A Journey Begins With One Step

[SassyCin]

I'm so glad I found this forum! I've been reading different postings for the last week and decided to join it tonight. I did South Beach a few years ago and lost weight, but the weight has crept back on. 2010 I began walking/running and began training for a half-marathon. I started making better food choices, but I wasn't losing much weight. I talk to my doctor about it and she recommended that I try cutting back on carbs. I thought I would do South Beach and got out my old book and began relearning healthy eating habits. From August to the beginning of November I lost 21 pounds. Then I began just hovering. I want to lose another 15 pounds. My problem has always been when I begin adding back carbs and I don't seem to do quite well in Phase 2. Because of a trip to NYC in November and a cruise at the end of December, I decided to make the best food choices I could and not worry about not losing. I continued to run and work out, so I know I was doing ok and perhaps a plateau. When I went on my cruise I chose to eat carbs with the plan that I would go on Phase 1 after my cruise and kick start my weight loss again. I've lost the four pounds I gained on the cruise week one. I have one more week of Phase 1 and then I'll transfer to Phase 2. I think adding one carb at a time is a good idea that I've been reading about in the forums. I think I need to watch some portions also. I like eating a fruit with a protein and will usually eat an apple with some natural style peanut butter, but I think I have too much peanut butter. I also love seeing the meal ideas that people are doing. I got to a stage last month when I just didn't want to eat eggs anymore and I loved seeing all those different ideas.

A lot of the posts seem really old. I hope there are active people out there! I'd love to make virtual friendships and support others in their quest to get healthy!

[Chris55]

Welcome back to SB! The boards were quiet for a while because the website crashed in September and was down for over a month. We lost some people, but things are picking up again now with the new year. I'm seeing posts from people who are back after a year or so away. Many people join small groups centered around when they start Phase 1, but I think the journals are the most active part of the forum.

[lakegran72]

Good Morning Cin
I am always happy to see new faces here, This forum is such a great tool for staying focused, experimenting with new recipes, etc.
I found that after reaching my goal weight 2 years ago I started slipping away from posting and eventually slipping into bad carb habits ( mostly bread ) I expect to be here every morning from now on. for support, friendship, and an occasional poke when I need a wake up call

[SassyCin]

Thanks for replying ladies! I'm so glad to know I'm not alone Today was a good day. I ran two miles this morning, doing intervals. Food intake was good.

[SassyCin]

So I haven't written for a few days because I started doing what I have a tendency to do and that is to hyper focus on what I'm eating and how much I weigh. Weighing every day just isn't good for my head, ya know? I've already lost 21 pounds and I'm hovering around 159-160. That's a pretty healthy weight for me as I'm 5' 8". However, I would like to weigh around 145 to 150 to try and lower my cholesterol levels. I have dieted since I was 13 years old. That's a long time yo-yoing, if you get my drift. My goal now is to eat healthy and stay healthy. If my body doesn't want to lose more weight, then ok. If I'm making good food choices and I am running and lifting weights, then I just need to accept the weight I'm at. My friend says I have body dysmorphic disorder - I don't see my body as it really is and I think she's right. I need to be loving and accepting of what I look like, because it's the only body I have and for all intents and purposes it's a pretty good one.

So my new goal is to have fun, move around a lot and eat yummy, healthy food that gives me great energy

[Chris55]

Being 5'8" myself and looking at the BMI charts, your goal is realistic. But it's best to focus on how you feel and how you are eating, and not just some magic number.

I don't know where my weight is going to settle, either, but I'd like to be between 150 and 155 mostly because I don't think I'd be able to maintain it any lower than that. I also like the way I feel eating this way and have found wonderful yummy healthy food to eat. I'm in this for the long haul and mostly for health reasons. I have weeks where I don't even think about the numbers on the scale, but since the holidays I've been weighing more trying to undo the little bit I gained.

I think many of us here are struggling to be healthy and happy with our bodies, so you've got lots of company! My main goal is to be healthy and find a place weight-wise where my body, exercise, and eating are at peace.

[annecolorgreen]

Hi!

So...your doctor suggested lowering carbs even with training for the half-marathon?? Did you do the race?? are you still running??

I am training for a half that is the end of April. I did five miles today--going up a mile a week pretty much. I'm not losing either but was afraid to cut back carbs. I'm just not sure what to do. Did you ever use supplements? I tried "Gu" right before my run Wednesday and I think it helped my stamina.

Hope to see/hear more from you .

[CATLADY]

Hi Cin,

I understand your frustration with the carb issue. Some of us are just more sensitive to carbs than others. I struggle with the same problem. I don't stay away from them completely but I have to be really careful.

Remember this isn't a race, it's a journey.