So excited! I have to share what works!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-03-2004
So excited! I have to share what works!
8
Thu, 11-10-2005 - 8:01am
I am so excited! I weighed myself this morning and I have lost 11 pounds in the past two weeks. I still have 106lbs to go to reach my goal, but this as really motiviated me to stay on track. I thought maybe we could all share some tips or what works. One tip that has worked for me is the book 5 Factor Fitness, the exercises can be done at home and take less than 25 minutes a day (unless you add more cardio like I have). The strength training aspect of the book is wonderful, plus he allows you to have one cheat day a week where you eat whatever you want. I save it for the weekend, it's great to go out with my husband and friends and not have to worry about what I want, great day to eat chocolate guilt free! I would love to hear what works for you!
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-26-2005
Thu, 11-10-2005 - 9:50am

WOW, 11 pounds! THat is wonderful and inspiring.

I have a similar system as yours that works. I do cardio, strength training and have one splurge day a week. I think this is the best way to get it off AND keep it off. It's just not realistic to feel deprived FOREVER...but knowing that i can have whatever i want on friday...i can get through most cravings if i know i can have it on friday and honestly, usually by friday i have a new craving and have totally forgotten about earlier ones.

Good for you though. I think i am going to do well this week too. I weigh in tomorrow.
Stacy

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-01-2003
Sun, 11-13-2005 - 3:29am

Congratulations on the 11 lbs!! That's an awesome start!

I have a 1 splurge meal (not complete day). I think this is a terrific system cuz you don't feel deprived and I can really eat like this for the rest of my life. I count calories and do a lot of calorie shifting (that takes care of the boredom). One challenging thing is exercise, but I'm getting there.

Oh and planning really helps. I plan the weekly menu beforehand and buy everything on the weekend. So I am really prepared (including snacks too). This also makes me less obsessed with food. Everything is on the fridge, so I don't have to think about food every single minute (I used to do this and it's frustrating). So if I am hungry, I look on the menu, and see what I can have.

Mary
247/216/165

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-03-2004
Sun, 11-13-2005 - 7:05pm

I need to work more on the planning aspect. I don't think that I am eating enough, I get to where I just don't eat and I know that isn't the right way to do this. As for the exercise, I am following the strength training in the book for 5 days a week, then I do the 4 mile Walk Away the Pounds dvd every day. On the days I do both it takes about 1 1/2 hours, on the cardio only days about 1 hour. I still hate exercising, but I know if I want to be healthy and strong I have to do it. I am going to follow your lead and really try to plan my meals more. Thanks to you both for your ideas and inspiration!

277/263/160

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2003
Mon, 12-19-2005 - 2:40am
Hi! I have tried doing the once-a-week cheat, too, but I have found it hard to get back on track sometimes. One cheat day can turn into 3 or 4 or a whole week! When you have your "spluge day" do you cheat the WHOLE day, or do you just have one thing that you've been craving? I tend to use my cheat day as an excuse to eat whatever I want all day, and then the next day it's so hard to get back on track because I went into carb overload! How do you make a cheat day work?~Sabrina
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-01-2003
Mon, 12-19-2005 - 3:01am

I do a cheat meal (including dessert), not a whole cheat day. And it really works great with me. It is a nice change in the routine and one meal cannot do a lot of damage. Even if you intentionally try, you can only eat that much in one meal. And getting back on track is no problem.

Mary
247/214/165

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2005
Mon, 12-19-2005 - 5:19pm

Hi--

I'm with Sabrina..I can't do a cheat day because I never get back on track. That's one of my biggest downfalls..I eat "badly" and then I cave in for a couple days, a week, a couple weeks...or if I try and do a cheat day once a week I end up doing more in one week, "stealing" them from the other weeks. It just doesn't work for me, but that's fine. Right now, I have so much to lose that I don't have to be as strict with my diet.

Kate
261/248/145

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-19-2005
Mon, 12-19-2005 - 10:22pm

I'm with you..one cheat leads to a bad week for me..lol

Chrissy (who is new and just browsing..lol)

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-20-2005
Tue, 12-20-2005 - 12:28am
ROFL I never have a cheat day! Once I start cheating, I might have a diet day in between. But, once I fall off the wagon, I'm OFF THE WAGON. I've decided to make a lifestyle change. I've been having a difficult time starting again, and again. But, I've decided since I have topped out at 250, it's time. I don't want to look like this. Plus, I can't wear my clothes! It's hard finding fat lady clothes. People don't realize as your weight goes up, the selection of nice clothes decreases. It is so hard to find a nice outfit that actually fits. So, I'm working on it. I wish you all well on your gains.