Posts by tuff_n_nuff

Nucurlee,   there is the secret.  So far I seem to use every excuse in the excuse in the book. That is a personal problem that no one can cure - and no one can fix but me.  It helps to get it out because I really have been thinking that I am stuck with the stress for a few more months and I honestly have thought it was effecting my weight loss efforts.

But after talking about it I feel kinda silly and weak.  Hmm perhaps whinny!!!

I think you are absolutely correct.   I used to smoke and handled stress with another cigarette, now i need to find a new outlet and so far it has been food.   Exercise really helps.  Anyway I just  might be using everything under the sun as my excuse for not getting serious.   I think I need to spend more time here!!

But I  do wonder if high stress levels prohibit loosing weight.  The Cortisone commercials saying that stress can cause weight gain!!!

I really relate to your post.  I have been on again and off again for a long time now.  The last success story was almost a year ago and I was down 23 pounds and going strong and a very close friend died unexpectedly.  since then one roller coaster after another.  Until now. My new motto is "Is it really worth being fat for that?"  that has already gotten me out of a few tight spots.

2nd.  It is better to set your goals but not to stay focused on a year from now.  Set small goals that will give you something to work for, a sense of accomplishment and a satisfying reward.   

Now look at each day - today is enough to worry about, It is over whelming to look at a long time -because then it seems longer.  When I quit smoking each day was agonizing and then I heard that it would be a year before I could really claim to be free and that seemed like a really long time.  It flew by!! Now it is 2.7 years and it seems like yesterday.

This time that you take for yourself is short stacked up to the rest of your life.  It is a time for discovery and the wonderful sense of accomplishment that comes with each small victory.  Don't let it overwhelm you - instead stay focused on the prize.  Smaller cloths - healthy body and an awesome journey. 

It is not how long it takes to run the race but rather did we finish the race and did we finish with integrity.

I smoked for 35 years.  Every time I quit I gained 10 pounds so I would start back.  Starting back did not take the weight off for me- what did was watching what I ate and exercise.  There was another time when I quit and I did not substitute food instead I used exercise.  I walked when I needed to smoke - did push ups, worked out - I did not gain a pound.  This time which is now 2 years and 7 months I allowed myself to gain weight with the mind set that I can loose it when I am ready.  I went from one extreme to the other.  I would suggest working out - bike riding - hiking - all sorts of activity in addition to the right foods - smoking causes teeth problems, circulation problems (actually leading cause of heart attacks), thinning hair, COPD and bad skin (ages you real fast) just to name a few of the side effects of smoking.  Now take exercise - increases circulation, strengths every muscle in your body, improves skin, strengths teeth , sharpens the mind - well you get the gist.  

Thank you for the encouragement.  You are right - I did what I felt I had to do and I probably wouldn't do it any different - even knowing what I know now.  So no sense in dwelling in the past.  currently i use food for every emotion - maybe I should try mints or gum!!

Thanks again and yeah I can do this. 

I thought this was a good question!!!  I have wondered the same thing.  It helps to know that it doubled. Thanks!

I had thought about that web site but could not remember the name.  Thanks again for the heads up!  I will check it out.

Been there done that! Don;t want to go back!!! LOL I lost 35 pounds in about 11 months once - but gained back 50 pounds.  I craved sugar like crazy when I was on it but on a low calorie and exercise plan I haven't really had any sugar cravings.  As far as low calorie - I am eating 1600 to 1900 daily - I eat all the time!!!

I am excited about what I am doing now because I am learning a new lifestyle that I think will be with me for a - long time.  Once the weight is gone I believe I will easily be able to manage and control my weight. 

Original Post by amethystgirl:

Now I'm annoyed. Someone on a another forum was asking about the calorie target tool on self.com (which, if you put sedentary, says that you will maintain on your BMR! I'd apparently maintain eating less than 1400 calories! who knew?) and just had to keep looking until I found this:

The plan Complete one set of each exercise every other day. You'll need a pair of 3-pound dumbbells. "Don't go any heavier," Anderson cautions. "Lighter weights and higher reps are key to chiseling your arms in a very sexy, detailed way." As you become stronger, tack on additional reps—up to 10 at a time. Anderson's clients often eke out 100 reps per move in a session.

Can we add self.com to the Shape and Fitness hitlist? Now I'm all pissed...

 OMG!!! Now that is funny!  Were you reading a tragic comedy?  Who has that much time?  100 reps - I am positive that after about 50 I would have forgotten what I was doing and why - that is if I were still awake!  I know I would have lost interest.  chiseled arms my ****!

Is Lucy a pit?  She is beautiful.  One of my dogs is a registerd American Bulldog.  Awesome dog.  We also have his son which is half lab and half AB.  Solid brendal - named Tiger of course!!! I am going to take some pics  this weekend for my gallery.  But Lucy is really beautiful.

This morning was rudely hectic!!! I woke up late and didn't even get a chance to eat breakfast.  That means out of whack all day!!! Yikes!!!   You might be right about metabolism and hunger.  I notice that I am hungry about every 2 hours.

Jenny you are doing  some things really - really right!!! You are asking questions and not giving up!!! I know you will make it.  Good luck with the  nutritionist!! I am looking forward to reading your success stories!!!

I am with you - I love it here.  I was doomed before finding this place!!!

I also thought that if I wanted to loose 50 pounds I would have to starve and go hungry on 1200 to 1300 calories!!!  The other option was low carb and  then crave sweets like crazy!!! Been there done that. Frankly I just can not eat one more fried pork chop or slice of bacon or hunk of cheese! I did loose 35 pounds but I gained back 50. 

So I have to ask are you exercising at all? If you want to loose weight you will need to increase exercise as well as calories!  You body is in the starvation mode and everything you eat your body wants to hang on to because it knows what you are doing.  It is called self preservation!  

Well I can tell you I followed the advice here and I work out a minimum of 5 days a week and my calorie intake is between 1600 to 1900 daily and I am loosing inches and weight.  Not only that I actually get to eat.  When I am hungry I grab an apple or a protein bar.   But I do eat and eat often.  Never in my life would I have believed it possible - never!!!! But I took the big leap because I knew I could not live a life of starving forever  -sooner or later I would need to eat normally.   Then I would just end up gaining it all back and some extra right along with it because I would be so clueless on how to eat!

Instead I choose a healthy lifestyle - a way to learn how to eat and eat to increase energy, loose weight, clear pretty skin and healthy hair and nails.  You can learn how to eat out and learn how to use food to your advantage.  But i can tell you this - not eating will not get you what you want - you will loose muscle and you will be flat out hungry!!!  What will you have gained?  It will still take you as long to get skinny by going hungry as it would have had you exercised and ate healthy!

The experience that you are going through can teach you a lot about you and it can be something that really helps someone else also down the road.  There are several things you can do - while you can't work your legs - why not your upper body?  You can do dumbbell curls - shoulders and triceps - and chest. You can also take this time to study nutrition and the effect on the body.  You could get into sewing "Biker quilts", you can do a lot.  Try not to just give up and say to yourself it can't be done.  It can be done and you can do it. You will need to start one step and one day at a time.  Try writing down your goals.  What you can see yourself doing in your current state and what you would like to try in this state.  Look into things and areas that interest you and things that you have thought about getting into - write them down randomly. Once everything is written down then start to organize them into - yes I know I can easy to what might be a challenge.  Then  start with the easy and work your way up.

I broke my back in 3 places and had head injuries.  I was in a coma for 5 days.  When I got out of the hospital and had to go through rehabilitation - I discovered the gym. Then years later smoking took over and now that I have quit smoking, lost all my muscles and had lost all my desire to better myself, gained 50 pounds, I have found that what I learned at the gym - was still waiting for me and now changes are happening. I am 51 and I am here to tell you that this ain't nothin but a thing.  What you do with it - is what counts.  Do you let it own you or do you own this circumstance. 

Your choice.

Original Post by kalikat003:

Unfortunately for me, it seems I get those days all the time. I just have to chug back a lot of water and be done with it and not care about the grumbling tummy or I just reach for a piece of fruit instead of a granola bar or chips

 Your post concerns me a  little - sounds like me when I started out - flat out hungry!!! Turns out I was not eating enough and that kept me always hungry and I wasn't loosing on the scale.  Drove me crazy and everyone around me LOL!

GI Jane helped me get to a target calorie intake with my exercise level. When I saw that number,  I was doubtful.  Then so many people agreed with her and finally another friend said she lost a lot of weight at the high calorie level, so I gave in.  I am really stubborn!!! Since then I have started to actually loose weight on the scale as well as inches.  I'm not hungry, yesterday was some weird munchies thing.  I get to eat!!! What is even more amazing - even after eating non stop  yesterday and not going to the gym i was close to a whole pound lighter this morning.  Weird. 

If I read that post wrong and typed all this anyway - oh well it  still might benefit someone.