Serial Starters
Replies
-
Sara - good luck with the doctor search. i dont envy you on that. its taken me too long to find doctors that i like.
Lana - safe travels! enjoy yourself. (PS - you give great advice!)
*waving to all who stop in*1 -
Ok so my friends and I have decided to workout together everyday with the exception of Sundays. So much pain, but like they say, "no pain no gain." I have, however, been over my calories the past few day, but only by a few. Any workouts my friends and I should try?1
-
enichols - i always like the variety they have on Spark.com They are available through netflix too.
Dawn - have you tried to sit down and pre-plan meals? do you do any meal prep for the week? doing those can make a huge difference. how do you measure portions - by eyeballing it or by measuring or weighing? is it the fact you are trying to track macros vs. just points that is giving you trouble? then just focus on one macro - lets say protein. then shoot for your daily amount. once you get used to that, then add keeping track of carbs or others. one at a time. baby steps.
you dont have to go for perfection. no one has perfect meals and perfect days. my nutrition reports look like a pretty wild roller coaster ride.
for myself - i eat a lot of chicken and a little bit of beef or pork, but i also eat a lot of non-meat meals with lentils & beans. i will use quinoa & bulgar & other grains or cauliflower rice instead of pasta & rice. i use spiralized squash or zucchini or carrots instead of pasta. top it with a plain marinara or toss with a spritz of olive oil and a little parmesan cheese. sometimes i use a "fake" pasta called Miracle Noodles. i try to avoid bread but if i eat bread, its sprouted grain bread or tortillas. i eat a lot of greens but not much dressing at all. if i have dressing it is a light homemade italian in a small container and i dip my fork in the dressing then into the salad so i have the flavor. buy bagged salads instead of the fancy premade ones or a saladbar if sold by weight. my snacks tend to be fruits, raw nuts, or popcorn. i keep at least one protein bar in my purse at all times so if i am out and get hungry, i can eat it instead of caving for fast food or junk food. the bars that are my favorite with best flavor and biggest protein bang for the calories are Quest and Detour.
fresh fruits are my favorite treats but for sweet treats, sometimes i will peel, slice, and microwave an apple sprinkled with some cinnamon & nutmeg and maybe a little stevia. Or dip grapes in plain yogurt, set an inch apart on parchment on baking sheet to freeze, then keep in freezer in a tub so I can grab a couple if my sweet tooth hits. i also freeze any overripe bananas (peeled), then can put them in blender with a little milk for "ice cream" or a "milkshake"- there is no end to the flavor combos you can make with those by adding frozen berries or peanut butter or a squirt of choc sauce or whatever you have on hand.
i have an Aldi's market near me and their prices are very reasonable, especially on produce plus i scour the ads for who ever has it on sale. i dont buy organic because that tends to be more expensive. i read ingredients to stay away from added sugars. and i read nutritional labels to make sure i am not eating empty calories. one trick I do is smaller plates and the rule of one less - simply eat one less spoonful, one less item, one less handful
there are a ton of meal prep ideas and instructions also tons of healthy recipes on Pintrest. meal prep is a life saver for me because the meals are ready to roll and portion controlled. plus it makes cooking/cleaning so much easier.
if you are within your calorie count, then up your activity.
I have gone from 216 to 160 by doing the above mentioned things & a few others. like i said before i go more by the way clothes fit more than the scale. (i am up 4 pounds this week but i know its pms and sodium intake)
whatever you do, dont obsess about it. just do your best and try to be consistent, not perfect.
whew - didnt mean to overwhelm you with a novel.... just dont want you to give up!4 -
Have fun Lana!
Dawn, I am a part of this thread for a reason. I give up, then I get angry with myself, so I get back at it. I am not one that can stick with macros. What works best for me is weighing and measuring my food, prepping food ahead of time, and sticking to my calorie goal. This may not work for everyone because it is a lot of work. I am mindful of what I am eating, and I do allow myself fun foods. For example, one night a week is pizza night with my kids. It's our thing and I am not going to compromise that. It is a huge learning process to figure out meal prep and recipes that are quick, easy and delicious. Once you get the nutrition down, you've figured out half the battle. Don't give up!3 -
Hi Ladies... quick post as I am back from lunch...
One day meals:
Breakfast - 2 eggs 1 slice toast (or
1 slice bread PB)
Lunch - 6" Turkey sub (Subway)
(Or nuts/ trail mix)
Dinner - baked/bbq chicken or pasta (spaghetti)
Veggie
Other side (pasta or potatoe)
Usually snacks - protein bar or something quick1 -
Wednesday
Hi everyone. I'm just doing so-so. Some good choices, some bad choices. My back/leg felt pretty good for a few days (didn't have to take an Advil) and then I went for a walk last night. It wasn't even fast! And last night/today I've got a lot of irritation and some pain. I'm so discouraged.
I'm just about ready to visit my doctor even though I wanted to lose a few lbs before I did so.
Will continue to work on tracking and stretching/doing PT exercises.
DH and I are still on the house hunt. There is one he wants to see that looks pretty nice, except it is a split-level. I really don't like split-level houses. I fell in love with a 2 story that is just too much money for us. Love the house, love the neighborhood. There are so many boys in the neighborhood who would be great playmates for my 7 year old. So tempting to put in an offer but I know we'd regret the house payment. I never should have gone to two open houses! Wish we'd managed our money better so we had $$$ in the bank to put more down!
I'd better scoot. Hope you're all having a good day.
Annie
1 -
Good evening,
Eye dr apt was a mixed bag glaucoma # is good, but the flashes in my eye is the gel in the back of my eye shifting and it can shift safely - need to see dr in 3 weeks again and have a list of "if this happens", to call them. I sat there and thought "if I dont bend I will break". Just tired of bending lately.
Dawn - I dont see a lot of fruit/veg in your menu - make them your snack breaks?
Will try and hug dog as much as possible tonight - I get that look "are you done yet?".
Wishing all a good night.1 -
Sara - there isn't much fruit and veg...I think, I'm going to have to buy some to keep at work... before I get any at home, SO has eaten it all...the only thing I'm safe with, is pre packaged "healthy" foods... if it says it's good for you, he won't touch it... but, fresh fruit and veg are fair game...
Kathryn- pre planning just doesn't work for me...I do it for a couple weeks(ish) then it all falls apart...I do "eyeball" my portions... but, at the same time, I do "one less" myself... my calories are usually pretty good.... that's why I am trying to figure out my Macros... trying to get my Fat down, at least...
Vanessa - pizza night with the kids, is way too important to give up! Enjoy that!
I will figure this out...I just get frustrated... this happened, last time I did WW...I got to my goal weight, got my pin, got all the congratulations and, the weight just came right back... almost immediately... still staying on track....I got so discouraged I quit... and, here I still am, 7 years later...
1 -
Lana - hope trip went well... enjoy your time in NC...
Sara - glad glaucoma test was good... big hugs to Miss T...
Annie - house hunting can be so fun and so frustrating, all at the same time... hopefully, you will find one you absolutely fall in love with and, is within your price range...0 -
Dawn - also asking where is your calcium? Think of greek yogurt with chopped fruit.... There are foods like
https://www.sargento.com/our-cheese/balanced-breaks and
https://www.readypac.com/our-brands/ready-snax/
I have gotten them at grocery store.
Something to think about.
Lana - check in when you can. Hope your trip went well and the ooey - gooey food stayed away.
Eyes still dilated, will take dog out once more and then lights out.1 -
Sara - I have gotten the Balanced Breaks, before...I really enjoy them...the store I shop at, does not carry them... so, I have to go to Wal Mart, to get them... which I truly try to avoid...I have found PB3 at Dollar General... no calcium... but, 3 different proteins...
Hope your eyes are back to normal, tomorrow... I've never had mine dilated, but I hear it's no fun...0 -
Hi there, first time commenter here... I started again 4 days ago and the first 2 days went well. Yesterday though not so much. There was a surprise party for my birthday at the office (no complaints!) and we went to dinner. Back to the new normal today. But it isn't. The first time I was so excited, especially when it worked. The next couple of times less. Now I just expect it to work if I stick to it, but all the magic has gone - but that was the thing that kept me going. How can I make "making healthy choices" a proper habit for life? Have you managed yet? How?1
-
THURSDAY
Good morning,
Welcome buxbert - short answer for me is I remember how bad I felt at my highest weight and how many meds I had to take.....
Did a little research last night and found my eye condition is "common" and probably due to age. I just happened to get the info very quickly with the call us immediately if.... so it is one day at a time and the process lasts 6 months and I am 4-6 weeks in.
Subject of Powerball came up last night on the drive home. Not usually a gambler, but might change my mind.
Wave to all who follow, will lurk from work.2 -
Good morning, all! A quick wave to everyone during my morning bus ride.
Welcome, buxbert! You are among good company here - we all start, fall off the wagon, start again. It's a lifelong process, and I've learned that it's not linear, especially for women. If you've been lurking for awhile, you've probably been reading our posts on the topic. If not, take a few minutes to go back a few days and read through - Dawn (arniedog74) kindly shared her frustrations which sparked a lot of good sharing of techniques (as well as helped some of us who were frustrated with the scale moving ones the wrong direction feel less alone!).
A couple of weeks ago, I posted my approach in response to a similar post to yours. I'll repost it here in case it helps you as well. Best, Tess
First, good for you for starting again (or, as I like to think of it, "continuing the journey to health.") I restarted/continued at the beginning of this year and found this particular group of amazing folks helpful for keeping on track. Here's what's worked for me so far, in case it would be helpful to you:
* track everything, every day. Even if it's a "bad" food or exercise day. It helps me see the patterns in what I eat and how certain exercises affect the scale
* I only weigh in once a week, usually Sunday mornings. Whatever the scale says it is, that's what I write down. Sometimes, it's discouraging, like a couple of weeks ago when I had exercised hard during the week and the dang scale hadn't moved an ounce. In that case, it was helpful to review what I ate during the week to see if I could tweak anything. Then I came on this forum to read about other people's lives to get out of my own head.
* Realized that exercise won't solve everything. If I did a ton of exercise but then ate away those points, the scale still wasn't going to move.
* Slow and steady. Targeted 1 pound per week and that's about where my average has been. Lost a lot the first month (11 pounds) but it slowed down right after that to the 1 pound/week average. It adds up and I find myself now wondering how it happened "so quickly" when it wasn't quick at all!
* Portion control. Looking back, I realize I haven't eliminated anything from my diet; just now eat less of it. I love ice cream - I still eat it but now it's 1/2 cup instead of 1+ cup. I have also found that there are foods I don't feel like eating.
* Think about what my body issues are. As I lose weight, people are noticing and commenting. What does that kick up for me?
* Surrounding myself with positive images of people of all sizes, ethnicities doing things in the great outdoors, since nature soothes me. My Instagram is filled with images from #UnlikelyHikers, #OutdoorJournalTour, #NatGeo and others (including cats, because I like cats). Instagram has become the positive place I go to when I'm feeling low.
I don't mean to make it sound easy. It's not - it's been damn hard at times and will be. I just try to forgive myself and move on, keeping an eye on the bigger prize.
4 -
Tess, thank you - Isnt cut and paste wonderful?
Who here was talking about having floaters?
Short dog walk so a little internet before work.0 -
Hey Everybody~~
*tossing hat and bag onto my favorite lounge chair for later*
BBL to read all the new posts.
Lana1 -
Ahhh.... Jeep packed and rolling to the resort. Talked DH into leisurely scenic route instead of his usual "GPS arrival time is just a challenge" way of driving. We'll see if he can do that or not.
Went way overboard on dinner out last night. Back on track this morning. Still making sure to track everything, good or bad.
Weather is gorgeous - sunshine & no humidity. Looking forward to relaxation and fun!!
*waves to everyone who drops in*
1 -
enichols147 wrote: »Ok so my friends and I have decided to workout together everyday with the exception of Sundays. So much pain, but like they say, "no pain no gain." I have, however, been over my calories the past few day, but only by a few. Any workouts my friends and I should try?
It is so wonderful to have people to work out with! I have never had anyone to help me get my workouts in; I wish I had. The buddy system is good!1 -
hickchic67 wrote: »Ahhh.... Jeep packed and rolling to the resort. Talked DH into leisurely scenic route instead of his usual "GPS arrival time is just a challenge" way of driving. We'll see if he can do that or not.
Went way overboard on dinner out last night. Back on track this morning. Still making sure to track everything, good or bad.
Weather is gorgeous - sunshine & no humidity. Looking forward to relaxation and fun!!
*waves to everyone who drops in*
Enjoy your trip! You definitely need to get away! Have fun! Post when you can!0 -
Lana- same here with workout buddies...I've had a few, but they always flake out after a short time...I continued going, because I paid (if I pay, I'm doin it) but, it's a real struggle when I'm alone... more fun and encouraging with a buddy...0
-
hickchic67 wrote: »Ahhh.... Jeep packed and rolling to the resort. Talked DH into leisurely scenic route instead of his usual "GPS arrival time is just a challenge" way of driving. We'll see if he can do that or not.
Went way overboard on dinner out last night. Back on track this morning. Still making sure to track everything, good or bad.
Weather is gorgeous - sunshine & no humidity. Looking forward to relaxation and fun!!
*waves to everyone who drops in*
Have a great time, Kathryn! I laughed at your description of DH's "point A to point B approach to vacation travel. My Dad was the same way-- we would zoom by interesting places with a vague promise to "go back some day"! Enjoy your break.1 -
After watching colleagues take well-deserved time off for the past several weeks, I am finally on vacation until after Labor Day! Thought it would never get here...It will be a staycation for us but we've planned day trips as well, to get away from our immediate surroundings for a bit. We're fortunate that our area has a lot of interesting places within a reasonable drive.
And maybe I'll be able to swing by Lana's palm tree for some liquid refreshment and C-boy pampering! Lana, is there room?
Tess2 -
Good evening,
Took part of lunch home for dinner. Small but good changes.
Year eval ended with a reminder to limit my chatting- fair enough. Will just have to be careful. Lady at work has an adorable 2 year old girl I offered to help her make a blanket, seems the coworker has to have surgery again and is worried about the work she is leaving behind - I told her that this stuff never goes away and she has little girl to think of.....
Trips as a child involved my mother assuming my father knew where we were going, not help with maps and then get mad at him when we got lost. Laughing in the back seat probably did not help.... but it was just too funny.
Netflix dvd in mail, so will watch, cant knit and watch but oh well.
Wishing all a good night.2 -
FRIDAY
Good morning, TGIF. Was speaking with ladies who have 4 day weeks and was convinced it was Friday. Luckily someone reminded me it was Thursday yesterday before I slept in today. Easy to lose track of time.
Salad at cafe today, tried the chicken burrito bowl at work - inside of burrito (no refried beans) without tortilla. Not bad and a nice change.
Will lurk from work, wave to all who follow. TGIF - just had to!!1 -
Good morning Sara~~
This is a quick check in, as I have to get away from this computer to not waste my day away......
BBL
Lana1 -
After watching colleagues take well-deserved time off for the past several weeks, I am finally on vacation until after Labor Day! Thought it would never get here...It will be a staycation for us but we've planned day trips as well, to get away from our immediate surroundings for a bit. We're fortunate that our area has a lot of interesting places within a reasonable drive.
And maybe I'll be able to swing by Lana's palm tree for some liquid refreshment and C-boy pampering! Lana, is there room?
Tess
Tess - there is always plenty of room for all of us!!
Enjoy your vacation~~
Lana2 -
good evening,
after dinner nap snuck up on me. glad I could. will see if I can watch some youtube and call it good.
on to do list tomorrow is to check out a nearby consignment shop - see what I might find.
wishing all a good night.1 -
SATURDAY
Good morning,
Supposed to be HOT today, so I am hoping to get my errands done before it starts baking in the afternoon.
Havent even made a grocery list, so food planning is at "0" right now.
Back to sleep in a bit. BBL.0 -
Happy Saturday Everyone~~
I just had "breakfast" for lunch. Eggs with sautéed three-color peppers and onions on the side. Olive oil and a pat of butter used, plus cup of milk. I skipped the usual cheese in the eggs and toast with stuff on it, and I did fine without it.
Sara - send me some of your heat. It is low temps here in NC for August. Happy grocery shopping~~
I'm going to put on that bathing suit and go work out in the pool, then maybe some abstract oil painting....
What is everyone doing today?
Lana
243.8 today
250.0 highest
185.0 goal1 -
Hi Sara, Lana and everyone else -- Happy Saturday.
Lana, your lunch sounds delicious! My pantry is a bit low but scrapped together rye toast with hummus and fresh tomato from our garden. Unexpectedly tasty and good on calories and macros. Hope you are enjoying being back in NC.
A morning of errands. Now trying to figure out what I want to do. Nap? Needlework? A little of both? A walk/the gym also on the agenda.
Sara, as with Lana, we are experiencing some cool weather so we will have to send some cooler temps your way. Hope the heat breaks soon.
BBL
Tess1
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.4K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 424 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions