I made it to 30 pound loss as of this morning. This after going out with a girlfriend yesterday afternoon. We started at an art exhibit in Springfield. After that Ruth said how about coffee (I knew she would). Since it was 5 p.m., I asked her about eating. We decided to go to a Greek Restaurant (I had missed 2 Greek festivals in the past 2 weeks, one in Columbus and one in Dayton) and had been hankering for at least a gyro.
After looking over the menu, I pointed out a combination platter that I had had the only other time I had been in that restaurant. The Combo platter included Kambata Chicken (or some "k" word), Dolmathes, Moussaka, and Pastistio with rice. I suggested that it could easily be split, so that's what we did.
Since this was partially my birthday present to Ruth, when the waitress got obscene and brought this gorgeous dessert tray around, I told Ruth to pick what she wanted. She was still in the sharing mood, so she picked a piece of Baklava (you have to if you're in a Greek Restaurant, don't you?) and a piece of plain cheesecake. Again, she divided (in fact, she gave me a large piece of Baklava, and I reached across and took the smaller piece). They were both delicious and we had enjoyed the entire meal - we were both satisfied and I'm just tickled that the scale was "good to me" this morning.
Think I'll climb the stairs a few times today. I'm making a chicken stir-fry tonight - adapted from Martin Yan.
Maddie, Good to see you back again and feeling more on track. It is a major victory when we can 'right' ourselves more quickly isn't it? Have a great week!
Charlotte, Glad to hear he seemed to be right on the ball and I hope the change in meds will help. Amazing how those darn things can mess with us. Hope the tests all turn out good and that it is just the allergy meds messing with you.
I know I haven't been around too much. Work and life have been crazy. I was derailed for a week or two but now I am back on track. Actually went to the gym today..... something I needed to do for a LONG time. I am also working in those veggies... had greek salad for lunch (I made it with less cheese than the normal salad)... and tonight it will be lots of veggies. Your posts really help inspire me to keep with it!
quote:Originally posted by cbarks: Hi, Peg! It was on my list! After I gave him my list of "complaints" my doctor (he's so good-looking we call him Dr Dreamboat) suggested it before I could. He said the test he ran a few years ago was the old one so we're going to do the newest thyroid test this time.
Another factor in the slow weight loss is my allergy medication. I can't live without it. He told me the Claritin I've been taking provokes weight gain and inhibits weight loss. So he changed my Rx to Clarinex, which is the same thing w/o the problem ingredient.
He confirmed my diagnosis re food allergy and earaches. Now my food journal has even more importance. He actually said hummus is good for you and too bad I couldn't tolerate it. Hey, kd, he even knew about your show. I told him your books were much better than that sugarbusters one he promotes.
I'll let you know how the blood work comes out....
Charlotte
Sounds like you have a great doctor Charlotte who can really help you manage this process. Hope all comes out well with your blood tests.
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
Hi, Peg! It was on my list! After I gave him my list of "complaints" my doctor (he's so good-looking we call him Dr Dreamboat) suggested it before I could. He said the test he ran a few years ago was the old one so we're going to do the newest thyroid test this time.
Another factor in the slow weight loss is my allergy medication. I can't live without it. He told me the Claritin I've been taking provokes weight gain and inhibits weight loss. So he changed my Rx to Clarinex, which is the same thing w/o the problem ingredient.
He confirmed my diagnosis re food allergy and earaches. Now my food journal has even more importance. He actually said hummus is good for you and too bad I couldn't tolerate it. Hey, kd, he even knew about your show. I told him your books were much better than that sugarbusters one he promotes.
I'll let you know how the blood work comes out....
Charlotte, I don't know if you'll see this before your appointment but you might ask the doc if it would be appropriate to test your thyroid in light of what you've eaten and exercised but not losing weight. You may be fighting some sort of thyroid problem and not losing weight when you would expect to can be a major alarm. Hope he/she has some insights for you.
Well, one week later I'm up one more pound even though I ate healthy all week and didn't exceed my calorie budget. Although I haven't been sleeping well for a few nights I haven't compensated by eating too much of anything, especially sweets. I didn't walk every day but I did walk at least twice 3-4 days. At lunch I go to a nearby park and walk around the "lake" and in the evening I walk around the oval in my neighborhood with my Shih Tzu. About 3/4 of the way around she usually sits down and looks at me as if to say, "Will you carry me now?" Nope, you can tough it out like me!
Anyway, I'm off to the doctor in a few hours for my annual check-in. I'm taking a list of issues to talk about: eating right but not losing, salt, my earache. I'm also armed with print-outs from FitDay to prove my calorie intake and daily weights.
One of my weekly goals is to try something new. Remember my asking about hummus? Well, I tried it this last week. My initial reaction was that it must be an acquired taste. I know someone said some brands are better than others, but how can I tell? This last week I had 3 episodes of mild hives which itched like crazy for a little while until the allergy meds kicked in. I didn't realize until Sunday that the hives showed up after I had snacked on the hummus, crackers, and raw veggies. It must be the sesame tahini or the chickpeas 'cause olive oil and black olives are not a problem. Now I have an earache which I think was caused by swelling from the food allergy. This may be the reason for the persistent earaches and infections I have in my right ear. That's progress! Now I'll have to be sure to journal everything I eat so I'll know what to avoid.
For some reason I feel accepting of the weight issue today. Go figure!
Hi everyone. walked twice this week and took stairs a million times at work. Anyway I can get some activity in I try these days. Went out to dinner with a friend on thurs. Ate too much bread and then had tastes of veggie appetizers. She ordered beef and scallop types and just lokking at it was making me queasy. Anyway came home and 2 hours later was really sick, in the worst possible ways. So that was a waste of her money. I really feel better when I eat at home, something I made so I know how it was prepared etc....
My husband loves that I am so inexpensive right now to maintain. I love ice cream though and other than that maybe every other night, my habits during this pregnancy time are very good. I did have a bit of chips today though.
I really have found that eating a healthy breakfast, which I keep down for the most part now is key. I have cereal or english muffin with maybe an apple or some type of non citrus frt. Then I bring my lunch which is always healthy and before that I have a snack sometimes at like 11 because I don't eat lunch until 1:30 or 2. My snack is either frt., yogurt or peanut butter crackers. I love peanut butter.
I am hoping to get to walk 3 times this week, since monday will be a day off, I shouldn't have problems this week and try and increase by at least one more day by the end of the month to get in a good 4 days. I have not been doing my WATP as it has been too hot here in the mornings still. I either hit the treadmill or walk outside. The fresh air does wonders for me.
Thanks so much you guys for the well wishes. I am going to catch up on my reading of the posts now.
Thursday---I walked for 15min today, we rode horses for probably an hour. I still can't get the water and breakfast thing down. Time just gets away from me in the mornings. I had a sandwich and left over rice from yesterday. We had ham steak potato wedges (I take potato wedges, olive oil, dry ranch dressing and bake them in the oven) and a green salad. I know I am still not eating what I should be but I am getting better, when things go on the table I look at it and see that we have a meat, starch, vegy, now if I can get the fruit.
Can you have jello with fruit and that would qualify for fruit? I am new at this and can't figure out if you mix things what they will count as.
We have a long weekend and we are taking the horses to trail and camping out. I am sure that we will not be eating "diet" food!!
I am really glad to read all the others, what they say sounds so familure and it is really nice to hear what others have to say.
Talking about walking shoes, I can't find any that fit me correctly, I have bought Nike's, something balance, rebocks, dr schols, they are all women shoes, I am really wondering if I should go to guys, and what is the difference in running and walking...I am not going to rum but would they feel better. They narrow at the toes and I think thats my biggest probablem. I walk barefoot on the treadmill, I know you aren't suppose to, but I am barefoot most of the time. Again thanks for listening to me ramble!!!
IAMOM
Posts: 12 | Location: Iowa | Registered: August 26, 2004
Thanks, guys, er gals! I need all the encouragement I can get so I won't give up.
I do have brand spanking new walking shoes. That was one of my baby steps toward exercising regularly--get new shoes. My old ones were worn out and have been sent to the "work in the yard in them" box. My favorite shoe is made by Ryka. They have a wider, more square toe box and seem to fit my short, wide foot better. I do replace my walking shoes (I wear them all the time) regularly because my insteps and ankles will just kill me when the shoes are worn out. Another favorite shoe is a running shoe called Gel Kuyano (sp?) made by Asics. The cushioning in it is superb! One thing I learned about any of these shoes is that they run anywhere from 1/2 to a full size SHORT.
Peg, part of that 9 lb loss was water weight because I had not been faithful about taking my diuretic daily. Now I am. Five lbs in 8 wks is 1/2 lb a week so I guess I'm not far off target. But, gosh, that seems so slow!!! After you reminded me to use other comparisons, I got my tape measure out of my knitting bag here at work and went to the restroom to measure my waist. It wasn't a pretty picture. I had my dress bunched up under my neck so I could get the thing around my waist. I'm glad this is a one-person office! Anyway, I have lost 1/4 in. in my waist in 8 wks.
I went to the park nearby before I ate lunch and walked around the lake (it's more of a large pond) 1 1/2 times. No, I didn't walk on water. There's a cross-walk midway. It was nice. The ducks were quacking and the geese were honking while others were swimming. I had to go around them. The smell of hamburgers on the grill wafted through the air. The fountain in the lake's center created a nice water noise. I think I'll go back tomorrow at lunch.
I got some clothes out of my closet this morning that have been in there forever. I tried on two outfits since I need something to where on Sunday.
The first outfit was a matching shorts and top size 20W. The shorts were o.k., but the top pulled. Then I tried a matching clam digger set size 18W. The top was perfect and the pants can be worked with (evidently I wore them past my size - the pants buttons were gone.)
This is a needed boost. I started with size 26 jeans - which have been big for awhile, but there isn't much in between in my closet.
My weight loss seems to have slowed a bit, but I'm not complaining. Slow and steady wins the race.
I agree about the shoes. When I was in my 20's I jogged in my Keds. And then, I had knee pain. Now with a combination of orthotics and better shoes, I'm foot and knee pain free!
quote:Originally posted by cbarks: Even so, some days, after I walk, my back or feet just ache. Now I'm thinking "arthritis". I wish Granny hadn't passed on those genes to me!
Just a thought...are you wearing good shoes when you walk? Are they more than a year old? I'm almost 52 years old and I have substantially LESS foot and back pain NOW than I did 20 years ago! I truly think it is because I did not invest in good footwear back then. Some years ago, heel pain took me to the podiatrist and, through him, I discovered a particular model of New Balance sneaker that worked wonders. Not only did I not have pain, but I didn't even have to wear the heel cups the podiatrist said would be necessary!
Needless to say, good quality shoes that give you the proper support for your foot are crucial. And fitness shoes should be replaced regularly since they lose their cushioning over time and wear.
quote:Anybody else losing weight this slowly and erratically?
Charlotte, I am the queen of slow weight loss. It's taken me a year to lose 35 pounds. For me, the 2-pounds-per-week weight loss that everyone talks about is just a fantasy. I lose in increments of 1/4 pound or 1/2 pound or, if I'm REALLY lucky, a whole pound. But I don't lose consistently...I lose and plateau, lose and plateau...right now I've actually gained and am trying to get back in the right direction. And I exercise 6 days a week and eat healthy the vast majority of the time. It's not like I'm chowing down on fried chicken and not losing...so sometimes, even when you're doing things right, weight loss doesn't happen the way we want. Hang in there!
Posts: 7864 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Charlotte, My weight has come off in fits and starts basically. Also, the 3 lbs a week is pretty high. Most things I read recommend losing .5-2 lbs per week. Try not to be discouraged and I know lots here will have suggestions so I'll share a couple and hopefully some others will too.
1. Try to use some other measurements as guides, not just your weight. This can be waist, wrist and thigh measurements, your clothing, your resting heart rate, your blood pressure...anything that you feel comfortable measuring regularly so you can see improvements there even when you aren't seeing it on the scale.
2. I had some back pain when I started walking more regularly. It turned out to be that my hamstrings were tight as a rock. That was pulling my back out of whack. I love the book called The Core Program by Peggy Brill and that is how I figured out what was going on. Her premise is if your core muscles are weak or disproportionate (left or right side stronger) then it can cause all sorts of back, knee, ankle trouble. You might try that book or at least look for some hamstring stretches to see if that helps your back. Good plan on slowing the pace...when I was first starting, I figured just doing it and doing it regularly was good enough. No lofty time/distance goals for this girl.
Hang in there and check back. This board is loaded with folks with lots of experience and wonderful ideas.
I started, officially, 8 wks ago. I lost 9 lbs in the first 3 weeks but now 4 lbs are back!
How come one can do a lot of things right but see no results? I've stayed within my daily calorie budget and I've drunk the water. I've exercised (walking) sporadically--maybe a few times a week. I've learned the hard way that I can't walk as fast as I used to so I've slowed the pace for now and will try to build up slowly. Even so, some days, after I walk, my back or feet just ache. Now I'm thinking "arthritis". I wish Granny hadn't passed on those genes to me!
I made it through the week I worked in the home office. My frozen soup meals plus salad and fruit worked great. I felt like I was back in the dorm; I used my coffee maker to heat soup. I left home with a cooler packed to the brim and brought it home empty.
The other night I really craved pizza, specifically Domino's thin crust with beef, mushroom, black olives, onion, and extra cheese. But I resisted!! I didn't order that pizza. I fixed a baked potato instead. I really think the scale should have rewarded my effort!
Anybody else losing weight this slowly and erratically?
it sounds like you are doing great!! Don't worry about spell check, I am a horrible speller, actually you'll find we all tend to do it. Keep on going. You sound like you are on the right track.
Laurie
There is no luckexcept where there is dicipline.
Posts: 1512 | Location: Adams, MA | Registered: March 10, 2004
Another thought....I have been wearing 22-24 size clothes 2-3xl's---HB said since I was going to ride horses I needed Jeans...Me in jeans haven't wore them since well 11 years ago. at least ones that don't have the elastic wastband. So I proceded to try on jeans, my friend took one look and said " you just buy your clothes way to big". I don't like them binding, and defently don't want to show any bulges anywere. But ended up trying on some Lee stretch jeans, and I actually got into an 18, think I could have done the 16, but didn't want that binding feeling. Then I went to a XL in shirts and it fits...I was so happy. I still have these bulges that need to stay hidden and I haven't weighed myself. But that will at least give me insentive to keep going. I feel funny about telling all this, It's kind of like writing in a journal except that everyone can read it and that is wiered. (I miss spell check, Maybe should cut and paste out of word, terrable speller, if you haven't guessed).
IAMOM
Posts: 12 | Location: Iowa | Registered: August 26, 2004
I love ice cream though and other than that maybe every other night, my habits during this pregnancy time are very good. I did have a bit of chips today though.
