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

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!

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?

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.

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

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!

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