Weight Loss and Support

[Cloverpogue]

I hope that this is the place I can start. I know we all have been through this at one time or another and I know that this was brought up in the old forum.
It's tough enough and sometimes you just need a little boost, support by others who are going through or at some time will face this step.

I've decided that I want to start a fitness program at my church, trying to get it up and running by the end of next month, early spring.
More details to come when I get them all hammered out.

I'd like to make this the place to discuss this. I'm not ashamed to say that I need the help and support.

[Margrett]

I just went back on Weight Watchers last week myself (though I didn't join up again--I'm just following the program). Support is very important!

Margrett

[Grov]

My sis and two other close friends have undergone gastric surgeries in recent months.  Support is a big part of making that change successful.  You can count on us Clover.

[Cloverpogue]

Thanks guys  You know I'm here for you all going through this as well. It's tough and easier than it really sounds, we all know that. I'm starting today, with what might sound like little things; like cutting out my diet Dr.Peppers, which is way tougher than cutting out sweets. I'm not a huge sweets fan, so that will be easier. No sodas. *eep* But I must forge on.....Keep the faith, my friends.

[Cateyes]

I had to resort to betting with my friends to lose weight.  Since everyone I hang out with for game night is at least 40-100 pounds overweight we bet $50 a piece and after 91 days whoever loses the most weight/fat% wins the pot of $200 (we just started two weeks ago).  Luckly, it is so much easier to lose weight when your husband is on a diet too (this is the first time he has ever dieted).  I am trying to get into the lifestyle of eating better but it is so hard!  I bought some dvds for belly dancing and I am going to belly dance my weight off while learning something fun.  What a good way to execize!

[Anna Iram]

You've got my support too Clover. I'll glady stop in with ideas from my own weight loss strategy and to see how you and the group are doing as well.

Yes to getting rid of soda. No more coffe with cream for me either. Fortunatly I love tea and green or white tea is full of antioxidents.

What helped me get a start was to keep a weeks journal, with no judgements, of everything I ate or drank. I had no idea how many calories I consumed! I saw immendiatly where I could make much better choices.

[ADraeger]

I'm with you, Clover!  I've had really, really bad experiences in the past when it came to my weight.  When it ballooned and the doctor told me I *had* to lose weight, it was nerve wracking - but a lot of people on here supported me and gave me a lot of encouragement.  I'm going on my eleventh week of Weight Watchers - doing well and holding strong.  I'll gladly help and support you anyway I can.

[Luciana]

You can have my support and help also. I started a weight loss program two months ago and I realize perfectly how important the support is.

I have smaller portion now, mostly salads, fruits and small servings of lean meat. I cut sodas and sweets, coffee and most of the bread. I drink green tea and water and try to exercise more. Drink a protein shake in the morning and another one instead of dinner.

One thing I need to increase now is exercise. Is hard to find time to go to the gym, and honestly, is hard for me to spend the money for the membership also so I take long walks instead, jump rope with the kids and ride my bike to the store for grocery shopping or to drop the books at the library. Increasing the muscle mass in my next step but that will take a while.

But the support of my friends is really important, especially during the holidays when all have the tendency to indulge ourself, to eat and drink what we are not suppose too.

I do not deny that sometimes I fall off the wagon. maybe eat a little more, or drink a glass of wine or even better hard alcohol but I get back in the next day.

Is not easy, I have to cook meals for all my family, but my husband and kids are very understanding and help me a lot. I also work in an office where temptation is present every minute of the day. We have chocolate on the filing cabinet jut behind me ... and I have to confess that I love chocolate.

Anyway ... after two months I'm proud to say that I am 2 dress sizes down and almost 20 lb.

Good luck Cloverpogue, you can do it. I will be around any time you need some help

And good luck and congratulations to all who did it or are in the process of getting healthier.

[Cloverpogue]

I've heard really good things about Weight Watchers and have known people who have gotten ahold of the point system without joining because they know people who have been on and done very well by going by that.
I don't have the money to join, but if any have or is on WW, I was wondering if they had the point system and could please share. I am very determined to lose this weight and need any help I can get.

Thanks. 

[renren]

I just went back on Weight Watchers last week myself (though I didn't join up again--I'm just following the program). Support is very important!

Margrett

Ditto.
Back on it, too!

[Welsh Wench]

For a food-tracking guide, you may want to look at http://www.mypyramidtracker.gov/

[Tygrkat]

I've been using a free website, and had success with it when I was using it consistently. I lost about 40 pounds, and managed to keep 30 of it off. I still have a long way to go, and I'm back at it after a much needed break.

The site is here: http://caloriecount.about.com/

It's primarily a calorie tracker, but it also helps you figure out how many calories you should have to reach your goal weight in a healthy, lasting way. I really like that it gives you an analysis of the foods you log (% of carbs, protein, sodium, etc.) so you can be sure to keep a balanced diet, too.

[Cloverpogue]

I'll check it out, tyger. I joined the pyramid tracker and this place as well, so I know I won't miss anything. *keeping all ducks in a row*

http://www.peertrainer.com/

I joined on there as 'pyrate'.
It's pretty neat, I've already spent almost an hour on there reading.
So much to learn and keep up with.
Thank you guys again for the support...

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

I am doing the Weight Watcher program online, which is keeping me focused that I weigh in each Monday morning, record it online and wait for an adjustment in Points if needed.  I signed up for 3 months and will more than likely add another 3 onto that. I do a daily plan of selected Filling Foods and needed foods to sustain energy and promote fat loss. Then I get a print out. This way, I know what I am having for Breakfast, Lunch, Supper, and Snacks.

The Point System is relatively easy enough to follow. One point equals 50 Calories. That can be essential Oils, Meats, Vegetables, etc. Read labels on Salad Dressings, Breads, Pastas, Soups, etc. for Calories and Serving sizes.

I preweigh all raw meats before I freeze them. I have a handy scale where i weigh chicken breasts, fish, beef, pork, turkey into 5oz. portions. I buy a lot of Honeysuckle White Ground Turkey patties, Hot Italian Turkey Sausage. One Turkey sausage is 150 calories. They taste great with some pasta and sauce. So I can make my Italian Sausage adn peppers and not feel guilty.

Filling Foods are foods like Salad Greens, Green and Red Bell Peppers, fresh Brocoli, Cauliflower, Tomatoes, carrots, etc. Most of the lower carbed vegeatables have up to 50 calories per serving. Read labels on the packages. Use fresh or frozen vegetable rather than canned.  I eat a lot of salads, vegetables, and many fruits. I do shy away from the breads and pastas because they do a number on me because of the yeasts and Gluetens. Potatoes too. Rice is about the only major carb I can handle.

Losing weight and keeping it off does require a degree of discipline. Learning to control the foods that controlled you is a lifestyle change. With Obesity on the rise, health issues related to being Overfat is the number 1 reason why m,ore people are Type 2 Diabetics, have Heart Disease, etc.

Being motivated is key. Be it better health overall, improving one's image, fitting nicely in garb, wearing a nice bathing suit, etc. Staying motivates is also key. That is where the support comes in.

In the last 2 weeks since I have been back doing WW at 26 points a Day, plus the Filling Foods, I have lost 8 pounds. I am sure at least half that was fluid retention. I have a tendency to retain fluid if I eat a little too much salt.  My goal is to lose 40. As the weather warms up where I can take my long walks outside, more fat will burn off. in the meantime, I use my weigfhts and walk on Linda's treadmill a few days a week.

[Lady Ann of Draycott]

I went back to Weight Watchers (again!) on January 12th and have lost 12 lbs so far... Weight Watchers works...if you stick with it... I go to the meetings and I'm glad that I do because they really do help.

[Eric the Ugly]

I understand the need for support. It's important. But it's more important to motivate yourself.

I read somewhere online two months ago someone saying it was like fighting an addiction. I never thought of it that way before, but it is.
It can't, or perhaps I should say, shouldn't be a "for now" or 'quick fix' sort of thing. That way madness (as well as the pounds' return) lies.

Last spring I just decided I was fed up. I was not going to buy yet another pants size bigger. Too bad for me. I couldn't wait for the "right time" or anything like that. The right time was right now!
I cut cookies, chips, soft drinks completely and totally out.
I began walking every night after work. Two miles. At roughly 35 mins, I realized that was very close to 4 mph. A pretty good pace. Better than I thought it would be. I decided not to skip a day. I had done that before...the whole "I'll do it three or four times a week." that had been such a slippery slope before. And so it was, everyday. Two miles. It felt so good, words cannot describe. I added stomach crunches in various positions and push-ups and then biking (on a recumbant bike) for six miles at about 11-15mph.

After four months of that straight...ya wanna know how much I lost?

Nothing.
Not one single pound.

I said: "Screw it" when it got too cold to walk and the rest collapsed right along with it. I hate that I did that.

I spoke to a friend of mine who lost...well...I don't know what he lost, but he was a very overweight guy. Now he looks like a freakin' Green Beret or something. He did that in under a year. I asked him for advice and when I told him the details I just related he immediately said it must have been my diet. That, sure I cut out the junk, but did I look at the rest? Did I eat in moderation and how many times a day, etc.
I hadn't. I hadn't changed my diet at all besides no junk. Still eating chicken and cheese tacitos and other such mess. Still eating a small breakfast and then a big dinner much later.
He said fat loss was 80% diet.

So, now, I'm actually paying attention to how many calories and how much fat are in a serving and what a serving actually is. More fruits and vegetables, lighter and smaller portions and actually eating three times a day, plus an apple or some grapes.

I realized too that I can't do this "Just to get down to at least ____." I have to do it for good, for forever. Period.

I can't wait to start walking and biking again. This time, with an eye to my diet, I can do what I failed at last time.