130/120 Club?

It's so funny how unimpressed we all can be with our own strengths, but how clear each other's so often are.  Like Greta, my jaw dropped when I read about your Saturday run!  8 miles--- WITH a stroller??  That's so awesome!!  And as much as I know it's frustrating when your body just won't go as far as you want it to go, how awesome that you even went out for a run the day after a killer 8 mile??  I'm way impressed, and even though you totally have all the right in the world to be frustrated about what feels like a bad day, I hope you know how awesome you're doing through other eyes!!

Rennai- Wow!  It's crazy how moving gets stretched out into such a long process!  Gabe and I move into our new apartment in a week and a half, and watching you do it is preparing me for what a whirlwind it's going to be!  And a housewarming party- what fun!  It's always so nice to show off something new after putting that much work into it!  And have so much fun with David and your fam this weekend!  Are you guys driving or flying?  First roadtrip/plane trip together??

Carrie- Thanks for the tips about the antique stores!  It's totally my style, but everything there is just so expensive often times!  I do love second hand stores, where things are totally marked down, but often I've found in antique stores that things are probably really good deals, just still out of my price range.  But I'll keep an eye out!!  Till then...Craigslist and I will continue our constant relationship...

Just had a fabulous lunch- half a sandwich with hummus, turkey, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and sprouts, with a black cherry yogurt, half an apple, a few slices of banana, and a quarter cup blueberries.  Mmmm!  So my diet powerfood is fat free yogurt- love it- could eat it three times a day.  But it's not cheap.  Light and Fit is my favorite, and even on sale, it's normally about eight centers per container, so it adds up!  When I was shopping earlier this week, though, I found the grocery store off brand on sale for 5 for $1!  Woo!  Yogurt is normally one of those few things that I really prefer the name brand on, but I decided to give it a try...and it was pretty good!  Only ten calories more than Light 'n Fit, and way cheaper!

Bodypump question for you girls who do it- what weights do you use for the different exercises?  I'm still trying to figure it out.  I know squats you're supposed to do more, triceps and smaller muscle groups less...but how much weight do you use for the different parts?

Gabe and I are going to his parents' house in MA for 4th of July- a pretty last minute decision, and it means yet another 24 hours of driving (12 each way) over the course of four days.  I hate how inactive it makes me over those days!  I mean, I can deal with not being able to exercise normally at his parents' house, but two days of not moving in the car!  Ew.

Original Post by simignonne:

The article has a good point.  They were basically saying that you can't eat whatever you want and expect to lose fat which is true.  Diet is what, 60% or 70% of your entire lifestyle so someone who is seriously trying to get a better body wouldn't ignore what they ate right?  Unless they are seriously under educated!  Technically muscle does burn more than fat does and no matter how small that difference might be I'm sticking with muscle.

 

I would go as far as 80-90% of the weight loss success is due to a healthy diet. It's normal not to gain muscle wt a diet based on deficit...but i'm sticking wt the muscle as well :)

Woo!  May have found a dresser!  This constant Craigslisting is paying off!  Gabe doesn't get off work till 5:00 (it's 3:15 my time) so my only, ultra-paranoid, tired-of-all-this-looking concern is that someone will buy it before we get there at 5:15.  Anyway, I was definitely the first caller- he sounded a little freaked out when I called.  I was like "Is that dresser you posted still available?" and he was like "Um..ya...I just posted it a minute ago..." 

Anyway, here's a link to the post if you want a picture!  It's pretty!

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/fuo/1245481307. html

Nice work Rebekkah! He's going to keep it for you til you can pick it up right?

My life really isn't all that interesting... I guess it's just summer. We're flying to Oregon and coming back Monday. First plane trip, but we road tripped to Flagstaff and probably will again soon. We have a couple other vaca's tentatively planned. We do everything super cheap though so it's all good!

I agree Cris and Carrie :) Muscle good, diet good haha.

Looking forward to hearing Greta's response on the stroller run. I couldn't run 8 miles regular. I doubt if I could walk 8 miles. Not even kidding.

Rebekkah - I had to post in response of your yogurt comments.  I as well love yogurt and have been told over and over and over that it is good for ladies especially.. yeast and what not ;)  I had always been buying the Yoplait 98% fat free version because I thought it tasted better and I didn't care about the calorie difference.  I always got them in little cups like you do (and when there is a sale I stock up!!).  BUT!  I recently decided, after watching my husband do it every week, to buy the big big big container and just keep it in my fridge for when I feel like I need a snack, or for breakfast, etc.  I think it's much more cost effective and that way if I only want a spoonful I can have it, yes I eat it right out of the container too, I'm such a yogurt junkie.  Last time I think I just bought store brand and it tastes just fine!

Also, your bodypump question.  I used the smallest weights and then the ones one up from that alternating depending on the exercise.  I think it would be beneficial to bring a pad of paper with me, small one... post it note?!.. to keep track of the weights used, it's what I'm doing now with my weight routine.  I also found that my legs are so dang weak that I didn't even need any weights on them during pump, just the reps alone killed me.  Hope to hear you are stronger than I am!  So are you at a Gold's gym?

Rennai - no, your life sounds like a dream come true, house, hot new boyfriend, vacations to Flagstaff and Oregon... the list goes on.  Well.. of course you do not have puppies so .. what can I say?

I'm currently trying to stretch out my legs so I won't be so sore tomorrow.  Side Note* The competitor music store that just went out of business has sent their music dealer over to check out our store and my crazy co-worker who cleans with windex almost had a panic attack before and after meeting the man and has now hidden herself in some remote section of the store.  Bless. Her. Heart.

Greta - how do you do it?

Rebekkah-So true how unimpressed we are with our own strengths!  That's why we have each other :)  Good job on the craigslist find.  What did we do before the internet?  Your lunch sounds awesome!  I had soup and salad at the Olive Garden--which isn't too bad until you add it the cupcakes I made and took to my friends.  I am embarrassed to admit I ate three.  I feel like crap now. Sounds like you have a long trip ahead this weekend.  But, you will have fun!

Carrie--I am with you on the large yogurt.  I bought a few of the single serving size gladware containers and put my yogurt in that to go to work (when I went to work, that is).

As for running with the stroller--it's hard.  I'm not gonna lie :)  When I first started doing it I thought my running days were over.  But, I'm used to it now and normally cap it off around 6.5 miles on days I have the baby.  I had to take him Saturday and it was so hard.  I wonder how many more calories I'm burning when I'm pushing about 30 extra pounds.  Rennai-when you posted about feeling fat, that's exactly where I am.  I couldn't move my body more than two miles yesterday and I just felt like a big lug.  I was looking in the mirror thinking--how can someone who weighs 125 pounds look so fat?  I know it's emotional and I'm overreacting--but it was just that kind of day.  I felt a little better today until I ate three cupcakes!  Since I'm baking so much I've decided to start getting fancy.  I have to share a picture of my cupcakes--I will put one in my gallery after I post this.  They were cream filled so I decorated them like a Hostess Cupcake.  They are delicious.  I gave a bunch away today so I hope not to eat too many more. I will give more away tomorrow!

Greta - those look exactly like hostess cupcakes, no wonder you bake, you're amazing!  And don't feel bad about eating those.. ahem.. I have almost consumed an entire bag of circus peanuts since Saturday.. plus all the brownies from saturday are gone.. and we have half a bag of twizzlers left from ... you guessed it.  Saturday!  Now when I look at the left over circus peanuts I am thinking.. dinner is about to be ready, just keep your socks on.

I'm so impressed with your stroller running.  I'm also impressed with your honest attitude towards your body and realizing it's probably just emotion mixed with eating tons of cupcakes.  Somewhere deep inside I'm sure you felt like you needed those cupcakes and hey, without the cupcakes what would be the purpose of running in the first place?  Vicious cycle :)  But I'd say you're winning!

Rebekkah - yeah, forgot to say, way to go on the craigs list, did you get it yet?!

Mission dresser accomplished!  It's super nice- perfect for what we need.  And the girl we picked it up from was so nice, she gave us this really nice, full length mirror for free!  I love it- it's this light wood and one of those stand-alone ones...looks like an antique, Carrie!

Greta- excited to go look at a pic of those cupcakes!  Mmm...cupcakes...And I second what Carrie said- I think it's so important (and something I struggle with!) to keep in mind when a reaction is emotional and try to see it more objectivly.  It sounds to me like you're doing great!

Oh, and yogurt- I thought I tried doing the calculations once and per ounce the prices were the same, but I must be mistaken!  My only problem is I like flavor variety...hmm...but definitely something I'll look into!  The one spoonful at a time thing is a definite plus!

Off to go throw a frisbee around with Gabe until it gets dark!  Have a good night everyone!!

Yogurt: I'm a fan on Activia 0.9% fat, either plain or wt fruits. Don't know if it's the "effects" or just b/c I like it...I've tried Yoplait and didn't like it. So stick to my fav one...for now :)

Hubby's hard to convince to try yogurt but at least he drinks milk...sometimes.

I love yogurt, I could eat like 10 a day. But that's prob not healthy. Right now I have a bunch of no sugar added applesauce though, it's good too but no protein :) oh well.

Greta, you may enjoy this site http://conversationswithacupcake.blogspot.com / lots of baking/recipe/decorating ideas and super cute too.

I ate 3 donuts one day last week. Yep, 3. 2 in the morning and 1 at lunch. It was horrifying.

My weight hasn't really changed, 135, but I feel like I'm retaining water, maybe I'm not drinking enough?? UGH

SOOOOO excited for Thursday morning!!! We get to go to Oregon! I can't wait to sit in the river all day!!

Hi ladies!

I was in the 140/130's club and now have maintained the 130's enough to believe that my plateau is over and that my body is ready to get back to it's normal size and weight. I would love to join the club! I gotta admit seeing the 130/120's daily may help me really believe that I CAN and WILL get back to it. Funny thing is when I was posting in the 140's/130's club, I always thought to myself, "I can't wait to get to the new lower weight group" :) My stats are 5'3, 138 (tom weight) I'm trying to get to 134 by the 4th hopefully, and I know I'm retaining a lot of water because of tom.... My ultimate goal is to reach 123, that is my healthy and happy weight. I started CC at 158 pounds in 07' and have lost about 20 pounds so far, looking to lose another 15  I kickbox almost daily and run when it's not too hot outside, but mostly obsessed with my amy bento: in the ring dvd. 

So have any of you broke into the 120's? How did you do it? 

Welcome! I'm 5'2" and abt 130 lbs right now. I was 165 lbs at my HW in Apr 2006. I managed to lose the weight slowly by changing completely what I ate and adding exercise. Depending on my mood I walk, jog, play tennis, use my stair stepper or use my dummbells. At some points I also did tae bo and belly dancing dvds :)

In my opinion, a clean diet and kick up a notch the exercise really makes a difference when we fight those last vanity lbs

Thanks cricketro! YOu look amazing btw!!! that is such a wonderful accomplishment you achieved. Clean eating is what I'm trying to focus on as well, trying to eat as close to the earth as possible. It took me nearly 3 years to gain 40 pounds and then 2 years to lose 20 pounds! BUT since I stopped putting sugar in my morning coffee and cutting back on my Wine consumption the lb's have been coming off easier than they did last year...

Hey Shapeshifter!  Welcome to the group!  Great job with your accomplishments so far- you've come so far!  Isn't it frustrating how it takes so much less time to gain weight than to lose it??  In any case, it looks like you're well on your way!

Reading your bio was fun- I like the way you structured it!  I also like how you intermixed goals dealing with weight and other goals- I think that's a great way to see weight goals, as just one piece of the overall picture.  And I definitely related to your goal about wearing an A-frame tank and jeans (sorry- hate the phrase wife beater for those tanks, so i go with A-frame!) and feeling sexy in them!  That's been a goal of mine, too- to feel good in those shirts.  Just this week I started wearing them to the gym and feeling OK, so we're getting there!

I'm 5'4'' and started in January at 147 lbs.  Now I'm at 129,6, after bouncing back up a pound or two during graduation from an all-time low of 128.4 lbs.  My goal is 120 lbs, but I'm not as set on the numbers as just feeling good in a bikini...so where ever that is, that's where I want to be!  As far as how I've gotten there, I've found that what works for me is just being consistant about counting calories and writing down what I eat and their cals each time.  I aim for around a 200 cal breakfast, 300 cal lunch, 400-500 cal dinner, and then I eat snacks in after each meal to make up the rest of the 1350 cals I aim to hit each day.  I try to get good amounts of fiber and protein, but really as long as I'm eating what feels healthy and staying within my calorie perameters, I feel good about it.  I also exercise daily, mostly running/using the elliptical for 45 minutes and doing BodyPump or weigh training about three days a week.

Something I've been thinking about in the last few days- I think many on this forum have been the weight they want to be before- then college, life, whatever resulted in gaining some.  I think Chris is also in this situation, but I know for me, the lowest I remember seeing my weight at this height was 128.8 lbs, so I feel like I'm moving my body where it hasn't been before.  Is anyone else on here in that situation?  I'm trying to remember back to everyone's bios...

Welcome again Shapeshifter- excited to learm more about you!

Rebekkah

oh, thank you so much. i stopped using sugar back in 1999 actually. that's when i stopped eating white bread - switched to mix grain- and red meat. But it wasn't until I discovered SparkPeople back in Apr 2006 that I've changed my lifestyle completely. It took me 8 months to get from 165 to 136 lbs but after that i've slowly moved towards the weight I am at now. You know how it's said: slow & steady wins the race:) LOL

I love to shop at the farmer's market and cook everything from scratch. I still have my days when I eat too many whole wheat biscuits or crackers though LOL

Rebekkah

the lowest I've been was abt 122 lbs in Oct 2008 after eating close to nothing thanks to being very sad...hubby was on his first (and hope last) business trip since we've been living together (7 yrs). We were apart for 1 month.

I was NEVER a small child , I was chubby all the time, although never obese. I was bordering healthy weight but wt both my legs in the overweight range. At some point, at 18, I went down to the healthy weight (but not as low as now) - thanks to the changes I mentioned - and stuck there for years b4 I started a desk job (at 22).

So I can easily say now I'm at my lowest ever and managing to actually hold it for more than cpl of weeks/days. So like you, I'm trying to get to a "realm" i've never been in before.

At least I know I've been at a healthy weight for the past 2 yrs and I'm darn proud abt it :)

~~~Cris

Cristina! I have a LOVE for multi-grain crackers! it's my 'comfort' food ;) Slow and Steady definitely wins the race, thank you for making me feel welcome to the group AND...

Rebekkah ;) THANK YOU too! You know I think I will start saying 'A-frame' now, I don't like the saying either really. congrats on seeing a new low! Have you ever heard of 'Body Set Point' theory? Here is an article I found that explains kind of what your asking. Basically your body changes it's 'body set weight point' after it has consistently been at a certain weight, we have the power to lower our body set weight point, or raise it according to our metabolic rates, activity, eating habits, psychological mind frame, basically 'our image of ourselves' I take it as, what we imagine ourselves to be or look like, no matter what we truly weigh, our body adjusts itself to that mental 'set point' weight.... I think Dr. Oz talks about it on Oprah a few times... you google it and find so many interesting articles on it. But your body is now adjusting to be at a lower weight and if you stay consistent, I remember Dr. Oz saying something to the extent of 'every 30 days your body adjusts itself to your body set point, and if you are losing then it lowers itself and if you are gaining it raises... take a look, tell me what you think :)  

http://www.weightlossforall.com/body-fat-set- point ;

I've read a lot abt the body set point...I have no idea what to believe. At one point I was at 128 lbs for several months (After that sad month) and then puff went up to 135 lbs and I really don't remember doing anything "bad" (looking back, I doubt that fruit juice cocktails at hubby's b-day did it...I don't even drink alcohol!)...that was in Jan this year..it took me until May/June to get back to 130-131 lbs. At least I've been at this week for a month already. So I'm starting to believe this theory...for now LOL I'm also trying to add weights again to my program :)

btw: that link isn't good... :(

Here's another one.

Thanks Rennai for the link.  I will have to check that out.  And, I have to say it made me feel better to know that even you fall off the wagon once and awhile.  I seem to do it more than most around here :)  Where in Oregon are you going?  Have fun!

Welcome Shapeshifter!  Probably just to echo everyone else...slow and steady here too.  I'm at 125 (5'6") put I have a 7 month old, and 125 isn't what it used to be!  So, I'm hoping to get down to 120 some day....hopefully before baby #2 is on the way.  I started around 140, and hovered aroun 128-130 forever!  I think it comes down to being consistent--good healthy diet, lots of exercise.  And it helps to keep your body guessing, although I'm very bad at that.  I almost exclusively run...and not much else. 

I'm actually at my lowest weight of my adult life--for the most part. When I was in high school and college my standard was 136.  Talk about set-point! I probably weighed 136-140 for close to 10 years.  I got serious about calorie-count in the summer of 2007 and got down to 125, only to find out I was pregnant....and then gained (uh-em) 42 pounds.  Thank God it's finally all gone!

no problem Greta and thanks :) It's nice when you ladies think I'm awesome haha. I've been bad lately. Oh and I'm going to be staying at some property my family owns out on the North Fork river, which is a town called Mehama just east of Salem, OR. It's about a 30 min drive from Salem so not bad at all.

Welcome Shapeshifter! I think I started somewhere around 148??? But at one point after dinner on a trip in Oregon we went to the Ripley's believe it or not museum and I got on the moon scale, it said 151!!! Crazy! I'm 5'9'' though so even then I had a 28" waist and wore a size 6.

Right now about 135, and my ideal is 130 give or take 5lbs. That's actually why 130 is my ideal, so that the 5lb fluctuations don't bother me :)

Went to Lowe's on lunch to buy a ceiling fan, it's FREAKING hot outside! 110 according to my car. UGH I hate June-September in Phoenix.