Tuesday, January 16, 2007
'30-In-30' Challenge Week 24 Update
Ahoy mates and welcome to the ever-exciting Week 24 in the "30-In-30" Low-Carb Weight Loss Challenge! Ever since the new year came roaring in a few weeks ago, I have been getting e-mail after e-mail from tons of new people wanting to join the fun we are having losing weight the healthy low-carb way. So, when this 30 weeks is up, I'll probably start another one in March. Stay tuned!
My weight has hit the brakes in recent weeks hovering right around the 220-pound mark. I'm not sure what's going on, although I did have another bout with a cold about a week or so ago that kept me away from the gym for several days in a row. Like I said before, I'm not gonna let this ruin all the hard work I've invested to get where I am today--heck, I've STILL lost 190 pounds overall, which is no small feat. So, let me be straight with you--I'm NOT discouraged! :)
Here's my official weigh-in day tally for this week:
It was another push week with no weight lost. But that also means I didn't gain any weight, so I consider that progress. One of the things I don't like about the weight loss tool I recently told you about called "The Google 15" is that they consider ZERO weight loss a bad thing.
The message reads "Danger! You are moving away from your weight loss goal!" Um, call me a stickler, but isn't ZERO a neutral number--as in NO weight loss and NO weight gain? So why is ZERO such a bad thing within the context of weight loss?
Sure, the goal is to actually bring the scale down and lose weight, but why do we berate ourselves when we experience a steady week? We use phrases like "I've stalled" or "I guess I've hit a plateau" as if these are inherently bad things that are devastating to us.
Come on, people! Aren't there better things to worry about?!
Even a slight weight GAIN is not the end of the world. When you think about this weight loss journey as a continuing timeline that will last for the rest of your long and healthy life, then a silly little gain or zilch weight loss in a week isn't gonna ruin everything you've done to get where you are today.
Keep the big picture in your mind at all times and you'll never lose focus.
I know how hard it can be when you still have 25, 50, 100 or even 200 pounds to lose for you to see the weight just stop. But you really need to get over it already. These things happen, but they shouldn't change your attitude about what you need to do. Keep your eye on the ball by continuing on with the program.
For the life of me, I've never understood this little game we like to play with ourselves when we are trying to lose weight that goes a little something like this--you start a weight loss plan, you lose a few pounds, the weight loss slows or stops, you get frustrated and end up eating something off the plan to comfort yourself, you feel guilty about splurging and think you've failed on your diet, so you surmise that since you've already messed up that you should just give up on it for good.
CAN I GET A WITNESS ANYONE?!?!?!
How many times must we put ourselves through that torturous process before we let it sink into our thick skulls that weight loss isn't about the here and now--it's about our future. Those extra years you will be adding to your life that will enable you to be with your family that much longer. The quality of life that will be vastly improved when your health is finally in order. Your sense of confidence and general well-being boosted higher than you ever thought possible. These are the realities that await you!
Do you REALLY want that? Is this something you have hoped and dreamed for your entire life but it has always eluded you in the past? Then make up your mind right now that you will stop living in the here and now with your weight loss mindset and start thinking long-term about what you are doing for yourself. It'll make the difference between whether you successfully shed the pounds for good or continue to toil in obesity la-la land.
Weight loss can and should be LIFECHANGING for so many people. When I started out at 410 pounds in January 2004, I honestly had no idea the incredible experience that was about to happen to me. All I knew is that I needed to lose weight and FAST! My weight and health were arguably at the breaking point of no return for me, so it was crucial that I did something immediately or suffer the consequences.
Thank God I started livin' la vida low-carb and my life will never be the same again. I can stand up today and proclaim that 190 pounds are off of my body forever! WOO HOO! Yip-yip-yippee! B-bye fat boy and hello Mr. Skinny Man!
Yes, I'm proud of the weight I have lost and it's an awesome feeling I have to remind myself of day in and day out. Even I have bad days sometimes thinking I really don't feel like a success or that I'm teetering on the edge of slipping back into that obese man I once was again.
When this happens, all I have to do is reflect on what I have been through over the past three years and I can't help but smile. That grin from ear to ear brings it all in perspective for me as I call to mind what I went through to get where I am today.
Sure, there were time I could have given up in 2004--when the pain of exercising got to be worse than I expected, when my weight loss stopped for 10 weeks in a row, when I looked at myself in the mirror and didn't feel like I was getting skinnier--but I didn't lose hope. Now, look at me in 2007--healthy, vibrant, and wildly passionate about living life to the fullest.
I'm livin' la vida low-carb, baby! :D
Keep your head held high and your commitment to low-carb living strong in 2007. If you promise yourself RIGHT NOW that you will see this thing through to the very end, then you can't help but experience the same kind of weight loss success that I did and even GREATER! And that will enable you to keep the weight off forever! YOU CAN DO IT and I'm happy to help you get there. NEVER GIVE UP!
So, how was your Week 24? We are quickly approaching the end of this first "30-In-30", but a lot of you have gotten quiet lately. It's kinda eerie when I don't hear from you because it makes me wonder what happened. Are you still doing it or have you gotten discouraged from a weight stall or weight gain like I discussed today? It's okay, we've all been there.
But remember I care about each and every one of you and want to see you become the weight loss champion that you deserve to be! Don't be ashamed if you have not done as well as you had hoped. Share your thoughts, concerns, and challenges with us all. We're here to help each other as we seek to lose the weight--FOR GOOD!
You comments and questions (which can be anonymous if you would like) are welcomed below. :)
My weight has hit the brakes in recent weeks hovering right around the 220-pound mark. I'm not sure what's going on, although I did have another bout with a cold about a week or so ago that kept me away from the gym for several days in a row. Like I said before, I'm not gonna let this ruin all the hard work I've invested to get where I am today--heck, I've STILL lost 190 pounds overall, which is no small feat. So, let me be straight with you--I'm NOT discouraged! :)
Here's my official weigh-in day tally for this week:
It was another push week with no weight lost. But that also means I didn't gain any weight, so I consider that progress. One of the things I don't like about the weight loss tool I recently told you about called "The Google 15" is that they consider ZERO weight loss a bad thing.
The message reads "Danger! You are moving away from your weight loss goal!" Um, call me a stickler, but isn't ZERO a neutral number--as in NO weight loss and NO weight gain? So why is ZERO such a bad thing within the context of weight loss?
Sure, the goal is to actually bring the scale down and lose weight, but why do we berate ourselves when we experience a steady week? We use phrases like "I've stalled" or "I guess I've hit a plateau" as if these are inherently bad things that are devastating to us.
Come on, people! Aren't there better things to worry about?!
Even a slight weight GAIN is not the end of the world. When you think about this weight loss journey as a continuing timeline that will last for the rest of your long and healthy life, then a silly little gain or zilch weight loss in a week isn't gonna ruin everything you've done to get where you are today.
Keep the big picture in your mind at all times and you'll never lose focus.
I know how hard it can be when you still have 25, 50, 100 or even 200 pounds to lose for you to see the weight just stop. But you really need to get over it already. These things happen, but they shouldn't change your attitude about what you need to do. Keep your eye on the ball by continuing on with the program.
For the life of me, I've never understood this little game we like to play with ourselves when we are trying to lose weight that goes a little something like this--you start a weight loss plan, you lose a few pounds, the weight loss slows or stops, you get frustrated and end up eating something off the plan to comfort yourself, you feel guilty about splurging and think you've failed on your diet, so you surmise that since you've already messed up that you should just give up on it for good.
CAN I GET A WITNESS ANYONE?!?!?!
How many times must we put ourselves through that torturous process before we let it sink into our thick skulls that weight loss isn't about the here and now--it's about our future. Those extra years you will be adding to your life that will enable you to be with your family that much longer. The quality of life that will be vastly improved when your health is finally in order. Your sense of confidence and general well-being boosted higher than you ever thought possible. These are the realities that await you!
Do you REALLY want that? Is this something you have hoped and dreamed for your entire life but it has always eluded you in the past? Then make up your mind right now that you will stop living in the here and now with your weight loss mindset and start thinking long-term about what you are doing for yourself. It'll make the difference between whether you successfully shed the pounds for good or continue to toil in obesity la-la land.
Weight loss can and should be LIFECHANGING for so many people. When I started out at 410 pounds in January 2004, I honestly had no idea the incredible experience that was about to happen to me. All I knew is that I needed to lose weight and FAST! My weight and health were arguably at the breaking point of no return for me, so it was crucial that I did something immediately or suffer the consequences.
Thank God I started livin' la vida low-carb and my life will never be the same again. I can stand up today and proclaim that 190 pounds are off of my body forever! WOO HOO! Yip-yip-yippee! B-bye fat boy and hello Mr. Skinny Man!
Yes, I'm proud of the weight I have lost and it's an awesome feeling I have to remind myself of day in and day out. Even I have bad days sometimes thinking I really don't feel like a success or that I'm teetering on the edge of slipping back into that obese man I once was again.
When this happens, all I have to do is reflect on what I have been through over the past three years and I can't help but smile. That grin from ear to ear brings it all in perspective for me as I call to mind what I went through to get where I am today.
Sure, there were time I could have given up in 2004--when the pain of exercising got to be worse than I expected, when my weight loss stopped for 10 weeks in a row, when I looked at myself in the mirror and didn't feel like I was getting skinnier--but I didn't lose hope. Now, look at me in 2007--healthy, vibrant, and wildly passionate about living life to the fullest.
I'm livin' la vida low-carb, baby! :D
Keep your head held high and your commitment to low-carb living strong in 2007. If you promise yourself RIGHT NOW that you will see this thing through to the very end, then you can't help but experience the same kind of weight loss success that I did and even GREATER! And that will enable you to keep the weight off forever! YOU CAN DO IT and I'm happy to help you get there. NEVER GIVE UP!
So, how was your Week 24? We are quickly approaching the end of this first "30-In-30", but a lot of you have gotten quiet lately. It's kinda eerie when I don't hear from you because it makes me wonder what happened. Are you still doing it or have you gotten discouraged from a weight stall or weight gain like I discussed today? It's okay, we've all been there.
But remember I care about each and every one of you and want to see you become the weight loss champion that you deserve to be! Don't be ashamed if you have not done as well as you had hoped. Share your thoughts, concerns, and challenges with us all. We're here to help each other as we seek to lose the weight--FOR GOOD!
You comments and questions (which can be anonymous if you would like) are welcomed below. :)
Labels: 30-in-30, challenge, discouraged, inspiration, low-carb, motivation, weight loss
# posted by Jimmy Moore @ 1/16/2007 09:28:00 AM 
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Jimmy, some of us measure our losses in ounces, not pounds, because we are such slow losers. We even see gains because of water retention, but we hang in there! Why? Because we have improved our health so tremendously, and we do not want to go back to that horrible feeling we have when we eat too many carbs. We have stabilized out blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, we have gotten rid of our indigestion, we can walk without wheezing, our arthritis doesn't hurt nearly as bad! I could go on and on. We also see losses in other ways, such as our clothes fitting better, no matter what the scale says. Zero loss on the scale doesn't necessarily mean zero loss of fat! It just means that the scale isn't registering our loss for whatever reason (muscle gain, water weight, wonky scales, etc.)No reason to jump off the deep end (eating carbs) just because we are at a standstill, or even have a small gain. It's just not worth it!
Love your blogs, Jimmy.
Love your blogs, Jimmy.
# posted by 
: 1/16/2007 11:49 AM
: 1/16/2007 11:49 AM
Jimmy, You certainly have accomplished an immense goal and should be very proud. I hope your weight loss continues and I would like to suggest that perhaps this stall would be a time to return to the basics and reread Dr. Atkins book or whichever plan you prefer. I know that each time I read it, I take away something that I just was not quite ready to get previously. Of course, given the energy you display in your blog, you may have already done this. Your blog is a blessing for those of us trying to lose weight. Thank you.
# posted by : 1/16/2007 12:07 PM
: 1/16/2007 12:07 PM
THANKS, that's GREAT advice! I do that often just to stay grounded in what I am doing. Like I said, I'm not discouraged because I'm not gaining! :)
I appreciate your very kind words.
I appreciate your very kind words.
I'm up 3-1/2 lbs this week, due to fluid retention, which I blame on being away from home for 2 days and needing to eat at restaurants.
I stayed away from all of the obvious sugars and starches, and -ate only what seemed to be "safe". And yet, I was still getting the waves of hunger and sleepiness starting within an hour after eating. These are the symptoms I always get when I've had some sort of sugars and starches, intentional or not, so the fluid retention isn't just from the excess salt in restaurant foods - If it had just been from the extra salt, the fluid would be gone by now, since I returned home 3 days ago already.
Anyhow, now I'm back where I was almost a week before Christmas, and yes I'm quite disgusted - not so much with myself, even though I really hate this bloated feeling. No, I'm more disguested with the "system" that makes it pretty much impossible to eat a restaurant meal without hidden sugars and starches. (I'll spare everyone the long boring details here, they're in my blog)
I know it'll go away eventually, but it's just the thing of backtracking, because restaurants won't use real food that's not mucked up with a bunch of junk. I even dropped weight when I was sick a couple weeks ago, which causes most people to gain weight. But eat out a couple times (very carefully, at that!) and Wham! I'm right back up there again.
I just keep reminding myself that I'm doing this primarily to feel better and avoid the roller-coaster sugar highs and lows, and that losing some of this excess tonnage is just a nice side effect of eating low carb.
(By the way Jimmy, you're welcome to add my blog to your list over there in the sidebar)
I stayed away from all of the obvious sugars and starches, and -ate only what seemed to be "safe". And yet, I was still getting the waves of hunger and sleepiness starting within an hour after eating. These are the symptoms I always get when I've had some sort of sugars and starches, intentional or not, so the fluid retention isn't just from the excess salt in restaurant foods - If it had just been from the extra salt, the fluid would be gone by now, since I returned home 3 days ago already.
Anyhow, now I'm back where I was almost a week before Christmas, and yes I'm quite disgusted - not so much with myself, even though I really hate this bloated feeling. No, I'm more disguested with the "system" that makes it pretty much impossible to eat a restaurant meal without hidden sugars and starches. (I'll spare everyone the long boring details here, they're in my blog)
I know it'll go away eventually, but it's just the thing of backtracking, because restaurants won't use real food that's not mucked up with a bunch of junk. I even dropped weight when I was sick a couple weeks ago, which causes most people to gain weight. But eat out a couple times (very carefully, at that!) and Wham! I'm right back up there again.
I just keep reminding myself that I'm doing this primarily to feel better and avoid the roller-coaster sugar highs and lows, and that losing some of this excess tonnage is just a nice side effect of eating low carb.
(By the way Jimmy, you're welcome to add my blog to your list over there in the sidebar)
Week 20 Checking in..........
another 3 pound loss for me.
I also get frustrated with the restaurant meal also so I stick to the safe bets.
Even asked on about SOUP, I found that it was frutose in it after I insisted that the waitress aske the cook......darn I really wanted soap on the cold day too but I didn't go there!!!
After my 5 pound gain, I am back on track at 20.5 pounds for week 20.
I am hoping next week gives me another big one to make up ground but I am happy with the way things going anyway.
Everyone have another great week.
Wanda
(this is the second time I tried to post it so if it shows up Jimmmy, just ignore this one!!)
another 3 pound loss for me.
I also get frustrated with the restaurant meal also so I stick to the safe bets.
Even asked on about SOUP, I found that it was frutose in it after I insisted that the waitress aske the cook......darn I really wanted soap on the cold day too but I didn't go there!!!
After my 5 pound gain, I am back on track at 20.5 pounds for week 20.
I am hoping next week gives me another big one to make up ground but I am happy with the way things going anyway.
Everyone have another great week.
Wanda
(this is the second time I tried to post it so if it shows up Jimmmy, just ignore this one!!)
# posted by : 1/16/2007 10:12 PM
: 1/16/2007 10:12 PM
UGH! Hi Jimmy,
Had to write in and say - keep up, cause your positive vibes help me too!!! I've been pretty sick here in Ohio, and not doing too well. I've gained at least 5 lbs and I need to get back on track again. I am trailing behind....my head has been hurting as well - sinus problems. I brought in some yogurt - low carb of course and fruit today. I just had egg and sausage. Need to get my focus back- Thanks for being there!
Mo
Had to write in and say - keep up, cause your positive vibes help me too!!! I've been pretty sick here in Ohio, and not doing too well. I've gained at least 5 lbs and I need to get back on track again. I am trailing behind....my head has been hurting as well - sinus problems. I brought in some yogurt - low carb of course and fruit today. I just had egg and sausage. Need to get my focus back- Thanks for being there!
Mo
# posted by : 1/17/2007 8:34 AM
: 1/17/2007 8:34 AM
Hey Wanda and Mo! Ya'll hang in there because you are still moving in the right direction overall. Keep at it! :)
I just stumbled upon your blog, Jimmy, and I love it! You're doing great.
I lost 60 pounds from low-carb eating, starting in 2003 and ending in late 2004. I've hovered right around 160 since then and haven't maintained the commitment to low carb or to exercise, hence why I haven't been losing. Fortunately I haven't gained back any weight.
I decided this year to work on getting to 140. So, after reading about your 30-in-30, I think I will aim for "20-in-20."
I've started going to the gym again (first time in a while last week, and 2nd time will be today). And I'm going to try to shift away from some of the higher carb foods I've gotten into and start eating more low-carb options.
I lost 60 pounds from low-carb eating, starting in 2003 and ending in late 2004. I've hovered right around 160 since then and haven't maintained the commitment to low carb or to exercise, hence why I haven't been losing. Fortunately I haven't gained back any weight.
I decided this year to work on getting to 140. So, after reading about your 30-in-30, I think I will aim for "20-in-20."
I've started going to the gym again (first time in a while last week, and 2nd time will be today). And I'm going to try to shift away from some of the higher carb foods I've gotten into and start eating more low-carb options.
# posted by : 1/17/2007 6:01 PM
: 1/17/2007 6:01 PM
Welcome to my blog, Kelly, and THANKS for dropping by! I'm so happy to hear you will be joining us in this challenge to lose a pound a week. It gets a lot tougher as you get closer to your goal, so hang in there. CONGRATULATIONS on your amazing weight loss so far! :)
By the way, you might want to check out my "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog for more blogs from me about low-carb living. Don't be a stranger...let us hear updates from you often and feel free to share your wisdom about low-carb anytime. SEE YA!
By the way, you might want to check out my "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog for more blogs from me about low-carb living. Don't be a stranger...let us hear updates from you often and feel free to share your wisdom about low-carb anytime. SEE YA!
Hi Jimmy,
It is so funny that you wrote about stalls this week. I was chuckling to myself. I have been stalled for about 2 months after losing 22 pounds. I joined Kimkins this week and began a Bootcamp Challenge on Monday to lose 10 pounds in 10 days. I really want to meet my 30 in 30 goal! I was very excited and commited and waited with baited breath for the pounds to start flying off. Well, today is day three and no weight loss so far. Tonight I really wanted to pack it in. Not eat anything high carb, because that is not my way of eating anymore, but to just go off this very basic and boring bootcamp menu. But I didn't. I am hanging in there for the long haul. Yeah to me!!! I am going to do this and I WILL be one of the success stories.
Sherry
It is so funny that you wrote about stalls this week. I was chuckling to myself. I have been stalled for about 2 months after losing 22 pounds. I joined Kimkins this week and began a Bootcamp Challenge on Monday to lose 10 pounds in 10 days. I really want to meet my 30 in 30 goal! I was very excited and commited and waited with baited breath for the pounds to start flying off. Well, today is day three and no weight loss so far. Tonight I really wanted to pack it in. Not eat anything high carb, because that is not my way of eating anymore, but to just go off this very basic and boring bootcamp menu. But I didn't. I am hanging in there for the long haul. Yeah to me!!! I am going to do this and I WILL be one of the success stories.
Sherry
# posted by : 1/18/2007 7:56 PM
: 1/18/2007 7:56 PM
You keep at it, Sherry! You WILL get there, my friend. No gain is progress--that's my theme song. Losing is BONUS! :D
You keep at it, Sherry! You WILL get there, my friend. No gain is progress--that's my theme song. Losing is BONUS! :D
Back to reality, accountability and this challenge!
So, I officially weighed in this morning with a 12 pound weight gain. I probably gained more during the trip, but with no means to weigh myself. On the trips I've taken over the past few years, I've gained between 5 and 13 pounds and lost it all within 2 weeks of returning...so here goes!
I'm back on plan as of when I stepped aboard the airplane late Wednesday and feeling just fine so far.
So, I'm at 260/250/227 for the challenge at the moment, week 20, um, minus the past 2 weeks, that is.
-David
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So, I officially weighed in this morning with a 12 pound weight gain. I probably gained more during the trip, but with no means to weigh myself. On the trips I've taken over the past few years, I've gained between 5 and 13 pounds and lost it all within 2 weeks of returning...so here goes!
I'm back on plan as of when I stepped aboard the airplane late Wednesday and feeling just fine so far.
So, I'm at 260/250/227 for the challenge at the moment, week 20, um, minus the past 2 weeks, that is.
-David
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