Spring Chicken is back and looking for encouragement

springchicken55

I am wondering if anyone here is using the Full Plate Living program? That is what I am using to get back on track. I am a 57 year old Wife, mom of 3 grown kiddos and Grammie to 3 sweet boys. I am now 260 lbs and have set a short term goal of up to 2 lbs loss a week and a long term goal for August 31st for up to a 40 lb loss. I am mending from my 2nd successful knee replacement, 5 weeks ago. I am looking to become the most active that I have been in my whole life. Who is serious about this journey? Let's do this!

topathemorning

I'm in! I'm no spring chicken, or as my great aunt used to say, "The old grey mare, just ain't what she used to be." I'm ten years your senior, and while it's not normally great to say, "I'm at the lowest point that I've been this year," I am happy to say I'm down to my pre-pandemic weight, and am down 10 lbs from earlier this month. So I'm on a serious roll to get down to Overweight BMI by July (that'll be Adios to 18 lbs). I'm planning on at least 2 lb loss/week and need to release another 30 after that. And then I'll follow in your footsteps to get that bone on bone knee replaced. Not looking forward to going before the knife, but my sister in law is encouraging me to do so, for lifestyle enjoyment.

TinaLeigh67

I'm in! I am almost 54 and starting over AGAIN. I lost 30 pounds in my late 40's and felt the best I ever had. Then over the past three years I have slowly gained those 30 pounds back. I am ready to get those pounds off and feel good again. My goal is to also lose 2 lbs a week. I feel that is a realistic goal if I put some effort into tracking my food and getting back to eating healthy and exercising regularly. I struggle with snacking! Any advice to help with this would be greatly appreciated. We can do this!!

topathemorning

Howdy langstontl,

"I am ready to get those pounds off and feel good again. My goal is to also lose 2 lbs a week. I feel that is a realistic goal," is a great goal. Whenever I start a weight loss journey, I'm strict and lose 10-11 bs the first week. I suspect a lot of that is water weight from the salty foods I used to eat. That happened this past week, but then that's a lot easier to do when one is in the obese range. Now that I've passed the first big week, it's back to aiming for the 2 lbs/week goal. Those who are closer to their goals, from experience, seem to lose a bit slower. I suspect that if you have to go that you're already a good 20-30 pounds ahead of us.Congrats! If we reach for the moon, at east we'll land amongst the stars. Welcome to our little group!

springlering62

Not familiar with Full Plate. I assume it’s some kind of cooking/grocery delivery service?

I lost my weight by eating what I liked, and simply weighing, controlling portions, and logging.

Not trying to sound negative here, but slower is usually better. Two pounds a week may be too aggressive a plan unless you have a considerable amount to lose- seventy, eighty or more, and even then weight loss will slow considerably as you lose more. My first sixty came off comparatively quickly. The next twenty took almost as long, and the next fifteen as much as both put together.

Restricting too much in pursuit of an aggressive goal can leave you hungry, frantic, weak, irritable, and more prone to binges. That in turn results in more aggressive cutting, and often more binges, and eventual frustration and giving up.

Having a reasonable goal at the start gives you more calories to play with, prevents the binge & eat cycle, and helps you learn new habits.

You don’t want to lose the weight and fall back into bad habit’s. Right? You need to be able to eat and enjoy long past goal.

If you make it an enjoyable process, instead of punishment, you’ll have more long term success.

AKA there ain’t no way in hell I’m doing this over again, so I’m in “mindful maintenance” right now.

TinaLeigh67

springlering62,

All good advice. I did this once before 5 years ago. Took 2 years to lose 30 pounds and get into shape with running and working out. Unfortunately after a divorce 3 years ago I let all that weight slip back on. I lost my weight equipment, couldn't afford a gym and to eat the healthy food I was able to purchase with a double income. I am now in a better place. I have my weights back and am able to do better with food shopping. Plus I reached a point where I was angry at myself for going back where I didn't want to be again.

2 pounds a week is my goal, but I realize there will be some weeks that is not attainable. I just know if I continue as I am, next year it will be 40 or more pounds that I'll need to lose. I need to stop this now. I do not avoid foods I love, I just got out of the habit of limiting them and watching portion sizes. Always that thought, "It won't hurt this one time", which was never just one time. My goal is to end up like you in "mindful maintenance".

I know from experience it won't happen over night. I'm just hoping with support from people like this group, I will stay on track.

springlering62

We’ve got your back. We’ve all been there or we wouldn’t be here. 😘