weight loss

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Tabitha

journeying
I now am the heaviest I have been in my life.

Work has a 3 month weight loss challenge. I've accepted and was "weighed n" last night. Last year I lost 9 lbs. with kicking up exercise and restricting calories.

This fall I have been a sloth. Almost no activity and I've eaten whatever I felt like.
Result Gained those 9 lbs back plus 4 more!

I'm using "myfitnesspal.com" to track calories (and protiem fat etc) and exercise.

Encouraging comments welcome.
 
I got mine down from 198ish to 186ish, then bounced back. I currently run 190-194 lbs. with regular exercise and, I think, a fairly moderate diet (no desserts save for the odd treat, snacks mostly healthier ones, curtailing my intake esp. of high glycemic index carbs). Can't seem to crack that 190 barrier again, though, no matter what I do but at least I'm keeping it down from where I started. IOW, I know it's doable and that you should at least be able to shed those extra 4 lbs and at least some of the 9. The trick won't be losing them in the 3 months, though. The trick will keeping them off after that. That takes motivation. My motivation is my blood pressure meds and glucometer. The more I control my weight, the less I need them.

So, it is all quite doable. Just focus on your motivation. (y)
 
Unfortunately, it appears that over the long run, dieting makes you heavier...

Stay away from that low-fat crap like the plague, though. It's full of white sugar or HFSC.
 
Unfortunately, it appears that over the long run, dieting makes you heavier...

Stay away from that low-fat crap like the plague, though. It's full of white sugar or HFSC.

I might not go that far. Some is better/worse than others. Check the ingredients and nutritional info before assuming that the "low fat" label means "healthy". And there are some "high fat" items that aren't bad (like nuts and some seafood).
 
Sending encouraging vibes as you enter in to this new health journey (of which losing weight is only one component). Glad to hear you are using something like MyFitnessPal to keep track of what you are eating and your daily exercise.

Along with healthy eating it is good to include water, exercise, self-care, relaxation, rest and sleep.

Eating foods that are not overly processed is a key, as most (not all) processed foods are high in salt and sugar and fat. Eating foods as close to their natural state (meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, and fruit) is also important. It is hard to prepare one's own food, and packaged, pre-prepared foods can be tempting. Fresh vegetables and fruit can be expensive - frozen is okay, better than canned.

Eat your fruit instead of drinking it (as in juice). Try and limit added sugar when you can.

It is a hard battle to lose weight, and sometimes harder to maintain a weight loss. But it is possible. Thinking of you Tabitha today and in the days ahead.
 
I've heard good things about My Fitness Pal too ... hopefully you will keep us posted Tab.

I agree ... consider it a move toward better health in general ... rather than dieting for weight loss. Also - how's your thyroid? In some cases, that's the culprit. Even when statistically the blood work is in the 'normal' range - it can be lower than it really should be - often not paid good attention by docs. I take a women's 'thyroid support' supplement & find it helpful.
 
10690060_10152867337359710_2757985296603958053_n.png

these women all weigh 69 kg

[image source: fitness australia]
 
I am wondering why a work place would start a challenge before Christmas? Doesn't that predict frustration?

I am weighing now as much as I weight when I was pregnant. Well, I am 20 years older now. I would like to loose 10 lbs, which i had about 1.5 years ago when restricting my diet and cutting out the sugars. But, emotinally- I am in no place to give up chocolate.
 
It's a 3 month challenge Mrs. A and so it begins in December. If it were later spring break would be part of it.
@ Carolla-I think my thyroid is ok and calorie deficit and exercise do work.
and while I won't lose 50 lbs in this challenge losing 50 would put me at a good weight. losing 60 would have me at the weight I was 12 years ago (and that's 20 lbs heavier than before kids). My goal this time is just the first 20 lbs.
 
I'm not really a fan of these being done in the workplace - what if someone has an eating disorder?
But I hope this gives you some support as you shed some pounds Tabitha!
 
10690060_10152867337359710_2757985296603958053_n.png

these women all weigh 69 kg

[image source: fitness australia]


Which points up the fact that weight, and even BMI (the ratio of weight to height) aren't enough to measure "fitness" or "risk". Things like waist size and various measures of body fat need to come in, too, if you're really going to be accurate about it.
 
It's actually staff driven at workplace and completely optional. There are 2 team categories- Fitness and weight loss. Both have pre and post tests. One gal did say at lunch that she used to have an eating disorder and so she avoids these competitions. Staff are spread over 17 locations. About 1/4 enter.
 
I'm not a fan of 'ideal weights' or the BMI - neither seem to lead to realistic sizes and shapes . However, I suspect that joining a group activity could be more successful than going it alone. Seems to be the same for exercise - meeting a friend for a walk is more likely to happen than pounding a boring treadmill all by yourself.
 
Best wishes! I think it's actually helpful to do it starting in December because it might slow down the calorie consumption (as long as you don't berate yourself for indulgences). I picked up far too much chocolate and gummi bears while in Germany - thankfully most is spoken for, but not before I made a sizeable dent!

I think myfitnesspal is a great tool - my hubby lost a bunch using it, more so because he hated to admit when he fell off the wagon and it helped him see where some calories were sneaking in. Yoni Friedman, is an MD who specializes in bariatric medicine. He has a book out called the Diet Fix, but I follow him on Twitter and have learned some neat things from him. He can be a bit over zealous. I lost a bunch of weight last year mostly due to a new med that took my appetite away, but I had to stop it and quite a bit has creeped back on - also tearing my calf muscle has made me very leery of exercise and I find that if I don't exercise I tend to eat worse.

I wanted to hire a personal trainer twice a month starting in January but we blew our budget on our kitchen renos (and then some) so it's not in the cards right now. I love to do cardio (even if I'm not great at actually doing it and it so helps my mood) but I hate weight training with a passion. I'm thinking of getting something like a fitbit for incentive.
 
Congrats on tackling your weight.

We all know that keeping slim and eating well is important. But it can be so hard to do. I bounce a bit with weight. I have about a 15 pound range which bugs me. I try to keep my fluctuations within five pounds but it is hard.

I also us my fitness pal. My issues relate to just not putting something in......

I lose weight fastest if i drop alcohol and chocolate. But this fall i have struggled. I broke my leg in august and three months of crutches didnt do much for my weight. But now i am starting to slowly start to jog again so hopefully that will help.

I hope these past few days have been good ones for you. You are inspiring me to tackle this more seriously too.
 
I've read some in "The Daniel Plan" and it seems to make a lot of sense. It's about health, not weight loss, but for a lot of people following it's advice will lead to weight loss.
 
After a weekend away and not tracking my input I am down a smidge just .4 of a lb. I'm pleased as being away all meals were out. I also walked a lot, and borrowed a bike from the hotel. I can do this.
My December goal is to track my input-what I eat and gradually increase my exercise. In Jan. I'll do a formal exercise routine.
 
Congrts Tabitha

A daily walk, increasing distance and speed is good. I am walking my dog faster now and that is helping.

Going to try my first outdoors run today since i broke my leg
 
I feel for all those for whom weight loss is part of their journey to good health. Good luck! At this point for me, it's all just maintenance. I eat my share of terrible food (chips, candy, white rice) so have to exercise lots to keep myself feeling fit and happy.
These days I'm climbing stairs (12 flights) in our office tower.
 
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