@Pupowl - Here are some quick* responses to your questions:

What keeps you going? I remember how much better I felt at my goal weight, and remind myself that my body prefers (and deserves) food that is healthy and nourishing. Sometimes, I eat unhealthy foods or portions because it seems like too much trouble to make stay on track in the short term but I’m recognizing that I rarely feel better in the long term after poor choices. So, I try to remind myself to ‘keep going’ (make healthy choices) for the greater, but delayed satisfaction of the long term goal.

Why do you eat healthy/in a deficit? When I realized that eating healthy is not a temporary ‘diet,’ and eating the right number of calories for my body and activity level just is my daily diet, it changes the way I approach the idea of a ‘deficit.’ I need to change my habits for life if I’m going to stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible. So, my emphasis is on learning to eat healthy (natural food, in the right amount, with a nutritional balance that gives me energy and satisfaction) for the body I want to have. So, my current deficit is only about 300 calories, and maintaining my goal weight will probably require me to eliminate about 200 of those ‘calories in (CI)’ from my diet on the nutrition side or burn the calories out’ by using more energy daily. Because of this approach, I don’t lose or gain weight quickly, but I hope I’m developing the habits needed to sustain the optimal CI-CO equation for my body.

How do you stop yourself from buying and eating all the wrong things? This is the biggest challenge for me because I’m influenced by my family, friends, and social events. I’m also tricked by advertising that tells me that my life will be so much easier and more satisfying if I eat the processed food they offer. I try to make a grocery list ahead of time and shop mainly around the outside perimeter because the aisles in the middle contain more processed foods. It’s not perfect but it helps. I also try to substitute healthier foods when I see a pattern that adds up calories. For example, I don’t keep ice cream in the house. If I want ice cream, I try to walk to the nearby Main Street, buy a small size to share at a celebration, or eat fruit with a dollop of yogurt instead.

My husband likes to eat restaurant or take out food, which often has more calories and bigger portions than my 5’3 (160 cm) needs. So, I try to order less (e.g., appetizer instead of entree), or separate take out food into multiple portions to eat over a two or three day period. At a work event this week, I ate two small donuts that I never would have eaten at home. They didn’t taste as satisfying as I imagined they would. So, I wish I had just discarded them after one bite each. ‘Wasting’ is hard for me but I need to realize the affect is worse when I ‘use’ it — in the end, eating the unhealthy food is not productive.

How do you get back on track after an oopsie? I can sometimes spiral in a negative way after getting off track. Mostly, I try to learn what went wrong and make a plan to avoid that pitfall the next time, etc. With the donut example above, I think it could have been worse if I hadn’t planned ahead. I was busy before the meeting and didn’t stop to eat lunch before the 2pm start time. I heard there was going to be some food there and realized the choices might not be too healthy at that time of day (2-4pm) so I grabbed a banana on my way out the door. I also didn’t have enough time to walk to the Metro (Tube, Subway) but I compromised by parking close to the station so I could still get extra steps without driving door-to-door from home to the meeting. Next time, my plan is to taste one bite before taking two donuts 😉 if I can’t resist the temptation entirely (see response #1 above got the better option) 😊

I appreciate the questions; they helped me reflect and plan! I’ll look forward to hearing about the experiences of other Shape Shifters.

*Quick responses mean less thought and editing so I apologize for the long post!

Angmarie28
Fridays
Prev weight-182
Current weight-181.6

CasandraW
Saturday weigh in
PW 229.2
CW 232.6

Tomsgal1985
Weekly Post
Weigh In Day: Saturday
Highest weight: 239.8
PW (Previous Weight): 229.0
CW (Current Weight): 227.0
I’m so thankful for this active group, and I enjoy reading your posts! But I feel like I’m a drain on the team since I’m not posting much and haven’t been meeting my goals and should move on for now. I do have accountability and stay in touch with least 2 online friends, so I am not giving up!! Thank you for your kind support, everyone! 🥰🤗🙏🏻☀️👋🏻

CasandraW wrote: »

I have to get back on track. To do that I need to eat a low carb/sugar diet. It doesn’t need to be keto level of low carb but less than 100 grams of net carbs.
I know this works, I just don’t like that I have to do it to be healthy.

I’m fighting my internal toddler/child.

@casandraw Sounds like you've formulated your plan, based on what you know works for you! That's the hardest part...now the rest is just following your plan!! Can't wait to hear how your week goes!!

I fight that internal toddler DAILY!!!! CAN'T LET THEM WIN!!! LOL!!

Enjoy your weekend gal!
Jessica

jessicakrall8 wrote: »

Tomsgal1985 wrote: »

Tomsgal1985
Weekly Post
Weigh In Day: Saturday
Highest weight: 239.8
PW (Previous Weight): 229.0
CW (Current Weight): 227.0
I’m so thankful for this active group, and I enjoy reading your posts! But I feel like I’m a drain on the team since I’m not posting much and haven’t been meeting my goals and should move on for now. I do have accountability and stay in touch with least 2 online friends, so I am not giving up!! Thank you for your kind support, everyone! 🥰🤗🙏🏻☀️👋🏻

@Tomsgal1985 Never let yourself feel like that...we are all at different stages in the journey and doing different things from day to day, so things for all of us are NEVER going to line up. That's kinda what makes the team thrive though...what you went through a month ago and then share, might help someone else with what they're experiencing today! GREAT loss this week!!

What do you do for activity? Are you a walker like me, or do you take fitness classes like Frank or a few others? Does the weather affect your exercise routine? We're headed into a heat index of over 100 today, so I'm keeping the house blinds/curtains closed, running all the fans and keeping the HVAC steady at 76 for daytime. I'll be walking inside the house...likely to some C-Jazz...just love it. Not doing laundry today, except for delicates which have to hang dry anyway. Not much cooking, but maybe something in my air fryer. Bought some low-fat cottage cheese and with a little sprinkle of seasoned salt, it's just lovely with a turkey sandwich!

I'm so proud of how you're doing...we're here when you need us! Enjoy your weekend!
Jessica

Thank you, Jessica! I’m a walker, but I don’t do it often enough. I am looking into joining a gym that has a pool. I will stick around if you think I should! I just feel bad that I am mostly a lurker. I love how you just described your day! Maybe I can do more of that type of post. Thank you for your kind reply!

Tomsgal1985 wrote: »

jessicakrall8 wrote: »

Tomsgal1985 wrote: »

Tomsgal1985
Weekly Post
Weigh In Day: Saturday
Highest weight: 239.8
PW (Previous Weight): 229.0
CW (Current Weight): 227.0
I’m so thankful for this active group, and I enjoy reading your posts! But I feel like I’m a drain on the team since I’m not posting much and haven’t been meeting my goals and should move on for now. I do have accountability and stay in touch with least 2 online friends, so I am not giving up!! Thank you for your kind support, everyone! 🥰🤗🙏🏻☀️👋🏻

@Tomsgal1985 Never let yourself feel like that...we are all at different stages in the journey and doing different things from day to day, so things for all of us are NEVER going to line up. That's kinda what makes the team thrive though...what you went through a month ago and then share, might help someone else with what they're experiencing today! GREAT loss this week!!

What do you do for activity? Are you a walker like me, or do you take fitness classes like Frank or a few others? Does the weather affect your exercise routine? We're headed into a heat index of over 100 today, so I'm keeping the house blinds/curtains closed, running all the fans and keeping the HVAC steady at 76 for daytime. I'll be walking inside the house...likely to some C-Jazz...just love it. Not doing laundry today, except for delicates which have to hang dry anyway. Not much cooking, but maybe something in my air fryer. Bought some low-fat cottage cheese and with a little sprinkle of seasoned salt, it's just lovely with a turkey sandwich!

I'm so proud of how you're doing...we're here when you need us! Enjoy your weekend!
Jessica

Thank you, Jessica! I’m a walker, but I don’t do it often enough. I am looking into joining a gym that has a pool. I will stick around if you think I should! I just feel bad that I am mostly a lurker. I love how you just described your day! Maybe I can do more of that type of post. Thank you for your kind reply!

@Tomsgal1985 Definitely stick around!

@CasandraW Thank you for your reply! Asking the easy questions hey, lol. I think sense of purpose is a hard one for a lot of people and you are right; I don't have one. For me the problem is my chronic fatigue. It makes it nearly impossible to do any sort of volunteer work or even a fun thing just for me at a set day/time. I have no idea when I will have bad days. Even on good days, planned activities like that will pretty much make me useless for two days afterwards. That also sucks a lot of the fun out if and it is why I didn't manage to keep up with the popchoir, even though I enjoyed it a lot. I have pretty much accepted that I can't do things like that and I prioritize going for walks instead. If I am only able to do one (big) thing a day, the naturewalk has the most benefits in my opinion. But you have made me think about it some more. Maybe there is something I can find that is mostly online.
@PatriceFitnessPal Awesome, quick reply! I can imagine it really helps that you have something to compare to like being at goal. While I have lost a decent chunk of weight, I think the last bit is the most impactful and I haven't felt majorly different yet. For me I think the impact mentally is way bigger than physically. I agree that considering it a lifestyle change is super important. I try very hard to include foods in my day that I can see myself eating long term. I refuse to do a low calorie diet that I hate because that is not sustainable at all. I feel like that also doesn't teach you anything because even if you do make it to your goal weight, you can never go back to how you ate before. Having friends and family around can be both a blessing and a curse I guess. If they are likeminded, I bet it can help a lot. I am on my own which also has ups and down. Nobody around to knock some sense into me when I dive into a bag of chips! Planning is really important for me as well. I used to get really upset if I went to the store and something I needed was out of stock. Now I try to always have a back up plan in mind. Thanks for your anwers!
@ganival You are very right that it is an individual thing, but it is still fun to read what makes everyone here tick. External pressure is difficult, yet I totally understand how it is also helpful. Unfortunately I don't have anything like that. I am impressed you can do a job like that as an introvert; it sounds like hell to me! What a bummer about the boss, I would be angry too. I don't think there is anything wrong with letting those negative emotions fuel you, as long as you also praise yourself for the positive changes you are making! I am sure over time those will become stronger than the anger and you will hopefully be able to let it go and just do it because you are worth it and you deserve to be healthy and happy.
Again, appreciate the replies everyone! I feel a little more optimistic today which I will credit to you all.

The daily card:

@Pupowl
I want to make sure I make it clear that I don’t think you lack purpose. I see lots of purpose in your life. You have your cat, nature photography, a much appreciated contribution here through your posts and admin work , the daily card you post for us. The birds you care for, your garden and of course your relationship with your parents.
It feel it’s hard for us as individuals to see our purpose.
I like my Thursdays food bank because if I can’t go it’s ok. No one is going to be upset with me.

I feel an online thing is a wonderful option. I don’t want to make it seem like I don’t understand the difficulties of your situation. Doing everything you do while dealing with chronic health issues is a major accomplishment.
I don’t communicate well and tend to be overly blunt without enough context. Or “fluff” as I put it in my head. I hope I didn’t offend you.

The June Week 4 Group Challenge is open and ready to begin tomorrow, Sunday, June 23rd. Join us for the Climb the Ladder to Lose Challenge! Here's your link:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10918597/june-week-4-group-challenge-climb-the-ladder-to-lose-challenge#latest

Hope to see you in the chat thread!
Jessica

Saturday Steps 😊

Weigh in gharvey2753

Previous 177.6ibs
Current 176ibs

Meal prepped again makes it much easier to stick to the correct calories. Was out for dinner once also. 3 weeks to holiday ill aim for under 170 in 3 weeks. Continuing gym during the week and increasing steps/ cardio. Have a good week.