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NITEMAN3D
11/15/06 10:09 A
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I was starting to feel ragged out all the time and deprived as well, so I backed off and regrouped. I've put myself in an intentional plateau to get through the winter without any gains and then wait for the spring yahoo feeling to carry me over the last ten or twenty pounds when I make up my mind where I want to land.
I feel so much better and I'm having no problem staying around my limit and getting exercise, albeit more food and a little less exercise. The big thing was that I was screwing up my back. That scared me because having it go out completely could set me back big time, so I've decided to baby me a little and conserve what I've accomplished instead of continuing to push and risk it all. This also gives me the chance to haunt the Doctor's office and clear up the medical questions I've been avoiding for the last year or so as well.
Anyway, the new near maintenance routine I've been doing for the last month or so is working out really well. I was afraid I'd get sloppy and start slipping, but so far I've respected the new boundaries and haven't gained any weight and still work out every day, even though not as hard or quite as long. Hope everybody else is doing well and getting ready for the Holiday challenge.
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| Fell off a few times. Keep getting up.
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CS_SPARKS
8/13/06 10:04 P
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| Friday and Saturday I started eating in the evening and didnt stop till I was close to 2800 cal. gained 5 lbs in two days. Recalced the minimum and I had been below for about 6 days. Which is proabably why I dropped 3 pounds. I've never been famished like that. Once I started I just kept at it. oddly It was very well balanced. I did much better today only 16 over the new max, and I feel good. Restart the excersize tomorrow
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| Hmmm does eating half a Chicago style pizza loaded with pepperoni and double cheese and two 24 oz pepsis constitue off the wagon? Im thinking that one meal last night was over 1800 cals!
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Welcome back Bob and congrats on not letting it go too far. Although I don't think I'll turn into a runner, I actually ran all out this morning for a minute or so and I've got to tell you that it really felt good. Very empowering. I don't think I've run like that since my twenties. I've been doing some moderate running in intervals to keep the heart rate up on walks, but that's the first really intensive blast. Felt just great. I'm looking for more intensity to get my calorie burn up in the same time frame I've been using and some harder running in intervals will do the trick. I doubt the old knees will permit a lot of it, but some limited amount is now on the agenda for sure. Hang in there and good luck!
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| Been avoiding this site for some time now.....I started this string back in April I think. I'm now up to 211! I've started running again, committed myself to a half marathon in Oct and a full marathon in Feb. so I HAVE to exercise if I want to finish and survive! Been avoiding fruits and veggies too but have been doing better lately. Being healthy requires sooo much discipline! It's easier to eat what you want and drink beer when you want. Unfortunatly, I ain't 20 anymore! But, like I said, I'm back on my training program. Will run a easy 3 miler today and a 5 mile tempo run tomorrow. I will reach my goal!!!!
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CHRIS.CORRADO
5/27/06 6:16 P
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| Thanks Heather - yeah, Memorial Day, doing better today though, I've still got a shot at staying w/in my limit.
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VERNONHEATHER
5/27/06 1:06 P
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Hey Chris - isn't it Memorial Day weekend for you guys? That's a rough one, I went "off the radar" for ours last weekend (Victoria Day long weekend). Good luck, and remember your motivation.
Heather
PS I was about 600 calories over on my limit last night too. . . I'm adding another 1/2mi to my swim today, if my body will let me.
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Way to go on the two pounds Fred! Just keep doing what you're doing.
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CHRIS.CORRADO
5/26/06 9:56 P
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| well i'm off to a bad start for the weekend already - 600 calories over my limit today.
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Well I have a funny story to tell about my plateau. I have a scale that is in kilograms, not pounds, and I really don't have an intuitive feeling for the numbers (I can't do a quick mental check). So I thought I was in a plateau but when I finally did the calculation (kilos times 2.2), I ended up losing 2.1 pounds last week. So I'm just keepin' on truckin' here and dong well. Thanks to all of you for your support.
FATFRED
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Lee,
Ease your way back into it. Don't try to do too much if you have injuries, especially when you're carrying too much weight. Several short sessions of whatever walking you can do, maybe some dumbbell work, isometrics, stretches and anything else you can think of that doesn't hurt. Do several ten minute sessions a day, slowly working your way up to harder exercises and longer times over a period of months. That way, hopefully no more injury.
As far as the soda goes, are you talking regular soda or diet? If you can get yourself weaned onto things like Fruit 2-O, Wal Mart's 'Clear American', Diet Rite (assorted flavors) and other low sodium no calorie soft drinks, you can still have them and be healthy too. Good luck. Hope you're back to 100% soon!
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LOSINGIT61
5/19/06 4:27 P
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| Well, I've been way off the wagon lately too. Its actually been about 2 and half weeks of no exercise. I've been having health problems but have decided to go right through em as much as I can. I'm going to try to get back on the exercise wagon tonight. Can't do alot with the pains in my legs and feet, but I'm going to do my best. For the past 4 days I've been drinking soft drinks like there going out of style. I'm going to do my best to get back to where I was. I'm pretty sure that I've gained most if not all of my weight back. So all I can do is go forward from here. Good luck to everyone else.
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PACKERMAN
5/19/06 10:37 A
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Fred, Don't fret, the plateau will be breached. Sometimes it just takes an extra week or so. Just do't give up. It's worth it in the long run.
Heather, I was worried about you for a second there. Thank goodness you're back to normal. You changed your picture?
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Well guys and girls, I do appreciate your thoughts on this matter. Plateaus remain a vexing thing for me and I can guess what the problem is. I have become more impatient about weight loss lately. I have been gaining and losing weight for 52 years now (tried to lose weight first at age 8) and was actually at my goal weight 16 years ago. I don't want my headstone to read "Here lies FATFRED, met a plateau that he couldn't breach".
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VERNONHEATHER
5/18/06 6:10 P
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Nicely put Niteman, and I'll add my two cents too. I'm finding my actual weight loss is incredibly slow, especially compared to some of the guys on here - BUT I am finding improvements elsewhere, and that's starting to rub off on my self confidence too. Maybe look outside the 'box' (ie. scale) to see how your changes have affected your life in other positive ways.
Sorry for the touchy feely moment . . . back to farting and drinking.
Heather
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Fred,
Staying at the top of your calorie range won't stop weight loss all by itself. If it would, I'd have never lost a pound. It's a rare day when I'm much under my top number. Do you have a good scale to measure what you eat? The things I would think of immediately that might be stopping you would be that (not keeping accurate track), not enough exercise, or both. Using a scale and tracking absolutely everything you put in your body are sure ways to know you're good in that department. Have you re-done your profile lately to make sure your calorie range is correct and that you're getting enough activity? Getting enough sleep? Do a search in the articles for plateaus and stalls and see what that comes up with.
Just remember that if you're staying the same or losing even a little bit, you're making progress. Don't beat yourself up over progress, even if it's slow. One step back and two steps forward is a good thing. Keep up the good fight!
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My point about plateaus is that this is a pretty kind word for not following the diet. When I still have 75 pounds to lose and I hit a plateau, it is like 98% sure that I have been wandering off the diet. I am hitting a plateau right now this week and when I look at what I have eaten, I have been pressing the diet - going up to the max on what I am allowed and maybe worse by taking bigger portions than I should. Then I plateau and get pretty depressed that I went another week without losing any weight when I still have so much more to lose. This getting depressed is a bad emotion that leads me to overeat and there you have it.
FATFRED
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I didn't mean I was gonna' stay put, but if I do hit a plateau that lasts for a while, I don't see any discouragement in my future because of it. In fact, we all have to stop somewhere and we need to have our heads ready for that day, because I imagine it's going to be even harder to "just" maintain, since you won't have the reward of seeing the pounds drop off at that point.
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PACKERMAN
5/17/06 12:58 P
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| I have to agree. I'd rather stay put than gain it back, but I still have a few more to go. When I hit the 20 that I was my initial goal, I'll be OK with just staying there.
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CHRIS.CORRADO
5/17/06 11:31 A
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| Absolutley - I feel the same way, while I would be disapointed not to loase any additional wait I would rather stay were I am then continue to gain!
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Fred,
I agree that there was a time that I felt that way about plateaus, but not anymore. I'd be willing to level out at 215 and stay there till I die rather than give up and go back to 270 and above. I can now see my toes without sitting down, I can actually run for a little bit (in spite of the arthritis) and I can take a deep breath. For me at this point, there's no going back. I might get stuck, but that's gonna be the worst of it at this point, barring an inability to ever work out again due to some physical problem. I'm in the habit of exercising and I've come to like it again. I'm gonna stay there. I think you'll find a lot of people here that feel like that now. Subtract five calories a day and do one more minute of exercise every day and soon you'll feel the same way. I'll soon be sixty and I don't have that many years left even in good health. I'm done subtracting from what time I have left. Time to try adding some back on.
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That which does not destroy me, makes me stronger.
I've had the same experience with the plateau, but I'm going to get through this one.
Thanks,
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Greg,
Thanks for that; I signed on. I think we all have been dieting for so long and for so many times it is just an exhausting topic, huh? A plateau is a serious worry for me. My experience with plateaus is that they are the first stage of giving up and getting another weight gain.
Crack into it man!
By the way, what is your quote in English?
Fred
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PACKERMAN
5/16/06 11:07 A
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Fred, When you set up your member profile you can add the BW, CW, and GW, along with any sayings or phrases in the signature block. All you have to do is click on someone's "my profile" block and at the bottom of the page it lets you set up your own profile.
I had a pretty good weekend. I was at a soccer tournament with my son, so I didn't have the chance to cheat. I even cut down on the beer.
Every Sunday night I vow to myself to do better, I've plateau'd, but mainly because I cheat too much. I need to stop cheating so I can get the loss going again.
Gregg
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Dear NITEMAN,
Thanks for the response. I added that name for myself because I have this terrible way of pretending that I am not fat, and then I try my hardest not to look in mirrors or even shop fronts. What a pathetic thing. So I am forcing myself to face reality. Can you tell me hos you add that thing to the end of your e-mails: the BW, CW and GW? Thanks for the encouragement.
Fred
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Yeah Fred, it's for real. I can't hardly believe it myself, but thanks to Spark People, it's the real thing. You know, if you stick around here about a year or so, you'll have to change your name? If you want to see more guys who are just as successful as me at losing, go to your Spark Points page and then click on groups and find the "One For The Guys" group. Join the group and visit the forum, you'll see what I mean. If really is just a matter of doing what Spark People tells you to do and sticking with it. It really does work! Best of luck to you.
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Hey Niteman, you are really doin' well on your loss. Is that loss for real?
FATFRED
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Hey Niteman, you are really doin' well on your loss. Is that loss for real?
FATFRED
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CHRIS.CORRADO
5/15/06 12:01 P
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| This weekend was not to good, Saturday to few calories then Sunday to many and very little water. I did get some decent exercise in.
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| Anyone else have a thing where Sunday night is the night you decide to start fresh? I can't count how many sunday's i've pledged to improve my following week. At least I'm starting somewhere though, right?
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VERNONHEATHER
5/14/06 9:06 P
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Slipped a bit today, and I was having such a good week. Ugh. . .Basically I'm writing this post to remind myself when I'm craving in the future. McDonald's fries NOT a comfort food Heather. McDonald's icecream NOT a comfort food. That gross heavy feeling you have right now - not a comfort.
BUT I can't let the guilt get me either, then it's just a vicious cycle. So I came home, did my ab work and now I'm reading some more motivation articles.
Good luck y'all,
Heather
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CHRIS.CORRADO
5/14/06 8:02 P
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| I agree, eaiser to make a quick recovery this way, w/low carb it's a week or more to get back in line once you get off track. low carb is a hard life.
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I did low carb for about ten years with varying degrees of success and failure. I think the problem with it is when you start to cheat. You end up with too many carbs and you're still sucking down the fat like candy too. I find that what I'm doing now is a more safe way to do it even when I go over on calories a little, it's usually better kinds of calories and now I'm more centered on overall fitness as well.
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CHRIS.CORRADO
5/14/06 4:45 P
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| I did atkins for 3 years and saw great results - 60 lbs, but long term hard to live that way. Anyway, I was doing well as of yesterday, today was bad - one Mother's Day event to another - I am already 400 calories over my limit and have to go out to dinner now - I have drank only 2 cups of water, this is awful!
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Hey man, we all know what that's like. I've been on and off atkins for 2 years like a yoyo. For me, falling of the wagon comes from some kind of anger and resentment, usually from disappointment that my diet is at a standstill. With no results, it is just the pain, and no gain. So pick yourself up and hit it again. Have reasonable goals for yourself. It is nice to see you writing about it
FATFRED
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| off the wagon for 2 solid weeks.. This is the typical trip off the wagon for me, where i'll pretty much cancel out whatever i accomplished. However, in the past i've just continued being off the wagon, but with the help of spark, i'll dust myself off and try again.
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| I'll have to give it a try. never looked at it quite that way before. Thanks.
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| PACKERMAN: Here is a trick I've used. Next time you are in that situation, think of Brett Favre. Would Brett eat that meal on game day? No! You are an athlete-in-training. "Gotta watch the carbs and calories." For us, every day is game day because we are "playing" for our lives. You can do it. If you are not a Favre fan, insert Reggie White. Also, when presented with that kind of food -- spin it to be as healthy as possible. Gonna have a brat? Drop the bun. Gonna have a beer, make it a Lite. Instead of deviled eggs, grab some veggies (no dip).
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CHRIS.CORRADO
5/8/06 10:06 A
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| Started to get back on track Saturday, did over an hour of cardio, then had a party at my house that afternoon - same thing, to much to drink and eat - back on track yesterday & today so far - starting a new streak.
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| Had a cookout with some people from work yesterday. Too many goodies. All the snacks and beer, and bratwurst, and desserts. I only tasted my wife's dessert, and fortunately I got a little exercise before the cookout. But beer and brats are a huge weakness. My Sunday night saying"... I start eating good again tomorrow..."
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LOSINGIT61
5/6/06 10:07 P
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LOSINGIT61
5/6/06 10:05 P
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| Well said Tallen13, it did feel good when I got under 300 pounds. I did it and so can you. Have a great night.
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HERE HERE TALLEN13
I agree with you and clearly on your team
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CHRIS.CORRADO
5/5/06 9:37 P
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| yeah - i'm not having a good day at all, when I don't work out in the morning I don't drink enough water and the rest of the day falls apart - almost 1500 calories at dinner because I had a crappy lunch and was starving. . . it's like a bad golf shot, you know it's starting off bad on the backswing but instead of stopping, steping back ad starting over you just try and adjust on the fly - and that never works. . .
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(Applause)
Tallen, I'll listen to those type of soapbox speeches any time. I hope you continue to work your way down. Keep it up !!
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[BEGIN SOAPBOX]
First off, let me just say, I know what you mean. For years I told myself, "I'll start eating right . . . tomorrow". Or, "one last KitKat".
Second, I totally agree. It can be difficult to balance eating right with enjoying life. At first, I would reward myself with a Hershey Nugget every night if I ate healthy (or at least not really bad). Now, I reward myself with losing weight. The euphoria I receive every two weeks far exceeds the fleeting joy of chocolate.
Third, LOSINGIT61: I've weighed over 300 for at least six years. I never weighed myself so I don't even know when I crossed that line. From your signature, I can see that you went under that line into the Land of 200's. How good of a feeling was that? I am SOOOO looking forward to leaving the 300's. You can do it. You post regularly and you have the ability to acheive your goals. Think small steps -- literally. Think Forrest Gump - run (or walk) to your mailbox and see what happens next.
Finally, we are men. No, we are MEN! Are we going to let fat beat us? NO! So remember, we are in this together. Together, we shall overcome.
[END SOAPBOX]
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| Man oh man, I've fallen off the wagon and rolling down a great big ole hill. I've started losing my enthusiasm for weightloss and exercise. I'm off today so hopefully I will push myself to start exercising again and watching what I eat.
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Good point on the planned rest stops. I actually do a lot of that myself. I always figured the more i enjoyed the diet the more likely i will stick with it and make it work.
Planning the "bad days" always helps a bit onthe diet days, and for me at least helps me keep it in focus.
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| I've gone back and forth so many years that I'm really happy just to not gain any back. I still have about 15 to go, but I have time.
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| I've been pretty lucky.. I'd been losing about 2lbs a wk. Now that I'm at 180, and want to lose ten more, it's coming off slower... maybe 1lb a wk. that's fine with me though. one pound gone is one pound gone!
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I go back and forth. I'm shooting for a pound a week, and I've been doing OK for the most part. I want it to come slowly so I don't gain it all rith back like so many times before.
My weekends are my indulge time. When I did weightwatchers pionts, I used all my extra points on the weekend, so I still kind of use that same philosophy.
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CHRIS.CORRADO
5/2/06 8:33 A
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| I haven't formed a routine yet, so nothing to take a break from - maybe after a 3 or 4 consecutive weeks of progress - I did 2 lb's last week, would like to see another 2 this week - I haven't been below 180 for about a year and kind of looking forward to it.
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"planned rest stops" what a great idea!
My problem the past couple of weeks, though stress related, is eating too much in the evening... after dinner I just want to keep eating! mostly I'm craving junk... comfort food. Hopefully the stress will ease up a bit.
my other problem time is week ends... I do great all week long, then the week end gets here and I kind of blow it. I've been doing better, but I really have to work at it.
a friend of mine told me he watches what he eats all week, does really well, works out, etc.. then allows himself to eat more, and be a little freer with what he eats on the week ends. So I guess if it works for him, it should well work for me as long I watch the junk food intake.
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| My weekends are usually my planned rest stops. I know I'll splurge, but I'm still aware of what I'm doing. Being able to come here helps too, I can kick myself and then get over it and back on track.
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LOSINGIT61
4/29/06 10:46 P
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| Well, I've definitely hit one of those rest stops, and its not going to be a very good one. For the last couple of days I've ate and ate and ate. I've averaged drinking a 2 liter of coke a day, and I'm sure the scales will show it. Thank goodness I have this site. Because if I didn't I would say I've blown it so why bother. But now I'm saying get off your butt and get back in the game. Thanks guys, you've all inspired me very much. Have a great night. Tomorrow's a new day.
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VERNONHEATHER
4/28/06 8:48 P
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SamsDad - I think that's a great way to look at the SP philosophy. Rest stops on the wagon trail are useful, and needed.
I also think that planned "rest stops" are even more right that unscheduled splurges, because you're able to consider your options and stuff. (How can you tell I'm a planned 'binger'?)
Heather
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I was in the market today and they had a special on dry cured NY strip steaks. My favorite grill steak. So I decide I'll hop off the wagon this weekend. I hardly eat steak so hey, I've been doing good and we all need to enjoy life.
Wagons are for getting somewhere but like any road trip, rest stops have their place.
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falling off the wagon happens. the difference between the guys lounge and the men's lounge is the men don't give up when it happens
that's my crazy .02
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PACKERMAN
4/28/06 11:10 A
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ARRGH !!!!!
I'm up two pounds this week. I know it's my own fault, someone brought in a bunch of Christmas and Easter Chocolate and left it in the break room. I don't normally eat sweets, Salty is my weakness, but I ate them. And ate them, and ate them.... I feel disgusting.
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LOSINGIT61
4/11/06 11:50 A
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| No problem ya'll. Thats what were here for.
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Thanks for the post, gents. That's why I'm getting keen to this site. Weekends are getting tough now spring is here. The outdoor social life increases, so does the eating.
It's amazing what a few days from exercise does to the mental aspect.
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| Thanks for the support guys. My weigh-in was plus 1.5 pounds. Did some serious eating! I'll get back on track with no problem. I was just feeling a little depressed yesterday, that's why I posted. Thanks again for your support.
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| There's all kinds of obstacles/setbacks we face everyday. Keep pressing forward and you'll be just fine. Have a great day.
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| Just remember the success you have had by following the program and get back on board as soon as possible.
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| dont worry about it, it happens to us all. it happened to me yesterday, but as long as you get back on the wagon and keep trying things will work out.
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Bob,
Make sure you aren't too hard on yourself. Remember that the basis of SP is to live a healthy, but REALISTIC lifestyle. All of us have a day/weekend/week like you just had. Chances are that it's not as bad of damage as you think. You'll be back at this week and work a little harder.
matt
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| I'm not looking forward to weigh-in tomorrow. It started Wednesday when a business trip took me to Miami. The reps in that area are latino so I ate at Cuban and Argentinian restaurants. I never knew plantain tasted so good! I tried to eat healthy and proportionately but just like any addict, I gave in. It didn't stop there. This weekend was our family's monthly camp-out with our Coachmen camping club. I normally show restraint during these outings but the binge continued. We went to eat at a country cooking all you can eat buffett, twice! I kept telling myself that I'll get back on track Monday and kept eating. I have days like this every now and then but this lasted for 5 days! I will get back on track and on my exercise program (I haven't exercised in 5 days also!) but it is so depressing to give in to these urges.
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