It's Wednesday weigh ins! 2007-2022

[Twinkle Toes]

Hello, my name is Twinkle Toes, and I am a stress eater. There, I admitted it. Actually, I've known it for several years, but have been unable to overcome the grazing. My problem started at about 53, and I was so unprepared for it. Prior to hitting the magic number, I was always really thin...no matter what I ate. My knowledge about calories and diet food was zero. I still have a really hard time with it...nothing seems to be getting hard wired into my brain. OK, I've whined enough, especially since it's the same 10 to 15 lbs that I keep battling with. I gain it over the holidays every year when we visit the kids (DD and DIL vie over our time...whew!). I usually loose it by mid-summer and I do a decent job of keeping it off...until the holidays roll around.

Stats:

Age: 61

Weight: 139 (down from 143 at the end of the holiday visit (month of Dec)

Realistic Target Weight: 130; In My Dreams: 125

Height: 5' 5"

Exercise: Well, that's a problem...we travel all of the time...so, I walk the dog...I've bought several exercise DVDs (dance, yoga, walking...) Before we started traveling so much, I belonged to a gym and had an exercise room at home...and I was faithful about using them...can't seem to transition that into my nomadic lifestyle. I'm posting here to try to motivate myself to exercise at least 3 days a week...at least to start

BMI: 23.1 - within range, but my waist needs to be a couple of inches smaller to be within the proper ratio to hips

OK, that's my initial post...hope it's better next week...at least motivation and attitude...and maybe a pound or two less.

Twink

 

[Khan]

Hello, my name is Twinkle Toes, and I am a stress eater.

There, I admitted it. Actually, I've known it for several years, but have been unable to overcome the grazing.

I was into serious stress eating my last few years at work (they made me a manager). Looking back, it's amazing how much I would stuff down. I sometimes get the urge to gorge after a cloudy winter day or two.

OK, I've whined enough, especially since it's the same 10 to 15 lbs that I keep battling with. I gain it over the holidays every year when we visit the kids (DD and DIL vie over our time...whew!).

Would it damage family relations for you to ask them to help you not gain so much?

 

[Twinkle Toes]

I was into serious stress eating my last few years at work (they made me a manager). Looking back, it's amazing how much I would stuff down. I sometimes get the urge to gorge after a cloudy winter day or two.



Would it damage family relations for you to ask them to help you not gain so much?

Oddly enough, when I was working, I had no problem with grazing...no time. If I could grab some crackers and a V-8, I was doing pretty good...but I was younger, too (pulled the plug at 49 in '96). Maybe I grazed from time to time, but my routine exercise kept my weight in line. Meditation helped with job stress.

Damaged family relations is the source of the stress which causes the grazing problem. If DD and DIL would play nice, it would probably eliminate my stress. Their frosty tolerance of each other makes for a fairly hostile enviornment. I stuff whatever is around into my mouth as a means of coping. I've talked to both girls about it, but it seems to be getting worse over time instead of better. What I need is more...really better...coping skills, it's just that food is immediate and soothing. I resolve to do better every year, but I gain 10 to 15 lbs every year.

Please don't get me wrong, I love my kids and their families like crazy. DS and DD's families have taken vacations together and had a great time. It's when DH and I are in the equation that problems start flaring. It's like they need to watch "Elmo Learns to Share". Gees, I could eat a Snickers just thinking about it!

Twink

PS: No Snickers in the pantry

 

[dlhanson]

Exercise: Well, that's a problem...we travel all of the time...so, I walk the dog...I've bought several exercise DVDs (dance, yoga, walking...) Before we started traveling so much, I belonged to a gym and had an exercise room at home...and I was faithful about using them...can't seem to transition that into my nomadic lifestyle.

We travel about 2 months each year. When we stay in hotels (most of the time), I pick hotels that have fitness rooms (usually we stay at Residence Inn or Towneplace Suites - although this summer we plan to stay 10 days in a short term apartment in Tucson).

I bring good walking shoes so I can walk everywhere. DW is not so interested in exercise but I can get her walking around malls. Also, I may buy a portable exercise bike this summer for when we stay at a relative's house. I am checking first with my Mom to determine if her exercise bike still works.

I have never tried it but I think that private exercise centers have one day rates. So I might try that sometime.

Also, there are exercises that you can do in your room. You could buy a jump rope or run in place for example.

David

 

[Twinkle Toes]

We travel about 2 months each year. When we stay in hotels (most of the time), I pick hotels that have fitness rooms (usually we stay at Residence Inn or Towneplace Suites - although this summer we plan to stay 10 days in a short term apartment in Tucson).

I bring good walking shoes so I can walk everywhere. DW is not so interested in exercise but I can get her walking around malls. Also, I may buy a portable exercise bike this summer for when we stay at a relative's house. I am checking first with my Mom to determine if her exercise bike still works.

I have never tried it but I think that private exercise centers have one day rates. So I might try that sometime.

Also, there are exercises that you can do in your room. You could buy a jump rope or run in place for example.

David

When I worked, I traveled extensively...and saw enough hotel rooms to last me a lifetime! BTW, your suggestions are excellent. One day rates I've used are $10, or $80 for 10 days. Jump rope sounds good, too.

We travel in an RV...snowbirds! When we are in an area long enough, I look for gyms and enjoy them...kind of a luxury for me since we are usually in more remote areas. We are in the desert now, and we hike a bit...should do more. We spend the summers in the mountains and I love to hike and fish there. That's probably why I get the last of the weight off in the summer!

dlhanson and khan, thank you for your encouragement! I think I'm sufficiently motivated to put on a DVD and move my feet. Richard Simmons's 20th Aniv. Sweating to the Oldies just came out on DVD and I bought it...that's the one I always start back exercising with. Better hurry, before I think of at least a dozen reasons to do something else.

 

[simple girl]

Twinkle Toes, do you do the exercise DVD's inside the RV? I'm surprised there would be enough room!

I'm curious b/c at some point in the future we'd like to do RV extended travel. I have several DVD's I like to do, but didn't think there'd be room inside the RV.

 

[Insanity]

Jan-30-08: At 172.0 lbs, BMI of 26.1
Jan-23-08: At 173.5 lbs, BMI of 26.4
Jan-16-08: At 174.0 lbs, BMI of 26.5
Jan-09-08: At 175.0 lbs, BMI of 26.6

At 175 lbs this morning with a waist measurement of 35 inches, BMI of 26.6 and waist-to-hip ratio of 95%. My goal is to get into the healthy weight range again by getting my BMI under 25 or my waist-to-hip ratio waist under 90%.

At 5'8" with hips measuring 37" that makes target weight 164.5 lbs and target waist measurement 33.25". 10.5 lbs and 1.75" to go.

 

[DangerMouse]

TToes, I used to travel a lot and always gained weight. I put it down to not drinking enough water because of the fear of being caught in a strange place and not knowing where the nearest bathroom is. So I guess I am wondering if when you are travelling do you hydrate enough?

 

[Twinkle Toes]

Twinkle Toes, do you do the exercise DVD's inside the RV? I'm surprised there would be enough room!

I'm curious b/c at some point in the future we'd like to do RV extended travel. I have several DVD's I like to do, but didn't think there'd be room inside the RV.

We have a 16' slide-out in the living/dining-kitchen area. If I play the DVD on my laptop and put it on the dining table or the kitchen counter, I have a small open area to exercise. Forward, backward, and side to side moves are small steps, done sort of like a modified march in place. I have to be careful about arm movements so as not to smack the frig or cabinets. Yoga standing positions are OK but floor posititions are more challenging. Exercising is a lot easier in a gym! If you plan to stay in RV Resorts, many have some sort of exercise facilities - some have classes if you are a "joiner". We tend to be in more remote areas most of the time, so there are months on end when that isn't an option for me. When the weather is nice enough to hike, that's my major exercise.

When you select your RV, there are many with opposing slides and some provide a larger open area which would be better for exercise. I enjoy the traveling lifestyle, but it does present a few challenges.

 

[Twinkle Toes]

TToes, I used to travel a lot and always gained weight. I put it down to not drinking enough water because of the fear of being caught in a strange place and not knowing where the nearest bathroom is. So I guess I am wondering if when you are travelling do you hydrate enough?

While I was working/traveling, I was pretty careful about drinking a lot of water...it was eating out all of the time that presented the greatest challenge to my waist. To be honest with you, I don't know whether I stayed hydrated over the holidays or not. I'm not fond of the water there, so I usually sitck to bottled water during my visit. Just don't remember.

I read a lot of the posts here and think that perhaps next year I'll keep a food diary with me...maybe logging what I am eating will slow me down a little...maybe enough to ask myself why I'm eating...and wouldn't it be better to take a walk around the block. That's not a bad idea! I can also set out 4 bottles of water everyday to be sure that I stay hydrated. Not a bad plan.

 

[simple girl]

We have a 16' slide-out in the living/dining-kitchen area. If I play the DVD on my laptop and put it on the dining table or the kitchen counter, I have a small open area to exercise. Forward, backward, and side to side moves are small steps, done sort of like a modified march in place. I have to be careful about arm movements so as not to smack the frig or cabinets. Yoga standing positions are OK but floor posititions are more challenging. Exercising is a lot easier in a gym! If you plan to stay in RV Resorts, many have some sort of exercise facilities - some have classes if you are a "joiner". We tend to be in more remote areas most of the time, so there are months on end when that isn't an option for me. When the weather is nice enough to hike, that's my major exercise.

When you select your RV, there are many with opposing slides and some provide a larger open area which would be better for exercise. I enjoy the traveling lifestyle, but it does present a few challenges.

Thanks Twinkle Toes. I have a feeling my DVD's won't work, even in the RV's with larger open areas. They are step DVD's and also a dance workout, which requires quite a bit of space. I guess if I didn't mind an audience, and it was nice outside, I could always do it outside the RV That could be interesting....lol

 

[DangerMouse]

Well another week and my weight remains at it's starting point. I missed a week of work outs due to work commitments. However, I have managed to get back to the gym the last couple of days. I have also signed up to run a 5k race in May with a group of colleagues so that puts pressure on me to keep training. I am going to make an appt. with a trainer at the gym to modify my weights program as I feel I could be doing more than I am. I do believe that the other issue for me is the food. I need to lay off the chocolate bars as it is not helping my cause.

 

[dlhanson]

Current 198.2 lbs - BMI 28.4 (down 2.8 lbs since last week)
Goal by August 31, 2008 170 lbs - BMI 24.4

 

[Sarah in SC]

Oh, yeah, the chocolate...with Valentine's coming up I'm fighting the chocolate wars!
Boss gave me a digital watch so I can start a running program--something to shake up the doldrums. I also went sheep-chasing with one of the border collies last Saturday which burned a few calories!
I don't think I'll sign up for a race yet, though, but you rock Dangermouse!
Good job on the 2.8 lbs, dl--you are seriously on track for that goal in August!

I'm at 150, five lbs up from where I need to be. Back on track at the gym and eating clean, though, so if I can just not fall off the wagon on the weekends (the big danger!).
Simple Girl, I'm really sure that I couldn't do a dance DVD in front of people--I'm such a freak about just working out doing normal stuff in front of people! LOL!

 

[Insanity]

Feb-06-08: At 174.0 lbs, BMI of 26.5
Jan-30-08: At 172.0 lbs, BMI of 26.1
Jan-23-08: At 173.5 lbs, BMI of 26.4
Jan-16-08: At 174.0 lbs, BMI of 26.5
Jan-09-08: At 175.0 lbs, BMI of 26.6

At 175 lbs this morning with a waist measurement of 35 inches, BMI of 26.6 and waist-to-hip ratio of 95%. My goal is to get into the healthy weight range again by getting my BMI under 25 or my waist-to-hip ratio waist under 90%.

At 5'8" with hips measuring 37" that makes target weight 164.5 lbs and target waist measurement 33.25". 10.5 lbs and 1.75" to go.

 

[simple girl]

Woo-hoo, down another 2# to 130#! This is losing weight at a record pace for me! I'm down a total of 7# since late December. Do I dare dream I will get into the 120's again

Hoping I'm not about to hit a plateau...I know it's gotta be coming sometime soon...

Gee, am I ever prophetic! Up 1# to 131. I was actually 129# for 3 days then up one pound yesterday and another pound today. No change in my diet (strictly following 1400 cal plan) except for eating out Friday night and even then I had fish with veggies only. And not even one drink.

Still working out regulary. Plateau time it is! I'm just going to keep at it. All my measurements are the same, so that makes me feel better.

I get my chocolate fix via no-fat, sugar-free chocolate fudge pudding snack. At right around 100 calories, it's a great little snack to have with tea at night. Trying to develop a new habit besides a couple of beers

Sarah, there's no way I'd dance in an RV park, that was totally tongue in cheek! No way! I do like taking dance classes with others, though. So much more fun than all by myself.

 

[DangerMouse]

No way! I do like taking dance classes with others, though. So much more fun than all by myself.

Dance classes is something I dream about doing. Unfortunately I have white girls disease and have absolutely no rhythm at all. It is actually embarassing to watch me dance as all I do is a shuffle from side to side. However I do have learning to dance on my life list to achieve before I shuffle off from this existence.

Sounds like we have all had an average week, however let's keep soldiering on and hope for a better week next week.

 

[Alan]

175 this week - up a lb from last week but still just within range. Ate and drank a lot over Mardi-Gras weekend, now it's payback time.

 

[FinanceDude]

Down to 235.....lots of snow shoveling...........found out DW's company will pay us $500 a year toward a health club.........so we are joining the local YMCA..........

 

[Twinkle Toes]

RE: Exercise in the RV...well I have several DVDs that work for me...remember, the main emphasis is to move...a bunch of small steps are better than no steps! When we first started traveling I thought about exercising with videos outside. I took a TV I could use outside, but there was so much glare...and the sound sort of evaporated in the great outdoors, even at full volume. I did see a lady exercising outdoors (state park campsite) to a video and I confess, she looked sort of silly. That put me off of doing that sort of exercise outdoors. Thinking of her brings to mind HaHa's line about dancers are thought mad by those who don't hear the music! I resorted to 2 mile walks this week...and...

Down one pound. You know, it's hard to get excited about one pound...unless it is up one pound...I guess that puts it in better perspective.

Congrats to everyone keeping the faith!

 

[simple girl]

Gee, am I ever prophetic! Up 1# to 131. I was actually 129# for 3 days then up one pound yesterday and another pound today. No change in my diet (strictly following 1400 cal plan) except for eating out Friday night and even then I had fish with veggies only. And not even one drink.

Still working out regulary. Plateau time it is! I'm just going to keep at it. All my measurements are the same, so that makes me feel better.

Hooray, I'm in the 120's! Haven't been there since 2005. Officially 128# today. That's down 3# since last Wednesday, so I doubt those gains last week were more than just water fluctuation. So, down a total of 9# since Christmas, as well as a loss of 3/4" from my stomach, and 1" each from my hips and thighs.

 

[Insanity]

Feb-13-08: At 172.0 lbs, BMI of 26.1
Feb-06-08: At 174.0 lbs, BMI of 26.5
Jan-30-08: At 172.0 lbs, BMI of 26.1
Jan-23-08: At 173.5 lbs, BMI of 26.4
Jan-16-08: At 174.0 lbs, BMI of 26.5
Jan-09-08: At 175.0 lbs, BMI of 26.6

At 175 lbs this morning with a waist measurement of 35 inches, BMI of 26.6 and waist-to-hip ratio of 95%. My goal is to get into the healthy weight range again by getting my BMI under 25 or my waist-to-hip ratio waist under 90%.

At 5'8" with hips measuring 37" that makes target weight 164.5 lbs and target waist measurement 33.25". 10.5 lbs and 1.75" to go.

 

[FinanceDude]

236.....about the same...........

However, am joining the YMCA as a family this weekend.......

 

[Sarah in SC]

Good to hear, FD--now get a trainer! Now that you get that bargain membership, you know that you have to have someone pushing you. Get someone to work with you (and maybe your wife, too) 2x a week, for 30 minute sessions, for at least a month. I swear that it will work wonders for your motivation! And remember that this is the cheapest person on the planet telling you this!

I'm at 147 right now, holding to going to the gym every day. Even doing 3 sets of lunges and high kicks every day--it is not too early to think of swimsuit season, ladies! Simple Girl, you are already there, please disregard the admonishment to do lunges! Congrats--that is awesome! And Twinkle Toes--one pound down IS good!

Trying really hard to move completely to all "real food", no additive-filled chemical junk, but can't give up the diet Mtn dew altogether. Michael Pollan's latest book, In Defense of Food, is making me guilty, though! Great book if you liked Omnivore's Dilemma.

 

[Kronk]

1/23: 196.8 17.1% body fat.
1/30: 196.0 16.6%
2/06: 198.2 16.9%
2/13: 194.8 16.4%

Goal: 192.0 15.3%