Thread: My ultimate weight goal = new costume!

Inspired by some aquaintances on the Biggest Loser and horrified by almost pushing 200 lbs (first time ever)...I decided to "Get Real" about my weight (Thanks Dr. Phil). I'm doing it the old-fashioned way...counting calories...with a 21st century twist...The Daily Plate.

I know what to do. I work in nutrition and public health. I know things are bad for me and that it's all about calories in vs calories out...

BUT I needed some major motivation. I am tired of feeling bad about my body and I have just hit my late 20s and my metabolism has slowed....the point being, I came up with an elaborate Weight loss reward system to keep me movitvated.

For every 5 lbs I lose, I get a treat for myself. Not of the food variety but of the material variety...clothes and shoes. I love to shop, but I am appalled at the sizes I am wearing these days, so I'll treat myself to something new as I drop poundage. The trick is, I can't buy a single new thing until I hit each goal.

My ultimate weight-loss goal of 33 lbs earns me a new costume (capping it at $400). I have to start saving. According to the Daily Plate, I will reach this goal around Jan 17, which is about the time Lucy has her annual warehouse sale. ..l;,

It's been fun coming up with treats for myself and putting up posters and charts around the house. I just need to stop torturing myself by looking at the swap page!

Anyone have any tricks on how you stay motivated??? ..g.:

Stand in front of the mirror everyday - naked.

Originally Posted by Linnyg

Stand in front of the mirror everyday - naked.

Brutal! In some countries they consider that cruel and unusual punishment...

Oh dear. I'm no help here. I weigh close to 200 now myself and my only motive to lose is health. My dance costumes are a counter-motive! I'm bothered by the fear that I could lose too much and have to let go of my favorites if I can't make them fit any more. Oh dear, oh dear...c::
Rosette

Trust your body to know what it should weigh. For me, weight is much more mental than physical. My body pretty much on its own lightened up by at least 10 pounds within a few months last year (and I had been wanting to lose the weight for a long time) due to several changes in my life.

Of course, take care of the physical aspects, of which you are well aware: Eat what makes your body feel good and operate smoothly, exercise regularly to increase your metabolism (adding weight-training is especially good), get some vitamin D, and get enough sleep. Seriously assess what stressors your can eliminate or at least lessen. The added cortisol is doing you no good.

Besides those physical things, I've asked myself, "What am I holding onto that's weighing me down? What does the weight represent for me? What do I feel guilty about? What am I afraid of?" It may sound kind of goofy, but I really think there's a correlation.

Motivation - revealing your healthiest self! Birthing a healthier you!

I will second Kiyaana with facing up to what's motivating you to eat and I will steal her "birthing a healthier you!" because I like it.

I separately had started writing three pages in a journal every day as part of an art thing. The point was to just write first thing in the morning without thinking to get your creative juices flowing. I found myself writing about eating at almost any family event. I paid attention and realized that that's what my family does together... we eat. Enormously. And we are all enormous. At an honest 18, I am the thinnest woman in my family. I am using art to continue to work through my discovery, but have also set myself a costume reward - if I can find one to fit my top half! Everyone swore that weight loss started with the bosoms, but that's a bald faced lie. So far, I've gone down two band sizes and up two cup sizes, according to the bra fitting lady. But back to topic, I know the science of why I'm so fat (I am DOWN to about 219 at 5'7"), but that doesn't keep me out of the proverbial cookie jar. In fact, why bother with a jar when I could eat them all now? It's stopping and thinking about it before I start eating. And it's a challenge but dancing is a great motivator. Huzzah!

So this is another silly thing that I do because no matter how little I eat, and I don't eat much (think turtle in winter), I NEVER loose weight and the little I lose is so hard fought and so easily won back. When I get super frustrated, I sit down, grab my belly and have a chat. "I know that we have been together for a long time now but I think that we should start seeing other bellies. I am ready to move on and I think that you are too. Why can't we just make this a clean break and stop prolonging our goodbye." Like I said, silly. But...it is a little like people have mentioned above and taking a look at what is going on internally as to holding on to the weight.

I will say that you probably should not get caught doing this.

Thanks for sharing and being so honest everyone. I've made some other health goals too. Namely, to gain energy and lessen fatigue. I am so dang tired all of the dang-dong time! I also think it is more fun to eat whatever I want without thinking about the consequences. It's better to ignore it...until you realize you put on 10 pounds every 2 months. :P

I love the costume reward idea! For me that would certainly be enough to keep me motivated!! Instead of standing in front of the mirror naked (which can be harsh and depressing at times), why don't you start clipping/saving/printing pictures of what your new costume may look like? You can even do some creative Photoshopping to put your face on the model of the costume you love... kinda like a "this is me with my hot new body and hot new costume!" Then stick that picture on the fridge and look at it every time you start feeling discouraged (or start craving whatever bad-for-you snack/habit that's your personal weakness).

i like the costume reward too...It really does help to stay off the swap page so that you aren't tempted...I haven't been getting on that page as much either. Keep a positive attitude and try not to compare yourself to others. Stay focused. So in addition to eating healthy are you going to exercise too? besides dance? when i was trying to lose weight and tone up...running was the quickest way for me. I had to start slow and walk mostly then jog..and eventually build up....but I noticed a difference in a couple weeks that I was more toned.

Stay motivated by weighing yourself and taking your measurements regularly. Take a pair of pants that fit you currently and use them to gauge your weight loss. You will feel awesome when they are too big. Then, by a pair in the next size down (you can buy Target cheapies) and relish the fact when they are too big. Keep going until you reach your target weight! I recommend not buying anything terribly expensive until you reach that weight.

Also, when you start dropping the weight, get rid of your old, larger clothes. Don't keep them around. If you slip off your diet, and your clothes get tight, that will be motivation to jump back into the swing of it, as opposed to grabbing the old clothes that will allow you to mentally accept the weight re-gain. Take it slow, count your calories, and hit the gym as much as possible. Best of luck to you!

Damiena

P.S. What you might want to do is keep one pair of pants that fit you now and box them up in the attic or basement and pull them out when you reach your goal. Try them on then and enjoy the feeling! I forgot that I had boxed up some old clothes and when I found them in our attic, I tried them on and was shocked. They were so big that I was practically swimming in them! It was a really good feeling. I donated them to the Goodwill because I will never, ever let myself gain that much weight again!

find a picture of yourself when you were at your goal weight. tape it on the fridge. this will remind you that you can reach your goal cause you've been there before...and what ever you are reaching for is not worth it.

in my family we have a saying when people are about to fall off the diet wagon "where would you like to wear that?"
referring to the muffin that will be worn as a muffin top, etc

Originally Posted by shimmygoddess

i like the costume reward too...It really does help to stay off the swap page so that you aren't tempted...I haven't been getting on that page as much either. Keep a positive attitude and try not to compare yourself to others. Stay focused. So in addition to eating healthy are you going to exercise too? besides dance? when i was trying to lose weight and tone up...running was the quickest way for me. I had to start slow and walk mostly then jog..and eventually build up....but I noticed a difference in a couple weeks that I was more toned.

I'm working out too. My neighborhood has a gym with 24 hour access. I've been doing the ellipitcal and walking...I used to jog a lot, but I haven't worked up that far.

Originally Posted by damiena

Stay motivated by weighing yourself and taking your measurements regularly. Take a pair of pants that fit you currently and use them to gauge your weight loss. You will feel awesome when they are too big. Then, by a pair in the next size down (you can buy Target cheapies) and relish the fact when they are too big. Keep going until you reach your target weight! I recommend not buying anything terribly expensive until you reach that weight.

Also, when you start dropping the weight, get rid of your old, larger clothes. Don't keep them around. If you slip off your diet, and your clothes get tight, that will be motivation to jump back into the swing of it, as opposed to grabbing the old clothes that will allow you to mentally accept the weight re-gain. Take it slow, count your calories, and hit the gym as much as possible. Best of luck to you!

Damiena

P.S. What you might want to do is keep one pair of pants that fit you now and box them up in the attic or basement and pull them out when you reach your goal. Try them on then and enjoy the feeling! I forgot that I had boxed up some old clothes and when I found them in our attic, I tried them on and was shocked. They were so big that I was practically swimming in them! It was a really good feeling. I donated them to the Goodwill because I will never, ever let myself gain that much weight again!

That's a good idea. A couple of years ago, I lost a lot of weight and I threw out all my "fat clothes." Now that I've put it on, plus some I've kept all my skinny clothes and only have bought a few new fat clothes. Hopefully, I won't need a new wardrobe. Just a little outfit every now and then as a reward.

And as for weighing myself regularly...I weighed myself since Friday and I've gained weight! ..cr.: Not fair!

Originally Posted by queencj

I separately had started writing three pages in a journal every day as part of an art thing.

Off topic: I am reading the same book ..g.: got to week 10 now, and I love it.

Okay Carry on..

PS: Measuring will tell you more than weighing I've found.

It helps to keep a record (for example writing down your measurements once or twice a week) that way you can see progress over time. Same thing for excercise: if you make a schedule and keep track of how often you jog/practice etc.. it will add up over time and help motivate you to keep at it.

Originally Posted by Khalida

PS: Measuring will tell you more than weighing I've found.

I've read that, and I'm hoping it's true! I just gained back five pounds this week, but the pants are still fitting just fine so I'm telling myself it's either pre-menstrual bloatiness in weird areas or muscle. :)

Andalee, good luck with your goal. There is a Bhuz group on the Daily Plate if you'd like to join us :)

Oh, thanks! I think I will! :)

Andalee - I am a fat person who struggles to be thin. I come from a family of 'good-doers' and I will almost certainly be a survivor in a famine!
Weight loss for me is hard-won and easily gained back. I have to realise and BELIEVE that if I eat a Magnum when everyone else does - I will gain weight. If I eat fench fries - I will gain weight. If I eat 6 slices of bread in a day - I will gain weight. IF I want to eat those things, I HAVE to dance longer, walk longer, run longer and/or eat less to make up for it.
I don't like it. I want to eat yumm stuff when ever I want!! But I can't. Realising it and accepting it was a major breakthrough for me.
One thing that really makes a difference for me is water intake. The more water I drink, the less I eat. I think I am one of those people who confuses thirst with hunger.

OK, so this is going to sound really lame, but I was just looking at some pictures of me when I was thinner (2 years ago) and I think I look prettier. My face is different and I am so much prettier with the weight off of my face. So now I see why gaining weight affects my whole self-esteem, not just my body image.

I look so different in the face, my husband joked that no one would accept my passport because it belongs to a fat woman.

So I lost 1.8 lbs last week. I was going for 2 lbs, but close enough for now. It was weird because I weighed myself on friday and had only lost .8, then magically lost 1 pound the next day. I get new shoes in 3.2 pounds!

Awesome, keep up the good work. Remember, it didn't go on overnight, and it's not going to come off that way either.

Andalee - Keep up the good work!

I found it helpful to take a favorite outfit that I was hoping to fit back into and hang it in an obvious spot. Looking at it day in and day out kept me motivated.

I went from 180 pounds/ size 18 (I'm only 5'3") to 150 pounds in just under a year. Then I found belly dancing and in the past year of dancing have lost another 5 pounds and have gone from a size 14 to a size 10 so inches count more than pounds at this point.

My latest motivation? A size 8 slinky purple dress I plan to wear for my 40th birthday party in December. I can zip it up but don't ask me to sit down (or breath). I'll keep you all posted.

Hey, how do I find the bhuz group on TDP? I searched for bhuz, and did find a group of bellydancers- is that it? I just started doing the daily plate yesterday- so far, so good.

I have never been good at keeping track of what I eat, but this seems like a good way to do it! It's amazing to me how much junk I mindlessly shove in my mouth that really adds up. So yesterday I tried really being conscious of the amount of food I'm eating, and tuning in and seeing if I am really hungry after eating a serving size... and of course, I wasn't.

I also like the feature where you keep track of glasses of water and excercise. So, on to day two!

I saw a video of myself in costume a few days ago. the gut, she must go.

go us!

Andalee..I just was talking to my mom and she started these pills/vitamins that are supposed to be for weight loss...she was 160 and is down to 151..in about 35 days.....they are some kind of Chinese herbal pill that she takes with breakfast. She tries to eat somewhat healthy, but isn't exercising much..and it is working. I forgot the name.."suddenly slim diet " or something

Originally Posted by loloup

Hey, how do I find the bhuz group on TDP? I searched for bhuz, and did find a group of bellydancers- is that it? I just started doing the daily plate yesterday- so far, so good.

I manage the Bhuz group over at TDP. It's called "Bhuzers @ TDP". You should be able to do a search by name and find us.

Originally Posted by shimmygoddess

Andalee..I just was talking to my mom and she started these pills/vitamins that are supposed to be for weight loss...she was 160 and is down to 151..in about 35 days.....they are some kind of Chinese herbal pill that she takes with breakfast. She tries to eat somewhat healthy, but isn't exercising much..and it is working. I forgot the name.."suddenly slim diet " or something

Does she get them at the drug store or a health store?

she gets them from a friend that buys vitamins in bulk...I will try and get the details