Stepping Stones: Steady + Support = SUCCESS in September
Snooozie
Posts: 3,479 Member
Welcome to September Hatters!
Well,Labour day has traditionally signalled the end of summer and it can be a difficult and somewhat depressing time for some thinking of the winter ahead, and a joy for others who love the cooler temps and find the fall invigorating.. but either way it's a time of transition from one season to another, so this month ladies... is going to be the month for a little tough love, reality check and transitioning for me!
I have taken a hard look at my past year's performance, and while I am VERY happy with the results to date, the past two months or so I have not lost any further weight although I believe I have been making good choices and moving more than I ever had.
Tough love moment.. no, I actually havent been. have been slipping in tiny treats here and there figuring it was still better than I used to eat and was therefore "ok", and relying on processed foods, and getting lazy with my choices. I have logged them all, but looking at the big picture.. I am not impressed.
Reaity check moment... I ran a report on my diary which shows me my actual calories taken in on average over each month for the past 12 months....total EATEN, regardless of the calories I have burned doing houseowrk or walking or whatever, and it has been high in cals, and high in sodium and fat.
Transitioning moment: The amount of effort I had been putting into reaching my goal has also gotten lazy over the summer. I have lots of excuses and explanations and reasons..... but the lack of change simply boils down to ME. My choices, my efforts, my decisions. Time to transition.
I truly believe there are several reasons for the successes I have achieved so far: steady logging, getting support from all my wonderful MFP friends, and WANTING to get to my goal. Somewhere along the way it appears the WANT reason slipped out of view for me; I forgot WHY I wanted to get to my not only my goal weight, but to improve my health and fitness greatly.
I posted a note to self today; to remind me that the mistakes I have made on this journey can be used as a benefit to me; instead of berating myself and moaning over what I haven't done or haven't accomplished, and instead of carrying those mistakes with me, to lay them down, place them under my feet and use them as stepping stones to rise above them.
So September for me ladies, is going to be about keeping steady with my eyes firmly fixed on my goals; supporting myself and my friends, and putting the effort and perserverance in to SUCCEED. I'm done with my half hearted efforts and excuses, done with thinking about the past, and done with NOT doing everything I can to get me where I WANT to be.
If anyone else is in the same mind thought and needs something specific support wise to get to their own goals, please let me know exactly what you need from me and I promise I will be there for you in whatever you need.
Wishing all the Hatters a happy, healthy and successful month!
Well,Labour day has traditionally signalled the end of summer and it can be a difficult and somewhat depressing time for some thinking of the winter ahead, and a joy for others who love the cooler temps and find the fall invigorating.. but either way it's a time of transition from one season to another, so this month ladies... is going to be the month for a little tough love, reality check and transitioning for me!
I have taken a hard look at my past year's performance, and while I am VERY happy with the results to date, the past two months or so I have not lost any further weight although I believe I have been making good choices and moving more than I ever had.
Tough love moment.. no, I actually havent been. have been slipping in tiny treats here and there figuring it was still better than I used to eat and was therefore "ok", and relying on processed foods, and getting lazy with my choices. I have logged them all, but looking at the big picture.. I am not impressed.
Reaity check moment... I ran a report on my diary which shows me my actual calories taken in on average over each month for the past 12 months....total EATEN, regardless of the calories I have burned doing houseowrk or walking or whatever, and it has been high in cals, and high in sodium and fat.
Transitioning moment: The amount of effort I had been putting into reaching my goal has also gotten lazy over the summer. I have lots of excuses and explanations and reasons..... but the lack of change simply boils down to ME. My choices, my efforts, my decisions. Time to transition.
I truly believe there are several reasons for the successes I have achieved so far: steady logging, getting support from all my wonderful MFP friends, and WANTING to get to my goal. Somewhere along the way it appears the WANT reason slipped out of view for me; I forgot WHY I wanted to get to my not only my goal weight, but to improve my health and fitness greatly.
I posted a note to self today; to remind me that the mistakes I have made on this journey can be used as a benefit to me; instead of berating myself and moaning over what I haven't done or haven't accomplished, and instead of carrying those mistakes with me, to lay them down, place them under my feet and use them as stepping stones to rise above them.
So September for me ladies, is going to be about keeping steady with my eyes firmly fixed on my goals; supporting myself and my friends, and putting the effort and perserverance in to SUCCEED. I'm done with my half hearted efforts and excuses, done with thinking about the past, and done with NOT doing everything I can to get me where I WANT to be.
If anyone else is in the same mind thought and needs something specific support wise to get to their own goals, please let me know exactly what you need from me and I promise I will be there for you in whatever you need.
Wishing all the Hatters a happy, healthy and successful month!
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Thanks Snoozie for setting our September theme, and for your personal reflections which reminded me of the quote:
"To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly." ~ Henri Bergson
Personally, I have been experiencing some frustration with my continuing plateau. When I went to Canyon Ranch, they tested my metabolic rate and it was the same as last year which was an accomplishment as normally it would have gone down. But, if it was the same, then why has my weight loss stalled for so long? The nutritionist suggested that it may be that I was not eating enough calories, and to increase them to 1600 and 1700 on days I exercised. The exercise physiologist added her suggestions and wrote out an exercise prescription, which went something like this:
And I was like "how the heck am I going to add all that cardio to what I am already doing with Curves and Yoga, especially considering how much my feet hurt? Well that's how I came up with the water aerobics. So here I was, all freshly motivated, an exercising fool, eating at my adjusted caloric level, and recording everything meticulously (which helped me discover a few previous miscalculations of certain foods that were higher in calories than I had thought). Anyway, so far I gained 2 1/2 pounds in the first two weeks and now have lost 1 1/2 pounds of that in the third week.. Frustrating, to say the least. And then there was yesterday's news at the foot specialist that my feet and knee pain are most likely a nerve problem and a referral to a neurologist. Discouraging, yes. So I had to do some reflecting of my own. Note to self: transition out of beating myself up and tearing my hair out in frustration into being proud of what I have accomplished. My primary goal was to beat the diabetes, and I did that -yay! Along with that I have changed to much healthier eating habits, have been smoke free for a year, and have lost the equivalent of my son as a kindergartener in weight. So I choose to go on creating myself in this newer healthy lifestyle doing the best that I can do and letting the chips fall where they may, and remembering a quote from a Dr.Parm at Canyon Ranch:
"Honor the journey as you will discover more than a lower number on the scale...you will connect to much health and wellness on the way."
I wish you all much health, wellness and happiness.0 -
Wow oh wow. I know August ended and that Sept started but for the first time in a few years school has started and I haven't found myself counting down days. I mean the thought hasn't even crossed my mind. I am sitting here in amazement as I type this. I had really even realized we had rolled into the new month until I saw Snooozie's great theme. There is really something to be said for finding your spot and feeling a part of a bigger group and purpose. I prayed so hard needing a job and I wanted to pray that I get the K position but I stood firm and kept asking good to put me where I could be best for him. I have two K classes with 27 in each class. Can I just say that God knew I could not deal with that every day for a year and that I have been blessed !!! Now don't get me wrong I enjoy the two classes for the hour I have each but to deal with them ever day all day I am sure now that K is not the right place for me :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: Now bring on the shopping Christmas will be here before we know it !!! I have started shopping.
I totally connect with Snoozie's points. While I have made great process. The fact that things have slowed down in truth is part where I have journeyed to and in part that I am not as strict as I was in the beginning. Now what does that mean sometimes the more I analyze the more I "think" overwhelms me when things don't go as the equation (plan). So what now???:huh: :huh: :huh:
December is 3 months away, I have 13 pounds to be in "onederland" that is my goal. The weight may not be dropping as fast but even when I lose one or none the clothes are getting bigger. I am the smallest I have been 30 + years. I am varying btw the size pants I wore in high school and the size I wore when I had my first born. So what if it has taken me longer than the one year goal to lose 100. The fact is I didn't give up and I will make that goal. They say the slower the better anyway and the more likely you will keep it off. That will be me. I am wear my sister's hand me downs and I can remember thinking if I could only be her size !!! I am almost that size now. I will be happy with what I have accomplished. I will not let not meeting a certain weight goal by a certain time knock me from my path. We have to learn to maneuver through life and the challenges of social gathers. I may not be there yet but I sure am a lot closer than I was when I started or have been in a very very very long time.
Whew where did that come from????? It has been a while since as I typed I have felt that revealing revelation. Think I have missed it.
I hope everyone has a great weekend. I have a baby shower for a niece Saturday and the hubby and I have trip to New Orleans Monday thru Wednesday. Pretty sure that's why God blessed me with the little one b/c we have both shared if we didn't have a young one that is where we would live. Lord know what size I would be if I lived in the party capital LOLOLOL who knows maybe all that dancing and walking would pay off but some how I would be scared I wouldn't love it as much.
Have missed you all and will try and check in more often, Tammy0 -
Gotta make this quick, But I have to say how proud you girls make me..you have all done such an amazing job, with getting things under control this year and taking control of your health. I know you will do amazing things in the last few months left in this year..
Susan, I am sorry for you, with your hurting feet..I am going to have to talk further with you, mine have been hurting for a long time, I just thought it was overweight..
Suzanne, You inspire me.......To quote you"{Transitioning moment: The amount of effort I had been putting into reaching my goal has also gotten lazy over the summer. I have lots of excuses and explanations and reasons..... but the lack of change simply boils down to ME. My choices, my efforts, my decisions. Time to transition. }
I have been so complacient this year...Maintaining, better than I thought I might, but I'm ready to lose...
Tammy, You are amazing, I am going to have to get busy ,if we are ever going to half that beignet in New Orleans.... Super glad your new job is working out ...
Hello to everyone else....Miss you all.0 -
Time good to see you post !!! And I do you want to share that beignet in New Orleans.
We spent the weekend with friends grilling, drinking, and swimming. They have put an in ground pool and hot tub in August so it needed a good breaking in and as I had post last month I am putting for the effort to not let work control me so much by spending more time with family and friends.
I had a great time at the niece's baby shower and it was both exciting b/c of the future baby but also b/c several had not seen me since I had began my journey. I have never accepted compliments well but it did feel good that others were excited about my lose. One of the ladies I have known for 40 years and she didn't recognize me, when she did she was amazed. She even ask how was I doing it had I had the surgery. It made me really proud when I was able to answer that no I was doing it the old fashion way and that I have been working on it for more than a year. She went on to say I have done and amazing job.
We are off for New Orleans after the teaching day tomorrow, hope everyone has a great start to the new week, Tammy0 -
Have been flat in my back for 3 days with a compressed sciatica nerve - almost mobile again but while bored cruised some sites - thought I'd share some interesting reads I came across
Fat loss troubleshooting 101
Since this section regularly overfloods with people not losing weight (fat ), despite having calculated their macros, eating at a deficit, lifting weights, doing cardio et cetera, i thought i'd compile a top 12 (not in a particular order) of what is likely to be going on.
1. Thermodynamics vs online calculators
If your energy intake is at or exceeds output, you will not lose anything, bar water weight. This is regardless of what an online calculator tells you. Forum members also do not exert any kind of magic. They can give you estimates and suggestions, but if they don't work . . . they don't work.
2. Your numbers aren't static
When you lose mass, your maintenance goes down. A smaller body takes less energy to operate. Eating the same number you started with 20 pounds ago is no longer valid. If you lose large amounts of weight, you need to eat less to account for the loss. It is also not realistic to assume you burn the exact same amount of calories every day. Life doesn't work that way.
3. Water weight/bloat
Skews up things greatly. Personally, I'm bloated for a week every month. Unaccounted bloat from huge swings in sodium, food intolerances, boozing (my favourite), allergies et cetera are further aggravated by the good ole menstrual cycle that adds extra insult to injury. Squishy and fat overnight? Bloat. Women with more fat mass gain more water weight than leaner women.
4. Bathroom
Do number one and number two before hitting the scale (preferably, weigh yourself in the morning upon waking up. But go to the bathroom first).
5. Activity
Online calorie calculators ask you to add up your activity factor after you've guesstimated your basic burn rate (BMR). Most people aren't as active as they think. You are not as active as you think. Not by a long stretch. Gym 2-3 days a week if you all you do is walk 50 meters to a bus stop to sit at a desk in the office, or lie in bed all day (as I tend to do), is not 'moderate activity'. It is sedentary.
6. Fatness
Don't use complicated calculations that take in account your lean mass if you haven't had a DEXA or someone highly experienced to eyeball your booty full front, side and back (not your gym trainer). Most women absolutely, grossly, underestimate their bodyfat (= overestimate lean/muscle mass). You are not 'flabby' at 20% The truth is that normal, not 'athletic'-looking women are way in the upper 20s or low 30s. Hence they have less lean mass to work with.
7. Activity + Fatness
Get these wrong even slightly and they add up. Result: Your magic numbers are not deficit numbers
8. Exercise
Contrary to popular belief, weight training doesn't burn a buttload of calories and create a massive afterburn, baby. Bodypart splits where you spend 45 minutes in the gym pumping that bicep burn even less. Cardiovascular exercise may burn more, but much like people overestimate their activity, they underestimate their training intensity. Walking on a treadmill for 15 minutes? Go watch TV.
9. Tracking calories
When counting calories, you WEIGH EVERYTHING AT ALL TIMES. Read that twice.
10. Small deficits
Good for sanity maybe but if you do not WEIGH EVERYTHING AT ALL TIMES, you're screwed. Sorry. Say you cut 200 calories from your supposed maintenance. How much in a tall glass of milk? 12 almonds? Several healthy servings of broccoli? A slice of pizza?
11. Refeeds
Fancy term people use to pig out once a week. Once you've underestimated your BF% enough to believe you actually need weekly refeeds (you don't) and have been eating a 200 calorie deficit, you're done with.
12. Common sense
The great mental switch. Be consistent and be HONEST. Any sort of magic including clean eating, starvation mode, fat-burning workouts or voodoo supplements will fog up your mind. Anything that tells you 'energy in vs energy out' doesn't count and you can eat as much as you want whenever you want so long as you follow X is a crock of poo.
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Please also note that you probably have a combination of 3-12 different factors going on at any given time.0 -
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Snoozie-
I am so sorry to hear that you have been flat on your back for 3 days with a compressed sciatica nerve- ouch! I'm glad you are taking care of yourself and starting to get better. That is so thoughtful of you to post some articles for us while you are down for the count. Thanks for the good reads (I did read them) and hope you are up and about without pain tomorrow.0 -
Thanks Susan - I'm all better and fortunately hasn't happened for over 2 yrs so here's hoping its another two lol!! I want details on the amazing trip tho...how was it ?? Pictures I want pictures puh leeeeze. Gotta get my thrills vicariously !!0
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Some Canyon De Chelly recent adventure pics ;-)
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lol thanks Susan!! Gonna indulge in them now that day shift is finished and I'm free for a few days!!!! So glad you had a good time!!0
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Knock knock0
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Crickets in the basement. ...
Btw how's everyone doing?
Busy in Jersey getting ready to get. my crown - I live about 2 hrs from AC0 -
Hello Hatter Girls!! Just stopping by, but looks like everyone is busy.. I've got another month of working alone, she should be back around the second week of Sept.
Weightloss has completely stopped, I can't blame it on her , though....it's all me, I am not trying, so I have to start over...I am going to start my ticker to zero...so I won't rely on the laurels of the past weigth loss...See how that goes...
Best wishes to you all. I hope no one we know is missing and pray for all the lost ones in Colorado Floods...
Gail0 -
Stopping in to see how everyone is doing. I have been busy with family and friends. Then this week I had to have a small procedure at the doctor's Wednesday so I am off until Monday.
As for the journey I am pushing myself to recommit with the commitment I had when I started this journey. This is the last week of the challenge I join, hoping to finish the 3 months at -15. Then on to the next challenge. Things are not sailing as long as fast as in the beginning but I have accepted the new stage and continue to reflect on how far I have come and that unlike times past I am still making progress.
Hope everyone has a great weekend.0 -
I just realized that I hadn't seen ANY of the posts on the currant topic. Has it really been that long? School started, but the sub nurse business has been slow. I've been using the time to organize the house and hit the gym. My husband and I are eating clean - more fish and veggies than any of the kids would've tolerated. I haven't lost a single ounce. I signed up for a new class. The trainer at the gym thinks I need to change it up. This class is mostly core with weight training. I took a sample class on Wednesday to see if I could do it. All of the other people are younger than most of my children. Surprisingly, I held up well. I'm going to give it a month and see what happens. The trainer also told me that I'm not eating enough. I don't understand. If I'm eating the same 1250 plus exercise calories and I'm 30 lbs. lighter, how can I increase the calories and lose weight? I've had the official explanation, but seriously, how??0
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busy with life... please check my page - looking for positive thoughts / prayers please....0
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Happy Wednesday Hatters
We all seem so stretched these days. My days are long I leave by 7 and most days home at 5. I had a little procedure in the doctors office for a boil. Well it was actually two both the size of baseballs, one of which had to be lanced. All I can say is I have been through this and NATURAL child birth and child birth was a cake walk compared. I missed the end of last week from work but returned Monday, but the meds are kicking me in the butt. I am tired daily even though I have been going to bed before the sun sets. I should be completed the meds by this weekend and hope to be more energetic after.
cbm hope things are settling down and you are getting to relax some.
Kobiesmom it can all be so confusing, but I know for myself when I was eating lower I stopped losing and only began to lose again after upping my dailies. Good luck
Time good to see you and hope things slow down for you soon. Remember take baby steps and stay strong.
See have things progressed any? One year and no smoking is GREAT !!! So wish my husband would make that decision.
Snoozie not sure why but I see those links now LOLOL but great minds do think alike
Everyone have a great rest of the week0
This discussion has been closed.