Girls in their 20's who want to lose about 100 pounds

Hi, my name is Suzanne and I am 23 years old. I weigh 258.3 pounds(yikes) and would really like to get down to between 140 and 150. I was wondering if there was anyone else out there in their 20's who has about that much they want to lose. We could work together and stay motivated to reach our goals!!! Also, if there is anyone in their 20's who has lost that much and wants to share their success story, I would love to hear it! Thanks!

Does this sound like a realistic goal to have to help reach my final goal of 135-140 by November of 2009??? I would like to be around 190 by September. I'm currently at 233 (been bouncing around between 230-233 the last 2 weeks).

What am I doing wrong??? my daily intake of calories ranges between 1100-1400, but I'm allowed 1950. I usually burn 2700-3000 cals a day. Is that too much of a deficit??? Do I need to take in more calories to boost my metabolism? Should I be burning twice as many calories than what I do now???  

Add more fruits & veggies maybe?? Seems like that's all I eat anymore is fruits & veggies and very lean meats like turkey burgers/brats/ground turkey and chicken breasts or skinless chicken legs...I don't eat red meat much at all lately, unless my boyfriend and I splurge a little bit and enjoy a nice steak on the grill, but make sure to eat only the alloted portion for myself, usually about 1/4-1/2 depending on the size steaks we get. The left over I usually cut up for the dogs or put in the fridge and have for lunch the next day...or just let my boyfriend eat it so I don't.

I've started making rice sides for our meals instead of potatoes. I understand that this is still a starchy food, but there aren't as many calories in it as a potatoe has and it's still quite filling. Any other suggestions?? We always have fresh steamed veggies, grilled veggies (rarely have canned veggies, but do on occasion, they're still veggies right??)

I drink tons of water daily to help keep myself feeling "full", but with the medication that I'm currently on, it's a pain because it flushes out my body of extra water/fluids....so I'm constantly having to go to the bathroom...it really sucks!

Any ideas?

 

WELCOME SARAHBEAR!!!

 

it's busy in here today!  I don't have time to post except to say "Happy Belated Birthday!!!!!" to Dalma and Ally!!!!  I'm so sorry I forgot to post this on sunday!  Hope you both had a good one!

oh and dani, congrats on the 250's!

welcome sarahbear!

sweepie - i bet you aren't eating enough. Try giving yourself a 1000 calorie deficit. Aim for eating around 1800 cals and see what happens. It can't hurt!
And there's been lots of talk about cycling calories, so try that too! I do it, even though I don't "plan" to. One day I'll eat 1600, then 2400, then 2000  haha.. I never really know how much I'm going to eat during a day. I would definitely stay in the 1800-2200 range for you though, especially if you are burning 2700-3000 cals per day! I only burn about 2700 cals per day and always eat around 2000 cals... and well, it's working! lol. But, all of our bodies are different, so I really think it's just trial and error to find what works for you.

You know what Sweepie, I think you're on track. But from what I've been reading, your calorie deficit is a bit high. Why don't you keep doing what you're doing for another week or two, and see how it affects you? Everybody's different so you may have inadvertently found your key! Working hard is great, but don't tire yourself out too early in the game. As you may read in many of the previous posts in this thread, slow and steady wins the race.

I see a lot of you writing about a "1000 calorie deficit" and I have a general idea of what you're talking about but could someone go a little more in-depth with this topic.  When should you do this...what are the benifits...is this something you calculate on your own... 

hey punkrock

Well... your deficit is the number of calories you burn (burn meter) less the number of calories you eat (eat meter). In order to lose 1 pound of fat, you have to burn 3500 calories more than you eat. So, if you have a deficit of 500 per day, then you will lose 1lb per week. Since they say it's only healthy to lose 1-2lbs per week, if you have a 1000 calorie deficit per day, then you should lose 2lbs per week.. putting you at the high end of what's safe. So, most of us who have a lot to lose usually aim for the high end.

It's really up to you to decide if this is right for you or not, depending on how much you are trying to lose. The benefits are that you will lose 2lbs per week and be doing it the "safe way".

CC helps you calculate it by showing you your burn meter and eat meter, but technically you have to calculate it yourself. I actually have a spreadsheet that I use. MSN? I can send it to you to show you if you want.

Hope that was what you were looking for?  :)

Danibelle – Congrats on your loss! Keep up the good work!!

Sarahbear2008 – Welcome! I totally agree with sonini, 75 lbs seems very much so attainable by December. I know you can do it!!!

Oh it's so hard to keep from taking a nap right now!! Just got off work and logged my calories. I'm at 1235 calories and I need to burn some more to make my deficit but I do NOT want to walk down three flights of stairs, work out, then walk back up three flights of stairs. I want to sleep. Curse being on the third floor of my dorm! CURSE IT!

 

Just got off work at 5:00, drove home (10 minutes), let the dogs out (5 minutes walking them around the yard) and then Scarlet (our overweight weiner dog) and I took a nice long walk around the neighborhood. I was absolutely wonderful!! It's so nice outside, about 66 degrees...chance of rain tonight and for the rest of the week is supposed to be rainy so I'm glad I was able to get my walks in tonight and yesterday after work while its nice outside. Hope the nice weather comes back really soon after the rain passes through. I can really get into the habit of walking the dogs every evening when I come home from work. It helps me unwind before making dinner and helps pass the time until my boyfriend gets home from work too. He's making dinner tonight, we're going to try Jeanie-O Turkey Brats, fresh raw veggies for a side and a nice tall glass of water! Maybe I'll splurge and have popcorn for a snack tonight, before eating dinner, I have about 900 cals to use up to meet my max. cals. for the day.

Have a great evening everybody!

someone asked about sodium the other day (sorry can't remember who) and I just wanted to say that the 2400 mg a day is for a 2200/day calorie diet.  Since I eat around 1200-1500 cals/day I have to adjust this.  I try to have less than 1000 mg sodium every day which is a little on the low side but really helps me not have bad water retention.  Of course, some days that just doesn't happen, but it's my daily goal.

i'm only at 940 calories for the day and it's already close to 6 PM.  i was not purposely trying to cut back -- just seemed to have had lower calorie meals.  which is strange, since I always start eating a TON right before my TOM.  anyone else find themselves in this predicament ever? 

ali (or anyone) --  i guess i meant to ask what the benefits are of certain green teas over lipton?  you specifically mentioned that lipton isn't "real" green tea so i assume you mean that you don't derive the same benefits from drinking it as you do certain other types of green tea....?  we have both lipton and flavia in our office but i'm not sure how to evaluate the merits of one over the other in terms of the health benefits? 

if someone knowledgeable about this stuff could clue me in, i'd appreciate it.  here's the link to the flavia nutritional information :)  i've been trying to drink this since i'm so bad about getting all of my water in.

http://www.myflavia.com/myflavia/RetailExtens ions/ProductDetailPage.aspx?theproduct=US99

pinkcobra, you must eat a REALLY healthy diet to get in so little sodium.  i eat about 2200 mgs when i'm eating between 1600-1800 cals/day.  wow~!

watchme:  I just eat a lot of fresh veggies and fruits and nice lean proteins.  I'm not really drawn to carbs so I naturally eat a fairly low carb diet as well.  I don't eat much processed food and I use seasonings and spices that don't have added salt.  

So I'm watching The Biggest Loser right now, which just happens to be one of my favorite shows mainly because I wish I had my own Bob and/or Jillian (lol).  Watching it made me think of something I read on the internet.  Someone was saying how they think its unhealthy for the contestants on the Biggest Loser to lose 10 lbs a week.  I personally dont think there's anything wrong with that especially since they are working with professionals, and they have Doctor's there at all times.  What do you think?

I forgot to mention that as of today I'm down 15 lbs (since March 31), and 10 lbs. since joining this website! Yay me ... LOL!!!  

soulja--I posted a topic on the Biggest loser a while I go--I had a Nutrition magazine and 2 ex contestants from the biggest loser were in the magazine basically telling all the biggest loser secrets--one said she was eating under 1000 calories a day and exercising 10 to 12 hours a day which is way un-healthy--even if you do have all those experts (doctors etc)...The contestant said that once she got home her hair started falling out and she was very weak--she said she actually had to stop exercising and had to gain some weight back and now she is on a journey trying to eat healthy and lose the weight slowly--so she even admitted it was really un-healthy and un-realistic... I think the show is good for motivation and I watch it every Tuesday night but I don't think it is realistic or healthy

I decided to jump on here again real fast, and was just floored by all the comments and posts since earlier. Learning how to manage calories/intake/outake ect is all completely new to me. I almost feel overwhelmed!

Tomorrow I am going grocery shopping, and if anyone has any advice on new things to try please let me know. I even told my boyfriend hes in for a real treat, because I'm putting us BOTH on a diet LOL. Hes  big into fast food and soda pop. And when your living on a college income, easy meals is usually the only way to go.and Buying seperate isnt even an option. But were gonna splurge a little and start eating better. I am not really sure how many calories I consume on a daily basis but honestly, I can probably estimate its over 2400. Thats me being completely honest.

So I am cutting myself down to 1400, and we will see how that goes. Everything I have ever read has always stated that the first 48-72 hours is the most painful because you rbody is starving for what it's used to.

Wish me luck getting through the weekend. I really need to make this happen!

Much Love- SarahBear

SONINI  i am so not crazy over  THIS boy. he is  pursuing me. i told him i am just looking for buds. he still wants to go out. i told him it will take awhile for me to say yes. i mean he is a cutie. i am just not looking for anything. altho.. hahaha there is this one that i am a lil tripp'n on. hahaha. i was drunk and told him i thought he was hot and he is awesome.  but we both are just looking for buds, so... hahaha. i'ld say dont worry i'll fix that, but he lives in another state so i have to say we will just be friends. unless things change in the long future. so whos your guy? cuz if he's mine, i will kill youj/k...or am i...

edit: oh yea, you guys need to chill out with the convos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i can't catch up for anything.  since this morning you guys have written a book. hahaha. omg did you see the kiddos on dancing with the stars? so cute

ali (or anyone) --  i guess i meant to ask what the benefits are of certain green teas over lipton?  you specifically mentioned that lipton isn't "real" green tea so i assume you mean that you don't derive the same benefits from drinking it as you do certain other types of green tea....?

Those lipton tea mixes are not healthy. Real green tea is great for you. It helps curb your appetite along with many other things (see the links I posted). Personally, I don't like it. I think it just tastes like dirty water. However, I think I need to start drinking more of it because it's better for you than black tea (and I'm an English Breakfast fan).

As for flavia... I've never heard of it. The nutritional info looks okay but I'm sure you'd be better off drinking regular green tea.

Sarahbear: I don't know what kinds of foods you like. But something I like is to buy a lot of fresh veggies (bell peppers, tomatoes, etc), slice them up and eat them with hummus. But I love hummus and love to use it on sandwiches instead of using mayo or something (esp. the roasted red pepper kind). It's pretty low in cals and is pretty healthy. Also, not sure if you're interested, but eating meat-replacement products (like Boca and Morning Start farms) are a great way to cut fat and calories. I'm not a big fan of Morning Star products but I think the Boca ones are great. The taste is pretty good and the texture isn't all weird and creepy like some of the other products. I think the best thing is to just make it easy... whatever you buy, make it easy to prepare so you're less tempted to cheat. Buy your veggies and chop them all up and put them in tupperware containers so you can grab them and go. Same with fruit if you have a problem with that (buy lots of fruit, chop it up yourself and make a fruit salad... with no added sugar or anything of course). Ummm what else... I love low-fat yogurt, etc. And if you have a sweet tooth, buy some sugar free popsicles and jello and such.

Man... typing all of that made me realize how much easier it is to diet in America. haha :(

OMG, I just had to read like 6 pages to catch up with ya'll!  Craziness! 

Anyway, like Suzanne, I'm just gonna sneak back in without commenting on everyone...

I was super bad last week (I started my birthday celebrations Thursday night and ended tonight!) but I'm determined to get myself back on track for this week.  I'm debating on whether or not I even want to weight myself this week and see what kind of damage I've done, since I think I was really, really bad. *sigh*  Oh well, lifestyle change and all that.  I just have to keep on truckin! 

Glad to see ya'll are doing well! :-)