I keep looking at the ticker and seeing that I need to lose 120 pounds, and thinking how incredibly long and hard that is going to be. 120 pounds. That's an entire person! I'm so frustrated with trying to find the right way to diet and exercise and this, that, and the other thing...it makes me overwhelmed, and it makes me want to quit. As a matter of fact, I've really done nothing lately, at all.
Then I saw someone's signature. It went something like this : "I may not be able to lose 100 pounds, but I can lose 5 pounds 20 times". Oh. My. Goodness. Whoever has that signature, you honestly may have just changed my life. I was on the brink of just throwing my hands in the air and staying a Fatty McFatFat,
All this leads me to something else. A big deal with me was the exercise. I was completely lost on how to go about this, until spending time with my 4 y/o niece last night. She was dancing crazily to a playlist her mom made for her. And then it hit me. I love to dance! I do it all the time! I also know it's great exercise, and gives you tons of energy...so why am I not just doing that?!
Next, is the diet. I've completely cut out soda, and I feel great about that. AMAZING. It puts me on top of the world any time I tell someone about it. So here is my obvious solution that I can't believe I just now am realizing : Cut out the bad stuff, one thing at a time. I was ADDICTED to soda, and I cut it out cold turkey and haven't had a single sip in an entire month. Obviously I have some sort of hidden willpower, I just need to learn to let that tiger out of her cage!
Thank you so much, 3fc'ers. I have been recommending this site like crazy to everyone I know trying to lose weight. I see so many people and feel so happy for them and love to see the pictures of their success and just want to be like them. I really do love you guys like family, now.
So there's my Sappy McSapperson time. I'd like you all to answer some questions:
1. How many pounds do you have to lose, and how many times? (ex. 5 lbs, 24 times)
2. Who on 3FC has been your biggest inspiration? (name as many as you wish)
3. If you had to give yourself a nickname to play on your awesome weight loss skills (or the ones you are currently honing) what would it be?
I agree; that is such a cool way of thinking about it. I'll confess that when I first started my WL, I never truly thought that I'd get to 150 lbs... Heck, if you had even told me that I would eventually make it to 177 lbs, I probably would have laughed hysterically. It just seemed SO impossible, like I had SO much weight to lose and I would never have enough time to actually do it. Especially with the standard "1.5 lbs/wk" model of average weight loss that was instilled in me--by that formula, I thought it would be at least a year before I was anywhere NEAR where I am now. But it was comforting to think, "Well, I only have to lose 10 lbs 11 times... Maybe I can do that..." And now it simply blows my mind that I'm only ~30 lbs away from goal. After losing 80 lbs, 30 lbs doesn't seem quite so daunting anymore--not at all! I'm actually adjusting to the idea that I really, truly, might actually weigh 150 lbs some day. Some day soon.
Now that I've contributed my own sappy perspective, hehe, onto the questions...
1. As I said, when I started out, I had to lose 10 lbs 11 times, which is obviously the same as 5 lbs 22 times. Now, I only have to lose 10 lbs... 3 times! (WOW, weird!!!) Or 5 lbs 5 times! Hmmm, I think I can do that.
2. Ooooh, that is a really tough one. Everyone on 3FC has been so amazing and supportive; I seriously attribute all of my WL success to this website and all of you ladies (and, okay, I guess I helped a bit, too ). I hate to give a cop-out answer, but I really don't think I can pick, hehe.
3. LOL, hmmm... I would have to nickname myself as the Amazing Wannabe Vegan! That is my latest "project" stemming from my healthier eating habits. I have been a vegetarian for about 3.5 years (though I managed to stay obese for the first 3 years of it ), and just recently I have been giving very serious consideration to going vegan. I know it seems like a pretty drastic choice, but I think it's the right one for me. I already do not eat meat (including poultry and shellfish), plus I don't eat eggs because I loathe them (lol), and I have basically given up all straight-up dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, cottage cheese, yadda yadda) because of my WL... And that has not been difficult for me at all. The only problem is eliminating all things that are made with eggs and/dairy, since practically everything is, and I'm very limited in my options because I eat exclusively at my school dining hall. But next year I'll hopefully be living in an apartment and no longer on a meal plan, so maybe then I'll be able to go vegan "for real."
Wow, this post has been a big eye-opener for me. It really is crazy to think that I only have to lose 10 lbs 3 more times...
1. I set my mini-goals at 17 lbs each; 1 tenth of the weight I want to lose. I agree; when you have a lot of weight to lose, it does seem hopelessly overwhelming. I too, have broken my goal down into smaller chunks. Losing 170 lbs seems impossible, but losing 17 lbs seems doable. In fact, I'm almost done with the first 17 lbs. (yay)
2. Lots of folks inspire me. The one that sticks out the most is Helen, She was around the last time I was here. (I don't remember her username.) Not only did she reach her goal, but she can run a marathon. That to me is amazing. I'm hoping to be fit enough to run some day. Maybe not a marathon, but at least a 5K. I have a long way to go yet.
3. I don't know about this one. I'm still early on into this most recent weight loss journey to really say. I'm just counting calories and exercising 30 minutes a day. No special skills required. In fact, the computer (sparkpeople) adds everything up for me so I don't even have actually count.
Wow. Reading your post Redreine was like reading my own thoughs right now. I am in the same boat! Looking at losing 135lbs seems almost impossible. But when you set smaller goals it doesn't seem so bad. When I "started" my diet (for the 101st time) In january I set 7 mini goals. 1.) Lost 28 pounds, and no longer be morbidly obease. 2.) lose 18 more pounds, and be in ONEderland. 3.) lose 36 more pounds, and no longer be obease. 4.) lose 18 more pounds, and reach the 100lbs lost milestone. 5.) lose 10 more pounds, and no longer be overweight. 6.) lose 13 more pounds, and be half the woman I was literally. 7.) lose 12 more pounds, and reach my ultimate weight goal.
I also have some other goals in the mists of those. A Valentine's goal (which started out "lose 14 pounds" but since I've spent so much time not staying OP I'll be lucky to get 5 pounds off by then. But thats my new goal, lose 5 pounds by V-Day. I also would like to reach 185 by June, (means I have to lose 56 more pounds, for a total of 60). And my hope is to reach the half way mark in my weight loss sometime in the summer.
If you ever need a "buddy" feel free to PM me!
1.How many pounds do you have to lose, and how many times? (ex. 5 lbs, 24 times): I'm taking it 5 pounds at a time! I've *almost* got the first 5 off... 1 more pound to go! I need to lose 5 pounds, 27 times.
2. Who on 3FC has been your biggest inspiration? (name as many as you wish): There are many people here who inspire me on a daily basis. Everyone in the mini goal & goal forums is huge inspiration. RockinRobin is a big inspiration. And everyone who keeps me going in the 20-somethings BLC is my inspiration.
3. If you had to give yourself a nickname to play on your awesome weight loss skills (or the ones you are currently honing) what would it be?: Mini McNotsoskinny. haha...
1, I've broken mine up into 10% increments. I want to lose 10% of my weight, perhaps 5 times:
1. 24lbs down to 216
2. 22lbs down to 194
3. 20lbs down to 174
4. 18lbs down to 156
5. 16lbs down to 140
This is, of course, all subject to change based on how my body looks and if I want to stop or continue on a little more . . .
It doesn't seem as daunting in those increments though, as it does in one big block of 100lbs.
2, Robin, Meg, anyone else who's made goal, everyone who has yet to reach goal but has lost large amounts already!
3, LOL Pee Girl? I sure am making lots of trips to the potty with all this water I'm consuming!
I need to lose 10 pounds 10.6 times... or 5 pounds 21 times. I think 10 times 10 sounds better to me.
I think the most inspiring person here for me is mandalinn82. Because she is my same height, and started at the same weight and is maintaining around where I want to be and she looks GREAT. Also because she really seemed to have a really reasonable plan, with lots of real food.
Right now I'd say I'm Ms. Geek McSpreadsheet, because I'm working out all the recipes, pounds and points on my computer. I always throw myself into the planning part of any project. My other name would have to be something along the lines of Lazybones because I just can't make myself get up and do a freaking workout.
This has actually been quite helpful for me, in terms of setting my realistic goals! Thanks! So... since I have 123 pounds left to lose, I need to lose 20.5 pounds six times. That sounds reasonable, and I think I can do that.
271- current
250.5
230
209.5
189
168.5
148
Doesn't seem so bad, does it?
As far as my biggest inspiration, I have to say it's cfmama. Although there are many people I find truly inspirational on here, cfmama seems to have struck a chord with me. She is very positive, she takes all her challenges in stride, her eating plan seems to be well rounded and reasonable, and she just keeps charging along! So-- when I get discouraged, I read some of her posts.
Nickname? Hmm. I don't know. Maybe my creative juices aren't flowing this early.
I like this thinking!!! I have a chart that shows me each set of pounds to lose, as well as other mini-goals such as losing the weight of each of my little kids, and reaching "overweight" BMI status, reaching "normal" BMI status, etc.
There are a couple folks here with that siggy and I LOVE IT!
It keeps me motivated too so Im glad Im not alone.
I dont think in terms of I need to lose 150lbs anymore b/c as Meredith said that is really daunting. I just focus on the next 5 or 10 lbs.
To think I need to lose a whole person and also that some people at 150 feel fat so I need to lose a fat person at that (not that I think anyone at 150 is fat just saying that some ppl think they are) is beyond daunting.
But if I focus on today what will I eat today. And I focus on each pound I can lose its so much easier.
My true goal is 150 and yesterday I weighed at 295. so I need to lose 5lbs 29x or the way I look at it 10lbs 14.5 x
I need to lose 10lbs 10 times to get to onederland. I can do anything 10 x right? And I can lose 10lbs if I stick to it.
1. How many pounds do you have to lose, and how many times? (ex. 5 lbs, 24 times) Right now fousing on 10lbs 10x to get to Onederland
2. Who on 3FC has been your biggest inspiration? (name as many as you wish) Too many to name but that is the one siggy that sticks with me EVERY single day so thanks to those who use it.
3. If you had to give yourself a nickname to play on your awesome weight loss skills (or the ones you are currently honing) what would it be?
OnederWoman I want to lie in Onederland for the rest of my life
Last edited by LookingForMeAgain; 02-08-2009 at 09:52 AM.
1. How many pounds do you have to lose, and how many times? (ex. 5 lbs, 24 times)Answer:
76~TO REACH MY 150 lb goal~ 5X 15.2
(I add the little scale smileys to my signature with every 5lbs lost which really helps!!!! try that also~I got that idea from others!!!!!!)I started with 109(which was 21.8 X 5) to lose and down to 76(15.2 X5) so it goes off quicker than we think if we keep on going~even if it comes off slow ~anything is better than gain!!!
2. Who on 3FC has been your biggest inspiration? (name as many as you wish) Answer: Several people have been~Lori Bell~Thighs be gone~
Jamsk8ter~Beautiful ace~And so many more~To all of them and the others I forgot to mention~And those in my future THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!
3. If you had to give yourself a nickname to play on your awesome weight loss skills (or the ones you are currently honing) what would it be?
Answer:Calories~do~count ~Or the one my hubby has been calling me~ skinny minnie...LOL
1. How many pounds do you have to lose, and how many times? (ex. 5 lbs, 24 times) 5 lbs 15 times (for the first 'big goal' of 190)
2. Who on 3FC has been your biggest inspiration? (name as many as you wish) cfmama! she's doing great!
3. If you had to give yourself a nickname to play on your awesome weight loss skills (or the ones you are currently honing) what would it be? the amazing shrinking babe (as my bf calls me)
1. How many pounds do you have to lose, and how many times? (ex. 5 lbs, 24 times) I had to break it down in 5 or 10 pound increments for me to look at the amount of weight I had to lose...that big number was so overwhelming!!
I have a total of 134 pounds to lose (considering raising it to maybe 139lbs) which works out to be losing 5 pounds 27.2 times
2. Who on 3FC has been your biggest inspiration? (name as many as you wish) Oh gosh...there are so many out there!!! To name a few....mandalinn, Meg, Robin, Star2Be, cfmama...ugh I want to name them all and that is such a short list!! Each and everyone of you inspire and motivate me in so many ways especially when I need it the most
3. If you had to give yourself a nickname to play on your awesome weight loss skills (or the ones you are currently honing) what would it be?
hahaha......ummmm I have no idea! The Crazy Shrinking New Orleanian! See we aren't all fat down here in the Big Easy Heck that was sooo freaking cheesy but I guess it works!
1. How many pounds do you have to lose, and how many times? (ex. 5 lbs, 24 times)
2. Who on 3FC has been your biggest inspiration? (name as many as you wish)
3. If you had to give yourself a nickname to play on your awesome weight loss skills (or the ones you are currently honing) what would it be?
1) I need to lose 5 lbs 15x.
2) I can not speak to anyone specifically. There have been days where I was in a bad mood, and someone made me laugh. Days that I needed guidance, someone had the answer that worked for me. I've read posts that were revelations for me and some that were just fun. I think I need them all to be on the weight loss track I've been on. Thanks everyone
3) Ok...... How about 'Fat Blaster' no,no...'The Fitinator' no...'Mr. Workout and Eat Fewer Calories' Ok, I suck at this, I give.
1. 1 lb 184 times. I've never in my life before "this time" considered only 1 lb an achievement. With some pretty serious health issues, some days it's more like 1/2 lb 368 times or even 1/4 lb 736 times, but "it's all good."
2. So many have inspired me here, and sometimes it's the person who hasn't even lost any weight yet and is posting for the very first time. Just having folks here in every stage of the process, experiencing every emotion, every physicial struggle - anything I'm dealing with at all, I know there's someone here who understands and has been or will be at some point, where I am. That I think is the essence of 3FC, never having to feel alone, despite the fact that weight loss is a solitary journey in many ways. It's like traveling physical paths others have taken, even when you're in the middle of nowhere, if there's a road or even a foot worn walking path, you know that countless people have passed that same way. Sometimes you even meet some of them, and travel for a while together. Even when you're alone, you're never entirely on your own.
3. Kaplods works just fine. It's one of my father's many knicknames for me when I was a small child, sometimes "fat kaplods." It's funny, because when I've shared that, many people have said "how horrible" to call a child fat as part of a nickname, but I think I'd be a very different person if I didn't have the "fat" nicknames. There wasn't an ounce of judgement in my father's using the word, only love and complete acceptance, and so I guess I learned early that fat described me, but it didn't define me. Even when I bought into "fat is bad, therefore I am bad," I don't think it wounded me in the same way as I've seen it wound others, because ultimately I didn't feel that I was really bad. To me know, kaplods has a different significance. I'm "plodding" along, now instead of trying to put every drop of energy I have into losing weight, and failing because I couldn't fufill my own unreasonable expectations.
In a lot of ways, eating for me has been like breathing. If I hold my breath, I can sustain it for a while, but eventually the survival instinct (or reflex, really) forces me to take a breath. Mind over matter works for a while, but at worst I would pass out and begin breathing again. Now, I don't "pass out" and eat while unconscious - but starving myself always ends in a big binge - guilt and then a longer binge, so for me plodding along really is working for me and so I'm keeping at it. I really, truly believe that I will continue to keep losing indefinitely. I don't worry about the finish line so much anymore. I always looked at this as a race, and I had to lose as quickly as possible, even if it meant putting everything else in my life on hold. Dieting was what I had to do in order to get on with my life, and now it just is part of my life. I like who I am now, and I'm not going to like myself thin any better - I'll be able to do more - but I won't be a better person, so there's no rush and no agenda. I've got a goal, and I'm working toward it, but I'm not sacrificing the rest of my life for it. I think I'm finally learning to give food and my weight it's proper place and attention in my life, not so much that I have room for nothing else, and not so little that I gain and lose all the health achievements that I've gained.
Losing 5 Pounds, 24 Times
I was on the brink of just throwing my hands in the air and staying a Fatty McFatFat, 
Heck, if you had even told me that I would eventually make it to 177 lbs, I probably would have laughed hysterically. It just seemed SO impossible, like I had SO much weight to lose and I would never have enough time to actually do it. Especially with the standard "1.5 lbs/wk" model of average weight loss that was instilled in me--by that formula, I thought it would be at least a year before I was anywhere NEAR where I am now. But it was comforting to think, "Well, I only have to lose 10 lbs 11 times... Maybe I can do that..." 
And now it simply blows my mind that I'm only ~30 lbs away from goal. After losing 80 lbs, 30 lbs doesn't seem quite so daunting anymore--not at all! I'm actually adjusting to the idea that I really, truly, might actually weigh 150 lbs some day. Some day soon. 
). I hate to give a cop-out answer, but I really don't think I can pick, hehe.
), and just recently I have been giving very serious consideration to going vegan. I know it seems like a pretty drastic choice, but I think it's the right one for me. I already do not eat meat (including poultry and shellfish), plus I don't eat eggs because I loathe them (lol), and I have basically given up all straight-up dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, cottage cheese, yadda yadda) because of my WL... And that has not been difficult for me at all. The only problem is eliminating all things that are made with eggs and/dairy, since practically everything is, and I'm very limited in my options because I eat exclusively at my school dining hall. But next year I'll hopefully be living in an apartment and no longer on a meal plan, so maybe then I'll be able to go vegan "for real." 
I need to lose 5 pounds, 27 times.
... How about 'Fat Blaster' 
no...'Mr. Workout and Eat Fewer Calories'
