Off and Walking

M

MissT

New member
:willy_nilly:I want to lose 100 pounds. I am currently at about 255 pounds, and since I have lost before I know how I look and feel at 155-165 pounds, and it was incredible.
I want to lose this weight in a year's time, that's a little more time than it took me before.
I think I am going to use the "You on a Diet" program because it seems sensible, and is research based.
Aside from learning to support myself in this, I would like the support of my family. My daughter, who is 15, says she will support me and she may even try it too becase she is a little overweight. i don't usually go for the idea of adolecent girls dieting, but this program is more about sensible eating, not so much calorie counting; so, I will probably let her. Most importantly, I would like some support from my boyfriend. He recently lost about 50 pounds. He did so by eating salad for dinner every night. I tried that too, and it simply did not work.
I feel that my goal is realistic.
I started today. I didn't have all the stuff to make the dishes on the "plan menu" but i came as close as possible. I actually din't eat as much as the plan calls for (this is always my biggest downfall) I can never eat that much food in one day. I did get my 30 minute walk done too!

It really bothers me whenI tell people that I have a hard time eating all the food on a pre-planned menu. They give me that "sure.." look. It's as if they think that I have gained all of this weight from just sitting and eating. this is not the case. I gained this weight during a period when, according to a profile I had done by a nutrition major, I was actually "malnourished". My busy schedule kept me on the go, I had no time to eat. I was eating about 1000 calories a day or maybe a little less.

Tomorrow I will do the walking agin and try to put together a menu similar to a combination from the program's website. I need to get to the grocery store, and I am desperatly hoping that I will not end up needing to buy my groceries, and seperate stuff for everyone else in the house too. That is one of my biggest worries/fears. I honestly don't have the time or energy, not to mention money, to prepare two seperate dinners.
 
MissT,

I know what you mean about people not believing you eat a lot. People just don't understand it. *sigh* Oh well.

Congrats on starting your program and getting exercise in. It's always the hardest to start. I can't believe your boyfriend lost 50 lbs by only eating salad for dinner. Wow. I couldn't do that either!

I'm glad that you have the support of your family. This journal and this site can be highly supportive as well, you should get involved with a few challenges to start you off.

See you around! Welcome to the forums!

Jennifer
 
Ah ha! Found you! :)

I'm struggling with the do I make two meals every night thing too! The guy I'm seeing is a meat, meat & maybe a few potatoes or corn, but that's about it veggie wise type of guy. I have always loved veggies & fish & all types of food (that's sorta my problem, I learned to love food too much I guess!). Last night he ate left over pizza while I had salmon & some veggies, but it just felt weird. I wish he would get on board too but I would never ask him to change & since he is in the Marines & gets plenty of workout time, he doesn't need to lose any weight & therefore thinks he can eat anything he wants.

Hope you are having a wonderful day.
 
:waving: Hello and welcome I am a BIG fan of walking a very gr8 way to shed the lbs and enjoy yourself at the sametime and alos for me I walk my dog as well so I am killing 2 things at once!I was 255 April 2006 I am 181 and I saw 175 before this year but yeah I gained a few back and re-working on it again it can be done I feel I should be right around 150-160 but I cheated way to many times to count,just eat right get those walks in and you will be down before you know it,gl Tammy:waving:
 
I started today. I didn't have all the stuff to make the dishes on the "plan menu" but i came as close as possible. I actually din't eat as much as the plan calls for (this is always my biggest downfall) I can never eat that much food in one day. I did get my 30 minute walk done too!
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Don't worry so much about following the plan menu - -it's really more of a tool to educate you as to how to eat for the rest of your life.. it's not a diet per say... Not eating enough is just as bad as eating too much, so do try to eat close to your calorie range...
 
Today I came home feeling totally drained. I think it was more emotional than physical. I have a raqther unusual job. I am a teacher in a juvenile detention center. I love my job, the kids are great. Some days are just more taxing than others. Today I dealt with the students who are preparrin for release in December. They found out that if they get their GEDs they can't return to high school. This came as a big blow for some of them. For them, the GED was a safety net in case they couldn't cope with "regular" school. The classes at the detenion center are very small, which allows me to individualize instruction, and offer more help to those who really need it. They know that this is not the case once they are released. A couple ofthem are able to qualify for a state issued diploma, but so far no one from the state level has responded to my phone mesages or e-mails inquiring about the process for getting them diplomas. It is so frustrating!
Then, we continued with introductory algebra today, which several students are less than enthusiastic about. Don't get me wrong, they do their work, but it takes a tremendous amount of encouragement and cheerleading from me on the sidelines.
So, other than a quick stroll at lunch to clear my head and try to bring up my energy, I didn't do any other exercise. By the time I got home I felt like I had been run over by a bull-dozer. After dinner it was too dark outside. I live out in the boonies, so there are no street lamps, and my walking route is a gravel road which runs along an irrigation canal. I just wasn't up to the "adventure" of trying it in the dark, and frankly I figured that the way my luck was going I would end up in the canal.
I did a good job at staying on track with my eating though. I actually had breakfast this morning! So, I guess today was not a complete failure, and tomorrow is going to be better. I can do this. I can. I will. I must.

MissT
 
You can & you will.

Its all about developing the good habits, which means they are automatic. We all have the days we don't do what we know we should for whatever reason. Yesterday I went over the recommended calories eating chick-fil-a & junk. Today will be better. I will eat right & you will get your walk. Ok so both of us will hopefully do both! Good luck today & thank you for doing the work you do. I can't imagine doing, but I am so glad someone does it. Not sure if those kids show their appreciation, but they should. You obviously care.
 
Hi

Hope today was better than yesterday for you
And good move having breakfast I never ate breakfast until a few weeks ago and i can see a difference with my eating habbits so keep it up

Sarah
 
Doing Better

I managed to pull it back together, and I have done better with both my food choices and exercise. I ate a good breakfast today, I did get my my walking done yesterday, and I am heading out for my walk tonight. I talked to a co-worker and I have been able to put things at work into perspective. I do everything for the kids that I can do. Some things are simply not in my control. Thanks for the kind words and the encouragement. it's important to remember to pick yourself up and try to do better.

MissT
 
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A question about the Harris-Benedict calculation

If anybody knows whether the result is the caloric intake needed in order to maintain my current weight, or if I still need to multiply by 7, then subtract 7000, and divide by 7 in order to deermine a recommended intake for a goal of -2lbs. per week, please let me know.

I registered with the USDA My pyramid site to use their food journal, and calculate my caloric intake, etc.. I had another good day. I kept tabs on my eating and planned it out so I could have a little pizza tonight and I have still kept my intake to 1,058 calories. I did my walking this afternoon too. DD and I went to the shopping center (Super WalMart) and did our walking there. We like to walk there and at the mall during the weekends. It's a nice change.

Tomorrow will be more challenging though. We are going to visit family. My mom is the junk food queen. You name it they have it in the house cookies, M&Ms, cake, pie, chocolate zuchinni bread... Then, we are going to bf's sister's for dinner. She worked as a chef for 20 years, and not only is she a wonderful cook, but there is always so much food.. It's easier to be good when there is a small quantity... I think my mantra for the day will be: I can, I will, I must.

I have a 3 day weekend (hurray). I love my job, but having an extra day off will be nice. My book (You on a Diet) came, and I will have a chance to start reading it. Unfortunately, for the next couple of weeks we will be losing a lot of instruction time due to other events/activities scheduled for the kids, so in about two weeks I will probably wish that I had not had a 3 day weekend, but I will worry about that then, and be glad for now.

MissT
 
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Trying to remember it's about balance, and support

I knew I was in for a challenge yesterday, and it could have gone better. I did eat more than I should have and some of my food choices were very bad. However, today I did much better and made very good choices. I am not angry or disappointed in myself. Why should I be? It would not do any good. If anything it would most likley create a binge mentality- "I screwed up, so I might as well keep making bad choices". Iam not falling into that trap this time. I did it before and the result is :ack2:me being unhappy and guilt ridden, and eventually giving up. So, instead of all that my strategy now is to accept that from time to time I will faulter, and to be determined not to let it happen daily.

More good news.. bf volunteered Thanksgiving at our house this year for his family! He also announced his plan to prepare the turkey.. deep fried. Thanksgiving has always been a holiday that I could manage to maintain sensble eating.. turkey lent itself to that. Deep fried turkey! You might as well just eat a can of crisco. He knows that I am trying to lose weight, its not a secret. He also decided that it was not fair for dd and I to shop according to our weight loss goals. He didn't make any fuss when he was losing weight, he just came home and ate his salad.... Why can't he support me? When he was losing I didn't go out and stock the fride with coconut cream pie. I knew he was trying to lose weight. In all fairness, I wasn't home when he ate. I was commuting from where I was student teaching and never got home before he went to bed, and dd went to her grandparents after school and ate with them. I take care of everyone around me and it feels like they begrudge me any steps I might take to try and take care of myself.

MissT
 
Another Positive Day

Today I kept the food in check and managed the walking!! I may just get the hang of tis program yet. I have a pretty good start on the book, and I am enjoying it. It's an easy read, and the program looks pretty manageable. The good news for me is that on days when my schedule is really tight I can break up the 30 minute walk.. do 15 at lunch and 15 in the evening, as long as I get a total of 30 in it doesn't matter!

MissT
 
Hi MissT

I dont know about the equation that you mention - but my gut feel is that 1058 calories is way too low. If a diet book told you to eat that I would throw it away. I think that it will have you in starvation mode in no time - which will do you no favours if you have 100 pounds to lose.

As for the equation - put a thread on "the harsh truth" section. Some well read people check there and give a knowledgeable spin on that kind of thing.

I really encourage you to keep up the walking. It is great that you are trying to do that. If the environment near where you live is not conducive to walking you may want to try and get access to a treadmill. I walk a lot and definitely credit this fact with the success of my current weight loss project. I focus on walking long distances (couldnt help but notice the title of your diary!!) and eating a balanced diet. Many experts say that we should all aim to do at least 10,000 steps a day. I actually do more than this - but it does make an excellent goal.

You can check people's diary - most of us list what we eat and what we are doing for our projects.

It is perfectly reasonable that you should be able to eat the same as your family as long as they eat the kind of food that you can eat. That sounds silly but - there is no need to eat salad every night, lots of things should fit into the kind of calories that would be fine to have - but if they want pizza or similar every night you would have to have something different.

My husband often wants something different to me - but in that case I tell him to cook his own food. He knows what I am happy to cook for him - but if he doesnt want that - that is his choice.

Good luck with your project.

Take care
Best wishes
Margaret
 
Not Enough Calories

The 1058 calorie count for the day was way too low.. You on A diet does not even suggest such a thing... it even states point blank that a caloric intake in that range is way too low. i just read that part last night. The calorie tracking was what I was doing on my own, while I was waiting for the book to be shipped. Come to find out, that is part of what I was doing wrong all along.. while I was in college, that range (800-1100 calories) was what I became used to. I rarely had time to eat regular meals, so I got used to skipping more meals than I ate. I'd grab a cup of coffee with nf milk and sugar free flavor and call it good. After I cooked dinner for the family, I usually did'nt have time to eat it or I was so tired I zonked out if I didn't have homework.

Now that I have a better understanding of the basic biology involved I can and will do much better. I think I fell into the trap of "the bigger the calorie deficit is the more weight I will lose" ideology. Some is good, and even less is not neccessarily better.

Here's to losing weight by eating more. It's about eating the right foods in the right quantities, and not eating enough is as counterproductive as eating too much of the wrong thing.

Thanks,

MissT
 
Hi Miss T

I am pleased that you have decided to increase your calories. I am not surprised that you have scope to do so.

If you check my diary you will see that I eat plenty of proper food - not just salad every night. Also - if I wasnt addicted to raisins I could probably have tons more food.

Thanksgiving is not something that we celebrate here - but if your bf is determined to deep fry turkey - get a turkey joint and cook it yourself and you have some of yours. Deep fried turkey does not sound appetizing at all. I am sure that you would prefer some traditionally cooked turkey. The veg that goes with it should be enjoyable, traditional and healthy too - so generally you should be fine if you keep an eye on desserts and do a little extra walking to counteract any indulgences you may fall into. Maybe subconsciously your bf wants to get back on the salad meals.

Take care
Best wishes
Margaret
 
Just wanted to pop in & see how things are going for you. Glad you got your book & are getting in the walks. & boy o boy do I know the struggle of trying to eat healthy with family who just don't seem to care! My parents are devoted to just eating what they like. My Dad would like to be better but never really puts in the effort. I can't even imagine a deep fried turkey.... wonder if it would be insulting to also roast a small turkey breast to offer options, & more deep fried stuff for those who want it. Either way its just one day & we can get back on track the next meal. I'm trying to eat good right up until that dinner... we shall see if it pays off.

Hope your day goes great!
 
I can't even imagine a deep fried turkey....
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oh it's insanely good... and honestly if it's deep fried properly it's really no worse than any other thanksgiving dish - -the skin is the worst part... but the turkey is awesome :)
 
Hi

hope your ok sounds like your doing ok, walking is something im loving at the mo just really started to add it to my daily routine,

I could not eat just salads every evening a) i would get bored and b) I would be hungry a few hours later, I always have a proper meal of an evening veg, meat/fish and some sort of potato and i am stuffed afterwards but adding a few more cals is def a good move!

Omega said:
Thanksgiving is not something that we celebrate here - but if your bf is determined to deep fry turkey - get a turkey joint and cook it yourself and you have some of yours.
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Deep fried turkey doesnt sound nice to me, but i would go with the advice of getting a small separate joint so you can cook it healthy load up on veg,
I have the problem with roast potatoes cooking in the oil isnt good so i do mine slightly different and cook hubbys in the roasting try bit inconvenient i agree but i feel really good when it comes to weigh in and i know i have lost and that will have a factor towards it,

Well got to go and i will drop by soon
Take Care
Sarah
 
Last night on our walk dd and I had the same car drive past us 3 times and the last time, they were shining a flashlight out of the window. The whole episode made both of us very uncomfortable, we didn't finish the walk, we just came back to the house. So, now I am brainstorming ideas for getting our walking in. The whole problem is that we live so far from the city limits that there are no street lights, and we are surrounded on 3 sides by a farm. The other side is a very busy road (no shoulder or sidewalk). The gravel road we usually walk on parallels the main road, but runs along an irrigation canal. It's so far between houses out here, and being relatively new to the area we only know one person (our landlord). The gravel road runs between his house and the one we rent from him. I was hoping that bf would walk with us, but we never get out there until about 7pm, and he's asleep by then. We have been having such a good time walking together. We both turn on our mp3 players, we chat and in general hang out. Why does even gong for a walk need to be so complicated?
I hope we move. I really like the house, but the place has issues (sometimes we get no more than a trickle of water from the tap, other times it works fine. Fun for taking a shower when suddenly there's no water to rinse off with) and I specifically wanted to live in town. After 11 years of living in a "rustic" cabin in the mountains, I am sick of "country life". I envy those of you who live in civilization. I went on a tip to NYC a couple of years ago, and I fell in love with it.
Yes, I could walk at work, but I guess it's the whole thing about not doing the walking with dd, that bums me out :(. There may be no solution, but if there are any ideas please let me know.
 
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