For a while now I've been thinking that I should join here, as I've heard nothing but great things from people. Tonight I finally decided it was time. I recently celebrated a milestone birthday (40) and don't want to spend the next decade getting wider as I get older. My goal is to wear a size 10 again, which should not be unreasonable for someone who is only 5'3" on a tall day. I'm anxious to make new friends, be a cheerleader to you all, and hopefully reach my goal as well. Good luck to us all!
Hi and welcome! tell us a little more about you (what you eat and do for activity) and we'll help you find some threads where you'll feel right at home!
OK, so here's more info about me... As I said I'm about 5'3" and I don't know what I weigh. I have a scale, but I'm afraid to get on it. For a long time now I've been sort of boycotting the scale for several reasons. First, it is not usually my friend. Second, I have a daughter entering her teen years and I don't want her hung up on what a scale says. Third, I've been posing the argument that it should not matter what the scale says, but rather how my clothes fit and how I feel. Having said all that, however, I am liking the idea of the ticker and I think I will get on periodically just to see any progress. It may help to make me more accountable. Any input from anyone on that?
I have had a very slow metabolism all of my life and in one week on vacation can actually feel my clothing getting tighter almost by the minute. It's so frustrating!!!
I go through periods of exercise and eating better, but since they don't seem to make a big different in my size (although I admit it makes me feel better), I fall back into old habits easily. I like to walk and have even done a couple of long distance events. I also like to drink alcohol (mostly wine), and think that is probably one of my biggest downfalls. I've been known to put on 20 pounds while training for a marathon, and I think it's mostly due to the fact that I would have a glass of wine or two each evening and sometimes more if there was a party or some other event going on.
So that pretty much sums it up about me for now. I'm anxious to get moving, feel better and start seeing results. I'm thinking of starting a journal to monitor my progress. I've never been good at keeping those kinds of things current, though. Feedback from those who do them and how they help would be greatly appreciated.
I just bought my first scale two months ago. The plan was to weigh in once a week, but I got a bit crazy about it and started weighing myself every morning. The constant fluctuations got frustrating - I could gain three pounds in a day! - and so I finally got back to just weighing once a week. Starting 1 August, I'm going to put the scale away for the entire month and weigh again on 1 September. I thought the weekly/daily weigh ins would keep me accountable, but what I found was that they made me more frustrated about limiting my calories because I felt like it wasn't doing any good since the numbers on the scale weren't moving "quickly enough".
So, on the first of the month I will weigh myself and then for the rest of the month I am going to concentrate on keeping between 1200-1700 calories a day and trying to get at least four cups of vegetables a day. I want to maintain drinking at least 80 ounces of water daily also. My exercise goals are to keep running twice a week (I've gotten up to six miles each time!) and to incorporate some kind of strength training once a week, in addition to my weekly yoga class.
I don't know if that helps you at all, but that's what I've figured out might be my next step. I find it easiest to add things in a little bit at a time. On 1 June I started the South Beach Diet and that was my focus for June. In July I started exercising again and now I feel like I've got a good routine going there. It's time to step up the exercise and watch the calorie count now. I'm hoping I'll see a big change on the first of September, because that would be motivating!!!
OMG, My blog today was totally about the scale topic and how I want to throw it through the window, bc of the daily fluctuations. I too thought it would keep me accountable, but I think it just drives me nuts!
I don't know if I can go without an entire month, maybe I will start with a week, and who knows, maybe I will be pleasantly surprised.....
Hi 10again....great name...lol. You said you do marathons?what type? It has always been a dream of mine but since I`ve been overweight most of my life and then suffered a broken back in my early 30s I have not had the chance until now. I walk 10 miles a day and hike longer on the weekends. My Grandmom used to joke that i was going to wear my sons feet out when he was younger because I took him on so many walks.Now I take my Dog. Anyway welcome and look forward to reading more posts from you.....Kym
I had decided to weigh in once a month at the Dr.'s office only, as I don't have a scale. But my anemai is much better, and next appt. is not till Dec.! Waiting for Aug. 1 (payday) till I buy a scale, I took my dogs to the vet yesterday to weigh my weight challenged girl (as vet suggested, to pop in every month or so). I planned to step on myself to update my progress.
Wouldn't you know the digital wall thingie fell out and the scale BROKE before I could weigh myself!!! Arggghh.
I shopped for scales yesterday and was going to post and ask if cheapies (Sunbeam brand, $10.99) were just as good as the $50 ones?
I tried to sneak weighing myself as I shopped, but it seems the scales are not "set" before purchase. Now I'm going crazy to weigh myself, and I have to wait till Aug. 1 (payday!).
Re: Accountability Have you been to www.fitday.com? Their daily calorie counter "Foods" is easy to use and keeps a running tally. It's helped me ALOT, as I make entries throughout the day.
And I was stunned to see (that site and pkg. info) that TEN tortilla chips = 140 calories!!
First of all, thanks to everyone for your replies and support. I think I am deciding to do the scale thing at least every month, if not twice a month.
As to the marathon I've done, I completed a marathon (I walked) with the "American Stroke Association" and they had a full training program like "Team In Training" for leukemia. It was so cool!!! I always wanted to do it, but I never actually thought I'd be able to do it. We had a training regimen geared to both runners and walkers, and we met each week for our long training days. I'm telling you, anyone can do one!!! All you have to do is be committed and be diligent. The rest will fall into place. It is something that I have accomplished that nobody can take away from me. I also completed a half marathon (again walking) the following year. It was in the same city, but the course was a bit different. I've got a bunch of friends lined up to do the Las Vegas 1/2 Marathon in December, which should be fun. Perhaps I'll start a training group online here. Would anyone be interested?!
I am going to check out fitday.com and I also plan to start a blog/diary once I actually get on the scale.
Thanks again for all your input, it's greatly appreciated! I wish you all a bunch of luck, as well!
New girl in town
I'm anxious to make new friends, be a cheerleader to you all, and hopefully reach my goal as well. Good luck to us all! 
