Weight Loss

[springbok1]

My weight has always fluctuated up and down over the course of the year - but over the last year, I've put on more weight than the normal fluctuations. It's not a weight I'm happy at, and I also don't want to buy new clothes. My weight is headed back down - I'm currently down about 5 lbs from my high weight - and I wanted to post about how I've

Comments

[bertine]

I have been on weight watchers for a couple weeks and it is much less annoying then just counting. Also, since I paid for it I feel more obligated to use it.

It is really annoying to gain enough weight where you need new clothes. I am okay with clothes shopping but I don't want to replace everything.

[springbok1]

I don't actually mind counting - the program I was using before had a crappy database of foods, whereas the one I'm using now has a really good database. Also, in the past, trying to get myself to do something by spending money towards it has never, ever worked for me. I'm glad Weight Watchers is working for you though. And if I stall out on counting calories, I'll definitely consider it. My work has some sort of discount on it if we do use it.

I bought a few pairs of jeans at Savers a couple months ago to expand my options, but they've started to feel too big and today I put on a pair of jeans I couldn't fit into a month ago. So exciting! Little milestones like that are what will keep me motivated. :)

[birdfigment]

I have not used apps - but I have used journaling as a way to keep myself accountable for my goals, so I encourage you to use lj that way!

Also, you didn't ask for recommendations, but the only "diet" I ever went on per se was a really old one, the Scarsdale diet, which basically says eat less fat, more whole grains, less carbs overall, more veggies and lean protein and fruit. It worked. It also segued nicely into something of an enduring diet change that has kept me within 5 pounds of my lowest weight for the last, oh, 8 years? So that's something. I'd be happy to share the book.
Finally, I know we were planning to make hula hoops sometime and we didn't. I still think we should! I will ask Rachel B if she has time to do a tutorial for us sometime because she has made her own in the past. (I could totally use the waist toning that'd give, myself.)

[springbok1]

Yes, for sure, on the hula hoops! I could definitely use the waist toniing.

I'm not too keen on going on diets, but I am keen on eating healthier and not calling it a diet. I've been making more of an effort to eat exactly the things you're talking about - more fish and chicken, less red meat; brown rice and quinoa instead of white rice; making sure I do eat at least 5 serving of fruit and veggies each day. Allen is very supportive of me eating healthier, though not as into whole grains and lots of vegetables himself. Also, he has trouble keeping weight on, not getting it to come off.

[ferrousoxide]

My Fitness Pal for the Android is pretty neat. You put in what you've eaten and how much exercise you've done and it keeps track of the calories. You can set target weight, etc. And it doesn't yell at you for eating things that are unhealthy or anything.

[springbok1]

I will look into that one. Thanks!

[soundingsea]

I think LoseIt! is pretty awesome. I lost 25lb using it in 2010, and my hair stylist has lost like 68lb using it over the last couple years. So, definitely a useful app if you stick to it.

I stopped losing weight when I stopped tracking religiously (due to work stress), but I've started again this spring. I'm also now using JEFIT (another iphone app) to track sets and reps when weightlifting.

(Drop me an email with the email addy you're using on loseit if you wanna be loseit buddies! I find it's helpful for motivation.)

[springbok1]

Hmm, I don't know if I've given LoseIt my email, but I'll look into that and send you my e-mail once I'm registered.

[purplecamels]

I have used myfitday.com and myfitnesspal.com It ends up being the same. I track really well for awhile- it motivates me to pay attention to what I'm eating. I start losing weight. Then I stop tracking until I start going back up and start all over again. For me increasing exercise has been the main thing that helps me. And usually when I start counting calories again it's the sweets or extra dressing, condiments that add up to the most calories.

[springbok1]

One thing I have going for me is that I'm not so into sweets. I rarely have them now, but I could go the entire rest of my life without ever drinking pop or eating sugary candy and I wouldn't ever miss them. Chocolate is a different matter, but I like it relatively not-sweet.