Roll Call 2-8

[Outback Jess]

Morning STACers. Man I've been down and out with the flu/cold/sinus thing for a whole week! Just wasted! But today I am up and out the door to sing with kids...hopefully I will have a voice!

MEASURING SUCCESS, PROGRESS AND WEIGHT
I started this train of thought over in another post....Scales and the numbers we pick. I remember having to pick a goal weight. What was that? I had not been below 175 for over 10 plus years, and at 5'3 and closing in on 50 what was reasonable? Funny thing is, I can't remember what I picked, and I have no idea what I weigh now. I changed the number in my siggy once.
I weighed through different phases with my relationship with my scales...When I weighed every day I had to deal with the stress of fluctuations! They actually frustrated me and robbed my focus. Then I left the scale completely, and I missed the "high" of successfully seeing the numbers go down.
Then I started to fit in clothing well below sizes I had ever worn....that became my new measuring stick....but by then I had learned to MEASURE THINGS COMPLETELY DIFFERENTLY.

I measured by energy, sense of fullness, and calmness.
I measusred by new leves of exercise
I measured by being able to eat on plan while enduring my Mother's repeated hospitalizations and eventual death, while I was her primary caregiver, spending most of my days and nights by her side, Dec06-April07...
I measured by the size 6 jeans I wore all summer...and fall.
I MEASURED BY MY CONFIDENCE AND SELF PRIDE.

The real journey is learning ways of coping without USING food. Those size 6 jeans hang on my wall, I need to be back in them by March 6th. I am hot in pursuit of that now.
At my "thinest" I've never reached the goal number. I don't chase it on a minute by minute basis any more. I am after the size6 jeans. I also have gained weight, and am learning from this phase of the program...Which is so much harder than weightloss....so much harder!

Becareful what you are chasing, you don't want to loose sight of progress and daily success in establishing a lifestyle that will support your hard work.

[BeanPole]

Re: Roll Call 2-8

Good to have you back Jess! Great post! I've just now started to grasp the concept that the scale is bad for me. I used to weigh every morning and it would really put a damper in my mood when the numbers were the same, or worse, went up. Its amazing how those numbers would sometimes sabotage my efforts. I'd think things like "Well, I haven't lost anything in awhile. I'm just going to take an off day and start over tomorrow. I'll be more strict tomorrow and the weight will start to fall off." Of course it never happened that way. I would get back on track the next day and as soon as I got into ketosis, the same thing happened. An endless cycle of defeat. Since I have put aside the scale for the most part, I can honestly say that I am doing so much better! I check my ketostix and make sure that I'm in ketosis, I count my carbs, I eat plenty of fats, and I quit obsessing about food 24/7. I just can't believe how getting the scales out of my life has made this huge turn around for me! I found my willpower!!! hehe!

[Sheepie]

Re: Roll Call 2-8

Well, there's goes my post for today! I was going to say that I'm down to 194.5 which puts me closer to the 180's than the 200's. Can I still have my little celebration?

I agree that it's hard to find a goal when it's been so long. I'm not sure if 148 will continue to be my goal or not. I doubt I'll go lower since even when I was young and thin I was not much lower than that.

Clothing sizes are really a challenge for me. Just yesterday I did a little online research to confirm that sizes have changed a lot since I was young. I still fit in some old size 22, and yet I'm almost in new 16's. I find it very discouraging to realize that sizes are bigger now and that finally reaching a size 12 will not be the same 12 that I wore 20 years ago. I guess I should just console myself that I'll wear smaller than a 12 eventually, but I feel like the prize was switched on me and my goal is farther away than ever. I don't mean to sound down. I'm not really. It's FRIDAY and that is always a very good thing!

Have a great weekend everyone.

[RachelnLa]

Re: Roll Call 2-8

At this point, it's one day at a time for me. My first goal is to get where I was before I fumbled. The next is to get where I failed the first time. I'm not sure about a goal as I never got close enough to give it thought. I do better with smaller goals. I'm a perfectionist. I'm either 100% in or I ain't even doing it. I went through the whole scales, tape and clothes as my guide too. Frustrating. I think since I have been overweight most of my life that it will always be lingering in the back of my mind to be consious of my weight. Does that ever go away? I'm an addict, plain and simple. But I do know what you mean in your post. Big picture is the key.

The scale has not moved this week. Fret? Nope. TOM is here and I have had that metallic taste every day AND I'm eating correctly. I know this.. so the scale really doesn't bother me as normall it would go UP due to Tom and the depression/eating cycle would begin. Not this time

My sights are set on next week. I can do it!

[chicamarun]

Re: Roll Call 2-8

I personally need to see a number as a goal. I think it's because I can personally say - I have lost 30 pounds.

And way to go Sheepie I'll celebrate with you!!!!

I have all different sizes of jeans (that's what I wear 90% of the time). Some are junior sizes - some are women's .... they range from 10 on up to 18. Yes I still FIT in the 18's - but they don't look as good as the 10's and even a pair of junior 11's. So I think it has to do with the brands. I have found more name-brand stuff runs smaller. My generic jeans seem to run a little larger. I think (personal opinion) that it's because they pay all those skinny models and so they want people to look like that.

I'm now working on my abs - they need to be flatter. No way I'd ever be able to pay for surgery for a tummy tuck so I need to work all the muscles underneath to get them ready to sit by the pool (I have my own so I can wear a bikini if I want to - only my ducks can see me!) I'm looking into what a gym membership costs here in town. I've never taken a cycling class and I think it would probably kill me - but also kick my metabolism into high gear and that interests me. I'm looking at another place too that does Turbokick which I was once (in another life) wanting to teach.

So we'll see what I get to do - budget is a key also as I don't have a lot of extra $$ floating around right now... no extra $$ until veggies come in

[Evermind]

Re: Roll Call 2-8

I agree that the scale's results don't really say a lot. MOST of the time.

I know I've lost 15 inches and that I look much better than I did a month ago. Don't need a scale for that. I know I'm in ketosis. I know I feel great.

But after that 2 month stall, I still check the scale. And right now, after being in that stall, then going back to induction and losing 5 lbs, and then easing my way back up to 201 (with no change in food or quantity), I'm starting to have little feelings of annoyance,wondering if I'm just SUPPOSED to be stuck here. Yes, yes, I know the measurements are more important. But honestly, I don't know ANYONE who wears a size six and weighs 200 lbs.

Anyway..........today is Friday,and that is GOOD. And I have a yummy lunch of veggies and salad and cheese packed, and THAT is GOOOOOD. And yesterday my students had a fantastic day of learning all day long, and THAT is GOOOOOOOOD -can't wait to see them do it again today!. And dh woke me by snuggling me in his arms and nuzzling my neck just before the alarm went off, and that is the BEST way to wake up!

Make a list of all the good things in YOUR life today.

[sissylissy82]

Re: Roll Call 2-8

Good Morning Everyone! I like how this thread is started today.... the scale is definatly my enemy too, like a lot of you! When I weigh in everyday I get so discouraged if I don't see the numbers go down. So I am weighing myself every Monday! but I did let the scale get the best of me this morning and weighed in anyways, even though my official weigh in isn't until monday..LOL!


And by the way I am down 3lbs.. YAY!

The way I picked my goals, was small! I do better that way, if I look at the whole picuture... to get down to 160lbs, it's too discouraging for me, but when I go small increments at a time, it's not so bad! Right now, I just want to wear all the clothes I have in the closet that I can't fit into!! LOL


You all are insperational, keep up the good work!

[cheribaby]

Re: Roll Call 2-8

Wow, Jess - great post! I do use how I feel to gauge if this WOE is working. It's the most obvious way, to me. But, I still use the evil metal monster, too. Speaking of which, I'm down 258, which is a 12 lb loss overall - and I'll take it!

Feeling a little better today. Stayed home yesterday (my poor sub had a rough day! ) and got some extra sleep. Whatever this virus is, the fatigue is a killer. I can handle runny noses and the headaches, but the fatigue - ugh. My students are very happy to have me back!

[colleenieweenie]

Re: Roll Call 2-8

Morning!

I hate the scale.

With that said, I'm 2lbs up - kinda miffed about that. I'll get over it

I have BOSU class this morning - super excited! I also need to buy some warmer weather clothes for my Vegas trip. I went shopping yesterday and managed to fit into a size 2 skirt - even though I didn't buy it, It felt good.

I have date day with my oldest tomorrow, he wants to see a movie - we'll see what kind of crap he'll drag me to - I actually love sick humor, so I think we'll have fun

Hope everyone has a great Friday!!!

[julirama723]

Re: Roll Call 2-8

Hey all!

Yeah, the scale is a brat. I forgot to weigh myself this morning, so I'll do it tomorrow, though I doubt I'll see a change since this is only day 2 of the candida cleanse diet. BUT, my jeans are once again falling off and I don't feel bloated at all. So I figured I really don't care about the number.

If I end up the heaviest size 6 in the history of the world, so be it!

[4myself4mykids]

Re: Roll Call 2-8

I'm here too! Geez its been a rough week! Lack of sleep from working 1st and 3rds this weekend has put me thru the ringer. I've had a hard time keeping on plan and haven't always been successful. Yesterday I was coerced into working 3rds on my birthday weekend-that will now mean I'm working 3 weekends straight, when DH and I had a sitter lined up and plans to go to Red Lobster or Olive Garden. I also agreed to work on another day off that my kids are out of school because of short staffing and it really upset me, because basically once I agreed to work, my boss then made a hateful comment to me. I went to the bathroom and cried, walked around the hospital in the freezing cold to calm myself, went to Subway and had an unsweetened ice tea, went back to the office, told her off, went back to the bathroom to cry again and went back to my desk.

I'm glad that Jimmie48 has a water challenge starting Monday-maybe that will kick my butt back into watching better what I'm doing. I'm still not weighing, and debating if I'm going to on the 10th (one month after induction) or the 20th (one month after last time I weighed). I'm challenging myself to log my foods daily on fitday for accountability. I wanted to be riding the recumbent for an hr a day by now, but am barely getting 30-40. Took the weekend off and have had a hard time getting back into the routine.

I guess basically, I'm discouraged, mostly because changes in my work patterns change everything for me, for some reason I do better with routines. Not being in a routine just scatters me all over the place. My house is a wreck, my eating/drinking is a wreck, which tends to make me emotional and I just feel overwhelmed! I've vowed to myself not to allow them to manipulate me to work more than my 24 hrs a week anymore, and no more 3rds. I told her if I have to I will get an FMLA for my diabetes, because working 3rds always messes with my blood sugar and sleep patterns and my endo has offered before and I will take her up on it. No more 3rds after my birthday weekend period. I don't care how desperate they are. We only have 3 trained for nights right now, and thats their poor planning/hiring, not mine. When you hire college kids who are more worried about partying than working, thats what gonna happen-and happened this weekend-Superbowl parties/call in sick to party!

My plan for today: get the dirty clothes off the floor and into the washer, and ride my recumbent for 30 mins until its time to get my preschooler picked up. Drink my water- I have 4 -24 oz waters chillin in the fridge-my goal for tday and eat good!!!!! Going to check my blood sugars 4x today to try to insulin/good eat it back down to where I had it before going nights last weekend so I can feel better!

DS 26 and I are going looking at engagement rings this afternoon, so it looks like I will get my other daughter I've always wanted sooner rather than later!!! She's a sweetie and really grounds my son. He's matured so much since they've been together!

Sorry this is so long, and thanks for letting me vent! I feel better just getting my plan for the day down in writing!

[Maxine]

Re: Roll Call 2-8

This is a great post! I ALWAYS wake up in a good mood on Friday no matter what's going on. I'm using the scale as a tool right now. I'm focused on a number. After Easter, I'll switch to once a week weigh ins. It was discouraging to weigh for 8 days with no movement. Then all of a sudden - it started to move. I didn't stress too much about it because I was staying in my zone. I also have mini goals but I know that if I don't keep myself in check, I won't reach those mini goals which will also mean I won't meet my first big goal. So even though I manage by mini goals, I keep my eye on the big picture. I'm learning what I can and cannot do and doing more and more of the things that will benefit me. It will continue to be a work in progress.

I also want to fit in clothes in my closet. I have many many pairs of pants in various sizes which are organized from largest to smallest. My goal is to get in the smaller ones by Memorial Day. I'm also removing items that are getting big. I don't want to see them - and I don't need to reminder of where I was. I have many "ugh" pictures for THAT reality check.

I work well with projects and in 2008, my big project is me. Will I always obsess about my weight?? - probably - because it's always been an issue (even when I was smaller) - my hope is that I manage my weight smarter and develop good solid life long habits. When this happens, it'll become a way of life. Happy Friday all!

[DuchessOfDork]

Re: Roll Call 2-8

Oh MAN I'm tired.

Yesterday I went home and spent and hour at the gym. 30 minutes of running (2 miles and 200 calories!), plus some weight lifting. Then I had band practice for two hours, which is a workout in itself.. then I came home to the boyfriend trying to show me his work.. which I apprecate, but I really needed that sleep! At least he bought me dinner, though.. KFC. So I peeled off the skin.

[sher801]

Re: Roll Call 2-8

Morning everyone...

I'm in Day 8 of Re-Induction and I weighed in this morning at 7 lbs. less than I did a week ago. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy, I'm just not as excited as I should be until I get back down to where I was doing Atkins last time...when I got down to 298 last January. TTYAL

[FatBottomGirl]

Re: Roll Call 2-8

I guess basically, I'm discouraged, mostly because changes in my work patterns change everything for me, for some reason I do better with routines. Not being in a routine just scatters me all over the place. My house is a wreck, my eating/drinking is a wreck, which tends to make me emotional and I just feel overwhelmed!

I hear you 4myself - while my work doesn't seem near as hectic as you... my routine has definetely gone off track both at work and home - my house hasn't been cleaned in a couple of weeks and I have two large dogs, DH & 10 yr. old DD (so when I say wrecked I mean WRECKED). Last night by the time I got home did everything I needed to it was 9:00 p.m. before I ate ~ which normally I would have just skipped, but I am trying not to let so much time pass before my next meal in order to stop my body from thinking its in starvation mode and holding on to all that fat. -- anyways I hope things get better for you quickly!!

For me - I am just glad its the weekend - oldest DD and her boyfriend and new puppy are coming home for the weekend and we are planning to go to the rodeo grounds tonight - so lots of extra steps for me. When the leave on Sunday I am determined to get my house straightened up if not cleaned properly. And, hopefully things will settle down at work so I can get some of my job done

Hope everyone has a great Friday and Weekend!!