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.

I suck!

This weekend was bad for me. I have absolutely no motivation even though I have that wedding in two weeks.

Ate way too much this weekend, had friends over on Friday, Saturday then father's day yesterday = bad.

Today: calorie goal 1250

Exercise: 20 minutes on treadmill, 15 minutes of ball exercises. I HAVE TO DO THIS!!!!

I suck as well!

Horrible weekend as far as eating well.  I actually feel hung over from high fat foods.  Chocolate peanutbutter pie I truly believe can cause a hangover.

Goals for today 1400 calories.  I already biked 10 miles (average speed 14.8) and I plan to take a Body step class this evening.

Hang in there everyone!

di

If you can do it, I can do it too. Right?!!

sounds like we all went a little overboard this weekend.  Here is my thought:
My biggest problem (and maybe for some of you as well) is that I can't moderate.  I either eat clean and stay away from the booze, or I EAT!  And I can't eat 1 sausage, one helping of potato salad, and one small piece of cake~~~ NO!! I eat 2-3 helpings, and big fat slices of thick, creamy frosting covered cake. And wash it down with Corona, wine, etc.  You get the picture.

Here is an experiment I want to try.  My family/friends are well meaning, but I am sure , like yours, they like to have fun.  I always say that if I am "good" all week, I deserve a cheat.  But I don't think I know how to cheat, I only know how to binge.  It never starts out that way, but ends that way.  So.....

Next weekend I am probably going to a 60th BD party for my best friend...who smokes, drinks and likes to eat!  Here is my goal for myself:
1.  Knowing that there will be alcohol and my personally baked, world famous chocolate cake (okay, maybe not WORLD famous, but darn good)  my goal is not to OVER INDULGE.  

2.  How much cardio I do before the event  will dictate how many glasses of bubbly or wine I have, and I will only have one small piece of cake, and none of the other snack stuff.

Does this sound reasonable?  Does anyone have any other suggestions for self control?  I am open to any suggestions.  I really want to do this~~ I have told my partner that I would not walk down the aisle at 150lbs and I mean it.  I was too afraid to weigh myself this AM and that's just wrong.  I need self control!

Help!

Why on earth is that wagon so darn wobbly?  Last night I stayed up late to work and ended up having a huge midnight snack involving many pretzels and peanut butter.  mcpchants, di, tonia, amyb - let's get back on the wagon!  Huzzah!  (Is that an appropriate cheerleading word?)

I'm drinking a lot of water today.  I've got my bottles filled and plan on flushing all that salt out. 

amyb, I think it's smart to make a plan for your friend's birthday party.  You've been spending some time making cakes lately - chocolate cake sounds divine and totally decadent.

How long is the party going to be?  Where are you coming from beforehand?  Is it possible for you to eat a salad or some fruit right before you go?  That would help resist the snacks at the party.  (That is my downfall - I always find myself right by the snack table.)

I think your cardio plan sounds reasonable, depending on how long the party is going to be.  I would only suggest doing the old "club soda with lime" routine - maybe every other drink or so. 

Good luck!

Amyb,

    I think your plan sounds very resonable.  I too, did not get on the scale this morning.  I think I am going to wait until Wednesday's weigh in.

I just get frustated with myself.  I see other people eating in moderation, but I just have such a difficult time.  I think having a plan is great, but I think next time I might enlist the help of my daughter to help remind me to stay on track.  Weekends are always the toughest.  This Saturday is my tri, so I will be fine there, but I have a family picnic on Sunday.  I am bringing fresh fruit and a veggie tray.  Have a great day!  We can do this!

Di

Wow! We all sound so alike and so honest! 

The way I see it, Amy has a plan... it sounds like a great plan. 

My problem seems to be that when I get started on the eating and lose track of how much I've consumed, I just throw in the towel and say, "okay, you'll get back on it".   Why do I get started?

My question to all of us is: 1.) are we bored or distracted in social situations,  and  2) do we begin using food to medicate something that is missing or some emotional stress of being in a group?  I don't mean to wax philisophical,  but we are all active, health conscious, smart people.  We all have a strong desire to reach our goals. Something in us throws in the towel when we get social...

Do you think if we can answer that question it might help?  I'm open to your thoughts on the subject.

BTW, I am down 4 lbs on the scale from the +6 off-the-wagon- pounds. I don't dare do my actual weigh-in until Wednesday.

Just keep in mind the math... I doubt any of you consumed more that 3500 calories over your maintenence needs this weekend.  That means you probably didn't even gain one pound... let's keep the water and fruits and vegis going.  Cut out the alcohol this week (unless you're going to be tempted to replace it with some other high calorie comfort food- I speak from experience).  Let's wipe ourselves off and get back on that wagon!! We can do this!

Mcpchants, Let me know how the event-date-weight-loss-goal works for you.  I've learned that events never keep me motivated enough to lose weight for any lasting period.  What worked for me in the last year (went from size 12 to 8) was to set an exercise goal... run a 5K, then a 10K, then two Triathlons.  I really enjoyed it because it was something I did for me. In addition, the biking has been a blast.

Best regards,

Apparently, events don't motivate me either.

And yes, we all sound alike! It's nice to see that you're not the only one who goes through this, you know.

amyb: I AM THE SAME WAY AS YOU! "I don't think I know how to cheat, I only know how to binge"

When I binge, I don't just binge a little, i'll have 2-3 of what i'm eating! It's unstoppable. It's almost like I tell myself, i've already gone over so I guess I should just keep going...it's already ruined anyway.

I have my parents' 53rd b-day party on Saturday so there'll be lots of drinking and lots of food. I will have to try to stay away from the food table as much as I can.

I think one reason we fail in social situations is that we see others eating large amounts of food and think, if they do it, it's ok if I do it. That's what I think anyway.

So, today i've eaten healthy so far, i've taken the stairs at work (i'm on the 7th floor and it's 120 stairs - i've done this 3 times so far today)

WE CAN DO THIS LADIES.

P.S. I love weekends but they always ruin what I have worked so hard to accomplish during the week!

P.P.S. I love this forum, you girls rock!

toniahayes - I am not sure WHY I eat (in social settings)  but it really may be an "excuse" as you suggest... either we are bored out of our minds, and walking away from the boring person you are talking to and walking over to the food trough seems like the thing to do.

OR, also as you suggest,  we are are healthy and smart, and in CONTROL (not necessarily control freaks, but you know if you are) and when we lose track, we just hang it up and say, "well, I've already screwed up, so why not just go all the way".  I used to do this much more when I wasn't exactly counting calories.  If I thought in my head that I was over 1500, I would just go on a bender.

mcpchants - I am the same way.  I eat and eat until I feel almost sick, and then beat myself up about it... What sort of psychological misfits are we?????

Maybe grabbing a salad before would work... I am going to make an effort on this one.  It's been about 5 weeks since I have started REALLY keeping track, and even with my binges, I have been okay (not great).  It seems though, that if I prepare myself mentally, like writing it down here,  thinking about it before hand, etc, I do much better..

Thanks for all your help ladies.  I know I couldn't be under 140 without you.

Did my double cardio today (couldn't do my long run today because of the heat, so tomorrow at 4:30am, when most of you are catching your last few ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZz's, I will hopefully be out doing my 9 miler so I am prepared for this race.

trixitrix - never heard of the club soda lime thing. I usually sub water in (when I am trying to be good) but everyone always has something to say.  A club/lime would look like a drink and shut everyone up!!

Amyb - I drink club soda with a lime in it a lot, partially so people won't start speculating that I'm pregnant.  A lot of my friends are having babies right now so every time a wine drinker drinks water there's a lot of obnoxious speculation!

Today was not great.  Did all the pushups and a double workout, but messed up on dinner.  I ended up going to my husband's favorite gyro place and couldn't resist. 

Plan for tomorrow:  1200 calories (strictly!); drink 2 liters of water at least; double workout to make up for the greek food, 40 pushups.

Biggest challenge:  not snacking too much!

I am back on track.  Thanks for the encouragement everyone.

Today- 1229 calories

One hour of aerobics class instead of the bike

You go, Amy!! I'll be snoozing at 4:30 am...  

Dievans, hope your Tri goes great.  What kind of water will you be swimming in and how far?  Good for you on the fresh fruit and vegi tray. 

Trixi, never heard of Huzzah but I'll take any cheer I can get.

June 19, Tuesday Plan: walk/run & upper body workout.  I'm trying to change up my workouts a little to shock my muscles... They were so used to Tri training.  It seems that alternitive exercise uses muscles that were not used in Tri.  I've been sore a lot as a result.

I decided to do a Super Sprint at the end of July.  I am also looking for a Sprint Tri to do in October.

Amy, I wasn't going to  throw out any ideas for the party because I would feel like a hippocrite after my fall off of the wagon. Since we all seemed to fall off and we need all the ideas we can get, I will throw out a couple of ideas.

Your cardio plan sounds great.  Maybe you could make a decision to not gain any weight as a result of the party.  That means you would be okay with about 2700 calories with the cardio. Allow just one piece of cake (hold out for as long as possible before eating the piece of cake) ; two glasses of wine (drink water and no calorie beverages in between; and no mindless eating out of boredom or binging.  If you know the calorie counts of the cake and the wine (probably 616 calories for both) then you could probably choose the other 2100 calories wisely.  Put things on a plate,  instead of standing over the "trough" :-),  so you can measure out reasonable portions. Have strong mints on hand to pop after you eat so you will want water instead of food and drinks.  Carry a 3 x 5 card and a pen go in the bathroom after your first plate of food and estimate the calories.  No one will know you are being "a fanatic".  Be accountable to yourself at the party. 

My biggest problem last week was when I got into the sweet/salt cycle. Try to avoid this somehow by staying away from salty foods.

I think the main thing is to have a plan... and stick to it.  We will be rooting for you and will give you a big Hooray/Huzzah when you come back with your success report.

If we can figure this out, we will all succeed, write a book and be on Oprah.

Toniahayes

Morning!! AGAIN, no 9 miler......... I have a mental block.  I did 5 with my man, and his knee was hurting, and it was 78 at 5am!! (I know they are JUST excuses) I have off this Saturday (every 2 months I get a Saturday) so I am thinking I can do my long run Saturday AM, and that will prep me for the "party". 

On the weight front, I wasn't going to step on, but I did.... 138!! I couldn't believe it.  I think you were right when you said that we probably weren't as bad as we'd imagined over the weekend.  It just seemed that way.  Anyway, I am thanking the man upstairs, and guzzling my water right now.

I get the same thing trixitrix, with the wine/water thing... and I am 37!! like I'd be having a baby right now!! PLEASE!  I can't take care of myself, I would be a basket case with a child.  (although they are cute and cuddly and wonderful........)

Gyros------LOVE 'em!!

toniahayes - super sprint???? What's the distances???? How do you prep for your swim?  Do you live near water or do you do it in a pool?

Ladies, I did it!

I worked out yesterday and ate 1300 calories and 4+ litres of water!

I really didn't feel like working out yesterday but told myself I had to. I couldn't come on CC again and disapoint, again!

The plan for today:

eat 1200 calories, I won't be working out because i'm going to a movie tonight. I will work out tomorrow!

Hey everyone!

Good day yesterday and I am planning a swim for today, about 45 minutes.  The plan is to stay within 1400 and hope tomorrow isn't too bad on the scale.  For me it is the TOTM and I usually retain water.  I am glad I am getting it over with before my tri on Saturday.  The swim is in a pool, 500 yds.  They have it set up like a serpentine. 

Eat fruit and veggies, eat fruit and veggies, eat fruit and veggies, that is my new mantra.

Di

I've done well so far. I cheated a little and had 3 slices of homemade pizza last night, but somehow didn't suffer in weight change. I've lost 7 pounds so far in the last 2 weeks. I'm hoping to hit that 10 either this weekend or early next week. I think so far it's all water weight; I'm waiting for that plateau to start. *cries*

I'm not released yet to start aerobics (had gallbladder surgery 6 weeks ago), so I've got to somehow keep the weight coming off for the next two weeks till I can start SI6.

Hope all of you have a successful week!!

lilscooter - how do you obtain those pics you have on your profile?!

mcpchants -- go to mvm.com create your model, than save the pic and upload it to your profile

Thanks :)

Hey Tonia, I've been thinking about your question:

My question to all of us is: 1.) are we bored or distracted in social situations,  and  2) do we begin using food to medicate something that is missing or some emotional stress of being in a group?  I don't mean to wax philisophical,  but we are all active, health conscious, smart people.  We all have a strong desire to reach our goals. Something in us throws in the towel when we get social...

Do you think if we can answer that question it might help?  I'm open to your thoughts on the subject.

Here's a little philosophical waxing....

I think distraction plays a big role.  If I'm yakking away with friends and have a beer in my hand, the talking will make me thirsty.  So I'll drink that beer fairly quickly.  If I don't make sure that the next drink is nonalcoholic, soon I'll be reaching for the snacks, which will make me thirsty, and four hours later I'll be tipsy and hungry.  I've had the "problem" in bars where a friend goes up for a round without asking and brings back what everyone's been drinking.  So instead of a club soda I've got another beer or mixed drink in front of me, which someone's been nice enough to treat.  It's a nice gesture but can wreak havoc on the diet (and possibly tomorrow's hangover) b/c you don't keep track of just how much you've been drinking, and b/c the more you drink, the less you register.  And the more you drink, the more you want to eat.

Even if there's no booze involved, I don't want to seem too diet obsessed when social, so it's easy to let my guard down. (That doesn't count as "distraction," maybe "peer pressure?") Also, when friends are around, it's really easy to unconsciously "keep up" with those people (usually men) who are really indulging.  Sure I'll have another - they're right in front of me!  If a friend makes food, I feel an innate social pressure to eat and enjoy what he or she makes.  Food is such an integrated part of social gatherings and it presence means more than simple nourishment.  Happy eating and drinking are parts of social/cultural ritual, so skipping all the indulgent stuff can feel like skipping an important part of belonging or socializing.  Does that make sense?

Well, well, well, it does look like a little introspection has maybe hit the proverbial nail on the head.  Trixitrix may well be describing my life.

Yakking w/friends... I am already a fast drinker... so I normally have 2 to most women's 1, beer or otherwise.  The cycle you describe sounds very familiar.  All those helpful, well meaning friends who buy a round.  Aslo, I work with almost exclusively men, so when there is a social function after work, it's Amy trying to keep up with the men.  We'd be cursing them when we left the bar if they DIDN'T buy a round (what a cheapskate!! etc)

Since I do not look overweight (especially compared to many of my friends and MOST of my relatives) many of them give me grief if I talk about "dieting" or watching what I eat, etc.  So I try not to bring it up in certain situations, knowing that I'll hear,  "you're fine, what are you worried about?"  etc.  I don't think any of them have any idea how hard I work to look like I do... It doesn't come easy for me (as I am sure it doesn't for many of you~~~ hence our CC support club!)  Because they are overweight or underexercised, they assume that it comes easy to us.

eating has always been a social event in my house.  My mother and grandmother were terrific cooks and we always cleaned our plates.

that being said, I am still believing that I have to plan.  Much like I did when I quit smoking.  I couldn't go to a bar for the first 3 weeks, and then I could only go and have a beer or two and then leave, the urge was just tooo great.  Over time, it gets easier, I just have to be in control.... (don't I sound like some obsessive/compulsive freak) ~~ the part about the skipping all the indulgent stuff - - that's how it was when I quit smoking... The smokers always went outside at work, or at a restaurant after a meal, and I couldn't (I COULD, but at first the urge was too much for me)  So it still falls back to self control.