Fresh Start

[gigi]

After a nice chat with the lovely Pita, we decided it would be awesome to have a little thread for those of us that are trying to lose weight/get in shape/get back in the groove. We are all quite supportive about so many things (and open as well) that we may as well support each other through success or trials and tribulations.

So to all....welcome!

(no snacks will be served....but water a plenty!)

[Pita]

I'm here and thank you sweet gigi for starting the thread. It was our own awesome Fangtasia who is the inspiration behind this support group. :nod:

Tomorrow, I have a physical scheduled with a new doctor and I plan on talking to her about what I can do to jump start my weight loss. I really think my age is starting to slow me down and it might require some drastic measures. Like actually having to be hungry on occasion. :eek:

If I do get my weight off, I might be persuaded to let my amateur photographer husband take a pic or two of me and post it for all you horny Pixie men. Now, whose willing to support my efforts? :D

[Fangtasia]

Here with bells on to support those who want it!

I must get Bilbo to take an updated pic of me. He took one the night before i went in for surgery, will be interesting to compare. (i'll share them here eventually, but not quite yet)

Oh and snacks are all good guys....technically you should be eating them lol (just choose healthier type ones and limit the not so healthy)

[gigi]

I started a genuine effort to get into shape last year. I've been working out every other day. This is the first time when starting a new venture....I didn't weight myself first. I am trying (TRYING) to be less number obsessed. I'm estimating my weight loss in a year between 25 and 30 pounds.

as for snacks (merely a joke btw) I cannot stand almonds, and they seem to be a snacking standby....any other suggestions?

[Lord Snow]

Fruits and veggies.

[Lilith]

I have been at a stalemate for almost 2 years. I was doing zumba 3 or more times a week but lost nothing. I did tone but I need to drop actual weight. I spoke to my doctor and they gave me the really serious pills due to my age, my great labs, and the consistent inability to lose despite the massive amount of exercise I was doing. Well I lost 14 pounds in less than 2 weeks but also was awake for over 3 days straight and was basically crawling out of my skin. I tried to cut them in half but that did not cause the appetite suppression. I had to give them up. It made me so sad.

I've gained back that weight plus more since the trauma of my friend's baby dying. I used that as an excuse to just stop caring. And it shows.

So I have given up on candy again, I have reactivated my MyFitnessPal.com account and bought 4 punch cards for zumba. I love the dancing and it makes me feel hot in all the right ways.

My goal is to lose 44 pounds in this year where I am 44. I am a numbers person. But more than that I want to feel fit again. When I was dancing, I could run flights of stairs even at this size and that is what I hope to get back!

1/2 a cup of strawberries and 2 TB of cool whip is < 100 calories

10 queen olives are < 100 calories

celery w/ 1 TB peanut butter is a great snack too

I am sure we can all achieve the goals we set because we are some seriously fierce females.

I'm here with you!

[Fangtasia]

My snacks usually are yoghurt, fruit, nuts (not just almonds). I often cut up carrots, celery, capsicum in lengths and have in the fridge. Grab a handfull and some tomato based dip and dip and chomp lol

[Pita]

Well I just got back from meeting my doctor. She is giving me three months to see what I can do. She of course recommends exercise, which I'm going to do now that I have my nice little home gym all ready to go. She also suggest I look into doing a diabetic diet. I'm not diabetic but it runs strong in my family and I do carry most of my weight around my mid-section.

I agree with Lilith and that we are fierce women and we can do this thing. I'm turning 47 in exactly two months and it's time to stop fighting the weight battle and start living my life the way I want to. Fit, healthy, and ubber sexy!!

[gigi]

Found this low carb snack idea page...

http://www.fitsugar.com/Healthy-Low-Carb-Snacks-17890265?slide=1#

[Pita]

I love making frittatas and crustless quiches. I have been wanting make kale chips. I've heard good things about them. :nod:

My main go-to-snack are Kashi bars. I keep them at work and can eat one quickly if I don't get time to have lunch when I'm hungry.

I know that my biggest problem lately has been that I've been drinking wayyyyy to much coffee and not enough water. At home I use fat free half and half but at work I've become slightly addicted to that nasty powder creamer stuff that is loaded with garbage. My new doc told me to cut down my caffeine intake and I think I will start by weaning myself off so much coffee by drinking more green tea. I don't need any creamer in the tea and green tea is suppose to be really good for you.

[Coaster]

I too have been working at getting in shape. I'm down 15lbs since last March. I am a Director in the Visalus Body By Vi meal replacement shakes.

My cholesterol and other blooodwork numbers taken in Sept have been the best in over 5 yrs... needless to say my DR was impressed.

If you'd like to learn more and take the 90 Day Challenge with me just PM me..... would love working together with all of you!

[dicksbro]

I'm actually down about 38 lbs from my high point. Mainly, I try to walk a mile 4 or 5 days a week (more if I have time to) and I try to watch mainly the size of my dinners, doing things in moderation.

Last check-in at the doctor's office, I was at 204 (Down another pound from the previous checkup 3-months earlier. Not fast, but steady.)

[Pita]

I had a good day! I did 25 minutes on the elliptical (fat burning program), some weights, and on my feet a good part of the day cleaning and ironing. For dinner I made a very healthy salad with homemade balsamic vinaigrette and panned seared scallops in just a little olive oil with fresh squeezed lemon. It was tasty!

[Coaster]

I had a good day! I did 25 minutes on the elliptical (fat burning program), some weights, and on my feet a good part of the day cleaning and ironing. For dinner I made a very healthy salad with homemade balsamic vinaigrette and panned seared scallops in just a little olive oil with fresh squeezed lemon. It was tasty!


I was looking for the "like" button! Sounds delicious!

Went snowshoeing for an hour.

[Lilith]

Tomorrow is Zumba for me. I'm avoiding candy and it is so hard for me. Today I went over my calorie limit but I am not beating myself up. I went out to dinner and while I still ate things like fries I made some good choices too like not eating the bread etc.

I went to the grocery store today and picked up some high fiber lower calorie foods and lots of fruit and veggies.

Pita have you ever made your own balsamic reduction? It is super simple and cuts down on the amount of oil I add to salads but it is still calories.

[Lord Snow]

Seems like a silly question, but wouldn't it be a better idea to not add a dressing to the salad? Personally, I'm not fond of anything on my veggies.

Also with salads be sure to stay away from iceburg lettuce specifically. Though using baby spinach instead of any lettuce is the best idea from what I've been told.

[jseal]

... as for snacks (merely a joke btw) I cannot stand almonds, and they seem to be a snacking standby....any other suggestions?
Both Macadamia and Cashew nuts have lower carb counts than do peanuts.

[Lilith]

I love walnuts too.

[gigi]

Cashews are good...I like them in some low fat chicken salad. Adds a delicious crunch.

[jseal]

One diet that I have used with success is the Atkins Diet. On it, I lost 20 lbs. last year, from June up to Christmas. Over the holidays, I’ve put 8 lbs. back on, but I’ll be restarting the diet on Sunday. During 2013, I hope to re-lose that 8 and lose another 20.

One downside to Atkins is that it is less convenient than some others, as there’s a lot of cooking from scratch, as processed foods almost always have too many carbs in them.

[gigi]

Had a delicious lunch today of garlic hummus, with grilled zucchini planks, jicama, carrots and pita bread. Yum yum yum yum!!!

[Lilith]

I made a great breakfast that was easy to do and I am really trying to make sure to eat breakfast.
1 Natures Own 100 calorie english muffin
1 egg poached (microwaved in a coffee cup with a TBSP of water for 45 secs)
1 tsp Helman's Light Mayo
Franks Red Hot Sauce

It was very tasty and even with my coffee and 1/2 & 1/2 was under 300 calories. The english muffin is super high fiber but I think adding an apple or some fruit would be a good addition. I am trying to find tasty quick breakfasts because I get to work before seven and don't get lunch until 1.

[Pita]

Pita have you ever made your own balsamic reduction? It is super simple and cuts down on the amount of oil I add to salads but it is still calories.

The only reduction I've ever done is when I make my balsamic pork chops and I reduce the sauce down until it's thick and yummy.

@Lord Snow, I'm not that fond of dry salad greens, so I lightly dress them. I never use iceberg lettuce because it lacks nutrition and flavor. I usually use a mix of baby spinach and spring greens, or at the very least I use romaine.

My go-to salad dressing consist of:

2 TBS of the most expensive Balsamic I'm willing to pay for.
1/2 TBS of extra virgin olive oil
1 TBS Dijon mustard
1 to 2 finely grated garlic cloves
1/2 tsp of light soy sauce
1 tsp honey
lots of fresh ground black pepper

This amount gets tossed in a large bowl of mixed greens and whatever veggies I feel like having. It's split between my husband and I so there isn't a ton of dressing on my salad to really worry about and the flavor is so freaking good! :D

@ Jseal, I tried Atkins and failed miserably. I am working on uping my protein and getting some of the whole-wheat carbs more under control. It's just so easy to grab a Kashi bar or some Wheat Thins if I'm really busy at work. I did take me a couple of Cuties today and snacked on them.

[Coaster]

I had a delicious Chocolate & Peanut butter Vi shake for lunch! For breakfast I thru in some frozen grapes, strawberries & blueberries into my Vi shake... about 200 cals!

[Lord Snow]

Healthy food (http://health.yahoo.net/articles/healthcare/photos/superfoods-fight-colds#14)

I saw this article, and while it's not diet food I figured this might help those trying to live healthier. Which I think is the main spirit of this thread.

[Lilith]

Today I am experimenting with making my own bread. I have made bread often but this is a new recipe that is cooked in a dutch oven. If it turns out I want to start trying out a variety of flours and herbs. I hate the texture and taste of low carb/calorie bread so I am trying to make my own healthy alternative.

[Oldfart]

There are a heap of "new healthy" seeds like Chia which may bulk out the bread.

[Pita]

I taped the start of the Biggest Loser last night and this morning watched half of it while on the elliptical. Nothing like watching a bunch of puking, morbidly obese people getting screamed at by Jillian Michaels to make me step up the pace. I had a great workout!:D

[BamaKyttn]

I always loved salads but could never stand undressed ones. The italian place in town (yes I live waaaay out in the boonies)makes a great house dressing of black pepper, lemon juice, fresh garlic paste, and a wee bit of olive oil. I add salt when I make it at home but I consume a LOT of salt though my bloodwork always looks good.

My go-to snacks are usually citrus. "Cuties" ( which I think are clementines) Grapefruit and if theres nothing else oranges.

My biggest workout stumbling block is that I work night shift. With an hour commute each way and no parks or gyms on the route. It's difficult enough to get motivated to go to work as the sun is setting or when I know my sweetie is in bed warming my side for me when I get in.

I've also found that collard greens is a great "filler" for me since I love them and I can eat a serving and feel full for 6-8 hours.

Since I work on my feet 12 hours a night I should lose weight. I'm back up to where I was 6 years ago after managing to lose with LS. Marl is killing me with the chef skill. I lost weight when I had to eat my own rotten cooking. At least he hasn't noticed or seem to mind.

Heres to the new year ladies and gents.

I envy you.

Kyttn

[WildIrish]

Mrs. WI has been battling sugar issues, health concerns and weight fluctuations for a few years now and was told last March that because her numbers weren't going anywhere she was being put on insulin. It was finally enough to get her attention and realize that if she didn't do something that worked FOR HER, then she was going down a slippery slope that she would probably not be able to get back up.

She spilled her story to a coworker that tuned her in to a program that specialized in clients with sugar issues and she started following it the week before Easter. Since then, she's lost 85 lbs. Her blood pressure is normal; her cholesterol is normal and her blood sugar levels no longer classify her as having diabetes. It has taken consistent effort and attention, and when she strays from the program...she either doesn't lose, or she gains. She's not at her goal yet, and it appears that the last 15 lbs are going to be the most difficult to drop. She's trying desperately to get back on track and she's battling boredom & routine. That's a difficult battle for someone with adhd, because routine is like a four letter word to her. She struggled over the holidays and has picked back up with the intent to get to her goal and begin the maintenance phase.

All I can suggest is this: If what you are doing shows signs of working...use that as inspiration to keep doing it. That's what I tell her. "You know it works because it has worked up to this point. When you follow the program, you lose weight." And if it's not working, then walk away from it and find something else.

Good luck to all of you and remember...you're beautiful people.





And be sure to photo-document your journey. :p

[dicksbro]

As someone with Type 2 diabetes I can relate. I've been keeping things under control, but, it's not easy. My prayers and best wishes to your wife. I admire the progress she's made. Losing 85 lb is an amazing accomplishment. I've lost 38 lb but still have another 20 to 30 to go.

Tell her you know of someone else in a similar boat that's praying for her success. :thumbs:

[Oldfart]

Lots of someones.

[Lilith]

If I were in her boat it would be rockin and WI would be in troublllllllllllllllle.

But I have type 2 diabetes too. I take Victoza.

[Fangtasia]

Struggling this last week, its that hades like hot here at present eating is not something i'm much interested in and its not doing the weightloss any favours!

I need to go for walks but honestly doing so would put me in hospital with heatstroke.

So i am drinking water constantly, eating what i can stomach (and its not the best choices cause i really dont want anything at all) and praying for a cool change to give Australia a break!

[Lord Snow]

I always liked granny smith apples and peanut butter. Apples are great for you, and there are lower calories peanut butters out there. Could be a cool treat on a hot day. Another thing might be to walk in a pool if you have access. The water might be a little cooler than the air, it's lower impact than walking on pavement, plus the resistance of the water is an added challenge to help burn more calories.

[Fangtasia]

Not a fan of apples much, they must be sweet and crunchy, if they are neither or one not the other, blerk.
No access to a pool at this stage.To get to one i need to travel, and in this heat the car is the last place you want to be :)

Might look at getting some lychees, or rumbautams, they are lovely on a hot day, not sure what season they're around though

[Oldfart]

I had a Pink Lady apple today, Fang, it was sweet, crunchy and tasty. Perfect with some vintage cheddar.

Rambutans are just falling out of season now.

[Lilith]

Pink ladies and honey crisps are my two current faves. But an asian pear with some blue cheese is my weakness.

[Fangtasia]

Mango, banana, watermelon, rockmelon & pears are my fav fruits.

Apples i'm fussy lol, if it aint just right after the 1st bite its tossed. So yeah that can get expensive so i dont buy apples very often at all.

[Pita]

I'm the same way about apples. I adore honey crisp and will eat a ton of them when they are in season. Right now I'm eating a Lot of Cuties.

Pears and blue cheese is a weakness of mine as well. Love!!!

[Lilith]

I am hoovering down those cuties too.

[Lord Snow]

Some super foods (http://shine.yahoo.com/author-blog-posts/6-superfoods-youre-not-eating-175900472.html)

[Fangtasia]

Seeweed (sushi) & Beets (beetroot) i can deal with. The rest, shudder, not a hope in hell of getting past these lips

[Pita]

Funny, I said no to seaweed and beets but he'll yeah to sauerkraut and asparagus.

[Oldfart]

I'm with Pita on this one.

[Pita]

I like it when Oldfart is with me. :brows:

[Oldfart]

There you go again, getting my hopes up, you wicked woman.

[Pita]

I took drastic measures today and joined Weight Watchers. Keeping track of points freaks me out a little, but something had to be done. Wish me luck!

[Fangtasia]

I am at a plateau again, my fault. Stress from getting ready to move and a heap of other shit on my plate, i just am grabbing food when the mood strikes. Gimme another week and most will have settled back down and i can get back on track with a vengence

[Coaster]

A new 90 Day Challenge gets me to the beginning of summer. Bring it on!!

[gigi]

Well....I'm giving this a bump because I am still trying. I have to fight a little harder since I got the IUD, but it's all worth it. Any new ideas for lunches? Leftovers are fine but not always feasible as I like to freeze those and get another meal out of it.

[Lord Snow]

Keep it light and simple. You can always look at some of the protein shakes. Some of them are more or less meal replacements, though they might have to many calories. Maybe a handful of nuts and some yogurt? Salad made with baby spinach instead of lettuce (lettuce doesn't do a whole lot for you).

[jseal]

As some of you know, I’m working the Atkins’ diet. In it, managing calories is less important than managing carbohydrates.

[dicksbro]

I've gotten myself down from 242 to 190 over the past couple of years. I walk about a mile a day and reduced "portion" size in my meals. Try to avoid sweets ... although not totally. So far, so good. Still want to drop just a few more pounds .. maybe five or six and then work to maintain that weight.

Best of luck to everyone in your efforts.

It was sure more fun putting it on than taking it off. :(

But it's also more fun having it off than leaving it on. :)

[Lilith]

I'm working on it. I have type 2 diabetes and it had really gotten out of control. My change of job equalled a less active life style and long hours. Time to get my but in gear.

[PantyFanatic]

Maybe try putting just a tiny dab of Vegemite on everything you want to eat. I'm sure you'll only want one bite of anything. http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sick006.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)

[Oldfart]

Shame on you PF, trying to scare Lil like that.

[grotochp]

well I was having some sinus issues and went to the doctors and realized since my Heart surgery due to the medication I am on i have gained 30 pounds since February I now weight 250 and just had a OMG moment I need to loose weight as this is not good. Any good suggestions will be appreciated and glad i was in a horny mood to browse the forums threads and found this one.

[Lilith]

Take up zumba!

[Lord Snow]

Don't just watch what you eat, but how much you eat. Change when you eat as well. If you have the tendency to eat close to your bed time you're not giving your body enough time to digest and use any calories you just took in.

[Oldfart]

To get past the urge to snack, keep some short sticks of dry spaghetti around.

Rather than fight the urge to eat, use it wisely.

[dicksbro]

Now, I gotta admit, I never gave any thought to eating short sticks of dry spaghetti. Hmmmm. I may even try that.