8 replies to this topic

[Alex_J]

Jenny Friends,
I joined Jenny in Feb 2011 and have loved the program. I've really wanted to make a change and I have enjoyed learning about a healthy way to live. Turns out I had warped ideas about portion size and "dieting". I also hated going to the gym, and now with Jenny I love getting activity.

I'm down 32lbs and I went from a self proclaimed couch potato to someone who does aerobics and jogs! Those changes are something to celebrate, and things i never expected would be a part of my life that i love.

Recently though, i've been yo-yo ing like crazy. I have another 22lbs till my goal weight and only 2.5 months till the end of my year. I really wanted to reach my goal of 54lbs lost in a year - to get my year of free maintenance (part of the plan when i joined) and just because it took 33 years to put on the weight, 1 year seems fair to take it off. That is only 1lb per week.

I've had yet another week where i've bounced up a lb instead of dropping and i'm just feeling a bit lost. I love the changes in my lifestyle, but part of me wonders the following:

Will I ever be able to act on my plans when eating out and really not reach for the bread basket or give in and drink wine?
Will I really be able to maintain or keep losing when i am on my own food? It gets so tempting being with my friends, husband and children as they eat in excess.
Given all the healthy changes i've made, why am i still gaining a lb in a week when all i did was go off plan 1 single meal? And i'm running, doing aerobics, etc. How can all these good actions be "canceled out" by 1 night off plan where i ate too much bread and had a margarita?

I have felt so confident and patient all along, but after 3 months of up lb, down 2, up a lb, down 2....i'm just doubting myself.

Any advice or tips from those who have been there or words of encouragement?

Many thanks.

[I Called Jenny]

Jenny Friends,
I joined Jenny in Feb 2011 and have loved the program. I've really wanted to make a change and I have enjoyed learning about a healthy way to live. Turns out I had warped ideas about portion size and "dieting". I also hated going to the gym, and now with Jenny I love getting activity.

I'm down 32lbs and I went from a self proclaimed couch potato to someone who does aerobics and jogs! Those changes are something to celebrate, and things i never expected would be a part of my life that i love.

This is a fantastic loss! Congrats!!! And it also shows such a great change in your mindset and a MUCH healthier attitude. Whoo-hooo!

Recently though, i've been yo-yo ing like crazy. I have another 22lbs till my goal weight and only 2.5 months till the end of my year. I really wanted to reach my goal of 54lbs lost in a year - to get my year of free maintenance (part of the plan when i joined) and just because it took 33 years to put on the weight, 1 year seems fair to take it off. That is only 1lb per week.

OK, and it does seem "reasonable" but what we want and what our bodies are willing to do, doesn't always jive.

I will tell you that it took me over a year to lose 45 lbs. and while frustrating, it was also okay because I knew I was going to have to eat like this for the rest of my life so what was a couple of extra weeks? The important thing is that it eventually DID come off and I was able to keep it over for more than four years due to the lessons learned on JC.

And when I did have a slip this year and gained back around 10 lbs. (it was a dumb mistake in my diet that has since been corrected), I ran back to JC to lose it and I won't make that mistake again. But, IF IF IF I ever see that scale creep up toward that 5 lb. mark again, I will RUN not WALK back to JC to get it back under control and not wait until I had 10 or more lbs to lose.

So focus on what you HAVE lost and not on what you still WANT to lose. You're doing just fine!

I've had yet another week where i've bounced up a lb instead of dropping and i'm just feeling a bit lost. I love the changes in my lifestyle, but part of me wonders the following:

Will I ever be able to act on my plans when eating out and really not reach for the bread basket or give in and drink wine?

Will I really be able to maintain or keep losing when i am on my own food? It gets so tempting being with my friends, husband and children as they eat in excess.
Given all the healthy changes i've made, why am i still gaining a lb in a week when all i did was go off plan 1 single meal? And i'm running, doing aerobics, etc. How can all these good actions be "canceled out" by 1 night off plan where i ate too much bread and had a margarita?

I have felt so confident and patient all along, but after 3 months of up lb, down 2, up a lb, down 2....i'm just doubting myself.

Yes, it is frustrating to see the yo-yoing happening but it's not unheard of. But what has your JCC suggested?

Because of your increased exercise, do they want you to increase your calories? Or, have you tried changing things up in any way? I mean, if you have a bunch of JC favorite foods, maybe you need to try some new things. For instance, if you're used to eating a lot of food with higher carb amounts, maybe you need to try some lower carb dishes.

Are you drinking enough water? You should be drinking a MINIMUM of 64 oz. a day and with all of the exercise, you should probably be drinking more.

Are you eating every 2-3 hours? That's essential in keeping your metabolism working at full capacity.

There are other ways of switching things up too. For instance, you might try changing up your eating pattern where you eat more calories on one day and less on the next. Over a week, it will all balance out and you might see a difference on the scale. Many folks do.! Or eat lunch for dinner and dinner for lunch. Sometimes that simple change will help.

And if you are eating out, are you watching what you eat? Are you fnot only making smart choices (grilled, broiled, steamed or baked chicken or fish), veggies without fat, staying away from the rolls, etc.? Because if you're eating what you would have normally eaten, yes, that one day or one meal can indeed throw your plan off for the week. And that is soooo not worth it.

So you might need to start with better choices and/or methods to stay on track. Drink a glass of water as soon as you sit down. Load up on a big salad with a FF dressing, then have another glass of water and then eat SMALL PORTIONS of HEALTHY choices in your home or restaurant. Take small, deliberate bites. Sip water between bites to fill you up and make your meal last while your family eats.

I've written this before but I don't know if you've seen it.

Start getting used to seeing JC portions while at home. That means taking your food out of the JC container and putting them on a normal dinner plate. And really pay attention to the amount of protein and carbs on your dish. (Yes, for advertising purposes, JC and other diet plans show you what the food looks like on a small plate so it seems like a lot of food, but that's not realistic. So see what it looks like on a regular plate.)

Then when you go out to dinner, as soon as the food arrives, ask for a "to go" container. Then remove whatever isn't a JC portion and put it into the "to go" box. If it's not on your plate, you won't eat it.

Don't feel awkward about doing this. After all, you wouldn't feel strange about getting a "to go" box at the end of the meal you paid for, so don't feel bad about asking for it at the start of the meal.

Some people order their meal and ask the waiter to have the kitchen put half into a "to go" box before the meal is even delivered.

Either way, I bet no waiter will ever bat an eye at the request.

As for your question about having a glass of wine or eating a little more when you're on maintenance, yes, you will be able to do that TO A POINT! You can't have the wine AND the bread. Since wine has so much sodium, you have to double your water intake.

You said your family takes larger portions. How is their weight management? And besides you can't compare it. Men lose easier than women and kids are just calorie-burning "machines." So, you just have to focus on conversation and enjoying your healthier lifestyle and body and know that you're being a role model for your kids and show restraint. (Yeah, it sucks but it's true.)

You're probably more than half-way so are you now doing MOMOs during the week (other than going out to restaurants)? These are all meant to be learning lessons so when you do go off plan you'll know what you can and can't eat. And if you are doing MOMOs and you're not losing and are gaining and/or seeing your weight yo-yo, then you're doing something wrong on the MOMOs and your JCC should be able to figure out what that is IF you are careful to write down EXACTLY what and how you ate on any MOMO and be VERY HONEST with yourself and your JCC so she can see where you might have strayed off the plan.

Will you ever be able to go back to eating the way you did before? No. Will you be able to enjoy a MORE REASONABLE diet where you can have an occasional splurge and maintain? Yes! But that is what it sounds like you're doing now. You're somehow in Maintenance Mode rather than LOSING mode so you need to figure out why you are and for that you'll need to talk to your JCC. And if she isn't helping, talk to the Center's director and ask for him/her to sit in on your consultation to learn where you are going wrong.

The other thing to remember is that the last 20 (or 10 or 5) is always the hardest to lose, so don't give up. True, you MIGHT still need to go into January or February to get to your ultimate goal but you can be A LOT closer to goal if you buckle down between now and the end of the year.

We're here for you! You CAN do this!

Phyllis

Any advice or tips from those who have been there or words of encouragement?

Many thanks.
[/quote]

[Momamy]

I have been in the same yo yo as you. I have lost 55 lbs since Nov 2010 and I am still around 45 lbs from my goal. I find myself not following my portions and not sticking to my meal plans. It is very frustrating and I really sympathize with you. I find for myself that if I diligently stick to the plan I can start to consistently loose again but it takes a lot of determination. My advice look back on what worked for you and do that again. Best of luck to you and you can do this.

[I Called Jenny]

Momamy, on 15 November 2011 - 06:22 PM, said:

I have been in the same yo yo as you. I have lost 55 lbs since Nov 2010 and I am still around 45 lbs from my goal. I find myself not following my portions and not sticking to my meal plans. It is very frustrating and I really sympathize with you. I find for myself that if I diligently stick to the plan I can start to consistently loose again but it takes a lot of determination. My advice look back on what worked for you and do that again. Best of luck to you and you can do this.

Yes, it takes determination so my question is, why are you no longer that determined?

Ask yourself this. Why did you start JC in the first place? What was your motivation? Whatever it was, go back to that to get you on track again.

If it was something short term, like losing weight for some occasion/vacation/etc., then you need to look beyond that. For instance, you want to be healthier, you want to lose weight so that you can reduce medications, you want to be a role model for your children, etc. The better your motivation, the more likely you'll be able to stick with the program.

You know that you're only hurting yourself when you go off plan so why are you doing that to yourself? You deserve better than that, don't you? I think so! Why don't you?

Please come and tell us what's going on that's keeping you from meeting your goal. We want to help you complete your journey. You've come so far already. Let's get you back on track.

Phyllis

[valerie0118]

Alex,
You have gotten some very good advice from some very strong JC clients! We all lose weight differently. Your body may be adjusting. Maybe kicking the exercise up a notch is needed. What has worked for me is changing my exercise plan pretty drastically. I have been doing the treadmill and elliptical pretty religiously but was stalled. Kind of "in maintenance" for over a year. I would go off plan and try to eat sensibly and was able to not put weight on but couldn't seem to take any further weight off. Much like what I'm hearing with you. If you can handle it, try some different types of exercise. Increase you efforts and push yourself a bit. Get some new DVD's, work with a trainer, try kick-boxing, etc. You still have a few months left in 2011 and if your goal is within reach of 2 lbs of weight loss a week, you can do it. Focus on what you want and make it happen!

One thing I do when I'm tempted by the bread, wine, cake, cookies, etc, is remind myself that all of that food will still be around once I reach maintenance and I can then indulge, within reason, at that point. It helps that my hubbie has now started to pay attention to what he is eating and isn't bringing the "bad" stuff home.

Focus on what is important to you! Your goal weight is within reason to complete before the end of your first year if you want to get there. Don't get discouraged, instead take the bull by the horn, and look him in the eye, and convince yourself that you are strong, and beautiful, and determined to win this battle!

We can do this! My goal is to reach goal by February also. I have 18 lbs to go.

[Alex_J]

Thank you all for the encouragement, sympathizing, and for the great tips!! I truly appreciate it, you have all really helped me.

Yesterday I also had my consultation and it really helped talking through my concerns with my JCC. She helped me see the successes i've had and that i am still trending down, even if i'm just slower than i hoped. As you guys have, she reminded me that this is a personal journey for life and that i'm on my way. I liked the analogy she used, where she said it's like a journey on a ship - and since i'm right in the middle (well a little more than half way really) i can't see land, which can get frustrating. And the wind and waves knock me around, but if i stay true to course and use my compass and skills, and trust in myself (!!), i will make it!

And i believe that!

I'm going to try the things you've all suggested - changing up my work outs, putting food on real plates, mixing up my food with other entrees, etc. I have been acting more like i'm in maintenance and i need to do as you said Valerie, and remember that all those foods will be there later, but for now i'm focused on weight loss - so i can handle not having the bread now, on maintenance i'll eat one roll when i go out!

You guys have really helped, it is awesome having this support available. I can't tell you how much this has helped me feel confident again and feel like i'm adding to my tool kit.

As i'm typing i thought i'd share something neat that has made me feel really good and is one of my new tools. I always loved food as the best part of things - of holidays, of parties, of lazy sundays, etc. What i've started doing recently is choosing other senses to focus on instead of taste, and it has really enriched my life! For example, last weekend we tailgated at a football game. Instead of focusing on what drinks we had and the yummy rich tailgate foot, i focused on sight - the bright team colors, the leaves changing, and i focused on sound - the noise of the crowd, the music; and i focused on feelings - how fun it was to laugh and to feel the cold crisp air. I didn't even miss the hot dogs and beer! It was great. For the holidays i plan to focus on smelling the pine, how good it feels being with family, etc. I love this new focus and not constantly thinking about what i'll eat next.

Just thought i'd share that fun learning as i think it is something we can all do more of - to focus on the beauty in life for all of our senses.

Thank you all. Momamy let me know how your journey goes - i know you can find that determination. And Phyllis, you are a lifesaver, i always enjoy reading your tips and your positive, constructive thoughts. Valerie thanks to you as well for chiming in on the exercise, it all really helps me feel re-energized and more confident.

[jenrdn69]

Alex,

I wanted to touch on one of the things in your original post. I do not intend to offend, but one thing that popped out at me was that you need to 'stay in control' while your husband and children 'eat in excess.'

I do not know how old your children are or what your relationship with your husband is like, but I think it is going to be key that you sit your husband down and explain to him what is going on --- first, for HIS health (but you can't control what he eats or how much) and then, for you kids' health --- if they are young, it will be your job to now teach them about healhty eating, portions, and good choices --- kids know and see many things and they also model behavoir -- you don't want them modeling the poor choice of overeating (eating to excess) on a regular basis. Explain to your husband that you are going to be talking to the kids about this and modeling good behavoir to them --- and that you expect his support in this, at least when it comes to the kids.

My husband is not a good model for my kids and I told him this --- I routinely tell my children that is it not healthy to skip a meal in the day and then eat a whole pizza at dinner (my husband will do this). I explain to them what a healhty portion looks like and that they should wait a bit after they have eaten alot to see if they are hungry. Both my kids happen to be quite slim --- my son eats a ton, but is a very active soccer player, but he has at time modeled my husbands behavoir --- and I tell him that is not a healthy way to eat--- we don't look at it as fat vs. thin, but I explain that to excel in his sports, he must fuel his body the right way.

My kids and husband understand my weight struggles and my husband, while not sabbotaging, doesn't get it and I don't look to him for support --- if he wants to eat the whole pizza, fine, but I'm not doing, nor will I say its ok to my kids. He if fine with that, but its a discussion that was necessary (and not fun). I don't want my kids to have issues with food like I do.

I hope you don't take offense, and I'm not trying to suggest or tell you how to raise your family, but I know how important it is to have a home environment where healthy eating is respected and expected.

[valerie0118]

Glad I could help Alex. You are not alone on this path! There are many of us here and we have gone or are going through most everything that you have gone through. I like the analogy of the ship in the middle.....it does get frustrating. It is hard to see the end. As my hubbie often says, why isn't there a fat pill that we can take and make it go away??? There isn't and we have to deal with that. Use these boards when you weaken, when your happy, when your sad. They have helped me even during my quiet times when I haven't had time to respond and have just lurked around.

Alex_J, on 16 November 2011 - 08:33 AM, said:

Thank you all for the encouragement, sympathizing, and for the great tips!! I truly appreciate it, you have all really helped me.

Yesterday I also had my consultation and it really helped talking through my concerns with my JCC. She helped me see the successes i've had and that i am still trending down, even if i'm just slower than i hoped. As you guys have, she reminded me that this is a personal journey for life and that i'm on my way. I liked the analogy she used, where she said it's like a journey on a ship - and since i'm right in the middle (well a little more than half way really) i can't see land, which can get frustrating. And the wind and waves knock me around, but if i stay true to course and use my compass and skills, and trust in myself (!!), i will make it!

And i believe that!

I'm going to try the things you've all suggested - changing up my work outs, putting food on real plates, mixing up my food with other entrees, etc. I have been acting more like i'm in maintenance and i need to do as you said Valerie, and remember that all those foods will be there later, but for now i'm focused on weight loss - so i can handle not having the bread now, on maintenance i'll eat one roll when i go out!

You guys have really helped, it is awesome having this support available. I can't tell you how much this has helped me feel confident again and feel like i'm adding to my tool kit.

As i'm typing i thought i'd share something neat that has made me feel really good and is one of my new tools. I always loved food as the best part of things - of holidays, of parties, of lazy sundays, etc. What i've started doing recently is choosing other senses to focus on instead of taste, and it has really enriched my life! For example, last weekend we tailgated at a football game. Instead of focusing on what drinks we had and the yummy rich tailgate foot, i focused on sight - the bright team colors, the leaves changing, and i focused on sound - the noise of the crowd, the music; and i focused on feelings - how fun it was to laugh and to feel the cold crisp air. I didn't even miss the hot dogs and beer! It was great. For the holidays i plan to focus on smelling the pine, how good it feels being with family, etc. I love this new focus and not constantly thinking about what i'll eat next.

Just thought i'd share that fun learning as i think it is something we can all do more of - to focus on the beauty in life for all of our senses.

Thank you all. Momamy let me know how your journey goes - i know you can find that determination. And Phyllis, you are a lifesaver, i always enjoy reading your tips and your positive, constructive thoughts. Valerie thanks to you as well for chiming in on the exercise, it all really helps me feel re-energized and more confident.

[I Called Jenny]

Alex, you sound as if you have a great JCC! I'm so happy for you in that regard.

And I also have to agree with Val on her bringing up the point about your hubby and kids eating in excess. That was a line that popped out at me too but that unfortunately I didn't address.

I'm not sure what you mean by "in excess," but if they are also having weight issues then you have an extra reason to stay strong, lose the weight you want to and be a better role model for your DH and kids.

I did like your new-found way of thinking when out at an event. Yes, there are so many other things to notice besides food and I'm glad you're taking in the simple pleasures of all that surrounds you.

Keep up this mindset and new determination. You'll do well and I'm happy you find my postings helpful.

Phyllis