For most of my life, I was pretty thin - stick thin in my 20's and 30's, then I had to work on it. Now, as a woman of a certain age, my weight is a daily struggle, and removing the 30 or so pounds that stands between me and my favorite outfits is an elusive goal
OK, so I'm at the beach. It's bathing suit time. And while I've been to the beach a few times, it's been early in the morning or late afternoon in shorts and a t-shirt. Today, I finally pulled on my bathing suit and headed for the sand and surf. And I felt a little self-conscious. I just decided that I am officially overweight.
When I stopped worrying about what I looked like and started to notice other beachgoers, something happened. I was not the fattest person on the beach - not even close. Virtually everyone who was not an obvious teenager looked out of shape and - forget the asthetics - unhealthy!
Both of my sisters, the sharers of my gene pool, are struggling, too. And they are both into the Skinny Bitch diet. My sister, Joan, has been doing a modified version of it, and she's shed about 15 pounds in the last three months. My other sister has embraced the extreme macrobiotic version, and I'm not sure how she has done, but it may be too rigid for me.
Now, it's easy for me to implement a business plan for my real estate business. I have a good plan and I just do it. But changing my relationship to food is tricky.
The last time I lost weight, I went to an evil genious doctor who had me on an entire medicine chest full of perscription drugs. When I decided that I didn't want to be a druggie, I regained every ounce that I'd lost!
So, like many of the people I noticed on the beach today, I need a plan. It's got to be a combination of diet and exercise, I know. The exercise part I can figure out, but the diet part just eludes me. The old cutting out either carbs or fat thing isn't working. Maybe I'll have to add Skinny Bitch to my beach reading - which so far is mostly reading blogs.
OK, somewhere on Active Rain there has to be a weight loss group! And anyone who wants to offer any coaching -
So right now, Charlie, my young vacation buddy, and I are watching "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I'm ready to commit a random act of violence for a Hershey kiss!
Patricia, why didn't you give us a picture of you and sisters on the beach instead of that man in his pjs! lol
Patricia I recently posted How Healthy Are You? And here I talk about my own struggle and the importance of health in order to fulfill my business plan. I take Juice Plus. It really helps!
I hear you! I think about this every day, and I just can't seem to get motivated. I eat less than I ever have...and weigh more. Getting older should be more fun!
The real secret is: If it tastes like crap, you can eat all you want; if it tastes good, you can't have any. The real problem with all the diets is that as soon as you go back to your old ways, you gain it all back, plus more.
I think eating less is half the battle- restaurants put way too much food on the plate. Take half of it home to eat some other time. And exercise means breaking sweat- something that ruins my makeup! I think I'd rather eat less than sweat. Alot of help I've been!
Pat- I too have put on weight as I have 'matured' and thinking about it had become part of my daily routine. last January I just decided to do 3 squares and quit the couch eating at night or at the computer. Along the way I said I would win the week if I was good 5 out of 7 days. By June I had dropped 30 lbs.
Patricia- Through my 40's, I was also stick thin and my favorite food was spaghetti. People would ask how I could eat so much of it and still stay skinny. I had all my prepared lines: "if you eat enough of it, you begin to look like it.", "if you line it up when you swallow, it doesn't make any bulges."
I realize, by most standards, I'm still considered thin. But, if I could just lost ten pounds I would get a whole new wardrobe. In fact, it's waiting for me...hanging in the closet, right now. If you find that perfect diet, let me know.
Pat, after my son Max was born, I put on a little weight. Six 6 to six 8, to size 10, then I started buying size 12s and I figured it was time to pay attention. I went to Weight Watchers. I think their diet is the most sensible because it is not rigid. I also gave myself a lot of leeway. I never counted the butter or cream cheese on my bagel or the mild in my tea. Grapes were 1 point for a cup, so I figured that a glass of wine was about a cup of grapes. I had some fun with it and lost about 16 pounds. I actually got down to a size 6, but I am more comfortable and happier in a size 8. I will be 50 years old in about 15 months, so I am learning to live in my middle aged body. I exercise 3 to 5 times a week, I garden, I love to eat, I drink wine. I get weighed every day and on a good day, I am down 5 pounds. Summers are hard because I tend to hold that 5 pounds that sits on my belly. I am at the point where I need to cut out the regular soda and stop taking seconds again, but I know that when I need to, I will. Good luck. I think that on the whole, we women are way too hard on ourselves and we should accept the inevitability of some of the changes that happen as we get older and concentrate instead on being fit, not thin.
Take Tai Chi ( a form of martial arts). Its very low impact and has been proven to improve health (including managing one's weight). I have managed to keep my weight at around the same level for the past 5 years, and has helped me with my lower back problem.
Funny, Mary Jo Schaffer said "restaurants put way too much food on the plate" and I had to look at where she is, geographically. Texas. Dining out in Northern California can break the bank, or can have you leaving a little hungry. There is a lot of "white space" on the plates in most restaurants around here. :)
We are all in the same boat , so to speak. Enjoy the beach and don't worry (too much). :-)
There is an AR Fit Club. Lots of nice people there. You said you didn't want to cut just carbs or fat and such, but have you thought about just cutting out one thing? I cut out "bread" in 2000. I didn't cut out carbs because I live on pasta and rice and love fruits and veggies which all have carbs. I cut out just bread for 6 weeks straight. No pizza, no bagels, no donuts, no sandwhichs (though I use the lettuce as the outer bread layer) and just anything with enriched white flour, which does include cookies and brownies too.
I figured if I gave up just one thing, I could do that. I didn't quite make 6 weeks, but I made it 24 days. On day 25, the guy I was dating made cookies, and I had 4! But, in those 24 days, I lost 12 pounds. Over the next year, I ate bread every so often and total lost 33 pounds. It is now 8 years later, and it's my "way of life." It's not a "diet". I added bread in when I was pregnant last year and gained over 60 pounds, but lost it all in 5 months when I took most of the bread back out. I still occationally eat bread, like I had PB&J for a snack today, but overall, I do not eat sandwhiches or bagels, or anything heavy heavy in the enriched white flour.
Try it for a month and see what happens. It beats the heck out of trying to follow silly recipes and buying special foods. By the way, when you eat a hamburger without the bun, you have much more room for more fries and the frosty!
Pat, I was at the cardiologists office today and we discussed my weight, and the abundance of it. I had one doc tell me to go to the nutritionist, but the doc today wants me to do weight watchers. He said he thought it is more beneficial than a nutritionist. I think there is a weight watchers group here at AR? I am going to do it online, I am tired of being frustrated, mad and embarrassed. I am doing it.
Barbara, there is no freakin' way I will pose on the beach in my bathing suit! I'm pretty sure my sisters share that sentiment! And those are not PJ's. They are an inappropriately worn jogging suit!
Nanette, I just read your post and bookmarked it for the juice link. I'll order some when I get home.
Cait, I can't really say that I eat or drink less than ever! I want the magic fat pill!
Jim, that's a very good rule of thumb!
Mary Jo, I'd rather sweat than starve!
Martha, I think that taking the week is a great concept! Buffini uses it for following a business plan.
Marilyn, I hear you when you talk about the fabulous wardrobe already hanging in the closet!
Susan, my drink of choice is now club soda with pomegranite juice (no sugar added). I think diet and regular soda are both pretty nasty.
Patricia,
Running around with three children I thought was activity, but a few months ago I realized how sedintary and lax I had really become.
I now am attending a karate class with my son one day a week and I work out at home 5-6 days/week. With my on demand cable channels and dvds easily rented, I cannot make any excuses. The results make me push on even on days when I am not feeling it.
Plus, since I work out at home, sometimes my young children try exercising with me, which is fun.
Time- I used to use it as an excuse, but I don't, not anymore.
And the best thing is, I am teaching my kids healthy habits and I feel great.
I'm back working out (again) and hope I stick with it. LOL blogging has killed my diet...I need to get away from the computer and move more.
Patricia, I have been fortunate to have good genes but somehow with "the change" my body has changed also. I have a pile of Capri's in my closet that I cannot wear. It just sucks. We bought a elliptical machine but the first time I tried to use it I ended up with tennis elbow (from painting) then 6 months later I decided it was time to try again and I pulled my calf muscle from stepping up on a chair to water plants. I really dislike exercising as you can tell but I know I need to. Problem is I wonder what goes next when I try the elliptical machine again (lol).
You always have a way of blogging about what was bumping along the chute in my brain but hadn't quite jelled yet and/or would have not been so nearly as well articulated--and, oh my, I was just getting ready to send you the info on Lancaster County ox roasts. . . .
My daughter finished reading Skinny Bitch a few months back. Since she read the book, she has become a full-blown vegetarian. Says she feels great!
Pat, I feel for you! ...and I get so tired of "eat less and exercize more" (even though I know it's true). It seems like every time I get on the eat less and exercize more track something distracts me...a birthday (anyone's!), wedding, office meeting, you name it. if you ever find the magic pill, let me know.
We all have our battles and I am of the opinion you need a distraction. The busier I am the less I eat so get busy and don't eat that's my new diet.
Pat- This weight thing can be a struggle, I hated breakfast most of my adult life, My idea of breakfast was a banana. I am now doing better since I have a better sense of what to eat when and what not to combine and of course I can't overlook the exercise. I know how you felt on the beach, I too was very skinny in younger years and my brain still tells me I should be.
DIETS DON'T WORK! It's all about moving our lazy bums and eating everything we like (but in moderation) so we don't feel deprived. We aren't meant to weigh what we did in our 20's when we are in our 40's or 50's. Everyone I know that goes on some kind of diet definitely loses weight, but then gain it all back. Moderation. Now go have that Hershey's Kiss. For goodness sake, you're on vacation!
I dont know why I have such a hard time.... I start out with a Power Bar and coffee (only 2 cups) then I drink water. I suppose its the multiple glasses of wine on the evening along with the ice cream... Shucks!
In my book, it is all about self-esteem and discpline. Something you sometimes got to fake until it becomes a reality. --- Stay positive!
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Hey Pat - sounds like you ae enjoying your vacation! I HATE myself in a bathing suit - I look old and fat - I say that to my 'sweet' hubby and his comment is 'wellllllllll'.....ugh...I do have a bathing suit but I have a top I wear over it that covers my thighs...I drop that the minute I hit water
Pat - Okay, here you go GET FIT 2008 - it's a group here on AR. You may remember my previous posts at the onset of my diet in May. I lost 13lbs in 10 weeks and I have much more to lose, but it isn't easy. I have been inspired with observations just like the ones you are making at the beach. I look around everyday now and notice more and more oversized people. I totally realize why they say the American society is overweight - me included. The majority of us middle age and over are. I look at others and realize what I don't want to be and that forces me to stay on the diet. I've been going off on weekends but for the most part I stick to it during the weekdays. I went back to some old books I had and found a diet I had been successful with many years ago - the old Scarsdale Diet. I tried incorporating exercises but fat turns to muscle and I don't lose as fast so I prefer to get closer to my ideal weight before I start adding the work-outs. I know how you feel - 3 weeks until beach time for me too. Good luck!
Pat - Another tip, I learned from my 20 something daughter ...get green tea and drink it regularly. It's an antioxident. You should also read up on antioxident foods. It's pretty amazing. On the days I drink green tea, I almost always lose a pound.
Patricia: Finally... reading your post just clued me in to exactly the right diet for me... the Skinny Bitch Diet. Now, where can I find this hidden treasure ? I need to lose... and I actually think that the word "bitch" is a term of endearment. Take care...
Being a home inspector I get some help....climbing and crawling and walking. However, the battle of the belly is ongoing.
I"m going ot join the AR Get Fit Group - I'd looked for one earlier this year.
First off - it's good to think about ourselves when we have time - like vacation... but don't get too hung up on it. I've been systematically cutting one thing out each month this year. No Coke, no desserts, no salt (from a shaker), no SWEET TEA! (that's been tough - some days I get it half and half) Anyway - you get the idea. That way I could kind of plan.
I've also ADDED one thing a month. Parking the car as far away as I can from EVERYTHING - the grocery store, the office, the YMCA. Taking the Stairs. Swimming an additional day a week. I haven't lost tons of weight (like 15 pounds this year) - but I'm on my way and I feel better. I think that's the real goal!
Hi Pat,
I'm so glad you found the Active Rain Fit Club, there are many here ready to share and inspire you! Reading the comments there's some great advice here already, but I have to say diets don't work! It's a lifestyle, find what works for you and do it. I find eating smaller meals throughout the day keeps my metabolism going. Start with small changes and work into it, you will be surpised at the results. :)
Pat - Start hitting the gym and it will happen on its own!!! That is what always works for me! Making the committment to the gym - if I have to work out, I watch what I eat -
Ditto what Suzanne said, before you know it the pounds will be melting off of you. You can start exercising by training now for my 5k in September!
If you replace white bread or white rice, with multi grain (or even multi grain prebiotic), and brown rice; you will add fibre and will lose weight. Eventually you can add it back, slowly, or have it once a week, if you must have 'white' food. Cutting out soft drinks and sugar will make a HUGE difference.
As we get older (and I know because I'm almost 50), the weight doesn't come off as easily. We have to eat less than we did at 40 and we have to move/exercise more.
I did weight watchers and jenny craig and everything else in between. Nothing worked for more than a couple of weeks. I cut out all white food and cut out (bad) carbs for 4 months and lost almost 40 lbs. You can introduce things back slowly (don't have pasta and bread the same week; don't have potatoes and carrots and anything else starchy at the same time - learn to eat a salad before every meal, and dress it only with olive oil and vinegar - dress it, don't drown it - and it will make a huge difference). make sure the protein serving is not bigger than the palm of your hand (not including fingers) :) ... make sure you have healthy protein for breakfast (Omega3 eggs, smoked salmon, etc.).
A few little changes here and there have helped me lose the 50 lbs (in about 5 months), that came with an illness, at the same time as going into menopause; as if losing weight on its own is not hard enough ... but with little changes, and without counting calories, it is a healthier lifestyle, and something I will keep doing for the rest of my life. .... and don't forget to take your vitamins and supplements... especially FIBRE (psyllium husks). It keeps you feeling fuller and it helps to get rid of toxins and keeps your 'system' healthier.
You can do it. :)
I am not a big exercise person at all. In fact most of my exercise consists of going up and down stairs several times a day, working in the yard, and chasing my dogs. I am in my late thirties (all other stats withheld) and weigh a good 30 lbs more than ever in my life! I am not on the heavy side but have definitely developed a little belly (no not the AOL "little" belly). I eat carbs like a made man, almost daily! I do not eat meat however so that is definitely the reason I have not got the big belly. I don't diet but am very careful of my diet.
Patricia- Don't diet. That is the worst thing to do. You must change lifestyle habits.
The consolation like you said is that we are not the fattest ladies on the beach! Sad too. But at least they can ease our pain for a moment.
It is about the mindset. Think skinny thought, visualize yourself as the size you wish to be. When you look in the mirror see the person you want to become.
Hi Patricia, dieting does suck! But so does feeling uncomfortable in your own skin! Try the Medifast diet. I've used it very successfully to lose 15 lbs. I've always enjoyed being active but now I strive to run 2 miles a day, 6 days a week. After it's over I feel soooooooooooo cleansed and ready to move on with my day! AND DAILY EXERCISE ALLOWS YOU TO EAT MORE! :) Also, weight lifting is fantastic for burning fat and developing muscle. Muscle weighs more than fat, but it takes up LESS ROOM so your body will feel sleeker in your clothes after you start pumping a little iron.
Now I need to STOP COMMENTING and get on my run....this is a common trap for me....getting dressed and ready to work out and 2 hours later...whoops! Feel free to ask questions about Medifast. It's worked for several people in my office.
Patricia - I have met you and I don't think you are heavy. Where is this coming from?
I lost 30 pounds last year when I started training for a triathlon. I did a short "sprint" distance triathlon as my first race....it was only a 400 meter swim, a 12 mile bike and a 5k...easy stuff that ANYONE can do and NOT the Ironman sort of a race. I learned that having a race on my calendar motivates me to do what I should be doing for myself anyway. I just can't seem to get myself to run without a race to put me under pressure. Having an event that I've paid for, whether it is a 5k, a triathlon, or another event. Not sure if that will work for you, but I can tell you I'm back into a healthy lifestyle and have increased the distances of my race to the Olympic distance...next goal is the 1/2 ironman. At any rate, you might try signing up for a 5k and even if you walk the 3 miles, it will hopefully motivate you to get out there and walk or walk run. I may not be first, but I definitely don't want to be last, so I pushes me to train.
Pat-I've struggled with weight for many years and have gained and lost several people. I started the Nutrisystem program in Jan. To date I have lost 54#. It isn't easy but I feel so much better. You can do it. One day at a time. One meal at a time.
Hi Patricia, I have struggled with my weight for a few years now. I finally broke down and joined a local gym, went very regularly 4 days a week...they went out of business after about 1 year, and now I am struggling again. I recently received an email from a friend with reasons to be happy with the way you look. My favorite; Marilyn Monroe was a size 14! Who wouldn't want to look like Marilyn Monroe? Me and a few other REALTOR friends started our own little group. We call ourselves FAB (Fat A@# B@#*#s) and we put in $20 each per month. At the end of the month, whoever loses the most weight gets the pot. I keep winning! I can always use an extra $100. Best of luck to you, and don't give up. What works for us is the support group we have in our little FAB group.
Patricia, I lost 62 lbs. in 3-1/2 months almost two years ago by giving up on diets and following a very basic and fundamental awareness towards the foods I eat. We all possess the knowledge necessary to reach our goals, it is simply a matter of applying the knowledge.
In working with over 400 clients on weight-loss in person, and thousands through my virtual training program, I have witnessed miraculous results from losing the mindset of a dieter. That makes the weight-loss natural and it just doesn't come back. I am walking proof.
I am joining this group today. I like all the tips and I definitely need to lose.
I have gone up and down in weight for years too.... I have a slow metabolism, and have to exercise a ton to keep my weight down. As I get older I have felt less like exercising five days a week. Iused to have to personal train when I was younger for competitive Badminton and have NEVER enjoyed running.... Real estate has been a stressful business....busy all the time with short sales and foreclosures....doesn't help.
However, I have been taking a new weight loss and maintenance drink for the last week and have lost five lbs in the first week..I have a ton of energy...I am going to continue to take it for weight management too.
I haven't changed my normal routine, or purposely changed my eating habits. I have not been eating as much, as it has an appetite suppressant in it, additional fiber, it passively raises metabolic rate, and has antioxidants too...it is supposed to help lose belly fat, and my pants are looser!!! Yippee!!
I eat a very healty diet with whole grains fruits and veggies, but have never been able to lose those extra pounds around my middle........