Weight Loss Journey....

[MichelleRoze]

Congrats on the big step. I too, like many others, am looking for a lifestyle change. I talked to my doctor about Phentermine. It's a tiny pill you take once a day. It increases your metabolism and fights off your cravings. Now I'm not a big fan of the "magic weight loss pill" BUT, this isn't that. This pill will only help curb your cravings. If you continue to eat the same, and don't exercise or drink water, you'll lose weight, but not much and once you're off....you gain it all back. The point of this pill is to help you curb the cravings to give you the ability to think thoroughly. Portion control, proper balanced meals, you can still have candy and sweets and ice cream, but in moderation. And then you know, hey I snacked last night, probably shouldn't do it again tonight.

I've been on this since October. So far I've lost 20lbs, which I am so proud and so thankful for. For someone my size (I'm not near as brave as you to post an actual weight... ) I should have lost a lot more. But I don't exercise, I'm stressed, I don't sleep well, and I'm just not trying that hard. BUT, now that I'm unemployed, I'm making myself watch portion sizes, watch how many snacks I have, watch how much water I drink....etc. And the BIGGEST accomplishment I have had with this pill is.....I no longer emotionally eat. That's a HUGE step for me. I have been able to fight those cravings, with the help of these pills as well as learning other ways to "get over it". And it's helped. Me sitting at home all day, online, with no money and nothing to do....the old me would have grabbed some chips and dip and munched the day away. But I now realized how awful that is, and how I can relieve that boredom with something else that's better for me.

I'm also now on a "water kick" I've been REALLY bad at drinking water. But these pills, if you don't eat fiber and drink water regularly...you get severely constipated...I know it's gross. BUT, I've had two or three bad cases of constipation, to the point where I honestly thought I had a ruptured appendix or something. Realizing it was constipation, I fixed the issue and I was all better. Since I'm not one for pain...I realize the importance of water and fiber while on this pill and have improved that in my daily habit. Is it 8 glasses of water? No, but even 1 glass a day is still better than 8 12oz cans of diet coke that I was drinking. So, it's baby steps. You have to start slow and maintain it before you can add anything else otherwise it'll be a "diet" and not a "life style change"

As you see, you have people here supporting you, as well as people here who are walking with you. And I think with the support of everyone here, we can all motivate and encourage one another to be as healthy as we can be. Don't be so focused on a number. My doc tells it to me like this. "You lost 4 pounds!" of course me...."that's it?" doc says "Hey, it was Thanksgiving, you've had a LOT of stress, you're about to lose your job, you have the holidays coming up, you didn't starve or punish yourself over the holidays .... so a 4 pound loss is GREAT! You managed to not only keep from GAINING weight this entire month, you actually LOST weight this month...something most people don't do around the Holidays." I know my doc is setting goals for me. Drink more water, walk the dog, exercise, and this month she wants me to lose 10 pounds. I haven't been doing so well with this. BUT, water intake is up, bad food intake is down, weight loss is still happening. If I could just get my butt up and stop being depressed about being unemployed, I could probably lose more. But, my mom and I bowled on the Wii the other day and I really forgot how much fun that was. And how much EXERCISE it was too! So, I'm making it part of my exercise, I'm gonna do some yoga stretches when I get up, look for a job, play the Wii for a bit (exercise), look for a job again, go to school, come home from school, do some yoga stretches again...and go to bed.

Also another random thought I had. How is your calcium intake? I'm on the Depo shot and they told me I need to have LOTS of calcium because of this. And at the time, I was a big milk drinker, I had bowls of cereal a lot, etc. But not so much anymore. I realized I was really tired, cranky, couldn't sleep, and other things, so I started taking Calcium with Vitamin D and that alone boosted my energy, I sleep SOOOO much better now, and I just feel more prepared for the day. So may want to consider a calcium with vitamin D supplement as well. Honestly, for women, even our age, it can't hurt.

Anyway, I've rambled enough. Keep us posted. I know you'll do great. You got my number if you need me!

[mugglesmom]

I'm proud of you.

[The Cheat]

chels,

i'm pulling for ya.

[70autostick]

As for me,I'm not doing so well tonight,just had a few oreos and 2% milk,if you love foodies as much as I do and the next guy,I certainly hope your not going crazy like myself,water isn't a good enough midnight snack!lol...

Still rootin'

[smartchick2009]

lol @elvis

you can do it. you do not need oreos fruit does just as well

i work in a restaurant with the best chocolate chip cookies EVER and i havent given in yet.

today i had an atkins daybreak bar for breakfast,

did my workout,

had some carrots for a snack and chicken breast for dinner.

i swear i drank a gallon or two of water too

[raymondlee]

yay!!!!

[kcfoxie]

Let me give you some encouragement because it's not an easy battle.

This is july 2009:

I stood between 322 and 330 in this photo. Size 46.

This is today (literally shot this at work):

I didn't go to the gym this morning (I got sick last night after my 8-10mi hike at Umstead park and mexican food -- think it was the grease). As of friday I was on week #4 of maintaing 274 pounds, down to a size 42 (tho these are 44s and I'm wearing shorts under them).

I got really serious in November, on Black Friday. I was 322 on Black friday. I stand 274-276 today, that's a 47 pound loss. (Note I still have some muffin top, and likely will till I hit the low 260 range)

I spend 2 hours a day 5 days a week in aerobics, i also do free weights and some of the upper body machines at the gym within the building I work in (dedication is waking up at 5am every day to hit the gym at 6, shower at work, then go to work for 8-10 hours and do it again before you leave, it's not easy).

I'm not thrilled with my progress. I feel I am capable of more drastic change. There was a significant change to how I ate, and what I ate, to accomplish this.

I basically don't consume anything with sugar added. Cookies, cakes have no effect on me anymore. I know I can go 72 hours without food and not die (THAT was hard, my first 2-day juice only fast). I also know that I need to box up at least half of any sit-down meal at any restaurant before I even lift my fork.

I don't eat the whole biscuit if I go to BoJangles, and I can't even stomach cheetos, most candy bars, any non-diet (and even some diet) soda.

I drink unsweetened tea (you really have to ask 3-4 times down here in the south for it, and expect it to be wrong the first two times they give you a drink), have switched over to nuts for snacks, and abolished the 3 meals a day idealogy -- i graze thruout the day.

I'm hoping to be down to a 38-40 by September, once I get to the 255-range I'm going to really focus on weight training and less on the 1.5 hours on various treadmills and ellipticals. I really like walking, and have a friend that likes to go up to 15 miles on a hike in a single day. I think that if I keep that up, along with the 5-mile walks I was doing over the summer (including just before that fat photo of mine was taken) with my parrots (I harness him and he rides on my shoulder) ... I should be able to maintain it.

The biggest change is diet. If you can get to where the bad for you stuff tastes bad -- you're set. I work partially in the convenience store industry and get to take home just or about to expire products all the time. Most of it I give to the food bank because I can't make myself eat it. I've had Tom's snacks sit in the house for months and I simply have no desire to touch it.

6 months ago I could eat 3 double's from McD's, the sweet tea, and still go for 3-4 BAGS of Tom's snacks at the house.

Today I'm lucky to finish one McD's burger, because it's just that nasty tasting, you can forget the sweet tea it's like syrup.

Give me some grapes and water, I'd be much happier. I'd have to work at it to enjoy the junk foods again, and I'm not about to do that!

So keep it up sugar, you're doing great! and yes, it's embarassing and hard to post the photos and tell your story but you've GOT to have support. I have many on my side, and needed a lot of counseling -- sometimes it was just let me come over and sit with you till bedtime so I don't start munching.

You can do it, and we're here to help you if we can

WTG!

[smartchick2009]

wowwww!!!! that is so awesome! congrats on your results!! it is tough sometimes, but if I see something I want i seriously just think, Size 12, size 14, whatever. 26 is getting old. and I'm super excited about this we can do this! good luck with the rest of your journey too! thanks

[Smileybug]

Wow Chris! I didn't realize how much you've lost. You are really looking great!

We'll have to get together on weekends and stuff and walk together. I think we'll be taking more walks at Lake Lynn and you'd be more than welcome to join us. We also have a pool in our community that you could always use with us too

Found out last night that the soon-to-be hubby is getting close to his goal! He wants to wear a size 33 comfortably again and he could put on a pair of his 33 work pants! A bit snug, but he couldn't fit into them at all 3 months ago. I'm so proud of him!

[kcfoxie]

To be honest I don't see the huge difference in my own photos (you always see yourself as your heaviest).

I SEE it in my face, mostly, but also in the fact that I can wear pants I've had shelved for 4-5 years....

I would totally love to do something on Saturdays; Sundays I have an Umstead thing going on (tho not every weekend) with a buddy of mine... but the more exercise the better, and the more the merrier!

I also really want to get back into swimming.. it's twice as effective (and also not nearly as sweaty) at burning calories due to water's natural resistance.

Tell Bill WTG... that's great that he's met his goal. I have ~40 pounds to go before I hit mine. I would like to be 235 and back in a 38. I'm getting a lot of muscle development, and am up to doing nearly 30 pushups before I tire out.

I think in HS I could do 5 pushup, to compare from a decade ago (but I was also nearly 350 when I graduated, then drop to 218, then came back up).

The cycle ends this year.

[Smileybug]

He's still got a bit to go before he's really where he wants to be. His goal was to be where he wants for the wedding. Keeping it up after that is going to be the real test though. And also this trip to Michigan. He just left this morning. He'll be back this weekend but then leaving again next Monday for 2 weeks. He managed to get work to pay for him to stay in an Extended Stay place with a kitchen in the room and stuff. So hopefully that will help his diet while he's gone. And if he can motivate to get to the gym up there too, that will be the test.

It really is great to have so many people in one place all in the same general situation. It helps to have other people to help motivate you. Keep up the good work everyone!

[smartchick2009]

So its SATURDAYYYYY and I just checked my scale!!!



318.8!

[scarabY2k]

Originally Posted by smartchick2009

So its SATURDAYYYYY and I just checked my scale!!!



318.8!

Now that's what i'm talking about! Way to go kiddo!!!! You're well on your way. Cherish every pound lost- weather it be 1 or 10 pounds, it's coming off and that you can be proud of; I know it was a big motovation for me at least.


And in other news...
Congrats KC Foxie... you're doing your thing bro- big ups to you mang

[smartchick2009]

thanks Al! I'm so happy! I can tell such a difference in myself already. not really physically too much yet, but stamina wise and stuff. walking around all night at work isnt tiring anymore because I walk about 2 miles a day on my own

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by smartchick2009

So its SATURDAYYYYY and I just checked my scale!!!



318.8!

Coming on down!!

[daisybug2002]

Originally Posted by smartchick2009

So its SATURDAYYYYY and I just checked my scale!!!



318.8!

Wow! Just think of how excited you are going to be when you get in the 200's

Personally, I made a big yellow chart and got stickers. Lady bugs for pounds, smileys for half pounds, and big rainbows for when I got to a goal. (I got prizes when I got rainbows) I hung the poster in my bathroom so I could clearly see it from the shower (can you say vulnerable?!)

I am on the last legs with about 10.5 pounds to lose (minor fluctuation up today so a tad more) but these last few are the cursed hardest. Prizes really worked for me because I'm the kind of person that needs motivation.

Best tip. Ice cream at McDonalds is only 146 calories, not alot of carbs, mainly dairy. and it is DANG GOOD and only a dollar!!! I found real food I could eat when I went out with friends so I wasnt like the loser who couldnt eat

[scarabY2k]

Originally Posted by smartchick2009

thanks Al! I'm so happy! I can tell such a difference in myself already. not really physically too much yet, but stamina wise and stuff. walking around all night at work isnt tiring anymore because I walk about 2 miles a day on my own

I tell ya, those 2 miles are a big key Chelsea! That's part of my regiment- about 2.5 for me, very brisk walk. I'm glad to see that we're gaining extra daylight by "springing forward" tonight. It's definitely exercise season for me

Keep up the good work kiddo!

[smartchick2009]

Originally Posted by daisybug2002

Wow! Just think of how excited you are going to be when you get in the 200's

I KNOWWWWWWW thats one of my small goals. I'm gonna be sooooooo EXCITED. Definitely hoping to be there next week!

Originally Posted by daisybug2002

Personally, I made a big yellow chart and got stickers. Lady bugs for pounds, smileys for half pounds, and big rainbows for when I got to a goal. (I got prizes when I got rainbows) I hung the poster in my bathroom so I could clearly see it from the shower (can you say vulnerable?!)

that sounds like motivation!! lol but I use my DailyBurn app everyday on my iPhone and its motivation in itself! my little graph makes me happy and I love that I can type in any food and it tells me the Nutritional value about the servings and such. I LOVE IT!

Originally Posted by daisybug2002

I am on the last legs with about 10.5 pounds to lose (minor fluctuation up today so a tad more) but these last few are the cursed hardest. Prizes really worked for me because I'm the kind of person that needs motivation.

GET IT GIRL! how much have you lost all together? if you dont mind me asking? got before and after pics???

Originally Posted by daisybug2002

Best tip. Ice cream at McDonalds is only 146 calories, not alot of carbs, mainly dairy. and it is DANG GOOD and only a dollar!!! I found real food I could eat when I went out with friends so I wasnt like the loser who couldnt eat

thanks! if i ever NEED ice cream then thats good advice. but I've been really good about just strictly fruit, veggies, and grilled chicken, fish, etc. If I'm feeling cheaty then I'll have sugar free jello with a little whipped cream on it




and thanks Charlie!

[smartchick2009]

Originally Posted by scarabY2k

I tell ya, those 2 miles are a big key Chelsea! That's part of my regiment- about 2.5 for me, very brisk walk. I'm glad to see that we're gaining extra daylight by "springing forward" tonight. It's definitely exercise season for me

Keep up the good work kiddo!

HECK YES! I FORGOT ABOUT SPRING FORWARD!!

wowwww. its on like donkey kong! lol

we can do thissss

[Yello_jellybean]

Good Job Chelsea! I am rooting for you.

AND you too kcfoxie! You have come a LOOOONG way.

Keep going guys! You can do it!