h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Okay, I've noticed that not many folk around here seem all that interested in keeping up the H2G2 Weight loss page...sad, that.

Sooooo...I saw you, thought I'd give you a buzz, see how you are, and suggest we buddy up, as it were, for moral support.

Unless, of course, you don't want to, in which case I will just go away...I'm NOT a stalker!

Just let me know.
I gained 2.2 this week (pounds...still on the American system)...
after having lost 2.7 in the previous 3 weeks. That sucked.

Hey there, thanks for the message.

Id' be glad to buddy up! The H2G2 version doesn't seem to be working for me either.
Sorry it took so long for me to answer your post, by the way, I had an exam on last week, which I was holed up for most of the week! But that storm has passed, so I'm free to concentrate more fully on my very personal pursuit of a collarbone...

How long have you been on the program? And is this your first time (it's my third, second officially...)

I've been on it this time for about 4 months. I was on it before way back in the 1980s, lost a ton of weight, and got really scared. Suddenly, people who had treated me like dog vomit were suddenly nice to me, and I got really confused and started eating again...a lot.

How did your exam go? Me, I'm a grad student, so no more exams, but a TON of reading, and a lot of writing. These next couple of weeks are going to be insane. I have 3 papers, a presentation, and about a thousand pages or so to read. It could get a little hairy.

Do you ever have those moments where you just stand outside yourself and watch yourself eat? I've been having a lot of those lately.

Wow - that is scary. I have often had this really bad love-hate tussle with losing weight. On the one hand, I want to look nice, feel good, etc. But on the other hand, I feel like "why should what I look like affect how people treat me?" And it's so true, you get a lot more rude comments, etc, when you weigh a lot than when you look slim and svelte. I have finally come to the conclusion that thinking like that is going to sabotage my efforst (like it did for you that time) and that I need to focus on the reasons I am doing it for myself.

Your schedule sounds like it is going to get stupid over the next few weeks - make sure you don't forget about yourself and taking care of your other goals!

On those detached moments, I don't think I've experienced those lately. I certainly used to go into denial over the amounts I would eat when noone was there, and then wonder why I was large when I ate so "healthily" (yeah, in front of others!)

What do you find the most difficult to do when keeping motivated?

Oh and by the way, I think I did really well in the exam - thanks for asking!

The problem for me staying motivated is that I'm married, have a kid, and so don't really stress about others' opinions, and I tend to just say "I don't have enough time to eat right, exercise, etc." Mostly, I'm lazy.

Of course, that in itself is a huge admission.

As soon as you admit the problem, that in itself becomes part of the solution. I think that's the philosophy behind organisations for alcoholics, gamblers, etc. I think it applies here, too. When I denied I had a problem, with eating or controlling my portions, exercise, etc, it would only perpetuate that problem.

I agree it's very easy to find excuses not to do something, I've been doing it for years. I don't know how I'll go when I get to goal, then fall pregnant (this is the plan, and I suppose my motivation towards my goal). It must be hard finding "me-time" with kids. Are they old enough to come for a walk or something with you? If not, I've also seen those prams that you can go walking or jogging with. I suppose the hard part is the "tween" years from pram to teens.

She's six, so too big for a stroller, too short-legged for a walk. I try to go when she's in school, but my own schoolwork gets in the way. It's hard to read when you're walking!

hmmm - that is a tricky one. I have also seen mums and dads with attachments on the backs of their bicycles for their small tots (around the same age as your daughter) - that might be an alternative?

oh, not a bad idea. if I had a bike...must see about getting one.

although I don't know how long I could get my daughter to sit still!

We've taken to putting on music and dancing around the living room as of late.

Hey, I've seen another alternative yesterday on my walk. There was a lady with three kids (one quite small), a pram and a dog! The kids were all on bikes, so they could easily keep up with her, and she pushed the pram and had the dog on a leash so everybody was getting exercise! Now this was an extreme case, obviously, but if your daughter is confident on a bike, perhaps another idea?

Hey, that's not a bad idea at all! My daughter does have a bike, and there are plenty of trails around here....

oh, good idea.

Great! Let me know how it goes!

I did 20 laps at my local pool this morning, because it has been too stinking hot to walk/jog. (35 to 40 degrees celsius around my area - phew!)

I was pretty chuffed at this effort, cause I haven't swum in a long time, and 20 laps is 1km. I did it in just over 30 mintues, too, which averages to a (lame) 1.5 minutes each lap...)

Keep cool!

Well, it's winter...or what passes for winter in southern California. So cool isn't difficult, although sleep may become an issue soon!!

What day do you go to meetings?

I go on Saturday mornings. However, this week is going to be a bit of a problem, as we are going camping, starting Friday night. I may have to weigh in on the Friday morning, and get into work later.

I weighed in today...and lost 1.7 pounds. Which is what, 3 kg?

1kg = about 2lb, so 1.7lb would be 0.85 kg

Sorry - it just always sounds better in pounds than in kilos!

rats. it does sound better in pounds.