Support Groups - One Day At A Time--For The Motivationally Challenged

Here's the deal: month-long challenges and long-term goals are all well and good, but some of us have a hard time making it through a week without our motivation sagging. Don't you wish you could maintain the level of motivation you had the very first day of your new healthy lifestyle? I sure do!

So here's what we're going to do. Every day is a chance to meet our goals!Each week is a new chance to be healthy! If you can make it through this one single day on track you are doing great!

Each day offers so many opportunities to make the right choices, whether it be in regards to exercise, water, calories, carbs, or anything else. Whatever it is you're working on, you can do it for one single day. Tomorrow is another day. We'll worry about tomorrow tomorrow. Today we can achieve our goals!

But days add up, and before you know it you have a whole string of OP days without even trying!

So the whole point of this thread is to take things one day at a time. One tiny little thing at a time, because we know we can do tiny little things. Let's work together to keep each other motivated! We'd love to have you with us as long as you want to be here, whether you're in need of a permanent kick in the behind or just a little motivation pick-me-up.

Set daily or weekly goals, then let us know how you're doing! They can be anything you want--exercising 30 minutes or stocking up on healthy foods at the grocery store or even finally sorting that stack of old mail! Whatever you need motivation for, we're here to help each other! :grouphug:

I will try to post some sort of motivational quote daily. If you have one, PM me or feel free to post it yourself. We need all the motivation we can get! :lol:

Please introduce yourselves if you'd like, :wave: or just lurk around collecting inspiration. :mag:

That said, LET THE MOTIVATION BEGIN!!!!!
:goodluck:

To get things started, let me introduce myself.
Hello, my name is Elisha. :wave:
I'm 24 years old. I graduated from college in December and am currently working as a Cosmetics Manager at a department store while looking for my first *real* job. I live with my parents and older brother in north-central West Virginia. I've been overweight all my life and have tried many different diets, from Atkins to the Zone, even diet pills from my doctor once upon a time. This is the first time I have ever succeeded in losing a significant amount of weight (20 pounds so far!), and I'm doing it by counting calories, drinking lots of water, and exercising. I figure that when I get closer to my goal weight of 150 I'll start watching my carb/fat/protein ratios, and probably sodium as well, but right now I'm just happy the pounds are coming off. I use software called DietPower, which I think is totally awesome (you can download a free trial at www.dietpower.com), to track my calories. It tracks everything else too, just in case you were wondering. My calorie limit is usually around 1700 a day, which will take me from my current weight of 211 to 150 by the beginning of March (according to DietPower, anyway). Faster than that would be just fine with me, but I'll take what I can get.

Motivation level for the day: 8
Today is my scheduled day off from exercise. It was supposed to be yesterday, but I forgot and exercised anyway. I feel like moving today, but every time I try my body reminds me that I overdid my workout a little yesterday, so I'm forcing myself to take the day off.
Today's challenge: drink at least 64 ounces of water. So far I've gotten in 32, not counting my morning cup of coffee and my lunchtime Diet Dr. Pepper. 2 more 16-ounce glasses to go!

Okay, that's it from me for now. Hope to hear from all you motivationally-challenged chicks soon (I know you're out there!)! Have a healthy evening!
~Elisha


Motivational Quote of the Day:
We have come to a place now where our search for Truth must no longer be for the rewards; it must no longer be our seeking a creed to follow, but it must be our living a life. -H. Emilie Cady

Hi Elisha,

This new thread is a great idea, as I have been motivationally challenged for a while now, and do not want to undo the little good I have achieved.

My name is Lucia, and I have been posting on these boards for a few months now, and find them inspiring, especially when I feel like the weight loss I need to achieve is not going to happen. I began my weight loss journey at the start of this year by eating healthy and exercising. I did not want to keep a food journal, as in the past this has enforced a 'diet mentality', which has in turn lead to feelings of deprivation and failure. However, it took me four months to lose 5 pounds :eek: and needless to say, this sent me off track for a while, as I felt I should have lost more than that in that length of time. So now I am starting to keep a food and exercise journal, but finding the motivation to do this is not easy.

So my daily challenge is to write my daily food intake in my journal. My weekly goal (June 17-24) is to exercise for six days.

Will check back with you tomorrow,

Lucia :flow1:

Hi Folks,

I am in motivational **** right now. The kids are home from school and all they do is eat, eat and eat! I have gained back every pound I have lost since I started. Sigh.

waaahhhhh!

I am out of here for a girls' weekend away. We are off to Ashland to hear the great bard! And here it is 10:30pm and I need to pack still. Oh well, at least this way I'll pack light.

I'll get back on track when I get back on Monday!

=)

Hi Elisha, Lucia, & CaCritter!
THIS is where I need to be! I don't have any words of wisdom to write right now as I'm trying to get ready for work, but I do promise to do some sort of exercise today!
I'll do more of a formal intro in my next entry! Yesterday I did my 20 minutes on the exercise bike in the AM and then last night, DH, DD and I went for a hour bike ride (which really could have been 30 minutes if I had done it alone!) but it was good! The bad part was...we stopped for icecream half way through! OK...I was good! I had SF/FF After Dinner Mint. One scoop!

Goal for today: Drink 64 oz. water and make loving food choices (because I don't have time to make a lunch!)

Thanks to Ms. Elisha for setting this up! This is just what I need! I love the title!

For more inspiration and lots of good stuff to read, to go www.ralphmarston.com (I think I spelled that right) He's got some great stuff!

Have a great weekend!

Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds. --George Eliot, Adam Bede


Ain't that the truth? We decide what we do, yet what we do influences who we are. That is especially true in regards to weight loss. We decide if we exercise or eat right, but our health regime determines what happens to our bodies, makes it happen.

So if we want to be thin and healthy, we must act healthy. Exercise and healthy eating will give us the strong, trim, beautiful bodies we all desire.

So get out there and do it!

Welcome Lucia, Ann, and Julie! It's great to see you here!

Let's see, today....

Motivation Level: 4
I'm not feeling particularly motivated to do anything besides sit here and drink my coffee this morning. But I will go to work and be cheery. :D
I get to wear my new dress today. I've had it for weeks and haven't had a chance to wear it, since it requires heels and I've had long shifts at work every day for a month. Today is my first short shift, and I'm so excited because my dress is just SO cute! Oh, and it's a 16 rather than an 18. Yay! Of course, dresses always fit differently, since it's my hips and thighs that are big while my top is proportionately small. But still, it's not an 18! HOORAY!
I get to go find insurance for my new car this afternoon. Bleh. At least I will look super cute. :)
Like I said, I get off from work early today, so I'll have plenty of time to exercise this evening. After insurance shopping, but hopefully before dinner. I'm going to aim for another workout like Wednesday's: 30 minutes on the stairclimber in 5 minute intervals with weights in between. I might add some squats or butt isometrics before I climb on the stairclimber though. After the stairclimber my legs are just too tired for anything.
Don't know what food is going to be like for the day. I haven't even decided on breakfast yet. I'm going to take a lunch with me, even though I don't get a lunch break at work, because if I don't eat my brother (who is going insurance shopping with me) will want to get fast food, and that is something I can't afford, calorically or financially. Probably my old standby of a turkey bologna and mustard on whole wheat sandwich.
Anyway, time to stop talking and start doing. Have a healthy day everyone! I'll see you again this evening.
~Elisha

Well, chicks, another day come and gone. Did I meet my goal for the day? No. But I'll try again tomorrow.
Friday's are always tough for me. Saturday and Sunday I can usually handle, but Friday's always throw me off. That's the day I'm usually with friends, the day I don't know what I'll be doing at every moment, the day it's hard to plan for. My calories came in at 1926 today, over 200 more than my limit! Ack! That means extra exercise tomorrow for me.

What about you chicks? Any days of the week in particular that prove difficult for you to manage? What could you do to make it easier?

I need to start planning my Fridays better. Part of the problem is that I get paid on Friday, and therefore I'm always running errands and I want to eat out, if not dinner then at least lunch. And I ask a friend to do a little shopping with me, then we hang out, and we snack and drink coffee, and time for exercise gets pushed to the side. But, with my new car and new payment book, I have to be more responsible with my money, so I'm going to have to cut down on a lot of that anyway. Hopefully that will make it easier not to splurge, calorically or financially.

I did notice today that my jeans are getting looser. Actually, I'm not sure. It seems like they are, but I kept telling myself things like, "it's only because I've had them on for 20 minutes," or "they were loose before." I've lost over 20 pounds, you'd think that would make some sort of significant difference. But I'm not even in a smaller size yet, and that frustrates me. I remember wearing a 16-18 in high school, when I weighed around 195 or so, another 15 pounds lighter than I am now. So if I lose 25 pounds I should be in a solid 16, right? I have no idea how to judge what size I'll be when I get to my goal weight, or what I'll weigh when I get to my goal size. I've never been thin, so how would I know? My old roommate was a 6-8 and she weighed around 155, but she's a good bit shorter than I am, and she was a little flabby, whereas I'm trying to tone my muscles, so theoretically I should weigh more than that at the same size, right? But that means if I get to my goal weight of 150, I'll be a size 6 or smaller. I don't really need to be a size 6, I think I'd be happy with an 8 or a 10. I don't need to be a Small, but a Medium would be nice. I'd just really like to see some substantial progress right about now. I need a motivation boost. My weight hasn't even budged much in the past few weeks, and I feel like I've been doing better on my diet than I ever have. I don't know what else to do.

That's a lie. I know exactly what else to do: exercise more. I've got the calorie-intake system down pretty well, even with my occasional straying, but I've got to start exercising again, as much as possible. I just feel so much better when I do it, I know I do, but it's hard to start.
I need to quit complaining and just do it.
First thing in the morning. Now is the time for sleep. Nighty night.
~Elisha

I had ice cream last night! I feel like this forum is a confessional of sorts, so there it is! After all the hard work this week, I ate about 1/2 cup of Healthy Choice ice cream. I just wanted some, so I had some! Inever figured out my #'s yesterday but I'm sure it was too high on the carbs and not high enough on the protein...and wayyy too much fat! Yikes!

So, I'm off to work out this morning as soon as I get this in here!

Elisha, you asked about whether any days of the week are harder than others. They are all hard. I find that the days I work are harder for me because I am around all sorts of tempting foods and that's when I would go out for lunch with friends or eat the wrong thing (for example, I went out twice this week...one day I had a salad *good* and yesterday I had a salad *good* AND some pizza *not as good*) I find that my spontaneity gets in the way of my success! That's my big downfall. I was reading someone's journal entry yesterday and she said that because she is NOT spontaneous, she has been successful with weight loss. I find that when I plan my meals and my exercise DAILY, I am much more successful, because apparently, I need some structure! We all do, don't you think?!

I said I would do an intro, so here you go:

I am almost 43,(birthday is next month), married and Mom to one beautiful little 4.5 year old girl and have been overweight most of my adult life! I was never "chubby" as a child, but never thin like some of my friends! I remember that I really started gaining weight when I had the freedom to eat whatever I wanted...and that was in college about 25 years ago! There have been a couple of times my life where I have lost some weight, but have never gotten to where I wanted to be. I had always been comfortable in size 14 clothes. Now, I'm 5'2" and a size 14 is still overweight!

I was just looking at some old pictures of me when I had lost some weight. I lost back in the early 80's and got down to 150 something (don't remember the size I was wearing, sorry!) and looked pretty good. I wasn't exercising, though! And I slowly managed to climb back up (probably 20 or 30 lbs) and went off to live in Hawaii for a year where I don't remember what Iweighed, but I bought a size 16 dress which was a bit tight on me. Still, I looked pretty good because I walked everywhere (didn't have a car) and I was in good shape! I gained most of that back shortly after coming home! No exercise!

My highest weight was 199. My hubby reminded me of this last night when we were talking about my weight right now. (He thinks I've gotten into the 150's but I had to tell him I'm still around 170) I remember this because I had joined WW then and I couldn't beleive the scale! I lost about 12 lbs fairly slowly. No exercise then, either!

So last year (2003) I weighed in at 187 in January and knew that if I didn't start working hard at this, that I would be sorry in just a couple of years, health wise! I started losing and lost about 10 lbs. I was struggling to take off anymore than that (maybe lack of motivation) and just kind of gave up. That has been my biggest weakness with "dieting"...giving up or lack of motivation!

This year (2004) when January rolled around (what's up with these NY resolutions, anyway???) I was more determined than ever to start this weight loss journey. I was determined NOT to give up and started doing some research on weight loss/diet and exercise! I read some books, started this journey and found this website, which has really been my saving grace or I would have stopped this journey by now! I started at 181.5 in January. I started exercising every day or at least 5 days a week (until I got sick about a month ago and that dropped substantially). I lost a slow 10lbs, but people really started noticing the changes in my body. I can only attribute that to exercise and toning these muscles of mine! I went from 18's & 20's last year to now wearing 16's!

I am only down to 169.5 right now (a 12 lbs loss since January), hoping to weigh in a few lbs less on Tuesday this week which would be my lowest since Hawaii!!!! I want to be in the 150's by my birthday! I know it's doable, but I really have to stay motivated! I want to wear 12's by the end of summer! It kind of scares me because I have NEVER worn a size 12 in my adult life! NEVER! It's a whole new world for me to be able to shop in the "normal" clothes section of the stores and I love it!

My ultimate goal is to be in a size 8 pants and a medium shirt! I am fairly chesty, but I know as I lose, these very large things on my chest have been shrinking too, so I'm hoping a medium is not out of line! I want to have this weight off me by January, but I will accept it whenever it comes! Next summer, I plan to hike in the Adirondacks with my sister! It will be a guided hike, daytime only and we stay in lodges at night, but how cool would it be to be able to do that! I have dreamed of doing something like that all my life!

I am in fairly good shape, now for someone of my size! I do not get out of breath on long bike rides or walks with family. I usually push myself to work harder when I work out so my heart gets it's max workout and I am burning fat. I enjoy working out after I start. Getting started is something I have had to really push myself to do, but working out is not as hard for me as eating on target! That's been my biggest struggle and that's why I'm here!

So, there you have it! My weight history in a nutshell! When I get a chance, I will post a picture of me at my highest weight (1998 or 1999) and one of me now! You can be the judge!

Take care and have agreat Saturday everyone!

If anyone counts upon one day ahead or even more, he does not think. For there can be no tomorrow until we have safely passed the day that is with us still. --Sophocles, The Women of Trachis

Checking in with the morning report!

Motivation level: 5

I really don't want to move much today. I'm not much of a morning person, really, but this is the only time I have to exercise today, as I have to work late. After I finish this post I'm going to walk/jog our hill and then climb on the stairclimber for a while.
I have no idea what food is going to be like today. I took my lunch to work yesterday, but my brother brought me Subway instead, so I didn't eat my turkey bologna and mustard sandwich. It's still in the frige at work, so I guess I'll have that as my lunch today. Mom and Dad are going out for dinner, which is ok, because I never tend to eat much when I am by myself. I'll probably end up having a corndog or something, which doesn't seem that healthy, but it's only about 250 calories, and that would be my entire meal. I guess I'll find out when I get home from work.

Oh, and this morning the scale gave me 210 as my highest number (my scale bounces around a little with any movement whatsoever, so I always go by the highest number it gives me). That means I've met my goal for June! Yay! I'd like to see 2 more pounds gone by July 1, and since there's almost 2 weeks left that should be no problem. I'll be back in Onederland before I know it!

For now, it's off to exercise! Ugh...
Have a healthy day chickies! See you this evening!
~Elisha

If anyone counts upon one day ahead or even more, he does not think. For there can be no tomorrow until we have safely passed the day that is with us still. --Sophocles, The Women of Trachis

But what about those of us who NEED to plan??? OK, you are right...ONE DAY AT A TIME!!!!

Hugs!!!
Julie

Woo! What a day!
I finally got all the details worked out for my promotion. I'm starting the new job on July 4th. I couldn't do it before then because the schedule is already set, and that is the day our new financial month begins, and they have to change my commission rate and wages, and yada yada yada. Whatever. I just hope I get to talk to my district manager before I start.

I totally rocked on the exercise front today! 15 minute walk/jog up the hill and back, 20 minutes on the stairclimber and 10 minutes of weights. DietPower says I burned 504 calories. If I could do that every day I'd lose a pound a week without dieting!

Food was decent too. Calories came in at just over 1600, which is right where I want to be, although I will admit that I did not eat healthy food (with the exception of lunch). A friend stopped by my work this evening and asked me to come hang out for a while, so I did. But by the time I got off work I was hungry, but I had very little cash with me, so I ended up grabbing a Diet Dr. Pepper and some Doritos. I just got home and ate a turkey and broccoli Lean Pocket, so that's a little healthier. But whatever. Just so my calories are where they're supposed to be, that's all I'm going to worry about for right now. The rest will come later.

But I'm dead tired. I'll do my best to check in in the morning, but I'm not guaranteeing anything. I hope I don't sleep late. I want to sleep in a little, but I doubt it's going to happen. Oh well, it's bedtime now. Nighty night.
~Elisha

The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not. - Mark Twain

Don't you just love Mark Twain? I certainly do.

It stinks, but he's right. The truth is, we don't have to like it, we just have to do it.

I like your quote Elisha! Here's the Motivator of the Day from Ralph Marston.

Ralph's Inspiration (http://www.greatday.com/)

Hope this works for you all!

I'm having a leisurely day with family enjoying the cooler air and the sunshine! Going out to lounge in the sun for a little long before it cools off some more! Then maybe a nap or a bike ride??? LOL! I'll decide later!

Food today has been good since I missed breakfast. No protein this morning, but at church is was all about carbs! Strawberry Fest! Yum!

Lunch was steak on the grill, salad & 2 pieces of Garlic Bread!

So far, not a perfect day, but it's been good! That's what matters sometimes!

I'm still hoping for the 2 lbs on Tuesday, so need to do a workout yet today...and will!

Hugs,
Julie

Hi Elisha, Julie & CA Critter,

I have been rather busy these past few days and have not been able to check in with you. I have been struggling on both the food journal and the exercise front :mad: , I don't know why it is I am unable to knuckle down on a daily basis. I have been like this before, an "all or nothing" mentality. Can anyone identify with this? You're are either eating well and exercising, or eating anything in your way and being a slug on the couch! Each night I go to bed with the best of intentions, start the day out well enough, but then it all backfires on me. I agree with Julie about each day being hard (at the moment that is) :lol: .

To help me on the exercise front, I bought a pedometer. It is recommended you walk 10,000 steps each day, so I thought that would help motivate me to move more. This is my third day wearing it, and while I haven't cracked the 10,000 steps yet, each day has been an improvment on the day before :) .

Elisha - I posted on the July 4 Challenge thread and congratulated you on reaching your challenge goal weight! You must be very proud of yourself.

Julie - I hope your "not perfect, but good day" continued, we do need those days once in a while. Good luck with your 2lb on Tuesday!

That's it for now,

Lucia :flow1:

One should eat to live, not live to eat. - Moliere



Sorry I didn't get around to posting yesterday evening. I'm a bit pressed for time again this morning, but I promise I will be back this evening with a full account.
See you then!
~Elisha

I'm here yaw'l!!! :D Don't have any time, but wanted you all to know I"ve found you!! :lol: Will post my goals in a little bit!

Jaymi

OK, well today was ok foodwise, but the day kind of fell apart towards the end! AND...I didn't get any exercise in! It's only 8:30pm and I've been ready to sleep for about an hour! Geesh! Perhaps it's that "no exercise" thing, huh?

I need to list my food here so I can track what I ate:
B-8 oz. hot lemon tea (I have heard/read that this really promotes weight/fat loss and so I have again tried to go with tea instead of coffee & flavored creamer. Will try for the rest of the week, but no promises!)
B-fast: 1 cup Kashi Go Lean plus 1/2 cup rasin bran, 6 oz. milk, l cheese stick
Lunch: 1 breaded/baked chicken breast, 3/4 cup coleslaw, 1/2 cup grapes!
Pre-Supper: 1 cup (ok, I really didn't measure, but I am judging it was about a cup based on the small plate I put it on) brown rice/cabbage/carrot concotion I made this weekend (I was STARVING when I got home!)
Supper: Chicken breast, 1 cup green beans, 1/2 cup stuffing

I am just guessing here, but I probably didn't have enough protein and went over in the fat dept! That's usually the case for me which is probably why I can't seem to lose the weight!

However...on a positive note: I stepped on the scale this morning and I was down to 168.75...My lowest weight ever since the beginning of this journey. I feel like I am making progress as it's nice to see something below 169!! I can still hope for 165 by the 4th of July, but I'd have to starve myself and well...that's just not too appealing to me!

But I know that daily goals are helping me to acheive this, so tomorrow I will
1)Work out in the morning AND afternoon...no matter how tired! That's my goal! 2) I will eat NO icecream either!!! NONE!! And 3) I will stay with my planned meals and snacks (and I do need to plan a snack, even if just a glass of milk in the afternoon....I need *something* or I'm grabbing for anything when I get home!)

Well, need to go check the journals and head to bed!


Elisha...I've been enjoying the quotes. Did you get a chance to check out that link to Ralph's motivation? It's awesome! You are doing great chickie! I want to lose 2#, not 1# by tomorrow!! Maybe if I don't eat breakfast and drink lots of water!!! LOLOL!!

Lucia...Yes! I know what you mean about the "all or nothing" mentality, only with me, it's all of one and nothing of the other! I can never seem to get the exercsing together with the food just right!!! Maybe try doing little daily goals to help get you to the place where you want to be! I have been and it does help. I'm not perfect and never will be, but it helps me to get where I want to be! How's the food journalling doing??? ;)

Jaymi...Glad to see you made it here! You are doing so good with your weight loss goals! I'm impressed! You've worked hard andit's paying off!

Goodnight all!

Julie

Evening chicks!

Motivation level: 3

Things are ok here. I've been incredibly busy for the past couple of days, but I finally get a day off tomorrow (my first since last Monday). But I have a bunch of errands to run. I have to take my car back to the dealership--it stalled twice today. The first time I figured I probably just didn't give it enough gas (it's a manual shift), but then it did it again. I wasn't stopped either time, and I've been driving a standard for years, and I've never stalled this car, not even the first time I got in it, so I really don't think it was my fault, which means it was mechanical. Eesh. I've had the car 9 days and something goes wrong. Good thing I got the super-duper warranty package, because I surely don't have any money to pay to have anything fixed.
Anyway, eating today was good. My calories came in at 1452, but I think that's a low estimate. Water was good. No exercise though. I'm just too tired. Going to watch Big Fish and then sleep. I wouldn't bother to watch it, but my brother says it's really good, and it has to be back tomorrow morning, so I guess I'll stay awake for another couple of hours.

Oh oh oh, big NSV today! I can't believe I almost forgot to tell you! While on my lunch break I was wandering around the store trying not to spend any money when one of the ladies I work with said, "You need to get some new pants, those are a little big on you." Granted, I knew the pants were baggy (though they were tight once upon a time), and this lady in particular knows how hard I've been trying to lose weight. I haven't been wanting to try on a smaller size yet, as I'm afraid that if it doesn't fit yet I will be very disappointed in myself. But anyway, I was wandering around the department store and I decided to go for it, just to try on a smaller size, so I picked up a size 16 and they fit! True, they were a little tight, but I could breath and zip them and everything! I was so excited, I think I told everyone in the store! I haven't been in size 16 pants since high school!
I've been concerned about that for weeks now. I've lost 23 pounds, but I'm just starting to see any real difference in my body. I know, the little signs were there before, but it's hard to notice change on a daily basis. I've been saying, "when am I going to lose a size? How much weight do I have to lose before I can buy a size smaller?" But I've been too afraid to try.
On the down side, now I'll probably be trying on 16's in everything and I'll be upset when they don't fit. *sigh*
They will in a few more weeks though. Change is inevitable. ;)

Haha... that reminds me... that Moliere quote I posted this morning... well, when I opened my DietPower software this morning AFTER posting here, it gave me the exact same quote (it gives a quote or some nutrition or program info when you open the program). I guess it was just a good day for that quote.

Julie: I did check out that Daily Motivator site--it's awesome. I added it to my favorites. I've been wondering where everyone gets those lovely Ralph Marston quotes.
I think your menu looks great! A lot healthier than mine. Are you trying to watch your carb/protein/fat ratios?

Lucia: I have problems getting everything down too. Don't try to do everything. Just do one thing at a time until it becomes second nature. If you don't feel like exercising, try your best to eat healthily and drink lots of water. Or if you get a really good workout one day but your food intake isn't the greatest, don't beat yourself up about it.
Haha.. so many chicks here have told me that so many times, and now here I am saying it to you. Stubborn as I am, I had to go and learn it for myself, but hopefully you can learn vicariously. :)

Jaymi: Glad you could join us! I hope you get some time to yourself sometime soon!

Whew! Okay, that was a long one! Movie time!

Oh, goal for tomorrow: exercise for at least 30 minutes.

Have a lovely night, chickies!
~Elisha

Hi,

Well, no formal exercise today, but I did take a walk to our local newsagent this afternoon, it's not far, but a walk is a walk! I've eaten very well today, very in control :D .

Julie - :bravo: on your weight loss. Any downward movement on the scale is always great. I love the Ralph Marston site! How inspiring! Food journalling just is not happening today, will be my goal for tomorrow.

Jaymi - :wave: Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Elisha - Ah...the wonderful feeling of moving down a clothing size :cloud9: .Well done! What a motivation! Thanks for the encouraging words. I know I am my own worst enemy - I promise to go easy on myself from now on :) . Hope everything is OK with your car.

My goal for tomorrow (seeing as having a weekly goal is not working for me at the moment :lol: ) is to wake up 45 minutes earlier, and do at least 2 miles of my 3 mile WATP video. I will also be committed to writing in my food journal.

Catch up with you tomorrow.

Lucia :flow1:

To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art.
La Rochefoucauld

Yea! I reached my 2# down goal for this week! I weighed in at 167.75 which is my lowest weight yet on this journey! I'm proud of myself!

I didn't however, get to exercise this morning. Slept in again! I don't have an alarm clock (it's on my list!) and have been having restless nights, so I wake up later than I would like to! My goal tonight is to get to bed right after I type this and then tomorrow do a WATP mile or more before my shower in the am! I will try again tomorrow to do another awesome bike ride like I did tonight, but forecast is for rain, so we shall see!

I met my friend for lunch today. She lives in Arizona (if you read my journal yesterday, you'll know what I'm talking about). The first thing she said when she saw me (she hasn't seen me in 4 years) was "you're so tiny!" Tiny! She said that! I almost died!!! No one has EVER called me tiny!!!! LOLOL!!! I guess I was about 20lbs heavier when I last saw her, so Iguess 20 lbs makes a HUGE difference on me! Anyway, we had a wonderful (2 hour-Yikes) lunch and caught up on all the "girl stuff"! Wish we could have visted longer, but she had lots of travelling to do!

Elisha...Hope you had a great day and that your motivation stayed with you all day! Working all those hours and days in a row....girl, you are doing so great! I'm proud of you! Keep it up...one day at a time!

Lucia...Thanks for the support! I hope your food journalling went well today! What will be your goal for tomorrow?

Speaking of goals...
Tomorrow is our monthly birthday party for the residents at work (I'm an Activity Director at a Nursing Home, in case you didn't already know)! I have started to dread them! Ice Cream is my one big weakness and it seems we have been having waaaaaay too much of this stuff around the place this summer! So, I will help get residents there, assist in passing out whatever needs to be passed out and get the heck out of there!!! That's my plan!

Exercise will be WATP tape 1-2 miles hopefully in the morning, but if not, I will do it when I get home!

Food will be:
cottage cheese & strawberries for b-fast
beans and rice concoction for lunch
glass of milk for snack in PM
leftovers for supper!

Confession: I ate 4 pieces of chocolate tonight! I just needed some chocolate, or so I thought! My food and water was good today other than that. Drank my lemon tea this morning! I am swearing by that stuff! Every time I drink it, I lose 2# that week! Hmmmm! Bfast was 2 cheese sticks & 1/2 apple (it was gross, so I threw it out after a few bites). I had a julienne salad for lunch when I went out with a diet coke! Supper was spaghetti & garlic bread (1 piece) and no snack this afternoon!

That's enough rambling for one night! I hope you all have a super day tomorrow! Hugs!
:grouphug:

I was just looking at my goal weight for the challenge month (which ends July 4th) and figured that I only need to lose 2.25 more #'s by then! If I can do 2# in a week, I certainly can do 2.25 in 12 days, don't you think?

I am leaving for vacation on Saturday morning and I will let you all know what my weight is when I leave (although my scale does not match and is NOT accurate enough for me, so I weigh at work on a Dr. scale) I won't be able to check in while I am gone and won't be back until July 5 and not back to work until the 6th, so....what I am trying to say is I am going to let you all know what my weight is when I get back to work on the 6th. We are camping and I know I will be getting plenty of exercise, but food may be an issue. I will plan, but sometimes that doesn't really work when camping. I will NOT gain any of this weight back, however! I refuse! I've worked too hard to get it off!

So...with that said, any suggestions anyone??? I need snack type food suggestions (not carrots & celery, either!) I will be bringing a box of Zone bars. That will help! Muncy stuff, though...egads! I love to snack when we camp! No other time, but something about camping!!! I'm going to have to work hard on this and if I lose during vacation, you will hear a huge HALLELUIA coming from West Michigan when I return!!!! LOL!

Hugs again!
Julie

Well, today was so-so. Calories were pretty low, for me anyway, and ended up around 1380. I walked/jogged the hill, and even made a short side trip into the woods, making a total of about 20 minutes exercise. I had intended on getting on the stairclimber for at least 10 minutes when I got home, but that didn't happen. A good friend called and decided to come over (must be a good day for it, eh Julie?), so that was good. Got all my errands taken care of this morning. My car is going to the shop on Monday morning to be checked out. I hope it's nothing majorly wrong.

I got a new scale this morning. My old one has been acting up. The new one is not digital, but I think it might be more reliable. I don't know. The new one says I'm 5 pounds heavier than the old one. But that just means I started 5 pounds heavier, but I've still lost the same amount. I dunno. I'm not sure either of them is right.

Goal for tomorrow: a full 30 minutes of exercise. I have a long day at work tomorrow, so it's going to be tough, but I'll do it because I know I need to. I can't let myself get sluggish again, even if I am eating better. Once I let the exercise slide for a few days, it all goes out the window. I know this. I just have to keep at it and keep at it and keep at it. That's the only way it will ever work.

Julie: Congrats on your loss, and getting it noticed! Camping is always lots of exercise for me, so I'm sure you'll be fine on that front. As for snacks... raisins, marshmallows, sunflower seeds, mini rice cakes, and of course, carrots and celery (and cucumbers and cauliflower and broccoli and tomatoes and etc.).

Lucia: Keep trying with the journal. It really helps me to have it written down. Have you considered using some software, such as DietPower or fitday.com to log your food and exercise? I was really surprised at how many calories I was getting and using on a daily basis. If you stick with it, it will make your diet easier.

Well, time for sleep. See you all in the morning!
~Elisha

:wave: Hey Everyone :wave:

Boy am I tired!! Well I had a pretty busy day! I'm sitting here trying to post, although it's already late as heck!! :lol: My hubby let my daughter take a long, long nap, so she will be up FOREVER! Oh well here's the details:

:cheer: ~ MY GOALS FOR TODAY ~ :cheer:

Exercise -

:flow1: 60 minutes ~ Denise Austin
:flow1: 120 minutes ~ Swimming/floating :)
:flow1: 6,392 steps ~ on Pedometer (took it off after 3 p.m.)

Goals ~

:sunny: Calories ~ Good
:sunny: Water ~ Great
:sunny: Attitude ~ Good


:cloud9: LUCIA--> You are doing SOO good!! You're right, a walk is a walk! That is true! Good luck with everything and hope you have a good night!!

:cloud9: HIKEIN--> :cheer: Congrats on your 2 lbs!! :bravo: Have fun on your vacation!!! I"m not realy good at "healthy" snacks, but one thing that I found were these granola bars mixed with different candies. I love the "Butterfinger" one! It tastes almost just like it....just w/o the chocolate! :lol: I'ts only 110 calories.

:cloud9: ELISHA--> Sorry about your car!! :( Hope everything goes well and they fix it fast!!! :bravo: :cb: Congrats on your 16's!! Dont get upset if all 16's dont fit...because they wont!! I am now in a 13 and a lot of them are too tight! And I've tried on some 15's in some brands and they are too tight too! Dont' get discouraged about that...Just cuss out the clothing designers like I do!! :)

:sunny: Goals for Tomorrow :sunny:


:flame: Calories ~ Stay under 1200
:flow2: Water ~ Drink at least 36 oz
:flame: Exercise ~ At least 60 minutes, but aim for 120
:flow2: Attitude ~ Improve it by 20%

Well when I got into the pool, it was like a real attitude improvement! It's something about that water that relaxes me....but it also makes me hungry!!! I wish I could do some exercise right now, but i dont feel like getting too hyped up. It's almost midnight, If I dont get to bed, I can forget about waking up early for my exercises. My daughter keep waking up everytime I get up, If I get up early, or late!! So hopefully she'll stay sleep tomorrow! Well I hope everyone has a good night! I hope I didnt forget anyone again!! Bye All!!!

:grouphug: Love you chickies!!!!! :grouphug:

Those who do not find time for exercise will have to find time for illness. -
Earl of Derby

Morning chicks!

Motivation Level: 8

This is both good and bad. My motivation is up because my new scale is up. I know it's just a weight shift, and since they're both cheapo scales they're probably both a little off, but it's kind of disturbing to think I haven't lost 5 pounds I thought I had lost. I need to find something to calibrate the scales with, so I know how accurate they are. I'm very frustrated this morning. 215 when I thought I had finally made it to 210. And my diet and exercise has been really good this week. I don't know what is going on. *sigh*
But it's motivating me to work harder. So I'm 5 pounds heavier than I thought I was, so what? It's just a different starting point, but I've come the same distance. It just pisses me off. It makes me want to work harder to get back to where I thought I was. I still want to be under 200 by September 1, even if that means I have 5 more pounds to lose then I thought I did. It's just frustrating.

Anyway, today's plan--well, no plan, really. I haven't even decided what to have to breakfast yet. Eggs of some sort, since I haven't had any in a few days. For lunch, probably a LeanPocket and some Quaker cheddar cheese corn rings. For dinner, it's just hard to say. I will exercise this evening after work, hopefully a walk/jog and sometime on the stairclimber then some weights. I need to burn some calories. I'm feeling fat right now.

Ok, so on with the day! Hope everyone has a healthy day! See you all this evening!
~Elisha

Just typed a really really long post and lost it because I was checking on the radar! It's really storming here, so I am going to have to get off computer and re write all of it tomorrow!

Lots of NSV's to tell you about...food sucked today! Exercise sucked! But lots of NSV's! Yea!

You all keep doing whatever you are doing! You are all awesome!!

Hugs,
Julie

Hi,

Big news! I have written in my food journal and gone for a walk the last two days :dance: . I feel great! My goal for tomorrow is to do it again. One day at a time is how it's going to be from now on!
Julie - :bravo: ...again :) . 4 pieces of chocolate will not hurt you! I think you showed amazing discipline stopping at just 4! You asked for healthy snack ideas for your holiday, one of my favourites is dried fruit (apricots, sultanas and paw paw) and mixed nuts (a few) they are nutritious, give you energy and are easy to carry. Have a great time!

Elisha - I have real trouble trusting digital scales. I bought a pair at the start of this year, and when I weighed in I sometimes got weight losses which were unrealistic. I returned them and went back to my old bathroom scales, which were always reliable anyway. Take your weight from the new scales and just keep on doing what you're doing, your clothes will be the best indicator, although we all like to see those numbers on the scale going down :D .

Jaymi - Thanks for your encouragement, you are going great guns too!

That's all for today,

Lucia :flow1:

Lucia...Great going on the exercise and journalling! I'm proud of you! One day at a time...that's the way!

Elisha...Hey, whatever it takes to motivate us, huh? Those darned scales anyway!

Jaymi...sounds like you are plugging along, doing what you need to do! Great job on the losses!

OK, so my day for yesterday. I am going to write the condensed version here!

Work was work. I got through the birthday party with just a small piece of cake and a couple of tablespoons of melted ice cream! :(

No exercise yesterday, either :( (unless you can call shopping exercise!) and if I don't get my butt in gear, there won't be any today either!!! I went to see my old boss in Grand Rapids (about 30 minutes from here) because she wants to hire me for a program they have there! I'm pretty sure I'm not taking the job, even though I am flattered that she asked me and the pay will be better than what I am making now. But the travel is too much and I'm not sos ure I like the place that well...and I certainly don't want the headache of the job. My job is soooo easy and I like it!

So after I talked with her, I decided to do some shopping. Needed to find some things for DD and while I was out decided to try on some clothes. I went to Burlington Coat Factory! Love that store! I only found a pair of Kakhi shorts for DD (kids clothes prices are ridiculous!) but I did try on some for me!!!! Here's where it gets good!

I tried on a size 14 pants and they fit!!!!!! A bit tight but they fit. And one pair was those "low riders" which look ridiculous on me (as they do many women who wear them!) but hey...I wanted to see!

:flow1: OK, AND....I ended up getting a size XL pants and a Large top! :flow1: I am so excited! I can now shop in the "regular" sized clothes! No more XL tops for me!!! I can wear a Large! Me! A large!!! And pants that fit me from the "regular" clothing racks! :cb: :flow2: :dancer:

OK, well that's not all! A girl I work with yesterday told me she could tell I was losing still! She said my "shelves" are going away. I was a bit puzzled at first realizing that I am still quite chesty, but she was referring the part just below the waist...the hips!!! Oh my! My hips are leaving! :hat: I am thrilled that someone has noticed! Perhaps that's why pants are fitting me better!!! LOL!!

One thing Inoticed yesterday (as I got on the scale!) is that if I don't eat as planned and work out every day I don't lose, but if I do, the scale starts to move!!! So, with that said, I'm off to do 20minutes of WATP!

Here's to a great week everyone! :hat: Say some prayers for me that my vacation goes as well! I'll be checking in tonight and again tomorrow but after that...I will miss you all until the 6th of July!!!!

Hugs!
Julie

You are what you eat. --American proverb

Morning chickies!

Motivation Level: 5

I don't really feel like doing much of anything today, but there's a lot of things I know I need to get done, so I'll do it anyway.
I didn't exercise yesterday, because a good friend of mine stopped by and we watched some movies. Oh well, I can still make 4 days this week. I need to go mow the lawn today. I count that as aerobic activity, especially since it burns about 230 calories in half an hour!
Food was ok yesterday. Calories came in at 1882--a little high. I attribute it completely to cornbread, my biggest weakness. I don't know why I keep making it, I should know better. I always eat too much. And I always add butter.
Oh well. It just means I will have to do extra exercise today.
I have to run some errands this morning--groceries, pick up Grandpa's urn, finish up some car insurance stuff. Then I have to clean this house! Oh, and I might wash my car. I know, exciting stuff. :)
I do have some good news though. The scale that said I weighed 215 yesterday says I weigh 212 today, which is a lot closer to where I thought I was. I didn't test it for accuracy yet though, but I did step on and off a few times just to be sure. I know I didn't lose 3 pounds overnight, but I was equally as sure that I didn't gain 3 pounds overnight on Monday. *shrugs*

Julie: Isn't it wonderful to fit into smaller clothes? I hope to be joining you in 14's sometime soon! About the job, you're right--being happy is so much more important than any money you could make.

Lucia: Great job on journaling and walking! One day at a time, that's what it takes!

Jaymi: I think I burned calories just reading about your busy life! I'm the same way with pools though--instant relaxation. Aside from the whole bathing suit issue anyway! :-D

Ok, that's it from me for now. I will be back this evening to check in. Have a wonderful day everyone!
~Elisha

I'm familiar with this term having worked in the mental health industry and having had some counselling myself in recent years, but here's a great website page which can help each one of us!

Maybe we can do a "daily affirmation" with this forum or just come up with one thing that we want to affirm about ourselves! I think it is awesome!

Click here for link to affirmation web page! (http://www.truestarhealth.com/members/archives.asp?id=10ml3p1a38)

There's also another link on that page that takes you to a whole other page about affirmations! It's pretty cool!

So I am going to write my affirmation in my post for the day!

See you there!
Julie

:wave: Hi Everyone!! :wave:


:encore: MY GOALS FOR 6/24/04 (a.m.) :encore:

:strong: EXERCISE :tread: :hun: FOOD :eating2: :coffee:WATER :coffee:


:sunny: 60 minutes *~* Denise Austin (weights)
:sunny: Quarter Pounder w/o cheese and half of small fry :mcd: :cry:
:sunny:Only 16.9 oz so far :dz:


:dancer: GOALS FOR 6/24/04 (P.M.) :dancer:


:shrug: 60 MORE MINUTES OF EXERCISE

:shrug: DONT EXCEED CALORIES

:shrug: DRINK 47.1 MORE OZ

:shrug: GET 10,000 STEPS!!


:cheer: Here are my Goals for tomorrow: :cheer:

:flow1: Exercise 2x (pref 120 min)
:flow1: Dont' go over calories!
:flow1: Drink 36 oz of water

:flow1: Stop being depressed over situations you cannot control!!!


Oh well it's already 9 p.m. and I havent achieved any of my p.m. goals. Tonight so far all I have done is clean, and clean and it don't look like I did any darn thing! But I have like 5 garbage bags! I havent counted my steps yet either, but I"m sure it's not there yet. I was mostly standing in one place. I still plan on doing exercising later. I'm drinking water now, but I doubt I get 64 oz. So I gotta get to my butt into gear! I will update later tonight. Quick Comments and I gotta run!!


:queen: Hikein*~* :queen: Well I can see you don't need my wishes! :lol: :cheer: You are doing great! I"m soooo proud of you!!!! :encore: Keep it up girl!!!!

:flow2: Lucia*~* :flow2: :goodluck: I hope you are doing great! keep up the good work!

:flame: Elisha*~* :flame: :goodluck: I hope you all are having a good day, you are doing fantastic! Scr*w those shorts, it's too hot!! I'll just wear the swimsuit and enjoy myself! Who cares what those other snobs think anyway!!:rofl: :goodluck:


Have a Great Day!!! :wave: Bye everyone!!! :wave:

Argh... every time I type a post my computer freezes up. I've had to restart the stupid thing at least 4 times in the past 2 hours. Grrrr...
This is going to be quick, and unless my computer decides otherwise, I'll be back in the morning.
Calories were a bit high today because I wasn't paying attention, but my exercise was pretty good. Mow the lawn, wash the car, clean the house.

Julie: I think the affirmations are a great idea! Positive thinking really IS a powerful weapon in this battle. I know you'll do just fine on your vacation. Stay strong!

Jaymi: Egads! You do so much! Even my busy days are slow compared to any of your days! Good job on all the exercise, and keep trying with the water intake.

Lucia: Keep up the good work! You're doing great!

Ok, I sure hope this gets posted. If my computer freezes again, I'm just shutting it down. Have a great night chicks!
~Elisha

Hi chicks!

It's been a while but I am out here!

I've got some great news I just have to share...I finally made one of my exercise goals! I has taken me since January to get here but I finally made it up the seven switchbacks and over the ridge without stopping and gasping for breath!!!!!!!!

woohoo! Happy critter dance happening right here! :dancer:

Haven't lost anything worth mentioning but I have been eating crappy so that is not unexpected. :( yep, that's chocolate frosting on my chin - the cupcake was fabulous. LOL

So I have to eat better and form a new exercise goal. Maybe walking a bit faster? I am a slow poke - I like to slow down and see where I am. Saw wild turkey and a doe on my last hike.

Oh well, I'm enjoying the hiking and getting better at it so it's an improvement right?

Hi Julie, Elisha & Ann,

I'm pressed for time today so this post will be brief. I have just read the new posts, and see that you are all doing so very well :cp: . I have maintained my success of the last two days by journalling and walking :D , am really quite proud of myself!

Have a great day, will catch up with you tomorrow.

Lucia :flow1:

The highest reward for man's toil is not what he gets for it, but what he becomes by it. --John Ruskin

Morning ladies!

Motivation Level: 7

Don't know what I'm going to eat, but I'm not going to get any exercise today. I've got to get ready and leave here fairly soon--lots of errands to run before work--and after work I'm going to dinner with a friend. I promise I'll be good! I think we're going to a local restaurant called Black Bear. They serve mostly wraps, healthy and not-so-healthy (my favorite being the Philly Cheesesteak wrap--don't think I'll be having all of those calories tonight!).
Since I get no exercise today, that means I can only possibly have 3 days of exercise this week. I've really got to work on that next week. I'll get up earlier if I have to. My goal for the day is to stay within my calorie budget and drink lots of water, since I know both of those things will be hard since I'm going out. I will do my best!

The good news is that my new scale is almost down to where my old one was--211 this morning (though I stepped on the old one and it says 206--grrr... why does the higher one have to be accurate?!). Only 1 more pound to go for 4th of July Challenge. Again... hahaha...

Julie: I'll be waiting for you to show up with our affirmations! Have a great vacation, and do lots of hiking!

Ann: Great to see you! How awesome about the switchbacks! I know I couldn't do it. Not yet anyway. ;) Keep up the good work!

Lucia: Way to go! Before you know it journaling and walking will simply be a habit and you will do them without even thinking.

Jaymi is probably too busy to check in yet! That girl is always busy!

Anyway, I'll be back later tonight. Have a healthy day everyone!
~Elisha

Hey ya chickies,
Last post before we leave in the morning! On our way up north for a week of the great outdoors, R&R and lots of one on one with family! I had a huge post written, but DD was messing around with the mouse and deleted it! GRRRR!

Today was a write off for me! It started out with good intentions but by the time the afternoon rolled around and the I was eating whatever I wanted and hadn’t exercised, I just realized that some days are…stone!!

Our freezer (which had a ½ cow in last fall) took a dump and we had to give away half the meat we had in it! Some was salvageable and we transferred it to our freezer upstairs. Good thing we discovered it today before we left for vacation or it would have been a real mess! Yikes. So we dealt with that for about 2 hours tonight amidst packing and all the stuff you have to do before camping for a week!

Anyway…wish me luck with camping and staying on program! I am looking forward to a week of getting away!

Happy 4th to all!

Ugh... I told you Fridays were hardest for me. Breakfast and lunch were good, but then there was dinner. Part of me said, "You don't need those calories," but the other part of me said, "How often to you go out to dinner? You don't eat like this every day, once in a while isn't going to kill you." Of course, the second part won. But it sure was tasty.
As I said, I didn't get any exercise in today either. But my calories came in at a little over 2000, which isn't nearly as bad as it could have been.

Anyway, I'm dead tired, and I've got to get up early tomorrow. Bleh. I wish I had a job with regular hours, preferrably not until noon or so. :-D
See you in the morning!
~Elisha

There is no riches above a sound body, and no joy above the joy of the heart.
--Apocrypha

Today is Weigh-in day. If I don’t lose anything, I won’t be disappointed. Yes I said it! Yesterday I Messed up big time, and you know what…. I don’t even care!!!

Before I go on with anything let me post my daily goals for today:

Pray
Exercise for 60 minutes
Drink Lots of water
Do not exceed calories
Try to be stress free
Improve attitude by at least 20% (pitiful I know)

It’s about time I get a break. It started off great, I had a 120 calorie breakfast, and I did 45 minutes of Denise Austin, and a 1 mile WATP tape. I did ok the whole rest of the day with water and everything, and then I ended up eating a Jr cheeseburger deluxe from Wendy’s. I don’t even know yet how many calories it was, then I got a phone call and my husband’s friends were in town. He wanted to go bowling. So there we went. I wore my pedometer the whole time, but it must have been on there wrong, because the whole time I was bowling it stayed the same!! So oh well! They ordered some fries, and of course I ate a couple, then I ate about 2 cheese ticks. The topper was when I started starving at about 1 am. I ordered some nachos chilli and cheese!! Ok, so I only ate like half of it, but I know that my calories were over. Oops did I forget to mention the spaghetti I ate for lunch?!?!? Mind you it was ground chicken in it, but I didn’t even measure the noodles.

Today I woke up sick to my stomach, and have been running back and forth to the bathroom!! I guess too much fat intake or something, but I needed it though! I’m having problems going to the bathroom anyways. Well I haven’t weighed in yet, I will after I exercise. We are supposed to be going to the beach later, I don’t really want to go. I’d have to wear a swimsuit in front of Derrick’s friends…and I refuse to. I wanted to go buy me one today, but it doesnt look like that will happen. Soooo anyways, I also have been breaking out in rashes on my neck. At first I thought it was the tanning lotion I was using, but I havent put any on in days, I think it’s stress. And that scares me to think I am that stressed out… But I am!

Well I gotta go. This is supposed to be a short post today. I didn’t’ even have time to really do this like I normally do. I had to pre-write this, and copy and paste this. So if I don’t leave any comments on here, don’t get ticked off at me! I havent even read anyone’s post. I will come back later and post my weigh-in….
I hope everyone has a great day!

If you only care enough for a result, you will almost certainly attain it. If you wish to be rich, you will be rich; if you wish to be learned, you will be learned; if you wish to be good, you will be good. Only you must, then, really wish these things, and wish them with exclusiveness, and not wish at the same time a hundred other incompatible things just as strongly.
--** William James

Morning chicks!

Motivation level: 4

I probably won't get any exercise today, and I'm pretty sure my eating won't be that great either. I'm going down to stay with my grandma, and we're all going out to dinner tonight for her birthday. Don't know where yet, but I'm sure it will be high calorie. I'll just have to watch what I eat the rest of the day.
I have to take my car in tomorrow morning to have it checked out, but the further I get from the stalling incident the more I think it was only a matter of driver error rather than mechanical. Oh well, better safe than sorry, I guess.
Anyway, I probably won't be here in the morning. Maybe not even this evening. But I will definitely be back tomorrow evening, and I will definitely work out tomorrow. I've gotten off track with the exercise again, and I don't really like it. I have to find a way to work it in.
So my only goal for the day is to watch my calories as much as possible. Oh, and lots of water to help flush away the calories I do eat.
Have a healthy day, chickies!
~Elisha

:wave: Happy Sunday ! :wave:

Short post today, I didnt lose anything, but oh well, I didnt gain! Yesterday was a rough one, there was no way to avoid over eating. First we started off at the beach, I was fixing my sandwich ( i only had 2 slices of wheat bread left) and I dropped it on the floor. :mad: So I decided to go ahead and eat white bread...it was molded... :p So... I just packed up my f/f pringles and headed on. Me and hubby fought pretty much all day long. He was kissing his friends butt the whole time, and completely disregarding us....his family! He complained about me taking so long and making him late, I had to get me AND the kids ready, try to pack everything for everyone, try to get food and drinks together..etc, etc, He did nothing. Then he rode around for like 45 minutes looking dumb. We got to the beach, it was raining!! But it stopped, and of course I spent the majority of the time watching the kids, I got in the water maybe 10 minutes.

I wore my bathing suit. I didnt care about those other people, there were much, much bigger people with swimsuits on than me. I've been wearing one at the pool in front of boys and men and whomever! I still feel uncomfortable, not because of my weight, because I don't look that bad in it, but because I'm not comforable being around people with lack of clothing. :lol: Anyways, we then headed to Miyabi's this japanese resturant. Well let's just say there isnt any healthy alternatives there, I looked.. Of course not eating it would have been best...but who can do that when they are cooking the food and placing it on your plate right there?!?!? But.... I didnt pig out at all! But I know that the amount of rice I did eat was way more that the lousy 1/4 cup you are allowed!! :lol:

I didnt do formal exercise, but I was doing squats while the waves were coming...(made up exercises) and kicks under the water. I ran around a little out on the sand, so that had to burn something!! Well today, I’ve exercised and I am organizing my tablets for my calories and food info, and my workouts. I plan on some tennis and going to the pool later. Well gotta go, of course this didnt end up short

:flow1: Julie ~ :goodluck: and Have fun, fun, fun!!!! I love it! Cant' wait to see how your trip went!

:flow1: Elisha ~ Sorry I havent been able to check-in. I have been busy! But let an "employed" person tell it, I"m just a lazy house-wife! :lol: :thanks: for even acknowledging that I do something!!! BTW, you have been doing great, but we gotta get that motivation level up !!! How can I help!!! :D

:flow1: Lucia ~ Hey, you forgot about me!!!!!! ;) I'm so proud of you with your :write: !! You are doing great! Keep it up!

:flow1: Ann ~Welcome Back!! I'm glad to see ya here! :cheer: on your Exercise goals!! That's great!!! BTW next time... save me cupcake, will ya!!! :lol:

:wave: Bye everyone! Love you All !!:wave:

I'm back girls! I know, I've only been gone for half a day!

Well, eating was horrific, and exercise was non-existant as of yet. Hopefully I'll get on the stairclimber later this evening, after my dinner settles.
At least there isn't anything wrong with my car.
I'm so tired, and the only thing I did was sit around and eat. Actually, I did some laundry too. That was about it though. Once I start exercising again though, I'll have more energy. Right? :)
Anyway, I might check back in after I exercise. If you don't hear from me again tonight, that means I probably haven't done anything worthwhile. ;)
Have a lovely evening!
~Elisha

Woohoo! Score 1 for the Fat Chick! I made it to the stairclimber today, for a full 30 minutes. Then some weights.
Yay for me!
Anyway, I'll be back in the morning.
~Elisha

Never trade what you want at the moment for what you want most.
--Someone on the Journals, forgive me for not remembering who.

Morning chicks!

Motivation level: 8

Man, I'm just raring to go today! Of course, the only place I'll be going is W-O-R-K. But then I'll come home and fix a healthy dinner, then I'll exercise and lift some weights. Today is going to be a good day, I can feel it.
This is one of those times when I feel like I want to get to my goal as quickly as possible, so if that means eating very very little and exercising a lot that's what I'll do. But I won't. I know better than that. My body doesn't work very well without proper nutrition. And if I exercise too much I'll end up hurting myself and then I won't be able to exercise at all. I just get so impatient. I want to be thin NOW!

*sigh*

I will have to wait, just like everyone else. Rome wasn't built in a day. At least I'm motivated.

Have a healthy day everyone! I'll be back this evening!
~Elisha

:chicken: Hello Chickadees!! :chicken:

I dont usually have the munchies this early, but I am STARVING!!!...I've already ate about 3 cups of dry cereal! :lol: And I guess I've messed up already because Im eating some beef-stew with rice, potatoes and carrots. I don't have any choice today, it's eat or starve! We are soo totally broke! I cooked that yesterday and I have to eat it. Today I plan on cooking something healthier. Anyone know of a website that calculates the calories in the food you prepare?!? I'm having **** trying to figure out how many calories are in this stew!! Since servings are different on different calories...it drives me nuts!! Counting calories is hard, when you cant count everything you eat!!! Well anyways, I didnt get to go play tennis, but we went to the pool for about 2 hrs. This darned rash on my neck won't go away!!! :mad: I'm going to jot down my daily goals and what not:

:sunny: Done Already :sunny:


:cheer:60 - minutes ~ Denise Austin
:cheer:Food so far ~ 3 cups of dry cereal - 340
*~*~*~*~*~* Beef Stew - no earthly idea!
:cheer:Water ~ 24 oz
:cheer:Steps ~ 3812

:flow2: Things to do :flow2:


:coach: Exercise additional 60 min on legs, thighs, and butt

:coach: Pray

:coach: Cook something healthy

:coach: Try not to kill anyone!!!

:coach: Housework, and more housework

:coach: Don't be overcome by the munchies!!

:coach: Get in 10,000 steps


Well thats enough for me today. I'm PMSing big time!! No wonder I was sooo grouchy yesterday, and crying this morning, and why I'm suddenly sooo hungry! That's all I need! :crazy: Oh well, just means I gotta work harder. Well my day is running short of course. So quick comments for the :chicken: and gotta run!!! :tread:

:twirly: Elisha ~ You've been doing great! Good to see your motivation up! :cp: on doing that stairclimber!! :encore:

:twirly: Julie ~ Miss ya chickie! Hope you are having a great time!

:twirly: Lucia ~ :goodluck: on your :write: !!

:twirly: Everyone Else ~ Sorry If I Missed you, but know that I am here, and I do care!

Well, I’m off to try and do something! My head aches :headache: and I am hungry!!!:hungry: I think I am going to pop open that jar of pickels! No calories!! But I gotta sweat out that sodium! Well anyway I hate TOM!!!!

:rollpin: KILL TOM!!! :rollpin:

Sorry.....I'm losing my mind!! :crazy: Anyways really gotta go now! :lol:

My luv to you all!!!
:flow1: Jaymi :flow1:

It is not doing the thing we like, but liking the thing we have to do that makes life happy. --Goethe

Morning chicks!

Motivation level: 7

Not quite as high as yesterday, but I'm feeling pretty good. My weight is now down to where it was on my old scale (210), which means that I have met my 4th of July Challenge goal twice this month!

I didn't get to exercise yesterday. I had to go pick up my brother about 75 miles away, and that kind of shot the whole evening. But it's ok, because he bought me a tank of gas.

Today I'm definitely going to exercise. Haven't decided if I'm going to walk or get on the stairclimber, but I'll do one of those things here in a few minutes. If I go for a walk, I'll have to get on the stairclimber this evening, because my walk only takes about 15 minutes. But I work a long shift today, and I won't get home until around 10:00pm, and I know I won't want to climb on the stairclimber after I get home. So I'm thinking I'll just do 30 minutes on the stairclimber this morning. Or maybe I'll pop in one of my videos. I dunno yet.

Food for today--I have no idea, as usual. Eggs for breakfast, turkey bologna and mustard sandwich and some Wow! chips for lunch. Dinner? Who knows? Since Mom and I both work late shifts today, Dad will probably have some hot dogs or something before we get home, so I'll most likely be left to fend for myself, which is fine, since I usually end up eating fewer calories that way.

Jaymi--You're doing great with all the exercising! I don't know if fitday.com has a feature like this or not, but the DietPower software I use lets you enter recipes and then calculates the calories/fats/proteins/carbs/etc. I'm sure there are other recipes out there as well. Or try a recipe site like allrecipes.com and find a recipe similar to yours. They usually have nutritional info with them.

Where is everyone else? I know Julie's on vacation, so she's got an excuse! Hehe...
Check in when you can, chickies.

Ok, I'll probably be back after work to let you all know how I did. Have a wonderful day everyone!
~Elisha

Hey Everyone! Well I'm not having a good week or a good day, but it's kool. I'll survive. No need in boring you to tears with my complaining, I've ranted enough today in my journal! :lol: I feel a tad better now. The weather is YUCKY! :rain: I had planned on going play tennis or go to the beach with the kids, but of course today would be the day it actually rained! :( Oh well, there's always tomorrow! I had a major tummy and headache this morning, and I havent exercised yet. I know it's PMS, and now, my head is hurting again! I have to exercise though, no matter what. My daughter will have to take her nap, and then I'm going to pop Denise in and at least get 60 minutes!! I wanted to try out my step I just bought, but I dont have the time! It came with a tape of some woman I never heard of, but it also includes weights, so I couldnt do it yesterday. Well anyways my only goal for today is:

:bubbles: Dont stress yourself over things you can't control! !!! :bubbles:

Anything else, just will happen the way it's gonna happen! Well sorry I can't leave a longer post, but I gotta go put the baby to sleep! Hope everyone is having a great day! :wave:

Evening ladies!

Today was a good, if spastic, day. One of those days where I'm just lounging around and then I look at the clock--oh geez! I have to leave for work in 10 minutes and I haven't even dried my hair yet! And work was just plain crazy. I can't wait until next week, when my promotion kicks in and I can stop doing crap work. Ah, the beauty of the cosmetics department....
Anyway, food today was good. My calories came in around 1250, which is pretty low for me, so I'm thinking of having some popcorn or something else to munch on. I did a 30-minute kickboxing tape this morning, so I'm even good in the exercise department. On the drive home I was thinking "Oh man, I really don't feel like exercising, but I guess I'll have to anyway. What am I going to do tonight?," but then I realized that I had already done my workout for the day. Woohoo!
I'll have to get up and do it again tomorrow. I might even do the abs or weights segments of the tape (I didn't today because I was pressed for time). I've never been able to work straight through either one of those segments. It would be totally awesome if I could.

Oh, and the scale this morning--209! Yay for me! And my manager asked me if I had lost weight, and another coworker standing nearby said "Can't you tell? She's doing really great!" That just made me smile. :D

Anyway, that's all for me tonight. I'm going to find some munchies and kick back, maybe watch a movie or something. Have a lovely evening everyone!
~Elisha

Imprisoned in every fat person a thin one is wildly signaling to be let out.
-- Cyril Connolly, "The Unquiet Grave" (1945)

Morning chicks!

Motivation level: 7

I don't really feel like moving today, but other than that I'm feeling pretty good. I took my measurements this morning (today being the first of the month), and I am down 5.5 inches! WOOHOO! I'm also down 6 pounds, but that's on the new scale, so it's probably more like 10. I just had to lose 5 or so pounds twice. :D

Long shift at work today. I'm not sure I'm going to exercise. I really don't feel like doing it right now, and I'll be too tired when I get home. I know I should, but I've got short shifts both tomorrow and Saturday, so those days should be no problem, and that will still make 4 days this week, which is twice as much as last week. And five days next week should be easy too.
As for food... haven't decided yet. My calories came in way low yesterday, but I'm not going to try to "make up for it." Breakfast and lunch are usually pretty easy, but it's hard to tell what Mom will make for dinner.
Anyway, I'll check back in this evening and let you know how I did.
Have a healthy day!
~Elisha

Hey everyone! Just a real quick check- in to see how you all are doing! I took some midol last night and was cleaning to house until 4 am!! So of course I didnt get but 35 minutes of exercise in....and I really wouldnt say it was high impact either. My pedometer only has 3636 steps on it, but that has been since 7 or so. I forgot to put it on earlier. I took only 1 midol today...but I'm already up late. I'm packing up stuff that we don't use.... SO MUCH! Now I don't know where I"m going to put it...but who cares! The point of all of that ramble is....even though I did drink my water, and exercised I give myself a big fat 0!!! I've never cheated this bad since I've started.....in March.... :lol: This really sucks.... But i'm also not used to having PMS!

Anyways, on top of that I have some kind of cold. I am also eating my butt off.... I made the mistake of eating at hardees today. They didnt have a nutrition guide... BIG MISTAKE! Now I'm starving...but I cant afford to eat anything else. I usually weigh-in at the first and end of the month...but I skipped it, I'd rather wait until Saturday. I also ate a snickers and an ice cream!!! That is soo unlike me! I HATE TOM!!!!

Elisha, I asked you on the journal, but thought since I was here I would ask again... Where exactly do you measure yourself?!? Your arms and stuff too??!! OH ****, I just added another 70 calories of these f/f chips and now my tummy hurts!! So I gotta go chickies...I'm tired!!! :lol: Talk with you all tomorrow!

Never, never, never quit. --Winston Churchill

Morning chicks!

Motivation Level: 6

I'm a little pressed for time this morning (as usual) so I'm going to try to make this a quick one. Short shift at work today, so exercise this afternoon will be no problem. I finally got a working digital camera, even though it's a crappy one, so I'm going to take some progress pictures of myself this afternoon also. If they turn out decent I'll post a few. If not... you'll just have to wait to see my beautiful face! :D

Food shouldn't be too bad, as I'm fixing dinner and I'll make something healthy. Don't have any idea what though. I'll figure it out. I get to clean my entire house today too. Bleh... I don't really feel like cleaning, but I know I need to, so I guess I will.

Jaymi: As for measurements, I measure everywhere: Waist, hips, abs, but, chest, bust, upper arm, bicep, forearm, upper thigh, lower thigh, and calf. I'm not sure how accurate I am about it though, as I can never remember exactly how I measured the month before, so I worry that I'm not doig it the same way and therefore I'm getting different numbers. As long as they're fairly close, I'm assuming they're right.

Anyway, gotta run! I'll be back this evening. Have a lovely day everyone!
~Elisha

Evening ladies.

Today was... eh, ok I guess. Mostly good, but for some reason I am depressed now. I didn't get to work out, or clean my house, or even fix dinner today. I had to chauffer my brother around looking for a car, and as payment he gave me gas money and bought me dinner. Then I had to chauffer my best friend around because her car is in the shop. We had a yummy dinner though, and I didn't even go way over my calorie limit--I came in at 1456 for the day. My intake seems to keep getting lower, and I'm not even trying. Not that I mind, it's just kind of weird. I didn't get any decent pictures taken either, and now I've already taken off my makeup for the night, so it's not going to happen now.

The depression though, is a different story. I feel like I should be doing better. With my weight loss, with my finances, with my life in general. And the fact that I'm not doing better kind of pisses me off. But certain parts of it I don't really know how to change. A girl at work was asking me about my weight loss goals, and I said I'd like to get down to around 150 or a size 8, but that I didn't really know how to judge because I've never been that size. She said that I have a large frame and I'll probably never be below a 10/12, or a 13/14 in juniors. I know she didn't mean it to be insulting. She has about the same stature as me and that's what size she is, and while she looks a lot better than I do now, it still kind of came as a blow to my self-confidence. It's like, "You'll never be any better than this, so don't wear yourself out trying."
And then I look at my fat. I look at the scale. It says I've lost almost 30 pounds. But I don't see much of a change. If 30 pounds doesn't make a difference, why should the next 50? There is a lot of fat on my body, not just places I could use a little toning up, but actual rolls of fat. It disgusts me. It feels like so much more than 50. 30 pounds hasn't even budged this thing I call a stomach, let alone my cottage cheese thighs. I feel like even once I lose the weight I'll still be the same shape, and it's the shape that bothers me.

I hate this. I hate being fat. I hate myself for letting me get fat. I hate the fact that I have to go through this. I hate the fact that it's my fault. I hate the fact that it could have been prevented. I hate myself for not losing weight sooner, or faster. I hate myself for not being someone I am able to respect. I hate myself for not being able to control myself better. I hate the fact that I let my emotions overrule my logic. I hate the fact that I ever let my life get to where it is right now. I feel so incredibly stupid.

Ok, sorry for that rant. Had to get it out of my system. Don't feel much better now though. *sigh*

Tomorrow, part of me wants to sleep in, but part of me wants to get up and exercise, work out some of this frustration. Maybe tomorrow will bring a fresh perspective. One can always hope.

Have a good night, chicks.
~Elisha

Hi Everyone!

I have finally been able to take the time to catch up with you. I have been so busy with work and when I had time to go online on Saturday, there was a problem with a blackout further down the line, so while I could connect to my ISP, I couldn't connect to any websites :( .

So now I'm able to check in with you, I am pleased to report I had a weight loss of 2 pounds for June! Not a lot, I admit, but at least the scale is heading in the right direction. I did find it difficult to stick with the journal part for a lot of the month, but now even that is beginning to be a natural part of my day. Things are even going well exercise wise, even if I don't do any other form of exercise, I walk each day, and since I bought my pedometer, it urges me to be more active in general.

I will be in touch again tomorrow, I have really missed the support of these message boards. Have a great day :D .

Lucia :flow1:

Imprisoned in every fat person a thin one is wildly signaling to be let out.
-- Cyril Connolly, "The Unquiet Grave" (1945)

Morning chicks!

Motivation level: 6

I'm not feeling particularly energetic today, but after the day of completely crappy eating I had yesterday, I do feel like I absolutely have to climb back on that wagon today. I'm going to do my exercise here in a few minutes. No idea what I'm going to do yet, but I'll do something. And my eating is going to be right on target today. No excuses.
I start my new job today. I think I should be more excited than I am. Maybe the excitement has already worn off (since I have known about it for more than 2 weeks, and it's not really like I'm getting a new job--I just have a new title and slightly more responsibility). But I need the money. However, I'm hoping to hear about a tech writing position this week, and that is a job I actually want and a lot more money. I guess we'll have to wait and see on that one.

Lucia: Congrats on the 2 pound loss! You're right--any progress is still progress! And keep up the good work with the journaling. Once you get used to it, it almost feels wrong if you don't do it.

Jaymi: I'm sure you're still out there being as active as ever!

Have a great day, chickies!
~Elisha

:chicken: Hey all! :chicken:

Sorry I havent been checkin in! I havent had any free time to myself. I am very, very cranky right now! I didnt get to exercise yesterday, and I didnt yet.. today. Everybody and everything gets on my nerves!! I'm used to getting up and going where ever I please... even if it is just to the store or something. Now I have to wait for everyone to get ready. My sister wants to sleep all da*n day and at about 4 or 5 say... Are we going anywhere today? H*ll No! The day is over with!! Meanwhile I havent really gotten anything accomplished that I wanted to. I just don't get it.... why is such dumb things irritating me?!? I'm not even going to get on the hubby, he just gets on my nerves... for no reason... or every reason. I need an attitude adjustment! I need help!! :lol: I wouldnt want to be my friend if I met me right now!!!! Anyways, my kids are both acting bad and they are getting on my nerves! Plus it's over 90 degrees outside, and THAT gets on my nerves! :lol: I can just imagine me trying to go walking out there in this heat, I'd be passed out in 5 minutes. I want to go to the beach or pool, but Tom is still linguring and that gets on my nerves!! :lol3: :rofl:

So... I guess everyone can see why I havent checked in.... too grumpy!! :lol: As you all know, this dumb AOL cuts off constantly and that just tops the cake. I really, really, want to leave!! The hubby is off fishing, but when he comes in... which better be in the next 30 minutes or so... I'm leaving him, the kids,, and maybe even the lil sis and go buy me some tampons and get a tan or something. This weather sucks so bad, I doubt I get into the water...plus Its probably packed. But I don't care... I need some alone time!

Well everyone, sorry If I ruined your day! I didnt come here to type this...but it all just came out this way! My life seems to just suck and be the worst ever.. but I know that it isnt.... I just have this major bad mood thing going... and I've been having a headache every single day! Plus I cant seem to wake up early, and I've started having nightmares again. I assume this could make you all be grouchy too! :lol: Well anyways, I will try my best to come back here with a more positive attitude. Whichs gives me a bit of lee-way since it just has to be a little better since its so bad now!! :rofl: ! Well I hope everyone has a great day, and I will talk to you soon!

Jaymi

Jaymi--You're right, that would make everyone else grumpy too. We all have days like that occasionally. I seem to have quite a few of them, actually.

Let's see, how did I do today? I did manage to get some exercise in, though only a 20 minute walk up our hill. But, that's 20 more minutes than I've managed in the past few days, so it's all good. Calories came in at 1531, so I'm in good shape there. I might even indulge in a little popcorn while I watch a movie. I'm really craving something crunchy/salty. Mmm... popcorn. I even made Mom buy me some light popcorn at the store, so I won't feel too guilty about it.
As for my first day in my new position... all good. I made 400% of my sales plan today, and that's not even counting what anyone else sold for me today, which was a good bit. Granted, my sales goals are fairly small, but that's good. Easy goals make easy bonuses. :D

And I just have to say this because I am so freaking happy... my new car gets 42 mpg. How awesome is that?! I've been filling up once a week, which is great, considering I drive about 18 miles to work one way.

Ok, enough bragging. Movie time. Have a lovely evening chicks.
~Elisha

:wave:

I have only a little while to view the boards and check in today. I am feeling very positive again today, I'm sure my little weight loss has helped to motivate me. I haven't been for my walk yet today, that is planned for this afternoon, along with some weights :D .

Elisha - Good luck with your new position at work and also with getting back on the wagon - I know exactly how you feel! Thanks for your encouraging words :) .

Jaymi - Hang in there! Hope your day improves - take some me time and look after yourself ;) .

Check in with you tomorrow,

Lucia :flow1:

Just a quick note to let you all that I am back. I wanted to say something really profound to let you all know that I am feeling refreshed, but nothing comes to mind! Camping is wonderful and even a "moody" husband didn't get me down at all! When one breathes in the air of Lake Michigan every morning and feels the sand at her feet and watches the laughter from the depths of a dear daughter's soul, one can't help but feel refreshed. The only thing that made me a little crabby was driving home today! :( It's back to reality and back to the structure of my days and nights. I so enjoyed reading on the beach, waking whenever I wanted (which was no later than 8:30 on any given day and usually around 7am!) and watching the beautiful sunsets from the comfort of my own campfire chair through the trees or walking to the beach (just a few yards from that chair at the campfire) to lay in the sun or play with DD at the beach! I walked on the beach and through the trails in the park, I biked, but mostly I just enjoyed each moment as it was! It was beautiful!

I am back to daily goals, however and tomorrow is no exception!

I will:
Walk in the morning or ride bike for 20 minutes or more and if not, I will ride bike when I get home tomorrow night! Schedule is a little off kilter this week as hubby leaves tomorrow for 3 days in Milwaukee and have to take and pick up DD from daycare (that will be the hard part...remembering to pick her up after work...I've been spoiled!)

Work on a menu plan this week, but for tomorrow I have some deli meat and chicken leftover from camping with some veggies that I will take for lunch. B-fast will be something quick, probably oatmeal!


That's it for tonight, my friends! I hope you all have a wonderful week. Thank you for your continued inspiration!

Elisha...I read your post from a couple of days ago...we all have days where we don't like ourselves very much, but you seem to have come back to your sanity!!! LOL! Perseverance & diligence! That's what it's about girl! I'm in it for the long haul and so are you! Don't let what one person says to you defeat your attitude! YOu are above that. Someone told me that I would never be a size 8 and so I found a whole bunch of pictures and phrases from an exercise magazine and made a collage and hung it on my fridge! I am determined...and when I forget, I look at that and what it means to me and I am motivated again! It may take me longer than some, but I will get there...and so will you! I've missed you!

Lucia...way to go on the 2# this month!!!!! Heck, I will take 2# without a question! We seem to be trudging along at this thing. Maybe this will be the month where we can both kick it into high gear and lose, say....3#????!!!! LOL!!! Hugs to you, chickie!

Jaymi...you are young with 2 children and a husband who doesn't help you much and you do everything for all of them. Girl...it's no wonder that you get in these fits! I have said it before and I will say it again, take time for yourself (not all day, but some time every day) WITHOUT guilt or discussion about it...and do what you need to do for yourself (even if it's just to paint your toenails or pray or scrub the sink or whatever!!!) Relaxing calms the soul and you need to be calm for a short time every day! Hugs to you!

That's it chickies!!! I'll catch you tomorrow sometime!

Julie

Just a quick check in this evening, and I'm delighted to see you've posted. So glad to hear your holiday was relaxing. It's always a little difficult to resume your normal routine after a break, just ease yourself into it.

Thanks for your encouragement, what the heck...we could aim for 4# this month :lol: .

Will catch up with you tomorrow!

Lucia :flow1:

Dieting is not self-denial; it is self-affirmation. --Terry Dunkle

Morning chicks!

Yay!!! Julie's back!!!! Glad to hear you had a good time on vacation. It sounds very relaxing.

Lucia--Best of luck on the 4#! :D You're doing great!

Let's see...
Motivation level: 6

It's my day off, but for some reason I have to go run a bunch of errands for everyone else. Bleh. Oh well. I might take the opportunity and drop by the book store. There's this awesome book by Kevin Aucoin that details how to achieve different looks with make-up, and since I am the Cosmetics Manager now, I figure I should know how to do some of it. Besides that, it just looks like fun. I love playing with make-up!
I know, I'm a dork. :D
Anyway, I have to go do some laundry, clean up around the house some more (I feel like I've been cleaning for days already!), and hopefully get in some exercise. It's kind of rainy and icky out today, so I'll probably use the stairclimber today and do some weights. Oooh... I might even do our Pilates DVD.
I'm going to stop by my grandparents' house. Hopefully they won't make me eat with them. I plan to use the excuse "I have to go cook dinner at home," because they will make me eat if I am there while they're eating. Ugh...
Anyway, off to breakfast for now. I'll check in again this evening. Have a lovely day everyone!
~Elisha

Well, I didn't do too incredibly bad today. I didn't do too incredibly well today either. No exercise. Calories came in at 1633. Water was good.
I got my makeup book, and I've been playing all evening. I wish I was at work, so I could play with ALL of the cosmetics, rather than just what I happen to have at home (which I will admit is no small collection). When I find a look I like and can do well, I'll take a few pics and see if I can figure out how the photo gallery thingy here works. I also really need to take a few full length shots so I can see my progress. I had my brother take some 35mm shots of me soon after I started this health kick back in February, but I haven't taken any since. I think actually seeing the almost-30-pound difference on paper would make it a little more obvious to me. I might wait until I've officially reached the 30 pound mark. My weight has been hovering at 210 for the past few days, and it's starting to bother me, since I had been down to 208. In any case, within a week or so I should have some pictures to show you all.
I guess that's it for me tonight. I'll see you all in the morning!
~Elisha

Hi,

Hope everyone is having a great day. Mine is moving along very well once again. :write: and :tread: on a daily basis. You are so right Elisha, once journalling has become a habit, it almost feels wrong when you don't do it, and I find now I feel more in control with my weight loss.

I must make this brief this evening as I am cooking dinner for friends, I thought it's about time I played hostess :lol: . Will catch up with you tomorrow, hugs to all.

Lucia :flow1:

I posted my goals on the new Labor Day challenge and this morning, although difficult, I got up and did my 20 minutes on the bike and some general toning exercises. Haven't done the butt isometrics in over a month and that felt good to do those! ;)

Yesterday's day was not worth mentioning because of food I ate and lack of exercise, although we did take the dog for a walk last night around the block and I did vacuum the whole house becaue dog was home when we were on vacation and she didn't stay in her gated area! Bad dog!!! So white fluffy dog hair in every part of the house is now contained in vacuuum cleaner! :D

I bought Oprah's O magazine while on vacation and found some helpful information there and lots of little quotes, so when I have a moment, I will post some things. There was a little "tear out" section titled "Something to think about" with 5 areas to focus on. One of them spoke to me and maybe will to you.

"Who would you be if you pulled out all the stops? Finish the phrase "When I'm in my full power, I'm able to...."

Maybe we can work on this one this week, huh?

Hugs to all!

No one ever repented of having eaten too little. --Thomas Jefferson

Apparently I need to start posting those Motivational Quotes of mine earlier in the morning.... everyone's already been here by the time I get them up!

Anyway....

Motivation Level: 3

Way low today. It's my day off and I'm feeling particularly lazy. I will try to get in some exercise. That is my goal for the day. Food and water will be good though, because I'm getting pretty good at managing those two aspects, at least.
The scale this morning showed 209, so now I'm only 1 pound away from my pre-4th of July Weekend weight. I think I'll have it off by the end of the week. Oh wait... ToM, so it will probably have to be next week. Bleh....
Anyway, it will soon be gone, and hopefully take some others with it. Onederland is getting so close I can taste it. I can't wait to be back below 200. I haven't been that weight since early high school years!

Ok, now I'm just starting to ramble. I'll be back this evening. Have a wonderfully healthy day everyone!
~Elisha

Ok, I'm joining this thread... since sometimes I can't even make it one day at a time but rather minute by minute. It's especially hard when my 2 y/o goes down for her nap. Quiet times are the worst for me... boredom seems to overpower the need and want to get healthy. And when no one's around, I don't have to bother with the verbal comments that may otherwise be tossed my way.

As much as I hate my husband's "meaningless" condescention, it sometimes helps to keep me in check. Oh right... I really *don't* need that extra helping of........! I know he loves me... and only wants the best for me and quite honestly, more often than not I tell him to keep those types of foods out of my mouth. It's just hard. I'm a hypocrit -- don't allow me these foods as I don't have the willpower myself to turn them down... but how dare you tell me I can't have this slice of cheesecake? O dear. It's suddenly becoming clear to me...!

My typical motivation seems to hover around the sad level of 2... and I feel sometimes that the only way to get me to move is with a crane. Ugh. Very, very sluggish. And now I'm almost incapable of sleeping without slipping meds into my system. That's really quite a horrible way to live.

It's not that I necessarily over-eat... I just eat the wrong things at the wrong times. And that combined with serious inactivity has added the extra 40lbs that hang off of my body. Instead of eating breakfast, lunch and dinner, I usually skip breakfast... skip lunch... then mow down on goodies mid-afternoon. I suppose it's just conditioning myself to eat balanced meals throughout the day... while getting going with some sort of exercise.

Does that seem about right? Or am I just talking out my a$$?

I have struggled with my weight my ENTIRE life... and probably felt it was more of an issue that it actually was. Kind of hard to see yourself in the "right" way when you've always been told you're fat... even when you aren't. So I obviously struggle with that... and I often go from one extreme to the other. From working out like mad to not at all. From eating healthy to eating fast-food constantly. There doesn't seem to be a happy medium. And even when I was at my smallest, I still had this idea in my head that I was repulsive. Is that normal?

Ok, I just totally went off on some wicked tangent there... man-alive! Sorry for that. Not really sure where all that came from.

Anyway, I really just don't want to feel alone in this struggle anymore. But more than anything, I want to be happy with who I am. It would be fantastic to reach my goal weight... but if I'm happy when I reach 125 or 130, then I've achieved the real prize in this whole process.

~mel

Welcome Mel! I totally know what you mean about being a minute-to-minute fight. That's actually the way I accomplish my goals. My goals are things like "I will drink this entire glass of water," or "I will get on that stairclimber for just 10 minutes," or "I will not eat seconds at this meal." It's the little things we do that really add up over time.

I too have gone back and forth between eating healthy and eating everything. I didn't even start to lose weight until I figured out that I have to quit dieting and start just being healthy. Now that I have figured that out... well, I find myself eating things I never considered eating on a diet.... like KFC, or pizza, or potato chips, or whatever. I just have to be careful and make sure I count it. I know I can't eat those things every day, but if I have them once in a while it's not going to kill me, or even wreck my diet, just as long as I don't let them. I'm the one in control here (even when I don't seem to be in control at all). And so are you.
It's about doing well more often than not. No one's expecting you to be perfect.

I also know what you mean about the "supportive" family. I tell my parents that I don't want their fattening food, then when they question me for eating whatever it is I snap at them and tell them to mind their own business. They probably think I'm crazy. They are getting more supportive though. Give your hubby time, or tell him that you really appreciate his help, but maybe that he can be a little more... I don't know... sensitive with the words he chooses?

I don't know what type of plan you're on, or if you're on any plan at all, but have you tried tracking all of your food? I find (as others on this board find as well) that journaling my intake really helps me stay focused and on track. It's also rather surprising at first to see what you're actually putting into your body. Of course, you can do it by simply reading labels and writing things down in a notebook (be careful though, labels DO lie!!!), or you can use software like fitday.com, DietPower (that's what I use), or LifeForm. I'm sure there are many other versions out there as well, but any of them will work, and they're a tremendous help.

Anyway....
I just wanted to pop on to let you chicks know that I completed my 30 minutes on the stairclimber and 15 minutes of weights for the day! Yay!
Oh, and I found a new source of motivation--men. Not the men that I want chasing me, the men that have already rejected me. I want them all to see me 6 months from now when I am slim and trim and more gorgeous than their wildest imagination and I want them all to kick themselves for passing me up!
(FYI--I just ran into an old crush of mine, and yes, I am a little bitter. But hey, it looks like he found the 30 pounds I lost! :D )

Ok, time to fix dinner. Bleh... have a wonderful evening everyone, and I'll probably be back in a bit.
~Elisha

Thanks for the advice, Elisha! I totally agree with starting with "baby-steps" to achieve goals. I know it's not a lifestyle change that can be altered overnight (although I'm certain we'd all love it if it were) but breaking things into smaller goals will really increase my motivation when I can see and feel the results. It *REALLY* is the little things that add up over time, isn't it?

I know no one expects me to be perfect... no one other than me, that is. It's always been an "all or nothing" kind of way with myself. And while I don't expect that from others, I do expect it of myself. Which is why it's so terribly difficult to take when I fail repeatedly. I know it's a ridiculous hang-up that I'll have to get over and hopefully I will this time around. *Crosses fingers*

Last night was the first time I was *REALLY* honest with my husband. He previously thought I weighed 140lbs or so. And I was always fine with him believing it b/c I never wanted to admit the truth to him. Would he walk out? Would he laugh? Would he drop a lung? Of course not. He echoed the words he always has... I will support you in whatever you have to do to make yourself happy. I know he loves me unconditionally... whether I'm fat, thin, tall, short, bald or hairy. I just wish I could love myself the very same way. He tries so hard to be sensitive... he just has a knack for putting his big ol' foot in his mouth. <--- Don't most men though?! :lol: Ah well... perhaps I should ease up on him and realize that I asked him to keep me in check. The poor guy really is stuck between a rock in a hard place, ain't he?! ;)

Oh there goes that wicked tangent again. Yes, I'm known for those. Yikes.

Anyway, back on track... right. I'm not really on any one plan... I have certain things I'm trying out and hoping to see results from. I have begun pilates again (which I quite enjoy once I get over the first week of pain) and am doing ok (so far!) with what I've been eating. I managed to eat both breakfast AND lunch today (both very healthy, I might add!) and my only snack today were a few grapes. Wow. No pop or juice (which is a horrible pitfall of mine) either. And tonight after dinner, hubby and I'll take our little girl out for a walk. Yay. I quite enjoy our evening walks to tell you the truth... it's just getting going that seems to be the hardest part.

I have logged onto fitday.com and find it very easy to navigate and I really enjoy the online journaling that's available. It's a great site to log your activity/food/feelings/goals/etc. :) And while I'm not really keen in keeping a journal of food intake, I'm more concerned with eating smaller portions of healthier food (fruits, vegetables, brown grains and unprocessed foods).

More than anything I think I just need to express myself rather than keeping everything bottled up inside to fester away. It really seems to be detrimental to my progression in life.

Anyway, congrats Elisha on your workout today! I can't wait to be able to post such awesome progress! And great idea to use past-crushes as incentive to get healthy. That would make an awesome mastercard ad...

Cost of work-out clothing: $65
Cost of exercise bike: $300
Cost of treadmill: $800
Look on the face of the arrogant a$$ who passed you up a year prior to losing 40lbs... PRICELESS! :D

Anyway, thanks for listening. I feel a gazillion times better and am actually off to do my pilates. :) Hope you all have a great night!

~mel

Evening ladies!

Wow, today turned out completely different than expected. Weird though. At least it was healthy. Exercise as I posted earlier was good. Water was good. Calories are way low--like under 800--but I'll find something else to eat. Maybe a mashed potato sandwich--yummy! I dunno. Something.

Mel--I just love that mastercard ad! Funny stuff! This site really does help you feel better, doesn't it? Before I found 3FC, I never though that something like this could really make that much of a difference, but I'm glad to be proved wrong.

Anyway, that's it from me tonight. I might post my MQotD a little later so everyone will get to read it in the morning when they sign on, because I know you'll all be here earlier than me! :D

Have a lovely night, chickies!
~Elisha

I know I checked in this morning, but I didn't get a chance to answer my own question. It's been a rough week for me...first few days back after vacation, but really that's no excuse! I like what Lucia said about "easing back into it slowly"...well I have!!!

Bad things eaten today:
*gas station cappucino
*Nestles Tollhouse candy bar

Good things eaten today:
*Cheerios with blueberries this morning
*Marie Calendar's chicken/rice dish! Yum, but probably waaaay too much fat!
*water consumed!

Things avoided today:
Buying ice cream and fried chicken (the chicken wasn't my choice to avoid, it just happened because of irresponsible customer service...guess I should be thankful!) at the grocery store when I was sooooo very hungry and cranky! Yea me!

I ate more than that, but those are the highlights. I see I haven't had too much in the way of fruits and veggies today! Oh what the heck! Some days just have to be that way, don't they?

So, overall today was ok! I'll give it a 6 on a scale of 1-10. I got in my exercise in the morning and did a couple of walks back and forth from facility to facility (its about a city block one way, I think!) Food was ok.

Tonight there was a very loud *BANG* outside my window while DD and I were watching "Brother Bear". I went outside and saw/smelled a van smoking across the street and wreckage in the street. I immediately called 911 and didn't see the "other" van (which was in the center of the street being blocked by the trees in my yard) until I went out into my yard further investigating to make sure no one was seriously injured. OUCH! Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt, but there was probably about 12 kids in the one van (it was a church van) and at least 2 passengers in the other one. They hit head on...driver side to driver side and both vans had air bags which were inflated! Yea for airbags! The whole neighborhood was out...some I haven't ever met and some I haven't seen since last summer! There were firetrucks, wreckers, ambulances & police of all kinds right in my front yard for about 1 & 1/2 hours! How exciting! And hubby had to miss it all...he's in Wisconsin (at the Brewers Cubs game tonight!) for work seminar!

So that's my day in a heartbeat! Phew! Glad I was a spectator with that tonight!

Elisha...I do read all the quotes you post and I love them! You can post them anytime because I go back and look for them when I log on! You are kicking butt, girl! I need a bit of your motivation these days. Could you please send some of it my way??? Gotta get back on it here! Gotta stay away from the sugar! Gotta keep up the exercise routine in the morning. Those are my goals for tomorrow! And hey...way to go on the exercise! And I also loved Mel's version of the Master Card commercial! You are going to be stunning soon! Can't wait to see progess pictures! I should dig some of mine up and post too. Maybe we can do a post picture day!!!

Mel....welcome to our group. This is a very relaxed and supportive atmosphere. I love this group. You just journal away and tell us all about your struggles, because that's why we are here! But then, you have to put up with our whining and moaning, too!! LOL! One day at a time is the only way I can function! And somedays, like you said, it's one MINUTE at a time! How old is your little girl? We have a little girl, too. She's 4.5 and as cute as can be! Girls are precious gifts from God, I beleive!
Your hubby sounds so supportive and loving. Sometimes we expect so much from them, don't we...like they should read our minds or something. My hubby struggles with his own issues (weight being one of them) and so I don't expect too much support from him, so when he gives it, I am happy for it! He has been suprisingly supportive, however but sometimes does the "foot in mouth" thing, too! They are human, I suppose! ;)

That's it for tonight, girls! I hope you are having a great evening. I'm going to be soon, so will check in the morning. Need to be up earlier tomorrow to do my workout! Maybe WATP in the morning!

Hello everyone!! I have NO TIME!!! I suck!!! But anyways Just wanted to say Welcome Mel !!!!! Me and you can go on and on when it comes to husbands and what not.... but right now....I wish I could chat about it with ya!! Tomorrow I promise! Elisha an Julie... tomorrow!! I promise!!! :lol: :lol: I love you chickies!!!

When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you until it seems you cannot hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time the tide will turn. Success is endurance for one moment more. -- Harriet Beecher Stowe

Okay, I admit it, I stole this one from someone's signature I saw in one of the forums. But I love it. That's what I tell myself when I'm on the stairclimber or the treadmill and start thinking that I can't possibly go any longer.... "success is endurance for one moment more." That sounds so much nicer than "just a few more minutes, just a few more minutes, just a few more minutes...." :D
Just do the best you can today, and worry about tomorrow tomorrow.

Hope this quote brightens your morning!

Hi,

Hope everyone is having a great day, I am! It is very windy outside, but I went for my walk anyway, and spent the afternoon stacking firewood, so I feel very invigorated :) .

Julie - Don't you just love vaccuuming the pet hair, I have four cats, and one is a long hair who seems to shed enough fur for 6 cats :lol: . Think of the calories you burned doing the whole house! I love O maganzine, it can be a great source of inspiration. Are you a member of Oprah's message boards? I am, and I subscribe to the newsletter etc, and I receive inspirational quotes/sayings by email. There are somedays when I read a saying, and it is so relevant to where I am at in my life.

Elisha - I must give the 'ex' motivation a try, it sounds great ;) .

Mel - Welcome! I can identify with the minute by minute motivation, I think most of us can. I have just got back on the wagon after struggling with motivation (or lack of) for May and most of June. If I can give you some advice, eat breakfast, I know you've probably heard it before, but a healthy breakfast really does set you up for a great day! I love your idea for a Mastercard ad :lol: .

That's it for me today, will catch up with you tomorrow. Hugs to all.

Lucia :flow1:

Morning chicks!

Motivation Level: 8--That's 4 for me and 4 for Julie! :D

Man, I'm feeling rather Up-And-At-Em today. Unfortunately, I have to work all stinking day, so I won't really get a chance. Oh well, such is life. I'll see what happens.
I probably won't get any exercise today, but you never know, right? Food and water should be ok though, hopefully.
Anyway, I have to get ready for work. Bleh, work. I'll see you all this evening. Have a great day!
~Elisha

Thanks for letting me vent yet again girls... feel MUCH better for having blown off a little steam! :) You're all awesome!!!

Didn't end up finding time to hit the road for a walk lastnight... we had a financial advisor come over to discuss RESP's for our daughter and what was supposed to be a quick 5min meeting turned into over an hour. I did however manage to get 50 crunches, some weight training (arms) and pilates in though which made me feel great for having done something relatively productive! :) It's a start...! And what's more, I didn't do my late-night junk-food binge. Now there's restraint! :lol:

Started the morning off with a bowl of Spec. K with skim milk and will be followed with an equally healthy lunch and dinner. Exercise goals for today: pilates, 60 crunches, weight training (arms) and an hour long walk. :)

-----------------
Hikein2005: Glad to hear no one was injured in the accident yesterday... esp. considering children were involved! You are right... little girls (well... all children actually) are precious gifts to be treasured. :D My daughter is 2 y/o and very cheeky! :lol: I wouldn't be surprised if some day soon, she surpasses me in intelligence! Such a funny little girl she is! :) I'm sorry to hear that your husband also struggles with "his own issues"... I certainly wish you both all the best! :)

Jaymi: Looking forward to hearing more from you! :D Sometime soon, I hope!

Lucia: Thanks for welcoming me into the group... and for the advice! I'm definitely trying to make sure I get some breakfast into my body... help me get revved up for the day! :) Sounds like you've already had a great start today, what with your walk and stacking firewood! Good for you!!! :D

Elisha: Your motivational quotes are fantastic! They're really inspiring! :D I'm sorry to hear you have to work today... but before you know it, the work day will be over. Hope you have a wonderful day! :)

Well, take care girls! Type you later...!

~mel

Hello everyone! Today is of course short….. But I’m here!! I exercised today for 60 minutes with Denise Austin of course!! My 3 DVD’s I ordered came in today, but I can’t do them because my exercise ball thingy hasn’t come in yet… that was supposed to come in first!! What gives!! Anyways, I ate a Nestlé’s Crunch and some sugar babies… so that’s a bunch of crap. But I want to exercise some more when I get through with this to burn that off. I know I said I would answer questions and comment today, but I LIED!!! I had soo much to do today, I am barely getting this in!! So Welcome Hot cup of Java... (if I didn't say that already!! And Welcome kndrgrtntchr Pegi !!) Good luck on your 10 lbs!!! Well, I cooked some chicken enchiladas today… it’s a pretty healthy dinner. Here is the recipe:

Speedy Chicken Enchiladas
(from: Campbell's Kitchen)
Prep/Cook Time: 15 min

Ingredients:

1 lb. boneless chicken breasts, cubed
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell's® Cream of Chicken Soup OR 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken Soup
1 cup Pace® Chunky Salsa
8 flour tortillas (6") (I use 98% fat free)
1 can Campbell's® Cheddar Cheese Soup

Directions:
COOK chicken in nonstick skillet until browned and done, stirring often. Add chicken soup and 1/2 cup salsa. Heat through.

SPOON about 1/3 cup chicken mixture down center of each tortilla. Roll up tortilla around filling and place seam-side down in 2-qt. microwave-safe baking dish.

MIX cheese soup and remaining salsa and pour over enchiladas. Cover.

MICROWAVE on HIGH 5 min. or until hot. Serves 4.


Right now, I’m drinking some regular Kool-Aid that I fix with Splenda… I LOVE that stuff!!! Anyways, that really sums up my day. I don’t know why, but it seems like when I eat more than I’m supposed to… I lose more weight! That is soo weird!! I haven’t had any energy, so I took a vitamin.. But of course it made me nauseous. So then I had to eat… and the closest place was Wendy’s. I brought my own, wheat bun, f/f mayo, and f/f cheese to eat it with!! I guess that was a smart move! A salad would have probably been better, but for the um-teenth time, You Cant Drive and Eat Salad!!! :lol: Anyways I gotta go, my daughter will be wakin up soon, and that's not good! My hubby tried to be nice, but put her to sleep.. so that means she will be up all night!! I was nice and let him go out and play pool with his buddies tonight!! YEAH ME!!! Anyways, I gotta go now, but I'll do better tomorrow.... and I"ll try not to lie!!!

Ok... just *HAD* to post! Contrary to a previous post, I used fitday.com to log everything I ate today vs. my activities. And geez, what a great motivator... I consumed less than 1200 cals. while burning nearly 3000! :hyper: I'm very excited to see those kind of numbers! Now if only the scale would read some great news...! :?:

I managed to get in all the exercise I wanted to... and poor hubby had a difficult time keeping up with me on our hr. long walk. :snail: It was actually kind of an ego-boost to tell you the truth... considering he's always goin' on and on about how physically demanding his job. Pffffft. :p

Feeling really good tonight and am hoping to finally get a decent amt. of sleep. Then perhaps I'll be rarin' to go as soon as I roll outta bed. :lol: Yeah right.

Jaymi: Well, I'm glad you found time to post... sounds like you have your hands full. Thanks for passing the recipe along. I shall have to try it out sometime! :D And it sounds pretty quick and easy which is always a fav. combination of mine! :) Oh and Kool-Aid and Splenda... mmm! Congrats on getting your 60mins. exercise in!

Anyways girls, I have to go struggle with my 2 y/o to get her into bed (<--- Does that clasify as exercise?!) so I'll type you all later! Have a great night!

~mel

Man is the only animal that laughs and weeps; for he is the only animal that is struck with the difference between what things are, and what they ought to be. --** William Hazlitt

Hi Chickies,

A difficult day today, I have had so much work to do and when I had the opportunity to go for my walk, it was raining. I didn't feel like doing an exercise video, so today I haven't exercised :o , will do better tomorrow. Food has been great today.

Elisha - Hope your work day went OK. It's always the way, you lack energy on your day off, but could run a marathon when you have to work!

Mel - Give the scale time - it will start to show weight loss. I was a member of Weight Watchers a few years ago, and I remember advice given to me by the leader when I was impatient with my slow weight loss, despite following the program. She told me to measure myself as well as weighing in, as the body will not lose pounds and inches at the same time - it's one or the other. I have recently re-measured myself and will do it about every 4-6 weeks. Well done with breakfast :cp: .

Until tomorrow,

Lucia :flow1:

UGH! It's Friday and I haven't done a darned thing this week to get this weight off that I gained over vacation! In fact, I have done just the opposite! Needless to say, it's been a difficult week and I was not at all prepared food wise and really have not found a moment to myself all week for exercise (I know, I should be doing it right now, huh?)! GRRR!!

So, I am comitting to working hard next week, getting my meals prepped (some of them) or at least planned and then getting back on the band wagon for exercise! I NEED to do this and it's not gonna happen unles I commit! So you heard it here!

I'm gong to get through the weekend without worrying about things and then on Monday will start with the plan! Thanks for all the support, though chickies. It really keeps me going! I appreciate it!

Will be back later to post another entry! Love yu gals!!!

Wow... breakfast three days in a row... this must be some sort of record for me! ;) Yesterday's results have me feeling really pumped up! As soon as I finish this, I'm gonna toss my sneaks on and head out for a walk with my daughter. Amazing!

Hoping to get pilates and weight training in today as well... oh and I also have to find time to clean the house (friends coming from out of town for the weekend). Wow. Lot's to do and the clock is ticking away....!

Lucia... Thanks for the advice on being patient... I will try to remember that. :) Don't worry about not having time to exercise today... you're eating healthy so that certainly makes up for a missed day of working out. :D

Hikein2005... It's hard to get back on track after vacationing, isn't it? Don't fret, I'm sure you'll do great next week! :D

Well, I hope you all have a happy and healthy day... take care... all the best!

~mel

Howdy chicks!

Whew! Had to work early this morning, so I didn't get to post early, but that's ok, because I've got all evening free. I'm going to eat dinner as soon as I'm done posting, so my tummy will be all settled down in time for me to squeeze in some exercise this evening. As I forecasted, no exercise yesterday. I need to get my lazy butt out of bed earlier. The past few nights I haven't been sleeping well--I can't seem to get my brain to shut up. You know how some situations just stick in your head until you figure out some sort of solution? Well, there's 2 or 3 right now that I just canNOT solve, and it's driving me crazy. I'm blaming it completely on MEN. Yeah, that should about sum it up.
Anyway, yesterday's calories came in around 1500 (I think--don't remember exactly, but I was 163 under target, which was probably around 1600 or so). Today my calories are a little high for not having dinner yet--about 900 already, and I have a feeling I'm going to be hungry later tonight too. Our store had an ice cream social today because we reached our credit goals last month (first time in a while), and I couldn't help but have a small serving. But I didn't eat any of the cake! And it was very good. Staying away from sweets makes them taste better when you do actually have some. It's amazing.
Anyway, today will be a little tight, but I think I'll make it. And I've got a bunch of calories in my "calorie bank." I still have yet to figure out how I'm supposed to eat *exactly* 1653 calories each and every day, or whatever random number the software picks, so I always have a few calories left over. I'm trying not to use them though. I'm trying to have a whole pound of calories in reserve! :D That might take me a few weeks!
Ok, I feel like I'm starting to ramble, so I'm going to head for some dinner. I'll be back after I exercise to let you all know I actually did it!
Have a lovely evening!
~Elisha

Ok, so I got in a 20-minute walk, but it was a slow one. But hey, 20 minutes is 20 minutes, and the walk would have been the same distance no matter how fast I was going, and it ends up burning the same number of calories either way, so it's all good. Calories are at 1459 today, so I'm in good shape there. I think it helps me to check in after my workout, because I feel like I can't come back if I don't get my exercise in--there's motivation to work out! :D
Anyway, that's about it for me tonight. Hope you're all having a lovely evening!
See you tomorrow!
~Elisha

Over-optimism is waiting for your ship to come in when you haven't sent one out. --Irv Riley

Over-optimism is waiting for your ship to come in when you haven't sent one out. --Irv Riley


Love it, Love it, Love it!!!!! I think sometimes I am waiting for that eternal ship!!!! LOLOL! :lol:

Hello everyone! Julie, Lucia, Mel, and Elisha!!! Today is weigh-in day. I gained 2 lbs!! :( I wasn’t looking for a loss, since I hadn’t exercised like I was supposed to and I definitely hadn’t eaten right. Plus the 3 lb loss for last week. But I’m not disappointed really. I am a little in myself for not working as hard as I should have, but it’s not the end of the world. There’s always tomorrow. Today so far, I’ve exercised 60 minutes with Denise Austin on hips, legs, thighs, butt, and a little cardio, yoga, and pilates. Then I exercised with my step tape that came with my step…(53 min) that was a JOKE!! It was ADVANCED step!!! I barely did most of the moves, I just did the basic steps or added on somethings I remembered and kept going!! :lol: It also had abs, and weights too. That was pretty good. Now I’m good and tired. It took a lot of extra work between popping my daughter (because she kept trying to pick up my weights or jump on my back and my stomach.. Etc.. ) and fussing at the darned dog!! But I did it. I’ts been soo hard though. My daughter didn’t go to sleep until after 1 am, and at 6:45 this morning she pops up all bright and early. But I know from experience that if I don’t exercise in the morning… it won’t happen. I have to cook a big dinner today. BBQ Ribs (oven), dirty rice, potato salad, and macaroni. Everything will be made with an extra effort to make it healthier of course.. But I can’t even imagine the calories in that meal. My hubby is working today, and we don’t have much money, so I need to make sure we have something to eat instead of going out to eat. Anyways that’s about all I have time for today. I’ll try to come back & comment later… but I need to get started before time fly by as usual. I hope everyone is having a great day!!!!

Morning chicks!

Motivation today: 6

Not bad, but again, I have to work all stinking day, so I won't really get a chance to use it. Our store is having a great big sale and we're open until 11pm! Argh.... I hate late nights at work. And it's pouring down the rain outside, so that just makes everything icky. Today is one of those days where we have a ton of food in the house, but nothing I want to eat. *sigh*
I think I might have a modified grilled cheese sandwich for breakfast (i.e. skip the butter and use a little cooking spray on the bread to save on fat an calories), but I'm not sure yet. Lunch will probably be a turkey, mayo, and lettuce sandwich, some FF chips, and applesauce. As for dinner, who knows? Something quick when I get home, because I know Mom won't want to cook when she gets off work.

You know, I think we're all guilty of saying, "tomorrow is another day," or, "I'll get back on track tomorrow," etc. I do it all the time. Now I don't want any of you to take this personally, because I don't mean to be picking on anyone but myself, but for me that is just an excuse not to do well right now. I said on the Labor Day Challenge board (in response to Julie's wonderful questions) that my biggest obstacle is making excuses for myself. The way for me to overcome that is to catch myself making those excuses and snap out of it. So if any of you catch me slipping into that "Oh, I'll do it tomorrow" mentality, give me a good hearty kick in the butt! (Or go find that tazer!) I deserve to be healthy RIGHT NOW!!! As do all of you. And there's no reason we shouldn't be.

Ok, todays' rant was a short one. :D

I'll be back after work to let you all know how my day stacked up. Have a lovely day ladies.
~Elisha

...and I ain't got a penny...
I got some money cause I just got paid..
oh how I wish I had someone to talk to...
I'm in an awful way!!!

Anyone recognize that song or am I dating myself! :lol:

Actually, Elisha... I was thinking about you as I typed that! Your Friday night sounded just grand to me! I love the idea of painting my nails and taking a bath and just pampering myself! Maybe I should try that sometime! Hmmm...anyone want to volunteer to come get my daughter and husband for a night???? :lol: You are always so full of inspiration and upbeat messages and I especially can relate to your comment about saying "Well, tomorrow is another day" because I have been doing that all week. Was it me you were talking to??? ;) I think so!!!! :D

I talked to hubby tonight about getting back on track on Monday. I asked him to let me know what kinds of things he wants for meals, so I can plan ahead and get the right groceries. If he doesn't tell me what he wants, it's all about me, then!!!! Right? But I do promise that Monday morning is going to start back on track with healthy eating and exercise. I am going to try one of those free websites that you all talk about to track calories and what not! I do KNOW what I have to do to get the weight off...and I WAS doing it for the week before vacation, so I just need to get back on the right track again. I am always inspired by what all of you have to say and what you are doing to keep focused and on track.

Macdeez...hope you got everything done you wanted to get done! I know how that feels to be behind the 8 ball trying to scramble at the last minute when you have company coming!

Lucia...sorry you were having a difficult day yesterday. That's always tough, but at least the food was on target. You seem to be doing so well this past week or so! I'm proud of you. When I get back on track, I hope to be doing as well! I'm going to aim high this challenge (Labor Day) and go for the full 10#. I know that's probably unrealistic, but if I make 5#, it will be better than the last 3 months!!!! And it cant' hurt to try, right? I wanted to be at 159 for my 43rd birthday, but that is in 2 weeks and I would have to lose 10# by then! I don't think so!!!! ;)

Jaymi, You are sounding more positive this post. Glad to hear it chickie! Way to take care of yourself! Be gentle with your baby, though...she's only going to be little once! She just wants your attention...let her exercise with you! Maybe you could incorporate her into your exercise routine...like lay on the floor and have her "fly" on your feet! That's a great work out! Or let her lay/sit on your tummy or legs while you do crunches! I know it's easier said than done, but if she sees that it's a FUN thing to do, maybe later you and her will have fun exercising together! My daughter loves to exercise with me. I let her play with my weights (if she can pick them up) and jump around with me when I do my tapes. She thinks its fun. It only lasts a short time with her and sometimes she does get in the way and I remind her that this is MY time to exercise and she can exercise too, but she can't get in my way! I know your DD is too young to understand all that, but give her something that she thinks is like a weight to lift and let her dance with you!! Just some thoughts from a Mom just like you! Hugs!

OK enough rambling for the night! Catch you all tomorrow!

Julie, that song doesn't date you at all--I know all the words too, and I'm only 24! But yes, it does sound a little like my life of late, doesn't it? Another Saturday night...
But no, that "tomorrow" comment was not in reference to you. It was just one of those epiphanies of mine that strike every once in a while, usually when I'm doing something I shouldn't be doing, then I end up regretting it.

Jaymi, I know I'm not a mom, so I don't really have any room to talk here, but I agree with Julie. Maybe you can try to include your daughter in your exercise, then it will be fun for both of you. Plus, she will get in the habit and won't have to deal with weight problems later in life. I wish my parents had encouraged healthy habits like exercising when I was little, then it wouldn't be such a battle now. That's actually one of my main reasons for wanting to get healthy: I want to have kids a few years from now, and not only do I need a healthy body to support us during pregnancy and labor, but I want to be able to set a healthy example for my children and teach them healthy habits so they don't have to go through what I've gone though. I want them to have people ask them to the prom, and I want them to wear cute clothes, and I want them to have self-confidence, and I want them to think of themselves as beautiful, and I want them to be healthy for a very very very long time.
Ok, that was a bit of a ramble right there. *Ahem* Sorry. :D
Besides that, exercise makes you sleep better. I imagine that goes for kids too. ;)

Lucia, we all have hard days. The important thing is not to give up. It's good that you're staying positive. I usually end up doing the same thing--food is all well and good, but no exercise in sight. Better one thing than none, I guess.

Mel, breakfast is a wonderful thing. I find that if I don't eat something for breakfast--even something small like a bagel or a poptart or SOMEthing--I am hungry all freaking day and I end up snacking and consuming way more calories than would have been in my breakfast. It's good that you're keeping up with your walking--any exercise counts! And once you get into the habit, it starts to feel natural and you actually WANT to do it. Eesh, I need to get back into that habit about now...

Anyway, today was ok. Calories were a little over budget, but I had a whole bunch in my "calorie bank" so it's all good. Breakfast and lunch were as I said, but lunch was turkey salami instead of just plain turkey. Whatever. Then my best friend invited me over for guacamole after work, and guacamole is one of those foods I just cannot say no to. Guacamole, cornbread, and alfredo. Anything else I can refuse, or at least limit to a very small quantity, but not those three things. I'm helpless. Man, I'm going to have to have pasta tomorrow, I've been craving pasta like a fiend. Ok, random tangent...
Anyway, as I projected, no exercise today. Tomorrow, however, is another story. Short(er) shift at work, with both morning and evening free. I have a feeling, however, that exercise will have to be in the evening, as my morning will be occupied with sleeping, since it is already after 2am and I'm still wide awake. Damn this insomnia!

Ok, that's it for me tonight. See you all tomorrow, and have a wonderful day!
~Elisha

It is not our abilities that determine who we are; it is our choices. –Albus Dumbledore, from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Gotta love Dumbledore. ;)

Hello all. I posted my intro over on the Labor Day Challenge board, actually thinking I was putting it here. It doesn't matter. I had a very hard day - just feeling quite depressed for several reasons. The important thing is that for the most part I did not turn to food for comfort, which is a wonderful non-scale victory (nsv) for me. Tomorrow I begin counting calories again. As I've said over on the other board, I have got to finish what I've started here with this weight loss thing. I have a 10lb challenge for Labor Day. It is completely doable, but as Elisha's post above states, its not about abilities (what's doable), but its about choices. So tomorrow I take the calorie book off the shelf. When I stay conscious of everything I put in my mouth I always see results immediately. Its just a matter of doing it. So why do I ever stop? Why do I fall off the wagon? I'm certainly not happy here at 175, but obviously there is a certain amount of contentment. Somewhere along the way, as I became an acceptable size on the outside (size 10), I lost my drive, my edge. That desire way down deep to lose weight the right way, healthy eating and exercise. It is more than a chore for me now to get to the walking trail after work. Once I'm there I feel great. Its just the getting there. I just returned from my family reunion in South Carolina where my closest cousin has lost a ton of weight on the South Beach Diet. I was so tempted to run right out and buy the book and start following it. As if that was the key to my continuing losing weight. Of course I was just being silly. Not knocking the plan or anything, its obviously working for her. But counting calories, getting my water in, and exercising, have not failed me. I have failed. Its just a matter of me doing them again, earnestly. With a focus on being the healthiest me I can be.

I just finished my last "crap" meal! Tomorrow starts a new day for me and I will back up and running with the rest of you chickies! I have prepped some food today and will continue with some more tomorrow for the rest of the week and through the weekend! I have to help out at vacation bible school this week, so meals with be quick. I am thinking some crock pot meals, not only because they are easy to access after work, but also can be healthy and no cooking (it's supposed to be a hot week)! Anyone with any good recipes for crock pot cooking!? I'll post that same message on the journals, too! I'm sure I'll get some good references!

So my goals for this week are the same every day:
Exercise: at least 1 mile WATP in the morning before work or 20 minutes (or more) on the exercise bike
Meals: Menu being planned as I write this but most of them will be made ahead of time!
Water: Drink 80 oz. every day!
Journal: Food eaten, exercise performed each night here before going to bed.

That all makes me accountable to you chickies and I hope that someone will hold me to it and let me know when I have failed myself...because sometimes I don't like to admit it!

tensforlife: Way to be honest with yourself. You are headed in the right direction for success. You've come to the right group!

Elisha (I always spell your name Elisah and then have to correct myself...my fingers are typing too fast for my brain!) Both of us...back on track tomorrow. It starts a new day and a new way of thinking, right? You have been doing great, now is not the time to mess it up. Ask me, I'm an expert at that! ((((((((((Elisha)))))))))))))

That's about it for now! I'll be back tomorrow night (late probably) with my success rating for the day! I'm going for all :) !!!

Hugs chickies!

Hey All! I know what both of you are saying Julie and Elisha!! :lol: But it hasnt been working! I end up not exercising at all. I pop my daughter because she climbs on top of the couch and trys to pull the weights down! :lol: I can't put them any higher than that.. or I won't be able to reach them!! :lol3: Her attention span is like 1 minute! So she does the exercises with me for like 30 seconds.. and then it's off to turn the tv off, or turn the channel, or dig in the garbage..etc... That's why I try to do it while she is sleeping!! Yeah right!! :lol: Oh well, here is another sorry excuse for a post for right now. I know you all are getting tired of seeing “short” post, I feel like I am not doing my part …. Actually I know I’m not doing my part. I should be more supporting, and making more comments. This is not an excuse, but if my computer had DSL I could do 15x’s more. It takes soo long to just load a page, that I barely have time to do anything else. I wish I had more time to get to know you all, and all the newbies to get to know me! I wish I had more time to support the friends here that I have already made! I’ve had to go to copying and pasting my posts to even make sure I’m here everyday. That really sucks!! But I want to try harder… I need to designate a time just for you all… I just can’t seem to find it. If I do it in the morning… I lolly-gag and don’t get my exercises done. Then if I wait until later, hubby or sis complains about me being on here all day… So I don’t know, but I will figure something out soon. I miss being able to read and comment every single post, that helped me out with a lot of my own problems…But I want you all who don’t know me that I’m a better person then you are seeing right now… I just suck right now!! :lol: And to all of you who already know me, you all know that I can be better than this.. So please work with me… and try to bear with me!! Well we had a busy today.. Our so called “family day” So I will try to update you all later!! BTW I lost 2 of those lbs I gained back… but of course I worked out like 4 times yesterday.. Today none yet,,, but I will!! Anyways gotta get outta here and get ready for bed!! Talk to you all later!! BTW Welcome Tens for LIFE!!!

Hi,

I am so happy to report my difficult day was just that... ONE difficult day :D , I was back into my walking the very next day, food and exercise journalling is going great.

Julie - Thanks for your encouraging words...yet again :) . Go for the full 10# for the Labor Day Challenge, I'm going for 14#, and will be satifsfied if I make half of that. Planning your meals in advance and shopping accordingly is the way to go. As for the song, thanks for the memories, I adore Cat Stevens!

Elisha - Thanks for your support. My difficult day was just one of those where you need 48 instead of 24 hours to do everything you need to do! You are so right about how we look at tomorrow being another day for us to get back on track! Those tomorrows added up to a whole month for me :lol: .

Mel - Well done with breakfast! Do you notice any difference with your eating pattern through the day?

Jaymi - Could your 2# weight gain be muscle? Just a thought. Keep your chin up chickie ;) .

Tens4life - Welcome! 10# is doable if you believe it is. You are so right about achieving more when you are concious of everything you put in your mouth. We all lose our motivation at some point, but keep checking in with us and you will find support, encouragment and motivation to achieve your goals.

That's it for me, have a great day everyone, will check in with you tomorrow!

Lucia :flow1:

Evening ladies!

Motivation level: 9

You betcha! Wowee, huh? Anyway, calories are at 1356 or so (way low for me), 30 minutes on the stairclimber, just climbed out of the shower, I'm feeling pretty good. I found out something really awesome today: my BMI is down to 29.9, which means I am no longer obese! Yay me! Granted, I'm still fat, but I'm getting closer to my healthy range, which is definitely a good thing.

Anyway, my mind is totally gone this evening, and it's taken me about 20 minutes to type that one paragraph, so I'm just going to call it quits. Have a lovely evening ladies!
~Elisha

Oh, and welcome tens4life!

Julie--You'd better be on track tomorrow or I'll find that tazer! ;)

True happiness is impossible without true health. And true health is impossible without exercise. ** --Vic Tanny

Morning chicks!

Motivation Level: 6

Not too bad. I'm not going to get to do much with it though. I've got to go in for my business manager training all day long, which is ok. Stuff I need to know. However, that means I have to leave early and I'll get home late, since it's over an hour away. And lunch is being provided at the mall food court. I'll try to find something healthy.

Tomorrow is my happy day off, which means exercise! And cleaning my house! Ugh... anyway, time to get ready for work. Have a great day everyone!
~Elisha

Hi ladies -

I'm not having a good day at all. I am so incredibly unmotivated it is ridiculous. It stormed all day so I never got to do my walks at work. I usually do 2 fifteen minute walks - one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Now that I'm off work it is humid as h-ll! I can't imagine getting outside to walk right now. And its supposed to rain later. I have more excuses than the law allows, I know. On the bright side, my eating was pretty decent today. Not wonderful but decent. I journaled everything, which is the first step towards success for me.

B - 2 special k bars (90 calories each)
S - grapes (120 c)
L - cheese/crackers (180 c)
string cheese (60 c)
S - 1/2 yogurt (85 c) - I tried a new flavor for me (orange & cream) and it was gross
1 serving of malt balls (190 c) - my true weakness, but I've accounted for them & only took out one serving and put the rest away (yay me!)D - wing dings & salad (maybe a serving of baked fries but I'll try to do without it)

Lucia - thanks for the welcome. Glad to see you are in the same weight range as me. I'll definitely be looking to you for motivation because I won't want you to leave me behind! :)

I know I need to do some strength training too. It increases metabolism & thus helps you to burn more calories. So can someone please tell me why I'm not doing it? Help me analyze myself!!! I think a part of it is that even though intellectually I know it works, practically I don't see how it does. Does that make any sense? Its crazy but its like not liking to travel via airplane because I don't understand the laws of aerodynamics. I'm so ridiculous, even to myself. Why can't I just trust that it works and just do it. Cardio workouts make sense to me, and thus are (usually) easier for me to invest the time in). Strength training? Another story altogether. As I'm typing this, however, I've decided that since my chances of going out for a walk at this point are slim to none, the least I can do is some strength training. For crying out loud, I can do that while watching tv!! As you can see, I am totally exasperated with myself today. One would think that I am completely satisfied at 175lbs and honestly I'm not.

I'll check in later and let you all know how I did.

Michelle

Hi Chickies,

Smooth sailing again today :D . I read once where it takes six weeks to form a habit, I think my food/exercise journalling is starting to become a habit, as I have just about hit the six week mark. Feeling very good!

Elisha - I loved the true exercise quote! I've kept a book where I write inspirational sayings and quotes since I was in high school, and that quote is going in there :) . Good luck with your business manager training.

Michelle - Hope your day gets better! I had one of those last week where I didn't exercise, but like you, my food intake was good. Don't beat yourself up about it, I have finally learnt not to. In the past, if I didn't exercise, I would have eaten as I pleased, I used to think if I wasn't doing one, then why do the other! That way of thinking is slowly starting to change for the better. I had noticed we are in the same weight range. We could each be the motivation the other needs!

Check in with you tomorrow,

Lucia :flow1:

Actually I did end up exercising after all! I did the 2 mile WATP dvd. It has probably been a year since I've done the WATP workout. It was like having a brand new video again! Woo hoo!!!

Michelle :D

I am so proud of myself today! I knew it was just a matter of getting my poop in a group, so to speak! So Here's the lowdown:

Exercise :) first thing this morning-2.5 miles WATP! Yes! Could have done more but had too much to do around the house! I made several trips up and down the steps, though!

Food eaten: :dizzy:
B-1 cup Smart Start, 3/4 c lowfat milk,
S-3 SF/FF peanut butter wafers, 1 string cheese
L-1 cup cottage cheese, cucumbers & onions with 2-3 T. homemade low fat sourcream dill dressing, 1 oz. deli turkey/ham
S-1/2 cup lowfat milk, 1/2 cup choc. milk! (probably not the best choice, but better than a candy bar at this point!)
D- 3 oz roast beef & veggies (pot roast), 3/4 cup brown rice
Snack at VBS-1 cup apple juice and a bite from oatmeal cookie
Snack at home- 1 T. peanutbutter & a smidge of margerine. l bag lowfat popcorn w/ some (about 1 T) parmesan cheese sprinkled on it!

I wanted to stop for icecream on the way home from VBS tonight, but didn't! Yea me! I know after looking at this that I need to get more veggies in during the day...something to fill the void. I have lunches made for the next week. Made a yummy turkey & cheese wrap w/ cucumbers & red onions which I cut in half for two lunches this week. Will take some fruit as well! Need to get some Zone bars and some other misc. stuff (like cooking spray) this week!

Water :) I have drank at least 4-16 oz. glasses today and I'm sure more with the small drinks here and there throughout the day I have gotten in my 80 oz. I wanted. I need to keep better track of that~!

Well girls, you are all doing great!

Elisha-Hope your training went well! Loved the quote today! That hit a nail on the head! I have some quotes to share but I'm too lazy to go down and get my purse, so will do it tomorrow!

Lucia-You are doing what you need to be doing! Good for you!

Tens (Michelle)-Sounds like you talked yourself right into that exercise you needed! Good for you! It's hot and muggy here today too! It makes me crabby! ;) Maybe the strength training you could look at from a different angle. You are looking at it now from the eyes of a pure fitness person. One of the things about strenghtening for me is that it makes me feel, well...sexier! It accentuates my muscle tone and therefore I *feel* thinner! I don't have the fat hanging from all my parts, if you know what I mean!!! I love the way my arms start to feel and look after a couple of week of simple toning! Do you have weights or bands or both or what? Weight Watchers has a really simple routine with weights (you don't need much to get started) on their website. It's basic, but it works! I noticed a difference (when I was doing it...I'm lacking some motivation in that department too!) after a week or two of doing them! Good luck!

Jaymi-Hope your day was all you wanted it to be and that your sis and you were good to each other! Your workout with DD sounds fabulous! It's a start. Don't beat yourself up over the little things. Try leaving the weights on the floor, or does she pick them up from there? She's just a typical little girl who's curious and thinking she's helping you! She wants you to be happy, really! She just doesn't know it yet! ;)

That's it for tonight chickies! I'll catch you all tomorrow night! Oh, before I go...goals for tomorrow:

1. Bring enough food to work so I don't hit the vending machine or anything else that gets in my way when I'm hungry or get that 3pm urge to eat whatever is in sight!!!!!

2. Drink water at work. Fill 20 oz. syrofoam cup with ice and water twice before leaving work! Drink 16 oz at home before leaving in am.

3. WATP 2 miles in AM.....GET YOUR BUTT OUT OF BED EARLY!!!! GO TO BED NOW SO YOU CAN!!!!!!!!!!

4. Be gentle with myself but stay focused!!!!

Hey all you runway models!!! :) Since most of you are on the same Labor day thread as I am, I’ll save you the repeat.. And give you my goals for tomorrow, and a little comments!! ( You are special and you know it.. Clap your hands!!!! :lol3: .


:sunny: Lucia~ could be muscle… my legs don’t look.. As bad! But I doubt it.. I have been eating chocolate like I would die without it!! So it’s probably my fault!! Thanks though, you made me feel better anyway.. You’re a sweetie!!! :)

:sunny: Elisha~ you are doing amazing.. And those quotes are amazing also!!! I love them!!!

:sunny: Michelle~ you are doing great!!! You are here right!! That is one step for making your day better! Don’t worry, I’m having a whole bad week!! And it’s all my fault.. Things will get better chickie!! Believe me!

:sunny: Julie~ you are doing great too!! I love it!! I’m getting left behind here!! I know this isn’t a competition.. But I wanna do good like you all are doing!! I wanna get better, because I know from all of this hard work.. You all are gonna see some spectacular results!

:encore: I’m soo proud of all of you!!! :cry: Those are tears of joy.. Because I’m soo proud and happy to be a part of this group! You all are awesome!!! :encore:




Here are my goals for tomorrow, and I will add more whenever I need to!

:flow1: I will do better with my diet..
:flow1: I won’t let chocolate get the best of me,
:flow1: I will put what’s important first, and what’s materialistic and worldly last.
:flow1: I will be a better friend and support to my friends on here, in TX, and
:flow1: my family!
:flow1: I will exercise at least 2 times a day… again!!!
:flow1: I will reach my goal, and I will keep it off… forever!!!!!

Ok, here's the rundown for today:
Work sucked, but at least I learned a few things I needed to know and got to leave early (even if that was because my trainer was being nasty).
Calories were about right, but only because I had Diet Pepsi for dinner.
No exercise.

Julie--Way to get back on track! No tazer for you, but I think you may have to find it for me! And about typing my name, believe it or not, I've been known to type "Elisah" a time or two myself. That should tell you a little about my typing ability--and I'm trained as an editor/tech writer! :D
Go get those quotes for me--email or PM them to me and I'll post them one at a time. I have to ration those quotes, you know!
Oh, random thought... what ever happened to those daily affirmations you were talking about a while back? I think it was before you went on vacation.... Those sound like a good idea too.

Jaymi--You're such a cheerleader, so enthusiastic and encouraging. I love it! And you're doing great with exercise! It always seems that I can manage either food OR exercise, but not both. I think that's just the way it works. Our bodies can only handle so much.

Lucia--I keep quotes all the time too. That's why I have so many to post! Now all I need to do is exercise for 6 weeks and I'll be all set! :D

Michelle--I go through those phases too, but then I think of all the skinny people with flabby muscles, and I don't want to look like that. Part of the reason I want to lose weight is so my body stops jiggling all the time--I want to be tone and buff, and that requires muscle! Of course, I never do my strength training either, so I'm really not the one to talk. I keep saying, "Once I get some more of this fat off I'll start worrying about my muscles." Now I'm thinking, "wasn't I the one who just posted that little rant about putting things off until tomorrow?" I know, stop using excuses, Elisha.

Ok, time for sleep now. I've been awake for too many hours. See you all in the morning!
~Elisha

Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? --Matthew 6:25



I'm not generally much of one for Biblical references, but even I have to admit that sometimes they strike a nerve. While looking better is all well and good, we have to remember that we're not just trying to improve our bodies, we are trying to improve our lives.

(I admit, that little snippet of wisdom was specifically aimed at Yours Truly, as looking better is my main motivation.)

Howdy chicks!

Motivation level: 8

I'm feeling pretty good today. Already exercised (20-minute walk up the hill), water's good, food is good, everything's good. I'm headed for a shower, then more self-tanning, then figuring out something for dinner. Chicken, for sure, and maybe some spicy rice or something.

Anyway, I'd better get busy! Have a great evening, chicks!
~Elisha

Hi ladies!

Major good day here - if I must say so myself! It was 95 degrees and 100% humidity when I got off work, but GUESS what I did???? A full hour of powerwalking at the park! OHMYGOSH!! Once I got going it was like I was a cruisin' machine. It felt so wonderful. Why in the world would I ever stop walking when it makes me feel this good? It would be totally different if I didn't know the benefits of exercise or had never felt those wonderful endorphins (is that what they are?) being released during a great workout. But I HAVE felt that feeling and when I feel it I swear that there is no way that I would ever want to give it up. But despite that, I'll go for weeks without doing any serious exercise. Just goes to show you the power of an exercise slump. Well anyway, onward looking....

My food today was okay. My calories will be decent but no veggies. Plenty of fruit though.

Jaymi - I know how you feel about the chocolate issue. I am a fellow chocoholic myself. I have some every day and when I'm doing good I just work it into my food plan. Controlled quantities. I just refuse to give it up. I love it too much and life is too short :) The challenge before me is to eat it because I just love it and it tastes good and I want it, and to not eat it to fill some void or for comfort. Of course that challenge has been before me for years...... :)

Has anyone used the calculators to figure your daily caloric intake? Do you believe the # that the calculator gave you? Did you try it? Did you lose weight? Why am I asking all of these questions? Because I have a hard time trusting them. Every calculator that I have found online has me eating over 2000 calories a day. Some will be between 1600-2000. I just think that's incredibly high. My new calorie counter book has the calculation at

target weight x activity factor = calories needed each day

activity factors:

20 for very active men
15 for moderately active men or very active women
13 for inactive men, moderately active women, and people over 55 (this is where I am)
10 for inactive women, repeat dieters, and seriously overweight people

Since my first target weight is 165, to achieve this goal I should be at 2,145 calories a day. I'm not too confident in this number. I remember years ago they told you to take your target weight and multiply it by 10. That would put my daily calories at 1650.

Help!!!

Michelle

Michelle: Different calculators will give you different results, and none of them may be your actual metabolism. The calculator on 3FC says that my body currently burns 2548 calories per day, and at my goal weight of 150 I will burn 2158 per day. The diet tracking software that I use calculates my metabolism based on my weight versus my intake and exercize, and it says I burn over 2900 a day. Before I started using that software I always figured my metabolism was sluggish and that was why I never lost weight. I imagine you could calculate it the same way, but it would take a while. Track all of your calories for a week, then subtract 3500 for each pound you've lost, then divide that number by 7, and that's your metabolic rate (approximately). I guess you could do that for any number of days, I just used 1 week as a random example. If you don't want to go to all that trouble, use the method you've found, but I would say to rate your activity on a scale of 10-15 (the general range for those metabolic rate calculators) and go by that instead of the number it tells you.
I know what you mean though--2158 seems high to me. I'm trying to keep mine under 1700... right now it's lower, as I'm trying to get down below 200 this month, so my software is budgeting about 1400-1500 calories per day. The way I see it, any number below the number needed for your ideal weight will get you down to where you want to be, it's just a matter of how fast you want to get there. Don't starve yourself though, you have to have enough calories that your body doesn't think you're starving. You probably know that though. Just pick a number that seems reasonable to you, I guess.

Whew... that was a little long-winded of me. I've finally got the hang of this calorie counting thing, I guess I feel like an expert now. :D

Today was good, and as planned. Dinner was chicken with sauteed peppers and onions and some rice and vermicelli mixture. I'm at 1182 calories right now, which is pretty low for me, but I'll have some popcorn or crackers or something while I'm watching tv in a little while.

Ok, that's it for me tonight. Have a wonderful evening everyone, and I'll see you in the morning.
~Elisha

Just to let you know what kind of day I had, here I am! You can read about it in the Labor Day challenge forum!

Food: :( (had too many snacks between meals and not the right kind!)
Exercise: :) Got in a mile+ tonight after I thought I wouldn't get in any! Yea!
Water: :) Drinking my 90th oz. right now!
Journal: :) Here I am!

Michelle: You be careful in that heat and humidity! We don't want you keeling over from dehydration! Hope you take lots of water with you! I'm sure you do! I know what you mean though about the exercise feeling good and why would any of us NOT do it???? We know it feels good, so why stop!? I think because it's not a "habit" yet...at least not for me! I need to do it for 2 months without fail and make it a habit as part of my life (you know, like eating...always seem to find time for that, huh?) As far as the calories go, try checking out the Zone. You don't count calories, but it balances the food you need to eat to keep your blood sugars from dropping! And they use a measurement to get you into the right "Zone"! Just a thought! Counting calories is ok and I did it for quite a while, but it just leaves me with too much freedom to eat the wrong "empty" calories! And don't even get me started on the chocolate conversation! I'm all about that!!! So, keep doing what is right for you and you will be fine. Way to go on all the work you are doing!

That's it chickies. Itg's off to bed I go! I'm whipped tonight and have to get up to do my miles in the morning!!!

A man who finds no satisfaction in himself seeks for it in vain elsewhere.
** François de la Rochefoucauld

I forgot how much I love Rochefoucauld's maxims. I did a research paper on his maxims and those of a contemporary of his, Madame de Sable. If I can find what I did with their maxims, I'll probably post more from them. Maybe I can even find an English translation, because I'm not sure how good my French is going to be after 3 years!


Anyway, here is another quote that I love very similar to Rochefoucauld's:

If what you seek you find not within, you will never find it without.
--from "The Charge of the Goddess"

Today wasnt that good as far as eating.. I just ate a half of snickers bar.. but oh well, it's over and done with. I realize that I post with you all mostly on the other challange, so I cant cheat on here, you'd be reading the same thing. But I don't have any time soo... Michelle, are you talking about the calculators that add up how many calories you "need" to eat, or the one that calculates the calories in food... I myself just guessed at a bout a 1800 calorie diet.. but then I went down drastically, not on purpose but because I eat a lot of f/f stuff and I ate a lot of tv dinners. Julie, Elisah, :lol: ( I do it too!) you are doing great! My goal for tomorrow is to exercise at least twice and stay on plan.

It is 2 am and baby is crying for no reason except she is sleepy but refuses to sleep!!![color=purple][size=2][font=verdana][b] I will try harder tomorrow of course.. I really mean it!!!
Tomorrow is a new day.. And it’s waiting for me!! Its way way too late.. And I need some sleep. I won’t be able to wake up and get my exercises in… so I will talk with you all later!!

Morning chicks!

Motivation Level: 8

I seem to be riding this motivation high for the past few days. Not that I'm complaining one bit. :D It comes and goes. Heck, it comes and goes over the course of a single day! Right now I'm feeling pretty good though, and that is all that matters.

I should do fine today. I might try to do some calisthenics after work this evening, or pilates, or some weights. Who knows? More than likely I will do nothing. I don't know how some of you find the energy/time to work out twice a day--Jaymi, especially you, chickie! I know you're busier than me--how do you do it?!
I just need to get my butt out of bed earlier and exercise in the morning, every morning. That is so hard when you can't get to sleep until at least 1:00am. I don't know what is up with this insomnia, I haven't been this bad in months. I think I just need to start getting up early anyway, then maybe I'll be tired earlier. I dunno. It kind of stinks when I don't get home until almost 10:00, then there is stuff I need to do here, then I have to check my email, and post here on the boards, and there's usually friends online to chat with, and then it's way late. Excuses, excuses. Stop it, Elisha.

Anyway, I'm off to breakfast, then work. Another exciting day in LishaLand. Have a great one, everybody.
~Elisha

Hello everyone! Has anyone ever seen that comercial when the woman climbs up the ladder to her window and puts like 50 bags in her room,… and when she comes in the house with like 3 bags.. Her hubby asks.. So how did you do at the mall? And she says ok.. And smiles!! That’s me!! I’m always sneaking stuff… I go to the store and get my little sister to bring bags in her room… :lol3: :rofl: what will I do when she is gone!! Oh and I know spanking sounds harsh.. But I wouldn’t call it really spanking… I tap my daughter on her hand… like tapping someone on their shoulder… it’s not the pressure I apply to her spankings it’s the fact that I do it at all that hurts her feelings! She falls all down and acts like I am killing her… my son is 60 lbs… and he is almost tall as me.. So yes… I hit him harder… but usually a pop on the but or I spank his hand like a little kid!! I gotta get him in line.. He’ll be taller than me real soon!! I am doing ok today. I havent eaten any chocolate!!! I am not eating a cilantro salad that I made.. No need to add a recipe, just lettuce cucumbers, cilantro, jalapenos, red pepper, lemon juice, and some vinegar and splenda (which is the gross sounding part.. But I didn‘t want to add salad dressing… I drank a C2 today, ate some potato salad, and some gardettos… and I 2 biscuits with lite syrup for breakfast. Not that good.. But not that bad! I have 3507 steps so far.. But I know I have way more.. But that stupid pedometer doesn’t work right… My shorts were too big I guess… Stupid thing! I have done 60 minutes Denise Austin, now I want to do 60 more to make up for yesterday! I want to see that 139.… even if it’s just for one day!! The number sounds low… but most people my height would weigh probably 115 or 120. A lot of people say If I were your size… I wouldn’t worry about it…


#1 ~ 142 lbs is not small on me. I have big hips, butt and thighs, and I have cellulite. Although if I didn’t have the cellulite and the humongous pooch from the kids..(which I AM going to get rid of… AGAIN!) then 142 would be just fine!


#2 ~ I have to work my butt off just to maintain weight loss, so there is no not worrying about anything! I can gain 4 lbs in one day.. No sweat! I have gained 20 lbs back before in 2 weeks, so I know! This is a constant fight for me! I can’t just say ok, well this is it… I’m happy and stop everything!



#3 ~ I know people have to lose 50 or more lbs on here, so a lot of chicks roll their eyes at me and put me in the same category as skinny people that always say they‘re fat…But I am NOT skinny and for the record.. I have lost 60 lbs!! So I can say that I was obese at one time!!!!



Sorry a little rant.. But I got it off of my chest! I feel better! I just feel that as long as I am here to lose weight… I should be appreciated.. My BMI is 27.7. Which is not good! I don’t have much muscle… if any! So just FYI!
That sounds grouchy and mean.. but it’s not.. Just an explanation! I have even less time today, but I wanted to check in.. I hope everyone is doing great!!


Well today I plan to cook gumbo, with sausage and shrimp.. NOT HEALTHY! But I have no chice when I Have irritating people here who complain about every little thing!! Sorry. The meatloaf wasn’t gross tasting or anything.. I tasted it myself.. And as much as it had cost to make that my sister should be grateful.. Or buy here own food to cook!! Anyways I am kinda grumpy I guess! But oh well!! Will talk to everyone later!!!

Arrghhhh!!! I just learned a good lesson I guess. I had typed my whole post out here, then went back one page to see the name of the person that had asked me something yesterday and when I came back here my post was gone!! :(

Now what had I said???

Jaymi - Can I come to dinner sometime? You always cook such yummy sounding meals:) Might be a little difficult since I'm all the way in Michigan!

My sister and I just went on the best walk! We got caught in the rain and totally drenched AND I had just gotten my hair done but I felt so alive! :) There was a huge black cloud hanging over the park when we got there but we were able to get a very intense 30 minute power walk in before the sky just seemed to open up. Yay!!! Its so hard to believe that just at the beginning of this week I was totally unmotivated to exercise! Now I'm even walking in the rain I'm so motivated! I have to take full advantage of these bursts of motivation and go for the gusto. Although there is a school of thought worth pondering that says that I probably wear myself out during these "bursts" to the point that I don't want to do anything at all. Hmmmmm.....

Elisha - thanks for the information on daily calorie intake. We had a wellness lunch & learn seminar at work today and I was able to discuss this issue with the doctor. She agreed that the online calculators tend to be a little high. She recommended not going over 1500 calories a day. Oh- Jaymi, the type of calculator I was referring to is the kind where you input your sex, desired weight, and activity level and it gives you how many calories you need to eat to reach your goal weight. My issue is that they always put me at over 2000 calories, which I was totally uncomfortable with.

Well I'm going to go read a little more.

Michelle

Who ends the day with wholesome food, begins the next in a happy mood.
--Ancient Saying

Hi Ladies!
Just a quick check in to let you all know that I am stil alive and doing well with the "plan"!!! I didn't get exercise in this morning. I was just too tired!!! It was a late night last night at VBS and when I got home, DD was in a "mood" so she went from not wanting to go to bed to an escalating "fit"! It took about an hour to calm her back down enough to go to sleep! What's up with all of that! So I went to bed last night at 11 without even so much as checking in here all day!!! I missed you all so much, but I am doing ok!

I weighed myself today (tsk, tsk!) and I'm down a pound from Tuesday! Yea! So I think by next week for sure I will be down to the 167 (.whatever) I was before I left for vacation! And maybe at that rate, I CAN be down in the 150's by the end of the month! I can hope like he** and work like he** to get there, for sure!!!

Food today was :)
I went out to the car this afternoon (I stopped by Walmart this morning on my way to work to get a few things, that has to count for exercise because I walked to the whole store just to get 10 items and I was IN A HURRY as I was already late for work!!!) to get a Zone bar and they were kinda melted! So I brought them in and put them in the fridge and forgot about them! My mid afternoon craving was gone and I didn't even eat the Zone bar! Yea me! Now, I guess what I need to do at 3pm every day is just walk out to my car!!! Its a short walk...I could walk around the building...that would be better!

So, with the paragraph I just wrote, Exercise was :dizzy: (that's smiley language for "just ok"!)
Water today: :dizzy: I drank 30 oz. at work and am working on another 30 tonight! Maybe if I'm lucky, I can get in 16 before I go to bed and that will give me almost 80!!! We shall see!

I can't be on long. Have to leave in a few minutes for VBS, but wanted you all to know that I appreciate the good vibes and the love you send my way!

Big hugs to everyone!!! You are all the best!!!

Well girls, only a few minutes to post, but I just wanted to say congrats to all of you on your healthy week thus far! WTG! :D

I'm doing pretty good. Staying around 1000cals per day. I haven't been out for a walk in a few nights (been working late) but will go tonight for about an hr. Been keeping up with my ab workout though, so I haven't abandoned all exercising. :)

Feeling great thus far (only on day 9). Will hopefully have lost some weight by Monday (WI). We shall see....!

Anyways best to all of you! Keep up the good work, girls! :D

~mel

Hello everyone. Well it’s 2 am, almost 3 a.m.!!, so as you all should guess I have to make this a quickie! (as my quick posts go!! :lol: ) No I didn’t get to have any fun today. I did exercise for and hour and 60 minutes. Denise Austin. But I ate terribly… Well actually it could have been worse! But oh well, my pants started getting tighter today for no reason. I wasn’t even eating anything!! I’m starting to get very upset about that 139.. I really wanted to see it on Saturday.. But it doesn’t look too promising. Oh well, who cares.. I’m doing the best I can do…. Just as long as I’m not 212 again on Saturday, that will be fine! :lol: I know most of you are probably like… oh shut up!! :lol: 139! But just to explain myself.. First I’m 5’0 maybe 4 ‘11 ½ without shoes!! :lol: But, it’s not really about the number… but I was down to 140 on the 3rd! I had hit my July goal and I was happy, but now I’ve been going up and down… I just think in these 2 weeks, if I could lost 1 lb from that 140.. Then it would prove that I don’t need those stupid pills… but It seems like I can’t control my cravings.. But what does that mean?? I don’t want to be addicted to some pill for the rest of my life!! What is wrong with me that I can’t say no to chocolate? This really sucks… since I can’t afford those frickin pills! I don’t know what to do anymore.. I can see the numbers going up and up.. Yes I am panicking!! Because the last time… I had gained 20 lbs back in 2 weeks! The exercising alone (5 days a week) wasn’t cutting it!! That’s why I seem so obsessed…. So I’m sorry if it’s annoying! But I DON’T EVER want to go back to where I was!! I don’t want to live like a hermit anymore.. Or wonder when my heart attack or diabetes will get me! My mom is having that stomach surgery next week, the lap-band?!?! (or whatever that is) I’m proud of her… To me.. She is doing the ultimate to help herself! I love her!!! Anyways, Hubby wants to surprise me telling me that his friends are coming over tomorrow to BARBQ… why me? The house is a disaster because I have been packing and repacking stuff so that I can have more room. Now I have to clean up the whole house, plus I have to cook the sides… It will be for 9 people! I still have to go grocery shopping too! Anyways I’m sorry I can’t comment today… but whatever. Hubby pissed me the **** off yesterday, telling me I was “SELFISH” ME!! SELFISH! Yeah right… I swear I could have just punched his eyeball out! :lol: I just laughed at him.. Because I know better! Anyways I will talk to you all hopefully in the morning… If I can WAKE UP!! :lol:

" Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit."
Napoleon Hill

Quick drop in!!

Hello everyone! I didnt go to sleep until about 330 am! My baby didnt go to sleep until about 2 am, so I woke up early about 6:15 and guess what... up gets my daughter too! So... no exercise as of yet! I need to go to Walmart, but i know she will decide to take her nap at that time! I know that I SHOULD tell hubby to geth those sides.. but that will only turn out to make me look bad as usual. He'll somehow make it seem twisted that i don't like his friends or I don't want them over or some kind of way. I almost always have an attitude when we are all together.. and it always looks like it's because of them.. but my hubby acts an a*s when they are around... he 's always trying to prove something like he has as much as someone else... But WE DONT! At least not the 4 wheelers, and boats, and motorcycles... but who the **** cares?!? As much as he wastes on other things, he could have them.. but then it would always be something. Why do men feel like they have to compete with someone? Don't they have men that (like me) Don't give a da*n what other's have and I don't! Or could care less what people think!! Oh well, anyways:


Everyone .. I promise to comment when I get back!! I have to go to Walmart before it is too late! I‘m leaving the sister here.. She doesn’t like to go there with me anyways! :lol: CLEARANCE!! I can‘t pass them up!!:

BTW, this is something I got in an email today, thought it was kinda neat!


Here's something to keep in mind when you're tempted to have a "treat" that's not on your plan—estimate how much activity it will take to work off the indulgence! To figure it out, remember that a one-mile walk burns approximately 100 calories. With that in mind, check out these examples:

FoodCaloriesMiles of Walking
Cheeseburger 3593.5
French fries, large5785.7
Soda pop, 16 ounces 2012
Potato chips, 8-ounce bag121712
Ice cream (vanilla), 2 scoops2902.9
Cheesecake, 1 piece2572.5
Chocolate bar, 1.5 ounces2232.2
Beer, 12-ounce can1171


As you can see, the old adage of "a moment on the lips, forever on the hips" rings true! While no food is "off-limits" on the plan, remember that it is a whole lot easier to eat calories than it is to burn them. So choose wisely—and plan to add a few extra miles of walking to your workout when you splurge!

Evening ladies!

Just a quick check in to let you all know I'm still here. I tried to post a few times last night, but I have having technical difficulties, and a terrible evening, so I just gave up. And today I'm in a hurry--we're going to the movies! Yay!

I hope you're all doing well, and I'll try to actually comment or say something interesting when I get back. :)
Have a lovely evening everyone!
~Elisha

Hi everyone! I just got back from a 45 minute walk, and then sat at a picnic table for another 30 minutes I guess and tried to write in my journal for a while. I was kind of upset with myself however. When I got up this morning there was even more daylight to the left of 175. (I don't use a digital scale and don't like to count lines because then I'll start obsessing over each pound.) It could have easily been 171-172. I'll be happy when its touching 170, even if only barely. Maybe next week...... I just want to be out of the 170's by my birthday, which is August 8th. Oh! I digress. I was saying that I was upset with myself. I had this awesome feeling this morning because of the good weigh in, had a really good power walk, then afterwards got an ice cream sandwich off the ice cream truck in the park where I walked. It was an embarrassment to be standing there in line at the truck behind a bunch of kids, and I'm sweating because I've obviously just worked out, and yet I'm waiting to get ice cream. I analyzed the whole scene as I sat at a nearby picnic bench enjoying it :) What I figured out is that I was actually very thirsty. It was a classic case for mistaking thirst for hunger. I truly was not hungry. I had just had fruit this afternoon before leaving work and fruit always bloats me so I was feeling full. But the mistake I made was that when I stopped by home to change clothes for my walk, I did not pack water. And I knew that I should have. Yes, it would have taken me a couple of extra minutes before I was able to leave the house, but it would have possibly saved me 210 calories!

Jaymi - try and have a good time at your cookout :)
Elisha - have fun at the movies :)

Just checkin in to let you all know that I'm still alive and still with you all!

Today was ok foodwise, but you can check the challenge board to see what has been going on!

Michelle, you are doing some serious introspection! When I was doing that a few months back, I really started dropping the lbs. It's great that you can see where you need to improve! That's the first step, chickie! Way to go!

Elisha, sounds like you are keeping busy with a social life! Yea! I will get those quotes to you one of these days, I promise! Thanks for being patient with me!

Jaymi, your life sounds crazy as ever girl! I would have kicked hubby's butt too if he ever invited people over without asking me FIRST!!! Grrr! And he thinks YOU are selfish! Some people's kids, huh???? Remember to take care of YOURSELF among the chaos in your life, chickie! And remember to be loving to yourself and your babies! You are important to you, but so important to them! They love you, girl!

Mel, you are kicking butt girl! Way to go! 1000 calories! I'd be ravenous!!! How do you do it????

Tomorrow's goal is to exercise for 30 minutes (something!) and to stay away from sugar and eating out! Healthy meals!

Hugs!
Julie

" If you don't like what's happening in your life, change your mind."
The Dalai Lama


I just love the Dalai Lama! What a wise and insightful man.

Howdy chicks!

Motivation level: 6

It's been there for a couple of days now. I just can't seem to get any more motivated than that. It's ok, some things are starting to work themselves out (unfortunatly, those things do not include my body :lol: ), so my mind should be settling down any day now. The night at the movies with Mom was fun, even if it did include going way over my calorie budget (I've still got calories "in the bank" though). I haven't decided if I'm going to exercise today, even though I know I should. I feel like my mind has been under such stress these past few days that even my body is tired. I might veg out and watch movies all day or something. I guess we'll see.
The good news is that the scale read 205 this morning. Yay! I guess that means I'm doing something right. I've said it before, but I think my body is just in "weight loss mode" right now, and it's working of its own accord. Which is fine with me! I think it has a lot to do with my mindset. It's like I've finally gotten to the place where I've decided to do it, and I know I'm going to do it, no matter what, and my body is just cooperating. Always before it was just an idea, something I might try. This is so much better.

Anyway, I'm going to go find something to eat, my tummy's growling. Hope you all have a wonderful day!
~Elisha

Well, yesterday was ok... although I didn't get any exercise in. Bah. Again, stayed below the 1000cal mark which was pretty good since I indulged in two doughnut holes. And amazingly enough, that was enough to satisfy my sweet-tooth... so I'm definitely proud of myself for staying focussed.

Julie, I'm not really sure how I manage to stay around 1000cals.! I'm never hungry and try to save the bulk of them for dinner time. That way I can enjoy a sensible dinner with my family rather than munching on a single leaf of lettuce. Today, for instance, my menu will consist of 1 c of Spec. K for breakfast (today I ate it dry but normally add a 1/4 c low fat milk), tuna salad (made with 1tbsp of low-fat mayo) sandwich on whole wheat bread for lunch, an orange for a snack, slices of grilled pork loin on a bed of fresh greens and orange segments. I drink nothing but water and don't add oil or butter when cooking. I also try to grill as much of my meat as possible. :)
But you probably already know all those secrets, don't you?

Anyways girls I have to go for now, but take care and have a happy and healthy weekend! :)

~mel

Hi ladies!

Today has been a pretty good day. Went to the park at 9am for a 45 minute power walk. There was a lady on the trail in front of me that was really moving, I tell you! So my goal became to just try and keep up with her. Unbeknownst to her, she really helped me get a good workout today because I was wringing with sweat! I was a little concerned about how suddenly she stopped however. Before I knew it she was just flying right off the trail towards her car, with no cooldown or anything. I had no idea she was about to stop! So I went around the trail one extra time slowly to cool down.

While I was walking I started dreaming of breakfast foods - specifically omelettes and hashbrowns, which I haven't had in ages. So I quickly did some re-arranging of food in my mind and decided to stop and get a carryout breakfast for me and hubby, with a plan that it would be my only MAIN meal for the day. Since breakfast I have had some yogurt and a peach and I'll probably have more fruit a little later. I so rarely eat a big breakfast that when I do I am literally stuffed for the remainder of the day. It was yummy too, and worth every calorie - veggie omellette, sausage, hashbrowns, and toast. I then did some grocery shopping, housework and laundry. Then went to purchase yet another pedometer. I don't even want to discuss my pedometer issues!

Mel - that's amazing that you can stay below 1000 calories, but seeing your food intake for today helped to put it in perspective for me so I can see how its doable. Do you find that you can still lose on 1000 calories a day? I was just wondering the point at which your body thinks its starving. I've often wondered about that.

I too am going to be doing mostly grilling this week. I bought romaine lettuce so dinner for at least a couple of days will be grilled chicken ceasar salad. I only thought about buying croutons looong after leaving the grocery store today :( !

Elisha - that's great that your body is on board with your plan to lose! Glad to hear you had fun on your movie night with your mom!

Check in with you guys later! Hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday!

Evening Ladies,
I had a few spare minutes to sit and write you all a little note. First off, I want to say congrats to Elisha who is down to 205!!!! Yea you! You will be at 199 in no time! I'm working on 159, so we can do this together! I hope that your last few days have been helpful to your healing in whatever area you are needing it. I'm sending prayers your way! ((((((((Elisha!)))))))))

Michelle, I don't know why I didn't notice this before, but you are from Michigan! Me too! Where you at and did we have this conversation because there aren't too many 3FC members from Michigan! I live on the West Side in Muskegon! If you are close, maybe we can do a power walk some day together! Way to go on the great walk today! You are doing so great with your exercise!

Mel, thanks for the info on the 1000 calories! I'd be starving! I'm a grazer and I need stuff all day, it seems or I do get physically hungry! Just look at my food journals!!! Maybe that's why I'm losing so slowly!!! But slow is better than not at all!

As far as eating today! I skipped lunch which was a huge no-no for me!!! It made me want to eat bad stuff the rest of the day! I did ok until we went grocery shopping and hubby and I talked each other INTO buying a small NY style cheesecake! We had salad for supper and shrimp cocktail, then a small piece of cheesecake with strawberries (& splenda) with low cal cool whip! Yummy! I also had a bite of DD's icecream & strawberries that she couldn't finish! The cheesecake alone was about 300 calories!! Ai Yai Yai!!

No exercise today! I will do 4 days next week for sure of exercise! I want to up the Aerobics to 30 minutes instead of the 20 I am doing, so I am in the process of getting some new videos! I also have the trusty exercise bike or my pedal bike which I really should get on!

Tomorrow is a busy day! We have church in the am then company coming over for dinner after that. Hubby is taking pictures (we have a studio and he's doing a friend's Senior pic along with family pics!) so should be a busy day! If we go to the beach, I am going to try to get in a short walk! That will probably be my only exercise for the day!

I'm making beef roast & veggies along with green bean casserole. I'm going to have a light b-fast and probably salad for supper with NO snacking tomorrow! I want Tuesday's weigh in to be at least what I was before I left for vacation! And that was almost a month ago! Yikes! I'm going for 165 for my birthday which is the 25th of July! I'm currently at 168. That's 3 lbs in a week! If I really buckle down I can do it!

Well that's enough rambling for now! Catch you all tomorrow evening!
Julie

Well girls, to be honest with you, I'm eating more frequently now than I was before. So I imagine my body is loving all the extra nourishment. I used to skip breakfast and lunch completely and just have a junkfood snack in mid-afternoon with dinner to follow. I've never been a huge eater... I just have to concentrate on meeting the RDA of nutrients which I've been coming close to on a more regular basis. :)

Congrats to Elisha for being down to 205 -- that rocks!!! :D

Anyways I'm outta here to get my evening walk in... talk to you all later!

~mel

Hi Chickies,

There have sure been a lot of posts since I last checked in. I will have to make today's post brief, as it hurts me to sit too long, and I can't type standing up! I went to the doctor last Wednesday as I had a burning pain in my hip and the area had a bruised feeling whenever I laid down or sat. It turns out I have sciatica, so I have been taking anti-inflammatory tablets since. It should be fine within six weeks. The good news is I can continue with my walking, as exercise is beneficial to the problem :dance: . The only thing I can't do is a lot of bending and lifting.

It seems everyone has been going along well, will try and catch up with you tomorrow!

Lucia :flow1:

Hey! Sounds like had a full weekend so far!! Mine was ok.. My hubby didn't act like an a**hole, so it made the day go ok! I got everything cleaned but I'm pretty pissed off because now I have to clean the whole house over again after the beach trip tomorrow!! This is the laziest bunch of family members in the world! No one in the house helps! My hubby always say if you want about 5 minutes I will help you... but I did that ONE time... and it never happened! So I won't make that mistake again! The only rooms that were still a mess were our room and our bathroom! But no one went in there... my sister called herself helping... which she did ALOT! But that made my room look horrible! I spent most of the day/night cooking and cleaning. But at about 7 or 8 p.m. they finished barbq'ing and I relaxed. They are really kool people! We all went to the beach yesterday... of course I didn't get to have any fun!! I was watching the baby most of the time... then after that I was tired and I wanted to just lay down and take a nap... but why did it start raining and then pouring!! So we had to go! WHY ME?? So it got sunny again at about 5 so I rushed to go to the pool by myself... I get there ready to take a nap because I figure no one else would be there... and there wasnt at first... and then these 2 guys decided to come over there.. sooo no sleep. I can't sleep while in the middle of no where with 2 dudes! Then... I said forget it and was going to get in the water... IT STARTED RAINING AGAIN!! But oh well as far as today goes… I told my sister that we'll just have to go places that's free, or that she can spend her own money on things that she wants! I don’t have any extra money unless I go on one of my taking back stuff rampages! Does anyone else around here do that?? :lol: I don't want her to leave!! If I could... I'd adopt her and let her go to college out here!! But my parents want her back. My mom is having that surgery for her stomach.. lap-band.. or whatever it is! I hope it goes good! Well I'm back up to 142! But oh well... I lost 1 inch from my waist and 1 inch from my hips since July 2nd, so I'll take that then! I didnt measure my thighs and stuff last time... that's where I want to lose the most! My hubby tried to make me feel better telling me... well muscle weighs more than fat! But I somehow don't believe that no matter how much someone tells me that! I've read different articles... all I know for a fact is that muscle takes up less space.... but no one has proven to me yet that it weighs more. I think that is just a cop out to make people feel better... maybe it's just me! But it pissed me off a little because I was 1 lb behind my sister.. she was 139.. now she is 135. I cant catch up now! I bought me some stacker 2's but they make me sick to my stomach of course.... I took them 2 days ago.. and they still make me sick.. But oh well. I will take them.. I don't have anything else! I've been eating terrible. Either not eating at all, and then eating a big meal at night... or just eating all day.. I havent really journaled in a couple of days. I've been writing down stuff today of what I can remember... but I'm slacking off big time! I ate two burgers for the barbq.. but I added my own wheat buns, fatfree mayo, cheese, etc. I've been craving sweets and chocolate.. that is my problem.. I can't shake it!! I dont know what to do anymore.... I just hope we have enough money next week, because I 'm going to order 2 months supply of those adipex. My hubby doesnt even know I take them.. he would have a fit. Anyways Today... we are going to go somewhere! I don't know where yet... It isnt supposed to rain, but it looks like it is! I have to go exercise before it is too late! I will talk with yaw’l later! Love Jay~~

Dreams come true; without that possibility, nature would not incite us to have them. --John Updike

Evening chicks!

I miss a day and everyone else shows up! Typical! ;)

Today was... eh, good and bad. Exercise was good, food was bad. Not beating myself up about it. Tomorrow will be even better.
My motivation is way up right now, which is unfortunate because it's after 11:30pm. It seems like I'm always motived AFTER I exercise. :lol:
Better late than never, I suppose.

Jaymi--That's cool that your husband's friends are decent. Sucks about the rain though. Doesn't it seem like that's always the way it goes? It'll probably rain on my one day off this week too.

Lucia--That stinks about the sciatica! I've had back problems myself (scoliosis, plus a nasty car accident a while back), and walking really does help. It's sitting still that I can't stand! You'd think I'd take that as some sort of hint! I can't ride a bike for very long either, because it aggravates that exact point in my back... it stinks. I don't know what your dr. said about your case in particular, but yoga and pilates help me as well, though pilates can be too tough until you get the muscles built up (which you do by doing pilates, ironically enough). I hope you're feeling better soon!

Mel--Great job on the evening walks! Also, it's great that you're right on track with your eating/calories. I find things work out the same for me--if I keep breakfast and lunch pretty light, I can kind of relax with dinner (as long as I don't go overboard). However, I recently figured out that if my calories get too low my weight loss slows down. I was getting between 1100-1200 for a while and there was no progress whatsoever, but now I've bumped it back up to 1500-1600 and the pounds are dropping off again. I guess it's different for each individual. You know your body better than anyone else!

Julie--I have that eating habit too--if I skip meals, particularly breakfast, I find myself eating all stinking day! I've really tried to cut down on my snacking though, and I think that is what has helped me the most. I would just sit and eat without even thinking about it. Now I shudder to think of what I was putting into my body on a daily basis. That cheesecake sounds really good though. A few of my friends from school (that I haven't seen in months) are having a dinner party this Friday, and I'm supposed to bring dessert. I'm really considering making a cheesecake, but I haven't decided what kind. It's one of my very favorite things to make, and that is saying a lot because I LOVE to cook! I'm going to try to make a lower-fat one than usual though--that will be a new experience! I think I'm also going to take a fruit salad. Or maybe I'll just make some fat-free mocha mousse and strawberry parfaits.... Egads, now I've got myself thinking about desserts again!
And yes, my head is calming down a bit. I seem to go through a few days like that every once in a while, just to keep me on my toes I think. I guess if we didn't have the downs we wouldn't know the ups. I'll be much better after this weekend, when the one issue still up in the air should resolve itself.
Sounds like you and I are both upping our exercise. I've decided it's time to get back to my old routing of 2 days on/1 day off, just because having a set schedule makes me actually do it, whereas if I just say, "I'll do it on whatever days I feel like it and I have time," it never gets done. You and me, chickie, kicking it up a notch! Let's do it!

Michelle--Whatever keeps us motivated, right? I always do that too--I don't want to go slower than everybody else, now do I? NO! And that breakfast sounds GOOD! I think I'm going to have to make an omelette in the morning, but I have no idea what I'll put in it. I guess I'll figure it out in the morning. Keep up the great work!

Ok, ladies, that is all from me tonight. I will check in tomorrow morning before work. I hope you all have a wonderful night, and a very healthy day tomorrow!
~Elisha

Hey ladies! I'm the first one here today? I mean other than Miss Nite-Owl Elisha's 12am post :)

Today was a great food and exercise day. Water was a little low since I don't recall refilling my 32 oz cup at work today. I'm about to make up for that though. I did a solid hour power walk at the park and it was wonderful. I'm getting a little concerned about my big toe rubbing in my shoe, which is creating a callous - yuck! I'll do my foot soak in a couple of days.

I've been trying for a very long time to think of a reward for when I reach my goal. I love the charm bracelet idea where you get a new charm for every 5-10lbs lost, but I started way too late. I've already lost almost 25lbs and it just wouldn't feel quite like a reward now, after the fact, to just buy a bracelet and fill it up with charms. Things like a manicure or pedicure or massage don't work for me either because I already indulge in those services. As far as clothing goes, I pretty much buy when I want to anyway. I don't say any of that to make it sound like I'm some prima donna spoiled brat because trust me nothing would be further from the truth. I am actually quite conservative (I'm an accountant by trade, if that gives you any idea) and don't shop much at all, but when I DO see something that I really want I do get it. Today I started thinking about diamond earrings as my goal weight reward. Little studs set in white gold or platinum. Of course it seems extravagant to me but I have literally been trying to reach my goal weight for 7 years now. Granted I haven't always been as diligent as I am now, its been an off and on thing, but still. Its been a long journey and has not been easy at all. So when I get to the end of the weight loss journey and embark upon the weight maintenance journey I want something very special to mark my right of passage. Of course I have a little while to mull this little idea over and convince myself that it is going to be a wise thing to do:) I think that JC Penny has an annual fine jewelery sale sometime in September with up to 60% off if my memory serves me correctly. This just may coincide with the Labor Day Challenge! And what motivation! Can you tell that I'm convincing myself already? :)

Hello everyone! Food sucked today, exercise was moderate.. but since food has been so bad.. not worth it! This is what I cooked today.

Chicken Quesadillas with Fiesta Rice

Ingredients:

1 lb. boneless chicken breasts, cubed
1 can Campbell's® Cheddar Cheese Soup
1/2 cup Pace® Chunky Salsa OR Pace® Picante Sauce
10 flour tortillas (8'')
Fiesta Rice


PREHEAT oven to 425°F.

COOK chicken in nonstick skillet until done and juices evaporate, stirring often. Add soup and salsa and heat through.

SPREAD about 1/3 cup soup mixture on half of each tortilla to within 1/2" of edge. Moisten edge with water. Fold over and seal. Place on 2 baking sheets.

BAKE 5 min. or until hot. Serve with Fiesta Rice. Serves 4.

Fiesta Rice

Heat 1 can Campbell's® Condensed Chicken Broth, 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup Pace® Chunky Salsa in saucepan to a boil. Stir in 2 cups uncooked instant white rice. Cover and remove from heat. Let stand 5 min. Fluff with fork.
Serve with Pace® salsa.

Anyways I know that most of you are on my other threads so didnt want to bore you too much with the same ol' thang! No time to get personal, but wanted to say HI and that you all are doing great!!! ALL OF YOU!!

Well anyways gotta go to bed.. I'm tired!!! :lol:

Hi Chickies,

I have been having great food and exercise days :D but have decided I will not weigh myself until the end of the month. My sciatica has settled down and I only get slight twinges if I sit incorrectly or turn over too quickly. I spoke to my Dr yesterday, and she said to continue on with my treatment until Saturday and then see how things go.

Elisha - I agree with you, any kind of back pain is horrible. My Dr said that after Saturday I should begin gentle strengthening exercises, she recommended using a fit ball for ab work, and after a month or so, if I am free of the sciatica, I can step the strengthening exercises up a notch. She is also glad I am working on losing weight, she said that, along with exercise will help to reduce any back pain.


Michelle - I'd go for the diamond studs - think of them as all of your 5-10# rewards rolled into one ;) .

Jaymi - I'd be happy with 1 inch off both my waist and hips! :bravo: When does your Mum have her surgery? A friend of mine had that about 5 years ago. He had around 140# to lose and had joined Weight Watchers just before the surgery to give him support while he lost the weight. He is now a lifetime member of WW and has had extra surgery as he wasn't happy with the amount of excess skin he had. He is so happy these days, he looks great and feels it. I hope your Mum's surgery goes well.

Well, that's it for me today, will check in with everyone tomorrow!

Lucia :flow1:

And let us not get tired of doing what is right. For after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't get discouraged and give up. Galatians 6:9

Morning chicks!

Motivation level: 3

I feel sluggish today. The scale shows 207, which is completely ridiculous. I didn't gain 3 pounds over night. Sometimes I think I should just throw the scale out, or at least not step on every morning, but I've tried that and my motivation goes straight down the tubes. I know it shouldn't be about the number, but it seems like that is the only way I can see progress. Yes, I take measurements, but only once a month, and a month is WAY too long for me to go without some sort of indicator of success. I can't even go a week without my scale. I'm thinking of investing in a better one (both scales we have now are cheapo WalMart scales). We have digital ones at work that give decimal readouts, whereas our old digital one didn't. However, I do not really have $30 to spend on a scale right now. Maybe as my reward for getting below 200. Hopefully that will be Friday, which is payday. If not, I'll have to wait another 2 weeks.
Anyway, work today, but not late, so I'll have time to exercise this evening. If I can ever convince myself to get out of this chair, that is. I just don't really feel like moving much at all today.
I'll check back in this evening AFTER I've done my workout for the day.
Have a great day, chickies!
~Elisha

I had a quick minute to jot you all a note to let you know how life is going! I have been posting on the Laobr Day Challenge but not here, but I don't really have anything "inspirational" to say because my food and exercised "sucked" over the weekend!

Yesterday, however, I managed to walk 3 miles (some inside and some out with hubby and DD pedalling her bike in the neighborhood!) I also did my toning workout which I haven't done in weeks and weeks! That felt good! Thsis morning I got up to do my exercise, but I got up late and just as I got started, DD woke up so had to tend to her! So, no workout yet today! I am hoping for something tonight! I have been trying to walk fast when I go to the Assisted LIving (joined by a dining room and long hallway) so that will count for something!

My food has been better since Sunday, but I still managed to eat ice cream last night!!! UGH! The scale today showed 168. I can't remember if that is up or down from last week, but at least I've not gained massive amounts!!! I agree with you Elisha, that the scale seems to be the best indicator/tool I use too! Too bad for us, eh? Well, let's get going ladies and just kick this all up a notch!!!

I offered a challenge on the Labor Day Challenge, but I haven't been there to see if anyone nibbled! Maybe some of you want to take me up on it?

Food today was good for me! Water was good! Just need to work on that exercise! I woke up in the middle of the night with my knee just throbbing. So I tried to get out of bed and couldn't straighten my knee. I don't know what happened, but man did that hurt! It was a little tender all day, but it's feeling back to "normal" now!

That's about it for now! Hope you all are having a great day!

Hugs,
Julie

Hi ladies! Small success story here. Well you know how last week I was moving successfully away from 175 and towards 170? (I'm assuming I still am since its been an awesome exercise week and overall pretty good food week since then.) Well this morning I was feeling so light! Of course I haven't been back on the scale and don't want to until week's end. So anyway I am packing my food to take to work and decide not to pack my usual 2 Special K bars (90 calories each) for breakfast. Instead I decided to stop at Tim Hortons for a chocolate chip muffin. Sounds delightful, right? Well I am driving away from my house when something hits me. "Stop! Wait! This is what you always do! You always lose 5-8 lbs and then start feeling "successful" and blow it with your food! Don't do this!" So I listened to "the voice" :) I did a huge u-turn in my street, drove back home and ran into the house to get the 2 Special K bars! And they were yummy too! So I had a 180 calorie breakfast as opposed to a possible 400 calorie one. It was the perfect beginning to the perfect food day too. I was so inspired to do well after that battle.

I pretty much have decided on the diamond studs for my reward gift to myself. I've tweaked the whole idea a little more, though. If I find some before that time, I'll get them but I still can't wear them until I reach goal. That way, seeing them every day will serve as a motivator to do well. Also, for maintenance purposes, I've decided that since I like to have a 5lb window to play with, if I get to 8lbs over my goal weight, I can not wear the earrings again until I am back within my safety range. I'm so excited just thinking about it. And its already working on my motivation level. On a scale of 1-10 I was definitely flying high at a 10 all day today. Making excellent food choices with those earrings in mind. Hopefully this feeling lasts! :)

Oh also, for accountability purposes I've told my mom and my sister about the whole plan. They'll keep an eye on me and if ever I'm wearing the earrings undeservedly, trust me they will not hesitate to ask, "Ahem.. uh, should you REALLY be wearing those?" :)

That is what I always do, too! I think I need to listen to that "voice" of yours, too! I will lose a couple of pounds and think I'm doing rad and then blow it with some stupid food choices! That's what happened this past weekend! So, I am going to start thinking in those terms when I really think I "deserve" some sort of food reward!! Thanks for sharing with me!

On another note, I went to Circuit City tonight and spent some of my gift card on a Pilates DVD. I also looked at MP3 players but decided to hold out until later for that!! I'm going to go down now and pop in the DVD and check it out! I may have to get a mat or something down the road. We have carpet in the family room where I work out and not much room, so hope I don't need much room for Pilates. It's abs, arms, butt & thighs for only $6.99!!! Couldn't go wrong!!! Oh, I also got an alarm clock that acutally works!!!!! So now, I have NO excuse not to be up at 6am doing my aerobics!!!

See you chickies in the morning!

Ok everyone, if yaw’l don’t like my hot pink.. Then too bad!!!! :rofl: :lol3: :joker: Anyways!! (you all better laugh!) Ahem,

Lucia- Sorry I didn’t comment on your post… sorry about the sciatica, although I have no idea what that is…. I hope you get well soon! My mom has a surgery tomorrow as a matter of fact! I tried to get her into WW, but she wasn’t as interested.. Maybe now she will be!

Michelle- rewards… a good idea!! Mine would end up being food! :lol: Nah, I’d probably say a shopping spree for me for new clothes! Or shoes! Good luck!!! And congrats on the lbs going down!!!

Julie- Don’t worry about that dreadful scale! Let’s trash it! Have fun with the DVD! Pilates is so hard for me! :lol: I do some of it with Denise Austin.. But there are a lot of hard exercises!! You get all of my envy for even being able to do them! You go girl!

Elisha- The scale sucks! I wish we could all throw it away! You are so faithful to this site! I don’t see how ya do it! You are always here bright and early!! :lol:



Today was a rough one… I’m not sure if it’s me that’s being grouchy or not… but me and my sister have been fighting like cats and dogs. Then my hubby wants to come in and tell me something smart and I went off on him too! I don’t get it… If I ask, what do you want for lunch… quesadillas or bar-b-q then why can’t I get an answer! He gotta make things difficult and say which ever one yaw’l don’t eat.. And it doesn’t matter…. My sister on the other hand… I ask her a simple question like… is there a car behind me.. And she get’s an attitude like I’m bothering her! Maybe it’s just me.. My TOM is next week, maybe I have PMS, but I hate when people act dumb! Anyways sorry about that! :lol: I didn’t get to exercise today… I ate about 3 tacos from Taco bell, and something else (that I can’t remember) and a dipped cone from Mcdonalds… (that’s when I got pissed off) I figured a dipped cone is better than a double cheeseburger and fries!! :lol: I’m still at 142 so that pack of Skittles I had last night hasn’t settled in yet! OH well, my clock is set to 5:30 am.. I gotta get my exercise in!!! Today I didn’t hear my alarm go off at all!! I got my library card today.. But my daughter was acting bad though… I thought about going there to email you all because they have high speed internet.. But if she cuts up like that…. Maybe not!! :lol: Anyways the beach, the mall, and the family dollar, and walking around the strand will be in the plans for tomorrow. Wanted to go to Ripley’s aquarium, but no money! Wanted to take her to TX roadhouse for chicken strips.. But no money… so hopefully we can make it through her last day here without fighting. Well I gotta go now.. Talk with you all tomorrow!

If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves. --Thomas Edison

Choose to look at the world with your heart and not your eyes; and your eyes will begin to see a completely different world. --Angula R. Fuhr

Hello Everyone! Today I cooked Cambells Fast Fiesta Shepards Pie:

Campbell's® Fast Fiesta Shepherd's Pie
Prep. time: 10 min. Cooking time: 10
Serves: 4
Source: Campbell's® Quick and Easy Cookbook

Ingredients


1 lb. ground beef
1 can Campbell's® Tomato Soup
1 cup frozen whole kernel corn
3/4 cup Pace® Picante Sauce
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 can Campbell's® Cheese Soup
1 cup 2% milk
2 tbsp. butter OR 2 tbsp. margarine
1 1/3 cups Instant Mashed Potato Flakes or Buds
0 Chopped fresh cilantro OR 0 Chopped fresh parsley


Directions

COOK beef in skillet until browned. Pour off fat.
STIR in tomato soup, corn, picante sauce and cumin. Heat to a boil. Cover and cook over low heat 5 min.
MIX cheese soup, milk and butter in saucepan. Heat to a boil. Remove from heat. Stir in potato flakes. Let stand 30 seconds. Mix with fork until evenly moistened. Drop potatoes by large spoonfuls onto beef mixture. Sprinkle with cilantro.

Yesterday was fun.. my hubby tells me I'm getting too dark! Now whadya think about that!?! I finally found the library, but I have yet to read a book! I can't wait... I haven’t read in a long time! Anyways I need to join in the challenge.. I have been doing HORRIBLE!! I drank 2 real sodas, ate a burger, and two fries, and some skittles! I did exercise for an hour today, but I need to exercise again!!! I bought some sugar free chocolate so that maybe will help with my cravings... I am sooo tired! I have so much to do. I need to finish washing clothes, folding them and etc. I need to wash dishes , take a shower, bathe the kids, clean the living room... etc. I've cleaned up earlier.... but hey it doesn’t stay that way!

I know I missed everyone… …. Sorry!!!!! I think I need to get this fast food thing out of my head… that was my downfall in the first place. I can do it! I have to achieve my goal.. And that is to be healthy… I won’t be like I am doing now. I have stopped journaling and counting and everything! I’m being awful!! Tonight (not tomorrow) I’m going to start at least getting my journaling back on track! Well time has run out! I'm sorry I couldn’t leave comments for everyone! Will talk with everyone later!

Ok, so I'm making a new goal for myself. Well, not a new goal, just reasserting my goal. Exercise 4-5 days next week, no excuses. Anyone up for an exercise challenge? Julie? I know you're already doing challenges on the Labor Day board, but I definitely need something shorter-term. :D

I was hoping to make 199 by August 1, and that was perfectly doable, since I was at 208 on July 1. In May I lost 7 pounds, and in June I lost 11, so 8 should have been no problem. But now I'm at 205, and I've only got a week to go. And I could have made it if I had been on the ball. If I had exercised 4-5 days a week like a good girl I would have been right where I wanted to be.

So now I've got the calorie intake system down pretty well. I barely have to think about it anymore. The only thing else to do is exercise.

So someone kick my butt if I don't exercise, ok? Really, I need some serious exercise intervention here. When I first started this, I said I was going to literally work my butt off. Now I need to start actually doing it.

However, it's not going to happen until Sunday. Tomorrow is work all day, then a dinner party, then Saturday is an even longer shift at work. And to top it all off, I was going to make dessert for tomorrow' dinner party when I got home this evening, but we have no milk, which is an ingredient in every single recipe I considered.

So starting Sunday, kick my butt if I don't exercise, ok?

Ok, now I need sleep. Have a good night everyone. I'll see you in the morning!
~Elisha

There is one thing over which each person has absolute, inherent control, and that is his mental attitude. ** --Clement Stone

Re: Clement Stone's quote above... I wish it were as easy as he makes it sound! On the surface it sounds absolutely true. No one else controls your attitude. Life deals you whatever hand it deals you and then from there its something inside of you that determines how your react to it, what you think about it, your attitude about it. Why is it so hard for me to be positive all the time? What's missing inside of me that holds me back in that area? Why have I been struggling for so many years with my weight issues? Am I not distinguishing mental attitude with true desire? I'm thinking that I have had a true desire to reach my goal weight all of this time, but mentally I haven't been able to get with it. Just haven't been able to! It has at times felt like a much larger force at work than just my own sheer mental attiitude. All those times I made (and still make) unwise food choices (key word here, "choices"), or go through bouts of no exercise. What was my mental attitude? Was the issue that I didn't really positively BELIEVE I could achieve my goal, so my actions followed that unbelief?

Okay, no pressure guys. I just had to vent. Not really expecting any solutions to this lifelong issue to come this easily by just posting this. OH! I DID IT AGAIN! DO YOU SEE MY ATTITUDE?!?! :( Now why couldn't I have the thought (just be hopeful) that "hey, I've got this wonderful little network of ladies that have had the same weight issues that I have had and someone just may share some nugget that will result in a lightbulb moment for me! Woo hoo! I can't wait!" Why couldn't that have REALLY been my thought?

Okay - I've got to save some of this analyzing power for work tomorrow! Talk to you all later :)

Oh - Julie! Adorable pictures. Also I forgot to answer you. I am in Southeast Michigan (Ferndale). I only come in your direction when driving to Chicago or further points south. (If I'm remembering correctly where you said you live.)

The more goals you set - the more goals you get. --Mark Victor Hansen

Morning ladies! Wherever you are! :D

Motivation level: 3

Feeling a little sluggish today. On the other hand, my mind is ready to crack the whip. I've been hovering at 204-205 for a week now, and I've been losing a pound every few days. I know, I shouldn't complain, but I'm getting so close to breaking that 200-pound barrier, I'm getting impatient.

So I bought some of my healthy eating staples last night. Right now I feel like I want to eat all of them. And this coming week I absolute HAVE to exercise. If I do it for a week I'll be back into the habit and I'll continue. It's just the first week that's tough.

Anyway, enough of my whining. ;)

Michelle--I absolutely agree with everything you said, and I've felt that way a number of times myself. There's a great article I read a while back on eDiets called "Do I Want To Lose Weight?" that asks why, if we really want to lose weight, we haven't been able to do so. I'll post the link as soon as I find it (stupid computer froze when I was trying to find it). If this is what we want more than anything, why haven't we done it already? Why is it so hard? Why are we still in the same position?
I will say, though, that I am kind of a fatalist in that I believe everything happens for a reason. There is a reason I am overweight, and there is a reason I am fighting this battle at this point in my life instead of any other point. I was in a track meet in 8th grade, and I was way out in front of everyone in one race. Then I fell down. I sometimes think that if I had won that race I probably would have joined the track team in HS, or at least liked running a lot more, and I would have lost weight and gotten in shape then and I wouldn't be where I am today. However, I also probably would have gone out with guys who only wanted me because I was pretty all through HS and college instead of guys that actually liked me for me, I wouldn't have made the friends that I have made, I wouldn't have come to 3FC and met you wonderful chicks and made the friends I have made here, and I wouldn't be in the process of proving to myself that I can do whatever I set my mind to. My best friend made the comment to me yesterday (we were talking about my dating situation) that I am worth it, and I know it. I replied that I was in the process of proving it to myself. I'm so hard-headed that I have to prove everything before I'll actually believe it, so maybe winning this struggle was the only way for me to learn to love myself in the way that I deserve to be loved.
Anyway, my point is, there is a reason we are here now. We may not know what it is, but we don't have to. We're here anyway, so we might as well make the best of the situation, and maybe, just maybe, we'll learn something along the way. ;)

Have a wonderful day everyone.
~Elisha

Elisha- I want in on the exercise challenge... what what exactly are we gonna do?!? How's it gonna work.. you tell me! :lol:

Michelle- you are feeling the way I am feeling right now, so I totally understand where you are coming from! But what is that quote really saying?!? I mean.. I don't believe that.. sometimes no matter how hard you try to be happy or motivated.. it just doesnt happen!

Well chicks I need to go exercise before the baby wakes up... which is just my luck will be in a couple of minutes... But I will check back in later!

Howdy Ladies,
I'm checkin in right now because I'm having a tough time this afternoon! I'm stressed and need to unload, so if you don't want to read this, that's fine, but I will feel better after I get it out of my system!

I don't think it's me, but sometimes hubby makes it seem so! I've been trying to clean the house all day and keep getting interrupted with little things and distractions (like, fixing b-fast, lunch, taking care of DD's needs, starting one project and then doing 50 other things because I came upon them!) I had a few minutes to discuss with hubby an upcoming trip that DD and I are taking to OHio (without him thank goodness!) and he made some wisecrack about being able to find a hotel room!!!! As if I'm not able to function without him! We argued about my perception of his comment for a while and he wouldn't tell me what he *thought* he had said and when he did it was exactly as I said it was!!!! MEN!!!!

Then I asked him if the camera bag (which is a huge backpack) had found a new home on the kitchen counter (because whenever I ask him to put something away or do something that might disrupt *his* schedule, he tells me "I will later" and later never comes) so yea...I was being a bit sarcastic, whatever!!! He had to make a big deal out of that saying "Why don't you just ask me to put it away?".....Ai Yai Yai....I'm ready to slap him at this point!!!! I explained to him what I just said above and I also told him that it is frustrating to have to pick up after him all the time! THEN....(you ladies will love this!) he says "Well I pick up after you, too!!!!!!" NOT!!!!!!!!!!! He has NO clue how much time I spend putting things away, cleaning, cooking, doing dishes, laundry, etc. around here because he: 1. Is not here in the mornings before I go to work and do much of the tidying up 2. Falls asleep at night after supper when I clean up from the messes made during the day 3. Does his own thing in his garage when he is not in the house on the computer or sleeping or "throwing" things where they don't belong!!!!!

OK, I think I am done with my rant! Sorry! He left to go see a movie and spend some time "alone" (without me is really what he means!) When he gets home I am either going to have to kill him or make up with him. The first sounds best right now!!! :lol: GRRRRRR!!!!!!

Back to your regularly scheduled post....

Well, I managed to get in 6.5 miles in 22 minutes this morning on the bike! I am proud of myself for even attempting it with my lacadasical attitude these days! So, yea me! :D

So far today I have eaten 3 blueberry pancakes with syrup, 2 sausage links and a bowl of Chicken Corn Chowder (Campbells) and am probably waaaaay over my carbs for the DAY! But, I don't really care right now. I'm feeling kind of tired too, which means my insulin is crashing and it will be time for some more sugar soon!! ;) Just kidding! I will eat some protein here soon! Or take a nap! Naw...gotta get some housework done, so I need to get going!

Michelle...I feel all the same things you said in your post. I think we all struggle like that or we wouldn't be where we are with our weight...that and genetics! Truly for the most part that is a part of it! But I beleive it IS true that our attitude/thoughts are something we can control. Just like my reaction to my hubby today! I was not in a good space and it showed! I have to let things go sometimes and for me that is so hard! I also find that planning, for me, is essential! If I don't plan, my life is chaos and my weight goes crazy! So planning what to eat (even when I go out) BEFORE I eat and planning WHEN to exercise and how much is helpful to me!

Food issues are an addiction and addiction IS a force larger than positive attitude! It is developed behaviors over years and years of making the wrong choices or not knowing that there were choices! It is my beleif that we all have some sort of addiction (or you can insert the words "bad behaviors" here) and to overcome them, we have to own up to the fact that it IS a force larger than us and then surrender! It's all about the 12-step factor (and I know I'm rambling here, so forgive me) and when I sit down and read the 12 steps (from any program) it all falls into place and then I can have peace and try to work with what I am given to work with!

You know, we all know WHAT we have to do to lose the weight (I read it here all the time) but it's the DOING it that makes it such a challenge! Life gets in the way of us making that right choice or walking that extra mile! So that's one of the reasons we have this group. To cheer each other on and to help one another along! I know I have depended on my chickies for encouragement so many times and you all have helped more times that I can count. I wouldn't still be here 7 months later if it weren't for this great group!

I've rambled long enough, so I am going to cut this short! Elisha, I wanted to comment on you, but just hang tough, chickie! I'm working on an exercise challenge that I will try to post tomorrow! HUgs!!!!

Hugs to all!

Julie

Hi ladies!

First of all, thanks for your feedback on the Clement Stone quote. I don't feel quite so looney now :)

Elisha - The funny thing is that I too, believe that everything happens for a reason. My "everything", however, as I'm finding out, is a little LESS than EVERYthing. Whenever things happen in life I'm usually able to see beyond the immediate circumstances to see a lesson in it all. I believe that if I'm running late there may be a blessing in being late that I know nothing about (you know, like maybe I avoided being in a car accident because I came through that intersection 10 minutes later). I believe that times of financial distress (putting it mildly) make me appreciate times of plenty that much more. But what I found out by reading your post is that I've never considered that my weight issues would also fall into that "everything happens for a reason" category. Maybe because I have had to suffer I'm a more compassionate person towards others with even greater difficulties than me, you know? Something for me to think about.

Julie - <<<<<<hugs>>>>>> I understand you totally on the hubby front! We argued today about my hubby's excessive work hours and I've not had an easy Saturday either. I was able to get in a nice walk this morning which was a wonderful release, then came home and did a lot of housework and laundry. So I'm feeling quite accomplished right now, which has kind of lifted my mood. That is until I think of my hubby working. I'm very resentful right now and really need to deal with it. I definitely don't want to turn to food. I have those diamond earrings to consider, you know. :) Just kidding, I had to throw in something here to make me smile a little. Anyway as far as your options for when he gets home. I vote for making up :) That's what I'll do, even though I'm tired of always being the bigger person :)

Jaymi - hopefully you were able to workout before the baby woke up! Hope you're having a great day.

Enjoy the rest of your Saturday ladies!

Hello everyone.. Just a quick update... Food hasn't been THAT bad... I ate a SF kool cup and a pickle, and some candy canes... and I ate some of my porkchops, an apple, a plum, and a red pear. I exercised for like 18 minutes and I got tired and just laid there and gave up. I don't have any energy. I get way too tired too fast.. MY daughter is acting bad anyways, so I'm going to wait until her nap and try again.. That darn dog is barking away... hubby is laying on the floor sleeping.. oh well, I don't care. If someone comes banging on the door, he can talk to them! Well I gotta go... gotta pee!! :rofl: :lol3: Talk with you all later!

Howdy chicks!

Here's the link to the eDiets article I was talking about, "Do You Really Want To Lose Weight?"

http://www.ediets.com/news/article.cfm?code=24567&article_id=9311

It's a different struggle for all of us, and we're all doing it for different reasons, and we all have different motivations. But none of that matters, because the fact remains that we are ALL doing it, and we are doing it together.

I'd like to second Julie in saying how thankful I am I have this site and you chicks. You have helped me through so many tough spots I can't even begin to count. And you're here to help me through this one too. I feel like we should throw Suzanne, Jennifer, and Amy a big low-fat party or something! How wonderful they are! I honestly feel that this site has made me a better person--I get to rant and rave, cry and whine, lose and gain, question and confuse--and then I hear from my chicks and I feel calmed. Growing smaller physically is helping me to grow larger spiritually.

Besides, Michelle, if you're looney then so are the rest of us. ;)

See you in the morning, everyone.
~Elisha

True hope dwells on the possible, even when life seems to be a plot written by someone who wants to see how much adversity we can overcome.
--Walter Anderson

Hi ladies!
This has been the most emotional weekend for me and hubby. We're going through a rough patch right now because of his work situation. I'm glad to say relief may be in sight, as he has been granted a couple of opportunities that, if he's chosen, will significantly reduce his work hours :) Anyway I'm all cried out from this weekend (I think). But the good news in all of this? I haven't turned to food! Now I must admit, I sat in church today thinking of all of the naughty things I was going to eat for dinner :) But when it came down to it, I just couldn't do it. I went to Arby's and got a market fresh sandwich, NO POTATOES (WOO! HOO!), and a large diet coke. It felt so satisfying to eat that. (I shared a piece of it with my mom, by the way.) To have felt so emotional, and still only ate until I was satisfied, not stuffed beyond belief. What a novell idea! I'm not naive enough to think that I have conquered this emotional eating syndrome, but....baby steps.....baby steps! Each wise choice made is another step in the right direction.

Thanks Elisha, for the link. I'm off to read it now.

You're absolutely right, Michelle--it's the little things that count, those baby steps we take. That is a huge victory for you! I was almost tempted into boredom eating, and even car eating (hey, it happens when you have to drive 30 minutes to get anywhere!), but I avoided it, just because I knew I would regret it later. Great work!

~Elisha

Let us strive to improve ourselves, for we cannot remain stationary; one either progresses or retrogrades. ** --Mme. du Deffano

Okay, where is everyone?!

Motivation level: 9
Way high today, probably because I already exercised. Yay me!

So here's my exercise challenge: 5 days this week, at least 20 minutes doing whatever you normally do, only kick it up a notch. I.E. if you're used to doing 20 minutes do 30, if you usually use 3-pound weights, use 5-pound ones, or do more reps, if you normally walk a 20-minute mile, try for 18-19 minutes. You get the picture. Just for one week, after that if you don't like it you can go back to your current level of exertion. Just one week, 5 days.
I'd like everyone to post their goals so the rest of us can hold you all accountable. Doesn't matter what they are, just so you set some.

My goals are as follows:
1. Keep calories under my daily budget (around 1700 at the moment). I know that doesn't have anything to do with my exercise challenge, but I need to crack down on that too.
2. Since I've been working out 1-2 days a week, 5 days is really kicking it up a notch! I'm going for at least 30 minutes on the stairclimber or treadmill, or a 15-minute walk plus 15 minutes on the stairclimber, or an exercise video (I think the shortest cardio one I have is 25 minutes).
3. Strength training 3-4 days, whether UB or LB, with my cardio or separate.
4. Stretch. I've gotten really bad about it, which is terrible, since I love yoga and pilates and stretching in general. There's no reason I can't do it.

So who's with me?

~Elisha

Hey everyone! No exercise yet for today, my daughter was awoken :) from the dog. So... a little crabby today. BUT..... my mission is to not let the little things get me down.. Chances are... I might not exercise later because the later it gets.. the lazier I get... but life isnt perfect. So... instead of being miserable and whining, I will keep on pushing on. I think the news is getting my attitude is worse. All they talk about is war, and murder... etc. No wonder! I'm seriously thinking about taking the kids to the park. I won't get much exercise, because I'll have to watch the baby, and she doesnt like heat that much.. But the pool and the beach are too hard. I don't have the energy. I still need to go to the library and take back those videos. I'm cooking chilli dogs today... so I don't have to worry about a big meal to cook for later. I ended up eating Wendy's today.. but I ate some nuggets.. I think only 180 calories for 5 pieces... and I didnt get any breakfast. I spend 2 hours waiting for the dealership to change out my cd player. So I just need to get out there and burn some fat. Sweat a little. Well anyways, I need to get up and do something. It's getting pretty late. I'll check in later! Oh Elisha, I want in! I am working on a exercise schedule for the whole week, will try to get it to gether so I can post it. I need to get back to journaling and counting calories! Twlk with you all later! Jaymi

Alright chickies! Here's my goals for the week[U]: (pretty much the same as any other week, but the exercise is going to get kicked up a notch-thanks Elisha!)

Ready to begin a new week! You can read my post from the Labor day challenge to see how my day today was, but I wanted to make some comments here since it's been a while since I last posted!

Also, to post my goals! Here they are for this week!

1. 60-80 oz. water daily

2. Food-Try to "get" in the Zone and stay there all week. At least a fruit and veggies once a day! I have found that if I am conscious of trying to get in some fruit and veggies daily, the rest falls into place! I have to make brownies tomorrow night for our birthday party at work on Wednesday. I will plan to have ONE brownie and NO icecream (that is going to be soooo hard, but I know I can do it!!) Really! But that's it for the week with sweets! We are also having a "Taco Bar" at work on Wednesday, so I'm going to try to get my boss to bring in lots of extra veggies and if he doesn't, I will--to make Taco Salad! I love it! Yum! I've also got stuff to make up a pot of chili, so I will try to get that made sometime this week!

3. 30 minutes of aerobics every morning 5 times and 3 days of my toning routine before next Monday.

Jaymi...we are ALL going to get back into exercising this week. Actually, last week I started up again and I feel guilty when I don't do it (like this morning) but I do feel better for having done something to get me going! You will too! Mmmmm! Chili Dogs sound good! Do you use Fat Free hot dogs? I'm going to make a batch of chili this week, so maybe I will blend some of it for chili dogs and get some fat free ones! That sounds good!

Elisha...As you can see, I'm kicking up my exercise to 30 minutes this week and really going to "work it"! I really rode hard on the bike on Saturday and it felt good to do that. I've been kind of "lazy" and my heart rate was only maxing at around 120 or 130, so to get it up to 150 for a little bit was good! I need to do that more, though! The WATP DVD I have doesn't get my heart rate too high. I'm wondering if I'm working hard enough or need to go to another tape which is a little mor challenging! I do the hardest section on the DVD, but my heart rate, I know, is not anywhere near where it feels like it is when I ride the bike! And I have a monitor on the bike! Well, I will NOT "retrograde" with you around! Crack that whip, chickie!

OK, so I want details on the date, girl! I read that you will be doing a 2nd date, so do tell, chickie!!! Details, I want details!!!! ;) I'm happy for you! :)

Michelle...you are doing great despite the emotional week you have had! I am really proud of you! I've decided that next to trying to lose this weight, I spend more energy working on my relationship with my husband! It's work but I beleive that compromise and happiness with a partner is worth working for! We shall keep taking these baby steps together and soon we will all be hot babes!!! ;) Hope your week is going well!

That's about it for tonight, chickies! Hope you all have a great week! I'm going to go clean up the kitchen now so I can get that workout in in the morning! :tread: :workout:

Hugs,
Julie

Julie--I know you can meet those goals! Ice cream is always the hard part, isn't it? :)
I know you'll do fine. I need to make some taco salad, that sounds really good. It sounds like everyone is having chili something this week. I'm making a huge batch of my homemade spaghetti sauce on Wednesday and using the leftovers for chili on Thursday. I'm going to put a ton of veggies in it to make it a little healthier. And my grandma's giving me her pasta maker, which means I can make spinach pasta! Oh, and she just gave Mom her big fancy food processor, which means I can make spinach soup too. YUM! I'm hoping to get her George Foreman Grill too, the super extra big one. We'll see. I love getting new kitchen stuff, even if I do live with my parents.

Ok, that was a completely random tangent...

Jaymi--I always do better with a exercise schedule too. You always seem to get yours in though, I swear I don't know how you do it! You stay so busy, and I don't do anything, and I'm the one that doesn't find the time to work out.

Anyway, my brain just quit, so you chicks have a good night. ;)
~Elisha

Just finished 2.5 miles this morning with WATP DVD! It felt good too! Took around 40 minutes (which included warm up and cool down)!

Eating some cottage cheese & pineapple this morning and for lunch I will have a turkey roll up and some strawberries. Probably a cheese stick and some more strawberries for snack. Haven't figured on supper yet, but something on the grill and some veggies!

Found a good article from Truestar Health today:
http://www.truestarhealth.com/members/archives.asp?id=59ml4p1a41

Enjoy reading! Hugs to all...hoping you are having a great Tuesday!
Julie

There are two kinds of discontent: the discontent that works and the discontent that wrings its hands. The first gets what it wants; the second loses what it has. There is no cure for the first but success; there is no cure for the second. --Gordon Graham

Hey everyone.. Here is a great article that I thought you all might like:

http://www.lifetimetv.com/reallife/df/features/losing_weight.html

Anyways, today is starting off good. I got in my exercises as follows:

60 minutes Denise Austin & Lower body
5 minutes ABS

Last night I got in all of my exercises too!!

60 minutes Denise Austin (upper body)
40 minutes : DA Shrink your Female Fat Zones
20- weights
20- stability ball

Later on I Plan on doing some Step Aerobics or WATP. Water is ok.. Could be better. I only drank 16 oz so far. My breakfast was:
one slice of French toast,
one service low fat sausage,
½ c egg
1/8 cup lite syrup

Total calories: 395 (not bad for me!)

Anyways I got a lot to do today. I have about 4 stores to go to.. Which is funny since we have NO MONEY!! :lol: I have already planned dinner tonight. Here is the recipe, can’t remember if I gave it already…


Shortcut Beef Stew
from: Campbell's Kitchen
Prep/Cook Time: 25 min.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 lb. boneless beef sirloin steak, cut into 1" cubes*
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell's® Tomato Soup
1 can Campbell's® Beefy Mushroom Soup
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 bag (24 oz.) frozen vegetables for stew (potatoes, carrots, celery)*


* I use stew meat instead.. Too poor to buy that other stuff
* I use canned potatoes and carrots so it can really be a shortcut!

Directions:
HEAT oil in saucepot. Add beef and cook until browned and juices evaporate, stirring often.

ADD soups, Worcestershire and vegetables. Heat to a boil. Cover and cook over low heat 10 min. or until vegetables are tender. Serves 4.


Anyways…. I have to get going.. It looks like it’s gonna rain today! I’ll try to check back in later! I WAS gonna leave comments but my computer has froze up on me 4 times already… and I really need to go. I will come back later and leave comments only! I thin that may be my new way of doing this…. Anyway one day I will figure it out! Check you chicks later!

Some people go through life getting results; others get consequences.
--E. Stanley Jones

Morning ladies!

Motivation level: 7

Feeling sluggish today, as I always do in the morning, but I'll get over it. I am definitely going to exercise today, and NOTHING can stop me! Since I took yesterday off I absolutely HAVE to get back into it today, or I won't get back into it. It's ok, I'll kick some butt today.

I figured out something this morning. DietPower has been giving me a calorie budget around 1700-1800 the past few days, and my weight is going up and down 204-205-206. I had been losing a pound every few days. Now I know I have no right to complain, since I am still losing weight, it just gets frustrating when it goes slower than usual. So here's what I figured out: when I keep calories at 1400-1500, the weight drops off, but when I up it to over 1700, my progress grinds to a halt. My calorie budget today is something like 1582, and I'm going to try to have at least a few calories left over. And I don't want to use the calories my exercising puts back into my budget, because that will get it up to almost 1900, which is too much. I don't know what food is going to be like, except for dinner--spaghetti and garlic bread--so I'll eat light for the rest of the day. I don't plan on getting any food at the movies tonight, though I will probably get a diet pepsi. I can live with that.

Also, I read a few articles about the health benefits of green tea. Supposedly it can help you lose weight. I figure, even if it doesn't help, it can't hurt anything, so I've been drinking green tea for a couple of days. If it causes anything miraculous to happen, I'll let you know. ;)

Anyway, that's it from me today. Have a wonderfully healthy day everyone!
~Elisha

Hello Everyone! Ok... I LIED! I never got back on the computer yesterday. By the time I got home I had to fix dinner, got a major migraine.. and soon as hubby came in, which was about 15 minutes later, I went in the bed and laid down. You'd think that would be relaxing.... and I guess it was! But I didn’t get to finish my exercises... Oh well, today we aren’t going ANYWHERE! So I should be able to do everything as planned...whatever that may be. I didn‘t get off to a great start
! :lol: I got up at 6, fixed my hubbies lunch, fixed me some....get this.. COFFEE, and it was already almost 7!!! That's what time I should have exercised… right!!!! WRONG! I didn’t exercise until about 10.. After I finished procrastinating the baby woke up. I need to stop doing that!!! Well TOM is right on schedule... but PMS is still here big time! Why can't it be late sometimes?!? Maybe even like a day! :lol: Darn Wednesdays.. ANYWAYS…..I MISS MY ADIPEX!!!! :cry: I found some generic ones online for way cheaper.. but scared to buy them.... does generic work the same?!? Hmmm. Anyways Oh hold on…. Had to stop the baby from eating the foam paper plate!! While she took the cookies I gave her and threw them down. Why do kids do that!! :lol: Well anyways I’ve eaten breakfast . finally.. now I’m starving!! :lol: I ate 1/2 c of egg substitute... wow.... and some low fat sausage, and 7 mini pancakes. I would eat earlier if I didn’t have to cook it…. I HATE cooking breakfast! Those egg substitutes take too long.. Or maybe I’m starving by the time I get through and I’m just too lazy… who knows. Well anyways I already did my DA exercise with weights… now I plan on doing the Ultimate Fat Burner DVD when the baby takes her nap… I’m not even excited at the least about it.. Because I SWEAR that workout is HARD!!!!! I’m not good at cardio moves for long periods of time… just short bursts… but that one kills ya! I just can’t seem to drink enough water though… I hate it!! Adding lemon and all that makes me nauseous.. I did It too much last time. I hope s/f koolaid helps in the water dept.. or tea.. Because yuck….Well here is a new article that I was sent today:

http://www.beachbody.com/jump.jsp?itemID=339&itemType=NEWSLETTER_ISSUES



Darn.. Sorry everyone!!! My daughter keeps screaming.. So I guess she’s sleepy after all!! I will finish comments later!!!

The greatest responsibility entrusted to man is that of developing himself. ** William Ross

Talk about being motivationally challenged......I haven't posted in at least a couple days I think and it is a pure lack of motivation. I didn't work out Monday or Tuesday but did walk over an hour yesterday & today. I'm doing my short power walks twice a day at work, making sure I get 10k steps a day, and then an hour power walk in the evening. My food has been decent. Not perfect in terms of nutrition, but I don't see where I can eat any less food. Well maybe not that uncalled for bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch last night..... but you know what I mean. That was an isolated incident. TOM is over and I expected the scale to return to its lower point of 171-172. Its more like 173-174. I'm tired. I only want to lose 10-12lbs and it is harder than when I had to lose 40lbs! Every month is the same thing. I lose a couple of pounds and then lose it during TOM. Yes there is bloating involved, but there is also me just plain losing it during that time period and taking 2 steps backwards. So I'm feeling low. Not like giving up or anything, just low. My walks have been feeling good. I feel good physically. My clothes are fitting nicely. Its just that darn scale! And although I know muscle weighs more than fat, I'm not gaining any muscle because I haven't been doing any strength training at all. So that's not it. Its just me being stuck. Well, so as not to depress everyone, I'm going to sign off. If I don't post tomorrow, rest assured I'm here lurking, while possibly not feeling like typing. Sorry I'm being such a sour puss. There is absolutely no reason for me to post over on the Labor Day Challenge thread since that goal seems very far away.

Hello Everyone! Damn yesterday was almost cause for Divorce! But seriously, I did get a tad carried away in the clearance isle… but only about 32.00 worth! :lol: And clothes ranged from 2.00 to 4.00! Oh… I bought 2 pair of tennis shoes for $1.00 each!! Now how could I pass that up!!! They were of course for the baby, but they are a size 7 which are too big…but that means that later I won’t have to buy her none! I only bought a couple of things for me.. Just some sports bras and tights for 3.00, I bought a couple of dresses for my daughter and 1 pair of shorts for my son. I wanted to buy more for him…. But they didn’t have any thing in his size. I hate that! School is starting soon. Again.. I’ve been up since 5:30 and it’s almost 7 and I haven’t done anything. Well I folded 2 loads of clothes because the hubby took them out last night.. And you know how it is when it cools off… All WRINKLY! So.. Anyways I had to put them back in the dryer and fold them. I had planned to exercise before Denise Austin came on… but didn’t happen. I guess I have to put up my babies toddler bed myself…. Waiting on “other people” to do it… will never happen.. Or it won’t happen NOW!! I did ok with eating.. Until!! I got hungry and ended up eating 2 chocolate donuts… and some skittles. And… I ate a double cheeseburger. What else can I do?!? I did exercise.. But not enough to burn off all of those calories.. I walked in Walmart for OVER an hour.. But not sure if that counts! Oh.. Back to the money thingy… I spent too much …. As usual. But…. I only spent about 45.00 on groceries for the week, and 35.00 on household items.. If he went shopping himself.. Then he wouldn’t complain. I went to the store with him the other day… and he kept picking up stuff that we didn’t need. But he doesn’t think he should have to because he works… Well, shut up then! We needed the stuff I bought.. Except for the pictures! :lol: Oh, and the ink cartridges for the printer was 60.00!!! Da*n, I can almost buy another printer! But I have been without ink on this printer for over a month. I even called and asked him about it. I bought myself another watch… *only 6 bucks* because mine broke…and another alarm clock *which was on clearance for 7 bucks* because I can’t hear mine anymore… and I need to wake up!!! So what ever! Anyways I gotta go start exercising. Weigh-in is tomorrow… and If I weigh more than 145 I will go on a starvation diet… or jump off a bridge..either one. :rofl: Nah… but that would make me very depressed…. That would be over 6 lbs gained in 2 weeks…. And although some people might not understand how important 6 lbs is…. To me… It’s a big freakin deal!!!! Anyone who have been here through it with me knows how hard I have worked to lose 6 lbs (which takes almost 2 months to lose) and to turn around and gain it back in so less of time.. Pisses me off. I refuse to step on the scale until tomorrow morning. Today is a new day…. And I’m gonna try to not eat any candy.. And be good. I don’t have any sweets in here so that should help. Well I want to at least exercerse before 7:30, so I need to post this.. And come back later and leave comments. I hope everyone has had a great morning so far! Be back soon!

We succeed in enterprises which demand the positive qualities we possess, but we excel in those which can also make use of our defects. --Tocqueville

Morning ladies!

Motivation level: 6

I'm motivated to do well today, but I am NOT motivated to exercise. I think today might just be my second day off. For some reason I am just plain tired. Not, not "for some reason," I'm tired because Mother Nature has to go and play nasty little tricks on us like PMS. Which is also causing my weight to hover at 205... grrr. I'm a little upset about that. I just keep telling myself that it will drop at least 2 pounds after ToM, so it will all work out. It just seems to stall for 2 weeks before hand, in which time I should have lost about 4 pounds, then it only drops 2. It's frustrating.

This challenge of mine has been really good for me though. I almost didn't exercise last night, then I thought that if I didn't I couldn't meet my challenge goal (which was wrong anyway), and then I told my friend at work that I was getting on the stairclimber, and she would hold me accountable (which is a very good thing). So I got on, saying that I would do at least 20 minutes, and after that I could decide if I wanted to go for 30. And I ended up doing 30.

Ok, so to completely change the subject, I've been thinking of moving this thread to the Support Groups Forum. We're all on the Labor Day Challenge board, and I think we get tired of posting and reading the same things twice. So the theory is, if we move the board to a different forum, we'll get some different traffic, maybe some new conversations, maybe even some new motivation. Also, I plan on setting up a daily or weekly challenge (like the one I did this week) along with my daily quotes. I might need some help with the creativity though, so if you have any challenge suggestions they're more than welcome (PM them to me please). I'm planning on setting it up Sunday. I'll post a link here so you can find it easily.
Let me know what you think.

Anyway, that's it from me today. I'll be back this evening to let you know how my day turned out. Have a great day everyone!
~Elisha

Elisha- Sounds great about moving the thread.. Either way… I’ll be here… and you still might hear my repeat post… when I have limited times.. But you could forgive me anyways.. Right!! :lol: That is SOO Great about you getting your exercise in.. I’m proud of you!

Michelle- You stop this nonsense right now!!! I don’t want to hear about you feeling down on yourself like this! This isn’t easy…. Life isn’t easy.. And we can’t give up! Don’t be so hard on yourself… especially because that scale isn’t moving….. As long as you worry about that scale… it’ll keep you down! I know I sound hypocritical.. But I also know the truth. Weight isn’t everything… it’s your health that is important. And even though I’ve forgotten my challenge (almost) for the Labor day thread.. I still try to post there…. And I want to see you there too!!! Hey…. I want you to keep up the good work… and don’t give up! Ya hear!!! :joker:

Julie, Lucia…. Come back!! :lol: I miss ya!

Well that‘s it for now.. I think I got everyone.. If I didn’t SORRY!!!!

I Gotta go clean up… again…. and try to exercise again during nap time! OH!! I did the whole Kathy Smith tape this time!!!!! YAYYYY!!! Last time I could only do 20 minutes!!! Hope everyone has a great day!!!

It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn't. ** Anonymous

Morning chicks!

Motivation level: 8

Believe it or not, I've already done my exercise for the day! Only 20 minutes though, on the stairclimber. I told myself I'd do 20, then if I felt like it go for another 10. Well, after the first 10 my head was pounding to the rhythm of my steps, and the next 10 didn't help, so I stopped there.

So exercise is good today. Food probably won't be. Jerry is taking me out to dinner, then we're going to the drive-in. I'll have a light breakfast and lunch to make up for dinner though, and I'll do my best at the restaurant.

Anyway, I don't have time to sit and chat, so I'd better go. I hope everyone is having a great day, and is doing awesome with their challenge! See you this evening!
~Elisha

Good Morning! Well I’m good and sore today. I exercised yesterday.. But then I got upset and ended up cleaning up the whole house….. Packing up everything! I still got some stuff to do today. I went ahead and just put up her toddler bed… she sleep in it all night!!! I barely slept though…. I kept being afraid she would fall out! I’ve already got a great hour long workout in for this morning! Although I am SICK to my stomach… for some unknown reason. Today is also weigh-in day. I have lost 4 lbs!! Yay! Almost back to where I started! Hopefully I can keep it up! I didn’t reach my goal for the month of July.. But that’s ok! Here’s to next month! I DID however lose inches off my hips, waist, and thighs, arms, and leg from two weeks ago! Total inches lost from 7-17-04…. 6.5!!! So for me.. The pound goal doesn’t matter that much! I still ended up losing 3 lbs for the month. It definitively is slowing down… but I like the inches dropping though! That makes me excited! Today I guess I’ll cook Spicy Onion burgers.. I don’t have any wheat buns.. so I’ll make me some burgers with ground turkey. Here is the recipe if you want it.. It’s pretty simple though:

Spicy Onion Burgers
from: Campbell's Kitchen
Prep/Cook Time: 20 min.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lb. ground beef
1/2 cup Pace® Picante Sauce
1 pouch Campbell's® Dry Onion Soup and Recipe Mix
6 hamburger rolls
Lettuce leaves
Tomato slices
Avocado slices


Directions:
MIX thoroughly beef, picante sauce and soup mix. Shape firmly into 6 patties, 1/2" thick each.

GRILL patties 10 min. or until done.

SERVE in rolls with lettuce, tomato, avocado and additional picante sauce. Serves 6.


Well that’s all I got planned for today. It looks like it’s gonna be rainy day. The sun is out… but it’s still raining pretty hard. Well I hope everyone has a great day! I’m just gonna finish cleaning and cooking for the day. Maybe record some of my Murder She Wrote Episodes.. Or read the book I never started. I hope everyone has a great day today!

Hi all
It is pretty quiet around here, so Elisha you may be on to something with moving this thread. I'll go where ever. Glad to see you're motivated to at least exercise some, even if not for a long time. That's a great deal to make with yourself - to at least do the minimum with the possibility of going further if you feel like it. I tend to think in terms of all or nothing. If I don't feel like walking for an hour then it hardly seems worth the effort. But I know that's not true. Have fun on your date tonight! Can't wait to hear about it.

Jaymi - Thanks for the encouraging words. I don't know why I"m in such a funk. Congratulations on 4lbs down as well as the inches lost! :) In spite of the bad food days here and there that you've had you are doing awesome! Great recovery!

Food today was ok, although I did have a Twix. I can still salvage the day however. I didn't exercise at all. I just wanted to sleep in for once so that's exactly what I did. I so rarely get the opportunity to. My husband had to leave early for work at about 8 I think and after he left I just laid around on the sofa watching cartoons, eating cereal, and then dozing. It was a wonderful morning. Then by 1pm it was time to start running my errands (drug store, grocery store, car wash, gas station, hair dresser). Its been a full day. But even with all of the errands I ran I just checked my pedometer and I'm only at 3,081, so I'll be lucky to break 5,000 today :( Not good. Well I really should sign off and do a little more around here.

Well ladies...I am once again motivated to continue with this journey! I did manage to lose those extra pounds and am back down into the 160's! Phew! OK, so it's only 169, but hey...maybe by Tuesday I can be at 168 again! So...once again...another month with NO weight loss! I am not discouraged though!

My day today was as follows:
Up early to hit the County Fair to see the horse competition this morning. My sister spent the night with her littlest son (same age as our DD-4.5) so we could do the Fair together!
After the fair, dropped DD and DN off at my sister's house so BIL could watch them while we hit the sidewalk sales in Holland (where she works)!
***So far, lots of walking casually but pulling a wagon through sand has to count for something!***

Here's the BEST PART OF MY DAY!!!! Remember that my goal is to hike the Adirondacks next Summer. Well, I have been looking for some good hiking/walking shoes AND a backpack! I found the deal of the century today! Tevo walking/hiking shoes regular $80 (probably more, but these were year end close outs) for only $30.00!!!!! AND....I'm so excited...I now have my very own Eureka Back Pack (it's a 3-day pack with enclosed aluminum bars vs. big bulky frame). OK, now guess how much I paid for it????? ONLY $30.00!!!!!!! They had that marked $80.00 too, but I know they go for more in retail stores!!!

I think I'm going to take my Tasha dog tomorrow and go for a hike at one of the local state parks to try out my new shoes. I won't go for too long, just incase they need breaking in some! A good 30 minutes, though or more! Probalby more because once I get walking out there, I may not be able to stop!!! It's right on Lake MIchigan and is so beautiful!

I know I haven't checked in here most of the week partly because I've been so busy but partly because there hasn't been much to tell. I didn't exercise on Friday morning (got up too late!) and todays wasn't aerobic, but plenty of movement which has to count for something! Food has not been good today (Fair food-part of an elephant ear, part of an order of french fries, a couple of bites of corn dog and then I split a NON sugar free Latte with my sister when we went shopping!) , but the rest of the week has been ok! I had more than the alloted brownie, though....so I am going to attempt again this week to steer clear of those kinds of goodies! OK, I am rethinking about what the scales might show on Tuesday if I don't get cracking tomorrow and Monday!!! Where's that tazer?????

Michelle...sleeping in sounds good. :tired: I told hubby tomorrow that if he decides he doesn't want to go to church int he morning, I may just sleep in too! I haven't done that in so long! Sleeping in for me means anything past 8am!!!! I can never sleep past that no matter howlate I stay up at night! But usually my body clock wakes me up between 5:30 and 6:30!! UGH!
Keep doing those little bits of exercise because every bit helps...really!

Jaymi...so glad you got the baby's bed put together! I knew you would do it! You are super human, girl!!! ;) And I'm glad she didn't fall out but sorry to hear you didn't get any sleep! Isn't that the way it goes...mother instinct kicking in! Great job on the inches and the pounds. And even though they aren't what you wanted, you had a rough month getting back into the groove and you succeeded to get off what you gained, so that counts for something, doesn't it? No one said this would be easy, right??? Geesh, don't I know that!!! Hope you feel better too!

Elisha...just let me know where and when you move the thread! I will try to find you! Can't be without my Motivationally Challenged chickies! We gotta stick together! I have some questions for challenges for you and will PM them to you later! Hope you are having loads of fun on your date! A drive in movie sounds so cool! I am glad you are enjoying each other! So happy for you chickie! :)

Hold me to my walk tomorrow, girls! I may find a million reasons (like laundry, housework, etc.) not to go...but I really need to do this!

Hugs to all!
JUlie

I can't imagine a person becoming a success who doesn't give this game of life everything he's got. --Walter Cronkite

Hello Everyone! Well today is boring as usual. The baby went to sleep. I took it upon myself to sleep late today… 9:30! I wake up at 5:30 every other morning.. Decided to take this one off. I cooked some Smothered chicken, okra and tomatoes… and corn for everyone else.. The rice will be cooked later. The okra tastes.. Eat-able.. I couldn’t get in touch with my grandmother to find out what else I needed to do… So I guessed… and needless to say it doesn’t taste like hers… I’m going to write it down next time….. You know…. A lot of my favorite foods died a long with my favorite family members.. I wasn’t old enough then to ask how to fix those things…now it’s too late! But.. It’s not too late to find out from my ALIVE relatives… so … anyways…. Off of that subject. I guess I’ll do a 30 minute work-out while the baby naps and then get ready to go.. Who knows where. Hubby says there is a tropical storm watch. Yesterday was COMPLETELY MISERABLE! I just sat in the house with a headache trying to get my folders and tablets together. My old journal and stuff ran out of pages. I’ve been trying to get my recipe tablet, daily tablet.. Etc together.. Anyways My DH slept all day..which he deserves to do.. But on my day off.. Sleeping wouldn’t be my choice.. Since it isn’t possible to spend time with me and DH alone… then I would go to the pool or the beach.. Alone and just relax, read a book… something. If I had money.. I’d go shopping! But that’s just me! Anyways this freaking AOL cut off on me once already and erased everything else I’d written.. So I’m just gonna post this for now. I’ll try to update later… Hope everyone have a great day!

Ok, here's the link for the new "Motivationally Challenged" thread I set up in the Support Groups forum. You can read my actual post for the day on the new thread. I hope to see all of you there!

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?p=639154#post639154

I'm over on the new Motivationally challenged boards! Looks good Elisha. Thanks for setting it up.......and how was your date last night?
See you later!
Julie