Introduction and question about dieting

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Introduction and question about dieting
11
Tue, 01-13-2004 - 1:19pm
Hi ladies,

I’m so inspired when I look at the dedication to health and fitness that many of you have made. I’ve remained a lurker because I just can’t make that big commitment to exercise that many of you seem to have done. I do what I can do (which is walk and exercise at home with videos, weights and resistance equipment), and sometimes it’s a struggle. It’s taken me a long time to realize that exercise has to take place at home (where I can keep an eye on my kids) or we have to be able to do it together. Lately we’ve been walking on the weekends and before dinner, but I’m subject to my kid’s whims as to whether they feel like walking that particular day! Yesterday they had PE at school at 2:00-2:30, and were dismissed at 2:35. When they got home they didn’t feel like going out walking (which was understandable), so instead I worked out with weights. In an ideal situation I try to combine the two, but realize I have to be flexible.

I’ve been dieting since July and have lost 44 pounds. I picked a goal weight initially, because it was something to work towards and was a measure of my success. The weight I picked “sounded good” and was realistic for a 50-year-old mother of 9-year-old twins, who has gone through menopause! Any ideal weight from many years ago wouldn’t be an ideal weight now (even my upper and lower body proportions have changed, actually for the better!). I was never overweight in the past, but gained considerably after my twin pregnancy (over 9 years ago!!!) and found it extremely difficult to diet when my kids were infants and toddlers, so I put it off until I felt I really would be able to devote the time to dieting and exercising.

Well, I reached that “goal” weight, and at this point I’m “good enough”, but I think loosing a few more pounds would be better (coupled with exercise to continue firming muscles). I joined a 12-week challenge and committed to loosing an additional 7.5 pounds over the next few weeks, plus have exercise goals, but don’t know where I’ll take it from that point.

So I am wondering...how do you make that final determine that it’s time to stop dieting to lose weight and move into the maintenance stage? LOL~my pants are loose in the leg and waistband (real comfortable!), but I can't fit into a smaller size. I'm beginning to think one size smaller with a "little bit of extra room" in the waistband for comfort might be IT.

 

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 01-13-2004 - 1:39pm

Welcome to the board! Sounds to me as though you've got a good attitude and have done admirably with your eating, exercising, and weight loss. Some of us could probably learn some things from you. You're doing much better than I am right now. I am in my winter slump and can't seem to get out of it. I call it emotional paralysis, for lack of a better term.


I hope you'll continue to post, so we can get to know you better. We're having a chat tomorrow night, and that is always fun. Hope you can join us.

Rhonda


Time invested in improving ourselves cuts down on time disapproving of others.

       ~~Rhonda~~


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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2003
Tue, 01-13-2004 - 2:01pm
Hey...glad you've delurked. You didn't give us your name, but I'm assuming it is Lynn.

First of all...GREAT JOB on the weight loss and, whether you think you did or not, to making a commitment to losing weight (which you've done) and working out (which you're doing). So...my thoughts are that you are already doing an excellent job at all of this!

Let's go over "maintenance". I would suspect that since, as you said yourself, our 40's & 50's bodies are different than our 20's and 30's, you still aren't over joyed with how your body looks and feels (firmness wise). Continuing to work out is the key. Shaking up your workouts is a definite idea. Upping weights and reps will also help. You'll firm up and, possibly without losing any weight, slim down (tone). Our resident leader, Phyllis, can definitely help you out with workouts you can fit in and/or do at home/inside. I find, for me, that cardio (and more than I actually THINK I need) is a necessity but weights are an absolute can't-live-without-gotta-have workout. There are ladies on this board who don't do weights and they've found what works for them. But for me, weights are the key to slimming down. Sounds like you use them already. Great! The "maintenance", to me, is a myth. Something's got to give as we get older, usually. The food we eat (quantities, calories and fat) and the exercising. What was working one year ago for me is now NOT working. And that's not to DIcourage you but to ENcourage you to shake it up.

Glad you're here. Post often and keep up the good work!

Sassy<-who's still KIUPAN today :)

 

                        

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 01-13-2004 - 2:18pm

Hi, and welcome to the board! Glad you decided to unlurk and join us. Your poor body sure has been through a lot. Twins and menopause!


Congrats on your weight loss. You will probably know when you are ready to stop "dieting". But, don't use the scale. If you are exercising, you may lose inches but not weight. So go by your clothes!


I joined the challenge too...looking forward to starting it.


Grace

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 01-13-2004 - 3:45pm

All I can add is congratulations.

Live With Passion!

Phyllis

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-27-2001
Tue, 01-13-2004 - 7:51pm
Welcome to the board.
Nancy

"Make Choices that bring you joy"  cl-Patty


 


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 01-14-2004 - 11:09am
Congratulations on your weight loss achievement! Sounds like you have made your health a priority, which is an accomplishment with your busy lifestyle.

Welcome and I look forward to reading more of your posts.

Kat

Katherine (Kat)
Avatar for imthebigsister
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 01-14-2004 - 11:24am
Hi, Lynn, and welcome!

You've made wonderful progress in your journey to being fit and healthy. How do you decide what's enough and when to go into maintenance mode? I guess when you feel good - or better than you have - physically and when you look in the mirror and you're mostly happy with what you see in front of you. As long as you're not harboring an eating or image disorder, lose until you're comfortable in those waistbands. It'll benefit you inside, also. I've not reached my goal weight, but I'm working on it. Is it realistic? For once, I probably picked a good number - when I was at that point long ago, it was a point at which I felt quite comfortable and was able to maintain for a long time before I started packing on the pounds. Am I going to keep working out and eating the way I am for life (South Beach)? Yup - I feel I have to, for my own blood pressure, and familial cholesterol and heart disease history.

OK, more than you need to know about me at the moment. Welcome, and post often. I love your level-headed approach to fitness.

Donna

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2001
Wed, 01-14-2004 - 3:19pm
Just wanted to welcome you and say congratulations.It sounds like you have done a fantastic job to me!!!!Hope you'll post often with us.

Miss P




 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 01-14-2004 - 4:55pm
Thank you all for the warm welcome ~ I really appreciate your comments on dieting to loose weight as well as maintenance! This diet and exercise journey has been quite a learning experience, and I don't think a week goes by where I don't learn something valuable that will help me in the long run.

I've decided to continue with the challenge and lose 7 more pounds, and aim to get into the next size smaller jeans (since my current pair are already loose). At that point, I'll reevaluate, and if it's time to stop loosing weight, I'll move into the next phase and concentrate on continuing my journaling to maintain my weight loss, and on exercising to firm. Sounds like a lot for 2004....and should keep me busy!

Thank you all so much!

Lynn




 

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-08-2001
Wed, 01-14-2004 - 7:43pm
I'm a little late with a welcome but so glad you've come out of lurking and decided to post. Congratulations on your accomplishments! I hope you'll continue posting with us and would really love to get to know you better!

Susan

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