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KRISKAY1962
SparkPoints: (6,611)
Fitness Minutes: (3,448) Posts: 59 5/20/13 10:18 P
PLANNING HAS REALLY BEEN HARD FOR ME. I HAVE BEEN TAKING SEVERAL SNACK ITEMS TO WORK AND MY MEAL, BUT TO PLAN OUT EVERY MEAL AHEAD IS JUST HARD. THE WAY I HAVE BEEN GETTING AROUND THIS PROBLEM IS BY CUTTING DOWN ON HIGHER CALORIE ITEM PORTIONS. INSTEAD OF 1 CUP OF AN ITEM I DO A HALF CUP. AND WHAT I REALLY WANT IS A FOOD SCALE, SO I CAN WEIGH PORTION ITEMS. I DO THINK MORE PLANNING WILL REALLY HELP ME, SO I AM WORKING ON LEARNING HOW TO PLAN BETTER.
PLAN! PLAN! PLAN! Wise words from a friend of mine:
You have goals... goals that define who you are! As you know, successful people follow their plans and keep updating their plans to achieve their goals! The question I have for you today is... how often do you change your plans ...updating the path of success to achieve your goals!
Think about it! When you first started in Spark People or even before Spark People did you set out to lose weight for a specific reason only to find out that the original plan didn't work for whatever reason? Answer me this...1) Did you do anything at that time to get your plan working again or 2) did you find out the reason why the plan didn't work or 3) did you just continue on your way figuring that everything would work out on it's own... If you chose door number 3 BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Wrong answer but thank you for playing the home game! If you chose door #1 or door #2 CORRECT! and well on your way to a lifestyle change because you are keeping your lifestyle change on track and you're working towards your goals!
You need a plan to find success. You need to find a plan that works for you and not stay ridged when you need to correct the plan to stay on track! Every person is different and every person needs an individual plan in order to succeed to their ultimate goal! If someone told you that if you ate a half watermelon daily to lose weight, you could lose lots of weight if you stayed with the diet... However, My wife has allergies towards watermelon and would end up in the hospital if she consumed even one piece! This diet could kill her so... It's not a great choice... see what I mean!
Wanting success changing to a new lifestyle isn't sufficient enough to get it. You've got to ask yourself, "What are you going to do to get the things you want."
How are you going to go from where you are now to where you want to be. Define the goal you intend to reach and carefully plan how you are going to get there! Also define some of the pitfalls that you may run across... like chocolate cake, cookies, pastries and the like and plan how you are going to handle such problems to stay on track!
Create visual reminders if you are a visual person to help stay on track... like don't forget your medication, have you exercised today?, or how about don't forget portion size (This is my personal favorite) It a poster I have hanging in my kitchen to help me stay on track!
You cannot fail with a definite step by step plan, because each step you take will carry you along to the next step until you reach your next goal...Then it's time to make new plans steering you towards new goals!
I know that everyone can get to their goals if they want it bad enough... Don't get discouraged... everyone slips up from time to time... but when you realize that you's slipped up, leave this in your past, learn from your past and start back down your road to success.
If you make yourself feel bad you'll probably slip even deeper into self pity and go for snacks or comfort food... Not a good choice!
Nope... time to leave the past in your past!
It's time to start thinking about yourself and concentrating on your future... A future full of health and well being ... after all... We're all worth it and we deserve the best that life can give us!
May all of the days ahead of you be your best days!
SparkPoints: (4,015)
Fitness Minutes: (2,635) Posts: 78 3/14/13 10:43 P
I am much better at planning my meals when I've got fifty things to do in a day.... I pack everything I will ever have time to eat that day. It's starting to be the days when I don't have a ton of things to do that are the problem. So I have to start working on that again, or plan out my food while I'm eating breakfast. Might be cIruel to my stomach if it craves anything random, but at least it will work for the majority of the time.
Then I can tackle trying to plan workouts around when I may or may not get another sinus infection, since I've now had one massive one already this year.
Pounds lost: 15.6
0
9.25
18.5
27.75
37
AIREBEAR42
SparkPoints: (5,801)
Fitness Minutes: (3,188) Posts: 56 3/14/13 8:22 P
I am feeling the same way you felt Happy Travels with planning being a problem for me. I know that I need to take the time and put paper to pen (or fingers to computer) and plan out my meals. Being a single mom who works full time, I feel like I am always side tracked once I get home. The only for sure thing, is when I get home I do a work out session using one of my SP DVD's for at least 20 to 30 mins. Tried doing a couple DVD session back to back, but I found that my body doesn't recover as quick as it did in my younger years. So this week I've cut back to just one 20 to 30 min session.
I'm hoping things will get better and that I can set aside time to get better organized and have things planned out.
Lynn
Success is a vehicle which moves on a wheel called hard work, but the journey is impossible without fuel called confidence.
current weight: 182.1
200
190
180
170
160
MOTELMOM
SparkPoints: (4,050)
Fitness Minutes: (1,778) Posts: 487 3/10/13 8:50 P
good job I am not that organized, but i do have 2 other people in the house, who should eat better but sometimes don't, so I buy food for healthy meals and snacks but I don't plan out my meals ahead of time.
Tammy I live in Idaho, and I am ready for change.
current weight: 247.4
281
248.25
215.5
182.75
150
HAPPY_TRAVELS
SparkPoints: (10,428)
Fitness Minutes: (8,759) Posts: 206 3/9/13 10:46 P
Planning what to eat was a problem before but with spark recipes and a few other sites that offer healthy recipes I have been able to plan my meals. I have three main meals and two snack meals which is working for me as I am not getting any cravings like I use to.
I use to walk three times a day for a minimum of 10 minutes and not loose anything until I got rid of processed foods, enriched flour, potatoes (for now),refined sugars and switched to brown rice, lots of fruits and vegetables, and sprouted grain breads. I have lost close to 30 pounds since January and am down 2 sizes in calories.
It took me almost the whole day to grocery shop the first little while I had to read labels real well. I now know what to buy faster now. I go to the store with a list of foods I need and I stick to it. No impulse buying of foods not needed.
Without planning I would be grabbing foods that would not be healthy for me when I get home and am looking for something to eat.
I have learned to make large portions and freeze some in small freezer bags so on the nights where time is limited I can just pull them out already portioned. No trying to figure out what to eat.
So definitely planning is a big help in helping you loose.
PLAN! PLAN! PLAN! Wise words from a friend of mine:
You have goals... goals that define who you are! As you know, successful people follow their plans and keep updating their plans to achieve their goals! The question I have for you today is... how often do you change your plans ...updating the path of success to achieve your goals!
Think about it! When you first started in Spark People or even before Spark People did you set out to lose weight for a specific reason only to find out that the original plan didn't work for whatever reason? Answer me this...1) Did you do anything at that time to get your plan working again or 2) did you find out the reason why the plan didn't work or 3) did you just continue on your way figuring that everything would work out on it's own... If you chose door number 3 BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Wrong answer but thank you for playing the home game! If you chose door #1 or door #2 CORRECT! and well on your way to a lifestyle change because you are keeping your lifestyle change on track and you're working towards your goals!
You need a plan to find success. You need to find a plan that works for you and not stay ridged when you need to correct the plan to stay on track! Every person is different and every person needs an individual plan in order to succeed to their ultimate goal! If someone told you that if you ate a half watermelon daily to lose weight, you could lose lots of weight if you stayed with the diet... However, My wife has allergies towards watermelon and would end up in the hospital if she consumed even one piece! This diet could kill her so... It's not a great choice... see what I mean!
Wanting success changing to a new lifestyle isn't sufficient enough to get it. You've got to ask yourself, "What are you going to do to get the things you want."
How are you going to go from where you are now to where you want to be. Define the goal you intend to reach and carefully plan how you are going to get there! Also define some of the pitfalls that you may run across... like chocolate cake, cookies, pastries and the like and plan how you are going to handle such problems to stay on track!
Create visual reminders if you are a visual person to help stay on track... like don't forget your medication, have you exercised today?, or how about don't forget portion size (This is my personal favorite) It a poster I have hanging in my kitchen to help me stay on track!
You cannot fail with a definite step by step plan, because each step you take will carry you along to the next step until you reach your next goal...Then it's time to make new plans steering you towards new goals!
I know that everyone can get to their goals if they want it bad enough... Don't get discouraged... everyone slips up from time to time... but when you realize that you's slipped up, leave this in your past, learn from your past and start back down your road to success.
If you make yourself feel bad you'll probably slip even deeper into self pity and go for snacks or comfort food... Not a good choice!
Nope... time to leave the past in your past!
It's time to start thinking about yourself and concentrating on your future... A future full of health and well being ... after all... We're all worth it and we deserve the best that life can give us!
May all of the days ahead of you be your best days!
SparkPoints: (11,831)
Fitness Minutes: (10,431) Posts: 538 2/25/13 10:45 A
Planning for a healthier lifestyle means giving up the 'all or nothing' approach I can easily slip into if I am not intentional. This last weekend, we celebrated my daughter's birthday and had a wonderful time sharing a raclette together with all of the family. More food than I would have liked but fun to do and well worth it.....even the flourless and oh so rich chocolate cake. In the past, I could easilty have used this little blip in my nutrition plan to blow off the tracking and shift off my overall game plan. But I am learning to appreciate a more moderate approach and the importance of enjoying these kinds of events as just that...events. Slow but sure......
May Minutes: 1,560
0
375
750
1125
1500
KAJSAM
Posts: 159 2/24/13 4:40 P
I am finding the nutrition tracker fascinating and always track my food and drinks and am doing well that way, down 12 lbs. However I suck at exercising and am gearing up to do at least 10 min a day on the elliptical starting in March. There is much snow and ice here in Canada yet so I can't get outside safely, but spring is almost here.
PLAN! PLAN! PLAN! Wise words from a friend of mine:
You have goals... goals that define who you are! As you know, successful people follow their plans and keep updating their plans to achieve their goals! The question I have for you today is... how often do you change your plans ...updating the path of success to achieve your goals!
Think about it! When you first started in Spark People or even before Spark People did you set out to lose weight for a specific reason only to find out that the original plan didn't work for whatever reason? Answer me this...1) Did you do anything at that time to get your plan working again or 2) did you find out the reason why the plan didn't work or 3) did you just continue on your way figuring that everything would work out on it's own... If you chose door number 3 BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Wrong answer but thank you for playing the home game! If you chose door #1 or door #2 CORRECT! and well on your way to a lifestyle change because you are keeping your lifestyle change on track and you're working towards your goals!
You need a plan to find success. You need to find a plan that works for you and not stay ridged when you need to correct the plan to stay on track! Every person is different and every person needs an individual plan in order to succeed to their ultimate goal! If someone told you that if you ate a half watermelon daily to lose weight, you could lose lots of weight if you stayed with the diet... However, My wife has allergies towards watermelon and would end up in the hospital if she consumed even one piece! This diet could kill her so... It's not a great choice... see what I mean!
Wanting success changing to a new lifestyle isn't sufficient enough to get it. You've got to ask yourself, "What are you going to do to get the things you want."
How are you going to go from where you are now to where you want to be. Define the goal you intend to reach and carefully plan how you are going to get there! Also define some of the pitfalls that you may run across... like chocolate cake, cookies, pastries and the like and plan how you are going to handle such problems to stay on track!
Create visual reminders if you are a visual person to help stay on track... like don't forget your medication, have you exercised today?, or how about don't forget portion size (This is my personal favorite) It a poster I have hanging in my kitchen to help me stay on track!
You cannot fail with a definite step by step plan, because each step you take will carry you along to the next step until you reach your next goal...Then it's time to make new plans steering you towards new goals!
I know that everyone can get to their goals if they want it bad enough... Don't get discouraged... everyone slips up from time to time... but when you realize that you's slipped up, leave this in your past, learn from your past and start back down your road to success.
If you make yourself feel bad you'll probably slip even deeper into self pity and go for snacks or comfort food... Not a good choice!
Nope... time to leave the past in your past!
It's time to start thinking about yourself and concentrating on your future... A future full of health and well being ... after all... We're all worth it and we deserve the best that life can give us!
May all of the days ahead of you be your best days!
SparkPoints: (4,050)
Fitness Minutes: (1,778) Posts: 487 2/24/13 1:22 P
Hope everyone is doing good, i am doing good, I lost again this week, i am finally leveling out so i will have to be a bit more careful and re-include extra exercise into my routine, I am bad about exercising. does anyone else have that problem?
Well have a good sunday everyone
Tammy I live in Idaho, and I am ready for change.
current weight: 247.4
281
248.25
215.5
182.75
150
MOTELMOM
SparkPoints: (4,050)
Fitness Minutes: (1,778) Posts: 487 2/22/13 8:50 A
Hello all, just checking in, hope everyone is well. I have been bad about consistent exercise, I go in spurts. My husband bought me a pedometer for my BD, but I don't know how accurate it is, it says I am moving alot. Oh well if I am, that's good. Carbs and sweets are my problem children, but since I have started SP,I have been able to gradually control my intake of them for the most part, mostly because after not having much for several days I had some and wow I could really tell a difference in my mood, energy level, cravings. So I am trying, not always successful, to avoid most flour based carbs, chips and sugary foods, or if I have them be very careful how much I eat because I know I will pay a price for eating them. and the good thing is I don't miss them that much, and when I want a little something I have it so I don't go into a full blown binge because I have deprived myself so much. That's just my food strategy so far, still working on the exercise part. Hope you all have a great day.
Tammy I live in Idaho, and I am ready for change.
current weight: 247.4
281
248.25
215.5
182.75
150
CARBHEADKM
SparkPoints: (5,043)
Fitness Minutes: (8,738) Posts: 20 2/20/13 9:29 P
I never had to exercise when I was younger - I realize now that I was just naturally fast paced and moved all the time which ate up all the calories I took in. But, with age my metabolism is changing or has changed and I now find I need to plan to workout and do it everyday or nearly everyday to stay at my current weight and I really would feel better if I had a couple less pounds. Carbs are my enemy. I have to plan not to eat too many carbs. I purchased a FITBIT yesterday and I am excited about using it. Today I tracked all my steps and I climbed 7 floors WOOHOO!!!! If anyone else is using FITBIT One please tell me how to track my sleep. I sleep very poorly and would like to know exactly how that part of the system works. GOOD LUCK TEAM MEMERS - We are in this together!
Carbhead
LEIGHANNB97
SparkPoints: (7,145)
Fitness Minutes: (3,261) Posts: 106 2/13/13 9:59 P
I'm doing well. Not seeing much change on the scale anymore, but my measurements are shrinking. I'm doing well with working out almost daily. Just taking my planned rest days. Even then, I'm staying active on those days. I'm on the 25th day of the 28 Day Bootcamp (the Coach Nicole DVD). Once that is done, I have some strength training and cardio planned out for the next few weeks. I would love to see some progress on the scale, but the other progress is enough to keep me going. :)
current weight: 177.0
190
181
172
163
154
KRYS210
Posts: 48,273 2/13/13 3:53 P
A lot of people use the SP Class team as a starting off team and then go on to find teams more closely aligned to their interests. I love to hear from the members but understand that you can fit in just so much in a day!
I know that life is hectic and people are busy with real life and also other Spark Teams, but I wish more Sparkers would post something on this team. Progress?? Setbacks?? Motivation?? My other teams have posts everyday, but I would just REALLY enjoy hearing from people who joined the same time as me. I hope everyone is doing well and staying motivated. Maybe everyone could just stop in and post 1 thing that they have done so far to lead a better lifestyle.
One thing that I have done is I have started walking everyday no matter what for at least 10 minutes.
Pounds lost: 20.0
0
16.25
32.5
48.75
65
MOTELMOM
SparkPoints: (4,050)
Fitness Minutes: (1,778) Posts: 487 2/1/13 4:46 P
Good job Josie, i think we should all pat ourselves on the back also, and I plan on trying to stick with my goals, and tracking my food and exercise until I reach my goal weight, by then it should be a total lifestlye change, its starting to feel like one already.
Tammy I live in Idaho, and I am ready for change.
current weight: 247.4
281
248.25
215.5
182.75
150
JOSIE2013
Posts: 528 2/1/13 5:07 A
So proud of myself and everybody else!! I have exercised every day since 12/31/12. I feel so good about myself. I have lost 10 pounds this month! Yay!
SparkPoints: (4,377)
Fitness Minutes: (3,423) Posts: 2,299 1/31/13 6:17 P
Woohoo congrats to all of us making it a month or almost if you started 2- 5. Now lets make a step to plan for February!
~Jessie~ Australia
START! FOCUS! FINISH!
current weight: 249.0
257
228.5
200
171.5
143
JULIATEW1
Posts: 14 1/28/13 10:18 P
thanks so much for the recipe site I can't believe the options great stuff definitely going to start using that to try new things. who knows maybe I may even like to cook eventually..
SparkPoints: (4,504)
Fitness Minutes: (664) Posts: 233 1/23/13 1:31 P
Josie, I have been taking my regular recipes and giving them makeovers. It does require a LOT of planning and looking things up though. Last night I gave shrimp thermador a healthy make-over. Of course, how heathy can you make that dish. But I tried and make some modifications.
I just don't want to miss how I normally eat, which in South Louisiana can be really awesome. But since we do already eat lots of fish and shrimp and crawfish...I just have to watch all the extras that go into each recipe. Doing lots of measuring these days! BTW, the thermador had very little thermador and lots of shrimp.
Tomorrow is never promised. Make every day count!
Pounds lost: 6.0
0
17.5
35
52.5
70
JOSIE2013
Posts: 528 1/23/13 2:28 A
Thanks for answering. I just was hoping for a cook book filled with healthy, low calorie recipes. I am not looking to read an inspirational story every 3 pages, I would just rather have non stop recipes. I guess there are actually a lot of good recipes online already though.
Pounds lost: 20.0
0
16.25
32.5
48.75
65
KRYS210
Posts: 48,273 1/22/13 7:44 P
There are some new recipes in there, but you should also know that the book has a lot of the personal type stories rather than recipes.
reality sucks but at least i can make changes knowing reality. I think your right about putting foods in first before eating them so i can make a better decision. Again i ate and put food in afterwards ended up being way to high in cals so I'm kind of frustrated right now. does anyone have any quick meal ideas for 1200 cals per day for people that don't like to cook? I just want to make a plan for quick easy dinners for the week which don't take to long to prepare. any ideas would be appreciated. have a good week everyone as well thanks for your help.
JULIATEW1- I was also shocked by how much I was off on my calorie estimate. I now log something and then eat it. And I have went out to eat once since starting Spark on 12/30/12 and I thought I had picked a nice healthy meal and then I got home and I had eaten almost all of my calories for the day. I have been kind of scared to go to a restaurant since then. :( Soon I think I will be able to trust myself to go again, because after almost a month of tracking I have gotten pretty good at estimating. :)
Pounds lost: 20.0
0
16.25
32.5
48.75
65
JULIATEW1
Posts: 14 1/12/13 9:59 P
all i did was track for the past two weeks and not plan so much just trying to get into the habit. I was shocked to see how high the calories were I have been eating. I realize tracking after I eat and then finding out the food is worse then I think is a bad plan. I realize that I now have to pre plan meals and use the tracker as well as I need to learn real portion sizes. shocker what I thought I was eating and measuring was not what I was consuming go fiqure. I do have the sparks book and on the site is give you 1200 cal meal plan ideas pre done which I thought would be a good starting place. Like other members noted I need to pre plan the menus to help me set up for success and not impulse eat when I'm tired. good luck to us all folks!!
current weight: 219.0
220
200
180
160
140
RISAMEANSLAUGH
Posts: 619 1/12/13 4:39 P
Thanx Krys! That helps me feel affirmed and more positive about what I'm doing! It's a great day in Indiana to lose weight!! Riisa
Pounds lost: 10.2
0
16.5
33
49.5
66
KRYS210
Posts: 48,273 1/11/13 9:15 P
If it works for you, it works! We all respond differently to routines, scheduling and planning. If you are seeing results, that's what matters in the long run!
Your thoughts ring true to me! I needed to hear what you had to say. Somehow it helps to know that someone else can be "plan happy" too. I hope I can plan a little better and DO a lot more, Thx for the thots!!
Pounds lost: 10.2
0
16.5
33
49.5
66
615_HEATHER
SparkPoints: (7,822)
Fitness Minutes: (5,954) Posts: 163 1/10/13 10:31 P
I think planning is important, and I love planning, but I know myself well enough to that I will plan and plan and plan and then never get around to DOING. For me planning becomes part of procrastinating. A writing blog I read is constantly talking about writers as being plotters or pantsers--those who map every detail out ahead of time and those who sit at the keyboard and let the muse take them where they will. Neither is necessarily better than the other; you just have to know which type of person you are and let that work for you. I think the same patterns work in other areas, including weight loss. I could spend quite a bit of time mapping out my meals for the week, but in the end I know I wouldn't follow through with it. Instead I plan those things that are set in stone (like if I know we're going to a certain restaurant for dinner, etc) and then work around that. I plan in general terms (gym on Fri, Sat, Sun), but don't allow myself to get super specific with times and things. That way I don't allow a derailed plan to keep me from the ultimate goal.
heather wife to kyle, mommy to avery, teacher to teenagers. reader, writer, list maker, crafter
Goal #3: 160 (pre-pregnancy weight)
Goal #2: 167lbs (half way point) MET 3/21!
goal#1: 177 (starting weight 1st time on Spark) MET 1/29/13
Be yourself. Everyone else is taken. --Oscar Wilde
SparkPoints: (961)
Fitness Minutes: (235) Posts: 41 1/9/13 9:49 A
CONGRATS to all those seeing success! Last night I had cravings at 10 PM. I figured I was tired and my body wanted carbs to help me stay awake. I went to sleep instead.
current weight: 221.4
221.4
203.55
185.7
167.85
150
GRACE927
SparkPoints: (961)
Fitness Minutes: (235) Posts: 41 1/8/13 7:24 A
I went grocery shopping yesterday and surprised myself. I steered away from the carbs and was adding more protein into my cart. I am realizing small simple changes make big differences.
current weight: 221.4
221.4
203.55
185.7
167.85
150
JOSIE2013
Posts: 528 1/7/13 3:59 A
I love how Spark makes me plan and holds me accountable for my workouts and eating. I love the point system. I like doing a workout and seeing immediate results that remind me eventually these workouts will add up to weight loss. I like the "other goals" page where I can plan out my weeks workouts and check mark them each week. So far I have been doing really good with checking off each goal this week.
Pounds lost: 20.0
0
16.25
32.5
48.75
65
KRYS210
Posts: 48,273 1/6/13 5:21 P
- don't tell anybody but I think this group is the best starting group ever (and I've done a few.)
Planning day. The fridge is stocked for this next week. I was really suprised this last week that I rarely went to the pantry when cooking a meal. Lean meat and fresh produce are topping my menu.
current weight: 290.8
292.4
264.3
236.2
208.1
180
BLINGYCHICK
SparkPoints: (832)
Fitness Minutes: (340) Posts: 56 1/6/13 12:33 P
This is the first time that I have successfully tracked my food and weight loss for more than 2 days in a row. I find my self planning my day a lot more. Say if I know that I am going somewhere and I won't be at home for a meal I either A eat sooner if I am hungry and its close to the time I would eat a meal or B I will take something with me to eat . We are also not eating out at all right now which sure does save money. I have a tough couple of days this last week but I stuck to it. I was realizing that it was stress that what causing it. One day I just came home so hungry and just wanted to have something quick but I got through it.I made the decision to make myself something and got through it. I now see how I have sabotaged myself so many times not planning ahead. For those 2 days I was so frustrated and wanted to give up but then I got on the scale this morning and I had went down 2 pounds. I feel amazing. I just am taking it one day at a time and short term goals instead of thinking about the larger amount of weight just 10 at a time. So plan your day everyone and set your self up for success .
If your tired of starting over,stop giving up!
190lbs- Manicure
180lbs- Pedicure
170lbs- One new outfit
160lbs- Not sure yet..
150lbs- Massage
140lbs- 130 lbs New clothing and a new hair cut and color!
Pounds lost: 8.6
0
17.5
35
52.5
70
NEWPEGGY
SparkPoints: (432)
Fitness Minutes: (395) Posts: 11 1/6/13 11:31 A
I am planning the week's menus today, and going shopping and chopping today. In the past I have found that the only wayt o stick to the program is top plan ahead!
MY GOAL: SIZE 8
Becoming a better me
current weight: 178.0
179
170.5
162
153.5
145
MOTELMOM
SparkPoints: (4,050)
Fitness Minutes: (1,778) Posts: 487 1/6/13 9:47 A
I really like the nutrition tracker, it amazing how many calories some foods contain, the only thing I am not sure about is if your food doesn't match with the options listed, but i just get as close as possible. I have been on so many diets and so this is going to be a lifestyle change and I am going to take it slow so I don't get overwhelmed, I did not gain the weight overnight, so I can't expect myself to lose it overnight.
Tammy I live in Idaho, and I am ready for change.
current weight: 247.4
281
248.25
215.5
182.75
150
SIRIRADHA1
SparkPoints: (9,646)
Fitness Minutes: (5,880) Posts: 1,958 1/5/13 2:40 P
I've always thought the nutrition tracker was my number one best helper on SP. One of the things I do is to enter what I plan to have for dinner and then plan the rest of the day's eating around the nutrients I need to consume beyond that. This is important to me because DH does most of our dinner cooking and planning.
May all sentient beings be happy!
current weight: 178.2
192
179.5
167
154.5
142
HADRAPRIESTESS
SparkPoints: (236)
Fitness Minutes: (90) Posts: 8 1/5/13 12:46 P
GreatDayDeb, Way to go on the fitness minutes!
The priestess has spoken...and so it is.
Pounds lost: 2.0
0
18.5
37
55.5
74
GRACE927
SparkPoints: (961)
Fitness Minutes: (235) Posts: 41 1/5/13 4:57 A
I am finding the nutrition tracker and fitness tracker are really helping me plan a healthy day. I feel guilty if I stray off my posted goals for the day.
current weight: 221.4
221.4
203.55
185.7
167.85
150
MMCGEE0501
SparkPoints: (1,602)
Fitness Minutes: (722) Posts: 30 1/5/13 12:42 A
I want to lose 100 lbs this year. I know it's a high goal, but with about 2 lbs per week I can do it. I will be getting married next year. That's not the reason for wanting to lose weight, but it's definitely a kick in the butt to get moving.
current weight: 246.0
253
227.25
201.5
175.75
150
KCLEVELAND5678
SparkPoints: (4,033)
Fitness Minutes: (1,599) Posts: 170 1/4/13 12:31 P
I love your analogy!
current weight: 179.0
186
170.25
154.5
138.75
123
ALWAYSSTARTING
SparkPoints: (6,770)
Fitness Minutes: (10,354) Posts: 68 1/4/13 8:34 A
My long-term goal is losing 30 pounds. Since I have done this before , I know I have to think differently this time. I'm trying to think of just losing ONE pound. Then repeating it 30 times :-)
(The 30 x repeat seems to work for eating M&M's!)
"You'll accomplish more if you start now."
current weight: 184.0
188
178.5
169
159.5
150
ALORI61
SparkPoints: (157)
Fitness Minutes: (255) Posts: 5 1/3/13 10:03 P
I've never had to plan to lose weight before I just had to think I wanted to drop it and it went away....now the more I think about losing the more I seem to gain. I have to lose 50 pound by October when my daughter gets married so I got to get serious now
SparkPoints: (2,158)
Fitness Minutes: (0) Posts: 2 1/2/13 4:38 P
My name is Barbara and I was a member on Sparkpeople a long time ago. I'm starting over with my weight loss journey. I would love to lose 20 pounds by June.
Pounds lost: 17.0
0
6.25
12.5
18.75
25
FAILTE2
Posts: 4 1/2/13 10:55 A
I am restarting with SparkPeople. Planning out what I am going to eat works for me - taking the time to do so is often a problem. Hopefully this team will encourage me to take the time. Meg
Pounds lost: 8.0
0
12.5
25
37.5
50
EPCOT2014
SparkPoints: (1,068)
Fitness Minutes: (30) Posts: 11 1/2/13 9:45 A
I am great at the planning, but no so good at the execution. Yesterday was good, today will be better and tomorrow will top them both!
Wear your shoes out before your couch cushions.
current weight: 289.0
289
285.5
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278.5
275
SOFTKITTY81
SparkPoints: (634)
Fitness Minutes: (55) Posts: 47 1/1/13 11:33 P
I totally agree. I've never planned ahead, I've always just tried to wing it. This time I have a plan and a schedule. I will make it this time!! -Carrie
-Carrie- Soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur...
current weight: 173.6
174
159
144
129
114
ANAJCM
SparkPoints: (2,573)
Fitness Minutes: (893) Posts: 73 1/1/13 3:21 P
This is actually a thought that I had yesterday. In the past, I have never planned anything in advance for my weight loss journey. Yesterday I started tracking all of the things that I eat in the morning. That way I know in advance that I'm not going to go over my calories and if I get hungry between meals, I can refer to my tracker to see what snacks I have scheduled for the day. It's surprising how much it has helped. I also sat down and planned all of my strength training workouts through the month of January. I still choose my cardio workouts on a day to day basis, because sometimes just looking at the treadmill makes me hate working out! But knowing when I woke up this morning that I was going to do a lower body workout that focused on thighs and glutes and that on Thursday I'm going to focus more on my core and balance makes me feel better and more excited about going to the gym!
Pounds lost: 5.0
0
7.5
15
22.5
30
MARMIEADAMS
SparkPoints: (38)
Fitness Minutes: (0) Posts: 1 1/1/13 10:43 A
Planning ahead is a challenge for me. Life is sooo busy and I don't take time for myself. Your topic Plan Plan Plan is really helpful for me. Thank you
GREATDAYDEB
SparkPoints: (3,464)
Fitness Minutes: (2,422) Posts: 11 1/1/13 1:09 A
That concept of planning is a tough one to get into my head, but I think I may be ready to do the prep. My name is Deb, I joined yesterday and am ready to embrace the challenge of being the best I can be. I found your "plan" post useful. My goal is to lose the 50 lbs over the next year. This extra weight is holding me back from enjoying my life as fully as possible, and I am not willing to accept that anymore. I get that it's a process, and will take whatever steps and whatever time I need to reach this goal. Deb
Deb
You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. C. S. Lewis
current weight: 211.8
225
212.5
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187.5
175
KRYS210
Posts: 48,273 12/24/12 2:16 P
Wise words from a friend of mine:
You have goals... goals that define who you are! As you know, successful people follow their plans and keep updating their plans to achieve their goals! The question I have for you today is... how often do you change your plans ...updating the path of success to achieve your goals!
Think about it! When you first started in Spark People or even before Spark People did you set out to lose weight for a specific reason only to find out that the original plan didn't work for whatever reason? Answer me this...1) Did you do anything at that time to get your plan working again or 2) did you find out the reason why the plan didn't work or 3) did you just continue on your way figuring that everything would work out on it's own... If you chose door number 3 BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Wrong answer but thank you for playing the home game! If you chose door #1 or door #2 CORRECT! and well on your way to a lifestyle change because you are keeping your lifestyle change on track and you're working towards your goals!
You need a plan to find success. You need to find a plan that works for you and not stay ridged when you need to correct the plan to stay on track! Every person is different and every person needs an individual plan in order to succeed to their ultimate goal! If someone told you that if you ate a half watermelon daily to lose weight, you could lose lots of weight if you stayed with the diet... However, My wife has allergies towards watermelon and would end up in the hospital if she consumed even one piece! This diet could kill her so... It's not a great choice... see what I mean!
Wanting success changing to a new lifestyle isn't sufficient enough to get it. You've got to ask yourself, "What are you going to do to get the things you want."
How are you going to go from where you are now to where you want to be. Define the goal you intend to reach and carefully plan how you are going to get there! Also define some of the pitfalls that you may run across... like chocolate cake, cookies, pastries and the like and plan how you are going to handle such problems to stay on track!
Create visual reminders if you are a visual person to help stay on track... like don't forget your medication, have you exercised today?, or how about don't forget portion size (This is my personal favorite) It a poster I have hanging in my kitchen to help me stay on track!
You cannot fail with a definite step by step plan, because each step you take will carry you along to the next step until you reach your next goal...Then it's time to make new plans steering you towards new goals!
I know that everyone can get to their goals if they want it bad enough... Don't get discouraged... everyone slips up from time to time... but when you realize that you's slipped up, leave this in your past, learn from your past and start back down your road to success.
If you make yourself feel bad you'll probably slip even deeper into self pity and go for snacks or comfort food... Not a good choice!
Nope... time to leave the past in your past!
It's time to start thinking about yourself and concentrating on your future... A future full of health and well being ... after all... We're all worth it and we deserve the best that life can give us!
May all of the days ahead of you be your best days!
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to all who are still active on Spark!
going to start using that to try new things. who knows maybe I may even like to cook eventually..
ladies - sometimes reality is a good teacher!
, I know I have to think differently this time. 
