Healthy habits challenge check-in 5/2 - YouLookFab Forum

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Healthy habits challenge check-in 5/2

medusa

Veteran

Sorry for the late start to this thread, I'm up to my neck in crazy travel yet again. How did things go this week?

I feel like I got back on track in the last week, getting back to my eating plan and feeling good about it. Exercise was good, I even did a bit of climbing outside with the nice weather we had this weekend. I'm a bit worried about this week with another work trip throwing my schedule out of whack, hopefully it won't be too bad.

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20 replies

Latest reply was from Polly (thunalata)

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I did half and half. Good with both food and workouts the first half of the week, and then not so good with both food and workouts late in the week into the weekend. I ended up at the top of my goal range (it's only a 2 pound leeway but still). So I am determined to get back down a pound or two this next week before I travel for my birthday. Been really good about my nightly push ups at least!

MsMary

Veteran

I had a really hard food week because I had houseguests and there was a lot of eating out, plus a lot of Easter candy in the house! Ended up with the scale up 1.5 pounds from the all-time low I glimpsed briefly a while back. I did manage to keep up with my workout schedule, though, so that was good.

I've decided I really do want to make one last push to lose another 5-8 pounds and hopefully get the last layer of fat off my back and upper arms before we go on another cruise in October. So starting tomorrow I'm cutting out sugar and going low-carb until further notice. I have a lot of hard-boiled colorful Easter eggs in the fridge so that will give me a jump start on healthy snacks! And I'm here by myself so I don't have to worry about accommodating anybody else's food preferences.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I'm all bloated up, but I'm feeling pretty good none the less. I'm realizing that even though my eating isn't perfect, it's so much better than it has ever been- and I am so active compared to most of my life (even with my health issues) so I am feeling pretty good.

kellygirl

Veteran

Exercise is good. Lots of fruits and veggies. I'm still feeling very horse-like though : ) I think since my weight isn't budging, I'm going to start heightening with heels!

sarah

Veteran

What Kelly said (well, not the part about looking like a horse) - I am on track exercise-wise, but I still can't get rid of my Christmas 5. Argh.

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

I'm finally back into the exercise this week. As a result I think food has been a bit better too. My neck/shoulder issues are much better, and that makes a big difference to my general outlook on everything. Note to self: go to physio much earlier next time!

As for weight, no idea. My digital scales stopped turning on a few weeks ago despite new batteries. I think I am going to have to buy a new pair. Doh!!!

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Sounds as if things are going pretty well for everyone! Great stuff.

I'm still stationary with everything at the moment, but in my mind focused more on the exercise side of things. I'm pretty happy with the food tweaks I've made, although might see if I can up the veg portions even more.

MsMaven

Veteran

Well, not so great. My dedication to healthy eating fell apart a couple of weeks ago and I haven't gotten much exercise either. Since May 1 I am back on the path, but I gained a few pounds I need to lose again. It's amazing the effect white carbohydrates have on my belly.

I know from experience it's a mistake to beat myself up over it--just get back on the wagon.

tarzy

Veteran

Well, I'm feeling frustrated. I have not lost any weight, despite walking at least 30 min every day and watching what I eat - not a formal diet, just portion control and no desserts or snacks during the week.

The scale has not budged. I feel good - my pants feel slightly looser, but maybe it's in my head? My stamina has definitely improved - I can handle the steep hills around my house much better - but no weight loss. I initially went down about 2 pounds, but that seems to be back now. (Temporary water loss? Or increased muscle mass? That seems unlikely - I'm just walking, not doing weights.)

I want to lose at least 10 pounds, but that's looking impossible right now!

If I had done this 10 years ago, I would have lost weight by now. I guess it really does get harder as you get older?

Do I need to get more aggressive? Cut out carbs totally? Give up my weekend treats as well? I know that any sort of overly restrictive diet will not work for me, but obviously what I'm doing is not enough.

Suggestions?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Ms Maven, I'm sliding over in the seat on this wagon for you. I seem to start to fall off by the end of every week only to hop back on the next week. Come aboard!
Tara, you mentioned it getting harder as you get older. Part of this is due to muscle loss as we age. Strength training could help. And that doesn't have to mean lifting weights. It can be yoga, or good old fashioned pushups, squats, chin ups. Or Pilates or resistance bands . . . you get the idea
I would find a restrictive diet too hard also, but maybe cutting down on (not cutting out altogether) white carbs and sugars could help too.
Hang in there. You have lost 2 pounds which is better than none, and a lot better than gaining another 2!!

MsMary

Veteran

Tarzy, are you measuring? If you are losing inches, I'd say you are winning the game regardless of what the scale says. I got this fantastic measuring tape at Amazon.com and I love keeping track of my waist, hip and bust measurements: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000G7YW7Y

Other than that, yeah, cutting the carbs way down will help with weight loss. If you're interestsed in doing some reading about weight loss, a couple of books I really like are "Good Calories, Bad Calories" by Gary Taub, and "The End of Overeating" by David Kessler, both of which explain the truly addictive properties of the modern American diet.

Or if you are interested in a truly radical change, the low-fat vegan diet of Dr. McDougall is amazing and totally works: http://www.drmcdougall.com/free.html . I did it for three months and lost 20 pounds a couple of years ago. The only downside is it's hard to do if you are living with (and cooking for) other people who may not want to get on the bandwagon. But I loved it because you can eat a LOT and it truly does get you detoxed from all the sugar, fat and salt that are so addicting and fattening.

And yes, there is nothing like weightlifting to build muscle and get you looking better and burning more calories.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Oh, Mary, I had my MYOtape out just this morning!! I use it to measure all my clothing for ebay purchasing as well, but it's great for getting good body measurements alone without help.

amyreh

(website)

Veteran

Tarzy, another great book by the same author Mary suggested is an easier version to read of Good Calories, Bad Calories, called Why We Get Fat and What to do About it by Gary Taubes. It isn't a diet book, more of a science book about how your body works. You can also check out my website link on my profile, I am a low carb/Paleo lifestyler and I have lots of info and recipes there! Good luck!!

Patty

Veteran

You never know what you'll find on a website quite by accident--from reading here I may have discovered a condition that has been plaguing me since my teens. No joking this time as I more than often do! If this works out to be true I will be sooo happy to know I'm not just going nuts with weird and seemingly unrelated symptoms and can get on with life with less worries and some support! Thanks to your Health Check-in and PMing I may have found the closest I've had to an answer!!
Thanks ladies!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Wow Patty, that is great news. Funny how sometimes things lead to other things and then - bam! I hope you find some answers.

kellygirl

Veteran

@Tarzy: I can totally relate. I'm where you are too. I work out and lift weights and am barely holding the line. I think diet is going to make all of the difference : ) Now if I can just buckle down in that department.

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

MsMaven you are right not to beat yourself up. Noone is perfect. Being back on the wagon is the most important thing. Rather than off the wagon in a ditch by the side of the road if you know what I mean!!

Tarzy I hear you as well. I vote to keep on going. Sounds like you are doing things slowly and sensibly. Being overrestrictive is just going to lead to you falling off that damn wagon. Having improved stamina and looser clothes is definite improvement! Who cares what the scale says!!!

As for me I managed to do both a Power Yoga and an outdoors cardio class yesterday. Talk about DOMS today. Trying to talk myself into going for a swim later on but I haven't been for over a month so I'm a bit freaked out about that. Some inspiration please!!!

medusa

Veteran

Sounds like people are doing well! Congrats everyone. And even if things aren't going as well, it's still great to come here and post about it.

Tarzy, how long has it been since you've made these changes? Things can take some time to kick into gear, in my experience.

Elly

Veteran

I'm checking in very late-- but I spent the week camping for my internship. Not much exercise other than a short hike/walk on Monday. Does freezing your arse off count?

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Patty - so exciting! Do hope you've identified the problem. I realised that I was (mildly) dairy intolerant when I was 22 and it was amazing to have finally explained a decade's worth of symptoms!

Tara - how frustrating! I've had success with increasing water intake, fruit/veg intake, eating every 3-4 hours, aiming for a portion of nuts/seeds a day and concentrating on tasting my food when I eat. All of those standard healthy eating things they tell you to do. I focused on one of these each week and it has built up successfully to a (mostly) reliable set of habits that has helped me lose some weight (7lbs since January).

Are there any things in your diet that you would like to change/improve that you could try gradually like this?

I have the feeling that you don't want to go on 'a diet', in which case could you instead try to cut down on carbs or at least eat more wholegrain carbs (you may do this anyway...)? Don't give up! You may be losing it all in inches anyway, as others have said! Just a few thoughts, anyway. And I have a feeling I've droned on about this before so sorry if so...