<p>Bungalow,
I agree with that! I reached my goal weight about a month ago and in the past it would be right about now that I would start to see the scale creeping back up. This time I am doing things differently. When I eat out (frequently) I make a concerted effort to choose the absolute healthiest choice on the menu. No more “just this once, this is a special occasion” every time I eat out! Now I only eat pasta or rich dishes when it truly IS a special occasion. Even then, I don’t really even want it that much!
I also allow myself to have the foods I like but only in moderation. A bite sized candy bar, a mini frozen yogurt from Pinkberry, etc. So far, so good! I haven’t weighed myself this week yet but I feel like I might even be down a little from my goal weight.</p>
<p>Great work, EPTR! I’m going to enjoy my food this season. I’m eating austerely now because I know what’s coming. . .and I’m going to enjoy it.</p>
<p>Just weighed in at two pounds below my goal! I’m liking it and having mashed potatoes for lunch!</p>
<p>Woot! Woot! EPTR!!! </p>
<p>Enjoy those mashed potatoes!</p>
<p>My weight is bouncing between 3-5 lbs from goal (currently at the high end 
). I confess I haven’t been very motivated. I am ok with where I am though would like to get that last oomph and get this last weight off. I’ve essentially maintained since July…</p>
<p>** You ladies are an inspiration!</p>
<p>I know I’ve said this before but I think the scale and the ups and downs would drive me crazy!!! I don’t weigh. I don’t care about the number is how I look and feel that is the motivating factor to me. Now if I saw the “number” was 10 lbs more than I thought THAT would surprise me, but keeping notice of how I feel, how I look in the mirror and how my clothes fit is my “gauge”. </p>
<p>Having an office potluck today. I bought tomato basil soup (see the thread on it here on CC!). To prepare for the goodies, I had a high protein breakfast of scrambled eggs, and some cottage cheese with a sprinkle of granola and a little cherry jam. When I arrived at work, someone brought in donuts. Seriously?! We are having potluck today - NONE of us needs donuts this morning!!! Proud to say I have resisted (not easy!)</p>
<p>Thankful the weather has remained fairly decent for Ohio so far this December - that allows more options for exercising and I appreciate that!</p>
<p>abasket–Donuts??? Good for you for resisting! :)</p>
<p>I know some people have different metabolisms and some have to work MUCH harder to keep their weight down, but when you see what some people eat, you know why they are overweight. For example, the portly guy who grins when he cuts a second piece of cake with rich icing thinks he’s getting away with something cause his wife isn’t there to stop him. It’s HIS body, not hers.</p>
<p>Good on all of you for taking care of yourselves! :)</p>
<p>And let me tell you - I LOVE donuts!!! :)</p>
<p>Congrats EPTR! I DREAM of being where you’re at—enjoy those spuds!</p>
<p>@jym626—Your maintenance is awesome! Maintenance is the name of the game! You said it—motivation is EVERYTHING. When you make up your mind the last few lbs will melt away.</p>
<p>It’s a challenge to be motivated at this time of year when all one hears about, sees, smells, is food, food, food! One would think that we’re all entertaining the Mormon Tabernacle Choir with the stockpiling of stuff currently going on in so many kitchens! I looked around this morning and thought how stressful it can be. Kid coming home from college Sat am so I cooked ahead for the weekend and next week. If my husband and daughter didn’t enjoy it so much I wouldn’t be bothered.</p>
<p>@abasket, You showed those donuts who’s the boss! Good for you—enjoy the potluck! I’ll be looking up that tomato basil soup. And the truth is most people really ENJOY knowing that others have made lighter, healthier alternatives. When I worked outside the home I was also a competitive runner and I remember attending office parties where there wasn’t a s-i-n-g-l-e thing I wanted to eat. When WE eat healthily, when WE bring the lower-cal, heart healthy entree, we’re changing the world a little at a time and being an example and encouragement to others.</p>
<p>It’s just turned cold here in Chicago—I don’t mind, I want SNOW. . .haven’t exercised today yet or yesterday. . .too busy all day long running errands, food shopping, getting house ready for Xmas. Does being on one’s feet ALL DAY LONG count for anything??</p>
<p>Great job EPTR! Enjoy the mashed potatoes! I held myself to five latkes last night (left the other ten for DH).</p>
<p>abasket - a worthy sacrifice indeed to bypass donuts.</p>
<p>A few tips to keep from overeating at restaurants:</p>
<p>Drink a lot of water before the food arrives to create a feeling of fullness.
Get a takeout container with the meal and put half the food in it before starting. That way you can’t “mindlessly” finish off the full plate.
Regularly put your utensils down and ask yourself if the food still tastes as good as when you started.</p>
<p>And as side note, be aware of your appetite if you’re taking antihistamines. I don’t know how it works in humans, but our vet prescribed it for our cat. She was hardly eating and losing too much weight - since starting the meds, she’s eating at least three times as much and has gained about 12% body weight in two weeks (some of that is food in her system). It all has to do with serotonin blockers.</p>
<p>Marilyn,
That’s why I got to have mashed potatoes for lunch! We went out last night and the meal I ordered came wit hthem. I took half the meal home and had it for lunch!</p>
<p>As far as Antihistamines, They actually reduce my appetite! But I have weird reactions to medications.</p>
<p>me too, antihistamines and caffeine suppress my appetite… just wish they didn’t make me jittery or it would be a perfect way to lose weight!</p>
<p>I use a smaller size plate. It works.</p>
<p>I weigh every day. I can gain weight VERY quickly and I like to keep and eye on things. Also need to keep track of it on a regular basis, because a sudden weight gain could mean heart issues, which I have to deal with immediately.</p>
<p>My face looks gaunt. I think I’m going to scare the cr*p out of my family, most of whom haven’t seen me since before the heart attack.</p>
<p>I weigh myself frequently, as well. I am a very petite person with a small frame. .5 pounds on my frame is more significant than on a larger person with a larger frame. My oldest D is even more petite than I am and a little bit of weight on her goes a long way, unfortunately. It is just easier, IMO, to keep an eye on small changes and adjust accordingly than to wait until you are up five pounds and then try to lose it.</p>
<p>Official Weigh in day today. Didn’t want to do it because I unofficially weigh in e-v-e-r-y day and I know that the scale went up and down. Up and down .5- .8 lbs for the past few days. Have gotten into “grazing” throughout the day which I never do. Didn’t have a chance to exercise this week with my only D flying in from university last Saturday. . .didn’t even walk the 8 lb. dog! </p>
<p>EPTR is right—It’s better to be diligent at the very beginning with the small weight changes. I lost and gained and lost this week. Even though I lost 1.3 lbs this week, I had lost 2.1 earlier in the week and gained back .8 No good. But over-all week was a loss for which I’m thankful. I made weight loss a gift to myself this Holiday season and I’m determined to have it. </p>
<p>Overall weight loss this week 1.3 lbs. Total weight loss 32.4.</p>
<p>God for you Bungalow!!! I will say that when I am trying to lose weight I only weigh weekly because of those subtle ups and downs. One I get to goal I weigh more frequently in order to keep my eye on things.
Take the loss this week at face value!!! You lost weight again! That’s great news.</p>
<p>Hello healthy people!</p>
<p>I hope you are all having a wonderful start to your holidays. I just wanted to check in to say hi. I also learned that for myself, I am much more likely to exercise if I set up a time in advance with a partner. My running/walking friend and I enjoy talking (a lot) so we kill two birds with one stone.</p>
<p>Enjoy the time with your family and friends. Cheers!</p>
<p>Thanks for bumping us, Snowflake! I’m around way too much chocolate this week! Many of my students gave me candy and cookies for Christmas. Lovely of them but not lovely on my waistline.</p>
<p>I will let you inspire me to take a long, long walk today with my favorite walking partner…my dog. She says nothing!!! Just the way I like it!</p>
<p>Still feeling good and in pretty good contriol. That’s pretty decent for the holidays, right???!</p>
<p>Should be completing week 8 of the C25K tomorrow - just one more week to go! I can’t believe I am running for 28 mins straight now. Not easy, but it gets done! Feel like I’m starting to notice a little bit of change looking in the mirror now. Was with my D’s at Gap yesterday - I tried on a pair of skinny jeans and they both said “wow mom- you look good in those!” That was very gratifying! </p>
<p>I will surely enjoy the holiday foods but will insist that I keep the exercise to minimize the effects!</p>
<p>Happy holidays to all!!</p>
<p>Hi Snowflake and EPTR! Yesterday I finally dropped back into normal, first time since before Thanksgiving. Whew. Done with Chanukah, don’t do Christmas so safe there, just need to keep careful until our California trip to see the Rose Parade. We’ll be doing so much walking during our five days away that I hope to indulge a bit on food. Happy holidays to all!</p>