Hello Ladies!!!

Feeling pretty good for today, and hopefully will be able to hit the gym after DS gets home from school. I missed yesterday because I had to pick him up right after school started...upset tummy. Have accomplished a lot today, Took Ben to the eye dr, cleaned the kitchen, went through financial papers, and got the laundry started.

Eating has been ok, but really need to watch myself over the weekend. Also I need to get my butt in bed earlier...have not gotten to bed before midnight all week.

Have a wonderful Friday ladies!!!!

Hi ladies :hug:

well, I still haven't lost anything...but I'm feeling some new muscle strength. So there must be improvement, even if I can't see it! Have been doing well with the exercise, 6X's a week.

Keep on keepin' on!

:wave: Happy Weekend all,
I missed a few days walking this week, and now its so cold and windy. I went over to the little exercise room here for the lst time and used the treadmill. Loved it. Pushed to get the minutes, mileage and calories burned. Boring, though. No tv in front of it and I bounce too much to read once I get going.

There's workout equipment but I don't know where to start. And I have to learn because I just showed some bone loss and have to work on that.

Good to hear from you, Ellen and Holly.

Hello ladies!!

I had a good day yesterday!! Stayed completely on track with eating. that's my main problem, as I've probably told you before...I can do an exercise session no problem, it's staying away from the cookies at work and then trying to do well in evening that's MY huge problem.

Its all in my head. I just have to keep reminding myself that what I want most of all is to feel confident about myself, 'cause that radiates to every other part of my life.

I've been having Lean Cuisines for my dinners - I love the cheese ravioli ones! I'm so sick of chicken, so it's so nice to have pasta. I supplement it with about 1/4 to 1/2 cup more tomato sauce, and have a big big plate of greens (with low calories dressing) and it is so good.

I have never had Lean Cuisnes before - I had always vowed to do my weight loss with 'regular food" - but since I can't control my portions myself, I will use them.

I have gotten so far away from my water consumption! and I know that is so important also. Water, exercise, sensible eating. Sounds so easy :dizzy: :D

Lisi, Lori, Ellen - keep on keep 'n on!! :hug:

Just poppin' in to tell you all I am still alive! :lol:

Still pluggin' away-just really busy. Keep it up ladies! :hug:

Well I think I will chime in. I usually just lurk around bacause I watch my calories but dont usually count them. However, I justa started a new program (contest) at the gym to see who can lose the most weight. They are calling it "The Biggest Loser" but I think they should be calling it Boot Camp. Yesterday was out first day with the trainer and let me tell you I felt like I was on the biggest loser. I usually work out 3 to 4 times a week too so I was surprised to be hurting this much today. Of course, this just all makes me excited and I cant wait till Tuesday when we go for another session. Well the point I was going to make is that they want us to keep track of our food so I have been inputting into fitday.

Hi everyone hope you dont mind another buddy.

Luv_Losing

Flat Out Wraps
 

Hi Luv Losing.........about the pizza made with flat-outs, I don't have an actual recipe. Do you have the "Original Light Flat Out wraps" in your area? These are only ninety calories and 9 grams of fiber for a large one. I've made them two different ways, I bake the wrap in the oven for a few minutes until crisp, then top with pizza sauce, Turkey Pepperoni (Yum) and slices FF Mozerella cheese. You can add fresh tomatoes, left-over veggies, etc. Then pop it back in the oven until cheese melts. DH isn't on a reducing plan so I add stuffed green olives and regular mozerella cheese to his. :jeno: :jeno: :jeno:
The second way I make it is on a pizza stone, (or cookie sheet) put the wrap on the stone (right out of the package), add your ingredients and bake until wrap is crisp on the bottom. Sometimes the bottom of the wrap doesn't get crispy when you make them the second way. You can add all kinds of low calorie ingredients, including pineapple.
Hope this answers your question,
:joker: Bobbi

Jumping in here. This is my first post (besides my intro post).

I'm doing the calorie thing. :) This is my plan: 1100 calories a day, but fruits and veggies are free. :) I usually average 3 pieces of fruit and 2-3 servings of veggies, so I estimate my total calories a day between 1300-1500. I like feeling like I'm getting something for free, so it works for me. ;)

I'm only on day 8 of my new plan, but this morning it looks like I'm down 4lbs so that will keep me motivated for another week.

I'm usually a saint about my food. The exercise part is where I struggle. That is where I need to become more dedicated.

I look forward to participating on this board. You ladies seem to be a wealth of information and a great group of gals! :D

Thank you so much for the reply. Yes we do have flat out bread in ou area. In fact, I have some in the freezer but I wasnt sure what I was going to do with them. I can't wait to try the pizza. Thank you!!!!

Luv_Losing

How is everyone doing?

Starting tomorrow, I have double workouts on Mondays and Wednesdays, because my classes are starting back up again, so my schedule will be sort of like this:

Mon.~Strength training, teaching intermediate class at night
Tue.~Cardio and/or dancing (either choreographing stuff for class, or refining something more advanced for my own use.)
Wed.~Strength training, teaching beginning class at night
Thur.~Cardio
Fri.~Strength Training
Sat.~Either cardio or dance (depends on if there is a performance/workshop coming up)
Sun.~Either light cardio or yoga/athletic stretching if I need it instead.

I have my work cut out for me. :)

I am currently aiming for about 1600 calories a day...and focusing on more whole foods and less processed/refined things...lots of water, lots of hot tea...keeping diet sodas to an occasional thing.

Hi aphil!!! wow, what a schedule! good for you!

hello to everyone else :hug:

I'm still exercising 6X's a week but struggling with eating less. But I'm trying :D

Hi new here :) My name is Sumi and this is the first time I have done calorie counting. I tried atkins once about 2 months ago but it wasnt my thing... I am aiming to lose a total of 50 pounds to bring me down to 135. My first goal is 10% to get me down to 166.5 and back to my normal chubby weight :) We moved last year and then I just POOPED out. Later I found out I was extremely anemic. I am still working on that problem as well. I have two kiddos who I homeschool (classical education).

So my plan is 1200 calories a day at least untill I see some change. I won't believe it untill I see 179 on the scale which I know I havent been down since I gained. I am not actually 100% sure on my starting weight as I was retaining water when I started so I just guessed based on the last time I had weighed. After my surgery next tuesday I am going to start working out as soon as I get the go ahead. Hopefully sooner than later.

I think I have seen a loss of 4 lbs already but then again while retaining water I weighed in at 188.5 LOL I really got poofy a few days there! It was crazy.

My overall goals are 1:10% 166.5 -- 2:10% 150 -- 3: 10% 135 I am hoping to make my lifetime goal by the end of summer.

--Sumi

At your current weight, you should eat a slightly higher calorie level-around 1400, rather than 1200. Wait to use the low 1200 level until you are closer to goal, and your weight loss starts to stall. :)

Thank you aphil, I decided to wait untill I see some real progress that I is undeniable. So once I hit 179, which isnt far, I am going to add back on a little. I am a little unsure of my start weight but I know I haven't dipped under that. It's just one of those things I have to do for myself to prove to myself it isnt futile. Then I will go back up (which I am looking forward too). It is all new to me though so I want to "see it in writing" per se, on my excel spreadsheet to see if the numbers really so compute LOL You know the whole base calorie and 3500 calories burns a pound thing. I am just to skeptical right now LOL I appreciate the advice though I am taking it to heart :)

I was wondering though, do you really think someone who is very very very sedentary that number still works for? I am anemic and have really really bad fatigue, and can barely do anything. I calculated my basal calories on the lowest possible fitness level but it seems to me that I would fall below that even! LOL I would really like to see a 2 lb loss a week. My doctor already ok'd a 1200 calorie diet too. So are the docs just setting up everyone to fail?

:) Sorry new to this game! -Sumi

Hello,

I homeschool also. I have 2 kids (9 and 2) I am completely brand new to calorie counting and I am trying to find the right amount.

Day one and two I was at 1500 and today 1200 and I don't feel a difference. Perhaps I miscounted.

I haven't payed attention to weight since I was a kid but with each kid I put on about 10 lbs and then another 10 from laziness (before kids).

Anyhow I am enjoying this counting business and I really hope I can get the first 20 off by summer.

Doctors are not setting people up to fail-but you have to realize that fitness and nutrition were only a SMALL part of their medical training. Think about it being a small chapter in a 1,000 chapter medical book. They spent more time learning how to treat pneumonia than they do on calories. Seriously.

For nutrition and caloric needs, you would be much better served going to a nutrionist/dietician. This is their specialty. :)

As far as the spreadsheet-I want to warn you about something. Don't get too caught up in the numbers. The body is not a clock, and does not work like clockwork. Some weeks you might lose 1/2 a pound...the next week you might lose 2 pounds, the next week 1 pound...and this is eating at the same calorie level. The "calorie calculators" you use that calculate your lifestyle, age, weight, and all that are "guestimates". Every person is different. Two women age 30, who both weigh 160 and are waitresses, are not going to burn the exact same amount of calories each day-there are too many variables-genetics, body composition (fat and muscle) and so forth. The math doesn't always work, so don't stress over it. Don't let it get obsessive.

Honestly, I think some women put more energy into creating calorie deficit spreadsheets than they do putting in a good workout. :lol: It shouldn't be that way. :)

I have been calorie counting since I was 20 (11 years now) and have successfully lost weight and maintained after my first two children, and I am doing it again after Saber. (5 months old) Not once have I done all of those calculations. I start at a higher calorie level, stick with it until I don't lose any longer, then I drop it by 100 calories. So on and so forth.
I try to eat healthfully-lots of lean meat, fresh fruit, veggies, and whole grains. I exercise. (Which is GREAT for fatigue...btw)

Exercise is one of the best things you can do for fatigue. Start very small if you have to-a short 5 minute walk, even. Do that regularly, and a couple weeks later turn it into 10 minutes. If you are very sedentary, that actually contributes to fatigue.

I am so accustomed now to exercise, that I feel more tired and lethargic when I *don't* do it. Over time, most exercisers feel the exact same way.

Aphil

Also, are you on iron supplements for your anemia? If not, talk to your doctor about it-it helps. I become anemic for a few months after I have a baby.

My calorie deficit spreadsheet takes seconds to update each night and it is really motivating me to try to add up my deficits and to work out as this really adds to my deficit (I'll do over an hour and 1/2 in the gym to burn around 700 calories so this does add up). I just started my spreadsheet a few weeks ago and I can see how much more motivated I am to achieve a deficit each day.

I eat much more than most people on here and usually its out of hunger rather than boredom (which DOES happen a lot, but not much lately). Yesterday I ate 2000 calories, had a gym deficit of 700 calories, was starving last night after eating quite a bit over the day, and lost a pound last night after having lost 1/2 pound the night before. Before that, I've been at the same weight for a few weeks. So the numbers dont exactly add up every time, but over the long term I would expect that they do.

BTW, I attribute my ability to eat a lot of calories and still lose weight to my muscle tone as I've been strength training off and on (not religiously or too disciplined but usually 2 times per week for about 7 months out of the year) for over a decade. Those muscles make me hungry!

Well, well, so many posts. I haven't been lurking, but I've been THINKING about you all.

I was in such a funk, and now I'm keeping better track and using the treadmill in the workout room here at our condo. I didn't know there was a treadmill until recently. It motivates me to watch the electronic display and see the dist., cals burned, etc. Just hoping I don't get heel pain, which I did once before.

Hello to newbies
~ Jamie - that is so interesting to make fruits and veggies free . That would get me eating my veggies. I'll have to think about that.
:wave:

Hey ladies! Hi Lisi, aphil, upswife, Lori, amie, and others :)

I have to tell you I'm SO exicted that I'm finally down a few pounds. Definitely three, maybe four :carrot: It's a small start, and it's taken me so long (well I wasn't trying too hard sometimes) but NOW i have such determination.

being back in the 160's is good!! and I'm confident to see the 150's sometime this summer!:carrot:

Lisi - kewl that you have the use of a treadmill! I would also find it fun to see what calories were being burned while using it.

I was also in such a funk for months. Don't know why...must have been a combination of winter, lack of sunlght...I faithfully take my depression med and exercise, but I had such low thoughts for weeks on end. I hope hope HOPE that it's over for me. It's lighter later in the day; lighter earlier in the day; we still have snow for another month but my small loss has inpsired me so much. I hope your funk is over! :hug:

I've been lurking here for awhile but this is my first real post on here in almost a year!!! LOL. I had fallen off the wagon (ok..more than once I'll admit), but Since about 2 weeks ago, I've been back on and doing well. I'm down 7 lbs. I'm currently eating between 1500-1800 calories and trying to walk at least 30 minutes on the treadmill. The problem that I am having is finding "good" calories and not just eating junk and counting it ya know? I need to find some good filling high protein low cal snacks for throughout the day and am wondering if anyone has any good ideas or recipes?

My goal is to be in the 170's by summertime as I have a few weddings to go to. I would love to be down to 150 by mid-July for my anniversary, but I think at this point, that's a pretty lofty goal...

Holly-I am glad to hear you are back on a roll! :carrot:

Hi Angie-thanks for coming out of "lurkedome". ;)

We all should really get chatting in here more...I tell you, I really need the motivation. :o

I have my beginner dance class to teach tonight-so there is an hour workout built into my day, but I am going to try and get some strength training in as well.

Hoping to be at around 1600 calories today.

Well ok, I'm glad to join in. I hope I bottomed out last weekend. Just ate so much filling food. I could have gone without for days. I had made a great lentil soup mix and ate too much of it and that was the beginning. Now somehow my appetite is down again and I'm doing better, watching a couple of the lbs go again.

Holly hurray!!!/
Angie welcome.
Aphil, howdy

As for filling snacks..........I hear eggs are good. Cup of nonfat yogurt. Small protein bar - read the label for calories. SBD says string cheese, which is great if you only eat one.

Elyse

You guys have GOT to help me!!!

I need motivation-we all need to get in here, check in, and use each other for support. Seriously. It is almost MARCH and I have some baby weight to lose...

I have a performance in just over 3 months that is HUGE-I was invited to perform in a midwest belly dance show, and performers are chosen by invitation only-you can't just "sign up" for it. I was invited, and I am really worried about making a good impression, so I will be invited back. I am worried about my costume...my choreography...and I want to start getting some of this baby weight off. I have pretty much been at a standstill since Saber was born. Part of it is because of nursing, and the fact that he would not sleep unless he was being held for almost 3 months. I literally was going on about 2 hours of sleep a DAY for 3 months. It was horrible.
I have been exercising a few days a week-teaching dance class 2x a week, and also doing a little walking/strength training, but now that Saber is sleeping most nights all night, and taking a regular nap during the day-I need to get more serious and use that time for a more strenuous workout.

I also need to keep my calories in line-I have been aiming for about 1500-1600, but it seems to end up closer to 1900-2000 by the time the day is done. I have been very stressed, and tired. I HAVE to get on track. I have 3 months until the show, so I am aiming to lose about 20 pounds of the baby weight by then. (I have about 60 to lose to get to pre-baby weight, and about 70-75 to lose total to get to my goal for maintenance.)

I figure 20 in 3 months is a reasonable goal-about 7 pounds per month, 1-2 pounds per week. I can do this...I just need support.

Ladies-we have got to get in gear! Let's start posting our exercise each day, and either at the end of the day, or the morning after our day-post our diet/calorie intake. I think we could all use the accountability.

I want us to all end up being maintainers here on this thread. It is the longest running calorie counter support/chat thread, and we can make it the most supportive, and the most successful. Let's DO this.

YES!!! I am proud to have been a "mostly here" poster for four years :hug:

aphil, you've helped so many others, I am more than happy to give you my complete cyber support!!

Man, I don't know how us mothers do it - like go for three months with only two hours sleep!! but we manage, don't we. Of course it must have been near impossible to follow your previous routine of lower calorie counting. Thank goodness your little guy is now sleeping better! more sleep for you will give you more control, I'm sure.

You are ALWAYS on my mind when I want to have something that's in my calorie range, but is 'empty' calories. I hear you when I want to 'hoard' my calories but know i shouldn't. I hear you saying that we should choose quality whole food. I hear you speak of snacky sugary cakey treats like Little Debbies as being 'embalmed' :rofl: You have influenced me so much! :hug:

We are going to pare away calories togethe and work our bodies to lose fat, strengthen our heart/lungs, and build and tone our muscles so we have rockin' bodies! :strong:

My exercise for yesterday - I watched (and did!) Kendall Hogan's Fit TV show, it was a mix of cardio and weights. I used my Step during commericals. Then I did my Keli Roberts tape (step aerobics with light weights)

My calorie range was under 1200. Not much, like 1199 :D

YEsterday was kind of a bust for me. I'm pretty sure that I managed under 2000 calories though which I guess is good. My dh made tacos for dinner and I ate two and have no idea what the calories were. He used ground turkey though instead of ground beef, so I guess that's something ;-) Today I have determined to eat better, but it's also grocery night so there's not much in the house to eat... I guess I will just do a couple slim fast shakes today because that's about all there is without just eating a bunch of processed junk. I manged 25 minutes on the treadmill yesterday too.

Question: I've been trying to tweak my fitday stuff so I'm getting the most accurate results. As far as the lifestylke setting, I"m not sure what to set it at. For the most part, I"m a stay at home mom just taking care of the house, kids, shopping etc...during the day. I then work 2 nights a week at a pharmacy. WHat setting do you think I should set my fitday on...seated work, seated work some standing, sedentary and then just add in every stinkin activity I do for the day? Any thoughts??

Hello Ladies!

Things are going well. Gettting to the gym is getting better, just have to keep up my will power. Also need to start getting to bed on time. some day I have been up way too late. Well gotta get DS on the bus, C ya ladies!

Angie-I would try the "seated work, some standing" option...

Well, I think I figured out why my scale didn't budge at all this week...AF found me a week early!!! I'm glad though, because I was starting to wonder why the numbers didn't move this week and now I know...

Today is strength training. I just finished my lower body. I need to get my middle child (Raiden) ready for afternoon kindergarten, take him to school, and then I will do upper body and abdominals while the baby (Saber) HOPEFULLY naps. :lol: My oldest, (Jasmine) gets on the bus early...so all three children are on different schedules-making it a little hectic for me. :D

Food today has been good so far...so has water. I'll punch in my food this evening when the day is done.

What is everyone doing today for exercise?

I am also contemplating a "reward" for myself. I have really been wanting a pair of pants from Melodia, which are pants for belly dance/yoga practice, and they basically do magical things for the look of your thighs/booty...they are phenominal, but also START at $70. I am thinking I might use them for motivation, and buy myself a pair when I hit the 20 pounds lost marker...

So far today I haven't been all that hungry. I had my morning coffee, a slim fast shake, ff blueberry apple muffin and then I grilled some fish and made a salad for lunch. I didn't eat all the fish though because it didn't taste all that wonderful :-( I still have no clue what to make for dinner though...there's really not a whole lot in my cupboards...

LLLLLLLLLaaaaaaaaaaedddddddddiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeee essssssssss!!!!
I love ya. Scale is dropping for me. Might be water, lightening up from less food. Whatever, I'll take it.

I have to get that early bedtime going, even 11:30 will do.

Will be back soon.
Love.
Elyse

I'm doing an hour on the treadmill...( i love those things! I like being able to raise the incline :) ) as soon as I get home from work at 7. Yeah, I agree, its time to get our butts in gear!! I've been eating healthily (South Beach) for a week exactly today..and so far I'm down 5 lbs! But I've gotta step it up in order to meet my -14 goal by Easter! Good luck ladies!

Hi Cate, Hi all,
I love the program on the treadmill also. I've been doing 1/2 hour , with inclines, and plan on increasing that. I hope its easier on my feet, which are showing some heel pain, to walk slower (less pounding) but raise the incline. It sure burns calories. Now I know why you all like to exercise.

Food was ok today but not keeping track.\ I don't get involved with the Fit day. I know the calories of everything and I need to just keep a log.
E

Hi all, I am new to 3FC and to any kind of dieting. I used to work more physical jobs and just worked off whatever I ate. I've been working at home since 98, though, and the scale has been creeping up about 10 lbs a year, because I was still eating like I always did, but was doing less and less physically demanding work. So, here I am, trying to figure something out to lose the weight. The whole nutrition/weight loss thing seems so confusing, so I'm starting with calorie counting and keeping a food log, and just trying to "eat less, do more", which is all I've figured out so far, lol. Today was my first day, and I'm about ready for bed, so it looks like my total for today will be 2024, which isn't great compared to what I've read, but is a big improvement for me. Plus, for the first time in my life, I think, I actually drank 64 ounces of plain water in one day. :carrot:

No real exercise today (too much time researching nutrition and fitness goals on the computer), but meeting a friend for dance skating practice tomorrow afternoon, which should be a good workout, then regular skating session at night. Right now I'm skating 3 days a week, but am looking into some other types of exercise that I can get motivated to do. I'm thinking to start with dusting off the old bike, but I'd like to try running whenever I can afford a good pair of shoes, and might use the Couch to 5k plan to give that a shot, so I don't injure myself. A ymca membership is definitely on the list for the tax refund this year, as I promised my son...he wants to take swimming lessons, and I want to get into some type of weight training, which I did many years ago and really enjoyed.

I just wanted to get on here and get started, so I have some place to be accountable. I have one challenge already, and that is my sister who is already trying to sabotage my efforts with a lot of negative "you're probably going to fail" type comments, but I just plan to ignore her as much as possible and keep my fitness goals in mind. My other two sisters have been very positive and supportive. I actually felt great today, just knowing I was keeping track and doing something to get started. A friend of mine helped me come up with some ideas on what to eat and how much, so that helped a lot.

I've really enjoyed reading all of your posts and the progress you all have made is really inspirational to a beginner like me!

Cheryl

Hi Cheryl-welcome!!!

You averaged around 2000, which is probably a lot better than you were doing. At your weight, and being active, you could probably see some loss at around 1800 per day-so you are making a great start!

Lisi-I don't do Fitday, either. I travel too much, camp in the summer, and don't have time to log onto the computer every time I eat. :lol: I use a regular notebook, and log my exercise, water, food, etc. into it...and I take it in my purse when I travel.

I have been 100% on plan the past two days!!! Yippee!

I have a private dance lesson to teach here at 11, and I am hoping to get in some treadmill after that.

:)

Aphil

Thanks for the welcome, Aphil. I don't really know what my calories were like before, but just looking at the numbers for what I was eating and drinking before, it was probably more like 3500 on a typical day, and maybe 4000 on errand days, with eating out and drinking cokes, etc, maybe more. So, yea, 2000 is a good start for me. I had no idea I was eating so many calories in a day. :dizzy: I'm glad to be keeping track now!

Now, I'm off to jam practice and then to see if I can find a scale for the house, so I can keep track of my weight. I went to Costco yesterday, but they were out.

Cheryl

The past three days have went swimmingly...today I taught a dance lesson at 11am, had lunch, and then walked 3 miles on the treadmill.

So far my diet has been today:

B-Protein shake, banana
L-Grilled chicken and salad greens in a pita, yogurt
S-apple slices

I am going to prepare dinner here in a bit...

Hi Everyone,

I hope you don't mind me rejoining this great thread ... I was shocked when I checked back and realised that it was June '06 when I last posted here!!:o Needless to say I'm still in pretty much the same position that I was then ... with a few extra pounds added for good measure!!:mad:

I'm well and truly back on track and determined to stay here!! Accountability is what I need, so I'll come along everyday and post my calories etc. so that you all can keep an eye on me ... and let me know if I'm straying away from that track!!:coach:

Allowing myself around 1500 cals a day ... so far today I've had 655 ...

B - Cereal with skimmed milk
S - Apple
L - Ham salad sandwich
S - 2 plums

Now need to decide what to have for dinner ... probably chicken of some description ...