Diet and Weight Loss General Support #10

[Astrid]

No problem with the ramblings Livvy. Best of luck with the assignment.

I suppose I do have a semi goal of the work Christmas dinner and Christmas itself. Would be nice to be down 2 sizes by then.

This month is more one of discovery. I know lowering carbs has helped me a lot in the past, but I have huge trouble doing so around the kids (damn those crusts! Why won they eat them?). So rather than counting carbs, or with the TWD, log portions of different foods, I am looking at overall calories. Thinking already though, that I do need to watch the carbs, might tweak Calorie King to track when I am hitting > 100 carb grams.

[ladybird11]

Hello ladies! How are you all going?

Sorry I've been MIA lately, you've all been in my thoughts - and I've been sending positive, weight loss vibes your way - to each and every one of you. I hope they've been working?

Astrid - you mentioned about your DH being negative when it comes to you exercising. Where do you think that stems from for him? Does he have kilos to lose too? Do you think he's afraid of competition from other men? CK is a great tool eh? Or myfitnesspal if you have an iPhone? They both track the same things - but depends on how you prefer to access it I guess. Nice to see you in the thread hun!

Belfie - my girl. All I can say is SNAP to the Size 7's. FINALLY, I have found jeans that do not need taking up of the hem lol!!! Are you on maintenance now?

Hi to all you other gorgeous ladies too!

AFM - I've just been flat out with work, kid juggling etc - so again, really sorry I've not been around as often. I beg for your forgiveness

[Astrid]

DH's attitude stems from a lot of things, mostly arrogance, he always knows better His mum is the same, she is huge on the "why don't you just go for a walk" rubbish all the time, if she thinks she knows better she harps on about it. Dh is overweight, but used to be quite fit in his younger days, he was a top weight lifter, studied sports science etc. Then the bad habits hit, followed by a back injury, desk jobs, also he just loves the computer at home Part of it could well be jealousy, I used to be quite a looker when we got together, at the time he loved it, maybe now with him being a fattie, it may scare him if I got back my old figure.

Who knows really I could spend ages trying to work it out and work on him, but I need to fix my emotional stuff first. If I get in a better place, then I will be more able to tell him to stick it when he goes on about what I should or should not be doing with exercise.

Weigh in tomorrow, will have to see how it goes. Not sure if I am 100% with my CK tracking, probably should weigh my food more often. This week should tell me!

Question. Am I better following CK's recommendation of 1420 calories per day, or should I knock it back to 1200? Must admit I struggle some days with the 1420 and I do wonder when the plateau hits, if I am already 1200 cal, then where do I go? I notice the CK forums pretty much says follow what CK says for calories.

[Astrid]

Umm. Last Wed I weighed in at 87kg, one the weekend I did a quick weigh and got 88kg. Well today, I got
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.82.5kg
How the F did that happen? That is over 5kg in 4 days. Either my Wii is competely stuffed, or the Whoosh Fairy has come for a visit. that it is a good and proper loss. Time to try on those jeans that the button was popping on

[ladybird11]

Hmm, did you feel bloated or anything last weigh in? That is a big difference, have you got a normal scales you could try weighing on perhaps?

I always hit that hurdle with those forums - the old 'stick with the recommendations' line. I personally never did. I wanted to lose the weight quicker, and like you, I found it hard to even eat that amount of calories daily - so why eat if you're full? That's my theory. I was eating more protein enriched foods that kept me feeling fuller for longer. But it is each to their own really.

[~StarBright~]

Hey everyone!!

Sorry I have been MIA, i have hit abit of a hurdle and landed in a rut!! DH and I have had some changes going on with work and life.. but its all settling down now. He is back at work which for some reason makes things easier for me to excercise, I have abit of a routine back (it was all over the place when he was home ) and I am about to start work (at Maccas.. ALARM BELLS my weakness food wise!!!) I am hoping that by me being out there and moving a bit more that it wil help with the weight loss and that by working there I will be forever turned off the food!!!! FX

So I have been ok food wise and I thankfully havent regained any weight, just havent lost anymore, so I am yoyoing between 80-81. I havent been hopping on the scales regularly, just checking in to make sure I wasnt undoing all my good work!!

So once things get going for me at work, and I work out my new routine I should be back on track!! To make things harder though my old bike is clinking abit. She is still working for now, but making some weird noises and I can feel abit of a clunk every now and then!! I am hoping with the new job that I get an afternoon free every now and then and I will start doing some running/jogging around town between finishing work and picking up the kids from day care. Also when the weather warms up I will hit the local pool!! I love swimming and that would be a great way to keep in shape and keep cool in the warmer months!!

Medication wise I am still stuck on 5mg a day of the steroids, but hoping to cut that down again next week!!

Sorry I havent been checking the thread so no personals!! I will try to catch up again!!

[Astrid]

LadyBird11 - no not bloated, have been feeling fatter for awhile and my clothes have been confirming that, well they are also confirming this loss (well except for 1 pair of jeans, never been right since I put them in the dryer).

Starbright - nice to see you check in and great that you have not gained. Hopefully Macca's puts you off the food

Bad, bad few days. Thursday started off very well, then DH called, we were going out to dinner. Yes, I know could have been good and got a nice salad, but no. Get to Friday, quite unorganised and decided to take DD1 to the movies right on lunch time. So ended up eating movie popcorn and a choc top for lunch Dinner I thought would be good, but after logging it on CK, realised it was not. Lenards chicken jumbos are yummy, but evil Add to that today, out with family, lunch time yet again. Went to Maccas, got a wrap (good), but had the fries (bad). Also DH has brought home some extra yummy cookies. So absolute total write off for 3 days.

Will be back on track tomorrow. Good food in the house (will hide the cookies ) and lots of house stuff to do as my dad is coming over later in the week. So have to be on track all week, as there will be birthday stuff coming up and I do want some cake!

[belfie]

Astrid - how are you going today? I'm cheering you on

SB - I'm glad to hear you haven't gained weight. My DH is doing the same - he's crook again (vertigo) atm - but is managing to keep stable. That's a blessing when on those meds huh. Fingers crossed you'll be able to get things moving soon.

Ladybird - yep, am on maintenance. Have found it oddly harder than tryign to lose (that sounds crazy I know). I panic that I"m going to gain, but I still weigh once a week - and this morning was a mere 100g over my goal weight, so i'm really fine with that. Woo hoo for the jeans. I got lucky with some sass & bide's - woot! They have no waist, exactly what i need tehehe. I think I'm still not as buff as I was when younger, but i'm enjoying being slimmer (I think it's still sinking in actually). I've been doing plenty of clothes shopping which has been lots of fun. Hope you're going well

[MrsFabuloso]

Aarrrgghhh, help me, I have fallen and I can't get up!!!............LOL.

Seriously though, I am so so doing terribly at the moment. Since we went away almost a month ago now, I just can't regroup. I can't figure out why. Things are the same. We have had a few illnesses, but nothing tooooo terrible. I know what I need to do and I am trying. But I see myself eat junk or just too much food or something I should choose because there's something better to have, but I do it any way. I think I shouldn't and do. What's with that?? I'm just getting fatter and fatter. Well I feel like I am. I have no idea if I am because I haven't weighed or measured myself for over a week. I'm not game enough to. I will be so upset if I've put on the whole 8kg I lost since DS2 was born....


Those of you who have lost alot of weight, well not even really, any weight, because 5kg is just as tough to lose as 35 if you're struggling like me! What helped you do it? What was it that really got you going? I have been trying so long, it's always on my mind. DS2 is almost 9mths old. When I had him, I had hoped to have been able to have lost at least 15-20kg by now. Seriously not unrealistic. I just don't know what to do. I can't focus.

[Astrid]

Wish I had the answer for you 3LM. I know exactly how you feel, I am halfway between that and being totally focused. Please don't be so hard on yourself, pretty amazing that you are seriously contemplating major weightloss with a bub under 1yo.

I think there is a point where is just clicks/kicks in. For me that tends to be when I get worse with my habits and the effects really begin to show. This time around, I was just getting fed up with everything about me and life, so decided to do something about it. I first started working on a few emotional/self development things and then from there, some motivation has stemmed to do more about my weight. Also watching shows like "Eat yourself Sexy", give me that extra little oomph. For me it is all interconnected, my weight affects my emotional wellbeing and my emotional wellbeing, in turn, affects my weight.

Belfie - thanks for being on my cheer squad

[~StarBright~]

3LM xoxox For me I hit a hurdle too because it seemed like my whole life was revolving around the excercise, eating, the bike, there wasnt a good balance there and I was ignoring the house and worst of all the kids .. it was all a bit too much!! And I wasnt seeing huge ginourmous results for my effort!! It was a bit depleating. I kind of have to wait and find a natural balance for me. I just need to make sure that the food shopping doesnt include bad food so it isnt there as an option, no matter how easy and convientiant it may be. And if one day I dont get on the bike, then it isnt the end of the world.
And somethign seems to be working coz i am....

79.7!!!!!!!

Not quite going to say I am at my first goal just yet, as i would like to cut that .7 down a bit first!!! But 79 was my first goal!! It took a darn long time!! I really think that for me working is going to help alot. (so far I have managed to stay away from the food) Just moving aorund for 4-8 hours a day is going ot make a huge difference to me. It happened when I went back to work after losing Darren, I lost alot of weight once I went back to work!!! (I didnt have scales then so I dont know what I was and what I lost.. but enough to notice!!) Plus I am hoping to be able to incorporate going for a run and maybe a few swims when the weather warms ups and the kids are in day care!!! FX!!!

So girls there is hope!!!! Its about finding the balance and keeping focussed, but not obsessed!!! Good luck to everyone for the new week ahead!!! xoxoxox

[belfie]

Those of you who have lost alot of weight, well not even really, any weight, because 5kg is just as tough to lose as 35 if you're struggling like me! What helped you do it? What was it that really got you going? I have been trying so long, it's always on my mind. DS2 is almost 9mths old. When I had him, I had hoped to have been able to have lost at least 15-20kg by now. Seriously not unrealistic. I just don't know what to do. I can't focus.

Ok what helped me...well I stopped & started a few times. I wrote my "commitment" to lose weight document... then fell off the wagon. Then 2 months later tried again and it worked. I had the "errrrk" photo moment (January). My document (see below) outlined what I wanted to do, how I was going to do it, what my rewards were... basically a contract. My THREAT was that if I didn't keep losing, i HAD to track all my food in CK. I hate tracking food, it sucks and takes time I don't want to spend. So that as a threat worked for me. I had tracked in the past, so I guess it was easier to know how much I was supposed to eat, that's important. I read in Michelle Bridges book a comment that it's not about emotion, that's too fickle. Nor motivation. Nor willpower. Nor determination. It's actually just about habit & routine. Just get up and do it. So my first goal was 30 mins exercising every day, 5 days a week. I guess it also helped that my timeline was by DD's 1st b'day, it was getting to crunch time for me. But equally - that goal was 6 months away, so definitely was not my focus on a day to day basis. You really need to set smaller goals, break it down. I found I didn't actually get myself many of the rewards on my list... but was was important was that I COULD have, as I had earned them.

The other thing that strikes me from reading this thread & your comments... you said you've been doing it so long, it's always on your mind. You're looking backwards. All that matters is today and tomorrow. Don't worry about yesterday, just live today as you intend to live. To me, you sound like you're dragging all this baggage along, and it's a lot of negative self-talk. I found if I woke up every day and said "make each food choice a smart choice" and planned how to get my 30 mins exercise in, then I'd achieve it. I think you can hamstring yourself by kinda sorta half doing something for ages, and it becomes associated with so much guilt. When you actually commit and are doing it, you'll surprise yourself with how much better you feel about yourself. This "thing" of losing weight that you're secretly dreading the whole time... you'll feel a million bucks once you really get going & see some results. And post in here about your goals each day if it helps, make it public - I found that helped me. I don't know if that helps, I know the answer is inside you and what works for one person may not work for another. I also foudn that my snacks were the weak point in my diet. When I fixed them, everything else was ok... so that's where I focussed. I also (for a long time) had 2 squares of dark chocolate as my treat every day. I know some folks in here swear off treats, but I found they helped me to get through. I coulda lost weight quicker without them, but it made it maintainable for me. Again, I guess it's all about what works for you. And ultimately you need to review each week - so if you're gaining or plateauing... then you need to change SOMETHING. You need to be smarter than your body which wants to stick to it's old sugary ways. So I guess it's liek a game of chess, find a way to out-strategise. So often girls come back in here beating themselves up for gaining... don't get emotional... get EVEN! Analyse it, set a strategy, try it for a week. If you gain... why? what did you eat? What can you replace it with? Was it lack of exercise, how can you fit it in? It's not easy with kids, but it can be done. And you can do it.
Lol essay over now... gotta run, hope it helps .

SB - woo hoo, that's great!

My commitment document - written January this year (prior to losing 14kg)

WHY AM I FAT?
Children, genetics, laziness, bad habits (chips, chocolate, drinks, not enuff salad/fruit), emotional eating, lack of exercise (inability to exercise), excuses – using FM/family issues

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?
Exercise more. Eat better. Make it habit. Stop making excuses. Don’t be daunted by long-term prospect.

WHERE WILL I FALL DOWN?
Stress, too busy, emotions, lack of planning, time poor, lack of prioritisation

WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE?
1. Exercise 5 times a week – 30 mins walk / 15 mins cycle/run / swim / Wii Fit
2. Track food in CK for 3 days. If weekly loss LESS than 500g, start tracking in CK again.
3. Aim to lose 11kg. 69kg -> 58kg (BMI: 23.23).
4. Diet coke only on social occasions

REWARDS:
DD is 6 months old. You can do it quicker & easier while she’s feeding more.
You will feel GREAT
You DO have self-discipline.
-3kg: new earrings
-5kg: new jewellery/make-up/scarf
-7kg: facial/massage
-9kg : Zumba for Wii, two new pieces of clothing
-11kg: BIG CLOTHES SHOP!
-14kg: New picture for house

WHEN I’M EMOTIONAL/STRESSED:
exercise (walk with kids if necessary),
stressbusters – music, bubbles, look on whiteboard.

And my personal motivators/fears:
Crutches.
DIABETES.
SMALLER BOOBIES!!!

KEEP WALKING/RUNNING!

[ladybird11]

3LM - I simply just like being slim, I have way more energy, I'm more active, I can move more freely - and those factors really make my life easier and therefore better. Not having to worry about going clothes shopping, not having to worry about not being able to keep up with the kids, being a positive role model for my kids - things like that, and they improve with each and every workout and healthy food intake day - both go hand in hand.
So its easy for me to see those improvements, therefore I'm encouraged to continue on with the program as I'm feeling the positive effects of the healthier lifestyle. If I am having a flat day for whatever reason - I grit my teeth, and do the exercise anyway - then feel 100% better for it afterwards. I just kept thinking to myself 'I won't lose the weight sitting on my ar$e'. I hope this helps hun!

Strbright - I'm so happy for you hun! What a gorgeous number to see on those scales. You ROCK!!!

[Astrid]

Ah well, that loss was to good to be true. 4.5kg of it is back today So overall a loss of 1kg for 2 weeks. Better than nothing, but was hoping for a tad more. So feeling rather gutted, I know I have had stuff ups, but I though overall I was doing quite well. I suppose better than getting bigger overall. AF is here, so not sure how much she comes into play with weigh-ins. I thought I was feeling less podgy, so I better get measuring to check.

Wont be able to any specific exercise today, the house is a disaster and my dad is arriving tomorrow for a few days. So I will be moving, it will just be lots of vacuuming, sweeping, mopping and scrubbing. I already feel shattered just thinking abut it.

[Beach Mama]

I'm BAAAAAAAACCCCCKKKKK!!!! Didja miss me???!!!!!! I have missed you all but almost 2 mths goes fast hey!? (I asked to be let out of ban world early !!) You will all be pleased to know I have been silently stalking you - I found a way to browse this forum as a guest on my phone so was able to read all updates - it's been quiet in here and I know some people are having some trouble with motivation - me included.

I haven't weighed for a while because I just found all my scales so inconsistent so am measuring but really I can tell what is going on (not a lot!) I have been exercising on an average of 4 days a week usually JM - am doing Ripped in 30 and man it is hard. I have still plateaued though so I think I really need to kick up my exercise a notch and cut carbs. Just trying to figure out what I will replace my carbs with!

Ok back later for personals but big huge supermassive to you all!!

[MrsFabuloso]

Tan!! Welcome back hun

Thanks to everyone who has answered my questions. TBH, I haven't had a propper chance to read anything, but will BBL to read and write a reply!

[MrsFabuloso]

Ok I have had time to read and will reply properly now.

Thankyou to everyone who has replied to my q's. I really appreciate it.

Belfie and ladybird11 in particular, thankyou both so much for your words! So much has actually really resonated with me and I am hoping might be what I needed to hear to help me get back that mojo I had and will need to get, and keep, going.

I am weighed down with the past. I have alot of issues with body image and self esteem and have always had them. My mother and brothers are alot to blame for that. Just that now, it's warrented, I am fat, I am unhealthy and don't look 'nice'. Back before kids and all this weight gain, it was all in my head, and now I know that, I mourn what I was and had then. But that will never be what I will be, it's never going to be possible for me to look like that again, and I need to deal with that. And noone say with hard work I can be waht I was, because I can't. My body is ruined from pregnancy and having large, tall babies in a small body (despite me being overweight, I am quite slight in build, at only 163cm tall), and nothing short of a major plastic surgery body overhaul will change that (though still, I would never be how I was). I need to love me for who and what I am now.

But what I can take from the past, is remembering how it felt to be fit and healthy and slim. To be able to walk into a store and buy size 10/12 clothes and *know* that they would fit, and more importantly look and feel nice. I want to be able to run for the bus and not keel over from exhaustion 5 steps from where I started!

Now, I can lose weight. Now, I can be fit and healthy. Now, I can be a good role model for my family, in particular my children, my daughter. Now, I need to change how I think. I need to change the bad habbits which have formed in the past 5(ish)yrs.

I am going to write out a detailed plan when I have time alone (likely not for another few days). I will go to the library and do it (along with my uni applications!)

Lets see if we can get this tiny spark to snowball!

[ladybird11]

3LM - I'm happy to be of any help hun! How is your mojo going lately ? Good luck with the uni applications too!

WELCOME BACK TANSTAR!!! Yup, you were missed chic!

Hi everyone, sorry for it being short and sweet, I should really get to bed for an early start at work tomorrow!