Obesity Discussion Forums

[JenLoseA]

Well, I've now offically started my weightloss and new way of life. The first half of the week, I really didn't do anything but a food diary and count up all the calories I was eating. I wanted to see what I was taking in on an average day...and even with being aware, writing everything down, and not wanting it to look like I was a TOTAL pig...I ate an average of 7000 calories a day. The day I actually started doing some different things...like cutting out the carbs and sugar, doing a little exercise (by little I mean about 8 minutes of aerobics...was all I could do), and not eating late at night, I only ingested 1330. I've kept that up for the past 4 days, and when I weighed in this morning I had lost 5lbs! I was shocked! I thought for sure I would be staying the same, or maybe losing a few ounces...but 5lbs! And, not to embarass anyone, but I'm also the week before my period which is usually good for a 2-4lb weight gain anyway.

Anyway, this is my blog and feel free to jump in here with any helpful tips or words of encouragement. I really need to do this if I wanna live...

Jen

[regulachick]

I'm not surprised to hear you lost 5 lbs in 4 days. Keeping track works! I was probably averaging 3500-4000 before I started "my program" (which involves keeping a spreadsheet), but I really don't know. Maybe I would have been shocked. It's a good thing you caught yourself before you had a lot more than 78 lbs to lose.

Congratulations!

[JenLoseA]

Thanks, Chick. I think my seemingly rapid weightloss might also have to do with having so MUCH weight to lose. People who only need to drop 15 - 20lbs to get to their ideal body weight seem to have a harder time taking it off. Lucky us, huh??? But I do feel very encouraged and am really trying to stick with this. Once I get the food thing under control, I can add more of an exercise program. So far I've only done anything on 2 days (my 8 minutes of aerobics, and a 3 block walk). My day gets so busy with work, then I get home and I'm too exhausted to think about DOING anything. I know this means I should go for that walk and get some blood flowing....but it's HARD!!!

I feel whiney today...sorry!

Jen

[jayjay8989]

keep up the good work

[Irving]

that is so amazing! good job! 7000 calories is so much i am surprised you did not weigh more you are lucky! keep up what you are doing!

[JenLoseA]

Ok...Just got back from a week long trip to Texas. My daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and I spent the week watching my grandson while she was in the hospital. Unfortunately, I put on a pound while I was there. At home I do fine, but in the face of all the pop-tarts, convenience foods and JUNK, I didn't stick with just my diet food and went a little crazy. A also feel bad that I got stressed out (it's been a long time since I delt with an active 3 year old!!!) and smoked 2 cigarettes...also stuff just laying around their house.

But now I'm back in my own home and ready to get a fresh start. I'm going back to day one of my diet tomorrow (after the 15 hour drive, I'll be sleeping most of today) and will get everything on the right track again.

As for the 7000 calories, I don't think I ate that much every day...but it sure was a shocker to find out that I ate that much at all! Non-diet soda helped bump up the numbers as well. Are there any articles on how soda calories stay with you?

Jen

[JenLoseA]

Sigh....I'm having trouble getting back into the swing of things after my trip. I'm also going through some major changes in job and home...so everything is seeming more difficult than it should be. I know what I need to be doing, but have lost the motivation to do it.

I did go grocery shopping yesterday and got only 'approved' foods. Since my cupboard was bare, hopefully this will mean sticking to my plan. I just have to stay away from fast food joints and visiting people who like keeping cookies, candy and junk on hand...

Jen

[uncle_sargam]

Originally Posted by JenLoseA

Sigh....I'm having trouble getting back into the swing of things after my trip. I'm also going through some major changes in job and home...so everything is seeming more difficult than it should be. I know what I need to be doing, but have lost the motivation to do it.

I did go grocery shopping yesterday and got only 'approved' foods. Since my cupboard was bare, hopefully this will mean sticking to my plan. I just have to stay away from fast food joints and visiting people who like keeping cookies, candy and junk on hand...

Jen

Thats a very good idea. The proper influence is important in achieving the goal of weight loss. When I started uni I came to a new country knew nobody so I spend lot of time swimming and gym and was lsoign weight properly. After spending time in a social life I totally rolled off the wagon.. with booze, partying, and eating late it pulled me back so much. But its still never too late I know. Keep up the Good work Jen

[Sassycat]

Originally Posted by JenLoseA

Sigh....I'm having trouble getting back into the swing of things after my trip. I'm also going through some major changes in job and home...so everything is seeming more difficult than it should be. I know what I need to be doing, but have lost the motivation to do it.

I did go grocery shopping yesterday and got only 'approved' foods. Since my cupboard was bare, hopefully this will mean sticking to my plan. I just have to stay away from fast food joints and visiting people who like keeping cookies, candy and junk on hand...

Jen

Jen, keep your chin up! There are going to be hard times and then there are going to be easier times. Just keep eating right and posting here. We are all here to help support you in the tough times.

[danieller]

Hey Jen,

I understand how hard it is to get back into the swing of things and how hard it is to stay on track when you aren't at home. Everytime I go to visit my parents I have a hard time staying out of their cupboards, it always helps to pack a few healthy snacks that I know I can eat and not feel bad about. Also I find it necessary to tell the people around me that I am working on reaching a very important weight loss goal, this way those close to you know not to tempt you with bad foods.

And about having problems with your work and at home, it does make it tough to stay on track, but being on a program is always nice because it is the one thing that you yourself have 100% control of, I think it is nice to be so in control of something so important to me. When I am trying to lose weight I feel like I have a purpose! I love that I have a something that drives me, that I can dedicate myself too. I hope that in time you will feel the same too!

Good job on only buying good foods...that is the only way to go! Keeping a food diary is an excellent thing to do and it keeps me on track...I can't go and eat junk food or fast food cause I know I will have to write it down and tally it up and if I exceed my daily limit then I know I won't be happy with myself and why would I want to experience those negative feelings for a silly little chocolate bar or greasy meal that will probably give me a tummy ache afterwards anyways.

Hope all the info helps! Remember not to focus on your faults and to praise yourself for all of your accomplishments.

Good job on the 4lbs lost to date though! That is excellent!

Good Luck Chicky!

[JenLoseA]

Update! Glad to report that I have not only lost the weight I gained on my trip, but that I lost an additional 6lbs! This diet is not the easiest, but it does get good results, which is what I'm after. I'm doing it healthy too...no starving or crazy stuff like purging or laxatives! I eat small meals and snacks daily and feel like I'm eating a lot more than I did when I WASN'T eating right.

But I am losing, which is a good thing. Also stepping up the exercise a bit to try and tone the loose skin as I lose.

Jen

[chubbymommaNdallas]

JenA, thanks for sharing the great news. That is fantastic. I think the food log you mentioned in your first post is awesome. I have been doing a log the last 3 or 4 weeks and I must say it makes a huge difference for me. Also, I made my life change back in June. I lost weight all summer. Once school began, I started to exercise. What a HUGE difference it made for me. Good for you to keep your good foods on hand. You are setting yourself up for success and I want to keep doing it too. I would also agree about assigning importance to finding people health concious like yourself. I haven't really found too many people that interested so I am going it alone--except for here. My husband has been encouraging though since he is seeing results now.

[BiggerFatterBlog]

Why is it worth it.

[JenLoseA]

I haven't been online in a while...I had the flu, which threw me off of everything and I gained back 2lbs. I keep having to start all over, which is getting really old. But, I want to lose this weight and start feeling better.

BiggerFatter, I'm not sure what you're asking with "why is it worth it?" Is losing weight worth it? Exercising? What makes either worth it to me is getting into a healthier lifestyle. I don't want to start each day feeling like crap, tired all the time, sluggish, body hurting, etc. The weight on my knees is very painful and I have trouble breathing after the slightest exertion. If losing weight will make it possible for me to go up and down stairs without looking like a deformed crab, and walking to my car doesn't send me into an athsma attack...then all of this is worth it!!!

Jen

[jimmyg1988]

Hey Jen,
very inspiring. It is totally worth it. My mom, when she would diet, would say "nothing tastes as good as thin feels" which is 100% true. After I eat something i know i shoudlnt, the guilt it disgusting. Once people start coming up to you and noticing your weight loss, you feel more motivated then ever. Ive only been dieting for about a month and someone recently came up to me and said "wow! you look so different!". it was really inspiring. Youll do fine, just keep up with the good work. write down everything everyday and even your thoughts being written down helps. When I feel a craving for something bad I look at pictures of myself when I used to be thin.. pretty much a reminder! Also, quitting smoking now is very hard. Especially because you get used to the habit of putting something constantly in your mouth. Good luck!

[JenLoseA]

jimmyg,
I'm 5 months quit on smoking. That was much easier than this...because I can avoid smoking forever, and I can't avoid eating. Last night I blew it and had a big wedge of cake that I never should have baked. My bf wanted it, so I baked it up for him...and of course I couldn't let him eat the whole thing by himself! I'll try to offset it by taking an extra walk today, but I'm realizing that my entire mindset about food needs to change. I've heard the addage, "eat to fuel, not to fill", and it makes sense. Hard to put into practice though!

Jen

[chubbymommaNdallas]

JenA, good for you to think of ways to get back on track. That's what it's all about after all. The night before last I went with my hubby to have fondue. OMG. My weight went up three pounds because of it! I know it was probably the sodium and all the heavy meat. I am back down two pounds today. My aim is to be back all together by tomorrow morning.

Is it worth it? My answer is absolutely, uneqivocally, all in unison now..."YES!" My blood sugar is normal now. I have decreased my chances for heart disease, having a stroke, most types of cancer as well as a host of other illnesses. I now weigh less than my hubby and am actually looking forward to having our Christmas pictures done for cards. I find myself drawn to options that have not been open to me before clothing wise. I pay more attention to my skin care, my health and everything because I have more energy to do all of the above. My children can wrap their little arms around me now. Wow, that feels amazing!

Is it worth it? YES!!!! OMGoodness, YES!

That is the understatment of the year!

[chubbymommaNdallas]

I wanted to mention one other thing that helps me mentally. I read somewhere on these boards a little phrase. When you catch yourself eating emotionally (not sure if you do it but I do) say to yourself, "the answer isn't here."

That is really powerful to me.

[JenLoseA]

I do eat emotionally...but right now, it's mostly just trying to re-train myself out of some really, REALLY bad habits. I'm also fighting with myself over doing what is good for me and doing what I want. Like a petulant child...which looks pretty silly on a nearly 50 year old!!! I just have to get serious about changing my lifestyle.

Jen

[kinglewis121]

Sigh....I'm having trouble getting back into the swing of things after my trip. I'm also going through some major changes in job and home...so everything is seeming more difficult than it should be. I know what I need to be doing, but have lost the motivation to do it.

I did go grocery shopping yesterday and got only 'approved' foods. Since my cupboard was bare, hopefully this will mean sticking to my plan. I just have to stay away from fast food joints and visiting people who like keeping cookies, candy and junk on hand...

Jen

Im with you 100 Percent there that happened with me and my job as the days and hours changed for me every week about 2 months into my diet i wanted to be a bodybuilder i trained 4 days a week weights and 7 days a week cardio and lost 2 stones in 2 months but that happened and i lost it completly but ive just started again so i know how it feels

keep going though when you feel low come here remember were all doing this together here thats what this forum means for me

GL HF
Lewis