the tfp weight watchers thread

[Strange Famous]

I just weighed myself... and I am tipping the scales at 304 lbs

304 lbs!!!!!

I am just, I dont know.... I've been supposedly trying to lose weight for so long, and obviously a complete failure cos I am now fatter than I have ever been in my life... I understand it is a simple equation of burning more calories than I consume... so why am I so huge?

I have problems at work, mainly people always buying sweets and cakes and biscuits in the office and sharing them round, plus a lot of times I end up eating lunch twice, cos I bring something packed up, eat that at 11, then go out and buy something else at 1... I also eat too much junk, dont do enough exercise (I walk a mile to work, but thats about it, I have only played squash once this year and I dont play soccer anymore, have been to the gym once all year as well) I drink way too much, which is the main cause of it I think... I mean, I know its just a matter of will, but everything in my life seems to get pulled down by this sense of apathy that just envelopes me

I really want to change... I understand the things I need to do to change,,,anyway, I had an idea that I hope is cool. As in weightwatchers and slimming clubs like that, I thought it may help some people (and being selfish I hope it helps me) to have a weekly weigh in here - so this will be like a online weight watchers - so post your weight up every week and it can be a motivator to help you get started... if there are any other people like me out there that really want to lose some weight and just feel they need a push - this can be an opportunity. And, well, I havent actually done anything yet - and I have many times promised to start a great weight loss campaign and have not... but I hope i can achieve something and if I can, anyone can.

Lastly, I hope I am not encroaching on the position of the moderators to say that anyone coming up in here to make negative or derogatory comments about anyone else's weight or size is not gona be that welcome.

[Strange Famous]

so I'm a go first anyway

28.3.2005 - 304 lbs.

[Rdr4evr]

Good thread idea. I started doing serious cardio 2 months ago and have lost about 15 lbs...I started at 205 and am now at 191. My main problem though is that I haven't lost anything in the last 2 weeks, so late this week I started doing HIIT, and I'm hoping I'm doing it correctly. When I first started running, I did 4 miles in 45 minutes, now that I'm doing HIIT, I'm running about 2.5 miles in 20 minutes. I'm doing 1 minute intervals, starting at 9 mph, and resting at 5 mph (that is the maximum I can do right now without killing myself). Anyway, I will post in this thread, hopefully I will lose weight starting this new thing tommorow.

3/28/05: 191 lbs.

[SiNai]

Hey, I'll play. Just started a new weight routine. Only 3 days of weights now, and 3 days of cardio- the old 30 minute style. I'm hoping now that it's nice out I can get out and play soccer and tennis more often too, in fact, I'm heading out for some tennis right now. I want to drop a pound a week, so I want to be <190 by the time I am out of finals week and out canoeing in the boundary waters. Definitely do-able.

3.28.05 : 196 pds.

[mokle]

I started a new program 2 months ago, but I was held back with whiplash and pink eye, and a cold that lasted for 2 weeks :\

3.28.05: 220 Lbs / 18% BF

[txd]

Good excuse to start losing the few pounds I've put on since shin splints have stoped me running. At the beginning on January I was 201lbs, not great but I was close to 218lbs in November.

2005-03-31: 210.4lbs

[danny_boy]

I did WW in the summer of 03' and was very successful, dropped 80 pounds in 6 months.

Now, I was 21 years old, and was very strict. I never went a point above my quota, and never did the bank thing. I was at the gym 1.5 hours a day, and besides my pijnts, i drank a ton of water, and ate a ton of salad.

I am not a chocolate or pastry guy, im into salty foods, chips, popcorn...So, when I had urges I would eat flavored popcorn.

I have since become a lifetime member, and my SO has just lost her 40th pund, in 1 year. I have managed to keep every pound off, and have taken a ken interest in running.

I was overweight my whole life, tipping the scales at 260 pounds. Now, I am 180, and feeling good.

WW is a great diet, because its not a diet, rather a lifestyle, of and those chcolate bars that are 2 points each...mmmmmm!!

[Painted]

I went on WW a few years ago. Weighed in at 245. 8 months pass. Weighed in 180. I'm now 190. I guess I could drop a pound or two if I tried.

[Min]

Good job on creating a thread for encouragement. That is what makes it easier to keep up the initiative and have a supporting group around one.

[FngKestrel]

Been trying to eat healthier and cut out refined sugar from my diet, as well as ice skating regularly.

173.8 pounds
23.7% BF

[amonkie]

Just started WW at 201 lbs 3 meetings ago, already .2 away from 10 lb loss. First week obviously water, but everything feels so much better - sleeping better, mind much clearer, even my moods are more upbeat and not prone to chocolate withdrawls. For anybody looking for some good recipes, I found a WW cookbook at Barnes and Noble for $6 - much cheaper than the $10 or $15 from our meetings. It's the 2 part volumes of the Duchess of York motivational thing, plus recipes that give point values and nutrition info per serving.

[Strange Famous]

4.4.05 - 300 lbs (4 lbs loss)

I think I would have lost more weight this week, but I had a few drinkies last night!

Still, not a bad start...

[Rdr4evr]

4/4/05 - 190...1 lb

[Holdem Dvorak]

Hey Strange Famous,

My best advice (only advice in most situations because I'm only an EMT-B) would be to consult your doctor. He or she can help you decide what you need to do to lose the weight.
A lot of people say that I "shoulden't be talking" in a situation like this because I currently weigh 120LBS. I will be 19 on april 27th. As an EMT its hard to lift people and other things of that nature. In high school I was constantly made fun of and picked on for being "a stick". I'm a dweeb, so i was pushed around.
You just need to be healthy and happy. I eat lots of junk food and just break out. I try eating to put on the weight, but it doesn't work.
So I eat healthy and accept myself for who I am. (Not all the time, i'm still in my teens) My doc says that as I age my weight will normalize.
I'm sure there is something you can do. If you can't do it without seeing a dietician or your doc, make an appointment.

Best of luck, your pal holdem.

[Jim Kata]

4/3/05 152lbs.

[SiNai]

1 week update:

Still 196. Sigh. As active as I can be really, need to work on my diet.

[liquidlight]

Ahh, inspiration! Thank you Strange Famous, and to start me on the TFP weight loss program:

04/05/04 - 220 lbs.

[kulrblind]

I'll echo those who've had success on the actual Weight Watchers plan(s). I started with WW on December 15 at 202.6 lbs (a number I'm not likely to forget) and two weeks ago weighed in at 169.8lbs, exceeding my goal. Of course, right now I'm about 172 and trying to level out the weight loss/gain, but I'm here to tell the doubters that portion size and food selection really can make a big difference.

Hopefully I'll have recovered from the Easter week fiasco (chocolate, thou art my nemesis!) and my little two pound gain will be a thing of the past.

[amonkie]

Strange - You can still drink, but you need to figure it into your daily food intake. The problem occurs in that you usually have to forego other food, and drinking on an empty stomach is no fun. Makes you really think about what your choices are.

[Bill O'Rights]

Originally Posted by Holdem Dvorak

I will be 19 on april 27th. I try eating to put on the weight, but it doesn't work.

Two days after your 30th birthday...it will all come to find you. Trust me on this one.

[dylanmarsh]

Alright, I'll bite and participate with this thread. I've been slacking off since Febraury on my work out and diet plan, so maybe this will be a good way to get going again.

4/11/05: 204 lbs, 18% BF

[Strange Famous]

11.04.05 - 301 Lbs (1 lbs gain)

Mainly caused by very poor conduct from Thursday to Sunday (ie consuming several pints of lager in those times, and also junk food on Sunday)

I really need to push myself this week. The first week when I lost 4 lbs I actually really felt good at myself... today, I really felt crappy (and hungover) - so... one behaviour is healthy and makes me feel good and one is bad and makes me feel bad... it should be easier to be motivated than I am... but it isnt so much of a set back.. I just need to make sure I keep being sensible - I have a squash game this week, and I'll try to gym 2 or 3 times... as long as I dont beer too much and dont eat anything riducolous hopefully I should be able to get back on track.

[Rdr4evr]

4/11/05 still 190...first week of school, didn't have time to do enough cardio...or eat that great.

[amonkie]

just curious Strange Famous, are you doing the Core Plan or the Flex plan? and I hate to break it to ya, but in order to stick to it, sometimes that means habits have to change. I used to hit up a local restaurant/bar 4-5 times a week not even two months ago. I haven't been back in 2 months because I get too tempted to start going again as often, and there's nothing at that place I could easily have without feeling guilty. So, I don't go. You can still have the occasional beer, just need to fit it in with the moderation.

[madcow]

Kind of off topic question, but how are you guys calculating your percent body fat? I was kinda wondering what mine is.

[amonkie]

How to calculate your percentage body fat, or BMI:

http://nhlbisupport.com/bmi/bmicalc.htm

[Strange Famous]

Originally Posted by amonkie

just curious Strange Famous, are you doing the Core Plan or the Flex plan? and I hate to break it to ya, but in order to stick to it, sometimes that means habits have to change. I used to hit up a local restaurant/bar 4-5 times a week not even two months ago. I haven't been back in 2 months because I get too tempted to start going again as often, and there's nothing at that place I could easily have without feeling guilty. So, I don't go. You can still have the occasional beer, just need to fit it in with the moderation.

Im not really doing any plan, just trying to be be sensible and cut right down on the booze. I last week I drank quite a lot over the weekend though, so I didnt lose any weight at all.

[FngKestrel]

177.6 lbs
19.1% body fat

Despite having a hugely fattening dinner on Saturday. Lots of exercise, judicious intake while at work.

And I'm using a scale with an integrated body fat measurement. A Tanita BF-559.

[madcow]

Originally Posted by amonkie

How to calculate your percentage body fat, or BMI:

http://nhlbisupport.com/bmi/bmicalc.htm

I thought BMI was just a calculation based on your height and weight and had nothing to do with actual body fat percentage, which is why it gets so much flack from people saying it's not the greatest measurement.

I didn't know scales had BF testers on them. How does that work? Don't you need to find the volume of your body and your weight and height to determine it?

[braisler]

I have a Tanita scale too. The body fat measurement is supposed to be based on conductance of your body's tissues. The scale sends a VERY mild electrical current through your body and uses that to calculate your body fat %. Don't worry, you can't feel the current. Now, I have a suspicion that the Tanita scale is actually measuring the conductance and factoring in your height and weight (You input those into the scale) to make a calculation of its estimate of your body fat. I don't know how accurate it is, because I have weighed myself and gotten one figure and then weighed myself while holding a large textbook (non-conductive, and not in the circuit) and my "body-fat" went up significantly.

I do like having the body-fat % there as it helps with my motivation, but I don't put too much faith in it being dead-on accurate. Interestingly, I am going to have a total body composition test done in the next couple of weeks, so I'll have an update as to how accurate my scale is then.

Right now: 04/12/05 248lbs., 26% BF and on the way down...

And I am glad to have this thread too. I know that many people have had success with the actual WW program, but that is SOOO not for me. I actually heard something intellegent on CNN the other day. I know, go figure! They were talking about a recent weight loss study and said that one of the most important features for successful weight loss is to find the plan that has the right fit for you. Shop around between different diets and exercise regimens to find the one that works the best with your lifestyle. A good fit means that you are more likely to stick with it and more likely to succeed.

Kudos to everyone who has stepped forward here and committed themselves to weight loss. We are all on the right path and we will get there!

[FngKestrel]

Originally Posted by braisler

I have a Tanita scale too. The body fat measurement is supposed to be based on conductance of your body's tissues. The scale sends a VERY mild electrical current through your body and uses that to calculate your body fat %. Don't worry, you can't feel the current. Now, I have a suspicion that the Tanita scale is actually measuring the conductance and factoring in your height and weight (You input those into the scale) to make a calculation of its estimate of your body fat. I don't know how accurate it is, because I have weighed myself and gotten one figure and then weighed myself while holding a large textbook (non-conductive, and not in the circuit) and my "body-fat" went up significantly.

I do like having the body-fat % there as it helps with my motivation, but I don't put too much faith in it being dead-on accurate. Interestingly, I am going to have a total body composition test done in the next couple of weeks, so I'll have an update as to how accurate my scale is then.

Here's the skinny (pun intended) on how bioelectric impedance works. From the way it's described, it sounds like you holding the book worked exactly as designed.

http://www.new-fitness.com/body_fat_measuring.html

But definitely let us know how your total body composition test goes. Sounds interesting. I do agree with you on concerns of accuracy though. I can get much better readings after getting out of the shower and having my feet just a bit damp.

[Strange Famous]

Well, Ias I predicted, my squash game was a bit of an eye opener. I won 3-0, but the guy wasnt that good, and after I had won we had some time and decided to play on, and he won a game of me and I won two... I felt shattered by the end even though I didnt have to run that much... so unfit... but hey, its doing things like that by which I'll get fit

[SiNai]

Well, last night was Monday again, so I weighed myself.. It was also my birthday, so needless to say, tons of crap was shoved into the mouth that day. Maybe next week..

[edit]: Tonight, Thursday, 194.5

[FngKestrel]

174.8 lbs
19.6% body fat

[Rdr4evr]

4/19/2005 188 lbs....got 2 lbs this week, hopefully it will stay off.

[txd]

Really not off to a good start :/

2005-03-31: 210.4lbs
2005-04-19: 213.0lbs

[FngKestrel]

Originally Posted by txd

Really not off to a good start :/

2005-03-31: 210.4lbs
2005-04-19: 213.0lbs

But it is a start. Keep at it!

[amonkie]

And don't forget, muscle weighs more than fat! like FnKestrel said, keep at it!

[Holdem Dvorak]

Originally Posted by Bill O'Rights

Two days after your 30th birthday...it will all come to find you. Trust me on this one.

My father is in his mid fortys, and he is all muscle. Has a bit of a tummy forming, but not much.

My weight is improving, I'm up to 125ish. I'm bad with meaSUREments.

[txd]

It is a week on and I'm starting to move in the right direction now I should mention I am 6".

2005-03-31: 210.4lbs
2005-04-19: 213.0lbs
2005-04-26: 211.2lbs