644 days to go....the saga continues

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  •   #16  
    Pipsicle's AvatarPipsicle , 07-25-2021 11:30 PM
    640...

    Today started out with lots of fatigue and my hip hurt. I was so tired I was dosing off at my computer. The scale was unkind and none of my other health indicators looked good. So I stupidly threw caution to the wind and ate whatever I wanted. Unfortunately, I felt much better and had more energy. That is so very, very wrong. I have read so many weight loss success stories where the people describe how awful they feel if they go back to their old ways of eating. I wish I was like that.

    It will take 10-14 days for the full damage reports to come in. Doing the right things eating a little less, exercising more and sleeping better lead to exhaustion. Doctors shrug when I ask about this. I get to the point where it feels like too much and I just want a break (like today). I need to figure out how to stay in it even when it feels like the road to nowhere.

    Exercise
    Calorie Overage Angry
    Sleep 8 hrs

    *One year ago...
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Pipsicle
    I've realized I can put a better spin on my current plateau. Instead of looking at it as not losing any weight for the last couple of months, I can look at it as maintaining a twenty pound loss for the last couple of months. From what I understanding, maintaining is as hard as losing weight.
    Reply
  •   #17  
    Pipsicle's AvatarPipsicle , 07-26-2021 10:21 PM
    639...

    Back on track today. Still feeling tired but regular tired. The scale did indeed bounce up. I am -22.5 lb which is up four pounds from my recent low of -26.5 pounds. My secret weapon is turning into more of a crutch.

    Exercise
    Calorie Deficit
    Sleep 8 hrs

    --One year ago...

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Pipsicle
    So instead of being at 598 days, my new number of days left is 681. Ouch- that's an 83 day gain (better days than pounds though). The current predicted date I will reach my goal is June 7, 2022. That seems so far off! Although if success was guaranteed, I would be very happy. Unfortunately, it is not and I am very imperfect. Anyway, it is still better than the April 19, 2024 which was the prediction at the start of this thread. I stand by my statement that I am a terrible dieter. Today was a bad day and I definitely did not get any closer to my goal. Tomorrow will be better.
    Reply
  •   #18  
    Pipsicle's AvatarPipsicle , 07-28-2021 12:29 AM
    639....

    Another half pound showed up and I now at -22 lbs (unconfirmed, gratefully). Well, I made a calorie deficit just barely. However, the ketone test strip said I am not burning any fat so I've kept the same number of days as yesterday for the countdown. I am glad to be more or less back on-track. On-track for my plan but is my plan good enough? I was going to say it wasn't. I had trouble sticking to it even if it was just for one day. Therefore, it seems to be me, not the plan. If I could have toughed it out, would I be seeing a new (recent) low weight? Ultimately, it does not bode well. If I couldn't stay on task now (mainly due to extreme fatigue), how can I do more?

    Still getting an A+ for tenacity. I think it is fair to say the average person would have quit by now.

    One change I tried was adding a new supplement. For the record, it is not going well. I have terrible pain in my side and now I am itchy.

    Exercise
    Calorie Deficit
    Sleep 8 hrs

    *One year ago...
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Pipsicle
    680 (again)....

    So today, I had my slowest bike ride yet. I think I am still tired from my trip. Some day I will have more energy (instead of less) from eating healthier and exercising, right? Even had to walk extra slow today. So slow even my dear ever a gentleman husband commented on it. Still checked in, still fighting the good fight.

    On-plan
    3 walks
    calorie deficit
    started fast

    Add-on plan
    1 bike ride
    additional calorie deficit

    Off-plan
    90 calories short on my additional calorie deficit
    Reply
  •   #19  
    Pipsicle's AvatarPipsicle , 07-28-2021 11:38 PM
    638...

    I'm back in the saddle again. Or so the ketone test strips, calorie count and scale say. The scale as down two pounds to -24 lbs from -22 lbs. Whew! Perhaps my diet indiscretion will not be as costly as I thought. Felt a little better today and going to bed early. Hopefully, I will fall asleep right away.

    Exercise
    Calorie Deficit
    Sleep 7.5 hrs

    --One year ago...
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Pipsicle
    679...

    My bike ride went much better this evening. Yesterday and today I saw a lot of bats on my bike ride. I try to leave exactly at sunset which seems to be the time the bats come out. There were 6 circling a house in my neighborhood that already looked creepy and scary.

    So I am trying to understand if it is possible to burn fat and replace fat stores in the same day. I use the keto test strips and the results are consistent with my calorie tracking. On days I believe I have created a calorie deficit, the keto test strip is positive. On days I don't think I've created a calorie deficit, the keto test strip is negative. Still waiting for it to show up on the scale in a meaningful way. This makes me wonder am I just replacing my fat stores as quickly (or quicker) than I am burning them off. I thought of catchy name for the keto test strips but almost immediately forgot it. I hope it comes back to me because I remember thinking it was very fitting.

    On-plan
    3 walks
    calorie deficit
    ended fast (19 hr)

    Add-on plan
    1 bike ride
    additional calorie deficit
    Reply
  •   #20  
    Pipsicle's AvatarPipsicle , 07-30-2021 01:51 AM
    637...

    Hey, Hey! My weight was the same as my sidebar today, -24.5 lbs. If it drops a half a pound in the next three days, I will break even for the month. Part of me is hoping to edge out a half pound loss. It is unlikely but I like to daydream.

    I don't think my new supplement is going to work out. It really upsets my GI tract. I'll wait a couple of days and maybe I'll give it another chance.

    Exercise
    Calorie Deficit
    Sleep 7.5 hrs

    --One year ago...
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Pipsicle
    678...

    Oh No! Oh No! My hopes are up! I had a lovely weigh-in this morning. If I can hang on to this loss, I will actually have a loss for the month. It will be small but I will take it. My fingers and toes are crossed. If I could, I would hold my breath. I will be so disappointed if it slips through my fingers. I feel like I have been working hard this month to try and break through this plateau. I have been on-plan and on add-on plan most days this month. Although the loss is so small, it will be more like putting a little crack in the plateau. One has to start somewhere though.

    On-plan
    3 walks
    calorie deficit
    started fast

    Add-on plan
    1 bike ride
    additional calorie deficit
    Reply
  •   #21  
    Pipsicle's AvatarPipsicle , 07-31-2021 01:11 AM
    636...

    Held steady at my sidebar weight today. I struggled the entire day but it looks like I will make it through. The uncontrollable appetite reared its ugly head today.

    Exercise
    Calorie Deficit
    Sleep 7.5 hrs

    --One year ago...
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Pipsicle
    677...

    Today the scale showed a bump up. Tomorrow is the money day and the first of the month can also count. Two more chances to show a loss for the month.

    So I finally have a piece of clothing that is showing my weight loss. My shorts are a little bit longer. They don't fit any better around the waist though.

    On-plan
    3 walks
    calorie deficit
    ended fast (18 hr)

    Add-on plan
    1 bike ride
    additional calorie deficit
    Reply
  •   #22  
    Pipsicle's AvatarPipsicle , 08-01-2021 12:21 AM
    635...

    It's looking like a gain for the month. I was at my sidebar weight again which is a half a pound above my starting weight for the month. It is different because my sidebar weight is confirmed (seen on two official weigh-ins) and my monthly weight is unconfirmed (just whatever raw number the scale reports).

    It is not looking good for tomorrow. I am already at my calorie limit for the counting time frame that started at 5:00 pm and will need to fast until dinner time tomorrow to be on-track.

    I did feel better today and like I had more energy too. For what it is worth, this was even before my calorie window ended at 5:00 pm (i.e., before over eating at dinner and after).


    Exercise
    Calorie Deficit
    Sleep 7.5 hrs

    --One year ago...
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Pipsicle
    676...

    I forgot today was my exercise rest day. I did my three walks and my bike ride. I was on the front edge of a thunderstorm for my bike ride and got sprinkled on for most of it. I just barely got home before the heavier rain started. It was very strange, I could hear the heavier rain behind me. It was as if I was being chased. I didn't make good time on my ride though. It was about average.

    On-plan
    3 walks
    calorie deficit
    ended fast (16 hr)

    Add-on plan
    1 bike ride

    Off-plan
    Calorie deficit was not large enough
    Did not make an additional calorie deficit
    Reply
  •   #23  
    Pipsicle's AvatarPipsicle , 08-02-2021 01:00 AM
    635...

    Well, I have my pick of either a half a pound gain for the month or a two pound gain for the month. Although this may just be a normal fluctuation, I weigh more today than I did on this date last year. Therefore, what I am doing is not working. More changes are needed but as we all know, it is hard. For me the bigger the change, the faster the fail.

    And apparently, I am on strike from my diet. I was already over for my 5-5pm counting period by the time I went to bed. This morning caution was thrown to the wind and it has unintentionally carried through to the evening. My focus has been getting ready for an upcoming trip. This is clearly an excuse. I need to reengage and get myself in order.

    Exercise
    Calorie Deficit
    Sleep 7.5 hrs

    Know the code: * no data (don't have a weight from this year or last year or both); + today's weight is higher than last year's weight; -- today's weight is lower than last year's weight
    +One year ago...
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Pipsicle
    675...

    Great news! I am able to report a 1.5 lb loss this month. I also believe I have found my error in my calculations that is throwing things off. According to my spreadsheet, I was off by an average of 80 calories a day between what I should have lost based on what I recorded and what I actually lost. So I went back through everything. When I switched from my regular exercise program to walking, I guessed at how many calories I am burning during the walks. I looked up the actual values today. Turns out I was off by... you guessed it.... 80 calories. Will begrudgingly adjust for August.

    On-plan
    1 walk (changed my rest day to today since I forgot yesterday)
    ended fast (bonus fast, 14 hr)

    Off-plan
    calorie overage
    Reply
  •   #24  
    Pipsicle's AvatarPipsicle , 08-03-2021 01:27 AM
    634...

    Weight has crept up again. I haven't tracked for two days but started again this evening. Between work, personal life and upcoming travel, I have a lot going on. I broke part of a crown on my tooth this week. I am happy I was able to get to the dentist today to stabilize it before I travel later this week.

    The rec center is closed for the next two weeks for their annual maintenance period so I went ice skating instead.

    Exercise
    Calorie Deficit
    Sleep 7.5 hrs

    +One year ago...
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Pipsicle
    646...

    It is really a reconfirmed weight loss not a new confirmed low. I figure I've seen it before so I can recalculate and have shaved off 29 days (Yah!). My new end date is Monday, May 9, 2022. It seems so far away and yet so close.

    With my interpretation that my stalled weight loss was due to a miscalculation on the amount of grace exercise was giving me, I am going to return to having just one plan.

    1. Create a calorie deficit of at least 250 calories
    2. Exercise six days a week (3 walks and 1 bike ride each day)
    3. Fast at least twice a week

    Gosh, those are the big ticket items. I have a bunch of other things I try to do but the above is what really makes a difference on the scale.

    I've been reading this woman's blog about her weigh loss journey. It goes back to 2006. I started reading at the start and am reading them chronologically. Right now, I'm reading the entries made in 2009. She is still posting so occasionally I'll read a current post and get a bit confused. She recently started a Youtube channel. In the last 2009 post I read, she related the she and her friend feel a sense of pride and accomplishment on the days they eat properly and stay on plan. Boy- I don't!! I usually feel resentful and slightly angry about not getting what I wanted and having to exercise. I need to figure out how to jump ship and climb aboard the pride and accomplishment steamer!

    On-plan
    exercise
    calorie deficit (bonus- larger than planned)
    Reply
  •   #25  
    Pipsicle's AvatarPipsicle , 08-04-2021 01:36 AM
    633...

    That's too funny that my last year's post talks about the one piece of broccoli and one pushup. I was just thinking about adding that into my mix! Apparently, I thought the same thing last year. I've made some adjustments to my plan. Specifically, I have lowered my calorie limit. Shush....don't let myself know! I am hoping it is small enough that I can be successful.

    I am frantically getting ready to go out of town. I never seem to get things done timely. I am sure I will be up late tomorrow finishing everything. Oh yeah- I need to check-in for the flight tomorrow morning. I can hardly believe it is almost time to go. I have been looking forward to this!

    Exercise
    Calorie Deficit
    Sleep 7.5 hrs

    +One year ago...
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Pipsicle
    645...

    Overate today but still managed a small calorie deficit. Sometimes I wonder if I should just plan for an over budget day! Not so long ago, there was a commercial where the actor eats one piece of broccoli and does one push-up. The gist of the commercial is it will take more than that to take care of yourself. However, I wonder how much a piece of broccoli and one push-up daily could help - LOL. If you aren't doing anything like that the change could be profound. You never know one push-up could lead to two push-ups, etc. Anyway if my adjustments don't work, I may make that my next change.

    On-plan
    exercise
    started fast

    Off-plan
    calorie deficit (smaller than planned)
    Reply
  •   #26  
    Pipsicle's AvatarPipsicle , 08-06-2021 12:08 AM
    On vacation…
    Reply
  •   #27  
    Pipsicle's AvatarPipsicle , 08-16-2021 12:42 AM
    I have returned. Pleased that my weight this morning was the same as my sidebar. I did very, very well for the first 3 days and was over the next two days. After that, I stopped tracking. I did keep testing with the ketone test strips and they were showing fat metabolites. We did do a lot of walking.

    I am still having dental issues. Before I left, I had broken a dental crown. The dentist did a temporary fix. However, on the trip I cracked a second crown. Just before the flight back the newly broken crown shifted a lot. I was extremely worried it was going to come out all together and I would be in severe pain on the flight. It held though and is still hanging in there. I will call the dentist tomorrow.

    I'll sort out my countdown tomorrow too.
    Reply
  •   #28  
    Pipsicle's AvatarPipsicle , 08-17-2021 10:36 PM
    Well, yesterday I wasn't able to get on the forum. It said database connection error.

    637....

    I've lost track of where I am in the countdown so I've set the number of days based on my weigh-in on Sunday. I've been eating way less because of my bum teeth. I wonder how much (if any) it will help. I was able to make it to the dentist today. What a mixed bag of feelings- so full of dread for something that I am absolutely grateful for.

    I've stepped back into my exercise routine. Yesterday was the rec center, today was ice skating and tomorrow is the rec center again with walks everyday, of course.
    Reply
  •   #29  
    Pipsicle's AvatarPipsicle , 08-18-2021 10:19 PM
    636...

    Still chugging along. Slowly eating less and less. There should be a pay off on the scale soon.
    Reply
  •   #30  
    Pipsicle's AvatarPipsicle , 08-19-2021 11:25 PM
    635...

    Well, I am on track as far as I can tell. Is my plan good enough is the bigger question. I have been chipping down on my calories slowly. It will be great when I get to the tipping point and my efforts actually shows up on the scale.

    Reply
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