Motivational Thread May 12-18
 

Good Morning Everyone!

My scale wasn't up this morning, so that is a success in my books!

My daughter lives with me, and my son lives in Ottawa. Right when I went to bed, and still hadn't heard from my son (he's been having a time making full-time pay on multiple part-time jobs), I was sure he was in a bad way (he always called on Mother's Day!) My phone rang :D.

Both my babies (? one is 19 and the other 28) are safe, healthy, and happy! A better gift could not have been gotten!

Onward and upward to see Friday on a new LOW note!

Let's do this!!

Morning Bea!!! I'm glad you had a lovely mother's day!! Love the attitude, let's goooooo!!!

Summary from last week: Last week was a mixed bag. My water was up (always good) and I didn't snack as much simply from being mindful. My calorie average was just over 1600 (largely driven by Saturday) which is above where I wanted it to be, but not terrible considering I just started up again. I'm actually most disappointed in my protein numbers. I'm the sort of person where I just can't do super low-cal. I found my calorie sweet spot is usually between 1,300 and 1,400 and that's as low as I can go for any length of time.

I can go lower for a day (I had an 1,100 day last week), but if it's two days in a row, oooooh boy. My appetite kicks up something fierce and I'm about ready to eat my shoes, even if I've been on a mindful-calorie diet for months. HOWEVER, high protein can get me to that 1,300 or 1,400 I'm shooting for on a daily basis. Otherwise I'm hungry until I'm hitting 1,800 or so, and that's not much of a diet!

For me, I don't mind a day at 1,800, and I don't mind a day at 1,000 -- but when I start getting into several days in a row, I find it's a problem. That protein is key, so I'm REALLY going to work on that this week. I might have to hit the grocery store tonight.

Lastly, the scale showed a small loss this morning (0.6 lbs.) after my bad Saturday. I am fairly sure this is because I drank as much water as I could on Sunday and flushed out my system, but I'll take it!!!! (Current weight: 181.2). I'd love to see 179 by Friday!

My goals will be changing a little bit now that I see how I did last week:

Daily Goals
1) At least 72 oz. of water per day
2) NO mindless eating
3) Log everything
4) Protein ~25-30% of daily/weekly calories
5) Calorie balance for the week: -4,000+ (rather than logging intake, I'm going to log my activity - food daily)
6) Five days of exercise (M-F), follow Turbo schedule

My week goals this week are all about getting my grading done. On Thursday, I've also got 6 hours of driving ahead of me (3 hours there and back) to my new job that I'll be starting in the fall for a curricular meeting. I know they're planning on Chinese for lunch, so I need to figure out what to order that's not going to be a total calorie and sodium bomb in the middle of my week.

I usually get steamed dumplings, but I'm open to suggestions!! I'd like something that's got protein but isn't super-salty. Chinese is a tough one.

Bea, glad to hear all is well.

Terri, You'll find that "sweet spot". You seem to know how to do it, so I'm sure you'll succeed. Good luck with Chinese today. I don't what they have, but when I go to the Chinese buffet I like to get those chicken skewers that are nothing but chicken on a stick. I also like the beef and broccoli. Curious to hear how you fare through that lunch.


My nutrition is terrible. My life coach says I need to work on my all or nothing approach. I try, but do not succeed. I'm on the "nothing" approach I guess. Yesterday I ate an entire 300 calories. No, that's not a typo.

I hit a milestone yesterday. The scale says I lost 30 lbs (since January).

This week it looks like I need to work on eating properly.

Terri, I have learned to stay away from anything with too much sauce because that is where the sodium lies. White rice, steamed veggies, lemon chicken or something with pork? Stay away from too much fried food too. We usually have Cantonese Chow Mein and it's not too salty. They usually have fruit.

I'll post my goals this afternoon.
Jenn

Hi all! :) I started South Beach diet today and I'm hoping to get the same good results the last time I did the 2 weeks of phase 1. Phase 2 and on is pretty much how I normally eat...but now and then I let some junk food (usually salty/crunchy stuff like crackers!) sneak into my diet and find it hard to shake the habit. Hopefully this will get me back on track! I did something to my shoulders a few weeks back and it's still bothering me. I'm going for a massage tonight so hopefully that helps so I can get back to working out regularly.....I don't lose weight if I'm not exercising!

My goals for this week:
1. Stay on the beach and log food ;)
2. Exercise Tues-Sun (definitely no exercise today with my shoulder!)
3. Drink a minimum 72 oz. water daily
4. Calorie balance for the week: -4,000+ (Terri - I like this idea! I honestly have no idea what my balance would look like? This could be a fun stat to track!)

Bea - The scale staying steady is most definitely a success! Congrats!

Terri - Lucky you having a loss after a 'bad' Saturday! I'll be rooting for to see that 179 lbs. on the scale by Friday! I have no suggestion as far as Chinese food goes. I think it's all evil...I mean sodium laden! :p

Jenai - Congrats on your 30 lb. milestone!!! That's a huge accomplishment!!! Careful not to keep your calories too low over and extended period of time....that can backfire and cause your metabolism to lower.


**big waves to everyone else** Let's make this a great week!

Well...it's now evening

GOALS
1. Keep to carb limit
2. 6 glasses of water
3. 4 fruits/veggies
4. Exercise 3X for 30 min
5. Lose 1lb

Jenn

I'm back to report on my day!

My goals for this week:
1. Stay on the beach and log food - check
2. Exercise Tues-Sun (definitely no exercise today with my shoulder!)
3. Drink a minimum 72 oz. water daily - check
4. Calorie balance for the week: minimum -4,000 -809

Off to bed really early tonight....I'm so tired!

Ready for another week. Too tired to post goals till tomorrow.

Just a quick check in. I'm back from my honeymoon. I may try to make some goals this week but it likely won't be much (mainly editing pics).

I was just now able to get one done, but have many more to go.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...pscff6d6fd.jpg

Welcome back, Mr. Married Man! You took that picture? It's beautiful.

Hi Guys,

Back from picking up my baby from school for short break til she goes to Ireland for writing program.

Goals (some borrowed) from:
1) 6 glasses of water
2) mindful eating
3) mindful speech
4) stretch
5) walk or gym 2-3 x

Thank you. Yes I did.

Mike that picture is gorgeous! Congratulations on the wedding!
Jenn

Beautiful Picture Mike.

My goal this week. Eat healthy; increase my activity; cut the grass; do my physio exercises more frequently; increase water consumption.

Good morning everyone,

Sun is shining. The 3!!!!!!!!! hours of snow we got yesterday didn't stay
It was 0 degrees this morning... the 3 kale stalk bunches, I planted yesterday on my balcony, appear to be ok. And my 1 chive shoot looks ok so far.

I discovered, quite by accident, that kale will continue to grow from the stalks a few weeks ago. I had put the stalks in the compost bin under my sink, and when I took it to the outdoor compost bin, I discovered the kale was growing!! So I have 3 sets of stalks planted now. I love kale

Jenai: Good call on the chicken skewers! This is a sit-down place, but I'll look for something like that on the menu. Exactly what I need. Beef and broccoli is good too, but sometimes they put sauce all over it. I'll have to check! I wish this was a place I knew, haha. You'll find your balance - you know that 300 calories is too low; do you maybe feel like something is on your mind keeping you all or nothing? You and your doctor will work it out. Congrats on the 30 lb. loss!

Jenn: Oooooh, I didn't think of lemon chicken. Good call! I'll check it out. Is Cantonese spicy? Unfortunately I can't handle spice (I wish I could, it'd be easy to replace flavor from salt with flavor from spice that way).

Debbie: Hope that shoulder feels better soon!!!! South Beach is something I wish I could stick too, but too many foods I don't like on that diet, haha! I bet you'll kill it. Let me know how the calorie balance works out for you!! When I first lost here on Fitday, I found logging my balance to be better than just logging calories, because some days I exercised more or less and it was good to know what the overall number was. -3500 should be a pound lost, -7,000 should be two pounds lost. It almost never works exactly that way, but let me know how you like it!!

Mike: Welcome back!!!!!! Beautiful pic and beautiful edit!

Hope: Great goals! Going to Ireland sounds like FUN for her!

Mary: Goals are looking good!!

Bea: I like the determination of your kale, haha. I'm going to try to channel it :)

For me: Eye appointment at 10:30 this morning. I'm blind as a bat, and my right eye has gotten noticeably worse fairly quickly. I'm hopeful that today's appointment will get me a newer, better prescription. I probably won't get new contacts in time for my long drive on Thursday (and part of that driving at night, when I really notice it, ugh) but it was the soonest I could get an appointment. On my exercise docket today is twenty minutes of cardio and 20 minutes of ab work. Oh boy. Getting ready for a burning tummy! The Turbo ab workout is rough.

Have a great day everyone!! I'm off to do some stretching, my shoulders feel really tight

Daily Goals
1) At least 72 oz. of water per day M: yes
2) NO mindless eating M: yes, everything was mindful
3) Log everything M: yes
4) Protein ~25-30% of daily/weekly calories M: 25% Average: 25%
5) Calorie balance for the week: -4,000+ (rather than logging intake, I'm going to log my activity - food daily) M: -708 Total: -708
6) Five days of exercise (M-F), follow Turbo schedule M: yes

~Terri

Goals (some borrowed) from: ( technically starting Tuesday but will log for M)
1) 6 glasses of water: y
2) mindful eating:Y
3) mindful speech: y
4) stretch: y
5) walk or gym 2-3 x: N
6) thro out 5 pieces of paper or 3 items: N

That is a great pic, Mike!!! Did you guys have a great time? How was the wedding? And where are your goals?

Terry, DD is psyched. She also got a paid journalism internship. And is also going to Israel later this summer. She's doing great.
Cantonese food is NOT spicy, generally. Can you get steamed chicken or shrimp, sauce on the side? That's what I used to do.

Debbie, I hope your shoulders feel better. Good luck on South Beach. You're doing great as it is! I keep losing and gaining back the same weight. And am no losing lately.

Mary, good goals!!!

For those of you who watch their carb intake, how many net carbs do you aim for on a daily basis? I think Mern has said she tries to keep hers around 50 G...does that sound right?


Hope - Thanks :) I lost the initial 20 lbs. and have been in a gain some, lose some for months. I guess that means I've maintained though so I'm happy with that.

Thank you Jenn.

Thanks. :)

Thanks Terri, it's nice to be back. That was the easiest pic to edit. The main thing I had to do was remove a UFO from the sky. Actually it was a spot on my lens from the mist of the water.

Thanks Hope! We had a blast Our next trip will be to Ireland. She wanted to visit Ireland and I've been wanting to go to the Isle of Man, to see the Isle of Man TT.:eek: The wedding went off without a hitch... well I guess I can't say that since we got hitched. ;)

1) clean up my eating
2) lose 2 pounds
3) drink 100 oz water
4) edit 4 pics

Good morning- the sun is shining here. I went to my garden yesterday and planted peppers and tomatoes. There are still a few other things I'd like to plant- so maybe tomorrow. I can't wait to see all the beautiful fruits and vegetables. In addition to the garden, I also went to a weight lifting class yesterday and am a tad sore so will skip the gym today and resume tomorrow. Probably do some cardio then.
I've been struggling to stay on track with my eating. I need to be more consistent. So, in that vein, here are my goals for this week:
1. Log foods daily (M/N,
2. Drink 4-5 glasses water daily (M/N,
3. Workout/gym 3-4 times week (M/Y,
4. Stay under 1400-1500 calories daily (M/y,

Bea- the scale not going up is ALWAYS good news!
Terri- good luck staying good with the Chinese. The skewers do sound good- great idea Jenai
Jenai- Congrats on the 30 lb milestone!!!! Don't forget to reward yourself with something nice!!!
Debbie- beach food logging sounds nice but sorry to hear about your shoulder. Hope it mends soon!
Mike- Welcome back from your HM. Beautiful photo too, btw.

I know I missed some ppl. I still can't seem to figure out how to view all comments without losing my QR screen. **waves to the rest** Hope everyone's having a great start to their week!!!

Debbie I think Mern is 25 net carbs.
I do it per meal (40 per meal). I'm allowed 15 grams for snack.
Jenn

I'm already off the beach...heck I'm not even on the shore!! :rolleyes: Now I remember why this is so hard...I'm not a huge meat eater and without meat, you get pretty hungry on this diet or you eat too many nuts. I can't even count my calorie balance because I didn't track everything today. Clearly I should rethink my strategy (again!) since I'm already struggling and it's only the second day! OY!!! :o

Jenn - Thanks for the reply regarding net carbs. Your carb intake sounds very doable (maybe I should adopt your method!).....but poor Mern!! How the heck does one only eat 25 net carbs day in and day out!! She has a strong resolve to stick to that and not accept meds instead. Mern if you're reading this...hats off to you!!

Okay, so I'm not throwing in the towel (NEVER!!!) but I am once again changing my course. Now what! :cool:

Debbie, I was on that for awhile..long time ago...its very hard at first..but u can gradually work into it.... Glad you're still maintaining tho...

Mike that pic is beautiful!!!

Jenai awesome accomplishment :)

I hope everyone had a blessed Mother's Day!!....I ate very well on Sunday:p

I'm going on vacation for 2wks.... so I will be MIA...leave this Thursday.

I did work out yesterday and just finished my workout just now...yaaayyyyy

If I don't come on here early in the day I completely lose track of everyone. I read everything, so I thought, but then I'd see comments that I didn't understand where they came from (mainly the topic of carb counting), so I'm a little lost with what's going on.

Mike, congrats! Glad to hear everything went perfectly.
Debbie, I missed the whole South Beach conversation. Are you not going to do it now after all? If you're not a big meat eater, where do you normally get your protein from?
Jenn, I do more like you for carbs. It was what I read from the Diabetes Assoc. and I think the Mayo Clinic, and also what my health coach recommends for me. Of course, choosing whole wheat, fruits and veggies, etc is always the best bet but I don't always make the best decisions, lol.
Aimee, I wish I had a green thumb...jealous of your garden!!!
Terri, hope your eyes get taken care of. Work out those muscle kinks! :)

As for me, I hit another milestone today. I had to go in one notch tighter on my bra strap for a better fit! Means I must be losing inches, although the tape measure says differently. According to the tape in the past month I have actually increased1/4" on my waist and 1/2" on my hips. I just don't see how that is possible. Maybe I didn't measure in the exact same spot? I don't think so because now that I checked, I measured the same 2 weeks ago on Beachbody as I did on here a month ago. But today I measured bigger. I don't understand. :confused:

Still can't get my calories right. Went over today and had 1700, which now brings my 3 day average to over 1400. :( So now I feel like I need to have another 300 calorie day tomorrow to make up for it. It's such a roller coaster.

Hope: I am SO psyched FOR your DD!! Seeing the world is one thing I haven't really done. I am sure she will have a fantastic time and gain priceless experience. Sounds like she's in the right field for her. Is she going to cover anything or write about anything in particular? Thanks for letting me know about Cantonese. I found out the name of the restaurant we're going to and maybe I can plan!

Mike: Haha! It would have been awesome if the spot was a UFO though! You've obviously got some talent, and I can't wait to see more of the pictures. I hope you had just the BEST time on your honeymoon. DH and I will get around to honeymooning one of these years...

Aimeet: Sound like fantastic goals you've got there! Thanks for the luck on the Chinese. I'm laughing because I've been thinking about it all week. I'll be going out to lunch with my future co-workers (hopefully long-term co-workers!) and I don't want to get weird looks for obvious 'diet food' but at the same time - poo poo to them! lol.

Debbie: One step at a time! Maybe you just need to ease into it? Or find a protein substitute? Are you allowed quinoa, beans, or seeds? I can't remember if you're allowed dairy or not on South Beach. I know beans are always my go-to if I'm looking for protein and want to not get it from meat. They're full of fiber too, makes you feel full. But Becca is right - you are maintaining, and I think that can be harder than losing sometimes. You'll get it!

Becca: Awesome job getting the workout done!

Jenai: The tape measure is a weird thing, and boobs are the weirdest thing of all. It could be anything - maybe the bra has stretched out a little, or maybe you HAVE lost inches on your bust, or bust/waist combo in a way that makes the strap have to go tighter. I never understood it well - try not to think too much about it and just celebrate that tighter bra!!! Woohoo!!! That's always one that makes me feel good.

I don't think you need a 300 calorie day, personally :) I know how that can feel. Just work on maybe going for like 1500 and see how you feel. You will get it! It' s a marathon, not a sprint, and overall good choices will cancel out those little blips when you're a few hundred cals over. It happens to everyone. Don't give up!!!

As for me: Eye doc appointment went great, she was such a sweet lady. AND I'm joyful, because she gave me contacts with my new prescription RIGHT AWAY so I have them in! What a difference!!!! I definitely needed a new right eye and she said my left eye changed a bit too. I've got these in and we're doing a prescrption check next Monday to see how they feel. I did have some eye strain in my right eye yesterday, but I always expect that when adjusting to a new prescrption, especially because I was grading all day yesterday so I had to read terrible student handwriting. So I'm excited about that, because my driving tomorrow will be with my NEW prescrption and I feel more confident/less worried about driving at night.

I got my ab workout and cardio in yesterday. As expected, abs are tight today but not totally terrible. I usually work out in the evenings, but today I need to work out in the morning because from 4:00-11:00 straight is booked for me this evening. I have a blood pressure issue and I usually don't work out in the mornings because it's the worst then, but I'm gradually getting up and moving around and making sure my head is clear before I start. Had a blood pressure attack during my cardio yesterday and nearly fainted, but I think the room was just hot (I have low blood pressure, plus a mild form POTS which just means that certain postures can make me dizzy). I'll be watching myself closely today though, just in case I get another attack. They're never fun.

I also realized I won't be able to get in a workout Thursday due to my traveling. I have a scheduled day off on Saturday for working out, so I think I'll move that day off to Thursday - do the Thursday workout on Friday and the Friday workout on Saturday. I think it should still work out.

Tonight I'm going to a dinner where students are cooking (the meal is a surprise) so that'll be out of my hands; I'll do my best to make good choices! I'm then going to a bar with departmental colleagues; I've decided I'll stick to light beer, hopefully just one, no more than two. I need to get to bed early because I need to be out the door by 7:00 tomorrow (and I usually have to be up and about for awhile so my blood pressure will stabilize, so that means I need to be out of bed at 6:00 am, which is earlier than usual for me).

Not sure if I will check in again here until Friday (we'll see how tired I am Thursday night) but I will be logging and thinking of everyone!!!

Daily Goals
1) At least 72 oz. of water per day M: yes T: yes. I forgot how annoying it is to go to the bathroom like every hour!
2) NO mindless eating M: yes, everything was mindful T: yes
3) Log everything M: yes T: yes
4) Protein ~25-30% of daily/weekly calories M: 25% T: 26% Average: 25.5%
5) Calorie balance for the week: -4,000+ (rather than logging intake, I'm going to log my activity - food daily) M: -708 T: -769 Total: -1477
6) Five days of exercise (M-F), follow Turbo schedule M: yes T: yes. Feeling it today!

~Terri

Goals (some borrowed) from: ( technically starting Tuesday but will log for M)
1) 6 glasses of water: y, y
2) mindful eating:Y, y though too much I guess
3) mindful speech: y, y
4) stretch: y, y
5) walk or gym 2-3 x: N yes and danced at Bruce Springsteen show
6) thro out 5 pieces of paper or 3 items: N Y
7) lose a pound at least: N, N - gained weight, WHAT???


I am not only having a hard time losing weight, I am gaining. I think that between my meds, bad back and increased appetite... I have also indulged in diet soda (makes me retain weight) some beer (I usually do not drink) and snacks, plus maybe too much food. OK I have to tighten my belt. I have to pull up my big girl pants because I can no longer fit my small girl pants haha - but really no joke.

Back to food logging I go.

Terri, you have accomplished so much so young, you have had your own journey... How'd the Chinese meal go?

Mike, so glad you guys got "hitched" and had fun. Love the UFO comment.

More later....

Tuesday report

GOALS
1. Keep to carb limit--yes
2. 6 glasses of water--yes
3. 4 fruits/veggies--yes
4. Exercise 3X for 30 min--yes
5. Lose 1lb

Had stir fry for lunch yesterday so I was able to get the veggies in. A good day yesterday!
Now if it would only stop raining--depressing and so darn humid.

Jenn

Thanky thanky

Thank you.

Thank you. Keep pushing forward ad the tape will go in the right direction.

Here's the one I did from yesterday, doll face. ;)http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...ps20ef1f1b.jpg

More later, I feel your pain. I'm waaaaaaay up. See most people complain about how they gained weight AFTER getting married. My plan was to pack it on before hand. :eek:

Mike, that's gorgeous! I am a HUGE fan of lighthouses. My grandfather always loved them and we spent summers near them, it's a big family/comfort/serenity thing for me. Looks like gorgeous weather too!! Thanks! Keep it coming! :D

Hi all. I haven't posted lately because I didn't want to bring every body down with me. My only goal this week is to get caught up on reading and get into a better frame of mind.

Mike, lovely photos.

Not a good day food wise--too many carbs.
Libby I have had a couple of days lately where things have not gone well--to put it mildly. Hang in there.

Struggling...clawing...trying to get back up that mountain...still slipping! I know...I'm such a drama queen! :p Seriously though, still trying to keep motivated and get back on track...AGAIN! :rolleyes:

Well you got her. Now you can pack it on lol. At least you posted goals.

Awww, Libby. I hope things get better soon. You can kvetch to me; I'll "listen."

2 days ago I was down to just under 246. Now I'm up at 249.2 again. And I didn't even eat out or over eat or anything! :( Frustrating.

I'm sorry to hear so many are struggling. I have been as well, but -like you guys -have been trying to push through.

Maybe a couple quotes to help us along?
“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”
― Confucius
“Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.”
― F. Scott Fitzgerald
“If you are going through hell, keep going.”
― Winston Churchill


And my goals update:
1. Log foods daily (M/N, T/Y, W/Y,
2. Drink 4-5 glasses water daily (M/N, T/N, W/Y
3. Workout/gym 3-4 times week (M/Y,T/N, W/Y
4. Stay under 1400-1500 calories daily (M/y, T/Y, W/Y

Goals (some borrowed) from: ( technically starting Tuesday but will log for M)
1) 6 glasses of water: y, y, 8 glasses and I think it helped!!!
2) mindful eating:Y, y though too much I guess yes in terms of what I ate but no in terms of how ( distracted)
3) mindful speech: y, y no, talked too much
4) stretch: y, y, y
5) walk or gym 2-3 x: N yes and danced at Bruce Springsteen show no
6) thro out 5 pieces of paper or 3 items: N Y,Y
7) lose a pound at least: N, N - gained weight, WHAT???, GAINED MORE, HUH????
8) 1288 calories max: N, N, Y


Finally lost a pound and a half!!!! Ate a lot less. AND drank 8 glasses of water and I think it helped. I don't like drinking water so here's my tip. I got one of those 8 oz. mini bottles and kept filling it. For me, it worked because it didn't seem like I had to drink so much. Also thank you, Mary (Kumochi), who told someone about going on weight goal and finding out how many calories you need to cut to lose. Good tip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally, I cut my insult to Mike because though I figure he knows I'm joking others might not.

Hi Everyone,

This thread certainly took a trip south by the end of the day yesterday. Let's see if we can keep it from totally derailing!

I am on track to hit the 50 pound mark loss, for tomorrow's weighin! .2 away, which I intend to blow right past!

I have a friend who is occasionally tagging along on this journey with me, and while she is far less obese than I am, she is much less healthy with all kinds of medical issues.

She believes weighing/measuring and counting calories is too much work!
She is also not having any success, and if anything sliding.

I keep trying to think of what I can say or do that will flick the switch for her, but I'm failing miserably!

I see some key things, but the most notable, I am realizing, is she will say "I am going to TRY to........(fill in the blank)" I say "I'm going to........."

I think the word "try" implies the option to fail.

So for today and "to infinity and beyond!!!", unless it is something, I seriously do not know if I can do, "try" is stricken from my vocabulary!


I WILL be keeping my calories to 1100-1300 today
I WILL diligently watch my sodium today
I WILL do the 2.6 km boardwalk in 36 minutes today, but I am going to try to make it in 35 :)
I WILL be 50 pounds lighter than I was on January 10 of this year, by tomorrow's weighin :D and I am sooooooooooooo freakin excited by it!

Sunshine, rainbows, and fluffy bunnies for everyone!!

Whether you think you can or you can't, you are correct!