I need someone to hold me accountable please

[Debra]

I'm finally going to do something about my weight. I'm 100 pounds overweight (well truly about 80) and I want to get down to a healthier weight. My problem is Diet Dr. Pepper (I drink more than 88 ounces in a day) and cookies/snack foods. I eat healthy meals, but don't exercise. I've got all sorts of health problems that are exacerbated by the weight -- mainly my back pain.

My goal is to lose 20 pounds by mid to late summer. I don't want to take it off too fast, but I want to take it off permanently. I plan on walking every day for 30 minutes to an hour (weather permitting), drink more water and less Diet Dr. Pepper, and reducing or cutting out snacks. I'm headed to get me some detox products to cleanse me out while I start on this. I will be starting this tomorrow so today I'm living it up so to speak -- telling my Diet Dr. Pepper to hit the road. That's going to be the tough part.

Anyway, is anyone willing to be an accountability partner with me? Someone to check in with me at least a couple of times a week to see if I'm walking, drinking my water, and eating right? I would ask my hubby, but he's the kind that says "one little Diet Dr. Pepper won't hurt you" and I don't want that.

[Honesty]

Good luck with this Debra :)

I am more than happy to be an accountability partner with you :)

[Debra]

Thank you so much! I'll pm you my email address if you want to do it that way. Tomorrow is day 1!

[Honesty]

Okay, lets do it! Good luck for day 1 :)

[kendrafitz]

Good for you Debra!!!!

I just did a detox this winter and it was a bit rough the first few days. Don't give up, once you get all the junk out of your system you won't crave it anymore. I actually have to get back on it again the cruise and Easter were killer.

I did Trim Healthy Mama and it is awesome. Weight just melted off without me being miserable.

Also, I hate water. I also love Diet Dr. Pepper. But I had to cut all sugar/soda. I make this drink which sounds gross but is good and I actually crave it.

Good Girl Moonshine
2 TBS Raw Apple Cider Vinegar - Braggs is yummy
Trivia or Stevia to taste
1 tsp Ginger
Water
(I add 1/2 fresh squeezed lemon, but it is not in the recipe)
Mix all ingredients in a 2 qt mason jar and top with ice.

The mason jar is just for fun, but I do it anyway. I drink 1-2 2 qt recipes a day. Great way to get your water down with some added health benefits. :)

If you need a second person at any time let me know and I'll be happy to help. ;)

[Debra]

Thank you Kendra! I'm sure I can use all the help I can get. Surprisingly, I can tolerate and even enjoy water -- if it's from a reusable water bottle. One of those sports bottles you get at Target or Walmart. My daughter recommended a certain brand and now that is pretty much the only thing I can drink water out of. I can tolerate glasses when we're out to eat, but I will carry this water bottle everywhere with me.

What's going to be hard is my hubby still wants cookies each week. I finally talked him down from two kinds to one. lol.

My daughter is getting married New Years Eve so I want to be a smaller size for that. That's my goal anyway. I figure setting my goals in 20 pound increments might just do the trick. That way I won't get too disappointed in my progress.

If you do it again, we can become each other's accountability partners. lol

[2birds]

That's a pretty good idea about the water bottle. It's really hard to just give something up and it makes it easier if you can replace it with something comforting that is good for you. I used to smoke and that's how I quit.

[Turquoise]

Awesome Debra!! I would have volunteered as your partner if no one else had. And I only say if no one else had purely because I can't always be on the internet when I'd like due to my work schedule. So I might not be available when you needed me for support.

I am rooting for you all the way!! I drink lots of water all day & night. I have always drank lots of water and funny thing once my Mom told me I drank too much water. She said it wasn't good for me to drink so much. I laughed about it & told her to go find a doctor that would back her up on that thought. Ummm, I was an adult by then with my own house to run hide in if she had gotten too mad at my scoffing her. She never liked water except to put coffee or tea in.

I do drink diet sodas at home & at work, but I still drink tons of water as well. And I know what you mean about carrying your water bottle with you everywhere. I keep my "Bubba Mug" which is the 55 oz size every place I go. It is always filled with ice water, summer & winter. God luck and I will be cheering you on and even trying to keep up with you cause I still haven't lost those 20 lbs I wanted to from last summer when I had 30 to go.:(

[Debra]

Whew! it is 1:38 pm and I've had no diet dr. pepper. What I do have is a whopper of a headache from no caffeine. I may have to cave and have a small can of soda to get rid of this headache. I didn't realize I was so dependant on it.

[kendrafitz]

It's crazy isn't it???? Hope you feel better soon!

[Mare]

Debra, good for you! I wish you lots of luck, if you need more support, let me know! Have you ever tried to replace the caffeine in Dr. Pepper with tea or coffee? Definitely not the same as a soda but the caffeine might help with your headaches.

[Debra]

I broke down and got a 44 oz Diet Dr. Pepper (it was free is the only reason it was so much). My head is beginning to feel better. I've usually already had twice as much or more by now. I can't do the coffee as I hate it. lol. Never developed a taste for it. As for tea, I only like the decaf tea. So there ya go. I've decided to start just cutting back this week instead of cold turkey. Hopefully by next weekend I will be off it. I'm afraid I tried to do too much too soon on this front.

Thanks for the help!

[Mare]

Debra, I DO know it's going to take a lot of will power, bad moods and sacrifices, it's not gong to be easy. Your choices in foods and portion size is important too, as is a light, healthy snack between meals.

[kendrafitz]

A handful of almonds is my favorite go to snack. Rosie's and the dogs too. I have to hide them or else I have small animals climbing all over me to get them. ;)

[Debra]

I'm going to have to remember that. Unfortunately I used most of my almonds today in my hubby's cookies. Oh, and boy was that hard! He wanted blueberry/almond cookies and they smelled good. I did talk him out of two kinds of cookies this week and I'm keeping them on top of the fridge out of sight. He has to work for his cookies now. lol

[noblemacaw]

Hi Debra, I would like to share with you my story to help inspire you. I understand the pain of being unhealthy and overweight myself. In Feb 2008 I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. By the end of March I had surgery of a radical hysterectomy. This threw my body into menopause and it took me a year and half to gain 90 pounds. At my heaviest I was 214 pounds with my frame being small and I am 5' 3" tall. I was considered morbidly obese. Of course the weight gain caused even more health problems and I was up to taking 8 medications in the morning and 8 medications in the evening. I has such severe asthma I could not even walk up a flight of stairs without wheezing or having to stop to breath. About every 6 weeks I would end up in the ER for severe asthma attacks and almost died twice.

The VA has a weight loss program called "MOVE". I joined the program but the first year I only lost 20 pounds and that winter I gained it back when the asthma went bad again. It seemed no matter what I did I could not get the weight loss to start but I was glad when my body seemed to stop gaining weight. At 214 pounds I became reclusive and would not go out in public unless I had too. Being so overweight did such a number on me mentally I am still in recovery with that. It will always disgust me how people in public treat overweight people. Forget trying to find work. No one would hire me with my obvious health problems and with the way I looked.

In early November my almost 13 year relationship came to a end when my partner told me she didn't love me anymore and wanted to move on. I suffer from seasonal depression and was already in a severe depression when I was told this. It did not help that I was replaced in less than three weeks later. I believe that being in such pain jump started my weight loss. It didn't start melting and at first I didn't even notice it was happening because I was so depressed and hurting. By early January when I went into the VA hospital for the MOVE program hospital stay (you stay at the hospital for two weeks are fed a 800 calorie diet and exercise program with classes kind of "The Biggest Looser" VA style) that first morning I weighted 197 pounds. I have not been under 200 pounds in years.

When I went home from the hospital I weighted 189 pounds. It seemed I was loosing about 2 to 3 pounds a week. Other factors are that the county cut my food stamps from $200 to $189 a month and my partner stopped supplementing the groceries when the food stamps ran out. I really had to learn how to purchase groceries that were healthy and keep it at $189 a month. Though the program I was prescribed a 1200 calorie diet to continue to loose weight and 1400 calorie diet to maintain my weight. I registered for myfitness.com because the sight enabled me to plug in what I was eating and it would count the nutrition for me so I could keep track of the calories I was taking in every day. First thing I noticed was the trouble I was having reaching 1200 a day. Most days I was lucky to get to 1000 or 1100 as I mostly had to budget the amount of food I ate because of the food stamp budget.

The VA set up a telehealth machine which takes my O2 stat, blood pressure and weight every day from my home. I watched my O2 stat average at 97 (which is very good for me), my blood pressure numbers drop down in the 120's/70's and my weight loss. Just this week I finally broke 170 pounds weighing in at 168 pounds.

The dietitian with the MOVE program wanted to use my weight loss as inspiration for other vets. However in good conscious I could not agree with this. My weight loss was not done by the traditional way but due to a traumatic event in my life and being cut off support for being able to buy groceries. I do fear that when my life stabilizes and I have moved on living on my own without having to live with my ex that I would gain weight. Something tells me that with the information I learned in the MOVE program along with a severe diet change I won't gain it back. I am working to get back to pre-cancer weight which was about 140 pounds.

So I still have about 30 more pounds to go. Since early November I went from 214 pounds to 168 pounds which is 45 pounds. Debra weight loss CAN be done and I know you will be able to do this! I was severely overweight since 2010 and I believe to loose weight and keep it off it needs to be done slowly at about 1 to 2 pounds a week. It took me a year and half to gain 90 pounds so logic dictates it will take me a year and half to loose the 90 pounds.

To date I am no means a skinny person but I feel so much better and some of my health issues have reversed themselves. Next Monday I have appointment with my GP and will discuss medication changes. I have been experiencing light headed episodes and nausea probably because I need either doses adjusted down or the prescription ended. I think the medforman and blood pressure meds will need to be stopped as I am on the lowest dosages anyway.

I hope in some small way my story helps you understand that you CAN do this. I know you can because if I can do it I KNOW you will be able to loose the weight you want.

[2birds]

I would be no good for you. I know that no caffeine head ache, I would be handing it to you. Excedrin migraine helps though.

[Debra]

Rebecca -- thank you so much for your words of encouragement. They mean a lot to me. I'm trying to listen to my body when it comes to exercise and nutrition. I think one of the things I was doing wrong was drinking a smoothie for breakfast at 4:30 am and then eating junk around 9, then lunch at noon. I'm trying to do better. Next week will be better than this week as I had already gone to the grocery store before I decided to do this. I don't want to waste the food I had bought. I will say, that while in town today I stopped to get fruit and yogurt for my mid-morning snack. I can always take the crackers I bought to work and let someone up there take them.

Lori -- thank you too for your words of encouragement. They mean a lot to me too. So far today I have had no caffeine and I don't have a headache. When I go to work this afternoon I will take my water bottle and a 12 ounce can of soda and see which one wins out when I get off my bus. I'm hoping the water. I'm so hoping that yesterday is my only bad day coming off the soda.

[Pinkbirdy]

I used to be very addicted to diet soda . I was trying to lose weight after I had my first daughter. It was put to me like this. Figure out a calorie count [like nobleMacaw said] . Keep a food journal [they say 21 days to a new habit] . I learned I would rather eat my calories than drink them. I was working out and was told all that diet soda I was drinking was canceling out my hard work [that hit home]. I was addicted to the carbination. So I replaced it with plain ice tea and carbonated flavored water. I figured out filling foods . Greek yogart ,hard boiled eggs ,fruits vegs ,nuts . Made my meals more plain for dinner . Write out what your going to do everyday. You will feel so much better :) Its worth it to get real with yourself. :)

[Grey]

The headaches will pass in 3-5 days. I went through the same thing giving up Coca Cola a few months ago. You got this! Keep telling yourself that!

[Debra]

I actually went a whole day without one yesterday! Barely a headache. A craving yes, but I did not give in to it. Woohoo! Progress!

[Grey]

Eat eggs for breakfast, they will keep you feeling full longer. Yogurt has protein to make you feel full and calcium to help burn belly fat. Temperate fruits (apples, Pears, Peaches) have lower glycemic indexes than tropical fruits and will not cause blood sugar spikes. Eat nuts for a midmorning snack. Substitute mushrooms for a meat protein once a week: mushrooms are low in calories and high in fiber and absorb flavors readily. Make sure you are taking a multi-vitamin daily. A booster of B12 wouldn't hurt either. Experiment with your favorite recipes to reduce fat: substitute applesauce for butter etc. Make gym time enjoyable: do the exercises you like least first so you end on a positive note. Listen to music on your smartphone while exercising. That way your 30 minute cardio isn't 30 minutes, its 10 songs. REWARD YOURSELF! Set milestones and assign a reward to each milestone. The greater the milestone, the greater the reward. Since hubs likes his cookies, play with some diabetic cookie recipes thus eliminating the sugar. Most gyms will allow you a consultation with one of their trainers for free or low cost. Talk to them about the best way to achieve your fitness goals.

[Debra]

You gave me some wonderful suggestions! I have a wonderful smoothie for breakfast that keeps me feeling full for a full 4 hours. More calories than eggs, but I'm still not going over. I've tried to cook low fat for quite a while now (diet rollercoaster -- lol) so I won't feel deprived there. Things like turkey bacon over regular bacon. In fact, I do not like the taste and greasy-ness of a regular fat diet.

I've been incorporating apples as a mid-morning snack then after my walk I've been eating some greek yogurt for the protein. Something a trainer friend of mine preaches. This week my diet isn't all that it should be, but I decided to do this after I had gone to the store and I didn't want to waste anything. I go back to the store on Thursday and will be getting better things to eat.

My hubby surprised me! He told me NOT to bake him any more cookies and to get him some fruit (grapefruit) for his midmorning snack. I'm so proud of him!

As for exercise, I cannot afford the monthly gym costs so I will just be walking the roads where I live. I never realized I had so many hills around here. lol. I started walking and I'm averaging 2 1/2 to 3 miles a day in anywhere from 45 to 52 minutes. I feel that's pretty good. Boy is it hard to do now. I got so sore from the first day that I can barely move my legs. lol

[Grey]

If you have cable, see if there is a fitness channel included in your package. Many have yoga, pilates, Zumba, & Bollywood dance programs you can follow along at home. One of our military channels also shows military workout regimes. Go to your local library and see if they have any fitness videos. As long as you have a library card, they're free~!

[Grey]

Biggest piece of advice...only weigh yourself once a month and don't put too much importance on that number. Muscle weighs more than fat. Take your measurements at the same time (shoulders, Bicep, Bust, Waist, Hips, thigh, & calf. Make a spreadsheet and enter these measurements to track your progress.

[Mare]

Debra, it sounds like one step at a time is going well! You are on a journey and you will have ups and downs, feel really, really good about your ups, try not to beat yourself up too much about your downs, just keep on going, keep on track.

The fact that hubs is quitting cookies, is HUGE! Tell him, Congrats, from me :). It's super hard to quit bad habits when someone else around you continues to continue theirs.

[Debra]

TWO days without Diet Dr. Pepper and we have a LOT of it in the house! Yes, I still crave it but that's natural this soon after quitting. I think I can lick it! I've done it before, I think I can do it again.

George -- I love the advice you've given me. I will keep it handy. But.......how many women who are trying to lose weight actually stay off a scale for a whole month??? lol

[94lt1]

Anybody looking for diet help.. Message me.. I used to weigh 469 lbs 3 years ago.. Got all the way down to 265 and by adding muscle mass.. I'm up to 295 now..

My point.. If you're willing to put in the work, and are serious.. And you're willing to make a lifestyle change (Not just try a diet for a few months..) send me a message.. I have an eating plan that will work for ANYBODY. And yes.. You will need to exercise.. And hold yourself accountable..

I did it all by myself.. No surgeries, no gimmicks.. Started with 15 min work outs every day..

Just putting it out there.. I'm willing to help you.. If you're willing to help yourself.

[Debra]

Oh, thank you Brandon! I'm pm'ing you now.

[JudiNH]

Sounds like you are doing great Debra! Keep up the good work! Its so hard. I've been battling too...and this thread is giving me encouragement. I go to the gym every day for an hour, and I am trying to keep my calories under 1500 per day. I have lost 24 pounds in three months. Exciting, but so hard to stay motivated! I appreciate this thread, and hearing about how well you are doing. :)

[Debra]

Aw, Judi! We can both do this! We won't let fat beat us. We will get control over our bodies.

My motivation is that my daughter is getting married on New Years Eve so I want to be a healthy weight. Not skinny, just healthy. I want to look at her wedding pictures and not cringe at how I look. I hate having pictures of myself taken. I want that to change for her wedding.

Does anyone know if I'm sabbotaging myself by chewing surgarless chewing gum? I tend to chew two sticks a day (while I'm on my bus). If it will impede my journey any then I need to cut that out too. If not, thank goodness as it keeps me from gritting my teeth when the kids get unruly. lol

- - - Updated - - -

Aw, Judi! We can both do this! We won't let fat beat us. We will get control over our bodies.

My motivation is that my daughter is getting married on New Years Eve so I want to be a healthy weight. Not skinny, just healthy. I want to look at her wedding pictures and not cringe at how I look. I hate having pictures of myself taken. I want that to change for her wedding.

Does anyone know if I'm sabbotaging myself by chewing surgarless chewing gum? I tend to chew two sticks a day (while I'm on my bus). If it will impede my journey any then I need to cut that out too. If not, thank goodness as it keeps me from gritting my teeth when the kids get unruly. lol

[Grey]

Gum should be fine, the calories are miniscule, but just think of the cardio workout you'd get thrashing a well deserving brat!

[Honesty]

Debra has done very well this week with her diet :) Pepsi is now a thing of the past. lol.

[94lt1]

The thing is.. And alot only people will disagree.. But here it goes..

Our bodies are well suited to operate like our ancestors.. And in 10,000 years.. Our bodies will have evolved to deal with the sugars and close quarters living that we have now. Sounds like I'm pushing something.. But I'm not.. Sensible eating.. And eating low glycemic carbs, is the way to go.. I'm walking talking living proof.. And I'm not all stretched out.. If you eat well, sleep well, and exercise... Your body will come back..

Some say... I'm too..... Old, out of shape.. I say.. At age 30 I weighed 469 lbs after a knee injury and over eating.. It can be done.. ;)

[Turquoise]

Debra that's super awesome how you are taking charge of your life this way and quickly feeling the results already.
You've gotten some great advice from lots of folks. And one other thing, you've managed to get the guys talking~~OK, maybe just two 'em, but they both have some excellent advice we all can use in our own struggle to be One with our body again. :)

And I'm also proud of your Jerry for cutting down , even maybe out the cookie fetish to follow the path to better health hand in hand with you. ((HUGS)) to you both from me!!

[Debra]

Jerry is being a doll about the cookies. He took all of them back into the room his computer is in so I wouldn't be tempted. He still drinks the Diet Dr. Pepper and Diet Cokes in front of me, but that craving isn't too bad anymore. Things are going very well on my adventure into weight loss.

[Honesty]

Debra, you have done fantastic so far! You should be very proud of yourself :)

[94lt1]

Remember.. Slow results are still results.. No matter what.. Don't get discouraged.. If your cheat day turns into cheat week/month.. Just keep your head up and start again.. It happens.. We all backside..

[Debra]

I'm lucky I guess in that I have not had a cheat day nor do I crave one! I've been blessed this time around.

I saw my doctor this morning and she gave me a great big smile and a "good for you" when I told her that I not only gave up my Diet Dr. Pepper, but that I'm walking at least 3 miles a day. I love it when I get that from her.

[94lt1]

One thing.. Good job walking 3 miles per day. But.. You're going to want to find other exercises.. Or start walking faster in spurts(eventually) because the human body adapts quickly.. So you're going to need to mix it up, to keep your results coming..

[Debra]

Thank you for your advice, Brandon.

[94lt1]

I'll butt out now.. Good luck

[94lt1]

Found this funny.. [Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]

[Honesty]

LOL, Brandon :)

[Debra]

I love that Brandon! Can you believe I've never had one? But I would love a dark chocolate egg please. lol

[Debra]

Well, I did it. I kicked the Diet Dr. Pepper addiction. I got one for my Mother's Day treat and I couldn't even finish it. I had to give it to my husband. Woo Hoo! I've also lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks! I think I'm headed in the right direction.

[Turquoise]

That's awesome Debra!! Wow you are really doing great and in such a short time. I am so proud of you and your determination! :)

[Pinkbirdy]

WOW !!! Debra that's great :)

[Debra]

Thanks ladies!

[94lt1]

Debra I tried to respond to your IM but you're full up it says.. Please find out and get back to me.. Clear a message out and I'll shoot you my number..

[Debra]

Check your email.

[94lt1]

How's your new lifestyle going Debra?

[Debra]

Thank you for asking. I just weighed myself this morning and I've lost 14 pounds in 3 weeks And I feel great!

[Honesty]

You have done so well Deb :woohoo-dancing-bana You should be very proud of yourself :)

[94lt1]

That's awesome :) keep up the good work.. No Cadbury eggs :)

[Mare]

Good for you, Debra! That's great news :).