The Last 10

hepkitty

Hi all, Mind if I jump on board here? I'm in the last 10-15 pounds range, going to re-assess at 10 pounds lighter and see if I want to keep going or call it there...Struggling a bit as the first few pounds came off pretty quick, but the last few are hanging on for dear life!!

So something I thought you guys could help with...I'm in New Zealand so we're going into winter now..I don't have a gym membership so struggling to think of exercise I can do indoors...the other thing is I live with a couple other people and there's no private area I can exercise in at home...so if no one's home I can jump about and get all sweaty in the living room, but if others are home it is a bit weird cos they hang out in there too...not that fun having an audience watch!

Anyone got any other things they did over winter? Maybe I will just have to suck it up and join a gym, but they're so expensive here!!

Also, re: treats and trying to not go overboard at parties, I definitely allow myself something when I'm in those situations. Means I don't get weird looks from people (I've got some friends that are quite scornful of 'dieting'), and I feel happy and get to eat something yummy. For me the key is to pick, as someone said above, a couple of the best treats, and have small portions, and REALLY savour them. I notice now that I'm doing this, if my flatmates and I have icecream, I'll have less than them (often half as much cos I'm going by the actual serving size) but I'll be the last to finish because I'm really enjoying every single bite instead of gulping it down without paying attention.

That often means I won't eat something if I don't think it's good enough to savour, eg if I'm at a morning tea and there's chocolate cake, but it's a crappy dry storebought cake, sometimes I can avoid having any cos I know it won't be good enough to savour. Of course, sometimes I say 'screw it' and eat the damn dry cake anyways, but I'm working towards better habits

bebbjeb

Thanks for the tips re treats! I guess I'll just to make sure I eat the quality stuff and savour it!! and not stuff my face like I usually do. I'll let you know how I do.

Do you have space to work out in your bedroom. You could do things like push ups, sit ups etc in your bedroom. I don't know how cold it gets in New Zealand but could you go for walks and runs? In the UK it's never usually so cold that you can't run in winter - but maybe you have more extreme weather.

DeeDeeLHF

Hi Hep, my thoughts are the same as bebb...do what you can in your room. Google excercising in a small space or something like that. Buy some weights for you ankles (adjustable ones are good, where you can adjust the weight) and some dumbbells, 5 and 10#. Focus on strenght training and simply jogging in place with the weights can be a great work out. Jumping jacks...slow and quiet are also a great work out! Any calisthenic excercise augmented with weights is terrific. This link might give you some ideas: http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/06/02/15-minute-workout/


My question...Usually my attitude is that I am ready to conquer these last few pounds but then I have moments when i really don't care anymore because I am tired of doing this!! These moments scary the pants off me! Do you have these moments too?

bebbjeb

Hi Dee,

I feel like that too sometimes. Sometimes I think I lack the motivation to do this last push, but I know I would really like to lose the last bit and to reach my goal. I think we all have off days.

I am going to go for a long run on Saturday morning and hopefully that will get things moving!

What is everyone going to do this weekend to burn some calories?

gabyp0716

Hello Ladies,
Hope eveyone is doing well
Beb - you might be motivating me to get a workout in this weekend
I'm going out of town with my fiance this weekend. So I'm not sure if I will get to workout. But I think I should pack some of my workout DVDs just in case I have time, so I can be prepared.
I'm planning out my meals to make sure I don' go over my calories.
But at this point I guess we will see how things go on our Monday weight in.
Have a grea weekend.
Gaby

Aurora22

I plan to go for a long bike ride along the shoreline with my bf. we live next to the San Francisco bay and it is sunny and cool- no excuses not to get out and be active. they we are going out to dinner for his bday, so I am going to have to control myself with the delicious indian curries and nan...mmm. I kinda expect that I will go over with calories, so hopefully we can go on a long hike tomorrow too!
I think that my jogging has aggravated my knee, and I am hoping that if I can do other activities for a few days I will be able to run again soon.

hepkitty

Thanks for the suggestions guys! It probably rarely gets truly too cold to go running outside, but it certainly makes motivation a bit harder And yeah, I've probably got just enough space in my room to do some strength training type exercises, the ankle weights are a great idea!

Re losing motivation for the last few pounds, I know what you mean! Sometimes I think, well, I'm so close, would it really matter if I just stopped here? Particularly when I don't lose anything for a few weeks, I wonder if my body is asking me to stay at this weight lol. But I am hoping the satisfaction of actually reaching my goal instead of changing it will make up for the last few weeks/months.

I've just started trying something slightly different with my calories. I was set on 1200 calories and was eating them all and eating my exercise calories back (and often struggling to stay under ,particularly on light / no exercise days). Have fluctuated around between 159 and 163 for about 3 weeks which is quite frustrating

Was looking around at some information about BMR though, and saw in a few places (of unknown reliability) that you're not supposed to eat less than your BMR, since it's what's needed to keep you alive while sleeping, basically..So I've bumped my cals up to 1550 (what my BMR is supposed to be) and will try to eat about 50-70% of my exercise calories but make sure I'm always over 1550...have only done it for two days so far but I've dropped to 158 this morning so maybe it's working?

What's your guys' strategies for calorie intake? Have any of you tried 1200 and found it not enough to lose weight with?

questionablemethods

I struggle with 1400. I would have to eat perfectly and tons of high volume foods to make 1200 work. Also, I believe that once you are within a healthy weight, your body doesn't want to get rid of that last bit of fat, so it is important that it doesn't start to think it is starving. That's why I make sure to eat at least my BMR (1400). I typically don't eat my exercise calories, unless I burn a lot in a day, then I might eat back some just to make sure that I'm at least netting 1200 or so. It has been working pretty well for the past month or so. I'm still not down into the lean range that I'm really aiming for yet, so we'll see.

hepkitty

Almost forgot weigh-in day! My Monday weight this week = 157.3 pounds which is a 2 pound loss! Yay. How's everyone else going?

gabyp0716

Helllo Ladies,
I actually went up one lbs :grumble:
But its not so bad. I know I could have done better during the weekend, so you get out what you put in.
Still motivated this week to be really really good, specially cause this weekend I'm going to my niece's 3rd bday and its going to be a weekend getaway to AZ with the whole fam, so I know I'm going to be eating some extra stuff. But its all good.
Anyhow today's weight was 170 lbs,
Should we start a new thread. The last 10 week two?
This one seems to be getting long.... any thoughts?

lgblack

Well count me in. I started the year at 158 (160 at Christmas to be totally honest!). I turned 50 last year...so that doesn't help the metabolism. My goal is to get down to 138. (I think I would be happy at 135, but I think the last time I was that weight people thought I looked too skinny. So I will see.) Right now I am wavering around 145.6lbs....for the last few weeks!
I started out this journey swimming for about 1/2 hour 3 mornings a week. Then added to that a few lunch hour strength classes (I am fortunate to actually work at a huge recreational centre that has a fitness centre and classes!!) Then my husband and I started TRX suspension training classes - but that was only once a week for 45 min. But between the swimming, lunch classes, TRX and a few short 10 min walks on the track during the day.....and of course keeping within my calories....I lost 15 lbs. I think it has increased from the 143 lbs I saw due to muscle mass....but I am just hoping. Pants are lose...could likely go from sz 12 down to sz 10...but want to wait until I hit my ideal weight before buying new clothes. (We get to wear yoga pants at work...and they are very forgiving....) My problem right now is the last stretch. MFP has my daily calories at 1200....plus whatever exercise calories I earn. I find 1200 quite restricting....so am very willing to work out to add more calories. I now have Zumba classes on Sat., and the TRX on Sunday....so two very good workout days. But one of the personal trainers that works in the fitness centre feels that the 1200 cal might be too low. Any thoughts? Should I increase my calories allowed per day? I will weigh in next Monday. Happy to share my successes and challenges!

DeeDeeLHF

Hi everyone,

Gaby...I am not sure we need to start another thread. I am OK with just going on this one until we hit the magic 500 point. Sometimes it is hard to find everyone if you switch.

As for the pound...yeah, me too...but I think I am starting my period soon...it has been a long time again (I am 45 and going through menapause already!), so I am not sure. It is just how I feel...which is HUNGRY! I have been over calories by about >200 for two days in a row and craving everything salty and sweet!

Hepkitty! Congratulations! 2# at this point is really something to celebrate.

So concerning the calorie thing...my problem is that my BMR is under 1200! That is what happens when you are so short! So, yesterday I ate almost 1500 calories (with no excercise) and it said that at the end of 5 weeks I would be heavier than I am now by a half of a pound! To me that is scary! It is easy for me to see how I gained weight! I was eating "normal"...so I guess life will just have to have a built in restriction with no exceptions to needing to excercise (I really don't like to and still have to basically force myself).

Harder too because I am getting so many compliments! I love the compliments and I wish they were motivating but instead I am feeling attitudes of "settling". My sister and I joined MFP together and although she is still on and has lost weight, she isn't really doing it anymore, so that stinks too. We were really sharing our journey together and now it isn't like that and I don't want to make her feel bad by talking about it too much.

Well, I am off to jump on the trampoline with my daughter like I have been promising her all day!

D

hepkitty

Hi all

Gaby, I just discovered this yesterday, you might already know it but if you want to jump straight to the most recent post in a long thread, instead of clicking on the thread name in the 'My Topics' area, on the far right is a 'view' link that goes straight to the last post...then you only have to scroll up any posts you haven't seen yet, instead of paging through heaps of previous posts...

Welcome lgblack!
I think what kaitlin said a few posts back is very helpful...it's hard to drop the last few pounds, so it's important not to drop down into starvation mode. Have you worked out your BMR? Mine is 1550 and now that I'm eating just over that instead of 1200, I've started to lose weight again... might be worth a try? But on the other hand, I am just playing around trying to figure things out so what seems to be working for me might not work for you, etc...

Donna, I totally know the feeling re settling because of the compliments. And now that your sister has stopped participating as much that's got to make it harder again! I went through that cos my mum and I were doing this together but she's given up as she wasn't having much success... I guess it's just a matter of finding motivation from somewhere. For me it's setting mini-goals with rewards that I wouldn't normally give myself, and trying to set up accountabilities with other people here (like you guys!) or in real life.

Also, you sound like you might be fairly active anyways (eg jumping on trampoline with your daughter) and that might help when it comes to maintenance time..ie your BMR + calories burned through being reasonably active during the day (contrast with a desk job, for example) might be enough that you wouldn't have to do too much 'extra' exercise?

bebbjeb

I had quite a good weekend, but not good enough. I do really well all week and lose a couple of pounds but the weekend comes along and I put them back on. I really need to stick to my guns at weekends. The problem is we usually eat out at weekends, we are usually at a friend's or family's for lunch and then we often go to a restaurant in the evenings. On Sunday we went out for pizza but I had grilled veggies instead! Now I need to do this every time we go out. I think today I am going to try and cleanse a bit and eat fruits and veg as much as possible.

DeeDeeLHF

Bebb, I think the weekend thing is universal! I have the same problem and it is on the weekends that i don't always have the time to go to the gym. If some of the people are right and once a week having a day where you eat an extra 1000 calories then I am right on track!

kitty: I am going to focus on some mini goals. I haven't been doing that...just big goals but I am going to think about it some more and write them out for myself!

D

Aurora22

I missed weigh in day...149.2 this morning, which is exactly the same as last week. I had my boyfriends bday, so I ate way too many calories but we stayed really active so I think it balanced out. Now that the weather is nice, I am riding my bike to school and my knee is feeling a little better so I will try to run on it tonight.

gabyp0716

Hello Ladies,
I had a totally unhealthy lunch and went over my calories already! Oh well, I guess that does teach me a lesson to check out the food database before lunch rather than prior. Plus, it makes me realize that I'm putting all this hard work into getting in shape that I should go ALL out and not leave things to chance.
So even though I not the best cook (yet) I really need to start packing my lunches because it totally takes the stress out of everything.
In additition I've been having a tough time with some family issues, and have not had the motivation to hit the gym this week so far.
But with lunch today, I'm def gonna go work some of it off.
Just a little road block, but no change in mind about getting serious and finishing strong.
Gaby

bebbjeb

Hi Gaby,
Sorry to hear that you've had some family issues. I'm sure you'll find the motivation to go to the gym when you can. A few days off isn't going to harm your long term goals.
I had a really good workout at the gym and I ate well yesterday, so I'm hoping to be back on track. I really need to work at my weekends still.
Best,
Bebb

Aurora22

Have you guys seen this article?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/18/magazine/18exercise-t.html?src=me&ref=homepage

it talks about how women get signals from their bodies to eat more when they exercise, and how standing vs sitting could burn hundreds of calories a day. I like the part about how if you are able to get the weight off through a negative calorie balance, regular exercise can help keep it off without restrictive eating. So if I am able to minimize my calorie intake now, I won't have to do it forever to stay slim. Good news for me because eating less is the hardest part, but if I know that it is only temporary then it will be easier to get through the next few months.

gabyp0716

Hello All,
So things have been about the same for me. I've pretty much have decided to give myself this week for a "mental health" break and start strong on Monday. I know that sounds bad... right... more excuses! But I just want to spend some time with my family and help out with the grieving process as much as I can.
On a positive note. I'm super excited because I bough the Brazil Butt Lift (should arrive next week) which is perfect. I want to add this program to my morning rutine starting May 1st to have at least one month under my belt by the time my fiance moves in on June 1st. Looking forward to him noticing the change I also bought a HRM that should hopefully be delivered next week as well. I really want to be able to track my calories burned during the BBL so I knew I needed to get one.
Thank you all for your support.
Gaby

bebbjeb

I finally went for a run this morning! I only did about 2 K in 20 minutes but it's a start! I think I will go again on Sunday morning. I'm going to try and build up my speed and the distance and hope I can go regularly. The problem is my husband is usually away during the week so I can't leave the kids in bed on their own. I think running is such a great form of exercise and is good for toning too! Do you think if I can only manage a run once a week it's still worth doing?

Hoosiermomma

Heading off to Guatemala with my daughter's Senior class. Diet and exercise will most likely not be at the top of my priority list. We will be working at an orphanage and I am so looking forward to the experience, especially for the kids! I am also excited to be at a healthier weight and fitness level. Sure will help to keep up with the students! Please keep our safety and servant hearts in your prayers! I will be back in May!

Aurora22

bebbjeb- i think that running/ jogging is great no matter how far or how often. i started jogging about a year ago when I started losing weight, but I have never run more than 2mi. usually I just go to the end of the street and back (about 1.5 mi) in about 20 min, and I am able to go maybe 2x per week. i used to take long walks with the stroller when I was heavier, but discovered that I could do the same distance in 20 min if I left the babe at home. It feels so great not to be pushing or carrying a child and I have noticed a nice change in my legs and core. I think any amount of exercise is good- it all adds up in your favor!

bebbjeb

Thanks Aurora - I managed another run today. I did 4.5K in 30 minutes. I felt great afterwards. I'm really going to try and do this as much as possible! My problem is that I still can't control my eating. If there's a yummy food around - I just have to eat it. I completely forget about all my goats. This is the next big challenge for me - to taste a bit of a treat, but not stuff my face!!

DeeDeeLHF

Bebb, way to go on the running thing. I am just beginning to do a very little bit. I look really funny doing this but.... I pray as I walk and the medetative prayer that I use has two parts...I walk on the first part and slow jog on the second part. This seems to be working for me. So slow starts end with 10K's! So lets keep encouraging each other! 4.5 in 30 minutes is pretty amazing!!!!

Aurora, funny that you are now leaving baby behind...I have started adding weights because I am not carrying babies!

Hoosier: praying for a safe trip. Those children will be blessed by your trip!

Gaby...tell me more about this Brazil Butt lift...I really need it! I have been doing all of these leg, hip and butt excercises and I hope they are working but if there is something faster...bring it on!

D

hepkitty

Hey all
Weigh-in time, or actually I guess past weigh in time now - how'd everyone go?

I'm now sitting on 155 exactly, which is a loss from last Monday of 2.3 pounds. That takes me to actually within 10 pounds of my lowest goal (I have 2 - 149.5 but probably going all the way to 145).

Yay!

francayoung

When you say lower carbs, can you tell me what you weight, height, age, and how many carbs you are currently taking in? Also, up your cardio?? How much are you doing now. I only ask because I have been trying to lose those 10lbs for over 6 months now and I can't seem to budge off the same weight or lose pant sizes. I feel stronger, look tone, and have alot of muscle, but can't seem to lose the "fat" that surrounds the muscle. I am getting frustrated because the last month or so I have been working out at least 5 days a week doing, trx, boot camp, kettleball, spin, and zumba. I feel like I work out hard, sweat alot, and I feel very fit. I love to work out but how many hours do I have to work out to lose inches.? I am literally watching everthing I eat and I don't cheat either, no soda, no white bread, no bad snack, no sweet snacks. i dont' crave or want any of those things. My friend just has to think about dieting a bit (by elimating one bad food like soda) and working out some and she sheds pounds fast. I know I am blabbing on and on, but I am so very frustrated because I just wish I could see some results from all my hard work....a few pounds is all I ask.

Bleux

When you say lower carbs, can you tell me what you weight, height, age, and how many carbs you are currently taking in? Also, up your cardio?? How much are you doing now. I only ask because I have been trying to lose those 10lbs for over 6 months now and I can't seem to budge off the same weight or lose pant sizes. I feel stronger, look tone, and have alot of muscle, but can't seem to lose the "fat" that surrounds the muscle. I am getting frustrated because the last month or so I have been working out at least 5 days a week doing, trx, boot camp, kettleball, spin, and zumba. I feel like I work out hard, sweat alot, and I feel very fit. I love to work out but how many hours do I have to work out to lose inches.? I am literally watching everthing I eat and I don't cheat either, no soda, no white bread, no bad snack, no sweet snacks. i dont' crave or want any of those things. My friend just has to think about dieting a bit (by elimating one bad food like soda) and working out some and she sheds pounds fast. I know I am blabbing on and on, but I am so very frustrated because I just wish I could see some results from all my hard work....a few pounds is all I ask.

I feel your pain honey. I feel stronger as well, have for a while, but there is still a good amount of fat surrounding the muscles (mostly on my stomach) and I cannot seem to shed it no matter what I do. I have tried eating 1200 calories, I've tried eating 1400 calories, I've worked out morning, afternoon, and night, and I've lightened up and only done once a day in case I was overtraining. Nothing seems to help. I don't care as much about what my weight is (though I would MUCH rather see 125 lbs as opposed to 140 lbs) as I care about my body fat percentage which is currently 29%. I want to get to the lower 20s, but cannot figure out how to get there. Sorry I don't have any advice for you... just wanted to commiserate with you.

MrsNeuman

Hope everyone is doing great on here!! I haven't checked in for a while because I was just tooo discouraged (I hadn't changed weight in like 3-4 weeks!) Any anyway finalllly my weight has budged about a pound (I was 131 Sunday morning!!), and it's about 3 weeks till my wedding so I'm trying to kick cardio into high gear! Only 6 pounds away from my ultimate goal, but at this point I'd seriously just be happy to be anything under 130, and look somewhat decent in a swimsuit! How is everyone else doing with this last ten devil pounds!!?

lvfunandfit

When you say lower carbs, can you tell me what you weight, height, age, and how many carbs you are currently taking in? Also, up your cardio?? How much are you doing now. I only ask because I have been trying to lose those 10lbs for over 6 months now and I can't seem to budge off the same weight or lose pant sizes. I feel stronger, look tone, and have alot of muscle, but can't seem to lose the "fat" that surrounds the muscle. I am getting frustrated because the last month or so I have been working out at least 5 days a week doing, trx, boot camp, kettleball, spin, and zumba. I feel like I work out hard, sweat alot, and I feel very fit. I love to work out but how many hours do I have to work out to lose inches.? I am literally watching everthing I eat and I don't cheat either, no soda, no white bread, no bad snack, no sweet snacks. i dont' crave or want any of those things. My friend just has to think about dieting a bit (by elimating one bad food like soda) and working out some and she sheds pounds fast. I know I am blabbing on and on, but I am so very frustrated because I just wish I could see some results from all my hard work....a few pounds is all I ask.

Are you weight training. The more muscle you build the more fat you burn during exercise and at rest. You should weight train with resistance (machines, free weights, etc) about 3 times a week minimum. That with cardio will help. Are you eating enough protein and often enough during the day? You should eat at least half your body weight in grams of protein per day and you should eat every 2-3 hrs. Portion out your foods. Make sure to eat within 30 min or sooner after working out. I eat a Greek yogurt or drink a protein shake directly after a workout. I bring it with me to the gym in a cooler. Then I eat again (dinner) about an hour later. www.bodybuilding.com has some great articles about eating and working out. Eat first thing when you wake up, watch your sodium intake, drink lots of water, eat every 2-3 hrs, make your diet high protein incorporate weight training and maybe cut down on some of that cardio. You'll see some changes.

You do a ton of cardio. When I was at 144 I was stuck at that weight for 2 months and I was doing spin 3 times a week, running 5 miles 2 times a week and taking kick boxing classes. After 2 months of no movement on the scale, I cut out some cardio and incorporated more weight training and I noticed changes on the scale immediately (within a week). Now when I do weight training I only 20-35 min of cardio on those days after I lift weights. I do that 4 times a week and I run 5 miles 2 times a week and have one off day. I'll start spin again this summer after school is out (I'm a teacher). They don't have classes that are at times I can go to the gym. But so far, between the diet I explained and the training I've been doing I've dropped 12 lbs since Jan. It takes time when your body gets to a healthy weight. You have to shock it again! I'm down to 123.4! My goal is now 120. It was 125. My body fat % goal is 16% and I'm fluctuating between 19% and 20%. BUT, I was at 24% in Nov. I've been slacking on weight training lately due to staying after school with students. I have a limited time I can work out at the gym, so now I'm going to work on getting to the gym about 15 min earlier so I can get in some better weight training workouts. I know that will help me get my body fat down and become more defined! You just have to learn how to manipulate your body. You can do it!