I was sitting thinking about when I originally lost weight. I started the end of march 2000. By Dec I was in a 6 or 7. From 207 to 134.
I was just stunned how amazinly fast that was. I really analized what was different between then and now.
1. I ate healthy nut, seed, veggie carbs. It wasn't until towards the end of the loss that they got the atkins bars in our area. Even if I ate a bar it was the Atkins high protein bar as a meal replacement and not usually a snack. There were no delicious pure delight chocolate bars.
2. I had 1 non lowcarb treat on the same day ever week(wed). The rest of the day was LC. It was usually a big DQ royal treat but I could never finish it all because it was after a big lc meal. It wasn't like now eat good a few days and then cheat. It was very regimented and planned.
3. I very rarely missed a day of the mon-fri exercise. (I'm doing much better on this now agaijn finally!) That also cut down my chiropracter bills!
4. I didn't own a scale!!!!!!!
5. I drank all my water.
6. I didn't try to severely limit any good carb besides nuts to 1/3 cup.

Sorry to blather on but I'm just trying to figure out why it's not working. I have my answer!!!!!!!!!! Now I just need to follow through. I am quite unhappy with all those 6's not fitting!

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high weight 207

Current
156/160/136(?) thats where the clothes fit before but time will tell

Mick -
I'm so glad you posted this. It is good to see a 'what works' 'what isn't' definition from someone who has been there. I think this can help me a lot.

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Mary Kay 1/1/04 - 232
5/19/08 (5/23/08) - sw226/(cw222)/mg210/fg160

Thanks Marykay. I hope it helps me too!

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high weight 207

Current
156/160/136(?) thats where the clothes fit before but time will tell

Hey Mick --

I too am trying to figure things out.

I can be very rigid - almost perfect with no loss at weeks end

I get very frustrated and think to myself... why bother?

but i'm trying.

i know i need to increase my water intake, and maybe cut back on cheese

I've been dealing with some "things" and somedays i just can't get my head screwed on straight... but - again - i'm trying.

some days i feel like i'm in this boat all by myself... then i come in here and feel better.

here's to finally ditching these extra 25 pounds!!
(and the dang sweats i've been living in!!)

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My LC web site
LCE Member since 2000

Therese,
Water is a biggie I need to work on too. I noticed we both have 25 lbs to lose(my siggie is wrong by the way)
Checking in seems to help me alot.
I'm really hoping to be in some smaller clothes by june possobly my 6's by mid august?!

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high weight 207

Current
156/160/136(?) thats where the clothes fit before but time will tell

I can totally relate MICK! Although I haven't gained anything, I haven't lost either. In the beginning I was rigid also. I allowed myself 1 splurge meal ever 2 weeks. If I went totally overboard on that 1 splurge, I would skip the next splurge. NOW I can't stay totally focused to save my own LIFE! I keep telling myself, YOU DID IT BEFORE, why not now.

I would like to get the last 10 off. But for the life of me...the "focus" is gone.

I think it mainly has to do with KNOWING the plan too well! You know, when you are new, you are scared and don't want to SCREW IT UP! Well, I'm not scared anymore....FEAR HELPS!

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Monica
206/16?/155

Monica,

you hit it on the head for me... i KNOW, or think i know, what i can get away with

like, i know i can eat something and i wont get that dreaded carb hangover like i used to in those beginning months... now that is scary!!

now - how do we get that FEAR and FOCUS back again??
the million dollar question.

-->i KNOW, or think i know, what i can get away with<--

Terese, that is so true. Pushing the envelope! ALL THE WAY!

now - how do we get that FEAR and FOCUS back again??

If you can answer/solve that question...you will be RICH!

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Monica
206/16?/155

I personally have sort of a wierd motivation. I'm escorting my teen nephews to Ozzfest in augusta. I have so many hip, cute but to LITTLE CLOTHES. I want to be in those cute clothes again by then! I can be older and that doesn't bother me a bit but not looking fit does.

Ya know that fear thing is valid. Not having a scale to weigh on daily also gave me the fear of going overboard.
Gaining really has effected me in a few negative ways. I used to be raring to go out to the clubs dancing etc. Now I never want to go because of the way I look and my clothes not fitting.
I tend to be uncomfotable seeing people who only knew me thin now that I regained. I used to be told "with all those ribs and fat you eat you should be 400 lb and not a tiny thing" " I can't believe your a mother."
I guess having people making such a big deal over having a good shape makes it uncomfotable now that it's temporarily gone.
Emotional baggage blah!!!!!!!! You know though just seeing it in print helps.
In fact I think I'll copy it to my journal.

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high weight 207

Current
156/160/136(?) thats where the clothes fit before but time will tell

OH Mick!! i totally feel your above statement ('cept for the ozzFest thing)

I was never tiny by any means,,,, but i was buff!! and now i'm not... and i look back on those days -- and just ask myself "What the heck happened?!"

one thing that really bothered me... a few days ago we were talking about Survivor and i said i could NEVER do that show - for whatever reason... and the DH said, "But you'd lose weight"

i could have crawled under a rock. i was really upset by his comment - but didnt say anything (as usual) .... that is probably the second time in 18 yrs he made a hurtful comment like that... though he didnt mean it that way.

that could be apart of my emotional baggage i carry too.....

OH another thing... and not to totally make this about DH bashing...... but remember that pic of me in tha tlil black dress? well, i printed side by side photos of when i was wearing that dress, and when i got heavier -- i tacked it up on the frig as a motivator, and he very kindly drew comments on it, like "Where's the cake?" and garbage like that.

ok, that's 3 things in 18 yrs he did that really hurt.... just sorta made me wanna find that cake and eat the whole darned thing......

OK,, nuff wallowing now.....

Thanks for starting this thread, Mick!! It really made me think today.

{{hugz}}

T

Hi everyone!

Your posts have me thinking about my own motivation. I have been maintaining for 5 months now and I am shocked at how much work it is. I researched maintenance and body set points so that I could understand why my body was fighting me so much. What was stated repeatedly was that losing weight is easy. People lose hundreds of pounds every year. What is difficult is defying your bodies natural tendency to accumulate calories for times of crisis. This is where most people put the weight plus back on. We are battling biology here. The other thing of interest to me was body set points. Being overweight for many years can set your body set point higher than it should be. Even though you may be at a good weight for your height and body type, you are now under your set point. Your metabolism becomes sluggish. One symptom, which I totally relate to, is that you may feel cold alot.

Point is, I still have fear. Its a new fear but it is a powerful motivator. I had to go back to basics as far as food. I had to increase my exercise to at least 5 times per week. I eat several times a day to stimulate my metabolism. I adjusted my thinking to maintenance long term. I can't say I'm thrilled with the prospect of following the plan this diligently forever, but if its the only way I can beat the odds I will sure try.

Here's to our undeniable spirits!

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Red
7/24/02
186/107/110
Size 16W to size 2

Therese, aaawww hugs!!!!!!!!!! Dh's can be such blockheads at times!!!!!!! My Dh likes me tiny and fit for himself but is more comfortable (since I talk to everyone when I feel great) with me in public with some pudge!!!! He is uncomfortable with all the atttention I got. So unconsiously he can be my worse sabotoger!!!!!!
You really should try to tell Dh when he does say something bad. It would probably make you feel better. It sure does me!
Ok lets make it our mission to kick those 25 lbs out to the trash.
If no one minds I'm going to keep using this thread.
Red, You have just done too awesome!!!!! I really wish I knew how to get that fear you describe!

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high weight 207

Current
156/160/136(?) thats where the clothes fit before but time will tell

Terese, could his comments maybe have come from your signals. Your little comments maybe and he went with that. BUT I must say, if in 18 years only 3 hurtful comments....APPLAUSE to him!

Mick, GL girl!

I will NEVER be tiny! I am a big girl. BUT, I would still like to see 10 more pounds go....just not sure I am willing to make the adjustments that are necessary. I have gotten "used to" my new body...still a little proud, although I would like to be a little smaller.

REDELL...YES, I totally agree with you, MAINTENANCE is the battle, losing the weight is the easy and fun part!

KWIM?

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Monica
206/16?/155

what is all this THINKING????

who told you you could THINK about your diet???



dont' you know you should be blindly following the government's

FOoD gUidE PyRAmiD?????



hehe

Great work, mick!!! Keep on going.

Andrea, YOU ARE FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!

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Monica
206/16?/155