# January's big fat weight loss thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 3, 2012, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/januarys-big-fat-weight-loss-thread/608256 "2012-01-03T13:55:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2012, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/januarys-big-fat-weight-loss-thread/608256/201 "2012-01-25T11:39:29Z")
You have total support Sandra NZ. Congratulations on losing over 10 kilo’s- I would be ecstatic if I could do the same. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2012, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/januarys-big-fat-weight-loss-thread/608256/202 "2012-01-25T15:14:43Z")
5 weeks of weight watchers and : Week 1 - 1lb loss Week 2 - .3lb gain Week 3 - .4lb loss Week 4 - .1lb loss Week 5 - 1.2lb loss Weeks 2 and 3 I used most of my points including the weekly ones (Christmas and New Years dinners) After my weigh in on the 15th I decided that despite my desire to support my husband this way of eating is just not working for me without major modifications so I dumped it and am back on Atkins where it feels like home. Once again I’ve skipped induction and gone straight to my best weight loss carb level - 50g/day and as of Sunday I’ve lost 4lbs. This week has been a challenge with making meals that fit two eating plans but since I’m not doing induction it just means that I cook meats without extra fat or sauces and add them later if I want to. I also cook a small portion of potatoes, rice or quinoa for him. We’re both eating more vegetables so that’s working out. If I could just kick this cold and get back to the treadmill I’m sure I can get back to a consistent loss of 1-2lbs/week. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2012, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/januarys-big-fat-weight-loss-thread/608256/203 "2012-01-25T15:53:42Z")
> [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](#): > > Are you taking any other measurements? Are you losing inches even though you are stalled omn the scales? Nope. The stall isn’t too long yet (just a week and a half) so I’m not too worried just frustrated. You see that weight fly off the first week and when it slows down it sucks. I did great drinking water yesterday tho. I guess I needed the right vessel…a 24oz Camelbak. That way I can just guzzle 3 “glasses” of water at a time. **sandra\_nz** you are right about other weight loss forums being weird. I read threads at MyFitnessPal and while they are not completely void of intelligence or compassion there is a lot of misinformation there. They do seem to get to “that is bunk” or “everyone is different” pretty quickly but then plenty of people pile on with wide-eyed “really??” Dopers might like to fight about why people are fat but at least we use citations! **Moonlitheral** I am glad you and your husband are able to co-exist with your different diets! Good luck and remember - don’t lick the spoon! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2012, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/januarys-big-fat-weight-loss-thread/608256/204 "2012-01-25T16:14:20Z")
Yh the MFP boards are a mess of starvation mode supporters vs protesters, when that dies down it’s eating back exercise calories or low carb is the way vs low carb is evil etc etc. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2012, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/januarys-big-fat-weight-loss-thread/608256/205 "2012-01-25T18:21:41Z")
I lost a bunch of weight back in 2009 (240-\>180) and have gradually moved back up to 210. At New Years I started working on things again, and have lost 6 lbs this month. I’d like to get back to 190 or so which I think is a good weight for me. Time to start using these threads again. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/januarys-big-fat-weight-loss-thread/608256/206 "2012-01-26T00:28:49Z")
I’ve lost 3 lbs since this thread started. 😃 Now I think I’ll TRY. Bwaaahhaaaa. ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/januarys-big-fat-weight-loss-thread/608256/207 "2012-01-26T00:34:25Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > I’m lifting weights as I type. > > 10 ounces a time. I hope it’s a _Lite_ beer. lol ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/januarys-big-fat-weight-loss-thread/608256/208 "2012-01-26T05:42:39Z")
Weigh in day! Down another 0.8 kilos (1.76 pounds) for a total of 7 pounds down. 1/2 inch down on neck/hips/waist also. ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/januarys-big-fat-weight-loss-thread/608256/209 "2012-01-26T06:51:40Z")
> [@Becky2844](#): > > I’ve lost 3 lbs since this thread started. 😃 Now I think I’ll TRY. Bwaaahhaaaa. Ooooooo, rub it in!! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/januarys-big-fat-weight-loss-thread/608256/210 "2012-01-26T12:38:26Z")
> [@sandra\_nz](#): > > _knocks on thread door_ > > Room for one more? > > Hello! I started doing WW mid-September last year. I started at 129.4kg and as of this morning I am 118.2kg. I’ve known for ages that I needed to do something about my weight, but my head just wasn’t in the right place. This time it feels completely different. I’m ready to lose the weight and I’m prepared to put in the work that goes with doing that. I haven’t sent myself an end goal or timeframe, and I probably won’t. That’s fantastic! My timeframe is to get to my goal weight by my birthday, which is at the end of June. It’s doable, and it doesn’t put any real pressure on me. > [@](#): > > My immediate goal is to get to 95kg, so that I can ride horses again. I have found a riding centre that has heavy horse breeds that can take a higher rider weight. I’m also keen to weigh less when my parents come over from New Zealand to visit in July. I haven’t told them I’m doing WW so I want it to be a nice surprise. Worst case scenario would be if they didn’t even notice! But hopefully they will. When I saw my family a few weeks ago, they couldn’t get over how much I’ve lost and how good I looked. Hopefully, your parents will see the same difference. > [@](#): > > I was hanging out on the WW forums but they weren’t really my sort of people. There are so many diet myths being touted as fact, and so much misinformation, it bums me out a bit. So I thought perhaps I could join in these threads and get/give some support here! I quit hanging out over there. Between the mindless encouragement, useless suggestions, and bad spelling and grammar, I wasn’t getting a whole lot out of it, and most of it wasn’t even that interesting. So I hang out here and talk with smart people. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/januarys-big-fat-weight-loss-thread/608256/211 "2012-01-27T20:05:15Z")
I’m amazed at the effect calorie counting is having on what I eat. As a completely unintended side effect of restricting my calorie intake to a set amount, the quality of the food that I eat has gone through the roof. Anything calorie-dense that isn’t filling enough has had to go if I’m to avoid going hungry, including most heavily processed stuff, even things like cereals. Snacks and junk food is of course right out. I’ve cut my intake of carbs by a huge amount. The amounts of oils and fats that I use have likewise gone down massively. I’m still having some carbs, and some fats, but \*some \*is good, and some is enough. I mostly eat properly prepared meals with healthy ingredients, including lots and lots of fresh vegetables. Really, even if you’re not trying to lose weight, I would recommend restricting calories, even for a while, just to get a better picture of what you’re actually eating. ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/januarys-big-fat-weight-loss-thread/608256/212 "2012-01-27T20:31:39Z")
> [@sandra\_nz](#): > > I was hanging out on the WW forums but they weren’t really my sort of people. There are so many diet myths being touted as fact, and so much misinformation, it bums me out a bit. So I thought perhaps I could join in these threads and get/give some support here! I’d also recommend the forums at [3fatchicks.com](http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/). Lots of activity, lots of challenges, lots of different groups, a real encouraging and supportive crowd. I also post over there as Glory87. That forum also has a [Weight Watchers](http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/weight-watchers-18/)section. ---
**Author:** ![sandra\_nz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/januarys-big-fat-weight-loss-thread/608256/213 "2012-01-29T07:54:25Z")
Thanks for that link! I weighed myself this morning, my official weigh-in day, and am 117.8kg. Was surprised to get a bouncing blue star when I logged it on the WW app - I’ve now lost 25 pounds! I haven’t done any exercise for the past couple of weeks either (due to a nasty virus) so it was a lovely surprise. Now I’m off to order another charm for my weight-loss bracelet! SW: 129.4kg CW: 117.8kg ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/januarys-big-fat-weight-loss-thread/608256/214 "2012-01-29T19:26:27Z")
Down another 1.8 lbs. Although I managed to maintain and not gain the weight back while I was off Atkins I’m really kicking myself for it now. I need to find a tracker that actually works well for Atkins. The official Iphone app is fine as long as everything you eat is already in there (and it isn’t). My Fitness Pal doesn’t really handle net carbs well but I’m hacking it a little to make do for now. The only thing that I just can’t get to work out is Dreamfields Pastas so it’s workable just not ideal. ---
**Author:** ![anu-la1979](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/47e85d/32.png) [@anu-la1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anu-la1979)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/januarys-big-fat-weight-loss-thread/608256/215 "2012-01-29T22:41:53Z")
So, it’s been exactly a month since I got on that fitness bandwagon. I’ve stopped weighing myself for a bit because it was starting to get a bit dysfunctional (multiple times a day) but I kept on with the healthy eating + exercising. For the last week I have cut out all grain carbs, including brown rice & whole wheat and am just eating lean proteins (egg whites, chicken breast, fish, shellfish) and all non-starchy vegetables and the fruits I like that are available right now (berries, melons, apples, citrus). When I came home for winter break I could barely fit into my size 8 jeans. I am now sitting around comfortably wearing my size 6 jeans that I have not fit into since early 2009. I still have a way to go because I was a size 2/4 throughout 2008, but I am getting there! I have some kiwis and a small personal-sized watermelon to use up after which I plan to start South Beach Phase 1 (hopefully by Tuesday or Wednesday). Basically, other than the fruit, I have been eating SB Phase 1 for the last week so I don’t think it will be a super miserable transition. I actually even had a couple days of just pure lean protein (egg whites for breakfast and lunch, grilled chicken for dinner) because I was so busy and actually briefly considered the Dukan diet instead of SB, but my sister and parents talked me off it as she thinks I am not nearly overweight enough to require such drastic measures. Exercise is holding strong at 1 hour a day, typically an incline walk (10% incline at 3.6-3.8 mph). I really want to start getting into my older exercise videos in preparation for P90x in March. I think at this rate I will be back in slutty clothes by graduation :). I’ve even picked out two potential candidates for graduation dresses: [dress1](http://www.stopstaringclothing.com/sunshop/jolie-03-black-1079.html) and [dress2](http://www.stopstaringclothing.com/sunshop/mildb-03-black-137.html) ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/januarys-big-fat-weight-loss-thread/608256/216 "2012-01-30T19:38:09Z")
**Zipper JJ** , it’s very common for people who start eating low-carb to suddenly stall around 4-6 weeks on the diet. I don’t know what the mechanism behind this is, but on low-carb weight-loss boards, people report the same thing all the time. Keep on eating low-carb and the weight will start coming off again. I’m having some freaky issue where I went back to eating low-carb after about a month of hedonism, and I’m not losing anything, even water weight. So today I’m tracking my food for the first time in about a year and making sure I stay under 1600 calories. Last year when I lost 30 pounds (before stalling for 10+ months…frustrating), the magic formula was staying under 50g carb and 1600 calories. I regained 10 of what I had lost and have a total of 20-30 pounds I’d like to lose before being happy with my weight, so here’s hoping it works again. The other thing I need to do is convince myself that sugar is poison. I did this successfully last year and it kept me completely disciplined for four months (during which time I lost all the weight I lost), so I need to get back to that way of thinking. Plus, it’s true. 🙂 I’m insulin resistant and the last thing my body needs is more sugar. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/januarys-big-fat-weight-loss-thread/608256/217 "2012-01-31T04:42:14Z")
I sort of thought so, about the common stalling, **gallows fodder**. And I kept on track - and upped my water to 11 cups a day - and the scale started moving again. Down 1lb since the second week. I’ve kept up my exercise and am beating the heartburn. Lowering fat (a bit), drinking more water and taking Prilosec seems to be doing it. I am not craving anything whatsoever. The [Atkins Meal Replacement Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars](http://www.atkins.com/Products/Advantage-Meals/Chocolate-Peanut-Butter-Bar.aspx) make me weep with joy. They are the PERFECT pre-workout meal with 19g of protein and 240 cals. I was even eating them before I went LC. Right now they are on sale at Target for $5.71 a box (5) with a $1 coupon in some boxes and that is by far the cheapest you’ll find them. I think regularly they’re still not too bad at Target, maybe $6/box. Online the cheapest I’ve seen is about $1.30 a bar. If you sign up on [Atkins.com](http://Atkins.com) you get a very nice “Quick Start Kit” with a carb counting book, a few recipes, two $1 coupons and 3 bars. That’s like $10 worth of stuff! And so far I haven’t gotten any other solicitation from them. Hey **Moonlitherial** what specific problems are you having with MyFitnessPal and carbs? If you didn’t know, you can bring Fiber to the forefront by going to Settings - Diary Settings and choosing it as one of the “nutrients tracked.” You can also add any food you want, with the info right off the package, if you don’t agree with what is already in the database. Go to Foods - My Foods - Create New Food for that. I am so chatty tonight because I just ate a TURKEY CLUB SANDWICH on my new favorite thing - [Revolution Rolls](http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/lowcarb-recipe-help-suggestions/549082-original-atkins-diet-revolution-roll-tweaks.html). I never made them when I did low carb before (not for any particular reason) but I made them the other day and just made 2 more batches. I make mine with eggs, cottage cheese, splenda and unflavored protein powder. I also went to the trouble of buying a “[muffin top pan](http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=muffin+top+pan&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=2712837440943209491&sa=X&ei=fHAnT9XWDMO60QHcuuCpAg&ved=0CHUQ8wIwAA)” and I am really, really glad I did. I keep looking at stores for a second one so I can make 2 batches at once! Non low-carbers if you are watching your calories and trying to cut out white flour, check out these rolls! 50 calories for 2 rolls (each roll is like one slice of bread) with 5 grams of protein. They taste like sort of disappointing croissants. But only disappointing if you want a real croissant 🙂 Oh I forgot to mention I also am actually feeling the 15lbs I lost. In my BUTT! I already have a sorry butt to begin with so now it’s even more flat but oh well. It’s gotta come off somewhere… Drink your water! ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/januarys-big-fat-weight-loss-thread/608256/218 "2012-01-31T14:16:38Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > I am not craving anything whatsoever. The [Atkins Meal Replacement Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars](http://www.atkins.com/Products/Advantage-Meals/Chocolate-Peanut-Butter-Bar.aspx) make me weep with joy. They are the PERFECT pre-workout meal with 19g of protein and 240 cals. I was even eating them before I went LC. Pre-workout meal? Are you sure you need that? The first 240 calories of your workout are spent burning up the workout bar. That may be 20 minutes of your workout. Usually energy bars and drinks are use for _performance_ reasons. If you are concerned about running as faster or longer, then you would take in calories. But they can be counter-productive for weight loss. I wouldn’t doubt that your workout is easier if you eat the bar, but you will need to work out much longer to burn the calories from the bar and then calories from your fat stores. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/januarys-big-fat-weight-loss-thread/608256/219 "2012-01-31T15:15:43Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Hey **Moonlitherial** what specific problems are you having with MyFitnessPal and carbs? If you didn’t know, you can bring Fiber to the forefront by going to Settings - Diary Settings and choosing it as one of the “nutrients tracked.” You can also add any food you want, with the info right off the package, if you don’t agree with what is already in the database. Go to Foods - My Foods - Create New Food for that. Yes I could calculate the net carbs but only if it was due to fiber. Any non impacting carbs still show up in the carb totals. I did a quick search on the weightloss threads here and discovered that I was using FatSecret last time and just like that I’m back in business. Thanks SDMB for being my online memory. Times like these I think I really should keep a diary - just for sanity’s sake! I’m finding it easy to maintain 50g carbs per day, and I’ve been studiously avoiding low carb packaged foods this time in favour of more vegetables. The exception is Joseph’s Pita’s and tortilla’s and the Dreamfields Pasta’s but Dreamfields is so good I kept eating that even when I was off the low carb plan. I have been finding that I’m extremely low on calories and I’ve had to go back to more than 3 meals a day. I can’t eat large portions of meat at one time so I’ve returned to grilling up a bunch of chicken a couple times a week and snacking on a few ounces between meals. I definitely have found in the past that weightloss stalls when I eat too little. It’s most noticable with a sudden illness that causes appetite loss. I’m the only person I know who can throw up everything for 3 days and gain a couple pounds. It’s impossible and yet it is. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/januarys-big-fat-weight-loss-thread/608256/220 "2012-01-31T15:26:59Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > Pre-workout meal? Are you sure you need that? The first 240 calories of your workout are spent burning up the workout bar. That may be 20 minutes of your workout. Usually energy bars and drinks are use for _performance_ reasons. If you are concerned about running as faster or longer, then you would take in calories. But they can be counter-productive for weight loss. > > I wouldn’t doubt that your workout is easier if you eat the bar, but you will need to work out much longer to burn the calories from the bar and then calories from your fat stores. I’m not using it for energy or anything special. Just to fill that gap between my late lunch (2-3) and my dinner (after workout around 8). I don’t want to sit down and eat a meal and I don’t want to pass out from hunger, so I cram one of these bars on my way out the door and I’m good to go. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/januarys-big-fat-weight-loss-thread/608256.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/januarys-big-fat-weight-loss-thread/608256.md?page=12)