Inches Away!!!

happygirl518

Hi Everyone, this group is for all those that want to put a new "Twist" on their Weight Loss Journey.
Tired of measuring your success of your journey by the scales?

What inspired me this morning to try to form this group was my own personal discovery. I got up this morning and monday is always my weigh in day and last week I had really bumped up my steps in my walking routine., so I expected a big loss. I maintained. Looked at the calendar and it was a month gone by and I needed to take my measurements and Wow, I am down 12 5/8 inches. I know that when the inches Fall so too with the Pounds. So that was real motivation and encouragement.

I began reading the message boards and noticed a lot of people measuring their success by the scales and not liking what they see. That kind of stress can make one through in the towel, it can trigger us to binge, give up, and I said, we've got to focus on other ways to measure our success.

So here we are. We will form a group that will measure monthly our inches lost, and celebrate our success. We will post often and share tips, new discoveries, recipes, and inch by inch we'll acheive greatness and self-confidence. What do you say, will you join me on this Inches Away Journey?

Debbie

happygirl518

Hi Everyone, this group is for all those that want to put a new "Twist" on their Weight Loss Journey.
Tired of measuring your success of your journey by the scales?

What inspired me this morning to try to form this group was my own personal discovery. I got up this morning and monday is always my weigh in day and last week I had really bumped up my steps in my walking routine., so I expected a big loss. I maintained. Looked at the calendar and it was a month gone by and I needed to take my measurements and Wow, I am down 12 5/8 inches. I know that when the inches Fall so too with the Pounds. So that was real motivation and encouragement.

I began reading the message boards and noticed a lot of people measuring their success by the scales and not liking what they see. That kind of stress can make one through in the towel, it can trigger us to binge, give up, and I said, we've got to focus on other ways to measure our success.

So here we are. We will form a group that will measure monthly our inches lost, and celebrate our success. We will post often and share tips, new discoveries, recipes, and inch by inch we'll acheive greatness and self-confidence. What do you say, will you join me on this Inches Away Journey?

Debbie

chunkabutt25

I'm totally in! I don't own a scale so I record my loss by inches anyways!

happygirl518

Welcome so good of you to join. Now that you have did you know you can go on Tickerfactory and they have a new Waist Ticker, you can track your inches lost around your waist. Then once you make it, copy the bbl code and paste to your signature in your settings and it will appear everytime you post and you can update it bi-weekly or monthly when you take your measurements.

I like tracking success this way because its not the # on the scale people see, its the inches gone. When we lose the inches it shows in our outside appearance, the way our clothes fits, and that's what we are all striving for, that new body image.....the WoW factor as I call it.

Glad to have you Aboard......Post often
Debbie

psychojenn

:happy: sounds awesome! i dont own a scale either so measuring by inches is better for me anyway

poor_girl1957

First time poster here....I am in. I do eweigh myself and exercise a lot...6 days out of 7. Alternating between pilates and aerobics. I think I am losing more inches than weight so I would like to join you!


Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter

happygirl518

Welcome Poorgirl and Jen, good to see you here. It is not uncommon when losing weight to have your inches exceed your pounds. Hey we don't care right, the end result will be getting our lives back, eating healthy and exercising daily and we are going to be so proud of ourselves when summer is here and we are more active and feeling great.

I am so excited. I have my eye on the 4th of July. It is time for a vacation. It is time of celebration, and my birthday is the 16th and I will be 51. I look forward to being in new sizes, being more active, feeling more energy and strength, and gaining so many new and wonderful friends.

What are you looking forward to? Perhaps a class reunion, family reunion, wedding, graduation, vacation, cruise, retreat?

I am going to decorate around my desk this week. Vacation photos, positive statements, little reminders of what is to come and what I am going to do with my summer. Visual motivators....think about it....make your space inviting and happy, a place you like to be when logging on to journal your success and share your feelings. Just a thought and helpful suggestion!

Debbie

happygirl518

Good Morning Chunkabutt, poorgirl and Jen, and all that follow. Good to see you today. Well its gonna be 62 here in the buckeye state today and we are going to make good of it, as rain is on the way mid week.

So what is everyone into today? What's on your agenda? Did you have a hardy breakfast to rev up that metabolism?

Let's get started with those measurements----get out the pen and pad and jot them down, tuck the book away and get it back out in 2 to 4 wks. and we'll share the results.

Where are the measuring cups and spoons? Are they out in the open, on the kitchen counter, beside the stove? Let's when making those recipes stop eyeballing it and do a little measuring, same true when doing portions----is that cup really a cup? Eyeballing can sneak in a few more calories than we are being accountable for.....also can go the other way, and we are robbing ourselves of our portions so lets have a True Week and see what the rewards are at the scales next week....What do you say?

So gotta give the poochie a bath today. Gonna take her on my walk with me today, she loves it. She is a lab and pug mix and so cute. Her name is Chloe and she is so loving.

well bbl
make it a great day everyone!!!
Your friend, Debbie

poor_girl1957

Hi Debbie,

Oops...lol...Did a new signature and got a dup on my ticker. I measured myself and have lost an inch all around except my neck.

I faithfully measure out my portions...I have a food scale that I use and I do use my measuring cups. I also use a smaller plate. I eat 3 meals a day and exerise 6 out of 7 days. I don't feel the least bit deprived. I was fortunate to get use to the portions quickly.

I read that changing up your exercise routines and splitting them up to 2x's a day helps the metabolism...I am 51 so I can use the boost from wherever I can get it, so i am going to up the ante on my workouts.

Hope everyone is having a great day!

AHealthierSuzyQ

I'm with you! Last week I gained a pound but lost 4 1/2 inches, with 1 1/2 inches of that being from the biggest part of me ~ my belly. I've always said I don't care what the scale says, if I look nice in my clothes.

I was a size 18 when I started MFP and want to get down to at least a size10 ~ which means I have to whittle my waist down to 30" or less. I was a size 6-8 in my twenties and thirties so I think this is a reasonable goal for a middle aged woman. So far i have only lost an inch in my waist but 4" in my abdomen... pretty much an inch a week.

happygirl518

Hi Susan, so nice of you to join us. You are setting reasonable goals and that's the way to do it. I will do everything I can to make it fun here. I want everyone to be at the top of there game by 4th of July. I started my journey Jan. 26 and to date have taken off 11 lbs. and 12 5/8 inches. Since it's truly the inches lost that gives us the greatest satisfaction, I am more than pleased having just begun.

I hope you'll post often, we all have alot we can contribute so share those recipes, wt. loss tips, quotes, new discoveries and of coarse all the woo hoo's and cheers of success you can!!!

Debbie:flowerforyou:

happygirl518

hey Donna, good for you on inches lost and weighing and measuring food. That is a great idea using the smaller plate , I will be 51 in July so honey I'm right their with ya, and open for all good tips

Keep up the good JOB!!!!! Love what you shared about breaking up the routine and rev'n up the metabolism, especially when I joke that I think I was born without metabolism in the first place LOL
Debbie

psychojenn

im just starting all over again. a couple weeks ago ive visiting my family alot(about 3 hrs away) so i been losing the habbit of getting on here since then, but now im getting back on track and hope to do better this time round

happygirl518

Jen, ....good for you, forgive yourself and keep moving forward. We can do nothing about the past but learn from our mistakes and take charge. I know it can be hard sometimes to be around others that think we can turn our eating habits on and off. I use to hear people tell me, oh its just one piece of fudge, or cake or pie, and entice me to waiver from my plan. I had to learn to be assertive, and it comes with time.

Just like eating out. We can't always control how things are prepared, but you can be assertive when ordering, advice on salt, mayo or dressings on the side, no butter, or butter on the side, no sour cream or it on the side, no bread at the table, or chips and salsa. (unless planned for in your diet). If portions are too large you can ask for a take home box before the meal comes and reduce your portions by cutting and removing from your plate what you want to take home, and then close the lid and set it aside and only eat what remains on your plate. Out of sight out of mind, and you have lunch for the next day. Just a few little tricks I have learnt through the years....LOL

Debbie

happygirl518

Here's a Weight Loss success tip:

Don't multi-task while you are eating. Working, watching t.v., reading, you re distracted and not conscious of what you are eating or how much. Chew slowly-savor teh flavor and texture. Put your spoon down or fork between bites and count to 10. Learn to eat more slowly. Enjoy your meal times.

Debbie

chunkabutt25

yeah i lost an inch around my neck and 2 around my waist, in just over a week!! Amazing!

happygirl518

Good Morning Gang.....way to go Chunkabutt....how is everyone this Wednesday Morning...

Quote Today: "no one said what is best was also easy"....Eamonn K.

Forming new habits take time....don't be too hard on yourself.....inch by inch....pound by pound...success will be YOURS

Was reading a bit this morning and did you know the American Heart Association recommends that healthy adults ages 18-65 engage in moderate intensity activity for 30 minutes 5 times a week. They recommend that you make it fun yet rewarding. Find something you like to do, Yoga, Tai Chi, Aerobics, Stairmaster, Treadmill, Walking, Jogging, Swimming, and incorporate it into your day. If not all 30 min. at once, do two sets of 15 or three sets of 10 min. each. Make it part of your daily goals.

I have found since beginning the first of March my walking goal that the more I exercise the more I want to. You could not have convinced me that first week I would feel this way, LOL But its true. Last week my total steps just within my walking my city bike/walking path exceeded a total of 5 miles. By July I hope to be walking in excess of 35 miles per week, 5 miles per day or 10,000 steps. So I am currently 1/7th of the way there!!!! When you break your goals down, and progress a little at a time you feel motivated and wanting more of a good thing. Just something to think about!

So what are some of your fitness goals? What do you like to do to trim the inches off your body?

bbl Debbie

happygirl518

Good Morning dear friends, ...some of us spoke yesterday of beginning again and it leads me to a quote for us today....by Eleanor Roosevelt...."Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new"....

This is so true. Ya know sometimes it takes us trying things more than once.....over and over to master the goal. Think about the first time you tried to ride a bike, or roller skate, or water ski, or tired your hand at bowling. I fell down and wrecked lots of times, I threw lots of gutter balls, but did I give up........NO...I can ride a bike, I can make a strike; but it took patience, and time and determination to master. Just something to think about today.

So what in the master have you mastered....think of the efforts involved and apply this in your journey.

bbl Debbie

make it a good day!!!!

happygirl518

Good Evening, hope you all had a good day. Today was good. Rainy and cold here in Ohio.
Been reading a new book and will share a new recipe from it with you all tomorow. I have been reading up alot of the importance of fiber in our diets and the benefits and will share that as well.
Those of you here with us, please share a family favorite recipe that we can all try with our families. If you can include nutritional information that will be most helpful to us when posting.

Thank you all in advance....Debbie until tomorrow sweet dreams

happygirl518

Good Friday Morning to Everyone this morning. Was doing some late night reading and ran across an article about the Importance of Vitamin E.

Did you know? Vitamin E, aids in the healing process especially burns when applied topically.
Vitamin E is found to currently protect against approximately 80 diseases.

Some benefits fo Vitamin E
Reduces blood pressure
Aids in preventing cataracts,
Relieves leg cramps
promotes healthy skin and hair
Prevents age spots
Retards cellular aging
Prevents and dissolves blood clots
Slows the progression of Alzheimers disease
Strength the immune system
Supplies oxygen to the blood that is carried to the heart and other organs thus alleviating fatigue
Treats circulatory problems, Improving muscle strength

Studies show that it improves insulin action, aiding in preventing long-term complications of diabetes especially cardiovascular disease.

Recommended daily dose 400-800 IU

Food sources of Vitamin E
Almonds, Asparagus, Avocados, Nuts, Peanuts, Olives, and many seeds. Dark leafy vegetables, oils like canola, corn, soy and sunflower oil. Wheat germ is high in Vitamin E.

For your health.......have a great day everyone and I'll bbl Debbie

happygirl518

For all you Pasta Lovers, here is a great high fiber recipe:

Pasta Fagioli
2 slices center cut (30% less fat) bacon, such as osca mayer, chopped
1 onion chopped about 1 cup
4 cloves of garlic, minced
3 ribs of celery chopped 1/2 cup
4 cups of low sodium fat free chicken broth
1 can (14.5 oz) salt free diced tomatoes
6 oz. whole wheat healthy harvest ronzoni
1 can of dark red kidney beans rinsed and drained about (15 oz)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/8 tsp. ground blk pepper
Heat lrg. saucepan over medium heat, add the bacon and cook until just strting to brown, 5-6 min. Add the onion, garlic, celery and carrots cook til starting to soften 2-3 mins.
Pour in chicken broth, tomatoes, pasta (ronzoni) and beans cook 12-15 min and pasta will get tender. Remove from heat and stir in basil, parsley and pepper.
Makes 6 servings
Per serving
Calories 210, 10 gms. protein, 33 gms. carbohydrate, 4 gms. total fat, 1 gm saturated fat, 3 mg. cholesterol, 9 gms. of fiber, 490 mg. sodium
Enjoy

AHealthierSuzyQ

Today was my weigh and measure day. I finally managed to drop another pound for a total of six but what REALLY makes my week is when the tape measure shows those inches gone! Even if sometimes it is only a fraction of an inch here or there.My new goal for is to exercise 3 times a day except on weekends to burn the belly fat: treadmill and floor exercises in the morning, swimming laps or gardening in the afternoon and walking the dog after supper.

Tonight we are going to a potluck where there will be lots of high calorie food. A REAL test of my willpower. I did an extra 30 minutes on the treadmill today so I could have some extra calories to play with tonight.

I just got back from a week at the beach and there's nothing like swimwear to reveal figure flaws. :blushing: (I never noticed until I saw those pictures that I have floppy old woman arms..) Tips on how to get them firmed up would be appreciated. Next year I want to be the one getting second looks!

happygirl518

Susan, have a wonderful time at your potluck and good for you planning that into your day and getting in that extra 30 min. on the treadmill. Susan I think with you swimming it will help tone the arms, also from years ago I know what worked best for me were 1 or 2 lb weights when doing my aerobics and resistance bands are great, I really like them, and they aren't expensive.

I just received a new prevention magazine today and here is what they say for a firm up
To get rid of arm jiggle-despite number bicep curls, it is suggested that as you do arm curls with weights bend your knees and lower your body as you straighten your arms during a bicep curl., in doing so it places extra stress on the muscle fibers making them stronger. Hope this helps.

Just read something else I will share with you and the group, Listening to music when you do a workout, jog, walk, bike ride will often result in 15% more calories burned as it is found often it promotes you increasing your routine or you will continue longer, I can believe that. If I am listening to some real upbeat music I can go and go, it makes me feel so good.
Puts a song in my head, I'm walking in sunshine oh oh I'm walkin on sunshine oh oh, and don't it feel good, alright now.....have a great night everyone
see you tomorrow, Debbie

happygirl518

Good Saturday Morning to Everyone, those new and joining us, we're glad your here.
Its a dreary morning here in Ohio, suppose to have our share of thunderstorms throughout today, so exercise will be indoors on the stationary bike.

Here is a Quote for you all today: "Don't let fear stop you, it only means you're facing great opportunities"....Erich Jao

Sometimes fear comes in all forms....there is the fear of change, fear of failure, fear of success (yes, believe it or not).....I heard a person one time at a group setting say that they feared getting to their ideal weight and I thought "why would you fear success". I have seen and heard it in the workplace, wanting a promotion then fearing that they would not live up to the expectations of others, or themselves. The best way I know to overcome these feelings is through a positive approach, and positive thoughts and attitude. If it were your son, daughter, aunt, mother, father, sister, brother, wanting to make a lifestyle change, you would embrace them, encourage them, support them, inspire them, and motivate them. Believe that you are also worthy of this compassion. Be patient with yourself, and learn to forgive yourself when you stumble, pick yourself up, remember the great efforts you have made and today's a new day, make the most of it. You've had more good days than not so good. Perhaps you've stayed true to your program X number of days, or exercised this week, or tried a new food, or made a better food choice, think about all the positive changes you have made, so that when you splurge one meal or one day, you don't throw it all away and Quit.

I told myself when I started this time, I am in it to Win It. I am not quitting, its not an option. Sometimes I believe its what we say to ourselves that dictates how we will handle our successes as well as failures. I have accepted that I am not perfect and I won't do it all right, all the time, but my rights will be more than my wrongs as I learn and change my life for the better.

I am striving to be the healthiest I can be through eating and exercise. I am not getting hung up on body image, as society stresses. The new found body image will come when I have adopted new ways and ideas and I make them my way of life. Just like at the scales, we all get so caught up in the number and if its not a loss we get so bummed and think "Oh whats the use". But then we get out the tape measure and its, 1 inch gone here, 1/2 inch gone there, 2 inches gone here, 3/4 gone there, and 3/4 gone there, and 3 inches gone here, and before we know it, Wow......8 inches gone....woo hooo....

Remember: when the Inches Down~~~~~So will the Pounds..inch by inch we are changing our lives, so never give up..........Get in it to Win It.....

make it a great day,
Debbie

happygirl518

Good Sunday Afternoon to you all. Raining here off and on today in Ohio. Today is a sensable sunday for me and my family. We love spending time together, and we just kick back and enjoy the day, playing games, watching movies, relaxing, ...........just a day to slowwwwwwwwwww down.....

Looking through many of the advertisements in the paper this morning and golly Easter will be here before we know it. How will you get through the holiday? Do you go to a family gathering, is it you who does the cooking, or is it potluck? What will you have that keeps you successful in your journey? What fun outdoor activities can you include everyone in to burn those extra calories? Something to think about this coming week and share with our group!!!

here's some of my outdoor fun time games, *kitten*, horseshoes, croquet, relay race, tug of war, balloon toss, sack race....just to name a few

bbl Debbie

AHealthierSuzyQ

Listening to music when you do a workout, jog, walk, bike ride will often result in 15% more calories burned as it is found often it promotes you increasing your routine or you will continue longer, I can believe that. If I am listening to some real upbeat music I can go and go, it makes me feel so good.

I would NEVER last more than a few minutes without music on the treadmill. I need that driving beat to keep my pace up where it needs to be. I have a special selection of upbeat songs that make it virtually impossible to walk less than 3.5 mph and stay with the beat. Another thing I do to make myself stay at it longer is to not allow myself to watch my favorite shows unless I am doing some sort of exercise at the same time. BTW, Soup cans work great if you don't have any weights.

happygirl518

Susan thank you for sharing, and you are sure right about the soup cans if you don't have weights, so thanks for reminding us.
Debbie

happygirl518

Good Monday Morning my dear friends here at Inches Away!!!

Are you ready to start another great week? Did you reach your expectations of last week? Did you set a new goal for this week, perhaps lose 1 lb, drink 9 glasses of water, try a new food, ? Do you have a celebration your facing, office party, birthday, anniversary....and how will you handle that?

Quote for Today: "Adopt, Adapt, Change".....author unknown

So I got to thinking this morning.....perhaps when you look back you remember a book that was popular about the Hungry Caterpillar.....he ate alot of healthy foods and in the end turned into a beautiful butterfly......
Then their was a book called "HERMIE" by Max Lucado......now this one is my favorite, you see Hermie was a caterpillar and he was sad because all his friends were changing and he wanted to change too, he kept praying and asking "why", and the reply was simply that it wasn't time.....and in the end he turned into a beautiful butterfly.....Hermie you see had to be patient.....he had to want it for himself and he did more than anything .....change....its a beautiful thing

So be patient with yourself and think beautiful thoughts and embrace each day...the best is yet to come your way!!!!

bbl Debbie

psychojenn

so i went down .5 in around my waist.. didnt really expect anything this week so im shocked and happy! :laugh:

happygirl518

Way to go Jen, keep up the great job. Your going to be a beautiful bride:flowerforyou:
Debbie

happygirl518

Hey there everyone, evening is fast approaching, I really don't know where this day has gone. Been on the go all day, then got home and hubby wanted to have a cookout. So did some hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill. I had baked beans made and deviled eggs so everything went together nicely and fact was it was spontaneous didn't even have it planned. I really like when things just "happen". LOL

So to keep our focus on healthy eating.....how many are really into reading labels.....????
Just a few tips: Sugar free doesn't mean carb free and the same in reverse
Fat free doesn't mean Sugar Free
(seems they take away one and sometimes have to overcompensate with another).

heart healthy ingredients: whole wheat flour, soy & oats, monounsaturated fat such as olive oil, canola or peanut oil

Is honey a good substitute for sugar? You be the judge. Honey has more carbs and is sweeter than sugar, so you may use less when using honey in place of sugar.

well just some things to enlighten you!!!

bbl Debbie