Biggest sacrafice has definitely been pushing my calories down lower. Since my normal intake was somewhere around 1300 on a high day, I had to go down to around 800 while I was losing the majority of it. Now, I'm around 1000 per day, and holding steady.

My reward system involves low-fat, low-cal ice cream (my personal drug of choice hehe) and shopping. For anything. Give me a card, a car, a comfy pair of shoes, and set me loose any day of the week, girls. :D Monday, since I had a new pair of pants that I fit into, I went shopping & spent $30 on a silk shirt & a new pair of dress slacks at Tj Maxx! :D Woo!

What is the biggest sacrifice, if any, you have made/are making in order to get healthy?

I would have to say time doing other things! Time! Definately! There is just never enough time in the day to workout, take care of family, take care of me, cook, clean, get on the computer to check out the latest with my chickies...Time, for sure! And some days, I don't sacrifice a thing! :(

I'd have to say I'm with AquaReggie on this one... my biggest sacrifice has been spontaneity/impulsiveness. I didn't used to have to think about what I ate, I just ate whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. Now I have to wonder how things are going to fit into my calorie budget, how long it will be before I get hungry again, etc.

However, before, I used to eat something, whatever it was, and think "Oh my god, I can't believe I just ate that! It's so bad for me! I'm so fat! I'll never lose weight!" Eating was considered to be a positive thing, but it always left me with such negative thoughts.
Now, I still do just as much negative thinking, but I do it before the eating. "That Lean Pocket has 280 calories, you can eat that and this 70 calories worth of rice cakes and nothing else! Man, how I would love some french fries and a cheeseburger right now, but no, I have to lose this weight, so I have to resign myself to Lean Pockets and rice cakes for the rest of my life." But after I eat healthy foods I always feel good about making healthy choices, so I guess it all evens out.

And really the only time it seems like a sacrifice is when I'm stressed out and wish I didn't have to worry about it. My weight sometimes seems like just one more thing I have to fix. More on that on the Feelings thread (prepare yourselves, it's a long one)...

Question of the Day
 

What habits, good or bad, did you have before you started your weight loss journey? Which ones have you lost, or which new habits have to gained?

Question of the day: I was not in the habit of eating breakfast. I would think I could not eat and wait for the evening to pig out! :ink: :no: Worse thing to do is put in all those calories in the evening and then not be active to use that energy to burn it off. New habits I have gained now is I am eating more reasonably.

I had a horrible habit of snacking when I was bored. I have tried really hard not to do that, but I am still working on it!!!
I also had a horrible habit of going to McDonalds, Sonic, or Burger King before AND after work...I haven't eaten at either one of those places in ONE MONTH TODAY!!!! WHHHHHHHOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

At the moment, I've found I'm not finishing things if I'm not hungry! Yesterday I only ate half a Curly Wurly....

I'm finishing it off now that you reminded me!!

2 frustrated - I love Curly Wurlys!!!! I live here in the U.S. and order them from the U.K.!!! We don't have them :( .

I am trying hard to break the fast food habit! It's just so easy to drive through!! I am definitely doing better with doing that though - I'm limiting myself!

My worst habit was eating when I was bored, or just because it was the time I normally ate even if I wasn't hungry. Now I try to only eat when I'm hungry, or when my work schedule dictates (but I'm usually hungry then anyway).

I've also gotten into the habit of drinking water. I find that when I drink anything else I tend to drink rather slowly, but when I drink water I drink it quickly, so that is a good thing. I allow myself 1 diet soda per day, and I usually don't even finish my 12-ounce can at lunch, and I get a whole hour for lunch. However, when I have a glass of water, it takes me maybe 15 minutes to drink the whole thing, and then I'll pick up my glass and start to take a drink a couple of times before actually going to refill it.

Another habit, good or bad I'm not sure, is that of counting calories. I just can't help it now. Any time I think about food I think about the calorie content, and if I don't know, I usually try to figure it out (let's see, there's about 3 oz of cheese, that's 300 calories, plus 2 oz of bread, another 150 cals...). And it's not just with my food, but even what I see other people eating. "Steve, do you have any idea how many calories were in that pizza you just ate?" And I pick up things at the grocery store to see how many calories are in them. I guess it's a good thing that I look at labels, but calories and serving size are really the only thing I look at. I'm a little obsessed.

Hmmm.....habits. My worst habit was snacking after dinner......ice cream, cookies, cake......and it was the hardest habit to break. I started by substituting something healthy......yogurt or cereal or an apple or just a big glass of water. Now, the craving isn't quite as bad, but when I feel those 'gotta have it' snackies coming on, I use is as a cue that it is exercise time.

I have also gotten into the habit of packing my lunch for work now......it gives me time to think of what I will be eating and making it healthy.

He he! Elisha I'm a bit calorie obsessed too but hey it has results and when I stop thinking about them I start putting weight on!

The best bad habit I've lost is eating whole packets of biscuits. Never a good plan. I don't even like them that much.

Worst old habit: Eating takeout every day for lunch! Can't believe I did that!!! Now, it's once a week.

Best new habit: Eating in moderation.

Question of the Day
 

What is your favorite part of your new healthy lifestyle?

best new habit/habit I could still change
 

Now that I have lost 15 lbs., it is much easier to do more aerobic exercise. Kickboxing and step classes don't make my knees and feet hurt. Also, I can button my pants again, which is obviously a great feeling.

What I can still improve: eating small regular amounts during the day so I don't get home starving. I'm a 6th grade teacher; don't have a lot of free time during the workday. I have been bringing in fat-free yogurt, raw veggies with hummus and Wasa crackers w/a bit of peanut butter.

Any suggestions?

Hope everyone has a great week--
Elana

My favorite part of my new lifestyle is how well I sleep at night. I also love the fact that I feel so in control of my life, whereas before I felt like I had no control over my body.

What is your favorite part of your new healthy lifestyle?
 

What is your favorite part of your new healthy lifestyle?

It has to be the way I feel. More energy, less aches & pains & body creaks. Better cardiovascular health- I don't wheeze going up the stairs anymore. I don't sit in the car & let hubby run into the store because I'd be out of breath. And I like the positive reinforcement I get from hubby, and family. It makes it all worth it.

Elanajel -- I find that nuts are filling and good for a quick snack.

***

QOD: I can wear clothing that is in-style. And I like bucking the trend of junk food in America. Down with The Man! Power to the people! :p

Favorite part? Realizing how cute I actually am, and not feeling like I shouldn't be shopping in the juniors' section because I'm too fat to. I never, ever shopped there (like The Cube, Mariposa, etc...) when I was in high school, because I was convinced I was far too gigantic to fit into anything there.

Now, way bigger than I was back then, I can fit into things in those stores and I feel awesome, because I look my own age! :D

Favorite Part of New Lifestyle
 

I can breathe in my zip up pants again. HA!!

The last time I did a weight loss program was about 7 years ago, at that time I had a job I had to wear business suits in...so was wearing slim fitting skirts most of the time. Toward the end of my weight loss I could SPIN my skirts around myself!! That's when I finally decided to buy smaller sizes.

Of course, when I started this time, those same skirts wouldn't have even FIT on my butt!!

But I'm on a roll and plan to stick with it.

Favorite part of my healthy lifestyle is: YOU ALL! AND of course feeling better in the skin I am in. LOL But really, if I didn't want to change to a better lifestyle our paths would of never crossed. :love: :grouphug: THANK YOU ALL!

Donna

I would have to agree with pretty much everyone. It is wonderful to be able to sleep soundly at night, and it's even more wonderful for my body, especially my back, not to ache as soon as I roll out of bed. It's great to be wearing even slightly smaller clothing, and to look at myself as cute. It's awesome to be able to climb stairs or whatever without getting winded so very easily.
But I would have to go with Samantha and say that the best part is feeling like I'm finally in control of my life, even just this one part, because for so long I didn't feel like I was in control of anything. My favorite part of being healthy is seeing that I can actually do it.

Question of the Day
 

What setbacks have you had to overcome? How did you do it?

I can't honestly say I have overcome any setbacks I have. I struggle with night time snacking, weekend endulgences and PIZZA. I need to get adequate enough sleep and I don't do that either. I wish I could honestly say I have over-come something but can't. :sorry:

Donna

What setbacks have you had to overcome? How did you do it?
 

Oh man....there's the "bad week, gain back 4 pounds" that I've had to re-lose...there was the "bad month of June, gain back 15 pounds" that I have had to re-lose...and most recently there was the "Hurricane Month of September" where I did nothing as far as exercise, and trying to combat that.

I don't think I've really fully overcome anything...I think that once I reach goal weight, and can stay there for a year, I'll consider that overcoming some of the things in my head that have kept me from succeeding in the past.

Dang, seeing that in writing sure makes me take a look at how much work this takes.

Setbacks?

1 - Not having enough money for about 6 months to buy/eat anything other than top ramen and kool aid.
2 - Having some seriously screwed up nerves in my mouth that are very painful and that I end up taking painkillers for (which retain water and slow your body down...)
3 - Same with painkillers and my back.

As well as dlzbth, I struggle with not eating late at night. This is more than difficult for me, because half of my life, I've worked until midnight (or later, depending on what had to be done...) or just all night, and so I ate when I had a chance. Having myself on a schedule is just confusing, and my body doesn't like to shut down at 9pm or anything... but I'll get over that, too! :D

Setback: training myself to eat only in response to actual hunger (not time of day, perceived stress, argument w/husband, being aggravated about something, the fact that I always eat something while watching a movie, etc.)

It was important for me to become aware of my hunger cues and follow those cues instead of responding to my moods. Also, to use other tools (friends, journaling, exercise) to help with managing moods--not relying on food to help with that.

Best wishes,
Elana

I think I am going to go with Jennifer's response...that I haven't overcome ANY setbacks and won't feel that I have fully overcome any until I have actually met my goal and maintained for a while!

This whole journey is a setback for me! One step forward, one step back, two steps forward, one step back! I don't know (today) that I have learned anything about changing my lifestyle!! I hope tomorrow I feel differently!

I managed to re lose the weight I lost on my month long cheese binge in France. Although I think at the moment I'm in danger of regaining it :( Must stop grazing I am not a sheep!

Question of the Day
 

Does your new healthy lifestyle make you feel deprived in any way?

Does your new healthy lifestyle make you feel deprived in any way?
 

Well, usually it doesn't. When I've got it all together, I don't feel deprived, I feel good about the choices I'm making. Even when hubby is eating stuff that I don't dare touch- I just feel like I have resolve, and that I'm working hard. Those days, I don't mind getting up earlier to exercise, and don't mind missing out on leisure time to just do nothing.

And then there are the Evil Twin days. When nothing seems like it's going right, and I really want that horrid fast food because I feel like I'm missing out. Or I want to go to Olive Garden & eat breadsticks & pasta until I can't move. Or I blow off exercise for more sleep, or to watch TV, or to work on schoolwork & then not even get that done. I need more good days strung together, like I had earlier this year. I need to get back into stride, and stay there. I didn't work this hard to have to keep re-losing the same fricking 15 pounds over & over & over again. And what takes 3 months to take off ONLY takes 3 weeks to put back on.

Honestly, yeah, it does. I feel like it's not fair that I can't eat fried foods, or cokes, or stuff like that, but there are so many people out there who are rail thin and eat that stuff everyday. I don't understand. BUT, it's something that I absolutely HAVE to do. French fries, Donuts, Dr. Peppers, they are worth giving up in order for me to be healthy. Considering the alternative, getting so obese that I can't walk, or have children....definitely worth it.
Whatever I have to do......

I would think so since most of our lives we have endulged in all that we find wonderful and now those 'wonderful' things are forbidden fruit. BAD BAD!!! :nono: But I'm like Jennifer, if I am in the right frame of mind that is nothing really stressing me out it doesn't feel like I'm being deprived of anything.

Donna

Nope. I feel better because the biggest change I've made, aside from giving up my beloved light ice cream, is having regular, formal workouts almost every day.

I don't feel deprived at all. I feel bad, though, for my skinny friends who eat nothing but junk and then complain when they don't feel well, their skin is not healthy, and they have no energy. I'm more proud than anything, and proud definitely does not equal deprived!

I honestly don't feel deprived. At times I do crave stuff but I give in otherwise I would splurge on it later. I rather give in a little instead of doing it the other way. Lately Ihaven't really been craving anything though which may mean that I have been doing it long enough where my body slowed down it's want for it. I do eat what I want but watch the portions. I also do as I want if Jasmine allows that is. She deprives me more then anything lately. LOL

Question of the Day
 

What is the easiest part of your new healthy lifestyle?

What is the easiest part of your new healthy lifestyle?

For me, the easiest thing has been planning healthy lunches & breakfasts to bring to work. Since I do that prep-work ahead of time, it makes it very easy to grab & go without much thought. And in a pinch, I always have something "good" that can be nuked without a lot of planning. That reminds me that I need to do another "prepping" weekend & make chili & sauce & taco meat, and baggie more smart start. I also want to try FiberOne & see if that's any good.

Easiest part is working out. Makes ya feel good, gives you energy, and just puts you in a great mood for the day. Definitely easiest part!

What is the easiest part of my new healthy lifestyle? Picking out what to drink at every meal. WATER! LOL

Donna

Wait, I want to change my answer! I agree with Donna!!! :D

Uhhhhh
 

There's easy parts? :^: I haven't found any. :?: