Weight Loss

Greetings!

I am hoping that this site I stumbled on will help me out. I have been on a diet or fighting with food my entire life. About 8 years ago I lost about 100 pounds, my lowest weight was 204 then I had my first child at 40. Now I am 220 and he'll be three this June. The only good news is that I do not weight 300 + pounds anymore having said that - No excuses, my food addiction problem has been out of control now since his birth. I try - and try - and try - and still nothing seems to be working. Maybe I can find a friend here who will help give me the strength I need to be healthy. I need to stay alive for my family.

Hi Hope,

Congratulations on asking and not just quitting!

I really have to keep my calories low or I won't lose. 1500 - 1600, workout, and I'll lose.  I never thought of my body as a fine tuned machine, but it really is! LOL

I look at the calories as a puzzle. I eat the same thing for b-fast every day, 365 calories, so I have 1100 for the rest of the day, 400 for lunch, 500 dinner and 2 snacks, 100 each. I use these figures as a guide. If I'm going out for dinner or a party, then I'll skip lunch (I KNOW THIS IS WRONG) but I'll make sure I do eat my snacks. Some people can't have the bulk of their calories for dinner. And a lot of people can't eat after 6pm. You'll have to experiment to see if this hinders your weight loss. I don't have a problem with either.

But I have to tell you, no matter what you do, you have to exercise. Believe me. I've lost 50+ pounds at least 5 times before in my life. When I give up exercise, the calories intake goes up and the weight comes back. I HATE EXERCISE. But I force myself to do it. It's like medicine. I have to move to make this work for the long term. (I even hate myself for admitting this.) If 30 minutes seems daunting then try 3-10 minute sessions or 6-5 minute sessions per day. Even if you dance, walk, vacuum, scrub the bathroom. Anything where you're moving. Get your breathing a bit labored but not panting. Then you know your heart rate is up, which increases your metabolism which helps you burn calories. 

Good luck and don't give up. I'm rooting for you!

Be Healthy!

Marie

Here's a good day for my calories.....and I even had real mayo!

 Breakfast Milk, Nonfat, Cheerios, Fiber One, Banana - Raw 

Lunch BUMBLE BEE Solid White Albacore in Water, 100% Whole Wheat Natural Whole Grain Bread, Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise

Dinner Chicken, Breast - Meat And Skin, Cooked, Roasted, Broccoli - Boiled, Squash, Winter, Acorn -  Baked

 Snacks Oranges - California, Navels, Fiber One Oats/Choc Bar

Total Calories Consumed 1,415

 

 

Hi Ellie,

Good luck on weight loss journey. I hope this forum can help you.

OK, some questions........40 yrs, 280 lbs...how tall are you? Aside from working out, how active are you?

When you compute your 'burn meter' that gives you the calories needed to maintain your current weight. Is this where you got the 2800? You need to deduct 500-1000 per day to lose 1-2 lbs per week. But you shouldn't go below 1200. CC tells you it's OK to 'eat back' the calories you burned while working out.

You do have give your body time to adjust to your new lifestyle. Sometimes it takes awhile. Don't give up!!!

Marie

Hi, thanks for responding.

I am 5'3 and aside from working out I don't get much exercise other than walking up and down the stairs in my home.  I have made other changes such as parking in the furthest space at work so I have to walk more, I do this everywhere I go.  I try to walk during my lunch hour for at least 30 minutes but lately the weather has not been cooperative, lots of rain.

All in all it's the gym and walking the dog. The burn meter says total estimate 3040 and then in big numbers 2720. So if I subtract I guess I'm somewhere between 2040 and 2540? I really want to work out more but it is hard to find the time and get everything I need to do out of the way. I am a single parent, I need to drive my son to and from school, get to the gym, cook dinner, I'm working on my masters degree so I need to find time to study as well as go to school two nights a week, added to everything else life throws just to keep everything running and I'm exhausted.  I find that I need to work out to get energy but need energy to make it to the gym.  Sometimes it is really hard to motivate myself.

For example, I had every intention of making it to the gym today but, on the way back from picking my son up at school I got a flat on the highway, didn't make it back home until 7pm and that was it my window of time for the gym was shot.  I had dinner, to make, and an hour of reading and a paper to write. I'm taking a break to vent right now.  At least I have been healthy all day and not eaten anything bad, so that's one good thing.

I really need to go, but thanks for answering and thanks for listening.

Ellie

Original Post by abwy:

Okay my group friends.  I need some help.  It has been about a month and I'm not losing!!!!  I'm really watching what I eat but I don't get much exercise.  I need some motivation.  Tell me about what you eat in a "typical" day please!!!!!  I'm reaching out for some help!!!!!!

 

I don't know how much help I will be since I don't eat as healthy as I should, but if you live a crazy life and are constantly on the run, this might fit for you.

Breakfast - English Muffin w/slice of American Cheese  320

Lunch - Chicken/Rice/Veggies 450

Dinner - Cheerios/Milk  300

Snacks - Applesauce  50  Simply Naked Pita Chips 140

Total:  1240

Again, not a lot of prep time, not enough fruits and veggies, but it is a typical day for me.

One a personal note, any words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated.  I feel like I am losing the motivation.  I am losing some of my drive to keep on track and could use some support.  That is why we are here, right?

Tammie

 

Tammie, we're all struggling with this together, at least I am.  It's an effort to get on the elliptical after a long day's work, but I'm trying to do that for myself, for my husband who's younger than me, and for my nieces and nephews.

One of the more motivating things that I think of is the various pets I've had in my life.  They don't understand anything about health or fitness, they just run for the joy of running, and I want to be able to do that again better than I can today.

For food, what I find helps is to prepare my food that morning and get into a routine.  I guess that makes me boring, eating the same thing every breakfast and lunch, but that way I know I'm getting what I need to make it through the day.  Even if I'm working at home which I sometimes do, I still make my lunch in the morning, so I don't have any excuse.

I don't know how good a pep talk that was but I hope it helps! 

Talk about struggling this week!

What I can't figure out is why I managed to screw up so bad. I mean it was just dumb. I was losing close to 5lbs a week and screwed it up. I am serious...I have had KFC Extra Crispy dinner, Taco Bell, a bbq bacon 1/4lb cheesburger with fries TWICE, I had prime rib, mashed potatoes, dinner rolls (3) and I also had a whole freaking bag of cheese curls all since Friday! I suppose the good news is that I haven't gained anything as of this morning, but I certainly won't lose 5lbs this week...Oh well

Hi Ellie,

I think the figures you were coming up with are very high. There might be a mistake someplace. But I'm no expert, please, if anyone sees a mistake, correct me! This is what I came up with....

When doing your burn meter (I used sedentary, 40 yrs, 5'3", 280lbs) I get 2300 calories to maintain your weight. Now if you want to loose a pound per week, you need to reduce your calories by 500 per day. (500 x 7 = 3500 calories = 1 pound). Or reduce by 1000 for 2 lbs per week. So you should be eating 1300-1800 calories per day to loose weight at a healthy rate.

Now when you exercise, you can take the calories burned and eat back that number of calories. For example if you walk 1- 20 minute mile, you burn 110 calories. So you can eat an extra 110 calories.

I suggest wearing a pedometer to see how many steps you do in an average day. About 2000 steps = 1 mile. Optimum is about 10,000 steps per day. If you're logging 10,000 steps per day, then you can redo your burn meter to level higher than sedentary.

I hope this helps. Please ask any questions.

Marie

 

Terry,

You're making me hungry! I love (and hate) everything you named! Cut yourself some slack. You are under serious stress! Before you eat like the old days again, think about your health, think about your kids, think about your artistic talent. And think of all of us rooting for you. Then take a deep breathe and walk, walk fast and away from the kitchen, store, whatever. Change the scenery.

LOL, I should take me own advice!

Seriously, it's so stressful for you right now, if you can maintain your weight, that would be the greatest gift to yourself. Strive for that, maintaining, while all this work stuff is going on. Then if you do lose it will be a bonus!

Good luck!

Marie

Do you have room for one more??

I am 44 and trying so hard to get healthy.  I have been at it for about 2 months now.  At first the weight wasnt coming off, but I was told it was because my body and metabolism needed to get insinc.  Now 2 months later I have lost about 6lbs but even more I have lost quite a bit in inches.  I am a firm believer in the tape measure moreso than the scale.  I have lost over 10" over my whole body in 2 months and am getting so many comments at work etc.

If you are one that works out often you have to remember that your muscles are toning up first and that muscle weighs more than fat.  Once your body gets accustomed to your workouts the weight will begin to come down is what I was told.  At this point as long as I get healthy and smaller that is more important than what the scale shows.

My stats

Started weight 238  current weight 230 (yea I lost two more pounds)

Height 5'3" (so yes I am very overweight)

Starting waist size was 43 current waist is 40"

Starting hip size was 55 current is 53.25"

My thighs I have lost over 2" in each as well as an 1 1/2" in my calves

My chest was 43 and now is 41"

 

So see the inches are most definitely coming off.

Marie,

Thanks!  That is what I thought and what I was sticking to, about 1500 calories and 1800 on the days that I work out.  But I was really stumped with the burn meter because there was just no way I could eat that many calories on all the low calorie food I'm eating.  I do have a pedometer and I average about 5000 steps a day, I really try to make it to that number regardless of getting to the gym. 

By the way, is there a maximum amount of carbs and when I say carbs, I mean the good ones not the bad, that a person should eat daily?

I really appreciate all your help and and I made it to the gym this morning, granted it was 5am but I made it, I'm going back this afternoon.

I weighed myself this morning and the scale said 277.1 which is better than the 281.4 from last Friday, I think it is all due to water retention, that time of month but heck I'll take it!  Woohooo!!!

 Ellie

Friggie,

 I know exactly what you mean.  I started at 300 last year, I am now 277.1 (as of this morning) although before the holidays I was 268, but whatever, I'm looking forward not back, and what I notice is that clothes fit me looser than what the scale reads. 

I try to remind myself that as long as it's coming off, it doesn't matter what the numbers read but it is really hard to think that way.  I'm the same height as you and years ago I was a size 12 and weighed 190 lbs., which I thought was odd since way before that at some point in my life I remember weighing 145 lbs and being a size 12.  I realized the difference was that I was working out with the assitance of a personal trainer and that my body was gaining muscle, ie more weight, less fat...........I remind myself of that all the time, but darn if I'm not tempted to step on the scale.

I think I'm going to go home this afternoon and measure myself.......although I really don't think I'm going to like it.....I'll get back to you on the sad numbers, oh well no where to go but down.

Ellie

Welcome Friggie, sounds like you're making good progress!

Ellie, for carbs, I try to have around 50% - 60% of my calories from carbs, 20% - 25% from fats, and 20% - 30% from protein. Those percentages are just a general guideline for me; I don't have absolute numbers, but I got the percentages from reading published food guidelines from reputable sources like Health Canada. I also don't buy into the idea that you should limit your fruits and vegetables beyond overall calories unless you have a specific medical reason; they have so many healthy nutrients in them. That's just for me, however, and different things work for different people.

If you're interested Canada's Food Guide is published here.

The crazy thing is that I wasn't having trouble or anything, but I decided to take the weekend off since I was going to be out of town anyway. Just went a bit too far. I figure I wasted a week. Not a bad thing I suppose, just a week longer to get where I want to be. I am no less motivated, just disappointed. I guess a break isn't a bad thing.

 On a brighter note, I bought a pedometer today and tried it out on my daily lunch walk. I found that each "lap" is .59 miles, so about 2.4 miles for the four laps. The cool thing is that tomorrow is supposed to be in the 50s, so we are walking at the local arboretum. Oh well...if I can manage to lose a pound or two this week, I'll be happy.

 

Btw...welcome Ellie and Friggie

 Hi Ellie,

Yes! Good for you! Getting to the gym! And 5000 steps a day is awesome!

My husband's friend calls me every morning to go walking. Thank God for him. Two days of the week I workout with a personal trainer for 90 minutes each session. And thank God for her! Exercise will always be a thorn in my side! Life just gets in the way and that's the first thing to go when I need more time! So I totally understand where you're coming from. And you are so busy! I mean a single mom is so time consuming but throw in work and school! Yikes! Kudos to you!

Like I said, I'm no expert, but I'm glad I could help you.  I follow no set diet, but I do end up eating the same as cynthb, most calories from carbs, fat and protein being almost a split, but trying for more emphasis on protein. There is that old adage "A calorie is a calorie" but I do have to watch my fat intake due to keep my cholesterol down.

So, good luck with all of this. Add me as a friend and write in journal. Excellent stress reliever!

 

Hi Friggie!

Always room for one more! You're off and running. I wish you well on the road to a healthy lifestyle!

Marie

Hey all - just checking in. I've been good about exercising but not great with my eating...I'm so undisciplined when there are sweets around, and it's so hard at the office b/c there is always a bday celebration with cake and/or early meetings with bagels/cream cheese, donuts, etc.  I try to think to myself that those do NOT contribute toward my long term goals, I snack on something healthy beforehand to make sure I'm not starving, etc., etc., but many times I *still* give in to the moment.

ARGH.  Hope everyone else is motivated and doing well!!  :)

Hi everyone!

Been a while since I've posted on here. But I've been keeping up with ya'all.

DCCD: I know how that is. I had a job where it seemed like they always were having their buffets everyweek. There was always tons of "bad" food to eat. If it wasn't a buffet, it was Pizza!  It was tough to stay away from that table too! When I tried to stay away from it my coworkers would say "You aren't hungry?" or "You'd better go get something". It would've been better if they wouldn't have said anything.

Guess what everyone? I tried on my jeans that were real tight on me when I started losing weight and I can pull them down without unbuttoning them and unzipping them. Plus I can wear a size smaller an they are starting to get big. I'm so excited!!!! WOOHOO!!!!! ;D

Before I forget, Welcome to the new people!!!

Thats great..............Good for you, must make you feel great. Keep up the good work

That's great Tammy, congrats!  It feels great to have results like that :)

I just got off the elliptical; hopefully I'll start seeing results soon too *grin* 

I just realized I put my weight in wrong last week.I put 276 when I really should have put 267.

Thank you!  It was a big shock to have my pants come off with no effort!!! lol

I can't wait to measure at the end of the month. I hope I'll see another big loss. I've come to realise I like the tape better than the scale. I just wish I could exercise and really get this weight loss going, but no such luck! I just keep moving about as much as possible and walk in the stores instead of getting a scooter.

I hope everyone is doing well. Good luck with the weigh in!!!!