What to do?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-11-2006
What to do?
5
Sun, 11-12-2006 - 12:03pm
What are some of the things that you guys are doing to lose this weight? I need fresh ideas or something....Help!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2005
Sun, 11-12-2006 - 1:39pm


iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2003
Sun, 11-12-2006 - 5:40pm

Well, my diet is nothing unusual, I'm on a 1200 calorie "diabetic" diet. This is really just balanced nutrition, and it's served to cut my portion sizes a lot and to cut out the not-so-healthy carbs I've been eating. I'm not diabetic, yet, but I really try to pay attention to the food's effect on me: like I can tell when my blood sugar seems low and I try to choose something with complex carbs and protein that will raise it slowly and make it last. I've only been doing it for two weeks, so I'm still in the "honeymoon phase" I'm sure, but it seems like something I can live with for awhile.

I'm trying to keep a new philosphy in mind this time too. I go with the "taking care of myself" idea that someone upthread posted. I'm 48 years old and I want to be able to live the rest of my life feeling good and being healthy so that I can do the things I need to do and enjoy the things I want to enjoy. If I keep eating the way that got me up to 247 in the first place, I will probably begin to see some major health problems, if I don't just drop dead of a heart attack. I don't like feeling unwell, so I'm trying to take preventive measures now.

I also do not weigh myself. I do have a scale; it's sitting on top of my fridge, gathering dust. I don't want this to be all about the number on the scale, and I have been a slave to it in the past. If I didn't lose as much as I thought I should or, heaven forbid, I gained weight, I would be so depressed and angry that I would eventually go off my plan. Now I just go with how I feel. I feel thinner and my clothes are fitting a little better. I can go on that for a long time. I'll let the doctors weigh me, since they make me step on the scale even when I'm there for the flu or something! My next weigh-in will be in 4.5 weeks.

I'm keeping a food diary too, to keep myself honest and to make sure I'm sticking around the 1200 calorie mark. Some days I have 1300; some I have 1100, so it all evens out, I guess.

My exercise philosphy at this point, while I am still so heavy, is just to get up and move. Housework, laundry, shopping all burn calories. I work on an irregular schedule, so I'm trying to keep myself busy on the days I don't work. When I lose more weight, I'll add in the "real" exercise, including going to the gym that I joined a few years ago and never go to!

So...after all that rambling, I just try to take things one day at a time, to keep in mind that I'm caring for my health and well-being, and to enjoy my life and live it as best I can.

Hope that helps! :)

Mary
247/?/125

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-03-2005
Sun, 11-12-2006 - 8:43pm
I do WW and I love it, but it really is a plan that only works for some.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2006
Mon, 11-13-2006 - 8:40am

I think I should sum it up with "Eating better and trying to exercise".. I'm basically counting calories, but not always. I like to focus on the quality of food I'm eating (for example: eating an apple instead of a 100 calorie chocolate snack, same calories but better quality of food). I journal everything I eat which is a great help for me.


I am also trying to get in the habit of exercise (I recently started this.. a few weeks ago).. and I hope it becomes a habit (it's still not my cup of tea LOL)

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2006
Mon, 11-13-2006 - 9:29pm

I try to do one thing differently each month. For example, in September, I set a goal to do ab exercises every day. In October, I decided to cook two healthy meals for myself each week - and since I made enough for two nights, that gave me four not-take-out dinners a week. This month, I'm focusing on planning my workouts and then actually doing what I plan - even if that means I get home later than I'd like. Then, I try to incorporate what I did as a habit going forward - but if I hated it, then I just drop it, knowing I gave it a fair try.

This is a little like the thread Mary starts each week for 'Goal of the week'. If it's 'only' for a limited time, I can stick with something better than if I think of it as 'always' or 'never'.

I also try to set goals and reward myself for activity - if I plan to go to the gym three times a week, I feel like I am in control of that, and doing it deserves a (non-food) reward. But if I set a goal like 'lose two pounds this week' a lot of things might affect that even if I do everything 'right'. And I like the reward...even if all it is is telling myself 'You did great this week'.

Hope this helps.

SJ
225-173-135