Support Group for the Well-Endowed TM's

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
61

I can use all the sponsors I can get!

Sorry I haven’t checked in before now. I usually don’t log in from home because my computer is so darn slow compared to my work one. But now that we have this thread I will start!

You guys are great with all the support you have given!

I guess this is my forum for sharing some tips!

Here goes:

  1. If you just can’t stomache the thought of a salad without a creamy dressing (ranch, etc) because you are not crazy about Italian, you can cut the dressing with vinegar. I know it sounds weird but it really is good and it works! Many people use rice wine vinegar–it has a really good flavor. I, on the other hand, often put pickles in my salads so I just use the pickle juice to cut the dressing and then don’t add any salt. Basically it is just dill-flavored vinegar! (Not good if you really need to watch sodium, but you can get reduced sodium pickles and use that.)

2)We all know that restaurants are notorious for giving you massive portions of meat, well above the standard serving size recommended. A good rule of thumb is that one serving of chicken breast (3 oz.) is roughly the size of the palm of your hand (without the fingers).

3)As I have already mentioned, cinnamon gum (especially Icebreakers Hot Cinnamon) may help you drink water if you don’t care for it. Also, putting jalapeno peppers in your salads will do the same thing.

  1. Another thing you can do to your water to make it a little more palatable is to add extracts to it. It may sound odd but you can add vanilla extract, cherry extract etc. to your water and it adds a little bit of flavor without any calories.

  2. You can even get some exercise while sitting at the computer. (Other than Kegel exercises, girls!) You can lift weights with a free arm or with your legs. But don’t go out and spend money on ankle/wrist weights. Go to the kitchen and get a plastic bag, put in several cans of food (beans, corn, Spam…) and voila! Instant weights!

  3. An easy way to get exercise without really thinking of it as such is to put on some favorite CDs and dance around the house. (It is much easier to do this if you are alone in the house or if your child is not yet able to talk, thereby eliminating the possibility that he/she will make fun of you.

  4. A really good dessert that is very low in calories is to take one cup of sliced fruit (strawberries work best) and put them in the food processor or blender. (If you have neither of these, just chop up fruit very well by hand. In the case of berries, just squish them in a freezer bag.) Add 1/4 cup of Cool-Whip (regular is fine, but fat-free is thicker and works a little better for this) and mix/blend. Then freeze. It makes a delicious, cool snack for very few calories! (Note–if fruit is tart, you can add a couple teaspoons of Equal or other sweetner.)

  5. Another good tip is to keep fat-free/sugar-free popsicles in the freezer to help you with sweet cravings.

  6. Not really lower in calories or anything but just a little idea. You can freeze grapes and bananas to have a cold, sweet treat without any extra calories than what you would normally eat!

  7. To make sure and get your recommended 8 glasses of water a day, fill a gallon pitcher with water and put it in the fridge. Make sure and drink the whole pitcher daily. After you empty the pitcher for the day, any more water you drink will be extra and you can give yourself a small pat on the back for going over and above the standard!

62

I’m not sure how many pounds I need to use, but I want to be able to fit into my size 10 jeans again. Right now, I’m in 12s and they are getting snug.

The other day, I was running errands with my son realized that the reason I’m gaining weight is that although I eat the same, and walk the same # of miles, I am walking much slower now that he is out of the stroller. We’re lucky to cover 1 mile per hour!

Now, I just need to find the time to exercise! I prefer brisk walking since I enjoy the scenery, but it is so hard to find the time. Early morning is out, because they are so hectic around here, and by the time it is evening I’m plain tuckered out. It’s too bad we don’t live close to each other, so we can swap babysitting.

Drain Bead, I would love a thread of low fat recipes. I relate to what you said about being a poor college student & the difficulties of eating well. I think all I ate in college was Taco Bell and Ramen. Heck, even now, it seems like the healthy recipes all call for expensive ingredients. I’d love to serve fish 3-4 times a week, but fresh fish (even frozen) is so expensive around here. Plus, I’m scared to experiment with pricey ingredients.

I enjoy Cooking Light magazine, although I have to skip many recipes because I’d have to buy 2 or 3 new spices or $8lb flank steak. I’ve got about 3 years of back issues, when I get the kids in bed, I’ll look through and pick out some easy, low cost recipes we’d all enjoy.

Besides exercise, I have a serious problem with portion control. I come from a family of huge eaters, and until recently, I cheerfully kept up with my 6’8" father and 6’10" brother without gaining an ounce. I just don’t feel full eating reasonable portions. Eating soup before meals is supposed to help, so I am going to make a big vat of low fat veggie soup & freeze individual portions.

But enough about me! I’m so glad that purplebear started this thread. BTW, p-bear, I eat when my husband is away, too! I just get so dang bored and the food looks so good!

63

Purplebear, anytime you are ready for that surgery, just let me know.

And just for your info, when MrBear gets home, sex burns calories, that way, you can lose weight and have fun at the same time. :wink:

I will give you all the support you and the other posters need, whenever you need it.

64

Don’t mean to anger anyone, but…

Its all about exercise. Sorry! The human body is lazy, unless you push it, it will just sit and be happy. Going on a major low-cal diet kills your metabolism, and you will just rebound back after a few months. Exercise is the way to go.

I exercise 2 or 3 days a week (boxing)(hardcore stuff, I know) and eat just about anything I want(chocolate, fried foods, etc). I’m still losing weight. If I were to go on a healthier diet, I would shed the pounds quickly.

Think you have no time? Well, I have a friend who changed my attitude on time issues. He says, “Yes you have the time, but no you don’t prioritize right.” Basically if you prioritize losing weight as the most important thing, then you will find the time and cut out something else that has less priority. Its just that most people don’t put exercise above going to the movies once a week, or waking up an hour earlier, or not typing on a message board until the wee hours of the night (!).

If you REALLY want to lose weight, and feel better about yourself, and feel better in general, then change your priorities a little and wake up and go exercise. Its hard, BUT I don’t think its harder than 16 hours of fighting with yourself to not eat. Work your way up to a half-hour/hour of exercise in the morning and if you are starving at 2, go ahead! Eat something! Don’t feel bad! You earned it. Just try and eat something semi-healthy. You work hard for 30 minutes or fight for 16 hours- your choice, but…

I recommend the mornings because of two things- A) it gets your metabolism going for the rest of the day. You’ll burn more calories all day long. B) Less people work out in the mornings- If you are hesitant because of your “perceived other” causing you to feel embarassed or whatever, then go in the mornings when there are only a third of the people there normally. I know of a few morning rowing classes back where I’m from- GREAT stuff! Aerobic, easy on the joints, and 30 minutes long. All led by a trained professional who can tailor to your needs.

Don’t want to leave the house? Harder to do, but it is possible- go buy a good jump rope (not those cheapy light ones that don’t work- a good stout rope with easily gripped handles). Now do this:
1st week: Jump rope for 30 seconds, do 5 push-ups (on your knees if needed), do 5 sit-ups. Repeat 5 times.
2nd week: Same, but repeat 7 times
3rd: repeat 10
4th: Increase rope time to 1 minute, 10 push ups, 10 sit ups, repeat 5 times
5th: Repeat 7
6th: Repeat 10
8th: Repeat 15
12th: Repeat 20
Do 20 to 30 reps for the rest of your weight loss, then when you are at a weight you like, drop it to 10 reps to keep the weight off. Boring, but it works.

Good luck out there!
-Tcat

65

You do have some good points, TomCat. Many people don’t get enough exercise. I know that is a big part of my problem.

However, having knee and ankle problems from years of abuse playing sports, I have to get back into it slowly. So, I have been taking a mile-long walk every morning in addition to added more incidental exercise to my routine.

I have the luxury of being able to walk in the morning when it is still cool outside because I get off from work at 6:30am. However, many people have kids they have to take care of and jobs they have to be at early in the morning so they will probably want something they can do at home, inside where it is cool, kids in tow.

Any ideas?

66

Purplebear… You don’t need to lose a thing… You have the very best that anyone person could have. A heart as big as Texas!!!

67

Hey, everyone. Hope it’s going well.

I’m about three weeks into the Carbohydrate Addicts Lifespan Program. Because of my PCOS, my doc has recommended I stick with a low carb, high protein diet. For the first time in my life, I’m not worrying about fat. Strange . . .

It’s both easier and harder than other diets I’ve done. The first week was extremely difficult. My cravings for carbs got so bad I thought I might mug someone for a slice of sourdough bread. Thankfully, that’s subsided. Had to give up sodas, which was four days of caffeine-withdrawal hell.

Planning ahead is an enormous obstacle for me. I get distracted and/or lazy and forget to shop, write menus, take lunch, so I end up eating out a lot, and because fast food places are all high carb, I do more expensive sit down places with salads.

The nice part is, I’m no longer always hungry. Exercise is starting to come easier, and my blood sugar (if I plan my meals and eat three times a day) has been a whole lot more stable.

CALP is deceptively simple. There are three rules:

  • only one meal a day can include carbs. The others must be 1/2 protein, 1/2 carb-craving reducing veggies.

  • the carb meal must be 1/3 protein, 1/3 craving reducing veggies, 1/3 carb AND a salad.

  • the carb meal must be eaten within one hour.

I’m downing the water. I’m not a big water fan, but the more I drink, the better I feel. I’m also taking calcium and B12 supplements which help stablize blood sugar. Exercize, of course, helps. I’m walking 2-3 times a week.

This is, hopefully, a life change for me, not a diet. If I loose a 1/4 a week, that’s fine. Just so long as I’m loosing and not gaining.

68

This is so cool - I am still jazzed. Ruadh, I wish it was Ireland this year, but no. I’m going to Chicago and fitting the Chicago DoperFest into my plans. I leave tomorrow for 6 days, so don’t expect to hear much for a week or so. I will be thinking of you all!

69

Good morning, everyone!! I’ve been up since 6:45a, but am just getting a chance to hop on here. To update you quickly on my progress, from 7:30-8:30a I was in a lumbar pool class at the hospital. You have to do all of the exercises with resistance equipment, and while holding a pelvic tilt the entire time. Whew! My tummy muscles are already sore! But, it’s a start for me. On the way home, only because I need to go to the grocery store, I stopped at Taco Cabana for breakfast tacos. I limited myself to 2 bacon and egg. I had to leave this undone and talk to my hubby for a while on ICQ. Well, ok, I wanted to talk with him! :stuck_out_tongue:

Anyway, I’m back now, and will try to keep updated with everyone’s progress. So far, I’ve heard from ruadh (please forgive me for mistaking your sex, I’m so sorry. :o ). Dear, don’t worry about it, I had a near miss yesterday myself and I did slip the day before, and ate a chocolate Cadbury egg left over from Easter. :frowning:

evilbeth, great tips! You reminded of many I had forgotten, and I learned some new ones. Cool! Thanks for checking in.

tatertot, glad to have you in the group! It’s okay, it’s the getting healthier that matters most. Thanks for the offer of the low-calorie recipes. I’ll look forward to reading and copying them.Thank you, yes, I am very bored right now, and food does look so good. I am trying to stay out of the kitchen as much as possible for that reason.

pipefitter, dear buddy, any time we can do that, I’m there! :smiley: Have no fear, I plan on lots and lots of ‘fun’ time with my hubby!! :wink:

Tomcat, while you do make some good comments, and I agree that exercise will make the difference over all; some of us can’t exercise enough to lose weight that way alone. I have osteo arthritis in most of my joints, and am still not totally back from foot surgery late last year. And with my thyroid, or lack of, I will have to do both to really lose any weight.I’m not making excuses, mind you. I just have to face reality.

GBS, my dear friend… :o Thank you so much for that. You are the one with the huge heart. {{{{{{{GBS}}}}}}

phouka, glad to see you. I would like to see this CALP diet. If you get a chance, would you email it to me? Or post it if anyone else wants to see it? I would really appreciate it. And, btw, I’m also an OH, and member of the Cute Brigade.

70

Well, I did say that it was deceptively simple. Those three rules are it. Period. The only thing to add are a list of veggies that reduce carb cravings and a list of carbs (some of them are sneaky).

What the whole thing is supposed to do is address the cycle of hyperinsulemia/insulin restistance that causes some people to become “addicted” to carbohydrates. Hyperinsulemia and insulin resistance are often responsible for people being unable to lose weight even though their caloric intake is restricted and their exercise habits are emphasized.

I’ll take a look at my book tonight and come back with the lists and other info.

71

Just checking in. My two efforts of the day were having steamed veggies for lunch instead of the cheeseburgers everyone else had, and parking extra far from my errands and walking there. Not all that much, but it’s a start. Good luck everyone!

72

Rah Rah Ree, Kick 'em in the knee!
Rah Rah Rass, Kick 'em in the other knee!

How did everyone do today? I so didn’t do anything I was supposed to do. I had a french dip sandwich and french fries for lunch and I didn’t do any exercise. :frowning: I promise though, I will get up early tomorrow and either walk or do my tape!

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{purplebear}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

You have such a great attitude about this. I guarantee you it’s so much harder than quitting smoking. At least in giving up cigarettes I don’t have to even be around them. And they aren’t the least bit tempting, either. It’s different with food. You still have to eat! So what you’re doing is so much more challenging. But I KNOW you’re going to be successful. I can just feel it.

Everybody needs to check in, ok?!

73

I basically had the same kind of day as usual. I walked a mile this morning althought I really didn’t want to at all!

Then I slept.

Got up and went over to my brother-in-law’s (and slut-whore sister-in-law’s) house.

Then I came to work where I am an office slug. I cannot leave the little office except to pee once and there is no room to walk around or do much moving at all.

If I had anything to snack on right now, I would–just because it was here and I could. That is why I no longer bring any food to work except for the thing I am having for dinner.

I am getting ready to chew some cinnamon gum and drink about a gallon of water so that my bladder will be ready to explode when I leave to go home.

Maybe this should be in the “boring” thread…

74

Well, I’m on my second day of massive water consumption. I never realized how much of a pain in the ass it would be to completely kick the caffeine, not to mention drink about four times as much as I normally do. I felt fine on the way to my 8:30 midterm, but about halfway through I just about died. Just kept sucking down my water, finished the test, and came home. So far today I’ve had 60 ounces of water, and a meal consisting of about a cup of mac and cheese, a scoop of mashed potatoes, and a big pile of broccoli. And I am completely full, and I don’t really feel like I’m missing anything. The worst thing about this is having to go to the bathroom every fifteen minutes. I just keep thinking “this is GOOD for me” and go on.

Still don’t have time to exercise. I have noticed myself choosing less fattening foods when I eat out, like the chicken breast sub at Subway (with lettuce, onion, green pepper, black olives, and spicy brown mustard, no cheese) or the veggie plate instead of the fried chicken or beef pot pie at lunch. But the exercise is probably going to be a problem, because even if I lose weight on this, I’ll still be out of shape. I’m just waiting until I have a partner, because that’s the only way I’ll be able to make time on a consistent basis.

I’ll start that low-fat recipe trade thread today if I can find anything online, or if not, tonight when I get home to my cookbooks.

75

Checking in! Whew!! Suddenly there is a lot to do before hubby gets home tomorrow. Tomorrow?? Aaaaaahhhhh!!! :slight_smile: I mean, YIPPEEE!!! :smiley: Feeling just a bit overloaded right now, I guess.

I haven’t had a chance to take my walk yet, but will try to a bit later. I had nothing for breakfast, wasn’t hungry. For lunch I had another poorboy sandwich,extra lean, with potato salad. I know, but I still need to go shopping for food, and that’s the healthiest thing around here in the way of fast food. I tried to get salad, but they were out, and hadn’t made more yet. I plan on having a salad for dinner, am going to the store in about an hour. I am drinking a lot more water now, and less sodas, and only diet soda when I have to have one. I don’t think I can give up caffeine cold turkey too, on top of ignoring all of the food around me, the munchies I’m used to chowing down at the 'puter, and regular sodas. I’m not up to a full gallon of water a day yet, but I’m getting there.

I have a confession to make. :frowning: I had miscalculated my weight loss, and had really only lost 20lbs. :frowning: The good news is though, that as of this morning, I have really, truly lost 30lbs!!! :smiley: :smiley: I have lost almost 10lbs in the last week alone. So, this thread is already helping me out a lot!!

How is everyone else doing? Thanks to all of you that have already checked in today. Shayna, thanks for your kind words. Okay, both non-smoking and losing weight are hard to do. {{{{{Shayna}}}}}}} It’s ok, just do what you can. That’s all any of us can do. Tomorrow is another day.

phouka, thanks for offering, yes, that is what I’m wondering about. I’ll look forward to your list, whenever you get a chance to post it.

D Marie, It’s a good start! Keep at it, you’ll do just fine!
evilbeth, and Drain Bead, great! Keep up the good work, I know it’s very hard some days. Just keep plugging along.

Sorry I’ve been so busy today. Had a lot of cleaning and such to do before tomorrow!! :wink:

{{{{{{{{{GroupHugs}}}}}}}}}}}

76

Here’s my suggestion for weight loss, and I think it works, mostly…

When hungry, smoke a cigerette. Or have a beer. Or masterbate. I think these work. Oh, and smoking crack is a good weight loss program, except for that addictiveness and death thing… Well, maybe it’s just hopped up nicotine.

77

Congrats Purplebear, and everyone else that is on this weight loss thread.

Keep up the good work, and may all of you lose all ofthe weight you need to to be healthier people.

78

I have a Weight Watchers meeting in 3 hours. I am very hungry. My bladder cannot take much more water consumption. I have had no sleep. I am extremely irritable. I have a staff meeting today on top of having no sleep, no food, too much water, AND EVERYTHING ELSE!!!

So, how’s everyone else?

79

Gals and guys, I wanted to thank you for writing this thread. Coming here and seeing all the support and encouragement has given me the will to start my diet again.

Starting today I pledge to:
Give up sodas (caffeine withdrawl time)
Drink a lot more water
Walk the stairs in my office building twice a day, adding a floor as I get stronger (there are 19 floors counting the 2 basements and I can only climb to the 4th floor as of now.)
Eat more veggies and salads (thank god for a decent salad bar in the cafeteria downstairs)
And post often to support everyone and keep encouraged.

I hope to lose 5lbs a week but I’d be happy with 5lbs a month. I’ve got 45lbs to lose so wish me luck!!

{{{{{Group Hug}}}}}
Chrisbar

80

Yeah, I know, it can’t be easy for everyone. But my jump rope suggestion works very well at home (for those of you with OK joints and such) and is CHEAP, and a rowing machine can fit just about anywhere and works better than a cycle machine (for those of you with bad joints and such). A good rower ain’t cheap though…but if it’s important to get into shape, then spend it.

For those who cannot exercise AT ALL, then dieting is your only answer. For those with problems, go see a physical therapist who can design a training program that will work for you. But doing ANY exercise at all will help- walking, sit-ups, climbing up and down the stairs at home, swimming (swimming is great!! REALLY great! Easy for anyone to do, even those with many ailments. Can’t swim well? Get in the shallow end and walk back and forth about 40 times- you’ll be sweating!). There are other things- ask your doctor/trainer.

But the important thing to remember is that to lose weight you HAVE to burn more calories than you eat. Exercise burns calories, eating less cuts your supply of new calories, so you burn stored ones. Exercise (any kind in any amount) will get rid of more calories than eating less will. Combine the two and you’ll see better results, faster.

One problem I have with dieting is that you are denying your body to try and get results. AND a lot of the weight that you lose is NOT fat. It’s water, and even muscle mass. Why not work WITH your body to get results? Most of you can do it - you can do some form of exercise. It’s hard, it’s work, BUT it is worth it.

I have a beer-gut that I’m slimming down now- the results? My clothes fit better, my back no longer hurts, I can run up stairs without feeling winded, I look better naked (or so my wife says), and maybe most importantly, I feel healthier. When I dieted, I never really felt healthy. No energy, grumpy, tired, etc was all I felt.

Why deny yourself? Why fight with your stomach/hunger all day long? I exercise regularly and if I want ice cream for dessert, I eat it! I just do a few more sit-ups the next day. Make the decision and set your priorities to include exercise in your life EVERYDAY. Start tonight! In 6 months of dieting you might lose weight. In 6 months of exercise AND dieting you WILL lose weight. It just takes some effort, goal setting and basically not deluding yourself. You can do it! And as has been proven on this board, you have lots of people to help and support you.

Take care-
-T