Don't feel bad. I really appreciate any and all the support and advice. Besides it's a smart person who can see the flaws and make adjustments.

I did have a set back though. I went back to the doctor for a check up on my back sprain today and she basically told me I can't do any lifting. I'm allowed to do cardio though. So I'm just going replace my weight training with light cardio so at least I'm not sitting on my bottom. I was really hoping I'd be better but such is life.

Heather

quote:

Originally posted by Matanca:
Well now I need to rethink my plan!! ::sigh:: Back to the drawing board. I'll keep you updated.

Oh no... I feel bad... you had a plan, and I had to butt in and messed you all up. Keep us posted and don't ponder too long... just pick a baby step... maybe the first one that comes to mind is a good start.

quote:

Originally posted by bookworm:
Yeah me!
Haven't weighed myself in a few days but my DH noticed my jeans are getting loose (think I'll keep him around)

Hey!!! Yay you!!! Congrats.

Hi everyone again. Hope your weekend was great.
I didn't eat any potatoes except sweet (more fibre). Low fat spreads and dressings. Yeah me!
Haven't weighed myself in a few days but my DH noticed my jeans are getting loose (think I'll keep him around)

Well now I need to rethink my plan!! ::sigh:: Back to the drawing board. I'll keep you updated.

Heather

quote:

Originally posted by Matanca:
I have a Zoology BS and I should know better. Behavior is one of my favorite subjects and learning to modify it either in oneself, ones pets, or ones children. Heehee...

ROTFLOL!!!!!

I picked my most weight and health damaging habit... fast food. Figured I'd get the most bang for my baby step buck! Man, did (do) I LOVE the Bacon, Egg and Cheese McBiscuit Meal.

I literally baby stepped it one day at a time. A few days, I was white knuckling it. I literally was standing in the driveway and got in and out of the car about 4 times before I went in the house and poured a bowl of cereal.

Don't tell anybody... but I rewarded myself with food . I told myself that I couldn't eat the #3 meal EVERY day... but I could have one sometimes... moderation...

We were having a challenge on the board, just like the Halloween challenge. My goal... If I ate breakfast at home every weekday... I'd have one on Saturday.

Also helped me ditch the all or nothing thinking...

And it really does get easier... I only have McDonald's about 6 times a year now. Don't even think about it... just have breakfast at home.

I've done other rewards... new pots and pans... a new food scale... a veg peeler one time for eating more vegs... new exercise CD's.

I'll bump up the baby step thread.

Denise, You are so right. I have a Zoology BS and I should know better. Behavior is one of my favorite subjects and learning to modify it either in oneself, ones pets, or ones children. Heehee... That's really what weight loss (or any goal for that matter) is about. Controlling behaviors that a detrimental and replacing them with good ones.

So do you just target a bad behavior and reward yourself for a good behavior in its place? What kind of rewards to you give yourself.

quote:

Originally posted by Matanca:
My Ultimate goal will be to lose 30lb. with a reward of a new laptop computer. I will also set smaller 5lb goals and rewards so I will feel inclined to "go for the gold".

Hi, and that looks like a great plan!

I'll give you some feedback though (even though you didn't ask for any! )

I did/do much better when I tie my rewards to BEHAVIOR, rather than to a scale number. And to be honest I always “failed” when I set goals of a scale number or dress size… Suppose you “only” lose 20 lbs… is that failing?

There are a couple of advantages to behavior goals. 1. I learned and reinforced a lot of healthy habits and also ditched some un-healthy habits. 2. I actually completed my goals and collected my rewards. I lost slowly and sometimes maintained for long periods. It took me YEARS to lose 30 lbs! I'd be a long time collecting up that laptop.

Not to be a wet blanket or anything… I just looked at the calendar and we’ve got 10 weeks until Thanksgiving week. Realistically, I’d lose about 7 lbs in that time. Then we are looking at Thanksgiving and the winter holidays/parties/potlucks/dinners/etc. Last year, I was VERY good and maintained my weight thru Nov. and Dec., (and it took a lot of thought and effort not to gain.) So, I’d be looking at a loss of 7 lbs thru the end of the year. And that is after making LOTS and lots of good decisions. For me, that is a good, realistic weight loss.

You said that you had a “slow” losing summer. (And congrats on your losses this summer!!! Don‘t sell your self short. Show is good!)

quote:

Originally posted by Matanca:
I was looking back over the summer to see if I could figure out why I lost so little weight. I've come to the conclusion that it was my diet. I just was making bad food decisions all the time.

Realistically, WHEN do you need or want that laptop? Set a date and some BEHAVIOR goals or challenges.

Set a bunch of goals about making “good, better, best” food decicions and ditch the bad decisions. Or maybe tie your rewards to doing your back exercises so that you maintain your good health and can slowly start exercising again. Set your self up to be successful and collect that laptop and other rewards along the way! If you change your behavior, the scale will follow... and even if you don't lose as quickly as you hope... you will be getting healthier!

You can’t always control the scale… but you can control your own behavior.

Anyway, that is my two cents…

This message has been edited. Last edited by: GoingSkiing,

I was looking back over the summer to see if I could figure out why I lost so little weight. I've come to the conclusion that it was my diet. I just was making bad food decisions all the time. Well I've really been thinking about how I would like to begin my journey to the new me and I think I have a plan. At least the basics of one. My fiance and I workout 5-6 days a week alternating between cardio and weight training. I hurt my back and so that has been put on the wayside for now. However, there is nothing to stop me from making the best food choices I can. I also have been thinking about my reward system and, thanks to the advice I've received here, it's all coming together. My Ultimate goal will be to lose 30lb. with a reward of a new laptop computer. I will also set smaller 5lb goals and rewards so I will feel inclined to "go for the gold". I don't have my plan fool proofed yet (as if that ever happens) so I'm going to think of it as flexible and continuously under construction.

Well, now that I've announced it publicly I'd better stick to it. hahaha...

Heather

Congrats to you hubby and hoping this helps relieve stress for both of you!

I was bad. Had a hamburger from the cafeteria. But... I didn't eat half the bun. Still walking and drinking lots of water. Weight holding steady. MY husband got a job!!!

Good for you with your efforts. I am a carb junkie also and have found days and days when I don't even touch meat. I gave up sugar, white rice, flour, bread and white potatoes for two weeks and it was remarkable how good I felt. My tummy went down and I have found that by slowly re-introducing my carbs and even changing to whole grains, brown rice, etc, I feel more in control. I know that each meal should have a small carb portion, a protein and a veggie. Remember that fruits and veggies are carbs, so replace other carbs with those. Bread should not really exsist at every meal. It is all about balance. You can do it!!

Thanks for the feedback Mary Jo!
I am a carb junkie, but I have been trying to cut back. Yesterday I actually ate 3 fruits, and four veggie servings. No bread. 1 small serving of rice. Measured the fats. Small baby steps as Kathleen says.
And I have been taking my supplements (I read somewhere that Bvitamins calm the nerves. I had stress related hives a year ago and this year my vacation was an absolute disaster. I really wanted to pig out on comfort food, but resisted pretty well)

If you feel like you are really doing well and you are obviously losing, but your tummy seems bloated it could mean an imbalance in your diet. If you find that in a day the scales tip in favor of one single food group, you need to balance it out. Carbohydrates contribute to belly fat. I would never tell you to eliminate them but to see if maybe your diet consists of primarily carbs. Maybe you need to see what food group dominates your day and try to balance it with the others.

I've been on vacation. Yeah right.
My husband is laid off and depressed. All I want to do is give him a good sharp kick (completely unreasonable - this is not his fault)
This doesn't sound like a progress report does it? Well I did walk a lot (about 10,000 steps a day, sometimes more), used my small weights for my arms, and cut back on potato salad. I lost 4 pounds!!! I really can't see it. My gut seems as big as ever, but I did have to tighten the belt on my fanny pack last week. I must admit I always had this fantasy that one or two days of good eating and exercise and presto! the figure of a goddess. The reality is a wee bit more long term.

quote:

Comfortably back in size 12 dresses. Yeah!!!!

This is wonderful news! Way to go!

Peg

Comfortably back in size 12 dresses. Yeah!!!!

I am feeling especially motivated today (been busy as a beaver, too). I'm already back to pre-trip weight. And had a wonderful, I thought, NSV yesterday.
I have 2 similar polos - both the same size, one just a little bluer and the other a little greener. They, however, don't fit the same.

Yesterday I discovered that I have been wearing the "smaller" or "tighter" one for weeks - thinking it was the larger! Maybe I'm toning areas I didn't realize.

It helps that that darn heat seems to have dissipated (at least temporarily). Now, I'm sure I'll feel like doing again.

Welcome back Lynnette and Erin. Erin, you are doing awesome. Lynette, I'm sure you'll soon find you are regulating that "wrong cookie jar" dilemma.

I have been away from the forum for far too long and my butt is proof. I have been reading the messages and finding encouragement and motivation. Serious health issues over the past year drove me to the wrong cookie jar, but I'm back in control and ready to get active.

Lynnette

Congratulations Erin!!!! It sounds like you are doing amazingly well!

Planning a wedding is so stressful and busy and to be losing weight during that time is a great accomplishment!

It's been quite a while since I posted, but just wanted to give an update. I've lost a total of 25lbs since this time last year. Slow but steady is good, which I have to keep reminding myself.

I got engaged last Sept and took some time off to just maintain and get all my ducks in a row. I got back on the wagon in May and started to see a personal trainer for about 10 sessions. She was wonderful and a great help. I ordered my wedding dress the beginning of June, but I had to order a size bigger than I normally wear due to some medical problems that were causing me to swell up.

I took a month off from the trainer and worked out on my own, if I'm going to succeed then I need to be accountable to me. Last week I went back to the bridal shop, they have a policy that if you lose more than 2 dress sizes they will exchange your dress for a smaller size. I was so ready to be disappointed; however I get a new dress!! I should be able to pick it up in early Sept.

I decided that I wanted to go back to the trainer once a week until the wedding (Nov 5th). Monday was my first day back and we tested my body fat % again and I am down 5% from when I started with the trainer!!

It's amazing to look back at where I was a year ago and to see what I'm capable of and doing now.

Thanks for listening!