Tried on clothes today...

[bookworm]

Wow was I disappointed when trying on pants at my favorite store (can we all say DI???) today. I thought I could still wear a certain size, but NOTHING I tried on fit!

So I decided it is time to get serious and set a goal. I want to lose 30 pounds by the end of the summer. Is that unrealistic? I've never had a weight problem before now. I have never been this size before. I feel huge! I truly don't know what a realistic goal would be.

I am trying to eat better and it's nearly Spring, which means I can take my Christmas present (my ipod, which I LOVE) out for walks now, so I'm going to start exercising.

I think it's time to get serious. Any suggestions for a good starting place?
Thanks much!

[5ft Diva]

30 lbs!? Where do you need to lose 30 lbs. from? Well, it depends on how you like to lose your weight. Do you like to exercise, do you like to just be active, do you like to diet? What's your wieght loss personality?

[Big_Sissy]

Would you be interested in running the 5k with 5ft diva this July? If you are, then running might be a good solution, and then you aren't paying so much attention to the weight, but rather getting in good shape.

[bookworm]

I don't think I have a weight loss personality. I hate running- I usually end up with pain in my knees and ankles, so I don't run. I don't want to do a 5k, either...I hate dieting, I hate monotonous exercise, etc. My ds wants to start running at the track a few times a week, so he and I are going to take our ipods down this afternoon and he can run and I'll walk, so it's a start.

[5ft Diva]

Do you care if you eat healthy? I mean, enough to do something about it? Maybe you already are.

[bookworm]

Yes, I am already working on that- it helps with the fatigue if I avoid sweets. I have felt really good for about 3 weeks now, because I've been working on this. It is so hard to resist the temptations of my sweet tooth, though. I don't completely abstain (not my personality type), but I have way cut back on what I allow myself to indulge in. And I try not to snack after 8pm. That's hard, too, but it seems to make some difference in how I feel the next day.

The exercise is what I struggle with. Back when I was doing theater, THAT was my fitness training. Choreography can give you a great aerobic workout. I guess that's what's missing- I don't have anything like that any more. I also used to sometimes ski, but haven't been in many years. I also used to be young, and as I'm getting older I think my metabolism has slowed.

I do think if I had a treadmill I might walk on it every day.

[bookworm]

oops, I just realized I made myself out to be totally self-indulgent by saying abstaining is not my personality type- not true. I just mean when it comes to dieting, I don't think I would do well by completely cutting out any one food group (especially the chocolate group). I regularly abstain from many other things in my life... I hope that's clear.

[5ft Diva]

Okay, now we're getting somewhere. That's what I mean by your personality when it comes to working out. It sounds like you like to workout when you don't know you're working out. I don't know what to tell you other than maybe you could go play b-ball w/ your son and get yourself trumped. I actually shouldn't say that because I've never seen you play but I know that's what would happen to me if I went out and played. I sure do enjoy it though. Do you like to lift weights? Maybe you could go for a ride on that red piece of metal that's sitting there in your FR. J/K

Oh, BTW, I found out that once around the park is 3/4 of a mile for all of you who were trying to figure that out. That was the big question last year.

[bookworm]

well, I appreciate your ideas except I have no idea what piece of red metal you are referring to... is there a trike out? The only thing that's supposed to be out in my yard is my kids' trampoline, which I can't use much because it makes me dizzy and another problem that seems to develop in lots of women as we age...makes jumping on the trampoline insecure.

and I HATE weight lifting. SOrry to sound like a spoiled brat, but if I hate it, it'll be hard to motivate myself to do it.

I could play ball with my ds sometimes, I guess. It is embarrassing, though.

Thanks for the suggestions, though. I did see the new sign at the park telling you the distance- that's helpful! I also saw the bags for dog-doo, which I thought was a good idea too.

[5ft Diva]

I was referring to your DH's bike but I was just kidding.

[Dia Minha]

Book, The good news is you don't have to give up your favorite foods to loose weight. There have been several times when I will be eating my chocolate candy and I want to stick out my tongue and say "Neeneer neener, I'm eating my chocolate and still loosing weight". In fact by enjoying your favorite foods, in moderation, you won't feel like you are being denied, and thus breaking down and indulging too much later.

The one suggestion I have is don't start on a "diet" that is not something you feel like you could do for the rest of your life. Making a little changes in the way you eat can go a long way. Finding healthier alternatives to your favorites it a good place to start. Increase your fiber, by eating a high fiber cereal for breakfast or for a snack and increase your intake of fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Switch to leaner cuts of meat.

The price at the meat counter can be scarey. However, when you cook lets say hamburger, especially high fat hamburger, that fat turns to a liquid and you drain it off, correct? When you cook a lower fat hamburger there is not as much liquid to drain off. So you are getting more for your money then what you think. I have actually found that I can purchase a lean roast cheaper per pound when on sale then I can the extra lean hamburger and most recipes you could switch very easily. Just cook your roast in the crock pot for a day and you will be able to shred it easily into any recipe calling for hamburger.

Cut back on your non-healthy fats, like butter and margerine and increase your healthy fats by using olive oil or canola oil for cooking. Switch to lower fat or fat free dairy products.

So have your chocolate, but then find another way to make up for it, like drinking skim milk. Eat the hamburger, but then skip the frenchfries. Or if you are like me, enjoy the frenchfries with a large grilled chicken salad. Is this making sense?

If you have any specific questions feel free to ask. Eating healthy is one of my most favorite things to talk about. I have a lot of information, I just don't always use what I know.

Dia

[Dia Minha]

Now I might start sounding like a know it all, but really this is just something I really get into and love to share. Especially when people are making such a positive change in their lives.

When it comes to excersise, if it isn't fun, I'm not going to do it. So my suggestion is to find something you enjoy doing. The best way to do this is to think back to when you were a child. What games or activities did you enjoy while growing up. For me it was dancing. I love to dance. So putting on music and getting down in my living room with my kids works for me. Work out tapes work for me too, because a lot of them center around learning a routine and dance movements. (I just hate that a lot of new ones out lately look fun, but the women forget to get dressed before dancing around in front of the camera.)

If there is absolutely no activity you enjoyed as a child, try just increasing what you do now. Park in a space at the back of the lot. Walk through the store completely before starting your shopping. Not only then do you get to see all the deals, but you end up taking more steps. Put on a pedometer and see if you can increase your average steps everyday. Just find something you already do and increase it a little everyday. You will be surprised at how far a little excersise goes. You will start to feel better, and thus want to excersise more.

Dia

[5ft Diva]

These are some good ideas Dia.

Okay, I have a question. Do you purchase a whole roast when the lean ground beef goes on sale? Is that what I'm understanding? I guess lean meat is lean meat. But you just get it in the roast? Help me understand this, it's foreign to me.

[Dia Minha]

Hum, no. Sorry if it came out that way. What I was trying to say is I buy several lean roasts when they go on sale. Usually I stock up when I see them for $2.49 a lb. This is usually cheaper then buying the extra lean hamburger, even if the hamburger is on sale. The point I was trying to make is a lot of people buy hamburger, because it is cheap, but this is not always so. Especially when it comes to your leaner meats.

Does that help?

[Dia Minha]

You don't always have to get the leaner cuts in a roast either, because most of the fat you can cut off, before cooking. I just hate to mess with raw meat, and advoid it whenever possible.

[bookworm]

Dia, thanks so much for all the info. I have been eating that way for years- really I have. I love to go to Macey's really early and get extra lean ground beef for cheap, and watch for "priced to sell" or "manager's special" on other lean cuts, plus we've been drinking skim for about 12 years (mainly because it's cheaper than others, but the lack of fat is an added bonus). I only use canola or olive oil, and Kriss has got me cutting back on butter/margarine type stuff, too. When I went to the doc for yet another assessment for the fatigue stuff, she said my bloodwork was very good- no cholesterol or thyroid or other issues at all. I'm very healthy that way. I just look pregnant even though I'm not!! Oh, and I will always have my chocolate. I've just realized I probably shouldn't eat as much as I was. I'm loathe to confess I like to eat a reeses or hershey w/almonds every day. Plus, if there is cake or cookies, that's what I snack on. I've started limiting treats to one or two days each week. And I almost never have soda or chips in the house. SO I guess I'm pretty balanced as far as diet goes.

The exercise is where I have trouble, as I mentioned to diva. I loved dancing, too, when I was young. I really feel like I need more, though, so I'm going to try to apply good advice and just do it!

Of course, this all could be tied to this funny thing my doc DID find in my blood (a strep titer?? and some mystery bacteria. I've had 4 rounds of different antibiotics, and just had another blood test last Mon), and this fall when I get real insurance, I plan to have my tonsils removed and we'll see if that solves all of it.

You gals are the best, thanks for your ideas!

[Big_Sissy]

bookworm, if you think having a treadmill would help, you can come try ours and see what you think.

I will tell you though, it won't. We'd like to think it would, but so far, unless we really put our minds to it, it's just another piece of furniture.

[bookworm]

yeah- I'm afraid it might just become a costly place to drape unironed shirts! I think I need to prove to myself first that I will walk a few days a week all during the warm season before I spend the money on something like that. Like training the kids on small pets before getting them a dog. Or a horse.

[Dia Minha]

It sounds like you are on the right track then. There a lot of different medical reasons that can prevent a person from loosing weight. It sounds like this might be your case. I hope you and your doctor discover it soon. It can be frustrating to put in so much and get so little out. I'm pulling for you.

[bookworm]

Dia, just so you know, you are still one of my very favorite people. Even though I nearly NEVER see you anymore, you are!

oh, and 5' DIva, I forgot to comment about your tongue-in-cheek suggestion that I ride my dh's bike- I don't think he would think that was funny at all. He keeps it out as though it's a decorative piece- but the kids are not supposed to touch! he makes me laugh. I always tease him that he needs to tuck it in with a kiss good-night before going up to bed at night.