Newbie here!

Avatar for elerav
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Newbie here!
10
Sat, 02-03-2007 - 9:09pm

Hello everyone,

A pleasure to "meet" you all. Im very happy to have found this board.

I have finally gotten serious about losing weight for several reasons.

1) For my 4 year old son. He is an extremely energetic and active kid and I owe it to him to be able to keep up.
2) For my health. I have high blood pressure, arthritis (gout) and am on the edge of diabetes.
3) My family and I are visiting friends and family in BC in May/June and then going on an Alaskan cruise. I'd like to be comfortable and capable of doing everything this trip has to offer! Besides we have already booked a shore excursion to go dog sledding and I don't want to kill the poor the dogs with my weight! :)

I started New Years Day and have lost 10lbs so far. Im hoping to lose at least 10 lbs a month going forward. When I was pregnant with my son, I had gestational diabetes and lost 40lbs following the diabetic diet. At the time, the dietitian advised the diet was just a good healthy way for anyone to eat. So Im following the same diet. I have also started aquafitness classes. I feel I need to step it up a bit and plan to do lots of walking, assuming the weather co-operates!

Other than having to give up my beloved wine (sniff), Im finding it quite easy so far. I guess Im feeling the right motivation but Its great to know I can come here for encouragement and support!

Eleasa
270/260/170(?)

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-04-2007
In reply to: elerav
Sat, 02-03-2007 - 11:20pm

Hi Eleasa!!

Good luck on your weight loss journey. You can do it! Are you following any specific plan? Doing your own thing? Have you found an excercise plan that will work for you with your arthritis?

I started my journey on Oct 9th and have lost 42lbs and am feeling great. I am currently 247.2.

I also found it interesting that you are going on an Alaskan cruise, I live in Fairbanks, AK. I bet you will have a great vacation.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2006
In reply to: elerav
Sun, 02-04-2007 - 7:15am

Nice to "meet" you too Eleasa, and congratulations on your 10lbs loss.. that's great success, I guess you're on the right track.


Looks like you've got a lot of motivation to help you lose the weight. You can keep this list handy so you can glance at it whenever you feel you want to slack. I heard a lot about diabetic diet, I think I will try it. I am pregnant right now and since

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Avatar for elerav
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: elerav
Sun, 02-04-2007 - 10:47am

Hi Mom2,

Thanks for the words of encouragement!

I am following the diabetic diet I was given when I was pregnant. It doesn't tell you exactly what food to eat, but tells you how much to eat out of each food group for each meal or snack. For example; for breakfast Im to have 1 starch serving, 1 protein and 1 fats/oils. So I might have a piece of whole wheat toast with butter and a boiled egg. For dinner its 2 starches, 2 fruits/veggies, 2 milk, 3 protein, 2 fats/oils, plus as many "extras" you can fit in during the day. The extras are the "free" veggies like lettuce, cucumber, celery, broccoli etc. as opposed to the veggies which have carbs. Its also getting to know the good stuff instead of the bad like whole grain starches instead of white (like brown bread and brown rice) and lower fat proteins like chicken and light cheeses.

I cannot wait for the Alaskan cruise! Im very excited! Im impressed with what the ship has to offer children on board. Its almost worth the cost for the daycare it provides! ;)
My niece is getting married on the ship, when we dock in Juneau. We also dock at Ketchikan and Skagway and there's 2 days of scenic cruising around Glacier Bay and College Fjord and then disembark at Whittier. It must be some of the worlds most beautiful scenary!

Eleasa
270/260/170?

Avatar for elerav
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: elerav
Sun, 02-04-2007 - 10:51am

Hi Merry,

Congratulations on the pregnancy! Its a wonderful time, isn't it?

I'd be happy to share my diet details if you are interested. Let me know and I forward along the info.

Thats a great tip, to refer back to the list when Im struggling. I think its always there in the back of mind but its so easy to forget when you can only think about food! :)

Thanks,
Eleasa
270/260/170?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2006
In reply to: elerav
Sun, 02-04-2007 - 2:00pm
Welcome aboard and congrats on your start. I wish you much success in reaching your goals before your trip.

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Angela

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: elerav
Sun, 02-04-2007 - 4:26pm
Eleasa, Welcome to the board and congratulations on your strong start! (Maybe sometime you can start a thread describing your diet.) I've also gone cold turkey on wine. I had let it creep back in to about 3 glasses a week, but I've eliminated it again. I found that more than the calories themselves having only a glass weakened my resolve and had me eating past the point of feeling full. Hope to see you around! Annie
A
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2003
In reply to: elerav
Mon, 02-05-2007 - 12:15am

Welcome, Eleasa! You're off to a great start! I'm doing the diabetic diet too, though my breakfast sounds a little different; I'm to have 1 starch, 1 fruit and one milk, but sometimes I make it more protein-filled if I'll need the energy. It's pretty flexible, isn't it? I've lost 33 lbs. this way since the beginning of October, and don't feel all panicky and deprived like on other "diets." In fact, I've told myself that this is the way I'm eating for the rest of my life, with the occasional splurge thrown in.

Hope to see you around and best wishes!

Mary #3
247/214/135

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2006
In reply to: elerav
Mon, 02-05-2007 - 4:10am

Thank you very much.. I would really appreciate if you can take the time and describe your diet. I've never counted carbs before and I thought diabetes diet was all about counting carbs, but the way you describe it, it seams easier. TIA

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2006
In reply to: elerav
Mon, 02-05-2007 - 7:11am

Hi and welcome to the board. I only started taking it seriously last month. I weigh 250lbs and I'm so sick and tired of being overweight.

Rochelle

Avatar for elerav
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: elerav
Mon, 02-05-2007 - 11:11am

Hi Rochelle,

I with you all the way! Im sick and tired of being sick and tired! :)

I look foward to getting to know you better and since we started around the same time, we can continue to be serious together!

Eleasa