NEW MAINTAINERS - WEEK OF MAY 2

[JONAH'S GRANNY]

Good Morning everyone. Hope all had a nice weekend. I think most of us had a rainy one by looking at the weather map.

I'm starting this thread again because I need it. I'm getting braver and braver with my eating habits and am so afraid if I don't have other lowcarbers to keep me focused I will get a little too brave and lose the battle. For the past week I've not been getting as much exercise as I should and I have got to get myself back into a habit and routine. Saturday I spent about 15 minutes on my step, Sunday I went 1 mile on my treadmill and did about 15 minutes on my Weider "All in One". Lazy Granny. I had dropped my membership at the YMCA because I thought I would use my little home gym and walk a lot more with the nice weather. I even tried the FIRM for a few days and let it fall by the wayside. All I do is waste money. Anyway, now I'm thinking about something like Curves. I have got to get my little butt in gear before it gets big again. I get up at 5:00 a.m. every morning. I don't know why I can't make myself walk/jog a couple of miles every morning. I live on a circle and it is exactly one mile for perfect running. Twice around it and the two miles are in.

My eating is not off bad. I'm not really doing any outright cheating. I just find myself eating so much more than I used to that I am becoming concerned about calories, also still too many Z carb bars. I'm dong 60-80 carbs/day and still pretty much holding my own. I'm at 95 lbs. which is a pound up but certainly not of concern, other than it is my ceiling. Wish I could force myself to set it a little higher but then I wouldn't be able to wear my new clothes.

Anyway, my pledge to myself today is to get my exercise routine under control and eat less before I see another pound or two or three or four, etc.

I'm thinking about posting my exact exercise routine everyday as well as every bite I put in my mouth. Even if no one reads it I will at least know it is there for public viewing. Got to answer to someone or something even if it is my computer. I'm too dern lazy to use FITDAY.

Have a good lowcarb day everyone.

[JuliaL]

OK Ann - I figure you posted because you need to hear this, so I'm going to let you have it - get your tiny little but in gear with the exercise!

Its not that its so important for weight maintenance (but it is) or that its so important for looking lean and fit (but it is) its that its extremely important for overall health of mind and body! That's especially true for women as we age. The more active you are the less bone density you'll lose and the better condition your bones are in the less likely you are to fall and break a hip or something. It also helps prevent depression and helps deal with stress.

I read a survey recently of people who had lost a lot of weight and were able to successfully keep it off for over a year. Do you know what they all had in common? They all remained active and engaged in some kind of exercise on a regular basis.

OK, I'll get down off my soapbox now. You know we former couch potatoes are even worse than former smokers when it comes to preaching .

I had a wonderful weekend. It did rain here, but we needed it.

How is everyone else doing?

[sugarless4life]

I won't add anything to Julia's post because it was terrific on its own! Your posts are ALWAYS right on the money, Julia!

Ann, get going!! Its your health that's at stake! You can do it!

Good day here .. rained this morning but held off until after I did my mile run. 5k last Saturday and I finished in 37 minutes. No ball of fire, but it was hotter than blazes out there with high humidity, so I figure it was quite an accomplishment just to get over the finish line.

Another 5k this Saturday -- let's hope its cooler.

Betty

[lowcarbette]

but wanted to say KUDOS to all three of you for reaching maintenance and working hard at staying there. Granny, you know the saying "If you build it, they will come?" Well, if you post it, I will read! So post away your exercise and your food and at least one person will be reading it. Bet you get a lot of others on this thread to read it and support you with their advice.

Keep up the great work! We losers are watching you maintainers and learning along the way.

Lesley

[ginabw]

Ann, I feel the same way! My husband has been traveling off and on the last few weeks and I have been missing nights at the gym. Last week missed 2 nights. And he will be gone again next week for a few days too (can't go when he's not here because need babysitter and I am too cheap to pay, over here it is expensive because have to pay in British pounds, which converts to almost $10/hour for 3 kids). I prefer to save babysitting for when we go out together.
Anyway, I have been getting bolder with food as well. Last two weekends we've had 16 oz steaks (last week 2 days in a row!) and I tried the zuchini stick recipe and the zuchini au gratin recipe, neither worked for me, but I am not the best cook and I may have done something wrong. Also had strawberries and cream a couple of times too. Plus I am snacking on the pork rinds and pecans throughout the day (I do measure the days portion and when it's gone it's gone). And yesterday I bought a canteloupe, which I am eating in 1/4 cup increments (3 carbs). Was hoping the kids might help me but they won't even give it a try. Anyway, I feel that I am eating a lot, but it is not showing up on the scale, which is good. But I just wish I was one of those people, like my husband, who didn't care about food!

[jvryden]

I've gotten to the point where I really miss it if I can't workout on my regular days at the gym. I just feel better about my week if I get them all in. Last week I had to miss a day. (my DH was out of town too). I think I'll do better this week.

Food wise, I had a crazy day on Sunday (ate at weird times, ate a ton of salad at Ruby Tuesday...yum...and then not hungry at all for dinner) but the scale was fine the next morning...although TOM came for a surprise visit so I really don't want to weigh until the bloat is gone.

The weather here is supposed to be wonderful today. I need to get my little behind out to do yard work. I just can't get motivated to do that for some reason. It would be good exercise though!

[JuliaL]

To those of you who have little ones and can't always get to the gym I'd like to suggest you invest in some workout tapes/dvds. I'm hooked on them! I started using them last winter when it was too cold and dark to go out to the gym when I got home from work, and now I use them 4-5 times per week. They're great! Here's a good website that gives reviews and info about different video workout options:

http://www.videofitness.com/

[JONAH'S GRANNY]

Julia, Thanks for the lecture. I needed it and I was asking for it.

Betty - You did wonderful on your 5K. Wish I could do something like that as fast as you did. It takes me 15 minutes to just go a mile. I could probably do a little better if I really pushed myself. What is your eating pattern when you run like that? Is it a little different from the norm?

Thanks Lowcarbette for your good wishes. I can ALWAYS count on you for support.

gina and jv - I certainly can understand how things can get in the way of doing our workouts. I really think any type of exercise is better than nothing but I know we need some intense workouts too.

Yesterday, I tried but still didn't get as much exercise in as I would like to have. DH and I spent the evening cleaning out a storage room so I did get several trips up and down the stairs (on and off for a couple of hours). After that I ran on the treadmill for a few minutes, decided I would rather be outside so I went for a one mile run around the circle. We will be doing more cleaning today so I guess my routine will be similar for a couple of days. I'm hoping to get a chance at work today to do my weights routine. My eating went well. Was pretty much a normal day except no Z-carb bars (yeah). Breakfast: Lowcarb yogurt w/2 tbs. natural peanutbutter, Lunch: Chicken Salad, stalk celery, lowcarb strawberry yogurt, Afternoon snack: Pork rinds; probably more than I should have eaten - thank God they don't cause water retention; Dinner: Cauliflower Augratin, Hood Carbcountdown French Vanilla Yogurt (2 carbs) and a couple of fresh strawberries mixed in. I computed about 40 carbs for the day.

I went by Lowcarb Connossieur after work to check out some of their new products their website has been pushing. I bought a bag of a new brand of bagel (7 carbs) which looked very good. Can't wait to try them when the time is right.

Have a good one everyone. Ann

[sugarless4life]

Thanks for your kind words, Ann. I've been running in 5ks since January and haven't really changed my eating at all, still holding right around 35-40 carbs a day. I also run each morning at least a mile for training.

There's nothing quite as exhiliarating as crossing the finish line, even if you're not the first one to do so!! I am totally hooked on running. You can't beat it for increasing your energy level, stamina, endurance and strength. Wish I would have started it in my 20s!!! Oh well, better late than never, eh?

Betty

[JuliaL]

I also admire anyone who runs reguarly. I don't like to run, though maybe if I had a trainer show me correct form, etc. it might make a difference.

Ann - sounds like you had a pretty active day yesterday! Maybe your idea of "enough" exercise and mine are two different things!

[sugarless4life]

Julia, is there a right form to running? I'm certain I don't have it! That's why I run before sun up!!!

Betty

[JuliaL]

I don't know, I just know that I look and feel very awkward when I run so I just don't do it. Of course I guess I look pretty silly doing all that jumping around when I do my Firm tapes too!

[sugarless4life]

I know exactly what you mean. I also know that I don't care. I guess I figure I'm out there and if anybody laughs at my style, I can say 'well at least I'm out here!'

I think I look like a total dork!!! But one heckuva skinny dork!

Betty

[Godiva]

Hi! I guess I could be considered a new maintainer, as I've been in maintenance for a little over 5 months. So tell me, how long before your mind catches up with your new body? Every time I shop for clothes, I reach for larger sizes because I just know the small sizes won't fit. Of course, the small sizes do fit, but for some reason I can't get it through my head.

[sugarless4life]

Godiva, isn't that a lovely problem to have?

It takes a few shopping trips ... at least it did for me. Now, I love it!! Although I have to say when I look in the mirror sometimes it still shocks me .. and I've been maintaining for over a year and a half.

Betty

[JuliaL]

Godiva - Welcome! Congratulations on reaching your goal and moving on to maintenance. I notice you do The Firm - me too! Do you post on the daily Firm thread in the exercise room?

I don't know the answer to your question. It may take a while for your head to catch up. I still do a double-take when I pass a large window and catch my reflection. I used to just grab size 16 clothes off the rack and not even try them on. I knew nothing smaller than that would fit me. Now I have to try everything on because I don't know from brand to brand what size I wear. But it is fun when I can fit into a size 4!

So what foods have you added since you've been in maintenance? What do you think the key is to long-term maintenance? Share your thoughts!

Julia

[JONAH'S GRANNY]

Welcome Godiva. The more the merrier.

[kbgardengirl]

Hi Everyone

I finally have found my way here. Don't know how faith ful I will be posting here but I'll give it a try. I'm on a dialup connection so it takes a lot of time answering and reading post in the main lobby. I've been getting my exercise by remodeling my kitchen from top to bottom. My husband and I are doing all the work ourselves so it's been pretty physical. And finally the weather is nice enough to be working in my gardens. I'm not much for formal exercise but I sure do like to get down and dirty in the garden. We have an acre and about 1/4 of it is in gardens - veggies, herbs, perennials, a hugh strawberry bed, raspberries, cherry. peach and apple trees. So my summer is spent working in the gardens, canning and freezing the produce and general garden maintance. By the end of the summer my 2 freezers are filled with lovely veggies and fruit and the pantry is lined nicely with jars of veggies as well. Hopefully the 72 cauliflower and 72 brocoli plants will do well . This is the first time I've tried growing cauliflower. It has become one of my new favorite veggies.

Maintenance so far has been easy for me. I really no longer count carbs as I pretty much know how much I can eat. I do have to watch as I still find myself drawn to the deserts (I keep them lowcarb of course) but since that has been always my vise I guess I'm lucky they make Splenda.

I'll be around so I'll check in again.

[Godiva]

Originally posted by sugarless4life
Godiva, isn't that a lovely problem to have?

I suppose it's better than to be in denial about needing to wear a larger size.

Julia, I probably should update my info. I do the Firm's BSS1 lower body sculpt 3 days a week along with Power 90 sculpt. The other 3 days I do Power 90 cardio and a cardio video by Kathy Smith.

So what foods have you added since you've been in maintenance?

Well I've been eating more fruit than before, but I do tend to go overboard with bananas. I sometimes have them every day and I know I should limit myself since they're high carb and high on the glycemic index. I haven't bought any in two weeks, so I'm feeling banana deprived. (btw, my plan was south beach when I started but when I came here, I saw everyone having fun with their allowed foods on Atkins so I do my own thing now by mixing the two.)

What do you think the key is to long-term maintenance?

I don't know, I'm here to learn from you all. One thing I do know is that I'm not going to allow myself to get lazy. If I want to stay successful, I'm going to have to continue to work on it. For me, that means exercise 6 days a week with a minimum of 30 minutes a day.

Thanks for the welcome, Jonah's Granny.

[ginabw]

Julia, I have found the key to running to be music. I listen to my favorite oldies (stuff from the 60s and 70s) that have a nice fast beat and keep me singing along (to myself of course!). I make myself a couple of new CDs per month to keep me fresh. I didn't start running til I was 31, and then stopped in my mid 30s cause of weight gain, then started again back in January of this year after losing most of the weight (while heavy I did the elliptical). When I started, I jogged for 10 minutes, walked for 30, then increased the jogging in minute increments per week, now back to 55 minutes jogging and 5 minute walk cool down.
Although I have to say it is still not something I love to do, for me it has been the best exercise to keep the weight off and the music makes it fairly enjoyable (since most of my day is singing nursery rhymes!).
But it is not too late to start if you want to give it a try!

[jvryden]

Karen and Godiva,

I've been maintaining almost as long as you, Karen. I don't count daily carbs anymore either (although I estimate its usually b/w 30-40). I also still have a dessert weakness. I just love to bake! I like to try the ideas from the recipe forum. At least if I make it myself I know exactly what I'm eating. I'm a wee bit jealous of your awesome garden. Sounds wonderful. I need to get out and do something with my yard. I would love to have all those fruits and veggies, but I have a huge talent for killing plants.

[JuliaL]

Hey Karen - great to see you over here! That's an awesome garden you have! I'm jealous too - I haven't had a garden in years, just can't seem to find the time. Maybe this year I'll plant a few veggies.

Betty and Gina - I tried running last night. What I did was walk for 1 minute, run for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then walk for another minute, then run, etc. I saw on FitTV that is a good way to burn fat - intervals. I did o.k. with the running, even though I looked like a goofball. I worry about aggravating the tendonitis in my ankle, and it's a little sore today but I don't think it will flare up. I'm going to try it again on Thurs. evening - tonight is weights.

Godiva - I agree with you about continuing to work on it. I know that exercise will have to be a regular, 5-6 day a week part of my life forever. And that's o.k because now I've gotten to the point where I really enjoy it. I think of it as my time for myself, and I really look forward to it. I haven't added a lot of fruit to my diet yet, just berries. But then I didn't eat a lot of it before. I wonder if its something I should be eating more of?

Julia

[ginabw]

I have read too in several places that interval training is best for weight loss, I had thought about trying it, but I kind of like going at my (slow, only 5mph) steady pace. I have had knee and foot problems before too and right now they are fine so hate to change anything. Regular exercise has been a part of my life for more than 15 yrs now, and I plan to continue because I am sure that it will help me stay active and healthy when I am a golden senior, want to be able to enjoy those years!

[sugarless4life]

Julia, that's fantastic! You did great! Its those 'intervals' that seem to shake things up and really jolt your body into burning more calories. I try to do what is called a 'fartlek' its a swedish term used in running where you run at your normal pace and then at regular intervals you go as fast and hard as you can for several minutes and then slow it down again to your regular pace. It really helps burn more calories and increases your speed and stamina. I am hoping it helps me speed up my time in next week's 5k.

I'm sure you don't look like a goofball at all!! We're always much more self-conscious than we should be! You're OUT THERE and that's more than most people can say!! GOOD GOING!

Just don't run to the point of pain. Take it slow. Most people who injure themselves do so by trying to too much too soon.

GREAT JOB!

Betty

[akmd65]

Hi everyone!

I'm so glad I found this!! You've already answered a couple of questions I've been wanting to ask someone!!!

[JONAH'S GRANNY]

Welcome akmd. I've been hoping you would join us. Someone as successful as you have been at losing will be real good at maintaining.

A big welcome to you too, kb. Love them gardens. We have a small vegetable one and lots of flower gardens. Thats how my DH gets his exercise. He truly has a green thumb.