Posts by laurabow

mrsd- I have PCOS too, and I know it's a nightmare to lose weight! That being said, it can be done. You just have to be prepared for a long haul- and do this slowly.

I second GI Jane with the low-GI diet. I haven't followed it to a T but reducing my starchy carbs and eating lots of lean protein, veggies and 'good carbs' has got me where I am today.

I started out at 330 pounds at 6'1 and am currently at 194, it has taken me a couple of years and I still want to lose about 15-20 pounds but I know I will get there! I eat around 1400-1500 a day and exercise 3 times a week in the gym, but try to get at least 30 mins of walking a day too.

I wish you the best of luck- feel free to message me or add me as a buddy.

MrsD- We have costco here in the UK too and I love it!! And yes, love the free samples too :o)

Samantha & swtpinkpea- Welcome! This group is always open, and it's never too late. Good luck with your journey and keep us informed of your progress.

Tannis- I pretty much always stick to vodka and diet coke, but also have a penchant for the wine! The best options are white spirits (rum, gin, vodka) and diet mixers. I think a vodka and diet coke is 100 Cals.

Halloween- I'm not doing anything, I was invited to a party but I'm giving it a miss as I drank a little too much last night. I had quite a lot of wine and ate at an indian restaurant. It was yummy but soooo many cals!!! I intended to stick to a grilled meat platter and salad but ended up having 4 different types of curry, rice and naan bread!!! We all picked something and shared.

Aside from the curry indulgence, I have been eating well and doing a LOT of walking. I'm going to brave the gym tommorrow and get some cardio in.

Have a great Halloween!

What a message! So true duke. We all have bad days, weeks, months but we've got to focus on how far we've come. It's the things we can do now that we couldn't do before that keep us going.

Well done Duke- this message will be a huge inspiration to those out there who either need to lose any amount of weight, be it 20 pounds or 300 pounds.

It can be done :o)

The party was great, I had sooooo much fun. I've posted a couple of new pic but they are really small on the profile.

As expected, there was a whole load of cocktails and some junk food. But- back on the horse again and I don't think I gained.

You guys are doing so great with your exercise- maybe you should have an exercise challenge. I can join another one in a month or so when I'm able to.

:o)

I think her BMI is 25.1- that's only .1 off the 'normal' range and hardly unhealthy at 5'10! The pose is unflattering, a lot of women would get that paunch if they were sat like that. The paunch looks like she may have slimmed down from a higher weight and may have a little excess skin there.

It has been said before that BMI is pretty much BS and there are sooo many more factors to take into consideration. My own goal weight at 6'1" is about 180 and if I looked like that- heck I would be pleased!!! I think people see 180 and think 'high weight' but for a tall person it's slim.

There seems to be a battle on this thread between those who are rigidly stuck on 'BMI' and *flat stomach* and those who celebrate her great body. I'm with the second camp!

Hooray for the 180 pound model! She looks gorgeous- yeah a small paunch but that is the way she is sitting- I bet if she were stood up that wouldn't be noticable. Everything else about her is toned and in proportion- I would love her back!! (I have a bad case of 'back boobs' which I'm finding hard to get rid of no matter how much I lose).

hhdrgnfly- I am also stuck at 195-198 and have been for about 2 months! I understand how frustrating this is. You've just got to stick with it and trust that it will happen eventually. I have had loads of plateaus (some lasting 4+months) but I have managed to drop from 330 pounds and know I will reach my goal :o) Chin up and keep going, perhaps mix up your exercise and do something completely different?

emotional eating- Oh I'm guilty! I find it hard to keep a full loaf of bread in the house cos' I will toast that bad boy! I find the best thing for me to do is limit the 'ready made' foods which I can pick up and eat without thinking ie: chocolate, cheese, bread, crisps etc.

Speaking of back boobs....which part of your body is the bane of your life?

Well, monday is nearly over- so we can all say goodbye to the weekend guilt! I have stuck to my cals and water intake today.

I have had a lot of abdominal pain the past few days, so am going to see my doctor tomorrow to get it checked out. I think it's related to the surgery-probably a torn muscle or something but I need to make sure it's nothing too serious and put my mind at rest.

Salandra- I have eaten lots of protein today, and lots of fresh veggies. Perhaps the next group challenge could be clean eating!

Mihaela- Welcome! This group is a great motivator, and we all help each other. I second sharpie with the adding of snacks. I try to add a 100 cal morning and afternoon snack into my calorie allowance so I don't pig out at my evening meal.

Chibi- I am with you with the stress sabotage! Over the past few weeks I've either lost my appetite due to stress, or completely overate/drank. Here's to getting back on the horse! Talk to your family- there's nothing like a good chat to make you feel better. A problem shared is a problem halved right? Your breakfast sounds great.

hhdrgnfly- Welcome too! Fantastic results so far, 40lbs in less than 4 months- WOW!! Walking is also one of my fave exercises, I try to go out most lunchtimes and do 40 mins around the city centre "window shopping". Keep us all informed :o)

I made a really healthy version of the good old fashioned British fave 'shepherds pie' using extra lean ground beef, low sodium stock, herbs, tons of veggies and a mashed butternut squash topping baked in the oven with sliced beef tomatoes on the top. I have portioned it out and frozen the leftovers too, so I don't polish them off later!

I refuse to give up my coffee! I'm off to make one now. I'll have another water though to counterract it's diuretic qualities ;o)

I'm up for the water challenge!

I propose we start it on monday- give a few days for everyone to get on board. It's a good one to start as its cheap and doesn't involve anything too strenuous for me :o)

This will be good for me, as I am an absolute coffee fiend (about 7 cups a day) and I never reach my water targets. So 1 week- 8 large glasses a day!

Who's on board?

Tannis- There are 14 lbs in a stone- in the UK we use stones and pounds rather than just pounds. But I have adapted to this site and now count in pounds on here. So in UK speak- I am 13 stones and 13 pounds (195).

To answer your question about my post surgery tummy- all is going well. I still get a little tender if I have done too much, and I am still not allowed to do any vigerous/abdominal based exercise. I have been swimming, and plan to go more this week. Now the swelling has almost all gone down I can see my new shape, and cant wait to tone it further. I guess I have lost about 3 inches off my stomach/hips. It could be more once the last of the swelling is gone!

Galax- Welcome! Yes, I started this thread when I had about 80lbs to lose. My starting weight was 330 and I would ideally like to get down to 180 first, and then reassess my goals (I'm 6'1).

Shizzi- I agree with you- I don't want to be overweight in the 2010's like I was for most of the 2000's!

Ugh, it raining and cold here (as usual)- you can tell it's now autumn. I actually prefer autumn and winter to summer but not the rain! My feet are soaking wet (I'm sat at my desk at work).... Lets hope the day gets better x

Hello

Sorry I haven't been around for a while, I have been really busy and stressed. I have been at my parents house helping out, as my Dad had major surgery last week. All is well, and he is recovering so we can all breathe a sigh of relief.

With the stress came odd eating patterns, at first I completely lost my appetite and dropped about 4 pounds, then I comfort ate lots of sweet foods- and regained the weight lost! So I am currently at 195. Back on track this week.

Salandra- Well done for committing to clean eating. I try to limit the crap that I eat, and limit my white flour products. I just looooooove my wine too much to give that up!! 6 pound loss is amazing, keep it up and keep us informed.

Tannis- Congratulations on your wedding!! I know how you feel about getting to a certain weight and then going back up. My body doesn't seem to want to go below 195, and then bounces back up to 198,199... eek!

Me- Well, I turn 26 in a few weeks and me and a couple of friends are having a joint party. Woo! So I would looove to get a new outfit, and would ideally like to get my arse down to 190 (It would be brilliant to get into the 180's). With a lot of swimming and good eating I think it is possible.

Have yourselves a good week- and keep posting! I promise I will ;o)

Hey

It's a wee bit quiet around here......I hope you are all doing okay.

I have managed to drop the 6 pounds gained, and am happy to say back into the 190's :o) I am sure it was a combination of TTOTM and water weight. So back on track.

A good friend came to stay at mine at the weekend- so you can guess what happened! Lots of wine, and tasty food. We went for a gourmet burger (Greek lamb and hummus onomnom!) and then a thai buffet on sunday (double nom) but this was counterracted I hope by LOTS of walking about, and dancing. So a good weekend was had and it cheered me up a bit after the last week from hell!!

Back into the groove, and it's been a while but here's the stats:

SW:330
CW:196
Lost:134
Still to drop: 16-21 pounds (I will get to 180, assess and then see if I want to get to 175).

Have a fantastic week- keep posting!

Original Post by dplatzer:

my chest often feels tight, like I have insane anxiety.  Someone once told me a hangover is like 80% guilt from like what you did so maybe thats where its coming from?  I've never had my entire body hurt like that though...

 My chest always hurts too! Sometimes it's really bad. It feels like someone is pushing down hard on your chest or squeezing your heart. I think it may be bad heartburn, but I've never suffered from that before so I can't compare sensations.

I generally take antacids, it helps a bit...

I totally relate to this! I am the female equivalent to you.

I have lost over 130 pounds- and have been single for over 4 years. I am not used to the increased male attention, and am **** at flirting/chatting with men. Don't get me wrong, I have lots of male friends, and always have but I was always the 'bubbly fat friend' who was safe/no-one was interested in.

I would like to get out there and confidently talk to people but I also feel as if I am starting from scratch, and need to build up my self esteem. It's as though the 'fat girl' is engrained in my brain even now I'm much much lighter.

I'm sure, like most things all it takes is time....

Welcome to all new members of the group! miamyamoe and medicmomma (apologies if I've missed anyone- it's been pretty hectic this week! It's great to see even more tall gals out there :o)

This week has been hard. I am back in my apartment and back to work- as you can imagine 6 weeks out of the office it's quite daunting going back! So I'm slowly easing myself back into the routine.

I feel sooooo bloated, and I'm up 5 pounds!!! I have been eating more carbs, but don't think I've gone over my cal intake so I'm confused. It could be water retention, or constipation (sorry if tmi) or swelling due to the increased activity on my surgery site, so I won't let it get me down too much. I will just try to eat really good the next few days.

CW: 201 :o( Back into the 200's..... I will keep you all updated. Have a good rest of week!

Hello Ladies

My recovery is still going well, all my dressings are off and the incision has 99% healed. I just need to massage it with cocoa butter formula every day to help along the scar reduction. I had my last outpatient appoinment with my surgeon who has said I can start swimming next week, and walking on the treadmill :o)

I am going back to Yorkshire, where I permenantly live in a cople of days. It will be strange after 6 weeks of constant company (parents, and dog), and will take a while to get back into my old routine of living alone and working! However I am looking forward to seeing all my friends, and getting back into healthy eating and (gently) working out.

I will go back to see the surgeon for official after photos around christmas time, when they know that all the swelling will have gone.

Debbie- 1200 cals is too low for someone our height. I know how tempting it is to reduce your cals when loss is slow. My advice would be to increase your cals to around 1700 for about 5 days, then decrease them slowly (by about 50 cals a day) to 1500. This will boost your metabolism.

Tannis- WOW- you look absolutley stunning in your dress!! It truly looks great. I'm glad you had a kick arse bridal shower. I hear you about the 'happy and fat' but it's all about stiking the balance and finding your 'slim happy place'. My advice would be to still treat yourself to the things you love, but just work it off at the gym. I can imagine the wedding stress/anticipation is getting to you. Just be kind to yourself :o)

Sharpie- Good luck with becomning a veggie, I have to admit I have thought about it a couple of times, and have even gone weeks without meat but I love it too much. I do absolutely love a lot of veggie food and recipes though. Are you going full veggie or will you eat fish? Be sure to take a multivitamin.

jkserig- Welcome! You have come to the right forum. Some of the ladies here have already lost a significant amount, and have a little left to lose- and some have just started out. Well done for all the weight you have lost already, keep us informed of your progress :o)