Healthy Weight Loss

[Medusa]

YES!

I like to rotate my workouts so that I don't get bored.

Usually something like this:

Day 1:
15 minutes on stationary bike
10-15 minutes on elliptical

Day 2:
15 minutes on treadmill
15 minutes on bike

Day 3:
10 minutes on bike
20-25 minutes of walking the hills outside

Day 4:
30 - 40 minutes of Wii
(I have several of the Biggest Loser workouts and several cardio!)

Day 5:
30 minutes on elliptical
(sometimes I break this up into 15 minutes in the morning and 15 at night)

I skip 2 days a week just from having an insane schedule but I'd work out 7 days a week if I can ever fit it in!

[Rockinonahigh]

My work out starts with makeing shure I have confy shoes on that will suport my feet and give stablity to my knees.then I definatly do some stretching especaly anything to do with my back and legs..due to old injuries I need to be very carefull of this before and after a workout.First most of the time I start with playing basket ball just to get my joints moveing and blood flowing,once I break a sweat im good to go to a work out.First I do a fue things on the bowflex chest,arms & upper back.Then I move to the weight bench and do butterfly kicks with my hands under my back to suport my lower back...I manage a bout 30 by doing 15 at the time then I do leg lifts and extensions by puting my ankles together and bringing my knees to my chest or as close as I can get (depends on the day) then I take a break foe about 5 minits.The back to the same position raise my legs straight up and if im not feeling any back pain contenue to try to touch the weight bar with my feet I manage abot 15 to 20 then I stop and catch my breath.Usely I stop at this point,someitmes I dont if not I do bench presses about 40 to 60 with 35 pounds on the bar...I know it dosent sound like a lot but it works not to pop anythng out anywhere.The next day I by pass the bench and opp for free weights and some lifting,squats,and lunges....more BB or a walk with my fur kid after I catch my breath,drink plenty of water while working out it helps in many ways.With all this 4 times a week I should weigh 20 pounds less than I do but it is what it is.At the moment in not doing anything but the lightest of weights cause of my back being on the fritz.

[girl_dee]

Originally Posted by Diavolo

I'm going to challenge you to think differently.

You say you don't like water, it's flavorless, but it is the fabric of your being. Like the garden, you need water to flourish. Think of it that way.

I need to be doing something with my hands so I make sure there is always water at every meal, at my desk, with me in the gym. I break the rules and refill those 1.5 liter bottles. I try to get through three per day. When I do, I lose weight.

I have a friend who says "Piss away that fat". I think of him when I don't want to drink any more water. It makes a difference, you know that. Make the change to make your life better.

How was that?

I do like " piss away the fat", I don't why if we are composed of mosty water, why do I need to add any??? I just forget about water, I drink coffee allllll day off and on and I just don't get thirsty.

[BBinNYC]

Just thought I'd pass this along. Watching what we eat can mean more than just calories:

Yes, Chick-fil-A Says, We Explicitly Do Not Like Same-Sex Couples
by Michael Jones · 2011-01-26 05:22:00 -0800

Bet Chick-fil-A wishes this month would end. Over the past few weeks, the restaurant chain's deep ties to the anti-gay movement have been exposed and uncovered by a number of activists, most notably Jeremy Hooper at Good As You. Whether it's Focus on the Family, the National Organization for Marriage, the Pennsylvania Family Institute, or Exodus International, Chick-fil-A ties run deep.

Of course, the President of Chick-fil-A wants gay people to share no hard feelings. The restaurant will gladly feed homosexuals gobs of chicken sandwiches, after all. But when it comes to marriage, Chick-fil-A believes strongly that same-sex couples just don't deserve equal rights.

As we wrote about a few weeks ago, Chick-fil-A's charitable arm, the WinShape Foundation, has been particularly active in the fight against marriage equality. They've hosted conferences with some of the leading opponents of gay marriage in this country. A higher up at WinShape has even praised the efforts of anti-gay activist David Blankenhorn for working against marriage equality, and for articulating a solid reason why American culture should reject same-sex couples.

Now comes some email correspondence that Good As You has shared on their blog, where the WinShape Foundation's Retreat Center -- a center run by the charitable arm of Chick-fil-A -- admits that they have a severe distaste for LGBT people.

The email correspondence goes a little something like this. Someone writes WinShape an easy question about whether their retreat center is open to LGBT people. WinShape's response:

"WinShape Retreat defines marriage from the Biblical standard as being between one man and one woman. Groups/Individuals are welcome who offer wholesome, educational conferences and programs that are compatible with Biblical values and WinShape's purpose," WinShape wrote back.

Kind of some corporate speak, right? So the activist wrote back: can you just give a clear-cut answer? And WinShape confirmed:

"We do not accept homosexual couples because of the statement in our contract."

And so it goes like this: Chick-fil-A is a restaurant where franchises frequently donate to anti-gay organizations like the Pennsylvania Family Institute, Focus on the Family and others. The restaurant's charitable arm, WinShape, holds conferences for opponents of gay marriage and praises their work. And this charitable arm's Retreat program puts a blanket ban on gay couples using their facilities, because they "do not accept homosexual couples."

Yet the President of Chick-fil-A still says that all people, including LGBT people, are treated with respect by the restaurant? Huh, what a funny definition of respect.

Meanwhile, check this story out. So the Human Rights Campaign's NOMExposed project tried to submit an equality-minded video to the Ruth Institute's "Reel Love Video Challenge." The Ruth Institute is an affiliate of the National Organization for Marriage, and they're running a contest where folks can submit videos talking about what love means. The video below was originally accepted, but then promptly booted out of the project once the Ruth Institute became aware that it actually championed equality for same-sex couples.

Here's the kicker: the Ruth Institute's "Reel Love Video Challenge" has a tie-in to Chick-fil-A's WinShape Foundation. Wouldn't it be nice to hear why the Ruth Institute and the WinShape Foundation find the below video so offensive? After all, what is love if it isn't equal?

[Gemme]

Originally Posted by Cajun_dee

I need water buddies!

I never get to my required amount of water and boy can I tell a difference when I don't.

Anyone else struggle with water? I just don't like it!

I can see a huge difference in my diet, my stomach, my hair and skin when I drink water, and when I don't.

Ebon and I have a Brita water filter. It makes a huge difference in the flavor of the water. I also always have a ton of water flavoring packets on hand. Crystal Light, Wal-Mart, etc makes them. It adds 5 calories to every 8 ounces of water, but I tend to drink more water when it seems less like water and more like something fun.

Originally Posted by Cajun_dee

I do like " piss away the fat", I don't why if we are composed of mosty water, why do I need to add any??? I just forget about water, I drink coffee allllll day off and on and I just don't get thirsty.

Coffee's part of your problem. Coffee, caffeine and carbonated beverages will dehydrate you more than they replenish.

We need to add it because we lose it in perspiration in breathing and sweating and in our saliva, as well as it being used to help our organs function properly.

When you feel thirst, your body is already dehydrated. The goal is to NOT feel that way. Maybe have a small cup with each cup of coffee you have. One cup coffee. One cup water.

I hope that helps.


Candace, I loved your videos. I will be keeping an eye on what you put up. Congrats on your progress thus far. I know you'll reach your goal!


As for myself, it's been a difficult year in terms of health and working out. I was doing. so. damn. well. before I got my job, but the commute killed me on the days I worked (anywhere from half an hour to an hour and a half, one way) but I did initially continue to work out on my days off. Eventually they petered off until nothing was being done. Even when we moved closer to my job and had a fitness facility in the apartment complex, nothing was accomplished.

Month by month, the weight I'd lost crept up until now.....nearly one year after my last official workout....I have reached--again--my highest weight. The one benefit to this weight (larger breasts) is no longer enough to 'make up for it'. Nearly every month, I've had to purchase new pants for work and now my uniform shirts are finally honestly too tight. Can't replace those as easily...crap.

I am one of those that can't start in the middle or on an average day. Sure, I can make better food choices at any time...and some days I do....but as for the stuff that I will be logging...like workouts....I have to begin those on the first of the month or an acceptable odd day. You will never catch me starting a program on the 12th or 28th of a month. You just won't. Yes, I know it's trivial and a tad bit OCD, but that's how I've always been.

Sooooo.....tomorrow is the first of December. I don't want to wait until it's been a full year of laziness and slacking off. You can't force an addict to quit unless they are ready to and, even then, it's up to them. I wasn't ready to recommit myself to myself. Now I am.

This month is an excellent month for me to spend more time in the gym or walking around, since it's so beautiful and the temperature is so nice, as I have required vacation time I have to take.

So, my plans for tomorrow are to work on holiday cards, watch a ton of movies with Ebon, work out and eat less crap.

I think that's totally feasible.

Good luck to those who are like me and restarting and congrats to those who are making continued progress.

[Gemme]

Chik-fil-A's not the only anti LGBT3Q2I community company out there (that Ebon and I really wish were not, because we do love the waffle fries).

Curves Fitness and Hobby Lobby are also in that category.

Why can't people just let people be?

/soapbox

Originally Posted by BBinNYC

Just thought I'd pass this along. Watching what we eat can mean more than just calories:

Yes, Chick-fil-A Says, We Explicitly Do Not Like Same-Sex Couples
by Michael Jones · 2011-01-26 05:22:00 -0800

Bet Chick-fil-A wishes this month would end. Over the past few weeks, the restaurant chain's deep ties to the anti-gay movement have been exposed and uncovered by a number of activists, most notably Jeremy Hooper at Good As You. Whether it's Focus on the Family, the National Organization for Marriage, the Pennsylvania Family Institute, or Exodus International, Chick-fil-A ties run deep.

Of course, the President of Chick-fil-A wants gay people to share no hard feelings. The restaurant will gladly feed homosexuals gobs of chicken sandwiches, after all. But when it comes to marriage, Chick-fil-A believes strongly that same-sex couples just don't deserve equal rights.

As we wrote about a few weeks ago, Chick-fil-A's charitable arm, the WinShape Foundation, has been particularly active in the fight against marriage equality. They've hosted conferences with some of the leading opponents of gay marriage in this country. A higher up at WinShape has even praised the efforts of anti-gay activist David Blankenhorn for working against marriage equality, and for articulating a solid reason why American culture should reject same-sex couples.

Now comes some email correspondence that Good As You has shared on their blog, where the WinShape Foundation's Retreat Center -- a center run by the charitable arm of Chick-fil-A -- admits that they have a severe distaste for LGBT people.

The email correspondence goes a little something like this. Someone writes WinShape an easy question about whether their retreat center is open to LGBT people. WinShape's response:

"WinShape Retreat defines marriage from the Biblical standard as being between one man and one woman. Groups/Individuals are welcome who offer wholesome, educational conferences and programs that are compatible with Biblical values and WinShape's purpose," WinShape wrote back.

Kind of some corporate speak, right? So the activist wrote back: can you just give a clear-cut answer? And WinShape confirmed:

"We do not accept homosexual couples because of the statement in our contract."

And so it goes like this: Chick-fil-A is a restaurant where franchises frequently donate to anti-gay organizations like the Pennsylvania Family Institute, Focus on the Family and others. The restaurant's charitable arm, WinShape, holds conferences for opponents of gay marriage and praises their work. And this charitable arm's Retreat program puts a blanket ban on gay couples using their facilities, because they "do not accept homosexual couples."

Yet the President of Chick-fil-A still says that all people, including LGBT people, are treated with respect by the restaurant? Huh, what a funny definition of respect.

Meanwhile, check this story out. So the Human Rights Campaign's NOMExposed project tried to submit an equality-minded video to the Ruth Institute's "Reel Love Video Challenge." The Ruth Institute is an affiliate of the National Organization for Marriage, and they're running a contest where folks can submit videos talking about what love means. The video below was originally accepted, but then promptly booted out of the project once the Ruth Institute became aware that it actually championed equality for same-sex couples.

Here's the kicker: the Ruth Institute's "Reel Love Video Challenge" has a tie-in to Chick-fil-A's WinShape Foundation. Wouldn't it be nice to hear why the Ruth Institute and the WinShape Foundation find the below video so offensive? After all, what is love if it isn't equal?

[Leigh]

Hi everyone,

I hope your all doing well tonight. Well its been almost 5 days since I started watching what I've been eating and drinking, and I have to say that I'm noticing a HUGE difference in alot of things. Other than a 500ml bottle of Sprite today, I have had nothing but water and tea (and a glass or two of vegetable cocktail). I was at Wal-Mart today and before I decided to go with the Sprite I checked the sugar contents ~ 24. Thats bad enough but not as bad as the bottle of 7-Up that I checked out; sugar content ............. 70? OMG I think I almost went into diabetic shock reading that label so thank goodness I didn't even take a second look at that 7-Up. I was even checking out the juices too and those sugars ranged from 24 to 40.

I've been out every single day this week so far and I can actually feel that My body has changed even just abit over the last few days ~ once I have My gym membership squared away I will be working out for all its worth, not letting it go to waste. I can see a new Me on the horizon, and no matter how long it takes and how much I have to put into this I'm in it for the long haul ......... I'm excited to get this going

[JustJo]

Originally Posted by Matthew

Hi everyone,

I hope your all doing well tonight. Well its been almost 5 days since I started watching what I've been eating and drinking, and I have to say that I'm noticing a HUGE difference in alot of things. Other than a 500ml bottle of Sprite today, I have had nothing but water and tea (and a glass or two of vegetable cocktail). I was at Wal-Mart today and before I decided to go with the Sprite I checked the sugar contents ~ 24. Thats bad enough but not as bad as the bottle of 7-Up that I checked out; sugar content ............. 70? OMG I think I almost went into diabetic shock reading that label so thank goodness I didn't even take a second look at that 7-Up. I was even checking out the juices too and those sugars ranged from 24 to 40.

I've been out every single day this week so far and I can actually feel that My body has changed even just abit over the last few days ~ once I have My gym membership squared away I will be working out for all its worth, not letting it go to waste. I can see a new Me on the horizon, and no matter how long it takes and how much I have to put into this I'm in it for the long haul ......... I'm excited to get this going

Hi Matthew,

I'm so glad to hear that you're back on track...and I'm still going to give you my "one diabetic to another" speech....soda and fruit juice are almost the same to a diabetic. Sure, the juice has nutrients (which is good), but it's loaded with sugar...and none of the fruit fiber that slows down the absorption of it and keeps you from spiking blood sugars.

Water is fabulous. Tea is fabulous. That veggie juice is fabulous.
I'd stay away from all soda and fruit juice.

Eat your fruit whole....and enjoy it. In that form, you get all the nutrients, the benefits of the fiber, and less of the bad effect of the sugar.

By the way....apples are an awesome food for diabetics (and anyone). There's quite a bit of evidence that the natural pectin in apples (along with the fiber) actually helps control blood sugar levels. They make a wonderful snack for us.

[JustJo]

Yay! Welcome back Gemme....and December 1 sounds like a great day to begin again.

Originally Posted by Gemme

Ebon and I have a Brita water filter. It makes a huge difference in the flavor of the water. I also always have a ton of water flavoring packets on hand. Crystal Light, Wal-Mart, etc makes them. It adds 5 calories to every 8 ounces of water, but I tend to drink more water when it seems less like water and more like something fun.



Coffee's part of your problem. Coffee, caffeine and carbonated beverages will dehydrate you more than they replenish.

We need to add it because we lose it in perspiration in breathing and sweating and in our saliva, as well as it being used to help our organs function properly.

When you feel thirst, your body is already dehydrated. The goal is to NOT feel that way. Maybe have a small cup with each cup of coffee you have. One cup coffee. One cup water.

I hope that helps.


Candace, I loved your videos. I will be keeping an eye on what you put up. Congrats on your progress thus far. I know you'll reach your goal!


As for myself, it's been a difficult year in terms of health and working out. I was doing. so. damn. well. before I got my job, but the commute killed me on the days I worked (anywhere from half an hour to an hour and a half, one way) but I did initially continue to work out on my days off. Eventually they petered off until nothing was being done. Even when we moved closer to my job and had a fitness facility in the apartment complex, nothing was accomplished.

Month by month, the weight I'd lost crept up until now.....nearly one year after my last official workout....I have reached--again--my highest weight. The one benefit to this weight (larger breasts) is no longer enough to 'make up for it'. Nearly every month, I've had to purchase new pants for work and now my uniform shirts are finally honestly too tight. Can't replace those as easily...crap.

I am one of those that can't start in the middle or on an average day. Sure, I can make better food choices at any time...and some days I do....but as for the stuff that I will be logging...like workouts....I have to begin those on the first of the month or an acceptable odd day. You will never catch me starting a program on the 12th or 28th of a month. You just won't. Yes, I know it's trivial and a tad bit OCD, but that's how I've always been.

Sooooo.....tomorrow is the first of December. I don't want to wait until it's been a full year of laziness and slacking off. You can't force an addict to quit unless they are ready to and, even then, it's up to them. I wasn't ready to recommit myself to myself. Now I am.

This month is an excellent month for me to spend more time in the gym or walking around, since it's so beautiful and the temperature is so nice, as I have required vacation time I have to take.

So, my plans for tomorrow are to work on holiday cards, watch a ton of movies with Ebon, work out and eat less crap.

I think that's totally feasible.

Good luck to those who are like me and restarting and congrats to those who are making continued progress.

[sylvie]

Good Morning everyone ♥

first of all, welcome back Gemme!! December 1st does seem like a great day to get started back at it again.. A lot of people i talk to at work AND my mother all say, yes they need to get at it again but will wait til after the holidays... So kudos to you, and to us all who keep at it day in and day out, eh! The holidays are going to be a difficult time, but we can do this!

As for me, December 1st is going to be my restart day too.. Why you ask? Well, this has been a hard week for me, i gained 2 lbs, which feels crushing after losing 65 lbs.. But it's only 2 lbs, right? But also, i've felt so completely unmotivated this week, it's as though i just do enough to say i'm doing something, but it's not really what i should be.. my portion control has been awful, my cravings and obsessing is through the roof, and each day has had a set of challenges and i keep setting myself up, over and over again... So no wonder i'm in such a pickle..

Yesterday, was one of the worst days i've had..i attended 2 meetings, and think i was in frustrated tears from morning to night So, before i get myself too down, it's time to turn that around and get motivated!!

i believe for every bad day, comes growth and knowledge .. So, while it was a difficult week, i feel i've learned a lot about myself and know what i need to change to help avoid doing the things i do to set myself up..

Anyway --

breakfast:
1 small blueberry yogurt
3/4 cup multigrain cheerios
1/2 cup skim milk
2 clementines
1 hard boiled egg (but only the white, no yolk)

morning snack:
1/2 cup chopped pineapple

for lunch i will have:
tuna salad on whole wheat crackers
fresh green salad on the side
1 clementine

Exercise:
walked to work this morning (10 mins)
walked back home the long way (30 mins)
will do:
elliptical - 10 mins
weights - 20 mins (especially the triceps)
day 4 of week 2 of my bootcamp workout challenge on SP ..
Then i will walk back to work the long way for my evening shift (30 mins)

[sylvie]

Originally Posted by JustJo

Hi Matthew,

I'm so glad to hear that you're back on track...and I'm still going to give you my "one diabetic to another" speech....soda and fruit juice are almost the same to a diabetic. Sure, the juice has nutrients (which is good), but it's loaded with sugar...and none of the fruit fiber that slows down the absorption of it and keeps you from spiking blood sugars.

Water is fabulous. Tea is fabulous. That veggie juice is fabulous.
I'd stay away from all soda and fruit juice.

Eat your fruit whole....and enjoy it. In that form, you get all the nutrients, the benefits of the fiber, and less of the bad effect of the sugar.

By the way....apples are an awesome food for diabetics (and anyone). There's quite a bit of evidence that the natural pectin in apples (along with the fiber) actually helps control blood sugar levels. They make a wonderful snack for us.

i sooo agree with Jo's post...
i am not diabetic, but can chime in just with how getting off soda and fruit juices has made 'me' feel.. Prior to doing so, i always felt so sluggish and blah, and for every soda and juice i drank, it only increased my thirst.. i didn't realize any of this (even though i am sure i was told muchly) until i gave it all up..

But, just at the beginning of my finally getting serious about getting healthy, i did some Math.. At work, we have access to a juice machine, where we can pour glasses of juice at any 'ol time.. During a 3 hour shift, i would grab a styrofoam glass, and pour myself a glass of juice, drink it down and pour another.. and i would do this probably a good 6 or 7 times during my 3 hour shift.. Now, imagine days i worked even longer.. When i did the math for how many calories i was drinking in the run of a day, not including what i ate, it was mindblowing ... And it's actually what really gave me that push to give the soda & juice up..

Now that i'm drinking water so much,i don't have that excessive thirst anymore, and actually feel like my thirst gets quenched which is a great feeling.. It will be really hard to give them up at first Matthew, but keep strong.. It took me about 3-4 weeks because i drank only soda and juices so excessively - but once i got through those weeks, i don't even really crave those so much anymore.. And you'll feel great too! my energy level changed drastically just with dropping soda and juice from my diet.

PS - welcome back Matthew!
(((hugggggz)))

[Sparkle]

Yay for all of us for continually trying!!!

It has been at least a month since I posted in here (this feels like confession)

I've had a rough month health-wise; I have chronic cervical spine and lower back pain and when my back gets tweaked it throws up any number of problems that have a crazy domino effect, my alignment gets wonky, nerves get pinched, my gait/stride gets messed up and my body starts compensating in other ways. Its all connected.

I developed trochanteric bursitis in my right hip, which is apparently a common injury/syndrome for new runners and is indicative of not warming up properly (but it sounds like a proper-old-lady disease ). It bloody well hurts when its inflamed. So I've been completely out of my exercise routine and it has been really frustrating. Prior to this - I had run 8 (out of 9) weeks of the C25k programme and was up to running 28minutres at a go. Now I feel as though I'm set back to zero.

Just this week I've been able to get back on to the treadmill to walk at 3.5mph for 30-40minutes. Slowly slowly, start again.

I bought new running shoes that were chosen for my over-pronate gait. And I have a set of stretches to help the inflammation in my hip and a set of warm up stretches that I hope will prevent this from becoming a reoccurring problem.

I've started seeing a chiropractor to try to sort out the alignment and pinched nerve issues. Chiropractic care has always frightened me but I decided to try a doctor who uses the "pro-adjuster" and laser treatments rather than manual manipulation. I've had 4 sessions so far, I'm not sure if its helping or not. I'll report back on that, if anyone is interested, after this course is complete.

I also started seeing a nutritionist because I don't want to put on weight while I slowly get my aerobic routine back on track and because I've realised how little I actually know about food and nutrition.

(I discovered that my health insurance covers both the chiro and the nutritionist care - so I'm taking full advantage of the benefits)

I lost 20lbs between mid-July and mid-October and so far I've managed to maintain my weight in the interim. I'd really like to continue losing weight though so....

As per my nutritionist's advice, I've stopped using Weight Watchers though I am still tracking online (with a free website).

My current nutrition goals are:
*To count calories for everything I consume (which is a bit of a pain)
*To eat at 2-3hour intervals with specific caloric guidelines
9am (200cal), 11am(200cal), 1pm(400cal), 4pm(200cal), 7pm(400cal), 9pm(200cal) - 1600 daily calorie budget while my aerobic activity is low which will be increased as my exercise ramps back up
*To have one high protein item at each meal/snack.

It is really challenging and I'm struggling to get in the routine.
It requires I be really organised and plan meals carefully, I've had varying success this past week because of the holiday and travel.
But I keep trying.

And that's where *I* am at.

Keep keeping on!

[Zimmeh]

Good Morning Sylvie,

Giving up coffee was easier than giving up soda. When I first gave soda up, I had headaches and was moody. Two weeks after I gave up coffee, I have had no headaches or real cravings for it. I think getting those teeth pulled was a good thing; even though I can only have semi soft foods for another week. If I had known now, what I knew when I started drinking soda or coffee, I wouldn't. That mess has caused me more issues with my teeth and body that I don't like. I cannot remember if I already posted this; but I was telling Ruff one day, that when I would have my morning coffee; I would start with a 12oz Starbucks cup and add two tablespoons of creamer. The coffee is 2 calories for each 12oz and the creamer is 35 calories for each tablespoon. Already, I have consumed 72 calories just in coffee. I would have atleast two cups of coffee every morning. This adds up to 5 calories for coffee and 140 calories for the creamer. Multiply that by seven days and you get: 35 calories for coffee and 980 calories for the creamer. Total calories consumed in my morning coffee: 1015. Muliply that by four weeks and you get: 4,060 calories...That is an additional pound every month...No wonder I am feeling much better and less bloated.

Good Luck today and have fun,

Zimmeh

Originally Posted by sylvie

i sooo agree with Jo's post...
i am not diabetic, but can chime in just with how getting off soda and fruit juices has made 'me' feel.. Prior to doing so, i always felt so sluggish and blah, and for every soda and juice i drank, it only increased my thirst.. i didn't realize any of this (even though i am sure i was told muchly) until i gave it all up..

But, just at the beginning of my finally getting serious about getting healthy, i did some Math.. At work, we have access to a juice machine, where we can pour glasses of juice at any 'ol time.. During a 3 hour shift, i would grab a styrofoam glass, and pour myself a glass of juice, drink it down and pour another.. and i would do this probably a good 6 or 7 times during my 3 hour shift.. Now, imagine days i worked even longer.. When i did the math for how many calories i was drinking in the run of a day, not including what i ate, it was mindblowing ... And it's actually what really gave me that push to give the soda & juice up..

Now that i'm drinking water so much,i don't have that excessive thirst anymore, and actually feel like my thirst gets quenched which is a great feeling.. It will be really hard to give them up at first Matthew, but keep strong.. It took me about 3-4 weeks because i drank only soda and juices so excessively - but once i got through those weeks, i don't even really crave those so much anymore.. And you'll feel great too! my energy level changed drastically just with dropping soda and juice from my diet.

PS - welcome back Matthew!
(((hugggggz)))

[Zimmeh]

Good Morning Everyone,

I am slowly eating semi soft foods and no one at work is allowing me to have any form of sweets... Thank goodness for a pushy boss-the only time you will hear me say that-. Yesterday was my long day; I worked from 6am to 1p at my part time job and then from 3p to 11:30p lastnight at the hotel. I had all day:

Breakfast: A 1/4 cup of oatmeal
No snack

Lunch: Asiago bagel from Panera Bread
No snack

Dinner: Mashed potatoes about 1/2 a cup
Snack: Three Fig Newtons

Between jobs: Out of habit, I went to Starbucks and ordered a grande iced coffee, without the ice, and had two sips and threw the rest of it away... Three weeks ago, I wouldn't have thrown my coffee away and this is my body's way of saying, "you don't need that shit anymore". When I have a craving for sweets, I break out a Fig Newton and much on that. It has more nutrients my body needs...To bad I cannot have any nuts or I would be snacking on some raw almonds.

Have a great day,

Zimmeh

[Sparkle]

Originally Posted by Zimmeh

Good Morning Sylvie,

Giving up coffee was easier than giving up soda. When I first gave soda up, I had headaches and was moody. Two weeks after I gave up coffee, I have had no headaches or real cravings for it. I think getting those teeth pulled was a good thing; even though I can only have semi soft foods for another week. If I had known now, what I knew when I started drinking soda or coffee, I wouldn't. That mess has caused me more issues with my teeth and body that I don't like. I cannot remember if I already posted this; but I was telling Ruff one day, that when I would have my morning coffee; I would start with a 12oz Starbucks cup and add two tablespoons of creamer. The coffee is 2 calories for each 12oz and the creamer is 35 calories for each tablespoon. Already, I have consumed 72 calories just in coffee. I would have atleast two cups of coffee every morning. This adds up to 5 calories for coffee and 140 calories for the creamer. Multiply that by seven days and you get: 35 calories for coffee and 980 calories for the creamer. Total calories consumed in my morning coffee: 1015. Muliply that by four weeks and you get: 4,060 calories...That is an additional pound every month...No wonder I am feeling much better and less bloated.

Good Luck today and have fun,

Zimmeh

The creamer is killer!

I recently discovered I was consuming up to 240calories a day from half & half alone (in my 3 cups of coffee each morning).
40 calories a go (for 2Tbl) and I was having more than 2Tbls in each cup. It was shocking.

I've not given up my morning coffee but I have become stringent in my measuring of half & half.

[Zimmeh]

I know and my roommate doesn't measure the amount of creamer he puts into this coffee...I was using non dairy creamer from Coffee Mate...

My dentist is the one who advised me to give up coffee after having my teeth pulled and then I will be getting braces in January..Go me...I am going to enjoy baby food...

Have a great day,

Zimmeh

Originally Posted by Sparkle

The creamer is killer!

I recently discovered I was consuming up to 240calories a day from half & half alone (in my 3 cups of coffee each morning).
40 calories a go (for 2Tbl) and I was having more than 2Tbls in each cup. It was shocking.

I've not given up my morning coffee but I have become stringent in my measuring of half & half.

[Medusa]

My wedding ring almost fits again!

I havent been able to wear it for 2 years because I have sausage fingers and when I gain weight, they seem to be the first thing to swell up.

I can now get my ring all the way on and off but cant wear it full time until I lose another 15 or so pounds becauser the band is so thick that it makes my fingers swell up if I wear it for more than a minute or two now.

This is a major happy dance for me (and Jackhammer!)!!

[foxyshaman]

Gemme... Delighted to see you in here. I, along with many others, will cheer you on. I raise one little fox paw and promise not to haggle you if I don't see you post... Now whether you want to trust a fox....

Today is a great #1 day. Seize it. Enjoy it.

[foxyshaman]

I loves that I just loves that!!!

Originally Posted by Medusa

My wedding ring almost fits again!

I havent been able to wear it for 2 years because I have sausage fingers and when I gain weight, they seem to be the first thing to swell up.

I can now get my ring all the way on and off but cant wear it full time until I lose another 15 or so pounds becauser the band is so thick that it makes my fingers swell up if I wear it for more than a minute or two now.

This is a major happy dance for me (and Jackhammer!)!!

[Zimmeh]

Congratulations!!!! Joining in the happy dance!

Zimmeh

Originally Posted by Medusa

My wedding ring almost fits again!

I havent been able to wear it for 2 years because I have sausage fingers and when I gain weight, they seem to be the first thing to swell up.

I can now get my ring all the way on and off but cant wear it full time until I lose another 15 or so pounds becauser the band is so thick that it makes my fingers swell up if I wear it for more than a minute or two now.

This is a major happy dance for me (and Jackhammer!)!!