73 replies to this topic

[walk2lose]

Merry Easter Everyone! If I sound confused it might be due to the fact that it was snowing on my way to work this morning. 40 and rain/snow combo today. Brrrr, the weather just goes right through you here today. I had my under armour on underneath, then 6 shirt and jacket layers. Still froze!

Marg, glad you we're able to get for a walk. I am still planning to drop below my current goal. I hope that I'll need to exercise to keep it off, that will keep me healthy. Plus my work help keep it off.

Patty, wow you are a busy person this weekend. Glad you have sometime off. Congrats on the big loss this past week. See all the working out does payoff.

Well I can hardly type I'm so tired. I have to work 8-6 on Easter. Take care I need to get to bed. Take care
Nancy

[JaniceL]

Good morning everyone,
I thought I had been in here more recently, but I had more posts to read than I thought!
The weather here is finally starting to warm up. It was almost hot yesterday! I took the dog for a nice long walk to the dog park (I think I maybe walked him too much if that's possible!)
Nothing much going on with me this weekend. My parents are coming next weekend, so I've been busy cleaning.
I had another 3 pound loss last week - YAY me! (Me and Jenny are still in the honeymoon phaze)
I've started to buy some workout clothes for my gym membership starting May 1. I picked up a few t-shirts and some shorts. I still need to get a pair of running shoes and a swim cap - then I'll be all set!

It's an interesting thing setting a goal weight. When I first moved to the city I was about 170 - and felt fat. Then I ballooned up to the 270's within three years. I managed to get most of that off and hovered in the 190's... than back and forth, and back and forth. I have done two other programs. One I went down to 192, the other I got back down to 205... then things got hard (meaning I was going to have to work at getting the rest off)
I have set my goal with JC at 175, but now I'm starting to worry that I've set myself up for dissappointment.
I guess when I get closer, I'll have to see.

I've been looking into some charty walks and runs in the Toronto area. There is a 5k walk for Arthritis at the end of May, and of course the run/walk for Cancer in October. I'm considering signing up - but a little concerned about the fundraising. Has anyone in this group done something like this before? I think it would be great to help me focus on my goal, and next year I would like to try a run - maybe a 5K. And it doesn't hurt to support a worthy cause!

[jenrdn69]

I am trying something new. I can't seem to loose consistently no matter what I've done. I have average daily deficits of 800-900 and yet, the scale is up and down from the between the 159 to the 164. This has happened since January really. Ever since I gained that bit on the meds, I just can't loose (not on the meds anymore for months).

So, I'm going back to a 'modified' Alvin (my old trainer) plan. Its tough and I modified it a bit to include more carbs than his original plan. Note the lack of fruit. I am having some whole grain bread instead, but I should probably have the fruit (if I do, I'll sub in apples, canteloupe, and berries --- for a total of 80 cals per serving). He would also prefer I use Ezekiel cereal, but I'm just not going there. I like the Kashi cereal alot (its stats are like the complete start cereal).

I will take 2 days off from workouts, but eat no more than a total of 1200-1300 cals, mostly protein or whole grains. Here is what the week will look like (today, I'll be lucky to see a deficit, probably a slight weight gain trend. I decided not to worry about Easter, and I admit to a too big breakfast and then we're going to Outback for dinner. I've logged my food and if I can stick to it and get in a short workout, I'll just break even on calories).

That said, starting tomorrow my schedule is below. For those interested, the Ezekiel bread is a whole grain, flourless bread that is good, but don't expect it to be 'bread like' --- its more grains all together with spelt (an ancient form of wheat) as a main ingredient. Note: I don't have Celiac and we do have gluten in our home, so the bread is just for me. I prefer other softer bread or whole grain wraps, but those have either sugars or other preservative...this is really the cleanest bread you can buy (not sugars, etc). Note that Alvin's plan includes a subway sandwich (the roasted chicken)...he'd prefer it no more than 1x per week, but we have an activity every night this week, so sometimes its the easiest for me for dinner. Next week, without the totally insane schedule, I hope to add a few nights for dinner with tuna steaks or salmon steaks for the protein and then sweet potato (usually 1/2 of one) and brown rice or quinoa for the grain.

Monday and Wednesday meal (on Monday = dance class and baseball practice and Wed = PSR from 5 to 6:15):

Workout in am (nothing before but coffee)

after workout: 100 calorie packet of nuts (100 cals) and 1/2 slice of Ezekiel break (40 cals)

Breakfast: 1 cup Kashi golean cereal (high fiber/protein) with 1 greek yogurt (total is 220 cals)

Lunch: salad (6 cups of greens, no dressing, and some cumbers/onions/celery - 40 cals) with 1 packet of salmon (120 cals - that is 4 oz salmon), 1/4 oz almonds (40 cals)

Snack before go to dance class with Vicky: 1 slice of Ezekiel bread (80 cals) with 2 TBS PB2 powder mixed with 1/2 TBS real PB = 100 cals. Total 180 cals.

Dinner (Drive Brian to baseball and drop off...go to Subway...pick up Vicky at 7 pm...go home, eat sandwich...Kevin picks up Brian at 7:30)...1 Subway roasted chicken (veggies and mustard, no cheese), small salad (from home). Total is 360 cals.

Snack: 1 protein bar (150 cals) and 1/2 cup milk (50 cals). Total 200 cals.

This is 1300 cals on the nose.



TUESDAY (no afterschool activity, but I have to work until 5 pm as I'll be getting there later).:

No workout in am (have a 7:30 am conference with Vicky's teacher and speech therapist to get next years IEP signed --- Vicky wears a hearing and and she has speech therapy, so she has an IEP which we have to review each year).


Breakfast 100 calorie packet of nuts (100 cals). 1 cup Kashi cereal + greek yogurt (plain) (220 cals). Total 320 cals.

Lunch: 1 whole hardboiled egg, 3 harboiled egg whites (thank you Easter, lol) - 140 cals. With Salad. 200 cals total

Sanck: 1/2 slice of Ezekiel bread (40 cals) with 2 TBS PB2 powder mixed with 1/2 TBS real PB = 100 cals. Total 180 cals.

Dinner: 1 lean turkey burger (180 cals) with 1 slice of bread (80). 2 cups brocolli. Salad. 280 cals.

Snack: 1 protein bar (150 cals) and 1/2 cup milk (50 cals). Total 200 cals.

Total is 1240 cals.


Wednesday is repeat of Monday. I drop kids at PSR, pick up sandwich, go home and get their dinner ready. Kevin picks up kids at 6:15 from PSR on his way home from work and we'll eat dinner about 6:45/

THURSDAY. Brian has a soccer game at 6 pm, but I think Kevin (hubby) is taking Brian, so I'll be home to cook. If not, I'll make this the night before (and have it as a cold salad and probably add 2 TBS fat free mayo to it for the cold salad)....

is a Repeat of Thursday, except that I'll have 4 oz of chicken breast (120) for dinner and 1/2 cup of brown rice (100) with the brocolli and salad.

Total is about 1220 cals.

Friday. Probably a repeat of Monday. Brian has a baseball game that night at 6 pm and I'll be sitting there until 8 pm...probably run at at the beginning of the game and get the sandwich. Baseball games take forever to watch at this age as this is only the second year kids are pitching and there are lots of walks. They let the game go for up to 2 hours...or, if not to the 5th inning by 1 hr and 40 mins (its happened), they finish that inning.

So there you have it. I cannot do weight workouts, but will try to incorporate some easy resistance training, but its so dangerous with my back, I hate to take the chance...anyway, been sitting here too long, better get going. Hope everyone has a lovely day today.

[emerald_green]

Jen - I can sympathize! My weight has not been going the direction I want it to, either.

Janice - I'm with you on goal weight setting. I think I currently have my "goal" as 150, but I've been trying to loose this weight for so long now that I would just be absolutely THRILLED to reach 175. I guess the thing to do is just keep going until you are happy with where you are, or just so tired of loosing weight that you decide "here is fine." You can always loose the rest later. There is no rule that you MUST loose every last extra pound in X number of months. You can loose 20/30/100 or whatever now, then maintain for a while, and go back into weight loss mode at a later date. I think it'd help anyway, because it'll be easier to gradually loose the weight like that and make it easier to get used to the "new you", KWIM?

Nancy - Try to get some rest in! You sure dont want to work yourself to death.

Pattylynne - MIA seems to be the current fashion around here. I'm glad you checked in! Ouchies on the tooth and the accident that caused it. 5 lbs. down?!?!!! YOU ROCK!

Marg - I love both zumba & pilates! I wish I lived near someplace that had them. I was so spoiled when I lived in Beaverton and had a great rec center 1/2 mile away...

Other than going to a bunco party, a tea party and then meeting up with a friend on Saturday, and going to my folks for Easter, things have been pretty quiet around here. I am really missing hubby now that the busy weekend is over. At least I have another tea party tomorrow morning, one on Saturday, and a hockey game that night to looks forward to. My parents are so great to be watching the kids for me so I can do all this.

Take care,
Angela

[emerald_green]

Wow, its really dead in here if I was the last to post!

Just wanted to give a little update that I lost 2 pounds this week at my weight in! Not bad, IMHO! I did the planned menu last week, but cant say that I stuck all that well to until before Sunday It was a happy suprise to see that they had new planned menus this week, and some new foods as well. I was going to do week 2, but the new week 1 was enough different that I decided to start the new menus with week 1. Cant wait to try the new lunch hamburger/slider, and was super pleased to see a return of the mesquite chicken!

I hope everyone is well, and that they are too busy getting fit to sit their bums down at the computer

Take care,
Angela

[Pattylynne]

:)Hi Everyone!

Angela I do agree with you the thread has been somewhat dead and my silence hasn't been due to activity. Fell into a funk about a week and half ago then when things didn't go "my way" over the Easter break I just went into a major pity party. I've just had a major case of the blues and its time to snap out of it. The following quote was in my meditation readings for today from one of the Roosevelts;

"It's not having been in a dark house, but having left it that counts"

The following is from Brook Noel the author of my meditation as she elaborates on the quote;
"...we can't avoid the dark times but we can avoid making those dark periods a home where we take up residence. As we challenge life and dark periods come let us remember not to stay there too long. Let us always keep our eye on the door so that we can find our way out in due time."

Brook's affirmation for this day; Life has its ups and downs but I don't have to stay "down"

Ok for me the pity party is over and I am following my healthy plan to finish this week well. I have meals set before me and tomorrow evening is my second workout for the week. I fully understand that I may not have a loss on Saturday but I will go in and face the scale. Then Sunday is May 1st the beginning of a new month with a fresh start and a new opportunity to reach my goal. Eventually the skinny lady is going to sing!!

Angela, thank you for staying faithful to the thread and congrats on the continued weight loss. Thanks also for the news on the new planned menus. I may just try those out instead of planning my own.

Jen so sorry to hear about your frustrations. I know that you have many special things to deal with and I applaud your determination to find the right mix.

Janice congratulations on your continuing success with the JC program. As for your final goal weight, try not to stress at this point and don't think about failure. If your body says no it does not mean that you have failed. You are taking steps now to have a healthier life and that is not a sign of failure. I've never attempted to fund raise for a charity event. I just don't like doing it. I've participated but I have not asked others for money but have just chipped in my own money.

Nancy, you sure do sound busy at work and hopefully the weather will soon cooperate for you. Every time i go past a garden center I think of you. Just think of all the color you are helping to promote in the local gardens. The weather here in the DC area went from an early spring to a mid summer in the space of two days. We have had wild weather and temps way to hot but relief is coming.

Marge, its good to hear from you and that you are maintaining. I know maintenance can be a challenge and I hope new classes will help you stay focused.

Well I have to "run" now and do my journaling before work. I wish you all the best and may you get out and exercise that body today!

[jenrdn69]

Hey Patty, Angela and All,

I'm around. Lurking.

Not posting much. Did well eating on Alvin's plan for a few days and then yesterday, totally downhill. Lots of excuses. I'm still maintaining a slight deficit, but my calorie burn is high. But, to be honest, no sure how much the BM tracking is helping or hurting. It is simply confirming my frustrations --- that is, when I should be loosing (even if I'm off by hundreds of calories either on input or output --- or at least maintaining), my body has other ideas.

Pondered letting it go (not using) for a week, but if I do that, I really need to decide what I'm going to do and stick with it. That is really my problem, I'm not sticking to anything but what I've been doing before. Not sure what I need to do to shock my body into doing SOMETHING like loosing! I'll take slow loss, but I just want to see something consistent.

My eating plan before I tried alvin again is about 1800 calories overall, but I never burn less than 2500, and sometimes close to 3000. With Alvin's plan, I had a few days at about 1500, but I was bleepin' starving and had deficits at 800-1000, even on no workout day (I just walked).

If anyone has thoughts on what they'd do, let me know. Totally respect what y'all say. My workouts can't vary too much (every time I try weights or bands, my back hurts)...I do treadmill (walk only) or walk outside, ellipse, and stairstepper. I do intervals sometimes on those.

Basically, my daily meals look like this:

Workout.

Either before or after workout, a slice of bread with (now) 1 TBS of PB2 powder mixed with water.

Breakfast: complete start or kashi cereal (about some calories, more protein in kashi and slightly less cals) with greek yogurt (plain) with splenda added.

Lunch: Varies the protein (up to 120-150 cals or so: tuna, chicken, egg and egg whites, cottage cheese), up to 100 cals of nuts. Salad.

Snack: nuts and some starch. More often than not I'll do a slice of whole grain bread with peanut butter and then about 1/4 oz real nuts. With the PB2 powder (love it), less calories there, so I have more whole nuts, which are much better for me anyway. SHould do fruit and not bread, I know that one.

Dinner: Varies, but generally a big salad and cooked up veggies with either a entree type (that I volumize with veggies -- either JC entree or like a Kashi or lean cuising) or I do a starch (brown rice, sweet potato) and a protein (fish or chicken really)...sometimes a burger type on a light bun (usually turkey burger or a non-meat griller type).

Snack: usually an Atkins day break bar. If I'm hungry, I add something here as well. Used to do a muscle milk light (frozen so like an icee) which had 100 cals, but I cut those out with Alvin's plan.

I do have about 8 oz of milk per day in tea or coffee.

Really don't know what else to do. Could change my bkfast to like eggs and toast or like cottage cheese and toast or fruit, but ugh!

Anyway, the more I think about it, the more stressful it is. And, when I think, what if I ate all JC food. The calories would be the same in the end, when I add the free veggies and such (maybe about 100 cals less overall, max). I think I've accepted that I'm not going to loose weight. I just can't seem to anymore and just don't know what/how to deal with this.

[walk2lose]

Evening Ladies,

Angela, glad you got to have some fun. Congrats on your loss this week. Hubby will be back before you know it. How nice of your folks to take the girls and give you some time off too.

Patty, hope you are safe from all the crazy weather, you can get some pretty bad thunder storms down your way. Any chance you can get out and do a walk at lunch, maybe some sunshine would help. If you have had the cool rainy weather we've had it's not much fun.

Marg, hope you got to sign up for your classes. Are you and the pup getting in some nice walks?

Donna, hope your enjoying your lunch time walks.

Janice, I have looked into doing the walks for charity, but in all honesty the fund raising is what scares me the most, they want some serious dough.

Vickie hope all is well.

Well WI in this morning up 1.6lbs. Some how I justified Easter candy and we have been slow at work with the bad weather. So I have to turn this around. I did some gardening today at home 2.5+ hours. That should help. It's suppose to be a nice weekend so I should burn some serious calories this weekend plus Mother's day is always crazy busy. Well the fish and chips are done, gotta run. Take care.
Nancy

[Pattylynne]

Good Evening Everyone,

I'm so excited this lousy weather has broken and the humidity has lifted. I just came back from a 45 minute walk and I feel so good. The sky is beautiful this evening and everything is so lush & green from the rain. My depression appears to have lifted.

Well my plans for the weekend were upended this afternoon by my boss and I will not be able to weigh on Saturday because I have to work. Our fiscal year end is April 30th so we are gearing up for the external auditors. So much to do in so little time. I have enough JC food to tide me over for 4 days and I am confident that I can fill in the other 3 days with healthy food.

On Sunday I am thinking about going to a running store to look at shoes and talk to them about their beginning runner clinics. A woman named Jenny has posted on the exercise thread about starting a beginning running group and I'm interested. I have a elementary school nearby with a good field to run on that I could use in the evenings. When the weather is so nice I hate to be locked up in a gym. So we shall see if I can convince myself to do this.

Jen, I don't know what advice to give you. Is it possible for you to make peace with your body and accept yourself at a higher weight? I've never been naturally skinny and I really have to fight with my body sometimes. I just know that I feel better when I am at 125 but I totally understand that menopause may change me. Keep on posting and keep your chin up. You really are an amazing person.

Well got run now and check in on the Idols results show. The contestants this year are so good and I really liking the new judges. Then of course in a few weeks So You Think You Can Dance will start and I am absolutely thrilled. Love love that show. Take care everyone and have a good evening.

[Pattylynne]

Happy Friday Everyone!

This is going to be a real quick update. I found a way to get to my weigh in tomorrow at Jenny Craig. Yes my weight will be higher but ignoring my behavior this past week isn't going to help me. So I will take my head out of the sand and weigh in. Secondly on Sunday, May 1st I will begin my Couch to 5k Program. Go team Pat!

Nancy I looked at your bucket list and way to go girl about getting back into your wedding dress. I'm certain that the change in weather will lead to a change in your activity and the lbs will come off again.

As for me my spirits are definitely lifted this morning. Absolutely gorgeous day and I saw some of the footage from the Royal Wedding. What an a beautiful wedding dress.

Also saw some of the pictures from those areas damaged by tornadoes. My heart goes out to them and I plan to open my wallet to help. I count my blessings that neither I nor my family faced such a tragedy.

Take care everyone & have a great Friday!!

[jenrdn69]

Patty,

Glad you made it to WI and glad your spirits are lifted. Ignoring behavoir and not taking the 'bad' news (i.e., A WI) doesn't always help. I hope it gets you back on track.

I have thought about what you said and I had thought about it before too. I gained another pound this week. My eating is way off....but, according the the BM, I should NOT be gaining, but I have decided that the armband isn't as accurate for me (that is, it says I should loose and don't) as it is for others. Not sure what it is about my body. I believe my activity and calories are are pretty accurate --- when I move more or push a workout, I definately burn more and when I don't workout, I definately see the different (lower) burn number. And, even when I log my food as accurately as I can, I still have deficits. I wonder if its what I'm eating, when I'm eating.

To be honest, I don't think I can make it back down to 140 again. My body just can't seem to get there anymore. Maitaining that was hard years ago. But, at 164 (where I am now --- just so depressing --- I have basically lost nothing since Jan..just up and down the same pounds), I'm physically uncomfortable and technically overweight for my height. I am physically comfortable around 150 and would just love to get there.

I am still flopping around trying to figure out what to do. I need something to jumpstart my body into loosing and keeping it off, but I just can't figure how to get lower than the 160 and stay there.

I have such a busy time and week ahead --- Vicky's first communion is next weekend and we have a party of course. My mom is coming from NJ too....Plus, we have 2 baseball games next week and dance class and PSR, so that means there is an activity every night except Friday (oh, wait, no, we do have an activity on Friday, Brian is going to a 'kick around' with a select soccer team --- that is kids just getting together to play. What is really is in unofficial tryouts for the select teams (these are the competative teams in the region that travel around the state -- I totally have not been wanting to do this, but Brian is so good and he needs the challenge of kids who are better than him)...no guarentee he'd make the team, but on Friday, he just goes and plays around and does some drills with the coaches and current players so that they can get a feel for him to see if he's good enough and could be on a select team (he SO WANTS this). Anyway, he's going with another friend and the friend's mom is driving, so that is good.....I'll be cleaning for Saturday's party and events...

[mkopp]

Pattylynn: glad you are feeling better and more positive. Hope you are enjoying the same nice weather we are having here in NJ. How did weigh in go?

Jenn - What if you just aim for a 500 calorie deficit and take a few rest days or days of just walking. Can you do any cooking ahead or plan some simple meals for your busy week? Also as far as the BMI can you get your body fat tested since the BMI is not always an accurate measure for people with more muscle.

Angela -- hope you are still enjoying your time with DH gone and he will be back before you know it. Good luck sticking to your planned menu and glad some of your favorites are back.

Nancy - that 1.6 will be off in no time -- hope you enjoyed your gardening/

Janice - hope you and your dog are doing well and that you are enjoying your walks

Vickie, Donna and anyonelse enjoy the weekend.

=============================================

As for me scale is down a pound so that is good.

Got my blood test results back from a physical and will go and see a specialist as currently my iron levels are too low! So will get that straightened out before I decide to do any strenous exercise -- in the meantime I may try the 8 am pilates class next Saturday as it is a drop in class or you can pay for a block at a time and have a few months before they expire.

MARG
maintaining

[jenrdn69]

Marg,

Definately get that iron fixed! That is a big sucker of energy. For awareness (no, I don't think you have Celiac disease)...but, the number one symptom of CD in women who are not diagnosed is anemia (low iron) because your body cannot absorb the iron due to the damaged villi. Depending on how low your iron is, what I've learned from moderating a CD forum is that there are many ways to 'get' the extra iron, the most efficient (and only done when really low and either needed to get up right away or other avenues don't work = itravenous. Other ways of course are pills and food.

I have two goals for this week. I want to have a full week of no eating while making kids lunches, bkfasts, or snacks and then not eating past 9 pm --- I've gotten back in the habit of overeating at night again. I stopped for a good long while until last week, but after all the work of eating pretty well and the scale going up again, I'm like screw it (I know, not good).

BUt, the problem is, I just don't know what to eat then! Sounds so stupid, I know. Maybe I should plan 2000 calories (yikes) on days I workout and then 1500 on days I only walk?

Wanna hear something weird....Went to gym yesterday (not my work gym, but the one near my house). And, they are signing up members for DOT fitness for free....What does DOT fitness do? Look on the web but its basically a program based around the BM armband! Yup. BUT, on top of it (of course, the gym doesn't tell you when you sign up that they are going to pressure you to buy the armband --- not the gym, but the person from DOT fitness who youwill work with)....but, they don't know I have one! Anyway, the program sets up a meal plan and activity plan (and wants you to buy their supplements), and a supplement plan...and you have a coach person who helps you through...kinda like JC, but with someone who is going to really read the BM output and work with you as a coach to help you reach your goals! TOTALLY FREE!

Of coure, DOT fitness is going to want you to buy the armband (but I HAVE it already) and then their supplements (vitamins), which I may or may not choose to do. What I'm interested in is talking to their nutritionist and fitness experts to see what the BLEEP they suggest I do! How precient is that (I spelled that word wrong, but how one time for me is this).

Anyway, put my name and email down for Joe (the gym manager) --- he signs me up next week and then I'll get emails. The woman at the gym know I was into this kind of thing and mentioned it to me right away when I came in (I sometimes don't pay attention to those things)...SO, we'll see.

Really, I just need to be happy with my choices of eating (not kids foods and not at night) to get through this week. Gotta run and make bkfast. Busy day: Get Brian new baseball socks (he didn't tell me his blue ones didn't fit anymore and he needs blue...he was the only one with white on Friday's game and Vicky needs (yes NEEDS) white shoes for her communion! Dress is good to go. Hair is good to go (just a small ring with flowers that she wore as a flower girl), but she never wears fancy white shoes...gym...and, get ready for next week, which is SO busy, so I need to have pull out dinners...this is my challenge: DO NOT eat Vicky's fresh loaf of bread I need to slice and get in the freezer (made it yesterday) and then DO NOT eat the stuff I'm prepping!

Learned something yesterday. For those who bake breads. I do use a bread machine for just the sandwich breads. Well, after the kneading was done, I smooth out the top...and FORGOT to close the lid! I realized about 10 minutes into the rise that it was sitting open! Luckily, it rose fine, so you don't have to have the lid down the whole time (I was worried --- a key with a machine is the temperature control of the rise and bake cycle).

[Pattylynne]

Hi Jen,

You are one busy lady!! I think you should try out the DOT fitness program. It sounds like you would get real guidance as to what to eat combined with your exercise program. Also your goals around eating sound like good ones and doable. What ever you choose to do please remember to keep us posted. Take care and have a good week.