Working on Weight Loss During Training—New Year New Us!

[Worfiedoodles]

Good Morning!

Yesterday I spent an hour on the TM. It was the end of my day and I didn't particularly look forward to it, but once I was going it felt good. I actually felt lighter. I realize that's probably all in my head, but it's a delusion I'd like to keep!

One of my co-workers, whom I hesitated to tell I'm going to put real effort into losing weight, told me today she's going to lose 30 lbs. by this time next year, and she's already lost 4. She told me she lost 4 today, I told her I lost 3yesterday. I think from now on I'll just keep it to myself. The last thing I need is to be in competition, especially since I suspect that no matter what I lose, the next day she'll have lost 1 more pound...

Tonight I get to workout to the Biggest Loser. I love walking to that, it's really motivational, and the time flies by.

Bill -- You're right, fitness isn't a particular number on a scale. It really varies by the individual. Trying to live a healthy lifestyle is hard, and sometimes the numbers we see do not reflect the effort we are putting into it. If you feel good about what you are doing, then you are doing well!

Dave -- My dh agrees with you (thank goodness!), he finds those super skinny models to look "sickly", and not attractive at all. And as we recently saw on Dancing with the Stars (where the first to go was a super skinny female model), she didn't weight much, but she was far from fit! I wanted to give her a

Connie -- I think you hit at the heart of the issue -- everything in moderation. If you have a balanced life with exercise and activity, and balanced eating, you will look fit (unless you're like me and you need to get back to a "fit" place). When you have imbalances, your body shows it. It sometimes takes awhile to recover, but you can do it. And your ideal should not be a teeny tiny Olsen twin, it may be very hard to find a good role model. I think you are much more likely to find one at your gym, cruising the veggies at the grocery store, etc. Looking for one in the pages of a magazine is probably like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Wendy -- Thanks for the encouragement! You are doing fabulous. The first time I hit a plateau, I'm dropping some white foods. It sounds like it has worked wonders for you!

Cam -- I'm doing ok so far -- now that I'm writing down everything I eat, it's easier to not just head to the kitchen for another snack. I can't conveniently "forget" I already had a 100 cal pack, so my night-time eating has greatly improved.

Nancy -- Were you laughing like I was when the model was sent home? I think this was the first time in her life she was ever not "chosen"...Based on her comments afterward, some humility would not be a bad thing...

Everyone have a great day!
Maria

 

[keenercam]

Maria -- congratulations, sweetie!!!

I am really floundering right now with this back injury and rebelling against the restriction of no running or "walking" until further notice. I'm allowed to use the recumbent stationary bike, so I am going to get up early tomorrow and head to the gym to do an hour or so. I was very pleased to be down 4pounds yesterday when I went to the doctor (compared to my weight on 9/4. So, while I'm not breaking any land speed records for weight loss, at least I am seeing some progress.

Oh, and Wendy, my experience has been just the same -- my weight is always up the day after a significant workout. UGH!!! Seems counter-intuitive doesn't it? Certainly counter-productive! I think I've read somewhere that your body holds onto fluids in that situation. I can tell you I always look so bloated in post-race pics, so that doesn't surprise me. Congrats on the amazing progress on the scale in such a short time! Oh, and I tried the Progresso light (0 point) veggie rice soup today and thought it was really good. Very high sodium, though, so I am drinking a lot of water today.

Keep up the great work, everyone!

 

[windwalker]

Maria, I hope someday all people will see the beauty in others and not judge each other by such standards. I've never been a looker and at times in my life it has really bothered me. But I've come to truely believe your personality is more important than your outward appearance.

I do strongly believe in changing what you have control over, like your over all health and fitness. I work in a mall and when I come to work there is always a cluster of young men and women out smoking. Most are on break from their jobs and will light a second cigarette off the last one so they can store up the nicotine. Not to many years ago I was one of them.

Cam, Darlin, get well! We need you in the Chaos of the ToT event.

Cindy, how you doing little lady?

Wendy, we hung up our medals on a curtain rod like you did, we don't have nearly as many though.

Dave

 

[Steffwalks]

Hey Guys!

Cam! I hope that back injury heals up in record time! No fun!

Maria! I really dislike being in "competition" with anyone when it comes to weight loss. We can control what we eat and what we do, but we can't control how our bodies percieve it! And we dang sure can't control what comes out of someone else's mouth! You will succeed, because you will.

I could hang all my medals on a curtain rod.....one made for a doll house! I have a new lofty goal. -- Maybe I should wallpaper with numbers, instead...

Ladies, one the most important things our body does for us is to collect fluid to heal our tissues! That fluid is made up of all kinds of wonderful healing chemicals that we couldn't afford on any health plan, if we had to buy them! Think of it as an internal bandage!

Here's to your health! -- Connie

 

[Cindylou]

Hi Everyone,

Maria: Congrats on the weight loss. I'm glad it makes you feel lighter. That's great incentive to keep it up. Don't worry about your co-worker. Even if she does lose more weight and faster than you, it's important to focus on what you are accomplishing.

Connie: I like the race number wall paper idea. It would be quite colorful, and very inspirational.

Dave: Hi

Cam: Sorry about your injury. I'm glad you can at least do the bike. Do what you need to do to get better.

Bill: Just keep at it. It's great that your daughters are very active. I definitely worry about how I'm influencing my daughters views. One of my daughters really likes princesses so while I don't want to discourage that I also don't want her to compare her looks to them and feel she doesn't measure up. (Of course in my opinion, both my daughters are much better looking than any princess.) I do love that whenever they see someone running they say "Mommy running".

I'm definitely having a hard time of eating well right now. I find that as the days get shorter I'm genetically programmed to find as much food as I can and put it in my mouth. Who can fight millions of years of evolution? I'm trying to be sure that I have healthy choices at hand so even if I eat too many calories they will be nutritionally good foods. I've had the Progresso Light Southwest Vegetable soup. YUM!!

Have a great day everyone.
Cindy

 

[padisneyfan]

I will have to check out the Progresso Light soups. I am trying to lose those same 5 pounds before I leave for Disney in 13 days.

Cam-- Hope you are feeling better soon.

Congratulations to everyone who is losing the weight.

Nancy

 

[keenercam]

Hi, everyone! I am still doing well with journaling every bite I eat, even if I shouldn't eat it. Remarkably, I've been able to stay within my required calorie range or the slightly higher range that I adopted recently to give my body more fuel.

Sadly, I've been totally unable to do any workouts since Saturday's 10 miles. I have been struggling to do my daily 100 push-ups and 100 crunches, all on the ball so that there is no strain on my back at all. Just walking the 3+ blocks to my car is about what I can manage now. I am "saving" myself for ToT, even if I can't do much in the next couple of weeks leading up to it.

Oh, and the scale is still right about in the same range, fortunately. I worried that the lack of workouts would quickly lead to more pounds. Thank God it hasn't.

Keep up the great work on fueling your bodies, my dear WISH friends!

 

[panthergirl]

Well gosh guys did ya think I just fell off the face of the earth? I haven't but I have definitely fallen off the healthly eating bandwagon for a while. My vacation in June started the spiral. However, training has continued on pace so things are not as bad as they could be. Heading to WDW next week for MNNSHP and then back to serious dieting! I will spend some time soon reading the thread and catching up with everyone. I just wanted to stop by and say hi.

 

[Steffwalks]

Hi Everybody!

I haven't had a stellar week. I have been having back pain, so not working out much. I don't think that ToT will present a problem for me, though.

I managed to lose 9 lbs, of the 10 I was going for. So, hopefully, I can shake one more pound off by ToT. Still not eating white food. Okay, I DO eat white food, sometimes, but I try to find an alternative. It's a lot harder to do when eating out, sometimes there just isn't an alternative.

Cam, I hope you are doing better!

Bill, good to hear from you!

Dave, How was the hot tub?? I am soooooooooooo envious!!!

Wendy! Super job! You are doing greaT!

Here's to your health! - Connie

 

[windwalker]

Hi Everybody!

I haven't had a stellar week. I have been having back pain, so not working out much. I don't think that ToT will present a problem for me, though.

I managed to lose 9 lbs, of the 10 I was going for. So, hopefully, I can shake one more pound off by ToT. Still not eating white food. Okay, I DO eat white food, sometimes, but I try to find an alternative. It's a lot harder to do when eating out, sometimes there just isn't an alternative.

Cam, I hope you are doing better!

Bill, good to hear from you!

Dave, How was the hot tub?? I am soooooooooooo envious!!!

Wendy! Super job! You are doing greaT!

Here's to your health! - Connie

Connie, sad for your back issues. Get better.

Here is a link to the health club I use. I workout in the early morning so I usually have the pool and hot tub to my self.

http://www.totalfitnessconnection.com/facilitiesTour.htm

We can sure find a hot whirlpool at WDW to enjoy together. Erica and I like to get in the cool pool after a race (close as we get to an ice bath) then after a while go soak away any soreness.

Dave

 

[Steffwalks]

I keep trying to convince DH that we need a hot tub in the backyard. Afterall, he works out too. Just can't seem to get him to agree.

When Kathy and I meet up for races we always try to book hotels that have an indoor pool, that way we have access to a cool pool and hot tub, both.

 

[padisneyfan]

Connie--- Great job on losing those 9 pounds. I only lost 5 pounds, but I found them again. Hope your back is better.


panthergirl---Enjoy your trip and MNSSHP.

Cam--- I'm impressed that you are staying the same weight and not able to be working out. I tend to pig out when that happens. However, when I had back issues and taking all those drugs my appetite wasn't there so I acutally did lose weight. However, not what I would recommend for weight loss. Hope you are feeling better soon.

Nancy

 

[getnthinr]

Apparently I'm no good at this posting business -- I keep posting and they keep disappearing! Now, if only my memory was good enough to remember all the well-wishes I sent!

Connie -- you're going to make the 10 pounds. No question! (And if the scale doesn't know it, we will!)

Cam -- So sorry about your back woes. My back problems have all been muscular, but I know when your back is messed up, it seems to affect everything.

Dave -- You're still the man. I love reading your cheerful posts across the board.

Susan -- Welcome back!

Nancy and Cindy -- I am becoming a total Progresso soup addict. My favorites are the southwestern and the savory barley -- something about the spicy ones makes it so easy for me to get my veggies in. As Cam cautioned, though, they are sodium-heavy (as all prepared foods seem to be).

Maria -- Do you tivo Biggest Loser? I have never watched it, but have often wanted to. Maybe it'll come out on DVD and I can catch it as a Blockbuster rental. My favorites now are House, Dexter, and CSI -- in that order. Love watching with no commercials while I'm treadmilling.

I forgot to weigh this morning -- something about getting up at 3:30 to drive to a trail marathon distracted me. However, as of yesterday, I was stuck at last week's weight -- guess that's the problem with those super huge losses, at some point, your body's gotta catch up. I'm still doing pretty well, though I did eat the food that was provided at my trail race today -- no pig outs, but I relaxed the "no white foods" rule a little. I did choose wisely when I had a choice -- the multigrain bagel, the PBJ on wheat -- and I ate my normal breakfast and dinner.

Hang in there, everyone!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Good Morning!

Sorry I dropped off the face of the earth for a few days...actually, I unfortunately spent them in bed. I came down with dh's cold, and it wasn't pretty. On the bright side, I went down Friday afternoon, and by yesterday I was able to be up and moving. I really think all the working out helped me kick it out quicker. Today I have a few residuals, but I actually feel pretty good.

I was really sad I missed my 2 outdoor workouts this weekend, but I did do 5.5 miles on the TM last night, and I hope to do another 5 tonight.

Last week I lost another pound. That's four for those of us counting down to Halloween. I think with being sick I hope to lose another 1-2 this week. That would keep me on track for 10 before the Grim Grinning Ghosts come out to socialize.... I guess I'll find out Friday morning

Wendy -- I am afraid we are barely in the 21st century technology-wise. I don't have tv, I just use an old fashioned vcr. I actually don't mind the commercials too much, and I love having a 90-minute workout on a weeknight. I know we need to look into tivo, I'm sure it would be less stressful than always having to set a vcr...

Nancy -- The Progresso soups are delicious. I eat a whole can, so that's 1.5 pts. It's still worth it to me. It's nice and filling, and you are getting your vegetables!

Connie -- I have had that same hot tub conversation with dh, and just as soon as I agree to stay home and not travel, we can have one...it's just not gonna happen. He wouldn't use it at all, and it would be more work than he's inclined to keep up with. Our seasonal pool is bad enough Congrats on the weight loss, that is huge! And I do hope your back feels better. I know that makes it so hard to do anything

Dave -- Thanks for the cool pool advice! I think I can handle that. I was dreading the idea of an ice bath, and I just don't think I could force myself to do it. The cool pool is a great compromise!

Susan! -- So glad you stopped by! It sounds like you are ready to get going again, and I'm sure you will have a wonderful time at MNSSHP!

Cam -- I know you are frustrated with you workout capacity right now, but you are doing what you can, and that is the best you can do. I predict you will have a fantastic time at ToT!

Cindy -- Autumn just makes me hungry, too! I grew up on meat and potatoes in the Midwest, and when it starts to get colder, I find it hard to want a salad. Lightening up my soups has really helped. I still get the warmth of the comfort food, but I'm not getting all the calories. As long as I stay out of the Halloween candy, it'll be alright

Bill -- 5 and 0! Now I just have to find a healthy snack to eat during Sunday's game! We used to have nachos, which aren't currently on my list

Everyone hang in there and have a great day! I hope Columbus Day was enjoyable and relaxing!

Maria

 

[keenercam]

Hi, everyone! THank you for all the good wishes for my back. I have my first physical therapy session Thursday. Doing 4 miles on the TM last night convinced me I am at risk to further injure it, since just swinging my right arm or holding onto the side rail (rather than the front) caused discomfort.

Oh, I am right there with you on the soups! I LOVE eating soup this time of year. If I had a kitchen, I'd make a huge pot of zero point veggie soup and a huge pot of hearty turkey chili and I'd live on those two zero or low point options for lunch and dinner a lot of days. The progresso ones are really good.

I have found another awesome veggie find. It is birdseye tuscan vegetables in spicy tomato sauce. It is in a box and there is a rectangular container covered in plastic. I think it is 2 points, but I usually add a whole can of cut green beans to it and it is nearly a meal in itself (unless you need protein). There is plenty of sauce in it, so you can pour it over a baked potato or add veggies or brown rice to it and still have PLENTY of delicious flavor!

The scale was down this morning which makes me very happy. I would LOVE to be down 4 pounds more by ToT but my body just doesn't give up the pounds that quickly. At this point, I'll be very glad not to have gained!

Oh, lunch today was 2 LaTortilla Factory whole wheat tortillas (100 cals total) with 2 servings of healthy choice honey baked turkey slices (120 cals) and the birdseye veggies with a whole can of green beans (yes, I am VERY full now but I have a hearing at 2 and will have a long, busy afternoon, so I "stocked up", so to speak.)

Keep up the great work, everyone!

Oh, and if any of you are on sparkpeople on the DIS team, I just agreed to become a co-team leader and would LOVE to see you over there. I find that journaling my food there (where I can see how my calories break down) really helps me to stick to the "food is fuel" thing. Oh, and I love the "food is fuel, not friends" saying, Steff! IT always makes me smile. Anyway, if anyone wants a referral to the sparkpeople site or an invitation to the DISboards team, please PM me. It is just another way to support each other (like we all have all the time in the world, right? )

 

[Steffwalks]

Good morning Wishers!!

I LOVE soup any time of year! I eat Progresso Soups quite often for lunch. It's quick to open a can and have a fairly balanced meal! I also make lots and lots of soup. A trick I have learned.....go ahead and make cream soups, just use 1/2 Fat Free cream and 1/2 chicken stock! That really cuts the calories but keeps the flavor!

Cam, congratulations on your position of authority on Spark people! Getting involved like that makes a big difference. You have a lot to bring to the table....so to speak!

I am glad that "Food is fuel, NOT friends" is helpful to you! I hope that the P/T visit was very good!

Boy, The Biggest Loser is kinda wild this time out. I have trouble understanding the strategy, but I guess if it works, it's a great strategy!

I TRY to remember that the scale doesn't ever tell the whole story......sometimes I remember.

 

[Steffwalks]

Good morning Wishers!!

I LOVE soup any time of year! I eat Progresso Soups quite often for lunch. It's quick to open a can and have a fairly balanced meal! I also make lots and lots of soup. A trick I have learned.....go ahead and make cream soups, just use 1/2 Fat Free cream and 1/2 chicken stock! That really cuts the calories but keeps the flavor!

Cam, congratulations on your position of authority on Spark people! Getting involved like that makes a big difference. You have a lot to bring to the table....so to speak!

I am glad that "Food is fuel, NOT friends" is helpful to you! I hope that the P/T visit was very good!

Boy, The Biggest Loser is kinda wild this time out. I have trouble understanding the strategy, but I guess if it works, it's a great strategy!

I TRY to remember that the scale doesn't ever tell the whole story......sometimes I remember.

Here's to your Health! -- Connie

 

[Cindylou]

Hi Everyone,

I really am struggling right now with eating. I've reverted back to some really bad habits. Yesterday I bought a bag of peanut butter and chocolate covered pretzels. I saw them in the store and just had to have them. I ate the whole bag in one day. I can't even bring myself to see how many calories that was, but I'm sure we're talking close to 1000. I really feel like I'm not in control right now. I know that's wrong, because only me is putting food in my mouth right now, but I can't seem to stop myself. I went out to Kohl's Friday night and treated myself to new clothes. I was so psyched to pick out a new lower size. Then when I tried them on most of them were too big and I had to get an even smaller size. I was so excited. And since that night I've been eating everything in sight. I'm not sure what type of warped thing my brain is doing, but I know I have to stop it NOW. I am counting points today and so far so good, but I'm feeling a bit scared right now that if a temptation comes along I'll fold. Does anyone have advice? Any tricks you have to getting control back? HELP!

Maria: I hope you are feeling better. Good job on losing another pound. You are well on your way to 10 by Halloween.

Wendy: Good choices during your race.

Cam: Hope the PT helps tomorrow.

Connie: Great job on losing 9 lbs.

Dave: Hope you enjoyed lots of yummy birthday cake.

Have a great day everyone.

Cindy

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Hello all!

I am on board. I have started good ol' fashioned food diary/calorie counting to find out where my bad spots are. Day 3 and I am already noticing a difference.

Still trying to figure out how many calories I need for weight loss but still nursing.

Then whatever workout calories I have, I can just have something extra as long as the net for the day works towards a loss.

Cam--What happened to your back????

I am presently in PT for my back as well--mostly sacrum, but now that is getting good so we are working on upper back. I am hypermobile (IOW--I can bend over backwards and look people face to face and I have NEVER been to a gymnastics camp!!!) and very weak which causes twists and turns in my spine. So I hope you have as awesome a therapist as I have. He's painful--but amazing!!! (hmm...that sounds....so inappropriate )

I am an overeater--bags of grapes...bags of cookies....overindulge is an understatement once some items pass my lips. Kind of like Garfield and lasagna.


So how do I know how many calories I need to maintain so that I can figure out how many I need so that I can lose???

I think for nursing, I need an extra 200. But I am not sure.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Hi, everyone! I am still doing well with journaling every bite I eat, even if I shouldn't eat it. Remarkably, I've been able to stay within my required calorie range or the slightly higher range that I adopted recently to give my body more fuel.

Sadly, I've been totally unable to do any workouts since Saturday's 10 miles. I have been struggling to do my daily 100 push-ups and 100 crunches, all on the ball so that there is no strain on my back at all. Just walking the 3+ blocks to my car is about what I can manage now. I am "saving" myself for ToT, even if I can't do much in the next couple of weeks leading up to it.

Oh, and the scale is still right about in the same range, fortunately. I worried that the lack of workouts would quickly lead to more pounds. Thank God it hasn't.

Keep up the great work on fueling your bodies, my dear WISH friends!

If you don't mind me being nosy...why are you doing crunches if you have an injured back???

I was sneaking some in--then stopped--then the PT began giving me new moves...and let's just say b/c of the back--even though what I was doing before felt correct..they very much were not.

I'd see what your PT says and LISTEN.

Says me who is queen of disobedience when it comes to training.