Looking for support--new thread

[ressey]

Hi there! The other thread was getting full. I hate to admit that I have been a lurker on this board. I would like join the daily support. I have lost 50 pounds, but need to lose about that many more. I am getting married in October, and I am hoping to be a size 12 bride--but 14 will do. I am a size 18 at the moment, so I think it's possible.
I have started exercising again, and watching what I eat, but I am prone to slip ups this past month. I want to get back on program and I hope you all can help me. Looking forward to meeting you!----

Abby

[just me]

Hi girls :)

Yeah, the last post was definately getting long. Thanks for starting a new thread Ressey and for joining us!!

I have really had a good week, and am praying soon some weight will be gone. Last night I went and worked out rode the bike, did the climber, lifted weights that type of thing. Well, I am having trouble losing weight in my tummy, and wanted to do some crunches to help tone that area. I didn't want to do them in front of other people (wouldn't have been a pretty sight--lol) so I did them when I got home. Well........this morning my tailbone hurts so bad I can't sit!!! UGH!!

Krista, I am seriously thinking about looking into Taebo. I am hoping our library has it so I could try it first before I buy it. I don't want to buy the wrong one.

Screechinglassie, welcome I'm glad you joined us. Already you are doing great by making good choices!! :) What works for me is to not think of it as a diet but as a lifestyle change instead where you make better choices in what you eat. After a while it becomes second nature. For example I haven't eaten anything fried since May 2000 and the thought of fried greasy food turns my stomach now. Oh......and as far as chips, have you given the Wow chips a try?? They taste good and I haven't had a problem with them.

Ressey, so glad to have you join us also!! :D You sound really similar to me. I have lost 40 pounds with 50 more to go. I am in a size 18 right now and would really like to get into a size 14 or 12 soon. My goal weight is 160. How did you lose the 50 pounds?? That is quite an accomplishment. Way to go!! Congrats also on your approaching marriage. I also got married in Oct.

Well, take care all. I leave for San Diego in 3 days!! YES. I can't wait.

250/210/160

[Krista A]

Hi all-

Well I blew it yesterday but today so far so good. I am still determined to Taebo tonight.

Gina- I don't know about you but I HATE crunches - but I found a GREAT ab machine. I think it's called the ab slide or ab roller. It does the same thing as the turbo track that Suzanne Summers does the infomercials for, only it's WAY smaller and cheaper. I bought mine for 20 bucks at Target and I love it. It is smalland light and easily fits under the bed. The bonus is not only does it work your abs but it also works the back and upper arms - really killer if you do it for about 5 minutes per night. Not that I have lately!

Screechinglassie- I don't know how the weather is out there but if you like to run or speedwalk, one great exercise to do with kids is get one of those runner strollers and push the little one while you run/walk, while the older one rides along on his bike. Kids love it. Even just playing soccer with them is a great exercise that you can do in the backyard. During winter, try aerobics tapes. Richard Simmons is a fun one for that. I have younger cousins who I used to babysit who loved to dance along to the tapes. Now that they're older (junior high age) they are always happy to do Taebo or go run with me. Kids are a great motivator, once you get them in the habit they think of it as play time and start bugging you to do it daily!

Everybody else, hope you're having a great day and hope you're getting weather as good as ours - the rain is finally gone and it is sunny and beautiful and in the upper 60's! (Sorry for those of you getting pounded by the noreaster!)

Take care,
Krista

[Krista A]

Ressey - forgot in my last message to say welcome and you CAN be a size 14 bride by October! When I lost my weight, once I started losing it seemed to just fly off. I started in January to get ready to be a bridesmaid in a July wedding and I dropped from a size 16 to a 12 by July but then by that September I was down to an 8. Once I lost the first 20 it just seemed to melt off, hopefully you will have the same experience!

[chubs2]

Just wanted to check in and wish everyone well for today. Seems like few of us are concentrating on our abs lately (Krista,Just me). My experience is that crunches will only get you so far, good abs are a result of lower body fat percentage and toned muscles. You can do crunches til the cows come home(as we say in the country), but if you neglect aerobic activity you'll just be strengthening muscle tissue underneath your tummy. Ab equipment is really fun to use and makes doing abs a little easier to do because its new, but I found out that the ab roller if used too severely can cause incontinence because women's bodies weren't built to roll up so high. I used to be a workout tape junkie so I've tried quite a few if anyone needs a recommendation.
I have to say I really like this forum, I haven't had a lot of experience other than my closest friend and mom for women to actually be supportive of one another, it's great to hear all of the encouragement. A big thank you to all who chat here, thanks for listening-chubs2

[ressey]

Hello All. Glad that this thread is up and running daily!

Just Me--I lost the weight gradually by small changes in lifestyle. It took almost a year to lose it. I started with exercise and then started to modify my eating. Losing weight while exercising is the best because it tones you big time. Example---I was a size 18 a few years ago, but weighed about 30 pounds less than I do now. I dabble in Tae-Bo, aerobics, and Yoga (great for relaxation).

Now I am trying to do Richard Simmons' MG&L program, and have lost about 11 pounds since Jan 7th. I was off program for 2 weeks due to a hip injury and the flu--but I am back and working at it! I hope to see the needle move outta the 30s (230) and below 200 before August.

I recently have been working abs as well. (It must be in the air). I do about 40-50 crunches a night. I feel like I am toning a little bit, but I would love to lose the poochie I have :)

Looking forward to chatting daily! Nice to meet you!

[PRINCESSPHOEBE]

hey ladies...

well nothing new and exciting.. have been a naughty girl though... but hey naughty is what i do.. tee hee hee... ya.. went out to dinner.. ate all teh wrong food... don't worry im paying for it.. lactose intolerant.. and i had ice creaam.. so... self-inflicted karma.
you know i came to a realization. that i measure me .. self-worth in the way others wee me.. noit all the time... but most of the time. I feel like im never going to meet any guys worthwhile, because none of them see me as worth while... (wah wah wah.. self-pity... but hey if your good at something!!! ha ha) i guess im just all whiney because im single and all my friends have something going on in there love lives.. and im just like..w ell i got the cutest skirt... just doesn't compare you know?? i'll get over it.

ta ta for now

Mel

[chubs2]

Hi, everyone. I'm so happy it's Friday. Just wanted to check in. Princessphoebe, keep your chin up girl. The whole self-esteem thing is a vicious circle. We feel bad about ourselves and we project that. Men will then view us as less worthy because that's the vibe we're exuding. Then we feel bad because they treat us badly. So I try to avoid the whole circle game by finding things in myself I can be confident about and slowly the image I'm projecting isn't quite so self depricating.

And I would also like to say that we shouldn't be so hard on ourselves when we eat foods that are bad. I've found away to do this and it really works for me, I learned it when I was doing the Body for Life contest you may have heard of it. Anyway the meal plan for that is really restrictive, but you are allowed one day where you don't count fat, calories etc and eat whatever you want. Saturdays have been my "eat bad day" for two years. Your body can recover from one day of bad. I eat really well during the week and if I crave something I remember to wait until Saturday. The guilt I feel for eating cookies or burgers is gone.

Has anyone else started the Self Challenge? I made a handy daily checklist based on the daily meal planner they provided and it helps a lot.

Have a nice weekend everyone, chubs2

[Rexanne]

Hi!

This is my first time posting here. I've been battling my weight for as long as I can remember. I'm 5'6" and weigh 170. My ultimate goal is 130.

For the past couple weeks I've been exercising an hour a day, five days a week and eating healthy. However, I've managed to gain 2 pounds. Although I realize it's probably muscle or water weight, it is still somewhat discouraging! I'm sure we all know what I mean.

I am really excited about having people to chat with, encourage, and even vent with. I think it will help get me through the tough times.

Right now my goal is to get through lunch without breaking down and ordering a cheeseburger with fries!

Baby steps...right??

[Krista A]

hi girls-

Rexanne, I know exactly what you mean, one summer in high school I worked out an hour a day for 3 months and didn't lose a pound! But don't give up, if you keep it up even if you gain weight you will tone and lose dress sizes and that is what matters. Weight is only a number, right? :)

Princessphoebe, we can be single together! My hot date tonight is with about 150 history papers that I have to grade! :)

Chubs2, I love the Body For Life "eat bad day." I should do that with coke, I am an absolute addict (the soda not the drug!). I will have to pick up Self when I go grocery shopping this weekend - going to hit the fruits & veggies hard and try to start making my lunch instead of buying at the cafeteria. I have a great recipe for pasta salad which is great for me in that it helps me get my broccoli in (hate it cooked but love it raw).

Have a great weekend everybody, I am hitting the beach tomorrow to run and will be keeping this support in mind when I drag my a** out of bed at 7am on a Saturday morning!

Krista

[just me]

Hi everyone!! :)

I am having a great day. We leave for San Diego tomorrow morning!! :D I can't wait.

I have had a good week eating and exercising but my scale hasn't moved. UGH!! I wish it would, but I am too excited right now to care.

Krista, I will look into the ab roller thing. I have always wanted to try one of those but wanted to hear from someone who liked them first. My husband has offered to teach me some of the ab machines at our wellness center. I do a lot of cardio and arms , but don't feel I work that area enough. Oh and thanks for the support you gave Rexannel. It couldn't have came at a better time for me. Why do we always get hung up on a number anyway!!

Chubs2, I am doing the Self Challenge in case you didn't see me post that before. What do you think of it?? I really like it and think it is something I can stick to. So far I have done well for 2 weeks. I am taking next week off since I will be in California. I know I will get lots of cardio in because we will be biking, but no strength training. Let me know what you think of it. We can help each other stay on track.

Ressey, this is the first time I am trying to lose weight by eating right AND exercising. I have lost in the past but never exercised. I am looking at this as a lifestyle change. Actually I have come to really like the exercise part.

Princessphoebe, don't get down on yourself for having a bad eating day. We all have them. I played the same game as you and measured my self worth by how others saw me. For the most part I am past that and I believe that is what held me back for years in my weight loss. You are a wonderful person!! :) Don't forget that.

Rexanne, glad you joined us!!! You have come to the right place for support. You are probably gaining muscle. (At least that is what I am telling myself right now) I too have been working out like crazy but have had the scale stuck. We'll work through it together!! And yes saying no to that cheeseburger and fries is a huge accomplishment. It is all about the choices we make.

Well, I have talked and talked tonight. I just didn't want to miss anyone.

I am leaving in the morning and will be gone for a week. Hopefully I will find some time to check in, but if not take care guys and stay strong.

love and luck,
gina

250/210/160

[PRINCESSPHOEBE]

well girls.. hadn't eaten anythign all day ordered take out... now i just feel tired and full.. and i idn't eat all that much../ just the wrong crap... is there such a thing as healthy take out??
Krist girl, i think we are soul mates.. ha ha.. im toatally addicted to coke too...(pop not drug).. and im not a big fan of my vegtables cooked... especially carrots and cauliflower... brocoli too.. but cooked carrots repulse me for some reason.

stay motivated ladies... and stay positvie..

[chubs2]

Well, it's week two for the Self Challenge for me, I'm doing the online version to cut down on paper work. I submitted last weeks totals and I met my goals. This does seem like something I can stick to, but so far I haven't really learned anything I didn't already know. I think I'm at a disadvantage because I read a lot, my problem is actually applying what I know.

Welcome Rexanne and any other new people, you'll find this to be a good place for support and feedback!

Although in my case bringing lunch from home began as a purely financial necessity, it's the only way I actually know what is in the food I'm eating. So Rexanne and Krista you'll find the temptation of fast food eliminated when you bring food from home. Plus if you plan right you'll have more leftover in your pocketbook.

Keep all the good work up, everybody-chubs2

[Krista A]

Hi girls, hope you all had a good weekend! Well I did hit the grocery store and loaded up on fruits & veggies (grapes on sale for 77 cents a pound, I bought 3 bags!). I am feeling very good about this stuff and will be making my favorite pasta salad tonight, yum.

Gina, hope you are having a great time in San Diego! And let me know how it goes with the ab slider thing. It's much easier on your tailbone!

Chubs2, I couldn't believe it but my stupid grocery store didn't have Self! So I think I'll check out the online version also, good idea.

Princess Phoebe, I hear ya! Coke was on sale for 69 cents for a 2 liter bottle - you know I broke down and bought one! I figured I deserved a little coke treat on Saturday night, since I didn't have a date I was damn sure going to do something for myself! :)

Happy Monday everybody--Monday is always the easiest day for me to eat well, guess it's all those years of "my diet starts Monday" ingrained in my head!

[Girlie]

Hi, I hope you ladies don't mind me butting in...I thought it might be cool to join
a group with gals around my age for a change!

I'm normally a part of the Exercise thread and started one in Misc. Groups.

Anyway, I've been reading through your posts and see a lot of myself in there!

PRINCESSPHOEBE:
Don't EVER feel like a guy will never notice you! Just like you say, "you never know
who's checking out that smile" (or something like that!). I never thought that
myself, and just on a day when I wasn't thinking about it, it happened, in
Barnes and Noble of all places!

RESSEY:
You can definitely achieve your goal! If you don't, it doesn't matter, because your
hubby married you for who you are now, whether you are 300 pounds or 115!
Either way, at least you're starting your married life in a healthy way! That's
really great!

RESSEY & JUSTME:
Congrats both of you on your great loss! It must be so great to remember what
it was like to be 40 & 50 pounds heavier! It only goes to prove that you can
lose that other half! I'm at 200 and just starting over again :( I was at 189
in September but quit everything..I moved out and bought a house and
started classes again, and got way off track. But I'm settled in my house
now and just dropped one of three classes, so I feel more adjusted...now
I have no other excuses! I've gained it all back and am going to try again.

That's all we can do , right? Is try....

Have a good night!

[Girlie]

So, I think a couple of you are a part of the "You're Beautiful" thread that I
started under Miscellaneous Groups, but for those of you who aren't, I wanted to
copy this post that I wrote:

----------------------
Yes, we use it to help measure our health, etc, but
I think we should all remember that the number can't
be the source of our "happiness". I don't know why
I started preaching, but I was just thinking about it.

I had a friend who was 5'5 and weighed about 135
pounds..I think she was in a size 6...and she was still
so focused on the number rather than her general
happiness and the way she looked and felt. I think
her true goal was like 120 pounds or something,
and it just seemed so ridiculous to me because she
looked great. I just think it's so strange that
after a while it became an obsession, which it
shouldn't have been.

When I went to my first WW meeting, they told me
that my WW goal weight was 134 for my height. Now,
I haven't been that weight since I was in 8th grade and
I don't plan to get that low. With my muscular frame,
I don't even think I'd look right. In high school, I was a
in track and field, toned, and 160 pounds in a size 12
which was great for me. So, I set my ultimate goal to
150 pounds (I'm 5'4).

Maybe I'm just frustrated or something, but I mean,
I'm in this for health mostly...I think my friend told me
that I'd be different once I started getting closer to my
goal. Maybe. Anyway..what do you think?

[PRINCESSPHOEBE]

girlie.. all i have to say is that i totally understand on the friend thing.. my sister.. super skinny.. and is liek im so fat wah wah.. she's an actress... whcih is cool and all.. but of course she is body obsessed.. and i have another friend.. i'll call her..penny... she lost a whole buch of weight over the summer a few years back.. and when she got back to school everyone was telling her how great she looked... i knew that she was heading down the wrong path... she was anorexic, taking laxitives.. making herself sick.. not eating for dsays at a time.. so afraid of gaining any weight back... im tred talking to her.. the day i realized it was superserious.. is when a bunch of us girls went out for coffee... everuone wanted cheesecake.. a look of sheer terror came over her... we had a couple peices on the table.. everyone was just sharing and stuff.. and we were all liek have some have some.. she screamed.. started freaking out.. ran out of the cafe.. i had to chase her down... i was like.. what the heck?? (edited version) she was hyperventalating.. and sayign if she ate it she woul be fat again... it made me sad that she saw fat as the end of the world... it may feel like it sometimes.. but its so not...and i was like one bite won't make u fat again... needless to say she downward spiraled after that... she got sick, started losing her hair, her skin had a yellowish green tint to it... and no matter what.. nothing anyone said nothing changed.. she became super moody... and depressed and terrorfied of food. that is what im afraid of.. more than anything... ending up terrorfied of food. Ending up that screwed up. She has lots of other issues too.. but don't we all... weight-gain is not because we like to eat that much.. its over compinsating.. i know i do it.. and i know i like to eat. Im just afraid of becoming her. And u know what.. i can see myself doing that.. thats why it is so important to me.. that i do it my way you know... i made another friend promise to beat me if i ever even began down that road.
It scary... things we do.. things we become... when all we can see is that one thing... that one thing we don't want to be, or don't want to admit we are.

[ressey]

Things are ok. I haven't gained any weight, which surprises me considering the crap that I have been eating. I talked with my fiance last night and said that I felt that I had to hate my body in order to continue to lose weight. And I don't. Essentially I think I have a nice body, and when I get frustrated because the needle won't move because I can't stay OP, I start to attack my poor body. It's my mind that wacked, not my body. It's an innocent by-stander. I don't want to diet anymore. I told my man that the one thing I can totally stick with is exercise. I can't seem to monitor my eating because when I do, my mind tells me I want to eat fried crap and lots of sweets. And I usually don't crave those things, but it's like the second that I want to restrict it, there is a revolt in my brain. Does this happen to anyone else?

So, I have a plan this week. I am going to exercise everyday and let the eating take care of itself. I will report if this helps next week.

COngrats to all who are challenging and taking control of your eating. I wish I could be like you. When I take control, I feel outta control. So, I am playing reverse psychology on myself :)

Keep smiling and keep healthy! Abby

[Girlie]

I understand what you mean. It is very hard to do both, watch your diet
and exercise. But, you need to do what's best for you..if you can get
results by doing only one, then great. Remember that the point in all
this is to do SOMETHING! At least you're thinking about it. See, I'm
probably a lot like you. I think about it a lot and worry, but ultimately,
we can only do this when we, both our minds and bodies are ready to.
So if for now, your best is exercising, then great. Keep it that way.
Then, when your mind and heart are ready to start working on the
eating part, you'll have the exercising part down pat. No matter what,
you are working on your metabolism by exercising only.

Then, when you think you are ready, start with little things. Have you tried
an eating program like Weight Watchers? I'm not sure about the new
program, but when I was in it, you get a certain amount of points that you
can expend per day. If you do extra exercise, you get activity points.
It sounds complicated, but it was great. You could eat absolutely ANYthing
you want, just in moderation and keeping in track. For me, it was kind
of a game: how much can I eat today without going over my points?

Anyway, I'm talking to myself here, to get myself boosted up. Usually, I
can watch what I eat, but it's getting up to exercise...I wouldn't lose
weight or gain weight. It sounds like you are not losing or gaining either.
Something as simple as drinking diet, calorie free drinks and water only
can make a huge difference. There are many out there! Or,
if you want something fried, don't deny yourself of it. Have some
fries or a piece of fried chicken, or my big thing, egg rolls, but
cut down on it. Just little things can do a lot!

I hope I've helped a bit. Don't fret too much about the needle. That's where
people go berserk. Make it a rule that you don't check your weight more than
once a week or every two weeks. When you exercise, do cardio to
boost the metabolism. The elliptical machine is a great one.

Anyway, I hope you're feeling better. If I was you, I wouldn't focus on the
dress that you want to wear in October - focus on yourself. I found
that if I focus on a goal too much, I start to feel further and further
away from it, and it would show in my attitude. Just do what you can
and need to do...the goals will come.

[Girlie]

Yes, it's a terrible thing. When I hear and see about those types of cases,
I honestly (YES, HONESTLY) am glad that I am the way that I am, all 200
pounds of me! Because I'm not crazy over everything.

To be totally honest, I wouldn't mind being my good old 180 pounds, rather
than my goal of 150 pounds...All I really want is to be able to fit into cool
clothes when I see them, which I can't do now and to be healthy. Ideally, I want to be in
a size 10 or 12. But you know, this world is so focused on image, that
we will probably always want more and more - only some of us will
be so obsessed that we go more and more when we don't need to to
be healthy.


ALL:


I was lurking in the teenage posts and it's so weird, guys...these young girls
have been losing weight, but some of the have exceeded their diet plan goals
and are going for more and more. For example, I saw someone in there
who was 5'6 and wanted to get down to 115. Healthy? Natural?

I don't know....but anyway, I hope I don't always want more...and go crazy
over it. I think women with a little meat on them are the most beautiful!
Like Kate Winslet :)

Hope you all are doing well!

[Krista A]

Girlie - thanks for your posts, they are awesome! You are so upbeat, good for you.

I have to say in response to the discussion about getting too obsessed with your weight - good luck to all, I hope you are able to be happy with your goal weight once you get there but speaking from experience I can say it's harder than it sounds. After years and years of being overweight and unhappy with my self image, I found it really hard to be satisfied even when I hit a size 6 because I still didn't have the "perfect" body. Even this morning I was sooooo depressed I almost started crying when I fit into my size 10 curdoroys (they used to be way too big). If I step back I say whoa, 2 years ago I would have given ANYTHING to be a size 10 and I would have kicked myself in the a** for *****ing about it now. And it's not like it looks bad on me - I am tall (5'9") and so the rational part of my brain knows I look fine. But of course I'm still not happy. I feel fat.

I know it's sick and twisted but hey, think about what we see in the media day in and day out. I just picked up the US magazine about Hollywood's obsession with losing weight - talked about girls like Drew Barrymore being asked to lose weight because she is too fat, and she has never been more than a size 8! Personally I never got to the point where I was frightened of cheesecake or anything that serious, but it does get to be something of an obsession. You start losing weight, you get to your goal, and then you find that you can keep going and get even skinnier than you ever dreamed possible. The problem is, it's never good enough - even at a size 6 I wouldn't have been caught DEAD in a bikini. For me, the issue now is I feel like a failure for gaining back the last 10 pounds I lost. But even if I were a size 4, I know it would be a struggle. My eye is trained to find imperfections when I look in the mirror. I guess you have to learn to retrain it, but that's something I'm still working on. No matter how many times other people tell you you look good, it has to come from within you or you'll never be satisfied. That's the hard part.

[PRINCESSPHOEBE]

I think that society, and everyone in it has a way of damaging people. Glorify smoking, drugs.. and at the same time condem them, thin fat, drugs, war of the sexes. Everything. It's all pretty messed up. I look at Marilyn Manroe, in Some like it Hot... she was cuvy.. fat by todays standards.. but was a bomb shell... I would be extatic to look like that.
Its the strangest thing... really when u think about it, this whole thing. I agree Kate Winslet, Drew Barrymore, 2 of my favorite, and i personally think, absolutely beautiful, and when i hear people think they are fat.. i really begin to wonder... what the heck is wrong with this planet. These women have beautiful figures... and i think they are slim... i don't get it.

***

ok new topic... i totally can relate to those who were speaking of how once u make a decision to limit.. or ban something.. even it is something u haven't touched in ages.. boom.. im craving it like it was going out of style!

All i realy want out of this crazy thing called life... is a long healthy life.. filled with love and friendships... and money wouldn't hurt... but ... you know.. all kidding aside. I just want to find they place where i am happy with my body. Im not.. im actually quite mad at it at the moment.. i feel like it betrayed me.. hmmm.. maybe i betrayed it. i just wish i could back to when i was a kid.. and fix whatever happened... and whatever it was that made turn to eating as my comfort... i wish i could have just been... told i was beautiful then.. rather than.. you have such a pretty face.. but.. you just need to lose some weight. Now... if i could get back to the weight i was when i was 13.... i'd be estatic.. no..more than that...thrilled..over-joyed... but funny... how i want it now.. when i thought it was too much then... irony i guess... and i haven't gotten any taller sinse then.. so thats not it. I fugure if i was 8 feet tall i'd be ideal.. but im barely 5' tall... so im far... lightyears away from ideal.

***

on a happy note... i just want to say congratulations to everyone.. and stay positive and strong.

[ressey]

Phoebe--

I had to write about the last few things you said. I went home at Christmas, 50 pounds lighter and some relatives marvled on how well I looked. I said that I was the same size I was in high school and all of you said I was too fat then. They shut up for a while.

I look back at high school and I was a bigger girl, but athletic. I made up my mind to be athletic again. It's making some difference in my brain.

Just thought I'd share.

Abby

[Girlie]

What great posts!

My big thing is, like most of you, I've gained since high school...
All of my mother's side is in Japan and I've never met them, but
they, like my mom are mostly petite and pretty small.

My father's side, however, is all from the south where they
gorge you with food! ALL of the women on my dad's side
are large ladies, particularly, what they call the family butt...
I have it too! I remember at family reunions they used to
joke about it, but it's really sad. My dad's side is swarming
with diabetes!

My uncle called me yesterday and told me they are planning a
family reunion and I am determined not to go back there
only for everyone to tell me I'm looking more like the rest of the
family! The reunion is scheduled for October. I hope I can lose
40 pounds by then...my goal is to lose 59 pounds by my birthday
in December. Do you guys think that's an irrational goal?

I'm a bit depressed because I got down to 189 in September, only
to find that I am now 20 pounds heavier than that now.
I moved out on my own, bought a house and that just screwed
me all over! I thought things would be easier once I was
on my own, but they aren't! Especially since I'm in college and
work a full-time job...so I've stocked my fridge with convenience
foods like WW dinners and Kashi and fruits. Are any of you in a
similar situation?

Krista - you know, I noticed that you mentioned Coke a while back.
Do you drink diet? I think drinking diet soda and calorie free drinks
throughout the day is great because the carbonation acts as a filler
(for me at least). I love those 1 liters of calorie free bevs they
have at Wal Mart...no extra empty calories...

I hope the rest of you are doing well!

Girlie

[Girlie]

One more thing...
isn't it strange about body types? To me, 5'9 in a size six sounds
like heaven! I guess it is true that we'll never be satisfied...
unless we change our views I guess, like what you think
looking good in a bikini is, ya know what I mean?

It's so weird about body types. My friend was reflecting
about how when she weighed 185 pounds, she was in
a size 16-18 and at 200 pounds, I can wear size 14.
We're both 5'4. Bodies are all so different and
amazingly mysterious! I think we should all be very
proud of our bodies because they are unique. I
bet all of you have wonderful, awesome, unique
bodies that go along with your personalities!

I wonder what I'll be like when I reach my goal...
will I want more? Will I really be satisfied?
Like Princessphoebe said earlier..I want to get
back to what I was in high school, but even then
in a Jr's 11/12 I thought I was hideous! I guess
we'll see in December!

Girlie

[Krista A]

Girlie, I am in the same situation - lived with my grandmother for 2 years while I finished up school and I thought as soon as i got out on my own eating healthy would be easier - WRONG! I am working 2 jobs now, besides the fact that I hate cooking, so needless to say it is fast food for me almost constantly. Bad stuff! Those cookies in the cafeteria at work just kill me!

I hate diet soda but I am trying to learn to like it. I bought some of that pepsi one, it is ok, and diet rite is tolerable. Nothing like a good full 250 calorie 20 oz bottle of regular coke to make my day though! But I am trying to make a conscious effort to switch to diet. I hate to think how many calories I waste per week on regular soda. I know princessphoebe is with me on this one!

[Girlie]

Krista:

That's really great! There are so many calorie free drinks out there, i've decided that I won't drink anything but beverages that are calorie free besides soymilk and my Morning Blend Vit C breakfast drink. I mean, I'm not thin or anything, but I figure I wouldn't get any extra calories there, ya know? Plus, there are so many different brands that offer diet now! I was never much of a soda drinker, then I started, and now I'm hooked! Regular sodas taste so heavy to me!

I got home for my dinner break and my BF told me to sit down and he served me dinner, one course at a time! Each course was a different type of veggie mix including turnip greens! But then the dessert...an individual
graham cracker crust with a scoop of coconut cream pie filling and FF cool whip on top! The bad part was the graham cracker crust part...but I decided I'd to to the gym tonite after work now...I didn't plan to!

Oh well..hope everyone is great! Talk to you all soon!

Girlie

[chubs2]

I haven't been able to check in since Monday and I'm appreciative of all the support that I see happening in the chats I've missed. Just wanted to give everyone listening a "big picture" check, women and some men too, are very hard on themselves. The problem we have is with our esteem. Weight is the issue in this forum, but it could be anything. We see ourselves very critically and that distorts how we see ourselves from how we actually are. Repairing our esteem takes just as much effort as we're putting into eating right and exercising. If we aren't addressing that aspect of ourselves too, when our work has paid off and we reach our individual goals, we're still going to feel bad.
And girls, life is just too short to feel bad all the time.
So make peace with the women who looks back at you in the mirror everyday and this journey we're taking to reach our goals will go a lot smoother.
Thanks for listening-Chubs2

oh-yeah beware of low calorie diet drinks that contain a high amount of nutrisweet, ever see what it does to the inside of a plastic glass? And although carbonated water does give you a filling feeling it retains sodium, regular water is better

[Rexanne]

Hi Ladies!

I feel bad for joining this board and then disappearing. Unfortunately the modem in my old PC died on me and I have been too busy at work to check-in. Luckily my new notebook came in the mail today!

Krista & PrincessPhoebe...
I can totally relate to the soda addiction. I practically grew up on coke. I never drank water. When I finally calculated how many calories a day I was drinking, my jaw hit the floor. Since then I try to be very conscientious about what I drink. I would much rather spend those calories on food than soda. Look at this way, cutting out coke during the week equals a splurge on the weekend. :) Now that I've been drinking water, I actually like it! Amazing!

Chubs...
You are right...I need to start taking my lunch with me to work. For a while I was doing that, and it really helped. And my wallet could use a little fattening up too! Sometimes I wish I still had a mommy to pack my lunch every morning. My goal for the coming week is to pack my lunch every night and to actually eat it the next day. In the past when I've packed my lunch, the where days when what I packed didn't sound good when it came time to eat it, so I'd get something else and not eat the packed lunch. Bad, very bad. That's where I need to use some self-discipline. I do however, take my breakfast each day (carrots, fruit and a big glass of water). It's much easier to eat what I packed when my body is still asleep and doesn't care what I put in it.

One thing I try to do when I'm tempted to eat something bad. I ask myself what I want more, to get in shape or to enjoy my favorite treat. My favorite treat only satisfies me for the short time it's in my mouth. But a great body I can enjoy 24/7/365! The only problem is taking the time to think before I stuff it in my mouth. If I think of a solution to this problem, I'll be sure to post it.

Well, it's time to get to stop playing with my new toy and get to the gym. Have a great night ladies!

Rex

[Fitbabe]

Hi everyone--

I'm a new person trying to lose about 80 lbs (bought my first scale today -- thankfully I was about 15 lbs less than I thought, so I'm not discouraged yet). My goal weight is 160 (size 12). I'm currently up to 18/20

Are you guys having luck with any programs? I want to try something but there are so many to choose from. My big problem is Coke, juice, root beer, 7-Up -- any drink with lots of sugar. What are good low calorie alternatives? Diet Coke just isn't cutting it!

[Krista A]

Fitbabe, I have the same problem, I hate diet sodas, especially diet pepsi and coke. I suggest as far as diet sodas go, try diet rite and diet 7up, those have been the least offensive that I have found.

A great drink that I do like is crystal light lemonade flavor with just a splash of low-cal cranberry juice. The juice gives it a little kick but it still turns out to be only like 10 calories per glass. I love it - only problem is it isn't very easy to take with you to work unless you have a big fridge where you can store a pitcher. Good luck and keep posting! If you find a good diet drink, please share, there are a bunch of us with soda addictions on this board!

Krista

PS where in california are you? I'm orange county.

[Fitbabe]

Krista -- Thanks for the idea. I'll definitely give it a try! I'm from Dana Point, but I'm in Virginia right now for grad school. I'll be back there permanently in June and I can't wait! I need sun!!!

[Krista A]

It has been sunny and 70's here, wonderful! Although I was in Phoenix last weekend and the 90 degree weather felt SO good that this feels too cold to me! :)

Hope Virginia isn't too bad now...I lived in Roslyn during the winter of 98...love it back there but California is home-

[slimmer_me]

I have been trying to find a strategy to tackle my weight problem. I have never been slim. Growing up my parents yakked to me about loosing weight but never did fun active things with me to get me off my tush and out there. I have been saying since I was young that I'm gonna loose it but here I am bigger than ever. The key for me is activity and getting lots of it without spending money I don't have joining a gym, or investing in a new sport to try. I've started walking for a half hour several times a week but would really do well to do it twice a day. I can't see how doing it 3 times a week is going to beat this bulge. I am 180 cm (5' 11") and I am not sure of my exact weight... but I would guess it's around 114 kg. but may be more than that. I'm almost 25 and if I don't get control of my lifestyle now I may be faced with serious health problems in the near future. Everything else I do in my life is easy there fore I seem to avoid anything that's hard... and lets face it loosing weight is hard. It has taken me this long to figure out why I don't do. I just hope that now I have figured it out I am going to do something about and become a success story!

[chubs2]

I haven't had time to check in recently, glad to see some new people. Welcome fit babe and slimmer me!
I'm coming to the end of the 4th week of the Self Challenge, how are the rest of you doing? Overall I'm feeling like I need a boost, maybe kick my workouts up a notch. I've gotten much better with my portion control, but I almost feel like a daily log of what I eat now makes me more focused on food than I was before. Keep up the good work everyone! Thanks for listening, chubs2

[Titania]

hello...i am new to this forum and looking for support and tips from anyone and everyone. i am looking to lose 150 lbs by my june 16, 2003, wedding date. now...i realize that is over 2 years away right now, but i think it will go by very fast for me...a lot to plan and all. i am also going to florida for the first time in almost 10 years in january of 2002. i would like to look at least fit rather than frumpy. i am only 23 years old for crying out loud. i have been overweight ever since 8th grade, and have tired many weight loss plans. but with no will power and no support i found it very difficult. by reading some of your posts i am hoping that i found the right place for support. :angel:

[chubs2]

It's Monday again, why are the weeks so hard to start? I've noticed that there hasn't been much traffic since the end of March so princessphoebe, krista a, ressey, just me I hope you all are doing well and are continuing to meet your goals. I've actually had trouble accessing this site lately, but here I am. Welcome to all of you who are just joining. This is a good place for support and advice. My best advice to anyone who is just starting is as much as we'd like to find the magic pill to shed our unwanted pounds the only way to lose weight and keep it off is to exercise and eat right and keep it up. Some of us have years of bad eating to undo and it won't happen overnight. That's why weightloss is a tough thing because you don't see big results right away. So I've learned to curb the disappointment of slow results with seeing the little things, like how clothes begin to fit differently or seeing muscles you didn't have before. That's why this forum is so great, we're all pretty much in the same boat. And when you need encouragement I've always been able to take something someone else has written and learn from it. So stay motivated and keep checking in. Thanks for listening-chubs2

[Girlie]

Hey,

I think I was on here for a while but quit...I was busy with another thread but pretty much got kicked off! Long story!

So, if you guys who are here are willing to try to keep this thread going, I'm willing to try also!

I'm 22, college student....work full time...am fat, of course! Ha! Anyway, my short term goal is to get under 200lbs by Easter...which is coming up really quickly!

Maybe we can let each other know what type of diet plan, if any we're following. I was a WW member last year, but I'm not doing it now. I've started this for about 3 weeks now. I am keeping points and portions in mind though, in my mostly vegetarian diet. I try to exercise every day...e.g., I went out to the track on Saturday morning for an hour, jogging and walking...usually I go to the gym and use an elliptical trainer for 30-45 minutes at a fast pace, and I just bought some dumbells to work on my arms at home.

What do you guys do? Hope to hear from SOMEbody!

[chubs2]

Girlie-I don't follow a specific diet, I combine good tools I've found to work for me. Monday through Friday I limit myself to around 40-50 grams of fat a day which I split between 3 meals and 2 snacks. They say the average persons fat intake should be 60 grams a day since I'm trying to lose weight I cut mine. And I don't cheat, anything I'm tempted by I eat on Saturday which is my day to eat what I want. It's helped me not to feel so guilty about food. Right now I'm following the Self challenge from the magazine/web site and am in the fifth week, with a the daily meal planner I am getting much better with controlling my portions. I go to a gym called Woman's Workout World, after work everyday Monday through Friday and i usually take whatever the 5:30 class is it varies from kickboxing to step/aerobics I do that for an hour. I do weight training but since I'm trying to streamline my muscles and replace bulk with lean, I keep my reps high but weight low. On days when I have to work late I do a pilates video, I'm not sure if you've heard of that technique, basically it's a stretching ab routine dancers use. I'm not very flexible so it's comical, but I feel the workout, believe me. Right now I'm working through a plateau period where the scale isn't moving, but I'm seeing my body parts change slowly which I like. Thanks for listening-chubs2

[Krista A]

Glad to see this thread is up and running again! I mean that people are back. Let's see, my diet and exercise plan is non-existent right now, I am working 2 demanding jobs so I've pretty much given up any hope of sticking to a plan until June when I finish student teaching. I am trying to take little steps, for me the biggest one lately is that I gave up Coke! It has officially been a week since my last coke and I am so proud of myself. I'm drinking tons of iced tea and water and so far I seem to be doing fine with that. Now if I could just stop pigging out on all the cookies people bring to work every day I would be fine!

Krista

[Krista A]

Oh, chubs2- I forgot to ask in my last post, which pilates video do you have? Do you like it? I was planning to take a pilates class this summer but it might be easier to start with a video if you can recommend a good one. My piano teacher also teaches pilates and he can't say enough good things about it so I thought I'd try...

[Girlie]

Chubs2:
It sounds like you're on a good plan. I don't follow a prescribed plan either...I eat mostly vegetarian and do some sort of exercise at least every day.

I had my first really bad day today...the first since I've started, but I think I'm doing okay under the circumstances. I'm getting freaked out because I visit my mom in PA next week. I haven't seen her in a year, and I weigh more now than I did last year...about 6 pounds more, and she really, really got on my case about it and made me feel bad. I lost weight after I saw her, but gained it back after a rough move out of my father's house and into my own...plus 20lbs more! So, here I am...my mom is really going to get on me. She's 4'11 and about 115lbs, size 3/4...I wish she could have seen me a few weeks ago..she'd tell me that I'm doing well and wouldn't chastize me! Oh well..maybe her nagging will make me work even harder.

Krista:
Wow...good for you about the Coke! If there's one thing I try not to do, is drink beverages with a lot of calories, like sodas and sweet juices...it's sort of a waste to me. Except for soymilk that is...I give myself permission to have 16-20 oz of diet soda a day, and water for the rest (even though it's still hard for me to drink a lot of water).

Well, gotta get some homework done for class tomorrow!Glad to hear from you ladies! Hope things are going well!

[ressey]

I am still alive but in the middle of the worst examination period of my academic life. I haven't even really looked around that much. Hope all are doing well. I have just been stress eating and not exercising--the good thing is that I flutter and fret so much, that I haven't gained any of the weight back. I really need to get back on track. I even toyed with the idea of fad dieting, but thankfully talked myself outta it. I plan on being back to my old self by the 18th of April, when all this is said and done.

Good to hear from ya'll, and welcome new people. I will be around, just being a silent stressed-freak right now.

:)

[PRINCESSPHOEBE]

hey all its been a while i know!
i hope everyone is doing fine! i've lost some weight my pants hardly stay on anymore... which is one of the best feeling in the world! annoying because i have to constantly pull them up.. but it makes me smile everytime i do!
my friends are like buy new pants... part of me doesn't want to.. not just yet... i like the pulling them up.. but hopefully.. they won't be falling off comepletely that would be embarrassing!
but these pants that were fit just right now.. i can pull on them.. and there is about 4 inches of space!!! i feel fabulous!!!
best of luck to all u all!!!

[chubs2]

Hey everybody, seems like everyone is very busy now and that's usually when it's the hardest to stay on schedule and the easiest time to grab bad food, so hang in there everybody. These are a few of the things I do to get through, when I can't make my regular trip to the gym I fit spot exercises into my day, everybody stops for bathroom breaks so everytime I'd stop I'd take an extra two minutes to do a couple sets of stretches or squats or standing pushups leaning against a wall. As for the food dilemma, I just don't cheat, it was hard at first (very hard!!), there are always snacks out at my job, but I realized I wanted to change my body way more than I wanted that cookie. Over time it gets easier (really, it does). And then you start to see results like princess phoebe just wrote about, congratulations girl, isn't that close to one of the best feelings in the world? Finally seeing your work pay off, that's what we're all working towards, the journey is long and hard, but it's worth it!

Krista-I can't remember offhand which video I have I'm writing myself I note to check when I get home, but I do like it. The pilates classes around Chicago are just too expensive and they don't have any at the club I work out at. It's tough at first, but the woman on my tape is very encouraging and addresses all levels of participants.

Thanks for listening-chubs2

[Krista A]

Oh my gosh CONGRATULATIONS princess phoebe, that is awesome! I haven't felt that feeling in awhile, now you are inspiring me by making me remember how great it is! It will be a small portion dinner for me tonight!

Good luck on exams ressey, I think we have all been in that boat and know how stressful it can be.

Hi again Girlie! Nice to have you back. So you like soymilk? I am a vegetarian but can't get into it at all - of course then again I don't like regular milk either. I was always a water drinker given the water or milk choice at dinner growing up!

Chubs2-thanks for looking into the movie title for me, I appreciate it.

Hope everyone else is doing well, welcome to all the new people-

Krista

[Krista A]

Girlie one more thing, about your visit with your mom, I have the same problem only it is with my grandma. The one thing that I have found to work is just the direct approach, saying something to the effect of, "You might not be able to tell, but I have lost some weight recently and I am really proud of myself and I would really appreciate any encouragement and support that you can give me so that I keep it up and don't get down on myself." That usually stops the nagging and funnels it into encouragement which is a FAR more motivating force. Good luck and try to enjoy your visit even if she does nag by remembering how well you are doing!

[Girlie]

Krista - thanks for the support...she probably wouldn't believe me if I did say I have lost weight. I can't believe how she ruined my trip last time. But I'm going to work out every day there and stock here fridge up with the good stuff I'm eating here. It sucks because good vegetarian foods are so expensive! I hope I find something really good over there! At least my BF will be with me, and he can be my witness for losing weight!

Chubs2- I think your workout strategies are neat! The main thing is to keep moving!

Ressey - I hear ya about class! I work full time and am wondering how I'm going to get all of these final projects done...I'm an advertising major and will be so sick of designing ads by the time the semester is over!

Princessphoebe- that's great for you...I can't wait until my clothes start feeling looser! My BF says he can tell, but I sure can't!

Talk to you all soon!

[Krista A]

Hey Girlie! you're right, good veggie foods are expensive, although I bet they are cheaper out here because they are pretty popular - there are 4 organic/whole food grocery stores within walking distance of my house so that says something. Speaking of, my roommate's cooking tofu tacquitos tonight, mmm...

Have a great day everybody! :)

[PRINCESSPHOEBE]

hey all!!

thanx for the congrats!! it does feel great.. it feels like it happened over night.. but i know it didn't... i think alot of it is stress related.. damn school.. and those finals!!
but i am so happy... my frinds got a kick out of me today because i had a book crisis and i was running all over campus... and every 2 seconds i was like damn these pants!!! i had to hold on to them!!

so my advise... a great workout.. run around like a maniac.. and fight with ur pants!

i wish u all lots of love luck, and support!!


i forgot wo said this.. but i hadn't seen results in soo long.. then... the pants! lol... as odd as it sounds.. it is one of the best.. yet humbling experiences!!

sorry i keep talking about my pants!! im just really excited!!

hugs and love!

[chubs2]

For those of you who celebrate the Easter Holiday, Happy Good Friday, for those of you who don't just plain old happy Friday, it's sunny in Chicago today and it feels great! The sun always puts me in such a good mood, those of you in California are so lucky.

Anyway, Krista A. here is the title of the tape I use, "Precision Toning: The Complete Method with Jennifer Kreis" I got it at Target for under $10 it contains a short warmup and then about 40 minutes of pilates exercises. Since honestly it's the only pilates exposure I've had other than looking at pictures of moves in magazines, I don't have anything to compare it to, but I do enjoy it and find it challanging, and I find it to be a good workout fillin on nights I have to work late and miss my usual workout class.

Some of you have hit on one of the things that I've complained about too, the price and availablility of healthier food. Ever notice how outragously priced salads are in restaurants? And when you need something quick, cheap fast food is on every corner. Do any of you all have any tricks?

Continued congrats for all of you who are doing their best to dig in even though your lives are stressed to the max-keep it up-thanks for listening-chubs2

[Girlie]

Ahh..it's so nice outside...I have to do some research here....this evening before it gets dark, my BF and I are going to do this 20 mile bike ride, and hopefully we'll have time to do it tomorrow too. I'm so excited...my butt isn't! I need to get a new seat for my bike!

Hope all of you are doing well!

Girlie

[Krista A]

Happy spring break to those of you who are on it - I am, yippee! Leaving tomorrow for a week in Sedona, AZ. Hope everyone has a great week.

Chubs2 thanks for the tape info, I'll check it out next time I'm at Target!

Talk to you all next week-

Krista

[Rexanne]

Hi ladies! Please forgive me for being such a stranger.

The past month has been so hectic. Everything always seems to happen at once. Besides moving I was putting in 12 hr days at work and came down with a bad cold. I am finally settled into my new place! It feels great to be settled in and back on my regular schedule. I'm back in the gym and actually have healthy food in the fridge to eat! Time to get busy and make up for the past month. Not to mention I bought a great new swimsuit that I want to look good in by the summer!

How is everyone doing? I noticed some great success posts. Congrats! Welcome to the new faces. It's great to be back!

Well, done with lunch and time to get back to work. Chat more later.

Rex

[chubs2]

Just checking in, hope everyone enjoyed their weekend. Now that the weather is a little warmer here in Chicago, I'm adding walks to my lunch break. I'm also entering month 3 of the self challenge, anyone else still participating? Take care everybody, chubs2

[SCline]

Has anyone else tried diet RC? I was a diet Coke addict for 10yrs, but as soon as I tried diet RC I was hooked. It's sweetened with Splenda which is actually made from sugar and doesn't leave any nasty aftertaste. I despise diet Rite--nastiest stuff I've ever tried!! Now diet RC is a friend to me--but I've cut down to one or two a day. My dentist actually told me that diet sodas are harder on teeth than regular ones; apparently they add more acid to get the flavor closer to right which wears away the enamal on your teeth. Has anyone else tried diet RC? And BTW you can buy Splenda sweetener in packets and in a box. It's a little pricey but everyone says you can bake/cook with it which would save a lot of calories in muffins and stuff (stuff that probally still wouldn't be healthy :) ).