Anyone in their late 20s?!

I'm a dieting veteran.... up and down the same 20lbs since highschool! I've always lost it on Weight Watchers...but I wanted to try something new. So, here I am. I'm looking to start a group of late 20- early 30 year olds who are interested in losing weight and getting healthy. I'm 5' 9" 160lbs.  I'm looking for others that have about 20-30lbs to lose.  Hopefully there's some people out there!!

Happy New Year!

I am going to look up that lentil soup Goldie!  (I love garlic.) You are so right about that yucky feeling after the bad food - never really worth it, yet somehow I never totally learn that.

Canada fireworks are definitely on the agenda, and great idea about bringing a bottle of wine - I think we should do that!

I'm not a vegetarian, but I'm always looking for ways to get more protein and fiber without the calories and fat...I'll have to take a peek!  (Oh, and I'm with you on the impulse eating junk food thing - that was one of the things I had to really work on when I was first trying to drop the lbs...now it's not as easy to do b/c of where we live, so it's become less of a habit...although last nights dinner consisted of 2 biscuits with butter and honey and some fritos...)

Y'all enjoy Canada Day!  I'm heading to my Mom's next weekend for the 4th of July (my sister and her fiance are coming to visit), and we're gonna "party like it's 1999!"  Actually, we're going go hunting for a wedding site location and dress shopping in addition to eating and drinking and watching fireworks.  It's a horrible thing for the "diet", but when I go to Mom's house, she spoils us with yumminess and treats (Twinkies are one of my weaknesses - and hers ironically.  Does anyone think that food preferences are inherited?).

This weekend will be healthier, but I doubt the gym will be involved - the barn probably, but the gym...not likely!

Oh, FYI, DH and I go talk to the specialist about my hips on Monday the 6th of July.  Fingers crossed that we have some decent treatment options to choose from.

Happy Friday, y'all!

Fingers crossed for good news on your hips! And your long weekend plans sound like so much fun.

I think food preferences might well be inherited ... or a lot of exposure to your parents' tastes growing up probably shapes yours.  I find my mum, my sister and I all tend to like the same foods, have the same cravings.

With junk food, the nice thing is, once you haven't eaten a certain thing for a while, there comes a point when it starts to lose its appeal.  I used to love homemade chocolate chip cookies but now if they're made with margarine or shortening I just don't enjoy them anymore. Cookies made with real butter ... I still have a fondness.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Oh, PS, I lost 0.5lbs!!

Hi guys,

How was your weekend/week?  Congrats vg on the 0.5lb!!  woohoo!  I like that you guys are all doing things in a normal "sane" way.  There's a few forums on here and they're all eating barely 1000 calories or so obsessed it's a bit scary!

I have been sick since last thursday-- major flu of some sort, so couldn't do any working out, and when I'm grumpy I want yummy things, so ate lots of chocolate. it has not been a good week for me (which I'm sure I'll find out in my weigh-in tonight).  Still sick, but will do some pushups/situps tonight and see how I do.

It was so sad being sick but I still managed to get to the Canada day boat cruise here in London on saturday.  Was so fun!  I didn't have the energy to go out afterwards to do more dancing, but it was still a great day (and so nice to be around so many friendly canadians.... anyone who's tried to go chat to a random Brit will probably agree with me... north americans are so much more friendly, while Brits need a bit more time to warm up to you!). 

I think you get lots of habits from your parents, but not sure about the actual cravings themselves... I know I get my binge eating from my dad, and my mom is the queen of massive meals (even though they're quite healthy, she just loads it up... the more, the better!) and maybe that's why I'm still struggling to control portions.  I think you should allow yourself to eat at least one twinkie with your mom-- I hate the idea that any one food is not allowed!

Hope you all had a good one!

Happy July holidays everyone! 

I totally believe we get our food habits from our families. My mom (thank god!) is a health junkie and I crave veggies, but my dad (whew!), he's got NO portion control and loves all things naughty and delicious (and usually expensive), and I got that too.

VP, let us know wha tthe hip specialist says. Barn?

How are you feeling kass? A boat cruise sounds fun! I did it two years ago to watch the fireworks. I think this group is great because we all live first and "diet" second, and I think that's the key to a balanced life.

Lentil soup rocks! If you're using red lentils, try squeezing lemons on and mint at the end. That's what we did in Turkey. :)

I'm going to try to be good this 4th, but I never am. Oh well.

Hi everyone!  Hope everyone is enjoying summer so far.  I, for one, LOVE the warmer weather.  If it weren't for my man and my job here, I would move someplace warmer in an instant :) 

I think I am officially a lentil convert.  I had actually never had them before I made that soup but now that I know they actually taste good and are a nutritional powerhouse, I think I'm in love.  Now the trick will be to convince the man that he feels the same way!  I am going to have to try them a la Turkey.  Anything with lemon on it sounds good to me.

I made a ridiculously tasty pasta last night.  A bit higher in calories because of the olive oil and pesto, but I am sure that you could adjust it as necessary.  And it's vegetarian too :)  Roasted red peppers, baby spinach, sundried tomatoes (not in oil), toasted pine nuts, feta cheese (I used light), and a few pitted calamata olives.  Then toss it all with some whole wheat fetuccini, good extra virgin olive oil and serve with a dollop of pesto on top.  Seriously, it was the best freakin' pasta I've ever eaten!  Can't take full credit for it though.  I copied a little restaurant that I went to the other night, but the sheer ease of it makes it a keeper.  Thought I would share anyways...

Sounds like you guys are doing pretty well in the eating healthy department.  I am trying to behave myself, but unlike some people that find it much easier to eat healthy in the summer, I have the urge to consume everything that spells diet distaster.  Wings, sangria, beer and ...uh...beer (LOL). And to top it all off, the Calgary Stampede starts tonight which is basically just 10 days of drinking and partying it up in Calgary.  An excellent time, but very hard on my BMI!  Oh well, send all the good karma and willpower my way so hopefully my tight cowgirl jeans will still look "good-tight" after it all over

Hey everyone! Crazy busy week for me last week - I didn't eat all that well or exercise that much.  I was great over the weekend though (usually it's the opposite!) Kassy hope you're starting to feel better! I know what you mean about people taking a while to warm up to you ... actually, I found that in Ontario too, Alberta is so much nicer.  People in ON are nice after you get to know them, but that take six months. People in Edmonton consider you a friend after 15 minutes which is awesome!

Foxy, you're totally right - life first, weight-loss second is how I approach it. And there are definitely some not-sane people on these forums.  Hopefully it's temporary insanity.

Goldie your pasta sounds so yummy, except for the feta (I just can't seem to eat feta and pasta together).  Turkish lentils sound pretty fantastic too, lemon does make everything better.

I am somehow even more broke than usual this month so that might make me eat a bit healthier - I'm going to be thinking twice about eating out at the very least!

I hear you on the money going missing from my account!  Between the FIVE weddings I have this summer (travel, food, gifts) and Stampede I am packing lunches like a crazy person.  Not that there is any shortage of free food during stampede, but something tells me that screwdriver, sausage and pancakes for breakfast and beer and beef on a bun for lunch may not be the path to weight loss and physical fitness :)

VG, nice work on the healthy weekend.  I honestly believe if it weren't for my weekend weakness I would never have any issues maintaining an ideal body weight.  It's the dinner parties that kill me!

How's everyone else doing?  We must all be busy, it's been pretty quiet on here lately...

Hi ladies!

I too am a lentil-o-holic.  They are just so yummy!  I'm obsessed with indian food and thai food here, which means more veggie meals, and more LENTILS!  It is really cheap to make a big pot of lentils with potatoes and carrots and other veg. Do you guys follow recipes or are you like me and just chuck in everything you can?

Mmmmm goldie, that pasta is making my mouth water!  Except for the feta... I think I'm in the same boat as vg...  I could take it or leave it.  I'm also a sucker for barbeque wings, but as long as you look hot in your cowgirl jeans, I'm sure the boys don't mind if they're a little bit tight!

You'd be proud of me... went to a bbq and didn't eat any pringles.  I think that must be some sort of new level of willpower (I did drink a whole mickey of gin though, so maybe not *amazing* willpower, but it's something!).

Do any of you guys have injuries?  I've been having pain in my feet and finally went to see a podiatrist this week.  He was so nice and explained everything to me... basically said I had really "mobile" feet (which explains why I can't walk well in heels and seem to be chronically turning my ankles), which means I put a lot of strain on my ligaments.  Basically I have to dish out £180 for new shoes and inserts and he says I'm not allowed to go running for a few weeks.  Crap!  I'm already poor cuz I'm saving for a big trip in the fall and I'm tired of swimming, I tell you!  This is going to put a hamper on my september goals.  I guess all in the name of "happy feet"!  

I have been so busy too... working on an "outside of work" project (it's actually a weightloss thing), so have been slacking off on the exercise!  Maybe using my own tools will make me work a bit harder!  But I totally agree, fun times shouldn't stop just because you're trying to slim down :)

I say your willpower to avoid the pringles is even more amazing after consuming a mickey of Gin!!  That's about the time I start yelling for someone to order a pizza :)

Oh yeah and super, duper clumsy but have never really had an injury to speak of.  Unless you are talking about the kind you get when you don't work out for a month and then go back the gym...OUCH!

It's been a bit since I've had time to post - super busy at work.  I kinda wish we had internet at home, but I guess then I'd spend all my time playing with that instead of doing chores and the more important things. 

Had a great weekend with Mom and Sister (DH and Sister's Fiance, too).  We found a wedding location and bought my sister's wedding dress!  DH also helped install an outlet and air conditioner and the kitchen floor for my mom, so we were all busy bees this past weekend.  We went to town on Saturday and saw the local fireworks (I was eaten by chiggers...yeah, me.) and headed back home on Monday.  Nice long weekend.  (Oh, and probably WAY too much junk food and no exercise...AF was in town, so I skipped last Wednesday's gym classes and gave in to the cravings for chocolate )

The doctor visit...it was actually a good one.  The specalist basically told me that I was in the middle range of symptoms and "disease" state and  that if my hips weren't that painful that he'd suggest waiting until they were worse before doing surgery.  He also suggested that I try cortisone injections before going in for surgery.  He said that they'd know better if I'd have a good result from the surgery if I reacted well to the injections.  So, no surgery for me!  I'm kinda glad b/c the recovery would have meant 2 weeks off work (on crutches) followed by 3-6 months of slow healing and gimping around.  I may still need to do the surgery, but I am at least giving them some time to get worse first...maybe 6 months, maybe 1 year, maybe 5 years...who knows.  (I do have to admit that having the hip problems has helped me to improve my kick boxing form!  When I do the stuff right, they don't hurt!)

Oh, and the pasta sounds totally yummy!  I make stuff like that fairly regurlarly...try adding a sauteed onion and broccoli.  (And, cheese - feta or otherwise - makes just about anything better!)

Happy Monday everyone, hope you all had a great weekend! It was beautiful here so I spent a lot of time outdoors and I ate pretty well too.

VP, so glad to hear there's nothing too scary going on with your hips. And that's cool about your kickboxing form :) Kassy that kind of sucks about your feet - it sounds similar to something a friend of mine has - she called hers "rolling ankles" - but if it's just a few weeks of no running that shouldn't be too bad. I've been a little worried about my knees lately - I've been using a cable machine for leg exercises and I don't think I have the right amount of stability for the weights that I'm using. I wish this place had a trainer or something on-site.

Happy monday everyone!  I too had a nice weekend, although not spending them inside like you, VG, I went to an engagement party of my irish friend, and spent all day saturday suffering the repercussions!

I didn't tell you guys... I was down another kilogram last week... so my prize for not eating the pringles was a big loss that week!  And I've lost another 0.2kg this week, which FINALLY brings me just under 70 at 69.8kg!!  I'm so glad all these changes are starting to pay off.  Only 2.8 kg left to go on my goal before September!  Woohoo!  I measured my waist and the smallest point is still the same size as when I started , but around my navel I've lost around 2 inches !  I guess doing loads of situps etc is starting to pay off, at least at the navel level.  Hopefully the waist itself will go down too.  I really do want to be toned besides a bit thinner.

It sucks that our bodies don't always help us out...  I guess we've all just got to be careful... especially you VP...! when doctors start talking anything about surgery, I guess it's best to be cautious!  I'm glad it's on hold for a while... you never know what you'll be like once you've had the surgery.  I hear lots of people get arthritis and stuff from it.  I heard it also only gets worse...we're all in our twenties, right?  This is not good!  LOL!

Take care ladies, and I look forward to your good news(s)!

congrats Kassy!  You seem to be on a roll!  That's awesome!

Had a pretty decent weekend - Saturday was spent at the barn- good exercise, and Sunday on the couch being almost 100% lazy!  DH and I did do a few chores around the house on Sunday, but mostly, we watched TV.

Hit the gym last night (despite really not wanting to go)- 30 min on elliptical and 30 more on the treadmill.  The machines said (total) about 500 calories.  I've not been all that good on what I have been eating, but I am trying to keep the amount I'm eating down.  I have been totally bust on keeping my food log utd, but my weight seems to be holding steady about 3-5lbs from my "goal".  I guess I don't really want it that badly or I'd be pushing harder, right?

Tonight is grocery shopping with dh and then tomorrow (if we dont' end up going to a freind's house for dinner) will be kick boxing and body pump. 

Have a great week, everybody!

Hi ladies!

Kass congrats on your success! It's good to see that it is possible. I was 80.7 kg and I got down to 67.5, but I've been holding steady for TWO YEARS! I'd love to be 65-66 kg/ 143-145 lbs but it's damn hard.

VP, I'm glad surgery wasn't your docs first choice. I hope the injections work! Did he happen to mention Glucosamine and Chondroitin (sp?)?

I went to the gym yesterday for the first time in a long time and I really pushed the limits. I only lifted weights, but I am soooo sore. My chest and quads are killing me. I secretly LOVE this kind of pain. :)

I've been eating tooo much salt. (I think I ate two boxes of triscuits last week) I've been under alot of stress. The DH and I are TTC, without success and I started seeing a infertility doc.  *sigh* I'll be taking lots of tests this next month.  Sorry, probably too much info.  ;)

Hope you're all doing well! Stay away from the Pringles!

Good luck TTC, Foxy.  I have 2 friends in similar boats (1 actually has a kid and is trying, unsuccessfully, for a second; the other has been through all kinds of fertility stuff over the past 2 years).  DH and I aren't quite at that point (I'm still on bc, but trying to make the decision to come off and start), but we're getting closer.

You have my sympathy and support.

Awesome on the gym, though!  I'm with you on secretely loving the pain!

:)

Congrats on the loss Kassy - two inches is awesome! Situps tend to make me stronger, but not smaller :( 

VP, your motivation question is interesting - how much does anyone (who isn't anorexic) really want to lose 3lbs? I find that a hard # to motivate me - I usually think I'll look/feel better with a haircut rather than a 3-lb weight loss. When the number gets bigger I'm actually more motivated - like I have to lose 14lbs? Well then I'd better get on that!

Yes, yes, yes on the good kind of gym pain. And the wobbles after you get off the elliptical trainer. I'm getting back to doing some more cardio - while the weight room was great, it kind of pushed me into going to the real gym - I think the cardio will help.

Sorry to hear about all the testing you have to do foxy. It does not sound like fun. I'm in the opposite boat - doubling up on BC methods because I don't have a "real" job or benefits ... but I fear that by the time I am financially/socially ready to have kids my body will not be up for it.

How was everyone's weekend?

Mine was good - gym on Friday, barn on Saturday and pj's on Sunday!  I didn't get the whole house cleaned, but I did get one larger sized cleaning project done and put away!  I think I'm going to try to hit the gym tonight (even if it is only for 30 minutes) and then who knows what dh will want to do. He came home from his parents with another wal-mart bag full of veggies, so I guess we'll be eating salad for a while!

Anybody have any good recipes for yellow squash or zuccini?  I was thinking about making some zuccini bread, but we've got WAY more veggies than a loaf or two of bread can handle!

I love zucchini ... drool. Our plants are growing but they don't look like they'll be ready for another week or two.  They're great barbecued/grilled, you could make a ton of spaghetti sauce and freeze it, I tend to grate it up and throw it in veggie chili or tacos ...

Weekend wasn't bad. We had a massive storm, but luckily no damage at our place (Goldie, I hope you're OK down in Calgary!) Lots of dog-walking and a bit of dog-running!