No Meltdowns, Just Meltoffs (updated 9/10/08: A New Challenge Has Begun) (Page 3)

Great job, guys! You both went in the right direction. I wish I had the ability to lose 6 pounds in 2 weeks--awesome job!

DANG !!!  Great Job!  And, I must say, that is one cute kiddo in your avatar

Howdy all!  I dropped to 209.5 this week. Down from 215 last Wednesday.  3 - 4 lbs of that was water weight.  I'm planning to drop to 206 by next Wednesday.  After that I'll be losing 2 lbs a week pretty regularly. 

Tim

Wow!  Great job!  Keep rockin it! 

Tim

Well I got what I expected.  230# this am - up from 229 a week ago.  Goal for 2 wks from today - 224#.

Great job to everyone this week.

Jared

Just got back on the wagon this past Sunday when I weighed 221.

This morning down to 214, which like others was probably water weight so need a another 2 pounds or so a week to continue to get back to mid 180's or so.

Hi All,

 I weighed in at 234.5 this morning.  Its a lot better than my 256 back in June, but I still have a ways to go.  My goal is to be under 220 by Christmas Day & into the 190s come spring.

I had been sticking with 2000 calories a day, but got stuck on a monster plateau (around 239) for the better part of two weeks.  Last Friday & Saturday I ate about 3000 calories/day then dropped back to 1600 this week.  I think I tricked by body into thinking the "famine" was over and that it is okay to release the fat because I'm back to seeing downward movement on the scale. 

 John

I was 245 two weeks ago goal was 240 this week I ended up at 242. I feel good about it though considering I went to the movies and had popcorn, PF Changs with the bosses boss, and a dinner out with Krisy on top of the fact that I have been Sick since Saturday and have not worked out all week. I'm shooting for 236 two weeks from now.

Nice work to everyone who made their goal!

-Brad

Good evening all, it's been a long 2 weeks... I am stoked, I blew my goal out of the water.... I was shooting for 252..... today's weigh in finds me at 244.2!  That's 12.8 lbs in 2 1/2 weeks.

My goal for the next weigh in 2 weeks from today is to be at 238.  That will be 6 lbs for the 2 wek period.

Congrats to all who have worked hard to drop weight, you deserve a hard earned pay on the back.  For those that are struggling with fluctuations, keep your chin up!  The only thing that can keep you from reaching your goals is you!  Pre-plan, prepare meals ahead of time, log your nutrition and hold yourself accountable for every calorie...every bite that goes in your mouth!

Good Luck to ALL!!!

Nice work! What do you think was the secret to your HUGE weight loss?

Pigpen, I would have to say that my biggest secret is that I make a list at the beginning of the week of what I can eat.  I plan each meal at the beginning of the week, usually on Sunday.  No soda, absolutely nothing sweet, no bread.  I purchased a small cooler that I pack my enitre days worth of meals in (excluding dinner).  I pack it up in the morning and stick to my schedule.  I stay below 1800 calories per day, consuming them in 6 small meals.  Lots of fruit and whole grains and lean protein.  I usually drink between 3-4 liters of water per day and follow my workout plan.  Right now I am doing the Michael Pate plan.  I can honestly say though, I hold myself accountable, I have not cheated or splurged, not once!

If I had to guess, I would say that a good bit of the beginning weight loss is water.  I guess one way to tell if that is so would be to look at the next weigh in and see if it dropped dramatically.  I will keep you guys posted.  Good Luck to you!

Hi, can I join?

 I need to be accountable.  I've decided that enough is enough.  I need to start logging my food, which honestly sucks.  My weight has been bouncing all over the place this past year and when I started increasing my exercise, my food increased too!

 I haven't exercised in a week because I went on long weekend trip, but I did work in 2 decent walks and then I came back sick!

You are now held accountable.  No gains!  Log those workouts so that we can hound you about those too 

Okay--

I am going to do this!!! You have inspired me. So I need to plan all of my stuff out ahead and time and eat little meals? I can do this, right? I think. Right?

 Elishia

Carla,

 Thanks!  

Jean,

 I think planning is definite key to losing weight!  I'm pretty boring in that I keep to mostly the same foods week by week.  You can do this!

This may be what I have to do as well.  I make terrible decisions when it comes to eating.  I eat whatever whenever.

Here is a typical day for me...

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/training/edit-nutrition.asp?memberid=113065&date=9/22/2008&rnd=96796

I just take along a small soft sided cooler with fruit, string cheese, nuts, yogurt or whatever I am eating for the day.  I sit down and figure up what calories I am allowed to have and in what form.  I then take my total calorie intake for the day and divide it over 3 meals and 3 snacks.  This way my metabolism is maintained at as high a point as possible and I dont have huge fluctuations in my insuline levels.  Maintaining a stable insulin level is important to burning fat.

You have to view food as a tool to help you reach your goals, just like your bike and your running shoes.  You wouldn't over-inflate your tires before a big workout would you?  No, because they might blow...so why treat your body any differently?  Eat to live...don't live to eat!

Please don't misunderstand, I am not a pro and don't claim to know everything, I struggle just like everyone else.  These are just a few things I have learned from friends that helped me change the way I perceive food and fueling my body.  I am a true believer that if you can't WILL your body not to eat that fat juicy hamburger, how will you ever WILL your body not to quit on you in the IM?

It's MIND over MATTER......If you DONT MIND it DONT MATTER!

Good luck guys... hope this helps someone and doesn't come across as me being some type of know it all!

msfugitivehunter - I think you have good advice.  Honestly, even though I've lost quite a bit of weight already, I've always eaten for enjoyment and not really to fuel my body.  Although one of my keys of losing weight was changing what I enjoyed eating.   Some days I hate eating and the fact that I have to eat and other days I love eating.   I also couldn't see your food diary, but not sure if that is an option here?  I could see your calories and breakdown though.

Carla - I saw you noted on my log about sugarloaf.  There is a sugarloaf mountain in MD that was used as a lookout in the civil war.  I also realized my location wasn't displayed so I changed that.

Thanks Angelina, I changed my settings to make my logs viewable, not sure if that will help.  I have just started putting everything on my log here.  I have a training journal I keep, it is just easier and faster for me to write it on paper.  Hope to have it all updated soon.

I agree with reprogramming your body and mind as to the foods you like.  I have learned that if I force myself to eat healthy for a short period of time, my body will adjust and I won't crave foods, especially sweet stuff.  After I have adjusted to my new diet, if I am having cravings it is usually because my body is lacking some vitamin or mineral and I usually listen to my body.  It is funny how it works, but your body will tell you what it needs.

I'm new here so I'm not sure if I understand the way this challenge group works.  On the 24th everyone posted their current weight & also their goal weight for 2 weeks from now?  Then in 2 weeks, do you do it again?  Yes?  No?  How long does this challenge last?  Thanks!

 John

That is exactly right...  

I am doing a variation of this.... I plan out 1 day in advance and usually make a big pot of something I can eat several times (like pasta sauce, chilli, or chicken soup) early in the week. I have had good results (2-3 pounds per week), but not GREAT results. Planning is a BIG help. I bring a small cooler full of fruit, crackers, sandwich, soup etc and eat 1800 to 200 cal per day spread out over 5-6 small meals / snacks. 

If you have hit a sticking point I think this is the only way to go. I was on pates plan, but am transitioning to the Winter maintenance plan with 3 swim, 3 bike, 3 run and 3 strength workouts per week. I think the additional strength workouts are going to be a BIG help. I have to get to the 205 - 195 range before my HIM. 

 -Brad