Weight Loss.....R U Trying?

...For the past few monthes I have ben steadily gaining weight due to hormone therarpy treatments....I was a size nine last summer. Now I'm a 14! My whole life I was a 14 but when I moved out my moms house, and into my apartment the weight just dropped off. The neighboor hood I lived in had everything I needed within one to 3 miles. So I just walked the weight off and really wasn't trying to.

But it all started to come back when I moved back home last October. It's not a bad neighborhood but not somewhere you'd want to be just walking around. There are no sidewalks and cars and motorcycles just fly around. Then last march I was diagnosed with endometriosis....The only treatment for it besideds a complete hysterectomy is birthcontrol. When I was previously on bc I gained weight and hated it. But what else could I do but take it....

This past month I have cringed everytime I've seen my reflection. FH still thinks I'm sexy but it doesn't matter if I hate how I look...

SO I've resolved to start dieting and I'm going to buy a treadmill as soon as my money's together. I'm with you all the way. I can't look like this anymore and I can't bear the thought of having wedding pictures like this. I've made FH delete several pictures and scenes from the documentry because of how I look. I just can't stand it.

EEEEP! I'm so excited. Really this is the first time I've been really able to make the change and stick to it. I've been cutting my portions down and next I just have to get my work out on.

I'm totally for it and girl your post was right on time! I need to be like you and drop that 20 pounds! lol I would love, love, love to get in a bikini. I was so close before!

How did you do that in two monthes?!!

I'm sending you email right now.

My FH is a professional capoiera dancer so he can eat anything and usally everything and never gain weight....Recently he's been LOSING weight!

Well abeni I'm glad you've resolved to stick to it.That's the hard part!
and congratulations 2bemrspotts, 20 is a real feat! What did you do?

As for me I've been getting so frustrated as of lately becaue i've chopped my calories down to 1000 a day, sometimes a little less, plus i've been walking to and from work each morning. I was doing ok, and lost like 7 lbs, but then I got back on the scale yesterday only to find out that I gained back 5!!!

Ladies i'm practically starving to death over here, and I gain 5 lbs!! are you kidding me right now?!?

So i'm done with it for a day or two...shoot i'm hungry as all...plus i'm sick to death of those stupid frozen meals all the dang on time...I WANT SOME DAMN CHIPS!

Ok I had to get that out...I'm OK now

[quote="MsBoston"]Well abeni I'm glad you've resolved to stick to it.That's the hard part!
So i'm done with it for a day or two...shoot i'm hungry as all...plus i'm sick to death of those stupid frozen meals all the dang on time...I WANT SOME DAMN CHIPS!

Ok I had to get that out...I'm OK now
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Thanks, I've been playing with making an effort to lose weight for monthes. Now I'm not playing! :)

And I know how you feel about chips. I've been eating fruit all day long. But it'll be worth it.

And you know what? Ivillage.com has been one of my favorite resourse along with webmd.com in regards to a battle plan. You might want to check it out.

http://diet.ivillage.com/
http://www.webmd.com/diet/default.htm

I've been looking @calorieking.com. You'll be surprised to see how fast you can use up your alloted 2500 calories/day. It's amazing to see how the junk I nibble on throughout the day adds up.
By dinner I was usually over by 6-700 calories.
Do you know how much walking it takes to burn that up?

Helpful, low calories/low fat snacks that 'were' helping beat the craving were carrot sticks(35 calories/serving)dipped in lite ranch dressing (30 calories in 2 tbs. if you dip...not scoop it works)If you like broccoli, or cauliflower(raw) that works too. Abeni, some fruits are dumb high in sugar, you have to watch that. I know for a fact grapes are ok(18 of them...Sad that I know that)

flavored rice cakes...I SAID FLAVORED, don't hand me that other stuff!

Suger free jello (10 calories)
All the diet coke I can handle, you'll need the caffine. (free)
cristal light in a bottle of water (free)

regular cherrios...(110/1.5 cups) help with needing to chew on something aside from dumb veggies!
via my friend a personal trainer:throw some cardio/and lite weights your good to go(hey I don't know what happened with me?!?)

Did you consider that you might not be eating enough calories. If you body feels like its not getting enough to function it will start to hold on to everything you eat because your body will think that it is starving and must conserve food. That's why its important to eat about 1800 calories a day to keep your metabolism from slowing down and to keep your body from thinking its starving.

[quote="2bmrspotts"]Once my fiancee and I started talking about marriage..one of the 1st things I decided was that I would not walk down that aisle without trying to get back in shape.

I read some previous post of people trying "fat Smash" and some other diets. I think if we can all just motivate each other..that would be a big help. I tried Fat smash and did pretty good but had to find something that I enjoyed that I could stick with.

Anyway..I did join that 50million challenge (or whatever its called) I even formed a bridal group on that...

Im determined ..ive already lost 20lbs in the last 2 1/2 months

Anyone else on board to join in and motivate each other to be sexy brides...LOL
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I'm doing weight watchers at work, I'm trying but for some reason I'm not as motivated to do right as I should be. I'm working on it though.

Count me in ladies!!! my e-mail address is ginoue_limpressionante@yahoo.fr I've just recently started to loose weight, but like everyone here, I need a lot of motivation. Let's be each other's support group daily. I want and need to loose 60lbs., not only for my wedding, but as a lifestyle change as well.

2bmrspotts - add me on. All of you, congrats on your individual weightloss and let's team up to support and each other.

Well, since I've started I've dropped 2 sizes. I went from a 20 to a 16 in about 2 1/2 weeks. Once I got into a 16, I thought I was the nish! lol So, I stopped doing what I was doing. But, I'm comfortable and happy in a 16. I'm tall, so I don't want to be too thin. I lost my weight by walking 2 miles every other day. Now, that I need to continue walking, I can't. I'm so wrapped up in getting this wedding right now, that I don't have the time to commit. And I CANNOT diet. I like eating too much to diet. lol But, I will exercise.

goog weight loss technique with the walking! once this 100+ Texas weather cools off then I plan to do the same; I am NOT disciplined enought to diet because a sista LOVES to get her eat on!

[quote="IvyPrincess"]Did you consider that you might not be eating enough calories. If you body feels like its not getting enough to function it will start to hold on to everything you eat because your body will think that it is starving and must conserve food. That's why its important to eat about 1800 calories a day to keep your metabolism from slowing down and to keep your body from thinking its starving.
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I bet that's what happened because I was starving. and I felt hungry all the time. It's better this week, I don't feel so hungry all day all the time, but i'm not gonna be hopping on the scale twice a day like I was before- that can mess up your head!
Someone told me that it's possible to shrink the size of your stomach (not gut, but your actual gastric capacity) by gradually decreasing the volume of food that you put into it. Maybe that's why I feel like that.

I've done everything imaginable to loose weight. One diet that I have tried and was successful was the grapefruit diet. It worked however, If you do not maintain the weight once you loose it, you will gain it all back, sometimes more. This time I did it as a jump start and gradually started adding other foods to my diet. And now my FH and I joined the gym so, It's working!
Grapefruit diet:
Breakfast 2 Eggs (any style) 2 slices of Bacon 1/2 grapefruit or 8oz of grapefruit juice
Lunch Salad & Meat/Fish(any way you like it as much as you want)1/2 grapefruit or 8oz of grapefruit juice
Dinner Meat/Fish & Veggies(as much as you want cooked however you like it)1/2 grapefruit or 8oz of grapefruit juice

Snack-Skim milk or tomato Juice(optional)
the key to every meal is to eat or drink the grapefruit. But you are cutting out starches and sugars, so you can not exercise while doing this. This is just a jumpstart to your weight loss
Start on a monday because you eat like this for 12 days and then off for 2 days which if it is done correctly it will be the weekend!

Thanks for the link. I've just joined.

I know what all of you guys are talking about when you said you feel hungry. When I first started dieting, I was hungry all the time, but I didn't give in to the cravings, I stuck to it and you know what, as time when on, it became easier to stick with. I am at the point right now where I don't really get hungry that much. I was never a breakfast eater and I'm still not, but when I do eat breakfast, I have a cup of cherios with 1% milk. Lunch is when I get majorly hungry, so I always have my biggest meal at lunch. I take my lunch at 2PM and I usually start baked or steamed fish, chicken, beef, or whatever I feel like having. I love my rice, being Haitiana, but I substitute to brown rice and I only have the rice once a week. Most of the time, it's boiled plantain. I even have jello (why not, it's only 10 calories). For dinner, I have a big salad with ranch dressing (only 30 cal per 2 tbsp). I usually eat dinner between 5:30 PM and 6PM. I do not eat after 7PM. Every night, at about 8:30 PM and 9PM, I have some unsweetend tea and that's it for me. I'm in my 3rd week of dieting. My biggest fear is to weigh myself. I haven't done that yet. I don't even own a scale. I will definitely bite the bullet and buy one on my way home from work on Monday. I'm curious to find out how much I've lost. I wanted to lose 10 - 15 LBs this month. Do you think that it's realistic to do so?

Congratulations to those of you who are having success with your weight loss. My problem was just the opposite, I was trying to GAIN weight. I think I posted this in another topic a few months ago. Instead of just eating a lot of high-calorie foods, I purchased a product called "Amino Fuel for Mass" by Twinlab. The amino acids help build muscle mass. Taking this product, along with a balanced diet and exercise worked for me. I went from 140 to 160 lbs in 4 months. I'm pleased to report that I am much more confident with "a little more meat on my bones" now. I wouldn't mind gaining 10 more lbs, though. It's hard to continue an exercise regimen because of my job and now the summer heat doesn't help either...

I will definitely check out walmart. I need to weigh myself though. I'd love to see a 5 lbs loss for those two weeks. I will let you all know tomorrow as I'll be getting it after work tomorrow.

Thanks for all the incouragement ladies.

[quote="MsBoston"]Did you consider that you might not be eating enough calories. If you body feels like its not getting enough to function it will start to hold on to everything you eat because your body will think that it is starving and must conserve food. That's why its important to eat about 1800 calories a day to keep your metabolism from slowing down and to keep your body from thinking its starving.

I bet that's what happened because I was starving. and I felt hungry all the time. It's better this week, I don't feel so hungry all day all the time, but i'm not gonna be hopping on the scale twice a day like I was before- that can mess up your head!
Someone told me that it's possible to shrink the size of your stomach (not gut, but your actual gastric capacity) by gradually decreasing the volume of food that you put into it. Maybe that's why I feel like that.
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Okay I just typed a whole post and it didn't show up...let me try this again...lol...

This was for MsBoston:
I know I'm late on this topic, but I just had to comment. IvyPrincess is exactly right. Your body is starting to eat muscle tissue and hold on tightly to everything you do put in your mouth because you are not eating enough calories to nourish your body. You should NEVER eat less then 1200 calories a day, that's it you are an active person or not. You need at least 1200 calories for your body to function like it should. Calories = energy. The way to do it is calculate your BMR (Basil Metabolic Rate), this is just the number of calories your body burn on a daily basis without any exercises. Of course this is just an overall general calculation without putting factors in there like how much you work out, the amount of muscle you have, etc. Here's a website you can look at http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/. Once you got that you can move from there to see how many calories (usually between 200-350) you need to subtract from that to start a HEATHLY weight loss plan. Another tip I can give you have to eat more in order to lose weight. Eat GOOD stuff. For example I eat at least everything 2 to 3 hrs a day. This keeps yor metabolism moving, which in turns keeps you burning calories. I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, and maybe 2 or 3 snacks in between. By snacks I fruit, granola bars (some of them can be more fattning then candy bars so watch those), teddy grahams, those 100 calorie snacks and whatever else you like. Another tip is do not eat what you don't like. That is a sure way not to stick with it, if you can't stand carrots, don't eat it, subsitute it with something healthier you do like. Cut calories where you can, use ground turkey instead of ground beef, grill, bake, steam foods instead of frying it. Also give yourself one day where you can take a break, one day where you can have that sweet treat or fried food. This way you can look forward to something, and the craving for that sweet treat won't overtake you. Okay, my personal trainer side coming out....sorry for this being so long.....lol

[quote="soontobebride"]Okay, my personal trainer side coming out....sorry for this being so long.....lol
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Speaking of this did you ever come up with a name for the string around the stomach thing?

Hey ladies! Since I joined the challenge I've already begin to loose weight! I'm not sure how much. I don't have a scale at the house but the jeans I bought at the beginning of the summer in a 15 are really...really loose.

When I go to visit a relative with a scale this weekend I'll let you know how much I've lost.

www.thedailyplate.com ( I can't thank 2bmrspotts enough for that hook up!!!) has really gave my diet plan structure. Before I just knew I wanted to loose weight and go on a diet but didn't know exactly where to start. On the site it tells me how many calories I need to eat a day to loose my goal weight. It's fun to keep track of what i've been eating and to check out how many calories are in some of the stuff I USED to eat. lol

Anyway be encouraged my sisters we'll reach our goals in no time!

[quote="FutureMrsKeepUp"]Okay, my personal trainer side coming out....sorry for this being so long.....lol

Speaking of this did you ever come up with a name for the string around the stomach thing?
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HA!!!.....no I haven't come up with a name yet.....it's so funny that you remembered!....lol....still working on that....but good news is that I am supposed to be meeting with the friend of my who is a full time personal trainer, she's going to give me all the need to know facts....what certifications is best, business cards, clientele...etc...etc....so please keep this new venture in prayer....thanks!

Ladies, I'm so excited, I don't really know what to do. I've just weighed myself and according to the scale, I lost 7 lbs in 2 weeks!!! I'm so excited, but I'm bearly eating.

Next week will be a very challenging week for me as I'd have to travel out of town on business, and would have to eat out every day. Please pray for me, I'm afraid to gain what I've worked so hard to loose.

[quote="Ginoue"]Ladies, I'm so excited, I don't really know what to do. I've just weighed myself and according to the scale, I lost 7 lbs in 2 weeks!!! I'm so excited, but I'm bearly eating.[/quote]

Congrat Ginoue. I, like Plat, have the opposite issue so I've kinda steered clear of this post! LOL! However, I am excited for anyone that reaches goals they set so kudos to you! Make sure you keep up your calorie intake (see soontobebride's comments) and don't starve yourself. As MsBoston has shown, that can backfire. You be fine on your trip. Just remember your goals!

Thanks mrspotts & Future.

I'm on 1,000 calories per day diet and I must admit that some days, I'm so busy, I barely take in half of that.

Thanks for the kudos ladies.

Ladies, let me add that it's good to take a daily vitamin like Centrum or Geritol when you're dieting.

[quote="Ginoue"]Thanks mrspotts & Future.

I'm on 1,000 calories per day diet and I must admit that some days, I'm so busy, I barely take in half of that.

Thanks for the kudos ladies.
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Please please PLEASE try not to eat less then 1200 calories a day, especially if you are a busy person, that does NO good for your body. If you don't feel like eating anything heavy, eat some fruits, eat salads with lite dressing, SOMETHING. Please ladies, this will definately back fire on you, and is NOT healthy for our bodies, you are NOT supposed to be starving on a diet. As soon as you start back eating a more normal diet when you lose the weight, it WILL jump back on you quick. Don't mean to sound preachy, but being healthy and trying to help people with all the info that I have learned by trying it myself, and getting help from others that know more, means alot to me.....starving yourself does not work in the long run. Congrats on what you've lost so far, but try to keep that up but do it the right way.....

Great advice, Soontobe.

[quote="HeCallsMeAbeni"]...For the past few monthes I have ben steadily gaining weight due to hormone therarpy treatments....I was a size nine last summer. Now I'm a 14! My whole life I was a 14 but when I moved out my moms house, and into my apartment the weight just dropped off. The neighboor hood I lived in had everything I needed within one to 3 miles. So I just walked the weight off and really wasn't trying to.

But it all started to come back when I moved back home last October. It's not a bad neighborhood but not somewhere you'd want to be just walking around. There are no sidewalks and cars and motorcycles just fly around. Then last march I was diagnosed with endometriosis....The only treatment for it besideds a complete hysterectomy is birthcontrol. When I was previously on bc I gained weight and hated it. But what else could I do but take it....

This past month I have cringed everytime I've seen my reflection. FH still thinks I'm sexy but it doesn't matter if I hate how I look...

SO I've resolved to start dieting and I'm going to buy a treadmill as soon as my money's together. I'm with you all the way. I can't look like this anymore and I can't bear the thought of having wedding pictures like this. I've made FH delete several pictures and scenes from the documentry because of how I look. I just can't stand it.
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Abeni, I had problems with endo alsoa and wound up getting the hystie which was fine because I was 42, daughter was grown and I had no desire to have more children. Either way, it causes you to gain weight. A hystie can cause abdominal weight gain which is what I'm struggling with. I started a diet and exercise program in April and have lost 25 lbs and 2 dress sizes! I've gone from a size 22 to a 20 and I plan to and will take my bridal stroll in a 16 which my size before I had my daughter. I've always been thick and I'm comfortable with it because I wasn't a fat 16 but a curvy, voluptuous 16. Like your FH mine also thinks I'm still sexy and calls me "Ms.Sexy" which makes me giggle! Still got it at 46 I guess! I've also signed up to participate in the 50 Milllion Pound Challenge that State Farm is sponsoring. If you'd like to look into that click:www.50millionpounds.com

[quote="renee42861"]A hystie can cause abdominal weight gain which is what I'm struggling with. [/quote]

I'll have to tell my mom that. She has went up almost three sizes since her hystie. She thought it was because she stopped smoking 6 months prior to her surgery.

Abeni, I had problems with endo alsoa and wound up getting the hystie which was fine because I was 42, daughter was grown and I had no desire to have more children. Either way, it causes you to gain weight. A hystie can cause abdominal weight gain which is what I'm struggling with. I started a diet and exercise program in April and have lost 25 lbs and 2 dress sizes! I've gone from a size 22 to a 20 and I plan to and will take my bridal stroll in a 16 which my size before I had my daughter. I've always been thick and I'm comfortable with it because I wasn't a fat 16 but a curvy, voluptuous 16. Like your FH mine also thinks I'm still sexy and calls me "Ms.Sexy" which makes me giggle! Still got it at 46 I guess! I've also signed up to participate in the 50 Milllion Pound Challenge that State Farm is sponsoring. If you'd like to look into that click:www.50millionpounds.com
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I've been doing research about endo and was shocked to see how many women are affected by it. I really don't want to get a hystie just yet. My gynie is advising me....sometimes I feel like pressuring me to get pregnant asap before the symptoms get worse or I before it gets harder to concieve because of the adhesions.

Were you always in pain before the hystie? I'm in agony for like three weeks out of the month. It's horrible. Did you experience any endo pain after? I've read some stories about women who've expierienced symptoms even AFTER the hystie!

....Your story gave me great comfort. Thank you so much for sharing.

Abeni, I'm smarter than my meshuggeneh gyno! I started researching based on the symptoms I was having so I suspected I had endo.I also had fibroids. I'd get cramps so bad I couldn't stand up straight, my legs would go numb, backaches, just miserable. I was actually begging for a hystie. Old stupid gyno put me on something that caused me to bleed every day for a month. I was craving ice 24/7 and knew something was awry. I went to my primary care physician and had lab work done. 2 hrs after I got home I was called back to his office because I was dangerously anemic! BTW, ladies ice craving is a symptom of anemia;-). I'd had surgery to remove what the doctor thought was an umbilical hernia. Turned out to be endo tissue! The surgeon, primary care md and gyno conferred and agreed I had to have the hystie. Praise the Lord, I'm free! I felt better the day after the surgery! I think most of you here are around my daughter's age. You're just getting started and looking forward to having a family one day with your FH. Take care of yourselves! If you don't have insurance don't be ashamed to go to a clinic! Do what you have to do to get the medical care you need! Endo and fibroids can leave you sterile and I know you don't want that! OK, I'm off my soap box for the night.

I am desperately trying to lose 20lbs. It is like watching paint dry. I did join the 500million weight loss. Prayerfully I can shed these last 20lbs before I order my dress.

Welcome to the site, nhamer615. You'll love it! Ladies, let let me add a suggestion. In addition to trying to lose weight (or gain), you may want to try cardio or weight lifting to tone your body. I'm not sure of what everyone's ideal size is but whether you decide to go for Tyra's, Vivica's, Latifah's, or Monique's, toning will definetely have your guests saying "Ooh and Ah".

nhamer615
Welcome! when is ur wedding?

nhamer615, welcome to the site. You will find great motavation here to loose the weight. I joined the 500 million pound challenge for 2 weeks now, and I've lost 7 lbs as of last weekend. I can't wait until saturday to weigh myself again.

Congrats on your engagement and upcoming wedding. When is the big day anyway?

Welcome!!!

i had already lost about 20 lbs before we decided to get married, now i'm trying not to pack on the pounds!! the stress of this whole wedding and trying to finnish school at the same time has caused me to not eat right and to skip more workouts than i care to admit

I totally understand where you are coming from sweetnlow74. The stress of school can really drive you to over eat! And with the wedding planning on top of it...

But I decided to lose 30 lbs. before my big day. I've already lost 15, so I have 15 more to go. My goal is to lost the remainder of my weight before my first gown fitting in November!

[quote="FutureMrsKeepUp"]Okay, my personal trainer side coming out....sorry for this being so long.....lol

Speaking of this did you ever come up with a name for the string around the stomach thing?
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Soontobe, it looks like hard work paid off. You look great in your wedding dress. You have inspired me to start working out again!