2 lbs at a time - a new approach - aka, the "babysteppers" group

I lost 35 lbs in 2007. Kept it off until my wedding day.

I have gained 10 lbs at least since September 2008 (my lowest weigh in ever was on my wedding day, then I stopped dieting entirely).

Thinking I am going to/need to lose 10 lbs now is not helping. I am still gaining and feeling bad about myself. I have stopped working out entirely. I have no motivation. I am unable to keep will power in control. I need to think differently - otherwise I know I will gain ALL the weight back.

So, now I am going to take Baby Steps again ... like I did when I first started dieting when I joined CC - less expectations for myself.

Instead view it as a life-style change and not as a painful "I must get skinny ASAP" thing.

So, I WILL lose 2 lbs in the next month or so.

And then, if that works I will decide what if anything I want to do from there. I am going to start by grocery shopping today and getting back into eating the good stuff.  Start taking the stairs at work. Baby steps back into a more healthful ME.

Who is with me?? Any other baby steppers?

xxana, welcome!

minda, you walked/jogged a mile!! Awesome, I am seriously jealous. I cannot run for the life of me but should use your inspiration and up my walking. Congrats on being so motivated!

jitrotu - thanks for the info!

I had a good/bad day. Started well but ended badly. I think I was too hungry and the hubs wanted pasta so we had spaghetti. Not good at all, 3 bowls late.r The bad thing is I am STILL hungry and I even had a bowl of cheerios, 3 chocolates and 20 cherries after dinner.

Oh well, tomorrow is another day, right my babysteppers?!!

Well yesterday I took my babysteps backwards, but Babysteps are tiny steps so its all good!

I did too, I went to PFChangs and had three drinks and ate when I got home. I thought I didn't stuff myself but the scales told me otherwise this morning. Oh well, today is a new day!!!

Hi All -

I would like to join the "Baby Step" group.  This is truly a mantra to live with, I have recently relocated to India and find myself trying to figgure out what is in the food that I am eating much less figgure out its calorie content.  But trying to eat cleanly and naturally as much as possible has helped. 

I appreciate reading your posts and it encourages me, considering that I have working my way towards dropping 40 lbs (lost 10 so far) and I don't want to see it as a diet.  I think of it this way... I gained it in 10 years, so I will not lose it overnight, but I can make a concious choice to eat better... baby steps 

Terra0514 posted : BTW - I still do the "20 Minute Cardio Blast" that nycgirl posted probably over two years ago on here (I think it was you, I should say!) from time to time - it's still a butt-kicking awesome at home workout!  I'm so glad I saved it!

Any chance we can get that link up?  Also for those of you who are into walking/running there is a great podcast, just google "Couch to 5k" and you will find a great podcast by Robert Urle (sp?).  I considered myself allergic to running, but he even managed to get me past my aversion and I was actually doing a 5k every morning on the treadmill!  Thanks for posting all - it helps to read this!

buzzgomez, welcome!! Congratulations on losing 10 lbs already, that's fabulous :)

I have had a tough few days, just not feeling the diet anymore. I have lost nothing and in fact after all my efforts last week I gained two pounds - compared to my weigh in 1.5 weeks earlier. Of course it could be fluctuations yada yada, but that doesn't help me feel better! I wish it were two pounds DOWN!

I had a terrible day two days ago where I just ATE AND ATE AND ATE. I am however, making a conscious effort to incorporate more healthy foods (fruit mostly) into my diet. Keep plugging everyone .......

How are the babysteppers doing this week????

Thanks for reviving this nycgirl.  Hope you're doing well.

This week was okay.  Been eating at maint. and/or a very small deficit.  I'm not thinking about those 20 lbs (well maybe a little) just trying to eat right and exercise.

How about eveyone else?

Hi All - 

Wondering how everyone is doing?  Are we babystepping forward or are you having a rough time.   For me - was loving life two weeks ago but seem to slip these past few days, need to refocus and take some babysteps :)

Hello Babysteppers!

I think that your group might just be the group for me. I keep sabotaging any progress I make in my weight loss journey because I have the mindset of "now or never". I need to cut out the need for instant gratification and take babysteps with you to reach my goal.

Like you nycgirl, I have gained 8 pounds since my wedding (and about 13 from my lowest weight). I am hoping that I can meet my goal of 8-13 pounds lost by the end of 2009...that should be plenty of time, right?

I just started running today...I am taking babysteps there too. I am on an eight week program to running for 30 minutes in a row.

Let me know what kind of progress you guys are making. Are you planning on having any weigh ins to share our babysteps of success?

My first baby goal - to lose one measley pound by the end of July. Wish me luck!

-stukay

Hi stukay! Welcome to the group and congrats on starting running!!

I hadn't planned any weigh-ins per se but feel free to do it and post it if it motivates you!

I have had a tough month or so, certainly not dieting AT ALL. However, my weight is just about the same. However, my major accomplishment is I started doing exercise, a class called the Bar Method. I am really excited about it and hope it will tone me up!

Any other babysteps progress to share?

I'm still here, still slooowly losing.  Best wishes to all the babysteppers!

Dear rufus, congrats on still losing!

I am not losing but I am still sooo excited. I am on my third session of Bar Method and feeling so motivated. How great it feels to be working out and finally toning up! Is anyone else adding some different types of exercise to their routines? Let me know how everyone is doing!

Hi guys, any babysteppers still around?

I just thought I would check in. I have been working out consistently now for 1.5 months using the Bar Method and it's the first time in my life I have ever WANTED to work out. It feels great! I really look forward to it!

My weight gain has stopped. How is everyone else doing? I am in a very early stage of pregnancy so won't be losing anymore per se, but I am a few pounds lower than last month and wouldn't mind being 1-2 less by the time I start to gain for the pregnancy in a few weeks.

How is everyone?

Congrats on pregnancy.

I am all about babysteps.  I rarely weigh self, instead track exercise and intake and use that as my evaluation method.  My goals are always "one more pound" so I keep track of each total calorie deficit for the day, working toward a deficit of 3500 (i.e. one pound,) which is then celebrated.  Then I work on reducing down the next 3500 calorie block.

When I've estimated that I have lost 7 pounds since my last weigh-in, I will weigh myself and record that weight.  It's always at least what I estimated and often more weight loss than estimated.

This method has worked well for me.  That way, if I have a net calorie deficit of 100 calories over one day, it's that much closer to the goal, so that feels good.  Sometimes my net deficit is in the 300-450 calorie per day range.  Rarely I'll go over baseline caloric needs, but that doesn't feel too bad as it just makes it a little longer til I get to my 3500 calorie weight loss goal.

I've been at this method for 13 months now and lost  a total of 62 pounds (about 7 more to go to get to my target).  It's been pretty painless, definitely guiltless, and I've been enjoying my meals.  I include lots of fruit and vegies and whole grains, with lean protein (usually fish, nuts, lean beef or egg white omlets or scrambles.)  I'll have an occasional mixed drink or wine.

I see on some posts that many are intent on a daily deficit of 500 calories but seriously, what's the hurry?  This is about healthy living, not a race to the finish line.  So what if it takes longer?  Seriously!

Maintenance is going to be much easier since I am already eating like maintenance now with my food choices.

Slower is better!

Congratulations on your pregnancy NYC.  Now that is a baby step of a different kind!

I started making small changes that had minimal effects on my weight: drinking more water, eating more veggies: one thing at a time until they were habits. Then I made the final change to not eat processed sugar or white flour (more generally, to not eat things that had no nutritional benefit for my body), and the weight began to come off.

I use CC to check my calories about once a week.

Everyday I wake up with the goal of having a 'healthy' day.

Baby steps are in : )

Original Post by rufus_k:

Congratulations on your pregnancy NYC.  Now that is a baby step of a different kind!

LOL, thanks. I am still plugging though my workouts and have not gained since few weeks of pregnancy which is good.

I am so happy to feel stronger and healthier than I have ever in my life before, even if I do wish I were a few inches smaller here and there.

Upping my exercise a bit has really helped my self esteem and I am sure will help me during this pregnancy and the baby steps I will have to take afterwards to get back down to my pre-pregnancy weight.