Weight Loss

Hey everyone.  Thanks for making the transition over here.  We have to stick together and stay strong.  Bathing suit season and smoldering hot temps are on their way and we wanna look even steamier.  I encourage everyone to still post their weight loss when they weigh in but I'm not going to make it a challenge or a goal for us.  We just want to congratulate your on your triumphant success.  Good luck!

Hi Stephtobea9, In answer to your question about how did each of us become overweight:  as a young child I was about average, but as I began to blossom and (start) at very early age (10) things changed really quickly.  All the other girls around me, my friends, still looked like little girls for another 4 years but I looked 18 before I was 11 and being around adults all my life I acted alot older also.  I was picked on because of early development, which is not easy to understand at that young of age( all the women in my family- even then thinner ones started at about age 10.  Anyway at that point I began to "look like a woman in every way".  I lost my father at the age of 11, which had huge impact on this daddy's girl, and looking back I can realize now that I used food as comfort.  My mother was great, we were very close. She also had a weight problem off and on all her life and was very overweight when she passed at age 54.     &nb sp; In high school at 5'6" 165 ish I was much more "vuluptous that most of the other girls wearing a 38 DD before reaching sophomore. I was also very hippy and curvy, which stuck out like a sore thumb.  I was picked on unmercifully by the boys in school ( not the girls) I look back now and realize that maybe I took it all a little too seriously and really they were doing that to all the girls.  Older men, 20-28 were asking me out right and left, but none of the high school "boys" I went to school with.  I think now that maybe they were afraid of me. who knows. I was a twiler and in marching band, but did not participate in athletics( which meant you were second class citizen at my rural school.)  I had a happy high school time in general, but always dated older men out of school.  They were the only ones that ever asked me out, and quite honestly I was treated like a lady whereas with a boy my own age I would not have been.    I didn't really start to have bad weight problem until college. I became depressed as I didn't have a car and had to stay on campus every weekend while everyone I knew went home on thurs, come back on mon. I gained probably 50 lbs in one year to 220ish or 230.  I lost some of it when I left college after one year. but always fought the up and down.  When I got out in the work world living on my own I went dancing nearly every night for 5 or 6 years. this kept the weight at bay for a long time and was alot of fun.     I lost my mother at age 27, I had been her caregiver for about 3 years ( she was 54).  I had just met and married my husband ( of now 14 yrs) when she passed..  I quit my job, got married, moved to a different town, in a different house, and moved my mother. she passed away only 11 days after we moved. ( she had been sick for a while, but nothing that would lead us to know she was going to pass.)  I really started to pack it on after that, withdrawing into myself.  we had a few fairly uneventful years then my husbands dad grew very ill with emphysema, I helped to take care of him and my mother in law.  He passed away in 2003 in aug, my mother in law broke her hip in nov.  she has had many health crisises since and is 87 now. doing fairly well walking ok on walker.  I am packing more on all this time. and no exercise at all.       I lost my maternal grandmother, grandfather a 46 year old uncle, allduring this time. then last year 2007 lost my beloved sister at 47 due to major heart attack.  she unlike me was the picture of health. just goes to show you can never know what may be lurking.  I also lost one of my best friends and the best dance partner I ever had last year at 47 to sudden heart attack.      I guess you can say during stressful times I always turned to food, happy times sad times didn't matter there was always a reason to eat.      I have finally come to the realization that if I want to live even 10 more years I have got to exercise and eat healthier and smaller portions.  I am too young at 41 to be this darn old.        ; The good news is I have lost 40 lbs, and while I put a photo on here now, it was taken in december and now you would not recognize me.  my red hair has faded to blonde and the face is alot less full.  will try to post some new ones whenever we take some...

larienkids2, Don't Give up!! You may feel alone, but truly you aren't, we are all here for ya! And your half sis, she could probably be a great source of motivation too, since she is having success using the CC format. My hubby is BARELY chubby(as in he needs to lose about 10 pounds....the creep), so I understand about DH not being in this with you. But ya know what, you stick with this for you & then DH is gonna see that while it is not easy to get healthy it IS possible, you just have to stick with it!

stephtobea9, I didn't answer about the rest of my family, I apologize, I didn't read that part! :(  Growing up, my parents were overweight, my mom moreso than my dad. My brother & sister both were chubby as kids, thinned out as teenagers & plumped up as adults. My brother is at least 100 pounds overweight & my sister is about 40 pounds overwieght. My dad developed type 2 diabetes about 10 years ago, & controls it through eating & very low dose insulin pills. (he is a healthy weight & has been for about 8 years). My mom...whew. She is VERY overweight...clinically obese for her size. She eats maybe twice a day(usually once) & has little to no exercise. I worry for her & have tried to get her to follow this program with me, but no go. She always has an excuse or reason, so she obviously isnt ready. I worry for her tho, because in her mind she is losing weight, but looking at her, it is painfully apparent she isn't. If anything, she is getting bigger. :(  I worry she will also develop diabetes, or some other health condition casued be her weight. Lord willing, as she continues to see me progress(cause I Will be successful at losing this weight once & for all dammit!) it will inspire her to want to get healthy too!

 

Forgot to post my weekly stats...AF is paying a visit, so I am up 2 pounds this week, 286.5. The b!tch. I believe next week will be a lot better tho! (least, I pray it is.) Been walking my mile with Leslie every morning this week & even ventured into mile #2 this morning. (for a total of 1.25 miles). WHEW. At least my endurance is improving, but woooweeee, I got a long way to go! lol

Hope everyone is having a great morning...we have sunshine here! woooohooooo  

Hey everyone!  Thinks have been very stressful and crazy around here.  It seems like it always goes that way.  So I still haven't made it back to the gym.  I was giving myself an extra week to recover.  Suddenly I'm getting migraines again but I think it's allergy related.  I'm sure I'll be back in the gym on Monday though.  I'm going to hit the beginners yoga class.  Help loosen me up.  I hope all of you are staying strong.  I'm struggling a bit with makin wise food decisions.  I'm trying to stay strong.  Just going through some trying personal issues.  My birthday is in less than 2 weeks and my hubby's is in a week.  I'll be dealing with trying not to binge on cake.

Hello.  I hope i can join you all.  My first goal is to lose 100lbs.   I started dieting last year, lost 35lbs then gained it back over the winter. atleast once a month i log onto cc and say that im going to start again... again, and again. At this point its not a start over but just trying to get back on track.  I figure ill try a new twist.. im not going to count calories for 30 days. I am going to just eat normal portions. My tummy needs to shrink a little to help with feeling full.. so i am going to cut my portions down to normal size and see how that works out.

So here is day one.  started with 1  package of oatmeal, lunch ive had half a chicken breast, and half a cup of rice.. before now and dinner ill have an apple.  Not sure what is for dinner tonight but whatever it is ill eat a normal portion.   Im assuming ill be around the 1200ish calories  most of my days.

Anyone else have problems with portion control?

Original Post by realitymommy:

larienkids2, Don't Give up!! You may feel alone, but truly you aren't, we are all here for ya! And your half sis, she could probably be a great source of motivation too, since she is having success using the CC format. My hubby is BARELY chubby(as in he needs to lose about 10 pounds....the creep), so I understand about DH not being in this with you. But ya know what, you stick with this for you & then DH is gonna see that while it is not easy to get healthy it IS possible, you just have to stick with it!

Thank you so much for that!  I know I can count on my CC friends & I do turn to my sis for advice too, she is an actuary and knows her numbers, so she helps me out with that part.  I am hoping that my DH does get to see me get great results from this and decides that it is worth it & joins in.  Thanks for the encouraging words, it helps!

 

Awwww hon, you are welcome, but that's what we are here for!

I didn't walk this morning. Woke up & I am just SORE. Figure, I'll take today off & get back to it in the morning. =)

laurienkids2 i totally know what you mean.  this place is wonderful.  whenever i need a little boost i come in here..ok so actually i'm in here a lot lol  good luck on your weight loss!!!

Original Post by josettelayton:

Hello.  I hope i can join you all.  My first goal is to lose 100lbs.   I started dieting last year, lost 35lbs then gained it back over the winter. atleast once a month i log onto cc and say that im going to start again... again, and again. At this point its not a start over but just trying to get back on track.  I figure ill try a new twist.. im not going to count calories for 30 days. I am going to just eat normal portions. My tummy needs to shrink a little to help with feeling full.. so i am going to cut my portions down to normal size and see how that works out.

So here is day one.  started with 1  package of oatmeal, lunch ive had half a chicken breast, and half a cup of rice.. before now and dinner ill have an apple.  Not sure what is for dinner tonight but whatever it is ill eat a normal portion.   Im assuming ill be around the 1200ish calories  most of my days.

Anyone else have problems with portion control?

 No problems with control but i am eating quite a few more calories than you.  I have found that, it is true, eating too few slows things down.  So I used the calculator here and am eating about 1450 + about 150 on excercise days.  I am 5'6"

By sticking with high fiber, 30% protein (therabouts) I am not really having any problems with hunger. I am currently at 252 down from 261 about a month ago.

Just checking in here...I have had a pretty good almost 2 weeks now :) Here are my updates:

SW- 292

CW- 281

GW- 200

 Welcome Josette and anyone else joining up :)

 Just checkin' in .. still here, counting calories, and being more active...

  Dh and I went out last night on a sord of date last night and I didn't count any calories on purpose! I had 2 chimichangas, side vegs w/ sour cream, guacamole, and lots and lots of freshly made chips w/ salsa and cheese dip ! Loved every second of it! :)

 Then towards the end of the meal I challenged him that I could beat him at running around this circle path at a local park around the playground and he took me up on it! LOL We did the same thing on Sunday afternoon just for fun and I was DYING at the end of it, panting so hard, and my lungs HURT so badly! lol  But I finished it in 3m54s. Well, last night I did the same in 3m33s! Yay me! lol I was surprised I was able to shave off 21 seconds! But my lungs didn't hurt nearly like the first time and it felt great after I rested for like 10 minutes, lol.


    Oh and he beat me both times! lol forgot to add that  haha


  Anyway.. that's what I've been up to ..

   ~ Steph (96lbs to go!)

stephtobea9

You know sometimes you gotta do something like that.

Glad  your running was fun and better too.

 

Thank you Thingagain78, I can always use a little more encouragement and I know this is the place to find it. 

I have decided that when I do my weekly weigh-in tomorrow (I don't think I am going to have a loss, I haven't exercised all week :/) that I am going to do something I haven't been brave enough to do yet.  I am going to post my numbers!  At first, I was embarrassed to do it, but now I see that this a place filled with friends in the same boat as me and there is no shame!  I am making a change for the better so why not make another step towards it and put my numbers out there...maybe I will find my CC twin and we can  keep each other motivated on a regular basis.  I also think that if I actually post my numbers for the whole world to see, that it will be a HUGE motivation! 

Original Post by laurienkids2:

I have decided that when I do my weekly weigh-in tomorrow (I don't think I am going to have a loss, I haven't exercised all week :/) that I am going to do something I haven't been brave enough to do yet.  I am going to post my numbers!  At first, I was embarrassed to do it, but now I see that this a place filled with friends in the same boat as me and there is no shame!  I am making a change for the better so why not make another step towards it and put my numbers out there...maybe I will find my CC twin and we can  keep each other motivated on a regular basis.  I also think that if I actually post my numbers for the whole world to see, that it will be a HUGE motivation! 

 Don't be afraid to share your numbers and it great to see others progress and is a great motivator!  We all wouldn't be here if we weren't in the same boat and ready to face change!

Good luck!

 Absolutely Laurien! No one here is going to chastise you for a silly thing like a number! We all know, if anybody, that numbers just don't make the person. It's really sad but I used to be thin/regular size my whole life until 20/21 years old. I was quite vain although insecure at the same time. I didnt' specifically outright flaunt it, but I did smile if I was able to catch the eye of a 20s/30s man whose 'bigger' wife was with him, or without him. HOW pathetic is that? Now that I'm on the other side of the fence I know exactly how that feels and I've really learned a lot from this life lesson in itself. People get hurt no matter how big they are. There's some strange bias against overweight people... now it's a little less so because so many more ppl are overweight than they were 10 years ago, but it's still there. A thinking of the unspoken of like ... "don't look at them in the eye", "don't hold the door open for them or others might think you're with them", "you can say what you want because all the fat is like emotional insulation",etc.. just ridiculous stupidity that many, especially young ppl are inclined to do. But not everyone thinks that way, I know.

  Anyway.. I have to run out the door now, but wanted to throw that out there? Hm.. maybe it'll get some minds churning anyway. Don't mean to offend anyone, though. I really am around 100 lbs overweight myself and have been on both sides of the fence.

    ~ Steph

O.k. Here goes my stats for the first time ever on here.  BTW, thanks guys for all your support, as always!

I am 33 years old, 5'3" even though I try really hard to stand a lot taller, it just doesn't go any higher!

SW (as of March 26, 2008)-238

CW (as of May 2, 2008)-231

GW- the charts say I should be 121-135, but I think I would be happy with a goal of 145 to start with and then maybe go for the extra 5 or 10 pounds.

So, in just over a month I have lost 7 pounds!!!  Not as much as I hoped but I had a lot of days of no exercise and no calorie counting at the beginning and this last week.  I am totally satisfied with any amount of loss!  But now, that my numbers are posted I want to keep posting and watch them get smaller and smaller along with my waistline!

Hey everyone.  So I've decided not to do the Biggest Loser.  I think I've been using the fact that I was planning on trying out as a crutch to slip into some of my old eating habits.  Well, apparently I wasn't as strong as i thought I was.  It's amazing how you can start with simply being unable to work out for a month and it landslide into old habits.  I guess that's why they always say old habits die hard.  I haven't weighed yet and I'm very scared.  So I think I might wait for a few weeks so it gives me time to get back in the gym and kick my butt.

jerichocheyenne - don't worry you'll get back into it.  I agree its easy to let any excuse ruin your progress.  But I just keep picturing myself being able to go into any store or look at any catalog and actually fit into the clothes instead of being plussed sized!

Good luck!

 

Hi! I was wondering if I could join you ladies?

SW -290 (April 22, 2008)

CW - 285

GW - 150ish

I am 29, 5'9, and started CC on April 18, though I didn't get a chance to weight the first time until the 22! I have always been chubby, except for a brief stint in high school when I starved myself to stay thin to stay on cheerleading.

I have tried EVERY diet out there. Atkins, South Beach, Sugarbusters, WW, and NEVER been able to stick with them. I am actually pleased with the success I am having with CC. I walk 4 days a week, and do core strengthening almost every day. (I have a bad back)

 

Hi. I'd love to join your group!!

5'7"     age 35

SW-306 (3/31/08)

CW-289.5

GW-145

I started CC on 4/24, but had been keeping a food diary and counting calories since the begining of April. This website is sooooo awesome!

I haven't really dieted seriously, though I was once in WW for about 2 months and lost 11 lbs, but I've had issues with depression and stress....who hasn't?...and I just sabotaged all my efforts. I really struggle with exercise, I try to walk as much as possible at work, but once I get home I just want to veg out.

Eating has been an adventure this month....I've really learned a lot about nutrition that I didn't realize....and there's so much more to learn. I love reading the forums and getting new ideas and tips.

I think it would be awesome to be a part of a group where I could find support, and offer support in return. I have supportive friends, but no one is as overweight as me and I really don't have anyone to bounce ideas off on.  

:)

Laurie

Original Post by stephtobea9:

   I was just thinking .. how did everyone here become overweight? Or were you always overweight from childhood? What about your parents, brothers and sisters? 


  

 That's a really interesting question. I was an overweight kid and my mother struggled with her weight. I was on all kinds of diets in elementary school....anyone remember the Dolly Parton Diet? I remember one day I only ate fruit, another day I just ate cottage cheese....yeah...not cool if you're 9 years old. My mother really loathed being overweight and she didn't want that for me. She passed away when I was 14...by that time I had naturally slimmed down, getting taller, just the usual growing up stuff. After she died I was wearing a size 9 or 11 and feeling like a fat pig. If I only knew what the future held...  But I began to gain weight after college when I entered "the real world" of work, stress...etc. Just life. I have struggled with depression as well and from 1995-2008 gained 100+lbs. I can't remember my heaviest weight. It was probably around 320 back in 2007. My mother was never that heavy. I'm a total emotional eater, plus there were several years in there where I was on various mental health meds, anti depressants, mood stablizers...but I was eating like crazy and did not help my situation. I've been in a really good place mentally for almost a year, I'm off medication and I know that I might need to go back on them if I start feeling bad again. It will suck because of the way the meds screw with metabolism, but I'll have to figure it out.

My older sister is overweight, not as bad as me. She's probably about 40lbs overweight. She goes up and down, but she exercises a lot and is in good health. My dad has always been a bit overweight, he's 6'4" and about 250.

I think that once I got to a point where I was larger than my mother had ever been, it should have made me think...ok..time to lose this! But I just got bigger.

But anyhoo....I am really into this now and I love this website. It's hard to be patient though. I am ready to be 145!!!

:)