Healthy Living from the INSIDE OUT - May 2016 WISH Challenge

[Flossbolna]

The NY Times/Biggest Loser article that was all over the internet yesterday really depressed me (who else saw it??).

The study itself was in the news here in Germany as well, but I just went and read the NY Times article that was in some ways more detailed. While I think that it is an interesting study, I don't think that you extrapolate all the findings to someone who is doing a normal weight loss program. Who here is able to produce a 3500 kcal deficit per day!! I am not even burning so many calories in one day, so even if I ate nothing I would not reach that level.

However, I think obesity research is still very much in its beginnings. For a long time people just looked at those with weight issues thinking that those are lazy people who just need to get their act together. I am very happy that more research is being done in this area and it is becoming recognized as what it is: a medical problem that needs to be treated and more treatments need to be found. I have read articles before about how so many issues can influence your metabolism. I myself experienced the issue with the thyroid not functioning properly. But one article I read about was how they think that the stomach might actually be very instrumental in being the brain of the metabolism and that they suspect that this is one reason why those gastric operations actually work (I think that was hinted at in the article), and another article was about how the bacteria in your intestines can have a large effect on how much of the food you eat actually is being absorbed. So many new avenues and with obesity becoming a world wide issue now, I am sure we will see a lot of money being put into this research in the next decades. So, to me while the outcome for those people was not a totally happy one (however, most of them are still lighter than they were at the beginning of the show!), I still think it is a positive article as it shows how serious research has become!

And the one thing this article really showed me: How important it is to teach kids how to fuel their bodies correctly, so that they don't end up there!

 

[Dr Gunnie]

Another woohoo - my 5K time is getting lower. Just knocked 1:32 off my previous best. Must have been that Bob Evans scrambled egg whites and cranberry multigrain pancakes breakfast I had (under 450 calories). So good. Might have to go back Saturday and get it again.

 

[courtneybeth]

Another woohoo - my 5K time is getting lower. Just knocked 1:32 off my previous best. Must have been that Bob Evans scrambled egg whites and cranberry multigrain pancakes breakfast I had (under 450 calories). So good. Might have to go back Saturday and get it again.

How are you planning your race morning breakfast? I tend to not eat heavy since I will be running and just want to fuel. I carb up the night before and then energy gel the rest of the way through the race.

Congrats on getting faster

 

[JacknSally]

I've been thinking of this all morning and I am struggling to come up with something specifically weight-loss related. The NY Times/Biggest Loser article that was all over the internet yesterday really depressed me (who else saw it??).

P, I read that article the other day and it's been on my mind ever since. It was completely depressing and discouraging. And now I'm really concerned that because I didn't/couldn't keep off the weight I lost last year, it's going to be even harder, if not impossible, to do it now. Evidenced by the lack of movement on my scale and waistband.

Big yay for your DS staying near! Congrats to him!

 

[pjlla]

P, I read that article the other day and it's been on my mind ever since. It was completely depressing and discouraging. And now I'm really concerned that because I didn't/couldn't keep off the weight I lost last year, it's going to be even harder, if not impossible, to do it now. Evidenced by the lack of movement on my scale and waistband.

Big yay for your DS staying near! Congrats to him!

First of all... thanks for the "yay"!

Second........maybe it was irresponsible of me to pass my depression off to you all. But I just couldn't shake that "why bother?" type of thinking for the rest of the night.

But I took some time today and did some more reading and saw some other POV and such and it really made me start thinking differently. This article was based on a study JUST of people who are former BL contestants.... and only a small handful of people at that. I think it is possible that their results aren't representative of people who have lost weight as a whole group. This was just a small sampling of people who lost weight in a very extreme way. I'd like to think that perhaps losing more slowly and not doing such extreme exercise may not have such a negative impact on metabolism.... but who knows.

I'd also like to think that the LONGER you keep the weight off, the more likely it is that it will stay off...... but again, who knows.

But despite that article, I know that one of the PREVAILING themes here on the WISH challenges has been to NEVER GIVE UP. And so that is what I am going to say.... I will NEVER give up fighting to stay at a healthy weight. It is worth EVERY dirty measuring spoon, every skipped birthday cupcake, every minute of exercise, every WW meeting, every page of food tracking. There was NOTHING I really liked about myself when I was overweight (despite much of it having nothing to do with my weight). Losing the weight TRULY changed my life. No other way to put it. And even if I NEVER lose these pesky 7 pounds that I'd like to lose, I'm SO CONTENT at this weight! There was a time in my life I couldn't EVER, EVER imagine living for years in the 130's..... getting under 200 seemed like a herculean effort. So YES, I will take those stupid 7 pounds and learn to deal with them if they hang around. And I will NEVER GIVE UP the effort to stay at a healthy weight.

I'm going to LEARN from that article, but not take it too much to heart and then move on. And I hope you do too. Go out and prove them wrong! .....................P

 

[Dr Gunnie]

I've been thinking of this all morning and I am struggling to come up with something specifically weight-loss related. The NY Times/Biggest Loser article that was all over the internet yesterday really depressed me (who else saw it??).

That was a depressing read. I understand when I reach my goal weight that I just can't eat like I used to, but I was hoping that I can lighten up a little bit. Oh well, I'll worry about that when the time comes.

How are you planning your race morning breakfast? I tend to not eat heavy since I will be running and just want to fuel. I carb up the night before and then energy gel the rest of the way through the race.

Was just planning to have a heavier carb dinner the night before and I'll probably just have an egg white/turkey sausage breakfast sandwich the morning of. Since it's only a 5K I'm not too worried about it, if it was a longer race I would probably look into it a bit more. Also will make sure I drink enough water the next few days.

Hopefully I'll be able to pass all the donut, corn dog, ice cream, and beer stations thay have on the race route. I'll just hit the beer stations after the race.

 

[courtneybeth]

Was just planning to have a heavier carb dinner the night before and I'll probably just have an egg white/turkey sausage breakfast sandwich the morning of. Since it's only a 5K I'm not too worried about it, if it was a longer race I would probably look into it a bit more. Also will make sure I drink enough water the next few days.

Hopefully I'll be able to pass all the donut, corn dog, ice cream, and beer stations thay have on the race route. I'll just hit the beer stations after the race.

You are so going to rock it this weekend. Start hydrating tonight and remember: if your pee is clear, you're in the clear

With it being just a 5K you should be good. You'll burn about 400 calories, which is about 1-2 beers!

 

[pjlla]

QUICK QUESTION for my friends who use MFP (either currently or in the past)........

If you didn't see, I am trying a bit of an experiment and I am tracking my calories in addition to tracking my WW SmartPoints. I just started yesterday and already see a big difference between what MFP says I should eat and what WW allows me to eat. Now I am really curious about the way the MFP app "assesses" my nutritional needs. For example, yesterday I didn't eat a single thing that most people would consider a "traditional" carb..... no bread, no rice, no crackers, no cereal, no pasta, no pretzels, no cookies or snack bars.... but I did have several servings of fruit. The MFP app told me I was over my carbs by 22.... and over my protein (a place where I thought I struggled) by 44 grams and don't even TALK to me about sodium. I found all of this surprising. I cannot imagine what it would have shown if I had had a sandwich on "real" bread or a serving of pasta! Why does MFP set the carbs so low?

Is there a way to change my "suggested" or recommended levels? I just hate seeing all of that RED after I logged my foods for the day. I'm not too concerned about the sodium, as I don't have high blood pressure or any other health concerns related to that.... but it was frustrating to feel like I ate a fairly healthy diet that would border on "lower carb" and it still showed me over. It doesn't really concern me.... just found it frustrating to see.............P

 

[mamattorney]

QUICK QUESTION for my friends who use MFP (either currently or in the past)........


Is there a way to change my "suggested" or recommended levels? I just hate seeing all of that RED after I logged my foods for the day. I'm not too concerned about the sodium, as I don't have high blood pressure or any other health concerns related to that.... but it was frustrating to feel like I ate a fairly healthy diet that would border on "lower carb" and it still showed me over. It doesn't really concern me.... just found it frustrating to see.............P

Yes. On the computer (not phone, not sure how to do it there), under the food tab, click settings. There's a menu for percentages of carbs, protein, etc that you can manipulate. Just click edit and go from there.

I find it interesting that WW seems to be giving you more calories that MFP. I remember reading an article years ago (so several incarnations of WW ago, before points plus even) where the biggest complaint was that when you got to the lowest points, people were eating 1000 calories a day, maybe a little less) Guess that doesn't happen anymore!

 

[piglet1979]

Well today did not turn out they way I would have liked. I ended up having to pick my daughter up from school. It was the end of the day so I only missed 15 minutes of work and she didn't miss any school. I got their as school was letting. She seemed to only have a really bad headache and was just not herself today. She complained of a sore throat so when my husband got home I took in to get tested for strep. Woohoo for today, rapid came back negative. By the time I got home and ate dinner it was to late to get to the rec to get a workout in. I haven't been able to work out yet this week and have not hit 10,000 steps since Saturday. I have been eating really good this week. Lots of fruits and veggies until today when I had chipolte for lunch and also a pop. I needed caffeine. I havery to be at work at 630 all week. By 10 today I was already exhausted. I am really hoping I can get to the rec tomorrow and get a workout in. I am really starting to miss working out.

 

[SarahDisney]

QOTD - May 4​

View attachment 166510

It's here! It's Woohoo Wednesday! Time to stand up and cheer!!!

What events of the last week are you celebrating today? Big, small, miniature, or monumental...let's woohoo!

My WooHoo is about 45 minutes wandering around Central Park (I was lost for most of it, but I'm usually lost in Central Park. I just keep following paths until I hit a street).
Here's a picture of some grass:

My big Woohoo for today... The scale read 189.6 this morning!!! Yes, first May goal has been achieved and I am very, very happy about it. Dare I say joyful?

Another woohoo... My feet are not as sore and tender this morning. I haven't figured out what the trigger was to start making them ache, I'm just hoping it isn't the warm temps we had earlier in the week, because that doesn't bode well for WDW. Once again I/they felt much better after pilates last night.

Double WooHoo! Yay!

My Woohoo is that the weight I gained last week for no reason other than starting a new medication is starting to come off. I have lost 1.2 pounds since Sunday.

Yay! Always nice to see the unexpected gain disappearing!

My 2 WhooHoo's are that our Homeowners Binder was send to our mortgage company today (well before the deadline of 5/18) also that the current homeowner agree to have the furnace cleaned before the closing.. oh I guess a third is that the appraisal has been ordered and is due by 5/13 I just hope it appraises at what the cost is..

Lots of WooHoos! Always nice to be making progress towards the new home!

Not working today. Took my son to the doctor for his 11 year old check up and then both kids have dentist appointments this afternoon.

WooHoo for a day off (and a chance to spend more time with the kids!).

I'm in the process of negotiating a title change at work with appropriate compensation. I'll be following up with them next week and every week thereafter to get it finalized.

I had the discussion on Monday and I'm sure it's in process. I think the title of Marketing Director sounds pretty fancy, eh?

WooHoo soon-to-be Marketing Director!!!

My Woohoos:

1) my belt today fit into one hole tighter than usually! This was adequate enough to let me forget the number that I saw on the scale today, as this is proof that the number was crazy water weight, not fat weight.

2) went for my run and when I started I had the sun directly in my back. So I saw my shadow in front of me and it had a very nice hourglass figure!! I relatively narrow hips, a wide rib cage (or as I once tried to translate from German too literally: a wide breast basket - it still amuses my boyfriend that we call a rib cage a breast basket...) and tend to carry most of my fat in my belly area. Having a real waist therefore is a bit of an achievement for me. Of course, the shadow emphasized this a bit, but it definitely was very noticeable! My shadow did look quite hot!

3) my run went really well and I ended my 30 minutes with a pace of 6:49 min/km, this is just below 11 min/mile for you non-metric people!

Lots of WooHoos!!!! It's always nice to see those signs of the weight coming off!

Love reading woohoos! Mine today is getting in my medium distance run. It is miserable outside here, and I am soooo ready for spring weather. I am sick of cold wet runs, but I finally got out and got it done. 5 miles today I am also woohooing because I had left over chicken tikka masala in the fridge to heat up for lunch right when I came back. Love having a healthy meal ready to go

Double WooHoo!
I'm with you on the weather ... it was cold and rainy here today. I wasn't a fan. Isn't is supposed to be May???

I've been thinking of this all morning and I am struggling to come up with something specifically weight-loss related. The NY Times/Biggest Loser article that was all over the internet yesterday really depressed me (who else saw it??). But that being said..... I'll give a big WOOHOO that my DS has chosen a LOCAL college and won't be hours and hours away!! He is still living on campus, but it makes my heart so happy that he will be CLOSE!

Also.... two of my WW members got their 25 pound metals last night.... so we all gave them a big WOOHOO and when I was talking about how GREAT we are as a group, they gave the credit back to me! Awww.... that was so sweet of them!

WooHoo for keeping DS nearby and for being able to celebrate with others.
I didn't read the Biggest Loser article, but I skimmed a news story about it, and honestly ... I'm not surprised. I never watched the show, but I always wondered if that kind of rapid weight loss was really sustainable. I think your body adjusts differently when it's that rapid than it does when it's a little slower. It's sad, but I really hope these people can find a more sustainable way to reach a healthier weight.

Wanted to share this..... since my weight loss has been NON-existent lately I've been really thinking about what needs to change (I KNOW I need to exercise more.... but....) and so I thought it would be an interesting experiment to track my CALORIES along with my SmartPoints. I put my information into MFP and put in that I wanted to lose 7 pounds.... and it told me that I should be eating 1,240 calories. So after I had eaten and tracked my SmartPoints yesterday, I added all of the food into MFP. According to MFP I was over my calorie allotment by about 100 calories (I didn't put in any exercise numbers).... but I was UNDER my SmartPoints by 9 (and that was even after having nuts for my evening snack in an effort to get closer to my daily target). To me that is a HUGE discrepancy of calories..... especially considering that I could have eaten more servings of 0 SP fruit and veggies according to WW. I'm going to continue to eat according to my WW plan, per usual, but continue to track it on MFP and see how often I go "over" their suggested calorie count. And then maybe I'll try adjusting my SP target to more align with the calorie count?? Still thinking about what to do with this information. But that BL article I read yesterday is really making me think!!

This is definitely interesting. I don't know much about SP, but I'm guessing that there are some things that have not so many SP but still some calories, and that's what's causing it. You can probably include a big calorie range within a certain number of SP.
(Not sure if I'm making any sense here)

Another woohoo - my 5K time is getting lower. Just knocked 1:32 off my previous best. Must have been that Bob Evans scrambled egg whites and cranberry multigrain pancakes breakfast I had (under 450 calories). So good. Might have to go back Saturday and get it again.

WooHoo! Always nice to see that time go down!

P, I read that article the other day and it's been on my mind ever since. It was completely depressing and discouraging. And now I'm really concerned that because I didn't/couldn't keep off the weight I lost last year, it's going to be even harder, if not impossible, to do it now. Evidenced by the lack of movement on my scale and waistband.

It's definitely easy to get discouraged when you see the article, but ... remember that their journey was different than yours and your results will be different than theirs.
Also, this is a tiny sample size. It was 14 or 15 people, I think. You can't take anything from that.

 

[courtneybeth]

Broke in the new shoes tonight with Hubs as we took our last 3.1 mile walk together before Tink. I am having a very good feeling about the race.

WOOHOO!

 

[HappyGrape]

P, I read that article the other day and it's been on my mind ever since. It was completely depressing and discouraging. And now I'm really concerned that because I didn't/couldn't keep off the weight I lost last year, it's going to be even harder, if not impossible, to do it now. Evidenced by the lack of movement on my scale and waistband.

Remember, you are not any of those contestants. Your previous experience is just that, experience and not indication of your future. You can look at your past mistakes, learn and make a more sustainable plan for you. Weight loss is weird, you eat healthy 3 weeks with no movement on the scale and have 3 days of not so light meals - and bang 2.5 kg loss. It's not the bigger meals that do it, it's the consistent effort over the 3 weeks its just doesn't show sometimes at the time we want it to show

Look at successful maintainers, surround yourself with people that are into their fitness and healthy eating, focus on all the good that comes with being happy in your own skin, think long term sustainability

It's not impossible. But consistency and permanent change of habits is key in my opinion.

Leave this stupid article. I won't even read it!

Also try to focus on the direction you want to go instead of what you don't want. I found this helps me

When I focus on the weight I gained, the clothes that don't fit, a past failure - I would be moody and unhappy. I am already unhappy so one more day and tub of ice cream may at least help cheer me up right now, right?

When I focus on the life I want for myself, not only in 3 months but in 20 years, when I focus on the type of person I want to be, how good my body will feel, how awesome grandma I will be taking my grandchildren (my son is only 9 haha) to rock coaster looking healthy and strong. My mood is great. I have vision. I have a picture of happy me that makes silly little ice cream shop very insignificant

 

[HappyGrape]

QUICK QUESTION for my friends who use MFP (either currently or in the past)........

If you didn't see, I am trying a bit of an experiment and I am tracking my calories in addition to tracking my WW SmartPoints. I just started yesterday and already see a big difference between what MFP says I should eat and what WW allows me to eat. Now I am really curious about the way the MFP app "assesses" my nutritional needs. For example, yesterday I didn't eat a single thing that most people would consider a "traditional" carb..... no bread, no rice, no crackers, no cereal, no pasta, no pretzels, no cookies or snack bars.... but I did have several servings of fruit. The MFP app told me I was over my carbs by 22.... and over my protein (a place where I thought I struggled) by 44 grams and don't even TALK to me about sodium. I found all of this surprising. I cannot imagine what it would have shown if I had had a sandwich on "real" bread or a serving of pasta! Why does MFP set the carbs so low?

Is there a way to change my "suggested" or recommended levels? I just hate seeing all of that RED after I logged my foods for the day. I'm not too concerned about the sodium, as I don't have high blood pressure or any other health concerns related to that.... but it was frustrating to feel like I ate a fairly healthy diet that would border on "lower carb" and it still showed me over. It doesn't really concern me.... just found it frustrating to see.............P

What I do is set it up at maintenance level. This way I can see the calorie deficit I have every day and still allows some flexibility

I have it linked to my fitbit and that adds at least 300 calories most day to it too

so at the end of the night it may look like this
2300 (1960 mfp maintenance calories +340 fitbit adjustment) - 1550 (calories eaten) =750 calories remaining

MFP is viewing it as remaining I read it as calorie deficit created. I find it easier as I can eat little more or little less. If mfp is set up at 1550, I may be tempted to eat the calories even if I am not hungry just as I can I may feel guilty if I had 2000. Some days you just need to eat near your maintenance calories

adjust your macros if you wish too

 

[HappyGrape]

My WooHoo is about 45 minutes wandering around Central Park (I was lost for most of it, but I'm usually lost in Central Park. I just keep following paths until I hit a street).
Here's a picture of some grass:

I'm with you on the weather ... it was cold and rainy here today. I wasn't a fan. Isn't is supposed to be May???

WooHoo for keeping DS nearby and for being able to celebrate with others.
I didn't read the Biggest Loser article, but I skimmed a news story about it, and honestly ... I'm not surprised. I never watched the show, but I always wondered if that kind of rapid weight loss was really sustainable. I think your body adjusts differently when it's that rapid than it does when it's a little slower. It's sad, but I really hope these people can find a more sustainable way to reach a healthier weight.

It's definitely easy to get discouraged when you see the article, but ... remember that their journey was different than yours and your results will be different than theirs.
Also, this is a tiny sample size. It was 14 or 15 people, I think. You can't take anything from that.

The weather is crazy in Ireland too. But at least the days are longer! Love this picture.

Agree with Sarah. It's just a stupid article tracking people that did very extreme things on a tv program - it's not worth at all being discouraged by it

The numbers below were given on a lecture on healthy diet in my work by registered dietitian, interpretation mine
10% of people are naturally slim, and won't gain weight or aren't tempted to overeat
60% people are overweight in most countries (30ish obese, 30 overweight)
this means that 30% of people are healthy weight by working at it! 30% of people have to watch what they eat, have to put effort and are successful at doing it

We can choose to be in the 30% group by focusing on consistency and sustainability

 

[HappyGrape]

The scale is really annoying me. I would love at least 100g loss, like quarter of a pound. The scale is not cooperating! It's definitely the week that will test my will

And I will do well in the test. So instead of spamming the discussion I will get off the couch and get ready for the day and my 5.5 km walk to work

Have a very healthy day all.

 

[4Mickeys]

It's here! It's Woohoo Wednesday! Time to stand up and cheer!!!

What events of the last week are you celebrating today? Big, small, miniature, or monumental...let's woohoo!

I am struggling to find a weight loss woohoo for this week - I haven't exercised as have been unwell and I really haven't eaten the best this week either That being said I do feel I have missed out by not being able to exercise and catch up with the girls at the same time - so a little woohoo there.

A non-weight woohoo is that on Tuedsay morning I was a guest speaker (only for 25 minutes ..... but still) at the University I graduated from. I was asked to speak to the first year Occupational Therapy students about my role and the approaches we use in the Education Department before they get a first taste of visiting a Special School for 4 days. I was a little freaked a couple of days before when I found out it was actually in the 2nd biggest lecture theatre on campus - meaning a lot more students than when I was there! So it was one of those surreal full circle moments .... I was one of those 1st year students not so long ago (7 years) sounds longer than it feels haha. I got some great feedback from the lecturer and there may be some more opportunities she wants to explore.

Last night was a very rough night for me mentally. I struggle with anxiety and last night was a real struggle for me. I was up for a couple hours just trying to calm myself down. I'm woohooing today because I was able to calm down! There were a couple moments that could have spiraled into a full on panic attack had I let them but I kept calm and that's a big win some days.

and as someone who also experiences anxiety and can have panic attacks - I know how difficult that can be so that is a GIANT WOOHOO. It is such a great feeling when we can claw back some of that control like you did - proud of you

I am woohooing that I have awesome in-laws. Last night they randomly invited DH and I out to a really nice dinner because its our stateside anniversary (we have "two" anniversaries bc we got married in Ireland, but had a legal ceremony in the US in which we signed the papers and had a small party for ppl at home before we left... we are complicated people haha!). Anyway, it was so sweet and way off points with the wine and all, but they are so nice to us. The cherry on top is that they picked the restaurant that we ate at before he proposed. It was just super cute all around

How lucky you are! What great in-laws - Happy Anniversaries

My big Woohoo for today... The scale read 189.6 this morning!!! Yes, first May goal has been achieved and I am very, very happy about it. Dare I say joyful?

Congrats that is fantastic.

My 2 WhooHoo's are that our Homeowners Binder was send to our mortgage company today (well before the deadline of 5/18) also that the current homeowner agree to have the furnace cleaned before the closing.. oh I guess a third is that the appraisal has been ordered and is due by 5/13 I just hope it appraises at what the cost is..

Hope everyone has a great afternoon/evening Michelle

Glad to hear things are moving along for you .... all the little steps along the way are exciting.

I said I wasn't going to run this week with my first race on Saturday, but I'm going to do one more practice run. Weight loss > my finish time Saturday. Giving my running clothes a test run. The shirt is too big, but I really want to wear it - it's got some sentimental value to it.

Good luck for your race on Saturday

I think the title of Marketing Director sounds pretty fancy, eh?

Sounds very fancy to me ..... you have worked hard for it

1) my belt today fit into one hole tighter than usually! This was adequate enough to let me forget the number that I saw on the scale today, as this is proof that the number was crazy water weight, not fat weight.

2) went for my run and when I started I had the sun directly in my back. So I saw my shadow in front of me and it had a very nice hourglass figure!! I relatively narrow hips, a wide rib cage (or as I once tried to translate from German too literally: a wide breast basket - it still amuses my boyfriend that we call a rib cage a breast basket...) and tend to carry most of my fat in my belly area. Having a real waist therefore is a bit of an achievement for me. Of course, the shadow emphasized this a bit, but it definitely was very noticeable! My shadow did look quite hot!

OK first off - great news about the belt. Secondly - I also got a giggle out of your 'breast basket' and way to go with the hot shadow lol!

I've been thinking of this all morning and I am struggling to come up with something specifically weight-loss related. The NY Times/Biggest Loser article that was all over the internet yesterday really depressed me (who else saw it??). But that being said..... I'll give a big WOOHOO that my DS has chosen a LOCAL college and won't be hours and hours away!! He is still living on campus, but it makes my heart so happy that he will be CLOSE!

No I haven't seen it .... I'll go have a read. I have read some of the comments from the other guys on here who have already read it. But my thought just now is to also don't forget that all of those people lost weight with a lot of extrinsic or external factors in a very pressured environment - trainers pushing/yelling at them, competition with their co-stars, $$$$, accountability of being on TV, being completely removed from their normal environment, not shopping for themselves - only having what was available in the BL kitchen, forced participation in challenges etc .... not to say they didn't want to lose weight and they showed some internal motivation by going on the show in the first place. Whilst I'm sure they learnt a lot of skills I think it would be hard to go back to your normal life with all its pressures, demands and temptations and maintain the same level of lifestyle.

There was NOTHING I really liked about myself when I was overweight (despite much of it having nothing to do with my weight)

This is interesting .... I tend to think one of the big reasons I have put weight on is because of negative feelings about myself also not related to the weight itself - so whilst I don't like the weight - I have very little self esteem due to other reasons and I think that is related to me gaining the weight in the first place - I also kind of think its a barrier to a romantic life that I have firmly put in place kind of on purpose. I hope that makes some sense....

My WooHoo is about 45 minutes wandering around Central Park (I was lost for most of it, but I'm usually lost in Central Park. I just keep following paths until I hit a street).
Here's a picture of some grass:

Love this pic Sarah! My DS15 really wants to visit NY and so do I - we are hoping for another US trip in a few years when he graduates high school - it just costs so much though - so hoping we can make it happen.

 

[pjlla]

Yes. On the computer (not phone, not sure how to do it there), under the food tab, click settings. There's a menu for percentages of carbs, protein, etc that you can manipulate. Just click edit and go from there.

I find it interesting that WW seems to be giving you more calories that MFP. I remember reading an article years ago (so several incarnations of WW ago, before points plus even) where the biggest complaint was that when you got to the lowest points, people were eating 1000 calories a day, maybe a little less) Guess that doesn't happen anymore!

Thank you for that.... I'll look at it tonight! Honestly, if you are willing to eat fruit and veggies, there is LITTLE reason to ever be REALLY hungry on WW. I complain about being hungry often (and I am), but that is because I try to limit my carbs so I don't go crazy eating fruit.

This is definitely interesting. I don't know much about SP, but I'm guessing that there are some things that have not so many SP but still some calories, and that's what's causing it. You can probably include a big calorie range within a certain number of SP.
(Not sure if I'm making any sense here)

Makes sense and you are COMPLETELY right..... two 100 calorie items could have VERY different SmartPoints values assigned to them, depending on what they are made up from.... 100 calorie apple = 0 SP, 100 calorie oreo snackpack = 5 SP, 100 calorie piece of chicken breast = 2 SP.


It's definitely easy to get discouraged when you see the article, but ... remember that their journey was different than yours and your results will be different than theirs.
Also, this is a tiny sample size. It was 14 or 15 people, I think. You can't take anything from that.

AGreed!

Remember, you are not any of those contestants. Your previous experience is just that, experience and not indication of your future. You can look at your past mistakes, learn and make a more sustainable plan for you. Weight loss is weird, you eat healthy 3 weeks with no movement on the scale and have 3 days of not so light meals - and bang 2.5 kg loss. It's not the bigger meals that do it, it's the consistent effort over the 3 weeks its just doesn't show sometimes at the time we want it to show

Look at successful maintainers, surround yourself with people that are into their fitness and healthy eating, focus on all the good that comes with being happy in your own skin, think long term sustainability

It's not impossible. But consistency and permanent change of habits is key in my opinion.

Leave this stupid article. I won't even read it!

Also try to focus on the direction you want to go instead of what you don't want. I found this helps me

When I focus on the weight I gained, the clothes that don't fit, a past failure - I would be moody and unhappy. I am already unhappy so one more day and tub of ice cream may at least help cheer me up right now, right?

When I focus on the life I want for myself, not only in 3 months but in 20 years, when I focus on the type of person I want to be, how good my body will feel, how awesome grandma I will be taking my grandchildren (my son is only 9 haha) to rock coaster looking healthy and strong. My mood is great. I have vision. I have a picture of happy me that makes silly little ice cream shop very insignificant

SO well said! You always have a such a nice way of putting things!! Thank you for taking the time to share with us!

I am struggling to find a weight loss woohoo for this week - I haven't exercised as have been unwell and I really haven't eaten the best this week either That being said I do feel I have missed out by not being able to exercise and catch up with the girls at the same time - so a little woohoo there.

A non-weight woohoo is that on Tuedsay morning I was a guest speaker (only for 25 minutes ..... but still) at the University I graduated from. I was asked to speak to the first year Occupational Therapy students about my role and the approaches we use in the Education Department before they get a first taste of visiting a Special School for 4 days. I was a little freaked a couple of days before when I found out it was actually in the 2nd biggest lecture theatre on campus - meaning a lot more students than when I was there! So it was one of those surreal full circle moments .... I was one of those 1st year students not so long ago (7 years) sounds longer than it feels haha. I got some great feedback from the lecturer and there may be some more opportunities she wants to explore,

No I haven't seen it .... I'll go have a read. I have read some of the comments from the other guys on here who have already read it. But my thought just now is to also don't forget that all of those people lost weight with a lot of extrinsic or external factors in a very pressured environment - trainers pushing/yelling at them, competition with their co-stars, $$$$, accountability of being on TV, being completely removed from their normal environment, not shopping for themselves - only having what was available in the BL kitchen, forced participation in challenges etc .... not to say they didn't want to lose weight and they showed some internal motivation by going on the show in the first place. Whilst I'm sure they learnt a lot of skills I think it would be hard to go back to your normal life with all its pressures, demands and temptations and maintain the same level of lifestyle.

This is interesting .... I tend to think one of the big reasons I have put weight on is because of negative feelings about myself also not related to the weight itself - so whilst I don't like the weight - I have very little self esteem due to other reasons and I think that is related to me gaining the weight in the first place - I also kind of think its a barrier to a romantic life that I have firmly put in place kind of on purpose. I hope that makes some sense....

Love this pic Sarah! My DS15 really wants to visit NY and so do I - we are hoping for another US trip in a few years when he graduates high school - it just costs so much though - so hoping we can make it happen.

First of all..... that is a GREAT woohoo! I cannot imagine how you did it... public speaking makes me

I pray that you can find a way to love yourself more so that you are READY for Prince Charming when he comes along! Whether that means losing weight or something else, who knows.... but know that you are LOVED by us!

**************************

Good morning friends! Sorry I didn't have time to reply to everyone! But know that I chose to spend the 5 minutes I had here instead of catching up on the 167 unread emails currently cluttering my personal mailbox (not to mention the ones that go to the family email!!). I've gotta start finding a bit more balance in my evenings. Working for 4-5 hours each night when I get HOME from work is making things a little crazy!

Anyhow.... I have to dash to school! I don't see a QOTD so hopefully I will be able to catch up with it later today! Have a THRILLING THURSDAY and Happy Cinco de Mayo!! Watch those margarita calories ............................P

 

[DisPup75]

Sorry to have missed woohoo Wednesday yesterday. I had a heartbreaking day and just couldn't get up enough spirit to share my woohoos or in any of yours. Yay to all the Happys!!!!!

QOTD - May 5​

There was a lot of discussion yesterday about a certain New York Times article on the recedivism of Biggest Loser contestants. On one hand, we all know that the BL folks are losing weight in the most extreme way possible. On the other hand, it is scary and sobering for those of with a lot of weight to lose (or lost).

Most of the people on this thread are losing weight by making healthy eating choices, increasing activity, and trying to find ways to sustain these habits for life. What non-scale benefits have you gotten from cleaning up your diet and moving a bit (or a lot more)? Is it all about the weight loss or would you still keep up your healthy habits if you never lost another pound?

 

[4Mickeys]

Sorry to have missed woohoo Wednesday yesterday. I had a heartbreaking day and just couldn't get up enough spirit to share my woohoos or in any of yours. Yay to all the Happys!!!!!

hope you are ok - prayers for you.

Most of the people on this thread are losing weight by making healthy eating choices, increasing activity, and trying to find ways to sustain these habits for life. What non-scale benefits have you gotten from cleaning up your diet and moving a bit (or a lot more)? Is it all about the weight loss or would you still keep up your healthy habits if you never lost another pound?

Hmmmm I think a non-scale benefit from getting active for me - is having some girl time with my workout buddies - I have very little 'me' time and I have found that despite having to get up early I really have been enjoying these mornings with the girls. I am hoping that I can keep it up as a habit over time - as our mornings get darker and cooler here I hope the responsibility of meeting them will keep me motivated!