Diet Soda: Weight Loss Disaster??

I used to drink lots of diet coke. I really loved it. I stopped as part of my lifestyle change. One of the key things that I believe is that the sweetness of it just made me want more sugary food- see previous post on gummi bears. Sugar and carbs are my weakness. I also believe it can't be good drinking out of aluminum cans. I know this is a controversial subject but here is an interesting article published today on MSN: http://health.msn.com/nutrition/arti...6887&GT1=31036

Another study http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20050613/drink-more-diet-soda-gain-more-weight links drinking diet soda with a 41% increased risk of obesity. Regular soda also increase your risk by just over 30%. Glad I stopped drinking it. I must admit I still occassionally order it in restaurants but it is not a 3x/day habit anymore!!!!

Responsibility of the Gym for anorexic client

I felt like I had to speak with the fitness instructor at the gym and bring the issue of the women with anorexia forward. If she can't help herself maybe being banned from cardio exercise would shake some sense into her. So I spoke up. Apparently there is nothing much they can do. They tried to revoke her membership once before and she made it a human rights, discrimination issue. I can't believe it, we are being forced to watch someone kill themselves. I am sure if she died the gym could just as easily be sued for allowing it to happen. What a crazy world!!!

Tips and Tricks for Maintaining Weightloss

So far so good, I have been maintaining my weight. I remain committed to my exercise routine. But I worry how can I make sure I don't slip. Change up my exercise routine so I don't get bored- running, elliptical, swimming, weights, rowing, biking. Yesterday I went for a 50 min kayak, I would have gone further but a storm was racing in. I think the key is to set goals. This is how I lost the weight. I set a goal and broke it down into bit sized pieces (it always comes back to food) Commit to running a race. I am going to commit to running in a 10 k race. I am a bit frightened. I really enjoy running and want to keep it that way- I hope this is not too much. Amazing the level of insecurity I can still have after having lost 140 lbs!!! Anyway I always wondered why do people compete in 5k, 10K, half Marathons and Triathlons. Some people are obviously competitive by nature, but there are alot of ordinary people in these races. Maybe committing to these races keeps them committed to training? Heading out to run 7K!

getting addicted to Allan's Gummi Bears

oh,oh. I bought a bag of Allan's Gummi Bears from Costco as treats for the kids. I don't even like gummi bears. But these gummi bears are gooood... I find that I am sliding into an old habit with these bears. The positive is that I am recognizing it. I think the reality is I am a sugar addict- it gives me a burst of energy without exercising. Not good! Sorry Allan's I won't be buying anymore gummi bears I can't control myself

Started Running Again and 10 extra min of sleep

Okay so it has been about two months since my hip injury in Florida and my hips feel good so I have decided to take up running again. On days when I have limited time in the morning running is a great option, get dressed and head out the door. I can save about 10 min versus going to the gym!! I know it doesn't seem like alot but that is 10 extra min of sleep. That is a huge win. Bought new running shoes, have my ipod and I'm all set!!

Maintenance

No weight gained while on vacation!!!! I did gain 2-3 pounds in maintenance, mainly from increasing some carbs. So I think it is hydration, which is associated with carbs. My face actually looks a bit better now that I have 2-3 pounds back on. It was looking a little too old and gaunt. So I am still staying away from breads, but I eat cereals (fiber, oatmeal etc). I am still committed 100% to exercise. I am eating a ton of raisins but I am starting to wonder if that is because they are sweet???

Passive Aggressive Interference

It goes on. It has been another month. Anorexia girl is still coming to the gym and working out like a fiend. I am so worried. She has no life. She has no potential for a life unless she takes control of her disease. She has the potential to be very attractive but right now she just looks ill. I wrote her a letter this time and gave it to her with my phone number. I just can't stop interfering.....
On a happy note my maintenance is going well, I am exercising everyday!!!

Hi there, I notice you have anorexia

Okay, I interfered. I went up to her and spoke briefly. I told her I recognized that she had anorexia, because I too had it many years ago and that I was concerned because it looked like it was getting out of control. If she needed anyone to talk to yada, yada. Anyway she listened, was polite but I am sure I had no impact. I do feel a bit better. It was like I was watching someone step out in front of a bus.
Anyway of course she is the subject of much twittering amoungest the gym ladies and they watched closely as I was talking with her......

Anorexic at the Gym

I have been very disturbed and upset every morning at the gym. There is a young women in her late 20's early 30's who has been working out early in the morning every day for the last 4-5 months. She started off thin, but now there is no question in my mind there is a problem. Her bones are sticking out- her spinal cord, pelvic bones. Her workout clothes are falling off. She looks like an 8 yr old. It turns out this poor women has been battling anorexia since she was 15. 15 years of having a disease controlling your life! Although I guess how is different from gaining weight. I think it is on some level- anorexia is worse, it is an obsession and compulsion and eats up every waking hour. Weight gain was not that for me, I could ignore it and pretend that others didn't see me that way. One thing I have not shared is that I did have anorexia for a short time at 14. My family was going through very difficult times and it manifested in this way for me. I was down to 80lbs but got treatment right away and it was never a problem again. Certainly my battle with food was....
Anyway I feel obligated to say something to her, offer her support although I know logically that it won't help. But if I feel that if I don't say anything, I am allowing her to continue to live in the fantasy that everything is ok and no one notices. I know, I know this is a typical female response- we can help, we can fix

Vacation and Exercise

This caused an enormous amount of stress initially because there was no workout room at our condo. An internet search revealed there was a YMCA about 15 min away, but I didn't want to interfere with everyone else's vacation by being an exercise obsessed nut. But this is a life style change for me. I was so afraid if I didn't exercise I would get out of the habit and slide back to my old ways. So I start jogging on the beach every morning. Don't forget I just recently started running and only had been out a few times. Anyway it was spiritual, the waves crashing, dodging fishing poles the occassional portuguese man of war. What I didn't take into account was how sloped the beach was. After 8 days of running on a sloped beach my hips were killing me I could barely walk. Nice! Turns out it was my IT band and it needed a rest. Running on a sloped beach is not good for alignment. Now what was I going to do. I was swimming lengths but it was always hard to find time when the pool was low volume. I was sneaking in in off hours- sometimes I would take the boys and make it family time.
I always feel like I need cardio other than swimming. So I bought a skipping rope.
How long has it been seen you have skipped? Seems easy enough?? No! I would skip for 10 turns and then it would catch my feet or the ground. It was incredibly frustrating- but I kept at it. I had no other option. In the parking lot of the condo every morning. All I really wanted to do was to be able to run!!! Anyway I hope I never see another skipping rope again!!!

weight loss and vacation

This was a challenge. Florida for two weeks. We had a condo with a kitchen so that made it easier. I actually enjoy cooking while I'm on vacation. The challenge was day trips. Disney World I was dreading. The reality was I was impressed. I hadn't been to Disney in many years they now have a large selection of healthy fast food snacks- fresh fruit, veggie sticks etc. The rest of the day trips were a bit harder because of the treats- icecream etc. When I did indulge I chose carefully -kiddie cone of frozen yogurt. And you know what? It was enough. Other than that I packed picnic lunches. We ate dinner out a couple of times- I am glad the US is starting to give out nutritional information for their meals.
The best part of the vacation was that I could wear summer clothes!! Bathing suits, shorts. I had some fun shopping at the outlet malls- that is a first in a longtime!!!

At Goal 142 lbs lost!!

142 lbs. I am happy at this weight. Size 4-6. I have lost 144 lbs in total and I am fit and healthy with lots of energy!! Now is the hard part maintenance. And to top it off I am starting it on vacation. Wish me luck!!!
Measurements 36, 29, 34

Running again

So I have started running again. I haven't ran in 7 or 8 years. I love it. You can't think of anything except just moving. I can't think about work or kids or laundry. I have started off slow- 20 min but it has been very easy because my fitness level is high!!!

Tips for Eating Out and Weight loss

I eat out alot due to the type of work I do. It has been such a rude awakening to find out the calories in restaurant food. So now I try to plan ahead, I check the menus of restaurants online. Check for nutrition information and plan my meal in advance.
I ask for sauces to be held. I have no problem just asking for a grilled chicken breast even if it is not on the menu. I always ask for the salad dressing to be held.
Fast food restaurants- MacDonalds has great chicken breast salads. I just ask for no dressing. Grilled chicken sandwich with no mayo- Wendys, MacDonalds Harveys. Mr Sub or Subway- you can get chicken salads. Tim Hortons- Chili is a great option Boston pizza- I will often have their chili. Swiss Chalet is always a good bet.

Vibraslim

FADS- I am such a sucker for any new piece of equipment. You name it I have owned it- Nordic Track, treadmill, elliptical, bike, step, thighmaster (yes I did), bosi ball.... It goes on. My latest it the vibrating machine. Does it help with weight loss I don't know. Does it make my muscles feel better yes. I can definitely feel the muscles contract and I don't have muscle soreness or fatigue after exercise. So for me that is worth it

Goal Weight

So I have been struggling with should I change my goal weight. I am at 150lbs right now I want to get to 130 but everyone is telling me I am getting too skinny. I am 5'4" so i think they are insane it might just be they are so used to my heavy weight.
My BMI is still a bit high but the docs tell me you can't always go by bmi because of fitness level and muscle. really struggling with what my weight should be?
I think I might aim for 140.

HIIT

So my latest exercise tip is High Intensity Interval Training. It works like a dream I have been doing it for about two months now. It really helps with fat burning and even more importantly my Oxygen capacity. My fitness level has gone way up. So how does it work- reasonable pace for 3 min, high intensity pace for 1 min keep at through your entire exercise. You can do this on any machine- elliptical, treadmill, stairclimber, rowing machine. People look at me like I am insane as a I am rocking the elliptical off its base- but it works!!!

Biggest Loser Week

So here I am a week entirely dedicated for myself and enjoying exercise. (between drop offs and pickups for the kids and making breakfast lunch and dinner).
6:30 am to the exercise club- 50 min cardio (elliptical, stairclimber, rowing machine) 35 min weight machines
Home- make breakfast for the kids take them to school

11 am -30 min swim 15 min in the sauna

PM 1 hour recumbant bike
One afternoon I went to the spa. The only mistake I made was going for a hike in the rain up a steep hill. I could barely get down it was soooo slippery, I was grabbing on to trees all the way down.
The upside I was exhausted every night and slept well. The downside I overdid it, and did not lose any weight. I think my mistake was I didn't increase my intake of food enough. Oh well. I was hoping for one of those double digit weeks you see on tv. Still it was worth it and I believe in my self more now

Tricks and Tips

I am so close to my goal I am at over 80%!!
So my latest finds are:
Tuna-precooked and prepackaged tuna steaks lemon and pepper or thai. I can take these to work or on the road with me.
I love sugar free jello as a snack
I also love the low calorie puddings- butterscotch etc as a treat.
Laughing cow cheese
M&M meat shop- chicken with ham and swiss cheese (no breading on it)
Shrimp cocktails
Sashimi
Fiber 1 cereal
switched out fiber 1 bars (too much sugar) for Kashi or Preventia
raisins
130 lbs gone size 8 pants!!!

Sick of Pre cooked grilled chicken strips

Ughh. I can no longer stomach my favorite lunch- grilled chicken strips on spinach. I clearly overdid eating it!!! I tried taking a break for a few weeks and going back to it but it makes me nauseated!
One amazing thing- my taste buds are changing. I am now actually enjoying grilled fish and sushi. Very odd!!!

Family and weightloss

So my youngest son (13) has not figured out that I am changing my lifestyle and he is usually so observant. He keeps offering me his extra food or a piece of a chocolate bar. My oldest son, who got me to sign up at the exercise club is a ghost at the club. My husband has been very supportive and makes positive comments re my weight loss but he has not changed his lifestyle. I have not found it difficult to adjust my diet to the families. I have always cooked healthy meals but I have always just eaten too much. My extended family are in shock, my co-workers are in shock.

Biggest Loser

I have never watched this show before and now I am addicted. I am accomplishing at home what these individuals are acccomplishing on tv!! I relate to each of their stories. I have to admit I am not sure how I would have done in that environment, I watch how hard they exercise and I am so inspired. I could do that now but not 90 lbs ago!! There is no way!. I have been doing alot of thinking about how I got to this point (3x!) and how I can stop it from happening next time. Alot of it is about taking time for myself. As a mother and wife, I take pride in putting my family first. The problem is I can't be my best for them if I don't take time for myself. So I am seriously thinking about taking a week of vacation and doing a biggest loser week. I think it would be fun.
This month down 12 lbs size 10!!!

Protein and Weight loss

So with my increased exercise and work schedule I am really having trouble getting in enough protein. So I bought protein powder and try to make a protein shake every morning after I exercise. Be careful some brands are awful. I have been using a chocolate and vanilla brand from costco.
Sample menu: breakfast yogurt before workout; protein shake post workout, bran crispbread with Laughing cow cheese, Snack yogurt Lunch grilled chicken and spinach, veggies, bran crispbread snack bran crispbread (Im addicted) apple Dinner pork, veggies, Snack SF jello, cheese and crackers
Down 16 pounds this month Size 12 pants 70% of goal

Down 90 lbs- 60% of goal!!

So I stole my thunder in my post - I am past the halfway mark of my goal!!!!
I am now up to 45 min cardio each day and adding in some weight lifting!

starting to get nervous

So I hit a bit of a plateau this month. It didn't last long- a week and a half but it made me realize this could happen to me. How did I get through it. The internet I started researching, joined some weight loss forums and read stories of other women struggling with plateaus and just accepted that it is normal and sometimes it is your body adjusting. Also some of my weight loss prior to the plateau could have been water and once I start holding on to it again my weight appears to plateau.
The other key learning is that around the time of my monthly visit my weight loss slows down. I might have a week where I lose 5 lbs and the next week I don't lose anything. I just accept it and look at the big picture

exercise and weight loss

Ok, so I started exercising last month- in secret at home. I bought some workout tapes. I close the door to the TV room and no one is allowed in to watch. I am too self concious. I am enjoying it though- up beat music it gets me moving and makes me feel lighter!! I have a number of different dvd's -turbo jam, the firm. Low impact but fast paced!!

Exercise Club and Weight loss

So this month my teenage son says to me he wants to join the Y fitness. So I go with him to check it out, but I am hesitant. By the end we are signed up and I start to work out on the elliptical. I love it . I make a commitment to go every morning before work and then it is done for the day. I even started lifting some weights. It has made a huge difference for my energy level. The other great thing is there is a group of regulars that work out every am, and they start to expect me there. I continue to do my workout tapes at home. Huge weight loss this month 21 lbs- it really bumped up my metabolism! I am also down to size 14 pants from size 22!!!

Tricks and tips

So I spent alot of time researching tips and tricks from weight loss surgery patients. What kind of diets are they put on? High protein, low carb, supplements- vit B, fish oils, calcium, magnesium. Another diet that has great success is the Bernstein diet- patients have to pay a small fortune for this diet and it is a VLCD (too low in my eyes)-high protein, lower carbs and vitamin injections. So that is what I am doing. I have learned your metabolism works better if you have good fats in your diet- mine are probably a bit low. I am now trying to take in at least 110 g of protein every day. This is difficult. I am also increasing my fiber intake significantly- fiber 1 bars, bran crispbread, etc. I am avoiding bread but I take in carbs in the form of oatmeal, bran etc.
I often will make myself a salad with chicken and spinach at lunch- I buy precooked chicken breast strips from costco Down 17 more pounds this month!!!! Inches 45, 37, 48!

Weight loss Surgery

I have battled with weightloss on and off. Each time I lose a significant amount of weight I let go and slide back. Lost about 50 lbs put on during university before my wedding. After two kids- lost 90 lbs and kept it off for a few years. Now I am back heavier than ever. So I researched weight loss surgery. My final decision- it doesn't make sense (for me). Do you lose weight? Yes Can you gain the weight back? Yes Is there a risk of death and complications? Yes Is it easy? No. When it comes right down to it, there doesn't seem to be much difference between the two methods. Weight loss surgery requires calorie restriction- all of the research I did indicated these patients are eating VLCD (very low calorie diets) 700-800 calories and they can gain the weight back if they don't change their lifestyle and maintain low calories. So why put yourself through this? I can understand if your problem is that you don't have the ability to stick to a diet even in the short term. You need physical restrictions. But that is not my problem, I can lose the weight, I just have trouble keeping it off. It is all about a life change. So I have chosen to go down the path of diet and eventually exercise and commit to a lifestyle change permanently! What I am going to do is learn some of the tricks from the weight loss surgery patients. Month 3 down Holy down 19 lbs Total weight loss 50 lbs!!!!

Measurements

I decided to take my measurements and start tracking these. Additional motivation!!47, 41, 53 UGH!!! By the end of the month 46.5, 40.5, 51 Not bad plus additional inches off my legs and arms. I would have to say my shape is a block!!
Changes to my diet this month- trying to increase my protein levels. Starting to count protein, carbs, and fiber. Writing everything down in a food journal. This is really helpful- it is keeping me accountable.
Down another 15 lbs this month- 31 lbs in total No change in pant size!!! Just shows you how stretchy lycra is and how scarry it is -you can't use your clothes to judge weight gain!!!

First Month

13 pounds gone!!!! Yahoo! My motivation was still high. I am focussing on eating breakfast each day and eating snacks throughout the day. Portion control is a huge issue.
Breakfast-eggs/egg whites, fruit snack yogurt Lunch- chicken, salad dressing on the side, veggies snack Kamut krisps Dinner 4 oz beef, veggies, salad, soup
I am not exercising yet. I still felt too fat!! I also wanted to save that when I needed to boost my metabolism. What I missed the most- Doritos Jalapeno and Cheddar chips!!!

Weight Watchers

I started off with weight watchers online. I knew people who had been very successful with weight watchers in the past. I am not much into group meetings and don't have alot of free time so this seemed like a good option. It was actually a very easy transition to weight watchers. Was I hungry? Sure I was. I had been eating alot!!! But for me this was an important life change and I viewed the hunger pains as reminders of the important choices I was making. Anyway over two weeks I learned alot about my eating. Every time I would go to the cupboard I was drawn to carbs and sugars. They were easy to access, they were prepared, and you can find them anywhere. I realized that I had a real problem with carbs and sugars. I do believe you need carbs in your diet but i did not need as many as I was eating. I decided to modify weight watchers and starting cutting out refined carbs and sugar. It was the best thing I ever did!!! The cravings went away. I no longer wanted carbs. Hurray!! The weight? It was dropping. It was dropping with WW but it went a bit faster with modifying carbs- probably water- but who cares I will take it!!

286 pounds!!!!

How did this happen? I know full well how it happened I let down my guard. I made bad choices. I let sugar and carbs rule my life. I found solice in food. Now I am in trouble.
I knew I was fat for a long time. But I made sure I did not have full length mirrors in the house.
The real awakening for me was one day my 14 yr old son texted me to pick him up. He was out with friends. Later he told me one of his friends was making fun of my weight. I suddenly realized how selfish I was being. My weight was not just impacting me. It was impacting my children, my relationship with my husband, friends and family. Enough was enough. It still took two more months before I was fully mentally ready to commit, But I woke up one morning and knew I could do it. And so my journey began, for the third time in my life...... But it was going to be the last