Anyone want to join me?

I'm glad this thread was started. I was actually going to start one myself last night but got sidetracked. (probably with my m & ms)
 
I put on quite a bit of weight a couple years ago after getting steroid injections in my collar bone for arthritis (about 60 lbs). On top of that I sit all day at work and school. So, in the last 3 years I have gained about 90 pounds, which is making hell on my arthritis making exercise hard.. vicous circle!
 
Anyway, now thanks to my eye disease I am on large doses of steroids and this could be treatment I will go on and off for the rest of my life, eventually adding immunosuppressive therapy to it.
 
I am already severely overweight, and I am determined not to let these steroids make me gain more weight. So far I haven't noticed an increase in appetite, if anything I have lost my appetite so far. I have increased my water intake, although for me it's Fruit 2 0... I love that stuff.
 
I've read that watching carb intake and increasing protein is good for when on steroids.. anyone heard this? The good thing is I love salad, veggies, etc. I do love bread though, although I buy whole grain bread. I am also a cracker snacker.. but since there are some that are low carb I could get those I guess. I've done the low carb thing in the past but quit for some reason.
 
Does anyone have any suggestions for watching weight when on steroid therapy. I am trying to take advantage of the burst of energy with this Prednisone (I'm wired for sound!)
 
 

Ok, here's my $.02

Eating

Lots of water.  It fills you up, it helps revive your body (your body is LARGELY water) and it helps flush things out.  If you don't like plain water (I HATE it) go with the 0 calorie drink mixes.  I like Crystal Light.  They make single serving packages that you simply tear open, dump in a 20 oz bottle, shake and drink!  They have tons of flavors.

When you are really hungry - eat something with FAT in it.  Fat curbs your hunger.  You could eat 10 pounds of salad and still feel hungry.

Plan the whole weeks meals on the weekend.  Know EXACTLY what you are going to eat all week.  Have a menu plan posted in several places around your house - especially on the fridge and at work (or your locker at school).  Makes shopping easier (and harder to buy impulse items since you have a list of everything you need).

Cook a weekes worth of lunches on the weekend and freeze them for easy use.  I like doing chicken breasts or stews.  Crock pots are wonderful!

Eat a nice sized salad before dinner - about 10 minutes before dinner.  This helps fill you up and help stop over-eating (my big downfall).

Put small portions on your plate, eat those, make yourself wait at least 10 minutes before going back for more.  That gives your stomach time to tell your brain when it's had enough.

Exercise

If you are waaay out of shape - start SLOW!  Trying to do too much at once will lead to injuries and then you can't do anything.

The best easy exercise - walking.  Take the dog, go find a park and go for a walk.  Start slow to warm up, after about 10 minutes move to a brisk pace for awhile and then slow down for a 10 minute cool-down.

While at work try to get up from your desk at least every two hours and go walk somewhere.  Find the ladies room that's the furthest from your office or cube and always use that one.  You'll be drinking alot of water and 'going' alot so the extra steps will help!

When you go shopping - unless it's pouring rain or dark and creepy out - park in the furthest parking space.

I am currently taking Tai Chi classes.  It's VERY easy to learn, VERY low impact (as in none) but it works your leg muscles like crazy!!

The legs are the largest muscles in the body.  The more a muscle works, the more calories it burns.  The bigger the muscle, the more it works, the more it burns.  So get those legs in shape first!

Set Realistic Goals

The slower the weight comes off the more likely it is to STAY off.  Fast, fad diets usually have you losing nothing but water.

Set goals - REASONABLE goals.  Look for a weight lose of between .5 and 1% of your current weight per week.  Plan to increase your water intake by 1 glass per day for this week, then 2 glasses next week.  Plan to give up that daily double mocha latte cappichino at least 2 days this week and 3 the next.

In other words, just like with our dogs - do NOT set yourself up to fail!!

My Personal Goals

I'm currently 170 pounds.  I'm looking to lose 1 pound per week.  That would put me at my goal weight of 130 by Christmas of this year.

Keep track of your weight AND measurements.  Muscle weighs more than fat so as you gain muscle your actual weight may not change but your measurements will!

I'm going to be following the low carb diet plan.  I did it once before and lost the weight - felt great.  But I slacked and now I need to get back on track!  We've got lots of cookbooks for this way of eating so that's not a problem.  Getting used to passing up the free donuts and candy and other junk foods at work IS.


I say we keep a seperate thread for weekly check-ins.  Just to say how you did on the past weeks goal and what your next weeks goal is.  What do y'all think?

Has anyone been cheating?!!
 
I haven't! I've been pretty strict with the amount of food that's been eaten. I did sneak about 10 cheez-its though. [:@]
 
Went hiking today for about 30 minutes. Dogs absolutely loved it. Then walked across Shasta Dam. So pretty. You should google search Shasta Dam...
 
I did not buy a scale though, so I have no clue how anything's going. It would be nice to be able to wear last years swim suit...
 
I swear, everytime I think about slobbing out on cheezits and a large sandwich I think about I-dog... lol
 
 

Don't think of it as sneaking 10 cheezeits....think of it as meeting your salt craving.  Remember, if you deprive yourself of stuff, it becomes much more appealing and when you do slip, you might eat half the box.  TEN cheeseits is not a major slip......and maybe you could work those calories into your plan so you don't feel cheated?
 
Diet is a dirty word. Diet just screams deprivation.  And long term, diets do NOT work.  Focus on a total lifestyle change....and making changes in your eating habits that you can live with LONG TERM.  Cuz you don't want to deprive yourself into loosing weight and then pack it all back on again.

Trish, you may do the change of eating habit that I am doing. Which is carbs and low protein. Steroids also make me gain weight and eating more protein just added to it, so, I am doing the high carb and whole grains, fruits, veggies and very little meat in my diet. I watch the fat intake and stick to that instead of county calories which would drive me totally insane!
I have also started to add fruit juice to my water, better than Fruit 2O in my opinion.
 
Lauric I think that would be a great idea to checkin on another thread. Why don't you start it if you have not already done so. lol
 
I wish everyone luck in their encounter of the battle of the buldge.. lol

Ok so my weekend was a lost cause.  I spent the greater part of it at the arena and was not prepared for it.  I had forgotten that when I go there I eat... and eat.... and eat.  And did you know... nothing there is healthy for you.  There are burgers, popcorn, pop, chips, crap, crap and more crap.  Ya I know excuses excuses.  Anyway I have learned from it I guess thats a good thing.  Next time I go there I will bring some good for me snacks and my water bottle.  On the upside I was on my feet the whole weekend jumping and screaming and generally being a good auntie.  That must have burned a few calories.  Plus my dogs got extra walks cause they were in their crates for most of the days.  Poor babies. 

So about this new thread.  Has anyone started it yet?  Do we need to include our weight and measurements?  Cause I really dont want to know mine.    

Huskymom, don't beat yourself up over it. It happens. LOL
 
Well since I started my diet, my sister lost 10lbs and I am still the same. Of course I really have not applied myself totally either. So that is why I have not lost anything as of yet.  Procrastinating ya know!
 
I have not started the new thread either. I thought who ever suggested it was going to do that. If not, anyone can post it. I also don't want to post numbers either. I don't have a scale and am NOT going to measure either. I know when I have lost weight, my clothes are looser and I feel better. That is my scale. I don't own a scale and refuse to own one too.

Again guys, it's really important to think of this NOT as a diet....that's a dirty word.....but as a total lifestyle change, and as such, it has to be something that you can LIVE with long term.  So, no, don't decide that you'll never eat chocolate again.  Decide that you'll eat it in moderation and as a special "treat"  If you eat fried foods several times a week, decide that ONCE a week is enough and really ENJOY that one meal without guilt.  Start with small, sustainable changes, otherwise you'll end up "cheating" and feeling guilty....as in, well, I already blew today so might as well finish the whole cake.....

Glenda.... Don't do it. Not the whole cake..... lol
 
You are right in Diet being a bad word. Change of eating habit is more like it.

Who me??  Gosh, I wouldn't eat a cake if it was sitting in front of me!  Except maybe angelfood......no icing.....[]
 
I learned a LONG time ago, when the weight started coming off that it HAS to be about changing your lifestyle and thinking very long term, and not just for a few months to get rid of pounds.

Dilly said NO Cake mom....... Handed me his RMB to chew on. Isn't that so nice of him. lmao

Well thats appetizing. 

Here I go with my first glass of water of the day.  Wish I had lemon.  Since no one else has, I'm gonna start a new thread.  What should I call it?  How bout Week 1.

Guess he is concerned about my weight too. lol silly pup. Yum!!
 
Week 1 will do Husky. Sounds like a plan.
 
 

You do have a good point about variety, Lgoetz. I used to lift weights every other day. I've noticed that I can maintain the same size and weight, even if I skip an extra day, or so. Walking the dog every day for a mile to 2 miles, in addition to a physical active job has replaced the 2 or 3 miles I used to run about 20 years ago.
 
I not competition worthy, I just lift the weights to maintain a certain body proportion (vanity).  Other times, I include a standard routine I use for Tai Chi, Kenpo Karate, and Kung Fu. I''l use Jeet Kune Do to really crank myself up, when I feel the need to burn. The Tae Kwon Do and Aiki-jujutsu I'll use once in a while just to maintain the reflexive nature of my training.
 
So, yes, variety does work. I'm not a GQ model but I'm doing okay for an old fart.

I just caught this thread and is it too late to join? I want to lose 30-40 lbs. I've been able to lose about 20 before, but gained it all back.
 
Shannon- I don't know how tall you are, but my weight and size are almost exactly where you are. The last time I weighed myself I was 155. I wear a size 9 and i'm 5'1. When I was at my healthiest (not when I was at my skinniest) I was 120 lbs. That's when I still really into being active and playing sports. I actually enjoyed going to the gym and now just the word "gym" can send me crawling back into bed.
 
I really need to lose this weight. Hope it's not too late to join. []