Going for 170! Looking for support :)

Hi everyone! I'm looking to stick to a 1719 calorie diet, and am trying to go from 189 lbs to 170 lbs by March 19th. When I get to 170, I might try and get down to 167, if I still feel I'm a little heavy.

I'm doing a Xbox program called "Yourself Fitness" for my exercise, and I'm starting out with a 15 minute exercise 3 times a week. I know it's not much, but I need to start slow and make it a habit.

I'll weigh in at least once a week, an also try and post every day on how things are going. Please feel free to feedback, as I could use the support :)

This morning I went from 189 to 186! This is in just a few days. The first few were doing weight watchers, and then I decided to go back to calorie count (and my calorie king book). I understand this might be water weight, and I can't expect that big a loss in the future.

I'm also doing a program on my Xbox called "Yourself Fitness", and am starting with 3 15 minute workouts a week. I'll step that up after 3 weeks (the average time to forma  habit).

I'm having trouble with fats. I'm trying to only have 30-40 grams a day, and I'm always at least 10 g over. It's a challenge. I'm also trying to figure out a good breakfast that includes mostly veggies.

I had a VERY good day yesterday! In the morning I met up with a friend at Panera Bread, and only got a whole grain bagel. We were there for 2 hours, and I slowly ate the bagel over the course of that time. And I wasn't consciously trying to eat slow (a habit I've been trying to form). I was just really enjoying eating something slow for once. I also noticed that morning that I've been feeling very energetic since I've been eating better and exercising.

That evening I made turkey chili, and poured a serving over lettuce and had some cheese on it. I was able to have 2 helpings and still stayed WELL under my fat content, which I struggle with. I even treated myself to some rainbow sherbert and whipped cream, which I bought on the way home that morning.

It's been easier to stay healthy after I focused and ate well for a couple days (while dealing with the headaches I usually get when I go from junk food to healthy food). It's like once you make some good choices for a while, you build momentum, and it gets easier.

And the best news? I went from 186 to 184 lbs this morning:)

I'm on my 6th day of calorie counting, eating healthy, and exercising, while still throwing in a little yummy junk food as well (but VERY little compared to the rest of the day's food). I'm feeling like a different person. My head feels SOOOOO clear, and I'm not feeling that weird shaky feeling when I get home, that always led to binge eating.

Yesterday morning I had scrambled eggs with homemade tomatoe-less salsa (we ran out of tomatoes), plus a slice of whole grain toast, and it was really filling, and I felt great all morning.

For lunch my family splurged and went to Panera Bread. I got french onion soup, an apple (when I usually would get chips or a roll) and a chocolate chip bagel. That last choice wasn't worth the calories or fat, but oh well, I'm still staying within my calorie and fat limits.

We then went to my borther and sister-in-law's house, and I used some of my banked calories to splurge on some ice cream cake. It was good, and I didn't overeat. I could feel the sugar affecting me later, so I know not to make a habit of that. The rest of the food I ate there was healthy (except for my non-whole-grain bread I had).

This morning I'm back up to 186. I'm not at all bothered by that, as I know my weight will fluctuate, and I've been weighing myself daily. So in total I've lost 3 pounds this week, and I feel REALLY good. This is almost my first whole week of eating healthy, and my first full week of my exercise program. I'm starting small with the exercise, only working out 15 minutes a day, three times a week, but I feel good that I'm making it a habit, and will step up the time after my three week inital goal is accomplished.

I had a killer headache today. I had to have a scope put down my nose at the doctor, and had anesthetic to numb me, so MAYBE that's why, but I think the headache showed it's first signs before the doctor visit.

Maybe it came from the sugary food I splurged on the day before. I felt so horrible by that evening that I didn't bother counting the calories of my evening sherbert snack, but I had about 500 calories left by then, so I knew I was okay.

So I'm a little discouraged by these headaches. Maybe I need to reign in my processed food eating even more, like only one serving of a salty snack and a sugary snack per day, and maybe only one serving of cheese. Or maybe I need to cut out processed food entirely for a week? Or maybe my headaches are something else entirely?

I also think I need to quit trying to follow the food pyramid. It seems to me the amount of grains and the amount of veggies per day should be flip flopped. In fact, I might try and do the method where you fill half your plate with veggies, a fourth with grain, and another fourth with protien, and maybe a fruit, cheese, or snack on the side (the snacks being very limited).

Any feedback would be SUPER welcome!

Was working right next to a bag of Halloween candy someone brought in today, and didn't touch one piece. YAY ME!

Well, yesterday I kept my fat below my limit, so that was great, and I still enjoyed my meals. Unfortunately, my carbs were too high. I guess the balancing act of fat, carbs, and protein isn't that easy. The important thing is I ate healthy, kept my calories under my limit, and I exercised.

Had a piece of pumpkin pie a friend brought over, and it was SOOOOO good. Is that because it was extra good pumpkin pie, or the fact that my taste buds are changing because most of my calories aren't from junk food? :)

And this morning I went down from 186 to 185. My trend line says I'm actually only down .25 lbs, but that's still great!

Good luck with your journey to eat healthy...I know it's one we all share.  My first thought after reading all your posts, though, is that you might want to be careful not to over-analyze everything that you're eating.  It sounds as if you're on the right track with whole grains, veggies, less processed food, etc.  I wouldn't worry so much about day-to-day weight fluctuations as long as you're eating healthy overall.  Relax and enjoy your new habits!

Now that I read what I just wrote, I realize that I need to apply my own advice!  Slow and steady wins the race, as they say.

Good luck!!

Original Post by cagey54:

My first thought after reading all your posts, though, is that you might want to be careful not to over-analyze everything that you're eating.

 I do tend to get obsessive about this stuff, but I get started, and then burn out and binge, so great point!

I eventually would like to stop counting points, and do the "half plate of veggies, half plate of whole grains, and half plate of protein, and a snack on the side" plan, but I want to keep seeing my calorie intake for a while. But I see what your saying. Again, I could burn myself out.

Cripes! I've got another headache today! At least I brought medicine me today.

I really want to know if these are from my diet, or sleep? I didn't go to bed until 12:30 am last night, and got up at 7:30 am. Looks like I got enough sleep, but maybe my schedule getting thrown off did it?

My calorie intake is 1719 per day, and I ate a lot of veggies and whole grains yesterday. My fat was 40.5 g, my carbs were 262.5 g (too high) and my protein was a measly 47.5 g. I wonder if it's a lack of protein?

Grrrrrrr... I was hoping the headaches would be a thing of the past by now.

*EDIT* One thing occured to me about the headaches while looking at my journal: The last 2 happened the morning after I exercised. ??? Could that really be related somehow?

Just discovered last night I love tuna! I always (for some crazy reason) avoided tuna because it almost always came with mayonase (which I hate), and never thought I might like it plain.

Had a really healthy meal last night, with a few unhealthy snacks. It's amazing how satisfying those small snacks are now versus big binges I used to have of the same junk food.

No headache this morning (had more sleep, so maybe that helped), and I'm down to 183 lbs! My trend line shows 185 is my more realistic weight loss, but that's still great!

My only frustration today is figuring out how to get more protein into my diet without adding a lot of fat or carbs. Can anyone recommend a high protein food with very little fat or carbs?

I think you could reach your ideal weight even before March 19th, if you cut down your calories a little and maybe exercised more. Nonetheless, if you need any additional support, I'll definitely be there to help. :)

Original Post by trustymutsi:

My only frustration today is figuring out how to get more protein into my diet without adding a lot of fat or carbs. Can anyone recommend a high protein food with very little fat or carbs?

Greek yogurt.  Has the carbs, but the protein far outweighs them.  Other than that, chicken, turkey -- both high in protein, no carbs, generally low fat.

Thanks for the feedback and support everyone!

Coach_K: I'm afraid I hate yogurt. I mean, I gag when I even smell it. Chicken and turkey I can deal with though:)

I'm confused. Mypyramid says I should have 5 ounces of meat/beans a day, but even the most conservative advice for how much protein I should have says I need at least 43g of protein a day. Unless I have chicken, turkey, or tuna as every one of those servings, there's no way I'm hitting that many grams of protein.

So who's right? Mypyramid or the 10%-30% protein rule? I'm starting to get frustrated by all the "expert's" opinions conficting with each other.

HEEEEELP!!!!

(GI Jane suggested the 1/3 plate method where I eat 1/3 veggies, 1/3 meat/beans, and 1/3 grains on my plate. This seems like it would be easier to fit in the protein. Maybe I should just do that?)

I think I just realized my problem.

When I read "5 ounces of meat/beans/etc a day" I took it as "don't eat MORE than 5 ounces a day", and maybe what it's saying is "Have at LEAST 5 ounces a day." If that's the case, of COURSE I can get the protein I need.

Sorry to everyone for my brain fart.

Had a good weekend. Focused less on fat,carbs, and protein ratios, and more on my food groups, and I actually ended up doing BETTER with having less fat, carbs, and more protein :)

And I'm now down to 182!