# March 2010 Weight Loss Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 1, 2010, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-2010-weight-loss-thread/530857 "2010-03-01T14:49:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2010, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-2010-weight-loss-thread/530857/81 "2010-03-23T18:00:42Z")
Yay! ---
**Author:** ![Arien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arien)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-2010-weight-loss-thread/530857/82 "2010-03-25T13:37:19Z")
> [@Scarlett67](#): > > On the plus side, I am wearing my new **size 8** jeans today. For reference, a year ago I was wearing this exact same brand and style in a **size 24**. Congratulations on your amazing progress! In other news, I broke through my plateau and weighed in at 157 this morning right after getting up. I’m hoping to hit 156 or below by the end of next week which should be doable. I also finished week 6 of couch to 5k yesterday which ended with a 25 minute jog. I did it on the treadmill which is a lot easier for me than running outside but I’m going to try to do more outdoor runs on the weekends. I think the problem is that I get side stitches much more quickly running outside maybe due to the higher impact. ---
**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:** [March 25, 2010, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-2010-weight-loss-thread/530857/83 "2010-03-25T14:51:19Z")
At my Tuesday weigh-in I was at 209, down 33 lbs since New Years. I cheated a little, it was right after a workout so I was a bit dehydrated, but I figure I’m down a solid 30 lbs. Today is long run day and I’ll weigh myself at the gym scale after the run. I’m finding my regular meals a bit boring these days. Oatmeal for breakfast every day needs a bit of jazzing up. Dinners are the easiest to make interesting. I may look for a new cookbook, or just open some of the cookbooks I already have. ---
**Author:** ![Kayeby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de0a6/32.png) [@Kayeby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kayeby)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2010, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-2010-weight-loss-thread/530857/84 "2010-03-27T09:47:52Z")
55.08kg yesterday. My right hip was feeling a bit tender so I skipped most of my martial arts classes, cardio, and lower body lifts this week - which meant that most days I was eating 1200 calories and very few carbs. I have no idea how people do this normally - it felt like I could hardly eat anything and I always went to bed hungry. Low calorie low fat yoghurt tastes like crap. It has a distinctive floury mouthfeel, and I think I’ll stick to my regular low fat yoghurts. I also tried plain yoghurt with some fruit mixed in, but found it unpleasantly tart. A friend of mine suggested that I not eat bread at all, except for cheat meals - I’m going to give it a shot and make a big batch of chicken salad to eat for lunch during the week. I find that I quite like the challenge of refining my diet so it’s more and more optimal (and of course, cutting loose a couple of times a month - like today, where I had deliciously greasy Chinese food and soft drink for lunch, half a packet of Tim Tams as a snack and pizza for dinner) ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2010, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-2010-weight-loss-thread/530857/85 "2010-03-27T15:40:41Z")
There have been some studies indicating that dairy fat is actually good for you, and good for losing weight. I compromise with yogurt on the light side, but not non-fat (the non-fat stuff doesn’t impress me, either). As funny as it sounds for a North American diet, you have to be careful not to get TOO low-fat, too - a normal human being needs about 30% of their diet to be fat to remain healthy. ---
**Author:** ![Arien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arien)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2010, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-2010-weight-loss-thread/530857/86 "2010-03-27T16:02:13Z")
> [@Kayeby](#): > > Low calorie low fat yoghurt tastes like crap. It has a distinctive floury mouthfeel, and I think I’ll stick to my regular low fat yoghurts. I’ve been eating a lot of greek yogurt lately and I really enjoy it. It’s very creamy plus it has 3x the protein of regular yogurt. I get plain Fage or Trader Joe’s 2% fat and add my own splenda to it so it’s not so tart. Sometimes I mix in blackberries or grapes. I agree with Cat Whisperer that the fat in yogurt isn’t so bad for you. The fat seems to make me feel more satisfied and non-fat yogurts are unpleasantly gelatin-like to me. Also if you’re hungry at the calorie range you’re eating, try eating more protein. I’m still working on this myself. Funny, I googled 55.08kg to get the conversion to pounds and your post was the first link. I guess you are the only one who weighs that precise amount on the internet. 🙂 Today I went for crappy run outside. I was able to do 10 minutes ok, then I took a walking break but I wasn’t able to get over the side stitch that had formed at the end of the 10 minute jog. Plus it got cold even though it was nice and sunny. I sort of walked/jogged the rest of the way. I’d like to run a 5k this summer so I’m hoping to get better at running outside. On the plus side, I am down 1.4 lbs from last week. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2010, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-2010-weight-loss-thread/530857/87 "2010-03-27T17:28:21Z")
Starting weight on January 4th: 258.2 Last week’s weigh-in: 229.8 Current weight today: 225.6 Goal weight by March 27th: 227.0 Woohoo and now I’m off to Peru (I hope someone starts the April thread :)) ---
**Author:** ![Kayeby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de0a6/32.png) [@Kayeby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kayeby)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2010, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-2010-weight-loss-thread/530857/88 "2010-03-27T22:59:26Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I compromise with yogurt on the light side, but not non-fat (the non-fat stuff doesn’t impress me, either). As funny as it sounds for a North American diet, you have to be careful not to get TOO low-fat, too - a normal human being needs about 30% of their diet to be fat to remain healthy. I don’t think I’ve ever seen full-fat yoghurt in the supermarkets - everything seems to be low fat. Low-fat tastes fine to me - I didn’t think there would be much of a difference with the super low calorie one, but after I my first bite my yoghurt-filled mouth just dropped open in disgust. > [@Arien](#): > > I’ve been eating a lot of greek yogurt lately and I really enjoy it. It’s very creamy plus it has 3x the protein of regular yogurt. I get plain Fage or Trader Joe’s 2% fat and add my own splenda to it so it’s not so tart. How much sugar do you add to the yoghurt? I’ve been looking for a way to boost my protein, and if I plan a recipe that uses greek yoghurt it won’t be a total bust if I don’t like the taste. ---
**Author:** ![Arien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arien)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2010, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-2010-weight-loss-thread/530857/89 "2010-03-28T01:12:51Z")
> [@Kayeby](#): > > How much sugar do you add to the yoghurt? I’ve been looking for a way to boost my protein, and if I plan a recipe that uses greek yoghurt it won’t be a total bust if I don’t like the taste. Hmm, I usually add most of a packet of splenda to one of the 7oz single serving sizes, so about .8g. A single packet is supposed to be as sweet as 2tsp of sugar, so that would equal 1.5 tsp of real sugar. I would just add a little at a time until you get to a taste you like. You can also use honey. Unfortunately greek yogurt tends to be more expensive than regular, about 1.25-1.50 for one of the Fage 7oz containers. If there’s a Trader Joe’s in your area, they have it in larger containers for a decent price. You can also make your own apparently by straining regular yogurt but I haven’t tried it. **stpauler** , enjoy the trip to Peru, you earned it. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-2010-weight-loss-thread/530857/90 "2010-03-29T06:03:32Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > Sigh. Same again. ☹ 1. Seems like I need to up my exercise if I’m going to shift any weight, or something. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Onimous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Ann\_Onimous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Onimous)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-2010-weight-loss-thread/530857/91 "2010-03-29T14:19:21Z")
Getting ever closer to that 100 pound mark. Hit 80 pounds lost today: total of 24 inches. When my tax refund comes in, I’m either getting a Wii Fit Plus or an exercise bike. Or both. Don’t know yet. I am, however, definitely getting some new clothes! ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Onimous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Ann\_Onimous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Onimous)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-2010-weight-loss-thread/530857/92 "2010-03-29T14:21:47Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > 1. Seems like I need to up my exercise if I’m going to shift any weight, or something. Or change it up a bit: shock your body into something new. That’s what I have to do when I hit a plateau. ---
**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:** [March 29, 2010, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-2010-weight-loss-thread/530857/93 "2010-03-29T14:47:53Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > 1. Seems like I need to up my exercise if I’m going to shift any weight, or something. Shifting around your exercise routine is always good; doing the same stuff over and over again will result in your muscles settling into patterns and not improving much. But, wait loss is much more about eating less than it is about exercise. I’d first look at your diet before focusing solely on exercise. ---
**Author:** ![Arien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arien)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-2010-weight-loss-thread/530857/94 "2010-03-29T18:02:21Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > 1. Seems like I need to up my exercise if I’m going to shift any weight, or something. Have you tried tracking your calories? You may be eating enough extra calories, even if it’s healthy food, that it negates whatever exercise you’re doing. I use Daily Plate at [Livestrong.com](http://Livestrong.com) and I find it very easy to use. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-2010-weight-loss-thread/530857/95 "2010-03-29T21:18:40Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > There must be high calorie air around this spring. I also had my first\* move of inexplicable negative progress since I started in November. ☹ Well I’m back on the good trend this week, lost what I gained last week. But I’m so close to a milestone, hurry up stupid time. ---
**Author:** ![Kayeby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de0a6/32.png) [@Kayeby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kayeby)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-2010-weight-loss-thread/530857/96 "2010-03-30T00:48:02Z")
I hit 18.9% bodyfat! Most of the fat loss was in my stomach and back, and very little in my thighs, which the dietitian said is pretty common for women. She said that the lowest she’d recommend me going would be 16% or roughly 53kg. I’ve been hovering around 55kg for a week. I honestly don’t think I can pack in any more exercise, so I’m going to have to refine my diet even more. The only obvious change I can think of is having chicken or tuna salads for lunch instead of sandwiches. So I’ll start that and see if anything else comes to me. I’m also anticipating a small weight gain over Easter, since I won’t be able to weight train or do martial arts, and there will be hordes of Easter Bunnies staring me down. I’ll be at my in-laws’ holiday house so maybe I’ll force myself to run on the beach or something. My favourite quick cardio to do at the moment is an inverted pyramid of burpees/sit-ups/push-ups - 10 of each, then 9, then 8, etc. It’s fast but fairly intense, and I can slip it in at the end of weights to really tire myself out. ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-2010-weight-loss-thread/530857/97 "2010-03-30T00:49:52Z")
> [@Juliana](#): > > Getting ever closer to that 100 pound mark. Hit 80 pounds lost today: total of 24 inches. > > When my tax refund comes in, I’m either getting a Wii Fit Plus or an exercise bike. Or both. Don’t know yet. I am, however, definitely getting some new clothes! Great idea! I wasn’t expecting to get a refund so it was a pleasant surprise to find out I’m getting $800. I think a Wii Fit Plus is a great idea! ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2010, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-2010-weight-loss-thread/530857/98 "2010-03-30T01:08:17Z")
Well, I’m plateaued again. I’m used to it by now though. 🙂 Now that the weather has gotten much nicer, I can get out and do a lot more outside (like digging out the huge beds in my yard!). ---
**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:** [March 31, 2010, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-2010-weight-loss-thread/530857/99 "2010-03-31T08:46:14Z")
Hits 151 pounds today, after my weight went up by about half a pound the week before. I dread plateauing. ---
**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:** [March 31, 2010, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-2010-weight-loss-thread/530857/100 "2010-03-31T13:58:34Z")
Down another 1.6 lbs this week, for a total of 34.6 lbs since New Years. I’m at 207.4 and within striking distance of having a ‘1’ as the first digit of my weight for the first time in 20 years. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-2010-weight-loss-thread/530857.md?page=4)