DDA's New Year's Weight Loss accountability Thread

[tink2020]

Tink2020 - did you get the answers you needed about NutriSystem? I am not a fountain of knowledge about it, but can tell you that it is working for me. And I was VERY skeptical.

Keep it up everyone!

Yes I did, thank you! I bit the bullet and ordered my first month! I wasn't sure about it at first. As I have mentioned before, I'm a terrible "dieter". I either don't pay attention at all to what i'm eating, or I do "watch what I eat" and I eat SO poorly (as in not adequate, nutritionally). It grabbed my interest when I was reading about how balanced the program was, and yet still a calorie count I ... feel comfortable with eating. That sounds goofy, but I'm sure I'm just not explaining it well.

I figure I can try this (even though it's SO daggone expensive!) and then when I'm at a weight I am happy with I can just go back to eating "well" without counting calories and getting myself into a negative cycle again.

Hmm.... I don't think any of that made sense. I'm tired, I apologize

Thanks, though! I'm excited about trying it!

ETA: It is in Columbus, and comes tomorrow! I've been glued to UPS all day, although I don't think I'm starting until Sunday

 

[tink2020]

Ok, Elin -- I do have a question now

So you're doing the "Weekends Off" plan, right? Well NutriSystem doesn't even mention that, except on the forums where someone said it was just through QVC. I think that might be a good plan for me, if nothing else but to save money! If I take the 5 weeks of food (35 days) that i'm getting, and take weekends off, I have SEVEN weeks worth! That sounds much better

Ok, so on the weekends what do you do? Obviously you can't go hogwild, or that would sort of slow down the progress. Do you follow glycemic index guidelines, or do you just make smart decisions (ie portion control, refraining from eating half a cake, limiting or avoiding non-diet soda, etc)?

Thanks!

 

[PNO4TE]

Ok, Elin -- I do have a question now

So you're doing the "Weekends Off" plan, right? Well NutriSystem doesn't even mention that, except on the forums where someone said it was just through QVC. I think that might be a good plan for me, if nothing else but to save money! If I take the 5 weeks of food (35 days) that i'm getting, and take weekends off, I have SEVEN weeks worth! That sounds much better

Ok, so on the weekends what do you do? Obviously you can't go hogwild, or that would sort of slow down the progress. Do you follow glycemic index guidelines, or do you just make smart decisions (ie portion control, refraining from eating half a cake, limiting or avoiding non-diet soda, etc)?

Thanks!

Jennifer --

I am doing the QVC program of NutriSystem which is the only place I have seen the "Take the Weekends Off" plan. They send enough breakfast, lunch and dinner entrees as well as a "dessert/snack" for every weekday. There are guidelines for what to eat on the weekends, and they also include tips on eating out. The main reason I did it was the price difference. But now I am glad I went with QVC because we tend to eat out a bit and I also love to cook. This plan allows me to do both. Keep asking questions until I answer all of what you think of, OK? I am not an expert, but I do like the plan.

 

[tink2020]

Jennifer --

I am doing the QVC program of NutriSystem which is the only place I have seen the "Take the Weekends Off" plan. They send enough breakfast, lunch and dinner entrees as well as a "dessert/snack" for every weekday. There are guidelines for what to eat on the weekends, and they also include tips on eating out. The main reason I did it was the price difference. But now I am glad I went with QVC because we tend to eat out a bit and I also love to cook. This plan allows me to do both. Keep asking questions until I answer all of what you think of, OK? I am not an expert, but I do like the plan.

Hi! Thanks for getting back with me. I think that's why I will end up doing that as well, to stretch this food out longer! My 41-lb box came today! I'm excited though

So during the week you do the NS food, I understand that part. But the weekends you just go by the guidelines in the checkbook-planner thing? As in portion control, avoiding fried stuff, etc.... you don't necessarily stick to "glycemic index" stuff? Because that just wouldn't be worth the hassle to me, I'd just stick with the food!

 

[PNO4TE]

Hi! Thanks for getting back with me. I think that's why I will end up doing that as well, to stretch this food out longer! My 41-lb box came today! I'm excited though

So during the week you do the NS food, I understand that part. But the weekends you just go by the guidelines in the checkbook-planner thing? As in portion control, avoiding fried stuff, etc.... you don't necessarily stick to "glycemic index" stuff? Because that just wouldn't be worth the hassle to me, I'd just stick with the food!

Jennifer --

Sorry it is taking me so long to respond, but I am just swmaped with work and singing engagements. During the days off NutriSystem I am following their guidelines and watching portion size. I have been happy so far and only strayed once in the past 6 weeks when I had shrimp scampi for dinner on Saturday night. I did eat the appetizer portion though, so hopefully I did not do too much damage

 

[Disneygrl36]

Hi everybody
Checking in for the week. Had to weigh tonight instead of my normal Tuesday night again because of work. I lost 3.5lbs this week. I am very happy since I had the 0.5lb weeks the two weeks prior (one 0.5lb gain week & one 0.5lb loss week).
I am still awaiting my Firm excercise stuff. It hasn't been delivered yet but I have been trying to walk about 3 times a week.
Going to update on the progress thread.

Hope everyone has a great rest of the week.

 

[my3princes]

Hi everybody
Checking in for the week. Had to weigh tonight instead of my normal Tuesday night again because of work. I lost 3.5lbs this week. I am very happy since I had the 0.5lb weeks the two weeks prior (one 0.5lb gain week & one 0.5lb loss week).
I am still awaiting my Firm excercise stuff. It hasn't been delivered yet but I have been trying to walk about 3 times a week.
Going to update on the progress thread.

Hope everyone has a great rest of the week.

That is great. Often weightloss will stall then you will get a noticeable change. I hope that your progress continues. It looks like you'll be having fun in the sun in just over a month. Sounds like someone needs to shop for her trip.

Deb

 

[Glynis]

Speaking of shopping, that's one thing I've avoided as I have always hated it! Well, I have a job coming up (judging State One Act Plays, yay!), that I need to look nice and professional for. So, last night I bit the bullet, and went shopping. I went alone so I could just take my time, and boy was I pleasantly surprised. For the first time in 12 years, I didn't have to choose clothes from the Plus Size department. Hooray! It really made me hungry to shop some more. Luckily for DH, I only bought one outfit, and then I'll wait until I hit my goal weight and then go shopping. It was a nice moment. But I think the saleslady thought I was crazy since I was crying in the fitting room!

 

[my3princes]

Speaking of shopping, that's one thing I've avoided as I have always hated it! Well, I have a job coming up (judging State One Act Plays, yay!), that I need to look nice and professional for. So, last night I bit the bullet, and went shopping. I went alone so I could just take my time, and boy was I pleasantly surprised. For the first time in 12 years, I didn't have to choose clothes from the Plus Size department. Hooray! It really made me hungry to shop some more. Luckily for DH, I only bought one outfit, and then I'll wait until I hit my goal weight and then go shopping. It was a nice moment. But I think the saleslady thought I was crazy since I was crying in the fitting room!

That is so funny. I had a similar thing happen when I had my huge weight loss. I was wearing a size 16 or so I thought. I went into a Christopher Banks store and found a pair of size 12 jeans on the sale rack for $5. I never in a million years thought that they would fit, but much to my surprise they did. I was so excited that I was talking very loudly to my mother who was standing outside the fitting room. Apparently I was louder than I thought because everyone in the store congratulated me when I came out. I also had tears. Shopping for smaller sizes is the best.

Deb

 

[Disneygrl36]

Deb,
I am hoping by the time we hit Hilton Head in just shy of 2 months that I will fit back into some cute smaller clothes I had kept, but I will probably treat myself to at least one new outfit & even though I will hate every minute of getting into a swimsuit (I still have a ways to go ), I think I need a new one. When we went to Vero Beach in January, the top was gaping open & it felt loose all over & that was in January. Think I'll order a suit off the intenet as I hate trying them on at the mall.

Glynis.... on the new smaller size clothes. I really hate shopping too, but I think I will enjoy it more as I loose more. All my clothes are getting really loose, but I don't really want to spend money on these in-between sizes.

Y'all have a great weekend. I am going to a local women's expo tomorrow with my sister-in-law to see Paula Deen from the Food Network (Lord, how I love that woman, even though her recipes are way too rich for my Weight Watchers menus right now. She just cracks me up!!!) & to a St Patty's Day party that my little brother is having. Should be a fun weekend.

 

[Glynis]

I love Paula Deen!!!! I could watch her shows all day long! I've actually tried some of her recipes, before my surgery, and they were so yummy!

 

[tink2020]

Well.... I went to the gym today for the first time in about 3 weeks


I had some problems with the running shoes I bought before (no worries, Glynis.... I still HIGHLY recommend New Balance, I just got the wrong ones for how I run. dumb feet ) so I was sort of using that as an excuse for not going. I mean, it was a valid excuse.... had I actually done something about it.

So Kyle and I went to Fleet Feet this past weekend and did the whole fitting process again, this time including running in the shoes on their treadmill with them watching... so not fun. But REALLY helpful!

So now, I'm armed with new Brooks Glycerin 4 shoes and have no excuses. I did 2.5 miles today, mostly running.... so we'll see how I feel tomorrow


How is everyone else doing? This thread was too far down for my liking

 

[Glynis]

I haven't posted much lately, because I've really been on a plateau. I'm not discouraged, yet, though. I can see so many changes in my body, that I'm really happy. I've been focusing on my walking/jogging, and I'm feeling quite good about things. I have begun to lose again, but only in ounces, not in pounds. Still, any loss is a good one.

The shoes sound really good! I'm heading to the store this weekend to get another pair of New Balance.

 

[Disneygrl36]

Hi everyone. Updating for this week. I weighed in tonight & lost a pound this week. I am walking 2-3 times a week & still waiting for my Firm stuff to arrive. Feeling pretty good about things.
Hope everyone else is doing well.
Take care y'all.

Glynis....update. I didn't get to see Paula Deen. We walked throught the doors of the Expo at 9:55am to see her at 11:30 & it was already full. She was doing another spot at 3:30 but we had a 5 month old with us that wasn't going to tolerate hanging around. We were so bummed out, but we have decided that we at least gave the cheap way of seeing her a try so now we are going to make our husbands fork over the dough to sign us up for a cooking class at Lady & Sons next year when we go on vacation!!

 

[PNO4TE]

I haven't posted much lately, because I've really been on a plateau. I'm not discouraged, yet, though. I can see so many changes in my body, that I'm really happy. I've been focusing on my walking/jogging, and I'm feeling quite good about things. I have begun to lose again, but only in ounces, not in pounds. Still, any loss is a good one.

The shoes sound really good! I'm heading to the store this weekend to get another pair of New Balance.

I am in the same boat you are right now, Glynis. I have only lost ounces in the past 2 weeks. I was discouraged a bit until my DD19 came home for Spring Break and told me that I had replaced old fat with muscle which weighs more and therefore the weight loss would probably be less for a little while. I am going to go with that

Meanwhile, I am walking 1.2 miles every morning with the dog and doing some weight training in the evenings. I feel good, look better and have a better outlook today than I did at weigh-in last week and this Tuesday again.

Keep it up everyone!!

 

[Glynis]

Hi everyone. Updating for this week. I weighed in tonight & lost a pound this week. I am walking 2-3 times a week & still waiting for my Firm stuff to arrive. Feeling pretty good about things.
Hope everyone else is doing well.
Take care y'all.

Glynis....update. I didn't get to see Paula Deen. We walked throught the doors of the Expo at 9:55am to see her at 11:30 & it was already full. She was doing another spot at 3:30 but we had a 5 month old with us that wasn't going to tolerate hanging around. We were so bummed out, but we have decided that we at least gave the cheap way of seeing her a try so now we are going to make our husbands fork over the dough to sign us up for a cooking class at Lady & Sons next year when we go on vacation!!

You are so lucky! I would love to go to one of her cooking classes! You'll have to tell me all about it!

 

[Glynis]

I am in the same boat you are right now, Glynis. I have only lost ounces in the past 2 weeks. I was discouraged a bit until my DD19 came home for Spring Break and told me that I had replaced old fat with muscle which weighs more and therefore the weight loss would probably be less for a little while. I am going to go with that

Meanwhile, I am walking 1.2 miles every morning with the dog and doing some weight training in the evenings. I feel good, look better and have a better outlook today than I did at weigh-in last week and this Tuesday again.

Keep it up everyone!!

Hooray for you Elin! I'm so glad that you feel so good about yourself! It's amazing how once we see a difference, we start to gain better self-esteem. We are all so WONDERFUL!

 

[my3princes]

I have a huge confession to make. I have been unable to commit to a diet or exercise plan. I have tried off and on unsuccessfully since Jan 1. I am heavier now than I was when I started. So Monday I swore off soda and sweets. If I can stay away from those two evils I should theoretically lose weight, right? I am so looking forward to Sping. I am going stir crazy here with the cold crappy weather. Hopefully spring will motivate me to exercise. I know that somewhere inside of me is a person capable of losing the weight. I did it before, 50 lbs. I have put 15 of those lbs back on and it really has only been in the last 6 months that I have done so. I know that I have been spending increasing amounts of time on the computer, either reading the boards or designing. If I weren't here I woud have been cleaning or playing with my kids. I know that I need to make lifestyle changes and I need to do so now, for the sake of my health and happiness. I am lucky enough to say that the only negative in my life is my weight issues. I need support from you all to turn the corner and get this under control. Tonight we are doing a fitness unit in cub scouts. We have to do a bunch of different activities and then redo them in a month to show improvement. I am going to lead by example, no matter how humiliating it might be. I want my kids to learn by example. If I can't get my weight gain under control I will go to the doctors and make sure that everything is ok medically. I am having a hard time understanding how I am gaining so much without really having changed my lifestyle, although typing this makes things jump right out. So here's to a new recommittment on my part.

Is any of the other's that started in January and that have stopped posting going through this too? I could really use someone to commiserate with right now. Thanks for listening and for the advice that I know that I will be receiving.

Deb

 

[tink2020]

I have a huge confession to make. I have been unable to commit to a diet or exercise plan. I have tried off and on unsuccessfully since Jan 1. I am heavier now than I was when I started. So Monday I swore off soda and sweets. If I can stay away from those two evils I should theoretically lose weight, right? I am so looking forward to Sping. I am going stir crazy here with the cold crappy weather. Hopefully spring will motivate me to exercise. I know that somewhere inside of me is a person capable of losing the weight. I did it before, 50 lbs. I have put 15 of those lbs back on and it really has only been in the last 6 months that I have done so. I know that I have been spending increasing amounts of time on the computer, either reading the boards or designing. If I weren't here I woud have been cleaning or playing with my kids. I know that I need to make lifestyle changes and I need to do so now, for the sake of my health and happiness. I am lucky enough to say that the only negative in my life is my weight issues. I need support from you all to turn the corner and get this under control. Tonight we are doing a fitness unit in cub scouts. We have to do a bunch of different activities and then redo them in a month to show improvement. I am going to lead by example, no matter how humiliating it might be. I want my kids to learn by example. If I can't get my weight gain under control I will go to the doctors and make sure that everything is ok medically. I am having a hard time understanding how I am gaining so much without really having changed my lifestyle, although typing this makes things jump right out. So here's to a new recommittment on my part.

Is any of the other's that started in January and that have stopped posting going through this too? I could really use someone to commiserate with right now. Thanks for listening and for the advice that I know that I will be receiving.

Deb

First of all, your head and heart are exactly where they need to be. Your example tonight (and a month from now) WILL make a difference to the troop, and it's a great thing to be teaching them and learning (or committing to) right alongside of them.

Eating right and exercising are HARD. Period. At least that's how I feel. I never understand people who exercise as a stress reliever or "for fun". To most of us, it's something that takes some serious effort like quitting smoking or another habit/lifestyle.

Where you are starting is good, in my opinion. For me, cutting out regular soda cut hundreds of calories from my week -- depending on how much you drink, you'd be surprised how high that number gets! That alone is certainly a step in the right direction.

You started us out on this thing and we're going to be here to push you through the hard spots and keep on going. Forget that you've gained since January 1st. Start now, and try to be lighter (and/or, more importantly, healthier) in the coming weeks than you are on March 15th.

Hang in there, and come back often for support! You CERTAINLY are not alone!

 

[Disneygrl36]

You are definetly not alone Deb & we are here for you. I am glad to see you posting again. We can't have successes every day, but we are all trying to head in the same direction which is to be healthier.

I agree with Jennifer......loosing weight & excercising is HARD WORK. My husband is one of those people who runs for fun/stress relief & I think he is . This is a hard thing to do, but day by day I find myself making better choices (most of the time....we all have our bad days right?).

Let's all keeping trying. Some days we will win the battle & sometimes we will loose for the day, but we know we are heading in the right direction.