Told Ya I'd Be here, Pony

[Ann]

Hi Pony

I'm here because I need someone to help me stay accountable for my eating habits.

I have enjoyed the luxury of not working and just enjoying staying home since mid May, although i am again looking to go back to work.

As some of you know, we moved just over a month ago and I love my new small town after living in the big city for over 20 years, and I love the people here in what I have nicknamed Pleasantville.

But I am getting fat. Not obese and not out of control totally, but I see and feel the pounds piling on and I am not sure why. I walk almost every day, since I live about 100 yards from the beach, and I can't do much strenuous exercise since I have a type of arthritis that is only aggrevated when I overdo it.

I mostly eat properly, regular meals, trying to stay low carb but not always successful, but I am snacking myself to death. I just can't stay away from cookies and puddings and every night I dive into a big bowl of buttered popcorn or chips and dip....arghhh.

I am early menopause and I don't want to be one of those people who just get huge with "the change". Also, I really notice that my metabolism has slowed down, whether from not working and getting the adrenaline rushes or from my age, but I am just not as energetic as I used to be.

Anyway, I am here for suggestions and to try to get a grip on this and lose a few without getting into any fad diets or weight loss programs. I need to establish good everyday habits and just can't let go of the junk food.

Suggestions, recipes, a whack on the head, anything would be welcome right now.

Hugs
Ann

[Juls]

Ann,

Welcome to old age. LOL There are two things you have to do when your metabolism starts slowing down. 1. exercise to help rev it up, and 2. eat less. I have reduced my food intake so drastically, I hardly eat anything. I'll have a fruit for breakfast, a slice of wheat toast for lunch, some veggies and a little meat for dinner. That's it most days. I'm not hungry though. I have not been exercising strenously, just walking.

Those snack food will really do it to. I try to stay away from snack food, sodas, carbohydarates, and refines sugars, candy, etc.

However I do indulge myself some. The other day I went and tried a new mexican restuarant that's close to our new home. I had a soft taco, carne asada. OMG, it was sooooo good. The meat was perfect, juicy and tender, and the seasonings were delicious. No rice or beans though, just the taco.

Try and get it under control now, because once it gets away from you, it is so hard to get on track.

Juls

[Pony]

Well Ann, Hi there

It is nice to see you here. Come on in and sit a spell and I'll tell you about my plan. I have none! NO just kidding!!!! lol

Yes indeedy, age does tend to creep up on us all and our bodies. We don't process things through as fast as we did when we were younger. But I'm sure you know all of that.

For me I have just modified my eating habits and my daily excerise. Basically I have changed the food I eat, watching fats and sugars; cutting my portions in half,not to stuff myself. Now I don't really feel that you have to give up snacks.....just change the type of snacks you eat and how often. It's whatever fits into your lifestyle and satifies you. If it's just a few pounds that you're worried about...that would probably do it. Keeping busy will keep you out of the snack hole. As far as excerise.....you can only do what you're able to medically....but there are some really low impact type excerise out there that aren't strenuous that you might like.

As for fad diets (Oooohh that's a bad word) I don't go in for them at all. they don't work for the long haul. It's a daily life change that makes and keeps us healthy.

So I'm glad you joined us....I need the company!!! I'm starting to talk to myself!!! lol

[journeygal]

Hi guys,

I apologize for barging in...

I recently had a conversation with my "skinny" sister-in-law and for grins I asked her what a typical eating day is like for her. Now, she has never had a problem with her weight, has never dieted, and is exactly the right size for her body. She works out, but not excessively. I asked b/c I'm trying to lose the last 10-15 lbs (my goal was 50 and I've lost 35), but the last ones are soooooo hard!

Anyway, her response? "Let's see...I have an english muffin or cereal for breakfast, soup OR salad for lunch, and something like chicken or fish and veggies for dinner."

I waited....

"That's it."



Soooo, basically, she starves herself - LOL!!! She doesn't snack and rarely eats sweets or desserts. I do snack, not too much, but enough to make a difference. So, I decided to try it her way, just to see what happened. I basically started cutting out the snacks and cut back my meal portions even more, but gradually.

And what do you know? I started losing weight again! It's coming off verrrrryyyy slow, like 1/2 lb a week, but I am losing. And I don't starve myself, I just tried to cut back. I also try to do step aerobics 3 days a week and I take a dance class once a week.

So, that's my recommendation. Gradually start cutting back on your portions and the snacking. And I realized once I did it this way, it didn't matter what food I ate, as long as I don't eat too much of anything. I'm very pleased with the progress I'm making.

Hang in there!

[Pony]

JG, barge in here anytime.....Great to see you here!!!!

Off to work now, but I"ll be back!!!! LOL

Pony

[Ann]

Oh I love having help here.

My regular meals and groceries are usually quite healthy because my hubby is a diabetic and also has to watch his fats. We went to a one-on-one nutritionalist who helped guide us to a healthy food plan. Hubby and I agreed going in that if it was tofu and sprouts for the rest of our lives we would rather die LOL.

But I have fruit, veggies and healthy things available to snack, but crave the popcorn and chips and dip. Maybe veggies and dip would help substitute. My meals are really okay.

I am serious about needing to lose this. A few years ago I weighed 20 pounds more than I do now and I swore I would never allow myself to get there again.

Another thing I thought of after I posted, I have been smoking much less. Hubby hates it, so days that he is home (3 or 4 days/week) I may only have 2 or 3 cigarettes and when he is away, I still don't smoke in the house so may have a only a few more than that. It's not the same as quitting, but it is a big cutback for me. So I think I am compensating by snacking, which seems to be where my problem lies.

Any ideas where I can find "diet" dip recipes? Diet popcorn? I have already decided to give up the puddings and cookies (comfort food) and try having a peach or pear instead.

We are going grocery shopping today, so I am going to watch for things that I think might substitute for the "evil" food in my life.

Oh man, when I was young I could knock off 10 pounds just by thinking about it.

I'll let you know how I'm doing, if for no other reason that will keep me accountable. I hope you don't mind.

Hugs
Fatlady Ann

[Paulie]

Ann -

You know how I am about accountablity!! LOL!!

Orville has a great FF popcorn - or maybe it is 97% FF, either way it is good and not to bad for you.

I have only been working exclusiveliy from home for the past year...and Ihave lost 27 lbs in the last 7 months, so I can't blame it on being home...bummer. But I know what it is and it is the snacking. So yesterday I met with the trainer and I made a commitment for when I want a crunchy snack, I have celery and PB (natural low fat) and when I want a sweet snack, fruit and cottage cheese. Sounds so simple, but sometimes I need someone to tell me. And I will eat only at the table!! not at the computer or in front of the TV, that is big for me.

I am glad you joined us over here.

And JG - you go girl!!!! I am half way to may goal, and it is getting harder and harder!!!

[Pony]

Come here...stay accountable....works for me, I don't mind at all. Keeps me company!!! It gets so lonely down here.

Subs.......well as far as dips go. There is a wonderful fat free Ranch dressing from Hidden Valley that you can use straight from the bottle or mix with a fat free sour cream or light sour cream which ever you prefer. Makes a great dip. also anything you want to mix as a dip if you use the fat free or light sour cream you'll be doing better than regular stuff. Salsa is also excellent to use and is fat free.
As for the popcorn....you can use the kind that is light....but the best way would be to have an air popper and not to add any butter to it. I rather like it that way, but some would cringe.
They also make (as you might know being that your husband is diabetic) several goodies that are sugar free and some can be fat free as well. ( cookies, puddings, snake muffins) I'm not sure if they have that stuff in Canada but they do here!

Also.....Drink lots and lots of water!!!!!

Yes, cutting down on smoking can cause you to do more snacking and stuff. It's that darn `ole compulsive habit again!!!

Pony

[Pony]

dang Paulie...your faster than me!!!

[Ann]

Paulie and JG - you are an inspiration.

Now I'm not trying to be a tough customer here, and you can whack me with the skillet, but how can I NOT EAT AT MY COMPUTER???? Bad enough I can't smoke, but to leave my computer and go sit at a table and each a small bowl of Orville's FF popcorn - okay I get it....nothing changes unless I change...right?

Well I am adding Orville to my shopping list and will try it, without the melted butter that I like to add.

Tomorrow, I will start day 1. Today I already blew it and we are going out for dinner LOL. But I promise...tomorrow for sure.

Thank you everyone. And my waistline thanks you!!

Hugs
Abb

[Paulie]

LOL - Pony I didn't even see you.

Ya know I have to say, yes they make great sugar free and fat free stuff....but that is where I get in trouble. i mean just cause it is FF my head tells me I can eat 3 instead of 1, so I am working on that too.

It is really my head that is fat...not me LOL!.

[Ann]

Oops, I missed your suggestions Pony.

I cannot eat the air popcorn....it tastes like bad air. But I will try the FF and limit my portion.

And thanks for the dip suggestion - I like Ranch anyway, so that will work.

I already eat and like Salsa, but I like it on nachos with melted cheese and sour cream and guacamole and smothered with black olives.....kinda defeats the purpose doncha think.

Anyway, I am almost ready to head out the door....and this is making me hungry LOL. I'll report back tomorrow.

Hugs
Ann

[Pony]

Ann- the salsa goes great with those baked pita chips or baked ritz chips. Just as a dip.....not an appitizer for a party LOL

Paulie....LMAO "fat head"

[Juls]

Hummus and Pita chips, mmmmm.

Juls

[Ann]

Okay I'm working on this.

For breakfast a small grapefruit juice, an egg and 4 slices bacon cooked crisp....okay and a piece of buttered toast....I was hungry and George cooked.

Lunch was a large salad with left-over chicken breast cut up and diet Catalina dressing.

The only snacks so far has been a diet Coke. We went for a drive so I was foodless LOL.

Dinner looks like Spagetti with my homemade meat sauce. I figure a reasonable portion can't kill me and I'll have some more salad with it. I haven't had a pasta night for a long time - again George is diabetic and can't eat a lot of pasta or rice - they turn into sugar. So we splurge only once in a while.

Tonight will be the "snack" test.

So far this hasn't been a very "diet day", but avaoiding the snacks alone will probably help me here.

Thanks for being here.

Hugs
Ann

[Paulie]

I am having a hard time...it is raining - no - POURING buckets outside and I want to eat.

I am making lasagna for my step daughter tonight (did you know they have no boil noodles now???). I am trying to stay busy...but staying out of the kitchen on a day like this is hard.

It really is about the snacking Ann, so far your day sounds good.

Doing things like going for a drive without snacks is always good !!!

[phoenix]

Hi...sorry I'm late

I don't talk much about this because to be honest,I am embarrassed a bit.I have lost 50 pounds since February.

There...I said it

I hate admitting that I was that heavy,because I never had a weight problem until after I had been sober for quite a while.Then I developed health problems,and depression,had a baby,and the weight just slowly got out of control.Many people tell me that I didn't look that bad,but I sure felt lousy.

So...I know we aren't talking about fads or diets,so I was never sure whether to talk here about what worked for me.It's not a fad or a diet,it's a gradual change in eating habits that is entirely healthy and fairly simple.Readers Digest came out with it in January,and it's called Change One.There is a book and a website,and several articles in the magazine.

It starts with a week of focusing on eating a good breakfast,and moves on to lunch,snacks and dinner.There are no "off limit" foods,but there is a calorie range depending on your weight,lifestyle,and how much you need to lose.

It's really all about small common sense changes,and portion sizes.I did little things like changing to fat free milk with my ceal,using fat free yogurt to make a ranch dip,eating more fruits and veggies,plenty of water,and cutting back on fast food.

The milk and yogurt are the only fat free things I use.I still eat pizza and ice cream...just not as much of it.I found that I really could go by the portion sizes,once I slowed down and paid attention.What you get in a restaurant is way more than a portion..lol.

The plan also calls for boosting your activity level a little at a time.Since I started losing the weight I found it's much easier to get more active.I can actually run now without getting so easily winded.At one time I thought I must have lung problems because I had trouble breathing with mild exertion.Hey...try carrying 30 to 50 pounds of flour around for a while and see how quick it wears you down!

Now I play tag with the kids and it's a blast.The best part is that I am not afraid I will gain the weight back.I am happy with the changes I've made.I treat myself to a favorite thing like cheescake now and then.And I eat ice cream nearly every day.Chocolate too.Small servings though

When I started the plan I decided that I would only eat foods that I really like.Otherwise,no sense wasting the calories.I don't feel deprived because I know I can have good things.And I feel fantastic!!

I hope no one minded my input here.I didn't post a link to the website because there is a very small monthly fee (9.95)after a free week.For me it was well worth it.

Hugs

phoenix

[Pony]

Hey Phoenix...you are always welcome here and yes it was more than alright to post your success! Yahoo for you. I think it's great. That plan is alot like mine and has the same ideas for making this a life change not just a "diet". I have posted many times, I hat that word!!!

thanks for sharing with us and come back again!!!!

Pony

[journeygal]

Phoenix, that is so awesome - way to go girl!

[Ann]

Phoenix

You are definitely an inspiration to me. 50 lbs. is soooo good.

I need to lose 15 or 20 and like you I don't like telling anyone that I am trying. I do need to cut back on my portion size for some meals and even though I bought the low fat popcorn, I could cut the portion size of my snack too.

I never thought about portion size for snacks!!! Instead of eating a bag of microwave popcorn all at one seating, maybe I could split it into 4 portions and have one portion a night. And then if I am still hungry, I could make myself eat something better for me, like a piece of fruit or a low fat yoghurt.

Right now is a good time for me to do this, because sonce I'm not working, if I get really hungry, I can eat something healthy. I find when I work, if I get hungry I tend to grab a muffin or candy bar because they are handy.

Today I will watch my portion sizes and particularly my snack amounts.

And Phoenix, when you talked about carrying extra pounds around, I like to visualize a pound of butter, 5 pounds of sugar, 10 pounds of potatoes....you get the idea, and it helps me "see" what I have lost. If I went to my butcher and asked for 5 pounds of "fat"...I can imagine how gross that would be. And yet 5 pounds doesn't seem like much, but it does when I think of it that way.

Thanks everyone. I keep running back here if I am tempted. This IS keeping me accountable and I love it.

Hugs
Ann

[Pony]

Sounds like your doing good Ann. One of the tricks that I hve learned is to drink a full glass of water about 15-20 mins before eating. It tricks your mind that your tummy is filled and you eat less. Most of the time it works for me. Or even coffee in the morning before eating breakfast. And keeping up with fluids during the day also helps with that snacking urge.

[phoenix]

Thanks everyone

I think one thing that was key for me was that I had hit bottom with the weight issue.I hated how I looked,how I felt,trying on clothes,all that stuff.I was sick and tired...literally.

I found that adding more fruit cut my sugar cravings a lot.I do keep high quality chocolate for when I want something like that.Just knowing I can have it helps keep away the deprived feeling.I learned how to savor one piece and make it last.

I also used an online journal to track my eating habits and calorie intake.The support at the Change One website helps too.

At 5'5" and 140 pounds I am at a healthy weight again.I might lose a few more pounds,but at the moment I am more focused on maintenance and fitness.I have before and after pics posted on my fridge to remind me of the progress I've made.

I notice a real difference in how people(especially men) look at me now.When I was heavy I felt invisible.I tried to tell myself it was part of getting older.But now that I am slim again I notice men noticing me...lol.I'm not at all egotistical,but it feels good

phoenix

[Paulie]

Phoenix....thank you for sharing that with us. That is awesome I am so proud of you.
That is exactly what I have been doing since April. I have my days when I go off, espeically over emotions, but making changes to habits and portion sizes...that is really what it is all about.
I had gained 60lbs in 2 years. I have lost almost half of it. And with the exercise I do I have lost almost 30 inches, that is alot of potatoes, flour LOL!!!.
I will be 40 in April and that is my new goal. Just in the weight I have lost, my stamina has increased so much. This time last year, I had no energy to do anything, it is not like that now and it feel sso much better.
You inspire me, thank you.

[JT]

Can I join?? Can I???

Same as Ann...about 15 pounds.

I never had a problem until I have gotten older. I have read everything there is about nutrition and diets through my life and I have been active all my life. But age is making it harder.

Paulie...I was the most fit I have ever been at 40. Almost no fat in my diet and I was running 5 miles a day or doing step. And that was when low fat was the way to go.

A couple of years ago I got down to 138 at 5'8" on atkins...I loved it but it is not realistic. And now I have alot of cloths that don't fit...lol!

I have found myself for the first time looking at all these wacko diets...Adkins, Zone, South Beach etc even when I know they are not realistic.

Pauline I noticed your snack choices included protein....since Adkins I know, for me, some protein each time I eat keeps me not hungry longer.

You know what has me baffled?? Is all the conflicting information! I have never felt this way before but now I am fighting lower metabolism and menopause. Weights are good..walking is good...smaller portions are good and I also think whole foods are good. Less processed. Now the leap between knowing and doing...

Pauline I have told you before...awesome!!! Squats? Ouch!
Phoenix, now let me tell you....awesome!!!

I will shut up now! But if you don't mind I would like to drop in.

JT

[journeygal]

This is so cool!!

It's good that we're doing this now b/c it's the dangerous time of year with the holidays coming up....last year I gained about 7 lbs b/t Thanksgiving and New Years - ugh....This year I am determined to at least maintain my current weight, even if I don't lose any during the holidays.

Something else I noticed with cutting back on portion sizes - you have to give your stomach a chance to "shrink" and your body to get used to eating less food. When I started cutting back I was always starving! This lasted for about 2 weeks or so. Then my body got used to operating on less fuel and I wasn't so hungry all the time.

Oh, and don't forget your calcium. I've read a lot of reports about calcium promoting weight loss. So milk, cheese, ice cream, and yogurt (low-fat versions) are all good to eat. Like Phoenix, I eat ice cream pretty much every day, and I try to eat very small portions, which isn't always easy b/c I'm an ice cream nut!

Exercise is so important, especially lifting weights. I try to lift 3 times a week, and it helps to tighten things up as I get smaller.