[blue_sky]

Hi all,

I am so glad to have found this board. I have been looking for a community of people trying to lose weight in a healthy manner for a long time. I have been trying to lose 20 lbs. forever, (well it seems that way anyway) and whenever I am doing well with it, i have one bad weekend where i sabotage myself and sit around and eat fattening foods and drink beer, and while i don’t gain i am not losing anything either! And it makes me feel like i am throwing away all my hard work from the week prior!

I don’t plan on doing a commercial ‘diet’—am just going to stick with what i know. My diet is mostly fruit and vegetables, whole grains, sometimes some pasta, occasionally lean proteins—it’s the occasional weekends of pizza and beer that tend to do me in. I also recently started running 3 miles in the morning, and sometimes i try to ride my bike or lift weights at night.

I used to run about 5 miles a day and eat VERY FEW calories a day, we are talking 600 max. I lost the weight fast, but I think my metabolism suffered the consequences, so it is that much harder to lose. Plus i put all that weight back on when i started eating normally (well, more than normally) again.

So enough about me— anyone want to share their stories or buddy up? I could really use a buddy who is looking to lose about the same amount.

THANKS!!!

Height: 5’4”
Current weight:140
Goal Weight: 120

[lilwolfe006]

Hey, we are at about the same place weight and goal wise- though I have already had to lose a ton to get here! At this point, I need to lose 15lbs to get to where I'd like.

I agree on low calories. I am actually eating more, to lose more at this point, due to the amount of activity I have put into my life!

And hey, the biggest way to avoid weekend binge-explosions, is to remember this chant: "One meal does not ruin a whole lifestyle. Neither does one day, one weekend."

I am doing WW, and I often splurge once a week and have been alright with it, and not letting it throw me off the wagon.

If ya wanna buddy up, let me know!

[blue_sky]

I would love to buddy up! I like your quote, I am working on being less of an all-or-nothing person in all areas of my life.... moderation is key! I am exercising a lot now though, I don't want to spend another summer hating the way i look, plus i am getting married in october and want to feel my best!

ps-- i assume from your other quote you're a softball player-- i used to LOVE playing and am looking for a league to join! what position do you play?

[lilwolfe006]

Yeah, I've always loved baseball, but was too chicken to play through youth sports. About two years ago, my friends joined a co-ed league in the park district. We are the Beernutz. (Not as in the nut, as in we are nuts for beer!) It's 14" mushball with gloves. I play right field most of the time, and sometimes second base. We have a lot of fun.

One thing I would suggest trying, is to make sure you give yourself enough calories for the amount of exercise you do. Do you use a food tracker program?

www.fitday.com
www.myfooddiary.com

I use the second one and am finding it very helpful and interesting, though it is a pay site. ($9 a month isn't bad though)

What kind of exercise do you like to do? I need to change up my routine, I think my body got used to the stuff I do now.

[blue_sky]

I love fitday!! it's such a great site and i like the fact that you can put your exercise journal in there too.

As far as exercise, i have been doing a 3-mile run outside in the morning. I am lucky enough to live near the beach, so i run the half mile to the boardwalk, and then i am right there! Plus the wood of the boardwalk is easy on the knees and feet. I also do weights for my arms, shoulders, and back, only 5-8 lb. weights because i build muscle really easily. When I need to switch it up, i do some yoga videos i have or go for a bike ride (i ride almost everyday in the summer).

I'm trying to really listen to my body in terms of what i eat now-- it seems to be working well. I've learned that my body doesn't really want ice cream and pies.... just my taste buds

[cyndy]

Hi Blue Sky!

Our stats are very much the same! I am about the same weight as you, although an inch shorter! I would also like to lose 20 lbs for a goal of 120. We should buddy up!

[lilwolfe006]

Well I finally found a really yummy bagel! I had been trying to find one that is only 3pts on WW and they all turned out really gross and pasty yucky. So I went with a normal, onion bagel from Jewel. It was only 4pts and I am enjoying it SO much.

I bought frozen strawberries and some bananas to try my Smoothie recipe with them. It will be more than my usual 2pt smoothie, but probably more filling and more nutrition.

I figure today is softball anyway, so I should get a lot of exercise and the extra points on the bagel and smoothie won't hurt me.

It's also, finally, pretty nice out here. I have my skates in the car and think that I will go for a quick jaunt at lunch. A quick 30 minute rollerblade excursion can be quite the little workout.

All this and I can even have a beer or two after the game. Woo beer!

-Renee