A harsh reality.

[Nataliebabe]

Well, how do I say this. Tonight I came home and got all dolled up. The wife and I took a few pics...first pics since I was a teenager on halloween... of me (kids asleep, of course). I have some work to do. I have recently put on 25 pounds and it sure shows. I guess that it is back to fruits, salads, water and no beer and no sweets for awhile. Well, maybe 1 beer a day......:D. I know that we come in all shapes an dsizes, but I went form a size 18 to a size 24!:sad:

[sissystephanie]

18 to 24? That is a wakeup call for sure. I was feeling bad because I am a size 16, and just found out that a brand new skirt (size 16) does not fit me. Too much tummy!! I still feel bad, but after reading your thread not quite as much!

The good thing is, you can go down in size almost as easily as you can go up. It just takes some work. I am aiming for size 14, but then will have to buy a whole new wardrobe! Darn, all that shopping I will have to do!!:heehee: Well, it is a tough job, but someone has to do it!! ME, ME!!!!!

[Kittykitty]

I'm a STRONG advocate of the South Beach Diet. If you follow the basic rules, it will jump start your metabolism and you'll lose the weight EVERYWHERE. I even lost weight in my fingers! My wedding ring doesn't even almost fit anymore.

The key is to rid your body of easy to use carbohydrates and make it burn the fat as fuel. You have to eat breakfast > snack > lunch > snack > dinner > snack before 8. The snacks are the key. Find what you like, but string cheese and a handful of peanuts (or whatever yummy nuts we had available) worked for me. Think I was about a size 16 or so, now I'm mostly a size 6.

If you follow it strictly for 2 weeks, you'll lose about 15 pounds and you'll learn how to control it all.

The paperback version of the book is about $6.

If you decide to do it, and have any questions, please ask. It's worked for countelss people I know, and the weight stays off if you stick to the rough guidelines. I've been on it about 3 years now and if I gain anything, I just pop back on for a bit, and it comes right off.

BTW, the first place it goes is your tummy!!!!

[Jocelyn Quivers]

It was when I first took pictures en femme for the first time several years ago that I realized I really needed to really slim down. I still look at those pictures from time to time just to make sure I stay focused and do not go back to my old unhealthy habits.

[TGMarla]

It's a constant struggle, especially after age 35, when the ol' metabolism seems to slow down. Ironic, isn't it? As guys, we enjoy many benefits while living our lives. Shower and shave, throw on something to wear, and we're ready, while our women take forever to get ready. We envy them the clothing they get to wear, their pretty hair (mine comes in a box!), and their feminine ways, but seldom do we stop to think about the fact that while we're stuffing ourselves with pizza, they are ordering salads. While we guzzle beer, they stick to a small glass of wine. When the shoe is on the other foot, we get a glimpse of how it is for women, who are expected to maintain a certain figure. Reality crashes in.

[Nataliebabe]

The sad thing is, about four years ago I had lost like 60 pounds in one summer. I ate right, excersised regualy and drank lots of water. The weight practically jumped off of me. Size 18 headed for a 16!! The mrs. got pregnant and that was it. I never believed in sympathy pounds before, now I do. During that time, the only thing that I did not cut down on was my beer intake. 2 beers after work daily and a splurge on the weekend.:D

[linnea]

I'm working on my figure and weight. I would like to wear almost any size with a "teen" in the word, but it does take diligent effort and my progress is slow.
Good luck to all who are trying.

[Kathi Lake]

Wow, I'll never complain about my weight issues again. :)

Kathi

[MWCMDarlene]

This morning on CBS Morning Show, it was shown that when a woman gets pregnant, her husband will, on average, gain 14 pounds. At age 18, I weighed 180. Got married at 24, had 1st child at age 27 and 2nd at 30. Now I am 46 and weigh 198.

A couple of weeks ago on one of the morning news programs, they were talking about caloric intake and provided a couple of web sites to determine your caloric intake. On average I am supposed to have about 2900 calories per day. That morning I calculated what I had already eaten for breakfast and had already cosummed more than 4,000!! When my wife came home that night and asked what I wanted for supper, I told her I couldn't eat until the day after tomorrow!! Needless to say, I deleted those web sites off of my computer!

[Christinedreamer]

I am a pefect size 6. I just keep it covered with fat to protect it.

[Joni Marie Cruz]

Hi Natalie-

You are so right on with the weight thing, girl. Honestly, isn't a pain in the derriere trying to keep your weight at something reasonable? For years I just couldn't understand why women obsessed about their weight, even the fairly svelte ones, now I so understand. When I finally decided I was going to come out for real I weighed 250+ pounds (I'm six foot) and went on the then quite popular Atkins diet and lost 80 pounds in a little less than a year. Sadly, those orphaned pounds somehow tracked me down and reconnected because, while still substantially below where I was, I have blossomed a bit, so to speak. My size 12 jeans still button but there is some seriously ugly overlap going on unless I really suck it in and practice my yoga non-breathing exercises.

Maybe all of us girls here on CD.com could become diet buddies or something. Doing it all alone is so difficult. I have an exercise bike in the spare bedroom, right now it has some laundry that needs to be hung up draped over the handlebars. Been that way for a couple of weeks...at least. Most of the exercise I have been getting is multiple repetitions of the 12 oz elbow bend and a brisk stroll to the kitchen.

Good luck with the weight loss, girl. And to everyone else who is trying to lose weight as well.

Hugs...Joni Mari

[anda_mouse]

i follow a strict vegetarian diet and it seems to work for me. havnt changed from being a size 6 for 6 years.

[JulieC]

I am a pefect size 6. I just keep it covered with fat to protect it.

:rofl:

[DonnaT]

My size 16 jean skirt (well that's what the tag says) fits pretty good now. And to look at me, you wouldn't guess I weigh 246 lbs.

I've lost around 38 lbs since Aug. 08, I go to the gym most every weekday morning, and was lap swimming for about 1500 meters. On my birthday I added another 500 meters, so now do 2000 meters.

Some mornings I'll add a shallow water (waist deep) power walk for about 15 minutes.

Then I'll go home and get on the elliptical machine. Which I'll try to use on the weekends and in the evenings after work as well.

And recently I try to add a walk around 2 or 3 PM of about 2 miles.

Plus I've reduced the calories and fat intake considerably.

80lbs to go.:doh:

[Joni Marie Cruz]

Good for you, Donna. You go, girl. So far I switched from my regular Starbucks (I live in Seattle, I have to do it, it's part of my rental agreement.) of mocha latte, to regular coffee black and an eight grain muffin and I took a walk around the block. Hey. It's a start.<lol>

Hugs...Joni Mari

[PretzelGirl]

Sometimes I think dieting gets over complicated. The simple solution is burn more calories then you take in. We try and break it down into carbs, sugars, etc and make it so complex that it becomes hard.

Two separate diets took me down from 230 to 160. Just used the two handed diet and pushed myself away from the table. The best part of this method is it works for maintenance too! :D

[Karren H]

Ohh yeah!! If I can do it so can you!!! Lost 50 pounds in 9 months and now I eat healthier and feel better!! These damn playoff games are not helping though!! But just a word of advise... Don't think of it as a diet.. Because when diets are over the weight will come back!! Usually plus some.. Think of as a lifestyle change going forward.. Change your eating habits and exersize!! And no snacks after dinner!! :)

[gennee]

I need to lose about twenty pounds. I have too much gut. I will cut back on starches and eat more veggies and fruits.

Gennee

[carolinoakland]

I am a pefect size 6. I just keep it covered with fat to protect it.

I am going to use that one! Carol

[Gabrielle Hermosa]

Loosing weight isn't easy. My metabolism slows down each year and I can feel it. I have to re-evaluate and adjust my food consumption and increase my exercise level pretty much yearly now. Pretty soon, ALL my time will be spent on the treadmill, I'm sure. :(

See that thin gal in my photos? Trust me when I tell you, it is NOT genetic. It's ALL hard work, discipline, and a lot of struggling because I do have a hearty appetite and love food.

Here's a method that I employ to help reduce calorie intake (http://www.mycdlife.com/2009/04/reducing-calorie-intake-without-feeling-as-hungry) without feeling like I'm starving. It's not a magic solution, but you may find it useful.

Good luck. :)

[Samantha43]

I am a pefect size 6. I just keep it covered with fat to protect it.

That's funny!

My wife keeps teasing me about my "6 pack" abs. I used to have some great abs. I tell her their still there, just in hiding....:)

[WandaRae2009]

I had lost about 70 pounds over a year using similar to South Beach with a nutritionist. The medical plan cut the nutritionist, and I have stagnated. I need to get going again, but when a am careful and stick to it for a week or so nothing happens and I get discouraged. Any suggestions for a quick start to the old metabolism

[Michelle S]

Any suggestions for a quick start to the old metabolism


Exercise.