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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 28 July 2008 05:32 pm |
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Hello!
I've lurked on these forums for quite some time, and I figured now that I was getting serious about weight loss, it was time for me to lay my accountability on the line for anyone to read. 
A little about myself, I'm 26, married, a nurse (a very new nurse) and weigh currently 170.2 lbs, at 5'5". I'm a new nurse, so I'm entering a very physically demanding job. The weight I didn't start nursing school with needs to go, and then some! About 3 years ago I was around 150, so I'm looking to get back down to that initially, then I will set new goals from there. My husband and I are big fans of Dr Furhman and have both read Eat to Live several times. Although we don't follow it 100%, I'm going to use it as my foundation for my weight loss. In fact, I "officially" started my diet last Tuesday and started out at a shocking (to me!) 175. I know most of what I have dropped is water weight, but it still makes a girl feel good! the hardest part will be not recieving that kind of success every week. (if only!). My husband does not need to lose weight, he's 5'10", and 140lbs soaking wet after a large meal with his shoes on! but he is very very supportive, wonderful, and has never made the slightest comment about my weight gain since I started school/marriage.
So here it goes. I plan to weigh in every Monday. So this is how I'm starting out. My goal is to keep my daily calorie count less than 1200, for the last couple of days I've been anywhere from 1000-1150. I think this is realistic because a) I've done it for a week, and b) I know as time goes on it will be harder to loose, so I need room to go down. I have managed to loose a few pounds here and there before, and tend to platuea easily. I'm hoping with a more physically demanding job, and more time to exercise, I can bust through these platueas with ease.
Starting weight: 170.2
current goal: 150
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Tratra
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 28 July 2008 06:20 pm |
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| NB... I think it's great that you're starting your journey to get healthy, and these boards are a great resource! Not sure if you're looking for advice here, but I'm going to give it anyways! Have you used the calculators on this site? Your unadjusted RMR is 1500. That's what your body needs just to function day to day. If you go below this (1200), you're really setting yourself up for failure. Eating too little will cause you to lose lean body mass/muscle, so when you start eating more, you'll gain all the weight back and then some because we all know muscle burns more than fat. So you'll lose weight, but you'll have more fat, and will put weight on quicker. Eat to Live is a great plan...maybe if you add some nuts, you can boost your calories that way.
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zenobia
Moderator
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Posted: 28 July 2008 06:20 pm |
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hiya Betty! welcome to the forums and coming out of lurker status!!
i think it's great that you are into ETL and want to get healthy. it's a great way to live! and a 5lb loss so far is great. you seem very positive and ambitious! 
Edit: tratra just posted her post as i was writing... but i am just going to leave what i wrote anyway.. i can get long-winded.... sorry.
but i do want to say that i think you are setting yourself up for disaster by eating so little. according to the calculators, you really shouldn't be eating less than 1512 calories. This is your Resting Metabolic rate. this is what your body needs mearly to do basics functions like breathing and pumping blood. since you are going to have a physically active job, you really don't want to eat less than about 1500. i don't know if you know anything about starvation mode, but if you eat too little, your body will start eating away at lean muscle mass. your body will become used to functioning with so little calories and conserve. it will get even harder than normal to lose as you drop weight. you really can't go less than 1200 cals, but you would have to- or increase your work out routine... that will prbably be difficult becasue your body won't have enough energy. it's really not a good thing.
i just don't want you to get discouraged, or to feel deprived, or to run out of energy. you will have a demanding job with a lot of people relying on you to function at your best, and it concerns me that you would do it on so little energy. it may have been ok for a week, but it will eventually take it's toll on you.
have you considered zig-zaging? it tends to keep platues to a minimum, and you can eat as little as 1200 cals for a few days, as long as you make up for it after about 3 or 4 days. eat at maintenance (about 2000-2200 cals) and you will still lose.
ok... sorry i took up so much sapce. i just wnated to give you my two cents.
again, welcome and i hope to see you around here!
Last edited on 28 July 2008 06:23 pm by zenobia
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 28 July 2008 06:38 pm |
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Thanks for the quick responses and your comments.
I'll say this; I'm trying to stick as closely to Eat to Live as possible, and doing that, it's truely hard to eat 1500 calories a day! I'm constantly stuffed as it is! I understand both of your comments. I know that setting a goal of 1200 is good for me, because I'll reach it half the time.....does that make sense? Maybe I should have been more clear with that aspect. If I make that my goal, at least some days I'll reach it, but certainly not all! 
I do use the "zig-zagging" method, although I have never heard it called that, to add calories every couple of days, as it worked out, I just didn't do much of that this past week because I need to figure out how to eat at more frequent intervals during work hours (which are looooooong). I just don't care for nuts, but there are beans, like chickpeas and blackbeans that I add to salads to get extra calories, I prefer them to nuts.
Thanks for showing interest!
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 29 July 2008 06:26 pm |
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So after looking more into what Zenobia and Tratra said, I realize that 1200 calories will be too low, thanks guys! Like I said, I felt like if I made that my goal, at least I'd come near it, but I've continued to take in less than 1200 a day(yesterday, and today I'm only at 600 right now, after lunch and breakfast) - which is easy to do with eat to live, but I've struggle with platues before, I don't want to hit one early on.
So the days I do not work, and just jog/exercise, my kcal intake goal will be 1500, and the days I do work, 1700-1900 since I'm on my feet for about 10 out of my 12 hour work days!
But back to the zig zagging -have others tried this with success? Before when I have lost weight, I would vary my caloric intake by a few hundred every couple of days, mostly because I would just eat different things each day, but I don't know that I could tell a difference between those times and when I didn't. Is it more of a plateau-breaking strategy? I've done it before, I just didn't know it had a name.
I got some chickpeas and couscous, whole wheat pasta, things like that this morning to add to salads to tack on a few extra calories each day when I need to, I'm really enjoying all the fresh stuff though, it's truly the way to eat! My next trip out I'll start looking at smoothie supplies and start tacking a smoothie on to the end of days when I need a couple hundred extra calories too!
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 31 July 2008 11:09 am |
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One of my weight loss "faults" is my constant desire to weigh myself. I read somewhere on this forum someone posting that they were having a family member hide the scales for a month. I may have to try this strategy. Everytime I eat something I want to run upstairs and hop on. I know that's silly, and it doesn't work that way. But I guess I went without weighing myself for so long out of fear, that now it's liberating to jump on.
haha, no, that's just another excuse.
Yesterday was good, worked twelve hours, took in around 1600 calories. Off to another twelve hour day now. Packed plenty of good stuff to eat on the fly, that's usually how it works. I'm learning lots of good sanwhich fillings using things like chickpeas as a base instead of meet and cheese.
Here goes Thursday.
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CrimsonAnimus
Moderator
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Posted: 31 July 2008 11:16 am |
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Betty, I totally relate with the scale thing. I am having my mother hide them today, and that's that! I've been using an XL bathrobe shirt to measure my progress also, and from that, I have been able to see how far I've come. Scales don't lie, but we can lie to ourselves as a result of them!
Keep it up!
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 2 August 2008 01:27 pm |
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Thanks! yours must have been the one I read!
I had a good couple of days. took in around 1300 on Thursday (it was a busy day) and about 1600 yesterday. Today will be higher I know, because we're doing things with friends and making home made pizza tonight with family, but I'll stay sensible and still not go over my calories burned. I've never had a problem with bingeing or going crazy, it was mostly making the wrong choices. two slices of pizza when I could have had one slice and a side salad. I haven't had any real cravings yet either. Which is good, I've been doing this almost two weeks now! It's exciting, because everytime I've started this up in the past I've lasted about a week before life gets busy and things run amuck. I feel like I've broken through a barrier. small steps right?
So this morning I couldn't help myself and jumped on the scale. 170 even. So it's going down! I'm going to do my weigh in on Monday, then my husband is going to take the scale away during the week so I'm not tempted, eventually I know it will get me down weighing myself that much. (thanks for the idea Crimson!)
Here's to the weekend!!!
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 4 August 2008 01:05 pm |
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So it's Monday, my "official" weigh in day. Although I don't know how official a weight can ever be. I've sneaked a look a few times this week and have seen anywhere from 171 to 167. I tend to be really good about drinking water when I'm at work, and terrible about drinking anything at all when I'm home!! (shouldn't it be opposite? )
So, I try not to take the scale too seriously, even though I'm obsessed with it.
Today's official: 169.4!
It's progress, in the right direction. It's good to see the 160's again. Although I admit I was hoping for my number to be in that 167.something range. I know enough to know it's water weight, and not fat, I've been recording my calories daily.
- Wednesday - 1210
- Thursday - 1345
- Friday - 1750
- Saturday - 1828
- Sunday - 1170
I'm gonna go for another low day today, and up it a little tomorrow and wednesday since they will be work days. I also have not incorporated any kind of an exercise plan yet, which I know I need to do. My husband and I walk around a lake near our house that is 3.5 miles, but it's usually walking and talking and not real focused-get-your-heart-rate-going exercise. I know I will not be able to exercise on days I work, but some simple weight lifting at home will be do-able, my husband has a nice set of weights of all sizes.
So this week, my new goal will be exercise x2, (this will be power walking and light intermittent jogging) and arm weights x2 (for now). When I see how this works for me, I'll up it of course. Getting used to a new job is both physically and mentally taxing, I'm sure many can relate.
Happy Monday!
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 5 August 2008 10:45 am |
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Yesterday: 1200.
Today my predicted intake is 1130 by the end of work. That's breakfast and what I've packed for the day. So dinner will be an addition to that, my goal for today is 1500.
My husband and I walked the 3 mile trail around the lake last night, he helped me keep up a pretty good pace, his quick strolling is my power walking.
12 hour shift today and tomorrow.
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 6 August 2008 11:01 am |
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1615 in yesterday, I might creep up even a little higher today and drop down lower for Thurs, Fri and Sat. But we'll see how it goes.
Another day another dollar. off to work.
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 7 August 2008 01:25 am |
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Around 1460 in today, but I had to do a lot of guestimation since I bought my lunch at the cafeteria, something I'm usually so against doing, but I didn't plan ahead last night. I try to overestimate though. So I might have a little snack before bed.
It's been so hard not to hunt down the scale and jump on! And it's only been two days of not weighing myself! 
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CrimsonAnimus
Moderator
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Posted: 7 August 2008 04:37 pm |
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Betty, I'll confess that I did step on it last Sunday, after some weekend festivities, because I wanted to see how much water I was holding (my socks had left indentations on my legs from it). It had went way up (10 pounds), but I'm sure at least half of that gain is gone now (or so I would hope). I haven't stepped on the scale to see, though. It is HARD!
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 8 August 2008 10:54 am |
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Okay, I gave in and peeked! I couldn't help it, I was really noticing physical differences this week and I just gave in to the temptation this morning, especially since I had realized all my husband did was move the scale to the floor of the other bathroom! in his defense, I really only go in there to clean it.
167.4
ah well, that would have been a nice surprise for Monday, but alas, maybe I can get it down to a 167 even by then. I only managed to make it four days, maybe I'll just have to try and meet that for a while, every four days, then I'll move up to a week.
Okay, only 1185 in yesterday. I'm planning more for today and tomorrow, around the 1600 mark, and then I'll try to drop back down on Sunday.
I have finally been noticing a difference in the mirror, this is the true reward. When I ordered scrubs for work I decided to go with Mediums from the same brand I bought my school uniforms in since I knew they would fit. They didn't fit, everything was tight. The tops weren't bad, but all the pants were too tight, not the look and comfort I was going for at work. I wasn't about to send back 200$ worth and clothes, I just decided the weight had to go this time and I've been wearing old scrubs. This morning I slipped a few pairs on and I didn't have to pull and tug! They are still not as relaxed fitting as I want them to be for their debut, but I'll try again in two weeks.
Off to work! 
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 9 August 2008 01:37 am |
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1660 in today. I had to do a little guesstimation again today because I attended a luncheon at work, but I was so good! They had deli sandwhiches and chips, and then a whole table of cake/cookies/brownies, I never even looked at them! It didn't even occur to me to be tempted. This is such a wonderful feeling. In the past I have been all about making bad food choices and I haven't had many cravings at all, I think because I've learned the right amount to "give in." And how often it's okay.
Still feeling great about the changes that are going on, it's a wonderful feeling, even more so than watching the scale change numbers, and boy am I a scale watcher!
Lovely weekend to all!
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 9 August 2008 11:37 pm |
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So far 1240 in today, we ate out at Lunch, so that has been the majority of my calories, I'll have a light dinner. I feel heavier today, I think my salt intake in the last couple of days has increased due to eating things I didn't prepare myself. But I feel the weight in my stomach, it doesn't feel good. Even though I planned on "cheating" (if you will) and going out for a lunch date, I feel terrible about it now. And just plain "blah."
Anyways, I plan on keeping it light tomorrow so my weigh in on Monday morning isn't too dissapointing. And drinking lots of water so get some of this sodium out of my system.
All in all a good day, I love Saturdays.
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 10 August 2008 02:21 pm |
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My total for Saturday ended up being around 1600 again, I had to do some estimating, I forgot to ask the resturaunt about nutrition info, but after looking around the internet at comparable meals at other resturaunts, I have a pretty good idea.
So far this morning I've had my usually cup of morning tea, a banana and a cup of blueberries. I managed to get my 2 walks in last week. Yesterday around 7 we went and did a loop around the lake near our house. I only did free weights once though, I need to get better about that.
To detail what kinds of things I eat: Having read Eat to Live several times I try to include as many fruits and veggies in my day as possible. As far as beans go, I prefer garbonzo, or chickpeas (same thing), which I usually make into some sort of salad/sandwhich spread. by mashing chickpeas up and adding some horseradish, a little miracle whip, and then things like shreded carrots and chopped onion, it makes a nice little substitute instead of going with things like chicken salad. On whole wheat bread you've got a filling sandwhich for around 250-300 cal depending on what extras you use and the size of your bread. I also eat a minimum of one salad a day, a big ol' salad that is. On days when I'm home I make one huge one and usually have to partake of it in two different sittings. When I'm at work, I divide it up into two smaller tupperware containers and try to eat them a couple hours apart, if I think I'll have time. Fruit is usually a snack, or several snacks, and I also incorporate whole wheat pasta into mixed frozen veggies, or make some whole wheat couscous and use that in salads throughout the week.
Several things I refuse to give up at this point are: Real sugar in my coffee. I keep my calories where they should be, so I don't feel like giving this up right now. Besides, I am amoung the crowd that believes that artificial sweeteners have their own set of evils. This is also why I don't drink diet soda. I try to avoid soda altogether as it is, I don't really care for it, but when I do partake, it's the real deal. (and almost always in the form of rootbeer). I will also include one meal a weekend that consists of whatever it is that I want. Last weekend it was pizza, this weekend we went out to lunch. And although this weekend left me feeling heavy and guilty, if I go and deprive myself for too long, I'm afraid it will backfire. Even when I do this however, I'm keeping within my calories burned. Guilty pleasures will not be a weekly occurrence for the rest of my life, but this is where I am at right now.
Official weigh in tomorrow, talk with you then.
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OnceUpon-A-ThinGirl
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 11 August 2008 02:35 am |
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| Thought I'd stop by seeing as we're both coffee enthusiasts (or just flat out refuse to live without!). I work in a hospital, if you want to keep up with hospital pace (which is about a million miles an hour) you have to have coffee! With cream and sugar of course! Congratulations on your weight loss so far!
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 11 August 2008 01:11 pm |
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You're right about the pace! I can see why people are seen in the media, news shows, and others tell friends about their terrible experiences and lack of care in hospitals (not my hospital of course ) Because behind the scenes it's just insanity, every time you interact with a patient there are ten more steps waiting for you to complete to cover yourself, chart, double check. When you're taking care of six people, it's impossible to get to know anyone. Since I'm set off on this, I want to give anyone reading this the best medical advice I have learned so far, and I am so very serious about this.
Since working in a hospital, I have come across countless patients that were misdiagnosed, under diagnosed, over diagnosed, over looked, whatever you want to call it, but in the past didn't get the medical attention and care they needed, and that is one reason why they end up in a bed in my care for 4 days. Some of it was their own neglect and bad choices, and sometimes it was putting too much trust in a so-so doctor. I will be the first to tell you there are some wonderful docs out there, but there are also some others that are in it for the "business." So here's my advice, when you feel an ailment coming on, when your bones ache or your heart hurts, or you have persistent headaches, whatever it is, if you have time (if it's not an emergency) get on the internet and do as much research on your problem as you can! Read articles, look through internet sites, check forums with people asking about similar problems, find out what you think you might have, or track the source of your problem. If you have friends or family in the medical profession, ask their advice, more often than not people love to throw their knowledge around. THEN, go to a doctor, and YOU tell THEM what you want out of your treatment. You tell them what you think is wrong. A lot of them won't like this, but you know your body and yourself better than any doctor will, even one that has been treating you for years. Maybe you'll be wrong about your health and maybe they'll find out what's right, but at least you're arming yourself with knowledge. I could now lay out stories supporting my advice, but I'll spare you, it's just so important that you don't lay back and take whatever they give you. I know they're professionals, and they're more familiar with the treatments, ect, but any good doctor will respect that you're trying to be pro-active in your recovery, and they should listen. People knock the pharm industry all the time for putting these ads on TV telling people what medicine to ask their doctor for, I say, good for them for putting the choice in your hands! Most doctors treat what they commonly see, and prescribe what they commonly use, this may not be the best thing, or the rigt treatment for you.
ps - I love doctors, I do, but like in any profession....there are bad apples.......
Sorry for the long-winded-ness, I love the hospital I work for and truly believe it's the best in my state, and again, there are lovely, well-meaning, caring doctors out there that always put their patients first, so dont go to one that you feel ignores you, find a good one, and work with them
Like any of that was called for.
Now to the reason I'm on here!
Official weigh in this morning: 167.0!! Just what I had hoped for. 1300 in yesterday, but no exercise or work. So we're going to the lake tonight, I need to up my game and get a little jogging in, I'll also do some free weights this morning.
Happy Monday!
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 12 August 2008 01:00 pm |
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| A total of 1263 in yesterday. I'm going to have another low day today, and then I'll do 3 days at work so I'll try to get in ~ 1600 each day. Then, we're doing a little traveling this weekend, so I'm sure my intake will increase, but still promising myself I won't go over calories burned. But I need to do these low days so my weigh in doesn't dissapoint on Monday. We went walking again last night, still no jogging, although I don't know how much longer my husband will let me get away with that.
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 13 August 2008 10:55 am |
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Yesterday: 1513 in. The next three days (well, today and the next two days) are 12 hour shifts, so I have all my meals planned out and stacked in their tupperware in the fridge. Then it's out of town for two days, it's gonna be a long 5 days coming up, so probably no reporting, but I will post calories and official weigh in on Monday.
See you then!
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OnceUpon-A-ThinGirl
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 14 August 2008 04:05 am |
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| The positive thing about working long shifts is that you can plan your food all out and that's all you have to eat! I work a lot of late shifts and that works out well because I love to snack at night, and when I'm at work the cafeteria is closed so no snacking for me!
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zenobia
Moderator
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Posted: 14 August 2008 10:04 am |
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i think you have a good style of eating going on ( you are zigzagging). up and down seems to work for a lot of people.
ugh- have fun on those 12 hour shifts. just don't look at the clock till you absolutely have to!
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 18 August 2008 12:12 am |
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Alighty so............
Worked three days in a row on Wed, Thurs, and Fri. Wednedays Cal - 1505, Thursday - 1800, and Friday - 1450. Saturday and today I'm not sure about. We had to go out of town for an engagement party, and although I actually ended up not eating anything at the party, I also did have some heavier meals than usual at my parents house. Although I did get some fruit in with each meal. Also today I had a big ol' chocolate muffin for breakfast, and a hamburger for lunch, but I also had green beans and cherries. That's how it went most of the weekend, I would indulge during meals, but include healthy sides. I didn't even try to keep track of calories though, and I dont think I will go back and try to figure it out. But needless to say, my sodium intake is up so I'm not expecting a very big change in the scale for this Monday because I can feel the water weight on me.
Weigh in occurs in the morning. I haven't peeked this week!
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 18 August 2008 12:28 pm |
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Just as I suspected!
Weigh in this morning is 166.4
That's only a .6 lb lost from last week, but it's a loss! I expect to lose some water weight over the next week along with more weight loss, so I'm crossing my fingers for a good number next Monday. I also did very little in the way of exercise, I think maybe we went walking one day? I'd have to go back and check my diary to see, that may have been last weekend even. I restocked on all kinds of freshness yesterday at the grocery store, blueberries and a banana for breakfast. And of course, my coffee!
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 19 August 2008 01:40 pm |
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| 1355 in yesterday. We walked last night, my husband and I. He gave another mention to trying a little jogging soon. I know I know. I'll get there. Happy Tuesday!
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 20 August 2008 12:05 am |
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1580 in today and I'm done eating. I just spent an hour planning and preparing meals for the next three days at work, and putting things together for my husbands dinners. I always have a better work week when I'm fully prepared food wise.
Have a good week everyone, I'll update this weekend!
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 21 August 2008 10:48 am |
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I had 1480 in on Tuesday and 1580 in on Wednesday. Two more days of work. I've been hitting about where I want to as far as work calories. I could stand to take in a little more some days (always, in the back of my mind, is the idea of platueaing) but it's just not always possible. Of course I continue to peek at the scale all the time, last week I behaved, this week, not so much, the last two mornings I've jumped on. Yesterday it read like 168 and today is was 166.4 which is where I was on Monday. UUrrggghhhh. Why do I expect a 2lb drop everytime I get on??
I've also upped our grocery bill in a major way since buying fresher more often, but it's totally worth it, I feel great! And then I remind myself, isn't that the goal and not a number on a scale? Yes, of course it is.
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 21 August 2008 10:54 am |
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| oops, I got those numbers reversed and I didn't realize I had already reported Tuesday
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cportwine
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 21 August 2008 12:22 pm |
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I just wanted to stop in and say Hi!
I totally agree with what you said about the medical profession. I really think people in general need to take control of their health and health issues.
For me, if I hadn't of took over my health and did the research then I would be on medication for my cholesterol. But, I took the time to learn how to eat and exercise to get it under control. And non of that came from my doctor. All that was learned from searches on the Internet.
Also, I think the zig zag is great. I do that without even thinking or trying. It just comes natural. I eat allot one day, not so much the next. I think it keeps my body from knowing that I am dieting. So, keeps me from the plateaus or my body from going into starvation mood.
Anyway, good luck with your goals and great job staying on track..
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 23 August 2008 01:40 am |
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1475 in for today. I was gonna make it a lower day but I had these three cookies at lunch......yeah. But, I can honestly say it's the first time I gave in to sweet temptation.
I took at peek at the scale, it said 166, but I hardly drank today at all, so I think I'm dehydrated, I've been good, and staying faithful to my calorie counting and good eating, but I'm just not totally sure I'm gonna lose this week. We'll see on Monday I guess. For now I'm gonna drink a couple cups of ice water and take it easy. Three 12 hour days in a row has really caught up to me!
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 24 August 2008 01:05 am |
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| 1895 in today! My biggest day in a while, we had a heavy dinner. I don't feel like I totally went nuts, but it was a heavy sodium day. So, I'm gonna move my official weigh in to Tuesday so I'll have an extra day to get rid of the water weight that will surely follow. Plus I work Monday, and not Tuesday so it works a little better, and next week we'll be out of town for Labor day, so I'll do 2 Tuesday weigh-ins here in a row, then move it back to Monday. I'm gonna try really really hard to not peek until Tuesday morning, we'll just see how that goes.
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 26 August 2008 01:35 pm |
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I knew this day would come, but why did it have to come so soon??
166.8 this morning. No loss to report. But we'll count that extra .2 lbs as water weight. I will acknowledge several things with this no loss week I had.
1) I know I plateau easily, I've known it from the start. Maybe it has be to a longer period of time to be officially considered a plateau, but that aside, a week is long enough for me.
2) I've pretty much gone stagnant on the calorie zigzagging. 1520 in yesterday. So, I think my variations aren't wide enough. Looking back I see numbers like 1260, and 1480, which really aren't that far apart, and most days I hit pretty close to 1500. I've gotten comfortable with what I know I can eat throughout the day to not have too many calories and to keep myself feeling satisfied, I think it's time to shake things up a bit.
3) Maybe I'm taking in more than I think. I've considered this, and mostly point it out because if I don't, maybe someone else will. But, I'm actually really careful about counting calories. If croutons go on my salad and they say half a cup = 150, then I get out a measuring cup. But, I also do have to guess sometimes if I have a meal at work or we go out, and that could be enough to throw off a count or two a week I suppose. Altough we have only eaten out twice. I will also acknowledge, that while I count the calories in fruit, I don't count them in vegetables. So if I have a salad, I'm only counting what I put on top of it, so generally I would say my totals are probably 150-200kcal higher than I report. Which still isn't too much, but most days I do eat at least maintainence, even if my numbers suggest otherwise.
4) I'm not exercising enough. I'm not really exercising at all. Being new at my job, I always have learning materials to go over, read, quizzes to take on my days off. Clean house, read books (oh how I missed reading for actual enjoyment during school). So other than my job, I don't get a lot of movement in. I'm not couch ridden by any means, but we maybe get a walk or two in a week, and it's not strenuous, it's hilly, but I don't push myself. You'd think with all the movement I do at work it would count as exercise, but it really doesn't. It's a lot of stop and go, a lot of standing, and walking a hallway, about 5,000 times a day. It's not the kind of work that gets your heart rate up. Plus, after a couple of months, I think my body has adjusted to it. I don't have that worn out, "just plain to tired to stand" feeling at the end of the day anymore. Going into the profession, I always wondered why so many nurses were fat, they move all day long! But like I said, it's not exercise. And nurses love to eat!! Someone's always getting a baby shower in the break room, or someone made cookies, or a patients wife brought in doughnuts, I turn down an amazing amount of treats. I gave in once and had 3 cookies, which I think I confessed to already. And I actually went down and bought those myself. Something about being in a hospital around all those germs, I just can't partake in communial food. So, that makes it easy to say "no thanks."
Sorry to make this so long. But here's my plan. I'm going to maintain this week, meaning, I'll stick to my guns, but we're going out of town this weekend I don't don't want to have to agonize over ordering a veggie burger or the real deal. I don't want to go up either, so I do plan to be careful. Starting next Tuesday, which will be my next weigh in, I'm going to do several thing. 1) Make time for exercise, with my schedule, this means actually creating a time slot for it at the begining of the week and sticking to it, and utilizing my days off to exercise. 2)Finding new foods. I have next Tuesday off, and we hit the grocery store at the beginging of the month, so I'm going to research more recipes and shake things up. 3) try more variation in zigzagging. we're talking 800 one day and 1800 the next.
Happy Week to all!
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hoofprints
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 26 August 2008 02:16 pm |
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Sounds like you really looked at what was going on and I love your plan. At least if there is a goal in mind we have something to guide us. I really enjoy your diary and am looking forward to reading about your week.
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CrimsonAnimus
Moderator
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Posted: 26 August 2008 02:34 pm |
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Hey, Betty!
Veggies, as a general rule of thumb, are very low in calories. Unless you eat more than the standard 4-6 servings, I wouldn't worry about it. I do count mine for posterity, but not counting my V-8, it turns out to be really low - about 60 calories per day.
Other veggies, though, like potatoes and beans, are more calorie dense, so it's probably worthwhile to count those.
I can't eat potatoes without turning into a sheep - A.K.A. a baaaaaad boy. 
It is so easy to underestimate the calories in restaurant food, even items on the menu that they claim are more "nutritious".
I can make a 4 ounce cheeseburger at home that is far healthier than any burger you will get in a restaurant. I usually eat 96/4 meat, or 93/7 or 92/8 if the other is not available. I used bread made with 100% whole grain, and my cheese is at least part-skim.
Even foods on "wheat" bread are practically never 100% whole wheat in restaurants - they are usually a mix between white or wheat. Also, I doubt that most meat is made with leaner cuts, and to keep down costs, they are probably greatly processed.
Eating out is great for a occasional treat, and just fine for such, but I really try to limit my eating out. I usually know what ingredients are in the food I eat, and I like that reassurance. Even if they provide you with the nutrition info at a restaurant, you still don't entirely know what you're putting in.
The way I see it - I don't count the calories from eating out. It is a treat - a time for me to put it all aside for a short while and enjoy myself. If I get too involved, I don't enjoy the experience as much. Life is too short to be too perfect.
Good job, Betty! Keep it up.
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 26 August 2008 03:11 pm |
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Thanks for all the support!
We have only eaten out twice since I started working on this, not twice this past week! haha. That whole myth about nurses making the killer bucks is just that, a myth, eating out is a major treat for us.
But you're absolutely right, and I agree about preparing your own food. I like to know exactly what is in the food I'm eating, even if it's not the best choice I could be making.
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 27 August 2008 10:59 am |
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Ate somewhere around 2000 yesterday, a little more than I meant to for maintaining this week. We had some friends over for dinner and everone contributed a dish and I wasn't about to go around asking everyone how many calories they thought each serving of what they brought had in it. I'm going to try to stick with 1700-1800 a day for manitanence, because I don't want to step on and see a higher number on Monday. There's (almost) nothing more depressing than having to work back down to a number you've already been at before!
Work today. I can feel a busy one coming on.
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 28 August 2008 11:43 am |
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Alright so I have a confession to make. So Tuesday I have my weigh in and I try to stay all positive and tell myself, it's cool that you didn't lose weight, no rush, it's not a race, it's just time for changes and I go and make a plan and think all these good thoughts, right?
Ugh, yeah right, after about an hour I was getting so down on myself. I know all the info about losing weight slowly is the best way, how to break plateaus, but we all know it doesn't matter what you tell yourself, it's hard when you try so much to behave and be good to your body and the numbers don't show. Even if you're feeling slimmer, lighter, I don't know about ya'll but I love it when that scale moves! (in the downward direction of course.)
So later that day I'm at the grocery store waiting to check out with my spinach, carrots and bananas and I see this Snickers bar. And I thought, why do all this if it doesn't make a difference. So I bought it, and it was long devoured before I even started the car! I don't even care for Snickers, I probably haven't had one in ten years, but somehow I guess I thought....well you all know what I thought, we've all been there. And of course, not five minutes down the road, guilt set it, and I re-pep talked myself. Redecided I was gonna give it a break and maintain this week, and rededicated myself to my previously mentioned plan. I guess I'm sharing this because we've all been there, the battle in your mind can almost be as hard to handle as the battle with weight loss.
Of course go figure I'm upping my cals this week and the scale read 166.2 this morning. I know these little flucuations are water weight, but I love those lower-than-before numbers .
So maybe next time you're being just downright hard on yourself and can't get that scale to move, I think the doctor would order. 'take a piece of chocolate, and weigh yourself in the morning.'
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CrimsonAnimus
Moderator
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Posted: 28 August 2008 09:39 pm |
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Whee! Betty, is that your new philosophy? Will you be my doctor? Just replace "chocolate" with "steak and baked potato" and we are in business!
Seriously, life is too short not to have our occasional indulgences. Our health is very important. Why is that? It's because it is an important part of our WELL-BEING. What else is an important part of our well-being? Enjoying life. Trying to find a balance between the two is what we all need to strive for.
Good job!
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OnceUpon-A-ThinGirl
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 29 August 2008 07:42 am |
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| ...and remember it was just one candy bar. It's not like you went on a wild binge and I think you should be commended for that because lets face it, when you feel like your diet isn't working it's really easy to start that downward spiral. I think the real key to success is exactly what you're doing, giving yourself treats occasionally and letting go of the small stuff. Keep up the good work. And be kind to yourself, I know it's hard when the numbers don't show but you're doing great!
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 29 August 2008 10:39 am |
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Thanks Guys!
Now if I can just get over the fact that I wasted it on a Snickers!
Happy Labor Day Weekend to All!
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 2 September 2008 12:57 pm |
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Alright, time to play catch-up!
Weight: 165.8
Such a relief, I really could have blown it big time this weekend, and the last thing I wanted was to have to work my way back down through numbers I had already seen. We went out of town this weekend. But before we left, Thursday I decided I was packing a cooler so I could make sandwiches and we wouldn't have to rely on fast food. We ended up eating out once over our three day vacation! We stayed at a bed and breakfast, so that was taken care of, and I ended up packing enough sandwiches for about three separate meals. We're not big on eating out, and the focus of this vacation was certainly not food. We went to 2 theme parks and a historic city, and we walked EVERYWHERE! This is my only explanation for losing this week. We had treats usually once a day, but looking back, we ate about two meals a day was all, one always breakfast, and we walked pretty much from 10am to 9pm each day everywhere we went and for everything we did. I'm having to give myself the "day off" so I can handle the next three days at work on my feet! It was a great weekend, but it's always nice to be home again.
So this is where I jump start things again. I'm going to try more fluctuations in calorie zigzaging and more exercise, as mentioned before. I would like to be 150 by the end of October, but considering the rate that I have been losing, this number might be a little ambitious. I'll re-evaluate in a few weeks after I can see how things are going. I'm going to take a little look at this Sept/Oct challenge now and see what others are reaching for, if I join I may have to go with a higher number.
Back to the Grind!
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 3 September 2008 10:38 am |
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So after a weekend of not counting calories, I completely forgot to keep myself in check yesterday! Oh well, instead of going back and trying to figure out the numbers, I'll just start back again today. I can't throw it all into the wind just yet, it really works for me. (If I remember to do it! )
Work today, 12 hours, completely back in reality now. droopy eyes and all. I set my challenge goal at 155. I've been losing slowly, so I think that's more realistic, and everything else (if any) will just be a bonus.
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 4 September 2008 10:39 am |
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1230 in yesterday. Had such a crazy day at work I ate the banana and nutrigrain bar I had packed for snacks at the end of my shift, and fell asleep at home before I could get in any dinner. But it's okay, I wanted to try some more zigzagging so we'll call that a semi-low day and I'll try to kick it up a knotch today with the calories. Another work day today.
Happy Thursday!
Last edited on 4 September 2008 10:42 am by NurseBetty
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 6 September 2008 01:55 am |
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Last two days (well, yesterday and today) have been 1200-1300. I'll try to up it this weekend because I'm defintely not sticking to my guns with the zigzaging. It's work days that throw me off. I can only find so much time to eat, and I don't like coming home and eating a lot because it's not long before I'm off to bed. I may have to consider more than just fruit and coffee for breakfast on work days or something.
I'm going to try to read up on diaries I like to frequent but I'm sure soon I'll be off to sleep.
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 8 September 2008 01:28 am |
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Weigh in tomorrow morning - so why was I so bad this weekend??
Since going on vacation over Labor Day I haven't been very good about counting calories. Mostly because I lost my faithful notebook that I write everything down in. I did some recall for the three days I worked last week and those were all good numbers, but Saturday and Sunday I was all over the place with my eating. In fact today I have not eaten a real meal all day, just snacked here and there which is really unlike me and I can't even begin to figure out what my numbers would be. Anyways, so tomorrow I weigh in, and I have the day off so I may have to purchase a new notebook. Silly how something like a book of paper can help me so much to stay on track. I guess it really is true what they say, that writing things down is very much to the key to success when losing weight.
Hopefully I won't be dissapointed in my number, but then if I am, well, I could use a little motivation right now!
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 8 September 2008 12:56 pm |
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So official weight this morning is 165!
Not bad I guess. Althought I peeked on Friday and saw a lower number, I didn't do a very good job with my eating yesterday and consumed a lot of bread. I'm totally back on track now. All those goals I set for myself a few weeks ago, I'm totally with it now. I've got to get on serious track if I want to buy a nice new winter wardrobe in a couple months! (yes in a couple months, we have a pretty short winter season where I'm at).
Alright, I'm going to go report my numbers in the weight loss challenge thread and then get on with my day off. Happy Monday!
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 9 September 2008 09:25 pm |
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Ugh, I've been so bad today! I don't know what's with me! Everytime I decide to misbehave I tell myself I'm going to feel awful afterwards, and I always do.
But the good news is I found my trusty notebook. Hopefully getting back into writing things down will help set me straight. I really want to reach my fall challenge goals, and what's more, I really want to see the 150's again, and soon!
yesterday's calories, about 1700, today, like a million! I'm not eating anymore though, I'm so full right now I'm sure it'll carry me through until bed time. The good news is I'll be working the next 3 days so I simply won't have time to misbehave.
Have a good week everyone!
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 11 September 2008 10:45 am |
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1200 in yesterday. Which normally I'd like to eat more, but I had so much extra on Monday and Tuesday, plus it helps with zigizaging to occasioanlly have a low day.
I'm glad I got a low day in, I feel lighter, less weighed down, that'll make for a more pleasant day at work.
I found a new low cal meal. When I eat, especially at work, I like to prepare two smaller dishes as opposed to one large one. I always bring a salad, sometimes I large one of I have nothing else. But on Tuesday I made some whole wheat couscous and mixed in a jar of salsa and a can of black beans. It's pretty good. I just heat it up at lunch. I eat chick peas sometimes, which are garbonzo beans, but this gives me a little more bean variety. Many grocery stores are coming out with all kinds of new salsas, pineapple, peach, so I'll have to branch out next time and get something a little different. Having black beans at lunch has also proved to be more filling than my usual salad, which only stays with me a couple hours. At home I just have tea to fill in the afternoon gap, but at work, there's no telling where satisfaction could come from and in what form! Usually I simply don't have time to snack, but I'm sure if the opporunity presented itself, I'd totally give in. So I'm hoping black beans and the couscous will help hold off afternoon hunger.
Happy Thursday
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NurseBetty
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 13 September 2008 02:10 pm |
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Alright so, Thursday and Friday were pretty similar as far as intake of calories. 1230 on Thursday, 1435 yesterday. So, I'm gonna have a little more today, trying to avoid that plateau. I'll probably have a larger than normal lunch and a nice big salad for dinner. We'll see, but I've been so incredibly good the last three days I can let go a little bit. A very little bit.
I'm starting to feel like my challenge goal is certainly attainable, I had my doubts at the begining of the week. You know how that goes: Why am I doing this to myself? Does it really matter? I don't look that bad right now like I am. Oh yeah, there's that little better for my health issue.
Happy weekend to all!
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