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Motivational Thread March 31-April 6

Old 04-01-2014, 02:46 AM
  #31  
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It could only be water weight because I went from 167 to 181 in 2 weeks. I too need to go to the grocery store and fresh fruit and vegetables are first on my list. Last summer I made these amazing grilled chicken vegetable wraps
with dipping sauce. In the winter I want hot food but in the summer I eat more raw vegetables and fresh fruit. I am going to get some grapefruit to eat
because I couldn't have any while I was on the cholesterol meds and I miss it.
My doctor won't be happy when I tell him that I am not taking my meds but
I am making an effort to live a healthier life style and as long as I take the meds he will not see what improvements I am making and what the meds were doing. He likes to write prescriptions or refer patients to specialists which takes for ever to get an appointment. I was checking out our public library on line and found some books on improving cholesterol without meds.
Mern, if you know of any good reference material that would be of help I would appreciate reading it.
This is the year that I will turn my life around.
I wanted to walk for 30 minutes but 20 was all I could do today. I will try to do another 10 this evening.

Last edited by libby116; 04-01-2014 at 04:19 AM.
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Old 04-01-2014, 07:28 AM
  #32  
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Hi ladies, may I join you? I'm just struggling right now to reach my goal. Last year I went from 210 to 147, from Jan to Oct. We've been trying to get pregnant (I've always wanted 3-4 kids), I have a condition that I can't produce eggs so we flew to Czech republic to do donor egg IVF. Over the Dec/Christmas/Jan-Feb period I was preg, Dec9-Feb 21 and gained weight-back up to 163, now I'm back down to 161 and would really like to reach my goal 130/135. I never did accomplish my weight goal last year, got side tracked with making babies lol.

I lost the baby due to Turner Syndrome, it was a complete fluke (1 in 2500 chance of it happening to anybody). So we'll go back in June to Greece and try again. I'd just love to feel great in a bikini and go into this next pregnancy feeling lean and super strong. I will take lildebbieg's advice and join your motivational thread if you'll have me and keep on chugging away with diet and exercise.

I've read your posts and think you're all great for trying to reach you short/long term goals and focus on the daily steps to get there. My goal is to cut out all alcohol (had a glass of wine Friday and 2 scotch Sunday and I think this buggered up my weight loss last week despite all the calorie restricting and exercise.) And exercise more at the gym (more cardio).

______________________________________
38 yr old 5'9
hw 210
cw 161
gw 135
low carb diet, clean protein, veg for carbs and lots of cardio/resistance training

Last edited by charlie's_angel; 04-01-2014 at 07:36 AM.
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Old 04-01-2014, 07:59 AM
  #33  
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Debbie, that was so generous of you, busy as you are, to make all those cupcakes for the bake sale. So sorry, about your "doom and gloom" feeling. I think your idea of getting out at least once a week for ME time will take you a long way in getting into a happier frame of mind. Getting out with some adult pals would be nice.

Jenn, that's wonderful that you're taking a writing course. Enjoy! Yes, hope is a writer.

Libby, kudos on your exercise. Disclaimer: I am not suggesting that everyone give up her cholesterol meds. That's a personal decision I made after reading the risks of statin medication and deciding it was not for me to begin with. Doc was blunt but understanding when I told her my siblings were on the meds but I refuse them. She said "Well, sometimes it does come down to a matter of how people would rather die." (In my case I choose heart attack over severe memory problems like my mother had. My siblings figure if they lose their mental faculties, they won't know it.) Doc also told me that some people can reverse their high cholesterol to normal through diet, fish oil capsules, and exercise, and some can't. My highest total cholesterol was 244 and I brought it down to a high normal 198 in six months. My highest LDL "bad" cholesterol was 127 and I brought it down to 106 (normal is under 99) in six months and at those reduced numbers my doc said she would not prescribe statin meds for anyone. Most of what I know about lowering cholesterol without meds is what my doctor (a general practitioner) and I worked out together after she went over my FitDay printouts so she could see what I was eating. I didn't have any books, but researched online alternative foods to help lower cholesterol--like using non-shell zero cholesterol eggs such as Egg Beaters and switching from pork to turkey bacon. I discussed my findings with her and she either agreed or disagreed and added her own thoughts. I'll look through my notes to see what I have that I can share. Question: do you have to go to that doctor if he won't help you except through meds? I changed doctors twice before I found one that was educated enough to help me. The first just handed me a prescription and I handed it back to him after he said it was a statin, and all the second one knew to tell me was "cut down on red meat." That grilled chicken veggie wrap sounds delicious! Grapefruit is a good idea--a natural diuretic, isn't it? I'm trying to go lower sodium. Do you have Mrs. Dash seasonings in Canada? All of the varieties are salt free I bought some today that is Chicken Grilling Blend and used it in place of salt on some veggies and it was quite good.

Charlie's Angel, of COURSE you are welcome here! Glad to have you join us! Thanks for sharing your story. Major kudos on your net weight loss from 210 to your current 161. My sincere condolences on the loss of your baby. I know that pain--our firstborn was full term in 1974 but died of very rare birth defects at 26 days of age. My heart is with you and I wish you great success in your next attempt at IVF. You have very nice weight loss goals, too. We'll all be rooting for you!
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Old 04-01-2014, 09:01 AM
  #34  
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Libby, bear in mind that my doc's guidelines were based on my physical exam and blood tests and the fact that my only other health issues are glaucoma and a predisposition toward high blood sugar. As with weight loss diets, there are no "one size fits all" cholesterol reduction guidelines.

I have no books or publications but found these online articles helpful:

Reduce Cholesterol Through Diet

Eggs: Are they good or bad for my cholesterol? - Mayo Clinic

Cholesterol: Top five foods to lower your numbers - Mayo Clinic

MUFAs: Why should my diet include these fats? - Mayo Clinic

High Cholesterol Foods

this diabetes article also mentions saturated fat:
Answers from the Experts


What Doc and I worked out for me through trial and error:

Exercise: minimum of 150 minutes per week, combo of cardio and strength training.

Dietary cholesterol: 250mg per day, but now I have a limit of 200mg. per day.

Fiber: minimum of 25g per day. She thought 30g may cause intestinal discomfort, but I'm OK with higher.

Saturated fat limit recommendations 7-10% of total calories, but that's unrealistic for me so I strive for 12%.

Tips on foods to help reduce cholesterol:


1. switch from full fat to 2% milkfat cheese
2. switch from pork Italian sausage to turkey (71% less fat)
3. switch from pork bacon to turkey bacon
4. curb use of mayo
5. avoid processed meats
6. make a serving of meat 5 oz. or less
7. switch from shell eggs to zero cholesterol egg blend such as Egg Beaters
8. fish and poultry for two dinners a week each
9. beef or pork no more than twice a week
10. one meatless dinner per week--aiming for more than that now.

Foods that are supposed to help reduce cholesterol:
1. olive oil, but use in place of other oils. Putting it on everything adds a lot of calories.
2. 1 1/2 ounces per day of almonds or walnuts
3. Avacodo is supposed to help, but my doc thinks it adds more calories than helps reduce cholesterol
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Old 04-01-2014, 10:37 AM
  #35  
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Jenai, thanks so much--I really loved your Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin! YUM! (Readers, the recipe in in the Food Talk Forum in the Vegetarian Thread http://www.fitday.com/fitness/forums...tml#post107033 Post #7) I had no idea spaghetti squash is so easy to cook--I did it in the microwave as you suggested.
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Old 04-01-2014, 10:53 AM
  #36  
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Hi everyone! 14 hours of freezing rain AND 27cms of snow later, the storm is over!! What a mess... This was a combo of 3 storms since last Wednesday (Wednesday's dump was 53cms)!

There hasn't been school since a week ago today!
PEI is absolutely beautiful, but man! this winter has been brutal (and no end in sight)
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Old 04-01-2014, 10:58 AM
  #37  
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Smile Hi Everyone

Hi everyone, I'm new and would love to join in if that is ok. Thanks JediMindTricks for recommending me this forum. I'm a 27 year old female from Australia. I'm new to online tracking and only just signed up yesterday.

I was my goal weight when I was 15, but at the time was not happy as I was bullied at school for being 'fat'. I was a size 12 and 60kg. Over the past 12 years I have struggled with my weight due to various medical conditions. In particular depression, anxiety and due to some medication I have gained a significant amount of weight, currently I am 138.3kg - size 24-26.

I am engaged and wanting to plan my wedding for next March, however I refuse to walk down the isle at the size I am at the moment. Three years running I have put off our wedding date, now I am determined enough is enough and I will be getting married next year, I also would love to have children of my own but my weight is holding me back. I have a very long road ahead of me but I do believe I can do it, from support of family, my fiancé and 4 step children and all new friends I make.

I have set goals and dates to achieve and as I do I have small rewards for myself (not food). I have done a vision board and have hung up photos of when I was my goal weight as motivation. Each week I want to set personal goals to acheive.

This week my goals are:
1. Eat breakfast min 4 times this week (I never eat breakfast)
2. Drink 4litres of water a day
3. Do 1 session of Zumba a day 30 - 60mins
4. Do 1 session of Turbo Fire a day 30 - 60mins
5. Walk my dog Payton every day 30min
6. Record all food/drinks/emotions/daily journal/ exercise (General week just to see exactly how much I am in taking and what affects it's having on me, before starting replacing food next week)

I am not following any diet, I have tried many and failed. I struggle with calorie counting, hence why I found this site. I have chosen to cut out a lot of prepack foods, takeaways and sugary foods. I am going to replace these food with whole grains, lean meats, fresh fruit and vegetables. If anyone has any handy tips or suggestion I would love to hear from you. Feel free to add me as a friend also.
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Old 04-01-2014, 11:23 AM
  #38  
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CharliesAngel - so glad you took my suggestion to join us!

Bridgette - so glad Jenai pointed you to our little check in!

I want to welcome you both! If I wasn't on my iPad I would have more to say....I can't type on this darn thing! I just want to quickly say WELCOME to you both! stick around...our group may be small but we're mighty! LOL!
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Old 04-01-2014, 12:37 PM
  #39  
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Bea, so sorry 'bout your snow again! Sending you a warm cyberhug.

Debbie, hi. I don't have an iPad, but can say that I hate texting on my cell phone because it's too danged hard for me. I text to my grandkids' phones from my computer. LOL

Bridgette, welcome! I wear a size 24-26 now. But I feel good about myself because I'm working to conquer this obesity. Oh, yes--you CAN do this--you CAN get your weight down this time and look forward to a wonderful life with your husband-to-be and with your future children. But you don't have to get down to a size 12 again, do you? Is looking better in your clothes and feeling more fit a goal you could be happy with? Hey, something else we have in common--I have two stepsons and three step-grandchildren. Good for you on the non-food rewards. Really nice goals you have set for yourself this week. My goals aren't always the same from week to week. It looks like your food plan is very healthful with the whole grains, lean meats, fresh fruit and veggies. My only advice is to eat as many leafy green veggies as you can, such as spinach, kale, green beans, broccoli, asparagus, brussels sprouts, cabbage. They're lower in calories than starchy ones like potatoes, corn and carrots. I don't do the friend option through FitDay, but look forward to talking with you through this thread.
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Old 04-01-2014, 01:26 PM
  #40  
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Closing down the kitchen and posting my Tuesday report:

My non-scale victory was getting so close to an all green report--just went over 1% on my sat fat. Hard for me to get low sat fat with my new eating lifestyle of cutting back on meat because I love cheese and I think of it as a good protein source in place of meat. The very high fiber of 59g was from eating low net carb, high fiber black soybeans after already having a bunch of flaxmeal.

Green=on target Blue=off target but still time to get my weekly average in line Red=missed goal

Calories: 1200-1500 1234. 1485
Saturated fat limit: average 12% of total calories 16%, 13%
Dietary Cholesterol limit: average 200mg 101mg, 157mg
Net carbs limit-total carbs less fiber: average 25g 24g, 25g
Fiber minimum: average 25g 37g, 59g
Protein minimum: average 110g 83g, 117g

Log every bite of food YES, YES
Water 64 oz. NO, YES
Exercise 5 days
Post non-scale victory YES, YES

Last edited by Mern; 04-01-2014 at 01:32 PM.
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