Introduction

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Julie Snowshoe - 05 Mar 2004 20:15 GMT

I have been reading this ng for about 3 weeks and have really enjoyed
the posts. I've learned a lot and get a sense of real support for each
other so I thought I'd introduce myself and join the party. My husband
and I are both overweight. I've fought weight battles since I was in
high school and I'm 48 now so I'm familiar with dieting. Usually I diet
by watching calories and fat but have made the journey to Atkins WOL
once or twice. I just can't stay with Atkins so this time around we're
going for the reduced calories/fat and increased exercise routine. We
began around February 1st and I weighed 245 (at 5'10") and my husband
was 275 (at 5'11/43 y/o). We bought a treadmill on February 10th and
have used it almost daily since then. We are now at 230 and 265. After
reading posts here I visited FitDay and immediately decided to buy the
PC version which I've been using since around February 15th. It is very
enlightening to see what we are actually eating, despite thinking we
were eating healthy. I set us both goals of 30 lbs weight loss by the
middle of June so we now have 15 lbs and 25 lbs respectively. I'm
following caloric recommendations of Fitday and we're both walking 1.5
miles/day at 3.5 mph with 3% incline.

Problems I've encountered are primarily with my husband. He is a picky
eater and doesn't like vegetables. He was made to eat everything on his
plate when a child and now hates anything green with the exception of
lettuce and asparagus. Also, he leaves for work at 5:30 am, I don't
leave until 8:30 am so I don't get up with him in the mornings so he
doesn't get a good breakfast. Actually, he's a horrible eater! If I
don't pack a lunch for him he'll eat several bags of chips from the
vending machines and call is lunch. When he gets home from work if I'm
not home he'll rummage for something to eat and a block of cheese that
was intended for the week is gone in no time. I need to find easy to
prepare foods that he can grab when I'm not there. I don't have trouble
making his lunches most days (but I work too and come home tired some
nights and can barely make dinner).

Anyway, that is more information than I had intended to share. I just
wanted to say hello and let you know that I'm enjoying your posts and
look forward to joining in on the discussions.

Julie

Reply to this Message

Paul - 05 Mar 2004 22:07 GMT

3.5.2004

Hello Julie,

First off congratulations on setting a goal and for moving toward it by
losing the fifteen pounds so far. You husband should be happy he has lost
the ten pounds too. It sounds like you are better focused then he is right
now. A lot of guys aren't so concerned about their weight and health as
much as woman, at least that's my take on it.

I use to be just like your husband and would eat all the wrong foods. It
took getting injured in an accident and almost being immobile that I decided
to turn my life around. Through exercise and good eating I've lost ninety
pounds and hope to lose another thirty-five pounds. Some things that I've
started eating that you may try to see if you husband might try eating is,
whipped yogurt in different flavors, cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots
dipped in a light ranch dressing. I have a couple of slices of turkey on a
slice of whole grain bread for lunch, with veggies, and fruit. Maybe you
can ask your husband to try these things. If you can pull it off, ask him
to try for thirty days to eat healthy foods, smaller portions than he's use
to. You can prepare or better yet have him prepare his lunch the night
before, and put it in a Tupperware bowl.

I've never really followed any diet plan. One trip to a dietician put me
on the right track to eating better. I also walk four miles a day and use a
stairclimber or an elliptical machine and hour a day and do these things
five days a week.

I hope your husband and you continue with exercise and diet and wish you
both much weight loss.

Paul
300/210/175

> I have been reading this ng for about 3 weeks and have really enjoyed
> the posts. I've learned a lot and get a sense of real support for each
[quoted text clipped - 34 lines]
>
> Julie

Reply to this Message

Julie Snowshoe - 06 Mar 2004 03:36 GMT

> 3.5.2004
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> now. A lot of guys aren't so concerned about their weight and health as
> much as woman, at least that's my take on it.

Thank you Paul for the welcome. I am pleased to have lost the fifteen pounds and
it keeps me motivated to continue with the exercise. I've even bought a nice
pedometer and plan to walk a mile during lunch each day. I work on a university
campus so I have great places to walk and we even have tunnels between 4
buildings so I can walk when its raining. My goal is to walk 3 miles on the
treadmill each day and one mile during the day.

Interestingly, my husband has the motivation to lose weight. His hobby, his
passion is driving a race car which is a small formula car that has a minimum
weight restriction of 800 lbs. with driver. Presently, he comes across the
scales at around 890. A car with 85 horsepower is severely handicapped when
you're carrying 90 lbs more than anyone else. I think the problem is a
combination of stress at work and support. He has the support now because I've
changed my focus from his diet to my diet. (Previously I tried to help him but I
would sabotage his efforts because of my splurges.)

> I use to be just like your husband and would eat all the wrong foods. It
> took getting injured in an accident and almost being immobile that I decided
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> to. You can prepare or better yet have him prepare his lunch the night
> before, and put it in a Tupperware bowl.

You're an inspiration to me and I really enjoy reading about you and others in
this group who have managed to lose so much weight. You have a good idea about
the raw veggies. He will eat those. I have a small, 6-pack refrigerator at
work which I stocked today with baby carrots, celery and yogurt. It fits under
my desk without getting in the way. I should go buy one for him to put under his
desk. I'll do that this weekend.

> I've never really followed any diet plan. One trip to a dietician put me
> on the right track to eating better. I also walk four miles a day and use a
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> I hope your husband and you continue with exercise and diet and wish you
> both much weight loss.

Thank you again for the warm welcome.
Julie

Reply to this Message

Dally - 07 Mar 2004 02:18 GMT

> Problems I've encountered are primarily with my husband. He is a picky
> eater and doesn't like vegetables. He was made to eat everything on his
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> making his lunches most days (but I work too and come home tired some
> nights and can barely make dinner).

Let him stay fat.

Seriously, he's a grown-up. If he can't be bothered to make any effort
at all unless his Mommy packs him a lunch and makes him breakfast, give
it up. You can't make someone you love WANT to lose weight and until
they WANT to and DECIDE to they absolutely will not.

Sorry.

Dally

Reply to this Message

Ignoramus21472 - 07 Mar 2004 04:00 GMT

> Seriously, he's a grown-up. If he can't be bothered to make any effort
> at all unless his Mommy packs him a lunch and makes him breakfast, give
> it up. You can't make someone you love WANT to lose weight and until
> they WANT to and DECIDE to they absolutely will not.

Hate to admit it, but I do pack my wife's lunch and breakfast, at her
request. I do try to put healthy but tasty stuff in there.

i

Reply to this Message

Beverly - 07 Mar 2004 15:32 GMT

> I have been reading this ng for about 3 weeks and have really enjoyed
> the posts. I've learned a lot and get a sense of real support for each
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> following caloric recommendations of Fitday and we're both walking 1.5
> miles/day at 3.5 mph with 3% incline.

Welcome Julie and congratulations on the weight loss - you're off to a good
start.

I have the PC version of Fitday and love it. I used the online version for
a few years and found it very convienent but love the additional features in
the PC version.

Maybe you could get your husband to fix some oatmeal for his breakfast. I
pop it in the microwave with protein powder and flax seed. I usually do
this at the office but also at home. It's a quick and easy breakfast for
around 200 calories.

I look forward to reading about your progress.

Beverly

> Problems I've encountered are primarily with my husband. He is a picky
> eater and doesn't like vegetables. He was made to eat everything on his
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Julie

Reply to this Message