Daily check in for support and accountability

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Replies

  • pamperedlinny
    pamperedlinny Posts: 1,679 Member
    I had a touch and go day yesterday. Around 2pm I really wanted to start snacking. I had a handful of pretzels and some cream cheese. Then I still wanted things... not because I was still hungry but because I was stressed, working, calculating, and just annoyed at the world. I wanted to take a 15 minute work break just to attack the pantry. Instead, I got myself some diet soda over ice, sipped it for some caffeine and flavor, then got busy again. Thankfully, that means I still finished my day without having any binging or going overboard.

    I really need to find ways to deal with my stress that isn't food. I mean, when I only have a few minutes and can't go to the gym to deal with it. I need something I can do at my desk or in a moment that will combat other than snacks.
  • dogwalker157
    dogwalker157 Posts: 100 Member
    @pampered- great job stopping yourself from going overboard yesterday. It's so easy to just respond in a habitual way to our stress. I have been reading about habit formation and your question about what to do at that moment at your desk, definitely seems key. We can't fully control the stress and we are ultimately looking for a way to relieve it. For me I often respond by mindless eating. It must work because I have been doing it for a long time. Maybe if you keep doing what you did yesterday. Slowly enjoying that diet soda can eventually replace the desire to overeat if you keep repeating it.
    Unfortunately, I did not have such a controlled response yesterday. I was dealing with some discouraging news and I reacted by eating well above my daily calorie goal. I also need to figure out how to replace this knee-jerk reaction to stress or difficult emotions, with something besides stuffing myself.
    Welcome mannyleigh- you appear to be off to a good start.
  • pamperedlinny
    pamperedlinny Posts: 1,679 Member
    @dogwalker157 I did so well for the beginning of this year. It was only when my family was coming to visit that I let myself slip so hard. I'm trying to remember what worked for months with stress. Somehow going back to food is so much easier than all the good habits I had formed and when it got to be too much, I went back to old habits. Now I'm starting all over again. It's so hard.
  • LemonLizard
    LemonLizard Posts: 86 Member
    Hi all! I've been off and on with MyFitnessPal for years (signed up in 2013) but am coming back now after having gained all the weight back that I had lost back in 2016~.

    This time, I've got 70 lbs to lose but I'm feeling more motivated than ever! I do low carb/keto due to the lack of willpower I have when it comes to eating carbs (I am a carb binge eater - any pastas, rice, breads, desserts), and find I just struggle immensely with trying to allow myself to eat carby foods in moderation, because "in moderation" is not something I can successfully keep myself to!

    I restarted keto in January, fell off shortly after, then restarted again in June and am still going. I was not diligently tracking, however, which is probably why I fell off and/or hadn't been seeing much success. I'm restarting with tracking all my food by weight, and have been doing my best to eat more whole foods for satiety. Feel free to add me if you'd like another active friend to encourage you towards your goals!

    30F | SW: 205 | CW: 190 | GW: 120
  • harringtona1
    harringtona1 Posts: 86 Member
    @pamperedlinny those are the times when I miss smoking lol.
    I read that it helps to schedule breaks so you don't get to a place of being overwhelmed with no strength to make smart choices. So first advice is to always take a break at X. I used to do that to work out with a trainer who came to my house. There was no option. And my boss was thrilled by the way. I blocked out in the calendar (still do this with lunch) and never schedule work during that time.

    Choices of what to do in your break instead of eat:
    Eat lol. A prepacked snack.
    Walk around the building
    Talk to a friend about nothing
    Stretch (to music even)
    Breathing/meditation exercise on your phone
    Shop online
    Clean (this is me. I work from home)
    Plan something
    Mess with your plants
    Stare out the window
    Change out photos in your frames (play in shutterfly)
    Nap in car
    File/paint your nails
    Pet an animal
    Duolingo

    Hope something on there resonated. Good luck!!!

    52F | SW: 234 | CW: 194 | GW: 160
  • long_for_me
    long_for_me Posts: 184 Member
    I am with you! I restart today, hoping to lose 70+ within a year or so...
  • pamperedlinny
    pamperedlinny Posts: 1,679 Member
    Quick update on where I've been this week.... On Sunday I started having tooth pain. On Monday my dentist was out of the office. On Tuesday I was told I need to see an endodontist because they are fairly sure I need a root canal. Today I have a consult with the endodontist. I'm not eating healthy but a lot of that is I don't want anything too hot, too cold, too crunchy, etc. So.... I keep eating softer carby foods. Honestly, tooth pain wins over healthy choices.
  • pamperedlinny
    pamperedlinny Posts: 1,679 Member
    New tooth pain update.

    I went yesterday for my endodontist consult. He decided, even though I had only been on the antibiotic for 24 hours, to squeeze me in to do the actual root canal. I've been told that between the infection and the procedure that I should expect to be sore for a few days, possibly thru the weekend. He didn't give me any pain meds, just told to take Advil. I need to go get a temp crown next week. After 30 days I need to switch to a permanent crown. I'm sticking to softer and easier to chew foods for the next day or two so my logging will be either non-existent or lacking for this week. I do have the most amazing husband though. He went out yesterday to get me a frosty from Wendy's and a soup from Chick-fil-A. He's a keeper.
  • dogwalker157
    dogwalker157 Posts: 100 Member
    @pamperedlinny- tooth pain is the worst. I'm glad you were able to get in and get that part taken care of. Very thoughtful of your husband to take care of you :smile: Hope you're feeling good soon!

    @harringtona1- All of those suggestions resonate with me at times. I just need to look at the list before I decide to eat my way through.

    I have been off the grid both with logging and paying attention to what I'm eating. I've had lots of company and always end up buying snacks and desserts to have in the house. Needless to say a lot of overeating these past few weeks. I feel like I have lost some interest in my goals. I would like to say that I'm here because I am refocused but the reality is I am not feeling very committed to the goal at the moment. I am up a few pounds and really do not want that trend to continue. So for today I am going to try to pay more attention. I'm not attempting to be rigid but just think before I eat.

    Have a good day All
  • dogwalker157
    dogwalker157 Posts: 100 Member
    Just updating where I am at. Pretty much the same spot as the last post. Not really paying much attention to what I'm eating or activity. I think a lot of it has to do with the lack of schedule and entertaining, eating out and all of the other things that go along with summer. I would like to get back in to more of a routine as the summer winds down and I think that will help me to work on my health goals as well. I haven't weighed in awhile but I'm guessing up about 4 to 5 lbs. I am purposely avoiding the scale- which is not a good thing for me because it helps me to ignore my behaviors.

    We shall see what the day brings :neutral:
  • dogwalker157
    dogwalker157 Posts: 100 Member
    I'm still eating without paying attention or logging. Life is going to start to settle down now so I'm going to make a plan to get back on track. I would like to refocus on my health starting with making better food choices.
  • HASWLRS
    HASWLRS Posts: 8,001 Member
    Hey, there, ladies. This thread has gone kind of quiet, so I am going to re-energize it. I dropped off the face of the myfitnesspal earth in early July. I couldn't go for my walks because of my knee and my son was coming home mid month, so I bailed. Both just convenient excuses, I know. I need to stop feeling sorry for myself because of my knee and just adapt. You read through any support thread on MFP, and you are guaranteed to find someone who has a lot more to deal with than yourself! I need to try this again. My motto of "fake it 'til you make it" starts tomorrow. I will post my starting weight tomorrow (Wednesday), which is my weigh-in day. Let's do this!!

    Lisa
  • HASWLRS
    HASWLRS Posts: 8,001 Member
    Wednesday Weigh-In: 207.6

    I logged my food yesterday and stayed within my calorie budget. This morning I woke up really hungry. This is going to be something that I have to get used to again, as I haven't been "hungry" for almost two months!!
  • HASWLRS
    HASWLRS Posts: 8,001 Member
    Happy September, everyone! I just love this time of year!

    Myfitnesspal, in general, seems to be very quiet, not just in this thread. I am hoping that after Labour Day weekend, we all feel a sense of renewal and commitment and the chatter starts up again.

    I have logged my food for four of the last five days, and the scale says I am three pounds lighter because of it! I have been at work three times this week (for about 3 hours each time) and that has helped give me some more step calories without overdoing it. Going for intentional walks causes too much throbbing in the leg and knee. I do need to find some exercises that I can do; maybe more strength and stretching based for now. Maybe I could start doing some mini walks to build up endurance? I really don't know; I am just guessing at this point. My MRI isn't until early December. Today I take my 88 year old father to renew his driver's license. I fear it will not go well. He hardly drives at all anymore, but he drives fine when he does. He only goes places that he knows and they are usually close to home. Today's tests don't involve actual driving. It is the cognitive test I fear he will not pass.
  • HASWLRS
    HASWLRS Posts: 8,001 Member
    It went fine at the seniors' centre yesterday where my dad had to take some tests to be able to renew his driver's licence. It was way more Mickey Mouse than I thought it was going to be. The most difficult part was finding the building. Dad drives on memory and landmarks, not addresses! My husband had spaghetti for dinner last night and after the sauce was gone, there was still noodles. Normally I would have put some parm on those bad boys and gone to town, but I didn't! Eating a plate of pasta like that would have caused me to want to eat other carby foods, and plenty of them!
  • poluwai
    poluwai Posts: 1 Member
    Hi, jumping in here!

    HW: 213
    CW: 200
    GW: 130

    Will be 57 shortly!

    Been using MFP intermittently for several years. Promise to myself to be diligent starting 9.1.23 forward. Weigh in still Wednesday’s?

    Currently walking only, I live in the Southern part of the US and it has been a hot summer. Not even the dog wants to walk!

    Looking forward to supporting all who are here, we have got this!
  • HASWLRS
    HASWLRS Posts: 8,001 Member
    Hi, @poluwai , I'm Lisa.

    Nice to have someone else on this thread. I went away for a couple of months only to come back and find that the thread had gone pretty quiet. I thought I would try to keep it going in the hopes that after Labour Day weekend some would return. The fall seems to be a season of renewal as far as habits and routines go, just not so much for nature!

    It is/was a very informal thread. Weigh-ins can be whenever you want or even if you want. I do Wednesdays because Weigh-In Wednesday has a nice ring to it! I am also 57 and I am from Ontario, Canada.
  • HASWLRS
    HASWLRS Posts: 8,001 Member
    So far, so good. I am currently "in the zone", making healthy choices, logging my food and staying under. I found pumpkin spice almond milk in the grocery store this weekend, so that was something to look forward to in my coffee this morning.
  • harringtona1
    harringtona1 Posts: 86 Member
    Time for me to get back in here, too. What i like about this small group (so far lol) I just noticed and didn't expect. It's that when some of us get distracted -- by unexpected injuries or guest season -- one of us picks up the ball and keeps the thread alive with no judgment or anything but happy thoughts of holding down the fort until the others get back. I noticed it was someone different every time. I think that's neat.

    So now the heat is letting up in Florida and I'm ready to get back outside for activity. Ready to log because like Lisa I also lose when I log. Psyched for fall y'all. Let's gooo.

    I'm gonna try to remember Wednesday weigh in. I don't feel obligated by that. I'm always happy after I've shared with you sweet ladies. I'm gonna use that. Putting a reminder in the calendar.

    Welcome poluwai!
  • HASWLRS
    HASWLRS Posts: 8,001 Member
    "If you build it (keep it going), they will come (back)."

    So glad to see you back here, Anne. Or is it Ann? Sorry, I don't remember, but I want to get it right. I am excited that you are excited about the fall, too!

    My husband and I washed some windows yesterday and I am so sore today. Just goes to show you how out of shape and inactive I have become. Maybe I can/should build on yesterday and keep the activity going?

    Have a great Labo(u)r Day, ladies!
  • HASWLRS
    HASWLRS Posts: 8,001 Member
    Yesterday was an quiet day. My husband and I did go for an easy 28 minute walk. I "felt" my knee the entire time, but I wasn't exactly in pain. I don't feel any worse for wear this morning. I think I will try another easy walk today. Hope everyone reading this has a wonderful first normal day of September after the long weekend!
  • HASWLRS
    HASWLRS Posts: 8,001 Member
    Wednesday Weigh-In

    August 30th: 207.6
    September 6th: 203.6

    First week water weight drop. Hoping I can sustain a two pound drop per week for the next little while.
  • dogwalker157
    dogwalker157 Posts: 100 Member
    Hi All
    So nice to see folks back on this thread :smiley: It has been a nice non-judgmental group. I have been off the grid for awhile. I haven't logged consistently and that has definitely led me to not pay attention to what I'm doing. I have been indiscriminately grazing.
    My goal for today is to log everything- not necessarily sticking within any calorie limit.
    Have a great day, Dianne
  • harringtona1
    harringtona1 Posts: 86 Member
    Wednesday weigh in
    HW 234
    CW 191, also last week
    GW 159

    Yikes. I wrote a whole draft and gone gone gone.

    I've been slacking unmotivated for months. I don't eat much and have managed to stay in Onederland (I can't remember who said that in here :smile:). But now that hubby got his clearance from surgery to swim and do whatever, I'm jumping in there too. I need structure to exist well. And hubby in recovery just wasn't giving me that. I wanted to be flexible for whatever he needed and not do stuff he couldn't and blah blah blah. It was only 6 weeks. But now I've lost any aerobic fitness I had. Tomorrow...we swim!

    By the way, anyone ever try Pilates? I'm thinking that might be a nice low impact strength thing. I'm interested if anyone has an experience to share.

    Happy to hear about your walks! They're so nice for communicating... Getting fresh air... Just good for lots of stuff. As long as doctor says you're good, why not?! Come on walking weather!
  • harringtona1
    harringtona1 Posts: 86 Member
    HASWLRS wrote: »
    Hoping I can sustain a two pound drop per week for the next little while.

    2 pounds per week would be perfect, right?
  • dogwalker157
    dogwalker157 Posts: 100 Member
    Good morning,
    I can relate to the need for structure. I'm trying to find some sort of balance but nothing is sticking. My goal was to log my food yesterday and I did manage to do it, but was way over. Today I'm going to log and try to stay within reason. I finally got on the scale and I'm up 5 after losing 15. I want to put the brakes on the continued gain. Glad to hear your husband is through surgery and able to start swimming. We are in the middle of a heatwave so swimming sounds like a great way to get some exercise.
    Two pounds per week sounds wonderful but I'll take a pound right about now. I at least want to stop the gaining a pound per week :blush:
  • HASWLRS
    HASWLRS Posts: 8,001 Member
    Good morning. Yes, absolutely, one pound a week would be awesome, but I figured that being 60 pounds overweight should allow me a faster rate to start. The faster I can lose, the faster my knee(s) will start to feel less pressure on them. I would love to use my community pool for aquatic fitness type classes because of my knee, but there are extensive renovations going on right now and the pool will be closed for a while. I can only go for a walk with my husband on the weekends, but it is nice. I have never done, well maybe once, a Pilates class, but I have in the past done classes that had Pilates elements to them. I would love to that again, once my knee is stronger. I got into the cheesy carbs last night. I had a lot of calories left on the table, but I didn't approach it correctly and I went overboard, way overboard. The scale is up a pound and a half this morning.

    @harringtona1 Enjoy the swim with hubby!!

    @dogwalker157 Good luck on logging and staying under today!!
  • harringtona1
    harringtona1 Posts: 86 Member
    Imo, it's 100% fine for you to have gone over your first day (week or a little more) of logging. The logging IS the activity. You won't go over for long if you just log. I mean, that's how I try to approach it. I logged. Check. No "but."
    Meanwhile, these posts just reminded me to log. I'm doing it right now!
    But first, headed to get a legal pad.
  • dogwalker157
    dogwalker157 Posts: 100 Member
    edited September 2023
    I agree- just getting back to logging is an important first step even if the numbers are not good.

    Ah the cheesy carbs... I have been going back and forth with sweet and salty snacks. I shopped yesterday and left most of the snacks behind. A few months ago when I was on a roll and eating well, I made sure to avoid having the tempting food in the house. Over the summer we had a lot of company and I felt compelled to have snacks in the house. That was a huge contributor to my recent 5 lb. weight gain. I did buy a cake for the hubby's birthday and I will have some, but will try not to go overboard.

    The weekend has its challenges. We are going out with friends on a few occasions and I have to make an effort to make good choices.
    Have a good day.
  • Veta2018
    Veta2018 Posts: 647 Member
    September 8, 2023

    Good morning!
    I'm currently 49 years old. My highest weight was 180 lbs. Over the years, I put on a few pounds here and there. Then, January of last year, I quit smoking cigarettes and since, I have gained 20 more pounds and I'm back to my highest weight. My bad habit was going the whole day without eating, then, having a large dinner and binge eat the rest of the night. I have hypothyroidism and my limbs are always hurting. I feel losing weight will be helpful.

    I am on a mission to lose 40-50 lbs. by the end of the year. I need to drink more water and eat several small healthy snacks/meals throughout the day. I believe this is possible because about 10 years ago I lost 40 lbs. in 12 weeks. I was recently in another group, posting my daily check in, but there was no activity, and it felt like a ghost town...lol. So I'm here for tips, support, and a place for my check in, to blend in with y'alls....hehehe.

    I started my new journey on August 28th weighing in at 180 lbs. I don't own a scale, so Sunday at my in-laws, I weighed 177lbs. I'm feeling good, like I'm on track. I'm spending a lot of time thinking about food and planning. On most days, I don't meet my calorie goals. Although, I feel like I'm eating all day.(every 3 hours) Today, I pre-logged my food. I don't have a exercise program. I don't like cardio and ache too much for pilate and yoga. After I get a healthy food intake established, I plan to add it in. I didn't do much exercise during my last weight loss so I feel losing weight is more about eating healthy.

    ☺ Keep believing in yourself! 💪