It's A New Day! to be Fit and Trim

[View My TQS Profile WandaM]

Sandy, this is a great topic. I've been reading your progress in your blogs and you have encouraged me to get back on the treadmill at the gym after work.

I've played the yo-yo game almost my whole adult life. Gained weight with each child, would lose some weight, gain it again plus some with the next child, and so on. You get the picture. I reached my top weight of 250 after I had a hysterectomy. That was about 15 months ago, since then I'll lose some weight, get discouraged and gain it back! The good thing is that I have not been near as ill after the surgery as I was before surgery.

I'm a stress eater. My job is pretty stressful so that doesn't help. I also just love food! I don't tolerate a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, so salads are out for the most part. I really need to concentrate on portion sizes and exercising and with the support of this group hopefully I'll see some change. I'd love to get back into a size 16-18. I have no fantasy or desire to be "skinny", just fit! I'd love to shop in the misses size of the dept store!

I'll get of my soap box! Thanks for reading!

WandaM in hot humid TX

[View My TQS Profile CarolynArts]

Wanda - I understand completely. Be sure not to let yourself get overly hungry. That's when the snacks get to me and it's hard to resist. Have some high fiber low calorie snacks handy for emergencies.

[View My TQS Profile mandysilk]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys!! I think I will try and find some of the Xylitol and try that, and otherwise just try and cut back on sugar in general. I already reduced the amount of sugar in our tea - currently we are down to 1 cup sugar to just over a gallon of tea (down from a cup and a half) and we are cutting back pop in general. We have been caffeine free on pop and tea for a while now, but I think I am going to go for decaf coffee too if Rj will stomach it.

[View My TQS Profile eileenkny]

Mandy,
We use the Maxwell House Lite coffee. I swear there's no difference in the flavor. We even cut that with 1/2 Lite and 1/2 decaf. I know I can't go cold turkey on the caffeine. I get the caffeine withdrawal headaches.
Jan,
I, for one, will never turn down free information! I think the fact that we're on this thread says that we're open to any and all advice and encouragement. I have never heard that Nutrasweet was linked to fibro! Can you tell me more?
Wanda,
I have been on Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig, WW, diet pills from a doctor and every fad that has come along, including Atkins and South Beach. They've all helped me lose but I gained it back plus lots more. My mother took me to WW for the first time when I was 14-I was definitely not ready.
I was able to keep my weight within reasonable limits while I was in the Air National Guard. There used to be a regulation-AFR 35-11. You had to adhere to the standards or be kicked out. I yo yo'd constantly but never to where I am now.

DD, who is also heavy, and I are going to wean ourselves off of the soda. I've read, and been told by friends who are RNs, that the carbonation leaches the calcium out of your bones. Since osteoporosis runs in my family, I'm going to have to get serious about this.
Okay, I've run my "mouth" enough. I love this thread.

eileenkny

[View My TQS Profile CarolynArts]

Another thing that I try to avoid is fats and carbs in the same food or meal. Foods like doughnuts, hashbrown potatoes, french fries, breaded deep fried anything, etc. I have read that the two combined really puts on the pounds fast and it seems to for me. Some fat with protein is O.K. but not if you mix carbs with it. Be sure to eat a good filling breakfast too.

[View My TQS Profile fiberwoman]

Thanks for the reminder about Stevia! I have used it; takes VERY small amount. I'm thankful for the newer formulations that aren't quite so bitter. I've yet to be successful using it for baking
Eileen.....try Googling "aspartame". I know there is an aspartame victims group. One very informational (and helpful) site for me has been www.mercola.com As usual, I don't agree with EVERYTHING he says, but he has been right on about many things, and way ahead of his time. There are forums on subjects there, too. If you search aspartame on his site, you'll find enlightening info.
As for coffee, look out for decaf. Sorry. I learned when I was a hairdresser that Sebastian removed methylinechloride (sp?)from their hairspray (because it is carcinogenic), but that it is commonly used to decaffinate coffee Look for the "swiss water proces" decaf. It's also a good idea to buy organic here, as coffee beens are high on the list of amounts of pesticides used.
Someone mentioned a Naturopath - excellent! Mine has been the center of guidance for me along this journey to health. Acupuncture also. As with all health information, no one thing is right for every person. You have to learn to listen to your body. If you can find a Naturopath, or Chiropractor, or other health practitioner who utilizes applied kiniseology, there IS a way to test (ask) your body with every substance. I've learned a way to check foods for myself. For instance...I've been back and forth on the coffee issue - is it good for you, is it bad for you....aaaaarh. Coffee is actually benifcial to my body (I don't overdo it tho) It might sound woo-woo at first (as it did to me), but over the years I've discovered that almost ALL of my previous fears (about many alternative methods) were simply due to lack of information.
Hooray to all who are interesting in giving their bodies the nutrients necessary to function optimally. I have no intention of attempting to add years to my life, but certainly DO plan to add life to my years.
Jan

[View My TQS Profile 911kitchen]

Keep an eye on your coffee creamer. Those flavored creamers that are so wonderful. Really pack on the pounds. Most people think "oh but I buy the sugar free"...WRONG it still has fat. You are better off buying the fat free. I too had the gastric bypass and after my accident I quit loosing weight and actully gained some back. First I thought lack of movement. Wrong when my Dr. found out about my coffee habits. He read me the riot act. You can lose up to 7 pounds by switching from 2% to skim milk. and you can gain some major weight if you don't watch what you drink. Also if you chew your food propperly you will notice that it really doesn't taste that appealing as the meal goes on. This really is true. Try it chew your food 40 times each bite. as it breaks down in your mouth you will notice that you really don't want to eat as much as you thought because it just does not taste the way you wanted it to. Also get away from the table. When you are done leave the table. I make a point to put all pots and pans in soapy water right after I put the food on the table. I also make sure that there is smaller containers ready for the food for after dinner. This way there is no temptation for me to just take one more bite. I also have learned to throw away that little bit not worth the smaller container. If no none wanted it at dinner they are not going to get it later they should have ate it when they had the chance. This way I don't have so much to clean out of my frig. and I won't be so tempted to just finish it off because you shouldn't waste food. Take your usual amount and then put half back. you can always go back for seconds. this way you won't feel pressured to clean your plate. Also quit feeling guilty about not cleaning your plate. Those starving children half way around the world were never going to get that particular peice of chicken anyway. So get over it. Mom was wrong life will not end and you will survive if you don't eat everything. In fact you will probably live longer OK I will stop for now Sorry for going on for so long. You folks probably already know this stuff but it never hurts to hear it again. Rachel

[View My TQS Profile HAPPYCAMPBELL]

Rachel do you have to use a smaller plate I do Happy

[View My TQS Profile Margo]

OK...I'll jump in here too. I am SO BLESSED to be healthy...I know it and I give thanks for it every day. My weight has never been an issue for me until this past year. When DH was diagnosed with cancer last July (has it been almost a whole year already???) taking care of Margo was not even on my radar screen. I used to walk 2 miles every morning until my walking buddy had the nerve to move to Atlanta when her husband got transferred. In just the last year I've managed to pack on 15 pounds and feel miserable. I know it's not much compared to some, but I've never toted this much extra before (except during pregnancies, several decades ago!) and I don't like it. I've purchased 2 pairs of larger pants that I can zip, and REFUSE to buy more of the large size. After reading this thread, I realize how important getting into the right frame of mind can be. We all know what we should be doing differently, or at least where to start. We just need to DO IT! Sandy has been a huge influence on me. Her dedication is impressive, and I want to follow her lead. I went out this morning and walked. That's one in a row!!! I'm going to get back into that routine. I'm also getting off the Splenda. I think it also makes me crave carbs....oh, how I love pasta! So, it's back to a little sugar in my morning Green Tea. Caffine gives me a headache, but I like that morning cuppa tea! And back to breakfast. Gotta get the morning off to a good start so I don't graze all day! OK....I'm committed. I guess I need to get on the scale to see where I'm starting. That's scary!

[View My TQS Profile Sallyquilt]

Margo-why, oh why, did you have to mention getting on a scale?! I was so happy when the batteries in mine died! OK, I promise to at least replace the batteries today. No promises about stepping on it! I lost 45 pounds in the last 2 years but have gained at least 15 of it back over the last 6 months. I know this from the tightness of the pants I was so proud to get into. I need to own the fact that this is a never-ending journey and be ok with that. Guess pride does go before the fall! Now, where are those batteries? Sally in sweaty NE Ohio

[View My TQS Profile 911kitchen]

Yep I use a smaller plate and I always put my fork down between bites. I know it sounds silly but it works. Also I can not stand buffets. They are so gross. Sit and watch people who go to buffets eat. Trust me YOU WILL EAT LESS. Right after my GP we went to Myrtle Beach and there is this restraunt there that is a buffet that my DH loves. So we went there to eat. I was so grossed out I had to ask for a table facing a wall because I was getting sick watching other people eat. By the way you know what I said about removing temptation? Well yesterday I made a strawberry rhubarb (sp) pie. Yep I ate most of it. It was out and I haven't had one in over 10 years. I just kept taking little peices until I little piesed it gone. I guess I should have listened to my self BUT IT WAS SOOOOOO GOOOOOOD Rachel

[View My TQS Profile Margo]

Not only watching the people at the all-you-can-eat buffet, but watching the people at the doctor's office will give one food for thought. (Pardon the pun). I took my MIL to the pain doctor this afternoon, and was once again struck by the SIZE of most of the people in the waiting room. While we were there I got on the scales and confirmed my fears.....now I need to get serious. I really think that most people have no idea what the extra weight can do to their bodies. I picked up 15 pounds of exercise weights this morning and thought that there is no way I could carry that with me every step of the day. Then realized DUH??? How much better would I feel if I could loose that much body weight? OK...I'm getting serious now. One day at a time. I'll think about every bite, and move more every day. I know that I have to burn more than I take in. We can do this....together!

[View My TQS Profile Franceslovesfabric]

I've done good so far today, but I wasn't home for much of the day. When i stopped at the grocery store on the way home, I wandered down the cookie aisle looking for something for my DD and was tempted but did not buy any cookies for me. I need to work on eating more fruits and veggies.
Frances in Austin where it is too hot to walk outside

[View My TQS Profile QuilterLynn]

Oh, I can't believe I really am jumping in here, but I am! Weight has been an issue my whole life - well mostly my whole life. I lost down to a really good weight while DH was in Vietnam in 1968-69 and even thru two pregnancies held my own pretty well. Then in 1984, I quit smoking and put on 10, then 15, then 20, then 25 --- well you know how that goes. And I mostly stayed plump until now.

In 2004 I had emergency heart by-pass after a newly placed stent caused the vessel to break up and the doctor said, "Lose weight, lose weight, lose weight!" I did lose some for awhile, and have gradually gained a little here and there. Then last year they discovered my by-pass graft has failed (that might explain the shortness of breath!) and because I've done some exercising, I had collaterals built up to help some with that.

But now the issue is I'm insulin resistant and THAT really makes loosing weight difficult.

I have begun going to a whole new round of MDs and I'm now sleeping with CPAP because I was breathing too shallow and that's hard on the heart, starting Bietta to help with the insulin issue, and the CPAP may even help with the depression that's been chronic since the early 90's!

So the timing here is really about perfect for me! Of course I'm hesitant to do it in public................failure is hard...........success is fun! I wish us all a healthy journey! I could be happy with even a 20# loss!

By the way, have you seen or read the book Quantum Health? She's been on about every show known to man recently, but since it was endorsed by Dr. Oz I got it because I so enjoy him! I'm a nurse myself, and really enjoy the fact that he does not hold himself above any of us in any way. He's just a comfortable old shoe and tells it like it is! I'm reading her book to give me courage to do this one day and one action at a time!
Lynn

[View My TQS Profile HAPPYCAMPBELL]

Sandy I have been looking all day for your update I hope all is well with you Happy