The Over 300 Club

I can do this!!!!!! Today was weigh-in day. I lost 11.7 pounds!!! I'm so excited. That means it's working. My first goal was to lose 20 pounds by the end of May. I'm already over half way. This really encourages me to keep it up.
How's everyone else doing?
Thanks for the welcome Blazin and Kristi. So glad to be here.

Hi All,

My name is Craig and I live in Northwest Houston. I'd like to say thanks to Stillkristi for making me aware of this thread. She saw my ticker on a post and was curious as to how I have lost my weight and asked me to share a little in this thread.

I have been a member of MFP for around three months now I think. I was introduced to the site through a program here in Houston, Texas. The program is sponsored by the Methodist Hospital. I have been told that there are similar programs throughout the country. I had known about his program for about three years. As a matter of fact, I had friends who had followed the program and been very successful in it. But.....I didn't think I needed any help. I knew I had the will power and determination to lose weight all on my own. Sound familiar to anyone? Last summer when I turned 52 years old and my weight was 379 lbs, I finally accepted the fact that, I wasn't going to do it on my own. I accepted that my way was the wrong way and I began to look at other options. I looked briefly at the various surgical options because the thought of drinking shakes just didn't appeal to me. But, after weighing the options, I chose this plan to begin the process of learning to live and eat more healthier.

This particular program has three phases. The first is called New Beginnings. It consists of four; 200 calorie shakes a day for the first 12 weeks. Because your body is subsisting on so few calories, you are on very limited exercise during that phase. The shakes are a high protein, high nutrient blend of vitamins etc. that put your body into a state called ketosis. This is when the body is burning fat and not muscle. Men do as a rule loose the weight a little faster than the ladies in this process. After you overcome the mental hurdle of not eating, this phase is the easiest because there are no choices to make, other than what flavor of shake your going to have. Along with the meals there are weekly class room sessions that include lessons on proper nutrition, time with councilors, monthly labs and monthly visits with the staff doctor.

The second phase is called Adapting It. In this phase, you are reintroduced to food in your diet. Typically you will substitute 1 shake for 1 meal. The meal is designed by a staff dietician. For me this phase lasted about three weeks. During this time I transitioned from 1 meal to two meals to four meals a day. Once food was introduced, the shakes got old real fast.

Phase three is called Living It. This is the phase that I hope to remain in for the rest of my life. In this phase I am taking what I have learned in the class room and applying it to real world living. I begin each morning at 5:30 am. I do 30 minutes on the elliptical, a 10 minute cool down on the inclined bike and weight training three days a week. I also practice and teach Aikido classes two afternoons a week. The keys to success in any weight loss program are for me as follows. I hope these are helpful to you.

1- Have a plan. Know what you are going to do each day to make a healthier you. For me MFP is a big part of this. I log in my meals and workouts each day. I read the forums here for input from other people. Keep in mind, loosing weight and living a healthy lifestyle isn't a race. It's a journey. A journey that I am learning to enjoy and not dread. I really don't miss.......:noway: I mean...I really don't need the junk that I used to eat. I am learning to enjoy the new me.

2- Drink the water......A lot of water.......Even if you don't like it, it's the best thing for you.

3. Be accountable to someone. For me, the weekly meeting I attend through Methodist is now a part of my routine. The people I have seen fail to keep weight off or who fail to continue to lose weight are those people who once again begin to think that they can do it on their own.

4. If you have a bad day or a bad week, don't give up. Read these forums for encouragement and remember that nothing of real value comes without a cost. If it was easy, we would all have been skinny years ago

God Bless,

Craig

Good evening everyone!!!

I wanted to stop in and say HI

I am starting back exercising tomorrow afternoon. I am going to the State Fair Grounds and take my puppies for a walk.

I am excited!!!

I made some yummy low carb chicken enchiladas tonight. I posted the recipe in the food and nutrition section if anyone is interested. :drinker: :drinker:

Hi gang, Its late and I'm beat, so I am just checking in before heading to bed.

Southernbelle - hey, that elliptical will get easier! One of my friends, adopt4 on the THE Team thread started about two months ago doing elliptical and could only do about 7 minnutes. She now regularly does 30 minutes, 40 mintues, etc. You can do it, just keep at it!

Blazin - WTG on the weight loss in advance!

Cindy, your question about the 1710 vs 1600 calories. You will find that the number of calories per day recommended by MFP decreases as your weight decreases. Here's why: MFP figures your daily calories based on your basal metabolic rate (BMR) which is the number of calories needed to sustain your weight if you did no exercise in the day. Then, based on your weight loss goal, it builds in a calorie deficit. For example, in the goal section if you selected 2 lbs. a week, it will calculate a 1000 calorie a day deficit. At the end of the week, that will equal 7000 calories, which is equal to 2 lbs. So, as your weight decreases, your BMR will decrease, and so will your calorie recommendations. Hope that helps. Good job on your exercise. One day of just walking is probably a good change up, anyway!

loula - WTG!!!!! 12 lbs down! Yay!!! We can do this!

MPJS - I so hear you on the night time eating. Thats a tough habit to break. We do it for comfort, I guess. The best thing, of course would be not to eat at all at night. Say set a goal and tell yourself "I won't eat after 9:00. or 8:00 or whatever. Second best thing, what if you tried substituting a nice hot cup of herb tea? No calories. Or a glass of low fat choc milk? Or, allow yourself a small snack, weigh it, count it, and when its gone, its gone. Look for very low calorie options. You'll find a way. Keep working on it, and remember, beating yourself up is just wasted energy. Instead, use that energy to figure out the problem and solve it! You can do this! Look how far you've come! You posted your ticker! YAY. You lost 4 lbs YAY YAY WAHOO!!!!! GOOD JOB!

Craig, thank you so much for sharing your story with us! The simple steps in your plan are so great! Thanks for being such an inspiration!

Aur23a - YAY!!! You're on track! Its happening! GOOD JOB!!! WTG!

Leanlioness, welcome back! Glad to hear you are doing so well. Hang in there with us, and thanks for posting that receipe!

Take care everyone. You lurkers, check in, we need to hear how you are doing! I hope by the end of the week, we all see movement in our tickers! GO TEAM!!!

Hi everyone!!! I'm BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCK!

Hello to our new members!!!! You will love it here.

Way to go all on your WL and all the efforts you have put in this past week. Slowly but surely we will attain our goals.

Craig, thank you for posting and I hope you will stick around! I think the main reason I failed before is because I was too proud to ask for help, and admit to myself that I needed help. Now I see that makes all the difference. That and committing to yourself. Funny how we can keep promises to others but tend to disregard ourselves in that respect.

Well, all of us here are on the right path. MPJS!!! WAYYYYYYY TO GOOOOOOO. I am so proud of you and happy for you for opening up:happy: !!! slowly but surely. Try not to keep the junk food around, only the healthy foods, and if you must snack at night, then at least the damage won't be as bad.

I don't miss any of the junk foods I used to have, or the sodas, or the galon ice creams. What is it they say about forming a habit. It takes 21 days to form one and 21 days to break one. The minute I realized that I was fine when I did not give in to my cravings or urges to cheat, I decided to stick to my guns. I actually feel much better when I ignore a craving, then I did satisfying one!!! Like Tam said a few posts back, I eat to give fuel to my body, not to revel in the taste or smell of food. When I am soo busy that I allow myself to be very hungry, I pace myself, drink water first, and chew very slowly, so that I don't eat too fast or overeat. And if you pay attention to your body's response, if you are actually feeling hunger pangs, after the few bites, they will dissipate and you can relax and enjoy your meal without still thinking that you are starving so you have to fill up to erase the void.

On another note, never have I been so glad to be back from a trip, so I can get back to my routine and my life!!!
I had a great time and was happy to see everyone, but could not wait to come back.
At night I was too exhausted to log on and post, but I did read some, and logged in my daily intake and exercise/activities...
For the very first time I walked all the way from security check-point at Hartsfield, all the way to my gate, without stopping (pretending to buy a mag or something) to catch my breath. I had no back pain, and I was actually walking faster and lugging my carryon! and did the same on the way back. It felt great.
I managed to stick to my plan the entire time. I actually enjoyed Pollo Tropical... my favorite eatery in Florida, and had the chicken breast/no skin (for the first time too... lol). It was not as hard as I thought it would be at all... I just wished I had managed more exercising while there. I tae bo'ed once, but I did go swimming and did some exercises in the pool, and I figure the walking at the airport and the dancing I did Friday and Sat, count for exercise.
I think I am ready for my 2 week caribbean vacation!!! I can do it and not falter.
Now, my weigh in at 3pm today will tell the true strory!!! :sick: Will keep you guys posted.

Have a great day everyone, and let's keep our heads and spirits up!!!

Hi Team, just checking in to see how everyones doing. We just got back from the pool. I love being able to swim the first week in May. We moved to where we are now ,Odessa, Texas from near Cleveland, Ohio almost 2 years ago. It is still chilly back home. We are hitting 95 degrees here today. 105 on Thursday. I love it. Make it a great afternoon everyone. Cindy

Hi every one Welcome back 4surethistime congrats on the loss you did great,IT sounds like the trip was great. and thank you. Yes you and stillkristi where right I need to get it out this way I can move on and hopefully weigh less .. I think stillkritsi is right 4sure that is a great idea to eat slow and and taste the food until that bad hunger goes away. what a goo tip that we all can use.
I hope all of the team is doing well and having great weather like Cindy I know here in N.Y it's raining everyone have a wonderful afternoon.

Good morning everyone I hope everyone has a great day.

Morning peeps! How is everyone? I was just reflecting that I could really get used to this healthy eating thing! :laugh: Its so nice when stuff is in season. This morning for breakfast, I had 1/2 cup cottage cheese and about 3/4 cup of sliced strawberries. It was so good! I the past, I would have loaded it with sugar. Today, I can't imagine why anyone would want to put sugar on that and change that wonderful, fresh flavor. Go figure!

Well, off to exercise and then to work! Hope everyone has a beautiful, blessed, joyous day.

Overdoing it, aren't I? :blushing: Oh well, hope everyone is happy. If you aren't feeling happy, I suggest watching this video, and getting up and dancing! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoaTl7IcFs8&feature=PlayList&p=999126A3CBAE33DA&index=0&playnext=1

Say hey! Take care gang!

Hey Everybody!!!!

4sure-congrats on this weeks success. That's awesome to have fun on vacation and LOSE weight at the same time! :happy: I will be in Destin in a couple of weeks for 5 days, I hope I can keep it together, I'm really struggling with going outside of my comfort zone. I'm scared I will sabotage my success so far. I'm talking it through, plus with the support and inspiration of everyone here, I'm gaining some self-confidence!

loula-I know it's hard especially when you have children. Their schedules can be busier than ours! But that's great that your family is getting healthier together. I bet that makes your life a lot easier. For me, I still have to cook meals for my family that tempt me so badly. (I eat prepackaged meals/shakes) so anything is tempting right about now. 4sure said that we must do something 21 times to make it a habit, well, I've been on this journey for about a month now and I'm just hoping these good habits will stick!! I'm praying, I really am!