Is anyone trying to lose weight?

BlackSpinner wrote:What we all need is this thread mill desk

The aim of a treadmill desk is to integrate movement and gentle exercise into the working day of an otherwise sedentary office worker. Rather than sitting all day in a chair, a treadmill desk allows desk-based workers to stand and take a slow walk while working.

wiki

I tried to get my boss to get me one of those a few years ago, strangely enough he wouldn't!

MurphysLaw wrote:Hope1952, You sound so much like me. At least we're on the right track, getting a good night's sleep which really helps. I hope you weren't flooded too badly. We were thinking of heading that direction for a vacation but don't know if it's a good idea at this time.

Dreamstalker, your initial response made me angry at first, but after I cooled down, I realized that you're right and I'm glad you said it. My first thoughts were: 1. Do you cook only for yourself or are you the primary cook for your family? 2. How can you assume that my weekends are less hectic? They aren't.

Blackspinner, you have good points. I don't order sandwiches and often times ask them to hold the bread. I do order salads with chicken or grilled chicken and veggies. I never order pasta out. I think it's a combination of not knowing how things are prepared and also the large portion sizes at restaurants. Even though what is in front of me looks healthy, I end up eating the entire meal. I need to box half of it up for my next meal.

This thread is a good motivator, maybe just what I need.

I am right there with you. That's why I enjoy Weight Watchers, they call it a lifestyle change and not a diet. Any diet where you put things off limits is going to fail. Instead I have permission to eat that ice cream, or burger, but is it really worth it? That's what I have learned, often times to me it is just not worth the 7 points to eat a snickers bar, when I could have apples and low fat caramel, or heck some meals are only 7 points and I get to eat a whole meal.

You need to change your lifestyle, but you still need to be able to live in the world. We eat out, I just choose smart, and preplan what I am going to order before I get there. You can't just quit doing things like eating out because after a while you are going to quit because it's too restrictive.

I am with you on this, we eat out, but I choose smart and I enjoy my time out.

I will say right now, I am having motivation problems so instead of doing Weight Watchers all gung ho, I am easing back into it, by switching out my junk food snacks for apples, or switching my ice cream from full fat, to popsicles or low calorie fudge bars.

IMO, making the putting of things off-limits ... well, off-limits is a silly statement.

It's like a drug addict saying that quiting all drugs all the time is doomed to failure. Or an alcoholic saying that drinking once in a while is the only way to quit.

I don't eat arsenic because even though a little may not kill me right away, it is just plain off-limits for me period ... same goes for sugar, HFCS, industrial vegetable oils, grains be they whole or processed, and a few other common foods.

You are right about it being a life-style as opposed to a "temporary" diet. The diet must be a permanent life-style change. Eating bad foods every once in a while is really not a life-style change ... it is hanging on to the bad old habits that cause bad health (past, present, and future).

But y'all go on ahead and drink, smoke, eat bad foods, and do whatever you have to as an excuse to be able to "live" in the world. I try an help folks here question conventional wisdom when it comes to a healthy life style ... very easy, just look at how other organisms in the animal kingdom live in their natural environment. Its not like we have to go live in a cave or anything ... just look at how well the GEICO caveman does in our modern world.

Best to all of you whatever you all decide to do.

TheTwinsMom1 wrote: I am right there with you. That's why I enjoy Weight Watchers, they call it a lifestyle change and not a diet. Any diet where you put things off limits is going to fail. Instead I have permission to eat that ice cream, or burger, but is it really worth it? That's what I have learned, often times to me it is just not worth the 7 points to eat a snickers bar, when I could have apples and low fat caramel, or heck some meals are only 7 points and I get to eat a whole meal.

You need to change your lifestyle, but you still need to be able to live in the world. We eat out, I just choose smart, and preplan what I am going to order before I get there. You can't just quit doing things like eating out because after a while you are going to quit because it's too restrictive.

I am with you on this, we eat out, but I choose smart and I enjoy my time out.

I will say right now, I am having motivation problems so instead of doing Weight Watchers all gung ho, I am easing back into it, by switching out my junk food snacks for apples, or switching my ice cream from full fat, to popsicles or low calorie fudge bars.

Twinsmom, are you doing this on your own or going to meetings? For what it's worth, this time I went into this with no expectations and no goals other than to ease the knee and back pain. I never dreamed I would hang onto it this long that it has become a lifestyle change.

Even though I'm following an old Weight Watchers program, I never would have lasted this long if I were going to the meetings. Been there, done that—many times. I always ended up quitting because I had a couple of bad weeks or the little old ladies lost faster than I did, so I mentally couldn't justify the money involved. This time I'm finally doing it on my own and doing better than with group support. This thread is the first group support I've had, and it's free! Others do better with the group, but not me. Besides, the WW points program didn't work out too well for me. I prefer the older one that (I'm told) is more like a diabetic exchange program.

If I have to totally give up eating out, I'll never make it. It would be prison. You wouldn't believe how many restaurants I refuse to visit. There are probably only ten local ones that I will visit, with only a choice or two at each, but that's fine with me. Right now I have a bridal shower invitation in front of me with three meal choices, none of which I'm happy with, but I have to choose one and deal with what is on my plate when I get there.

This thread is a good wakeup call for me. I've been struggling, not gaining, but not losing. Thanks to everyone for the push.

DreamStalker wrote:IMO, making the putting of things off-limits ... well, off-limits is a silly statement.
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We all have to deal with our inner toddler our own way. For many of us just say "You can't eat that" means we immediately want to put it in our mouth. Our little toddler mind starts swimming in circles like a shark around the word "potatoes"! Now I haven't eaten a potato in over a month and I am not interested in having one, I can sit in front of a dish of fries and it is ok. BUT if I tell myself I can't have any potatoes ever again watch out because I am raiding your fries, chips, mashed potatoes and baked potatoes!!

I keep telling myself what I can eat, when I crave something I try to find something that I like better to eat like grapes instead of candy. I avoid the "nos" like the plague because NO does the opposite - it creates an instant craving.

djr1215 wrote:Murphyslaw,

Have you tried adding in a bit of exercise (beyond what you get running around after your family?) A few years ago I lost 35 pounds and 5 inches around my waist mainly through a simple 10 minute walk-in-place type exercise DVD. I did it 3 times a day - before work, at lunch and after work. Unfortunately I stopped and well, you know what happened then! Mostly I sit all day long at work, and then knitting and/or watching TV at night. So I've pulled out the DVD again and am trying to motivate myself to do it again. At only 10 minutes at a time I really have no excuse! I really hate doing this but I'm going to post my weight to make myself accountable to y'all - 245

Not enough, apparently. At first I was diagnosed with torn cartilage and a loose body in my right knee so I was scared to walk. Now my knee seems fine, oddly. I have gone for a few walks and planned to join the Y or Curves but never did.

Sorry that I missed this post earlier.

Lynne

BUMP

Murphyslaw,

I am doing the Weight Watchers online option. I went to the meetings and finished all the weeks where they give you information. Going now would just be a repeat of what they already told me. I like the online version because I have access to all the information in a format that suits my life.

I did the nutrasystem program for a while. The food was ok (keeping in mind I actually *liked* MREs when in the Army ). Their online discussion groups aren't for the faint of heart though. I posted a simple hello message and immediately got piled on by a bunch of "tough love" wackos. Never went back. I know what I need to do to lose weight. I just need to actually *do* it.

A guy at work was doing Jenny Craig along with his wife. He was down about 35 pounds when he quit and moved out of state.

Years ago I joined the Diet Center. I don't know if they're still around. It was expensive and starvation to the point of weakness and dizziness. As bad as I felt, I didn't really lose any weight. Worst diet experience ever.

I know someone who did very well on Jenny Craig. I guess all of these places work for people when the diet is the right "fit" for that person.

It's nice that Weight Watchers now has an online option. It's hard for some to get to the meetings.

Ok. I'm in too.

Great to see so many people jumping on board. I'm down another pound to 211.

It probably could have been a little better but I spent a three day weekend at Camp Tecumseh in Indiana with seven 5-6 year olds. Meals were standard camp-food, pancakes, sausage, hash-browns for breakfast; chicken tenders for lunch, and hamburgers for dinner. Your "choice" for each meal was that you could eat or not eat.

At least the other dads didn't load up their coolers with a ton of junk food like normal (I had one homemade chocolate-chip cookie that one of the guys brought).

Now, in the sense of honesty I must admit that we made a side trip to the Fair Oak Farms dairy for the tour there (we got to see two calves born). No way was I able to turn down ice cream made on-site with milk fresh from the dairy after the tour.

Okay, I'm in...although I haven't read the whole thread! But I do need to lose weight and all I seem to be doing is gaining. I'm an emotional and I'm-bored eater. I have a ton to lose. I have zero motivation right now. It's kinda like I'm so far gone and have so much to lose, why bother. Stupid attitude, but that's what it is right now. Mentally, I know how stupid and self-defeating this attitude is, but I'm having a hard time snapping out of it. I need accountability, too.

For me, I'll sorta have to agree with DreamStalker on something...now that scares me , (but not with his oh-so-charming way of saying it). Sometimes a person does have to eliminate or drastically reduce certain foods, depending on health issues. I have HBP, so I need to restrict sodium big time. I wish WW paid more attention to sodium content. Diabetes runs in my family, and my cholesterol and triglycerides are high, so I need to cut back simple carbs and saturated fats. One item I wish to completely eliminate are sodas. And sometimes it's like, do you remember that old Lay's potato chip commercial, "betcha can't eat just one," or something like that. There are certain foods that if I do try to eat just one, I can't stop. There are certain foods--like sodas--that allowing the occasional one doesn't work for me because it's so hard to stop with just one!

djr1215, would you mind sharing the name of the walking DVD you used? You are SO brave posting your weight. Don't think I have the nerve to do that yet.

Pam

WearyOne wrote: djr1215, would you mind sharing the name of the walking DVD you used? You are SO brave posting your weight. Don't think I have the nerve to do that yet.

Pam

It's part of the WeightWatchers Walking Kit. I don't think they sell it any more although I suppose a WW center might have an old one around. Or you might search on Ebay. There was a Walk at Home DVD and a Walk on the Go CD as well as a "complete walking guide". The Walk at Home DVD had the 10 minute program as well as a 20 and 30 minute program. If you can't find this one, I know Leslie Sansone has some that might work as well, although I find her annoying! You can try out some of her DVDs on netflix if you have a subscription.

And it's not bravery - if nobody calls me on it, I'll just sit around and not do anything about it and gain back the 15 pounds I lost in January due to illness (actually, I've already started gaining it back!)
Donna

Thank you, Donna. I'll check into all of these. And I do have a Netflx subscription! Had not thought about that avenue---thanks!

Pam