Challenge: Lose 2 lbs a week for 4 weeks

[snowwhite84]

Hi all! I'm posting this because I am super serious about the next four weeks of exercise and diet. Over the past year I've been able to lose 30 lbs, but have been slacking off the past few months. I have some added incentive to shape up this month, I will be beach vacationing with DBF at the end of June, and want to commit myself to really trying to lose 2 lbs a week for the next four weeks.

I thought this thread would be a good way to keep myself on track, especially if any other disers decide to join in. We can post what exercises we've been doing, what we've been eating, how much water we've been drinking, etc.

Today I had a banana and yogurt for breakfast and one cup of coffee with skim milk, a chicken sandwhich on whole wheat bread, no mayo, for lunch, and apple for snack and a big salad for dinner with tuna and vinegarette.
I also walked briskly for 25 min and have had 46 oz of water. I guess I better go srink some more!

Anyone else have something big at the end of June and want to join me?

 

[snowwhite84]

So today I did great on my water, not so good on exercise. I drank 11 glasses of water, had a banana and coffee with skim milk, turkey sandwhich on wheat (no mayo or sauce), another coffee, and chicken and vegetables for dinner.

It seems whenever I start to drink regular amounts of water, my body craves it more and I naturally drink more of it. Anyone else ever noticed this?

Does anyone know how bad coffee is to drink while dieting if using low fat milk and splenda? It seems to be my weakness!

I'm going to try and keep up the good eating tomorrow, and really concentrate on exercise!

 

[pjlla]

Yup... coffee is not a good thing. Especially if it is not decaf. The caffeine takes calcium from your bones, which is a bad thing no matter what, even if you are not trying to lose weight. Plus it can dehydrate you. Then your body will hold onto the water you are drinking and you will end up with water weight. Try to limit yourself to one cup per day (especially of regular).

Anyhow, I love the idea of committing to lose at least 2 pounds a week. Not sure how I would do though. I am at my last 10 pounds to lose and I am just struggling to lose a little each week. I have committed to lose 1.6 for this coming week. Maybe I should boost that goal to 2 pounds and join you in this challenge. I'll give it some thought.....................P

 

[snowwhite84]

Thanks for the tip on the coffee! I had always heard not to drink it while dieting, just didn't know why. Do you know if this applies to Diet Coke as well? I love Diet Coke, anyone think it could be causing me to hold onto water weight?

I've done well on my calories so far today, and I am determined to have a good workout this evening!

 

[pjlla]

Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news (again), but yup, the Diet Coke is not so good either. First of all, it is also full of caffeine (unless you get the CF). It is also full of aspartame, which is really bad for you. Plus, from most of what I have read, it really is detrimental to weight loss. Not sure exactly why, but most people find that if they give up the diet soda that their weight loss is better. And it really discolors your teeth (as does coffee and tea). So there are MANY reasons why you should give it up.

I had a pretty heavy Diet Coke habit for years, even though I KNEW that it was terrible for me. I gave it up for good on Jan 2, 2008 (the same day I rededicated myself back to Weight Watchers). I NEVER drink it at home any more. I will occasionally drink it out when there are no other decent options (I am not a fan of bottled water.... I am spoiled by our excellent tap water at home). But I can count on my hands the number of servings of Diet Coke I have in the last almost 18 months. A far cry from the 1-2 liters per day I could drink in the past! DH still drinks is excessively, but I am his wife, not his mother. He needs to decide to give it up on his own. I can't make him do it.

Good luck. It is so tough to try to eat healthy AND give up habits like soda and coffee at the same time. Maybe you could try just one thing at a time. Do a few weeks of healthy eating... then reduce the coffee to one cup a day for a week, then eliminate it. Then try reducing the DC the next week before giving it up (or saving it for an occasional treat).

I drink mostly water and seltzer now. I never had a big coffee habit, so that wasn't so hard. I still have one "hold-out" aspartame item in my diet that I am not giving up. I only have it once a day, but I am hoping to try to give it up in the next few months. I just need to find an adequate alternative.........P

 

[pjlla]

Hey snowwhite... how is it going? I achieved my two pound weight loss last week plus a little, so I was happy. Not sure it is going to happen this week with "ovulation bloat" on its way (sorry if that is TMI), but I have been eating really well and exercising regularly (but I could definitely bump up the number of minutes). Two pounds again this week would be a dream come true... difficult but doable.

So how are you doing?.......................P

 

[luvsJack]

Hi there! Its a bit into June, but I would love to join you in this challange! I am on WW (and the ww thread). I lost 2 lbs last week and hoping to do at least the same this week.

I get 26 points a day: today I have used 23 today which only leaves 3 for tonight. But 30 minutes of walking will get me back up to 5 and then I may dip into my weekly points. For some reason I have been hungry today, but I know I am making better choices.