*Snowflakes to Sunshine* Week #15 Discussion 4.15.11

Suzeesmu

I'm down 1.2 pounds this week!

Ok, so when did I NOT pay close attention to numbers? I'm down 1.5 pounds. I was thinking of the .2 of the total when I posted. DUH, Me!!!

givprayz

I am up this week, marking over a month of wavering up and down without any real downward trend. I am scared because I have generally kept my calories under 1400 net, and exercised at least 3 days a week (except when I was really sick) and yet haven't been losing. I'm scared because I want to get these last 15 pounds off and then go to maintenance calories, which I had hoped would be 1800 plus exercise. Now I am afraid if I go to that calorie level I will regain. I don't think I can face the rest of my life at 1400 net calories a day!

I already change exercises all the time, and have added more weights, but I am still plateauing. I didn't stay to plan yesterday or today (today was a complete disaster from a nutritional perspective) so maybe that will shake my body out of its funk. I have been a little extra stressed the past couple of weeks, so maybe that will improve soon. There isn't really any change I plan to make, except to stay on target with diet, exercise and water for another couple of weeks and see if anything changes. I just don't want to feel this desperation sweep over me, that I'll never be able to loosen up any about my diet. That would send me back to gaining for sure.

It will be ok. The weather is improving and I'll be getting out more, expending more calories and eating less. This plateau will pass and I still have time to end the challenge nearly on track.

CuteMommy88

bump

Krys_T

I am up this week, marking over a month of wavering up and down without any real downward trend. I am scared because I have generally kept my calories under 1400 net, and exercised at least 3 days a week (except when I was really sick) and yet haven't been losing. I'm scared because I want to get these last 15 pounds off and then go to maintenance calories, which I had hoped would be 1800 plus exercise. Now I am afraid if I go to that calorie level I will regain. I don't think I can face the rest of my life at 1400 net calories a day!

I already change exercises all the time, and have added more weights, but I am still plateauing. I didn't stay to plan yesterday or today (today was a complete disaster from a nutritional perspective) so maybe that will shake my body out of its funk. I have been a little extra stressed the past couple of weeks, so maybe that will improve soon. There isn't really any change I plan to make, except to stay on target with diet, exercise and water for another couple of weeks and see if anything changes. I just don't want to feel this desperation sweep over me, that I'll never be able to loosen up any about my diet. That would send me back to gaining for sure.

It will be ok. The weather is improving and I'll be getting out more, expending more calories and eating less. This plateau will pass and I still have time to end the challenge nearly on track.

I totally understand where you are coming from! I go through this every few months where I bounce up and down for a month! It is so annoying! But I have noticed when I go back to my diary, although I'm under calories...I'm not eating the right things (for example, for me that would be eating every two hours and my protein and complex carbs at every meal). Sometimes we forget that under calories isn't always the only thing. Not saying that is the case with you, but its worth a look right . Also, how much are you netting after exercise? Just some things to think about. But only 15lbs left...wow! I can't wait to have that problem lol

Steph_135

bumps :glasses:

emma44ny

:flowerforyou: I had an ok week... didn't exercise as much as I had hoped. I ended up with a late meeting at work on Wednesday and was frankly just too tired to think about going to the gym. I live in Upstate NY and the weather up here has been hideous. It's still cold and rainy and WINDY as all get out... It is GREATLY affecting my outside runs, which is what I REALLY need to be doing because I have a 5K next month!! I did get hit a milestone of running over 4 miles on Thursday (on a treadmill unfortunatly) so I felt pretty good about that.

Now, an area where I could use some assistance.... FOOD!
My MFP calorie intake says it should be 1220/ day. uh... that is not enough. I don't really like to eat my exercise calories but adding the extra miles totally forces me to- I am absolutely ravenous. I definitely could use a few helpful ideas of what I can eat that would be filling and not tack on a TON of calories.

As far as my goals for the week are concerned.. I have been promising myself some yoga since the challenge began. I haven't done it once. I am still going to put it on my week's list of goals, and hope I get around to it. I promised the girls from work I would go to Zumba with them on Thursday (I am really not a Zumba person) and I really want to get at least 16 miles logged between the road (unlikely with this weather) and the treadmill. I have to go to the grocery store tomorrow and stock up on healthy "fuel-food". Suggestions welcome on that topic for sure!

Nice job everyone! Have a great next week :happy:

TeamLeela

I said I would be more vocal on the boards. that was one of my goals for the week. So here goes! I have had a great weekend so far and I hope to continue it throughout the week. I am terrified about going out of town next week, but I have a solid game plan. I just hope I don't through it all otu the window when I actually get out there.

Emma, the weather was really nice the first half of the week and I tried to take advantage of those nice days and walk first thing in the morning after I took my daughter to the bus. But I wasn't able to yesterday or today. I hope it is nicer next week because walking is really good for my bummed knee. I've recently learned that apples are very filling (Thanks Teresa!). Also anything with fiber should help you stay full longer. When I eat oatmeal in the morning, I drink a whole glass of water so the oats will swell in my tummy and trigger that I'm full. I love zumba. I never thought I would love zumba either. I was "dragged" into going to a class with my friend back in August and now my week doesn't feel complete if I didn't do a couple hours of zumba.

So I am going to try to stop eating after 9 o'clock unless its something like fruit or raw veggies and water. I need to start going to bed earlier because staying up late, I usually tend to snack. I am going to zumba tomorrow at 2:30. I usually don't go on Sundays, maybe a few times out the month. I am trying to workout as much as I can before I go out of town on Thursday afternoon (and I won't be able to go to my thurs pm zumba class). I did find a zumba class that is not far from where I will be visiting. My aunt has already agreed to take me. I told her that it started a half hour sooner than it actually does because I don't want her to get me there 'right on time' or late for that matter. She's rarely on time for anything! :laugh:

Well I hope everyone had a great weekend.

Steph_135

Please search for your name! I love commenting. Hope I made some useful suggestions...

I guess I just have a period where I do really well and then I just throw it all away for 1 or more days. Then I have a hard time getting back into the groove again.

BEEN THERE! Except I know I'm a boredom eater. Keep working on it, and you'll find out what it is!

I wish each and everyone of you a FLAB-YOU-LESS WEEK!!!!!! :drinker:

You're doing great Sabrina!! :laugh:

I feel awful when I eat meat, it was an ethical decision for me to stop eating meat and to stop funding factory farming. So, I am trying to eat meat that is locally raised in my state or I buy it from a small farmer at the market and I look for organic. It is what it is and I'm sure I'll get over it. My diet is still 90% veggies and fruit and I don't do any dairy.

barefootbeauty... Don't worry! Things will work out in the end. They always do. I always wish I could go vegetarian, but I know I wouldn't be able to do it. I more or less don't eat a lot of meat as it is, and it works for me. Free-range grass-fed meats are the best way to go! I try to only eat an animal if I know it's lived a happy life.

netter43... Keep doing great! I'm sure working at home will have great benefits eventually. Just keep in touch and maintain the relationships that you have built over the years. :happy:

bhonniered... ARM MUSCLE!!!

Teresa... I loved hearing about your victories! You are moving along so nicely! BIKINI!!

Brandy... Green tea is supposed to be excellent! I drink it all the time.

So what I need to change is to stop being lazy, I'm here all day, with nowhere to go no one to see, there's no reason why I can't get AT LEAST 30 minutes of exercise in, as for the eating I need to find something to do to keep me occupied besides the computer, cuz I know sitting on here all day isn't too good either.

funlovingirl... I've been promising myself that I'll get back with it for a while now too... I can relate to your story, but without the kids. It's great that you know what worked for you before, so you can tap into some of those methods again! I know what foods I used to eat that helped me lose 55 lbs, but I just need to implement them again, so I can get this ball rolling again. I think what I've quoted from you above is exactly the attitude you need for success!

Suzeesmu... Avoiding sweets has been terrible for me lately. If I see something, I want it, and after I see it, there's not much I can do to stop myself. I want to throw out everything, but my mom bought the sweets (mainly granola bars) for my brother's lunches, when they were on super sale (so we have a LOT of them). Have fun on vacation!!

dinareed... Maybe there's another reason besides calories as to why you're not losing weight. I would try to see a naturopathic doctor if I were you. :happy: Working out has been key for me lately, instead of watching my food so much (although, that's clearly key as well). Good luck!

Wanted to share this with you all...

.http://www.vegan-nutritionista.com/fruits-and-vegetables.htm

I thought about this, because I know a lot of ladies say they have trouble with the veggies...

Correction: http://www.vegan-nutritionista.com/fruits-and-vegetables.html THANK YOU Krys!! Amazing inch loss!

givprayz... Just keep giving it your all! Maybe add another day of working out. I always read that 3 days of working out are good for overall health, but it takes at least 5 days per week if you want to lose weight.

emma44ny... If you're hungry and doing hard workouts, I really think you should be eating more of your exercise calories, so you aren't famished! Try going for lean protein, or adding some healthy fats like olive oil and avocado. Try eating proteins with carbs if you aren't already. If I eat just a protein, I'll end up being REALLY hungry within an hour. And like Leela says, fiber fiber fiber!! I try to throw ground flaxseed on my cereal most times, or in smoothies!

TeamLeela... Your going away plan is fool-proof! You're gonna stick to it like a rock (if rocks could stick...). If some anomaly happens, and you do something totally rash, I know you've got it in you to pick up where you left off, and keep going strong until you return. And :laugh: my friend that drives me to Zumba is always right on time or late. It's so strange to me since I am almost NEVER late for anything, and would rather be 20 mins early than 1 minute late.

Steph_135

LW: apparently 179.5
CW: 176.5

I've seen as low as 175.5 and I really want to make it there again this Friday!!!

I've been snacking like a madwoman! I need to hide EVERYTHING in my house so I can't be tempted by it. Lately, anything related to food will make me want to eat. That never used to happen before, and it's not cool. So I gotta snap out of it.

I'm starting Ripped in 30 today, but as of right now, I'm still here at the computer. I'm gonna be on my way to the DVD player soon though. I've slacked with working out since about a week after I finished 40 days of the Shred, so I think Ripped will get me back on track with working out again.

The biggest thing I'm finding for me right now is that when I have things going on in my life, the workouts disappear. One day I'll figure out how to balance the life and workouts... (And eating healthy, for that matter!)

whittrusty

Hey everyone!! Sorry I've been so busy lately...so busy that I'm retaining water like crazy. 3 lbs gained this week. :frown:

But last night was Med School Prom and I looked smokin' in my hot red dress, so I thought I'd share! I certainly wouldn't have looked or felt this good 40 lbs ago! :bigsmile:

So I decided to keep all three dresses that I got a few weeks ago....LOL. They all looked awesome and my husband and I decided I needed a treat. So I wore the dark red one to Med School Prom and the black one to a wedding last weekend. Now I'll need to convince my husband to take me out for a fancy dinner so I can wear the third one!

Krys_T

Loving the red dress whitt! Very pretty! I know that's an awesome feeling to buy some new threads!

TeresaSavage

Whittrusty!!
YOU DO LOOK AMAZING!!! In Both dresses. Congratulations on your weight loss. Your husband looks very proud of you!!!
Keep up the awesome work!!

whittrusty

Thanks!! :bigsmile:

ltlhmom

I'm struggling with getting enough sleep. I haven't been sleeping well I think it is everything going on at work. There has already been 15 layoffs (through out the County) and there is supposed to be 16 more. It is so hard to see people losing their jobs~ some of these people I have spent the last 15 years with working side by side. My heart hurts for them! I think I'm save at this time but still you never know.

I haven't got enough exercise yesterday or day but I'm taking a mental break. I will be off to the gym in the AM and I will kill it the rest of the week at home or the gym.

I finding that I want something sweet after lunch. I need to find something to satisfy this.

I'm still finding it weird to say that I'm in 190's. I guess the same thing happened when I didn't have to shop in the Women's section anymore. But I'm loving being out of the 200s. I have been getting tons of complements from people at work. Someone I see every day didn't even recognize me last week. I guess it is kind of like when the leaves come out on the trees. One day their just there. I'm finding my 14 are getting a little lose so I will be moving on to 12 soon I haven't been in size 12 pants since before getting pregnant with my daughter 11 + years ago.

My goals are not to eat anything from the break room only hard boil eggs, vegetables, bake chicken or salad. No more ice cream sundaes for night snacks this week. Exercise every day for the rest of the week.

CassieH818

OMG! I cannot seem to break out of this slump I have been in & it feels awful! I keep hyping myself up to workout and eat right & then I find an excuse or am just too lazy to workout :embarassed: . I am still 177, so I have maintained but I feel so yucky! After working out and eating right my body is in a funk...You know after you stop working out for a few days you just feel "heavy"? That's how I have felt for a month.

This has happened to me before. I have lost weight & then just stopped and gained it all back. I really, really, REALLY dont want that to happen so I have to just start again. I feel like it is so hard & I know its not. It's all mental.

I have been thinking about my Mom alot lately, which is very unusual for me. She left myself, my brother & my father about 13 years ago. I could see or speak to her if I want to but I feel so betrayed and upset with her. How can you just get up one day, pack your things & abandon your family?! :mad:

I think its because I have a child of my own & I would never, ever leave her. I couldn't walk out the door and never look back. So I just feel mad all the time about that lately. Maybe that's half of my problem. Mentally I am all over the place. My dedication to a better ME is sidetracked because of my past...OR maybe it's an excuse.

Ughhhhhh!!!!! I am hoping April 18th will bring a fresh new start for me. Only I can bring it.

TeamLeela

Wow Cassie, thanks for sharing your story! That's definitely a lot to deal with. Stay in the fight, there are still times when I want to throw in the towel and just think, I'm supposed to be this size, I don't deserve to be any smaller. I like food too much, so just give in instead of pretending. I'm bond to crack sooner or later. I had that meltdown on Thursday, but I scrapped myself off the ground and had a fabulous weekend.

Do you have a workout buddy that can help keep you accountable? I have different ones for different areas. A few I do zumba with, one that I strength train with and another that does cardio with me. So any given day, if I don't show up, I'm not only letting myself down, but also my workout buddy.

I'm going to try really hard to carry this momentum into next week. The end of next week is going to be a struggle with Easter. Mainly the sweets and not so much the food. I have to keep in mind that eating the chocolate is not going to get me ahead. Its only going to put me days and weeks in the hole and I'm tired of digging myself out this hole only to fall back in it deeper!

Steph_135

I finding that I want something sweet after lunch. I need to find something to satisfy this.

ltlhmom... Fruit is often recommended for those sweets cravings. How bout some grapes? They're very "snacky".

Cassie... I've been not wanting to workout either, but yesterday I started Ripped in 30, and it was like I had never left (working out). Once you get back into it, you'll feel like it was never gone, and wonder why you were avoiding it. You're still Shredding right? I found that the Ri30 program has a meal plan. Maybe it can help get you back on track. I really like structured plans, so I'm gonna try it out as best I can (with all my allergies and modifications). Here's the link: http://www.jillianmichaels.com/rippedin30mealplan.aspx?promo=021754D4-788F-4C01-A42D-74C56A831274

MichelleOnTrack

I am not giving my best. I have rededicated--no more cheating, more water, better choices, and work out. Cassie6803 and I have challenged ourselves to be each other's watchdogs! I know I can do this and I know that slow and steady wins the race! Love you guys! Michelle

CuteMommy88

Happy Monday Ladies!! I hope everyone had a wonderful fun weekend, but not too much fun like me LOL---I ended up eating and drinking waaay too much this weekend!!! I have to say I am a little disappointed that I started working out again and I have been stuck at the same weight since I started working out again... It is very frustraiting that it is easier for me to lose weight when i am not working out, yet when I am busting my butt to lose weight it seems to hang on forever!! my goals are just to hold on and keep doing what i am doing, and focus a little more on eating better. I have to say food has been my downfall lately!! I am just so ready to see a change!! I started this challege at 163.5....I am now about 156.5 (on a good day) sometimes I will weigh in at 160....it is just pathetic to me that I have been at this for so long and have only lost 7lbs in almost 4 months...i mean come on...its pretty pathetic...i just dont know how to get my body to cooperate with me lol....so my goals for this week is to follow my 5k training plan, and on the rest days/ strength training days I want to do the 6w6p dvd....its shorts weather here and I am too embarassed to even wear shorts...so I need to stick to this and hopefully it will pay off!!

healthydoseofglitter

My question for you ladies this week is how do you deal when certain life situtations get in the way of your healthy lifestyle.

My problem seems to be I do so well for like a month or two and then something in my life changes or something is going on where I take a few days off and it spirals into a week or two messing up what I worked so hard for. In the process of moving so I have been super busy for exercise and eating out way to many times because of the time crunch (they moved up closing date). Monday through Friday seem to be where I excel the best and then the weekend comes and I have so much stuff to do I can't find time. Something I hope changes once I am all settled in the new house (currently live with mom 4 days boyfriend 3). Will be moving into a new house with boyfriend full time (WA-HOO EXCITED!!!!).

Also, my boyfriend joined MFP and it has been great so far because I really have extra support now. He has always supported me but now that he realizes what certain things are higher in calories he really is making great choices for dinner. So I am really happy for him and can't wait to continue my weight loss journey with him.

whittrusty

Hey everyone!!

I'm working on cleaning out my closet of all the clothes that no longer fit me! Is anyone interested in getting some of these clothes? If you pay the shipping, I'll be happy to ship them to you. We can figure out how the payment would work.

Here's the jist of what I've got:

- About 20 XL men's size t-shirts
- 5-10 XL Old Navy/Gap t-shirts
- 1 pair size 18 jeans Gap
- 2 pairs size 14 jeans Gap/Old Navy
- 2 pairs size 16 burmuda shorts Gap
- 2 pairs size 14 jean shorts (one regular, one burmuda) Gap/Old Navy
- 1 pair size 14 khaki dress shorts Gap
- 5 XL various colored wool sweaters (red, black, light blue, orange); they all have one or two small holes in them from normal wear and tear, but are all wearable - Good quality, I got them at Nordstrom's.
- 3 dressy skirts that would fit about size 14-16 (a red polka dot, light purple, and blue/black pattern)
- 1 size 14 light pink cargo skirt Old Navy
- 4-5 empire waist shirts that would fit about XL to 2X
- Tons of scrub shirts and pants (good quality!!) - used to wear them as a medical assistant, so I bought the good ones!

Message me if you're interested. I can send you pictures if you would like. Anything that I don't send out to anyone, I'll be donating, most likely this weekend, so let me know ASAP!

leandread

My question for you ladies this week is how do you deal when certain life situtations get in the way of your healthy lifestyle.

My problem seems to be I do so well for like a month or two and then something in my life changes or something is going on where I take a few days off and it spirals into a week or two messing up what I worked so hard for. In the process of moving so I have been super busy for exercise and eating out way to many times because of the time crunch (they moved up closing date). Monday through Friday seem to be where I excel the best and then the weekend comes and I have so much stuff to do I can't find time. Something I hope changes once I am all settled in the new house (currently live with mom 4 days boyfriend 3). Will be moving into a new house with boyfriend full time (WA-HOO EXCITED!!!!).

Also, my boyfriend joined MFP and it has been great so far because I really have extra support now. He has always supported me but now that he realizes what certain things are higher in calories he really is making great choices for dinner. So I am really happy for him and can't wait to continue my weight loss journey with him.

@ttv2004....I have a hard time with this as well but I always try to remind myself that life will always happen and it will always be have really stressful periods so I just try to make the best choices in a given circumstance. I used to think, well since I only have time for fast food, I may as well get XX (insert fatty goodness here). But now I ask myself, is this 10,000 mgs of sodium item really worth it? So if you're stuck with fast food, I try to get salads without dressing..Those little changes can go a long way. And if you're busy packing., maybe throw in a few jumping jacks after you carry some boxes. Or some wall push ups every time you pass a particular space. I had a friend with great legs and I asked her what her work out was since she had such nice gams. She is active as well, but swears by holding squats, with pulses while she brushes her teeth. I know these things may seem strange since they are not part of your normal routine, but I do believe that when you look at the bigger picture, rather than the routine you are being thrown out of, you might find little ways to make it work until you get back to your usual pace of life...

Now, if only I can cut and paste this to my brain for my upcoming move!!!

Dhathri

I have posted my weight for the week 14 and week 15. Somehow it is not being reflected in the excel. Thanks for your help.

whittrusty

I have posted my weight for the week 14 and week 15. Somehow it is not being reflected in the excel. Thanks for your help.

You need to post it on this form. https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dEpzZVFrUmNCazV0U2tOSWpPWnZRUXc6MQ

I don't go through the weigh in thread to get people's weights weekly because it's too time consuming for me.

I had your week 14 weigh in on the spreadsheet, but hadn't received your week 15 weigh in. If you logged it on that form, but you don't see it updated on the spreadsheet within about 24 hours, message me to make sure it went through on the form.

Steph_135

My problem seems to be I do so well for like a month or two and then something in my life changes or something is going on where I take a few days off and it spirals into a week or two messing up what I worked so hard for. In the process of moving so I have been super busy for exercise and eating out way to many times because of the time crunch (they moved up closing date). Monday through Friday seem to be where I excel the best and then the weekend comes and I have so much stuff to do I can't find time. Something I hope changes once I am all settled in the new house (currently live with mom 4 days boyfriend 3). Will be moving into a new house with boyfriend full time (WA-HOO EXCITED!!!!).

When I lost weight in the beginning, I really only was solid with my eating throughout the week (Mon-Fri), but on the weekends, I would go back home, and eat EVERYTHING!! I don't recommend THAT, but a could days off a week can be a good thing, as long as you are still aware of your eating, and the fact that you WILL get back to working out and eating really well on Monday again. When things get settled down, hopefully you can focus more on scheduling workouts, and great healthy meals into your weekends! :drinker: leandread's suggestions about making small changes are awesome too!

forgiven4life

Hi gang! I'm happy to report that my changes that I'm making this week are working for me. I feel good and I'm eating clean. For once, I'll be happy to report my weigh in this Friday. :bigsmile:

ETA: OH, and I made my first goal!! Now I just have to make that hair appt.

TeamLeela

Hey Brandy! Great job on meeting your goal! What are you having done to your hair?

I have started planning out my menu at night for the next day. It has really been working. In the past, I would plan it out, but not stick to it, but lately I have been on the straight and narrow. I keep healthier snacks in the house and that helps too. I'm trying to stay away from the jar of peanut butter. And I am trying to stay away from my exercise calories. But if I dip into them, its not by much. Also, trying to stay hydrated.
I want to keep my stress level down. Stress eating is never good!

forgiven4life

Hey Brandy! Great job on meeting your goal! What are you having done to your hair?

My sister in law is a hairstylist so I am going to have her trim it up and put some color in it. Maybe some highlights like carmel or something. I just have to wait until I get the extra money. She does give me a deal, but still something I have to plan for.

Steph_135

I want to keep my stress level down. Stress eating is never good!

Fantastic Leela! I wanted to comment that, (in avoiding all spoilers) in tonight's Biggest Loser episode, one of the contestants that fell below that line had been completely stressed out all week (ok... that's a bit of a spoiler, sorry!) and I was betting that s/he would fall below because of that! Stress can stop weight loss, no doubt about it. Even if there is no stress eating involved. You're body can just cling to it (weight) in times of stress.

Brandy... That new hair is gonna make you feel awesome! I'm overdue for a hair cut, party because of money, and partly because I want to keep it long enough to put in a ponytail for the summer...

TeamLeela

Steph that's so true. its like stress causes the body to shut itself down and keep on the weight that you probably would have normally lost under the same circumstances without the stress. I want this trip to be as stressless as possible. If its stressful, its only because I conjured it up myself, not because of something anyone else did.