30 pounds to lose challenge by March 2021

RubyRed427 · December 2020

JenT304 wrote: »

Oh Lordy, my neighbors brought over that totally addictive toffee bark candy..the one made with saltine crackers. It is very hard to do this dieting thing during the holidays.

Those are my favorite! highly addictive !

RubyRed427 · December 2020

Not doing too well with the snacking. It's like an obsessive thing- I crave salt and a bunch of snacks are in my cupboard from my daughter and her friend (who bought snacks).

Back on track tomorrow.

frankwbrown · December 2020

RubyRed427 wrote: »

Not doing too well with the snacking. It's like an obsessive thing- I crave salt and a bunch of snacks are in my cupboard from my daughter and her friend (who bought snacks).

Back on track tomorrow.

I broke down and bought a jar of Macadamia Milk Chocolate Salted Caramel Clusters at Costco three days ago.
I try to reason with myself, and say "you can have one, but only if you've exercised and only if you're under your calorie allowance - and only one!"

When I'm tempted by a snack food, I think about the tradeoff between pursuing my weight goal vs getting a moment's satisfaction. There's a bag of Lay's Kettle Jalapeno chips in the pantry. Yesterday, "I" [my old self] was wanting to scarf 'em down, and I felt my resolve weakening, so I savored 3 chips and walked away. Today, I ate 2 teaspoons of Haagen Dazs Peppermint ice cream. That was all I needed to satisfy the craving, no need for a bowl full.

So, I snack, but I snack minimally, and I make a conscious choice knowing there's a cost.

Trina2040 · December 2020

RubyRed427 wrote: »

Not doing too well with the snacking. It's like an obsessive thing- I crave salt and a bunch of snacks are in my cupboard from my daughter and her friend (who bought snacks).

Back on track tomorrow.

Same here with the snacking. Had ice cream cake tonight. Tomorrow is another day.

annliz23 · December 2020

I stayed strong and refused some chocolate.

jan110144 · December 2020

Snacking is always a challenge for me ... both selection and quantity. Sleep (lack of) and stress are both major triggers. I am trying real hard to pay attention to both of these every day. I am finding it easier to attend to these than it is to say no to snacks when I get too tired or overly stressed.

lorrainequiche59 · December 2020

frankwbrown wrote: »

RubyRed427 wrote: »

Not doing too well with the snacking. It's like an obsessive thing- I crave salt and a bunch of snacks are in my cupboard from my daughter and her friend (who bought snacks).

Back on track tomorrow.

I broke down and bought a jar of Macadamia Milk Chocolate Salted Caramel Clusters at Costco three days ago.
I try to reason with myself, and say "you can have one, but only if you've exercised and only if you're under your calorie allowance - and only one!"

When I'm tempted by a snack food, I think about the tradeoff between pursuing my weight goal vs getting a moment's satisfaction. There's a bag of Lay's Kettle Jalapeno chips in the pantry. Yesterday, "I" [my old self] was wanting to scarf 'em down, and I felt my resolve weakening, so I savored 3 chips and walked away. Today, I ate 2 teaspoons of Haagen Dazs Peppermint ice cream. That was all I needed to satisfy the craving, no need for a bowl full.

So, I snack, but I snack minimally, and I make a conscious choice knowing there's a cost.

Perhaps the savoring and mindfully eating your snack is of the most value. Enjoying is key cause then you are aware of eating as opposed "scarfing" which is mindlessly shoving food down your throat without even realizing you ate it...at least that is in my case.

taymay · December 2020

Hi I'm Taymay
I'll join you .. starting weight 153 goal weight 126
motivation needed so this is good

frankwbrown · December 2020

lorrainequiche59 wrote: »

frankwbrown wrote: »

RubyRed427 wrote: »

Not doing too well with the snacking. It's like an obsessive thing- I crave salt and a bunch of snacks are in my cupboard from my daughter and her friend (who bought snacks).

Back on track tomorrow.

I broke down and bought a jar of Macadamia Milk Chocolate Salted Caramel Clusters at Costco three days ago.
I try to reason with myself, and say "you can have one, but only if you've exercised and only if you're under your calorie allowance - and only one!"

When I'm tempted by a snack food, I think about the tradeoff between pursuing my weight goal vs getting a moment's satisfaction. There's a bag of Lay's Kettle Jalapeno chips in the pantry. Yesterday, "I" [my old self] was wanting to scarf 'em down, and I felt my resolve weakening, so I savored 3 chips and walked away. Today, I ate 2 teaspoons of Haagen Dazs Peppermint ice cream. That was all I needed to satisfy the craving, no need for a bowl full.

So, I snack, but I snack minimally, and I make a conscious choice knowing there's a cost.

Perhaps the savoring and mindfully eating your snack is of the most value. Enjoying is key cause then you are aware of eating as opposed "scarfing" which is mindlessly shoving food down your throat without even realizing you ate it...at least that is in my case.

Precisely!

While I do try to avoid foods that aren't good for me, I still indulge in many foods I could (theoretically at least) do without. I say enjoy the foods you love, but do so sparingly and in minimal portion sizes.
Taking small bites and truly savoring the taste is one way I get maximum satisfaction out of minimum consumption. When I crave something, I can more easily avoid it if I allow anticipation to build knowing I can have it in the near future, just not right now. That anticipation can last me for several weeks or longer.

I'm reminded of a favorite Grook of mine.
I don't recall what it's title is, so I've provided one of my own:

ON PORTION CONTROL
Of drink and victuals
And such like stuff,
A little too little
Is just enough.
-- Piet Hein

allisonramirez99 · December 2020

OKAY I am in, 30lbs by March 2021 we got this, i will for sure need yalls support though, loving this community.
Start Weight: 195
Current Weight: 185
Goal Weight: 150

annliz23 · December 2020

jube152 · December 2020

Hello! I would love to join this challenge. I am starting at 175lbs and am hoping to lose 20lbs by the end of March. Inactivity and food are my main downfalls so I'm hoping that this thread will keep me motivated to get moving every day and to eat healthier, more balanced meals. If anyone has any helpful tips for staying on track I would love to hear them. Good luck to all!

SunnyDays930 · December 2020

welcome @jube152 ! Some of us are weighing in and posting it here on Saturdays. Most of us are logging our food/exercise on this site. I wear a pedometer so I know how many steps I am taking and try to hit between 8 and 10K a day. Those are a few of my tips.

frankwbrown · December 2020

jube152 wrote: »

Hello! I would love to join this challenge. I am starting at 175lbs and am hoping to lose 20lbs by the end of March. Inactivity and food are my main downfalls so I'm hoping that this thread will keep me motivated to get moving every day and to eat healthier, more balanced meals. If anyone has any helpful tips for staying on track I would love to hear them. Good luck to all!

I imagine that all of us find ourselves at various points in our journeys: some of us are fairly healthy but have some excess weight we'd like to get rid of, others are dangerously obese possibly with medical complication(s). Probably the worse your predicament, the more motivated you might be (assuming you aren't tempted to just throw in the towel). I don't mean to sound pessimistic, but it is a difficult task ahead of us. But it is a task we can accomplish, just as others have.

My situation 5 months ago was that I was at least 100 pounds overweight, I found walking beyond 100 yards very painful, I ate a horribly unhealthy diet, and I was extremely sedentary. I knew all this and wanted to change it. So I was (and am) extremely motivated.

Success I think requires that we view this not as a diet but as a lifestyle change. I try to maintain the perspective that I what I am doing now is for the benefit of a future "me", a future me who is healthy and enjoying life more. The alternative is a future me who is unhealthy and increasingly miserable. So what do I do today to get to a better me tomorrow?

We all know what is required. We all know there are good foods and not so good foods. We all know we need to be active to maintain our health. All that's required is a lifestyle change:
1. get plenty of exercise
2. eat healthily
3. burn more calories than you consume (or the same, if trying to maintain weight).

But knowing and doing are two different things. Here are a few tips I can think of:
1. Find a diet that works for you.
2. Understand that exercising needs to be a top priority.
3. Stay determined; know that you can do this.
4. Don't let little slip-ups discourage you.
5. Don't let weight fluctuations discourage you.
6. Keep thinking about who you're doing this for (your future you and your loved ones).

That's my 2 cents worth. Good luck to all.

RubyRed427 · December 2020

allisonramirez99 wrote: »

OKAY I am in, 30lbs by March 2021 we got this, i will for sure need yalls support though, loving this community.
Start Weight: 195
Current Weight: 185
Goal Weight: 150

Welcome! This is a great group - check daily for motivation and let us know how you're doing. xo

RubyRed427 · December 2020

jube152 wrote: »

Hello! I would love to join this challenge. I am starting at 175lbs and am hoping to lose 20lbs by the end of March. Inactivity and food are my main downfalls so I'm hoping that this thread will keep me motivated to get moving every day and to eat healthier, more balanced meals. If anyone has any helpful tips for staying on track I would love to hear them. Good luck to all!

One of the things I like to do is move! I take extra walks during lunch or breaks at work.
I go to the gym OR I put on a youtube video and exercise in my basement.

Also, our friend on here mentioned tracking your weight daily. Get a graph paper, weigh each day, and post it. You'll see fluctuations but you'll be more mindful if you weigh every day. Not everyone likes to weigh every day but I do.

Cut out one item you would usually eat/drink in a day. Today, I wanted an extra coffee on the way to work but skipped it. I figure 200 calories saved. That adds up. I wanted to get a salty snack at lunch but didn't. Another 200 calories saved.

jan110144 · December 2020

@jube152 welcome!! Lots of good tips above. The one thing that has been very helpful to me is to prelog food and exercise on the morning while I drink my coffee. It serves as meal planning, a morning recommitment to what I am trying to accomplish, and makes sure I don't arrive at dinner time with 150 calories left for the day. At the end of the day. I make adjustments to anything that didn't go according to plan.

jube152 · December 2020

@JenT304 @frankwbrown @RubyRed427 @jan110144
Wow thank you all so much for taking the time to help me out. This is great advice that I think will help a ton. I will make sure to post updates along the way. I also saw some people are looking for new recipe ideas! I love to cook and have been testing out some healthier meals so I will make sure to post the good ones. Thanks again!!

Trina2040 · December 2020

RubyRed427 wrote: »

Not doing too well with the snacking. It's like an obsessive thing- I crave salt and a bunch of snacks are in my cupboard from my daughter and her friend (who bought snacks).

Back on track tomorrow.

Me either. Day two and ate ice too much ice cream again for a second day in a row. I also crave salt and just about everything else. OK, that's it. Back on track for sure tomorrow. I used to have a problem with Cheetos, the hot ones. They called to me from my cupboard. I stopped listening to them; now I have to do the same with the ice cream. Sigh.

frankwbrown · December 2020

Instant gratification. It's hard to resist.

You've probably all heard about studies they've done with children. An adult gives each child a piece of candy and tells them they can have it now, but if they wait until the adult comes back, they will get another piece. When the adult comes back a while later, how many children still have a piece of candy?

But we aren't children. We have more will power. The key, I think, is not going cold turkey on these foods, but to prolong the frequency and minimize the quantity when you do indulge.

At one point in the past, I was weighing each Friday morning, and my rule was, if I had met my weight loss goal for that week, I would be allowed something of my choice that evening or weekend. During the week, when I craved something in particular, I would think maybe that's what I'd choose that coming Friday. That seemed to be enough to help me deal with the aroma when passing by Mrs Fields Cookies, or Cinnabon, etc. at the mall.

I love Haagen Dazs ice cream. I used to eat easily half a carton at a time, sometimes more. Now, I take only a couple ounces and add a few ounces of milk. Then I enjoy something halfway between ice cream and a milkshake.

It's not whether you eat it or not, it's how often and how much when you do.

Fabme1 · December 2020

Personally, I find with certain foods that it is better not to bring it into my house (or only buy the individual serving size). You have to know yourself. If buying the "family size" _______ (fill in the blank) will lead you to temptation, don't do it. Start your new lifestyle/diet in the grocery aisle.

SunnyDays930 · December 2020

I've started buying the lunch box size chips. The wee bags. This is portion control for my husband. He gets one a day with his sandwich for lunch. Chips rarely tempt me. I want cheese. It is easy for me to consume 500 calories of cheese in a couple of minutes. Not good.

kwgrandma · December 2020

I’m a bit late to the party but will join in! And thank you, Ruby, for starting the challenge.

Pre-Covid 155
Since Covid 165
Present 163
Goal 140

My approach is multi-fold
- Walk every single day. Bought a knee length parka so I can’t use cold as an excuse.
- Portion control. I’m tired of feeling too full after eating more than I need.
- Reduce carbs.
- Healthy choices.
- Dry January. My husband and I do this every year. It just helps us to get off to a good start.

Good luck everyone!
And be well!
KW

donimfp · December 2020

I was reading a book by Tish Jett (former International Herald Tribune fashion correspondent from Paris and Elle magazine editor). She talks a lot about French women’s attitudes toward food. She cited a study where American and French women were asked to say the first word they thought when they heard “cake”. Americans said “guilt” and French said “fete” (celebration/ special occasion). Her point was that French women have that small piece (or bite) of cake and savor it and enjoy every minute of having it. She mentioned one svelte woman who took only one bite of chocolate cake that didn’t even take up the length of the fork tines and then rapturously said “I LOVE cake!” I’m trying to cultivate this philosophy and truly enjoy my little bits of decadence and then move on. It’s kind of working.

effi098 · December 2020

Hi all, can I join? I have about 15 lbs to loose too.I am alao an emotional eater so trying to stop the circle. I don' t mind doing this during the hols, I think I ll be calmer and have more time to organise myself. I' d like for a start to syop eating in the evenings and increase water and salad intake. For a week and then we see. Good luck!

lorrainequiche59 · December 2020

"To be is not a choice, but the way you feel about it certainly is." Deepak Chopra

I made a delish lasagna with cabbage leaves instead of pasta noodles...I've substituted the noodles with zucchini or eggplant before & found the cabbage is quite delish as a sub. I quarter the cabbage & cook the leaves till tender...I also did 3 leaves thickness per layer between all of the other goodness. I also added extra veggies to my tomato sauce as I was cooking it. Used ground beef minimally, and cheese of course. It was YUM!!!

shannonkelly08 · December 2020

I would love to join the challenge! I'm switching from WW to MFP as I find counting calories easier!!! 30lbs by the end of March would be a dream!

SW: 174.8 (WW)
CW: 164.8
GW: 134

RubyRed427 · December 2020

Everyone's doing well! Through ups and downs, just keep sharing. It's so motivating plus knowing we have this thread- keeps me more on track.

My friends told me she prayed for me today. And then she elaborated... each day when she does planks, she thinks of a person/friend to pray for during the planks. I thought that was a sweet idea!

RubyRed427 · December 2020

@lorrainequiche59 I like Deepak Chopra (and your quote).

RubyRed427 · December 2020

So, I had a personal trainer for 6 months. I told him in advance I bulk up easily (my thighs get muscular/meaty) when I do squats or lunges... but anyway I still did them and all the other weight lifting things he told me to do for months.

I didn't lose a single pound BUT I also didn't look thinner like I thought I would; I looked bulky. I think my body just responds to weight lifting like a man's.

I had to "fire" the trainer, because he was a no show four times out of 8 in November. It was disappointing , because I liked the guy and thought he was a good trainer -just didn't have a serious work ethic.

Last night, I went one his facebook page to see what he is up to. He posted a testimonial video, so I watched it. To my shock, there I was shown doing squats and lifting heavy ropes for about 5 seconds in the video. I looked soooo bulky. Yes I had muscles but since I'm chubby, I just looked fat. I cringed. I was really proud of myself for going to a trainer for 6 months; I learned a lot. But the video sure is giving me some serious motivation to lose this weight.

30 pounds to lose challenge by March 2021

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