Wives Improving their Lives Club

Hi everyone,

My name is Rachel.  I'm 5'4 and I've been between 185-190 pounds for a while now.  I've been going crazy trying to figure out why I'm having so much trouble losing the weight this time around.  Then it hit me.  The difference this time is that I'm married and have children!  I never realised what an obstacle that could be.  Fortunately I have a kids that will eat whatever I put in front of them.  That just leaves one factor that is throwing me off this time.  My husband.

So I thought I'm sure there are other ladies out there who are having trouble because of their husbands (I know my mom is too.)  I thought it would be a great idea to have a forum for all of us to support each other, to give each other tips and to vent our frustrations when we need to.

There are three main reasons why my husband is making it hard for me to loose weight (and he doesn't even realise he's doing it, or at least he says he doesn't):

1. He's a picky eater, who grew up in a house where fat was the number 1 food group.

2. As an active young man he needs MUCH more calories than I do and I'm having trouble with adjusting family meals.

3. He sabotages me daily.  This is the hardest thing for me to deal with.  I've tried reassuring his insecurities, but he says that he's not doing it deliberately.  He does the grocery shopping (because I don't drive) and usually it's full of tons of junk and the healthy foods I had on the list are no where to be found.

So that's my big three obstacles I'm going to have to deal with if I'm ever going to fit into my cool clothes again.  Is anyone else out there in the same boat?

 

Hi everyone,

Another week, another chance...  I wasn't good at the shower I went to.  Wasn't too bad either.  Just sort of bad.  I was really good throughout the whole meal.  I even went last because that way the fattiest things were gone by the time I got down there.  When they set out dessert though I slipped up a little.  I had four pieces (they were very small though altogether it was at most a 1.5 inch cube.)  I did stay away from the cake and cupcakes though.  Then I exercised in the exercise room where the kids were for half and hour to make up for it a little.

On Sunday still feeling a little bad I walked A LOT!  I even got myself some new tops while I was out walking.  I have four cute shirts for summer.  Size large.  I dropped off the X!  Then I even went jogging after the kids were in bed.

The biggest news I have about this weekend though is Dean.  I was going to sit down and have a talk with him about supporting me and that I need his support but I didn't really have a chance.  Then last night I was craving some chocolate and mentioned that if he was going out to get some snacks (which he does often) I'd like one chocolate bar.  He told me that he wasn't going to do that.  He's not buying me any more chocolate or junk until I've reached my goals.  It wasn't just that though, it was the way he said it.  He was so positive and loving I hope he keeps that up.  Instead of feeling bad about myself his saying no made me feel good and loved.  So with his help I think I'm going to be able to do this thing! 

Tomorrow is weigh in day for the biggest loser competition I'm in on the games board.  Hopefully the scale has some good news tomorrow morning.  If it's good I'll probably race here to tell everyone.  Have a nice evening everyone!

Amaresmom, I ate that exact item last time I was at IHOP!  I think it's cool that they have that menu.  I really liked it, and yes it looked small but it filled me up.  I rarely get salads in restaurants, unless I can control the ingredients. 

We have a salad restaurant here called, "Chopped" where you pick the ingredients and they make it.  It's really good.  It's better than a salad bar and you don't have to feel badly about getting special stuff.  You mark everything down on their order pads, including, "dressing on the side" and "no bread". 

 

Mrsdagle,

yes we have one where I work its called Chop't but same deal. It's very expensive but yes great to get exactly what you want.

Question for everyone Are you ladies just eating chicken and fish only? I like a good burger (in the oven) and sometimes a grilled pork chop? What meats are you eating?

What's "very expensive"?  Ours is $6.75 salad only, no meat.  The first time I went there, I ordered chicken in it and an iced tea.  It came out to over $11 and I was asking, "why".  (doh!)  Now I like to get it to go without meat and I add tuna fish to it at home. 

I eat whatever meat I can get a hold of, steak, fish, pork chops, ham, burgers.  I plan my meals more carefully and since I'm eating more at home, I'm eating more tuna fish.  I just went to Denny's and the only "diet" items they had were grilled chicken or grilled tilapia.  I would have ordered a hamburger patty and salad if they had that. 

I'm staying away from KFC, anything that's breaded and fried.  That's one of my "things".  I love chicken fried steak for breakfast. 

I just came in from a two and a half hour excursion.  I walked to Tim Horton's and got something for my husband and his friend (and didn't get anything for me!)  Then I walked to where my husband was working and gave them their drinks and donuts.  Then I walked to the grocery store where I got to completely control what goes into the basket.  Not a bad food at all!  Then I walked home.  I realised when I got home I forgot a couple of things so I have a reason to get out again tomorrow and walk.

As for the meats I'm eating, until this weekend we've been on a really tight budget and so it's mostly been moose and deer (because it's free) and whatever else we could afford.  Now that we can afford to I hope to add more fish and chicken, but I'm still planning on having a variety of different meats.  Tonight I'm making pork chops with an international tomato salad (using light mozzarella cheese) and steamed cauliflower.  Dean's been working really hard today so I figured I'd treat him.  I'll have one pork chop and he'll probably have four (they're really small.) 

Bump

 

Here's my bit of good news.  Yesterday I was wearing my size 16 jeans.  No girdle, no squishing.  They fit comfortably.  It's been about a year and a half since I wasn't in plus sizes.  So hurray!!!!

Also since last Saturday I haven't cheated at all.  Not once!  I've been eating healthy all the time and I'm starting to feel not only healthier but younger too.  I'm not all that old but I think that my diet had made me feel much older.  Also I feel lighter.  I don't ever feel bloated and I'm comfortable now. 

 

hey ladies,

I am down 3 lbs this week!! Last night was a test for me. I took the kids to the park along with the hubby. I took my jump rope with me because I didn't want to  be walking around and leaving him alone while the kids played.I figured I would just jump a couple of reps. Well today, my body is aching. My shoulders feel so sore I could cry LOL jumping rope may have to wait a little while for now!

After the park the hubby wanted to go to Taco bell which also has a Pizza hut attahed to it. But gquess what ladies, I said no thank and went home and cooked some salmon and broccolli and really enjoyed it. So I passed his test. One would think after seeing me jump for 15 minutes he wouldn't even think about it but hey, Can't have my way all the time right?

Congrats!

I got Billy's Bootcamp in the mail yesterday and I tried it out.  It's very hard and I can't do everything.  However, my son is now interested and has scheduled a workout for Sat.  He's 8 and autistic so whatever he does, he takes seriously.  It's cool because he's active but very uncoordinated, like some autistics are.  I think working out will help his focus and balance.  He's got a belly too. 

I did day 2 of Learn to Run and didn't die.  Felt pretty good.  We had a cold wind whipping around.  Kind of weird for April in Tucson.  Today is rest day but I'm going for a walk/stroll before Fancy Breakfast. 

Good job amaresmom!  Not only on the loss but for resisting temptation and making a healthy dinner last night.  I haven't jumped rope since...now I'm trying to remember when.  I remember doing it when I was having trouble sleeping when I first moved away from home and I think that was the last time I did it.  I think I just forgot all about it.  Now I want to go out and get myself a good skipping rope, then I can skip when I watch the kids playing.

So my really supportive husband has been offering me candy for the last couple of days.  Oh well it was good for half a week.  At least he bought me some cool new equipment.  I have a stair stepper, some weights, exercise ball and a spinning disk.  Last night I was so proud of myself.  I had enough calories left in the evening for a chocolate bar.  I chose instead to have a bowl of special K vanilla and almonds instead.  The great thing about it is that I made that choice because I wanted the Special K more than the chocolate. 

Now I have a question for you ladies because I really don't know much about my own body.  I know that the TOTM adds some weight because of water retention.  I'm just wondering when that weight is gained and when it goes away again.  Thanks for helping me out.

I hope everyone is having a great week and I look forward to the weekend.  I won't be on here much because this evening I'm heading to my parent's house and staying for the weekend.  Have a great weekend ladies.

I don't know if we're all the same.  But the (salt/meat/chocolate) cravings come a day or two before it starts.  So, the water retention would be then too.  I just went on Yaz birth control to control my severe PMS and haven't had the cravings since. 

I forgot about the chocolate cravings!  This is the first time I didn't get them in my whole life.

Hi,  I don't have time to read all of the posts, but I really want to make a quick suggestion.  Have you tried ordering your groceries on-line?  They deliver them to your house when you want, guarantee a certain degree of freshness for the veggies, and (the best part for you) don't throw in (junk) food that's not on your list.

Just like on CC, you can search for particular foods by type (bananas), brand (Del Monte), or size (16 oz).  You can also "tag" items that you buy regularly so you don't have to always search for them. 

The drawbacks...  It is a little bit more expensive, so I can understand if it won't work for everyone.  Also, it may not be offerred in your area.

I've never used the service, but I had a co-worker who did.  All she ever said were great things about it.  Her produce was always fresh, and the deliveries were always delivered within the hour she specified.  She did her "shopping" during her breaks at work.

The cravings at ttom are sooo bad but thats the one time I give in to the chocolate or my coworkers and family would have to pay lol.

Usually by my 5-6 day the retention and bloating subside last month I put on 4-5 lbs with it and they went away before i was done. But here at CC the girls have been saying to give it a full 2 days I think.

And yes the birth control helps for cramps but cravings not so much for me!

Ms dagle: Good trying those new video's it's always hard beginning but you'll be so proud when you are able to do them with ease. How cute your son is for wanting to keep you company and lose some belly at the same time.

I tried Jillian Michaels(biggest loser)  tape the other day and almost killed myself but I WILL do it in its entirety(sp) soon.

Good luck!

  

Another weekend.... Two more days of constant temptation...
Lets all be strong!!

Hi thought I'd join in. Fortunately, my husband has always been a healthier eater than I and he is fully supportive of my plan to lose 65 pounds this year.  That being said:

 

Amaresmom-I try to follow the "eating for your blood type plan" so I cannot eat chicken at all or risk having digestive problems and I don't eat any fish except tuna for sandwiches. I just eat small amounts of pork and ground chuck or lean ground sirloin.

 

cutiepiemommy-we too are on a budget and it's extremely hard to eat right when you have to watch your $$$. Try getting your produce and meat at a farmer's market or at least the meat at a private butcher.  When I lived in Fla. I never thought about it but since I moved to PA, I only buy my meat and veggies/fruits at the farmer's market.  I might even walk there next time.  The ground chuck and lean ground sirloin are $1.99 lb.  Which I find to be awesome. And ours is hormone free so it's extra good.  I usually have a good idea of how much things cost there so when I go to Wal-mart I check their produce prices and usually find that I can find things cheaper there. 

Re: TOTM  I found that alot of the chocolate can be bought in 100 calorie bars. They are smaller but I know the 3 musketeers comes 2 in a box (2 servings) for .99 at Wal-Mart for when you just have to have it.  Or consider a single Hershey kiss after it's been frozen. You can suck on it and make it last a long time.  I weighed 214.8 on 4/2  on 4/9 I was 215.6 and 1 1/2 hours after weighin I started TOTM.  Today (2 days later) I am 209.8.  My instructor at Jazzercize said she gains up to 10 pounds a month!!!!! Yikes.

Dark chocolate hershey's kisses: kept in the freezer, doled out four per day. They say 9 pieces are a serving, but I like to keep it at less than half that. Sometimes even a third.

I usually eat them all at the same time, but sometimes I just grab one and suck on it to take the chocolate craving down a notch.

In other news - down 2.5 lbs from last Monday!

Hello Ladies,

I'm back now.  I had a great weekend at my parents.  No temptations at all and pretty decent meals that were made special for me so that I could eat without guilt.  It was wonderful.  Next visit is with the in-laws...that's not going to be as easy but at least it's a month away.  Plus it seems that everyday Dean is more loving and more supportive so by the time we go it'll be completely different.  Plus we'll have the money then so we'll stop at No Frills and buy our own food for the weekend.  No use borrowing trouble though.  I'm going to try not to worry about it until the time comes. 

Amaresmom: What Jillian Micheal's tape did you do.  I'm hoping that when I go check the mail today I'll have my Jillian Micheal's 30 Day Shred DVD.  That's going to kick my butt I'm sure!

As for the chocolate I'm on a chocolate diet.  If I have one I can't stop.  So I'm staying away completely.  If I want something sweet I have a fruit instead and feel stronger for it. 

So I hope all you ladies are doing well.  I'll talk to you all soon.

 

Hi Ladies!

It's been a while since anyone's posted, so I thought I'd try to revive us a little.  It's been almost a month since this this forum started. How have your husbands been dealing?

My husband loves to eat out, so he has tried hard to help me find menu items with a modest Caloric content that I feel good about eating. We've also switched to Papa Murphy's pizza, with Delite-style crusts; it cuts out 100 Calories per slice. He's been very appreciative of how I look now that I've lost over 10 pounds, although he still makes endless requests for junk food when we go to the grocery store! Yesterday he said he craved Cheetos, and ribs, and chicken wings, and nachos, AND margaritas! Today we're going to Sam's Club, so I'll probably have to head him off at the twin-packs of chips. Still, it's an improvement over the beginning of the month, when all he did was roll his eyes at me.

How is everyone else doing?

A pizza tip:
Try to get thin crust when you can and always "scrape out" the topping... All those cheese and topping...that is where the crazy calories are hidden!