General Diet Plans and Questions - Doin' it the Old Fashioned Way #14!!!!

:D :D :D
Boy-that last thread was getting long!
Hi everyone! WE have been here a while, but I always like to start off a new thread with a welcome to newbies, and to let them all know what we are about!
Doin' it the Old Fashioned Way is what I named this thread it seems like eons ago...it is actually about a year and a half ago, after the birth of my son. I have had to watch my weight since high school, and with all of the pills, juice fasts, and gimmicks out there-have found that what works for me is not a diet, but a way of life. Eat a balanced diet of healthy foods-(most of keep track here by counting WW points or calories-but exchange diets like Richard Simmons food mover and diabetic exchange diets, etc. are also welcomed here)-and exercise.
The weight loss is slow and steady-but it is really the only way for me. I found that doing the simple things-drinking water, exercising regularly,eating a large portion of my daily calories (or points/exchanges) in fruits and veggies, and using simple common sense allows me to live life normally, eat out in restuarants occasionally, and every once in a while have that small indulgence in moderation-(2 Hersheys kisses rather than a whole candy bar).
We have a wonderful support team here-all ages, all weights, all walks of life-all working towards the same goal-working towards a healthier way of life-not a "diet."
I hope you will all join in and succeed with us!
Aphil
:)

Hey gals... just checkin in...
Thought I'd get on notification for this new thread.

So, I have been reading your posts but not posting much, as there isn't too much to say when I'm gaining these pregnancy pounds as y'all are losing pounds ;)

I'm up 30 pounds now.. and I'm 29 weeks along. Still more than I'd have liked but I know I can get rid of it when all is said and done so I'm not TOO worried about it ;)

About 2 1/2 more months before I can join in on the losing again!!

:)

Christine

Hi Christine-hope things are going well with the baby. Have you begun picking up baby supplies for that little bundle yet? When I was pregnant-to save money, I signed up for all of the baby formula clubs and all of the diaper websites and all. If you ahven't-I really encourage you to do so. I got free formula samples-I nursed-but it was great to have it for outings and sitters-and I STILL get Pampers, Huggies, and Gerber coupons and samples all of the time. It is great because when you give them your due date/birthdate info-they send you samples and coupons that match the babie's age. I still get diaper and wipe coupons, but Gerber has went from baby food coupons to the Graduates toddler stuff now. My grocery doubles coupons, so it saves A LOT. Check out and sign up from sites by Gerber, Huggies, Enfamil, Similac, Carnation GoodStart, Pampers, and Baby Talk magazine-they give you a free year subscription.
I am feeling a bit better today-I felt awful the past couple days. I also had a small "sports injury" occur on Monday, and I have been pretty limited in my exercise since then-but I should be fine in a couple days. I have weak lower back muscles, and do cat stretches, etc. each morning, and Monday I was weight training and my mom knocked at the door, and I got up with my weights and somehow got into the wrong position or lifted them wrong and hurt my lower back. I haven't been able to lift my son up in three days...let this be a reminder to everyone to watch proper form when lifting and putting down your weights-even if they are just a set of 2 pounders. ;)
Trust me...you don't want the pain or the time off of your workouts...I feel even worse because I KNEW BETTER.
I have been really busy the past few days getting some Christmas stuff ready (I am an early shopper who likes to avoid all of the crowds in late December) I ordered my daughter a Barbie house-I am thrilled to have found teh perfect one! All of the ones in the stores are plastic with a zillion tiny pieces of silverware, dishes, mini Barbie size house plants, etc. and while that is fine for a 7 year old, I have a 4 year old with a 1 year old little brother-which means it would all be lost or Raiden would eat or possibly choke on the tiny pieces...I finally found a wooden framed Barbie house at ToysRUs' website-and it is perfect! It has a sturdy frame, it is large, and SIMPLE. No tiny pieces, no ringing doorbells to break, or doorknobs to snap off...just a big house.
Vermont Mom-shame on you for mentioning the fresh bread...aacckkk...(one of Aphil's weaknesses)
Simple carbs like pastries, cake, white bread and rolls are definitely trigger foods for me. It is better for me to turn down these things altogether than to try to eat a small piece. Another strategy I have is buying those frozen rolls and biscuits from Schwanns or Pillsbury-the refrigerated ones you pretty much have to make all 8 in the roll, and since we have 4 people eating them...it is better for me to make only 4 of the frozen, so I cannot have seconds of them at dinner.
Well, I have written a book...everyone have a good day!
Aphil

Hello everybody,,,,
So sorry I havent posted in a few days.. things have been pretty busy here.. My part time job has me working full time these past two weeks. So my computer time has been almost null.
Things are going well. WW was another good one yesterday. Down 1.6 pounds WOO HOO... :dancer: Now weigh 187 pounds..
I am still as motivated as ever ! Never even touched any Halloween candy :)

I am doing the bachlorette thingy this weekend. Hubby flys out tommorrow for a job interview in Calgary. He will be gone till Sunday. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this will be a good thing for him. So who knows we may be moving to Calgary.

I have had two calls from a recruiter in Edmonton this week. They have several positions that fit my to a tee! But I explained to them that Ill know more after this weekend about even saying yes to anything after we find out what happens with Bruces interview.
Ill keep you all posted. It would be nice to move the heck out of this little town!!

Amy~~ I hope you are feeling better with your back. Do be careful. And I am so envious that you have started your Christmas shopping.. I hope to get some done next weekend when we go away with some friends to Prince George (and a brand new Wal mart) Yippee!

To the rest of the gang... a big HELLO and Ill write more this weekend :wave:

Gotta run son is on the phone long distance from Mississippi....
see you all soon....

Take care !
Your friend
Nancy :df:
198.8/187/150ish

Nancy.... I just had to reply really quick to your post!!

Are you sitting down.... yes... this Aussie girl lived in Edmonton for 8 years!! I grew up about 1.5 hours east of there too!

I am so excited for you! Calgary is a nice city....but Edmonton rocks!

(we have the better hockey team too)

If you need advice on what area of the city to live, and any background of companies, let me know.... I would love to help you out if you decide to go to Edmonton.... wow, what a small world.

gotta run, killing the last hour of work before the WEEKEND!

:)
Nola.

Hi everyone!
I am feeling a bit better today-my back is still pretty sore, but it didn't hurt as bad to get Raiden out of the crib...
Had to tell you all a little trick I played on my husband yesterday...I bought his Christmas present right under his nose and he didn't even realize...we went to WalMart, and I took Raiden's largest diaper bag with me, and all it had inside was a diaper....Jason doesn't ever check stuff like that. I sent him over to the tools/house repair area to get some new feet for the kitchen chairs, and while he was there, I raced into electronics and paid for a Nintendo gamecube, and had it stuffed into the diaper bag with the receipt before he came back! :lol:
It was SO easy...I had scouted out the location and price of it the week before, so I would have the money ready and wouldn't have to search for it...I just carried the bag in the house like normal while he brought in the groceries, and hid it!
My eating has been going well, even if the exercise has had to take a halt for a few days. I am going to try to do some strength exercises that do not put any pressure on my back today-such as calve raises, etc. I feel terrible if I don't do something. Don't let what I did scare you all from weights though, I was carrying a set of 10 pounds each dumbells-which I use for my chest-and getting up off the bench from being on my back without putting them down-really dumb.
:(
My new serger came yesterday that I ordered for my birthday...so I will have to learn this new machine when the kids go to bed tonight! I can't wait to use it!
Well, better go-have a good day everyone! Be strong, eat well, and avoid stress-which leads to binge eating!
Aphil

Hi girls!

Well... it was another no gain/no loss week at WW... considering I had 4 days off work and did not go to the gym at all last week.... going to start new! I am in week 10 and lost 11 pounds.... need to kick start that loss again!! GRRR....

I had a hair appointment this morning and had about 4 inches cut off!! I am sporting a very trendy, chic short layered style... hubby kept looking at me twice today!! Had a new lighter colour done too with heaps and heaps of highlights, I am feeling like a new person! I rode the motorbike to the salon and then again to a cousin's 30th b-day. It was definately the sporty beautiful crowd..... felt a bit out of place, but ended up chatting to the family from out of town and a couple of the cousin's friends from England. There were some very snooty girls there today! Shocking! Had to laugh when we left.... we had our tshirts and shorts on, then we change into the bike gear for the ride home.... talk about surprise on the faces of those people! Some people are so narrow minded.

It was a warm one today.... it was 31 Celcius... not sure what that relates to in farenheit.... pretty warm for this Canadian!! hehehehe

Aphil - you are sooooo sneaky!!! That is really funny about the christmas pressie! I hope you have fun with the serger! My mom has just replaced her old one... to bad I could not get her old one sent to Aus!

Silence - Good to see you are still around! Sounds like everything is going well!

Well... I hope everyone is enjoying the weekend! Talk to you soon!

Nola.

Hi everyone!

Aphil, way to go on acquiring Jason's gift! I snickered when you said that "he never checks the diaper bag" - we can have wonderful husbands, but some things they just don't ever think of checking - probably because they've gotten used to having an efficient wife! :D

Sure hope your back heals up quickly. I know that feeling - aah! move the wrong way, when we know better.

Hi Nancy! Congrats on the losing again!!! Enjoy your "bachelorette status" while Bruce is away. Hope things turn out the way you want!

Hi Kanola! You're brave to have the new 'do! I bet you look awesome, especially zipping around on the bike! It's nice to think of you enjoying your summer now.

Hello Christine! Just enjoy your position of not having to work off weight for now. We'll be here when you are ready!

Aphil, I am so like you when you note that starchy carbs are a "trigger" for you - same here- it is easier for me to refuse them completely than to have a little taste, because that seems to stimulate my appetite even more. But refusing them is sometimes really hard too.

I'm afraid I wasn't able to stay away completely from Halloween candy - we had to have some on hand to be ready for trick-or-treaters, but when it's in the house, it's hard for me to keep away. Just goes to show that if it's not in the house, I can't eat it...

I've been staying at 143 for at least two months now (give or take about 3 lbs up, one pound down) so I think that's what my average is. I'm satisfied with that...never knew I could be satisfied with my weight! I will continue to work to improve muscle tone in my legs, particularly, but keep on trying to be fit all over.

Hope you all have a great day - if you have off from work, enjoy; and we all should silently thank those veterans whom this day is honoring.

Holly
176/143/140-ish

Hi all,
Today was a madhouse....my mom came over with my stepbrothers little girl-she is about Raiden's age-and my mom and stepdad do not get to see a lot of her, so of course, my kids don't either...the three kids were excited to play together, and fed off of each others excitement all day...my house was destroyed! And that wasn't the bad part!
The real fun came when it was naptime for the two little ones! Raiden was SO jealous-he did not want to share his mom or "Mamaw" with this new little girl...at one point he went up pretending to hug her-but he had this look on his face like he wanted to squeeze her-and he was gritting his teeth-it was hilarious! So-he didn't get into nap mode until 2:30-it is normally 12:30-1:00!
My back is still hurting pretty bad at times...I am going to take it easy, and if it isn't feeling better by Monday, I will go in to the doctor, to make sure it isn't something more than a pulled muscle...but-I am able to work my calves, and some leg exercises-so I am able to do something-but no upper body or ab work, and no bellydancing....:(
Well-I better get going-my husband is going to want dinner sometime...
Aphil

Knock Knock,,anyone there ?????

Where is everyone at? Come out come out where every you are.

Today was weigh in day at WW and for some reason I was up.8 of a pound... oh well. I was OP all week long so it does not upset me.. sometimes your body plays weird tricks on you.

Bruce was offered the job in Calagry. I do believe he will accept it. But they want him to start at the end of the month. So much to get ready to do. So I guess our holidays will be sort of dull this year. He will probably move there and rent a small place while I stay behind in for awhile to see if we can sell this house any faster. At least Ill have my little part time/fulltime job to keep me busy. It will be hard being apart from him though. :(

I have not done any christmas shopping yet. So I think with all that is happening, my kids will just get a few hundred dollars apiece from me and of course my little grandson will get toys and clothes and what ever else grandma wants to send. :)
Heck i dont even know if Ill bring any of my christmas decorations out if Bruce wont be here... and I have been one to always love this time of year. But we will see...

I hope every one is having a great night and a great week so far.
Take care friends,,, good night , am going to bed :yawn:

Nancy:df:

198.8/187.8/150ish

Okay, I must be out of my mind of something because I could have sworn to have been posting more often than this first time. I honestly think I am losing it; it's that time of the semester when everything is so chaotic that you become numb. LOL

Well my family weight challenge came to an end this past Sunday and although DH did awesome with his 30 some pound weight loss he did not win the bank. My aunt had a -47 lb loss so she was the big loser/winner. I don't know how she managed to drop from a size 22 to a size 14 in just a matter of 2 months!

Owell it's late and I am already sleep deprived as it is. I should get some sleep. I have to go to school early tomorrow and then to my part time job. Talk to you all again.
Kina

Just checking in...

Life is crazy. Novel is going well, but it's completely obliterated my workout time. I'm okay with that, though, because I am eager enough to get started again that I know I'll have no problem falling into a routine once November is over and I put the writing aside.

And that's that, for the little ol' alibee. :)

PS: Kina, your new avatar is great!

Hi everyone,
Sorry I haven't been posting as regularly as normal...I have been really sick with some sort of bug for the past 4 days...thankfully the kids and Jason are fine. He took them to his mothers for the weekend tonight, and is spending the night at a friend of his who lives near there who is a truck driver and is home for the weekend-so...I have a night completely alone to lounge around in sweatpants and have more 7-up and the occasional Jell-O. :lol:
Kina-just had to say it...your pic is great! I have been wondering what everyone looks like-then Alibee put her avatar up, then Nancy, then Holly with that tiny bikini top, then Nola...and now you! Kina-you are BEAUTIFUL!!!! (and you have fabulous eyebrows) It looks like we have a bunch of good lookin' ladies here!!! :o Are we going to have to change the name of the thread to "The Good Lookin' Ladies Thread?"
Aye...maybe I need to play around with the digital camera and get a picture up here...
Here's to me feeling better soon! (Raises glass of 7-up) Cheers!
Aphil

Hi to all my friends.

Aphil~~~thanks. Yes, I think we would all like to get a sneak peek of you. You know I get compliments about my eyebrows alot. I don't do anything with them and actually I have been thinking of going to the salon and having them give them some shape. I don't have a sister so I kind of had to learn about cosmetics and fashion on my own...and to be quite honest I have no know how in neither. LOL But thank you for the wonderful compliments it means a whole lot to me. By the way I hope you get to feeling better. I shall cross my fingers that your family does not catch it. I can't risk getting sick (knock on wood) my family here would fall apart at the seams.

Ali~~~give yourself some breathing time occassionally. I can't wait to read your novel. I didn't get a catch of your preview you offered only because then I would be biting my nails to know what is going to happen next. Almost as bad as the soap opera's that always leave you hanging on Friday until Monday morning. AAAAAaaargh I hate that. I have given up on soap operas completley. LOL I can't wait to read your finished product.

Nancy~~~How is the packing going? I hate packing, moving, and unpacking. If I could just move without actually moving anything I think I would be okay. Luckily we are renting from my parents and that means we don't have to move unless we want to and if we do it will be to the ranch to take over payments on the trailer home which I would rather not do that. But it is something that has been offered; so it is something to consider. Anyway, I hope you are doing well and I hope that you will be able to sale your house as fast as you would like.

I'll stop here this post will be quite long. But it was nice chatting with you all take care, have a wonderful weekend. bye.
Kina

Good morning everyone!
Well-it seems that I am starting to feel a bit better this morning! The aches and such that went with the flu really did a number on my strained back, and it finally eased up enough last night where I was able to sleep-and this morning-the nausea seems to have disappeared!
Kina-I wax my eyebrows about once a month, and touch them up here and there with the tweezers in between. I do it myself, because I used to do it in the salon-and have all of the stuff. I recommend you go to a good salon to have it done-or to even just tweeze all of the little stray hairs around the actual full eyebrow-mainly under the brow, where you would apply eye shadow. You know what I mean? They already have great shape-just keep them neat! For extra emphasis, use a taupe/light beige colored eyeshadow on your eyes, but then use an ivory colored shadow on your eyes, right under the brows-to highlight your browbone. (Consider me your new sister! ;) )
Well, my husband should be home in a few more hours from his friends...so I need to get a few things done around here. I may talk him into taking me out of the house for a couple hours since I am feeling a little better and since we haev no children!
Ladies-everyone seems to be doing well-keep up the good work! Eat well, and EXERCISE!!!!
Aphil

Good Morning Everyone!

Kina~~ I love your pic, you are so pretty!!!!!!!
We havent done too much packing yet but tommorow we are having a moving sale and getting rid of alot of things. Bruce will be going to Calgary without me, Ill be staying behind for awhile hopefully this house will sell and we wont be apart too long.

Alison~~ Good to hear that you are still working on your book. A friend of mine was doing that a few years back, I was her proofreader. I really enjoyed what she was writing. But then her computer died and everything was lost (she did not back things up on discs) and since then she has not got back into writing again. Want to post a little bit for us to read??? :)

Amy~~ Glad to hear that you are feeling better, how is your Christmas shopping coming along? I have not done any, just not in the mood I guess. Too much on my mnd with the move and all.
Want to do mine for me? :lol:

Nola~~ Do you believe in the last 2 weeks I have had 3 job offers in Edmonton??? But Bruce accepted the job in Calgary so that is where we are headed. I am sure ill be able to find employment in my field there. Calgary is such a big city , when I look at the map it can be quite overwhelming and I must say intimidating also. You think being a born and raised Chicago girl that it would not bother me. :)

Holly~~ You are doing a wonderful job maintaining your weightloss! :cp: You should be very proud of your self. ! How is your new pt job going?

Well, I need to get busy here, so much to do today. Still have to go shopping for my little grandsons birthday present. He will be 2 on December 1st. He was on the phone the other day and he said "I love you Grandma" well it was more like " I wub U mamaw" But I knew what he meant and it did my heart good !!!


Have a great Saturday everyone!!!!

Nancy:df:

Wow... the weekend goes too fast :(

My computer died last week so I have been using hubby's computer in between his netsurfing and gaming sessions.... can't wait until he fixes it tonight..... then I can get back to posting and lurking on this site!

Good day at WW yesterday.... down another .8 of a kilo or about 1.5 pounds. Seems that I plateau and lose.... but it is all good!

Went out on the motorbikes yesterday too which was good then onto a bbq at a friends house. Today we are having lunch with a couple we met through friends, she grew up in Vancouver and then moved to England where she met her hubby, so she has a very funny english/irish/canadian/aussie accent! Her hubby is English but they have been living in Aus for about 5 years. She misses Canada and last time we got together, our accents came out really strong! Should be a good afternoon.

I am feeling very in control of my eating lately. Even yesterday when we stopped for a coffee while on the bikes, I had my water, and everyone else had their cake or treat and I was not the least bit bothered by this. Even at the bbq I don't feel like I have to eat the everything that is put out in front of me. Very powerful feeling!!

Snowey - you will love Calgary! So close to the mountains! They have a crap hockey team tho (this coming from a long time die hard Oilers fan since they first came into the NHL when she was 7!)

Holly - I agree with Snowey.... you are such an inspiration. Keep sending us those motivational posts of yours!

Kina - congrats on the family weightloss comp. You were a winner by participating..... winning the bank would be a bonus, but you are still a huge winner!

Well... I best get something done today. I am enjoying a lazy day before the hectic week starts up again *sighs*

Hope everyone is having a good weekend! :)

Nola.

Hi everyone,
Well, I DID feel well enough to get out of the house for a while-we went and saw Harry Potter 2, and went to Applebees, and then did some shopping...and when we got back, I said-"Hey, the kids aren't here, I am going to put up that wall border in the bathroom I have been meaning to do for a while!" It is about 11:00pm, and I just finished it. It looks nice!
Nola-I know the feeling about being in more control now, not feeling like you have to eat just because everyone else is, or just because it is there. At Applebee's for instance...my husband ordered cheese sticks before our meal, and I didn't touch one of them...I just sipped my tea. It seems my tummy has shrank a bit due to this week's sickness...I could only eat about a third of the low fat quesadillas I ordered...and when I got home, I looked it up, and the entire thing was less than 600 calories. I think that is the first time in history I have eaten in a restaurant and consumed only about 200 calories-because I was FULL. I was actually forcing myself to eat that-and I am still under 1200 calories for the day-so I KNOW I need to eat closer to 1400-1500 once I am totally 100% well again.
Tomorrow is one of our many Thanksgiving getogethers...and I am actually thankful I haven't been well...with my tummy not up to par, I am pretty much going to eat a bit of roast turkey and maybe a small roll, and that will probably be it! (We both have large families, so we have it spread out to like 4-5 gatherings for Thanksgiving and Christmas, to make sure we get to see all of our family.)
Nancy-that is sweet about your grandbaby...I remember the first time my daughter said that to me! I think she was 2 as well! Raiden is only a year and a half, so he still has a while...it is still pretty much DA! (he always says his dad's name with great enthusiasm), Mamama, I DO! (when he wants to do it without help), and No! No! No!-which he does not say to me, but rather says to himself when he is doing or touching something he knows he shouldn't...I don't think it has sunk in that I respond so quickly because he is loudly telling on himself! :lol:
Well, it is getting late, and I need some sleep before I have to deal with all my in law's tomorrow...good night!
Aphil

Hello hello!!!

I feel guilty at not posting as often as I used to; it's sure not because I don't think of you all, 'cause 3FC is always on my mind when I'm wavering on what to eat...:lol:

Aphil, glad you're feeling a little better from the stomach bug. Your house must be so attractive, with all the artistic work that you do on it! The enengy that you have!!!

Hi Nancy! Well, congrats to your DH for the job; that is a shame that you two have to be separated for a while; and that you have to deal with moving. What a job that is...A pat on the back and thumbs up for staying OP, and staying so optimistic even when the scale plays tricks!

Hi alibee! Well, I'd say if the writing muse is calling to you, it's good to write. But do take a break for some exercise; it'll make you feel even better.

Kina, you ARE beautiful! Nice smile, and yes, beautiful brows and dark hair! That's so funny about you saying you could have sworn that you posted, but discovered you hadn't...then you're like, "ok, what ELSE have I imagined I've taken care of, but HAVEN'T??"

Your husband lost over 30 pounds! WOW! Is he feeling great? Did he do it by cutting calories/fat and exercising?

Hi Kanola! So good to hear of you feeling great, having fun, riding that bike! And hooray to you for exercising such self-control. Sure can be hard when everyone else is having tea/coffee and a sweet. It IS a powerful feeling to say no, I'm not going to have that...and feel good about it.

My part-time job has expanded to 4 days a week, which is good ($:D ) but my gosh, I don't know how crummy I would feel at the end of each day if I wasn't in relatively good shape...I do enough ab work so that my lower back doesn't ache, but whoa! Running around serving people and taking food orders from people who are like whispering against this totally chaotic background is enough to FRAZZLE anybody!:lol: But it's always a good feeling at the end of the day to know that I've done my best, and maybe made someone laugh or smile. And it's fun to feel the jingle of my cash tips in my bag! :lol:

Oh! I haven't told you all yet about what we're doing next spring...Joe and I are riding the 'cycles to St. Louis, Missouri!! We are meeting up with other motorcycle folks from the West Coast. It will be during the last week of April, into the first week of May. I have no idea how I'm going to hold up for such a long trip - we're "guesstimating" 3 days traveling time there (it's about 1200 miles). But this is what is going to keep me motivated to KEEP WORKING OUT 5-6 times a week, to have the stamina for the ride.

I imagine I'll be just like one of those gritty, grimy motorcycle folk, with a bandanna around my hair; only clean spot on my face where the sunglasses cover :lol: and whatever cargo (clean jeans and underwear!) I can stash onto my teeny luggage rack. Maybe 20 years ago I'd go for the sleeping bag/pup tent deal, but not this (almost) 42 yr. old! It'll be a Motel 6 each night, hot bath and clean sheets!:lol: :D

I'm sure eating right will be a challenge on the road, but I'll do my best...I think once we get to St. Louis, it'll be pretty much a beer bash (once we're settled; no drinking and riding for me) but it'll be one of those occasions where you just gotta splurge (and mid-western beef would be great, wouldn't it?:ink: or I should have used the cow smilie :s: but he's too cute to think of eating :dizzy:

Gotta go put clean laundry away - it's been fun gabbing!

Your friend, Holly

I am in a awful mood because of something a nasty skinny lady said to me. I was crying to my 11 year old about the whole thing. My poor baby was like "Mom, you're not fat; you're pretty. Don't cry." Then she asks "Was she skinny?" I said "Yes, you know if she had been a heavy set woman it probably would not had bothered me so much but she was a skinny lady." What happened was I was taking my DH to the Mall (I hate the Mall) we were going to shop for shirts for him. Well when we were driving this car nearly hits us from the side. Luckily I was paying attention and honked at the lady to get her to notice me coming. So then she starts honking and continues to follow us (tail gating close) and honking all the time. Finally I stop the van and get down to ask her what the heck was darn problem. Well everytime I talked she was honking and saying "I can't hear you." But when she would talk she would stop honking. I noticed she had a child in the backseat "I told her she was lucky I wasn't some crazed Road Rage driver with a gun." Of course she was honking while I was talking again. Then I stop talking and she takes advantage of this and says (this is what hurt so bad) "Shut up Fat @ss!" I called her a few names but what she said really hit deep. After that it just wouldn't get out of my head. Everytime I thought of food what she said rung loud in my head. When I ate it rung loud in my head again.

I wanted to tell my DH but I couldn't bring myself to telling him. My daughter asked if I had told him. The girls and I were having a polish party when I confided in my 11 year old. I know I shouldn't burden her with things so above her age. But as I said before I don't have a sister and my best friend isn't always accessible. I wanted to also share this pain with all of you because you all are the closest thing to a best friend that I have. And then my new found sister (Aphil) is here also. *grabs the tissue and wipes away those alligator tears; hoping DH doesn't notice*

I am sorry I burdened you all with my pain. And I am sorry I wasn't my usual cheerful self. And I am sorry I was selfish with post and didn't tend to responding to so many of your wonderful posts. :grouphug:

Thank you for listening. I promise to be back to my normal self soon.
Kina

Kina.... don't apologise for not being yourself after that experience! How rude of that b***h! (sorry... only word that describes her).

Anyone that behaves in the way that she did must have a very sad and sorry life. To do that with a child in the car as well?? That should tell you what kind of parent she is! That is just shocking!

The way I look at situations like that is...... there must be something dysfunctional in her life to make her so miserable that in order to get satisfaction for herself, she has to make an a** of herself behaving in a childlike and immature way honking her horn and chasing you around. Then the other way to make herself feel better, because obviously she has a very small world and mind if she acts like this, is by calling out a name which would be hurtful. Sheesh!! people like that really tick me off. Just think how miserable it would be to live in her world. Where you make yourself feel better by intimidating people and acting nasty and rude. She gets to go on living her pathetic, miserable and unhappy life, while you will move on, feel better once you let this pass to be the wonderful caring supportive beautiful person you are. Thankful that you are not living in her life!! If you can even call that living!!

Chin up.... we are here to listen to you!

And we think you are beautiful and amazing and so supportive, that woman could not even come close to being a smidgen of the good person you are!

So there..... time for me to go to bed and send bad karma across the ocean to that evil woman ;)

gggrrrrr.......

Kina,
That lady is lucky that I wasn't in the car with you...or you would probably be bailing me out of jail right now for assault...(Aphil admits to a smidgen of bad temper)
I know the tears all too well from an experience here and there myself. But-you could think of it in a bit more positive light. Calling you that name was the only thing she had! She COULDN'T call you ugly! What she called you was the ONLY ammo she had at all to upset you!
I know that you are upset-and this is the exact same thingmy mother would have shared with me when I was your daughter's age-so don't feel bad about burdening her. My mother and I were very close growing up, and still to this day we are best friends. Still, maybe you should at least tell your husband about what she said-even though you are trying to hide it, he does notice your mood-and you don't want him to think HE did something! ;)
That lady must have had a zillion faults you could have called her out on, or she would have let you talk instead of honking-she probably knew there were lots of things you could have called her! :lol:
I can't believe she acted like that with her child in the car...some people.
Instead of hearing those words everytime you eat, make it a positive thing...stick to your plan, and just hope that after you lose another 20-30 pounds that you see her again. Then cooly walk up to her-and say "Remember me? Look at my a** now-nice isn't it?" It is something that will probably never happen, but it is a great motivator, and something to daydream about before you go to bed at night...:devil:
I did well at my father in laws family get together yesterday...you are not going to believe what Raiden did! We are all sitting around my grandmother in laws house after lunch, (she has a large house, with a family room and a living room, and sunroom, etc.) and people are scattered throughout the rooms. The kids are kindof wandering around playing, and all of a sudden Raiden comes in the room and goes up to his "Paw" (Jason's dad) and hands him a LIVE MOUSE!!!!! :mouse: This 1 year old child caught a mouse! He cried his eyes out when his Paw took it outisde-he was PLAYING with it!!!!! Jason thought it was hilarious! I have never seen such a thing!
Well, everyone have a good day! No bad thoughts! I am going to try to ease in some more exercise on this healing back-everyone have a good one!
Aphil

Hello ladies!

This isn't my "usual" stomping ground, but I just felt like cruising a little today to see who all is there that I don't "know."

You all sound so great!

I have been posting to the Slim-Fast thread, but I just read what Kina wrote on this one and just HAD to post a response to her!! KINA, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!! DO NOT LET SOME ROAD-RAGING IDIOT MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE ANY LESS! As far as confiding in your daughter, sometimes kids make the best listeners. After things have settled down, if it'd make you feel better, you can always discuss the situation with her further.

For the rest of y'all, I love reading posts from all parts of the country (and other countries). Makes me feel like the world isn't such a big, scary place :) Man, sometimes I feel like I am still such a little kid!

I don't know how I would have managed without you all along with many others on all the threads I communicate in. I went to work today and I went through the motions.

This morning when I woke up the situation was ringing through my head over and over. So I pulled out a few old pictures of me and then I pulled out the exact outfit and put it on. I went over to my 11 year old daughter (Raevin) and modeled for her opinion. She was like "WOW, mom you look great." I felt much better. I also felt much better reading to each of you wonderful, heart filling posts. Yes, I did turn this around and I have to keep reminding myself to make it a healthy turn around.

I also vowed to be OP until I reach my goal with an occassional allowance of a fatty meal on the weekend. But also to stay on top of my exercise plan of my elliptical machine, ab roller, and twister. Without over doing it of course.

I want to say thank you to each and everyone of not just for your posts but also for being special individuals and especially for allowing me to be a part of your world and you in mine.

Many hugs and smiles to you all.
Corina AKA Kina

Oh, Kina! I felt my stomach give a twist when I read of that horrible person...I haven't been called names since I was a kid but can recall exactly the pain, hurt, shame, sadness!

I agree with everything that everyone else has said...somehow see if you can take the venom from that non-person and use it to help yourself. A pretty tall order but you have shown us how strong and amazing you are.

Don't feel guilty about sharing your pain with your child...I think sometimes they are even better to share with, because they're so open and honest! And they are there to show their love for you.

I would have been crying myself...and yes, reliving it again and again. But hopefully you can be above that and move away from it.

Yes, please know that we are all your sisters!

Your friend, Holly

Good morning everyone!
Today I just did not want to get out of bed...but I did. I was so tired for some reason!
That just gives me extra motivation to get some exercise today! I am still being careful-the pain has lessened, but they said it would take about a month for my muscles in my back to be back totally healed.
I hope everyone is doing well...and wanted to give ya'll a list of low calorie treat/splurges/desserts for the occasional sweet tooth. My motto is, if I am craving sweets, and that craving just will not go away, like during PMS, it is better for me to "decide" to have a small treat, rather than try to abstain and eat a pint of ice cream when I cave.
Treats/splurges under 130 calories:
Weight Watchers big round ice cream sandwiches-130
Sugar free Fudgesicle brand fudge bar-35
Fun size Snickers-95 (this was my saving grace at Halloween, nowing I could have ONE)
DumDum lollipop-30
a tall glass of Crystal Light drink-10
1/2 c. sherbet-110
sugar free Jello cup with a dollop of Cool Whip light-25
roll of Smarties candy-25
Blue Bunny Krunch lite ice cream bar-90 (really good-tastes like the Nestle crunch ice cream bars)
Reading all of the info out there, it just goes to show a small sweet isn't all that bad-but most of us just dig our hands into the candy, or eat a huge bowl of ice cream instead of a serving-which is one reason I LOVE the single serving ice cream treats like some of those above-no measuring! If we can get used to the idea of just having one, instead of mindlessly munching-that is the key.
Naturally thin people automatically think like this-they just have one treat, they stop eating when they are full, they only have one dessert at Thanksgiving, instead of having some pie, then getting a cookie, and then some of something else an hour later...
Which reminds me...Thanksgiving is coming up next week, and I would GREATLY appreciate it if any of you have some healthier recipes to share for some holiday fare.
For those of us who want to eat regular stuff and not toally blow it-here are a few tips. The roasted turkey, if you eat white meat over dark, is a lot less caloric and has less fat than dark meat, or the ham or anything else there. It is around 220 calories and 4.5 grams of fat for 5 oz. without skin. That equals a serving of a little larger than a deck of cards-so if you can try to eye that at dinner, you will be fine. Also-if there are no diet desserts there, your best bet is the pumpkin or sweet potato pie-it has a ton of vitamin A in it, and has the least amount of calories-about 320 calories and 17 grams of fat, for 1/6 of a 9" pie-so if they have it cut into 8 slices, you can redo the math. It is higher in fat than something we would normally eat, but it is a better choice than the others that have equal or more fat, and more calories, plus the nutrition boost of the vitamins! Pair that and your turkey up with salad, or the vegetables there, and you aren't missing a thing!
Nancy-I have your recipe for the crustless pumpkin pie written down, what kind of pan do you make it in? My grandmother in law is watching her weight, and I may make it so her and I will have a low calorie dessert to eat.
Here are a couple of my recipes that any of you could use for Thanksgiving side dishes:
4 Bean Salad
1 16oz. can drained green beans
1 16oz. can drained cut wax beans
1 15 oz. can drained kidney beans
1 8 oz. can drained garbanzo beans
1/2 c. finely diced onion
1/3c. chopped fresh parsley
1/4. diced bell pepper-green
1/t. garlic salt
1/2c. seasoned rice vinegar
Mix all ingredients in large bowl and toss. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours until well chilled. serves 8
120 calories, 1 gram of fat, and 10 grams of fiber per serving

Pasta Salad
3c. cooked spiral macaroni
3/4c. chopped tomato
2/3c. chopped cucumber
1/2c. chopped bell pepper
1/3c. chopped green onions
1/3c. sliced ripe black olives
Dressing:
1/4c. rice wine vinegar
2T. water
2T. olive or vegetable oil
1/2t. salt
1/2t. sesame oil
1 finely chopped lcove of garlic
Shake all dressing ingredients in a container until well blended. Mix all other ingredients in a bowl, add dressing and toss well. Cover and refridgerate until chilled. 6 servings.
155 calories, 5 grams fat, and 1 gram fiber per serving.
have a good day,
Aphil

I have to admit right now here today...I think I am going to pig out on Thanksgiving. But I think when the day comes I probably won't because I would like to see 180 by Christmas. At the same time I will be having a serving of Thanksgiving today and Thursday. The kids have Thanksgiving Lunch and they invite the parents for a nominal fee to attend. We have four kids and they each figure if I can go to see one then I can go to see the them. But I did call on one of their Godmother to come and join him instead of me. *Quick thinking I think* So I will be joining two this week. Actually my gift (step son) Matthew doesn't know I will be joining him today. I like to surprise him because it feels good to see his eyes light up and then he runs to me with arms open because he was totally surprised out of the blue.

Okay so I will probably do better at Thanksgiving than I have done in the past that is for sure. We will only buy a 15 lb turkey so that we won't feel obligated to eat the whole thing.

Today is our Anniversary. I got my camera and I LOVE it. I have just been playing with it more than anything. Well I better get going I will be joining Matthew for lunch in a few. Talk to you all again.

Many hugs and smiles to you.
Kina

HI everyone,
I have had a good day so far, playing with the kids. They have been in unusually good moods today, and very playful and sweet.
Kina-yousound like such a good mother and stepmother! Your kids are so lucky! I cannot wait until the kids are in school so I can be the mother who always brings the goodies into class on Valentines day, and see their first chool programs and things like that!
I have a ton of Christmas shopping left to do-so I am glad I have started early. Our families are both really big, so it is taking a lot out of the pocketbook lately to get it all done.
You know...I have a sick sort of vengeful motivation going on here. I hate to be like that, but I can't help it-at least I am being nice in person, and only letting you all know what is going on.
My sister in law (I have two-one is great, the other is a spoiled brat) is younger than my husband, and she does no wrong. She can't keep her finances in line, she is in her twenties and her grandparents pay for her to drive a brand new car, which they trade in every couple of years AND pay the insurance on, and everytime she says she is low on money, etc. everyone sends her food, etc. and so on and so forth. They have also paid for her college education, and she got kicked out due to low grades, and they are now paying for her to go to a local business school. (While she has no money to pay her bills or buy groceries, she smokes Marlboro cigarettes at $4 a pack, and always has new clothes, or can afford to buy drinks out when she goes clubbing every weekend.) She mooches off of her parents and grandparents, and blows her own money, while my husband and his other sister do and pay for themsleves.
She lost about 10 pounds over the summer, and everyone has just made over those 10 pounds like she lost 90-and noone has said a word about my loss at all. I am so sick about hearing about her 10 pounds, that I have the urge to show up at Easter dinner this spring with a rather large loss. Isn't that terrible? I figure I can squeeze out a couple more pounds by Christmas, and maybe wear a sweatshirt so it is NOT as noticable...to make the bang bigger at Easter. I know that is terrible, but I am so tired of hearing about how wonderful/fabulous Alicia is...
I know this is really catty...but don't all of you have a family member that you just want to stick it to now and then? :lol:
Aphil

Oh YES Aphil. I feel your pain. I am with you girlfriend. I think I have a few pounds I can squeeze out by Christmas. We need a challenge of some kind. I know I would like to see 180 by Christmas and I don't stick to a routine of high maintenance exercise and sensible eating it will not happen. I managed to get back up to 194 just when I thought I was going to be seeing the 80s...BLAH! Think up a challenge and I am there. I am an Aries and if you are familiar with Aries' they tend to work well with challenges and under pressure. I know I have my own challenge going on to use my ab roller daily by doing 20 rolls per night and to do 15 miles per week on my elliptical machine. So far this week I have managed to stick to my ab roller; I haven't yet gotten my elliptical machine workout in yet but I will before the week is over.

So bring on the challenge. I think we need something to get everyone ready for the holidays. I know it is the worst timing with Thanksgiving right around the corner but it's never too late.

Talk to you all again.
Kina

"To succeeed, you need to take that gut feeling in what you
believe in and act on it with all your heart" -- Christy Borgeld


I think he means you know you have to exercise to get the weight off...so what are waiting for get your butt moving! LOL

THE CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)
Okay everyone-here it is!!! My sick motivation to have everyone ogle me and not my sister in law, paired with Kina's idea of the challenge has me with an idea...
Everyone here who wants to join in the challenge is encouraged!
Here are the goals for now until Christmas:
1.)Drink our water daily-(6-10 glasses)
2.)Exercise regularly-at least 3 days a week, I am going for more!
3.)Stay totally on plan with our eating, with the only exeption allowed for a few extra being on Thanksgiving. (But still trying to do in moderation on that day as well-just a little over plan, not an all out eating fest!)
4.)Everyone report their weekly weigh ins-whether it be good OR bad!
(Those of us on maintenance plans are welcome also-their goal will be to maintain their weight throughout Thanksgiving and Christmas.)
On Christmas day will be the end of this challenge-the big WINNER (or should I say LOSER) at the end of the besides getting a ton of dancing banana men from everyone-will PERSONALLY get a present from me, if you don't mind me knowing your full name and such at the end of the challenge! If I should happen to be the winner-then I will get something for myself! So-everyone keep track of not only your total loss, but your loss starting from today!!!!LET"S GO GIRLS!!!!!! THE PRESSURE IS ON!!!!!!!!!!
BTW-If anyone is interested, go to the Keebler website, and they have a section of healthy dessert recipes on their site, if anyone wants to use them for the holidays-great stuff like Pumpkin mousse pie for about 200 calories! Definitely an addition to your diet recipe book!!!!!!
Well, I started this challenge-I better get moving!
Aphil

Did I hear CHALLENGE? Okay my weigh in today is 195! Ugh! My 18 jeans are starting to fit a bit tight in places I care not to mention...LOL! Okay I think I can do this. Now since I don't follow a calorie or food plan I guess my goal is not junk food eat and don't fast food eat; also to cut my meals in half.

Thanks for the challenge Aphil! It's exactly what I need. So our weigh in will be every Saturday?

I'll go now and do some studying. Until next time.
Kina

Hi

Would like to start posting on your thread. I am counting calories and journaling at Fitday.com, along with doing exercise. Since I have begun visiting the 3FC site in September I have lost 10 lbs., and find most of the people on the threads great!

Hi everyone!
Yes Kina-you heard right-CHALLENGE!!!!! You can weigh in on whatever day you like, as long as you rlast weigh in is on Christmas to post as your challenge finish weight. I usually weigh in on Mondays, so whatever you want to do. :)
Deadnursewife-WELCOME!!!! :grouphug:
I am glad you decided to join us! With your plan, it seems you are going to fit in just fine!!!! You are also welcome to join in the challenge I just came up with-starting today until Christmas! The one of us who loses the most between now and then will get a present from me!!!!! That gives us all about a month and 5 days-there is a possibility of losing from 2-12 pounds by then! :D
Let's get with it-we are going to do great!
Aphil

We are going to do great and WE ARE GOING TO LOOK OH SO FINE ON CHRISTMAS DAY!!!

I am thinking of coloring my hair Aphil. BUT my natural hair is so dark and there isn't a color that I ever get that makes such a noticeable difference. At the same time my eyebrows are just as dark as my hair color. Do you know anything about hair coloring? I am planning to make an appointment for the salon to get my eyebrows done. I got your hints about applying eyeshadow. I never wear eyeshadow but because I don't know how to apply it. But thanks to you once I get that visit to the salon I will be at the makeup counter buying some shadows. But how do I know what colors are best. I know something about your skin tones have something to do with it. I have been buying small try-me samples of lipstick because I think I need a different shade. I don't know! Sounds crazy huh?

Welcome Nurse. This a great thread and the people are wonderful.

Well it is off to bed for me right after I do my 20 ab rolls. I have school in the morning then a turkey luncheon at our youngest daughter's school. Talk to you all again.
Kina*

Hi Girls,,,

I am so in for this challenge!!! We can be kicking some serious butt by Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome Dead Nurse~~~ we would love to have you here with us. You picked a great group to come too. All the ladies here are wonderful!!! I hope you will post often!!

Do you believe that it is almost 1:00am here? Remember my part time job as asst mall manager?(that I have been working full time at lately) Well it had kept me busy till 12:00 midnight. We were decorating the Mall for Christmas and did not finish till then. MY sweet hubby even went and helped. I am feeling drained but wanted to post a hello to everyone! :wave:

At WW today I was down another 2.6 pounds WOOHOO!!
:dancer: :cb: :dance: I now weigh 185.2 pounds !! I am feeling so good about this.. the 70's arent all that far off!!!!

I am going to say good night for now I am feeling really tired and its back to work at 8 30am..
Have a great day everyone and remember our challenge....we will succeed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Night Night

Nancy:df:
198.8/185.2/150ish

Yay Nancy! :bravo:


Going from 198 to 185 gets a big BRAVO from me!!!!!!!
Kina-just from your picture, you seem to have a darker skin tone...I would go with a lighter beige colored shadow, really natural looking on your eyes, and then the lighter ivory blended in near your brows to highlight them.
Since your hair is so dark...I would recommend that you maybe get highlights in a reddish/dark auburn shade, or if you want an all over color, maybe a semipermanent color in one of those burgandy hues. It would not be real noticable indoors, but would be a real kick when natural light hits it outside! Saxy Mama! :D
Yes, today is the day I really get down to business for this Christmas challenge!!!! I just keep thinking of my sister in law, and how much better I want to look by Christmas, and how from now until then besides doing this weight challenge, that I want to get my hair highlighted, and have my nails done, and LOOK really good by then. Heck, I may even whiten my teeth...:devil:
And for the big shabang at Easter dinner...I want a pair of those black pants like Holly keeps talking about. :devil: :devil:
I think after seeing her last weekend, I have all of the motivation I need!!!!!!!:lol:
DeadNurseWife-since you are new, I will explain-I am suffering from perfect sister in law syndrome-she is the family favorite, and everyone last weekend made over her losing 10 pounds, and I am right there and have lost 12-and noone says a thing. So-I am on a mission planning ot outdo her at Christmas and Easter!
Everyone-get your groove on-the CHALLENGE HAS BEGUN!!!!
Aphil

THank you for the warm welcome everyone; and to make it easier on everyone, on other threads people just refer to me as DNW, so they don't have to type so much. I am looking forward to this Xmas challenge as it will keep me from eating my own cookies that I bake for others as presents in my office.

Went to the gym this morning and did weights for 40 minutes and the treadmill for 33 minutes.

Going to try to keep my food in the 1900 calories range. But I am starving so off to the cafeteria for a tea and rice cake with fake butter on it.

Take care all!!:smug:

Hi everyone! Sorry it's been so long since I posted! Welcome DNW! THis is a great place to hang out!
I love the challenge, Aphil! My Christmas goal is to not gain any weight. I want to weigh in on CHristmas morning and be right where I am right now. I remember when I was losing that I had a 'holiday' goal and it makes it so much easier to stay on track and keep it all in perspective. Remember, the holiday is only ONE DAY!
One other thing that has been helping me is really concentrating on my walk. Even though I walk with a partner, we both really try to focus on what we're doing and maintain the intensity. We keep reminding ourselves that we're not out there just to stroll! We've started running a little bit too! Does anyone else 'leak' when they run? I've been wearing a pad, but I was wondering if anyone has any other suggestions...
Nancy--way to go! You are doing so well!!
Well, back to work. Hope you are all having a great day! Keep up the amazing work!

tryin'hard-that is an interestin comment that you made about the leaking, so to speak. I am glad you brought up a topic like this, it is a common problem that women sometimes have-glad you weren't emberassed to bring it up.
It is very common for women to have slight bladder control problems, especially if they are older, or have had children. It is common for you to be fine most of the time, but for an occasional episode to happen when laughing hard, sneezing, or jogging-or similar situations.
I always laughed at my old boss in the salon when she would talk about it, until I had my first child...my daughter was very BIG-10 pounds4oz, and very large framed round the head, chest, and shoulders when she was born-and since I had an idiot doctor who was convinced I was having a normal baby-it was just that I was not pushing hard enough-he had me push for over 4 HOURS!!! All of that pushing caused a bit of a problem a few hours after she was born, when I got up out of bed and proceeded to pee all over the floor!!!!:lol: What they told me was that all of the stress from pushing so long had caused me to have numbing in my urinary tract-they said that the feeling would return in a few days. So-for about 4 days I had NO idea if I had to pee or not, because I could not feel it, or feel if I was "holding it" or not-I just had to make sure to go to the bathroom every hour or two on the dot to make sure my bladder stayed empty. Fun, Fun,Fun...
My bladder muscles seemed a lot weaker after that, and I learned how to do Kegel (sp?) exercises to strenghten my bladder and vaginal muscles. What you basically do is contract your muscles like you have to pee and are trying to hold it-hold for a few counts and release...do this periodically throughout the day daily to strengthen them.
It helps over time...other than that, just doing what you are doing, wearing a pantiliner while you are running is about all you can do. :^:
Boy-the things we talk about here...hee hee hee
Aphil

ditto on the kegels...every once and a while that happens to me and I kegel for a while and the leaking stops....if it gets to be a problem there is a surgical procedure that is pretty simple that will take care of that and I believe its a matter of repositioning the muscle that the bladder lies on. It's a same day procedure and a urologist could help you out here since that is the person who would, and should, be doing such a procedure. BTW I am not a nurse, but married to one...so I'm no expert...just read a lot.

I am just on my way to work.... so I will post later.... today I am starting the challenge with all of you!!

I need a kick in the butt after 11 weeks of WW and having a few weeks where I have not lost any weight.

:)

What a great idea!

Talk soon!

Yay Kanola!!!!
This challenge is shaping up nicely! (As will all of us be by the end of it!)
Aphil

Woohoo! We are ALL going to be SAXY MAMA's! I can't wait til the end.

Great tips Aphil! I will keep them in mind when I go to the salon.

Guess what I was offered a part time job as a sales clerk at Beall's department store. I am totally excited but at the same time I am very nervous. I haven't really had a person to person contact job like that in so long. OMG! Well we shall see how things shape up. Now that means I actually have to get dressed up for work. Wish me luck at the same time i have to figure out what to do with the kids.

I really must go now. Take care and talk to you all later.
Kina

PS nice hearing from you NOla. Way to go Snowey you are doing awesomely. Tryinhard jump right in you are always welcome but you know that. Hugs to you all.

Kina,
That job at the store sounds great-I know when I was actively working in the salon, working around people all the time made me more aware and in more of a habit of taking better care of my appearance. I still get regular haircuts and wear makeup about every day, but then it was the whole thing-nails always polished, hair always highlighted or colored, tanning bed in the summer-you know. I think as time goes on-I will start to do a few of those high maintenance babe things again. It will never be to the extremes like when I was single with no kids-but I may be able to handle some more regular hair coloring, and scented lotions and such again. :D You are so right about us all becoming sexy mamas!
Well, today my calorie intake came in at 1280-and here is what I have eaten. I have totally skipped out on dairy today-which is bad-I will do better with that tomorrow!
Breakfast-
Bakers Breakfast cookie-250 (For the newbies, this is a meal replacement cookie made without refined sugar or butter, and only oats and wheat flour instead of white flour-they use pureed bananas and other healthy stuff like that in them)
Lunch-
Healthy Choice Turkey dinner with vegetables-330
Snack-
Archway mini oatmeal cookie-30
Dinner-
3 Taco Bell Chicken Soft tacos-600
Snack-
2 clementines-70 (a clementine is an AWESOME cousin of the tangerine, sort of like a mandarin orange. They are seedless and peel VERY easily-if you see them, I TOTALLY recommend you try them.)
TOTAL-1280 calories
I like to post a daily food diary up here now and then-if any of you want to do that now and then-I'd love to see what you are eating.
Well, I had better get some housework done before I get to bed.
All you sexy mamas have a good night! We are two days into the challenge!
Aphil

HELLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOO! I am in a great mood today! I went for the 2nd interview with Beall's and I GOT THE JOB! Okay so now i have to think about this. In the past whenever I got a job usually it meant in my mind more money to go out to eat. I am hoping that won't be the case for me. However with the job I had the with the Cotton I did happen to lose the most weight but then that was using alot of my muscles. This job is just retail the muscle you use most is your mouth for smiling.

My day job at the college I go in jeans most times. Of course I do have my hair fixed and my makeup done. But i don't do much other than that. So now I will be working a high priced retail store which will expect me to dress professionally. It will be good practice for when I get into my career. I will be going for orientation Saturday morning for most of the day. Also I will be working mostly evenings for a while; which means if you don't hear from me as often you will know where I am at...I'm at Beall's.

My 11 year old is turning 12 on Thanksgiving Day. You know how excited she is to hear that her mom will be working for the company that supplies Tommy Hilfiger. Luckily I get a 20% discount which will atleast take care of the taxes. Geeze! Let me get my first paycheck please! LOL At that it won't even be that great since I will only be working part time.

I have to get going and get some homework done. Talk to you all later. Bye.
Kina

PS I will weigh msyelf this Sunday and see if there has been a loss since our start date.

"The hard way is the right way!" -- John Alves

(That's a good one to hang on the treadmill!!)


I couldn't have said it better myself!

Kina~~~ Congratulations on the job!!! And what an awesome discount you will be getting. Make sure you get yourself something nice with that 20% off,, you know a Saxy Mama outfit !!! :)
My job at the mall is pretty costly, I bought two new coats this week :) But I dont get any discounts ,, ( I'm mall management) but I still love my retail therapy!!!

Amy~~ I miss Bakers Breakfast Cookies, :cookie: the fruit and nut were my absolute favorites!! They are so filling, I felt like I was in heaven when I had one of those with a cup of hot tea. I really should get my daughter to send me some. Also I meant to write in my last post, that even though your weight loss has gone unoticed by the evil SIL and the rest ,, your friends here have noticed and we think you are doing an awesome job!!!!!!

TryinHard~~~ So good to see a post from you, and you are doing wonderful with maintaining your weight loss. You have given yourself the best Christmas gift ever,,, a new you!!!!! :)

Nola~~~ You dont need a kick in the butt, you are doing a great job. You should be doing a happy dance! :dancer:

Holly~~~ Where are you?? :?:

Alison~~ Are you finished with the book????

And how about everyone else,, come say hello!!

Ok its bedtime, I am so tired :tired: see you all tomorrow..

Night, Night

Nancy:df:
198.8/185.2/150ish

Hi,
I, like Kina am in a fabulous mood today!!!!!!!!
Kina-congrats on the new job!!!!My sister is a big Tommy Hilfiger lover...she would be all over your discount! My stepmother bought Raiden a tiny pair of Tommy bib shortalls this summer...$30 on baby overalls, can you believe it?!!!
I am pretty hyped today about the challenge-I don't know if I am going to be able to just weigh in once a week-it amy have to be twice!!!! :p
Well, I need to get my butt moving!
Aphil

Geeze no matter what I do that scale is not budging. I have been doing my 20 ab rolls every night. I am not feeling as sore as I had been. It is getting much easier. I did jump on my elliptical machine this morning but only did 2.2 miles. I will do another 2.3 later.

I have tons to do today to get ready for my job. I talked to DH about the job and the bottom line was that if I was spending more on gas and day care for the kids than I was earning or was able to pocket then I would have to quit. I don't know about where you are but here the pay is awful. I will only be making 5.25 an hour. I have 4 children that will need watching over and the nearest sitter is 15 min in the opposite direction of work. Then you add the torn hosiery and the occassional wardrobe update. I honestly don't think it will balance in our favor. I guess we shall see.

I am not much a name brand person myself. It has just never appealed to me not even growing up. I guess because my parents never bought name brands for me, only for my brothers. We try to not instill those material values in our children. Only because we want them to understand that there is more to a person than a label on their outfit. They have never really asked for name brand things but our 11 year old is getting there and we try to discourage her. But since her birthday is coming up she will be getting money and if that is how she wants to spend her money then she will have to learn that money doesn't go too far if it has a tag with Hilfiger on it. She will figure it out sadly.

I better close off here. I have to make a To do list. Talk to you all again.
Kina

Kina: As I am new to this thread and I don't know you very well I would guess you're hitting a plateau of some kind because it looks like you have lost quite a bit of weight recently. Sometimes if you mix up your food a bit it jump starts the old metabolism again.

Aphil: I am also very pysched about this challenge too. I want to stay focused and keep on keepin' on because 'tis the dangerous time of the year for me...so glad I renewed my gym membership...just got to keep jounraling my food in Fitday.com and I think I will be OK. Even when I go over the calories I target I pat myself on the back because I am being very honest about what I am eating for the first time in my life and that is a milestone in itself.

Snowey: You made my mouth water about those cookies, but I will be good and only dream about 'em..no cookie eating allowed for me :nono:

Kanola: I know you'll start dropping those pounds again...you've lost so much already...your body's probably just resting.

tryin'hard: I really love walking too...I walk alone, however, since my husband Deadnurse still isn't sick enough from his diabetes to get the exercise he needs to bring his glucose levels down...oh well some people like to do it the hard way!

Everyone have a wonderful holiday.....I am going to be the cleaning devil this weekend! :devil:

Kina-why don't you keep a food diary for a day or two-every morsel or drink written down-and email it to me so I can figure out how many calories about you are eating per day, since you don't really keep track so much. Try to put down accurate serving sizes-etc. of what you are eating, and I will see if I can see if there is a problem there.
I have been making out a tentative Christmas list to give my husband...he likes for me to do that, so he is sure that whatever he gets off the list I will like. We have a little tradition in our family of filling stockings with candy-so I am going to stay with that tradition, but with a twist. Instead of having him fill my stocking with tons of Hershey kisses and stuff like that, I am asking him to go to a local chocalatier shop called DeBrand (they are famous all over the world) and have him pick me up a 2 truffle box. It is about $5 for the two chocolate truffles-in place of the 10 Hershey bars or whatever he could spend that $5 on. I will have my chocolate, and feel totally decadent because they are so fancy-all the little designs hand pinted on them and stuff-and I will only have TWO PIECES to eat, and not a whole bag or box. It is spending the same amount of money, but limiting the binge potential, without my missing out on a tradition.
I also have on my list one of those new scales that measures your body fat along with your weight in pounds. :D
Kina-I am just as happy wearing a shirt from Wal-Mart or Target as I am Old Navy or Gap if I like the style, color, etc. but I DO like clothes from Gap and Old Navy-Old Navy is actually pretty good about prices on jeans, but when I buy their stuff I always go to the clearance racks-I find jeans for $9.99 and shirts for $5! I never pay full price for the stuff-when in a month it is going to be on sale when the new rack of clothes comes in! I never pay full price for anything-I am the lady you hate in the store that has all the coupons! :lol: I think a good idea also for school or Christmas shopping when your kids get older to let your kids know how much you are going to spend on clothes, etc., and it is basically thier choice-if you are going to spend $100 for school clothes, and they want 2 $50 pairs of jeans-then that is all they get-or they can choose lower priced or sale stuff, and get more things. It really gives them more of an idea of how money works, and why you don't always buy big name brands. A friend of mine did this with her teenage daughter, and she did really well-she bought a pair of expensive jeans, but countered that with getting her shoes at Payless, and other stuff on clearance.
Another tip is to go to your local thrift stores and dig through stuff-I just bought a pair of like new Old Navy flare leg jeans for $5, and have seen a lot of Gap, Eddie Bauer, Tommy, and other brands there if you dig through them. I bought almost all of my son's baby layette there, making a trip every week to see the new stuff that came in-I got a ton of Carters, Gymboree, and Baby Gap stuff. (Rich peole don't bother with rummage sales, they just dump their stuff off-and I am going to take FULL advantage!)
I just got finished with my lower body workout-I did my leg presses and standing calf raises today-now I need to do my abwork and my upper body...better get moving!
Aphil

I totally agree with you Aphil. You have a great way of thinking out the savings. I think you and I think on the same wave link. LOL

Well my days of being employed has to come to a sudden halt. I just got hired yesterday and quit today...how crazy can that be? At 5.25/hrly then subtract gas and childcare expenses I would probably only pocket 50 out of each paycheck and that was if I was that lucky. The supervisor did however offer me more but it wasn't enough to balance the expenses and the income.

O well. Back to the old drawing board. DH says we will do fine that I just panic during the holidays. We shall see.

Aphil you really don't want to know what I eat on a daily basis. This was yesterdays:

B: 3 deviled eggs (tsp. mayo and mustard) seasoned with some seasonings, big glass of water

L: turkey, dressing, mashed taters, a taste of apple cobbler, green beans, and a large tea (mind you this was from the elementary school so the servings were very modest)

D: 2 taco bell crunchy tacos, 1 big beef burrito supreme, diet coke

snacks: 1 chewing gum, my 8 glasses of water throughout the day and more.

Now this isn't the norm for me. I usually make dinner we had take out because I had the interview with Beall's and then our son had a performance to get to and I was not going to be able to get dinner in time. The past few days I had been sticking to this:

B: 4 deviled eggs, lots of water

L: 2-3 hamburger Patties with muenster cheese, lots of water

D: whatever I make for dinner but I serve myself and only eat half of whatever it is, with lots of water.

snacks: nothing but water.

Now I know that doesn't seem like much but I am never hungry if anything I just want sweet stuff. Of course I fight the temptations and urges and hardly ever cave. So I do quite well considering what I eat. Maybe it isn't the best things to eat?

Okay I will send this through and see what kind of reaction it gets. LOL
Kina

Kina,
calorie wise you are not doing too bad...but could I offer you a few suggestions? It seems you are eating very high protein, which is alright, but you are eating more than enough protein to support your bodies muscle, and you are pretty low in the fruit and veggie department-these are very important to include in your diet, as they hav plenty of fiber-which helps you feel full longer, as well as all of the vitamins, and the keeping you regular, which keeps your tummy from feeling bloated. Try replacing ONE of the eggs you eat for breakfast with a serving of fruit-either one piece of fresh fruit like a small apple, plum, orange, banana, pear, etc. OR 1/2 cup of orange juice, or 1/4 cup raisins or prunes. They are all pretty similar in calorie content with these serving sizes.
Also-the next time you are at Taco Bell-try replacing the burrito supreme with either the Steak Fiesta Burrito, the Chicken Fiesta Burrito or the Bean Burrito-all of which have a lot less calories and fat-the sour cream on the burrito supreme adds quite a bit-and replacing the regular tacos with chicken soft tacos-they have 20 calories less each than the regular crunchy tacos. (Thursday is Taco Bell night at our house-so trust me-I have researched this information!) You can eat 2-3 items just like everyone else, but consume 200-400 calories less than they are, and be FULL!
You may also replace one of your beef patties at lunch with some veggies-either something like baby carrots or another serving of fruit, or loading the top of your other beef patty with lettuce and fresh tomato!
Replacing some of that excess protein with fruits and veggies will really make a difference!
Aphil

Hi all!
Aphil--I was a 'regular' at the consignment store when I was loosing weight--I didn't want to spend any money on a transitional wardrobe and I always found nice things for myself. It also helps you develop your style! And, at such reduced prices, you can spring for a pair of bright red cordorouys!!
Hope you all have a great weekend!

tryin hard-I just had to ask-how does it feel to be 103 pounds thinner than you were 2 years ago??????!!!!!!!!
;)
Aphil

I figured I would get into the feel of Turkey Day by changing my avatar to follow the season. But also this poor turkey looked so vulnerable I figured I would give some publicity and see I could help him out. LOL

Kina

You guys really burned up the email this weekend!

Once again, at WW.... down 1/4 pound... ggrrrr....

Getting serious today!

Starting weight is 71.9 Kilos (158.1 lbs), I will use the WW amount on Saturdays aussie time to weigh in for the challenge. I will be in Canada for Christmas day.... so my last weigh in will be on the 23rd. My goal is to get to 70 Kilos ((154 lbs) by then.

I am at work... so I will give you a quick post when I get home tonight!

Keep up the good work everyone!

Hello everyone!
I have had a great weekend-my husband is on vacation this week-so hopefully we will get some small things done around the house.
I had been reading some posts around the site, as well as on another site, and I have been hearing a lot of depressed ladies lately! I want to do something about that!! :)
We are all on the same journey, whether it be maintaining the weight we have lost, or losing 10 pounds, or 100-it is difficult to do no matter how far we have come or how far we have to go. I don't want anyone on this thread to feel unworthy, or unattractive because of their size. We are all doing this to look better and have better health-but there is no reason for anyone to not buy themselves clothes they would like to wear, or not do the little things for themselves like getting their hair done-saying "I'll do it when I lose the weight." Do it NOW! It will make you feel so much better about yourself-and we are ALL worth it.
Do not let the scale decide for you whether or not you are an attractive woman-for most of us, being 105 pounds like a model on a magine cover will never be an option. We can be beautiful the entire journey down the scale to a healthy goal weight.
There are many celebrities out there who struggle with their weight,like Kirstie Alley and Cameron Manheim-and they are still very beautiful women!There are also plus size models like Kate Dillon, Emme, and Mia Tyler (sister to the actress Liv Tyler, and other daughter of Aerosmith's Steven Tyler)-(If you are unfamiliar with them, I suggest you punch these names in your computer's search engine and take a peek at these ladies! They are hot!) These ladies are just as stunning as Claudia Schiffer or Cindy Crawford-my husband thinks they are even more so! So-don't wait until you are at your goal weight to dress like you want to and do yourself up-pamper yourself!
It has just been a great weekend-I watched some chick movies, I am down a pound, and I had plenty of sleep. I went to the store and bought the ingredients to make Nancy's crustless pumpkin pie-and I cannot wait to enjoy it on Thanksgiving. I found out my grandmother in law is watching her weight, and my husband's uncle's wife-so I am glad Nancy put that recipe up earlier so I can have something all of us can enjoy after dinner-it will be great to be at a family gathering and have dessert like everyone else. :D If anyone else wants the recipe again, I can put it up tomorrow. I figured up the calories, and if you use the Splenda sweetener, it is only about 65 calories a slice! :hyper:
Well, I better get going-have a great weekend everyone!
Aphil

Aphil:
Could you please put up the crustless pumpkin pie receipe..I am a recent convert to Splenda so I would enjoy making this since I love pumpkin pie...thanks for a wonderful post...I agree with everything you said. :yes:

Also there is a really great magazine called "grace" that is for plus size females, and I am talking models up to size 20 or so....pick it up or go to there web site everyone...great mag!

Hi everyone! Ihope you all had a good weekend. Lots of rest around here and it sure felt good! I'm really looking forward to having the extra days off next week!
We are going to the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade on Thursday and are so excited! DH and I have been threatening to go for years, and now that DD is almost 10, this is the perfect time! It's the first time in 13 years I am not hosting T-day and that in itself is WONDERFUL! Notice I did NOT say that we were frantically cleaning the house and shopping all weekend!!! I am going to cook a small turkey on Wed and make just a few sides when we get home from the parade. We live in CT, so we should be home by 2 or so.
Aphil--you asked how it feels to be 103 pounds lighter than almost two years ago--it feels WONDERFUL! I am the fittest I have ever been in my (almost) 40 years and, in a word, I feel STRONG. Not only muscular strong, but when food was ruling my every activity, I felt so weak--in mind, body and spirit. It really has been a wonderful journey these last two years, and I am awfully grateful that I have shared part of it with all of you. Yes, I am at the end of the weightloss part, but the journey will always continue and it is so comforting that their are people along the way with whom you can shares the highs and the lows.
There are also the obvious benefits--went into Old Navy today and the 'mediums' are a little loose!
Well, I hope I didn't get too philosophical tonight. I hope you all have a great Monday morning and hopefully will read you all soon!

Hello again!
Here is Nancy's crustless pumpkin pie recipe again:
1 15 oz. can of pumpkin
3 egg whites
1 12 oz. can of fat free or skim evaporated milk
1/2t. salt
3 T. pumpkin pie spice
1t. vanilla
2/3c. Splenda brand sweetener or sugar
Mix all ingredients, and pour into a 9" Pam sprayed pie pan. Bake at 400* for 15 minutes, reduce heat to 325* and bake another 45 minutes.
You can figure out calories per serving easily by adding up the calories in all of the ingredients and dividing it by how many slices you cut it into. FYI-egg whites are 15 calories each, if you do not have that info available. This recipe is to use Splenda or sugar only-the calorie count will obviously be much less with Splenda. Do not use Sweet N Low or any other brand of sweetener-only Splenda, because it measures the same as sugar, and some sweeteners do not do well in cooked recipes-they break down in extreme heat.
I also wanted to add another wonderful dessert recipe that would be perfect for any holiday gathering:
LEMONADE MOUSSE
1c. graham cracker crumbs
1T. sugar
1T. light margerine, melted
1 14oz. can fat free sweetened condensed milk
3/4c. frozen lemonade concentrate
2c. Cool Whip
combine crumbs, margerine, and sugar with a fork. Press down 3/4 of the mixture into a 9x13 rectangle pan. Mix milk and lemonade in a bowl, then fold in Cool Whip. Pour over crust. Sprinkle with remaining crumbs. Refrigerate at least 4 hours.
cut into 12 servings.
per serving:185 calories, 4 grams fat, .5 grams fiber
I hope you all use these and enjoy them.
Thanks for the magazine name DNW-there is also a great magazine called Mode that is for women size 12 and up-with lots of fashion tips and beautiful plus sized models in it as well. It is nice to see women in it wearing a size 12 or 16 or even 20 and looking gorgeous.
While I am looking forward to being thin and healthier-it is still nice to know that women my size can look just as attractive as thin women!
Aphil

Thanks Aphil that was a very inspiring message. You are so right. I saw a reflection of me in those words of course this is the me that was 225 lbs. I wish somebody had screamed those words into my ear. But you know what i have learned to love myself at any size and I think I am beautiful inside and truly that is the most important. Because take away my clothes, take away my make-up, and take away my facial beauty...it leaves nothing more than who I am. If people cannot love me for that alone then they do not truly know what it is to love.

Well again thank you. i am going to stop here we had a busy weekend. Visiting with nieces and nephews. How I love them so much and don't get to see them as often since they are out of town. Exhausted beyond words I wanted to just pop in and see how everyone was doing. Talk to you all tomorrow.

Many hugs to you all.
Kina

Hi Everyone:

Well this old girl is down another 1/2 pound and I'll take it...little halfers turn in to big losses...slow and steady wins the race.

Saw this special on Discovery channel last night, "Obesity in America". A real eye opener to say the least, if it reruns you all should catch it. Very though provoking, but there were women on the show that were saying you don't necessarily have health problems at 400-500 lbs. Sorry guys I just can't buy that one. Also I don't know about you, but the human heart can only take so much stress.

I am 258 and dieting and exercising everyday and I still have health issues...oh well that's my bit for this morning. For me the weight loss is about extending my life and also enhancing the quality of my life, I want to look better, but I really need to feel better.

Take care all!

DNW-you are so right. I do not believe in discrimination for heavy people, and in that right I am glad that there are advocates for people of size-but they cannot honestly tell me that their back never aches or they never get winded...I get that way at 198!!!So-it is always better NOT to be that heavy-it is not a question of attractiveness. I wish I would have seen it.
Today could have started off better...my husband and I are at odds a bit. He is a great man, but all men are little boys in a certain sense...and I needed to make it clear to him that even though he is the one that works outside of the home right now, that when that 8 hours is over-he is done! He doesn't think about it when he leaves there. (We were fighting because he said I was grouchy, and really I am just stressed out):bomb:
Women are so much the stronger sex...I am the one who stayed in the hospital when my son was in intensive care last year for a week-I NEVER left him...when Jason gets sick he can go home and lay in bed-a mother on the other hand...I asked my husband if he knew what it was like to change a poopy diaper while you had the stomach flu...I am the one who srites out the budget, all the bills, figures out what we can get at the grocery store this week depending on what bills are due, I have to remember all the birthday cards and do all the Christmas shopping, make the doctor appointments, take care of the kids when they are sick, organize all the family gathering so we can be at 7 gatherings in a 2 day period without overlap, and so on and so forth...
I feel like a walking Palm Pilot.
Since I do hair, everyone within a 2 hour radius feels like they can just call or stop by for a haircut whenever it pleases them...while I cannot get out to get my own done near often enough...I am about to start chargin them a fee of an hour babysitting so I can go get MY hair cut!!!! Then-we get an invitation a month ago for a formal Christmas party, and I ask him if we are going...he says he doesn't know. He springs it on me yesterday that he wants to...so now I have 2 weeks to come up with formal attire and the money to pay for it, outside of what we still need to put aside for other Christmas gifts, AND find a sitter.
What was the last straw is I am up this morning making bacon and fried potatoes and stuff for a breakfast I AM NOT EVEN GOING TO BE EATING-doing it for HIM, and when we sit down to eat, he is sitting there picking at my daughter and she is screaming at the table. They will not stop bickering and carrying on...and I just lost it. I tossed my oatmeal in the sink and popped in the shower, and I am getting ready to go for a drive.
I just need a stress break. BAD.
Sorry I am venting to all of you...but I had to get this out.
Aphil

Aphil: Sounds like you and I do the same juggling act but I have no children...of course, except o-oops, my husband the five year old with a full beard and mustache.

....yes men have that thing that their jobs are just the most important thing in the world and they are out to save and conquer each and every day. Our jobs are well, just jobs, of no consequence. My husband works in an office environment and so do I, but he is just so-o-o much more exhausted than I could ever be at the end of the day. If I need something done well he does get to it before the end of the night, but just before the end of the night, God forbid I get it done when I want it done....

We love each other madly...but just for once I want to be the one who forgets until the last minute, ruins yet another sweater with cigarette holes, assumes that can work miracles in 5 minutes....

good luck and somehow I feel your husband and mine are realted...

laughing at DNW's post...that made me feel a ton better....what also made me feel a lot better today-wel, it is sort of childish-well, it is very childish...he was in my daughter's room wrestling around with the kids, and I just came up behind him and ga ve him the biggest wedgie in the world...I ripped his undies. I feel much better now.

A wedgie..how come I don't think of those things....h-m-m-m have to remember that..:chin:

BTW 1/2 pound down from the start date of 11/20. :smug:

Things are looking up a bit...I found a velvety type dress for $20 that is dressy enough to wear to the Christmas party next weekend.(the 6th) It is black and has a deep red floral print on it...it has sort of a slinky cut with a deep v-neck, and the sleeves are kindof fitted all the way down, but then flare out a bit at the wrist...kindof reminds me of an Elvira type style of dress...it IS pretty sexy. :o
Well-it looks like the maintainers are doing well, and I am down a pound for the Christmas challenge, and DNW is down half a pound...have we any more losses for the challenge to report? I am trying to keep track to see who the big winner (loser) will be...
Everyone is just doing wonderful!!!!:D
My calorie count was 1270 today...I usually average around 1400-1500, but I was pretty busy at home-but, as long as I am not going under 1200 I am fine.
Have a good night everyone,
Aphil

Way to go Amy and DNW,, you are off to a good start for the Christmas Challenge. !!!!!!

Amy~~ your dress sounds awesome and I bet you will look wonderful in it also. I had to laugh about the wedgie that you pulled on your hubby,, sometimes they just deserve things like that. :lol:

I am going to be busy for the next few days. Bruce is leaving for Calgary on Wednesday. I sure hope this house will sell fast and we wont be apart too long. I worry about him making the 1000 mile drive as this time of year the weather is unpredictable for sure.

I cant believe that this will be my second Thanksgiving away from home, it sure sets me off into a blue mood thinking about it.
Ill be working on Thursday, so it will be just another day for me.

I have no holiday spirit at all

I have WW on Wednesday and am hoping to at least maintain, as was hit full force with the dreaded TOM today!! UGH :(

I'll be sure to post what ever the loss, gain or maintain!!! :)

Well gotta run, only a few days left to snuggle with my hubby,, so Ill check back again soon.

Remember the challenge!!

Hello to the rest of the gang also..

Nancy:df:
198.8/185.2/150ish

Good morning everyone,
Nancy-you make sure to get all your snuggles in with your husband-I am sure you will not be apart very long. I was watching a realtor type show the other day, and they were talking about little things you can do to make your house look nicer so it will sell quicker-stuff like turning the mulch if you have it in your landscaping to make the color fresher-like it was just laid, making sure all the weeds and everything are trimmed, using the powerwasher to spray off the siding to make the house look newer, and stuff like that.
Today is my cardio day-Jason is home on vacation-so I will have to hope he will not laugh at me too much-I usually only do aerobics when he is at work. :)
Well, everyone focus on the Christmas challenge...the heat is on ladies!!!!! We can do it!!!!
Aphil

Hello Aphil read your earlier post...DH. Sorry to hear about the situation but you know I can totally relate but on another end. My DH thinks all his purpose is to work and pay the bills not in the same sense of me actually going to pay them he just supplies the money. But he can't understand why I am so tired all the time. He says I do NOTHING. Aaaaargh! MEN! I will never understand them.

But good for you on the wedgie that is great!

I am off to school this morning. Talk to you all later.
Kina

Hi everyone!
I just had a great idea for personal rewards! Since I moderate on 3FC, I check out all the diet plans out there, and while I think Nutrisystem is way overpriced for what you get, they had something on their site I thought was cool. They send you a beanie bear for every 10 pounds you lose, each one has a 10, 20, 30, etc. number on it to show your loss-and you get a goal bear when you reach your goal weight.
I think this would be a great idea for us to do-maybe we could bet a charm bracelet that has number charms available, or buy something from one of those personalized engraving shops, and have our losses engraved on it in 5 or 10 pound increments for every 5 or 10 pounds we lose...etc. or buy a sweatshirt and paint our little victories on it in fabric paint...whatever you want to do-but to have a tangible item to show our weight loss successes. Something to keep and be proud of.
Aphil

I got out of bed this morning thinking it was going to be a bad day... and it was a very good one instead!

My Wednesday morning circuit class was the best yet. Tuesday and Wednesday are taught by the same guy and yesterday he was encouraging me to use heavier weights so today I tried it... and yep... I survived! I am not as sore as I was when I started these classes.... so I am getting stronger and alot fitter too! yay!

As you guys know, we are flying home for Christmas this year... 4 weeks - a few days now and are meeting up with good friends of ours (aussies) who will be in Fernie skiing for 2 weeks and are spending Christmas with my family .... well... I am a die hard ice hockey fan... Edmonton Oilers to be exact and have been trying to get tickets for a sold out game on Boxing Day. I got an email from my aunt telling me that not only does she have 4 tickets.... in the gold rated seats all together...... but her company has given the tickets to her!! they were the company season tickets that nobody had asked for yet!!! Crikey ... we just saved $400 in hockey tickets!!

:cb: :cb: :cb: :cb: :cb: :cb:

There is one excited canadian aussie over here!!! She is going to send me the email address of the guy who gave them to her so that I can send him a personal thank you. When he heard that it was for her niece and hubby and friends from Australia... he was so happy to give them to her!

On the diet front... everything seems to be falling into place and the exercise is going well too. I am finding that even though the weight is not coming off very fast... I am averaging about a pound a week.... I have dropped 2 clothing sizes and my size 10 jeans are getting loose! Wow eh? I am starting to notice less body fat and more muscle too. Gotta love that! I am going to stick with WW for the motivation, but the scales are not running my life anymore. I will take measurements on Saturday morning to compare to my beginning ones 12 weeks ago. Wow.... only 12 weeks ago! It went so fast.

Aphil - I like your reward idea. I found a store that sells cheap charm bracelets and whenever I lose a Kilo (2.2 lbs) I add a charm to my bracelet... even though I carry it around in my handbag, and wear it at home as it is too clunky to be shuffling paper while wearing it at work, I really look forward to putting those charms on. My next one is an airplane that represents the flight home.... :) It is a good motivator when you are heading for those evil cookies!
ps. My hubby is a little boy too.... he head is full of 'useless to me information' and I wish he could add and subtract his bills and income, instead of knowing every bike on the road, who sang what song in what year, and the sports stats for almost every major sport in the world..... but I like that querky side of him, and I am a finance type person at work so it all works out in the end.... I am sure there are good things about the DH that when you are mad at him, don't come to mind right away.

Nancy - Bruce will be fine on the roads... he is a winter smart guy and will get through the Rockies no worries. You will be joining him shortly too once the house sells. Keep smiling about the holiday too. I feel that way sometimes over here when holidays are not the way you expect them to be..... just be glad you are not having left over turkey stuffing sandwiches on the weekend!

Tryin hard - you are my goddess... wow I did not realise you had lost 103 pounds, that is truly amazing! I bet you feel fantastic!!
:flame: Great work! Are you still losing or maintaining at this point?

Hi to everyone else.... hope your weeks are going good and that everything is on track ! I will chat with you all soon!!

*hugs*
Nola.

:dancer: :cb: :dance:
I need a whole crew of dancer's-because I am down another pound to 197-2 pounds total for the challenge, and now a total of 14 lost! This makes a 2 pound loss over the last week-so I am REAL happy!!!!
I guess getting all ticked last week at everyone oohing and ahhing over the same 10 pounds my SIL lost an eon ago was motivation enough for me!! I cannot wait until Christmas and New Years and Easter and any other chance I can get now to show off the incredible shrinking woman!
Well, It is the day before Thanksgiving-so I need to get in gear and exercise, do laundry, get my hair trimmed, and bake that crustless diet pumpkin pie for tomorrow! I'll check in later!
Aphil

Hello Everyone!!!

Today was WW and yep am down another pound, even with the dreaded TOM. I am a happy woman for sure. :dance:

Bruce did not leave today for Calgary, he will in the morning. The fog was pretty bad here. I will be missing him for sure!!! :(

Amy~~Way to go on another pound gone forever!! Your dress for the party is going to look great on you next weekend!

Nola~~ You are doing so well also on the weight loss! And that is so cool that you will be able to go to the hockey game. The ticket prices are so costly. I was always getting free tickets given to me for the St Louis Blues when I lived in the states, but I always gave them away because I am a die hard Chicago fan ! :)

Holly~~ Where in the heck are you ??????????????

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow, we all know that Tryin Hard will be having a great time at the Macy's parade.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Nancy:df:
198.8/184.2/150ish

Hi all!
Today has been wonderful!!!! I got up on the scale again this morning-I have been being bad and weighing in every couple days-and I am down another pound-that makes 3 this past week, and a total of 15 lost forever now!!!!!!!
:cb:
I also went to 2 Thanksgiving gatherings today, and have come away with my calories only being around 1200!!!!! I was so good today-I didn't eat turkey, because it was deep fried instead of roasted,and I stayed away from fatty gravies and casseroles, so I ate plenty of green beans, and fresh baby carrots, celery, and other veggies off of a veggie tray-my lunch was pretty much ALL vegetables-and we know how low cal that is. I DID have dessert-I made Nancy's crustless pumpkin pie, and since I used Splenda-it came out to only 70 calories/1 WW point per slice! And it was wonderful!!! At the second gathering, while everyone else was eating seconds or thirds, or what have you-my grandmother had made an angel food cake without icing as one of the many desserts-they are naturally fat free and low calorie-about 150 for a good sized slice...so-today pretty much consisted of tons of veggies, two diet smart desserts...and I had a bowl of beef and veggie soup when I got home this evening! I am on top of the world right now...I feel like I had willpower of steel, and since everyone saw me eating dessert, I didn't have family members trying to stuff food down my throat...you know how family can be. :D
I have a another Thanksgiving gathering this weekend, adn the turkey WILL be roasted, so I will have some then.
I am feeling such a sense of accomplishment right now.
:D
Aphil

Amy~~~ Good to hear that you had a totally in control Thanksgiving!!! You sure have your mind made up for this challenge and it shows,, way to go on being another pound down!!! :dancer:

Glad you like the crustless pumpkin pie, you will find that you dont even miss the crust and when you top it off with a little lite cool whip it is so yummy.... I need to make me one of those again soon!!!

See ya later

Nancy:df:
198.8/184.2/150ish

BTW-Nancy-I forgot to congrat you on your pound down this week!!!! Sexy Mamas...Sexy mamas....we are all going to be sexy mamas!!!!!
You go girl!!!
Aphil

Woohoo! Way to go so many thumbs up going out to the two of you. Wow! Aphil way to go on that will power made of STEEL! That is so great and the best is that it pays off in the end. Then to put the cherry on the top you are already at a 3 lb loss. OMG that is so awesome.

Snowey~~~You are also doing totally awesome especially with all the stresses that are going on in your world right now...work, hubby, and moving. Gosh...that is just fantastic!

I have to bow my head in shame and say that I did not have the will power of steel for Thanksgiving. I ate...alot. But I made a commitment that from here up until Christmas instead of my 15 mile committment to my elliptical machine I will commit to 3 hours a week. I don't know how much that is in miles I have never done it before but I am going to commit to 3 hours a week. I usually 5 miles in just a bit over 15 minutes. To top it off I had been sicker than a dog with congestion and sore throat. So for the past few days I have not been eating. We didn't even go out to grandma's house as we had planned. But after we ate we went to visit my parents since my mom was also sick in bed.

I made cheesecake for Raevin. She turned 12 today(Thursday nov. 28) at 11:56 pm. She requested a cheesecake for her birthday instead of a regular cake. She got to choose someone to share the wishbone with and she chose me but she won so her wish will come true. My wish was to lose 8 lbs by Christmas...LOL.

Well it is late. I am heading for bed. It has been a very busy day and I will need my energy for tomorrow for the after Thanksgiving sales...aaaaarrrrgh! Talk to you all again.

Kina

Well it is late

Hello everyone!!!

Welcome DNW! I hope you find this site as helpful and wonderful as I have.

I just skimmed through the 4 pages or so of posts that I've missed - sorry! Everything is fine with me but just busy. Also we're starting to get our winter's worth of snow, so that means more time shoveling, shoveling!

Had WAY too much food yesterday, too many sweets but am prepared to get back to regular today, eating-wise. I caught a bad cold and haven't been able to exercise for 3 days, which scares me! but hopefully will feel better tomorrow to exercise again.

CONGRATS to all of you that are down more pounds and sizes!!! It is such a good feeling to know it can be done. And WILL be done!

I promise to check in daily!!! I am in with the challange, also, to keep maintaining, and not gain during the holidays.

Love, Holly

Hi New Firends!!

VermontMom: I may see you one day...my husband, DeadNurse and I evenutally plan to move to Vermont. We have friends in Benson who we go see every year. Thanks for the welcome.

Snowey: WTG on the weight loss and also dealing with all your stress right now!

Aphil: I envy your loss, but you really worked for it and you are an inspiration to all of us!

Kina: Good for you and your committment, I pretty much ate what I wanted on Thanksgiving, but had planned that feast day anyway, into my eating plan this week.

Kanloa: Wow free hockey tickets!! Hope you have a great time!

Anyways, ladies..I ate the things I had planned to yesterday so no guilt here. However, the portion size were half what I planned since coincidentally my stomach has shrunk :mad:

But it was just as well anyway...I just have to put horse blinders on my eyes everytime I go into the frig...my God all that food and everyone brought candy. :^:

But luckily I went on a candy bender some weeks back and really had a bad sugar reaction and was depressed for about three days from all that sugar in my system...so I treaded very lightly with the chocolate intake yesterday.

I am glad I am posting on this site, you all are so motivated and so very nice. Talk to you soon!

DNW-You were frowning about your stomach shrinking like htat is a bad thing-:lol: It is a blessing in disguise that you could only eat half of what you planned to!
I do the same thing as you do by the way-unforseen temptations are one thing, but if it is a planned event and I pretty much know what food will be there, or know in advance that we are going to a restaurant-I can think about and plan what I am going to order/eat so when I get there there is no guessing. All of our family gatherings are pretty much the same-everyone has an aunt who brings the same dessert every Thanksgiving, and so on. If I am going to "plan" to splurge on a special dinner, then I will lower my calorie intake by 100 calories all week, so I have extra for that occasion, and still average out on plan for the week. It is all about being prepared for the situation.
Holly-I am glad you are back-we sure missed you! I am glad you have joined in on the maintenance portion of the challenge. I predict you will ring in the New Year the same size you are now! :smug:
Kina-don't feel bad about your splurge-we are all human. Things will even out because with your splurge this week, you are also not feeling like eating now due to your cold. Good for you on your new exercise goal. Are you going to try for 6 15 minute/5 mile sessions a week? You should be able to do that no problem! You are going to have such GREAT legs!
The kids are at Grandmas for the night, and I am getting ready to put up the Christmas tree...I went shopping today and got some real sexy shoes to go with my black velvet dress for the Christmas party. They are velvety/suede type textured black shoes with the chunky high heels and they have the little black sexy strappy details around the foot and ankle. My husband really liked them-wait 'til he sees them on! hee hee hee
All of you ladies have a wonderful day-I better go get this tree up so I can get some other things done around here.
26 days of the challenge left-and nothing tastes as good as thing feels!!!!!!We can all do this!!!
Aphil

Hi everyone!! Good to see everyone suvivied Thanksgiving over there.

At WW this morning I was down another half a pound. I will take the small loses when they come....... they all add up!

DNW - I agree with Aphil on the shrinking stomach... it is a blessing! I find that I also can't eat the greasy chips, as much chocolate, and ice cream as I used to either. One of those very small 'fun' size chocolate bars is enough to get rid of a sugar craving for me now, instead of 2 whole chocolate bars! I am reaching for the fruit and veggies while out on the bike as well! yay!


Holly - Great to hear from you! Just think about how much exercise all that shovelling is going to be! I hope there is snow when I come over to the northern hemisphere in..... just over 3 weeks! woohoo!

Nancy - Great work with losing another pound! yay!!! That is so awesome.

Well I am off. I have to go into work today (my choice) for a few hours. Instead of taking the train on the crappy weekend schedule that could leave me sitting and waiting for 20 mins... I am thinking of taking the bike. I have never riden into the 'city' by myself before, and it is drizzling rain so I am unsure what to do, I have an hour or so to decide. Hubby is going to see Harry Potter with friends. I am not into the books or the movies. Seems like everyone is these days. That may be what turns me off the idea... who knows?

Talk to you guys later!
Nola.

Hi everyone!!!!
Today was a good day-I went with my husband out Christmas shopping, and we went and had lunch at Cracker Barrel. I knew about it this morning, so I ate a very light fruit breakfast, and had a light dinner as well-I did really good-passing on the biscuit/cornbread basket and had diet soda, I ordered meatloaf, potatoes, and cooked apples-but I was totally satisfied eating only half of each portion I was served-my stomach has also shrunk quite a bit-like DNW and Kanola just talked about. It IS such a blessing. I used to be able to eat the entire dinner plus the bread-now there is absolutely no way without a huge tummyache.
I have been wrapping presents all evening as well...it is something I look forward to every year-it is very stress relieving for me.
Well, I better get going-I have a lot to finish up. Everyone keep in control, and Kanola-congrats on another half pound down-it only takes two of them to be a whole pound! :)
Aphil

Hello everyone -

Not much to say, except I still wasn't feeling well enough to exercise today - first time since Feb. that I've missed more than two days!! eek! but tomorrow for sure I'll feel better.

Have a great Sunday, drink that water, watch those calories, shake those buns!:lol:

Holly

Happy Sunday, everyone!:)

Aphil, I am so glad you brought up the Holiday Challenge. What I need to get back to is drinking water! I was so good over the summer; I had a co-worker who also drank alot and we would refill each other's pitchers all day - but I have slipped out of the habit. Now with the Challenge in mind, I have started drinking again.

And finally I could exercise today! The stupid head cold is finally on it's way out; and drinking the water is also going to help me get rid of the last of the cold.

Someone brought wicked Doritos into the house! I had a few handfuls yesterday, but vowed to not have any today. It was difficult, but after my tuna sandwich, water and two cups of coffee, I am too full to want any. Victory!

DNW, I had to look at an atlas to find Benson - didn't even know it existed! I'm in the north/central part of Vermont, about 20 miles north of Montpelier.

Hope everyone is doing well today. I am feeling so much better, especially being able to do my exercise routine today. And feeling strong and confident at getting through the holiday season without adding any pounds!!!

Your friend, Holly

Hello everyone,
Today has went well-my calories have added up for the day to 1340, and thqt included lunch at Burger King. I checked out their website before we went, and a Chicken Whopper without the mayonnaise is only 340 calories and low in fat. Their are grilled chicken sandwiches as well low in fat at KFC and Wendys that are also very good. Burger King has a veggie burger with low fat or fat free mayo now on the menu, and it is also low in calories-I am not sure of the amount-check the site-but I have not tried it yet. You CAN have a meal at a fast food joint if you research the good choices.
People wonder how I can eat at fast food restaurants 2-3 times a week and still be losing weight. :D
My husband goes back to work after this week being home, and I can finally get back to my regular schedule of cleaning, exercise, and such. Amazing how a man being home can put a kink in all of that! ha ha
Well, I need to get the kitchen cleaned up-talk to you all tomorrow.
Aphil

Big thumbs up to you Aphil. You are doing awesomely. Before I know it you will have passed me. My scale must be broken because it has not budged. I have been getting on my elliptical machine. But no losses as of yet. I won't get discouraged by this because muscle weighs more than fat eventually the losses will come.

Well I know i have not posted daily but I am still here reading when I get the chance. It's just that the semester is coming to an end and they have started pile on the homework. But most importantly the finals are coming and I have been trying to get studying in as much as possible. So where I had extra time to chat with you all I am having to use that time to study.

Well I am doing my best and hopefully I will be able to start losing along with you Aphil. Holly I am glad to hear you are feeling better. DNW I guess we have to also ourselves a few slips without the guilt. Snowey much congratulations on your losses; you are doing so great.

I better head for bed. Talk to you all again really soon.
Kina

Hello and good morning!
Kina-do not be frustrated with the scale not budging...remember-I lost the first 10 pounds pretty quick between August and September, and then it was pretty much at a standstill from the end of September through the beginning of November-and now the scales are moving again. It is not uncommon for you to lose a few quickly, and then things slow for a while. I am right now feeling the effects of the 5 pounds I have lost this past couple weeks-I have been absolutely freezing for 3 days! I am sitting here right now in a t shirt and sweats, with my robe OVER them!!! It will take a week or two for my body to adjust its internal temperature again. It is also not uncommmon for your weight loss to slow quite a bit as you go down the scale-a 300 pound woman can lose 4 pounds a week eating 2000 calories a day, while a 150 pound woman may only lose 1/2 a pound eating 1500-since she is much closer to her goal weight her body does not burn near as much calories doing everyday things like walking and breathing! Don't worry about the scale so much-keep exercising and eating a lot of fruit and veggies and you will lose.
I weighed in this morning and I am still holding at 196-I figured as much, since I have been so cold-I may not have much of a loss this coming week. I would really like to reach 190 by Christmas, but we will see-if not, I will try for New Years. ;)
Aphil

Aphil--it's so funny that you mention being cold! Since I've lost weight I am ALWAYS freezing! I even run my hands under hot water a few times a day!!
Kina--I'd love to hear more about your elliptical machine. Is it high off the ground? I would love to get one, but DH says we won't have the head room in the cellar because it's so much higher than the treadmill. I worked out on one when we were on vacation last year, and even though I couldn't walk downstairs for two days, I loved the workout!
I have begun running a little bit. My walking partner and I are trying to run during our walk and I've been running on my treadmill too. (I've also been doing my kegels, DNW!!) Does anyone have any thoughts about running? DH thinks I'm better off walking, but it's not a challenge anymore.
HOpe you're all having a good day. So glad to read that all is going well.
Take care.

tryin hard-You and your partner may try doing what some call run/walking. You walk at your regular brisk pace for 5 minutes, jog for 1 minute, walk again for 5 minutes, run for 1...and so on. You will burn more fat than with walking alone, because your heart rate stays elevated higher during the whole walk due to the running spurts. So you get that benefit plus it is easier on your knees, hips, ankles since you are not running the entire time.
Aphil

:hb: HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOLLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :balloons:

I hope you have a wonderful day !!! :hat: :gift:



Nancy:df:

:cb: Happy Birthday :hb: Holly :hat:

I hope you have a day full of smiles and plenty of hugs!:grouphug:


bye. Kina

Happy Birthday, Holly!! (I don't know how to do balloons and dancing bananas!!)

Happy birthday Holly!!!!!
:gift: :hat: :balloons:
Have a fabulous day-do something special!!!
Aphil

Happy B-Day Holly!!

:hb:

:gift:

:dancer:

Have a great day!!!

Good morning everyone!
I am so happy to tell all of you that I ran 3/4 of a mile on my treadmill yesterday! When I got off, all I could think about was logging on and telling all of you! Yes, my DH was proud of me, but his pride comes with the warning, 'please be careful. those treadmills weren't made for running' BUt, I knew that all of you would be proud of me! I have never ran more than 200 yards in my whole life! Since it's so cold out (13 degrees on my walk this morning!) I think I'll stick to walking outside and running on the treadmill inside. My Christmas goal is to be able to run 1 1/2 miles. I think that's doable!
Well, I hope you all have a great day! I can't wait to go home and run!

Hi all!
I am down another pound to 195!!!! YAY!!!!:D
tryin hard-I see people running on the treadmills all of the time when I used to work out at the gym...so it can take it-just be sure not to lose your balance. I could speedwalk all day, but I have never been able to run on one of those without fear of falling...I definitely think you can make it to running over a mile by Christmas!!! Make that your part of your Christmas challenge, since you are on the maintenance phase and not trying ot lose anymore!
I have been thinking about the challenge, and what I could do for the lucky winner...I have some ideas, I think it will depend on who actually wins-so ladies keep track of your losses (and exercise challenges for the maintenance people) from November 20th on-I'll have everyone post their progress on Christmas or the day after.
You all are doing so great-trying hard and Kina-you are doing so well with your exercise, Holly has been maintaining her weight loss for quite a while now, Nancy and Kanola have been easing down those scales regularly...DNW has been so great wince she started here with us, going down the scales and having such a positive, in control attitude-and everyone else here that lurks and posts now and then-you all are just doing great!!!! Keep up the good work-I am so proud of you all!!!!
Aphil

Hello everyone!

THANK YOU for all the birthday greetings!! That is so nice to receive them all. I am now 42 years YOUNG! and feeling great!:D

I have like one minute left before leaving for work, but will post again this afternoon. Also after changing clothes from work I should get on the scale and do a weekly report! to keep things maintained.

Love you all!

your friend, Holly

Hi y'all! I'm back from work.

I've been at 143 since mid-August; this afternoon the scale shows 142. I expect ups and downs in the amount of 2-3 pounds, without getting too excited or too bent out-of-shape. I would like to stay at this weight, but continue to tone and firm up all over. I would think that if my weight drifted on the far side of 145, that's when I should put the brakes on and be careful.

I'm so happy for everyone who is losing!! and for tryin'hard, with her incredible and maybe even more difficult long-term maintenance. I still think of you, tryin'hard, and your "once-a-month-bagel":lol:

Of course, with the holidays coming up, there are SO many temptations, with just good food and especially sweet treats. I think I still want to be able to taste small amounts of yummy things, so I will have to plan when I know that we're going to a party, I need to scale back on calories overall a few days before.

Especially difficult will be the holiday baking...I don't buy many gifts for friends, but I do a ton of cookie/pastry baking, and make gift plates. So far I've done 5 batches of goodies, with good control (not GREAT control, but good :D ). And everything goes in the freezer 'til I gather it all and make the gift plates up. So it's a good deterrent to have it all in the big freezer, which is in our covered back porch - gotta go "outside" to get to it - and since it's been in the teens temperature-wise, kinda puts a damper on trips to see what's out there. :lol:

Kanola, it was a few days ago, but did you challenge yourself to go into the city on your bike? How was it, if you did go? I am SO missing the motorcycling! I went out to the garage and sat on it yesterday; it was COLD! But I tell myself, with each exercise session, that I am making myself stronger for next year's adventures.

Amy, hooray for your steady and unwavering determination! I especially know that it's such a challenge to be on the "losing track" when there are small children around - 'cause they will want to eat something different, and how difficult is can be to toss the food that's left on the kid's plates, instead of sampling it...I did that for years...

I think you also have the wonderful vision of how great you will look, and your new slender bod will be enhanced by your super sense of style, and makeup and hair...hello hottie!!:D

Nancy, congrats to you for being OP all the time, and kudos to you for being so wanted at your "part-time" job! I hope the house move will go smoothly for you. What a big deal that is!

Kina, how are you doing? Your kids must be so excited about Christmas. I hope you are not getting overwhelmed with work, school, home,etc!

Hi Alibee! How ya doin'? I think of your wild and crazy web page and laugh! Hope everything's great with you and your family.

I'll say hi to some we haven't heard from in a while - Jacklyn, Christine (Iforget when the baby's due!), t-girl, and the long-lost (sniff) Melisa and Sprite...

My husband's been taking ALOT of digital photos of me lately - rather racy ones! :D (it's so fun when you feel attractive!!) but if I can find one that is flattering but won't make too many of you blush :o I'll post it. Aphil is right; once you get your body fat down to a certain level, then the toned muscles really have a chance to shine!

Have a great afternoon! Keep warm, those of us who are FREEZING!:lol:

Your friend, Holly

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DNW!!!!! :balloons:

I hope you have a birthday filled with happiness!!! :gift: :hat:


Nancy :df:

Hi girls,,,
taking a break at work and wanted to post a big hello to all my friends :wave:

Will check back in later.....

Nancy:df:

Happy birthday DNW!!
Holly-you just made such a wonderful post-I know you made all of us just feel great! I am so proud of you for actually ebing a pound DOWN on your maintenance plan! I am sure you will do wonderful over the holidays! (and, YES, we would like to see the tamest of the racy photos!) :devil:
You are so right about it being difficult with the kids, but I try to make it a bit easier on myself-I tell myself I do not have to eat something just because I am making it. My husband and daughter wanted sausage links and eggs for dinner, so I made it-and made myself a Healthy Choice entree with a large side of mixed vegetables. We ate together as a family-but I just ate something different. I do allow myself the occasional slice of pizza, or a healthy restaurant choice-but I am not going to waste the calories on a food that I do not really care for anyway.
Well, have a good day!
Aphil

Yes, I got lost again!
But, I'm back...with 7 weeks to go! (due Jan 23)

Last time I went to the Dr was a week and a half ago and I was only up 2lbs (in 3 weeks time) and this was including 16oz of water I'd just drank!! I was thrilled to say the least but starting the next day.. boom.. I was up 1lb per day for the next 6 days!!! I've never experienced water gain in such extremes before but I'm sure thats what most of it was because since then I've been keeping off my feet a little more and drinking more H2O and I'm back down 2 lbs! :D

Sounds like you gals are doing great! I still cannot wait to get back on the weight-loss track! After having my daughter (4 yrs ago), I was down 34 pounds 2 weeks later but I don't hold much hope for a repeat performance! :lol: Plus, this time I'm already up around 35 pounds and last time I gained only 24 total! :(

So.. just wanted to update everyone on my life.. and let you know that, although I get lost from time to time, I eventually make my way back here!! ;)

Christine

Hello to all the Saxy Mama's :wave:

Christine~~ nice to see a post from you and good to hear that all is well. Not much longer and the new baby will be here, I bet you can hardly wait! How exciting :)

Amy~~way to go on being down another pound you are moving right along!!!!!! :dancer:

Tryinhard and Holly~~ Way to go chickies on maintaining, I am so happy and proud for both of you. :bravo:

Kina~~ How are you doing? Still burning the candles at both ends?

Nola~~ You are doing great with your weight loss I bet you are feeling great. When do you come home for Christmas?

DNW~~ How was your birthday? Did you do something special for yourself?

I am doing good, I lost 1.4 pounds today at WW and I am still OP all the time. I have not had a weak moment yet. I never feel deprived at all and I just feel so darn good !!!!!!! :cb:

Bruce has been gone a week now, I miss him terribly. :( He is doing well and he says that our new place is so nice. I cant wait for the house to sell and I am in Calgary with him. Hopefully he will be home for Christmas.


In the meantime, I am keeping busy with my part time job that has turned into full time.
I have been Christmas shopping for my litte grandson and having a ball. Its a "Bob the Builder " christmas for him. I keep finding things to buy :lol: Do you think I am spoiling him????? :)
I am sending money for my kids along with some smaller gifts. But I figured that they can take the money and get whatever big things they want.
I have Bruces gifts bought and under the beautiful little that I put up. I did not put up our great big one as it was just too big to do by myself so I bought a new little one. It feels good to have some Christmas cheer in the house.

Well gotta run,,have some laundry to do and wrap some presents. I hope everyone has a great evening !!!!

Oh by the way,, TryinHard,, how was the Macy's parade??????

Bye for now
Your friend
Nancy:df:
198.8/182.8/150ish

Hi,
Nancy-just think about it...with your average weight loss being a half pound to two pounds a week-in about two weeks your weight may be in the 170's!!!!! It isn't far away!!! Probably by Christmas!!!!!
That is so great about the Bob the builder stuff and your grandson! I am spoiling my kids for Christmas also...I bought Raiden a little yellow construction hat to play with-because he is 1, and his sister has princess tiaras and dress up stuff, and he goes in there and plays with her-and I wanted him to have a hat of his own, instead of walking around in one of her princess getups! ha ha ha ha
I am contemplating on getting something else for my husband-but I just don't know-if I do, I will have to charge it. There is a guy that is selling a set of Star Wars stormtrooper armor for about $500-it usually goes for about $600-$800. It is movie accurate and really cool-but I just don't know if I want to charge it or not...he has a ton of stuff under the tree already-so if he doesn't get it he won't be disappointed anyway.
I must admit that I had a setback last night...a small eating binge. I don't know whay I did it, either-and I feel terrible. I am trying not to beat myself up, and tell myself that it was only once out of the past month. BUT-it has just put me more on the ball today. I am even more determined not to do it again. :) After coming so far, the guilt of eating bad food feels worse than how good the food was.
Aphil

Good morning all!
Nancy, way to go with the weight loss! Bruce isn't going to recognize you when he sees you!!!
The parade was great. DH said we fulfilled a life-long dream for him, so who was I to complain about frozen toes!! It was a lot of fun, and yes, I would do it again! We took an early train into the City and we were home by 1:30. Dinner was over by 4 and the three of us took a nice nap!
Aphil, don't beat yourself up. Just do a little extra exercising today, even if it's a couple extra trips up and down the stairs. That's what a thin person would do. When I was heavy, I used to time my trips up and downstairs. I'd think of something I needed upstairs and wait until I needed to go up for something else. Pretty sad, isn't it? Now I run up and down them 86 times a day. (Not literally, but I certainly don't think about it anymore!!)
BTW, there's another thread going on about an exercise challenge for Dec. You tell how many minutes you expect to exercise for the month and post your new totals every day. Just another way to think about doing what we're all doing!
Well, time to get back to work. With snow predicted for this afternoon, it should be a very interesting teaching day! (I feel the gray hairs sprouting!)
Keep up the great work everyone!

Hello everyone!

Christine, so good to hear from you! So close to the baby's arrival!! We'll be thinking of you in the weeks to come! And it's so good that you already have the determination to lose the excess weight. We'll be here for you!

Nancy, you're so brave to be experiencing the holidays solo! I'm sure Bruce misses you terribly, too. Again WAY TO GO on being OP, and down some more! And feeling terrific!!!:cb: :cp:

Amy, you're right NOT to beat yourself up about a small indiscretion! Just continue with renewed focus and determination!

Sigh, Christmas presents...for the first time in a long time, we're in a financial squeeze, and I just won't be buying as usual...I feel okay in that I can do holiday things that don't require much money, such as making gifts (my cookies and mini-gingerbread houses are usually well-received) and I do various volunteer work (donated my 31st pint of blood last month!) but it sure is fun to buy and wrap! We should be "back on our feet" in a couple of months, so I just have to be frugal and patient :)

I feel a little embarassed when my co-workers are speaking happily of the goodies they've bought for their husbands/children - MP3 players, clothing...I hope they don't notice that I haven't been piping up to tell of my purchases

:p

Well, I have today off, and the HOUSE TO MYSELF! woo-hoo!!! that NEVER happens! I just got back from food shopping (hey, always check your register receipt for sale items - I only bought 3 packages of boneless chicken breasts because they were "buy 1, get 2 free" - and was charged the regular price - a difference of over $16.00!!!:eek: ) What was I saying? oh yeah! so shopping is done, I'm going to do my hour-long Gilad tape! Then decorate some mini-gingerbread houses.

Have a great day everyone!!!

Your friend, Holly

Hi everyone!
Tonight is the Christmas party-I am trying to get the kids ready and stuff packed for grandma's-who will be here to get them about a half hour before we have to leave, and get them down for an afternoon nap while I try to get showered, shaved, and pretty-fied. ;) Let's see if I can go through tonight without killing myself in these shoes!:lol:
Holly-Don't feel bad about not having much money this year at the holidays-that was last year for us. We closed on our house on Halloween, and had to spend November buying paint, a new water heater, and all of that stuff-so we didn't have much for the holidays. It's funny, Jason's parents always seem to think we have a lot more money than we do-he makes a little more than his parents do-so they always seem to think because of that we have more money to go around than them. I have made little comments now and then that our house payments are almost identical, and that our camper payment is higher than theirs-because we financed ours for a shorter period of time, etc. but his mother still thinks we have more money. It isn't really a bad thing, until we ask one of them for an idea for a birthday or Christmas gift...for instance, we asked his mom last weekend for an idea for Jason's sister for Christmas-and his mother told us that she needed a dirt bike helmet...(they cost around $100!!!:o )
I politely told her that we just could not afford to spend that kind of money on his sister, considering that he has another one, plus my brother, stepbrother and stepsister, and my stepbrother and brothers long term girlfriends!!!!!! Not to mention that both of my parents are remarried, so we have Jason's two parents plus my four!!!! And this is not even our children, each other, greandparents, or any of the others we buy for!!! We finally found out she also needed a pair of dirt bike riding gloves-which is a much more reasonable $25-$30. Whew.
This is one of the reasons that when my husband and I got married, I started doing his/our taxes...he used to have his mother do them, but I don't want them knowing when he gets raises, etc.
Jason actually made a comment about it for once when we were driving home, he was like "What does everyone think we are, the rich relatives???
Aye Aye Aye...
realatives....
Well, I better go-I have to get ready for tonight!
Aphil

Have a great time tonight, Aphil! I'm sure you're looking gorgeous!!

Hi everyone,
I must say...I did look pretty good last night.;) The dress fit perfectly-it fit great when I bought it a couple weeks ago, but losing a couple pounds since then really made all the difference. My feet were killing me in those shoes-but I had a really good time. I lucked out big time-the dinner was fancy catered, but it was buffet style-so I got to choose what was on my plate, and chose the chicken over the steak, and the green beans over other sides, etc. I did well-they had a big dessert table set up-my husband was laughing at me, because I am a total chocoholic now-they had a CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN!!!! It was like 4 tiers high, it reminded me of the chocolate waterfall in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory-that is EXACTLY what it looked like, only a bit smaller. They had all kinds of fruits and such that you could put on skewers and pretzel sticks that you could run under the "fountain", as well as fancy little cakes and all. I did really good-had a glass of wine instead of a fruity juice foo foo drink, and I had a pretzel and a couple banana slices with a DAB of the chocolate sauce. The presentation was so cool that you didn't need to actually eat much of it.
They had dancing and socializing all night after dinner, and gave away a door prize to every employee there-anywhere from a $5 gift to a 32" television as the grand prize, through a drawing of names. We ended up with a fancy gift basket from Bath and Body Works, which I just saw in the store a few weeks ago for about $25-so we did well.
I just could not believe that Jason's factory spends this much on the employees Christmas party every year-and this is just the adult one-the kids party is next weekend-they rented out a movie theatre for the morning, and Santa Claus after the shows! Last years kids party was Sesame Street Live tickets and a cookies/punch and Santa Claus for the kids in a room next to the Sesame Street Live auditorium.
The other place my husband used to work at didn't do anything for their employees, so working in a place like this is just so great for Jason. They are so family oriented, always having open houses, or easter egg hunts, or other family activities. I am really glad he works there. :D (I was also glad to slow dance with my husband for the first time since our wedding reception. :lol: )
Well, I better go-I hope everyone is having a great weekend.
Have I told you all how proud I am of your losses and maintenance, and commitment lately? Well, I am.
Aphil

Well the semester is winding down and finals are quickly approaching. There is a light at the end of the tunnel but it is going to be a tough road from here to there. Anyhow...

I didn't get to give out proper shout outs to DNW.:hb: Happy Birthday, DNW! :hat: I hope you had a wonderful relaxing day.

Aphil~~~I bet you were Cinderella; the prettiest one there. I am glad to hear that you had a wonderful time.

Vermontmom~~~Price tags can't compete when it is compared to LOVE. We are going to have a tough time balancing the bills and Christmas presents but I won't let that worry because as long as I have healthy children, loving family, and you guys...what more could i ask for.

Nancy~~~Hi, how are you doing? Oh boy I bet that part time job is driving you crazy! Then to top it with the cherry of having to sale your home and without Dh. I am happy to hear he arrived safely. Yes, still burning the candles at both ends and unfortunately if the candle was big enough I would try to figure out how to break it in half and get more out of it. LOL

Christine~~~Woohoo! I can imagine how exhausted you are about now. I loved being pregnant each and every time but my goodness the last couple of months was so tough. But then all my babies were bigger than the one before. My last one they decided they would take her out two weeks early because of her size. They gues-stimated that she would have been over 10 lbs had she been delivered on her due date. No thank you.

Okay I am out of here. We have to get groceries done and then we are out to a skating party. Talk to you all in a few days...I will be very busy for the next few weeks. bye.
Kina

Hi,
Kina-thanks for the compliment! I really did have a good time!
By the way, I loved what you said to Holly about the Christmas gifts not comparing to love. That is so right. I just love it when my daughter gets excited over the simple things, like my mom coming over, watching the 4th of July fireworks, or because I am peeling her an orange for her bedtime snack. (she is a major fruit lover)
I love to shop and buy presents, but I enjoy much more our little traditions, like putting up the tree the weekend after Thanksgiving, watching Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story together, and driving around to see the lights. Holiday traditions are the truly memorable things to a child while they are growing up, not always what they got that year.
My husband mentioned a while back that growing up his favorite Christmas present was recieved the year his parents were having a hard time. All he got was a tiny casette player/recorder that year and a pack of a couple blank tapes-altogether probably about $15 (in the late 1980's) And he said he and his best friend had such a good time with that, recording stupid things-playing like they were radio dj's-talking, on it, recording songs off the radio inbetween.
Today is going well, I have been totally lazy. I have eaten totally on plan-with lots of fruits and veggies and even skim milk-I am not a milk drinker-but I found Lite Hershey's syrup to put in it, 25 cals. per Tablespoon-so 115 for a cup of chocolate milk. I am really trying to examine the areas where I am weak, and dairy is a big one. So-one of the goals in the challenge for me, besides losing, is to have a cup of chocolate skim milk daily. (Healthy bones! Healthy bones!)
I have another recipe idea for everyone, from seeing the McDonald's parfaits:
1 cup of strawberries, hulled and sliced in half
1 small container fat free flavored yogurt-fruit or vanilla
a small amount of low fat granola cereal-about a 1/8-1/4 cup, depending on how many calories you want it to have.
put half of the berries in the bottom of a cup, layer half the yogurt over it, put the rest of the rest of the berries on, then the rest of the yogurt-top with the granola.
The calories and fat will depend on what brand of yogurt and cereal you are using.
This is a great breakfast idea, you are getting a full milk and fruit serving in it, plus half of a starch/bread serving.
Aphil

Good Sunday morning friends!

I am hope everyone is having a great day and feeling good :)

Amy, so glad to hear that you had a great time at the party.(and that you looked and felt so good in your dress) The company your hubby works for sounds wonderful. In this day and age,not to many employers do the christmas party thing for their employees anymore.

Kina, good luck on your finals. Remember in your hectic schedule to take time for you!!!

Holly, Tryin Hard, Nola, DNW, Christine, and all the rest a big hello to you! :wave:

Gotta run , got laundry to finish and going to have lunch with a friend and do some shopoing.
Will see you all later....

Remember to keep on smiling :) its a good thing!!!!!!!


Nancy:df:
198.8/182.8/150ish

:cb:
I am down another pound!!!! Woohoo!!! Wow-I haven't seen 194 in such a long time-and I weigh less than my husband now-he is usually around 195 or so!
Wow-at this rate, I am really hoping to be at 190 by Christmas, and to be ringing in the New Year in the high 180's...
Boy this feels good...
Aphil

WAY TO GO AMY!!!!!!!!!

You are on a roll !! :dancer: :cb: :dance:


Nancy:df:

Thanks Nancy...you have been on quite a roll yourself, doing so good with staying on plan and having losses!
Everyone here has been doing so well eating like they should and exercising! I am so proud of us all!
Aphil:D

:bravo: OMG you have caught up to me! But you know that means...I know exactly how you feel. It had been over 3 years since I had been UNDER 200...not to mention in the 90s. :cb: :dancer: Well I guess this means I have no choice to come along for the ride and get serious about. As if I hadn't been. Well I will honestly say on account of the semester coming to an end I have not exercised all this week. I know horrible but once it is over I will be on my regular schedule.

Well again many applauds :cp: :cb: go out to you. You are doing terrific!

I am off to do some work for my English class. Speaking of I don't know if I ever shared it with you all. But let me share it with you now. I had to create a website for my English 1301 class. Please visit it if you can and be sure to sign my guestbook, and also mark your spot on my guest map!
http://r_aniroc.tripod.com/

Talk to you all again. Kina

LET"S GET BUSY EVERYONE!!!! :)

Today is December 9th, and we have exactly 16 days left of the Christmas challenge!!!!! I want everyone to get in gear, and stay on plan, drink their water, and get their exercise in!!!!
We are going to prove the old theory wrong that everyone gains weight during the holiday season!!! In 16 days there is the potential to lose up to 5 pounds if we work hard enough!!! Think about it-you could be up to 5 pound thinner in just over two weeks?!!! I have complete and utter faith in all of you-you can do this!!!
Kina-I am confident that in your busy schedule that you can get in your 15 minutes at some point on your eliptical machine during the day. You can do this, I know you can!!!!!!
I would really like everyone to be getting a half hour in a day, but everyone can get in 15 minutes-we just need to think about that when we catch ourselves sitting down in front of the tv, or waiting on something in the oven, or checking our email for the thousandth time that day.
We have 16 days left-and I want us to all be winners here-let's get to working, think of all the relatives we are going to have to see in a couple of weeks!!!
Aphil

OMG! Aphil you have me all inspired all of a sudden. I am going to jump on my machine tonight. For Sure! I have two essays I have to write tomorrow for class. Aaaaaarrrrgh!

Off the subject slightly...do you all remember me mentioning it way back when...about a 100 mile challenge that was going on at the college I attend. Well we were supposed to do any exercise that we can tally mileage and then report our mileage in every week to the intramural department. Well I have tallied my last 3 weeks but I have accumulated already 170 sum miles. So I have exceeded my 200 goal possibly. Woohoo!

So to sum this all up I am going to log off as soon as I get my english 1301 project done and then head towards my elliptical machine for a personal one on one.

Okay I am off to do my homework. I will check in later only to report that I did get some one on one with my machine. If you don't hear from me it is that I didn't get my time in or I just was too tired to check in. Bye.
Kina

Hey Aphil thanks for the kick in the B_tt! LOL

Hi everyone!
My husband has worked late, and is on his way home to jump in the shower and head out to a funeral home viewing for his late great aunt-so I had dinner alone with the kids, and will pretty much have an hour or so alone after the kdis go to bed, since the viewing is an hour away...
Kina-I am so glad you took the kick in the butt well...and congrats on the 100 mile challenge-I know you will totally surpass that goal! I have slacked off in the exercise department a bit since my back incident a few weeks ago-and just because I cannot do the intensity I was doing, doesn't mean I can't do SOMETHING. I have been doing more yoga lately-it actually is helping out my back a lot, as well as improving my flexibility, and I have been doing some walking and such. I have done a little dancing, but I am laying off the strenuous bellydance moves until my back heals completely. (I still am real stiff upon awaking in the morning, and still get bad twinges of pain now and then throughout the day if I move wrong-but it is slowly getting better):)
I am really hoping to lose 3 more pounds over the rest of the challenge, so I can be at 190 by Christmas. I am so determined.
I know how tempting it is around this time of year to want to lay off the exercise and eat at all of teh holiday getherings-but there are plenty of low calorie foods that are comforting this time of year...diet hot cocoa, the great crustless pumpkin pie recipe we all have talked about up here, etc.-and there is really no excuse not to be exercising. We all owe it to ourselves-and our behinds will thank us! :lol:
Aphil

Amy~~~~ you are so right,,we can do this.. We can make it through the holidays!!

I like you am so pumped and determined!!! I am hoping to lose at least 2 more pounds before Christmas.

Yes, I will even exercise (I can feel you twisting my arm :lol: ) and hopefully that will speed this body up some.

No turning back now girls........we have a mission to accomplish!!! :)


Nancy:df:

198.8/182.8/150ish

Thanks for the motivating kick, Aphil! We all need it once in a while! The next few weeks are tough ones, but if we all have that little goal we've set for ourselves firmly stated, we'll greet the new year with enthusiasm!
The hard part for me around the holidays is the wine. I have to really be careful! I try really hard to limit myself to just Friday nights and that keeps it in check!
I find it really helpful to add more exercise too. Last week, I did my regular 45 minute walk in the morning and on the days I got home early from school, I did some running on the treadmill. I figure if I do a little extra for a few weeks, the little "tastes" and goodies won't pack on any pounds.
Well, I hope you all have a great day! Kina--I went to your site and read a little bit. The little bit I read about your family was very beautiful and will go back and visit when I'm not doing 6 other things at the same time! Good luck with your end of semester!

Good morning everyone! :dizzy:
Wow-I am SO happy everyone is taking my littel kick so WELL!!!
Nancy-I am telling you, get on the regualar exercise wagon-and you will firm up those flabby parts in no time! We have to think about LOSING and not gaining this holiday season!!!! And I have a great gift for the winner of the challenge!!!! (Don't foget greed is a great motivator :devil: )
After the Christmas Challenge-I have something else in store for us as well!!!!!! I totally plan on keeping us all motivated as ong as this site is here!!!
Things are going well-I have been doing some research for new restaurant information to put up here at 3FC-I am twisting the arms of Cracker Barrel and Bob Evans-getting information out of them-thet do not list it on their sites-and when I get enough, it should be put up soon. I have also been checking into some chain diet systems, such as LA Weight Loss and Nutrisystem so t be better informed about their plans, fees, etc. when there are questions asked here on the boards...I am really learning a lot-it is great. :)
I am feeling good this morning-I am getting ready to have breakfast now, and do my yoga and maybe some ab work...lord knows I need it! :lol:
Aphil

Thanks Tryinhard for checking out my English project. So what you do you think about Aphil's kick in the butt? LOL

Yyyyyyiiiiiipppppeeeeeee! Aphil you keep us going in the right direction and don't you worry about giving out free kicks. We often need them. I think the next challenge we should call it "Giving Out Free Ones...Come and Get It!" LOL Just kidding. Without you pushing on us Aphil it just wouldn't be the same. Sometimes, I know for me anyway, I need to know that somebody expects more out of me. Of course I have my 4 kids, my husband, and my teachers to expect more out of me but they are all in it for themselves; in this case you are pushing me for ME. It's a GOOD THING! Thanks.

Well back to studying...final on Thursday...wish me luck I am going crazy! bye.
Kina

Kina-you are right-I am doing this for YOU. My husband is supportive, but he tries to sabotoge me now and then, and those husbands out there who like thin wives a lot of the time get the benefit of having a better looking woman on their arm, or a more attractive lover-so yes, they have something vested in our success. I have absolutely nothing to gain by everyone here exercising and meeting their health and fitness goals-except for the good feeling of knowing my friends are doing something good for themselves. This is not for our children, or our spouses ro partners, or our bosses, or for the guy checking ladies out in the mall-this is for OURSELVES. We get so busy doing, doing, doing for others that we forget that we have to take that time for ourselves each and every day.
Besides my diet and daily exercise-I have also been doing small things JUST FOR ME-things such as putting moisturizer on my feet every day before I put on my socks, (the socks keep in the heat and moisture and it is sort of like a deep conditioning for your tootsies) taking 5 minutes or so a day to read a chapter in a novel or a magazine article-it may take me ages to finish a book or magazine-but I have commited to read something each day!
Don't forget to take those few minutes each day for YOU.
And that idea for the next challenge isn't so bad....:devil:
Aphil

Wow! Aphil, you should have been some kind of career coach - :lol: you sure can get us motivated!! The positive energy is just crackling from the screen!

I'm so glad you had a wonderful time at the party. Wish we could have seen a pic of you - or do you have one? You described that chocolate fountain so well, and oh my gosh, you showed such self-restraint in the foods you chose. I probably would have counted it as "one of those occasions" and maxed on everything. Good for you!!!!

As Nancy said, it's so rare in this day and age to have employers show such appreciation for their employees.

I'm at 143 this afternoon, which doesn't seem possible from all the terrible cookie eating I've been doing :o well, not terrible huge amounts, but at least 2 a day...Tryin'hard, you said it's the glass of wine that you love...with me, it's sweets. Especially the intoxicating little colorful Christmas cookies!!I was expressing surprise to my husband that I haven't added a few holiday pounds yet, and he reminded me that lean muscle takes more calories to maintain, so I've been given some slack - but I will try harder to stay away! I've worked too hard to let pounds come creeping back!:D

Has anyone done their Christmas cards yet? I still haven't received any in the mail yet...maybe I'm waiting until I get one, that I'll send them. :p

Thanks for the reminders about what's important, Kina. It was dumb of me to feel uncomfortable around others talking about their spending. When I brought in all the goodies I made for my co-workers (for each person, a mini-gingerbread house, a container of peppermint meringues, and a plate of a dozen different Christmas cookies/pastries) they went "gaga". So I felt good that I gave totally handmade items, that didn't cost alot, and were well-received.

It really does come down to basic things, such as loving family, and good health, and basic needs taken care of. You're a sweet spirit for radiating those thoughts!:grouphug:

Nancy, I just know that your bod will respond quickly to some muscle-building exercise. Take it slow and easy at first, then gradually increase as you feel you can.

aphil, congrats on the losses!

Hi to Christine, Nola, DNW, Alibee, and Jacklyn, are you here? There? Somewhere?:lol:

Okay, tonight I'll ask husband to email me some of the digital photos we've taken lately, and find one to post. Some of the birthday gifts I received were racy clothing - one was a black vinyl bikini top :o another was a stretch lace bodysuit :o you get the picture!or I'll find one he took of me exercising one morning; I was shocked to see it afterwards, that I was really showing muscles! Cool! (well, cool to those who like muscly-women:lol: )

Have a great evening, ladies! I'm going to fill my water bottle and slurp it all down while I make dinner, I promise!

Your friend, Holly

Holly- You know, I am totally with you-I can forgo the wine, eggnog, turkey or ham,and all that-but at gatherings my biggest weakness is the sweets...and actually, I have Nancy's crustless pumpkin pie in the oven right now...hey, for 70 calories and no fat-you just cannot beat it-and you feel like you are totally indulging in the holiday season! (Not to mention that a slice counts as half a serving of vegetables)
If you are so into the sweets and love to bake-check out the recipes at www.shapemag.com or www.fitness.com-they are the sites for the magazines, and they have recipes up there that are really great-I have written a few down in my personal healthy recipe book-one was even for chocolate cake!
Well, I better get off this thing-I need to take that pie out in a few minutes...have a great evening ladies!!!
Aphil

Hey Girlies...

How many calories do you think there are in postage stamps and envelope glue?????? :lol: because that is what I have been doing is licking all night (get your minds out of the gutter) :lol:
I have been doing my Christmas cards and geesh, I did not realize how many I send. Why oh why do I do that?????

Did I mention to you all about my latest episode with the friggin toupee wearing doctor of mine?? Well last week I went to see him as these pains in my chest just wont go away..well again he thinks its stress and gad (anxiety) and just about told me that I was making it up. Well I told him that I am not depressed. That I was not making this up and that I was frankly tired of him thinking I was. He then said that he would send me to a masage therapist as maybe it might be muscle related( ok fine Ill give that a try)or fibromyalgia but wouldnt you know that the therapist can't see me as she has to many patients.. I am so *(&^@&%$#@** mad I could just scream :eek: Also before I left I asked him if he would check my blood pressure and he said he did not have time!!!!!!!!!!
I then told him that I was moving to Calgary and I would find a doctor that did have time. He then started to apolgize and I left. So screw you Mister Rug Head!!!!! I hope he gets caught in a huge wind storm and has to run for 30 miles to find his hair!!!!

I miss my doctor in the states so much. He was the best!!
I am sure Ill survive, but until I find another doctor when I move Ill just continue to hurt.

But anyway, still doing great OP , but according to my scale I 'm not showing a change this week , there shouldnt be any reason for it though. I have been 100%. The willpower that is flowing through me right now is unstoppable!!!!

But we will see what WW scale says tomorrow...

I am glad to hear that everyone is feeling good about themselves and staying motivated. Amy is doing a damn fine job as head Cheerleader!!!!!! And with all the support and encouragement from this great group ladies here, how can we fail.

Ok will check back tommorow with the official weigh in..

Hugs to all and keep on smiling!!!!!!! :)

Nancy:df:
198.8/182.8/150ish

Good morning ladies-
I am up a bit earlier than normal-my husband left the bedroom door open when he left for work, and the cat pounced on my head...so I am up now! :lol:
Nancy-I feel for you-I have had my share with bad doctors...especially the one who delivered my daughter...the idiot was like "You don't need a c-section, you just aren't pushing hard enough! Let me turn off your epidural so you can feel more and push harder!" Needless to say-one 10lb+ baby 4 hours later...and YES-he made me lay there for 4 hours with her pretty much STUCK-I started hemmoraging, and he proceeds to start giving me a d&c, with my husband STILL in the room, and with me AWAKE AND WITHOUT ANYTHING FOR THE PAIN!!!! (This is a procedure they usually knock you out for) My mom is a nurse, and I totally thought when it was allover that she was going to literally strangle him out in the hallway. I have since reported him to the state attorney general. :D (Oh yeah, take that docotor moron! Blemished record!)
I am sure your weigh in will be fine-if anything, at least we are not all gaining the typical 5 pounds one gains during the holiday season! I have a feeling that my loss will slow or stay the same this week-as I am feeling the pms symptoms coming on.
AS far as the pics of me at the party last week, I know some people there took some-but I don't have any yet-I really need to get some taken to put up here!
Jason's work just sent us a huge Christmas light up snowglobe that plays music-we got this huge box with my husband's name on it yesterday from UPS, and I was like-"Okay, what did you order now??!!!!" And it was from work. They send us a holiday gift each year from the factory as well as the parties-last year it was a planter of red and white baby roses-wnd I had them dead in 4 days-at least I can't kill this! :lol: I do not have a green thumb, let me tell you!!!
Well-everyone eat right today, drink that water, eat those fruits and veggies-do not spend all of your points or calories on junk-it DOES make a difference-and get those buns moving! Come on-firm thighs! firm butts!
Aphil

Good evening gang,

Had WW today and just like I suspected I stayed exactly the same.. I am ok with that as I know I am doing everything right and one day Ill be at goal.

I had a busy work day today and Im so tired off to bed now...

See you all later....


Nancy:df:

198.8/182.8/150ish

Aphil, you kicked us so hard nobody has time to post!! (only kidding!!!)
Hope you're all doing well and just too busy to post.
Nancy, you know you're doing the right thing--ignore the scale!
Have a great day everyone! Post soon!

Hi everyone!!!!
Another pound down today...18 now gone forever off my body!
Looks like I motivated even myself!
Aphil

WOO HOO way to go Amy!!!!!!!!


You are kick butt girl!!!! :dancer: :dancer: :dancer:


Nancy:df:
198.8/182.8/150ish

Hi everybody. Sorry I have been MIA. Well I have one final out of the way but one more coming up on Tuesday. I stressed and stressed over my Math final and would you believe I got a 92 on my final! It had only 30 questions so you can imagine how much the are worth each; which was why I was stressing! But thankfully I made a 92 getting only 7 wrong and ended up with a 89 2/3 average for the semester which the teacher said she would be rounding up to a 90! YES! Woohoo! Now the big one!. Aphil I have to admit I have not gotten any exercise in and I feel crummy about it. Not because I am feeling guilty but my body is used to exercising that it is fussing with me to get exercise in. Unfortunately I haven't been able to make time. I will soon I promise.

Oh remember I mentioned the 100 mile challenge at school and for every 100 miles completed you would earn a shirt within Sept.-Dec. Well I won two shirts with 233 miles calculated. Woohoo! And the best thing is I had asked for a XL because I figured that would be the size I would fit into by the end of it all...well I am swimming in the darn thing. So I will be giving one to dad and I will keep one just for the heck of it. But I will certainly be joining again in the Spring and next time I will ask for the right size.

Okay talk later. bye.
Corina

Hi everyone,
Nancy-thanks for the dancing guys! This feels really good. You know...I think that if you stay 100% OP, and combine that with daily exercise-for you it would be convenient to walk the mall for 20-30 minutes each day-I think you could burn enough calories to hit 180 by New Years....;)
Well everyone...I have a bit of a challenge for everyone to go with our Christmas challenge that we have going on. I would like everyone to post up here what we eat for the next few days, like today post what you have eaten yesterday, and tomorrow post what we ate today. I think it will really help us see a lot of things...where the ones who are having trouble losing lately can refine their diet a bit, what the ones of us who are losing well are eating to promote that loss, and so on, and also give us some ideas of maybe some new meal combinations.
Here is my diet from yesterday:
BREAKFAST
1 serving of multigrain cereal w 1/2c. skim milk-170 calories
1c. skim milk w a little lite chocolate syrup-130
SNACK
banana-100
LUNCH
pasta with peas and carrots-180 calories
SlimFast snack bar-120
DINNER
chicken and rice-230
2 servings of mixed vegetables-225
apple-80
4 vanilla wafers-100
SNACK-
nutrient bar-230
DAILY TOTAL-1565
The servings of cereal and pasta are pretty small, noting the calorie count-and I have been trying to eat at least 2 servings of fruit, and of vegetables each day-which I did yesterday. I have been eating smaller meals with snacks inbetween, rather than eating 3 larger meals, or not eating much all day and saving a lot of calories for a large dinner-this helps keep your blood levels stable and your energy up, as well as help keep that metabolism up and running. My downfall yesterday was craving sweets, and I usually only allow it once a day, but I did twice yesterday with the Snack bar and the vanilla wafers....I blame TOM...:lol:
All in all it was a decent day as far as everythig else.
As far as exercise...I began breaking myself back into the weights a bit, as my back is starting to heal more from the yoga-so I did a lighter weighted upper body workout-which is using 3 pound weights instead of the 5 and 8 pounds like usual.
Well, I better be off-I need to get my son dressed and changed...and eat breakfast an dget this day started!
Aphil

YIKES! I am going to have to air my dirty laundry.

Breakfast~~~

1 tamale, water

Lunch~~~

a bowl of cereal, water

Dinner~~~

3 enchiladas, rice, beans, water

Cheats~~~

miniature snicker's candy 4 of them, and a peppermint candy
then drank about 4 glasses of water because that is when I realize that I hadn't drinken my allotted 8 glasses.

I didn't do any exercise for the day. I have been busy with the kids Christmas parties and all the studying I have for my upcoming final.

I am off to do the grocery shopping.
bye. corina

Hello!
Just from looking at your first days menu Kina-plus the one you put up for me a couple weeks ago-I really think you would have much better losses if you could refine your diet a bit-as far as fruit, veggies, and dairy. I usually do alright with the fruit and veggies, but dairy is where I have my trouble, as I am not a milk drinker (I actually hate any milk but skim-I hate the creamy aftertaste in whole and 2% milk and will NOT drink them at all), and I hate cottage cheese, etc.-so I have to pretty much force down a glass of skim milk a day or have a small flavored yogurt, and take a calcium and Vitamin D supplement.
I really cannot stress enough how much these aid in weight loss. Your calorie levels look alright, but your diet is consisting mostly of protein and starch. The produce is essential and will help you lose weight a little faster, because they are high fiber foods-meaning a lot of the calories you consume from them do not stay in your body if you know what I mean...:lol: I know it is hard to get used to doing it everyday, but try to set a mini goal of eating one fruit or vegetable each day this week, and next week try to make it two-it makes it a bit easier this way. It does so much besides the weight loss-produce have so many natural things in them such as pectin-which can cause the tummy to empty slower-meaning you stay full longer, immune system boosting vitamins, and what I think is most important-cancer fighting properties.
As far as the candy-at least it was peppermints and such, and not a half pound of chocolate-so that's not too bad. I have a real bad sweet tooth, so I totally understand that.
I don't want anyone to feel bad as I talk about what everyone is eating-so I am real open about what my downfalls are as well...(chocolate and sugar :o )
This is why I wanted everyone to do this-so I could see and maybe pinpoint any problem areas and ways to work on them so we can all have those scales going down a little faster-which I think everyone wants!
If anyone wants the Cracker Barrel information I have gooten thus far, it was up on the home page here-it is not in the restaurant information section yet-and I am currently on a quest to get more items out of them soon.
Aphil

Good morning everyone!
Here is what my diet consisted of yesterday...
BREAKFAST
small serving of shredded wheat cereal w 1/2c. skim milk-180
1c. skim milk w a dab of lite choc. syrup-130
LUNCH
chicken and rice-230
soup-160
SNACK
apple-80
DINNER
macaroni and cheese-250
two servings of vegetables-120
SNACK
Slim Fast snack bar-130
CALORIES FOR THE DAY-1280
I did alright yesterday-good on calories, but I should have snuck in another fruit serving yesterday, but I didn't really feel like eating much all day long-but I made myself eat as much as I did. Today is my husband's little cousin's 4th birthday party-we are gettting ready to take the kids over there. His name is Dylan-he is such a sweetie. He has Down's Syndrome, and I got to hold him right after he was born-he was the tiniest baby I have ever held-(I think he was 18 inches long and 5 pounds.) He was born a couple months after I had my daughter-and after lugging her big butt around, he was like holding a doll! :lol:
I better get off of here and get ready to go to his party-wish me luck on avoiding any cake or ice cream....I have found that letting everyone knwo that you are trying to lose weight makes it easier to say no,because it at least makes me feel like everyone is taking note of what I am eating, so I am less likely to pig in front of them...:D
I'll check in later!
Aphil

Hello!

First, congrats to Amy on another pound gone forever!!!:cp: :cb: :strong: That is so great.

Then, yay to Nancy for having the courage to tell the doctor the honest truth! It is so easy for us to be intimidated by someone in a specialized field, such as medicine, law, even our mechanic - they are in the position of "power" with the specialized knowledge and ususally we are at their mercy - but when it is YOUR body and mind, and YOU know what is happening inside you, and they just blow it off...well GRRR!!!:mad: and to say that he didn't have time to take your BP...I'm so proud of you to walk out on him. But not glad that you're without a good doctor...sure hope you can find one soon.

And hooray again for staying OP! And you give such good imagery on the jerky doc chasing after his rug!!

Hi Kina, GREAT score! Must be so hard to fit school into already busy life. Good for you! And cool that the size T-shirt was too big for you!!!

Hi tryin'hard! yes - we were so motivated we didn't have time to post!:p

I just CAN'T post what I had yesterday - I would be the 3FC poster "bad girl" :nono: , 'cause we went to a Christmas party - my husband's rescue squad party - and gosh, everyone so boring (except us :s: ) that eating is the only entertaining thing to do (BAD ME!) So I will think of having to post tomorrow what I eat today. Good incentive, Amy!

I got my first few Christmas cards in the mail, so I'll have to start on those. I don't do lots - maybe 20 or so. I've whittled it down from year to year - I don't send them to those who don't send to us; I don't send to those who only know my husband (if I'm doing the work, then they've gotta be my friends, too! :D ), etc.

We have such a small, crammed house, that it's major to move things around to make room for the Christmas tree, but that's what I have to do today. So I'd better get crackin'!

Have a great Sunday, and we'll keep in mind what goes into our mouths today, 'cause it'll show up tomorrow!

Your friend, Holly

Hi!
Holly-that is so funny about the Christmas cards...this year I just said heck with it and decided not to send any-I just have too many things going on, and no time to take the hour or two out and do them-I was also reading an article about having a stress free holiday season, and they listed not writing Christmas cards as one of the top ways to do it! :lol:
After Dylan's birthday party, we left and went to Fazoli's for dinner...I had an order of lasagna-and could only eat half of it-I swear my tummy must be shrinking down to nothing. I am so used to eating small meals with a small snack inbetween, there was no way I could have finished that restaurant portion of food-so...half of the lasagna was only 300 some calories...I have it written own from the website on my food diary.
Well, I better get things ready for bed-it has been a long day.
Everyone have a wonderful evening.
Aphil

Thanks Aphil for the input. I didn't post yesterdays food intake and I would be too embarrassed to do it anyway. We had a celebration at a pizza parlor which is the worst place for me and even more so becuase it is buffet pizza! So anyway todays food intake...

Breakfast~~~~

2 eggs, 2 bacon, water

Lunch~~~~

fritos and chili beans with cheese, diet coke

Dinner~~~~(is going to be late; and since I haven't had any veggies I will fix myself a lite salad)

tossed salad (lettuce, tomato, cheese, bell pepper, pickle) ranch dressing, and bacon bits

Cheats~~~

mini-snickers about 5, 2 candy canes, and a apple, and lots of water.

Thank you again for your input. Like I said I don't have a sister to learn from or to ask questions about this and that. So I am very grateful to have you all to listen to and learn from.

I have an awful headache. Probably 'cause my brain is contemplating my English 1301 final. I am going to fix myself a salad for tomorrow with some hamburger patties to crumble over it. Well I will talk to you all later. I need to eat so that I can get into bed a little bit early. bye.
Kina

Good morning everyone! :dizzy:
It is about 7 am here-I just finished my upper body weights workout...and I am trying to light a fire under my own rear end to do my abs now...:lol:
I had my Monday morning weigh in....(drumroll please)...and I am at 192-another pound down! I am so hyped-because the next pound I lose will make it 20!!!!
Then I will be here doing the happy dance!
Okay ladies-we only have 9 more days until the end of the Christmas challenge-I know all of you can squeeze out another pound or two off of those rear ends-I KNOW YOU CAN!!!! I am working my darndest to get to my mini goal of weighing 190 by Christmas-because I want to weigh something that begins with a 18 at New Years!
I Know everyone here can do this-I was having quite a time with the scales not moving for a while-but once I refined my diet and stopped all of those little cheats and such-it is moving now. Do not listen when someone says that little bite won't hurt you-you may not gain anything, but all those little bites can add up and keep you from losing if you are making them a habit!
My husband was upset at me a bit for not eating anything but raw veggies and a slice of crustless pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving-he was like "It is only one day!!!" I told him-no, we had a big dinner for my birthday in the end of October, we have two family Thanksgiving celeberations, (one for each side of the family), we have 4 different Christmas dinners for all of the different sides of the family-plus the Christmas party-so over our holiday season that equals 8 DAYS!!!! That is over an entire week of pigging out-and I just cannot let myself do it! I can go and enjoy and allow myself a few bites of dessert at Thanksgiving or a glass of champagne at New years, but I cannot allow myself to eat whatever I want on all of those days-I just cannot. I have worked too hard-and I have to wear shorts this spring!
Oh-I forgot to mention that I passed on having cake, ice cream and punch at the party yesterday...
Kina-good for you on eating the salad last night, and for having an apple. It is really a good habit to get into, and will really help your losses. I also wanted to address the Snickers issue-(no, I am not going to yell at you! :lol: ) I know that you don't really watch calories, but all candy bars are not created equal. You would do better having a Hershey Kiss rather than a mini Snickers-a lot less calories-and you can make it last longer by sucking on it instead of chewing it. If you replaced the few Snickers you had yesterday, you would save alot of calories that way, and still have a chocolate fix. If you compare a full size Snickers to say a full size Kit Kat or Hershey bar-a Snickers has a lot more calories than the rest, because of all the peanuts. Nuts are really high in calories...or even better yet, if you could replace all of those candy slip ups with one small mini candy cane-the ones that are about 2-3 inches tall-and bite off a tiny piece and suck on it-so that it last you all day-you would save even more. :lol: Candy canes are actually one of my saving graces at holiday gatherings...They are fat free, and for the calories in them, you can make one last a LONG time.
Well, I better go-I need to get these abs worked, and get this place cleaned up-my mother is going to be here in the midmorning to visit with the kids!
Aphil

Good morning everyone! Once again, Thanks Aphil for keeping us on track! Here goes:
Bfast: 1 egg fried w/ Pam 80 cal
english muffin with butter spray 140 cal
Lunch: a bowl of oatmeal with raisins 200
Snack: dried apples 100, handful of carrots 50
Dinner: 4 turkey meatballs w/ sauce 200
roll, salad 200
wine 150
Dessert: WW giant sundae 130 (have you tried these???)
Total: 1250
I also RAN my walk yesterday!! I am so sore today, but I love it!!
I hope everyone is having a great day!

Hi everyone,
tryin' hard-I just looked over your diet for the day...you are doing well at your fruits and veggies, and eating whole grains, and your protein looks good...there are only 2 places where I think you could improve...the first is dairy-you need some dairy in there-and the other thing-and you all are NOT going to believe it when I say this-but you need to be eating a little more! If this was a low day, then it is fine, but if you are only eating around 1200-1300 calories a day-then you need to add a little at a time to that. You are still eating on a weight loss level-but since you have lost what you wanted to, and are working to maintain your present weight now-and ESPECIALLY since you have started running-it is a pretty strenuous exercise-I recommend you start eating around 1500 calories for a couple weeks, and if you are maintaining your weight eating 1500 calories a day, then move it up to 1800 calories for a couple weeks, and if you are still maintaining your weight after a couple weeks on 1800 calories-then move it up again to 2000 a day-and then try to keep it around 1900-2000 calories a day as a maintenance diet. That will also give you plenty of calories to have a couple servings of dairy, as well as a little larger meals.
When switching to a maintenance diet, it is important to add calories slowly-up it a bit, and then see what happens over the next couple weeks while your metabolism gets used to more...then up it a bit again until you reach a good daily maintenance diet. After being used to eating 1200-1500 calories for so long after losing the weight-when you get up to 2000 it is going to seem like you can eat so much food-but it is so much less than what you were eating when you were heavy.
Oh-and yes, I have tried the WW giant sundaes-I liked them, but I really love the WW big ice cream sandwiches....you have to try them...
Everyone is doing great-have a good night!
Aphil:D

Thanks for the advice, Aphil! It was a "low" day after going out for pizza the night before. Here's yesterday:
Bfast: Kashi cereal mixed w/bran flakes (love that fiber!) 200 cal
Lunch: diet bread w/fatfree cheese (here's my calcium), apple, handful of carrots 300
Snack: dried apples and two rice cakes 200
Dinner: lean cuisine 290
little salad and broccoli 100
stuffed clam 200???
Total: 1390
I am trying to eat a little more, but after being so strict for almost 2 years, it's tough. I read your other post, Aphil, about eating binges and it's almost like I can't allow myself to eat a lot because I'll be opening up a door that needs to be locked! Do you know what I mean? Even the stuffed clam I had last night--I really agonized over it because I bought it at a local fish market and they assured me that it had very little fat in it, but since I didn't know the calorie count, I was almost afraid to eat it. That's why I'm counting it at 200.
I am trying to eat about 1400 a day, knowing that I eat whatever I want on Friday nights and have the occasional glass of wine during the week, so I'm probably averaging where I should be for maintenance. My weight isn't moving, except for fluctuation (which drives me NUTS!), so for now, with the level of exercise that I'm doing, it's ok.
As for calcium, I am not a big milk person. I add a drop in my coffee and that's it, except for the cheese I eat every day. I will go for a checkup in Feb and ask about calcium supplements, unless any of you have any ideas?
Well, I hope you all have a great day. I have a really fun party tonight and I'm going to wear this body suit my DH got from Victoria's Secret and knock 'em dead!!

tryin'hard-I know how you feel-as I had lost the weight before and maintained a while before I becamse pregnant again and had to do this all over! :)
I would really try to up your calorie intake over 1400 a day, even with the Friday night splurge...but I know it is hard after being so strict, so that is why I suggested it a little at a time. 1400-1500 is still the weight loss phase-as Holly lost her weight eating about this each day. Try for 1500 a day for a while, and when you are comfortable that you can eat this daily and not gain-which is why I suggested it for a couple weeks-then try to move it up to 1600. If going only 100 calories up every couple weeks makes you feel more in control and more confident that you won't gain, then move ti up slower-but still move it up-you really need to. Your ending goal should be about 1800 a day plus your Friday night splurges out-I changed that from 2000 to incorporate that treat.
Do not think of it as opening a door for a binge, just move it up slowly, and tell yourself that you can have another serving of veggies, or another fruit, or a larger serving of cereal in the morning-but htat you are still committed to feeding your body right, and not for emotional eating. Tell yourself that your body requires a few more calories now for you to maintain your newly healthy body, and to support all of that fabulous running you have been doing. Do not think of those calories as an allowance for junk. You will be fine. Just go slow and steady to your maintenance eating, just as you did so patiently when you were losing the weight. You have worked for the more freedoms allowed on the maintenance eating plan, and I want you to take advantage of what you are allowed now.
As far as calcium supplements, I recommend Viactiv, and WalMart also has a generic for them that is just fine. They are 20 calories, and taste like a Tootsie Roll. They are a calcium and Vitamin D supplement, and provide 50% of your requirement each day. Aim for one in the am, and one at night, rather than both at the same time, because your body can only absorb so much at a time. What I like about them is that they contain Vitamin D, which is essential for your body to have to absorb the calcium into the body-which is why milk is fortified with Vitamin D.
I also recommend calcium fortified orange juice if you like to drink that.
Well, I better get this day started...Have a good morning!
Aphil

Thanks, Aphil! I especially like what you wrote about being committed to "feeding my body right." That will help me add calories without adding "junk." I truly appreciate it!
Next walmart trip I'll pick up the calcium supps. Do you take a daily multivitamin too? They always seem to stimulate my appetite.
Where is everybody? I hope all are well and we'll hear from you soon!

Hi,
tryin'hard-the only supplement I take right now is the calcium supplement mentioned above-since I vary my diet and eat a lot of fruits and veggies. I also eat fortified foods some of the time as well, such as a nutrient or meal replacement shake or bar now and then when I don't have time for breakfast, or when I am going to be at someone's home or out shopping during a meal hour, and I want to avoid eating fattening food if that is all that there is available where I am at the time.
I wanted to wrtie something up, a little list to help guide us through the holidays through New Years and avoid gaining...
WAYS TO SURVIVE THE HOLIDAY GATHERINGS
1.)Keep a glass of water or a diet soda in your hands and sip it often to avoid the food.
2.)If you are going to a dinner, make a diet dessert to take-that way you can join in the festivities and indulge your sweet tooth while sticking to your plan.(There are great ones all over the internet)
3.)If you are hosting or attending a small party, bring a fruit or veggie tray that you and everyone can enjoy.
4.)If you must drink, choose a light beer-(most are about 150 calories, Michelob Ultra is 95 calories) or a small glass of champagne or white wine (about 100 calories) rather than fattening eggnog, or juicy-foofoo-high calories drinks, or shots. (High alcahol shots are about 100-150 calories each, and you just don't get the enjoyment like in a full size beer or glass of bubbly.)
5.)Make sure everyone knows you are watching your weight-because knowing people may be watching what you are eating may give you extra incentive not to overeat.
6.)If you are hosting a party or gathering, have plenty of snacks that everyone enjoys that are lower in fat and calories natuarally,so noone notices-(pretzels are naturally lower in fat and calories than chips, and Baked Tostitos and salsa are much better than chips and french onion dip)
7.)Have a good time and indulge in a small piece or glass of one thing that you really love-for me at New Years it will be my glass of champagne, and I will avoid all of the chips and such. If you love dessert, choose a small slice of one kind of pie, and choose small portions of healtheir foods and no alcahol at that gathering. Choose one small splurge at each event, and then really savor it-take your time and enjoy it to its fullest. At Jason's Christmas party, for me it was running that skewer of fruit under the chocolate fountain a bit, and then I ate it slowly.
8.)Make sure to get in your exercise each day.
9.)Socialize-be there for the people, not for the food.
10.) Realize the total empowerment that making good food choices can give you, and gloat in the fact that you successfully avoided a certain temptation-coming back from Thanksgiving, instead of feeling stuffed, I was on an emotional high from how strong I was all day...it felt so much better than the feeling from eating all day.
Aphil

Aphil, I think it's just you and me this week! Where is everyone?? I hope everyone is doing ok!
Here's my yesterday:
Bfast: cereal 200
Lunch: Diet bread, FF cheese, apple, carrots 300
Snack: 3 prunes 60
Dinner: We had an executive board of education dinner and although I wasn't BAD, I had lots of tastes of appetizers, salad and a couple bites of my shrimp and pasta dinner. I also had 3 (gulp) glasses of wine, so let's just call dinner at 1000. This may be high, but I think it's close.
Total: 1560
I did my usual 2 mile walk yesterday morning and then ran 1 mile on my treadmill yesterday afternoon, knowing that I would eat more last night, so overall, not a bad day.
Well, I hope people check in with us today! Make it a good one!

Good morning,
tryin'hard-your calorie were a lot better yesterday-you can get them up there a bit and still maintain without a problem. Actually, I thought your estimate for your dinner was pretty close, because 3 glasses of wine in a wine glass would be about 300 calories...and if your dinner consisted mostly of tastes of fatening appetizers, then it is probably close. You did alright, the only thing you could have improved on was to only have two glasses of wine, and eat the other 100 calories in food.
Try to consistently eat 1500-1600 calories each day like you did yesterday, and continue on with your exercise until you feel comfortable to move up.
I hope everyone checks in soon as well...I imagine everyone is probably so busy with holiday shopping, and Nancy works in a mall, which must be a killer this time of year, and Kina's finals...I know I have been real busy as well around here...
My husband has been asking me for a month what I want for Christmas, and I have really been undecided...I have everyone bought for, and I am the only one left...so my husband has given me free reign to get myself whatever I want-he told me I could go shopping out or online, and to pick up whatever I wanted.
(After he said this, I jokingly clicked on a $6,000 diamond ring at Zales.com, and said that was what I wanted-and he said he didn't care as long as whatever was under the tree was of equal value...drats! foiled again! :lol: )
So-I am looking through clothes catalogs, exercise video and fitness equipment, a body fat scale, stuff for the house...and I still cannot decide. AAAHHHH!!!!Looks like whatever I decide on will end up being purchased after Christmas when I can make up my mind.
As I have told you all before a while back, the scale is a good visual measure for seeing something move when you are working towards a healthier body, but it is not the most important tool for doing so. I highly recommend using other methods along with the scale for a better idea of how fit you are getting, especially if you are exercising-and you should be! :lol:
Some wonderful ways to track your progress along with a scale:
Get a body fat scale-they sell from $40 up-and along with registering your weight in pounds, they calculate how much of your body is fat-so while your weight may stay the same, you can be losing body fat and gaining muscle-these scales show this!

Take measurements-once a month-take measurements of your bust around the fullest point, your waist at the smallest point, your hips at the fullest point, the middle of your upper arm/bicep area, and the fullest part of your thigh. Take these same measurements once a month, and watch what the numbers are doing-you may only lose 2 or 3 pounds, but these numbers can really change if you are commited to your exercise.
I will put up my measurement as an example.
7/22/02 11/25/02 12/18/02
arm 15" 15" 14-3/4"
bust 42-1/2" 41-1/2" 41-1/4"
waist 39" 37" 36"
hips 47" 46-1/2" 46"
thigh 28-1/2" 28" 27-1/2"
So-over the past 5 months, I have lost an inch off of each thigh, an inch off my hips, over an inch on my chest, 1/4" inch off each arm, and 3 inches from my waist! It is really nice to see how your body is actually shrinking in something other than on a scale.

Take pictures-have your spouse or a best friend take pictures of you in workout clothes or a bathing suit-something that shows your body well, and have them take a picture every month or two-keep them in a folder together and then you will really be able to see the small things you don't notice as much on a dialy basis, such as cellulite slowly disappearing, or your abs flattening.
Well, I need to get busy-it is time for my strength training, and I need to eat some breakfast as well.
Have a lean and strong day!
Amy-Aphil

Good ideas Aphil! I do take the regular monthly pictures but I never did the measuring thing only becuase I wasn't sure how to do it until now.

Well I am alive even after finals...thank goodness. Today was my last day of work but tomorrow I go in just for the office party. Of course I won't stay long becuase I have my kids. So anyhow. I am feeling so miserable. The winds picked up here and with it it brought my allergies. YUCK! So I am trying to get through the day a minute at a time. Now that school and work is done for now I plan to make a schedule of the elliptical machine.

Last night we went and picked out our tree and we have it sitting in the living room undecorated. Hopefully I will be feeling better tonight in order to get it done.

Well I just wanted to let everyone know I am still alive and kicking and I will be back in full swing as soon as I get rid of my allergies. Talk to you all later.

Corina-kina

Hello Amy, Kina, Tryinhard, Holly, and all the rest..... :wave:

Sorry I have been mia for the last few days, but I have been really busy. I am doing fine and was down another 2.4 pounds at WW today....wahooooooooo!!! :cb: I am feeling so good!!

Hubby will be home on Saturday and gets to stay until the 29th and then back to Calgary for him..I miss him so much :(

Its good to hear that everyone is doing really good with the holiday challenge... remember to stay strong during these next two weeks. :strong:

I have some new WW dessert recipes (key lime pie) to try and will make them to take to my SIL's for christmas dinner. Also going to try the WW turkey waldorf salad and the WW eggnog recipe. If any one wants any of these recipes let me know and Ill post them

ok here is what I have had so far to eat today....remember I am in the 22-27 point range on WW.

Breakfast
1 cup ff yougurt =2
1 banana = 2
1/2 cup All bran Cereal = 1
(mixed it all together, yum!)

Lunch
1 ounce turkey breast = 1
1 slice ff free cheese = 1
2 slices WW bread = 2
12 light Pringles = 3
1 dill pickle = 0
mustard = 0
diet coke =0

Dinner
dont know yet


snack
WW 2pts choclate fudge bar =2

total pts so far = 14 out of 27.....geesh need to get eating :lol:

have a great night everyone and keep smiling....

Nancy:df:
198.8/180.4/150ish

I really have to get some info on WW. I have never used it but I would like to know how do you know how many points you are entitled to? and How do you know how many points each item is worth? Because golly I have to make some changes obviously.

Speaking of WW...I was at the checkout stand and there was an article of WW and Fergie and some others high socialites were commenting that WW doesn't work that you only gain. I didn't buy it but I thought was pretty interesting given the fact that Princess Fergie had commercialized WW and promoted beyond recognition and then now she degrading its validity. Hmmm? Interesting!

Anyhow. I am definetly not going to post my eating menu today because it was totally off the wall. But today was my last day at work and I plan to take control. No school, no work, and no obstacles...I plan to focus on exercise and food intake. I know it is just a tad bit late in the game but I am going to focus on this day forward.

Snowey~~~~Big Congrats to you on you awesome weight loss. You are doing so fantastic. I wish I was able to follow you but I seem to be in a rutt. I hope to catch some steam and start plugging away again. I had been doing so well and then finals started and that seemed to slow me down a bit. Keep up the great work you are so near your goal.

Okay I will post tomorrows intake tomorrow. Talk to you all later.
Corina

Good morning,
Nancy-:cb:
Woohoo on hitting 180!!!!!!!! Great job!!! I knew you could hit 180 by Christmas! I just knew you could!!!!
Now you take that time with your husband over the holidays and enjoy it!
Kina-When you join Weight Watchers, they give you a formula that tells you how to calculate how many points foods have-you need the calories, fat, and fiber from the food label-and there is an available list of foods that normally do not have labels, such as an apple, etc. I can tell you from what I know about it that with exercise-WW DOES work, so just put that magazine away!!! Some of those socialites probably mean it won't get them from their already ethiopian 102 pounds to a Calista Flockhart 85...:lol: I mean, how thin do some of these women want to get??? It reminds me of a Saturday Night Live skit where Ana Gasteyer was pretending to be a way too thin Cosmopolitan magazine worker-"I love to eat-I eat all of the time-why just yesterday I had a scallop-and it was decadent!" :lol:
If you do not want to do all of that math, or go to meetings, etc. it may be easier for you to just count calories. You don't really need the fat or fiber count, just the calories, which is on most packaged foods, and you can get a nutrition guide that has the calories of fresh foods and meats, and get it from restaurants from their website. If you need help on where to start, please email me at mom2raiandjas@lycos.com-I helped Holly out in the beginning, and she has really sailed into her current weight and looks great! I am willing to do whatever I can to get things moving for you!
Aphil

Good morning! Way to go, Snowey with the loss! I'm telling you, Bruce isn't going to recognize you! Kina, congrats on another semester done! What an accomplishment, especially with all else that you do!!
Here's yesterday, and I'm telling you right from the beginning Amy, that I'm saving calories for a party I'm having tomorrow!
Bfast and lunch: same as every other Monday-Friday: 500
Snack: 3 prunes and 2 breadsticks: 100
Dinner: Wrap with 2 slices turkey, lettuce, tomato, cup of chicken noodle soup: 500
Dessert: WW giant sundae: 130
Total: 1230
Amy, I promise I'll make up for it tomorrow!
Well, back to work ladies! This is one week when a teacher definitely earns her salary! I'm trying to keep 26 8th graders quiet, occupied and doing something worthwhile!
Have a great day!

That is funny Aphil! You are so right on the head of the nail. I think I need to start a journal like you guys have and start reporting in my food intake. I will email you Aphil. I am at a point that I will give anything a try.

Thanks tryinhard. Going to school is alot harder than I had ever expected. But I have to say it helped me to gain so much confidence in myself. Without going to school I don't think I would have ever taken the first step to even try to manage my weight. I know that is sad to say but very true.

At the same time I enjoyed joining in that 100 mile challenge. So I look forward to joining next semester and perhaps I will win a shirt in my actual size. LOL

Hey did everyone get to see Aphil's name up in lights on the websites front page. Woohoo! We have a celebrity in the house. She is a "SUPERSTAR"!

Okay I have to get out of here. I have a Christmas part to attend this afternoon. I am bringing the punch everyone else is bringing the fattening stuff. I am going to jump on my machine and try to balance this all out. Talk to you all again.

bye. corina

Originally posted by Snowey
[B]
Breakfast
1 cup ff yougurt =2
1 banana = 2
1/2 cup All bran Cereal = 1
(mixed it all together, yum!) [B]

I am just trying to envision this and it doesn't look right. Also I am interested in knowing what kind of yogurt is this that you eat. I am not crazy for the plain no flavored one but I guess that wouldn't be the one you are eating. and the banana how do you know what size is a serving? Questions questions questions...sorry I am trying to learn from you all.

Another good question that just came to mind...if I were to commit to having certain foods in my pantry or refridgerator what should they be?

Thanks for your help. Corina

Corina--here's the list of food that sends me to the grocery store if I run out:
Weight Watchers ice cream
baby carrots
diet coke
diet bread
rice cakes
prunes (hey, a girl needs to do what a girl needs to do!)
fat free cheese slices
Kashi cereal (kashi to good friends)
Hope this helps!! I find it especially important lately to have the carrots and the rice cakes. They're crunchy and great when you feel like munching!!
Do any of you guys have the store Trader Joe's? Great low-fat stuff there.
Keep being good!

Kina-I emailed you with some info..until you get your calorie book, here are a few counts that may not be on any package labels.
banana-100 calories
small apple-80 calories
orange-60 calories
2 tangerines-70 calories
1c. skim milk-90 calories
1c. 2% milk-130 calories
1c. lettuce-10 calories
1/4c. raisins-130 calories
diet sodas are 0 calories
Just about any kind of food that is packaged will have the info on the box/bag-you just have to pay attention to the serving size-if it says "serving size-12 crackers" then the calories listed is for 12, and not the whole package...you will get used to keeping track really quickly-after the first week you will be a pro.
If it makes it easier, you can just print out the stuff I emailed you, and highlight things, etc.
BTW- :lol: about the superstar thing...yeah, a superstar in her sweatpants and with bad hair right at this moment...:lol:
Aphil

I made the trip to the library...couldn't find a book that just focused on calories counting. Along with a few pages of their calorie counting they added you know their spill of their choice for dieting and all that. So I grabbed a journal and started jotting down some of the high points. Along with I may write down the calorie counts for some of the common foods that I eat and some of the books have recipes that I may consider. The only thing is I think I need to know is...should my 1500 calories a day consist of mostly this or that; in other words should it be more protein or more veggies or more what? And from the one book I am scanning through...Low-calorie diets are bad?:?: I don't understand that. I guess there is something I am missing in there in order to understand it. Anyway I have my work cut out for me. I have already had a friend share with me her exercise routine and I am going to try and get that into a workable schedule along with the information that Aphil helped me with along with these books that I checked out from the library. I think tomorrow I will be going to the Half-Price bookstore to see if I can find some books there to purchase.

Thanks again for the move in the right direction, Aphil. I think that with this bit of information I will be able to survive the Christmas parties and perhaps attain my mini-goal of 190 by the end of the month.

I am off to bed to curl up with my books. Bye.
corina

Originally posted by tryin'hard
Corina--here's the list of food that sends me to the grocery store if I run out:
Weight Watchers ice cream
baby carrots
diet coke
diet bread
rice cakes
prunes (hey, a girl needs to do what a girl needs to do!)
fat free cheese slices
Kashi cereal (kashi to good friends)
Hope this helps!! I find it especially important lately to have the carrots and the rice cakes. They're crunchy and great when you feel like munching!!
Do any of you guys have the store Trader Joe's? Great low-fat stuff there.
Keep being good!

Trader Joe? never heard of it...sorry. I have no problem forgetting the diet soda for sure. Actually before a month ago I didn't care less for diet soda but learned its nutritian information and switched! Diet brea?...there is such a thing, I will have to look for that. Rice cakes is another favorite but I don't usually make it a habit for my grocery cart...only cause DH says it consists of too much breading along with my regular stuff. Ooow love the Kashi. I will certainly consider many of these items this weekend when we go shopping for groceries actually I have already jotted it down into my journal that Aphil suggested.

You know I would love to know if anyone has a homemade healthy recipe for granola snacks? I love granola but the bars contain so much sugar but they are a yummy stress treat for me. Thanks.

I better run now. Corina

Kina-
Diets that are extremely low calorie are bad, because you need to eat less to lose weight, but if you are eating TOO little, your body can go into starvation mode and try to hang on to you rbody weight-a survival mode the body has to helpo us live through times of famine. You should not go under 1200 calories a day.
(This is why I am against diets like the 48 hour Holywood juice plan-which is a mere 400 calories of juice-AND NO FOOD-for 2 days!)
I have set you up for over that-so do not worry! :D
The book I have is not caloris alone, it also has fat grams, etc. for the foods-so if it has others besides calories, that is alright.
The only thing with the library, is you have to check how updated the book is-that could be a book 5 or 10 years old, and the writing in it about their diet info may be outdated.
The book I have is called The Fat Book-it is a small paperback with a yellow cover-my mom's is called something like Fat And Fiber...you just need a basic guide that has the calories in foods that do not have labels.
Why don't you email me again, and give me a list of foods you eat pretty often, and sof some fruits and veggies that you like, and I will look it all up for you-then you can just copy it off. Go ahead and put some restaurants on there you like as well, and I will look up the best choices for you.
As far as what you should be eating-I want you to eat meat and starch-but your diet is usually mostly that, with not much dairy or fruit. I just would like to see it more balanced with those very important things. As far as granola bars-the crunchy ones like Nature Valley are better for you than the chewy ones-the only thing you need to watch is that they are two in a package out of the box, and the calories and serving size listed are for one. The peanut butter ones are really good-one of those and a glass of skim milk or a serving of fruit would be a fine breakfast. :smug:
I know that this is all new to you-you just keep asking all of those questions-we are here to help.
Another great switch is to switch from regular bread to Wonder Light-it has only 40 calories a slice, and is high in fiber.
Aphil

Good morning !!!

Kina~~~ You were asking about WW, Weight Watchers is a very easy program to follow. I love it!! This is not a diet it is my way of life. The program is so simple, Every food is assigned a point value, and how many points depends on the number of calories, fat and fiber grams in the food.
Each day you start with a range of points. And how many of points depend on your current weight. Why? The more you weigh the more food you need to lose weight in a safe and healthy way. By simply choosing foods to keep you within your daily points range, you will lose weight.

Here are the points ranges:

less than 150 pds = 18-23 points daily
150 to 174 = 20-25 points daily
175 to 199 = 22-27 points daily
200 to 224 = 24-29 points daily
225 to 249 = 26-31 points daily
250 to 274 = 28-33 points daily
275 to 299 = 29-34 points daily
300 to 324 = 30-35 points daily
325 to 349 = 31-36 points daily
350 + = 32-37 points daily

You should always et at least your minimum points daily.
You can vary the number of points in you range from day to day.
For instance if you know you are going out for dinner on Saturday and you want have a big meal, you can bank points from each day to use on Saturday. using me for an example my point range is 22-27, so on Monday , Tuesday , Wed. ,Thurs and Fri I have eaten 25 pts each day. So I banked 10 pts to add onto my Saturday points, which gives me 37 points to use on Saturday. Pretty cool eh??????

One thing to remember is banked points always have to be used the same week they are earned. You also earn activity points for exercising ( dont look at me... I never earn those :)..... :sssh: Amy cant hear that one )

WW has all the points figured out for you, and once you have been on the this for a while you know it all in your head and the good part is that you can eat anything you want and never feel gulity and isnt that how you want to feel?

I never feel bad about what I eat, because like I said if you stay within your point range you will lose weight.

Today for lunch Ill be going to Subway, Ill have a 6 inch Turkey sub (no cheese, but if I wanted the cheese I would add an extra point) and I'll have lots of veggies,,, pickles, onions, olives, tomato, green pepper, cucumber, jalepeno(lots) lettuce and mustard and I will also have a bag of Baked lays and this meal will only be 8 points. For breakfast today I had a cup of FF yogurt mixed with 1/2 cup of All Bran ( I would normally have a banana,but am all out of them) my breakfast was 3 pts. So for breakfast and lunch my total pts so far will be 11.. I still have 16 left for the rest of the day...
I could go on forever and tell you about WW,, but then I dont think there is enough bandwidth on this site.... :lol:
But if you have any questions just ask..
If you want to know the point value of something let me know...I will give you the answer. you may decide that WW is something you would like to try.. And before I forget,, the FF yogurt I eat is Astro brand,, I love the banana flavored.. I use to eat the Yoplait , ,but we cant get that here,, the FF Boston Cream pie was my favorite....yummm..you should try it!

I cant wait to move , as soon as I get to Calgary I am hitting Taco Bell and getting some Chicken soft tacos.... woo hoo only 4 points each ......arrrrrrrrrribaaaaaaaaaaa !!!!!!!!!!

Ok,, now that I have been so long winded,, I want to say hello to every one else and hope that you are having a great day and staying diligent on our challenge.... remember by this time next week... those christmas candies and cookies will be just a memory.....

Bruce comes home to day,,,,,,, :dancer: :dancer: :dancer:

Talk to you later......

Nancy:df:
198.8/180.4/150ish

This is alot of information but I am cutting and pasting to a Word document and printing it off. Keeping it tucked away in my purse like Amy suggests. I believe is the greatest idea for the "woman on the go"...truly an awesome idea! One that I would definetly have never thought of.

On the other hand...drum roll please...REPORT CARDS ARE IN. I recieved an A for Math 371 and a C in English 1301...atleast I passed. Now normally I would be so upset and distraught that I would be munching on eveything unmentionable but I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT! Instead I stuck a piece of gum in my mouth and I am chewing like a :moo: to get all the aggressions out on this poor little stick of gum.

See now that brings me to those little things I stick into my mouth...I'm never weary of those things because in my eyes they are small are harmless but I bet you that is jeopardizing my scale big time. I think I need to make a food diary and jot down everything. I think I am going to the dollar store today to find a pretty journal that will fit in my purse and will look pleasing to my eyes. Hopefully with that I will get into good habits of writing it down and that way I can see what I am really putting into my mouth.

Snowey ~~~you are so right I don't want to feel guilty about every little thing I put into my mouth. I tell you it will certainly be a big adjustment getting to know what the value is to everything I eat and staying within my 1500 calories.

You all have been so helpful and I am just hoping that I will be able to set things in motion. So just that I won't freak myself out I am going to give myself a pep talk and I want you all to correct me if I have misinterpretted anything...okay!

"Corina, you can eat anything you want to eat as long as you stay within your 1500 calories. You can still have your occasional burger just opt for the smaller junior sizes. But whatever you do stay away from the JUMBO sizes. You can still have a full meal but with resonable portion sizes. You will not feel hungry after these smaller meals that seem foreign to you. You are making changes to your future and making a life change for the better. You can have apples and bananas and you can even have pizza! Even better you can still go out to eat just be sure to pack a doggie bag before you start eating and whatever you do stay away from the fried stuff."

Now let me know if I messed up somewhere in there. I know I am going to mess up a few times here and there and my calories may go over a bit during this adjusting stage but I think I will get the hang of it. I am really enjoying these books. Some do look outdated but most of them don't even look like that spine has been broken for the first time!

Okay well I am going to jump on my elliptical machine and get those 30 min in. Talk to you all later we will be going out to the grocery store in a bit so I have to get exercise in now. bye.
Corina:)

Nancy-have a great time with your husband!!!!
I just finished up my grandmother's Christmas gathering last night, and today is my husband's maternal grandparents gathering....we have so many this week. We are hoping to get out of there early enough to hit the movie theatre and catch Lord of the Rings Two Towers afterwards...the kids will be staying with grandma tonight....:)
Wish me luck on willpower during the gathering-last night's was perfect-I could have kissed my grandma just for that-she had a fresh vruit and veggie tray there, as well as roasted turkey without the skin-and had diet soda, as well as the regular stuff-so I was able to eat with everyone else....
BTW-Nancy, I DID hear you.....:lol:
Aphil

Kina-once you get used to counting calories and writing down what you are eating, it will be a breeze. Let me know what calorie counts from foods you want and I will be glad to look it up for you dear!
Good job on your shcool grades! That A is fantastic, and a C is also pretty good for a woman with a family to take care of-not like these young kids with no other responsibilities-you did great!
Amy

Thanks...Amy, it is hard to balancing it all and many times I feel like throwing in the towel. But I think to myself silently "That would be too easy." I usually have those pep talks with myself as often as needed.

OBTW! Lord of The Rings Tower Two is AWESOME! Expect to sit a LONG time. It is about 3 hours long give or take some. I took DH to see it for his birthday present and he loved it. Now he can't wait until it comes out on DVD so that he can watch it over and over and over. OMG, i am already exhausted from seeing the first one over and over and over again! LOL

I think I have been doing pretty good calorie-wize. Um? I eat alot of ground meat and I know you will say switch that to turkey or chicken and it will be smooth sailing. But unfortunately with a large family groundmeat is sometimes the staple in our meals. I make tacos, chalupas, enchiladas, rice and meat, fidello and meat, spaghetti with meatballs, chicken and rice, beans (another staple in my family), also hamburger helper is a favorite of the kids, spam lite, potatoes with meat...I can't think of any others off the top of my head. Then we have sides of veggies to go along with the meals...mostly corn and greenbeans or a salad. So it's obvious to me that I will be eating aside from the family unless I have the willpower to limit myself to one serving.

Yesterday's food consumption:

Breakfast:
1/2 c beans, 2 bacon, 1 c eggs(which is probably 2 eggs) water

Lunch:
2 lettuce burgers ( hamburger patty with cheese wrapped in lettuce with tomatoes and pickles and mustard...even tastier than I thought it would be) diet soda

Dinner:
homemade taco salad (ground meat, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and a sprinkle of hot sauce) 3 glasses of water (2before and 1after)

Cheats:
1 candy cane

I noticed, as usual, late night that I hadn't drinken enough water so late last night I was drinking away and I think I had to stop at 5 glasses. I read somewhere that I should be drinking 13 glasses of water a day to help in flushing out my system if I am trying to lose weight. So I am aiming to hit 13 every day. so far I don't think I have been lucky. But I am getting close.

Today we go to a Christmas party and there will be lots of food. OMG Well hopefully I will make the best choices. I have to run talk to you all later.

Hello!!!

Gosh, it's been a week since I've posted...nothing wrong here, just holiday-busy.

Woo-hoo to Amy, going down, and Nancy, into the 180's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And to tryin'hard, maintaining so well, and Kina, who is asking intelligent questions and on the way to her personal best!!!:bravo: :cb: :cp:

I am super-pleased that when I weighed today, scale said 142; and more important, the two size 6 jeans are still fitting wonderfully.

I understand tryin'hard's statement about being "afraid to open the gates" (paraphrased); there have been times in the past couple of months when I've refused something fatty/sweet/caloric and my husband says "what?! you're skinny, you can have it!" But I'm afraid that serving will lead to another the next day, and the next, and so on. All I can say is that we have our clothes and the scale to monitor ourselves; when the clothes get tight or the scale goes up more than 5 pounds, that's when to cut back.

I have alot (all!) my wrapping to do, then a few more batches of cookies, then I think I'm set for Christmas. OH!!! my lady co-workers gave me a set of red, fur-trimmed undies - bra and panties - they think I am a total wild woman, as I ride a motorcycle, and think that outfit is what I should wear as I bake cookies or wrap presents :lol: :lol: I did do a "photo shoot" with the outfit on last night, in front of the tree, so I will be a shameless hussy and post it here. I might have to resize, so give me some time, but I promise tonight it will be here!:o :o :o :o

Talk to you later!!

Your friend, Holly

Here goes:

The above photo was made possible with the HELP and SUPPORT from my friends here!!! Thank you all!!:) ;) :D

Merry Xmas all and although I haven't written in a few weeks I have been lurking around and you all seem to be doing great. Talk to you after the holidays...that's when we all have to knuckle down again....at least I do.

My major feat for this Xmas holiday....kept my loss and didn't gain since I have been getting all my inspiration and help from the many ladies on all the threads I participate on at 3FC.

Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year!!

Good morning!!!!
Holly-OMG!!!!!!Girl-you licking the candy cane in the picture is the icing on the cake, let me tell you! :lol:
You look fabulous, really!!!! Now I AM picturing you baking and wrapping like that! (I don't think your husband would complain...)
I solemnly vow to you that when I hit my goal weight, I will be a brazen hussy and put up some swimsuit or bellydance costume photos!
Kina-my family also eats a lot of ground meat-here is what I have done to help myself:
I still make taco salads, but I measure out only a very small amount of meat-like 1/4 cup/2oz. and measure out only a very small amount of cheese as well-since those two places are where the calories lie. I use a very large amount of lettuce, which is only 5 calories a cup, and some salsa and tomatoes and a few baked Tostitos instead of regular ones-a lot less calories there as well. My salad is mainly lettuce and tomatoes, with a few small amounts of the cheese and meat-so it is filling but a lot less calories, and I am getting my veggie serving from the large salad part of the salad. Never use the fried taco salad shells like you get in a restaurant-they are TERRIBLE for you.
I also make spaghetti, but I keep a little of the sauce without meat for me in a small pan to the side, and skip the garlic bread and have a small salad or piece of fruit instead.
There are ways to cut calories in your meal, while continuing to make pretty much the same thing.
As far as Hamburger or Tuna Helper-I still make this, but I omit any butter that it calls for, and use skim milk in the types that require milk. That and you measure out your 1 cup serving when it is done-and eat no more. Do they like Tuna or Chicken Helper? When you make those, it has two listings for calories-one for what is in the package, and one next to it that says "prepared". You want to use the prepared one, because that means it is the calories in a serving that includes the milk, meat, etc. that you add to it. You must be diligent about measuring out that 1 cup however, and eating only that.
I also microwave myself a baked potato if I am making mashed or fried ones for my husband. You just poke a couple fork holes in one, and nuke it for a few minutes-until it is tender when you poke at it with a fork-about 3-4 minutes for a small one, and 5-6 for a large one. A small baked potato is 100 calories, a medium about 150, and a large one 200. Then I will CAREFULLY measure out 1 Tablspoon of butter only-for 100 calories, or light margerine for 50 calories.
Aphil

Wow! Thanks Amy! That was so helpful...for a minute I was afraid to hear that I would have to cook a seperate meal for msyelf. Thank goodness, with that it seems I may be able to get this going without any unsure feelings. I have been doing pretty good. Although I have to say I did have birthday cake today. I don't care for Hamburger Helper myself but the kids like it. I enjoy some of them not all of them. I also like to eat the Chicken Helper more. I usually fry my own taco shells for our tacos but since starting this calorie counting thing I figured it might not be a good idea. I was wondering would be okay if I bake them? My mom showed me how to get the corn tortilla and set it hanging on the oven rack and let it bake for a few minutes and WAH-LAH taco shells without the dripping grease.

Since starting the counting thing I have been trying to stay away from chips. So if I have a taco salad it will be without the chips but it is good to know in case I ever have the urges.

I can already tell that I have to be very strict with the measuring and not giving into more than that. I don't know about you but I went onto Nutrise website and it gives me a suggested menu but it gives me way more calories than 1500. I thought gosh this is th suggested meal plan for me to cut calories and still lose weight and I am staying way below that. So who knows!

Anyhow...I am so thankful to you all that are supportive and willing to share with me your knowledge. That is so kind of you all. Thank you all very much.

DNW~~~How are you doing? I hope you have a wonderful holiday. Come back as soon you get the time.

Holly~~~Wowser! Did you say you were a mom? I hope that one day I will look half as good as you. And with the cherry on the top someone will ask "You said you were a mom?" LOL DH would love for me to get a Santa suit like that even at the weight that I am at now but I am not so bold. Veering off the road a bit here...would you happen to have a before picture of you before you became this motorcycle mama? Just curious.

Nancy~~~how are you doing? I hope you had a wonderful quality time with DH! Take care.

Well I better run. The family is about to go out and drive the streets with Christmas music coming from speakers and look at all the houses that have been decorated with lights and such for Christmas. It's our annual event. Then we are going to Wal Mart to tie up some loose ends with the Christmas presents.

Bye.
Corina

Good morning everyone, on Christmas Eve day!

Can youbelieve I"ve caught another cold - :( I think it must be from working with the public more closely, handling money and such (butI do wash my hands whenever I can!). I thought that eating right and exercising should keep me from falling to cold germs...?

Excellent suggestions to Kina, Aphil! The portion sizing is SO important. When one cup of prepared dinner is measured out, Kina, it doesn't look like much, I know. But you get to fill out your plate with veggies such as green beans and green salad, with either a little lo-cal/lo-fat dressing (watch the serving on the dressings, too) or try to wean yourself completely away from dressings. I like to put my hot food (if it's like a prepared casserole/ground meat mixture/whatever) directly on my big bed of greens.

I also remember trying to learn to eat much more slowly, so the brain has time to realize that we have just eaten, and to prolong the suppertime with the family. This was difficult, but try chewing each mouthful at least 20 times. Really!

I do have a pic of me from Christmas last year; I have a large blazer over my outfit, so it doesn't cling (gosh, no, not then!) but it does show me as being larger. I'll have my DH scan it and put it here soon.

We received fresh snow last night, which looks so pretty, but means I have to shovel! Good exercise, though, right? :lol:

I will be back to wish every one Merry Christmas tonight/tomorrow, but wish everyone a low-stress Christmas Eve!

Your friend, Holly

Hi,
Kina-if you are using packaged tortillas to make the baked shells, then you would just use the calories on the package-since you are not frying them in anything. Baked is definitely the way to go. Oil/grease has about 100 calories per tablespoon-so by frying them you are adding about 50 calories to each shell...that really adds up over time-and if you bake them, and say-have 2 tacos-that is 100 calories you are saving to eat something else! :D
We are getting ready to go to my father's tonight-and then to my inlaw's, where we are spending the night to have Christmas breakfast in the morning. I am taking a pack with some provisions inside-an oatmeal packet, diet soda, a Slim-Fast bar, and a couple pieces of fruit. I have to be prepared in case what is offered over the next 24 hours is not diet friendly...the scale has been hanging on to 192 for over a week now, and I want to make sure it gets moving again...I can't complain, though-I have lost about 2 pounds a week for the last month-so my body probably needs a week or two to adjust.
My husband told me this year to pick out my own Christmas presents-he just gave me cash last week-it was great-let me tell you! I bought a Smoothie Elite Blender-it has more power than a regular blender-and has features just for smoothie making. I have used it twice already, and Ijust love it. I also bought a new workout video, and to my husband's demise-I bought a new faucet for the bathroom sink, which he is putting on right now...the one that has been here since we bought the house has all of the finish off-almost like the lady who lived here used some too strong cleaner on it...you should have seen Jason's face when part of my present required him to go to work...:lol: It isn't a real romantic gift, but I have wanted it replaced for over a year now-since we moved here.
Well, better go-lots to get done.
Have a Merry Christmas!
Aphil

and I'm those who have families will be "stirring" long into the night, unless you're a super-organized person and I'm happily jealous of you :lol:

My older son (19) is here to spend the night, so it's nice to have both our boys here. He lives only 50-some miles away, so we do see him often, but it's nice of him to be here tonight/tomorrow.

Wishing you all a very nice, memorable, loving holiday with your families!

Your friend, Holly

OMG! Is it over yet? I hadn't been getting enough sleep these past few days. I hadn't been getting enough water in my system either. Although I have been very aware of what I have been eating and figuring if it was fattening, and i just had to have it, I would only eat a little bit.

I don't know if it was stress or what but my sleeping pattern was flip flopped like a new-born baby. ??? I think it was stress.

But I also think my scale is truly broken because I will zero it and it says there is two lbs of weight on it but there is nothing on there. So I think I will be seriously thinking about a new scale but shoot I only that one this year and already it's messed up! That's because it's one of those nice digital expensive ones...anything over 20 bucks is expensive when it comes to a mom with 4 kids. LOL

Anyhow...DH got me Josh Groban on DVD in concert. I loved it but wasn't extremely excited about especially when I asked that I for a specific cookbook that showed the nutrian facts...calories and all that. O well he did tell me to take it back and get what I wanted. He so sweet though he knows I love Josh Groban, he sings so beautifully.

I think I will skidaddle out of here now. Talk to you wonderful people later. I hope you had an exciting Christmas event!
bye.
kina

Hi everyone!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends.

Today I must get back to regular routine, with exercise (haven't in three days? :o ) and LOTS of water. I also am going to pack up all the remaining Christmas cookies (dozens left) and give it to whoever will take it!!! Trash pickup man, water delivery dude, ladies at the bank...it's gotta go out of here. It's hard enough for me to resist, but then my husband and son are tempted also, so it's best for all of us. There is also an unopened one pound box of Whitman's Sampler chocolates that my brother gave me, and I am so debating just giving it to someone...I love chocolates, but don't have the will power to just eat one or two.

Has anyone here ever had "pink eye", conjunctivitis? one of my eyes is very goopy and bloodshot; doesn't seem to be any foreign object in it, irritating it. It's better this morning; but yesterday when I woke up, my eye was totally glued shut with the dried goop (sorry!) I'm just wondering if it'll go away by itself or if I need to go to a doctor...

I'm lucky I have off today; but back to work tomorrow. So today is cleaning up and tidying and eating right and exercising!!!

Talk to you later!
Your friend, Holly

Hello,
Holly-do you wear contact lenses? Sometimes when a contact is getting old and has a lot of buildup on it, or if it doesn't fit well anymore-like when your prescription changes or due to certain medications-they will cause the same thing. If you don't-put a very warm wet washcloth on it when it gets goopy to loosen and soften it away-rather than roughly scrubbing at it. The same goes when removing makeup from your eyes-gentle, like with a wet cotton ball-no scrubbing with the washcloth! The eye skin is very thin and almost poreless...and pulling and tugging can cause more wrinkles....:o
If it doesn't clear up soon, I would make an appointment to see your doctor.
Kina-I am also exhausted. I slept like poo at my inlaws Christmas Eve night-I never sleep well anywhere but home. Last night was wading through the wrapping paper and tons of boxes and trying to figure out where I am going to put all of this stuff...I went through this morning and bagged up a bunch of stuff to take to the Goodwill to drop off. Jason is out at Sears-my mom and stepdad gave him a gift card-so he is in Craftsman tool heaven about now. :lol:
Since you didn't get your cookbook-why don't you let me know what kind of recipes you are looking for, and I will go through mine and email them to you. :) I'll make you a cookbook myself.
Okay-I need all of the results in from the Christmas challenge-let me know how much you have lost since the start of it, or if you maintained if that is what you were doing, and so on...I need to do our little closing ceremony before I start the next challenge.
Well, I need to put some more stuff away...
Aphil

Well hello ladies! I see we have survived for the coming year.

Holly~~~I am so sorry you have that miserable pink eye. That is exactly what pink eye sounds like. I have had it once and luckily my children had had some time before and I had saved the tube of prescription med. I am sure it will go away eventually just not as fast as with medication. The only tip I can give is change out any eye make-up and like Amy said the contacts have also become contaminated. Also keep your hands clean always until it goes away and it is contagious so be extra careful with others.

Amy~~~I hear you about bagging stuff up usually I get it done before the holidays come but this year I was so busy with school that time wasn't given to me. But anyhow it's something that must get done. Well about the book...I didn't get it I won't go near a store right now. I dread shopping as it is and especially before and after holidays. I have already decided that I will be placing layaways at the beginning of the year. And hopefully it will not be so crazy by Christmas as it was this year. But it's kind of hard when we have no closet space here. So it is easier said than done.

As for the challenge no loss here but no gain. My goal was to lose but that didn't happen. It was well worth the effort. I am hoping to get the scale moving soon. I logged onto nutrise.com or something like that and it gives you a exercise schedule. Maybe I need something like that. I don't know. I'm trying though.

Okay well I better get going now. I have to get on my machine before I get lazy. bye
kina

Just stopped in to say HI...sorry I have been missing in action lately. I have been doing the Xmas eating thing andwill need all the support I can get after the new year...plan to post and give and get support on your threads along with my buddies on Doing Your Own Thing #7 (currently). I am realy pysched to do the right thing for me in the new year.

Currently, just to show that the posting and support do work here, although I put back on some weight over Xmas, I am at the lowest weight I have ever been in the past 7 years, at this time of the year, and I am still posting my food, good or bad....

These threads helped me to get, and stay honest, and for that I can never tell you how much your presense, and the help from others has meant to me.

Even though I do not post all the time on your thread I still read it daily for encouragement and great ideas!

Happy New Year!!

DNW-
I am glad that you are being honest about the holiday eating, because you can't fix what you don't acknowledge! :D
I hope that you will be back on track when the new year starts, but I have to say-there is no reason that you have to wait until then to get back on track. You can do like Holly and get rid of all the lingering cookies, chocolates, etc...Christmas is over. I had a few holiday indulginces, but I was careful to only have one dessert, or one splurge at each event-rather than blowing it too badly...I have decided that for New Years it is going to be a glass or two of champagne, and other than that I am going to keep my eating right on track that day. We are having our annual party, too...so I am buying snacks I really don't care all that much for, like regular Doritos...(I prefer Cool Ranch flavored ones :) ) I will have plenty for everyone, but nothing that I like so much that it will be hard to resist them-especially after a drink or two. :lol:
What the deal is with the holidays anyway? We save foods like certain desserts, turkey, etc. and only make them at the holidays-so it is like "If I don't eat it now, I'll miss out!" I have tried to change this attitude to " They still have turkeys and stuff to make banana pudding at all times of the year-there is no reason I have to be a pig today! I will choose one or two things I really love, and forget the rest! Hams, stuffing, and mashed potatoes are NOT going to fall off the face of the earth after Christmas!" Think about it in that sense...you CAN make sugar cookies and gingerbread men when it is not December. On the other hand, there ARE a few things which can only be found seasonally...so I save my spurges for those. (I have already planned months in advance to have a single Cadbury Creme Egg on Easter! :lol: )
I hope everyone is having a good day...I am coming down with a sore throat a bit, and still trying to reorganize fromChristmas and prepare for our New Years Party...so I am a busy bee.
Everyone take care,
Aphil
"Every day is a new one-do not let yesterday's binges affect today."

Hello!

Amy and Kina, thanks for the input on the pink-eye. Today it is all better; I am so glad. I don't wear contacts, so I guess I just picked up germs from somewhere. I was very careful, since it occurred, to not allow myself to touch the infected eye with anything but a clean Kleenex; then threw that out. Ditto with washing it carefully with a warm washcloth; didn't use the same washcloth on the other eye.

Well, I will blow the good "challenge" statistics badly; 5 days ago, I weighed 142; today the scale shows 148. I know it's fluids; but it sure doesn't look good for the challenge totals! But I'm still my size 6, so that is good!!!:o

Amy, HOW TRUE about thinking about treats differently; the same foods are available year-round; that shouldn't be our excuse to indulge and then regret. At work, we throw food out everyday (a regular foodservice sin, I know; but believe me, it is difficult to find agencies that will send someone timely to pick it up before it gets dumped) and one has to get the mindset of "just because it's there, doesn't mean you have to eat it!" or "it's going to get thrown out if I don't eat it".

If anyone has leftover temptations in your house, like cookies, candy; consider packing it on little plates and donating it to public service places, such as fire departments, rescue squads, police stations. People that have to be staffed round the clock during the holidays appreciate things like that; plus it gets it out of the house! Or I also took some to the people at our local bank, who at first groaned, then said yum, thanks! :lol:

I came home early from work today because my cold has just not relented; my throat was so sore, and I was starting to lose my voice. And just overall awful feeling; joints were aching, too. So I climbed into bed with hot tea, slept for two hours and feel alot better now. But I'll still take it easy for the next couple of days. You would think that a body that is in relatively good shape would be able to fight back; I guess it's the Christmas good stress ;) that makes us vulnerable.

Hello to everyone, take care and stay healthy!
Your friend, Holly

Hey all!

I admit it, I got lost again! Hope everyone had a great holiday :)

I am now less than 4 weeks from my due date! Still don't know if its a boy or a girl so I guess its officially a surprise :shrug: Still have no definite names picked out.. poor nameless child!

I have gained almost 40 pounds :cry: :fr: :( :eek:
Hopefully I follow the pattern of last pregnancy and lose 35 within a few weeks of giving birth! (Wishful thinking I'm sure :lol: )

Just thought I'd drop in to let everyone know I'm still alive.
Hopefully I'll have the time to return a little more often in a month or so!!

:)
Christine

Aphil~~~I know this is short notice and it may not get to you in time. But I want to see if you have recipes for whole chicken with the sides and calorie counts. I know it is alot to ask but if you have something handy. Parents are coming over tomorrow and I want to bake a chicken and offer them a healthy filling meal. If unable to get to me before then it will still be okay I will just save it for another evening. Thanks.

Kina

Aphil thanks for the sound advice and the well needed reminder that food will always be there, as long as I live in a developing country and work...you are right, and I have already in the past day or so slowed it down...besides my stomache is killing me, I am having bowel problems, and all in all my body is saying...why, oh why, oh why, when I was feeling so good did you do this to me again??

Kina and Vermont Mom: You two have really accomplished alot and for that you should be very proud, as I am sure you are...you both are good role models for me.

Silence: 40 lbs. will come off very soon, think of all those feedings, all night long, and th diapers, et. al. Lots of calories to be burned there!

Hi DNW~~~glad to you active on the thread again. Don't sound so down be positive. You have accomplished so much in just this year that you should be so proud and even with the upcoming resolutions. I am dreading them myself but I am going to look at the bright side...I am 30 lbs lighter than I was this time last year! Find something to regain your focus and follow through.

Also I am so sorry to hear you are having stomach troubles are you getting a balance in your diet. That seems to always get me in a mess. Take care of that.

Christine~~~I can't remember, will this be your first baby? Will you be nursing? I nursed my 3rd child the longest and I will tell you I lost so much weight. I think it was the most weight I had lost between all of my children and I lost it fast. Nursing is becoming a thing of the past but it is a free choice. Whichever way you chose the smartest thing to do is to not let too much time pass. As soon as you get DRs approval to begin exercising jump on the ball. Much luck to you as you near the countdown.

Holly~~~How is your poor eye doing? I hope it has gotten better. I know how miserable you were feeling.

Amy~~~About the earlier post no rush on it, Mom and Dad ended up here for lunch! Big surprise! I wasn't ready or nothing. I tell you vacations always get me so upside down confused. I don't know what day we are on. I guess by getting up early to take grandma to dialysis is what got me all confused on my days. Anyway I also recieved two great recipes from Mrs Jim and I am going to give them a try. When you get the chance. Thanks.

Nancy~~~YooHoo! How are you doing? I hope you visit with DH was wonderful. Did you get through the Christmas rush in one piece? Come out come out from where ever you are! Hope to hear from you soon.

Okay well I am off to finish my surfing the web and then I am going to head for bed.
bye.
Kina

:)

This is actually my second child. My daughter will be 4 on January 15th.
I attempted nursing with her but it didn't work out for us so I'm still not quite sure what I'll be doing this time. Guess I'd better decide soon, huh? lol
With my daughter I only gained a total of 24 pounds and within 2 weeks after having her I'd lost 35. Wouldn't it be nice if my body worked like that again but I know weight loss is harder with the second baby... unfortunately!!
The 39 pound gain would not be bothering me so much except that I just worked for a year and a half to lose just slightly more than that .. so the scale is ALMOST back to that original number! Rationally, I know, that a good 15-20 of those pounds should drop off right after the birth but seeing the numbers on the scale is still a difficult thing!
My top weight last pregnancy was 199 lbs.. and my highest non-preg weight was 195. This time I'm sitting at 191.5 at the moment! I was so hoping to stop before I hit 190 but such is life... at least the gain seems to have slowed/halted at this point so perhaps I'll just stay right here til I have baby... last time I actually lost a pound or two in the last month so I don't think this is too far fetched a hope! :)

Okay, now that I've written a novel of my pregnancy weight history :lol: I'll shush!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend and doing well with their diets.. erm.. lifestyle changes ;)

I'll try to keep checking in this time and not get lost for my last month of non-dieting :) Keeping up with you gals keeps me psyched for post-baby weight loss!!

:)
Christine

Hello everyone,
Silence-good to hear from you! Don't be upset about your weight gain-40 pounds is not bad at all for a pregnancy. Do not be discouraged if you gain a few this last month-because the last 4 werks is when the baby gets its "fat" before birth. (This is why preemie babies look thin and frail, and have to be in heated incubaters if they are real early.) They gain about 1/2 pound a week that last 4 weeks to give them the insulation they will need to maintain their body temperature after birth...that is why they induced Raiden a month early...he was 9 pounds, and they estimated he would have been around 11 had they not...ummm...NO THANKS! :lol:
Kina-I was out of town yesterday with my dad and his family for Christmas...with such a large family, we have things to go to until January 4 this year...:^: I will look up some good recipes and get them to you!
Holly-Me and the kids are succumbing to all of the Christmas germs as well...I have a terrible cold-as does my son, and Jasmine had a tummy bug the last couple days and threw up a few times. I tell you, it is all the people we have been around...
She is feeling better, and hopefully I will soon.
DNW-I have the same trouble as you do-tummy and bowel trouble if I eat unhealthily...but as long as I am eating healthy foods including a lot of produce, and not a lot of fat-then I have hardly any trouble at all. Greasy meats like ground beef in certain restaurants like Chi-Chis, and things like sausage usualy get me the worst. I like to think of it like you do-that it is a wake up for me not eating the way I should be...:)
I am trying to get this house cleaned up from Christmas, so I can start preparing for the New Years party...and I need to be getting this tree down soon...so I best be off! Let's everyone not forget to get me those challenge stats!
Amy

Hello everyone....

I hope that Christmas was a good one for all!!!!

Sorry for not posting this past week. But with Bruce being home the days were so busy and the time went way to fast. He left this morning to go back to Calgary, I miss him so much already. :(

For the last week, I have been so OFF program,,, can we say TOXIC ??????? :eek: I feel absolutely awful. I have eaten things that I have not eaten in months and needless to say that I am glad that I dont do that type of eating anymore. All my will power just seemed to disapear for the past week. But I am back on track and I have the old determination back again.
I weighed myself the day after Christmas and I had gained 1/2 pound. But I have decided not to get weighed again till January 8th. I know that sometimes a person's body can take a few days to show pounds added and I really dont want to depress myself if it shows more then 1/2 pound that it showed on Thursday.

I am going to do daily exercise and drink lots of water. I know that I can get these last 30 pounds off by springtime.

My sister in law took some pics of us at Christmas with her digital camera, as soon as she sends them to me Ill post one of Bruce and I . I think they turned out pretty good.

Oh by the way Holly,,, I loved your Santa pic...!!!!

Amy,,, I cant remember what day we started the challenge, can you let me know? then I can post my results.

Kina, DNW, Christine, Tryin Hard.... a big hello to you all also!!!! :)


Well ill be back later,,, got to change some clothes from the washer to the dryer....

Bye for now
Nancy:df:

198.8/180.9/150

Good morning-
Nancy-we started the Christmas challenge on November 20th...and at least you got back on track after only a week off plan-some fall off of the wagon for months and gain lots of weight back, so you are doing well gettig back on track after only gaining 1/2 pound. Good for you. If you commit to the daily exercise, you should be slim and trim by the start of summer NO PROBLEM! :D
As far as my stats, I lost 7 pounds from 11/20 to Christmas. I was hoping for 8, so I would reach my 20 pound mark, but I can't complain. I am in the works of creating our New Years challenge that will start on January 1, so everyone get geared up for that...details coming soon! :lol:
I will be posting our winners of the Christmas challenge very soon!!!!
We are dropping the kids off tonight with Jason's parents. They are keeping the kids for two nights while we get things ready tonight and tomorrow, and then for tomorrow nights party.
You know, I am not really in the partying mood. This yearly thing is really much more for my husband-I could care less. I would rather watch a movie or read. Instead, I get to clean the house, decorate, have loud music and loud people in my home, and then clean up when they are all gone...my husban'd best friend Mike is going to be here. He is a really good guy-but he is about 6'2" and weighs about 300 pounds. I have to pretty much hide anything that I do not want him to eat before he gets here. I am not kidding. He has woken up before us on occasions when he has stayed the night, and eaten a half gallon of ice cream-unbeknownst to me-and I then get up and make breakfast for him and my husband-finding the empty ice cream carton a few hours later in the trash...He eats more than any person I have ever seen. It used to not bother me so much, but lately it really has. I have sat there and seen him go through 7-8 packs of Halloween sized M&Ms in one sitting, and from reading the labels and knowing that they are 100 calories each-I realize that he just downed 800 calories and didn't even taste them. He eats them more like you would do a hard liquor shot-opens the end and dumps them in in one bite.
The sad thing is, he doesn't enjoy being fat, and has talked to me on many occasions about losing weight-but he is too lazy to exercise regularly, and he will only do quick loss type diets, and then go back to the way he was eating before. I have told him many times, that even if he ate exactly the same fattening foods that he was currently eating, but took it down some-(such as 2 or 3 of the M&M bags instead of 8)-that he would probably drop 30 pounds over the next year!!! He actually must have a pretty quick metabolism, because if I ate what he did-I would be up to 400 pounds!!! :o
But if they won't commit to doing it the right way-what can you do? (Well, you can hide what you don't want him to eat! :lol: )
Well, I better get going. I need to exercise and have some breakfast.
Ladies-get those buns moving!!!!!!Everyone do their exercise today!
Aphil

Hi all...

Ok my totals for the challenge are: 7.4 pounds lost,,, but with the 1/2 pound gain(from christmas) it comes out to 6.9

I am ready for the new challenge, bring it on!!!!! :cb:


Nancy:df:

198.8/180.9/150ish

I can't stay too long we are off to the ranch to ring in the new year with the rest of the family. Hopefully we will get to see my brothers along with their children. Well actually only one set of my niece and nephews because the others are very disrespectful it's pitiful.

Anyhow...I have been nursing a throat infection these couple of days and my left side of my neck is very swollen and painful to the touch. I have been dealing with chills and fever all day long but I showered and I am hoping I will be able to get through the night. How awful to thr bring in the new year sick:mad: . But I am not going to succumb to my illness I am going to get out there with the family and enjoy it all.

Well I just stopped by to...wish you all a wonderful and safe...

:hat::flow2:Happy New Year! :hat: :flow2:

bye.
Kina

Hello ladies!!

We stayed up to watch "the ball" drop; we usually don't go out on New Year's Eve, but that's fine.

Hello to Aphil, Kina, tryin'hard, DNW, Christine, and Nancy!!!! And to others who are here but not "here" lately. Congrats on the pounds that were LOST for the challenge!!!

We don't need a New Year to tell ourselves to get in shape, but I guess it's a good reminder that we are all on the road to better lives, by taking good care of ourselves, as we are SO worth it!!

Finally I'm over both the icky eye thing, and the cold. Hooray!

I just got my latest issue/catalogue from ...drat!!! the name flew out of my mind :?: really great exercise video catalogue; I know Aphil knows which one I mean. It's downstairs, and I'm too lazy to get it now :D but I'll look it up tomorrow. Anyway, I'm tempted to get a few new videos, to keep the 5:30 am exercising something to look forward to!

I think back at what point I was at last year at this time; I joined 3FC in early February, so it's almost been a year. What a transformation this bod has endured! Never ever ever (can't say that enough!:D ) thought I could ever be a size 6. But it has happened, and I am loving it, and the change in my personality is that I am so much more happy, at everyday things.

I love so much not worrying about what clothes to struggle into, and how yucky I felt in them. I don't have the anger/exasperation that was always simmering below the surface, because I was so unhappy with myself. NOT to say that I don't get angry or exasperated, 'cause being a married mom, of course I do occasionally! But it's not the CONSTANT bad emotions that I used to suffer through all the time. I enjoy being physically close with my husband (and he is eternally grateful!:D )

So there are my "positive affirmations" for counting calories, exercising ( at least 3 times a week, 5 is better, and taking a walk everyday is massively stellar!) and drinking water, and accepting that this is GOOD for us, we shouldn't feel sorry for ourselves 'cause we're not eating a big gooey bun thing for breakfast; we're REWARDING ourselves with healthy cereal/fruit/oatmeal/yogurt/whatever 'cause it's the only way to get on the road to better bods and minds!

Sis-Boom-Bah, I guess my cheerleader act is over!:lol: I've never felt so "pumped" at 1:30 a.m.!

Talk to you soon!!

Your friend, Holly

:hat: HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!! :hat:

I wish all of my friends here a wonderful 2003 that is full of good health and happiness!!

my evening was a nice and quiet one. I spent several hours at my FIL 's house talking with him and my SIL and then I came home and talked with Bruce for the longest time on the phone. It reminded me of when we were dating (long distance for 4 years :lol: ) and we would talk every New Years Eve for hours to be sure to wish each other a happy new year in each of our time zones (2 hours apart) :lol:

I have no plans for the day except to have a " ME" day. I am going to give myself a manicure/pedicure, facial, color my hair, read my latest WW magazine, drink hot tea, listen to music and just be good to myself. What better way to start the new year?

I hope you all have a wonderful day !!!!!!!!!!!


HUGS :grouphug:

Your friend,
Nancy :df:

Happy New Year everyone!!!!
I have been SO busy the last two days...but here I am! I did so well at the party-I had the 2 glasses of wine that I "planned" to splurge with, and ate nothing else. I had dinner right before the guests arrived, and totally stayed out of the chips and snacks.
My reward???? I hopped on the scale this morning, and I have lost 2 more pounds this past week-for a total of 21 pounds lost now! I am at 190, and I am so psyched, because I am now only a pound away from being in the 180's!!!! That feels better than Doritos ANYDAY...Holly, you were right about thinking of the positive side of your body transformation, and not feeling sorry for ourselves because of the things we cannot eat with our new lifestyle. You said it best-being a size 6, being close eith your husband, and having more energy and confidence in your daily life are totally worth it.
Okay....drumroll please!!! Here are the winners for the Christmas Challenge!!!!
WEIGHT LOSS MODE:
It was a tie between myself and Nancy-we both lost 7 pounds during the challenge!
MAINTENANCE MODE:
tryinhard gets this one...for the simple fact that she has been maintaining her FABULOUS 103 pound weight loss for a good while now, and she has shown everyone she knows that with a commitment to exercise and healthy eating-that she will be fit and strong for the rest of her life.

Everyone has done so great, let me tell you...Nancy, tryinghard-email me at mom2raiandjas@lycos.com with your email and mailing addy if you want to, and I will figure out a little surprise for you both. Just a little token for doing so great in the challenge.
It is time for the New Years Challenge to begin...It is going to run from yesterday-January 1, to the end of the month-January31. I would like everyone during this challenge to not only strive for their scale/measurement/body fat losses, but also to strive to drink that water everyday, and to really commit to their exercise program. We can all look great here in the winter when we lose weight alone, but spring is around the corner, and pretty soon the stores will be filled with bathing suits, shorts, and tank tops...and I for one, would much like to have my arms and shoulders more defined, and to have regained something resembling a stomach by then... :lol:
My friend Jenny was at our New Years Party, and she is 5'8", 110 pounds, and beautiful-BUT-she is a naturally thin person and does not work out at all. She is thin, but if you really look at her, her buttocks are on the flat side, and her arms are like little sticks in a tank top or sleeveless dress. There is no muscle development-or as my husband would say..."she has no behind"...but of course, he uses the shorter, more vulgar word...:lol: Think about it...who has better legs, Calista with her little underdeleloped sticks, or somone who works out, like Denise Austin? I know who's body I would rather have walking around in shorts!
Let's get this challenge started!!!!
Aphil

Happy New Years all :)

Just a suggestion.. but, especially since the new challenge is just now starting, I thought perhaps its a good time to start a new thread! (Seeing as how we're on page 14 here!!)

Wish I could join in on the challenge.. but perhaps the next one!! I am 37 weeks today.. 3 weeks to go until due date. I am really hoping this baby wants to come out on time, or near. With my daughter, labor had to be induced at 2 weeks past due and eventually (after 2 days of labor) I had a c-section... blah!

I have two doctor's appointments... one this afternoon at the health dept clinic I've been going to and one tomorrow morning with the actual doctors who will be delivering my baby (I've yet to meet them.. wacky ways they work things around here). I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a decent weight gain or lack thereof!! According to MY scale I've gained nothing since last appointment (15 days ago) so hopefully that's accurate.

I wish everyone well on this challenge. Keep on inspiring me! (please!) :D

Christine

PS Anyone have any good suggestions for boy names? If this poor child is born a boy, it shall be nameless! :(

Not feeling myself today...actually the past few days I have been feeling awful with this miserable throat infection and I am actually feeling better today but not. If that makes any sense. Yesterday I woke up with the pain on both sides of my throat this morning luckily it is only on one side but it is keeping me from talking without having so much pain. :( I am hoping that it will pass before next week comes because work will start back up. Aaaargh!:crossed: Crossing my fingers that I will get better in time.

Anywho!

Christine~~~is there a letter in the alphabet you particularly like? For example, perhaps your first childs name starts with an "R" maybe you want to start a trend and have children with all "R" names. Or maybe change a popular name around; for instance, our daughter's name came from the original Bianca but we changed it around and created Vianca. My brother in law named his child from the original Fabian to Zabian, which I thought was pretty cool. But I guess you wouldn't want to do that with some like Robert changed into Gobert...there is just some you don't want to mess with :lol: . Wow your weight gain is something for my imagination...with my son I gained 100 lbs and lost all of it after having him! With my last one I gained 65-70 lbs and lost all of it and then some because I nursed her for so long.

Aphil~~~You are so right! Everybody did so well. I am dissappointed in myself but then looking on the bright side I am glad I didn't gain. My family is going to start a new weight challenge here and the bank should be worth 500...very interesting and motivating. But I have yet to win one of them.

Nancy~~~How sweet you and DH stayed on the phone like teenagers wishing eachother happy new years. The difference is you don't have mom and dad to scutinize the phone bill. :lol:

Holly~~~Wow that is so cool to see the "Ball" drop right before your eyes must be amazing. I got to see it on the t.v. That was enough excitement for me. I am also glad to hear your eye is better.

Will we be starting a new thread Amy? If you do try and post a link on the last page here...this place is getting so big that I get lost. Talk to you all later. Thanks for all the inspiration that I get from you ALL!
Kina

Hello everyone!
Yes...I will be starting a new thread after I finish this message...but I want to write a bit before I forget what I wanted to say.
Silence-when I named my children, the names both have special meanings tome and my husband. Here are the stories:
My daughters name is Jasmine Natane (pronounced Na-TAWN-ee)
She got her name, because my husband and I are really into aromatherapy, burning incense and candles, and the like. My husband's favorite scents are Jasmine and Patchouli...and Jasmine seemed a much better name for a girl! :lol: When we first were together he used to run me baths with candles lit and put jasmine oils into the tub...(those were the days!)
My husband is 1/2 Native American (Sioux) and his father passed away, and as a child his stepfather adopted him when his mother remarried, and he gave him his name. Since his Native American name "Whiteface" was gone, we decided to give our children Native American names. In baby name books, they usually say whether a name is French, German, etc. and we looked through all of the names and found Natane-which is a Native American word meaning "daughter." Perfect.
My son's name is Raiden Acheta. (pronouced A-KAY-ta) We had a girl's name picked out, like you do-but we remained nameless for a boy until just a couple weeks before he was born. I, of course, was preparing for either one, but my husband was INSISTING that it was going to be a boy all through the pregnancy. He was a smart mouth, and called my tummy "Thor!" (I guess thinking of the manliest name he could think of.) Well, Thor is the Norse/Viking god of Thunder in mythology-and in a last attempt at trying to find a name-I thumbed through another name book-and something just jumped out at me:
Raiden-in Japanese mythology-"god of thunder"
AHA!!!! There it is!!! so...my husband's little joke ended up naming our son...I just added a Native American middle name to that-Acheta means "warrior" and there it was.
Think about your heritage, are you or your family of a certain descent? Do you enjoy certain types of novels or movies? Certain scents or a favorite color? Lots of things can be turned into a name. Scarlet, for instance could be a good name for someone who is passionate about the color red, or there are lost of unique nice names in books and movies. Is there a movie that you saw when you first met your husband? Mayeb a character from that movie...search for something that means something to you in some way.
A friend of mine named her daughter Quincy Auguste...she was born on August 5th-they named her after her birthday.
Good luck in your finding a name for your child...whatever you choose, I am sure it will be lovely, and suit him or her just fine.
Amy :D
ps-starting that new thread now...