Now as I'm on day 4 of phase 2 I'm realizing not much has changed for me and I am still losing. I saw my goal weight this morning on the scale. It was a nice thing to see, but the reality is I think I ultimately would like to go a little lower. I'm sure I'll see some more movement over the next couple weeks before I get to phase 3, but I've decided to celebrate the moment and reevaluate.
OMG, congrats on reaching your goal!!! Even if you decide to keep going (which you will, since you just started Phase 2, and you'll keep losing weight) it's hugely awesome to see your goal weight on the scale. Congrats!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky Chick
We talk a lot on this forum about this being a marathon, not a race. I've been inspired by so many of you who have stuck with this for so long. I think I need to get back to 'real life' and figure out how all this works when things are normal. So maybe I'll revisit phase 1 later in the fall, but maybe I won't have to! I don't consider it bailing on the program, but rather a walking interval in my marathon. I have been running for over 3 months, now let's walk for a bit.
My thinking was that I was going to do this once, fix the problem, get it done, and never go back to where I was. It's taken so much longer than I ever expected. If I was still losing at the same rate as before, this would be a no-brainer - 5 pounds is another 2-3 weeks, and I can totally stick it out that much longer. But at this point, I have no idea how long 5 pounds will take, if it will EVER come off. I feel like I may be spinning my wheels, reaching for an impossible goal, when I should be happy with where I am now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky Chick
I had the same plan of losing weight and then getting seriously back into exercise. I started a little last week and am trying to ramp things up now. I figure as I phase 'down' in one area I'll use that energy to phase 'up' in the other. I think the exercise will very likely put me where I want to be.
Glad to know I'm not the only one with this plan. :-)
I tried adding in exercise when I hit my last plateau. I never did know for sure if it helped at all, because the damn scale STILL wouldn't move. I might have been converting fat to muscle - but, I just don't know.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky Chick
Sorry for the long winded response, but I've been doing a lot of soul searching the past month or so. I think I'm finally realizing I need to figure out who I want to be.
Yeah, right there with you. It's an emotional process, and it touches so much in your life, it's impossible not to stop and re-evaluate things. Obviously I've got a lot of angst going on myself. It's nice to have company along the way.
Yes, that is what my doctor said, but for most people over 40 there really were not weight issues among the youth. I can only remember one or two people in my whole high school.
I guess maybe to your lowest weight you felt good at.
My daughter for example was at her lowest at 175 since like 5th grade. She has never been a healthy weight. Not since birth. She hooked up with a heavy guy her senior year and took her 175 to 275....ouch! She is still struggling terribly. She did IP alternative from January 1 to last month and lost 60 pounds (she started in the 290's), but she stopped about 3 weeks ago. She started WW a few days ago. I am so fearful she will gain the 60 plus more back. Her husband lost 92 pounds in the same time and is about 10 pounds below his healthy weight....he is going to start weight lifting now.
I think you've written this before, but I see a LOT of overweight kids these days. I agree that there "weren't too many" in the old days. Knowing what I know now, I feel terrible for these kids.
My decision to phase off was mostly based on a 'third-party' situation where I decided I'd take my wonderful new body to a spa to celebrate my 'rebirth'. So I'm going on a spa trip starting on 6/9 and figured I need to be on maintenance by then. The nice thing about that decision is the spa I'm going to is all-inclusive and makes wonderful, healthy, fresh food. What a way to start maintenance and see success!
As for my weight goal, I probably should have put my goal at 135, but 145 seemed doable and comfortable. I'm finally in the healthy range for my height and that is what was most important to me when I started this. At first it was less about the 'how do I want to look' than 'I want to live a long time to be with my kids'. Now vanity has kicked in and maybe I'll shift my thinking...
Now as I'm on day 4 of phase 2 I'm realizing not much has changed for me and I am still losing. I saw my goal weight this morning on the scale. It was a nice thing to see, but the reality is I think I ultimately would like to go a little lower. I'm sure I'll see some more movement over the next couple weeks before I get to phase 3, but I've decided to celebrate the moment and reevaluate.
We talk a lot on this forum about this being a marathon, not a race. I've been inspired by so many of you who have stuck with this for so long. I think I need to get back to 'real life' and figure out how all this works when things are normal. So maybe I'll revisit phase 1 later in the fall, but maybe I won't have to! I don't consider it bailing on the program, but rather a walking interval in my marathon. I have been running for over 3 months, now let's walk for a bit.
I had the same plan of losing weight and then getting seriously back into exercise. I started a little last week and am trying to ramp things up now. I figure as I phase 'down' in one area I'll use that energy to phase 'up' in the other. I think the exercise will very likely put me where I want to be.
Sorry for the long winded response, but I've been doing a lot of soul searching the past month or so. I think I'm finally realizing I need to figure out who I want to be.
I am totally there with ya!! I think you have the right mindset and maybe your body is at a point where it needs a balanced diet again and you work on exercising to tone up and get rid of whatever fat you still want to!.
I am at the same place you are and I have a heavy frame and lots of muscle so I will never have a "healthy" BMI I know that so I just go off how I feel and what my body is telling me. Right now I have this insane desire to exercise and since starting IP I haven't been able to do anything more strenous than walking or yoga without feeling light headed. I miss being active as I was quite active before starting IP and have not been since in fear of it slowing my weight loss.
I am also finding myself feeling sick when I eat IP food and can barely stomach most of it these days.....which is odd because I was fine before...I know it might sound kooky but I really do think that my body is telling me something and maybe yours is too! I gave myself an end date, during which I will hopefully get within 5 lbs of my goal and loose the rest phasing off...if not I am not too concerned about it. I signed up for bootcamp classes which I plan on attending 3x/week and running another 2 days a week. I feel confident that I can keep the weight off as I no longer crave or even want unhealthy carbs. All I can think about is fruit! Listen to your body (not your cravings! lol common mistake haha)
hey Lisaf373 -
I've always had difficulty choosing the "goal" weight. I wish coaches or someone would help us with this. What is healthy, what is too much?
The goal in my head is that I should fit into the clothing I fit into after IP last year. However, now that I reached the goal weight in my head - 133, I think I have to phase off and then start doing serious exercise again. I'm a size 6 instead of a true 4, but I think I may just re-evaluate my closet and buy some new stuff. I wanted to be a 4 and fit into everything again... But I don't want to be defeated by some silly clothing that I fit into last year (but I went too far past my original goal of 138 by getting down to 131). But today I am just feeling fat and my skinny jeans fit but not totally (can't imagine being comfortable sitting in them all day), so... I just don't know!
But I know I've gotten as far as I can with IP for now, and will have to do the rest with exercise. I did it before with several years worth of Physical Therapy, so I can do it again. I haven't had the energy to do anything but take long speed-walks with my dog. And he's getting old so he's slowing down, poor pup. So I'm phasing off IP and phasing on to exercise. I've started a new habit of walking really far in the morning before work, so that nothing and no one can interfere with my exercise and personal time.
I think you should move to phase 3. You might lose more weight. The first time I did IP, I lost more once I switched to phase 3. Now after switching to phase 3, I am maintaining at goal which is fine. But the first time around, I had losses of less than 1 pound a week for many weeks in a row, switched to phase 3 and it sped up! So go to phase 3. Don't harp on those last 5 pounds. It's not worth it. Look at how far you've come and how much better you feel! You've been on it for a year, that's a long time. Last year there was a guy who was 19 here who had been on it for a year and his coach made him phase off because he said it wasn't going to work to stay on it. The body needs some jump-start and difference in the food inputs to keep losing. I think Jordanna did that too, so anyway...
Consider yourself at goal and move to phase 3 so you can get to phase 4 and maintain your beautiful self! That's my humble opinion.
So how did your testimony go? I'm sure they were all in awe as to how far you've come.
All went well Mary. They have a few of us big losers pictures up with big gold stars on them. Kinda scary seeing my before pic posted up for all to see in his practice but it is good for anyone that walks in there and does not think the program works.
On a good note I weighed in today and I am 200lb to be exact....lol....the scale decided I should stay in the 2's another week I guess. I found it funny.
I think you should move to phase 3. You might lose more weight. The first time I did IP, I lost more once I switched to phase 3. Now after switching to phase 3, I am maintaining at goal which is fine. But the first time around, I had losses of less than 1 pound a week for many weeks in a row, switched to phase 3 and it sped up! So go to phase 3. Don't harp on those last 5 pounds. It's not worth it. Look at how far you've come and how much better you feel!
Thank you so much for writing this. Between this, and a conversation I just had with a coworker (an unsolicited 'you look great, it's time to stop now though') I think I just made the decision to start phase 3 on Sunday. (After I go food shopping Saturday so I have breakfast in the house.)
Several people have been telling me it's time to stop, I guess it's time to listen to them. :-)
Thank you so much for writing this. Between this, and a conversation I just had with a coworker (an unsolicited 'you look great, it's time to stop now though') I think I just made the decision to start phase 3 on Sunday. (After I go food shopping Saturday so I have breakfast in the house.)
Several people have been telling me it's time to stop, I guess it's time to listen to them. :-)
I totally agree you look awesome. You have done so well. Time to learn all about maintenance.
I have had a ton of people tell me I don't need to lose any more....at least 5 people this week guessed my weight between 130 and 145....really...170 folks. I am very satisfied to fit in to a size 8 in every store, but I cannot look at that awful number on the scale, but you 147...that is a very nice number...I would die for the 140's. Right now I would die for 159.
Do phase 3 and never look back...you are very accomplished and after a year you definately have developed a new lifestyle.
I am very satisfied to fit in to a size 8 in every store, but I cannot look at that awful number on the scale, but you 147...that is a very nice number...I would die for the 140's. Right now I would die for 159.
Dude, if I could fit into a size 8, I'd call it quits a happy woman. ;-)
You, also, look fantastic. I don't want to turn this thread from 'march to the finish line' to 'stop because you look great already' but, IMO, you look fantastic.
The sad truth is the old saying you can never be too rich or too thin starts to kick in as we ge closer to goal.
I actually disagree with this completely.
Maybe because I work in NYC, where there are a large number of really skinny women, but, I find women that are too thin to be kind of repulsive. I see women who are clearly anorexic, probably bulemic, with arms I could wrap my thumb and forefinger around, and I am horrified. They're probably just as disgusted and horrified by me, so maybe I shouldn't be judgemental - but I find women who are overthin to be unattractive.
Also, it's just not healthy, which is the more important point. :-)
All went well Mary. They have a few of us big losers pictures up with big gold stars on them. Kinda scary seeing my before pic posted up for all to see in his practice but it is good for anyone that walks in there and does not think the program works.
On a good note I weighed in today and I am 200lb to be exact....lol....the scale decided I should stay in the 2's another week I guess. I found it funny.
My coach doesn't do before pics. She has an anatomically correct blob of "fat" that weighs 5lbs... She shows the after picture with the person holding the bundle of fat, and then the caption says how many bundles of fat the person has lost. I can't wait to be up there with the caption that "she lost 50lbs or 10 bundles of fat."
Maybe because I work in NYC, where there are a large number of really skinny women, but, I find women that are too thin to be kind of repulsive. I see women who are clearly anorexic, probably bulemic, with arms I could wrap my thumb and forefinger around, and I am horrified. They're probably just as disgusted and horrified by me, so maybe I shouldn't be judgemental - but I find women who are overthin to be unattractive.
Also, it's just not healthy, which is the more important point. :-)
I completely agree with you. There are women in NYC with nothing better to do than "be tiny" - and they spend all their time achieving/maintaining that. It's pretty freaky.
Make sure to update your progress this week ladies. I had a slow week. But was 100% (not 99%) on plan. I worked out to some degree every day...think that might have something to do with it.
I'm holding out 'til tomorrow morning to weigh, so I'll post then...
Quote:
Originally Posted by darbs7
We are supposed to shoot for the weight we were when we graduated from high school. I was in great shape when I graduated and wore a juniors size 7 (I think similar to a misses size 4). I was in the mid-140's at that weight. So I would love to get to the 140's. But once upon a time....I was going to be satisfied with 175. So for now....I am going until mid-June and then phasing off. I might be back in the fall.
Quote:
Originally Posted by darbs7
Yes, that is what my doctor said, but for most people over 40 there really were not weight issues among the youth. I can only remember one or two people in my whole high school.
I guess maybe to your lowest weight you felt good at.
My daughter for example was at her lowest at 175 since like 5th grade. She has never been a healthy weight. Not since birth. She hooked up with a heavy guy her senior year and took her 175 to 275....ouch! She is still struggling terribly. She did IP alternative from January 1 to last month and lost 60 pounds (she started in the 290's), but she stopped about 3 weeks ago. She started WW a few days ago. I am so fearful she will gain the 60 plus more back. Her husband lost 92 pounds in the same time and is about 10 pounds below his healthy weight....he is going to start weight lifting now.
When I graduated from high school a looooooooooong time ago, I weighed 130 & was one of the heaviest girls in my class... then my freshman year in college I lost down to 110... I kept that weight for the next 4 years, 'til I got married... I felt good THEN at 110, but I think it would be waaaaaaay too low now... so, the next time I felt good in my adult life was in 1988 at 138 lbs., as I was in my avatar photo... that's why I finally decided on 138, per my guy-friend's suggestion... if I get there & think I can still lose a few more lbs. without looking too shriveled, I might shoot for 130... then I'll be at my H.S. graduation weight... yea!..
hugs
Last edited by Aunt Sheshie; 05-13-2011 at 08:37 PM.
Maybe because I work in NYC, where there are a large number of really skinny women, but, I find women that are too thin to be kind of repulsive. I see women who are clearly anorexic, probably bulemic, with arms I could wrap my thumb and forefinger around, and I am horrified. They're probably just as disgusted and horrified by me, so maybe I shouldn't be judgemental - but I find women who are overthin to be unattractive.
Also, it's just not healthy, which is the more important point. :-)
I totally agree. I want to keep my curves. I love the look of curves I think it is very appealing for a woman. When a woman gets to skinny they start looking like a teenage boy.
I was in no way saying we should try to become sticks.
I was just attempting to point out that as you approach your goal weight it often seems that maybe you could go lower...not that you should.
