Good morning everyone,

I've missed a few days of checking in and it looks like I've missed a lot of celebrations!!!

Congrats everyone on doing so good and getting closer to onederland.

I'm happy to report that I'm down a little bit too. I'm at 215.8 and am feeling so proud of this accomplishment! I am proud of you all too!!! Let's keep the momentum going

Claygirl - I hope you have a great vacation and enjoy your visit with your family.

No access to a scale today but just as well- I ate fast food for lunch yesterday! I did an OK job of countering it with a good breakfast (I knew the day ahead was going to be tough food-wise) and a salad for a dinner. The salad was not the greatest (hello, fried chicken on top), but I didn't eat all the chicken, had the dressing on the side and used very little, and omitted some items when ordering. In the evening, I went to a beautiful park in the area and had a lovely walk as the sun sank.

I'll be eating light the first part of the day today. Nuts for breakfast. I remembered I'd stowed a lentil packet in my backpack so I'll make that for lunch and see if there's anything healthy I can eat with it. Then, after a little bit of Busy and Stress, I'll be thankfully home and will make myself a nice dinner. I'll weigh tomorrow.

I got a couple comments on my weight loss yesterday. Timely because I'd just been thinking how I couldn't really SEE my loss. I'm still wearing the same clothes and really, haven't even noticed that they fit much better. (Probably because I was stubbornly wearing clothes past the point of fitting well.) And I was looking at myself in the mirror, wondering, "Well is there ANY difference?" But a couple people mentioned it yesterday and one even pointed to her middle when she said it looked like I'd lost weight. I realize my middle is much smaller. It's not as visibly round/bloated. Also, on inspection, my collarbone area is looking very well. So, I'll declare it a NSV!

As usual, I've written more than intended. I'm relying heavily on this thread

moonkissed

Thanks!

Claygirl1518

You can do it again!

I was 270, then got down to 192 or so, then LIFE happened and up I went again to 270.



I worked on it here and there, got back down to 210.

Then crept up to 222 and maintained between 222-226 for a while.

Then last winter hit and no walking and dessert happened and then BOOM!

New Years day 2014 I was 233!

I slammed on the brakes and told myself this is it!

I am getting back down under 200, then to 174, then hopefully get down to 135-145 or so.

This being overweight is ridiculous.

I am very motivated.

My big goal for this year is to get to at least 174 lbs by my birthday in Dec.

We can do it!!

scout83

Welcome!! Glad you are joining us.

Claygirl1518

Just hang in there. sometimes when you are doing more workouts/exercise/walking, etc, you may retain some water.

I weigh almost every day and I see where some of the month it seems like I maintain, then towards the end of the month I lose more weight.

Wait a month and see if you need to make any major adjustments.

Sassyinkpen


WTG!

GettinFit

Just hang in there!

Streudel

WTG!

Claygirl1518

Claygirl1518


Dont give up. Keep doing what you are doing. This is most likely what is going on.

You are probably retaining fluids.

AngryShroom

You can do it!

I was born in Dec too.

That is part of my big goal for this year is to hopefully be 174 lbs or less by my birthday in Dec.

berryblondeboys


That is great news! A very nice doc apt you had. I am so happy for you, cause in the end, being healthy is what is most important.

WTG!

scout83

Thats good news!

I always weigh first thing in the am though.

Well after bathroom.

Claygirl1518

Sounds good. I am on pins and needles waiting to see what weight you are now.

lol

moonkissed


You will get there!!

Claygirl1518

I say enjoy the trip. I would try to get alot of walking in while tehre. I would try to enjoy eating some stuff I normally dont get to. But I would probably still want to keep a general eye on calories.

Maybe plan for maintenance calories while your gone?

Splurge in some areas and cut back in other areas?

Have fun!

GettinFit

WTG!!

scout83

Sounds wonderful!

Thats great news! WTG!

Okay well this month has been crazy. I am on track calorie wise, my goal is to average 1700 cals a day, my average right now is 1721 per day. My walking minutes average is at 86 minutes per day right now, which is fine.

I have had high cal days, but then balanced them out with lower cal days.

Too many salty food days though.

I started at 202.4 lbs on July 1st. On July 9th I seen 201.4.

But it has been bouncing around 202 and 203 since then.

I did see 201.6 on the scale this morning so hopefully I am on my way down again.

There are only 14 days left in the month.

I need to eat really clean.

I need to see 5 lbs gone by the 1st of August.

I am so close to 199 I can almost touch it, yet it seems so far away.

Jasmine31 You're so positive and it's much appreciated! I need to catch some of that. Funny, I also usually weigh in the morning after the bathroom. A good friend and I often laugh about it (every little bit helps...). That day, I don't know what was up but I didn't get to it until later. Anyway, best to you the rest of July- really, only a couple weeks and you'll finish your 5lb. goal AND be under 200!

I'm still at 207 today, same as last week, and that's OK. I'd have loved to be under 200 by the end of summer, but at this rate, it probably won't happen. I'm not really willing to change my plan so I'll let the chips (scale) fall where they may. I'm off to wash some cherries and then for a long walk.

Don't give up, you will get there. I myself have been stuck on 204 and just can't get the scale to move. I am revaluating my meal plan and making some new changes. I need to plan ahead and I think that will really help.
Well let us both keep trying and moving forward, we can reach Wonderland!

Jasmine31:

I weighed in at 202.2 a couple days ago but I haven't since then because I know I'm ovulating and my weight always goes up a couple pounds (and I just don't want to see that right now!)

As far as Cuba is concerned, I'm going to track my food a bit, and just try to not binge, and maintain where I'm at and continue to exercise. I'm not going to deny myself a little of the special stuff though!

Scout83: Im looking for pretty places to do c25k as well. I don't seem to have many options around my house, there are a lot of mountains etc around (but about 30 mins) and the lakes don't really have any trails unfortunately. I wish I had pretty ones close by!

I just don't feel comfortable walking on the sidewalks of busy roads. Firstly they are not pretty to look at, there's lots of dangerous idiotic traffic, and I don't like getting honked at by men. I'll keep looking until I find a good spot.

Even though the scale hasn't moved too much lately, my arms And legs feel stronger, and my smaller bra ( 38s instead of 40s) are comfortable now, so that's something!

I laughed when I saw this thread because it's just how I feel. I have some strange thought process that if there's a 2 in front of my weight, I'm in the "200-somethings" and that's just not okay for me. In the "100-somethings" occurs to me as an entirely different thing, even if the scale says 199. I thought I was the only one who felt this way!

I got down to 197 a few months ago and was glowing with pride but gained about seven pounds back and now I'm in the process of remedying that. I'll be working my bum off for the next two weeks to get rid of my last 4.8 pounds to Onederland.

Wish me luck! Nearly five pounds doesn't just go away as we know but I want to test myself and see how far I can get just so I work extra super hard. I'll let you guys know in two weeks if I reached the goal or how much closer I am to reaching it.

scout83

Thanks! Mind over matter.

I have even resorted to weighing in the nude at times! haha

Awww thanks! I will get there! (I hope!!)

Chips, what chips? Let me have some!



Walking is great. How far are you walking now?

BCL216

Thanks. I will never give up. I tell myself it is not an option.

I don't ever want to go back to that black pit called morbidly obese ever again.

My only other option is to maintain. I am too heavy to do that yet though.

Even when my weight is at a stand still.

I ask myself a few questions.

Are my calories on plan?

Are my walking minutes on plan?

Am I eating too salty foods? (Most likely!)

Do I need to adjust / change anything?

I usually don't adjust my plan during the month. Once a month at the beginning I decide what I want to do calorie wise and I stick to it.

As long as I am sticking to plan, I tell myself just keep with it and hang out.

I remind myself that the weight will come off if I stick to the plan. I tell myself if, at the end of the month, I look back and the entire month was an epic failure, then I would need to readjust my calories.

That hasn't happened yet. I have lost at least 5 lbs every month that I am on plan. Some months more.

I have adjusted calories slightly downward though for the next month.

I remind myself of how much weight I have lost and that even if I don't lose any more weight, that I have come along way.

I can't give up and go back there again.

What is your plan? Are you cal counting? If so, how many cals? Exercising?

Yes we can!

Claygirl1518


I got ya.

Sounds like a good plan!

Thats great news!! My bras are annoying me too.

My clothes in general are annoying me.

I have various clothes from different weights. Especially blouses can fit at a wide variety of weights.

Most things are just annoying me though. Some things just fit awkward. Can't ait til I lose all or most of this weight and I can go buy new stuff.

I think if I hit 174 by dec this year or so, I am going to need some new things. Even if its just a few things to get me into next year to hopefully new lower weights.

I got down to 192 lbs in 2008, and was there for a short while. But 174 would be much lower.

I would definately need to get some stuff.

fruitbat

Welcome!

I am ready and waiting with my phone cam to take a pic when I hit 199! haha

Claygirl1518 I wish our living spaces were more pedestrian-friendly. I live in an urban area but am lucky to have my pick of parks and trails. The other day, I was out in the suburbs at my mom's and had to drive to a park to walk which seems counterintuitive. I was still out at her house and wanting a walk in the middle of the day and decided to just set off in her residential area and see how I did- I was pleasantly surprised! Not only was it nice to admire people's homes and gardens but I also found a "secret" series of trails through the neighborhood. You never know what you might find on foot!

Have you done c25k before? I've been considering it as I lose.

Jasmine31 I walk a minimum of 11,000 steps/day. I don't average days so when I go past that number, great but it doesn't affect the next day. I had recently upped my steps to 12,000 but I don't know, my body just wasn't feeling it. Weird because I certainly average well over that but I guess using that for a minimum number put me just over where my body wants to be right now. I love walking, though! It's gotten me active, and I'm realizing it's important "me" time. I see you're using minutes to measure walking- how many do you do? I like to hear how other people use walking to lose weight.

This will be a quiet weekend for me. Lots of walking, reading. Some house cleaning My fridge is pretty much empty so if I'm going to resist the lure of takeout, I'll need to walk to the store in a bit. I'm still thinking about what to buy, though. I think I'll look around for a healthy recipe to get excited about. I have a couple social things next week so I need to eat well now to see 206 soon.

Checking in again (weekends can be tough!). I'm feeling very hungry this weekend. I resisted the temptation to stop for something quick on my walk to the store yesterday. I couldn't get the idea of pizza out of my mind so I decided to make my own. I was especially proud of taking a bunch of cherry tomatoes and stewing them with garlic, olive oil, and seasoning to make a great pizza sauce. Altogether, it was not the healthiest of meals but I could have done much worse!

I'm still feeling hungry, though. I had a smoothie for breakfast, and it's just not doing the trick. I have veggies I want to make sure to use so I'm going to focus on that today. I have potatoes roasting at the moment to use in a salad for lunch. And I'll use my extra tomatoes in something couscous based for dinner. I want to eat my meals at home the next few days because:

1. I just went shopping! I didn't buy much but there's no shortage of food here.

2. I already know I'll be eating out for dinner (+ drinks) twice next week, plus I have family stuff to take care of mid-week which means I'll likely be on the run. It's important to keep my body healthy by making good choices now.

3. I want to see 206!

I'm feeling good about it writing it all out. Ok, I'm going finish my coffee, prep some food, and then go for a walk. Hopefully, I can pick up the Sunday Times while I'm out. It'll be a nice Sunday. Best to you all, hope you have a good start to your weeks.

Today was my weigh in.... 207.6lbs!!! Down 2.6 lbs. I couldn't believe it. I jumped on the scale 3 times to make sure it was right lol

Getting closer to that Onderland goal. As soon as I hit 205 Ill be in heaven it will feel so close.

Goodluck everyone!!

Awesome moonkissed!! Sooo close!

I am really struggling today. I wrote before that I just felt so hungry this weekend, and the same was true today. I don't know what's driving it- am I truly hungry? Do I need a "break" from how I've been eating? Is it TOM soon? Is it emotional/fueled by stress? That strange feeling of fear about losing this weight? Or ALL OF THE ABOVE?

I pretty much forced myself to make a smoothie for breakfast and then gave myself a break the rest of the day. I had a latte mid-morning and then pizza for lunch and pizza for dinner. With pop, no less. I journaled a bit this evening- I intended to write about this hunger struggle but it really ended up somewhere else. Maybe that's what I needed?

I think I'm going to do the same thing tomorrow as I did today. I'm not going to go nuts, but I'm going to relax. The next few days will be busy and stressful for me. I probably will have to spend a couple nights away from home dealing with family stuff. I want to make good choices to keep myself physically healthy, but I don't want to beat myself for not eating like a superstar.

I want to move past this frustration, but I understand this is a part of the process. The process is important, I think.

I am still struggling with the low 200's but have a better perspective today than the last few days.

Family stuff the last couple days was just as difficult and depressing as I thought it would be. I didn't help myself with my eating- I ate absolute junk. Some of it was TOTALLY worth it but some of it wasn't. Like, the multiple bowls of sugary cereal. Yuck.

But today is better. I went to the farmer's market and got some food for the next couple days. I'm excited to make a veggie/feta/dill pasta salad for lunch today.

I have dinner tonight with a friend (am going to make the long walk there to up my steps). I have a few things going on this weekend as well, but I'm not stressed (food-wise) about it. It's ok to hang out the low 200's. Better than going up!

I don't remember when I was under 200lbs. Probably about 11 years ago I'd guess. 3 pounds though. I know I can ro it. In April 2013 I was 305. I was pregnant but that doesn't make it ok. I finally weughed less than my husband this past may and now on my way to onederland. I can't wait!