# January 2011 Weight Loss Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 2, 2011, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/january-2011-weight-loss-thread/566155 "2011-01-02T18:47:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_Doubt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7cd45c/32.png) [@Angel\_of\_Doubt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_Doubt)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2011, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/january-2011-weight-loss-thread/566155/41 "2011-01-10T17:46:51Z")
> [@Drain\_Bead](#): > > My husband and I are going to reward ourselves with a trip to Jamaica as our big goal, but my first mini-goal is a massage, which I’ll set up when I get below my pre-pregnancy weight. I’ve got about 20 pounds to lose before I’m there. > > I’m doing Primal, with a slight modification (I don’t shy away from cheese at all), getting less than 60 grams of carbs a day, and somehow finding it surprisingly not difficult. I’ve also resolved to stop snacking, and so far, so good. Cutting out grains and starches makes me less hungry. Same here, but it’s Las Vegas in May for us. I want to finally dump about 15 pounds, so I guess the cheese and dairy has to go. This way of eating has kept me at about 138 lbs (in my later 40s!) for the last couple of years, so I’m pretty happy with it, but the dairy also seems to make my ears itch and throat phlem-y. ---
**Author:** ![pendgwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3da27b/32.png) [@pendgwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pendgwen)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2011, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/january-2011-weight-loss-thread/566155/42 "2011-01-10T18:22:09Z")
Since Thanksgiving I gained 5 pounds, undoing half of the weight-loss that I had maintained for over a year. So my first goal is to get back to where I was pre-holidays. My next goal is to finally get serious about losing that last 10 pounds to get to my ideal weight. As always I need to get more exercise and eat less junk. I tried Zumba for the first time this morning and rediscovered that I can’t dance. I’ll try it a few more times and see if it gets better once I am familiar with the standard moves. Otherwise I’m left with just the elliptical since it’s too cold to run outside. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/january-2011-weight-loss-thread/566155/43 "2011-01-11T03:05:17Z")
I joined our “Biggest Loser” competition at work. $40 entrance fee, which is a bit steep, but it’ll keep me motivated. No weekly weigh-ins–just one today and one on April 4th (a day before my birthday, coincidentally). I’m hoping that this will keep my short-term focus. I’m pretty proud of myself. I’ve had 10 perfect days so far. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/january-2011-weight-loss-thread/566155/44 "2011-01-11T03:25:16Z")
**pendgwen** , have you tried other classes, like pilates or lifting (body pump or group power) or spinning? Now’s not the time to get into them, as there are often packed due to “Resolutioners”, but peek into the classes and see if they’re full. If not, go for it! If they are, wait till February and try them. You’ll get a lot more of the instructor’s attention that way. Come early to your first classes, too - like 10 minutes early, 15 if it’s a lifting class. I find that lolling away for 30 min on the elliptical never produces the same results as a class. In a class I’ve got someone to be accountable to, someone pushing me so I don’t have to think, I just react. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/january-2011-weight-loss-thread/566155/45 "2011-01-11T15:57:45Z")
I weighed in this morning, and I’ve lost 2 pounds! It may not sound like much, but I’ll take it. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/january-2011-weight-loss-thread/566155/46 "2011-01-11T16:46:29Z")
Still doing my daily weigh-ins and tracking them using averaging; the FatWatch app is saying that so far, I am on the right track. I know that this is only from a small set of data, though, so I am also continuing to track my calories and make sure I am eating a balanced diet and staying within a reasonable calorie reduction. Only 500ish calories down from what my average intake should be. That’s a large muffin, or a cup of super-premium ice cream, or two pieces of pizza. Boredom snacks and huge dinner plates (encouraging you to fill them up) led to my adding on weight until my pants didn’t fit well, giving me a reality check. BMI is still barely in the overweight range, 25.3. I also plan to re-read Brian Wansink’s **Mindless Eating** , which finally encouraged me to buy smaller plates and bowls. ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/january-2011-weight-loss-thread/566155/47 "2011-01-11T18:40:22Z")
I was ill and inactive over the weekend. This morning I was back up to 30.3. On the other hand, my Wii Fit age was -17 from my real age (my left/right balance was 78%), and my COB test was about 50.3% to the right. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/january-2011-weight-loss-thread/566155/48 "2011-01-11T18:47:20Z")
When I’m in the middle of constant overeating and carb binging, I forget how good I feel when I’m eating right. This may be blood-sugar-related in my case, but whatever it is, it’s nice to eat meals and not feel groggy and confused afterward. Or have a racing heart. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/january-2011-weight-loss-thread/566155/49 "2011-01-11T19:23:20Z")
I’m going on 11 days of not carb-binging at all (keeping it 60 grams or under), and while I haven’t really noticed that I’m feeling _better_, per se, I’m pretty sure that I’d feel noticeably _worse_ if I ate a normal amount of carbs. My latest attempt is to replace diet soda with iced tea. I have a few cases of Coke Zero to go through at the house, but at work I’m not drinking it anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/january-2011-weight-loss-thread/566155/50 "2011-01-14T07:44:46Z")
I was 128.9 pounds 2 weeks ago, and I have gain 1 pound over the fortnight. There’s no big change to what I am eating (In fact, I think I am snacking less) and I still keep to the routine of 4 workout sessions per week (swim, two runs and one gym). Hope I am not doing anything wrong. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/january-2011-weight-loss-thread/566155/51 "2011-01-14T12:55:38Z")
I know what you mean about carb-binging, MsWhatsit. For me, it’s sugar and fat. Since I’ve been on Weight Watchers, the reflux problems I’d been having have gone away because I’m not eating all that fat. It’s nice to be able to eat and not feel like I swallowed a glass of acid afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/january-2011-weight-loss-thread/566155/52 "2011-01-14T14:26:00Z")
This morning I was finally under BMI 30! The reading was 29.96, which is (1) still in the “obese” category and (2) within the +/- for I wasn’t in my normal workout clothes. Still, I got under the line. First intermediate goal achieved! 🆒 Next intermediate goals: A - hold a BMI under 30 for two consecutive days. B - get the BMI down to the “overweight” category. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/january-2011-weight-loss-thread/566155/53 "2011-01-14T15:22:10Z")
13 weeks out and -26.4. I’ve also lowered my goal by 5 so that I now have another 14 to lose. I need some extra leeway to put away some of the five pounds of assorted marked-down after-Christmas chocolates. I’m hoping to reach that by mid-April. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/january-2011-weight-loss-thread/566155/54 "2011-01-14T18:36:47Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#): > > 13 weeks out and -26.4. I’ve also lowered my goal by 5 so that I now have another 14 to lose. I need some extra leeway to put away some of the five pounds of assorted marked-down after-Christmas chocolates. I’m hoping to reach that by mid-April. Just in time for the marked-down-after-Easter chocolates! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2011, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/january-2011-weight-loss-thread/566155/55 "2011-01-15T22:31:52Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > 1. Eating less, exercising more - better if I could step it up to every day, but it’s a start. 220½. Apparently I’m getting used to a low-fat diet judging by the reaction I had to a spoonful of cream on my porridge this morning. Serves me right really and I seem to be over it now, I’m happy to say. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2011, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/january-2011-weight-loss-thread/566155/56 "2011-01-16T01:41:13Z")
Well, I don’t know if I’m allowed to post in this thread, since I’m really not trying to lose any more weight (I’ve gone from 174 to 148 since my bypass surgery). What I’m trying to do is actually much harder - put on 10-15 lbs of muscle, while at the same time taking off the last 5 lbs of subcutaneous fat. What I’m doing (treadmill followed by heavy weightlifting 5 days/week) seems to be working, but very slowly. I’m currently pretty ripped, but I have some stubborn spots (love handles at the back, and some “pooch” on my stomach). If anyone has any suggestions, I’m all ears. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2011, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/january-2011-weight-loss-thread/566155/57 "2011-01-16T03:56:53Z")
Hello Everyone. I’ve got about 8 lbs to lose. I was 3 lbs from my goal back in November, but thanks to the holidays and bad weather, I went up an additional 5. I’m having a hard time “getting my mind right”, but today was a good day. I walked 5 miles and kept my calories to 1200. I was wondering, do you guys like to share menu ideas? I get so bored with the same foods, so I’d love some new ideas. Here’s what I had today: Breakfast: Frosted mini wheats w/2% milk Lunch: Turkey sandwich on light bread. 2 dill pickles and one apple Dinner: 1/2 roasted butternut squash and 3 ounces of chicken with a few capers Snack Breyers ice cream sandwich (160 calories) ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2011, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/january-2011-weight-loss-thread/566155/58 "2011-01-16T04:19:01Z")
We eat loads of non-fat Greek yogurt (Fayge brand). I have it instead of milk on my Kashi Go-Lean Crunch cereal almost every morning, along with some fresh or dried fruit. Also, we have some sort of fish at least 3 days/week. Instead of ground beef, we eat ground Turkey. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2011, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/january-2011-weight-loss-thread/566155/59 "2011-01-16T12:46:59Z")
Hi all! I know I don’t come around much any more - but stopped in to report my progress. Last year I did pretty well keeping off my weight. Not perfect - I had/have some issues with Chronic Fatigue and for 8 month we tried treating it with anti-depressants. When I went off them I gained like a wild man. But at the end of the year I was only up a little. This year I am once again aggressively pursuing weight loss. I have found that my BP meds really add to my fatigue and so I want to get to a weight that might allow me to stop the BP meds. I am using a food journal and counting calories. So far this year I have lost one full belt size. I’ll report back occasionally - good luck losing all! ---
**Author:** ![jacob\_wrestling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/76d3ee/32.png) [@jacob\_wrestling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacob_wrestling)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2011, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/january-2011-weight-loss-thread/566155/60 "2011-01-17T15:06:14Z")
Two weeks in, about 3/4" down on my waist (unfortunately, my hips haven’t budged). I’ve been hitting the high end of my SparkPeople recommended calorie range on most days, though the two days I went out with friends, I went significantly over. Alcohol has how many calories?! I’m going to try to hit the lower to mid part of my calorie range and see if I can handle that for a week. I can’t see any difference yet, but I am feeling less hungry than I was at the very beginning. Another unexpected side benefit is that my digestion really seems to have improved. I know if I keep sticking with it, the pounds will eventually come off. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/january-2011-weight-loss-thread/566155.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/january-2011-weight-loss-thread/566155.md?page=4)