I looked in the mirror

[flying_babyb]

when I got out of the shower and what I saw made me want to bawl! I have huge thighs and my belly wiggles like santa. So how does one lose weight? I dont think I over-eat.
Todays meals:
Breakfast- single toaster studel and a glass of water (its quick and I walk to work)

Lunch- A blob of caserole,a blob of pine apple (trhink two year old sized portins,)and a single slice of pizza, a 5 oz glass of milk, half a soda
Snack- A single banana, 8 oz of apple juice, a single gram cracker
Dinner- A 4 inch chuck of french bread with two peices of low fat sasuage and chese, a soda and three triscits.

Ok more than I thought but lunch and snack must be eaten since I have to eat with my students. Also what does one do to exercize in the winter? I work 40 hours a week, go to school full time, so time is short. I walk a mile each way to and from work so 2 miles a day. How do I get rid of my fat?

 

[VernRDH]

You might want to use a website like FitDay or Sparkpeople to track your calories. If you don't eat enough, your body will think it is in famine and won't lose any weight. And you might be surprised at the percentages of fat/carbs/protein you are consuming. Also, lots of WATER!!! I believe you should drink 1/2 your weight in ounces of water (ie. I weight 171, so I drink at least 85 oz of water each day).

For the exercise, try the library for some exercise videos (lots of folks like Leslie Sansone), or try to do some basic exercises like push up, crunches etc at home. Costs nothing and you can do them when you get up in the am.

I am a crazy person who gets up at 5:15 am to run. I have to make myself a priority and that is my time to do so.

Good luck!!

 

[pjlla]

Okay... I'm trying to give you some perspective here. Granted, I have NO idea about the specifics of what you ate and most of this is just a guestimate... but I think it is a pretty good guestimate. ( I assumed regular soda and whole milk.)

I figured out that your food for yesterday would have come to about 33 points (on Weight Watchers). You would have to weigh 325 - 349 pounds for that to be your daily points target. Since I am guessing that you are not that large, you definitely had too many calories.

The FIRST thing I would do is eliminate the toaster strudel (lots of empty calories and carbohydrates) and the soda (assuming it was regular and not diet.. same comment as for the strudel).

There were only two-three servings of fruit and no vegetable (unless there was some in your casserole or on your pizza). You should be eating probably about 5-8 servings of fruit and vegetables per day.... and more if you are trying to lose weight.

All of the protein you did eat was probably fairly fatty protein (whatever is in the casserole probably cream soup and/or cheese on it, the pizza cheese is fatty, and the sausage and cheese for dinner was fatty). Try eating some lower fat/no fat protein like chicken breast, turkey, egg whites, lowfat cheese, low fat milk.

You could change the carbohydrates (like the french bread, triscuits, and pizza crust) to whole grain... that would help regulate your blood sugar and add some much needed fiber to your diet.

THe milk was a good choice.... as a woman (I think??) you need to be having as much calcium as you can fit in your diet... both from dairy and from dark leafy greens. Make the milk 1% or skim, have lowfat/fat free yogurt for breakfast, and low fat cheeses (hard and cottage) for protein, and that will definitely help with the calcium intake.

You need more water. To start, I would have a full 8 oz glass with each meal and then one in between each meal..... and then definitely before, during, and after exercising.

I was pleased to see that you weren't having a lot of caffeine (although I don't know what kind of soda you were drinking). Caffeine is bad for your bones and can wreak havoc with weight loss. Eliminate it if at all possible.

Hope you aren't offended by all I have said, but you did ask for help. Sorry I didn't comment on the exercise. I am definitely no expert there, but my suggestion would be to find something you like (or can at least tolerate) and maybe a friend to exercise with... that is a good motivator for me. HTH................P

 

[flying_babyb]

Yep I am woman. I have to really watch how much dairy I have as I am lactose intorlant so I cant have alot of milk. Its darn near imposible to eat healthy at work. The casorole was noodles, veggies,and meat chunks (no clue what kind of meat) in a creamy sauce. Ok yea I know the soda should go. Its hard to get in a full 8 ozs of water at a meal, im lucky if I have 5 minutes to eat before the kids are done (two year olds dont eat alot before nap time). I mean by the time I sit, eat, and drink my 5 oz cup of water someone's spilled, done or "WANTS MORE NOWWWWWWWWWWWWW PLEASE??" but then again this keeps me from having seconds. DOes jello count as water?

 

[ohMom]

i say first thing -- forgive yourself and let go of any guilty you may be feeling for allowing yourself to slip into this position. it's very important to have your mind in the right mode for success. post-its around the kitchen that say "i CAN do this" "is this really worth it?" "i am WORTHY of a healthy body" etc. maybe it seems impossible now, but break your journey into mini-goals that will take you there. maybe 10 lbs, or 8 hours of sleep 5 nights a week; try yoga..etc

from what you recorded I think we are in the same boat -- carb addiction! i could live on pita chips, cheez-its, and sugar in any form. but over time I have realized when my diet slips into that rut I start to feel very tired, sluggish, bloated and crappy. healthy eating will reward you with feeling GREAT!

if I may, i would ditto: NO regular soda, 64 oz water each day, less processed cards/more lean protein. is there on that sames easier than the rest? start there! incorporate a change into your routine, and when that feels normal incorporate another change...and on and on.

what about packing your lunch? can you finish in your room while the kids are napping? i can only imagine the stress-level you face, which by the way packs the pounds on too.

not sure if jell-o counts as water, but I thinks it's reasonable to county no-calorie drinks like crystal light. some fruits have a higher water content too, apples, oranges, watermelon.

have you ever tried soymilk? i don't like regular milk but vanilla soymilk on my cereal is yummy! i make SF/FF pudding with it too

i applaud your decision to start a new journey to a healthier you!

 

[flying_babyb]

I dont digest soy well. I must (by state law) eat lunch with the kids, which means eating whatever they have. On my 1 hour lunch break I usally try to aim for somthing healthy, I usally dont eat alot with the kids and am usally still hungry so I try to get somthing healthy but that too is hard in the hospital cafertia. Has anyone done the yougart for breakfast, and lunch, and then a sensible dinnner plan? I mean if I take more lactaid.... I did yoguart in h.s and lost a bit. I guess im just worried about how heatly it is. Give up soda? I dont know if can do that, well once I finish off the soda I have in the fridge (around 30 cans) I will go diet. I guess I could try more water but potty breaks are few and far between at work so I try not to drink alot at work.

 

[3DisneyKids]

1. Why rely on the cafeteria? Bring your lunch from home.
2. Workout in the morning before work, then use that one-mile walk as your cool-down.
3. WAY WAY WAY increase your water. Aim for 64 ozs. per day to start.
4. Substitute lean proteins for high fat ones (sausage and cheese are high fat proteins)
5. Don't drink your calories. Don't drink anything that add calories to your day. Eliminate juice (loaded with sugar and empty calories). Same with soda. If you must have milk, then do so in moderation, but I would cut it out.

Those 5 steps will take you VERY far.

How much do you weigh? What would you like to weigh?

 

[flying_babyb]

If i bring my lunch from home then I lose time, also with my discount is is cheaper to by at work. 130 want to be 100.

 

[3DisneyKids]

I am sure that I am going to get blasted for this, but I am going to say it anyway. I truly don't intend to be rude. But it seems like you have an excuse or reason for everything. You have been given some great tips and advice here by people who know and who care. But you have an excuse you can't drink water. An excuse for why you can't bring your lunch. An excuse why you can't work out.

Losing 30 pounds is going to take work. It's hard. Sounds like maybe you are not ready to tackle that yet? Which is FINE. For me, I have to gear up to lose weight. It takes time, effort, and energy (both mental and physical). And yes, it also takes money. It costs more to eat healthy. And you may need to invest in some equipment (proper shoes or some hand weights or whatever you want for exercise). So if you aren't up for the challenge, that is totally ok. You have to be READY to lose.

It is cheaper, easier, and takes far less time to be overweight than it does to be fit and healthy.

If you are willing to take the time and make the commitment to this, then this is an awesome place to be! The people are wonderful, helpful, patient, and supportive. But we can't do the work. That has to come from you.

 

[flying_babyb]

I dont mind working out, its just hard to fit it into my scedual. I walk daily and this summer will take the long way (2 miles each way) to work. Sorry that money is a issue, so is conveniance. Water is fine, I can drink the 64 oz when I get home but not at work.

 

[3DisneyKids]

You don't need to apologize for money and time being an issue. I totally understand that. We ALL do. But I guess what I am trying to say is that you actually DO have the time and you DO have the money...but you have to be willing to make this a PRIORITY.

If eating healthier is going to cost you more money, then you are going to have to cut something else out. It is not fun (especially at first) but if it is worth it to you, then you do it. It is just about priorities. Let's say that making your lunch at home to bring with you is going to cost you an extra $10/week (which is outrageously high...just using this as an easy example). So that is $40 per month. Where can you cut $40 per month? Movies? Shopping? Junk food or stuff you buy at the grocery store that you don't really need? Cable tv? Again, you may not WANT to cut any of these things, but if eating healthy is a priority, then you are willing to make the sacrifice.

And as a more realistic example--my husband and I both take lunch every day (well, I work FT from home, so I am here to make my lunch). For me to have a VERY healthy lunch costs maybe $1.25 if I add up all of the ingredients. On certain days it might be as much as $2.00. Lunch, espeically, can be done so inexpensively.

Same with time. No one ever "finds" the time to work out. We MAKE the time. I know this is going to sound arrogant, but I am over that. I don't know ANYONE who is busier than I am. Really. And I have time to work out a lot.

For example, I basically don't ever watch tv anymore. Not even the news. I work MORE than full time. I have a regular (high pressure/high visibility) FT job and then I do lots of consulting on the side. I have 3 young children whom I parent full time (meaning no day care or anything like that). A large house to manage and clean (no cleaning lady), I have to cook for a family of 5 each night (plus pack everyone's lunch as well). And wehile my husband is great, he works a ton of hours and most of the kid responsibilities and househould responsibilities fall to me. I volunteer in my kids' school. I coach Little League. I teach Sunday School. I take care of my aging parents (help them with their grocery shopping, drive them to doctor appointments, etc.). And I work out 10+ hours per week, participate in endurance events like marathons and triathlons (which takes hours and hours of weekly training).

I just rarely waste time. If I have to wait for 10 minutes at the bus stop for my kids, I have something with me that needs to be done. I may make some phone calls for work or whatever. Or I will get in some extra exercise by doing squats or lunges until the bus comes. You just have to use your time wisely and be efficient. Be creative.

If you make it a priority, then you will find a way to make it all happen. Good luck. I really hope you succeed.

 

[flying_babyb]

I do make time, I could ride the bus everyday and chose to walk. I also am looking at figuring out what exercizes I can do at home but have no clue where to start. I really need thigh and gut busters. I spend about two dollars at work, If I could do healthy food there I would be happy. Heck the other day I had a bag of baked chips for a snack (ok I know BAD choice but a better bad choice then most).

 

[VernRDH]

I think 3DisneyKids makes some good points. Get rid of the soda. The money spent on that can go towards healthier choices for lunch. Add to that the $10 you spend on buying lunch and you can make healthy meals. If you "have" to eat with the kids, choose the fruits and veggies, skip the other stuff. Then go eat your healthy packed lunch. I too make my lunch for work each day. My meals are not more than $2-3, and I control what I eat (portions/cals/etc). I also find that if I make stuff up on Sunday then portion it out, it is easy to grab and go during the week.

Time is a tough thing. Until the last year, I always felt guilty spending time exercising. But I had to say (and thankfully DH backs me 100%) that I have to make time to make myself a priority and I will have more quality time with my family in years to come by getting healthier now. I had suggested in my earlier post that you try some basic exercises at home that really don't take much time to do (crunches, push ups etc). No equipment needed, pretty self explanatory. Or get a video that is 20 minutes (buns of steel, ab blaster whatever) and get up 20 minutes earlier and do it. You will feel better knowing you started your day off doing something GOOD for yourself.

There is no simple solution to weight loss and getting healthier and fit. It all boils down to burning more calories than you take in. Committing to doing that with all of yourself is what you need to do to start. You may just not be there yet. When you get there, then you have lots of good info to help you on the path to wellness.

PS How tall are you that you want to weigh 100lbs? I am 4'11" and am aiming for 115.

 

[CarolA]

I do make time, I could ride the bus everyday and chose to walk. I also am looking at figuring out what exercizes I can do at home but have no clue where to start. I really need thigh and gut busters. I spend about two dollars at work, If I could do healthy food there I would be happy. Heck the other day I had a bag of baked chips for a snack (ok I know BAD choice but a better bad choice then most).

And the poster above pointed out that her MEALS from home which are healthy cost LESS then your $2. So why can't you do healthy?

And honestly it needs to be excersise that gets your heart rate up. If when you get to work you still look all nice a pretty and didn't break a sweat, that's a nice walk, but... it's not what you need!

You seem to want to do what you have always done and have a different result. Doesn't work that way!


"thigh and gut" busters only TONE. If there's fat on the muscle it's still going to be fat! (Trust me, my legs are in great shape, but there's still some fat there LOL! I can do a half marathon in them, but they don't look like supermodel legs!)

However, I am concerned that you want to weigh 100 pounds. For most adult women that's a VERY low goal. Do some research based on your height etc before setting a "goal"

 

[flying_babyb]

100 is still in the safe range. I used to weigh 100 before my dad died and I let my dieting go. When I get to work after walking, i have sweated. Its just easier for me to eat at work. I noticed some not so crappy choices today, found yogurt.

 

[TennisGirl80]

I'm sorry, but I have to agree with everyone here - your asking for advice, getting great advice, really its exactly what you need to do to lose weight, and then your pretty much telling everyone that they don't know what they are talking about, and making an excuse for eveything. All I can say to you, is if you really do want to lose weight, and are taking this seriously, then sit down, make a list of the week, and see where you can fit stuff like real exercise in. Walking a mile to work is great, but its truely not fat-buring exercise. Sit down and plan out good healthy meals. If you don't want to take food from home (which no matter how you cut it, its always cheaper to brown bag it than to buy at a caf.), then they must have a salad bar, or fruit and such.
It comes down to this - if you want to do it, then you don't make excuses, you just do it. When your ready, you'll know! Good luck.


BTW - 130 is not fat!!!.... unless your like 3 feet tall!

 

[3DisneyKids]

And yogurt is not necessarily healthy. Watch out for that...often made with full fat and is loaded with sugar.

Time for you to do some serious homework. You need to really educate yourself and then choose your program. I see that you have another thread about calories vs. carbs. You are nowhere near ready to dive into something like that. Read, read, read. Learn about proper exercise and nutrition. Then figure out what is right for you.

You have a lot to learn, which is fine. We all had to start somewhere. But you have work to do first. And you also have to let go of the excuses. No matter what any one of us has said, you have a quick response at the ready about how that is not what you need to do.

 

[flying_babyb]

SO where the heck does one even start looking up diets? I go on yahoo and get like 8 million sites that tell me 8 million differnt things. I Dont know where to start.

 

[VernRDH]

Start here. There are threads on WW, Atkins, South Beach. Ask about a plan if you want to know more about it. I suggested in my earlier post to check out Fit Day or Sparkpeople, which are sites that help you journal your calories. I use Fitday, easy to use imo. You enter in all your info (age, height, goal weight and deadline) and it tells you how many calories you need to REDUCE each day to make your goal. Then you can add in your exercise. It gives nice charts and graphs to help you see your progress.

Weight loss is a simple mathematical equation-calories burned needs to exceed calories consumed. Google BMR calculator and AMR calculator as well to help you figure out how many calories you need just to survive (BMR) and how many you need being active each day (AMR). The amount you actually eat needs to be between the two. This is a really simple way to put it, but I think it will give you the idea.

I did WW for my first 50 lbs lost, but found that with the amount of running I do, I wasn't eating enough. So I went to fitday. It is working well for me, as I have lost another 10 lbs since the first of the year and am working towards my goal weight of 115. (Again, I ask how tall are you that you only want to weigh 100 lbs??). There is no "right way", but there can be plenty of wrong ways that are unhealthy. No quick fixes, no magic bullets. It takes hard work and determination. Anyone here will tell you that.

 

[writermommy6]

New here to this area of the disboards but I have a suggestion. Make one change at a time. Drink one less soda a day and one more glass of water. Add one fruit and one veggie to your day. Do that for a few days or a week and then add one more of the good things and one less of the sodas and stuff.
The ladies on the board are giving you good advice. The hardest part is just doing it. I'm still struggling but I did it before after child #2 and I know I can do it again. It's all about the commitment (which I struggle with everyday).
And just my opinion but don't look up diets. Find a way to eat better like clean eating or just less junk and more fruits, veggies, and lean protein. Take it one day at a time, one step at a time. Every time I try to completely overhaul my exercise and eating habits I burn out really quick.

On the exercise, your getting the "aerobic" with the walking. Try some weight training ( you can get 3 lbs and higher at walmart) More muscle equals more fat burning potential.

Just my 2 cents.

P.S. if you're really not mentally ready to do it, it won't happen. 90% of the battle is deciding to do it.