Posts by lunaripyros

Wow, congrates Penny!!!!   That is just amazing!!!   I can't imagine how hard it must be to transition though.   Please do stick around and keep us posted.   I am so glad you made it though!!!   Plus after everything you have been through... it shouldn't be that hard to take your time and do your transition right.  I mean you've already done the hard work!!  Good luck!! (( those fruits shall be yours soon enough!))

Yolie, wow you are doing great.  You are making some pretty steady progress now.   Keep it up!!!!!  I am so thrilled for you!!!

I am consistently going over my target at the moment, thankfully I have been busy and burning the extra up.   Still hanging out at 165 lbs.  So no major worries here.  trying harder this week to get my in take where I want it.  I am also not doing my physical therapy all that often.  So those are my 2 big goals at the moment.   Everything else is going pretty well.  I study.... alot.

Hope every one had a great weekend!!!

First guys check her height again.  She grew about 1 and 1/2 inches, so she is 5'6.5" or 5'7".     At 5'6.5" and 120lbs your BMI would be 19.1, and at 5'7" at 120lbs  your BMI would be 18.8.    Theese are at the very lowest end of healthy.

Rather then trying to lose wieght you might consider weight training.  Lose fat and gain muscle.   Honestly you should try eating at or near maitainance and go talk to the folks on the Fitness forum.  They will have great advice on how to replace fat with muscle, for a slimmer look without an extremely low weight.

I can definatly under stand your goal of wanting to look slimmer... but perhaps in this case "dieting"  isn't the ideal plan of action.  Get a slimmer look with weight training and eating well sounds much better, much healthier, and much more enjoyable.  Good luck.

Hey guys.   Yes Im still alive over here.  Just extremely busy with my summer classes... just two more weeks and they are over.  

I'm not doing terribly with my health goals... I'm also not making much progress.  My weight is hanging out at 165lbs... which is nice since I was sick of 166lbs.  But not a lot of progress.  Up side I'm wearing 2 pairs of my skinny jeans.  I have 3 pairs I can't quiet fit in yet, but soon.  They are 12s.  all 5 of them.  I have no idea which are juniors and which are misses though.  I haven't worn them in about 4 years.   I also have managed to fit into a size 10 dress... I'm still not sure how that works but I'll take it.  ((I looked fabulous in the dress))

These last 10 lbs are looking to be a fight.  I just really want 155 lbs... healthy BMI, it will be great.  I'd still love to lose another 10 lbs after that but that is pure vanity and can take forever for all I care.

Penny- your doing so great!!!  Ignore the idjit at work.  She is obviously jealous, and more then a little thick.   I mean seriously..frozen chicken nuggets?  Hot sauce diet?  She just doesn't seem like the kind of person who's opion you should pay much mind to.  Next time she goes to scold you, just shut her down by asking her how well her efforts are going. 

ohh and your pics look awesome!!!

Misty - awesome that the scale is being decent.  Keep it up!!! 

Chris hang in there!  Are you feeling better???  I hope so!!!

Annie.. HI!!  Sorry I've missed so much!!

Well back to the grind for me... piles of home work are calling my name.

I there with all of you.

I gained the weight after some health problems cropped up.   And I just didn't even realize I had gained it.... till my favorite dress ripped trying to get it on.    So I finally had to accept that I had gained weight. 

But with all the surgeries, and hormone treatments, steroids, and other weight gain side effect medications.  I though once we go over the humps and got my body regulated again it would get better.  So I did nothing about it.   I just accepted that I was chunky.

Until the last time I went to the ER in Septemeber 08.   I learned I weighed 214 lbs,  and I was back on crutches and barely leaving the house.   I decided that it wasn't just going to go away.   and the whole thing made me terribly depressed.

So I go on CC and started.   I've lost 40 lbs and still think I look like a moose.  

It's like your brain has trouble keeping up with the changes.    if any one has any idea on how a person could just look in a mirror and actualy see them as they are.   Please share.

(Edited for typos.)

To answer the OP's question...  the probably reasons are the following:

ignorance - some people truely just don't know what a healthy human being actually looks like.

Vanity - a desperat need to look thinner, slimmer, more athletic, ect, ect then some one.. or even every one else. ((though I never figured out how looking like a walking skeleton could be considered athletic, but those are the words I hear repeated))

Insecurity - low-self esteem and insecurity is a huge problem with women in most industrialized countries.

Serious body image issue - this boils down to every one being their own worst critic taken to necrotic levels and is also very common in industrialized countries.

attention -  this a big one...  if you've read all these posts I'm sure you've noticed it.

Add this to the media glorification of the altra thin, and the unhealthy depictions of beauty for women... and then new emo/gothic emaciated look that's populare for guys.  It's a social phenomena that would probably kill off the unrealistic and the stupid where it not for modern medicine.

Personally I think these unrealistic ideas of beauty are terrible.... people literally killing themselves for a look that can only be achieved through photo touch ups and computer manipulation.  It's unhealthy, dangerous, and sad.

@#6  Every girl aiming for a low BMI makes that claim.  They are smalle boned, small framed... ect ect.   Only a very small percentage of the population is naturally that small, and naturally and healthily at that low of a BMI.   So if 1% ((randomly chosen small number))of the population actually is naturally that small... want to figure the odds that it's true for you and every other girl that claimed that just today alone?   Not likely hun....  More over, if you where naturally that small, that small boned, or that small framed...  well you probably wouldn't be on this site.   That's sort of what "naturally" means... it means you are that way without having to take measures to get that way .

I'm really sorry if I sound harsh, but aiming for just this side of healthy is all of half a step to aiming for unhealthy.   It's a horrible thing to do to yourself.  Really if your at a healthy weight and you just have a few vanity pounds you should focus on building muscle and losing fat rather then the numbers on the scale. 

Sorry OP, you asking this just really brought up all the things I've been thinking about this.   I've seriously considered just not using the message boards a time or 2... because the whole thing makes me sad, angry, and plain horrified.   You just want to help every one... a few you just want to bop in the head and tell to wake up...

Penny congrates!!!!!  I am so happy you finally got under 200!!!!  Keep it up darling!!!!

Annie -  That is awesome!!!  Congrates on being so close to your goal.  And running 3 miles!!!   My goodness!!!   You rock darling.   I better get my arse back on track. lol

Chris, Yolie,  I am glad to hear you guys are doing so welll!!!  I hope your weekend went well Chris,  I can defiantely see why your looking forward to a break though.   Hope you enjoy the next couple of weeks at home!!!

I have to admit ladies.  Things have been a bit nuts the last month or two... and I have really just lost my mojo... eating right and keeping track where easy a few months ago.... but right now I'm really struggling.   I just have so much going on.  And despite being 40 lbs lighter then when I started I still feel like a moose.  Things are just nuts right now.

I'm really hoping to get back on the horse this week, so wish me luck.  I'm going to start counting days again too.  So kick me and remind me, and when neccissary not so gently shove me please?   I'm busy, and exhausted.  Thing are a bit rough in my life right now.  I have some new symptoms popping up and generally hurt a lot right now.   So i could really use some support!

Thanks ladies!

 ~ Day 2 cardio, Day 2 PT, & Day 2 eating right.  (( I actually haven't done my Pt yet... but I am going to do it as soon as I get done on  here, darn procrastination))

Just a quick hello.

A bad day or two happens Misty.  I hope you enjoyed your time at the ball park anyway...   As for eating today is a new day.  Toco Bell isn't great but your could do worse.   I didn't do well saturday or Sunday either.  Blahh, which means I better be really good this week, because next weekend doesn't look like it shall be any better.  

We shall do better today, right Misty?

Penny - We have missed you!  I understand needing to reasses.  That really sucks that you have gained again.  I really can't even imagine your frustration.  You have worked so hard...  I would very much like to have a long Sapranos type talk with your scale.   It's good that tour keeping up with your exercise though!!!   hang in there and good luck with your reassesment!!!  (( heh I love that tank... it actually has a functional built in bra...!)

Yolie-  It sounds like your doing good!  Compliments are so nice!!  Keep up the clean eating and the exercise... once you get those the rest will come!!!! 

Misty - I wish lilacs where like that... but sadly their season is short here and once they are gone... they are gone.  *sigh*  It's when they bloom that I really know spring is officially here.

I wouldn't worry about be under too much.  One day will not kill you so long as you don't make a habit out of it. Sounds like you where crazy busy though.  I'm glad your getting into soft ball!!!  Congrates on your victory!!! 

So.....* does happy dance*  The scale said 167lbs this morning.   I broke 170!!!!   Ahh haha.  I highly doubt I lost 3 lbs this week.... but I'm under 170!!!  I have reached my first major goal!!!  

Kept busy today and got a bunch of needful stuff done.  This is technically my week off between semesters.  But I'm dealing with all the junk I put off the last few and all my transfer stuff... So not really a week off.  Still no dead lines for papers and essays.

I did my walk and my PT today so... Day 4 PT and day 2 cardio.

Well I have several health problems... and they all kind of piggy back off one another in a very irritating way that makes life a sort of desperate balancing act.  I think if I had just one... or even 2 of them it would be entirely manageable.  As it stands they are barely managed.  I haven't worked in about 4 years because of them, but I'm learning how to manage them and taking the time till then to get my education.

I started having issues when I was 20... serious issues anyway.  I've had symptoms since I was 14... I just didn't really know it, vague problems that no one seemed to know what to do with.  At 20 though... well I was diagnosed right after my 21st birthday with Endometriosis.  I have stage 4 endometriosis.  It's literally a pain.  I have to have surgery every few years to clean out growths in my abdomine.  In between we attempt to slow it and control it with hormone suppressants. It's extremely painful and bad enough that I'm at risk for organ damage.   Right now it's decent.  The hormone suppresants seem to be helping and I'm not dealing with exruciating pain all the time.  It's huge improvement from being so bad I couldn't walk for a week and a half over TTOM.  (( this is how I became unemployed too :())

I also have Severe insomnia, have since 14.  I have fibro and hypothyriodism.  Which means everything hurts, I'm exhausted constantly, and my metabolism doesn't really function well without help.  I also have asthma with chronic bronchitis, really the only time I have lung issues is when I'm sick... I'm just prone to getting the stupid bug.   I also excessively pronate both my feet, which has caused muscular issues.  I have orthodics... in fact I got them a few months ago and they help a lot.  Over the years I have managed to have repeated soft tissue injuries to my right knee and ankle ((partially thanks to the untreated pronation)) and those act up regularily too.  This has caused pyraformis syndrom though.  A condition that's symptoms mimic severe Sciattica.  Physical therapy helps.  I have vitamin deficiencies... being treated and so far so good. 

I also have some other odd ball things that are as yet undiagnosed.  My doctors know there is something there but they can't figure out exactly what, and since some of the treatments could cause worse problems if they are wrong... we are kinda in a wait and see game.  I have an elvated white blood cell count... always, and yet still manage to get every bug that goes around.  I also have an ellivated SED rate.   

that's a lot of info... lol.   But that's the short hand anyway.  I'm sure there is something I'm forgetting... It's gotten to be such a long complicated list I can't always keep it straight.   The big problem seems to be that when we change something or attempt to treat one thing... it sets something else off.  I haven't quite gotten a handle on it yet.  But you guys have helped.  I strongly believe in controling the things I can.... and screw the rest.  Nutrition and activity I can control, so thanks for helping me to do so!!! 

I hope that clarifies a little Misty, though I live with it and finding it confusing.  So as i said feel free to ask.

Hope every one has a really great day!!!!

Hi.... yeah Lupron.   For 6 months, and the stupid drug killed my thyriod and triggered other health problems.  gained 60 lbs.

Lost 37 lbs and counting.

Weight loss shouldn't be soul sucking, nor should it be horrifically painful.  The first thing you have to consider is it wasn't only drugs that made you gain weight.   For me it was drugs, surgery, laziness about what I ate, and reduced activity.  Strange hormonal drugs, horrible pain in my guts, and surgery pretty much convinced me that I didn't want to do... well much of anything.

It is possible.  But every person's journey is going to be different.  I can't really give you any advice... I don't know you stats, your diagnosis ((or more then one)), or anything about your work out routine.

I can say.... count calories.  Knowing exactly what I put into my body and what i expect out of it is very helpful.  It helped me identify patterns, triggers, and notice possible vitamin issued.   It's also good to see it in black and white.

Good luck.  I know how bad it sucks to get ill and have your life tossed around.  I'm glad you aren't letting it stop you from living life.

So I got through the week.  I hope you ladies did too!

iechris - That sounds insanely stressful and hectic.  Your doing great consiering everything you have going on.  I hope the show goes well!   It's great that your riding instructor isn't pushing you about weight.  This is really a great place, I'm glad to have another healthy sane chika to talk to.

I'm with you on enjoying the ride.  I actually have started looking forward to my walks...  There is this one half block that has these two beautiful flowering trees in the yard.  One is lilacs and the other I think is cherry.  When I round that corner and start down that block I am engulfed by the smell of lilacs... I love it.  Saddly lilac season is almost over.  I'm going to have to try out a new route and find something elseto look forward to when the lilacs are done.

Misty- Hang in there.  I'm sure it will come together for you... Sodium is a killer.  But even when you get a bit too much sodium or go over your target a bit, you always seem to make healthy choices.  Hang in there.   Your at that point that nearly every pound will be a struggle.  So just keep up the good work and it will pay off!!!

Yolie- that is a very awesome take.   Good luck, eating healthy is hard but your very determined.  You've been doing great so far!!!  

well I got  through the week.  I so over ate Saturday... My brother's fiance's baby shower.   There was chocolate cup cakes involved.  It was cute though.  

I'm getting back to my routine... eating veggies and all that jazz.   heh I didn't end up walking Saturday though.  After the baby shower I was exhausted.  

So my new numbers...  day 3 PT and day 1 cardio.

Thanks for the encouragement Misty.  Fibromyalgia can be rough... but I think dealing with my list of health problems has really matured me.   It's a trade off I guess.  Plus everybody has to deal with something in life.  If you any one is curious about anything related to my  health or anything I say don't hesitate to ask.  I'm not sensative about it, I just don't talk about it because it tends to make people uncomfortable.   Nor do I wish to whine too much.

Any way.. wish my luck on the scales in the morning.   Hope you guys had a great weekend!!!

With Fibro... Your body just reacts strangely to things.  It's hard to say really since every person with it is drastically different.   You definitely want to keep monitoring this with your rheumatologist.  Always keep your docs appraised of new weirdness.  

Have you started any new medications?   That would be the first place to look. Lyrica is known to cause swelling in the hands and feet.   Other meds have lists of side effects. 

I've learned over the last few years that fibro patients (( I am one)) tend to be sensitive to more then just pain stimuli.   The problem here is..again every one is different.   I've also learned that because of this we often need more time to adjust to changes then most people.

You seem to have gone at this full force right away.   You need to list the major changes you made about the time this swelling started.   Smaller gradual changes are often better for fibromites.  Specially if you've been reallly sedentary the last few years.  Jumping into full fledged work outs at the gym, with a personal trainer right away... maybe a case of too much too soon.   I can only imagine how much you must hurt from all that effort.

Fibro patients also tend to be sensitive to chemical additives in food.  Aspartame and MSG are very common sensitivities.  Other artificial sweeteners can cause symptoms, as well as many food preservatives.  Again the problem is not every one shares the exact same sensitivities.   So when you started eating healthier did you switch to an artificial sweetener or perhaps start buying lowfat yogurt?   Most lowfat yogurts contain aspartame. 

There are a lot of possible causes for new symptoms.  It may help to keep a symptom diary to attempt to figure out what is triggering you. 

Living with Fibro can be rough.  It's a bit of a balancing act between too much/ too little, and flexibility/ planning.  I'd be glad to help or just be an ear any time.  Good luck!!

Ye I think CC could help you.

By utalizing the burn tool, and the activity log you can know how much energy you burn in a day.  From there you just just eat 300-500 calories more then you burn every day.  That should give you a very slow gain.

Good lucK from one Spoonie to another!!

Good for you for gaining.

I haven't looked at your pictures, nor read your journal.  Nor am I trying to be rude. 

However it does sound like you are a very active lady, and trying very hard to get healthy.  So congrates.

I would also say, keep gaining.  You've done well, and your at a point where you don't have to force feed yourself to do it.  So why stop below a healthy weight?  You have little to fear from it obviously.  If it's true that your just one of those lucky few that is naturally slender like your mother... then once you hit a healthy weight and switch to maitaince your body is likely to slowly drift into it's ((possibly lower)) set weight any way.

So why the big todo? 

To answer your question "How do you know when to decreas?"  When you hit a BMI of 20.  

I don't know your height or weight, but your sound pretty active... for most people 2000 calories is probably lower then maintaince with that level of actibity.  It's lower then mine and I'm not all that active.   So... it's entirely possible you haven't given your metabolism a full chance to recover.

You have done amazingly well and you should be patting yourself on the back, but you've gone 5 yards... why not go the whole 9?

For me... yes I really do expect to keep this up the rest of my life, both the counting and exercise.

I'm told with counting that once your done losing and you maintain for a while that you start to be able to tell what your portions are and how much to eat.  At that point you can stopping counting for the most part and maybe just weigh in once a week or once month to keep an eye on things.  If your trend line changes then you may need to count again for a while.  But in general you should eventually get good at knowing what you need... it's like any other habit.

I'm told the same happens with exercise.   It also helps to find exercise you enjoy.  Once you get used to it and it isn't so hard any more... it just becomes easier.  Maybe even becomes your personal time.  Some people say they don't feel as well, or get grumpy and out of sorts if they don't have thier run or thier gym time.  

I really can't wait for either/both of these things to happen.

But generally yes.  That's why CCers encourage life style change over dieting.  And lifesyle is life long.

Congrates!!! Isn't that a great feeling?!

I had a similiar moment a few days ago.  I looked in the mirror and I could start to see my own face again.  I just stared, thinking... "I have cheek bones!"  LoL

Really Though, Congrates!!