Posts by smileyman

Original Post by mmc7891024:

 Today was the WORST yet, and I am kind of scared. I had a super strong craving for carrot cake, and I had about 300 calories to play with before I hit my 1200 calorie target, so I ran to the grocery store after work, and got a piece, but then at the checkstand, I picked up a bag of cheetos, promising myself that I would not eat them until the weekend, and then I would split up the bag between the two days. I have been really good about not indulging. But, and I am so ashamed to admit this, but I ate the WHOLE bag, all 460 calories worth. Then I was only going to have half of the carrot cake, but again, I ate the WHOLE thing.

As others have said, I wonder if your calorie intake is too low. Slow and steady is better. Try to shoot for a 500-750 calorie deficit. Don't beat yourself up if you messed up. Just get back into the swing of things.

Give yourself a free day every now and then. It's a great reward tactic, and it won't kill you. Remember, we're shooting for lifestyle changes here, so give yourself some leeway.

I shoot for around 1600 calories a day. If I hit 1800 calories one day I don't freak out, likewise if I only get 1400 calories one day I don't freak out. My biggest thing is to try and change my habits. Eating baked instead of fried is one example. Switching to diet soda is another. Exercising portion control is another. Same with eating more fruits and vegetables. All of these things help keep me at my goal, and because I'm not super-strict with myself I don't feel as if I'm dieting.

I've lost 5 lbs in the last 2 weeks doing this, which is just fine by me. In my opinion, slow and steady is better, because if you go too fast, or try too hard you may burn out and give up on yourself.

Original Post by mtczajka:

I have arthritis in my leg joints and hands plus fibromyalgia (limits exercise) and the one thing truly under my control - some very bad eating habits! I belong to a gym, I spend 20-30 minutes on the exercycle, then 35-45 minutes doing weights. I listed all the major muscle groups and one day work the top half, the next the bottom. I'm trying to go at least 3X a week - I've been averaging only once a week. I also am forcing myself to eat something for breakfast. I usually have yogurt because I like it and I have zero appetite in the morning. I also have been putting everything I eat in a diet program and trying to keep balanced. I just joined this site hoping to share stories and tips.

I also have fibromyalgia (probably directly related to how much I weigh), so I understand what it's like. You definitely need to eat breakfast. Once you start forcing yourself to do that, you'll get to the point where you want it. By eating breakfast you'll stave off the mid-morning snack cravings. Your body's metabolism will get a boost, which will make it easier to lose weight. You'll also feel like you have more energy which will make it easier for you to get some activity in.

If you can't work out at the gymn (my wife can't, since she has arthritis), go to the pool. Do low-impact water aerobics, or swim. Walk around the block a couple of times. All of these are low-impact and won't hurt your joints.

If you're a soda drinker, eliminate it, or switch to diet. I was drinking upwards of 60 oz of soda a day. Now I drink around 20-30 and it's diet. That's given me around 800-1000 calories a day deficit just by eliminating the sugar. I can now actually eat more than I did before and still lose weight.

Original Post by jerichocheyenne:

Smileyman- Like the name. I hope you do smile all the time. I'm feeling you on the desk job that's how I gained the last 20 lbs that I had. I was able to lose those 20 lbs already. Congrats on being a daddy. It's amazing. Everything gets better. Holidays are more fun. It's like you get to be a kid again. You'll definitely need energy especially with boys. Believe me. Luckily for you guys lose faster than women. Add some weight lifting and cardio and eat well and you'll shed inches amazingly fast. Good luck!

It's definitely an exciting thing. I weighed in yesterday after a week of watching my calories, and I checked in at 321.2. Just over 4 1/2 pounds in a week! My goal is to weigh myself twice a week since doing it every day can be depressing because of weight fluctuations.