Weight Loss

[Teacher Terry]

This can certainly be a challenge at any age but more so in the senior years. I have lost 15 lbs in 8 weeks by drinking nothing with calories except for 2 cups of coffee a day. I was able to get off one of my high blood pressure medications. My friend did the same thing with similar results. I have rediscovered my love of sparkling flavored water. 5 years ago I lost 40 lbs and kept it off. I suspect that I will hit a plateau in another 5lbs which is fine. Need to remove the clothes from my closet that are too big now. Anyone else working on this?

[SteveinMN]

After sliding a bit on keto (A1c was up .3 points; was not happy with that; it's now back where it was) and realizing that most of what we did for exercise went away with lockdown, I've been paying more attention to food and, particularly, snacking, which is just so &#*$ easy to do when I'm 30 feet from the kitchen. I haven't gained any weight; to the contrary, I lost another pound last month. But I know eating season (the holidays) and hibernation season (Minnesota winter) are coming. I want to be ahead of all that if possible.

[early morning]

That's great, TT and Steve! We aren't keto but have been cutting carbs and trying to eat more veggies and fruits over the past year or so. All three of us have lost weight since March, mostly due to my being home (the covid shutdown, my work "disagreement" and consequent retirement all hitting the fan at once really overturned my life, lol....) and focusing more on healthier food options. I've lost 15 lbs, DH has lost 20, and I am not asking DD her numbers, but I can see she's lost also. Exercise is a challenge. It's hard for me to not see actual scheduled exercise as my "enemy" - something I've been struggling with most of my life. I had exercise-induced asthma in the 60s, when it hadn't been "invented" yet and there were no fast-acting inhalers. There was a big push for fitness in schools (anybody else remember the Presidential fitness tests back then? TORTURE for many of us) and I hated gym class and structured physical activities with a passion that endures to this day. Currently I am trying to do a lot of stretches and take walks when the mood strikes me. I seem to have hit a plateau, though, so healthier snacking is my current focus.

[Jane v2.0]

I remember fitness tests. >:( They may have turned a whole generation against anything touted as exercise--which has has little to do with weight loss, anyway, though it's certainly health-enhancing.

As far as I'm concerned, exercise should feel like play, not work--or worse yet, torture. When I was able and had a partner, we used to play what I called "first bounce or fall down" which involved going to a local park and tossing a playground ball around, hoping that it didn't end up in Lake Washington. Great fun.

I don't snack, as constant eating just keeps insulin up and perpetuates hunger. I do have some good habits. :(

[KayLR]

Ah yes, the Presidential Fitness tests....along with the Iowa Skills tests, what fun we had in the good ol' days.

I am back on WW, full-on tracking what I eat within my daily points budget. It works for me when I do it--this week I lost 2 lb. I also like to go out in the evening and bike around 3-5 miles. I say I am going to keep that up even when it's raining, but I've said that before. We'll see.

I'm with Jane--I have to enjoy exercise, whether it's walking, cycling or hiking...weights and gym equipment doesn't do it for me. If the pool ever opens, I'll be there.

[ApatheticNoMore]

I rather enjoy weights. Is it the thrill of my life, no, but it's ok and I rather enjoy building muscle. Thinking of joining an outdoor gym again and screw any minor risks of covid whatever those might be, it's not like I really know the precise risk level (indoor gyms are not allowed here now, and really unsafe IMO - I don't think I would do them).

But yea with covid and fires that have been burning for a month now and ridiculously hot temperatures of over 100 degrees this week and a few weeks ago, of this endless heck year, exercise has gone by the wayside. When it was just ONE obstacle like covid some was getting done, but crazy got piled onto crazy, until it was amazing one got out of bed at all. I got my bf to take a walk with me recently and he was much more affected by the smoke than me, when he got back he was a shadow of himself, just sitting there in pain recovering barely aware, saying nothing, just numb and struggling. So yea, I'll walk alone, and it's probably not good for me either, but I get completely stir crazy with no exercise AT ALL. I think exercise has an impact on weight but it's just not huge, it's 5-10 pounds or so, which might be great if that's all one is concerned about, but may not be life changing.

[Teacher Terry]

I love to walk but with asthma haven’t been able to for over a month.

[Tammy]

It’s abhorrent to me when government or employers get involved in telling us how to eat and exercise. But I’m a hypocrite because I do the necessary steps in our wellness program to get the $60 monthly discount on our insurance. But I do it on company time as much as I can. Ugh.

[happystuff]

I haven't gained, but haven't lost either. I'm hoping once I start back to work on Monday that I will start losing. I should also do better with not as much snacking, since I'm not going to be around the house 24/7.

[oldhat]

During the early stages of the lockdown, back in April, I became alarmed by my BP, which was up despite being on medication, and my weight, which was about as high as it's ever been (around 245 at 5'10"). I knew both are serious risk factors for covid, along with my age. Over the next couple of months I lost around 25 lbs through a combination of intermittent fasting (in my case eating only between noon and six) and cutting way down on meat and dairy. BP went down quite a bit and I was able to reduce my medication dose.

During the summer, I lapsed back into old habits somewhat. BP started going back up and doc and I are still tweaking the meds. I've kept the weight off, though.

Just a few days ago I resolved to return to the IF regimen. I'm going to try to stick with it for the remainder of the year and see if I can lose more weight, since I'm still technically obese.

Exercise has been a challenge. During the lockdown I was doing micro-workouts in my apartment. Walking has become my principal form of exercise since it's really the only one available. Going to the gym is still not a good idea.

[Jane v2.0]

It’s abhorrent to me when government or employers get involved in telling us how to eat and exercise. But I’m a hypocrite because I do the necessary steps in our wellness program to get the $60 monthly discount on our insurance. But I do it on company time as much as I can. Ugh.

I'm so glad I missed out on that. (Have I mentioned how much I hate insurance companies?) At any rate, even if I were the absolute picture of health, I wouldn't have participated, on general principle.

[iris lilies]

I lost 30 lbs since last December and have 20 ish to go. Took a break from Weight Watchers for 2 months since their office hours are greatly limited and I liked their professional scales. Oh, .i just realized My 2 month vacation is up! Well,
I think I will start counting points next week, and rejoin WW —online—in November.

[Teacher Terry]

Good going old hat and IL!

[SiouzQ.]

Starting on July 1, the nightly Netflix and ice cream habit adopted during the lockdown ended for me, and on September 1 after we got back from a mini-vacation to Colorado I quit a lot of carbs (bread, tortilla chips) and sugar (no mini candy bars and a lot less alcohol). I told K. I was going to be returning to eating the way I used to when I lived alone and was working at Wholefoods and really adopted a very healthy way of eating and invited him to come along with the idea or not. Basically, I decided to take responsibility for myself and not continue to blame my own weight gain on living with someone.

At any rate, it is working as I have already lost 8 lbs. and am within 2 lbs. of being what I weighed when I moved to New Mexico four years ago! My clothes fit better, I don't crave sugar anymore, and cutting back on the carbs has really helped. I eat a lot more vegetables and much less processed food. My immediate goal is to get down to 160 and stay there!

[Teacher Terry]

SQ, that’s great! I got on the scale today and was down 3 more pounds.

[happystuff]

Today, or rather tonight, marks my first full week of work. When I think of it, I get on the scale on Mondays and Fridays. Got on this morning and I'm down 5 pounds this week. I knew I lost some, as this job has me walking for my full 8 hour shift. Hmmm... getting paid to loose weight - I love it! My feet, on the other hand, are not happy - LOL.

[Teacher Terry]

Happy, that’s great! Do you have really good shoes?

[happystuff]

Happy, that’s great! Do you have really good shoes?

Teacher Terry - I had actually bought two pairs of sneakers and finally bought gel inserts for each. The inserts made a difference, so things are looking up. Thanks for asking.

[Teacher Terry]

My best friend and her husband who also quit drinking calories have lost a bunch of weight. It’s been relatively painless.

[happystuff]

My best friend and her husband who also quit drinking calories have lost a bunch of weight. It’s been relatively painless.

I think quitting drinking can make a significant difference for some folks. At some point I may try that. :|(

[Teacher Terry]

I do miss my daily coke but only have one a week. I also miss juice.

[happystuff]

So I am just finishing up my 6th week at the new job. As I've posted elsewhere, it is VERY physical and entails a significant amount of walking (7-10 miles a night). As of this morning, I'm down about 15 pounds!! That's about 2.5 pounds a week, so I'm thinking that's an okay loss rate.

[Teacher Terry]

Happ, that’s a great loss rate.

[razz]

So I am just finishing up my 6th week at the new job. As I've posted elsewhere, it is VERY physical and entails a significant amount of walking (7-10 miles a night). As of this morning, I'm down about 15 pounds!! That's about 2.5 pounds a week, so I'm thinking that's an okay loss rate.
You are all doing so well!

Add the equivalent to a gym membership as a benefit of the new job, Happystuff. Can you tell that I have to help motivate myself by seeing such necessary activities as working in terms that provide an additional benefit? ;)

I jokingly comment that my little beagle is my gym membership as we walk 5km (3miles+) at least every day. He also organizes my daytime routine by pestering me for attention when I spend too much time sitting at the computer or reading. He is my social coordinator as people stop and talk each day becoming friends since we meet so often.
All this benefit for the cost of his dog food, dog licence and his annual vet checkup. Besides which he is loveable.

[Teacher Terry]

I have lost 5 more pounds. We bought apple cider sold by a farmer so made a exception to not drinking any calories. I found a great alcohol free beer that’s only 70 calories and don’t miss wine at all. I had a coke yesterday and it tasted so good after not having one for months.

[ewomack]

Exercise has definitely posed a significant challenge during these covid times, plus, if I buy naughty food I eat it, so I'm trying to not buy it to begin with. Psychological tricks and mindfulness seem to help, but sometimes the "grab and eat" impulse prevails.

For indoor exercise, I try to perform what's called "Radio Taiso," (ラジオ体操) a traditional (i.e., mid-20th century) Japanese mass-exercise that people still do in vast numbers in the morning all over Japan. It seems to have fallen off with younger generations, but it provides a pretty decent workout that requires very little space. Below is the one that I often do from NHK (Japanese public television). You don't need to speak Japanese to follow along, just do what the people do. I think it's helped keep me at least a little limber. It's supposed to work all of the body's major muscles.

https://youtu.be/feSVtC1BSeQ

[happystuff]

Thanks! :)

[Teacher Terry]

I thought I would update this thread. I have lost a total of 24 pounds and am still losing. I expected to hit my set point but it hasn’t happened yet. A friend of mine has also lost weight so gave me 12 tops which meant I only needed to buy jeans and underwear. How are others doing?

[iris lilies]

I lost 30 lbs.

now am gaining.

ack!!!!!! But as my friend says, “you know what to do.”

[KayLR]

I think I need to get a dog. :(

[happystuff]

Was holding steady, but think I may have lost a little more. I only weight in on Monday and Friday mornings. Friday to see how the week went and Monday to see how bad the weekend was. LOL.

[Teacher Terry]

I thought I would update this thread. I lost a total of 50lbs total and have kept it off. My friend lost weight too so I got all her clothes except her pants are too short.

[iris lilies]

I thought I would update this thread. I lost a total of 50lbs total and have kept it off. My friend lost weight too so I got all her clothes except her pants are too short.
Yay for you!

[Tybee]

Good for you, Terry. Can you remind me how you did this? Did you use Weight Watchers, Noom, Mediterranean diet, paleo? This is the right day to start a new diet!

[happystuff]

Good for you, TT! Getting it off is one thing and keeping it off another. You've done so well!!! Congrats!

[Teacher Terry]

I quit drinking anything with calories except for 2 cups of coffee. The rest of the day I drink water. I only eat 1600/calories a day and eat my big meal between 12-2. I eat a snack at 5. I don’t eat after 7pm.

[Yppej]

I'm trying. Also don't eat after 7. Today I left a family get-together early despite my mother trying to get me to stay for a buffet of cookies, chips, etc. She never told me she had some special meal planned and I was tired of the squabbling between my brothers over ivermectin etc that led to one storming out of the house, my mother's bossiness (three times she tried to get my dad to eat ice cream at lunch when he didn't want to among other things), my SIL never looking up from her smart phone, etc. I am thinking the roots of dysfunctional eating go back to my childhood.