Michelle & Marianna WLS check in 5th Dec - YouLookFab Forum

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Michelle & Marianna WLS check in 5th Dec

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

How is the formal weight loss plan going? Are you counting calories? Going to WW’ers? Detoxing? PM’ing each other? Compiling a healthy grocery list? Doing a bit of excercise? Have you weighed yourselves yet? This must happen I’m afraid - otherwise, we won’t know how much you’ve lost. And that’s all you’ll share! How much you’ve lost :0)

Khris has kindly offered to manage the weekly weigh-ins, and we’ll help you manage the rest. In order for the forum to hold you accountable, you have to think about your daily and weekly goals, and keep on posting them so that we can ask you about them. We’ll help you along the way so don’t worry!

So ladies, where are we at the moment?

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17 replies

Latest reply was from fathenry

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Here's my gameplan:
Today: Did a *big* grocery shop where I restocked my fridge/pantry with the things I remember being vital last time I had success on Weight Watchers. This part is already completed.
Tomorrow: Cooking a low-fat mexican lasagna and making a barley and white bean stew. Both of these are delicious recipes I've developed, and I'll have them on hand all week for lunches/dinners.
Monday morning: Weigh in right when I wake up. Weight watchers point counting/food logging begins that day.

Does that sound reasonable? Anything else you want to see?

marianna

Veteran

Hi! Sorry, late to respond, just got home from work.

Things are going well for me! Last Sunday I started eating healthier. I haven't been following any particular diet plan, I am simply making a conscious effort to eat healthier. Mainly I've cut out a huge portion of the bad carbs and sugar from my daily food intake. I think the next step is to start logging calories. My goal is to eat around 1800 calories (or less). I know 1800 may sound like a lot, but it's actually not for my height and weight.

I haven't stepped on the scale. I am TERRIFIED. I'm estimating I've gained about 50 pounds since I last weighed myself. I found an old scale in a closet though so I will weigh myself on Monday for the first time. Maybe tomorrow. We'll see how I feel.

But the most exciting news is that as we speak I am COOKING! This is exciting because I never cook... Brian and I *always * eat out. We went grocery shopping and bought lots of healthy food. I am making salmon and butternut squash for dinner. Salmon is in the oven right now. Hopefully it turns out okay...

Just for kicks, look how much thinner I was just two years ago:
http://i985.photobucket.com/al....._72902.jpg

That's the smallest I've ever been in my life. I worked SOOOO hard to get to that weight and then I met my boyfriend and totally stopped exercising and eating healthy. It's like I stopped caring about my appearance. I can't believe I let myself gain so much weight.

But... at least it's all reversible!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Marianna- that's not a lot of calories at all. I am trying to eat 1800-2000 myself right now.
You look great in that old photo- and you will get there again!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Michelle, you are right on target! I like how you’ve organized your weekly menu, your fridge and joined WW’ers. You are losing weight as I type. Well done.

Marianna, you are off to an extremely good start too! AMAZING. You look wonderful in that picture, but you also look wonderful now. I have no doubt that you’ll be at your goal weight in no time. Between 1600 and 1800 calories sounds spot on to me.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Marianna - I didn't get on the scale right away when I first started my 'diet' - I was too scared to. That said, a few days in - I just made myself do it. I was shocked at how high my weight had gotten, but the good news? I had *so much fun* seeing those numbers go down - it was a case of 'seeing is believing', in the sense that I was getting feedback from the scale that I was on track.

I had kind of a "bring it on" attitude about it all when I finally got on the scale. I don't mind facing the music, when I've already started changing the entire soundtrack

But like I said, I couldn't quite get myself onto the scale until I'd already started my new plan, and had gotten through the first few days. Whatever the number was going to be, it was "ok" because I'd already started doing something about it. I felt better knowing that the number I saw was temporary.

marianna

Veteran

VC, I just weighed myself. It look so much courage but I stepped on the scale. I mentally prepared myself with a "bring it on" attitude also. It's all reservable and it's all in my hands. I've gained 35 pounds in two years... which is honestly better than I was expecting... but still horrible because that means I've been gaining 1-2 pounds per month.

I have a total of 65-70 pounds to lose to get to my ideal weight. Bring it on.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Good for you, Marianna! It wasn't even as bad as you were thinking. I still have about 40 pounds to go, so I will be right there with ya for the long haul.

Maya

Veteran

I'm sorry I have nothing to contribute but well wishes, as I don't know the first thing about weight loss, but I was wondering how you figure out what your calorie intake should be? I used this thingy:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/heal.....or/NU00598

And it is telling me that at 5'2 and 115 pounds, I should be consuming 1600 calories when I'm TOTALLY inactive. When I'm somewhat active, I should consume 1750. So 1800 actually seemed low rather than high to me for someone who is as tall as you are Marianna. I know it has to be a bit lower than what you need to maintain your current weight though.

I'm just curious. Your judgment is probably better than mine is.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Maya- there are a bunch of those calculators available online. I got my current calorie range by doing a bunch of different ones and averaging it out, and then just watching what happens to my weight as my workout schedule varies. I think it's a tricky thing to find a just right range, and if your activity level fluctuates you need to readjust it.

marianna

Veteran

Maya... I've talked with numerous personal trainers in my years of yo-yo dieting. I've always been told that 1800 is a good range for me, but I honestly don't know how that is calculated! 1800 is the amount I need to eat to lose weight, it would be a lot more to maintain...

I remember I would lose really rapidly when I was eating 1400 calories. 1800 is my healthy, slow and steady range.

But I can't really advise you on how to determine your weight loss calorie "sweet spot." I think it might be a lot of trial and error, and figuring out at what level you have the healthiest weight loss (2 lbs per week).

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Ok, all's good so far. We had to entertain Corey's father/stepmother for the day, so I didn't have time to make the mexican lasagna, but the white bean/barley stew is all done and can get me started. It's a lovely savory dish that's perfect on cold days like the ones we're finally having. Basically it consists of onions, celery, red pepper, portobello mushrooms, tomatoes, arugula, cannellini beans and a cup of barley cooked in low-sodium chicken broth and a small amount of wine (1/4 cup) and seasoned with garlic, rosemary, paprika, basil and oregano. If anyone wants the recipe I can prepare it.
I'll still do the mexican lasagna, but I'll make it tomorrow after work.

Tomorrow I'll weigh myself as soon as I wake up, and then stick to the menu I've planned out for myself. I'll know exactly how many points I'm allowed once I've completed the weigh-in, so there will be room for adjustments, but I plan to take a portion of the barley dish tomorrow along with some fruit and a couple of low-fat snakcs (maximum two points).

Thank you for helping me stay motivated to take on this daunting task.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Michelle,

It may be daunting (and I know this all too well), but it is *also* very exciting too! I hope that you can feel happy and excited about all this. Time to think in terms of 'woo hoo' and "I'm on my way" instead of thinking about the long, tough task ahead of you.

Yes, it is a long journey - but it's also one of the most fun, exciting and empowering things you could do for yourself. I hope that you focus on this aspect instead of the 'tough' part.

I am so totally excited about people joining in on this weight-loss bandwagon. It's just what I needed to push myself onto goal. I'm so glad that there are a bunch of YLF'ers getting into this - it really helps me get my own steam back. Having you two on board is going to make a big difference for me! I'm not kidding about this - you have no idea how much it helps me to see some new people get started, and how motivating and inspiring it is for me.

Silly question - do either of you have a 'theme song' that really speaks to you when you consider what you're planning on doing?

Don't laugh - but I am the mousiest, most conservative, plain-Jane person ever. But when it's 5:15 am and I'm trying to convince myself to get to the gym and it's 3.9F outside, I listen to something like, "Working Full Time" by the Constantines to get me all fired up.

When I find myself falling flat on my face on the mat, trying to do a push-up, I listen to this one particular song, and I just keep going. This one song saw me doing barely one pull-up and then onto being able to do three sets of 15 pull-ups.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30yEWwQEYIk

Now, normally I'd be listening to Sarah Vaughan or Diana Krall or something like that. And yet, it's a lot of fun to pick a certain song (no matter how out there) to decorate your determination in this thing.

I'm all for picking a 'theme song' for this new endeavour - it might be something that's a little outside your usual tastes, but if it's something that gets you going and keeps you going, then that's your theme song for this journey.

I'd love to hear what song really gets you feeling inspired, and helps fuel your motivation.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Well done, Marianna!!! *big kiss*. The worst of it OVER. I am totally with you on your daily calorie intake. I’ve done a course on nutrition that has not let me down. And food is a hobby of mine so it’s totally doable. You are on the right track!

I echo VC. When Greg went on his diet to lose 30 pounds it was such fun to see the numbers go down.

Michelle, your soup sounds delish! I made spicy butternut ginger and orange soup today and I’ll swap you a bowl. And you too are right on track. So impressed with your organization and stamina! *big kiss too*

So when are we weighing in – Mondays or Thursdays?

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

I'm weighing in Mondays since it works best with our schedules over here (I need my resident eyes to read the scale for me), but I'll report in on whatever day everyone else wants.

VC, never thought of a song, but it's a fun idea! The first thing that came to mind was Ants Marching by the Dave matthews Band, just because the music really energizes me and makes me feel happy and positive. I am trying to focus on the many wonderful aspects of this process, but right now I admit to feeling more afraid of failure than anything. I know for sure my outlook will change once I have proven to myself that I can really stick with it again.

Angie, your soup sounds yummy!! I make something similar from time to time. This one I made is most definitely a stew; I wanted a balanced, one-pot meal in the fridge so Corey and I can eat it as needed all week. I think I've talked him into joining me on this! We'll see how that goes, though. I'd love it if he'd really get on board; it would keep me company, give me more support at home and make the meal planning much more rewarding!

marianna

Veteran

Mondays are good weigh-in days for me as well! So exciting. I *know* that being accountable to YLF will help me tremendously.

My hurdle to tackle this week is going to be packing healthy lunches with me to work. The show is taping again so I'll be working 6am-6pm which is always tricky for me. I have a hard time eating breakfast that early so I always end up grabbing a pastry or something bad at work. There is always sooo muck junk food provided for the staff, and sometimes it is hard to resist when you're really hungry! I'm going to make sure I always have a healthy snack in my bag. Either an ounce of nuts, some baby carrots, fruit, etc... just so that I have something healthy to munch on instead of turning to the garbage that's all around the studio. I'll figure it out!

Good luck Michelle! I am just a text message away if you ever need support. I might be texting you asking you to talk me out of eating something bad once in a while.

Corey should do this with you! Brian has already lost 2 lbs... ugh! Boys!

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Marianna, text away; I'll be resisting right along with you! Newsrooms can be deadly for temptations, too!
I think YLF will help us both; even more than it already has, if possible!
And Corey says he'll do it!! WOOHOO!

fathenry

Veteran

Velvety, i relate to your question about a theme song for getting motivated. I love that idea!

OT - I had a theme song I would listen to when I had a particularly bad commute on the bus: "Glamourous" by Fergie. It reminds me that while some parts of life are not always fab, I have a pretty fab life most of the time!