Be the Tortoise, Not the Hare

Laura F

Laura F

New member
Hello out there to you all!!!

I am not new to the forum, although I’ve taken a bit of a hiatus. With all of your help, I lost some weight back in 2010 and ended up a mere two pounds away from goal weight. Unfortunately I got a little derailed... A breakup from a long-term boyfriend really throws life out of wack, and when I discovered he was reading my thread here, I quickly stopped posting. I came back for approximately four diary entries in 2012, and now here I am, one year later, ready to do this again.

Some basic facts about me:

Age: 28
Gender: Female
Height: almost 5’8”
Weight: 154
Goal Weight: 135
Favorite Exercise: Running
Worst Eating Habit: Sneaky snacking

A couple of answers to questions founds in the diary sticky –

Q - What lifestyle changes do you think would help you lose weight?
A - Stop binge eating when my boyfriend leaves the house! I’m not sure why I do it, but I do. He works nights every third week, and the second he closes that door behind him I get the urge to raid the pantry. LOTS of times I give in to that urge. If I could get a handle on that unpleasant little trait of mine, that would be awesome.

[Side note – the above answer also covers the questions “Do you binge eat (large amounts at a time)?” and “Do you hide your food or eat in secret?”]

Q - What are your three favorite foods?
A – Ice cream, Cheez-Its, and cheese nachos were the first three things that came to mind, so I guess those are it! I’ve recently learned how to NOT eat a pint of ice cream in one sitting, but I’m still determining if that knowledge will last. Nachos are a bad thing… mostly because those are *always* preceded by beer. And often accompanied by cheese fries. Mmmm, cheese fries….

So what is my plan? Well, I’m not sure I have the motivation to get back into calorie counting just yet. When the weather is better (ie brighter in the morning and when there STOPS BEING SNOW ON THE SIDEWALKS ) I’ll get back into the habit of running before work. I LOVE running. I love races. I am not winning anything, by any means, but I love to get out there and do it. My current food plan involves cutting out processed/unnecessary sugars. Recently I began having a small bottle of Gatorade on the bus ride into work (because I need to stay hydrated!), and a granola bar every day for a snack (because they are the ’healthy ones’, so they are good for you!) and a product called Honey Stinger Chews (because they give you energy to run in the morning!!!) Well, I also could have water to hydrate, and save myself 7 grams of sugar. I could have almonds as a healthy snack and save myself 14 grams of sugar. I could have a small cup of coffee to give me energy in the morning and save myself 27 grams of sugar. I was eating TWENTY SEVEN grams of a sugar to get myself through a standard workout… Mostly because they taste like candy. I will still use them to get through long workouts, like when I start going out for 7 and 8 mile runs, but for a little treadmill workout in the morning? Totally unnecessary.

Anyway, I think that is enough for day one. I need to save myself some time to pop around here and see what fabulous things the rest of you are up to!
 
Welcome back!

Since you are just back - you might want to consider joining the new challenge that is about to start this weekend... The link is in my signature. It may be a great way of meeting people that are around at the minute...
 
Welcome back Laura F. Pro tip: don't tell any future boyfriends about the site! :)

Seriously, welcome back and good luck on rededicating yourself.
 
Thank you both for the well wishes! MrVee - I've got a boyfriend now and I AM keeping this quiet :) I was so upset to have lost contact with those people here that I was closest to, and they've all faded away since then. I don't want that to happen again!

The diet these past few days has been fairly terrible. Thursday I had one of my sneaky snack sessions, after the boyfriend headed off for his overnight shift. And Friday was a three dessert day. Fridays are usually full of too many desserts.... My work provides lunch on this day, and along with that comes a tray of cookies, brownies, and other evil items that just stare at me every time I go into the kitchen (which is also where the bathrooms are). Each week I tell myself I'm not going to have anything, because one brownie usually turns into three. I NEVER have enough self-control. The worst part is they usually aren't even that great!! And somehow I still can't avoid them. I think I have to start bringing in a substitute. Kashi makes a granola bar that is dark chocolate and mocha. It's not overly sweet but it's sweet enough, so perhaps having that will help curb the sugar craving. I'll have to try that this week.

In positive news, I had a great workout last Friday morning, and went out for an hour long run on Saturday afternoon. The app I was using went a little haywire with the GPS, so the distance is questionable, but an hour is the longest I've run since November. Slowly but surely my running routine is falling back into place!
 
I think it is wonderful that you are taking up running again, it is one of the quickest ways to get leaner but watch for your knees and run on soft ground if you can as pounding the pavements for 10k a day can age them pretty quick.

It's the sneaky snack sessions that are getting to you and I would suggest swapping the carby granola for a protein snack, which will also benefit your running.

Sugar has already been identified as the dieter's enemy not fat. If you have a sweet tooth, why trust processed bought foods, or something that somebody else has cooked, why not make some mini and I mean tiny chocolate chip muffins with a sugar substitute like Stevia, I have never tried cooking with Stevia but if it is possible this is your answer. Make a batch of 12 or so, then freeze them all and just take out one when you need it. by the time it has defrosted you are back in control of your emotions.

Next get yourself a hobby, something you can pick up as soon as your boyfriend goes through the door, even a game on your phone like Triple town (gets me) just something that will distract you for 20 minutes until you can get the emotion under control. It is the boyfriend leaving you on your own that is doing it - you just need to fill the 1st 20 minutes and you will be fine.

Good luck.
 
Well I haven't been posting and that needs to change. It's hard for me to stay focused because my goals are still a little fuzzy... I'm more interested in changing my relationship with food then I am with losing weight. I don't want to count calories - I want to count days where I feel happy about the food choices I made. I want to count the distance I'm adding to my long runs each week, and count the times that my boyfriend eats chips straight out of the bag while I sit next to him and don't even think twice about not having any.

I want to eat a healthy diet so that during a 5 mile run I don't have to call someone to pick me up because poor food choices have caused digestive issues.

I want to be able to eat dessert and have wine with my friends and not stress about how I've already had too much dessert and wine that week.

I want to be able to say no to free treats without thinking twice.

These are the things I want. 135 pounds would be great, but I'd take any one of the above over 135.
 
I weighed in this morning at 151.8. After seeing 153.8 and above for most of the past month, I'll take this one....I can't wait to be back in the 140 range again! I spent most of last year in the 140-150 range, but then I stopped exercising when the winter months starting coming. I ran a half marathon (slowly) in November, did a 5 mile race on Thanksgiving Day, and then pretty much was done until March. That's where the extra few pounds came on and trust me, it wasn't "just" five or so pounds I added back on, because I definitely lost a lot of the muscle I had built up, as well.

Some co-workers and I completed a 10K race yesterday. Out of the 6 people I knew doing it, I came in dead last, but I still finished in one hour and 6 minutes. The course was hilly and the wind was *ridiculous*! Hills are bad enough without the added resistance! I'm not signed up for any other races yet, so I've gotta keep my motivation up somehow. My car is a little broken right now, which is keeping me from hitting up the gym.... perhaps that should be step one in keeping motivated - get car fixed!

I am happy to say that I have avoided all granola bars and Gatorade since I realized how much sugar was in those items. Well, I do allow myself to have Kashi granola bars, because those are low in sugar and high in all the good stuff. And the chocolate-y flavors can somewhat tide me over after lunch when I'm wanting a sweet treat. Unfortunately Easter was a week ago and that is my boyfriend's family's dessert fest, pretty much. I ate four desserts that day and took four home with me for leftovers. Thankfully I managed to portion them all out into separate containers and I just grabbed one at a time and took them to work. No late night binging on pie (whew!) And the boyfriend's mom brought me a box of DELICIOUS dark chocolate treats but I have also managed to eat only one of those per day, at the very most. She brings me chocolates every few months (there's a great sweet shop near where they go skiing) and last time I had one night where I ate a ton of it before bed and then was up all night with a tummy ache and a sugar rush. NO MORE OF THAT! Treats are ok if we can eat them in moderation, right? That's what I'm trying to learn how to do.
 
The mind is so powerful

Laura F said:
Well I haven't been posting and that needs to change. It's hard for me to stay focused because my goals are still a little fuzzy... I'm more interested in changing my relationship with food then I am with losing weight. I don't want to count calories - I want to count days where I feel happy about the food choices I made. I want to count the distance I'm adding to my long runs each week, and count the times that my boyfriend eats chips straight out of the bag while I sit next to him and don't even think twice about not having any.

I want to eat a healthy diet so that during a 5 mile run I don't have to call someone to pick me up because poor food choices have caused digestive issues.

I want to be able to eat dessert and have wine with my friends and not stress about how I've already had too much dessert and wine that week.

I want to be able to say no to free treats without thinking twice.

These are the things I want. 135 pounds would be great, but I'd take any one of the above over 135.
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Hi Laura,

Change I want, to I will. There is a recipe for success that if you follow it then your whole life not just your weight will be changed for the better. You can apply this to every aspect, relationships, education, love and weight.
It is

"Know where you are now,
Know where you want to be
Know how to get there
Just do It!"

If you don't want to count calories then google the diet plate and have read up but you are on the right track, it is all about lifestyle change, not coveting that bag of chips, not minding when people eat puddings in front of you, it is about being empowered and in control and knowledge does that for you.

Good luck.
K
thedietplate
 
Hey Laura, just caught up on your diary. Tx for stopping by mine. Always great to have new visitors along my journey.

You know your binge eating might be out of boredom. When my hubby used to work night shifts I did exactly the same. Cause when he left for work I was like "ok what do I do now?" Then I started a hobby and concentrated on that the minute he left for work. Do you have any hobbies at the moment?

You are really doing great exercise wise. I must admit I don't do a lot of exercise.....I love swimming and nothing else. We have just entered summer and will soon be able to start swimming again.

And all the small changes you've been making is already showing in your weight loss - so that's totally fab!!! You're already heading in the right direction!
 
Thanks for dropping by Mands and thedietplate. You both mentioned eating out of boredom... that is definitely a downfall of mine a lot of the time, but the worst habit I have is raiding the fridge right before bed. And I mean RIGHT before, as in I carry whatever darn treat(s) I decided I wanted up a flight of stairs, crawl into bed with the lights off, chow down, and hide the evidence. It is a terrible habit. The good news is that I HAVE managed to find ways to avoid this, thankfully, but I haven't found a way to fully commit.

One method I've used is bringing some lemon ginger tea up with me for my half hour or hour of tv time. Or for a few weeks I was doing good about having a nice thick smoothie on hand (made with fruit, soy milk, oatmeal, and chia seeds), so I could stand in front of the fridge and have some smoothie right before heading upstairs, but I didn't have to feel guilty about it at all.

Had myself a little bedtime snack last night, via the previously mentioned method. Boyfriend left, and I immediately started doing housework. I cleaned the piggy cage (we have two adorable little guinea pigs!) and finished gluing a puzzle (you guys asked about hobbies - I love puzzles!), and straightened up a bit. Being alone actually gives me time to be MORE active, for the most part, rather than snuggling up on the tv, but I guess as soon as I sit down to watch tv by myself I don't know what to do. And that's where food comes in! I headed off to bed last night and wanted to catch up on one of my half hour shows (New Girl) and brought snacks up with me. I've gotta work on drinking more tea, I'm thinking. No food in bed!!!! Check back in with me tomorrow, and we'll see how I do tonight :)
 
Welcome back! I really liked what you said in a previous post. "I don't want to count calories, I want to be happy about the food choices I made."
 
I don't often drink soda. Growing up we had a one-a-day rule, and I don't remember being terribly troubled by this. Sure, I loved my Dr. Pepper, but I didn't NEED it. But some days I just really, really want one. Not with a meal, even, but as a special treat. Today was one of our first beautiful warm spring days, and I'd gone for a walk with a friend around the park at lunch. I was warm and energized and I got back to my desk and man did I want a soda! I let myself have one but checked the sugar count - FORTY GRAMS! Whoa. Thank goodness I never became addicted to this stuff. I'll have a coffee with a splash of milk for my caffeine, thank you very much.
 
I realize sodium and all that, but on a strictly calorie basis, if you can't help yourself from fridge raiding, keep a jar of pickles on hand. They taste good, satisfy the need to eat something, and one spear is about 5 calories.
 
Hi Lara,

We have the same type of goals. I would love to be around 135lbs, but really just want to focus on eating better like you.

I'm going about my weight loss by weight training and swimming. I can't run or do cardio machines due to knee problems I've had all my life. I just got into the 140's today, hope to see you get there very soon! I'm hoping we can motivate each other! :)
 
MrVee said:
I realize sodium and all that, but on a strictly calorie basis, if you can't help yourself from fridge raiding, keep a jar of pickles on hand. They taste good, satisfy the need to eat something, and one spear is about 5 calories.
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Actually I was talking about pickles with a co-worker yesterday. Her husband apparently is going through a phase where he eats them in bed every night. Now I enjoy a good in-bed treat as much as the rest of them, but I think I'd draw the line at pickles. Perhaps I will invest in a jar soon. Thanks for the tip!
 
Munch said:
I'm going about my weight loss by weight training and swimming. I can't run or do cardio machines due to knee problems I've had all my life. I just got into the 140's today, hope to see you get there very soon! I'm hoping we can motivate each other! :)
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It's fun to hear about everyone's different strategies for exercise. I have a very hard time being motivated enough to do any weight training at all, and I kinda sorta never learned how to swim ::blush:: But I'll get outside as the sun comes up for a 4 mile run! I saw that you were doing great, send some motivation my way, please, haha.
 
Hey Laura, thanks for stopping by my diary! Welcome back!!!
You sound pretty dedicated! I am sure you will get to your goal in no time.
I have always looked up to people who make time for exercise before work!! (You mentioned wanting to start running before work). Kudos to you! I hope snow disappears sooon!

Keep up the good work! :)
 
Justina said:
Hey Laura, thanks for stopping by my diary! Welcome back!!!
You sound pretty dedicated! I am sure you will get to your goal in no time.
I have always looked up to people who make time for exercise before work!! (You mentioned wanting to start running before work). Kudos to you! I hope snow disappears sooon!

Keep up the good work! :)
Click to expand...

I don't feel very dedicated, so I really appreciate your comment! I'm terrible about finding excuses not to exercise after work... The mornings are the only times I'm able to really commit. But don't get me wrong, I struggle sometimes with getting up! It's easier in the summer but the winter is dreadful.

I'm 0 for 2 on late night snacking this week. I've gotta get myself in check tonight because historically I lose all control by Thursday... and if I've already lost control tomorrow could get ugly! A couple of weeks ago I literally ate gummy bears out of the pocket of my sweatshirt while laying in bed and watching tv. I couldn't be bothered with a bowl, I guess. That was a low point for me. What will tonight have in store? I need a plan! Maybe instead of saying "no food" I will plan a bowl of plain shredded wheat with vanilla soy milk. The soy milk is sweet without being a dessert, and I actually quite enjoy plain shredded wheat.

Also, I've gotta get some exercise in. I'm trying to work up to push-ups... I've found doing push-ups at an incline is a nice compromise for those of us with no upper body strength. When I think about it I try to bust out as many as I can using the kitchen counter, or I use a bureau if I'm working it in with other moves.

In unrelated news, as I was headed home from work today I saw a grown man riding a scooter down the street. Not like an electric one, but an old school Razor type scooter. And I work in the financial district of a major city, so it was a rare sight to see in that area. But hey, who's judging, he got to wherever he was going faster than I would have, and I'm totally envious of the confidence he must have!
 
Hey Laura! Thanks for dropping by my diary. I just read through yours and sounds like your off to great start.

The thought of anybody I know reading through my diary, especially my boyfriend, would make me feel uncomfortable. It feels so personal. It's like this our weight loss forum world and family, and its a separate entity from 'the real world'. I hope to one day be comfortable enough to share my journey with people I'm close to the way I do with all of ya'll, but not today :p lol

I don't know about your boyfriend, but mine eats whatever he wants and never gains weight unless he is really working at it. He has a physically laborous job and lifts weights regularly, so he has a really nice body. But being a young man he wants to have bigger muscles. And to do that he needs to eat more calories. Needless to say its not very in tune with my goals and it makes it tough when were together alot.

He says if we could just switch metabolisms for six months we'd be golden. I said if we switch I'm not giving his back lol.
 
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