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.

Ok, so lost 1.5 pounds of that 2.5 gain from Friday.  I should be fine by Monday or Tuesday.  Keep up that water drinking, gals!!

See... told ya so *lol*  I also "gained" 2 pounds today...  I knew i would... I chose to have pizza and popcorn last night... and I LOVED it...  Mine'll be gone in a few days, too!  Hopefully in time to show a lost for my biggest loser weigh in on Wed.

haahaha... I love this forum! 

I just went away and had a great, fun weekend in Niagara Falls, but diet-wise it was a disaster!!  The only 'exercise' I got in was strolling from the car to the restaurants we ate ate -- ugh!!  I tried to eat healthy, control my portions and choose healty options, but there was barely a scrap of healthy food to be found anywhere -- everything came with fries, and the only protein to be had was drenched in gravy, salads consisted of iceburg lettuce and a slice of tomato, and the only fruit or veg I saw all weekend was a side of carrots that I stopped eating after a few bites because they were dripping with butter. 

The piece de la resistance was tonight -- a Dairy Queen burger at 9:30  at night!!  haha!!

I did try my best to bring a cooler with healthy options for the 3 car trips we did, which was great -- at least my 10-year-old ate lots of good stuff, and we didn't end up buying any packaged junk.

I was feeling pretty low just before I signed in, knowing that in 2 days I've probably gained back the measly 1.5 pounds I've lost in nearly a month.  ...

But then, it looks like we've all spent a typical summer weekend at places like state fairs or hanging with friends in restaurants, struggling to reign in our calories while food surrounds us.  Food is such a part of celebrating in our culture, but it IS hard to judge what a few bites of exotic restaurant food adds up to! 

I wrote everything down as best as I could, but  I think I might just not record this entire weekend -- it's too confusing!

Anyway -- thanks for sharing all of your ups and downs so far -- it's very heartening to read that everyone is going through the same sort of stuff.

Oh -- at least I drank my water, haha!!  :oD  I carry around a dorky bottle all the time, and fill it at least 4 x a day -- yes, I have to find bathrooms everywhere!

Take care, everyone -- I'll step on the scale tomorrow and cry on your shoulders if necessary!

:o)

Tara

This forum is just great - I love reading the postings.

Okay so I blew the diet yesterday and its the first time I have "waivered" for a long time.  I had two cinnamon bagels in the morning, and last night had an Indian take-away with a friend - it was all veggie stuff but nevertheless I guess there were a fair amount of calories, and two glasses of red wine.  Today I am really regretting eating it, because I feel terrible!  The stomach is churning like crazy and I feel sick.  Serves me right.  Does anyone else find that they are becoming intolerant of various foods as they get older?

Today I am being good and am on my third big glass of water.  I guess I have learnt my lesson.  I will step on the scales tomorrow!

Two pounds gone already... WHOOSH...

Yes, I know that some people really think that in your whole life you can NEVER gave a day when you go over calories... to me that's just not logical.

I WILL say, however, that I plan for my over calorie days... because I like to look at an AVERAGE number for a week right at 1750 instead of worrying as much about every single day.

I KNEW that Saturday was going to be a 3000 calorie day (still 300 pounds below my calories burned for the day)... so I prepared... excercised more on Thurs. and Fri. and only ate about 1400 calories those two days.  According to WW and other weight loss programs I've tried in the past... you have to make up for those days BEFORE not after.

Anyway.. that's just MY theory. 

Hubby and I are having an anniversary dinner this Friday, and he kinda pouted at me because he wants to drink this really great bottle of wine that we have.  It's a cabernet... and he's literally a chef... and he said, "We won't really appreciate the taste of the wine unless it's paired with something full of fat."  so I sighed... relented... and now know that I have to restrict all week...  BUT it'll be worth it not only for the wine but also the excellent dinner on Friday...

But I'm back for my first day at work now... off I go! :-)

Wahhhh!!!  boo hoo -- back up a pound after the weekend.. but like we all agree, it's an average over time, not individual days that count, right?  I'm hanging onto that concept while I stew about why it's taking me so long to lose a few pounds.... grrr... I mean .. *sigh*..

I agree that it's silly to obsess over each day's calories -- it's good to have some lean and some more indulgent days.  I mean, you can't skip things like delicious anniversary dinners and meals with friends, now, can you?  :oD 

The only thing is.. If I've dropped my calories and raised my energy output so that on paper it looks as though I'm creating a calorie deficit of about 350 cal's a day (average, including high-calorie days), then I think I really ought to be seeing a couple of pounds come off every 10 days or so.   But it appears not to work that way -- I know it's not that mathematical. 

I've done this process before -- several times -- and it did work, but the little bit I lost took forever, and then came right back on.  Losing weight seems to take extreme levels of dieting and exercise, and gaining it just takes a weekend of hanging with friends eating normally. 

Wait ! that's a terrible attitude!  I can do this, right? 

Obviously my math's a little off -- i need to just tweak that diet a little and do a little more exercise and maybe things will improve.  :oD

Riiiight... That's the ticket! 

I'm learning so much by doing this .. and by listening to other people's experiences -- thanks for sharing.

Gotta go drink some water, haha..

:o)

Tara

sadiesmom- haven't heard from you in a couple of days.  Is your ankle better?  How's your water consumption? 

All- I've noticed that even though I usually grade between a B+ and an A for the day on my food intake, I'm usually about 50% carbs.  Granted, the carbs are coming from things like: whole grain bread or pasta, fruits, and veggies.  Does everyone else find they have a high carb intake for the day?  Is this ok?  Feedback would be apprecipated.  Thanks!!

Good news: I'm back down to my 212.5 I was prior to the fair.  I'm hoping to hit 211.5 by week's end but it's supposed to rain all week so the biking I was hoping to do might not be so feasible.  Wish me luck!!

Also, I've already had 40 oz. of water for the day and it's only 10:30 am !!!  Go, me!!!

Hi!  This might help -- I just saw a great thread on this forum under "weight loss" called "Too many carbs?" that includes a lot of really educated info that might give you some ideas. 

http://www.calorie-count.com/forums/post/2751 2.html

I think I have the same kind of diet as you -- usually around 50% carbs, all from healthy sources (well, ok, I had a bit of carrott cake hee hee).  I was wondering that too -- I'm ending up with more like 300 grams of carbs a day sometimes... probably too much for me?

I think 50% carbs is usually considered perfect.  You can tweak it a little higher or lower, depending on the kind of exercise you're doing.  More protein for strength training, more carbs for cardio, for example.

I'm thinking of scaling back a little calorie-wise, but maintaining the ratio of 50% carbs/25% protein/25% fat.  I usually eat around 2000, right now I'm aiming for 1800, but I think I might have to go down to 1600 to see some action on that scale:

2000 cal's/day:

• Carbs - 50% = 1000 cal's /  4 cal's per gram = 250 grams
• Protein - 25%  = 500 cal's / 4 cal's per gram  = 125 grams* (this is considered quite high but it works for me)
• Fat - 25% = 500 cal's / 9 cal's per gram = 55.55 grams

1800 cal's/day :

• Carbs - 50% = 900 cal's / 4 = 225 grams
• Protein - 25% = 450 cal's / 4 = 112.5 grams
• Fat - 25% = 450 cal's / 9 = 50 grams

1600 cal's/day:

• Carbs - 50% = 800 cal's / 4 = 200 grams
• Protein - 25% = 400 cal's / 4 = 100 grams
• Fat - 25 % = 400 cal's / 9 = 44.44 grams

Anyone ever figure this out for other ratios of carbs/protein/fat?

:o)

Tara in her lab....

Thanks, Tara.  Reading that forum was very helpful and has confirmed that I am on the right track as long as I'm eating healthier carbs.  I wouldn't worry about the carrot cake... last week I made an oatmeal spice cake.  However, with the oatmeal and the wheat flour I used, it was (relatively) healthy, fiber/carb wise.  

I seem to have skipped ahead because I wanted to respond to texasteach's question about whether people are dieting slow "on purpose," which is exactly what I'm doing, and for the reason you cited, texasteach. So I'm sorry if I seem to be barging in, or ignoring earlier posts. I intend to hop back and read them when this posting is done! And I hope you'll let me join you.

I've been a yoyo dieter for over 25 years off and on, and this time, after gaining back 30+ lbs I lost last year, I settled in to try again but balked at the recommended 1200 cal/day that this site calculated for me. Last time I tried an intake that low, I was constantly fixated on food.

I'm one of the taller ones--5'6"--and yes, I feel like a towering giant when I'm next to you 5'2" and 5'3" gals! And right now I weigh 169.5. I got back on the weight-loss wagon when I weighed in at 172.5, three weeks ago. I lost the 3 lbs the first week and haven't lost anything since. Oh well. I've always eaten fairly healthy; now I'm eating a bit less and trying to be more active. Slow steps.

I've revised my goal weight up to 150 and have decided that going slower and eating more while I'm losing may help me maintain my goal weight whenever I reach it...I set my goal at May 30 2008 so this site would tell me I can eat 1425 cal/day and will reach my goal around mid-December 2007. I don't care if I don't hit 150 until December 2008--as long as I eat healthy and get some exercise but keep it all within what I know about myself instead of trying to impose and stick to a totally artificial lifestyle for me. 1425 a day is comfortable for me right now and if I go a little over once in a while, well, hopefully it will all even out in the end. I'm hoping this more patient tactic will allow me to "stick" to the new, lower weight this time, because my eating/exercise habits will be just that--habits--by the time I reach 150, and not merely a means to an end.

Patience is a virtue! Yeah!

 

Oh-oh--I went back and read all of your posts and now I have responses...I feel a little like the person that joins a conversation halfway through and says all of the things that the others already talked about ten minutes ago...

Texasteach: "The other thing that I used to forget ALL of the time was how happy I'd be with myself WAY before goal weight. When you've been 200 pounds overweight, 50 pounds overweight looks pretty good to you. Heck, I'm still almost 100 pounds over now, and I think I look pretty darn good!"

I really like your attitude!

Taraminator: hey there, fellow Canuck! How’s it going, eh?

Beckkk: "My work outs are walking my dog. Thank God for him otherwise I probably wouldn't do much."

Those sad puppy eyes are what get me up and out everyday! They have to really lay it on thick in the winter, though, and no more gardening then either...argh!

clarkplace123: "Water intake is at 60 oz today so far so I should get to my 80 oz no problemo ! ( I am so proud of myself!!!)"

Oh my...you must slosh! I know I don’t drink enough water...80 oz...unbelievable! Way to go!

Tara: "Hey, Eating Dieters, hee hee.. how do you guys feel about "Cheat Days"... ? My formerly chubby hubby swears that it's really important to overeat one day a week to keep your body from kicking into 'starvation mode'."

I call it a "carrot day"—one day a week my husband and I go out to dinner, and I order whatever I want, including dessert. It makes the other 6 days of the week easier to get through, and usually I weigh in lower the day after a carrot day.

Magee

Magee- We're so glad to have you on board.  I added you on my friends list and will try to offer as much as support as possible.  We'll all be a happier and healthier bunch in the long run than the others!

Great week! 

I am having some issues tho... just went back to work, and I'm having trouble getting in enough HEALTHY calories... any suggestions on quick/low fat/ relatively high calorie/ natural snacks?

Welcome Magee!! More Canadians, eh! :oD

This is a very welcoming forum -- no need to worry about barging!

re; 1200 cal's/day diets -- I've been shocked at how many sites recommend 1200 cals/day, and then expect you to do 400 cal's of exercise as well!  I can tell you i would barely be able to do up my shoelaces if I ran at a deficit that high.  Besides -- we're trying to establish a permanently healthy lifestyle, which will allow us to incorporate a few more 'treats' once we've reached our goals -- not alter our diets in weird, unsustainable ways.  Rebounding after working so hard is so depressing, it's so important to avoid that happening.

texasteach -- so sorry you're having health problems!! Is everything ok?  Are you seeking a fairly high-density snack b/c your appetite's gone missing?   

Hope you feel better... what's your craving, salty/sweet/crunchy?  got any allergies/aversions? :o) 

Losing weight fast can be dangerous to your health.   If you lose the weight slowly then most of will be fat loss and not lean body mass.   At the beginning of my diet I tried to eat about 1500 calories but I usually ate between 1500 - 1800.  At 1800 I'll probably lose about a 1/2 lb. a week.  I started eating frozen meals (lean cuisine) since I knew exactly the calories I was eating.  I tried eating more protein, though I don't like meat all that much.  I'm trying to eat more fish.  I then went on a phase of eating subway sandwiches 3 or 4 times a week.  A 6"" turkey sandwich with no cheese and no oil is only 280 calories.   I now am using meal replacement  shakes once or twice a day as a snack.  They are very sweet and have lots of vitamins and minerals in them.   Along with a weight lifting program with a few dumbells, I've lost about 15 lbs. in 4 months.   I agree with other posters, it can be frustrating when other people lose 2 or 3 pounds a week.   But I'm so hungry, I couldn't sustain a very low calorie diet.

Slow and steady wins the race.....

It's late in Oregon, and I'm tired... but, I need to remind everyone to take their daily vitamin of water, or herbal tea (my fav!).

I'm not allergic to anything... it's a matter of time an convenience... I'm a teacher... so I can't just "snack" during the day... I haven't resorted to UNHEALTHY food... I"m simply having trouble getting ENOUGH calories in... and I don't want to slam them all at night.

texasteach: would keeping a can of nuts in your desk help?  You could munch on a few when the kids are busy without having to stop everything you're doing for a full snack.

texasteach:  Is there any way you could grab a fruit smoothie along the way to work for breakfast?  They average 350-400 calories and are a fun and filling way to start the day.  Also, you could try keeping a yogurt or some yummy fruit (watermelon, berries, etc.) in the teacher's lounge for recess time, and add some granola or something like it on top for a crunchy treat.  I run a daycare, so it is hard to find time to snack healthy.  I can understand how hard it is.  Having a game plan really helps. Good luck!

Hi all...

Kthompson...glad to see that those pounds are coming back off.  I knew they would.  Drink, drink, drink.

My ankle is mending but I have not been able to go for my walks and the scale is reflecting it.  I have gained about a pound or so.  I am still slogging on my water.  I find I am actually starting to be thirsty for it now.  I can get the 64 oz in very easily and am working on upping that every day.  I think my ankle will be well enough tomorrow for me to walk.  I hope so cause I can see that I a not sleeping as well and I sure have the munchies a lot more since I haven't been able to exercise like before.

I go back to the doctor on September 17 and I am hoping to lose five pounds before then.  So far I haven't lost any from the last time I saw her.  It is starting to get pretty depressing.