Hi Ladies,

Well as I had mentioned before I lost eleven pounds over x-mas. However I have taken some time off work and have managed to put seven back on. GRRRRRR! Well with renewed enthusiasm I've decided to get back on the weight loss bandwagon. We have a wedding to go to in June and I want to lose 40 pounds by then. There is also a pool at the inn we are going to stay at and I am determined to squeeze myself into this adorable cherry bikini I bought a couple of years ago and have yet to wear. ( I wish I could carry it around with me at all times as a reminder!) I have been good today. I have given up pop and am finishing up a breezy banana booster juice as I am typing this. Which got me to thinking how is everybody doing with their weight loss?

I can't seem to loose any weight no matter what I do. I exercise, lift weights, do yoga eat very very healthy but nothing. I think I am going to walk a little further than my two miles and see how that works. It has been totally frustrating.


Why don't you hang up your bikini where you can see it every day like in that one yogurt commercial. That might give you incentive.

Mopsy

I have lost about 10 lbs. Eating lots of vegies and fish, whole grains like oatmeal and limiting real bread to one or two servings per day. I so crave BREAD. I would kill for a piece of BREAD some days! I have not been able to exercise much because of some foot problems. I'm hoping those will get under control so I can walk more than 2 miles a couple of times a week! I heard on a talk show on the radio about a Leptin inhibiting supplement that is supposed to help with insulin resistance and weight loss. Right now there is only one company that manufactures and sells it. Mine should be here next week. It will be interesting to see if it helps. It is called IRVINGIA. Google it or PM me for info on who sells it. It was a medical doctor that recommended it.

Gracie and Mopsy,

Good to hear from you. Mopsy sounds like you are doing everything right! Have you thought about getting your thyroid tested? Great idea to hang up my bikini! My aunt recently sent us some pictures from x-mas.....yikes! I had tried turning sideways in them but there was no hiding my chest, stomach and booty! I think I will hang the bikini and carry around that picture!

Gracie, keep us posted if you find the supplement works!

Cheers girls

We started a "biggest loser challenge" at the school I teach at about 4 weeks ago. So far, I have lost about 10 pounds, I think...next weigh-in is Tuesday. I have been really watching what I eat, and eliminating most junk food. I have also cut way back on soda. I am walking on my treadmill almost every day, going 2.5 miles...hoping to up it to 3 miles soon.

Just this small loss and increase in exercise has made a difference in how I feel. I am sleeping much better, and it is so nice to get dressed every day and actually fit into my clothes, and in some cases have them actually loose!

OUr challenge ends in early May, but I hope to keep going and adapt this as a permanent lifestyle change. I used to think that because of my age and taking hormones, that I could not lose weight. I think I used those as excuses for just not trying! I really think I am on the right track now...and I can do this!

Good luck to all!
Di

Di,

Good for you! You'd be surprised how much weight you can lose by just cutting out soda! I have sleeping problems and hope the extra exercise helps my sleep as well!

Di,

Good for you! You'd be surprised how much weight you can lose by just cutting out soda! I have sleeping problems and hope the extra exercise helps my sleep as well!

Hey Ladies,

I would like to jump in here and hopefully tap your brains. I have been a lifter at gym for over four years and I also do cardio. I am very active. I usually watch what I eat. Last October when the Migraine headaches began and also when I started the Progesterone, I started to put on weight and it didn't matter what I did, I ballooned 13 pounds. Everything I have read it sounds like to try to lose weight now is hopeless. Back in October I can say that my eating habits got out of hand because of not feeling well with headaches. I definately decided my body is carb senstive, so I eat very few carbs. Because of what I have learned with eating I have gotten to a point I don't like certain foods now - pasta, bread, white rice and potatoes. I am definately going into menopause. The symtoms have excerbated themsleves the last 6 months and now my cycles have been skipping a month or going about every 6 weeks or so. So far I missed February and don't feel anything coming on.

Well I guess my point is, have you found going into menopause a hopeless time to lose weight, because your hormones and body are against you?

Sorry if I have posted this in wrong area. I am still trying to get around site since I am new. I am not major heavy, but those 13 pounds make things a bit tight.

Thanks for any insight you can give me. I will continue to seek answeers.

fitnesslady

Hi Fitness lady, I think it depends... :-)

I have been a fitness junkie since the age of 18. Working out at the gym, lifting weights and always watching what I ate. I turned 38 and started to pick up weight about 25# over a 4 year period. At age of 44 I went to WW and lost the 25# and was so thrilled.. swore I would never gain it back again.... but in a little over a year, I went through some very stressful times.. my son and brother were over in Iraq, my father passed away, my Gm passed away, my MIL was in the midst of lung cancer all this happened within 3 years of one another and I lived off chocolate and quickly gained all 25# back... Since then things have calmed down.. I gave up chocolate and went back to WW and continued to work out. I had always worked out.. it helped as much as chocolate with the stress.... yet in spite of all my efforts I have not been able to lose one ounce!!! Not one little ounce.. People say give up white flours... well I have. I haven't ate bread or pastas in over 2 years. I eat 98%. clean ALL the time... so yes.. there are women like us who can not lose weight in spite of all we do however... I can't give up. It's not in my nature and I also believe that my efforts have kept me from balooning to 50# over or even 75# over so... I keep on trucking... or is that tracking.. :-)

Sorry.. hit send too soon.

I do think there are other women our age who can lose. Perhaps at a slower pace than when they did when younger but still quite steady. What makes that difference? I don't know.. It baffles me and it baffles them. While I was losing at 44, I heard other women say they couldn't lose and I was quick to point out that they were doing it wrong... they should do it my way instead so.. it serves me right to have to listen to have others tell me the same thing now. :-)

Hey Carol,

Thanks for your encouraging words. I do keep plugging away at the gym I guess that is the driving force in me. I guess in a way I keep hoping for a little miracle with all my efforts. Maybe with Spring on it's way my attitude will change. I know I will never be fitness model, but I do want to look as nice as possible. I do have a few things against me at the time also - thyroid, adrenal fatique and now the lovely menopause. UGG! It's enough to drive us crazy and not much help in the medical community.

fitnesslady

I've wondered if it might be adrenal fatigue that makes the difference in ability to lose or not to lose. I had adrenal fatigue really bad a couple of years ago but feel like I am now recovering from it.

It is what it is though and all we can do is to continue doing all the right things and as you said, someday hope that that our efforts pay off. I confess though... I'm a dreamer and I'm still hoping for my 20 year old bod back.

FitnessLady, I'm in better shape now than I was in my thirties, and I'm also about six years post. I remember gaining a lot of weight in peri, about 30 pounds, and it came on very fast when before if I gained, I had to really overeat and almost TRY to gain weight. This time was different; the word "balloon" is very accurate. All of a sudden I was really overweight, and emotional about it to the point of tears, which now seems ridiculous. But at the time, it was not ridiculous and I didn't know what was happening. I had absolutely no energy, so even if I wanted to try and exercise, I just didn't feel like it, emotionally or physically. I do think that weight gain in peri and until you get to post meno is very common and normal. I'm not sure why, but it's something to do maybe with your body trying to conserve estrogen through retaining adipose tissue, and just having your hormones kind of going haywire causes everything to be "off" as well. We're also prone to emotional eating because we feel tearful and depressed, and that causes weight gain, and so forth.

Anyhow, I wanted to reassure you that once it all calms down (and it DOES), you can still get into the best shape of your life and nothing will stop you in post. I speed walk four miles a day now and feel great, and the speed walking helped me lose all the excess weight. Plus, I just feel more stable emotionally now that I'm post. I don't have a neurotic relationship with food anymore. In peri, I could be obsessed with whether or not to eat a whole package of cookies, and I'd argue with myself for hours about wanting to eat the whole package versus I shouldn't, and so forth, on and on, almost obsessively. Now, self discipline just comes naturally and I can accept not having something without all the mental arguing.

If you were in shape before, just ride this thing out. You may temporarily gain weight and feel that you are not exercising enough, but getting to post restores all the controls and you sort of come back into your mind again, and you will be in great shape again.

I decided to get motivated begining of 08. Never really been that much over weight but not too happy with the extra kilos I had gained over the years. Given up on the ciggies ten years ago so that was the start of my weight gain.. So start of 08 I stopped driving to work. Walked to the railway station got off one station before my destination then walk to work. I do the same coming home, I have a fairly active job, I feel there is no need for me to go to the gym or lift weights. I have cut down on alcohol only eat grain bread , fish and lean chicken , vegies pasta and rice. I was taking provera due to a fibroid, then had a merina iud placed even with progesterone I have lost 10 kilos. For a special treat I allow myself the odd chocolate now and again..

gizzie.

CSugarGrove,

Thanks for the encourgaing words. Actually I am in better shape then I was in my 30's. I got the excercise bug in my 40's and been pretty good at taking it off. Just the last few months I just started packing it on and couldn't even stop it. I haven't gained alot, but enough that it is making my pants and skirts tight. Frustrating for me because I do work hard, but I will admit going thru menopause has made me a little lax in gym and with my diet, so part of it is my fault. I am going thru this strongly now and I say this because my cycles right now have stopped. I know I am starting to get over the fence, but not there yet. Today I am so blue and don't feel like doing much of anything. It doesn't surprise me now to understand how many marriages are dissolved because of this. I don't like myself or at least what this has done to me and I can see, but can't stop it. At this point through I don't know whether it is my hormones, my thyroid hormones or my cortisol levels. They are all so tricky. I really need a vacation, but really don't want to go any where. Just what to hand out at home.

Well thanks for letting me whine. This site is helping thru some things my doctor doesn't seem to have a clue about.

fitnesslady

Just checking in with another update. We had our weekly weigh-in at school today, and I lost another 2.5 pounds, which brings my total to 12.5 pounds in 5 weeks. Believe me, if I can do it, anyone can! I was CONVINCED that my age and hormones kept me from losing weight. Turns out, once I started monitoring and really focusing on my diet...that I was eating way too much for my age and size. So many junk food calories...I am ashamed to admit, but it's true!
NOw I am very aware of what I eat and using my treadmill almost every day. NO MORE EXCUSES!

That's awesome work! I've been supporting this very same idea as well on this board. You must track every morsel of food (all macros as well) and activity DAILY to ensure you're in calorie deficit mode. We over estimate the amount of exercise we do and underestamte the amount of calories we take in. I hear this all of time: "I work out so much and hardly eat a thing and I'm still gaining or not losing weight!". Hmmmm.

The other thing that keeps you from losing weight is becoming cardio queens. Doing too much cardio and not enough muscle building (no you will not look like a man unless you inject steriods). Muscle mass revs up the metabolism, PLUS the body looks better (stand straighter, no saggy butt, etc).

I lost about 10 lbs in January and then kind of lost interest. I got reinterested last week (March 1) and I have lost 4 lbs. by watching what I eat and walking on my treadmill. My girlfriend is doing the WW points and she's lost 22 lbs over the last 6 weeks. The warmer weather here has inspired me to try again.

Good for you Smarty! That's exactly how I am doing it also. Watching my diet and walking on the treadmill. No, it is not easy, and I struggle many days. But seeing the numbers go down on that scale each week makes it worth it!

Keep up the good work!
Di

I started the south beach diet on Sunday, recommended by my BHRT doctor. So far already down 2 lbs. We had a meeting last night so had to eat out that was tough. I had to pick the carrots out of my salad, they didn't have any sugar free dressing so I used lemon, I had to scrape the rice off of my fish because they piled it on top of it and I passed the bread to my husband. It really is more food than I can eat on phase 1 dunno what I will do on the second phase introducing good carbs I struggle now to eat all that I am supposed to. My goodness I am eating a full breakfast, I never did that lol!

My doctor wants me to get my sugar from proteins instead of carbs so the SB diet was the closest I could get to that. I have only ever followed the WW plan years ago so this is kind of new to me.

I can't wait for it to warm up so I can walk!! I don't own a treadmill. I would LOVE to lose 35 pounds...hell I would be tickled to lose 1 pound!!

Well this morning the scale showed I am down three pounds in only four days, I am thrilled with this plan. They have a free 7 day trial on the website and honestly I think I have all of the information I need now to just continue on my own.

Hi ladies,

I've also lost a few pounds and some hair! Oh well it will grow back. They say it takes 3-6 months to fall out after a stressful period and let's face it x-mas can be so draining! My hair is quite thick but it seems to be thinning out more. Oh well worst comes to worst I'll buy a wig!

That is the downside to following a "specific" diet plan...there are so many situations where it is difficult, like eating a meal out for example. I have also heard from many people that once you stop following that specific diet plan, the pounds start going back on. Plus, I am such a picky eater...most would never work for me. For me...and I realize that everyone is different...it works best to cut calories and consumption and increase activity. My weight loss may not be a quick as on some plans, but I feel I am more likely to keep the weight off. JMO.

That being said...congrats on the weight loss and keep up the good work!

Di

Meh I am not a diet guru myself. This is giving me a new way of thinking because I do love to cook just wasn't sure what was good and what was bad for my particular circumstance. I didn't specifically start SB to lose weight (only 15lbs over weight as it is) I started it to help with the hormone issues one of those things being the way our bodies use and store the sugar. So we were eating healthy already but using pastas and grains which works for some folks. In my particular case it wasn't just cutting calories it was cutting starches which turn to sugars eventually. I think with any diet it is learning a new lifestyle if you "stop" the diet you didn't learn anything.

Kudos to you Di! I don't know why it took me so many years to figure out that I cannot follow a "diet plan". I am feeling much more satisfied and cheerful just avoiding junk food and I've been eating my meals on a salad plate instead of my dinner plates. The dinner plates I have are way too big and they make a "normal" portion look tiny. So I guess I'm trying to fool myself - but it's working and I'm not feeling deprived of anything.

One day at a time...

Smarty

Recipe I came up with tonight and it was scrummy.

Boneless skinless chicken breasts (divided one in half for hubby and I) Pour a can of roasted tomatoes (no extra sugar in the ingredients) on top along with mushrooms, green peppers, onion and any old cheap italian blend spices (roughly 1/8 of a cup) then bake for 40 minutes. I took two small zucchini and sliced them as thin as I could along the length and sauteed them in the skillet with about 2 tbs of olive oil, salt and pepper to taste and put a lil more italian seasoning on them. Dolloped a couple of tablespoons of ricotta on top of the chicken and sauce when it was nearly done. Serve the zucchini up as your base (pasta) and lay your chicken on top then pour on the sauce! Serve with a salad.

Down nearly four pounds as of today!

YAY!! Four pounds is a lot of fat! Sometimes if we don't lose 10lbs right off the bat we get discouraged, but 4lbs is perfect!

I made a big pot of turkey chili last night, and froze it for my lunches at work this week. Ground turkey breast, tomatoes, kidney beans, onions, peppers, chili powder. Just had some and it was DELICIOUS!

Hi,
Reporting in after my weekly weigh-in at school for our contest. I only lost one pound this week, which was kind of expected, since I didn't do real well over the weekend and I am a little constipated as well, However, I really kicked it up a notch on the treadmill this past week, so I was hoping for a little more!
I guess one pound is better than none or a gain...I am trying to stay optimistic here gals!

Keep working hard everyone!
Di

I have been a BIG FAT FAILURE!!!! Literally!!

I am going to start Weight Watchers in a few days. Maybe that will work.

I'm going to try a white chili (lol originally typed white child omg I must be really hungry!) Leanne, I think the spicy foods just make dieting so much easier. Without flavor we are bound to fail! Down five pounds now woo hoo! Hubby is down nine and he only eats my meals for dinner and on the weekend.

Di stick with what you are doing a pound is a pound lost...plus you are exercising so remember muscle weighs more than flabby fat!

I think I have been hungry enough to eat a small child at times, LOL!!!
Isn't it so unfair how quick men can drop the weight!???

Keep up the good work!

Di

Yes I was so proud of myself averaging about a pound a day and that big tall lug steps on there and goes "how much was I when we started this" I tell him and then he tells me what he is at...obviously I did the oh wow good for you all the while thinking damn why can't I have a Dunkin Donut every morning and drop twice the weight lol!

Did someone say DUNKIN DONUT??? I wonder if I click my heels 3 times and say "there's no place like Dunkin Donuts" I can dream of eating a dozen or so and STILL lose weight?? Toto?? Where are you?? Toto?? LMAO

Gimme a Krispy Kreme, a hot one ....gaaaahh!

I would like a cream filled one, with caramel icing...since we are dreaming up donuts here!

Regular old glazed for me with a white chocolate mocha full fat and sugar from Starbucks! We can day dream!

Tonight I sauteed some portabellos and on the other side of the pan I did fresh spinach with onions with a bit of red pepper, cajun spices and some fake butter spray. Topped the mushrooms with the spinach mix added skim mozzarella and crumbled turkey bacon on top. Good stuff, low in fat and no carbs or added sugars.

Jez, with all this talk of donuts, I am gonna end up eating a REAL one!! Having NO willpower!

How about talking about how delish some of your healthier choices are!! Like Bethanie did, that sounded interesting. I know you were just fantasizing....I am just so weak willed these days.

I hear eating a white child is good !

I haven't done as good over the weekend and the last two days because of appointments here and there and everywhere. I didn't see the scale move for 3 whole days. Proud to say this morning I am back down another .5 pound for a total of five and a half in ten days. Having an English fry up this morning. Two pieces of turkey bacon an egg and mushrooms, onion and tomato sauteed on the side to get my half cup of veg in for this meal. It is tough to eat like this not because it is a "diet" but because it is more food than I am used to and I never ate breakfast daily before.

Well, I am very depressed today, ladies. I had intensified my treadmill workout last week by adding in a little jogging to the routine, with intervals of walking. I am hoping it will help with the weight loss. Well, a few days ago, my right knee started hurting. It feels sore, painful, and tight. Many times when I get up from a sitting position, it will have to "pop' back into place, which is also painful.

I skipped the treadmill yesterday, hoping that a day off would make it feel better. Instead of better, it is actually worse this AM. It hurts walking around here at school, esp. on the stairs. My hubby says I should take some time off from the treadmill...but I am petrified to do so. I am afraid the weight will start coming back on! SHould I try working out later today to see how it feels???

I am so conflicted...and ticked off at my body. I had been doing so well, I am afraid of this setback. SHould I just work through the pain? Anyone every experience this???

THanks for listening...I welcome any advice!
Hugs,
Di

Di - I'm sorry your suffering with your knee. Maybe you should see your doctor and ask him/her if it's better to keep moving or rest it? I know ice sometimes help with the pain - ice it for 20 minutes at a time. Try not to be too mad at your body - it's trying it's best - you will get through this.

I am happy to report that I have lost 1.5 lbs since one week ago. I hope I can continue with this progress. It's hard!

Hugs,
Smarty

I have lost 14 lbs. since November, but not from dieting per se. I moved to a much more rural area (out of Houston and into Deep East Texas) where the fast food joints are 20 miles away rather than around the block. That alone was enough for me to lose the weight. I cut down on my favorite drink -- Coca-Cola -- for a month to see if I could do it and lost a little more (I'm back on those though, so the weight stopped dropping). And my new job (after 8 months of unemployment) is MUCH more physical than my previous positions. I'm working in a machine shop rather than a library, so I'm moving around LOTS more. The exercise has been good for my body, and I can feel my clothes getting baggy. Now if I can just cut down on the cookies for breakfast (had oatmeal w/ cranberries today) and whole cans of Pringle's chips for supper (another of my weaknesses)....sigh

I'm so proud of all of you for trying to get into shape. Remember though...the numbers on the scale aren't everything. It's more important how you feel and how your clothes fit than how many lbs. you've lost. Exercise builds muscle and makes you leaner, but since muscle weighs more, you might not have lost all that much weight, but you're leaner and trimmer and thus LOOK skinnier. A good sign of how good you're REALLY doing is by taking your measurements. You may have lost more than you think you have. It means something if you can get or keep your cholesterol and BP down as well.

Good luck girls!

Thanks, Smarty! My knee feels just a tad better this AM after two days off the treadmill. Of course, I haven't gotten to school and been on my feet all day yet! I might try a light workout after I get home, depending on how it feels. I know I should not push it...but now that I am used to the activity, it is hard to go without it!

Congrats on the weight loss, Smarty! Keep up the good work! And good for you, Webalina...I too have cut way down on the soda.

Hugs,
Di

I have lost 10 1/2 lbs. since mid January. Not record-breaking, but going in the right direction and amazing because I have not been able to exercise much. It seems my rate of weight loss has increased since starting the Irvingia 3/4. Will keep you all posted!

No you are not a failure.. NAUGHTY NAUGHTY for saying that.. You are joining weight watchers.. Good on you!!!

gizzie

It's Monday and weigh-in day at school for our Biggest Loser Challenge. I was very nervous, since I have had to cut WAY down on my treadmill use due to my knee pain. Well, I lost 1.4 pounds...which is less than I would have liked, but it is still a loss! Each week I have lost something...so I am trying to stay positive here!

It has just slowed way down from the first few weeks, but I guess that is normal. Losing slowly is the best way to keep it off, right?? Notice how I am trying to stay positve here!? I need to lose another 1.5 to get under 140 pounds...so that is my next goal. I really hope I can do it this next week...but I don't know how much I will be able to exercise with this knee pain. I am trying to get at least a light workout in most every day...but some days it just hurts to much!

ANy words of encouragement would be so much appreciated right now!

Hugs to all of you,
Di

Seriously, the slower you take it off the more likely you are to KEEP it off! 1.4 is AWESOME!! Think of it as 1.4 pounds of butter! That's A LOT OF FAT!! Just stay the course Di, and it WILL come off. I think you're doing GREAT!!!!

XOXOXOXOXOX

Leanne, I like the way you think!
1.4 pounds of butter...that sure puts it in perspective!
I guess I am just an impatient person...but I have lost 15 pounds in 7 weeks, so that is something to be proud of!

Thanks for the encouragement!

It's Monday morning again...just had my weekly weigh-in for our contest. I had a very good weekt this week...I lost 4.4 pounds! About time, after two slower weeks! I have been using the treadmill, but not with the intensity I was doing when my knee pain started. I am also wearing a knee brace to help support the weak knee...it helps somewhat.

I have now lost 19 pounds in the past 8 weeks...a miracle for me. I was convinced that due to my age and being on HRT, that I could not lose weight! I am happy to prove myself wrong. It just takes dedication and hard work. If I can do this...anybody can!

Next week we are on Spring Break...so I hope I am not tempted to cheat, since there won't be an official weigh-in here at school. I will have to hold my own weigh-in and make myself accountable!

HOw's everybody else doing this week????

Hugs,
Di

Woohoo! 3 more lbs. off as of Saturday. That makes 17 lbs. since November. Slowly but surely...