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1/20/12 10:54 A

Thanks Stacy! I'll give that a try. I've got about 3 weeks and another inch to lose.

Carioca, I spent the last few years having a problem with binging... it was tough, I would have half a bag (family size) of doritos gone before I even realized the bag was in my hand. I definitely treated stress with food. I've found that the best thing for me is finding other ways to reward myself or give myself a mental boost. Now if I'm stressed out or angry at myself for weighing a half pound more than I did yesterday or something, I find something else that makes me feel good instead of food... like pulling up an episode of my favorite tv show online or calling a friend. It was also tough not to say "woo hoo! I've been good about my diet this week, I'll have mac and cheese for dinner!" It's good to feel like you deserve a reward... because this is tough! Yes, we'll get the payoff of looking and feeling good in the end, but a little instant gratification is nice too... and food has always been my go-to instant gratification. Now, instead of food, I buy myself flowers! My local flower shop gets their shipment on Saturdays, so they sell their flowers for half-price on Fridays. So, on Friday, if I've been good all week, I get a beautiful bouquet for about 10 bucks and put it in my room... where I get to enjoy it all week... and every time I see it it reminds me that I'm doing good! A burger, on the other hand, would make me feel good for about ten minutes, and then I'd hate myself for eating the burger, and then I'd eat another burger because I eat when I feel guilty... and then I'd gain back any weight I'd lost. It was tough to make the change... but now I enjoy the flowers more than I've ever enjoyed a burger! The biggest way I got over my binging was to stop thinking of food in terms of "I deserve this because I've had a bad day" or "it's just a treat" or "well I already failed so I might as well eat more". Also, as far as the diet/lifestyle change thing... thinking about it like that made it hard for me too. Instead of thinking "I'm making a lifestyle change" I thought about it more like "I've made a lifestyle change". That takes the failure right out of it. Just because you haven't lost the weight yet doesn't mean you haven't started an exercise schedule or keeping healthy food around. The change is already made... you just haven't reaped the reward yet. If you think about binging as changing BACK to your old lifestyle instead of thinking about it as a snag on the way to making the change... it suddenly gets less appealing to swing through the drive through.

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1/19/12 11:04 P

Hi everyone, I would love to join this group. I hope it's not too late. In the last 16 years it seems like I've been on many diets. I loose weight but I always gain it all back and more after. I'm perfectionist with myself and whenever I fail, I end up binging and loosing the momentum. I understand this need to be a lifestyle change and not a diet, but sometimes I have a hard time acting on it. I really need some support to keep me accountable. Good luck everyone.

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1/19/12 9:47 P

SMRTBLONDE77 - Since the clock is ticking so loud for you right now for your job... Have you tried anything along the lines of the flat belly diet or the Eat Clean program by Tosca Reno? Both of those seem to have good results particularly with dealing w/ getting rid of bloat. I've done Eat Clean in the past and am doing a modified version of it now and have lost 1.5" in my waist in 2.5 weeks. All my other measurements are still the same, but major waist change for such a short amount of time. I don't know where exactly you're at, but it's worth checking out. It's also a pretty inspiring read.

Posts: 2,819
1/18/12 5:39 P

oh weight gaining medications ugh!.. Know what you are talking about there, I have just come off insulin which made me pack on 90 pounds before I could get myself off it. And it is sure harder getting it off than it was when it arrived!

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1/18/12 10:27 A

Nope... I'm switching between Turbo class, weight lifting, and running... and pretty much eating grilled chicken and fruits and veggies... I don't even LIKE dressing on my salad... I think I just have a year of medications that are infamous for weight gain under my belt and genes that are against me. But I'm feeling better today and I'm going to keep trying to beat this. Thanks for the support!

Posts: 2,819
1/17/12 6:28 P

SMRTBLONDE77- Are you doing the same type of work outs all the time? Usually if you switch your work out routines, it helps the weight or inches to move again. Most exercise gurus reccommend doing different things on alternating days, like small weights one day and the next day do another form of exercise, walking, biking ...

Sometimes a food may be healthy but makes you retain water weight, or is healthy but heavier in calories, so you have to watch your portions and choices. Also if you are using salad dressings watch the amount you use. A sensible salad can become a calorie ladened disaster with some of the salad dressings on the market.

Thos are the two things that come to the top of my mind. You could try drinking water with lemon juice in it, that helps as a duretic to get water weight off.

DIZZYDILLY1- I posted the addie on your spark page.

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1/17/12 10:33 A

Ok, I'm having kind of a down day and I could really use some moral support. My workout didn't go the way I wanted it to go yesterday, and I'm not losing any weight even though I'm being super good about working out and tracking what I eat (which is all healthy). As I said before, I'm going to be fired in a month if I haven't lost two inches off my waist, and since I just moved here, that's making it really hard to make friends. If I get invited to do anything by anyone in my office, I feel like my choices are to be anti-social and say "no", or to go to lunch or dinner and then be judged for every bite I put in my mouth. If I was actually losing weight I could deal with all of this, but I'm working so hard and getting nowhere. Help!!!

Posts: 189
1/10/12 12:15 P

Thanks TRETRA. I did get a boost of energy and felt very good for not caving into the chocolate craving.
BEAR where is the "lets sparkle together". I cannot seem to find it.

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1/10/12 11:53 A

i see you found it

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1/9/12 10:24 P

Aw, Dizzy....hope your day got better! Hope you found someone online when you needed them!

Bear...where is the sparkle page? Is it a team?

Posts: 189
1/9/12 5:04 P

Okay, so I'm struggling today. Back at work and there is so much drama here. It is at this time that I usually sit and my desk and eat that comfort food but I am trying very hard not too. It is frowned upon to use the internet on work time but I needed to put how I feel down and what better place to ask for good thoughts and support than from my fellow sparkers.
So I have got myself a glass of water with lemon and 1/2 an apple and I am going to plug along for the last hour.
Thanks for listening.
Hope everyone is doing well.

Pounds lost: 7.0

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1/9/12 2:56 P

aha! LOL I was trying to find out whoio had joined LOL thanks glad you like the idea

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1/9/12 12:54 P

Great idea for the 'buddies' Bear! much better than just 1 thread here. I just joined

current weight: 233.0

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1/9/12 12:24 P

Arie! good for you for getting back on the band wagon! It really can be tough sometimes, just have get up brush ourselves off and jhump back on!

SMRTBLONDE77 - It is good that you tried that restaurant s food, and even better than you threw it away without eating it when you found you didnt think it was good! One of the down falls for a lot of people is eating it anyways, whether it is good or not. So now you know the place doesn t have such good foods and you wont be tempted by it again! Bonus!

Kay - you sound like you are doing ok! Just because you like that greek yogurt and honey, watch how much you have! I am sure you will do fine!

I am doing ok. I have been filling in some time with making a new site over the last few days I called it let's sparkle together! if anyone wants to join it for more support. It took away some urges I ve had to break, so that is good.

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1/9/12 10:19 A

I think I'm lucky, being new in my city, because I don't know where all the really yummy restaurants are. But there is this Thai place that I pass every time I drive anywhere since it's really close to my house... and I've been jonesing to try it (Thai food is my favorite). Yesterday I broke down and ordered some take-out (shame on me). I took one bite, and it was not as great as I hoped it would be. Instead of eating it anyway, I threw it out. So now I don't have to feel tortured every time I drive by there! I'm mad at myself for not having the self control to not even try it... but I'm glad that now I don't have that temptation to deal with.

I'm about a third of the way to my doom date (when I get measured and find out if I get to keep my job... it's on Valentine's Day... how mean is that!?) and I really really hope I can keep up my motivation and get those two inches off. I was starting to feel good about the way my pants fit... but then yesterday was laundry day and they all shrunk. Grr...

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1/9/12 5:46 A

You guys, thank you so much for the support !

I've kicked myself back on the wagon. And I've already planned out dinner for the rest of the week. And I'm going to look into some diets to see if I can find anything useful for my lifestyle and health.
Oh, by the way, since we are buds I've taken the freedom to add you all as friends and please just call me Arie ;o)

Posts: 229
1/8/12 7:37 P

Great to see how active this thread is! It sounds like there is a lot of support and some exciting success too. I've had a busy weekend. Cleaned up all the Christmas decorations and got the house back in order. Couple of family things with the kids too. I think I haven't done too bad with the healthy eating and I am on track with 8 straight days of daily exercise!

Bought a load of healthy groceries today and looking forward to a great week. Tasted Greek yogurt with honey....yum.

kay

Posts: 189
1/8/12 6:39 P

Thank you Bear for the reply in the Weigh in thread. I did not see the Need 'buddies" one but I am very pleased to have found it.
Today was a good day. Now just have to get through the evening. I find Sunday nights before I go back to work on Monday to be a challenge as I relax at night and get "snacky".
I wish everyone a successful week.

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1/7/12 11:57 P

Good show for running!

I never was a runner but I was an avid walker. I really miss those days, of walking miles and miles but they are in the past. I will have to be satisfied with my two minute stintson the treadmill.

sorry I misunderstood about the cheese thing...

I m off, so be good and see you lighter!

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1/7/12 10:29 P

A run!! Very nice!! Good for you! I bought some walking videos today. My goal is to run a 10K this year so I'm starting by walking. Plus it's been cold and messy out the past couple of days her (East Coast, Canada). I won't be learning to run outside until at least March. Last year we had know until mid May!! It was awful!!

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1/7/12 8:32 P

Stacy, we just had a mexican luncheon at my workplace too. It was a little tough but I think I did ok. If anyone brings any kind of chicken dish or anything, go for that... skip the tortillas and chips... and go super light on the cheese. Then just eat extra healthy for the rest of the day and make sure you get your workout in! Treat this luncheon as your "treat" for the week.

So I took my boss up on her offer to go running, and I actually surprised myself. It hurt a little bit, but we went two miles! I just went really slow and kept jogging. Then we walked an extra half mile. I've been really good about working out this week, so I'm actually not even that sore from my run! (I might be singing a different tune in the morning). I got a hot water bottle for christmas, and I have been putting it to good use. It's actually helping my muscles stop being sore faster... I definitely recommend getting one!

I'm doing long distance with my fiancee right now... and we only get to see each other once a month... so I'm hoping that means he'll be able to see a difference each time!

Posts: 2,819
1/7/12 7:35 P

hmmmmm post deleting... nope, I dont see how. I know one time I hit edit post and changed the post, but that was in another group...maybe all groups can be set up differently.

Good job to thinking ahead for your work week BUT PLEASE, if I read that post right.... don't skip meals! Thats the worse thing to do! That will just defeat you and cause yo to eventually binge eat.

STACY - just what are you needing help with Cheese? Meat?
I am a cheesaholic myself. There are low fat choices. Laughing Cow puts out a low cal speadable cheese in serving portions. Mini bell also has a few cheese in portion sizes with a wax sort of container to make them portable. There are soy bases cheeses that one of my club memmbers likes but he does say you have to really give it a chance and build a liking for it. There are a few other cheeses in portionate sizes of triangles and strings and also of the calorie reduced variety. Check them out

I also tend to buy havarti, provolone and mozzerella sometimes cheddar as well already sliced.Yes it costs a litttle more but the guess work is eliminated from cheese

Edited by: RICOCHETBEAR at: 1/7/2012 (19:38)

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1/7/12 6:26 P

2 things...

ARIEMH - Take a deep breath and climb back on the wagon. You know we've all been there. The difference is THIS time we're rolling w/ the punches and all proving to ourselves we're worth it! That means you! :)

2nd - Does anyone know how to delete posts? A couple of times now I've clicked the back button after submitting a post and ended up somehow double posting, thus looking like an idiot.

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1/7/12 6:19 P

So, tomorrow night I have a co-worker pot luck mexican dinner thing. This is making me so nervous! I was actually tasked w/ bringing a dessert and I won't torment any of you by telling you about it, but, needless to say, I will not be eating any of it. Dessert has never actually been my problem. It's the meat and cheese. Oh, the cheese! Do any of you ladies have any tips or ideas on the best way to navigate this? I don't want to eat before, so I'm not "tempted" and nibble on some lettuce. I want to partake in the deliciousness. I just need the willpower and self control.

OKBABE, you sound like you are totally ready to tackle next week! Nice!

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1/7/12 6:13 P

So, tomorrow night I have a co-worker pot luck mexican dinner thing. This is making me so nervous! I was actually tasked w/ bringing a dessert and I won't torment any of you by telling you about it, but, needless to say, I will not be eating any of it. Dessert has never actually been my problem. It's the meat and cheese. Oh, the cheese! Do any of you ladies have any tips or ideas on the best way to navigate this? I don't want to eat before, so I'm not "tempted" and nibble on some lettuce. I want to partake in the deliciousness. I just need the willpower and self control.

OKBABE, you sound like you are totally ready to tackle next week! Nice!

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1/7/12 4:00 P

Going back to work this week has brought back some of the bad eating habbits of a stressfull job. Next week I will be more prepaired and I have set some plans in place to make sure I just don't eat while working.

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1/7/12 1:23 P

ariemh - this is why we are all here hon. To support each other, help us pick up ourselves when we fall down.

You will get back on the bandwagon! I have faith that you will.
But what you need to learn from this is ....what triggered you to fall down? When you can figure that out, then you can prepare yourself for the next time.....and there will be a next time. But you will slay that dragon my friend, and move on from there to the next battle to be faced.
You did real well with your first loss, perhaps you sabatoged yourself? Or perhaps your significant other wanted some foods that really entice you, when they ask for or bring special foods around you, They are subconsciously sabotuers as well. Some have a deep fear their mate wont want them anymore if they become smaller....

These triggers are what keep us overweight. They usually are what made us overweight in the first place, in a way.

emotional eating is the base of a lot of triggers. So take a moment to think about what was on your road to make you trip and fall... then pick yourself up again and get back on track. Good luck hon

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1/7/12 11:39 A

I stumbled onto a place on this site that has BMR calculated for you, but I don't remember how I got there. It was a graph that showed how many calories I burned for the day through BMR, then added any physical activity I had tracked for the day. It was all done for me through my tracking. Maybe on the Start page? I'm still getting used to everything here!

Extra workout today, woohoo! Repairman was here right at 8am (when does that happen?) so I was able to do my Turbo Jam. Yay, extra calories burned as I prepare for next Saturday's volleyball tournament.

Pounds lost: 58.0

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75

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Posts: 23
1/7/12 11:20 A

Susie nice one for bringing up BMR (basal metabolic rate) for everyone else who's interested in calorie counting...
BMR = 655 + (9.6 X wt in kg) + (1.8 X ht in cm) - (4.7 X age in years)
Doing the equation you can work out the number of calories you need per day to maintain your current weight. then.. you could work out the number of calories you would need to maintain your ideal weight. Then in an ideal world you would just consume the calories per day for the ideal weight, lose all the excess weight you're carrying and not need a maintenaince plan at goal as your already attuned to eating the right amount.
(as your tracking calories you can still eat treat food as long as it fits into your allotted number of calories per day so no going cold turkey on eating out, chocolate, chips,)You can have anything in moderation
plus from what I remember the BMR is the sitting on your ass all day calorie requirement so if you do any form of exercise you wil burn off the pounds quicker.
If you're interested in rigidly counting calories/weighing/ measuring food then google BMR and you'll find out all the info you need.

Edited by: UKCANUK77 at: 1/7/2012 (11:29)

current weight: 233.0

246 219.25 192.5 165.75

139

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Posts: 474
1/7/12 8:14 A

ARIEMH - dust yourself off and get back up on that wagon! Remember you goals??? Continue to remind yourself of your reasons.....Read them again, if you have to! And if you didn't write them down, do that now!

YOU ARE WORTH THE EFFORT!

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1/7/12 3:07 A

Hi guys, I totally fell off the wagon for the past few days. Bad bad eating went on around here.
I'm too scared to step on the scales.

How have you all been doing.

Ricochetbear is doing really well I see, good for you !

Posts: 2,819
1/5/12 11:13 P

thank you susie!

I post the equation you are talking about or one that is the same idea as you mentioned

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Posts: 6
1/5/12 10:19 P

Great Weigh In yesterday RicochetBear!!! Yay you!!! (hoping these kudos aren't too late)

I went a little over in the calorie department today but managed to get in about 15 minutes of walking the puppy tonight....that is huge for me. I like exercise when I'm doing it, but getting motivated to do it is a HUGE problem!!

I found on my android app tonight the calorie differential report...not understanding it totally but get the general concept. Does anyone know what BMR stands for...it would seem to me it is the total calories you need to consume to maintain your weight, or your goal weight. It seems to low for my current weight. I once had a calorie counting guide that took your current weight and multiplied and divided by certain numbers and came up with the amount daily calories you consume to maintain that weight....and wow...let's not go there.

Anyway, thankful for all of you wonderful sparkers, and hoping I can visit more often. Keep up the good fight!!

Pounds lost: 9.0

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75

SparkPoints: (2,413)
Fitness Minutes: (792)
Posts: 474
1/5/12 9:42 P

Ooooh! Thanks for the tip on the suckers! ...and Stacy!! You are already part of the group!! You joined the same week! Welcome!!

Hope you all had a great day. I didn't get on as often as I like to :( Missed you guys! Lots of catching up to do!!

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Posts: 23
1/5/12 4:38 P

Quick tip for anyone with a sweet tooth I bought some YumEarthOrganics lollipops from Winners, they are only 23 calories each, they have organic brown rice syrup and cane juice and natural flavours, plus they are the BEST lollipops I have ever tried. (the super sour pops selection are amazing) no fat and less than 6g carbs per pop.
If you have a Winners near you they are worth trying.

current weight: 233.0

246 219.25 192.5 165.75

139

Posts: 2,819
1/5/12 3:22 P

thanks prairiekay!
As for digital scales...my weight club bought second hand doctors scales, but before that we had been investigating dogotal scales and the high end one at Sears seemed the best. This was also a couple years ago so I don't anymore if that is the best out there or not.

So many of the home scales do not go over 250 or 300 pounds. That is something else that might figure into which model you do buy no matter where from. You dont want anything that might measure well above what you need. For the simple reason of accuracy. Most scales do not measure accurately if the weight is close to where it stops measuring

good job smrtblnde! It s true , even the way our clothes fit AND if you wear rings! you can tell by your rings as well. Some people can tell by their shoes.

I took down measurements of everything I could measure with a tape measure and I will check back against those numbers in the last week of this month...that should tell a story as well.

Another thing to be aware of, especially to those just starting on some kind of new exercise routine....Always remember, muscle weighs more than fat. So you may actually gain the first couple weeks, when starting out, BUT if you have taken down measurements of waist bust and hips if not more stuff, you WILL see a change there for sure! So don't get discouraged!

I think many of us could write diet books LOL I know I could write several after all the years and information I have passed on with TOPS.

And yes, I think we have a terrific group of support happening on this board! I look forward to seeing how everyone is doing! Keep up the good work everyone!

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1/5/12 11:56 A

Good job to everyone who's sticking with it so far! I really liked what UKCanuk said about weight and inches not necessarily going hand in hand. I was a little frustrated because I've gained a pound since last week... but I was thinking about it and (as much as I hate to admit it) I usually just wear a long shirt and skip the top button on my pants... I mean... they dooooo button... but it's uncomfortable. Well today I buttoned them all the way up and didn't even think about it because it didn't feel uncomfortable! I'm still a long way from seeing my ribcage, but I can at least tell I have one now. I think my weight hasn't changed since I haven't really lost any fat yet... but with upping my fiber intake and cutting soda out of my diet I have eliminated the bloat that used to be a constant part of my life. Today's also the first day that I don't feel starving...

I also agree with what Stacy said... knowing all the facts about being healthy doesn't necessarily mean that you ARE healthy. I could write a diet book too! I think this site, and especially this little group we have here, is the most helpful thing out there for me right now, because it provides the motivation and support that were missing.

Posts: 229
1/5/12 11:07 A

Congrats on that great weigh in Ricochetbear!

Hope everyone is doing well. I am four days consistent with daily workouts and 3 days consistent with no nighttime snacking. I'm eating tons of high fiber foods and staying pretty full.

I need to invest in a new digital scale, anyone have a good brand to recommend?

Posts: 2,819
1/5/12 10:42 A

Of course we will have you stacy! welcome!
I am sure we are all settling into routines of some sort around the site, now that we ve all stumbled around for awhile. I know I have a definite routine going for myself, as I gather up my spark points and track all the things I want to track, post in the few places I post.

I dropped a couple of places that were reccommended to me when I joined. After a week there, still felt no connections with anyone. Added in a new site yesterday that seems to have possibilties so I will try it. I don't know about everyone else but I found it tedious to be a good member in groups that dont have a buddy or two to draw you there, sort of become invisible that way...at least thats they way I felt.

This site is my main one with all you lovely people! Thanks for all being there !

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1/5/12 10:02 A

Holy Crap! I joined the same week as all of you but hadn't gotten around to investigating the board yet (too busy trying to find obscure specific foods in the food tracker, ha!). You folks are pretty awesome and I'd like in on the group, if you'll have me, of course. :)

I was always a little over weight growing up (family had a history of terrible eating habits) then went through a yo-yoing rollercoaster for 20 years, leaving me in my mid-thirties, hovering around 200 lb and feeling miserable about myself all the time. At this point, I have read so much info on nutrition, I could write my own "diet" book in my sleep, as I'm sure many of you could too. What I've struggled w/ is motivation and support, and it seems like this is the place for it!

Thanks for being here!

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1/4/12 5:00 P

I couldn't agree more.It's also important to keep a track of measurements as well as weight, escpecially if you're starting to go to the gym, as gaining muscle can slow your weight loss but you'll see the difference on the tape measure as you'll be toning up.
It's demotivational not to see the numbers drop if you're putting the effort in but you won't always see the 'loss' on the scale.

current weight: 233.0

246 219.25 192.5 165.75

139

Posts: 2,819
1/4/12 4:24 P

thanks UKCANUK77

every weight loss each of us has is steps in the right direction!
Sometimes we may even turtle (maintain) and still other times we may gain a wee bit, but we have to remember, our bodies go through cycles every month, whether we are in menopause or not....at certain times every month we ALL have some body fluctuations that may show up on the scales. So dont get too hard on yourselves when the numbers dont reflect what you wanted as it may show up the next week if you stay on track

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1/4/12 3:50 P

Good Job Ricochetbear.. that's brilliant. The earlier weightlosses always seem to be the largest for me, and I find it motivates me to stick with eating helthier. I'm waiting until this Sunday before I update my weight, I know I've lost a few pounds since the 1st though. I hope everyone had a great New Year !

current weight: 233.0

246 219.25 192.5 165.75

139

Posts: 2,819
1/4/12 12:58 P

thanks Kelly! I m glad it inspires you some! thats what buddies are for, and I certainly get a lot of inspiration from all our buddies in this thread!

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1/4/12 12:14 P

WooHoo! Awesome almost 5 lbs!!! Boy I hope I can join you on that next week...You just gave me a good reason to work out all weekend!!

Posts: 2,819
1/4/12 11:23 A

Yeah I have the water retention bit to deal with often, as well. Don't be discouraged, Your efforts will show up if not this week then next week.

Today is my weigh in day...just waiting for my TOPS members to arrive.... within the hour I shall know how my efforts pay off this last week....as I mentioned yesterday somewhere here, I will be happy with 2 pounds loss.

There will be no dramatic first losses with me as I have been looking after my food intakes for years because of my diabetes

everyone is doing well though! I am proud of all of us for our first week of efforts! Go team go!

ok update! I am editting to add my new weight in
my first weigh in since I joined - 293.25 from 298. - loss of 4.75 pounds...Yayyyyy me! I am very happy with myself!

Edited by: RICOCHETBEAR at: 1/4/2012 (11:57)

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1/4/12 11:08 A

Thao happens to me a lot with water retention. I can go up 3lbs and back down by nighttime.
Give yourself another week, I guarantee you will see that # go down!

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Posts: 36
1/4/12 10:29 A

GAH!!! Did my first weekly weigh-in and I GAINED a pound. Made me extra motivated for my run/walk this morning. Hopefully it's just fluctuation or muscle... because I've been good about the diet and exercise.

SparkPoints: (93)
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Posts: 6
1/4/12 4:08 A

Wow everyone is so excited to shed some weight in the new year ! It rubs off on me

Smrtblone77 way to go on finding a new favorite aerobics class ! Things like that work really well with the losing.

I actually gained a pound the last couple of days, but I have lost a lot with the Christmas stomach flu, so I'm still 4 down from a few weeks ago when my scales suddenly broke down ( not by my doing, I hope LOL).
I seem to have trouble with my 'easy' goals eating two servings of fruit and do something active outdoors each day. I'm so preoccupied now the kids are home for the holidays, I keep forgetting.

I did have a nice workout yesterday though. So progress is made here too.

SparkPoints: (224)
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Posts: 37
1/3/12 10:28 P

Good Eve, everyone! Well, I can honestly say I kicked butt as far as calories went for today because I slept for most of the day! Not the best way to cut the intake, but since I was up til 4 am them slept a couple hours before dropping my daughter off at school came home had coffee and granola and went right back to sleep, I am now full (late dinner) pain free from the sleep....hopefully I will get to bed by midnight. Everyone here sounds like they are off to a happy positive start. I gotta chime in re the greek yogurt I LOVE it. Where I live, Chobani is a good brand. I have also been eating a handful of almonds or string cheese for a snack. All good protein sources, which for a carb addict like me, are hard to come by.

Posts: 2,819
1/3/12 9:31 P

welcome suzie!

sounds like everyone is getting into the swing of things around here! wait a go team! yayyy!

Tomorrow morning bright and early is my first official weigh in since I started with SP. I havent stepped on the scale since last wedensday, simply cause I wanted weigh in to be a surprise...I am hoping for at least 2 lbs off.

I have tracked my foods every day. I exercised 4 of the 7 days, so I feel positive....man am I going to be let down if I didnt do at least 2 lbs! so keepin my fingers crossed!

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1/3/12 9:23 P

Turbo is pretty much kick-boxing aerobics. It was really rough and I can't stop coughing now... but I think if I can keep it up I think it will be beneficial.

SparkPoints: (2,413)
Fitness Minutes: (792)
Posts: 474
1/3/12 9:03 P

Welcome Suzie!!

Hey IVEY....I can drink coffee anytime of the day too. It's nice in a way but other times I really wish it DID affect me so I could use it to "perk" me up when I need it too!

Hope you are ALL having a great week!

SparkPoints: (2,413)
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Posts: 474
1/3/12 9:01 P

Woo hoo SMARTBLONDE! You found exercise you like! As I recall you were ready, a little over a week ago, to stick a pencil into the eyes of the the "thin girls who ADORE running" at work!!! lol

Look at you know! Keep it up!!!

What is turbo class???

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Posts: 36
1/3/12 7:49 P

I just got back from a Turbo class! I didn't even realize the hour went by, because it was so much fun. Definitely a high intensity workout though... so for anyone who's up for it I definitely recommend it!

SparkPoints: (492)
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Posts: 6
1/3/12 7:04 P

Hi Everyone!! I joined 1 week ago and have just now gotten around to reading some threads. I hope I can join in. The comment about the WW plan really hit home (about always trying to find a way to fit snacks into the points plan). That is how it has always been for me as I am a repeat dieter as well.

New Year...New Approach. So far I have lost 3 lbs and didn't do so well on New Year's eve, but my efforts the rest of the week have paid off!

Pounds lost: 9.0

0 18.75 37.5 56.25

75

SparkPoints: (22,765)
Fitness Minutes: (29,400)
Posts: 1,297
1/3/12 6:59 P

Has anyone ever tried the Hall's Vitamin C drops? They really help quell a sweet craving, and if you need 2 or 3 to do the trick, no big deal. And how can extra vitamin C this time of year be a bad thing? :)

Woohoo I have tracked my food all day today. First time in a VERY long time! Feels nice to be in charge of the food, instead of the other way around.

Pounds lost: 58.0

0 18.75 37.5 56.25

75

SparkPoints: (724)
Fitness Minutes: (125)
Posts: 28
1/3/12 5:15 P

If I am hungry at night before I grab something to eat I either drink water or hot water with lemon. Usually by the time I am finished with that the want for something to eat has gone.

It works for me. I am lucky that I can drink coffee just about anytime and not be bothered. I can drink a cup at 11 at night and sleep like a baby. I am sure that will change one day but for now I can drink a coffee in the evening too. No sugar of course. Just some low fat milk.

Ivey

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1/3/12 3:26 P

Greek yogurt is delicious! I get the honey flavor, and then cut up my own fresh fruit to dip in it. It's a little sweeter so it's almost like a dessert! I definitely like snacking in the evenings, and I've found that whatever's easy is what I grab... so if I already have cut up fruit in the fridge I can snack on that... but if making something healthy requires effort, that's when I grab the chips. My biggest goal for this first week was to give up soda, and I did pretty good (only had one over the weekend). I don't know if I've lost any weight yet (tonight is my first weigh-in) but I started feeling and looking a lot less bloated once I got the soda out of my system. It was one somewhat easy change and it was really motivating to see a difference (even a little one) during the toughest week. My biggest problems so far are finding the time to exercise, and having everyone act like I'm being antisocial when I keep turning down going out to eat. Anyone have any tips for those things? So far I think leaving to work out over lunch might solve both problems, but I don't want anyone to resent me for taking longer lunch breaks than they do (or thinking I'm smelly because I didn't take the time to shower before coming back).

Posts: 229
1/3/12 8:32 A

I really want to try Greek yogurt. I hear about it everywhere. Will have to look for some. I must thank slimkatie (runs for cookies) for my new favorite breakfast recipe. She has a lot of variations on basic oatmeal at her site and I tried the coconut with a few dark chocolate chips this morning, Oh my! Yum!

I get the evening snack cravings too but I wonder if it's just habit or boredom in my case? I can't say that I feel hungry just snacky, you know? I am trying to curb it by having my snack earlier in the evening. I am making sure I eat something with a little protein before 8 and then I am done for the night.

SparkPoints: (2,413)
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Posts: 474
1/3/12 7:42 A

Also, the LIBERTE greek yogurt (fruit on the bottom) is soooo good. Greek yogurt has tons of protein (15 grams) which helps me feel full! And it's much thicker and creamier than regular yogurt so it feels like a real treat.
Great to have in the evening because the dairy produces calming hormones which help you sleep! (Just like having a glass of warm milk....)

You can get it at Costo. Yum!

SparkPoints: (2,413)
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Posts: 474
1/3/12 7:38 A

I've I'm REALLY hungry at night I usually have some carrot sticks and hummus! The hummus fills me right up and I'm pretty sure my body has to work a little harder digesting carrots while I sleep!

But, like you Bubblinbrunette, I'm no expert!

SparkPoints: (2,584)
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Posts: 13
1/2/12 8:40 P

I'm no expert, but I normally just drink some hot tea with a tiny bit of sugar at night. I normally get the munchies like crazy around ten, so that's when I have my tea :) Going to bed early also helps me out because stop focusing on how hungry I think I am.

Posts: 2,819
1/2/12 7:21 P

welcome rosieisnow!

Annette... you were saying you feel hungry in the evenings so that is what will always, most often, break your calorie count.

Suggested Trick to do, shave some calories off you day meals so that you have a little cache of calories to have something in the evening and therefore stay with in what you want for calories consumed, say for a piece of fruit.

Another trick low sodium boullions, or veg soup. have them whenever you are feeling hungry and really want a snack.

The warmth feels good in the tummy and makes you feel like you have had something. Most boullions are around 20 calories and soup can be up to 80 calories a cup if its from a can, you can make it better for you by making youjr own and with very little or no salt

Members in my club have no butter / no oil popcorn cause they can have 3 cups

Just a few suggestions, hope they help.
myself , I have an apple every night around 8 pm

SparkPoints: (8,467)
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Posts: 238
1/2/12 7:02 P

Hi all, I would like to participate - this is a great thread. I went to the doctor last Wednesday, and started kind-of then, but started in earnest today. I have lost 1.8 pounds since Wednesday, and hope for more now that I've started the January challenge exercise videos.

Pounds lost: 120.0

0 43 86 129

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