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Loser Thread-Feb. 4th week

1K views 26 replies 10 participants last post by  BethR 
#1 ·
I haven't seen a thread started for this week yet. How is everyone doing. Did you guys watch The Biggest Looser last night? I loved the cooking. Great challenge. And at the end of the show, they showed how Jackie looked. She looked amazing!!! I really liked her and very happy she continued with her weight loss after the show.<br><br>
Me, I am continuing to do great. I am very proud of myself and continue to see this eating journey of mine as a lifestyle change rather than a diet. DH even told me last night how great I was looking in my jeans! And he wants to go shopping at Whole Foods. YEAH.<br><br>
One thing I have added this week is taking out alcohol. I don't drink tons but a glass or two of wine 4-5 days a week. It's the two that kill me and ususally after I have one I want the second. I miss the wine but am sleeping a little better and feel better.<br><br>
I have been weighing in on monday mornings. This monday: 159.8!!! Very happy to see that 5 in there!!! I started at 166.8.<br><br>
So, now that you have all read my "book" how are you doing?
 
#2 ·
Kristine: Super duper congrats! You are doing well. Wine is my nemesis too. When I am trying to lose I try to cut it out during the week. It's hard cuz I am not a "1" glass girl....more like one bottle.....LOL<br><br>
I weigh in on Fridays.....not expecting a loss this week since I went crazy at the super bowl party....OMG...but planned on it anyway.....by next week should see a loss.<br><br>
Keep up the great work, you are doing awesome! Love that DH likes you in your jeans......great work! <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">
 
#3 ·
Good job Kristine!!<br><br>
I am down to 258.2 I started logging all the foods i eat this week for the nutrionist to look at. It is actually going to do me good doing this. I can see i eat a whole lot more crap than what i thought i did. I just wish DW wouldn't buy those cookies from the bakery at the store they are my kryptonite right now.
 
#4 ·
That is fantastic Kristine. <img alt="wav.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wav.gif"><br><br>
Julie, I am with you, I will find a way to have my wine and still lose. I also drink only on the week-ends when in losing mode, but there is no way I will cut it out completely. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br><br>
Eric, if you are losing with cookies you must doing something right.<br><br>
Me, down .5 today, may get it down to 1lb by Friday. Total loss to date is 6.5lbs.
 
#6 ·
236. I'm making no progress. Time for me to shell out $ for nutritionist and log my food. That should do the trick! I think maybe I'll go do the stair-stepper - 400 in a row and give my body a preview of 6/8/8
 
#7 ·
<i>Time for me to shell out $ for nutritionist and log my food.</i><br><br>
What is a nutritionist (in detail)? Obviously I've a rough idea, but I'm interested in the thinking here. Is it best thought of as "coaching for what you eat" ?<br><br>
(I've done weight loss alone and know it's tough).
 
#9 ·
The scale isn't budging much for me, at least not on weigh-in day. I started 1/1 at 225 and this week I am at 221. I was 221.2 last week. Last week was a step back week and I am not eating the way I should. I am a stress eater and I have been feeling so hungry lately. I just don't have it in me to be disciplined right now. I am feeling too low on the hierarchy of needs. At least now when I stress I want to run more so there's no lack of motivation there. My does it have to be so hard. 30lbs seems like so much. I must have SAD or something.
 
#10 ·
What they've done for me is to help show me the obvious. Seriously, sometimes even the smartest people (which I was I was but I ain't) need that. I log my food for a few days before, then we review it. We talk about goals (weight loss, racing, etc) and work to find modifications to what I am doing to hit those.<br><br>
For me, it's like racing - a checkpoint that if I don't have, I won't work as hard at. So it's accountability I guess.<br><br>
So I will sign up.
 
#11 ·
Pete<br><br>
My nutrionist is helping me lose weight by testing for my BMR then setting out a diet i can have. I also get some supplements from her. I was a bit leery at first. I have had to change my whole way of eating. She is helping a lot i get unlimited email support which i use alot at least once a day if not more. She is also a tri athlete and is helping with my sports nutrition.<br>
BTW she has me on a wheat and gluten free diet. Which i am starting to come around to. Although i do cheat on it,i am doing so less frequently now. Maybe 2 times a week. She has helped me go from drinking about 64 oz of water a day to 120 oz a day basically by telling me that is what i need. The health plan i have at work has a nutrionist but i didn't get a good vibe from her so i went out on the town and have to shell out money for the one i have now. I probably spend about 200 a month on the nutrionist and that includes the supplements. She has me logging my food now on a program she gave me and i am realizing there is still room for alot of help in my eating habbits.<br>
I know some can probably do this stuff on their own but i need some one to be held accountable to.
 
#12 ·
If it (having a nutritionist) is what works for you then I say all power to you! Good luck.<br><br>
If you've had a nutritionist before, and it hasn't worked, then I dunno: where's the logic?<br><br>
my recent history: I was a couch potato and 203lbs last April. (5ft 9, so not "obese" but well overweight). The imminence of a beach holiday in july made me want to lose weight and I dieted: not a crash diet, but no junk, or bread or much fat and managed to lose 16 lbs by early July. While I was away on holiday I decided to start running again, and when we got back that's what I did. Because i had knee problems before I decided to cross-train more than before, and that led me to try triathlon. Not actually done a tri yet, but i am training. Weighed 157 this morning (six months since the holiday, or 10 months since I resolved to lose weight).<br><br>
I don't want to sound like a smart ar5e (and I know there's nobody as zealous as the recent convert), but I am deeply suspiscious of the guru-culture that i think grows around many things. Diet/weight problems seems to me an area where there are experts and there are experts but it's often snake-oil stuff. I mean: There is no more to it (really) than calories in versus calories out. Need telling: What to eat, when to eat ??etc. i don't think so. If you're smart enough to turn on a computer, you know that fries/pizzas/curries/meat-sandwiches (burgers) = calories. Fruit, nuts, fish, Veg = food worth eating. Portion size. Exercise. Drink lots of water. Avoid fizzy drinks. etc etc etc. Nobody can justify $$$ for this stuff.<br><br>
Without getting all psycho babble to people I don't know: The accountability thing of a nutritionist is an unnecessary crutch. Sorry if this sounds harsh. But you cannot outsource the "wanting it". Or the desire. Whatever you want to call it. If you want it, do it. If you don't, then don't (and there's nothing wrong with being whatever shape and size you want to be - don't take sh1t from thin people!!!). But if you can do it with a nutritionist, you can also do it without, just as easily. And if you don't want it, you wont.<br>
Only my opinion, but I think the hard part is the day-to-day patience required to lose (a lot of) weight. Took months/years to go on, will take months/years to come off. and that requires focus every day. and it's hard. But you don't need a nutritionist (or a random forum poster like me!) telling you <i>how</i> to do it, cos you already know. Save the $$ and get a tri bike when you've lost the lbs!!<br><br>
cheers. (In no way is anything meant to be preachy. I really know you can do it, once you decide to do it).
 
#13 ·
Pete, something that (for me) I found is having the external accountability is the "support system" that helps get me moving again in the right direction, then hold it for long enough for it to become a "habit" and then I remove them from the picture and see if it stuck. Most of the stuff does, some doesn't. I was 322, down to 235 (5ft9in). At that weigt, I think it's reasonable to say I was "Addicted" to food and poor lifestyle.<br><br>
With any addict, having external support systems improve the chances of success dramatically. Be it in the form of nutritionist, family, friends, work, logging your food (so the computer adds up the evil you threw into your gullet!) whatever. I consider myself a smart guy, but if I'm truly smart - then how did I get to 322lbs in the first place? Denial. The external support provides the "hey dummy, stop cramming X into your face NO IT IS NOT HEALTHY". It's amazing the things which have "Crept" back into my diet over time. Stuff I NOW consider unhealthy which I USED to consider my "MOST HEALTHY" food. Truly scary.<br><br>
You're right though, the stuff isn't rocket science. Ultimately it's all calories in vs calories out. Calories Out => I went from couch to Olympic distance tri (2 years) and lost 50lbs before I FINALLY admitted I had to address Calories In. So I went from fast food 6 days/wk (2x/day some days) down to 2-3, then 1-2, then 0. But it took time.<br><br>
The nutritionist helped in suggesting bridge ideas. For example... if I'm going to eat at McDonalds for breakfast (cringe) then how about you change from 2 Egg McMuffins to 1 with a side of scrambled eggs (did you know you can order just that?). Then let's drop the Egg McMuffin. Then let's drop eggs every day, how about a peanut butter bagel (from Natural Ovens - those ROCK). And so on. The transition is easier for addicts to ACCEPT and SUCCEED than cold turkey - which has a higher relapse rate.<br><br>
this doesn't even address the emotional eating issue, which is a huge issue for women but can affect men too, which is not a big issue for me. but logging your food and emotions and tracking the comparison is very helpful. And having someone else question the heck out of you and not buy any of your denials, is critical.<br><br>
So, I guess my point is that if you're not an addict - then maybe you don't need elaborate support systems and a systematic progression of working towards better choices. I think the definition of an "addict" is someone who truly WANTS something but simply cannot implement it. Call it weakness, call it disease, whatever - it is what it is. Many people are just "fat" (or fatter than they should) because they got lazy/complacent in their choices. If you're not an addict, just stopping making those bad choices isn't so hard - so think about it, stop it, and you'll succeed.<br><br>
I do get nervous when a nutritionist pushes supplements, IMHO they should be pushing you to eat the right things. Only if they cannot get you to DO that should you consider supplements (again, my opinion) and you should not be buying them FROM the nutritionist. I feel the profit motive makes them too biased and it makes me cynical. I also don't like some of the foo-foo-voodo that some of them are into... massage therapists too... man some of this new age crap is just not for me but that's for another day's rant... <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>
Everyone here, just remember, regardless of your choices, we're here to support you and be your biggest fans <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> We all have a common goal, so PLEASE speak up and give your thoughts. Pete may not agree with the use of nutritionists but I am GLAD Pete was comfortable speaking up and stating his mind. Many Paths... one mountain! We'll all get their but by expressing our thoughts and ideas someone else out there could learn and lose - so spread the knowledge, you may just be unlocking the secret for success that someone out there needed!
 
#14 ·
Erik - 120oz is a lot, but many of us big guys can handle it and could possibly even benefit. To make sure you are no over-doing it, your urine should be a light-yellow. If it is TOTALLY clear MOST of the time, then you're taking in too much. If it is dark yellow or just very yellow, then it may not be enough still. I've had kidney stones so I am a bit of a urine-nazi - I need to pee roughly 3 liters (~100oz) a day to mak sure I'm going to stay stone free - which means I need to take in much more ~140oz (some gets lots in your breathing and sweat). But Dr has me watching the urine because if it's clear all the time, it coule mean I am over-hydrated and puts me at risk for hyponatremia. As you start racing longer distances, this is an even bigger concern.
 
#15 ·
I think you know yourself so well that you'll get over the hump. Almost sounds like you're on a "loss break" more than anything ?? Then you'll kick on again. This sounds like a minor pause in a successful campaign.<br><br>
Interesting you mention supplements and that these are sometimes offered by the nutritionists. i hadn't realised that was a possible part of the process. Sounds a bit scarey ?? We're already (as a society - "the West" for want of a better term) so quick to go the medication route it seems insane when you say it out loud: Get on pills (with god knows what long term side effects) to be a normal shape and size?<br><br>
good luck, and in % terms <b>you are already way over 50%</b> of what you're ultimately going to do (bit of educated guessing going on there, but you know what I mean!!). Not only - <i>you can do it</i> (which sounds trite, or lightweight: like a Nike Ad!!) - but more realistically and truthfully, <b>you have done by far the hardest part</b>, you decided you wanted to and made most of your way there!!<img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif">
 
#18 ·
Official weigh in this morning is 235.<br>
Today I shall log my food. Let's see what crazniess has snuck back into my diet. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>
I'm going to commit to 3 days of logging. We will see how that goes. If it goes well, I may restart what I did in the past which was log up into a major race. I have about a month until my first race of the year, that might not be bad.... <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br><br>
And Pete - yeah, the magic pill concept is VERY tempting to people, especially Americans, as we are a quick-fix society. That's exactly what got ME into the weight. McDonalds and other "quick" meals which actually do more harm than good. Scary. I have 2 masters degrees, but yet I was stupid enough to fall for that? Just amazing. Truly amazing.<br><br>
And yes, I shall suceed at this, on a lifelong basis. Going on 4 years solid with no major relapses/weight gains (several minor, but I'm not going to stress over them... ) I feel I have integrated this into my lifestyle. After multiple Half Iron races, I have nailed the excercise. The eating remains a challenge, one which I shall beat as well.
 
#19 ·
one could argue by Pete's logic that since all of the information is "out there" for you, there's no need for a coach to help you manage your training/workouts. All you need to do is research, and have the desire.<br><br>
While I know that for some people (and Pete, congrats on a huge change) it is as easy as "calories in < calories out", the unfortunate fact is that for many, including myself, it's not that easy. I know EXACTLY what I need to do to lose weight... after all, I've lost probably hundreds of pounds over my life. The key isn't what's needed to lose weight, the key is what's needed to KEEP losing weight, to get to a healthy weight, and to maintain that.<br><br>
I can tell you exactly what I'm doing wrong - exactly. The trick for me is doing the right thing enough to successfully lose the ridiculous amount of weight I need to lose (right now: 240. estimated happy weight: 160-ish). Can <b>I</b> do it without help? I'm beginning to think not. I just need to figure out what form that help is going to take.<br><br>
Just like there are people who are successful with their athletic goals without a coach, there are people who are successful with their weight loss goals without a coach. But there's no shame in needing the help.
 
#20 ·
There are so many reasons people gain weight or fail to lose weight. (it all boils down to the calories in < calories out, but why we eat more than we need is the big issue).<br><br>
For me, it's a little bit of emotional eating, taking my mind away from stress or being tired. I mentioned this before, but I will again in case it will help anyone. I got a book from the library: Shrink Yourself: Break free from emotional eating. It was pretty helpful - finding that space between when you feel stressed and you reach for food and stopping to think if you are really hungry or not. It's all about reprogramming your brain, getting to the real issue of why you are eating (they refer to it as a food trance). The author says that no amount of willpower, dieting, denying yourself... will help you lose weight if you don't get to the real issue of why you are eating too much. And, that's helped me to put it into perspective. I gained 20 lbs when we moved and renovated a new house. And, I generally have a hard time losing weight (sometimes even not gaining) during more intense tri training - in my case, it's related to stress, and/or being overly tired.<br><br>
Just something else to consider. The book has all kinds of actual exercises that you may do with a real life counselor or mental healthcare professional. I wasn't so deligent about doing all of them, but the book was still thought provoking and worthwhile.<br><br>
So, in terms of my weigh in - waiting to head over to the Y at lunchtime then I'll check back in.<br><br>
Congrats to you guys who are doing so well! Nice to see everyone staying on track.
 
#21 ·
Pete;<br><br>
I agree with your logic. I see people doing all sorts of weird diet things. I have a friend who does a "cleanse" a couple times a year which is basically a 10 day freaking fast. Makes no sense to me, water cleanses your system, not starving yourself to death.<br><br>
But some people need a little guidence. Especially those with serious food problems, stomach issues. A friend of mine was sick all the time, she finally figured out she developed a intolerance to wheat. Those types of things can be helped by a nutritionist. I have spent a lot of time in the last month on the computer trying to learn more about food since I am totally changing my eating habits. Yes, it could have been as simple as stop eating at McDonalds with my kids and make a bowl of soup at home but I wanted to learn more about whole foods, learn how to make good but simple stuff at home. It would have saved me a lot of time if a nutritionist to do it for me. Time is money right?
 
#22 ·
Em73,<br><br>
I don't agree that a nutritionist is to weight loss what a coach is to athletic performance. It seems a misguided analogy.<br><br>
In my opinion (and only opinion - I'm not saying I'm right) I think a nutritionist can offer at best a neutral utility. ie, they will do <b>no harm</b> for the highly motivated individual who has decided they will make a difference to their own lifestyle and weight loss. Therefore that a nutritionist is involved is not a problem (as such), but is also, only "neutral" (as the person concerned would have done it anyway).<br>
I also believe that for some people the spending of $$$ on the problem is seen as action (in itself) when it's not (it's peripheral to the decision to make the change). I think certain personality types could use a nutritionist as a <i>replacement</i> for the only solution (self knowledge/action) and in this case the idea of a nutritionist couls actually be a negative thing.<br><br>
This differs fundamentally from the use of a coach for athletic performance. He or She will be at worst neutral (if the athlete doesn't follow the guidance then imporvement wont follow presumably) and at best will make a positive difference to the motivated athlete. I personally don't believe in/see the utility of coaching in sport for me, but can see why others would <i>whatever their standard</i>.<br><br>
My main point - is that it is as simple as calories in/calories out for <i>everybody.</i> That's just human physiology. And it's only physiology that determines weight.<br><br>
The psychology part of the behavioural aspects <i>are</i> different for everybody presumably ?? I don't pretend to be an expert on other people. i only know what i've been taught about the physics bit of the energy transfer stuff.<br><br>
So I don't want to be misunderstood: I'm not saying informational access is good enough for everything and that all coaching is redundant. i don't believe that.<br><br>
I <i>do</i> believe that I am a distinctly average human being and that information plus will plus patience was enough for me and is therefore enough for anybody. If you have <i>further to go</i> from your start point then you'll need more patience because it will take longer, but again, that's already known. What I didn't do, was to worry about the total i was going to (have to/want to) lose. all you can do is go for a daily win. decide that tomorrow will be the same weight, or less than today (and then enjoy the process and the win!!). That's the hardest part initially but then the fun part. Nobody else can do it for you is all i'm really saying. GL.
 
#23 ·
Pete you raise a really good point regarding the nutritionist (man I love a good DEBATE, you learn all sorts of neat things when people "argue" rationally - as this thread is going!)<br><br><i>I think certain personality types could use a nutritionist as a replacement for the only solution (self knowledge/action) and in this case the idea of a nutritionist couls actually be a negative thing.</i><br><br>
This is profound. Depending on where you are on the "self awarness" (as I will call it) scale you're right.<br><br>
On the low end of the scale, where you have no clue what to do, what to eat, and how to start- I think bringing in a cadre of professionals (coach, Drs, nurtirionist, etc) is absolutely essential. Why? because people get overwhelmed. There is just TOO MUCH OUT THERE and you don't know where to start and it fizzles people's brains and they just don't start.<br><br>
As they get some help and guidance and start down the path to self awareness, I think several of these professionals can and should be jettisoned. Which will depend. Personally, I nuked the Dr's first. Once I had addressed to 10 or so various health issues which I had ignored for the last X years and either knew the answer (lose weight) or or got the solution (i.e. orthotics) or was on the path (i.e. excercise regularly) you HAVE to be able to dump them one at a time. STOP using them as a crutch and get onto self-sufficiency.<br><br>
And the far end of the spectrum would be self-awareness where you don't need anyone's advice and you know everything there is to know. Clearly this is an ideal and nobody probably gets here, but it's a goal we all strive for.<br><br>
So the question at hand, with those who were talking about nutritionists is... are they a necessary tool for your development OR are you ready to stand alone? That's a good point and good question, one each person would have to ask themselves.<br><br>
what I have done is simple expand the intervals between usage of said professionals. I didn't see the Dr's all year last year, except for an insurance required checkup. Year prior to that it was maybe 8 visits. Prior to that, maybe 30. This year, I'll check in with 3 of them (podiatrist- my orthotics are dying, Kidney Stone guy - I think I may have formed another, and General - checkup). I didn't see the nutritionist all year last year and I stalled, so I think the act of going should help me be honest with my eating again and get restarted... and so on.<br><br>
On another point:<br><i>I do believe that I am a distinctly average human being and that information plus will plus patience was enough for me and is therefore enough for anybody.</i><br><br>
I think this works for normal people. However, there are MANY people who are <b>addicts</b> to food. A personality defect which prevents them from making those rational chocies. Secondly, there are a lot of emotional eaters. If they cannot contain their emotions, it weakens their resolve and they choose poorly knowing right there and then that what they are about to do is BAD - but do it anyway. Psych side of things. And I would gander a guess that FAR more women are in this category than men - and from your screen name, I'm going to guess you're a dude not dudette and therefore may not have seen this in play - because it doesn't affect you.<br><br>
For me, I'd say I'm on the fence as to whether I am a food addict or not. I think I probably am a recovery food addict.<br><br>
Interesting thoughts pete thanks for your posts!
 
#25 ·
This is just a personal observation not a reply to any particular post:<br><br>
I think it takes a lot of strength to get help. I haven't found that strength yet. I know I am a food addict and it's probably just a symptom of something deeper. I applaud those who can not only recognize they have an issue but then take that step to get help. I am not saying there aren't people who can conquer issues by themselves but for those who can't getting help is really hard to do and they should be applauded for having the strength to reach out and not just turn inwards.
 
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