The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[rodeomom]

Tex - So as not to bore anyone by rehashing the details on my ankle saga, I will just say that in Oct of '05 I fell at work heading in to the ladies room on break. 2+ years 2 doctors and 2 surgeries later I think I am finally on the mend. The details are somewhere in my journal around Nov '07 or so if you want "the rest of the story". Congrats on getting that treadmill cleaned off, bet your closet is busting at the seams with all the clothing that was once hanging on the treadmill eh? Being "forced" into exercise by the natural progression of the ankle recovery/healing process has actually been a blessing! Never would I have in my wildest dreams (nightmares?) thought that I would get up in the morning before I really "need" too (though I can't say early really) just so I can head out to the gym. It is so amazing to me! As for the food part of the program, I cannot say honestly that I have been 100% compliant. Part of my brain is still sweet talking me into something extra since it knows that I burned 500 calories this morning. As Diana would quote- "one day at a time sweet Jesus".

Something to consider in regards to your frustration with your partial compliance leading to seemingly partial success. I know what you mean when you say that you'd think it would be an incentive to be completely compliant so you'dlose faster, but no, ya still slip extras in. What I discovers is that my brain becomes complaceant (sorry sp) meaning that I become "satisfied" that I am losing something even when I know that I could be losing more and faster by being 100% compliant. Once again - it is all about the psychology of it all!

DogMa - I like that way of thinking. Why do some of us have the all or nothing thinking with food and not with other areas of our lives? I think what happens is the one slip up actually allows us (me) to give myself permission to blow it for the rest of the day.

Mike - I am feeling healthier which I suppose is a step in the right direction. I actually sat down at the sewing machine and started working on a couple of quilts again the other day. While it may not sound like much to most, that is a big step for me. Being in the deepest of depressions since March has robbed me of the joy I once found in creating beautiful things with fabric. Actually have the desire to get back to the sewing machine shows me that I am on the other side of what was a very dark and dismal tunnel.

I know that God was with me all the time. One quote from a pastor that I will never forget is that "God will never be more than your own arm's length away because that is as far as you can push him." He wants to walk right next to us - He even wants to carry us, but we manage to push Him just out of reach. I have been guilty of that for several months now.

Blessings to all! Medivibes all around!
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[DogMa]

Bren, it was a huge turning point for me when I found myself eating something I shouldn't (cake that didn't bake quite right, I think). Normally, once I'd started, I'd just figure I'd already blown it so I might as well finish the cake and get it out of my system. But this time, I stopped myself and took what was left and tossed it in the trash. And put other trash on top of it and took it outside, so there was no way I would be tempted by it.

I've done it several times since then (because sometimes that's STILL what it takes for me to NOT give in to the all-or-nothing mindset), but it was a HUGE moment for me.

[rodeomom]

I have been there too. Many times, when I am out and about in town I have to tell myself out loud that I didn't go to the gym and work-out just to indulge in an ice cream sundae. I have even had to pass up a gas station when I kinda needed gas because I was feeling a desparate urge for a candy bar or whatever. I knew if I went in it would be OVER!

Fortuneately, we don't have much "junk" at the house so my biggest fight when I am home is the jar of peanut butter. Since I do not live alone and everyone else in the house loves peanut butter at least half as much as myself, not having a jar in the house is not an option. So I struggle on with my addiction to PB! What is a person to do? There are worse addiction to be sure, but I fight a constant battle to stay away from that particular area of the kitchen.

Wanna hear something really weird? I DON'T like the MF peanut butter bars. I think the caramel nut tastes more like peanut butter than the PB ones and I am not crazy about them either. Sometimes, I spread a thin layer of PB on top of a MF chocolate bar - mmmm. Problem is that when it comes time that I want a snack that day, I'm sunk because I already had it.

Thank you for your suggestions. I am taking them to heart and using many of them to get through.

[DogMa]

I was the same way, actually. I LOVE pb, but I didn't like the peanut butter bars at all. Too fake-tasting for me.

The thing is, I'd try to avoid the pb as best I could, of course. But I'd probably work more (or maybe the same amount) on controlling it. So if you find yourself caving, maybe don't have a sandwich and instead just have a spoonful and savor it. And then don't throw the rest of the day away just because you gave in and had some. (It's actually allowed as a snack now, isn't it? So if you could limit the amount, you could actually have it withOUT guilt.)

[rodeomom]

Yea - 1 TBSP of PB is allowed as a snack. I often do as you suggested and scoop a spoonfull and take little nibbles of it to make it last. I also add a bit to my celery. I know that basically means I am having 2 snacks but I was doing it when I was averaging a weight loss of a pound a day so I guess I am lucky on that account.

[rodeomom]

First the bad news - I need to be demoted out of my gold star and 100 pound club. I am not even sure I had earned it in the first place. The scales at the house have been screwy and I just didn't want to admit it. I wanted to believe that I really had lost that weight instead of trusting the scales at the gym.

I will now stick with the old fashioned sliding type scale at the gym, it has not been kind, but has been consistant. Today, we put free weights on it to verify the reading and it is "nail on the head" accurate.

The good news is that that particular scale has indicated that I have not gained any weight during my shameful lack of compliance in recent months.

I have added a ticker for a "Micro-Mini Goal". Those 4 pounds represent the difference between moving the large slider on the scale to the 250 mark and the 200 mark. Moving that little slider shows progress quicker (because it is smaller increments - I understand that, but as I have said it is all in the psychology for me right now). I also understand that my time frame is tight, but well within reach if I stick to the program. My weight loss history with TSFL and MF has averaged a pound a day so 4 pounds in 7 days is certainly doable!

[dede4wd]

Hiya,
I'm just catching up on your journal. Restarting is the pitts, huh? I'm restarting myself, so let's do this together!

I think a micro mini goal is a GREAT Idea! I'm working on my mini goals for each 10lb increment until I reach goal (including going from overweight into the healthy BMI category), I LOVE mini goals!

I know what you mean about certain scales being screwey...I travel a lot and jump on a scale at the hotel gym, airport, truckstop, whatever and am either elated or really depressed depending on what they say. I now only rely on the one at the house and it looks like you found a good one to rely on.

I'm also a peanutbutteraholic and have been medicating using PB2 as my snack all week while I've been home...slippery slope for me. I'm SO glad the jar is almost gone and I'm not going to buy anymore. I consider PB my gateway drug (like Nancy's popcorn), and I'm going to try to go cold turkey when the PB2 is gone tomorrow! I feel your pain there!

Anyhoo, I'm caught up now, very happy you're re-starting and am happy to have a pal to walk to goal and optimal health with here on the boards!

Right here next to you cheering you on!

DeDe

[BiggerInTexas]

Rodeo, thanks for catching me up on your story! You have been through it, bless your heart! You have done a wonderful thing by turning your "have to" rehab time into an opportunity to make exercise a part of your routine.

Thanks for the PB2 advice! The jury is still out ... still not sure if I like it or not. I think I expected it to actually taste more "peanut butter=y."

[rodeomom]

Simply put - there just aint nothin like the real thing when it comes to peanut butter!

[DogMa]

So true. Are you guys mixing it up with water first, to make that (to me) nasty paste they call peanut butter? Or just adding the powder, which I like much better. The stuff IS peanut butter, just with the fat taken out. So to me the taste is pretty good if it's mixed into something where the peanut buttery texture doesn't matter.

[rodeomom]

I tried the PB2 with water to try to make it into peanut butter and just putting it the Medigrub. Neither was impressive for me but, like I said, I don't even like real peanut butter in my Medigrub, I think it is a texture thing more than a flavor.

My appointment with the physical therapist went well this morning. I did 50 minutes on the treadmill at between 3 and 3.5 MPH depending on which song was playing on the MP3. I always set it at an incline of at least 3% then go between 3 & 5. Decided to skip the bike today. They need a new seat on that thing, my butt is sore after the last time. Also did the usual weight routine which is basically upper body until my chiropracter can loosen up the knots in my back from walking funky on my right ankle for so long.

Tex - I suppose I did make the lemons into lemonaide when it came to PT and exercise. Once I realized how good I felt after a good PT appointment, I became more motivated to go in on the off days. As for the PB2, I did find that adding a half a packet of Splenda to a serving of PB2 did make it a little more flavorful. This makes sense, since I like the Reese's real peanut butter best, and it has molasses in it. I also found that a sprinkle of salt brought out a little more flavor.

I have decided to do my body measurments again...

Previous Measurements...
Neck: 14"
Upper Arms: 15.5"
Bust: 44.5"
Bra: 38.5"
Waist: 40"
Hips: 51"
Thighs: 30"
Calves: 20"

Current Measurements...
Neck: 14"
Upper Arms: 15.5"
Bust: 44.5"
Bra: 38"
Waist: 41"
Hips: 53"
Thighs: 30"
Calves: 18"

That was painful! I should call January's "this is my body" and June's "This is my body when I off plan" Any questions?

[summergirl]

I'm glad you're on the upswing, now! I hope that continues for you~

As far as PB2-I also put a little splenda in it and that greatly increased my enjoyment:) I just love peanut butter, any way ya slice it! In fact, I still have a jar and a half or PB2 in my pantry. I should start using that

Keep up the good work, I am interested to watch your progress!

[rodeomom]

Thanks Summer. Knowing that someone is out there watching will help me stay on track.

[rodeomom]

The good news -- Hit the gym today. Did 20 min on the bike (which I HATE) and 45 min on the treadmill. Also did some upper body weights in an effort to get rid of my "bat wings" and some crunches on the work-out ball. I like the extra range of motion I get when I use the ball and it is much easier on my back. I wouldn't have gone today if I didn't have an actually PT appointment, but as usual - I am glad I did.

The not so good news -- An older gentleman in our church passed away. Not really sad, he had Alzheimers and was in his late 70's or so. This is, I am on the hospitality committee that supplies desserts for chuch functions. That means 2 of my special homemade peanut butter pies for the funeral. I would like to say that I got through it without licking the spoon, but that would be a lie. All it all it wasn't THAT bad really (peanut butter, cream cheese, whipped cream and a smidge of powdered sugar). Bad enough, I know. Day one of 100% compliance starts again tomorrow for me.

The ugly -- I think that the scale at PT is out to get me. How is it that 250 plus 0 does not weigh the same as 200 plus 50? I had said my micro-mini goal was to get to where I didn't have to move the large slider thing on the scale to the 250 mark. Well yesterday I had to put it on the 250 mark, but the little slider was just slightly above the 0. Today, when I put it on 200 and the little one on 50 it was under, but if I moved it the other way and put it on 250 and the little one on 0 it was just right. UGH!

[DogMa]

Argh. How frustrating on the scale! And sorry about the church member passing away.

As someone who loves baking, though ... what I try to do is chew gum while I'm baking. Keeps that spoon from leaping into my mouth. And then the second I'm done with a bowl or utensil or whatever, I stick it in the sink with soapy water, so there's no way I'll touch it.