Summer Tour '06: Anniversary Month Has Arrived! (LONG!)

Hi friends, Back in June I started a summer challenge. I hoped that I could be at my best by my two-year visit, and I wanted to take the summer to get back on track in general. My hope is that any of you who were interested would tag along. Here's my update: I have surprised myself by being very loyal to Fitday and to exercise this summer. I have been very dedicated to walking at least once a day, twice when I can, and doing some weights (need to re-join a gym for more strength training). I log every single bite of everything into fitday.com. It's my personal accountability. And I tell ya, I was shocked to see how a little snacking here and there can add up. I spent much of June in disbelief at how my typical day's calorie count is way too high! I am now logging in my food earlier in the day - finding it simpler to have a handle on things before it becomes a reactive process, or just too frustrating. That leads to saying, "Why even try?" and making each day a complete blow-off. I help stave off the diet mentality by plugging in treats, mostly healthy, that I can look forward to during the day. It's not like the old "can of tuna, half a grapefruit, glass of skim milk" routine that is depressing to anticipate. I love to eat and enjoy it, and over the past two months have learned to make sure to get the basics in, and to make them pleasurable to me. That is a trick of mine - I know myself, and the deprivation mindset backfires horribly. All along, I have been sure to get in my water and vitamins and protein. I never have "extras" in my day until I have gotten the basics. I never want the bonus stuff to be instead of the basics, only in addition to, or part of, the basics. Getting the basics is crucial to me, and a habit I don't want to break, so I'm diligent about that, admittedly. THAT SAID...I have lost about seven pounds this summer. Right now I'm up about two from that low point but that's OK, based on when I've weighed. What's encouraging to me is that the tool still works, and that when I put my mind to it, I can still make the most of things. What's discouraging is that I feel like I'm in a nearly compulsive mindset, and that surprises me somewhat. It's not the kind of person I really am. I must figure out portions of food at restuarants so that I can log it into fitday. I realize fitday is an estimate at best for non-portioned food (I am not so obsessed as to take a cup measure into a restaurant - I just try to eyeball things). I want to lose this last 15-20 lbs and I do feel like I'm in a bit of the diet mentality, and I hate that! I don't have the anorexic "I can NEVER have chocolate" mindset, but this logging every bite is cumbersome. For the time being, though, I want to do this. As I maintain, maybe not, but for losing, yes. And what I'm frustrated about also is that it seems I was able to maintain a weight of 150-155 for months and months with very little effort. It was a stressful personal time so I was not actively trying to lose, but I was less diligent about exercise, and would snack more mindlessly, and still maintained. Nowadays, I watch everything -- granted, some days are still way too high in calories, but I am trying to make those the exception -- yet I am still not too far below the easy-to-maintain weight. I am not sure if 150-155 is a set point, and my body really wants to stay there, or if I just need to work extra hard to get to the next set point. I'll tell you this, though...if I have to work like a demon to maintain at 130-135, I will wonder whether it is enough different from 150-155 to make it worthwhile. Does that make sense? I hear about people who expend tremendous amounts of effort when their bodies are just waiting to spring back up to a pre-set weight, and that seems tedious. Obviously I want to be healthy and look good, but I feel like two months of effort have resulted in a tiny amount of payoff. I realize it's harder now - and I'm delighted to still have my tool - but I guess I'm feeling a bit frustrated. Oh, for the days of quicker weight loss! I know the slower you lose, the better it stays off, so that helps me deal with this somewhat. Sorry so long, but that's the state of things with me. I'd love to know how everyone else is doing, and if you have any thoughts to share about my situation, I'd be thrilled to hear from you! Thanks, Kathryn -142 (well, today it's -140)

Hi Kathryn I so understand how you're feeling. It's like pre op when we obsessed over food, now we are obsessing over losing weight. I have just come to realize how bad that is for us. I talked to my nutritionist this week and she says it is annorexic tendancies and very unhealthy. I get times where i don't want to eat cause i'm scared of getting fat again, or i will only eat a little bit. I am at 155 now, down from 360. 155 sounds like a lot to me, but as my pcp says, i am bigger boned and 20-25 pounds of that is skin and i need to maintain now. I don't do fitday, and probably should, but am scared to see the numbers of how little i do eat. So i have decided i will stop losing weight and just maintain . what are you doing for your anniversary? I am thinking i will have a re-birthday party to celebrate what a great job i've done. We only have 9 more days. Hugs Linda

Linda, where are the pictures?

Thanks for your post, Linda. That's interesting that you heard about the anorexic tendencies. I so don't want that, but I think it's probably just another facet of an eating disorder. We just happened to have the "too much" end of the spectrum for so long that the "too little" might just be par for the course. I still eat plenty, and maybe should eat less (I average 1400-1500 calories a day, and that's with exercising anywhere from 40-90 minutes). I hesitate going too much lower, though, for fear my metabolism will rebel. My nutritionist recommends 1200-1400 cal per day, without exercise, so I figure I'm on track. I get 80-110 grams of protein per day, and most days I get too much fat. Oh for those days when we didn't absorb much fat! Oh well, I'll figure something out, and like I've said before, all I have is time! I am so impressed with your loss! Wow, that's a significant amount. I am so proud of you. Don't know what I'll do for my two-year. My goddaughter is having her 12th BD party at the ice rink that afternoon, so perhaps I'll blow out a candle myself for my second BD. We'll see! Take care and thanks so much for your post. Kathryn

Kathryn, I give so much credit to following the Fitday program. Don't get discouraged about not being able to lose more weight. Just think how you looked and felt 2 years ago. What healthy snakes would you recommend? As soon as I fix some issues that I have I am going to give it a try on the Fitday program. Happy anniversary and take care.

Hi Louis, You asked for healthy snack suggestions... Some of my faves are: 1) Genisoy Soy Crisps (Roasted Garlic & Onion is my favorite flavor). Fairly good source of protein (7g) for 17 little crunchy deals, and 100 calories. 2) Apple with Peanut Butter 3) Cheese, grated and microwaved until crisp (gives the added bonus of a crunch in addition to your cheese) 4) Peanuts, almonds, any kind of nuts -- some have more bang for your buck protein-wise than others -- but all have good fats and some protein. I especially like Blue Diamond Lime ' Chili almonds. Other flavors in their "bold" line are Wasabi & Soy Sauce, Maui Onion & Garlic and Jalapeño Smokehouse. 5) Lactose-free chocolate milk (terribly lactose-intolerant after surgery but found a great milk that's lactose free, high protein, low carb - what a treat!) 6) Sugar-free Popsicles (my fave is the Lifesavers flavor) Like I said, I have to have something to look forward to, and these are some fun ways to accomplish that! Fitday is great if you don't mind the truth staring back at you. It's actually a good way to tweak your truth here and there so that over time you don't mind seeing what you have eaten! It has given me the opportunity to learn so much more about what I'm taking in, and it's as important two years out as it was early on - just in different ways. I know so much more about my daily intake, and knowledge is power. Thanks, Louis and everyone on the August board! Kathryn

Thank you, Kathryn, for telling me about FitDay.com! I love it! Usually, I do not like "writing down" what I eat, but it feels a little better just putting it in the computer. The chart is very nice to see what I've been eating. I wish I had not eaten bacon for breakfast BEFORE reading your post! ha! ha! You've fanned a fire under my rear end, and I will endeavor to get off my duff and walk at least once or twice a week. I have the perfect neighborhood for it! No excuses! Thanks again for sharing your struggles and successes. It is an inspiration to me! ~Laura

So glad you like Fitday, Laura! It's a true learning tool - over time you can really track things nicely. If you resolve to be dedicated to posting every single thing you eat, for a day/week/other period of time, you will be surprised. Maybe pleasantly, perhaps unpleasantly, but I think it's a real exercise in looking at where we stand at this part of our journey. It's not for everyone, and probably not even for me long-term, but for now, it's a real help. Thanks for your kind words. I enjoy reading your posts as well! Take care, Kathryn