Need to Lose 100 LBS -Robins Thread !

Hi Everyone. First time on this thread. I weighed myself yesterday and couldn't believe the number. In just 11/2 months, I've gained 10 lbs! What the H**L??? How does that even happen?! Anyways....I absolutely need to lose the weight. I have a Disney World trip planned for November and there is no way I'm going to be able to walk around and enjoy myself unless I get some of this weight off. To get to a "Normal" weight for my height, I need to lose 140lbs. Just typing that number out hurts and makes me feel so depressed.

I read that Thursdays are Truth - The truth is...I don't want to have to watch my portions or exercise. But I know I NEED to.

sweeetypie1 wrote: »

Hi everyone. What are your calorie goals? My day starts at 1200 - I often go over a little - if I exercise I can keep it close. Just curious as to your calorie goals.

I try to stay strictly below 1200.
Easier to do with salads and finding a substitute dressing option that makes you happy.
I try not to eat my exercise calories at all but it has been more difficult after losing 50lbs.
The plateaus have been broken by tightening up that calorie ceiling and adding extra workouts.

If my calories ever do push above that mark, I add exercise to keep my calorie deficit at least at 500.

@sweeetypie1 -- I started with a 500 calorie deficit which I think gave me about 1400 calories/day net intake. I always ate back exercise calories and steadily lost weight. As my weight went down, so did my allowance, and I found it hard to maintain such a low goal (about 1200/day) even in the summer when I had plenty of time to exercise and earn back some calories. It just wasn't enough fuel for my body--I would get hungry and binge or stubbornly stick with it and feel weak and unwell. I'm a firm believer in treating food as fuel, and I can't work out hard if I don't have enough fuel to burn. I know some people do well not eating back exercise calories, but that's just not for me.

After years of experimentation, I've found that I feel better and can lose weight if I maintain between 1400-1600 net calories, so I have my goal set at 1500. The hard part is sticking to that goal when life gets busy and I'm eating on the go or miss trips to the store to get healthy foods. That's why I've been maintaining for the past few years rather than losing more weight.

@tracy-- glad you are feeling better!

@bigblueeyes1 -- welcome to the thread!! Yes, it's amazing how just a short time off plan can result in weight gain. That's why I weigh myself every day--it's hard to ignore the number on the scale; plus, research shows that people who are at a healthy weight or who maintain weight loss are more likely to weigh themselves daily. As far as the big number, set some mini goals--it's amazing how much better you feel after losing just 10 or 20 pounds!

@Teerai -- I agree wholeheartedly about doing some research. When I decided to lose weight, I did a ton of research on nutrition and different approaches and it really helped me focus and make smart lifestyle changes. Likewise, when I started running, I read all sorts of articles about the topic to learn breathing techniques, training methods, etc.--so much I knew nothing about, and it made such a difference in helping me stick with it. Instead of giving up when I got a side stitch, I tried the breathing method I read about. Or if I was struggling to increase my pace, I would research information to get past the hurdle.

@happygirlxxx -- Yes, it's so nice that the snow and ice has melted! I don't get downtown much during the school year, but when I'm off for the summer, I go to a lot of city festivals. I also still have quite a few friends who live on the North and Northwest sides. A good friend opened a store in Andersonville last October, so I'm looking forward to spending a lot of time there helping him out this summer. Iceland has been a bucket list destination for about 10 years now, so I decided it would be my 50th birthday present to myself. A group of 10 or us, including both of my sisters, are going together--I'm so excited, but I want to be in my best shape possible to really enjoy all of the outdoor activities.

AFM-- This week was pretty good nutrition-wise despite being pretty busy at work. Struggling to hold the plank past a minute, but I will just keep at it.

Tomorrow we dye the Chicago River green!! Hope everyone has a great St. Patrick's weekend!

Name: Karen
Age: 49
Height: 5’7"
Highest Weight: 247
Current Weight: 203 (1/19/19)

1/19/19 = 203
1/26/19 = 201
2/1/19 = 203
2/9/19 = 203
2/17/19 = 201
2/23/19 = 200
3/2/19 = 200
3/9/19 = 200

@happygirlxxx -- Yes, it would be fun to meet up some time! I met another Chicago area friend on this thread several years ago, but he lives way down in the south suburbs, so every year we meet halfway in Itasca to do a 5k together.

AFM-- I had a really low-key weekend. Hubby made corned beef and cabbage, but that was the extent of our festivities. Back to work tomorrow, but at least there's only one more week until I'm on Spring Break.

Name: Karen
Age: 49
Height: 5’7"
Highest Weight: 247
Current Weight: 203 (1/19/19)

1/19/19 = 203
1/26/19 = 201
2/1/19 = 203
2/9/19 = 203
2/17/19 = 201
2/23/19 = 200
3/2/19 = 200
3/9/19 = 200
3/16/19 = 199

@cyndy-- glad to see you are back! Thanks--I lived in Onderland for a few years and only recently ventured up into the 200s, so it's nice to see a number that starts with a one on the scale again (at least most days ). Hoping to move back into the 180s as that is where most of my clothes will fit comfortably.

AFM--just a quick check-in to say hi. It's been a decent week for nutrition up until today. We had a taco pot luck for lunch at work, and I didn't even try to log. Honestly, I don't think it would've been too bad if it weren't for the conchas and churros. Tomorrow will be better.

Name: Karen
Age: 49
Height: 5’7"
Highest Weight: 247
Current Weight: 203 (1/19/19)

1/19/19 = 203
1/26/19 = 201
2/1/19 = 203
2/9/19 = 203
2/17/19 = 201
2/23/19 = 200
3/2/19 = 200
3/9/19 = 200
3/16/19 = 199

Trying something new - intermittent fasting. I'm doing 16:8 - so basically I don't eat anything after 6 in the evening and then don't eat until 10am in the morning. I'm still doing my 1200 calories - only eat them between 10 and 6. A lot of people already eat this way - my husband for one. I've always wanted a good breakfast right when I wake up, so waiting is something new and it hasn't been difficult. I hoping this jump starts my weight loss. We'll see when I weigh in tomorrow, but only started Tuesday, so my hopes are high yet - next week will be a better judge on how it is working.

@diane-- good luck with the IF. I know a lot of people who've had great success with it. During the work week, I tend to naturally eat within about a 10 hour window and it's much easier for me to stay within my calorie goal on those days. Even if you find it's not sustainable for you in the long run, just switching up your eating schedule for a few weeks can really help jump start the scale. While I'm on break this week, I'm going to try to go very high protein and low carb just to switch things up for my body.

@happygirlxxx -- I also met a couple of MFP friends in NYC to run the Tunnel to Towers 5k several years ago, and it was so much fun. Both of them have also visited Chicago--one for a work conference, but I was able to head downtown and hang out with her. The other came to run the Shamrock Shuffle with me a couple of years ago. For sure, we will have to meet up. Churros are so yummy--and yes, these were filled with dulce de leche--no fudge though.

AFM-- Oh wow, another high stress day and too many Mexican sweets left over from our taco day on Wed. I ate so much pan dulce and an entire concha today. Fortunately, Spring Break is here!!! I'm so happy because I will now have time to catch up on grading and lesson plans, get some cleaning and projects done around the house, and get back into an exercise routine. Oh, and sleep--I'm so excited about sleep!! Tomorrow a friend is having a dinner party, so that will be fun. But first, I will take Gunner for his bath and clean up all of his fur while he's out of the house.

Name: Karen
Age: 49
Height: 5’7"
Highest Weight: 247
Current Weight: 203 (1/19/19)

1/19/19 = 203
1/26/19 = 201
2/1/19 = 203
2/9/19 = 203
2/17/19 = 201
2/23/19 = 200
3/2/19 = 200
3/9/19 = 200
3/16/19 = 199

Name: Cyndy
Age: 61
Height: 5’3"
Highest Weight: (Oct 15, 2004) 250
Re-Start Weight (Sept 1, 2018): 221
Goal Weight (June 7, 2019) 165

Jan 22 191
Jan 28 189.5
Feb 4 190.0
Feb 13 190.2
Feb 18 187.4
Feb 25 187.3
Mar 19 185.8
Mar 25 188.2

Week (+/-) = +2.4
Since Re-Start = 32.8
Since First start = 61.8

Well, darn.... it was my birthday weekend and I did go off program. The good news is that I didn't go back into the 90's.... and I was able to resist alcohol. I give myself a victory points for that! Ha ha!

@sweeetypie1 I have been trying for a few weeks now to do IF. I have a hard time getting dinner in before 7pm or 8pm because of work and activities, which has me eating my 1st meal at 11am or 12:noon... so it's a challenge for me.

Here's to a good week for everyone!!!

My plan to cut out the carbs and sugar this week have gone by the wayside. Too much socializing with friends- thai food and martinis yesterday for lunch, dinner out with a friend Wednesday, dinner with my sister Tuesday. Needless to say the scale is up, and I'm NOT happy about it. To make matters worse, I haven't been to the gym once this week even though I had planned to go several days while on break.

The good news is I've already done my shopping for healthier fare going forward. I'm not excited about going back to work on Monday, but it will be good to get back to a schedule. Years ago, I used to post lists to track my exercise and my grading that I needed to get done. That really helped me with the work/life balance, so I'm going to try it again.

I also made some good progress preparing for Iceland. Went shopping to the outlets on Tuesday, and got waterproof hiking shoes at the Columbia outlet and a pair of water repellent pants at Eddie Bauer. Then today, I went to REI and bought waterproof pants, so I'm pretty much set when it comes to gear.

Name: Karen
Age: 49
Height: 5’7"
Highest Weight: 247
Current Weight: 203 (1/19/19)

1/19/19 = 203
1/26/19 = 201
2/1/19 = 203
2/9/19 = 203
2/17/19 = 201
2/23/19 = 200
3/2/19 = 200
3/9/19 = 200
3/16/19 = 199
3/23/19 = 201

Exercise Schedule:
Sat = gym + walk gunner
Sun = walk gunner
Mon = gym + walk gunner
Tues = rest day
Wed = walk gunner
Thurs = gym + walk gunner
Fri = walk gunner

Grading:
AP essays 24/52
Media essays 12/18

@happygirlxxx -- I hear you! That's exactly how my week went. But today I made really good choices and I went tot the gym for the first time in at least a month. We've got this!

Name: Karen
Age: 49
Height: 5’7"
Highest Weight: 247
Current Weight: 203 (1/19/19)

1/19/19 = 203
1/26/19 = 201
2/1/19 = 203
2/9/19 = 203
2/17/19 = 201
2/23/19 = 200
3/2/19 = 200
3/9/19 = 200
3/16/19 = 199
3/23/19 = 201

Exercise Schedule:
Sat = gym DONE + walk gunner DONE
Sun = walk gunner
Mon = gym + walk gunner
Tues = rest day
Wed = walk gunner
Thurs = gym + walk gunner
Fri = walk gunner

Grading:
AP essays 33/52
Media essays 12/18