January/February Weight Management Challenge

[Possegal]

Next two months of our weight management challenge!


Let me know
(1) if you want to join in
(2) what your weight is on Friday the 4th of January (or whatever day works best for you)
(3) what your goal weight is for the 1st of March - if you want to, if you don't want to set a goal like that, then no worries.

I'll post the link to the chart before the end of next week.

[yellow]

I' m back in for this go 'round at least. I'm hoping the pudge I've put on will start to come off as I start running more again.

Starting weight is 119.4. Goal weight is in what became my "normal" maintenance range last year, 114-117. You can put 117 on the chart.

Now, if I could just quit eating everything I look at after about 7 pm. Good grief.

[Crankin]

I'm in
Weight today is 106.6
Goal weigh March 1 is 104. I'll be happy with 104.5, though.

Actually pleased with how I came through the holiday season, given the amount of eating I did. My top weight was 107.4, about what my low weight used to be.

[goldfinch]

Weight is 113.6. Goal is 107.

[murielalex]

My weight this morning was 157.0. My goal for the end of this round is 149.0.

[Catrin]

I was up a couple of pounds today :(

128.6 today and back to my goal of 125.0 by the end of challenge.

[emily_in_nc]

I'm in -- 106.0 today. I knew I'd gain a little once I got over my cold and got my usual appetite back, and sure enough. Fortunately, today was my lowest in the last several days, so I'll take it.

Goal is very modest at 105.

Thanks Possegirl!

[Cyclingfun]

Yes please I'd like to come in - I'm 147 lbs and would like to get down to 135 by 1st March.

[Anelia]

Yesterday I was 115. Goal: 110.
Thank you!

[Crankin]

Woke up today and I had gained 2.5 lbs. I guess I'm never going to be able to eat a dessert again, or a healthy sandwich on whole wheat. I started back to boot camp today, after 2 weeks. But it's not like I've been inactive.
Don't know what's going on with my body.

[Swan]

Current: 193
Goal: 185

Being as large as I am, I expect I'll surpass my goal easily since I'm still beginning the weight loss... but best to be realistic :)

[murielalex]

Woke up today and I had gained 2.5 lbs. I guess I'm never going to be able to eat a dessert again, or a healthy sandwich on whole wheat. I started back to boot camp today, after 2 weeks. But it's not like I've been inactive.
Don't know what's going on with my body.

That's my story! This middle-aged business is sometimes just a pitba (pain in the big azz).

[Crankin]

Well, this seems to happen to me more in the winter, so I just go on a 2 week higher protein, very minimal carb eating plan. I am thin and short and at my height, 2.5 lbs. is noticeable in the way I feel and how some of my clothes fit.
I actually am just about past middle age, and while I try not to be obsessive about my weight, I know if I let it go higher than it was today, it's not good. I guess it's motivation for me :).

[Kernyl]

Last year I lost about 12 lbs and I am now just trying to maintain at about 130. (I'll take anything between 129-130.5, if I get to 131, it's time to watch the portions)

But I have to share this story. Last week, I was at my trainer's, first time after the holiday's. After my session, I usually step on the scale. He knew I was nervous that I might have gained weight over the holidays...I stepped on the scale...135! I was floored. I was like, "oh no, how did that happen"....and then he revealed his foot on the scale. I could have killed him!!!

[Megustalaplaya]

Okay, going to try this again. Currently weigh 122.8 and goal is to get to 114 by March 1.

[carlotta]

I'm in.

Start: 166.
Goals: (a) to check in every week since I haven't been so good about that before and (b) 159.

[Chile Pepper]

Woke up today and I had gained 2.5 lbs. I guess I'm never going to be able to eat a dessert again, or a healthy sandwich on whole wheat. I started back to boot camp today, after 2 weeks. But it's not like I've been inactive.
Don't know what's going on with my body.

I feel your pain. I'm 48. I've reached my ideal weight of 120, but as soon as I stop logging every bite that goes into my mouth, I gain 2 or 3 pounds (5 if I'm not careful). I'm beginning to wonder if I'll be logging my food for the rest of my life! That just doesn't seem healthy.

So... this morning I was 124.
Goal: 120. I would actually like to get my morning weight down to 118 so that my doctor's office weight is 120, but that might not be realistic.

[emily_in_nc]

I feel your pain. I'm 48. I've reached my ideal weight of 120, but as soon as I stop logging every bite that goes into my mouth, I gain 2 or 3 pounds (5 if I'm not careful). I'm beginning to wonder if I'll be logging my food for the rest of my life! That just doesn't seem healthy.

I don't log, but I gain 2-3 lbs at the drop of a hat too. Just one restaurant dinner can do it. Unfortunately, losing 2-3 lbs is much slower unless I get sick! I'm 51 and will be 52 in April. Did not have this problem until I hit 50!

[Crankin]

Well, I'm going to be *60* next fall. I'm in much better shape than I was at 45, when I had a temporary aberration of 2-3 years of being slightly overweight, despite exercising. Other than this, and a period of gluttony right after I graduated from college, I weigh around the same as I did in high school. It's just harder to keep it that way. It seems the more I exercise/work out/eat well, the more my body adapts. For some reason, I go through this every winter. I am hoping getting back on track with boot camp 2x a week is the key. Just think, a few months ago, I was worried about losing too much weight.

[murielalex]

I'm 52 and have been very active over the past five years (CrossFit until my ankle gave out, rowing at home, personal trainer, cycling), but couldn't keep the weight down, though up until my mid/late 40s, I could eat anything I wanted whenever I wanted, and was a skinny mini. I guess getting the idea that those days are gone didn't sink into my thick skull. I always joked that I was the fittest fat person I know, but it's not funny anymore. I'm on a very strict diet (very low cal paleo) that I won't be able to maintain and be healthy when my ankle is healed enough to start doing some serious mileage on my bike again, but since the weight is coming off quite easily, I can't even pretend that all my weight issues aren't diet related. I've already lost 23 pounds, and am now starting to get how quickly I could put it back on if I'm not very careful. Ugh.

[Crankin]

OK, this is my first weigh in where I weigh more than last week.
107.
However, this is less than yesterday. This week, my weight was: 108.6, 107.4, 106.8, 108, and then today, 107.

[murielalex]

155.8. I was hoping for two pounds this week, but I'll take the loss.

[Catrin]

125.6 this morning. Dropping the beer for a month or so - even just 1-2 a week can make a difference. I've also realized that since I've not been riding, I've not been doing much in the way of cardio outside of my group training classes/training. As intense as those can be, it just isn't the same. Time to force myself back on the spin bike or trainer.

My ultimate goal is around 118, but this time of the year it is hard enough to maintain, let alone lose. When I can hit and maintain 125.0 for at least a couple of weeks I will think about what my next goal will be.

[Crankin]

I've thought about totally dropping the red wine, but I can't get myself to do it. I lost the weight last winter without totally dropping it, and I need to be realistic. I have decreased the number of days I have my one glass and I have stopped drinking any beer, since we took the beer photo, though. I don't have beer that regularly, but it is just too carb loaded for me right now.
I might have an easier time dropping or decreasing my daily 2 dark chocolate squares.
I haven't felt as disciplined as last year, probably because my weight is not as high as it was last year at this time. I think I need to concentrate on being a little more disciplined on the weekends. I know even my weekend eating is better than a lot of people, but it's hard at times. Tonight we are going out, but to a fish restaurant, so I'll be fine. But, tomorrow, we have a house warming party, with what I expect to be lots of bad appetizer type foods.

[Megustalaplaya]

Start - 122.8
Goal - 114 by March 1
Today - 119.8

I'm back to logging everything I eat and have rid the house of all sweet stuff. I'm also making sure I get a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise everyday. That isn't too difficult since I started walking the pup everynight. So if I take a rest day from weights or bike riding, I'm still getting some sort of exercise.

[Swan]

I haven't been as active as I'd like, and I haven't bothered to count calories religiously. There are days when I'm not in control of the day's menu, and I don't want to beat myself up for that. Plus it's hard to track calories when much of the food comes straight from the garden and the butcher. There are no handy little nutrition facts stamped onto the white paper! So I've been drinking extra water -- 10c instead of 8c -- and I've gone down one pound anyway since my last weigh-in. I'm now 192 :) Hurrah!

[emily_in_nc]

105 today and very happy with that. Haven't been eating any differently but have added 2 additional longer bike rides during the week and 2 stair-climbing sessions (the four flights behind our building done 10 times, up to 11 today). I got to the point where I just couldn't make myself run in the sun (which comes up reallllly early here, even in the winter), so I started doing the stair-climbing with my DH. It works up a sweat quickly but is on the always-shady north side of our building, and right afterwards, I dive in the pool and do laps for a bit.

Now to maintain -- the hardest part by far.

[yellow]

117.8. Must be dehydrated.

Slamming the brakes on fitness for a bit, so this is going to be tough. Took a good spill just walking out the f-ing door from work and managed to reinjure my leg (injured it originally in July, reinjured in October, and now in January. Super awesome.) AND do something to my shoulder. Shoulder feels like muscle stuff, but the leg is soooo not right. Wah.

[goldfinch]

111.8. Moving in the right direction slowly. I think slowly is important for me as I cannot seem to get my weight to stay stable.

[carlotta]

167.

Small step in the wrong direction, but have the monthly bloaty fun going so not super concerned. I ate well, rode 90 miles, and worked in a couple sessions of core/upper body work, so if it doesn't drop back down next week then I'll re-evaluate.

[Cyclingfun]

From 147 to 144 so am pleased with this :) Did it by tracking and no wine plus a little exercise (twice out on my hybrid last week) and a couple of walks. As it included two occasions when we went out to friends for meals I'm relieved that my New Year's resolution is holding up so far. Weather this week will be cold, wet/snowy and generally uninviting so hope to have the determination to get on the turbo, though knowing me I'll probably find a million reasons why not...

[Chile Pepper]

122 this morning (down 2). It was a weird week. I dropped clear down to 120 at one point, so I started drinking more to make sure it wasn't dehydration. I've been very rigorous with the diet--eating well and not eating back all of my burned calories. Hoping to hold on to the drop now.

[Megustalaplaya]

Down to 118.8 so down one pound. Yay! :)

[murielalex]

153.6. Down 2.2. Yay!

[Crankin]

105.8
Progress, but not as quickly as I hoped.

[goldfinch]

110.8, still dropping slowly. Perfect.

[emily_in_nc]

104.5

The increased exercise routine is paying off. However, I seem to have injured the ball of my right foot, from stair climbs on tile-on-concrete stairs, no doubt. No stair climbing for me today. But did have a tough bike ride late yesterday (strong wind so seemed like climbing hill after hill every time we turned into the wind) and will be riding into town today. It's going to be hard to hold this weight, though -- this is as low as I ever get here in Belize, then I usually bounce right back up to 107. Hoping that won't happen this time.

[Possegal]

going in to update now. Sorry for the delay. Link below. :)

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AkxMKcttLKvTdHpKZWhtR3FXZE52aHFzWkFDQzRBS1E

[murielalex]

Thanks for doing this, Possegal!

[yellow]

118.2
Not bad considering I didn't exercise at all this week :rolleyes:

[carlotta]

164.

Headed back in the right direction..... thanks Possegal!

[Catrin]

127.4 today - I seem to be on a 2-pound swing right now.

[Anelia]

I want to complain about my nutrition lately. Not only it hinders weight loss but it leads to weight gain :( I was invited to a lot of celebrations and going outs so I mix alcohol with sweets and fats :( Poor protein intake and minumim water...I keep training but today I feel wasted and the junk and alcohol mess my recovery. I intend to stop this vicious circle now starting from an hour ago :)

[Crankin]

106.4
I spend all week trying to lose weight from the weekend, when I eat normally/healthy, but not strictly.
Going up north for x country skiing in a few hours, and there will be more carbs than usual this weekend. I feel like giving up the goal of 104, but since I did this last year, with a goal of 105, which turned into 104, I am not giving in yet. I've been experimenting with some different things to tweak, so I'll be back on the plan Sunday night.

[goldfinch]

111.2. Up a hair but still trending down. According to my trend chart I am losing a bit more than a half a pound a week. I am ok with that.

[Catrin]

127.4 again - sigh...

[Chile Pepper]

121
I started this week at 121 and have held it there. Yay! The coming week is going to be tough, with several food events planned. Fingers crossed I can at least hold it here.

[emily_in_nc]

104.5 and holding.

Had to give up stair-climbing as I ended up with ball-of-foot pain (Metatarsalgia) in my right foot. Stairs are tile-on-concrete, and even with my good trail-running shoes with inserts, the pain afterwards is just not worth it. Our condo is tiled and living on a tropical island, I am usually barefoot or in flip-flops, so it's not a big surprise that adding something new to the exercise mix caused problems.

Still keeping up with 2x weekly yoga and lots of biking and swimming, so that seems to be doing the job without my having to restrict food too much. :)

[Catrin]

121
I started this week at 121 and have held it there. Yay! The coming week is going to be tough, with several food events planned. Fingers crossed I can at least hold it here.

This is a far better way of looking at this than my sighing over the same thing - thanks for the kick in the butt :) I know you didn't mean it that way, but you got me thinking. It is no small thing to maintain this time of the year, and I am working to actively build muscle...so I've no reason to complain. Thanks!

[carlotta]

165.

We spent the weekend with old friends in DC (complete with too much pizza/beer) and I came home with a nasty cold....I'm ok with basically holding steady after that weekend and limited exercise/not eating terribly well after we got home. Hopefully I can kick the cold soon and get off of the soup/mac'n'cheese/few other things that sound good diet.

[murielalex]

Yesterday, I was 154.8 and feeling stuck over the past week. Today, I woke up to 158.4. WTH? I'm not even counting it, but will weigh again tomorrow.

[Crankin]

I'm getting pretty discouraged. I keep reminding myself that my high weight is 2-3 lbs. lower than last year, but I am spending every week just getting my weight back down from the weekend. I didn't weigh myself yesterday, after our x country ski trip, but today I was at 108. I just haven't been able to fully commit to the 2 week total no grain plan and go for more than a few days without my glass of red wine. And I'm wondering if there's something I can do with my exercise to change this up. Still going to boot camp, but I've backed off of the running, as my hip is really not great with it. I'm doing the trainer or spin at least 2X a week, as well as nordic skiing, snow shoeing, hiking, too. Clothes still fit OK, albeit maybe a bit snug in the hip area, but I feel flabby.
It's not like me to not be disciplined, so I just keep trying.

[emily_in_nc]

Sometimes this stuff just doesn't make sense to me. As much as you exercise and as clean as you eat, crankin, it makes no sense that you are gaining weight. Even though you are still light, I know you feel the same as me at 108 -- not a happy camper! :(

You don't think that paradoxically you might not be eating enough and your body is going into starvation mode, do you? I know I've read/heard that sometimes eating a bit more can help in weight loss, even though it's hard to believe!

I, on the other hand, was at my lowest weight in a long time this morning, and there's no rhyme nor reason about it, but I'll take it, of course. I weighed 4-5 lbs. more when I was running regularly than I weigh now, and I'm not eating very differently. I did cut out my daily fruit smoothie in the afternoon (an extra "meal" I didn't need), but that was months ago. In my case I think some of it may be hormonal since I am in the peri-menopausal fluctuation time. I did add two bike rides to my weekly workout, but it's hard to imagine that making this much of a difference in my weight-maintenance efforts. If it's that, then good!

I suspect I'm going to be putting on a few lbs. soon as we'll be leaving Belize in either March or April (depending on whether the sale of our condo goes through or not), and towards the end we'll be going out to eat a lot more -- got to hit all our favorites one last time. And in the US too, I'm sure we'll be eating out a lot at first. So better to start a little lower if I can maintain now.

[Megustalaplaya]

115 this morning. I really don't know if that is accurate though. My old scale stopped working and I finally bought a new one yesterday. I really think it is weighing me too light as I didn't get as much exercise or really watch my food intake when I was without a scale. Plus, my clothes are not fitting any differently to reflect a weight loss. :( Since the scale seems to be weighing me light I'm going to change my goal to 110 by March 1. I wish my old one didn't stop working. It was always spot on with my both of my doctor's scales.

I'm back to logging all my food again as I always see results when I log everything I eat. It's amazing how quickly the calories can add up if you're not careful.

[Crankin]

Emily, there's no way I'm not eating enough. Even if I took out the factor of being less strict on the weekends, my portion sizes are not super small. They're not huge, but I could not exist on some of the portion sizes recommended. You are right that my eating is very clean, but it doesn't seem to be enough. I suspect a couple of things. One, is that I naturally gain a couple of pounds in the winter, which sheds as soon as I start more outdoor cycling, even though I am exercising just as much. The other is that my body seems to be exquisitely fine tuned to whatever changes I make. And, the fact is, I get ravenous when I do outdoor winter stuff, even more than when I do hard rides. I also am going to try to do some different stuff with exercising. Not more stuff, maybe just doing some different things once in awhile.
Sitting here, trying to not have a glass of wine :mad:.

[Catrin]

I think it makes a lot of difference to our bodies to mix up our types of exercise - that is one thing I've really learned in the last year. Also increased stress of many kinds can raise cortisol levels which doesn't help. It is important to get enough sleep (I could take more of this advice), there are just so many things that can make a difference in this area...

[Crankin]

I've also been trying to get more sleep. Given that I get up at 4:50 a least 2x a week, it's hard, as I work later hours now. If I get in bed at 9, I'm OK, even if i stay up until 10:00.
Stress, yeah. I am getting sick of my job; not the work, per se, or even the burnout that comes in my profession, more the driving all over to go to my client's homes and the fact my office is further away than almost all of my clients. Yesterday was my first drive home in a snowstorm since 2007, when I was teaching. Of course, I was at the office, 26 miles away and I was not happy. I keep telling myself only a few more months, which is true, but somehow everyone has the idea I am there for the long haul, when really, almost everyone comes here to get their requisite experience for their full license, whether they are social workers or professional counselors.

[emily_in_nc]

Crankin, if it helps at all, I am usually at my lowest weights when I drink wine daily. When I was in the 101-102 range a few years ago, I had a glass of wine pretty much every night with dinner. Here, because wine is so expensive, I usually drink a beer or rum drink, and I figured that was why I had put on a few, but I am still doing it and have now lost those few lbs., so who knows?

[goldfinch]

I have really upped the intensity of my biking. I did 560 miles in January, by far the most miles I ever have done. Even though my weight loss is minimal, about 2 pounds in a month, it is in the right direction. But like Crankin, I am having trouble getting enough sleep. The old dog wakes me up at 5:00 am to pee and she urgently has to go. We go to bed about 9:00 pm but I just cannot get to sleep. I've been averaging only about 6.5 hours a night. I've tried taking the dog out and then going back to bed but I can't go back to sleep. Tonight I am taking the dog out later and will try to ignore her between 5:00 and 5:15 to gradually try to get her to sleep later. I don't know how much luck I will have as she always has been an early riser.

Because of lack of sleep and lots of biking I am spending too much time on the couch being tired. I sure need balance.

[Crankin]

I'm sleeping OK, I'm just trying to get more sleep (as I say on a day when I woke at 4:50 for the third day this week, to go to spin).

106.0

Less than last week, downward trend, but I have been really scrupulous in my eating. No wine since Monday. Smaller snacks. Absolutely no grains since Monday, not even Ezekial bread or quinoa. I can do this for about another week, which will, hopefully, get me into the 105 range. We have no plans this weekend, so I will cook tomorrow night, but Sunday might involve going out with my son and DIL.
We are going on another x country ski trip Feb. 14-17. That is pretty close to the end of this challenge and I am afraid it might ruin my goal for me. Last year, our trip came right at the end of the challenge; I gained back all of the weight I had lost, but it was gone a week later.

[emily_in_nc]

104.0

Very happy with that as I have a sore ball-of-foot and have been unable to do stair climbing or any walks other than short ones. I think the stair-climbing (tile on concrete) brought it on, so I won't be doing that again. And I'm wearing shoes inside our tiled condo all the time now, as it hurts to walk barefoot. Even yoga hurt on Wed. At least riding doesn't bother it, since on my beach cruiser bike I am more behind the ball of my foot on the pedals. Hoping I don't start gaining again due to less activity!

[goldfinch]

110.2. Happy with continuing back in the right direction.

[yellow]

117.4, and that is even with a trip to Vegas and minimal exercise.

[murielalex]

Bah. 156.6. I'd been dropping steadily for the past couple months. The past week and a half, I've been struggling with any loss, and even had a couple pound gain. I'm weight training three to four days a week, and have started to do some slow riding back on my bike, but my ankle injury has really been affecting me (stood on it for too many hours at a blues festival a couple weeks ago), so I'm wearing a boot most days and need to avoid putting weight on it. I really should use my Concept 2 rowing machine that's just sitting in a corner of my house to get some cardio in, but I'm being really resistant for some unknown reason.

I don't know if this is true, but I have a fuzzy memory of reading somewhere that if you were at a certain weight for a long period of time, it's like a set point, and you tend to plateau at that weight while trying to lose. If that's true, my current stuck point would make more sense to me as I was between 154-158 for years in my early 40s.

[shootingstar]

I seldom answer here, simply because I know lots of people here are trying much harder (than I) to lose/maintain their weight. As for my weight I am not totally sure: 96-98 lbs. My scale has not been totally accurate. But I have been surprised I haven't gained more weight up to now. Now, I've had a cold for past 2 wks., it's been snowing off and on with melting in between for past 2 months. So not sure what's going on with me.

[Crankin]

I got my Well Fed cookbook today. I love most of the recipes I've seen.
I probably won't be into cooking for 2 hours every Sunday; to me, that would seem like work and would cut into my play time! I don't mind cooking when I come home, actually. It's relaxing for me. DH will often start veggies roasting or cook during the week, so except for a few things, I doubt I'll be making large batches. I always plan my meals and buy accordingly for the week, anyway. I also don't like eating the same thing a few days in a row, as in left overs. Maybe one lunch after a meal, but that's it.
I like the fact there's different ethnic dishes in this cookbook.

[Catrin]

I got my Well Fed cookbook today. I love most of the recipes I've seen.
I probably won't be into cooking for 2 hours every Sunday; to me, that would seem like work and would cut into my play time! I don't mind cooking when I come home, actually. It's relaxing for me. DH will often start veggies roasting or cook during the week, so except for a few things, I doubt I'll be making large batches. I always plan my meals and buy accordingly for the week, anyway. I also don't like eating the same thing a few days in a row, as in left overs. Maybe one lunch after a meal, but that's it.
I like the fact there's different ethnic dishes in this cookbook.

The recipes are awesome :) I do a lot of pre-cooking on the weekend, but only because I get home from work <3 hours before bed. The "hot plate" approach allows me to really mix things up, and I like that. I steam-saute a wide variety of veggies and protein in advance so I don't have to eat the same thing each day.

[goldfinch]

Bah. 156.6. I'd been dropping steadily for the past couple months. The past week and a half, I've been struggling with any loss, and even had a couple pound gain. I'm weight training three to four days a week, and have started to do some slow riding back on my bike, but my ankle injury has really been affecting me (stood on it for too many hours at a blues festival a couple weeks ago), so I'm wearing a boot most days and need to avoid putting weight on it. I really should use my Concept 2 rowing machine that's just sitting in a corner of my house to get some cardio in, but I'm being really resistant for some unknown reason.

I don't know if this is true, but I have a fuzzy memory of reading somewhere that if you were at a certain weight for a long period of time, it's like a set point, and you tend to plateau at that weight while trying to lose. If that's true, my current stuck point would make more sense to me as I was between 154-158 for years in my early 40s.

It isn't so much a set point but it is very tough to lose weight and to keep it off for a number of reasons. Hormones that regulate appetite end up out of whack, at least for a period of time. Genes are a significant both in weight gain and weight distribution. Conditioning is a factor. Etc.

[Crankin]

Catrin, I get home pretty late, too (6-7 3 days a week and 7:30 one day), but somehow, I've adjusted. I am home later in the AM now, so sometimes I get some part of dinner ready then. On the days I don't go to the office, and just see a couple of clients, I have more freedom to make things that require more work. We started eating later when I quit teaching; it's been 5 years, and if anything, I'm thinner now. However, I think I eat less at dinner now.

[Catrin]

Catrin, I get home pretty late, too (6-7 3 days a week and 7:30 one day), but somehow, I've adjusted. I am home later in the AM now, so sometimes I get some part of dinner ready then. On the days I don't go to the office, and just see a couple of clients, I have more freedom to make things that require more work. We started eating later when I quit teaching; it's been 5 years, and if anything, I'm thinner now. However, I think I eat less at dinner now.

It sounds like it works well for you :) I leave home at 4:50 am and get home at 6-ish pm (sometimes much later), so I don't have much time at either end of the day for cooking. For years I just ate the same thing which wasn't much fun, THIS way I get the calories and nutrition I need, and a nice range of variety. I've also found I enjoy my cooking time during the weekend, there is something relaxing about it.

[Crankin]

Glad someone else thinks cooking is relaxing. I always have.
Funny, once my friend we ride with came over for dinner during the week, when her DH was away. She was incredulous when she saw what we were making and asked if we always ate stuff like this! They mostly eat sandwiches/salads during the week and she saves her cooking for one-two days during the weekend. I've always seen good meals/cooking as something important, probably because my mom did. It didn't matter to me that I was working; it still seemed important. I remember once my grandmother expressing shock that I didn't just feed my kids hot dogs because DH was often away on business during the week when they were little :eek:.Like that would make a difference! Both of my boys and my brother are also great cooks, so I think it really does depend on your family's view of food, unless, like you did, you decide to change it.

[shootingstar]

I do find cooking mindlessly creative and relaxing. I always have. But then I'm either cooking for myself or for both dearie and I. I even sometimes like the hunt at the grocery store, since sometimes I shop at ethnic supermarkets/stores ...Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Middle Eastern. I don't consider grocery shopping totally boring..it's like seeing things differently ...to me.

I do now try to eat before 7:00 pm or earlier. It helps that I live close to work..a 20 min. bike ride away. :) That helps with managing my weight..by not eating supper too late.

[Owlie]

Glad someone else thinks cooking is relaxing. I always have.
Funny, once my friend we ride with came over for dinner during the week, when her DH was away. She was incredulous when she saw what we were making and asked if we always ate stuff like this! They mostly eat sandwiches/salads during the week and she saves her cooking for one-two days during the weekend. I've always seen good meals/cooking as something important, probably because my mom did. It didn't matter to me that I was working; it still seemed important. I remember once my grandmother expressing shock that I didn't just feed my kids hot dogs because DH was often away on business during the week when they were little :eek:.Like that would make a difference! Both of my boys and my brother are also great cooks, so I think it really does depend on your family's view of food, unless, like you did, you decide to change it.

It's funny. Growing up, my parents tried to have a hot dinner on the table every night. They'd cook two big batches of whatever over the weekend and then reheat it, and make the veggies and starch while it was reheating. When it came to actual cooking, though, my mom views it as a chore, though I think this has changed somewhat since I left home. My dad looks at it almost as a hobby. He likes playing with spices (he who wouldn't eat garlic or onion until he met my mom!). I...do a bit of both. I like playing with food, so I'll make up a big batch of chicken breasts with different seasonings, spaghetti sauce, soup, stew or whatever over a weekend. If it's winter and I'm not doing much at work/school, I cook quick stuff (eggs with spicy tomato sauce, stir fry, pizza...) but I have fun with it. (Of course, there are days I'm too tired to eat anything other than cereal, but...)

It's actually the same in my boyfriend's family. His dad LOVES cooking. If it stays still long enough, he tries to grill it. He loves experimenting with veggies. His mom, on the other hand...she says she likes cooking (and she's not a bad cook!), but she doesn't have the energy. Doesn't help that she's an incredibly picky eater. BF takes after her.

[Chile Pepper]

122, so up one this week. I'm actually quite pleased it wasn't more. I was traveling last week, so the diet was sidelined.

I love to cook, and I do a lot of it. My boys are 14 and 11, so I bake a lot for them, and my DH and I love good food, so dinners are generally fairly elaborate. I tend to eat more on the weekends, but I also have my longest bike ride on Sundays. I also compensate for the heavier dinners by eating mostly fruit and yogurt for breakfast, salad for lunch, and veggie juices in the afternoon. If I need something more, I try to eat lean proteins.

[Chile Pepper]

I leave home at 4:50 am and get home at 6-ish pm (sometimes much later), so I don't have much time at either end of the day for cooking.

Wow! That is a long day! What kind of work do you do? Do you have some breaks during the day?

[Catrin]

Wow! That is a long day! What kind of work do you do? Do you have some breaks during the day?

My work day is only 9 hours not counting my lunch - I work four 9-hour days and one 4. My day starts at the gym 3 days a week however...and when I am not headed to the "iron temple" at 5am I seem to always wind up at work earlier than I have to on the other days. I need corrective/mobility exercises prior to my group training and then of course I need to shower/get ready for the office. I am a travel demand modeler (here is a Wiki link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transportation_forecasting)that gives a VERY abbreviated description of what that means). The next few months are going to be very intense for me so my days may well get a bit longer. Hopefully not...but we will see. Thankfully I like what I do, very much.

The problem with my schedule comes when I want to do something at church or elsewhere in the evening - by 6 I am ready to go home and stay there...

[carlotta]

164 this week.

Not thrilled with not losing, I've bumped up the weights/squats/etc and off-bike exercise and still put in 70 miles this week. I know it's probably all in the diet but I'm not willing to meticulously track/count calories so maybe this is where I stay (I'm 5'10", broad shouldered, so I'm not massively overweight, but I've lost ~35 in the last 18 mo and would like to lose another 15-20).

The BF is a chef and I love to cook and weighing/measuring ingredients isn't either of our styles....it's a rare day that either of us use a recipe for anything other than yeast dough. There's very little processed food in the house and most meals start with fresh produce, bulk beans/grains, good meat/fish, etc, etc. I do have a sweet tooth and there was a box of thin mints that disappeared too fast last week (unfortunately for the girl scouts today, I'm not buying any more...), but don't drink many calories-- a little 2% in my coffee, 1-2 beers or glasses of wine/week, no soda/juice/etc, really just coffee/water. I'm just kind of annoyed at this point...

[Becky]

Cooking is relaxing for me if I'm not starving. I try to spend a few hours cooking on the weekend, just to have the fridge stocked up for the week. I'm getting concerned about how I'm going to keep this "weekly cook-up" process going once the weather warms up and group rides and races start. Any ideas?

[Catrin]

Cooking is relaxing for me if I'm not starving. I try to spend a few hours cooking on the weekend, just to have the fridge stocked up for the week. I'm getting concerned about how I'm going to keep this "weekly cook-up" process going once the weather warms up and group rides and races start. Any ideas?

Cook on Sunday evening? I am starting to think about this as well. Right now it doesn't impact my outside schedule since I don't really HAVE one right now...

[Becky]

Cook on Sunday evening? I am starting to think about this as well. Right now it doesn't impact my outside schedule since I don't really HAVE one right now...

That could potentially work, if I'm not racing on Sunday that week. I think it's going to come down to a week-by-week decision about when I have time to cook. Any ideas for paleo-friendly foods that don't require much prep? I would kill to find a company that makes paleo frozen foods, just to have as a back-up plan.

[Catrin]

That could potentially work, if I'm not racing on Sunday that week. I think it's going to come down to a week-by-week decision about when I have time to cook. Any ideas for paleo-friendly foods that don't require much prep? I would kill to find a company that makes paleo frozen foods, just to have as a back-up plan.

Cook a bunch of protein in advance, freeze it in single serving portions, and then keep a lot of fresh veggies or salad ingredients in the fridge for a quick stir-fry or salad? It is easy enough to thaw single servings of protein or simply set them in the fridge the evening before to slowly thaw..

[Becky]

I like it! Sometimes, I fail to recognize the most obvious solutions.... This would be one of those times ;)

[Catrin]

I like it! Sometimes, I fail to recognize the most obvious solutions.... This would be one of those times ;)

I do the same thing, so don't feel bad ;) This is certainly far more cost-effective then buying some "paleo-food", paying more for the marketing than anything. This also got me to thinking as well...I am going to invest in a better cooler for my car so I can take food with me on my warm weather excursions. My little cooler only lasted 1 season before I somehow managed to poke a hole in the bottom :o

[Catrin]

126.9 this morning, heading back down :)

[Chile Pepper]

Back to 121 this morning.

[Crankin]

105.6
I'm happy.
Yesterday, I ate a (non frosted) chocolate cupcake one of the teens I work with made. It was 5:30 PM, I'm sick, and my healthy snack had faded long ago. But, other than that, I've eaten the cleanest ever, this week.

[Veronica]

I LOVE good frosting. I always want the end slices of cake. :D

Veronica

[emily_in_nc]

104.5
Very happy with this since both our long rides this past week were rained out.

[yellow]

117.2. I seem to be holding steady, which is good. I'm finding that if I eat a little more at "mealtimes" I am not hungry for snacks. Hmmmm. Who'd a thunk it?:rolleyes:

Like V, I love frosting! So shoot me!:D

For those of you not familiar with Shut Up + Run, (http://www.shutupandrun.net/search?updated-max=2013-02-06T16:44:00-08:00&max-results=1&start=1&by-date=false) she had a great post this week about things that are "bad"--many of the comments are priceless.

[goldfinch]

109.4. Good enough as I slowly get back down to where I want to be.

[emily_in_nc]

109.4. Good enough as I slowly get back down to where I want to be.

Good job, Goldfinch!

[Crankin]

I think most people like frosting. She had make cupcakes with and without, and I really don't like frosting, nothing to do with diet. But, my client was amazed I ate the cupcake, as I always refuse the very good looking food her mom is preparing when I go for our sessions. I'd be fat as a cow if I ate all the dinners I am offered, of various ethnic foods... Puerto Rican, Italian, Lebanese. I just laugh and say DH has dinner waiting, which is true some of the time.

[carlotta]

164.

I'm kind of over this at the moment, but since my secondary goal was posting every week.....I'm here.

[murielalex]

153.8. Thank goodness I'm moving back down in the right direction. My body seems to be doing its own thing lately re weight. I'm seriously plateaued. I have upped my weight training to four days a week, and am starting to get back on my bike for short, easy-gear spins as I'm still recovering from my stupid ankle injury. I know getting in some more cardio work should help. I keep telling myself to get on my dang rowing machine, but it just taunts me from the corner of my living room. I'm stubbornly resistant to it right now, even though I know I like rowing. WTH?

[Catrin]

Woot - back to 125.0 :)

[Crankin]

I am chiming in today, as I am going away in a couple of hours.
106.8. Up a pound, but given I haven't exercised for 10 days, and I've been lying around, sick, eating things I don't normally eat, it's OK.
I know I will not make my goal, given the vacation.

[Chile Pepper]

Grrr..... I reached 120 yesterday, but today I'm just a hair over, so I have to report in at 121.

[emily_in_nc]

104.5 again -- my lowest weight of the week. Yesterday I was 106. Those fluctuations will make you crazy!

[goldfinch]

Up again at 110.6. Ugh.

[murielalex]

154.4. So stuck.

[Catrin]

154.4. So stuck.

Hang in there, it will come. That "stuck" phase is SO darn frustrating, I know...

[carlotta]

162.... there's hope for my goal still. Realizing that our annual Florida trip is rapidly approaching is an effective motivator. This would also have to be the year that the BF breaks form and actually buys me chocolate for v-day...we've shared two so far, so this is good (and they're damn good chocolates, making them worth savoring).

[yellow]

Hmmmm, 118.4 this week, and I was really pretty good. Better than the Vegas week to be sure. Discouraging that I didn't even maintain. I really need to get some real exercise. It's the missing element, I think (I have been deep water running and it's really not that hard, even doing intervals).

I did get 2 skate ski days in this weekend. I know, 2 days does not fitness make, but at least I was able to do something other than water run.

[Crankin]

I haven't weighed myself since I got back from Vt. Going to wait until Friday. My eating has been good this week, though I have not given up the red wine or chocolate :). But, with the decreased exercise due to being sick, I am sure I'll either be the same or a little more than my last weigh in. This challenge has been a big fail for me and I am not sure why, as I am doing pretty much the same stuff I did last winter when the pounds fell off. I only need to lose 2-4 lbs. so I am not obsessing, but it is annoying. I can't let myself get upset because it does seem impossible for me to go totally Paleo. My eating habits have changed so much in the last ten years, that I am trying to focus on the good, such as a lot more veggies, more fruit, no fake foods, no more Asian cuisine that seems to blow me up, very little grains.
Admitting that I am human! I hate it when people tell me how "disciplined" I am; not really.

[emily_in_nc]

Crankin, you are indeed human and eat much cleaner than most people, also exercise way more! You have been sick and traveling, so don't beat yourself up over a few extra lbs.

I am pretty sure I'm going to be up this week. Since the tumble I took Sunday, I haven't felt much like exercise. I'm actually much better this morning, hardly any of the neck/whiplash pain is left now, but with my skinned knee, I opted to skip Wed. morning yoga today. I can't do anything on hands/knees or even child's pose. Maybe by Saturday I will go and just try to modify the poses where necessary.

In the meantime, I've been cooking and eating more than I should. Oh well, I'm human too. :rolleyes:

[Catrin]

125.8 this morning

Crankin - you do great! Don't get frustrated - the older we get I think it can be more frustrating. You have worked out an approach to nutrition that works for you - there are going to be frustrating times regardless of the nutritional path we choose.

Emily - watch that neck/whiplash! You probably aren't as stubborn as I am where this is concerned. You might want to look up some gentle neck exercises for whiplash to aid in your recovery.

I've finally managed to stay at 125 SOMETHING for 2 weeks in a row :) While up a bit from last week it is less than a pound and I am happy with it. Given the intensity level of exercise for 4 days this week I suspect I've got some muscle water retention going on. I am actually not supposed to weigh myself during my Whole 30 - but that is virtually impossible for me. Once a week is better than every day ;)

Part of me would love to see 118 again (which I've not seen since I was 17) - but given my focus on strength training I suspect that is setting me up for failure. Better to focus on gaining muscle and lower my BF%. The point of all of this is to go into the next stage of my life as strong and flexible as possible.

[Crankin]

106.6
This is basically my go to weight when I've been eating well and doing my normal amount of exercise. It takes more stringent eating and perhaps, the beginning of the cycling season to move it lower. And last year, I started running in the beginning of March, so that always makes me lose. I still want to get down to 104, and it will happen, just not by next week, probably.
Emily, I can't tell you how much pain I had from slamming my forehead into my car door. First, I had a car accident in July, and while I wasn't hurt, my whole left side was sore, especially my neck. That took 4-5 weeks to go away. Then, when I hit my head in November, I had 4 weeks of whiplash, headaches on the left side (I hit my right side). It stopped for a couple of weeks in December while I was busy and not weight lifting, etc. It came back at the end of December and now, finally has been fine for 3 weeks. I should have gone for PT, but since I was constantly assessing myself for cognitive issues, I ignored the whiplash. This is a weak area for me, and I won't let that happen again.
ETA:
For some reason, I weighed myself again, after spin class and eating a small before spin snack.
105.8. I'll take that one.

[goldfinch]

109.8. Whatever.

[Chile Pepper]

120! This was my goal, so I'm very, very pleased. On the other hand, I just had a generous slice of molasses cake to celebrate, so maintenance could be an issue in the coming weeks.

[carlotta]

160.

Almost there. I've been bumming around in the 160's for what seems like forever and I'm confident I've never been in the 150's since I was a much shorter, pudgy, teenager (didn't own a scale for years, and was always over that at dr visits).

I'm well aware of all the flaws that go with BMI, but I just checked it for kicks and I'm down to normal (was just at the obese borderline 1.5 years ago when I got a clue...). Interesting, since I've still got a solid gut and can pick out a couple other spots with (not-so)-healthy fat stores.

[emily_in_nc]

109.8. Whatever.

That's not whatever...that's great! You're losing, don't beat yourself up!

[emily_in_nc]

105.0 today. Figured I'd gained since I'd gotten less exercise this week with my injuries, but I only gained .5, so I can't complain at all!

The whiplash was very, very minor. Thanks for your comments catrin and crankin, but in my case, the pain only lasted 3 days. and by day 3 was very mild. It doesn't hurt at all now. When I took a more serious tumble on my MTB, I had whiplash that lasted a couple of weeks, but not this time.

We got out and rode yesterday afternoon in the same place where I had my run-in with the fishing line. I was so nervous riding through there! But we took it slow, and of course everything was fine. Once we got past that area and into the section with a wide road (and nowhere to tie fishing line as there's water on one side, we had a blast. And we had a tailwind all the way back! :p

[murielalex]

:D I know the feeling!!!

155. Bah Humbug.

Exactly. I was 155.0 on Friday (forgot to post), and I'm 154.8 today. I'd had lost a significant amount of weight on a rather extreme diet, and wanted to give my body a break by upping my calories to the 1400-1500 range and exercising more. I've kept my weight training stable (been doing this for over a year) at 3 to 4 times weekly even while dieting, and as my injury healed, I've been doing hour sessions on a Computrainer two times a week, and short (10-20 miles) slow, easy-gear rides outside once a week. I've been eating strict whole foods paleo, minus maybe one or two small cheats a week (a bite of birthday cake, one sushi roll), log every calorie, and I'm really frustrated. Damb menopause! Anyway, I've decided I'm going back on my diet for March (working with a naturopathic doctor), since my ankle doc says I need to get 20-25 more pounds off asap. I'm also starting PT tomorrow, so hopefully, can get my ankle better to add in more cardio. Keeping fingers crossed.

[Cyclingfun]

So here we are at the end of Feb. I see that back at the start I dreamt of being 135lbs from a starting point of 147... Well, I haven't quite made it but am now definitely on the way (141lbs this morning). Altho I haven't posted, I've been reading your posts and it's really been helpful in revving up my motivation, so thanks and very good luck to all.
BTW, I do WeightWatchers but after 2 years was in desperate need to refresh my motivation - This came, magically, when I heard about a British doctor's idea which has been taking off over here. It's 5:2 - 5 days normal (though fairly sensible) eating then two (non-consecutive days) when I limit myself to 500 kcals - I'm amazed how easy this is proving, and how effective; so that's how I've managed to dump the 6lbs. Anyway, if anyone's curious, look up Dr Michael Mosley in a search engine where you can see if it might be right for you too.

[Crankin]

OK this challenge has been a big fail for me. I'm at 107.4 this morning. That was pretty much my normal weight before I started the challenge last year. I am going back to some of my former eating habits, decreasing my meat intake, and of course, outdoor cycling will be back on my schedule this month.

[Catrin]

124.9 this morning - I am very happy with that and I met my challenge :) That is now 3 weeks in a row that I've been <126. Now I need to decide what my focus will be for next time - I really need to focus on body composition rather than numbers on the scale - so I might choose maintenance. I will decide by the time Posse puts up the new one - and many thanks you for keeping this going for so long!

[goldfinch]

Not doing that great, at 110.4 this morning. Yesterday my rv park had a pizza bash and I had four pieces and chips and beer. If nothing else the salt content would contribute to water gain. But certainly I had a lot of a calories this week. Though, I did ride my bike a lot. I ended up with 646 miles in February, the most riding I have ever done in a month.

[emily_in_nc]

105 this morning. I had been 104 or 104.5 all week (weighing every other day), but yesterday we went out for a big BBQ lunch with friends. Not complaining; it was worth every calorie!

Since we're moving back to the US in just over a week, we're going to be going to all our favorite lunch/dinner places here in the coming days, and then will be eating out quite a bit, by necessity, in the US. I just hope I can keep from gaining too much. Worst case, I will just get back on the horse once we get to our house-sitting gig in KC on May 15. I plan on doing lots and lots of cycling! :D

[ny biker]

105 this morning. I had been 104 or 104.5 all week (weighing every other day), but yesterday we went out for a big BBQ lunch with friends. Not complaining; it was worth every calorie!

Since we're moving back to the US in just over a week, we're going to be going to all our favorite lunch/dinner places here in the coming days, and then will be eating out quite a bit, by necessity, in the US. I just hope I can keep from gaining too much. Worst case, I will just get back on the horse once we get to our house-sitting gig in KC on May 15. I plan on doing lots and lots of cycling! :D

Good luck with the move!!

[emily_in_nc]

Good luck with the move!!

Thanks, ny biker! We're beyond excited. But there are many things we'll miss here too, as with every place we've ever moved from. It's bittersweet.

[murielalex]

Well, I'm still at a stall. 154.6. I'll admit that I'd been doing a very rigorous diet for a couple months and I did lose weight easily (was working with a nutritionist/doc). I, on purpose, added about 300-500 calories back in, thinking upping my exercise would help me lose about a pound a week, but I've simply proved I can maintain well with 1400-1600 calories, even with weight training four days a week, and starting back up cycling (limited and slow) two to three days a week. If I eat any more than that more than once a week, I gain. My doc has advised me that I still need to get 20-25 pounds off my ankle yesterday, so I'm starting back up my official diet tomorrow, and am kinda excited. I also started physical therapy for my ankle this week, and am very impressed with my new PT (I've had so many bad ones over the years), who also happens to be a cyclist, and is damb good looking. Physical therapy sucks, but good visuals make it not so bad at all. Hoping for a happy combination of losing weight while gaining the ability to walk better and get back out on the road with my bike in March!

I don't know if we're doing a next round thing, but if I work look at my stats from my last round of dieting, my goal for March and April is a 20-lb loss.

[Crankin]

I am definitely in for the March-April challenge and feel much better that I have decided to tweak my eating back to what I really enjoy and seems to work. My goal is to lose 3 pounds.

[Possegal]

There will definitely be a March/April one. I'll post a new thread this weekend and folks should chime in there if they are in. :)

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AkxMKcttLKvTdHpKZWhtR3FXZE52aHFzWkFDQzRBS1E#gid=0

[murielalex]

Thanks for posting up that link again, possegirl. I was surprised to see that I'd actually lost a couple pounds. In my head, I was in perpetual stall :) Starting up strict paleo 1100 cal. diet again. I was losing three-four pounds a week when I did it last, which I wouldn't want to do for any length of time, as I do believe it's unhealthy to lose that much for long, but, as my doc. said, this is like emergency surgery, and I'm to stop at six weeks and work on maintaining whatever weight I get to again. My ultimate goal is 135, but realistically, I'm thinking 140 would be about right.

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks Possegal!

I'm going to sit out the next one since I don't know how much access I'll even have to a scale during our move and traveling. Once we get settled in Kansas in mid-May, I'll join the next one. Appreciate you keeping the spreadsheet!

[KerryCrow]

I would like to join in on the next round..lurk here but want to start posting more.

Cyclingfun: there was an article today in the New York Times about that Dr. And diet plan must say I am intrigued. I'm a lifetime WW below my goal..but would also like to get down to 135...

[Jo-n-NY]

105 this morning. I had been 104 or 104.5 all week (weighing every other day), but yesterday we went out for a big BBQ lunch with friends. Not complaining; it was worth every calorie!

Since we're moving back to the US in just over a week, we're going to be going to all our favorite lunch/dinner places here in the coming days, and then will be eating out quite a bit, by necessity, in the US. I just hope I can keep from gaining too much. Worst case, I will just get back on the horse once we get to our house-sitting gig in KC on May 15. I plan on doing lots and lots of cycling! :D

Emily - also wishing you much luck with the move and will look forward to hearing about your traveling adventures if you plan to post them.

[carlotta]

Forgot to check-in last week:

160.

Missed my goal by a pound, but also feeling bloaty/nasty at this point in the month, so not overly concerned. Onward....