Weight Loss Check In 10-17-09

chewyspaghetti

How is everyone doing?

I had been sitting at the same weight for a while, so I had to re-focus myself, do a new analysis of my calorie range, and sort of re-focus. I had gotten too comfortable. I actually skipped my two gym nights this week, but I have been doing Yoga in the morning with the kids. We're using The Trainer's Edge Long and Lean Yoga Workout with Baron Baptiste, and I highly recommend it. It's very similar in style to my classes (and it's available in streamin on Netflix). I gave myself a mini goal of getting to a 65 pound loss by Thanksgiving- most of our guests have not seen me in a while, some not since I started losing weight. In order to make that goal, I have to loose 2 pounds a week, and I am on track for this week. I'm at a 54 pound loss right now.
So, I'm doing Yoga on weekdays, plus 3 times a week at the gym (2 yoga classes, one spinning class, one zumba class, one lifting class, and a salsa moves class if I can stand to stay for that one- don't like the teacher)
I can feel things getting looser, as well as seeing the number on the scale going down, and that is what it's all about. Plus, when I moved our sofa sleeper the other day- it didn't even feel heavy to me!

16 years ago

General

11 replies

Latest reply was from velvetychocolate

anne

Veteran

Congratulations Khris - you are looking great and the numbers are just confirming that!

Oh and my own weight is getting back to the high end of normal and I have been enjoying running 3 times a week. Eating is not going well but I am hoping with a better stage of the monthly cycle on the way I will get that under control!

16 years ago

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I am feeling newly committed. Last week, I had a surprise weight gain and wasn't too happy about it - most of that's gone now. Meanwhile, I haven't been to the gym or done any exercise in two months! Ack.

Khris - you are looking so slim! I was looking at a couple of your recent outfit posts, and it's becoming really noticeable now. WOW. And by the way, red/cranberry/plum - those are my new favourite colours on you.

I attempted MOTG Formula #1 today - it was 'ok' - we'll see if I can work up the nerve to just post a pic already. A wee bit bummed out, because the saying, "The camera doesn't lie" certainly rings true. Meaning - I have a ways to go yet. Lots of friends and family will say I don't need to keep losing more weight - but that's just because there is so much contrast as compared to where I started. Does everyone here know what I mean? You lose so much weight that people are all stunned and can't imagine you getting smaller? This does NOT mean you're done...it's just that those closest to you are still adjusting to the changes - so it's still a shock to them. They can't 'see' clearly because they're still seeing the 'old' you.

Interestingly - I see that even though there are formulas, there's still working with one's shape. The attempt I tried today didn't look as good in pictures as I thought it would.

I am just on the cusp of re-committing - something like 60 days cheat free and really working hard. I want to get the rest of this weight loss overwith already, and be 'done' by Christmas if I can. Maybe that's not realistic, but I am tired. I mean, tired of waiting to get there. I have a tendency to sort of coast along, and sort of maintain. I lose weight in fits and starts, it seems.

According to the height/weight charts - I have four more pounds to lose and I will no longer even be "overweight". However...or rather, BUT - I know four pounds more isn't going to do the trick. It all depends on one's frame and so forth. I'm thinking more like 20 more.

Ah well...time to psych myself up for another round of seriousness. Really work at it, you know?

Sigh...

16 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Anne- congrats on your running.

velvetychocolate- I do know what you mean. I have been asked if I was "done" losing weight, and I am only halfway to my goal. I have come a long way, but I still have a long way to go. I went through a period where I got sort of content, or maybe I was just processing the change. I am back to wanting to get to the finish now. It's been a year for me, and it will probably be another year before I am finished- maybe more. Living with all that change can be difficult.

16 years ago

shana

Veteran

Great progress everyone! I am FINALLY getting back to the gym this week after what turned out to be a two month+ hiatus. Now that everyone seems healthy (knock on wood), I think I can safely get back to my 3-4 times a week schedule. I worked so hard all summer and did so well. I feel that I have undermined alot of that progress in the past few weeks sitting around at home being sick or taking care of sick children and then being busy with schoolwork/projects. I feel like a slug! Khris, I had the opposite experience - I put on a pair of my skinnier pants that fit great two months ago and they were TIGHT! But I did make it to the gym last night as well as this morning for pilates so hopefully I am back on track.

16 years ago

Kari

Veteran

Wow, I am glad to hear that many of you are doing so well. Congratulations!

To be honest, I've been stuck for the past 5 or 6 months at my highest weight ever. I'm just trying not to gain more.

Exercise - I go through spurts where I go to the gym or work out in some way nearly every day, and then spurts where I don't at all. It's not a great habit. The main issues I struggle with are:
1) transportation - my new workplace is much farther from my gym than where I worked last year, so it's a 40-50 minute bus ride simply to get there after work, then another 30-50 minutes to bus home from the gym afterwards. I really don't want to make a habit of driving to work so I'm not sure what to do except just suck it up and deal with the added commute. Once I find a more permanent living situation, I might consider quitting my gym & signing up with a different gym that is close to work.
2) energy - the rapidly decreasing daylight hours are killing me already. I need to find my SAD lamp.
However, I've got a short complimentary session with a personal trainer set up next week to learn what I need to work on (it's a one-time deal) and I've added hot yoga to my repertoire. I am thinking of taking weekly classes.

Eating - my progress is poor/mediocre even though my body has adjusted to the early work schedule. I am drinking plenty of fluids (mostly water and unsweetened tea) and am getting in a decent amount of fruits and veggies, but I could do better. Most days I'm not eating breakfast (except tea), I'm still not terribly hungry by my lunch break at noon, and then in the afternoon I fall prey to sugary or carby snacks. I also haven't been great about resisting workplace sweets.
I know I need to make a major change, and South Beach is a great way to break the habits I'm forming. I just need to buckle down, purchase the necessary foods, and make it happen.

16 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Shana- don't be too hard on yourself. You will get back into your routine and start to feel better.
Kari- I hope that you get a lot of info from your training session. That sounds like a great tool.

16 years ago

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Kari - I have been 'off' the gym now for two months, and one thing I've noticed is that eating breakfast is the thing that manages to set the tone for the whole day. If I eat a decent breakfast (hungry or not), then I'm able to stay on track for the rest of the day. For me, the right breakfast is that critical. I don't cave in to the 'wrong' thing if I get my day started with a decent breakfast.

I call it 'getting hungry at the wrong place at the wrong time' - this is what is likely if I go too many hours before eating breakfast/brunch/lunch or what have you. And this hungry feeling stays with me all day long, no matter how much or how well I eat that day. It's like once that 'hungry' thing has been activated, it's there for the whole rest of the day.

Getting back to the gym thing, and it's relevance here - I was going to the gym at 6:15'ish am, and making a point of eating a decent breakfast after gym. No gym? The breakfasts got later and later. Hence my 'aha' moment about how important it is for me to get the first (and very on plan) meal in. Without the gym, I am one of these people who just doesn't get that hungry in the morning. Sometimes not even hungry by lunch. But then...bam! The hungries kick in and I end up with in the 'hungry at the wrong place and wrong time' scenario.

Shana - excellent that you're back at the gym - I'm not there yet.

What kind of food plan is everyone on? I did see some mention of South Beach, and as for myself, my "plan" is somewhat similar - lower carb, with an emphasis on meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruit and nuts.

Good luck everyone. I'm hoping things will just keep getting better and better. I like this thread - it's nice to know there are others who are also working on all this stuff.

16 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

vc- I find the same thing with breakfast. It really sets the tone for the resxt of my meals.

I don't use any special eating plan. I track my calories, and I find that I feel best eating three meals and at least two small snacks. I also try to keep food closer to their natural sources. We eat mostly meat free dinners since dd is a vegetarian it's just easier.

16 years ago

Sihaya

Veteran

I have been at my highest weight for a few months too. My physical issues sometimes prevent me from working out hard. But my new goal has been to make it to the gym *every* day. I find that if I alternate days, before long, it's easy to skip altogether. Most of those days, I stay on the treadmill for 30 mins if I have the time - even if I'm just walking since some days I can't physically do more than that. The other day I had very little time but was proud of myself for going there for just 5 mins. I hit it hard on the treadmill for those 5 mins and even worked up a sheen of sweat.

I have no idea when weight loss will show up with this - probably a long time. But as Antje says, that's a side benefit. I feel proud of myself and fresher physically when I work out.

I have also completely gone off all sugar. No dessert or candy or chocolate or sugar in my tea. It's hard but gets easier each day.

16 years ago

Kari

Veteran

VelvetyChocolate, I agree with you that eating breakfast makes a big difference. However, in my new job, I wake up at 5 AM and leave the house around 6:15 to get to work on time. My stomach tends to complain if I eat solids before 7-7:30 AM, even something as innocent as yogurt.

I do have a pot of tea before I leave the house, and I'm trying to keep either instant oatmeal or a banana at work so I can grab a quick "breakfast" during my break, but unfortunately I haven't found another breakfast option that works with my schedule & my body's preferences.

It's the same thing with the gym - there's no way I can force myself to get up earlier than 5 AM to work out, so I am working out after work and get really hungry around 6-7 PM when I get home. I don't mean that as an excuse, but the schedule is a new challenge and I need to adapt to it in a healthier way.

On another note, I forgot to mention in my earlier comment that I've started Hot Yoga in the past week. I'm currently on a trial where I can attend every day, but in the future I'll probably pay for a package where I can take weekly classes. Even if it's not a direct contributor to weight loss, it is an intense 90-minute class and GREAT exercise.

16 years ago

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I'd never be able to eat that early either - no matter what. And no way could I get myself to go to gym trying to get up earlier than 5am, especially not in the winter.

I was just realizing how important having some kind of 'on plan' breakfast at some kind of reasonable hour helps me stay on track. Meaning, it's really not a good idea if I wait around till noon or later, as that's when I'm veering into the 'too hungry at the wrong place and wrong time' scenario.

Meanwhile, I'm betting the hot yoga will be a contributor to weight loss! I tried one of those (once!) back when I first started going to gym. It's not exactly easy, and it's definitely a real workout.

As for me - well this week and last week weren't so great. Not like I went totally off plan or anything, but caved into 'wrong things'. Gained some weight last week, lost it. Was very pleased - yay, everything's back on track. Lo and behold - last night I ended up having some wine and then eating THREE Larabars. Geesh! Interestingly, yesterday was one of those days where I didn't focus in on eating well. Ate a low-carb breakfast, skipped lunch. Ate just a handful of wings for 'dinner' ...and the result was that hungry at the wrong time and wrong place deal - enter Larabars. Ack!

This is not going to happen to me today. No way. Eating regular, balanced meals is crucial to my success.

16 years ago

Category