STILLMAN DIET THREAD- OCTOBER 2012

[Mar922]

Here is something I posted in another thread that might make someone elses aha! light go off like it happened for me.

I have done stills in the past and lost great on it and then I got a new bf, lost my job, went on a couple vacations and the weight came back so I thought I am going back on stills and I was being strict and I was losing almost nothing! so I went off plan and I would go back on and I whined and complained and was angry. So, I started to think back to last year and what was different and the only thing I came up with is that I wasn't drinking enough water and then I asked the thread and they said I should be drinking more so I started upping my water to 3L and the next day I was down 3 pounds!

The other thing I started doing was taking my measurements so even though I have only lost 10 pounds in 2 months and that was with lots of cheats pretty much every weekend, my measurements have gone down consistently even with barely any weight loss I lost 2 inches in my waist alone! Its very motivation to see those numbers go down.

[BrattyS]

Originally Posted by Mar922

Here is something I posted in another thread that might make someone elses aha! light go off like it happened for me.

I have done stills in the past and lost great on it and then I got a new bf, lost my job, went on a couple vacations and the weight came back so I thought I am going back on stills and I was being strict and I was losing almost nothing! so I went off plan and I would go back on and I whined and complained and was angry. So, I started to think back to last year and what was different and the only thing I came up with is that I wasn't drinking enough water and then I asked the thread and they said I should be drinking more so I started upping my water to 3L and the next day I was down 3 pounds!

The other thing I started doing was taking my measurements so even though I have only lost 10 pounds in 2 months and that was with lots of cheats pretty much every weekend, my measurements have gone down consistently even with barely any weight loss I lost 2 inches in my waist alone! Its very motivation to see those numbers go down.

Things to remember when the scale isn't moving.

[Angelstill]

Mar and bratty so happy to see you both and doing so well .... mar it makes perfect sense water is very important for weightloss also many times I am really just dehydrated and mistake it for hunger.... every diet I have been on
recommends consuming six to eight glasses of water.... I drink water first thing every morning .... welcome Jane to Stillman's it works you will see.... At last tomorrow New York City tomorrow sadly I will be missing yoga class .... good
news since my restart I am down 5 so five more and I am back to where I was
Congratulations to all the losses! And I will check in while I am in the city from my Andy that is my nickname for my
android.... today was a turkey cutlet for lunch and chicken soup din din .... breakfast 2x espresso and of course water !
Sparkling water in a wine glass with a lemon or even on the rocks makes drinking water much more enjoyable .... tonight I
went and treated myself to a mani &pedi a lil something for me after all 5 lbs was not so easy I just need to
keep it off .... I will be doing a lot of walking in Manhattan it will keep me busy all the sights and hopefully off of food!

[Angelstill]

Halloweenish thought .... I am reading The big book of little Magick and one chapter has a spell for weightloss with a candle that you cast the spell upon and as it melts the wax down so does the weight on your scale ! oh if it were so easy!

[Mar922]

Originally Posted by Angelstill

Halloweenish thought .... I am reading The big book of little Magick and one chapter has a spell for weightloss with a candle that you cast the spell upon and as it melts the wax down so does the weight on your scale ! oh if it were so easy!

If it were that easy I would have 30 candles lit right now going all night and be at goal by tomorrow!

[CoCo]

Originally Posted by zenpeacock

Yesterday was day 6 and I was up .8

Today I'm back down to the same weight I was at on Tuesday 191.2.

Weird.

However, in the past 7 days (Weds to Weds) I went from 197 to 191.2 .... so that's nothing to sneeze at. PLUS today my waist measured in at a full inch smaller than last week! Now, THAT I can handle!

My fiance thinks I'm insane eating this way, but he's supportive. Every morning he's up boiling me eggs and baking chicken breasts. He's a keeper. What he doesn't realize is that in the past week, we've been on 4 walks and have eaten 90% less fat than usual. So, it's a win-win for both of us

Zen, I'm up .8 this morning! If I follow the pattern so far, that means a 2 to 4 pound loss is on the way. Looks like you might be like me! Your BF is a keeper for sure!

[CoCo]

Originally Posted by makemeslim

Have not checked in for a few days, Ok maybe it was nearly a week....been in carbville. Really need to get a week under my belt and then work out my maintenance plan. Its not that I gain lots of weight, I just hate the yucky bloated feeling I get....it makes me feel fat, regardless of low numbers. Got my meat and eggs in and will be taking off tomorrow. Hope everyone is doing well. Will try and catch up with the posts.

Glad your back! Have a good trip and make sure to check in with us.

[CoCo]

Originally Posted by reptogirl

hi all, i was here back earlier in the year, saw some results, nothing dramatic but i managed to stray away, it isn't an easy diet to stay on, but it seems to be the only thing i can lose on. right now i am about 9 pounds from what my profile weight says so i guess thats my first short term goal this was day 3 on plan and have already dropped a couple of pounds which is good considering i haven't been 100 percent, i know i have had too much fat, and sodium and not enough water, but i am working on it.

Welcome back, you could lose that 9 lbs and be at you short term goal in 2 weeks. Your right it isn't easy, you have to make up your mind to stick with it. If/when I feel like cheating I come here and read or ask for help. I also get my Stillman's book and read it, it help's to get my focus back.

[CoCo]

Originally Posted by Mar922

Hopefully I will join you there at the end of the week!

I'm sure of it! I think your right about the water, I do seem to lose better when I drink more.

[CoCo]

I am up .8 this morning.

I woke up very early this morning, didn't sleep well at all. Tonight I'll have some sleepytime tea before I go to bed.

Now a warning=

PUT DOWN THAT CANDY, IT'S FOR THE KIDDIES! A moment on the lips, forever on the hips. I know what I'm talking about, I can see the lumps from 5 halloween's ago on my hips. This lump here, on my right high, it's a snickers bar from halloween 2008. Don't let this happen to you!

[zenpeacock]

Originally Posted by CoCo

I am up .8 this morning.

I woke up very early this morning, didn't sleep well at all. Tonight I'll have some sleepytime tea before I go to bed.

Now a warning=

PUT DOWN THAT CANDY, IT'S FOR THE KIDDIES! A moment on the lips, forever on the hips. I know what I'm talking about, I can see the lumps from 5 halloween's ago on my hips. This lump here, on my right high, it's a snickers bar from halloween 2008. Don't let this happen to you!

Yeah, I have a couple of pints of Ben & Jerry's from 2010 still clinging to me. So true.

Not to worry CoCo - I'm down 1.4 lbs. this morning, so whatever needed to "shift" did and I'm FINALLY IN THE 180s! BARELY there, but there nonetheless! It's been almost 2 years since I've been below 190 and I'm finally seeing some movement in the right direction. So, keep on keepin' on and you'll get where you want to go

[BrattyS]

Originally Posted by Angelstill

Mar and bratty so happy to see you both and doing so well .... mar it makes perfect sense water is very important for weightloss also many times I am really just dehydrated and mistake it for hunger.... every diet I have been on
recommends consuming six to eight glasses of water.... I drink water first thing every morning .... welcome Jane to Stillman's it works you will see.... At last tomorrow New York City tomorrow sadly I will be missing yoga class .... good
news since my restart I am down 5 so five more and I am back to where I was
Congratulations to all the losses! And I will check in while I am in the city from my Andy that is my nickname for my
android.... today was a turkey cutlet for lunch and chicken soup din din .... breakfast 2x espresso and of course water !
Sparkling water in a wine glass with a lemon or even on the rocks makes drinking water much more enjoyable .... tonight I
went and treated myself to a mani &pedi a lil something for me after all 5 lbs was not so easy I just need to
keep it off .... I will be doing a lot of walking in Manhattan it will keep me busy all the sights and hopefully off of food!

Have fun in New York! My In laws were just there and had a blast. Congrats on your 5 pounds. You will be back in no time. I have lost 10 of mine and still have 12 to go to get back where I was.

Originally Posted by Mar922

If it were that easy I would have 30 candles lit right now going all night and be at goal by tomorrow!

Oh me too!

Originally Posted by CoCo

I am up .8 this morning.

I woke up very early this morning, didn't sleep well at all. Tonight I'll have some sleepytime tea before I go to bed.

Now a warning=

PUT DOWN THAT CANDY, IT'S FOR THE KIDDIES! A moment on the lips, forever on the hips. I know what I'm talking about, I can see the lumps from 5 halloween's ago on my hips. This lump here, on my right high, it's a snickers bar from halloween 2008. Don't let this happen to you!

Oh man, Halloween last year... I had lost 31 pounds, was at 201 getting ready to finally be in the 100s. A month later and I was back in the 220s. All because of Halloween candy. It WILL NOT happen this year!

Originally Posted by zenpeacock

Yeah, I have a couple of pints of Ben & Jerry's from 2010 still clinging to me. So true.

Not to worry CoCo - I'm down 1.4 lbs. this morning, so whatever needed to "shift" did and I'm FINALLY IN THE 180s! BARELY there, but there nonetheless! It's been almost 2 years since I've been below 190 and I'm finally seeing some movement in the right direction. So, keep on keepin' on and you'll get where you want to go

So happy for you! I can't wait to be there.

[janejane40]

Yayyy today is day one! Im' pretty excited. So far I've just had a couple of hard boiled eggs...I'll probably have a can of tuna for lunch and some chicken for dinner. I'm super pumped to get rolling.
This weekend all of our friends are having a chili cookoff, so it will be really hard for me not to have just a little bit...not to mention that everyone but me will be having drinks on top of it. Blah! Then NEXT weekend is my husband's birthday and his mom is making homemade chicken pot pie and caramel cake. UGH!
How do you guys deal with temptations like that, and if you slide a bit, how far do you find it sets you back (like if for instance I have a small bowl of chili Saturday)?
I guess maybe I need to do all or nothing for awhile with NO cheats or excuses. Any advice?

[Leo41]

janejane-

I can only share what I did during weight loss and still do in maintenance. I don't 'cheat' (I hate that word), but I also never say "never' in terms of any food. What I do is a quick 'cost/benefit analysis,' asking myself, "What is the benefit of my eating this? What is the cost to me in terms of my goals for weight management and good health?

Almost always, the cost outweights any benefit--by a big margin. And I decline the indulgence.

I also never say, "I can't eat that." Instead, I say "I don't eat that." It may seem like just semantics, but it makes a big difference in terms of my own mental attitude and what others 'hear.'

Using 'can't' suggests (to yourself) that you're under some external control (the plan!) that is causing you to deprive yourself--and this often leads to resentment and off-plan eating.

Using 'don't' means you've made a free choice on your own to exclude this food. And it's usually received with less annoying persistance--even if people mistake your meaning.

For example, when I'm pressured to eat dessert, I will simply say, "I don't eat sugar." I've had people assume that I'm diabetic (I'm not), and then they leave me alone. If they think you're only on a diet, they tend to pressure you much more.

[janejane40]

Originally Posted by Leo41

janejane-

I can only share what I did during weight loss and still do in maintenance. I don't 'cheat' (I hate that word), but I also never say "never' in terms of any food. What I do is a quick 'cost/benefit analysis,' asking myself, "What is the benefit of my eating this? What is the cost to me in terms of my goals for weight management and good health?

Almost always, the cost outweights any benefit--by a big margin. And I decline the indulgence.

I also never say, "I can't eat that." Instead, I say "I don't eat that." It may seem like just semantics, but it makes a big difference in terms of my own mental attitude and what others 'hear.'

Using 'can't' suggests (to yourself) that you're under some external control (the plan!) that is causing you to deprive yourself--and this often leads to resentment and off-plan eating.

Using 'don't' means you've made a free choice on your own to exclude this food. And it's usually received with less annoying persistance--even if people mistake your meaning.

For example, when I'm pressured to eat dessert, I will simply say, "I don't eat sugar." I've had people assume that I'm diabetic (I'm not), and then they leave me alone. If they think you're only on a diet, they tend to pressure you much more.

That is a really great way to look at it! Thank you so much, I KNOW that is really going to help me!

[janejane40]

Originally Posted by Leo41

janejane-

I can only share what I did during weight loss and still do in maintenance. I don't 'cheat' (I hate that word), but I also never say "never' in terms of any food. What I do is a quick 'cost/benefit analysis,' asking myself, "What is the benefit of my eating this? What is the cost to me in terms of my goals for weight management and good health?

Almost always, the cost outweights any benefit--by a big margin. And I decline the indulgence.

I also never say, "I can't eat that." Instead, I say "I don't eat that." It may seem like just semantics, but it makes a big difference in terms of my own mental attitude and what others 'hear.'

Using 'can't' suggests (to yourself) that you're under some external control (the plan!) that is causing you to deprive yourself--and this often leads to resentment and off-plan eating.

Using 'don't' means you've made a free choice on your own to exclude this food. And it's usually received with less annoying persistance--even if people mistake your meaning.

For example, when I'm pressured to eat dessert, I will simply say, "I don't eat sugar." I've had people assume that I'm diabetic (I'm not), and then they leave me alone. If they think you're only on a diet, they tend to pressure you much more.

I actually think I'm going to print that out and carry it around with me for awhile.

[Yam-Yam]

Hi everyone. Sorry I have to be so MIA lately. I got back from Seattle yesterday and am packing for Florida today.

Just wanted to pop in and report that all my Hawaii vacation gain is gone and it took another .6 with it. So, YAY!

I'm ready to move onward and downward! I had filet mignon two days in a row and am thinking today I might make it three! So good! Hoorah for protein!

[catne]

janejane, I agree with leo41. Have gained and lost the same 20 lbs for 3 years in a row (while needing to lose 100!) But this year, I abandoned the all-or-nothing mentality, and threw the never-again attitude right out the door. Since March 2012, hubby and I have done Atkins '72 (March-May) and then switched to Stillmans with occasional Atkins'72 meal to break up the monotony of low-fat/low-cal/low-carb Stillman's. We've also had a couple of short vacations where we ate whatever/whenever.

And guess what...this time I'm down 57 lbs. and counting since March 6. And happy. And it's been really easy, relatively speaking.

Every day is a choice...I frame it in terms of do I want to lose weight today, or stall for a few days? Is that food worth stalling my loss for a few days? Sometimes it is, really. But most of the time, the choice is easy: I'd rather keep losing. (because that's all it is: it's NOT a cheat, it's NOT a failing on my willpower. I'm not "falling off the wagon" or any other cliche for failure. I'm consciously making a choice about what goes in my mouth. And it's not a choice whether or not to cheat. It's a CHOICE whether to lose weight, or maintain for a couple of days. That's all.)

I find when I put my choices in those terms, there's no sense of failure, there's no sense of "I'll never lose this weight, I can't fight temptation" and all the psychological trash that goes with the negative mind-sets that undermine weight loss programs. When it's just a choice, and I consciously decide that piece of cake (or whatever it is) is something I really want to experience, then I have the cake, and enjoy it too. I savor the flavors, I rejoice in the experience of that cake.

And then I find it very easy to go right back on my program, and get back to the day to day business of losing weight.

Best of luck!

[catne]

Originally Posted by Yam-Yam

Hi everyone. Sorry I have to be so MIA lately. I got back from Seattle yesterday and am packing for Florida today.

Just wanted to pop in and report that all my Hawaii vacation gain is gone and it took another .6 with it. So, YAY!

I'm ready to move onward and downward! I had filet mignon two days in a row and am thinking today I might make it three! So good! Hoorah for protein!

Yay you.

And Florida is fabulous right now...no Fall-chill-in-the-air for us. (though the weather man is talking about it...as if early morning temp of 70 F is a chill-in-the-air, lol.) He's not from anywhere north, I can tell.

[janejane40]

Originally Posted by catne

janejane, I agree with leo41. Have gained and lost the same 20 lbs for 3 years in a row (while needing to lose 100!) But this year, I abandoned the all-or-nothing mentality, and threw the never-again attitude right out the door. Since March 2012, hubby and I have done Atkins '72 (March-May) and then switched to Stillmans with occasional Atkins'72 meal to break up the monotony of low-fat/low-cal/low-carb Stillman's. We've also had a couple of short vacations where we ate whatever/whenever.

And guess what...this time I'm down 57 lbs. and counting since March 6. And happy. And it's been really easy, relatively speaking.

Every day is a choice...I frame it in terms of do I want to lose weight today, or stall for a few days? Is that food worth stalling my loss for a few days? Sometimes it is, really. But most of the time, the choice is easy: I'd rather keep losing. (because that's all it is: it's NOT a cheat, it's NOT a failing on my willpower. I'm not "falling off the wagon" or any other cliche for failure. I'm consciously making a choice about what goes in my mouth. And it's not a choice whether or not to cheat. It's a CHOICE whether to lose weight, or maintain for a couple of days. That's all.)

I find when I put my choices in those terms, there's no sense of failure, there's no sense of "I'll never lose this weight, I can't fight temptation" and all the psychological trash that goes with the negative mind-sets that undermine weight loss programs. When it's just a choice, and I consciously decide that piece of cake (or whatever it is) is something I really want to experience, then I have the cake, and enjoy it too. I savor the flavors, I rejoice in the experience of that cake.

And then I find it very easy to go right back on my program, and get back to the day to day business of losing weight.

Best of luck!

Congratulations on your loss, that is wonderful!
You seem to have a great, healthy attitude about it, good for you! I'm definitely going to keep everything you said in my mind! I think once I start losing, I will feel so good that I will WANT to make good choices. Thank you for the support!

[catne]

Originally Posted by CoCo

I am up .8 this morning.

I woke up very early this morning, didn't sleep well at all. Tonight I'll have some sleepytime tea before I go to bed.

Now a warning=

PUT DOWN THAT CANDY, IT'S FOR THE KIDDIES! A moment on the lips, forever on the hips. I know what I'm talking about, I can see the lumps from 5 halloween's ago on my hips. This lump here, on my right high, it's a snickers bar from halloween 2008. Don't let this happen to you!

You know what...whenever I don't sleep well, and wake up too early...my weight is the same or up a few ounces. I seriously think that getting enough quality sleep has a huge bearing on the losing process. That and the fact that when I skip a couple of hours of shut-eye by getting up too early, I also curtail the natural elimination process so I don't wake up and pee off a lb....the body hasn't had time to get that extra water processed out to the bladder ,

Originally Posted by zenpeacock

Yeah, I have a couple of pints of Ben & Jerry's from 2010 still clinging to me. So true.

Not to worry CoCo - I'm down 1.4 lbs. this morning, so whatever needed to "shift" did and I'm FINALLY IN THE 180s! BARELY there, but there nonetheless! It's been almost 2 years since I've been below 190 and I'm finally seeing some movement in the right direction. So, keep on keepin' on and you'll get where you want to go

180s, hooray Isn't it wonderful to see a weight we left behind. Like meeting up with an old friend

I'm looking forward to a reunion with my 30 yr old self's weight. Back to the future, weight loss style.

[catne]

Originally Posted by Angelstill

Halloweenish thought .... I am reading The big book of little Magick and one chapter has a spell for weightloss with a candle that you cast the spell upon and as it melts the wax down so does the weight on your scale ! oh if it were so easy!

You'd see my witchy self so fast if this stuff worked,

It would be wonderful if weight loss were that easy. After all, the darn fat goes on soooo easy...if all were right in the universe it would come off just as easy, right?

[BrattyS]

Originally Posted by janejane40

Yayyy today is day one! Im' pretty excited. So far I've just had a couple of hard boiled eggs...I'll probably have a can of tuna for lunch and some chicken for dinner. I'm super pumped to get rolling.
This weekend all of our friends are having a chili cookoff, so it will be really hard for me not to have just a little bit...not to mention that everyone but me will be having drinks on top of it. Blah! Then NEXT weekend is my husband's birthday and his mom is making homemade chicken pot pie and caramel cake. UGH!
How do you guys deal with temptations like that, and if you slide a bit, how far do you find it sets you back (like if for instance I have a small bowl of chili Saturday)?
I guess maybe I need to do all or nothing for awhile with NO cheats or excuses. Any advice?

Leo and Catne gave you the best words any of us could. I have bounced the same 20 pounds for years. I need to print what leo said too. Best of luck to you!

Originally Posted by Yam-Yam

Hi everyone. Sorry I have to be so MIA lately. I got back from Seattle yesterday and am packing for Florida today.

Just wanted to pop in and report that all my Hawaii vacation gain is gone and it took another .6 with it. So, YAY!

I'm ready to move onward and downward! I had filet mignon two days in a row and am thinking today I might make it three! So good! Hoorah for protein!

Good to see you! Have a great time in Florida. I hope you come back even smaller.

[Yam-Yam]

Originally Posted by catne

Yay you.

And Florida is fabulous right now...no Fall-chill-in-the-air for us. (though the weather man is talking about it...as if early morning temp of 70 F is a chill-in-the-air, lol.) He's not from anywhere north, I can tell.

Congratulations on your impressive weight loss! Awesomely Awesome, YOU!

I loved your post and agree whole heartedly. I allow myself to maintain if that's what my body wants and I never stress about it anymore. If I'm on a fabulous vacation, I don't freak out about a vacation gain. I just get back to work on it when I get home. Like I said before, after Hawaii: The weight will come back off and go away. The wonderful memories will last forever.

I'm in northern California and we do have a chill in the air this morning. It feels kind of good.

In Florida, I'm planning to get out and swim and walk and play a lot. I'll have a full kitchen available, so hopefully I can shop for what I want and plan my eating in a way that keeps me on course for the most part. This is not a trip I'm really looking forward to. I mean, I love Florida, but I kind of got roped into this and right now because I'm so motivated to lose, I would really rather be at home concentrating on my goals. Oh well!

Originally Posted by BrattyS

Good to see you! Have a great time in Florida. I hope you come back even smaller.

That's my plan! I'm going to stick with lots of lean protein, lots of water and green tea and get lots of exercise. I don't want to maintain I want to LOSE!

[CoCo]

Originally Posted by zenpeacock

Yeah, I have a couple of pints of Ben & Jerry's from 2010 still clinging to me. So true.

Not to worry CoCo - I'm down 1.4 lbs. this morning, so whatever needed to "shift" did and I'm FINALLY IN THE 180s! BARELY there, but there nonetheless! It's been almost 2 years since I've been below 190 and I'm finally seeing some movement in the right direction. So, keep on keepin' on and you'll get where you want to go

That's great! So happy for you! I just love those "shift's".

[CoCo]

Originally Posted by Yam-Yam

Hi everyone. Sorry I have to be so MIA lately. I got back from Seattle yesterday and am packing for Florida today.

Just wanted to pop in and report that all my Hawaii vacation gain is gone and it took another .6 with it. So, YAY!

I'm ready to move onward and downward! I had filet mignon two days in a row and am thinking today I might make it three! So good! Hoorah for protein!

Welcome back Yam yam!

[CoCo]

Cat, I know you are right about the good nights sleep. I already want to go back to bed! It will be an early turn in for me tonight!

[CoCo]

Originally Posted by catne

You'd see my witchy self so fast if this stuff worked,

It would be wonderful if weight loss were that easy. After all, the darn fat goes on soooo easy...if all were right in the universe it would come off just as easy, right?

Just think, if this worked in march when I turn 61, I would be very underweight the minute I blew out my candles. Love it!

[Mar922]

Originally Posted by catne

You know what...whenever I don't sleep well, and wake up too early...my weight is the same or up a few ounces. I seriously think that getting enough quality sleep has a huge bearing on the losing process. That and the fact that when I skip a couple of hours of shut-eye by getting up too early, I also curtail the natural elimination process so I don't wake up and pee off a lb....the body hasn't had time to get that extra water processed out to the bladder ,

I find the exact same thing, and the more I sleep and better I sleep the better I lose!

I think its part dehydration part sleep helps with the loss.

I find if I am tired I do wand quick energy more too so I try and get a good nights sleep as it helps with cravings

[Angelstill]

Hiyas ! from NYC! I love the comments tonight enjoy food on vacation etc.... don't stress it raises cortisol levels and the scale .... relax and eat to live not live to eat and you will keep yourself on track .... I agree too restrictive makes me very unhappy knowing when I decide a special treat that I really will enjoy keeps me in control .... I never explain
myself to people why I choose not to eat certain foods it is my body .... you know nobody ever knocks the over eater at parties it seems if your not eating this or that you are breaking some sort of rule .... I usually eat a lil too bad if I do not try everything .... My outlook is I rather lose weight slowly but sustainably, than to be too restrictive that I
cannot maintain and gain it all back .... My advice is love your body .... be kind to your body eat healthy .... you know all those sweet treats are yummy but is it good for you? I love Stillman's it helps me burn unhealthy fat and that carb bloat ....
GOOD LUCK!