YAY! That's awesome! I can't wait to get faster :)

Random question... what does NSV stand for?

Happy Monday Feathers!

I am SO happy for everyone and all their victories and major congrats Neuro for being patient and getting past the plateau! That really is a true test of your dedication and it seems to be paying off :) Also, Amy, congrats on your amazing time on your 10k! You are always such an inspiration with your running!

I, unfortunatley don't have good news to report. I went into the weekend full heartedly saying I will NOT go out or drink - I really wanted to get into the 120's by the end of the weekend and it was very feasible if I didint go out. Thats a big IF. I ended up going out Saturday night and not only drank but ate taco bell at 3am. Then yesterday, we went to Kobes Japanese Steakhouse for my sister's birthday. I did well but I had a small peice of the cake which I told myself I wasnt. Then next weekend when her actual birthday is (14th) we are going out! Ugh the holidays are such a hard time for me - so much going on. I went from 130.8 saturday morning to 132 this morning. I know the majority of it is water weight - I am assuming I will probably be at 131.4 after the water weight is gone. Its very annoying when I mess up like that. Its like 2 steps forward 4 days set back! Argh. I dont think I will reach my Thanksgiving goal of 128 but I am still shooting for my 125 goal by Christmas. I am NOT giving up. Its a new day :D

Have a wonderful week feathers!!

You are ALL inspiration to me.

Chelsey, your progress is amazing, setback and all. You and I started around the same weight, at the same height and you have far surpassed me. I am at 136.6 today and holding on to that for dear life.

Amy and oneoftwelve and some others here are quite motivating with the running. I am sooooooooo painfully slow even when I am running regularly. It is almost like a fast walk with some bobbing up and down. But I feel the exertion and I bask in accomplishment when I actually do it, so what the heck is the hold up of why I don't get out in do it? It's a mental hurdle for sure.

My diet has been - in the big picture - pretty darn good. I think that has finally sunk in. I'm still not great when I'm away from home, but oh well. Live and learn (hopefully!)

My plateau has been ever so gently sloping down, with lots of small bumps up & down. I earned my -15 lbs chickie back today, so that's good news. It has taken more than a year to earn her, though. <sigh>

I am going to dial things up a notch, really count calories to make sure I am not messing up, make sure to meet my exercise goals and see if I can get close to my weight goal by New Years. A symbolic "new beginning." I want to start thinking like a maintainer, not constantly trying to lose a few lbs.

Anyone else hoping to reach goal or changing anything by New Years Day?

Wow, I hadn't really thought about a New Year's goal--but what a great idea!
I guess my goal for New Years is to enjoy running more.
You see, I run twice a week, but it takes me FOREVER to psych myself into it. I ran in middle/high school with my dad and sisters, who were way more physically fit and lean than I was. Running for me became a painful experience both physically and emotionally--I always felt like the fat, ugly one.
Now that I'm in shape, my brain hasn't caught up with my body--I still fear hurting or going super slowly or having to walk. A recent NSV has been that the time it takes to psych myself into going has gotten shorter, but it still takes quite a bit of self-talk to get myself out there.
So my New Years goal is to have the attitude "Oh goody, I get to run today!" This is always how I feel about 1/2 a mile into my run EVERY STINKIN' TIME, but it takes me quite a while to get myself to that point.

Hey everyone!! This is a really inspiring thread and i just thought i'd join in as well! I have about 15 lbs to get to my goal weight! I was stuck in a rut but having read all your loses motivates me!

I'm right there with you all.... those weekends are just killer. It really is surprising how many calories hide in alcohol alone, never mind the additional food we consume. Couple that with my tendency to want to just lie down... and bam, you have a caloric mess.

It's a new week, a new day, and a new opportunity to be mindful. We can do this!

http://www.3fatchicks.net/img/bar-ch...0/115/127/.png

Emma - Thank you very much for the weight loss recognition! That means a lot! I felt myself starting to slack and fall off wagon a bit in the past week but I am NOT letting it happen. Back to being super motivated and getting back on plan 100%.

New Years goal? Under 125!

Welcome Lose!!!! These ladies are very inspirational!!

Forgot to mention my NSV! Yesterday, when I was walking up to my friend in gym clothes, she asked if I lost weight. The really good part about this was she said my LEGS LOOK SMALLER! What!? Its always my stomache that looks smaller and my stomach that people notice where Ive lost. But she noticed it in my legs! She said they just look more "fit"! I guess the running really is making a difference. Talk about motivation to keep it up!

Also, I wanted to point out something I noticed that could be a positive way of looking at "mess ups". I have read at least 5 different times all over 3fc about how people were stuck for weeks at a number even though they were eating perfectly on plan. And how they were dumbfounded when the scale moved after a really bad day off plan. I really think the best way to kick a plateau is to veer off your perfect plan. I believe full heartedly that our bodies get used to the plan we've made and gets comfortable. Then when you shoot your calories up it throws it off! I think that is why I havent really had a plateau (even though I consider 2 days at the same number one :lol:). I generally eat on plan and very clean. But I mess up probably on average 4 times throughout the month. Now I am not advocating going off plan and blowing the diet, but I really think its those mess ups that keep the body from getting too comfortable. I dont know - maybe I am just being overly positive today lol But its just a reoccuring pattern I have noticed on 3fc and with everyone's experience - and my own (although its very little).

Ok Im done ranting!! Yes Ive had a ton of coffee again today - woooooooo!

This could very well be, Chelsey. When I was losing, I would be on-plan usually 6 days a week and then have one day anywhere from 400-600 calories higher. (usually 1600ish on plan and 2000 or a bit more on my off-day). Overall, it was still a deficit, so it worked for me! In maintenance it's a little trickier. If I eat maintenance calories 6 days and over one day, well, then I'm just plain over. I'm in the process of mentally adjusting to eating about 100 calories under per day so I can have one over day per week (so I can go out to dinner, or have a yummy coffee drink, etc).

Keep up the good work, Diane! I too thought I'd never see smaller thighs, but once I got running my body had nowhere else to take extra energy from--so it FINALLY took some of that extra stored energy (read--fat) off my legs! They're not stick skinny, but they are so much more toned than they used to be! :)

Amy - I often think about how I will maintain. I keep hearing how hard it really is. My current plan for maintenance (when I get there) will be to eat the same way I do now (on average 1300 calories) but allow my self to eat out and drink a few times a week. I feel like the deficit I normally would have will be made up for with all the extra calories from when I indulge and drink throughout the week. Not sure how well this will work. We will see when that time comes :D

Oneoftwelve - Thank you for the encouragement! I know I will probably lose last in my legs - that is why I am running because I know the muscle gained will show faster than the fat lost. I am guestimating that I will start to really see a difference around 125. Then I think the last 5-7 pounds will finally give me the leaner legs I used to have!! Oh its been so long since Ive seen those! :lol: Did you ever mess up REAL bad on your weightloss journey? Like a 3am taco bell run mess up?

How are you doing with maintenance?

Well still fairly new to this site and looking to hit 140 by the end of the month and then make it to my ultimate goal of 135 by years end. I know it gets harder when you have the last few pounds to lose but I know I can make it and start the new year off on a good note! Good luck everyone!

I don't have my license yet (long story--but I'm not in trouble :) ) and I'm a morning person so 3 a.m. Taco Bell runs didn't happen.
Mess-ups for me more looked coming home from nannying in the summer and seeing cornbread pudding on the table. The problem wasn't eating it (I LOVE cornbread pudding and have already decided that whenever my mom makes it, I'm going to have some as a treat, no matter whatever else I've eaten that day or week); the problem was that I had a huge portion.
And then I had seconds.
But I don't really even consider that failure. What was failure for me was the 3+ hours I spent kicking myself for it. Success for me is more about healthy living practices (including my mental health), so I was and am still learning what a treat is, how often I can have one, and how to deal with the times I have a treat or too much of a treat.
For example, I went with a bunch of friends to one of their boyfriend's houses for dinner one night, and was served apple pie. I use the "what do I want most?" principle and decided to nix the pie crust and whipped cream because I love hot apples (the center of the pie) and ice cream. So I had a bowl of apples and a big spoonful (used a regular spoon) of vanilla ice cream.
The NSV was that I enjoyed my treat immensely. I didn't kick myself one bit, not even for going back to the kitchen to snag a few more slices of hot apple. And then I got up the next day and made the best, healthiest decisions I could that day.

Up a little on the scale. I think I am retaining water/bloated from last night. I go to an English conversation club a couple times per month and last night some of the members invited us out - to McDonalds of all places. I had allotted for a dessert so I got a soft ice cream - small, definitely no more than 250 calories or so. Fine. But they ordered extra chicken nuggets and fries and told us to help ourselves, and since I am a squealing toddler with no self control I did help myself.

The overall damage was negligible, not enough calories to warrant a gain or count as a binge, but GOOD LORD do I feel ill even today. I drank 2 liters of water between the McDonalds and now and I still don't feel right. I took a photo of my stomach at full bloat last night - looked like I was ready to give birth!

Thank you Diana! I plan on sticking around!

Hi Feathers! Hope I can join in the convo here...I usually post over under the calorie counting area but was looking for some support or ability to generally post what's on my mind. :)

I guess I am doing okay as I've lost about 10 lbs since Sept 20th. but NO inches off my hips. I was trying to lose a few lbs before a vacation so while I was on vacay I didn't stay on plan, so I had a bit of a break in there for a week and a half or so. Got back on plan as of 11/1 but found it hard to stay on over the weekend last weekend...other than that doing okay I suppose. Afraid to weigh myself but plan to do so Thursday if not before hand. Last Wednesday I was 142 and hoping to be down at least a lb - 2 would be great.

I am following a 1500 calorie plan and I am vegetarian anyway, so that factors in. For exercise I do super intense iyengar yoga a few times a week and walk a lot every day. Was running but I found it hard to keep calories down while running. Hoping to start back up again soon. It's hard to find time as I work full time and go to grad school at night but I try to sneak away and run at lunchtimes when I can. :)

Looking forward to chatting with you all!

Mitza - If you work hard, I think you can make it to goal by New years! What a great way to bring in the new year :dance:

Oneoftwelve - I can TOTALLY relate to the self sabatoge after messing up. I hate how I bring myself so down after I mess up. It is not a healthy emotional thing to do to yourself. So I too have been learning not to let slip ups get to me so much. I think that is a very important and overlooked thing when dieting!

Krampus - I feel you on the Mcdonalds. My dad just left the hospital and was admitted into a rehab center to get moving again. I felt bad so I brought him a bunch of treats from Mcdonalds that I know he likes. Fries, warm apple pies, and cookies. Wow it was hard not to down it all! Ok so I stole 2 fries - not so bad and he'd never know :D

Welcome Wildflower!! Weekends are the hardest for me as well. I really try to do a lot of self talk on Fridays reminding myself that as quick as the weekend came, it will be gone even faster - better to leave it a pound lighter than 2 pounds heavier!!

Back down to 131 today. I knew it was mostly water weight. Im also "backed up". Probably from my 3am taco bell run on Saturday. If I stay on track and get things "moving" I think I could very well be in the 120's by Saturday morning! ahhh Fingers crossed!!

Have a great Tuesday Feathers!!

I hate that post binge bloat. Hope to never see it again!

The losing has slowed over the weekend. Guess it always does. 124 this morning. But, I felt dehydrated yesterday so I chugged about 100 oz of water within a few hours before bed and had chickfilet for dinner so I'm sure I held onto some of that water.

That said, I'm having a really weird week regarding weight and loss. For the first time in a decade yesterday, I looked in the mirror and didn't think I look like I need to lose weight. Sure, there's a little jiggle that I'd love to see gone but that I'm afraid is a toning/skin issue. My stomach is nearly flat for the first time since HS.

Anyway, I'm going out of town this weekend ALONE for the first time ever. We're trying to buy a house where we're moving to. I've got a 2 year old that's still nursing once a day and he's not going to be too happy about it. I'm hoping my husband can keep him busy and maybe he won't want to pick it back up when I return.


Good luck today feathers!

A flat stomach - something I can only dream of. That's a good place to be, Changed! Have fun on your solo weekend!

Dianne - I'm thinking since EVERYONE across the boards is constipated, someone should make a thread about it.

***

Today I carefully allotted for a banana split. I had the pleasant surprise of a friend willing to go halfsies with me on it. Lunch was tiny and dinner was 2 tacos and a few edamame (soybeans) with lots of water. Alas, I failed miserably at my attempt of an afternoon jog before dinner. I was too hungry and since I did Tae Bo before going to work and walked for 40 minutes midday, maybe I didn't give myself enough time to recover. Not to mention the wind and chill - how unpleasant!

We'll see what tomorrow brings. At 4:55 pm I weighed something like 57.8 kg which puts me at almost 127. O_O!

I am with you krapmpus...that's where my weight always goes so if I could have a 6-pack one day, that would be amazing!

Let me rephrase, in jeans with a fitted t-shirt my stomach looks flatish. Naked is a whole other ball of wax. I've got massive hangy extra skin that's never going away. My goal was to look good in my clothes because that's as good as it's ever going to get. I've had 4 children....

I've never been constipated. *shrugs* I read about it here all the time, but it has yet to happen to me. *knock on wood* I hope y'all find a solution soon!

To all the Constipated girls on the forum--

I'm a nurse, and I can tell you truthfully that many, many adults (and kids) walk around positively FULL of poo. You should see what the chest and belly xrays look like... it's gross!!

I guess we all need to work on eating our fiber, hydrating, and moving around! Hehehehe.

They do sell Dulcolax over the counter now.... just a thought.

I'm recovering from a night shift last night, and my "I'm full" button is just not working. (not that it works on regular days, either, but tired is so much worse). Siiiiiiiigh.

I plan to handle this by pre-planning what I'll eat tonight, and incorporating "munchie" snacks like light popcorn that will give me the sensation of eating a large volume without going calorie-crazy.

Also hoping to make it to Spinning tonight!

I totally agree with you fatpants! lol I feel weird calling you that..

Its incredible what eating clean does though! For the longest time I have had problems with going regularly. I was lucky if I went 3 times a week! Ever since I started eating clean I go almost 2 times a day! And its so interesting to see how I get "backed up" the second I stop eating clean. Its remarkable! The body is so amazing!!

Fatpants - I am going to be starting a sonography program hopefully next fall. Do you know anything about that field?

Dianne042425-- You can refer to me as "FPSJ" if you want... that's my full initials. hahaha. It's ok, I like the humor factor :)

I don't know much about Sonography, other than that I send people there a lot.... but, I think it's great that you've got a goal to work toward! Get out there, do your research, interview folks already in the field about their experience, and use the web.

Hopefully all the positive vibes you get from planning your success in the program will cross over to your weight loss plan :)

Thanks FPSJ! lol

I have done my research on Sonography for about a year now. I just graduated in May with my bachelors in Health service administration but then decided I really want to be on the hands on side of health care. I REALLY want to get into sonography - thats why I always ask about it if I see/hear someone in the health field. Its just a very competitive program to get into and they only offer it once a year. I am so nervous!!!

Trying to balance work, volunteer hours for the program, school, and weight loss is a challenge for sure but God said hard work is rewarded, so hard work is what I will do :D

Awesome! It's true... you have to find a balance. I firmly believe in working hard AND playing hard. The busier you are, the less tempted you are to mindlessly munch. That's what I tell myself when I'm suffering through overtime, anyway. Hahaha.

Keep us posted on your progress!

i just wanted to join you guys in this chat! not sure what it's all about but i wanna talk too :)

i've had a good food day so far, just finished supper and jello for desert and heading to the gym in about an hour , hope everyone else is doing well!

57.8 this morning after banana split time last night. I like to think that I am owning this. 127 is the lightest I've been since I was 10 or something.

I'm not sure if the soft stuff around my middle is true fat or a combination of leftover skin and flab from being heavier for a long time. What do your tummies feel like when you poke 'em? Mine is like a Jello Jiggler.

Krampus, when I bend over or do a "plank" (like in a push-up position), the loose skin on my belly just hangs down off my abs like a deflated balloon. It is pretty much a nightmare - the antithesis of the taut belly we all aspire to have when we get to goal. When I am standing straight, my belly looks much better but if I pinch the skin there, it is very soft, flabby and jiggly even though I now have "abs of steel" underneath. Since I'm at ~22% body fat now, I'm quite certain that most of this is stretched skin rather than true fat. It bites, but there you have it. I'm guessing that yours is also similar. I've been told by veteran maintainers that this loose skin does firm up somewhat, after you've been at goal for a few months, but that it takes time (way longer than the actual weight loss), and may never firm up as much as we'd like (like, if we had never been overweight to begin with).

On a more personal note, I did a torturous session of HIIT today (lord do I hate cardio). Give me strength work any day. But I know that switching things up is going to get me to my goal faster, so I'm committed to it at least 3 days a week for a while.

Sing it. I am such a strength training junkie, but cardio I had to force myself to love. Hang in there! HIIT can give me a little rush sometimes but other times makes me feel really crummy. But you're exactly right that switching it up is what might get you faster results. Good luck! :)

On a personal note, I've now officially hit 15 lbs. lost. I just figured out that one more pound will mean I'm exactly halfway to my goal!!!! :D :D :D AAAAA! I'm so excited!

Oooh, bother.

I just went out for burgers with a friend, and I'm feeling bad about it. I didn't get overly stuffed, but there's no denying the 1,000 + calories I just consumed.

How do you all balance your real/social life and your calorie counting/exercise/planned diet life?

I'm struggling with this part.

I'm fine when I'm working or home/alone, but get me in a bar or restaurant, and I just can't find a way to align these two trains of thought.

I did fine with portions today (didn't eat past the full point), but how do I enjoy dinners and drinks out without feeling guilt about the calories?

Is the answer more exercise?

Siiiiigh.

Nahhh!! Cardio is much more fun than strength training. All those endorphins! Strength training just hurts!

Oh, but it shouldn't HURT! At least not after a while! Be careful about your form if it hurts. Also, not just weight lifting is strength training. Yoga and pilates are also strength training, it's just that they use your own body weight to build muscle. :)

Cardio does release endorphins, yes, and that's why I've gotten to tolerating it. I guess my main problem is just dancey aerobics because I lack coordination, or finding ways to keep running from getting boring because it can be monotonous.

I think part of this depends on how often you do it -- and how much you consume. If you go 500 calories over once a week, that's not going to stop your weight loss. It might slow it down, but it's not going to stop it. If you go 1000 calories over, several times a week, then you are going to be in trouble, and you have to figure out how to go out and not over-consume or consider cutting back on social outing for a while. I don't like the idea of halting your social life for weight loss, but if your social life is completely incompatible with weight loss, cutting back (going out 2x/week instead of 4, drinking 2 drinks instead of 5) might not be a bad idea.

I don't think more exercise is the answer unless you're not exercising a lot to begin with. You don't want to get into a situation where you're trying to counter-act every slip-up with more exercise. Yes, I'll throw in an extra mile or two if I'm going to a party or out to dinner, but I can't out-exercise bad eating habits. I can eat more in 5 minutes than I can burn in an hour.

I have to admit, strength training is growing on me. I think I'm liking it because I started with a short workout (2 sets of 5 exercises) and now I'm itching to add more sets (which I get to do next week) so I can see some more results! But I loooooove cardio. I want to run every day and I am forcing myself to take days off because my feet hurt. :(

In other news, I'm gaining weight. Bleh. I was up to 125.8 yesterday, down to 123.4 today (what!?!?!??!). I can see a general trend line when I graph my weight -- it is marching upward, slowly and steadily. I was at 122 just a couple weeks ago, but then I bounced and haven't gotten back down. I've kind of decided that I'm not going to maintain where I was this past summer, between 120-121, but I don't want to go up to 126-127 because then I'm looking at some real regain. So I'm back on SERIOUS plan until I see 121 again, and then I need to re-assess my maintenance methods. I've been getting sloppy (not measuring, too many tastes and bites) and I need to recommit to eating super-clean at least 80% of the time. Plus, I don't want to go into the holidays at the higher end of my range.

FPSJ, I hear you on the difficulty of social situations involving food and drink. I budget my calories on days I know I'll be going out with people - super light breakfast and lunch and get exercise out of the way in the morning - but of course you can't always know when it's going to happen. Really nothing of value to help, but misery loves company!

I sort of count the weekends as "free" - my metabolism is decent enough where even if I eat 1000 calories over it'll be gone once I'm back on plan for a day or two. I also try not to splurge unless I really, really love the food I'm splurging on.

On nights I know I am going to be drinking a lot (1000 calories), I really lower my carbs. I find if I stay at maintenance (around 2000), and keep my carbs low (around 90g), I not only not gain, but can lose still. Your body burns alcohol before anything else. Then sugar (carbs), protein, and then finally fat. So if I am replacing my carbs with alcohol it evens out! Well thats the trend I have noticed anyways. My problem is resisting late night munchies! If I conquor that, I feel great the next morning - no matter how hungover I am!!

thesame7lbs, krampus, Diane042425-- Thank you for the words of wisdom.
I had a feeling that the exercise thing wasn't going to fix it. It's true, you can really eat more than you can burn in a remarkably short period of time


I usually find myself out for dinners/drinks about once a week (working every other weekend is somewhat a blessing in this sense).... so, I guess it's not horribly out of control.

I was able to avoid alcohol, and I chose a fairly simple burger, but it did involve fries. Maybe next time I can focus on only eating a few fries, instead of most of them.

krampus, it was in fact a sneak-attack dinner! I was leaving the gym and got a text from a friend. I decided it was good for my mental health to spend time with this person, instead of go home and stay in my calorie bubble.. hmph.

Dianne042425- I also have a horrible late-night munchie problem too. Aaaghh!
Glad to know you're still losing somehow.


One step at a time, I suppose! Thanks for the help :)

I couldn't disagree more. LOL! I LOVE LOVE LOVE strength training. I've loved it for 20 years. I enjoy cardio as well, but nothing gives me the high of lifting heavy weights. And I TRY to make it hurt. I am elated when I am a little sore the day after working out. After 20 years of lifting, it is hard for me to feel the burn. I really have to push myself to the limit and do all kinds of new and different things to feel it.

In my opinion, nothing transforms your body like weight training. Cardio burns fat and is great for heart health. And it can even build some muscle. But weight training can give you a bottom if you don't have one, an hourglass figure if you are a pear, and a more compact body all around. Weight training can give you what genetics did not.

As for out-exercising a bad diet, forget it. Seriously, no one knows this better than I. You cannot reach your goals by adding to your exercise to compensate for overeating. There was a time I exercised all day sometimes and even into the night. And guess what? I still weighed 129 because I still ate too much. I love exercise, so it sucks that I have had to face this, but it's true: exercise will not make you thin. It can make you healthy. It can make you strong. But it will not make you thin. Thin begins in the kitchen.

(BTW: It is generally held that, after diet, weight training is the most beneficial to weight loss, not cardio.)

Hmm.... I am intrigued.

Especially by this idea of turning my pear into an hourglass.

Perhaps I'll try focusing more of my gym time on lifting and see if this helps to challenge my body.

Would I focus on things like chest presses, etc in order to balance out my lower half, or should I also try and fatigue my lower half with the goal of toning?

If I continue staying on track diet wise for most days of the week, and combine this with more intense weight training, I think I might see some changes.

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

So I'm just a bit pumped. . . .
I've been getting physical signals that I'm physically fit. Whenever I don't workout until the evening, my body starts sometime around mid-afternoon feeling very blah and tired and I can't focus. But as soon as I go work out, I feel energized and focused and happy with life.
Cognitive restructuring, anyone?!?!?! So pleased that my brain is catching up to my body!