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

RECALCULATION- Confirmed Weight Loss
 

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)

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)

644...

Still here, still showing up. I know I've mentioned this before but I always wonder what happened to those that kind of fade away. Not only here but it happens in blogs and weight loss meetings as well. I hope that they have found their path to success and are far to busy to return.

I may of said this already but I feel like losing this weight is my winning the lottery. I have this magical thinking about weight loss. Once I lose the weight, my other problems will just evaporate. No more aches and pains, no money worries, no more work or housework, my teenager will always be polite and I will have more friends. LOL- I realize it isn't realistic but one can daydream!

On-plan
exercise
calorie deficit
ended fast (15 hr)

643...

The tough thing about counting calories is sometimes you have to take your best estimate. I always estimate about the same so eventually, it will all equal out using the scale as a guide. As a back up, I do use the keto test strips to see if I am producing ketones. If I am, it means I was using fat as fuel at some point.

Hard to believe it is already August and some kids have already gone back to school!

On-plan
exercise
calorie deficit
started fast

642...

I really wanted to nap on the sofa this evening. However, I went for my last walk, did some laundry, and went on a bike ride. My bike helmet is 16 years old. It is so old the foam pads have degraded and for a while I was wearing bits of them on my forehead after a ride. Things are going okay and my appetite has be very reasonable lately.

On-plan
exercise
calorie deficit
ended fast (13 hr)

641...

Had a very tough day emotionally but managed to stay on track.

On-plan
exercise
calorie deficit
Bonus- ended extra fast (17 hr)

640...

Man! This is a long hard slog. I am very hungry but I really want to be healthier. The key to being healthier is to lose weight so I shouldn't eat any more tonight. I went back to the recreation center to exercise today. It was the first time I had been there since March. They have a whole new process set up. You need to make a reservation for a window of time and you can show up any time in that window. In addition, you need to specify the type of appointment, swim or cardio/weights. They close the place down and clean between the windows. They have 100 slots open. Including my family, 15 of them were filled for the window we signed up for. We overlapped with nearly all of the other visitors. Due to a state mandate, we had to wear masks while exercising. I did okay because the mask I wore was not as thick as many of them out there. There is an training technique that involves wearing a mask but it isn't for me.

All of the exercise machines were moved and separated by six feet. Before Covid, there were two elliptical machines that I have a strong preference for because of my feet issues. I was only able to find one today. They may have gotten rid of the other. I was able to do my usual 20 minutes without any issues. I added this on top of all the other exercise I have been doing. Must get through this plateau!!

On-plan
exercise
calorie deficit

639...

The scale was brutal today! Despite my efforts and working harder, it was up 4 pounds since the beginning of the month. I overate a lot today. It was a combination of things. Some of it was energy seeking behavior to try to combat the fatigue. I definitely over did it yesterday exercise wise and have been exhausted today. I even took a three and a half hour nap. The other part of it was simple frustration. I am so tired of always limiting myself. I was doing my best to stay on track but missed something in my tally. When I added it in properly, I found I was already over for the day. Unfortunately, I basically gave up in that moment and ate what I wanted to. Tomorrow is another day. I also have sketched out a rough eating plan for the week.

OFF PLAN https://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon8.gif

638...

Did not do very well today at all. I even planned out all of my food last night. However, things changed and I did not adjust well. With so few positive results, it is easy to run off plan. It seems like it doesn't matter even though it does. My appetite was uncooperative today. I haven't slept well the last couple of nights and I am definitely falling into energy seeking behavior. Hope to sleep well tonight!

OFF PLAN https://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon8.gif

637...

Is it Festivus? I have a grievance that needs airing. Honestly, it is really about me. Sometimes, I get strong negative feelings about something that is inconsequential and generally kindly meant. I'm not sure what to do with myself when this happens as I tend to spend too much time focusing on it.

On-Plan
exercise
calorie deficit
end fast (14 hr)

EDIT: I just planned out my meals and snacks for tomorrow. I rarely do this but really want to get solidly back on track. I did this on Monday but got off-track pretty quickly.

636...

So far on plan for today but just barely. Will likely be off plan before bedtime...

635...

So a very strange thing happened to me on my last walk, the longest one of the day. Towards the very end things seemed brighter, my vision became sharper, and I had a bit more energy. It was as though some switch flipped on. I really wish I knew what made this difference. The vision improvements are still with me but I am tired after my bike ride. We'll see how tomorrow goes...

On-Plan
exercise
calorie deficit
end fast (14 hr)

634...

Well, I may have made a calorie deficit since there was extra guess work in the calories today. I wish I had a discreet scale attachment for my phone to take to restaurants. It would help me better understand how much I am eating. My best guess showed that I am over my calorie limit. It will be interesting to see what the keto test strip says. I wanted to eat more this evening but managed to cut myself off.

Interestingly, my vision is still better since yesterday. Going to go back to the rec center tomorrow.

Exercise https://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif
Calorie Overage https://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon8.gif

633...

Holding steady. We shall see if I can catch a break on the scale tomorrow. Today went really fast. My friend who successfully did keto to get to her goal weight came over for dinner. She has been doing keto for two years. Her husband started in January of this year and is happy with his progress. Interestingly, her friend who introduced her to keto had stop doing it and gained weight back. Her friend is going to start back up with it. Unfortunately, keto is out for me as I cannot cut out huge swaths of particular foods.

Exercise https://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif
Calorie Deficit https://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif

632...

So I held steady on the scales all week and then on weigh-in day my weigh popped up. Once I start creating a steady weight loss, this won't feel so defeating. I have a working theory as to why the first month of lock down produced a good weight loss for me. I think it my have been from de-conditioning (losing muscle) since my overall exercise plan changed so much.

Now that I can go back to the rec center, I can work back up to my previous program. Also, I think there is a training regime out there that incorporates wearing a mask (pre-Covid). I want to look it up and better understand if such training exists, the purpose and technique. Since I have to wear a mask while exercise may be I can squeeze a real benefit out of it. A new community exercise facility is opening closer to us next month. They tore down the old facility and built the new one on the same site. The drawings looked amazing especially compared to the old facility. Although very well maintained, the old facility was a bit cramped and dark.

Rest Day https://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif
Calorie Overage https://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon8.gif

631...

Let's talk triathlons. So for a long time, I thought training for triathlons would help me lose weight. It didn't. I did 15 triathlons. Not only did I do 15 triathlons, I did them carting around at least 50 extra pounds with asthma and bum feet. I think it is fair to say I have some grit and tenacity. I daydreamed about creating an equalizer triathlon where all of the participants had to match the physical impediments of the participant in the worst shape. If I were the said participant, the other racers would need to add a 50 pound pack, wear a tight belt to restrict their breathing, and wear stiff shoes with a small pointy pebble in each one. Very few people, nay no-one, would sign up for such an event.

Along they way there was a transition in my mind set. When I first started them, I was fully of self defeating thoughts and would ruminate while I was training on my weight and lambasting myself for not taking care of my body. After the first have dozen or so, it transition to being pleased with myself for having the determination to complete these events. Often I was the one with the worst completion time. I deemed myself the morale entrant- everyone would have a better completion time than me so they could say they beat someone.

My feet are so bad while training the 'run' portion, I would walk my bike. I wanted it with me because I was never sure my feet would cooperate enough for me to get back to my car. People would comment on it all the time. In addition, I would carry extra shoes with me during the race for the 'run' portion to try and find some relief by switching shoes mid race. Sometimes I would have to stop because after the pain, my feet would get numb and I needed to get the circulation back before I could continue. In general, I was on the low side of average for the swim and the bike. However, the run portion was my nemesis. I was never able to break the 22 minute mile. I was so slow they even closed the course on me once because they thought everyone was in. After that I learned to finagle my way into the earlier heats and would always tell the first water station to make sure I was in before they closed the course. My husband would station himself at the finish line to further proctor them.

I stopped doing triathlons because it was a distraction from losing weight and thus significantly improving my health. I wish I were making more progress on that. Saying I maintained a weight loss plateau for four months midway to final weight loss goal doesn't have quite the same bragging rights as I finished a triathlon.

Exercise https://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif
Calorie Deficit https://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif

630...

So when I would finish a triathlon, I would not only say 'Yay, I did it', I would say to my husband 'I did it. Did you see me?'. That's a bit odd to add in the 'did you see me?' bit. I'm sure it means something psychologically but I am just not sure what.

Heading back to the rec center tomorrow night. I had to make an appointment to go so now I feel committed. This will be the second time this week. Trying to figure out if I should back off some of the other exercise. I really don't want because it is really important. I was going four times a week before things were shut down. I'd like to get back to that. I was also ice skating two days a week. That will be harder to get back on track. The rinks are open but only for private lessons and something else...maybe team practice. It will cost me about $400 a month for private lessons which is too rich for me.

Exercise https://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif
Calorie Deficit https://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif

629....

Three walks, one gym visit and one bike ride- tah dah! I would like to do another triathlon. There are several still on the race calendar. However, the couple I clicked on were deferred to next year or were showing as sold out. One caught my eye- they switched it to virtual. You do the distance on a self selected course for the required distances and report your times. I think I may sign up for that one. At the very least, I will get a t-shirt out of it.

Exercise https://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif
Calorie Deficit https://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif

628...

I weigh a lot in an effort to not weigh a lot. Shall I explain? To help me understand the calories I am eating, I have found it easiest to weigh out servings using a kitchen scale. I also weigh myself pretty much twice a day. So far it is not helping me not weigh a lot.

I am struggling to understand what is going on. I've some how managed to lower my calories consistently and I am being more active. However, the scale is not budging.


Exercise - on-plan
Calorie Deficit - on-plan

627...

So today, I was thinking about the lymphatic system and if it plays a role in weight loss. I was wondering if impact exercises improve the function of the lymphatic system. The things I do have are definitely low impact. Anything with moderate impact or more aggravates my feet and ankles. I will feel it for days. Even when I walk, I don't step; I very carefully place my feet. I look at the ground usual so I can look for anything that would cause me issues. Even a quarter inch difference in the pavement or concrete seams can hurt.

There are many stories out there of people who lost weight when they started running regularly. This in part made me wonder about the lymphatic system.

For those that are asking if others are having trouble with their posts- I am. I am unable to bold, change text color/size or use emojis in my posts.

Exercise
Calorie Overage

626...

Went to the rec center again today for a second visit this week. I need to get back to four visits a week. Currently, I am just adding it to the other exercise I have been doing. That may need to change because I am quite tired today. Tomorrow is my day off (rest day) from exercise. Still maintaining and unable to get the scale to budge.

Hope they get the edit and other features working again.

Exercise on-plan
Calorie Overage

Did well today. Keeping it short since I am having trouble posting.

Did ok yesterday. Posting is a pain. It won’t show me why I’ve typed nor let me make edits.

Still here and still having issues with posting.

622....

I was out of town the last few days to get fitted for my leg braces. They had mock ups made out of plastic for me to try. The difference using them was incredible!! And that was at only 30% of what the final braces will do. When I took them off, I felt like I was walking through ankle deep water on a sandy beach. Basically, my deficit is like a normal footed person walking through knee deep water.

Posting is better from my home computer.
Exercise (some- travel day):wl:
Calorie Deficithttps://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif

621...

Hanging in there. There isn't much more to say. I have been doing better than I thought I could but yet I need to do more. I am not sure how I can. I know what to do but when push comes to shove I don't do it. I will take maintaining as a good thing for now and continue to work on whittling things down further. Such a slow process!!

Exercisehttps://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif
Calorie Deficithttps://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif

620...

Hahaha- I am blithely optimistic. I am still counting down even though I am stalled out on the scale. Realizing the end of the month is coming up and if I am not careful, I will show a gain. I still need to eat dinner but I have a lot of calories left so I am reasonably confident I will have a calorie deficit.

Since I have been prattling on about triathlons, it reminded me of a funny story about a time I was wearing one of my race t-shirts. I had gone back to my hometown for a class reunion but had trouble getting a hotel room. Ultimately, I ended up split across two hotels. One was in the nearby larger city where there was a big event that weekend. That's why most of the accommodations were booked up. It was the Reebok Crossfit Games. Basically it is a gathering of exceptionally fit individuals.

The hotel offered a continental breakfast. So I strolled down to round up some grub for myself. The room was already filled with the slim and trim athletes that were participating in the crossfit games. I noticed I was getting a lot of side-eyes from them as I passed. It took me a moment to figure out why. Here I was this obese woman with a slight limp wearing a triathlon t-shirt. I think they were trying to figure out if I earned my shirt or stole it- LOL!

Exercisehttps://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif
Calorie Deficithttps://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif

619...

Just to clarify from yesterday- I earned my triathlon shirt.

I created a small calorie deficit today but it was hard. They say listen to your body but my body lies. I was the most hungry today about 30 minutes after I finished my meals. It is so mixed up! Those are the times I should have felt full!

Exercisehttps://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif
Calorie Deficithttps://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif

618...

Before yesterday, I simply tallied my calorie count and didn't log what I eat. Yesterday, I dusted off my old food tracking log and will track properly for a while. I even 'penciled' in what I planned to eat. I've done this in the past but felt it didn't help much. Times have changed so maybe it will be a good fit this go-around.

My intent was to eat carefully and according to the plan I painstakingly created. The reality was once dinner rolled around, I over ate. And I over ate by a lot. Subconscious rebellion! ARGHH! Must find a way through this.

Exercisehttps://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif
Calorie Overage https://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon8.gif

Hi Pipsicle. I am impressed that you have completed triathelons. You have a right to be proud of that accomplishment.

After reading your posts I read a bit about the lymphatic system. Impact exercise is said to help, as well as massage. I have bad knees and cannot do impact, and I'm not interested in massage. But lemon water is said to help. I can do that, and I never understood the reason for lemon in water. Also foods that contain selenium. The only one on the list that I eat regularly is eggs.

Thanks Carol!

617...

So exciting news- Count Chocula is back! A tasty low cal treat.

Not looking so good for the month. Hoping for a Hail Mary tomorrow.

Exercisehttps://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif
Calorie Deficithttps://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif

616...

Bad news- my husband polished off the milk so no Count Chocula for me tonight.

Welp, it's a gain for the month, 1.5 lbs. Making adjustments and hoping they will be enough. I think the next thing I will do is eat at the table properly. Lately, I've been eating front of some type of electronic medium (TV, computer, or phone). There's been a full-on revolt (teenager!) at my house over eating at the table as a family. Now we all eat separately. Honestly, it makes me really sad.

My last exercise of the day is a bike ride. I leave at sunset for a couple of reasons. First, part of my ride is due west and it is to avoid being blinded by the sun. Second, it is cooler. I've been at this for a while. When I first started the sun would set at 9:30-ish and now it is all the way down to 7:30-ish. It has been interesting because gradually, I see more people out and about. They are following the clock rather than the sun.

Keeping a proper food journal is somewhat motivating. I keep thinking if I hurry and lose the weight I wouldn't have to do stupid stuff like this any more- hahaha.

Exercisehttps://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif
Calorie Deficithttps://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif

615...

Too bad for me, I am still out of milk.

Just sticking to my plan as best I can. Something has to shake loose eventually....

Exercisehttps://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif
Calorie Deficithttps://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif

614...

Well, I've inspired somebody! My husband now takes a walk when I do my end of the day bike ride. I think of things to write about on my bike ride but then I draw a blank when it is time to post.

So I have a fist full of health issue and was not able to even begin losing weight until I started to take a fist full of supplements. None of them are geared toward weight loss and I am not diabetic (pre-diabetic though). My biggest issue is fatigue. I believe I have chronic fatigue syndrome. However, when I saw the doctor about it he referred me to an endocrinologist. Endocrinologist refers me to a rheumatologist who refers me to a neurologist who refers me to a CFS doctor as mentioned above refers me to an endocrinologist. Full circle; full stop.

Anyway, I added a supplement because it was in an energy drink I occasionally drink. I never drink a full serving. I literally use a shot glass and only take it before exercise if I am really tired. Honestly, I didn't think this supplement did much for me. However, I ran out of it and had to wait a bit before my new bottle came. In those few days, I really struggled with insomnia. I would literally yawn and yawn until my eyes watered but still couldn't fall asleep. That disappeared when I started taking the supplement again. It seems very odd and counterintuitive since it was in an energy drink.

Exercisehttps://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif
Calorie Deficithttps://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif

613....(well not really but I don't have the heart to recalculate right now)...(giant WHOOSH! is around the corner, right?)....

I'm keeping a food journal like a proper dieter and still not a fan of the task. I have one week under my belt and no grand revealations. Interestingly, my sweet tooth has been delightfully quiet lately.

I've drifted away from what I thought were key parts of my plan. The biggest one is I haven't been attempting any fasts lately. After last couple of longer ones, I just felt kind of weird and bit woozy. I had intended to continue with shorter fasts but as I've said I just drifted a way from it and wanted to have some breakfast instead. Although, now I've moved on to just having some coffee with milk and sugar. The next one is I haven't been successfully balancing all of my carbs and protein.

Definitely a bit diet fatigued. This is a long haul and the benefits should be worth it. Still trying to tweak things enough to get the scale moving in the right direction again.

Exercisehttps://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif
Calorie Deficithttps://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif

612...

One thing I can measure that has shown improvement is my bike ride time. Each evening, I leave at sunset and do the same loop. I need to measure how long the loop is but I believe it is about 2.5 miles. I have been able to shave about 3 minutes off of my time. So it takes me 8.75 minutes instead of 11.5. Here's the kicker. My fast times are based on whether or not I've had my powdered beet juice to drink. Supposedly it increases the body's nitric oxide. The difference is really surprising. I'm going to see if I can learn more about it. I take the powdered beet juice because I know that beet juice is suppose to have beneficial effect on blood pressure. For a while, I tried drinking beet juice itself but I didn't like the taste. The powdered beet juice is cherry flavored that I find to be tasty.

Exercisehttps://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif
Calorie Deficithttps://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif

611...

I've been a bottomless pit all day. Thought I was doing okay but just figured out I am over calories for the day.

Exercisehttps://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif
Calorie Overage https://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon8.gif

610...

Womp womp...thought my evening bike ride route was at least 2.5 miles and possibly 3 miles. It is 1.4 miles. I bike 8-9 miles per hour. Although, I do go faster at the tail end. I pass a speed detection monitor and it usually shows 10-11 mph.

So, I made a tactical error at the grocery. Rather a better way to put it, is I had a terrible impulse purchase. I bought a cookie sandwich. Ya know, two large chocolate chip cookies with frosting in the middle. Oh my! I've eaten all of my calories already and started my fast. However, I would really like to eat my cookie sandwich as well. It's points like this where my program fails. I seem to have extreme difficulty in telling myself 'NO' or at least 'not right now" and stopping my impulsive actions. It doesn't help that I drool when I think about it. I managed to put it out of sight. Hopefully, I will stop thinking about it soon.

Exercisehttps://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif
Calorie Deficithttps://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif

609...

Successfully completed a 17 hour fast and promptly ate my cookie sandwich. It was tasty but an awful choice for a late lunch. I still eked out a calorie deficit. I also found a calculator by the NIH that tells how many calories you should be eating to lose weight. It is spot on with the calculations I have. Still need working the program and waiting for the results to roll in. The scale did pop lower this morning for the first time in ages. Perhaps the waiting period is coming to an end.

Exercisehttps://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif
Calorie Deficithttps://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icon/icon10.gif