Oh my God, down another pound today to 212.4. This is a great level for me. Sometime between Jan and April of 2004 I went from the (then) painful high of 204 to 214 (and eventually to 225). This was the time when I anticipated repair to a hole in my heart.
Since then, I've never been below 214. I definately am making a slow but sure progress.
Whoopie, count those calories, girls. And it helps to have a basic plan - I'm sort of between a very old fashioned overeaters anonymous model, and South Beach.

Elyse

ps . Still uncomfortable with the 1300 calories. Even when I was younger, I stayed to the 1200 or under. Any comments? I am 57.

Way to go Elyse!!! It sure feels go to see any loss! About the cals. I was 212 and now down to 149 and I eat 1350-1450 cals every day and work out moderately. It works for me. When I was at 1200 I wasn't loosing as much as I have since upping it to 1400? A normal diet is like 2000 a day isn't it? So even at 1400 you are way under and in the weight loss mode. Just my thoughts? Like Amy and many books have told us. Eat to loose and eating to little makes your body store up fat. We are all different so it is something you have to work out for you. I am 32 but only 5'3" and was your weight and 1400 is perfect for me to maintained a steady "slow" weight loss. I want to loose it slow so I will not gain it back. Good luck and hope you see another lb gone next week!

I am doing good and did so well last night. Didn't touch the home made mashed potatoes and pork chops I made for my family and father in law and ate deli turkey on a tortilla with lettuce, tomatoes, green pepper and onion on it......I am so happy about dropping into the 140's that I am not going to do anything to go back up to 150!

Amie

Elyse-
The 1200 is the lowest level anyone would want to eat in a day, and then not for an extended time period. Rather than drop calories drastically to lose weight (by going 1200 and under) it is better to eat slightly higher calorie wise-in the 1200-1800 range depending on what works for you-and utilize exercise for better results rather than starvation.

20-30 years ago extremely low calorie diets were very popular, and exercise was LESS popular. Over time it has been realized that this was not the best method, and that it did more harm than good. I remember as a child my mother having a lot of crash diet books (extremely low calorie plans to follow for a couple weeks for quick results) and from what I remember most averaged 800-1200 calories a day!!! EEK!

My mom would always lose a few pounds...but never get any firmer/fitter/better looking in a bathing suit...and it always came back over time.

Amie & Aphil,
Ok. It is amazing how much I can eat with wise choices. Now I understand - more calories and exercise.
Writing down everything and keeping tabs on calories.
I still must utilize tools I've learned along the way. I am a compusive overeater and always will be.
The next biggie is early to bed - haven't been living up to that committment.
Losing is actually scary for me. I start to wonder if I'm ill. So writing foods/calories down is good because then I know why I'm losing. Also, with that done, maybe I can stay off the scale.
Love,
Elyse

Hi Ladies,

Aphil~ girl do I hear ya on the temptation my time is hear to and those Oreo's were screaming my name last night, but I was good and stayed away, far, far away I munched on carrots instead

I've had a good start to the week, monday night was Tae Bo and elliptical, an hour and 15 minutes total, and last night I did arm weights and pilates while watching American Idol I am so addicted to that dang show Tonights excersise will be the same as monday night!! I've done good staying OP for eatting to! I weighed myself this morning and it said I was down a half pound , not much but it is something! I decided today while sitting here at work and twiddling my thumbs that I want to be at 145 lbs by July 1st. A very realistic goal! I WILL do it! I am measuring this sunday so I am in hopes of seeing a loss there to, would be nice!!

They are calling for a nice weekend here so looks to be a go on the hiking sunday, YAY! Oh I cant wait, just to get out of the house into that nice fresh mountain air, I will feel like I am on up there!! Will be alot of that going on this summer

Looks like everyones week is going good, glad to see that....take care
(dont you just love the different smilies )

Lori

Elyse~ Good for you, I am so happy for you! And you got it, count those calories, you will find what works for you in time! Be patient, this weight loss thing takes time and ALOT of patience!!!

Lori

Holly I have also had problems with my marriage in the past about 3 years. It was a bit bumpy and at times can still hit a few road blocks but we are still together. We went to the counselor and went through the men think different than women thing. Its nice that you have so much support on this site. I also want to offer support if you ever need it just knowing we all care I am sure is helpful. Take care and be good to yourself!
Amoses good for you and Elyse for your wt. loses. I am kind of in a stand still and need to shake up my exercise and make some better choices. When the numbers change on the scale it is surely a time to rejoice. Last month I lost 4.5lbs this month I am at a stand still for sure. I am counting my calories I try to stay around 1400 or so and yesterday they were 1750 a bit to high. I also have read to not go to low as you burn muscle not fat. I also read to eat some calcium after a workout has anyone else heard this?
Have a great day!

Good afternoon!

I posted about myself in the Introduction thread.

Posted here a couple of years ago -- glad to see some familiar faces still around!

I overeat for purely emotional reasons.

tried (seemingly) every diet out there and decided that the bottom line to getting the fat off is the old calories in/calories out method.

As for the number of calories question, I was told to eat 2000 a day until I lost 50 pounds, then drop the calories gradually over the course of a month to 1800. Another 50 pound loss meant dropping more calories to 1500. I weight train and need just about 1500 to keep enough protein and energy to do a complete workout. Also a nice side benefit to weight training is that muscle continues to burn fat after the workout is over, so the more you exercise, the more you can eat. good stuff, of course, not junk!

Hope I can fit in here. You have a lot going for you regarding support and intelligence about what it takes to reach goals.

Thank you. I look forward to getting to know everyone!!

Welcome Claire and keep up your good efforts to lose wt. I am trying to get back into the calorie counting I haven't been as careful lately and feel it. I have been avoiding going on the scale. I was working out 4 times a week and with the good weather don't seem to get to the gym as often as I should. I have been active with gardening and outside activities but I feel its not the same. So today I will get there and I have to get back in the routine of counting calories it makes the difference for sure. I try to stay around 1400- 1500 and I am 5' 7'' . I think this is the right calorie level? Well have a good day everyone. I am starting off with a healthy breakfast before I go to work.

Whew, I'm MIA. Was without the computer a couple of days, and then determined to install anti-virus and spy sweeper before going online again. Well at least the spy thing in on it. Evidently spyware was or something was preventing me from easily installing my new printer. I spent hours getting instructions from HP and the final set overwhelmed me. Finally paid Circuit City to install it. I miss being close to a Comp USA.

I'm doing fair w/the calorie counting - had a great couple of days - was down another pound but it showed up again today. I wish I had the will power to stay off the scale for at least a week. It is plain that I AM THE NUMBER. If it's up that's not good, and if it's down I can get too relaxed. So if I have to play the numbers I should stick to calories.
/////
Claire Welcome to the group. Sounds like you're graduated method of calorie control makes a lot of sense. You'll find messages here from teriffic women who have lost a lot of weight. Hope you subscribed. You'll get a notice when a message is posted. Let us know how you're doing. The thread was quiet for a couple of days and that happens from time to time, as some members may just be reading and not posting.

Waterbaby-I agree that 2000 calories is a good level for you right now with exercising and your current weight. I wouldn't so much go by the "formula" that you were told as far as dropping your calorie intake though. I would stay at 2000 calories per day as long as you are losing weight-until you get to the point where you are not losing any more at all. If you are still losing 1/2-1 pound a week, stay at 2000 calories per day for as long as you can if you are still losing slow and steady.
When your weight loss stalls and there is no loss at all for a couple weeks, then you can SLOWLY drop to 1800-1900 calories per day, and possibly increase your exercise slightly to get things going again. I wouldn't guage it on dropping solely based on how many pounds you have lost. Welcome! You don't want to drop too quickly in a 200-300 drop solely based on a 50 pound marker.

Well ladies, I have been busy! I've been around the boards checking up on things (mod) but haven't had a ton of time to post. Yesterday I did 30 minutes of strength training, and walked 2 miles. Today is cardio day, and my dance private lesson-so my exercise is pretty much already carved out.
We worked in costume at a movie theatre over the weekend for a Free Comic Book Day promotion...and Mother's Day we were out of town seeing our mothers and I ran back into town for dance rehearsal Sunday night. When I came back from rehearsal I got the best Mother's Day gift of all-Jason had done the dishes and a couple loads of laundry. He and the kids had also made me some cards.
Yesterday was busy as well-I did a lot of yardwork as well as my exercise, and was busy all day long. Today I have a few dance tops to start working on, along with my exercise, daily kid/husband stuff, and lesson tonight. I like being busy...it keeps me sane.
We are also gearing up for more trooping next week with the new movie release of Return Of The Sith. We will be trooping at all of the local theatres throughout the week for promotion of the film. Fun!!!
Everyone have an on plan today, and get that exercise in!!!! Firm tushies everyone!

Aphil

Firm tushies!!!! lmao (no pun intended)

Thanks so much for the welcome! I am already inspired just reading everyone's posts!!!

Aphil, I think you may be right about the calories, although I've been eating so much that it may be awhile before my system rights itself.

I've been on target so far today. Hopefully as I lose this fat I can be more active. I miss that.

More later!

Hi ladies

Well we have all been MIA.....I had a great weekend...stayed OP for the most part and got in my work outs. I did have a scoop of ice cream over the weekend My DH cooked me dinner, did the dishes, did up and folded the laundry than later that night gave me a foot and hand rub for mothers day. That was so nice, just knowing that someone was cooking for me and I later going into a clean kitchen with no dishe was better than any gift I could have gotten I droped anothe pound over the weekend but than it came back. I also can not stay off that scale I was so happy, then disapointed...now I am thinking I did loose it and it was water weight. I will not weight again till Sunday so I will know for sure. I went from 149.4 to 148.2?? Then back to 149.4 I know people around me have been making coments on my weight. That is nice, I have had a good amount of loss since May.

Welcome Waterbaby! Your on the right track. I think I agree with Aphil about the calories. Why drop down, if you are still loosing. I too would wait until I hit a standstill than lower them.

Amy you make feel tired just listening all you are doing....slow down girl I wish I had your energy! I will say, while DH was cooking, I could not just sit and relax! I kept thinking of other stuff that needed to be done...

Hope everyone is OP today and had a great mothers day.....or called your mommy if you have no kids

Amie

Hey, goils --

waterbaby is my "handle" but please feel free to call me Claire (it's easier to type)!!!

Boy, you folks have a lot of energy! I get tired just reading all the activity!!!

The more I think about it, the more it makes sense to wait until I plateau before I cut my calories back. Thanks so much for everyone's feedback!!