January/February weight management challenge

Still 137. Sigh...

Picking up my repaired beater/trainer bike tomorrow, so hopefully I can get some indoor work done this rainy weekend.

Due to some carpel tunnel issues, I haven't been doing any weight work since my grip has been unreliable. I may give it a try tomorrow and see how it feels.

And just for grins, I'm wearing my HRM for 24 hours (no workouts during that time) to see what I burn on a normal day at work. If I'm continually stalled at 136 - 138, I still must be eating more than I need to in order to lose. Good food, but too much. It doesn't seem like it, but I spend a large part of my work day sitting. With limited workouts lately, I must be eating exactly what I need to maintain rather than lose. Will tweak a few things this week to see if it makes a difference.

117.0

not the right direction...

Trisk, I kind of do what you describe, because I know how my body works, after all of these years. I weigh in the AM, right when I get up. I know if I weigh myself even right after I've eaten breakfast or, ah spent time in the bathroom, I will be 1-2 lbs. up and that is normal for me. I do look for patterns, and this is why I decided to start doing something differently, as the pattern I saw wasn't good! I don't want to gain 5 lbs. every winter.
I do weigh myself everyday, because when I don't, it seems to get away from me. I know that it will be higher after the weekend, due to either going out, or a long, hard ride/ski, or both.
OK, going out to run/walk. Three types of exercise in a day is a lot for me, but the first 2 were not really strenuous.

226.2

On the up side, I did go for my first bike ride since the surgery this morning. I only went seven miles, and they were slow, but it was nice. My body is so no saddle-ready, though. I look forward to getting back in the routine of riding.

Roxy

Quote:

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Originally Posted by channlluv

226.2

On the up side, I did go for my first bike ride since the surgery this morning. I only went seven miles, and they were slow, but it was nice. My body is so no saddle-ready, though. I look forward to getting back in the routine of riding.

Roxy

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Considering that you've been unable to exercise due to your recovery, I'd say you're doing well. Sometimes you just have to focus on getting healthy again.

Congrats on your first post-op bike ride!!

Congrats on your ride, Roxy.
Some of my rides are about 7.8 miles, when I go and do errands in town... it all counts.

Congratulations, Roxy!!! So glad you're on the bike. You know the drill - build up slowly and carefully and above all avoid injuring yourself!

Nuts, back to 136.4.

I know it's harder to lose weight at 61 than it was at 21, but really. I've revamped my diet and exercise plan to include some regular kettlebell and hand weight sessions... not something I enjoy but worth trying. Plus, I've decided a pair of those new LG Neo Power bibs would be a good reward if I can get in the 120s before my first spring bike trip!
DonnaS

Ugh. Not posting this week. My appetite for sugary carb-laden foods has come back with a vengeance. :(

117.0 - it went up and back down to the same place I was last week.

I came home and snacked a lot I am looking at next to no dinner to stay on track today. Hope I stick to my plan and focus for tomorrow

106.0 -- the right direction at last.

And I did my longest run in the new year today, since I came down w/ a bad cold just before new year's -- 4 miles. :)

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Originally Posted by Crankin

Some of my rides are about 7.8 miles, when I go and do errands in town... it all counts.

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Yep, that's about my typical errand ride. The nice thing about Belize, I do a ride like this nearly every day. The downside: that is often the only riding I do. There aren't a lot of places to ride down here, so it's hard to get a lot of mileage in. That's part of the reason I run as well as ride, just to get some real cardio in. Since there aren't any real hills here, it's hard to get cardio from riding alone.

So I did not post weight last week...well cuz whenever I do this challenge I gain weight. I did weigh today..126, still not good but not up!

I've been dieting since Jan 6 and trying to exercise (was on a role and had a setback) and all I lost was 1 measly pound. 109 for me this week. Discouraging because I thought I was eating well and exercising. Apparently it was't enough.

164.3
meh :/

Updating again.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...UR5clpNUjlMSHc

I forgot to post my weight last Friday, but there was no change. Hoping for a better result this week (though, after Saturday night's cocktail party at a friend's house, I may have totally sabotaged my week.... :o

Susan

I don't think one day is a complete sabotage. Did you have fun? If yes, then no big deal. If no, well... we'll have to talk. Have you gotten back on track? Yeah, I figured you had. :D

Life is meant to be lived and enjoyed; look back on Saturday evening as a pleasure - not a guilty pleasure, a pleasure. Then get on you bike and ride! :p

Veronica

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Originally Posted by Veronica

I don't think one day is a complete sabotage. Did you have fun? If yes, then no big deal. If no, well... we'll have to talk. Have you gotten back on track? Yeah, I figured you had. :D

Life is meant to be lived and enjoyed; look back on Saturday evening as a pleasure - not a guilty pleasure, a pleasure. Then get on you bike and ride! :p

Veronica

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Yes, had a great time, with wonderful friends. It was all worth it! :)

I do sometimes get into the "guilty pleasure" mindset, and need the occasional reminder to lighten up a little, so thanks! It's hard to reconcile that against the "don't let what you want now get in the way of what you really want" mode I'm trying to be in, though. It's a delicate balance!

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Originally Posted by Susan Otcenas

It's a delicate balance!

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Ain't that the truth!

I have a desk drawer with Welch's Fruit Snacks in it. Don't know why, but those things are like crack for me. One bag and I need to have 4 or 5 more. bags.

I generally don't get into that drawer, but today I was putting away some stuff after school and those fruit things were calling my name.

I said, "Shut up, fruit things!" and closed the drawer. I could still hear them, but it was much fainter.

Now those, are a guilty pleasure. No good reason for me to eat them, ever. I have them to give to my students for 100% completion of homework for the month. They like them and they're not too junky.

Veronica

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Veronica

I don't think one day is a complete sabotage. Did you have fun? If yes, then no big deal. If no, well... we'll have to talk. Have you gotten back on track? Yeah, I figured you had. :D

Life is meant to be lived and enjoyed; look back on Saturday evening as a pleasure - not a guilty pleasure, a pleasure. Then get on you bike and ride! :p

Veronica

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I heart this post.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Veronica

Then get on you bike and ride! :p

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OH, I forgot to mention....

Sadly, I am currently sidelined and not riding. And going absolutely STIRCRAZY because of it. I've been battling an IT band issue since October-ish and it's finally gotten too bad to ignore. I've started ART treatments http://www.activerelease.com/about.asp with a very well respected doctor here in Portland. No cycling, no running (though I've been cleared to begin again in a very limited manner later this week), but lots and lots of swimming. I've swum 4 of the past 5 days, which is unheard of for me, but if I don't do something, I'll go insane.

This is part of the reason I'm extra sensitive about what I'm eating right now, because my level of exercise has fallen off a cliff. There's only so much swimming I can do, and it just doesn't get my aerobic system going the way cycling or running does.

Susan

Awww.... that is a bummer. How about weights and core work?

Veronica

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Originally Posted by Veronica

Awww.... that is a bummer. How about weights and core work?

Veronica

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Yes, starting a program of core and strength training, rehab stretches, etc.

I'm a crappy swimmer, so I'm, trying to see the glass-half-full of all the swimming I'll be doing in the interim. Plus, I start swim lessons with an awesome coach this weekend, so who knows, maybe it will all be for the best? One thing is for sure, I will never again take healthy legs for granted. I've NEVER had an overuse injury, and boy I hope never to have one again.

(((Susan))) I am sorry to hear about your over-use injury! It isn't fun, but it will pass. I am sure you will be more patient than I was...

I do remember last winter when I was dying to find some kind of cardiovascular exercise that wouldn't tweak my quads and hamstring, I tried the "hand-cycle" at my gym. Lucky for you, you can swim so that provides you another option.

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Originally Posted by Catrin

(((Susan))) Lucky for you, you can swim ...

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Not sure that the flailing about that I do can be classified as swimming, but yeah, at least it's an alternate activity. Today's swim will be my 5th in 6 days. I'm thinking of having gills surgically implanted.

On the bright side, I saw a new 2012 low on the scale this morning, so I must be doing something right. :) One of my co-workers came in this morning and said that today is national peanut butter day. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...n_1228291.html I wonder if I can work some in.... :D

Hang in there Susan. I had an IT band problem about 2 years ago, which turned out to more of a hip alignment issue - and I had rest, PT etc, and swimming was about all I could do too. At least it was April/May and warm enough to enjoy swimming outside in Tucson. Not near as much fun for me as cycling. But be patient and don't rush- way worse having setbacks from going back too soon.

Hey and congrats on the scale

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Originally Posted by Susan Otcenas

And going absolutely STIRCRAZY because of it.

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I'm sorry to hear you're injured. I feel your pain.

I've been dealing with a stress fracture on my tibia since before Thanksgiving. I can bike to work (only because I ride a cruiser and go so slowly), but I can't REALLY ride and can't run at all. :(
I tried walking for the first time in 7 weeks last week and it still hurt. That means at least another 5 weeks off.
NOTHING maintains my weight like running. It's maddening.

We will heal. All in good time (I keep telling myself). ;)
Hang in there!!

So, I made an appointment for a nutritionist and the appointment is tomorrow.

Now, I want to cancel it.

She called today to confirm the appointment (I think it was her or maybe it was her assistant) and that was it. I asked if I should bring anything with me (like food diary etc.) and I was told if I wanted to write down what I eat on a typical day (weekday or weekend) that would be fine, but that they would give me a menu plan.

*sigh*

This is what I wanted to avoid. I don't know if I should go just in case I'm wrong. Or if I should just cancel it and go with someone else.

In addition to this nutritionist, I found someone else who has worked with other women who cycle (a friend of hers did, used her, then referred her to other women cyclists, and now knows about it) but she doesn't use insurance and her rates are really high.

Or, I can just continue through trial and error and figure it out on my own.

Thoughts? What would you do?

I've never worked with a nutritionist, but perhaps it would be worth your while to call the office back and tell them specifically what kind of information/assistance you're looking for from the nutritionist. Be frank but polite that you're interested in something different from, or in addition to, a menu plan and ask if they work for clients in that manner. If the answer is "not really" or a grudging "yes," then tell them that you think it would be better to seek assistance elsewhere. It could just be that this is the default approach that the nutritionist takes because most of her/his clients simply want to be told what to eat.

Again, I don't know what's standard in this area, but I've learned over time to be more assertive (but polite) even when it comes to the services that I get from people like doctors, PTs, therapists and the like. I realize they're the "expert," but it's my body and my money. I make sure I state what I want and need out of the relationship.

I have read all the articles and have learned much, but it still all seems to come down to the same thing. There are no short cuts in losing weight and it will be a life long commitment. I just need to wrap my head around the fact that if I eat cookies I am choosing to be fat and my weight is nobodys fault but my own.

On a different topic: I want gills too. Every time I swim I dream of not having to turn my head to breath. That is why I like the drill of pulling 300 yards and breathing every three strokes on the first 50 every five strokes on the second 50 and every seven strokes on the thrid 50 and repeat. When you only breath every fifth stroke you get accross the pool much faster, but every seven strokes is hard.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jones

I have read all the articles and have learned much, but it still all seems to come down to the same thing. There are no short cuts in losing weight and it will be a life long commitment. I just need to wrap my head around the fact that if I eat cookies I am choosing to be fat and my weight is nobodys fault but my own.

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I really dislike using the concept of fault in conjunction with weight gain. Sure, you are the one who has to make decisions about how you want to live your life, but to say that your weight is your fault is a pretty heavy judgment when there are so many factors that went into how much you ended up weighing.

But yes, weight loss and maintaining that loss is a life long commitment where you may be fighting your own biology and if you are not willing to make that commitment day after day, year after year, it probably is better to be happy where you are at. And there is nothing wrong with being happy whatever you may weigh.

FWIW, IMHO. :)

Friday, 1/27, 107 pounds.

Up a few ounces but maintaining. Averaging about 1550 calories a day for the week with a fair amount of exercise. I think my calorie counting is fairly accurate, but hard to be exact. All the calories burned calculators indicate that I should have maintained my weight this week at anywhere from 1800 to 2200 calories a day. I know I am not that far off on counting. I guess I'll never trust calories burned calculators.

105.8
I've been up and down all week. After x country skiing last Sunday my weight was even lower than today's. Then it went right back to 107, which is my set point.
Of course, after weighing myself, I rewarded myself with a whole wheat cheese crisp with black beans, avocado, and salsa. And an orange. For some reason, oranges make me gain weight, but apples don't.

Mr. Crankin 149.8

Both of us have noticed our pants fitting much better!

135.2, the same as last week but I am not complaining. For some reason I've increased my calorie intake this week with the same activity level but my weight stayed constant.

I really have a hard time dropping my net caloric intake below 1,300-1,400 and with my activity level I doubt that I should. I am also ramping up on building strength now that my neck is starting to improve, so I certainly don't need to decrease anything and I do need to increase my protein intake since I am focusing on building strength right now.

Currently I am on a free month's membership at a new fitness club, but once that is up in mid-Feb, I will be eligible for a free Bod Pod session and also a free visit with a sports nutritionist. The new facility is based on fitness/sports research, and my membership will also provide a discount on metabolism testing. I think I need to take advantage of all of these before I made any significant dietary changes.

I am 60 pounds lighter than my last metabolism testing and at that time it was faster than expected...

116.8 - I was below 117 three days this week. I'll take it! I am still being a little sloppy on tracking, and had a mild cold all week so I didn't feel like getting any exercise. Hope this will give me a little jumpstart to refocus.

163.4, which is down from last week. I also had my manager call in a meeting this afternoon which means I have to cancel the RD's appointment. It's the universe telling me that this was not the appointment to go to...:confused:

I just want to get 20 lbs off. It feels impossible.

Well, considering I spent most of the week feeling like sh!t because of calorie reduction (fuzzy headed, dizzy, fatigued), I am only down to 127.2. No change in waist and hip measurements. I should be happy with that but, honestly, I'm disappointed. It's affecting my running a LOT. I think I will eat a bit more this week and see what happens.

227


Yeah.


Roxy

197 last week..196.1 this week. not a big improvement. but I am feeling awesome!!...


Question?....how can someone look like 40 pounds less than their actual weight?... I saw a few friends today that I havent seen in a few months and they were all excited about my weigh loss and the way I am looking now. They kept asking me and I asked a few of them how much they think I weight..and they all said around 155 -170 . I know I have dropped more size than weight but thats my problem with gaining weight in the past ... I always look way less than what I really weight......but why is that?..some poeple say it depends on your body type or/and bone structure..and also if you were into sport when young. But I am just wondering.