Featherweights Plan and Chat in November
 

Well, how did October go? Have you had a chance to reflect and contemplate? What went well? What do you need to work on?

I need to tidy up my percentages. Too many of my calories come from fats, so I should cut my fats and increase my proteins.

I don't lift weights near as often as I should, so that's another goal. Two to three times a week would be great.

I have been including running up town for errands in my exercise ticker. I'm not going to do that any more, just dedicated exercise.

I'll do a little math and make a new ticker now. I kinda like new beginnings ... like the beginning of a new month ;)

This last week was very difficult for me. My older daughter and hubby had H1N1 and it very much tied me to the house and therefore, the food! I have had too many carbs.

The indoor rock climbing facility where I live closed. I loved it so much there. I had started taking tennis lessons but I just flat DON'T like it. I would if there weren't any rules and all I had to do was hit the ball. I went to tennis this morning but decided it will be my last class. I dislike tennis for the same reason I despise step aerobics--I don't like to do much "thinking" when I am working out. So, I am dedicating myself to finding another activity I will like. Tomorrow morning a friend has invited me to try "hot yoga" with her.

We have a vacation planned for the end of the month. I am kind of stressing about the food portion of it. We will out of the country--so much of my normal methods will not be easily employable.

I actually don't have any plans for next month. I kind of winged it this month and although my running was spotty, I still lost 5-6 pounds which is a lot for me. I can feel my asthma coming back so that worries me, plus it's dark so early now that running after work is out. I guess my plan for this month should be to join the gym.

Today is beautiful here. The rain and gloom of the past week or so is gone and it's a warm, sunny day. I mowed the grass for the last time this year and tonight the trick-or-treaters will come, so that'll be fun. :)

I was gaining a little bit, and now I've lost a few of those pounds. The problem is I haven't been cooking or exercising. I know, shocking ;) I just feel tired and put things off - and of course I know the only way to get more energy is to start eating better and exercising, no mystery there. But overall, I'm doing OK. Always room to improve :)

I'm so happy to read your post, SusanB, because it says what I need to hear right now.
I'm at the point where fatigue has set in. I'm unmotivated and unenthusiastic about food right now. I'm hungry. Nothing looks appealing. So I'll eat crap because it is there and fast and easy. This stops right now.
I have to find an exercise I really like. I've belonged to my local gym for years and have good intentions but really crap followthrough. Maybe I'm not a gym goer at heart. Is this even possible? Every show on weight loss and every program shows people at the gym. What if I hate the gym? Maybe I should acknowedge my non=gym nature and try something different. I'm open to ideas people!
Recommitting to diet and exercise -- could it really be just that simple?
Thanks for listening.

DH and I tried the gym. It was fun for a while. But I prefer my home.

I can be very wishy washy and discourage easily. If I decide to exercise ... there can't be too much time for me to change my mind ;)

I've followed the wonderful advice I get from Krista here

http://www.stumptuous.com/

... and have collected up quite a bit of equipment. It's what works for me.

Let's see what the others have to say.

Hello MissKimothy - I don't belong to a gym. I run 3x/wk at a local park with trails then I work out 5-6x/wk in my living room - usually doing exercise videos from ExerciseTV On Demand - which is free from my cable company. ExerciseTV.tv also has free full length videos of their branded workouts online that you can do right from your computer, which I've done a few of them too. Other than that, I have a yoga mat and a set of 3# and 5# weights so I'll sometimes do some high-rep, low-weight weight training on my upper body while I'm watching TV. Hope that helps.

Thank you very very much, SusanB and ShrinkingAmy. I think there is an industry around weight loss and personal trainers and gyms are part of it. Sometimes it is easy to think "I hate the gym" and then not give any effort at all to the diet and other types of exercise. I have to fight this, so I think I might start walking. I know there are a few yoga centers around here and JulieJ08 has a yoga avatar on her signature -- hopefully if she reads this she'll tell me what kind of yoga she does and if she likes it!

misskimothy, I totally agree the gym is totally unnecessary. It can certainly be exactly what some people love, but if it's not for you, don't waste any time worrying about that. There's so many things you can do outside of the gym. I know TBG believes in weight loss and maintenance without the gym too!

I live by my yoga (even if I was weirdly delinquent about any exercise this summer ;)). So many benefits, both mental and physical.

Me, I'm the type to research the heck out of things and do them on my own. So I read a lot of books about yoga, bought a few, and did it at home from the beginning. I've actually never been to a class - it's certainly a lot safer to start with a class, and I really want to attend some because I know I have my blind spots. You can get videos too, although I can't recommend any as I haven't used any.

An excellent book is Yoga Mind, Body & Spirit, by Donna Farhi.

I personally like a daily, very early morning yoga practice for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. I include Sun Salutations (a great warm-up for any activity, and can be aerobically demanding), lots of standing poses (great for strength and further warming up), and core and arm poses (I get compliments on my arm muscles purely from this). Then backbending, twisting and forward bending floor poses, and shoulder- and headstands. I end with Corpse Pose (laying flat on your back), which I have come to adore. Doing all of this with attention to breathing and mental focus is what makes it yoga and not just calisthenics and stretching.

Walking is also excellent, of course. Running can be more accessible than people think. Try Jeff Galloway - he advocates frequent walk breaks for runners as a standard practice (not just for beginners), even / especially for running longer distances.

Other non-gym ideas:

Bicycling, rock-climbing, dance, mini-trampoline, hula hoops, jump ropes, body weight exercises (which overlaps with yoga), weight training at home with resistance bands.

I used to like going to the gym a lot because it motivated me to be around other people exercising, but recently I haven't been going as much, and if I do, it's purely to lift weights, something I can't do at home. Otherwise, I do all my cardio (walking, running, biking) outside and I've been doing an exercise video in my livingroom.

The exercise video gives me the same push and motivation as going to a gym class does, but I get to do it in the privacy of my own home, and make all sorts of weird faces and sounds as I huff and puff my way through it.

I used to not think so, but now I believe you can get a great workout (if not better) without the gym. I waste lot of time going to and from the gym, changing, waiting for machines, etc etc, and sometimes just thinking about the commute discourages me from going.

One good day in. Elliptical, upper body and a nice array of percentages!

Those new to featherweights who are used to celebrations are going to have to get use to this. We celebrate miniscule amounts ;) like 0.2 of a pound!!! That's my lowest since April 2008.

To say I'm excited is an understatement.

I'm glad we figured out the back pain thing and I'm not sorry I had the hysterectomy. I am sorry that it took a whole year (plus) to get my backside back into gear. Am I glad to have that 19 months behind me? Heck yes!

Regainers rejoice! It can be done! This feels good!

Man! I am a bloated mess! between sodium and week before TOM, I have gained 2lbs - adn I know it's all water weight! I'm keeping my weigh-in at 136.6 since it's been consistant for the last three weeks - not going to count my water issue this week! I need to find a way to deflate all this water before I leave for vacation on Wednesday!!! lots of water and zero salt I'm thinking! ugh!

sorry i disappeared for a few days there; things have been a little crazy for me. well, it's been two weeks since i started dieting and exercising and so far i've lost 3.5 lbs. not any crazy amount but good enough that i want to keep going. i'm going on my tropical vacation in about a week. so i'm worried that with an amount like 3.5 lbs i can easily put it back on in the week that i'm away....but i'm trying not to think like that. and i start week 2 of c25k today!i'll see how it goes..during week 1 by the end of each running interval i was dying (but made it through) so i'll see today if i can manage week 2 or if i'll have to do week one again.

misskimothy-i agree with a lot of what's been said. going to the gym is great for some people, but if you have motivation problems (like me) then even the thought of getting there, changing, etc etc can be enough to make you not go. i love working out at home. my only concern is that there's no one to tell me how my form is. but still, i like it and stick to it way more than at the gym. and try c25k! i'm only starting, but it's great so far!

happy november everyone!

Thanks everyone, and thanks to JulieJo8 for her lovely and informative post. I shall do the research and look at the options in my town for yoga classes. We have in indoor rock climbing place too that would be fun to try. Perhaps I can get DH involved in a course there!
Once you open your mind to the possibilities, activities seem much more exciting!
Oh, and I've decided to weigh in only once a week. I have trouble with the scales as in I have a scale addiciton so once a week it is. Here's to celebrating the 0.?s!!!!

Hi all!

It's my first time finding out about the featherweights, and boy am I glad I found you! It's nasty business being so close to goal. I'm in a 5lb challange right now and am struggling! :(

I am a member of a gym but have to admit I never go. I have started walking during the day at work. I work by a small hill & the distance up & back is 1/2 mile. So at 3x a day, a brisk walk is all the exercise I've been getting.

My plan is to continue to have good intentions of going to the gym and maybe actually making it there a few times this month. :shrug: I am eating low calorie meals and foods with low point values, although I'm not officially doing weight watchers. :carrot:

I don't own a scale (there's one at my work they use for boxes and now for me too) but it's not that precise. I will mostly celebrate reduction in waistline measurements since all of my weight is in my gut. I'll have to take that measurement tomorrow. I'm certainly not looking forward to it! :rolleyes:

Thanks all and :goodluck: for November!

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that I can't live without the gym. I'm there at least 4 times a week for cardio. I used to take a run outside every once in a while, but now it's just too cold. The one thing I do in my own home is strength training (silly me, right?). I'm just too intimidated by the machines at the gym and the people that use them.

MissKimothy - I'll join you on weighing in only once a week. For the past month I've been weighing myself at least once a day and I hate how it dictates my mood and eating habits. I'll go ahead and move the scale to the closet until Friday. Good luck!

Another good day ... if I can get to bed without eating anything else ;)

Ilene uses a gym Civakas, so you're not alone :hug:

Hi and welcome MountainChick! Walking is wonderful. I believe you'll enjoy it (and it's benefits) very much.

Hello after a long time :)

I have been eating well and doing good. but my weight loss is a bit slow, but I do lose.. :) I am happy about it.

Hope all of you're doing good. Have a Nice Day!!

Hi Lekshmiprasanth! We've missed you!

Hi all!
Well, doing good so far. Yesterday I was able to bank some points. But here it is not even 10 am and I'm very hungry. So I'm just waiting and waiting and trying to hold it off.

Morning!
Hang in there Treighsie!
I have some information on yoga. The thing is that it is expensive for courses and I'm not sure if I should do a course then switch to a home practice or just suck it up and join a yoga place. It costs more than a gym, that's for sure. But if I will stick with it then it is money well spent.
BROKE my cardinal rule and weighed myself this morning. I found the scales that DH had hidden and my addiction kicked in. I weighed myself on Sunday at 168lbs and today was 169lbs. So I've let this irritate and annoy me.
I know that it is water weight or normal fluctuations and I have to put it in persepective but the little voice in my head just says "See you can't do this. You are supposed to be 190 lbs not 168 lbs. You'll never make it."
I'm not panicing though, just trying to manage the negative thinking and doing my best here.
Thanks for listening!

Oh Tracy ... don't go hungry. Eat a little something. I have to practice effective snacking ;) or by mealtime, I'd inhale the dishes and the table!

Kimothy ... record it somewhere. Some day you might be able to use that info to track salt intake or something. Calmly, calmly take it all in stride. You are a featherweight and you will get smaller.

:hug:
Thanks, SusanB!

Thanks for the welcome SusanB!

Tracy, I also agree that you shouldn't try not to eat. I usually snack on some fruits or veggies when I feel that way (and it seems I always feel that way!) I think I'm a snack-a-holic.

Kashi makes some wonderful whole grain products that can be very filling, if not as delicious as a doughnut! When I'm feeling really indulgent I have some sorbet made with entirely natural ingredients.

Of course, this may not be part of your plan, so it's not for me to say. Best of luck to you for your chosen path! :cheer:

I'm up tinkering about when I should be in bed. I have a dental appt in the morning and some of you know how I feel about those :fr: So, rather than lying awake stewing ... I come to you :hug:

Today I did legs, no cardio, just walked for errands. I've had about 1200 cals with pretty good macro's 37% protein/ 46% carbs/ 175 fats.

I came home from work at around 900 cals and was tempted (let me tell you!). You know the old "maybe this'd be faster if" mind bug? I could get to 139 tomorrow or ... I could get there in a few days and that would be fine.

I wisely chose to have some oatmeal and cottage cheese. I feel much smarter now ;)

Tracey ... steal something out of your lunch. By the time I got to my ham, it was half gone.

139.8 girls! 139.8!

And yes, I do realise that that is a mere whiff of spit under 140 but ... I don't care. It's a 13-something!

I'm going to jump on into ya'lls thread here! I'm new to 3FC (well I've been lurking for awhile but finally decided to join). I introduced myself somewhat in the sticky up top. Anyway my goals for November are to 1. Go buy a scale! I have no idea how much I weigh now I just know I can't button my pants anymore and my gut seems to keep expanding lol. 2. Start exercising at LEAST three times a week. I am doing the Jillian Michaels No More Trouble Zones DVD. I bought it a couple weeks ago but have only done it 3 times. I absolutely HATE a gym (I get really self concious if I think people are watching me.) That's part of my problem exercising period because even at home if my husbands around I won't exercise because I don't want him watching me. Ridiculous I know :o So anyway I'm going to buy my scale today and my goal is to try to lose 3 pounds this month. I don't have much to lose...maybe about 10 pounds. I have a really small frame and bonestructure and I'm really short so even 5 pounds makes a big difference on me. As long as I get it off by bathing suit season I will be happy so I'm not in a big hurry. Slow and steady wins the race!! :snail:

Welcome!

My elliptical is in front of the TV but behind the furniture. As long as they all just keep watching sports ... I'll be fine back there ;)

My husband said he's thinking of buying me a treadmill for Christmas...luckily the only room with enough space to put it will be my bedroom so I can just shut the door and not have to worry about him watching me :lol: I think that will be a big help. I'm not on any specific diet right now, just counting calories...hopefully my calculations are right and I can still lose a little weight without having to be to strict with my exercising.

And that's a fact :D :carrot:

Congrats, SusanB!

Carbcrazy, I used to hate the gym for the exact same reason. After about 3 or 4 visits I realized that it was all in my head and no one was paying attention to me. But now I'm intimidated by the weight machines and the people who use them, so I'm still a work in progress. =)

Thus far I've been successful in not stepping on the scale. I'm itching for it to be Friday already, just so that I can weigh myself. I have a feeling that I dropped at least half a pound ::crosses fingers:: I just feel thinner, y'know?

Hello all!

Well, after not losing weight for 3 1/2 weeks in Oct. I finally lost 2.6 lbs in three days. It's about time! I haven't changed my eating habit or exercising (not starving or low energy). Hopefully I keep losing and not stall or gain.

I just wanna say that after lurking on the 100lb board cause that's where I started, I now realize how NICE it is to talk to people who measure success in 0.x's you know? I used to get so FRUSTRATED when I'd read how some were losing a pound every 2 or 3 days. Of course, I knew that this is because they had alot further to go than I did, but still, it gets discouraging when you are with people you think you have things in common with and they are dropping the kind of weight that I dream about. It starts to make one feel like one isn't doing enough or the right things and then the mind games begin.
So DANG, I just want to give you all a big shoutout and say THANK YOU for giving "validity" to the 0.3 and 0.4s in our lives, and for showing me that I'm not alone!
:hug: to you all.

Well my October was absolutely awful and I'm edging 160 which is 3 lbs off my highest ever weight! There's no excuse for it so I've kind of knuckled down and November is going better. Since it's only 4 days it's possibly a little early to crow about it but it's night time here so I've officially "made it" to bed time. It's so sad that I see it that way!

Hi Everyone!

I'm very new (just joined today) but I thought I'd join in since this is where I think I fit! Basically I'm a college student who has gotten a bit out of shape due to poor eating. I play a sport but a lack of playing time has caused me to stress out and not really focused on what I eat. But I'm motivated to change that and would like to lose 10 lbs, maybe more. I don't really care too much about numbers I just want to feel healthy and comfortable with my body!

Sorry for the rambling :P Good luck to everyone and I look forward to hearing about your projects!

Doughnut ... sometimes, making it until bedtime is a goal in itself.

Welcome Dreamer! That's not rambling. Wait'll I get going one of these days ;)

Another good day in gals!!

Tonight I went out to a get together and was complemented on my weight loss.
Yay!
I also had the inevitable question "you aren't gonna lose any MORE, are you?"
Boo!
To which I said "I have another 30lbs to go"
Yay!
I then had the inevitable response "you don't need to lose any more. you don't wanna go overboard."
BOO!
Now, I can pinch way more than an inch. Its more like 3 inches and right around my tummy. I can feel it and see it. It is there! So I'm going to continue.

Does anyone else face that dreaded "observation" -- "you don't need to lose any more. you're gonna look sick. (and sick in the bad way not the good way)"

Yup, I've had someone ask if I'd lost weight on purpose or ....

People say things like that for lots of reasons, some good and some not so much. I try to just rephrase it in my head to "I love you and think you look just great and just want you to be happy." The real motives may be ... less ... than that, but it helps keep me from dragged down by their or my own issues.

At least, that's my theory, and I usually practice it. Not always, of course :o

Hi Feathers... Nice to see that many are doing so well, and SUSAN you rock, you've motivated me this month to STAY ON TRACK!! I wanna fit in a size 4 too :tantrum: I am totally envious!!!!!!

I love the gym I am a total gym rat, have been for 22 years now, wow how time flies... BUT it's not for everyone, so we must do what's best for us!

I've had a very good week, am down a coupla numbers, but I'm not going to dance over that, YET!

I've discovered that in order to lose weight I need to be hungry all the time and have a pain in the pit of my stomach... Is anyone else like this? I sure hope it passes...

Anyways, on with the day...