cakediva
Drama Llama
Making the world a sweeter place one cake at a time!
Posts: 7,391 
Location: Fergus, Ontario
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Post by cakediva on Aug 19, 2019 20:38:22 GMT
I know I should be happy with my body the way it is. But I'm not. I don't love the belly crease I have going on, or how wide I look from a side view.
I'm 5'6", and currently at 189. I was 165 when we went to Dominican in February 2018.
I decided to get back on the low carb lifestyle back in June - I was 195-ish.
I'm stuck at 188/189. I can't seem to make the scale move.
I run at least a mile, sometimes two, three days a week, and I'm working through 21 Day Fit on the other days. So I'm active.
I rarely go over my carbs for the day - I've had a few cheat days in the last two weeks, but nothing insane, and have gotten right back on the very next day.
But for the first time ever, I'm 11 days late. So I'm definitely in the beginnings of menopause.
I don't want a six-pack, hell, I don't even want to be a size 4 or 6, but I'd sure like to fit back into a size 10.
I miss chips. I miss chocolate. But if I have any, it leads to going right back to eating them every single night. Even with exercise, that leads me back to heading towards topping 200 pounds again. But I'm at the point where I want to say fuck it, since I'm not losing anyway, why not just eat all the crap??
Is it the menopause stalling me?
I like the low carb lifestyle, it works for me. I find it very sustainable. I try to do intermittent fasting every other day - because I think doing 16:8 every single day was training my body to say "hey this is our new normal" kind of thing. So I'm trying to mix it up. I follow a few Keto groups on Facebook and see people's success and want to know why it is so freaking slow/stalling for me.
I keep seeing all these memes on Facebook about being happy with your body and who you are. And I applaud anybody who does. But I don't love the fat. I want to see it go away.
Just venting.....
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
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Post by freebird on Aug 19, 2019 20:40:06 GMT
I'd try extending the fasts. Try 24 hours a couple days a week.
You might also consider cutting out dairy and/or nuts. That helps jump start lots of ppl. (not me, but everyone else sigh)
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Post by dewryce on Aug 19, 2019 20:59:58 GMT
I’ll validate you. Hormones suck. I’m sorry you’re going through this. I have times I can do everything “right“ and my body just laughs and laughs and laughs. +3 on the scale for your efforts! Next week I say fuck it and I drop 5 pounds. Meanwhile DH is dropping 5-7 pounds a week doing the same thing.
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stittsygirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,576
Location: In the leaves and rain.
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Post by stittsygirl on Aug 19, 2019 21:00:54 GMT
I know you’re watching your carbs but are you watching your calories too? I have to monitor both to stay at my current weight.
I lost 70 lbs. about three years ago (I’m also 5’6” and was at 205 when I started). I put on about 5 lbs. between January and July. By watching my carbs, calories, and how many calories I burn a day (I use my Fitbit and app for this) I’ve been able to drop those 5 lbs. by keeping a 200 calorie/day deficit. I’ve also been doing IF everyday at 16:8 ratio.
I know I can not bring anything in the house that will tempt me, even if it’s for other family members.
Good luck, I know how hard it can be. I hope you get it figured out!
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Post by peano on Aug 19, 2019 21:14:44 GMT
I echo the suggestion to increase your fasting times. I've been doing 60-plus hour fasts about once a week this summer and while I understand that a lot of the 3-5+ pound weight loss is water weight, it is still a psychological boost that keeps me going and eating healthy.
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cakediva
Drama Llama
Making the world a sweeter place one cake at a time!
Posts: 7,391
Location: Fergus, Ontario
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Post by cakediva on Aug 19, 2019 21:23:28 GMT
I know you’re watching your carbs but are you watching your calories too? I have to monitor both to stay at my current weight. I lost 70 lbs. about three years ago (I’m also 5’6” and was at 205 when I started). I put on about 5 lbs. between January and July. By watching my carbs, calories, and how many calories I burn a day (I use my Fitbit and app for this) I’ve been able to drop those 5 lbs. by keeping a 200 calorie/day deficit. I’ve also been doing IF everyday at 16:8 ratio. I know I can not bring anything in the house that will tempt me, even if it’s for other family members. Good luck, I know how hard it can be. I hope you get it figured out! Yep - I track using My Fitness Pal daily. I'm always a bit under my calories, and I try not to eat my exercise calories....and I'm super frustrated because when you end the day, a line will pop up that says "if every day was like today you would weigh XXX in 5 weeks" Well it's been 5 weeks, and I'm nowhere near that XXX from 5 weeks ago! |
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,727
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 19, 2019 21:35:16 GMT
Are you hungry when you eat? And satisfied (not stuffed) when you finish? With all our calorie counting, we've lost sight of our bodies' signals.
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keithurbanlovinpea
Pearl Clutcher
Flowing with the go...
Posts: 4,251
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Post by keithurbanlovinpea on Aug 19, 2019 21:37:17 GMT
Are you hungry when you eat? And satisfied (not stuffed) when you finish? With all our calorie counting, we've lost sight of our bodies' signals. ^^^ this |
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Post by salem on Aug 19, 2019 21:37:57 GMT
I’ll validate you. Hormones suck. I’m sorry you’re going through this. I have times I can do everything “right“ and my body just laughs and laughs and laughs. +3 on the scale for your efforts! Next week I say fuck it and I drop 5 pounds. Meanwhile DH is dropping 5-7 pounds a week doing the same thing. I remember my DH went in for his physical at work. He has a CDL license. The doctor was high fiving him saying what a great job he was doing. He had lost about 15 pounds, keep it up, blah blah. How are you doing it? His reply: My wife joined Weight Watchers. Yeah, I was struggling to drop anything and he ate what I ate for dinner. Besides that he hadn’t changed pretty much anything. Pissed? Yup. Hormones are a terrible roller coaster. |
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casii
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,458
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Post by casii on Aug 19, 2019 21:51:48 GMT
I’ll validate you. Hormones suck. I’m sorry you’re going through this. I have times I can do everything “right“ and my body just laughs and laughs and laughs. +3 on the scale for your efforts! Next week I say fuck it and I drop 5 pounds. Meanwhile DH is dropping 5-7 pounds a week doing the same thing.Men: Give up one beer a week and lose 5 lbs
Women: Give up everything worth living for and gain a lb.
Testosterone is a performance enhancing drug, I swear.
I find that when I do strength work, it seems to rev up my metabolism in a way that cardio does not. Now, if I was actually faithful to the strength vs always going out for a run or a hike, maybe I'd see results.
This whole summer, my weight has shot up. Lost my grandmother on Mother's Day. Lost my Mom on June 30th. My sister is going through some marital issues, so I know my eating has suffered and the emotional crutch drinking hasn't helped either. I need to buckle down. Questioning whether to continue what's worked for me in the past but slowed down due to menopause or try this new program FASTer Way To Fat Loss that my friend did and found success with. There is intermittent fasting, carb cycling, accountability, an exercise plan and a new meal plan. The price is a bit dear, but I also trust my friend not to lead me down the primrose path, so it may be worth it.
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stittsygirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,576
Location: In the leaves and rain.
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Post by stittsygirl on Aug 19, 2019 22:23:50 GMT
I know you’re watching your carbs but are you watching your calories too? I have to monitor both to stay at my current weight. I lost 70 lbs. about three years ago (I’m also 5’6” and was at 205 when I started). I put on about 5 lbs. between January and July. By watching my carbs, calories, and how many calories I burn a day (I use my Fitbit and app for this) I’ve been able to drop those 5 lbs. by keeping a 200 calorie/day deficit. I’ve also been doing IF everyday at 16:8 ratio. I know I can not bring anything in the house that will tempt me, even if it’s for other family members. Good luck, I know how hard it can be. I hope you get it figured out! Yep - I track using My Fitness Pal daily. I'm always a bit under my calories, and I try not to eat my exercise calories....and I'm super frustrated because when you end the day, a line will pop up that says "if every day was like today you would weigh XXX in 5 weeks" Well it's been 5 weeks, and I'm nowhere near that XXX from 5 weeks ago! Ugh, I’m sorry about that  . |
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brandy327
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,353
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Post by brandy327 on Aug 19, 2019 22:34:57 GMT
Ugh, frustrating for sure. I've fallen so far off the wagon it's not even in sight anymore. So I get the not being happy with your body.
One thing I do to jump start weight loss is basically a week or two of nothing but whole foods. And LOTS of water.
I'm gearing up to get back on track. The kids go back to school a week from tomorrow but all 3 kids are doing sports/tryouts this week so I've been trying to make healthier meals for everyone. And I'm looking forward to getting back to the gym.
Good luck friend. I hope you can break your plateau.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 16, 2024 13:59:48 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2019 23:09:30 GMT
I have to cut calories to almost nothing and exercise 30 hours a day to lose one fing ounce.
Things that help me: No flour, no sugar, no corn. I don’t eat a lot of dairy anymore, but I use real half and half, and drink real milk. Eat the whole grain, the whole nut, the whole seed and the whole bean. Quinoa and oats( meal) are my best friends.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Aug 20, 2019 5:24:02 GMT
Menopause put the pounds on me no matter how hard I tried. Low carb stopped working for me.
I was eating less and less food just to maintain.
Whole Foods plant based no oil has been nothing short of a miracle for me.
Just saying.
OP, whatever you do, I like the idea of loving your body as it is. You can’t lose with this mentality, no matter how you’re eating and what you weigh.
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Post by nlwilkins on Aug 20, 2019 8:56:19 GMT
I hear ya. I used to have to just skip a dessert a few days and would lose five pounds. I'm 5'8" and have very small bones. But fluid retention has taken over. I swear that if I retain the fluid too long it turns to fat. I am on three types of fluid pills and nothing seems to work, my ankles have just about disappeared. I KNOW it is not all fluid and that my weight is a big issue with most of the medical problems I have. But, I just can't seem to loose any. I know it is hormones though. About the time I really started gaining weight the GYN doctor lowered my premarin and the Endo. doctor messed with my thyroid meds and now says I have Hashimotos.
If I don't lose a bunch of weight, I fear my health will be hugely impacted. But my PCP says not to stress over it right now cause of my husband's cancer and poor prognosis, to worry about it later. But, I think he would feel better if I lost the weight so he would not have to worry about my health when he is gone. He is already worrying about other stuff when he should be concentrating on his own health and not mine!
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cakediva
Drama Llama
Making the world a sweeter place one cake at a time!
Posts: 7,391
Location: Fergus, Ontario
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Post by cakediva on Aug 20, 2019 11:50:10 GMT
Are you hungry when you eat? And satisfied (not stuffed) when you finish? With all our calorie counting, we've lost sight of our bodies' signals. This is definitely an issue for me. I work from home and have fallen into "it's noon, time for lunch" - some days I could probably wait another hour or two, or skip it and just have a small snack.... I just read an article on Diet Doctor about women 40+ and something I'm sure I'm doing is eating too much protein. We will have steak, and I'll eat the same size as DH. I need to start with half that and see how I feel after. |
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Post by happymom on Aug 20, 2019 11:56:07 GMT
I lost 70 pounds in 2015 but have always struggled keeping the last 20 off. I joined Phit-n-phat and am working to change my thoughts about weight loss and diet. There is a free podcast that is seriously life changing.
I am making small changes- my small win over the weekend was that I ate a 1/2 baked potato instead of a whole. With steak and corn on the cob. Lol.
I need to love the process and be able to do it my whole life. I am down 14 pounds since June.
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Post by littlemama on Aug 20, 2019 12:35:36 GMT
I am having a lot of luck with WW- 16 lbs in the first 5 weeks. I have also adopted a minor intermittent fast. I eat between 9am and 7pm (because that is what works with my work schedule)- 2 or 3 meals, no snacks. Once a week, I make sure to have a bigger lunch to jump start my metabolism. When you eat less, your body slows your metabolism by the equivalent amount.
Once you discipline yourself not to regularly eat things you shouldn't, it is easier to eat 2 potato chips or one small piece of chocolate and really appreciate it as a treat.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,727
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 20, 2019 12:40:01 GMT
Are you hungry when you eat? And satisfied (not stuffed) when you finish? With all our calorie counting, we've lost sight of our bodies' signals. This is definitely an issue for me. I work from home and have fallen into "it's noon, time for lunch" - some days I could probably wait another hour or two, or skip it and just have a small snack.... I just read an article on Diet Doctor about women 40+ and something I'm sure I'm doing is eating too much protein. We will have steak, and I'll eat the same size as DH. I need to start with half that and see how I feel after. There was a great article in The Economist titled "Death of the Calorie". It talks about how calorie-counting makes the obesity epidemic worse. Calories from different foods are processed by the body differently - and processed by different people differently. Published calorie counts are wildly inaccurate, with a built-in variance of 20%. The article says that calories are a really inaccurate method of assessing how much we eat, and trying to control weight by counting calories has disrupted our natural ability to eat the right amount of food and steered us toward poor choices. I found it all very interesting, and have been trying to incorporate listening to my hunger signals. I also work at home, and when I'm bored or frustrated, I notice that I hang out in front of the fridge, LOL. I also highly recommend Phit-n-Phat. |
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
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Post by freebird on Aug 20, 2019 14:46:01 GMT
I watched this very informative video by Thomas DeLauer this morning. I thought you ladies might enjoy the content.
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cakediva
Drama Llama
Making the world a sweeter place one cake at a time!
Posts: 7,391
Location: Fergus, Ontario
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Post by cakediva on Aug 20, 2019 14:46:56 GMT
This is definitely an issue for me. I work from home and have fallen into "it's noon, time for lunch" - some days I could probably wait another hour or two, or skip it and just have a small snack.... I just read an article on Diet Doctor about women 40+ and something I'm sure I'm doing is eating too much protein. We will have steak, and I'll eat the same size as DH. I need to start with half that and see how I feel after. There was a great article in The Economist titled "Death of the Calorie". It talks about how calorie-counting makes the obesity epidemic worse. Calories from different foods are processed by the body differently - and processed by different people differently. Published calorie counts are wildly inaccurate, with a built-in variance of 20%. The article says that calories are a really inaccurate method of assessing how much we eat, and trying to control weight by counting calories has disrupted our natural ability to eat the right amount of food and steered us toward poor choices. I found it all very interesting, and have been trying to incorporate listening to my hunger signals. I also work at home, and when I'm bored or frustrated, I notice that I hang out in front of the fridge, LOL. I also highly recommend Phit-n-Phat. How does Phit-n-Phat work? Is it a specific meal plan? Food lists? Or more motivational? |
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,727
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 20, 2019 15:53:47 GMT
There was a great article in The Economist titled "Death of the Calorie". It talks about how calorie-counting makes the obesity epidemic worse. Calories from different foods are processed by the body differently - and processed by different people differently. Published calorie counts are wildly inaccurate, with a built-in variance of 20%. The article says that calories are a really inaccurate method of assessing how much we eat, and trying to control weight by counting calories has disrupted our natural ability to eat the right amount of food and steered us toward poor choices. I found it all very interesting, and have been trying to incorporate listening to my hunger signals. I also work at home, and when I'm bored or frustrated, I notice that I hang out in front of the fridge, LOL. I also highly recommend Phit-n-Phat. How does Phit-n-Phat work? Is it a specific meal plan? Food lists? Or more motivational? Corinne Crabtree uses an online life coaching approach. You can check out her free podcast and course (it's three or four lessons) at phit-n-phat.com. She also has a paid subscription that opens up a few times per year. It's basically a modified cognitive behavior therapy method of changing your thoughts about overeating and losing weight. She does not do meal plans or food lists -- she teaches you to make your own plans starting with what you are eating now, and then slowly improving over time. She has a staff of coaches who are also available to answer questions and help you work on your weight loss. It totally clicked with me after years of failing with weight loss programs. |
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Post by mellyw on Aug 20, 2019 18:35:49 GMT
Do you do weight bearing exercise? Take any medications?
I’m also headed into menopause and take medications that cause weight gain. I attempted to wean off the medication this past Spring, boy did I pay for that decision. Weight, or terrible pain. I chose weight.
What helps me is lifting weights. I lift pretty heavy and extensively. While it’s not necessarily a weight loss activity, it does stop weight from creeping back on.
You could also try a different form of cardio to shake things up. Our bodies get used to things and while your aerobic capacity is great with running, it may not be with biking,rowing, kickboxing.
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Post by Merge on Aug 20, 2019 19:24:03 GMT
I watched this very informative video by Thomas DeLauer this morning. I thought you ladies might enjoy the content. Is it wrong that I was hoping the five things causing our fat were wine, tacos, cake, margaritas, and brownies eaten out of the pan after 10 pm? 😂 OP, I’ve got nothing for you. I eat very healthy and get a decent amount of exercise. I’m still fat. I’m done torturing myself trying to fit society’s version of what I should look like. If you’re truly not happy - not happy enough that you’re willing to be miserable to achieve “happiness” - then go for it. Otherwise, enjoy who you are. Time spent dieting doesn’t make anyone a better person. |
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,916
Location: Colorado
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Post by snyder on Aug 20, 2019 19:34:11 GMT
I gave up Diet Coke a year ago and really haven't changed much to the eating routine. I have eaten healthier for 2 weeks, and stress ate for 6 months and I've lost 20 lbs. Amazing. I've heard that diet drinks are bad for you in more than just the chemicals and artificial sugars, they mess with your insulin.
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Post by Clair on Aug 20, 2019 19:47:24 GMT
I watched this very informative video by Thomas DeLauer this morning. I thought you ladies might enjoy the content. Is it wrong that I was hoping the five things causing our fat were wine, tacos, cake, margaritas, and brownies eaten out of the pan after 10 pm? 😂 OP, I’ve got nothing for you. I eat very healthy and get a decent amount of exercise. I’m still fat. I’m done torturing myself trying to fit society’s version of what I should look like. If you’re truly not happy - not happy enough that you’re willing to be miserable to achieve “happiness” - then go for it. Otherwise, enjoy who you are. Time spent dieting doesn’t make anyone a better person. You would get so much out of the Phit and Phat podcasts. It’s such a sensible and realistic approach to weight loss. No struggling or white knuckling through the weight loss. Don’t give up anything you’re not willing to give up forever. If you want tacos - eat tacos. Plan for them and eat what you’ve planned. I lost 65 pounds following her plan. |
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Post by lily on Aug 20, 2019 20:06:01 GMT
I got nothin'.
I need to lose a LOT. I barely eat anything - bowl of either raisin bran or mini wheats for breakfast (need the fiber to keep things moving). Lunch is usually a small turkey sandwich on some whole grain bread. Dinner is normally something like sheet pan dinner chicken and veggies, and maybe some rice but not always. The only snacks I eat are a yogurt 2 or 3 times a week and on the weekend (saturday night) some popcorn in the evening. I only drink water, except for LactAid milk on the cereal. I have lost NOTHING.
If I cut out carbs I tend to get worse vertigo than normal too.
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Post by Merge on Aug 20, 2019 21:29:41 GMT
Is it wrong that I was hoping the five things causing our fat were wine, tacos, cake, margaritas, and brownies eaten out of the pan after 10 pm? 😂 OP, I’ve got nothing for you. I eat very healthy and get a decent amount of exercise. I’m still fat. I’m done torturing myself trying to fit society’s version of what I should look like. If you’re truly not happy - not happy enough that you’re willing to be miserable to achieve “happiness” - then go for it. Otherwise, enjoy who you are. Time spent dieting doesn’t make anyone a better person. You would get so much out of the Phit and Phat podcasts. It’s such a sensible and realistic approach to weight loss. No struggling or white knuckling through the weight loss. Don’t give up anything you’re not willing to give up forever. If you want tacos - eat tacos. Plan for them and eat what you’ve planned. I lost 65 pounds following her plan. No thanks. Constant tracking and planning is a form of torture I’m no longer willing to do just so I can conform to what society says I should look like. I’ve been consumed by weight loss to please other people since I was 11 years old. No more. |
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Post by shevy on Aug 20, 2019 21:35:42 GMT
Losing weight isn't just less calories in/more calories out. Sticking to restricting diets is difficult and you can plateau at any time. One thing that has helped me in being better about my body image, is to start a journal. I write 3 things that my body did for me today. Some days it's 'legs walked me into and out of work'. But some days I consider that it took core muscle strength to keep me on the back of DH's motorcycle on the ride that gave me so much happiness. And I always write which part of my body looked good today and why. It's made me realize how much my body does for me at any weight I am and that even my plus sized behind can look good in a certain pair of jeans I found.  |
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cakediva
Drama Llama
Making the world a sweeter place one cake at a time!
Posts: 7,391
Location: Fergus, Ontario
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Post by cakediva on Aug 21, 2019 0:41:08 GMT
Do you do weight bearing exercise? Take any medications? I’m also headed into menopause and take medications that cause weight gain. I attempted to wean off the medication this past Spring, boy did I pay for that decision. Weight, or terrible pain. I chose weight. What helps me is lifting weights. I lift pretty heavy and extensively. While it’s not necessarily a weight loss activity, it does stop weight from creeping back on. You could also try a different form of cardio to shake things up. Our bodies get used to things and while your aerobic capacity is great with running, it may not be with biking,rowing, kickboxing. No medications -just evening primrose to help with the hot flashes. And I've just started doing weights - my friend gave me her login to try the Beach Body fitness videos, and so far so good. |
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