Posts by st01

Moderation is tough.  Sometimes I'm really good at it and I can stay on plan no matter what's around me and other times I totally cave.  I'm trying to figure out what triggers it, because it really sucks.  At the end of the day, though, I have to admit that it's ME putting the food in my mouth and my choice whether or not I do so.  My standard response to people trying to feed me is either 'I just ate' or 'I'm not hungry at the moment' and then I thank them for whatever they're offering.  If I'm at a restaurant I always eat as healthy as possible (I figure with all the added fat in restaurant food that's the best approach - for me anyway).  I still socialize and enjoy people's company, though - I just don't let them focus on the fact that I'm not eating or I'm not eating junk.

My advice is let it go and do better next time temptation arises.  We all struggle with this - don't let it get you down too much.

That was me 2 weeks ago after we threw a pool party and everyone left tons of bad food at our house.  When I weighed myself I was up almost 7 lbs.  Not pretty.  I'm almost back to where I was pre-party, though, so it CAN be done!  It's so stupid, though, because I felt like crap while I was eating all that junk but yet I just kept eating it.  Duh!  We all have our moments.  Just don't make it a way of life.  Good luck!

Happy Friday everyone!  Welcome to all the newcomers!  I fell WAY off the wagon food-wise 2 weeks ago and I've been trying to get back to where I was ever since.  I gained over 6 lbs (sodium/carbs  - not my friends), but I've lost most of it again.  Focus, focus...

SW 197.2     CW 173     GW ~155

I do really well on my own, but it's difficult with more social activities and so much food around and the reality of the fact that I'm not exercising as I should.  I'm also in high gear getting ready for our trip to Italy (we leave next Friday for 2 weeks), so I'm working more hours than I normally do.  Such a problem to have, though, right?  I keep reminding myself of that!  I figure if I can stay 175 or under until the middle of July I'll be doing well, considering I'm going to fully enjoy italian food on the tip.  When I get back I'm doing a week long cleanse and then incorporating physical activity into my weekly schedule.  It's good to have goals!

I open the door (with the glass security door still closed and locked) and if it's a stranger they have about 10 seconds to explain why they're knocking on my door.  If they're selling anything (religion, politics or actual products) I close the door on them without a word.  Ditto for telephone calls - if they mispronounce our last name I hang up on them because it's clear they don't know us.  I have no obligation to these people and don't feel bad about it at all.

I don't have any advice, but just wanted to say I hope he's OK and pulls through.  I know from personal experience that dealing with pet illness is really traumatic.  Let us know what happens.

Friday weigh-in:  SW 197.2  CW 171.2  GW 155;  down 3.8 from last Friday after jumping around 175 for a long time.  Slowly but surely...  I'm getting really close to the 160's too!!!

Have a great weekend everyone!

I feel 'ya.  But...  After looking at your pics I 'think' I'm a bit older than you (40), so I'll share a personal experience that sort of relates to this.  Recently my parents cleaned out a bunch of old picures (some I had never seen b4) and sent them to me.  It was actually shocking to see them.  DAMN I looked great.  And I had no idea of that because my body image was so poor.  Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and shake my 19 yr old self and say 'stop it! Be good to youself in thought and deed.  Live your life and don't worry so much about how you look!'.  I know that's easier said than done, but there it is.  That old saying that youth is wasted on the young is SO true.

I know it's hard (been there), but try being a little nicer to yourself.  Do some ab work if you don't like your tummy.  And for god's sake don't skip the lake because you think you look bad in a bikini.  Not a good enough reason!!!  I loved summer days at the lake and wouldn't trade the memories for a lot of money.  Don't miss out.  You'll regret it.

If you're concerned you should have your thyroid levels checked.  I actually had blood drawn for this yesterday since I've been sleeping way more than normal and have lost approx 25 lbs.  The doctor said weight loss/gain can have an impact on thyroid.  It's a bit different for me, though, because I'm on thyroid replacement meds.  The doctor also said it could be adrenal glands, so if the thyroid levels are OK that's my next step.  It can also be lack of vitamin B12, which is my case I know it's not since I take a B complex every single day (makes a huge different energy-wise).

I know you won't want to hear this, but you may be carb sensitive like me and it may have nothing to do with thyroid.  If I ate the amount of carbs you do I'd gain weight.  I eat 100% whole wheat bread at breakfast only (more time to burn it off if I have it early in the day), I stay away from yogurt since it has so much sugar - a better choice might be fruit (I know you'll say that has carbs, but more complex carbs so it digests slower), a better choice on your english muffin would be real peanut butter (more protein so digests slower) especially if you're using the low fat kind of cream cheese (higher in carbs), stay away from alcohol, stay away from starches with dinner (even brown rice, potatoes, etc).  For me that's just too late in the day to eat starch and it causes me to gain.  It's these little tweaks that have helped me lose weight.  Also, if you're gaining when you don't work out you may need to recalculate your maintenance level for calories, which changes (gets lower) as you lose weight.

I don't know if this will help, but it's what I've learned thru trial and error.  I hope you figure it out.

I googled 'martha stewart show' and clicked on the tab for 5/29 and there it was (recipes and video of the segment).  Here's a link:

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/snack-pa cks?lnc=38f9cf380e1dd010VgnVCM1000005b09a00aR CRD&rsc=showmain_tv_the-martha-stewart-sh ow

I probably shouldn't be weighing myself since it's TTOM.... but it's not too bad -  CW 175 GW 155 (so up about a lb from last week)  I'm pretty sure I'm retaining water so I'm not too concerned.

I'm planning swimming, pilates and treadmill this weekend and I'm all set with healthy fiber rich foods (which really help me), so I'll start losing again next week.

Have a good weekend everyone!

I'm glad to see we're attacting more people.  And not that I usually advertise it, but I'm 40 (I usually let people think I'm 33-35  ).  I think we've got a lot of variety on age here.  I tracked my calories when I first started on CC in Dec/Jan.  Now I only use it to record my progress and read the forums.  When I was counting my calories were usually 1200 - 1700 (I sort of zig zag depending on activity).  The final challenge for me is to exercise frequently, which it looks like a lot of you do.  I'll use that as inspiration!  So far ~23 lbs lost with less than 20 to go (GW is ~155, which I haven't been in 13+ yrs).  I just started acupuncture, too, which should help control stress and in turn help me to find the time to exercise.

I like a 33' (or more) inseam.  Dillards has 'talls' in a lot of styles.  My new favorites are 33" Ralph Lauren jeans I found there.  I use LL Bean, Lands End and TravelSmith since they offer some talls.  I'm also expert at hemming.  I look for pants with a big hem that I can let out.  It's a pain, but like I have a choice....  Size 10 in shoes.  I get a lot of shoes online since stores tend to run out of 10s quickly.  It's all trial and error.

My newest pet peeve is sizing irregularities.  Since I've lost weight it's really hard to find things that fit without spending a LOT of time at the mall and/or time/money sending things back and forth for online purchases.  i.e. Eddie Bauer's sizing chart for skirts still had me at a 16, but I actually wear a 12.  But do you think my local Eddie Bauer even carries the skirt I want?  Of course not.  And their 'XL' tops usually fit (big shoulders), but sometimes run huge, just for fun.  Shopping takes way too much effort!

Hi Everyone - I missed Friday weigh-in since I had the day off.  We had company all weekend, too, which is always perilous to my 'eating well' program.  I'm up about 3 lbs, but it's right before TTOTM so I think that's part of it.  Had a great weekend, though.  A friend visited and we treated ourselves to a fabulous mani/pedi with a massages.  Time to hit it hard and get back on program now.  Have a good week!

I've lost 23 lbs with minimal and sporadic (if any) exercise.  I used CC religiously for the first month (Jan) and am a true believer in good whole unprocessed food prepared simply with lots of fruits and vegs (no soda, extra sugar, bad carbs, etc).  I think I'm at the point now where I have to start exercising, though, unless I want to severely restrict my cals - and that's just not me.  I usually eat around 1400-1700 cals.  I'm within 20 lbs of my goal, so it's no surprise I have to kick it up a notch.  Plus, the health goals of exercise are so positive I want to fit them in.  That's my next goal.

As an athiest I'd have to say God hasn't helped me, but more power to you if that's what keeps you going.  To each their own.