So ... who else woke up and said, "How did I let this happen?!"

Hi!  New guy, here (obviously).

I'm Asher: your typical young, dedicated software engineer who spends waaaaay to much time at work.  At the moment, I weigh around 194 lbs.  I'm 5' 9" with a very light build, so that's a lot of extra weight for me -- though I guess I carry it pretty well.  My goal is to get back down to 150.   I don't really have a time frame in mind, because I'm afraid I'll make it too narrow.

Historically, I've been more active than most -- I used to bike 30 miles a day religiously, and when I couldn't bike, I ran 5 miles or so daily; most of my free-time activities were outdoors (hiking, horseback riding); I was involved with martial arts.  I also had a pretty great diet -- I rarely ate out, only had sweets once or twice a month (in reasonable quantities), and I ate lots of fresh vegetables, salads, and so forth.

Almost four years back, I got a pretty serious lung infection that knocked me on my tail for about two months, after which I spent another six months working back up to 'normal' day-to-day function (I have pretty serious asthma and live in Louisville -- aka Asthmaville, LOL -- so it took a while to really recover).  By then, I was working really long hours.  I found it harder to fit exercise into my schedule, and much harder to cook real food -- so I started eating a lot more fast and processed foods.

Suffice it to say that, while I've had some weight fluctuations (which organize themselves around how much exercise I'm getting), I woke up one morning recently, looked at myself, and thought, "How did I let this happen?  Where's the svelte 145-lb athlete I was not that long ago?"  (This was shortly after I weighed in at 194 lbs at my doctors' office -- eek!)

Thus, I've decided to stop making excuses.  At the moment, I work sixty-plus hours a week -- but that doesn't mean I can't fit some exercise in and greatly improve my diet.  I just got new asthma controller meds, which should make exercising outdoors possible (since I don't seem to have the 'gym' gene), and I'm eagerly anticipating the arrival of a new bike within the week (my last one was stolen :( -- my fault; I was in a hurry and just locked it with a cable lock).

I've started tracking my daily food intake with the Food Log here, which I love.  I have doubts about my own ability to keep that up over the long run, but my hopes are high -- it's actually kind of fun, and great for someone like me who likes clear, visual feedback.  I love being able to look up the food I'm eating and really get a fairly concrete idea of my caloric intake.

Ultimately, I want to get into a field that will offer a slightly more normal schedule, so I can participate in martial arts and horsemanship again -- right now, I'm at work 12 hours a day most of the time, plus Saturday mornings, and most places are closed by the time I get home and change out of my work clothes. 

Until then, I plan to use my bike and my feet to get in as much exercise as I can.  I have one hour a day for lunch, so my plan is to take a good solid ride along the riverfront daily, as well as commuting via bike (this will total about 1.25 - 1.5 hours daily).

I'm glad I found this place, and I wish everyone here the best -- whether you're trying to lose, gain, or maintain, everyone here has a challenge worth meeting.

This is where I'm starting as well.  I'm certainly not overweight, but I used to be the 'model' of fitness.  6 days a week in the gym for 4 hours a day as a gymnast.  A back injury knocked me out and then college came, and then a 9-5 desk job came.  Once you get into the habit of not working out, its so hard to get back into it.  I am thankful that I am currently at a plateau, I have never been above 138.  But I feel out of shape.  And where I am now, I would not want to go to a highschool reunion... 

I didnt "wake up" until I was 256 pounds. I am 5 ft 4 inches, so yeah...

I am down 75 pounds since last April. I am doing it by eating better and walking. Yesterday I started a water excersize program. I really enjoyed it. I decided I will go 3 times a week for now, the days I have physical therapy as well. It doesn't take much for me to look at the calories in something and say OMG! WHAT WAS I THINKING?! I buy the packages of flavoring for my water, because I just can not hack plain water, they politely say 5 calories per serving. Cool, I can hang with that. Then I get them all home and realize there are 2 servings per individual packet. Ok, so 5 bottles of water is 50 calories, totally worth it. Then there is the 2 tbsp chili that I wanted on my hotdog last night (still not the best thing, I know) yeah, I ended up eating ONE chilidog instead of the two hotdogs i had planned. I felt really guilty afterwards though. My guilt is what drives me I guess. I have to make myself responsible for my actions. It wasnt anyone else's fault but my own for me to reach that size, and now, at 181, I am still not where I want to be (which is 150) but I have so far met everY SMALL GOAL I have set. Don't set a large goal, those are too daunting, the smaller goals are easier to achieve, and then when achieved, say ok, now, 5-10 more pounds, but set a number not just 5-10 if it is 7 then set 7, so you have a goal to reach.

I admire your determination, and I have a feeling you will do great  :) I subcounsiously started losing weight, and when I was down 20 pounds at the doctors office I was like WOW! :)

Good luck! And welcome! :)

Original Post by ladyduece:

Congrats everyone seems like we've all hit some major (even if they're small) milestones!  If this thread isn't a motivating thing I don't know what is =)

Thanks Asher, adding you as a friend as well.  The more of them you can find out there knowing what you're fighting for and why keeps things a lot more positive. 

I'm addicted to this site too.  It's keeping me off the couch back under the blankets today again so that's a good thing.  I slept entirely too much yesterday and I know when you're sick you need rest but I need to be up taking care of things.  I ran Monday, which was probably a mistake after feeling a little under on Friday and the weekend... woke up Tuesday really sick.  No exercise the past 2 days and I'm angry at that but I know it'll just be pointless and I'll get worse.  I'm worried that I lost more weight (4#) since Monday despite forcing myself to eat and keeping up with fluids.  Almost think I need to drink soda or something for empty calories since I can boost that a little.  I was under yesterday pretty badly on caloric intake but I forced what I did.

 

 

 Ever try Carnation instant breakfast (l50% less sugar kind)? With fat free milk (assuming you can tolerate milk) it's about 220 calories - that might help you feel a little better and get some nutrients in you too.  Also the famous old chicken noodle soup works wonders!  Sounds like it's going to have to work it's way through your system.   Hope you are feeling better soon!

Well, so far today I'm right on target for my goal amount of calories.  I find planning ahead works wonders!  I also found a low cal salty snack for my mid-afternoon slumps.....Act II microwave popcorn - about 30 calories. I've "budgeted" that in for today - and it's crunchy (my craving for chips covered) and salty.   A big improvement from the alternative in my desk drawer :)

Tonight's dinner menu (since I blew last night on that blasted Vietnamese!) 3 oz steak (first time I've had steak in a long long time) and some broccoli....and if I stick to the plan - there will be some calories left over for that no sugar added fudge pop calling out to me!

I'll update everyone tomorrow on total intake - goal is 1500 (slightly less would be counted a tremendous success for me).  AND - *drum roll*.....work out session begins tomorrow AM.  (a little divine intervention here)

I'm totally with you on that. Seems like it just hit me all the sudden, though I know the weight took time to gain. Apparently I didn't see it until I got this big. Grrrr.

Original Post by mellisaann:

This was home made Vietnamese yummies - it was the rice and the 2 (yeah I know) spring rolls (I think pork) that killed the deal....well, that and the ittsy bitsy chocolate mousse for dessert.  But really - my friend was kind enough to whip up this little treat for me I honestly couldn't hurt their feelings!  I measured out 2 tblsp of that and walked away - I really did walk away!  *Proud moment*

 Oh, wow -- you just described my great weakness.  I think the thing that's going to be hardest for me is learning to say, "Just a little, please," when people make tasty treats for me (and it seems that all my friends are the kind who show they care by feeding you -- I guess that's part of living in the quasi-South, LOL).

My roommie is also probably my best friend on earth.  It took me ages to be able to look him in the eye and say, "Um, when you make me dinner, could you maybe use a little less butter and make the portions a bit smaller?  I'm trying to get back in shape."  I have to rank that with the Hardest Things I Have Ever Done.  I would actually rate it as harder than biking 30 miles a day or sorting out a really messed-up 2 year old Thoroughbred.  I was totally afraid I'd hurt his feelings.

I look forward to being able to do what you did -- measure out 2 tbsp of a treat, or however much I can eat without overdoing it completely -- without feeling horrible about it.

I took the "What Kind of Eater" are you quiz, btw, and got 'Team Player.'  I totally agreed.

Wow ... I can't believe how many responses I've gotten!  Thanks, everyone!

I know for certain that this site is completely awesome.  I'll try to get caught up on my replies-to-replies at some point, LOL.  Things are a little hectic today, but I keep telling myself that if we power through the current pile of work, we'll be home free soon enough (not sure it's true, but I think if I didn't tell myself that, my head would explode!).

One thing I notice: so many of us seem to have been socked in the jaw by desk jobs!  A few weeks back, there was an article in the NY Times which indicated that some researchers think the ever-increasing American workweek has nothing to do with the ever-increasing American waistline, on the grounds that we're more health, diet, and exercise-consious than ever ... but it sounds like a lot of us here were getting a lot more exercise before we took on our sedentary jobs, and found ourselves getting little or none, even though we wanted to and knew we should.  It's that difference between knowing what you should do and actually figuring out how to implement it in your own life that I think they missed.

I wonder exactly how much more productive we'd be as a culture if more of our workplaces had gyms or exercise facilities (except the ones where you're on your feet, busting hump all day -- like nursing or meatpacking; they don't need gyms, they need hot tubs and massage rooms!).  Not that I'm someone who would be inclined to propose legislature for that kind of thing -- but it would be interesting to see what would happen if we evolved into a culture that regards fitness and good health (as opposed to just the absence of actual illness) as a positive force for workplace productivity *and* places a premium on it.

Thank you, all of you, for all your words of support and advice.  I've gleaned quite a few things that I'm going to try -- like oatmeal and apples for breakfast, bringing carrots and celery to snack on, and setting mini-goals (an important thing that I should learn -- like learning to pace yourself when you're running long-distance, which took me years).

Poring over the pages of this site, I've seen a lot of success stories.  It's really amazing -- the whole feeling of CalorieCount.com is so amazingly positive and almost super-charged.  I'm glad to see so many people reaching their goals and making real progress, and I think the sense of community and being 'in it together' has a lot to do with it.

I really feel confident that I'll make it to my goal -- and beyond, I hope, to being really fit and healthy.  It's like crowd-surfing, LOL: each person throws up a hand, and together, you can carry anyone up to the stage.

My doctor wont let me work atm, all I get to do is walk and i finally got him to agree to letting me go to the classes at the pool... he only agreed when I told them there was a class for people with arthritis and isnt as vigourous as he would think. So, he said he would let me know, and he found out I was telling him exactly what they told me and he approved that, I get to go again HOPEFULLY tomorrow. Although, my sister is in the hospital about 75 miles from here, I dont want to be too far from the phone if I am needed as I dont have a cell anymore.

I didnt eat much today, my nerves were sooo bad. I did snack a bit, but not on a meal type thing, and I was busy most of the afternoon, which isnt going to make my other doctor (my husband ;) haha ) happy at all. My real doctor put me on a 1500 calorie diabetic diet when I told him I want a plan I want gastric bypass. He said ok, 1500 calories a day, and it is going to be a diabetic diet... You have no idea how happy I was when I was younger I went to help my mom cook at the nursing home when she was already told she only had 6 months to a year to live, but she refused to stop working, so I started going in and she thought I was just going to hang up there with her, I jumped in and started doing things and together we made their breakfast and lunch and desserts. Mom put me on the diabetic desserts. She knew the cook in the evening only gave the diabetics fruit cocktail EVERYNIGHT for dessert, that way she didnt have to COOK them a dessert. So, I started making a few extras for the evening shift as well. I made diabetic pies, cobbler, cookies, cakes, etc that were completely sugarfree. That summer, mom called me into the livingroom after we got home. She gave me a letter that said something to the effect of : You have worked here all summer without pay. How about you come in on Friday evening and we will start paying you. I kinda became the diabetic bakery girl. Im so happy I done that now. Cause I have a sweet tooth, but I can definately clear that up if I eat one or two bites of a diabetic dessert. So, I know tonight my son asked if I would bake a cake, I told him  I would do it tomorrow as it was already too late to start it for him to have any tonight anyways.

Today and yesterday were downers for me, and I used to go straight to the fridge, now... I tend to stay busy which is killing the muscles in my back they are trying to treat.... ugh, when it rains it pours! But, I have to agree with you Kokorozashi, when you have a group like this... you realize the things you need to stay on track with. Even when I fail, I will admit it and I admit I didnt come CLOSE to my calorie intake as I should have today.

Hope everyone has a good day tomorrow and a great night tonight!

you are definately not the only one who has felt this way.  5 years ago I was the lightest I've ever been, running at least a mile a day, and swimming several miles per day.  I broke both my legs in basic training, and spent 6 months hobbling to an from physical therapy.  After that I couldn't run anymore, couldn't even walk except for nessecity.  It took a year of Physical therapy to recover to work a regular job.  Add to that having two kids, and the weight compounds from there.  After seeing the christmas pics this year, it had to change.  This site is wonder full but you mentioned visable results.  I take measurements once a week and record it in a journal that I bought.  I also do an official wiegh in at that time.  There is another site http://www.my-calorie-counter.com/ that has charts and stuff to tell you how your improving with your measurements.  I log my food in both sites because I love CCs support forums, and recipe calculator, but I like the charts and measurement tracker on  MCC.   It gives you a visual look at your goal.  It has an activity calculator too.  Also,  I'm not a gym person either, but in the winter in Chicago its kind of a nesscity.  We have alot of 24 hour gyms here, I wonder if you have them by you too!  Good luck with your goal!

Like you, I was the model of fitness and proper diet habits. I lived in the country and so ran an hour everyday and walked everywhere. Then I moved into the city and took a desk job. It wasn't so bad in the beginning;  I ran 20 minutes daily and attended dance classes 4 times a week. I gained a few pounds, lost them when I wanted and life was grand.

Then my office moved to a new address. Suddenly I had no time to work out in the morning, no time to prepare my own meals, started working longer hours and I'd get home too tired to do anything else but pass out on my bed. I gained 33 pounds in one year and another 6 pounds in the second.

I started dieting 2 months ago and I've lost only 0.6pounds. I understand now that sitting at my desk all day has not helped. My body just stores what fat it can get out of my meals and thanks the food log, I have found that eating mostly fruits doesn't mean you can't pack on the calories.

So this year, I will get up earlier and squeeze in a 20min workout. I got Jillian Michael's 30 day Shred DVD, it is hard but my aching muscles tell me I'm on my way back to my old svelte body. I also plan to hit the gym 3 times a week at the end of my work day.

I know its going to be hard but its nice to know I can draw encouragement and inspiration from other people who share my weight loss goals.

Hi everybody -

Ok, yesterday's intake was roughly 1300 calories - that's 200 calories LESS than my goal of 1500 - which I was excited about.  However, I found that after my little snack (that popcorn) and before dinner I was starving - I hate the feeling of being hungry.....but I kept chugging the water until dinner and stuck to my 3 oz steak and broccoli - oh and by the way - that fudge pop was well worth the wait! Will have to increase protein at lunch to hold me til dinner I think.

When I went to my account settings to update info - I did that 'advice' part - where you put in your weight goal and time frame - I redid that and much to my surprise they suggested I eat 1400 calories. So - with that in mind I decided for the next few months - or until I reach my goal of 20 lb loss- I'll stick to 1200 calories. After that I will maintain what is considered reasonable. Once I get into working out - I should reach my goal.  (End of March)

This morning I found ways (thanks to the recipe browser on this site!!) to shave off a few calories that I was eating in the morning.  So this morning I've logged 250 calories for breakfast! Awesome!

I did not work out this morning as planned - man, life does have a way of slipping in on my well laid out plans!  So, without dwelling in that failure I am going to start on Saturday morning and since I'm off Monday (MLK Holiday) I will get up as I do everyday and begin working that into my routine.  I didn't step on the scale either - I will do my private 'weigh in' every week just to make sure I'm on track.  For a woman - that scale fluctuates on a daily basis and my emotions just can't take it...lol.

How exciting it is to begin to take control of the few things we actually DO have control over!

*coffee cup in hand* - Here's to you fellow weight loss enthusiasts - WE can do it!  (Ok, maybe I've had 1 to many cups already)

Original Post by mellisaann:

 Ever try Carnation instant breakfast (l50% less sugar kind)? With fat free milk (assuming you can tolerate milk) it's about 220 calories - that might help you feel a little better and get some nutrients in you too

Actually I hadn't tried it in some years.  Putting it side by side with my protein shake (looked at the 1 packet chocolate no sugar added here) I'm leaning to sticking where I am because I'm watching carbs and sugar and basically get my fat from my shakes.  I mix with water on those, not sure if you can on the carnation since it's really been so long. 

If I 1 scoop like normal my shake sits up at (it's mixed with water):150 calories,

55 from fat.  6g total fat, 3g saturated.  7.5mg cholesterol.  8g total carbs, 2.5g soluble fiber, 2.5g dietary fiber.  Sugars 2g.  Protein 16g.  Sodium 120mg,  not listing the rest of vitamins/minerals etc.

The carnation (going to factor skim milk):

Calories 156, 9 from fat.  0.9 total fat, 0.3 saturated fat.  10mg cholesterol.  23.9 total carbs, 1g dietary fiber.  sugars 19.5g.  protein 12.4g.  sodium 197mg.

Going to pick some up and if I'm low on carbs and don't think I can eat anything else I'll have one of those instead =)  I like alternatives and drinking calories is so much easier when you're not hungry.  I turn into a serious grouch when I let my carbs get too out of whack but I really watch them since I'd eat a whole loaf of fresh baked wheat bread if I let myself.  I don't do sodas or juices (oj when I'm sick) and other then water I'll drink crystal light or this community brand diet tea that's really good.  Both have splenda and the tea is 0 cal 20mg sodium... the crystal light is 5cal a serving and 0 sodium so I think both are pretty guiltless.  I get lectured on splenda all the time but honestly I think with anything else in moderation you're fine.

Original Post by ladyduece:

Original Post by mellisaann:

 Ever try Carnation instant breakfast (l50% less sugar kind)? With fat free milk (assuming you can tolerate milk) it's about 220 calories - that might help you feel a little better and get some nutrients in you too

Actually I hadn't tried it in some years.  Putting it side by side with my protein shake (looked at the 1 packet chocolate no sugar added here) I'm leaning to sticking where I am because I'm watching carbs and sugar and basically get my fat from my shakes.  I mix with water on those, not sure if you can on the carnation since it's really been so long. 

If I 1 scoop like normal my shake sits up at (it's mixed with water):150 calories,

55 from fat.  6g total fat, 3g saturated.  7.5mg cholesterol.  8g total carbs, 2.5g soluble fiber, 2.5g dietary fiber.  Sugars 2g.  Protein 16g.  Sodium 120mg,  not listing the rest of vitamins/minerals etc.

The carnation (going to factor skim milk):

Calories 156, 9 from fat.  0.9 total fat, 0.3 saturated fat.  10mg cholesterol.  23.9 total carbs, 1g dietary fiber.  sugars 19.5g.  protein 12.4g.  sodium 197mg.

Going to pick some up and if I'm low on carbs and don't think I can eat anything else I'll have one of those instead =)  I like alternatives and drinking calories is so much easier when you're not hungry.  I turn into a serious grouch when I let my carbs get too out of whack but I really watch them since I'd eat a whole loaf of fresh baked wheat bread if I let myself.  I don't do sodas or juices (oj when I'm sick) and other then water I'll drink crystal light or this community brand diet tea that's really good.  Both have splenda and the tea is 0 cal 20mg sodium... the crystal light is 5cal a serving and 0 sodium so I think both are pretty guiltless.  I get lectured on splenda all the time but honestly I think with anything else in moderation you're fine.

 

 

 I like the carnation with skim milk - it's a favorite of mine, but I didn't realize it had so many carbs in it.  That's good to know.

Occasionally I'll drink Whey Protein mixed with skim milk also - that isn't so bad. Or I'll sprinkle a little on Oatmeal.

Hope you're feeling better.

Hi

I hear you on the can't believe how many calories etc are in things.  I was eating cauliflower and was thinking I was doing sooo great then I looked it is full of sugar.  My breakfast used to be a piece of cinnamon swirl toast with pb and a banana I put that in and was kind of surprised at how many calories that really was.

My problem was I had my son at 18 and bounced right back to my size 5s, then had my older daughter 10 yrs later so not in a size 5, then had another daughter 3.5 yrs later (unexpected).  Started to lose the weight being a SAHM put on me then fell and broke my leg in 2005, shattered both the bones in my lower leg and had to have surgery.  COuldn't walk for 14 weeks.  Now I have been babying that leg and need to get back into shape.

My husbands forends wife started a weight lose group and I joined it, when I got on that scale and weighed more than I did giving birth it was a big reality check.  I found this site a few days later, and have been putting in my foods.  I like that it is making me more accoutnable for my actions.

I need to get back to the gym but have younger dd out with viral pneumonia this week and dh in another state, so have to do it next week.  But my dh is behind me and is happy I am going back to the gym because I want to.  WE are making it a couples thing, we can't go together because of schedules but we are trying to get healthy together and I am finally doing something about it instead of complaining about it.

I need all the support I can get because I am not a diet person, I am better with portion control and have to get back into being active again.

Mary H

jfdhmom wrote:

"My breakfast used to be a piece of cinnamon swirl toast with pb and a banana I put that in and was kind of surprised at how many calories that really was."

OMG, this is becoming a theme!  I was eating PB and J regularly at work ... I ran PB through the Calorie Count database, and nearly died of shock.

I mean, I knew it wasn't exactly, like, "Lite" food, or whatever ... but OMG!!!!

It sounds like you've got a lot on your hands right now, but I hope you'll have success when you finally do get to the gym.  Myself, I have trouble with gyms, but I don't like to drive, so I bike everywhere when I can.  That's my exercise plan, LOL.

I hear you about not being a diet person.  I'm not 'dieting' so much as trying to eat more mindfully and get more exercise ... exercise always winds up being my key.

I wish you success in your weight-loss journey ... feel free to friend me if you like.   I definitely believe in the power of the social network!

Today and yesterday were downers for me, and I used to go straight to the fridge, now... I tend to stay busy which is killing the muscles in my back they are trying to treat.... ugh, when it rains it pours! But, I have to agree with you Kokorozashi, when you have a group like this... you realize the things you need to stay on track with. Even when I fail, I will admit it and I admit I didnt come CLOSE to my calorie intake as I should have today.

 Yeah -- it really surprises me how much this group of people I've never met in the future really affects how I behave.  Amazing!

Last night I really wanted to order pizza.  I just didn't feel like cooking ... but then I thought, you know, if I order a whole pizza, I'm going to eat half of it, and I'm going to have to post that and be all embarrassed.  LOL!  So instead I had a tiny single-serving pizza and two chicken wings.

It's awesome that you already learned how to cook diabetic desserts.  It's probably a great survival tool for anyone who's trying to get or stay fit, really -- that way, you can go to pot-luck dinners, and offer to bring dessert, and know that if you're tempted to eat dessert, there will be one on hand that's at least not a huge blow to your blood sugar (which can definitely affect weight-loss efforts).

I hear you about gyms in Chicago in winter.  The three years I lived in Syracuse, my winter exercise was crawling the mall with my friends (we had some serious malls, and could put in five or ten miles no sweat), dancing (which I generally did at least three nights a week, for four or five hours at a stretch), and sledding (walking back up the hills!!!).  I hadn't really discovered the 'gym' concept at the time, but if I had, maybe I would've used one :D

Original Post by catant:

Then my office moved to a new address. Suddenly I had no time to work out in the morning, no time to prepare my own meals, started working longer hours and I'd get home too tired to do anything else but pass out on my bed. I gained 33 pounds in one year and another 6 pounds in the second.

I started dieting 2 months ago and I've lost only 0.6pounds. I understand now that sitting at my desk all day has not helped. My body just stores what fat it can get out of my meals and thanks the food log, I have found that eating mostly fruits doesn't mean you can't pack on the calories.

 It really amazes me what our work lives do to the rest of our lives.  Americans get less time off than just about anyone else in the developed world, but we're really not any more productive, for all the extra hours we spend at work -- and the live-to-work lifestyle tends to drop a bomb on everything else.  It's really hard to stay fit when you're at work pretty much from the minute you wake up until the minute you crawl back into bed.

You're not kidding about eating mostly fruits, either!  It amazes me where the calories hide (and how they multiply).

It sounds like you've got a good plan for getting back and track, though, and I think CC will help.  It's certainly helping me.  I'm pretty sure my pants are already starting to feel looser ... though that could just be my muscles starting to tone up again.  We'll see.  I feel better, no doubt, now that I'm paying a little more attention to what I'm using to fuel my body.

Good luck with your gitness efforts!

Original Post by guidoson:

Hi Asher

I'm a newbie here too, so it's nice to see all the comments on here and see stories that I can relate to.  I've also been shocked at how many calories are in certain foods, pasta shocked me the most.  My husband is Italian and he's a chef, we have pasta ALL the time!  My other problem, I'm a pastry chef, and with my husband we own and operate a bakery/cafe.  It's like torture on a daily basis!  As I'm self-employed, I too work anywhere from 70-90 hours a week, so fitting in excercise is VERY difficult.  And to make it even worse, my FAVOURITE cuisine is Vietnamese, especially those spring rolls, and a new Vietnamese restaurant opened up across the street from my bakery last week!  I look out my window at it every day.  Ugh....

My weight has fluctuated over the past few years, from 215 lbs back in 2001, down to 165 lbs in 2003 which for me is an ideal weight, then gradually back up to 215.  I'm at 210 now, so I have a long way to go.  I quit smoking last May and put about 20 lbs on after that.  Giving up the smoking was a huge step in the right direction, I had smoked for 20 years.  I knew I'd gain some weight with it so I'm not beating myself up over that, but my first short term goal is to drop that 20 lbs.  Long term, I want to get back to 165.

...

 Guidoson ... wow, it sounds like you've really got a challenge laid out for you.  OTOH, it sounds like you're someone who knows how to handle challenge -- a pastry chef, board member for a non-profit, parent of two teenagers!  I wish you luck, too -- it sounds like you've received the same wake-up call as so many of us here.

I love Vietnamese, too ... I think I would have trouble if I worked right across from a Vietnamese restaurant (and I *know* I would have trouble if I were in any way, shape, or form involved in the daily operation of a bakery/cafe -- I am weak against bread products).  However, it sounds like if anyone can do it, you're the one!

Keep us posted on your journey.

Original Post by elmr28:

I'm totally with you on that. Seems like it just hit me all the sudden, though I know the weight took time to gain. Apparently I didn't see it until I got this big. Grrrr.

 If this is a redundant reply, please forgive me.  I had no idea this post would generate so many replies!  :D

I hear that, loud and clear.  It's weird how you can labor under a delusion of relative slimness (oh, maybe my pants don't fit so well, but I look fine) for so long, and then, boom, one thing just blows the whole thing away.

I, too, wish I'd seen it sooner!

Original Post by bumpy515:

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Does this change of diet take effort? yes. Does it make you tense and pissed off? Yes - at first. I find that if you stay strict to this results will happen. Patience is also the key. I have lost nearly 17 pounds since I started this and I have about 10-15 to go. I think habitual snaking becomes so routine that we almost forget we are doing it. Try to refocus your thoughts on when you are going to eat/drink ANYTHING are you helping your body to be better or hurting? A constant awareness to what goes in at all times (not obsession - just awareness) will help this - I find.

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 Shawn,

You're not kidding about snacking becoming routine ... I think a lot of what's led to my weight gain is the tendency to eat at my desk.  I've noticed that the less I exercise, the more fidgety and hyperactive I become ... and mindless snacking is one of the readiest ways of dealing with that fidgety, hyperactive feeling.

Now, instead, I just fidget (and drink tea).  I find that, since I've stopped snacking at my desk, I'm much more likey to get up every now and then, stretch, and walk around the office a bit.  (I'm also more likely to be the guy doing contortions at the conference table, but I guess there's a tradeoff for everything, and it's probably amusing for everyone else).

I heard this great story in one of the Ted Talks they posted on youtube about a lady who took her daughter to a psychiatrist bceause the daughter had trouble keeping still and concentrating in class.  The psychiatrist ran a few tests, interviewed the daughter, then asked her to wait in his office while he spoke to her mother out in the hall.

In the hall, he said, "Ma'am ... your daughter isn't sick.  She's a dancer."

Shortly thereafter, the woman took her daughter to interview at a well-known ballet school.  After the initial interview, her daughter took her aside and said, "Mom ... all these people are just like me!"

The daughter grew up to be a professional ballet dancer.

What I'm left wondering is ... how many of us who are grazing ourselves to death are doing not because we're sick (compulsive eaters), but because we're dancers?

Original Post by kokorozashi:

Last night I really wanted to order pizza.  I just didn't feel like cooking ... but then I thought, you know, if I order a whole pizza, I'm going to eat half of it, and I'm going to have to post that and be all embarrassed.  LOL!  So instead I had a tiny single-serving pizza and two chicken wings.

 

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This is great! See, my big thing is, I would have ate the whole thing or had the leftovers for breakfast. I have to admit the past week has been hell on me. I have been in severe pain, and well, to be honest I have gotten pretty depressed and have yet again turned to food for comfort. I wont even say what I ate, not because I am embarrassed (although very ashamed of myself) but because it seems to tempt others, and I don't want to do that. I have gained a few pounds this week back. I was up to 80 pounds lost, now back to about 75 pounds. My family says "That's ok, you will lose it again!" I say "It isnt acceptable for me to turn to food again when I have strived so hard NOT to do so. Six months of working on my eating habits and a few days of binging, that is NOT alright, and to be honest, it also isnt ALRIGHT for you to tell me it is. You are my support group, you are supposed to hold me accountable for when I screw up."

I am proud of you for not ordering that pizza! That is willpower! Tomorrow, I have promised myself that no matter what is in the fridge, I am going back to MY WAY of eating... the RIGHT way. Oatmeal and yogurt sound pretty good for breakfast :)

 

Hope yall have a good one!

Michelle