It is true....

gator007
gator007 Posts: 15
edited September 18 in Motivation and Support
...at least for me. 3 weeks ago we started a little wager amongst friends and family to see who could lose the most weight by Christmas. The money is always nice to win but last week I started to feel something, I started to feel better. I had lost 10 lbs at our 2nd weigh-in this past Monday (done every 2 weeks) and for the first time in over a decade I knew I lost the weight, I knew that something has changed. I started MyFitnessPal to help keep track of my calorie intake and exercises. I signed up at Bally's and paid for 3 years worth. After the 1st visit I never returned until this month, that was 8 months later. A mere 10lbs off a 290lb frame is so significant to me because I've done nothing but gain weight. Over the last 4 years it was 50lbs. Some people in my family weighed in at 190lb-210lb, I told them that last time I was 190lbs I was a fetus. The truth is that if you eat right, basically within your food measurements given from this site, add some vitamins and exercise at least 3 times a week you will lose the weight and you will feel good. It is projecting for me to be down to 265lbs by November. I can live with that. I'll be back to football playing weight at 250lbs by Christmas. Either way I'm a winner, wager or just from having lost the weight. Stick with it, you just have to trust yourself and just do it !!!!

Replies

  • gator007
    gator007 Posts: 15
    ...at least for me. 3 weeks ago we started a little wager amongst friends and family to see who could lose the most weight by Christmas. The money is always nice to win but last week I started to feel something, I started to feel better. I had lost 10 lbs at our 2nd weigh-in this past Monday (done every 2 weeks) and for the first time in over a decade I knew I lost the weight, I knew that something has changed. I started MyFitnessPal to help keep track of my calorie intake and exercises. I signed up at Bally's and paid for 3 years worth. After the 1st visit I never returned until this month, that was 8 months later. A mere 10lbs off a 290lb frame is so significant to me because I've done nothing but gain weight. Over the last 4 years it was 50lbs. Some people in my family weighed in at 190lb-210lb, I told them that last time I was 190lbs I was a fetus. The truth is that if you eat right, basically within your food measurements given from this site, add some vitamins and exercise at least 3 times a week you will lose the weight and you will feel good. It is projecting for me to be down to 265lbs by November. I can live with that. I'll be back to football playing weight at 250lbs by Christmas. Either way I'm a winner, wager or just from having lost the weight. Stick with it, you just have to trust yourself and just do it !!!!
  • apaden4
    apaden4 Posts: 137 Member
    Good for you! Congratulations!
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    Go gator!

    Thanks for the inspiration. How is your wife doing? It was great of you to enter so much information: and I agree - I already feel better after three DAYS! I've never attempted to lose weight in a very structured fashion, and this process just plays right into my obsessive-compusive nature: all the entering and reading and the whole thing. I have learned so much already, and I'm so grateful to have found this site. I'm not going to weigh myself until I've been at it seven days. I think that is best for someone with OCD to use the once-a-week approach!! Otherwise I'll be on the scale before and after everything I eat. And with a digital scale, I could send myself into a tailspin- and backslide right to the refrigerator.

    Those wings seem to have been successfully integrated into your plan. Great job! My issue is the Margaritas. I found out they are 540 calories and 50 grams of sugar. I literally yelled out "Nooooo."
    I've now gone through the five stages of grief and reached the "Acceptance" stage and know they will have to be relegated to "almost never".

    Stay with it!! (How big is the bet??)

    Cheryl
  • Skinnier_Me
    Skinnier_Me Posts: 341 Member
    Great job Gator!!
    Keep it up =)
  • gator007
    gator007 Posts: 15
    $75 a person, winner take all, 8 of us. It is a good size pot. Don't forget to mention your stories, all of you that view this or other post. Do not hesitate to let it be known how you feel, how you are doing because someone out there might just be in the same boat.

    My wife doesn't tell me but I can tell that she is losing. She also works out more than me. She really wants to win.
  • gator007
    gator007 Posts: 15
    $75 a person, winner take all, 8 of us. It is a good size pot. Don't forget to mention your stories, all of you that view this or other post. Do not hesitate to let it be known how you feel, how you are doing because someone out there might just be in the same boat.

    My wife doesn't tell me but I can tell that she is losing. She also works out more than me. She really wants to win.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    $ 600 ! Gator, no more wings for you . Just go to Hooters and "look" at the "wings."
    _____________________________________________________________________
    Has anyone found a way to rank their foods? It seems that at the end of the day I'm trying to find a food with no protein, 300+ calories, 50 carbs, and 10-15 grams of fat (or various different combinations).

    I tend to go over in protein every day, but I keep eating my calorie allotments. I'm searching for websites or databases that will let me rank (list) foods according to their respective nutrient components. That would help me so much. I'm trying to arrange my foods in some order that will help me, but it is so time consuming: and I'm sure I'm not the first one to come up with this problem. I don't want to limit my food choices, but it sure seems to be the easiest thing to do in light of the time factor. ooooo, maybe I can make a spreadsheet. I'm going to post this question on the "Food & Nutrition" section on MFP, as well.
    ______________________________________________________________________

    I'm going out tonight to buy some new OXO measuring devices, so I have several of each type, and I saw a conversion chart for volumes: grams, ounces, ml, tsp, tbsp, pints etc. I saw it at Cost Plus, so I'm hoping it's still there. (They have OXO, too.) Maybe I can find a small food scale there or at LINENS & THINGS.

    Ok, so - your bride. Would she notice if you switched her Splenda for real sugar? Secretive indeed ! At least if she wins she'll probably buy you a consolation gift.

    Have a good weekend.

    Cheryl

    Good luck to you both. Any of your other diet-pals on this website?
  • gator007
    gator007 Posts: 15
    yeah, Hooters and "look"at the wings, already looking at legs and thighs...alright that was childish but funny. Anway wife thought it was funny too so I'll still get to sleep in the bed. Over the last 3 weeks I've found the foods I liked most, did my own ranking and can now mix match to keep the carbs, calories, fats, etc in check. We are always trying to find new foods and dishes to try out. As long as we can match them up we get a full meal and snacks without going over or just by a few points. A program that will take your entree and automatically match up the best combo of foods would be cool. What we are not doing is eating the same thing everyday, that just kills the will power. This week I'll see a doctor to help monitor my progress with a physical, blood work, whole nine yards. I'm at 276 from 290 thee weeks ago. I like it but I want the doc to make sure that I'm not losing too much per week. We'll see. I can't wait to post before and after pictures.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    Great job on the weight loss, gator! Excellent work.

    Yikes! Pictures?? I have a friend who also is losing weight with me: though she has more to lose AND a lap band. We were talking about "before" pictures, and how scary they are.
    Maybe I should put mine on the refrigerator...Though, I haven't really been tempted to cheat. It's in my competitive nature to match the numbers every day.

    I did the same thing you guys did and stuck with all my favorite healthy foods - except Margaritas (I'm thinking of just Tequila on the rocks with lime. Tequila is SO healthy) - and have them pretty well figured out for how much to have dailly. But it seems that 55% carbs, 15% protein & 30% fat is all out of whack. I'm giving these default goals two weeks, and if I don't see any difference, I think I may change (increase) the protein and decrease the carbs. I also have an appointment with doctor for guidance and testing.

    p.s. I think legs and thighs have more fat than wings. I'm not mentioning the other white meat ;-)
  • kbl327
    kbl327 Posts: 11 Member
    cmriverside, I appreciate seeing your supportive words on the message board when I log in my food. I wish there were more people posting and supporting. I start work again tomorrow after a long leave of absence and I have to admit that I think it will help my food because of the regular schedule. But I sure don't look forward to coming home exhausted and dealing with cooking dinner. I sometimes use a crockpot, but I would love other ideas for how to handle having dinners ready after a long day.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    kbl327,

    Thanks for the kind words! I feel the same way, but I'm also off work right now, so I have more time to play on the computer, and it keeps me busy and helps me fine tune my plan. It's good to be able to share experiences whenever I want or when it is convenient - I just can't go the Weight Watchers route-to plan and go to meetings. Plus, since I'm not working, I'm not willing to pay the high prices of the "Organized" weight-loss plans. Well, at least I'm hoping I'll be able to make the weight come off by using this process.

    I found that I could make all my meals (the ones that need to be cooked) on Sunday or Monday, and I chose some that I could just measure into portions, and stack in the refridge- like stir fry - and cooked all the meat and rice on Monday, then just added veggies at the mealtime and steamed the whole thing for 10 minutes in a small frying pan with a lid. If time is an issue for you after work, or you're tired; you can always buy the Lean Cuisine or Weight Watchers frozen entrees. Once you are familiar with the ones you like, you may even want to prepare them yourself and freeze or refrigerate them. But there are many choices and we make things work when it is important enough to us. I don't use my microwave, so I have to be even more creative and plan ahead. Raw foods are even better for us than cooked so, you really just have to heat small portions for a few minutes. I like the 6-Little-Meals-a-Day approach, and I think our bodies are really made to graze anyway.

    Don't limit yourself. A meal can be 1/2 a whole wheat english muffin, a scrambled Egg Beater with a sprinkle of parmesan, and hot sauce. 10 minutes tops. Including cleanup. Throw in any of your fave veggies with the Egg Beaters and you're good.

    Water!

    Morning snack: your fave 100% juice, or some fresh fruit - or, a V8 and some Triscuits. I mix all my 100% juices with sparkling water. 4 oz of juice and some ice, and it's much tastier and better for you than diet pop, and it fills you up.

    Water!

    GET OUT THERE AND EXERCISE - THAT IS WHERE YOU WILL GAIN ENERGY! I can't believe how much better I feel since I started only one week ago. Did I mention Water!?

    Lunch - salad, 1/2 portion of dressing, a rice cake,

    Water!

    Afternoon Snack: String Cheese and some of your fave veggies or some Edamame and a couple more Triscuits

    Water!

    Your dinner- I'm not going there. :-)

    Water!

    I wish you luck. If you haven't been eating well and exercising recently, I promise this will make you feel so much better! Do what you can -EVERY little step can add up.

    Keep us posted! I'm the chatty one. I'm sure not everyone wants to hear from me!
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    I just want to say I lost 7 pounds in 8 days of being with the program. And I am eating all the calories suggested in exchange for the exercise.

    I'm trying to stay within the recommended Calories/Carbs/Fats/Proteins percentages.
  • gator007
    gator007 Posts: 15
    Hope everyone had a safe holiday weekend. As of this morning I lost 18lbs in 1 month through eating right (not dieting!!) and with exercise. It does feel great. Everyone is noticing including myself. The most important thing that I noticed is the fat jokes, the little poke fun of comments and other things that you'd pick up on have pretty much eased, just like that. It is "your looking good", "you've lost a lot of weight", "you can really tell", "holy *kitten*, you lost how much?". I can remember my buddies making fun when going to a buffet, "it's all you can eat, not eat all". At this point I have the last laugh.
  • TNTPete
    TNTPete Posts: 701 Member
    I was reading through your posts Gator and I have to say ... way to go!! I think it's always such a personal triumph to succeed at a goal!! Hopefully the money is as good as yours! I think that's not a bad idea to start with a few friends of mine... you never know, right! Anyway, good luck and I look forward to reading your progress.
  • Skinnier_Me
    Skinnier_Me Posts: 341 Member
    Way to go Gator!

    Some members have pointed that out to me... it's eating healthy not dieting.
    I have to get that through my thick head.

    Keep it up gator! =)
  • gator007
    gator007 Posts: 15
    Okay, not sure why but I have been in a funk over the last 2 months. I was down to 262 and now I've been at 270 for the last 3 days. Still good from being 290 just 3 months ago but nevertheless I became unmotivated somewhere along the way. I can tell you this because experience I have, you cannot change your habits and expect the same results every time. It should not be a shocker that if I stopped exercising and eating right that I should expect by body to remain the same. I have no idea why I just let go again. 8 pounds is not too much but what if it were 10-15 or 20, the fact is that anything has an impact. I was down when it was 2 lbs, I was frustrated at 5 lbs and now I'm pissed at 8 lbs. BTW, I was in Vegas this past weekend so everything I had done before stayed at the airport as I boarded. I'm surprised and grateful I didn't "balloon" up from all the food and partaking in the alcohol beverages, partaking way too much :) During the flight back I thought about all the things from the past 2 months and just told myself that I do not want to be the way I was before. I do not offer any advice but if you want moral support I'll give it and if you want someone to say a prayer for you I will. I think I just found my own motivation.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    Gator! I thought you dropped off the site! So glad to see you back!

    I've had a bad week, too. I had a carb binge, gained three pounds, re-injured an old back injury and couldn't workout for three days. This is the first time I've gained since August 22. Scary.

    Today I feel 90% good. I just talked to my trainer to get back on track.

    I am beginning to see (and I have read some others' posts regarding the same thing) that we just have to slip now and then- I prefer the "cheat" theory - where you have a day that isn't so good, but take it in stride. (not that I have mastered that, by any means). The eight pounds you gained is not that much in relation to what you have accomplished. I think if you take it easy on yourself and just start again, it will drop off again.

    $$600. 00 ..................................

    How's wife doing?

    ~Cheryl
  • arothermel
    arothermel Posts: 19 Member
    hang in there gator007. you are not alone. it seems i have 2 good days and 3 bad days. i just try to be grateful for the 2 good days and hope that it turns into 3 good days soon. part of my problem is that i am very hard on myself and it sounds like you are too. i had a friend tell me strive for progress, not perfection.
  • gator007
    gator007 Posts: 15
    Back on track now. Lost 3 pounds already. I just need that good kick in the *kitten* to get me going. Hopefully I will have learned or I'm going to have a sore azz. I'm back on the losing wagon, by losing I mean weight and by wagon I mean...wagon.

    Cheryl, we know what you mean about the binges. Hope you get to feeling better with your back. It is problems like that for me that make me skip a gym workout and then realize that I skipped several more.

    Arothermel, being hard on oneself only has two paths; positive and negative. I was on the negative where I wanted perfection just because I lost so much weight in the beginning. I thought to myself that only a boot camp drill instructor mentality would do it. I've humbled myself and now on the positive path because I had put aside more important things like LIFE and FAMIL Y. BTW, stay away from chocolate cake with peanut better icing.
  • redalee
    redalee Posts: 256 Member
    Gator rocks! Woo hoo. lol Way to go!
  • tdroseler
    tdroseler Posts: 165
    Wow...now this is a message board worth watching. Gator...first off let me say...your my hero.
    cmriverside...one classy lady
    It is wonderful to see people really supporting one another. I haven't had much chance to experience that.
    I have struggled all my life with being overweight, and all the circus that goes with it. This summer, i overheard two slender women talking about how "fat people just let themselves go" i got so mad...i walked over and told them...you want to know how to diet, ask a fat person, cause ive done every one of them out there.
    It was probly the best thing that could have happened to me, actually. It got me off my but, and working at a plan. I want my life to belong to me, for once, not to food.
    Now, at 35, and 347 lbs...im working hard at loosing.:) and im happy. I have a mantra...that works for me...food is fuel.
    When i want to eat, i ask myself, am i fueling up, or fillin up? I don't deny myself my cravings, i know this will just make me backslide. Most of all, i keep looking for ways to make it work. Like this site, for instance. Menu planning, journaling, exercising, whatever...i look for it all, and use what i can. Having a place to come and be closer to people that have been, or are in the same boat im in is very inspirational. Im not fighting this battle alone, that makes a great difference to me. Just reading about the successes makes me believe i can do it too...thank you everyone....
    This site also makes me honest. it is way to easy to fool myself into believing that im eating less....just cause i buy smaller plates, doesn't mean i eat less if i pile it higher, right? lol
    Recording every bite i eat really makes me notice where my "trouble spots" are. That way i can work on them.
    Whew!!! have i mentioned i am long winded, lol...my point being...i am so incredibly happy that everyone here is....here...it really helps.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    tdroseler,

    Thank you for the compliment....I go on and on sometimes - and gator was the first interaction I had when I first started- so as you can see in this topic, I am good at computer-wind-sprints as well.

    I think it is also helpful to give of yourself to others. I get kind of sad when I realize that there are 330 "Viewings" of a particular post, and 4 people take the time to post a reply. This site works so well because it is interactive. It's not just a BLOG. People can truly connect and help one another. We are here (on the planet) to love one another, to help one another, to carry their load when they need a rest.

    There will always be someone here to talk to, tdroseler, and every day you will get a bit stronger, and have a bit more energy, and learn something new that will help, and by the way that is an AWESOME mantra. "Food is Fuel".

    Stay with us. Search for answers. Do your best.....and make a $600 bet - and win it ! (Sorry - I don't do "serious" very well) :-)

    ~Cheryl
  • katiechakos
    katiechakos Posts: 348 Member
    Hi you guys. It's Saturday morning and I was lying in bed counting the calories I had last night in my head, so I decided to get up and log them. I was going to just go back to bed, but decided to check out the new topics. This post spoke to me. We all have our own "cross to bear" in life, but Cheryl you really struck a chord with me when you said that we are here on the planet to love and help each other. I love that. I know for me, sometimes I feel so alone and so unworthy of love... unloveable. It's at that low spot when I feel like the only joy I'll find is in a piece of chocolate or a bag of chips. I guess it's the comfort, and then the second I life that "comfort" to my lips, I hate on myself even more. I agree that we all have good and bad days, but what a feeling of freedom and friendship when you feel like you can come here to this site and "confess" and release yourself from the chains of self-hatred. It really is such a blessing to have found all of you.

    And... for once in my life, I didn't FREAK out on a Friday night and go crazy. I had a good week with food and exercise and I allowed myself a few glasses of wine and some cheese... but stayed on track in my calories and today I'm feeling human still. I don't hate myself this morning! You guys rock.
  • tdroseler
    tdroseler Posts: 165
    Here Here!!! katiechakos!!!
    I couldn't agree with you more. Unfortnately food very easily becomes a "friend/fiend", and we never even notice it until it is done. For so many years i have felt the comfort of food. Being an overly sensitive person doesn't help any, but for some reason i never seem to find whatever it is im looking for, so i turn to food. Worst part is, i dont' even know what is missing...that i keep looking for, lol...go figure.
    Lately, since starting this change in lifestyle, i have become incredibly witchy. My fiance seems to be getting the worst of it and i feel even horrible. We talk at long lengths about it...we both know i am this way because im giving up what has consoled me all my life. The food. An addiction of sorts. Since he has been trying to quit smoking, he can grasp that concept. I thank God every day that i have such a loving man in my life. He is trying his very best to remain strong and supportive of me.
    We all are loveable, even when we don't feel it. And whether we get that love form those who love us, or perfect strangers in a place like this, people who are going through similar experiences, we can find that love somewhere other than the bottom of a huge bowl of mashed potatoes. hmmmm, don't forget the butter and garlic...yummm
    ohhh, wait, sorry, fell of my track there for a second, lol
    great...now i have to go see if i have any more carrots, lol
    anyways....i do believe this has quickly become one of the most important things in my life....this site, that is...it really does make a difference.
    Bye for now...



    here, fridgey fridgey fridgey
    lol
    really, im going to get carrot sticks
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    tdroseler - Stop It ! Fridgey is NOT your friend. Neither is elastic, BTW.

    Breaking any addiction brings up all kinds of unresolved issues. And all the frustrations that we "stuff down" wih alcohol, drugs, sex, cigarettes, and too much of the wrong food will definitely come to the surface.

    A few years back, I had to let go of the past.....all of it. And I realized I had to be the one to comfort me for the rest of my life. I put a picture of myself as a small child - like 5 years old, in the center of my pictures. I had to actually let my self go back to that little girl, who didn't deserve all the unfairness that the world can dish out, and comfort her. I did that for months. It was wonderful. I believe in God, but I don't go to church and don't really miss that; but I know we are meant to be happy. Happier than we can even understand or imagine is possible.

    We are all on our journey. Life is what happens while you're waiting for outside things to make you happy. We are in charge of our choices. No one else. We have to live with the consequences. It is up to us. It is up to you.

    ~Cheryl
  • lotusfromthemud
    lotusfromthemud Posts: 5,335 Member
    I too have a picture of myself as a child. Its current location is on top of the "fridgey"....

    I have to ask myself everytime I'm hungry for the wrong thing: "what am I really eating?"...sometimes it's grief, sometimes it's anger, sometimes loneliness, sometimes happiness...I have always used food to stifle the feeling of well, feelings. Sometimes, I choose that I am actually eating what I'm eating....and that is my choice.

    I have spent many a snacktime crying instead of eating over the past few years. And I've cried away 80 pounds. I feel lighter in more ways than I can count.

    The trouble with breaking an addiction to food is that we can't go "cold turkey". Food needs to be a part of our healthy life, and this is hard every day. It does get easier...but I have my days where I feel I'm starting all over again.

    You can do it. We all can do it. and we deserve it.
  • gator007
    gator007 Posts: 15
    I've been on a real nice project at work and it has kept me real busy. I know that I've formed new habits that now I have to stop and think about them to say what they are. For instance when I first started I forced myself to eat breakfeast, have a snack, eat lunch, have a snack, have a snack and eat dinner with an after dinner snack. By snacks I mean, granola bars or fruits, handful of trial-mix or anything in a "just right" portion. Now I do it without realizing it. I reach in my drawer and pullout a piece of fruit or carrot snacks or something just to start the process. Even when I went south on myself I may not have eaten the right foods but I did eat something and now that is what I do but now that I'm back on track it is the right foods again.

    There are so many good people on this site. Reading as many post as one can read while still getting work done :) I find a simple array of how people live and how they feel. From what I've read the most that seperates us is geography. Please write your thoughts down and share them with everyone.

    Before I get long winded I do want to say to TDROSELER, please keep us uptodate on your progress. Your "long winded" messages are fine with me :)
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