Introduce Yourself
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Welcome, Coffee_and_Mindfulness and Brent. I'm on my second round of losing in three years. Managed to drop 110...hit a few bumps...gain a lot back but this group kept me in the game. So I didn't gain it all back, and now I am back in the groove. We all understand the challenge in finding a new healthy weight for life. Hopefully with happier knees and feet and ankles and ....
Please jump into one of the threads. We try to kind of stay on topic - but things wander around a lot
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Waving hello on way to dealing with a couple of other issues. @Yoolypr are you talking Share your Numbers or Thoughts, Epiphanies, Insights, & Quotables?
That one was a "reprint" of what I wrote on the main forums Health and Weight Loss Category in the Keto Keto Keto! thread, I think it is the next to last post.
I think that almost all of Novus' posts in this group are beyond awesome and people should absolutely and at the very least consider them.
I wish I were more organised like some others are... would save me a lot of time!
Someone asked today about where to start. Can you believe that I've answered this often sharing some of the things I did to start and yet I have no clue when and where to find previous answers to save me some time?
I gave "an" abbreviated answer to someone in the "for-the-ladies" thread. But truly in the end what will work will have to be customized for each one of us.1 -
I've described it much better in the past, but this from today's post mentioned above, just as a suggestion to consider. I might or might not do some light editing. I really was about to step away.... here goes:
I am sure that there is a saying somewhere that what you don't measure and don't know you can't control.
My opinion only, of course, but I wanted to eat the MOST I could; while STILL achieving my goal of weight loss. I wanted to only consider and implement changes I could see myself making long term because long term maintenance was definitely on the radar for me given past short lived and failed attempts at losing weight (and my observance of people around me losing yet failing to maintain).
I GIFTED to myself the tool of LOGGING as ACCURATELY AS I POSSIBLY COULD. Because that would give me knowledge. The ability to review my logs. The ability to then evaluate what was working out or not working out for me. The ability to use the information to adjust.
There is/was a cost in time to implement that. The cost was disproportionately large in the beginning. It truly does get easier with time. But I decided that it was a price I was willing to pay. And there were side effects too. Side effects can be bad (more often than not) but sometimes they're good. The side effects of logging as accurately as I could were all good for me. Or at least helpful. Just an example I learned that by eating an apple or three could often postpone a meal by an hour or two and make it smaller. Ultimately saving me calories! I learned not to wait till I was extremely hungry before I would start preparing to eat and to maintain a more even intake.
And after this build up: Logging as accurately as I could.
--nothing in my mouth until fully logged by weight. fully logged by correct entry. entry cross referenced with government sources (used to be USDA now food data central and similar)
Yes. I am not talking after the fact. I am talking BEFORE.
The side effect especially in the beginning is a reduction in eating because frankly the effort is not worth it for a bite of this or that that you're about to have because it's just sitting there.
And a reduction in eating out (or meals prepared by others where ingredients are not known) because frankly it is difficult to log accurately when eating out. And an introduction of simple to log foods that would help take the edge off while preparing a more complex meal (see apples) which I could then put off for a few hours. None of these things were bad for me when I was Class III obese and implementing a significant deficit.
Sure. I now log after the fact. Loosely. Sometimes using "equivalent' entries. That's eight years later. A good six or seven of which I've been at a "normal" weight.
If you weigh what is in your portion control bowl (the person I was responding to mentioned portion control bowls) and implement what I write above you won't be wondering about what you're eating and what portion size to use.
You will see the calories that you're spending on each and every item.
And you will be able to implement substitutions and decide which items are worthwhile to you and which ones are not.
Do make sure you eat at least minimum amounts of proteins, fats, and fiber. Sufficient for good health (and yes, that would be about twice the RDA for protein probably. check out the protein calculator at examine.com) Beyond that there is a wide gamut of preferred eating methods. Which you CAN discover for yourself.
Your long term weight trend will be dictated by your long terms balance of Calories in vs Calories out. That's the holy grail you have to worry about. As an aside: be mercenary. Nothing is sacred. Some things will have to change in life. But they don't have to all change at once. and you can always try things and then try different things. Just keep the final goal in mind (setting up conditions that encourage normal weight by making choices that you see yourself keeping to long term) and start towards them a step at a time.
OK.... WAY too much computer time for this puppy today. at least I did manage to clean up the sidewalk and path and the car can get out tomorrow.... all in between postings!
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👋 Hello there...I joined this group a week or so ago and never introduced myself. I'm Kelli, from Texas. I've been a serial diet starter...would do good for a month or so and lose a little weight and then let the old habits come back and gain back what I lost and more. Was diagnosed with high blood pressure in 2019 and changed my diet lost 20 lbs, but then went back to some of my bad habits and gained it back. Last April I decided enough...I had trouble getting up and down to the floor to work with my patient (I'm a pediatric home health nurse) and when I was doing martial arts. Plus I was going to test for black belt in May. I lost 15 lbs prior to my black belt test but didn't pass. One of the things they did mention to my instructor was my weight so I've decided to keep on working towards my goal of 125 lost. So far I'm down 32 lbs. (Gained a little back during the holidays). Also down fro. 2XL clothes to XL..woohoo!4
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Welcome Kelli! We work hard at supporting and helping each other. Please take some time to read older posts if you can. There’s some valuable information there. Looking forward to hearing more from you 😁
I’m from Texas too - Austin.0 -
Hi, Kelli!
Congratulations on your loss! That must feel good. And it is fun "needing" new clothes!
Glad you are joining us. The more active groups members we have the stronger we are. I hope to see you on some of the threads. Most of the names are self explanatory (the rabbit one is about how many vegetables you have eaten in a day ) - but sometimes the topics wander a bit.
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Hey all,
I’m Joe. I need to lose somewhere between 200-250#. I have been back on the horse for a week and a half, once I found the horse again.
I, too, have lost 60-100+ more than once and had it come back on. Starting to track again and just needing some consistent community as I know that has been part of my success mode in the past.2 -
Welcome, Jbrack. Glad you found the horse - it is hard to wrangle them back into place when they run off.
Community is the best. Glad you are here.
Hope to see you around the threads!1 -
I always thought of horses as dangerous beasts!!! <nevermind><goes back to loggin dinner>0
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Hello! I'm Bethany from Las Vegas. Recently left Weight Watchers due to the closing of many in-person studios and layoff of my beloved leader. It really forced me to evaluate my initial success on WW, current plateau, and how I want to proceed. I had great success with MFP in the past and especially like the breakdown of nutrient goals and Macros. Now just need to find my peeps here!
I'm 41 and have a goal to lose 90 lbs to get to what I think will be my healthy weight range of 160. Definitely need to chunk this into smaller goals, because that feels very daunting!
I gained approx 30 lbs in the last 2 years, which has greatly impacted my ability to do the things I love like hike, swim, etc. I was always an active 'fat' person, and lately exercise is very difficult. Trying to find my way here as well.
Happy to meet all of you, and hope to support/learn from one another.4 -
Hi, Bethany.
I love your energy! Glad you are here - and hope you join us on the threads. Some are languishing - but I promise we'll jump right back in if they fit you at the moment.
There are some very fine older posts/threads by Novus Dies - definitely worth reading for inspiration and a bit of "bit" weightloss wisdom.
I've personally spent the last year gaining back a chunk of the 115 pounds I lost after an okay year of maintenance. I'm on my way down again because I really really didn't like how that weight felt.
I too have always been an active overweight person. Being active is so much easier when you are lighter. Especially when you add a few years. I'm 59 (60 next week) and the knees like to remind me of every pound.1 -
Welcome Bethany! Looking forward to having you join us. We’re in various stages of our weight loss. All of us have lost or are losing daunting amounts of weight. It can be done!
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Hi I am Naz
I am 141 kg. This is the highest of my weight. I am so mad at myself for not being on track. One year and all my progress gone. I am an emotional eater. I had some big changes in my life over the last 1 year. I couldnt handle it and let myself find comfort in food. I know how to do it but I am disappointed at myself for giving in.
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Welcome Naz! We’ve all been there once or twice or many times. You’ve done it once and hopefully have learned some things about your emotional eating. Read through some older post and stick with us. We’re here to help. 😊1
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Welcome, Naz.
Your are taking the first steps back onto the path to a lighter healthier you. It is very very hard to get over the disappointment. But it can be done. For me I had to stop looking at my scale weight and focus on a new goal. Friend and I challenged each other to lose ten pounds in a month and that ten pounds became my focus for awhile. That was enough to get me back on track - and steer my eyes/attention away from my new weight which was just unbearable to acknowledge.
Sending you positive energy. Once you get back on track for a bit - you'll catch that high and it will be easier.2 -
Hello Everyone! I am Julie and I turned the big 50 this year. Sadly it's at the highest weight I have ever been. I've never been a small girl but for the first time in my life, my weight is hindering how I want to live. My BP is no longer controlled and I started Metformin today. Being diabetic is something I said I was never going to allow to happen. I've lost and gained weight my entire adult life and I'm really tired of the vicious cycle. I hate the way I look and I hate the way I feel. I'm ready to make some positive changes and take back my life.4
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Welcome Genesis! We’ve all been there and sometimes repeatedly. But losing weight is doable - I’ve lost about 100 pounds. The real success is being able to keep it off.
You might want to look at some older posts which have a lot of wisdom and experience.
I think the key for me was accepting that I’d have to learn new habits and lifestyle changes. Dieting lasts only as long as you’re losing weight or as long as you can stand it. New habits and knowledge last a lifetime. Start making some easy changes can live with forever. Log and measure carefully to start.
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Hi! My name is Jeanie and I'm no stranger to MFP but am looking to recommit to my health and my body. I have gone up and down in weight, most recently losing about 50 lbs. I gained about ten back but I want to try and use the next 8-12 weeks to kickstart my weight loss and health journey.
I originally started wanting to lose weight because as someone who likes to play with my dog and someone who teaches full time, I need as much energy as possible. I found myself short of breath and anxious all the time and found relief in mindfulness practices and nutrition centered diets.
It's extremely tough because given my height I am supposed to be about 100 lbs to be considered "healthy weight" but I don't think that's reasonable given my hour glass shape and my love of food. I really don't want to get stuck into a diet wherein I'm told I should starve myself or avoid foods I love because that isn't healthy. I suffer from PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Depression and I also have Non-Verbal Learning Disorder which is a diagnosis on the autism spectrum.
I currently teach Elementary Special Education and I participate in community theater. I just auditioned for a role in one of my favorite musicals, hoping I get the part!5 -
Jeanie - good to read about you
Your story feels so familiar. We are all on this journey - avoiding starving ourselves/remember to enjoy foods we love in moderation. Both very necessary components of long term success. Glad to have you on our team. Together we'll figure out how to live well - without the extra weight that comes from using food as our only coping mechanism.4 -
Hi I’m Chelsea and I’m new-ish to MFP. I’ve yo-yo’d all my life but want to get consistent to get the weight gone for good. Last week I hit my highest weight ever of 230. Ideally I should be around 140 ish. My first big goal is getting under 200, then to get to 150 and then reevaluate my goals. I’m a single mom of four so stay very busy with extracurriculars and “easy” and “fast” food tend to be a default on too many nights. I’m working to getting all of outside and more active as a family along with cutting out some of the junk food. My position as a school nurse in a small school keeps me fairly sedentary so I’m also looking at ideas to be more active throughout my workday as well. I look forward to making some friends who are on a similar journey!1
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I admit to being very much so on the "easy" and "fast" food category myself.
Where I would fail to deliver help in where you have to balance this against the multitude of peops you have to feed at home!
I don't see how a mom of four who ALSO works could POSSIBLY be sedentary (around 3500 steps a day, definitely under 5,000). I would think you would find yourself closer to the 7500 "top edge" of the "lightly active" category without even trying.
I guess it might involve a lot of school politics and such but as the school nurse is there a chance you might have a platform to organize 'during the work-day' "active breaks" (lunch walks or similar?), perhaps with a PE teacher involvement?
I'm probably from a way too far removed reality I admit... so maybe I'm tilting at windmills here!
But more the power to ya with four munchkins... I mean that's a heck of workday right there and then without even adding food management!2 -
As a former teacher, it’s pretty amazing how chained to desks educators and nurses are. You’ve got a whole lot going on. While activity is very helpful and beneficial, weight loss begins at the table. You can’t outrun your fork and spoon.
Perhaps you could pre-plan meals plus planned leftovers for a couple days a week? Start slow and easy - I would often cook double meals. Of course I only had two picky eaters to deal with. Another option is do the fast food but modify it for yourself.
You’re dealing with a lot so just try to make slow and easy changes. Every little bit helps.2 -
Oh I 100% modified and continue modify fast food. From no mayo, add mustard, add slivered onion 3x (and it's just about the only add on that's still free!) , no butter (on all the breakfast sandwiches), adding extra round eggs to breakfast sandwiches (making them two egg ones) or adding an egg or an extra beef patty to say a double hamburger and skipping the fries (or on splurge meals I had even added a fish fillet patty to a mcdouble to turn it into a surf and turf!!!!!) .... the poor McD people try to hide when I approach!
But at McD each egg is ~78 Cal (50g large round egg, steamed), each 10:1 patty (10th of lb) is about 92 Cal and you can add in the buns, 50 to 60Cal per slice of cheese etc. So if I can increase satiety for an extra 1 or 200 Cal and at less than the price of half a sandwich, or some fries... why not!
Other trick I found useful when losing with a larger deficit was eating an apple while preparing/logging meals... and not eating before logging. The apple would help give me enough time to do the rest without breaking down and attacking everything and everyone!2 -
Welcome, Chelsea 🙂
You have some great advice up there so I’m just going to say hello for the moment.
Hope to see you on some of the threads… if any appeal to you but they don’t seem to be active at the moment post something and they’ll activate pretty quickly!1 -
I have had a crazy year so far!…I am going to do this one more time!..I have missed everyone!3
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Crabbyconnie123 wrote: »I have had a crazy year so far!…I am going to do this one more time!..I have missed everyone!
Are you OUR Connie? Either way welcome!1 -
Yep, it is me!….still alive and still overweight!….I am going to do this again…the weight on my body is killing me….it feels good to actually get back in control!3
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Welcome back! We missed you. You can do this - maybe a little differently this time. But it’s definitely doable.
For me - at my advanced age- it was finally accepting that it wasn’t a temporary fix. It’s a life change and there’s no going back when you get to maintenance.3 -
Hi Connie! I still don't get how you can handle your zoo! I get a headache just envisioning all the comings and goings!3
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Hi all, it's been a while. Going to reintroduce myself since it's been years.
I've been overweight most of my adult life. I've had 3 major successes in weight loss, and 2 major failures where I fell off the wagon.
2009: Hit all-time high weight of 335lbs and committed to losing weight.
2010: Low weight of 235lbs, hospitalized, stopped exercising, lost control of eating.
2018: Eight years of inability to commit to weight loss leads to high weight of 386.6lbs.
2020: Low weight of 285lbs, lost track of diet/exercising with Covid and quarantine.
2021: Recommitted to weight loss, starting from 368lbs.
2022: Lost weight and got down to 295lbs.
2023: Dipped down to 285lbs over the summer, then back up to 300lbs by November (today).
I'm recommitting again today, going back to basics and tracking calories, cutting out desserts and toying with intermittent fasting. I had been maintaining for about 7 months without even thinking about it, but stress around work/home stuff started throwing me off track. I want to get back on the right path before I let myself go completely like I have in the past.
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