Beautyofdreams wrote: »

2/02

Logged all food.
Stayed within calorie budget.
Drank 96 oz. water.
Moved for 20 minutes.

I am feeling like a fraud today. All my insecurities about my weight are out in full force. Normally I feel pretty confident that I can lose weight and that I am now an average size (10)
and that I will keep on exercising and eating within calories.
Today, for the second time since last March, I am having doubts. I feel like an obese person masquerading as a normal weight person. Wondering how long before old habits creep back and if I can reach goal weight? The irony of this is that I have lost a total of 69.7 lbs and have 18.3 lbs to go before reaching the ideal weight for my height.
So embarrassed to say this, but hope this is okay to admit.

Never feel embarrassed to admit when you're struggling. We're a group of people who definitely understand! I go through this too, have had the same thoughts recently. Sometimes I look at myself in the mirror and think I look great and other times all I can see is the obese person I've always been. Like somehow the hard work and weight loss was a dream. I've tried to lose weight so many times, sometimes partially successfully, but I've always failed somewhere along the way and reverted back to old habits gaining back anything I lost and usually more.

This time is different because it has to be. This has to finally be the end of starting over. There is no fail this time. I too am getting close to goal, though I'm a little farther than you are. Feel the feelings you have, and then let them go. You got this

Thank you @Tazaria87, your reply perfectly sums up what I am feeling now. This is the second time that I have lost weight(lost 93 lbs in 2010/2011) and find myself comparing current progress to a premenopausal me.

@heatherbluebell , thank you. I actually think see a mix of large and smaller bits. My belly and thighs are quite fluffy while the rest of me feels firm. All encased in a lot of loose saggy skin. Oh, the joys of post menopause!

Yesterday's steps 10,032

@kdlgiannoulis
I have a megaphone and am prepared to yell if need. A loss is a loss, congrats!

@rlaskey2
I think you found you answer for the gain. Great job sticking to your workouts and meal plan.

@Beautyofdreams - you lost every single one of those pounds through hard work, determination and will power. You did that, no one else. You are strong and should allow yourself to celebrate that loss. You are a new person both mentally and physically. Let go of that old you with all of those doubts and negative feelings. Feel the proud of where you are now. You have the tools to reach your goal and maintain it. My health coach make me set goals each week for nutrition, fitness and mindfulness. I am not the best in the mindfulness realm but I have been trying daily affirmations and they do make a difference.

@jimboden3 - that’s really cool. Thanks for sharing

@kdlgiannoulis - a loss is a loss 🤩

@rlaskey2 - great job staying on track. That excess water weight will come off by next weigh-in

@lindamtuck2018 - thank you

lindamtuck2018 wrote: »

Now that we found what pushed you to begin your journey let’s learn about your plans.

What diet plan are you following? ie keto, calorie counting, WW

I am counting macros and consulting a health coach. It is definitely keeping me focused and on track.

lindamtuck2018 wrote: »

Now that we found what pushed you to begin your journey let’s learn about your plans.

What diet plan are you following? ie keto, calorie counting, WW

I follow the Keto Diet.... Since I was struggling with really bad migraines and I was type 2 diabetic ...I came back to the Keto diet which has put me at the pre diabetic stage and no more migraines ....I have fun with meal prepping since I am a hoarder of Keto cookbooks

check in for feb. 2
logging - yes
exercise - yes
steps - 6732

@Megan_smartiepants1970
Steps
Jan. 31 - 9798
Feb. 1 - 981
Feb. 2 - 6732

So, I did my knee clinic exercises yesterday and my knee and foot have improved. I'm having some problems with my upper back. I actually had a herniated disk many moons ago, so my back is a bit finicky.

Question from Linda:
What diet are you following?

Hi Linda. I don't think I'm on anything specific, but I'm creating my own regimen based on how my body responds to different foods. I don't eat any grains though I eat other carbs and I'm cutting way down on fruit and sticking with fruit like berries that have lower sugar content. On the whole flour bothers me, and sugar (even natural sugar) seems to make me gain weight so I have to limit or have only some variations of these foods. Predominantly , I am counting calories but always not eating grains, limiting fruit and trying to not overeat in the areas of carbohydrates and sugar.

I never have been a big vegetable eater, but I made a brocoli and a spinach soup yesterday and I find they are both good!

I hope everyone has a super Wednesday!

I would like to respond to some posts:

@scribb - nice loss and good steps!

@heatherbluebell
I very much related to your story. I also have been battling health issues as a result of my weight. Also, I have trouble with fitting in chairs at the theater etc so it limits my ability to go out and enjoy different activities. I have also had to get the dreaded seat belt extender. I feel embarrassed sometimes about how I am spreading onto someone else's seat on an airplane and taking up what is supposed to be their space. Thank God most people or basically everyone I have sat next to is so polite and kind and doesn't make me feel badly about this.


@Bluetail6 and @lindamtuck2018
Thank you for your concern over my knee. I don't worry too much unless the pain threshold is over a 5 out of 10. It's normal that I have some pain unless I am very consistent my knee clinic exercises. I appreciate your kind comments and caring attitude.

@Tazaria87
I think you are the person who put up the recipe about the broccoli soup If I recall? Thank you!
It was AWESOME. Also, I varied it and made another version except with spinach too.
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful recipe. Really tasty!

@littleflutterby
Hi Tanya. I'm sorry you have been experiencing pain and light-headedness. This sounds very difficult and unpleasant. I think you are doing a great job! Our bodies sometimes hit plateaus and regroup so I hope you don't feel at all worried about this. It will happen next week since it didn't this week. I get what you mean about being all or nothing. I have this tendency too. It's good to remember that weight is physics. If you take in less, you will lose. You cannot alter the law of this, so it WILL come off. It's just a waiting game. I try to be patient and remember if not now, then soon it will happen. I guess I'm a nerd! Ha Ha! Physics! LOL

@iradi8
Congratulations on hitting the 50 pound mark! Just AWESOME!

@Beautyofdreams
I saw your post. First of all, you deserve huge kudos and a big hand for losing 70 pounds! Holy Guacamole! That is just AMAZING! I'm reading a book and he talks about putting cookies in your cookie jar. Here he means cookies as accomplishments and your cookie jar as your mind or thought process. The fact that you have lost 70 pounds is a HUGE cookie! You have a massive amount of proof that you are a successful person! What other cookies do you have that you can put in your cookie jar? Some cookies will be small, and some will be big, but they all fill up your cookie jar. When you feel doubtful, then recall all the cookies in your jar. Relive the success and the feeling this success has brought you. You have proof that you are a successful person. How many other successes can you think of both big and small???? I bet there is a lot! Fill up that jar and remember your cookies when you feel down!

@jimboden3
I like your coloring idea. Very creative and interesting!

@lindamtuck2018
Hi Linda. I suppose everyone is different, but I find protein rather than carbs keeps me full during the night. I often have a 1/2 cup cottage cheese or a tin of tuna if I'm really hungry at night. I know some people say bananas are good and help with sleep. Another idea is I mix 1 cup unsweetened almond milk with 3 tbsp cocoa powder and some stevia. In case you are thirsty this could help and the cocao is very satiating! Best of luck finding a snack that works for you!

Steps 2/2: 13,125

Looking back, it has been a whole week since I last met my goal of 15,000 steps. Time to 'step it up' (I know...pretty lame...).🙄

lelbarou wrote: »

I would like to respond to some posts:

@Tazaria87
I think you are the person who put up the recipe about the broccoli soup If I recall? Thank you!
It was AWESOME. Also, I varied it and made another version except with spinach too.
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful recipe. Really tasty!

It was indeed me. You're welcome! I've made it with spinach before too. I love that it's pretty versatile and can be changed to suit people's tastes.

@missGyst, welcome Kat. How exciting to go back to college. Wishing you success in your goals.

@lelbarou, Laura, thank you for the cookie analogy. I sometimes forget to be grateful for all the things that I have gotten to do over my life. This has helped me realize that I have achieved many little goals and while I might not succeed at everything that I try, at least I will gain new experiences.

What diet plan are you following? ie keto, calorie counting, WW

I am following the calorie counting set up from MFP. I don't really pay too much attention to the macros but try to eat 60-80g protein, 40g fat and the balance in carbs. I do not drink soda. It is a trigger food for me and makes me want starchy or sugary carbs that never fill me up. I do try to eat the suggested fiber goal each day and only drink water or tea.

lindamtuck2018 wrote: »

What diet plan are you following? ie keto, calorie counting, WW

I have to be careful with formal ‘diets’ because of my disordered eating, so what I’ve been doing is focusing on small things I can do. Here are some of them:
• Don’t drink pop at home
• Drink more water. It started with 48 oz/day and I got up to around 96 oz, but I’m back to 48 after losing my momentum
• Eating balanced meals – focusing on veggies and healthy protein
• Focus on the 80/20 principle of eating healthy 80% of the time, and having whatever without judgement 20% of the time. That said, I use MFP to track calories, and when I want to have an unhealthy high calorie thing, I plan for it and rarely go over my calories for the day (at least before I fell off the wagon).

@lelbarou
I admit, I totally have struggled with the same thing of being worried of encroaching on other people’s space because of my size. It leads to being even more uncomfortable on a airplane trying to keep out of other people’s space. I lost a lot of weight a few years ago, and went to Florida on a trip. I didn’t have to use a seat belt extender, I rode rollercoasters at Universal Studios (which I love) and OMG, I attended Zumba convention!! That was the whole reason why I went there. I was a Zumba instructor at the time, and spent 3 days doing Zumba with people from all over the world! I want SO MUCH to get back to that point again. But that’s over 100 pounds away still. The nice thing is, I’ve been there before so I KNOW I an get back there again!

My daily check-in.
It seems easier to report on the day before, considering a few of my goals involve the evening... so, that's what I'm going to start doing. So, yesterday:
✔️48 oz. water/day
✔️ One healthy snack/day
✔️ In bed by 10:30 three nights this week. 1/3
✔️ Check in daily with this group
❌ 4,000 steps

@megan_smartiepants1970
My steps since the beginning of Feb:
• Feb 1: 2,222
• Feb 2: 2,910
• Feb 3: I'll report tomorrow