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, I've had a REALLY good couple of days food and water-wise.  I could be doing more/better with exercising.  I just cannot bring myself to get on my bike in this hummidity.  Even at 7 pm tonight, the heat index was like 97 or something.  YUCK! 

For those of you who exercise outdoors (walking, biking, or whatever), what do you do when the weather doesn't cooperate?  Suck it up and just do it or find something else to do in its place?  HELP!

Also, I'm wondering how often everyone weighs themselves.  I've been weighing daily since I started CC.  I weigh first thing in the morning, with no clothing on, bgefore I do anything else.  Some mornings it puts a smile on my face and other days it makes me want to crawl under the covers.  Would I better off just weighing 1 or 2 times/week?  What does everyone else do?  Thanks!

I've been reading your journals and trying to leave comments.  Please try to do the same for me when you have a minute.  I need all the motivation I can get.

Thanks to everyone for the great response in this thread.  It  totally keeps me going to know I'm not the only one trying to lose in this manner.  Love and prayers to all!  Keep up the good work everyone!!

I'm sorry, but there are so many posts on this thread that I didn't read most of them, so I might not fit in.  But I am totally all about losing weight slowly.  This is the first time I've tried a "diet".  When I say "diet" I want to clarify that I mean making a permanent and healthy change in my eating/lifestyle habits.  I was actually reluctant to "diet" for fear I might screw up my metabolism.

Growing up, I saw my mom always on one diet or another (she was even on a weight watchers tv commercial in the early '80s!  She lost 12 lbs in 2 weeks- and that was supposed to be a good thing!)  I don't want to wreak havoc with my metabolism like that.  I started out counting calories, then when I felt I got the hang of what my expenditure of calories was like, I stopped counting.  I've been exercising more and more though because (a.) exercise actually increases your metabolism while eating less decreases  it and (b.) I get really energized from my work outs!

So, I haven't counted calories since the spring, but still am losing 2-4 lbs a month - about 20 lbs all together now.  (Counting calories was such a pain!)  If my weight starts to go up, I'll definitely go back to counting though.  I weigh myself every time I go to the gym because the scale I have at home is unreliable.  It's good because I see how my weight fluctuates throughout the day depending on if I'm retaining water, just ate, just went to the bathroom, etc.  This way, I don't freak out about a pound or two. 

It turns out that I'm losing weight slower than my calorie count prediction, but that's fine with me.  It took me a while to gain this weight so I don't expect to lose it quickly.  And I read an article that said something like the faster people lost weight, the faster they gained it back.  Slow and steady is the way to go!!!

hi texasteach and ddugan.. I know what you mean about high-density snacks!  i'm only an occasional substitute teacher, but those days I was STARVING!!  how do you teachers DO it?? I'm used to working at home and eating pretty much all day, (kind a like a squirrel, haha..) so being in a classroom was a real eye-opener (stomach growling... ) 

It IS hard to have good things on hand -- sometimes I look like a sherpa going to work with a huge amount of stuff to last the whole day.  I sometimes pack a little cooler bag with a small freezer pack, if I'm feeling ambitious.. But I totally relate to the need to have things prepared to keep hunger at bay.

In case anyone's interested, here are some more ideas for...

Compact, Healthy Snacks on-the-go...

I looked up calorie-dense healthy high-protein snacks on this site, and I can't find the post now, but I seem to recall some highlights were whole grains, lean meats like tuna, low fat cheese, beans and eggs. 

Blended drinks - Everybody's right -- they are very calorie dense, (add whey protein for more complete nutrition) and additions like ground flax seed really add up.

Granola is very high in calories, esp with some almonds, walnuts or pecans thrown in for extra protein. A sprinkle over yogurt makes a great snack.

Wraps - 1 large whole wheat wrap is 190 cal's -- a good start to a compact wrap sandwich that would easily add up to over 400 cal's with some meat or tuna and sliced low-fat cheese. 

Avocados!  They're not incredibly high-protein, but they have healthy fat, a creamy texture, and are calorie dense and shelf-stable.  Added to a salad, or inside a sandwhich, yum yum... over 300 cal's a pop!

Cottage cheese-and yogurt snack packs are really good for a pocket snack. 

String cheese (not just for kids).

Soy milk love the chocolate soy. 120 cal's 5 gr protein

Milk 90 cal's, 9 gr protein

Nuts (not always allowed in schools), seeds and soy nuts -- good in some trail mix with dried fruit, sunflower and sesame seeds. 

Power bars -- granted they ARE expensive, but there are some good recipes online -- I used to make my own years ago with coconut, peanut butter, skim milk powder, cocoa, honey, seeds and dried fruit -- I made them into little golf balls and popped them into zip-locks. I think they were like 100 cal's each!  Yipes!

Now I'm hungry from making this list...

Going camping this weekend and my husband has declared himself totally in charge of food!!  And, all foods will be coming out of shelf-stable packages.. oh well.. at least I'll know exactly how many calories I'll be eating.. :oD

Take care everybody!!  Glad to hear so many of you are accomplishing your goals!!  I'm still living on the Plateau.. guess I'll have to be patient.. maybe add more exercise. 

Welcome new ppl -- nice to be on the same page!  ;o)

Tara

Thanks for all the great snack choices... I plan to use those to keep on nibblin!!!

I have to cut BACK on exercise... I"m not really thrilled about this, but I know that the KEY is always to listen to your boay... well for three months STRAIGHT... I've worked out hard core every day... I mean REALLY hard burning  600-1000 calories a day according to my heart rate monitor...

Lately my body has been full of "knocks" and "pings"  Just a little tug here... a little pull there... so I talked to the personal trainer at the gym last night, and she told me that with the minor pulls and things I'm describing I really need to take a WEEK off to let my nervous system recover.

I'm gonna start with four LIGHT... I mean really LIGHT days and see if that does the trick instead.  I'm worried about quitting and getting out of the habit ESPECIALLY since I just went back to school, but I also don't want to do anything that's going to cause SO much injury that I have to take off for an extended time.

Tuning in late again...you guys move fast! 

Texasteach said: 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?

I don't know if you'd count it as low fat/high calorie, but I have a big bowl (about 1.5 cups) of 0 fat/0 added sugar vanilla yogurt with 1/4 cup of granola mixed in for breakfast every morning. I also turn to that if I want a sweet snack, too. It's 269 calories and gets an A- grade (CC doesn't like the granola but oh well!). If you ate regularly sweetened 0-fat yogurt it would bump up the calorie count. It's easy enough to carry to work in small containers to mix together and eat there.

HTH,

Magee

Wow.. texasteach.. you're smart to listen to those signs your body is sending you!  your workout load is admirable, but there are definitely telltale signs of overtraining... enjoy your break and don't worry about the future. You have been dedicated for so long, there's no reason to assume you won't get back into it. 

Hi mageeg -- I love granola too!  I always feel bummed when c-c doesn't approve my fave foods!  haha.. I think a lot of commercial granolas are loaded with fat.  You can make your own in a frying pan or in the oven.. ever had warm homemade granola?... drooollll.. but ya, calorie dense it is!  I think the serving size for my recipe was 1/4 cup.. looks pretty small in the bowl, but fills you up, esp when sprinkled on yogurt like you suggested. 

Today's gripe -- I'm having trouble exercising lately!!  I just don't seem to have.. uh-oh, this old excuse -- time!  I just have these deadlines, and I'm a freelancer, so the office is open 24/7.  I can try to work it into the day, instead of trying and failing to make it to the gym. My son loves playing wall-tennis with me, so I'll get him to nag me to go out later.   I suppose I could run downstairs and do sets of weights while my work is saving, or once an hour or something.. Once I got down on the floor and did a bunch of push ups, haha, figuring I'd do that sort of throughout the day...

Anyway - it's frustrating to me to not be exercising, as I've been mostly on road trips or busting for a deadline these days.. I've fallen off the exercise bandwagon!!  my weight is totally stable, back where I started weeks ago, even though I'm restricting calories, b/c I'm not burning off those extra cals... I should definitely start eating less in case I don't get the exercise in.. not fun! 

Anyway, my big canoe trip this weekend will help, as there are lots of portages, etc.. but when I return I'll literally be starting from scratch, as I have done so many times before... how many times can you lose the same 5 pounds??

*sigh*

:oD

Tara

I'm so glad that I found this!  I'm new to this site (as of yesterday) and am thrilled that I found ppl who want to do things slowly.  I'm currently at 193, though my heaviest was at 205 three years ago.  I did manage to lose 12 pounds, but have been stuck pretty constantly at 190=195 (although there was a short time last year that I was at 185- and by short, I mean one week).  I've been on so many diets, especially with my mom.  She likes the cold turkey route and I simply can't do it and fall off of it.  Lately, I've been going very slowly.  Two weeks ago, I just decided to eat healthier.  This past week, I cleaned my whole place (I don't know about all of you, but I was feeling depressed and overwhelmed with all the work I had to do- living in a clean place really upped my mood and motivation).  I really want to do this is small steps (this week, for example, my goal is to learn about counting calories, properly, and to eat at least every 2.5-3 hours).  I absolutely hate being hungry.  I feel that this way, I can do it.  I spent most of my morning reading all of your posts (btw, I am a fellow Canuck) and would really love to learn how to lead a better lifestyle with all of you.  I've rambled on long enough.  Thanks for the motivation!


Taranimator-  homemade granola?  Sounds wonderful.   How do you make it?  Where do you shop? I wouldn't know where to start.

Hi all,

I found all of your comments really great.  Thanks texasteach for the water tip.

I'm all for losing slowly mainly because I've got no choice in the matter.  I'm 5' 1". I'm new to this post but have been with CC since May 2006.  I lost 22 lbs but have gained 6 back and I'm "again" going to get serious about eating less and burning more. 

:)

Welcome songchild!  stick with us!  we're all at the same (slow) pace! :oD

Stephanie 1983, homemade granola is a decadent adventure! Too high-calorie to be considered a normal diet food, but there's something very satisfying about adding a few crunchy bites on yogurt, or grabbing a handful on a busy day. The calories in the lighter version of this recipe are mostly from healthy fats like nuts, seeds, flax, etc..

If your cupboards aren't pre-loaded with things like oat bran, wheat germ and ground flax, a trip to a health food store should provide everything you need.  Some things can be purchased in bulk, like dried fruit.  Try to use as 'raw' ingredients as you can find -- eg, nuts not already roasted and salted, and large-flake (baking) oats.  The recipe is totally customise-able -- you can swap your favorite ingredients all you like!  Splenda Brown sugar blend (you can use 100% Splenda) may be in your drugstore or grocery baking isle.  Any artificial sweetener will do, but the flavor of Splenda brown is very nice.

Here's my sister's mom-in-law's yummy version, including honey, fat, and sugar -- (my bro-in-law uses 100% maple syrup, yummy $$$).  This clocks in at 240 cal's/serving (about 2/3 cup) (this is without milk):

http://www.calorie-count.com/recipe/57623.htm l


My somewhat successful attempt to 'lighten' this recipe still has 202 cal's/serving, but is lower in fat and carbs and scored a B-, not bad for granola:

http://www.calorie-count.com/recipe/57626.htm l


Maybe I'll make some soon too!  I remember the kitchen smelled wonderful when this was cooking...

:oD

Tara

Hi!  I want to join the thread.  I am 160 and have about 30 pounds to lose.  I lost 40 pounds a few years ago and haven't really been motivated to lose the rest.  I am 5'6" and small framed.

I eat @ 1600-1700 calories a day and walk 30 minutes and bike 30 minutes almost daily.  1500 calories never seemed enough and I can live with 1600 calories.

I think it is ridiculous that people only eat 1200 calories when dieting.  No wonder so many people can't stick to it.  I would die.  I love my food.

Anyways, I made a commitment to eat 1600 calories a day and take one 30 minute walk a day and see what happens.  I have been exercising and consistently logging my calories in since Monday - so my goal is to also do this on the weekend as well. 

What I have noticed is that I am paying more attention to what I eat and trying to make better choices.  I am also feeling a lot better because of the exercise, it is a great stress reliever. 

I do think that slow and steady wins the race!  I have tried to eat only 1200 cals and exercise one hour a day several times in my life - it never works.

ANyways, sorry for the long post.  My prayers and encouragement are with all of you!

HURRAY, more new faces!!  I don't have much time to post as it's time to pick up my daughter from school but I am 1/2 way through my water consumption for the day.  :) I've been eating fairly well today and am around 900 calories for breakfast, a snack, and lunch.  The water keeps me much fuller.  That should allow me to enjoy the hamburger I want for dinner (I'm cooking them on the George Foreman and they're lean burgers).

Instead of granola, I'm a big fan of the Kashi GoLean Crunch cereal.  It gets an 'A' rating and is a tasty addition to my yogurt and such.  It can be expensive at the grocery store but I can go to Costco (I LOVE THAT PLACE!) and get a double box for $6.50.  It lasts me about a month, if not longer.  Their granola bars are also quite tasty and a good quick snack that I enjoy.

I agree, kthompson92 -- Kashi GoLean is my FAVORITE!!   I totally love it! and the protein content is really high I think b/c of the soy crunchies in there.. yum yum.. I made some 'rice crispy squares' with them one time just to see if my kid would eat them -- I thought they were good, but he wasn't so sure, haha..

Aren't those indoor grill's great?  We love our Cuisinart grill (s/a Foreman). 

Welcome, sarahflores!  You're doing great!  I keep coming accross these '1200 cal diets' and I'm just baffled.. what do they EAT, I wonder?  i love food too much to go there. 

My son got me out playing a little tennis today, which is better than nothing!  it's mostly just fun, light cardio, but we laugh and laugh (we're terrible at raquet sports!) & there are so few days of summer left, and probably few left when my little boy (he's 10) will be interested in batting a ball around with his ol' mom!  Something to treasure..

Cheers, all!

:o)


Tara

Tara, another work-from-home freelancer here, and I never seem to have time for exercise beyond 40 min. walking the dogs and some housework OR gardening for an hour or so everyday if I'm lucky! I'm stupid and just keep taking on more work--I'll be kicking myself in the winter, to have missed the chance to be outside in the sun and fresh air (I hate winter and try to avoid it).

The granola recipe sounds great! (Both of them.) Did the math and my 1/4 cup Harvest Crunch granola is only about 6 cal. more than homemade, so I'll probably be lazy and stick with the HC. But...the Kashi GoLean Crunch cereal is good in yogurt? This sounds like it has potential. I tried mixing fibre 1 with honey clusters cereal with yogurt and it was AWFUL! I'll have to try the Kashi.

Sarahflores: What I have noticed is that I am paying more attention to what I eat and trying to make better choices. I am also feeling a lot better because of the exercise, it is a great stress reliever.

I'm with you! I've been doing this dieting stuff for 26 years (sigh) and the only good thing to come of it is that I usually eat healthy out of habit now. I just eat way too much...!

Magee

That's funny mageeg... I truly feel like I could be a nutritionist without every going to school for it!  I know everything the RDA suggests... how to read a label properly... and why "diets" are ALWAYS destined to fail... *lol*

 

BUT... this time around I have REALLY learned that an average of 1800 calories a day is PLENTY to keep me satisfied... and I don't really ever want to go LOWER than that amount... so whatever weight eating 1800 calories and exercising daily takes me to... I'm going there!   No matter how long it takes... because I can do THAT for the rest of my life!  I have also learned that I WILL need to record every day... forever and ever... what I eat... because that stops me from eating over my calories on a day when I didn't PLAN to overeat.  (If I plan to overeat... I log IT too... and it reminds me not to do it again too soon!)

(and I do mean AVERAGE of 1800 calories... some days may be 2600....3000... whatever... but over the month... it'll all average out.)

still here, not alot of time to post, but I sure enjoy reading everyone else's!  Let's keep it going!

Today was a great day.  I logged on all my food, drank all the water and spent 30 minutes on my elliptical.

Yea it's so important to log on even when you eat poorly.

I hope tomorrow is just as good for me and for everyone else too! 

not sure if this is a good place to put this... so ignore me if you'd liek to ...

working hard - eating properly (appropriate amounts of veggies, fruits, protein and carbs....diabetic dontcha know), as well as working out on a nightly basis.  Have not lost a pound not even an ounce - since July 9.....exactly the same weight - excatly the same measurements.....this cannot be it - but I am not sure how to jumpstart things to get the pounds to start to leave again.  hells bells, I can't even jump start things by donating blood (yeah yeah cheating, I know) - went to the clinic and went through all the rigamarole and when finally got to the bed to donate....they couldn't get the needle in the vein - apparently this big old person has skinny skinny veins - thinner than the needle!

I know I have lost 102 pounds - but I still have 58 to go to get to anywhere near an appropriate weight - I have to lose 36 to even get the BMI out of the obese category - so what the heck am I supposed to do?  I am keeping going, keeping true to my regime, but blast it all anyway it is hard.

Hi All~ 

Feeling pretty despondent tonight because I am trying to buy my first home and my initial offer was rejected!  I'm a teacher (like some of you) and so I am not exactly rolling in dough.  Isn't it supposed to be a buyer's market?  Sigh ;)

The only good part is that for some reason, I don't feel like comforting myself with food.  I've been eating better now since July 1 and I guess the habit of not turning to food for emotional reasons is starting to kick in. 

Though I don't post that often, I really get a lot from reading what all of you write.  Thank you for the inspiration!

texasteach, I think you're doing the right thing by lightening up your work outs.  Trust what your body is telling you.  Also, I think our bodies get used to the amount and level of exercise the same way they get used to a certain number of calories.  So mixing it up can really make a difference.  One day work out hard for a shorter amount of time, the next day something lighter for longer.  Mostly I'm just so impressed with how commited you are.  How are you feeling?

Stephanie, I SO relate to what you said about the clean house.  I rearranged the furniture in my living room this past weekend and cleaned a lot in the process and it cheered me a lot... felt like I had a new lease on life.  Enjoy the fruits of your labor!

I go back to work (school) next week and am trying to be prepared for it food-wise.  I never know what my schedule is going to be (when my breaks are) till the day I get back, so it's hard to plan exactly.  Plus, it's always a challenge to figure out when to have breakfast because our first period starts at 7am.  Yup, you read that right.  (It should be illegal!!) 

Anyway, wishing you all a successful and healthy week...

:) Wendy

Dot- we certainly won't ignore you and are glad to have you.  Have you spoken with your doctor about this major plateau you seem to have hit with your weight loss?  I don't know enough about diabetes but I would wonder how that (or the medications you're on) are affecting your metabolism.  Just a thought...

Keep up the hard work.  That is so AWESOME that you've lost 102 pounds.  I would normally attribute the stay in weight to muscle gain but if your measurements haven't changed, I don't know what to say. Stick with us, start drinking tons of water, and know that we'll support you!

So, today I'm at 211 which is 1/2 a pound less then my intended goal for the week (and it's only Thursday!).  I'm SO excited.  I don't want to lose much more if any since I started the week at 212.5 but also don't want to put that 1/2 pound back on. 

It's been humid and/or rainy all week so I haven't been for a bike ride once.  :(  Hoping I can squeeze in a short one today between thunderstorms.  Regardless, I've been good about lifting weights (I'm a wuss, so 1 pounders) while watching tv and doing some stretching and calisthenics indoors to keep me in shape.

Dot, I've had major plateaus like yours before--the longest was about two months--and then for no reason, I hadn't done anything different, my body decided to cooperate, and I'd lose about 3 lbs. in one week. Maybe you're the same--your body likes holding onto things! I always tell myself that it took a while to gain it all, so it will take a while to lose it, too. Fair's fair. You've done incredible so far--102 lbs! Wow. I don't know if I'd have such fortitude. You've already lost more than you have yet to lose, so hang in there! It will happen. 

kthompson, hurray for half-a-pounds! I finally broke my plateau today--I gained a pound! For no reason, so I'm not worried--maybe tomorrow I'll find I've lost 2 lbs. That would be nice.

texasteach, ha-ha! Yeah, you learn a lot about food and nutrition doing this. Last week I "educated" my hubby about all the info you can find in the Nutrition label on boxes and cans of food. He hadn't even known it was there.

Magee