Shed a few, with some friends

[LooseCard]

Well, I'm going to start a new thread.... the old one is long enough.

==================================================
I've been planning to join Weight Watchers for the last couple months, and dragging the wife and our friend along.
They griped that they needed someone to go with them, so now they have no excuse.

Last time we did this (several years ago), I lost quite a bit. So I am joining officially this time. I have a big challenge ahead.

I've never been bigger. I can't even find a scale for use at home, without ordering it.
So I've joined WW.

My goal? I could go with 50% weight loss, I'm that big now. That's a bit much, but we'll see.
I'm looking for 225 to 250. I think that will be comfortable, and feasible.

[LooseCard]

I'm supposed to eat 71 points worth of food. Daily.

I have to say, the new Apps for use with WW are great. I'm tracking what I eat, and becoming more aware of the values. There's even a bar code scanner, to connect to the data as well.

So far, 3 days in and doing well. I haven't been able to use up all the points in a day, but I'm not seriously trying either.

We know we've been shorting ourselves on the veggies, but not any more!

Tonight's dinner was at Ruby Tuesday. I have the Seafood Trio and Salad Bar.
The salad was what I affectionately refer to as 'weed salad' (wild greens style), which I topped with a few pieces of tomoto, carrots, peas, a little bit of cheese, and Balsamic Vinegar.
I think I'm going to focus on the baked seafood more, when ever we go out. It was delicious. A decebt piece of Slamon, a crab cake, and 3 shrimp.

I just need to boost my water intake on weekends...

[LooseCard]

Well week 1 went good, and I ended up being down 9 pounds!

I stayed with the high-fluids, and we have been including a lot of fruits and veggies, which weren't there before.


Week 2, wasn't so good.
Went to a NErf Memorial event, and grabbed a couple of BK burgers en-route. Just the burgers. And then again on Tuesday, as it was another long-day/late-night with work and school.

I also blame my watch, and the fact that I was wearing a long-sleeve shirt, to the fact that I gained weight in week two.
Up 0.6 pounds.....

[equetefue]

Congrats on taking on the challenge Dan! You should be very proud of yourself.

As of Saturday I have lost 70 pounds myself and Im six pounds away from my goal. With that said I recommend that

- Drink a LOT of water
- Increase your protein intake
- Due any sort of exercise as it will boost your metabolism and in my case my self esteem as well
- Spread your calorie intake. Dinner should not be your biggest meal
- Try not to eat past 6pm
- Lower your sodium intake
- Eat better, and avoid what everyone knows is bad (soda, fast food)
- Create an emergency low calorie menu in the case you have no choice but to go to a fast food joint. IE. know what is the healtheiest choices in the menus
- Track your daily calorie intake and exercise routine
- Contrary to popular belief, I weigh myself daily (i'm aware of fluctuations so I dont let it get to me, but by looking at the scale daily it keeps me focus)

Like I said, I started all this in late July and have shed 70 pounds. It can be done. You already took the hardest step which is commiting to doing so.

Great work Dan ! Keep me posted and I can be your online dieting partner.

Ed

[elderboy02]

Hang in there! :tu

[LooseCard]

Thanks guys.
My focus isn't a real issue... I have a goal to obtain, that will be a constant reminder for the next 6 months.

I'm actually try to play the rock for my lovely wife and our friend.
Guys can lose (and gain) weight in larger increments than the ladies. I am going to be helping them to stay on track, so they'll be comparing me all the time....

[E.J.]

Nice, good on you! Keep up the good work!

I've been trying to lean up a bit before our annual trip to Cancun with the kids for Spring Break....

[LooseCard]

Soooooooo.... Week 3 weigh in (drum roll please!)...
Down another 6.2!
That's down 14.6 total

It was a CRAZY weekend, and I actually under-ate on both days. The Mrs was in the hospital.
We ended up going out to dinner on Monday after she got out, and I was creful for the entire day so that I could enjoy. (yes, she's fine)

My wife wore regular jeans (which are heavier than what she's worn before). That, plus being stuck/limited by the hospital trip.... she gained 1.2
Our friend was down a few more, and made her first 5# goal.

[AdamJoshua]

I'll add one, if you weigh yourself every day (which I do when I go on gym kicks) do it in the morning and at the same time everyday.

I lost 90 lbs at one point, mostly doing cardio on an elliptical machine and swapping lunch for a chocolate protein shake *(put in the freezer for a few minutes before drinking so it was more like a frozen shake) and a package of crackers and cheese.

It gets so addicting losing weight, buying new clothes ... "normal clothes" I should say.

Congrats on your lose and keep up the battle!

[LooseCard]

Thanks Ed, Dan, and E.J.; and Adam
As we're using Weight Watchers to re-train ourselves, there tools are a great added bonus.

From your suggestions above....
- Drink a LOT of water
=> That one I know, and am trying to get myself back there. With school and home, I've been 'off' lately on a few things.
- Increase your protein intake
=> I'm trying, but it's tough to do when I'm eating almost double that of my diet partners. But I do have more, and remind them of the difference as needed.
- Due any sort of exercise as it will boost your metabolism and in my case my self esteem as well
=> I'm just getting to there. I was taking the ladies for walks at the Mall or the like, but things were off this week. We're starting, but taking it small for now.
- Spread your calorie intake. Dinner should not be your biggest meal
=> This has been my biggest issue. I've been working on this, and Tracking with WW is helping a lot to balance this.
- Try not to eat past 6pm
=> That won't work. Twice a week are very late nights, and our WW meeting starts at 6 for a 3rd late dinner. I just need to watch my volume and values (caloric/WW-points) on those eves.
- Lower your sodium intake
=> Thankfully, I've always been a lower-sodium person. And now that we're not eating as much 'processed' or 'prepared' foods, it should help even more
- Eat better, and avoid what everyone knows is bad (soda, fast food)
=> Yep. LOTS MORE VEGGIES. Salads regularly, and Carrots as a snack.
- Create an emergency low calorie menu in the case you have no choice but to go to a fast food joint. IE. know what is the healtheiest choices in the menus
=> A big benefit of the WW plan, is access to their web-data for most area restaurants.
- Track your daily calorie intake and exercise routine
=> That's a definite. WW provides an e-tool for us to simplify it.
- Contrary to popular belief, I weigh myself daily (i'm aware of fluctuations so I dont let it get to me, but by looking at the scale daily it keeps me focus)
=> That's a goal, so to speak. I'm too big for most scales, without buying a 'specialty' scale... I'm figuring sometime in April for that, currently.
- if you weigh yourself every day (which I do when I go on gym kicks) do it in the morning and at the same time everyday.
=> That's the same thing I've been telling the ladies. Always good advice.

And thanks for all of those suggestions.

[Bondo 287]

.....
- Contrary to popular belief, I weigh myself daily (i'm aware of fluctuations so I dont let it get to me, but by looking at the scale daily it keeps me focus)

Ed

I'm worse than that. I have a "first thing AM" weight, midday weight, and PM weight.
When they move "up" or "down" a pound, the three numbers will reflect that. A digital scale is a must, so if you see 240.9 then 241.1 you do not feel you gained a pound. Almost obsessive, but if I see an additional pound in the wrong direction I work a little harder the following day and it's gone.

I am almost 6-3" and was 240 , not bad, but I store fat in my gut. You may find like I did, starting with cutting back on the foods as above, as well as walk/jog 6 days a week, will drop your first lbs the fastest. I dropped 20 lbs in Jan that way.

I started a protein supplement two weeks ago and I feel it has helped too. But I have some weight training in with the cardio. You'll notice as you lose the lbs, the exercises gets easier, and you'll need to periodically move your goals forward. Good luck guys. Just do it and after a week you'll see it kind of just gets automatic. :tu:2

[Fordman4ever]

I started Paleo about 3 months ago and I've lost 15lbs as of today. my size 36 jeans don't fit anymore and I'm on the last hole on my belt. I still need to loose about 20 more pounds but I'm super excited about the progress I've made so far. Here's a pic of me a few years ago and me last week.
http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m626/Earl_McCoy/b3ccf71b-751f-4408-8b9b-ba7971ea70e4_zps657e098f.jpg

[LooseCard]

I dropped 20 lbs in Jan that way.Tomorrow night's weigh in will be the 4th, and I expect to be just under 20 myself.You'll notice as you lose the lbs, the exercises gets easier, and you'll need to periodically move your goals forward. Good luck guys. Just do it and after a week you'll see it kind of just gets automatic. That goes with any/all goals. You have to make them close enough to feel the achievement, but still understand and be willing to to go the full distance.I started Paleo about 3 months ago and I've lost 15lbs as of today. my size 36 jeans don't fit anymore and I'm on the last hole on my belt. I still need to loose about 20 more pounds but I'm super excited about the progress I've made so far. Here's a pic of me a few years ago and me last week.
Congrats, and keep it up.
But dang... you's skinny already! I can't yet imagnine 36 jeans.

[LooseCard]

imagnine 36 jeans.
WHERE'd that N come from ?!?! LOL!

Well, it's been a long week and it just keeps gettign longer.

I was up 0.8 pounds last week. That's a freakin' glass of water, for cryin-out-loud!

We did okay this week, with a couple of splurges too. My wife and I needed to fall off the wagon Thursday, and then had to join friends for a Friday birthday dinner. Thursday was 'off-the-wagon' and Friday's was a healthy selection from the restaurant.
We did (with our friends) a gluten-free vegetable lasagna of Sat night; and Fritatas on Sunday (second one was from WW and was wicked good, with a hashbrown base). We took a long walk for most of the afternoon, and fed the ducks at the local Park.

I think we did okay this week. Just need to keep the salt low low until weighin, so I'm not retaining extra...

How's everybody else doing?

[Chainsaw13]

How's everybody else doing?

Maintaining right around the 185-190lb mark. I haven't been able to work out as much these last few months due to a neck issue. It's to the point now where I don't think it'll get much better, so I'm saying "screw it" and going running anyway.

I saw someone mention previously not eating past 6pm. In my case, I have to eat about an hour before I go to be, to help my blood sugar levels. Nothing big, but something higher in protein. Been doing that for nearly 2 years now and i'm keeping the weight off.

[LooseCard]

Maintaining right around the 185-190lb mark. I haven't been able to work out as much these last few months due to a neck issue. It's to the point now where I don't think it'll get much better, so I'm saying "screw it" and going running anyway.

I saw someone mention previously not eating past 6pm. In my case, I have to eat about an hour before I go to be, to help my blood sugar levels. Nothing big, but something higher in protein. Been doing that for nearly 2 years now and i'm keeping the weight off.
Sorry to hear about neck issues, they can be tough to offset.

As for the 6PM comment, everybody (and every body, LOL) is different.
I take a pill before bed, and needto ingest something to keep it from tearing up my stomach, so I understand.

Take a walk, if you have to. If you're goingto run, plan a short lap, and repaet if you're up to it. Don't overdue the first trip out. Neck issues can be tough...

[Chainsaw13]

Sorry to hear about neck issues, they can be tough to offset.

As for the 6PM comment, everybody (and every body, LOL) is different.
I take a pill before bed, and needto ingest something to keep it from tearing up my stomach, so I understand.

Take a walk, if you have to. If you're goingto run, plan a short lap, and repaet if you're up to it. Don't overdue the first trip out. Neck issues can be tough...

Oh, I've been running for a while now. I was feeling like a sloth for not doing anything beyond the physical therapy. I guess I'd been using the neck as an excuse. It does hurt from time to time, but it's bearable now.

Good luck with your weight loss goals. It's not an easy road, but completely satisfying when you get there.

[LooseCard]

Well, so far so good!
Was down another 4.6 pounds!

I am officially 3.3 pounds away from a 5% loss.
I'm hoping to break this ping-pong on the scale. I lose a bunch, then gain a smidge, lose a bunch, gain a smidge...
I lost this past week, and now it's feakin Easter....

Piled in the Veggies, and tried to stay aware of the fat/protien.
I think I did okay, overall. Still have points to work with for the day too.

[equetefue]

Great work Dan. Keep it up

[Fordman4ever]

I finally made it back down to the 170s. I was 178 this morning. Hopefully I'll be in the 160s by this summer.

[LooseCard]

Guess I forgot to 'report in' this past week.

None-the-less, I was down 1.2#

Been a decent week so far, even considering going out to eat at a Sugar-Shack Breakfast.

Tonight is weigh-in night for Weight Watchers, and I think I just might make the 2.2 I need for 5%!

[equetefue]

Congrats Dan! Keep it up

[LooseCard]

Thanks!

So I was down again (3.8 #s!), and have now achieved 5% lost!!!
That's HUGE for me.

To help you relate, go the the produce section of your local Grocery store... and pick up...
Four 5-pound bags of Potatoes!!!

This week has been fairly well, and wicked wicked busy.
We had made commitments to 'up' or activity level for the next 6 weeks (to start), and track it.

I had yet to do that, and am now trying to track our 'walks' together.
Taking one of the girls to walk around a outlet-mall for two hours, was surprisingly huge for activity points!

Not that I plan on using them, it's just an added understanding to what is helping to lose the numbers.

I can't wait until this Wed. night, to see where we are now.
All three of us are keeping positive outlooks, and that is helping.

[macsauce13]

I'm starting to get myself back into shape as well. I'm only 200 lbs, but I'm also 5'10 and was 175-180lbs in college. Trying to get down to 190, and see how I feel/look. It isn't easy getting back into exercise and eating well after a couple years of not doing much.

Keep it up, I really enjoy reading this thread. It helps.

[LooseCard]

Well, it's Tuesday already...
I was up 1 # last week, even after the extra walk.

After we disussed it, I realized that I had come straight from work, and didn't stop to use the bathroom before weighing in.
Go ahead.... laugh...

But it is true. A pint is a pound, the world around.
I go through a 1.1 liters of Coffee in the morning, and another 1 liter of water in the afternoon (not always, but did that day). I'm sure the coffee was gone, but the drinking water from the afternoon....???

BAH! 1# is nothing, providing is isn't part of a trend.
I had a couple of 'rougher' days this week, and wasn't keeping track for some of it. Even had an overly salted mac-n-cheese dinner at a restaurant. I just need to flush out my system today and tomorrow, before Wed-eve weigh-in.

Even with my being 'bad' during part of the week, I don't think I should have a bad week this week.

[LooseCard]

Down another 4 pounds!
That means I have lost 25# since starting 2/20! (24.6# true loss)

Weight Watchers must have simply added up the loss values, to mark an achievement, but that doesn't surprise me.
I've been charting my values, and knew when I hit 5% loss. According to WW, I just achieved that this Wed....? But by my calculations, I'm down 5.82% after this week...

I'm hoping to get time at camp this weekend to take a walk, but that's not looking good at the moment. Instead, I'm going to be saddled in driving around for most of the day. (Tire change-out, followed by a long-a$$ drive to go buy a 'new' Van)

Well, that's my week. Hope you guys are doing as well.
Haven't heard many checking in on their progress, lately.........

[IronMann15]

I am trying to get back into shape and reading threads like this one really helps me. Keep up the good work!

[LooseCard]

I am trying to get back into shape and reading threads like this one really helps me. Keep up the good work!
Well then ,fill us in!!! I know I would be happy to hear from others!

Give us the trials-and-tribulations, and ups and downs as you go.

I started this as there was originally one from another friend, but it seemed to have died (and was very long...).

I haven't gibven any concrete values, but enough in the details. So trust me, you have nothing to worry about!


I'm headed for weigh-in tonight, and I'm not sure... It has been an interesting week, and I could go either way.

[equetefue]

Keep it up Dan. This types of threads are a motivator to many of us. Good luck on your weigh in.

As for myself, today I hit 189 lbs. Down 77 lbs from when I started back in August.

Let us know how it went !

[LooseCard]

Well, I was up .6 pounds.
Not a major issue. That's a glass of water.

I had a 'big' Lean Cuisine for lunch, and had been drinking a lot that day; so it is easy to understand. I usually try to take it easier on the afternoons of weigh-in, but had lost track of time due to stress.
Oh yeah.... I was also just a little stressed last week.


Haven't been tracking this week, and been a little looser with everything.
If ever I expected a rough weigh-in, this week would be it.

But I will pound the water tomorrow, and am hitting the carrots as well.
Hoping that a good scraping will do! LOL!

[LooseCard]

Well, was down a pound.
Nothing special, but it made me think about the prior week...

I need to pay attention to my salt intake.

An it has been a salty weekend.
Looks like I'm going to need to flush my system this week, before weigh-in!

[LooseCard]

Well, I'm saddened that no others have been here in my absence...

Life got a bit hectic for a while there, but I survived and am back again!

Since the last check in:

I was down 1.4 pounds. Resonable, I guess.
Ended up in the Hospital (freak issue...) for Memorial Day weekend.
After being cleaned-out and scoped(!), I was down 3 pounds.
Last week I was up .4 pounds. Heck, that's a glass of water...

I feel I'm doing okay so far this week, so I just need to be mindful.
Weekends at Camp do not seem to be helpful for my diet. Fridays have been dinner at the Pavilion, and less walking due to the rain.

[LooseCard]

Damn it, up a pound again.

I need to start flushing my system better.
And walking on the weekends. We were doing that originally, but we've been slacking off.

What's going on with everyone else?

Bueller?

Bueller?

Bueller?

[yourchoice]

Keep fighting the fight Dan!

[equetefue]

Push harder! Is 80% mental

[Fordman4ever]

I was back down to 170 for the first time since 2006, but then I took a 12 day vacation and now I'm sitting at 175. I really want to be down in the 160s before my vacation this winter.

[Blueface]

Happy to say that I have kept my loss of 22-24 lbs., depending on the day, since late Nobpvember.
Feels great to shop for "slim" clothing at 54 and to be back to a waist from 20 years ago.
No going back for me.

[LooseCard]

Just got back from Weigh-in. Down 3+ pounds.
Guess that makes up for gaining 1.4 over the last two weeks....
Keep fighting the fight Dan!
Down 31 +change... and still got a lot to go. (I have to lose a whole person....)
I was back down to 170 for the first time since 2006, but then I took a 12 day vacation and now I'm sitting at 175. I really want to be down in the 160s before my vacation this winter.
5 pounds may be easier for me, but I'm sure you can re-lose that! Looking at the big picture, you're talking losing 10% of your body. It will take a while, but you can do it.
Happy to say that I have kept my loss of 22-24 lbs., depending on the day, since late November.
Feels great to shop for "slim" clothing at 54 and to be back to a waist from 20 years ago.
No going back for me.
I only dream of that day! I'm jealous.
Just keep reminding yourself what it took to get there. I'll bet you could drop a little more if you wanted too!

[LooseCard]

Well..... I'm still alive....
And I say that literally!

The day after my last post, I was hospitalized for basically 2 weeks. Sepsis (http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/sepsis-septicemia-blood-infection).
I made it out of there, and weighed in with a 4# loss!

Three weeks of sitting on my ass, recovering...

We haven't been tracking, or being very careful. Plus, there were numerous ice cream sandwiches (at least they were made with reduced fat ice cream!) consumed during those 3 weeks.
I finally weighed in... back up with a 3.8# gain. Not bad, all things considered!


And before you comment; Yes, I'm doing fine. It'll take some unknown length of time for me to get rid of the leg swelling from the Cellulitis, but I'm otherwise fine. I just mee to (try to) avoid Sodium, and avoid Gout.
Yes, that's now an issue too.

[Fordman4ever]

Sounds like you're making a pretty good recovery from being in the hospital. The only advice I can give you is that if you're gonna be sitting around a lot then you should try to avoid the high carb items. No activity plus high carb intake is never a good thing. Also try to stay away from the processed sugars.

Good luck on your recovery.

I started back to the gym today for the first time since January. I have been a few times since then, but today starts the first week that I will be back on a workout schedule. I'm probably going to be really really sore tomorrow.

[.cigardude.]

Glad to hear that you're ok.

The main thing with all diets is to be committed and stick to them till the end.

It's mostly a mental thing.

[Ubiquitous]

I didn't know this thread existed. Last September, I stepped on the scale at 234.

Almost a year later...... Here is what I have accomplished.
Miles ran- 1176
Pounds lost-46
Current weight-188
Half Marathon Time- 01:51:14
36th out of 542 in 6.2mi obstacle course race.

Feeling good!

[Fordman4ever]

That's awesome. I wish I would have kept track of how many mile I've run since I decided to lose weight. Maybe I'll start soon. Congrats on the accomplishments.

[equetefue]

Kudos Travis...

This is where I am at the moment.

July 12' 267.6 lb
Now Aug 13' 170 lb

I've been working my ass off for the last year, and even got my 6-pack starting to show. Every single day I do the following, and only rest a day in the weekend.

AM
- 15 min elliptical (2mile run at level 16, max in my machine)
- 40 crunches
- 20-30 push ups
- 10-20 leg raises
- 30 reps of 20lb dumbbells
- 25 reps of over the shoulder triceps extensions per arm
- a few more free weights moves with 20 reps at least

PM
- either a 1.8 miles jog at 9min/mile or 3.2 jog at 11min/mile
- 40 crunches
- 20 to 30 push ups
- 10-20 leg raises
- 30 reps of 20lb dumbbells
- 25 reps of over the shoulder triceps extensions per arm
- a few more free weights moves with 20 reps at least

Before bed
- 20-30 push ups

[LooseCard]

I started back to the gym today for the first time since January. I have been a few times since then, but today starts the first week that I will be back on a workout schedule. I'm probably going to be really really sore tomorrow.Sounds good, keep us informed!

The main thing with all diets is to be committed and stick to them till the end.
It's mostly a mental thing.That is SO true. I have to stay committed, and I'm doing it with 2 others. Working together, we'll keep each other going.

Pounds lost-46
Current weight-188
Half Marathon Time- 01:51:14
36th out of 542 in 6.2mi obstacle course race. Wow! Those are some great numbers! Keep it up, and keep us filled in.

This is where I am at the moment.

July 12' 267.6 lb
Now Aug 13' 170 lb
Dude! That's almosst 100 pounds in a year! That's SICK!

As for your routine.... you are a sick, sick man.
(j/k!)

I only dream of the day, that I can run and jump again.
(But I know it's coming!)

[LooseCard]

I finally weighed in... back up with a 3.8# gain. Not bad, all things considered!
Okay, so I have my moments.... :fp
I was actually down another 3.8# last week!

I didn't realize that I was at 39# total last week!



But to make up for it, I actually did gain 2.4# this week....:sad

Looks like it'll be weeks now, to make my next goal. :sh
But hey, I'm not quitin' yet!

[equetefue]

Slowly but surely. Keep it up man