I don't like what I see in the mirror.

I think there are others here who may feel the same way.  Slowly, my weight has crept up, and up.  I have gained 20 lbs since my husband died in May of 2014.  I have hit a point that I never even was when going into the delivery room to have my children.  

I think I have been deluding myself because I have no problems with cholestertol, blood pressure, sugar etc.

HOWEVER, I realise that unless I grab that proverbial bull by the horns, those things are probably lurking around the corner.  My sister is basically in the same boat.  I see all the advertisements lately about "Love your body no matter what size" "Just what is Plus size?" and all that stuff.  Well, I know that I don't love what I see in the mirror any more.  

So, both sis and I are going on a sort of Atkins program.   Carb counting.  I have booked a vacation for myself in January where there will be a significant amount of walking, so every pound gone will make that easier.  I am going on a tour of Morocco.  

I am very fortunate in that I have a gym and indoor pool in my building so I will also make better use of them.  Sis and I are going to weigh in at each other's place, and keep a food diary together.

My ultimate goal is to lose 50 lbs, but anything will help by January.  Wish me luck.

Good Luck!

To be sure, I'm in the same boat. Right now I'm on a quest to lose 5 - 10 pounds in the next 3 months because my glucose level was elevated for the first time ever at my 6-month check up last week. Doc wants me to have another blood analysis, this time adding the A1c, in 3 months instead of my usual 6 months.

I KNOW what the problem is. When Dane was gone I ate all the things I had not had since he started his 'diet' last year....mainly potatoes (white potatoes). I wanted potato pancakes.....grated white potatoes fried in oil. I made them twice. Gee, why did I gain 5 pounds in one month????

So, I'm with you. I'm back at water exercise class three times a week. Off the white potatoes (except for an occasional meal) and trying to drink more water, which is not a favorite of mine. But I know it will help. For me, exercise is the key. I should do more but my knees and hips get painful if I try to do much out of the water. Dane belongs to a gym, the cost is covered by his healthcare plan. But my plan does not allow for the same. And the additional cost is not in my budget.

So, good luck to you, Lore. I know you can do it! It's fortunate you have your sister to 'buddy' with. That's always a great help for when self-control wanes. I know you'll be in great shape when it's time to pack for your upcoming trip!

I think you both can do it.  The trick is making up your mind to really go after it.  Once you start losing weight, it will inspire you to continue.  I was never overweight until about 20 years ago.  I'm 5'8" and got up to wearing a size 16 and was mortified by it.  Brian gained, too, so we were both overweight.  

I went out and purchased a very nice treadmill and a recumbent bike, as I made up my mind I was going to lose weight and I also quit smoking.  Well, I started coughing and coughing, much more than I'd ever coughed while smoking.  I was also so tired all the time.  I went to the doctor and after many months and lung surgery to remove a hunk of lung for a biopsy, I was diagnosed with a lung disease (sarcoid in one lung).  He prescribed massive doses of steroids and so I thought I was going to get huge and decided to go on a diet.  My lung doctor laughed at me and made fun of me to his staff, "Michelle actually thinks she's going to LOSE weight on steroids!"  Well, it was the best thing he could've done.  As Brian always says, don't tell me I can't do something or I'll do it just to prove you wrong.  

Since I was so hyped up on what began as 65 mg a day of Prednisone, I set my alarm for 4 a.m. every day, changed into workout clothes (I found this to be a must to get me going) and rode the bike for 30 minutes and then walked the treadmill for an hour.  I went so very slow on both in the beginning but got cranked up where I usually rode at 16-18 mph on the bike and walked a mile in about 8-10 minutes, where I walked a 23-minute mile when I started.  I also inclined the treadmill and kept it on a 3 (it went from 0 to 10 incline).  Occasionally, I tried to raise it but 3 suited me well from the beginning so I kept it there.

Steroids made me starving all the time but I tried to limit carbs as best I could.  I couldn't eliminate them completely, cause I was exercising too much and needed those carbs.  Every morning I ate no fat plain yogurt with 1 cup of Total cereal on top of it and some mornings I added fresh fruit if we had it.  It filled me up until lunch, which I usually made the night before to tote to work (sedentary job as a legal secretary/paralegal).  I would take a huge container of broccoli that I cooked in the microwave, often including boiled shrimp and a vinaigrette.  I also had half a can of Progresso low cal soups lots of days for lunch, as that was only 100 calories or less.  Something hot always tasted like a "real" lunch.  For dinner, I had meat and vegetables and tried to avoid the bad carbs.  Once I got used to it, it wasn't as hard as it was in the beginning.  You will lose your cravings for carbs if you go a couple of days without the bad kind.  

Well, I kept dropping weight, in the beginning a couple pounds in a week and then it it just kept coming off, always 3 to 5 lbs. a week.  Since I was exercising and muscle weighs more than fat, I knew it wouldn't fly off.  But I was also losing inches and people were telling me how good I looked, which really helped.  I bought some new clothes but got my older stuff altered down -- it was fun getting a jacket taken in, as I'd tell the lady to take it in a good bit at the waist.  Not only did I look smaller but my clothes looked super good, too.  

I lost 50 lbs. in 6 to 7 months.  The good news is I never gained it back.  I weighed myself every day and once I gained two or three lbs., (NO EXCEPTIONS) I would watch what I ate for a week until I got back to my ideal weight.  I wore a size 12 and looked super.  Since we were both still working, I bought tons of new stylish clothes and not only felt like a million bucks but I would get stopped by women in my building -- strangers -- who'd tell me how wonderful I looked, ask how much I'd lost and ask how I did it.  THAT makes you feel really wonderful, when strangers and clients tell you how great you look.  

Now, of course, weight is not a problem, as I have to watch that I don't lose too much with my illness.  I'm a size 10 on top but an 8 on the bottom.  God knows, I never thought I'd be in a size small pant!!!

But if I could do it while on steroids, anyone can do it.  It's tough to make up your mind but set a goal and DO IT.  Lore, I envy you your upcoming trip; that is a good motivator as well as having your sister to commiserate with.  Beth, you're a good cook and you can make it an adventure to eat better.  If you can't walk very far to exercise, just work your butt off when in the water.  And set a goal for yourself and a reward at the end.  You didn't move to Florida to end up getting diabetes and compromising your health and your retirement.  You moved there to enjoy your life with Dane and you can do this.  

Ready, set, GO, ladies!  Keep us posted and we'll not only keep you honest, but we'll try to keep you motivated.

My biggest problem to losing weight is my happiness in how I feel. OK, so it would be nice to be a size 12 instead of a 14 ~ but I hate clothes shopping (just about any shopping except food shopping) so the thought of losing enough to drop a clothing size holds no fascination for me.

If I drop the 5 pounds I put on last month due to my gluttonous behavior I'll be happy. My glucose level will drop back to an acceptable level and life will be good.

So, I'll join you, Lore, in changing our eating habits for a healthier life ~ for a little while anyway.

Michelle, I admire you! Your determination despite your medical issues is amazing! I mean it!!

Niagara and Beth, If I can do 20 lbs in 3 months, I know you guys certainly can.

I have pretty much eliminated all the bad (good stuff) from my life. No bread, except for croutons in my salads.. no chunk of cheese to munch on, no pizza, no ice cream..no additional salt.

I also pretty much stopped drinking coffee.. I am drinking green tea.. regular caffeinated in the morning and decaf after supper. 2 mugs a day;

I am also trying to keep my protein level up. When I exercise, I have a protein shake with almond milk. When I am running around during lunch time, I have a protein bar to munch on.. I do eat a lot of nuts. and have an apple with peanut butter for lunch.. and a lot of popcorn...

for supper it is a huge salad with some protein in it. I am having my tea and some sugarless candies for dessert.

If I can do it, with my low thyroid.. I am sure you guys can. I also have a bad knee, and my right arm is not so great either (shoulder, elbow) so exercising is somewhat limited.. too much treadmill is bad for the knee.. I cannot swim.. water therapy is out.. too expensive and hard to find around here.

I actually have to start back at the gym. I took too much time off from it. I was excited about the 20 lbs and wanted a break.. now I need to get back.. I have a lot more weight to lose.. I have an ideal number in mind, but I also have a different number which is much more realistic for me.. I will take any weight loss I can get, and be happy with that....

Beth, I joined Planet Fitness on the 0 money down, $10 a month plan.. it is the cheapest gym I know of.. and no one really cares about having personal conversations.. or making friends there... there are a lot of really elderly and some handicapped people there...

Good Luck...

The nearest Planet Fitness is a 25 minute drive for me ~ I know I won't drive that on a regular basis. What would be ideal is if our finance (insurance, also) guy can find a new medicare health plan for me that includes the gym membership, like a Curves membership. A lot of them do have that so he's going to shop around for me.

If it includes the Curves membership then I can get there by golf cart and I'm much more likely to use the equipment.

It's a known fact that men can (usually) drop weight much easier than women. So, Imelda, be very happy with your weight loss. It's better than trying to lose and gaining, instead!

(I've read about that happening to some women.....not ME, mind you, but strangers ~ LOL)

I know the feeling. About 3 years ago a friend sent a photo of me at a baseball game. I had a goofy hat and sunglasses on, but when I saw the photo, I didn't recognize myself in the photo. I was humiliated!!! I started working with a nutritionist and without even changing portion sizes, I lost 30 lbs in 6 months. I've been working on this way of eating for 3 years now and have lost a ton of weight. Every day is a struggle though and it can never be a diet but a way of life.

I know you can do it. I will be happy to offer any knowledge I have gained if you want it. If I can figure out how to post before and after photos, I'll do that.

I cant bring myself to post a before photo, but these are my 'before' shorts.  Also not sure why it's displaying sideways.

Thanks, I haven't taken a recent picture. It's too depressing.

bethk wrote:My biggest problem to losing weight is my happiness in how I feel.  OK, so it would be nice to be a size 12 instead of a 14 ~ but I hate clothes shopping (just about any shopping except food shopping) so the thought of losing enough to drop a clothing size holds no fascination for me.

If I drop the 5 pounds I put on last month due to my gluttonous behavior I'll be happy.  My glucose level will drop back to an acceptable level and life will be good.  

So, I'll join you, Lore, in changing our eating habits for a healthier life ~ for a little while anyway.

I hate shopping, too, Beth, but buying new clothes wasn't what I was aiming for. Alterations worked well but I'd always loved looking good in my clothes and since I had gained weight, I'd stopped buying anything 'cause nothing looked good. Of course, when you grow out of something, buying becomes a necessity. As Lore said, I really didn't like what I was seeing in the mirror! Plus, as time goes on, you have to update your wardrobe even if you don't like to shop. Luckily, I was very used to buying clothes online and when an outfit fit very well, I'd just look at that manufacturer's measurements (online info will give you bust, waist and hip measurements, in addition to others) and made sure other purchases had those same measurements. And I stuck to styles that I knew I not only liked but looked good on my body type/shape. Lots of places now offer free returns as well.

I sure didn't mean to imply you needed a huge weight loss but figured if your doctor was worried about pre-diabetes along with glucose, that it meant more than a 5-lb. weight loss. I just didn't think one month's eating behavior would cause that nor "cure" it, and that it was a signal to start getting healthier, with both diet and exercise. Good for you if you're only 5 lbs. overweight -- you can lose that in a heartbeat! Just keep your checkups close together if just being 5 lbs. overweight affects your overall good health, as that's playing it kind of close to impending illness.

Cyn, you've done super but get back on your bandwagon at the gym. Stopping to congratulate yourself too long or too often can only lead to disappointment. Given some of your physical limitations due to injuries, don't lose all the benefits you've already earned at the gym by staying away too long. You're doing super, BTW...

JanaAZ, congrats! You look wonderful! I agree that it's really about a lifestyle change. But doing it for a while really helps it become a habit, don't you think?

Lore, I have a feeling once you put your mind to something, you're going to succeed. You just made that impression on me. Your upcoming trip is a good motivator, especially considering the walking you'll probably do while vacationing.

Imelda, men do indeed lose faster but since it takes us a bit more work, it's got to be more appreciated. Plus the more work you do to take it off and learn a new way of eating to do that helps it stay off once you've reached a place you're content with.

Judy ~ that's a FABULOUS pic! You can really be proud of yourself.

And you and I do have similar ideas when it comes to cooking ~ we cannot give it up, it's as much a part of me as breathing. But instead of having it around and ingesting it, I make it and give it away. Oh, sure, I may taste but I don't keep temptation on the countertop to taunt me every time I walk near the kitchen.

And it's a great way to keep friends and neighbors happy!

Niagara Visitor wrote:Thanks, I haven't taken a recent picture.  It's  too depressing.

Notice I didn't post my before photo. But do take one so you can compare your progress. I also didn't take measurements when I started and I'm sorry about that too. You'll be happy you did when you can look back on this time.

Well, I guess I lied a little. I do have a recent picture, but it wasn't taken just for posterity. My sis and I talked about taking measurements and we decided that we'll just enjoy being able to fit better in the clothes that seem to have shrunk in the closets!

Niagara Visitor wrote:Well, I guess I lied a little.  I do have a recent picture, but it wasn't taken just for posterity.  My sis and I talked about taking measurements and we decided that we'll just enjoy being able to fit better in the clothes that seem to have shrunk in the closets!

I didn't take my measurements then either.  But years before, I took an aerobics class twice a week after work.  I wasn't really keen on doing it, but I wanted to get my body in better shape (we had a swimming pool then so you were on regular "display" -- nothing more telling than spandex surrounding your body!).  So I took measurements at the encouragement of my aerobics teacher to see if it really worked.  Now keep in mind that I worked my tush off at those classes -- when you had to kick, I kicked as hard as I could.  But after four weeks (8 one-hour classes), the results were astounding measurement-wise.  I'd lost several inches from several parts of my body (arms, thighs, waist, etc.).  Needless to say, I continued with the entire 8-week program.  And unlike my SIL, who took the classes along with me and my mom, I didn't go have a baked potato after class!  

I lost an entire dress size, though I was indeed watching my diet while taking the classes...