Thread: My New Weight Loss Adventure!

So I injured my back pretty severely last February. I had nerve pain and couldn't move about too much for many months, and since then I've gained about 50 lbs and many inches!!! Some of that weight I've even gained in recent months when I've tried losing weight just by exercise... my youthful metabolism must be slowing down finally. I am now barely able to squeeze into my "fat" pants. I put a pair on a few weeks ago and the button popped off and flew across the room! Also, I work in the sciences and get things wrong all the time... so I feel like I don't have anything going for me (I'm both stupid AND fat... great!). Needless to say, I'm feeling discouraged. ..c::

I've decided that working out for and hour or two every day just isn't going to cut it. I'm starting to try to control my portions and my late night snacking... so difficult, but I think I've been doing pretty well with changing my eating habits so far. I just wish I could wear more than 2 pairs of pants and feel good about myself again. I feel so disgusting and helpless to do anything about it. I know it'll take time, me eating right every day, and exercising and dancing every day... I just need some encouragement right now.

Sorry about the rant gals, I just needed to vent to the universe.

Hugs and encouragement! You CAN DO IT!!!!!

((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))

I was super depressed after having my little baby boy and realizing I still looked pregnant for MONTHS after....didn't count on that little gem.

Give yourself time and attainable goals. Don't be too hard on yourself if you slip up or encounter difficulty. You CAN do this....!!!

It took me a year to lose 45lbs

keeping a log of what you eat/drink can be a great (depressing at times) tool.

Originally Posted by lylagus

keeping a log of what you eat/drink can be a great (depressing at times) tool.

This is a great thing to do. You don't realize how many tiny bites you sneak in a day until you write it down.

I lost 30lb last year and the biggest thing for me was portion control. I second the others about writing it all down. Even if you have a blowout it won't be quite as extensive because you're still thinking about portions, I found.

And give yourself frequent rewards! I went out and bought two new pairs of work pants and a top after losing 5lb - it helped me feel as if what I was doing was having an impact. Just buy the ones on sale because hopefully you won't need them for long :)

I read your post and it really resonates with me. I work in an engineering environment, as an engineer, and I get stuff wrong all the time. It leaves me feeling like a total failure in a place that prides itself in employing the brightest and finest. Perhaps you should pay attention the the emotional side too. Ex: Are you eating late a night for comfort or to quiet the self doubt that seems to be beating you down right now? Taking care of your emotional self might go a long way in helping you reach your weightloss goals. I am sending you a big, big hug. I hope you can stop beating on yourself and have a great journey to the weight that you want.

Originally Posted by lylagus

keeping a log of what you eat/drink can be a great (depressing at times) tool.

Thanks that's a good idea! People have told me this before, but now I think I'm going to actually give it a try. It would help keep me accountable to myself. And make me realize what I'm really throwing into my body.

Originally Posted by Morena

I read your post and it really resonates with me. I work in an engineering environment, as an engineer, and I get stuff wrong all the time. It leaves me feeling like a total failure in a place that prides itself in employing the brightest and finest. Perhaps you should pay attention the the emotional side too. Ex: Are you eating late a night for comfort or to quiet the self doubt that seems to be beating you down right now? Taking care of your emotional self might go a long way in helping you reach your weightloss goals. I am sending you a big, big hug. I hope you can stop beating on yourself and have a great journey to the weight that you want.

I work with engineers too! It's nice to hear that I'm not the only one who feels this way.

You are completely right about the emotional side of it. I was thinking about why I eat and what dominates my thoughts most of the time. Lately, there's been a lot of negativity in my head... mostly feelings of worthlessness at work. I've gotta do things to make me change my attitude and feel better about myself... regain my confidence.

Even more belly dancing should help! Any other ideas though?

Thanks for all of the thoughts and the hugs gals! They help!

Goals... OK... I've gotta set some goals or I'll never accomplish this task. Here are some things that I am going to do:

1. Write everything I eat and drink into a journal/diary.
2. Work on the emotional side of things: project confidence, make myself smile, don't think about work after work is done for the day, don't look in the mirror at my back fat and love handles (focus on my face and smile at me not glare at the fat).
3. Daily weight regimen.
4. Do my belly dance drill dvd every day with weight belt.
5. Continue to do my structured belly dance routine daily.
6. Eat slowly.

Re: "getting things wrong" all the time in science -- google "imposter syndrome". You are not alone :-)

Re: weight loss. In my experience, just exercising and eating healthy food did not cut it, because I was eating too much. I got up to hour-long sessions of cardio and I was maintaining weight but wasn't losing. In my case, if left to my natural sense of appetite, I will not create a calorie deficit.

Creating an energy deficit does not feel sensible or good; it basically sucks and is uncomfortable no matter how you cut it. There are things you can do to mitigate or reduce the suckage, but basically it sucks.

I don't think I'm unusual in this regard. Most people have to cut calories/portions in addition to exercising.

Yeah, I've noticed that just eating right and hours of working out have done nothing for me... except to keep me from getting terribly unfit and unhealthy. That's why I'm trying the food diary/journal to try to keep track of what I'm eating and control my portions.

Ugh! I am so hungry right now though! I've got the late evening munchies and my stomach hates me!

Well, I have to make sacrifices in order to lose weight... not going to the kitchen... I'm not going to the kitchen... not going... :)

Originally Posted by ssipes

Re: "getting things wrong" all the time in science -- google "imposter syndrome". You are not alone :-)

That sounds about right... though I really think I'm a poor physicist, even poorer engineer, and incompetent graduate student. I'm always getting put down by my advisor.

I'm doing exactly this....trying to figure out my goals...and how to a) break them down and b)find ways to defeat the negative monster in me ("my body hurts...so I'll skip a day" which becomes 2 days...3 days...and so on and so on).

Originally Posted by Lesedi

So I injured my back pretty severely last February. I had nerve pain and couldn't move about too much for many months, and since then I've gained about 50 lbs and many inches!!! Some of that weight I've even gained in recent months when I've tried losing weight just by exercise... my youthful metabolism must be slowing down finally. I am now barely able to squeeze into my "fat" pants. I put a pair on a few weeks ago and the button popped off and flew across the room! Also, I work in the sciences and get things wrong all the time... so I feel like I don't have anything going for me (I'm both stupid AND fat... great!). Needless to say, I'm feeling discouraged. ..c::

I've decided that working out for and hour or two every day just isn't going to cut it. I'm starting to try to control my portions and my late night snacking... so difficult, but I think I've been doing pretty well with changing my eating habits so far. I just wish I could wear more than 2 pairs of pants and feel good about myself again. I feel so disgusting and helpless to do anything about it. I know it'll take time, me eating right every day, and exercising and dancing every day... I just need some encouragement right now.

Sorry about the rant gals, I just needed to vent to the universe.

OMG girl if I was there I wish I could give you a hug. I lost 10 pounds recently and let me tell ya the first week I started to exercise I lost NOTHING, not even an ounce. Since you have injured your back I would suggest to talk to your doc to see what kind of exercise you can do.

My metabolism was not a great one to begin with and I have a tendency to gain weight easily. I know how frustrating it is. I have heard that an elliptical could be excellent because he does not cause strain on joints and lower back and considering you had back injury this may be a better option. However, I am not a registered dietician or a doc, so make sure you talk to him (or her :-) before you engage in the exercise. If you wish, PM me about it and I can try to help you out.

Hugs,
Amani

Thank you all for your support... it's helping!

Update: I think I'm doing pretty well so far. Keeping a food diary helps me a LOT with portion control and being mindful of what I'm actually shoving into my mouth... I had no idea!

I'm keeping up with my workout and dance routine. I'm also doing my physical therapy exercises for my back... nerve pain has been coming on again over the last month.

I still need to eat more veggies and fewer carbs... the transition is going slowly, but I'm getting better and better at reaching for veggies instead of breads and heavy foods. It'll help when I go grocery shopping again, because I'll try to only buy healthy, less processed snacks and meals.

On the emotional side of things, I'm talking to fellow grad students and coworkers about feeling like a retard at work. Apparently they all feel the same way! I thought it was just me and was too afraid to talk to any of them, because they are guys and I'm a gal and I didn't want to look weak around them. Anyway, I'm feeling better about the whole thing and that's helping to give me back my "can do!" attitude.

Originally Posted by Lesedi

Ugh! I am so hungry right now though! I've got the late evening munchies and my stomach hates me!

Would a cup of tea help at all? I know it's not the same sensation as chewing but it has flavor, as opposed to just water. (Or warm water with lemon juice?) Plus, it's just plain soothing to wrap one's hands around a warm mug and feel the steam and inhale the scent.

Re: eating more slowly- include chewing each mouthful beyond where you normally stop, perhaps 30 chews per mouthful. It feels really weird but it really slows down the meal process and helps with satiation.

Keep your chin up! I felt exactly as you did last year and have been slowly losing weight since. Sometimes I not only fall off the wagon, it hits me in the bum and then rolls over my heart (hello, December) but I just hold on until I can get myself upright again.
{{{{{hugs}}}}}

Thanks!

Drinking tea when I've got the munchies is a good idea... I haven't been drinking it much lately like I used too. The warm liquid usually makes my stomach feel heavy... almost as if it's full, so that should work!

I love my night time tea. I drink chamomile at night with a dash of sugar free vanilla creamer from carnation. Usually, I drink it with a dash of vanilla and smidge of some soy cream (which hardly has any calories, sugar, or fat.) If you can have dairy, a tablespoon of heavy cream or half and half doesn't have that many calories..

Drinking my tea this way has become my night time treat. I love it. Plus, chamomile before bed time is awesome. ,s::

I have dropped another 2 pounds WOOHOO LOL I just hope I don't hit a plateau. Well, I love tea as well, I drink it at night before bedtime too. It is great.

Hugs,
Amani

The tea kept me from raiding the fridge last night. Thanks again for the idea ladies!

Originally Posted by angelina

I have dropped another 2 pounds WOOHOO LOL I just hope I don't hit a plateau. Well, I love tea as well, I drink it at night before bedtime too. It is great.

Hugs,
Amani

Awesome!

Originally Posted by Lesedi

That sounds about right... though I really think I'm a poor physicist, even poorer engineer, and incompetent graduate student. I'm always getting put down by my advisor.

Hang in there - many grad students get that kind of crap from their advisors. I had a good one, but one of my thesis committee members turned rancid on me. And I still felt most of my grad years that I was "too stupid to live". It can be very crushing, and often, your perception of your advisor can be wrong too [they might actually rave about you behind your back, but not know how to be good coaches to the delicate plant that is a graduate student].

If you want a little positive support on your journey check out Mentornet.net. They're a great on-line mentoring organization for scientists & engineers (particularly women) in the early stages - you can get hooked up with someone with similar background/interests who can help you with finessing your way along.

I've been a mentor for about 10 years - to undergrads, grads & post-docs - it's a great org. And if you don't find the right fit with one mentor, you can switch.

Writing a food diary didn't work for me- I needed something even easier. So, I use an iPod/iPhone app called "Lose it!" (It's a free app- there are others, as well). It has a database of food, plus you can add your own. I input me weight, how much weight I want to lose, how fast I want to lose it, and a few other things and it calculates how many calories I am "allowed"- I also track fiber. Then I input everything that I eat and also exercise. Since I started this app, I've lost 11 pounds and am still losing (slowly, but surely).

I eat a lot of homemade things that aren't in the database, but it also keeps a history, so once I input a new food, it's there the next time I eat it.

Sounds like writing it down is working for you- that's great! Just giving another option, because I'm too lazy to write and figure stuff out, but I'm never without my iPod Touch!

(((Hugs!)))

I'm right there with ya!

I need to get a lot fo weight off, myself!

A bhuzzer suggested Dailyplate.com.
I'm going to try it.

You (and I) can do it!!!!!!
:-)

Originally Posted by BELLA_BELLA

Hang in there - many grad students get that kind of crap from their advisors. I had a good one, but one of my thesis committee members turned rancid on me. And I still felt most of my grad years that I was "too stupid to live". It can be very crushing, and often, your perception of your advisor can be wrong too [they might actually rave about you behind your back, but not know how to be good coaches to the delicate plant that is a graduate student].

If you want a little positive support on your journey check out Mentornet.net. They're a great on-line mentoring organization for scientists & engineers (particularly women) in the early stages - you can get hooked up with someone with similar background/interests who can help you with finessing your way along.

I've been a mentor for about 10 years - to undergrads, grads & post-docs - it's a great org. And if you don't find the right fit with one mentor, you can switch.

Thank you! I'll definitely check out mentornet! I could use some positive mentoring right now.

Thanks for all the ideas gals!

I just got my weight belt from Sersi3 and can't wait to start using it! I hope this will help me get more out of my practice time.

Originally Posted by amarasdance

Writing a food diary didn't work for me- I needed something even easier. So, I use an iPod/iPhone app called "Lose it!" (It's a free app- there are others, as well). It has a database of food, plus you can add your own. I input me weight, how much weight I want to lose, how fast I want to lose it, and a few other things and it calculates how many calories I am "allowed"- I also track fiber. Then I input everything that I eat and also exercise. Since I started this app, I've lost 11 pounds and am still losing (slowly, but surely).

I LOVE LOSEIT! I have never succeeded in the past when logging food but I actually do this and it is SO easy to input my own food. Personally, I believe it to be the best assistant.

Another thing to mention. I've been on the pill for over 5 years, and the mood problems and headaches from it have finally gotten to me, so I'm getting an IUD in March! I'm very excited to get off the pill. I went off for a short while this summer just to see if it was what was causing my odd mood and body problems. I felt like myself again... perky, good libido, level headed, more energy, and decreased appetite (this is good considering I've had a ravenous, almost constant appetite for the last several years. I'm always thinking about food or my next meal).

I am wondering if anyone else has gone off the pill and experienced weight loss, more energy, and/or a more controlled appetite and attitude toward food. I know that the pill is not entirely the cause of my problem (good diet and exercise are a must at this point too), but I'm feeling hopeful that I might get an extra boost of help in losing inches by going off the pill.

I'm excited! The boyfriend and I are going to start that P90X fitness program soon. I've heard a lot of great things and seen INCREDIBLE results in my friends, so I'm going to give it a try. I hear it's absolutely brutal, but I'm going to push through it!

Essentially, the program will make you fit in 90 days. I'm really looking forward to this.

oooo I'm going to try that iphone app! I lost over 20kg last year (50 lbs) and still have about 50kg (120lbs) to lose. I am fighting a hard battle with a back injury, high blood pressure, and the icing on the cake, Chronic depression. I was diagnosed 6 years ago and have finally reached remission a year ago. I am still on alot of meds but far less than I used to be. The real killer for me was having 2 sessions of ECT in 2007. As a result, I have very little memory left of most of my life and cannot remember 2006-2009. Which includes meeting my now husband and our wedding. As you can imagine, the more apparent my memory loss became, the more stupid I felt and the more depressed I got. Having to leave my job as a law clerk and being in and out of hospital for 2 years left my husband and I heavily in debt and my only comfort was eating.

Anyway, not to steal your post, I just wanted you to know that you are not alone and all of us have our struggles with faith in oursleves. My dancer buddies moved the earth for me and supported me even when I was a crappy friend and hated to think about dancing. The biggest lesson I learned was to stop beating myself up and take on one tiny challenge at a time. There were so many people who were there for me when I said I was ready and needed help, and I have grown so close to even my husbands family in the process (my mother in law is a total rock!). Live life in the moment and not in the future or past and it's amazing how easy life turns out to be!

Love and hugs and support all the way from Aussie land xxx,r:;