Almost There - August!

[2frustrated]

:sunny:

Heck it's August already! Best get those wedding invitations sorted out!!!! :eek:

Had a stupidly wierd food day yesterday - chips (fries) with a whole tub of cottage cheese for lunch :rolleyes: Something I'm noticing is although I've eaten junk for the past couple of days... I haven't eaten too much junk. Ie I've been eating when I've been hungry. :chin: Back to 6 meals today though, with lean protien and veggies, no chips and cheese for me! :lol:

Daisy - go on your date, you only regret the things you don't do! ;)

[SusanB]

Good Morning! and Happy August everyone!
It is the equivalent of 99 degrees here already this morning. We're very fortunate to live in an area where there is almost always some sort of breeze. I might just be hunting that up today and finding that book I've been reading since March.
I have to go buy some excellent food today. Nobody wants to feed me for the next few days (no weddings, no invites, no social nothing) so I'd better do a cleaner job for myself.
I have to do a couple things in the basement sometime soon. Maybe I'll take my mp3 player down there and do some dancy aerobic stuff for a half hour.

[Wide in Winnipeg]

I'm here!! joining in as I said I would! Just popping in right now though!
Catch ya later!

[2frustrated]

The dress is here!

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j85/flurogoddess/P8010005.jpg

Ignore my face - no make-up and helmet hair really doesn't do it any justice!

I've got to lose a few pounds so that I can sit down in it

[softballmom]

It's beautiful, 2Frus. How many more weeks? Clean eats and your continued exercise routine should do it for you. I think you look fab though!

Well, without really trying, I upped my calories to between 15-1600 and actually lost 1.5 pounds since last Wednesday. Maybe I wasn't getting enough and my body was holding on, looks that way anyway. Will try to keep my calories above 1400, but below 1600 - 1600 scares me.

[SusanB]

Gorgeous Jen. You are just so darned cute!

[2frustrated]

:o Thanks gals ;)

Wedding is November 4th, so 13 and a half weeks to go! :lol: Not that I'm counting or anything! Should get the flowers sorted on Saturday, and I am still without a DJ! :tantrum:

[SusanB]

Jen? are we going to do the clean eats challenge again?

[daisimae]

2Frus the dress is beautiful and so are you! I bet you can't wait for the next 13 weeks to fly by :angel:

[softballmom]

Jen - Nov 4, easy to remember for me - that's my birthday! My wedding anniv is Nov 7 - nice fall weddings.... Here's the best to you and your fella.

[Wide in Winnipeg]

Beautiful Dress! Better post a pic of the wedding day!!

Good morning all, today I'm planning on eating 100% claen, which to me means no junk food and not over eating. And I'm going to get my Slim in 6 program under way!Wish me luck!

Have a great day!

[daisimae]

W in W: What is slim in 6?

I'm with you for August. It's starting off on a positive note and I'm determined to hit Labor Day feeling better about myself and my body. I am turning 41 on Sept 8th and I want something to celebrate!!!

Who's in for a Clean August Challenge?

[Wide in Winnipeg]

Daisimae~ Slim in 6 is a Beachbody workout like Turbo Jam and Power 90! Thay are FANTASTIC workouts, and I need to tone along with lose weight because I feel flabby still!:o
I'll try for a clean challenge, but I have so many functions that I know I'll give in to temptation once in awhile, more on haveing social drinks than the food, don't know if that's better or worse!

[Ilene]

Hey girls, :wave:, I've been a bit MIA in the last 2 days, we went on a mini-vacation DH, DD and I, we stayed in a Hotel and went to a water park it was fun... But of course I ate too much! But today I have done well and drank 2 litres of water ...

I've joined the Forum Wide Weigh-In to give me some incentive to get the weight down in the month of August...

[Wide in Winnipeg]

Yep, me to I joined that also!

[2frustrated]

:yes: Me too! Do I have to register for it anywhere or do I just post my loss at the end of the month?

Oh - in other news. I'm :tired: and I stocked the fridge last night and I made turkey burgers and stir-fry. I want to go to sleep and it's only 5 to 9. Roll on the weekend!!!!

[daisimae]

Where can I find the "forum wide weigh in"? That might be fun

[getncontrol]

2frus~~Beautiful, beautiful!!!!! What a gorgeous dress!!

I'm not able to be on the computer as much lately because my four nieces are here and they hog it all the time. :mad: Acutally it's okay because it keeps them out of my hair. :crazy: lol I'm holding my own at 158 and am going to try to maintain for the month of August and get back on the losing track in Sept.

Gaylyn

[lucky]

Here I am, slinking back in...

First of all, 2frus, the dress looks great. You will be a beautiful and buff bride!

Secondly, I have no idea how much I weigh these days as my scale is broken. I would go by the one at the gym...but I haven't been to the gym! I don't think I've gained any weight but I'm feeling a bit pudgy in the middle. A definate result of not having done any ab work for a while. I have been redecorating one of the boys rooms which has meant lots of climing ladders and stairs so my legs have gotten a work out for sure. And by the way it feels, all the reaching and stretching has done something for my upper back, shoulders and arms. Nonethe less, I am finished and it is time to get back to a regular gym routine. Which brings me to my third issue.

I have accepted the job I mentioned way back when. It will only be part-time (8-2) but I will still have to re-think my meal planning and workout schedule. I will really have to kick my workouts into high gear since I will be back at a desk job. In a lot of ways working will make keeping calories in check easier but keeping them clean calories will require a bit more forethought. To be honest, I think this could be just what I need to force myself to buckle down again. For one, I'll be working with people who haven't seen me since I weighed 214 pounds. So, there will be a certain amount of pressure I put on myself to stay in line. More importantly, though, I am forced to plan for the first time in a while. I've been in such a routine for so long that I haven't THOUGHT about my eating and exercise. Which, of course, means both have gradually gone downhill. So, I am off to start planning!

I've only scanned the posts I've missed but it sounds like everyone is doing well. Keep up the good work!

[SusanB]

Gaylyn! Lucky! I've missed you both!

[Ilene]

DaisyMae and everyone interested -- Here is the Forum Wide Weigh-In announcement (http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/announcement.php?f=197) Good luck :D

[Ilene]

:welcome: BACK Lucky !! Nice to see you again... If you were organized before you can be organized again :yes: ...

[2frustrated]

Hello you skivers ;) Nice to see you back! :lol:

I'm really trying to kick my flabby butt for the next 3 months. Something makes me think that planning a wedding and eating clean are slight contradictions! I'm still missing a DJ and am starting to get SLIGHTLY worried about it. Still 3 months to go, so we could actually hire a band of the guy I know at work, so that would be ok. I just hope his singer's still with them :crossed:

[daisimae]

TGIF!!!! I'm telling ya, this has been one hell of a week and I am glad it's over!

I'm happy to report that I've been "clean" all week. Self loathing seems to be quite a motivator (lol).

I'm heading up to my cabin again this weekend (which has been my downfall for the past month) but this time I am going to shop wisely and I am going to do it alone. I will shop before I drive up and avoid the impulse purchases that I make when I shop with my guests.

I will bring along my fat free chips, light whole grain muffins, light butter & sour cream, some fruit and other good food to have on hand. I've been letting myself indulge in all the "full fat" goodies that my guests like and that is a big mistake! I am not going to give up my (light) beer or the occasional margarita but I can cut out the extra fat and calories I've been spending on the junk food.

I hope you all have a great weekend...if I get a chance I'll pop in to check on ya's.

[2frustrated]

:yawn: Nearly home time. This puppy needs her sleep! I might end up feeling human with a bit of sleep! :tired:

[JuliaTN]

Dreamy new boyfriend has been officially kicked out for the weekend. I have GOT to get to the gym. I'm actually down another half pound even with all the bad eating and lack of exercise, which certainly doesn't help my motivation to get back in gear. I almost wish I was up a little so I could see the evil in my ways more clearly (not really though). I keep telling myself I must be losing muscle:(

Gorgeous dress 2F...

[daisimae]

They say that kissing (etc.) burns calories, so maybe you've found the secret to success Julia! :lol3: tee hee

[Wide in Winnipeg]

Morning! Popping in to say I'm still doing well,although I'm retaining water and am bloated which is weird for me right now since I've been eating well.
Have a good day!

[lucky]

I got to move my ticker today! And this time it wasn't UP! Girls, I think I might have gotten my rhythm back.

I've never really thought of myself as someone who needs a tangible goal. My goal weight and my health seemed to be quite enough. But, I've realized that once I got used to myself at 134 and everyone else did too (the comments stopped as everyone began to accept me as "thin") I began to slowly but surely gain weight. Now, here I am, starting a new job with people I haven't seen since losing weight and I am truely motivated by the idea of impressing them. My in-laws will be here for Thanksgiving and when they saw me last I was at my lowest weight. It would kill me if they should arrive in November to find me 15 pounds heavier (well, only 10 pounds heavier now - yay me!). I've always known that I couldn't lose weight for anyone but myself. But, what do you know? KEEPING it off for them seems to be a real driving force for me! And, hey, I'm not complaining...I've been in desperate need of a driving force for the last few months!

You know what else I've noticed? I feel so much better about myself when I eat right and exercise regularly. Why is that so easy to forget? I LOVE feeling in control. Eating right and being active makes me feel as much in control of the rest of my life - money, kids, schedules, EVERYTHING - as it does of my health and appearance. I may never know exactly what the connection is, but there is ABSOLUTELY a connection there.

[SusanB]

Morning LUcky!
That last paragraph says sooo much. I feel as if I can keep my food and exercise good then everything else sort of slides neatly into place. But first I have to get past the notion that everything else is evil and interferes with my plans :)

[SusanB]

Girls ... I am soooo tired! Tomorrow is my seventh shift in a row. Days and evenings mixed together. I feel kinda like a slow motion zombi. Oddly enough ... this is the best food day I have in several days. Go figure!
Unless the sky falls in, I should have Wed and Thurs off. I need groceries!

[softballmom]

SusanB: Hope you get some much needed rest today and tomorrow!

Wide in Winni: Just a thought, could the bloat be TOM? I've been having the bloated feeling for a few days along with wanting to eat/snack (and I'm not hungry). My sister called me this morning and suggested that it was prob Pre-TOM. We are almost on the same schedule, and that is what she is attributing hers to. And looking at my journal, she's prob right. At least now I know how to fight back. Drink your water, which should help. And I will stay away from the carbs and chocolate!

Lucky: Congrats on moving that scale on down! I, too, love feeling in control. When I'm eating good and exercising, my energy and outlook is great!

Well, I gained a quarter pound since last official weigh in. Looking at my journal, I've been eating higher calories so I figured I wouldn't see a loss. But, I don't like gains either even when I know why!

[SusanB]

I misread my schedule! I'm only off today!
I'm off to run errands.

[Ilene]

Susan :hug: Sorry to hear you are so tired but good for you for sticking to plan!!

I've been pretty good food wise this week and workouts have been ok too...

[SusanB]

Well, I've landed home again and don't need to be anywhere else until 4:00. In between loads of laundry ... I hear my pillow calling!

Nice new picture Ilene!

[Wide in Winnipeg]

Susan~ have a nice nap!
Softballmom~ I wish it was TOM but it's not. the weather has been really hot here and I've been moving around a tonne and drinking my water, also been avoiding the salt the past couple days but I'm still bloated beyond belief! Up 3 pounds actually:mad:I'm thinking of taking a water pill but I'm going out of town tomorrow and don't want to be having to go every hour!lol! The pills take there time working for me!
I'm heading up north to Snow Lake for a few days and staying in a hotel so no exercise or proper eating for me, but should be relaxing anyway!
I'll catch up to you all when I get home!
Cheers!

[Ilene]

Have a nice vacation Wide!

[SusanB]

Waaaa! I just got laying down and my brother called. By the time I was done talking to him my in-laws dropped by ...

Everyone has gone out for a while and I have instructions from DH to "go see what your fat chicks are up to and put your feet up" LOL!

We'd better get wide in winnipeg to tell us her real name. I can't call her wide any more.

[Wide in Winnipeg]

LOL!!! I'm called either "Wide" or "Winnie" but my real name is......wait for it.......Wendy!!!
K, I'm outta here, going to get some rest for tomorrows trip! Take care all!

[SusanB]

Good Morning my shrinking friends! I'm off to work again. But I'm pretty sure I got 8 hours of sleep last night. Feels a little better.

Wendy is easy to remember :)

[2frustrated]

Shrinking? Who's shrinking :no: Not me! I'm up on the scales, but I'm guessing that's the 3 big cookies I ate in the cinema last night :doh:

I'm thinking restricting calories too much ends up with face-in-cookies

[SusanB]

:s: It was supposed to be positive reinforcement! :nono: Now stay away from the cookies and get about shrinking. :hug:

[2frustrated]

:lol:

YESSIR!

[JuliaTN]

Yay, I'm up a pound (never thought I'd be saying that). With it came some much needed motivation to get back to the gym. Had my first adequate, if not great, workout in a MONTH.

Have a great vaca, Wendy.

That is a beautiful new avatar pic, Ilene.

Everybody else, get back to shrinking...

[daisimae]

I may not be shrinking....

but I'm thinking about shrinking ;)

Does that count? :dizzy:

Have a good day everybody!

[SusanB]

Thinking about shrinking has got to be better than scarfing donut holes ... which is what I did today.
I could still fix my percents if I had a shake for a bedtime snack ... but this pretty much looks like a glass of wine.:cheers: Yup, it is.

[2frustrated]

:doh:

I'm up 2lbs this morning! I thought yesterday it was a fluke of cookies, but this morning it's still hanging around. :censored:

[softballmom]

I really hate TOM. Aside from the symtoms that Midol helps, I gained 1 lb since yesterday! I KNOW I didn't eat an extra 3500 cals! Well, I guess the remedy for this is more water. I'll be swimming before the day's out :lol:
Good news though, next official weigh in should look good if I stay on plan with my eating and exercise!!

[2frustrated]

Oh BTW I'm a purple belt now :yes:

[lucky]

Congratulations, 2frus! How about instead of scolding your body for gaining 2 pounds you compliment it for the hard work that earned you that purple belt? Maybe a little ego boost (and fewer cookies, LOL) will be enough for it to stop being so spiteful!

[daisimae]

Congrats on your purple belt 2Frus.

With all that exercise do you suppose that your body is storing muscle in place of the fat? This would cause the small gains you are seeing (OK, maybe, just maybe, the cookies are contributing a bit too but we can't be sure ;) )

Be proud of yourself....you've come a long way baby!

[softballmom]

Congrats 2Frus! What's the next belt challenge?

[SusanB]

Doesn't that Jenfrus go to exciting destinations? Wow!

I had a yard sale today. Walking, walking ... carrying boxes ...

[lucky]

I need some breakfast suggestions. I start work Tuesday. I'm having trouble planning a fast (possibly even "on the go") but healthy breakfasts. I hate to admit it but the last time I had a job breakfast was usually skipped altogether or consisted of a really BIG drive through meal and a Coke. *shudder* Since then, I've had the luxury of preparing a full blown breakfast at my leisure, usually around 9 am. I am not one who can eat right when I wake up and now I won't have time to cook my breakfast after everyone is off to school. I'm not a big fan of smoothies, although I would settle for one in a pinch. I imagine I'll have days when I'll have time for my usual egg white omelette or oatmeal but there will be plenty of days I need a grab and go breakfast. Any ideas?

[SusanB]

What about those protein pancakes, Lucky? You can nibble those at your desk or in the car ... with a fruit??

[Wide in Winnipeg]

Hey, I'm back!! What a trip! 7 hour drive 3 hours of driving a day while I was there and walking, walking, walking!!! Although with all the restaurant food and laziness I gained 2 pounds!:yikes:

That will be gone by the end of the week for sure, I won't stand for a 2 lb weight gain:nono: simply not allowed!!!
Well, I'm having the girls over on Saturday night for appetizers and drinks so I better get to the spit shining, I'm a little anal about my house!! LOL!And I better figure out what to make that's low cal!!!
TTFN

[Ilene]

Lucky -- I was going to suggest those pancakes too... Make a bunch of large ones ahead roll them up and you're set to go...

Susan -- Waas all the work of the yard sale worth it in the end?

Wide -- Those 2# are probably only water, they'll come off in no time...

I am very tired today... DH and I drove DD and some friends to an outdoor concert in Montreal yesterday... We dropped them off at 9AM and came back to get them at 9PM... DH and I took a Metro to Old Montreal and walked all around except for a caleche ride in the afternoon...

[Wide in Winnipeg]

um, ya, I agree! I feel my hands swelling as I type! LOL! Good thing I hate it when I have a gain..next week will be worse, I bloat for a week before TOM, a 4=6 pound gain for sure!:mad:

[SusanB]

Was the yard sale worth it??? Sure. We live on a main road between a couple of small villages. It's fairly heavily travelled so I got some traffic but not like in town.
I made $55 and probably have sold what's left of my husband's old truck.
I had boxes all ready and anything that was left went to Goodwill the next day.
It was relaxing and I got some reading done. Burnt my nose :)

Welcome back from holiday Wendy!

I feel really good this morning. I woke early but feel well rested. I had a couple of days of feeling weary and almost headachey. At work yesterday, a couple of people mentioned how quiet I was ;)
But today I feel good. And I don't have to go look at my fitday to know that some of that improvement might have to do with better eating yesterday.

[2frustrated]

:wave:

Hello! I'm back from Marrakech! It was great! I'm full of renewed feeling for my healthy eating plan and I'm going to chill out!

Practising for my blue belt now and it's MAD! I have no idea how I'm going to make it in 4 weeks, but I shall try! :lol:

[softballmom]

Hello girls.

Lucky, it doesn't sound like you will have access to a fridge near work. Bummer. I usually have fruit and cottage cheese or a yougurt with Kashi mixed in. I gotta try oatmeal later (when the temps cool down). Down here in the south I was raised on grits - not a very good breakfast if you're going to pump it up with butter & cheese. I've tried the oatmeal packets, but I think I need to go for the real oatmeal to get the nutrients and make it worth it.

Wide, You'll lose those 2# quickly. Like Ilene said, it's prob water weight. I gained on my vacation also and lost it within the first week or so of being back on schedule.

2Frus, Good luck on your next challenge! And welcome back...

Good morning to everyone else. Hope everyone's day is going according to plan.

Looks like I have lost a couple of pounds since last weigh in -- yahoo! Getting that much closer to goal. Just over 10 lbs to go....

[SusanB]

Good morning everyone!
We finally got everything in order yesterday and we're moving on September 1st! A smaller house with high speed internet!!!
Mind you we celebrated a bit. Now I have to add a BIT of wine and a hot fudge sundae to my fitday. But I'm sure I'll work it off going thru ten years of clutter.

[2frustrated]

:wave:

Been for a jog at lunch! :D feel SO much better now! Not that I was feeling bad before, but I feel all chilled and relaxed! My tummy is still odd - I just get crampy pains after eating, which makes sure I don't eat too much! :D I had a home-made turkey burger for lunch. I absolutely LOVE those things! :T

Tonight I am planning to run 3.5 miles on the treadmill, do some light weights if there's time, and then go to "Body Conditioning" Where us lovely ladies "tone" with small pink dumbbells ;) Then I will proceed to Sweatbox - which I hope is a good laugh, and I hope I will be able to show them all up! :rofl: :devil:

[SusanB]

Helloooooo?! I'm missing our busy thread.

[Wide in Winnipeg]

Used to be busy around here???? LOL!
Having a hard time keeping away from the food, I seem to be hungry all the time even with the gallons of water I'm drinking??!!!....
And as for exercise all I've been doing is spit shining the house for Saturdays guests:o I hate to have a messy house when I'm expecting company...

[Ilene]

Yes, it is quiet in here these days... Everyone gone on vacation, not me though, it's just quiet in my neck of the woods...

[Ilene]

Used to be busy around here???? LOL!
Having a hard time keeping away from the food, I seem to be hungry all the time even with the gallons of water I'm drinking??!!!....
And as for exercise all I've been doing is spit shining the house for Saturdays guests:o I hate to have a messy house when I'm expecting company...When I'm expecting company is when I do my best cleaning, and yes it IS a freakin' workout :lol:

[SusanB]

We have Grandma and Grandpa's whole family for Christmas each year (I have the big house). So we get spick and span at least once a year!

[2frustrated]

:yes: I only tidy for guests - I ask for at least a week's notice in advance :rofl:

I'm really pooped from my extreme workout on Wednesday, then last night I did 2 kickboxing classes, and was supposed to be training before hand too but he never showed up. :mad:

Today I'm having a rest day since DF is doing his police thingy all night, so I will get a Loooooooooooooooooooooong night's rest. I finish work at 4pm, so I'll go home, pack for the weekend (Mum and Dad's), bake some pumpkin protein bars, get my pork stir-fry down my neck, then be asleep in bed by 7pm at the latest! :lol: :yawn: Sounds like my kinda night! :lol:

Got a meal out on Saturday night :yikes: and probably eating out on Sunday, but at least I have a 7.5 mile run scheduled. I WILL go, with or without DF. :yes:

[SusanB]

It's our anniversary gals ... 27 years!

So I think I'll go for a walk very soon, do the housewifely thing, pack some more and be fresh and pretty by the time DH comes home and we'll go out for dinner.

[2frustrated]

Oooh it was Mum and Dad's anniversary yesterday ;) - 32 for them!

Congrats!

[SusanB]

Thanks and good morning Jen!

[softballmom]

Congrats SusanB on 27 years! I'm just behind with you 19. I like to know that there are couples out there that can live with each other for long periods. Even if one has to take it to the sofa on occassion! Definitely hard work at times, so my hat is off to you..

[2frustrated]

:lol: take it to the sofa....

My small rant about us yung 'uns and marriage!!!

I think in today's society, we are programmed to expect perfection in everything. I'm talking great bodies, great jobs, great friends, perfect relationships where we live happily ever after.

I think at the first sight of a little hitch or a bit of trouble, now, us yung 'uns are prone to bail - thinking that this relationship isn't "The One". But in actual reality, you find "The One" and you DO argue over the washing up and snipe at each other because you're stressed at work or you haven't had enough sleep! And living with someone else and compromising and running a household IS HARD WORK! Some things have to be compromised for other things. EG my house is a tip, but we usually have clean clothes and food to eat. ;) Yes HE leaves his socks all over the floor, and so do I! My junk is spread all over the place and so is his! If the toilet seat is up, and I need it down, then I put it down! :rolleyes: I've NEVER understood that one! :lol:

And as for deeper stuff like infidelity, I think it is possible to forgive and forget and move on if you truly love the other person and they are truly sorry and circumstances have changed.

I also think that we are too selfish nowadays. EG "I am too busy to wash up one bowl so that you can get on with your cooking" OR "I am going to go kickboxing rather than come home and "look after you" because you have a COLD!" If we have a little more respect for the other person, and enjoy doing stuff for them as well as with them, then we will live long and prosper!!

Here endeth the lesson :yes:

[Ilene]

It'll be 23 years for DH and I in October... He gets on my nerves sometimes :lol: but I bet I get on his nerves more often :lol3:... I am not an easy person to live with!

[QueenofChiba]

Happy Anniversary SusanB! Are you going anywhere special for dinner?
I just have to say "yaay" for August and November anniversaries. I married my DH 3 times- August 4th, November 11th and November 17th (US, Japan, city office).
2Frus-I just want to know how do you do it all?
It`s bedtime in my part of the world. See you tomorrow.

[2frustrated]

Stupid spurts of gruelling determination interspersed with weekends where I fall face down in the refined carbs!

Oh and I have a wedding dress to fit into. That's giving me (literally) serious nightmares.

[SusanB]

I mentioned Chinese Buffet to DH this morning but he kind of curled up his nose ... so I'm not sure. Italian might be nice for a change.

[daisimae]

Hats off to all you gals and your long marriages! Maybe someday I will be able to put up with someone for more than a few months! lol

[SusanB]

We drove off in the direction, turned there for no good reason and ended up in a town called Listowel. We tried a pub sorta place which was ... mmm ... fairly rustic. But the menu was awesome. I had fetuccini alfredo with seafood and was doing ok until the peanutbutter pie!

Today we get to go have another look at the new house. I'm pretty excited about that.

Funny story ... my husband likes talk radio and on the way last evening there was a Focus on the Family thing about long lasting marriages :)

[lucky]

Sounds like a nice night out, Susan. I hope you both enjoyed yourselves. And I'd say a long, happy marriage is worthy of splurging on a bit of peanut butter pie!

Softballmom, I do have acess to a fridge at work. As a matter of fact, I have one of my own. How handy is that? One of our locations had a dorm sized ones and when they moved didn't need it but didn't want to get rid of it. So, we adopted it and set it up in the cubicle right next to my fax machine and copier. There is also a break room with a full sized fridge, microwave, etc. so I definately have all that I need to make healthy choices during the day. I don't really like to eat at work which is why I was looking for breakfast items that were either quick to make and eat at home or that traveled well so I could eat on the run. I'm only working part time so I've decided just to eat lunch later in the afternoon once I get home.

And speaking of my new job, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. I really think the sturcture that balancing work and family takes is going to help keep me in line. It is hard to snack when every minute of every day is scheduled! Plus it has forced me to go back to setting a specific time to go to the gym as opposed to just winging it (which somehow always falls through. LOL). Now, I can't say, "Oh, well, I'll just go later, tomorrow, or never."

Also, I've successfully managed to avoid the pitfalls of eating out at work. I think I've mentioned before that I worked for this company for almost 12 years before leaving to stay home 4 years ago. Lots of faces have changed but there are still lots of people there that I know very well. If I've had one lunch invite I've had a hundred. Something that would have had my tongue wagging 4 years ago. What is funny is hearing over and over again, "OH MY GOSH! You've lost so much weight. You look great. Want to go to lunch?" I suppose it is more proof that people who have never struggled with their weight don't see food the way those of us who have do. So, I've accepted one offer from the four people I'll be supporting but everyone else has gotten a gentle reminder that all those work lunches out were a huge contributing factor to my getting so fat to begin with. So far, everyone has been very understanding and we've made plans to walk the mall, meet for coffee after lunch, etc.

I have to say it is very strange getting so many comments on my weight again. The people I see every day are used to it by now. Of course, none of these people have seen me in four years so I seem substantially thinner to them. However, I'm whittling away at the extra pounds I put back on so I've got a "I've gained weight" mentality. It is hard not to confess that I regained 15 pounds when someone notices I've lost weight.

2frus, I'm with you on younger generations attitudes towards marriage. I think one contributing factor is women entering the workforce too. I am lucky that my parents have enjoyed a long and happy marriage. But, frankly, my mother wouldn't have had the options that I do had she not been happy. She married at 18, had children almost immediately, and wouldn't have been able to financially support us had it not worked out. As a result, they worked through problems that someone of my generation might have thought weren't worth the effort and divorced over. I don't believe that you MEET a soul mate and fall in love. I think you love someone and MAKE a soul mate by working at it. It isn't as romantic as in the movies but, hey, movies are to escape reality not mirror it! For the record, we'll celebrate our 11th anniversary in November - but we've been together (expect for an occasional "break" during our college years) for 20. And DH can make me happier than anyone else in the world but he can also piss me off more than anyone else in the world too. I don't think I ever make him mad. You know, what with me being perfect and all.;)

[Wide in Winnipeg]

I'm seperated, threw in the towel almost 2 years ago,and was only married for not even 2 years. he is a drug addict so I'd rather be without that influence around my son and I than deal with the mental and emotional abuse for another 50 years.:D

[lucky]

Sounds like you made a wise choice, Wide. Sometimes you have to get while the gettin's good!

[SusanB]

Amen Wendy, I'm glad you're out.

[Ilene]

And DH can make me happier than anyone else in the world but he can also piss me off more than anyone else in the world too. I don't think I ever make him mad. You know, what with me being perfect and all.;)Amen Sistah :high: ... I may be difficult to live with but I AM perfect :yes: !!!

Susan : Sounds like a perfect evening...

Wide : Good for you for making that wise choice and providing a better life for your child :hug:

DH and I are off next week to Mont Tremblant in the Laurentians, we are taking our bikes ... Can't wait :carrot:

[QueenofChiba]

August is almost over and although I`m on summer vacation I haven`t been anywhere except to local places with the kids. It`s stressful living in a foreign country, not speaking the language well, and having no DH around to help out. DH works for an airline and I haven`t been able to get any seats-we fly standby. DH has been working 7 days a week, 7am-11:30pm and so we never see him. It`s really been horrible. He`s an engineer (airplane mechanic) and is in a training course for the 747 until December. I usually take my vacation in July but I had to work on August 6th so I postponed my vacation until afterwards.:mad:

[SusanB]

Ah Sunday! It can be either a blessing or a trial.
Mine looks good so far. The boys worked nights so they're sleeping. Dh and I will quietly saunter off to church in an hour or so.
Light food for just the two of us and nice salmon for supper I think.
I can exercise whenever I want ... abs and a walk probably.
Hmm ... lovely ....
Oh yes, some more of that nasty sorting and packing.

[lucky]

Queen, I know how you feel. Every summer slips past me and I've never done all that I had intended by the end. Heck, every YEAR seems to slip past me these days. I hope you are feeling better about things soon.

Susan, I feel for you with all the sorting and packing. I have vowed never to move again. When we built our first house we were newly married and didn't have much to move in. All the furniture, etc. was new and delivered so all we had to do was thell the guy where to put it. Fast forward 7 years. My, the things you can collect over such a short period of time! We decided we could move ourselves into this house. What a mistake. First of all, it is two stories and, at 214 pounds, I could barely get myself up them much less any boxes. We ended up calling someone to finish the big stuff for us. Speaking of long marriages, the fact that DH and I survived that moving day without calling an attorney is all the proof I need that we'll be married forever. LOL.

Food has been great, exercise has been, pretty good and I am in a groove again. I managed to lose half a pound this week. It isn't as much as I had hoped but a loss is a loss so I'm not going to be grumpy about it!

[Wide in Winnipeg]

Sigh.......just not feeling it..someone want to come over and pull me off the couch?????I'm stuck in a rut..

[Ilene]

It's dull dreary and rainy here and I've decided to go with the flow and do NADA for today... I haven't even taken my boxers and tank top off that I wore to bed :D.... So Wide, if you're not feeling it today neither am I...

We've never had to move and have been in the same house for 23 years!! So imagine the junk we have accumulated!! We have a yard sale every year with all the junk and it doesn't even make a dent in the mess in the basement and garage... I asked about your yard sale Susan because this year we did really good with ours and made over 100$ for a change, usually we don't do that well, but we did have some bikes in there and a desk that went for $20 each...

[SusanB]

I can't tell ya how many trips I've made to the drop box in town, to Goodwill in Stratford, DD's been here and tomorrow I'm dropping off stuff at my MIL's for Diabetes (they won't pick up in the country). I think I'm almost done with give-it-away stuff. The dumpster is full and DH has a bonfire going.
It's kinda fun.
I'm having a wee snack here and then I'm going to run boxes of books downstairs until my legs get wobbly.

[SusanB]

I'm quite weary now and almost ready for bed. We've loaded the trailer to about the 32 foot mark. 16 down 32 to go :)

[QueenofChiba]

ugh...moving...it`s such a big chore. The last time we moved I was pregnant so I got off easy. We`re renting a house now and the next time we move it will be into our own house at the top of the hill about 4 blocks away from here.
Don`t over do it SusanB!

[SusanB]

Good Morning everyone!
Queen? I'm feeling quite blessed with this move. The boys 19 and 24 are really into it. They're much better lifters than I am. And this time, I don't have to keep an eye on them while doing the heavy stuff myself :)

I'm off to work soon. Have a good day!

[2frustrated]

*sigh* Long marriages.

I'm having a bit of a drama at the moment. We visited my parents at the weekend. My Mum is very huggy kind of person. DF doesn't really like that but tolerates it (or so I thought). Anyways, we were faffing about over lunch and DF was getting wound up that there was so much fuss and so many choices and :blah: and he wanted us to make lunch. So to calm him down Mum stood behind him and went to put her arms around his waist. He grabbed her wrists and flung them off him (she hadn't even touched him yet!). So Mum was v shocked and DF v p'd off since he "doesn't like to be touched!". I was mad at what he said, I can't remember quite what, but I didn't know he'd hurt mum. So I said he'd better apologise to her for being such a :censored:

Anyway, we got the dinner ready and Mum wouldn't come downstairs, so I went up and she's all upset that he's hurt her, and she's so shocked and it's a big mess. So I try and calm her down and explain that DF's parents aren't quite as huggy as she is, and I don't think he even really gets a hug from his Mum. :dunno: But she's still wound up that he was quite "violent" with her.

So I go downstairs and DF is having lunch, I tell him to apologise, so he goes upstairs and they both get upset and have a hug and sort it out.

Later on, Mum asks me if he's ever "been violent" with me. I told her I wouldn't still be there if he had.

So anyways, DF goes and talks to her again and I thought they'd made up. But DF is still feeling stupidly bad about it this morning, and is asking me to apologise again to mum. I had a doc's appointment this morning, so I rang Mum beforehand. She's still upset and keeps saying she can't remember when anyone was so rough/"violent" with her. So we kind of agree to put it behind us and move on. (She is a bit stressed out with their business at the moment, v busy time) So I rang DF to tell him that she doesn't think he's violent with me, but she's still a bit upset.

She just wishes that it hadn't happened, and that we can't go on getting upset and apologising. Invariably, DF usually gets p'd off whenever we go to their place - either because we stay out too late or we can't get out the house when he wants to. :blah: We have no transport when we go there, we usually catch the train. They live out in the middle of no-where and there are 3 buses a day! :lol:

Now I'm not mad at DF, not as mad as I could be anyway. And I feel sad that I've introduced someone into my Mum's life who's hurt her and upset her. I've spent my whole life looking after her and cheering her up and trying to NOT have her hurting, and now it's my fault that DF's been an @rse and I'm torn in two.

I really don't think DF meant to hurt her, and he's very sorry. But I don't know.

confused

[SusanB]

Oh Jen, I'm sorry you have this going on when you already have sooo much to think about and do.
I don't really know what to say. Hopefully this just seems big because we want everyone to love each other as much as we do each one of them ... at this time ... with the wedding coming and all.
Maybe that's the best you can do. Love them both like you do and know that adults take different hurts different ways. They each heal in their own time and fashion.

Are you your Mom's only daughter. I remember worrying what my 'princess' might end up with. It's a very real worry. Mine was unfounded ... but it probably took me a while to know that for sure. Unfortunate timing, lovey, I'm sorry.

[2frustrated]

I am the only anything! :lol: I think they've calmed down a bit. DF is moping around like a lost dog and I spoke to mum yesterday morning and she's still upset. I told her I'd bang their heads together if they didn't get over it! :lol:

I'm still feeling a bit sick from Morrocco/Yates's chips! Only just had breakfast, which is 2 hours late!

Off kickboxing tonight, can't decide whether to gym or run or nuthin at lunch, or run before kickboxing or not. I suppose we'll see what happens!

[QueenofChiba]

2F-sorry to hear about you mom and DF trouble. I`m sure her feelings were hurt. My DH doesn`t like to be hugged/kissed also, especially in public. I`ve gotten mad plenty of times when he would turn his cheek to my kiss. It`s a horrible feeling. (my DH is Japanese and most Japanese aren`t into public displays of affection).

Today I got "Tom" and I feel like I`ve been hit by a truck. My whole body is stiff. I guess I`ll try to get a massage somewhere tomorrow. We went swimming yesterday and today we went to a huge dinosaur exhibition and walked around for 3 hours. There`s a slight chance that the kids and I might be headed for the States on Thursday-keep your fingers crossed for us.

[2frustrated]

My DF turns his cheek a bit too! I usually grab him and make him kiss me properly! :lol:

:crossed: for the states!

[SusanB]

I'm feeling confident in my good habits of the last couple of days, so I'm taking the little drop on the scale literally. And since I'm in that feathweights week thing ... I feel confident that I can keep at it. A little more drop would be awesome!

[2frustrated]

I'm beaten up. Some new big bully guys at kickboxing last night. :headache:

The DF situation seems to be resolved, although I wasn't happy yesterday afternoon. We seem ok now. I have been told it's "Pre-marriage crisis syndrome!" :lol: Sounds about right!

No super gym workout for me tonight *sigh* we are going to the cinema instead! :rolleyes: Oh well, I suppose I can't complain! ;) I must get myself down at lunch, my injured shoulder/neck seems to be better today. That means I can go and wreck it again! :lol:

[SusanB]

Take care of that neck! It has to hold your head up for a nother 80 years or so!

Somewhere between my perky posts yesterday morning and noon a migraine hit. The rest of the day was blotto! I missed work, I didn't lift .... I wound some yarn and got my craft chest in order ... but that's all!
I felt a bit neurotic ... poor Susan can't handle the stress of moving. Yick!

Today I have a nice calm plan in the works. When I get it all sorted out ... I'll post in the week thing.

[2frustrated]

:hug: Poor you! Moving and weddings are the most stressful things!

[softballmom]

I am so thrilled this morning. What usually takes me 3-4 weeks, I did in one week -- I lost two whole pounds! I know that it's correct since I do a daily check each morning and it's been consistently going down. The only change that I've made this week is bumping my exercise days up. What motivation to stay on the 5-6 days/weekly plan!

I'm sure that I probably won't see anything as dramatic next week (and that's okay) because I've been journaling my losses over an 8 month timeframe and I do have a tendency to cycle through "heavier" losses one week then basically stall for a couple of weeks, letting my body recover (I guess). But this 2# removal brings me less than 10 pounds from goal!
And that's just a totally different feeling that I need to adjust to...

[SusanB]

Can we call you by a real name Softballmom?
You go girl! less than 10 lbs is an awesome feeling!

[softballmom]

Okay... Helen.

[SusanB]

Way to go Helen! At this point any movement on the scale is amazing. Good for you.

[lucky]

That is awesome Helen! I tend to have the same sort of cycle as you. One big loss will show up out of (seemingly) nowhere every now and then.

I have some good news of my own. Remember I mentioned I had lost only 1/2 a pound last week. Well, some pants I'd tried on for work were a little snug about a week ago. I tried them on again this morning and they fit perfectly. Even though I just weighed the other day I thought, what the heck, and got on the scale. I am down 3.6 pounds! Talk about a shock. It is really a two week total, not a week but, hey, I don't care WHEN I lost it I am just glad that I DID!

2frus, I'm glad things are beginning to settle. I think it is safe to say that planning a wedding creates enough anxiety to make everybody involved a walking time bomb. This too shall pass (and then it will be something else driving everyone crazy!).

[SusanB]

Oh girls, I'm awake again! I have tried sleeping. I have to go to work in the morning but my ear is thumping!
Somewhere along the line ... no one is sure wheather it was a pregnancy thing or having my wisdom teeth out ... but I have nerve thing. Once in a blue moon, I can actually hear my pulse. I've kinda gotten used to it in the day time but at night ... oi!
So here I am reading.
Until ... this too shall pass :)


ps ... peanttbutter and jam on a really nice grain bread didn't help one bit.

[2frustrated]

:hug: Poor suse

My scales are doing my head in!!!! :tantrum: I lost a pound last week, but they're back up that pound since my dodgy tummy has gone! :doh:

I'm averaging 1500kcals for the past 4-5 days (don't know about weekend, but know it wasn't a lot). Last night I was so hungry that I could barely walk home from the cinema. What's a girl to do?

I'm off for a jog at lunch, just to rev this fat-burning machine up. :mad:

[lucky]

Susan, I hope you are feeling better. I couldn't help but think of Edgar Allen Poe's, Tell-Tale Heart as I read your post. You don't have some old guy buried under your floorboards do you? :lol:

2frus, I can't even imagine how irritated you are feeling with the scale right now. You workout so hard - you, of all people, deserve to have the scale move in the right direction every week!:hug:

Tomorrow is my "official" weigh in day. I expect to see a drop even if it is just an ounce of two. This has been a test week for me - I'm trying to figure out exactly what I'll need to do in terms of calorie intake and exercise to make up for being at a desk for much of the day. That was one thing about staying home with three kids - even if I didn't get to the gym I did plenty of running around to burn calories. I have been doing some toning exercises and making a point to move at work though. Plus, because I'm busy during that time my calories have been consistently low. I'm not snacking at all plus I'm tired enough at the end of the day that I'm going to bed instead of staying up until 2 a.m. and snacking.

[SusanB]

Man I hope not! How would I expalin that to the people who bought it!

I'm at work and sneaking in a wee visit with you gals. I had a horrible day yesterday. I hate banks, hate hate hate them!!!! Even before I got into the beer, I was waaaay over calories :(

I'm feeling much better today.

[Wide in Winnipeg]

I'm back from the lake. did you miss me??LOL!
Up only half a pound which is pretty good considering the garbage I consumed.
Glad to be home and back to routine:)

[2frustrated]

:wave: Hello!

BfL is going well! :D I'm enjoying my food and feeling balanced. Not gone bonkers when eating out, or eaten too much junk "because I just ran 8 miles..." etc etc.

UBW BfL stylee at lunchtime, then lovely kickboxing tonight. :hyper:

[Ilene]

Hey welcome back relaxed and ready to roar Wide!!

2F -- Congrats on the clean eats...

Yesterday food was clean but not exercise, today food will be good and exercise will be there! On this not I'm off to the gym!!

[2frustrated]

I made it to the gym at lunch, even though I was hungry and didn't wanna go :tantrum: but I made it and feel lots better for it :D

I'm hungry now though :o I had a turkey burger and oven roasted veggies after the gym. I've just had a pumpkin protein bar and I think I might have some oatmeal with an egg in it if I still feel hungry in half an hour or so. :T

[2frustrated]

Oh boy! BfL weights are TIRING! :yawn: I hardly made it through my kickboxing class! :lol: Now I know why you only get to do 20 mins HIIT every other day!

I ended up eating in the middle of the night last night. We went to bed early (9.30) and I only had fruit and a glass of soy milk for "dinner". I wasn't really hungry but I felt exhausted from exercise - which is a big trigger for night eating. Plus there were these little biscuity things in the cupboard, so they're easy to eat at night. I managed to eat 5 all the way through the night! I think I woke up about 3 or 4 times! :doh: I think if I get a more "proper" meal before bed I'd be ok. I was trying to think of something without refined carbs, but failed! So I ended up with the fruit and light soy milk since I wasn't really very hungry anyway.

And of course the scales are up this morning because of the food I ate overnight! :doh: Never mind! I should be putting those scales away in the cupboard! I'd managed to stay off them for a few days too! Now it's just making me frustrated that I haven't made "progress" when I know I have really, it's just some food in my tummy that's put the numbers up, not fat on my booty! :lol:

Today is HIIT at lunch. I'm slightly not looking forward to it, and a little bit of me is looking forward to it, since I think this will help my speed at running, and I think it might be the missing piece of the puzzle... It's the only "new" thing that I have to do with BfL.

I also think not Fitdaying is helping... In as much as I can't see what my ratios are, so I'm having to best guess - so that I never know whether there's "room for" a piece of cake or cookie or whatever. I don't have the luxury of counting it in and compensating for it with a protein shake, so I have to stick to the plan all the time, for fear of it not working! :D

Lunch is the same as yesterday - and mighty fine it is too, then afternoon snack is a baked potato with cottage cheese (another one of my staples! :lol: ). We are going out for dinner, so another chicken salad for me, without dressing! :T

[softballmom]

I made my Labor Day challenge of 123# with a few days to spare! Considering the last few days I've been in a funk this excites me to keep on. Adding wt training to my scedule, which boosted my exercise days from 3-4 to presently 5-6, has really helped to speed my loss. I'm also eating more calories per day which has been nice.

However, knowing that this is really a lifetime challenge I must come up with some maintenance goals that will keep my weight at goal, as close as possible. Those who are at goal or very near, and no longer use the scale as a measurement of success, do you have any suggestions?

[2frustrated]

:cp: Well done Helen! :woo:

[Ilene]

:high: Helen on your accomplishment!!

2f -- That's a good poing about Fitdaying and not knowing "whether there's "room for" a piece of cake or cookie or whatever" ... if you're following BFL eating style you have no choice in the matter... But, gee, I didn't know BFL allowed nighttime eating :devil: ... Eating a more substantial meal before bedtime is a great idea...

[2frustrated]

BfL probably doesn't... I bet a small piece of garlic bread and half a (stolen) naan bread isn't authorised either ;) Oh and I had half a low fat chocolate bar :rolleyes: it tasted rubbish! Damn me and my sweet-addiction! At least I didn't have pudding! But I DID have a grilled swordfish salad :angel: so I'm almost there for yesterday! :lol:

Should've got up for HIIT this morning, but it was DARK and miserable! :( So I'm going out at lunch with my dodgy knees :rolleyes: Less kickboxing methinks! I might only do one class tonight, rather than my usual two - we'll see how sleepy I feel :yawn:

[2frustrated]

Hello featherweights... echo! echo! echo!

Where is everyone? Susan B's moving house - Ilene's lurking... :devil: What's happening with coach Ilene? :coach: Where's lucky :lucky: Softballmom's around here somewhere!!!

I'm feeling shockingly awake today - I'm bored but awake! I just don't really like Fridays cos we just don't do much! :lol: We don't do much anyway, but we do even less on a Friday!

Day 7 of BfL - not seen any scale or inch improvements yet, but am still 2 HIIT workouts and 2 weights workouts shy of completing the week! I guess starting on a rest day doesn't really help! :lol: Anyway, I'm going to catch up on 1 HIIT and 2 weights tonight in the gym. I did that last Friday and really enjoyed myself - took a couple of hours, but it felt good. :D Eating's been pretty clean yesterday and today. I'm starting to eat a bit more bread - which I'm not sure how bad or how good it is!!! On one hand, it's processed carbs, on the other it's healthy wholegrain bread and I DO need some carbs to fuel my workout! I think limiting to 2 or 3 slices a day (a BfL portion is 2 slices :eek: ) is probably wise. :yes:

[softballmom]

:wave: Hellooooo (echo, echo back) Jenn! Is it just us?

My boss just left for the weekend, but he left me a list of things to do; so I want be getting bored anytime soon. Here in the States it is the beginning of a 3 day Holiday weekend (Labor Day) so maybe that's why it's a little quieter than usual.

Oh well, just checking in quick during lunch. Have a nice weekend and keep up the good work!!

[Wide in Winnipeg]

I'm here too! Just busy with the going back to school thing!
Guess there will be a new thread for September??
have a good day!

[Ilene]

I moved the September posts to the Almost There September and closing this one... CYA