Weight loss & fitness log

[QuickSilver]

It's all for health for me too.. and less about actual weight loss.. although I still have my goal. I received the results of my Wellness profile screening tests. Everything is WNL.. and my cholesterol well under 200.. with HDL > 60.. Healthy eating, exercise and a sensible medication regimen are working.

 

[Ameriscot]

It's all for health for me too.. and less about actual weight loss.. although I still have my goal. I received the results of my Wellness profile screening tests. Everything is WNL.. and my cholesterol well under 200.. with HDL > 60.. Healthy eating, exercise and a sensible medication regimen are working.

Well done, QS!

Health is my number one reason, but if vanity helps keep me motivated that's okay. Skinny is definitely not my goal though.

 

[QuickSilver]

Oh I understand vanity.. I'm into that! However, I know that I will never get down to the weights I maintained in my 30's.. I don't think I would want to when so many studies show that skinny little old people are really not healthy little old people. I certainly wish I could control my cholesterol with diet and exercise, and I have tried, but unsuccessfully.. So I need to take a statin to keep my good numbers. And I've experimented with those and after 3 tries found one that did not cause uncomfortable muscle pain while keeping my cholesterol in check..

 

[AprilT]

Health has always been the main objective, namely lessening the weight bearing on my arthritic knees, back and other joints, keep my blood pressure under control, my ldl levels remained good throughout most of my poor eating habits for some reason, I tend to get a good report card overall except for blood counts which the diet won't fix, but it will fix the blood pressure and help a little with the physical aches, which were more related to past car wrecks, work and other issues, the vanity part is just a bonus and fun addition. It's certainly not a bad thing to be able to fit back into a few of my favorite things.

I have my cheat day, don't feel a need to go crazy on the carbs, the weekend was good enough, I'm over it, back to plan. Though I am sick of meat, but, if it aint broke, ya know, some people don't like vegetables, I don't hate meat, just prefer veggies more than the meat; it works, I get to eat a lot of veggies along with the meat. Will just buy more seafood new shopping trip.

 

[Denise1952]

Glad you gals are doing well, I just wanted to say that it's mostly been about how I look, and how those clothes fit, when I was younger. Now it's for health yes, since I've had some issues develop, but I want to feel good, my clothes to fit right, and since I'm single, I wouldn't mind looking the best I can for my age but I'm also realizing, it's less for anyone else, and more for me now.

Of course, if you aren't feeling good, and your health isn't good, I wouldn't feel well enough to doll up anyway

 

[Shirley]

April, I tried the Atkins diet once. I lost a lot of weight quickly but I was starving for veggies and fruits. Diets never worked for me. When I told myself I was going on a diet, the first thing that happened was I was hungry. From the time I woke up in the morning until I went to bed at night, my every thought was about food. I once kept a record of every bite I ate and how many calories I ate. I lost weight but I gained it back. .

So I decided to not go on a diet. I tell myself I'm just going to watch what I eat. I lost twenty pounds and have kept it off for twenty five years by not being on a diet. I don't deny myself anything I want to eat. If I do, I start craving them. I'm a chocoholic and if I get a craving for chocolate, I go buy one or two chocolate bars and eat them. But I don't keep any kind of snacks in the house. I do exercise and used to walk three miles a day. Now that the weather is warmer, I hope to start walking again.

 

[AprilT]

Glad you gals are doing well, I just wanted to say that it's mostly been about how I look, and how those clothes fit, when I was younger. Now it's for health yes, since I've had some issues develop, but I want to feel good, my clothes to fit right, and since I'm single, I wouldn't mind looking the best I can for my age but I'm also realizing, it's less for anyone else, and more for me now.

Of course, if you aren't feeling good, and your health isn't good, I wouldn't feel well enough to doll up anyway

And why is that, isn't dressing as you normally would weather you consider that dolling up what keeps some people's spirit up, what you may consider dolling up is how some of us leave the house any typical day. I personally don't go schlepping about town, no matter how bad my body feels. That's just me, but you have to do you. I could be in a deep depression, but, when I leave the house, good or bad it wouldn't show, just not how I roll.

 

[QuickSilver]

Well, Weight Watchers has a saying... They are not a diet... they are a lifestyle. Makes sense.

 

[AprilT]

April, I tried the Atkins diet once. I lost a lot of weight quickly but I was starving for veggies and fruits. Diets never worked for me. When I told myself I was going on a diet, the first thing that happened was I was hungry. From the time I woke up in the morning until I went to bed at night, my every thought was about food. I once kept a record of every bite I ate and how many calories I ate. I lost weight but I gained it back. .

So I decided to not go on a diet. I tell myself I'm just going to watch what I eat. I lost twenty pounds and have kept it off for twenty five years by not being on a diet. I don't deny myself anything I want to eat. If I do, I start craving them. I'm a chocoholic and if I get a craving for chocolate, I go buy one or two chocolate bars and eat them. But I don't keep any kind of snacks in the house. I do exercise and used to walk three miles a day. Now that the weather is warmer, I hope to start walking again.

Shirley, this is what I don't understand when people say they tried low carb and say they were starving for veggies and fruit. Most of what I eat are veggies and after the second week, fruit is highly recommended. Strawberries, pineapples especially, but most any fruit in moderation. The craving after that is emotional and that is something to work on without food solving the issue.

Problem is most people that do the low-carb and fail on it, don't follow it correctly, when done right, there's no way to be starving or having excessive cravings for sweets once the sugar has been wiped out of your system following the plan, it's just not possible especially considering you may eat as much veggies and meat as you want without counting calories.

You're hungry, there's slices of deli meat and cheese to snack on, cut up veggies with a nice dip you've made. I might have the cravings the first week, but after that, really the cravings are gone, after that, it's only when I lose focus or allow my emotions to overwhelm me that I get off track and fall back into old habits.

I just had the cheat day and frankly, it didn't feel all that satisfying, I was looking forward to getting back to seeing what delicious recipes I could look for on low-carb sites or youtube.

 

[Denise1952]

April, I tried the Atkins diet once. I lost a lot of weight quickly but I was starving for veggies and fruits. Diets never worked for me. When I told myself I was going on a diet, the first thing that happened was I was hungry. From the time I woke up in the morning until I went to bed at night, my every thought was about food. I once kept a record of every bite I ate and how many calories I ate. I lost weight but I gained it back. .

So I decided to not go on a diet. I tell myself I'm just going to watch what I eat. I lost twenty pounds and have kept it off for twenty five years by not being on a diet. I don't deny myself anything I want to eat. If I do, I start craving them. I'm a chocoholic and if I get a craving for chocolate, I go buy one or two chocolate bars and eat them. But I don't keep any kind of snacks in the house. I do exercise and used to walk three miles a day. Now that the weather is warmer, I hope to start walking again.

Wow, you and I are on the same page Shirley Nothing to add, except I gained about 8-10 lbs back because of health issues, but those are taken care of, and I've lost 4 of the lbs I'd gained already. Walking is excellent, although I love my bodyweight exercises, and I just throw those in when I want. For example (guess I did have something to add, lol) I work my upper body mostly with what I call push "offs" right now as I lost strength and haven't been able to do them on the floor I'll be getting there again though

Good for you lady!!

 

[AprilT]

Well, Weight Watchers has a saying... They are not a diet... they are a lifestyle. Makes sense.

I tried WW, as well as a few others, can't think of one I didn't try in years past. WW I couldn't stand them, it just wasn't for me, very annoying speeches, at least the ones I attended and pushing their line of products, not hard sells, but, I still found them annoying. Most of those stars, when they leave the program, same for non-celebs, they gain most of the weight back just like most other programs including low-carb, so, I don't feel a need to pay continuous fees to hear these annoying lectures about everything I learned in a book or magazine I already have. If anything, for me, knowing why I mostly gain it back, I opt for OA, just none close enough to home within a reasonable hour for me.

But the program does work to get the weight off, very helpful for many people.

 

[SeaBreeze]

I'm not dieting to be skinny, wasn't skinny since I was a young teen, in my early 20s I started to pack on the pounds. They say you gain one pound for every year of your life, and that for me has been true. It doesn't sound like much, sounds pretty mellow really...but when I met my husband I was 118lbs., forty years later it was more like 158, which is where I started on this challenge. I've been up to 163 in the past.

Right now I just want to get back to fitting into my other jeans in the closet, I'm not much for fancy clothes, just jeans and t-shirts, but it's disturbing to just have one or two you can wear. I refuse to buy a larger size anymore, I'm wearing a men's 34 waist Levis, I've always bought men's over womens, because I'm thick around the waist (apple shaped) and not much in the hip and thigh areas...so they work better for me. QS, I know you're not fond of supplements, but Lecithin has been touted as cholesterol's worst enemy. Many years ago my husband's was a bit high and I started giving it to him, next check he was normal again.

Health is over vanity for me, my fasting glucose was creeping up in numbers and I don't want to turn into a type 2 diabetic like my mother and sister. Pressure on joints is another issue for sure, less weight is kinder to them. Got to the gym yesterday, and did 1/2 hour on bike and 1/2 hour on various weight machines.

 

[SeaBreeze]

Just saw this video on TV, they used to play it at the gym during my Zumba class.

Spoiler

 

[Ameriscot]

April, I tried the Atkins diet once. I lost a lot of weight quickly but I was starving for veggies and fruits. Diets never worked for me. When I told myself I was going on a diet, the first thing that happened was I was hungry. From the time I woke up in the morning until I went to bed at night, my every thought was about food. I once kept a record of every bite I ate and how many calories I ate. I lost weight but I gained it back. .

So I decided to not go on a diet. I tell myself I'm just going to watch what I eat. I lost twenty pounds and have kept it off for twenty five years by not being on a diet. I don't deny myself anything I want to eat. If I do, I start craving them. I'm a chocoholic and if I get a craving for chocolate, I go buy one or two chocolate bars and eat them. But I don't keep any kind of snacks in the house. I do exercise and used to walk three miles a day. Now that the weather is warmer, I hope to start walking again.

Sounds like a good plan, Shirley. The reason so many people don't keep the weight off is when they hit their goal they go back to eating the same way they did before they lost. And put it all back on again, and usually more.

 

[Ameriscot]

Well, Weight Watchers has a saying... They are not a diet... they are a lifestyle. Makes sense.

Yes, it's a change to a healthy lifestyle. I figure the difference between a diet and maintenance is you just have more calories on maintenance of the same healthy foods.

 

[Ameriscot]

I'm not dieting to be skinny, wasn't skinny since I was a young teen, in my early 20s I started to pack on the pounds. They say you gain one pound for every year of your life, and that for me has been true. It doesn't sound like much, sounds pretty mellow really...but when I met my husband I was 118lbs., forty years later it was more like 158, which is where I started on this challenge. I've been up to 163 in the past.

Right now I just want to get back to fitting into my other jeans in the closet, I'm not much for fancy clothes, just jeans and t-shirts, but it's disturbing to just have one or two you can wear. I refuse to buy a larger size anymore, I'm wearing a men's 34 waist Levis, I've always bought men's over womens, because I'm thick around the waist (apple shaped) and not much in the hip and thigh areas...so they work better for me. QS, I know you're not fond of supplements, but Lecithin has been touted as cholesterol's worst enemy. Many years ago my husband's was a bit high and I started giving it to him, next check he was normal again.

Health is over vanity for me, my fasting glucose was creeping up in numbers and I don't want to turn into a type 2 diabetic like my mother and sister. Pressure on joints is another issue for sure, less weight is kinder to them. Got to the gym yesterday, and did 1/2 hour on bike and 1/2 hour on various weight machines.

Well done. For me it's health, vanity and just being comfortable in my clothes. Less weight = smaller bra and I'm much happier when I'm smaller as bras are no longer torture devices.

My maximum weight was 167 and that was in 2011. I've gained and lost since but never got to that weight again. I'm very comfy at 132 which is my goal. I was 128 on my 60th birthday and I was thin. Not skinny, but thin.

 

[Denise1952]

Sounds like a good plan, Shirley. The reason so many people don't keep the weight off is when they hit their goal they go back to eating the same way they did before they lost. And put it all back on again, and usually more.

There's a well known fact AM, that's why the gals I worked with made so much sense to me. If I am dieting, say eating less calories, I have to ask myself if this is how I want to eat the rest of my life. Now I eat more for fuel, than taste, although seasonings (especially anti-inflamatory I am getting into) and the actual taste of real food without say salt, I'm beginning to crave. Like salads, my sister of all people asked if I would make another salad because she was craving it, I almost fainted, my sister the sugar-holic baker Don't misunderstand, I love a piece of pie, whatever, chocolate chip cookies, but I've found if I eat right 90 some % of the time, then I can have my goodies and eat them too Yep, and still lose weight. It's really comforting to know I am burning fat, not lean, muscle mass.

My BMI is like 1350 cals. so that is what would keep me alive if I was in a coma. My body, and I've proved it, "needs" at least 1400 a day, more if I do a lot of weight-training and walking. Fuel, for the muscles, which in turn burn the fat-stores. I do know a gal that ate 1200 and lost 200 lbs or so. She was even skydiving, plus active, way active, I don't know how she kept from starving, but she made it. She is thin, with muscles too. It's the FIRST time in her life she can remember not being way overweight. Her name is Marnie and you can see her story at myfitnesspal. I know she started out on 1200, but I am not positive she didn't ramp up on the calories

 

[Ameriscot]

There's a well known fact AM, that's why the gals I worked with made so much sense to me. If I am dieting, say eating less calories, I have to ask myself if this is how I want to eat the rest of my life. Now I eat more for fuel, than taste, although seasonings (especially anti-inflamatory I am getting into) and the actual taste of real food without say salt, I'm beginning to crave. Like salads, my sister of all people asked if I would make another salad because she was craving it, I almost fainted, my sister the sugar-holic baker Don't misunderstand, I love a piece of pie, whatever, chocolate chip cookies, but I've found if I eat right 90 some % of the time, then I can have my goodies and eat them too Yep, and still lose weight. It's really comforting to know I am burning fat, not lean, muscle mass.

True. I've read that the tiny minority who get the weight off and keep it off for 3+ years have these things in common: they eat healthy most of the time but allow themselves treats, and they workout a LOT.

The lower calories you consume on a diet are not for life though. When I got to my goal weight of 132 before my 60th birthday, I was afraid to start eating maintenance calories and kept losing until I got to 128. People on my diet forum suggested slowly adding more calories, but make sure most of it is healthy calories.

You can calculate how many calories you need to lose and maintain here: When I get to 132 I'll need 1,765 calories while being moderately active - working out 3 - 5 days a week.

http://www.calculator.net/calorie-calculator.html

 

[Denise1952]

Thanks AM,

Recently I was reading about good calories, bad calories, had a lot to do with me stopping the count thing. I think it is a good tool though, I still check on occasion. I use my scale every day with the understanding the weight fluctuates, so if I am weighing 140, 139, 138, I go with the lowest, 138 because it takes 3500 calories to equal a lb. A lb of what I don't know, it's a lb whether its fat, water, or lean muscle. But depending on time of day, what we ate, what we drank, I mean you drink 8 ounces of water, you should weigh 8 ounces more. Seems logical. I like to watch the scale, but I don't worry and some folks freak if they have an ounce extra the next day, but that's not stored, take a dump and your back to normal, whatever.

 

[AprilT]

what is a diet but just another name for a healthy lifestyle or not? It's how one determines the route of that diet whatever it may be and any given time, what is and isn't healthy seems to change at a drop of a hat. Some people like my elders lived into their hundreds without a care, lots of butter on the menu others would drop dead at the sight of it, but namely because of what they combined it with lots of other things that evidently didn't suit their chemical make up.

Diabetes too runs in my family, I don't have it am not pre- diabetic as of yet, hope not to be. If one were to do some serious research we would see some of the major culprits. I've worked in the health field and saw how the prescribed healthy ways of eating did nothing good for many of my patients over time, I was actually responsible for overseeing their entire day and during those times there wasn't a way for them to be cheating or altering the prescribed menu.. This isn't to say whomever made up those systems of eating, are wrong, they just don't work as planned for everyone. Just as they completely keep altering the food pyramids and now started saying how fat free foods are bad for you.

It is how several of you have said, it's the poor food choices and overeating that are the main culprits for what doesn't work in most cases when people put the weight back on. As we get older, our metabolism slows down, so, even what worked in our 30's food wise just isn't going to work for us when we're trying to lose weight past the age of 50, so either we accept our new poundage within reason or we adjust our plan and up the ante some how. Not necessarily by doing what some might consider a fad diet, but, by finding what is working for you, but, if it ain't working for you then, you need to adjust your thinking and or your method depending on what you hope to accomplish.

Some doctors are for and against my way of eating most of my doctors give it high five because, they are always impressed with my results and numbers while I'm on it. Many weight lost specialist agree it's a good way to go within moderation, even the diabetes association recommends restricting carbs to a degree or at least being smart about the choices when consuming them.

Again, fruit and vegetables aren't restricted and vegetables are a big part of my food plan for lunch and dinner always.

See this picture, this is what my plate looks like most days.
http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/planning-meals/

BTW, I don't follow Atkins, I follow low carb but my own plan similar in ways to Atkins, but not exactly.

 

[Denise1952]

It is about different health conditions too. Your post was a good read April, and it is about what works for you. I've learned a lot about listening to my body as well. Something as simple as recognizing the need for water, not food. Now I drink enough water that I know when I am needing it, and not a snack. I do snacks though as well. I think more and more folks are taking responsibility for their own health where at one time in my life, I would have 100% relied on the direction of a doctor. Now it's more 50/50 for me.

I think my worst enemy is being sedentary, so I focus way more on what I do during the day then what I'm going to eat. Yet, I don't buy anything that I think is not healthy for me. My sis bakes, so I get my pie or whatever on occasion. The more healthy I eat, the better my workouts. I don't think about having perfect foods. Like my sis told me about some wild-caught salmon, but I couldn't afford it. I go for salmon that is less expensive then.

Anyway, I can talk all day about this stuff, always glad to learn new things as well Thanks April, denise

 

[Ameriscot]

what is a diet but just another name for a healthy lifestyle or not? It's how one determines the route of that diet whatever it may be and any given time, what is and isn't healthy seems to change at a drop of a hat. Some people like my elders lived into their hundreds without a care, lots of butter on the menu others would drop dead at the sight of it, but namely because of what they combined it with lots of other things that evidently didn't suit their chemical make up.

Diabetes too runs in my family, I don't have it am not pre- diabetic as of yet, hope not to be. If one were to do some serious research we would see some of the major culprits. I've worked in the health field and saw how the prescribed healthy ways of eating did nothing good for many of my patients over time, I was actually responsible for overseeing their entire day and during those times there wasn't a way for them to be cheating or altering the prescribed menu.. This isn't to say whomever made up those systems of eating, are wrong, they just don't work as planned for everyone. Just as they completely keep altering the food pyramids and now started saying how fat free foods are bad for you.

It is how several of you have said, it's the poor food choices and overeating that are the main culprits for what doesn't work in most cases when people put the weight back on. As we get older, our metabolism slows down, so, even what worked in our 30's food wise just isn't going to work for us when we're trying to lose weight past the age of 50, so either we accept our new poundage within reason or we adjust our plan and up the ante some how. Not necessarily by doing what some might consider a fad diet, but, by finding what is working for you, but, if it ain't working for you then, you need to adjust your thinking and or your method depending on what you hope to accomplish.

Some doctors are for and against my way of eating most of my doctors give it high five because, they are always impressed with my results and numbers while I'm on it. Many weight lost specialist agree it's a good way to go within moderation, even the diabetes association recommends restricting carbs to a degree or at least being smart about the choices when consuming them.

Again, fruit and vegetables aren't restricted and vegetables are a big part of my food plan for lunch and dinner always.

See this picture, this is what my plate looks like most days.
http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/planning-meals/

BTW, I don't follow Atkins, I follow low carb but my own plan similar in ways to Atkins, but not exactly.

Looks like a very healthy plate, April. I've never done low carb and don't intend to. I eat healthy and healthy means whole grains, not white flour, or at least not very often.

My biggest issue is when we travel. I can't count calories. I hear people saying 'oh you're on holiday, have what you like', etc. But it really has to stop. Writing down everything I eat/drink works well even if I don't know the calories. I know the mistakes I made in Thailand and the reasons I gained 14 pounds in 9 weeks. It is NOT going to happen again.

 

[AprilT]

Responding a second time to Shirley's post

April, I tried the Atkins diet once. I lost a lot of weight quickly but I was starving for veggies and fruits. Diets never worked for me. When I told myself I was going on a diet, the first thing that happened was I was hungry. From the time I woke up in the morning until I went to bed at night, my every thought was about food. I once kept a record of every bite I ate and how many calories I ate. I lost weight but I gained it back. .

So I decided to not go on a diet. I tell myself I'm just going to watch what I eat. I lost twenty pounds and have kept it off for twenty five years by not being on a diet. I don't deny myself anything I want to eat. If I do, I start craving them. I'm a chocoholic and if I get a craving for chocolate, I go buy one or two chocolate bars and eat them. But I don't keep any kind of snacks in the house. I do exercise and used to walk three miles a day. Now that the weather is warmer, I hope to start walking again.

Shirley, sorry, I got so caught up in the first part about of your post, I forgot about the second chapter you wrote. I so get what you said about the chocoholic part, I truly get it and on most days even when not following a plan, my eating is normal, I avoid bringing large quantities of junk food into my place as well and will try if I must have sweet treats, to just buy a single serving. Basically I've always gained the weight during the fall/winter holiday season, this is usually a time when I get very depressed and my emotions are all over the place and I numb myself with mindless eating, a habit I know is slowly killing me. This is when I gain the weight, a lot in a very short time as much as 10 lbs in a month or less. and then I yo-yo for the next few months till it sticks.

You have a great way of going about it, I like your mindset and if I didn't have so much to lose to get this weight off of my joints, I really would just say to heck with it, I'm not really doing it to prolong my life nor to see a better me in the mirror, main issue is bearing the weight of it all on my joints, carrying it around. If it were just 15 even twenty lbs I needed to lose I wouldn't fuss over it at all. I've never had a problem in life with being on the large side, thin or fat, what I saw in the mirror was fine by me, as a matter of fact, I had some of best of times when I was 50 lbs heavier than I am right now. I have a picture, maybe I'll post it when I find it, everytime I look at it, I smile, sometimes cry, it also reminds me of some sad family things that happened in those years as well, but over all, those were some very happy moments squeezed in as well that that fat face makes me think of. I've kept off half the weight I lost from that time period.

I was only thin once and that was the period of years prior to getting married; those days are long gone and I don't mourn them, now it would just be nice to lessen the weight on my knees and back.

 

[NancyNGA]

I guess I'll always be the odd person out on the issue of *speed* of weight loss. If I don't try to keep calories down as low as possible (within reason), it takes too long to lose weight and I get impatient and give up. That's what's trying to happen this time around, but this challenge has kept me going. Thank you for this challenge, btw.

The last time I lost weight (30lbs) I did it at 2 lbs a week, 1100-1200 calories per day, and it only took 15 weeks. I kept it off 5 years until last fall. The idea that I'd probably see a pound drop every 3-4 days kept me motivated. Then the key was transitioning *slowly* back to maintenance---adding 200 calories to the daily allowance every week. It was like getting a 200 calorie treat every week and I had to decide how to spend it. Plus I lost a couple more pounds during this period as a bonus, so ended up 5 lbs below goal, which turned out to be a better goal, anyway.

For some reason 1500 cals/day is a level that's harder for me to do for a long time. It's like you have to be dead serious at 1200, no exceptions, nose to the grindstone. At 1500 I have 300 extra calories to play with, start making poor choices and end up going too much over. Then I give up because it takes too long to see any results. (Sorry I didn't mean this to be so long-winded and detailed )

 

[AprilT]

Nancy, a 1 lb a week even is a good thing, it really shouldn't be about how quick, some will lose faster than others or gain for various reason, don't let this frustrate you too much, you just have to find that balance that will work for you. I ruined my metabolism years ago, when I would yo-yo and even go on practical starvation diets, literally, I'd never do that again, all it does is cause the body to eat muscle and kill important body organs. I would I likely would have to consistently eat at below 1200 to lose 1 lb a week, believe me, I've been there.

Either way, please, please don't think of trying to do this the fast way, just the right way for you. Some people will have to add more exercise to whatever food plan they follow. I'm sure at some point, my scale isn't going to budge unless I add some cardio of some sort.

PS, I missed the part where you said you just wanted to vent, so pay me no mind. I just didn't want to see you getting worried about the rate of lose. I will be doing enough of that later on for the both of us.