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BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD....THIS IS RIDICULOUS...

Friday, July 03, 2009

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On the scale this morning, not an ounce down! Looking at my caloric intake, it appears that all week I have been 1,300 to 1,600 calories. (You are welcome to see what I eat, as I have made it public on my page) Apparently, that amount is not enough to lose a pound? So, it is back to the drawing board!

I will say honestly I do not eat like a bird, and I have a digital scale, and I weigh everything except lettuce and some vegetables. I weigh my bread and because it is homemade it never weighs the 1 ounce the "store bought" white bread does...try 1.8 ounces.

Daily, I am trying to get my nutrition covered; and I am finding that is nearly impossible with potassium, magnesium. But, I think my religiously taking a good vitamin supplement, and taking 1200 mg of Calcium in a split dose maybe helps a little there. Is anyone else covering all their nutritional needs? Am I the only one. Back to the drawing board!

This week I did not get the walks in because, between having to be here for Contractors (hot water tank crashed and burned), and the fact that I just cannot get up early, and having to do drywall repair, I have only gotten in one 2.1 mile walk THIS MORNING at 78 degrees.

Am I discouraged??? YES!

Am I gonna quit??? No!

Am I frustrated??? Yes!

Is this ridiculous??? Yes!

So, I am going to try going with 1,100 calories max per day...and I know that I will not be able to get nutrients in, and geezzz, I hate my bread with out Smart Balance on it....

And, on top of that the squirrels came up on my deck and ate all my flat leaf parsley, so now I am not only frustrated, I am mad at them, too!


Back to the drawing board, THIS IS RIDICULOUS.... emoticon
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Member Comments About This Blog Post
  • 4CYNDI
    Val, I hope things go better for you this week. I agree with the others about not eating too low on the calorie range. I'd rather you mixed it up with some days higher and some days lower but averaging a weekly total of about 1300 - 1400 calories a day. That way you aren't starving yourself and your body is shaken out of it's possible slump. Also you may want to update and recalculate your fitness/nutrition if you are exercising more or less than before.

    I also agree with the sodium advice. I always maintain or gain a little if I eat more salt.

    Keep up the great work.
    Cyndi
    (PS) This happens to all of us.
    4256 days ago
  • MEADSBAY
    You need to eat more, not less.
    I did not lose any wt until I increased my range to reflect my activity level. Try eating more 2 or 3 days a week for a few weeks and see what happens, my sparkfriend.
    elizabeth
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    4256 days ago
  • no profile photo CD4419646
    I too have been stuck for over a month now. Today I wrote in my blog about my feelings and findings and what I am doing about it! I've been tracking my foods, but I was not getting enough exercise. There has to be a balance to force our bodies to let go of those pounds and burn the fat! I have been using so many "Excuses" on why I can't exercise and today the excuses have got to quit! Today was the day that I put those excuses behind me and moving forward.
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    4257 days ago
  • LOSINIT52
    Sounds like you're getting great advice and really shouldn't focus too much on the scales.
    I too like to bake bread, but have really cut back on it over the past year.
    My daughter once lost 5 pounds in a week when I went away and she attributes it to the fact that I wasn't baking bread for her. She said she ate everything else the same. Much as we all love it, I don't bake it quite so regularly any more.
    Maybe you could try one week without it and see if it makes any difference.
    Best of luck. emoticon
    4259 days ago
  • QUEENOTHEFOREST
    Hi favorite baker.

    I think what you are having is the infamous plateau. Now I'm still a newbie but some wise women who have lost a lot of weight over the last two years have sent me some good advice that I will pass on to you. Don't go under 1,200 calories because your body will go into a protective mode and slow down your calorie burn and that will just make matters worse. They tell me it goes back to an earlier more primitive mankind that would have to endure occasional starvation. Makes sense to me.

    And they tell me to watch the sodium because that will cause the scale to go the wrong way causing you to retain water. Also measure not just weight but also waist size, neck etc. Muscle weighs more than flab so you could be firming up and not see your ticker move.

    And while I hate it I have come to believe a plateau is just evidence that you are catching up and consolidating your weight loss and fitness. It happens to those who are really fit. So I think you should be congratulated! (How is that for good spin?) Anyhow we are in this for the long haul. It did not take us a month to become overweight. It won't get fixed in a month.

    Personally I think you are wonderful to get out there in that hot clime.
    4259 days ago
  • no profile photo CD4114015
    Hi, Val. I agree with the other posts here so I won't repeat them but I have to repeat the one about not going TOO low on calories...better by far to increase cardio and/or strength exercise to boost the weight loss. From personal experience I know it is much worse to have too few caloried (for your metabloism). We are all here for you and we can ALL do this. Summer has sure been harder for me too but I just work that much harder outdoors!
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    Gaye
    4259 days ago
  • T2896TERRY
    i hear you...excercise...eating right and doing all we should and the scale does not move...i'm glad to hear you're fighting to keep on course...don't give up...
    4259 days ago
  • JOSEPHINE1231
    Hey Val, I hear your frustration.

    Re nutrients, you got them pretty much covered with the Vit and calcium. I added a small dose of Cal-Mag-Zinc to get in more calcium and some magnesium. When ever I drop the calories I get more cramps in my legs and feet.

    I wouldn't go much lower than 1200 calorie wise. The body does go into "starvation" mode, and you metabolism will slow down even more.

    A couple of ideas, maybe more protein and less carbs. I have found over the years I am very carb sensitive, and even when the calories are low, if the carbs are high I won't lose. (Your bread must be full of good yummy carbs.)

    Another thought, add a little bit of strength training. I picked up a book at the library called the 8 minute workout by Jorge somebody... You do upper body one day, and lower body the next day. It actually takes about ten minutes. You can buy an exercise band and/or free weights at Walmart real cheap. If you've never used weights before, start with 2 or 3 pounders. Spark also has some quick routines for upper and lower.

    Hang in there.

    Jo
    4259 days ago
  • KERRIEH2
    Hi Val, Don't you feel as if you want to throw those scales to the garbage bin, I know I do especially when I feel as if I have had a good week. I fiddled around with my calorie intake and dropped it down to 1200 and the scales started to move again. Our bodies are amazing things and I know it is hard to 'go with the flow' but sometimes that is what we need to do.
    Loving you
    Kerrie
    4259 days ago
  • MOGAL1946
    Hi Val, I think you are doing a great job with the nutrition and fitness. Don't go too low on the calories or you might get in that starvation mode they talk about and then pig out! I'd try to keep it between 1200-1300. If you are walking regularly that should take care of the fitness part. My doctor said that after a certain age our metabolism really slows down and it is hard to lose weight. I checked out your nutrition pages for about a week and you are getting in the fruits and veggies. What about water? It's suspose to help flush the system out at 8-10 glasses a day. I think as long as you are not gaining and you feel good with the healthy foods and fitness, you should be fine. It will happen! Just hang in there.
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    4260 days ago
  • BIRDLEGS29
    I doubt anybody reaches the goal for magnesium and potassium. I know I don't, even with the multi-vitamin I take. The recap on the nutrition page even tells you most Americans don't get the minimum daily requirements on those two. If it is too hot to walk maybe you can try some DVD exercises or something else indoors.

    Jean
    4260 days ago
  • GRANNYOF05
    Hi Val

    I understand your frustration.

    I know that if I go above 1400 calories, I gain weight.
    Also I'm always low on protein.
    Carbs play a big part in gaining also. I really have to be
    below 200.
    I know exercise is important, but with my knee acting up,
    I'm not able to do too much of that right now.

    I have been on this plateau for about 3 months. Losing and
    gaining the same 2 lbs. over and over. Ugh.

    I have finally said No More Candy. I want to see if that makes a
    difference.

    Hope you get a hold on your problem.

    Hugs,
    Gayle
    <
    BR>PS: Happy 4th of July.
    emoticon emoticon emoticon emoticon
    4260 days ago

    Comment edited on: 7/3/2009 1:37:44 PM
  • no profile photo CD2702433
    I am soo sorry! I can totally relate to being frustrated. This week I too have been doing so well on calorie intake and I think I am up two pounds! And I have been exercising as well!
    Is the 1100 calories in your range? Maintaining is not a bad thing!!! Don't restrict your diet to much just for one week of not losing. It seems to me that you have been pretty consistant of losing a bit each week?
    I am glad you aren't quitting.... but maybe your body just needs a chance to catch up and realize how serious you really are!

    Jenn
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    4260 days ago

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