Dieting: I Have A Love/Hate Relationship With My Scale.
by Catherine Morgan

About eight weeks ago I posted about how I started a pre-diet. I was trying to get reacquainted with the taste of healthy foods, and wean myself off of sugar. As far as that goes, I feel like I'm doing pretty well, I've even lost some weight.

At the time of the post I had lost about six pounds, and since then I have lost another six. I'm now down 12 pounds from my heaviest weight ever (not counting when I was pregnant), I know because that's what my scale says. If it wasn't for my scale I wouldn't believe I've lost any weight at all, so for that reason, I love my scale. However, I also hate that the number is still so high. And, I hate that even after losing 12 pounds, I still have almost 30 to go.

But, it's always a better idea to focus on the positive, so that's what I'll try to do.

First, I have finally gotten over the sugar hump, and I'm not craving sugar the way I used to. I even made my world famous chocolate brownie cake with my daughter, and wasn't tempted to eat any of it. That's a pretty big deal for me. I've also stopped eating junk food, and I've stopped eating late at night (for the most part). Another thing I do, is always keep several bags of vegetables, and microwavable diet entrees in my freezer, for when I need a quick meal.

My daughter has been a great help by not asking me to buy cookies and ice-cream when we go shopping. It's amazing how much easier it is to avoid eating junk, when it's not in the house. Instead of ice-cream with chocolate sauce, she is now happy to get no sugar added ice-pops, and low-fat granola bars. We also had the opportunity to try something new. Skinny Cow sent us two boxes of Skinny Dippers, and they are very yummy (and only 80 calories). We both love mint chocolate chip ice-cream, so the mint Skinny Dippers were are favorite.

So, that's what I've been up to for the last several weeks. I'm not putting a lot of pressure on myself, and I'm not starving myself. I guess what I'm doing could be called a diet, but I'm sticking with calling it a pre-diet for now. Once I hit a plateau, and I'm not continuing to lose weight, I'll kick it up a notch and go on an actual diet. For now, this is working for me, so why mess with it?

Have you been trying to lose some weight? How much do you want to lose? Have you been having any luck? What kind of things have been working for you? Are you calling it a diet? Do you hate or love your scale?

Other bloggers dieting...

Michelle ~ mother & scrapaholic...

So, some of you may have noticed my weight gain over the past few months... well, I've officially decided to do something about it. I don't believe in "dieting" as in starving myself to death, but I do realize that I've got to make better nutritional choices. I'm also going to weigh myself weekly to track progress and post the results on my blog. (Hopefully, having to be accountable will help me beat any cravings for big fat fudge brownies or cool ranch doritos or Debbie's "little Debbie bars", etc!)

The Diet Naked Blog

Big Fat Deal

Dieting Battle

Down Home Dieting

Vickie's Voice

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan at catherine-morgan.com, The Political Voices of Women, Care2 Election Blog

Submitted by Catherine Morgan (view blog) on Sat, 05/31/2008 - 03:20

Comments

 

I recently

started back at Weight Watchers after and absence of 5 years or so and a gain of 25 pounds. They don't have any magic: eat more veggies, drink lots of water, etc., but they always help me find the discipline to take the weight off.

http://www.webteacher.ws/ http://first50.wordpress.com/

Submitted by Virginia DeBolt on Sat, 05/31/2008 - 06:43
 

Weight Watchers

Hi Virginia.  I have always heard good things about Weight Watchers, although I have never had the opportunity to try their program myself.   Good luck with it, I'm sure you'll do great.  :-)

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan at catherine-morgan.com, The Political Voices of Women, Care2 Election Blog

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Sat, 05/31/2008 - 08:25
 

It isn't a diet

Congratulations, Catherine! 12 pounds is no skinny (ha-ha, -pun intended) number! I, too, spent about a week experimenting with no sugar and more veggies and had a great result. I fell off the wagon, though, and have had a hard time giving it up again. Your will is impressive!

I am also a member of Weight Watchers, and I have the greatest meeting leader and comrades. They keep me coming back. I have about 20 lbs more to lose, but I'd be happy with 10. We'll see. I make the most headway when I think about why I'm eating something - it is usually due to some emotion I'm trying to stuff.

It's a journey - that is for sure.

Good luck! 

 

Notions of Identity

Submitted by Laracolvin on Sat, 05/31/2008 - 08:26
 

Thanks for your support Lara...

Thanks so much for your support. I do feel like my biggest (personal) challenge was getting off the sugar, and I had tried and failed so many times that I was beginning to think I would never be successful.

I really have to give my daughter credit for my success in this area. She saw the trouble I was having when sweets were in the house, so she agreed to help me keep sweets out of the house, at least until my cravings had subsided. I am sure I would not have had the willpower to do this on my own, especially if the sweets were in the house.

I would recommend to anyone trying to get off of sugar, to get it totally out of the house, at least for a few weeks. Sugar is really an addiction for many people, and anyone quitting an addiction would tell you to not keep temptations in your home.   

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan at catherine-morgan.com, The Political Voices of Women, Care2 Election Blog

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Sat, 05/31/2008 - 09:03
 

It's NOT a diet.. or a even a pre-diet

First, Catherine, congrats on losing 12#.

Second. You are not on a diet or even a pre-diet. Both those terms imply a temporary state from which you will eventually move. They tell you "no high sugar now, but someday".

You are learning to live a healthy lifestyle. You are on a lifestyle make over. You are activitely moving toward a different way to eat and live. A place where an occasional scoop of ice cream or small slice of cake will be OK, but won't be daily choices.

And I hope you are intended to make these moves permanent. So forget the word diet.

One other thing: find a piece of clothing and fits well or fits you a little tightly. It can be a t-shirt, dress or pair of jeans. Or a tanktop and jeans. Then put it on and take pictures of yourself wearing it. Front, side and back are best. While you're at it, take a pix of a part of your body you love.

Now, once a month or so put those clothes back on. Compare them to your pictures. Take new pictures. Concentrate on this instead of a number on a scale.

Make sure you are doing some exercise that works your muscles. You want to be burning fat and building some lean.

I'm at my target weight, but still not at my target body composition. Need to convert about 5# of adipose fat to lean muscle.

You can check out my "check in" photos on flickr. And guess which body part I liked that day!

Debra
A Stitch In Time
Deb's Daily Distractions

Submitted by debra roby on Sat, 05/31/2008 - 09:20
 

That's GREAT advice Debra.

Hi Debra. Thanks for the great advice. I agree, and I do consider what I am doing a lifestyle change, not simply a diet that will be over at some point. I guess I'm using the word diet because I want my lifestyle changes to help me lose weight in addition to changing my food choices. But I do not feel like once I hit my target weight that this lifestyle change will go back to an unhealthy one. I have full intention of maintaining healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle well beyond my goal weight is reached...and hopefully for the rest of my life.

When if comes to exercising...I'm walking and swimming, but I really have to be careful not to overdo the exercising because of my Asthma and CFS.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan at catherine-morgan.com, The Political Voices of Women, Care2 Election Blog

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Sat, 05/31/2008 - 09:35
 

Change is good....You should be proud....

Catherine you are on the right track.  And Debra is right the lifestyle change is the way to go.  A diet is not.  I struggle everyday with my chocolate cravings and I am determined to win.   I am so proud of you and you should be also.  Keep us posted on your progress.

Mara http://24stepstogo.blogspot.com/

Submitted by mara on Sat, 05/31/2008 - 11:28
 

Thanks so much for your support Mara.

Thanks so much for your support Mara. And good luck with overcoming your chocolate cravings.

:-) 

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan at catherine-morgan.com, The Political Voices of Women, Care2 Election Blog

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Sat, 05/31/2008 - 11:56
 

dieting

As soon as I read your post I had to submit something I wrote on my blog today. Thanks for the inspiration. It is so true about not having the junk food in the house to begin with. As much as your daughter is helping you, you are also setting such a good example. You are doing great!

~Lily    http://www.lilyhydrangeasanonymousblog.blogspot.com/

Submitted by Lily Hydrangea on Sat, 05/31/2008 - 13:39
 

Thanks for the link and kind words of
encouragement.

Hi Lily. Thanks for sharing your link and your kind words of encouragement.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan at catherine-morgan.com, The Political Voices of Women, Care2 Election Blog

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Sat, 05/31/2008 - 13:57
 

Good Job!

 Hey Catherine-

 Good job! Congrats on losing 12 pounds! I am about to start a new lifestyle diet tomorrow called the Fat Flush Plan (you can find the book new and used on Amazon.com). It is pretty much the same plan- no sugars, no bread or starchy carbs, and no caffeine. The idea is that these foods hinder your bodies natural processes, and that eliminating them and replacing that with as much fresh, organic foods as possible. Your plan sounds very similar.....keep it up!!

Keep it up!

Lake Placid Skater

www.lakeplacidskater.blogspot.com

Sk8 On!

Submitted by LP Skater on Sun, 06/01/2008 - 21:19
 

Thanks...keep me posted.

Thanks LP Skater.  Good luck with your plan, keep me posted on how you are doing and how you like it.  

:-) 

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan at catherine-morgan.com, The Political Voices of Women, Care2 Election Blog

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Mon, 06/02/2008 - 13:01
 

WW fan

I love Weight Watchers and desperately need to consider it again. I thank you all for your foundness of it too.

To answer your question, I haven't been trying to lose as I had hoped I would do. Actually I love my scale...but haven't visited it. LOL

http://her-christian-blog.com

Submitted by violetteb on Mon, 06/02/2008 - 09:18
 

Good Luck on Weight Watchers

Hi Violet.  Good luck with Weight Watchers, keep me posted on how you're doing.   I think you may need to visit your scale though...LOL

 :-)

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan at catherine-morgan.com, The Political Voices of Women, Care2 Election Blog

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Mon, 06/02/2008 - 13:04
 

Thanks for the inspiration ladies....

I have a weigh in tomorrow at the doctor so I am keeping my fingers crossed and knowing you ladies are having the same troubles is inspiring to me.  Thanks for post and thanks for sharing your stories.

Mara http://24stepstogo.blogspot.com/

Submitted by mara on Mon, 06/02/2008 - 14:10
 

Good Luck Mara

Good Luck Mara.  Let me know how you make out.  :-) 

 

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan at catherine-morgan.com, The Political Voices of Women, Care2 Election Blog

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Mon, 06/02/2008 - 15:21
 

My scale and I have never played well in the
sandbox together

I have struggled with my weight since I came out of the womb.  Finally I gained control by making a "Brain" change and a lifestyle change.  Fad diets do not work - Support - Good habits and positive changes are the best.  I found that once I started with small changes everything else just worked - My weight and all the "issues" associated with it just began to melt away.  Here I am 4 yrs in control and a proud size 8 (down from a 16!!).  I have finally found that balance and continually work on it everyday.

Good Luck and stay focused and positive 

  

 

 

Cheers

Cathy - www.wheresmydamnanswer.com

Submitted by cathy - www.wheresmydamnanswer.com on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 17:51
 

Congrats.....

Congrats to you Cathy -  I am on my way.  I have lost 12 lbs so far and determined to stay focused.  Thanks for sharing your story. 

Mara

http://24stepstogo.blogspot.com/

Submitted by mara on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 18:56
 

Love Yourself

I have found in my current journey in weight loss that the biggest contributor to success has been learning to love myself regardless of what's being shown on the outside. I have learned that being aware of my habits - when they happen and what influences them helps me to change past bad habits that prevent me from progress.

 

You may hear the phrase "love yourself" and it may sound trivial, but here's an example:

 

Would you treat your child the way you treat yourself in regards to self image? Would you tell your child that she's fat? If not- then why would you tell yourself that very thing?

I then remind myself : "I am doing the best I can for who I am and where I'm at in life."

I've learned to speak to myself as I would my own child and that helps me in frustrating times. 

 

If you're interested in following my progress, I document weekly under this category on my blog: Fit For Life

 

in case the link above doesn't work:

http://rebecca.smokebrush.com/index.php/category/health/fit-for-life/

 

Submitted by RebeccasBlog on Fri, 06/20/2008 - 19:49
 

Making Exercise Easy and Automatic

I have found an easier way to this diet treadmill. I use a treadmill! Treadmill desk actually, I work all day on mine walking just 1 mph and guess what, it works! I have lost 27 lbs in 4 months and although I eat healthy I do NOT diet. I feel better than I ever have since my youth and since I never miss work I never miss a day of exercise. It is just automatic. My design has some limitations and I am waiting for a new product called TrekDesk, you can see it at www.trekdesk.com. It incorporates everything I need to stay productive and keep walking throughout the day.

Submitted by sufgal on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 17:48
 

I follow weight watchers on

I follow weight watchers on my own at home and i've had good success with it. I also find that staying away from sugar and white flour and junk food definitely helps ;)

12lbs so far is awesome ;)

 Have a great weekend!!

 

spunkysuzi.blogspot.com

spunkysuzi-mydailynosh.blogspot.com

Submitted by spunkysuzi on Sat, 07/19/2008 - 16:42