I had SUCH a GREAT week last week, and this week, I'm just falling apart. This is just so typical of how my attempts at weight loss go. It has been SUPER busy at work this week. I have not packed my lunch because I am so crazy. I have tried to make good choices, but I definitely do better just bringing my own lunch. I have been bringing snacks, so that is something. But next week, I MUST brown bag it!! And on top of that, my mom had us over for dinner last night - lasagna! Mmm-mmm! Plus ice cream cake for dessert. Definitely had larger portions of both than I should have. I will do better tonight - dinner at home! I think if I buckle down starting today, I could still see something pleasant on the scale come Sunday!

How is everyone else fairing this week???

Sharon

Sharon, one thing I found that I absolutely make a must is that before I go upstairs to go to bed, I pack my lunch and snacks for the next day. I don't allow myself not to. Takes me about 15 minutes max. When I get upstairs, I can't go to bed until I pack my gym bag for the next day. I force myself to make both of these things part of my daily routine.

I have been struggling ever since I got off birth control pills. The scale either doesn't move or goes up. I'm going to have to drop my calories by 100 or 200 and see what happens.

You are absolutely right Susan. I just need more self discipline. I have been soooo tired after stressful days at work, but I need to make myself a priority. I WILL brown bag it next week. That will be my personal goal for the week ( I am off on Fridays, so tomorrow doesn't count.)

You might need to drop your calories a) because of the birth control and b) because you've already lost a bunch of weight. Your body doesn't automatically burn as many calories as it did 100 lbs ago! Try it out. Or another trick I read is to vary the calories by day. It supposedly tricks your body into burning more calories even when you eat less.

Sharon

Hi Sharon,

I agree that packing your lunch in advance will be very helpful! Plan, plan, plan!!! That is key!!!

It sounds just like what I go through. Especially when I eat at my moms. Both my brother and my father are like 100-150 lbs overweight and my mom is probably 20 lbs overweight. My husband loves to eat over there but it seems like everything is a dieters nightmare. Do you have a freezer at work. I go to the grocery store on Monday at lunch or Sunday at lunch at buy some Weight Watchers meals for the week and keep them in the freezer so I cannot forget. I also buy my snacks and a case of water. I am one of 2 people in my office so I can keep things like that around. But if you are able, I find that works.

Planning is definately key. Making it a part of your evening routine is a great idea. Susan your right it really does make things easier if you do it the night before, and a lot less likely to make excuses. Sharon tell me more about tricking your body. Changing your caloric intake daily ?

I had my resting metabolic rate tested at the gym, and my body burns 2190 calories a day just living -- heart beating, blood pumping, lungs breathing, etc.

My trainer tells me I should eat about 1950 calories a day and burn off 300 to 400 in exercise.

I've been eating about 2100 and burning off 400 to 600 in exercise.

I think I need to drop the calories to 1800 to 1900 and continue to burn off the 400 to 600 with the exercise.

Well, supposedly, if you eat less calories all the time, your body gets used to this and slows down your metabolism. So if yor resting metabolic rate is say 1800, and you regularly eat 1600 calories, your body slows down to only burn 1600 calories per day. The trick part is, if your goal is to eat say 1800 calories per day, eat 2100 today, 1600 tomorrow, 1800 the next day. That is supossed to keep your metabolism up and running, instead of slowing down. I guess you take the 1800 calories times 7 and make sure you don't go over that for the week.

Sharon