I had a great week regarding my eating -- it helped that I was very busy and worked through lunch a number of days. I don't think skipping lunch is a great long-term strategy but I think it is helping to get me back on track.

We celebrated my late dad's birthday yesterday-- he died just two days after his birthday in 2020 in the midst of the pandemic. We broke the rules and gathered on my parents' wraparound porch to celebrate his birthday (with social distancing). We had pizza delivered and each of us had a great visit with him before his death a few days later. Sharing that background because we celebrated his birthday last night with the same pizza takeout and wine/beer. I had a few wine spritzers but only one slice of pizza. I am ok with that-- especially after such a good week.

It has been cold and rainy-- I am making a big pot of mushroom wild rice soup this afternoon but not all that motivated to increase my exercise. It is in the 50s which isn't that cold.. but it is wet and windy and I just want to curl up in a blanket. :( I will do some floor exercises but I need to get motivated to do more than that.

What is making me most frustrated and crazy right now is that my face is getting much more saggy and fleshy. It makes me look older and fatter. I guess it is part of the natural aging and weight loss process but it is making me self conscious and is taking some joy away from my progress.

Thanks, Funky, for starting the thread. I like how you celebrated your late father. We will order pizza maybe once a month and I am able to limit myself to one piece.

I was able to WFH on Friday and go to mat Pilates class, so that was good. Not sure what I will do today, maybe just treadmill since there is no Zumba. The Pilates studio will be moving to the bigger space soon, and she will offer some small group reformer and also Barre, which I’ve wanted to try. i signed up for Drybar demo today, so I will get a free hairstyle which is always good for the mood. But I hear you with facial/aging concerns. We are fortunate in my family we have great skin genetically but I am getting self conscious about my eyelids. I have kind of hooded eyelids and that is one area that is getting droopy as I age. I think botox can work for that.

Final grading is mostly done other than those who asked for extensions. I have year end reports to do. It has been a very difficult semester. Some of our students really struggled, and I have sad news to report that my department chair passed away yesterday. She wasn’t even 50 and was diagnosed with cancer last fall unexpedectedly. She started treatments and had been doing well, working remotely, even coming in some days, and felt good enough to go to a conference, but the treatments stopped working and she had increasing pain went downhill rapidly starting in March. She lived a very full life, but it just stinks that it was cut short. So, I’ve understandably have been a little sad these past couple of days. There is a big PGA golf tournament here this week, and she loved to volunteer at it.

Ready for a late breakfast/brunch.

Funky - I'm glad you had a good week. Sounds like such a nice celebration for your dad. Gscience - love all the Pilates. I've been doing some pilates core exercises most every day and I think I am ready to move on to some new ones. I really like them, I feel so good when I am finished. I wish we had a reformer class around here.

I had a good week - no alcohol and I successfully did my keto type diet for 4 days. I realized it's pretty much how I eat now for blood sugar control, minus my cheating with chips:) I lost all the travel weight plus a couple more pounds. Never did the long fasting, but skipped dinner a couple nights, so I'm sure my calories were down as well. We have a big family celebration next weekend, so I 'm going to try to keep it up this week and see where I get. Definitely less bloated for pictures!

I'm almost 53 and definitely have skin that looks older than that. It's clear, but wrinkled, and losing some weight has definitely not helped. It's always been so dry. I was good with sunscreen, but I think it's genetic. There is some evidence that steady blood sugar can help as well - Blood sugar and skin health. Mine is clear and bright, but still wrinkled and starting to sag.

I also just started using a red light mask - so no results for me to report yet, but it does have some good reviews. Here's some info if you're interested in learning more -Red lIght Mask Review.

I also got my hair cut this week! It had been 6 months, so the new shorter look is kind of sassy:) I'm really happy with it. A good haircut is always a good thing for the mood!

55 lbs lost! No more time off until I reach my next goal. After slacking off Thanksgiving through March, I was finally able to start back, but it was slow going with the scales. I was almost afraid I was going to have to start using some of this exercise equipment in my house to get it to move again. (Whew! Dodged that bullet.)

For all those doing low carb type of plans, I found a new product that is a pasta replacement from Costco. It is called Healthy Noodles. One of the best replacements I have found.

Legomom, you get me lol.. my skin started to get so really dry in my 50s but the saggy, lose flesh is a fairly new thing since losing weight. I will have to look into the mask.

Congrats, JustDoIt! I am down a little over 60lb but have also been stalled AND slacking off (on and off) November through March. I am pretty well back and serious now but I haven't been weighing. I'll return to it soon but I needed to get serious and focused without the natural ups and downs of the scale.

I MUST get on my exercise equipment. I know it will make a difference in my weight loss but more so, I am not as strong as I used to be and I rebuild my strenght!

Congrats to everyone who's lost weight! YAY!

We're eating less meat. Heading towards meat only once a week. I'm just getting over an injured knee and went jogging....slowly... & walking intermittently for 3.5 miles. I haven't lost a pound. My goal is to lose 30lbs. When I'm hungry inbetween meals, I tend to sit and eat nuts. I need to drink iced tea instead. :0) Or...eat a pickle.

So glad for those who have lost weight. I admire you so much and secretly envy you just a little bit haha.

My body seems stubbornly opposed to losing any more weight. Without a doubt my body likes this weight. I on the other hand disagree with it. I wish I could lose the last 25 lbs.

Dr and DH actually gang up against me about that. They both say there's no reason to worry about it as I am 100% healthier than before.

Things are going very well exercise-wise at least. I still have not added things that I want to add but the things that I am doing, the squats and the lunges long daily walks and running a little bit or things that I can and do consistently.

What I aspire to.

I would love to add a dance at home session two times a week. It sounds like a really fun way to exercise. Plus I don't think any of my exercises are quite aerobic enough.

I am also keeping up on the intermittent fasting. I am again eating more than I was before so we will see if it impacts my weight. Right now cheese calls me at every turn.. so I am trying to resist but resistance seems futile sometimes.

Best to everyone on your staying healthy Journey.

PS Legomom if you find something that helps with saggy wrinkly skin particularly the skin o the neck let me know. Thank you very much.

I try to eat foods that are healthy and/or that I make at home, and this is the lunch I regularly have at the club several days a week

It’s a Greek salad with marinated grilled chicken and NO feta. I do not use the Greek salad dressing it is supposed to have, using instead plain balsamic vinegar the restaurant kindly brings me in a small cream pitcher. The salad comes with a grilled pita cut in quarters and i drink unsweetened iced tea. The salad is large (romaine, kalamata olives, banana pepper rings, cucumbers cucumbers, grape tomatoes, red onion and chicken) and I take a third to a half of everything home to eat later or for DH. i would probably be happy to eat this every day!

I am still making homemade pizza a few times a month and have started using turkey pepperoni with no loss of flavor or texture. this was dinner last night

with fruit (strawberries, raspberries and blackberries).

Tonight I have a friend coming for dinner who lives in another town. We are both singing in the local choral society’s final concert of the season. She lives far enough away to make dinner problematic with our call time of 6:30, so she’s coming here for a visit and to have dinner and dress in concert attire. I made beef bourgingnon yesterday, simmering it in the oven for two and a half hours, which I will serve with pappardelle and a salad. Not a ”healthy” dinner by any means but def a celebratory— and very delicious— one.

Last week I made a fresh blueberry pie that was really good, and at 228 cal per slice it was a great dessert / treat option.

@Kswl, I think I could eat that every day, too! Interesting about the pizza. We have also made homemade pizza on occasion. My coworker is due next month and she had to watch her glucose for prediabetes although she is not very big at all. She said checking her glucose it would go high after restaurant/takeout pizza but her homemade didn’t spike her glucose. Hope you had a good time with your friend!

Did anyone see the thread Lynn posted about low carb/keto bagels? I think I will try one of those recipes with the almond flour and the greek yogurt.

I have to go to graduate graduation tonight so I ordered the falafel salad yesterday and kept half at the office to have tonight before the ceremony. Lucky for me it works out i have a haircut and style this afternoon. We have been given an extension on our final reports.

I have yet to embrace any of the alternative pastas. I do like veggie spirals or zucchini planks in place of pasta/lasagna noodles but if I want PASTA, I have a small portion of pasta-- rarely more than once a month.

Kswl, that salad looks wonderful! I am also trying to stick to healthy homemade options but my schedule the last few weeks and for the next few is just a little crazy. I am keeping meals simple.. eggs and asparagus, mushroom and wild rice soup etc and then supplementing with some fresh steamed shrimp or "ready to cook" options from Wegmans. I like the ingredients in the handful of fresh-made, ready to cook options from Wegmans. My current favorite is turkey stuffed red peppers. They are quite filling (ground turkey, veggies, brown rice and quinoa) and only 220 calories. If I am hungry, I add a steamed vegetable or small salad.

I am inching my way back to salads after the Great Food Poisoning Debacle of March 2023. So far, I have been ok with a caesar style salad. Unfortunately, I think it will be a long time before I can return to a vinaigrette dressing but I will try to bring it back with maybe just cucumbers soon (though cucumbers are still turning me off to at the moment). I did just add orange popper tomatoes to my grocery order -- and I had kumato tomatoes last week. I am getting there.

We rarely have pasta any more, but I was having a Pasta Craving this week and grabbed a package of Trader Joe’s spinach tortellini. Last night I sauteed a bunch of veggies (zucchini, peppers, tomatoes, onion) with olive oil and garlic, then added cooked tortellini…yum. I could have added some chicken for protein but yesterday ended up being a no-meat day, which I am trying to do at least once a week. My lunch was roasted cauliflower and carrots, with a handful of nuts for ”dessert”.

I made chia seed pudding this week and have been having it with berries for breakfast every morning. I also made chia seed berry jam, a first time recipe, and had it mixed into plain greek yogurt, but found it to just be ok. I prefer to just add the fresh berries.

Both your lunch and dinner sound delicious, Sue!

I keep either spinach ravioli or eggplant parm ravioli for quick meals. I usually add zucchini but your combo sounds even better and more nutritious!

Hey @Sueb20 your post reminded me how easy it is to make roasted carrots -- and how long it has been since I had them.

I know I like rosemary, oregano and thyme on carrots (not all at once) .. not as keen on dill in general.

What did you put on your roasted carrots and cauliflower? (I am going to the farmer's market .. making my list)

@yeonassky I hear you on the stubborn weight - and the healthier part. Why can't we just be satisfied :) Our bodies seem to be!

@gsciencechick - way to go on the muscle building That is impressive!! I wish I had a good way to measure that to see if I was making some sort of progress. That must be very rewarding to know what you are doing is working!

@Kswl - the salad looks fantastic. Greek salads are my favorite, but never without feta:)

I've had an OK week. I am not losing any real weight. Up and down the same few pounds. I think my diet is about as good as it's going to get - not as good as it could be. Just as good as I'm willing to make it! I only had 3 glasses of wine in the last 10 days, so that's good for me. The rest is just going to have to be good enough at this point.

I'm hopeful if I can keep the diet in line, the sunshine and extra outdoor exercise will possibly lead to some weight loss. Looking back it seems like the first 30 just fell off, and now I can't make any progress at all. But, I am healthier, all my labs are in good shape, and I am slowly getting stronger. Can't lose track of those successes and get caught up with one part of the puzzle that is so frustrating.

<<I think my diet is about as good as it's going to get - not as good as it could be. Just as good as I'm willing to make it! >>

I am sure some will disagree with me-- but I think when we are looking at lifestyle changes vs dropping a few quick lbs, we DO need to come up with a diet that is livable. I know I won't be able to sustain the lifestyle if I can't stick with it for the long term.

I choose not to give up my half and half in my morning coffee -- it is one of my joys of the day. I choose not to completely give up pasta, bread, rice-- but I do limit them greatly, choose healthy whole grain versions and load them up with vegetables. I recognize that some of these choices are likely to slow my weight loss-- but I also know if I go nocarb or keto or some other drastic change, I won't maintain and keep the weight off for the next 10, 15, 20yr. I need a lifestyle I can follow forever without feeling deprived and resentful .. because those feelings will result in failure for me.

I am also stalled as a few others are-- but I don't think it is because my lifestyle choices aren't strict enough. I think it is because I have allowed them to stray. I have every so slightly increased portion sizes, i am eating fewer veggie-centric meals, i am indulging a few times a week instead of a few times a month. It's not my lifestyle that is failing.. it is me failing the lifestyle.

Our temps are finally rising and the rain has stopped for a few days. Looking forward to a great weekend! Hope you all enjoy yours as well!

I agree with you completely Funky, you need to be able to live your life and have the occasional treat. After my good-eating week, last night was our wedding anniversary and we went out to dinner. Two cocktails, and a tapas style dinner that included homemade chips and onion dip…yum. But the key for me is that I’m not doing it again today.

So the seasoning I put on my carrots and cauli was a seasoning mix I got from Stonewall Kitchen when I was in Maine a few months ago. It was good!

Happy Anniversary! Looove tapas style meals -- and I think it's often easier to eat reasonably because the flavors/bites are so satisfying and I don't have a big plate of food sitting in front of me.

Thanks for the seasoning tip-- I generally like Stonewall products.

Sorry for all the posts! I guess I am making up for a couple of weeks of not posting often.

So I finally put new batteries in my scale. The solar panel had stopped working and I wasn't weighing myself because my face was looking so fat lol. I know that is counterintuitive but I knew I hadn't gained much because I was still wearing the smaller jeans -- I just didn't want to see even a slight increase as I was working to get back on track.

I took a deep breath and stepped on it-- fully dressed and after numerous cups of coffee (I normally weigh naked and before taking water/coffee or anything with a hint of weight to it lol) .... I am actually down 8lb since I last weighed (middle/end of March). I have been working to get back on track and beating myself up for not doing better ... but I am making very decent progress.

Now I just need to figure out what to do about my magically expanding face and neck! I look like a squat troll!

Wow Funky! 8 pounds. That is wonderful progress. And smaller jeans. Good for you😀

Could you be having water retention on your face and neck. I would get that checked out just in case.

I will say my face and neck swells greatly before a migraine starts.

I really appreciate what you said about this being a lifestyle situation rather than just a weight loss situation. It is the only thing that keeps me exercising and eating right despite my stubborn excess weight.

i am just being dramatic -- my face/neck are old and saggy

Back again... LOL.

My mentor came back to FB after testing an "app" for a couple of years. so I rejoined the "Challenge". We start on Monday. The pp never worked for me, because Notifications on my phone stress me out, so I turn them off.

Back to weighing every day, drinking a gallon of water per day, eating meat and low carb veggies twice a day, and nothing in between.