Weekly Chatting Thread 4/18-4/24
 

Hey guys, happy new week! Grrr... I've been eating off plan for a few days, and it's getting on my nerves. I'm going grocery shopping tomorrow night and challenging myself to one week on plan. I should probably expect a gain this week - but I'm still hoping for a maintain - which probably means falling short of my May Day goal. Grrr. It's okay, it's okay - it happens, right? :)

Yes jenicra, it DOES happen, unfortunately. (-; But we know how to move on & do better the next time, right?
I hope you all are looking forward to a great week! It's my late week at work (we 3 take turns being the one to close up at 5:30), which isn't my favorite, but my DH is off tonight so I'm excited for that! It's always a treat to have him home in the evening, since he started this goofy 2nd-job thing.
Here's a question of curiosity--have any of you ever read the book, "The Fat Fallacy"? I think it's by a guy named William Crowell or something like that. It's about the way the French eat, and how they eat "real" everything (non-processed foods, full-fat dairy, etc) and they don't have nearly the obesity rate that we do. It's got me very interested, and I'm on the hold list at my library so I can read this thing. I'll let ya know what I find out!
Have a great Monday ya'll!

Jen - I've heard of something LIKE that, but not that book. It sounds very interesting. A lot of people are heading towards a "raw food" diet - where they limit the amount of processed and even cooked food that they eat. They tend to eat a lot of raw fruits and vegetables. They say that foods lose a lot of their nutrient value when they're processed in any way. Most raw foods diets call for atleast 80% of your diet being raw - I've simply tried to eat more raw fruits and veggies and I know that makes me FEEL better, I have no idea if its helping lose weight (other than the fact that is replacing potato chips, chocolate, and ice cream :) )

Hi everyone! The weekend was sure busy for me (all school work) and this week is not looking any better.
So today I started the south beach diet. I checked out the book at my local library and read it this weekend. I think it makes sense for me, but we shall see how well it works since I don't have much to lose.
Have a great day everyone!

Good luck on the SBD tonic! My mother is currently on Atkin's and I'm trying to get her to switch to SB (seeing as how she hasn't lost ANYTHING despite being on it for almost 10 mos. - although she hasn't gained, which we both do if we do nothing, at about a rate of 10 lbs./year - plus our family's medical history), so you'll have to let me know how that goes.

I've decided that everytime I get on the treadmill to run, my goal is to run for 30 min. If I can't do that, then I double the time I ran walking. Like today, I ran for 20 min. but wasn't feeling up to 10 more minutes, so I continued to walk until I hit 20 min. walking too. I needed a plan to keep on the treadmill even if I wasn't feeling up to the run. Hopefully, this will help.

BTW tonic - when is your wedding?

Oh, and another reason why I'm still kicking myself for flubbing up food-wise the last few days: I'm only 2 lbs. away from being OVERWEIGHT as opposed to obese! Grrr! I could have been there Wednesday, but that's not happening now. Oh well, I'm on Day 1 of being OP and it's going great. Let's aim for next week, eh? :)

The raw-foods thing is bit extreme to my way of thinking. This french-eating book idea is definitely about both raw AND cooked foods, but fresh foods, and about eating unprocessed foods (like, cooking from scratch). I'm afraid it's going to turn me into a food snob! (-; The other night I sauteed some mushrooms in a bit of butter, olive oil, garlic, salt & pepper, and it was SO tasty that my more-processed meal later just tasted like crap in comparison. I can't wait to get this book so I can check out the idea more! I'm just so frustrated lately with being hungry every TWO HOURS (at minimum) when I'm "on track" and eating "light!" Not sure if that's the answer, either. Hmmm....

Jen - Thanks! I also tried Atkins when I first started losing weight and it worked great for me.. just was not something I could keep up long term. I don't think low carb works for everyone though.. so maybe for your mom she would lose better with low fat/ low cal.

You can lose those 2 pounds!! Just be patient! :)

Oh and my wedding is August 28, 2004. I'd like to lose 10 pounds by June though...
When is yours?

Major run-in with a dozen bakery chocolate chip cookies today (eaten over the course of the entire day, but still).....something's gotta give here. I'm so tired of thinking about food all the time--whether it's "good" food, or "bad" food, I can't seem to find a way to do this without it being SUCH an unhealthy, obsession-like focus. Any thoughts ladies? I'm at a pretty high frustration level right now!

Oh, boy, Jen - I'm sure they were at least tasty. ;) Obviously, I can't be of much help when I'm drooling over the idea of a dozen cookies, but I can give it a shot... Do you plan your food everyday? I personally don't do this normally, but when I just can't seem to get into gear, I sit down the night before and plan everything that is going into my mouth and when for the next day. If I've got this schedule (usually I only do this for a day or two, to get my mind back into gear, I'm just too busy for this kind of planning) I find it easier to say no - it's not on the list, I don't get to eat it. As far as food obsession goes, I imagine that most of us here ARE obsessed with food (what we put into our mouths, weighing eat option, the cost of eating this now kind of thoughts that I know I have every single day), but there really is such a thing as a healthy obsession - as long as it stays positive. It sounds like you're feeling like it's definately NOT a positive right now, and I think the cookies are just one way of making that more obvious to you.

I honestly don't know exactly what to tell you. Maybe take a couple of days "off" of dieting per se, and by this I mean eat as though you were in maintenence, because you soon will be and it's something that you're going to have to deal with forever if you want to stay where you are (and I know you do). And of course, keep exercising - that's key. Do your best to stop thinking about food, about carbs, calories, fat... just try to enjoy food in a reasonable way as you might imagine other "normal" people do.

I know Holly attends OA meetings - maybe that's something that might fit you? She'd definately be the person to ask. Or maybe TOPS or some kind of eating issues support group where you can share with others face-to-face your attitudes toward food.

Jen - First.. its perfectly naturally to get frustrated. I did and its probably part of the reason I took a sabatical from focusing on weight loss. Just take it one day at a time.. and if you want a cookie.. have one now and then. Its when you have them every day that becomes a problem. Have you ever thought about having a free day? I believe Body for Life has that and people still are successful losing weight. Otherwise.. I dunno what to say. I don't want to have to think about food the rest of my life.. but unfortunately I will to some degree. But if you keep exercising.. you afford to be less focused on your diet.

Thanks jenicra & tonic, for your kind words & encouragement. That support is the reason this board is so great! I have lots to think about, based on your suggestions. Right now I do know that planning my day's food down to the last detail, is not for me. That would probably only serve to intensify my focus/obsession with food. But one day, that might be a good tool for me! I so desperately want to be a "normal person" with food--I want to eat when I get hungry, and stop when I'm full. I by & large want to THINK about food, only when I'm getting hungry, and then in terms of "what should I eat? I'm hungry." I guess you could say that I'm resenting having to think about food (for losing weight's sake) right now! It's silly, if you think about it. I'm resenting an inanimate object! And having my TOM right now is probably not helping matters. (-;
If anyone else has thoughts/suggestions on this matter, please let me know! I'm trying to get in an "eating-like-a-regular-person" groove, we'll see how it goes.....

College is a real diet killer - between having ZERO time to exercise to needing gallons of caffeinated beverages to get you through late night study sessions - its enough to make me crazy. If I can maintain where I am right now through finals week and graduation (18 days away!!!!) then I'm going to be happy.

And Jen, don't worry about the cookies. Every single time there is a package of cookies in my house, I eat them ALL within 1 or 2 days. You're definitely not alone on that one! I'm getting tired of having to obsess about food, too. I even slacked off on my fitday.com account for almost a week. Its hard to come to terms with the fact that I'll probably never just be able to eat whatever I want whenever I want it. I kind of compare it to addiction - an alcoholic can't simply have a drink now and then after they become sober. And someone who has given up smoking can't go back to smoking just once a week after they quit. I don't know - just my weird way of rationalizing things with myself.

Jen - I agree that it totally sucks that when losing weight you have to almost obsess about what you are puting in your mouth. I do think that when you are at your goal weight that you will pick good food choices without even thinking about them, and your metabolism will have increased so that the occasional dessert and bad food choice won't be as big of a deal. Its just getting to that point is not a short road.... its long and hard. But you are doing so great! No worries about the cookies.

spillthebeans - Its very hard to be a college student and lose weight. Does your school not have a gym you can use? Usually they include that in your extra fees and don't let you get out of paying it.

Emily - Stop talking about cookies!!! You are killing me! :) hehehe.. just kidding. Congrats on your upcoming graduation! I can't believe its been 4 years since I graduated from undergrad.. it freaks me out how old I am ;)

Emily: Everything you said is right on! Food is defn. something that many people are addicted to. Your comparison was great to alcohol or nicotine, food can be a great addiction...the wrong foods anyiways. You really hae to make a change as far as your thoughts and habits to get the right balance as far as not obsessing about food, and not falling of the wagon and eating all the wrong things. Ying and Yang = Balance

Tonic: Time flies when your having fun! Believe me I had too much fun, and that is why I'm still plugging away at the whole college thing at the age of 26 :twirly:

Hey, ladies.

Jen: I'm sorry to hear about your recent frustrations. I know it's hard not to think about food when you're trying to lose weight -- food is a big focus, a big part of the plan. I am on Atkins, and the best thing about it is my decrease in appetite. The higher protein and fat keeps me full for much longer than I ever was on a low-fat or calorie-counting diet. During those times, I was always hungry, never satisified and always wondering what I was going to eat next. Now, food is not a big issue to me. I eat when it's time for a meal or snack. Not that I'm pushing a low-carb diet, I think each individual person has to find what works for them. But, I'm just letting you know some of the benefits I've found from it. I hope you figure something out. You've been doing so wonderful, and you're not far from your goal! You can manage to lose these last few pounds -- I know it!

Spill: I'm not very happy with my arms at all, either. I don't wear tank tops, and I'd like to. I need to do some serious arm work before I think about it, though. :yikes:

I hope everyone is having a great week!

Take care,
Jina

Jen,
I would be the same way with the cookies. I just can't keep them in my house unless its snackwells or something. Whenever my husband buys a bag of those mini candies like milky way or something I find myself sneaking two and then eventually I'll just finish up the bag in about 2 days. Good thing he's been away the last four weeks. The worst time of day for me is after 7pm. I'm good all day resisting temptation then night time comes and I'm in kitchen cabinets looking for something to snack on. That's my biggest challenge, no snacking after 7pm. Does anyone else have this problem?

Hi Jina! Ugh.. I don't like my arms either. The thing is.. I used to lift a lot of weights and I felt like my arms were getting TOO big. So I cut back. I think maybe its cause there may be still some fat there? I dunno.

Lori - I tend to snack around 8 or 9pm. Since I started the SBD.. I have been having my dessert around then. I eat a fat free, sugar free fudgesicle. Its actually really good and only 35 calories. Maybe look into some options like those? And if you do snack.. be sure to drink lots of water with your snack to make you eat less and water helps with the whole losing weight process I think.

Tonic,
Thanks for the tip, I'll have to look into those fudgesicles!

Happy Friday everyone! I wish I could say i was going to have a relaxing weekend, but unfortunately it looks really busy. I am hoping to squeeze in some wedding planning, but I'll have to see how things go.
Doing excellent staying on the SBD.. its been 4 days. Today is the 5th day and its getting harder. I know that after the 2 weeks.. I will have some sorta bread. I really love it that much. Ijust need to cut back and make better choices on my carbs. I'm gonna start getting my daily exercise in again, but not til next week.

I"m popping out of my size 12 jeans today...bleh!!!!!!!!! If my stomach was tight, I would be happy with my body! Why is the stomach such a pain in the....stomach!

I should wear these jeans everyday, would probably help me rethink those extra bowls of cereal before I go to bed....ARGHH!!!! Since they really squeeze and remind me how much further I have to go!

Spillthebeans,
Now I know I'm not the only cereal junky, thank you!! :D

ok, after being computerless for the last couple of weeks time to start again. it's scary how tied to technology I am these days. So, I did the south beach thing for about a week and while I started to feel really great I just can't afford to eat like that. I am too broke for all of the fresh foods and proteins. So, I'm going to dig out my old ww stuff and bring out the measuring cups again, it worked for the first time so why not again?!?!?! I just need something right now, I think we're all kinda in the same boat right now in one way or another, thank god for this site. I too feel like I am busting out of my jeans right now, the weather is so gross here right now, and the gym at school is being worked on. So, enough with my excuses....sorry girls, its been an interesting week. At least its friday, and I've drank enough water today to drown myself, thank god I'm a lifeguard. I am finding myself being drawn to those trimspa ads and the other empty promises, its amazing how bombarded we are with those ads, their every were now. Anyways, I hope you ladies have a great weekend I think I maybe golfing tomorrow, even if it's raining or snowing like today! :dizzy:

Yay! It's Friday! Aren't we all so GLAD??? (-; It's been a good, but busy, week, and I'm so thankful for the interlude that the weekend provides.
Just to update....I've been doing lots better with eating yesterday & today, since the sweets-bingeing episodes of Tues. & Wed. That was ROUGH. Pretty darn outta control, I must say.
Actually, from the sound of what a LOT of us are going through with various frustrations that are food & exercise related, I HAVE to recommend this book I'm reading right now: "The Fat Fallacy" by Will Clower. I'm only halfway through, but so far it's really, really good. It basically addresses why the French, who daily eat things we see as really "bad" (full-fat dairy products, bread, all manner of decadent food), are so much thinner & healthier than we Americans, who try so hard with our low-fat, no-fat, low-carb mantra. And the French don't even seem to TRY, and they really enjoy their food, while they're at it! It's making a ton of sense right now, and if you're frustrated with this whole thing like me, you may want to check this book out.
Well....I've got stuff I need to get to before DH comes home from work, so....I hope you ladies are having a great night! (-:

Hi
 

I am hoping I can join your support group. I will officially weigh myself tomorrow, I have been avoiding the scale for a few weeks. I will be doing the slim in 6 for exercise. Iwould do the body for life, but going to gym in a luxury I can't afford in many ways. I have 2 girls 3 and nine months.
Here are my stats:

5'3"

177 as of this morning with clothes :(

That's all the stats have right now. I don't feel good about myself. I hate going shopping. I just need support. I'm going to be watching my portions since eating healthy is not in my budget. May I please joing your group thanks.


Nichole

Spillthebeans,
My fav cereal is usually whatever is in the cupboard ;)
I love raisin bran and lately I've been eating special k with banana slices. Since I have 2 little children I also have the kids cereals, like trix, froot loops, or some sort of cheerio. I, like you, also tend to eat it as a snack at night for some reason. At least I'm not reaching for the cookies. :^: I also like oatmeal. I am such a cereal junkie. At least its not high in fat, right? Sometimes I even eat cereal for dinner when my DH is away.