Support Groups - Herbal Magic #5

Wow, what a quiet place!!!

Way to go losers!!! Everyone is doing fantastic!! I weigh in tomorrow morning...hoping for atleast 1/4lb to get me at the 30lb mark. I have worked out 3 times and went for 1 aquafit class since my WI...I don't think only 3classes could put me up in weight, could it? Oh well I feel great and it feels great to be working out...sweating my butt off feels great...who ever would have thought I would be saying those words?!?!

Did anyone watch The Biggest Loser tonight?? OMG I was so Pi**ed at that Tracy....she played so stupid this week...and I cannot believe the people that trusted her...when are people going to realize....IT IS EVERYONE FOR THEMSELVES???? I hope her butt goes home next week...she is lucky I am not on there with her...I'd kick her A**....LOL

I hope everyone is doing great......staying on the straight and narrow...and if you are having a tough time...come talk to us...we are all here for each other!!

BL

I had a crappy W/I today!!! I went up +1lb :( I can only hope that it's just that I ate a few higher sodium foods cause I sure as heck did not cheat(and not that TOM)! I even walked for 50 minutes Sunday evening!!! Uggggg my body sucks lol At least the girl at my center wasn't to worried - she said one weigh-in like that is not a big deal & wasn't concerned when she reviewed my food journal. So I have been a psycho about sodium the last 2 days & it better reflect on the scale!!!

I hope everyone else is producing good #'s!!!! Keep it up ladies!!!!

HAGN!!

HMj.

better life: I KNOW!! Tracey needs to go! She was such a ***** putting Shay up on the scale...and trying to pretend it was because "she really did well this week". UGH!!

She's gotta know that the second she is below the line, everyone will vote her out.

I do feel bad for Coach Mo though...stuck with her.

Anyway...enough of that. My wi went well yesterday as I lost another 1.2 and am now 200.4! Onederland here I come!

Today, after I ran on my treadmill, I weighed myself at home and actually saw that glorious number 1 at the beginning. 199.5.

I won't really consider it official until I wi at my centre but hopefully their scale will reflect something similar (despite my clothes) in the morning....if not, for sure by the end of the week :)

:carrot:

hey ladies! i just got caught up on the reading part of things! and it seems that everyone is doing great!! way to go! i finally made it into the 150's!! woohoo! i bought the purify thing cuz it was on sale but i don't think i will start it for 2 weeks.. only 2 weeks left of the weight loss and i was at 159.2 yesterday but my scale today showed great improvment! its old school tho so it isn't very accurate.... im excited to go weigh in on friday to see where i am at... no cheating lots of planning and cooking:) i made the cabbage roll casserole from the cook book and my o my it was amazing!! i would suggest everyone try it. and its easy! i can cook it so it must be!!! i made a chicken quesadilla for lunch today...yummy! im loving it... i went shopping on friday and it was a blast!! i bought this one dress ( actually i bought 4 hehe) and it makes me feel fantastic!!! i wore it to work yesterday and everyone loved it and said i look like a size 3 :) not even close but it makes me feel great!!! and i also bought a pair of high heeled boots that go to almost my knee and it is the first time that i have ever fit into them.. they normally dont do up around me calf!!! i told my b/f that he needs to take my debit card away because im having way to much fun shopping and i just keep spending! yikes.. o well.. saturday he is taking me out to buy a fancy dress for a wedding we have to go to next weekend.. its going to be a lot of fun :) i hope everyone is having a great day and the best of luck with wi's!!! ttyl

Renee-Great Job on the weight loss so far!! Feels great, doesn't it!! As far as your out of town issue, I agree with the protein bars. It's tough, just make smart choices and you'll be fine. Make sure you drink alot of water as restaurant food tends to have a higher salt content.

Tamara- Woohoo!!! Crossing my fingers for you that you hit the 160's this week!

Destiny- That's awesome news!! So how does the 160's feel? Thanks for the info on Bootcamp- I'm going to look into it!

Momof5k- So did you hit onderland today??? I'm dying to know!

Betterlife- Great job with the exercise girl! I'm patiently waiting to hear about your W/I!!

HMJUNKIE- I'm willing to bet it's the sodium. Hope you have a big drop at you next weigh in. Sodium will getcha everytime!

amgirl- You're so so so close to your goal!! You must feel amazing!! Isn't shopping a whole new experience?? I use to hate shopping....it use to drive me crazy that I had to shop in the Plus section where all the clothing consisted of flowered grandma clothes. Now I can fit into regular sized clothing! That's very exciting for me!!

I'm a little frusturated with my weigh in. I was up 1pd on Monday and up another 0.2 pds today. Granted I did have a piece of birthday cake over the weekend. I've been doing really good since Monday and I'm still up. I had a new girl for my weigh in today and she totally rubbed me the wrong way. In the course of 5 min she asked 4 times whether I was getting all my food & water in, if I was SURE that I wasn't eating anything extra and if I was SURE I wrote down every little thing I ate. Like seriously....why would I lie? I'd only be hurting myself. It just makes me a little mad that I've been trying so hard, and then to not only be up in weight but basically called a liar. Losing weight is hard work...why should I be made to feel like a failure for a gain??? I understand that they are doing their jobs but a little compassion would be nice! GRRRR! Here's hoping Friday is better to me.

Hey ladies...to those who have lost way to go, and those who didn't just keep keepin on...don't let it get you down or you will end up in a worse funk~!

Alberta...I have one of THOSE ladies at my center...and I dreaded going when she was there...I think the manager said something to her, because she isn't as bad as she was, we also go 1-2 times a week so I don't see her as much now. Hopefully you won't get her too often!!

Well I went for WI today...and was down 3/4lb.....so I made my goal of 28lbs...over by 1/2...but now I still have 1.5 to go to be on track for this weeks WI, which for me is on Monday morning. I am very happy with my WI today.

BUT...I AM SO CLOSE TO THE 170's...I CAN TASTE IT...and IT TASTES BETTER THEN CHOCOLATE!!!!!!!

The gym is going GREAT but the manager from Herbal One doesn't want us doing any weights...only cardio, as she is worried we will gain weight. She wants us to wait until we are closer to goal...but the gym seems to think that we should be doing both, losing and toning...SO WHAT TO DO?????

Off to change the stats...my FAVORITE PART...LOL

Hey Alberta - just stick with it. I found weekend slips make you pay for awhile, but then boom, you're down two pounds. You can do it! Heck do it to spite that counsellor - ha ha!

Congrats everyone on the losses! :)

Alberta - I know where your coming from with the +lbs W/I - but I keep reminding myself it'll come back off so try to stay positive. I was lucky my lady at the center is so freaking awesome - she's totally realistic about gains and told me that if I was going up for a week then she'd worry but not to worry about my gain to much & try to focus just on the plan. So try not to worry about the cake-tasting :) It'll be off in no time - just focus on the plan :D

Momof5k - keep up the good work on your #'s!!!! I can't wait til One-derland!!! You are so close so go get it!!!!

Amgirl1 - I love that you are having a blast with your shopping trips :) You worked hard to fit those clothes now reap the rewards!!! And your B/F should be giving you his debit card to let his girl show off her new bod!!!

BL - great job on hitting your target! :) Just a teeny tiny smidge away from 170's!!!! WTG!

Question for all of you - how much exercise are you all doing? I am wondering how much I should be doing with this plan? Did you exercise right from starting the plan?

HAGN everyone - I have my W/I tomorrow morning so fingers crossed my body co-operates & I am - lbs this time!!!!!!! :D I want my star up on the wall!! hehe

HMj.

thanks ladies!!! He doesn't have a debit card but he offers me money to go shopping :) lol he's takin me this weekend to buy some new stuff and we are going on vacation somewhere this winter and he's takin me shopping there too :) i kno friday might not be the best weigh in because i am probably retaining water ...(time of month)... but its ok cuz no cheating and by tuesday or monday i should have a big drop... well here's hoping at least.... I only do light exercising when im stuck.. like going for walks or bike rides... now im into roller blading but it is freezing out there!!! I tell everyone that i miss being chubby cuz i was always warm hehe.. just kidding tho this is te best feeling ever! well goodluck to all and i will be back in tomorrow to let everyone know how wi went... keep focused ladies! we can all do it!

Hi ladies!!

Hope you are all doing well... tried to read all of the posts from the last 2 months!!! GEEZZZ!! haha

Well, if you were wondering where I was... I was still around, just not here.
I decided to take a break from HM for a bit. I gained 3.6 pounds I believe in 9weeks. It was all good and mostly water probably.

So I'm back... lost 2 pounds last week and just a little number to be back where I was when I stopped.

So I'm back and it feels good :)

Thanks for all your kind words everyone! It's encouraging knowing that there is people I don't even know rooting for me!!! And you're right Laura...I'm going to do it in spite of that girl! :)

Betterlife- Absoloutely....the 170's definately will taste better that chocolate! Hmmm.... I wonder what the 160's taste like? As far as the losing and toning scenario, the guy at the gym is right. You need to tone as you lose so you don't end up with flab. The manager at your center doesn't want you to tone because as you build muscle, your weight loss might slow down...on paper. You'll still be losing, but since muscle weighs more than fat, it might appear that your weight loss is slowing down. I would start doing a little bit of toning...nothing crazy of course.

HMJunkie- I didn't start exercising until a month ago. I started walking 3 miles a day, doing water aerobics twice a week and going to the gym for an hr 4 times a week. When I started exercising I really started to see the pounds fly...it was encouraging. I haven't done any exercise in the last week...I really need to get back into it, but lately I have no energy. I chase my 18th month old around all day and work evenings. By the time I get home it's close to 2 in the morning, and the kidlet is up at 7!! I know I need to incorporate some sort of exercise, but for now I'd rather relax and play with her!

Welcome back Chantel! Great job. 3.6lbs in 9 weeks is awesome. Way to maintain!! That must be a great feeling knowing that you've learned and changed enough to not go back to your old habits. You know you can maintain! Once again...great job!

Went to W/I today - down -2.2lbs from Tuesday! So that's -5.8lbs so far :) Star went up on the wall :D Soooo happy!

HAGD ladies!!

HMj.

Good morning!! Happy Friday!! :carrot: :carrot:

WI last night... lost 2.2 pounds since Monday - WOOT-WOOT!
I also lost 2.6 inches... I'm at 43 inches and I'm at 36.6 pounds! 3.4 pounds for the big 40!

Happy happy!

Hope you all are doing good!

I ain't seeing much of the ones that we here 2 months ago! Where's everyone!!!??

Hello everyone, just wanted to say hi, instead of just reading all the posts.
this is my second go around with HM, started back at the end of August. I never reached my goal the first time. It seemed my body wouldnt let me let go of the last 6 pounds so I went to stab from there. Only gained back 6lbs in the year I was off it.
Back on the bandwagon and looking forward to some support over the next few months. Hoping I can encourage and support others!

Chantal: SO nice to see you back! Yes, it seems like a lot of the chicks that were one when I first began have disappeared :( Not sure what is going on. It is great to see you back on the board though!

Alberta: Thanks for thinking of me!

YES!! I made it to Onederland!!! I stopped in at the centre Wednesday afternoon and weighed in at 198.6. Yahoo!!!! I cannot believe how great I feel and how many sizes of clothes I have dropped. It feels fantastic. Even the lady at the centre said she can't imagine what I'll look like fifty pounds lighter. What a great feeling!

To top it all off, I stepped onto my Wii Fit this morning and for the first time ever, I didn't hear "That's obese"! Yay! Don't me wrong, I still heard "That Overweight" but that is way better!

About the exercise question, I don't believe in the "don't exercise" business. The amount of muscle that we women will build is not going to bulk us up but rather tone us up and muscular bodies burn more fat, even at the resting state.

So the small amount of weight that will increase because of built muscle will be easily compensated for in the amount of calories that fitter body burns. KWIM?

Besides, I am not just doing this to "lose weight". I am going for a healthy lifestyle and exercise will need to be an important part of that for the rest of my life, Herbal Magic will not :)

Steppin' off my soap box now :lol:

Keep up the great work everyone! Here's to a weekend full of losses for us all! :)

momo5k- I laughed so hard at your wii fit comment I totally can't wait til mine does that. I have been noticing my flesh belt on my character is starting to go away... soon my shirt and pants might just fit me lol. The first few times I stepped on mywii fit it was so mean I almost threw it across the room lol, but now that I am losing weight the Wii fit and I are friends again...

Sarah

Wow momo! GOOD FOR YOU! One-derland... can't wait to get there myself!

I've started YOGA and I'm starting to play Volleyball next Tuesday...and the week after, it'll be Kickboxing twice per week! The pounds should be dropping like crazy... LOL But I'm doing this for me as well, I need to get moving...life is short :)

14.5 pounds to go for one-derland! haha
Should be there by end of October :)

Hey ladies, thought I'd check in. I keep up reading your posts, but never really have much to say except KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! I'm still at a stand still from the last time I was on... these last ten pounds are clinging on for dear life! Was contemplating increasing my goal to 150 instead of 160 but now not so sure lol.

Back to work after a glorious summer off... working between two schools so keeping me fairly busy. Still make time for exercise and try to go to the gym at least 3 times a week. Usually run on the treadmill for an hour (5 min run, 1 min walk) According to it, that's about 500-550 calories. I can only hope that eventually this will start to show up on the scale haha. Haven't done my arm and ab workouts for a bit (was doing them every other day - opposite gym days). Hopefully get back on that bandwagon soon.

Got a viral infection mid August that is still holding on and killing my energy level so went to a naturopath in our area and got placed on a regime for it that is a lot of herbs and a powdered mix that counts as one protein a day (but doesn't really fill me up...) Living on only one other protein throughout the day... doesn't seem to be quite enough! Fingers crossed that this weeks weigh in makes a difference. find that I am slowly starting to sabotage myself and my progress since I've been stuck here for what seems like forever...

Hope the weekend finds you all making good choices and beating down that number on the scale!

Yay Friday!

Hi everyone, I've been enjoying reading everyones posts. Just thought I would let you know that I'm FINALLY into the 180's (start of 205). I am really starting to notice in my body. I feel like I look good and have more confidence. I couldn't be happier...okay maybe if I was at my goal weight...I hope the number keeps peeling down....-16 lbs...Keep up the good work EVERYONE!

Hey ladies!!
I weighed in at 179.6 today!! Woohoo!!! This time I am NOT going back to the 180's! Enough is enough! Everyone is doing so well! Keep up the great work!! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Hello everyone :wave: My name is Tamara and I just joined Herbal Magic. I am still a little overwhelmed, scared, excited. I have done a lot of research online and have come across more negative then positive feedback when it comes to HM. I'm glad I've found this place and hoping with all of you that I can do it! :carrot:

Hello all! Welcome all newbies! Just checkin in, lost another pound, yay!! Past goal now, woooohoooooo! Thats what staying on track gets ya! Cheers!!

Congrats Alberta - woo hoo!!!! And congrats to everyone with losses and welcome to newbies.

I know my centre doesn't love exercise (I think cause you can slow overall weight loss), but I personally love exercise - it's one reason I'm losing weight, so that I can exercise easier. Knees don't like hauling around 30 extra pounds. I have a scale that measures body fat, and i keep an eye on that instead of just weight. I've also found I lost a ton of inches when I started exercising again.

That said, I haven't done any exercise this week. :( I got a bad cold, so taking it easy. Didn't weigh in at the centre today, but home scale is looking good. Hope to be down at least 2lbs this week.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Hey everyone...just poppin in to say HELLO....everything good on this end...very tired this morning, got woke up through the night and could not get back to sleep....tonight is my KEITH URBAN show...I cannot wait....very excited...hope I can stay awake....;)

I will hopefully have time to catch up and post tomorrow after work!!

Hope all is well with everyone!!

BL

hey ladies!! i was down to 158.4 yesterday! i joined a gym as well and im dragging my aunt around with me cuz i need to keep it this way and she needs some help losing some so its a win win situation :) im pretty excited about helpin her now.. she doesn't have to money to join herbal magi or i would get her to join in a second so right now im helping her portion her food and i'll get her out exercising with me! i think if i stand over her she will be successful and then i have motivation to go to the gym :p.. 1 week and 3 days left for me :) and 8.4 pounds to go.. wish me luck! i'm working really hard at it :) well done to everyone who working at it :) and we can all do it! have a great day!

Tamara K here. Hit the 160s today and I am super excited. Still can't believe it! Wondering how long it will take me to hit the 150s. Going back to work on Monday from mat leave so my mind should be on other things so it will be good! Hope everyones weekend is going well.

Tamara K: :congrat:

I'm pumped! My centre is doing a fun competition - you get fake money for coming in extra, losing lbs, etc etc. Kinda fun :)

Stay good for the weekend everyone!

Congrats to all the losers! WTG!!!

Welcome to the new members & welcome back to returning ones! :)

W/I today I was -.6lbs so now down 6.4lbs!

HAGN all!

HMj.

Keep up the great work everyone.

Lauratigger that sounds like fun! Unfortunately my location just changed their hours and I can only get there 2 days a week. I wish they were open more.

So far so good for me. I've lost 3 lbs so far. I just can't wait to figure out the whole planning thing because there are quite a few times during the day that I find I am hungry. Still trying to balance everything properly. Really need to find some good dinner recipes so I don't have to cook seperate meals.

Good Monday morning everyone!!!

Well...Keith rocked it out Saturday night...it was an awesome show, so glad I decided to go!!! I am still feeling the effects though of it, we didn't get home until 1:50am...and I had to work at 6:30...I am too old for this kind of behaviour!! Supposed to be going to see Daughtry next month, I think I am only going to go if I can change my day off as I am supposed to work that morning after as well.....:(

I go for my WI here in about 20 minutes....I feel pretty good about it!!

Way to go everyone it looks like we are doing fantastic these days:carrot:

Well I am off to finish getting ready...will be back when I get done all my running around.

BL

So I have had a rough week. I was on Effexor and started to wean myself about 3 weeks ago. I forgot to take my pill on sunday night last week then decided tp just stop taking it cold turkey, wrong idea!!!! I felt like garbage all last week, sick to my stomach, dizziness, headaches, sleepiness, you name it I had it. So I was not eating on plan at all.

Today I started back. Things are going ok. I have a question though........ has anyone else taken Effexor and then stopped? How did you feel? Right now I am so aggrivated, I have a headache and I'm sure my blood pressure is through the roof. I have such a short temper and I get really frustrated really easy!!! I'm not sure if I should go back on it or what I should do.

My reasoning for coming of it was because I felt that my anxiety issue was under control and I also felt it may be making me hold on to some weight. It said in the list of side effects that weight gain or loss might happen!! Well I gained weight for sure!!

Help?

Wannabe...I am so sorry that you are having such a tough go!! I am no help to you at all as I have never taken anything like that, I hope someone here can help you out!!

Big hugs to you!!

179 LADIES......WAHOOO!!!!!!! I was down 1 and 1/4lb this morning...I am 1/4lb away from hitting 30lbs.....Our next weigh is this Saturday and I am hoping for a great loss!!!! Even to hit my MINI GOAL of 177 is great with me!! I will take anyting that results in a loss!!

Hope you are doing well, ALBERTA...WHERE ARE YOU??

Well I am off to fold a load of laundry, and swimming in 90 minutes...feels great to have this energy. I have to tell you though, I was not in the mood for the gym today, but once I got there, I FELT AMAZING!!!! I did 30 on the treadmill in total, 25 on the recumbent bike, and 2 on the elliptical...I don't like the elliptical at the gym, it is a short stride machine, I find it hurts my knees too much, they are supposed to be getting the long stride ones in after X-Mas.

Okay so NOW I am leaving.

;)

Hi Everyone!
WI today - woo hoo!!! Down 2lbs since friday!! I go to my centre lots, at least three times/week, which helps me keep on track. Normally I don't lose over the weekend, but this time was fantastic! Fitting into all my skinny clothes, and some are already too big. LOL!

Congrats Better Life!! So good to move into the next set of numbers.

Wannabe - sorry, I don't know about Effexor. Hopefully you're through the worst of it now.

Great job Laura!! That's awesome! You're getting pretty close to your goal! Way to go! I wish my center would do something fun like that. It would totally motivate me!

Betterlife- I'm so glad you had a good time at Keith Urban...there was never a doubt in my mind that you wouldn't! :love: and GREAT job on the weight loss!! The 170's are feeling great!

Wannabe- Have you talked to your doctor about going off the Effexor? I'd see what he had to say. I too have never been on it, so I'm sorry I can't be of more help.

I was down 1 lb at my weigh in today putting me at 178.6! :D I'm consistently getting comments from coworkers and customers about how good I'm looking! I never get tired of hearing it! Makes my day!

Everyone is doing so well!! AMAZING WORK everyone!

I am nervous. Go for my WI today and I haven't been in since Friday because my centre just changed their hours.

good morning! I went to weigh in yesterday and i was at 158.4 still but that is ok cuz i kno i was retaining water! ONLY 1 WEEK LEFT TODAY!! Im sooo excited for the weight loss part to be dwindling to the end! i feel great! I would like to be anywhere from 150-155.. and im not far away from my goal. i've been going to the gym a every other day or so... its fun! i enjoy going alot now that my aunt comes with me cuz we are just sitting and laughing most of the time! She is soo excited to be eating healthy and exercising its only been a day or two but i can see that even the effort is making her feel so much better! Its great to be helping her in this... I feel like what I am doing is very worth while :) Well ladies I hope you all have a good day and good luck on your next weigh in... I can't weigh in until friday so i must stick to it cuz time is winding to a finish! have a good day!

happy to report a loss of 1.2. Better than nothing, i'm having trouble with water retention and late night snacking. I'm ravenous from about 630 to 8pm. (I don't eat anything after 8) Popcorn isn't doing it for me. Any suggestions of what you do would be awesome!

I was down 0.8 so a total of 3.8 lbs so far :)

No suggestions for you as I have the same problem :(

Congrats to all the losers!!!

Weighed in this morning - down -1.2lbs :)

HMj.

Great job everyone! Anyone else nervous about upcoming turkey dinner?

I was down 1.8 yesterday but took in a bit too much salt I think and now the scale is not looking much like my friend. I am drinking tons of water and hoping to flush it out before weigh in tomorrow.

I am lucky as we are just doing a family BBQ for Thanksgiving and it is potluck so I will bring chicken and a salad and then I am good to go.

The challenge is staying away from the munchies that will be laying around and limitting myself to one glass of wine LOL

Congrats on all the losses!

Thanks Momo - the wine is always a challenge for me :)

Skimmy - I probably drink about 6 cups of decaf herbal tea in the evening with just a touch of splenda. I get a ton of different tea flavours and just keep filling up my cup. That helps me with the munchies (cause I get full with that much volume of tea). And while I still get my 8 glasses of 'clear' water every day, I think the extra liquid probably helps me. Hope it helps

I have talked to my doctor. He cut my dose down to half and then I was supposed to take it evey other day until I ran out of pills.

I am feeling way better today I would say almost 99% normal.

I went into my center yesterday and I was up 3 lbs from last wednesday but I am back on track. I am heading to oregon this weekend so I bought some extra stuff. I bought some VHP shakes, so S/B's and some WM4000. The girl recommended them because I have been going up and down so much.

I hope to have a good weekend and come back down in weight!!!

i have a question about peanut butter?? can we eat it like as a fat or something.. ive been on the program 7 to 8 months and i have never asked about it lol... i was doing a tea testing thing last night and it really helped to fill me up... i drank like three different kinds and my boyfriend and our friend just thought i was crazy.. they say no caffeine but boy o boy sleeping was almost impossible :) have a good day ladies and let me kno about the peanut butter if you can please!

Yup, peanut butter is in the "expanded food guide" part. I think it is 1/2 tablespoon = one fat.

Hello all! Glad to hear about everyone's progress! Hope that Thanksgiving isn't too much of a struggle for anyone... don't think my family is doing anything special so no major concerns here.

Peanut butter counts as a fat... should be on your list somewhere.... it's supposed to be low sodium and low fat but I couldn't find one that was both. The girls didn't think it was that big a deal... I use the Kraft Smooth PB (in the green jar).

Very excited to have 3 pounds til goal... just not sure when I'm weighing in this week. I'm about an hour from my centre so usually only make it in on Saturdays and this Saturday I'm busy with a wedding... hmm.

Been working my butt off at the gym so hopefully that helps with the last few pounds. Got over 5 miles on my hour long run last night -- maybe not much for some, but a personal best for me!! May not have the stamina to do it again tonight though. Also received some nice blisters from my new shoes lol

Hope everyone is having a great day so far!

Thankfully I am not worried about Thanksgiving either. I think it will be pretty easy for me to stay on plan.
Congrats Michele! Almost there!! How excited you must be!

I had such a good weigh in today. I was down 2.6 lbs from Monday and 1.75 inches, that gives me a grand total of 45 lbs. I'm lovin the 170's but I sure hope they don't stick around for long. Very very very excited for the 160's!!
Hope everyone had as great of a weigh in as I did!

down another 1.2 today! Yippee almost lost the weight that I gained the two weeks after my wedding. Thank goodness. I think I may pick up some starch blockers just to help a little bit for Thanksgiving!!
I keep pushing the water and when the late night munchies are more than I can handle I end up just going to bed. So far it has been working.
Still have along way to go, but seeing that finish line is starting to get very exciting!!
Keep up the good work!!
Happy Thanksgiving :smug:

I was down 1.8 since Monday too...and 2 1/2 inches from last week. I have lost 75.2 pounds and 75 inches!! :woohoo:

Does anyone know if you're on the breastfeeding program, do you still take WM2000s and Chrom?

Hmmmm I was told not to take anything while breastfeeding ??

Morning all....still hanging in here, but let me tell you I will be so happy when this week is over!! Never again will I go to a concert when I have to work the next morning, I am still feeling the effects of it!! I feel really crappy this morning, all I want is to be able to sleep in later then 7am, that is all I ask for...LOL

I am also feeling VERY bloated this morning and I don't know why????

I weigh Saturday so I am hoping all this won't show on the scales...I have been told when stressed you can gain...hope this is not true!!

Sorry to be so blah ladies, but I am just not myself right now...DARN THAT KEITH URBAN....LOL He wears me out..;)

Have a great day everyone!!

No 2000 or Chrom WHile breastfeeding

Momof5: Must feel great to have that weight off! Keep up the good work!

Better Life: I know the feeling, went to a James Blunt concert around this time last year.. .home at 3 am, up at 7... think it took me the whole week to get back on track! Worth the trip though!

Skimmy: Good work on combating the late night munchies... I also try to up the water but find that sometimes it's just not enough, especially since I'm down a protein. Usually end up having a 5 cal jello since it takes forever to eat lol

Off to a wedding Saturday... try to make a trip into the city tonight to get weighed in. A little early in the week for me, but better than waiting til Tues I guess. Wish my clinic was open Sundays...

Fingers crossed for those last 3 pounds... Would like to go lower but will probably just switch to maintenance since I'm feeling overwhelmed with the expenses this year and need to get the program finished.

Dria: Noticed that you're below your goal... was this due to exercise after switching to maintenance? How difficult is it to get off additional pounds after switching??

MicheleR: LAST THREE POUNDS!?!? Congrats!

I can't wait until I am that close :)

Thanks Momo5k & Dria. My sister-in-law is thinking about joining Herbal Magic but was a little concerned about the supplements while breastfeeding. She's going in for a consultation tomorrow. I hope it works out for her. I think it will help me if she is doing it too!

Wow - I'm down 5lbs this week. I didn't think that would happen past week 1. I thought my centre was just trying to sell me product, but I'm thinking the relaxatrim may actually be doing the trick. And I gotta admit, I'm not trying super hard. I haven't exercised in almost two weeks cause of a stupid cold, and I cheat a bit each day (usually low cal syrup which I don''t count, and for my free I take 6oz of wine instead of 4oz). Wow - just so, so...Wow! Gotta go shopping today for something that fits for thanksgiving dinner :)

Hope everyone gets the energy they need and has fun!!! Have a great day!!

There is a program for breastfeeding and pregnant people but theres no supps. But her center can tell her more.
Below my goal is just still following program properly. I also do exercise but I dont kill myself doing so. Mainly just to tone up a bit.

Michele...it was a great night and I don't regret going....just wish I could get out of the funk I am in right now, I also think I am PMSing right now which does not help at all, I had a hysterectomy in 2005 so I don't get my period but I do go through the motions every once and a while and boy when I PMS I PMS!!!! Yesterday was a VERY bad day for me, so here is hoping today goes better. ALSO You have 3lbs till your goal weight, wow that must feel amazing, I cannot wait until I am there!!!

ALBERTA GIRL...you are pretty much at your halfway point....WTG....I am hoping to be there myself in the next couple of weeks!!!!

I go for my WI tomorrow morning, I am hoping this bloating goes away by then because I feel very....fluffy.....right now...that is the only way to describe it....not fat, just fluffy....LOL

Okay all my beautiful loser friends, I am off to get ready for the last day of He** before the weekend.....Have a super day ladies....I know I will in about 9hrs, WAHOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

Yippee down another lb at weight in today! Lets hope I can keep up with it over Turkey weekend!! Bought some SBs to help if need be!
:)

Hey ladies!

Was down 0.2lbs today. Feeling great, I'm at almost a 3 lbs loss for this week and I still have 2 days to go. Very excited about that!!

Betterlife- I hate that bloated feeling, it's no fun. Here's hoping it goes down and you have a great weigh in tomorrow!

Skimmy- great job girl!! You'll do great over the weekend! We have faith in you!

Way to go Alberta! Jeepers, you're not sticking around the 70's for long!

Not liking this weather. My food choices quickly change with the cold weather. No more ice cream for a free -it's red wine. I find water consumption, and especially veggie intake tougher when its colder. Crisp, cold salads have suddenly lost their appeal. Anyone have warm veggie suggestions that don't use up a free or starch?

Everyone is doing awesome! Keep up the great work guys :carrot:

I had my wi yesterday and was down again so 5 lbs total for my first week :encore:

My centre gave me a bunch of recipes so I'll have to post them in the recipe section. I've only tried the Potato Lasagna which was good.

Everyone is doing awesome! Keep up the great work guys :carrot:

I had my wi yesterday and was down again so 5 lbs total for my first week :encore:

My centre gave me a bunch of recipes so I'll have to post them in the recipe section. I've only tried the Potato Lasagna which was good.

Way to go Sunflower!! That is great. I go tomorrow morning.

Hey you know you only live about 40 minutes away from me, I am in Port Hope!!

When you post some recipes let me know!!

BL

Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving weekend, we are having our dinner tomorrow...looking forward to it, I have to tell you all, I am having EVERYTHING, just smaller portions. I am so looking forward to it.

GOBBLE GOBBLE GOBBLE!!!!!

Way to go Sunflower!! That is great. I go tomorrow morning.

Hey you know you only live about 40 minutes away from me, I am in Port Hope!!

When you post some recipes let me know!!

BL

Wow! Small world. My hubby actually works in Cobourg. I'll be sure to let you all know when I post the recipes. I will try to do it this weekend :)

I posted some recipes in the recipe thread and am going to post a couple more.

Hope everyone has a great Thanskgiving :thanks1::thanks2:

Those sound yummy, one thing I have been craving since the cooler weather has come along is.....chile, yum yum

Where in Cobourg does the hubby work?

Not impressed with WI his morning.....I was up 2lbs.....I know it was because my water intake was bad this week...and I had a stressful week as well....not sleeping well etc....I did not eat anything I shouldn't so I know it was not from doing wrong, other then the water, but I was in the Tub room this week and I cannot get all my water in when I work this schedule, and when I was getting home I was lying down. This is going to be a better week for me, I don't weigh now until next Saturday morning.

Had our dinner tonight and I did have all I had planned, just approx 2tbsp of each thing, which was mashed taters, turnip, 2 different types of squash, cranberries, some cheese, 1 dinner roll, turkey, beets, I didn't have any stuffing, BUT I did have a small piece each of pumpkin and apple pie with whip cream....I know that may all sound bad, but I didn't want to deprive myself, the pie I ate...the 2 slices equaled about 1 piece. New day tomorrow....yes I will have leftovers, which will be the turkey and squash/turnip...

I am leaving my ticker as is for now until I weigh next Saturday...I am also keeping track here at home, if by Wednesday I am not back at 179, I will change it to what my scales say, they are exact with the ones at the center, I will only change it if they DON'T go down.

I hate that I went back over the 180 mark as I tried so hard to get under it, 181 really sucks, but I know come Saturday, it will be back to good!!

Hope all are having a great weekend!!

Where in Cobourg does the hubby work?

He works for Sleep Country at the distribution centre.

better life - Don't feel bad. We all have our bad weeks. I'm expecting next week to not be so hot with this weekend and AF should be making her arrival soon :rolleyes: My centre told me that I could have a small sliver of pumpkin pie and to not feel guilty about it :)

Better life - you have been doing sooo awesome up to now. I think it's great you took a night off - I bet your body needed it. Some experts actually recommend an occasional free day as it can actually trick your body into releasing fat, because it thinks it's not in starvation mode. So after your 2lb gain week, maybe tonight is just what you need. Start again tomorrow and boom, I bet you drop tons this week - you'll be AWESOME!! Can hardly wait to see your results!

That said, I just finished an awesome dinner, with probably about 1000 too many calories, but that's okay - my body is definetly not in starvation mode now (ha ha) and tomorrow is a new day!!! :)

Thanks ladies...I know it'll be fine, it just sucks!!

I did forget to add yesterday that I seen 2 relatives that I haven't seen in quite sometime, I know my Aunt I haven't seen since the end of March, my Uncle, I cannot even remember...it was 2 separate meetings yesterday...my uncle told me I looked really good...and it felt great!! Later in the afternoon I went to an Epicure party and my Aunt was there and she said to me, Kim I have to tell you...you look fantastic, you really do. Made me feel so darned good....this aunt and uncle aren't married either so it isn't like he told her and she commented as well....WOO HOO!!!!!

This weekend coming up we have an out of town wedding....these relatives I haven't seen in well over a year and for my mom 8-10 months....it will be interesting to see the response from them....my mom bought a cute dress yesterday, something I would have never thought she would wear...like the dress I bought that I never imagined I would be wearing...so it is going to be interesting....I just hope Mom doesn't back out from wearing it!! She looks amazing in it, she said it is the initial walking in that scares her...**** I know exactly how she feels...because I am dealing with that anxiety myself!! But I can and will do it, and I hope she does too!!

I will share pics as well!!

When I went to WI yesterday we asked to have our pics updated, so I am looking forward to getting them, won't be until next Saturday. But I am excited to see them. Only thing I wished was that I was wearing what I did in the very first pic. Oh well...

Okay I think I have rambled enough...be back later to ramble on....LOL

BL

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! My dinner is tomorrow...can't wait!

Betterlife- I hate it when that happens. Don't you worry, you're going to show those 170's who boss soon enough! I have complete faith in you! I wish my center did before and after pictures. I never liked myself when I was bigger so I always steered clear of cameras, I want to make an album on facebook but I'm having a tough time finding some good before pictures.
Way to wow the pants off of your aunt and uncle!! You're doing a great job!

According to my scale at home, which is pretty accurate with HM, I am weighing in at 173.8. We'll see what it says after my dinner tomorrow!

Hope everyone had a good weekend and can top it off with a good wi tomorrow. :)

I know I am worried about my wi tomorrow. Good luck to all of you too!

Kim - that is awesome that people are starting to notice. I've only been on HM for just over a week and people have noticed :carrot: It is so nice to hear "You look great!" I haven't told very many people I am doing HM and not that I want to hide it, but I want to see if people notice on there own ;)

I am also a little worried about my weigh in tomorrow (a bit too many glasses of wine yesterday :) ) but, oh well. It was only one day.

Happy Thanksgiving all!

Hope everyone does well with their WI today...if not you know why...just have to pick upand move on....but I am wishing you all the best of luck!!

Thanks for the kind words everyone, Sunflower people haven't stopped commenting on my losses for about the last 6-7 weeks....got another one lastnight...and I NEVER get sick of hearing them....LOL. This one co-worker at work calls myself and a co-worker....the SKINNY BIT*HES....heck I am NEVER been referred to as SKINNY, I'll take it...LMAO. The other girl is doing HM, she started 10 days before I did, and we are neck in neck on the weight loss but I am smoking her in inches, I am down 53.75 inches, she is about 20 behind me. She has less to lose than I, she had 55 to lose, I had 72.

Stepped on my scales this morning and I am back down to 179.6lbs according to them, Going in the right direction!! I don't think we are weighing until Saturday this week, unless Mom wants to go tomorrow.

Well I better go eat my breakfast...not feeling to hungry right now, but it is too long to wait until first break before I eat....almost 4hrs.

Have a great day everyone.

BL

Today my bestfriend came over and we went through my closet and my dresser. I must've given her 3 garbage bags of clothes that are too BIG! I tried everything on before I let her have it, and it sure was bittersweet!! Even my "skinny" clothes that I swear one day would fit, were too big! How awesome is that?! There is not one pair of pants in my closet that are too small, everything either fits perfectly or was way too huge! And the best part....now I get to go shopping!

I also had kind of a sad moment the other day. I can no longer wear my wedding rings as they are way to big. I almost fell right off the other day. Sad that I can't wear them for now, but awesome that my chubby fingers are getting skinnier as well! I've decided that there isn't much point in getting the rings sized until I'm finished. Thats 5 whole months without them! :fr:

Going for my weigh in tomorrow morning! I hope it's good to me!

How did everyone else do?

Albertachickie that's awesome! My girlfriend met her goal 8 months ago and just went and had her rings resized because they were too big. Keep up the good work.

I was surprised that I went down again :carrot: Guess I didn't do too bad at all those Thanksgiving dinners LOL. So I can finally say I'm out of the 160's :dancer: Down to 158.8 tonight :)

I haven't worn my wedding rings in a few months either :( I am wanting to get them resized but want to wait a little while. I don't really think that my fingers will change THAT much more, will they?

i did buy some cheap plastic resizers at the mall that make them smaller for when I REALLY want to wear them :)

so scared to weigh in tomorrow! fingers crossed Im not up too much! Throwing a question out there...how many people are working out while they are on program? I was pretty regular with training up until mid September and now I can't get motivated to do anything! Im hoping I just need a break from it and will get back to it! So bored with what I have been doing and looking for something new to do!

Has anyone tried Formula S/B or Formula F/B?

My friend who has done awesome on HM swears by them. I bought the S/B tonight as I am going away with the girls this weekend and want to have a couple of extra drinks and we are eating out. These are suppose to help. Just curious if anyone else uses them :)

Great job everyone! I'm the same weight as the beginning of the weekend, which I think is good considering two big turkey dinners and too much wine. I have a feeling I'll be down tomorrow too.

Skimmy - I try and workout at least a few times a week. I have to admit I lose weight quite easily without working out (maybe it's muscle gain?) but I like it. My fave right now is bootcamps type classes, and I'm getting back into running - my knees are soooo thankful not to be carrying the extra 20+lbs. I may shoot for a half marathon next year.

Sunflower- I'm on relaxatrim and s/b. Taking both I don't know which really help, but it's working for me. I suspect the s/b did help this weekend - I had no right to stay the same with the wine I drank.

Have a great day everyone!

How often do you take the S/B?

If your taking them for a weekend event you should be starting them today. And you should be taking 2 a half hour after breakfast lunch and dinner Providing theres no additional medication your on. If your on any medication and they have told you half dose... 1 1/2 hour after breakfast lunch and supper then thats the doseage.
If your on medication and they didnt specify for you how to take it then you need to call and get it checked out! And you should consider taking them until the monday. ANd get LOTS and LOTS of water the day after the drinking goes on

Urgh, I'm looking for help/motivation this week. I have been stuck at 189 for 2 weeks now. I am getting really frustrated. My 20 lb mark is 185...so I think I have hit my plateau. I've also noticed that little cheats are becoming daily. I had so much motivation in the beginning..but it's starting to slip. I want to start loosing atleast the 2 lbs a week again. Help! Has this happened to any of you?

just keep going two valley... i was stuck and it is awful and stressful.. but its just like a platform on a set of stairs... eventually you'll start going down again.. just might need alittle boost! good luck

i started stabilization yesterday.. an extra starch and an extra fruit!!! its crazy! i don't know how ot eat it all lol.. well have a good day ladies!

Thank goodness....I was only up .4!! which really isnt that bad for a turkey weekend.

TwoValley..... I have gone through the exact same thing. First thing they told me was have all my starches before 4pm, and I cut out the free exchange for a few weeks. I too started cheating here and there when the scale wouldn't move, I stuck with it and the scale moved in about a week.

Unfortunately I am stuck again as well,so I switched to QLP3 today,mostly because I want to get off any pills. Im hoping this will confuse my body into shedding this weight and getting over this plateau AGAIN!

Congrats amgirl!! Stabilization...how exciting!

twovalley- It took me forever to get past the 20lb mark as well, but as amgirl said, just stick with it. Are you doing any exercising? Maybe start incorporating some light exercising. Skimmy has some good suggestions as well!

My weigh in today was FABULOUS! I am down 7.8 lbs for the week, and 2.5 inches.How is that even possible? I was shocked! I really hope it doesn't bite me in the butt later on! So now I am at 170.8, so close to the 160's, I can taste it! And 48.25 inches! What a great day!

Thanks all for the suggestions and encouraging words.

amgirl - way to go! Stabalization...I can only imagine how wonderful you feel. Congrats.

skimmy - thanks for the tips. I'm going to try and eat my starches before 4pm and see if I notice a difference. I'm also going to stop cheating..period!

albertachickie - down 7.8 lbs for the week...wow.. you go girl. Glad to hear I'm not the only one getting stuck at the 20 lbs mark. I have been working out the whole time I've been on HM. I'm an avid gym goer (for longer than I can remember). I'm going to try and kick it up there a notch too. Can't wait for the pounds to fall off like they were in the beginning.
The 160's are in your sight..keep up the awesome work :)

Almost time for my Wednesday weigh in and measurements. I haven't cheated at all yesterday or today. Hope it pays off. Will update you tomorrow how it went today.

Have a fabulous Wednesday :)

Sunflower - I take the s/b after every single meal. But they said I'm 'carb sensitive' and one thing I've learned is I definetly crave carbs - not salt or fat. Gotta admit, I often cheat by having a cracker - stupid how happy I am with just one cracker. So for me it's worth it to stay on them every day. Tons of money - but heck I'm worth it ;)

Congrats Amgirl!! Mmmm....extra starch. Hee hee. Enjoy! You'll have to let us know how it's going. I think I'm anxious about stab (still long way off), so I'm looking forward to hearing your success.

And Alberta - jeepers that is amazing - you flew through the 170's on a thanksgiving weekend no less! Congrats!

Hey Two Valley - I work out too, and I find that sometimes stalls the weight loss. I have a scale that measures body fat and I find when it goes down, the weight stays the same. Maybe that's happening? Either way I bet you do great today!

Not a bad weigh in after Thanksgiving weekend. Down 2 pounds. Hooray!

Keep up the great work everyone! Alberta: 7.8 pounds in a week? THAT is awesome!! Congrats.

Way to go everyone...and Alberta holy crud you are just soaring out of the 170's....I am just waiting to still hit my mini goal of 177lbs, I weigh on Saturday so we will see what happens then, scales said 179 bang on this morning, that 2lbs took it's sweet a** time coming off. I hate when I go slow like this, it does it in spirts. For a week or two I lose fast...then WOMP I stall..this 2 lbs gain is the first I have had since I the end of August I think.

Anyway...done complaining...for now....LOL

Have a great day everyone....2 days left to work then off for 3...YEAH!!! This isn't my normal weekend off so I am really looking forward to it...don't work a weekend until Halloween weekend....YEAH!!!! Sometimes the weekends are really bad at work, alot of call-ins...and my partner is also off right now on vacation so NOT being there this weekend is a god-send!!

Later losers!!
BL
:)

Turns out I had nothing to worry about...down 2.2 lbs yesterday! I'm going to start going to the center every day to help myself stay on track.
Thanks again to everyone and their suggestions. Definitely helped me keep my head up (and out of the junk food cupboard). Happy weigh ins everyone!

Well this week hasn't been that great for me. I keep going up and down but its my own fault. I have not followed the diet 100%. I have been under alot of stress which makes me what to eat.

I will promise myself that I will follow 100% so that I can reach my goal of 40 lbs by December 21st. We leave for our 2 week trip to Hawaii that day. I hope while we are away I can still maintain our keep losing weight. I am going to take S/B's, WM4000's and CLA's with me and there is a gym in both hotels we are staying at so I will work out everyday as well!!!

Thanks for all the input on the S/B's ladies. I'll start taking them tomorrow. I'm not going away till Saturday morning and I know I'll be eating out but we plan on picking up some fruit so we don't have junk and I'll only have a couple of extra drinks. It's the restaurant eating I'm worried about. I'm still so new to the program so I don't want to fail especially when people are expecting me too :(

So I had my second wi of the week and I was up 0.4 lbs. I was a little disappointed but I know af is on the way and I didn't drink as much water today because of a new daycare girl that started. I am down a total of 7.5 lbs for my first week and I'm still in the 150's so I'm happy with my results so far.

I'm having a great week. Only down 1lb, but went jean shopping yesterday and squeezed into a beautiful size 29. Woo hoo. Feeling great.

Told you TwoValley - congrats!!! :)
You'll do great Sunflower - tons of extra water to combat the salt. My centre said the day after a restaurant meal, add lemon to the water too. Good luck!
Have a great wi everyone!
Laura

Thanks Laura :) I called my centre to talk to one of the others girls that have been there longer because the one that was there when I bought my S/B's didn't really know much about them and the girl I talked to confirmed that I should be taking 2 pills 30 minutes after my meals to a max of 6 per day.

Laura that's awesome that you got some new jeans. I'll be there soon as I can now slide my pants off without undoing the buttons LOL

Hey girls,

Had a really bad day yesterday. Woke up with a migraine, and pretty much stayed in bed all day. I hardly ate anything and didn't drink any water. I think I managed to get out of bed at 5p and ate 2 bowls of Chicken noodle soup that was LOADED with sodium...my weigh in today showed it! I was up 0.8. Hoping for a good loss this weekend!

Way to go Laura!! Size 29. That's awesome!

Sunflower- You can do it girl!! Those people that are expecting you to fail will be eating your dust!! We'll be rooting for you while you're gone!

Thanks guys. You guys are the best :grouphug:

Hope you are feeling better Albertachickie.

Ah - I love the group hug Sunflower! :)

Feel better soon Alberta! I miss chicken noodle soup when I'm sick - I picked up some low sodium stuff about a month ago, but it was still bad. Hopefully you won't need it tomorrow.

Hi all! I haven't been on here since I went on my trip....but I thought I'd update and check in! I was away for a week...restaurant eating and all! I tried eating the best things I could at all times though. I thought I'd forsure gain at least a couple pounds, but was up .4lbs when I came back. I've been back a week now...gone through family thanksgiving and all, and was down 2 lbs. I was hoping for more, but its better than gaining! lol That brings my total to 19lbs so far.
I've been on the program for almost 7 weeks...and am finding it a lot easier.
Its great reading everyones stories! Very inspiring!
Have a good weekend all!

grrrrr frustrating week..up 2 total! Hoping the weekend will workout better!! Congrats on all the loses!! Keep up the great work!

I have had a frustrating week too. I lost 2 pounds at my Wednesday weigh in but I swear my scale at home has gone up since then. GGrrrr!

Not sure if I will make in to the centre today but we'll have to see.

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

I am soooo nervous about my wi on Tuesday. I have to say that I didn't do too bad eating out. It is so hard though because you don't know exactly what they cook with. I did only choose things off the eating out guide book though and drank almost double the water I should yesterday and today so I am going to take my S/B's again tomorrow and hope that my wi is good :)

Evening Ladies....finally managed to get out of bed....I have such a BAD hangover today.....goodlord I don't want to see a drink for a LONG LONG time...LOL

But I had the best time...the wedding was amazing, my cousin was such a beautiful bride...dinner was great, chicken, roasted potatoes, mixed veggies greek salad and ceaser salad, roll/butter...about 6 olives..I LOVE LOVE olives. Dessert, cheesecake, some chocolate pudding thing with whipcream that was all I ate...there was alot more but I didn't want to over do it...and it filled me, I only took like 2 -3 tablespoons of each thing. Drinks...well we won't go there...lets just say I had ALOT...makes me feel sick just typing those words...ICK!!!

So I wore my ~~PRETTY LITTLE BLACK DRESS~~ and wow did I get compliments from everyone, 2 relatives didn't even recognize me, my cousin..the Bride came over to me and told me I looked AMAZING and gave me a HUGE hug, that made me feel so great to have the beautifulist woman in there come to me and tell me how I looked!!

Okay so.....the best part of the day was in the morning....my weigh in!!

I was down 3lbs!! YEAHHHH!!!!!!! I am at 30.75lbs gone!! I was so glad to have lost the 2lbs I was up plus another pound, was also given the comparable pics that were taken...and WOW what a difference!! I am going to scan them tomorrow and post them. If I can figure out the scanner, it is my sons...LOL

I am going to go catch up on posts and change my ticker, hope all is well with everyone else!!

xo
BL

Alberta, hope you are feeling better!! I am sure you will lose the .8 no problem!!

Sounds like some of you are having a tough time....sorry to hear that, I know all about that feeling more then I would care to. You just have to re-group yourself, ask yourself why you want it so bad, and if your ready...weightloss is something you have to want bad enough for it to succeed for you. I found this out myself, and I know that is why I have had the success I have had thus far, I know I am a bit behind on my loss as to where I should be, but I amnot going to let that get to me, I still have approx 4 months left to go and approx 40lbs left to lose.

You all can do this....so pick yourselves up and brush yourselves off...tomorrow is a new day. And don't avoid going for WI's because that will only set you back further!!

BL

Congrats Renee, Sunflower and Betterlife!! Skimmy and Momo - really sending good vibes for this week! Can't lose every day - you'll have big losses this week!

Interesting what you say Betterlife - 'weightloss is something you want bad enough'. Kind of like the saying 'skinny tastes better than chocolate' but you gotta really believe that. I kind of feel right now is a bit of a dangerous time. You get all the compliments so there is a temptation to think, ok I'm done - but of course deep down you know you got further work.

Something to think about....December with all the xmas parties is about 6 weeks (or 12 lbs) away - that will be fun!!! Just gotta hunker down until then. Good luck - here's to a great week for all of us.

:cheer2:

Laura you can do this, and you are so close to doing it....don't give up or in!!

Christmas, gosh not even trying to think about that right now...lol...but I know it is coming....I don't do alot of Christmas parties, so I think I will be okay, kind of like Thanksgiving for me and I did well.

Regarding the "weighloss is something you have to want bad enough" for me, that is what it came to, heck I have tried everything under the sun for the last 20+ years since I was about 14-15yrs old. To be 17 and doing Nutri System...how is that for the self esteem, NOT GOOD!! It was so hard to go away to friends/family on weekends and try to eat close to what you would be eating of the pre-packaged meals...so needless to say that didn't work, I didn't want anyone to know what I was doing, too embarassed!! Weightwatchers...can't keep track of how many times I have joined. And many many more, I have only had success with 2 plans, the first one being low carb, did that 2 years ago after I had a breast reduction and lost 35lbs in about 2.5months, looked great felt like Shi*....so I quit, eventually over about a year gined back all but about 5-6lb of it. And Herbal One, which is the journey I am on now, that will lead me home to my goal weight and where I shall stay. I cannot go back to where I was before. It was literally killing me, physically and mentally!! My body ached so much and mentally, it was draining me, it was all I would think about 24/7 but had no will power to succeed. I work in nursing and we have this one resident who is severly overweight, I have worked around her since we opened almost 6 years ago, and it kills me to watch her at work because she has gained so much and has a hard time getting around, and everytime I look at her, I can see myself in her and I don't want to become her...it breaks my heart to feel that way, but it is true. So here I am....30.75lbs lighter and on my way to a healthier me!!!!

I guess everyone has their own reasons for wanting it..for me it is for me, and no one else. My husband loves me the way I am, but he is also loving the smaller me I am becoming...my kids are also so proud of me, especially when they seen my comparison photos...and that for me means so much.

maybe all of you that are struggling should go in and request a comparison pic be done, because I tell you it really opens your eyes when you see the transformation in yourself.

Okay rambled enough again....LOL Have a great day!!

BL

Congrats everyone...way to keep up the hard work!
I have a question for everyone. They changed my diet on Friday (down to 2 protein, 2 fruit, 3 veg, 2 starch, 2 fat, 1 dairy, 1 f.e) and they warned me that I might actually put on weigh in the beginning b/c my body is shocked. Did this happen to any of you? What were your experiences when you reduced your food? Larger/faster weight loss, or continued the same?

two.....thanks...:)

I think I stayed about the same when I had the food taken away. I know I didn't gain. The plans are different though in the way of food portions, not sure if you know this or not but I am actually on Herbal One which is very similar to Herbal Magic, but the one thing I have noticed is that the portions are different. I weigh 178 and right now my foods are 3 protein, 3 veggies, 3 fruits, 2 starches, 1 dairy, 2 fat, 1 freebie and we get 2 free choices, which is our condiments etc. I don't normally eat my free choices OR my free exchange. I am losing fine with what I eat, my mom who weighs 148 is also eating the same portions as I am. When I first started I was eating 3 P, 4 V, 3 F, 3 S, 2 D, 3 Fat, plus the freebies...it just about killed me to eat all that food, I am happy with the portions now.

I hope you do well with the change, your body will re-adjust itself anyway. So if you do happen to be up you atleast know why!!

Weighed a home this morning and I weighed the same as I did Saturday morning so I was happy with that, we don't go for WI until Saturday, and my digital scales are similar to the scales at the center.

Hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful sunny day!!

I weighed in to day and I am down 1 lb since Saturday.

I just need to remind myselft to stay on plan!!! Then I will be fine. I should have been down 18lbs by now according to Herbal Magic, 2lbs a week. I am only down 3lbs, I have been down 8lbs but I just keep going back up.

I want ot be down 38lbs by December 31st so that I can go to Hawaii weighing under 200lbs.

twovalley....when my food was changed I didn't gain any weight. I think I had a pretty big drop actually.

I lost 2 lbs this week. I am now officially in the 160's!! Definately excited about that!

Keep up the great work everyone...and keep remembering why you are doing this!

When mine changed I didn't gain weight but my losses did slow down. In fact, they do seem to still be slow. Sigh.

Down .8 since last week. Better than a gain (which I was half prepared for) but not what I wanted to see.

I would REALLY like to say goodbye to the 190's!!

Keep up the good work everyone.

I am both nervous and excited for my wi's this week. I know I am suppose to have my measurements done on Wednesday but because of the new hours I can't go so I'm hoping they'll do it on Thursday.

I agree with all of you that you need to be in the right mindset to do this and we all have our reasons for starting this journey so just remember why we all started and what we need to do to end our journey ;)

Uuughh.... For the past couple weeks or so I've had no appetite whatsoever. I feel like I'm choking down my food. I'm not sure if I'm getting sick of the foods I've been eating or what. I hate it. Anyone else have this happen?

Hi Everyone
Thanks Betterlife for sharing your reasons - that really motivated me. I too remember thinking about weight 24/7 and feeling physically/emotionally awful. Gotta admit I forgot about that so it's remotivated me. You know, I still do think about weight loss 24/7, but it's sooooo much more fun now - ha ha!! :lol:

Alberta - congrats on 160's. You planning just a brief visit there as you did the 170's? :D I too was getting sick of food a bit. I got the HM cookbook and I'm having lots of fun with recipes. Maybe too much fun as my weight loss was better 'choking' down food (often left food on my plate, which I haven't done lately). I also notice with cold weather, I don't like fruits and veggies so much - give me bread and wine - oh well.

Keep on plan everyone - it'll be a great week!

How does everyone pick their goal weight? Do you think people often change it when it gets close (either up or down)? I picked the weight I got married at 9 years ago. I felt good then, but I recall that I still wanted to lose weight (although I've wanted to lose weight since I was 6 years old, realistically I may never be happy). I'm less than 10 lbs to my goal and feeling like maybe I should aim lower. But....I'm scared that if I do, then I won't be able to maintain it in the long run. I think to stay on maintenance you have to be within 2lbs of yoru goal weight don't you? Anyone know?

So today is my first day on IP. I was inspired by my boyfriends mom who has lost a lot of weight. I found this forum and it was the icing on the cake :) I had a cappucino for breakfast, not bad...was suprisingly not very hungry until right before lunch. Had the mushroom soup and a salad w/ veggies...but I am hungry now :/ trying to delay my snack..I am 22 5'8 and 191...i got out of the marines in march and they werent allowing me to do any excersize the last few months so i blew up like a whale! you all are so insperational and i know i can turn here if i feel a moment of weakness coming on!

How does everyone pick their goal weight? Do you think people often change it when it gets close (either up or down)? I picked the weight I got married at 9 years ago. I felt good then, but I recall that I still wanted to lose weight (although I've wanted to lose weight since I was 6 years old, realistically I may never be happy). I'm less than 10 lbs to my goal and feeling like maybe I should aim lower. But....I'm scared that if I do, then I won't be able to maintain it in the long run. I think to stay on maintenance you have to be within 2lbs of yoru goal weight don't you? Anyone know?


I know i just started but the lady teaching me told me i should go just a tad under my goal (which obviously needs to be in the healthy range) because it is normal to gain a few pounds (about 6) a year...and that has to do with the way your metabolism reacts to the change in temp/weather so it gives you a little more wiggle room.

Well I was down 1 lb :carrot: So considering my weekend I'm okay with that. So I am down to 158.2 :D

I was thinking about getting the cookbooks but I'm just afraid I won't like any of the recipes. I know I've asked for some recipes and although most of them have been pretty good, I find they take up all my food for one meal. I am wondering if maybe once they up my portions I would be better to try their dinner recipes at least.

For my goal weight they based it on a combination of what I should be base on my age, height, body build and what I wanted to get to. I actually had said I wanted 120 but HM thinks I should see how I feel when I get to 125.

I'm wondering about WM4000's.
I started them today along with a low GI diet, and I'm hoping they'll jump start a good loss for me since I've been plateauing a bit over the last few weeks...
Has anyone had good results with them?

You are all such an inspiration!! Well I made it to the 20lb club...I went for my WI on Monday...and down 21lbs and 21.5 inches total. 6 weeks of hard work, but they said I'm doing very well. What a good feeling! I can't wait to see what the next month brings :)
Congrats to all with losses, and to those struggling....things will get easier..they always do :)

:bravo: That's awesome Renee.

I know I should be happy with my 1 lb, but I am really discouraged. I just have to keep remembering I didn't put the weight on over night and I can't expect it to come off over night either :dizzy:

loss of 1.6, its been difficult switching to the bars and shakes program. Im powering through and hopefully by Christmas I will hit my goal. It was suppose to be beginning of November but the week of my wedding kinda messed up everything.
Way to go everyone on their losses and keep trucking those that are struggling!! you can do it!:)

Good afternoon all....Just wanted to pop on and say Hello.

I was sent home from work this morning upset tummy etc, came home slept for 3hrs, just had something to eat and now I feel crummy again...:(

I am not sure if any of you guys have had this happen to you YET, but at times like this when I don't feel so hot I have 1 co-worker that blames it on the program I am on, and it just about drives me nuts!! That is the first thing she says 'OH IT'S PROBABLY THE DIET'....she says it as well about the other co-worker that is doing HM. It is very annoying. Glad she wasn't there today when they sent me home!!

Amb, sorry but I am no help to you..hopefully someone can help you!!

Renee...WAY TO GO...you are just rockin through your losses!!!

Sunflower...you are losing and that is the main thing. I am sorry it is not as fast as you would like, maybe you need to change some things around, such as times that you eat your starches...do you eat them all before dinner, I used to eat mine at breakfast and the other for dinner when they cut me back to 2...now I do breakfast and lunch to get it out of the way. I find that helped me. Gives me alot longer to work it off before bed. Keep on keepin on..you can do this!!

Skimmy...way to go on the 1.6 loss. I am not at all familiar with the bars and shakes program, but I wish you all the best with it!!

Alberta I hope you find a way to get your appetite back....it is hard though when you eat all the same things all the time...I don't make alot of different things myself so I can totally relate to what your going through. My hard one these days is lettuce, I am finding I am feeling bloated after I eat it, it is either that or the cucumber, I have a feeling it is the lettuce though.

I know there was a newbie that joined us, Please forgive me but I cannot remember your name and I can't see your post right now...but WELCOME to the group!!

And to anyone else I missed...hope all is well with you!!

xo
BL

Hi Everyone
Thanks Betterlife for sharing your reasons - that really motivated me. I too remember thinking about weight 24/7 and feeling physically/emotionally awful. Gotta admit I forgot about that so it's remotivated me. You know, I still do think about weight loss 24/7, but it's sooooo much more fun now - ha ha!! :lol:


Laura...you are so very welome...glad I could be of some help!!

I still think about it as well 24/7 pretty much but for me especially the last week or so I have noticed that I have been making it more of a challenge within myself to beat the scales....my scales are pretty much the same as the ones at the center...so my motivation right now is to see lower numbers everyday...I am the SCALE FREAK here...and right now it is not a bad thing that I am addicted to them because they are my motivation right now...I know you would think that they always would be...it is really weird...LOL

I know for me it is getting more exciting because I cannot help but think how close I am to the 160's....I have not been there since I was a teenager, and how exciting is that..WOO HOO!!!! This weekend was a huge deal for me as well, when I seen a picture from the wedding I couldn't really believe that was me, I looked so good, you could see it in my face....I just feel like a whole new person. My husband questioned me last evening about this guy I was talking with at my cousins, I told him his name and asked him why and he says...HE WAS LOOKING AT YOU, LIKE HE LIKED YOU....LMAO...I said he is 25 years old and he said I don't care how old he is you look good and I seen how he was looking at you...LOL....I said for gosh sakes I am married and he is 10 years younger then me, he dates my cousin...he then let it go because he knew he was getting no where......but it sure is nice to know I can turn the heads of the 25yr olds...LOL The guy actually did tell me that I don't look 35, I look much younger, but I didn't tell the hubby that...LOL

DAMN I AM FINE....LMAO

I'll keep the starch idea in mind. I have not even been on the program for 3 weeks yet so I really shouldn't worry about how much is coming off. The important thing is it is coming off and I know the smaller amounts at a time the easier it is to stay off so I'm good :D

Way to go turning heads Better Life - that is fantastic! :) And congrats to everyone on their losses! I'm down again today - woo hoo. Want to leave the 150's so I'm pretty motivated. Loving life!

:carrot: That's awesome Laura. I too am hoping the leaving the 150's but you are closer then I am ;)

So I'm just curious as to how long everyone has been doing this. I know I am fairly new to all of it. It will actually be 3 weeks tomorrow for me :D

Thanks Sunflower - you're right with me! I started Aug 4 - it's gone by much quicker than I thought it would

Hey girls,

I started HM in May, and man I am amazed by the results! I'm so jealous of you girls in the 150's. Man I want to be there!! I haven't been in the 50's for YEARS...I was probably still in highschool!! When I started HM I had 91 lbs to lose, now 5 months later I have 38 lbs left. I can't believe it! 38 feels like such a small number in comparision to 91!

I went for my weigh in lastnight and was up 1 lb. I'm not too worried. Usually when I go it's first thing in the morning and I wear either yoga pants or my work uniform which is made of really lightweight fabric. Well lastnight I went just before a "girls night out" so I was wearing jeans and a nice shirt, had my hair done, the whole nine yards. Every single girl at my center told me how amazing I look. It felt so so so great!!! My favorite girl did my visit and she made me cry!! She told me that she was so proud of me and wanted to nominate me for client of the month. Totally made my night!

Anyways I haven't really been following the program 100%. Not really cheating, but not getting in all my food and water. Today I've decided that enough was enough. I want to be in the 150's so bad!!! I'm starting fresh today! I'm loving the new me!

Betterlife....still patiently waiting for pictures from your wedding you went too!! :D

Good job all you losers!!!

That's awsome Albertachickie! You are doing a great job. You will be in the 150's in no time. I had lost about 15 lbs on my own before I joined HM. I just find I can get down 10-15 lbs and then I get stuck. I have seen and heard of so many people that have done really well with HM and they were offering such a great deal when I signed that I couldn't pass up the opportunity and I had emotionally hit where I was ready to commit.

Okay guys here is a before and during pic....the first one was my BSE with Keith not the best but it is the most recent one I have to my start date...with the exception of my start pic...haven't had time to figure out the scanner yet.

So it was taken 2 weeks before I started the program, the 2nd is from the wedding Saturday night....I apologize for the gum in my mouth and the fact that I was a little intoxicated....LOL...we both were...;) It was the best one that showed the difference, the other ones were too close to my face.

If you click on the image it will make the pic a bit bigger...hope I don't scare you all too much....LOL

Looking good! :yes:

So I was down 0.2 lbs and had my first measurements and happy to say that I am down 16 inches :cp: To which I was told going down 1 dress size is anywhere from 10-20 inches so I'm very happy :D

Thanks Sun!!

Way to go on the lbs and the inches!!! Feels great doesn't it!!

I weigh on Saturday, hoping for a good loss this week...I have a good feeling it will be, but I don't want to get my hopes up either!!

Hoping to get the scanner figured out this weekend so I can post my beginning/during shots from the center. It is a wireless printer/scanner etc so I have no idea how to get my laptop linked to it....might just have to do it through his...would likely be easier!!

Looking good Betterlife! Thanks for posting those. I think I just may post a before and "right"now". Guess I better go digging for photos!

Looking good Betterlife! Thanks for posting those. I think I just may post a before and "right"now". Guess I better go digging for photos!

Thanks Alberta!!

Yes please post pics....want to see how your doing!! I think we all should to show our success thus far....and then we would also know the face behind the name!!

Looking forward to weighing in tomorrow!! Cannot wait!! I just want to bypass that 177 pounds...LOL...then onto my next mini goal of 169, I know I was hoping to be in the 160's by Halloween but I don't think I am going to hit that goal...oh well as long as the scales are going on a downwards spiral that is okay with me!!

Okay off to battle the scanner and see if I can get those pics on the computer.

Have a great day...be back later!!
BL

Well I weighed in yesterday and I was down so thats good!! I am hoping to be down again tomorrow!!

I just can't seem to get past the stress eating.......not sure what to do about it!

OK SO I got th scanner figured out, very easy actually, I could upload the pics right to my memory card...HOW SWEET IS THAT...LOL Now I have to get the pics here...too big right now.

WANNABE.....Way to go on the loss!!

I know exactly how you feel about the stress eating, I have been there many a times, back around the first part of September(I think that is when it was) I was really struggling...I think it was at that time that ALBERTA joined the group and she and I really hit it off and just by coming here, talking about it and refocusing myself, I did managed to pull out of the funk I was in.

Maybe you need to come here more and reach out to us, not everyone is here at one time but someone has got to be around to give you some words of encouragment. You can do this my dear, you are worth it, we all are!! Do you have help at home/friends etc? If you want I can give you my email and you can fire me off an email at anytime...even if it just says..TODAY SUCKS...getting that off your chest just might be enough to push you on!! I always have my cell on me, even at work, I check it on breaks and I have access to email so I could respond at some point.

My heart goes out to you, I know what it is like to be a stress eater, I got at my highest all time weight from stress eating about 4 years ago. I weighed 227lbs, which just happens to be pretty much where you started, and on a frame of 4'11...it was very hard on me.

YOU CAN DO THIS.....I know you can!! Just refocus and think back as to why you wanted this in the first place, I have to ask this but...do you think your ready? I have tried and failed at so many diets/WOL/WOE...you name it I failed it...it wasn't until I seen the pictures from the concert I went to in June, the one that has my before pic in it, that I realized what I had become AGAIN, and then I hit an all time low with myself AGAIN. And I knew I was ready....and here I am, it took me a couple of weeks to get going because I researched both Herbal One and Herbal Magic...and chose the HO way for personal reasons.

I don't think if I were ready that I would be down what I am now....look deep inside yourself and refocus.

OMG... I'm not so computer smart... how do I do it? LOL. I went to the little picture thing and it tells me to enter the URL of my attachment. My photos don't have a URL....HEEELLLLLPPPPP!

K I will help you

okay go to ADVANCED SETTINGS when you hit the reply to post...then in the on the left side it says ATTACH FILES..click that button, then you will have to browse for the pic on your computer, the thing is that the pic has to be a certain size...I have to resize mine 3 times to get the one I have posted here now.

This was my start pic at Herbal One, the pic beside it was taken last Saturday. I DON'T LIKE HOW SMALL THEY LOOK...you cannot see the difference that well.

Okay I think I got it! LOL

So the first picture was taken in December, probably a little under what my heaviest was. The second one was taken TODAY!

WOW you look fantastic!!!!

I added the side view now as well...almost a pro at this picture thing...LOL

Thanks betterlife!! I feel fantastic!!

You're looking smashing as well!! It's amazing that once you actually see before and after pictures how much of a difference you notice. Once my husband gets home I'm gonna make him do a photo shoot so I can have some better pictures as well!! Can't wait!!

Where is everybody else's photos???!!!

Thanks....I have been doing pics all along, but trust me those are ones you DON'T wanna see....LOL

It is a real eye opener once you see the difference...I suggest that everyone do this and you will see and feel so much better about your success.

Everyone looks great! Keep up the great work guys.

I'll have to see if I can find any pics. Unfortunately I'm always the one taking the pics LOL. I wish I had taken some pics before I started. I'll see what I can dig up :D

Good Luck today Betterlife!! I hope you reach your mini goal!

I need some breakfast ideas. What do all of you eat? I am only allowed 2 proteins so I try not to eat them for breakfast :)

I hear ya on the no proteins for breakfast. I'm pretty boring. I either eat
cereal with milk and fruit or 2 3oz yogurts and a fruit. Sometimes I have cottage cheese ( used as a dairy) with some tomato cut up in it with a fruit also. Have you tried that diet bread? You can have 2 slices for 1 starch. Toast?
Breakfast is hard for me. I usually eat a light breakfast at like 830a and have a snack at 1030a which usually is enough to carry me over till lunchtime.

Good Luck today Betterlife!! I hope you reach your mini goal!

Thanks so much Alberta....not only did I beat it...I SMOKED IT!! WOO HOO....I was down 4lbs!!!! WAHOOOOO!!!!!!

174...holy crud, I don't even know when I weighed 174lbs the last time!!

I am estatic this morning!!! And now I am only 5lbs from my next mini goal of 169....they even gave me a sticker...LOL...good job done....was down 3lbs last Saturday and 4 today...:)

:carrot::carrot::carrot:

Hey Everyone
Sweet pics Betterlife and Alberta - you guys look fantastic! I'll post pics sometime soon. And mega congrats Betterlife - 4lbs is a GREAT drop!! :)

My fave breakfast is french toast - one slice of bread, one egg (so only 1/2 a protein), splenda, cinnamon - yummy. There are also a few recipes inthe HM cookbook that I like, such as the banana bread which counts as a starch, 1/2 dairy, 1/2 fruit and I think 1/2 fat. Let me know if you want recipes and I'll post a few.

Yesterday I went to the Banff Springs spa with girlfriends - soo much fun. I felt a bit self conscious in my bathing suit, but not because of my size, but because my bathing suit was too big - ha ha!! Ended up eating at the spa for lunch and out for dinner in Banff - my choices were good, but when eating out you just know you're taking in more fat and salt than you want. Anyway, lots of water today and a TOTAL KILLER bootcamp workout this morning makes up for it (I worked so hard in the class, the instructor asked if I was ok - thought I was going to pass out for a moment)

Have a great weekend everyone!!
Laura :)

AWESOME WORK BETTERLIFE!!! I'm proud of you!!

Laura- Thanks for the comments on the photos! I look at them like 20 times a day cause it amazes me! LOL. Too funny about your bathing suit! I would love the recipe for banana bread if you'd care to share!

Love to share Alberta....

Banana Bread
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup Special K (I use whatever legal cereal I have)
4 tbsp wheat germ
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
4 pkg artificial sweetener (I use 4 generous tsp of Splenda - I like sweet)
2 ripe bananas mashed
3 egg whites
4 tsp soft light margarine

Combine the dry ingredients (first 6)
In another bowl mix banana, egg whites, margarine until smooth
Add dry ingredients and mix until moistened

Spray a loaf pan with nonstick spray. Pour mixture into pan. Bake for 30 minutes at 375F or until toothpick comes out clean. Invert pan to remove.

Serves eight (I've halved the recipe, and used a smaller loaf pan)
One serving = 1/2 fruit, 1 1/8 starch, 1/2 fat
(Really, I don't count 1/8 starch - anything under a quarter serving is free in my book - ha ha!)

Have fun!!
Laura

Okay, got another one. It's a pumpkin pie without the crust - super good, and best of all it counts only as a 1/4 protein, 1/4 dairy, and 1 vegetable (who doesn't have a spare vegetable in their day!).

It's from a radio morning show host in Calgary who is on HM. Her blog is at: megherbalmagic.blogspot.com

I can't put the actual link in as I need two more posts before I'm allowed to post a link :( Scroll down to Oct 7 entry and the recipe is there. She doesn't say a temp to bake it at - I find I do 400F and still needs a bit more time than what she's got. So good! :)

Thanks Laura!!

My daughter loves banana bread so I always have it in the house. I get quite jealous when I can't have any. I'm excited to try out the recipe!

Hey Laura...are you in Calgary? I'm in Red Deer!

Thanks soooooo much Laura and Alberta!!! Feels great!!

Laura I think I am going to try the french toast one tomorrow morning, something a little different!! That banana bread sounds YUMMY as well!!

Off to check out the website for the pumpkin pie, yum oh yum...LOL

BL
xo

No prob! I gotta admit, I use about a tsp of low cal syrup on the french toast - I figure it's only about 20 calories, so isn't doing too much harm. But if you want to be more strict, then I've taken some blueberries (fresh is best - i know tough to find right now), mash them slightly, and then heat them up with a bit more splenda - just like blueberry syrup and then you just count as a fruit. If you use frozen blueberries, don't mash them, and drain them after you've heated them.

Laura GIRL!!! Thanks so much for the french toast suggestion...OMG I loved it...such a nice change, and it something I could whip up really quick at 5:30am for breakfast...and I will get in a protein as I have a hard time choking down that 3rd protein each day as it usually ends up being boiled eggs...and you can only handle so many of those...ICK!!

I didn't add splenda to the mixture, I added cinnamon. Then for the topping I just added my light margarine and I have a grinder that I bought through epicure that has sugar and cinnamon in it and I grinded it over the top...very minimal amount of sugar...I think it is a much better choice then the syrup!!

OMG it was delish and very filling...looking forward to tomorrow's breakfast...LOL

Hoping to get to the gym again today...went lastnight...did about 42 minutes on the treadmill...burnt off over 400 calories....it felt great!! Did the bike for about 5 minutes as I am finding it getting hard on my knees and I don't want to push it as sometimes I have a hard time sleeping because my legs race all night long sometimes...it is an awful feeling!! Plus I did a workout on the machines...we were there almost 90mins.

My favorite right now is the treadmill....hate the machines. I don't feel the burn from them that I feel from the treadmill.

Do you guys have a favorite??

Weight was the same on Friday, better than gaining I guess! Had a bigger meal last night than usual, but didnt eat much in the morning as I was busy with weekend errands.
I am totally going to try the banana muffins, I miss muffins so much. I love baking and it hard not being able to try the nice treats I do make. End up sending most of them home with the kids I watch or send them up on base with my husband.
Hoping to enter into the 170's by mid November. So far so good, with the bar and shakes, although it is weird just having a shake for lunch!

Trying to get myself motivated to get back to the gym. When I do go I have a love hate relationship with the stair climber and cross fit! Cross fit is an awesome workout, kicks my *** in 45 minutes.
Good luck on all your weigh ins next week!!

Hey Alberta - I'm in Calgary, but I work a ton in Airdrie - just down the road from you. Well a busy road, but down the road :)

That's great the toast worked well for you Betterlife. Probably good you didn't use the splenda. I know I use way too much. I think you're supposed to use only 2 tsp a day (including diet pop etc) and I'm sure I use about 8-10. A goal may be to cut down on that after my goal, but right now I feel I need it. I've learned through this that while I like potato chips, I really do have a sweet tooth.

I love the treadmill too Betterlife - nothing beats running on a treadmill or outside for a calorie burn. But yesterday I did a boot camp class with a really good instructor. Oh the pain this morning! Feels good though.

Hmmm...maybe I'll have to try the french toast.

At the gym I love the stairclimber, and ellipticals. I hate the treadmill!! We have a cardiowave at our gym which is BRUTAL!! I last like 10 minutes...maybe, till I feel like dying!

Laura- I definately need to cut out the Splenda too. But like you I figured one big goal at a time!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

hi all. i started tuesday and it is now sunday night. from tuesday to friday i lost over 5 lbs. :)

Welcome okeesego

Welcome to the group...there's a great bunch of gals here! Congrats on the weigh loss thus far! Whereabouts in Alberta are you?

Way to go Okeesego! Its a great feeling. Thanks so much ladies for the recipies! I will be trying them for sure!!! I am not looking forward to my weigh in tomorrow. I was away at my parents house for the weekend...and although I stuck to the program quite well I thought...tonights dinner ruined it a little. It was my moms bday dinner. We had Tortillini...it was so good. I had a small helping and salad...but then I had cake...........only a small piece..but oh man I could have eaten the whole thing! It was weird...but I did stop at just a small piece! We will see how the WI is.

Hey Everyone
I just went to a friends for dinner and pretty much blew it :( Did so good until dessert and then port. Oh well, tomorrow is a new day!

Welcome Okeesego!!

Alberta, I'll bite, what the heck is a cardio wave?

Ok, off to bed to sleep off the wine and calories - sigh.

Apparently a little piece of cake didn't hurt! I went this morning and dropped 2.4lbs over the weekend...I'm very happy with that. 2 more pounds and I"ll be at 25lbs gone....Unbelievable!

Everyone is doing awesome!

Laura don't worry about it. We all have our bad days. Just get right back on the wagon :D

Thanks for the breakfast suggestions. I have tried the diet bread and sometimes I do have that with peanut butter and a piece of fruit. I also do yogurt and fruit. I never even thought about french toast so I'll have to try that one.

I am sooooo nervous about my weigh in tomorrow. I think because my first two weeks it came off so fast and last week it wasn't so good. I know I am following the diet and other then my drinking weekend I haven't cheated once. I am just hoping the last week wasn't as big because of my period. Guess I'll find out tomorrw :dizzy:

Alberta, I'll bite, what the heck is a cardio wave?


A cardiowave is like an elliptical machine only you go side to side rather than front to back. Kind of like rollerblading. OMG it's so hard. It kills me everytime!So good for the butt and thighs though!

Was down 1.4 for my weigh in today. Not bad. I totally feel like I'm in a funk though. I can't get it together. Everyday I have full intentions of staying on plan, with no cheating but I can't help it. Yesterday one of our regular customers came in with Timbits...I had about 6. EEK... Then we had a family dinner where my mother-in-law made lasagna with about 5 million pounds of cheese, with icecream for dessert. Tonight was my father-in-laws birthday celebration with cake and icecream. Wednesday is another family dinner with beefpie. I feel like there are so many things setting me up for failure! EEK! If it's not bad food being shoved in my face, its no food at all. I'm still having a hard time, getting all my food and water in. Gosh...I really need to get it together! HEEEELLLLLLPPPPP!

Alberta - I can relate. I really get to hate dinner engagements - they're nearly impossible to manage. I don't have any suggestions but wish you luck this week. You've done so well. Hopefully everyone's comments that you look so great will keep you on track.

Alberta that's great that you were down 1.4 lbs especially if you find you haven't been following the plan to a T. Hang in there. I too find dinner's out very tough. The worst for me is a lot of people don't know I'm on the plan so they don't know what I can and can't eat. How are the ladies at your centre? Are they good at giving you suggestions that may help you. I know my centre I told them I am worried about Halloween coming up and they suggested the 100 calorie chocolate bars and the snack they sell. Hang in there ((HUGS))

Evening all.....Alberta...WTG on the loss...sorry to hear you are having a tough go right now...lord knows I know all about that...I hope you can work through it....you can do it!!

Sunflower how did you make out at your WI?? Great I hope!!

WTG Renee!!!!!

Laura how are you doing??

And EVERYONE ELSE...hope you are doing fantastic!!

I go tomorrow for my WI....I hope things get MOVING before tomorrow, if you KNOW WHAT I MEAN....having trouble in THAT department again.....it has been a few days...since Friday to be exact....and it is getting VERY uncomfortable!! Hate weighing when I am not regular...:(

Have exciting news....going to see DAUGHTRY Monday night in Toronto...and I cannot wait!! He is my next favorite to Keith!!

I have to go to the dentist tomorrow to have a tooth pulled, cannot wait....YIKES!!!!!!

Well I am off to have a hot bath....have to get ready for The Biggest Loser~~

Take care everyone!!

Hey Better Life - OMG, I thought it was only me!! :o I totally have a problem in that department too and hate taking laxatives cause I don't want to rely on them. I'm sure it makes a difference in wi too. Sigh - as if we didn't have enough on our mind. If it helps I notice lemon in water sometimes helps. Good luck tomorrow - I'm sure you'll do great! :lol:

No your not alone Laura...:stress:

I hate laxatives as well, as I don't want to become dependant on them...I eat healthier than I ever did 3 veggies/3 fruit a day.....2 starches which is usually whole wheat bread...how much more fibre can one have?? Not to mention all the water I drink.

I have about 12 hrs to DO THE DEED...LMAO

Never made it to the tub, so I will be waiting until TBL is over....lol...darn facebook....LOL

ANYONE GOT ANY SUGGESTIONS....MOVE THIS BUS.....ok couldn't resist....feels like one right about now....oh my it has been a LOOOONG day:joker::joker:

Believe it or not I was down 2.8 lbs :dancer: Which means I've hit my first 10 lbs :cp: I weigh in again on Thursday which I have to learn won't be as big as a number because of the timing. So I am VERY happy!

Way To Go Sun!!!!!!!

Try adding warm lemon water to your nightly or morning routine.
Real lemons cut up and pour boiling water into it.
It helps naturally "Move the bus" :) May take a day or two to kick in for some people.

Thanks Dria...will have to buy some lemon and try that from now on, cause the bus isn't a movin!!

Still laughing at your last post Betterlife - hee hee. Thanks Dria- I'll try that too. With a touch of splenda it may even be a treat.

Congrats Sunflower!!

If ya have splenda in it have another glass of water to flush the fakie (splenda) product from your system :)

Well it's D-day.....and the bus is still parked.....stupid (*&%^&.

Hate to share all this with you guys but it ticks me off....I guess because my scales are very similar to the ones at the center and on mine I am up about atleast a pound. I have been working so hard the last few weeks...and now this.

But I am going to try what Dria suggested, should I drink that everynight?

Not looking forward to te dentist this afternoon either.....this day just SUCKS...LOL....but considering all....I am in very good spirits this morning...;)

Told you all this day sucked...first off I was up 1 and a 1/4 pound.....I refuse to change my ticker...going to take something tonight...can't do the lemon as I had not 1 but 2 teeth pulled today, I knew 1 was coming out, but not the 2nd. I can't eat or drink anything hot/warm.

Had to call the dentist because it is still bleeding, and I had it done 4hrs ago. So here I sit with a teabag in my mouth trying not to throw up. Apparently it will help the bleeding to stop.

Hope you all had a better day then I did!!!

Thanks everyone!! I'm still having a tough time. Was up 0.2 at my weigh in today, GRRRRR!

Oh Betterlife- What a tough day! Hope you get some relief soon...like real soon, you gotta be in tiptop shape for Daughtry!! Lucky duck!

Laura....hoping you get some relief soon too!!

Way to go Sun!!! Great job!

Thanks Alberta :)

Hang in there girls ((HUGS)). I know we all have our bad days and you will get back on track. Especially you Better Life with having all kinds of things going on you poor thing.

We today I am now back to my pre-party weekend weight. Yay, but kind of frustrating how bad one day can set you back. I've been stuck in 150's for quite some time now. (I too didn't change my weight BL).

But let's be positive.....the goal is going to be so much sweeter knowing that we fought through this. We just need to stay the course - small weight gains can mean big weight losses next week. Think ahead....
- by next week BL, the bus is gone and along with it 4lbs! :)
- Alberta, knowing you, you'll be having your eye on the 150's.
- and Sunflower will be bragging about 15lbs.

Good luck everyone!
Laura

Lost my weekend 1lbs i was up. Happy about that, but I am also back to the teater totter I was at the first time I joined HM. All the chicky told me was keep doing what Im doing and sooner or later it will come off! ARGGGG frusturating as all ****.

Lets hope the rest of the week is awesome for everyone! Im trying to stay positive. Sending those vibes out too all those that need it this week!!

Good Morning Ladies...and thanks so much for you kind words and for putting up wth me!! Didn't have the best of nights...stupid teeth....and the thoughts of going on the 24th of next month to have a wisdom tooth pulled scares the crap outta me.....I also have to go Monday for a filling...I think I might reschedule that sucker until a later date...never sounds like a good later date!! Go get my teeth grinded out/filled...then go see Daughtry...sounds like a great Monday..LOL

Getting very excited about going to see Chris...have been a fan since he was on American Idol...I was so devastated when he lost that show...my mom refused to watch he rest of the season when he got voted off..LOL He has done so amazing though I think the best thing for him was to have gotten the boot!!

Alberta...I hope you can get yourself back into the swing of things...you can do it!!nI know it's hard...but you have come too far to give in now!!!

Sun.....Tamara...so nice to know your first name.....mine is Kim..:) One can hope things will only get better right...;) I mean seriously...how much CRAP can one go through....no pun intended...lol...oh nevermind, I was going to add to that but I better not...ha ha ha

Laura....Glad your back to your pre-party weight!! It does suck that 1 day/night can set you back like that...that scares me because all I can think about is how in the heck am I going to make it on my own?? You girl are going to be out of the 150's next week!!! I can just feel it!!!!!! Thanks so much, I like your way of thinking....4lbs works for me!

skimmy...glad youlost what you were up....can they not switch things aound to get th scales moving? That chicky needs to realize it in not her pocket that is paying for the program, sooner or later...what **** kind of answer is that. When my mom got stuck they changed her food groups and the weight started coming off again. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!

Well I am going to go back to bed for a while and rest. Be back later.

Have a great day you much of HM LOSERS!!!!!!!

Hi all :) I am still trucking along on the plan & am now down over 14lbs & finally in Onederland! But I got some bad news from my center & I am totally bummed - the awesome girl that runs my center has sold it back to corporate. Her part time girl is going to stay on but who knows what's going to happen now with that place. This sucks :(

Hope everyone has a fabulous day :) I go for W/I today so hope my numbers are going down more.

Hmj.

Down another lb :) Wahoooo!

Glad everyone is having a good week. I can't go for a weigh in till next Thursday because of my work schedule..but thats ok.
I was SO strong today! I surprised myself. First.....I had a meeting to go to at work..they brought in 2 big boxes of Tim Hortons donuts....I said no thanks as they passed the box around 3 times...THEN...here at work for lunch they had an "Octoberfest" BBQ with smokies etc....I sat and ate my salad while everyone else pigged out on smokies and pretzles etc.....Surprisingly I actually have willpower....lol
Just thought I'd share my story with you all.....If I can do it...for god sakes anyone can!!! :) Be strong my friends!!!

HMJ...way to go girl!!! you are doing amazing!!!

Renee.....that is so great....doesn't it feel so good to pass up those things that we know got us here in the first place...we have family members at work that bring in baked goodies and donuts etc....and I always pass them up, most co-workers are good about it, but there is a couple that tend to give me a hard time about it, I think they do it just to bug me, but still...this is my decision and please respect it!!

In all my complaining lastnight, I didn't add something GREAT that happened to me yesterday, and that was that I stopped into work to tell them I wasn't able to come in because of the procedure I just had done. I seen a co-worker that I haven't seen since before I started the program as she had been off due to surgery and I don't see alot of evening staff as my shift ends at 2:30....they come in at 3pm. ANYWAY...she didn't even recognize me at first then he came over and said...OMG KIM I DIDN"T EVEN KNOW THAT WAS YOU STANDING THERE....LOOK AT YOU...YOU LOOK AWESOME...WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO LOSE IT?? Then she asked me if she could touch my tummy to see it, she couldn't believe how small I was. Damn that made me feel good!!

I cannot wait to get back on track...hoping tomorrow...things still have not moved at all and I am not very happy about that, weighed myself this morning and did not like what the scales were looking back at me with..it sucked!! But I know why, between that and not being able to eat properly and I haven't taken any pills since yesterday morning. I don't weigh now until NEXT SATURDAY so atleast I have a good amount of time to get things going again. Cannot wait to be able to hit the gym again as well...haven't been there since Monday night.

Well I better go get dinner done....be back later!!

xo

Great Job HMjunkie...Doesn't onderland feel amazing?!

Renee- You go girl!! Maybe you could pass some of that willpower my way!

Laura- You're right, I do have my eyes on the 150's. Man I want it so bad!

Betterlife- Thats awesome!! I never get sick of hearing how good I am looking. It really makes my day!

I am really trying to get out of this funk. Today I got some really bad news though. My bestfriend's 2 month old little girl needs to have emergency surgery on her liver. She's really little and the doctor isn't quite sure if she is strong enough to handle the surgery. I have this whole flood of emotions that the last thing I care about right now is my eating. Some things are just more important. I'll be staying with her at the hospital, so who even knows what kind of meal plan I'll be able to stick to.

Anyways...keep up the great work everyone!

Oh and my name is Fallan :)

Fallan...what a pretty name!! To go with a pretty lady!!

Your friend and her daughter need you right now and the last thing you need stressing you more is food...you know what...do the best you can do, choose the right choices that you possibly can. That is all you can do, I will be thinking of you!!

Thoughts and prayers to the wee one and her family as well.

Big hugs!!

We today I am now back to my pre-party weekend weight. Yay, but kind of frustrating how bad one day can set you back. I've been stuck in 150's for quite some time now. (I too didn't change my weight BL).

But let's be positive.....the goal is going to be so much sweeter knowing that we fought through this. We just need to stay the course - small weight gains can mean big weight losses next week. Think ahead....
- by next week BL, the bus is gone and along with it 4lbs! :)
- Alberta, knowing you, you'll be having your eye on the 150's.
- and Sunflower will be bragging about 15lbs.

Good luck everyone!
Laura

Congrats Laura on getting back to your pre-party weight. Also thanks for the vote of confidence :crazy: No pressure. I know I've been doing good, but not sure I can do THAT good LOL ;)

skimmy - Congrats and keep up the good work :)

Kim - hope you are feeling better soon. That's awesome about your co-worker. It must make your feel great! Keep up the good work. Are you keeping up with your fats? The reason I ask is my centre told me that I need to eat everything and especially that fat because if you don't eat all your fats you get constipated. Maybe try switching up your fats to see if that helps.

HMJ - You go girl! :cheer3:

Renee - That's great you had such will power. I surprise myself every now and again myself :)

Fallan - so sorry to hear about your friend. I'll be sending lots of positive thoughts their way.

So I had my second wi of the week and was down 0.6 lbs which takes me to a total of 11 lbs in 4 weeks :woohoo: I have to say I was very surprised and very happy too. I've only been doing the program for 4 weeks and I worry that every time I go the scale is going to go up. I did have one bad week which was the week of af so I'm assuming that's why. Do you guys find the week of af hard with the weight coming off?

week of AF totally slowed down, usually went up alittle due to water retention. I do lemon and water during that week, or water with a splash of cranberry juice. Seems to help a little.
Having a Halloween party at our place tonight. It is my intention to keep the drinks to a minimum, but part of me wants to go and have fun seeing as DH and I are going to start trying for a family. hehehe Hopefully I can the willpower that Renee had!
Hope everyone has a fun Halloween and I will see you on the flip side!
Positive thoughts out to everyone!

Thanks for the tip skimmy. Do you have any S/B's? or can you get to your centre to get some? I found when I had my girls weekend I had them and I was down a lb after my drinking weekend. I didn't go crazy, but I had a few drinks but stuck to the diet pop and liquour route as opposed to the fruity drinks or coolers I usually would :) That's awesome that you are and DH are going to start trying to have a family. Kids are so much fun (most of the time LOL)

Hi Everyone
Sounds like everyone is getting on a roll again - congrats to the losers!
Fallon - hope you'll still be able to take care of yourself!

I haven't lost this week, but that's okay - last night I had a good chat with myself and I'm ready to go again. Over the past week or so I've been cheating more and more - just a cracker here and there, counting tea as water, or not measuring my food. Funny how one can lie to oneself! Anyway I think that's been slowing me down, so it's back to basics today, and I already feel great!

Hope everyone has a fantastic Halloween!
Laura :)

Laura.....I need to sit down with myself and have that same chat...the last couple of days I have noticed have been getting tough again, especially when Wed/Thurs all I could eat were soft foods, it was not easy to find food friendly choices...this afternoon/evening have been tough as well....I need a kick in the A**. Back on track tomorrow.

I was eating earlier and bit down right where the teeth were extracted hurt like a SOB and I think I loosened up the stitches....feels nasty as all get out...and has been swollen all day...guess that is what I get for eating a banana I shouldn't have been eating....grrrrrrrr.

Fallon....hope all is going well with the Baby/Mommy/Family and You!!

Tamara...yes I eat my fats, I have 2 per day, not usually hard for me to get in. It made me feel good with the co-worker which is why it ticks me off that I can so easily fall off track....I am so scared that I am going to fail when I get to goal...I know I shold be thinking about NOW and not then, but it is hard...and it scares me.

Way to go on the loss as well Tamara!!

Skimmy...hope your party goes well and you have a great weekend!!!

Well I am off for the night....thanks for listening to my whining....what would I do without you all....you are such a great support system to me.

Kim

Thanks ladies :) I'm glad I found this board. I need the support and don't have a lot of it IRL so it's nice to be able to talk to someone that is going through the same thing :grouphug:

I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one that does that Laura and Kim. I started doing that yesterday "oh it's just one XXX" and then I thought, well if I keep doing that all day it will turn into a lot so I better stop LOL.

Happy Halloween everyone. Try not to eat too much Halloween candy. I went and picked up some 100 calorie chocolate bars ;)

Happy Halloween to everyone!!! I'm finding today a really hard day. Not so much in the eating dept! But just overall...I even had a moment where I thought that "this is it" I'm mad at the world and I'm gonna eat whatever I want....but I didn't! I wonder if its the weather, turn of the season thats making for some bad moods??
Just wanted to vent! Thanks.
I'm on my way to my sisters to hand out candy...it will be hard not digging into the chocolate...I'm a total choc-a-holic! Wish me luck........and good luck to all of you for keeping treats to a minimum :)

:hug: Renee. I don't know the weather where you live, but here it's been raining a lot and I know that doesn't help with my mood. Hang tough. You can do it and we are all here to support you. Good luck with not eating too many treats. I am struggling with it myself tonight :o

Did everyone fare okay last night? I had an extra glass of wine and some cheese - not too too bad I suppose. Best of all, one girl dressed up as a pregnant girl - I told her she had a great costume - she said, well I gave up competing with the skinny chicks like you. Ha - amazing! :)

I figure now Nov is here, it's a good month of strict clean eating before xmas starts. And hopefully lots of sunny days Tamara and Renee - I TOTALLY get the cloud thing - grumpsville!

I did not too bad. I think one M & M LOL and half a small bag of potato chips :) I totally agree that I need to get strick for November so I will be good for Xmas and still meet my goal in March.

Well it was an enjoyable weekend, and yes I already know I will pay for it this week! Back on the band wagon tomorrow morning. I dont think the twizzlers I had to day count as a free exchange! lol
Back on track, totally agree with the clean eating for November so we can sail through Christmas with ease!!
I'm only human and fall off the wagon once in awhile, but at least I have been taught how to get back on!! Also feeling great having gotten myself for workouts all last week. Looking forward to next week...love seeing the muscle details starting to show up in my arms!
Good luck this week ladies!
Kim(skimmy)

Thanks Guys! I made it through.....didn't have ANY treats! Gave out candy, then we were going to order pizza, but indtead we had a multigrain think crust (Mccain) in the freezer...had that with salad. Thats the first pizza I have eaten in almost 8 weeks...there wasn't much to it..but it was damn good! lol
Yes the weather sucks. I live in NWOntario...been snow/rain here for a while now...I guess its that time of year!
I'm totally feeling back on track..last night wasn't as hard as I thought! I'm gonna try my best for the month of November...and as far into December as I can go..until the christmas outtings start! Then be as good as possible throught christmas! lol
Lets give it all we got girls!!!
Have a good week everyone

What kind of workouts is everyone doing? I am so bad at getting to the gym. Between 3 kids in activities, a husband who works shift work and me getting sick I can't seem to stay on track. I was starting to do the couch to 5k program, but the problem is you have to run 3 times a week non-consecutive days and I keep getting stuck at week 3 :( I'm not sure if I should just stick to something else or keep trying LOL

Just wanted to pop in and say Hello and let you know I am still here.

Worked all weekend...off the next 2 days thank goodness. I need it to pull myself together. I am struggling once again and I feel like I have hit rock bottom...having a very tough time since having my teeth pulled...and not eating properly.

Just feeling very down tonight....I know what I need to do I just have to do it!! Back on track, I have the next 2 days to get myself back there...and I will do it...I have to. I have come too far to let it go now.

Seeing myself in the mirror at the gym tonight and wanting to cry because I looked so fat and bloated...was enough to make me really think..WTF am I doing....sorry for the language but dang.

Okay enough already.....

Daughtry tomorrow night...cannot wait...have liked him since the American Idol show, he has an amazing voice...so excited for it....seats next to the stage....hopefully I can get some good shots!!

Hope you are all doing well...sorry to be such a downer.

Kim

First off...sorry for being such a whiner!!!! Was having a very bad night lastnight...and I am so very sorry!!

Gave myself a good boot in the rump...and now I am back....took a good laxative and I am ready to go now...LOL...well not literally....already been there and done that....Sorry...TMI....just hoping it all clears before 2pm when I leave for Toronto...that could be BAD....LMAO

Hope all is well with you all, Alberta, I hope things are going good for your BF's baby....still thinking of you all!!!

Laura....a special thanks to you for being so great!!!

You are all wonderful people, and thanks for listening, responding...just being here for one another.....okay enough of the sappy stuff...I am off to straighten my hair...I have a ~~HOT~~date with Chris Daughtry to get ready for!!!!!

BL

I wanted to take a pic today to see if I could the difference from 5 months ago on June 6th when the first pic was taken in Detroit...right before I met Keith....the next one I just took. It is very grainy but you can see it well.

I can see a HUGE difference...wish the first pic was more of a side shot...to see the difference better....that day was the bottom line for me, when I seen those pictures from that day, it made me feel ill that I let myself get back to that point, not only that but oh so embarassed that I looked that bad.

Yeah for me....I am soooooo proud of myself right now...and I think I look damn fine today!! My tummy looks flatter and smaller...my BUTT looks good....LOL....look how fat my legs looked...jeepers.

Make sure you click on the box in the corner to make the picture bigger!!

LOL

Better life - glad you seem to be doing better. The pics are great - umm, I think your butt is missing in the second one? (hee hee). Congrats! Have a fantastic week!

I'm really really really hoping for 149.9 this week. Stay the course! :)

Looking good Kim :bravo: Keep up the good work and hope you have a great time!

I can relate on the feeling down lately. Not sure why I'm in a funk and I kind of worry about it since I am so new to the program. I just feel very discouraged that no one is noticing the hard work I've put in. I had a talk with a friend today and she said something very important to me. It doesn't matter what other people think. I am doing this for me and I need to remember that. As long as I see an improvement that is what is important. She is right but it is nice to hear "you look awesome" LOL

I know I say this every week but I am nervous about my weigh in tomorrow. Apparently the small bags of Halloween chips aren't the same as the 100 cal chips :shrug: That and the couple of handfuls of popcorn at the hockey game last night make me think the salt is going to kill me. So I've been downing water like crazy and am hoping for the best. I also have to stay off the damn scale too :dizzy:

GOOOOD MORNING LADIES!!!

Well....my show was good lastnight....I was a little disappointed but it is because I am so use to watching Keith who has such a stage presence about him and he has sooooooo much energy....that just wasn't in the venue lastnight and I missed it. Chris isn't ready to be a headliner yet, too many ballads, he did however do an AMAZING cover of Phil Collins In the Air Tonight, it was fantastic!!! I did get some video of the show...I took the whole video of NO SURPRISE that song just melts my little heart, I guess it says so much in the lyrics that sometimes kinda hits close to home. I had the best time with my BFF, she and I have been friends since we were 11 years old....25 years is a long time....and we always have so many laughs...and the best time ever.

I did go for dinner at a restaurant called The Loose Moose, there weren't alot of appealing items on the menu, I am sooooooo sick of salad right now it is not even funny...if I see 1 more piece of lettuce I think I will hurl..... I chose the burger and fries with gravy....I had only eaten a cup of grapes and my yogourt yesterday morning and saved the rest of my intakes for my dinner. I ate 1/2 the fries, half the gravy which was in a little cup about the size of what you would get sour cream in for a take out container, so maybe 4tbsp in the cup if that, half the bun and about 3/4 of the burger. And boy was it yummy....but oh I was soooo full. I could literally feel my stomach bloating and I felt sooooo uncomfortable for about 30-40 minutes. I even took a pic of my plate...will post later....LOL

I was worried that by choosing what I did it would throw me off, but I feel very in control again, thank goodness!!

So how are all of you doing? Things are kind of quiet again around here...hope you are all doing okay!

LAURA...LOL about my butt missing...I LOVE IT!!!! That means so much to me because I have a BIG BUTT...it is like a bloody trademark on my mom's side of the family, some of us lucky ones got blessed with it...:(

TAMARA....thanks so much, it helps so much to see those pics, I couldn't believe the difference in the 2 shots. I think I am going to make a collage of pics and keep it as my wallpaper on my laptop as a reminder as to just far I have come and are coming along. If I get time today I might do that, or even this weekend when I am off.

Good luck with your WI today as well Tamara. I am sorry no one is noticing all your hard work. Maybe they are afraid to say something as I am finding it is so hard to compliment people on weightloss anymore because you don't know if they are losing weight themselves or if it is something health related. Keep your chin up, and listen to your friend, because she is soooooo right!! But I do have to agree it is nice to hear how good you are looking!!! Have you taken updated pics of yourself yet?? I am telling you, if not you need to do it, because when you see the difference that will be all you will need to boost you!! SCREW THE REST OF THEM!! LOL

I better go get something to eat and get some work done...not off now until Saturday/Sunday and I don't want to have to worry about working around here.

Have a good one all!!

That's awesome! It must feel great to feel like you are in control. I'm not there yet and can't wait for the day LOL

Everyone is doing great today - good to see. I'm actually down to 150.8 - I know that's what my post has said for ages, I just couldn't bear to change it to 151.4 which is what I've really been at for over a week. Only .9 pounds to go - gotta be easy, right? ;)

Tamara - nobody noticed my weight loss until I hit 15 lbs when I got some comments. Hit 20lbs and get tons of comments. I think Better Life is right - some people may notice but don't want to say anything. I mean if you weren't dieting and they said it, then it could be taken as "well you should be dieting". I bet you'll get comments in a couple of weeks. Good luck at wi today!

Tamara...it is not easy...you just have to get your mind wrapped around what is really important and just do it....and it is hard...but not everything is easy. If I could control it, I wouldn't be here in the first place. Don't just sit around and wait for it to happen...MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!!

Laura...way to go on getting back to 150.8, I think once you get that .9lbs off you will do amazing....you need to get passed that number!!

I weigh this Saturday, even if I am back at 174....AGAIN....I will be happy with that number. Honestly just because of the week I have had, I am not expecting to be under that number.

Think I might go for a nap, feeling a little tired right now....I am too old for this going to bed at 2 and getting up at 6:40am stuff.....LOL

Let us know how you make out Tamara.

I just re-read this post and came to the part where I said I am getting too old and realized...O M G....I am 36 next Friday...and now I just realized my B-day is on Friday this year...FRIDAY the 13TH!!! 4 years away from the BIG 4-0....yeah for me...:(

Tamara....I thought I was the only one who felt like that. I'm almost at 25lbs gone and no one has really said too much at all. I've been feeling lately that maybe this is pointless, but then I remember the reasons I'm doing this. My sister and I started at the same time..shes just over 20lbs lost, and I can notice a HUGE change in her...I'm like you though..I wish I could see it in me.
I just wanted to share that, to know your not alone! I'm glad you shared too.
As for everyone else...hope all is well! I haven't been for a WI since last Tuesday...and I finally get to go on Thursday...days off!! Thank god! lol I'm hoping for a good loss..I've been so good at my eating..I'd be disapointed if it wasn't! I'll keep you all posted.
FYI...I've started walking/jogging on my Treadmill for exercise. I don't on days I work..but I do on my days off. 30 mins - jog at 4.5mph for 5 mins...haha thats about the most I can do right now...but its a start :)

Thanks ladies :grouphug: It's hearing things like that that keep me going. I had a talk with the manager of the centre as she did my wi today and she said that I am doing awesome and that considering I've been on antibiotics for over a week she is surprised I've lost at all. She said that a lot of people retain water. She said she wouldn't be surprised if I had a HUGE drop next week. She also said not to get discouraged about people not noticing and that the other thing to consider is if I am wearing the same clothes people probably won't notice. It's when I have to get new clothes that are more form fitting that people will notice. I know I can do this I just have to keep my mind set on my goal. I am seriously thinking of buying the cookbooks though. I really need some new ideas.

So after all of that I was down 0.4 lbs :carrot: So considering the few OOPS I had over the weekend and not realizing that the balsamic vinegar I had numerous times with salad that I didn't realize was a free exchange I'm good with that :D Heck I'm good with anything that isn't an increase LOL

Laura - that's awesome that you are down. You are so close to being out of the 150's. You go girl!

Woo hoo Tamara - you are rocking! Come to think of it - probably about 15lbs was when I bought new clothes. Congrats!

Doesn't it totally suck that balsamic vinegar counts as a free. I'm still not sure why? But really, would you rather have a whole glass of wine, or a couple tablespoons of vinegar?!?! Too funny.

Good luck on Thursday Renee - sounds like it'll be a great wi!!

Woo hoo Tamara - you are rocking! Come to think of it - probably about 15lbs was when I bought new clothes. Congrats!

Doesn't it totally suck that balsamic vinegar counts as a free. I'm still not sure why? But really, would you rather have a whole glass of wine, or a couple tablespoons of vinegar?!?! Too funny.

Thanks :D I was telling my friend about the vinegar and she said "What the heck is in vinegar that is bad for you?" You are so right though. There are so many other things I'd rather use my free exchange for LOL

Even though I go to my centre almot every day, I actually weigh myself on my own scale every morning. That way it takes out all the extraneous variables like clothes, when I ate last, water, etc.

So this morning I weighed myself and was 150.0. Oh so close to my 149.9 - but that's okay, cause I'm down 0.8 in a day. Then I went to my centre later that afternoon (in jeans, after lunch, and 8+ glasses of water later) and I was actually up about a pound. Again, I'm thinking that's okay, cause I know I'm really down. In fact, I'm really thinking it's okay cause I know it's the time of the month and I'm constipated (yeah again, what else is new), so I'm thinking I'll be kicking butt by the end of the week.

But....the staff seemed to think it's time to kick the weight loss up a notch, and said I should go without my free exchanges for a week. Eeks!! I LOVE my one glass of red wine every night!! I mean, I was gearing for a strict November, but no free exchange?!? Needless to say I'm a bit nervous. That said, I am a bit excited too - maybe I'll have some dramatic loss this coming week, and that will make it all worth it. :)

Hope everyone did okay with their wi's this week, and that some energizing sun is in your area!!
Laura

Wow Laura no free exchange :dizzy: That would be tough, but it's only for a week and we will cheer you on. I never wear jeans to my wi LOL. I actually make sure and wear the same couple pairs of pants that I know are both light weight :lol:

I think I am going to cave and buy one of the cookbooks tomorrow. I have a 10% off coupon and then thought of telling hubby that someone can get the other one for me for Christmas. I'm just getting bored of the same old stuff and although they have given me some recipes I think I'm just going to bit the bullet. I took a glance through one book and looks not too bad.

Thanks Tamara - hey, the staff at my centre said only volume 2 is any good - don't bother with the first one. I got volume 2 and I like it, it has some ideas. Have fun with it!
Laura :)

Have lost 1.2 this week. Not bad considering I am so freaken tired this week, and I think Im coming down with a bug. I haven't been into the center to weight in just using my scale at home, since I have been feeling like crud!
Im still flip flopping..up 1 down 1 up 1 down one! Frustrating,but I am trying my darnedest to keep motivated. If anyone has new lunch ideas I would greatly appreciate it, hitting that boredom rut for ideas.
Congrats to everyone with there losses, and Laura I did the no FX for a week and it did help and it wasn't too hard. I just had to shift when I had my snacks around, I always looking for something about an hour after supper. So I had my snack then!

Laura - Thanks. I asked if one was better and they said the second one :)

Skimmy - Congrats on being down. Have you tried omelettes for lunch. That's been my big thing right now and I'm loving them :D

This past weekend was brutal for me - I couldn't stay on plan to save my life. I think it's partly disappointment with the nice girl leaving the center and a whole lot more of no willpower. I had candy too - I only got 2 kids at my house when i should have had alot more since I live in a pretty populated area! But the damn treats where calling my name & I ate them. But that's all over & done with....weighed in this am & was down 2.4lbs for the week.

I am finding that I am on plan about 97% of the time. Usually(but not always) one meal a week is an "off-plan" meal. I find if I am not at home, cooking my own meals, I struggle with staying on plan. I do go out with friends or over to their house for dinner but it's not like they are going to cook specific meals to match my foods so I try to do the best I can but also not sit there & eat veggies only.

Uggggg sorry I think I just had to vent & see what you all think. I like the plan, don't get me wrong, I just have struggles sometimes...as I am sure you do too.

Thanks for listening :) Let's see some big losses this week ladies!

Have a great day,

HMj.

HMJunkie - That's awesome that you were down 2.4 lbs and you weren't on plan. It is hard, but like so many of us we need to sit and think of why we started on this journey and try to get back on track. I agree that it is so hard when you eat at someones house because like you said you aren't going to have them cook special just for you. Hang in there :hug:

Yay - I weighed in at 149.6 this morning - woo hoo! That felt like it took forever to get out of 150's!! I feel fantastic - totally remotivated :carrot: Thanks for all the encouragement everyone! :grouphug:

I understand the 'off meal' HMJ. I fear going out for dinner, cause you know restaurants are adding fat and salt. But definetly what's worse is going to friends for dinner - you have no choices, and are pressured to eat everything including dessert. It's terrible, but I sometimes dread seeing my friends. Oh well, you gotta live - I mean this is for life right.

Way to go Skimmy - that's a great loss! And you're right - day two so far, but no FX isn't too bad. Drinking lots of tea again.

And Tamara you're right, it's only a week. How is the cook book - found anything fun yet?

Ok - I'm off to try and fix my ticker and change my stats - ha ha!
Have a great day everyone!!
Laura

Congrats Laura! :bravo::bravo: That's awesome. I hope to be joining you in the 140's soon. I feel like it's taking me forever to get there myself LOL.

Well I have looked through the cookbook but not the whole book, but I will definitely be trying this one on the weekend.

Legal Margaritas

1 pkg Crystal Light (any flavour)
1 oz vodka
2 cups crushed ice

Prepare Crystal Light according to package directions. Process Crystal Light, vodka and ice in a blender at high speed for two minutes or until smooth. Garnish with your choice of fruit.

Serves two.
One serving equals 1/2 free exchange :stir:

So I had my second wi of the week and was down another 0.4 lbs. I am really hoping it's just because of my antibiotics (which I'm finished today :) ). I know I shouldn't complain and I should be happy because I'm down (which I am) but I just hoped it would be a little higher numbers for this week.

While I was there I was asking about Skinny Cow for free exchange. They have a new ice cream cone that is 150 calories. I bought them last night and had one and she said I should probably stay away because she hadn't heard about them yet and that I also shouldn't have the sundaes either. So now I have to check out all the calories etc when I go back to the store to see the difference.

Hope everyone else does well with their wi's this week.

Hi All!! Well went for my WI yesterday...and was only down 2 lbs...which is better than being up I know...that was 8 days between WI's and i was hoping for a little better...but its alright! I was impressed with my inches lost...down 10.75" in 2.5 weeks! SO that brings me to 26lbs and 32" lost in 8 weeks! I feel really good about that! I also had a fantastic moment last night when I tried a pair of jeans from a couple of years ago...they fit with room to spare...that was such an awesome feeling, considering I tried them on a month ago and I couldn't do them up to save my life!! lol
Congrats to everyone...we've made it through another week ladies!!
Now everyone behave this weekend! lol

26lbs in 8 weeks Renee - WOW!!! That's amazing!!! Had to admit I thought 'why is she hoping for better than 2lbs' - now I see why - you are a machine! Congratulations!!!!!!! :)

Wow that is amazing. Congrats! Here I thought I was doing well. Guess I better kick it up a notch LOL

Well tomorrow is the big WI day....here's hoping for good numbers!!

The last 3 days at work have been crazy for compliments, lastnight I went and got my hair done....and that just brought in the compliments like crazy...I have been called HOT....GORGEOUS.....SEXY....AMAZING....so needless to say I have had a great few days in that department....LOL....I will take them...never get sick of hearing them....Look at the new do to go with the skinny body....was another good one...LOL

BUT here is the BEST one...I bought 2 scrub sets about 8 months ago, and when I bought them the seller tried talking me into buying and XL...and I refused to buy them, I bought a L. Well I never got around to taking them in to have them shortened, and now they are HUGE on me....so they came into work today and I went to look to see what she had, and I asked about scrub pants....she looked at me and said well I think I would put you in a size MEDIUM....it felt so great to hear those words....then I reminded her about the last time she was there and how she tried talking me into buying a Extra Large and how since then I have lost all this weight and no longer can fit into the brand new...still with tags uniforms I still have.....long story short,I took them to work with me and she let me exchange them for mediums. I do find them a wee bit small...so my goal is to get into those puppies!! Cannot believe the difference between the medium and large. It felt so great to hear her say she thought a medium would be what I would need....ME IN A MEDIUM.....WOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I went to a visitation service this evening for a resident from work, gosh how I miss her so much. It was very hard for me, but I had to do it. I was ok until I seen her favorite blanket there. I know she is in a better place, but she was such a little darlin...and I miss her. Everytime I walk by her room I expect to see her lying there, saying YOO HOO everytime she see's someone walk past her room. And she's not there...:( I have so many good memories of her though and for that I am thankful...the last one being before she got really sick, she was lying in bed and I went into her room and rubbed her arm and she rolled over and looked at me and she said..."I like you" and I said "I like you too XXXX" it was so hard because I knew she was not doing well...but at the same time it made me feel so good. I guess I have to try to learn to not let them in my heart so much...but it is so hard. This is the 2nd time in 6yrs I have taken it badly.

Ok, enough of the sad talk....makes me feel better to get it out of my system, I am dealing with it much better then I was Sunday night...that was the night of my meltdown.

I did take a pic tonight of me dressed up in my new do before I went to the service....Will share the pic!!

Way to go to all the losers!!!! Hope everyone else is doing well!!! I have been doing great once I get my head back on straight.....yippeeee!!!!!!!

Will tell you guys how I made out after the WI tomorrrow!!

Looking good! That's awesome that you are in medium.

I had a similar thing happen with pants and sizing myself. I bought new yoga pants because they were on sale. I usually buy large, but grabbed a medium and tried them on. They fit, but were a little tight, but hubby said get them because I'll need them that small soon enough. Well my 2 year old grabbed them out of the bag and I wasn't sure who they belonged to and looked at the tag on the pants (not the paper tag I looked at at the store) and they were a small :carrot: I can't believe that my butt fit into a small. Normally I wouldn't even be able to pull a small half way up :) Have to say it feels good.

Ahhhh!! I've missed out on so much!! Congratulations to everybody!! I've had a rough week!! My friends baby had to have surgery on her liver and now she needs a transplant. Then my husband and I have decided to seperate. When he left, he took the computer so I only have access to the computer at work. Anyways I'm hoping to be a bit more regular on here again! I miss you girls! My weigh in on Friday was 164.5...so close to the 150's!!! Hope everyone is having a great weeken!

I'm so sorry to hear about your friends baby and about you and your husband. Keep you chin up and keep up the good work on the weight loss :hug:

So sorry about whats going on in your life Alberta! Stay strong and keep positive :)

So sorry to hear that Alberta! I'm really impressed - you're still losing weight even with all the stress in your life - you're obviously a very strong person!! I really hope everything gets better very soon.

Congrats to all you gals with the skinny pants too!

Sorry to hear about all the stress in your life. That I find is the hardest time for weight loss so bravo for carrying on!!

Fallon...I am soooo sorry to hear about all the stuff you are going through. That is so tough...if you need someone to talk to at all send me a message. I don't want to sound like I am imposing but sometimes it is nice to have someone to talk to that isn't right involved. Stay tough darlin, we are all here for you!!

Well I had my WI this morning and I was down...which I am happy about..BUT ..it was only 1/4 of a pound. AND the thing that ticks me off is that the scale read 174..my mom and I both clearly seen it....but she said I was 175.25lbs.....I don't know why she would said say that...I even looked at her with this look on my face and said WHAT DID I WEIGH THE LAST TIME?? she said 175.5....I said that is what I thought.......anyway....it is the girl I don't have a whole lot of love for....I didn't question her on it...I know what I seen and my mom seen it....and without her glasses...LOL.....oh well the way I look at it, is I will be down forsure Wednesday...atleast I better darn well be....LOL

They have a clothing exchange going on there right now and I got some clothes today...and I was soooooooo excited to get into a size 12 jeans...ME IN A SIZE 12.....HOLY CRUD!!!!! Then MISS SNOOTY PANTS says to me, well they do look like they are really stretchy and I said to her...hey my A** is in a size 12 jean....I don't care if there really stretchy or not there a SIZE 12and I am in them!!!!! Then she laughed at me....stupid B with an ITCH...LOL

I am so proud of myself tonight....I went to the gym twice today...did 76 minutes in total on treadmill...and the ab workout machines...and I feel awesome!!! Going back tomorrow am....I need to get back into a routine...these last couple of weeks have been tough on me and I haven't been able to get there....I think I went twice in the 2 week period.

I wish I could get up enough confidence to run on the treadmill...I have NEVER ran EVER....I need a start-up program or something to get me going.

Well ladies I am off to facebook for a while....take care everyone. Hope your having a great weekend!!

Kim
BL

Hey guys I started a new post...threads only hold 500 posts!!!
It is called

HERBAL MAGIC #6

See you all there!!

Alberta-You and I need to start a new group, our hubbies left us while we were on HM....

Mine has left me this week, I have been under a lot of stress with work and school and our relationship so I think I am relieved a little... I think it was the motivation I need to stick to program and lose this weight... so when he sees me in a few months time he will see what he's missin lol maybe il get myself a pair of kelli pickler red high heels? are you with me?

Good to see you are all doing awesome, I had a few weeks where I wasn't feeling it but back on target and more determined than ever!

xoxo ladies!