Ckatgo - I know what you mean, I can't zigzag much either. I find my hunger/mind gets in a rhythmn and if I leave it alone and eat well for long enough it will be prepared to stay at that. Did you eat bad foods? If I have a little sugar, I just crave more, but if you ate well than at least that was 200 GOOD calories.

Susan - way to go on the deficit, one good day is another good start!

Donna - sounds like things are pretty hectic, two meals out won't hurt you much especially if it sounds you did okay. I think it's great about your gym results, I'd be telling everyone too!

TylerDurden - Way to go on the calories and exercise again, I know what you mean about the weekend being difficult. All of my weekends are a challenge, and yes even though I LOVE veggies they are always a struggle for me.

Deficit of about 240 yesterday, hurt a little by a few chocolate chip cookies (my own fault, completely) and still no activity. I've just been so tired lately, I know exercise would give me more energy but getting into the habit of it is always hard at first. The good news I had 36% protein yesterday, so I am feeling really good about that. Going to try not to go overboard this weekend and going to try to get some movement in. I am hoping to do a little shopping, so maybe I will burn a few calories strolling around clothes stores :lol:

Four days of calorie counting with FitDay and I'm already seeing results. YIPPEE!! Now for the challenge - WEEKEND! We're going out to dinner tonight so I'm planning my food choices for the day accordingly. We're supposed to have crappy weather this weekend but that will give me the time to be inside and get in some extra time on the treadmill and start working on my strength training routine that I need to incorporate with the improved eating habits. Two weeks ago, I would grab a box of Cheerios for breakfast and now I'm trying to be sure that I get protein in my breakfast. What a change. Good luck to everyone and have a great weekend.

Good Morning, All! Sounds like we are all gearing up for the weekend. Hope it is good for everyone!

Susan: Yeah! Great deficit...now for one more day! I go to bed too, its the safest thing to do sometimes!

Miles: Thanks for the encouragement and I did log everything and actually had a deficit each day...I knew I was eating well just not recording. Good job getting in the protein. I really struggle with that. Hope you have an active weekend and get rid of the tiredness! Exercise is such a pain in the (you know what)...:lol:

Tyler: Way to stay on plan and good luck with the weekend..I know that I struggle with them too and we have a big pot luck on Saturday. I can't even think of what I should make....hmmmm...

ckatgo: I too cannot seem to calorie zig zag successfully. I find I want to eat too much on the low calorie days. I do seem to zig a little some days a little over some under but when you average the week I am usually under.

I got the recording done and all caught up. I even logged a few hundred calories just for the things I forgot I ate and still had a deficit. Yesterday was a great day! 1024 deficit and I am helping my best friend start eating clean and we spent 2 hours at the grocery store shopping for good stuff! It was really fun shopping with a friend and we are going to keep each other accountable and encouraged! She really needs it and is not to savvy on the puter!:^: otherwise I would tell her to come here for the best support!:D

Hi Everyone!

I zig zag my calories also. It's easy for me when I have my cheat meal out on saturday I'm high and try to stay lower the rest of the week. I do feel that being higher on Saturday keeps my system from getting to use to a certain amount of calories.

Wednesday: 1602 calories, 1034 deficit, 45 minutes Tae Bo

I'm soo stressed out right now...I broke down crying today and now my eyes are burning and I have a bad headache...I will be so glad whn this is all over...prom is tomorrow and at least I will have that one past...I worked all afternoon folding and stuffing invitations...almost done just need address labels...

I haven't been back to the gym since thurs...I'm going to go in a few..I could use the workout to relax...lol..sounds funny workout to relax but it really does help relieve stress...

blyn-sounds great to have a shopping buddy...that way you can't buy anything bad...you have someone to tell you NO...

Kathy-Glad your doing good with so far...I love using fitday...Hope your weekend goes good for you

Miles-great job having a deficit and high protein day after the cookies..I'm sure you'll have a great weekend..now just get moving and while your at it kick me in the butt too...

Tyler-congrats on make day 4..I know the first week is the hardest and your half way there..keep it up

It does relieve stress Donna and you sound like you could use that these days. Take care of yourself!

I'm heading to the safe haven of my bed with about a 1000 cal deficit today.

I made it to the gym tonight...I'm glad I did cause I feel alittle better but now I'm really tired...ended today with a deficit of 1050...better than the las t 2 days of being in the 200's.

susan-thanks...great deficit too...don't you just love those high deficit days..makes you feel good

Morning everyone! I'm anxious to hear if Blyn has tried steelcut oats yet. Mine are waiting in the kitchen.

Have a good day everybody!

I do not advise this but I'm going to bed with a deficit of 1235 cals. I'm just sooo tired, I'm almost nauseous. I know it would be smarter to have some protein but .... blah!

Hi- Im new to the zig zag approach...do you just have one high day and then watch it for the rest of the week? My normal diet program has me at about 120-1400 cals per day and I exercise so Ive been in a non-losing mode for about two months...I started trying to zig zag, thinking this will help me rev the metabolism back up. This week I did hi-lo, hi-lo cycle and I think Id be better off just doing one high day and keeping the rest of the week stricter...any ideas??

Hi Deetsmom. I thought there was a "Support Group" for calorie zigzagers. I'm heading off to bed but if I find it in the morning, I'll post a link.

((sneaks in and tries to catch up on all the posts she's missed over the past few weeks))

((is happy to see so many familiar faces))

((is happy to see so many new faces!))

((realizes the words to an old Bobby Caldwell tune are running through her mind...))

I guess you wonder where I've been...
I've searched to find the love within...
But I came back to let you know,
Got a thing for you, and I can't let go...

------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi, all, remember me? And a hearty hello and welcome to all the newcomers!

For the past few weeks I've been posting here and there around the boards, but not in this thread, because the daily reminder of my lack-of-loss was just too depressing.

I've remained true to my eating program, throughout. No binges (eh, I was never prone to them anyway), no "bad" foods, no easing my frustration with chocolate chip cookies or french fries. Still drinking the dreaded water. I haven't exercised as much as I did at the beginning, but so be it. I still *do* exercise, just not quite as often. And I think, I hope, I've finally broken through the worst-evah plateau in the history of weight-loss.

Still a little tentative... afraid to change my ticker for fear of jinxing myself (or finding out my mean-spirited body is playing with me and I haven't broken through anything). But I think I'm in a better enough frame of mind to start posting in this thread again, so if it's ok with y'all, I think I'm back!

And long-winded, as usual :)

How did you break it? Do tell! I am a long time plateau person myself...

Here's the link Deetsmom, I saw that you'd been there before but I thought I'd post the link because I said I would http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=75339

Hi Lena! It's good to see you here!

Day four and day five were on plan for me. Yay! Tomorrow I weigh in and hope to post a nice loss.

Nice to see you again Lena! And nice exercise ticker Susan, I should get myself one of those, think it will help my inactivity? TOM is here which is an unusual occurrence for me. Don't think it's affected my eating habits (though I wish I could blame it) just made me even more slug-like for a weekend.

Deficit of 142 on Friday, and nothing yesterday. Going to try to do some weights or something low impact, my weight is still hanging steady so I feel that is a good sign and today is a new day!

Okay everyone, I'm back. :) the last week has been horrible for me, but it's ok. I'm going to take it as a learning experience.

I'm back on my plan today- so far so good! I've missed you guys.

Hi Everyone!

Deetsmom I usually have one higher day a week with my calories. I know there is another group that talks more about zigzaging calories.

Sunday: 1870 calories, 484 deficit (no exercise)

Weekly deficit 6262!

Days 6 and 7 were on target for me with each having between 12-1300 calories and 30 minutes of exercise.

Week one is now over and I weighed in this morning for the first time: 9 pounds down. Yay! I know the first week always has a lot of water weight, but I'm think a good 3 or 4 of that weight loss was hopefully body fat.

On to Week Two!

Yesterday? No exercise and Chinese buffet ... You can do the math. I'm not going to :)
Today is a new day, new week!

Deficit of 452 from yesterday, wasn't really a "good" day though but it was nice to have a low calorie day. Been a little under the weather thanks to TOM and other things and I always forget how exhausting it is. Hoping for some good news on moving today and just hoping everything else for the next couple months begins to fall into place. Take care, ladies.

I've completed one week of calorie counting and am down 2.5 pounds. I even had a wonderful dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant last night. I walked a brisk 5 miles yesterday before we went to dinner to try and offset some of the damage. Today I'm back on track and am getting back with my exercise routine. Calorie counting is do-able!

Good Morning Everyone! Hope the weekend was good to you! I was supposed to weigh in this Morning but forgot before I got dressed so will have to wait for tomorrow. I did eat well this weekend but having trouble getting it logged in or written down...what is wrong with me....(don't answer ..the list would be long)...I did get all of my exercise in too! Well today is a new week and I will work on the journaling...

Susan: Yes! I went right away and got the oats. Tried them this weekend! Yummo!...(as Racheal would say).. I really liked them. Much more filling than regular oats..Thanks so much!:D

Tyler: Wow! 9 lbs...Congrats!:carrot:

Lena:...So glad that you are back. We missed you!..hope you are here to stay for a while and Way to go...staying on track!!!

See ya'll later! Blyn:D

Bync: in a choice between not eating right, but writing it all down ... and eating right, but not writing it all down... I think I know which one I'd choose!

Hi everyone,

I had my weigh in today and I was up 2 pounds! :eek:

I have no idea what happened. I was expecting a pound loss :?:

Monday: 1940 calories, 747 deficit, 45 minutes curves

At the risk of jinxing myself, I've just changed my ticker to reflect Saturday's official weigh-in weight. Of course, by this morning, it had crept up again, but... well, we'll just have to see what happens. ((deep, cleansing breath... it's just a normal, daily fluctuation, nothing to stress about...)) It's been sooooooooooooo long since I changed the ticker, I almost forgot where it was!

I've also revamped my calorie counts on FitdayPC. I revised my "normal daily activities" count so it's durn near bed-ridden. I also allowed myself more daily calories for cream with my coffee. It's all calorie-semantics, but I'm hoping these adjustments will translate into deficits that more accurately reflect my losses (or lack thereof!).

Anyway, long story short (too late!), my deficits from here on will probably be much lower than the ones I was reporting back in February. Maybe they are closer to the "truth" (after all, the truth is out there).

Deficit for yesteray was 452.

Yesterday was day 8 for me: ~1300 cals and 30 minutes walking.

Lena, I would FREAK myself out if I stepped on the scale every day at this point. When I get to maintenance I think weighing every day will be a good thing. For now, once a week is all I can handle!

Hi Lena! I think 'accurately reflects' is where it's at. Any tool is not handy if it doesn't reflect what's going on.
And Valerie Joy ... you might have to have a look at what Lena was talking about. Tweaking your tools is almost as important as tweaking your programme.

I had a wee wee wee wee deficit yesterday but it was a deficit all the same and I will take it.

Silly question..when everyone here posts about their deficits...how is that figured? I use fitday, is it just the difference between what it says in the calories burned report?

I zig zagged last week and the scale didnt impress me...for me, I dont think there was enough time to weigh in where I wasnt coming off a higher cal day, so the scale was evil. This week I went out to dinner and enjoyed (yet still only was at about 1900 cals) on Saturday and have been on the 1100-1300 range since and worked out for an hour last night. Not overly impressed with the scale, but its only been 2 days since my high day, so Im hoping it will get better by the end of the week.

Do you guys recommend low-balling your fitness level on fitday? They have me as moderately active, I have three little kids and am after them all day, work at home part time and work out 3 days per week. Maybe I am not calculating the right calories or something based on this? What do you think??

Yes, a calorie deficit is just the difference between what you ate and what you used (as long as you used more :))
And yes I recommend low-balling your activity level. Fitday is far to generous there. Mine is set at seated work and I only add work, exercise and extraordinary activities like dancing or lawn work.

and...what kid of deficit is "ideal"? Maybe I am eating too little (fitday says my average for last week was 1400)?? My calories burned averaged for the week at 2500. I'm 5'4 and 36 years old.

I lowered it to seated work, some movement...I cant imagine it being any less with all I do with the kids, work and exercise on top of that..y'think??:dizzy:

So when do you weigh yourself? I would think as far away from the cheat day as possible, right? My cheat day was on the 6th and the scale is very evil today:( even after two days of about 1200 cals and clean eating and workout for 50 min last night...

Hey everyone, not a great day yesterday- but I'm proud of myself for getting back on track. 200 calorie deficit...

tresor - congrats on the loss and the good dinner out, those are hard to do.

BlynC - I know what you mean, sometimes I'll let 3 days go by without journalling. Even when it's been a bad few days the damage isn't usually as bad as I was afraid it would be.

Valerie - could be water or hormones or anything, I'd give it another few days (or a week) and see what the scale says then, I never trust it the first time.

Lena - that's so smart of you to play with your numbers like that, I think every now and then it takes a readjustment to really figure it all out, I already have myself on bed-ridden on fitday and I think honestly if I don't exercise that day it's pretty close to my true BMR.

TylerDurden - sounds like you are doing great, and congrats on the loss! I think passing the first week (or any week, really) is an excellent milestone.

Susan - a deficit is a deficit!

Deetsmom - I use sedentary/bed bound for my fitday activity level, and then use the basal off of that. I've just discovered over time it was close to my real maintenance. (How did I figure that out? By going off plan by a few hundred calories for about a month and a half, but not gaining or losing any weight, averaged my fitday calories for the period and it was just about the bed-bound BMR level). I add exercise as well, though not as often as I should :lol:

Judes - any deficit is a deficit, congrats for getting on track!

Deficit of 644 for me yesterday. Still no exercise, just didn't eat much. With all this inactivity though I'm beginning to feel more and more slug-like. Hopefully I can get my life straightened out these next few days AND get in a little physical activity.

I weigh myself on Monday which is 2 days after my cheat meal day.

I got through my first day of work but I have to say it was hard! Working 7 hours, then tutoring for 2 hours, working out at curves then making dinner and cleaning up. *ugh* I'm tired and hungry and over on my calories for the day! This working is going to take some adjustment on my part!

Tuesday: 1877 calories, 810 deficit, 45 minutes curves

I hear ya Valerie Joy, work definitely interferes with my life too :)
No deficit to report for yesterday. I ate so badly I thought about not entering it into fitday ... but that would be the beginning of the end for me. I need to at least go through the motions over the next few days and seriously pick it back up by Monday at the latest.

I think I was going to say something to Deetsmom but I forget. I'll read her question again and come back.

Oh I know ... Deetsmom? Over the amount of time you've been averaging 1400 calories in, how much weight have you lost?

morning..sorry I've been missing...I've been very busy with my daughters prom and graduation stuff....prom was sat so now thats out of the way and now 2 weeks till graduation....I got off track a few days last week and haven't got in much exercise at all....but I'm back on track with eating this week and now I just need to get moving...had a deficit monday of 492 and tuesday of 672..

I've been on LA weight loss since the end of August and in that time, lost just 30 pounds..the last two months Ive gone up a few pounds during their maintennance phase, so I am back to trying to watch calories to see if I can drop the last few and learn to maintain comfortably.