Slow-paced dieters? Let's rally!!

Hi everyone!  I've read so many threads where people are dieting quickly and eating like 1300 calories a day and stuff like that.  I've got a very slow-paced goal for myself.  I want to lose 63 pounds but plan on doing so over the next 23 months.  I'm in no rush and don't have the discipline to "crash diet". 

I'm consuming 1700-2000 calories a day and trying to work out 20-30 minutes/day but I'm REALLY bad at motivating myself to do that, especially during the August heat.  I'll be doing more bike riding as fall comes closer. 

So, who else out there is dieting slowly?  Who needs motivation to work out?  Let's get on each other's friends lists and start supporting each other.

Hello ladieeees.. and gents.. I think there might be some! ;o)

Don't worry, sickofdieting!  You'll figure it all out - I had the same problem, which is why I joined this site.  Once I got into the habit of recording my cal's, I just kept adjusting my calories (ugh, lower and lower.. ) and upped my fitness level until I started seeing some weight loss.. But my body's like mageegs -- it defies physics!  haha.. this weight-loss game is complicated.  I think our metabolisms shift around from day to day.  I'm trying not to fixate on the numbers.. but it's very hard not to!

When my weight stayed stationary for weeks despite cutting back and being more active, I decided I must be underestimating my intake or overestimating my BMR.  Cutting back cal's a tiny bit worked briefly.  Then it stopped again, so I did more strength training, less cardio. That also worked.  For weeks I've been pretty inactive on a day-to-day basis, so just eating around my BMR or just below has stalled my progress and made me gumpy!  haha.. I have only ever lost a pound every 10 days.. which is frustrating, but at least I know it does work.  If I wanted to lose faster, I'd have to do more and eat less, I guess, and at this time in my life, I just don't think I'm ready to face that.   This is a real learning process..

As I get nearer my target the weight comes off slower and slower -- does anyone else find that? 

Sorry for your loss and your ongoing struggle, kathypk.. :o(  You're making great choices and taking good care of yourself.  There's plenty of support here when you need it! 

Hey, Shelly--I hear you.  It's such a pain (literally) to be motivated to work at being more fit, something's that's not always the most fun, anyway, but be held back by conditions that inhibit your ability to exercise.  An additional hurdle to fitness?  Oh, great.  *g*  My friends with RA and Lupus have described problems with pain and movement that I can relate to, and some of them were quite young when they started having problems, too.   You're always welcome to poke me for commiseration or celebration, or both.  :)

Tara, your stratagies for coping with plateaus sound like good ones.  When I lost weight before, I did seem to have to work harder the closer I got to my goal.  One reason that I've read for this is that, as we lose weight, we have less to carry around and so don't have to work as hard.  That just doesn't seem fair.  *g*  But it makes sense that our built in weight works as built in "weights" until we lose it, and then we have to  compensate with something else.  I think I'll be okay with the trade-off when I reach that point, though.  :)

Kathy, I'm so sorry for your loss.  I lost my mother 4 years ago, and it's still tough but it does get better, with time.  I'm glad you're looking after yourself and being proactive about your health.  

I had an eye-opening eating experience this week.  I ordered a small Pumpkin Pie shake at Culvers and split it with my daughter while we ate our salads.  Got home to log it, and, guess what?  Over 700 calories in one small shake!  I was floored.  So much for ordering unknown-calorie goodies when I'm stopping for a salad.  Or maybe I'll ask them for a nutritional handout, first.  Wow.

 

Tara and CC, I once read an article in which the author told readers to lift and carry around two ten lb bags of potatoes for a day to better envision what 20 lbs of excess weight feels like. I thought this was a terrific analogy and seems to fit with the idea that our excess weight makes us work harder just to move around, and when that's gone, we have to substitute something else to make us work (10 lb bags of potatoes, perhaps?! )

kathypk, the tofu was awful! I've given up; I'll never develop a taste for the stuff, so I'll find protein from other sources (thanks Tara, for suggesitng quark and quinoa--both sound good, and I'm always game to try something new...I tried tofu, after all!). Kathy, I'm also sorry to learn of your mom's passing, and I'm glad you're spending quality time with your dad. I lost my mom when I was 9 and my dad 7 years ago, and you really realize what you don't have when it's gone...I hope that makes sense.

Re: weight loss physics, I stepped on the scale this morning to find I've gained back another 1/2 pound for no fathomable reason, sigh. Perhaps I should say weight loss psychics, because it just seems to magically appear and disappear inexplicably.  

Good morning all.  Thank you for the cyberhugs.  :)  My Dad and I had a pretty good day.  He liked the monument I picked out.  It is a very emotional time in my life.  It is my Dad who is deemed to have terminal cancer and it was my Mom who passed away 1st from her cancer.  I guess it is true that no one has an expiration date stamped on their foot.  Enough of that sadness.  ;)

I need to get busy and get packed.  The folks at the hotel are giving me a "jaccuzzi" room for the night.  Very nice of them.  :)

My Dad and I will be watching the Steelers game today then we might go visit a friend of his.  Here we go Steelers, here we go.

Tara, sorry the tofu wasn't good.  I've tried making it myself and never found it very tasty.  I've bought some at WholeFoods Deli and it was delicious!  I make alot of 3 bean salad and get good protein from that.  I just mix the beans with onion, green pepper, a little olive oil, lemon juice, cumin and coriander.  I like the texture of the crunchy vegetables and the kinda mooshy beans.

Better get moving.  Have a good day all. 

Hi all!  you guys should start a 'tofu haters, unite!' thread, haha..   I'm  weird -- I can eat tofu straight right out of the package.. haha. 

There are a few awesome vegetarian restaurants in Toronto who seem to do amazing things with other soy derivatives like seitan and tempeh -- stuff I could never cook at home!  I do appreciate vegetarian food -- There's nothing I like better than a big bowl of brown rice w some stir fried veggies.. but I'm noticing I can't afford the huge amount of cal's in grains -- esp whole grains -- and I need more protein than usual when I'm in my heavy weight-training sched. (last time I did some heavy strength training and didn't eat enough protein I was sore for a week! So I eat da meat!)

At the peak of my vegatarian sympathies, (back when I was faiting all the time) my nutritionist prescribed 6 servings of meat/fat per day!! I asked her, "but can't I be a vegatarian and still be healthy?"She said, 'Can you eat 3 bean burritos?'.  I said, 'no, probably not'.  She said, 'Then eat a steak burrito!!'   Well, it was a bit frustrating....for about a week, then I felt like 1 zillion dollars almost overnight.  No more energy spikes and dips, no more fainting.  I knew she had a point.  I know it's different for everyone, but getting off the carb-train really helped me. 

Oh!  I remembered something from a couple pages back about calories in veggies... don't forget that high-fibre foods like veggies, fruits, and whole grains take energy to process, esp cellulose-heavy veggies like celery. This is controversial, but it is widely accepted that you can subtract 9 calories per gram of fibre.  I wouldn't hesitate to eat nearly unlimited non-starchy veggies and low-glycemic  fruits, esp berries.  Even high-glycemic fruits are a great way to give you sweetness without a lot of calories or blood-sugar swinging...

My 2 centimes..  Hope you're all well!  It's gorgeous here -- 27 and sunny!

:oD

Tara

 

 

quick post before i go to bed! today was a good day, i ate about 1400, but didnt count veg, so i imagine that takes me up to 1700... i also burned 400 cals on teh step maching which is really great!! exercise kills me, but today was a good day so i hope i dont suffer tomorrow:-(

good night guyz, tomorrow is another day

 shelly

x

Hi Ladies, 

Thought I would chime in and join your thread. I too am aiming for a slow, steady weight loss. My "goal" is 25 pounds in a year. I always seem to set myself up for failure by telling myself I can only have 1200 calories, then proceed to immediately exceed that and by the end of the day, it's snack attack time!

So, by utilizing the very good tools here, I have adjusted my calories to 1450 per day. According to the burn meter, I burn a minimum of 1700 on a sedentary day without any exercise, so I figure the only way to go is up! A deficit of as little as 200 calories a day would still theoretically cause a 20 pound loss in a year. That's doable.

J. 

Ah, beautiful, beautiful fibre! You're right Tara, gotta love that roughage the vegies can give you. Man, I think they should offer courses in dieting. All these unknowns about food and exercise that you never think of, and rarely ever learn in the day to day.

Went biking with my sister today. That little 7 kilometer jaunt I mentioned? Seems I misremembered the distance SEVERELY--I rode 20 km/12 1/2 miles today! Ouch! Had an epsom salt bath tonight--and it's got to be dire, for me to opt for a bath rather than a shower. I just hope I can creak out of bed tomorrow morning.

But, sucker for punishment, I'm already planning the same trip with sis for next week or the week after. I am curious to see what the scale has the audacity to show me tomorrow morning, after today!

I was so proud this weekend because I wore a pair of pants that I clearly remember not fitting me at all when they were handed down to me by a friend, at the beginning of summer. Pant sizes are so stupid - some size 20s are just beginning to fit me, while others need a belt already! Damn you, indecisive clothes designers!

Anyway, it does help to show progress by trying something on that doesn't fit, because when the day comes that you realize it fits and looks great, it's very rewarding. I had been avoiding these pants, leaving them in the "Drawer of Nonfitting", but I was low on laundry so I dug them out. But you can't try them on every day, or even every week - but every couple of weeks works for me. It's hard for me to see my own weight loss in the mirror, since it's so slow and steady, but a pair of pants generally stays consistent. And there's such a difference between "Can zip but looks awful" and "Wearable out of the house and even gets compliments!" :-D

I have to say I am just struggling along at 168, BUT, I am noticing my clothes fit better, My hubby keeps telling me I look like I am looking a bunch and I can do things that a month ago would have been impossible! I walk up to two miles every day! I am so proud of that> I just wish that all powerful genie in the scale would let those numbers start decreasing....

bad, bad, bad day.......

started off badly, coz woke up late and didnt have time for proper brekky... was ok, till i came home from work, and then i just ate everything i saw! two bowls of pasta, chocolate etc.. and coudln't do any exercise, coz  there is a big fire in the neighborhood, apparently arson so no one really wanted to go out this eve for a jog/walk!!!

i suppose the only way to look at is that tomorrow has to be better!!!!!!

Sickofdieting--Fortunately, in this thread, we're a group of people who don't react to days when we don't do as well with "Oh, no, now I won't lose four lbs this week!" like some seem to.  One of the benefits of recognizing the validity of gradual weight loss is that we're not sent into a scale-related tailspin when we feel we've missed it.  We'll still lose, and it'll be slow, but that's what we're expecting, here, anyway.  As long as it's a constant, if slow, downward trend and we're still working at retraining and regrouping, we haven't failed.  There's room in a sane and sensible weight loss plan for days when we go off the rails.  We can even compensate when that happens by selecting from our less fat- or carb- or calorie-dense meal and snack choices for a few days--not a severe restriction that'll prompt us to 'cheat' again, but some of the healthier options available to us (I'll eat one of my lighter casserole or soup recipes for dinner, not have a snack of cheese for a few days, etc.)  I do this to compensate for some of my richer dinner recipes, too, alternating the A+ meals with the Cs so I won't feel deprived of my favorite things (while always watching portion sizes.)  That way it's more about an average for the week rather than a daily "grade."  Avoiding feelings of deprivation is important to being able to stay consistent and keep the trend heading downward, as is avoiding feelings of failure when we don't stay rigidly between the lines every single day.  Of course, too many "exceptional" days don't help us reach our goals, either, and that's something I've learned I have issues with.  There are too many "special occasions" and "exceptions" and "just this once" moments if I don't make myself say no.  Recognizing that passing up a goody today doesn't mean I'll never get the opportunity to have it ever again has been been a struggle for me, but it's one I'm winning.

Those of you who mentioned clothes--that's great!  It's such a happy thing to put on a garment that didn't fit, before and find that it does, now.  Clothing and other milestones like increased ease in exercising are better and more reassuring indicators that we're making progress than the scale is, sometimes, especially if we're building muscle as we lose fat.  We're in this to feel healthier and more fit and wear smaller clothing, in the end; seeing those numbers on the scale get smaller isn't the actual goal, it's the changes in our bodies we're shooting for.  Seeing those things happen should be as or more rewarding than seeing the scale numbers drop.  It's the whole point!  :)

Sounds like most everyone is doing well.  sickofdieting- it's not worth sweating the days when you gorge.  Just try to eat a little healthier tomorrow and get in a few more minutes of exercise.

My exciting news is that tomorrow night I am initiating my trial gym membership and will be receiving a free consultation with a personal trainer too!!  It's a later appointment (7:45pm) but that was as soon as I could get in this week.  They assigned me a woman which I am very happy about.  I would feel less comfortable talking to a guy about my body and what I want to look like.  I know they're professionals, but still...  Anyhow, can't wait and I'm sure you'll all hear about it soon enough!!

Sickofdieting, don't worry about today.  Jump on the wagon with me tomorrow and we'll be OK.

Last night I couldn't sleep so raided the vending the machine at the hotel at about 1AM.  By the time I added that and my breakfast into the calorie count for today, I was at 700 calories. Lunch was pretty light but my Dad and I went out tonight for dinner and the blackened chicken alfredo linguini alone was about 700 calories (and that is just a guess).  Of course I didn't walk today....

No big deal. I'll be driving for 10 hours tomorrow to get back home.  I had a WONDERFUL day with my Dad and Wednesday  I'll get back on track.

I'm looking forward to you getting back on track too.

lynne_c --  how was your date!?

kthompson92 -- good luck tomorrow! hope you find a good trainer-match - it's a really smart thing to do..

Thanks for all the encouragement everyone -- I've been so stressed with work for the past week or so, I'm totally off the fitness and eating bandwagon! -- I've been eating very little, which is terrible for my metabolism!!  I really wanted to exercise all the time, but let other things kept getting in the way. 

One reason for my poor direction is that I've temporarily lost my workout buddy -- my husband -- who's going through some motivational struggles of his own.  He's stopped going regularly to the gym, gained 15 pounds and started eating way more than he used to -- he's had problems with overeating in the past, and I'm starting to worry about him. 

But still, that's his struggle, I know.  I'm responsible for taking care of myself.  For a few weeks, I kept going to the gym alone, or working out at home, but it's not as fun.  Phil's the one who got me into lifting weights, which I love, and he's so fun to work out with.  I don't really know any other weight trainers.  It's hard to keep going on my own, since it was such a big part of our lives before.

Phil was looking for a new way to get motivated so he decided to take a break from working out until the new gym opened right near our office.  Phil's all psyched to go at lunchtime.  He wants me to join him and everybody from work.  I think I'll give it a try, but I'm not sure how I feel about it.  I'd prefer to work out alone at my old gym than work with our entire staff. 

It's not a big crisis, I'm just realizing that although I liked the way things were before, things are changing, and I'd better change too!

Who knows, maybe I'll be able to get a few more women from work to do weights with me, and it'll be fun.. ?  Here's hoping -- I'll try it out this week.

:oD

Tara

The gym and trainer yesterday were AWESOME!!  I came home so excited that now my husband wants to check it out and consider joining.  YAY!!  Details of my trip to the gym are in my journal if you're interested.

The hardest part and saddest part was learning for the first time ever that I am 40% body fat.  It broke my heart to read that number on the monitor.  But, I'll get over it and I'm on the way to a better me and I KNOW that. 

It's weird, but I feel so free! I upped my calorie allowance but keeping it @ 200-250 below the burn meter and have actually dropped a pound over the last few days! Tomorrow is my one month anniversary with CC and I am down a healthy four pounds. This is a great group and I am very pleased to have found it.

Everyone, have a most glorious day!

J.

Kthompson92 good for YOU!!!!  you are such a go-getter, girl!  It would be an added bonus if your hubby became your health buddy too! -- nothing in the world makes as much of a difference to your fitness as a great workout partner.  I look fwd to reading your journal entry.  Don't worry about your #.. it will change! You're in the driver's seat now...* * <-( pom poms..)

 Great news, virtualseeds, that's awesome!  that's something I hear a lot -- just finding that fine line where you're creating a calorie deficit, but not such a huge one that your body thinks --uh-oh, famine!-- and shuts down the works. 

I have good news too -- so I went to the new GoodLife near work with the "guys..", and it was great!!  Aside from some major off-gassing from all the new carpets and rubber equipment, haha....  the view was incredible, the equipment top of the line, and the deal's a pretty good corporate rate. It's nice to have an alternative place to work out, and to build that connection with the other fitness-positive ppl at our workplace.  There's a nice sense of camaraderie within the workout crowd.  Maybe I could even convince some of the other 'gals' to go (there are hardly any in animation, let alone ones who'd like to go to a gym).  We'll see.. I'm keeping an open mind! 

Cheers,

:oD

Tara

Gym, Day 2: Well folks, for the first time in my life I hit the gym 2 days in a a row!  I took a 30 minute CORE class that focussed on abs/core training.  It was easy and intense all at once.  It was intense because some of the exercises were tough but easy because the instructor was SO ENCOURAGING.  There were about 8 people in the class and he spent a lot of time helping me position myself to do the moves correctly or assisting me if I was struggling. 

I also LOVED how he ran the class.  He'd show us a move a few times and describe how to do it while having us practice the move slowly.  Then he'd give us a # of reps and let everyone complete it at their own pace.  That style worked really well for me.   He told me that I did a great job and made me feel GREAT about myself.  I was feeling so good, I did 10 minutes on the tread mill before leaving.  He was very impressed with that!

Tomorrow afternoon I meet with the trainer, Desiree, again and then I plan to take this CORE class again.  They gave me a 2-week pass for the hubby and we're going to hit the gym together Friday so he can check it out!!  I'm so excited that he's going to (likely) do this with me.  Even if we go together and do our own thing (one takes a class while the other works out alone or we just work out alone doing different stuff), it would still be great to go there and encourage one another.  

Ok, sorry I'm rambling about all my crap but I am so excited about my progress ands motivation.  Sharing it with you gals just makes me feel that much better about myself!!  I don't know where I'd be without your ongoing support.  LOVE AND DIETING PRAYERS TO ALL! 

K, this is so exciting it brought a tear to my eye!!  I'm not kidding..

You sound so jazzed it's contagious!!  I'm so glad you found a good class AND a good trainer match (that's not always the case, I can assure you!) -- you really lucked out!  Keep us posted!

 Oh .. ps to my 'I went back to the gym' post earlier.. I can barely walk today, haha... my legggggs.. ow...  Fear not!  This isn't necessarily part of normal training, just the extreme kind I end up doing with these nuts from work: heavy squats, deadlifts, weighted calves, adductors/abductors, and abs.. I haven't hit my legs that hard in a long time...I don't know why I like the gym so much -- it's heavy metal all the way.. my husband was taunting me like, "you should take it eeeeeaaasy.. "  ha, what does he know!

I'm going to take some aspirin now.. ugh..