November Diet and Fitness Thread

[danidance]

(and I'm back ..c::..cr.:,m::)

Here I am, having gained back about 8 pounds since last you saw me on a diet thread. God knows, it's probably 10 today given the Hallowe'en candy frenzy I embarked on this week. I can't resist mini-twix!

I have got to lose 8 by the end of the year if not 10. I will take whatever I can get!

So, dear bhuzzers, I need you to keep me honest and to help me along again with your similar journey and the mere accountability factor.

What's my plan?

Exercise! Bought ankle weights and bands. Here's the super icky reality - when I gained this 8 pounds back (I'd lost 16 or more), gravity hit in a super hard way differently than last year. I mean the distribution of flesh is awful. ew. I definitely need to become a "Redistributor of wealth" that is, the wealth of my fat! ..g.:..l;,

Fresh Food: I gotta stop with the eating out at lunch. Quickie work lunches are the death of me b/c they are packed with calories. Unless I take myself over to Koo-Koo-Roo for something fairly healthy, I eat stuff that's way too fattening. Salads for home and soups that I make and take with. I will also grab some lean cuisines for emergencies.

Okay - game on - make me do it!

(and yeah, I know, only a person can make themselves do anything...but this is all in fun and camaraderie!)

[Lauren_]

I'm in! I've also gained back after last year, but I've been mostly back on plan for a month now -- I've stopped gaining and spent the last three weeks losing and re-gaining the same 2 pounds!

I made a new ticker, showing NOW as my starting weight and showing the 11 pounds I want to lose by the end of the year. I'll be weighing in on Thursdays because my home scale is broken but I teach at the health club every Thursday.

It's on, baby!

[Monica]

For whatever it is worth, I *really* liked it when these were called fitness threads. Dani, I think that may have happened after you left? Anyway, just a preference.

Good luck to everyone on reaching your personal fitness and health goals.

[Zumarrad]

Oh, thank you! I took one look at the thread title and my heart sank." "Fitness" seemed so much less punitive, more positive.

[Adishakti]

I think diet is a fine word... overweight or not, we should all watch our diet for health reasons.

Someone's diet could either be loads of Twix candy bars, apples or just about anything. To me, the word doesn't suggest we have to eat less to lose weight. Merely that we have to be accountable for what we're eating.

Any shape, size or age, we should do that anyway, right?

diet the act of restricting your food intake (or your intake of particular foods)

diet the usual food and drink consumed by an organism (person or animal)

diet a prescribed selection of foods

diet a legislative assembly in certain countries (e.g., Japan)

diet eat sparingly, for health reasons or to lose weight

diet follow a regimen or a diet, as for health reasons; "He has high blood pressure and must stick to a low-salt diet"


Anyhow, it's great to see you back, Dani!
I've put on about 12lbs and feel icky... had been doing well, but had too much Halloween candy the last couple of days. I haven't been as active as usual - particularly due to my asthma, but things have been better over the last couple weeks, so now I have no excuse but to get my but in gear before I start mooing.

[naiyahayal]

I'd really like to participate in this! what do I need to do? We just got back from two weeks with John's family. We ate very, very well --ha ha -- for two weeks. Thankfully, we also walked HOURS almost every day. But although my actual weight gain was only three pounds on the scale, there is a sort of soft lumpiness everywhere, especially around the middle! Christmas gigs coming up ..... so would like to both give and receive support ..... I learned to appreciate organic foods and tofu while we were away and now really enjoy walking. So we are planning to create a healthier way of eating, walk every day, and go back to gym workouts....Also haven't danced in about a month and am panicked about performance and costuming issues.....so, how can I help/join/participate in this thread??? Would really like to take off the squishy stuff and about 9-10 pounds total....

[danidance]

Naiyahayal,

What you do is up to you! come here to grouse. come here to get some support and/or come here for some tips.

I think I'll go do a ticker like Lauren posted - we did that together about a year and half ago when this first started as a healthy competition. Here it is b/c my goal is December 25.





I'm also logging and focusing again. For me, I gain weight when I "can't think about it" or feel some kind of freedom from thinking about it. I know that this is not possible for me because I'm not just a naturally slender person. I'm also menopausal.

I read this today and think it's so true:

So, don’t exercise to try to burn off calories and lose weight. Unless you’re a professional athlete or obsessed with sports, you’re not likely to spend enough time exercising strenuously enough to make much of a difference.
Exercise will help you lose weight in more subtle ways. Regular exercise increases your rate of metabolism: the number of calories you burn all the time. Plus, for many people, exercise actually reduces appetite.
But these are side effects: hardly reasons to start exercising. The real reasons to exercise are that you’ll live longer and feel better.

One of the things that my body has been yelling out at me the past few months is that it is desperate for some meaningful exercise. Sure, I walk Mishka at least an hour a day but it's that slow, no heart rate changing exercise. I'm thinking about going back to spinning class tomorrow. I've been mulling it over and I will give it my best shot at last tomorrow (I always find an excuse).

[danidance]

Hey,

So has anyone discussed the new Stevia sweetener on the market?

I bought some today - it's called Truvia - here's the info. I haven't added it to anything yet. I will in the next hour or so as I'm going to brew myself a cup of coffee so that I can work tonight.

If it's a Stevia derivative, I'm guessing this makes it way better than any Splenda or Equal type 0 calorie sweetener. I thought I'd give it a try. The price is similar to Equal or Splenda.

I made my coffee and here's my verdict: one packet is less sweet than a packet of Splenda (good thing). It has a texture more like sugar - kind of grainy. The taste is fine - no strange added flavor of any kind at all. I like it!

[nasila]

does that mean the FDA approved it as a sweetener? it's about damned time!

I'm really bummed that TJ's stopped carrying the pure Stevia extract and instead only carries the variety that's cut with lactose. Not good for sugar-free, dairy-free, lactose intolerant sweeth-toothed beings!

thanks for the Truvia tip...will have to get some stat!

[danidance]

The best thing - available at the supermarket - got mine at Ralphs. No need for a special TJ or whole foods trip.

does that mean the FDA approved it as a sweetener? it's about damned time!

I'm really bummed that TJ's stopped carrying the pure Stevia extract and instead only carries the variety that's cut with lactose. Not good for sugar-free, dairy-free, lactose intolerant sweeth-toothed beings!

thanks for the Truvia tip...will have to get some stat!

[annwyn]

Im here too! I lost 3 lbs last month but not the 10 I had wanted. My goal for november it 145 that is only 8 lbs I think I can do it!!!!

[danidance]

Woke up this morning ready to get started!

The puppers and I are going for a 2 mile mini hike in our park. I thought this might be a more gentle entry into routine than a spinning class!

Amazing what that "extra hour" of sleep will do...g.:

[ghazallah]

My "Day of the Dead" party is over ... so much food left over. I'm going to pack it all up (including the sangria), go out to visit my mom and the rest of the Okie sibs, and bid it farewell among company. ..l;,

And then back to boot camp, lots of fruits and veggies and protein and supplement with whey drinks while I try to melt away a few inches while that new interesting someone is away for six weeks to Oz...

I'm afraid to weigh myself right now, but I'll have to do it in a few minutes to have a point of reference. .w.:

[naiyahayal]

Ok! Ready to go by starting with a morning and/or evening walk on a daily basis ...... and vitamins (which I hate because almost all of them upset my stomach). Also will try to avoid MOST sugar and fat. I found a new natural frozen yogurt shop last week ...... much better than ice cream, and it's located where I can only get to it once or twice a week!

I like the ticker tape, Dani ..... I'll try to figure out how to set it up tonight ...

Yay!!!!

[mish_mish]

I've been a food slacker and an exercise slacker. I do walk a dog now and he is little but he's quite the walker, which I am sure has been better for me than the alternative.

Right now, I am trying to save a little money for the holidays and avoid eating out (another way I tend to over do it sometimes).

[Nazarah]

Gah, I also have to get myself back into some kind of healthy mindfulness. My hot yoga studio rates went up, plus there is a new teacher in the time slot I go to that I don't really care for, so I have all but given that up :(. Work has been hard on my back, and I have not been consistently jogging because my back has hurt frequently. AND I have been hogging the Halloween candy. I feel sloggy and look mushy.
BUT, I'm pain free today, the weather is nice, and I have my running clothes on. I plan to work on a healthy "better than candy" shopping list. I don't want to let myself start spiraling down! I try not to think in terms of restrictive "dieting" or weight loss, but I would like to get on the boat to support each other.
I plan to take (at least) one healthy step forward and no steps back today! Who else is in?

[mish_mish]

I try to do something every day--like choose x instead of y--or put off a treat until later--I have a starbucks double shot espresso in the fridge and I told myself I can have it on Monday. Delayed gratification is good...say it with me...

[ghazallah]

Stepped on the scale... it sez 173, I haven't gained or lost since I last stepped on, at least cumulatively.

I'm going to try to figure out one of those little tickers too, they're cute!

I'm recovering from my party today (the house-shoveling prep part really more than the sangria), but I'll be walking the dog while I plan my attack. Rearranged the living room so I have room to thrash around with my BD DVDs when I bring them back in from party exile and arrange them on top of the entertainment center where they were before.

[danidance]

Coffee is the only thing I will not compromise on. I'll give up dinners out, no problem as I need to budget better; I'll give up going out for drinks, harder, but same budget issues. I won't give up my morning starbucks. I may downsize though. I think I can do that. No more venti. grande and then down to tall.

I've done well today and fairly good yesterday. I'm keeping my journal for sure.

Today, I realized just how bad my system feels when it's not eating properly and I've gained weight. For the past month, I've felt a lot of pressure in my tummy - just too much eating and eating the wrong things. I'm looking forward to feeling better.

I try to do something every day--like choose x instead of y--or put off a treat until later--I have a starbucks double shot espresso in the fridge and I told myself I can have it on Monday. Delayed gratification is good...say it with me...

[sumayasaahir]

Im so screwed. I gained 10 lbs since my accident in late July (after running all summer and being SO fit!) Most of that weight has been in the last few weeks. I mean, Im pregnant, but no more than two months! Im going to turn into a big fat tub, I just know it! ..cr.: Well, as soon as I can walk without so much pain, I plan on going for looooooong ass walks.

[danidance]

You're going to have to face the fact you'll gain a bunch of weight but you'll breastfeed and lose it! All my friends have done that anyway ..l;,..g.:

It will be okay and you'll have a baby to chase around and not sleep and generally lose weight from exhaustion! It'll happen really fast. Don't even worry.

Cheered up yet?

Im so screwed. I gained 10 lbs since my accident in late July (after running all summer and being SO fit!) Most of that weight has been in the last few weeks. I mean, Im pregnant, but no more than two months! Im going to turn into a big fat tub, I just know it! ..cr.: Well, as soon as I can walk without so much pain, I plan on going for looooooong ass walks.

[Michelle75]

I stopped after you left Dani. I tried but didn't stick to it. This time I have to.

[danidance]

Okay! we're back in it together. I won't leave til we lose it - I promise! ..g.:

Can I just say how tired I am today? no snacking, all good healthy eating on schedule. I had a snack, so I'm certainly not depriving myself or being dumb. I'm just really tired. Maybe it's just the time change. I did manage to wake up at my usual 5 a.m. and I had a big giant walk with Mishka.

I realized that my other motivating factor is that I've at long last resolved the relationship that was kind of in and out of my life for the past 3 years, and I am finally thinking that maybe dating won't be such a horrible thing to do soon. ..l;, It has taken me a LONG time to get back to that place emotionally (of course all that menopause crap doesn't help).

PS - I ordered your dog fabric today - I hope you like orange.

I stopped after you left Dani. I tried but didn't stick to it. This time I have to.

[jesennia]

ugg. walked twice last week, surfed once , hiked once, and did hula hooping this morning

been eating lots of fresh stuff

BUT have a modest pile of dark chocolate candies next to me

[Michelle75]

Okay! we're back in it together. I won't leave til we lose it - I promise! ..g.:

Can I just say how tired I am today? no snacking, all good healthy eating on schedule. I had a snack, so I'm certainly not depriving myself or being dumb. I'm just really tired. Maybe it's just the time change. I did manage to wake up at my usual 5 a.m. and I had a big giant walk with Mishka.

I realized that my other motivating factor is that I've at long last resolved the relationship that was kind of in and out of my life for the past 3 years, and I am finally thinking that maybe dating won't be such a horrible thing to do soon. ..l;, It has taken me a LONG time to get back to that place emotionally (of course all that menopause crap doesn't help).

PS - I ordered your dog fabric today - I hope you like orange.

Congratulations on the resolved relationship. I would be terrified if I had to start dating at this stage I'm at right now, so BRAVO to you for getting to that place where you can start dating again soon.

My hubby hates the negative emotions I'm caring around b/c of my weight gain. He just doesn't get it b/c the fat melts off of him the second he thinks he needs to loose it. BASTARD!..l;,

Can't wait to see the apron.

[Taj]

I should at least check in here. I've gained back lost weight this past year too--I need to lose about 8-10 lbs to feel really good about myself. But damn. Got the election in a couple of days and I *know* I'm going to overindulge any way it goes.

Just did a little "modern dance" theater piece for my church with a really amazing dance artist--she's 40, petite, skinny, and I'm totally inspired by her. Makes me want to dance more, which can't be a bad thing, right?

I really need to cut back the calories. But geez, it seems like I don't really over-consume! Damn aging metabolism . . .

[ozma]

I miss the fitness title as well. I don't diet, but I do what I can to maintain healthful habits through what I eat, how I work out, and how I live.

I have to admit, calorie-less sweeteners freak me out.

[danidance]

Title changed to accommodate fitness people.

[ozma]

Thank you!

It just feels less "OMG there is something so WRONG with us. MUST SHED POUNDS" and more like people sharing sustainable ways to get into and stay in shape.

[danidance]

I don't think that needing to lose weight or freaking out about gaining 8 pounds should be equated with "there's something wrong with us". It's a normal up and down thing in life. I hate it, but it's a normal woman thing unless you're fortunate enough to stay pretty much the same all your life.

No one ever had an issue with the title before as I recall, but whatev.

Carry on!

By the by, I checked out some new sites for weight journaling, I'm sticking with FitDay which I really still like the best. I am in the honeymoon phase with fixing this bad habits thing and the food logging is fun. (let's hope it lasts awhile).

Thank you!

It just feels less "OMG there is something so WRONG with us. MUST SHED POUNDS" and more like people sharing sustainable ways to get into and stay in shape.