Weight Loss

Greetings!

I am hoping that this site I stumbled on will help me out. I have been on a diet or fighting with food my entire life. About 8 years ago I lost about 100 pounds, my lowest weight was 204 then I had my first child at 40. Now I am 220 and he'll be three this June. The only good news is that I do not weight 300 + pounds anymore having said that - No excuses, my food addiction problem has been out of control now since his birth. I try - and try - and try - and still nothing seems to be working. Maybe I can find a friend here who will help give me the strength I need to be healthy. I need to stay alive for my family.

I would love to chat with you, I'm 47 and come from a large family (not talking about the number of us here). I have watched the serious amount of weight slowly destroy the lives of family members and could not bear to think of it happening to you as well. I have always fought the weight and right now am still 45 lbs from where I'd like to be. It gets harder as I get older but like you I have the family to think of. Some times I just have to think about how I felt with seriously overweight parents and I work a little harder at eating properly and exercising.  I am totally addicted to sugar, but I hit the starches pretty hard also. I feel horrible sometimes when I get preoccupied with the thoughts of my favorite foods, do you ever feel guilty about the amount of time food occupies your thoughts? I am trying more lately to distract myself by keeping busy, when I feel I have spent too much time wanting something bad I make myself do some house work (kind of negative reinforcement). Don't laugh at my craziness though, my kitchen is spotless and I am working my way through the bathrooms and closets. Really though it is important to remember how much you are loved and needed. The family that I have lost, I would give anything to have even one of them back (with or without the weight). I lost so much with them because they couldn't get control of the same trouble I now have, I don't want my kids to regret what I couldn't get control of. I am much lighter now than I have been, but I have never allowed myself to get too heavy. I do this more for my family, if I tried to focus only on myself I don't think I would be motivated enough. My kids are all a healthy weight and I know that most of it has to do with the fact that they have seen me struggle and have seen the family members that completely lost the struggle. Hang in there, get active and eat healthy! You are sooo worth it to the kids!!!!

I'll be watching for your entries and praying for you!

 

Hello,

So nice to have such a quick reply from someone. Oh I feel guilty all the time about food. Eating to much - too little - to greasy - heck - I could overeat celery. I am glad we are about the same age - I think age has a LOT to do with how the weight comes off - or doesn't. Keeping busy is good, are you a stay at home Mom? How old are your kids? I think loosing weight is especially important for my son - I don't want him to grow up with a Mom who is big - I just don't - I want to be able to re enforce the positive aspects of exercise and healthy eating - so why is it still so hard. Can you give me a typical example of a food day for you?

I could overeat even celery myself...that is too funny! Sometimes I think I just go on remote control and I don't even realize what I am doing till I have eaten too much. I had MY kids when I was young (before I lost too much control over the weight). My "baby" is graduating college this spring (she has done some modeling, she eats like a horse and gains nothing...gene mutation if you ask me). I have 4 kids and now 4 grand kids, I work full time (a real bad thing for my dieting). I have recently started to work only 4 days a week and I watch 3 of the grand babies on that day (they keep me a little healthier). I was better about keeping the weight off when my own kids were younger, I really get distracted from the food pretty easily but I sneak ALOT. I don't know that I have a typical food day...I have developed some better habits this past year (had health problems & needed to start watching things closer). What I TRY to do on a typical day is always start with my fiber, a couple pieces of high fiber toast (with cinnamon) and a piece of fruit; or steel cut oatmeal with some low cal fruit yogurt. I do suffer with IBS and the fiber helps start my day better. I do love coffee and I think that it makes me snack more, I have started cutting back to just one cup (caffiene is my friend). I have a very sensible lunch, a wrap sandwich or if I am at work I have a healthy frozen meal and more fruit also baby carrots (I could eat them by the bag). I try to cook our meals at home in the evening (baby girl is still at home, DH and I always have at least one grand there also). Because of the weather I have been doing alot of soups, found a wonderful shrimp corn chowder recipe the other day that was a real hit. The oldest grand babies love to help me cook and I have gotten so much better about my own food choices by teaching them about the kitchen. Even the two year olds can help, wash fruits & veggies, shucking corn has been fun, snapping green beans, etc... I really think that the past year has been a little easier for me because I am focused on teaching them and not so focused on myself. I HATE exercise, but I am working on lots of walking (babies can do that). I also got an excerise ball and I "work out" with one kid on my lap, they just see it as quality play time (trust me, if you had to exercise make it something that you can do with the kids and you will actually do it, they will pester you to do it also-taht helps). I'd better stop chatting and get this sent (did I mention that I can get to rambling???) Great to hear from you and maybe we can keep up the chatting & help each other out. Let me know what your "normal" day is like and what kind of diet you are doing and what kind of exercise you do. I am at work today and I know that people will bring in snacks (valentines), wish me luck staying away from it...I am a sugar junkie...Have a good day, stay strong, stay active! I am thinking of you. By the way, my name is Sandy!

Hey guys...I hope you don't mind me crashing the party! I am 41 and went for "the old guy checkup" and the doctor said that everything looks fine as far as cholesterol, heart, etc, but I need to drop about 50-75 pounds..Actually my goal is 75, but 50 would be fine. My biggest problem is simply lack of time. I was eating fast food all the time. With an office job and three kids at home, there isn't a lot of time to exercise. Anyway, supposedly at less than 2K calories a day, I can get there by the end of the year. We'll see I suppose. Interesting that I never really thought about calories/fat before, but I bet I was in the 4000 a day category before!

Yesterday was my first step, so we'll see what happens. I was able to keep the calories at roughly 1300 with some help from Lean Cuisine. Makes for a nice lunch in the office. Easy to fix and somewhat healthy. Not quite enough to fill me up, but I find that adding an apple, broccoli or a small salad really helps. Plenty of water and the daily diet coke (can't give up all my vices!) I am still not hungry, so that is a plus. I would like to stay in the 1600 calorie range if possible. The "problem" will be going out with the guys. Having the ability to turn down a beer and wings, fries, etc! :)

I did start working out yesterday. My oldest son is a college hockey player, so he has put together a nice workout room in our basement. I walked 2 miles on the treadmill and rode the stationary bike for 12 miles. Listened to an audio book on my iPod while exercising and it really kept my mind off the boring exercise. I am also been going for walks in the office...10-15 minute walks up the stairs, around the buildings, etc.

The key so far seems to not "think" about it. During the day is pretty simple as I am stuck at work, so I eat at my desk, then go for a walk. I am sure the weekend will be difficult, but I am not going to beat myself up when I have a bad day. After a few weeks, I'll check my progress. If things are going well, I might give myself a nice dinner once a week on the weekend.

I think if you can get through the first week or two and "see" some sort of result, it will make it much easier.

Great to have you crash in here!

I hate the eating at my desk, it is so easy to eat too much. My worst habit is sneaking food, a bite here or there in the kitchen especially when I cook and a little snack my desk.

I am so jealous, you have an exercise room and an IPOD? I do have an exercise bike and am moving it to sit in front of a tv in the bedroom.

I have banned fast food from my diet at this point, there is nothing there I can eat. I managed to take the grands to get their favorite meal and I ate nothing, I was pretty pleased with myself for saying no. They may have some relatively healthy offering, but if I get started I'll go ahead and eat the bad stuff as well.

Hope to hear that you've had "some sort of result" soon. I try to only weigh myself once a week so that I don't obsess over the scale, so I won't know about progress for awhile.

Hi! Oh I can not remember the last time I ate fast food. This is my big problem now - I am eating OK and working out and still no pounds are dropping.

 When I had a desk job I lost a lot - I was able to control my day - breakfast before work - I ate salad at my desk for lunch - worked all day long so by the time I got home, I ate a small dinner and slept! I slept a lot too about 9 to 10 hours a night -  I lost 100 odd pounds and NEVER exercised!

Now I eat better - work out - I am missing something??? Ahhhhhhhhh!

PS - are you keeping a food diary? And how would you both feel about sharing our weigh in's? Accountability helps I think? Thoughts?

I am keeping a food log. It really helps to keep track of things. The food database this site uses is pretty extensive and has the info on most foods. To reach my goal by the end of the year, I can have up to 2000 calories. I had 1300 yesterday and will have 1400 today. My "personal" goal is going to be around 1500.

I am fine with sharing. Maybe we could keep it going via email? Maybe weekly check-ins on status and encouragement? My email is on my member page. Let me know....sounds like fun!

 

I am using the food log here. It really helps me when I see what I am eating, I found the grading system interesting here. Things that I thought were good didn't score very well, I may have to rethink what I am eating.

I have no problem telling people most anything, I am not shy about much. Accountability sure can't hurt...I do better when someone else is around. I am hoping to not be disappointed the next time I step on the scale, but I don't care about sharing it (I'd just rather not see it myself). When I was really out of control I stopped weighing myself after I hit 175, so I'll never know how heavy I got. I keep reminding myself that I am better now than I was a year ago, but sometimes it just seems like the goal weight isn't getting any closer.

Let me know how you guys are doing. It is nice to chat with others who are struggling with the same issues.  A food log should help you mavmom, there must be something about what you are eating or maybe it is portion size; now that you have changed your eating habits and it has affected your ability to keep losing weight.  Keep an eye on that food log and let us know if you find any clues there.

 

I started a couple of days ago at 270 with a goal weight of 199 by end of 2008.

Doctor says I should be less than that, but I am just over 6 ft and have a large frame, so right at 200 is my goal weight. In my pic I am probably 250-255.

I just hope I start seeing results. I don't really need frustration right away, but I'll deal with whatever happens. I mean I am staying under 1500 calories and putting in the time on the bike and treadmill, so hopefully all will go well. I would like to lose a couple of pounds a week, but that may not be realistic. In the past, I have always been able to take weight off when I needed to, but I wasn't 40+ years old back then either.

 

Oh and for the record, Hunts sugar free jello cups @ 5 calories each are amazing! Not all flavors are just 5, but even the others are only 10.

 

 

OK so lets do weigh ins - I am fine with that too! What day do you both want to weigh? I normally do Monday mornings - but that's not working - I know darn good and well it's because over the weekend I am weak - my husband and I eat together and I am not as good as when I am alone during the day. So what ever day is fine, I think once a week is good.

 Maybe I eat backwards too - I know you are supposed to eat most of your calories during the day and have light dinners - but I used to just fast most of the day, eat dinner and loose. Not anymore though. And yes my portions are a problem. Maybe I need to really start measuring - yikes what a HASSLE!

Portions are really a big part of my trouble as well. I don't measure, but I do try to use those portion tips (one serving of protein no larger than a deck of cards, etc...).

Should we weigh on Friday's? Maybe if you have seen progress you will be motivated to behave over the weekend, maybe if you don't see progress you'll be motivated to sweat your butt off over the weekend! Whatever day you like is fine with me.

I hadn't thought about the eating backwards thing, I really need to rethink what & when I eat I guess. Calories just don't burn the same after you turn 40, heaven forbid that gets worse when I turn 50!

Friday AM works for me. That is the day I had planned to weigh in anyway. I am trying to not check it every morning.

I have a dinner/board meeting tonight at Bob Evans, so I have already been out to visit their site. 433 calories for grilled chicken, brocolli and corn with a diet coke. I can work with that...

 

Hello~

I hope you guys have room for one more.  I've recently hit the 40's and I'm starting to see my weight on a steady increase and it doesn't want to come off.  I'm getting really frustrated as my clothes aren't fitting anymore and I find myself having to buy a larger size...ugh!!  I can't seem to control my portion sizes.  You'd think I lived through the depression years with the way I'm thinking I won't be able to eat again for the rest of the day...lol...it's awful!!

I'm thinking about buying some of those kids plates from the store. to help with portion control...lol...somethings gotta give.  I'm hoping you guys have some advice for me.  HELP!! lol : )

Room for one more?  I'm 42 and I tried Nutrisystem for a week and the food was so disgusting I had to return it.  I only lost 2 pounds and am very frustrated.  I have a 6 year old daughter and a wonderful husband and I would like to lose 15 pounds. 

Sure...always room for our fellow 40-somethings.

Post where you are now, where you want to be and then weight in on Friday for congrats (or support if needed I suppose!)

Have fun!

Terry

OK, I'm crashing your party. You guys are having way too much fun! Is it OK I'm 51? You can call me 'Ma' if it makes you feel better....

I've alreay lost 34lbs and going for another 30 for my first goal. I wasn't losing for a couple of months so I found CC a few weeks ago and with the support from this site, I started losing again!

So, I need motivated people who are fun and can laugh with me!

 

 

I just went ahead and added you all to my friends list today, I wanted to make sure that I don't lose track of everyone.

I am having a good week (I think) and am hoping that there will be at least a one pound loss tomorrow so cross your fingers.

Glad to have all the people we have stopping by, it is fun to hear everyone's stories.

P.S.

tsjej:Jellos were good, great to take to work with me. Thanks

deybozz:since I have to watch portions also I have started serving my food last at home and putting left overs away immediately, if out I plan to get a to go box and put 1/2 the food in it immediately.

mavmom:can't wait to hear your news tomorrow, hope that it is good!

Hope you are all strong today, i.e. avoiding all temptations that are edible.

Happy Valentines! The first I can remember when I will consume no chocolate!

Hi everyone, do you have room for one more?

I'm 45 and still working towards a preliminary goal of 153#.  I've been working on this for 18 months.  The first year I lost 50# and then hit a plateau for 6 months, I then found CC and have adjusted my calories a few times and have finally started losing again. 

There are two links I came across yesterday that sure helped explain calorie needs and starvation mode and I would like to share them with you all.  As we get older due to our previous bad eating and yo-yo dieting habits it becomes difficult to start losing or to get past a plateau and these links gave some really good insight to these issues.

Back on track again, I would love to have a group for encouragement and accountability.

Leslie

Hello Omagraf, Thank you for adding me to your friends list!

Hello Leslie (LoneStar45), I always have room for more friends. Welcome! I was the same way, I was losing, then nothing, found CC and wow, the weight is coming off again. Can you add the links re: calorie needs? That's something I always need to watch. I can 'weekly' average OK but my days are either high or low. Thanks!

Marie