Quiz: What's your plan, and why do you like it?

[Mary Ann]

There are a gazillion different ways to do this. Some work really well for a lot of people, others don't. Often I find the selected approach is as unique as the people using it.

1. What's your plan? In other words, how do you plan to accomplish your goals?

2. And what do you like best about it?

3. Does it have a downside to you? If it does, how do you deal with that?

4. In addition to weight loss, do you also plan to address general fitness? If you do, how do you plan to do that?

5. Do you have any short term rewards in mind to help you keep going along the way?

6. Did you ever try this particular approach before? How did it work for you? How did you get de-railed? How do you intend to prevent that de-railment in the future?

7. What long term rewards do you anticipate? Name as many as you like.

[LoriB]

1. What's your plan? In other words, how do you plan to accomplish your goals?

I always know what to do, it is only a matter of doing it. When I cut out carbs (complex, not simple, like fruits and veggies), the weight slides off of me. I KNOW this, yet, I don't always do it. So, I will be cutting those carbs, such as bread, pasta, potatoes, etc, to the bone. Not cutting them out, because I cannot live my whole life that way.

2. And what do you like best about it?
I like that I know it is successful. Each body type is different, and there is no one "diet" that works. And, NO diet works unless you "work it". You must give yourself a break, though when you mess up. It is not an excuse to go all out.

3. Does it have a downside to you? If it does, how do you deal with that?
For me, the only downside is when I mess up....and keep messing upf or weeks until I take my next measurement and realize I wasted a month.

4. In addition to weight loss, do you also plan to address general fitness? If you do, how do you plan to do that?
Absolutely. I always do the treadmill, so that will continue, although at a faster pace. I finally got a bike, so that when I kids ask to go bike riding, I can join them. It is a ton of fun that I had forgotten about! I am also planning on doing (with modifications), the P90X fitness program.

5. Do you have any short term rewards in mind to help you keep going along the way?
Nothing planned yet.

6. Did you ever try this particular approach before? How did it work for you? How did you get de-railed? How do you intend to prevent that de-railment in the future?
Yes, and it has worked well for me. Laziness gets me derailed. But this time, I have taken before pictures. In a bathing suit. They are powerful motivation. Yuck.

7. What long term rewards do you anticipate? Name as many as you like.
Better health, although my blood pressure, cholesterol, etc are already excellent. I love it when I look good, and it has been years since that happened. I won't be the fat mom, LOL!!

[DorothyB]

1. What's your plan? In other words, how do you plan to accomplish your goals? I will probably do my variation of the "Live-It" plan. This is a christian plan based on the diabetic exchanges. It focuses on a healthy balance of the various food groups, exercise, plenty of water and daily Bible study. I would like to do it without tracking my food each day, but not sure that will work as effectively. I going to try starting with good choices and the second week I don't lose my "goal" amount for the week, I will start tracking. I adapted the plan by adding more carbs and I allow myself limited sweets.

2. And what do you like best about it? I think it is healthy and balanced, it is something a person could do for the rest of their lives without undue difficulty

3. Does it have a downside to you? If it does, how do you deal with that? If I have to do the tracking, that is time-consuming and I am such a nerd that I have to recalculate everything - if it says a slice of bread is one "bread", I have to do the calories, carbs, fat & protein breakdown and record it "correctly" (.8 bread, etc).

4. In addition to weight loss, do you also plan to address general fitness? If you do, how do you plan to do that? I intend to take baby steps in many areas of my life. The "live-it" plan includes exercise, etc so technically addresses all areas of fitness. I plan to increase my daily physical activity as well as "exercise" (walking, exercise bike, etc). I also plan to be more diligent about getting my 8 cups of water a day. I will begin buying more organic foods and, in general, making healthier choices most of the time. My stress level also affects my physical health, so I am working to keep the rest of my life more in order and reduce my overall stress. I'm also going to the doctor for check-up and follow-up from my physical that was over a year ago.

5. Do you have any short term rewards in mind to help you keep going along the way? I have weekly goals and seeing myself achieve those will be a reward.

6. Did you ever try this particular approach before? How did it work for you? How did you get de-railed? How do you intend to prevent that de-railment in the future? Yes, worked great - lost over 40#. Got de-railed when I started doing fast-food mystery shopping, so I was eating parts of TWO breakfasts or TWO lunches for a meal (drive-thru & dine-in) - and these were fast food, less healthy meals. Also switched to a more stressful position at work - and one of the ways I handle stress if eating. Then I fell and got a concussion which stopped what exercise I was still doing for several weeks and I never really got back into the habit. How to stop this from happening again? Well, at this point, I'm aware of how easily it could happen and I've seen how detrimental it is.

7. What long term rewards do you anticipate? Name as many as you like.
- better physical health; lower blood pressure; maybe preventing or lessening the circulation problems my father has that I see possibly starting to show up in my body; preventing adult onset diabetes that I could likely have since my mother had it and we have the same body types; be able to be more active and do things (like horseback riding) better
- better emotional health; I will feel better about myself and will be more able to do the things that are important to me
- stay alive and able to be physically active during retirement; be healthy enough to work as long as I want / need to and then be healthy enough to enjoy retirement

[Newfygirl]

1. What's your plan? In other words, how do you plan to accomplish your goals?

Well, my plan was that I had joined American Beauty (just like Curves) but now the owner closed it because she is going to jail for extortion of money from a previous job. She took 94,000 from her old job, but to her credit paid it back. I really think its a case of a good person getting caught up so far she couldn't turn back. I feel bad for her. Anyway...now I need a new plan.

2. And what do you like best about it?

What I liked best about it was that 4 of us would meet there 3 mornings a week- talking away a 30 minute workout makes it seem more like 10 minutes.

3. Does it have a downside to you? If it does, how do you deal with that?

See #1

4. In addition to weight loss, do you also plan to address general fitness? If you do, how do you plan to do that?

I need a new plan.

5. Do you have any short term rewards in mind to help you keep going along the way?

Well, I do have a pair of jeans that I really like and I want to fit into them without squishing myself into them.

6. Did you ever try this particular approach before? How did it work for you? How did you get de-railed? How do you intend to prevent that de-railment in the future?

I'm not sure.

7. What long term rewards do you anticipate? Name as many as you like.

Long term rewards of working out are endless...besides the weight loss and looking good, overall health and energy levels should improve.

All the above being said, I guess I should start using the treadmill that I bought my DH for Christmas. Even though the ground is frozen now, I should still walk the dogs for 30-60 minutes a day...

[Chrisnstar]

1. What's your plan? In other words, how do you plan to accomplish your goals?

Well, first I bought a bathroom scale. Haven't had one here for a long time, LOL. Didn't want to know.

I'm back to using FitDay religiously. It helps me so much. I THINK i'm not eating very much, but sometimes it's really a big surprise when I write it down! These days it's a good surprise.

I log my exercise and activities too and calculate the energy expended.

I didn't wait to lose weight to reward myself. I started buying pretty sexy underwear and nice jeans and tops and wearing makeup every day. Just looking better was a good boost to get me going.

I try to get in one hour of good exercise a day. If I don't ride and groom horses, or stack hay or something rigorous outside, then I'll use the health strider inside and one of my workout CDs.

2. And what do you like best about it?

It's do-able. i don't deny myself anything I really want to eat. I just eat a whole lot less of it. I'm eating a lot less sweet stuff, but still getting good whole grain carbs. I use whole wheat pasta instead of the white stuff, make mashed potatoes with the skins on, good heavy whole wheat breads, etc.

I even eat chocolate every day. Really good quality dark chocolate, barely sweet. I find I can eat one square and be completely sastisfied. If I eat sweet chocolate, I can't stop.

I cut out pop and going to fast food places. I used to go to McDonalds or Taco Bell or Sonic just about every time I went to town for errands or to the city to shop. Amazing when you look on their nutrition sites and see what you just ate.

I cut out evening ice cream with DH and replaced it with an orange.

3. Does it have a downside to you? If it does, how do you deal with that?

Not yet.

4. In addition to weight loss, do you also plan to address general fitness? If you do, how do you plan to do that?'

Oh yes, exercise exercise exercise. That has always been the key for me.

5. Do you have any short term rewards in mind to help you keep going along the way?

Reward myself in little ways. Just looking in the mirror and seeing two chins instead of three, LOL. Realizing that my boobs stick out over my tummy now instead of the tummy rounder than the boobs. And noticing the last time I rode Star I felt more agile, could ride the gallop longer, and even mount up from the ground!

6. Did you ever try this particular approach before? How did it work for you? How did you get de-railed? How do you intend to prevent that de-railment in the future?

Yes, paying attention to what and how much I eat and exercising a lot has always worked. I got derailed when I let my mind focus more on the life partner who was irritating me rather than on my own needs.

7. What long term rewards do you anticipate? Name as many as you like.

hahaha
sex
more energy
looking good in clothes again
not being embarrassed to undress in front of someone
being able to look in the mirror and smile
being a better rider for my horses
keeping up with the thinner gals on the trail

[Trailpal]

1. What's your plan? In other words, how do you plan to accomplish your goals?
I'm just getting serious now. I saw "You on a Diet" on "the learning channel" and thought, hey I could do this. I've ordered the book and dvd, and if the roads ever thaw, it should be arriving soon. It is created by a couple of doctors and seems to be based on eating sensibly and smart, and exercise.

2. And what do you like best about it?
Haven't started yet - but I like that you don't need a gym or special equipment for the exercise part, heck I can't even walk outside right now due to the ice/snow and idiot drivers. We have no stairs, or I could do the "oldfashioned stairclimber". This exercise uses your muscles and the floor (and maybe a wall).

3. Does it have a downside to you? If it does, how do you deal with that?
Can't tell yet, there is always a downside if you look hard enough LOL! I suspect it will be motivation, since its only a book, no real people to report to. So that is why this board couldn't have come at a better time! Y'all will be my "culture".

4. In addition to weight loss, do you also plan to address general fitness? If you do, how do you plan to do that?
A dvd comes with it, to demo the physical part. I also think I can jumprope in my stable (hay shed), it has rubber mats over dirt, so hopefully it won't make my knees worse. And I'm entertaining the idea of using a hula hoop - I hula-hooped as a teen and had great ab tone and a skinny waist! Gotta get smaller than a hula hoop first though

5. Do you have any short term rewards in mind to help you keep going along the way?
I'm thinking I will be thrilled to get my blood pressure down, I get palpitations sometimes and I know it's anxiety and weight. Maybe I'll treat myself to new pants or something. Maybe hubby and I will treat ourselves to a weekend at a fancy hotel somewhere?

6. Did you ever try this particular approach before? How did it work for you? How did you get de-railed? How do you intend to prevent that de-railment in the future?
Not this specific one. It seems that the second time I try a particular approach, it never works as well. Could be that I get impatient and want the results right now. I do think that at my age, I am playing with fire by being so overweight, and that should kind of keep me more focussed and realistic.

7. What long term rewards do you anticipate? Name as many as you like.

Feeling like being "more cozy" with my hubby
Not getting winded doing normal stuff.
BP issues gone and better overall health.
Better balance while riding - and doing a lot more riding!
Being able to dismount and mount without looking for a lump or rut.
Being able to ride a smaller horse if I want to.
Reduced knee pain.
Finding and wearing cute clothing.
Not getting so exhausted by the heat.
Not being sidelined because I don't trust my body.
Better mental health - dopamine/seratonin are linked to insulin & carb levels and I seem to be especially sensitive.

[Sheryl]

1. What's your plan? In other words, how do you plan to accomplish your goals?
I am following Weight Watchers (WW), which gives me structure. I use some of their tools and techniques, including the one where you layout a road map to achieve a goal. That works like a charm.
Every week I set 2-3 goals (not related to number of pounds to lose) such as how much activity, drinking water, etc. I also plan out dinner menus. I get overwhelmed if I think too much about the entire road ahead, but thinking in small increments is very do-able. I also try to remember the mantra "fitness is not a destination, it is a lifestyle".


2. And what do you like best about it?
For me, WW is very sensible and lets me eat foods I love. I hope it is teaching me longer term habits about making the tradeoffs, you can have your cake, but maybe not everyday and maybe not always with ice cream, you know what I mean?



3. Does it have a downside to you? If it does, how do you deal with that?
The only downside is that I need to go to the meetings to stay on track. I wished I could be more internally accountable, but for right now, the group support seems to be key. I am really afraid of falling off program and not being able to restart without that. That is why I don't skip meetings, even if I think I will gain.

4. In addition to weight loss, do you also plan to address general fitness? If you do, how do you plan to do that?
Absolutely. WW kind of drives you in the direction of a modest fat/carb type diet by the way the point system is set up. They also have rules about getting minimum veggies/ fruit, water and healthy oils. I am really trying to take that seriously so that I get the health benefits. Probably the biggest thing is increasing my activity level. I have made major strides in that area.


5. Do you have any short term rewards in mind to help you keep going along the way?
I have rewards planned for every five pounds lost, plus BIG rewards for more major milestones. My 5 pound rewards have been things like a pedicure, buying some new kitchen gadget I had been eyeing, etc. For me, starting driving horses was a planned reward for a major milestone.

6. Did you ever try this particular approach before? How did it work for you? How did you get de-railed? How do you intend to prevent that de-railment in the future?
I totally failed at Weight Watchers 2-3 times in the past. The worst failure was earlier this year when I did WW online and actually gained 12 pounds in 3 months.
It really is different, I am much more connected to the program, my leader and the support of the meetings. I also seem to understand or internalize the program alot better this time. Just like any other good "program", it works great if you actually follow it.

7. What long term rewards do you anticipate? Name as many as you like.
-I have already mentioned, starting driving Don.
-Resuming riding or riding lessons this spring
-Going to the equi-friends gathering this summer
-I am hoping to eliminate blood pressure medicine someday


I have already received the biggest rewards of all which is general health improvements and reduced joint and back pain. You have no idea how much better my life is now that my back is now longer debilitatingly painful.

I can haul my butt up the double flight of stairs at work, no problem. I can workout at the gym and feel okay. I just feel sooooo much better, overall.

[Mary Ann]

I'm just getting serious now. I saw "You on a Diet" on "the learning channel" and thought, hey I could do this.

Rosalie, you will LOVE "YOU: On A Diet!" Those guys are very sensible, have a great sense of humor and play, and have a terrific plan. This book rocks!

[DorothyB]

MaryAnn, what is your plan, etc??

[Mary Ann]

What I read in YOU: On A Diet made a ton of sense. Based on their suggestions I'm making sure that there's no HFCS in my diet, no white sugar/white flour, etc. But part of my issue is I've always been pretty good about this anyway, and I'm still fat. So I have to make other changes, including recording every single bite I take. It's best for me to be accountable. I'm doing the trial on thebestlife.com to see if it's worth it to me. For me, I'm hoping it'll make a difference that WW didn't make for me. I lost a bunch of weight on WW a few years back, but I didn't like the way I ended up making poor food choices just because they were less points. I really want to focus on nutrition first, not points or calories.

Not to say I don't think WW is a worthy plan; it's totally awesome! I just think I want something that more directly addresses my individual issues.

At least that's what I'm thinking today....

[Chrisnstar]

www.fitday.com/WebFit/Index.html

try this mary ann. It's so easy to customize

[Mary Ann]

I tried Fitday some time ago, and didn't like how they didn't have some of the things I was eating, and that it was frustrating to work up some of my recipes. I really like the Fitday concept though! The WW calculators seemed ever so much easier to use, but of course they're not free....

[Trailpal]

Thanks for the feedback on the You on a Diet, MA! I've seen a few things that look like fads, but this seemed to be the "real thing".

Chris - I'll take a look at FitDay, sometimes a gadget or technology will motivate me (I know, I'm a geek!)

[cherokee]

1. What's your plan? In other words, how do you plan to accomplish your goals?

I need to stock my frig and cubbards with liver-healthy foods and greens...and actually EAT them. When I get up from here, I'll go chop up my cucumbers. Another part of my "plan" is to try to quit eating out of convenience...even if it means waking up a half hour earlier so I can plan my food.

2. And what do you like best about it?

It's not about "dieting" but moreso to just be healthier so I'm not as witchy. I want to feel good in my clothes.

3. Does it have a downside to you? If it does, how do you deal with that? My schedule is weird and at work, everyone is always sipping pop, eating cookies, and munching on crackers-cheese its and what nots...and I'd rather be eating crackers than carrots.

4. In addition to weight loss, do you also plan to address general fitness? If you do, how do you plan to do that?

Wellll...I have a stall to clean now, and a horse to rub on. That's good upper body fitness. Plus, I really really really need to make myself get on the treadmill more. Blah. And on Friday's, I'll ride with Mary Ann

5. Do you have any short term rewards in mind to help you keep going along the way?

I have a pretty nightie that M gave me for Christmas sitting on my dresser to remind me to try to get more fit so I don't look like a marshmallow. I also decided to start tanning again. Being tan makes me feel slimmer, and seeing a tan start motivates me to eat better.

6. Did you ever try this particular approach before? How did it work for you? How did you get de-railed? How do you intend to prevent that de-railment in the future?

Sure it worked. Then I got married. I need to be choosier about what goes in my shopping cart and I need to plan my free time better.

7. What long term rewards do you anticipate? Name as many as you like.

Fitting into more of my jeans, looking good on Cash at the horse fair, being able to wear cute clothes when we go out, not being so moody.

[Marci]

There are a gazillion different ways to do this. Some work really well for a lot of people, others don't. Often I find the selected approach is as unique as the people using it.

1. What's your plan? In other words, how do you plan to accomplish your goals?---weight watchers and exercise

2. And what do you like best about it?--I love the Flex plan, it lets me choose what I want and I just count it into the points system. It even allows for a little cheating now and again-as long as you don't go too overboard.

3. Does it have a downside to you? If it does, how do you deal with that?--yes, it means I have to get on the computer to figure out my points everyday-and then I get sucked into the computer world. LOL

4. In addition to weight loss, do you also plan to address general fitness? If you do, how do you plan to do that?---Working out at the gym and riding the horse, plus I will be helping out a lot more at mom and dads, I was going to clear the upper part of the property and get a fence in so I can let the horse ad goat up there but I think that is out now-I'm going to be too busy. I will have to get it hired out now.

5. Do you have any short term rewards in mind to help you keep going along the way?--oh yes every 20 lbs lost I am going to reward myself with a nice garment. The leather store is first, I want a leather jacket-they ALMOST fit the last time I was there, 20 lbs should have it fitting great.

6. Did you ever try this particular approach before? How did it work for you? How did you get de-railed? How do you intend to prevent that de-railment in the future?--yes, I lost over 30 lbs on WW a few years back. But when I hit a plateau I lost interest and at that time I got depressed because I had to sell my filly, Fani. I do still miss her but I know it was for the best. I plan of not giving up when I hit a point when I stop losing but to exercise more and watch my portions better. But even 30 lbs was such a difference.

7. What long term rewards do you anticipate? Name as many as you like.---Oh gosh where do I start...knee will be better able to work-heck all my joints will, I will have more energy, look sooo much better-I might even start to like my "back view", My hubby will be happy, it really bothers him I am so overweight, I will be able to ride, really ride again, And I will be able to buy all those cute clothes that I want, and not feel like such a blimp when I go out with girl friends to shopping places. Hubby better watch out when I get down there I will be buying LOTS of cute clothes. And riding breeches too, and oh gosh I think its going to open so many doors....