Frogged's Lily Pad

Eh, maybe tell the girl in question WHY she's nto seeing much of you right now. Maybe she's reading between the lines and is presuming you're pulling back to protect yourself, rather than it being related to your weight loss? I dunno. Just a thought! And it's good you're keeping focus on your goals, but sooner or later you're gonna have to learn how to balance socialising with food anyway.. you shouldn't isolate yourself just when you've started finding fun! Just make sure your friends know that you don't want to eat out, so maybe they can eat first and then you can join them at a later time? If they expect you to eat anyway, even knowing how you feel and your goals, then sure, screw them! :p


Have you thought about getting a different room-mate, or are you enjoying the time alone? You sound pretty bored!


Glad you're otherwise okay, though.. but don't isolate yourself just because you've gained a little. You're still the same fun person, people still want to hang out with you - you just need to control the drinking/eating out. And you have to actively learn to do that! Once you get at your goal weight, you can't expect to suddenly start eating out and drinking while enjoying your 'new shape' and just maintain.. you will gain! You'll have to train yourself to say no, to explain why, and for your friends to respect your wishes and understand you're absolutely serious. Again, nothing you don't already know, but trying to help you recognise the bigger picture! :) Isolation isn't the answer!


Hope you're otherwise okay though, Froggy. Did they ever sort your wages out?


I'll be back in August - and I'm looking forward to your updates for then! :grouphug:
 
Originally Posted by Sarah1983


Eh, maybe tell the girl in question WHY she's nto seeing much of you right now. Maybe she's reading between the lines and is presuming you're pulling back to protect yourself, rather than it being related to your weight loss? I dunno. Just a thought! And it's good you're keeping focus on your goals, but sooner or later you're gonna have to learn how to balance socialising with food anyway.. you shouldn't isolate yourself just when you've started finding fun! Just make sure your friends know that you don't want to eat out, so maybe they can eat first and then you can join them at a later time? If they expect you to eat anyway, even knowing how you feel and your goals, then sure, screw them! :p



Have you thought about getting a different room-mate, or are you enjoying the time alone? You sound pretty bored!



Glad you're otherwise okay, though.. but don't isolate yourself just because you've gained a little. You're still the same fun person, people still want to hang out with you - you just need to control the drinking/eating out. And you have to actively learn to do that! Once you get at your goal weight, you can't expect to suddenly start eating out and drinking while enjoying your 'new shape' and just maintain.. you will gain! You'll have to train yourself to say no, to explain why, and for your friends to respect your wishes and understand you're absolutely serious. Again, nothing you don't already know, but trying to help you recognise the bigger picture! :) Isolation isn't the answer!



Hope you're otherwise okay though, Froggy. Did they ever sort your wages out?



I'll be back in August - and I'm looking forward to your updates for then! :grouphug:
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Hi Sarah :)


Well, we've talked about it to a degree, and we're both on the same page right now about things. It's ok. Maybe it'll change in the future. But, for now, there's no pressure to pursue anything other than the friendship we have :)


Yep. Balance - that's the key word to everything!


And as far as 'fun' is concerned. Hrmm.. well, I've always been more of a home body. Going out now and then is ok, but if given a choice between standing/sitting around a smoke-filled bar/club with a bunch of noise and strangers vs sitting at home playing Skyrim while drinking a bit of rum (YES! I've been playing, but my poor computer can only handle it at the very lowest settings), then I would choose the latter most likely :) I've got a pretty kick ass Mage going on now! :)


As far as another roommate.. no, haven't really. My puppy, Mila, has proven to be enough company over the last couple days. My former roommate finally acquired a job. Unfortunately, the hours are completely insane as he sometimes gets called to work a 12-16hr shift at the drop of a hat. So, instead of leaving our puppy locked in his apartment for most of the day by herself, he drops her off at my house (which has a fenced-in backyard that I leave open to her from inside the house). I have a stockpile of dog food and soccer/basket balls that she loves to play with! Plus, I'm becoming quite efficient at my route (unless the volume is heavy), so I sometimes can get it all done in about 5 hours (still get paid the designated 7.5hr time tho! free money! woot!) :)


I'm doing ok. Still plugging away at trying to reach my goals while hitting some speed bumps as of late. I know I'll get there, it's just a matter of time. Everything happens for a reason, and I expect these last few weeks have happened to prepare me for the realities that await me once officially enter my maintenance mode. It's not going to be easy and I'm discovering I'll have to be even more vigilant than usual!


In a way, I'm glad it's happened. How awful would it have been to reach my goal weight, have the surgery, then balloon up again 20-30+ pounds in under a couple months? Oy. That would not be good.


At least now, I have more of an understanding of my body's tolerances toward eating out, drinking, excessive exercising, etc etc.


Thanks for your lovely words, Sarah :)


I hope to hear from you again soon and I hope all is well on your end!
 
AHey Frogged,

Sounds like you and I have been in the same slump. Last week I felt awfully fat, and really, I don't think I was that bad...but the retention, what the hell? And then one day, bam, I felt like I was as skinny as a model. I hate how our bodies can make us feel so big and so small. They're really hard to figure out, they're unpredictable, and so very, very delicate when you don't watch what you consume. I keep telling myself time and again, nothing worth having in life is easy. It's hard, but damn, it feels good when we hit a stride (like I have all last week). I decided I can't have a cheat day, I knew it would throw me off, and it did. Cheat days can be killer if you aren't at your best, mentally.

I like the new treadmill, it looks really comfortable (as comfortable as a treadmill can get). I envy your ability to exercise at home!

I can relate with the withdrawing feeling after putting on weight. I know for me, when I go out with someone, or am social, I tend to indulge. It's so much more beneficial to me to withdraw from those things. The largest contributor to me having lost the weight I had was due to being, as you said, isolated. Isolation makes is focus on ourselves rather than the external. I don't feel peer pressure to eat pizza with a group of friends, because I'm on my own, so I choose the less inexpensive and easy option, and eat at home. This has been killing me with James, because he always wants junk, and my will power sucks. It would be nice to just escape to the woods and live there for a while haha.

I wanted to ask for your advice on using the treadmill. When I thought of ways to improve myself physically, I thought of the treadmill, but I find that running is always very awkward or strenuous for me. I knew that you used it to help with your weight loss...so I thought the best person to ask would be you.

How did you start off with using the treadmill? I think I need to build myself up, because my stamina is horrid, but I'm not entirely sure how to start. I hear running is one of the best ways to get fit. I'm hoping you might have some insight, you've always had such great advice on this forum.
 
Ain't that the truth, Loch?


Our bodies can be such a royal pain to deal with when it comes to weight loss. It's like a house of cards some weeks - the slightest gust of wind or movement and the whole damn thing topples. Cheat days are something I need to re-think as well. I believe it's still important to indulge at times to keep your body guessing and to maintain your sanity, but it's all about balance. Too much indulgence, and well, we all know where it leads. :)


Oh, and the new treadmill is anything but 'comfy', lol! Don't let the prettiness deceive you - that thing is a few chains, whips, and spikes short of being a torture device! haha :p It's all good though, since I enjoy that kind of thing (keep your kinky thoughts/comments to yourselves btw!) :biggrin:


The thing about isolation is that, while it has helped me to re-adjust and focus on my goals, I'm finding it has also contributed a bit to my depression. An important reason I undertook this change was to make a better life for myself and establish some new relationships. Now, I've experienced some moments in these last few months that I NEVER thought I would. As amazing as they were, they also had a fair share of stress related to them, which of course, is no good for anything (especially weight loss).


So now, it's all about finding a balance. My only 2 choices in life can't fall under the category of living alone, but healthy.. or being social, and falling back into bad habits. It just won't work, so I need to discover a better way to enjoy the company of others rather than with food. The temptation to really enjoy the evening can be so strong tho.. oy.


Anyway, it'll just take time and practice in the end. The more I do it, and if I can make a good choice with every outing that will eventually lead to dinners with no guilt afterward, the better and more confident I'll feel in the end
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Then, it won't be an issue!


Ok, now, regarding the treadmill. Loch, the first bit of advice I can offer is probably very obvious: start slow! Don't try to do anything above a 5mph speed for the first few weeks in my opinion.


When I first started, I'd pop in a DVD of Family Guy, Seinfeld, or some other show I liked and walk at between a 2 - 2.5mph speed for the duration of a single episode. After a few weeks of that, I eventually started upping it a bit to about a 3mph speed. At my weight, that was like a jog almost, and the weight was falling off!


Soon, I started watching episodes of the Biggest Loser (roughly an hour and a half). I'd split the episode tho - I only stayed on the treadmill for about 30-35min each day. Then, I'd finish watching the last half of the episode the next day while exercising. For the longest time, I was doing intervals. I'd jog for 1min for every 5min I walked. Try to find a speed that allows you to talk and respond, but doesn't allow you to comfortably hold a conversation. I've read that that is the best way to find your optimal pace for fat burn based on you current fitness level.


Also, if you feel any kind of aches/pains in any areas of your legs/feet, REST! Don't try to push yourself too much, otherwise the potential for injury is high. I've run into a few issues like that while pushing myself too hard.. not fun. I'd suggest exercising only Mon/Wed/Fri on the treadmill for now. Maybe do about 2 miles a day in 30min. I was only doing roughly 1 - 1.5 miles a day when I first started, but my fitness level was so bad back then that I'm surprised I was even able to find the energy to walk to the fridge just to get my next junk food fix.. lol


So, yeah, since you're already pretty active with going to the gym and biking, I think that would be pretty ideal for you to get started with a treadmill :)


Good luck with getting started on the treadmill, Loch! It's really an amazing tool, which I can attest to! Once you get a good feel for the machine and find a good balance with it, you almost forget you're working out when you're using it sometimes. It's hard to explain, but it's quite something
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Feel free to PM or message me if you have any other questions or want some more tips/suggestions that I might've forgot about. My brain is still a bit loaded from this past year with everything that's going on in my life, but hopefully my post here made sense with minimal rambling :p
 
Certainly :)


Fire off a message if the need should ever arise!


So, I saw the new Spider-Man film.. WOOOOO! :hurray:


Story wasn't bad, but oh man, did I have such a geekgasm during the fights and any web-slinging scenes! The lizard fight in the school was f'in AWESOME! Looooooved the end swing sequence! :biggrin: :biggrin:


Garfield did a great job I thought! I can't wait until it's out on DVD/BR - definitely incorporating that movie into my treadmill videos!
 
AI cringed at one point because the lizard reminded me of Voldemort from Harry Potter at one point (trying not to spoil anything). I felt that it was just like the first movie, just better CG. Even some stuff involving the villain reminded me of Green Goblin.

Overall, though, it was a good movie and worth the money :).

I'm eagerly waiting for Iron Man 3.
 
I agree to an extent, Loch.


Face-wise, I wish the lizard had looked a little different. Maybe if they gave him a longer snout, like the mid-90's animated series version.


But yeah, it was a lot like the first movie - which isn't bad since I loved the first ones with Tobey as well :)


Gimme all the Spidey possible in my opinion! This, plus the new Superman film, and Iron Man 3.. wooo! My exercise videos are going to be increasing quite substantially in the next few years! :biggrin:


Oh, speaking of Iron Man 3, have you seen the new armor design for the movie?


http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/171773-comic-con-see-the-all-new-iron-man-3-armor


People seem to think there's way too much 'gold', which I agree with. I think 'hot rod red' should be the dominant color.


Still, I have no doubt it'll be a great movie!
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edit: Not to mention TDKR, too!!! The future is looking great for us comic/superhero nerds! :biggrin:


Just saw this trailer tonight - can't believe it took me so long to see it! Augh.. damn work load of mine :(


:biggrin:
 
Well, hello there tete, my fabulous forum mother! :biggrin: I trust you are well
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Not so very young nowadays! Almost in the 30's now =((


Some people still refer to me as 'kid' and 'young buck' (at work anyway.. hunter lingo), lol


Anyway... yes, things are going as well as they can I suppose. New house is still standing, weight loss is still maintaining/dropping as long as I don't slip up, and my new job upgrade is a little overbearing and stressful more often than not, but I haven't gone postal yet! ;) Decent money and good benefits, especially considering the economic climate we're in.


I dunno. Just trying to endure and focus on my priorities right now, too. I've had moments these last few months that have hindered me a bit in terms of maintaining my calories and my focus (ie, lady friends, dining out, etc), and even though it's still foreign to me and great on occasion, I haven't lost sight on what needs to be done to reach my ultimate goals.


Things have slowed down a bit, and I've re-adjusted a few bits, so I'm more confident now in good numbers in my upcoming chart entries :)


I appreciate you checking up on me, Tete! I wish I had more to report right now, but sometime this year, I'll be posting something quite significant :)


Stay tuned!
 
AJust dropping in your thread to say Hi!!!

I hope you're still doing good with the pesky retention weight.....and of course with life in general. :)
 
Doing good :)


Managed to get 4.6 pounds of it off this weigh-in!


I really want to try and get to my 200lb point by the August 19th mark on my chart as it will mark my 3 year anniversary since I started :)


That's roughly ~4lb each week of retention/weight loss in order to accomplish that.


It's a bit daunting, but as long as I keep some control on my cheat day, I may be able to do it! :)


If I miss it, it's ok as I'm sure I'll be damn close!
 
A4.6 lbs is awesome!!!

I am honestly still just amazed at the changes you have made. Can't wait for you to hit the 200 mark! I will do a happy dance for you, for sure..lol

Keep up the good work, Mister! :)
 
Thank you, my dear ladies! :biggrin:


Even though I cannot dance, I may do a little jig as well (I am part Irish after all)!
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Unnnnnfortunately, as expected, the rejuvenated losses are coming at a little bit of a price. My social activity is, well, non-existent. I haven't really gone out, nor do I have any plans to. Even though everyone at work thinks I'm this big time 'ladies' man' now.. haha, far from the truth. If only they knew how awkward I remain around attractive women. I still have trouble keeping eye contact even. I'm sure if some of you saw my interaction for the most part, it would invoke quite a few face palms, hehe.


Some co-workers are like, 'Ok, so which of your women were you out with last night?' Pfft... lol. Nothing satisfies them more than to see me blush - which I inevitably do according to them. I don't keep a mirror by my work area or anything, so they could be lying.. but just the fact that they seem so convinced, I suppose that alone could cause me to do it too (out of embarrassment). Erg. My co-workers can be relentless! haha, but it's all in good fun, so I don't mind
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This work environment is 100x more healthier than my last job! Oy.. what a nightmare of a place that was. There was NO clowning around whatsoever in that drama-filled hell.


In truth, I basically wake up, feed/water the pup, make myself breakfast and a portable lunch, go to work, avoid going insane, come home, re-feed/water the pup, eat something sensible, then focus, focus, exercise, and end the day with some additional focus (perhaps a little alcohol to take the edge off), and then sleep.


The next day, repeat.


So, this last 'cheat' day went alright. No marathon pasta-eating-at-7am or Ben & Jerry pint binges at 9pm. Although, it wasn't quite as smooth as the last one. I'm only up roughly ~3lb - which isn't bad considering I can do an easy 10+.


The only thing I indulged in a bit too much of was a few WhoNu? cookies (they have nutrients!) and some shredded cheese on top of some eggs and ground chicken I cooked up. I did have a bowl of sugary cereal for breakfast (Cinnamon Toast), but no real indulgences for the day.


To give myself a bit of a head start this week, and due to boredom, I decided to give the treadmill a few hours of my time and walked 8.5 miles, but at a slower speed and with my AC off so I would sweat a lot. I also increased the incline to 7 and, man, did I sweat! I went through 3 shirts because I didn't do it all at once. I watched a few TV shows and some stand-up special while walking. Probably a little over 2 hours worth of a 3.7mph speed.


Anyway, looking forward to another good upcoming weigh-in this Sunday!
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A[quote name="Frogged" url="/t/51538/froggeds-lily-pad/480#post_833595"] Nothing satisfies them more than to see me blush - which I inevitably do according to them.
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You are not alone, my friend...lol! I have really bad social anxiety, so the least little bit of attention paid my way ...good or bad... and I'm blushing up a storm.... or even worse, going into full panic attack mode. Ah, it's soooo much fun! lol! :rolleyes:

Anyway, good luck with your weigh-in on Sunday! :)
 
I hear you with the blushing.. I hate it! I go tomato red! I used to dread doing presentations at University, because the second I stood up in front of people, I'd feel that familiar hot 'whoosh' sweep through me and be fully aware my face was burning! My friend had it bad too, so she understood.. her cleavage and neck used to go all blotchy! Haha!

And sounds like you're getting everything underhand and in control! Good job, Greg! :D You still haven't been able to post those before and after pictures yet, and that's simply not fair on the rest of us! :p

Hope you're well though matey, and that you're not going too nuts with everythign going on. Things have a way of working themselves out.. and i'm sure they will! And we'll be behind you, supporting you all the way!
 
Originally Posted by jen_renee

You are not alone, my friend...lol! I have really bad social anxiety, so the least little bit of attention paid my way ...good or bad... and I'm blushing up a storm.... or even worse, going into full panic attack mode. Ah, it's soooo much fun! lol! :rolleyes:
Anyway, good luck with your weigh-in on Sunday!
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I don't believe I've ever had a panic attack (knock on wood), but that might be because I've become almost a professional at avoiding situations that might possibly trigger one.


It was rare that I'd find myself in any 'extreme' social situation back during my heavier years. I was very, very good at coming up with excuses or faking a cough/tiredness (kinda easy since I always looked sick at that weight anyway). That eventually led to me never getting asked to do anything by friends or family, which I didn't mind because I didn't want to do anything at 350+ pounds anyway (except eat, sleep, and play on my computer).


Thankfully, I've become quite accustomed to actually going out into the real world to do my shopping as opposed to ordering everything (groceries included) online. I'm saving a lot of money just from the shipping/handling costs I no longer have to deal with! :p


Social situations are better as well..but I'm still not a big fan of clubs/bars.. so dang noisy/smokey.


In truth, I owe a bit of thanks in my recent successful social interactions with my other new friend, Kraken (rum). It's pretty awesome social lubricant. :p I'm actually able to un-root myself from the wall I've been planted on for so long when I get enough in me! I know I can't depend on it all the time, but after a while, I'm sure my confidence will grow.


I also really want to get to a point where I can get this damn surgery accomplished! It's always on my mind whenever I step on the scale and, especially, when I look in the mirror with minimal clothing.


The loose skin is really just a burden. I'm not sure if I ever indulged this bit of truth, but I've been tying a belt around my mid-section everyday for the last few months before I start my runs on the treadmill. The bounciness of the skin was enough to create actual pain at one point (if felt like something was tearing..), so in an effort to reduce the chances of any injury and to continue running at my typical speeds, I've just been securing it with a belt that has loops all the way around it (so I can adjust from day to day).


Eh.. it's just a pain in the butt. I also get self-conscious about it whenever I have to reach up high for work or whatever. I'm always afraid the bottom of my belly will be exposed, and that's just.. blegh :\ I don't like that. So, like an old man, I occasionally wear my pants up pretty high.. although it creates an uncomfortable situation for my 'boys' whenever I'm jumping in and out of my vehicle at work sometimes.. lol :p


Aaaanyway, with the removal of it all, I'm certain my comfort levels out and about will increase x10. Plus, there's always the fact that I'll feel more attractive and confident when it comes to physical interaction - which is a big issue for me right now as well =(


Ah well. Just gotta keep on keeping on.



Originally Posted by Sarah1983


I hear you with the blushing.. I hate it! I go tomato red! I used to dread doing presentations at University, because the second I stood up in front of people, I'd feel that familiar hot 'whoosh' sweep through me and be fully aware my face was burning! My friend had it bad too, so she understood.. her cleavage and neck used to go all blotchy! Haha!

And sounds like you're getting everything underhand and in control! Good job, Greg! :D You still haven't been able to post those before and after pictures yet, and that's simply not fair on the rest of us! :p

Hope you're well though matey, and that you're not going too nuts with everythign going on. Things have a way of working themselves out.. and i'm sure they will! And we'll be behind you, supporting you all the way!
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Ay! I have tons of before/after shots on this website, Ms. Sarah! :p


Not much has changed (aside from my hair) since I've been stuck in a bit of a plateau these last few months. The big item I was referring to was the videos of when I was at my heaviest. I promised to post them when I hit the 200lb mark, and I will!


Hmm, although probably the only ones who'll be able to stomach it are the fans of the horror genre. They're quite scary - believe me! lol :biggrin:


I am well enough I suppose. Just continuing on, regardless of the hurdles, as always
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Off now to explore other diaries now!


Thanks for the lovely comments, my dear ladies!
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Gonna keep this short and sweet.


I'm unofficially back in the 180's now as I type this.


Some emotional issues are hitting me quite hard and it's leaving me a bit upset throughout the day. It's good fuel for my running, but before/after.. it's just hard :(


I don't really want to go into the full details, but it has to do with my body image issues - something that's constantly plagued me. I want this skin GONE! I want a body that doesn't hinder or embarrass me anymore.


My exercise is peaked at about 7-8 miles on the treadmill a day (1hr 30min), with my calories being restricted to about ~1700. I've already knocked off 7.8lb these last 2 weeks. I have my sights set on reaching 177 by the end of August. My last weigh-in was 190.6. I was 178.4 in January of this year, and I haven't stopped exercising almost daily, so I know some is still retention.


Oh, and no cheat days for now.


Being emotionally devastated is a blessing and a curse for me. As long as I have my regimen to keep me going and to utilize as an outlet for these feelings, I know I'm going to be fine in the end.


It will all get better in time.
 
Well done to be in the 180's wow, thats amazing..........frogged, i am so sorry you are down at the moment..... i know i cant say anything to cheer you up, but you have to remind yourself that you have come such a long way from the person you were a few years ago. I mean, at the moment you are over 40 pounds less than me:( haha.......like you totally rock dude:):) Is there any surgery you could have to remove the excess skin? will it cost a fortune? i hope you cheer up frogged, i love your positive attitude and you are a inspiration to us all!!:):) hugs
 
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