The A2K (virtual) Weight Loss Club !!

Sorry about that. Post in haste, repent at leisure.

http://www.lasvegaseducation.org/?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_n=edu_google_lasvegas_re_lasveg_200609

I repent.

The parties are over. It's time to let go of the tonnage I've picked up over the past couple of months. First there was spring break (+9), lost a few then went to New Orleans for jazz fest (+5), lost a couple then went to FL to spend a week with my siblings (+3), lost those 3 then the A2Kers arrived for a week of fun and food (-1, how'd I do that?).

All in all, it could be much worse. I'm +6 from when we left for spring break and +9 from where I want to be.

There's nothing on the agenda until July 4th that should be a concern.

The recovery begins now.

Good luck JPB.

I cooked some chicken pieces lat night specifically so I could have them as part of my salad lunch.

Sadly in all other arenas the diet has gone cup-put.

JPB--

Yesterday I picked up a couple quarts of local strawberries--pity they go so well with white wine.

Nine pounds isn't an impossible project. What is your goal for the 4th of July?

Time Magazine's cover story this week deals with the lastest research in the invisible factors of dieting:

http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1626795_1627112_1626670,00.html

I found little of practical help except for the reminder to wait 20 minutes before going back for seconds.

Still, all information is useful.

How's the exercise going, material girl?

That's been stressing me out. I always went when sozlet was at school. Didn't go Monday, HAD to go Tuesday, no real options, decided to bring her with me and see what happened. They didn't like it but allowed it as a one-time thing. She sat there with her book and read and was wonderful (thanks, sweetie), but it's definitely a no-no and I can't do it again.

I see a mom today who also goes to that gym and who was also stressing about what she'd do when school ended, we'd talked about dropping off each others' kids so we could go, I'm going to try to make a concrete schedule with her -- hate to lose momentum at this point.

Soz, yesterday I planned my evening and I had an urge to go and run so thats what I was gona do, just for half an hour(if that)but at least Id planned it...the time came and as you can guess I didnt go but I did get up and do a bit of housework, did the washing up, sorted out papers for recycling, watered the plants(did a 5 second jog on the spot while watering them, hose in one hand, holding boobs down with the other)so the intent is there just not physically.

Makes for an interesting mental image, mg.

Interesting article, noddy. Overeating because we can is a similar concept to bulking up for the winter. We do both unnecessarily these days, but we're programmed for both.

I'll try to see 170 by July 4th. 179 today -- should be doable, or at least close enough to get to my goal of 169 by Labor Day. My normal fluctuations are 167-168 in midsummer and 177 - 178 in midwinter. I maxed out at 183 this year, the day I returned from FL.

I designed a meal plan when I got back from FL. It was working pretty well the week I was following it religiously and is probably why I lost a pound last week even though the week was filled with eating events. It's a combo of four or five different diet plans that I've done in the past. They all work in the short run but are much too restrictive to use longterm. This one is satisfying, nourishing, encourages cheating without guilt and is doable for the longterm, particularly now that summer fruits and vegetables are coming into season.


Breakfast - fresh or frozen fruit, as much as I want throughout the morning. It's very satisfying. The tip is to eat one kind of fruit, say berries only or melons only or grapes only, and then eat another kind of fruit the next time you're hungry. Save bananas for last and wait at least one hour between the last fruit serving and lunch and at least one-half hour between fruit servings. I've been averaging about three fruit servings each morning. Then, NO MORE FRUIT that day. Benefit: lots of fiber, natural sugars, fruit by itself provides excellent detox and 'flushing' properties. Fruit in combo with other foods slows down digestion and can cause bloating and discomfort.

Lunch - a very large salad made with dark greens (romaine, spring mix, spinach, arugula, etc), broccoli, cauliflower, sugar snap peas, carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, mushrooms, onion, sweet peppers, and 4oz of protein (I use a combo of one ounce low-fat swiss and three ounces of turkey and/or boiled ham). I've been making the salads up first thing in the morning - one for Mr B and one for me. I find it easier to make it when I'm eating fruit and then not having to take the time when I'm hungry for lunch. It's sitting in the fridge ready to enjoy with 2-3 TBS low-fat salad dressing of choice (I like Brianna's Sante Fe dressing). Benefit: very filling, lots of fiber, plenty of protein, some fat from the cheese, meat, and dressing.

Mid afternoon - whole grain pita or wrap with 1/4 cup tahini hummus, or one container low-fat, low sugar (no fruit!) yogurt, or a small handful of almonds, or anything that will satisfy your late afternoon pangs and get you through to dinnertime without diving into a bag of chips or cookies. Benefit: good source of fiber and high quality fats.

Dinner -- whatever floats your boat as long as it doesn't contain sugar or anything 'white' (potatoes, pasta, rice, bread). Use whole grain alternatives and keep it to one small serving. Do not overeat, but don't under eat either. Benefit: provides a balance of carbs, proteins, and fat in amounts that will get you through the night without hitting the cookie jar.

Beverages - water, tea (preferably green), coffee without sugar, cranwater, seltzer, diet sodas are all ok. Limit carbonated drinks to one per day. NO FRUIT JUICE other than what is in the fresh/frozen fruit in the morning. Eat the fruit (only in the morning), skip the juice.

GO FOR IT meal - once per week (Saturday evening, say) throw away all the dinner rules and eat pizza, pasta, flour tortillas, whatever you feel like. Don't go crazy, but eat a normal amount and be satisfied. Have a drink or two (red wine will cause you to retain water) or a beer. Maybe enjoy a full-fat version of something you've been avoiding. Maybe treat yourself to an ice-cream cone (go out for it - do not bring ice cream into the house). You get the idea...celebrate a little without guilt.

Once you real your goal weight - continue with the basic concepts of the plan (fruit throughout the morning, followed by a LARGE healthy lunch, a satisfying mid-to-late afternoon snack, and a reasonable dinner with plenty of liquids throughout the day) but give yourself an entire GO FOR IT day. Eat eggs and toast or pancakes for breakfast and whatever you want for lunch/dinner.

I've stocked the house with fruit, salad fixings, and dinner items. My knees are worse than ever and I can't walk for any distance, but I'll incorporate moderate exercise as well.

I think funny more than interesting, its quite hard to balance without both arms doing the same thing.
Nearly ended up in the flower bed.

I've been very active the last few years and have lost some weight.


Weighed in today at 123 :-D Cool man

Soz--

I remember trying to fit my own interests around children--it isn't easy. Maddening that the gym won't tolerate a well-behaved child absorbed in a book.

I hope you can make some reliable arrangements--otherwise by mid-August you'll be feeling like Somebody's Stepchild and have no patience for the last weeks of summer.

Material Girl--

Horrid Fact: Good intentions don't burn calories.

JPB--

I find that if I plan what I'm going to eat--as opposed to spontaneously stuffing something in my face because it's convenient--I not only eat more sensibly, I watch portion size.

I'm sure that my maternal forebearers were lousy hunters so they developed a capacity to gorge at every opportunity.

Physical limitations on exercise are a double handicap, but heroines thrive on difficulties.

Montana--

Congratulations.

Thanks Noddy :-D


I did a lot of dominion holding ;-)

No kidding. Looks like we have a plan, luckily. On nice days, meet at pool; mom 1 goes to gym while mom 2 watches kids, then when mom 1 returns, mom 2 goes to gym while mom 1 watches kids. On not-nice days, meet at someone's house. 3 X a week. Kids like each other, should work out well, we'll see.

Isn't that annoying about the gym not tolerating a super-quiet, just-reading, not-bothering-anyone kid, though? The person explained it as, "well SHE's doing great, but if we say it's OK then more people will bring their kids who aren't so well-behaved, and..." I get it, but it's still irritating.

Soz--

One of the reasons I didn't reup on my membership at the PT Center was other people's children. They didn't invade the exercise space physically, but none of them had any concept of an "indoor" voice.

I'll keep my fingers crossed on the pool/gym/pool shuttle.

mg, just go for 10 minutes. It's not so daunting. Work your way up to more.

Soz, I'm glad you're working out how to get back to the gym regularly. Too bad they don't have kid-watching facilities. Not that sozlet needs much watching.

JPB, your plan sounds great. Plenty of variety. I love the morning fruit smorgasbord.

I weighed in at 178.4 today. As near as I can figure, that's less than I've weighed in 32 years. So I'm 111 pounds down - about 20 to go!

You are amazing, mac. I certainly hope someone in New York has a camera!

Congrats, and have a great trip!

Let's see. There's Walter and then there's Walter and then there's Walter and then there will be three Canajun women with cameras.



smiiiiiiiiile mac11

Yeah but Walter has a thing about posting people pics. Gonna have to rely on the femmes from up north.

ahhh - I can send links of the pix we (the femme battalion) get of mac11 to macisoneinamillion and she can then make the posting decision


(I hadn't actually thought of posting on A2K - it's kinda off my agenda as well)

This time tomorrow, I'll be getting off my bus near Union Square. I weighed 116 this morning and hope to hold that weight all weekend.