Almost There!
 

Losing these last few pounds is starting to feel like looking for the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. I know I'm not alone so this thread is for anyone facing a long, drawn out plateau or staring down the last 20 (or so) pounds.

Maybe if we share our trials and tribulations with one another we'll find a way to get the scale moving again and finally reach our goals.

Anybody with me?

I'm with you!
I did a bunch of thinking and figuring and self butt kicking and shopping this morning and I think I'm on to something now. With lots of thanks going to you and Frus :)
I'm not being careful. I lose regard for the quality of my food as the day grows longer. I half heartedly get some minutes of exercise in each day.
So for me it's focus and mindfulness.

Susan, I did the same thing. I sat down this morning and did the same kind of exploration I did when I first started losing weight. I developed a plan and talked myself into a new and improved attitude.

I've decided my problem has been that I've become too content with my current weight. I want to lose another 15-20 pounds but I'm not unhappy with where I am. That makes it a little harder to do what I know has to be done to reach my goal. When I didn't like what was staring back at me in the mirror I had a fire in my belly that kept me on track. Once I began noticing a difference in my shape it was all so exciting and that kept me going. But, now is different. I know I've got to leave my current comfort zone and accept that there will be fewer immediate motivators from here on out.

Anyway, I'm going to continue cycling my calories but try and average 1500 per day rather than the 1800-2000 I'm currently consuming. I'm also going to increase the amount of cardio that I do. When I took a break to maintain I really threw my efforts into weights. I don't plan to back off of my resistance training, just add extra cardio to it.

I don't set hard and fast dates for reaching my goals but I do find that setting my sights on a certain number of pounds to lose each week helps me stay focused. I'm going to shoot for 1.5 pounds to start and I'll adjust that up or down once I see how this week goes. At this stage of the game even 1.5 pounds per week might be a tad ambitious.

Finally, I've got to get back into a routine. I've been snacking much more than usual and I know it is because I've continued a relaxed schedule since the holidays. I used to make an effort not to have any down time during the day which meant I rarely had free time do any unplanned munching. I am a stay at home mom so I have more flexibility with my schedule than is really good for me. I must get back to keeping myself busy with something besides standing in the kitchen an rummaging through the fridge!

we're back girls!
Have a look at my fitday for yesterday! I'm so pumped! My percentages were dead on! And I can see a shadow behind 130 lbs this morning!

Good for you Susan! I'm gradually getting my calorie intake back down to 1500 and I'm almost there. I never like to make any drastic changes in terms of my eating plan because I tend to feel yucky when I do. I did an "official" weigh in this morning and was at 141. Annoying given that a few weeks ago I was 134 but, hey, I'm back on track now with the same excitement I felt when I first got started last year. If having regained a few pounds scared me enough to buckle down and lose these last 15-20 pounds than they were well worth it.

I was thinking last night how strange it was to feel so fat at this size. And it isn't a body image thing. After all, I realize how much healthier and stronger I am than I used to be. Maybe feeling fat isn't the right term. I suppose it is more that a year ago I could have never forseen that being 141 pounds wouldn't be good enough. Funny how our perspectives change as we inch closer to our goal weights. Anyway, thinking about it like that has really given me the kick in the pants that I have been needing lately. I'm trying to remind myself that if it feels THIS good to be 20 pounds out then being at goal is going to feel GREAT. I'll need to be patient because my 2 pound a week days are behind me (although I'm sure I'll dump a decent amount of water weight this first week). That's okay though. I can live with slow and steady.

I am on my way to the gym and when I get back I'm going to figure out an exercise schedule for the coming week. I'd like to get back to going first thing in the morning (5ish) since it is the only way to make certain I get it in before our days get hectic. But I've just started a new weight routine so it takes a little longer to do because I've got to think about the new movements. Going in the morning is great for cardio but I don't like to rush through weights like I have to in order to be back soon enough to get everyone off to school. I may just do my weights in the morning and save cardio for later in the day since I can always walk or jog after the kids are settled into bed.

Here is to a succesful week. Good luck girls!

Oh boy, this rings all-too true with me. For me, it's the last ten pounds. After having yo-yo'd back and forth for several years now, I know exactly what happens: I lost 2 or 3 pounds, feel terrific and am really motivated. Then I lose 5 or 6 pounds, feel terrific and get really complacent. It's always really innocent at first -- an evening of pizza and beer with the girls. Then it's a couple of cookies as an afternoon snack. Then I'm tired after work, so I skip my workout. Before I know it, I'm right back where I started from. It's really frustrating, but I know that I only have myself to blame.

I am going on vacation in 5 weeks and want to eat well and exercise right for those 5 weeks. Having a carrot always helps me. I would love to be a part of this ongoing conversation -- I need the motivation!

Veerie, welcome! You've found the right place. Personal responsibilty seems to be the evil ring here!
Baby carrots are definitely a blessing!

:wave: I found you!

Well I was kind to myself this weekend. Had a reasonably clean day on Saturday and a big old kickboxing lesson and a 10 minute jog to warm up beforehand. Then I went shopping and didn't find what I wanted but bought other things! Isn't that always the way?? :lol:

Yesterday I had a clean-ish day but I had a quarter of cheesey garlic bread thing which wasn't too bad, considering. Then I got REALLY hungry at about 7pm and I had rye bread toast, half a cantaloupe, an apple and a couple of pieces of chocolate, oh and 2 wholewheat crackers. I think I did ok, but it is TOM so I relaxed a tiny bit.

Oh and :sssh: the scales are being slightly kinder this past couple of days but it might be a fluke! Will have to see at the end of this week!

So I'm proud of my healthy weekend. Oh I did have a slight carb frenzy on Friday night and I really wanted to beat myself up about it, and I did for about half an hour, until I talked myself into looking after myself! I entered the carb fest into fitday and it wasn't too bad, so I adjusted Saturdays calories accordingly.

Today I have NO processed carbs with me. I had oatmeal and an egg for breakfast with about 1/4 cantaloupe! Didn't have time to finish my melon so it's in the fridge for later. Need to go out and buy some squash and Pepsi to keep my fluids up since I have a 5K run today, an hour kickboxing teaching and upper body weights.

Oh and an NSV - I can do side splits! Hurrah! That little NSV got lost in the gloom of Thursday night/Friday morning's scale drama! :lol:

THE SPLITS!?! Oh, I haven't done those since, I don't know, 3rd grade or so. They are one of those things I wish I could do but not so much that I work at the stretches that would make it happen. Good for you though! Oh, and I am sure any weight loss you've had is no fluke. I swear I think mind over matter plays a part in how our bodies respond to diet and exercise. Maybe your venting over in the support forum helped relax your brain signals. LOL.

I'm feeling especially motivated. As silly as it sounds I think I needed to gain a few pounds to put things in perspective. Or maybe it is just that those few pounds have brought back the week to week excitment of working towards a pound or two loss? I'm pretty sure I'd just lulled myself into a funk before and just got too darn complacent. I'm really ready to tackle this weight now. I've said that a couple of times in the past few months but this time I really mean it. Before now I think I was just trying to talk myself into do it - no I actually FEEL it. I think finding a handful of other people in the same boat has given me a boost as well. So, thanks to you guys in advance!

I've eased my way back down to 1500 calories a day. I don't intend to go any lower but I am prepared to move down to 1300 if I have to. I'm going back through my fitday account and reviewing some of my old menus. I've been in a food rut lately which, in part, explains the extra snacking I've been doing. When I started losing weight last year I put a lot more effort into my diet plan so I know there are some meal plans from early on that offer a lot more variety than the one I've been stuck on.

Hooray for your mindset lucky! :D

I just ran 5K in 34 and a half minutes. Hurrah! I couldn't run for toffee 6 weeks ago! DF thinks that my "training aid" is a Mars bar on a stick hanging in front of my nose! :rofl:

I'm going to whisper like Jenfrus because it was early and I think I had my glasses on but I think I saw 127 lbs. I'm not putting my tracker down that far until I see what tomorrow and Wednesday bring, but I am putting it down.

Kimberly the Calorie Counter tells me it's Emeril who says "Kick it up a notch. Bam!"

I'm pretty happy but I am not using that dancing carrot. We should ask for a dancing something else.

Hope you all don't mind if I join too. I haven't hit a plateau (knock on wood) but I'm only 14 lbs away from goal.

Originally Posted by lucky:
I was thinking last night how strange it was to feel so fat at this size

I was thinking the same thing. One year ago I weighed over 200 and thought I'd be happy if I could just fit into a size 18. Now I'm a size 10 (M) which I've never been in my life and I still feel too big. I'm thinking maybe a size 8 or even possibly a 6 for my goal size.

Good for you Susan on having such a great food day! What percentages do you aim for?

2frus Yay on the 5K! Glad you're feeling motivated!

Veerie Your vacation should be the perfect motivation.

Welcome getncontrol. Of course you can join us!

Susan :faint: 127 :eek: if I could resize the :cp: so it was a tiny one, then you'd have it! So I guess you're gonna get a full size one ;) :cp:

:wave: Everyone!

Feeling like I pushed it to the limit exercise wise yesterday :D Woke up shaking :chin: but didn't last long! It's an easy day today, just one hour of kickboxing training. I love the way this is my easy day now! It used to be all I did all week, now it's my easy day! :rofl:

Had a good eating day yesterday, fruits and veggies and protein all spot on. I still have a wierd midnight chocolate eating thing going on. I think there's only 3 or 4 choccies left in the box now so it won't be going on for much longer! :rofl: I wake up in the middle of the night to go to the loo and end up in the kitchen straight after... :rofl: I think my midnight brain thinks it doesn't count if it's dark!

Got salad for lunch today, not much else to report... Oh yeah I changed my weight routine last night. Not vastly different from before but it adds in stability ball push ups! They're fun... The main challenge is trying to stay on the ball for 8 push ups! :rofl: I think I'll do my sets of stability ball ones and then two sets of man push ups, since I did 10 knee push ups properly with no discernable effort last night at kickboxing (I forgot my T-shirt and that was my punishment :rofl: )

Jenfrus ... you need a woodstove. Pies left over at Christmas? into the stove they went!

Noooooooooooooooooo must not burn chocolate! That's sacrilege!

At least I keep them at home rather than at work! I'm hardly at home so that's damage limitation in itself! ;) They will be gone soon. It's odd because some weeks I can go for ages without touching them (actually I just remembered I had other boxes of chocolate when I wasn't eating them). Ok well maybe a week... But once these are gone. They are GONE, no more "1 a day" chocolates. :yes:

Welcome to everyone who has joined us!

127! I am so excited for you Susan. I've been so focused on just getting back to 134 that I haven't thought any further down the road. I actually got a little flutter in my stomach when I read your post. Reading about your success made me realize what my own possiblilities are. I mean if I'm excited because YOU only weigh 127 imagine how I'll feel when I finally get there. Very motivating!

2frustrated, ever wonder why they call those stupid things "stability" balls. What the heck is so stable about them? Of course, I nearly jump out of my skin if I lean back in a rocking chair too fast because I feel like I'm falling over backwards. Yeah, when I was working I was always a big hit in conferences because those stupid rocking office chairs always made me grap the table and gasp. So, exercises that involves too much balance isn't exactly for me. But, once I got the hang of them I really fell in love with the stabiltiy balls. They give a great work out that is for sure.

I hear you on the "easy" day concept. I've been getting back into the swing of cardio and yesterday was only able to run about 2 miles on the treadmill and I found myself being annoyed. Then I remembered that I was RUNNING ON A TREADMILL. A year ago I couldn't walk 2 miles on a treadmill even at a slow pace, much less run. So, I might have some catching up to do in order to get back to my peak but I'm still a lot better off than I once was.

I've been thinking about these 7 pounds I've gained and am feeling good that I actually caught myself going of track so soon. To be honest, I've always ignored regains in the past until they were well out of hand. So, it is a big improvement for me that I not only stayed aware enough to notice I was off track but that I actually had a positive enough attitude to do something about it. So, I guess I really have changed my whole lifestyle. Yay me!

I'm trying to get back in the habit of drinking more water. Personally, I've never bought into the idea that we need 8 glasses a day. As long as my urine is clear and I'm not thirsty I know I'm getting plenty. But, if I drink too much diet coke (like I have been) I snack more too. So, back to water it is.

Here's to another successful day for all of us! Keep up the hard work everyone!

:cp: Well done for catching it at 7lbs! This really is a lifestyle change. And when you're at goal... You'll only ever be 7lbs higher than goal weight at your heaviest weight! Then you'll notice and move back down again. :bravo:

Ya know what Lucky? I get a flare of excitement when I look at your weight tracker. It's catching this business we're in.
Share the fun! Share the excitement! Weight loss, yes!
Sounds like an ad for Disney World.

I can't even imagine being 127 (Congrats Susan!!) but then again I couldn't imagine being 154 either. ;)

I love doing push ups on my stability ball! It burns so much more than just regular ones. I actually really enjoy all the exercises on the ball. It's such a fun workout.

Can I ask you girls what sizes you're aiming for? I'm really struggling with where I want to end up. Have a great day!

I remember being so happy to be 154. I think I must have had a blip at 155 or 6. Now I panic if I head back up to 138. My how we change!

getncontrol? do you have a real name you'd like to share with us? How tall are you? That makes more difference than a lot of people think. I'm little, much to my surprise! I thought I was a sturdy Flemish woman like my Grandma! I just had a ring resized to a 5 1/2.
I have had a couple size 2's and 3's. I'd be very happy with that. If you're much taller, you'll probably be in an 8 now. At 155 I was a 12.

Sorry, I forget to 'sign' my name most times. It's Gaylyn. I'm 5'6" and I'm pretty much a 10 now. I'm just not sure where I want to end up. During my journey my goals have been an 18, then 14, then a 10. Now that I'm here this isn't good enough.

Gaylyn, I'm not quite sure where I'll end up size wise either. I'm only 5 foot 2 inches and an 8P is rather loose on me within a pound or two of 135 (up or down). I've always used my sister as a gauge since she is only an inch taller than me and we have a similar build. She's a size 4. Right now, though, I'm planning to just take it one size at a time. But, at my height, I think a 4 is perfectly reasonable. I tend to drop a size every 10 pounds so that should put me at about 120. But, I've really been focusing on my weight workouts so it may be that I reach a size for before I reach my goal weight. Doesn't matter to me which comes first as long as I make it to one of them!

Can I join you guys. I'm having a real hard time getting back into the swing of things. I started at 186 about 2 years ago after having my second son. I lost my weight through very close watching and got down to 107. Then, this past year (around May) my doctor changed by birth control pills and my weight skyrocketed. At the time I didn't realize what was happening. I thought that maybe I wasn't watching myself as closly and the weight was just creeping back up. Then, after gaining about 12 pounds I started watching very close to see if I could drop it back off. No chance. I continued to gain until I was up a total of 26 pounds. At that point I checked with the doctor, and, sure enough. She had had the same problem with those BCP when she was taking them. So, in January I went off of them and have been trying to get back on track. I'm having a really hard time though because things didn't work before and I lost my motivation. Help please. Push me!!!

Beth

Welcome Beth! We push each other around all the time. Actually we're more like a mutual admiration society ... and you'll fit right in. That's 70 lbs! I admire you already. What are you eating? Do you exercise?

Gaylyn ... that's pretty! The beauty of health is that we've got our whole lives to work at it. 145 ... 140 Size 8? size 10? try them all! The sky's the limit!

Not only that, but having a wood stove is great exercise. All of that stacking and hauling of wood has got to amount to something!

Thanks for the welcome Susan. I'm looking forward to making lots of new friends.

I try to eat low calorie on a day to day basis. Then, if we go out, I enjoy. The net effect is less calories than I burn. As far as exercise. I try to exercise 6 days a week. Using variety to keep my body guessing and so that I don't get bored. i.e. bike, run, eliptical ?sp, weight training, pilates.

Beth

Almost where I want to be.
 

Well.....I started my WL journey on the first days of August. I've gone from 210 lbs. to 145 lbs. as of now. I only need 15 more to reach my goal! It's so near that I fear the possibilities that I will have once my confidence reaches 100%. My tribulations have basically been comments about the way I look and the criticism that I get for wanting to be a skinny guy. But that's where I want to be! I do tend to indulge uncontrollably at times, but I catch myself before I fall completely. The best consequence of my weight loss is not worrying whether if I will fit in a student seat at the lecture hall. I fit anywhere and don't have to look for the biggest desk. People are impressed as well in a positive way. Doors have opened for me. I now have three jobs as a math tutor, dates, the whole package. People treat me different. Believe it or not, I do not find what many websites claim to be true: "Do not expect weight loss to make your life better. Things do not change." Things do change, but maybe perhaps because now you are confident if you weren't as a bigger person. I'd like to look as an Abercrombie & Fitch, but on the other hand, losing weight does not perform miracles. All I know is that I'd like this journey to come to an end so that I can maintain and have people get used to myself being thin. I'll miss the experiences of the process, but at the end, I'll be happy to be where I wanted. My fear now is that after I'm there, how hard will it be to maintain. I wonder if I will be able to do so. In a nutshell, having lost 104 pounds in total reassures me that I'm able to do anything, especially when taking math exams. Anybody can do this!


I must add that "Lucky" has provided me with the greatest support to help me avoid surrendering to my attempts to sabotage myself.

Lucky:

You are my hero! I can't wait until I'm where you are. You should be very proud of yourself.

Do you ever have those days when everything just falls into place and seems effortless? I am having one of those days. I treated myself to a massage today and the therapist told me I might want to take it easy for the rest of the day. But I felt so good and had so much energy that it seemed like a crime to waste that feeling. So I had a TERRIFIC workout and made myself a delicious nutritious dinner (broiled salmon and roasted vegetables). It's days like these that make me think "10 pounds? No problem."

Please remind me of this feeling tomorrow when I am grumbling about going to the gym and desperate for chocolate...

You come back here and read your own post! What did we do before the internet?
Maybe you could make that massage part of your plan. A treat, a prize. It sounds lovely and like it really helped you.

Ooh ooh I want to join in here too! I have my goal weight as 140 and I've been having some trouble with these last few as well. This week has been going really well (then again, it's only Tuesday...) with eating and exercise. Generally I fall into the trap of well if I'm exercising really hard I don't have to watch what I eat but all those bites, licks and tastes (BLTs) really add up. We can all do this together.

P.S. Way to go Susan on that 127! You are such an inspiration.

Hello everyone!! :wave:

I had a really good day today. Like Veerie said

Originally Posted by :
ever have those days when everything just falls into place and seems effortless

I had no problems at all today. Just my workout left to do after the kiddies are in bed. Yesterday was such a bad day but I managed to stay on track. Hopefully tomorrow is as easy as today was.

Just wanted to add what an inspiration you've all been to me along the way. Susan, lucky, lizzbabe, 2frus. :grouphug: Thank You!!!

Psych and Libby you two have made me blush! What kind words and, believe me, I needed to here them this week! So, thank you. :hug:


Gent and Veerie I know just what you mean. I had one of those today as well. I feel so in control and that feels great. I love that on days like this I don't question whether or not I'm going reach my goal.

Welcome, lizzbabe! Yep, those BLT's are how these extra 7 pounds snuck up on me. Part of my struggle is that I'm not unhappy right where I am. I know I still have a lot of room for improvement and I fully intend to keep going until I am happy with my weight. But, being content has given me a license to slack off more than I should. After all, I'm not miserable anymore so I don't have quite as much at stake as I did 50 or so pounds ago.

So, like I said, today was a great day. I just got back from the gym where I had an awesome workout. My legs and arms are still shaking from the weights but it feels good. And my running was better tonight too. You know, anytime I relax my eating and exercise and then buckle back down I always wonder why on Earth I ever got off track to begin with. I guess I don't realize how bad I feel until I start doing the things that make me feel so much better.

I'm excited - we're building up and great little group here. I know this is exactly the kind of support that will keep me from getting frustrated in the coming months. Hope everyone has a successful day tomorrow!

Tricia

:wave: Oooooh hello everybody! Lots of people now!

Glad there's good days happening all round. I had a pretty good day yesterday and an awesome kickboxing lesson, I ended up sparring about 4 people in a row which was really fun - and I was beating one of the better guys! Hoooooohah! Oh and I almost did box splits last night :hyper: almost there! Another week or two and I'll be on the floor!!

Thought I'd stand on the scales just for the craic to keep me on track and I'm down 2 lbs from my plateau weight :faint: IN LESS THAN A WEEK!!!!! I have a feeling it could be water, since Mr TOM is visiting, but don't people generally go up :dunno: I will see when I take my next pill what is going on. But otherwise I'm really loving this zig-zag calorie thing! Oh so this means I'm 1lb away from normal! :lol:

As for the size I'm aiming for, I think a UK 10-12, which is US 6-8. I'm 5'8" so I would look practically waif-like any smaller :D

Oh and I have to go at it extra-hard to fit into this >>>>> http://www.confetti.co.uk/fashion/fa...ls.asp?id=3647 ;)

Wow! That dress is stunning! I'm sure you will look absolutely amazing in it. That's quite a motivational tool!

That dress is gorgeous!!

And Lucky, I know what you mean about getting too comfortable. I was at 144 not too long ago but figured I didn't need to work as hard and realized in the end that yes, I still have a ways to go but I know I will get there.

Had a great workout this morning and planning a run after work with a friend as well. Not sure if I mentioned this here but I was supposed to do a 5-k with her this weekend and she bailed on me so that was kind of a bummer. Since it's like an hour away I'll have to see if my boyfriend wants to come and cheer me on. Otherwise I'll just wait till next time since I hadn't registered yet.

Jenfrus that dress is lovely!
Lucky? Tricia? That's better. I keep wanting to call you Lucy!
Veerie ... we need to talk about stacking wood. The men have all gone to work and guess what? ... it's up to Mom!
Liz? No you can't join you're too pretty and young ;) Now if you looked like Jenfrus in her portrait there .... we let her stay.

What a beautiful dress! And what great motivation!

I have a crazy busy day today but I thought I'd check in here quickly. Have a great day!

That really is me... D'you think my hair might clash with my dress? :rofl:
Oh I'm getting closer to tracking it down... No-one has it in stock (who I've rung) but one place can order it in for a half-price deposit. :chin: I will see what else they have in their shop before I order the dress then I can transfer the deposit if for some reason I don't want the *dribble* dress!