I will try & help as best I can:
What is a points challenge? I see that phrase on several threads but not sure what it is.
I dunno either. I used to think it had something to do w/WW & their points, so I stayed out of those threads, but now I think it just means you get a point for "being good" w/your food, drinking your water, and getting your exercise in every day. But I could be wrong.
Also, I am having so much trouble with water. I never can seem to make my goal. Are you guys "guzzlers" (drink a big amount all at once) or "sippers" (drink little bits all day long), and which method seems to work the best, in your opinion?
I am a guzzler. I chug huge amounts all day b/c I get thirsty. The way I did it was to casually cut down the amount of soda I was drinking, til I was down to one a week for a treat. You shouldn't replace the "real" soda w/diet, b/c a) water is better for you & b) you don't need all those chemicals. & c) it'll help you reach your water goal faster if you're replacing those sodas w/water.
That was the other thing I had to learn the hard way--drinking my calories. I went from Snapple & soda to water & Kool Aid, til I eventually stopped drinking my calories & started having equivalent calories in things that would fill me up, like an apple or pear and some crackers, or something similar.
The more water I drink, the easier it is for me to stay on plan. I don't reach for the wrong things, I feel better, I look better, etc.
Does anyone here have to take insulin? It is so freaking hard to lose weight while taking huge amounts of it (and if I'd lose weight, I wouldn't have to take huge amounts of it....paradoxical circle) and I wonder if any of you have this challenge and what you do about it?
No, I don't. That is a big obstacle to overcome.
Last question, how do you all MAKE yourselves get moving, when it's the last thing you want to do. It's another paradox for me, my back and joints hurt and I don't want to move, but if I don't move and get the weight off, my back and joints will hurt worse. AARRGGHH!! What things do you tell yourselves to inspire you to exercise, or make you go even when you don't want to?
Um, lately the inspiration has been my stepsister's upcoming wedding. I have about a year to lose some weight, so I can at least look presentable. And saying that is not cutting myself down at all--my stepsister is
gorgeous--she looks like the love child of Jennifer Lopez & Drew Barrymore. I know I'm pretty in a different way (blond hair, blue eyes) but standing next to her is always somewhat daunting. I'm not saying I want to outshine her on her big day, but neither do I want to look fat & miserable.
The thing that helped me the other day was just to put shoes & socks on. I felt like I
had to go for a walk @ that point.
The other thing that inspires me is trying on old clothes to see how far I've come. I gave some size 22 jeans to my mom when I "grew" out of them, saying, "I guess I won't be fitting into these for awhile". She gave them to me 2 weeks ago when I mentioned I was now fitting into 24's, along w/a pair of jean shorts in the same size. And they fit--they are really really snug in the tummy, and I had to lie on the bed to zip them--but I could get in them!! That felt great!!!
I still have some size 20s leftover from my big weight loss from the phentermine--I'm tackling them next!
You're welcome for listening & I hope this helped you some!