What are you doing to secure success?

As many of you know I run a support group in the greater Raleigh area and also have a 'virtual' group called the Loser's Bench here on OH.

I posted the following question/thread on my Loser's Bench discussion board and though I'd throw it out to see what types of feedback/response we might get...

As we all know, we will need to change the habits of a lifetime, to ensure our longterm success. Let's inspire one another and share success habits we are putting into place.

I use a pedometer to make sure that I'm moving enough. I shoot for 10K steps a day. If it's getting later into the day and I realize the I'm off quite a bit, I take a break and go for a walk to boost my count. 10K steps equals about 4 miles walked. I find that when I'm wearing my pedometer and trying to register more steps on it, I'll park farther from the store, take the stairs, instead of the elevator, etc...

Please add your success habit to this thread.

Hi Barbara. My big day is tomorrow and I can't wait.  I'm so excited and scared.  I'm working today so that does help with the nerves.  I'm going to do what ever it takes to lose this weight and to follow the dr's directions.  The pedometer sounds like a very good idea.  I'll be seeing you on the losers bench later this week. 

Sharon

Hi Sharon,

It's so nice to meet you and I look forward to watching your journey unfold.

Wishing you a safe, uncomplicated surgery and smooth, gentle recovery.

Hi Barbara, and Happy 2009.  I have been thinking about you and Ben and remembering you and your future decisions in my prayers.

I make sure I have what I need at work to ensure I eat right and do not have to scramble looking for good foods and end up making bad decisions.

I keep a basket in the office fridge and I restock it as necessary.  What do I keep in the basket, you ask.  I keep greek yogurt, cheese, boiled eggs, lettuce, ham, turkey, protein bullets, cottage cheese and anything else that suits my fancy.  I can make various meals for the week using these items.

At my des****ep crystal light and ocean spray drink sleeves, vitamins, packets of protein powder to make shakes and/or add to my yogurt, and a blender bottle to mix my "science experiments" in (as my co workers call them".  I also keep measuring spoons, a cutting board, a funnel, kitchen shears from the dollar store (they are the best - I use the for everything) and measuring cups in the office kitchen, as well as a really good knife and sandwich baggies. 

To top it off, I keep paper bowls, plastic silverware, and paper cups so there's not mess and no excuse - I don't have to do dishes - just throw it all in the trash!!!

Every weekend I make sure I boil eggs and buy more turkey and ham, lettuce and yogurt to start the week off right.

I want to hear ideas from other people - I get so much help from these boards and want to thank everyone for sharing and participating.

Brenda

Hi Brenda,

I think that being so proactive is going to hold you in good stead ... not just as you lose the weight, but also as you work to maintain the wonderful losses and associated gains. Planning is an important aspect. I think we used to fly by the seat of our pants too much in the past. I know that I and others even 'plan' for a little excess now and then, now that we've gotten to goal... But planning instead of just letting it happen part of what makes it work and keeps everything in balance.

Keep up the good work!

I am just going to copy and paste my responses on the group board here.  :) 

Well now.. I find that the biggest thing that has changed about me (besides losing 175 pounds) is my attitude toward food.  The fat Jennifer would only think about my weight on certain occassions like anytime I was around people in a social situation, when I was at the doctor or when my clothes were yet again beginning to tighten up.  Then I would beat myself up and feel sorry for myself and try to find some type of "quick fix" to make my clothes magically fit again or make me love that image in the mirror again.  Alas, you guys all know that does not work.  I would get over my feelings being hurt in a few days, maybe a week at most, then I would get back on that rollercoaster of eating for comfort.  Im sure you remember those days when you would just shovel food in all day long without any recollection of how much you had eaten..  

Now, the healthier and leaner Jennifer thinks about food and maintaining my weight loss all day long.  Each time I put something in my mouth I think about what I have eaten all day long.  I keep a loose track of calories ingested.  I was wearing a pedometer like Barb, but when I realized I was taking between 15K and 25K steps everyday I just tossed it because just my average day is BUSY BUSY.  I also have started working out doing yoga and strength exercises.  I pay close attention to what my family eats and we make conscious decisions to be healthier.  

I will not sit here and tell you guys any lies.  I still eat things that are too carby and too sweet.  I still eat too much on occassion.  (You better believe my body lets me know that too!)  But I think the differerence is that I am eating/thinking/acting like a thin person now.  I dont eat a whole bag of chips..  I eat a small handful.  I dont eat 3 candy bars at a time.  I might eat a couple of snack sized bars.  For me this whole journey has been about moderation.  It has been a change of lifestyle, attitude and outlook.  I know that I can maintain this weight loss by not being a "carb nazi" or "fat gram nazi"..  I can just pay attention and make sure that I am making healthy choices.  I am the only person that can control that!!!

I don't think it is obsessive to monitor your weight daily.  I do that as well.  I think it is smart advice to keep those old habits and tendencies at bay and make sure that we don't step back into our old "fat ways".  There is certianly a pattern of behavior that got us to the points we were at.  I didn't wake up one day and just magically be over 300 pounds.  It was years and years of abuse and neglect of our health and bodies that got us there.  :)  At least now we are "re-educated" and are thinking thin!!!  This is a cool discussion.  Thanks for starting it.  :)