Biggest loser on CF.....

[Spicy McHaggis]

YAY SPICE










Is that one of the Spice Girls?

HAHAHAHAH!

you know, I *would* make an awesome spice girl...

 

[GuacaMolly]

By the by...I've lost eight pounds since we started this thread.

Check you out! That is awesome, I am so proud of you!



I don't know about any of you guys, but one of my problems with food is that it used to be a very emotionally connected thing for me. I would eat if I was: Lonely, bored, anxious, as a reward, as a pick-me-up, etc.

I found that it was a long process (starting over two years ago) to change my way of thinking; it was practically programmed into me, starting at a young age. When things are tight, you're taught to clean your plate (regardless of how full you are) and rewards/celebrations are often edible, since food is affordable compared to other things.

I've slowly taught myself to look at food purely as fuel for my body, and almost never use it as a reward anymore. I'm finding it's lots more fun to buy clothes in smaller sizes.


I'm just curious if this has been a problem for anyone else, and what they've done to overcome it? Or, if it's still a struggle, what is the hardest part?

 

[Mrs. Luther073082]

I was taught to clean my plate, too. I've started using smaller plates But I also leave food now when I am full. I also try to only eat when I am physically hungry (which, unfortunately, is too often IMO -- my stomach is growling right now and has been for a while). I'm not eating right now because I already had all my points for the day so my stomach is just going to have to growl

 

[Spicy McHaggis]

Check you out! That is awesome, I am so proud of you!



I don't know about any of you guys, but one of my problems with food is that it used to be a very emotionally connected thing for me. I would eat if I was: Lonely, bored, anxious, as a reward, as a pick-me-up, etc.

I found that it was a long process (starting over two years ago) to change my way of thinking; it was practically programmed into me, starting at a young age. When things are tight, you're taught to clean your plate (regardless of how full you are) and rewards/celebrations are often edible, since food is affordable compared to other things.

I've slowly taught myself to look at food purely as fuel for my body, and almost never use it as a reward anymore. I'm finding it's lots more fun to buy clothes in smaller sizes.


I'm just curious if this has been a problem for anyone else, and what they've done to overcome it? Or, if it's still a struggle, what is the hardest part?

"reward" was the biggest problem for me.

It's so stupid too. I mean, like the calories don't count because I had a rough day or something?

 

[ido]

I'm a stress eater, so you can imagine what a problem it's been for me since I left my ex. I'm getting better at not immediately satisfying the desire to stress eat...but even though I'm not gaining, I'm not losing either. I'm trying to be more active, but my time is severely limited since I come last on a pretty long list of priorities. I am trying to move ME up on that list, but it's a slow process learning how to re-prioritize and simplify my life...especially when life keeps throwing dodgeballs at me.

 

[Tink]

Guess what I did when I lost eight pounds?

I rewarded myself. With food.

At least it was only the little mini strawberry cheesecake dessert at Applebee's and not the full sized one! heh.

 

[soccerdad66]

Guess what I did when I lost eight pounds?

I rewarded myself. With food.

At least it was only the little mini strawberry cheesecake dessert at Applebee's and not the full sized one! heh.

Good for you, all dieting and no fun means you won't stick to your diet.

 

[Inkachu]

I'm a total stress/emotion eater, too. But at least recognizing that fact gives us the tools to begin correcting bad habits.

I've lost 2 lbs since last week! Keep it going Ink, keep it going.

Breakfast today: bacon, egg, and cheese bagel (SO delicious)
Lunch: not sure yet...not hungry and nothing sounds tempting right now..I'm at work and about to go out to pick up x-rays so .. if I decide on something it'll be while I'm out
Snack: I have mango water ice waiting for me in the freezer in the break room. Oh yes baby, I know you're there! Mama knows!!!! I love you!
Dinner: Heck if I know. I really should plan my meals more, but my schedule never goes as planned! I have cereal at home, and some cold chicken, so it won't be anything unhealthy.

Exercise today? I might do some aerobics in front of the TV tonight. The heat index is 106 today, so I will NOT be walking outside.

 

[Inkachu]

I tried to eat cereal lastnight, but it was so hot, the milk got all warm and it was just yucky, so...I had some chicken and a little cheese and crackers.

Breakfast today: bacon, egg, and cheese bagel (yes, I love them lol)
Lunch: salad with Romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, grated parmesan, bacon bits, Ranch dressing
Dessert: Reese's cups
Snack: I have an apple and banana handy ... not sure if I'll eat them or not
Supper: No idea...maybe just some fruit or toast or something...I know it'll be blazing hot when I leave work and I won't have much appetite when I get home

 

[ido]

I've been surviving off of frozen yogurt for the last 3 days - and lost 2lbs.

 

[Inkachu]

Wowwww...

*makes a note to stop and buy frozen yogurt on the way home*

I wonder if I could survive off water ice I LOVE WATER ICE!

There are only two good things about summer. Swimming, and the fact that it's so dang hot, I lose most of my appetite, and all I want is fruit, juice, water, and ice.

 

[ido]

lol I love frozen yogurt. I often eat it for dinner when the boys aren't around. Is water ice like italian ice??

 

[Inkachu]

Yes, Italian ice, I always call it water ice lol.

 

[ido]

Ahh...I love italian ice.

 

[Inkachu]

We have convenience stores here that carry mango Italian ice...it is like...eating tropical sunshine!! Mmmmmmm...I think I'll stop on the way home and grab one, and a cherry one, too

 

[Inkachu]

Breakfast: bacon, egg, and cheese bagel (I'll get sick of them soon lol)
Lunch: Strawberries, yogurt, and a Powerbar
Snack: soft pretezel with cheese
Dinner: gonna be a homemade burger

Haven't weighed myself for a few days. I'm skeered to.

 

[Inkachu]

GACK - lose 2 lbs, gain 4 lbs!

OK, time for drastic measures lol.

No more breakfast bagels!

It's also the week before 'you know what', and I ALWAYS retain fluid and gain weight, but still...

Today:
Breakfast - 2 Powerbars
Lunch - garden salad, strawberries, and yogurt
Snack - apple
Dinner - ?

 

[Spicy McHaggis]

GACK - lose 2 lbs, gain 4 lbs!

OK, time for drastic measures lol.

No more breakfast bagels!

It's also the week before 'you know what', and I ALWAYS retain fluid and gain weight, but still...

Today:
Breakfast - 2 Powerbars
Lunch - garden salad, strawberries, and yogurt
Snack - apple
Dinner - ?

Not for nothing Bink but I read your diet and the first thing that I think is your metabolism is wonky because you don't get alot of calories. That puts your body in a "starvation" mode where it hangs on to any cals it can store as fat. I posted an article earlier in the thread about how our bodies hang on to "stubborn" fat in times like this (hips and butt for women) and it's the hardest to burn.

Just some thoughts:

Depending on your bodyweight, you may want to up your calories, spread them across 5-6 meals a day, then create your "deficit" through some cardio. Maybe jog as much as you can at the beginning of your walk to spike your heart rate, then the walking will keep it from leveling out too soon, hoepfully maximizing your burn.

Or try some fasted cardio in the morning (walk before you eat) because your body is already burning fat from the sleeping, so your metabolism is already up there.

If you target a 500 calorie deficit a day, you can expect to lose about a pound a week.

And don't get all your carbs late in the day. Make that last meal of the day somethign like a piece of cod and some vegetables. High protein, high fiber (if you get the right vegetables) and almost no carbs.

Watch out for saturated fats and sugar.

water. fill a 1 gallon milk jug halfway, freeze it overnight, top it off in the morning and drink that throughout the day. the floating chunk of ice will keep in cold the while time.

 

[Inkachu]

Hi Spice,
Thanks for trying to help me out. The problem is, I work a VERY unrelenting job, where I can't stop and eat throughout the day, only at lunchtime (1:00). We aren't allowed to snack at our desks, and a lot of times it's way too hectic in here to eat anyway.
I can't jog at all because I have asthma, so walking is the best thing for me. I can't walk in the mornings, though, cause I have my son and the mornings are just a wild, crazy mess of showering, dressing, making his breakfast, and getting out the door on time. Evenings are the same way; grocery shopping, chores, dinner, homework, bath, bedtime. So my only 'me' time is at night, which sucks cause I am NOT a night owl and when it's dark, I wanna go to sleep lol. But I can walk after dark, which is nice in summer cause it's cooler outside, so that's what I've been trying to do. I'm also trying to go up and down the stairs in my building at least once a day at work, though we don't always get to take our breaks if we're busy.

So...I can't eat 5 or 6 meals a day...and my exercise time is basically limited to evening walks.

I'm a huge water drinker, thankfully. And I like my water room temp, so that helps, too. No refrigeration needed!

Any suggestions with what I've told ya??

 

[Inkachu]

Breakfast today: crackers and juice
Lunch: will be a roast beef sandwich
Snack: banana
Dinner: who knows with me? lol I never know what dinner will be

Yesterday I did the stairs here at work and was able to get in my evening walk. Yay!