Thursday, December 3, 2009

Why is there no formula?

You know weight loss is supposed to be simple in theory. Take in fewer calories than you burn and viola - weight loss. In execution it is much more complicated. There is metabolism, body type, HORMONES. Friggin' hormones.

My weight is still up and waiting for the lady troubles to be begin. It is kinda like waiting to be smacked in the face. I am trying not to flinch. I am sure the extra 300 to 500 calories I ate the past two nights after dinner have not helped. Not really bad calories, just more than I should have. Not even for hunger, just an overwhelming need to eat. And it tasted pretty good too. It is funny how being up a few pounds makes your mind go crazy. I keep thinking when I look in the mirror those old pictures will be looking back at me. But no. I do not look any different (read fatter), but that thought is still there - lurking in my mind. So instead of continuing to bitch about how hard this week is I decided to find one positive thing to focus on.

I started trying to run a little bit (and I mean little - like the distance of 4 mailboxes on my street) last fall - I weighed in the 270s. Not the easiest task in the world for me at the time. Then I continued to add a little more (not sure why I stuck with this, I am not a runner - maybe just to challenge myself). Oh, I did this with the vampire method (early morning under the cover of darkness so no one could see me or judge me). Today I can run a lot farther and a lot faster (and I feel fine doing it in public). Sometimes I feel like I can fly - even this morning being up a few pounds I felt that way.

Last December was when I first tried to run on a treadmill. I was scared to death everytime I did it for the first few weeks. I was scared I would fall and break my face. That, and man did my belly rolls flop around when I ran. I ran on the treadmill for 10 minutes as part of a warm up the other day and I did not think twice about it. Had that been my goal, I could have gone a lot longer and even faster. I was just trying to warm up my muscles. This is progress people. Especially for someone who is not a runner and will probably never be a runner. So there it is. All my sunshine and positivity - I must rest now.

I went to the doc yesterday. I asked about calories for maintenance and a good goal weight for my build (since no charts really take that into consideration). She was thinking between 160 and 170. She also thinks maintenance calories for me will probably only be an additional 200-300 per day. I am looking at about 1800 (when the time comes). Looks like I've got some more work to do! She also said I may have to drop to 1500 calories to get the last of the weight off (um, this sucks). I am having a hard enough time sticking to 1600 this week.

I just wish there was a specific formula to follow. Like with the Jenny Craig eating plan. The problem with that is, I want to enjoy my life too. It is all trial and error. This week I think I keep hitting on error. Maybe today I can hit on a winner of a day. No whammy, no whammy (90's game show reference - 10 points to you if you caught that).

12 comments:

Lori Lynn said...

Hormones are a really frustrating thing. I have a hard time with that as well. I was just reading Prior Fat Girl's blog, and she was talking about something similar, in that food and her weight are always going to be an issue with her. It's something that I relate to as well, b/c I wish that I could eat like a "normal person," and not have to deal with worrying and obsessing about food and calories. I hope you have a better day today! :-)

karen@fitnessjourney said...

I don't know if this will help or not, but I find that the more I eat foods that are not processed like just fruits, vegetables and lean meats, the easier it is to stick with it and I'm not hungry.

In reading all the fitness/diet/weight loss blogs I see a lot of people snacking on 100 Calorie packs and other "diet foods". It makes me wonder if someone is putting 100 calories of basically junk in their bodies, are they going to get results? They could be eating a piece of fruit or tons of vegetables for the same calorie count and feeling full and satisfied.

I just recently found your blog so I don't know what your eating style is like, but I do find that I have fewer hormonal issues when I'm not eating processed foods too.

WWSuzi said...

The frustrating thing is, that it's different for everyone! So what works for one may not work for anyone else.

Unknown said...

well when I was counting calories to lose weight it was a formula- Your weight X 7 to lose. Does that match up to what you are eating now?

Mrs. S. said...

Ugh! I am a hormonal puddle of goo this week as well. I think you have found the secret answer. You are doing a wonderful job in your efforts. I think when we accept failure as the norm is when the hold habits slip back in and the pounds creep back on.

Ak said...

Great job on the running! The hormone thing is so hard to deal with. You're doing fabulous!

Christine said...

When I eat white flour and white sugar, I get urges to eat like you wouldn't believe.
Next time you want to gnaw the face off random passers by, eat an apple.
It works for me every.single.time...at least when I have them in the house lol.
It they aren't there all bets are off and it's hockey masks for everyone.

antgirl said...

Hormones really stink. Just wait until you hit that perimenopause thing. What fun! Not. The magic word is 'cohosh'. Whilst shopping for my all natural hormone regulator, I've noted they make supplements for women not yet in this state of hormonal terrorism. I would have tried if I had known about them.

I can't eat over 1800 calories consistently without gaining weight either.

Diane Fit to the Finish said...

I know it's not what you want to hear, but your doc is probably going to end up being pretty close in calorie estimations. I weigh in the upper 140's and can only eat about 1800 calories (estimated). If I really exercise I probably do about 2000. It's not a lot more food than I ate at the end of my journey.

It really is too bad there isn't a formula. But you are doing great, have done great, and will continue to do great! Don't worry!

Linda Pressman said...

I've been maintaining my weight for about 9 years and I didn't add any food or calories back into my eating plan. My weight balanced itself out (30 pounds less than what I had set for my goal, which had been 160) and I've always been really happy with the food I eat. The weird thing is that just recently I just gave up various sugars and, like someone else wrote, it's been a lot different. Now I'm not even hungry!

MizFit said...

man I hear you.
it took me years to realize and learn what DIDNT WORK for me even though it seemed to work fantiztastically for everyone else.

lottsa trial and error BUT now, at 40, I have it figured out.
for today at least :)

MizFit

Unknown said...

Sorry to hear about the gain, but you know it's only temporary.
I'm here, barely! So busy right now - just trying to hold on without gaining too much at this point!