Welcome to your new board! Enjoy!

Hey there,

As with most living, breathing humans on Earth I've been trying to get in better shape. Living in an area where winters practically make it impossible to stick to an 'outdoor' based type of workout schedule I saw the weight pile on in the 'darker' months and I had to find a solution--fast. I'm also rather frugal. I finally figured out a neat way to get a variety of workouts without having to join expensive gyms.

First--TV fitness shows

Basic cable lineups often offer some channel that provides 1-2 workouts a day. Lately, I've found Denise Austen's 30 minute workouts on the Lifetime channel. She has 2 shows from M-F that focus on aerobics, yoga, pilates and general 'work out the body' type activities. Not so strenuous but great for getting back into the routine of working out. I use her shows as 'warm ups' for my other workouts (which will follow). What I'd give for the Fitness Channel or FitTV!

Second--VHS/DVD workouts

I personally enjoy Billy Blanks' Tae-bo workouts on tape/DVD. Lately, I've been following his Boot Camp series of DVD workouts that I found on a whim at Walgreens and they are literally 'kicking my behind!!!' But after awhile constantly re-doing the same workouts can get monotonous. Because I'm so frugal I wanted to find an inexpensive source for workout videos/tapes (new tapes range from $10-$40!). I finally started perusing the old video tape sections of thrift stores (Goodwill/St Vincent de Paul/Salvation Army--those types of stores) and for about $0.50- $1 a tape I've collected a dozen different workout tapes that provide some variety in my routine. I focused on aerobics, yoga, tae-bo, Tony Little's target training workouts, Kathy Smith (any of her workouts) and a handful of kickboxing/dance type workouts. It's been fun, entertaining and I'm actually seeing results in how I look (not yet much difference on the 'scale' though but that's alright--clothes fit better and I feel way better!). One good excuse for not throwing out your VCRs just yet. ;)

Third--YMCA or other 'inexpensive' gym in your area

When we relocate in a few months I'll probably start up a membership at the YMCA because of the variety of activities they offer for children (and for parents). If you have large families, the YMCA is usually the way to go as their rates (although they might appear expensive) are actually quite reasonable because you can often participate in as many activities as you can squeeze in for that same rate--for everyone in the family!

Lastly--most importantly--turning letterboxing hikes into workouts

We add a bunch of 'additional' exercises into our letterboxing outings. Pushups, sprints along long stretches of trails, running backwards/laterally/duck-walking. Mix it up and you'll work different muscle groups. Also, you can sneak in isometrics anytime/place and get a decent toning workout--even at work/in meetings/traffic, etc.

Hope this helps give you some ideas out there. Obviously we're all trying to improve our fitness levels. Just got to get creative about it. And don't let jerks drag you down--just develop a goal, create baby steps in how to achieve it & stick to it! Tenacity!

daelphinus

First, thank you, Ryan, for the new board!

I'm a fan of water--it's my main beverage, and I drink a LOT of it. At a former job, someone passed around an article written by a doctor about the benefits of drinking water. (I can't remember the doctor's name, unfortunately.) Anyway, my boss at the time remarked, "Leslie, you drink a lot of water, and I've noticed that you aren't sick very often. Is that why you do it?" I told her that I just liked water, but it did get me thinking.

One thing I do remember is that especially when I was studying late into the night in college, I would get a cool glass of water whenever I felt really tired. About ten minutes later, I would feel wakened and refreshed. I've used it that way ever since, and it does work.

Don't forget to check out your local library for fitness tapes and DVD's! My library has a nice collection and that particular genre is free!!! All you have to have is a library card!

Furthermore, I notice that our Family Video has tapes and DVD's for free as well.

It's great to change up the exercise routine tho, I never thought of doing it on the trail tho, what a great idea!

I also like to take my dog for walks and get her to run after me. Sometimes I don't do too much of the running, just dodging and she'll run past me and then run back (like a bullfight actually).

Moonduck

I have a friend who had the gastric bypass surgery b/c she was morbidly obese. I don't know much about this, but watching her drop the weight and grow more self-confident was great. However, eating with her is an absolute struggle. I cannot believe that she only eats like a cup of food and is full. I can't imagine it's healthy for her kids to witness this either, between her hardly eating and obvious body issues that may result. I know she did try for years and years through many different ways to lose, but never could and keep it off. Now she's rail thin and still losing.

My boyfriend and I discussed this as an option for him, but ruled it out for many reasons. First of all, there isn't any long term results yet b/c it's such a new surgery. Second of all, he doesn't want to have to change his eating habits for the rest of his life, nor does he want to impose that on me or our future family. He actually said he'd rather just work it all off and still be able to eat things that he likes, for instance barbecue or grease for the rest of his life. He also likes the idea of being able to drink alcohol if he chooses. My mom's been thinking of doing it and I don't know what to think about that.

I'm just wondering what others think of this procedure. Honestly, it scares me after seeing my friend still losing weight, but then you look at Al Roker and think about the possibilities as well.

Moonduck

Quote

I'm just wondering what others think of this procedure. Honestly, it scares me after seeing my friend still losing weight, but then you look at Al Roker and think about the possibilities as well.

Moonduck

Gastric bypass scares the dickens out of me as an option because it also affects the nutrients that your body absorbs from food (taking out an entire segment of an organ that is designed to process foods in a specific manner is very drastic).

An option that seems less drastic and perhaps reversible is the lap band surgery--it essentially places a band around the opening to the intestines to limit the amount of food you intake causing a similar 'full feeling' and as a result you'll want to eat less. This is compared to the 'stomach stapling' or other procedures that remove an entire segment of your intestines; often non-reversible. The lap band procedure is reversible (as far as I can tell) so that's always nice. If there are complications or in time the individual has developed the habit of eating smaller portions then one can opt to remove it and resume life with their 'entire' body functioning as it should. I think with the more drastic procedures parts of your organs are permanently removed or rendered useless (depending upon which technique they employ).

Oh, I'm not a doctor so don't take this as advice. I'm just very interested in health & fitness and I try to keep up to date on the subjects. If I can get my act together once my kids are a bit older I want to go to medical school--but until then I just read voraciously.

daelphinus

Of all topics, guess what hit the AP wire today? A new study on alternatives to gastric bypass surgeries:

http://www.newsday.com/news/health/wire/sns-ap-obesity-study,0,3428989.story?coll=sns-ap-health-headlines

If the link doesn't work after a few days, google: "Study Tests Alternatives to Gastric Bypass By CAROLYN THOMPSON" and it should lead you to the article.

Enjoy!

dälphinus

Actually, gastric bypass surgery is NOT new. According to Wikipedia, the surgery has been performed for about the last 50 years. Gastric bypass surgery is only one of four different procedures under the "bariatric surgery" umbrella. The others are the lap band (adjustable gastric banding), duodenal switch (biliopancreatic diversion), and stomach stapling (vertical banded gastroplasty surgery).

If you would like to read more about these procedures, the Mayo Clinic has a good article at their web site about them (http://mayoclinic.com/health/gastric-bypass/HQ01465). It tells you what each kind of surgery is (scroll to the bottom to see the latter three), what the complications and risks are, what changes you have to make after the surgery, and for whom the various procedures are appropriate.

One thing that all of the pamphlets, web sites, and doctors say is that weight loss surgery is not a solution for weight problems. Many people gain back their weight, one of the possible outcomes is death, and you have to commit to a new diet and exercise program for the rest of your life.

I'm not a doctor, so please don't take the above or what I'm about to say as medical advice.

I've discussed bariatric surgery with one of the top diabetes researchers in the field (at Joslin Diabetes Clinic in Boston). She brought it up on a visit, said that she wouldn't pressure me to do it because it was, admittedly, "barbaric," but that it was the only thing available right now. I asked her if she were in my position if she'd get it. She said that she probably would.

Still, though I'm morbidly obese and have diabetes, I have ruled out surgery for myself. I don't like the complications and the idea that I could die from surgery. I am also unconvinced that excess weight is the cause of all the deaths attributed to it--I think it is more likely that obesity and the other illnesses attributed to excess weight simply occur together in some people, but that one does not necessarily cause the other.

I've also heard stories of a number of other people who've had the surgery. One told me she was glad she'd done it, even though she'd gained back some of the weight and had a few surgeries to deal with the abdominal hernias that were a result of the bypass. In addition, I have a friend who has eight other friends who've had the surgery; and she, like you, is alarmed at what her friends can't eat and how sick they are; plus, some have gained back the weight.

Besides all of this, I know that it actually *is* possible for people to be fat and yet fit. I'm not saying that I am in that category as yet, but I do know people who are (one is the friend I mentioned above). And if I've got to maintain a healthy diet and exercise program anyway, why get the surgery and have to go through all that healing time plus possibly additional surgeries to deal with complications? With good blood sugar control, I can still lead a healthy life.

Again, just my opinion. For anyone who does decide to get this surgery, please do it at a reputable hospital with an experienced surgeon. As with any surgery, the success rates are far higher going that route.

Contact me if you are contemplating this surgery. I have had a tremendous success.... however... there are issues with health insurance coverage...

bandaid

Thank you for this post. LOTS of really good ideas here.

Quote

I'm just wondering what others think of this procedure.

I think it should be used as a last resort. The problem with most people--they seem to prefer using it as a first resort and complain that diet and exercise haven't work in the past. Which I don't really buy into. Diet and exercise are WORK, and most people don't want to put in the time or effort to make it work. Being a skinny guy all my life, I can't really say I know how it feels to need to lose weight. But I can tell you this--if I had to GAIN weight--I'd have a tough time doing it. It would really require a lot of effort and work for me to gain weight. I'd have to deliberately stop walking several miles every day and live off a diet of high calorie foods. Not that I really avoid high calorie foods--but all else being equal, I usually like to pick the low-fat versions of whatever I eat and when I have fountain drinks, I've been known to mix the diet and regular because, why not? I can't really taste much of a difference when I do that, and it's half the calories! =) As a side note, while thru-hiking the AT, I deliberately went out of my way in trail towns to consume as many calories as possible. It was horrible. Forcing Ben and Jerry's down my throat when I really didn't want it at the time. And I still lost weight!

But being severely overweight is a serious health issue, so I'm not completely opposed to the idea of gastric bypass surgery. There could be complications and unknown long-term health effects, but staying severely overweigh will have complications and long-term health effects.

So basically, I'm torn on the subject. I think diet and exercise are the way to go, but if that's not going to happen, surgery might be a better alternative than doing nothing at all.

-- Ryan

Quote

I have a friend who had the gastric bypass surgery b/c she was morbidly obese.

My mom wants to do this amd it just scares me to death. I understand that she has a lot of health problems that would decrease or disappear if she can lose all this weight, but I think there are other alternatives that she is not trying. I have tried and tried to talk to her and all she will say is look how happy the people on the website are. WELL OF COURSE THEY ARE HAPPY! ARG! If they were unhappy or having problems do you think their stories will get on the website?!?!?! She just won't listen. She tries diets and stuff, but after a week or two, sometimes a month, that's it. No more. With this surgery, she can't change her mind two weeks in. I just don't know what to do. I really don't want my mom to risk her health and life to do this.

Quote

WELL OF COURSE THEY ARE HAPPY! ARG! If they were unhappy or having problems do you think their stories will get on the website?!?!?!

This makes me think of all of those "safety studies" performed by the car manufacturers. Honestly, what is the likelihood that they are going to say, "Our car's safety ratings are appalling"?

Quote

I think it should be used as a last resort. The problem with most people--they seem to prefer using it as a first resort and complain that diet and exercise haven't work in the past. Which I don't really buy into. Diet and exercise are WORK, and most people don't want to put in the time or effort to make it work.

It is true that diet and exercise do work to SOME extent--one does have to realize, though, that probably nothing is going to get you to look like Kate Moss or any of the other emaciated-models. Personally, I think that is a *good* thing.

The problem is that many people go for diets that will make them lose weight too rapidly--meal replacement shakes and the like. (Please don't flame me on this one--I'm just saying that these don't work for most people long term.) It's difficult for people to deal with the knowledge that it will take a long time to lose a lot of weight, but it makes sense--took years to weigh what you do now, it will take years to take it off.

As for exercise, it works, but for those with a LOT of weight to lose, it can be difficult, because it often involves real pain even at the beginning. And when you're dealing with joint and muscle pain, fatigue, and breathlessness already, it is difficult to welcome more of the same even when you know that it is going to help you. I'm not saying it isn't worth it in the long run; I'm just saying that some people who've never had to deal with exercising in a large, unfit body don't realize this, and are therefore a little judgemental about those with extra pounds. The trick, I think, is to start off VERY slow if need be, even if everyone around you thinks that you should be doing more. And to remember that if you become out of breath, you need to rest for a bit--because otherwise, you are just making yourself tired for nothing. This seems to be working for me.

I've always wanted to take those people who are the nastiest to the overweight (and I am not pointing any fingers here, Ryan, your response was perfectly considerate) and force them to carry around the excess weight that some of us have for the period of one month. I have a feeling there would be a lot less name-calling.

As for the surgery, it's like anything really--you have to figure out what is going to work for you.

I'm in that same category. Locally, there have been several deaths associated with that procedure so I knew I didn't want that. Had my insurance covered it, I would have done the gastric banding. Investigate that. It works the same as the by-pass but doesn't have to be permanent and can be adjusted by inflating or deflating the band.
zoemomma

Quote

one does have to realize, though, that probably nothing is going to get you to look like Kate Moss or any of the other emaciated-models.

I'm just talking about reaching one's ideal weight. =) Kate Moss hardly qualifies for ideal. However, I can tell you from first hand experience, it's not that difficult to look emaciated without even trying if you thru-hike a long-distance trail. I was absolutely skeletal when I finsihed. For those who've seen me at my present weight--imagine how I'd look with about 30 pounds less. Because that's how much I lost while hiking the AT. And it's pretty much the norm for everyone that does a thru-hike. You can't help it.

But that's just an extreme and totally not necessary. Just reaching an ideal weight is a good goal--trying to look like Kate Moss is not.

Quote

The problem is that many people go for diets that will make them lose weight too rapidly

Yep, I think you've got that dead on. *nodding* People want to see immediate results from a diet or exercise program, and when they don't, they get discouraged and give up. Gotta sick with it through thick and thin. Just take a look at those folks on the Biggest Loser. Usually they lose a lot of weight at first, but after a few weeks, they eat very healthy, work out very hard, and might lose a few pounds at best. Occasionally, they even have weeks where they gain weight! Losing weight is hard word, and most people aren't willing to work that hard or give up too easily when the going gets rough.

Quote

As for exercise, it works, but for those with a LOT of weight to lose, it can be difficult, because it often involves real pain even at the beginning.

That's a good point. *nodding* But you know, people don't have to immediately start hiking ten miles a day or something to get a real benefit. Walk up to the end of the street and back. For those who don't have mailboxes at their house, walk out to get the mail instead of driving. (I'm always astonished at how many people will DRIVE 200 feet to get the mail. *shaking head*) Start small--very small, if necessary--and build up to longer and longer exercises. Pick up a 5-pound weight and lift it fives times a day. It's not really much, but I figure it'll get someone into the habit of setting time aside for exercise and doing something.

But losing weight is just really, really hard. Likely to be the hardest thing a lot of people have ever done in the lives, but I think it's so worth it if they can hang in there. Which is why I think those support groups are so important for most people. You need people who can pep you up when the going gets tough, and someone who's sharing the pain with you. It's absolutely true that misery loves company. ;o) Okay, maybe not, but sometimes misery needs company.

Those with medical conditions might have a harder time doing something about their weight, but I really think the vast majority of people really can succeed if they try hard enough. I won't lose any sleep over it or begrudge someone if they choose not to, but I'd certainly be supportive of anyone that gives it a go. It's not even just about looking better (though that certainly is a very real benefit!)--I just like seeing people be healthy and do things they never imagined they'd be able to do. It's a good thing. *nodding* =)

-- Ryan

I have a friend who had the gastric bypass surgery b/c she was morbidly obese. I don't know much about this, but watching her drop the weight and grow more self-confident was great. However, eating with her is an absolute struggle. I cannot believe that she only eats like a cup of food and is full.

Somebody close to me had the gastric bypass surgery and she definitely lost a lot of weight. However, she has sabotaged the effort and has gained back 60+ pounds! I wanted to pass this info along as it can happen. She would be full after the cup of food like you mentioned. But then she'd eat more and get sick. Eventually she either got used to being sick or it went away as she can now eat like the rest of us. She's stretched the small pouch into a large pouch.

Now she's gaining back the weight and isn't getting the proper nutrition she needs. I care about her so much and it hurts to see her last hope for a healthier body slipping away. So, if someone is considering the surgery please realize that it's not a magic bullet. You have to make the commitment to change your habits for life or you might gain back the weight.

Take care, Orion

I want to thank Ryan so much for this board! I like so many other Americans struggle with the weight issue.

I've been eating right and going to the gym and not losing much weight. So my doctor tested my thyroid and discovered that I have hypothyroidism. I was glad because it explained the weight gain (no metababolism basically) but the remedy is to take a synthetic hormone for the rest of my life. Oh well, so be it. But I thought that once I took the pill, the weight would drop off. It's been over three months and that miracle didn't happen. So I'm relying on the eating right and exercise to rev up the metabolism but it hasn't.

My doctor said that drinking enough water and eating smaller more frequent meals should help. It seems that my thyroid levels are now where they ought to be.

One friend mentioned that eating extra virgin coconut oil kicks up the thyroid action. I went online to research that but the science seems fuzzy and I felt like it might just be a claim to sell the product.

In the past, if I gained weight, I could lose it fairly easily. Now with the thyroid issue I've become quite frustrated and wondered if anyone else has this problem and could offer some advice?

I kept gaining weight and feeling tired. Once I started my thyroid medicine, I also started going to Curves. I lost weight fairly easily which surprised me. So now, I just try my best to eat right and exercise. I definitely think the medicine has helped me lose quicker. I just couldn't seem to lose anything before.

I also bought a Total Gym last week. So far I love it. It takes a little getting used to hooking and unhooking things. And, of course, letterboxing helps. I make sure my excursions include rapid walking. Yesterday, I went to Tallulah Gorge (Georgia) and actually walked the 1,000 steep steps down and back! I was so proud of myself! My calves are hurting today!
Beachcomber

Thanks. I've started doing an hour of cardio x 6 days instead of my half hour x 3 days. I think that might be a missing piece of the puzzle. I know that when I lost weight before I kept a diary and that really helped. So it's all those little things that add up.

1,000 steep steps- no wonder your calves are hurting. Good job!
I remember climbing up and down the Washington Monument once and my legs felt like rubber when I got back to flat land again!!!!

Take care, Orion

I was just wondering how often people weigh themselves. I read somewhere once that you should only do it like once a week b/c it can change day to day regardless of what you're doing and by doing it once a week you get a better idea of the change. However, I feel a little crazed myself watching it that much, I tend to obsess. So for the last 2-3 years I get weighed at the health department every three months when I have to go in anyways. I'm tired of the shock of gaining and obviously want to stop, but I don't want to go buy a scale b/c I'm afraid I'll check it too often (but I know I need to do this to help me lose!).

What do you do?
Moonduck

I'm like you--I weigh myself at the doctor's office every three months. I usually have some kind of idea about whether my weight has gone up or down or stayed the same, and if I happen to have lost a little weight when I do get weighed, I get a nice surprise.

The whole obsession thing is the reason I don't do it more often. That's also the reason I don't "diet" per se--instead of following a specific meal plan, I just try to make healthy choices. I have to say that since I started doing things this way, I feel much better and have actually lost some weight. And I don't have to think about food all the time.

After years and years of yo-yo dieting and getting nowhere, I have decided not to put the emphasis on weight. Instead, I put the emphasis on health--eating things that make me feel healthier, and doing things (like letterboxing!) that make me feel better, too.

And remember--sometimes you GAIN weight when you gain healthy muscle.

Just my way of doing things.

The local HAWC (military health and wellness center) has done some wonderful seminars for weight loss that I, in my infinite wisdom (sarcasm), have yet to follow though I know them to be right.

Mainly, all diets will fail. All of them, from South Beach to Atkins, to whatever the latest and greatest thing is. You will regain the weight thus putting you once more on the rollercoaster of gains and losses. The reason for this is the same as for smoking cessation: you're focusing on the wrong thing and making it worse.

Smoking cessation for the military now involves a psychiatrist who can prescribe wellbutrin for the physical symptom period, and emotional/psychological support for the mental issues. They put you in the right frame of mind, especially if you're a stress smoker, to deal with the reason you smoke instead of just the smoking.

Their weight loss program is the same. If you're a comfort eater, you need to discover a new, non-food comfort item or (better yet) activity. If you're a stress eater, then you should find ways without food to deal with your stress. They discuss correct foods, but not calories or carbs or fat. If you exercise, eat smaller portions more often, and make those portions good foods (not McD's or fried things), then you will see slower, but more lasting weight loss than any fad diet out there. They say that the main problem with all those diets is that they *force* you to obsess over your food...you're counting calories, carbs, fat grams, pounds....they tell you what to eat, when to eat it, and how much you should be losing...until all you're thinking about is food and pounds and that sets you up to fail.

I've tried to slowly change over to this...I'm not a big veggie eater and what I do eat is pretty bad for me...mmmm....mashed potatoes...but unlike the Atkins or SouthBeach, this is a life change, not a diet I may stick to for 3 months until I've lost 20 pounds or whatever and then break it horribly.

Oh! to make this even more rambly (and my apologies for that), the entire concept of "you can't have carbs, you can't have fat, nothing over X calories" is a set up for failure in that, if you ever do slip and have that chocolate bar, you tend to feel that you've failed your diet and then stop it entirely. The same with smoking. Most cessation programs don't allow for a regression every now and then. But if you know what caused the slip, work to prevent it (maybe you were really stressed and forgot your squeezy ball), then you can move on as you don't have to worry about what "stage" of the diet to revert back to.

Well, enough of my ramblings...just thought that may be a new way to look at it :)

Quote

They say that the main problem with all those diets is that they *force* you to obsess over your food...you're counting calories, carbs, fat grams, pounds....they tell you what to eat, when to eat it, and how much you should be losing...until all you're thinking about is food and pounds and that sets you up to fail.

That's exactly the reason I finally decided to throw out all the diets and just try to make healthy choices. That's not to say that I never eat any cake or chocolate bars or whatever; but the way I look at it, people without weight problems occasionally have some cake or what have you as well. It's getting out of the whole "punishment/reward" cycle, and the obsessing about food that you mention that helps one to have a healthier attitude about food. And giving myself permission to eat formerly forbidden foods has ended up meaning that I may have a chocolate bar today, but I probably won't tomorrow.

I figure that I may never fit on the "ideal weight" charts; but that's okay. Obsessing about some numbers on a scale isn't the way I want to go--as I've heard said before, they don't put your weight on your gravestone, so I don't let my weight define my entire being. I figure if you take it just one day at a time--and even just one choice at a time--you'll get off of the weight loss rollercoaster. And frankly, I don't want to spend my entire life obsessing about anything that is going to make me feel horrid.

I think your observations are right on. Most people don't end up overweight because they were hungry. We really need to figure out what's eating us!

All those different diets just offer people false hope. It's a multi billion dollar industry and Americans are heavier than ever. Then when we fall off the wagon, it's even more depressing. In the end the fornula for weight loss is calories in versus calories out. We need to figure out the way of eating that will give us good norishment and we'll enjoy. Plus we need to move more (yay for letterboxing!).

I do weigh in every morning although I think that strategy is better for when you've lost all the weight and don't want to gain it back (a whole other challenge!). I think I'll start weighing in on Friday mornings only. I'm trying to be very conscience of how I eat during the week and then being a little more lax on the weekend. I think this is something I can live with. Anyone else losing weight on a pretty strict 5 day and then 2 day off program? I don't mean going nuts on the weekend either. Just allowing the cravings to be satisfied realistically.

Take care, Orion

Quote

I was just wondering how often people weigh themselves

I weigh in every day. That's the only thing that works for me.
Beachcomber

Quote

I was just wondering how often people weigh themselves

I used to be super thin and then when I reached the ripe old age of 40, the pounds started coming on. Three years ago I lost 35 pounds by following Weight Watchers which consisted of watching and logging every bite I ate and exercising at least a half hour 5 or 6 days a week. I went down to a size 8, felt and looked great. Then I got sick last year, lost interest in counting points, and put enough weight on to move up to a size 12. I haven't yet picked up the motivation to start the counting and regimented exercise program again. Oh yes, I also weighed myself every day when I was on Weight Watchers but of course, when I started gaining I got discouraged and stopped doing that too.

A few months ago after feeling like a failure to myself, I realized that although I had gained some of my weight loss back and I am heavier than I want to be, I am not what would be considered obese by most people. I made the decision at that time that I would do the same thing many of you are now doing and try to make wise choices instead of counting and weighing every ounce I eat. I love Coke and had switched to all diet Coke when I was dieting but had slipped back to the Real Thing all the time. Now I let myself have some real Coke every day and use diet the rest of the time and I don't feel deprived. I have been playing games like that with a lot of the food that I eat now. I have been making a real effort especially to keep lots of fresh fruit and vegetables around so they are easy to grab.

And I have gotten back on the scale every day. I find that to me that is the biggest motivator - not to see weight loss but to see that I don't gain.

Best of luck to all those who are trying to improve their life through healthy living.

Jan of Team Little Dog

I know it's not easy but does anyone have advice about how not to fall back on bad habits? I've been good this week and have actually seen the scale go down a bit but I seem to slip into old habits too easily. For example, I won't eat sugar for a few days and then when I do, it triggers a whole craving for more. I don't want the sugar because I know it's a trigger but it always creeps in there. I go to the gym two days in a row and then I figure I can skip a day but then I can't get motivated to get back for a few more days. I definitely have much better habits than in the past but some of the bad habits seem to be right under the surface.

I guess my Mom was right. She said it takes at least three days before something becomes a habit. I suppose it's just as easy to have good habits as it is to have bad habits. Just wondered how others wrestle with the bad habits as they're trying to turn them around.

Take care, Orion

I'm going through a similar ordeal right now. In this semester in school, I'm taking an exercise class where all I gotta do is go the gym and get a point for each half hour. I go for an hour each time and rack up the points pretty quick. I feel soooooo good when I stay at it four days a week, but last week and this week, I've started to drift from my routine which I was afraid of. But when I've struggled with a break in a healthy routine before, I've quit. Gone back to those old habits. This time, the fact that I'm in a class and go with friends keeps me accountable. So I know I gotta get back at it. Also, my mom and some of her sisters and I are in a contest sort of thing. We meet monthly for an "assess-the-diet-situation" breakfast. In the past, mom and I have put money on it and that REAAAAALLLLY motivated me. I did very well that time. Anyway, about those habits, I'll share what has helped me. I did a total switch from regular pop to diet caffeine-free. Doesn't take very long to get used to it. Also, I just have to keep junk food out of the house. I absolutely cannot be trusted around it. I went through a whole box of Twinkies just last week after buying them for the first time in years. If I have to have snacks in the house, and I do have to have them, I opt for the healthier stuff that I still really love. Munching on baby carrots, Wheat Thins, yogurt, grapes, apples cut into french-fry-size pieces, etc. And I seriously feel physically better when I eat healthier than when I give into junk. I guess my point is....I just try to keep it out of the house! It's not so bad when healthy stuff becomes the norm instead of something I gotta make myself do. Weight and unhealthy habits are hard to combat. Good luck! :)

Becky of TrailStompers

Quote

I suppose it's just as easy to have good habits as it is to have bad habits.

If that were true, then would ANYONE have bad habits? I think not.

As for cravings, one thing that is actually surprisingly helpful is popcorn. Not with all the butter on it, of course; but popcorn, if you don't have a whole kettle full can help stop cravings and it is quick to make--many microwaves have a "popcorn" setting on them.

If you find that you end up grabbing something else, you might try making some ahead of time and putting it into Ziploc-type bags so you have single servings. Personally, I find that if something to munch on is ready to eat, I will grab the good stuff.

I also have had good luck with apples--NOT the red delicious kind, but those that aren't mealy. I used to go for Granny Smith apples, but have found that the royal gala, cameo, Fuji, Jonagold, and Pink Lady varieties are better. One apple isn't bad, and if you get these sweeter varieties, they can help you to get rid of your cravings for sugar. But you've got to make sure to get good, crisp ones, or they are a big turn-off. If I buy a lot at a time, I'll get some really ripe ones for the first few days, and then some not-quite-ripe ones for the end of the week. And frankly, even two apples at once is better than the Twinkies.

So basically, I go for popcorn if I want salty, apples if I want sweet. Those aren't the only things that I try, but they are the two things that don't seem to fail me--ESPECIALLY the apples when I'm craving something sweet.