Pre-emptive February 2016 Thread
 

Hello, peebles.
I used to be quite active (like the rest of you :lol: ) in this forum but kid demands (three teenage daughters :dizzy:) have kept me away for about a year now and also resulted in a bit of :fr: regain. I'm back on track now, balanced eating, regular exercise, too chicken to weigh in yet, but am steeling myself to do that again every Wed, starting Feb. 3rd.

So. How are y'all?

Hi Magic Susan,
Thanks for starting this thread. People (women) in their 40s are so often buried by work and family demands. It's good to keep active discussions going to remind ourselves that our health, wellness and happiness ARE priorities. JZJ

Hi Susan!

I was on 3fatchicks a lot about 9 years ago when I lost a lot of weight having my last kid. The support and weight loss challenges here were one of the key components to me losing 60 lbs! Now, I'm 40. I've slowly gained about 28 lbs over the last 9 years, and it's time to nip it in the bud! I've been doing my standard calorie counting over the last week and have found it so much harder to lose the weight. It's not falling off like it used to!

I'm so happy to see that 3fatchicks is still around! Looking forward to losing the weight with you guys.

Hello Jayzeejay, hello Sydditt!


It's certainly true what you say about us some how listing our own wellbeing rather low on the priorities list, Jzj. I'm thinking too in terms of setting an example for kids- girls, to take care of themselves, boys, to not expect women to do it all.

It's February, so here we go-
I've rebooted my zombies c25k app, cut out sweets and junk, and am trying to do yoga/stretching on my lunchbreak at least a couple times a week.

What are you all up to?

Hello, another 3FC drop out here, trying to get back on track! I have 4 teens plus a younger child, so I know how easy it is to get distracted from my own health goals.

I experienced a regain and feel very ashamed of myself. When I was at my high weight, I didn't like to go out and show myself in public - I'm very self conscious and hard on myself. I feel like I am starting to slip into that phase again, as I grow out of the cute outfits in my closet, or wear something that looked great with a loose fit, but not so great when it's straining at the seams.

I really want to get back to feeling good about myself.

Let's see, what did I do today? On a bad note, I went to try on clearance winter coats and mediums wouldn't even zip - larges just fit. :( On a good note - I went to the gym and did 65 minutes of a stepper machine at the gym. I ate half a single pack of raw steel cut oats with 1 banana for breakfast (the banana gave it flavor, but I don't care for unflavored oatmeal at all - but it does stick to the ribs and is low cal and low fat). I had carrots, guacamole, and pineapple for lunch. I'm making a vegetable soup in my crock pot for my dinner and there should be lots of leftovers for the rest of the week's lunches/dinners. So, those are good things. Hope you are all having a successful day on this long journey!

Wow. Lots of returnees. Life is a process, huh?

Guac, 4 teens! :eek: And a little one! That's amazing! I hear you on the shame, but I try not to let it get to me. It doesn't seem to help. More just makes me feel more hopeless. Alas, I also hear you on the cute clothes thing... I will be so happy when they fit again properly.

On the positive side: I am redoubling my efforts to make sure there are lots of yummy, healthy snacks around so I don't get desperately hungry. Also starting jogging again. zoms c25k! I'm going with one of my kids who is not really fat, but a bit chubby and wants to get in better shape. We hold each other accountable, so so far it's working well.

Will be weighing in every Wednesday, so we'll see next week if I've lost anything!

How are you all doing?

I'm still holding strong. I took the plunge and bought a new scale (my old one broke), and finally weighed myself (I think the last time I weighed myself might have been around August!). The good news is I haven't gained any weight since last summer, but the bad news is I hate how much I weigh! I am going to make myself weigh in every day for the next week. I am so scared to face the scale, but then I can just shut my eyes and pretend I'm not gaining while at the same time eating completely unhealthy foods. So, I need some accountability. One step is finally changing my ticker to reflect my current weight, which I really hate, but I need to get real.

Well, I have to confess, you guys are my accountability. You and the weekly weigh-in thread. I just can't bring myself to change my ticker. I know I should; maybe later, but right now... I'd also have to change my piggy bank-I put ten franks in every time I lost a pound for a big shopping trip when I hit goal. Piggy has about a centimeter of duston him now, poor guy!

Anyway, how are the daily weigh-ins going, Guac? Are they keeping you on track? I hate the head in the sand bit. The part where you're going off track, losing yourself, and at the same time watching yourself from the sidelines, screaming "nooooooo! Don't just let it happen! Do something!" But somehow you can't. What *is* that?! When it's easy, it's easy. So easy. Right now, I'm enjoying exercising and eating healthy so much. I keep looking back thinking, what the heck kind of headspace was I in six months ago?

So, I get the daily weigh-ins. Nips that tendency to ignore reality in the bud.

How's everybody doing?

Hey! Well, I stepped on the scale to 173 this morning. :( However, I am right in the middle of TOM, so I'm hoping that has something to do with my weight fluctuation. Also, I've been trying to stick to plant based diet during the week, but yesterday I had some hommos which I usually eat with carrots or zucchini, but yesterday decided to go with pretzel thins. Maybe the salt and carbs caused some water retention. I was way under calories yesterday because of some serious cardio, so it was disappointing to see a gain when I thought I would see a loss. BUT - at least I'm facing the scale - facing reality. I ate a few ravioli today (leftovers from the dinner I made my family last night). I'm sure that won't cause the scale to be my friend tomorrow. However, the rest of my day has been fruit, oatmeal, and a vegetable lentil soup I made yesterday, so not bad. Oh, and I'm also trying to keep up my water intake, because I didn't get enough water in yesterday, so I am being more conscious of hydration today.

Good luck to you today, magicsusan and everyone else!

Ah, salt. Why is everything so much more satisfying with lots of yummy salt on it?

Good luck with your weigh-in, Guac. Mine was stinky, as you can see. :(
I need to learn to read a bloody scale.

I recently rented a studio downtown in an old building. The bathroom is on the ground floor and I am in the attic, so I think subconsciously I don't drink enough because it's such a pita to go pee :lol:

I'm home today, so I will drink extra lots. Also going to attempt to bake something calorie conscious for a friend; found some lemon poppyseed muffins that use olive oil, not so much sugar, and yogurt... Let's see if they turn out edible!

Sydditt, JZ, how are you guys? Where are you guys?

Did someone say "plant-based diet" up in here? Did someone say salt?!?! Oh yummy! :)

I made homemade tabbouleh for the first time ever in my life this month, and it was awwweeessssome. I've now made it 3 times. Highly recommended.

Mrs. Snark - the tabbouleh sounds yummy! Care to share the recipe?

magicsusan - it's a pain, but water and frequent bathroom trips are our friends!

So, the scale is back down to 172 today. It's no fun bouncing up and down...it feels like there is no real progress being made when for all I know, the scale could be back up tomorrow. But, on the bright side, I have been great about avoiding sugar this week, pretty good about avoiding white flour (except those darn ravioli), so-so about avoiding salt, and great about getting in healthy grains, vegetables, and fruits. The water intake could use some improvement, as I still don't think I'm drinking enough. I'm just not that thirsty in the cold weather - or I don't feel thirsty - I'm sure my body needs the same hydration as in summer.

Good luck today, ladies!

Here is the tabbouleh recipe and here is my blog post with pictures (and, warning, swear words because I'm a salty, salty sailor). I don't strip the parsley anymore at all, but that's me. I'm all about fast and easy and I didn't feel it was worth the effort and is less wasteful. nom nom nom

Good job avoiding the white flour, it gives me problems too!

Guac, I drink a lot of fruit tea in the winter. No sugar. I like it plain. And water. But you're right; it's easier to remember to be thirsty when it's hot outside :D

I made lemon poppy-seed muffins today; I had promised a friend to bring something to tea, and found a light recipe. I only ate one muffin.:carrot:

I love tabouleh! Sometimes, when it needs to be dinner I throw some chick peas in. I agree, Snarkles. Stripping parsley is a fools errand...

So much for avoiding white flour. My husband invited me out to lunch today near his workplace for middle east food, and I indulged in bean soup, pita bread and lots of different salads, plus 3 falafel balls! White flour, salt, oil, I did it all. On the plus side I kept it vegetarian and I also declined to share the brownie that my husband had for dessert - so at least I avoided sugar. I'm sure the scale will be up tomorrow. I did go to the gym, but I didn't burn enough for that lunch! Dinner will very light tonight...the good news is I'm stuffed.

That sounds like a lovely lunch with your husband, guacamole, and maybe the day as a whole is a win due to working out, skipping dessert, vegetarian choices, and having a nice, light dinner! That's alot of good choices! Onward!

Great job with the muffins Susan! I do the same with chickpeas or cannellini beans in the tabbouleh. Yum!

Hello, gals! I'm in the midst of medical ****...I mean tests and appointments related to my high blood pressure. Had an echo-cardiogram today, and I hope that my heart is still in good shape after many years of hypertension. Anyhoo...weighed in at 172, so I guess the damage control I did with my food choices and light dinner offset the more calorie/salt laden fare of lunch yesterday. I didn't go to the gym today - I guess I was feeling overwhelmed from the test (going to doctors and hospitals gives me anxiety) and I also pulled a back muscle at the gym yesterday. Hopefully, I will get there tomorrow, although it's another busy day. Blood work for me (I'm being stuck like a pin cushion these past few weeks) and appointment for one of my kids. Anyway, I'm going to try to stick with a low cal diet to offset no gym burn off - I'm at around 1100 and I've already had dinner. Might have some fruit or something to get over 1200. Have a great night!

Yikes, Guac! Hope the blood pressure cooperates. Hope you have a nice peaceful weekend full of long walks and fine weather, too.

I'm ready for spring. I've been sticking to plan anyway (c25k zombie reboot mwf, dumbells and sit-ups and the like t-th, walkies on the weekend) but it is oh so much easier when the weather is inviting. Also, strawberries. Can't wait! :p

It's about 10 degrees Fahrenheit here, so no walks for me until maybe..April? :) Until then, the gym will have to do.

Brrrrr! How do you stand it, Guac? I see the wisdom in tredmilling it in such a climate!

Sport hols are over and the kids are back at school next week. Yay! I'm going to buy some 3k dumbbells and take them to work for after lunch. I already have a yoga mat there. I'm so determined to see results!

Ride that momentum magic susan! You can do it!

I will, Guac. At the mo, I've encountered a wee hiccup. We were all set to do our c25k when it started snowing buckets. I have run in some pretty miserable weather, but slippery I don't do. An injury means missing more than just one day.

I'm off to buy weights to take to my studio now. Have an energetic and fun weekend, everyone!

Snowing here today too! Just in time for Valentine's Day! Hubby bought me my favorite candy - chocolate caramel pecan turtles! So far, only my kids have had any! Yeah me!

:lol:

That's tough! Well done you!

I was supposed to jog with DD today, but it was pouring rain and she bailed on me. I was going to at least go for a walk but chickened out. So, an okay weekend eating-wise, but not so good exercise-wise. :\

It is going to be high 70s here today, I feel guilty after reading about the weather in your locales. Also, I got a major dolphin show this morning. They are mating, bow-chikka-wow-wowwwww....

Mrs. Snark - must be cool to live near dolphins!

I went to the gym, made a morrocan vegetable stew yesterday, and a mushroom barley soup today. I'm also making fish and a bunch of dairy foods for the family, but not for me (I might have some fish). I'm getting the hang of cooking for others and having a different healthier option for myself - of course anyone is welcome to have the food I'm eating too.

Yeah, the double cooking... I could leave DH and the offspring to fend for themselves, but I fear the results wouldn't be very pretty.

Things are a bit rough right now. I sometimes ask myself how they can be this rough when they are essentially all #firstworldproblems, and yet, they are. Middlekid is so fed up with school that she literally refused to get out of bed this morning. It's a long story-but!

I stayed on plan (if I can call it that) and exercised and all... I am determined not to have a repeat of the last time one of my kids had a crisis and I gained twenty pounds. It is so important to me to kick this cycle of stuffing my face every time things get hard!

Oh, and Snarkles, where do you live? I'm coming over. 70s! Bliss indeed!

I live on the water on the east coast of Florida. It is REALLY, REALLY nice here about 2 weeks out of the year -- mild, sunny, dry-ish, gorgeous. The rest of the time it is glaringly bright, brutally humid, and hot as balls with more lightning strikes and shark bites than anywhere else in the US. We also have the kind of citizens who throw alligators into drive-thru windows. Yay Florida!

I hate cooking, but I do alot of double cooking since I am vegan and my husband is super, super not vegan. Mostly I do the cooking for him, and then for myself I eat sandwiches and soups and super quick stuff. Anything vegan that can be prepared in under 3 minutes is my kinda meal.

I am working on a backyard landscaping project today. Shovels, and spades, and rakes AHOY!

How is everybody? Hanging in?

I am hanging in there. Had a stressful doctor's appointment today - was all prepared to have a very uncomfortable procedure, but then the doctor told me she wanted to run more tests first to see if it needs to be done. For some reason I feel sure it will need to be done, and now I have to be nervous and psych myself up for it all over again. Ugh.

Anyway, I am trying to stick to a mostly vegan diet too. So far I have fish once a week and chicken breast once or twice a week. I might cut those out, not sure. For now, they are an easy source of protein. But, I've been making vegetable soups and stews and snacking on veggie finger foods like baby carrots, cucumber slices, zucchini slices, etc. I have some kind of natural hot cereal and fruit for breakfast. I've cut out caffeine and just drink hot water in its place. We shall see...

I'm sorry for the doctor/procedure stress Guacamole. <<<<hugs>>>> I have white coat syndrome -- I'd be chewing my fingers off in your position, so I empathize greatly.

Looking for Help!!
 

:dizzy: I have been looking for one of the original LA Weightloss Portion booklet that lists all the foods categorically and the amounts were beside them. Does anyone have one that they could scan and send me? I lost 72lbs on this plan and I want to restart it. I don't use any of their product because of allergies and mostly because of sugar content (insulin dependant diabetic) but the rest of the plan worked for me greatly!!

I'm afraid I haven't heard of it, Lawlwrks. You might want to sart a new thread with the name of the booklet in the title in the "diets" section. Probably not too many people will see your request here.

Good luck!

Wow. Sorry about your health stresses, Guac. That's a total drag. I'm also the type that would just like to have it done with.

I'm okay. I mean, personally, I'm very well. But my kids are all at difficult stages and I'm trying to encourage and support and sympathise without getting caught up in the drama and stress :\

I made a big bowl of qinoa salad on Sunday that I've been eating all week for lunch. For dinner I try to cook sort of modular meals, if you will, that can be personalized. 3 minute meals, Snarkles! Move over Jamie Oliver!

I was so pissed about misreading the scale that I've decided to get a digital one. Bamboo or glass... Hmmm...

This isn't the booklet, but it summarizes the plan...http://www.livestrong.com/article/54...thout-joining/

Thanks Mrs. Snark and magicsusan. What I thought would happen happened, and now I have to have the painful procedure on Monday, so the next few days are going to be awful in anticipation. Also, I have to schedule a rather involved CT scan where I have to drink yucky stuff and have dye inserted in my vein through a needle. Fun stuff. I am so down right now. My life is nothing but medical nerve wracking things to anticipate. I just hope this latest round of tests come back clear. On the bright side, I am down a pound today.

<<<<hugs>>>> Guac. Hang in there, chickie, you'll get through this, you will. I've had cancer (melanoma, and I'm currently NED), but I go through fairly regular intensive testing -- like MRIs with contrast and CTs with contrast and ultrasounds and upper GI series and all sorts of really not-so-fun crap. It is definitely crazy-making. I'm right there with ya. Deep breaths, make jokes, celebrate the little victories, always look at the bright side of life, and hang tough. Before you know it you'll be on the other side of Monday.

Sending you STRENGTH and healing thoughts!

Hi Michelle, Susan and guacamole :wave: Nice to see you all, it's been a while. :hug:

guacamole :hug:

Mrs. Snark - OMG! You truly are a survivor in more ways than one (I'm in awe of your weight loss, and I consider that a life saving achievement). I feel like a wimp next to you, who have beaten cancer. It's funny, but I don't know if you know who Big Ang is - the larger than life reality tv personality who passed away from cancer early today? She was on her show taped a few months ago saying how she didn't think she could go through any more tests and surgeries, and I was just saying the same thing - but her issues were so much more severe I feel foolish to be so downhearted. I need a reality check, and her death and the seriousness of her condition gives me some perspective. You too.

love2b150 - thanks for the hugs! Nice to see you too.

Have two tests scheduled for next Monday and Tuesday - so hopefully by next Tuesday night I will be feeling more relaxed. In the meantime, one benefit of being anxious and terrified is that my appetite is gone and I lost another pound to get to 170!

guacamole, I saw your post about your gym experience yesterday--how annoying!
I'm definitely not a gym person, but my DH's friend lost a lot of weight and has become a personal trainer. I feel so dumpy when I see him now. I hate being judged (even if it's just in my own mind)

Any how, last week I was at my kids school and one of my daughters said she saw me and 'my butt' down the hall. Ouch! So, that was the final straw to getting back on track. Plus, I need to fit back into my jeans--which aren't even skinny women jeans. (14W)

Looking forward to getting to know you all & checking in regularly...