I’m in! I’ve determined that it’s more about the food than the exercise for weight loss, at least for me. Many years ago I had tremendous success on WW, going once a week to weigh in, etc. Portion control was key. About 10 months ago I signed up for the online WW – started off pretty well, but fizzled fast. Through it all I have continued to hit the gym – which is great for my health, but only part of the solution. I also lost about 15 pounds when I first got braces, but that didn’t last – and now the braces are off. According to my doc, the weight loss battle also gets tougher for women once they hit the “big M.” But, I’m ready to give it another go – after all the Christmas baking is gone, of course. (My biscotti came out quite well this year, if I do say so myself!)</p>
<p>Me, too. When I was working out hard every day in training for the Grand Canyon hike, I didn’t lose an ounce. The year before, when I was turning 50 and wanted to get down to my wedding day weight, I wasn’t exercising at all but I ate next to nothing and got really skinny.</p>
<p>I personally think I’m going to have to learn to live with a few more curves than I used to have. I really can only lose weight by eating almost nothing.</p>
<p>I’m with you all on the diet and exercise. I’ve been, well let’s be honest here, FAT all my life. I really am sick of it. I’d like to wear “cute” things and not have to shop in the women’s department for once. I have “gasp” over 100 lbs to lose. Probably have as much to lose as some of you weigh. So I’ve signed up for the on line WW and I’m going to be committed with the exercise. Portion control is going to be the biggest thing for me but I really need to do this and why put it off.</p>
<p>Good for you, RochesterMom! If I can make myself exercise that’s half of the battle. I love to cook but now find myself only cooking when the children are home. Husband’s hours are so bad that I find myself eating out of boredom or eating things that are really bad for me but are quick and convenient. I figure with D home the healthy cooking/daily exercise can become a habit that hopefully I can stick with. </p>
<p>My motivation is my 25th college reunion. I was a thin runner back then. I’ll be darned if I"m going back middle-aged and overweight to boot!</p>
<p>I’ve often thought that if a clothing designer wanted to really make a fortune, he would go to a middle class mall on a busy Saturday afternoon, stop the first 10 adult women he sees, and design a line of clothes that looks fabulous on them. My guess is that not a one of those women would be 5’11" and 105 lbs.</p>
<p>Woke up feel “Christmas is over” and have the itch to take the tree down. We put up about 3 weeks before and it just seems long enough. Probably won’t get to it for a few days.
I am in on the diet–want to lose 5 lbs by the 9th for a friends party and need pants to fit better. Then 5 more after that. Will see a lot of people I have not seen in a decade. WW works great but it awfully difficult for a vegetarian in winter–when there are fewer choices. Not sure what approach I am going to take. Stop the grazing for a start. Measure and count. Pretty good about the exercise but can always do a little more. Quit the club so do elipticle and hand wieght program at home. Walk. What it the absolute most difficult for me it that I cannot fall asleep hungry and if I eat then the calories for the day are too low. Oh, now this is a discouraging topic!</p>
<p>I found I lost the most weight in the shortest amount of time when my husband and I separated for about 8 months two years ago. Amazing what clinical/situational depression will do for the waistline. Then, however, I started taking antidepressants and packed on the pounds. By the time I felt better emotionally, reconciled the marriage and went of the meds, 50 pounds had crept into my life. I really don’t overeat as much as I graze, but I could lose at least 20 pounds if I just moved more. Funny how every other commerical on TV is about joining some sort of weight loss thing. Part of me feels like if I did something like Jenny Craig it would jump start some loss and I wouldn’t have to “think” too much at the beginning, but not too sure how short term someone can take that. I like WW but haven’t done that for years and found it made me slightly obsessive about food in general.</p>
<p>That was certainly my sister’s diet plan…she lost SO much weight when her long time live in boyfriend left her for another woman. I’m pretty sure she’s less depressed, but she’s kept the weight off. It’s a bad way to lose weight!</p>
<p>I’m in on the diet and exercise plan too. I love the Christmas season, but I’ve been making and eating far too many treats and riding my bike far too little.</p>
<p>As we know I have lost about 60 pounds and not for a good reason. But I need to lose about 10 more. I have been thinking about what got me there, and how I can avoid returning there. I never learned to maintain. I dont know if ww or a nutritionist, but in my situation maintaining a good weight would be better for my health.
One thing I noticed is we dont eat out as much or at all, saves money, and I wonder what amt of calories are in that food. I thought about that book Eat this not that. Also the grazing, I see other people pick at that stuff now like I used to (when I ihad an appetitie) and I think its mindless calories. that all matter. I wish I had taken off the weight for other reasons but still it needs to stay off. I also lost all desire and have an aversion to sweet things. and I wonder if the sugar thing has something to it. I always struggled with my weight, so its all interesting. I think addding fiber helps too. Now I am just musing …</p>
<p>(Edited to add – sorry – I asked to have the original post included in my reply, but I think that CollegeConfidential doesn’t play nicely with this version of Safari for the Mac. It was in reply to the poster who wished that her child’s school used +/- grading.)</p>
<p>Be careful what you wish for. D’s school gives out plus/minus grades, but the breakdown is nasty: 97 and up for an A+, 93-96 for an A, 90-92 for an A- and so on. She managed a 4.0 this first semester, but a number of friends ended up with A- or B- grades who would have gotten a regular A or B in the standard system. I guess it is one way to control grade inflation. (I had thought that an A- would pick up kids with an 88 or 89, but that was not at all the case.)</p>
<p>I also aim to not be skinny but at a healthy weight that I can maintain. My friend keeps returning to WW and telling them she is taller so her goal can be higher. LOL</p>
<p>So we’re all resolved to eat better, exercise more and be healthier in 2010. If only it were that easy! Missypie, that means no more raspberry blintz casserole recipes!</p>
<p>I’m a big weight watchers online fan–when I’m motivated. Of course, without motivation, nothing works. I’m MOTIVATED. I turn 50 in 2010, and there’s a trip to Hawaii in July. BIG motivation. Plus I have a “prescription” from my cardiologist for 30 mins of exercise 5x/week, which I’m determined to follow. I only need to drop 10-15 lbs, and I will be ON it!</p>
<p>Well if I was 9 feet tall my weight might be okay – but I’m not :(</p>
<p>I eat – period. When I’m depressed I eat; when I’m happy I eat; when I"m stressed I eat; when I’m bored I eat…</p>
<p>So I need to figure out what to do so that i DON’T eat and make healthy choices. I am going to bribe myself. Last year for my birthday H bought me a Pandora charm bracelet and 5 charms. No charms for Christmas so I still only have 5 lonely charms. I’m thinking a charm for every 5 lbs. I loose. Hopefully that will motivate me some plus other little things for major milestones like say 25 lbs. I have so much to take off. Even if I could just make 25lbs. that is a start… I’m not doing anything until the first of the year. Until then with all the holiday goodies around I’m just eating normal and relaxing. Once the 1st hits though look out. Bought myself a journal for food too. I hear that makes a difference.</p>
<p>ohh… I like the idea of rewarding myself for every 5 pounds… that could be totally motivating. Now I just have to think of what it will be; I don’t have a charm bracelet.</p>