Before And After...

[[old] Krysta Coleman]

I am not quite done my weight loss journey but I thought posting here might help me get over my current plateau, which is within 10 lbs of my goal to be a lightweight.<br /><br />My story: I was working at a very physical job as an industrial radiographer pre-pregnancy and was in fairly decent shape. <b>But then..</b> I got pregnant! We were thrilled, but it required me to quit my job because of the radiation. So I got a lot less active and a lot more hungry! To make a long story short.. nine months and 65lbs later, I was in the worst shape of my life!<br /><br />It has been a hard road but I have lost almost all of it now, thanks in large part to my indoor rowing, walking, and weight-training. But now that I have really been bitten by the C2 bug, I want to lose a little more yet and be able to rank as a lightweight. Soo.. thats where I am at now. <br /><br />I got up enough nerve tonight to do the before/after picture thing. I don't quite have an "after" picture because I am not there yet, but maybe if I commit here in this forum to lose those last 10 lbs by the end of January, I will stick to it!<br /><br />I know a lot of you other ladies are rowing to lose weight too. I wish you all the best - it's a tough journey, but so worthwhile for health and happiness!<br /><br />- Krysta (Swamp Hen)<br /><br /><img src='http://img472.imageshack.us/img472/8039/befaft28gv.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[[old] woolsmith]

Krysta!<br /><br />One word: WOW!<br /><br />If you figure about 22 pounds is baby weight with all the extra fluid on board and all, you kicked butt, girl! And it takes work to lose that weight, and with those pics, one can tell you worked hard and got some decent results. Yay!<br /><br />Ah, I wish I only had 10 more to go for my goal weight, but I've got 50 to go. I'm still stuck at 37-40 pounds of weight loss, which isn't anything to sneeze at, but I ain't gonna put up no pics of me yet. <br /><br />And if you *don't* lose those last 10, I wouldn't worry too much because you look great, girl. Nice work!<br /><br />Well, you helped motivate me to kick my plateau off the map. And now that you've committed your goal in public, we're gonna stay on ya's. <br /><br />Get away from that chocolate! <br /><br />--Jen in WI

[[old] Godfried]

<span style='color:red'><span style='font-size:30pt;line-height:100%'><b>WELL DONE , KRYSTA</b></span></span><br /><br />I lost 40 lbs last year , gained 30 , so now I have to loose 90 lbs. <br /><br /><span style='color:blue'><span style='font-size:30pt;line-height:100%'><b>WELL DONE , KRYSTA</b></span></span>

[[old] ljwagner]

You look great. Don't obsess about your actual weight. As hard as you have been working, I would expect you've got more muscle than you realize, because it is less bulky than the same amount of fat. Find your body fat %, and consider staying near your current weight.

[[old] Krysta Coleman]

Thanks guys! And Jen, I know you can do it - we can keep on each other about it. Chocolate and ice cream are my downfalls. <br /><br />Ljwagner, your advice about body fat is good. In fact, a Tanita Body Fat scale is already on my Christmas wish list. But the reason I picked 135lbs as my target weight has more to do with rankings than appearance. I am having so much fun with the indoor rowing and I find myself really drawn into all the challenges and rankings and Nonathalon, etc. I think that is one of the main reasons why it became my cardio exercise of choice over say.. a stationary bike or elliptical trainer. At some point in the future (maybe not this season) I would like to actually make it to some real erg events. At 5’7” and my frame size, I don’t think I’ll ever be a particularly successful heavyweight, but I think I could nicely maintain a weight of 134 (if I can get there!) and sneak in under the wire as a lightweight.<br /><br />BUT, ultimately the most important thing is just to be healthy and happy and hopefully my daughter will grow up with those same values and a positive attitude towards fitness. <br /><br />- Krysta (Swamp Hen)

[[old] Bufflehead]

Hey there Swamp Hen!<br />You have really come a long way since starting on the rower! It has been a lot of fun watching the progress you and your sister have made. You should be very proud of yourself!!<br /><br />Hmmmm - Woolsy? I wonder if I can get motivated to lose my last bit also. I guess we can all just keep after each other, right? <br /><br />Anyway Krysta - way to go, and thanks for the extra motivation!<br /><br />Buffles<br /><br />

[[old] ljwagner]

My daughter's bodyfat is 18%, and you appear to have less than she does, but she's only 15. I really don't think you have 9 pounds of fat you can easily target. You'd likely lose muscle along with fat. <br /><br /> Some pinch tests will tell you if you have a lot more you can lose. I can't get 1/4 inch on my arms, have only 1/2" on my legs, 3/4" on my abs, and I'm 16% bodyfat, but a guy. <br /><br /> If you are really fit (probably are), healthy, and look great (you do), be happy. Between that and your family, you are blessed.<br />

[[old] woolsmith]

Yup, Krysta, we can stay on top of each others' progress, just like we've done for the HC. There's something about posting those results that just keeps you accountable to the whole group.... And you're also right about the healthy fitness example you're setting for your daughter. And she's a cutie--little precious thing. In alll of her pics I've seen, she's just adorable!<br /><br />Buffle--maybe we all need to do a Holiday Challenge-Challenge??? At least I haven't *gained* any weight so far, but maybe for anyone who wants to lose 4-8 pounds in a month, perhaps we can do a thread for that? Maybe set some exercise goals and discuss our nutrition issues? Like, anyone have a recipe for low-cal chocolate brownies?? <br /><br />Godfried--here's hoping you can get back into that mode, too! That must feel very discouraging to lose all the weight then gain a chunk of it back. You're still ahead so far though--gotta get that momentum going again. What worked for you before? <br /><br />--Jen, getting ready to burn some calories by shoveling lotsa snow in a few minutes

[[old] billandmargaret]

<!--QuoteBegin-woolsmith+Dec 14 2005, 05:43 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(woolsmith @ Dec 14 2005, 05:43 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Yup, Krysta, we can stay on top of each others' progress, just like we've done for the HC.  There's something about posting those results that just keeps you accountable to the whole group.... And you're also right about the healthy fitness example you're setting for your daughter.  And she's a cutie--little precious thing.    In alll of her pics I've seen, she's just adorable!<br /><br />Buffle--maybe we all need to do a Holiday Challenge-Challenge???  At least I haven't *gained* any weight so far, but maybe for anyone who wants to lose 4-8 pounds in a month, perhaps we can do a thread for that?  Maybe set some exercise goals and discuss our nutrition issues?  Like, anyone have a recipe for low-cal chocolate brownies?? <br /><br />Godfried--here's hoping you can get back into that mode, too!  That must feel very discouraging to lose all the weight then gain a chunk of it back.  You're still ahead so far though--gotta get that momentum going again.  What worked for you before?  <br /><br />--Jen, getting ready to burn some calories by shoveling lotsa snow in a few minutes <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Jen, I'd be interested in some kind of a challenge thread for those of us trying to lose weight. I'm not sure exactly what the challenge should be, pounds lost, meters rowed, snacks not eaten... Anyway, it's something I'm working on, but personally I could use a combined goal of aerobic exercise (40-60 minutes/day?) and improved eating habits (food log? no snacks? no seconds? calorie counting?).<br />Don't bake brownies myself much, but if you're near a Trader Joes, they have a fat-free mix that uses yogurt. Personally, I prefer a hunk of dark chocolate .<br /><br />Margaret

[[old] woolsmith]

Yeah, Margaret. I'd think we could all come up with something that we each could use. Like try to eat fewer calories and to row enough to drop 3,500 calories in a week, because it takes that many calories to gain or lose a pound. You've got some interesting ideas in your note to consider. <br /><br />I could do great if I could just quit drinking soda pop! I'm addicted to Dr. Pepper, and the diet stuff (anything with aspartame) gives me a headache. Diet Rite just doesn't taste good to me at all. Now, I can do all right with iced tea and ice water, but sometimes I just need that "burn" from a can of soda. I've used some of the carbonated, flavored waters out there like LaCroix, and that's not too bad. No sugar, no calories, but it's one of those things you have to acquire a taste for. First time I had some, it was gacky! <br /><br />Some of my friends tried to go for a couple of weeks using a "no white flour and/or no sugar" approach. I'd probably have problems with the "sugar" part of that. I usually drink 2 cans of pop a day (sometimes more--I know, I'm bad!). If I cut that down to one per day, that would cut 140-280 calories/day just by doing that one little step. I could sub with hot or cold tea. Now interestingly, I only want just enough sugar in my tea to cut the bitter taste--barely a teaspoon in a big glass. So if I needed to cut or burn 500 calories per day to lose one pound per week, two cans of pop would have me about halfway there--then to row the remainder would be a piece of cake (chocolate). <br /><br />I think I could do this again--once I get away from all these temptations of the holidays, and the idea that I need to "treat" myself to all of it!<br /><br />--Jen

[[old] mischa]

When I first started trying to eat more healthily I went to a dietician and one of my deal breakers on a diet was that I could not drink diet soda. It doesn't actually give me a headache but I don't like the way it tastes and just can't bring myself to drink it.<br /><br />I used to drink about 1-2 liters of soda (coke classic is my favorite ) but now I am able to just have one with my lunch. Some days it is really hard, especially since we get free sodas at work. I occasionally have a little more but for the most part, I stick to my one can per day.<br /><br />I thought it would be a lot harder than it was. Just not keeping soda in the house makes it a little easier (out of sight, out of mind). I use the same philosophy with the brownies. <br /><br />Michelle

[[old] Godfried]

<!--QuoteBegin-woolsmith+Dec 15 2005, 03:43 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(woolsmith @ Dec 15 2005, 03:43 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Godfried--here's hoping you can get back into that mode, too!  That must feel very discouraging to lose all the weight then gain a chunk of it back.  You're still ahead so far though--gotta get that momentum going again.  What worked for you before?[right] </td></tr></table>The good thing is I know I can do it. I used to do long rows - and eat less.<br /><br />I started again begin november, so let's see how it goes. <br /><br />The good thing is I switched to a diet coke of a brand that is drinkable.

[[old] Mark Keating]

<!--QuoteBegin-Krysta Coleman+Dec 11 2005, 11:53 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Krysta Coleman @ Dec 11 2005, 11:53 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I am not quite done my weight loss journey but I thought posting here might help me get over my current plateau, which is within 10 lbs of my goal to be a lightweight.<br /><br />- Krysta (Swamp Hen)<br /><br /> </td></tr></table><br />Hi Kyrsta;<br /><br />Take that cute little 18 pound monkey off of your shoulders next time you weigh yourself - I think it'll make quite a difference! <br /><br />I hope my wife doesn't see this ... but you look great and have much to be proud of! I'm with ljwagner on this one, bodyfat% is more important than bodyweight for most of us.<br /><br />Keep up the good work!<br /><br />Mark

[[old] ulu]

Well done Krysta. I just wanted to add my accolades to the others. <br /><br />The next 10 pounds will come off with time. Don't try and force it, you are obviously going in the right direction.<br /><br />You must be the hottest mom in High Level by now!<br /><br />Jim<br />PS (Are you thinking of joining the Eh!Team yet?)<br /><br />

[[old] woolsmith]

<!--QuoteBegin-mischa+Dec 16 2005, 03:36 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(mischa @ Dec 16 2005, 03:36 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->When I first started trying to eat more healthily I went to a dietician and one of my deal breakers on a diet was that I could not drink diet soda. It doesn't actually give me a headache but I don't like the way it tastes and just can't bring myself to drink it.<br /><br />I used to drink about 1-2 liters of soda (coke classic is my favorite  ) but now I am able to just have one with my lunch. Some days it is really hard, especially since we get free sodas at work. I occasionally have a little more but for the most part, I stick to my one can per day.<br /><br />I thought it would be a lot harder than it was. Just not keeping soda in the house makes it a little easier (out of sight, out of mind). I use the same philosophy with the brownies. <br /><br />Michelle <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Good points, Michelle. The idea about keeping the soda out of the house worked for me...except for the spousal unit sabotaging things for me. He'd always bring some home from work. I had the habit down to where I'd only do one can of Dr. Pepper per day, and it was pretty painless--it's just that lazy habit of reaching for an easy can of pop that gets me! So, I have to get my LaCroix in the house fridge and keep the D.P. out in the garage fridge. I'm going to be less likely to grab it if I have to work hard to get it. <br /><br />And I have to keep the fruit stocked up in my fruit bowl on the *** DELETE - SPAM *** island. I'll grab that instead of brownies, because I've really gotten to like fruit more in the last year since I've been "forcing" myself to eat more. Healthier substitutions!<br /><br />And Godfried--I know I'm not good at resisting food, so rowing and other exercise has been what's done it for me, too. I've kept this up for over a year now, so I'm hoping I've made this a solid habit. And I feel so much better, that I think I'm now addicted to exercise. I'm not *obsessed* with it, but I don't want to miss more than a couple of days without doing some kind of aerobic workout. I get cranky if I do. <br /><br />So in spite of a lot of my other bad habits, I've got one good one! And it's an important one. So here's hoping you can get back into that groove, too. Good luck with it!<br /><br />--Jen