September/October weight loss challenge

[Susan Otcenas]

Thanks V. I appreciate it. And I hadn't seen your previous post, so it was good to read. Sometimes, when we struggle like this, it's hard to remember that others around us have been in/are in the same place and that we shouldn't feel like failures when we aren't perfect (which is how I feel at times when I get down on myself about this.)

[Veronica]

.....it's hard to remember that others around us have been in/are in the same place and that we shouldn't feel like failures when we aren't perfect (which is how I feel at times when I get down on myself about this.)

OMG - you should so totally NOT feel like a failure! You just completed PBP. Do you know how freakin' awesome that is?! You just have to apply that same sense of failure is not an option. Trouble is, unlike PBP, maintaining a healthy weight is a lifetime commitment.

Veronica

[Susan Otcenas]

OMG - you should so totally NOT feel like a failure! You just completed PBP. Do you know how freakin' awesome that is?! You just have to apply that same sense of failure is not an option.

Yeah, which is why it's pretty messed up, eh? GLC pointed out to me that I don't lack discipline; it's just that I focused my discipline in a different direction this year (ie. putting in the miles for PBP).

Now, if only I can make myself truly believe it.

Susan

[Tri Girl]

I struggle with it ALL the time, Susan. I lost 35 lbs in 2005, and have since gained back 45. Ugh. Talk about disgusted with myself!! I'm now 10 lbs heavier than when I joined WW the first time. You're NOT alone! Granted, I train WAY more now than before when I was barely working out and just doing WW, but still. I would love to drop 15 and still be a tad overweight, but healthier. Am going to try and will join the challenge- but not until after my Ironman in 3 weeks.

And yeah, you just did PBP- you are AMAZING!!!!!

And GLC is right. I was super disciplined before on losing weight. Now my focus is on IM and the training that goes along with it. Too hard to do too many things at one time that require extreme focus.

[maillotpois]

Oh Susan - that story is all too familiar. Thanks for sharing that. I find it really easy to backslide, almost more so when I am riding super long distances. The urge to "relax" too much when I am done with a ride can sometimes be too great.

Between December of last year and May or this year, I lost 30 pounds. Mostly with WW (I really do like their new program).

But.... this summer, I let my summer vacation extend itself a little too much, lost a little focus, let my guard down a little, enjoyed a little too much IPA, and I'm up about 10 pounds from where I was in May.

So.... I am in for the challenge and the accountability. I will weigh in Friday and report. I think my goal for the 2 months will be to get back to where I was in May, 168 pounds. (Ultimate good weight goal for me is 160 - 165).

[Aggie_Ama]

Susan- You are not alone at all. I lost a lot of weight in 2004, down to 125 at one point. I maintained solidly until late 2005. I gained back 20 of the 50 pounds I lost. Then in late 2008 took most of it off to about 140. Then I got on Lexapro, it made me let my guard down, it made me less active and it actually wasn't fully controlling my depression which made me care less about everything. I started just slowly eating more and more. That was almost two years ago, I ballooned to 174 when I switched medicine last fall. I took off about 10 pounds just by being active but I still wasn't disciplined in my choices. So last week I weighed in at 163 and started Weight Watchers again. I know I need to commit, it isn't one thing it is the big picture. A beer or two isn't a problem, it is doing it several times a week after mountain biking. A serving of ice cream isn't the problem, it is half a pint or more!

Bottom line, you're not alone but it is hard to say you're one who feels like you failed. We didn't fail, we just have a new opportunity and a new challenge to conquer! You can't fail when you are willing to try again and learn.

[Titania]

I'd like to participate this month! Since I was diagnosed with PCOS (Poly-cystic Ovary Syndrome) and got on meds/diet, I've lost 80 pounds. In the last two weeks, I've gained 2 pounds...the needle is heading in the wrong direction! It's such a struggle every day, and I've been really discouraged of late, especially since DH can eat whatever he wants.

I've been at a plateau for a few months, and I'd really like to focus again and get the scale moving down again.

My starting weight this month: 188
My goal: 182

[GLC1968]

I want in on this challenge again, please. I'll weigh in on Friday - but I'm guessing I'll still be around 150 lbs so my goal for the end of October is 140 lbs. I'm 3 weeks into eating Paleo, so I'm feeling super focused and super positive and I can't WAIT to get to my goals! Look out world!


Susan - I'm not sure you know all this about me, but I've SO been there. Time and time again, in fact. I've been up and down the fitness/leanness roller coaster too many times to count. My wedding day was one of the peaks of fatness (if you can believe it!) and 2 years later, at my fittest, I was 135 lbs and had a 17% body fat. That was in 2005. Then I had some medical issues and gained 25 lbs (unrelated to the medical problem, I just lost my focus). Then I got healthy and regained my focus, and lost a bunch and got back down to 138 lbs or so and was at my cardio vascularly fittest I'd ever been. Then life got in the way, we moved across the country, yadda, yadda, yadda....I ballooned up to 175 lbs (well, 174.9...I never actually saw 175 on that scale!) and was the most out of shape I'd ever been. This was when you and I met. As you know, at this stage, I actually wore a bikini in Cabo around the likes of you when you were near your leanest!! Anyway, I started training for tri, lost ~ 25 lbs and here I sit. Working my way back down with a goal of 135 lbs and 17% bf again. And I'll get there, eventually.

Just like you will. And yes, motivation is SUPER hard. In fact, I would bet money that it is even harder once you've done it before. The only thing that gets me going again in the right direction? Results. Either on the scale or in my head.

So my advice? Change up your routine and honestly, start doing something that you aren't very good at so that you can see quick improvements. Weight training is an excellent choice because it's easy to see fast changes when you are a beginner. And commit to three days (it only takes three), where you are 100% super strict and clean in your eating. No sugar, no starch, no bread....and after three days, you'll feel SO much better and you'll really shake those cravings.