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Today was the last day - red1030 - 02-20-2009 01:33 AM
Hi all... today was the last day of my participation in an 8 month study on weight lost motivators. For back ground for those of you who do not remember or know, July 3, 2008 I was asked to participate in a study about weight loss. Over the past 10 years of steriods, lack of exercise and thyroid issues, etc etc, etc,..and most likely too much ice cream...lol.. I had put on a lot of extra pounds. My typical weight was usually much less. I met the military weight criteria's and was never in a program to reduce weight etc. While in the miltary and before my diagnosis, I ran usually every day from 6-18 miles therefore, eating was never an issue. However, that all changed with the diagnosis of MS and lack of exercise that followed.
This program actually started on July 4th, 2008. The program worked like this. Each morning I had to weigh myself on a scale that was given to me by the study professionals. It was snchronized with a scale that they had at the hospital. This scale weighs to the 10th of a lb. It is very precise and acurate. I would weigh and then call my weight in. Then the group gave me a beeper that they would use to communicate wiht me about my progress in terms of if I met their expectations or not. Then monthly I would go to the hospital and they would weigh me in and this would tell the story about my weight lost etc. The goal was that for the first 6 months, I would loose 24 lbs, and then maintain that weight loss for the next 8 months. Each month, I would make a bet money that I would maintain the study's desirable weight lost. Then each day that I met their goals, they would double the money that I put down. I won a lot of money but I would say as I have said in the past, the money was not my motivator.
The bottom line is, that today was the end of a 8 month program for me. I was weighed today, and I have lost a total of 48.7 lbs in 8 months. I far surpassed the study's expectation, consequently I was asked to participate in a tele conference where I would be taped and the tape may or may not be used on a television program about weight loss. I was taped today, and it took about 2 hours total. It was interesting but very tiring. I am a very happy participate however, and I guess that showed in the taping, becasue they were all very pleased with my discussion of the program and it's over all impact on my general health and well being. I am very anxious to read the over all study and understand exactly what the hypothesis is or was. I know it will have a hypothesis, because it was put in to practice through a quantitative approach versus a qualitative approach which would carry a research question versus a hypothesis. Wow do I miss doing research. Today brought it all home again.
I did learn today that I was the most successful in the program and earned the most amount of money nationally. I also learned that all those participates that had to pay in and did not meet their goals at the end of the study money goes into a pot and will be given to those who did. I learned today that my part of that money will be quit substanial. I sort of feel bad about taking this money because it is money paid by those who did not meet the goals. Doesn't seem fair somehow... but this is how it is set up. Any way... I am almost 50 lbs lights a few thousand richer...and happy to have participated in hopefully a study that will help others loose their much wanted weight.
Sorry I have not been here much...after the 1st it will all change again. Love Red
RE: Today was the last day - sweet tooth - 02-20-2009 02:35 AM
sounds like you had fun and we are so proud of you
RE: Today was the last day - Still in Limbo - 02-20-2009 05:00 AM
Congratulations and I'm Very Happy for You Red!! Your the Best, so I'm not Surprised that You finished 1st, and now You have a Few Extra Bucks, and a Lot Less Pounds!! Great Job!!
RE: Today was the last day - monster - 02-20-2009 05:08 AM
Congrats on your great success story girl! We new you could do it
RE: Today was the last day - sparkey - 02-20-2009 06:08 AM
I am very proud of you red. It takes alot of will power to do what you did. Now that I will be laid off in another week I am thinking of strictly working on my weight I gained since my injury. I would like nothing better than to loose weight and feel good about myself this summer.
Congrats to you and your success. Any before and after pictures you care to share???
RE: Today was the last day - MJC - 02-20-2009 09:00 AM
Red,
Wow......that is so wonderful and congratulations to you. Of course you finished first, I am not one bit surprised. When you do something you give it all that you have to give. That is something very special about you. Man, I wish there was a study here cause I know what you mean about the weight gain from being sedentary. It has happened to me. Recently I was asked by the orthopedic that will assist my neuro for my fusion if I had any weight change. I told him heck yes, I keep getting bigger and bigger and eat less from not being able to be active. I think many of us can most likely relate to your weight gain situation. It makes me very happy that you did so well in your study program. Kudo's, Kudo's, Kudo's to you sweet lady.
I am trying to get on here more often and participate since the death of Mother. She really took up the majority of my time but am happy I was able to care for her the way I did. I understand you not being on here much it happens to all of us at some time or another.
My lord, you have been a cookin up a storm and I know you are excited about the wedding. Is there anything you can share with us about how you lost your weight......lol? I would love to give it a try if you are allowed to share any of your info. Hey, we might be seeing you are a TV commercial.......go Red. Well, take care my sweet friend and try to rest some. Love ya gal!
Cajun Hugssssssssss,
MJC
RE: Today was the last day - jayne - 02-20-2009 09:12 AM
I have been lucky enough to have seen her since her weight loss and she is now tiny.....but still our Red...congrats my sister I knew if you decided to do it you would be the best at it...way to go....
RE: Today was the last day - Bummer Knees - 02-20-2009 09:34 AM
I am pround of you Red! You are a person of great strength and motivation and I am not suprised you finished first.
I lost wieght over the holidays and am close to my preinjury weight. Although my preinjury weight is still over weight!
Have you found a substitute for the craving for chocolate?
RE: Today was the last day - red1030 - 02-20-2009 11:32 AM
Good Morning all... thanks for the WTG and good wishes. jayne...I have lost about 8 lbs since you saw me, so hopefully I will be even tinier the next time you see me lol... but am still about 15 lbs over my navy weight. Vickinat saw me also, she thought I had lost a lot, and she saw me about 15-20 lbs ago... I am wearing a size 10 now so that is great...got a ways to go to get to a 6. Hopefully when things calm down here, I can join the gym and start swimming again.
MJC..thanks sweetie...I am sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. Words can't express my sincere concern for your loss. Thanks for the encouragement. In terms of the actual diet, while it really was not a diet. It was a life style change where I counted Carbs, fats, protein, Milk, Vegetables, and Fruits. It was about 1500 kcal a day which equals 6 Carbs, 3 fats, 2 Milks, 3 Vegetables, and 3 Fruits. It worked quit well. The biggest secret is to write it all down each day. The writing of what you eat truly helps a person to make wise decisions at the end of the day versus more carbs... or fats...have some fried squash in pam oil fresh ...I like fried quash with different seasoning and with carrots and celery. That was a nightly snack. Then for snack number 2 I had a apple cut up and brought to me by Del with a lemon on top. We do this nightly now. The other change is to change breads from the regular bread to a light bread, salad dressings to a fat free salad dressing, etc. Almost every day I ate cereal or had a waffle for breakfast, (waffle..no butter, and sugar free syrup), a turkey hot dog for lunch on a light bun, a salad for mid day snack, two apples and 1 banana, and sugar free jello tub. Then I just ate my supper as normal.
As for a Chocolate Bummer...even before I lost weight, if I eat one candy bar or have chocolate one time every 6 months, more than likely I ate more than I did the 6 months before. I am not a chocolate lover therefore I don't know about the craving for chocolate. I do like ice cream. Ice cream has always been my down fall. The way I handled this is to throw it out the door every time Del brings it home. I could just do something not to nice to him sometimes the way he thinks we have to have ice cream in the freezer all the time... and the kicker is that he doesn't eat it so who is left in the house to eat it... ME. He is doing better.. because I throw it out every time. lol...
monster..miss you sweetie... need to talk, never to busy for you. Thanks for the warm WTG's still, sparkey and everyone. You are all the best.
The taping is for a television broadcast, but I feel that it is on a learning channel of some kind or something like that. The study is over, and our doctor has been conducting it for 2 years now nationally using the vets population so there has been a large population used as a sample. I was happy to be a part of it. I just can't wait to read the results. Love you all Red
RE: Today was the last day - buildergirl1973 - 02-20-2009 12:00 PM
congrats red you did great! wish i could have the willpower to do something like that! take care of yourself, don't overdo the cooking, and have fun with the wedding