My problem has been that I love to exercise, but use it as an excuse to eat whatever I want. "I ran 5 miles today, I deserve ice cream!" Except no, not if I'm trying to lose weight. I also inherited a family tradition of eating my feelings.
Post by spaghettisquash on Mar 29, 2015 10:31:18 GMT -5
I'm down 30 pounds from pre-pregnancy weight over the past 18 months. My pregnancy was rough due to HBP and eventually pre-eclampsia so I swore that my next pregnancy would be different.
I joined a weight loss club at the gym which helped structure my exercise and helped with motivation. I now see a trainer once a week who gives me work outs to do. For eating, I furst concentrated on small steps like eating protein with every meal and snack. My goal now is to continue decreasing overall sugar intake which is hard to do as I have a huge sweet tooth. I also concentrated on how I felt after meals. Like eggs and avocado satiated me longer and I felt better than when I ate cereal.
And I also tell myself why I'm doing this. Yes I desperately want a donut but I want my daughter to grow up with a mom who is healthy and not obsessed with food more.
I'm not a good model for anyone's weight loss visions, but I've lost 50+lbs probably 3-4 times in my life? I lose track. One of those I lost 100+. The 100+ was in college and I tightly restricted (like 1250/day) and counted calories like it was a religious calling. Most of the other ones have been focusing on counting calories/portion control but not quite so zealous. I also did a strict Paleo diet for several months before I got pregnant with the girls and probably lost 40ish. Obviously maintaining weight loss is my downfall. I of course gained it back during pregnancy, lost it again very quickly (within weeks), and then gained it back plus more during the stress of the first year. The idea of "pregnancy weight" means nothing to me.
For me the idea that weight loss is almost entirely about eating rather than exercise is very true, and I think it is for almost anyone who has a significant amount to lose. Exercise is good for health, is sometimes good for keeping you motivated, is good for looking more toned when the weight comes off, and is good for smaller people trying to lose the last xx lbs.
My motivation is at close to zero, but I need to find a way to get going on losing again because my current weight is unacceptable for so many reasons.
Guys: if the weight you lost was all pregnancy weight, it doesn't count lol
Yes it does. I have had to work hard to get these 40 pounds off. They didn't just fall off like the water weight did immediately after giving birth. I have earned every damn pound I've lost no matter how I gained it.
I lost 160 pounds, but all before the baby. I have gained 24lbs since having the baby. I overeat sugar/carbs when I'm tired. I'm always tired these days.
I wouldn't say I've given up though- it's just different now. I currently have a goal to go to Crossfit 2x a week for 3 months. I also always have a better week when I plan all my meals ahead of time.
The gym was very important to my weight loss- but not cardio. Gaining muscle helps build the metabolism up. If you only diet food wise, you lose fat AND muscle thus slowing your metabolism.
Post by Queen Mamadala on Mar 29, 2015 10:56:43 GMT -5
I started the weight loss journey back in June '10 when my ds2 was 6 months. I was researching and considering WLS. Then I came across a documentary and a program and a switch went off. I had previously done WW and didn't have long term results. I tried other mainstream S.A.D. and none of them worked in the long term.
But calorie/carb cycling was easy peasy and effortless. No plateaus... nada. My heaviest was 320 lbs, and throughout the entire process I lost 140 lbs. I lost 63 lbs in five months, and then went Primal and did a ketogenic protocol and intermittent fasting.
This wasn't my heaviest. I was 305 lbs here. I was very, very rarely in photos from '02-10. I wore a size 28/30 at my heaviest.
DH and I are both trying to lose right now. We are the most successful when we both do it together. Before our wedding he lost 80 lbs and he was at his all time low right when ds was born. After ds was born our eating habits sucked. I was bfing and starving all the time so we ate lots of unhealthy foods. DH has been successful with ww online, but currently we are just trying to eat much healthier with way more fruits, veggies and lean meats. I still treat myself but in moderation.
Post by spaghettisquash on Mar 29, 2015 11:16:17 GMT -5
One other thing is that there were some weeks when I lost nothing or gained a few. To help me stay motivated, I also measured inches and body fat. I've lost 15% body fat over the past year. I also kept track of my fitness goals. Like I may not have lost more than a pound this month, but I ran a mile in 9 minutes or did 10 military push ups without stopping. that was enough to keep me motivated during plateaus.
My problem has been that I love to exercise, but use it as an excuse to eat whatever I want. "I ran 5 miles today, I deserve ice cream!" Except no, not if I'm trying to lose weight. I also inherited a family tradition of eating my feelings.
This is me too when I exercise. Back in 2009-2010, I ran 5 miles a day 4-5x per week. I lost 20lbs then but never adjusted my diet. As soon as I got injured and had to stop running, I packed those pounds back on. Boo. I also need to stop eating my feelings, happy or sad.
So I'm not the only one who this commercial resonated with? LOL
Can you guys give like what a typical day's food looked like? I'm interested in spk926's simply filling menu was like, and gravytrain's low carb. I struggle with taking all those foods and turning them into a workable day's eating
I lost about 60lbs total between two weight loss efforts (20lbs the first one before I had DD, 40lbs the second round after I had DD). I was successful by getting in 10k steps per day (not exercising, just walking) and counting calories with Lose It.
It took me about 5 months to lose the 40lbs, which IMO is pretty good. It was overall steady and that was good enough for me. I did hit a couple plateaus which were a little disheartening, but I knew I was going to drop more if I just kept going.
Working out helps, but they always say that "your body is made in the kitchen" so if you're eating less, healthier, etc then you're well on your way. GL!!
So I just started trying to get healthier because I also need to lose like 40-50 lbs.
The thing that I started first was to just make small changes,I don't drink soda anymore. Only water or unsweet tea. After I started cleaning up my eating a little bit I started going to the gym 2x a week. I do crossfit because I really enjoy people motivating/cheering me on. That helps me the best. I am at the point now where I think I want to go to the gym more.
I lost weight on low carb, about 20 pounds (almost all of that NOT baby related). TBH the article posted on CEP a few days ago really spoke to me regarding dangers of yo yo weight loss and how most of us end back at the same point unless we go crazy about dedicating our life to diet and exercise. I am hoping I can be kinder to myself next time around. Yes, I look closer to society's ideal at 135 vs 155 but I don't think my health is noticeably worse. I want my health vs a number on a scale to be the driver of my habits, if nothing else to set an example for my children.
For those who don't like to work out... I've found that I can use the gym's wifi to stream a 45 minute episode of "The Good Wife" while on the stairclimber/ ellptical/ stationary bike. There are days that I don't want to go to the gym but I do want to know what happens next in the show, so I go to the gym!
Also, I love listening to audiobooks while on a walk or jog. Especially suspenseful murder/mystery of Joh Grisham style books.
I am a compulsive over eater. I am an emotional eater. I will eat and eat and eat and eat and binge and eat and eat and eat. I had my son in 2013 and hated how I looked and loathed myself for a year. In 2014 (and 2015) I have taken steps to change not only my body but my habits and I will say that the key (for me) is to START SMALL. I have no idea what my weight loss is (I don't weight myself, I can't just yet...issues) but I am currently in a size 10 pants and I was in a size 16 this time last year.
Small changes over time will lead to big changes. For me, thinking about all the weight I wanted to lose was overwhelming. So I didn't think about it. I just started small. I joined a gym and I go with my H. We lift together and when my son is napping I do my cardio. I try to be as active as possible. I try to make better choices. I am constantly having conversations with myself about what to eat. Scheduling when I eat has been a game changer for me. I eat every 3 hours and I look forward to it. It's helped cure my bored snacking. I don't reward myself with food anymore. It's a mental battle every day but every day I am stronger and stronger and healthier for it.
This article is brutally honest. BRUTALLY. You've been warned. But holy hell if this isn't the kick in the ass I needed to hear. I re-read this article about once a week (for several months now). If I have a bad food day, I don't let it turn into several bad days or months of bad days. You have to get right back on it.
How come they tell you not to eat legumes on the paleo diet?
A lot of the paleo rules have nothing to do with weight loss, it isn't intended to really be ABOUT weight loss, it is about not eating certain foods because of the reaction they entail physiologically. Dairy is inflammatory, as is gluten/wheat/grains…legumes (supposedly) also aren't digested properly…one way of looking at it is that if the food needs to be processed in any way it isn't ideal…of course, there is research to suggest that meat, red in particular, is ALSO inflammatory but it is still part of the diet, lol…anyways, for a better idea of why certain foods aren't/are on the list (or different versions of the list - because there are some lists that are more severe than others), I suggest reading It Starts With Food because it does really explain why certain foods don't make the cut - including tomatoes (for some people)!
I lost 80lbs before kids once and kept it off for a few years.
I've lost 45lbs post kids. That's the most I've lost posthaving a child. Which was still quite another above where I should be.
I am currently very close to all time high yet again (I've been here at least 7-8 times). I have not successfully lost a lot & kept it off post kids. I swear the sleep has been the biggest stumbling block. I'm tired, worn out & loose my motivation & willpower. My youngest is 2 & has slept like shit since Thanksgiving. I cannot get my shit together.
I think it really depends on your body. My metabolism is always more sluggish when I'm not exercising and really picks up when I do certain kinds of exercise, like running, but isn't impacted by exercise like yoga.
Well, yes, it is possible to lose weight when you burn calories.
MFP really opened both our eyes to how easily a "little treat" at the end of the day could push us 400 calories over where we needed to be to lose weight.
This exactly, and tracking my exercise also was a wakeup call that 45 minutes of exercise might burn 175 calories. A random handful of goldfish crackers that aren't even that great will cancel that hard work in 10 seconds. Keeping accountable for exercise and food really makes you stop and think if it's worth it to eat or drink whatever is in front of you.
Post by pacificrules on Mar 29, 2015 15:12:57 GMT -5
I'm coming back in to say two more things I thought of this morning: 1-Reading It Starts With Food was super eye-opening to me and helped me really understand the process of digestion, nutrition, and my body's reactions. Even if you don't intend to do a Whole30 or eat paleo, I highly recommend it. Just to inform yourself.
2-I know 30 Day Shred has been mentioned several times. I like that DVD, but love her Yoga Meltdown. It's cardio yoga, still challenging but more easy to modify to your fitness level than 30DS. Again...highly recommend!!
Post by asoctoberfalls on Mar 29, 2015 15:47:12 GMT -5
I have about 50 lbs to lose. I actually had 65 to lose, but I've already lost 15. I gained 40 lb when i went off birth control to TTC #2. We TTC for 15 months with no luck, and just a few weeks ago I found out that I'm pre-diabetic. This has been a HUGE wake up call for me, and I'm taking off a few months from TTC to get my weight and blood sugar under control.
I'm going low carb and hating it, but it's really my only option for blood sugar control. It works extremely well for me when it comes to weight loss, but it's tough to stick to long term.
Post by AlpineSlide on Mar 29, 2015 16:27:19 GMT -5
Good luck @bunnybean! Thanks for starting this thread. I need to lose 50 pounds and really need a kick in the pants to get started.
I lost about 25 pounds, and got into good shape right before getting pregnant with DS and did it by lightly following the Tone It Up girls. I didn't buy anything they sell, meal plan or whatever, but just used their free advice, free recipes, and workouts on Youtube and their website.
Then I moved onto Jillian Michael's DVDs which I love! I love her hardass nature. I need that.
I also biked a lot once I built up some stamina from the other workouts.
But now, with DS around I just can't get started. I'm hoping to walk my ass off once weather turns better. Really the crap eating is big for me though. I binge eat when I'm emotional, bored, sad, etc. It is bad.
As of this week I reached my pp weight, but I have 50 more pounds to lose from there. I started to really focus on weight loss around 5 weeks ago, by cutting out grains, beans, legumes, sweets, and alcohol. I haven't been perfect the last two weeks, but overall I've lost 6 pounds since starting. It has taken good planning, but it hasn't been too difficult for me to eat this way.
I got a super MM deal at the barre studio I've been going to for the next month, so April will be the month I ramp up workouts - TRX 2x/week, Pilates reformer 2x/week, and barre class at least 1x/week.