Weight Loss Challenge -- join us anytime!

[philemer]

Yes, I know artificial ingredients are not the best thing for you. Neither is extra weight. I have lost 35 pounds since February.


Gayle

Sounds like it's time for a "before" and "after" picture. Yes? Good on ya.

 

[Mimi]

I'm still working on being motivated in the exercise department! I am trying to watch what and how much I eat. I saved www.bodyforlife.com in my favorites, also. Thanks, Katherine.

 

[suesam]

I exercise 5 times a week and have for several years.I am running a 5K race on saturday morning with a friend. The problem is...... I just can't get my eating under control! I am a terrible stress eater and after a day at work I come home and am out of control. I can eat very healthy all day, it is the night time eating..... 5:00 pm and later......with my glass of wine.... It is even painful to say this but I have gained 14 pounds since last July!
Just venting.... This weight thing is sooooo hard!
I am glad you all are writing in this thread.... I am trying to gather inspiration from you! Keep up the great work!

Sue

 

[BigAl_50]

Time to "jump" in?

I've been reading this Thread for a few days and have worked up the "nerve" to post this. I've only shared this with one other person and that is my wonderful wife of 31 years....so I'm opening up to complete strangers, but it seems like the right thing to do (I have sayed many Prayers and this may be the answer I've been waiting for).

Here goes....I've tried so many diets and failed so many times; that I find myself not attempting to try again to avoid that feeling of failure when I've been successful in most everything else I've attemped in my 57 years. I've convinced myself "confortable" and accept myself as I am, even though I don't like who I am. I've built so many walls; it's becoming even more difficult for me to get out; let alone people trying to get in.

The longer I avoid the possibility of failing AGAIN; the more weight I put on my health is put at risk. They don't call me Big Al for nothing!. So; I've opened myself up to what I've hidden behind for years.

It's been nearly an hour since I composed this and I hesitate to his the "submit" button... "God be with me"

 

[cvmar]

I've been reading this Thread for a few days and have worked up the "nerve" to post this. I've only shared this with one other person and that is my wonderful wife of 31 years....so I'm opening up to complete strangers, but it seems like the right thing to do (I have sayed many Prayers and this may be the answer I've been waiting for).

Here goes....I've tried so many diets and failed so many times; that I find myself not attempting to try again to avoid that feeling of failure when I've been successful in most everything else I've attemped in my 57 years. I've convinced myself "confortable" and accept myself as I am, even though I don't like who I am. I've built so many walls; it's becoming even more difficult for me to get out; let alone people trying to get in.

The longer I avoid the possibility of failing AGAIN; the more weight I put on my health is put at risk. They don't call me Big Al for nothing!. So; I've opened myself up to what I've hidden behind for years.

It's been nearly an hour since I composed this and I hesitate to his the "submit" button... "God be with me"

Welcome Al

No judgement here on this forum! You haven't failed you just haven't reach your desired goal YET! I was alway tall and thin and gained weight over the years after marrying an Italian and falling in love with not only him but pasta and bread! I didn't want to have children until I lost the weight because I was so afraid I would gain even more weight and would not be able to play with them. Well I did eventually have a child and only gained 14 lbs and then lost all of it after my beautiful son was born. I too have been trying without success YET but this time I have decided to take a new approach. I am slowly changing how I eat. I eat lean meats,fish and chicken. I only eat whole grain bread and pasta and in smaller portions. I currently only eat sugar free sweets and then only after dinner and I started walking. I have opted for a healthier lifestyle and even if I am never a size 10 again I know I am doing the right thing. Each day becomes a little easier and I know eventually this will become a way of life. I tried many many many times to quit smoking and eventually succeeded and it has been 10+ years since I smoked! Don't give up keep going you can do it!!!!

Catherine

 

[sun starved Gayle]

I've been reading this Thread for a few days and have worked up the "nerve" to post this. I've only shared this with one other person and that is my wonderful wife of 31 years....so I'm opening up to complete strangers, but it seems like the right thing to do (I have sayed many Prayers and this may be the answer I've been waiting for).

Here goes....I've tried so many diets and failed so many times; that I find myself not attempting to try again to avoid that feeling of failure when I've been successful in most everything else I've attemped in my 57 years. I've convinced myself "confortable" and accept myself as I am, even though I don't like who I am. I've built so many walls; it's becoming even more difficult for me to get out; let alone people trying to get in.

The longer I avoid the possibility of failing AGAIN; the more weight I put on my health is put at risk. They don't call me Big Al for nothing!. So; I've opened myself up to what I've hidden behind for years.

It's been nearly an hour since I composed this and I hesitate to his the "submit" button... "God be with me"

Hi Al,

I have to say your post has haunted me the past few days, you sound like you are in an incredible amount of pain. I have hesitated to post because I have no concrete unfailing advise to offer, I wish I did.

Losing weight is such a personal thing. What works for one person is not always the answer for another.

For me, going it alone was always difficult. I received a post card from my HMO inviting to participate in a weight loss/food/nutrition study and I jumped at it. The personal interaction once a week with others have helped alot.

You sound like you have tried a lot of different options and weight loss programs and not been successful. Is your wife overweight? If so, would it help if you were in this weight loss plan with her? Or a sibling or friend?

You said you have not shared this with anyone else but your wife. Do you think perhaps it is time to do so? No pun intended here, but it sounds like you are carrying an awfully heavy burden. Sharing it would help lighten the load, be it with a counselor, a Weight Watchers group, an Overeaters Anon. Group or what ever. You sound like you a religious man. Have you heard of "Weigh Down" which is a faith based weight loss group? I have no personal connections with these group, but I have heard of people having a lot of success with this group.

I want you to know I have remembered you in my prayers every night since you posted. Don't give up!

Best regards,
Gayle

 

[SDKath]

Hi Al,

I could have written your post almost word for word. I too have been daunted by the whole weight loss issue. I have been very successful at everything I have done too (not trying to toot my horn) including going to top schools, getting my straight A's starting my own business, having a wonderful family, nice house, etc, etc.

So why is this weight loss thing impossible for me to conquer??? I don't have answers. It's just the hardest thing I have ever done. Period. However, I HAVE to do it to keep myself healthy and avoid meds for cholesterol and diabetes.

So, I have decided to to tackle it like I do with everything else. I need short term, doable goals. Like 5 pounds in 5 weeks, then get off the diet and just try to maintain for a few months. I have so far done it twice (WW once and JC now) and so far so good. To me, losing 1/2 a pound a week is a miracle so these little goals are just right. There is just no easy answer.

But it sure helps to have support from my family and friends and message boards like TUG and the Jenny Craig site.

Good luck and glad you posted!

Katherine

 

[SDKath]

The new Cool Whip in a can (15 calories for 2 TBSP) and individual sugar free Jello (10 calories) have become my good friends.

I also really like A&W Diet Root Beer.

Yes, I know artificial ingredients are not the best thing for you. Neither is extra weight. I have lost 35 pounds since February.

Keep up the good work everyone.

Gayle

Forgot to say, CONGRATS Gayle! That's a huge accomplishment. I am getting to know Sugar Free jello myself quite well too these days.

I am a little bummed because after 3 strict weeks of dieting and not cheating with more than an extra apple once a day, I put on a pound! I have no idea how I managed to do it but I am sad. I know my metabolism is super slow and I can feel that it has slowed even more with the diet, but I sure don't expect to hit plateaus this early on. SIGH. It's never easy on this journey, that's for sure.

So I am down 3 pounds in the first 3 1/2 weeks. I guess not bad but it's really not much loss considering how LITTLE I am eating now on this 1200 cal plan they have me doing at JC! UGH.

Katherine

 

[sun starved Gayle]

Sounds like it's time for a "before" and "after" picture. Yes? Good on ya.

Phil, I'm not "After" enough yet!

Katherine, thanks for the kind words.

Gayle

 

[SDKath]

Yipppeeee, down another 1/2 pound. I know, I know -- 1/2 pound. But sheesh! I will take ANYTHING at this point.

My mom is on Jenny Craig right now, week 12. SHe's lost 14 pounds. I saw her last night and she looks GREAT! She says she is losing steadily 1lb per week. She is walking 60 minutes a day on her treadmill on an incline! And not cheating at all. I am so proud of her.

Katherine

 

[NJCOBRA10tha]

4 Weeks in and I am down 21 lbs. I injured my hand and back in a car accident in November and have finally come to the conclusion that I can't count on ever being able to workout with weights again and possibly never running or anything like that either. Weight lifting has often transformed my body. 7 years ago I went from 238 to 193 by working out hard on my Bowflex. I didn't really diet but when I lifted and felt good I ate good.

Given that it was time to loose some weight so I just changed my attitude. Food is Fuel and nothing more. High carb food is bad gas that you don't want to put in your engine.

I am following an Atkins induction diet even though it has been more than 2 weeks. Hunger - not really it's satisfying to eat meat. Sometimes I do take a little Hoodia and I find that does help me.

I am 6'3 with a big build and currently 229lbs and want to get down below 200lbs again. 7 years ago while working out very hard I was 193 with 11% body fat and a 31" waist. I may never be able to workout again but I will see that 31" waist again.

 

[swift]

Ugh!!! I have been up and down all summer!! Lost 12 went to Tahoe gained 8. Lost 8 went to Vegas and gained 5. I never go to the Casinos and this year Tim wanted to go to Tahoe for summer vacation. We did some hiking but not enough. Then I had to go to the Union Conference in Vegas. Brought my work out clothes but they wanted $20 per day to use the gym!!!! I just wanted to use the treadmill still $20. So my co-worker and I didn't do it. Then we were in meetings on our butts all day. Never left the Hilton Casino for 5 days. Eat, sit, eat, sit. Surprised I didn't gain back more than 5. Oh well, school starts tomorrow and I can get back to my routines. I would think that being off in the summer would make it easier but for me it is not. Having the kids home, being on beckon call of my DH and all the other happenings of summer really throws me off. Time to pick myself back up and try again.

 

[dawg]

I started "dieting" the day after Christmas. On December 31 I decided to try Nutrisystems. I ordered their food and followed the plan as strictly as I could. I am please to say that I have lost 72 pounds. I started at 233 and now weigh 161 of of 8/9/2008. I am 5'7" . Starting next week I will be off of the Nutrisystem plan for the first time. I am hoping that I can keep the weight off this time. that is my biggest fear about leaving the plan. This the third time in the past twenty years that I have lost a significant amount weight only to put it back on (and more). I am more determined this time and only time will tell.

Dale Gowan

 

[SDKath]

I started "dieting" the day after Christmas. On December 31 I decided to try Nutrisystems. I ordered their food and followed the plan as strictly as I could. I am please to say that I have lost 72 pounds. I started at 233 and now weigh 161 of of 8/9/2008. I am 5'7" . Starting next week I will be off of the Nutrisystem plan for the first time. I am hoping that I can keep the weight off this time. that is my biggest fear about leaving the plan. This the third time in the past twenty years that I have lost a significant amount weight only to put it back on (and more). I am more determined this time and only time will tell.

Dale Gowan

WOW! Congratulations! I am so impressed. WHat else did you do to help lose the weight? DId you exercise? If so, how much? And did you have plateaus? How did you get past them?

Katherine

 

[dawg]

WOW! Congratulations! I am so impressed. WHat else did you do to help lose the weight? DId you exercise? If so, how much? And did you have plateaus? How did you get past them?

Katherine

Thank You,

I was fortunate enough not to have any plateaus until i hit the 168 mark. I did some treadmill work for the first 3 months or so but I have not done that sine May. I hope to start again after summer is over. My theory on why I did not plateau is I went off the plan one weekend a month. I ate responsible but not Nutrisystems. When I hit the 168 mark, around Fathers day I started eating some junk (chips and dip) again. Once I got past that I lost the other 7 pounds. For the most part after the initial weight loss of 20 pounds in 4 weeks, it has been a steady 2 pounds a week. I am thrilled. I lost a lot aches an pains with the weight loss as well.

I know this plan isn't for everybody, but I feel like I found the miracle diet for me.

Dale Gowan

 

[SDKath]

Soooo great to hear that it works for you! JC is working for me but with the plateaus. I lost another pound so I am now down 6 for 4 weeks! Very happy with that. My counselor last night told me to increase my calories to 1500 and work out harder! I love to hear that! I told her I was feeling woozie if I worked out my usual way AND only ate 1200 calories.

The funny thing is the difference between 1200 and 1500 calories is a yogurt and an apple. I was hoping some chips and dip would be ok. Ah well.

OK, folks: MONDAY is gonna be a big day. Let's all aim for a good 1/2-1lb loss in the next 3 days and have everyone check in on Monday for their progress so far since starting the diets!

It will motivate me to eat clean this weekend. Katherine

 

[JT62]

Hello,

I'd like to join in your group, as I attempt to get back to my goal weight with Weight Watchers. I'm a lifetime member and did well until after the birth of my first child (and okay until the birth of my third). Now I can't seem to keep my weight loss efforts going (and my "baby" is 11!!)

While I'm not a big fan of dieting for "events", I have a trip to DC in December, a trip to Tucson in July, a Caribbean Cruise (also in July) and a trip to Australia in August. I would prefer to be a lower weight for these trips (if for no other reason than the size of my clothes and all the issues with luggage these days!!! )

So, I started back at Weight Watchers today, doing the point system. I hope to be successful!

JT

 

[SDKath]

OK guys and gals: TIME TO CHECK IN!

How is it going? How much have you lost (or gained)? And are you staying on your diet?? Are you exercising??

Give us the scoop. No news is not always good news when it comes to dieting and I figure we need to motivate eachother.

Katherine

 

[UWSurfer]

I was down 2.6 lbs on Saturday, the first loss I've recorded after a few weeks of gain. I ran 4 miles with my running group just prior to the weigh-in so I expect that had some influence on the weight.

I'm about to be on the road traveling for the next two weeks so it's anybody's guess what I'm likely to encounter. I'm planning on continuing with my running plan and do my best to say on track.

 

[SDKath]

Congratulations! Keep running -- even if you are traveling and eating out more. It's great for your body to stay so active.

My check in is good FINALLY! Lost 0.8lb this last week. I am very happy about it because my weight has slowly inched down since starting Jenny Craig. I am exercising about 3x/wk doing the bike for 15-20min. It's too hot to do it for longer. I am also doing more floor exercises (sit ups, leg lifts) and lifting my 8 and 10lb dumb-bells to increase muscle weight and my metabolism. My arms are looking good! I feel good and have lost about 6 inches total! And boy can I tell that from the way my clothes fit.

So I have another 5ish to go. That's gonna take me about 6 months. I want to look good for the holiday pictures! That's my motivation...

Katherine

 

[SDKath]

OK, no one is checking in so I am reporting my progress again.

Down another pound! YEAH! Of course having the stomach flu for 2 days helped things a bit. But I stuck with the diet all week.

Also I have lost 7 1/2 inches in the 5 weeks I have been on Jenny Craig! I am so surprised (and happy)!

The downside is that the 6 week trial I paid for is over next week. I have to decide if I want to continue. It is very expensive so I am not sure if I can. But I like the food, the convenience, and the diet definitely is working for me.

My mom most 18lb in 10 weeks. She looks fantastic!

Katherine

 

[pittle]

After our month in Mazatlan in February, we came home with extra pounds and decided to try Healthy Choice and Lean Cuisine. Our grocery stores were having specials on the HC meals for $2 each, so I stocked up. These are really good and average 300 calories per meal - including dessert. We each lost 10 pounds in about 6 weeks. We probably would have lost a few more had we given up beer, wine and nuts, but did OK and it was painless. Anyway, I decided the other day that I would like to lose another 10 pounds and stocked the freezer again. I'm just glad that my husband likes these - he can still have the beer & snacks. I 'll have cut out them out so I can lose those last 10 pounds.

Just wanted you to know that you local grocery has some really good low calorie meals at a lower pric than JC & Nutrisystem - if you can hold yourself accountable. You can get quite a variety of well balanced good meals with Healthy Choice, Lean Cuisine and Smart Ones (the chicken enchiladas are great).

 

[Dottie]

I have not visited this subject for a while but am still doing weight watchers. I find their plan easy to follow and hope to make lifetime soon. We are lucky. Until now, my husband's company has been paying for us but our 6mos are up. I only have 3 to lose now but it will take me close to 2 months more to make it and then will leave on a 28 day cruise. I usually lose a little on a cruise but the clock will not start for lifetime until I can return to weigh in each week so looks like a few months will be out of pocket but worth it. I am a slow loser--22 pounds in 6 months but this is a very easy plan for me to follow. I give myself a piece of candy each night (Herhsey dark chocolate nugget) , some light popcorn each night, 6 potato chips at lunch and a Skinny cow ice cream sandwich each day. I find that those goodies keep me from feeling deprived even if they do keep the weight loss rate down. I also walk 3 miles every day I don't play tennis for 2 or 3 hours so that works off a few calories. I have dropped 3 sizes and am loving it.

I really admire those of you who have so much weight to lose and do it. It must be so difficult.

Other than that, all I have to say is that I live in Florida and am getting very tired of rain.

 

[JT62]

I weighed in yesterday (Saturday) for my first week; down exactly 7 pounds. I know my body can't (and won't) sustain this kind of losing, but it's still nice.

I'm following the regular "points" system for WW.

Panda

 

[SDKath]

7 pounds!! WOW! I am just at the 7 pound mark after 5 weeks and a bout of the stomach flu! Consider yourself blessed for having such a great first week! Don't forget to take measurements too. When I was on WW, they never told me to do this. But it is SOOOO rewarding to track my measurements. I keep track of my bust (largest part around my breeasts), my waist (smallest part, right where you bend sideways), abdomen (belly button level) and hips (largest part around bottom).

My clothes are really starting to feel loose. Can't wait to go shopping. I am gonna wait a bit longer though before I go buy new clothes. I'd like to drop a few more pounds first...

Katherine