Looks good WCA! Don't despair if you don't lose the weight a particular month...just keep plugging. Weight loss doesn't always happen in nice neat lbs/period ways. I would lose 3 and then lose 1 and then lose none, etc. It did eventually average out to be about 1-2 lbs a week so you are on the right track.

Those baby steps all look doable and excellent choices. Do you want to think about rewarding those behaviors along the way in some fashion?

Peg

I have posted this plan all over my place. Thought it might be a good idea to post it here as well.

Weight Loss Plan:

Goal: Lose 75 pounds in a year and a half. 4 pounds/month must be lost to meet this goal.

November Baby Steps:
* Walk instead of driving when possible
* Take at least one walk/day
* While watching tv, do a few exercises
* Eat at least one serving of veggies/day
* Drink 8 glasses of water/day
* Eat out only on the weekends

November Accountability:
Week 1: one pound lost y or n
Week 2: one pound lost y or n
Week 3: one pound lost y or n
Week 4: one pound lost y or n

I just noticed that I have been below 140# for more than a year.

Start, 01/13/04: 180.8#, BMI 27.5

First Below 140#, 07/01/04: 138.6#, BMI 21.1

A Year Later, 07/01/05: 135.4#, BMI 20.6

Current, 10/01/05: 136.2#, BMI 20.7

Fat Fat weekend
My sister in law had a housewarming - there was nothing that wasn't loaded with calories and fat. Truly nothing. I did pretty okay considering - walked away from that room enough to not be a piggie. Also I ate before I went there. So I wasn't starving. Worked pretty well.

I'd love to hear about your plans and how they have come to work for you. I'm still just trying to baby step my way to my own hoge-poge that will work for me. I'm trying to stay focused but lately work as been kicking my behind, making everything harder. Luckly I have had great fiance/family/friend support. Especially my fiance. He's up for anything and helps remind me why I want this when things seem bad.

Anyway send all your hard earned knowlegde this way!!

quote:

Originally posted by mountaingirl:
I couldn't find one plan that was everything I needed, so I found my own way, which is how I tend to do everything. Takes longer but I find it more satisfying overall!

Ditto that for me. I haven't had success trying to follow a commercial program like Weight Watchers. It seems like anything that requires me to count calories or points just ends up driving me nuts. I do journal my food every day but I don't count calories/points.

Hey Heather,
Sorry, I rarely check this thread and I didn't know you were asking for help until today! How are things going now? Are you still looking for a plan? I pretty much invented the one I am using - you know, an amalgam of things that are working well for me. I'd be happy to share, if you want. I couldn't find one plan that was everything I needed, so I found my own way, which is how I tend to do everything. Takes longer but I find it more satisfying overall!

Lynne

Well guys, I've had a great yet sucky couple of days. Work this week hasn't gone well. I was behind by so much that I had to stay until 6:00pm on Friday to finish. Normally Fridays are my early days, ending around 1:30pm. My fiance even came up to help me finish. I wasn't prepared to works so long so I totally pigged out at lunch and dinner! I haven't eaten well today either.

I've been working on my perfectionist issues (all-or-nothing, avoidance, procrastination, etc) and it's caused me some stress. It's hard not to get down when things don't go as planned or to remind myself that baby steps and small victories count for some much in life.

The great part is that I was able to keep a good out look during the whole affair. I didn't whine or sulk or get depressed. Well not too depressed. It's been hard though. I've snapped at Jason a couple of times but luckly he's understanding and accepted my appologies graciously. We are planning to take our baby (Candy our year and a half old dog) on a walk. She loves it and it gives us talking time without distractions like TV.

I'm still trying to find a plan/program that works for/with me. I've been thinging of looking into Weight Watchers and I want to know what those of you who are on it think of it. I'm not good at counting calories but my ability to portion control is decent. Any advise would be great.

Thanks,
Heather

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)