[janiej]

See guys
I admire all of you who can do WW or Atkins.
I don't have a WW near me, and I looked at the Atkins one and it was WAY too complicated for me.
The WW sounds good, but I think I am too "old" and "impatient" to be doing all that "counting".
But I applaud all of you who can do either one and are successful.

For me, it is the "simple" way. No science, just plain old "common sense" and 'will power" (which I am very short on sometimes )
First, I have "tried" to cut out all sweets like cake, pie, cookies, ice cream, etc. NOT an easy task for me, and I do "slip" once in awhile and eat the occassional cookie ( o.k. - or two !)
But I have cut my portion sizes back ALOT. It was hard at first, but after a few weeks I started noticing that I really was "filling up" quicker than usual.
I also drink a 16 ounce glass of water with each meal, and I force myself to drink the whole thing whether I want it or not. It just seems to help fill me up.

For snacks, instead of chips, candy and such, I do the fruit or veggie thing. I had a hard time with the veggies,until I started using no-fat sour cream dip.
I make it myself, so I KNOW there are few calories and fat grams.

I also needed to make the switch from "sugared up" sodas and cereals (love my fruit loops !!) Went to diet soda, and grape nuts.

Don't stop at McDonald's anymore (really miss it though), but I found that when I "deny" myself a "craving", if I have just a little bit (like 5 or 6 fries instead of the "Biggie" size !!), it helps me to "get over it" for quite a long while. I think that if you "obsess" about a certain food, the longer you do that the more likely you will be to "pig out" on it eventually. (Like I said - very little will power do I have !!)

That's just how I do it. Everyone needs to find their own "plan" that's good for them, then try to stick to it.
Gina - good luck with your first WW meeting. Maybe it will be the answer for you. At least give it a "shot".
( I would say here - what have you got to lose, but that would sound a little silly, wouldn't it on this thread

Spray- sounds like you really have invested alot of time and patience with this thing. Kudos to you !!!
I just get frustrated with the "counting", although I do look more closely at labels, and calorie counts, and fat grams.

And above all - let's not forget the MOVE MOVE MOVE thing. It is soooooo important !!
janie

[Free_to_be_me]

Wow! lots of activity in the last two days. Great work everyone.

So, last night I rode the stupid bike for 30 minutes (and not a second more) and then sat in the chair watching the rest of the movie while my legs and butt twitched. It was great.

I did a pretty good job of eating, not too many snacks...

Overall I am feeling fairly good. I know I could do more, but I could do a whole heck of a lot less...

[janiej]

Hey Free

Thanks so much for your posts. You make me "giggle" just when I need it (especially after checking into the other threads). I love those places, but sometimes we just need the "break".

How has the weather been? We actually got up to 39 today, was ready to break out the beachwear, but I'm not "quite" ready for that "thong bikini" yet !!!!
I'll bet that 30 degrees to you sounds like the middle of summer, huh ??

Tomorrow we go back into the deep freeze I think, that's what hubby says anyway. I won't even look at the weather on tv anymore. Too depressing, then I want to eat, then I want to just lay around, and we all know that when we do that we don't want to MOVE MOVE MOVE our BUTT BUTT BUTT !!!!

Glad to hear you are still with us. Dare I ask if you have lost any pounds yet? No need to tell, only if you WANT to.
janie

[kmedsker]

Hello ladies,
We weighed in today and much to my disappointment I gained 1.4 lbs! What frustration! However.....I have been working out like crazy and I know that muscle weighs more than fat so I am just counting on it all evening out in a couple of weeks. My pants are still fitting better than they have in a long time!!! And my butt is aching!!
kayla

[spaypets]

Well it took three weeks but I'm down 3.4 lbs! The scale finally caught up with what I'm doing. Only 2 more lbs for me to be back to maintaining! Hopefully that won't take another 3 weeks, but if it does, it does.

Today's menu (with points for Gina):

veggie sausage 3
skim milk (this is in my coffee btw) 1
veggie stew 3
salad 0
tiny piece of fudge 3
Chicken Italiano 3
Salad 0
Popcorn 3

Total: 16

That leaves me with 4 more I have to eat to reach my minimum number of points. so perhaps a martini tonight!

Btw, most of that menu is Core--I'd only have to count the fudge, the martini (which if I were doing Core, I wouldn't have--not worth the points) and I'n not sure about the Chicken Italiano -- maybe 1 point or maybe none.

[janiej]

Kayla-
Glad that you recognize "muscle" actually adds pounds in the beginning. I didn't know that when I first started to exercise, and got really frustrated when my first weigh-in came. Was ready to give up. But someone "clued me in", so I kept forging ahead.
Each time my clothes feel a little looser, I get really excited !!! Don't even care if I had lost pounds that "time period", I KNOW I have lost something somewhere !


Spay - GREAT JOB on the losing !!!
IF you do sip that martini tonite, tip your glass to all of us who are really trying (yourself included !)
janie

P.S. Now I need to know how "free" is doing today.
Have you "gone anywhere" on that bike yet ??
Not sure what time zone you are in, I am on the east coast, what's the diff in time for us ??

[Free_to_be_me]

Well, things are going pretty good right now. I peddled my way from the delta quadrant a little closer to earth last night. Okay, so that is really dorky. Since I work nights and there is not cable, I watch some really bad tv. Last night it was Star Trek Voyager. I rode the bike for 40 minutes and feel good about that. I got my heartbeat to where it needs to be for most of that time, so...

By the way, the job I have is at a group home with four guys with developmental disabilities. Since I work nights and they are asleep at night, my primary responsibility is to stay awake.

So, I live in Alaskan time zone. That is four hours behind the East Coast. So, it is almost 2:00 pm here and 6 pm in New York.

I don't know if I have lost any weight. I am only allowed to step on the scale on Fridays right after I wake up, after I pee. Only a couple more days. Regardless of the actual number, I am feeling better, am noticing a slightly nicer curve of my waist (could totally be my imagination, but it looks good to me, nonetheless.)

Okay, I have class and then work, so I gotta move move move my butt or I'll be late.

Good job to everyone.

[janiej]

Free
Not only exercising for the pounds but the heart as well !!! Way to go !!!
I had a heart attack at age 45, so I try to do my cardio as much as I can also.When I gained all the weight the past few years, it was really hard to do, so consequently I just "quit". That was when "the thing" became a great clothes rack !!
Since reunion, I have tried really hard to diet, and was able to lose enough weight (still have alot to go), that I could actually walk more than 20 feet without needing a tank of oxygen !!
So not only does the "moving" help the weight, it is great for the heart.

Sounds like you are getting better on that bike. On your next trip around space, be sure to wave when you get over Pa.!!

I told Kayla about the "muscle" thing, so with riding so much you may notice a "gain". (Sorry - didn't mean to scare you !!!
But if the clothes fit better, and the waist "seems" "curvier," I'd say you're on the right track!!!
I've still got a ways to go to even FIND a curve in My waist ! But thanks to all you great guys on here, I KNOW I can do it. !!
Hope you have a good nite at work.
janie

[kmedsker]

I'm exercising for my heart health also. My mother had a heart attack last year and she has struggled with weight her whole life. I don't want to be there when I'm her age. I'm 39 now and want to be very healthy the rest of my life. My Dad struggled with many health issues for probably 8 years before he passed away in 2003. There are so many reason for eating healthy and exercising! Besides feeling obligated to check in with you guys!

I didn't make it to my work out this morning but I didn't go over my points today!

[Free_to_be_me]

The support here is so great. I love this thread.

I rode the bike for at least 38 minutes last night. I forgot to check the time when I actually finished. It is becoming a habit to just ride it when I watch tv and I am starting to hate it less. I usually ride it until my legs feel like they are going to fall off. I have also started adding some arm movements because I don't want to have buns and legs of steel and arms of jello. I will start incorporating ketchup bottles-I mean, one pound weights!- to the routine next week. That is the plan, anyway.

Tonight, I am mixing it up a little bit by going to the pool. It is adaptive swim night on Thursdays so I take one or two of the residents to the pool and get to swim for free. That makes me happy because I love swimming.

After tonight, I have 7 days off. This is when I have the hardest time working out. Maybe I will get a 10 workout punchcard for the gym I used to belong to...I used to have fun doing that...

My sister just joined Weight Watchers. I am going to keep talking with her (expanding my support system, not my waist!) and decide if it is something I might be willing to pay for.

Question-does anyone know offhand what a resting heart rate is supposed to be and how high it should get during a good cardio exercise? I am 27.

Tomorrow is step on the scale day. I don't really think it will be a lot lighter, but I expect that it won't be heavier. We will find out in 24 hours...

Keep up the good work.

[All Boys]

Hey everyone..
Well I did it.. I joined Weight Watchers today.. Went to the meeting and went a head and paid for 12 weeks, so that I know I will use it..
I am still trying to calculate my meals today.. But this is what I think..
Sorry no breakfast... I know I got in trouble for that already..

Salad from BK with fried chicken on it and Ranch dressing = 8 pts. (I think)

Supper
1 c. Chilli 6 pts.
1/2 c. lettuce 0 pts.
1 Tbs. cheese 1 pts.
2 Tbs. fat free sour cream 0 pts.
9 Tortialla chips 3 pts. ===== 10 pts. + lunch 8 pts. = 18 pts.

I get 22 pts. a day.. So I think i have 4 left.. I need to eat something.. Just don't know what I want..

I went to the store and bought me some WW meals for lunch.. Then tonight, I went around marking different things that I like to eat with how many points they were... LOL I marked the milk, and my sugar free jello, and the pudding, and different snacks too like popcorn.. I think that will help in journaling my food and knowing how many points I have left...
Ok so Spay question.. Like on my chilli, I really didn't know how to figure it.. It was homemade.. So I just did the best I could between the book and the cans.. How do you figure stuff like that?

Gina

[janiej]

Gina

Good job of not "backing out". Wish I could help you with the WW, but I am not on that program. I'm sure
spray will have good help for you.
But you took the first step, and that's great !!!

Free- Sounds like you have a new "freind" with that bike. Wish I could learn to love "the thing" like that, but alas - our "relationship" is doomed to "drudgery".

I cheated some today, had leftover pasta for supper, didn't get on "the thing", and just finished a SMALL bowl of ice cream. (Why in the heck would I have ice cream when the temp is 4 degrees outside??)
Happy for you going swimming. That is my very favorite exercise, along with walking- OUTDOORS.
Our local YMCA has had pool problems all winter, so it has been closed. We live in a small community, and there are no public pools other than that for over 40 miles, so no swimming this winter. Do a lap or 2 for me !!

I don't feel comfortable giving you advice on the heart rate thing. I think I told you I have had bypass surgery, and the Dr. has me at 80 resting, and between 120 - 130 at peak exercise. But that is ME, and I think everyone is different. So be careful, and maybe look something up on the net or talk to a Dr. or nurse if you have access to one without too much trouble.

Going to bed early tonite, have a big day tomorrow.
Probably won't get home til late. Good luck with your weigh-in, and remember you said you wouldn't be too disappointed if no loss. (You may have even gained since you're becoming such a "body builder" now
Everyone keep up the good work. Guess the others have "left us" on our own !! But WE CAN DO IT !!!!!
janie

[kmedsker]

Hello everyone!
Just got back from our early morning work out. I feel so good! 30 minutes on the stair stepper and a firmer behind.

Gina - WHen I joined WW a few weeks ago they handed out 2 weeks free trial membership to the e-tools website weight watchers has. If you can get your hands on one, or pay the money to access that part of their website you can enter recipes and it will calculate the points per serving for you. You can even adjust the ingredients, like using fat-free sour cream instead of regular to see what the difference is. And it gives you access to most restaurants point listing so you know exactly how much that salad with fried chicken is! I love WW and I'm sure you will too!

Free - I'm with Janie. Not sure what your resting heart rate should be but I agree with her. It's probably something you can find on the web! There's probably a simple calculation using your age and weight, etc. Good luck!

Janie - I was thinking about PM'ing some of the earlier posters to see how they are doing. What do you think?
My sister has been here for the last week. We have been going to lunch almost every day with my mother. It doesn't make for easy healthy eating, that's for sure. I"m so glad she's here, but I"m looking forward to her leaving Sunday so I can get back into my regular eating habits. The sucky thing that is happening is my kids are leaving today for their Dad's until school is out. Now I become the weekend parent. It's hard for me not to crawl into bed until June so I really need all your positive energy!!!!

Thanks for all your words for encouragement!
Kayla

[janiej]

kmedsker
If you want to PM the others, I see no harm. They may have all "fallen off" the wagon, maybe you could reassure them that we all have at some point too and we welcome them to come back.
I know what you mean about all the eating out. Hubby and I have been doing that too the last few weeks, and even though we try to go to places with "healthy" stuff, and salad bars and such, there are just too many "temptations" there. ( and I am about as "weak-willed as it gets.!!)
Going to try to eat only at home for the next few weeks (although I do have a few luncheons I HAVE to attend, but will eat ONLY off menu, not even LOOK at the "goodies" )
I do much better that way, because I refuse to have all that "stuff" in my house. (Poor hubby has some "stashed away", I know he does. But he is good about not letting me find it -hahhaha

Free- where are you ?? You said "Friday" was step on the scale day after you "peed".
Now it's Saturday and haven't heard from you.
Did you "pee" yet ???
Come on, share with us. We'll still love ya no matter what !!
Try to stay busy those 7 days off. How is your weather lately ? We are actually going to get to 35 tomorrow, ahhh - will be like a summer day !!!!
Might be able to walk outside, sure hope so !!

Gina - hope your mind isn't boggled with all those "points". Are you doing any kind of exercise along with it??

Come on girls. We have come through 4 weeks of this thing together. WE CAN DO IT !!!!!!
janie

[Free_to_be_me]

Well, it is Saturday. I took yesterday off of exercising. I had just done 7 days in a row, so I feel okay about it. I still need to do something today. I don't know what, though...

I stepped on the scale and it was up 2 pounds. I'm not really worried about it. I know the losses will come. I am going to keep working on exercising while I am not working and when I start my next work week I will seriously start paying very close attention to what I am eating.

The weather is pretty chilly: -30 at nights, a little warmer during the days, but not above zero. The good news is that we are up to 6 hour days now and gaining about 45 minutes/ week. (at winter solstice we have about 3 or 3 1/2 hours of daylight and build up to 24 hours of daylight from the end of May until late July)

I am planning on going to the ceramics studio several times this week (I am taking a class at the University) so that should keep me fairly busy and out of my kitchen.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend.