30 somethings size 16+

Aanyone interested in keeping each other motivated?  I am 36, 5'3 and size 18.  I refuse to weigh myself until I get down to at least a size 16 again.  Why beat myself up even more than I already do just knowing I'm bigger than I've ever been in the clothes department?

So, let's get started!  I'm choosing better food choices (limited whole grain bread, fresh fruit and veggies, lean protein, limited portion sizes on sweets, etc.) and trying to get my walking in.  What is anyone else doing? 

Hi!  I'm 35, 5'6" and wear a size 16-18 (pants) and 14-16 tops and dresses depending on the store. 

I have a pretty rigorous regimen.  I work out six days a week, doing seven sessions (I work out twice on Tuesdays).  This includes Step aerobics twice/week (1 hr.), full-body weight training twice/week (1 hr.), and running (C25K) three days/week (35 min).  Food consists of lean proteins, low-fat/non-fat dairy, whole grains, fruit and veggies. 

I haven't lost any scale weight in eight months.  I'm really trying to look at the scale as just one indicator and not focus on it or it will make me crazy.  I'm really looking at body fat lost since I haven't lost any inches in eight months either.  The funny thing is is that my body has changed.  I do look leaner.  My stomach above my belly button (my problem area) has shrunk noticeably.  People tell me all the time that I look like I've lost weight.  I guess I'll take whatever I can get at this point and try and be patient.

Wow!  I'm impressed!  Good 4U!  You sound very active, that's perfect!  You are on the right path to good health.  Keep it up!  You are motivating me just reading how good of a job you're doing with your exercise!

I do! I'm 39 and when I started my weight loss journey I was a size 18 - 20. I have gone down to a size 14-16 depending on what brand/designer. ( I even slipped into a size 12 short the other day)  and would love to join you girls. My current weight is 175 and my hw was 212. I'm 5'.5.75". My weight loss has slowed way down. I'm feeling pretty fat today and just plain blah. Finding new friends my same age and size is bringing my mood up though ;0). I am trying to eat mainly low GI foods, and have been walking 5-6 times a week. I allow myself between 1200 and 1600 calories a day. My goal is to get over 12,000 steps a day. I have a desk job and don't get much exercise during the day. I have 4 boys and don't get much "me" time. I've been looking for a group in the 30's. Thanks for the invitation.

Count me in! I'm 38, mom to 2 boys, started at approx 220, size 20 (ack, that's hard to admit!) in June and have lost around 25 this summer. I'm right at a 16, can't wait to be into 14s. Funny how the perspective is different when you're losing--when I was gaining, I was mortified to be sz 14, now, bring it on!

I walk about 3.5 miles/day in an hour. I have increased my protein to keep cravings away and have eliminated all sweets. I used to crave sweets daily, but don't miss them at all now. For me, the trick is to stay away--if I have something sweet it will be like turning on a switch that is hard to turn off.

I was a stay at home mom for years, but I am now back to teaching. I've had lots of time to exercise and prepare my food this summer. I am SCARED TO DEATH of what is going to happen when school starts again next week. I get stressed, sleep less, have less time, etc etc etc. I don't want to undo all of my progress. It will be hard to get exercise in every day when I teach all day and go to my kids' activities in the evenings.

Looking forward to sharing our accomplishments and helping each other through the rough days!

Anyone want to do a weekly optional weigh in? List starting weight, current weight, goal weight? Anyone have a preference for a day of the week?

Blondemama, I know you aren't weighing yourself yet--it can be optional. I think (hope) the accountability might help keep me on track. BTW, when I started, I did not know my exact weight either and did not want to know. Now I kind of wish I would have noted my exact weight, just so I could see how far I've come. Just something to think about...

I'm just shy of 30... I turned 29 last month.  I'd really like to join because I'm 5'3" and wear a size 18.  I don't feel like I fit in well with the 20-something crew because I have a family and career and while they're great folks, so many of those are young girls in college living a very different life and lifestyle than myself.  So, can I come to this party?

Yey!  I'm so glad to see all of you responding!  

Of course you can join kthompson92!  

About the weigh in, I'll start weighing myself again when I fit into a size 16.  The doctors have my weight on record as of a couple weeks ago, so if I wanna know, it's there.  I just started a new medication that should help me lose some weight.

I went on a short walk after reading all the motivational things people have written in here.  Might go on another one here in a minute. It's so beautiful outside right now.

Remember girls to drink your water!  Right now, get up, go get a glass of water, and glug glug glug!!!  That worked really well for me when I lost weight before.

Original Post by blondemama:

Remember girls to drink your water! Right now, get up, go get a glass of water, and glug glug glug!!! That worked really well for me when I lost weight before.

Hey, mama!  Thanks for the encouraging words.  I just had an apple and propel water for a snack.  So much better than the crappy choices I used to make.  This has been a long, slow battle for me but I am doing so much better simply by making healthier decisions and monitoring my portion control in a way I didn't before.

Things I do now: avoid caffeine, have chocolate teddy grahams instead of oreos, measure my cereal and don't eat more than 1 cup at a time instead of the 2-3 cups I used to eat, have fudge pops (59 calories!) instead of ice cream, drink flavored water (propel- only 10 calories/serving) and decaf green tea in place of pop, make sure I am getting enough protein and enough fiber everyday even if my calories runneth over a bit. 

I am slowly starting to add exercise.  I am very out of shape but I started a couch potato challenge this week.  I have exercised anywhere from 8-20 minutes each day.  My goal was 7 1/2 minutes 5 days this week so I am doing GREAT!  It's a 6 week plan to work up to a 45 minutes workout.

Right now I am managing a 100-500 calories/day deficit.  As I add more exercise, I plan to get this up to 500-1000 calories/day deficit but I know I am on a much better track than I used to be.

Praise be to God for this site and the AMAZING support!!

Original Post by blondemama

I went on a short walk after reading all the motivational things people have written in here. Might go on another one here in a minute. It's so beautiful outside right now.

Remember girls to drink your water! Right now, get up, go get a glass of water, and glug glug glug!!! That worked really well for me when I lost weight before.

 

Walking really is "magical"--sometimes I feel like I should be doing more, especially when I see how in shape runners are. But walking has amazing effects on your heart, blood sugar, circulation, is great for weight loss, and most people can do it. I haven't had my walk yet today--but will after dinner.

And, yes the water factor is so important--I'm going to fill my glass right now!

Any big plans for the holiday weekend? We're going camping--there will be many temptations!!!!!!!!!

Original Post by isabella353:

Any big plans for the holiday weekend? We're going camping--there will be many temptations!!!!!!!!!

Between my upcoming wedding anniversary (Tuesday), a baby shower, and a belated b-day party for myself and 4 other friends who had summer birthdays, I AM IN TROUBLE!  I plan to limit myself to 1 serving of cake/sweets and try to stick to water as much as possible.  Also planning to bring a veggie or fruit tray to the b-day cookout so I have something to munch on instead of chips and dip.  It will be tough but I can do it.

You go girls!  

Sounds like you know what you're doing kthompson92 with how to lose the weight. Encouragement is a gooooood thing!

We're putting shingles on our roof this weekend.  Sunday we're going to a friend's house with an inground pool.  Back to putting shingles on the roof on Monday if need be.  Not very exciting, but hey...at least there will be little to no temptation to eat a bunch of crap I don't need!

Where is everybody today?  On holiday maybe?  Hope you all are doing well.  

TIP OF THE DAY:  Add a fresh fruit to your food intake today!

Original Post by blondemama:

TIP OF THE DAY: Add a fresh fruit to your food intake today!

On a related note, my husband noted before we went shopping tonight that this was the first time in ages when we've eaten ALL the fresh fruit in the house before it went bad.  Yay!!

Not going anywhere for the weekend.  Just kicking it with friends and family.

Hi All,

Is our group still going? We returned from camping and I am happy to say that I avoided all the temptations of chips, smores, ice cream, etc! I am in new and unfamiliar territory here. I can't explain why after days, weeks, and years of false starts and "I'll start over again tomorrow", I seem to be in "the zone" for now. Not that it was easy. I was definitely tempted. But in the past it seemed like I had no control, now I am able to be stronger. Some strategies that are helping are: eating more protein, being more active, not letting myself get hungry, and telling myself things like "if you really want that ice cream, you can have it tomorrow". Of course, as the time passes, I don't want it anymore. In the past, I gave in to that moment's craving feeling like I had no choice.

Now all that said, I am back to school on Tuesday and life is really going to change and I am scared!!!!!!! I simply will not have the time to exercise that I have had this summer. I'll be more hungry and I'll be way more busy and find it hard to prepare good food every day. Ill get less sleep, have more stress--also hunger triggers. Less time on the computer too and I do find this site so helpful. So, wish me luck, I'm really going to need it!!!!!!!

More tips:

I responded to a posting about not eating in the evenings and I thought I would share the same info here. One of Bob Greene's (Oprah's trainer) number 1 tips is to stop eating 3 hours before bedtime and it really works. When you sleep, your metabolism slows down so your body can't burn what you recently ate as efficiently. Carbs are especially bad in the evenings as they are slower to metabolize anyways. I used to have a bowl of healthy cereal in the evenings thinking it was better than ice cream, but when I started following the 3 hour rule, I saw a big change.

His other "biggie" is to exercise first thing in the morning before you eat. That way your body has to access its fat stores for energy rather than the food you just ate. This one also works wonders for me when I can do it. When school starts, I won't be able to anymore. He says you should do "whatever it takes" to work-out in the a.m. but I am not getting up at 4:30!

Also, chromium is a nutrient that helps keep sugary cravings away. If you're not getting enough in your diet, you might want to try a supplement. I copied this from another site:

"Chromium is known to enhance the action of insulin [1-3], a hormone critical to the metabolism of carbohydrate, fat, and protein in the body [4]. In 1957, a compound in brewers' yeast was found to prevent an age-related decline in the ability of rats to maintain normal levels of sugar (glucose) in their blood [3]. Chromium was identified as the active ingredient in this so-called "glucose tolerance factor"

I'm not a doctor and this is not medical advice, but my friends/family with T2 diabetes or insulin resistance, have seen improvements with chromium supplements. Broccoli is a good source, but most of us don't get enough in our foods.

Here's a tip from my doctor to those of us struggling to kick our caffeine addictions:  Cut the caffeine cold turkey.  Switch to decaf coffee or tea, same for soda if you MUST still drink soda.  Take a pain killer with caffeine (excedrin migraine or tension headache) whenever you get the caffeine cravings.  Start taking 2 or 3 doses/day.  Over the course of 1 or 2 weeks, wean your way down to 1/2 a tablet a day until you can be completely caffeine free.  This keeps me away from the tempting sodas and has helped my overall health IMMENSELY.

I wish I could say I had a weekend like isabella's.  However, I have helped myself to more sweets and treats than I should have.  But, every meal is a fresh start.  I am still trying hard to stick to my exercise regime. 

I CAN DO THIS!!

I CAN DO THIS!!

Yes, you can do it! Every meal, every day is a fresh start. You've already made some great improvements to your health.

I need a fresh start tomorrow--went out for a family bday dinner tonight. Had planned on getting a salad--got a chicken burger AND fries instead. I looked up the nutritional info (afterwards--should have before) and the sandwich wasn't bad, but of course the fries are the worst. Speaking of caffeine addiction, I also had 2 diet cokes with dinner--not so smart for someone who has to get up at 5:30 tomorrow. What was I thinking????????

Count me in!

Hi! I'm Lindsay (Lynn) 31

I'm a size 14-16, and a 14 on a good day. Those don't come around much. I'm always working hard on losing the weight, and losing over 77 pounds over the past 18 months is a blessing. I work out very hard 4 days a week, and I do make sure I do a weight training program during 2 of those days. Right now I had to cut down my weight training program. I hurt my hammie a few weeks ago, and still waiting to be released by my doctor.

I've been working on my upper body, and I do believe in using weight training and a proper diet to lose weight. Going from a size 22 to a size 14-16 is a good thing. I laugh every time I get into my 16s jeans.

Starting weight 226 3/9/07, and now I'm 149- still working at it, but I will be a size 12 before I know it.

We can do it... Keep on pushing on.....

Welcome Lynn!  Your loss is inspiring!  You're already a pound below my goal weight!

Blondemama--where've you been?