Good Morning Losers and Maintainers
QOTD Monday, January 2, 2012: Do you think tracking food is an important part of weight loss?
* Yes, definitely
* Maybe, it depends on the person
* No, I don't think it's necessary
I will have to go with Depends on the Person, because I don't journal. I hate journaling, I am terrible at remembering to do it. I tried really hard last year and kept with it for a month or so but there wasn't any difference in how successful I was while I was journaling and when I wasn't. Part of that for me is because of the way South Beach works and how familiar I am with the plan. And I KNOW when I have "cheated"-- there is no surprise to me when I step on the scale and it doesn't say what I want. The only benefit I personally got out of it was just as a resource to go back and see what I had eaten when planning meals.
I also am a "routine" person so my breakfast is almost always one of 2 things (Go Lean Oatmeal or eggs and turkey bacon), my snacks are pretty much all the same (yogurt and nuts) and I usually have the same salad and/or soup for lunch. The only big change from day to day is dinner and that is on my meal planner so I know what it was.
However I do think that it is important for a lot of the Weight Loss programs out there and I do think there are many people that really benefit from having it all written down, so I am a huge
for journaling.
Oh, and my other goal for this year is to get to bed at a decent hour. I'm a huge night owl and go to bed anywhere from midnight til later. I didn't go to bed til 2am this morning and wasn't up til noon. I need to nip that habit in the butt.
Me too! I am so terrible about this and then I sleep in the next day and it really screws my day up. This vacation time has been really bad for my whole family because we have all been staying up much later than usual. My kids stick to a pretty strict bedtime but we have been staying up way too late. Tomorrow is back to school and work and 6:00 is going to really suck for all of us! I have already told them that everyone goes to bed earlier than usual tonight.
Today has been an on plan day. Actually, I haven't eaten much of anything. For some reason, I'm not very hungry. Perhaps it's the stomache?
I think I better do some more research on what is truly GF.
Have you found the GF forums? When we were trying GF for DD11 I spent hours on the internet finding all I could and I printed a whole bunch of lists and put them in a binder. I think we ended up using them as scrap paper or I would mail it all to you. I had lists of acceptable foods/brands, ones that were bad, good candy, ingredients to look out for and of course some GF recipes. I took the whole thing with me when I was shopping so I would know what to look for. We were also keeping a food/health diary so we could monitor how she was feeling every day. I made a checklist of all the usual symptoms and she could check any of them she was feeling.
The other thing to be very careful about is cross contamination. We would make 2 pots of noodles-- one regular and one of rice noodles for her and it was important to not use the same spoon to stir both of them. And I would strain hers first then ours. I was meticulous about cleaning the counters and all cookware, dishes, silverware, and washing my hands so that nothing could contaminate her food.
It was definitely not quick and easy and really required a lot of thought and planning. Even if I was throwing a GF pizza into the oven for her I couldn't throw it on the rack like we usually do. I had to find a clean pan to put it on and tried to cook hers first before any others to minimize any contamination. We were lucky in that she ended up not being gluten intolerant. But now my Dr wants to test me. Not sure I am ready to go through all of that again!
To give you an idea on how much we spend eating out, I have tallied January to July and our total for fast food and table service was $6091.20, Starbucks for January to July was $1295.70 I told the kids today that the total so far would have paid for our 2 upcoming Disney trips, the first one I may have to cancel because of lack of funds. They were speechless. .
Wow! That is a good reality for them to see. When my kids were younger we used to tell them prices in Mickey Bars
. They loved Mickey Bars and wanted to save up to buy as many as possible! Maybe put one of them in charge of tracking all the receipts in a place where everyone can see it so they can see it all add up.
Hi Everyone!
Finally, can I read the DIS on my iPhone? Sh got me one for Christmas
I am learning how to use it.
You can read the DIS on the internet just like you would on your home computer. We don't have an app that makes it easier to use on an iphone, yet, like some forums do. There is a paid app (e-ticket) you can get but I am not sure it is worth it-- not sure if it makes DISing easier. There is also a Mobile skin that you can use to reduce the amount of stuff that shows up if you are using an iphone but apparently if you switch to it it is nearly impossible (may only be able to be done by a Webmaster) to switch back so your account is permanently in that mode, even on your home computer.
S
Well, my first step for achieving my goals this year has been to join in this BL event
We were at the store yesterday and I forgot to pick up a notebook. I've got tomorrow off of work still, so I'll head out and pick one up.
Even if you don't have a notebook journal somewhere. Use a post it note or a piece of scrap paper! You can add it to the notebook when you get it.
Alan had gone to Publix earlier to grab a few things, milk being one of them. So I went in the kitchen a few minutes ago to pour a glass of milk. I was totally not paying attention, poured a glass, took a big swig, and immediately spit it into the sink, "What the heck Alan?? What did you buy?" "Huh, what?" I go back to open up the fridge and take a closer look at the gallon of milk.....
FAT FREE!!
not 2%
Okay, now I need to brush my teeth and mouthwash. I can't get that taste out of my mouth..
DH was a Whole Milk guy when we met. It took years but I eventually got him to 2% and then to 1%. That is low as he will go! Since I don't drink milk plain skim doesn't bother me. I love to make diet hot chocolate with it instead of water.
I didn't stick to an eating plan too well today but I did track most of what I did eat. My DS decided today would be a good day to stop taking naps and was super whiny a lot. I did get in 15 minutes on the Wii Fit which is better than nothing but it's hard to do those exercises with a 9 month old hanging on your legs
At least it was a start though and I'll do better tomorrow.
Just think of that as weight training! People pay a lot of money for special ankle weights to enhance their workout, you have one for free!
I need to figure out how to send a PM in for my weight, but I'm really excited to join you guys and so appreciate the encouragement. I'm 5'4" and 193. Ideally, I'd love to lose between 60 and 70 pounds. Right now, that seems quite daunting, so I'll stick with a goal of 5 pounds at a time.
I read an article recently where a lady made very minor modifications to her diet and lost on average a 1/2 a week. It took her two years, but she lost over 60 pounds. She has kept it off for over 5 years, but her whole point was not to be discouraged over small numbers on the scale. As long as it's going down, it all adds up. It was very motivating, as I think so many of us want to race to the finish line.
I guess I really do have to start viewing it as a journey, not a destination!
So Happy New Year, everyone! Let's set small goals this week. Mine...journaling and taking a multi-vitamin.
You and I are at about the same place and size. I agree that focusing on small numbers and goals really helps keep you going. The big picture seems impossible but 5-10 pounds doesn't seem so bad. I love that-- it is a lifelong journey!
It is time to go to the gym. I have to be there at 5 am when it opens so I can leave in time to get home and wake up DS for school. It's a bit hectic in the morning but it sure is nice to walk out of that gym at 5:45 am knowing that my exercise is done for the day.
5 AM??!!!
That is the middle of the night for me! I am in awe of anyone that can get up and be functional that early.
Good morning Team Mickey! Well today I woke up to snow! Ugh. The drive to work wasn't that bad. I did manage to get up and treadmill 1.5 miles and eat breakfast at home. DH is off for the holiday so he is home with DD today (a little jealous that they are at home and I'm working, but I did just have the last two weeks off so I shouldn't complain huh?) Lunch will be some chicken teriyaki vegetables and rice. Dinner is tacos, but limiting myself to two instead of the four I usually eat! I can do this! (boy I sure hope I can!
) Have a great Monday everybody!
You might get some Old ElPaso Fat Free refried beans or some Seasoned Black beans to have as a side. Beans are full of fiber and protein and help fill you up. I also usually make a taco salad and just crush up a few tortilla chips to add a little crunch and flavor. Yummm, now I want tacos for dinner!
i was all excited to get on the scale this morning b/c i did so well yesterday. didn't get the 10 lb loss i was hoping for.
didn't lose anything. oh well, slow and steady, right??
Get back on the scale holding the baby. Then tomorrow weigh without him- Instant loss!!
I am inspired by a Dear Friend. I have known her for 24 years. When I met her she was a bit overweight and over the years gained a lot. Her top weight was 330lbs. She started counting calories about 4 years ago. It took her 2 years, but she lost 190 lbs... and has maintained her 140lb body for 2 years now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so, so proud of her. She quit eating, smoking, and drinking all on the same day and it worked for her. Will power to the max! She is my inspiration.
Wow! That is amazing. I wish I had an ounce of her will power. I don't even have to worry about smoking and drinking, just the eating part and I don't have enough will power to do that.
I have a sugar addiction. I crave it all the time ! No chips for me, just chocolate, licorice and white carbs. I plan on reaching my weight loss goal (20 lbs) by first cutting the sugar and bad carbs. I will also run every second day and I started writing down every morsel that passes my lips.
Have you tried doing a few weeks of very low carbs (none from any sugar/starch sources)? It sucks and you have to really be resolved but for many people it really does help reduce that craving and make it easier. After about 2 weeks it may be easier to pick up whatever program you are following.
.
Feeling much better today. Thanks!
), have 5 kids who are-almost all- out of the house: 2 at (different) university, 1 with a full time job and living not too far from home, 1 teaching in Cairo, Egypt, and the boy in the basement. 
Feeling so much anxiety today, and honestly, I'm mostly a cup half full person. So here it goes...
