27 yr old looking for buddy

Hi, my name is Wendi and I need a buddy. I see everyone else asking for one and thought it was a good idea. 

I need to lose about 30-35 pounds. I weigh 188 and am 5'0" I would like to be in the 150-155 range, that was where I was comfortable.  I have a husband who loves food like me and two step children, 4 and 7, and I work full time.  I always did best at team sports because i was held accountable to someone. 

My brother is getting married in August and I would like to look nice, not plump in my bridesmaid dress.  But for me this is about a total turnaround. I need this healthy change in my life to be there for my family, not have high cholesterol at 27!   Food is part of my problem but so is the lack of motivation to exercise, so someone please kick me in my pants and I'll do the same for you.

Hi wendi

       &nb sp;     I would love to be your buddy. I am 23 years old 5'2 and currently 164 lbs I started last monday at 168lbs. My goal is to be 130 by may for my sisters wedding. I too don't want to look like a big girl in my bridesmaid dress.

       &nb sp;    Over the past year I have gained about 20 lbs and am feeling super unhealthy. My lifestyle has changed considerably seeing as I have moved in with my boyfriend who can eat anything he wants and not gain weight. I used to be fairly active but now I find myself coming home from my 9-5 and sitting on the couch with him, helping myself to larger portions and snacking alot more. We love to go out for dinner and have a few beers in the hot tub in the evening so I have decided to only go out once every two weeks on my cheat night and started bringing a water bottle with me when we hot tub instead. I have a 1300 cal a day plan and have so far been pretty good at staying below or just at 1300. I need some good ideas for low cal home cooked dinners if you have any ideas send them my way.

       &nb sp;     For the first two weeks I am not going to start an exersice plan just so i can see what happens when i just change my eating habits. On monday I will be starting to exersice for at least 45 mins 3 times a week.  I am debating on picking up the video for the 30 day shred. i have heard alot of ladies talking about it on here and it seems to be working for them. what are your exerscie plans?

Lets get into those dresses together!!!!:)

Hi guys,

My name is Eliana and i am looking for buddies too. I am 28 years old and I started dieting about a month ago, weighing 180 pounds...my all time highest...and a bit TOO much for my height of 5'6. Today i am 165 and keep going :) My goal is to reach 120 (which is concidered to be the appropriate for my height) by the end of June. One of my best friends is getting married in July and i want to be able to look pretty and feel comfortable (the wedding is in Greece so we will be at the beach!).

I mainly try to control my portions, limit my fat intake, decrease my salt consumption (i add A LOT of salt to my food) and drink LOTS of water. In general my eating habits have always been relatively fine (besides eating TOO MUCH salt)...I am Mediterrenean and hence like eating a lot of veggies and mainly fresh food. I very rarely eat fried, high fat or fast food. I do however have a soft side for salty snacks (doritos, popcorn, salty nuts!) and this is a problem since at get togethers, movie nights and such, i tend to overdo it a bit :) Nowadays i try to have healthy alternatives instead, but i also allow my self to enjoy some of the unhealthy snacks that i enjoy!Everything in moderation is i think the best approach to healthy eating.Or else, i personally, get bored and want to cheat!

Besides the diet changes, what has really helped me is exercise. I started going to the gym around the same time that i started dieting. I try to go daily for at least 1hour.The gym is two blocks from my house (proximity is an important factor when you exercise) and is open daily till very late, so there are no excuses NOT to show up. I mainly do cardio (elliptical, step machine, cycling, treadmill) and some strength training. I love exercising and how energized it makes me feel...plus seeing the weight come off is just brilliant :) In addition, if i overdo it with my salty snacks once in a while, i just try to burn more calories at the gym to make up for it.

I hope i can keep up to this plan. It has been working great so far and i hope i can keep up...I weigh my self once a week. Monday mornings - i find that this keeps me from cheating too much on the weakends! However, i know that it always gets harder later on as you progress on a diet plan, because in general the more weight you have to loose, the easier it is to loose it.

I hope we can all motivate each other and as briddy222 said : Let's get into those dresses together :)

Take care!

Hi briddy 222, Your day sounds like mine, get home and sit and eat with our guys who eat too much.  We love eating out as a treat and the beers are my weak point too.  Uggg.  i like your idea of a cheat only once every 2 weeks.  that will be hard but it will also save us money so im gunna use that idea. I think I'll try 1500 and see, that's going to be hard but I have done it before.  I have ideas on dinners i just have to tweak them a little.  i used the recipe analyzer here and found my meal has too much salt and fat, I know I can tweak it, when I do, I'll for sure send it your way.  In the mean time healthy choice dinners are great, most get an QA or B from this website and have built in portion control and dessert! I'm using that for work lunches mostly.

I have the power90 beach body video. It's a little pricey but it comes with a second video for when you outgrow the first. its about 45 mins and does a lil of everything.  Evan has weights you can do at home so you get cardio and weights.  I'm with you on the dress, GOOOOO bridesmaids!!!  

Hi Eliana, your height and weight is simular to mine, although you're taller.  i have never weighed this much either (188).  Sounds like you are doing great if you're already down to 165!! whoo-hoo!  I would say dont worry about the "appropriate" weight you're supposed to be.  Mine is like 110-115.  But I have a medium built from all the sports I played in my life.  I think honestly the lowest I can go is 135 without being sick.  I have been 142 before and I was healthy, still had a little bit of tummy but was very healthy.

I have a suggestion for the salty snack, dill pickles.  They are low in calories (like 5 cals each).  So they wont ruin your diet.  Plus going to the gym for an hour and sweating you are losing salt that you need.  My dad thought he had to cut salt when he had high blood pressure and cholesterol but his Dr said he would only have to cut the salt if he was salt sensitive which he isn't.  

I like your idea on weighing on mondays. I think that will help me not overdo it during the week.  But I think I'll also do it Fridays so I remember that number when I chose my foods for the weekend.

I have to start taking your no excuses approach to exercise.  I find when I start exercising the weight tends to fall off.  So I'm turning to you guys to be my motivation since I have none  :(    I have been trying to tell myself all I need to do is 30 mins.  And since there are 24 hrs in a day that means there are 48 halfhours in a day.  If I commit just 1 of those 48 to exercise, that leaves 47 halfhours all for me.  (Plus once I get to the gym I stay way longer than half an hour)

Well it's friday, so here goes....   GOOOO Bridesmaids!!!

Hi Bridy222, we need your name, that would be easier.  Anyways, I made a meal this weekend, tell me what you think, I haven't checked the cals yet, I'll let you know about that. 

I made spaghetti but with whole wheat noodles (I swear you can't even tell the difference!!! Just ask my kids and my hubby, they have NO IDEA!)  then add your spaghetti sauce.  Try to pick one that's chunky so you get extra fiber and veggies. Anything without meat or if u wanna be really strict, no cheese either.  then I cooked my own chicken. So easy, garlic salt, pepper, onion powder, really any spices, cooked in 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan. 4-5 mins each side and you're done. Homecooked "grilled" chicked w/o the grill.  I added the chicken to the sauce so I got the protein and "meat" but without the sausage or beef.  My husband really liked it better than regular spaghetti sauce.

Also I substitute anything that calls for gournd beef and used ground turkey.  A lil more expensive but when u compare labels..the fat and sat fat and cals, its worth the money.  And any cooking that calls for milk (like hamburger helper-although it's no thte healthiest) I used the ground turkey and non-fat milk.  Waaaaay better for you, and only takes about 1/2 hour.  Add canned corn or a salad with light dressing, big hit at home.

My name is Brittany

Thanks for the good ideas for spaghetti. It's one of my favorite meals but made traditionally very bad for you. I am going to try the ground turkey this week and see if I like it.

Well ladies today is the offical two week mark of my diet. 14 days down and 6.4 pounds gone. woohoo!

monday weigh in

start 168lbs

current 161.6lbs

goal 130lbs

How did you guys do this week. I was really good on the food disipline until friday I ate 6 or five (I cant remember) peices of pizza. I'm still happy with my results and hope to eat better next weekend. seems I do really well durning the week and can't control myself once friday comes.

Hi everyone,

My name is Betsy

I am definitely looking for some support as well.  I'm 23 just graduated from college and have started a new job.  I put on a significant amount of weight in college and am looking to lose it now that I have a lot more free time.  I'm currently 5'8" and weight 168.  I would love to be around 135, which is about what I was when I started college. 

My best friend is getting married to my boyfriends best friend.  I'm the maid of honor and am hoping to lose weight for the wedding. 

Brittany, it's nice to know your name.  GREAT JOB on the over 6 lbs of weight loss!!! I didn't do that great, but I got my mom on this website and hoping we can also push each other along with all of you, my new friends.  Don't worry about the pizza, get on track the next meal or the next day, that's my new mantra.  besides, I read a great article about how to look at weight loss... find something that weighs 6 lbs. For example, a 5 lbs bag of potatoes and a lb of butter or something.  that is what you LOST!! i know that will weigh far less than 5 (or even 6) slices of pizza.  We all just have to get back on track. We are not "bad" for messing up.  Just find the track again.  And congrats on your weight loss. Going to weigh myself when I get home. Going to a ZUMBA class tonite.  It is sooo much fun.

Try weighing yourself on Friday when you get up and again when you get home or before you go out. I'm gunna try that this week and see if it helps my "food discipline" (ps I like that term).  GOOOOOO bridesmaids!

Hi Betsy,

I was the same after college, too much fast food and stress, not enough moving.  I was playing water polo in college (no scholarship, mostly a bench player). However, I went from 2 a day practices for 2 and 3.5 hours to, well, nothing.  Not like you can pick up a game of water polo!

My biggest struggle is wanting to exercise again. I love swimming but don't have a routine. And it's a lot of hastle...bathing suit, cap change of clothes, showering at gym, blah blah blah. But I have to do someting.  Going to a ZUMBA class tonite. I love it! It's offered at my gym and everytime I have to miss it I'm bummed the rest of the week.

Anyways, welcome Betsy! And congrats on your friend's wedding.  Let's get into those dresses and change our lifestyles!!

Original Post by briddy222:

Hi Betsy, this is my first time trying "quote" versus "reply", We'll see how it works.  I made a new recipe for this web site.  If you go to recipes and type in "picadillo at home" mine is the third down.  It says "Cuban, turkey, 1 pot".  It was rated a "A-" but it did not include any salt and it would not analyze the green olives. But it's still pretty good.  That whole recipe lasts me for 3 dinners and my husband and son 2 dinners and 2 lunches each usually, maybe a lil less. Perfect for leftovers because he loves it being that he's Cuban and he would rather eat that then Taco Bell.  Add rice, I use 1 cup or less of cooked brown rice and a can of beans is good for all of us to share at dinner.  Any questions just type or send me a message.

Hi guys!

It is very nice to see that we are gradually gaining more members (welcome Betsy and good luck!) but loosing more weight (Brittany that is an awesome proggress) :)

I had a good, quiet weekend and only cheated once by having pop corn...i guess that is not too bad...My weight this morning was 164 pounds...which is a 3 pound loss since last Monday (167lb)...not a lot but nevertheless a loss!However it also means that since Thursday (when i weighed myself again and was 165) i lost only 1 pound...

Other than that, i like the recipe that Wendi posted...It looks yummy! I actually enjoy whole wheat spaghetti too.

My favourite pasta sauce is tuna with veggies in red tomato sauce. I have not done the analysis here but it should not have a lot of cals since everything i put in is pretty much low fat. So basically, i warm up the tomatoe sauce (i use plain canned tomato sauce) in very little olive oil (1tsp has 7gr of fat so be carefull! ), add in tuna (canned tuna in water) and veggies (mainly peas, carrots and chopped green beans...you can use the frozen mixed veggies...it also works with brocolli) and let it simmer for a while.Add salt, pepper and oregano and mix in the pasta...Yumm :)

So here is my weight loss analysis

Staring weight (10/11/09) : 180lb

Current weight (11/9/09) : 164lb

Goal weight (6/30/09) : 120lb

Hi Betsy

Welcome to the bridesmaid club lol. Congratulations on the new job and graduating. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help you along the way.

Wendi

I like your analogy comparing the weight to a bag of potatoes. definetly made me feel good:) Too funny that you have told your mom about cc because I also have told my mom about this site and she has opened herself an account.I am going to the gym today for the first time. I am going to just do a drop in and see how it goes from there. Debating buying a month pass but I want to check it out first. The gym pass also includes acess to the swimming pool in the same building so I am going to try lap swimming soon :)

Eliana

Congratulations on the weight loss 16lbs in just under a month is awesome. Popcorn is actually really low in cals if you get the air popped kind and make it yourself. I like to add just a little salt and vinegar seasoning and with no butter you can have like 5 cups for 180 cals(I think) I also like your recipe I have never tried tuna in a pasta dish before. I have all kinds of dinners to look forward to in the next little while.

I bought the best magnet for my fridge the other day. It says "Think skinny" I love it because everytime I open the fridge I see it and it makes me think about what i'm eating.

I just read your comment about the weekends!

It is totally true...for me too weekends are harder...i don't work so more free time...more socializing i.e. more food around...Hopefully weighing in on Fridays and Mondays can help us exercise food control!

I haven't had pizza in such a long time...and i live in New York City and there are like a thousand pizza places around my house!!!However...i did promise my self that i will allow me to eat pizza when i reach 160lb....I find that putting goals and rewards helps me get motivated :)

Got to hit the gym!

Hope all of you have a great week!!

And remember....THINK HEALTHY :)

Sarroue,

I used to live on Long Island and sure do miss NY pizza.  My daughter wants to go there and I mentioned that we will have to get pizza because it's the best.  It's amazing how our culture is focused on food so much-we have get togethers and there is food, go out to lunch/dinner, etc. 

So, reach your goal so that you can have a slice of pizza for me.

Hey everyone,

Thanks for all the recipe tips.   I live alone so I'm always cooking for one.  I've run into the problem that everything that is easy and small portions seems to be processed and have tons of salt!!  (Especially soup!!)

On another note Monday is my weigh in day and I went from 167 to 164. I'm playing biggest loser with my boyfriend until the wedding and whoever loses owes the other person a weekend getaway.  I'm definitely on track to kick his butt.

I'm coming off a hip injury so I haven't been exercising as much in the last couple of months as I would have liked.  I've been really getting back into it and am just worried I'm overexercising.  Being in a new city, I don't have a huge social life during the week so I end up hanging out at the gym for hours.  Does anyone know at what point this happens.  What is a good amount of calories to burn at the gym a day? 

Thanks so much for all the support. 

Hi schongej,

I like the idea of the biggest loser game!Unfortunately my boyfriend is already skinny!

I understand what you mean about cooking for one.What i do is cook the regular portions (that are usually 2 or 3 depending on the meal), eat once and then have the rest for leftovers or even freeze it and eat it another time. Unfortunately most ready to use (microwavable) food has tons of sodium in it. I like canned soup too (Campbell&Progresso) but i stopped using them when i realized how much sodium is in one serving (and usually a can has 2 servings so be carefull).Even the 97% fat free Cambell soup that i like has high sodium!Another thing to notice about diet food is the high levels of sugar!I was so surprised to see that most low fat stuff has so much sugar in it!You want to be carefull with your fat intake when you try to loose weight, however you do not want to increase your sugar levels to the maximum!

As for spending a lot of time at the gym....as long as you feel that your body can handle it...i.e you don't feel exhausted afterwards (or the next day), as long as you are carefull and do the exercises and use the equipment properly (misuse can cause serious damage to your body, sometimes gradually without you necessarily realizing it), then i do not think there is anything wrong with that. However, you need to keep in mind that since exercising speeds up your metabolism (and therefore helps us loose weight)...once you reach your goal weight, you need to adjust your caloric intake and consumption to your proper weight.i.e you need to let your body adjust to the new energy that goes in and out without affecting your weight.

About.com has a very nice calculator that estimates according to your current weight, age, height and goal weight, the calories needed to be consumed or burned according to what changes you want for your weight. I found it quite usefull although i must say i do not necessarilly follow it at the moment.

http://nutrition.about.com/od/changeyourdiet/ a/calguide.htm

Hope this helps!

Take care!

Eliana

Wow! This group is really growing!  Hello everyone.  Welcome loveshopping, we need your name .  There are so many of us i had to write down everyone's name on a sticky.  I have to say thank you to all of you... i was planning on hiring a trainer for $350 for 10 sessions not because I don't know what to do, but just because I need someone to hold me accountable.  You guys are it for me!  This is really working for me, i feel like I can't let myself down because i can't let you guys down.  This is way better than having a buff trainer look down their nose at me because I had pizzza or only went to the gym 1 time.  So.... you guys rock!!!

Eliana, popcorn is really not that bad, It's actually a whole grain.  It's the kind they sell at movies that can ruin your diet. I bought the small bags, that way i get my craving but don't eat the whole bag.  I try to find the brand name. And 3 pounds, or 1 is still a loss. Which is always better than a gain.     I'm not too big into warm tuna however I like the idea of making my own sauce mixed with veggies.

Brittany I need one of those magnets but at jack in the Box and in my cupboard, lol. My cousins used to ALWAYS say,  "When I get skinny....."  I think I'm gunna type a paper that says Think Healthy and put it in my kitchen lol.

Betsy are you being told to eat less salt? Or just trying to eat less?  I like healthy choice dinners even though they have a lot of salt because it's pre-portioned for one person. Also I've noticed more and more soups say things like  1/3 less salt etc so try to find those.  Sometimes you just have to go to a different store.  I live in So Cal and at one store they always have my ground turkey I love so much and another doesnt, they are 2 miles apart.   Be careful with the hip, you don't want to re-injure it, you should ask your Dr if you are doing too much.  Or stick to walking and weighs for your arms.  Eliptical is good because it's low impact.  In general, as far as exercise goes you should only increase what your are doing by 10% each week.  So if you walk for 45 mins this week, next week you shouldn't do more than 50 mins.   I do agree with sarroue that it depends how you feel.

Monday's weigh in:

Well my scale said 181 but I knew that was wrong.  so i checked the more accurate sliding scale at the gym:

188 or 189 (I tried 2 of them)  that number is more accurate unfortunately.

Monday I stayed within my 1500 cals so I am excited.  Even got my mom on board, for her it's more about educating herself.  Talk to you guys later (TTYGL)

Think Healthy I like that more than Think Skinny. I have also posted a picture of myself from about 6 years ago on the fridge with the magnet as a form of self motivation. I so badly want to look like that again. The one big thing I am really looking forward to is my face changing shape. Since I put on this weight my face looks completely different.

What is everyone doing as rewards for themselves? and how often  (i.e. every ten pounds)? I want to buy myself a tanning pass at 15 lbs. I think I look sexier when I’m tanned lol

me and my mom have been going online at lunch time and telling each other what we are having. It's awesome for getting ideas and staying on track. I have also got one of the other ladies in my office on a health kick too. It's contagious.

Hi, this is loveshopping but my real name is MiAh (pronounced me-ah).

I haven't lost too much weight to reward myself yet.  Now that I think of it, my husband gave me a Pandora bracelet that and they have tons of different charms to add to it.  I think I will make this my reward.  For every five pounds that I lose, I can get a charm.

Has anyone heard of Amy's frozen food?  It's supposed to be healthy?  A person can lose weight by eating this. 

I really need to dig up an old picture of myself and post it on the fridge.  I can always tell when I've gained weight because my face and the rest of my body gets puffy.

Hi Miah and welcome.  Today wasn't so good. I did ok until dinner. I think I wanted to long to eat so Taco Bell just sounded good.  I could have picked better but I could have picked worse, I'm trying for 1500 cals a day and today was over 1900.  Uggg. But like I've said before, I will pick myself up again at breakfast. 

I havent heard of Amy's sorry.

I'm going to do rewards at 5 lbs. I havent lost any weigh in over 2 yrs so that will be a big deal for me.  ttygl :)