Posts: 1,452
1/24/11 1:54 A

Pounds lost: 3.0

0 2.625 5.25 7.875

10.5

Posts: 1,134
1/23/11 10:57 A

Posts: 5,605
1/23/11 10:12 A

Love the visual I just got!

current weight: 136.2

213 193.8 174.6 155.4

136.2

SparkPoints: (249,377)
Fitness Minutes: (198,439)
Posts: 35,862
1/23/11 10:01 A

but it IS alot!! think of it this way. a pound of butter is 4 sticks. when anyone says to me...i ONLY lost 1/4 pound i say..thats HUGE!! its an entire stick of butter gone off you somewhere!! where do you want that hanging? under your chin, on your belly in side of your thigh..hanging off your upper arm? seriously!!
You start thinking of your weightloss in terms of butter and you will see just how very WELL you have done!!

Pounds lost: 63.5

0 40.75 81.5 122.25

163

Posts: 1,134
1/23/11 9:54 A

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and ideas! I guess I shouldn't feel so bad that it hasn't been much considering the time. I see my Dr. on Tuesday and she is checking up on me to see how I'm doing. Perhaps I have the jitters. I will definitely keep in mind your advice and keep at it!! Thank you again!

Posts: 3,759
1/23/11 12:34 A

&

on losing 9 pounds!

Losing a 1/2 week is great! Losing slowly helps to build healthier habits along the way to help keep the weight off.

Keep in mind that the lower your weight gets the longer it takes but it will come off eventually.

Here are some SP articles to help point you in the right direction. You may have to copy and paste.

BMR Calculator
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=385

Healthy Carb, Fat and Protein Ranges
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=372

These 2 articles should give you an idea of how the calories are divided up in your nutrition tracker.

Remember to drink at least 8 8oz glasses of water daily. Portion control is very important too. I find using all the trackers really helps (nutrition, fitness, any goals). I use the goal tracker as a checklist to make sure I'm doing what I set out to do.

You can do this! If you need more help, don't hesitate to ask.

Pounds lost: 74.0

0 32.75 65.5 98.25

131

Posts: 1,373
1/22/11 12:38 P

1 - Click in to your fitness and weight loss goals every couple weeks, even if you don't change anything.

It may seem counterintuitive, but if you've increased your exercise you have very likely put on muscle and will need to eat MORE in order to lose weight. Clicking into the goal pages will prompt the nutrition tracker to adjust your daily calories accordingly. Worked for me every time I felt like I'd hit a "plateau."

2 - Exercise less.

I know. Also pretty counterintuitive. But it can help.

I really, truly hate most exercise. Getting me to go do it is like having to poke myself with a pointy stick to goad myself into going. So, instead of shooting for a 30 minute workout, I shoot for 10 to 15 minutes. This is an amount that I can manage without feeling miserable.

So, if you're having trouble with the exercise thing, it may help to try to shoot for less time on a more consistent basis instead of trying to make yourself go for longer periods and then dreading it.

3 - Track, track, track, track ....

Not just food and calories, but also activity. I learned way back when I was doing Weight Watchers to track EVERY physical activity I did. Housework. Gardening. Yard work. Shopping. Playing with the kids/pets. You name it. It all adds up, so make sure you track it!

Posts: 5,605
1/22/11 9:03 A

1/2 lb a week is great!

One thing I have learned - however you lose the weight that is what you need to continue to do to keep it off. If you are feeling satisfied with how you are eating and your exercise program - then know that you are having a great weight loss.

Think of how your new habits will stick so much better.

current weight: 136.2

213 193.8 174.6 155.4

136.2

SparkPoints: (47,396)
Fitness Minutes: (28,438)
Posts: 4,161
1/22/11 8:14 A

and . You ARE doing it.

Track your food and join the challenges!
Deena

Edited by: SEDONACAT at: 1/22/2011 (08:14)

Posts: 1,290
1/22/11 8:00 A

If you're not already tracking, you might want to start. Make sure you're measuring and inputting your portion sizes properly.

Wear a heart rate monitor and make sure your exercise is intense enough for your fitness level.

However, I have to say that losing a half pound a week, especially through the holidays, is amazing!

current weight: 147.4

147.44 143.08 138.72 134.36

130

SparkPoints: (90,393)
Fitness Minutes: (68,948)
Posts: 2,215
1/21/11 10:41 P

Pounds lost: 22.0

0 13.75 27.5 41.25

55

Posts: 1,452
1/21/11 8:30 P

Use the trackers. I have been here for a year and only lost 2 pounds last year. This is a new year for me. Way to Go!!! You are doing an awesome job.

Pounds lost: 3.0

0 2.625 5.25 7.875

10.5

SparkPoints: (108,683)
Fitness Minutes: (42,664)
Posts: 10,563
1/21/11 7:44 P

The slower the more chance of the weight satying off.....great loss of 9lb's...now comes the perseverance and patience.....

Pounds lost: 15.0

0 6 12 18

24

SparkPoints: (249,377)
Fitness Minutes: (198,439)
Posts: 35,862
1/21/11 7:21 P

A half pound a week is GREAT!!! and it will STAY off, unlike huge fast losses!!

Pounds lost: 63.5

0 40.75 81.5 122.25

163

Posts: 15,199
1/21/11 7:12 P

Congratulations on the 9lb weight loss.
I agree with SMILE2HAPPINESS - but would add that a slow weight loss isn't a problem - it is more likely to be permanent!!

142,841 SparkPoints

Posts: 2,058
1/21/11 7:01 P

1. Get plenty of water throughout the day. Don't just drink all of your water within the span of 2hrs! Drink more than the 8oz.
2. Start out small with the exercise and then gradually build your way up.
3. Portion control, not deprivation (track if you can)
4. Keep a schedule

Posts: 1,134
1/21/11 6:51 P

Hi All! I'm new to the team! I started in October and have lost a whopping 9 pounds since. I'm happy about the loss but I think I should be able to do more than about a 1/2 pound a week. I have been staying fairly consistent with my caloric intake - trying to do better about the exercising. Is there anything any of you thought was particularly helpful when you started out? Thanks very much!