Went to the doctor for a checkup last week. I've put on 5 lbs in the last 4 months. NOT GOOD!!!! Okay, at 6'-1" tall and 190 lbs I'm not exactly huge, however the extra pounds have accumulated around my waist.

It's time to get in shape. Back on the 1600 calorie a day diet. Start stretching. Back to working out on the weight bench regularly. Start walking on alternate days again.

The only problem is I'm not feeling motivated. While at work I convince myself that I'm going to do all of this. After work, I'm worn out and lose all of that motivation. Naps are so much less stressful.

Wish me luck!! I'm going to need it.

Lots of vegetables! I bought a waistcoat (vest?) in the USA in October 2001 that was a little tight, but I loved it and bought it anyway. By that Christmas, it fitted. Then a few weeks ago I discovered, to my horror, that it no longer did. Since then, I've been drinking lots of vegetable soup - if you steam the cabbage, it's not windy. Quick recipe (that works for me): 1 onion, a couple of leeks, 1/2 cabbage, maybe some other green veg like broccoli. Chop everything, boil onion (and garlic, if you like garlic) and leeks in about 1 litre of water to which you have added some vegetable stock, and steam the cabbage and other veg above it. After 15 minutes, put everything through blender, adding more water if necessary, season to taste, bring back to boil and enjoy. I drink this and therefore eat a bit less! And it's lovely as a main course if you add a bit of cooked brown rice, or pasta, or something, and maybe poach an egg in it for protein.....

Then add lots of plain vegetables to your main meal - either salads, or plain cabbage/cauliflower/broccoli/zucchini/tomatoes, whatever. Again, fill up on them, and cut out as much fat and sugar as possible, and go slightly easier on starchy carbohydrates, too. Oh, and watch your booze intake - that can have lots of hidden calories, alas....

Anyway, someone today who I hadn't seen for a year or so commented that I'd lost lots of weight! I wish.... there's still too much to lose (but at our age, Gary, we can either have a face or a figure - and I know which I'd prefer!).

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

That's been my problem for the last six months! I just want to lose another 10 pounds and find myself fighting not to gain instead. Right after Passover, I decided to give the Atkins diet a try for just two months, then back to the well balanced Weight Watchers 1.2.3. I don't know if I'm going to make it to the two month mark, because I'm already horribly bored with eggs, cheese, and meat. The once a day salad is not enough for me and I miss bread horribly, not to mention the occasional sweet.

Annabel, I make a similar soup that I call "Zero point soup". I don't bother to steam the cabbage, but toss it in the pot (cauldron?) first. I also use a huge amount of mushrooms and onions for flavor and add tomato paste or crushed tomatos. It's different every time I make it, but my favorite variation included zuccini squash. I couldn't have lost my initial 45 pounds without it, but it's harder to enjoy in the warm weather.

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I totally sympathize with all those trying to lose weight. I'm right there with you all. After watching my weight creep up for a couple of years, I finally bit the bullet and joined Weight Watchers Online on Jan 2nd, with a goal of losing 33 lbs. Lost 15 lbs between January 2nd and AN, but then went on vacation for the past 10 days, threw WW right out the window, and gained 4 lbs back. Would have been even worse had I not lost what I did previously.

So I'm typing this on my lunch hour while waiting for my 5 point frozen meal to finish nuking...back to tracking points...bummer...

Gary, I hear 'ya!!! I've gained about 20lb (and for someone 5'3" that's a lot!!!) during the 1.5 year time I was working like a dog at my last job. Lost about half of those so far. Now trying to lose the other half...

My diet went out the window this week b/c I was sick! Didn't do much exercises at all. Well, I shouldn't say it went out the window. I didn't eat much... not b/c I wasn't hungry, but b/c I was sleeping most of the time! I am feeling MUCH better this morning, but I'm not gonna push my luck! I'll wait 'til Tuesday afternoon to get back on the ice!!!

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Cheers,
jazzpants

11-04-2006: Shredded "Pre-Bronze FS for Life" Club Membership card!!!
Silver Moves is the next "Mission Impossible"
(Dare I try for Championship Adult Gold someday???)

Thank you for the support, you guys!!!

I know - I must admit I based my soup recipe on yours! I do steam the cabbage, simply because I find I get terrible wind if I don't, and steaming it doesn't seem to have that effect! I also like it with zucchini in it - I usually cut one into chunks, steam it, too (since I have the steamer out), and often don't incorporate them into the blended soup, but add them as a bit of "chunkiness" at the end. Our supermarket did a lovely vegetable platter of chunks of that, broccoli florets and some mange-tout peas (peapods), and they were lovely without needing to be blended, except that the broccoli disintegrated in the end. I added a chopped green chili to that soup, too, yummy.

Mind you, one soup I made, one week, was the exact colour and texture of what cows leave behind after they've been on spring grass. It tasted great, though, but the appearance was off-putting, to say the least.....

Meanwhile, Jazzpants, when you are ill is not the time to think about weight-loss; focus on what your body needs to eat and to help it recover.

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

Thanks for the soup ideas!

One variation that I made for quite a while was to use red cabbage, and it give the soup a lovely color. I did try blending also, but we seem to prefer the chunkier version. Forgot, I also add a generous amout of garlic!

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I highly recommend working out in the morning before going to work, unless you work the grave yard shift. I never want to work out after work. It's hard getting up in the morning but once I'm done with my exercising I feel much better. Also when I work out in the morning, I have an excuse for looking messy and a non-fashion plate that I am


I also wouldn't worry so much everyday about sticking to an exact 1600 calories per day. If you think about it too much you will soon get sick of it and drop the plan. You can eat the same amount you normally do but substitute stuffs or cut stuffs out all together, e.g. drinking skim milk, cut out all butter and oil in your cooking...

Madam suggests a daily glance at one's naked self in a full length mirror, keep this image in mind while being temped by all those lovely donuts your colleague has brought into work that day

I'm happy (sort of) to know that I am in such esteemed company!!!

Since I stopped skating in January (old drafty arena is way to cold), I've gained 22 lbs. Though I am tall for a female (5ft 8), I am essentially an apple ... so I put it around the middle.

Spring skating starts this weekend. In great anticipation, I tried on a nice spandex practice dress last weekend ...... oh how horrifying it was to have seen what little I ever had for a waist to have vanished !!!!!

So, I'm back to rabbit food .........

-- sheilagh

Methinks Madam is really too

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I've been trying to losing just five pounds for over a year, with no success. I weight train and do cardio, and have really muscled up in a year, but no weight loss at all. Must be my fondness for beer.

I've been flirting with the idea of Atkins, since I crave protein so intensely since I started working out. Used to be a vegetarian, and now I'm eating steak!! However, the bottom line is that a diet has to be a way of life. No point is losing a quick five pounds only to gain it again. My current plan is to increase the salads what with summer coming up, and base my diet on on protein and veggies, but not seriously count carbs--I find that I need some carbs before exercise, protein after.

As my Chinese doctors say, balance in the key.

Anyone notice that the potato has been getting a bad rap lately? Popular opinion has shifted back to the protein is good, starch is bad variety--it was that way when I was young, then it switched to carbs were good and protein bad, now it's changed again.

I plead the defense of the humble potato, however.

Oh, I am so glad to hear I am not alone! Gary and others, you have company!

For those of us in the northeast, multi feet of snow compounded by unusually long periods of sub zero cold, add to that the stress of the impending Iraq situation and the first few weeks, stress, stress, stress (including the morale at my work place) and the pounds came on. Everyone around here has been depressed, short-tempered, irritable. It has been shown that stress alone will cause you to gain weight particularly around the middle (gasp, I can grasp over an inch of fat on my tummy...)

So what happens when the weather finally breaks? The weekend warrior syndrome began (during the week too) and new energy caused overdoing it both skating and household/yard chores. My back finally gave out last wednesday and I lost 3 days of work....thank goodness for my chiropractor!! The Advil was taking a toll on my stomach. But now I have to miss 2 weeks of skating!! Beware everyone!

So it is walking and stretching for now, and then gradually I MUST start working on core strength to support my aging spine! And knock off the weight. I have kept a chart of my measurements for years - yuk, after December 1st, the lines just kept going upward (from the waist downward....) And yes, I do the natural peek in the mirror - my thunder thighs have returned (boo hoo...)

Thank you all for sharing!

Maybe. Maybe not. Sometimes when starting a reduced caloric intake regimen, it is very helpful to count every calorie. Many people aren't fully aware of how many calories they consume, or what portion control is all about. Obviously, going 50 over or under isn't going to wreck the diet, but some personality types need the "strictness" of it for a while until they get portion control under control.

I'd like to join the company.

I'm currently at my 'winter weight' - up a number that I don't even want to confess since last year. I'm wanting to get back into better shape before skating starts up in September, but am lacking the will, interest, or enthusiasm. I've been stepping up my exercise though, and hopefully with that will come a reduction in the eating...

I find that with an improvement in weather, things are much better. Sunshine makes for nicer walks/runs/hikes, and for working out in the garden rather than snacking. I'll just have to take the next rainy day to excavate the weight training equipment down in the basement!

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Known as IrishDancerAndSkater/Azlynn at FSW

Besides...since when does THAT stop me from grabbing the occasional donut???

As they say about everything ingested... moderation is the key.

Mrs. Redboots: Believe me, I'm do eat when I feel like it!!! I still have a hearty appetite even though I'm sick. (The only difference now is that I'm having more soups... brothy ones, of course.) It's just when you're feeling to the point where when you do go get something to eat and your body tells you the only thing it wants to do is sleep...you sleep!!! There is no debating your body about it!!! At least now I could go out and not feel like I'm gonna crash!!! And as hubby says, "the color is coming back to my face!"

ObSkating: Didn't go today. Was planning to go today, but still not well enough to go. I hope I'll survive my lesson on Thursday!

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Cheers,
jazzpants

11-04-2006: Shredded "Pre-Bronze FS for Life" Club Membership card!!!
Silver Moves is the next "Mission Impossible"
(Dare I try for Championship Adult Gold someday???)

Thank you for the support, you guys!!!

In February of 2002 I weighed over 200 pounds. I've lost about 45 or so, plus added a lot of muscle weight from skating. Now I am stuck at this weight . I need another 25 pounds at least to come off - then I'll be a lean, mean skating machine!!!

I've never dieted. My big problem is carbs - pasta, potatoes, bread, chocolate, beer - if it has a carb in it I'll eat it!!! Looks like I may have to change my habits if I am to do those doubles....

Sign me up for the "omigosh when did I lose control" club! What I can't figure out is how I can't lose the extra tonnage when I skate for 3-4 hours per week, do Pilates once a week, cardio twice a week and a weight training class twice a week. I'm making an appointment with the nutritionist at my club (conveniently attached to my place of employ) to find out if I'm really eating what I should be. Don't ever eat much at any one time, but I will admit to an unfortunate Jelly Belly jelly bean habit that I acquired last year when I gave up chocolate for Lent. My soul was purified, but my waistline was punished!

Oh, dear! That's definitely my downfall!!! CARBS, CARBS and more CARBS!!! (Well, not the last three ingredients... but I LOVE pasta and potatoes!!!)

But so far, the ol' "watch your portion" diet for me seems to work well. No guilt... and as long as I listen to my body say "FULL!!!" and I put in my 4 days a week of cardio (45 min on the elliptical trainer), I'm fine.

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Cheers,
jazzpants

11-04-2006: Shredded "Pre-Bronze FS for Life" Club Membership card!!!
Silver Moves is the next "Mission Impossible"
(Dare I try for Championship Adult Gold someday???)

Thank you for the support, you guys!!!

Intake and output for Tuesday.

2 mini bagels 140 calories
1 Ramen noodles 380 calories
1 pear 120 calories
1 Big Mac 590 calories
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total 1230 calories

No snacks. Only diet soda, water, and black coffee.

Skated for 1-1/2 hours (mild workout)
Weight bench and exercise bands for 20 minutes
50 crunches (front & back)
Mild stretching

If I could only do this every day!!!

Plus, I'm starving!!!!

I should think you are hungry - there's practically nothing nutritious in that lot at all! Plus you have only had 2/3 the amount of food a healthy male adult needs to stay alive (never mind exercise). The only decent food item is the pear! You should have masses more fruit and vegetables. Cut Big Macs to once a week, if not once a month, if not out altogether (but don't deprive yourself too much), add loads of fruit and vegetables, and sensible protein - lean meat, white fish, the occasional egg, lentils, cheese, nuts and seeds. Not too many of the last three, as they are high-ish in fat and therefore high calorie, but as they are good for you, don't omit them altogether. If you can digest oily fish (I can't), have it once a week. Ramen noodles ought to be nice, but I found I bloated up like anything on them - some of them are very high in fat, and they all have the sort of additives that are really best avoided. Buy plain noodles and simmer them in the sort of soup DBNY and I have been talking about.

Try to eat wholewheat bread, pasta and rice (I mean brown rice, not wholewheat!), you get more bang for your buck with them. Wholewheat pasta is pretty disgusting, though! For breakfast, try to choose a cereal that is high in fibre and low in sugar and salt. Avoid, as far as possible, butter and cream and sweet things except for fruit. You have to work out an eating plan you enjoy and can stick with, and allow for the occasional ice-cream, doughnut, slice of cheesecake (wrong thread???), Big Mac, etc, but do make them occasional treats.

One thing that works for some people is to keep an eye on what they eat and drink during the week, then allow themselves to have whatever they like at weekends.

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

WHAT!?!?! No Big Macs!!!

Fast food out of necessity and poor planning. Leave work, grab a fast food sandwich and diet Coke, and rush to the rink. That happens at least 2 or 3 days a week.

I am supplementing with pills. Calcium, B Complex, Multiple vitamin, L-Lysine, Potassium, etc.

Your total calories might look low but what percentage of those calories are coming from fat and how much calories are you actually burning with your excercises?

Sorry to scare you Gary, but the ramen noodles are fried in hydrogenated (bad) oil. Only half a package is like 8 grams of fat, and no one ever eat only half a ramen noodle. I'm also pretty sure the Big Mac had an exceedingly high fat gram content and over half of the ~590 calories are coming from the fat. You would have done better if you had eaten Japanese noodle, which has like 1 gram of fat per serving, and a veggie burger.

Well, get an ordinary sandwich instead, not a hamburger - I don't know about in the USA, but here in Britain every supermarket sells ready-made sandwiches, often calorie-counted, and big bowls of salad that do you nicely for lunch. The trouble with Big Macs is that they are so very high in fat, the bread is white, and there is no real meat in them.

I seem to remember that when we visited the USA there was a fast-food chain that specialised in salads and pasta, which was rather good.

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!