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 everyone, I take a B12 vitamin everyday, and it has done wonder's for my metabolism. I also try to take Flax Seed Oil, and not fish oil. I hate that after taste once it hits the system. Once I take the B 12 Vitamin- I'm on the go go go, It's a good way to start off my day. I love the energy it gives me.

That's my tip.

Sorry guys!  I've been busy moving my mother in to our house (oy!) and I am homeschooling my 5th grade daughter for the first time.  Oofta!  

Sounds like you all are keeping up good effort towards staying healthy.  Good job!  And you're right, the next meal is always a fresh start.  

We re-shingled our roof this weekend.  I think I overdid it and am still recovering. That's hard work man!  I have hypothyroidism and my energy levels tend to fluctuate. I've been on the low energy level side the past two days, taking long afternoon naps.

Been drinking lots and lots of H2O and eating veggies and fruit.  Actually chose fruit last night instead of Weight Watchers ice cream!

Tip of the moment:  suck in your tummy, use those ab muscles and breathe in, out!  While you're sitting at your computer, right now...tighten those muscles!  Count to ten.  Repeat as much as you can!  Good job!!!!!

Hi everyone, I would like some more friends to talk to and get some motivation too. (I havent read everyone elses posts but I will after i vent)I am 31 yrs. size 14 but will be a size 16 if I dont get moving. I am a single mother of a 13 yr old. A non-smoker for 224 days. I work full time 40 hrs a week. And I have one soda aday from about a 6 pack or more. I have been a member of Caloriecount but have not been on for months now. This summer I changed how my son and I eat. We each lots of chicken and salmon now. And watch our portion sizes. We eat eggies, switched to 1% milk and and I eat salads at lunch with chicken. We walk or ride bikes at night. I stopped ridding bike because I just feel like I wasnt getting anything from it. So I opted to walk while my son rides.  I weighed myself the other day and I was 185 still. I dont have any idea what to do. I have done this for months and no change. I get mad and then just eat. Dont get me wrong ~ I love food~ and that is a problem for me. Because I get into a slump and then I eat what ever I can find. I have stopped buying chips and snacks like that. Went through the phase and bought apples and carrots to eat but that got bland on me. I just dont know what else to do. I dont want to join a gym but can anyone just give me a little advise.

SYMPATHY:  Oh, you poor thing.  You just sound a little discouraged right now.  You're doing the right things.  Plateaus in weight are common, and to be expected.  I refuse to weigh myself, especially at first, because I always gain in the beginning due to muscle weight. 

ENCOURAGEMENT:  Don't give up.  You can do it, and you are doing an excellent job!  You've made a lot of changes for the better.  Don't beat yourself up.  

WHAT I DO:  I buy pre-packaged frozen low calorie meals (Weight Watchers, Lean Cuisine, Healthy Choice) and do my best to always have fresh veggies and fruit on hand.  I don't keep processed baked goods on hand at all.  I drink lots of water (as many ounces as I weigh in pounds per day).

TIP I ONCE READ:  Shop in the outskirts of any grocery store and you'll hit the healthier foods.  The middle isles are where the high starchy/carb foods tend to be. And definitely avoid the ice cream/ pizza isle altogether!  

IDEA:  Some people allow one day a week to indulge.  Some allow one small portion per day of an indulgent food for them (smaller than the size of your fist), depending on what you're used to.  As time goes on, you become more satisfied with less and don't even crave things you once did.

We're here for ya.  Keep it up girly!

I am discouraged I guess. I just thought that I would have lost something with the changes that I have made. I really changed the eating habits because my father has heart disease and had 4 stents put in and he still needs more. I could have it and I could pass it onto my son. So I want us to be pointed in the right direction.  I think that maybe we will walk 10 mins longer. Start out slow. But the weather here will be getting colder and colder & soon we wont even be able to go outside. But we have to take advantage of it while we can I guess. Just toddler steps now. Not baby ones. LOL. Thanks for listening.

Welcome mjbilly. We all feel discouraged at times, the important thing is not to give up. Every day is a new opportunity. I have found that eating more protein has really helped me reduce the cravings and feel less hungry. I take a multi-vitamin every day and a chromium supplement. I swear it helps--read my previous post. Also, the longer I went without sweets/chips, the less I wanted them. The first week is the hardest. Probably a lot like you've seen with quitting smoking, which btw is HUGE accomplishment that has already helped your health.

Wow blondemama you have a lot going on. Your roof work must have been a great work-out!

I have been back to teaching this week, and just like I knew would happen, my exercise program has gone out the window. I managed to get to an exercise class yesterday. But I really miss my daily walks. So far, the scale has stayed the same and I am thankful for that.

Not much going on today.  I went out last night with my hubby.  We had a great time.  Ate a lot and drank, so got lots of extra calories.  But it was worth it.  Way fun.  Laughed a lot.  

I need to go out on my walks again.  Ugh.  No motivation whatsoever.  Our weather isn't gonna last much longer either.  

TIP:  Think about what you wanna feel/look like in 6 months.  Keep that thought in your mind and work backwards to make up a reasonable goal.

That's all I got.  Happy Friday y'all!

Hi all.

Another month has gone by and I am still holding steady without losing any weight.  I've really been trying to be positive and keep my chin up, but it's really wearing me down.  I so desperately want to lose this 11 lbs. to reach my first huge goal.  I have been so driven these last 8 months and now I'm tired and losing my motivation.  I've only worked out twice this week, down from my usual seven sessions in six days.  Perhaps I'm burning out?  My husband seems to think so.  Anyway, I'm going to use this weekend to regroup and perhaps scale back a bit with the exercise.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

I think you're right on track 1aprilfool with taking a break.  That's a pretty rigorous regimen you've been on.  

It is very frustrating when no weight comes off and we keep exercising.  I know, I've been there. I have hypothyroidism and it makes it even worse.  

It's also the change of seasons, so that tends to bring everyone down to a lower energy level I think too.  

Take your break, get a breather, reassess your goals and regimen if you feel that would be helpful, and then feel good that you are still motivated.  

You're doing great!  Our bodies are excellent, extremely efficient machines that can sense when we stay too much the same.  Perhaps your body is adjusting to the same routine.  Have you been on the same workout routine for more than a week?  If the same muscles are worked and there's no "struggle" or pushing to the next level, our bodies plateau.  It's a constant challenge to keep the body pushed to the next level when we get into rigorous, continuous routines.  Assess that part of your exercise and see if changing up some part of that helps (i.e. add 1-5 lbs. to rep sets, if on a treadmill running-add more speed or time).

Hope that helps.  I'm with ya girlfriend!  I'm so proud of you for being conscious of your body though.  You're doing a really good job.  Don't get so down on yourself hon.

TIP OF TODAY:  Take your vitamin!  Make sure it has B12 in it-that's a great energy booster.

Hey people!  Where did everyone go?  Come back!

How's everyone's progress coming along?  Any downhill choices?  I have to admit I'm in that category.  But, it could be worse.  At least I ate the veggies before I ate the other crap that didn't belong in my body...oy.  Constant battle I tell ya.  What d'ya do.

My tips that I personally need to follow today:  Portion control, eat every 3-4 hours, drink lots o'water, fruits & veggies & lean meat.

Hope y'all are havin' a good week so far.  

Hi blondemama~ I am here. Just thought I would check in with everyone. I havent been on a walk yet this week. This weekend my boyfriend and I canned tomatoe chunks and last night my son and I juiced tomatoes. So tonight I will start cooking it down a bit. I will try and walk tonight. I should because I ate 4 little candy bars from the candy dish for our customers.   And I also had some chips too. So we will go tonight. Sun is shinning now so that is nice. Yesterday it was only about 58 here. The cold weather for me is almost here.

My tips for me to follow is to drink lots of water.

I used to drink more than 6 cans of Mt. Dew a day. And finally one day I got a kidney stone!!! OMG that was the worst and I dont wish it on anyone! Then I started to cut down my soda. And this summer I was drinking 3 bottles a day. Now that is good for me because I NEVER drank water. But I have noticed that I dont drink that much anymore. I should make a batch of tea tonight while I am at the stove. I know I have to drink more. I will try to drink 3 bottles a day this week. I only have 1 Mt. Dew a day now. And I will quit that too soon. Ok I have to get back to work. So I will stop by later!  have a good afternoon everyone!

See I used to eat at night too. After I went to bed I would wake up and go to the bathroom and then I would go to the kitchen and open up the fridge door or the cupboard door. I would do that almost everynight. Also I had a big thing for peanut butter. I loved to take the jar with a spoon. And then a big glass of milk to wash it down. I did break that habbit. It was hard but I did it. So I am working on things to change me. I guess I just want things all done by the time I have to get my bridesmaids dress for my sisters wedding. I am totally not looking forward to that. We tried on dresses last winter and she wants a light yellow dress but OMG not what I want to wear. LOL. Well I have to go again. I will get back to you later!

Hi everyone, well I am getting back on track with my cardio. That hammie break wasn't fun at all. I did 3 miles on the my bike last night, and went into the gym for one hell of a workout today with free weights and using most of the weight machines. I have to go see my doctor in the morning, and yes! I will say.. I am very hard headed. He told me no cardio until he release me back into my cardio workout, but I was feeling great, and I was in no pain at all when I got up this morning. It was something I needed to do. I mean, I get so damn sick of not doing nothing, and I have been doing upper body since my injury, but how long can you sit down and press weight. I needed that cardio, and I started walking and all I could think about was... Cardio! I need it.. It makes me feel good, and I know it's nothing like the weights, but I really did need that bike ride. Station bike ride.. I did take it easy, but come on.. Was I wrong for doing it. Maybe I was, but I needed that workout. I did a few push ups too, and it felt great.

How's everyone coming.

My tip... Before weight training try to have some protein. I have a whey protein shake 20 to 30 mins before training, good to have on the way into the gym.. Feed those muscle.. Your muscles will thank you for it.

My weight is up a pound, but I know what to do to get rid of it.. CARDIO!

Take care everyone, and good luck to you all.

lynnhaslost~ Good for you being able to get back to cardio! I am glad to hear that  you are doing better.

r4eboxer~ I am in the same boat as you.  I have a desk job too. All I do is sit. I stair at the candy dish that is about 3 ft away from me. And yes I do steal from it once in a while. I just cant help it. Today I was going to bring some baby carrots to work and I was in too much of a hurry and forgot them! Some days it is busy here and some it is slow. I dont get to go out and walk during the day. If I do the deposit I walk, but that is only a block away. I wish I could just go for a quick walk after lunch to wake me up but I cant because sometimes I am the only one here at the shop.

I hope everyone has a great afternoon today.

I'm 38, 178 lbs, 5'-8" and generally a size 14/16 right now.  When I started this in early August, I was a solid 16 pushing into 18.  But, now a 14 on a "feeling good" day and a 16 on a "leave me alone" day. 

I gained most of my weight after moving from a job that required a fair amount of walking (probably equivalent to around a football field about 4-6 times/day - large UPS facility - and walking a looooooooong way just to get to/from the car, which quelled some of those "let's run out to McD's for lunch" urges) to sitting all day and parking 10 feet from the office door right next door to a McD's.   

I still think Wellbutrin caused a lot of it, too.  As well as having a baby. 

Hello ladies.  How is everyone doing today?  Sleep, this is an important factor in metabolism.  If my body doesn't have it, I lag and lag.  Doin that now.  Not much activity in this life lately.  What a lug I've been.

I'm going tomorrow for a body composition test.  I'm curious to see what my actual BF % is.  It's being done hydrostatically, so it's pretty accurate.

I ran for 20 min. today, including a four-minute HIIT block.  Talk about tough!  I plan to incorporate HIIT at least twice per week into my regular running program.  Hopefully this will be enough of a change to shake things up a bit.  I want to lose 12 lbs. by December 31.  I would be elated if I can accomplish this goal.

Best to all.

1aprilfool ~ what is a HIIT? I do not know what that is. I believe it is abbreviated but for what I cant figure it out.

Well the weekend is about over with  and another week begins. This week I am going to drink 3 bottles of water a day. That is my goal. I am also adding 10 mins to my walk at night.

I hope everyone had a good weekend and we can catch up this week with one another. Good Night.

Wow no ones around? Gosh this is hard. I am trying not to have snacks during the day. I already ate my carrots that I brought with. There is a drawer here in my desk that has lots of goodied (bad ones) I could really dig into them right now. They arent mine they are my boyfriends. He just dont understand how hard it is to resist that stuff. He is just a skinnyminnie and only weighs like 135 lbs. and that is all he has ever weighed. He is actually my boss too. Yesterday I didnt have anything here at work to mess up what I am working on. Ate real good last night and had an apple for a snack. So I am trying to do the same today but I am just a bit weak today. I will get another water and try that. 

Talk to everyone later!!