Is anyone trying to lose weight?

[srwesely]

Good luck, Wolfhound. Congratulations Murphyslaw--I'm the only person I know who gained weight following weight watchers. Now I might be too scared of failure to try.

[Paul56]

Losing weight in theory is a simple thing... more exercise and less food intake.

In reality our emotions get in the way and we end up consuming more than is required.

No fad diets and no gimmicks are required. Support from others going through the same
process is invaluable.

My mom belongs to TOPS - http://www.tops.org - where that is exactly what they do.
No gimmicks, no fancy diets... just good old support, good nutrition and exercise.

Putting a sign on the fridge door that says "Remember your weight loss goals!" helps too.

[DreamStalker]

Losing weight in theory is a simple thing... more exercise and less food intake.

In reality our emotions get in the way and we end up consuming more than is required.

No fad diets and no gimmicks are required. Support from others going through the same
process is invaluable.

My mom belongs to TOPS - http://www.tops.org - where that is exactly what they do.
No gimmicks, no fancy diets... just good old support, good nutrition and exercise.

Putting a sign on the fridge door that says "Remember your weight loss goals!" helps too.

Losing weight may be "simple" to do but the underlying process is a bit more complex than "more exercise and less food intake". The conservation of energy hypothesis requires that the metabolic rate remain constant. The human body is much more complex than that and does not maintain a constant metabolic rate. The human (as well as for most animals) metaboloic rate changes as a function of both body nutrient chemistry (food/vitamins/minerals) input and body movement or kinetics (exercise) output in addition to mental and physical stress. Both input and output parameters of the enrgy balance (and stress management) affect the hormonal fluxes which in turn affect the metabolic rate.

In other words it is more than just exercise more and eat less food. You have to eat less of the "right" foods and exercise more of the "right" body movements to optimize your genetic expression for good health ... the body weight will adjust accordingly. The right food and exercise? ... do a search.

Instead of a sign, a more effective approach would be to chant your "health goals" (either aloud or mentally) on a daily basis ... the ideal body weight will develop as you achieve your optimal health.

[nobody]

Yes I've been trying to lose weight! I was doing well then just hit a roadblock and can't seem to lose anymore. I'd like to lose another 15 pounds minimum but I'm stuck! I've been having trouble getting more exercise, though. Although I get nice refreshing sleep I have problems with muscle weakness and joint pain. I don't know why, it's an unsolved mystery, but it makes vigorous exercise really difficult.

[Jaylee]

Yay that sounds fun! I am in!

I recently started walking on an outdoor trail in my town. It is very hilly and I really get a good workout doing it. At times I think I am not going to make it and I have to take frequent breaks But my goal is to do it 5 days a week. M,Tues,Thurs,Fri and Sat.

I would love to check in here

I have also changed my eating habits. A salad every day with egg and chicken breast for protein at lunch and Lean Cuisine and salad for dinner. I generally have Special K or Kashi Go Lean Crunch for breakfast with 2% milk. I can tell in my clothes that I have lost weight, but I am too fluffy for our scale at the moment, so I can only weigh in at my doctor's office.

[ydc]

Yep. Been in exercise and diet mode myself. Got myself up to running 6 miles a day for lunch, 5x per week!

For me I can't seem to keep the weight under control without first ramping up the exercise program. I think its because I'm more motivated to eat healthier when I know that the run I just did would be negated by the junk food I'm wishing I could shovel into my mouth. Not saying it's 100% effective for me, but at least keeps me pointed in the right direction.

I have a droid too Wolfhound! Been using the app "cardiotrainer" which sounds like it has similar features to what you're using. It can also post your run stats to Facebook, but I'm not much for annoying my friends on a daily basis with how long/fast I was running. I'm just happy to keep track of the miles/route/etc and I also run with a heart rate monitor to track my calories burned. Working for me at the moment at least.

[thewetlizard]

I am TRYING to lose weight. March of '09 I was 320lb (5'5") I weighed myself today and I was 247. I thought I would have gained weight because I have been under a lot of stress the last 2 weeks

[SleepingUgly]

I recommend planning for the inevitable "slip" in eating something one shouldn't so that it's viewed more neutrally and doesn't then lead to a full-blown "falling off the wagon", which is a big problem in maintaining diets. Also, I recommend very clearly-delineated, controllable, short-term goals, as opposed to global, overwhelming outcomes. For example: "I am going to drink a glass of water half an hour before dinner and eat a salad with dinner 5 out of 7 nights this week", not "I am going to lose 65 pounds by Christmas". Another thing that can help is writing down exactly what you eat, as often documenting behavior leads to its reduction even in the absence of other interventions (I doubt this would be sufficient for most people, but could help).

[SleepingUgly]

I am TRYING to lose weight. March of '09 I was 320lb (5'5") I weighed myself today and I was 247. I thought I would have gained weight because I have been under a lot of stress the last 2 weeks

Wow, sounds like you're more than TRYING; you're SUCCEEDING. Congratulations!

[asylvia]

Yep. Been in exercise and diet mode myself. Got myself up to running 6 miles a day for lunch, 5x per week!

For me I can't seem to keep the weight under control without first ramping up the exercise program. I think its because I'm more motivated to eat healthier when I know that the run I just did would be negated by the junk food I'm wishing I could shovel into my mouth. Not saying it's 100% effective for me, but at least keeps me pointed in the right direction.

I have a droid too Wolfhound! Been using the app "cardiotrainer" which sounds like it has similar features to what you're using. It can also post your run stats to Facebook, but I'm not much for annoying my friends on a daily basis with how long/fast I was running. I'm just happy to keep track of the miles/route/etc and I also run with a heart rate monitor to track my calories burned. Working for me at the moment at least.

if your still having trouble with running 6 miles a day, try some other form of cardio than steady state. i'd recommend high intensity interval training or even subbing out some cardio days with resistance training. just remember to intake proper nutrition when doing these forms of training. steady state cardio can be accomplished to lose fat on an empty stomache.

[MurphysLaw]

I am TRYING to lose weight. March of '09 I was 320lb (5'5") I weighed myself today and I was 247. I thought I would have gained weight because I have been under a lot of stress the last 2 weeks

Yes, you are succeeding, wetlizard. Great job. Have you hit any plateaus or is it coming off steadily?

I started in Jan '09. I have more to lose but feel 20 years younger without all the knee and back pain.

Lynne

[Jaylee]

We have this nature trail at work that someone once said I would not be capable of walking. A rude coworker, really. So for over a year now I have had this demon on my back telling me that I can't walk on this trail. And every time my students go I have to stay behind and they cry because Miss J can't go. I have to make up excuses and my coteacher has to make excuses, because I can't exactly tell them that it is because Miss J is too fat.

Well tomorrow I am walking on that trail. I don't care if it takes me 4 hours and I have to sit down 10 times, I will get around that trail. I am going to do it to prove to myself that I can do it, then I am going to schedule as many Nature Walks as the county will let me get away with on my lesson plans, and I will walk with my students.

[patdart]

Good for you! You really have a great 'head of steam' going! I'm proud to 'know' you and wish you well in the future!

[MurphysLaw]

Jaylee, I'll be thinking about you this week as you walk with the kids. Good for you. Post back and let us know how it goes.

Two doctors told me I would have to have one or both of my knees replaced in the not-so-distant future. That and the knee and back pain were enough to make me change my ways. The knee and back pain are gone now. My doctor mentioned having another sleep study done and taking away my CPAP now that I've lost weight (and I'm nowhere near where I need to be). No one is taking away my CPAP!

Lynne

[Jaylee]

Well I walked it, so I can issue a great "Take that, naysayers!!!" to all of the people at my work who told me I couldn't do it

That being said, it really is about the closest thing to torture I have ever experienced and I am thankful that I never have to do it again if I don't want to

I was hoping it wouldn't be as difficult as it was. No wonder my students cry when they go on it

Anyway, I was hoping that I could come here and post that it was a breeze and I would be doing it once a week with the kids. But, wow, was it hard