20lbs or less club

No kidding, WOW! That is incredible, Cym. Thank you so much for including the links to your food diary too. I am equally impressed with that! You eat so healthy. You had me giggling throughout your posts too. You have such a great personality and sense of humor!

Your posts were really helpful. I think I need more toning. Tell me more about this cycling thing: how is it supposed to help? Is it b/c then you have a high calorie day to look forward to so you don't feel like you're depriving yourself on low calorie days? That makes sense to me if that's the thinking behind it.

Also, I said I'd share any good suggestions from the "Harsh Truth" forum, and here are a few. I especially like the last one, since I think my wt loss issues are mainly in my head:

* Write your goals down everywhere you can see them. That way you are reminded about what you have to do constantly and you will feel guilty if you don't do them.
* Tell people your goals. If you tell your friend you're going to lose 15lbs by May 1st you'll be more apt to do so as you don't want to look foolish.
* Try meeting your exercise goal by making someone dependent on you. (e.g., You and a friend make plans to exercise at this time and you provide the ride to the gym.)
* Success lies in what you do and how you think. Look at exercise and eating right positively. Make it so you are eager to do some exercise. I guarentee you that if you look at exercise positively you will do it, do more of it, and lose weight fast. More importantly you will lose inches and shape your body. I don't really like the scale. I do like exercising and then seeing my body get shaped...it feels great when you see results.
 
More good tips...

Here are some more good web links from the "harsh truth" forum:

John Berardi - 7 Habits

John Berardi - Berardi's Kitchen, Part I

Mohr Results, Weight Loss, Nutrition, and Exercise Experts :: Make 2007 YOUR Year - Achieve your Weight Loss Goals

I'm not sure about some of the advice on these sites, particularly "Berardi’s First Law: If a food is in your possession or located in your residence, you will eventually eat it," since one of my personal goals is to be able to live peacefully in the same house as junk food (this works out some days better than others ;) ) but I liked the info as a whole.

A poster also suggested buying used exercise equipment from websites like ebay or craigs list. Thanks again for the great tip suggesting I post on the "harsh truth" forum.

Ok, I feel like I've hijacked this forum and I apologize! :eek: Thanks again for all the great suggestions!!!

xoxo,
Anna
 
hi

Hi everyone - This sounds like the group for me. This is pretty much my first post.

I am 5'4/5'5'' and I'm trying to lose 18 pounds. I'm currently at 138, and I joined this site because I've gained 5 of those pounds in the last two months. Yikes!!!

When I was in college I ballooned up to 175, and struggled throughout college years to get my weight below 150.

I'm only 27, but I worked in a high power/stressful position in a big company for a few years and that's when I lost all of the weight. Definitely not recommended - but forgetting to eat and smoking on top of it will do that for you. My low was 127, which I stayed at for about a year. When I was there it wasn't a challenge, so I know I can do it.

But I am an emotional eater.

I quit my job, quit smoking, and now I am back in school for one semester. I am really struggling because there is just so much more free time than I am used to. I am in a new place, I don't know many people here (which is fine b/c it is only for 2 and a half more months at this point), and I know I suffered from a loss of identity a little bit when I quit my job. Not a good combo for emotional eating me.

Anywho - the big deal is - my high school reunion is at the end of April. I want to look smoking HOT!!!!!!!!!!!

Most people tell me I don't need to lose weight, but what scares me the most is the 5 pound gain so quickly. I don't EVER want to be big again.

Now that you know my life story - what do most of you do when you just want to eat? It's cold out, so it's hard to get motivated to just go for a walk.

So many of you seem so disciplined. I am not very good at the calorie counting part of it, it drives me crazy and makes me unhappy. I prefer to just eat less of what I like (within reason) and work out more.

Any and all tips would be sooooooooooo appreciated. I am NOT a person that talks about my weight with hardly anyone, and so it's crazy how it feels to write this all down!

Thanks!!!

Pippi
 
Welcome Pippi!

When I really want to eat, I drink a bottled water or diet soda. I busy myself with reading, cleaning, or talking to a friend/loved one on the phone. I'm not an emotional eater but I have been a stress eater for a long time. It's gotten worse since I started college but I'm finally taking control of it. Since I'm usually writing a paper or studying when I want to eat (eat a LOT), I force myself to focus on the task at hand instead of distracting myself with food. Hope this helps!
 
Welcome Pippi!

Several people on this site have suggested hot tea to help curb the urge to eat, so I tried it and they're right! It really does help, even more than water, because of the flavor -- stick to herbal or decaf though, no need to add the caffiene.

Also, you might try several small meals throughout the day, same amount as you would normally eat, just spread out more so you feel like you are eating more often.

Good luck!
 
Thank you Jennay and Casey for the support and tips!! They sound great.

Casey - I totally understand the tactic of eating rather than doing what you are supposed to be doing. :)

Jennay - I will def. try the herbal tea thing.. I can see how that would work.. and thanks for the tip on breaking up my meals. Sometimes I wait so long to eat I think that is why I overeat.

I feel off to a good start.. Thanks everyone!
 
Frustrated about losing weight

Hi everybody! I need help getting motivated. I am 5'11" and I weigh about 156. I don't think I am overweight but I do have excess fat on my body that I need to lose. I have been up to 175lbs before and I don't want to go back. When I was younger I weighed 130lbs so over the years I have gained anywhere from 45 to 50lbs. My goal is to lose 16lbs by June 1. On fitday.com it said in order to do this I need to lose a pound a week. I lift weights about four times a week. Legs two days and arms, back and chest on the others. This is on a good week. Sometimes its only two days. I try to do four days of cardio also. I mix it up with 35 minutes of running or fast walking or biking. Friday, Sat, and Sunday is where I fall short on this. I drink alot of water but my downfall is sweets and pasta. My boyfriend takes me out to eat and I cave. Big problem for me. I am a veterinary technician so I am on my feet 40 hours a week and I am lifting alot at work. I know I burn some calories at work but I am not sure how much. I need help with my diet and how much cardio I should do a week to lose the weight. Thank you to anyone that can give advice
 
CaseyAtMartin: thank you! I think the biggest transformation took place in my head...and the body is just tagging along.

Annabanana: Sounds like you got some good suggestions to get your motor running...I love your enthusiasm. I'm looking forward to reading those links you posted. About the calorie cycle, from what I've read there's a couple of different reasons that probably works...some purely physical. But you're right, it does make it a lot easier to stay on track on the lower cal days 'cause it feels like you're just deferring a particular goodie rather than indefinitely depriving yourself of it.

I have to admit though that I pretty much live by "Berardi’s First Law: If a food is in your possession or located in your residence, you will eventually eat it," If I want cookies/cake/pie etc. bad enough to go to the trouble of adapting the recipe for healthy ingredients, fitting the cals/macros into my day's goals, actually preparing exactly two servings (one for the bf) of it, etc....then cool, I can make it and move on. But if I just have stuff like that laying around the house I'm either going to be eating it when I shouldn't or thinking about eating it and trying to resist- I don't know which is worse....

Pippi: Hi and welcome! You've got two months plus to reach your goal...seems definitely doable. I hear you on the disliking calorie counting - I have my own love/hate relationship with the process. When I'm maintaining I pretty much don't rigidly count either, just monitor portion sizes and meal frequency and the works pretty well...but honestly I rely on it pretty heavy when in weight loss mode...I'm clueless how to lose weight effectively without calorie counting.

One thing that helps me not to overeat, whether I'm counting cals or not, is exactly what Jennay said, to eat lots of "mini-meals" fairly frequently, usually every 3 or 4(at the most) hours. Good luck!


.
 
loriteresa said:
Hi everybody! I need help getting motivated. I am 5'11" and I weigh about 156. I don't think I am overweight but I do have excess fat on my body that I need to lose. I have been up to 175lbs before and I don't want to go back. When I was younger I weighed 130lbs so over the years I have gained anywhere from 45 to 50lbs. My goal is to lose 16lbs by June 1. On fitday.com it said in order to do this I need to lose a pound a week. I lift weights about four times a week. Legs two days and arms, back and chest on the others. This is on a good week. Sometimes its only two days. I try to do four days of cardio also. I mix it up with 35 minutes of running or fast walking or biking. Friday, Sat, and Sunday is where I fall short on this. I drink alot of water but my downfall is sweets and pasta. My boyfriend takes me out to eat and I cave. Big problem for me. I am a veterinary technician so I am on my feet 40 hours a week and I am lifting alot at work. I know I burn some calories at work but I am not sure how much. I need help with my diet and how much cardio I should do a week to lose the weight. Thank you to anyone that can give advice
Click to expand...


Hi Loriteresa; I'm 5'9" and weigh 162 and I want to get to 140 by June 1st also. I have a similar cardio/weight regime to you. is a really good method to see how much you can reduce your caloric intake. If you reduce calories and stick with your exercise regime...you're going to do great.

You've identified eating out as the challenge (night eating is mine). I would definitely like to buddy with you since we have similar weight loss goals. I don't think you need help with cardio, 35 minutes 4Xs week is great. You can build it to an hour over a few weeks time if you want, but it's not necessary. You'll lose the weight.

For diet, do you have a fairly good idea of how many calories are in the foods you eat? I look at the readout on the product to see how many calories are in a serving. For example the cereal box reads 200 calories for one cup of bran flakes, 100 for the milk, so I have that and an apple for breakfast, then a 100 calorie snack at 10:00 am, lunch is another 3-400 calories, then a 100 calorie snack in the afternoon, and then 4-500 supper.

Also, fitday.com is awesome to log your food every day. It keeps me conscious of what I'm doing. If you are able to be strict with yourself for the most part, eating out one night a week with your bf won't mess things up, especially since you're working out. We should work together on this..I'm dead serious about my goal. Good luck!
 
tea

I really like apple cinnamon tea (very flavorful).. I think it's celestial seasonings and very good. It's especially good in the Winter/holiday months.
 
Lot and lots of posts!

Welcome newcomers! Join right in!

I can't tell you how being involved in this thread is helping. I hope to post good results soon. I've struggled with eating a bit, but trying desperately to believe in myself and that I can eat normally. I've had trouble eating too little throughout the day and then pigging out for supper. It's the worst thing I can do... moderation.. moderation.. moderation..

We can do this!

Edited to add: My loss is sooooooooooooooooo slow going! It's frustrating as heck, but I guess that means it'll be longer lasting. I hate it because I keep thinking DIET thoughts and that's not the way to do it. I know it needs to be about long-term goals and health... NOT the quick fix. Please keep on me about this!
 
I know it seems like a slow process. All HEALTHY weight loss is! Just think about what you'll look like six months or a year from now. I just remind myself that if I just wanted to be skinny, I'd go on a liquid diet or get my jaw wired shut. I want to live a healthy lifestyle and reap the benefits.
 
Did anyone know that they make pre-cooked brown rice in ready to heat individual servings? I picked some up at Walmart. They taste pretty good! Of course, you have to add something to them. I like mixing mine with refried beans. Just thought I'd share.
 
CaseyAtMartin said:
Did anyone know that they make pre-cooked brown rice in ready to heat individual servings? I picked some up at Walmart. They taste pretty good! Of course, you have to add something to them. I like mixing mine with refried beans. Just thought I'd share.
Click to expand...

That's awesome. Can you tell me what brand and where to find it in the grocery store? The Walmart around my area don't have groceries. Thanks!
 
2Skinny said:
Hi Loriteresa; I'm 5'9" and weigh 162 and I want to get to 140 by June 1st also. I have a similar cardio/weight regime to you. is a really good method to see how much you can reduce your caloric intake. If you reduce calories and stick with your exercise regime...you're going to do great.

You've identified eating out as the challenge (night eating is mine). I would definitely like to buddy with you since we have similar weight loss goals. I don't think you need help with cardio, 35 minutes 4Xs week is great. You can build it to an hour over a few weeks time if you want, but it's not necessary. You'll lose the weight.

For diet, do you have a fairly good idea of how many calories are in the foods you eat? I look at the readout on the product to see how many calories are in a serving. For example the cereal box reads 200 calories for one cup of bran flakes, 100 for the milk, so I have that and an apple for breakfast, then a 100 calorie snack at 10:00 am, lunch is another 3-400 calories, then a 100 calorie snack in the afternoon, and then 4-500 supper.

Also, fitday.com is awesome to log your food every day. It keeps me conscious of what I'm doing. If you are able to be strict with yourself for the most part, eating out one night a week with your bf won't mess things up, especially since you're working out. We should work together on this..I'm dead serious about my goal. Good luck!
Click to expand...

Yeah that sounds great, I need someone to help me stay motivated.I am dead serious about my goal too. My boyfriend and I have been talking about getting married and I want to look great in my wedding dress. I am approaching 30 also and I want to be in great shape.

I have been using fitday.com and I like it. If you have any suggestions on snacks I could eat during the day that would be great. Also, I don't think I am getting enough protein or fiber in my diet. Do you know anything about protein shakes?

Thanks alot for replying. You can email me anytime. I think it is listed under my profile but if not I can tell you.
 
Brown Rice

That sounds interesting.. very handy. I'll admit brown rice is hard for me to eat. Course, I wouldn't dare overeat it like white rice. :p

Thanks for the tip, I'll look for it.
 
Welcome, new people! How fun this group just keeps getting bigger and better. And welcome back, bglittert1979! Congrats on losing 6 lbs?!?! Ok, dish out those hot tips!

And Cym, thanks so much for the info on cycling. It makes a lot of sense on lots of levels. I'm going to try it out and see how it goes!

CaseyAtMartin and Kat_blue, thank you for the reminder that we need to be patient as these things take time. I always need reminders of that and it helps me stay / get back on track.

Also thanks for the tip about hot tea. I've been drinking a lot of that Carnation 25 calorie hot cocoa when I'm hungry and/or feel like I need a sweet treat. And my favorite healthy snack is either a frozen pkg of broccoli w/ that I Can't Believe it's Not Butter spray or veggies (carrots, pea pods, celery, peppers, etc) with red pepper hummus. Both are surprisingly filling, low calorie and tasty. I can't remember who was asking about snacks? Anyway, that's my 2 cents :)

Hope you all are having a great week so far!

AnnaBananna
 
AnnaBananna said:
Welcome, new people! How fun this group just keeps getting bigger and better. And welcome back, bglittert1979! Congrats on losing 6 lbs?!?! Ok, dish out those hot tips!

And Cym, thanks so much for the info on cycling. It makes a lot of sense on lots of levels. I'm going to try it out and see how it goes!

CaseyAtMartin and Kat_blue, thank you for the reminder that we need to be patient as these things take time. I always need reminders of that and it helps me stay / get back on track.

Also thanks for the tip about hot tea. I've been drinking a lot of that Carnation 25 calorie hot cocoa when I'm hungry and/or feel like I need a sweet treat. And my favorite healthy snack is either a frozen pkg of broccoli w/ that I Can't Believe it's Not Butter spray or veggies (carrots, pea pods, celery, peppers, etc) with red pepper hummus. Both are surprisingly filling, low calorie and tasty. I can't remember who was asking about snacks? Anyway, that's my 2 cents :)

Hope you all are having a great week so far!

AnnaBananna
Click to expand...


I was asking about snacks. I don't really like vegetables so I am not sure what I should do about filling my veggie for the day. The only vegetable I really love is onions and portobello mushrooms. Any other low cal snacks I can eat. Sometimes I eat low fat cheese sticks and the 60cal Jello sugar free pudding snacks are really good.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top