!!