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Skinny Up! The Rider Wellness and Weight Loss Thread!

62K views 542 replies 109 participants last post by  Tigo 
#1 ·
Here it is! The new weight loss thread we have been talking about! The purpose of this thread is to help each other reach our goals with motivation and support. To start, let's share a little bit about ourselves, what our goals are, and how we plan on reaching them. Feel free to share tips, recipes, or anything else diet or fitness related. Let’s keep it fun and resourceful!

My name is Meagan, I am from southern Michigan, and I have one horse named Riley who I adore with every ounce of my being (which is too many ounces at the moment). I have been dieting since the beginning of 2013 as a New Year's resolution. I started at 240 lbs and so far, I have lost 30 lbs. I need to lose another 60 to reach my goal weight of 150. Right now, my mini goal is 200, then 175, then the big kahuna! I have already seen a difference in my riding, I have more strength and endurance. I can only imagine what I will be able to do once I have lost more.

My diet is simple. I eat 1200-1500 calories per day, I eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies, I keep an eye on my fat intake, and that is all. I just chose better foods and eat the right portions of them. I also work at my barn cleaning stalls 3 days a week for an hour each day, and I ride at least once a week. Once I lose a little more weight and the weather warms up, I'd like to start jogging. One day, I'd like to be able to run. I am a very active outdoorsy girl, so it will be nice to be in shape and do more of the things I love.

Let’s get to work! We can do it!
 
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#2 ·
I've never been sure whether I belong in this forum, I don't consider myself plus size but I definitely was and I still have some goals to hit so why not, right? I've basically done a complete turn around since I graduated, I think my highest weight was 150 lbs, which is a lot when you barely reach 5 feet tall. I wasn't active, I was eating crap food and I honestly hated myself. I can remember looking for a show shirt and crying in multiple tack store change rooms because EVERYTHING looked awful and made me feel like a whale. I think that was the 'straw that broke the camels back' so to say. I'm currently 118 lbs, am training for a 5k and fixing my diet and exercise routine after getting obsessive and giving in to an even unhealthier lifestyle (eating 300 - 400 calories a day and exercising for hours). I've gone from being at risk of obesity, as far as BMI, etc. to in the 'healthy' range, and would like to hit and settle at 110, but right now I'm mostly focusing on maintaining a super 'clean' diet and lifestyle, and amping up my cardio ability / gaining strength.

So there's my long winded introduction :lol: I have hundreds of recipes and at-home workouts saved on my computer that I'll probably get around to posting if people are interested. :wink:
 
#3 ·
This is a great idea :)

My name is Tracy, I'm 21, 5'6/169cm and hovering between 121 and 118kg (267 and 260lbs). Obviously, this makes me morbidly obese. I've always had a problem with weight but, although it must sound like I'm crying wolf, I do have a larger figure. I actually have the perfect bone structure for a footballer - I'm all shoulders and quite a bit wider than the average person.
A few weeks ago, I got the best possible inspiration - I was offered a free lease of a horse I used to ride, and loved. I've had horrible experiences with diets in the past, so I decided not to do one. Instead, I began riding the exercise bike that I had borrowed from a family friend late last year morning and night, just doing a mile each time. It took a while, but I also began to change the way I ate - I'm trying hard to cut out my main offender, bread, and am incorporating more fruits and vegetables.

When I began, I was a solid 121kg. Now, I hover between that and 118kg, depending on when I weigh myself. I have noticed some slight changes in my clothing, and a significant difference in muscle already. I'm working hard on my legs - My lease horse is a sturdy 16+HH and I have no hope of getting on from the ground (not that I would with my weight), but as it is I'm going to need a veeeery big mounting block, and would like to have the strength to mount from something smaller.

My goal is 80kg/176 lbs. I know my body and, although according to BMI I would still be overweight, I would be comfortable at that weight, and I know that it would be suitable for my body. Getting down to what they classify as healthy would be ridiculous for me.

And there's my story.
 
#5 ·
This is a wonderful idea!

My name is Lisa, I live in south Arkansas, I am 36, 5'5", and 236 lbs as of this morning. That actually makes 8 lbs that I've lost in the last couple of weeks, yea me! I am in the process of quitting smoking, and am SO worried that I am going to gain weight with that decision, so I have taken some steps to help prevent it. I keep a food journal that I write down everything that I put in my mouth. It helps me realize exactly what I'm eating. I also keep a personal journal to help keep track of my moods and such. As for exercising, I wear a pedometer; two actually, and my goal for now is 10,000 steps(about 5 miles) a day. I managed over 12,000 steps(about 6 miles) yesterday. I plan to keep moving, and monitor my food intake for a while to see where I'm going wrong, and correct that as required. Other than that, there are no concrete plans of change for right now.

I look forward to meeting other people that are on the same road as I am, offering and receiving support when it is needed most. Good luck everyone, and God bless.
 
#6 ·
I'll join in. :)

My name is Dani, and I'm in south Sask. Canada. I am 22, 5'9 or 5'10, and 235lbs. My ultimate goal is 160. My current goal is 200.

I haven't layed out a plan yet on how to acheive this, but two of my biggest downfalls are bread and cheese. Yum!

I have two horses, a coming threee year old, and yearling.

I think I will start a food journal, and tracking intakes etc. I like making lists and charts, but i do lose focus easily if it gets to complicated. I'm hoping to stick to it this time though. For me, and for my Walterbb.
 
#7 ·
My name is NBE(sorry don't like to get to personal on public forums) and I am 28, I have a 20 year old Warmblood mare named Nasty Brat.

My goal weight is 135. I am 5'2 and (god help me I am going to admit it) 185 currently. I used to be 115lbs then life happened and I had injuries that side lined me and then chronic migraines and diagnosed with fibromyalgia and the medications blew me up to the gross blob I currently am.

I am on a diet where I do two shakes a day and graze healthy snacks like almonds and fruit. I also have just started with a personal trainer. I work out at the gym 5 days a week doing cardio and fit fix circuits. I just started yesterday and am full out. Goal is 150 by May :)
 
#8 ·
This is a great start! It's nice to meet other people who are all on the same path. Good luck to everyone on your weight loss goals. I'd like to share this handy little chart that I found online when I started tracking my calories and exercise. It breaks down most of the jobs that we do every day at the barn. You might be burning more calories than you think!

Mucking Stalls for 30 minutes = 240 calories burned

Unloading and Stacking Hay Bales for 20 minutes = 250 calories burned

Carrying Feed Bags for 10 minutes = 50 calories burned

Emptying A Full Wheelbarrow (walking briskly) 5 minutes = 30 calories burned

Sweeping The Barn for 30 minutes = 110 calories burned

Vigorously groom your horse (body/dandy brush) 10 minutes = 45 calories burned

Vigorously groom your horse (curry comb removing dead hair) 10 minutes = 70 calories burned

Hand Walking Your Horse (walking briskly) 20 minutes = 90 calories burned

Riding your Horse In Walk 20 minutes = 60 calories burned

Riding your Horse In Working Trot (rising) 20 minutes = 150 calories burned

Riding Your Horse In Canter 20 minutes = 190 calories burned

Lunging Your Horse 20 minutes = 115 calories burned

Amazing, isn't it? Just one day working at my barn and I burn 500-600 calories!
 
#9 ·
Lunging is a heck of a workout. I didn't really know how much until I started lunging my brat a couple times a week. She is a dream to lunge but you need to be a few steps behind her to push her forward. My legs and thighs feel the burn after a half hour lunge session with her.

I also am always on my feet walking around the arena when I am teaching. As well as doing the barn on weekends.

I start with my personal trainer tomorrow. Which I am excited about. I did 25 minutes on the bike today at lunch and I walked to and from the gym. I was talking with my PT today and she said where I was in such great shape before I will be seeing quick results if I follow my workout plan. So fingers crossed!
 
#10 ·
My name is Sevastion. My current weight is 212 lbs and my ultimate goal is to weigh 150 by September but my mini goal is just to get back down to 200. I'm 5 ft 2 in. I eat so much fruit! But I'm still huge :( its rather discouraging but I will maker it work ;)

I own 4 horses: one is a gray percheron and Morgan cross, another is a bay quarter horse,I have a buckskin as well as my paint ;)

Just to put it out there...there is this website called fit day that you can track everything you eat and it gives the approximate number of calories...its really great
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#11 ·
Just to put it out there...there is this website called fit day that you can track everything you eat and it gives the approximate number of calories...its really greatPosted via Mobile Device
I have heard of Fit Day, I love those kind of websites! I use SparkPeople myself. They have a nutrition tracker and I use it everyday. They also have a fitness tracker that I use on occasion, it seems to be pretty accurate.
 
#12 ·
This thread is a wonderful idea. Support from others is a good boost to those working on reducing. At this point I probably don't belong here but I have been where many of you are...and it's frustration.
I have posted this previously but what worked for me was keeping to the diet of a Type 2 diabetic. I never counted a calorie, only carbs, and the pounds fell off. I hit a plateau at 128 and have remained there for a few months. I'm 5'3".
I feel better, my joints feel a lot better, and my horse says Thank You!

I wish you all success. You will be so happy you did this.
 
#14 ·
I had my first session with my PT today. We went over the 20 minute fit fix circuit they have and showed me how to use all the machines. I love it. I will be back tomorrow to train at lunch. My next session with my PT is tuesday. We will be doing a weigh in and measurements then.

Not going to lie, I am scared to get the actual numbers. I have been guessing at my weight. So this will be the real numbers. Eek!

In the mean time, I am going to do cardio tomorrow at lunch and will do the 20 minute fit fix on Friday and Monday. I will be doing barn, teaching and riding all weekend so I wont make it to the gym. But that will still have given me 5 days this week.

I did slip up and drink a small chocolate milk today *sigh* I shouldn't have, but I did. I think I am going to do some pilates tonight at home.
 
#16 ·
Out of winter boredom, I acquired a culture (SCOBY-symbiotic culture of bactera and yeast) and began brewing a tea called komboocha. I find it very filling. If I drink 4 oz. before each meal I feel full before I even start eating. You can buy it at the stores (pricey) or buy a culture and make your own for about $2-3 gallon.
 
#19 ·
My name is Golden, and I have divorced my scales.

I am fat, but losing, I'm getting fitter is the main one.

I do have a target in mind, well several targets, but I am trying not to focus on the scales.

My targets, to be 100% on my diet from now until 25th March, when I go on vacation, and to get fitter by working out every day, the weight loss is a pleasant side effect.
 
#21 ·
I just had another awesome work out. I am truly addicted to the gym. I love it. I just go in, zone out on the treadmill to warmup then hit up the fit circuit working on muscle and tone. My first weigh in with measurements will be on Tuesday. I wont be doing weekly or i'll drive myself mad. I am going to do bi-weekly weigh ins with measurements.

GH - Don't look at the scale. My goals are going to be done by measurements. Reason being the scale will annoy me as I am turning fat into muscle and muscle weighs more then fat so I will get fed up when I look at the scale lol. So measurements it is!
 
#24 ·
I noticed today that my tightest pair of jeans are getting looser! YAY!!

I'm currently at 244 which is 32lbs down from where I started at 276. I haven't been working out much this past week because I pulled/strained a muscle during my slow pitch softball game last Friday. But I'm eating healthy and going to start running again next week.
 
#25 ·
I want to join!!

Ello everyone! My name's Heather. I'm 24 years old and 5'1. I just recently hit 240 which kind of threw me over the edge. I quit playing rugby about a year ago due to plantar's fasciitis in my left foot. It's gone away and I typically don't feel it day to day, unless I've really over exerted my foot (standing or LOTS of walking). Ever since then I've just been gaining.

I just joining weight watchers online and so far I like the program. It's been almost a week and the scale has yet to reach 240. It's been hovering around 237-238ish, which feels nice. Tomorrow is my official weigh in day! They say to do 5% of your body weight at a time so my goal is to get down to 228. Long term I'd like to be down to 200-210 by the time I go on my cruise in August! I'm pretty busy with 2 jobs, my friends horses and school, but I try to take the stairs, walk, walk around campus. Every once in a while I have time to hit the gym.

One of my BIGGEST problems is going to nursing school, for several reasons. 1. I binge eat from boredom and stress. So if I'm study I like to graze or of I'm under stress (like finals week) I'll eat meals until I have trouble breathing. 2. I'm poor! So much intense school leaves little time for work =\. This semester isn't so bad, so I do have some extra money to spend in groceries. But when money's tight I eat whatever is free or cheap. For example we get lunch brought in by the doctors office I work in every Tuesday and Wednesday. If its bagels and tuna/chicken salad or Boston Market thats what I'm eating. And I usually make myself some for the next day or dinner. Not good.

Any tips on affordable dieting?
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#26 ·
HI, I'm working on weight loss too. Not only so that I can be a better rider, and have more fun with the kids, but also because Diabetes runs in my family. My doctor says I am having pre-diabetic readings but if I take action now, I can change the course of things for the better.

Being a stay at home mom of an autistic toddler, I don't have a lot of "me" time, and when I do it is spent with Cinny. I work out at home when I and wear a "fitbit" to help keep my food in proportion to my activity, which my doctor recomended. If you don't know what a fitbit is, you can see it here. Fitbit I just have to take it off when I ride and log my rides separately because it counts every one of Cinny's steps LOL.

My doctor is currently managing my diet. I can basically eat whatever I want as long as I stay within a low glycemic index. Basically for each day when my meals are totaled up they need to be 50-55% carb, 20% fat and 25-30% protein. I am bad at math but the fitbit website gives me running percentages LOL.

The weight is slowly coming off, I'm feeling great, and my glucose readings are leveling back out. But it's really hard because my husband isn't exactly the healthiest of eaters so we always have junk in our house...frozen pizzas, frozen burritos, cola, waffles, candy, chips :( I really need some friendly support!
 
#27 ·
The weight is slowly coming off, I'm feeling great, and my glucose readings are leveling back out. But it's really hard because my husband isn't exactly the healthiest of eaters so we always have junk in our house...frozen pizzas, frozen burritos, cola, waffles, candy, chips :( I really need some friendly support!
I feel your pain here!! My girlfriend absolutely refuses to eat ANYTHING diet. No diet soda, nothing fat free, or lite. And she says she doesn't like water so her house is always filled with soda, juice, ice tea, etc. It's not that she is meaning to sabotage me, but watching her eat a huge bagel with a chocolate milk while I eat a yogurt and water isn't exactly helpful. It makes it awfully tempting!
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#29 ·
Hi all! I'm reigninseattle, I'm 5'7" and 246 lbs. (ugh) as of last sunday (I weigh myself every sunday). I am 18 years old. My ultimate goal is 180, as I am naturally big-boned, but for now my goal is 235. I have been doing Weight Watchers for 2 1/2 weeks now and have lost 7 lbs. (I started at 253).
I have one horse and he is my inspiration. Every time I find myself getting discouraged or craving junk food, I remind myself that not only am I doing this to get healthier, but so my horse doesn't have to carry so much weight (although he has never had a problem carrying me).
So far I've mostly been changing my diet. Weight Watchers has worked really well for me in the past, it makes me accountable for everything I eat, and I can track my food from my phone. I haven't been exercising very much, although I do try to stretch every day and do push-ups, crunches, lunges, and some other exercises. I also like to play Just Dance on wii.
 
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