http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/7029/stats3il.jpg

Hey! Thought I would introduce myself. My name is Beth and I am quickly shrinking. Read on for a sordid tale of gaining and losing, of sanity/insanity, and the secrets of my success so far...

My downward spiral started somewhere around senior of high school. I had finished with my physical education classes and studying for AP exams left me little time to exercise. I began to slowly, but steadily gain weight. I entered college fall of 2002 weighing about 185 pounds. (Since I am 6' 2", I should weigh around 150 pounds) I gained the freshman 15. Unfortunately, the freshman 15 turned into the freshman 35! By the time I was a sophomore (winter 2003) I weighed a good 225 pounds. I came home that summer and my family could definitely tell I had gained weight. Still, being rather tall, I carried the extra weight surprisingly well.

Fall of 2003 I stayed home from school to work and my weight pretty much stayed the same with a few fluctuations. I headed back to school for winter 2004 semester and lived with my cousin. My weight gradually crept to around 240 pounds. Spring and summer of 2004 I tried to lose weight and had marginal success. However, during fall of 2004, all hell broke loose. That was a dark time in my life that was filled with depression, anxiety, and a general recklessness for my body and my health. When I came home for Christmas that year, I weighed a whopping 290 pounds!!!

My mother and father freaked out. The change in me was extremely obvious. When I saw the photos from Christmas morning, I was horrified by the hambeast I had become! I went back to school for winter 2005 semester and I knew had to change. Something clicked in my head, I started losing weight in February of this year- and despite the occasional plateau/fluctuation, I have not stopped since!

I am really psyched to make it to my goal weight of 150 pounds! My weight loss style is pretty unique, I haven't stuck to one plan or diet since the beginning. I just generally try to eat less and exercise more. Right now I am experimenting by supplementing my diet with Medifast shakes. I visit the doctor and nutritionist pretty regularly to stay on track.

Weight loss tips (what I've learned so far...)

The first three days of any new regimen or plan are ALWAYS the hardest. Make it past the three day hump and you are set.
If your walking routine bores you, try running. Get bored of running, try something else. It's NOT ESSENTIAL that you stick to one method of exercise, only that you actually DO SOMETHING everyday.
Some days you just have to break down and order a pizza! If you find yourself having a total binge, don't fret. As long as it's not happening more than a few times a month you'll be fine. The most important thing is getting back on your plan the next day.
Sometimes it's fun to exercise with music, other times it's great to have a friend to talk to, other times it's nice to just enjoy nature and silence. Vary things so you don't get bored!
Having an abundance of protein in your diet helps calm your appetite.
Tell the people that you work with that you are on a diet!! Sure, it's a bit embarrassing at first. However, knowing that my coworkers know I'm supposed to be on a diet has stopped me from pigging out at work more than once.
Diet soda will slow your progress on the scale by causing you to retain water.
A look at yourself naked in a full length mirror as often as possible will keep your head in check.
Find ways to be around attractive members of the opposite sex, it's great motivation!
Online communities are a great source of support.
Used to using food to comfort yourself in sad/trying times... next time have a hot mug of tea instead. It's soothing, but without the calories.
Try and sleep at least 10 hours a night.


Also, one last note. Some people have thought that my goal of 150 is too small, but I've discussed it with my doctor and I have a small frame (I've also weighed that much at this height before and I was happy with how I looked).

Thanks for reading!

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/7029/stats3il.jpg

Hey! Thought I would introduce myself. My name is Beth and I am quickly shrinking. Read on for a sordid tale of gaining and losing, of sanity/insanity, and the secrets of my success so far...

My downward spiral started somewhere around senior of high school. I had finished with my physical education classes and studying for AP exams left me little time to exercise. I began to slowly, but steadily gain weight. I entered college fall of 2002 weighing about 185 pounds. (Since I am 6' 2", I should weigh around 150 pounds) I gained the freshman 15. Unfortunately, the freshman 15 turned into the freshman 35! By the time I was a sophomore (winter 2003) I weighed a good 225 pounds. I came home that summer and my family could definitely tell I had gained weight. Still, being rather tall, I carried the extra weight surprisingly well.

Fall of 2003 I stayed home from school to work and my weight pretty much stayed the same with a few fluctuations. I headed back to school for winter 2004 semester and lived with my cousin. My weight gradually crept to around 240 pounds. Spring and summer of 2004 I tried to lose weight and had marginal success. However, during fall of 2004, all hell broke loose. That was a dark time in my life that was filled with depression, anxiety, and a general recklessness for my body and my health. When I came home for Christmas that year, I weighed a whopping 290 pounds!!!

My mother and father freaked out. The change in me was extremely obvious. When I saw the photos from Christmas morning, I was horrified by the hambeast I had become! I went back to school for winter 2005 semester and I knew had to change. Something clicked in my head, I started losing weight in February of this year- and despite the occasional plateau/fluctuation, I have not stopped since!

I am really psyched to make it to my goal weight of 150 pounds! My weight loss style is pretty unique, I haven't stuck to one plan or diet since the beginning. I just generally try to eat less and exercise more. Right now I am experimenting by supplementing my diet with Medifast shakes. I visit the doctor and nutritionist pretty regularly to stay on track.

Weight loss tips (what I've learned so far...)

The first three days of any new regimen or plan are ALWAYS the hardest. Make it past the three day hump and you are set.
If your walking routine bores you, try running. Get bored of running, try something else. It's NOT ESSENTIAL that you stick to one method of exercise, only that you actually DO SOMETHING everyday.
Some days you just have to break down and order a pizza! If you find yourself having a total binge, don't fret. As long as it's not happening more than a few times a month you'll be fine. The most important thing is getting back on your plan the next day.
Sometimes it's fun to exercise with music, other times it's great to have a friend to talk to, other times it's nice to just enjoy nature and silence. Vary things so you don't get bored!
Having an abundance of protein in your diet helps calm your appetite.
Tell the people that you work with that you are on a diet!! Sure, it's a bit embarrassing at first. However, knowing that my coworkers know I'm supposed to be on a diet has stopped me from pigging out at work more than once.
Diet soda will slow your progress on the scale by causing you to retain water.
A look at yourself naked in a full length mirror as often as possible will keep your head in check.
Find ways to be around attractive members of the opposite sex, it's great motivation!
Online communities are a great source of support.
Used to using food to comfort yourself in sad/trying times... next time have a hot mug of tea instead. It's soothing, but without the calories.
Try and sleep at least 10 hours a night.


Also, one last note. Some people have thought that my goal of 150 is too small, but I've discussed it with my doctor and I have a small frame (I've also weighed that much at this height before and I was happy with how I looked).

Thanks for reading!


pics for moto?

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/7029/stats3il.jpg

Hey! Thought I would introduce myself. My name is Beth and I am quickly shrinking. Read on for a sordid tale of gaining and losing, of sanity/insanity, and the secrets of my success so far...

My downward spiral started somewhere around senior of high school. I had finished with my physical education classes and studying for AP exams left me little time to exercise. I began to slowly, but steadily gain weight. I entered college fall of 2002 weighing about 185 pounds. (Since I am 6' 2", I should weigh around 150 pounds) I gained the freshman 15. Unfortunately, the freshman 15 turned into the freshman 35! By the time I was a sophomore (winter 2003) I weighed a good 225 pounds. I came home that summer and my family could definitely tell I had gained weight. Still, being rather tall, I carried the extra weight surprisingly well.

Fall of 2003 I stayed home from school to work and my weight pretty much stayed the same with a few fluctuations. I headed back to school for winter 2004 semester and lived with my cousin. My weight gradually crept to around 240 pounds. Spring and summer of 2004 I tried to lose weight and had marginal success. However, during fall of 2004, all hell broke loose. That was a dark time in my life that was filled with depression, anxiety, and a general recklessness for my body and my health. When I came home for Christmas that year, I weighed a whopping 290 pounds!!!

My mother and father freaked out. The change in me was extremely obvious. When I saw the photos from Christmas morning, I was horrified by the hambeast I had become! I went back to school for winter 2005 semester and I knew had to change. Something clicked in my head, I started losing weight in February of this year- and despite the occasional plateau/fluctuation, I have not stopped since!

I am really psyched to make it to my goal weight of 150 pounds! My weight loss style is pretty unique, I haven't stuck to one plan or diet since the beginning. I just generally try to eat less and exercise more. Right now I am experimenting by supplementing my diet with Medifast shakes. I visit the doctor and nutritionist pretty regularly to stay on track.

Weight loss tips (what I've learned so far...)

The first three days of any new regimen or plan are ALWAYS the hardest. Make it past the three day hump and you are set.
If your walking routine bores you, try running. Get bored of running, try something else. It's NOT ESSENTIAL that you stick to one method of exercise, only that you actually DO SOMETHING everyday.
Some days you just have to break down and order a pizza! If you find yourself having a total binge, don't fret. As long as it's not happening more than a few times a month you'll be fine. The most important thing is getting back on your plan the next day.
Sometimes it's fun to exercise with music, other times it's great to have a friend to talk to, other times it's nice to just enjoy nature and silence. Vary things so you don't get bored!
Having an abundance of protein in your diet helps calm your appetite.
Tell the people that you work with that you are on a diet!! Sure, it's a bit embarrassing at first. However, knowing that my coworkers know I'm supposed to be on a diet has stopped me from pigging out at work more than once.
Diet soda will slow your progress on the scale by causing you to retain water.
A look at yourself naked in a full length mirror as often as possible will keep your head in check.
Find ways to be around attractive members of the opposite sex, it's great motivation!
Online communities are a great source of support.
Used to using food to comfort yourself in sad/trying times... next time have a hot mug of tea instead. It's soothing, but without the calories.
Try and sleep at least 10 hours a night.


Also, one last note. Some people have thought that my goal of 150 is too small, but I've discussed it with my doctor and I have a small frame (I've also weighed that much at this height before and I was happy with how I looked).

Thanks for reading!

first off, awesome job on your progress!! an inspiration indeed! and all of your tips are greatly taken!

and btw, :gl: wish me it too!!

Congrats!! I feel great and I have only lost half of what you did, so you must feel like a million bucks. Keep up the good work.


Find ways to be around attractive members of the opposite sex, it's great motivation!

It sure is!

The full length mirror to keep your head in check is a great tool for me as well.

:tu:

Good job! However, I have to question two of your points:

"Diet soda will slow your progress on the scale by causing you to retain water."
I have never heard of this. Where did you read this?

"Try and sleep at least 10 hours a night."
I think 10 is a little excessive. Isn't 7-8 good enough for most people?

GREAT JOB AMBER! You really know your body! Keep it up!

Great questions stephen!!

Good job! However, I have to question two of your points:
"Diet soda will slow your progress on the scale by causing you to retain water."
I have never heard of this. Where did you read this?
When I drank diet coke often I found that I retained water. It may have been because of the caffeine, sodium, carbonation or some combination of the three. Of course if you can drink diet soda without ill effects then go right ahead. I still drink it from time to time, I just have to remind myself not to be discouraged when I don't see the scale dropping because I drank it.

"Try and sleep at least 10 hours a night."
I think 10 is a little excessive. Isn't 7-8 good enough for most people?

I've found that when I sleep more I lose more for sure. Not only does sleep burn a ton of calories, I've found that staying up late leads to snacking for me (and a lot of others I would imagine too). If you go to bed early, you're not tempted by that bag of chips late at night after you've eaten all you should for the day.

Also read these:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2004-12-06-sleep-weight-gain_x.htm
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/99/105145.htm
http://mp.medscape.com/cgi-bin1/DM/y/hku50EDXZq0Dzc0GKu10AD

Great questions stephen!!


When I drank diet coke often I found that I retained water. It may have been because of the caffeine, sodium, carbonation or some combination of the three. Of course if you can drink diet soda without ill effects then go right ahead. I still drink it from time to time, I just have to remind myself not to be discouraged when I don't see the scale dropping because I drank it.



Amber, great job. Keep it up. Your experience will be great motivation.

While you've done some amazing lifestyle changes, I do disagree with this one as well. Sure, it's probably anecdotal, and works for you, but none of those three things in diet soda (caffeine, sodium, carbonation) would cause any significant water retention. Even if there were enough sodium in diet soda, maybe in the magnitutde of 2-4 liters/day, to cause water retention, it would be no indication of lack of fat loss. Scale weight is only one factor in the equation- I think bodyfat % is a far better indicator.

Amber, great job. Keep it up. Your experience will be great motivation.

While you've done some amazing lifestyle changes, I do disagree with this one as well. Sure, it's probably anecdotal, and works for you, but none of those three things in diet soda (caffeine, sodium, carbonation) would cause any significant water retention. Even if there were enough sodium in diet soda, maybe in the magnitutde of 2-4 liters/day, to cause water retention, it would be no indication of lack of fat loss. Scale weight is only one factor in the equation- I think bodyfat % is a far better indicator.

Yeah, I really don't have any hard science to backup my experience, :d_frown: but I really have found I retain more water when I drink diet soda and *some* people may find the same thing happens to them. Anyway, I'm not suggesting that people should cut it out completely. And water is of course always best. However, it's always better to drink diet soda rather than the sugary calorie laden regular stuff!