Zenobia's (continuing) Predicament

zenobia

zenobia

New member
Well hello everybody!
So I'm Zenobia... I'm here because....
........
..
:rolleyes:
Ugh. I feel like i've done this multiple times before (*spoiler* i have).
Regardless, here i am and i suppose it's for a reason; mainly of the weight loss variety (well, mostly mainly when you really get down to it). It's been a hot minute since i've written in one of these, but it's like riding a bike (too bad i don't do that more often, 'm i right?!). I don't know if i can bring myself to count calories in the same way i did before- the prozac is really, really good at helping those obsessive behaviors- but i can give it the old college try, eh?

Regardless, I'm present and accounted for (mostly) and my goals are too numerous to number, but i'm going to do a thing and hope it works. So any ideas on more creative ways to drop like 12 lbs, but that also include posting here? i'm sure i'll figure it out
 
Hey Zen, welcome to the forum! I have found posting what I eat, and calories, every day to be very helpful, you might want to give it a try. But whatever works for you do it.

Best of luck to you, I am looking forward to reading about your progress!
 
Hey thanks, man :)
I appreciate your support! I also appreciate that your pic has none alligators!
 
Hi, Zen & welcome to the forum. I think most of us have been there before, so don't feel out of place. Do you only have 12 lbs to lose? What do you eat now, that you need to cut down on? Diaries are a good way of expressing & mapping out what you think you need to do. If you want moral support you have found a great place. If you want specific dietary advice that will vary as we all do different things. You would need to list what your usual diet includes for anyone to give you their opinion on how to improve it. That would, of course, just be their opinion. Working out what might work for you long-term is the best way. Personally, I think weighing yourself once a week is a good idea to keep tabs. I know that's when I have let old, bad habits creep back in & the weight creeps back on along with them.
 
Hey there, Zen. Welcome to the forum! I'm an old pro here and can help you out with all your questions....(jk).

Looking forward to your updates :)
 
Oi. This is what i have missed since the old days. honestly, it feels like an overwhelming amount of caring. alligatorob, i will now call you toro. because you would seem appropriate with a cape and aquatic beings.
Jack, all of the hugs because cph and all the things.
Cate- thanks for the welcome and i'll set a stage... when you are only 5'5 and have a super (super) short waist (rib to hip ratio should be a thing. like, you have no idea), 12 lbs is a mountain. like... ugh... i know it's not 112lbs to lose, but man, there is a history, and there are genetics, and, like, it sounds silly, but i'm not a vain skinny chick... being oddly shaped means being acutely aware of your proportions. plus, it's not may fav weight. that would be more like 20 lbs. loss... i'm just not getting too hopeful, ya? it also means that the last like 9 lbs will be excruciating, annoying, and really really full of all the bleeps. Do I really have only 12 lbs to lose? lol- i feel like you know me. I have 12 to lose for now. We will see what happens later, but oooof, 12 is so much more than it initially seems.
 
Hello, Zenobia! :) I don't have a clue as to what my rib to hip ratio is - I do hope it doesn't become a thing, because the last thing I need is one more reason to note any way I'm deviating from the ideal!
Creative ways to lose twelve pounds, hey? Ummm... could you decide on twelve different colours, and award yourself a bead/jewel/ in each colour for every four ounces lost, and gradually and creatively make yourself a congratulatory necklace/crown to wear? (I think I'm inspired by your regal name!)
 
zenobia said:
i'm not a vain skinny chick... being oddly shaped means being acutely aware of your proportions.
Click to expand...
Tell me about it! I´m not unhappy with my body but... it´s definitely not a fashionable one :D I enjoy focusing on what my body can do though, and try to look at food for what it can do for me.
 
There's lots of caring in here :)
You just made me actually lol when you said it felt like I know you. 12 lbs lost would make me happy, but 22 would make me deliriously happy!
I'm with Amy with the rib to hip ratio. If that becomes a thing I may just scream.
 
Hey Zen, good to see you posting.

I am no expert (so take this with as many grains of salt as you like) but in my experience, which seems to be reinforced by others here, the last few pounds are the hardest to lose. So, unlike me, you are starting on the hardest pounds. Doesn't mean you can't do it, but if you did have 112 lbs to lose rather than 12 I think you'd find the first 100 easier to rid yourself of than that last 12. However consider yourself fortunate you don't have that first 100 lbs, you are a lot healthier for it.

zenobia said:
Maybe I'm lazy, but can you go into why you give this bit of story at the end of your posts? what is the history on your history?
Click to expand...
Nothing profound. I am trying very hard to track all of my calories as accurately as I can right now, and this just adds something of interest to me at the end of my calorie count for the day. I have always had at least a passing interest in historical things, trivial and otherwise. Hopefully others find it entertaining or interesting, no one has to read it.
 
Thank you all so much for the support and the ideas! it's really wonderful being able to come to a place like this!
Gator- that's really cool- i dig history as well!
Cate and Amy- Yeah, i wouldn't worry about it being a thing, it's just something you notice when it's your own body (Put it this way, mid rise jeans are high rise on me and they do NOT look good! Super low hip huggers all the way! they actually fit like "normal" jeans on me!)

So after a lot of reflection, I have decided that my weight loss journey needs to start with just making some gradual changes. Right now, the motivation to even attempt working out is so far beyond my reach, but i'm going to be okay with that, for now.
So, i'm starting with one thing that i think will impact the overall bigger picture. I have to stop with the drinking. i'm not a super heavy drinker, but my consumption has drastically increased recently and i know if i continue, it's not going to stop. There's a big old messy history with alcoholism in my family, leading to death for some, and i don't want to get there. honestly, i can do a bottle of wine a night, and it's been that way for about a month. well, almost every night. then there are happy hours, BBQs, and throw a whole bunch of social anxiety and other mental stuff on top and that's waht you get.
So, I'm trying a 30 day challenge. I am on day two! i have also decided to riff on Any's suggestions (thank you for the name mention! the Zenobia I'm plagiarizing from is actually from Edgar Allen Poe- one of his comedies! but i do know who the butt-kicking Zenobia you are referring to is :) ). i got some of that embroidery floss, like the stuff you'd make friendship bracelets out of as a kid and tying on one color for each day. if i slip, i have to cut off a color. at the end of these remaining 28 days, i'll see how many i have left and reflect on it. From there, i'll start adding beads for weight loss/working out/whatever i end up tacking next. I feel a Stevie Nicks/hippie phase coming back, so beads and bracelets are perfect right now.
Day 2/30 down
Weight: Unknown
I'll figure out what else to track later. I just had to get started.
Again, thanks everyone!!!
 
I love the sound of your Triumph Bracelet! And solidarity in your one-month challenge. :)

I don't know the Edgar Allen Poe Zenobia - I'm relieved she's in a comedy - EAP can get very gothic!
 
well, i won't spoil it, but my avatar is part of the story. lol. read "a predicament" and "how to write a blackwoods article" if you are feeling so inclined!
 
Hey Zen, getting started is good, and your decision to not drink for a month is a good idea.

I am drinking a whole lot less than I used to, it started to go down when I started logging calories and was a big shocked at how many calories I was drinking. Then Cate suggested a "dry July" I kind of took the challenge, but I did not have a 100% dry month. I did however cut back to maybe 3 or 4 alcoholic drinks a week, I suspect I was over 20 before starting the diet. There is little or no alcoholism in my family and that is a demon I don't have to fight, but alcohol is a lot of empty calories, cutting back has helped me lose weight. No one was ever hurt by not drinking!
 
Good for you cutting out drinking for August, Zen. I like the idea of your challenge bracelet too. I have really cut down my alcohol consumption, but struggle to not have that one glass at around 5'ish. I know it's a habit, but it is one I'm managing in moderation. Well done you!
 
Hi Zen
I'm currently on part 2 of my target weight. Which is 14lbs . I have 2lb gone so far. I achieved phase 1 there a couple of weeks ago . Will worry about phase 3 if I need to when I get phase 2.
Regarding alcohol I have had one glass of wine since I started in May . Alcohol weakens my resolve so I cut it out mostly .
 
hello!
Cutting out any alcohol is always good and nothing but beneficial. I just find moderation in anything to be difficult :confused: so here i am. I'm always impressed with people who are good at self-moderation, though. maybe some day i'll learn how it's done!

Today i moved offices, from one building to another, kinda across campus. it was a haul and around 90 F today, so i'm sure i burned a few more calories than usual. But i lived in AZ for 5 years, i can handle it. Though black pants and a black t-shirt probably wasn't the wisest choice (but honestly, it's about 70% of my wardrobe work-wise currently.
So food was pretty chill- i think my new meds are also helping with that... kinda kills appetite, though i did have two mini donuts this morning. not the worst thing in the world. I managed to skip the pizza and more donuts at lunch. yay!
Hubs has the week off. He just ran to the liquor store... BUT not for me and i didn't ask for anything. right now it even just kinda sounds unappealing, so that is good! I'm hoping to crash early.

Things I expect with no drinking for 30 days:

Better sleep
More energy
Less crabby/irritable
More focus
a bit of weight loss (???)

Things I have noticed:

Morning wasn't completely miserable (only mostly- i'm not a morning person)
Sleep wasn't fantastic (i've never been a great sleeper anyway)
Nothing having to do with focus
Still irritable (might be the monthly thing as well as just my default)
Pants feel just as tight, so i'm assuming nothing in the weight department either

We'll see what happens over the next few days. i'm already dreading a visit from my family on Sunday. At least it would just be through lunch and not for the whole weekend. That would be treacherous. I'm hoping to hide from them that i'm drinking something other than my usual wine. I just don't want it to be brought up or go into detail. it would make me want to drink even more.

Getting my third color today!!!
 
Hiya Zen! Great to "see" you!

I'm sure you can do 30 days with no alcohol but I totally feel you on the hiding it from the family. From personal experience, it's good to have a story if you get asked. I used to just say "I'm giving my liver a break" or "I'm part of a weight loss group and I made a commitment to skip alcohol for 30 days". Though in my opinion it's better to get asked then have people speculating behind your back that you are pregnant!!

Congrats on getting your third color - I love your bracelet idea! Plus talking about it here and checking in daily is a good way to build momentum. We are cheering for you!
 
I'm really looking forward to the picture of the bracelet! :)

Sympathies on trying not to have the family make a fuss re: the alcohol; I think Mols is spot-on about having a story ready to go - maybe spinning wildly positive about whatever it is you are drinking with lunch? as in "I'm drinking nothing but Sparkling Apple-o for 24 hours straight! They say it does wonders for peripheral vision."
 
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