Not S&BR - weightloss

[Deleted]

I'd rather confide in you ladies rather than going over to H&F.  I also know a lot of the ladies here have recently lost a ton of weight.

A couple years ago I lost 50 lbs and was able to maintain the weight loss... until I started dated my BF.  Over the year we have been together, I gained about 25 of it back and I am feeling pretty down on myself.  I've been lacking motivation mainly because I'm just so tired - I'm up at 5:30am, I get home from work, am on homework duty, tidy up the house, and make dinner, so by the time I'm done I just want to sit and have a glass of wine and do nothing. 

However, seeing pictures of myself lately, not loving how clothes are fitting me, and also having 2 cruises coming up in November and December, I think I have finally find the motivation... BUT, I have this damn boot on my foot so I'm limited to only watching what I'm eating, and no exercise :-(  The last time I lost weight, I was eating healthy AND running 4 days a week, but think the exercise is what really helped the weight fall off.

So to you ladies who have lost weight... any ideas for me?  Got any examples for meals throughout the day?  Exercise that doesn't involve the use of my left foot? lol 

Note - I eat pretty healthy... oatmeal for breakfast, apples or bananas for snacks, salads for lunch, chicken or salmon and a fresh veggie for dinner.

[boston340]

Are you able to do hand weight or body weight exercises with your injured foot? I lost 30 lbs in 2010-2011 and did it by doing a lot of Jillian Michaels workout DVDs and cutting out processed foods in my diet. After I lost about 20 lbs I started running again and the combo of weight training + running + decent diet helped me lose and maintain my weightloss.

In full disclosure though, I'm working full time + taking 2 classes per semester and I've noticed my weight creeping back up. Honestly though it's because some bad habits have creeped back into my life. Not working out as much, eating processed snacks while I study, not keeping a great diet. I'm desperately trying to combat that.

[majick143]

After DD2 was born, I started weight watchers. I had two very small ones at home along with a full time job so working out wasn't really on my radar. I joined and followed the program online to a T and I lost 40 pounds without exercise. I kept most of it off (with the exception of about 10lbs, which crept up when I stopped tracking but also started working out 4 days a week) Following points became more difficult when I started getting exercise in, I was a lot hungrier than before.

After DD3, I tried WW again but wasn't as successful. I think because I'm home with all three during the day, working a full time job, a side business and just don't ever seem to remember to track food. That's when I realized I needed to try something different so I joined CrossFit and I go at 6am. If I had to manage a weight loss without exercise, I would definitely try out WW again though.

Gotta say though, if you're eating really healthy, I'm not sure if that would be helpful or not.

[niknik]

WW or My Fitness Pal. Measure your portions and follow it. I like WW because you could eat a ton of fruit and veggies so if you blew through your points by eating out or drinking an extra glass of wine, you can still eat and not feel like you are blowing your diet. I eat really healthy for the most part but my portions are probably too big and I can't give up my glass of wine at night.

[mrsg123]

Ditto pps. I have cut most empty calories-- beer/wine, snack foods etc. are you able to do lunges/squats with your boot? Can you walk? I would add in resistance training, try to limit carbs, and walk if you can. Is the boot off soon?

[treedimensional]

Cutting calories is HARD. But you CAN exercise. When I began my journey I was well over 300 lbs and did most of my exercise seated in a chair! But I was very diligent and kept to my eating and exercise plan. I lost 100 lbs in about 9 months.
Trust me when I say the hardest part is MAINTENANCE. My goal is simple- I just want to STAY the same size for the rest of my life (replacing clothes is expensive and psychologically painful). It is a huge challenge, but routines are your best friend. That means tracking your food and exercise and weighing yourself every day.
I have never believed in "baby steps" or don't believe that tracking and weigh-ins mean you are "beating yourself up". For me, baby steps don't work. I need structure and accountability or I quickly lose sight of my goal. I need a plan to follow. I am not good at food and exercise decisions, my emotions will prevail.
Good luck.

[bluesecrets]

I've lost 60lbs purely from a low carb diet - I wasn't even exercising during that. I've started running lately, but it hasn't sped up weight loss or anything - it's just helping with inches I find. It can be hard with cravings, but it's seriously the only thing that's worked for me. I still splurge - this week is a splurge week for me, and then I"ll go back hardcore for probably two weeks. I have a friend who does 6 days low, 1 day high for maintenance.

[valhaman]

Cut out the wine while you're trying to lose. Eat even more veggies and fruit, like 6 or 7 full cup servings every day (but 3 cups of lettuce is 1 serving of veg). Maybe try some hand weights to get your heart rate up?

[Deleted]

Sept 15, 2014 11:03:24 GMT -5 bluesecrets said:

I've lost 60lbs purely from a low carb diet - I wasn't even exercising during that. I've started running lately, but it hasn't sped up weight loss or anything - it's just helping with inches I find. It can be hard with cravings, but it's seriously the only thing that's worked for me. I still splurge - this week is a splurge week for me, and then I"ll go back hardcore for probably two weeks. I have a friend who does 6 days low, 1 day high for maintenance.

Can you give me some examples of what a day of eating is like for you?

[hyde0610]

Ditto what everyone else said, but the only thing I will add is to watch what fruits you are eating. About a year ago, I asked my cousin who is a personal trainer, RN and RD about my diet and she told me that she thought one of my main problems was the fruits I was eating (as well as the too big portions of even the healthy stuff). She said to choose berries as things to eat regularly instead of the apples, bananas and grapes that I was eating since they were higher in carbs and sugar (not avoid them completely). I know everyone has their own opinion on sugar/carbs from fruit, but it did work for me and that along with smaller portions helped me break a plateau.

[bluesecrets]

Sept 15, 2014 11:08:20 GMT -5 @blonde407 said:

Sept 15, 2014 11:03:24 GMT -5 bluesecrets said:

I've lost 60lbs purely from a low carb diet - I wasn't even exercising during that. I've started running lately, but it hasn't sped up weight loss or anything - it's just helping with inches I find. It can be hard with cravings, but it's seriously the only thing that's worked for me. I still splurge - this week is a splurge week for me, and then I"ll go back hardcore for probably two weeks. I have a friend who does 6 days low, 1 day high for maintenance.

Can you give me some examples of what a day of eating is like for you?

Breakfasts I'll do coffee and omelettes/bacon. Kroger makes a LC yogurt that I'll get sometimes. 
Lunch I like the atkins frozen meals. I'll also make chicken salad wraps or salads (full fat dressings like ranch, blue cheese, etc.). 
Dinners are usually a meat and veggie. Loaded cauliflower, broccoli and cheese, bacon wrapped asparagus are some of my favorite veggies. Meats I'll do baked chicken with a cream/cheese sauce, steaks, taco lettuce wraps, wings, bunless burgers, and things of that nature. 

For snacks, I'll have raw veggies, peanut butter, beef jerky, cheese/pepperoni, jalapeno poppers. It's important to weigh food at the beginning to learn serving sizes. If I want wine, I'll enjoy one glass of dry red (weighed out, it's about 4 carbs). 

[busybodyk]

Can you ride a bike?

[mrsg123]

How about finding an extra 30 minutes? Could you wake up 15 minutes earlier and squeeze in an AM workout? Or trade off dinner duty so you can work out a few nights per week?

[char217]

I feel you. I really do. I lost 80lbs about ten years ago. I went through a divorce and then met my now husband and over the years packed it all back on. As you know, I've lost a lot of weight. Currently, 96lbs. I'ts crazy! I've been working my ass of for two years. I cannot and will not ever gain this back. It has been so much harder for me this time around. I'm 44. Last time I lost a bunch of weight I was 34. I will tell you what works for me. #1-I had to want to lose weight and get healthy more than I wanted anything else. #2-Nothing matters if you don't change your diet #3-I track everything that I eat and all my activity in My fitness pal. #4-I do cardio and weight training 5x a week. I started with just cardio and then started weight training (The weight training has really changed my body). #5-I eat the same meals 90% of the time. It keeps it simple and I don't have to think about it. I am at work by 8am every day and work until 5:30. I leave work and walk two miles every day then I weight train four of those days. I typically don't eat until 7:30-8:00 every night. It's exhausting some times but so worth it. This is what works for me. It may not be for you. Just wanted to share. Feel free to pm me anytime! Good Luck! PS..I wish I could say it gets easier, but Honestly my addiction to sugar and food are very serious and I struggle every day with making the choice to eat clean:(.

[char217]

PS....

Something that took me years to learn. Cardio will help you lose fat. Weight training changes your body!

[ans1999]

Lurker here:

I had success using the Beachbody 21 day fix. I don't sell it or anything. I actually found the measurements and food plan on pinterest and did it that way. I lost 10 lbs in the 21 days. I did exercise some but I still think you would have good results without exercise. I felt pretty full the whole time.

Sample meal plan:
B: 2 eggs, 1 cup fruit, 1/2 cup steel cut oats
S: chocolate protein shake with 2 tsp peanut butter
L: 3/4 cup grilled chicken, 1 cup salad, 2 T of dressing
S: 1 cup veggies with 2T hummus, 1 cup fruit
D: 3/4 cup taco meat, 1 tortilla (preferably whole wheat), greek yogurt for sour cream and veggies.