Weight Loss Goal 50 to 100 Pounds

[Lisa1980]

Hi! 

I'm trying to lose 75 pounds, hopefully at a rate of 1.5 pounds per week. I started on my journey a week and a half ago and I'm currently down 3.6 pounds.  I'm looking forward to a healthier lifestyle and if you want friends for extra motivation feel free to add me.  🙂

[hayleycan]

@Myrn I think sometimes it's just so much easier for us to justify that we can't do it the way we "want to" so we just don't do it.  How many "diets" are we bombarded with that set us up with "Maybe that's the way I should do it!!" Paleo, Weight Watchers, Atkins, Low Fat, High Fat, No Carbs, Only Carbs, Vegan, Juicing, Raw etc etc... It's so bloody difficult to just make a choice to be reasonable and not be tempted to just follow the latest thing hoping that it will finally be the answer to everything we are looking for.  It will solve whatever the struggle is and we will all instantly never have any hard choices to make.  No cravings, no emotional or eating when bored.  Endless energy for the exercise we need to do.  Instant portion control. 

The fact that there is no quick fix is scary.  It's scary for me to recognize that ultimately I'm in control of everything.  I'm not fighting (that I know of) any health issues complicating anything.  Life is hard and busy, frustrating, exhausting and most of us probably spend 99% of our time looking after the needs of others and not ourselves.  Kids, Spouses, Work, Pets, Friends, Family, pretty much anyone we can put in front of us to make sure they have what they need - and not what we need for ourselves.  We run out of time taking care of everyone else - so when we can't achieve what we expect ourselves to achieve (Perfection), then it's so much easier to just say to ourselves that "Now is not the right time, I'm too busy, I'm too stressed, I'm too tired, I can't do this because yesterday I ate cake, or had a coke, or went out for dinner and at onion rings etc", and turn the focus back on to others. 

Turning inwards to take care of what we need for ourselves is incredibly difficult.  It makes us feel guilty, selfish and is just another way to show us that we are not doing what we are supposed to be doing.  It's a vicious cycle.

There are a few of us that will be able to just make a plan, stick to it, and acheive whatever is wanted.  But the 99.999% of us that need to lose a substantial amount of weight - like me - this can't be about a diet.  We have to shift the paradigm to view this as changing our lives for the long term.  Permanently.  That we each deserve to take care of ourselves. That doesn't mean to the sacrifice of others - but replacing an unhealthy need to focus only outward on others and to remember to focus inward on what we need as unique individuals that are trying to take care of ourselves too. 

Whoa... I'm wordy today.

[MsMichelleyk]

I have good days and bad days. What I think I did wrong when I was trying to lose weight before was that I would stress about a bad day/week/whatever, and allow myself to shame-cycle right off my diet. This week so far hasn't been great exercise-wise, but I still have 3 more days to go, so I'm not going to say, "okay, I just suck, I'll start again next week" Which I have done before!. Instead, even though I really didn't want to, I took my dog out for our quicke run/walk and felt much better about myself. 

You are awesome. You want this. You can do this. Take every day as a new one, and don't worry about what you've done previously. When you're looking at yourself, at your health, and at the scale, it's the goal you aspire to in the future, not what you did wrong in the past. 

Personally, I set little check-in motivators for myself throughout the day: "You want to feel comfortable in your skin" @ 9am, "You want to be healthy" @ 12pm, "You want ...." whatever your goals are. 

It helps me keep focused and looking ahead. 

[EdinburghLass]

These recent posts have really struck a chord for me. I've come to the conclusion that something needs to be done! I have 100lbs to lose. This week I topped 18 stone. I'm fat, depressed and always uncomfortable. I sweat at the slightest movement. I keep making excuses but you guys are right. I need to look at achieving the small goals of each day so that I can get there slowly but surely. I'm also an "all or nothing" person which is why I give up so easily as I feel like I have "failed" and so I throw in the towel completely and end up binging. Just had enough of being this size. I want my life back. Slowly but surely I'm going to get there x

[ad11423]

yes, I agree me too. I have gotten back to wearing my fitbit and have a couple of great days and then nothing. I alternate between walking and gym and each a few times a week. I am losing, but appreciate all the comments about setting goals, etc. great motivation. thanks all for sharing, it really helps me although I don't post often.

[hayleycan]

@MsMichelleyk - I love the ideas of the motivation pop ups.  It would be great if we could set a whole bunch of them, then randomly have them pop up through the day.  So that they don't become just something else for me to ignore. (Like my water reminders....)

@EdinburghLass- I think beating the "all or nothing" cycle has to be one of the hardest things to conquer in our life because it rules so much of how we do things.  I'm really happy that you'll look to starting at the smallest steps in order to move forward. 

Non of us has anything to lose by taking this slow and steady.   I wish there was an easier way to do this.  I wish I could go to bed tonight and wake up fit and strong and a nice healthy weight - but I wont - that being said, if I stay the course, then technically each day I do wake up just that little tiny bit healthy, stronger, fitter, and a little smaller - even if I can't see it yet.

[paperclip]

@Lisa1980, @hayleycan, @iMike, @pcobb8, @MsMichelleyk, and @everyone!!!

THANK YOU ALL!!  Wow, great advice all around.  I've definitely taken something from each one of your responses.

The week continued to be a struggle but I haven't given up.  I have my weigh-in tomorrow which I expect will be a gain...the past week+ HAD to catch up with me LOL  I'm good with it.  It's just a small blip on a long journey.

I love the small goals and SMART goals suggestions iMike and pcobb8...heck, I can do them for work why can't I do them for me too?!??! LOL And, I'm going to begin building my accountability too...starting here!  I see you have your stats at the bottom of your post, pcobb8...I'm going to begin doing that too.  I never wanted to show my numbers out of embarrassment and, I believe, part of the reason was also because nobody could see if I was trending up or down.  So, today I begin. 

@hayleycan it always amazed me throughout the years how the smallest little something could do me in.  You're absolutely right!  In the moment you don't even realize it's the beginning of something that will make me kick myself.  I've always been an "all or nothing" person...food and exercise included.  This is something I need to really work on.

So, thank you everyone!!!  and, here we go...accountability begins!!!  Care to join me?

SW:  283.6 lb

CW:  266.8 lb

WI's: Friday mornings

GW:  170 lb

[hayleycan]

Good Morning Peeps!

It's almost time to kick off my office shoes and put on my weekend shoes.  What kind of weekend do you have planned?  Are there any challenges coming up in the next couple of days that are stressing you out?  Are you worried about getting your steps in?  What's the plan?

My weekend is pretty open.  My husband plays boardgames and has a few events this weekend.  Tonight and then on Sunday.  I find the nights that he isn't home after work a double edged sword.  I can do what I want for dinner and finally watch something I want to watch without his narrative on what a crappy show it is.  The problem is, I usually end up not bothering to cook myself anything for dinner so I snack instead. 

Tonight I have planned on making something special for myself though that I love.  Pasta with Artichoke, Cherry Tomatoes, Bacon and Parm Cheese.  I'm only going to put one slice of thick cut bacon cut up in small slices so I get the flavour more than anything.  I like fresh grated parmesan cheese too.  So that is one goal for tonight that I want to meet.

Tomorrow I'm taking my bike in for tune up.  Again, tired of waiting for my husband to do it so I'm just going to take it in myself.  I'm also going to try a hot yin (gentle stretching) class.  My hamstrings, glutes, and calves are all super ridiculously tight.  From sitting at a desk all day and then years of sitting on a sofa all night.  Sometimes it hurts to move around - especially when I first go from seated to standing.  So I'm going to try something new and do this class.  The description says its for all levels.  Nothing to lose right - except sweat!!

Sunday is the other day the hubster is at an event.  I'm going to use the slow cooker and make some pulled pork that I can use in a few recipes for the week.  I haven't been for a nice walk in a trail for ages, so I'm going to head to a nearby park and take in some forest green.

Meal plan and food prep for the week.  The last thing on my list.  I'm going to try prepping my salad in a Jar thing for lunches Monday - Wednesday.   What kind of prepping do you do??

Those are the things I'd like to do this weekend. Nothing exciting, but all good things to make sure I get done. 

If you don't have a plan set for the weekend, why not make one now to help you stay focused.  Share it hear for ideas and encouragement.  Well I am anyways.  Let the encouragement begin!

Hayley

[hayleycan]

How was everyone's weekend?

I got about half the stuff done I wanted to this week.  I ended up sleeping a lot of it away.  I guess I needed it.

What kind of week does everyone have planned?

[Kikai]

Hi Everyone. I had a gastric sleeve back on 07/02/14 and have lost 82 lbs so far, but I have stalled since April of this year. The sleeve helped me get started, but it is not a magic cure and the rest is up to me. I bought my fitbit and it has definitely helped me be more active. I have actually started enjoying walking, hiking in the woods, and getting out now that I can actually walk without stopping every hundred feet or so. 😛 

My husband and I walked 3 miles (a5k!!!) last night, and I think I am ready to sign up for a real 5k and walk it. I would like to get below 200. Currently I am 264-267 depending on the day. I'm hopeful that by getting involved in a community, I will get support and motivation to get the last 65 lbs off and have my weight start with a 1 again. 

[hayleycan]

Hi Kikai! Let me be the first to welcome to the thread. It was quiet over the weekend, but usually through the week there is good activity and always lots of support.  You fit right in, as we are all working on similar goals.  I think what you'll find in this great thread that Lisa1980 started is a very safe place to come and be super honest.  This is a place where you get to say, Crap I had *fill in the blank* today, now what.  I don't want this to be the beginning of the slide.  We can talk about why you had *fill in the blank*.

Most of all, have fun and enjoy the process when you can. 

Feel free to add me to your friends list. 

[SunsetRunner]

Hi Lisa

I have just started out yesterday, so this is all very new to me. Congrats on the weight lose so far that is excellent. I am hopeing to lose roughly 60pound and would like the most of it to be gone by next July so i want to aim for a simialar lose to you per week.

Like yourself i am looking for people for motivation and fingers crossed we can all achieve 🙂

[sheetal_29]

hi all,

 i need to lose 30kg to reach my goal weight. it is very difficult beacuse my thoughts differ from my partner who is under weight. we have just moved to another city with a family who are vegetarians and i am a non veg. please help. i keep trying to do the no wheat no diary no sugar diet but i cannot seem to stick to it. what can i eat? what can i do? i need support and  motivation asap. much appreciated. xx

[paperclip]

Hey everyone,  welcome to all those who've just joined us!  You'll really enjoy this forum.  It's active and, when you need it, people are quick with help, encouragement and great advice.

It's been a while but today I managed to get 18+k steps in.  This is a big deal because I've been off track for a couple weeks now.  I think I just needed this one big step to get the rest back in line. 

Hope everyone is doing well.  Do we have any challenges on the go in here right now?  If not, I'm happy to come up with something LOL

[paperclip]

@Lisa1980

Took your advice and found an app for my phone that tracks my calories for me.  I find apps for my Blackberry really lacking these days. (what can I say, I'm devoted LOL).  Finally found one that had good reviews and that I find easy to use.

Things have been improving since tracking the calories.  Thanks!

[Lisa1980]

Sorry I've been less engaged lately! My trip to Maine was crazy busy and then the day after I got home my baby, Shadow, sprained his neck. 😞 I don't know if you have ever had to ice a black labs neck regularly but it certainly is an adventure! Anyways he seems to be finally on the mend and so I should be able to get back into my routine! I'm also looking forward to getting my workouts in. Unfortunately Shadow likes to follow me everywhere I go so I have been trying to limit my movements to make sure he gets plenty of rest for his neck!

Kikai, Tinz, & Sheetal – Welcome! It looks like you all have solid goals in place! I recommend adding friends on here and participating in the challenges if you are a challenge person! Feel free to add me as well! I’m excited that you are joining in on this weight loss journey with the rest of us!

As for me, I didn’t have the best week while in Maine. I didn’t have a terrible week, but not the best week either. I was very frustrated that I didn’t lose anything and was starting to feel like I had wasted the last week and a half. Then I realized, I didn’t slide back and that for me is huge! I had so many temptations in front of me and while I did indulge in some, most of them I passed up!

How was everyone else’s week?

[Lisa1980]

Yay that's awesome! It really makes such a difference tracking everything!

[Ssandralisa]

Hello Ladies,

I am looking to lose another 50 pounds with my fitbit HR. I just LOVE my Charge HR. It tells me everything and it motivates me to run faster and longer. It really does help me to reach mt daily goals. My hope is that the next 50 pounds will be just as much fun :)

[Lisa1980]

Welcome Ssandralisa! It sounds like you've had a strong start! Do you have any tips you can share as to what had helped you be successful?

[MsMichelleyk]

Hope your weekend is going well! So far, this week has been pretty good. I managed to get 5 days of work-outs in, hit my step and calories goal everyday, and crossed the 100kg (220lbs) line! I now have 50lbs or 25kg to go, but I'm happy. 

This weeks goals are:

- To make good choices when I eat out with friends (first week of school for teachers, ahhhh!)

- To hit my fiber and water goals every day

- To make it to the gym/go running 4 times this week. 

- To limit my coke zero habit to 3 a day. 

What are your goals this week? 

[alef]

how r u doing?

alef