buddys needed! trying to lose 10-15lbs by July 4th

hey everyone!!

since july 4th is around the corner i would like to be in top shape for swimsuit/bbq season :) i am looking for people with similar goals and stats to share accountability with and also to provide motovation and tips!! 

im 23 years old, im about 5'9" and weigh approx 160lbs....my goal is to be in the 145-150 range. i figure losing around 1.5-2 lbs. a week is achievable, and setting a final goal range within 5lbs. will allow more flexability and less room for failure.

anyone else???

hey guys! I'm going on a mini-getaway this weekend to spend some time w/ my madre on her business trip. I'm really kinda excited though b/c I love my mommy! Anyways...I'll be at a super nice hotel BUT, in the middle of nowhere lol basically.  There's a mall nearby so I know we'll eat out every night but as far as the days go, I'll be by myself at the hotel for 3 days.  There is a fitness center, but I won't be moving much otherwise b/c well, I'll be on the hotel bed watching close to all 10 cycles of ANTM:P Should I bring some food up or what should I rely on!?

Original Post by chompforchange:

hey guys! I'm going on a mini-getaway this weekend to spend some time w/ my madre on her business trip. I'm really kinda excited though b/c I love my mommy! Anyways...I'll be at a super nice hotel BUT, in the middle of nowhere lol basically.  There's a mall nearby so I know we'll eat out every night but as far as the days go, I'll be by myself at the hotel for 3 days.  There is a fitness center, but I won't be moving much otherwise b/c well, I'll be on the hotel bed watching close to all 10 cycles of ANTM:P Should I bring some food up or what should I rely on!?

 Yea you should bring food. usually there is a fridge in hotel rooms so i would suggest bringing fruit to snack on druning the day or make up some salads and bring some spray on salad dressing. Best wishes on your trip

ok so, I have the biggest sweet tooth ever, so I've been learning how to satisfy it without going overboard whilst still maintaining my 1200-1400 calories, throughout the day I'm always chewing on sweet, but sugarfree gum, like extra fusions. I also find that if I have any added sugar in the morning (on cereal or in coffee) then im much more likely to crave it all day where as if i leave my choc snack until the evening after my dinner then maybe i do crave it but im asleep when its kicks in. Anyone else have any little tips that they've learned along the way?

Good morning friends! 
chompforchange:  As a reply to the question I asked earlier about your calorie intake, just make sure that you get more than 1200 so your metabolism doesn't shut down and weight loss is stalled.  The hardest thing for me to do when I started this journey is eat!  I always had it instilled in my brain that to lose weight, you couldn't eat.  On the days you don't work out, it's okay to keep your cals down, however when you run or work out otherwise, make sure you are eating a little more to sustain that activity.  As far as your trip, have fun!  Take some healthy snacks and some easy lunches, and just try to keep positive and make healthy choices.  Sometimes relaxing helps your body let go of some of the weight!

It's also beautiful here today, the sun is out and it is crisp, but not too cold, so I will definately be walking!

MENU/EXERCISE PLAN FOR TODAY:
Breakfast:  .5 cup egg white, Yves "Sausage", Sourdough roll with ICBINB Lite and Jelly, Green Tea.
Snack:  Luna Bar.
Lunch:  Boca Burger on 8 grain hamburger roll, spinach, tomato, bean sprouts, dijon mustard, iced tea.
Snack:  Graham cracker snacks.
Dinner:  Wrap on multi-grain tortilla, spinach, tomato, carrot, avocado, cheddar cheese, mushroom, tad chipotle ranch, tea. 
Snack:  Strawberries
Exercise:  45 minutes strength (focusing on lower body)
       &nb sp;          30 minutes cardio
       &nb sp;          20 min. walk AM

Also, when are the weigh ins?  I vote Friday, simply because that is my weigh in day and it's before the weekend...

I hope you guys have a great, healthy day!

 

Also, when are the weigh ins?  I vote Friday, simply because that is my weigh in day and it's before the weekend

...i think weigh ins should be whatever day of the week we feel is best fit for us. sticking to an exact day seems like it leaves a lot of room for failure, i think as long as we weigh ourselves at least once a week and keep eachother posted, it keeps us focused without obsessed. for me, i think my weigh ins are going to be wednesdays. far enough after the weekend to recover (or see the damage) and it can also serve as a motovator for my workouts the rest of the week. if wednesdays dont feel right, mondays or thursdays sound good to me.

I'm going to weigh in every other week-but knowing me, I'm going to weigh in MONDAY b/c I think it would make me to NOT want to pig out on the weekends if I have to be accountable that morning.  GAH-i wrote up a meal plan and I'm shocked how when you're eating clean how little calories things have! Anyone ever notice that you actually eat less quantity wise and now it seems like you eat all the time but just way less cals? crazy. Ok plan:

breakfast: greek yogurt and an apple with small skim iced latte (260 cals)

snack: parmesan goldfish (140)

lunch: going to try those Tofu noodles finally!-1/2 cup mushroom sauce, cheese, veggies, pudding cup (200!)

snack: protein shake w/ skim milk and a kiwi (200)

Dinner: Chipotle with friends, burrito bowl w/ beans, chicken, veggies (~400)

I'm feeling really run down today and it's crappy out so I might not exercise, just a little stretching and a nice soak in the bathtub. That's still only a/b 1100 cals for today...but I won't be working out? Maybe b/f bed I'll have a mini-popcorn bag.

Hello everyone! My name is Tara. I am 5'7 and currently 161 pounds. I have recently joined a "biggest loser" competetion at work on April 28. I weighed in at 170... so I have lost 9.5 pounds in 3 weeks, but the competetion is over Monday, and I don't want to lose motivation! Krenren77: I also live in the Philly area! Desireesmom... I also work full time, go to school, and have a 2 year old daughter. I have been trying to use the child thing to my advantage. We walk a lot to the park and such. As far as calories, I have been cutting down a lot! I am really bad about fast food because I am so busy, but trying hard to stay away. Thanks for the motivation!

Today's menu: Breakfast: Slimfast Cappuccino Delight Lunch: Lean Cuisine: Chicken Terryaki Snack: 100 calorie pack ritz toasted chips Dinner: salad with grilled chicken and fat free balsamic dressing

It's nice to meet everyone!

Thank you everyone for the motivation. I did a great workout yesterday and felt wonderful this morning (besides the sinus infection I have along with a clogged ear) but I weighed myself and I was at 168.5! That is 1.5 lbs down from yesterday. I know we shouldn't weigh ourselves everyday, I only did it today because I thought there must be something wrong with the scale yesterday. I had never been over 165!

My menu today is going to be tough, I am in meetings all day today and then go to school tonight. I didn't plan very well today when I packed my lunch and dinner for today.

Breakfast: 1 egg with salsa and 7-grain toast with a cup of coffee

Snack: Edaname (soy beans)

Lunch: Small portion of lasagna with small salad

Snack: Orange

Dinner: Have no idea yet... but I think I have a "smart ones" in the freezer here at work I can eat.

The weigh-in when you want thing sounds great!  It will work out for me to keep my Friday, because it is my favorite day of the week...especially when I lose weight!  I have also added an incentive for myself...I am saving $20 for every pound that I lose and if I lose my 10, I will have $200 to buy myself a nice peice of jewelry that I have wanted for a long time.  And if I lose more, maybe I can get something even nicer!  Has anyone else ever used this technique?  I am terrible at saving, so it will be a challange finacially, as well as physically! 

tkryn29 (congrats on the AWESOME weight loss!!) and desireesmom1027, being a Mom is a great workout!  I have a 19 month old daughter, and I chase her around as exercise as well!  And she is FAST, let me tell you...

Im 5'2" and have been doing the Turbo Slim (10 lbs in 10 days) for the past 7 days.  I don't have much to lose, so I probably won't lose 10 lbs, however I have already lost 4.  It is very healthy and I am energized at the same time.  Have you ever heard of it?

Krenren77,

Its not my wedding, lol- its my niece's!  I'm married with three little boys!  I was a size 6 when I got married, got prego with twins asap- gained 100 lbs (yes, a 100), lost about 50 when I immediately got pregnant again.  So at this point the youngest is four and I'm still carrying around an extra 50 lbs.  I'm quite glad that you started this thread, as I sooo need the motivation.

My eating plan today:

Breakfast- raison bran w/ 1/2 c skim milk, banana, coffee w/ creamer

Lunch- big salad with 2 oz chicken breast, romaine, carrots, onion and light italian dressing.

Dinner- Chicken sausage, rice and mixed vegetables.

Hi everyone!!

Hope everyone is doing well.  Just keep thinking about that cute bathing suit we all want to fit into this summer and look great in!!  I feel for all of you mother's out there!!  I have a hard time finding ANY time to excersize besides my daily walk during lunch but tkryn29 I love your idea of taking advantage of being a mom!!  My son is only 9 months old but when he's walking I will definently start chasing him around the house and playing more often.  I can only imagine how much of a work out it must be since carrying him right now is tough. 

Today's delicious menu:

Breakfast: 2 eggs, 1/2 skim milk

Snack: Snap Peas and Hummus

Lunch: turkey and swiss cheese roll ups

Snack: string cheese and some more snap peas

Dinner: Tuna Salad and pinto beans

 

Hi guys! I want to join your group! I have been trying to lose 10 lbs for the last couple of months but couldn't stay motivated or on track at all. So, now it's getting down to the wire because I really wanted to look my best by July 1st because that's when my boyfriend gets back from 6 months abroad! I want to look and feel great and I have definitely put on these 10 lbs. since he left. I am 5'10'' and a steady 142 these past few months although before that i was about 135 for a year and felt great at that weight. It doesn't sound like too much of a difference I guess. But I gain all my weight around my waist so it really shows! It doesnt spread evenly over my body, if it did I probably wouldn't notice it so much!

I have also just been lazy the last few months, haven't been exercising much at all and have been eating out of stress and boredom way too often.

Carolally - i think we might be height and weight twins! Would you say you're small frame too? I feel good at 135 so if I lose 7 lbs I'll be back at my happy weight. Is that where you like to be too?

So everyone is posting their daily menus and workouts? I like this! Finally maybe i will stay accountable for my actions if i have to report them to you guys!

Menu: Breakfast: Bran muffin and banana 200ish calories

Snack: Crackers and dark chocolate (small amount!) 200

Lunch: Chicken breast grilled with baby spinach leaves 300

Snack: 2 muffins from my apartment complex's office and 2 laffy taffy's and an espresso shot 600 (Here is my problematic choice!)

Dinner: TBA!... probably a smart ones frozen dinner 300

And I'm off to the gym now... plan: 30 min on treadmill and 30 min on elliptical or bike... my stamina is pretty low so it will probably be mostly 'fast walking' but trying to get back my running endurance

emilynsb: how cool you are my height and weight twin, this will be great motivation for me, the lightest I've been is 139 in feb and although 140 used to always be my aim I feel like that little bit extra and then working hard to tone up would be ideal for me, like you it all goes straight to my tummy and top of my thighs so I can always tell by my jeans.. I am classified as small frame going by the wrist test, but because I'm tall I just thought I had unusually narrow wrists for my frame. Its great news that 135 is achievable, ideally I would be 133-135 and be able live with over indulging at the weekends but once i hit 135 is it really hard to maintain? thats a big worry of mine..

 

 

 

carolally - Yeah it sounds like we do have similar frames! I go by the wrist test too, im not sure how else to figure out if we are small framed or just thin-wristed haha. But yeah, 135 was a challenge to maintain. During the time I was that weight (probably about 10 months or so) I was exercising a lot and really good about watching what I ate. I definitely over-indulged when eating out or after a night of drinking but I made up for it during the week and I liked it that way. I got to 132 at one point but I think that would be too difficult for me to ever maintain. (I do like to eat what I want and drink good drinks!). I think that it was a challenge, but I felt really healthy, thin, and strong at 135. The past 6 months I have just been eating whatever, whenever and my energy levels are noticeably worse when I do that.  

Have you ever done one of those waist-hips ratio measurement tests to tell if you are at risk for weight related health issues b/c you gain weight in your waist. I did it, and at the weight/measurements I am now (which i want to lower, but i dont think is really THAT bad) it told me that I am at risk for those types of issues. I was really surprised b/c my BMI is low but when I compare my waist to hips, it shows that I store fat in the 'unhealthy' way... just thought you might be in that same category.. it stinks!

just finished my work out and I am on track btw!

Well your lucky If I had six months of not working out hard and not eating healthy I would have a lot more than 6 or 7 pounds on so I definitely think you can lose it again, no problem, It really is something I have to always be vigilant of though, it is a lifestyle, I mean if I can get to 135 and then spend my weekdays being careful and working out and then letting loose at weekends and having fun and then back on track on Monday then that will be fine with me. I propose something like aim for 139 by the end of this month, 136 by the end of June, (my birthday! and your boyf returning). It is gonna be tough for me but I'm willing to give it a go! Also just finished my workout,(love when its over) aiming to run 4 miles 2 days a week (maybe Mon&Tues), hit the gym for a little more cardio (treadmill&bike) for 1/2 days and toning class every Thursday.

Havent done that waist hip ratio test, how does that work? I must buy a measuring tape actually. if you have a link about it post it please and thanks.

yay! Today was day 4 for me! haha I know it doesn't sound like much but I feel like the second and third days were the hardest!  I think if I can keep the momentum this shouldn't be too bad... and today I had scheduled a treat but all I wanted was fruit! It's like you start craving what your body needs. cool huh?

I want to join too!!!! I'm 5'8'' and weigh about 142 pounds. I dance for about 6 hours five days a week and then work out each day on top of that ( the gym workouts just started about a three weeks ago and I'm doing weights now!). I want to loose pounds but I am pretty muscular and don't feel like the pounds are really going to come off so I am not as worried about the scale as I am the measurements dropping.

TODAY:

Breakfast- 1/2 cup egg whites, 2 morning star sausage links, and a piece of wheat bread

Snack- luna bar, apple, and activia yogurt

Lunch- spinach salad with grilled chicken, little bit of crumbled clue cheese, and grapes

Snack- Turkey lunch meat, 2% reduced fat cheddar cheese, and carrots

Dinner- Turkey sandwich with cheese and more baby carrots

It kind of seems like a lot of food but only comes out to be like 1,300 calories. I burn about 2,200 calories a day with all the exercise and working out so I normally try to eat more after dinner to get my calories up to about 1,500 or 1,600 calories. Any ideas on how to loose the weight? I feel likes its never going to come off!

im currently 5'5" 160 lbs. i would like to lose 20 lbs by mid-end of july as well. after reading what you guys eat on a day-to-day basis...im rethinking my diet. you all eat really healthy and very little...which is what i should be doing as well. so this is sort of a wake up call.

dieting has always backfired for me. once i lose 10-20 lbs from eating really little, i somehow go crazy with food and gain everything back plus more. it really sucks cause i need to find some sort of balance and healthy lifestyle to keep forever.

mor125: I know it can be tough when you seem like your depriving yourself of foods you like but I really think that counting your calorie intake is the way to go.. it makes perfect sense, if you burn more than you eat then your body has to take its energy from somewhere i.e. our fat stores.. so I for one am motivated by the simplicity of this plan. And you really dont need to deprive yourself of anything, take for instance yesterday, there was a birthday at work and I had some cake after my lunch (they dont take no for an answer here), not a major setback, all I had to do was replan my dinner and evening snacks (I had planned 3 ryvettas with tomato and 2 slices of lowfat cheese & carrot soup for dinner: I replanned for 2 ryvettas instead with tomato&1 slice of cheese) I had to sacrifice the evening snacks for the cake, to be honest, I did miss my little treat at the end of the day and was hungry so I went to bed early! Dont despair bcos you havent succeeded before, you really can have your cake and eat it with this plan... you just may have to give up calories elsewhere in your plan or work them off!! Best of luck with it!!