I just eat real food in moderation -- emphasizing lean proteins, veggies, nonfat dairy, and whole grain carbs -- and work out as much as I can. Yes, I do run marathons! ;) Well, half marathons anyway. I aim to do an hour or more of vigorous activity almost every day - hiking, swimming, running, kayaking, strength training or other exercise class. Working out makes me feel good and lets me eat more. But I have to keep my diet in line, because I can out-eat any amount of exercise, if I try!

I find it is very important to self-monitor, because if I just ate whatever I wanted I'd gain a lot of weight in a big hurry! I monitor my weight and how my clothes fit, write down what I eat, and count calories. I have a calorie "budget", and if I go way over on one day, then I have to compensate by either burning more calories or eating less other days. For me, it's all about understanding that "calories in vs. calories out" equation. Right now, I'm in maintenance mode, so I just need to keep the equation balanced.

Well, Alan, I hope you're not just here to collect data. ;) :lol:

I counted calories and tried to keep my proteins/fats/carbs in the Zone diet percentages. I got a gym membership, had some trainer sessions, and went to the gym 5-6 times a week. I do both aerobic/cardio and resistance work. Also some core exercises.

In short, I stopped eating whatever struck my fancy, whenever it was available--and got off my butt. :)

I'm not looking for any Holy Grail... not sure what that would be. If you mean, the magic secret that will allow me to go back to my sedentary, overeating ways and not gain weight... that would be just a scam.

Can't believe it's Wednesday already. Summer is slipping by!

We have Carolina wrens here--I love to hear them singing in the mornings. I had one that sat in the bushes outside my office window one day--such a little bundle of energy! It was taking a bath in the dew on the leaves of the bush. And you would not believe that that loud song comes out of that tiny body!

OK, I've been for my morning walk and have to get down to work. :book2:

Jay

Hi all, a quick fly by. I worked an 11 hour day, then went straight to a church meeting, and just now got home. Thankfully, I had a protein bar in my purse :D

And, I walked, so I did get in about 4 miles today - but no other exercise.

I'm SO looking forward to the weekend vacation!

Laurie

I have enjoyed reading the replies that tell me what people are doing to either lose or maintain weight. Nice one MBN...the runner. I envy you.:hug:

I had to give up jogging at 67 because my illiac band (or something like that) on my left knee was causing bother. Walking it is for me now. I walk around 20 miles plus a week with various "partners" that I have gathered over the years.

What has been here said all makes sense.

Here is something that doesnt make sense to me.:(

This week I saw a program on TV that showed a lady who lost weight through surgery. I made me sad to think that for her, it was the only way.

What made me even sadder was to see her hubby and child. They were both seriously overweight - unless my aging eyes :-) deceived me!

What now happens to them I wonder? Surgery all round? (Pardon the pun!:p)

The cost of the procedures, including removing unwanted loose skin (filled with remaining fat) was $22,000...and yet more surgery to come on her "arm flaps" which were hanging from her upper arms.

The family lifestyle presumably will not change, and you all know what that means.


I remain perplexed.

Alan, you bring up a valid point, and one that kept me from considering surgery (which I most likely would have qualified for).

IF, I need to change my lifestyle to maintain a loss (and previous diet attempts have proved this to be a key factor on long term maintenance), and IF making healthy lifestyle changes is a prerequisite of surgery (and it is), then WHY couldn't I just make those lifestyle changes to lose weight?

It would certainly be a slower loss, but it would definitely be a healthier one. While I have only had dental surgery in my lifetime, even that was a trauma to my body that took weeks to heal.

I think that is one of the blessings to starting a lifestyle change journey at this age. We tend to put the "urgency" of our desire into perspective. We are more likely to take a moderate approach.

And, the folks here have heard me say it so many, many times before, but it bears repeating: I very much enjoy/enjoyed my weight loss journey. I learned so much along the way. The journey itself has been very valuable. Without the time it took, the lessons I learned, I don't think I would be a successful maintainer.

Laurie I always love what you have to say. You are always so encouraging.

I have had a busy week. I am going away next week to the prairies to visit a friend. I am a little concerned about my food as holidays are always a celebration.
She has two dogs so we will get lots of walking in. This is a trip to the town I grew up in and she is an old friend.

It will be quite a walk down memory lane. I have not been there for 30+ years. I have a dear uncle there and a sister to visit. It will be fun.

I have told myself that it is only a week and to enjoy the company and just watch the food.

Will not be checking in cause my friends computer sounds like it is on it last legs. But we will see.

Hope you all have a great week next week and will look forward to seeing you when I get back....
Cheers Jude

Alan can I ask.... are you here on a weight loss journey of your own?? You have never said if you were or not. Maybe you could share what that looks like for you?

Thanks Jude

Jude - have a GREAT time!
One word of advice (OK, more than one - you know me)
First, this is a lifestyle change, so you need to be able to incorporate "life" into your plan. And life includes all kinds of trips and events that involve food - at least mine does :lol:
So -
Instead of "watching" the food, log the food.
Watching is good, making wise choices does help. But, I find that having to log it as well, really helps me with portion control as well as food selection.

Also - don't be afraid to take some "go to" foods with you - protein bars, LF string cheese, etc. Or, if comfortable - do a quick shopping trip when you get there. I do this when I visit relatives. Something about starting my day with an ON PLAN breakfast helps me make better choices throughout the day.

Take pictures while you are gone. We want to hear about your trip when you get back! :)

I'm off for our weekend trip shortly. I will catch up with everyone Sunday or Monday.
Hope you have a fun weekend all!

Laurie

Have a fabulous weekend Laurie!!!

Hi All, and in particular Jude
I am not on a weight loss journey, so much as a weight loss "mission". I was overweight when in my early forties and lost about 14 pounds (that's all I needed to lose, so I wasn't BIG). Since then I have maintained my weight through a change in lifestyle, and a study of eating and exercise habits/information/books.
When I see overweight young people struggling with their lives it makes me want to reach out and somehow help....Life isn't meant to be under a black cloud, but out in the sunshine, and a black cloud is what the burden of obesity is for most people.
I guess I dont have to tell you that.
I will relate more to you soon when the time is right.
Good health and happiness to everyone.
Alan
PS Once again I remind you, I have nothing to sell. My support is entirely free, for anyone who wants it.

Hey Alan! :wave:

Thanks for wanting to lend your support! It is appreciated. Sorry that you had to give up running, though. I went and read about iliotibial band syndrome--yeah, running is out, and some other things as well. :(

Some people become so desperate to lose weight, and are so obese, they will try surgery. There are many different kinds--and some work better than others. Some are also more dangerous than others. It's not a choice I care to make, but I've never been in the "super obese" category.

Jude, your trip sounds like it will be a lot of fun. The main thing is to have backup, as Laurie suggested, and to remember the basics. You know--those basics? Staying aware of what you are eating, exercising portion control, saving 1/2 for later, and drinking plenty of water! Just for starters--but those would probably get you through! And like Laurie suggested, log what you eat. That way you don't "forget" what you ate in the morning by the time afternoon rolls around. But, have a great time!

I got the general results from my X-rays and bone scan. Seems I have arthritis, and also moderate to severe osteoporosis, in my lumbar spine. :chin: Haven't had the blood tests yet--those come on Monday. This thread isn't for medical procedures, generally--but I had mentioned I was going to the doctor for some tests, so this is just a follow up on that.

Raining here again, what a surprise.

See ya!
Jay

Hi all, we are back and now comes the fun of unpacking, laundry and "catch-up".

The weekend was great, we got in about 20 miles of walking/hiking in all. About 5 miles of hiking in the pouring rain. Thankfully, we had our rain gear with us.

I did a little shopping in Birch Run, but I didn't find near the sales I did last year at this time, which surprised me.

Thankfully, I've built most of a wardrobe in this size, so I just needed a few tops and some work pants, which I did find at Petite Sophisticate and Liz Claiborne (75% - 85%off) :)

DH bought a small extension electric chain saw for trimming the tree branches in the yard.

Alan, I'm with you on young folk that are very obese. Our youngest falls in that category. It is very difficult to watch.

Jay - we asked you to post your results (at least I did). Let us know what happens tomorrow, too.

OK, I'm off to get some work done.

Laurie

A day of ridiculous things. I had an appointment for blood to be drawn. Everything was set up just fine. Got to the facility, and the power was out in the entire building, with no idea when it would come back on. So, scratch that. Had to reschedule when I got home, since they couldn't reschedule at the office--computers were dead!

Got in the car to drive home--having been fasting for 12 hours, no coffee, splitting headache--and went the wrong way on the main road. Finally realized this when I noticed I was driving toward the sun rather than away from it...

Then when I got home, went into the bathroom and sat down, and the toilet seat broke. The two flanges where it screws onto the bowl just cracked right through! I think it must have been cracked already and just finally let go. Well, that entailed a search for a new toilet seat... in the right color... extended, not round... and installing it.

Not the best Monday I've had. :faint:

Jay

Jay :hug:

I hope tomorrow is better! Some days are just like that!

While we had a lot of wet hiking this weekend, Saturday afternoon was awesome. Here is one of the pictures from the trail :)
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/2646/fawn.jpg

The best way to support
 

Hi Jay,
Support is a word that means different things to different people, and sometimes a different meaning with each different occasion.

In the contex here in this forum, I guess it is more about making people think well of themselves (if that is possible in a forum, - I hope so).

I have asked myself many times why people put on weight.
I know it is nothing to do with intelligence, but I do suspect it is to do wth "feelings" - or "happiness" or Stress.
Once again I suppose it's different for each individual.
Has anyone any thoughts on this?
Keep smiling
Alan:^:

CD, I loooove that deer photo! :love: Thanks for posting it! How neat that you saw it!

Today is a better day... at least I have no headache...

Well, Alan, yes, support means different things for different people. All overweight people are not alike, any more than all people with brown hair are. ;) Just as one distinction, some folks have been overweight all their lives, while others became overweight in adulthood. These two types tend to think differently about themselves and about their weight. Also, those with less than 20 pounds to lose have a different challenge from those with 50 to 100 pounds to lose, or 100 to 200 pounds. The numbers are somewhat arbitrary, but I think you see what I mean.

Also, metabolism does play a role. This isn't an excuse, and my own opinion is that someone who is very obese has been eating too much--even if it's true that they also have low metabolism.

So, my point is, what would be supportive for one person may not be for another. I would say, though, that one has to be very careful about telling other people how to lose weight--especially if one has never been truly overweight or obese. Most overweight/obese people have a long history of struggle, and it's not as though they have never heard of weight loss... One size definitely does not fit all, when it comes to how to lose weight.

OK, stepping down now. :soap: And back to work.

Jay

Jay, I share your :soap: and you plucked the words from my brain.


MANY things led to my obesity. Those that know me, know that I am a confident, intelligent, successful chickie. In fact, my weight is the only area of my life where I have really struggled - long term.

Why?
It is a complicated equation.
1. heredity (physiological and lifestyle)
2. physiological reaction to eating food - food makes me happy. It releases chemicals in my body that make me feel good. Particularly carbs. Thus, eating became a way to reward myself at the end of a long day.
3. Mindless eating - eating was a hobby. I ate socially. I ate when I was bored. I ate when it was time to eat. I ate for many reasons beyond hunger and fuel.
4. Portion control and clean plate syndrome. I am a vegetarian and have been one for 27 years. I ate very high quality, healthy foods. Just way too much of them.
5. Disdain for exercise - really - I never met a form of exercise that I really enjoyed.
6. Time - did you know that an extra 100 calories a day can add up to 10+ lbs per year? Just that extra nibble here and there - the extra muffin in the break room, the extra Halloween candy, the extra butter on the popcorn can make all the difference!!!
7. Complacency and fat acceptance - honestly, until I began to realize that my health might be in danger in the relatively near future, and that my quality of life WAS being impacted by my weight - I really didn't care that I was a few (OK - 75) lbs. overweight. I was happy, healthy, and totally unconcerned about my weight.

Until I was ready, absolutely no one could have convinced me that I needed to lose weight. Weight loss is a very individual thing. The journey is unique for each of us. As Meg often says, "we are laboratories of one".

Each of us must travel this road by ourselves. While it is great to share our joys and sorrows and struggles with others, no one can travel with us. There is no right path or plan or answer to this problem. Every single one of us will discover what works for us. There will be some common elements, but no two chickies/roosters will travel the same road.

Hi all - a quick flyby tonight. Today is DH's b-day. We went to a favorite restaurant for dessert and beverages (free raspberry cheesecake which we split) and then had a fire on the patio.

I did get in 4 miles of walking today, but work has been so crazy that I haven't done much else, exercisewise.

Hope you are having a great week!

Laurie

Thank you for thoughtful replies
 

I have read all your posts with interest, and you have all put great thought into what is happening with your weight, and I sense that is the key to winning the war!

You have inspired me to write an article on what is behind "weight gain" in general terms of course - I am sure you are 100% correct in saying, that in specific terms, everyone is a different case.

Thank you for your inspiration.:carrot:

Alan

Hi all - hope you are having a good day! Same old here - too much work. DH is working tonight, so I used the time to get bills paid and catching up on some chores (since I was gone last weekend).

My new WATERPROOF hiking jacket came today. It is AWESOME! I almost want to go stand out in the sprinkler to try it out ;)

Seriously, after last weekend - DH was completely dry in his Gore-tex coat. My "raincoat" kept me dry for about 30 minutes, and finally soaked through. I was a drowned rat by the time we were done hiking. So, an early birthday present to me was a new coat jacket for inclement weather. I love the deals at Sierra Trading Post - 80% off and a beautiful sky blue color. I need to scout out a fleece shell for it now, so it can truly be an "all weather" jacket.

I'm all set for our next hiking trip in October :D

Have fun all!

Laurie

CD, I'm sure you will LOVE the Gore-tex. Yay!

I finally got my blood drawn this morning, second time around. The tech had to draw NINE tubes! :fr: She explained it was a lot of tubes but not that much blood... but still... However, she was an excellent tech! I have no bruising at all.

OK, Come on over to the new thread! :kickcan:

Jay