dp4's Journal, 19 Nov 09

Sometimes it's not just about "how much" you are eating, but "what" you are eating. Are you getting enough lean protein in your diet? Are you eating a lot of processed type foods (too much sodium)? Are you watching your sodium? Are you getting in fruits and veggies? Do you get any lean dairy (it's been shown to help reduce fat)? Are you drinking enough water/liquids? If you weigh daily, you need to expect the scale to go up and down? Things like sore muscles from exercise, hormones, medications, stress, too much sodium in foods, etc. can all effect our weight. If you don't exercise (and can), you might want to start to kick up the weight loss. Even small amounts can help. Take a look at your food journal and see what you have been eating. The healthier and fresher the better. Good luck! 

I agree with Suzi. I looked at just the couple days you have been on here. You are hardly eating anything, but your calories are stacking up. Have a look at my meals and see how I get low calories, but lots of food. I eat lots of protein. I stay away from sugar and white breads and pastas. I can't tell what kind of turkey sandwiches you are eating. I would like to see you exercise also. Start with whatever you can. 15 min 30 min, whatever you can do. I started with 30 min 3 days a week and am now walkin 4 miles a day or working out with my wii 45 min to an hour a day. IF YOU WANT TO SEE RESULTS exercise and record EVERYTHING that goes in your mouth. I found hidden carbs in my sugar free candy! Don't forget ketchup, mustard, mayo, dressing, EVERYTHING must be recorded. Give it a week and let's reevaluate and see how you are doing and where if anywhere you can improve. It took me about 3 weeks to figure out how to diet properly and loose weight consistently. I am only losing 2 pounds a week and I keep my calories down to aroun 1200 and I exercise everyday. I am only 5' tall and I weighted 152 7.5 weeks ago. I have now lost 15.5 pounds and I weigh 136.6! That's great and I am happy with it because I know it is because I am choosing to eat healthier and I see the benefits of it. I feel like it will stick with me for a long time if not forever. Please don't give up and get frustrated yet.  

Hi ladies. Thanks for the fantastic input; I just noticed your comments. I'm not about to give up. Overall, I've lost weight in the last couple years, but I joined this site when I saw the number starting to climb again. I'm just learning how to log my exercise as well. I've had a self-judgement that my job as a security guard "didn't count" but really, I'm on my feet quite a lot, walking my rounds. Water and liquids are a HUGE issue for me. As far as condiments, I'm a dry sandwich kind of guy and I don't use dressing on salads. My weakest choices have to do with tons of carbs, and inadequate fluid intake. I'll be paying lots of attention to your examples. 

I was the same way! I am a confessed carbaholic! Entering the food in the journal helped me see where I was getting them. One thing since you like sandwiches, double up on your meat and veggies, but just use the two pieces of bread. I used to eat 2 sandwiches at lunch, now I eat a double on just the 2 pieces of bread. Also, same thing with wraps. Tortillas are high in carbs, so double up on the meat and veggies using the one tortilla! Water is an aquired taste, lol. i don't have a problem with it anymore. You may want to pick up some of those flavor packets to help you gain an appreciation for the water and what it does for you. Learned on this site that water retention is due to your not drinking enough water so the body thinks it is dehydrated so it holds onto the water. This made all the sense and ever since I made the effort to drink the water, I see the weight coming off.