Introducing Myself

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stillwaters21

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Hi All! This is my first time on any weightloss forum and I wanted to see if it could help me take off some weight. About 3 years back, I lost 60 lbs and kept it off for a year, but since I started my new job, I gained about 20 back...they eat very differently...and I'm honestly very disappointed in myself. I worked very hard and it didn't seem difficult at the time. All I did was eat smaller portions and work out regularly. I never felt like I was starving myself. But now, it seems like it's going to be impossible to muster up the will to do it again. I've taken up salsa which is a great workout, but maintaining good eating habits is killing me. I really hope I can find some motivation here and maybe even help somebody out...later!
 
hi stillwaters, and welcome :D ! you'll find that this place is very supportive and motivational. don't be discouraged about losing the weight, you did it before so you can do it again! why don't you go back to the diet you used when you lost weight before? you were certainly successful then, 60 pounds is quite an achievement! maybe you can find someone at work who also wants to lose weight, and you can work together? good luck to you, i'm sure you can find your motivation and lose weight again!
 
Wow, some good advice comming from heidipie! I agree with her! Don't get discouraged, just get moving!!
 
Hi StillWater21! Welcome in! I am looking forward to seeing more from you. You obviously have a lot to offer given that you know what it takes to lose a whopping 60lbs! Wow! Feel free to elaborate on your specifics, I am all eyes! :D
 
Thanks everybody! I'm gradually working my way back. I'll list what I did below. There were quite a few small changes, but they made a big difference for me.

1) Smaller portions: I would eat just I usually did, but would do things like taking the top bun off a hamburger or getting half as much rice or using half as much mayo. I learned to love open faced sandwiches :D The smaller portions helped me get used to eating smaller meals which meant I was more full with less food.

2) Frequency: I eat 5-6 times a day. Usually, breakfast as soon as I wake up, mid-morning fruit/cheese/grain, lunch, mid afternoon fruit/cheese/grain and then I would split my dinner in half. I never let myself go hungry.

3) Water and juice: I upped my water intake (it was hard...I LOVE sweet iced tea and southern lemonade) and only allowed myself juice once a day. After about one month, soda tasted like battery acid.

4) My palate: I limited myself to foods made from scratch myself or that were made well, so poorly made foods (the high calorie, fatty snacks and fast foods) weren't half as appealing. Even though I've fallen off, to this day, I can't tolerate fried foods like I used to, so I eat much less.

5) Cheating: Once a month, I'd have either cheesecake (Yay Cheesecake Factory!) or chocolate cake. I also never did the salad thing at restaurants...they're really not much better. I mostly just split all my meals in half.

6) Exercise: I did about 3 hrs of cardio per week and weight training 3 days a week.

When I look back over it, I can see where I've slipped up a little in each category and those little slips have made a big difference, just like little adjustments can mean big weight loss. I've managed to keep a net loss of 40lbs up for 3 years and have to keep reminding myself that that's great in and of itself. I hope this helps somebody out!
 
wow stillwaters, that is an excellent plan! i think i will adopt some of those ideas into my own eating habits, esp the one about training your palate to only like "high quality" foods. i think if you go back to this plan you'll lose the weight in no time. and then making these little changes permanent will help you keep the weight off for good! and keeping 40 pounds off for 3 years is a great achievement. you should be proud of yourself!
 
"high quality foods" has been my lifesaver!!! I enjoy cooking first of all, and so that part was easy - losing weight was just an excuse to buy fresh veggies instead of canned and to really take the time and effort to make a healthy but extremely delicious dinner. I have also found that adding herbs and spices really boosts the flavor in meals without adding calories...

Fast food was my weakness for quite a while - as was pizza! while I still have the occasional fast food meal, I do have to admit that besides when I visited home this past weekend, I only ate out for fast-food ONCE since august... making intentional choices like that makes such a big difference!
 
I'm actually doing pretty much the same thing you are!!! so I definately think it is a good plan =)
 
Oh wow! You've already lost 35 lbs? How long did it take you?
 
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