Comments on: They Don’t Call it a Confessional For Nothing

By: BikiniMe

BikiniMe — Wed, 14 May 2008 18:04:44 +0000

Hey Jen, the most important thing is the doing, not the logging.

HUGS!

By: Cammy

Cammy — Wed, 14 May 2008 00:17:11 +0000

Don’t sell yourself short! You’ve learned A LOT in 75 lbs! And you’re doing the right things. Mostly.

Something I’m wondering: is it necessary for you to record things as you’re doing now? I use a small weekly appointment calendar and each day I write down the number of minutes exercised and what I did. On weigh-in day, I write my weight. I even write “Rest Day” on the day I didn’t exercise. LOL Anyway, it takes me seconds to do this. For food, I write down only any non-healthy-ish things, like Cake Day.

Obviously not every method is for everyone, but it sounds like you’re really searching for a simpler way. I hope you find it! Soon!

By: Megan

Megan — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:33:51 +0000

Hi!! I use a program called Fitday to log my exercise and calories and measurements. If you buy the actual program it’s got a bunch of features but you can try it for free at http://www.fitday.com. You should give it a try….it may make things a bit easier!

By: justoofat

justoofat — Tue, 13 May 2008 11:07:36 +0000

Louise: I appreciate your insight and advice. I think you are definitely right about the exercise thing — In many ways it’s *still* about will power for me. As for my husband, *most* of the time he is incredibly supportive. I think he genuinely tries to help me stay on track, though sometimes he fails miserably. I suppose we’re *both* learning and I have to be patient with him too.

Rithban: I have to agree that being a selfish bastard has nothing to do with gender… we *all* display that tendency every once in awhile — some of us just more than others. That said, I also agree that it’s unfair to expect your needs to be met if you’re unwilling to communicate those needs. I don’t think I fall into that category. I realize that telling *him* is far more effective than telling all of you. :)

Andrew: I totally agree. I shudder to think where I’d be now without the blog. It’s been a lifeline for me on more than one occasion.

Paola: I agree that the walking is beneficial and I’m thrilled to be doing it… but I’m at the point where I want to start building a bit of muscle. I’ve lost 75lbs and yet my measurements (especially in the stomach area) have barely changed. I don’t want to *stop* walking — I just want to add something more to my regiment. I just haven’t figured out what yet.

Thanks everyone!
j

By: Paola

Paola — Tue, 13 May 2008 09:12:14 +0000

Walking is actually good enough exercise. 10,000 (brisk) steps is recommended.

You’re carrying more weight and so – think about it – you’re effectively lifting weights while you walk. As you get lighter, you can consider doing more traditional exercisey things but I think your daily 10,000 steps is making a significant difference to your heart and bones as well as helping you lose weight.

By: AndrewE

AndrewE — Tue, 13 May 2008 08:30:19 +0000

It is hard at times and sometimes it is overwhelming. I’ve found my blog really helps me keep focused but I do know what you mean.

By: Rithban

Rithban — Tue, 13 May 2008 05:22:12 +0000

Louise is right on with the husband thing (being one myself). A normal, average man wants to please his wife, but usually needs something concrete to do. Worse, “joe average” can’t read minds. Even if his wife just wants some time together, she frequently needs to say, “Just sit here on the couch and hold my hand.”

The good news is that men *can* be trained to know what their wives want, despite all appearance to the contrary. :)

“Some men are stubborn bastards that only think of themselves.”
True. I don’t count them in the “normal, average man” category. Still, that’s a human failing generally, not a Y chromosome failing. I doubt Louise was suggesting that there are no stubborn witches in the world. :)

By: Louise

Louise — Tue, 13 May 2008 05:01:39 +0000

Schedule a set time for your exercise – put it in the diary, or whatever, and just do it. Same as you brush your teeth or have a shower (one hopes!). Or a meeting that you have to attend. It’s just something that has to be done, and before too long you’ll miss it when you have to skip it for some reason.

About the husband – men work differently to what we do (in case you hadn’t figured that out already, haha). They need a job to do; to feel useful. A goal. You need to tell him that you need him to help you in this weight-loss thing. You can’t do it without his full support and committment. You need him to help you eat better. You need to tell him that when he eats junk food in front of you, then he is saying that what you are striving for isn’t important.

Don’t bog him down in details (counting calories, for eg) but general guidelines: green stuff on the plate is good, deep-fried stuff isn’t. Does he cook? If he’s open to the idea, try working your way through some recipes together.

And good luck. Some men are stubborn bastards that only think of themselves. I really hope that you have one of the other sort…