Author Topic: Losing Weight in 2016  (Read 459541 times)

elaine amj

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #950 on: July 08, 2016, 10:12:36 PM »
@RedmondStash you are learning so much about yourself! I'm impressed - that type of pattern is not easy to recognize.


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elaine amj

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #951 on: July 09, 2016, 07:33:13 AM »
*huge sigh of relief* Weighed in this morning and I am 131.8 lbs. Yesterday's high of 133.8 was obviously a crazy blip. I was getting pretty worried since I spent the past week seeing my weight creep up daily!


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RedmondStash

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #952 on: July 09, 2016, 08:04:42 AM »
Weigh-in day:

3/12: 162.6
4/2: 160.2
5/7: 157.4
6/4: 157.8
6/11: 158.0
6/18: 156.2
6/25: 155.8
7/2: 155.6
7/9: 156.2

After the way I ate last week, I'm pleased I'm only up half a pound. We'll see how I do at reining it in this week.

@elaine amj -- Congrats on all the progress! I've always been amazed at how my weight meanders up and down without any reasonable explanation on a day-to-day basis, even if the overall trend is up or down. Bodies are weird.

And yeah, I've been dealing with mysterious health ailments for so long now that I've had to treat my body as my laboratory. I run experiments, document results, try not to mess with more than one variable at a time, etc. So that pattern of overdoing, wiping out, and overeating is one I've seen before. The big challenges for me are a) being patient with my physical limitations, even when they piss me off, and b) figuring out how to deal with the screaming toddler inside me who wants that cookie/cake/chocolate NOW, especially since that voice is only rarely loud enough to be problematic.

Forging onward.

elaine amj

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #953 on: July 09, 2016, 11:06:51 PM »
Learning to be patient is huge isnt it? You're doing great ...keep on keeping on :)


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Cookie78

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #954 on: July 11, 2016, 07:49:40 AM »
I went up a pound compared to last weigh in day, but compared to all the rest of the days this week 150.6 is a huge success (the day before was 153, for example). I wasn't very good this week overall with all the free pancake breakfasts and BBQ lunches starting on Thursday. Yesterday I decided I was eating only veggies to make up for the carb loaded previous few days. I managed really well until I opened my freezer and saw that someone had left ice cream there (I had a few friends over on Friday night who brought snacks). So I had all veggies (including potatoes for dinner) and one ice cream.


Monday check in:

Jan 4 Starting weight: 160
Jan 11 weight: 156
Jan 18 weight: 155.2
Jan 25 weight: 156.8
Feb 1 weight: 155.2
Feb 8 weight: 153.2
Feb 15 weight: 151.6
Feb 22 weight 152.6
Feb 29 weight 152.2
Mar 7 weight 149.4
Mar 14 weight 149.4
Mar 21 weight 149.6
Mar 28 weight 149.2
Apr 4 weight 151.2
Apr 11 weight 151.4
Apr 18 weight 152.0
Apr 25 weight 152.2
May 2 weight 150.4
May 9 weight 148.8
May 16 weight 149.2
May 23 weight 149.4 (extrapolated)
May 30 weight 149.6
June 6 weight 148.4
June 13 weight 150.4
June 20 weight 151.0
June 27 weight 152.4
July 4 weight 149.6
July 11 weight 150.6
Goal weight: 130
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Geostache

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #955 on: July 11, 2016, 08:06:24 AM »
Checking in, all. My DH's travel wreaked havoc on my psyche for the past two weeks. Throw in TOM, and it was a whirlwind of stress eating! I'm up way more than I have been on maintenance, and it was a huge wake up call. Let's just say I saw a weight today I haven't seen in 3 or 4 months - and not in the good direction! I'm not going to beat myself up over it. Given the amount of stress I've been under, I'm thankful that everyone made it through the two weeks with their wits intact!

So today, I'm recommitting to getting back on track. Mine and my DH's work travel has come to a stop for the foreseeable future; I have plenty of CSA vegetables in the refrigerator, and I got some quick protein snacks to add in to help me cut out the mass quantities of sugar I've been inhaling.

My ultimate goal is still 140, but I'm adjusting my expectations of when I will actually reach it. For now, I'm setting a mini goal of reaching 150 by the end of the calendar year. It's a slow rate of loss, but I think it's totally do-able.

Today wasn't an official weigh-in day, but I reached. 163.2. Oof. That's 8 pounds over my lowest weigh in.

Frugal Lizard

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #956 on: July 11, 2016, 08:11:44 AM »
Cookie and everyone else...
A quick tip from Slim by Design - wrap those snacks and sweets in an opaque wrapper.  Ice cream covered in tin foil gets eaten way slower than in the naked state with it's appealing images calling for you every time you open the freezer.  get those healthy items in clear containers at eye level and get all those unhealthy snacks hidden in the crisper.

I am trying this - chunks of watermelon are flying out of the fridge.

Cookie78

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #957 on: July 11, 2016, 08:27:45 AM »
Cookie and everyone else...
A quick tip from Slim by Design - wrap those snacks and sweets in an opaque wrapper.  Ice cream covered in tin foil gets eaten way slower than in the naked state with it's appealing images calling for you every time you open the freezer.  get those healthy items in clear containers at eye level and get all those unhealthy snacks hidden in the crisper.

I am trying this - chunks of watermelon are flying out of the fridge.

Good idea. I do this for the most part. I hate food going bad in my fridge, so I usually wash and cut up veggies in snack size pieces as soon as I can. Also if I'm feeling like a snack I usually just go out to the garden to see what's ready to eat. I have a raspberry bush that's producing just enough for a daily snack, but not too much so that I over eat them. And peas and cucumbers and both snack size and monstrous size zucchinis and SO MUCH Swiss chard.

As for the sweets I usually don't have them around at all. I didn't even know there was ice cream in the freezer until I opened the door and it wasn't me who put it there. I'll have to try this with the chocolate chips next time I buy them though. I threw in a handful in a yogurt snack one day last week and then I couldn't stop eating them. I ended up using them up by making rhubarb oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for the party on Friday and making my friends eat most of them. What was left over I brought to work.

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #958 on: July 11, 2016, 09:38:41 AM »
Just realized that I haven't posted in weeks! I keep clicking in to read but then get distracted before I can respond.

I am so excited to see the successes that you all have been having and am pulling for those who are hitting temporary setbacks on their journey.

I was 145 after a week long vacation with my family so was pleasantly surprised to come back from holiday a pound lighter than when I left. I have my in-laws to thank for that. They are both extremely health and weight conscious people so there is NO junk food in their house except for margaritas. Since my SIL and her family were also visiting and they are anti-booze we didn't even have the usual margaritas while we were there. I came back from the trip a little hungry but otherwise we had a great time :)

I was realizing that I could probably drop another 5 pounds "easily" but it would mean cutting out alcohol or upping my exercise significantly - To be honest, neither of those things appeal to me at all right now. I'll work on maintaining where I'm at.

I just realized it took me it took me almost five months to loose five pounds. Wow!


ender

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #959 on: July 12, 2016, 08:21:21 AM »
I'm on vacation this week and we moved last week, so I'm not sure what I'm at for weight - it's probably going to be depressing. Have ate out more than normal the past few weeks...

JoJo

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #960 on: July 12, 2016, 10:26:25 AM »
I've had continual loss and am now down 65 lbs this year.  I'm committed not to yo-yo again and finally donated and tossed a whole bunch of my "fat clothes" over the last couple weeks.

The key for me is avoiding temptation - no sugar and very minimal starches (controlled portions).  I love summer because the veggies are fresh and cheap!

Evgenia

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #961 on: July 12, 2016, 10:58:39 AM »
Slowly as she goes, but at least it's going. My goal is 10 lbs., maybe 15 lbs. by Christmas. We'll see what I think after the 10 lbs. are gone. Everyone says that it's the last five and last 10 lbs. that seem to take forever, and that's where I started, and I agree.

May 25: 172 lbs.

June 9: 169.8 (This was disheartening, as I had REALLY been eating less, totally cut out sweets, and was doing lots more manual labor. Aging is bullshit. The only thing I would keep from my early 20s is my metabolism.)

June 22: 168.6

July 6: 168.2 and stayed there a while

July 12: 167.2 (Will be happy when I'm under 167, as I'll have OFFICIALLY lost five little stupid pounds then).

Sigh. A week on the John Muir Trail next month should help move this along! The back country usually does.

I'm so impressed with all of you who are losing more. Thanks for the inspiration.

rockstache

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #962 on: July 13, 2016, 09:04:48 AM »
I've had continual loss and am now down 65 lbs this year.  I'm committed not to yo-yo again and finally donated and tossed a whole bunch of my "fat clothes" over the last couple weeks.

The key for me is avoiding temptation - no sugar and very minimal starches (controlled portions).  I love summer because the veggies are fresh and cheap!

Wow, that's a huge loss! Congratulations. I love summer veggies too.

Today is not an official weigh in day for me, but stepping on the scale this morning I saw the lowest number that I have seen so far this year = 130.0 (I checked 3 times just to be sure!). It will probably go back up from that a few times before I hit it *for real* but I am still excited to see it. 120s here I come!!

Frugal Lizard

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #963 on: July 14, 2016, 08:32:03 PM »
Weigh in day
Oops - back up to 127.  Oh well.
Not sure what is going on - checked a couple of times and no change on the scale.
Back to monitoring....

MicroSpice

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #964 on: July 15, 2016, 08:32:28 AM »
We got back from our vacation on Monday morning, and I've been playing catch-up since then, so I apologize for my radio silence. We had a great time on our trip, and the scale is definitely confirming that. :-(

But, as a little NSV, we went to a baseball game last night with some friends, and a couple of them complimented me on my weight loss and one went so far as to call me skinny! Not true, but appreciated nonetheless.

It sounds like a lot of us are hitting some rough patches, but I know everyone here is fully capable of hitting their goals, no matter how long it takes. You all impress the hell out of me. Go team!

Weight Progress:
- 1/10: 133 pounds
- 2/22: 128 pounds
- 3/25: 123.6 pounds
- 4/28: 124.4 pounds
- 5/17: 123 pounds
- 5/26: 125.6 pounds
- 6/6: 128.8 pounds
- 6/30: 124 pounds
- 7/15: 126 pounds

Goal Weight: 110 pounds

elaine amj

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #965 on: July 17, 2016, 10:31:17 AM »
Just got back from a week's vacation last night. Well, compared to last Friday, I lost a wee bit. It's not showing the true picture though since last Sunday, I was down to 132 lbs. Oh well, I'll take it!

Jan 1 2016: 154 lbs....Jan 8 2016: 153.2 lbs....Jan 15 2016:149.2 lbs....Jan 22 2016: 148 lbs....Jan 29 2016....147.4 lbs
Feb 5 2016: 145.2 lbs..Feb 12 2016: 142.8 lbs..Feb 19 2016: 140.6 lbs...Feb 26 2016: 140.8 lbs
Mar 4 2016: 139 lbs....Mar 11 2016: 138 lbs.....Mar 18 2016: VACAY......Mar 25 2016: 136.8 lbs
Apr 1 2016: 137.8 lbs..Apr 8 2016: 136.8 lbs....Apr 15 2016: 135.8 lbs...Apr 22 2016: 134.8 lbs...April 30 2016: 133.6 lbs
May 6, 2016:133.6 lbs.May 13 2016:134.6 lbs...May 21 2016: 137.6 lbs..May 26 2016: 132.2 lbs
Jun 3, 2016: 133.6 lbs.June 10 2016:133.8 lbs..June 17 2016: 132.2 lbs.June 24 2016:131.2 lbs
July 8, 2016: 133.2 lbs.July 8, 2016: 133.8 lbs...July 17 2016: 133.4 lbs

20.6 lbs lost
GOAL WEIGHT: 130 lbs (Stretch Goal 120 lbs)

We tent camped all week and it was awesome. I was hiking, swimming, canoeing, jogging on the beach every chance I got - trying to make sure I spent at least 1.5-2 hours a day actively moving. Foodwise, I discovered that there IS such a thing as too much meat. We had steak, ribs, chicken wings, etc etc and my tummy was protesting. 2/3 of the way through our trip, we had to do a grocery store run to buy more salad. By day 4, I was having an avocado for breakfast and fruit for lunch. Even my kids were eating only half their normal quantities. That said, there was always plenty of room for ice cream :)

Now I am home again for a couple of weeks before our next camping trip. I plan to eat carefully and cut back on the snacking. I'm still feeling a little off from consuming so much meat and junk food. So weird how my body has changed. Its begging for more veggies now.

Cookie78

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #966 on: July 18, 2016, 08:32:43 AM »
And the yoyo continues. I was down to 149 throughout the week, then popped back up to 151. I think my biggest problem is that it's just not a big enough priority right now. Too many other things are going on that are more important to me right now to be motivated enough to stay on track consistently. Also I'm quite sure there's something physiological going on about being below 150. As soon as I get there the devil on my shoulder convinces me that I deserve cake... until I go back up. At least the yoyo is only within 3-4 pounds.

Monday check in:

Jan 4 Starting weight: 160
Jan 11 weight: 156
Jan 18 weight: 155.2
Jan 25 weight: 156.8
Feb 1 weight: 155.2
Feb 8 weight: 153.2
Feb 15 weight: 151.6
Feb 22 weight 152.6
Feb 29 weight 152.2
Mar 7 weight 149.4
Mar 14 weight 149.4
Mar 21 weight 149.6
Mar 28 weight 149.2
Apr 4 weight 151.2
Apr 11 weight 151.4
Apr 18 weight 152.0
Apr 25 weight 152.2
May 2 weight 150.4
May 9 weight 148.8
May 16 weight 149.2
May 23 weight 149.4 (extrapolated)
May 30 weight 149.6
June 6 weight 148.4
June 13 weight 150.4
June 20 weight 151.0
June 27 weight 152.4
July 4 weight 149.6
July 11 weight 150.6
July 18 weight 151.0
Goal weight: 130

oneday

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #967 on: July 18, 2016, 10:37:51 AM »
Cookie78, I am dealing with the same issues right now.   I am putting the weight loss on hold while I sort through a couple things.  It's enough (for me) to yoyo, as you say, in a 3-4 pound range.  I consider this holding steady, since the body likes to hold on to or release water weight on it's own schedule.  Just so long as it does not go up more than that!  And that I see the lower numbers occasionally too (I weigh daily).

MicroSpice

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #968 on: July 18, 2016, 11:05:43 AM »
I'm making Monday my weigh-in day again, since that is the date to weigh in for the challenge I'm doing on MFP. Since starting said challenge, I'm UP .2 pounds. :-\ Oy.

But, I'm making good progress. I got a digital food scale that I started using with more regularity at the end of last week, and it's quite the eye-opener. I was eyeballing my Greek yogurt every morning, thinking I was getting about a cup, but I was actually getting LESS than that. Like, a lot less. No wonder I was so damn hungry at 10:30. Now, it's a little difficult for me to finish the whole thing, but I can definitely make it to lunch time now.

And I continue on with yoga at work. There's going to be a hiatus in a couple of weeks (break between semesters), but I will sign up again for the fall, and find something else to do during that time - I have to. I feel so much better when I do it, and since getting back from our trip, my back is killing me, which yoga definitely helps with.

Did I also mention I got a standing desk at work? Can't remember if I did - totally using it right now! Lol - back to work for me.

Weight Progress:
- 1/10: 133 pounds
- 2/22: 128 pounds
- 3/25: 123.6 pounds
- 4/28: 124.4 pounds
- 5/17: 123 pounds
- 5/26: 125.6 pounds
- 6/6: 128.8 pounds
- 6/30: 124 pounds
- 7/15: 126 pounds
- 7/16: 125.2 pounds

Goal Weight: 110 pounds

elaine amj

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #969 on: July 18, 2016, 02:16:00 PM »
@cookie78 I hear ya about hanging in that 3-4 lb range. Kinda annoying after a while but I remind myself that's the body's typical weight range.

@microspice a standing desk sounds rather awesome....I've often worried that it might get too exhausting though?

As for me, I'm proud to report that I have started biking to work!! Yesterday, I used my bday money from my father to buy a $45 used bike. Its a basic singlespeed (the previous owner removed the gears) that actually fits my frame perfectly. Although the front wheel is slightly wobbly, it has fatter tires and feels stable and the frame is the perfect size for me (a shocker as it is a men's frame and I am a super short 5 ft woman who typically rides kid-sized bikes!). I feel secure, even going over bumps in the road. I felt confident in traffic, even when dealing with lights etc.

Turns out it is only about 20 mins to work :) I'm doing this mostly for Mustachian reasons, but happy to sneak more exercise in too. Hopefully I can stay strong through various weather conditions! Unfortunately, tomorrow I will have to drive to work. I forgot to bring back a cart I had used and someone else needs it tomorrow. No way to transport that by bike :(

RedmondStash

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #970 on: July 18, 2016, 09:31:40 PM »
As for me, I'm proud to report that I have started biking to work!!

@Elaine, that's awesome! Way to go!

I ride my stationary bike at home all the time for exercise, but I haven't been on an actual moving bike in years. Work is too far for me to bike to, but if I were closer, it would be awfully cool.

Geostache

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #971 on: July 19, 2016, 07:21:49 AM »
@Elaine AMJ: I'm jealous of your ability to ride into work! I'm only about 13 miles from work, but the kids go to daycare on-site, and there is no way I'm taking them in a bike trailer on those roads to work.

My emotions have been all over the place. June and half of July were rough as far as stress is concerned. The work travel for myself and DH (and the kids' subsequent clingy-ness) were too overwhelming for me, and I slipped right back into my old habits. And sure enough, my body reminded me of the results I get when I do that. I'm up freaking almost 10 pounds from my lowest weight. Ugh! So, time to figure out a new normal for me. And it does not include keeping these extra 10 pounds on my frame! I feel sluggish and gross.

At least I have one positive. I had my annual check up yesterday, and I was able to tell my midwife that I'm down 18 pounds from the beginning of the year. That's still nothing to sneeze at, and I need to focus on what I've achieved versus what I've lost.

Any suggestions for motivators would be greatly appreciated!

alsoknownasDean

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #972 on: July 19, 2016, 07:40:25 AM »
Original weight: 116.3kg
Last weigh-in's weight: 115.4kg
Current weight: 116.9kg
Goal weight: 90kg

D'oh. I need to fix this. I've resumed riding my bike to work (I stopped for a month or so because of the rainy weather and because end of financial year was meaning I was leaving work later). Hopefully re-introducing exercise (and not having a great big dinner) will help things along.

Now work is starting to calm down (I'm finally able to start catching up on tasks), I'll have to get back onto it.

One thing that I noticed (and have noticed again upon resuming riding). When I drive or take public transport to work, I'll usually get home feeling a little bit hungry but not too bad. When I ride my bike, I'll often be starving when I get home. There's a good chance that I end up eating more for dinner as a result.

I don't eat a lot of snacks, and when I do it's often fruit (I usually buy fruit and leave it at my desk at work). After lunch I'm usually not that hungry until I leave for home.
« Last Edit: July 19, 2016, 07:43:28 AM by alsoknownasDean »

MicroSpice

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #973 on: July 19, 2016, 08:44:15 AM »
@elaine amj - The standing desk I got is called a Varidesk, and it adjusts up or down so that you can decide whether you are standing or sitting. I alternate between standing and sitting throughout the day. My back is thanking me for it. I actually find sitting all day to be more exhausting.

@alsoknownasDean - Maybe consider switching your end-of-day snack to something with some more protein or fat. Cheese, hard boiled eggs, crackers with hummus; those all might satisfy you a bit more than the fruit.

@Geostache - Finding motivation is perhaps my biggest problem. Probably the problem for most people. I think it's really more about creating sustainable habits, because habits are our default. Pick one thing at a time - drinking more water, going for an evening walk, meal planning, whatever - and focus on that one thing until you've got it down. Then move on to the next. Admittedly, this process yields slower results than going full-tilt on calorie restriction and exercise, but it's also more sustainable.

wildbeast

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #974 on: July 19, 2016, 01:51:23 PM »
I'll join in.  :)

My first step will be giving up my daily breakfast bagel - it's not doing my waistline any favors and it's lots of empty calories.  That will be my goal this week.  I already had one today, so I'll start tomorrow. 

alsoknownasDean

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #975 on: July 20, 2016, 06:45:18 AM »
@alsoknownasDean - Maybe consider switching your end-of-day snack to something with some more protein or fat. Cheese, hard boiled eggs, crackers with hummus; those all might satisfy you a bit more than the fruit.

That's a good idea, although often I didn't have a snack at all, and hadn't eaten since lunch.

Today I had a banana before riding my bike home, and that helped quite a lot. I probably just need to make sure I eat something soon before riding home, rather than riding home four or five hours after eating last.

Geostache

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #976 on: July 20, 2016, 07:56:38 AM »

@Geostache - Finding motivation is perhaps my biggest problem. Probably the problem for most people. I think it's really more about creating sustainable habits, because habits are our default. Pick one thing at a time - drinking more water, going for an evening walk, meal planning, whatever - and focus on that one thing until you've got it down. Then move on to the next. Admittedly, this process yields slower results than going full-tilt on calorie restriction and exercise, but it's also more sustainable.

You're absolutely right about that. I had replaced several habits with better ones, and I thought they would stick. It was just too easy to slip back into old, not-so-good-for-me habits. Easier that I'd care to admit! Vigilance is going be key, I think!

@Elaine AMJ: I can also attest to the Varidesk. It's nice to be able to easily switch between standing and sitting.

RedmondStash

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #977 on: July 20, 2016, 08:40:20 AM »

@Geostache - Finding motivation is perhaps my biggest problem. Probably the problem for most people. I think it's really more about creating sustainable habits, because habits are our default. Pick one thing at a time - drinking more water, going for an evening walk, meal planning, whatever - and focus on that one thing until you've got it down. Then move on to the next. Admittedly, this process yields slower results than going full-tilt on calorie restriction and exercise, but it's also more sustainable.

You're absolutely right about that. I had replaced several habits with better ones, and I thought they would stick. It was just too easy to slip back into old, not-so-good-for-me habits. Easier that I'd care to admit! Vigilance is going be key, I think!

I completely agree about habits being key. And it is so easy to slide back, even when you think a habit is well established.

wildbeast

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #978 on: July 20, 2016, 09:58:46 AM »
I'm terrible - since I was going to be cutting out bagels today, I ate two yesterday. 

But this morning I had a banana and was fine.  The temptation will probably kick in later this afternoon around "treat time" so I'll think of something healthy that I can have instead.  Maybe some carrot sticks to have something to crunch on.

elaine amj

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #979 on: July 20, 2016, 10:16:46 AM »
Like everyone said, vigilance is HUGE. And doing your best to make sure your new habits stick.

@M.Darcy: I have found the first 1-2 weeks are typically the worst. Cravings are super strong during that time. And I am always hungry. I used habit hacking to get through it. mine were lots and lots of water/hot tea, tiny mints, and when it got really bad, promising myself a small treat after a workout. The couple of times I had to do that, I wasn't interested after the workout.

I'm pleased to report I dropped the 2 lbs vacation weight gain. That dropped off pretty quickly. Hopefully I can keep this up. I have a lot more stuff ahead this summer though. The next couple of days is going to be a lot of food. Cheesecake for my birthday at my office tomorrow, then birthday dinner for my DH (we have $100 to spend at a Landry's restaurant so thinking of Morton's Steakhouse...although we might change to seafood), followed by birthday lunch for my DH the next day. On the good side, I didn't join DH and his buddy for his birthday lunch today.

ender

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #980 on: July 20, 2016, 06:54:48 PM »
I should check my weight tomorrow. It's not going to be pretty, I don't think.

Frugal Lizard

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #981 on: July 21, 2016, 05:43:02 AM »
A quick check in before I leave for vacation that includes a reunion with some of the people I went to high school with and haven't seen for 30 years.

4/15 - 138
4/22 - 137.5
4/29 - 137
5/5 - 136
5/12 – 135
5/19 – 135
5/26 – 134
6/02 – 132
6/9 – 130.5
616 – 129.5
6/23 – 129.5
6/30 – 127.0
7/7 – 125.5
7/14 –  127
7/21 -126 - ok
Goal : 120 lbs.

All week the scale was yoyoing around and I was thinking "damn".  I was feeling pretty confident about how easy it had been after the first week and then the scales were telling me to give my head a shake. I do not ever want to get over 130 again.  One morning I was at 129.  That was after a day and night of debauchery (well as much debauchery as a person who normally falls asleep with a book in my hands at 10:45pm can get up to)  That means I can't eat carrot cake for breakfast or have a giant Oh Henry bar or a jar of peanuts by the computer.  I was breaking all my rules.  And bam - tummy bulge.
So as soon as we can pack the car and get out of the house, we are on a road trip.  We are going to be touring cottages of friends, sites along the way and dropping off a table and chairs at one of the cottages (and making $50) and hitting the reunion.  It should be the worst possible combination of eating temptation.    I am packing the food journal.  Wish me luck.   

Keep up the good work all.

ender

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #982 on: July 21, 2016, 06:39:12 AM »
I should check my weight tomorrow. It's not going to be pretty, I don't think.

188.6.... ugh.

elaine amj

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #983 on: July 21, 2016, 06:44:15 AM »
Since its vacation, I'd suggest relaxing the rules a teeny bit. Have your carrot cake, but maybe a small slice and nothing else after? Or up your physical activity. I'm outdoorsy and typically am super active on vacation. Last week, I ate whatever I wanted, including 3-4 days of steak (we're steaked out LOL), large ice creams THREE times over the week (not possible to be ice cream-ed out!), ribs, wings, etc. I made sure I did 1.5-2 hrs of physical activity (hiking, canoeing, swimming in the lake, jogging on the beach) most days. I also made sure I pushed myself a bit during these times (helps that I consider it more fun to paddle continuously rather than float lazily). Thankfully, near the end of the week I was so full, I was eating a pear for breakfast (there is such a thing as too much meat!!). Anyway, I did put on a couple of pounds but that melted off 2-3 days later. I had the same thing happen on my last week-long vacation in March.

JoJo

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #984 on: July 21, 2016, 01:22:39 PM »
I've been plateauing a bit for the last week but now down 67 pounds.  50 more to go.

wildbeast

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #985 on: July 22, 2016, 11:32:11 AM »
I've been plateauing a bit for the last week but now down 67 pounds.  50 more to go.

Congratulations!!!

I have about 40-50 pounds to lose myself.  I'm trying to do it slow and steady to avoid rebound.

ETA:  JoJo - Can I ask how you accomplished your impressive weight loss?
« Last Edit: July 22, 2016, 11:40:11 AM by M.Darcy »

JoJo

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #986 on: July 22, 2016, 11:58:50 AM »
I'm on a really strict diet - a major part is avoiding all added sugars.  I think weight loss is 80% what you eat and 20% activity.  My diet is very boring but it works and I usually don't feel hungry or have sugar cravings.

Typical Monday-Friday
Breakfast: big bowl of regular cheerios with almond milk
Lunch: 3 hard boiled eggs (with mustard or a little hot sauce), 2 tablespoons raw flax seeds (eat like nuts), a big baggy of raw vegetables  (carrots, sweet peppers, radish, etc)
Dinner: 300-500 calories with variety - chicken breast, canned tuna or salmon, veggies, hummus, cottage cheese, avocado.  I spice it up with either curry or mexican spices and occasionally a little BBQ sauce (very sparingly as it has lots of sugar which I'm avoiding).
Lots of tea and ice water all day.

Weekends: Try to shoot for 1000 calories a day.  I eat some of the foods listed in dinner above but add a few different foods I only eat on weekends - scrambled eggs with turkey sausage or american cheese, microwave popcorn (occasionally replace dinner with this and have popcorn/movie night), if I'm hiking I have a piece of fruit.  One thing I haven't been able to kick - I do drink diet soda but only on Saturday & Sunday.

As for exercise, I try to do about 4 times a week.  1 day lifting weights (should do 2 but get so bored) and the others are walking, hiking, elliptical.  I've been meaning to get back into classes (yoga, stengthening) which are included in my gym membership.

The key to making 1000 calories a day work is to get enough fat & protein or you will be hungry.  Eggs are my go to food.  I'm so glad there isn't an egg shortage anymore so the price is right too.  Cabbage is another thing I love and is filling and cheap.

Edited to add:  "If you're sick of the yo-yo diet, then try the JoJo Diet!"    < - I need to trademark this!
« Last Edit: July 22, 2016, 12:08:53 PM by JoJo »

elaine amj

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #987 on: July 22, 2016, 01:07:57 PM »
@JoJo Thanks for sharing what you do. Does that mean you are under 1000 calories during the week and at about 1000 calories on the weekend? That is definitely a strict diet!

I was on a 1200 calorie diet (5ft tall woman so that's a typical recommendation) and while it was doable and I did fine on it for months (losing my target 1 lb a week), eventually I needed a break so I switched to maintenance for the summer. 1600-1700 calories a day is so much more relaxing. 1200 cals was doable, but I had to be very vigilant.

elaine amj

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #988 on: July 22, 2016, 01:19:38 PM »
Jan 1 2016: 154 lbs....Jan 8 2016: 153.2 lbs....Jan 15 2016:149.2 lbs....Jan 22 2016: 148 lbs....Jan 29 2016....147.4 lbs
Feb 5 2016: 145.2 lbs..Feb 12 2016: 142.8 lbs..Feb 19 2016: 140.6 lbs...Feb 26 2016: 140.8 lbs
Mar 4 2016: 139 lbs....Mar 11 2016: 138 lbs.....Mar 18 2016: VACAY......Mar 25 2016: 136.8 lbs
Apr 1 2016: 137.8 lbs..Apr 8 2016: 136.8 lbs....Apr 15 2016: 135.8 lbs...Apr 22 2016: 134.8 lbs...April 30 2016: 133.6 lbs
May 6, 2016:133.6 lbs.May 13 2016:134.6 lbs...May 21 2016: 137.6 lbs..May 26 2016: 132.2 lbs
Jun 3, 2016: 133.6 lbs.June 10 2016:133.8 lbs..June 17 2016: 132.2 lbs.June 24 2016:131.2 lbs
July 8, 2016: 133.2 lbs.July 8, 2016: 133.8 lbs...July 17 2016: 133.4 lbs..July 22 2016: 132 lbs

22 lbs lost
GOAL WEIGHT: 130 lbs (Stretch Goal 120 lbs)

So glad I got rid of the extra lb or so that crept on in July! I'm a little high today (yesterday was only 131.2 lbs) because DH and I pigged out of seafood last night for his birthday. Overall, I'm pleased and my weight continues to hold reasonably steady through 2 months of maintenance. This is really helping me gain confidence that I CAN do this for life!

Biking to work has been going very well -I'm really enjoying it! Plus, I'm mastering biking to work in a dress :) Wore a dress twice now and both times went smoothly. Kinda cool to feel feminine on a bike. Plus gives me a very European feel and convenient since I just have to switch to heels upon arrival. I'll be doing this again although for now, I only have the 2 new dresses that are bike-friendly. (yay for thrift stores and yard sales - they were just $2 each!)

I do have to stop clothes shopping though. I've spent the last couple of months shopping for clothes for my new size. I've bought 20+ new-to-me clothes now (maybe more?!) and need to stop. Yes, they were all from thrift stores and yard sales so I've only spent $1-3 each but I'm going down a slippery shopaholic slope. Need to exercise some more Mustachian muscles!

By the way, I've been upping my water intake this week and the side effects suck. I am racing to the bathroom every 30-60 mins! In the past 6 hours I have been in the office, I have downed 6 glasses of water (I keep a 24 oz bottle next to me). I am super thirsty after all the fried seafood I ate last night and today (DH's birthday!) so still need to continue drinking. But my coworkers must think I'm insane with my constant bathroom trips.
« Last Edit: July 22, 2016, 01:26:05 PM by elaine amj »

JoJo

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #989 on: July 22, 2016, 02:05:31 PM »
@JoJo Thanks for sharing what you do. Does that mean you are under 1000 calories during the week and at about 1000 calories on the weekend? That is definitely a strict diet!

I was on a 1200 calorie diet (5ft tall woman so that's a typical recommendation) and while it was doable and I did fine on it for months (losing my target 1 lb a week), eventually I needed a break so I switched to maintenance for the summer. 1600-1700 calories a day is so much more relaxing. 1200 cals was doable, but I had to be very vigilant.

It's about 1000 a day every day.  Just different food during the week since I pack in my lunches and a few more "fun" foods on the weekend.
« Last Edit: July 22, 2016, 02:07:43 PM by JoJo »

MicroSpice

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #990 on: July 25, 2016, 09:39:31 AM »
It's weigh-in day!

Weight Progress:
- 1/10: 133 pounds
- 2/22: 128 pounds
- 3/25: 123.6 pounds
- 4/28: 124.4 pounds
- 5/17: 123 pounds
- 5/26: 125.6 pounds
- 6/6: 128.8 pounds
- 6/30: 124 pounds
- 7/15: 126 pounds
- 7/16: 125.2 pounds
- 7/25: 125.8 pounds

Goal Weight: 110 pounds

Needless to say, I'm a bit frustrated. However, I am chalking this bout of stagnancy to TOM, excess sodium, and weekend imbibing (all within calorie limit, though). I suppose I need to start doing actual physical activity? I KNOW that it's not necessary for weight loss per se, but maybe it'll assist in getting that scale going in the right direction. I have a health screening for a discount on my insurance premium in September, and I'd like to at least be back in the normal BMI range by then. Was hoping to be down to 115, but I'm not too optimistic about that right now.

In other news, DH and I made a new financial priority list, and I'm feeling much more confident about our future [we are nowhere close to FIRE, but in more of a hair-on-fire situation]. He FINALLY watched a YNAB webinar with me, and he's started to actually use the app, so that is a HUGE step in the right direction for us. One day, one day ...

How was the weekend for everyone?

rockstache

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #991 on: July 25, 2016, 11:21:00 AM »

In other news, DH and I made a new financial priority list, and I'm feeling much more confident about our future [we are nowhere close to FIRE, but in more of a hair-on-fire situation]. He FINALLY watched a YNAB webinar with me, and he's started to actually use the app, so that is a HUGE step in the right direction for us. One day, one day ...


Great news! My husband was slow to get on board and still doesn't CARE like I do, but he does like to see the net worth grow (he will log into mint). I recently made a book for him with all the passwords/financial info in it in case I croak or become incapacitated. Other than that, it's pretty much all me in the finance department. He refers to me as the CFO.


My weekend was ok...we went out for Chinese and ice cream. The lunch special pricing was amazing and we made it into 3 meals each, but I still felt like I overate. At least now I feel like I am more attuned to (in tune with? Why am I having word problems?) my body and can tell when I have hit that point (a lot sooner than I used to). Halfway through the ice cream I didn't want it anymore but FINISHED IT ANYWAY because...ice cream! Ugh. Next time (because there will be a next time) I am getting a cup with my cone, and when I have had enough, I will put it in the dish and put it in my freezer for a snack the following day.

Other than that I did ok. I am still using MFP on the 1200 calorie setting, but most days I am exceeding it by about 60-100 calories. I think it is effective for me, as I am still losing, albeit slower than before. For the summer, that seems a fine compromise. I am eating most of what I want, just in smaller portions (except for the ice cream debacle).

elaine amj

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #992 on: July 25, 2016, 11:39:25 AM »
@microspice if you had excess sodium over the weekend, that can EASILY account for an entire pound or two extra. Keep on with what you're doing and watch those scales...if you've stayed within your calorie limit, its highly likely you will drop a little more in a couple of days (drink LOTS of water to help).

So happy to hear of progress on the financial front :) My own DH has gotten REALLY good at entering stuff on YNAB. Although when I was reconciling accounts last week, he was completely blank about several ATM deposits he had made in June/July. I finally put them in my misc. category with question marks lol. At least it was only a $100+ AND they were deposits rather than the other way around! I'm still terrible at considering the budget as a limiting factor though.

Back to the food side of the equation...my weekend went well. I had Saturday dinner at a friend's which means a lot of food. I was very careful with breakfast and lunch and was able to stay within my plans even with being relaxed about consumption over dinner. Sunday went very well, ate reasonably. And then I consumed an entire bar of dark chocolate (after deciding to eat just one row!). On the good side, I spent hours and hours and hours housecleaning so actually dropped another half a pound this morning.

I liked seeing last week's slightly downward trend and hope I can keep it up this week. I'm not entirely ready to get back into active weight-loss, but I have been pushing myself to work on a slow weight loss. Trendweight says I've been averaging about 0.3lbs loss a week for the past month. I'm thrilled! I'm trying to bump that up to about 0.5 lb a week so we'll see how it goes. I have FIVE pounds to go to have a normal BMI - after all this, I'm STILL overweight :( Oh well, 20 lbs ago, I was obese.

@rockstache It's rather amazing isn't it...how stomache space shrinks? I definitely can't eat the amounts I used to. That said, I do still succumb to temptation TO FINISH IT ANYWAY. That reminds me, I have 3/4 of a key lime pie in the fridge waiting for me. The only reason I have that is because DH and I consumed EIGHT (yes EIGHT) appetizers beforehand for his birthday dinner. It was all seafood (which helped), but the next day both he and I were suffering a little from excessive amounts of fried food.

wildbeast

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #993 on: July 25, 2016, 11:47:19 AM »
@JoJo - Kudos on your discipline and diligence!  1000 calories/day is really strict.

I was able to avoid eating ice cream this weekend even though DH was eating some.  That's a huge accomplishment for me.  A week ago I was having 2 bowls per day on weekends. 

And I too have been feeling full way sooner than I used to.  This weekend I found that my second serving of salad was too much, I was too full to enjoy it.  But I still ate it (both times), funny how we're used to overeating as a default.  It feels nice to know that I can cut back and still feel full and satisfied, not deprived. 
« Last Edit: July 25, 2016, 11:51:33 AM by M.Darcy »

Cookie78

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #994 on: July 25, 2016, 11:57:52 AM »
What a week! I feel like it's been a month since I posted an update here. I've been doing quite well in general. Lost 2.5 pounds on Saturday due to dehydration. Spent all day yesterday drinking as much water as I could.


Monday check in:

Jan 4 Starting weight: 160
Jan 11 weight: 156
Jan 18 weight: 155.2
Jan 25 weight: 156.8
Feb 1 weight: 155.2
Feb 8 weight: 153.2
Feb 15 weight: 151.6
Feb 22 weight 152.6
Feb 29 weight 152.2
Mar 7 weight 149.4
Mar 14 weight 149.4
Mar 21 weight 149.6
Mar 28 weight 149.2
Apr 4 weight 151.2
Apr 11 weight 151.4
Apr 18 weight 152.0
Apr 25 weight 152.2
May 2 weight 150.4
May 9 weight 148.8
May 16 weight 149.2
May 23 weight 149.4 (extrapolated)
May 30 weight 149.6
June 6 weight 148.4
June 13 weight 150.4
June 20 weight 151.0
June 27 weight 152.4
July 4 weight 149.6
July 11 weight 150.6
July 18 weight 151.0
July 25 weight 150.2
Goal weight: 130

elaine amj

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #995 on: July 25, 2016, 02:05:34 PM »
@Cookie78 So glad this month has been going well for you :) Was missing you around here!

Cookie78

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #996 on: July 25, 2016, 04:36:46 PM »
@Cookie78 So glad this month has been going well for you :) Was missing you around here!

Thank you! I normally post on the forum at work, and it's been a busy, but wonderfully challenging, month at work learning new things, and I haven't had nearly as much time to spend on the forum.

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #997 on: July 25, 2016, 06:39:14 PM »
Back from vacation - and eating out all the time.  Never done this type of vacation before - staying in a hotel and eating at restaurants all the time.  So it was so tasty but so not mustachian.  Don't think all the walking will balance the eating.  Thursday weigh in will be here in no time....

Wow to JoJo - you have willpower.
Ender - Hang in there.

Everyone:  it was great to get home from vacation and read all your posts.  You guys keep me motivated.

JoJo

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #998 on: July 26, 2016, 09:33:25 AM »
Went on a couple long hikes this weekend and the weight is falling off so hit another milestone - 70 lbs lost.

I definitely felt low energy on the second day of hiking.  It's probably not the best. 

Has any read or watched any of the documentaries about gut bacteria?  I've been trying to use some of that in my diet - eating healthy fats, flaxseeds, certain dairy products, and most importantly avoiding sugar.  I'm wondering if this is why my diet is so rev'ed up lately. 

Lanthiriel

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Re: Losing Weight in 2016
« Reply #999 on: July 27, 2016, 01:56:48 PM »
I looked up this thread again after posting early in the year and making no progress. Some of you are doing AMAZING and are super inspirational.

I got fed up and joined Weight Watchers yesterday, and went to my first meeting. I'm hoping that weekly weigh ins will help me with accountability. I'm also going to refer to WW as "sugar rehab" because, let's be honest, it's basically AA for food addiction. Hello, my name is Lanthiriel, and I am a sugar addict.