Fresh Start Week 3 (Group Closed)

Week 3!  I am really excited about this week for one big reason, I have read multiple times that it takes 3 weeks to form a new habit, including focusing on your health!

 To refresh everyone on the weekly goals…

Food:

Week 1 – Tracking and recording all food – stay within your “eat meter” number.

Week 2 – WATER, WATER, WATER!

Exercise:

Week 1 – Do something, anything at least 3 times this week

Week 2 – Add one more workout into your schedule (one more day or the equivalent in time)

Mental:

Week 1 – List the top 5 reasons you really want to do this

Week 2 – List 3-5 reasons how you got here

This week’s goals

Food:

Add in some fruits and or veggies, try for 5 per day.  If you are currently eating 0 then try for 3 but if you are already eating a couple go for the top goal and eat 5 serving per day.  Keep in mind this is actually not as hard as people think it is.  Our idea of a “serving” size is so off this seems like a ton of food but a serving size is only ½ a cup for non-leafy food and 1 cup of leafy food.  I would suggest that if anyone has tricks for getting their 5 in you share them with the group!   

Exercise:

Staying consistent with this week’s theme (3 weeks to health habits) let’s just work on maintaining our exercise goals this week.  4 work-outs or the equivalent.  This goal maybe not that exciting but for those of us struggling to get these work-outs in this gives us one more work to get it right and maintaining is going to be a huge part of what will keep you at a healthy weight, so let’s practice that now!

Mental:

Let’s lighten it up this week…take a look back at some old photos or choose a piece of clothing that you would love to wear again or hang out your swimsuit, tape a picture to your bathroom mirror or hang the item of clothing on the back of your door so that you see it every morning in hopes this will focus you each day!  (this goal is inspired by Erin, thanks Erin! J). 

I hope week 2 has produced lower numbers for all of us….GOOD LUCK WITH WEEK 3!

Please post this week’s loss and your total loss…and keep working hard we will have to post our measurements in just two more weeks!

ONE MORE THING...NEW "RULE", please post at least 3 times a week...it would be nice for everyone to post daily if possible (I have been guilty of not posting daily so I am not pointing fingers).  This "rule" is based on comments in last week's forums that made me think...posting daily is not only about getting to know each other and supporting each other but really it is about keeping up with yourself and being accountable!  Had I read some of the other post through-out the week I would have felt motivated.  Also, if I had posted through-out the week I would have been forced to realize I was not reaching the group goals and I would have worked harder!  I know time is pressed for all of us but if you are logging your food each day you will already be on the site...also your post does not have to be long, it can be one sentence, something your did well that day, a plan you have for later, etc.  Please make the time to post...if you do not have the time to post daily, please take the time to post as often as possible (and read other's posts as well).     

Hi, all!  To clairify, last week I didn't mean that I post in the forum everyday--I meant that I log in to post my calories everyday.  I think that's one of the things that's working for me, allowing my slightly OC personality to obsess on the number of calories, instead of the food.  sorta.  But I do check in here and read about how everyone else is doing.  Whether I post to our thread depends on time and whether I have anything to add.  I don't have children to care for like some of you so I know my time is usually, probably, more flexible.  I didn't mean to be the monitor!  :) I do think if one of the things we are trying to accomplish is accountability we have to check in, because (except for Liz & Shanny) we can't knock on each others doors or pick up the phone!!  It would be easy to avoid the group.

Speaking of accountability, I ate at professional functions for lunch on Fri and Sat and didn't log my calories because i knew I had gone over my limit and the difficulty of breaking down and analyzing foods I didn't buy or cook.  Finally logged in today and plugged them in to the best of my ability and I was over both days, but not nearly the damage I was afraid of.  Friday was actually somewhat nutritious when I look at the whole day instead of focusing on the half portion of dessert and taste of artichoke dip!

Liz---When I read one of your reasons ("I have gotten lazy.  Working out does not come as easy to me as it used to not to mention the weight is MUCH harder to lose…which leads me to giving up.") I wanted to add what I have noticed, that working out is harder because of the extra weight we are carrying around!  I'm out of breath quicker and have to watch the joints even more.

Jella-Your beach walks sound awesome!!  I like that you are adding on to them to get additional benefits.

Looking forward to the week and a second chance to get my 4 workouts in!!

Hi all,

I am so sorry I have not been on all last week.  I have been busy busy busy.  I still need to go read everyone else' posts from the first week!  Hopefully I will have everything done in a couple of days.  I will get at least 3 posts in this week and also hopefully be able to read and respond to previous posts.

I weighed in this morning (well, yesterday morning, its Tuesday, 1:30am right now and I finally got a chance to get online):

Starting weight:    243 lbs   

10% Goal:   24.3 lbs

Today's weight 239.5    

 Total lost so far: 3.5 lbs

 I only had a .5lbs loss this week... I think I might be plateauing... we will see next week.  I have stayed in my calories range and I worked out 5 days so I am still on track.

  I will be in Japan for next week's weigh-in and I leave Friday at 12.10am so I will workout everyday and Thursday will be my last workout for this week.

 I am NOT looking forward to all the comments from my family over there about how fat I got!!  The last time they saw me I was 195lbs and that was 5 years ago and they were telling me how big I got back then!!  They don't know that my highest weight got all the way up to 263lbs!! 

 I also had to go clothes shopping since I am not going to be wearing what the locals here in UAE wear (the black abaya--or the black "cape" thingy the Muslim women wear in the Arabian Gulf area).   It is very nice to be able to hide behind the abaya!  Its like I felt so good losing the weight I have lost so far but as soon as I have to try on "normal" clothes I can really see that I am still as big as a house and my stomach is just HUGE.  Most of the shirts I tried on were loose but would still cling a bit to my stomach.    I did manage to find a few things that draped away from it, but ugggghhhh   I just hate clothes shopping right now!!

 But I need to make these feelings turn to more motivation or I could just so very easily turn to food...which would only temporarily make me think I am feeling better when in reality I will feel much worse.

 Ok everyone, enough about me for now... I will try to get online later to read previous posts!! 

TJ

My weight this morning was 205, so down another 2 pounds. I didn't exercise at all last week and I don't think I will be able to this week. Lucky for me I don't sit behind a desk all day, I take care of a house and 2 kids so at least I keep busy during the day. I am starting to feel a little bit better and I really hope to be a 100% by next Wednesday for the start of my vacation. I did log all my food, even Thursday when I went a little overboard. I made up for it by eating 1300 cals. instead of 1400, the rest of the week. I drink 2 liters of water every day and about 1.5 liters of tea (I think I get a lot of exercise just walking to and from the bathroom) I read on a forum here, that green tea is good for the elasticity of the skin so I am trying that.

2babeCan't speak for anyone but myself, but I was happy you brought up the lack of posts. I feel we are in this group to help each other and in order to do that we need to stay in touch. I would have posted more but was worried it would seem like I was monopolizing the thread.

Desert I am sorry the scale didn't go down more but muscle is heavier than fat, so maybe you have been building muscle with all your workouts. I am sure you are getting healthier and fitter and that is really what we are all trying to do. I can imagine that it is difficult to see your family after 5 years and perhaps hear their unkind comments. I honestly believe that true beauty lies within a person and can't be seen on the outside. That said, just remember that you are working hard to be healthier and happier.

Okay so time to face myself and you all...I did not lose this week :(  BUT I know what I did...1) I have this habit of allowing myself extra treats during the week when I have started working out...something in my crazy mind justifies the extra calories because I have burned some, please know this is not conscious...it just happens and then I realize at weigh-in what I have done!  SO this week I am going to focus REALLY HARD on tracking...there were a couple of days last week where I did not track and well I am sure that is where things went wrong and 2) I eat pretty salty food last night for dinner - for me that is a no-no the night before a weigh-in.

Am I the only one effected so easily by salt?  I know we all are to a certain point, but if I eat a lot of salt my blood pressure immediately goes up and my face feels hot until I drink enough water to flush my system.  Now if that is not your body talking to you not sure what is! 

Anyway, I am off to a rockin start this week.  I had a friend who is a personal trainer (and gets up early every morning) call me this morning to make sure I was up and at them and I actually was up and dressing in my work-out clothes before he called.  I walked on the treadmill and did some stuff with the exercise ball...and I have already gotten in one of my bottles of water, even before work!  I am not a morning person but saving my work-outs for the evening is not working for me so I am going to MAKE myself into a morning person...so that I can MAKE myself into a healthy, thinner person!

 2b - I understand now what you meant but I still think (and agree with the others) more posts would help us all.  I am a single mom but I have to make time for myself (not doing that is how I got here and I will stay here if I do not make changes).  I picked 3 posts a week because I thought it was doable...I hope it is for everyone else too.  Good for you posting your calories everyday, that is great focus!  I really have to focus on that this week!  Isn't it funny how some foods we think are going to be terrible are not so bad and then other things you think it can't be that bad (or even are "healthy") and then you are like WOW at the calorie content.  As for my reason - you know the funny thing is that I think I feel frustrated because I feel like I have been trying FOREVER (at least for the last 2 years) to lose this weight...but if I am honest with myself I have not been doing ALL that I can...I try and then stop...I am not consistent.  And I am SO blessed b/c my joints are no problem it just me wanting instant gratification (and being lazy) :)

DB - Congrats on the .5!  And good luck with you trip and family!  I know how hard it is to not have a supportive family (in other ways but still non-supportive) and I feel your pain.  You know best how to handle your family but maybe you could tell them you are an emotional eater and that their comments drive you to food and to please keep their comments to themselves!  Either way, keep your head up and stay on track and log on (if you can) for support if you need it and know that if you do that your next visit you will be in a better (thinner) place! :)   

DG - WOW, good for you!  Down 2 pounds, that is awesome and getting in water, water, water!  I hope you feel better sooner rather than later.

Good luck to all this week! 

Yeah!  I can actually post!  Last few times I tried posting some strange advertisement was showing up in my typing window and I couldn't type!  Strange!  I'm just going to type a little right now, and I'll be back later.  I step on the scale...it's what I was expecting...I'm up on my weight.   213.2.  I know it's because of the emotional eating I've been doing the past couple of days.  I tried not to...but it happened.  My in-laws have that effect on me.  My husband's grandma was holding my baby and was making comments that he looked hungry.  I told her that he always looks hungry and that the boy likes to eat.  The response I get?  "I've always said that the child will eat like the mother."  Thanks a lot.  Then I go to a bridal shower...had a blast, but soon as I looked at the pictures afterwards, I started crying.  I told my husband that I look like the fat friend!  I don't know why I was so emotional this weekend.  I wish I could blame it on pregnancy hormones still!!  LOL  Well...I have to head to the doctor.  I'll talk to you guys later.

Hi. I just got to work after a busy weekend so I haven't had a chance to catch up on everyone yet, but this morning I weighed in at 171.6, so I'm down .4 pounds from last week! It's not much, but its something, especially after a weekend of bbqs!

I skimmed the goals, will read them in more detail later, but I did make sure to bring a baggy of grapes with me to work this morning, so that's my first fruit of the day :)

hi everyone =)  I worked SO hard last week and my scale now reads 192.8!!!  That means that in 3 weeks, I have lost 6.2lbs... woo hoo!!!

Here's a pretty good idea for ya'll- I made turkey burger burritos last night... yum.  I used low sodium taco seasoning, low carb tortillas and fat free cheese.  I got to eat 3 (regular size) burritos and stay under 400 cals!!!  Perfect dinner idea if you're a mexi lover like me =)

Also, stolen from tmck99, mix a tbsp of peanut butter and a dab of honey into a low fat yogurt (plain flavor) and use it as a dip for some pretzels.  Great snack idea!!

Have a good week everyone!!!

Starting weight:  199

Week 3 weight:  192.8

Good job on all the weight loss everyone!  I'm going to try to stay much more focused this week.  I was already starting to stray from my healthy eating and exercise.  No good excuses for it this week.  I'm trying to drink as much water as I was for awhile plus add in some green tea.  Once I'm done posting, I'm going to sit down and plan my meals for the week.  I think that was another issue with last week.  I went back to work for the first time since my maternity leave and I had all the temptations in front of me!  They were even giving out free ice cream (how heartless!!! LOL).  

I just got back from playing tennis with the hubby for an hour and a half and I'm feeling pretty good!  I want to start running again, though.  It's been difficult with my 12-hour shifts, but this is the last week of those!!!  I start a new job next week work 8-hour shifts and the job is only 10 minutes away compared to 1 hour and 10 minutes.  I think the time that I would normally spend driving, I'm going to use as time to exercise.

I'm going to have to dig for the outfit I want to hang up as a reminder...I hid them all in my garage.  I think I know exactly what I want to hang!  Cute little dress I wore at a friend's wedding a little over 4 years ago!  I'd love to wear again!  It's even strapless...so I need to start working on my jelly arms!

Ginger- I love the food suggestions!  They sound yummy.  We are big Mexican eaters in my house, so I'm going to try to sneak that one in on my husband.  I love turkey burger!  Good job on the 6.2 lbs too!!

Dutch- that's nice to hear that green tea is also good for the skin...makes me want some even more!  Nice weight loss!  How old are your kids?

TJ- You've come a long way from 263!  Hopefully your family will understand how much you are working on getting healthy.  Have fun in Japan though...sounds amazing!

2babetterb-I agree that it's a good idea to check in more often.  I feel if I do have some people looking out for me (and who I'm being honest with about my weight and eating), I'm going to do what's best for myself.

I hope everyone is having as beautiful weather as we are having here though.

OMG! I bought a skirt about 10 years ago at the end of summer, wore it twice or so, by next summer it didn't fit anymore as I had gotten fatter. I have packed up and moved that skirt with me all over the world and every time I saw it I said to myself, I really want to loose weight and fit into this skirt again. So as suggested by Liz I dug up the skirt to hang in the kitchen, but I decided to try it on first. IT FITS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It really fits, I just can not believe it. It even gave me the courage to get over my camara fear and I have uploaded a pic. of me in the brown skirt . I can't really see that I have lost weight, I know the scale tells me and that makes me happy but I don't see it (yet).  Oh and Rach, check out my incredible jelly arms. I hate them the most. I don't know if I will leave the pic. up for long as it shows way too much arm but for now I just wanted to share. I have some cute t-shirts I got as a present that have never fit so I will hang those in the kitchen as my new goal.

Dutch- You look great in the skirt!!  Yea for fitting into old clothes!!

Just reading the first few posts reminded me to get up and get a glass of water to drink while I read and type!

I was down to 201 this morning, another 3 lbs on my way to our first goal, and within breathing distance of breaking back into the 100's!  Woohoo!!

Dutch-Yay on the 2 lbs and getting into the skirt!!  Isn't that the best feeling?  Glad you are feeling better.  You're going to London for vacation, right?

TJ-Good job on the exercising!  I wish I were that disciplined.  Good luck with the visit.  If they say you've gotten big, tell them they've gotten rude!  Or in a really sweet voice, that you have in fact noticed it and are working on it, but it doesn't go away over night and their comments don't exactly speed the process along, so they are welcome to keep their comments to themselves!

Liz-You DO get a treat when you workout---those toned muscles and missing fat when you look in the mirror!!  The best treat of all!  I admire you for the morning workout.  I, too, am NOT a morning person.  I desparately wish it were so.  I have been thinking about my evening schedule difficulties and how I'm not getting in the workouts I need and how I wish I could do it in the morning.  My first goal in that department is to get to sleep earlier, consistently.  I agree that you do have to make time for yourself, and ultimately it makes you a happier, healthier, better mom.  I respect the difficulty of making it happen, though.

Ginger-the burritos sound yummy!  I love Mexican, too!  I'm having fajitas without the tortillas at least once a week now.

Rach-Yikes!!  Mean grandma-in-law and the end of maternity leave all in one week?!  That's awful!  But no straying allowed!!  It sounds like you have some good plans in place for moving forward.  My inspiration clothing is a dress from my friend's wedding, too, only they just celebrated their 10 yr anniversary!  I've got a picture of myself in it with my tanned body and toned arms.   (Cue the background music---If I could turn back time. . . :) )  And beautiful weather?  Are you kidding?  I forgot where you are, but I'm in the south and it's 100+ degrees and too humid to breathe outside!!

Have a good week everybody!!

G'day all!  195 this morning... for those keeping track that's exactly where I started in week one!  This is how it works with me, I seem to plateau for weeks then suddenly lose a chunk at once and straight back to a plateau... painful, but the good news is that it is a downward trend and when you look long term over the last 7 months - I've lost 25lb all up, which is between 3 and four pound a month. Slow and steady wins the race ( but gosh, I'd love to feel the thrilling rush of losing 2lb every week!!!) 

I realised that I hadn't shared my reasons for getting where I am with you all so quickly here 'tis...

1. I'm bone lazy.  I love sitting.  I love computers.  I love TV. I have never, ever liked getting hot and sweaty.  Finding the motivation to exercise is a real challenge as it is so alien.
2. I love food!  Sugar... breads... fats... all taste so good.  One of my biggest problems has always been portion control (yep, eating till stuffed) and also saying NO to myself.  There are some foods that I was saying YES to everyday, knowing academically that they should only be for rare treats.
3. Excuses, excuses... I am a beaut excuse maker.  I inherited big bones, I'm exhausted, I made a poor contraceptive choice and that's why I gained all the weight, my job is too sedentary, my liver was damaged by a virus and so I digest fat poorly.  No, no, no. No excuses.  No condition is to blame, nor is my job or medications.  I got fat cos I was lazy and ate too much.
4. I was willing to ignore it.  I knew I was getting bigger, clothes sizes were going up but I chose to hide under shapeless outfits so that nobody could see... (corse they all saw!!!)  I went for over 4 years without stepping on a scale. 
5. No one spoke the hard truths to me.  My darling husband loves me no matter what and always tries to uplift me.  My kids just say I'm beautiful.  My friends just accept me.  The one time I raised it with a doctor, she was dismissive of the problem (she herself was obese).  How I wish some of them could have given me the slap in the face that I needed.

At Christmas, I was flying down to visit my mother and read an in-flight magazine.  An article on why new Years resolutions almost always fail caught my attention.  I'd been thinking of making some resolutions like "Eat healthier food...Exercise more...".  I read that making a resolution such as  those was almost certainly doomed to failure.  Why?  Not specific enough!   The idea is to make S>M>A>R>T> goals (an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely).

So instead of saying "Eat healthy", the idea was to make a S>M>A>R>T> goal, eg. I'll eat 2 pieces of fruit every day, ticking them off on a chart, and reward myself by going to the movies if I get 50 ticks within 4 weeks (in 4 weeks, you could actually tick off 56 if you never missed a fruit snack!).  That's a good goal because it is very specific, you can measure it, -  it is achievable, it is realistic (you can maintain it) and it is timely. 

The idea of doing it for four weeks is that research shows that it takes at least 21 days to form a habit.  So after your fruit challenge you should be so used to adding fruit to your shopping trolley and snacking on it, it will be a habit that stays with you!

Anyway, I loved the article so much that I kept the magazine and weighed myself as soon as I got to Mum's... 100kg exactly or 220lb.  It was about 40lb more than I thought I weighed - pretty good at denial, huh?  I made smart goals the first month to cut the caffeine, up the water, reduce the bread and increase fruit and vege intake.  Amazingly its been 7 months and I am still here and still losing (slowly slowly) and I am very, very grateful for that magazine. 

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Hello everyone,

Congrats on how everyone is doing! Yay for fitting in your skirt again! I have a skirt from a couple years ago I'd love to fit in again, along with innumerable pairs of jeans - for some reason I kept holding onto clothes hoping they'd fit again. I LOVE that SMART idea too! I'll have to start that!

I'm trying really hard to eat my fruits and veggies this week! I haven't been so good at it the past few weeks... I kinda remember for a day or two and then forget.

Well yesterday I munched all morning on a bunch of grapes - about a cupful so I guess 2 servings. Then I had a banana for lunch/afternoon snack. I meant to make some veggies with my dinner but filled myself up with some yummy chicken and mashed potatoes leftover from the weekend. So new rule - veggies first, other stuff later :)

Today - so far so good. I didn't have time for my regular breakfast between the gym and work (I got up early again and did a body pump class again!) so I got one of the new protein smoothies at starbucks. It wasn't bad and it had to have at least 2 servings of fruit in it (they put in a full banana, plus some juices cuz it was orange mango flavor). Smoothies aren't really my favorite tho cuz they make my teeth feel really dirty afterwards. For lunch I had some baby carrots (plus minute amounts of carrots and celery in my tuna macaroni salad I had) and I have an apple sitting next to me for an afternoon snack. So as long as I round out my night with a couple more veggie servings I'm good for today! yay me :)

On a not as happy note - I kinda duck out of work a little earlier once a week to go to my yoga class (and occasionally other times... oops) and someone noticed and told my boss.... so yesterday we had a "meeting" where she basically said I have to work my hours and no leaving early without prior permission. I knew what I was doing wasn't right... but I was still getting all my work done I needed to do so I guess I didn't see it as a problem. Oh well. Live and learn. Luckily there are only 3 more yoga classes left this summer, so I'll probably just be 15 mins late to them, but the class is almost an hour and a half so I guess it'll be ok.

Also, I have a dr. appt tomorrow afternoon. I've been avoiding going for a while cuz I know they're just going to tell me I should lose weight. But I do need to go cuz its my yearly at the gyno. Oh well I'll tell them I'm watching what I eat, exercising more, and have lost almost 5 lbs in 2 1/2 weeks!

Good luck to everyone this week!

Well, I guess I'm not a very good BFF or motivator for Liz because I haven't been on here tracking calories OR posting.  But I do think about it all the time.  I think about losing weight while shoving large amounts of bread in my mouth when I eat out.  I think about it when I guzzle my 32 oz. sweet tea.  I just can't wait until the thinking about it actually makes me stop doing it.

I've also thought about weighing myself but I always forget to.  I'll try to remember to do so tonight and post my weight tomorrow.  But I'm pretty sure I will not have lost and if I have, it's by the grace of God (or whoever you may believe in). 

So there's my post -- short & sweet.  But my choice of foods and beverages (especially tea) are about to be unsweet!

End of the day for me, just about to go to bed. The last two days I have been meeting all our goals, except the exercise. TOM is arriving this week and last month I gained 4 pounds overnight. I didn't lose any of it for a week and that really got me down. I am prepared this month and hope to not let it get me down. I had bad chocolate cravings all day so I had chocolate/banana oatmeal for dinner. ( I eat a hot lunch most days and get my veggies in then.) It satisfied the chocolate monkey on my back and it kept me within my eat number.

Liz If I just look at salty food my fingers swell up, it is the main reason I drink my water every day. If I don't ,I wake up with swollen and painful hands. So I totally feel your pain. I am very impressed with getting up early to do your work out. You can give yourself a pat on the back.

Rach Sorry to hear about the mean/thoughtless comment. I know they hurt, try not to let it bother you. As for the pics, just remember that we are our own harshest critics. Great that you played tennis, that is a double whammy. Grown-up time with your husband and exercise. You asked the ages of the kids. I am the nanny of 2 girls, almost 7 and 4. How old are your kids?

GingerCongrats on the weight loss. Thanks for the dinner idea, it made me miss the US. Here in Italy there are 2 ails full of pasta and 1 little shelf of foreign food. There are NO fat free products, let alone low carb. Since starting my life style change I have pretty much given up meat etc. It doesn't give me enough bang for my buck.

2babeI hope you get in to One-derland next week. I am really looking forward to my BMI being overweight instead of obese (hate that word!) I need to get down to 197 for that to happen. I am going to London, but at the end of my vacation. I start of next Wednesday by going to Bologna until Friday. I then fly to Brussels. On Sunday I am going to the Netherlands and the next Monday I fly to London for 5 days. From London I fly back to Italy on 22 August. And then it is back to the sweatshop...

Jella I admire your determination. I am not sure if I could stick with it if I didn't see the number go down. I KNOW it is not about the number, it is about being healthy but the number motivates me. I think you should be very proud of yourself for sticking with it. I am envies of your beach. I lived in California years ago and LOVED going for walks by the ocean. Only time in my life I got up early to exercise. Thanks for SMART, it makes so much sense, but these simple things can be so difficult.

ErinSorry you got busted at work, that just sucks. It is very good that you are getting in so much exercise. As a snack you could also try cold green beans. They are very tasty and you can eat 200 grams (daily serving of veggies) for just 70 cals. You can dip them in salsa or mix in some peanut butter. This of course adds cals. but I love peanut butter. I weigh my peanut butter very carefully to make sure I don't eat too much of it.

ShannyI am glad you checked in, I was wondering were you were. I know what you mean about thinking about it. I am sure all of us thought about losing weight many, many times before we actually started. Good job on cutting out the sweet tea and other sweet things. I found that it takes a few days but you do get used to it. Try eating high fibre food, that really helped with my blood sugar issues.

ok.. I totally haven't had time to read the previous couple of threads yet but I have read this whole thread so far...

2babe-- good job on the 3lbs!!

 ha ha ha you say I am disciplined but believe me, if this trip to Japan hadn't suddenly come up (and I am the one who convinced my mother to go in August--she doesn't know its because I wanted time to lose some weight!!  she wanted to go in mid-July), I would still be saying, "I'll start tomorrow"...   and I probably would have been even more than 263lbs!!    I just hope during and after this trip I am able to keep it all up! 

  yes!! working out is so much harder with all the extra weight!  I was actually doing ok up until a few days ago... now after my workouts my knees ache for a few hours...  I had been doing lots of step-aerobics and I think its taking its toll on my knees because of my weight.  I mean, even the stepper I got says the weight limit is 200lbs but I have been using it anyways and thankfully it has held up.  But I will lay off of the step workouts now and well, I am going to Japan anyways so I will switch to walking... hopefully it will be less of a strain on my knees.

dg- woo hoo on your 2lbs loss!! green tea is good for you  :D   although... my favorite green tea "drink" is Starbuck's Green Tea Frappucino  LOL..so it becomes less healthy that way LOL   I am definitely having one of those on my treat days in Japan!!  They don't have the green tea flavor over here in Dubai.

  oh yeah, previously you asked how is it that I am living here with my in-laws...  I am married to an Emirate (thats what they call the locals) and the family lives together...except the oldest brother and his wife/children.  My husband and brother-in-law that lives here have land to build their own home homes on but we haven't even picked out a house-plan that we will be happy with!  But living here is cool.

   I would go crazy if the home was like a normal American home.... where the only privacy for me would be my bedroom.  Over here all of our bedrooms also have a small lil' living room..big enough for a medium sized couch, book-shelf, tv etc...   and of course our own bathroom.   So becuase I have my own area besides the bedroom to lounge around in, I am content.  :D

    oh yeah... i forgot your other reply.. congrats on fitting into the skirt!!!  although.. I don't see any jelly arms in your avatar pic... only a jellyfish-type thingy is there ??? 


Liz- just try to keep track of your calories throughout the day... after a while it gets easy to guess pretty much how many calories you have been eating so you know if you are getting close to the "no more food!" number...   but I definitely know about the how you unconsciously reward yourself treats here and there... I do it too LOL

  as for the salt... I never really paid attention.. but then again when I cook for myself I don't really add too much salt...  if I am cooking for others I usually have someone else taste the food as I cook it so they can tell how much more to season.  I do that because I am always told that I don't add enough salt to my food.

  of course my body is affected by the salt.. and when I eat more salt its when I decide to eat the food that is cooked for the family...but at the same time it is fattening and I eat tons of it... so I can't really pin-point my feelings later on just the salt.

  also, about working out in the morning... yes yes yes... it is pretty much a must for me.  If I get up and decide to workout later, I end up delying it and then other times keep delaying it but end up not workout out at all.   


 

 rach--- OMG!!!!  I'm all puffed after reading what your G-I-L said to you!!!!     I can't STAND it when people just make comments like that!!  it is SO RUDE!!  just get back on track as soon as possible....   even if you can't get the motivation to exercise... try to eat super healthy even just for a couple of days to feel the effect it has on your emotionally.  If you are like me and can eat all day long, then try to eat low cal stuff so you can eat constantly but the calories won't go overboard.



eerominn-- .4 lbs is still a loss!! so good job!  he he he going to bbq's and managing to lose weight must have taken some great will-power!



ginger--woo hoo on your weight-loss!! 

 mmmmm the burritos sound SUPER YUMMY!!    hmmmm peanut butter, honey and yogurt??? I'll have to try that one one of these days!! 



jella--  at least you know you eventually get out of those plateaus and don't just give up and eat and eat and eat!!  25lbs is a lot of weight to lose so keep it up!!



shannyshan-- I totally know about telling myself to lose weight...as I eat 5-6 falafel sandwiches... that is what I was eating a lot of when I got up to 263lbs. Seriously, 2 falafel sandwiches were filling but I would over STUFF myself with more.  then I would tell myself I will start "tomorrow"

  Try to do baby-steps... instead of white bread, get whole-wheat.  whether or not you eat it with butter, or mayo in a sandwich etc..  then slowly take away the butter/mayo and replace that with other things like mustard, hummouse etc...  

   Then with your tea... maybe sweeten it less and then drink a full glass of water before the tea so you might end up drinking less? 

   
    hopefully you can find that motivation!



***********************

 I have been doing pretty well, I have stayed either within and a couple days I actually was a bit too much below my calories but I have just been busying myself.  The day before yesterday i did eat out with my husband and got a Salmon dish and ate the pasta that came with it.. which was of course drizzles with oil and garlic...   but that was one day I was too under in calories...  so the next day I didn't feel like I usually would when I stuff myself with fattening food!

  I have done my workouts so far...  I decided to to add in Tae Bo to my weekly routine and I am really feeling it in my thighs and butt!!  

  I am normally a big water-drinker so I don't have any problems with drinking enough water...  I don't really ever drink pop/soda or those artificially flavored, high fructose corn-syrup juices.  I will drink fresh fruit juices if they are available :D

  ok.. its 2am now and I need to get to bed or else I'll wake up late and not feel like working out!!

 

TJ   

So, I have really been enjoying reading this weeks' posts.  I feel like we have an awesome group of supportive and honest people here and I thank you all for participating in the group.  You are all so positive and motivating. 

I am enjoying posting more this week...I know it is only Tuesday but already I have this feeling of more accountability. 

So here is where I pat myself of the back...I am one of those people that if I go to a restaurant I order one of the worst things on the menu and consume enough calories for an entire week...but, today I actually went out to lunch with a friend that was visiting from out of town and ordered a SALAD!!!! Shanny will understand what I HUGE step this was for me since up until about 2 months ago I refused to eat ANY salad at ALL!  I also had water to drink (another first for me, I almost always get soda when I got out to eat). 

Doing pretty good on the fruits/veggies, getting at least 3 or 4 a day...just need that 1 more!  Water has been pretty good too, getting 3 bottles...just need that 1 more!  As for working-out I am planning to work-out (with a wake-up call) Mon (yes, I did), Wed and Friday and then one day this weekend.  I did not want to over shoot and plan for Mon-Fri and burn out!  I feel very positive this week and can only hope that turns into focus and drive which will lead to the loss of some of these very unwanted pounds! 

Now for responses...

DB - we will not let you fall off after your trip, that is what we are here for, we will be here when you get back ready to help in whatever way you need!  They say walking is great for everyone, especially people with joint problems, good luck with that switch.  

Dutch - congrats on the skirt - LOVE when that happens!  Also, way to go on identifying your craving and satisfying it without going over your calories.

Shanny - you are so silly, you are a great BFF...now as for the diet partner, well we need to talk, I am breaking up with you...just kidding, you are fine - you have to do this for you and on your own time table.  I know you have a ton on you and I am just glad you are still thinking about what you need to do and are interested in this, soon it will happen. Maybe it would help to think about what started this all, how you felt and how you want to feel...I often feel very motivated when I think I will show _________, I can do this and look hot again!  Especially when I am working out and I feel like I cannot make it one more minute...anger is a HUGE pushing force, for me anyway.

Erin - sounds like you are still doing awesome with the exercise, you always moativate me to get off my butt!  Sorry about your boss, I work for a guy like that...finds small things huge.  Keep up the hard work, I know it is paying off for you!

Jella - congrats on your weight loss thus far! I too like the SMART idea - very cool.  I am a big fan of what is really do-able!  I am going to make post-it notes with my SMART goals and post them on my fridge (for food), near my treadmill (for exercise) and on my bathroom mirror (for mental). 

2b - congrats on the 2 pounds! 100s here you come!

Rach - sounds like you are being very active, good for you, making time for yourself with 2 young ones must be hard but you are doing it and should pat yourself on the back! I am sorry for the very unnecessary, hurtful comment that was made to you...I often wonder what in the world people are thinking when they speak!   

Ginger - WOW, great job!  Thanks for the food suggestions. 

Okay - so time to go be a mom. 

I weighed myself tonight and I weigh 242 -- roughly what I weighed when I started.  So I'm LUCKY that I haven't gained over my starting weight.  I am so proud of myself -- tonight, no matter how hungry I was/am, I have not eaten anything.  I just keep drinking water every time I'm hungry.  That's a big step for me considering I've been doing good all day each day, and then late at night (10pm or later), I'm pigging out.  Hope I keep up the trend tomorrow and the day after and the day after . . . I'm definitely going to try!

Ok I'm always late for the weekly weigh-in as Monday is my first day off after working graveyard Sunday night so I sleep most of my Monday so I feel as if waking up after a 30 hour fast is just not a fair weigh-in! But this week, I weighed Tuesday morning like I have been all 3 wks and it was down! Whoo-hoo!  It was 207.6 which is down from last weeks 208.8 and 1st wks 208.2.  Baby steps are right! I still feel fabulous when that first number is smaller even if it's only 1/2 a lb.  Total weight loss since we started has been just .6 but since March 1st, it's been 33.4 lbs of loss.  That's a big number I'm pretty proud of.  In the clothes department, I'm not buying new things and I must have skipped a few sizes on my way up cause I have almost NO bottoms to wear in my current state! LOL I either look like I'm wearing clown pants or I've gotta squeeze into the next size down creating an awful belly mushroom which does not flatter any shirt in my closet! 

Shannyshan, I love sweet tea.  I now get unsweetened iced tea and put 1 or 2 packets of Splenda in it.  I'm telling you, you cannot even tell the difference!!  And the best part is zero calories!

I'm proud of all of us this week.  It sounds like no matter what life is throwing at us this week, we are still doing our best to keep ourselves on the priority list.

I will try diligently to post at least 3 times.  I don't actually get online every day to post my calories. I keep a written diary and then usually 1 or 2 times a week, I will log several days in.  Internet is a bit of a luxury in my life and I take opportunity when I can but it's definitely not a day-to-day thing. 

As far as exercise, my new amped up ab rountine is good! I'm excited cause I feel it working right away.  I do abs 3 times a week and arms and legs 1 days each with 2 days off.  So Monday's abs were still feeling it on Tuesday (in a good way) so I'm good to go.  I am keeping up on veggies more than fruits cause for my house, it's easy to put veggies in just about everything but fruits seem to not be as available but I do try. 

elaughter-about the salt thing...egads! I'm so affected by salt. I can feel it in how my rings fit and how thirsty I get and definitely how my clothes fit and the heaviness I feel overall.  It shows on the scale of course.  I don't add salt to much but I do eat tons of naturally high sodium things.  But as I discussed last week, it is my goal to go low sodium

Those turkey burritos sound pretty yummy and I think I have most of those ingredients in the house! MMM.

Well, I'll go log a few days now but will see ya all soon.

HI all sorry so late in posting... I weighed myself on Monday and I was still 222, but Mother Nature was also visiting, and I usually will snack on salty/sweet stuff, but I think I kept myself in check. 

I just got home from work, and I stink so I'm gonna jump in the shower.  Might check in later:D

Take care all,

Lisa