What's Your Game Plan For Weight Loss?

[KindeBabe's Kupid Kiss]

What worked and what failed.

Weight Watchers failed for me because I was not physically stronger after I lost my weight.

[Genuine GA Peach]

I've tried South Beach (learned better food choices). I've tried WW (learned portion control).

I'm back to WW right now (on my own, no meetings). I'm down about 7 lbs since I started in Sept. My goal is to lose 20 lbs by the end of the year.

I exercise (running, spin class, walking, cycling outdoors, weights, Pilates), so I keep my strength.

My problem with WW has always been that I feel like I'm STARVING all the time. This time, I've focused on low point foods so I could eat larger quantities. So far, so good. My weight loss is always very slow, so as long as I'm making some progress, I'm happy.

[Genuine GA Peach]

I just need something I can live with for the rest of my life. Meal replacement isn't it for me. I'm not eating anything different than what I usually eat, just keeping track of the portions and total daily intake. I have passed on dessert once or twice, and I'm choosing healthier snacks (veggies & humus or salsa; high fiber crackers, etc.)

[Genuine GA Peach]

www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=1681

Spark People is a good site to find different ideas, track your results, for recipes, exercise tips, etc

[resolution]

I've been doing spark people for a month now and I haven't lost any weight, but my friend that is doing it with me has lost 12 pounds so far. I have learned a lot from the calorie tracker and I like their exercise demos so I don't consider it a bust. I was really hoping to lose a few pounds before my vacation though, since I will probably gain some.

[thatchica]

I have been following a diet from a nutritionist in which I am actually eating more than I was before. Just better choices. I have been taking spinning classes 5 days a week for 1.5 hours each time. I am trying to work myself up to 2 hours per day.

It has been 4 weeks and I have lost 6 kilos (13.5 pounds)

[Genuine GA Peach]

I've been doing spark people for a month now and I haven't lost any weight, but my friend that is doing it with me has lost 12 pounds so far. I have learned a lot from the calorie tracker and I like their exercise demos so I don't consider it a bust. I was really hoping to lose a few pounds before my vacation though, since I will probably gain some.

can you tell that your clothes are fitting looser? Did you take your measurements? My weight loss is really slow, but I feel much better and my clothes are much looser (even my one size down clothes that I bought!)

good job, Chica & MM!!!

[resolution]

Nov 4, 2011 9:30:51 GMT -5 Genuine GA Peach said:

I've been doing spark people for a month now and I haven't lost any weight, but my friend that is doing it with me has lost 12 pounds so far. I have learned a lot from the calorie tracker and I like their exercise demos so I don't consider it a bust. I was really hoping to lose a few pounds before my vacation though, since I will probably gain some.

can you tell that your clothes are fitting looser? Did you take your measurements? My weight loss is really slow, but I feel much better and my clothes are much looser (even my one size down clothes that I bought!)

good job, Chica & MM!!!

Yes my waist measurement went from 31" to 29", but I have also been doing the weight machines at the gym while doing the spark people, so I don't know which to credit.

I am going on a cruise in a couple of weeks and I was planning to continue by using their fitness center on the ship, but I just got a letter from them saying it was closed for renovation. I am a bit concerned because I gained a ton of weight on my last cruise and this line is noted for its cuisine. But at the same time I don't want to spend my whole vacation counting calories instead of relaxing and enjoying myself.

[Formerly SK]

Nov 3, 2011 17:07:44 GMT -5 @missmargarita said:

I've been loosely following the "clean eating" principles. No processed foods, foods with 5 ingredients or less, no refined flour or sugar. Also, just eating smaller portions and a lot of exercise. I've recently taken up running in addition to my other workouts which include spin classes, intervals on the elliptical and weight lifting. Overall, I've lost 30 pounds and pretty much do not feel deprived at all. I don't miss the sugar at all.

I agree with not doing meal replacements or going on a diet that is completely out of the realm of what you normally eat. You need to learn how to make lifestyle and dietary changes that you can follow for the rest of your life. Not just until you lose X amount of weight. I still have pasta I just fix the whole wheat pasta, if I have rice it's brown rice, bread is made with whole wheat or whole grain flour, etc. If we go out for Mexican food I've started ordering soft tacos with corn tortillas which are considered "clean". If I do eat something processed or refined I don't beat myself up over it. I just make the right choices at the next meal and stay on my workout routines.

Awesome job MM!!

[resolution]

Nov 4, 2011 12:30:21 GMT -5 @toughtimes said:

What will really make you lose weight is a doctor telling you that you will go blind if you don't. But, I don't endorse that method.

Karma to you if your doctor told you to lose weight and you did it successfully. Unfortunately I know several people who either couldn't or wouldn't follow their doctor's advice and lost limbs and more to diabetes.

[Artemis Windsong]

I usually eat at home but for the past 6 weeks I have been eating out and not exercising as much. That is a double whammy. Add in my age and that is a triple whammy.

Going forward, I plan to eat more vegetables and fresh fruit before I eat anything else.

[Genuine GA Peach]

Artemis - I try to keep an apple with me all the time. I keep apples, clementines, and red grapefruit at home and at the office. I try to grab an apple before I leave either place. If I'm starving after my workout, I can eat an apple on my way home from the gym to keep me from overeating when I get home.

I made it past my plateau FINALLY!!! I've been stuck at pretty much the same weight for 2 weeks At least I didn't gain more than 1 lb of the weight I lost back. Anyway, now I'm almost 1/2 to my goal.

9 lbs down, 11 to go by the end of the year.

[Artemis Windsong]

Good for you Peach .

I always have food with me. Two Special K snack bars and hard candy plus gum and water. My favorite after workout snack is 4 ounces fat free chocolate milk or low fat chocolate Silk. A lot of the tennis peeps use full fat chocolate milk. I prefer the Silk because it's fewer calories per cup.

My daily schedule will be more normal now so I can ramp up my workouts and do them regularly. The Fall transition from the golf course to other activities is a pitfall for me. I did a walk down from golfing full 18-holes 3 times a week to two 18s and one nine then one 18 and two 9s then to three 9s.

I'm retired so I have a bountiful kitchen caling to me. I don't read recipes or look at grocery adds unless it's right before a meal or while I am eating. It seems women have their minds on food a lot. The planning and grocery list and thinking about the time preparing the food. All in all, I am grateful for the abundance and options.

[Genuine GA Peach]

It seems women have their minds on food a lot.

I know! I cannot believe how many women I see watching food shows on the cardio eqpt at the YMCA.

I do like a little chocolate milk after a workout. I have a mega sweet tooth. I've been keeping atomic fire balls on hand for that. Seems to (mostly) take care of the craving for sweets. I have some frozen dark chocolate too. Can't eat chocolate too fast when it's frozen solid

[Artemis Windsong]

This morning fired up about grapefruit/egg to reduce intake today. Breakfast was good as was lunch. Work out went great. FF chocolate milk. Nap then dive into the bag of cheesy poofs. All is not lost except the grapefruit/egg metabolism trick to drop some water weight has been diminished. Salad is on the menu for dinner.

Retraining the eating habits takes time and patience.

[mizbear]

I am trying to get back on my healthy eating/exercise plan. I'll beat this very dead horse one more time- I wasn't overweight until my former psychiatrist messed with my meds. I fired her and the new one put me back on my old meds. The weight gain immediatey stopped. Unfortunately it hasn't been easy to get off and keep off. I have had things that I know have worked and I need to keep at though:

1. I don't have time (or money) to go to the gym- so I created a home gym. I tailored it to my specific likes and needs- I have an exercise ball, some weights, a STEP, some DVDs.
2. When I can, I don't eat out. I have cut almost all of the red meat out of my diet (which was actually for financial reasons initially and then I saw the weight loss- so I kept the change), and don't eat as much other meats anymore either. I don't eat canned veggies unless it is unavoidable- and then I rinse them first.
3. I have 3 recyclable stainless steel bottles and a Brita pitcher. I have no excuse to not have water with me that way. Now I just need to get another bottle coozie (the one that said I have PMS and a handgun- any questions drew raised eyebrows in some circles). I also keep at least one hot cup for hot tea, coffee, or homemade hot cocoa. I love my girls at Starbucks- but they are bad for my waistline and pocketbook (that doesn't mean I won't still bake them cookies at Christmas)
4. I am learning to say no. My biggest detractors from my diet are family. They do not cook and will not eat what I cook (because it is not fried and covered in butter and cheese). If I do have to eat out with them, I try to peruse the menu for the healthiest options. Thank goodness we have really great take out Chinese! My mother doesn't understand that a "salad" that has 2-3 lbs of cold cuts on it is no healthier than any of the other fast food she eats.

[jarhead1976]

Run like the devils chasing you!

[Genuine GA Peach]

Run like the devils chasing you!

tonight I ran in the cemetery because there are very few cars driving thru there. As dusk got closer, my running speed definitely was faster! I just watched the original Night of the Living Dead, so that probably helped too

Miz - drinking water does make such a big difference. I have a 1/2 gallon Coleman water jug that I take with me every day. Water is pretty much all I drink. When it's cold in the mornings, I will make some hot tea (or just hot water with lemon).

I also enjoy my home workouts. I do Pilates at home. I have several DVDs from The Firm that I've done for years. Never get tired of them. I also bought The Wave, which is a fun and deceptively tough workout. I do enjoy working out at the Y (usually after work), but it's great to have stuff at home so you don't have to travel for a workout.

[Genuine GA Peach]

oh...maybe this will get my gambler DH to shed some lbs! vitals.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/03/8618483-hefty-wager-lose-weight-or-lose-your-money

[mizbear]

Run like the Zombies are chasing you?

I always liked having a diet or exercise buddy- but have found that my most loyal supporters have been online. My BFF N and I used to walk several times a week- then she got married. My mother and I used to walk everyday. I am hoping that my DGM breaking her hip tonight will be a wake up call for my DM to get her active again. I am also hoping she will jump back on the diet bandwagon.

[Genuine GA Peach]

another 2 lbs down (total of 12)...8 more to go by the end of the year! I'm so happy to have made it past the half-way mark!!!

several people who haven't seen me in a while have

[femmefatale]

Good job Peach! I just try to maintain my weight...I monitor what I eat(most of the time) lol...If I see myself tipping the scales at a number I don't like, I back off the food for a while and eat in smaller portions.

[msventoux]

I downloaded an app that tracks calorie intake, which was quite an eye opener. I've lost 16 pounds since July just from making sure my calories stay under a certain level, and hope to lose another 10-15 more. I hate shopping and cooking, so I was eating way too much high-calorie convenience food. I force myself to go shopping early one day a week to avoid crowds and make a couple big batches of something that I can eat throughout the week.

I tried exercising, but rediscovered that I absolutely detest working out. I get bored on the treadmill, exercise bike, and doing pilates, and I'm not coordinated enough for aerobics, etc.

[Genuine GA Peach]

good job on the weight loss, Ms V! Hopefully you can find some type of exercise you do enjoy to help you reach your goal. Dancing, walking, skiing, skating, I'm sure you'll find something

[Artemis Windsong]

New plan. Write down what I eat, calories and when. I am only as good as my last meal.

eta: wear pants that have a tight waist band and bra that is a bit tight.

[fuzzylumpkins]

I've tracked carbs, calories, ate in moderation, changed my diet, cut out sweets, cut out sodas, cut out caffeine. I've walked, run, lifted weights, attempted Pilates, belly dance and aerobics. I can NOT lose the last 15 pounds! ALL YEAR I've been sitting on these last 15 pounds!

Very soon I'll be attempting the Atkins diet. Boyfriend and the roommates are going out of town for Winter Break and I plan on eating down the meats in the freezer. The diet worked pretty well for my mother so I'm going to give it a try.

I really enjoyed Bellydance so I'll start that again when I start the new diet (maybe a week in advance).

[femmefatale]

Well, I have put on 5 lbs and need to lose it. I suppose the over indulgence of chocolate isn't helping. I'm not over weight by no means, but just not comfortable with the extra few lbs. Any remedies for home exercise weight loss?

[gavinsnana]

What works for me is walking.. Eating protein, low carbs.. no sugar and drinking lots of water. I gained a few lbs when I had my hysterectomy.. ugh... so, I am watching it more closely and trying to take charge.. I have to keep it in my head that its not a temp thing. that it is a lifestyle change.. I can reward my self once in a while with some bad (good) stuff.. but only seldom.

I tell myself, I have had that before, I know what it tastes like and I will have it as my reward.

Lost 7 lbs so far

[femmefatale]

Dec 5, 2011 16:22:54 GMT -5 gavinsnana said:

What works for me is walking.. Eating protein, low carbs.. no sugar and drinking lots of water. I gained a few lbs when I had my hysterectomy.. ugh... so, I am watching it more closely and trying to take charge.. I have to keep it in my head that its not a temp thing. that it is a lifestyle change.. I can reward my self once in a while with some bad (good) stuff.. but only seldom.

I tell myself, I have had that before, I know what it tastes like and I will have it as my reward.

Lost 7 lbs so far

Good job Nanna..Guess I'm going to have to start turning the radio on everyday and dancing. That will work off some cals. I get a heavy craving for chocolate since I've gotten older, don't know why?

[thyme4change]

I just need something I can live with for the rest of my life.

Absolutely the most important thing.

I was watching infomercials last Sunday and I laughed out loud when I saw "The Food Lovers Diet." I wasn't laughing because it was of "Snuggy for Dog" proportions. It was because every sample meal they showed looked exactly like how my family eats (and how my parents fed us.) And my family is of healthy weight. A little bit of protein, a little bit of starch, and a bunch of veges. No excessive sweets, no highly caloric beverages (although definately room for wine.) You want to eat cake at a birthday party - great - just not the whole cake, and don't throw yourself a birthday party every day.

I encourage anyone with children to figure out a well balanced way to eat and raise their kids to eat that way. It is so much easier when a "proper" meal feels natural, and you think your world is off when you drink 4 Pepsi's and eat a bag of potato chips, followed by an entire pack of Oreos. It still happens but not nearly as often.

Good luck to all of you on your education process of learning a new normal of eating well. And, if you ever get discouraged, I would like you to know that I have always, always eaten healthy, and there are weeks where I get off and we eat like crap. I have to work hard to pull back onto "program" (even though there is no program.) It never ends. Keep fighting the good fight.