I'll be 43 this June anyone around the same age want to join my weight loss quest?

Greetings!

I am hoping that this site I stumbled on will help me out. I have been on a diet or fighting with food my entire life. About 8 years ago I lost about 100 pounds, my lowest weight was 204 then I had my first child at 40. Now I am 220 and he'll be three this June. The only good news is that I do not weight 300 + pounds anymore having said that - No excuses, my food addiction problem has been out of control now since his birth. I try - and try - and try - and still nothing seems to be working. Maybe I can find a friend here who will help give me the strength I need to be healthy. I need to stay alive for my family.

I have been looking for ways to stay in shape over the winter when my riding time will be cut. I decided to check out the local gym near my house. The gym is probably 5 blocks away and is open 24 hours. You have a card that you slide and then just go in. Place is huge, flat screen TVs, treadmills, bikes, free weights, machines, etc. I did some research on lifting and am working on a circuit training program to burn cals and tone things up without adding bulk. I have gone twice and it really feels awesome…but I have noticed that I am drained the morning after working out in the gym. Yesterday I rode mountain bikes for a couple of hours, ran home and dropped off the bike, then went to the gym for a couple of hours and got home around 11:30p….needless to say, I over slept this morning and felt like I got hit by a truck.

As a side note…I went to the store to pick up some shorts. Most of mine are a little too big. Anyway, I wanted LiveStrong Nike shorts. They were like $35…I was walking by the kids section and they were only $19. I held up a pair of XL kids and they looked close to the M adult shorts, so I tried them on and they fit perfectly. The adult M were a bit too long for me, but the kids XL was spot on. I mean a perfect fit. Who would have thought….

Awesome, I wish we had a gym like that around here!  Terry, are you sure you're getting enough calories for all that activity?  Drinking enough water?  If you're drained in the morning, something must be off....

I'm still on the roller coaster this week, gained one pound.  I think it's time to get my Gazelle out of storage and start using it again!

Kathryn ~ 198.5 - Up 1

Ok, I need some support here.

I have signed on CC first time last February, the 19th. So far so good, with ups and downs, plateaus, etc, etc, etc.

Late April when my first plateau hit me I was told I had to work out, otherwise I would never reach my goal. Fair enough.

I joined the gym with no will power whatsoever, (I just don't like it!). Few weeks later a personal trainer hooked me and since then I have her once a week.

Those are my test results so far:

22/05/09 16/06/09 30/07/09 21/10/09 total loss

weight 85kg 85kg 81kg 78,5kg 6.5kg

body fat 39.66% 39% 38.3% 36.81% 2.85%

back 44cm 43cm 41cm 40.5cm 3.5cm

chest 109cm 109cm 107cm 106cm 3cm

arms R 32, L 32cm 30.5 ,30.5cm 30, 30cm 29,28cm 3,5cm

waist 98cm 93cm 90cm 87cm 11cm

abdomen 114cm 113cm 106cm 107cm 7cm

hips 120cm 114cm 111cm 104cm 16cm

upper legs R 64, L 64cm 62, 62cm 60, 60cm 60, 60cm 4cm

all over the body: 48cm

PS. I work out 6,5 days a week, average 75minutes

My first goal when I start the gym was: reduce body fat to 23%, improve posture and loose 15kg (CC says 20kg and I disagree).

Average calorie intake:

Feb 1420

Mar 1148

Apr 1414

May 1185

Jun 1323

Jul   1401

Aug 1426

Sep 1255

Oct 1318

The question is: Is it good enough?

Honestly, I have no idea. Worst, I found a trigger which is way too naughty, but it works.

Have done it for the second time already, I go way under the 1200c ... lets say 800c a day for a week or so and it works wonders!!! The side effect is: I always come down with something, normally a cold.

Have started the kellogg's 2 meals a day a week ago and do not sleep for 3 nights, coughing and cold. All at once.

I am not really seeking recriminations or someone to tell me off because I am so stupid for doing that. I just want to know about you guys, how long does it take to get there? I have notice that you are all here for quite a long time, for that I am crying out loud!

Thank you and sorry for being a pain!

 

Kathryn ~ 198.5 - Up 1

Simone - 77,5kg or 170,85lbs - down 2,5kg or 5.51lbs

 

Simone, admittedly, I'm not too good with metric conversions, but it looks to me like you're doing okay...maybe just not progressing as quickly as you'd like.  I think maybe it's your attitude that needs work; it seems like you're looking at this as a sort term goal and waiting for it to be over, but it never really will be.  This has to be a lifetime commitment to fitness and health; even when you reach your goal weight, you will have to continue to eat healthily and work out, or you will regain the weight.  That being said, I know of others who calorie cycle, but they usually do one normal day followed by one extremely low day...never a week of low calories at a time.  Maybe if you alternate days, you can do it without making yourself sick.  Good luck!

Dear Kathryn,

Thanks for being so understanding.

I am aware that this is a lifetime commitment and the changing lifestyle I pursue will have to stick for ever if I wish longevity for my achievements.

Still, it frustrate me that a week on calorie intake advised 1920c a day will make me put on weight.

Maybe I do not burn as much calorie as I think, nevertheless I am way under my intake limit.

 

Simone, if you check you'll see I am the longest running person on the post here! I can completely relate to anyone who is feeling stalled or slow. You do have to make sure that you avoid anything that you know will make you ill. That said, watching WHAT I eat has helped more than anything else for me. I am currently trying to move out of a long plateau and am watching what I eat more than counting calories.

Lots of fruits & veggies, only very lean meats (poultry, eggs, fish), very little dairy, high fiber. I allow myself a free day if I have been good about my exercise. If I do not eat right I know that I will get sick. I take my vitamins but I really stress the good foods because when you exercise that bowl of cereal is not going to cut it for you.  With time, you will find what works for you, I have decided that THIS TIME I am too stubborn to stop and I will drop the weight! I have been sticking true to this, maybe we can help you do the same. Even when I have lost it, I know I have to maintain somehow. I am hopeful that these guys will be here then for me as they have been all along! Change things up, keep trying to find the healthy way that works for you.  I am certain that if I didn't have these guys helping me stay focused (and interested) I would have lost my will again.

So to everyone else here: Thanks, I think I am passing another bad patch now and I know that it is because you still check in on me!

P.S.  Simone, I think that you are really doing great, don't risk your health for a quick fix!

Kathryn ~ 198.5 - Up 1

Simone - 77,5kg or 170,85lbs - down 2,5kg or 5.51lbs

Sandy - 148 - down 2

Hey guys…Sorry, but I was in Canada on Friday and then had a busy weekend. I did drop another pound this week, so I am down to 185lbs…which is the lowest since I started.

Simone…This whole process is really tough. I mean the journey is full of gains, losses, plateaus, etc. It is all part of it. In my opinion, the secret is to stick with it. As long as the scales are moving in the right direction every month, then it is working. I had months where I lost 20lbs and months where I lost 8lbs….just stay with it and you WILL get there. Just remember that every day you are getting healthier and you are dropping weight. I didn’t always take the healthiest approach. In fact, there were times when I was eating less than 900 cals a day for weeks at a time. It wasn’t the best decision in retrospect, but at the time I was really desperate I guess. Don’t get too frustrated and don't risk your health....hang in there.

Kathryn ~ 198.5 - Up 1

Simone - 77,5kg or 170,85lbs - down 2,5kg or 5.51lbs

Sandy - 148 - down 2

Terry - 185

Anyone try the Fruit and Walnut salads at McDonalds? I had one last night after my mountain bike ride. It was a weird day…I got up late, so I didn’t eat breakfast until like 10:15, which meant that I ate lunch at like 3p. We went to my favorite Mexican place and of course, I ate too much….so then I wasn’t really hungry for dinner, so the salad was perfect after my ride.

Happy Friday! Yes, I am in a good mood...months of a stuck scale and another loss this week! I am going on vacation Nov 7th so I am excited that I might be more confident in my swim suit. I don't know for sure where I was when I started this (almost 2 yrs ago) but I am sure I have lost over 45 lbs now. I almost wish I had weighed myself sooner, but I was really nervous that I would be so upset by the scale that I would give up before I started.

Sandy - 146.4 (-1.6)

Fantastic and congrats Sandy...146 is getting down there. I bet you are feeling good.

Nothing new on my side. I dropped a pound earlier in the week and then put it back, which is fine. The weight training is going great. Having a blast with it.

Last time I was in to see my Doctor for a physical, she also ordered a bunch of tests to make sure things were good. They did a complete blood count, Thyroid test, and a couple others...can't remember them all! Anyway, I got the results back and everything is in great shape. Seeing all the good results has actually proved to be good motivation and comforting.

Sandy - 146.4 (-1.6)

Terry - 185 (same)

Congrats Sandy, it has been a long haul but you're getting there!

Simone, I agree that it can be really frustrating, and it seems like nothing's happening, but eating healthier really does have long-term effects.  I usually go down half a pound, then up a bit, then down, so I completely understand about the scale not doing what you want it to.  Just keep at it and know that you're not alone!

I didn't check in last week because I got laid off last Thursday, and Friday I did weigh myself but I was running around trying to figure out what I'd do so didn't post.  They said it was temporary, but I still have to look out for myself, and I've got a short-term contract lined up at this point.  If they call me back, that'll be great.  On the bright side, my weight hasn't changed much even though I missed two exercise sessions.

Sandy - 146.4 (-1.6)

Terry - 185 (same)

Cynthia - 179.6 (down 0.4)

Thanks everyone for the thoughts, it was a big help.

Have had a busy day yesterday and completely forgot to weight in in the morning. After a week off the gym supported by my cold yesterday I popped in just for 30 minutes of cardio and decided to weight myself there ... surprise ... surprise

Sandy - 146.4 (-1.6)

Terry - 185 (same)

Cynthia - 179.6 (down 0.4)

Simone - 76kg or 167.54 - 1.5kg or 3.30 loss

Should I thank the cold, the increased amount of calories or the scale of the gym? Not sure yet, but will have to wait for another week.

Simone, I have had what I called my "sick soup" times. I actually exercised less than normal but was sick and ate the typical sick persons diet and lost weight. Funny how that happens, I always thought that the scale dropping was almost a reward for being sick! Glad you had a good week, I hope you don't have too many bad ones they can be a real bummer for the mood.

Cynthia so glad that you found something to help cover the lay off time. I know so many people going through that this year, it really worries me here sometimes also. I hope your lay off is very temporary, hang in there and stay strong.

Terry glad your blood work was good, that is one of my next hurdles personally. I have been waiting to go in and I suppose that I have put it off long enough. P.S. I didn't forget that I promised pictures, I am going on vacation and will put up a recent picture when I get back. Aren't you proud of me, I'm actually getting a photo (only took me two years, I am such a coward)!

Last week, I weighed in at 196 and was down 2.5 lbs.  This week, after three birthdays at work and Halloween, I'm up 1.5 lbs.  I thought I was being relatively good...only eating a bite of cake, etc., but apparently, it was more than I thought.  On top of that, I'm trying to adjust my calories to accommodate the weight I've already lost so I can keep losing.  It's gonna be a looooooong holiday season!

Kathryn ~ 197.5 - Up 1.5

The holidays are a little tricky. I know that it is a constant struggle for me. I have been really good lately about getting out of bed and immediately doing some stretches, after a few minutes I usually do some sort of exercise. I try to change things up but I feel much more awake since I started this. I do enjoy feeling like my blood is pumping. I just have to keep reminding myself of that, some days I am not feeling too enthusiastic when I wake up!

Yep..holidays are tough. My wife always buys too much Halloween candy. For days afterwards, we had a huge tub of candy sitting in the hall and every time I walk by, I felt I needed to have a piece. Needless to say, I have moved the candy to an out of the way place, so I will not be tempted. My downfall is birthday cake. I can pretty much turn down anything, but birthday cake!

The cold weather and it getting dark early are having a terrible effect on my exercise. I have been hitting the gym 3-4days a week, but I am having major back problems and am having problems lifting. I set up my bicycle trainer in the office, so I can ride, but indoor riding is about as horrid as having teeth pulled. Interesting that “night mountain biking” is pretty popular around here. Groups meet a couple of times a week, mount headlamps on their helmets and go tearing through the woods for a couple of hours. Given that the trails are full of rocks, roots, jumps, etc, it sounds pretty intense….I am going to give it a go next week.

I actually went up a couple of pounds earlier in the week...not sure what that was all about, but I am back to "normal".....Oh well...hope everyone is having a great week!

Terry - 185 (same old, same old)

hmmm,

I've been thinking a lot but not able to transform my thoughts into words yet.

The gym scale last week was trying to be kind, but my excitement didn't last.

Simone - back to 77kg or 169.75lbs up 1kg or 2.20lbs

Terry - 185 (same old, same old)

 

Still off work this week, but I've been catching up on work-related reading.  I missed my workout yesterday, but we've been frantically cleaning the apartment for house guests this weekend; hopefully that counts for something.  I was very good at lunch today.  We went for burgers, and I only ate half of my serving (which is hard for me to do with a burger!) and will have the rest for supper tonight.

Simone - back to 77kg or 169.75lbs up 1kg or 2.20lbs

Terry - 185 (same old, same old)

Cynthia - 177.4 (down 2.2)

Hey...it is FRIDAY people....where is everyone?

I dropped another pound this week, so I am down to 184lbs. It is a long (and not so smart) story, but I was working with a local food shelter last weekend and was trying to comprehend what it feels like to be hungry, so I skipped dinner...then decided to skip breakfast....and ended up going over 27 hours without food. Strange thing is that it wasn't that difficult to do....Dumb, dumb, dumb...Oh well...I am strange like that....I was actually down to 183, but the scales say 184 this morning...

Terry - 184 (down 1) 

Terry I can understand your logic in wanting to skip those meals, but still :)  That's great, though, that you were out helping at the food shelter.

I'm plugging away, slowly raising my speed on the elliptical (then I'll raise the resistance).  My husband, who does the cooking, has been doing more stir-frys which we both enjoy, but last night we tried a new rice noodle that didn't turn out well, tasteless and gooey.  He also made a beef barley soup which we'll have with friends tonight.

Terry - 184 (down 1)

Cynthia - 177.0 (down 0.4)