Starting again after the holidays - back to tracking everything.

DonnaL1959

I dropped the ball over Christmas and New Year's and ate everything I wanted and the weight crept back on. I'm starting again - mostly interested in tracking carbs and calories since carbs factor a lot into how I feel and with bloating issues. I have also made a commitment to three vegan meals a week because I want to eat more vegetables daily.

Anyone else starting over (again)?

Current weight 179
Goal 140
Age 60


Today I walked for an hour on my treadmill and did 15 mins of weights, some squats and lunges. I hope to get up to an hour 15 of walking and 30 mins of strength training.

I stayed on track with healthy food and drink choices

Sometimes it seems impossible to succeed, but my mindset now is to just stick with it long term and see what happens. I learned over the holidays that if I throw in the towel for special events, it just snowballs into something far longer and counter-productive. So my plan is to commit to 6 months and get some real results.

I will post at least weekly and I hope others with similar situations will too.

Let's do it in 2020!

Tattoomama4440

You can do it! I’m in the first week and started exercising on my elliptical yesterday. It was hard to get back on it again but I did it. You just need to work hard. I will send you friend request and help motivate each other.

paulasuscas01

I am definitely starting over again. I did lose 15 pounds in about a month but not the healthy way. I was really stressed out and would go a couple days without eating anything since I wasn't hungry. The plan is to lose more weight but by tracking my food and working out. Add me if you want, we can do this!

Starting Weight: 170
Goal Weight: 120
Age: 29

Katmary71

You got this! One suggestion is to make shorter term goals as well. When losing I grouped pounds into 5lb increments, it was less intimidating. It helps looking at things daily, weekly, and monthly. I just started a bullet journal for workouts in week increments and checked all the boxes for the last week, not sure on rewards yet for reaching goals. What's nice doing it in weeks as I can add in new goals as they come up or tweak old ones.

There are so many good plant-based or vegan recipes! I love beans and legumes so I make a batch of beans at the beginning of the week for salads then lately a soup, chili, and recently made 15 bean gumbo. I've totally rediscovered vegetables, they're the main thing I eat and base meals around them. I decided to explore veg I'd never had or made myself then come up with recipes. I'm through everything in the grocery stores around here and need to go to ethnic markets now! My first mystery vegetable was a rutabaga! I also started getting a produce box delivered from Imperfect Produce, similar to Misfits I believe. A splurge that would've been cookies or something is now a fall apple, winter squash, or more expensive vegetable. I think it helps making food fun and think of what you CAN have.

ElkeKNJ

Hi, serial diet-quitter here, but this time is it serious. I just turned 43, and have a recent habit of committing to a yearly challenge: in 2018 I ran a 5k (and did not even finish last), in 2019 I drank no alcohol, this year's challenge is wearing a red bikini during our summer vacation. Never owned a bikini before. And though my father-in-law correctly commented they come in different sizes, and though we will be at a safe 800 km distance from home, I have a horrible habit of telling everyone, so people will expect proof of the bikini. I am a short 5'2 and a stocky 156 pounds, not bikini-proof at all. For the next 6 months, I will just try to keep within a calorie-limit, and excercise wise, commit to a daily 7-minute workout, which is a challenge in itself. I could do with a support group

Chris_J99

Wow! A bikini challenge! That is brave and exciting 😁💪🏼
I am sure you will do it.
Keep logging those meals.
Maths will be your friend!
Best of luck
😁💪🏼

elisa123gal

I actually was glad to see the New Year begin.. i was so tired of the holidays..and really frustrated at how my healthy eating and fitness priorties just slipped away. I didn't regain all my weight..but I've gained over my limit for maintenance. I figure it will take me until March or April to get back to square one.

I've always loved the Christmas holiday season...but the stress and all the food and obligations took the shine off for me this year.

DonnaL1959

Thanks for all the posts!

Today I am staying on track for food intake.
Today I am going to walk for an hour or start the Figure 8 DVD exercise plan that I bought in the New Year.

It will be a good day.

DonnaL1959

Yesterday I stuck to food intake almost perfectly.
Instead of a walk, I did 30 mins Qi Gong due to my schedule.

Down 1 pound so far since Monday!

Chris_J99

Woohoo! Well done 😁. Keep it up 👍
😁💪🏼😁

Samand303

I've tried to lose weight with just 'common sense' and with reading a random message from myfitnesspal. Now I'm tracking my food and exercise with the app. But I'm most excited about finding this online support to turn to when I'm struggling! I look forward to getting (and giving) support to all of us on this journey!

cathipa

DonnaL1959 wrote: »

Sometimes it seems impossible I'm possible to succeed, but my mindset now is to just stick with it long term and see what happens.

Let's do it in 2020!

Fixed it for you

DonnaL1959

Did a great workout today. I find regular exercise easier to stick with than food restrictions. But today was a good day all around. How is everyone doing?

polvo71

Right there with you. 48 and need to lose 56 pounds to be at a “healthy” BMI. It seems impossible but I’ve got to (re)start somewhere. Small goals 💪🏻. Good luck to you, to us all.

DonnaL1959

I bought Figure 8 and am going to try it today - I will let you know how it goes. I need fun exercise to keep me motivated. Struggled a bit with food yesterday - couldn't shake the hunger beast. What do you all do on those 'still hungry' days?

shetland

I'm starting again after a Loooooooong hiatus. I lost 80 pounds about 5 years ago and felt SO good. It slowly started creeping back on about three years ago. When my dad passed in November or 2017, I made vow to myself that I would get healthy again and lost 20 pounds, but then sort of lost my mojo and here we are...I have about 50 pounds to lose.

themommie

I lost 135 lbs 5 yrs ago and have kept it off but recently have gained 10lbs. Whoa I need to jump back on the weight loss train. I need the support of this group, thank you

jguldi11

I was feeling a bit down this morning about gaining 7lbs over the holidays since losing 40 over the last 1.5 years. So I started looking through the boards for inspiration and found this thread 😊 I felt suddenly motivated to exercise, but couldn't make it to the gym due to severe winter weather. Thankfully I have Wii Zumba and was able to do 40 minutes, and also made turkey chili for dinner. Feeling really good right now, thanks group!

SW (April 2018) 269lbs
CW 236lbs
GW ~175lbs
5'5", 30 years old, PCOS, TTC

jimmymacnow

I like the positive messages here. Not sure if anyone experiences this but I start the day With a good healthy breakfast and then it goes wrong lunch and dinner and much snacking. I’m wondering if I should preprepare lunch and snacks so I can easily see what I’m ‘allowed’ to eat?

jguldi11

DonnaL1959 wrote: »

Struggled a bit with food yesterday - couldn't shake the hunger beast. What do you all do on those 'still hungry' days?

I'm still trying to figure it out myself, but I find if I go for healthy snacks with high protein and fat (boiled egg, string cheese, handful of nuts) I'm less likely to continue feeling hungry. Drinking water or hot tea seems to help sometimes too. The hard thing is when I'm hungry and craving sweets.

DonnaL1959

I was doing great and then the weekend derailed my progress AND on Monday I was really tired and unmotivated. Got back on track today though. I am trying to plan my meals in advance too - to try to stay ahead of things. I have to tell you all that although I ate lots of yummy stuff at a family party on Sunday - I felt crappy on Monday - and it WASN'T WORTH IT! So the next time you are tempted by a plate of something high calorie - think ahead to how lousy your body will feel the next day. I learned my lesson and will think twice next time.

Back to exercise & tracking today! I love reading all of your posts. Let's keep doing it! Still haven't done the Figure 8 DVD - but my plan is to do it tomorrow - my week isn't typical this week and I can't find the time to start something brand new- but I will still get some exercise in.

jguldi11

This past week was okay, I didn't log every day but I did meet my exercise goal for the week. I have a cold now so I may not go to the gym for a few days, I don't want to spread germs and I also am having a hard time breathing with too much exertion. Overall eating was ok, not great, not terrible. I finally saw a small decrease on the scale this week so that feels good.

SW (April 2018) 269lbs
CSW (1/18/20) 236lbs
CW 235.7lbs
GW ~175lbs
5'5", 30 years old, PCOS, TTC

DonnaL1959

Bit of a rough weekend again. Didn't track every day but did amazing on my exercise. Most of the week I ate very well. I haven't weighed myself yet since starting again - I need to feel a bit different and have my pants fit a bit looser to get on the scale. I know that if I haven't lost a pound I'll be discouraged, so I'm waiting to feel a little lighter before checking in with the scale.

Definitely getting more focused on the long-term and my plan is to be on track ALL week this coming week. How is everyone doing? Great to see you lose a little, Jguidi11.

DonnaL1959

Does anyone have an update? I have been burning the candle at both ends and am struggling to stay on track. How is everyone doing?

Chris_J99

I am back on track now. I have been enrolled into a 12 week programme on nutrition education from the doctor. Am on week 4 now.
Having a group to go to has helped me a lot
😁💪🏼😁

jguldi11

Did better this week. I logged everything so that's a plus. Went over calories a few days but stayed under most of the week. Decided to start intermittent fasting today as I read it can be helpful with PCOS and insulin resistance. Scale shows I lost a little bit more this week. Went back to the gym Saturday and my goal is to go 3x this week.

SW (April 2018) 269lbs
CSW (1/18/20) 236lbs
CW 235lbs
GW ~175lbs
5'5", 30 years old, PCOS, TTC

DonnaL1959

I have now lost 2 pounds and 1 1/2 inches off my waist. I've been horribly busy - dealing with repairs needed at home. Busy time. I didn't track but I did make a 2020 vision board that I look at every day and especially when I'm on the treadmill. My exercise efforts have been consistent and my food better than last week. Slow & sure. Keep keeping on, everyone!

DonnaL1959

Back to tracking this week - it really is always an eye-opener. How is everyone doing?

Chris_J99

Hi guys! Things have started to get moving again! We can do this! 😁💪🏼😁

DonnaL1959

I have been incredibly busy and losing track of this goal. Today I am recommitting to tracking and posting. It is amazing how a day flies by so fast. I haven't gotten on the scale this week because I don't want to get discouraged. I will weigh in at the end of this week.

DonnaL1959

My goal this week is to track every day. I have to do this daily to stay motivated. How is everyone doing?