Kathy, Kimmi & I are all going to be on PIP in 4 1/2 months (yikes - that's coming up fast!!!!) and have expressed an interest in this topic for encouragement and ideas.

For anyone who wishes to lose weight and/or tone up before ANY upcoming cruises, please join in!!!!

I can't quite bring myself to admit how much weight I want to lose, but it's enough that I have no time to waste. There are so many ways to do it, but the one that has always worked for me in the past is to count calories and exercise. Starting this past week I've been doing the Denise Austin workouts in the mornings (she has 2 back to back workouts on TV every weekday morning - 1/2 hour each). Then, after I get a little more in shape, I want to add in walking each day I can. Keeping the calories down is where it gets really tricky - especially during stressful times.

Need more ideas and tips!!! Help!!!

Cyndi

Cyndi - a great topic.

Before the Christmas season, I was having success at losing weight. I exercised more and only ate half of any food I was served. I also watched my carbs but not excessively. I left out things like potatoes, white rice and dinner rolls and increased fruits and vegetables in their place. It worked but somehow I lost my self-discipline towards the end of the holidays. I haven't done too much damage but need to back on track.

Cyndi: I thought you looked pretty A-OK when I saw you but good for you to reach for your goal (whatever that might be) - Joanna

Donna,

I'm in the same boat. I was doing good until Christmas day. Then it's been downhill since then. But I agree with you that if we get back on track ASAP, we can make up pretty fast for the bad days. I had mentioned on another thread that I'm going to put up pictures at my desk at work of the PG and Bora Bora. Kathy said that she put up pictures right out of the brochure. Great incentive. I think I'll put them up on the fridge too!!!! Why didn't I think of that before??????? See, everyone here is helping already :D :D :D

Cyndi

Joanna,

I KNEW I really liked you :) :) How sweet! The problem is that I can't cover my body up in French Polynesia like I did that day on the Mariner :D Not too many ways to hide the bulges in a bathing suit!!

Cyndi

Cyndi, you said that you're in your early 50's and the bulge is hitting you, well, I'm in my mid 30's and it is hitting full force!!! How sad. Monday is my starting day, so today we had crablegs with garlic butter and a frozen Oreo pie while watching the Stepford Wives. I feel disgusting. Tomorrow is my last day, so I get one more day to feel disgusting. I would like to know if anyone has some NORMAL tips. I cannot go without carbs, I have to have some chocolate. I cannot cut out foods I love. I really don't have much of a plan, except to cut back on my portions. I'm going to cut out soft drinks (I hate diet), cut out sweet tea (I may go into cardiac arrest over that one). I'm going to cut out as much pasta, white bread, "bad"carbs, as I possibly can. I'm going to try to eat more veggies, fruit. I buy fruit every week and watch it ripen and then rot to a sufficient level of mush, and then I throw it out. I'm not a big meat, chicken or fish lover, but I'm going to try to increase those for protein. I am a complete carb-o-holic (as are many women), oh, and we're going to TRY to cut out most alcohol for awhile. You are so right, bathing suits are going to be unforgiving. No hiding anything!

We could all go on the Swan together. They could do a special "cruising buddies" edition. The only problem is, I can't stand pain and those poor girls get tortured with lipo and face lifts.

I'm all for more self-discipline, too! I need to get myself back on track. The holiday foods have taken their toll!

Cyndi, Donna, Joanna & Karen , while we've never met, I can see by your photos that you are all lovely.

Kimmi, we have met and all I can say is you could never be disgusting!

I guess we are our own worst critics.

Okay, Ladies, I have gained enough weight in the last 7 years that I HAVE to do something. I will be happy to lose 30- 40 lbs by PIP. I am a plus size and I would really like to be back in the petite department, where I shopped when I met Frank. I would love your support and to travel this trip with you too.

I will need to workout at least 30 - 45 minutes everyday; I have a treadmill and a bunch of other stuff like hand weights and a balance ball.

This is what I have worked out with my nutritionist: I've done this for years and I always lose at least a pound a week if I stick to it. I have no dicipline these days.

Breakfast: One serving of cereal with milk and banana. Or one egg, poached with an english muffin or one 100 cal yougurt with a small banana. Bottom line is 250 or 300 calories for breakfast

Lunch: One salad with 3 oz protein or 1 pc fish chicken breast (Boneless/skinless)and veggies; One day a week I can have 1/2 a sandwich with turkey or so - calorie count 300 calories

Dinner: 5 oz protein with all the veggies you can eat. Can be grilled veggies; Get creative. Can eat at restaurants; All sauces or dressings on the side; Once a week can have a pasta meal but no protein on that meal; 400-500 calories for dinner

2 or 3 snacks per day of 80 - 100 calories; Can be glass of wine; piece of chocolate, frozen yougurt or ice cream or cake!!!! Bread, crackers etc; Less carbs the better; Snacks include the cream in your coffee, sugar etc. Veggies are free.

Total calories 1200-1400 per day. Measure and write down what you eat.

Karen – I like your idea about the “cruising buddies” edition of the Swan. But, I agree – the pain and torture of it makes it less appealing. However, when crunch time comes closer to PIP, I may be ready for whatever torture it takes to get the job done :D :D We’ll see . . . . .

Denise – Of course I looked for one of my better (& lighter) pictures for my avitar. :D But thanks for the compliment!

Kimmi – You are a girl after my own heart in regards to what I can realistic give up in the way of food. My husband, Tom, loves the Atkins diet. But then since I’ve known him, his favorite food in the world (except sweets – his downfall) is meat. Although I do eat meat, it’s not my favorite food. And what is cheese or eggs without the carbs to go with it? I’d never be able to stand that diet. I have to have at least a few carbs. Otherwise I feel so deprived that I give up altogether. I think the biggest secret is to allow yourself some of the foods you love, but in moderation. The reason I count calories is that I can eat some of the foods I love and use the calorie counting as a control of how much I eat. I don’t feel nearly as deprived that way. My big problem comes when I get in a busy, stressful situation and run out of energy and time to use that control method. Then I start slipping. With tax season coming up (and tax season where I work is really from January all the way through to April 15), I’ll need to be on constant guard to not give in to that stress. I love chocolate too. What I do (when I’m being good) is to keep Hershey kisses in the house. (Plain only – if they have almonds in them I can’t resist eating them all at one sitting.) Just the act of unwrapping each one is a conscience effort and makes me think before I eat a second one. They are only 21 calories each. So depending on what I ate the rest of the day, I can eat 2-3 or so. I agree about the alcohol. I’m cutting that out for the most part. It always makes me want to munch. As for fruits, I thought I was the only one who watched them rot on the counter. I always mean well.

Kathy – Your eating plan is exactly what works for me (again, when I’m being good). My problem for the last 10 years is that I just don’t stick to it. I’ve slowly gotten into the habit of having to eat bigger portions. But with your plan, Kimmi & I can still have some of the foods we love. You are encouraging me so much!!! When you see it written down as you have it, it really does seem realistic.

The biggest problem I can see is that when I went to my 2005 calendar a few minutes ago, I see that it is only 20 weeks until PIP #1 and 19 if you are going on a pre-cruise like I am. If we lose the 1 pound a week (which is really considered good progress), I’ll never lose the 30 – 40 pounds I want to lose. So I’m hoping that my goal to add the exercise every day will make up the difference. (Kathy – looks like we have the same goal in weight and exercise!!!)

Now that I’ve written a “book” here, I’m going back to my “eating fest” on this last day before we start getting serious. I know that after a day of gorging myself and a night of indigestion, I’ll be sick of food. :D :D :D Thanks again Kathy, for your suggestion of this thread and Kimmi for seconding it and to all the rest of you who are joining in. WE CAN DO IT!!!!!!!

Cyndi

Thanks, Denise :) . My main goal is to get rid of the jiggly stuff! I have an elliptical trainer that I just had to have because it was on sale at Sears (LAST Christmas). Well, it makes a fine dressing table. My clothes hangers fit just perfectly on the bars and my shirts never touch the floor!! I suppose I should figure out what it's intended use is...... Best part of it all was that I wanted it upstairs in our office. So, John and I hauled it up the staircase (after he put it together downstairs), somehow, we are still married :D :rolleyes:

My treadmill sits in my bedroom, and everytime I pack for a vacation, it becomes my open "closet" so I can see what I am taking! Not sure the thing even works anymore. The elliptical trainer is way on the other side of the house in Joanna's room. I have not been motivated beyond the cleaning the desk just yet!

Ahhhh - if only it were as easy to get ourselves to actually use all these exercise tools as it was to spend our hard earned money!!! That part doesn't come in the warranty does it?

Cyndi

Great thread! I have definitely fallen off the wagon and indulged big time over the holidays.

I'm starting back on Monday on serious South Beach. I had lost 20 pounds on this last year, for my Diamond cruise, then gained 5 back. I'm sure I've gained 5 pounds over the hols easy.

So, now I am going to try really hard to lose another 20 by Pip.

But I won't tell you where I started from or where I'm going, at least not just yet! ;)

19 weeks until PIP! Wow. Maybe my goal is too lofty. 30 lbs is reasonable for me then at 1.5 lbs a week. Yes, Cyndi, today is the eat fest. Hamburger and fries with the trimmings for dinner. Yes, we wil ldefinitely relate to the tax season stress. It's already started for me. I am working all day today.

I can't use my treadmill when the computer is on since it uses so much energy and that's been my latest excuse. I wake up and check my email and LCT postings. I think that will have to be the reward for the workout. Turn the computer off before bed. Wake up to the treadmill.

Well I'm giving up smoking after my family gave me such a hard time about it over Christmas. So I am not impressed. With any of these stories. This is hard. Now I have to deal with getting fat too.

Kathy - I'm not one of the CPA's at my company - I'm part of the support staff. So my stress could be worse and it sounds like yours definitely is. Hang in there!!! I was just sitting there - eating of course Ha! - and thinking the same thing. 40 lbs could just be out of the questions, but 30 could work, if I work hard. I like your idea about not turning on the computer until after the excercise. That will be our reward like you said.

Wendy - 20 lbs, although still difficult, is much more obtainable in our 19-20 weeks. You did it before and I know you'll do it again! I took a look at the South Beach diet. I like it much better than the Adkins. In fact, down the road I'd like to try some of the receipes. They look delicious and good for you. But since I'm short on time and energy I'm going to stick with what I know - counting calories. Unless of course I get desperate towards the end. Then I'll try anything :D

Cyndi

Chip,

Good for you, and good luck. That's a much more important battle than losing a few pounds.

As for weight, if you get the munchies, just try to do it with carrot and celery sticks instead of candy. And be a bit aware of portion control, if you can.

Cyndi,

The SB diet is very much about "slow and steady wins the race". Although there is a significant "hit" that you get in the initial phase 1, it's a matter of long-term discipline.

That's what makes it hard, in the longer term. But as for what I eat when I'm following the diet, it's great, I love it.

Chip,

I agree with Wendy - giving up smoking is extremely important and so hard to do. Her ideas about the carrot & celery sticks will help with the munchies. Keep us posted here about your progress. We'll be rooting for you!!!! And any extra pounds, IF ANY, will be forgiven for sure!!!

Wendy - the slow and steady approach is truly the wisest and longest lasting. I should have thought of that a year ago!!

Cyndi

Sheri and I will be joining the support group.

Maybe we can call it the "LCT Twelve Step Program"... take twelve steps AWAY from the refrigerator...

Suzanne - LOVE IT!!!!! But we can start the Twelve Steps tomorrow, right??? Today my feet are definitly glued about a few inches away.

Welcome to you and Sheri!!! The more support the merrier.

Cyndi

Yes, tomorrow is good. I don't like these initiatives to be too closely related to New Years, since I don't really believe in new years resolutions.

And since I had to work all through the holidays, until New Years eve, I feel like this day is still a holiday for me!

But tomorrow, straight and narrow. In fact I'm going to cook my chicken breasts, and my nutritious vegetarian soup for lunches right now!

STEP AWAY FROM THE FOOD!!!


I couldn't resist!!!

Hooray - the more the merrier. Welcome Aboard the PIP Pre-cruise! Deck 12 and climbing down!

Chip, you are welcome here too. When I quit smoking I picked a date and changed my routine around so that I would not trigger the desire to smoke. It takes 5 days to get the nicotine out of your system. After that it's all about habit. I quit while I was already dieting so that I would not resort to food. I chewed gum - not the nicotine kind because they did not have it then. I quit over 10 years ago and I can honestly say I don't miss it one bit now. I'd rather be fat than smoke.

The truth is, I'm not very active, but being in my 40's, my energy has plummeted. I walked this summer with a friend four miles a day, three days a week and I felt great.
The sad part is, I KNOW that ever since she started teaching in the fall again I don't feel that way anymore - because we stopped walking. I'm 5'8 1/2" so the eight pounds I have gained don't show.
But things will get worse before they get better if I don't do something about it. It's time to put an end to my problem and start eating my red and green peppers and all the other veggies I really do like again. I don't have any cruises currently planned, but I do have a trip to Aruba planned in March!

Okay - a topic very near and dear to my heart. Up until the holidays I was on weight watchers. Only lost about 7 1/2 lbs in many months. But I am not very good at writing down what I eat. (Even though they now have a program where you don't have to count anything - just eat from their food lists as much as you want. My biggest problem - and stumbling block- is lack of exercise. I really don't eat THAT much...but being over 50 and sitting in front of a computer all day doesn't help the metabolism thing at all. Soo....
I am with you all MENTALLY --- but since I'll be leaving in less than 2 weeks for The Diamond, I will be with you WHOLEHEARTEDLY when I return. And even though everybody knows this, it really, really, does help to drink lots and lots of water.

Good luck everyone, especially Chip! Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for yourself. Good for your family for harping on you! :)

What's a bikini or a 2 piece swimsuit??? I don't think I've worn one since I was 7 years old.

Everyone's going to look great, regardless of if they're on PIP or not. Unfortunately, the old moderation and exercise is really the way to go.

Amanda No two piece for me unless the second piece is the matching pareo's to my one piece. Gave those up right after high school when the size 3 went to size 7

Loon & Bobbi - Welcome to our Twelve Step group!!!

Loon - Any trip, not just a cruise, is a great incentive to get in shape. Aruba is another destination that inspires us to want to look our best. Glad you are joining us. I am such a routine oriented person that when anything changes (like your friend not walking with you anymore)it throws me way off. It takes me forever to get back on track. Good luck and keep us posted as your exciting Aruba trip comes near. We'll help in any way we can.

Bobbi - I could say to be good while on your Diamond cruise, but what fun would that be? Just know that we'll be here when you get back to give you any encouragement you need. And even though I know about the water, I need to be reminded all the time. I went so far as to put that on my computer list of things to do each day when I get in at work. You'd think I could remember on my own!!! Keep checking in with us before you leave in 2 weeks and then when you get back!!!

Cyndi

Amanda - thanks for your support and words of wisdom. I agree wholeheartedly about the moderation and exercise. AND about the one piece bathing suit. I have a picture of the last time I wore a bikini, many, many years ago. The memory of it will have to do!!! But, there are many good looking one piece bathing suits. I'll be more than happy with that. And, Kathy, I have my pareos ready to go. Question - just how DO you get to the water and take off the pareo without anyone seeing? LOL

Cyndi

Distract them with the comment like - "Did you see the (fill in the blank -dolphins/whales/rainbow)over there?" and point in the opposite direction in which you are standing. Think that will work? :cool:

Kathy - I like it, I like it!! I'll start practicing so I'm really smooth at it. <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" />

Cyndi

I won't be joining you on PIP, but I do have a trip to St. Barths planned for April, and I need all the help & support I can get. I was doing great before I got laid off. You'd think since I wasn't working I would have all the time in the world to exercise, but it just isn't happening.

I too just had to have my own elliptical trainer, which actually is in our living room (trials and tribulations of condo living in Boston). It's big, but so easy to ignore!

So, tomorrow is day one?

Yep, I start tomorrow. Trash day is tomorrow. I will have the cupboards and fridge all cleaned of temptation before bed. No more Christmas Cookies and ice cream around here.

I started a couple of months ago, but with the holidays it's been slow going. It's just SO hard to give up the chocolate!!! But I have a lot of weight to lose before ROAR, so I'm in with the group!

(Somebody needs to disarm Chippy before one of us irritates Chip. That nicotine withdrawal made me murderous at times.)

Oh you all are motivating me!!! I am still walking 45 min in the morning but still hating it - I am going to try portion control - Kathy your food portions seemed so small (for your diet) but, again, that was after I had pigged out all day - I read the posts this morning and had cottage cheese and fruit as Tony fixed himself eggs benedict - by 1 pm I moved on to a ham and swiss on rye (always with a diet TAB) and have been picking ever since - tonight pork chops and mashed potatoes - so tomorrow is another day right????

Cyndi, Loon and Bobbie - I have the same problem with exercise. As long as I'm in a routine then I'm great. But with the busyness of the holidays, exercise is the first thing I leave off. And, it's soooo hard to start back but tomorrow's the day. Right?

One thing that helps me. I don't look at it as loosing weight. I try to think of it as living a healthy lifestyle. When I'm eating right and exercising, I feel great. So that's my goal. Plus, there are still lots of active things I want to try like cross country skiing or maybe horseback riding. At 54, if I don't keep exercising and working on strength and flexibility, it will be too late to try new physcial activities.

Joanna - just eat a small portion of the pork chops and mashed potatoes. Oh, it's probably too late - your dinnertime should be over by now :) . Well, as another famous southernlady named Scarlett said "tomorrow's another day". (OH, I see you already said that!)

Chip
Quitting smoking sucks. I have now been almost 6 hard years. It does get easier as time goes by. I have a very addictive personality, I do everything to the extreme. When I did decide to quit the only thing that kept me going was the thought that I would have to relive "yesterday" again. As I said before it does get easier as time goes by.
Now I'm just addicted to heroin, cocaine,LSD, and painkillers but at least I'm not paying $4.00 for a pack of cigarettes
John

Donna and all: Your words and advice are wonderful! I will check in here often. Good luck to you all!!!!!